bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Natural infection potential and efficacy of the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana against Orosanga japonica (Melichar)
Authors: Akıner M. Mustafa , Öztürk Murat , Güney İbrahim , Usta Asu
Published: June 2020

In this study, potential of the entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) isolates from dead samples of Orosanga japonica (Melichar) (Hemiptera: Ricaniidae) was evaluated. Infected specimens with fungi results confirmed that the samples were Beauveria bassiana after morphological and molecular identification. Amplicons produced two haplotypes (h = 2), which included one polymorphic site after sequence and named isolates 1 and 2. Two haplotypes were rooted with MK229193.1, MG345084.1 B. bassiana Genbank samples. Two-year survey results of the EPF effects revealed the highest mortality and natural infection rates in the field. Natural mortality rates varied between 80.35% (Fındıklı-August) and 94.8% (Çayeli-September) in 2018 and between 79.82% (Alipaşa-August) and 97.75% (Fındıklı- September) in 2019. For nymphs, the lowest LT50 value was found at 2.92 days for isolate 1 and 2.56 days for isolate 2, with a concentration of 1 × 106 conidia/ml, using the leaf dipping method. For adults, the lowest LT50 value was found at 3.02 days for isolate 1 and 3.15 days for isolate 2, with a concentration of 1 × 106 conidia/ml, using the direct spraying method. Nymph LT50 values were found a little bit lower than adults. Direct spraying methods results gave a high LT50 value for nymph in contrast to adult. Although the LT50 ratios gave high/low degree in different isolates, methods and life stages, non-significant differences were found between each other’s (p > 0.05). In general, B. bassiana natural infection rates were found high in August and September during the 2 years. Efficacy of the two isolates, which derived from naturally infected O. japonica specimens, increased with concentration. The two isolates can potentially be used for O. japonica integrated management, as a fungal biocontrol agent, but their toxicological effects on beneficial insects, such as honeybees, will need to be determined.
Carbonized lignosulfonate-based porous nanocomposites for adsorption of environmental contaminants
Authors: Yao Jenevieve , Odelius Karin , Hakkarainen Minna
Published: June 2020

Carbon-based adsorbents possess exceptional adsorption capability, making them an ideal platform for the remediation of environmental contaminants. Here, we demonstrate carbonized lignosulfonate (LS)-based porous nanocomposites with excellent adsorption performance towards heavy metal ions and cationic dye pollutants. Through microwave-assisted hydrothermal carbonization, a green approach was employed to carbonize lignosulfonate to carbon spheres. The LS-derived carbon spheres were then oxidized into nanographene oxide (nGO) carbon dots. A facile two-step procedure that involved the self-assembly of nGO and gelatin into a hydrogel precursor coupled with freeze-drying enabled the construction of three-dimensional (3D) free-standing porous composites without the use of organic solvents or chemical crosslinking agents. The favorable pore structure and abundance of surface functional groups on the nGO/gelatin porous composite proved to substantially facilitate the adsorption of Cu(II) in comparison to conventionally-used activated carbon. Further enhancement of adsorption performance was achieved by introducing additional surface functional groups through a non-covalent functionalization of the porous composite with lignosulfonate. The presence of negatively-charged sulfonate groups increased the Cu(II) equilibrium adsorption capacity (66 mg/g) by 24% in comparison to the non-functionalized nGO/gelatin counterpart. Both functionalized and non-functionalized composites exhibited significantly faster adsorption rates (40 min) compared to many graphene- or GO-based adsorbents reported in literature. In addition to the adsorption of heavy metal ions, the composites also demonstrated good adsorption capacity towards cationic dyes such as methylene blue. This paves the way for a high value-added application of lignin in environmental remediation and opens up new possibilities for the development of sustainable materials for adsorption and water purification.
Efficacy of germination and probiotic fermentation on underutilized cereal and millet grains
Authors: Budhwar Savita , Sethi Kashika , Chakraborty Manali
Published: June 2020

Cereals and millets have been known as poor man’s crops for a long time, and have good potential in the mercenary system of food and in research and development but these coarse grains have been leftover and underutilised since a long time. In addition to nutritional properties, various elements of cereal grains contain phenolic compounds as well as various anti-nutritional factors. To improve the nutritional quality and availability of these grains, they are processed in several ways. This review discusses the effect of pre-processing techniques such as germination with a combination of probiotic fermentation on various components of underutilised coarse cereals and millets and advantages it brings into the final product. Germinated food mixture usually contains a significantly higher amount of thiamine, lysine and niacin contents. The combination of cereals with other methods results in better nutrient profile and an enhanced amino acid pattern. Fermentation is said to be the most crucial and popular process which considerably lowers the antinutrients present in coarse cereals such as trypsin inhibitor, phytic acid and tannins and hence, enhance the overall nutritive value of coarse cereals and other food grains. Also, germinated cereal-based food products have higher cell count and better growth of beneficial bacteria, thus, germination of cereals facilitates the probiotic fermentation of cereals.

