bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Zero-Coupon, Forward, and Par Yield Curves for the Nigerian Bond Market
Authors: Lartey Victor Curtis , Li Yao , Lartey Hannah Darkoa , Boadi Eric Kofi
Published: October 2019

The Nigerian bond market is currently one of the most liquid in sub-Saharan Africa. Many African countries regard it as a model from which to learn and based on which to develop their respective bond markets. The developments achieved in the Nigerian bond market are of particular interest to both investors and fixed income analysts—both domestic and international. One of the important tools required for fixed income analysis, pricing, and trading is the yield curve. To the best of our knowledge, even though the Nigerian bond market has a secondary market yield curve, the yield curve is a yield-to-maturity curve, and not zero-coupon yield curve. The purpose of this study is to model the zero-coupon, par, and forward yield curves for the Nigerian bond market. We use various methods such as the piecewise cubic Hermite method, the piecewise cubic spline method (with not-a-knot end condition), the Nelson–Siegel–Svensson method, and the variable roughness penalty method. Data are obtained from the FMDQ OTC website. The results show that the piecewise cubic Hermite method is very suitable for producing the Nigerian par and zero-coupon yield curves. Our best recommended method for producing the Nigerian zero-coupon yield curve is therefore the piecewise cubic Hermite method, followed by the Nelson–Siegel–Svensson method. For the forward yield curve, the results show that the best method is the Nelson–Siegel–Svensson method, followed by the variable roughness penalty method.
Long-term clinical and imaging outcomes after primary repair of small- to medium-sized rotator cuff tears
Authors: Matsuba Tomoyuki , Hata Yukihiko , Ishigaki Norio , Nakamura Koichi , Murakami Narumichi , Kobayashi Hirokazu , Itsubo Toshiro , Uemura Kazutaka , Kato Hiroyuki
Published: October 2019

Background:

Rotator cuff tear is a common disease for middle-aged and elderly patients, and relatively good postoperative outcomes have been reported in the literature. The aim of the study was to examine cases that underwent miniopen rotator cuff repair and to clarify their long-term clinical and imaging outcomes.

Methods:

A total of 68 patients who underwent a miniopen repair for small- to medium-sized rotator cuff tears with good cuff integrity and without retear on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at 1 year postoperatively were followed up for a minimum of 10 years (mean ± standard deviation: 11.4 ± 1.2 years) and analyzed retrospectively. One-year and 10-year postoperative University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) shoulder scores and radiographs were compared. MRI was used to evaluate cuff integrity and fatty infiltration, and staging at 1 and 10 years was compared.

Results:

The 1-year and 10-year postoperative UCLA scores were 33.1 points and 32.9 points, respectively. There were no significant differences between the two groups. Plain radiography showed that osteoarthritis (OA) staging was significantly worse at 10 years postoperatively compared to 1 year postoperatively. Cuff integrity was maintained at an excellent level at 10 years postoperatively. Fatty infiltration significantly progressed up to 10 years postoperatively.

Conclusions:

At 10 years postoperatively, OA progression and fatty infiltration were observed; however, UCLA scores and cuff integrity remained well preserved.
Preoperative Mental Health Scores and Achieving Patient Acceptable Symptom State Are Predictive of Return to Work After Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair
Authors: Gowd Anirudh K. , Cvetanovich Gregory L. , Liu Joseph N. , Nwachukwu Benedict U. , Cabarcas Brandon C. , Cole Brian J. , Forsythe Brian , Romeo Anthony A. , Verma Nikhil N.
Published: October 2019

Background:

The incidence of rotator cuff repairs has risen dramatically over the past 10 years, most notably in the working-class population. Return to work (RTW) is a valuable outcome measure to set patient expectations before surgery.

Purpose:

To establish the rate of RTW after rotator cuff repair with respect to stratified levels of occupational demand (sedentary, light, moderate, and heavy) and to identify clinical factors significantly associated with postoperative RTW.

Study Design:

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

Patients who received rotator cuff repair between 2014 and 2017 were queried from a prospectively maintained institutional registry. Work status was evaluated from clinical and physical therapy notes, and RTW was stratified based on duty level. The minimal clinically important difference (MCID), substantial clinical benefit (SCB), and patient acceptable symptom state (PASS) values were calculated for American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score and subjective Constant score through use of an anchor-based approach. Patient demographic factors, preoperative ASES scores, Constant scores, and health-related quality of life scores, as well as change in postoperative scores exceeding the thresholds for MCID, SCB, and PASS, were analyzed to determine significant associations with RTW without restriction.

Results:

In total, 89 patients with documented pre- and postoperative work status underwent surgery. Rates of RTW for sedentary, light, moderate, and heavy duties were 100%, 84.0%, 77.4%, and 63.3%, respectively, within return at less than 7 postoperative months on average. RTW was associated with achieving PASS ( P = .004) but not achieving MCID and SCB ( P = .429 and .452, respectively). Injury to a patient’s dominant side had reduced odds (0.057; 95% CI, 0.004-0.763; P = .030) for RTW at full duty. Tear characteristics and type of insurance were not associated with RTW. Preoperative Veterans RAND Mental Component Score (>53.3; area under the curve, 70.4%) was predictive of returning to work.

