bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Australasian Paramedic Clinical Practice Guidelines for Managing Cardiac Arrest: An Appraisal
Authors: Colbeck Marc , Swain Andrew , Gibson Jonathan , Parker Lachlan , Bailey Paul , Burke Paul , Caffey Matthew , Kinnear Frances
Published: July 2019

Introduction

There are 10 government-regulated ambulance services (paramedic provider services) in Australasia who are members of the Council of Ambulance Authorities (CAA). These CAA-member services each produce clinical practice guidelines (CPGs), which guide the practice of their paramedics. Common to each set of CAA-member CPG is a guideline that addresses cardiac arrest due to ventricular fibrillation and pulseless ventricular tachycardia (pulseless VT/VF). This study sought to answer the question: ‘Are current CAA-member CPGs developed with sufficient methodological rigour to consistently produce guidelines that, according to validated, evidence-based best practices, can be recommended for clinical use?’

Methods

This question was addressed by performing a comparison of existing CAA-member CPGs for pulseless VT/VF against the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research & Evaluation (AGREE II) instrument. All CPGs were anonymised and sent to each appraiser along with the AGREE II appraisal sheet. Appraisals were conducted independently for each CPG and returned to the lead author for collation. The anonymised results were then shared among all appraisers for consideration and discussion. Appraisers were free to change their appraisal after considering the comments from the other appraisers, and results were then converted into a final percent score for each CPG in accord with the recommended AGREE II instrument methodology. One appraisal question, in addition to the AGREE II criteria was added to each appraisal; the response to this was analysed separately.

Results

Nine CPGs were evaluated according to the AGREE II instrument. The appraisers gave passing marks to only two of the six domains in the AGREE II instrument: Domain 1 – Scope and Purpose (73%), and Domain 4 – Clarity of Presentation (74%). Less than passing marks were awarded for Domain 2 – Stakeholder Involvement (27%). Scores of less than 10% were awarded for Domain 5 – Applicability (8%) and Editorial Independence (1%).

Conclusion

Based on the findings of this paper, the authors conclude that it cannot be assumed that current CAA-member paramedic CPGs are developed with sufficient methodological rigour to consistently produce guidelines that, according to validated, evidence-based best practices can be recommended for clinical use. However, most of the authors agree that the CPGs reviewed could be recommended for clinical use with relatively minor modifications. It would be useful to determine whether end users of the CAA-member CPGs agree on the importance of characteristics of CPGs that the AGREE II instrument appraises.
SYNTAX Score on Procedural Outcome among Patient Undergoing Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention
Authors: Islam Md Shariful , Rahman Md Afzalur , Chowdhury Abdul Wadud , Ahmed Mohsin , Karmakar Kajal Kumar , Firoz Mohammad Ullah , Rahman Mohammad Arifur , Haque Md Mosharul , Sikdar Mohammad Sadaqul Islam , Tamal Ashrafuzzaman , Islam Abul khair Md Rezawanul , Amin Muhammad Ruhul , Reza Abeeda Tasnim , Cader F Aaysha
Published: July 2019

Background: Limited contemporary data exist regarding the impact of SYNTAX score on procedural outcomes undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI) in acute STEMI patients.

Objectives: To evaluate the significance of the SYNTAX score for predicting procedural outcome after primary PCI in patient with acute STEMI.

Methods: This perspective observational study was conducted in the department of cardiology, National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Dhaka, Bangladesh from September, 2015 to September, 2016. 42 patients with acute STEMI who underwent primary PCI were considered for the study. But 2 patients were excluded from the study due to failure of primary PCI. The patients were divided into two groups: Group I (low Syntax score d”22) and Group II (high Syntax score > 22). The Syntax score of all patients were calculated from an initial coronary angiogram before primary PCI. Procedural outcome was observed in between two groups.

Results: Among study patients 57.5% were in SYNTAX score d”22 (Group I) and 42.5% were in SYNTAX score >22 (Group II). Among traditional cardiovascular risk factors diabetes was significantly more prevalent in the Group II than Group I ( 82.4% vs 34.8%, p Â 0.003). Angiographic profile revealed maximum (69.6% vs 17.6%) culprit lesion in LAD artery in Group I and maximum culprit lesion (64.7% vs 21.7%) in RCA in Group II, these were the statistically significant between Group I and Group II (P<0.05). The high SYNTAX score group had lower ejection fraction (47.8±5.1 vs. 54.4±4.3, p= 0.04), lower TIMI flow 3 rate (76.47% vs 91.3%, p= 0.03 ) greater rate of MACE (29.4% vs. 4.3%, p=0.041), lower procedural success rate ( 76.47 vs. 91.3%, p= 0.046) compared to the low SYNTAX score group. ROC curve showed 77% sensitivity and 32% specificity for SYNTAX score when cut off value was 22 Performance test of SYNTEX score in the setting of Primary PCI outcome showed positive predictive value 83%.

Conclusions: SYNTAX score was an independent variable that can predict procedural outcomes

Bangladesh Heart Journal 2019; 34(1) : 5-10
Effects of Controling of Post Operative Hypergycemia (Stress Induced Hyperglycemia) in Adult Non-Diabetic Patients Undergoing Mitral Valve Replacement Surgery Under Cardiopulmonary Bypass
Authors: Wadud Md Armane , Ahmed Syed Tanvir , Aziz Shahnoor , Khalilullah Ibrahim , Kabir CM Shaheen
Published: July 2019

Objectives: The objective of this study was to see whether there is an association between high blood glucose levels after operation under CPB and post operative morbidity and mortality.