Graphical abstract
Assessment of anxiety and depression among substance use disorder patients: a case-control study
Authors: Mohamed Ikram I. , Ahmad Hossam Eddin Khalifa , Hassaan Shehab H. , Hassan Shymaa M.
Published: June 2020

Background

Several evidences from epidemiologic and treatment studies indicate that anxiety disorders, depression, and substance use disorders commonly co-occur, and the interaction is multifaceted and variable. Epidemiological studies and investigations within clinical substance abuse populations have found an association between anxiety disorders, depression, and substance use disorders.

Results

The mean age was 28.1 ± 6.5 years. The majority belonged to the moderate socioeconomic status (52%). Substance use disorder (SUD) patients expressed higher levels of anxiety and depression in comparison to the control group. Most of the study group (97%) expressed different levels of anxiety. Eighty percent of them expressed high and moderate anxiety levels, and 20% of caregivers were having mild anxiety levels. Ninety-three percent of the substance users expressed different levels of depression, either mild 12%, moderate 9%, or severe 72%. The Drug Use Disorder Identification Test scores were positively correlated with anxiety (r = 0.256 and p = 0.010) and depression (r = 0.330 and p = 0.001). Moreover, it was found that anxiety and depression are positively correlated with each other’s (r = 0.630 and p = 0.001).

Conclusion

Substance use disorders are associated with high levels of anxiety and depression. More specifically, it is associated with severe depression and anxiety. There is an obvious association between the presence of anxiety and depression on the one hand and the severity of drug-related problems on the other hand. Depression and anxiety are commonly present together in patients with SUDs.
Seismic facies classification using supervised convolutional neural networks and semisupervised generative adversarial networks
Authors: Liu Mingliang , Jervis Michael , Li Weichang , Nivlet Philippe
Published: June 2020

Mapping of seismic and lithologic facies from 3D reflection seismic data plays a key role in depositional environment analysis and reservoir characterization during hydrocarbon exploration and development. Although a variety of machine-learning methods have been developed to speed up interpretation and improve prediction accuracy, there still exist significant challenges in 3D multiclass seismic facies classification in practice. Some of these limitations include complex data representation, limited training data with labels, imbalanced facies class distribution, and lack of rigorous performance evaluation metrics. To overcome these challenges, we have developed a supervised convolutional neural network (CNN) and a semisupervised generative adversarial network (GAN) for 3D seismic facies classification in situations with sufficient and limited well data, respectively. The proposed models can predict 3D facies distribution based on actual well log data and core analysis, or other prior geologic knowledge. Therefore, they provide a more consistent and meaningful implication to seismic interpretation than commonly used unsupervised approaches. The two deep neural networks have been tested successfully on a realistic synthetic case based on an existing reservoir and a real case study of the F3 seismic data from the Dutch sector of the North Sea. The prediction results show that, with relatively abundant well data, the supervised CNN-based learning method has a good ability in feature learning from seismic data and accurately recovering the 3D facies model, whereas the semisupervised GAN is effective in avoiding overfitting in the case of extremely limited well data. The latter seems, therefore, particularly adapted to exploration or early field development stages in which labeled data from wells are still very scarce.
Network-based Transcriptome-wide Expression Study for Postmenopausal Osteoporosis
Authors: Zhang Lan , Peng Tian-Liu , Wang Le , Meng Xiang-He , Zhu Wei , Zeng Yong , Zhu Jia-Qiang , Zhou Yu , Xiao Hong-Mei , Deng Hong-Wen
Published: June 2020

Purpose

Menopause is a crucial physiological transition during a woman’s life, and it occurs with growing risks of health issues like osteoporosis. To identify postmenopausal osteoporosis-related genes, we performed transcriptome-wide expression analyses for human peripheral blood monocytes (PBMs) using Affymetrix 1.0 ST arrays in 40 Caucasian postmenopausal women with discordant bone mineral density (BMD) levels.

Methods

We performed multiscale embedded gene coexpression network analysis (MEGENA) to study functionally orchestrating clusters of differentially expressed genes in the form of functional networks. Gene sets net correlations analysis (GSNCA) was applied to assess how the coexpression structure of a predefined gene set differs in high and low BMD groups. Bayesian network (BN) analysis was used to identify important regulation patterns between potential risk genes for osteoporosis. A small interfering ribonucleic acid (siRNA)-based gene silencing in vitro experiment was performed to validate the findings from BN analysis.

Result

MEGENA showed that the “T cell receptor signaling pathway” and the “osteoclast differentiation pathway” were significantly enriched in the identified compact network, which is significantly correlated with BMD variation. GSNCA revealed that the coexpression structure of the “Signaling by TGF-beta receptor complex pathway” is significantly different between the 2 BMD discordant groups; the hub genes in the postmenopausal low and high BMD group are FURIN and SMAD3 respectively. With siRNA in vitro experiments, we confirmed the regulation relationship of TGFBR2–SMAD7 and TGFBR1–SMURF2.

Main Conclusion

The present study suggests that biological signals involved in monocyte recruitment, monocyte/macrophage lineage development, osteoclast formation, and osteoclast differentiation might function together in PBMs that contribute to the pathogenesis of postmenopausal osteoporosis.
Cardiovascular Benefit of Empagliflozin Across the Spectrum of Cardiovascular Risk Factor Control in the EMPA-REG OUTCOME Trial
Authors: Inzucchi Silvio E , Khunti Kamlesh , Fitchett David H , Wanner Christoph , Mattheus Michaela , George Jyothis T , Ofstad Anne Pernille , Zinman Bernard
Published: June 2020

Context

Control of multiple cardiovascular (CV) risk factors reduces CV events in individuals with type 2 diabetes.