Conclusion:

A vast majority of patients undergoing rotator cuff repair can expect to return to work within 8 months of surgery. Preoperative mental health scores can predict future return to work, which supports the concept that mental health status plays an important role in the outcomes after rotator cuff repair surgery.
Immigration Enforcement and Student Achievement in the Wake of Secure Communities
Authors: Bellows Laura
Published: October 2019

Over the past decade, U.S. immigration enforcement policies have increasingly targeted unauthorized immigrants residing in the U.S. interior, many of whom are the parents of U.S.-citizen children. Heightened immigration enforcement may affect student achievement through stress, income effects, or student mobility. I use one immigration enforcement policy, Secure Communities, to examine this relationship. I use the staggered activation of Secure Communities across counties to measure its relationship with average achievement for Hispanic students, as well as non-Hispanic Black and White students. I find that the activation of Secure Communities was associated with decreases in average achievement for Hispanic students in English Language Arts as well as Black students in English Language Arts and math. Similarly, I find that increases in removals are associated with decreases in achievement for Hispanic and Black students. I note that the timing of rollout is potentially correlated with other county trends affecting results.
Feasibility and Efficacy of Same-Day, In-Office Genetic Testing for Inherited Retinal Diseases
Authors: Wilgucki J.D. , Williams Parker J. , Westfall Ellie , Jain Nieraj , Yan Jiong
Published: October 2019

Purpose:

This article analyzes 2 practice patterns our institution uses for genetic testing of patients with inherited retinal diseases (IRDs) and compares testing completion and diagnostic yield rates.

Methods:

A retrospective, consecutive chart review series was conducted of patients with a clinically diagnosed rod-mediated IRD. All IRDs were diagnosed between 2 intervals: November 1, 2015, through November 30, 2016 (referral to a medical genetics clinic for testing) or December 1, 2016, through December 30, 2017 (same-day, in-office genetic testing).

Results:

A total of 189 patients were included in the study. Of patients who received an out-of-office referral for genetic testing, 10 of 84 (12%) patients proceeded with testing, whereas 74 of 84 (88%) patients did not complete testing. For patients who received in-office genetic testing, 104 of 105 (99%) completed testing. The difference in test completion was statistically significant ( P < .001). In addition, genetic testing for out-of-office referrals identified a causative mutation in 5 of 10 (50%) patients, whereas in-office genetic testing identified a causative mutation in 42 of 104 (40.4%) patients. The difference in causative mutation discovery was not statistically significant ( P = .18) between the 2 groups.

Conclusions:

In-office genetic testing is a novel practice pattern that provides a more consistent and accessible method for IRD genetic diagnosis. Compared with an out-of-office referral for genetic testing, in-office genetic testing offers a similar rate of causative gene mutation identification but a greatly higher rate of test completion, therefore potentially offering a much higher yield for genetic diagnosis of IRDs.
Music Teacher Recruitment of Precollegiate and Marginalized Populations: A Review of the Literature
Authors: Robison Tiger , Williams Blair , Hoffman Edward , Eros John
Published: October 2019

The purpose of this literature review was to gather and examine current research related to the recruitment of precollegiate students into traditional music teacher education programs in the United States. Research has shown that precollegiate students who pursue music education as a career are influenced by their secondary ensemble directors. Further analysis also indicated that there is a limited body of research on recruiting as it pertains to marginalized populations, especially on students of color, indicating a need for a more sustained effort to mitigate such barriers. Additionally, university-affiliated outreach programs have shown great promise in music teacher recruitment and should be replicated and expanded wherever possible. Implications for practice and for further research are provided.
Using Sonography to Objectively Gauge Muscle Wasting: A Multiple Case Report
Authors: Jensen Amanda , Stigall A. Nicole , Evans Kevin D. , Lopez Gabriella , Nahikian-Nelms Marcia
Published: October 2019

End-stage renal disease (ESRD) is a prevalent disease that results from kidney failure in the last stage of chronic kidney disease. This disease has many chronic and debilitating symptoms, including muscle wasting. Unfortunately, current methods to diagnose muscle wasting, in this patient population, are rather imprecise and/or expensive. To develop a better method, this study examined the use of sonography across four separate patients with ESRD in a typical clinical setting. Multiple muscle measurements were taken in the patients’ upper arm via sonography, which were compared to laboratory test results and skinfold measurements. This multiple case comparison demonstrates the feasibility of using sonography to measure subcutaneous tissue and muscle mass in this patient population. It also has the potential to correlate with or support other clinical measures of disease severity. Further study is recommended to examine these correlations and to identify clinical implications for sonographic measurement of overall muscle wasting.
Integrated phosphoproteomics and transcriptional classifiers reveal hidden RAS signaling dynamics in multiple myeloma
Authors: Lin Yu-Hsiu T. , Way Gregory P. , Barwick Benjamin G. , Mariano Margarette C. , Marcoulis Makeba , Ferguson Ian D. , Driessen Christoph , Boise Lawrence H. , Greene Casey S. , Wiita Arun P.
Published: October 2019