Methodology: This cohort study was carried out in the Department of Cardiac Surgery at National Institute of Cardiovascular DiseaseS (NICVD), Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka from January, 2012 to December, 2013 for a period of twenty four (24) months. A total number of 110 patients who underwent MVR operation with CPB were enrolled in this study as per inclusion and exclusion criteria. Patients were divided into two groups according to their post operative blood glucose levels, recorded with in first 60 hrs after mitral valve replacement surgery under cardiopulmonay bypass. Patients having blood glucose level of less than 10.1 mmol/L (unexposed) and patients having blood lactate level of 10.1 mmol/L or more (exposed) were grouped. Post operative variables were observed and recorded during the hospital course of the patient.

Result: A total number of 110 patients were enrolled in this study. Blood glucose levels lower than or equal to10 mmol/L after MVR were present in 55(50%) patients (Group A) Blood glucose levels higher than 10 mmol/L after MVR were present in 55(50%) patients. Postoperative morbidity was higher in this group ( Group B) than in the patients who had peak blood glucose levels of less than or equal to 10 mmol/L MVR (p 0.001). Postoperative ICU stay was prolonged in patients with elevated levels of blood glucose after MVR under CPB compared with of patients with lower blood glucose levels (p 0.001). Other common morbidities are neurological complication (p 0.04), renal dysfunction (p 0.01) , wound infection (p 0.04), post-operative hospital stay ( p0.004). also higher in group B patient, as well as mortality.

Conclusions: Blood glucose concentration of 10.1 mmol/ L or higher after MVR under CPB is an important issues related to postoperative morbidity and mortality.

Bangladesh Heart Journal 2019; 34(1) : 44-51
Management of Diabetic Foot Ulcer in a Tertiary Level Hospital-Faridpur
Authors: Gaddafi AL , Das DK , Faruque G , Islam Z , Rahman MA , Jui FN , Walid KM , Biswas A
Published: July 2019

A descriptive type of cross sectional study among 210 diabetic patients with foot ulcer was carried out in Diabetic Association Medical College during the period of May 2016 to April 2017 and were categorized based on Meggitt-Wagner system to find out the complications, management, below knee amputation rate and mortality rate. The aim of this study was to practise a profile of diabetic foot ulcer (DFU), complications and its management to assess the outcome of the surgical interventions. Majority of the patients were male 112(53%), and most of them 116 patients (55.23%) presented within Wegner grade - 2 and grade-3 diabetic foot ulcers. The duration of diabetes more than 10 years was 116 (55%). 99 (47%) patients out of 210 patients developed diabetic neuropathy. 76 (36%) patients presented with CKD. Lack of awareness about diabetes mellitus and its lower limb complications, poor compliance to the treatment, poorly controlled blood sugar levels, delay in diagnosis, and late presentation to the tertiary care center, associated habit of smoking are all factors which lead to incidence of DFU at an earlier age than that seen in other studies. After admission of diabetic foot ulcer patients, diabetic foot ulcer is classified according to Wagner grading and treated the diabetic foot ulcer patients as the using protocol ’!1.Assesment whether it was conservative or surgical. 2. Optimal blood sugar control. 3. Systemic antibiotic. 4. Moist wound environment. 5. Offloading such as total contact casting. 6. Improves peripheral arterial circulation due to lack of vascularity. 7. Surgical debridement or minor amputation or major amputation. In case of G-4 or G-5 patients, ischemia was treated before debridement or amputation so that vascular circulation improved in the ulcer area and then healing potential was fastened.

Bangladesh Heart Journal 2019; 34(1) : 52-57
Afşin-Elbistan havzası linyit işletmesi organik materyallerinden geliştirilen organik ve organomineral gübrelerin buğday verimi ve verim bileşenleri ile bazı toprak özellikleri üzerine etkileri
Authors: NAMLI Ayten , AKÇA Muhittin Onur , AKÇA Hanife
Published: July 2019

Bu
çalışma kapsamında, Afşin Elbistan Linyit işletme sahasında mevcut içerikleri
tanımlanmış organik materyallerden elde edilen organik toprak düzenleyicisi
olarak humik asit ve bunların farklı oranlarda kimyasal gübrelerle
kombinasyonuyla elde edilen organomineral gübrelerin buğday bitkisi ve toprak
özellikleri üzerindeki etkinliklerinin belirlenmesi amacıyla, İç Anadolu Bölge
koşullarını temsilen Ankara ili Haymana ilçesinde bir yıl süreli tarla
denemesi kurulmuştur. Bu materyallerin toprağın bazı özelliklerine olan
etkileri ve haymana denemesinde hasat parsellerinden tesadüfi 10
buğday bitkisi toplanarak boyları ölçülmüş, biçerdöver ile parseller hasat
edilmiş ve dekara verim hesaplanmış, danede buğday kalitesinin göstergesi olan
gluten, indeks, hektolitre, protein ve rutubet analizleri yapılmıştır. Organik
materyal uygulaması bitki boyunu artırmış, yanısıra yörenin geleneksel
uygulaması olan tek başına 20 kg da-1 DAP uygulamasına kıyasla
toprağa ilave edilen organik materyallerin tek başlarına ve kimyasal gübrelerle
birlikte uygulanması buğday verimini de önemli düzeyde artırmıştır. Tüm uygulamaların
kontrole göre toprağın pH, organik madde ve değişebilir K
değerini kontrole göre artırdığı (p<0.05)  belirlenmiştir. Sonuç olarak
incelenen özellikler birlikte değerlendirildiğinde; Afşin Elbistan Linyit
işletme sahasında önemli miktarlarda bulunan organik materyallerin içerik
analizlerinin yapılarak organik toprak düzenleyicisi, organomineral gübre,
K-humat ve humik asit şeklinde değerlendirilmesinin buğday yetiştiriciliğinde
önemli olduğu belirlenmiştir.
Sakarya ili ormanlık alan topraklarından Streptomyces türlerinin izolasyonu, karakterizasyonu ve bazı ekstraselüler enzimlerin üretiminin belirlenmesi
Authors: ÖZOK Ömrüye , ÖZDEMİR Kerem
Published: July 2019