Objective

To investigate this association in a contemporary clinical trial population, including how CV risk factor control affects the CV benefits of empagliflozin, a sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor.

Design

Post hoc analysis.

Setting

Randomized CV outcome trial (EMPA-REG OUTCOME).

Participants

Type 2 diabetes patients with established CV disease.

Intervention

Empagliflozin or placebo.

Main Outcome Measures

Risk of CV outcomes—including the treatment effect of empagliflozin—by achieving 7 goals for CV risk factor control at baseline: (1) glycated hemoglobin <7.5%, (2) low-density lipoprotein cholesterol <100 mg/dL or statin use, (3) systolic blood pressure <140 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure <90 mmHg, (4) pharmacological renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system blockade, (5) normoalbuminuria, (6) aspirin use, (7) nonsmoking.

Results

In the placebo group, the hazard ratio (HR) for CV death was 4.00 (95% CI, 2.26–7.11) and 2.48 (95% CI, 1.52–4.06) for patients achieving only 0–3 or 4–5 risk factor goals at baseline, respectively, compared with those achieving 6–7 goals. Participants achieving 0–3 or 4–5 goals also had increased risk for the composite outcome of hospitalization for heart failure or CV death (excluding fatal stroke) (HR 2.89 [1.82–4.57] and 1.90 [1.31–2.78], respectively) and 3-point major adverse CV events (HR 2.21 [1.53–3.19] and 1.42 [1.06–1.89]). Empagliflozin significantly reduced these outcomes across all risk factor control categories (P > 0.05 for treatment-by-subgroup interactions).

Conclusions

Cardiovascular risk in EMPA-REG OUTCOME was inversely associated with baseline CV risk factor control. Empagliflozin’s cardioprotective effect was consistent regardless of multiple baseline risk factor control.
Leprdb/+ Dams Protect Wild-type Male Offspring Bone Strength from the Detrimental Effects of a High-Fat Diet
Authors: Oestreich Arin K , Onuzuriuke Anthony , Yao Xiaomei , Talton Omonseigho , Wang Yong , Pfeiffer Ferris M , Schulz Laura C , Phillips Charlotte L
Published: June 2020

The prevalence of maternal obesity is increasing at an alarming rate and increases the life-long risk of developing cardiometabolic disease in adult offspring. Leptin, an adipokine, is systemically elevated in the obese milieu. We recently showed that maternal hyperleptinemia without obesity improves offspring insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance while protecting against weight gain on a high-fat, high-sugar (HFD). Here, we investigate the effect of maternal hyperleptinemia on offspring bone by using 2 independent maternal models. First, we compared wild-type (WT) offspring from severely hyperleptinemic Leprdb/+ (DB/+) dams with those from WT dams. In the second model, WT females were implanted with miniosmotic pumps that released either saline (group SAL) or leptin (group LEP; 650ng/hour) and the WT offspring were compared. At 23 weeks of age, a subset of offspring were challenged with a HFD for 8 weeks. When the offspring were 31 weeks of age, bone geometry, strength, and material properties were investigated. The HFD increased trabecular bone volume but decreased both total breaking strength and material strength of femora from the offspring of WT dams. However, male offspring of DB/+ dams were protected from the detrimental effects of a HFD, while offspring of LEP dams were not. Further material analysis revealed a modest decrease in advanced glycation end product accumulation coupled with increased collagen crosslinking in male offspring from DB/+ dams on a HFD. These data suggest that while maternal leptin may protect bone quality from the effects of a HFD, additional factors of the maternal environment controlled by leptin receptor signaling are likely also involved.
Fermenting Feminism as Methodology and Metaphor
Authors: Fournier Lauren
Published: June 2020

This article proposes the possibilities of fermentation, or microbial transformation, as a material practice and speculative metaphor through which to approach today’s transnational feminisms. The author approaches this from the perspective of their multiyear curatorial experiment Fermenting Feminism, looking to multidisciplinary practices across the arts that bring together fermentation and feminism in dynamic ways. The article outlines ten ways in which fermentation is a ripe framework for approaching transinclusive, antiracist, countercolonial feminisms. As the author takes up these points, drawing from scholarly and artistic references alongside lived experience, they theorize the ways fermentation taps into the fizzy currents within critical and creative feminist practices. With its explosive, multisensory, and multispecies resonances fermentation becomes a provocation for contemporary transnational feminisms. Is feminism, with its etymological roots in the feminine, something worth preserving? In what ways might it be preserved, and in what ways might it be transformed? The author proposes that fermentation is a generative metaphor, a material practice, and a microbiological process through which feminisms might be reenergized—through symbiotic cultures of feminisms, fermentation prompts fizzy change with the simultaneity of preservation and transformation, futurity and decay.
Route-following ants respond to alterations of the view sequence
Authors: Schwarz Sebastian , Mangan Michael , Webb Barbara , Wystrach Antoine
Published: June 2020

