bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Eosinophils May Serve as CEA-Secreting Cells for ABPA Patients
Authors: yanfei Yang , qiqi Gao , yangyi Jin , mengdie Qi , guohua Lu , Hequan li
Published: September 2020

Background Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) is a condition characterized by an exaggerated response of the immune system to the fungus Aspergillus. This study aimed to assess the relationship between carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and eosinophils in ABPA patients.Methods: We describes a case of a 50-year-old patient who was diagnosed with ABPA presenting with high level of CEA and eosinophils. Besides,we used immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence to identify eosinophils and CEA in sections which were obtained by Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial lung biopsy aspiration (EBUS-TBLB). The sections were then visualized using confocal microscopy. We also retrospectively analyzed a cohort of 37 ABPA patients between January 2013 and December 2019 in our hospital.Results: We found the patient whose serum CEA levels were consistent with eosinophils during the follow-up(r=0.929,P=0.022). The positive expression of CEA and abnormal expression of eosinophils was higher in the ABPA tissue compared to the normal lung tissue. The co-localization was represented as pixels containing both red and green color in the image (with various shades of orange and yellow) which signified that eosinophils were immunohistochemically positive for CEA. Patients with higher levels of eosinophils had higher levels of CEA in the serum (P<0.001). The results of Pearson correlation analysis showed that the levels of eosinophils were positively correlated with serum CEA levels(r=0.459 and r=0.506，P=0.004 and P=0.001). Conclusion: Serum CEA level is elevated in ABPA patients. The elevated serum CEA level was shown to be normalized after treatment. Increased CEA levels in ABPA patients may be positively correlated with eosinophil levels, and eosinophils may be served as CEA-secreting cells in patients with ABPA.
Lending Rate, Exchange Rate and Household Consumption Relations in Sub-saharan Africa: Mean Group Approach
Authors: Onanuga Abayomi Toyin , Tella Sheriffdeen Adewale
Published: September 2020

Household consumption expenditure in Africa to the world aggregate is comparatively little, considering the population of the region. But empirical credence that elucidates estimated elasticities of the exchange rate, lending rate, and consumption relations remains dimply discerned in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) amidst a high population growth rate. Therefore, this paper present new insights into the causative structure of the cost of consumer credit and exchange rate management as leverage for mass consumption in Africa. We rely on the mean group estimator to analyse the panel data with a sample of 37 African countries in 2008 through 2017. We found that lending and exchange rate induces positive changes in household consumption in SSA. Efficient management of the cost of consumer credit and stability of the exchange rate may significantly improve consumption in the region. Policy implications were discussed.JEl Classification: E21; E43; F31; C21; C23
Association Between Triglyceride Glucose Index and Risk of New-onset Diabetes Among Chinese Adults: Findings From the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study
Authors: Chen Chaolei , Liu Lin , Lo Kenneth , Huang Jiayi , Yu Yuling , Huang Yuqing , Feng Yingqing
Published: September 2020

Background: The triglyceride glucose (TyG) index has been proposed to be a simple surrogate of insulin resistance. We aimed to examine the relationship between TyG index and risk of incident diabetes in middle-age and elderly adults in China.Methods: Nationally representative data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study 2011-2015 were used. Sociodemographic, medical, anthropometric, and laboratory information were collected following a standard protocol. Cox proportional hazards models and restricted cubic spline regression were performed to estimate hazard ratio (HR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) of diabetes for TyG index. Subgroup analyses were also conducted to examine potential interactions. Results: Of 7428 participants without at baseline diabetes, 791 (10.6%) participants developed diabetes over 3.4 years of follow-up. The multivariate HR for every SD increase in TyG index was 1.22 (95% CI, 1.14-1.31). When dividing TyG index into quartiles, the multivariate HRs for new-onset diabetes were 1.22 (0.96-1.54) for Q2, 1.61 (1.28-2.01) for Q3, and 1.73 (1.38-2.16) for Q4 (P for trend < 0.001) compared with Q1. The restricted cubic spline regression confirmed a linear association. No interaction was found between subgroup variables and association of TyG index with risk of diabetes.Conclusions: TyG index was significantly and positively associated with risk of new-onset diabetes in middle-aged and elderly adults. TyG index may be a useful predictive marker for predicting new-onset diabetes.
Measuring Farm Technical Efficiency using Stochastic Frontier Production Function Model Approach
Authors: Ndubueze-Ogaraku Mercy Ebere , Graves Anil
Published: September 2020