Bu çalışmada, Sakarya ili sınırlarında bulunan ormanlık alan topraklarından Streptomyces cinsi bakterileri izole edilerek bilgisayar yardımıyla teşhisleri yapılmış ve izolatların amilaz, selülaz, L-asparaginaz, proteaz ve lipaz enzimlerinin aktiviteleri belirlenmiştir. Yapılan renk grubu analizinde izolatlar havasal ve misel rengi esas alınarak 4 ana gruba ayrılmıştır. Teşhisleri tamamlanan Streptomyces izolatlarının test sonuçları MVSP 3.2 bilgisayar programı ile birbirleri arasındaki benzerlik dendogramları oluşturulmuştur. Tüm izolatların fenotipik ve biyokimyasal karakterleri belirlenerek IDENTAX bilgisayar programına bu veriler aktarılmış, cins içerisindeki pozisyonları belirlenerek teşhisleri yapılmıştır. Bu teşhislere göre 80 izolattan 49’unun Streptomyces exfoliatus, 14’ünün Streptomyces atroolivaceus, 1’i Streptomyces albidoflavus,1’i Streptomyces chromofuscus, 1’i de Streptomyces purpureus olduğu belirlenmiştir. Ayrıca tüm izolatların proteaz, amilaz, lipaz, selülaz ve asparaginaz enzim aktiviteleri belirlenmiştir.
Garrido López, Carlos & Sáenz Royo, Eva: «La reforma del estado de partidos» (Recensión)
Authors: Ripollés Serrano María Rosa
Published: July 2019

Recensión sobre la obra: Garrido López, Carlos & Sáenz Royo, Eva. La reforma del estado de partidos, Marcial Pons, 2016, 162 págs. (Colección teoría constitucional y derecho).
Potestad legislativa y evaluación ex post de las normas: hacia un mejor parlamento a través de la regulación inteligente
Authors: De Montalvo Jääskeläinen Federico
Published: July 2019

SUMARIO: 1.- Introducción: la evaluación ex post de las normas como instrumento de calidad de la democracia. 2.- Modalidades de evaluación y concepto de evaluación legislativa ex post. 3.- Fines y metodología de la evaluación legislativa. 4.- La tardía y deficiente incorporación de la evaluación ex post a nuestro sistema jurídico. 5.-evolución de la evaluación ex post en nuestro ordenamiento jurídico: de instrumento fundamentalmente de mejora de la competitividad a instrumento de mejora de la calidad de la norma en general. 6.- Evaluación legislativa ex post y avance científico y tecnológico. 7.- La evaluación legislativa en el marco de la unión europea. 8.- Evaluación legislativa ex post en derecho comparado. 9.- A modo de conclusión: una propuesta de ideas para la instauración de un modelo de evaluación ex post de las normas en nuestro sistema jurídico.
Breves notas sobre el fundamento de la delegación del voto en los sistemas representativos autonómico y local
Authors: Anguita Susi Alberto
Published: July 2019

SUMARIO: I. DELEGACIÓN DE VOTO Y MANDATO REPRESENTATIVO. II. LA PRÁCTICA DE LA DELEGACIÓN DEL VOTO EN EL ÁMBITO AUTONÓMICO: EL PARLAMENTO DE ANDALUCÍA. 1. Supuestos. 2. Alcance. 3. Procedimiento. III. TEORÍA DE LA DELEGACIÓN DEL VOTO EN EL ÁMBITO LOCAL. 1. Supuestos. 2. Alcance. 3. Procedimiento. IV. CONCLUSIÓN.
González-Trevijano, Pedro: «El purgatorio de las ideas» (Recensión)
Authors: Arnaldo Alcubilla Enrique
Published: July 2019

Recensión sobre la obra: González-Trevijano, Pedro. El purgatorio de las ideas. Galaxia Gutenberg. Madrid, 2016, 123 págs.
La Diputación Permanente a la luz de cuatro décadas de vida parlamentaria
Authors: Peña Jiménez Pedro José
Published: July 2019

La Diputación Permanente, que reaparece en la historia constitucional española en 1978 como órgano de garantía, estabilidad y permanencia, en aquellos períodos en que las Cámaras no estén reunidas, hayan sido disueltas o haya expirado su mandato, ha ido perfilando sus contornos y llenando lagunas que existían en su configuración, a lo largo de cuatro décadas de vida parlamentaria. Al mismo tiempo ha ido ganando en dimension y presencia, puesto que cada vez tiene más miembros y se reúne con mayor frecuencia y en sesiones más largas, hasta el punto de resultar un factor adicional de lo que algún autor ha llamado, en referencia a un contexto más amplio, la continuidad del Parlamento como principio constitucional fundamental, consolidado y expansivo. Sin embargo, y pese a que en términos generales ha cumplido bien su papel en ambas Cámaras, hay buenas razones para pensar, a la vista de cómo ha crecido el órgano, que tanto la interpretación restrictiva predominante sobre el alcance de la más sustancial de sus funciones, “velar por los poderes de las Cámaras”, como la práctica seguida respecto de la más ejercitada de aquellas, “solicitar sesiones extraordinarias de las Cámaras”, que ha propiciado el afianzamiento de un tipo de debate que entra en el fondo de lo que originalmente se quiere discutir en el Pleno, pero sin la presencia del miembro del Gobierno a quién se pretende controlar, guiado además, casi exclusivamente, por la rigidez del criterio político de las mayorías de turno, ...
Las Comisiones del Estatuto del Diputado y de Incompatibilidades
Authors: Peñaranda Ramos José Luis
Published: July 2019