Ants can navigate by comparing the currently perceived view with memorised views along a familiar foraging route. Models regarding route-following suggest the views are stored and recalled independently of the sequence in which they occur. Hence, the ant only needs to evaluate the instantaneous familiarity of the current view to obtain a heading direction. This study investigates whether ant homing behaviour is influenced by alterations in the sequence of views experienced along a familiar route, using the frequency of stop-and-scan behaviour as an indicator of the ant's navigational uncertainty. Ants were trained to forage between their nest and a feeder which they exited through a short channel before proceeding along the homeward route. In tests, ants were collected before entering the nest and released again in the channel, which was placed either in its original location or halfway along the route. Ants exiting the familiar channel in the middle of the route would thus experience familiar views in a novel sequence. Results show that ants exiting the channel scan significantly more when they find themselves in the middle of the route, compared to when emerging at the expected location near the feeder. This behaviour suggests that previously encountered views influence the recognition of current views, even when these views are highly familiar, revealing a sequence component to route memory. How information about view sequences could be implemented in the insect brain as well as potential alternative explanations to our results are discussed.
Intradialytic Exercise is Medicine for Hemodialysis Patients
Authors: Parker Kristen
Published: June 2020

When a person’s kidneys fail, hemodialysis (HD) is the most common treatment modality. With a growing number of patients requiring this life-sustaining treatment, and with evidence illustrating the significant physical dysfunction of this population, encouraging exercise is essential. The use of intradialytic exercise, as a novel and efficient use of time during HD, is well established in Australia and some European nations; however, it is slower to start in North America. While a large number of small studies have demonstrated numerous benefits and safe delivery of intradialytic exercise training for patients with end-stage kidney disease, intradialytic exercise is rarely delivered as standard of care. It is of utmost importance for health care staff to overcome barriers and bring theory into practice. Included in this report are current recommendations from governing bodies, expert opinion, as well as established policies and procedures from a successful intradialytic exercise program in Canada.
Phytochemical composition analysis and evaluation of in vitro medicinal properties and cytotoxicity of five wild weeds: A comparative study
Authors: Ghosh Pranabesh , Das Chandrima , Biswas Swagata , Nag Sudip Kumar , Dutta Alolika , Biswas Maitrayee , Sil Sayantan , Hazra Labani , Ghosh Chandreyi , Das Shaktijit , Saha Moumita , Mondal Nasim , Mandal Suprodip , Ghosh Anirban , Karmakar Srabani , CHATTERJEE SIRSHENDU
Published: June 2020

Background:Medicinal plants are a source of phytochemicals and they are used for the treatment of several oxidative stress-related or other diseases for their effectiveness, low toxicity and easy availability. Five traditionally used and less characterized herbaceous weeds of West Bengal, India, namely,Heliotropium indicum,Tridax procumbens,Cleome rutidosperma,Commelina benghalensisandEuphorbia hirta,were investigated for the current research study.

Methods:Aqueous and 70% ethanolic extracts of the leaves were analyzed for estimation of essential phytochemicals and to evaluate theirin vitroantioxidant status, medicinal properties and cytotoxic effects. To the best of our knowledge, several assays and comparative evaluations using these herbs are reported for the first time. For quantitative study, UV-vis spectrophotometry and high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array detector HPLC-DAD techniques were used. Antibacterial properties were investigated using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. Forin vitroanti-lithiatic study, a titration method was used. The cell viability assay was done using peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

Results:The aqueous extract exhibits higher content of polyphenols, flavonoids, tannins and inhibition percentage values for freeradical scavenging assays, whereas the 70% ethanolic extract exhibits higher content of alkaloids and cardiac glycosides. HPLC-DAD analysis of 70% ethanolic extracts led us to identify 10 predominant phenolic constituents.Euphorbia hirtaextracts showed minimum cytotoxicity (cell death~2.5% and 4%in water and 70% ethanolic extract, respectively), whereasCleome rutidospermaandTridax procumbens’70% ethanolic extracts showed higher cell death (~13% and 28%, respectively), compared with the control (cell death ~10-12%).

Conclusions:The study concluded that of all the medicinal weeds selected for the current study,Euphorbia hirtapossesses the highest amount of bioactive compounds and hence exhibits the highestin vitroantioxidant activity and promisingin vitromedicinal properties.
Pesticide exposure and lung cancer risk: A case-control study in Nakhon Sawan, Thailand
Authors: Kangkhetkron Teera , Juntarawijit Chudchawal
Published: June 2020

Background: Pesticide exposure might increase risk of lung cancer. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between the historical use of pesticides commonly found in Thailand, and lung cancer.

Methods: This case-control study compared a lifetime pesticide exposure of 233 lung cancer cases, and 458 healthy neighbours matched for gender, and age (±5 years). Data on demographic, pesticide exposure, and other related factors were collected using a face-to-face interview questionnaire. Associations between lung cancer and types of pesticides as well as individual pesticides were analysed using logistic regression adjusted for gender (male, female), age (≤54, 55-64, 65-74, ≥75), cigarette smoking (ever, never smoke), occupation (farmer, non-farmer), and exposure to air pollution (yes, no).