Agricultural productivity in Africa is the lowest in the world
with many households not able to feed themselves. In Africa women
make up 70–80% of the labour forces in the agricultural sector and
play a core role in agriculture but underperform in terms of
productivity largely because they lack access to physical and human
resources. Well-being, a health resource is an important asset in
production because people can work when they are healthy. The study
is aimed to analyze farm technical efficiency of women farmers in
Niger Delta, Nigeria. 216 female farmers were randomly selected
from 18 communities of the three states in Niger Delta Nigeria.
Stochastic production frontier function model was the analytical
tools used. The result showed that farm size and labour positively
influenced technical efficiency and was significant at 1% with a
mean value of 68.8%. Farm efficiency level in Delta and Akwa Ibom
States are not significantly different. However, technical
efficiency level in both Delta and Akwa Ibom States are
significantly different from Rivers State. Inefficiency variables
of age and number of years spent schooling were significant at 5%
and 10% level respectively. The study recommends that women should
increase the use of farm plots and labour resource for higher
productivity.
Relationship Between Periosteal Reaction and Medial Compartment Knee Osteoarthritis in Observation of Chinese Patients: A Retrospective Single-Centre Comparative Study
Authors: Deng Xiangtian , Hu Hongzhi , Cheng Xiaodong , Zhu Jian , Ye Zhipeng , Wang Zhongzheng , Wang Yuchuan , Zhang Yingze
Published: September 2020

Background: The purpose of this study to evaluate the potential relationship between the periosteal reaction and medial compartment knee osteoarthritis (KOA), and to assess the related risk factors for the development of periosteal reaction associated with medial compartment KOA.Methods: From January 2019 to December 2019, a total of 476 consecutive patients with medial compartment KOA were included and assessed in this retrospective comparative study. They were divided into two groups: periosteal reaction group and non-periosteal reaction group. Radiological parameters was measured for malalignment of the lower extremities in coronal plane. Intra-observer and inter-observer reliabilities of all radiological measurements were analyzed by intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs). Univariate analyses was conducted for comparison of differences with continuous variables between patients with periosteal reaction and without periosteal reaction. Multivariate binary logistical regression analysis were performed to determine the independent risk factors of radiographic parameters for periosteal reaction.Results: A total of 363 patients (726 knees) were selected for the study, including 91 males and 272 females, with an average age of 57.9±12.8 years (range, 18-82 years). The overall incidence of periosteal reaction associated with medial compartment KOA was 56.7%. Furthermore, the incidence of periosteal reaction significantly increased with age and K-L grade progressed (P＜0.05). Multivariate logistical regression analysis found that HKA and JICA were significantly correlated with the development of periosteal reaction adjacent to the lateral of proximal tibia diaphysis in medial compartment KOA (P＜0.05).Conclusions: Our observation of the reaction of periosteum may be an anatomical adaptation for medial compartment KOA. Patients with lower HKA and higher JICA are more likely to developing periosteal reaction, which occurred most commonly adjacent to the lateral of proximal tibia diaphysis.
Novel Epigenetic 12-gene Signature Predictive of Poor Prognosis and MSI-like Phenotype in Human Metastatic Colorectal Carcinomas
Authors: Condelli Valentina , Calice Giovanni , Cassano Alessandra , Basso Michele , Rodriquenz Maria Grazia , Zupa Angela , Maddalena Francesca , Crispo Fabiana , Pietrafesa Michele , Aieta Michele , Sgambato Alessandro , Tortora Giampaolo , Zoppoli Pietro , Landriscina Matteo
Published: September 2020

Background. Epigenetic remodeling is responsible for tumor progression and drug resistance in human colorectal carcinoma (CRC). A subgroup of human CRCs exhibits the CIMP status, with extensive hypermethylation events in promoter regions of several genes, even though the prognostic significance of CIMP is controversial. This study addressed the hypothesis that DNA methylation profiling may identify metastatic CRC (mCRC) subtypes with different clinical behavior. Methods. Global methylation profile was comparatively analyzed between 24 first-line primary-resistant and 12 drug-sensitive mCRCs (in-house cohort), two subgroups of tumors with significantly different outcome. Methylation and gene expression data from 33 mCRCs of the TCGA COAD dataset (TCGA COAD cohort) were used to identify, among differentially methylated genes, a prognostic signature of functionally methylated genes. Clusters of mCRCs with different methylation patterns were further characterized for DNA mutational load, gene copy number and gene expression profiles. Human CRC HT29 and HCT116 cell lines were adapted to growth in presence of oxaliplatin and irinotecan and used as in vitro model to validate gene expression data.Results. Twelve functionally methylated genes yielded a hierarchical clustering of patients in two well-defined clusters with hypermethylated tumors characterized by a significantly worse relapse-free and overall survival compared to hypomethylated cancers and this was reproduced in both the in-house and the TCGA COAD cohorts. Interestingly, the hypermethylated poor prognosis cluster was enriched of CIMP-high and MSI-like cases. Furthermore, methylation events were enriched in genes located on q-arm of chromosomes 13 and 20, two chromosomal regions with gain/loss alterations strongly associated with adenoma-to-carcinoma progression. Finally, the expression of the 12-genes signature and MSI-enriching genes was confirmed in two independent oxaliplatin- and irinotecan-resistant CRC cell lines. Conclusions. These data represent the proof of concept that the hypermethylation of specific sets of genes may provide prognostic information being able to identify a subgroup of mCRCs with poor prognosis.
Virologic Outcomes of Switching to Dolutegravir Functional Monotherapy, or Functional Dual Therapy With Dolutegravir Plus A Non-cytosine Nucleoside Analog: A Retrospective Study of Treatment-Experienced, HIV-1 Infected Patients
Authors: Rolle Charlotte-Paige , Nguyen Vu , Hinestrosa Federico , DeJesus Edwin
Published: September 2020