En este trabajo se pretende describir la actuación de las Comisiones competentes en materia de incompatibilidades en las dos Cámaras que componen el órgano Cortes Generales, precisando los criterios comunes y los matices diferenciales, así como el modo en que desarrollan sus trabajos, aspecto en el que puede apreciarse una notable confluencia.
The importance of teaching aids and their impact on the teaching of the Arabic Language/أهمية الوسائل التعليمية وأثرها في تعليم اللغة العربية
Authors: Manshur Umar
Published: July 2019

Media have important role in improving the linguistic competence of students. Hence, well-prepared media will influence good result of learning and simplify Arabic material for students. The variety of use of instructional media should be fit to the objectives of learning, because the goal of listening is different from reading or other skills. So, each learning objective of the four skills require particular media that can support the success of learning process in accordance with characteristics of each.إن الوسائل التعليمية لها دور هام في ترقية مهارة لغة الطلبة العربية. فإعداد الوسائل التعليمية يساعد الطلبة على فهم المواد الدراسية بسهولة ويسر. واستخدام الوسائل التعليمية أن تلائم أهداف التعليم المناسبة لكل من مهارات اللغة الأربع حيث اختلفت مهارة الاستماع عن مهارات اللغة الأخرى كمهارة القراءة. لذا، فإن تعليم مهارات اللغة الأربع في حاجة ماسة إلى الوسيلة التعليمية المناسبة كي تتحقق العملية التعليمية بنجاح وفعال مع مراعاة خصائص كل من مهارة لغوية مذكورة.
Problems with Pupils' Reading and Solutions/مشاكل القراءة لدى التلاميذ وحلولها
Authors: Ar-Rahman Jazil
Published: July 2019

Reading is a key factor in building personality and refining it. It provides the reader with the knowledge and experience that he may not be able to acquire directly through reading. It is also the tool of the student in acquiring his academic sciences and expanding knowledge horizons. "Whoever does not read well does not get well," he said. This research deals with the problems of reading among students with all the difficulties surrounding them. These problems arise from the fact that the readable text is boring. Therefore, the reading should use different sources of erotic hearts.القراءة عامل أساسي في بناء الشخصية وصقلها، فهي تزوّد القارئ بالمعارف والخبرات التى قد لا يستطع أن يكتسبها مباشرة إلا من خلال القراءة، كما أنها أداة الطالب في تحصيل علومه الدراسية وتوسيع أفاق المعرفي. فصح من يقول "من لا يقرأ جيدا لا يحصل جيدا". ويتناول هذا البحث عن مشاكل القراءة لدي التلاميذ بكل صعوبات محيطة بها. فإن تلك المشاكل تنبثق من كون النص المقروء جافا مملا. لذا، ينبغي أن تستخدم القراءة مصادر المختلفة المثيرة للقلوب.
Curriculum and Syllabus for Teaching Arabic in General Secondary Schools (Evaluation Study) المنهج والمقرر لتعليم اللغة العربية فى المدارس الثانوية العامة (دراسة تقويمية)
Authors: Syaifullah Muhammad
Published: July 2019

One of the reasons for the delay of the Indonesian children in the educational process is that the cost of the school curricula taught by the conservation of materials. Research has shown that the educational process has been held in many grades and does not result in anything but insult and malaise. Therefore, this research aims to describe the curriculum and the curriculum for teaching Arabic in secondary school in Indonesia and evaluate its results.ومن أسباب تأخر أطفال إندونيسيا في العملية التعليمية هو أن تكلف المدارس بمناهجها التدريسية طلبتها بالحفظ للمواد الدراسية. وقد دلت الأبحاث على أن العملية التعليمية عقدت بكثير في الصف ولا ينتج منها إلا الشأمة والملالة. لذا، فإن هذا البحث يهدف إلى وصف المنهج والمقرر لتعليم اللغة العربية بالمدرسة الثانوية العامة في إندونيسيا وتقويم نتائجها.
تحليل الإسم الذي لا ينصرف حالة المجرور في سورة البقرة (دراسة تحليلية نحوية)
Authors: Mufid Miftahul
Published: July 2019

حكم علامة الجر في اسم المفرد كسرة.  ولكن هذا الحكم لا يصح في الاسم الذي لا ينصرف حالة الجر. لأن حكمه الاسم الذي لا ينصرف حالة الجر فتحة. وهذا سباب مبحث الاسم الذي لا ينصرف فاتن جدا. كثير من العجم لا يعرف عن حكم الاسم الذي لا ينصرف. وهذا سباب يشعر العجم بارتبك عن هذه المشكلة. و سورة البقرة هو سورة طويلة في القرآن. في هذا البحث يقوم الباحث تحليل الاسم الذي حالة الجر في سورة البقرة. ويوجد لفظ إسم الذي لا ينصرف حالة المجرور في سورة البقرة تتكون من 18 لفظا التي توجد في أية 21.
Developments in Concert Hall Acoustics in the 1960s: Theory and Practice
Authors: Barron Mike
Published: July 2019