Results: It was found that lung cancer was positively associated with lifetime use of herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides. Compared to people in the lowest quartile of number of days using the herbicides and insecticides, those in a higher quartile had an elevated risk of lung cancer, with odds ratio (OR) between 2.79 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.12–6.95), and 28.43 (95% CI 11.11-72.76) (p < 0.001). For fungicides, only the most exposed group had a significant risk (OR = 4.97; 95% CI 1.49-16.56). For individual pesticides, those presenting a significant association with lung cancer were dieldrin (OR = 2.76; 95% CI 1.42-5.36), chlorpyrifos (OR = 3.98; 95 % CI 2.06-7.67), and carbofuran (OR = 2.58; 95% CI 1.48-4.51).

Conclusions: The results showed that lung cancer among Thai people in Nakhon Sawan province is associated with previous pesticide use. This finding was consistent with previous studies in other parts of the world. Further study should focus on identifying more individual compounds that may cause lung cancer, as well as other types of cancer.
Interferon-gamma polymorphisms and risk of iron deficiency and anaemia in Gambian children
Authors: Abuga Kelvin M. , Rockett Kirk A. , Muriuki John Muthii , Koch Oliver , Nairz Manfred , Sirugo Giorgio , Bejon Philip , Kwiatkowski Dominic P. , Prentice Andrew M. , Atkinson Sarah H.
Published: June 2020

Background: Anaemia is a major public health concern especially in African children living in malaria-endemic regions. Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) is elevated during malaria infection and is thought to influence erythropoiesis and iron status. Genetic variants in the IFN-γ gene (IFNG) are associated with increased IFN-γ production. We investigated putative functional single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and haplotypes of IFNG in relation to nutritional iron status and anaemia in Gambian children over a malaria season.

Methods: We used previously available data from Gambian family trios to determine informative SNPs and then used the Agena Bioscience MassArray platform to type five SNPs from the IFNG gene in a cohort of 780 Gambian children aged 2-6 years. We also measured haemoglobin and biomarkers of iron status and inflammation at the start and end of a malaria season.

Results: We identified five IFNG haplotype-tagging SNPs ( IFNG-1616 [rs2069705], IFNG+874 [rs2430561], IFNG+2200 [rs1861493], IFNG+3234 [rs2069718] and IFNG+5612 [rs2069728]). The IFNG+2200C [rs1861493] allele was associated with reduced haemoglobin concentrations (adjusted β -0.44 [95% CI -0.75, -0.12]; Bonferroni adjusted P = 0.03) and a trend towards iron deficiency compared to wild-type at the end of the malaria season in multivariable models adjusted for potential confounders. A haplotype uniquely identified by IFNG+2200C was similarly associated with reduced haemoglobin levels and trends towards iron deficiency, anaemia and iron deficiency anaemia at the end of the malaria season in models adjusted for age, sex, village, inflammation and malaria parasitaemia.

Conclusion: We found limited statistical evidence linking IFNG polymorphisms with a risk of developing iron deficiency and anaemia in Gambian children. More definitive studies are needed to investigate the effects of genetically influenced IFN-γ levels on the risk of iron deficiency and anaemia in children living in malaria-endemic areas.
Animal derived antibodies should be considered alongside convalescent human plasma to deliver treatments for COVID-19
Authors: Ainsworth Stuart , Menzies Stefanie , Pleass Richard J.
Published: June 2020

Published data on the first 5,000 coronavirus patients to receive plasma shows promise in the United States. However, delivering convalescent plasma therapies in low- and even middle-income countries is both difficult and costly. Here we discuss the advantages and disadvantages of antisera raised in animals that may allow poorer countries to control the devastating effects of COVID-19.
INFLUENCE OF MARKETING TOOLS ON IMPROVING PRODUCT QUALITY
Authors: Karimova Margarita , Sagitova Nazira
Published: June 2020

The high quality of products and services is a guarantee of the company’s success in the market. The purpose of our study is to assess the feasibility of developing a new competitive product, taking into account the preferences of consumers. To achieve this, marketing tools aimed at product quality management were used. In the course of the work, a full cycle of marketing research was conducted, including questionnaires, the formation of a portrait of a consumer of products, and economic calculations. Object of study - a large regional enterprise - a center for sales of building materials. The work performed at the junction of two scientific fields (marketing and quality management) provided a synergistic effect in terms of cost reduction when creating a competitive product, and also allowed us to offer original recommendations for improving quality in general. According to the results of marketing research, which consisted in questioning the target audience using the free “Google Forms” service, such characteristics as “assortment” and “appearance” were recognized as the least satisfying consumers in the existing market for facing bricks. Based on the detailed analysis, a new type of product (“Chocolate velvet” brick) was developed that meets the wishes of the target audience of customers. An additional positive effect from the transition of the enterprise to its production in the amount of 91,600 conventional units per month will be an increase in profit, compared to 2017 (942,500 rubles), by 1,1533240 rubles, the expected efficiency of transferring an innovative product to production (profit growth / costs) will be 1.22. Determination of consumer requirements specifies the technological task during the transition to the production of a new type of product. Replacing the production of old-style finishing bricks with the release of a new type of product allows you to create a customized product that is guaranteed to find its customer due to its high customer loyalty
Acyclic Gambling Games
Authors: Laraki Rida , Renault Jérôme
Published: June 2020