Background Dolutegravir (DTG) monotherapy results in unacceptable virologic failure rates and the development of DTG resistance. Here, we evaluated virologic outcomes of patients switched to DTG functional monotherapy, or functional dual therapy with DTG plus a non-cytosine nucleoside analog (NA).Methods This observational study included treatment-experienced patients switched to regimens containing ≥ 3 antiretrovirals later found to be on DTG functional monotherapy, or functional dual therapy with DTG plus a non-cytosine NA based on historical genotypes. Eligible patients were either suppressed or viremic at baseline and had ≥2 HIV-1 RNA measurements at least four weeks apart following switch. The primary endpoint was the proportion with HIV-1 RNA<50 copies/mL following switch. Results Thirty-nine patients were included, 19 (49%) were found to be on DTG functional monotherapy and 20 (51%) were found to be on functional dual therapy with DTG plus a non-cytosine NA. The median duration of follow-up was 50 weeks (range 12-244). Following switch, 32/39 (82%) patients achieved or maintained an HIV-1 RNA<50 copies/mL. In 7 (18%) patients with persistent HIV-1 RNA ≥50 copies/mL, there was no evidence of treatment-emergent resistance among those with post-switch genotypes.Conclusions In this real-world cohort, the majority of whom had virus with the M184V/I and ≥ 1 additional NA mutation, switching to DTG functional monotherapy, or functional dual therapy with DTG plus a non-cytosine NA resulted in persistent HIV-1 RNA≥ 50 copies/mL in 18%. None with post-switch genotypes developed treatment-emergent resistance.
Clinical Trial of HEXORR II for Robotic Hand Movement Therapy After Stroke
Authors: Chen Ji , Black Iian , Nichols Diane , Chen Tianyao , Sandison Melissa , Casas Rafael , Lum Peter
Published: September 2020

BackgroundImpaired use of the hand in functional tasks remains difficult to overcome in many individuals after a stroke. This often leads to compensation strategies using the less-affected limb, which allows for independence in some aspects of daily activities. However, recovery of hand function remains an important therapeutic goal of many individuals, and is often resistant to conventional therapies. In prior work, we developed HEXORR I, a robotic device that allows practice of finger and thumb movements with robotic assistance. In this study, we describe modifications to the device, now called HEXORR II, and a clinical trial in individuals with chronic stroke. MethodsFifteen individuals with a diagnosis of chronic stroke were randomized to 12 or 24 sessions of robotic therapy. The sessions involved playing several video games using thumb and finger movement. The robot applied assistance to extension movement that was adapted based on task performance. Clinical and motion capture evaluations were performed before and after training and again at a 6 month followup. ResultsFourteen individuals completed the protocol. Fugl-Meyer scores improved significantly over the 3 time points, indicating reductions in upper extremity impairment. Flexor hypertonia (Ashworth) also decreased significantly due to the intervention. Motion capture found increased finger range of motion and extension ability when the arm was supported by gravity. However, extension ability did not improve significantly during a reach and grasp task, and there was no change in a functional measure (Action Research Arm Test). At the followup, the high dose group had significant gains in hand displacement during a forward reach task. There were no other significant differences between groups. ConclusionsFuture work with HEXORR II should focus on integrating it with functional task practice and incorporating grip and squeezing tasks. Trial registration: CLINICALTRIALS.GOV, NCT04536987. Registered 3 September 2020 - Retrospectively registered, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/record/NCT04536987
Triplet-Triplet Upconversion in Organic Light- Emitting Diodes: Implications to Injection Lasing
Authors: Shukla Atul , Hasan Monirul , Banappanavar Gangadhar , Ahmad Viqar , Sobus Jan , Moore Evan , Kabra Dinesh , Lo Shih-Chun , Namdas Ebinazar
Published: September 2020

While significant progress has been made over last few years in the field of organic solid-state lasers, achieving lasing action from organic semiconductors under electrical excitation still remains a big challenge. One of the major barriers towards electrically pumped organic lasers are optical losses due to triplet excitons. In this work, we report both experimental and theoretical results that confirm positive contribution of triplet excitons for the scope of electrically driven organic laser. We studied a model fluorescence material, 9-(9-phenylcarbazole-3-yl)-10(naphthalene-1-yl) anthracene and reveals that the threshold current densities required to achieve lasing emission under electrical injection can be significantly reduced with the aid of triplet-triplet exciton upconversion processes. Furthermore, we demonstrate that, to achieve the best performance, the singlet-triplet exciton annihilation must be minimized. These results are unprecedented and provide a pathway towards development of new class of triplet-triplet upconversion materials for injection laser.
B cell-mediated immunomodulation by S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO) in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis
Authors: Kim Judong , Islam S.M. Touhidul , Won Jeseong , Singh Avtar K. , Singh Inderjit
Published: September 2020