After the war, there was a general understanding of reverberation time (RT), including how to measure it and its significance, as well as its link to a state of diffusion. Reverberation refers to a property of late sound; there was an appreciation that early sound must be significant, but in what way? Research had begun in the 1950s using simulation systems in anechoic chambers, with the Haas effect of 1951 being the most prominent result. Thiele’s Deutlichkeit, or early energy fraction, was important from 1953 and indirectly found expression in Beranek’s initial time delay gap (ITDG) from 1962. The 1960s produced a possible explanation for RTs in halls being shorter than calculations predicted, the importance of early sound for the sense of reverberation (EDT), the nature of directional sensitivity, conditions for echo disturbance, and the importance of early lateral reflections. Much of the research in the 1960s laid the foundations for research investigating the relative importance of the various subjective effects for concert hall listening. Important concert halls built during the period include Philharmonic Hall, New York (1962); Fairfield Hall, Croydon, London (1962); the Philharmonie, Berlin (1963); and De Doelen Hall, Rotterdam (1966). The parallel-sided halls of the past were rarely copied, however, due to architectural fashion. These various halls will be discussed as they make a fascinating group.
Applying Hierarchical Task Analysis to Depict Human Safety Errors during Pesticide Use in Vineyard Cultivation
Authors: Fargnoli Mario , Lombardi Mara , Puri Daniele
Published: July 2019

The use of pesticides in agriculture is a significant problem at a global level, not only from an environmental perspective but also from the farmers’ health and safety point of view. In the literature, several studies have discussed the safe behavior and risk perception of farmers. However, human errors when dealing with pesticides and the related work equipment are rarely considered. To reduce this research gap, a study of the human safety errors in pesticide use based on hierarchical task analysis is proposed. In particular, such a bottom-up approach was applied to vineyard cultivation and considered all the activities that operators carry out when using pesticides. The results of this study showed that most of the identified human errors were action errors, i.e., potential failures of the operator in completing the activity successfully. In addition, retrieval and checking errors resulted in being rather common. These outputs shed light on the gap between the information received and the practical need for operators to reduce their failure to perform specific activities. Therefore, while the present study augments current knowledge on the safe use of pesticides, further research is needed to address human errors in agricultural activities, thus extending these results to a larger sample size as well as to other cultivation types.
Field Population Density Effects on Field Yield and Morphological Characteristics of Maize
Authors: Greveniotis Vasileios , Zotis Stylianos , Sioki Evangelia , Ipsilandis Constantinos
Published: July 2019

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of population density and row spacing on field yield and other morphological characteristics of two commercial F1 maize hybrids of different biological cycle (Costanza and LG3535) in a four-year period. Field experiments were conducted in a split-split plot design, in two population densities and three types of row spacing, involving single or twin rows. Ten plants from each plot were selected randomly and plant height, ear emergence height, ear length, ear diameter, number of grain rows per ear, grains number per ear, grain weight per ear, spindle weight per ear, and spindle diameter were measured. Grain yield of each plot was measured and field yield, thousand kernel weight and bulk density were calculated. Four years of experimentation clarified that environmental conditions may distort all other effects of the factors studied. This study points out the best combination of plant density and row configuration. High populations and twin or narrow rows (50 cm) were found to be important for maximizing yield of modern maize hybrids. Differences between hybrids were not significant, although Costanza exhibited greater mean field yield performance (14,364 kg/ha). Plant density was a significant factor and yield was increasing from low to high plant population (from 13,900 to 14,527 kg/ha). Plant density and genetic materials affected thousand kernel weights that showed the highest value at low plant density (364 g). Row spacing showed a significant interaction with year. Generally, twin or narrow rows favored many characteristics, especially height characteristics. Plant height reached 320 cm and ear height reached 149 cm. Ear diameter was favored by low plant density. Some ear characteristics were found to be depended on the genotype behavior in the certain environmental conditions. For spindle weight per ear, a total interaction between years, row spacing, hybrids, and plant density was found. For spindle diameter, various significant interactions were found, including years (maximum also in 2009), row spacing, and plant density and also row spacing, hybrids, and plant density. Many correlations were found significant especially between yield and thousand kernel weight, spindle weight per ear, and ear diameter that may prove to be useful for plant breeders.
Assessment of Technical Efficiency and Its Potential Determinants among Small-Scale Coffee Farmers in Rwanda
Authors: Ngango Jules , Kim Seung Gyu
Published: July 2019

Coffee production is the main economic activity for smallholder farmers in Rwanda; it is also a major export crop. However, Rwandan coffee production has been facing structural changes with a significant decline in production. Considering the importance of the coffee sector to rural livelihoods and its potential role in export earnings, there is a need to ensure that small-scale coffee farmers efficiently use scarce resources in their production activities. Thus, this study estimates the technical efficiency and possible sources of inefficiency in small-scale coffee farming in the Northern Province of Rwanda. Three hundred and twenty coffee farmers are sampled to carry out a simultaneous estimation of the stochastic production frontier and technical inefficiency model. The results indicate that the mean technical efficiency among small-scale coffee farmers is 82 percent, implying a potential to increase coffee production by 18 percent with the current level of resources and technology. Coffee production displays increasing returns to scale and factors such as education, access to credit, extension services, improved variety of coffee trees, cropping system, and land consolidation have a positive and significant effect on technical efficiency. Thus, development policies in the coffee sector might focus more on enhancing the accessibility of farmers to extension services and credit facilities. In addition, adoption of high-yielding and disease-resistant coffee varieties, better cropping systems, and management of coffee plantations in land consolidation might reduce technical inefficiency among coffee farmers in the Northern Province of Rwanda.
The Management Strategies of Pearl Millet Farmers to Cope with Seasonal Rainfall Variability in a Semi-Arid Agroclimate
Authors: Silungwe Festo Richard , Graef Frieder , Bellingrath-Kimura Sonoko Dorothea , Tumbo Siza Donald , Kahimba Frederick Cassian , Lana Marcos Alberto
Published: July 2019