Key Points

NRAS and KRAS mutations lead to different downstream transcriptional signatures and patient prognoses under current myeloma therapies. RAS genotype alone does not strongly predict degree of active MAPK signaling, suggesting alternate precision medicine approaches are needed.
Induction of multiple myeloma bone marrow stromal cell apoptosis by inhibiting extracellular vesicle miR-10a secretion
Authors: Umezu Tomohiro , Imanishi Satoshi , Yoshizawa Seiichiro , Kawana Chiaki , Ohyashiki Junko H. , Ohyashiki Kazuma
Published: October 2019

Key Points

Inhibition of EV release resulted in accumulation of cellular miR-10a and enhanced apoptosis of BMSCs derived from patients with MM. Inhibition of miR-10a–enriched EVs from BMSCs also inhibited proliferation of MM cells.
What does it mean to conduct participatory research with Indigenous peoples? A lexical review
Authors: Dadich Ann , Moore Loretta , Eapen Valsamma
Published: October 2019

Background

To better understand and promote public health, participatory research with Indigenous peoples represents recommended practice, worldwide. However, due to the different ways such research is referred to, described, and used, it is unclear what might (and might not) warrant the term when collaborating with Indigenous peoples. As such, this article expands conceptual understandings of participatory research with Indigenous peoples, across timelines and regions.

Method

Following a systematic search of 29 academic databases in April 2018, a lexical analysis of the methods sections was conducted, which were sourced from 161 publications across 107 journals.

Results

The active involvement of Indigenous peoples in research that is expressly participatory is limited across all project phases. This might be because the ways in which Indigenous peoples were involved throughout were not reported – however, it might also be because Indigenous peoples were not involved in all project phases. Furthermore, descriptions differ by study location and publication timeframe – notably, studies in the region of the Americas chiefly refer to pandemics, surveyors, and art; and those published in the last two decades have given primacy to artifacts of interest.

Conclusions

Findings from this corpus of data suggest participatory research with Indigenous peoples is not always described across different project phases; furthermore, it differs according to study location and publication timeframe. This offers considerable opportunity to further this important research area via alternative methodologies that award primacy to Indigenous expertise and agency.
Farm level allocative efficiency of rice production in Gulu and Amuru districts, Northern Uganda
Authors: Okello Daniel Micheal , Bonabana-Wabbi Jackline , Mugonola Basil
Published: October 2019

Smallholder farming, predominant in Uganda, is characterized by low productivity for most crops including rice which is gaining prominence as both a food and income crop. The low productivity is mostly attributed to allocative inefficiency. Allocative efficiency (AE) considers farmers’ ability to allocate resources efficiently, by producing the maximum possible output at minimum cost. Increasing AE requires an understanding of the specific sources of inefficiency that vary across farm enterprises, geographically and temporally. A cross-sectional study was carried out in Gulu and Amuru districts of Northern Uganda to assess the sources of farm-level allocative inefficiency in rice production using the stochastic frontier approach. Data were collected from a random sample of 200 smallholder rice farmers. Results show that the mean AE was 75%. Household size, distance to trading centre, farm size, number of crop enterprises, use of hired labour, use of ox-plough, and access to credit had significant effects on AE. We recommend adoption of technologies such as the use of ox-ploughs and reallocation of farm resources especially labour.
Role of community-based active case finding in screening tuberculosis in Yunnan province of China
Authors: Chen Jin-Ou , Qiu Yu-Bing , Rueda Zulma Vanessa , Hou Jing-Long , Lu Kun-Yun , Chen Liu-Ping , Su Wei-Wei , Huang Li , Zhao Fei , Li Tao , Xu Lin
Published: October 2019

Background

The barriers to access diagnosis and receive treatment, in addition to insufficient case identification and reporting, lead to tuberculosis (TB) spreads in communities, especially among hard-to-reach populations. This study evaluated a community-based active case finding (ACF) strategy for the detection of tuberculosis cases among high-risk groups and general population in China between 2013 and 2015.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study conducted an ACF in ten communities of Dongchuan County, located in northeast Yunnan Province between 2013 and 2015; and compared to 136 communities that had passive case finding (PCF). The algorithm for ACF was: 1) screen for TB symptoms among community enrolled residents by home visits, 2) those with positive symptoms along with defined high-risk groups underwent chest X-ray (CXR), followed by sputum microscopy confirmation. TB incidence proportion and the number needed to screen (NNS) to detect one case were calculated to evaluate the ACF strategy compared to PCF, chi-square test was applied to compare the incidence proportion of TB cases’ demography and the characteristics for detected cases under different strategies. Thereafter, the incidence rate ratio (IRR) and multiple Fisher’s exact test were applied to compare the incidence proportion between general population and high-risk groups. Patient and diagnostic delays for ACF and PCF were compared by Wilcoxon rank sum test.

Results

A total of 97 521 enrolled residents were visited with the ACF cumulatively, 12.3% were defined as high-risk groups or had TB symptoms. Sixty-six new TB patients were detected by ACF. There was no significant difference between the cumulative TB incidence proportion for ACF (67.7/100000 population) and the prevalence for PCF (62.6/100000 population) during 2013 to 2015, though the incidence proportion in ACF communities decreased after three rounds active screening, concurrent with the remained stable prevalence in PCF communities. The cumulative NNS were 34, 39 and 29 in HIV/AIDS infected individuals, people with positive TB symptoms and history of previous TB, respectively, compared to 1478 in the general population. The median patient delay under ACF was 1 day (Interquartile range, IQR: 0–27) compared to PCF with 30 days (IQR: 14–61).