Background Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is the most commonly used animal model for human multiple sclerosis (MS), a demyelinating autoimmune disease mediated by T and B lymphocytes. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO), a physiological nitric oxide carrier molecule, in regulation of effector or regulatory B cell function as IL-6 and IL-10 expressions and thus the potential role of GSNO in targeting B cell-mediated immunopathogenesis in MS using EAE model. Methods To this purpose, the in vivo EAE mouse model, generated by immunization with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) 35-55 peptide, or in vitro model of cultured B cells stimulated with lipopolysaccharide or anti-IgM antibody were treated with exogenous GSNO or N6022, an inhibitor of GSNO reductase (GSNOR; GSNO degrading enzyme) to increase endogenous GSNO, and then analyzed for B cell specific IL-6 and IL-10 expression. Results In EAE model, administration of exogenous GSNO or inhibition of endogenous GSNO catabolism by N6022 treatment ameliorated the clinical disease with decreased CNS infiltration of B cells. In addition, GSNO/N6022 treatments increased the number of IL-10+ B cells but decreased the number of IL-6+ B cells in the CNS and spleen. Accordingly, GSNO/N6022 treatments increased the expression of IL-10 while reducing the IL-6 expression in the blood. Similar observations were also made in in vitro B cell culture model where GSNO treatment increased the IL-10+ B cells but decreased the IL-6+ B cells under BCR or TLR4 stimulatory conditions and under CD40 and BAFF co-stimulatory conditions. Accordingly, GSNO treatment increased the B cell production of IL-10 but reduced the IL-6 production under both stimulatory and co-stimulatory conditions. In vitro stimulation and co-stimulation of cultured naïve B cells increased two major distinct B cell populations; CD1dlow CD5high and CD1dhigh CD5high. In both populations, GSNO treatment increased the number of IL-10+ cells but decreased the IL-6+ cells. Conclusion These data document, for the first time, that cellular GSNO homeostasis is a critical target for the regulation of IL-10+ B cells vs. IL-6+ B cells mediated immune balance under auto-immune disease conditions.
Impacts of the Marine Hatchery Built Environment on Mucosal Microbiome Colonization Across Ontogeny in Yellowtail Kingfish, Seriola Lalandi
Authors: Minich Jeremiah , Nowak Barbara , Elizur Abigail , Knight Rob , Fielder Stewart , Allen Eric
Published: September 2020

BackgroundMicrobial succession in vertebrates has primarily focused on vertical transmission and ontogenetic development in the mammalian gut. Teleosts comprise the majority of vertebrate diversity, yet little is known about how the microbiome develops in fish, particularly when vertical transmission is limited or absent for broadcast spawners. Biological factors such as diet, age, phylogeny, and trophic level along with environmental factors such as water salinity, temperature, and depth have been shown to influence the mucosal microbiomes of fish. Here we investigate how various microbial-rich surfaces from the built environment ‘BE’ influence the development of the mucosal microbiome (gill, skin, and digesta) of an economically important marine fish, yellowtail kingfish, Seriola lalandi, over time.ResultsFor the first experiment, we sampled gill and skin microbiomes from 36 fish reared in three tank conditions, and demonstrate that the gill is more influenced by the surrounding environment than the skin. In a second experiment, fish microbiomes (gill, skin, and digesta) and the BE (tank side, water, inlet pipe, airstones, and air diffusers) were sampled from indoor reared fish at three ages (43 dph, 137 dph, 430 dph; n=12 per age). At 430 dph, 20 additional fish were sampled from an outdoor ocean net pen. A total of 304 samples were processed for 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Gill and skin alpha diversity increased while gut diversity decreased with age. Diversity was much lower in fish from the ocean net pen compared to indoor fish. We quantified the change in community dynamics driven by the BE and show that the gill and skin are most influenced by the BE early in development, with aeration equipment having more impact in later ages, while the gut microbiome becomes increasingly differentiated from the environment over time.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that fish mucosal microbiomes are differentially influenced by the built environment with a high turnover and rapid succession occurring in the gill and skin while the gut microbiome is more stable. We demonstrate how individual components of a hatchery system, especially aeration equipment, may contribute directly to microbiome development in a marine fish. In addition, results demonstrate how early life (larval) exposure to stressors in the rearing environment may influence fish microbiome development which is important for animal health and aquaculture production.
A population-level analysis of changes in diel rhythms and sleep and their association with negative emotions during the outbreak of COVID-19 in China
Authors: Chen Siyu , Huang Tianyu , Huang Yutao , Nie Cenxing , Liang Jingwen , Liu Xinyan , Xu Yanwen , Guo Jinhu
Published: September 2020