Rainfed agriculture constitutes around 80% of the world’s agricultural land, achieving the lowest on-farm crop yields and greatest on-farm water losses. Much of this land is in developing countries, including sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), where hunger is chronic. The primary constraint of rainfed agriculture—frequently experienced in SSA—is water scarcity, heightened by the unpredictability of season onset, erratic rainfall, as well as the inability of farmers to provide adequate soil and crop management. Farmers react differently to constraints, making a variety of choices—including the timing of planting, type of land cultivation, fertilization, and scattered fields, among many others. Limited information is available on the combined effects of these strategies for improving crop yield and water use efficiency (WUE). An experiment was co-conducted with farmers over four consecutive rainy seasons (2014–2018) in Tanzania, to evaluate these strategies for single and joint effects in improving yield and WUE on rainfed pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R.Br.). The treatments used were flat cultivation both without and with microdosing, as well as tied ridging without and with microdose interaction, with different planting dates depending on farmers’ decisions. Results show that farmers react differently to the early, normal, or late onset of the rainy season, and cumulative rainfall during its onset, which affects their decisions regarding planting dates, yield, and WUE. Microdose fertilization increases both the yield and WUE of pearl millet significantly, with greater effects obtained using tied ridging compared to flat cultivation. For low-income smallholder farmers in a semi-arid agroclimate, using tied ridging with microdosing during early planting is an effective response to spatiotemporal rainfall variability and poor soils.
Effect of Fertilization on Yield and Quality of Sisymbrium officinale (L.) Scop. Grown as Leafy Vegetable Crop
Authors: Guarise Marta , Borgonovo Gigliola , Bassoli Angela , Ferrante Antonio
Published: July 2019

Sisymbrium officinale is a wild Brassicaceae species that is known for its use in the alleviation of vocal inflammatory states. Since this species is particularly rich in bioactive compounds, there is an interest for developing cultivation protocols to use this plant as a leafy vegetable harvested at the 13th BBCH growth stage. Two wild populations of S. officinale (L.) Scop., denominate MI (Milan) and BG (Bergamo), have been used, and three different levels of nutrients (g/m2) have been provided such as 13 N, 7 P2O5, 8 K2O (100%); 9 N, 5 P2O5, 5.5 K2O (70%); and 6.5 N, 3.5 P2O5, 4.0 K2O (50%). The effects of different fertilization levels were evaluated on the yield, leaf pigments (chlorophylls, carotenoids), nitrate concentration, sugars content, and on the antioxidant compounds such as anthocyanins, total phenols and glucosinolates (GLS). Plant stress monitoring was performed by measuring the chlorophyll a fluorescence. Results indicated that yield was not affected and ranged from 0.18 to 0.47 kg/m2, and differences were not statistically significant for chlorophylls, carotenoids, and total sugars content. Nitrate concentrations were higher in the BG wild population (4388.65 mg/kg FW) during the second cultivation cycle and lower (1947.21 mg/kg FW) in the same wild population during the first cultivation cycle, both at the 100% fertilization level. Total phenols and anthocyanins were higher in the highest fertilization rate in the MI wild population during the second cycle. The GLS were higher in the lowest fertilization rate in the BG wild population (19 µmol/g FW) grown at the fertilization level of the 50%, and significant differences were observed in the second cycle. In conclusion, the 50% fertilization level can be considered the most suitable for our experimental conditions.
Genetic Diversity and Geographic Differentiation of Tung Tree, Vernicia Fordii (Euphorbiaceae), A Potential Biodiesel Plant Species with Low Invasion Risk
Authors: Zhang Lingling , Liu Xionglun , Peng Junhua
Published: July 2019

The tung tree, Vernicia fordii (Herbert Kenneth Airy Shaw), is a woody species native to South-East Asia (from Central and Southwest China to North Vietnam), which is also cultivated in China for the production of industrial oil. It is listed as a Category II invasive plant species in Florida, USA. During the introduction period of the tung tree from China to other countries in the last century, its low invasion feature led to its successful establishment in only a few countries. However, the genetic consideration for the population in its widespread native environment remains lacking. In this study, a set of 95 accessions covering most of the tung tree distribution areas in China were collected. Fifty simple sequence repeat (SSR) primer pairs were selected for the genotyping of the germplasm. Population genetics analysis indicated a medium level of genetic variation within the collected samples. The genetic diversity of the tung tree from the main production region was obviously higher than those from the marginal regions. A significant genetic differentiation occurred between the two regions, as well as among the 12 regional groups of administration. The dendrogram based on Nei’s gene diversity showed that the clustering pattern for the germplasm collections basically coincided with their geographic distribution. In their native environment, human activities have had a significant impact on the gene flow via seed movement among the production areas of the tung tree in history. This study will be helpful for molecular breeding and germplasm preservation of the tung tree, and for understanding the tung tree as a biodiesel plant species with a low invasion risk when introduced into foreign countries.
AgROS: A Robot Operating System Based Emulation Tool for Agricultural Robotics
Authors: Tsolakis Naoum , Bechtsis Dimitrios , Bochtis Dionysis
Published: July 2019