Conclusions

This study confirmed that massive ACF was not effective in general population in a moderate TB prevalence setting. The priority should be the definition and targeting of high-risk groups in the community before the screening process is launched. The shorter time interval of ACF between TB symptoms onset and linkage to healthcare service may decrease the risk of TB community transmission. Furthermore, integrated ACF strategy in the National Project of Basic Public Health Service may have long term public health impact.
Characterization of antioxidative peptide purified from black eelpout (Lycodes diapterus) hydrolysate
Authors: Lee Jung Kwon , Byun Hee-Guk
Published: October 2019

The functional peptides from protein hydrolysates of various fishery sources have been identified such as antioxidant activity. The main intention of this study was purification and characterization of antioxidative peptide from black eelpout muscle. The antioxidative peptides were purified from black eelpout (Lycodes diapterus) muscle using different proteases. Antioxidant activity of black eelpout hydrolysates was evaluated using DPPH radical scavenging activity. Among six hydrolysates, the pepsin hydrolysate had the highest antioxidant activity compared to the other hydrolysates. Therefore, it was further purified and a peptide with seven amino acid residues of DLVKVEA (784 Da) was identified by amino acid sequence analysis. The EC50 value for scavenging DPPH radicals by purified peptide was 688.77 μM. Additionally, the purified peptide exhibited protective effect against DNA damage induces by oxidation in mouse macrophages (RAW 264.7 cells). The results of this study suggest that black eelpout muscle protein hydrolysate could potentially contribute to development of bioactive peptides in basic research.
Poder Negro in Revolutionary Cuba: Black Consciousness, Communism, and the Challenge of Solidarity
Authors: Guerra Lillian
Published: October 2019

This article analyzes the personal experiences of African American refugees in Cuba as well as the ways in which the Cuban government sought to mitigate and frequently repress the appeal of the movement of Black Power / poder negro to which Cubans might autonomously ascribe. By universalizing Communist standards of culture, behavior, and political values that leaders glossed as colorless, state agents ranging from the Ministry of Education and the media to Fidel Castro and Cuba's top intelligence chiefs anticipated and co-opted historical memories of slavery as well as cultural expressions of black pride. They did so, however, with varying degrees of success, much as the long legacy of devotion to slave-crafted religiosity and the survival of black discourses of identity reveal then and today.
Unity in Diversity? How Intergroup Contact Can Foster Nation Building
Authors: Bazzi Samuel , Gaduh Arya , Rothenberg Alexander D. , Wong Maisy
Published: October 2019

We use a population resettlement program in Indonesia to identify long-run effects of intergroup contact on national integration. In the 1980s, the government relocated two million ethnically diverse migrants into hundreds of new communities. We find greater integration in fractionalized communities with many small groups, as measured by national language use at home, intermarriage, and children’s name choices. However, in polarized communities with a few large groups, ethnic attachment increases and integration declines. Residential segregation dampens these effects. Social capital, public goods, and ethnic conflict follow similar patterns. Overall, our findings highlight the importance of localized contact in shaping identity. (JEL D63, J12, J15, J18, O15, R23, Z13)
Market Failure in Kidney Exchange
Authors: Agarwal Nikhil , Ashlagi Itai , Azevedo Eduardo , Featherstone Clayton R. , Karaduman Ömer
Published: October 2019

We show that kidney exchange markets suffer from market failures whose remedy could increase transplants by 30 to 63 percent. First, we document that the market is fragmented and inefficient; most transplants are arranged by hospitals instead of national platforms. Second, we propose a model to show two sources of inefficiency: hospitals only partly internalize their patients’ benefits from exchange, and current platforms suboptimally reward hospitals for submitting patients and donors. Third, we calibrate a production function and show that individual hospitals operate below efficient scale. Eliminating this inefficiency requires either a mandate or a combination of new mechanisms and reimbursement reforms. (JEL D24, D47, I11)
bwimage: A package to describe image patterns in natural structures
Authors: Biagolini-Jr. Carlos , Macedo Regina H.
Published: October 2019

Currently R is the most popular software for data analyses among biologists. Here, we present bwimage, a package designed to describe patterns from black and white images. The package can be used for a wide range of applications. We implemented functions previously described in the literature to calculate parameters designed originally, but not exclusively, for vegetation structures. Additionally, we propose a new parameter: the aggregation index. We demonstrate applications for field work, providing examples that range from calculation of canopy openness, description of patterns in vertical vegetation structure, to patterns in bird nest structure. We provide advice and illustrated examples of how to produce high quality images for analyses.
New insights about the lymphatic vasculature in cardiovascular diseases
Authors: Liu Xiaolei , Oliver Guillermo
Published: October 2019