Introduction: From December 2019, COVID-19 (novel coronavirus pneumonia) began spreading in China and has significantly affected the industrial economy and peoples’ daily lifestyle. Beginning on January 23, the public was asked to constantly stay at home for quarantine and community containment.Methods: To assess the effects of the changes in diel rhythms and sleep and their association with negative emotions during the COVID-19 outbreak, a questionnaire was administered to 451 responders for analysis between January 20, 2020, and January 31, 2020, in China.Results: We found that 34.6% of the participants reported diel rhythm disturbance. Moreover, 67.2% of the participants presented negative emotions regarding the pandemic situation, including worry, fear, downheartedness, anxiety, depression, and stupefaction; among them, worry was the most prevalent. Gender and age were significant factors for changes in the diel phases and emotions. There was a correlation between diel rhythm alterations and negative emotions. Three factors, i.e., the Spring Festival holiday, quarantines and concern regarding the pandemic situation, were associated with changes in diel rhythms, sleep, and negative emotions during the pandemic period. Holiday jet lag, quarantine (or community containment), and concerns regarding the pandemic situation had significant effects on diel rhythms, sleep and negative emotion in a substantial part of the population. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that diel rhythms and sleep and their association with negative emotions in COVID-19 patients and the normal population need to be considered. Moreover, the adjustment of diel rhythms could help relieve negative effects and improve the global health during the pandemic period.
Resuscitation of inactive ammonia-oxidizing archaea and complete nitrifiers by extracellular electrons from a heterotrophic bacterium, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens
Authors: Wu Shanghua , Dong Yuzhu , Fan Haonan , Deng Ye , Zhuang Xuliang
Published: September 2020

Background: Nitrification in the soil is dominated by ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA), ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) and the newly discovered complete nitrifiers, which are members of complex communities. Complicated relations have been found in microbial communities, but the relations between heterotrophic bacteria and autotrophic ammonia oxidizers (AOM) are unclear, and experimental models are lacking. Here, we constructed a microcosm based on DNA stable isotope probing that was established between a heterotrophic bacterium, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens (BA), and the soil autotrophic AOM. Results: The inoculation of BA changed the activities of three indigenous nitrifiers. The originally marginal AOA and complete nitrifiers were active in the nitrification process as well as the AOB, which led to mitigation of N2O and an increase in NO. The network analysis showed that the inoculated BA was indirectly and positively linked to AOA through a Microbacteriaceae that contains genes encoding proteins responsible for transporting electrons. Further, the microbial fuel cell system indirectly confirmed the potential regulation of extracellular electron transfer (EET) between these two species. Conclusions: With our findings, a useful model to investigate the relations between heterotrophic bacteria and AOM was constructed, and evidence of EET in complex regulations was provided.
Prediction of Microvascular Invasion and Recurrence Using Preoperative 18F-FDG PET/CT Metabolic Parameters in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Jiang Chunjuan , Ma Guang , Liu Qiufang , Song Shaoli
Published: September 2020

Background: Microvascular invasion (MVI) is very important in the evaluation of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC),but diagnosis is determined by postoperative pathology; thus, preoperative non-invasive methods will play an active role. The purpose of this study was to assess the performance of metabolic parameters of preoperative 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computerized tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) in the prediction of MVI and postoperative recurrence in primary hepatocellular carcinoma.Methods: We retrospectively collected 72 patients with HCC who have performed 18F-FDG PET/CT scan before partial hepatectomy between 2016 and 2019. We used both normal liver tissue and inferior vena cava as the reference background, and combined with clinicopathological features, 18F-FDG PET/CT metabolic and volumetric indices to predict MVI and postoperative recurrence of primary HCC before surgery.Results: Twenty-one of the 72 patients recurred, in recurrent cases showed higher maximum standard uptake value (SUVmax), TNR (ratio of tumor SUVmax to mean SUV [SUVmean] of the background tissue), metabolic tumor volume (MTV) and total lesion glycolysis (TLG) than nonrecurrence cases(p<0.001). All 18F-FDG PET metabolic and volumetric indices for predicting postoperative HCC recurrence were significant on receiver-operating-characteristic (ROC) curve analyses (p<0.05). TNRIVC, TNRNL, MTV, TLGIVC, and TLGNL were significant factors for predicting MVI in HCC (p<0.05). On multivariate analyses, MVI, SUVmax, TNRIVC, TNRNL, MTV, TLGIVC, and TLGNL(p<0.05) are independent risk factors for predicting postoperative HCC recurrence. TNRIVC is the most relevant PET/CT parameter for predicting MVI in HCC, and MTV is the most valuable for predicting postoperative HCC recurrence. Moreover, the PET/CT parameters are more accurate for prognosis with inferior vena cava as a reference background than with normal liver tissue.Conclusion: 18F-FDG PET/CT metabolic and volumetric indices are effective predictors, and could non-invasively provide more comprehensive predictive information on MVI and postoperative recurrence of primary HCC before surgery.
Hydroponic Fertilizer Supply for Basil Using Controlled-release Fertilizer
Authors: Trientini Fernanda , Fisher Paul R.
Published: September 2020