This research aims to develop a farm management emulation tool that enables agrifood producers to effectively introduce advanced digital technologies, like intelligent and autonomous unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs), in real-world field operations. To that end, we first provide a critical taxonomy of studies investigating agricultural robotic systems with regard to: (i) the analysis approach, i.e., simulation, emulation, real-world implementation; (ii) farming operations; and (iii) the farming type. Our analysis demonstrates that simulation and emulation modelling have been extensively applied to study advanced agricultural machinery while the majority of the extant research efforts focuses on harvesting/picking/mowing and fertilizing/spraying activities; most studies consider a generic agricultural layout. Thereafter, we developed AgROS, an emulation tool based on the Robot Operating System, which could be used for assessing the efficiency of real-world robot systems in customized fields. The AgROS allows farmers to select their actual field from a map layout, import the landscape of the field, add characteristics of the actual agricultural layout (e.g., trees, static objects), select an agricultural robot from a predefined list of commercial systems, import the selected UGV into the emulation environment, and test the robot’s performance in a quasi-real-world environment. AgROS supports farmers in the ex-ante analysis and performance evaluation of robotized precision farming operations while lays the foundations for realizing “digital twins” in agriculture.
Integrating Sentinel-2 Imagery with AquaCrop for Dynamic Assessment of Tomato Water Requirements in Southern Italy
Authors: Dalla Marta Anna , Chirico Giovanni Battista , Falanga Bolognesi Salvatore , Mancini Marco , D’Urso Guido , Orlandini Simone , De Michele Carlo , Altobelli Filiberto
Published: July 2019

A research study was conducted in an open field tomato crop in order to: (i) Evaluate the capability of Sentinel-2 imagery to assess tomato canopy growth and its crop water requirements; and (ii) explore the possibility to predict crop water requirements by assimilating the canopy cover estimated by Sentinel-2 imagery into AquaCrop model. The pilot area was in Campania, a region in the south west of Italy, characterized by a typical Mediterranean climate, where field campaigns were conducted in seasons 2017 and 2018 on processing tomato. Crop water use and irrigation requirement were estimated by means of three different methods: (i) The AquaCrop model; (ii) an irrigation advisory service based on Sentinel-2 imagery known as IRRISAT and (iii) assimilating the canopy cover estimated by Sentinel-2 imagery into AquaCrop model Sentinel-2 imagery proved to be effective for monitoring canopy growth and for predicting irrigation water requirements during mid-season stage of the crop, when the canopy is fully developed. Conversely, the integration of the Sentinel-2 imagery with a crop growth model can contribute to improve the irrigation water requirement predictions in the early and development stage of the crop, when the soil evaporation is not negligible with respect to the total evapotranspiration.
Influence of Pyrolyzed Grape-Seeds/Sewage Sludge Blends on the Availability of P, Fe, Cu, As and Cd to Maize
Authors: Aceña-Heras Sara , Novak Jeff , Cayuela María Luz , Peñalosa Jesus M. , Moreno-Jiménez Eduardo
Published: July 2019

Current intensive agricultural practices, although highly successful in terms of production, have been found to be environmentally unsustainable. One of the crucial approaches to increase agricultural sustainability is the recycling of organic wastes, since these materials often contain many beneficial nutrients for soil and agriculture. Recently, pyrolytic conversion of biodegradable waste into charred material has gained global attention as an amendment to recycle nutrients while improving soil health. Increasing interest in the beneficial applications of pyrolyzed biomass has expanded multidisciplinary areas for science and engineering. The fertilizers used in this study were prepared by pyrolyzing mixtures of two abundant residues in Mediterranean areas: grape seeds and sewage sludge, in different proportions (100% GS, 75% GS-25% SS, 50% GS-50% SS, 25% GS-75% SS, 100% SS). In addition, fresh sludge was mixed with pyrolyzed grape seeds and included as an additional treatment. In this study, the positives and negatives of the application of biochars on agronomic potential and environmental risk have been addressed, taking into account P, Zn, Cu, Fe, As and Cd. In order to choose the best mixture, it is necessary to find a compromise between maximizing the beneficial elements that are translocated to the plant crop, as well as reducing the elements that are leached. Results of a 6-week greenhouse study indicated that the unpyrolyzed sludge mixture contained the largest amount of available nutrients Fe, Cu and P. In agreement, this treatment mixed with a Chromic Luvisol soil (40 ton/ha) increased the uptake of these elements in corn (Zea mays L.—LG ambitious). The yield also increased by 60% in this treatment. However, this mixture also contained more contaminants (As, Cd) which were extracted with Ammonium Bicarbonate-DTPA. According to our results, the treatments where grape seeds and sewage sludge were mixed at 50% and then pyrolyzed exhibited the optimal compromise between efficiency (nutrients uptake) and tolerable levels of potentially toxic elements in leachates.
Prediction of Tail Biting Events in Finisher Pigs from Automatically Recorded Sensor Data
Authors: Larsen Mona Lilian Vestbjerg , Pedersen Lene Juul , Jensen Dan Børge
Published: July 2019