The heart contains a complex network of blood and lymphatic vessels. The coronary blood vessels provide the cardiac tissue with oxygen and nutrients and have been the major focus of research for the past few decades. Cardiac lymphatic vessels, which consist of lymphatic capillaries and collecting lymphatic vessels covering all layers of the heart, transport excess fluid from the interstitium and play important roles in maintaining tissue fluid balance. Unlike for the coronary blood vessels, until a few years ago, not much information was available on the origin and function of the cardiac-associated lymphatic vasculature. A growing body of evidence indicates that cardiac lymphatic vessels (lymphatics) may serve as a therapeutic cardiovascular target.
Using machine learning techniques to develop risk prediction models to predict graft failure following kidney transplantation: protocol for a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Senanayake Sameera , Barnett Adrian , Graves Nicholas , Healy Helen , Baboolal Keshwar , Kularatna Sanjeewa
Published: October 2019

Background:A mechanism to predict graft failure before the actual kidney transplantation occurs is crucial to clinical management of chronic kidney disease patients.  Several kidney graft outcome prediction models, developed using machine learning methods, are available in the literature.  However, most of those models used small datasets and none of the machine learning-based prediction models available in the medical literature modelled time-to-event (survival) information, but instead used the binary outcome of failure or not. The objective of this study is to develop two separate machine learning-based predictive models to predict graft failure following live and deceased donor kidney transplant, using time-to-event data in a large national dataset from Australia.  

Methods:The dataset provided by the Australia and New Zealand Dialysis and Transplant Registry will be used for the analysis. This retrospective dataset contains the cohort of patients who underwent a kidney transplant in Australia from January 1st, 2007, to December 31st, 2017.  This included 3,758 live donor transplants and 7,365 deceased donor transplants.  Three machine learning methods (survival tree, random survival forest and survival support vector machine) and one traditional regression method, Cox proportional regression, will be used to develop the two predictive models.  The best predictive model will be selected based on the model’s performance.

Discussion:This protocol describes the development of two separate machine learning-based predictive models to predict graft failure following live and deceased donor kidney transplant, using a large national dataset from Australia.   Furthermore, these two models will be the most comprehensive kidney graft failure predictive models that have used survival data to model using machine learning techniques.  Thus, these models are expected to provide valuable insight into the complex interactions between graft failure and donor and recipient characteristics.
Insights from mathematical modelling and quantitative analysis on the proposed WHO 2030 targets for visceral leishmaniasis on the Indian subcontinent
Authors:   NTD Modelling Consortium Visceral Leishmaniasis Group
Published: October 2019

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a neglected tropical disease (NTD) caused by Leishmania protozoa that are transmitted by female sand flies. On the Indian subcontinent (ISC), VL is targeted by the World Health Organization (WHO) for elimination as a public health problem by 2020, which is defined as <1 VL case (new and relapse) per 10,000 population at district level in Nepal and sub-district level in Bangladesh and India. WHO is currently in the process of formulating 2030 targets, asking whether to maintain the 2020 target or to modify it, while adding a target of zero mortality among detected cases. The NTD Modelling Consortium has developed various mathematical VL transmission models to gain insight into the transmission dynamics of VL, identify the main knowledge gaps, and predict the feasibility of achieving and sustaining the targets by simulating the impact of varying intervention strategies. According to the models, the current target is feasible at the appropriate district/sub-district level in settings with medium VL endemicities (up to 5 reported VL cases per 10,000 population per year) prior to the start of the interventions. However, in settings with higher pre-control endemicities, additional efforts may be required. We also highlight the risk that those with post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) may pose to reaching and sustaining the VL targets, and therefore advocate adding control of PKDL cases to the new 2030 targets. Spatial analyses revealed that local hotspots with high VL incidence remain. We warn that the current target provides a perverse incentive to not detect/report cases as the target is approached, posing a risk for truly achieving elimination as a public health problem although this is taken into consideration by the WHO procedures for validation. Ongoing modelling work focuses on the risk of recrudescence when interventions are relaxed after the elimination target has been achieved.
INFLUENCE OF THE MINERAL NUTRITION LEVEL ON THE PRODUCTIVITY OF CEREAL AND LEGUMINOUS AGROCENOSES IN THE FOREST STEPPE OF BAIKAL
Authors: Агафонов Виктор , Agafonov Viktor , Бояркин Евгений , Boyarkin Evgeniy
Published: October 2019