Small-scale hydroponics is a growing urban horticulture trend, but nutrient solution management remains a challenge for small growers. The objective was to investigate the potential to use controlled-release fertilizer (CRF) to simplify nutrient management in small-scale hydroponic systems. Three experiments were conducted with the goal of a single fertilizer application during the crop cycle of basil (Ocimum basilicum). Nutrient release curves were quantified by adding prills to water and measuring nutrient content weekly in the solution for CRF products without plants. In all seven products tested (Osmocote Bloom 2–3M, Osmocote Plus 3–4M, E-Max Calcium Nitrate 2–3M, Agrocote MAP 3–4M, E-Max Keiserite 3–4M, E-Max K-Mag 2–3M, and Agrocote SOP 3–4M) an initial rapid release was followed by a plateau, but release rates differed between products varying from 100% (MgSO4) to 60% release [(NH4).(H2PO4)] over an 11-week evaluation period. Total nutrient content in two commercial N–P–K CRF products (3–4 months 15N–3P–10K and 2–3 months 12N–3.1P–14.9K) provided lower Ca and Mg compared with a typical hydroponic solution based on water-soluble fertilizer (WSF). A subsequent experiment evaluated plant growth response using the same two commercial CRF products (single application) or a WSF (replaced weekly) in growth chamber environment. Plants grown for 4 weeks under CRF treatments yielded less than half the shoot fresh weight of plants grown with WSF and exhibited symptoms of Ca deficiency and micronutrient toxicity (confirmed with tissue analysis). Electrical conductivity (EC) of CRF solutions increased over time indicating excess dose compared with plant uptake, reaching a maximum of 5.4 dS·m−1. Nutrient release curves from the first experiment were then used to estimate product release and create a single-application nutritional program based on a customized “Blend” developed from CRF macronutrients plus WSF micronutrients. Plants were grown hydroponically with two dosages of Blend (1X and 2X) and compared with a commercial WSF with weekly replacement of solution. Blend 2X and WSF treatments had similar shoot fresh weight (241 and 244 g/four plants, respectively) with healthy plant appearance and tissue nutrient levels generally within published survey ranges for basil. Commercial CRF products designed for soil or container production were unsuitable for hydroponics, but acceptable plant performance with the customized CRF Blend demonstrated proof-of-concept for a single CRF application.
A Special Summer Pruning Method Significantly Increases Fruit Weight, Ascorbic Acid, and Dry Matter of Kiwifruit (‘Jinyan’, Actinidia eriantha × A. chinensis)
Authors: Liao Guang-Lian , Xu Xiao-Biao , Liu Qing , Zhong Min , Huang Chun-Hui , Jia Dong-Feng , Qu Xue-Yan
Published: September 2020

Jinyan (Actinidia eriantha × A. chinensis) is one of the gold-fleshed kiwifruit cultivars currently being promoted in south China. However, its fruit dry matter is usually less than 16%, which seriously affects fruit quality including taste and flavor. This causes a financial loss to growers: not only are the prices paid for the fruit low because of their bad reputation for quality, but some orchards have been removed. Improvement of fruit quality is essential. In this study, a method is described for squeezing and twisting flowering shoots before flowering and removing the distal vegetative parts of flowering shoots after fruit set. The effects on fruit quality were determined. The dry matter of fruit was increased by 6.6%. Fruit size also increased as did the chlorophyll a content and the chlorophyll:carotenoid ratio. The significantly increased fruit dry matter, resulting in significant increases in fruit soluble solids concentrations (P < 0.01), thereby possibly improving fruit taste. Fruit weight, fruit length, and carotenoid and ascorbic acid concentrations were significantly enhanced in comparison with controls (P < 0.01), increasing by 20%, 7%, 12%, and 19%, respectively. However, there was no significant difference in soluble sugar concentrations, titratable acid concentrations, and the reduced chlorophyll b concentrations. This research provides a practical method to increase fruit dry matter, and hence a way to allow fruit quality to reach commercial requirements for cultivars such as Jinyan, which under previous management systems had significant shortcomings in fruit flavor and taste.
One-year follow-up of The Incredible Years Parents and Babies Program: A pilot randomized controlled trial
Authors: Pontoppidan Maiken , Sandoy Tróndur Møller , Klest Sihu K.
Published: September 2020

Background:

The foundation of a healthy life begins in pregnancy and early adversity can have detrimental long-term consequences for affected children.