We consider two-player, zero-sum stochastic games in which each player controls the player’s own state variable living in a compact metric space. The terminology comes from gambling problems in which the state of a player represents its wealth in a casino. Under standard assumptions (e.g., continuous running payoff and nonexpansive transitions), we consider for each discount factor the value vλ of the λ-discounted stochastic game and investigate its limit when λ goes to zero. We show that, under a new acyclicity condition, the limit exists and is characterized as the unique solution of a system of functional equations: the limit is the unique continuous excessive and depressive function such that each player, if the player’s opponent does not move, can reach the zone when the current payoff is at least as good as the limit value without degrading the limit value. The approach generalizes and provides a new viewpoint on the Mertens–Zamir system coming from the study of zero-sum repeated games with lack of information on both sides. A counterexample shows that under a slightly weaker notion of acyclicity, convergence of (vλ) may fail.
Trabalho e práticas sociais das mulheres: encontros entre a sociologia das relações sociais de sexo e a psicodinâmica do trabalho
Authors: De Souza Lapa Thaís
Published: June 2020

Desenvolvo neste artigo um debate sobre condições de trabalho e práticas sociais de trabalhadoras, que são compreendidas ao mesmo tempo como de sexo e de classe. Com base em contribuições, sobretudo francófonas, acerca da psicodinâmica e da divisão sexual do trabalho, procurarei desenvolver aspectos do debate teórico sobre o sofrimento e a construção de « estratégias coletivas de defesa das mulheres no trabalho. O texto é desenvolvido procurando identificar e trabalhar conceitos heuristicamente úteis para a análise das condições de trabalho e das práticas sociais delas derivadas, oriundos dos campos teóricos da psicodinâmica do trabalho e da sociologia das relações sociais de sexo, a exemplo dos conceitos de virilidade e feminilidade socialmente construídas. Também pretende-se recuperar parte das contribuições mútuas entre esses dois campos teóricos.
Body contouring using a combination of non-invasive energy-based devices
Authors: Torres Ariel
Published: June 2020

In this article, the author will be reviewing fat anatomy and physiology, as well as outlining how fat is distributed. Only after this baseline knowledge is established, can a comprehensive discussion on how to body contour by reducing fat be discussed thoroughly. The way cellulite develops and why females are predisposed to it is also detailed, followed by emphasis on the chronology in a holistic slimming approach (first is fat loss, then toning, followed by firming, anti-cellulite, figure shaping and spot reduction), the proper sequence of treating from the inside going out or from the inner visceral fat to the outer subcutaneous fat, from the deep reserve fat of the subcutaneous fat towards the superficial fat of the subcutaneous fat, and what ‘specific’ parameters should be used for each ‘separate’ energy (for example, infrared, radiofrequency and skin curving) after discussing the vast myriad technologies involved in different non-invasive energy based devices, including those employing lasers, primarily for aesthetic purposes, but consequently with health benefits.
A Description of the Educational Setting Among Individuals With Fragile X Syndrome
Authors: Nash Rebecca , Riley Catharine , Paramsothy Pangaja , Gilbertson Kendra , Raspa Melissa , Wheeler Anne , Dziuban Eric J. , Peacock Georgina
Published: June 2020

Children with fragile X syndrome (FXS) display wide-ranging intellectual and behavioral abilities that affect daily life. We describe the educational setting of students with FXS and assess the relationships between school setting, co-occurring conditions, and functional ability using a national survey sample (n = 982). The majority of students with FXS in this sample have formal individualized education plans, spend part of the day outside regular classrooms, and receive modifications when in a regular classroom. Males with FXS and certain co-occurring conditions (autism, aggression, and self-injurious behavior) are more likely to spend the entire day outside regular classrooms, compared to males without these co-occurring conditions. Students who spend more time in regular classrooms are more likely to perform functional tasks without help.
Emphysema quantified: mapping regional airway dimensions using 2D phase contrast X-ray imaging
Authors: Kitchen Marcus J. , Buckley Genevieve A. , Kerr Lauren T. , Lee Katie L. , Uesugi Kentaro , Yagi Naoto , Hooper Stuart B.
Published: June 2020

We have developed an analyser-based phase contrast X-ray imaging
technique to measure the mean length scale of pores or particles that
cannot be resolved directly by the system. By combining attenuation,
phase and ultra-small angle X-ray scattering information, the
technique was capable of measuring differences in airway dimension
between lungs of healthy mice and those with mild and severe
emphysema. Our measurements of airway dimensions from 2D images showed
a 1:1 relationship to the actual airway dimensions measured using
micro-CT. Using 80 images, the sensitivity and specificity were
measured to be 0.80 and 0.89, respectively, with the area under the
ROC curve close to ideal at 0.96. Reducing the number of images to 11
slightly decreased the sensitivity to 0.75 and the ROC curve area to
0.90, whilst the specificity remained high at 0.89.
High-throughput 3D imaging of single cells with light-sheet fluorescence microscopy on chip
Authors: Sala Federico , Castriotta Michele , Paiè Petra , Farina Andrea , D’Annunzio Sarah , Zippo Alessio , Osellame Roberto , Bragheri Francesca , Bassi Andrea
Published: June 2020