The article presents findings of the influence of different levels of mineral nutrition on plant growth and development, the impact of fertilizers on the botanical composition, on the productivity and forage benefits of cereal-bean agrocenoses in the forest-steppe zone of the Baikal region. The objects of research were mixed crops of oats with peas and millet with vetch, peas, and Austrian winter pea. Legumes are the main source of protein increase in feed. In the field, the most widespread, among legumes, were vetch, sowing peas, field peas (Austrian winter pea). As a result of phenological observations, it was found that the growth and development of plants depended on the biological characteristics of crops, weather conditions and directly on the mineral nutrition level. The millet reacted most effectively to the application of mineral fertilizers, starting from the exit phase into the tube. The introduction of mineral fertilizers in pre-sowing tillage contributed to an increase in the proportion of legume components in the total green mass yield and a decrease in cereals. The highest competition in agrocenoses of millet with legume components was vetch, its share in the mixture increased, compared to the unfertilized background, by 6 and 14.5%, depending on the background of fertilizers. It was found that, compared with the unfertilized background, mineral fertilizers increased the yield of green mass from 1.5 to 4.9 tons per hectare, the collection of dry matter from 0.4 to 2.0 tons per hectare and the collection of feed units from 0.3 to 1.3 tons per hectare. Digestible protein content in 1 unit increased with the introduction of nitrogen fertilizer (N45), depending on the type of components in the mixture, from 3.2 to 6.6 g, and with the introduction of complex mineral fertilizer (N45P30K30) from 2.5 to 9.6 g. All are millet-bean mixtures at all levels of mineral nutrition comply with zootechnical standards.
INFLUENCE OF BIOLOGICALLY ACTIVE PREPARATIONS, FERTILIZER COMPOSITIONS, IRRIGATION ON THE DISTRIBUTION OF POTATO TUBER DISEASES
Authors: Замалиева Фания , Zamalieva Faniya , Жарёхина Татьяна , Zharehina Tat'yana , Сафиуллина Гульгуна , Safiullina Gul'guna
Published: October 2019

The purpose of the work is to identify effective factors, that reduce the spread of the complex of diseases on tubers and contribute to obtaining maximum potato productivity. It was revealed that the causative agents of ordinary scab and rhizoctoniosis had a similar reaction - their prevalence decreased with the use of fertilizers, growth regulators, but increased with the use of the studied microbiological preparations, as well as Maksim fungicide, due to the high ability of these pathogens to develop resistance. The prevalence of ordinary scab also decreased on irrigation, rhizoctoniosis - on irrigation against an increased background of fertilizers. It was revealed that the prevalence of dry rot, silver scab decreased with the use of microbiological preparations, Maksim fungicide, growth regulators and increased with the introduction of the studied fertilizer compositions. From the spread of dry rot, in addition, irrigation and a high fertilizer background were effective. The effectiveness of all biologically active preparations (Рсп 9-17%) is very high from the spread of silver scab on the dehydrator, but Maxim treatment (Рсп 25-35%) is more effective on irrigation. It was revealed that the prevalence of powdery scab decreased with the use of BAP, fertilizer compositions, and increased with an increase in the background of fertilizers. The spread of wireworm injuries decreased under the influence of most of the studied factors, increased with the introduction of Kalimag and treatment with Akvaring. KMG on drylands increases the prevalence of common scab, dry rot, wireworm. Organic and mineral fertilizer is distinguished by a stabilizing effect on the spread of common scab, dry rot and wireworm damage. The most comprehensive protection against damage to tubers by diseases and wireworms was provided by growth regulators with the properties of increasing the internal resistance of plants. It was revealed that a decrease in potato yield was accompanied by an increase in the spread of pathogens of common scab and rhizoctoniosis, powdery scab, and fusariosis. To obtain maximum potato productivity with minimal damage to tubers by diseases and wireworms, it is recommended to grow potatoes under irrigation against the background of fertilizers N100P120K120 with potato processing with a new generation growth regulator Zircon.
Natalizumab for the treatment of highly active multiple sclerosis: risks and benefits
Authors: Daykin Nicola
Published: October 2019

This article discusses the history of natalizumab (Tysabri), the first monoclonal antibody used to treat multiple sclerosis. It reviews how the medication's difficult beginnings and controversial past have changed how this treatment is monitored. The article looks at the role of clinicians in maintaining patient safety, the benefits and risk profile of this treatment and ways of optimising practice to provide gold standard nationalised natalizumab services throughout the UK.
How to nurse the avian patient
Authors: Hollwarth Ashton , Vickery Stacey
Published: October 2019

This article provides an overview of the basic requirements for hospitalising and treating avian patients. These include species-specific considerations, transmissible disease considerations and insight into how to reduce stress in hospitalised birds. Proper handling techniques are discussed along with a brief overview of drug and fluid administration.
Trends in admission timing and mechanism of injury can be used to improve general surgical trauma training
Authors: Pearce AP , Marsden MER , Newell N , Hancorn K , Lecky F , Brohi K , Tai N
Published: October 2019

Introduction

The temporal patterns and unit-based distributions of trauma patients requiring surgical intervention are poorly described in the UK. We describe the distribution of trauma patients in the UK and assess whether changes in working patterns could provide greater exposure for operative trauma training.

Methods

We searched the Trauma Audit and Research Network database to identify all patients between 1 January 2014 to 31 December 2016. Operative cases were defined as all patients who underwent laparotomy, thoracotomy or open vascular intervention. We assessed time of arrival, correlations between mechanism of injury and surgery, and the effect of changing shift patterns on exposure to trauma patients by reference to a standard 10-hour shift assuming a dedicated trauma rotation or fellowship.

Results

There were 159,719 patients from 194 hospitals submitted to the Network between 2014 and 2016. The busiest 20 centres accounted for 57,568 (36.0%) of cases in total. Of these 2147/57,568 patients (3.7%) required a general surgical operation; 43% of penetrating admissions (925 cases) and 2.2% of blunt admissions (1222 cases). The number of operations correlated more closely with the number of penetrating rather than blunt admissions (r = 0.89 vs r = 0.51). A diurnal pattern in trauma admissions enabled significant increases in trauma exposure with later start times.