Objective:

This paper examines the effects of the Incredible Years Parents and Babies program (IYPB) at one-year follow-up when offered as a universal parenting intervention to parents with newborn infants.

Method:

We conducted a pragmatic, two-arm, parallel pilot randomized controlled trial; 112 families with newborns were randomized to IYPB intervention (n = 76) or usual care (n = 36). The IYPB program is a group intervention with eight two-hour sessions. Follow-up outcomes collected a year after the intervention ended include parental stress, depression, well-being, reflective function, sense of competence, and child cognitive and socio-emotional development.

Results:

There were no intervention effects on any of the primary or secondary parent-reported outcomes at one-year follow-up when the children were 18 months old. When examining the lowest-functioning mothers in moderator analyses, we found that mothers assigned to the IYPB group reported significantly lower scores for the interest and curiosity subscale of the parent reflective function scale than control mothers (β=-1,07 [-2.09,-0.06]).

Conclusion:

We found no long-term effects of the IYPB when offered as a universal intervention for a relatively well-functioning group of parents with infants in a setting with a high standard of usual care. The intervention was developed for more vulnerable families in settings with a low level of universal care and the program may be effective for families in those circumstances.
Skew normal small area time models for the Brazilian annual service sector survey
Authors: Azevedo Neves André Felipe , Nascimento Silva Denise Britz do , Silva Moura Fernando Antônio da
Published: September 2020

Small domain estimation covers a set of statistical methods for estimating quantities in domains not previously considered by the sample design. In such cases, the use of a model-based approach that relates sample estimates to auxiliary variables is indicated. In this paper, we propose and evaluate skew normal small area time models for the Brazilian Annual Service Sector Survey (BASSS), carried out by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE). The BASSS sampling plan cannot produce estimates with acceptable precision for service activities in the North, Northeast and Midwest regions of the country. Therefore, the use of small area estimation models may provide acceptable precise estimates, especially if they take into account temporal dynamics and sector similarity. Besides, skew normal models can handle business data with asymmetric distribution and the presence of outliers. We propose models with domain and time random effects on the intercept and slope. The results, based on 10-year survey data (2007-2016), show substantial improvement in the precision of the estimates, albeit with presence of some bias.
High dimensional, robust, unsupervised record linkage
Authors: Bera Sabyasachi , Chatterjee Snigdhansu
Published: September 2020

We develop a technique for record linkage on high dimensional data, where the two datasets may not have any common variable, and there may be no training set available. Our methodology is based on sparse, high dimensional principal components. Since large and high dimensional datasets are often prone to outliers and aberrant observations, we propose a technique for estimating robust, high dimensional principal components. We present theoretical results validating the robust, high dimensional principal component estimation steps, and justifying their use for record linkage. Some numeric results and remarks are also presented.
An evaluation of design-based properties of different composite estimators
Authors: Bonnéry Daniel , Cheng Yang , Lahiri Partha
Published: September 2020

For the last several decades, the US Census Bureau has been applying AK composite estimation method for estimating monthly levels and month-to-month changes in unemployment using data from the Current Population Survey (CPS), which uses a rotating panel design. For each rotation group, survey-weighted totals, known as month-in-sample estimates, are derived each month to estimate population totals. Denoting the vector of month-in-sample estimates by Y and the design-based variance-covariance matrix of Y by ∑, one can obtain a class of AK estimators as linear combinations of Y, where the coefficients of a linear combination in the class are functions of the two coefficients A and K. The coefficients A and K were optimized by the Census Bureau under rather strong assumptions on ∑ such as the stationarity of ∑ over a decade. We devise an evaluation study in order to compare the AK estimator with a number of rival estimators. To this end, we construct three different synthetic populations that resemble the Current Population Survey (CPS) data. To draw samples from these synthetic populations, we consider a simplified sample design that mimics the CPS sample design with the same rotation pattern. Since the number of possible samples that can be drawn from each synthetic population is not large, we compute the exact ∑ and the exact mean squared error of all estimators considered to facilitate comparison. To generate the first set of rival estimators, we consider certain subclasses of the broader class of linear combinations of month-in-sample estimates. For each subclass, when ∑ is known, the optimum estimator is obtained as a function of ∑. An estimated optimal estimator in each subclass is then obtained from the corresponding optimal estimator when ∑ is replaced by an estimator. Neither the AK estimator nor the estimated optimal estimators for these subclasses performed well in our evaluation study. In our real life data analysis, the AK estimates are constantly below the survey-weighted estimates, indicating potential bias. Our study indicates limitations of the approach that generate an estimated optimal estimator by first obtaining the optimal estimator in a class of linear combination of Y and then substituting in the optimal estimator an estimate of ∑.