Single-cell analysis techniques are fundamental to study the
heterogeneity of cellular populations, which is the basis to
understand several biomedical mechanisms. Light-sheet fluorescence
microscopy is a powerful technique for obtaining high-resolution
imaging of individual cells, but the complexity of the setup and the
sample mounting procedures limit its overall throughput. In our work,
we present an optofluidic microscope-on-chip with integrated
microlenses for light-sheet shaping and with a fluidic microchannel
that allows the automatic and continuous delivery of samples of a few
tens of microns in size. The device is used to perform dual-color
fluorescence analysis and 3D reconstruction of xenograft-derived mouse
breast cancer cells.
Correlative infrared optical coherence tomography and hyperspectral chemical imaging
Authors: Zorin Ivan , Su Rong , Heise Bettina , Lendl Bernhard , Brandstetter Markus
Published: June 2020

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a high-resolution three-dimensional imaging technique that enables nondestructive measurements of surface and subsurface microstructures. Recent developments of OCT operating in the mid-infrared (MIR) range (around 4 µm) lifted fundamental scattering limitations and initiated applied material research in formerly inaccessible fields. The MIR spectral region, however, is also of great interest for spectroscopy and hyperspectral imaging, which allow highly selective and sensitive chemical studies of materials. In this contribution, we introduce an OCT system (dual-band, central wavelengths of 2 µm and 4 µm) combined with MIR spectroscopy that is implemented as a raster scanning chemical imaging modality. The fully integrated and cost-effective optical instrument is based on a single supercontinuum laser source (emission spectrum spanning from 1.1 µm to 4.4 µm). Capabilities of the in situ correlative measurements are experimentally demonstrated by obtaining complex multidimensional material data, comprising morphological and chemical information, from a multilayered composite ceramic-polymer specimen.
Addressing systematic errors in axial distance measurements in single-emitter localization microscopy
Authors: Petrov Petar N. , Moerner W. E.
Published: June 2020

Nanoscale localization of point emitters is critical to several methods in optical fluorescence microscopy, including single-molecule super-resolution imaging and tracking. While the precision of the localization procedure has been the topic of extensive study, localization accuracy has been less emphasized, in part due to the challenge of producing an experimental sample containing unperturbed point emitters at known three-dimensional positions in a relevant geometry. We report a new experimental system which reproduces a widely-adopted geometry in high-numerical aperture localization microscopy, in which molecules are situated in an aqueous medium above a glass coverslip imaged with an oil-immersion objective. We demonstrate a calibration procedure that enables measurement of the depth-dependent point spread function (PSF) for open aperture imaging as well as imaging with engineered PSFs with index mismatch. We reveal the complicated, depth-varying behavior of the focal plane position in this system and discuss the axial localization biases incurred by common approximations of this behavior. We compare our results to theoretical calculations.
Wavelength-scanning second-harmonic generation for determining absolute charge density at aqueous interfaces
Authors: Dalstein Laetitia , Huang Jung-Ren , Wen Yu-Chieh
Published: June 2020

We develop a new, to the best of our knowledge, optical scheme based on second-harmonic generation (SHG) at multiple wavelengths for unequivocal separation of the second-order and the electric-field-induced third-order nonlinear optical contributions from aqueous interfaces. The third-order SHG originating from the field-induced reorientation order of water molecules in the electrical double layer offers an optical label-free and inherent probe to the surface charge density and surface potential in the absolute scales. We verify this wavelength-scanning SHG scheme both theoretically and experimentally, and show that the approach is applicable to water interfaces with bulk ionic strength below 500 µM and can achieve a detection sensitivity for a surface charge density of

∼

10

−
4

C

/

m

2

.
Mediating role of employees’ trust in the relationship between ethical leadership and workplace deviance in the public sector hospitals of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Authors: Yasir Muhammad , Khan Nazir
Published: June 2020

The increase in deviant workplace behavior within organizations is compelling scholars and practitioners to find an appropriate solution to control this dilemma. Therefore, this research attempts to investigate the association between ethical leadership and workplace deviance, with employees’ trust as a mediator in the relationship between ethical leadership and workplace deviance in the public sector hospitals of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), Pakistan. This research utilized survey strategy, with a quantitative method using a cross-sectional design, applied convenient sampling technique and usable questionnaires were 202 from the understudy sector. Furthermore, the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was utilized to screen the data. SPSS was further used for computing preliminary data analysis, for instance, normality, reliability, standard deviation, mean, and frequencies for each construct. Furthermore, correlation and regression analyses were conducted. This study found (a) a negative and significant association between ethical leadership and workplace deviance, (b) a positive and significant relationship between ethical leadership and employees’ trust (c) a negative and significant association between employees’ trust and workplace deviance, and (d) that employees’ trust mediates between the relationship of ethical leadership and workplace deviance. Therefore, this study highlights several theoretical and practical implications and provides further insight into how workplace deviance can be controlled specifically in the public sector hospitals of KPK. Lastly, limitations and suggestions for future researches are provided.
La organización productiva y del trabajo en los noticieros de cuatro ciudades argentinas
Authors: Carboni Ornela Vanina
Published: June 2020