Conclusions

Centres with high volume and high penetrating rates are likely to require more general surgical input and should be identified as locations for operative trauma training. It is possible to improve the number of trauma patients seen in a shift by optimising shift start time.
Successful embolisation of pelvic fistulating vessels to the prostate arising after TURP – a rare cause of postoperative bleeding
Authors: Donati-Bourne JF , Morris S , Nour S , McCafferty IJ , Smith Y
Published: October 2019

Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) is considered the gold-standard operation to treat lower urinary tract symptoms due to benign prostatic enlargement in men. Postoperative bleeding is a recognised complication and managing it is a core skill required by attending urologists. We report a rare case of postoperative bleeding caused by fistulating vessels to the prostate which developed after TURP. These fistulas arose from the right internal iliac vessels and communicated with pre-existing pelvic varices affecting the right paraprostaticand seminal vesicle tissues. The fistulating vessels were successfully embolised with liquid embolic agent. Surgeons should be aware that persisting haemorrhage can occur post-TURP from the rare presence of fistulating vessels communicating with pelvic varices. Early computed tomography angiographic assessment is warranted in cases where bleeding is prolonged and refractory to standard management in view of timely referral for percutaneous embolisation.
An Ultrasensitive LC-APPI-MS/MS Method for Simultaneous Determination of Ciclesonide and Active Metabolite Desisobutyryl-Ciclesonide in Human Serum and Its Application to a Clinical Study
Authors: Chen Yu-Luan , Wang Weimin , Gatien Ngounou Wetie Armand , Shi Lei , Eddy John , John Lin Zhong-Ping , Sunkaraneni Soujanya
Published: October 2019

Background

The development of more efficient drug delivery devices for ciclesonide inhalation products requires an ultrasensitive bioanalytical method to measure systematic exposure of ciclesonide (CIC) and its active metabolite desisobutyryl-ciclesonide (des-CIC) in humans.

Method

Serum sample was extracted with 1-chlorobutane. A reversed-phase liquid chromatography coupled with atmospheric pressure photoionization–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-APPI-MS/MS) method was used for quantification of 1–500 pg/mL for both analytes in a 0.500-mL serum. The analysis time was 4.7 min/injection. CIC-d11 and des-CIC-d11 were used as the internal standards.

Results

Calibration curves showed good linearity (r2 > 0.99) for both analytes. This novel method was precise and accurate with interassay precision and accuracy of all within 9.6% CV and ± 4.0% bias for regular QC samples. Extraction recovery was approximately 85% for both analytes. Serum samples are stable for 3 freeze–thaw cycles, 24 h at bench top, and up to 706 days at both −20 °C and −70 °C. This method was successfully used to support a pharmacokinetic (PK) comparison between the inhalation suspensions and an inhalation aerosol of ciclesonide in healthy participants. The method robustness was also supported by the good incurred sample reanalysis reproducibility.

Conclusion

APPI, a highly selective and sensitive ionization source, made possible for quantifying CIC and des-CIC with a lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) of 1 pg/mL in human serum by LC-MS/MS. A 10-fold sensitivity improvement from the most sensitive reported method (LLOQ, 10 pg/mL) is essential to fully characterize the PK profiles of CIC and des-CIC in support of the clinical development of the ciclesonide-related medications for patients.
Qualidade de vida do portador de hipertensão arterial sistêmica assistido por uma estratégia de saúde da família de Minas Gerais
Authors: Da Silva Patrick Leonardo Nogueira , Moreira Daniele Cristina , E Martins Aurelina Gomes , Alves Elaine Cristina Santos
Published: October 2019

A hipertensão arterial sistêmica é caracterizada por níveis elevados e sustentados da pressão arterial na qual se configura um dos principais problemas de saúde pública por se tratar de uma doença crônica, multifatorial e com alto potencial de risco para doenças cardiovasculares, cerebrovasculares e renais. Este estudo objetivou avaliar a qualidade de vida do portador de hipertensão arterial sistêmica assistido por uma Estratégia de Saúde da Família de Minas Gerais. Trata-se de um estudo descritivo, exploratório, transversal, com abordagem quantitativa, realizado com 253 hipertensos cadastrados em uma unidade básica de saúde. Utilizou-se um questionário semiestruturado, adaptado e validado na qual os dados foram apresentados em tabelas. O tratamento dos dados se deu através de análise estatística descritiva simples e análise de correlação empregando-se o teste qui-quadrado. Observou-se maior parte feminina na qual relataram que a hipertensão não afeta a qualidade de vida. O principal fator de interferência na qualidade de vida foi a ingestão de sal (valor p=0,05), o que demonstrou a importância de se controlar o consumo do mesmo para o controle da pressão arterial e para a prevenção de complicações. A percepção sobre qualidade de vida não se mostrou associada à condição crônica e sim com a postura do indivíduo frente à doença e às mudanças impostas no estilo de vida. O reconhecimento da gravidade da doença e a possibilidade do desenvolvimento de complicações podem ser utilizados pela equipe de saúde como ferramentas auxiliares na educação para a adoção de hábitos de vida saudáveis.
Are We Comparing Yet?
Authors: Saussy Haun
Published: October 2019