Tail biting in pigs is an animal welfare problem, and tail biting should be prevented from developing into tail damage. One strategy could be to predict events of tail biting so that the farmer can make timely interventions in specific pens. In the current investigation, sensor data on water usage (water flow and activation frequency) and pen temperature (above solid and slatted floor) were included in the development of a prediction algorithm for tail biting. Steps in the development included modelling of data sources with dynamic linear models, optimisation and training of artificial neural networks and combining predictions of the single data sources with a Bayesian ensemble strategy. Lastly, the Bayesian ensemble combination was tested on a separate batch of finisher pigs in a real-life setting. The final prediction algorithm had an AUC > 0.80, and thus it does seem possible to predict events of tail biting from already available sensor data. However, around 30% of the no-event days were false alarms, and more event-specific predictors are needed. Thus, it was suggested that farmers could use the alarms to point out pens that need greater attention.
Impacts of Graded Levels of Metabolizable Energy on Growth Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Slow-Growing Yellow-Feathered Male Chickens
Authors: Abouelezz K. F. M. , Wang Y. , Wang W. , Lin X. , Li L. , Gou Z. , Fan Q. , Jiang S.
Published: July 2019

A dose-response study was conducted to investigate the metabolizable energy (ME) requirement for Lingnan chickens from 9 to 15 weeks of age. One thousand two hundred 8-week-old slow-growing yellow-feathered male chickens were allotted to five dietary ME levels (2805, 2897, 2997, 3095 and 3236 kcal/kg). The results revealed that the daily metabolizable energy intake increased (p < 0.01), whereas the feed intake and feed:gain ratio decreased linearly (p < 0.01) with the increment in dietary ME level. The final body weight and daily gain of the highest ME treatment tended (p > 0.05) to be greater than those obtained with the lower ME levels. The fat content in breast muscle showed a quadratic response (p < 0.05) to the increase in dietary energy level. The shear force values of breast muscle in the 2897, 3095 and 3236 kcal/kg treatments were lower (p < 0.05) than those of the 2997 kcal/kg treatment. In conclusion, among the tested ME levels, 3095 kcal/kg was adequate for feed intake, shear force, and plasma uric acid, and 3236 kcal/kg tended to increase the body weight, body gain, and feed conversion ratio of Lingnan males between 9 and 15 weeks of age; further studies are still required for testing higher levels.
Revisiting Oxidative Stress and the Use of Organic Selenium in Dairy Cow Nutrition
Authors: Surai Peter F. , Kochish Ivan I. , Fisinin Vladimir I. , Juniper Darren T.
Published: July 2019

In commercial animals production, productive stress can negatively impact health status and subsequent productive and reproductive performance. A great body of evidence has demonstrated that as a consequence of productive stress, an overproduction of free radicals, disturbance of redox balance/signaling, and oxidative stress were observed. There is a range of antioxidants that can be supplied with animal feed to help build and maintain the antioxidant defense system of the body responsible for prevention of the damaging effects of free radicals and the toxic products of their metabolism. Among feed-derived antioxidants, selenium (Se) was shown to have a special place as an essential part of 25 selenoproteins identified in animals. There is a comprehensive body of research in monogastric species that clearly shows that Se bioavailability within the diet is very much dependent on the form of the element used. Organic Se, in the form of selenomethionine (SeMet), has been reported to be a much more effective Se source when compared with mineral forms such as sodium selenite or selenate. It has been proposed that one of the main advantages of organic Se in pig and poultry nutrition is the non-specific incorporation of SeMet into general body proteins, thus forming an endogenous Se reserve that can be utilized during periods of stress for additional synthesis of selenoproteins. Responses in ruminant species to supplementary Se tend to be much more variable than those reported in monogastric species, and much of this variability may be a consequence of the different fates of Se forms in the rumen following ingestion. It is likely that the reducing conditions found in the rumen are responsible for the markedly lower assimilation of inorganic forms of Se, thus predisposing selenite-fed animals to potential Se inadequacy that may in turn compromise animal health and production. A growing body of evidence demonstrates that organic Se has a number of benefits, particularly in dairy and beef animals; these include improved Se and antioxidant status and better Se transfer via the placenta, colostrum, and milk to the newborn. However, there is a paucity in the data concerning molecular mechanisms of SeMet assimilation, metabolism and selenoprotein synthesis regulation in ruminant animals, and as such, further investigation is required.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa Coharboring BlaKPC-2 and BlaVIM-2 Carbapenemase Genes
Authors: Pacheco Tatiana , Bustos-Cruz Rosa Helena , Abril Deisy , Arias Sara , Uribe Lina , Rincón Jenny , García Julio-Cesar , Escobar-Perez Javier
Published: July 2019

Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a bacterium commonly isolated from hospital settings, exhibits intrinsic resistance to a number of antibiotics and can acquire resistance during antibiotic therapy. Resistance towards carbapenems is increasing due to its overuse in the treatment of infections caused by extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) producing organisms. Nonetheless, carbapenems are essential for the treatment of high-risk infections and are one of the remaining weapons in the fight against “extreme drug resistance” of Gram-negative/positive bacilli. Herein, we describe a case report of infections caused by P. aeruginosa strains that carry blaVIM-2 and blaKPC-2 carbapenemase genes simultaneously, identified in five patients who were admitted to a high complexity health institution in Colombia. Molecular characterization included PCR screening for blaKPC, blaGES, blaOXA-48, blaIMP, blaNDM, and blaVIM carbapenemase and other resistance genes as well as analysis of the genetic relationships by genome macro-restriction and Pulsed-Field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE) separation. In conclusion, these infections represent a major challenge to public health due to the risk of the infection spreading compounded by the fact that limited treatment options are available, thereby increasing the risk of increased morbidity and mortality.