El trabajo analiza la estructura productiva de los noticieros emitidos en el horario central nocturno en las ciudades de Buenos Aires, Rosario, Mendoza y Córdoba, específicamente en los temas de violencia, delito e inseguridad. En términos metodológicos se realizaron 45 entrevistas en profundidad a actores clave que integran los equipos de trabajo de los noticieros estudiados y se efectuaron observaciones in situ en las emisoras. Las experiencias permitieron comprender las rutinas de trabajo, especialmente en la selección, recolección, tratamiento y puesta al aire de los noticieros, y revelaron las diferencias y similitudes de cada polo productivo.
Socrates, Vlastos, Scanlon and the Principle of the Sovereignty of Virtue
Authors: Nascimento Daniel Simão
Published: June 2020

This article offers a new formulation of the Socratic principle known as the Principle of the Sovereignty of Virtue (PSV). It is divided in three sections. In the first section I criticize Vlastos’ formulation of the PSV. In the second section I present the weighing model of practical deliberation, introduce the concepts of reason for action, simple reason, sufficient reason and conclusive reason that were offered by Thomas Scanlon in Being realistic about reasons (2014), and then I adapt these concepts so as to render them apt to be used in the formulation I intend to offer. In the third section I present my formulation of the PSV using the concepts introduced in the second section and explain why I believe this formulation is better than the one offered by Vlastos.
Luz, Vida e Saúde
Authors: Bernardo Luís Miguel
Published: June 2020

A luz não é uma entidade física inerte. Omnipresente na Natureza, exerce uma ação essencial sobre os seres vivos, desde os mais pequenos aos mais complexos incluindo os humanos. Todos estes seres dependem da luz para se desenvolverem e manterem a vida. De acordo com a composição espectral, os efeitos da luz podem ser benéficos ou nocivos. A luz regula processos biológicos circunscritos ou sistémicos e pode ser usada como meio terapêutico. A poluição luminosa pode causar efeitos funestos em plantas e animais, perturbando o equilíbrio dos ecossistemas. Todos estes aspectos são tratados em Luz, Vida e Saúde, numa abordagem científica, histórica e sócio-­‐cultural. Em contexto internacional, expõe-­‐se o trabalho que os portugueses realizaram no estudo e promoção destes assuntos e descreve-­‐se a forma como as fototerapias se divulgaram e estabeleceram em Portugal.
Pollination techniques in zucchini production in the presence of boron fertilization
Authors: Andrade Fabrício Ribeiro , Pagoto Sara Neves , Laudete Alessandra de Almeida , Neves Gabriel de Jesus , Degaspari Lucas de Abreu , Araujo Lourismar Martins
Published: June 2020

Zucchini (Curcubita pepo L.), known in Brazil as “abóbora de moita”, belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family and is among the top ten vegetables produced and of highest economic value in Brazil. The present study aims to evaluate the efficiency of different forms of pollination in zucchini plantations subject to boron fertilization. The experimental design used was randomized blocks in a 4 x 2 factorial arrangement, with four replications. The treatments consisted of a combination of four pollination methods (fruiting induced with 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D); manual pollination; natural pollination by bees and control) and boron fertilization (absent and in the soil at a dose of 2 kg ha-1). The percentage of flowering was evaluated and, of the harvested squashes, the diameter, length and average weight of the commercial fruits (those uniform in terms of shape, size, and color) were recorded. The application of 2,4-D promoted the greatest fruit setting rate, diameter, length and mass in the squash. 2,4-D promoted the development of parthenocarpic fruits and can be used to promote yield gains in zucchini production.
Outcome Prediction of Covert Hepatic Encephalopathy in Liver Cirrhosis: Comparison of Four Testing Strategies
Authors: Labenz Christian , Toenges Gerrit , Schattenberg Jörn M. , Nagel Michael , Huber Yvonne , Marquardt Jens U. , Labenz Joachim , Galle Peter R. , Wörns Marcus-Alexander
Published: June 2020

INTRODUCTION:

Despite the negative impact of covert hepatic encephalopathy on the outcome of patients with liver cirrhosis, data regarding the ability of different testing strategies to predict overt hepatic encephalopathy (OHE) development and mortality are limited. This study aimed to compare the ability of Psychometric Hepatic Encephalopathy Score (PHES), critical flicker frequency (CFF), simplified animal naming test (S-ANT1), and clinical covert hepatic encephalopathy (CCHE) score to predict OHE development and mortality.

METHODS:

A total of 224 patients with liver cirrhosis were tested with different testing strategies and prospectively followed up regarding clinically relevant outcomes (OHE or death/liver transplantation).

RESULTS:

Prevalence of pathological results varied among the testing strategies: PHES 33.9%, CFF 17.9%, S-ANT1 41.5%, and CCHE score 33.9%. All testing strategies were independent predictors of OHE development after adjusting for model of end-stage liver disease (MELD) score and history of OHE. The predictive performances of PHES (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, 0.742) and CCHE (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, 0.785) regarding OHE development during the next 180 days were significantly better than those of CFF and S-ANT1. In multivariable analysis, pathological results in PHES, S-ANT1, and CCHE score were independently associated with higher mortality. CFF did not correlate with mortality in the whole cohort. In the subgroup of patients with a MELD score <15, pathological results in PHES, CFF, or CCHE score were independent predictors of higher mortality.

DISCUSSION:

PHES and CCHE score predict OHE development and mortality in patients with liver cirrhosis. In particular, in patients with low MELD score, both testing strategies could help to identify patients who might benefit from liver transplantation.