Debates about the possibility of an open culture - or indeed about the possibility of an open debate about the openness of culture - often turn on questions of standards. But since no benchmark can be absolute, judgement is a proliferation of comparisons. Through a series of case studies in everyday and academic comparison (literature, history, politics, philosophy), Haun Saussy calls out the typical vices of comparison and proposes ways to unseat them. For however much it is abused, distorted, and manipulated, comparison retains an essential link to the idea of justice.
Vulnerabilidades em manchas urbanas ao longo das margens fluviais do Capibaribe - Pernambuco/Brasil
Authors: Aragão João Paulo Gomes de Vasconcelos , Gomes Edvânia Torres Aguiar
Published: October 2019

Concebendo margens de rios como ambientes complexos e importantes a inúmeras dinâmicas socioambientais, este artigo aponta semelhanças e especificidades de três manchas urbanas ao longo de um mesmo rio, detalhando processos de ocupação, usos e vulnerabilidades. O objetivo deste trabalho foi investigar a influência das formas de ocupação e uso do solo em distintas áreas urbanas nas margens do rio Capibaribe, localizado no estado de Pernambuco, visando a mitigação de vulnerabilidades. Para tanto, utilizou-se o método hipotético dedutivo, guiado pela linha de raciocínio sistêmica. A relação das manchas urbanas, no dinamismo da economia local e regional, com as margens do rio Capibaribe tem efetivado um quadro contraditório cujas marcas negativas apontam para a degradação ambiental e vulnerabilidade de populações de baixa renda nas margens fluviais do Capibaribe. Para mitigar estas consequências, devem-se concretizar ações que atentem às variações locais de natureza das margens fluviais e dos dilemas sociais de ocupação e uso dos solos, bem como revisar as políticas existentes e o papel do Estado na gestão integrada das áreas de margens fluviais em manchas urbanas.
The use of microorganisms as bio-fertilizers in the cultivation of white lupine
Authors: Sulewska Hanna , Ratajczak Karolina , Niewiadomska Alicja , Panasiewicz Katarzyna
Published: October 2019

The agricultural usability of bio-fertilizers, particularly including microbiological seed vaccines meet the recommendations for integrated protection/cultivation applicable in Poland. Combined vaccination seeds with Rhizobium bacteria together with endophitic bacteria from the group of Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR), increase the efficiency of biological nitrogen fixation and therefore stimulate the development and yielding of legume crops. This hypothesis was verified in a series of field experiments with white lupine conducted between 2016 and 2018 at Złotniki, Poland. The one-factor experiment consisted of different variants of inoculation including: seeds uninoculated, inoculated with nitragine, nitroflora, Pseudomonas fluorescens strain, Bacillus subtillis strain and seeds co-inoculated with Rhizobium from nitragine or nitroflora + Pseudomonas fluorescens, or + Bacillus subtillis. The experiment showed a positive response of white lupine to all tested seed vaccinations. The highest seed yield was found after seed inoculation with Rhizobium bacteria (from nitragine) and with co-inoculation Rhizobium with Pseudomonas fluorescens. The results indicated that plant height, the development of aboveground parts and roots as well as root nodules and the setting of pods and seeds on the plant increased significantly after seed co-inoculation of Rhizobium derived from the preparation of nitragine with Pseudomonas fluorescens, as compared to the control object without vaccination. A generally positive correlation was found between the number of root nodules, dry mass of nodules and yield, and an especially significant strength of this relationship was found in variant with co-inoculation Rhizobium with Pseudomonas fluorescens.
The Uneasy Case for Parsimony in (Law and) Economics: Conceptual, Empirical and Normative Arguments
Authors: Cserne Péter
Published: October 2019

Taking Guido Calabresi’s discussion of preferences and value judgements inThe Future of Law and Economicsas a starting point, this paper analyses some conceptual difficulties, epistemic benefits and normative uses of parsimonious economic analyses of “tastes and values.” First, the paper shows that it is not only possible to analyse and model all the richness of “tastes and values” in terms of rational choice theory with intellectual honesty and epistemic benefit. In fact, economists and economically inspired legal scholars have been doing this for a while. Second, it discusses three arguments that economists can mount in support of parsimonious models. Third, it shows that in spite of these benefits the merits of such an exercise in parsimony do not always clearly outweigh its drawbacks. In doing so, the paper distinguishes three types of limits of such parsimonious modelling.
Stability estimate for an inverse problem of the convection-diffusion equation
Authors: Bellassoued Mourad , Rassas Imen
Published: October 2019

We consider the inverse boundary value problem for the dynamical steady-state convection-diffusion equation.
We prove that the first-order coefficient and the scalar potential are uniquely determined by the Dirichlet-to-Neumann map.
More precisely, we show in dimension

n
≥
3

{n\geq 3}

a log-type stability estimate for the inverse problem under consideration.
The method is based on reducing our problem to an auxiliary inverse problem and the construction of complex geometrical optics solutions of this problem.