Any attempt to improve on the estimated optimal estimator in any given class would require a thorough investigation of the highly non-trivial problem of estimation of ∑ for a complex setting like the CPS. We have not discussed this problem in this paper. Instead, we adapted the regression composite estimator used by Statistics Canada in the CPS setting. Unlike the estimated optimal estimators, the regression composite estimator does not require estimation of ∑ and is less sensitive to the rotation group bias in our simulation study. Our study indicates that there is a great potential for regression composite estimation technique in improving estimation of both levels and month-to-month changes in the unemployment rates.
COVID-19 Social Work Scope and Intervention in A Tertiary Care Hospital
Authors: Chinnayan Sivakumar
Published: September 2020

The novel coronavirus has hit the routine life of the people crossing countries and not spared anyone in existence. In terms of screening and treatment of the infected a multidisciplinary team in full force is working around the world. Social Work, a profession that has an understanding of the psychosocial intricacies of people is also at the frontline. In this article, the author who himself a Medical Social Worker attempts to elicit the scope and possible interventions for the COVID-19 victims
Impact of COVID-19 lockdown on the social media usage among different age groups in Hyderabad, India
Authors: Nallamothu Thanishka , Bhimaraju Satya Susrutha
Published: September 2020

The emergence and rapid spread of SARS-CoV-2 across the globe has caused a state of panic and chaos. Self-quarantine and lockdowns have been implemented in many countries leaving the public homebound. On one hand social media being a prime source of information, it could have a substantial contribution in causing unnecessary apprehension and fear in the public due to the speculations and misinformation, while on the other hand the unexpected event of lockdown resulted in a spurt of social media usage. The adverse effect of social media on psychological well-being, academic performance, socializing skills, interpersonal relationship and parenting were recorded by a number of studies in the past. It is imperative to be mindful of the content being watched and the time spent on social media. The study aims to understand the variation in social media usage in different age groups in the people of Hyderabad, India due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The survey was conducted through a questionnaire that was created using Google forms. The study shows that the social media usage has significantly increased in the people of Hyderabad, India during the COVID-19 lockdown. The data shows a correlation between the age groups and variation in social media usage. The increased social media usage is more in the younger age groups below 25 years. The study proves no impact of social media usage on productivity during the quarantine
Preparedness and Response to COVID-19 Outbreak in Assam
Authors: Subrata Chanda , Sudke Ajitkumar , Baruah Pomi , Hazarika Najeeb , Ballala Ramnath , Reddy G S , Saikia Pranjal , Dhar Shelley , Baruah Chiranjib , Borah Dhrubajyoti , Bambrah Hardeep Singh
Published: September 2020

The world is now fighting against a new deadly virus disease, novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), which is first declared as public health emergency and later declared as Pandemic by WHO. As COVID-19 spread around the world, governments, companies, international organizations announced measures to help contain the spread. Assam with 36 cases and the other north eastern (NE) states have been able to control the number of cases quite well compared to other states in India. To contain coronavirus spread in Assam, government leveraged nine projects implemented by Piramal Swasthya Management and Research Institute (PSMRI), in addition to other activities. This paper gives the elaborative listings of activities done by PSMRI in respond to COVID-19 outbreak to support the government respond to this pandemic. Activities are- Inbound calling, out bound calling, contact tracing, Visit and follow up of quarantined patients, data entry and updating Integrated Disease Surveillance Project (IDSP) portal and door step delivery of medicines. As on 26th April, 1,25,566 COVID-19 related calls received in 104-Health Helpline (HIHL). In addition, 37,886 beneficiaries called for quarantine follow up. Field staffs also visited households of home quarantined patients and screened more than 9000 people for COVID-19. PSMRI also supported in activities of Assam Cares Financial scheme and Dhanwantri Scheme.The above activities helped in mitigating the risk of coronavirus infection and also ‘helped in timely respond to the reported cases.
Hyperbilirubinemia May Protect Neonates from SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A Yellow Eye View of COVID-19
Authors: PATRA Samir
Published: September 2020

A consensus was developing based on immunity, children and aged are more susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection than healthy young adults. Along this line of concept neonates are most vulnerable to COVID-19; however, and in fact, it is not the case. Neonates born to COVID-19 mothers are less or not affected. Among the new-born 60-80% develop hyperbilirubinemia, known as neonatal jaundice. Bilirubin in plasma up to certain level is beneficial for many reasons, including free radical scavenging. In view of this, I hypothesize that hyperbilirubinemia may protect new-born from COVID-19, and sufficient care necessary for antiviral-induced liver damage during the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Initial Coin Offering (ICO) in Perspective Law of Sharia Business
Authors: Subarkah Imam
Published: September 2020

Tixl (TXL) is a crypto money project that uses Initial Coin Offering (ICO) to fund its development phase. Various problems underlying the existence of Tixl (TXL) and the proposed solutions are closely related to the condition of society in the information technology era. This study aims to determine the various factors underlying the use of ICO as a way to raise funds, examine Tixl (TXL) as a crypto money project and its position in public life which is reviewed in the perspective of the maṣlaḥa mursala, and token sales transactions in ICO organized by Tixl gmmbH in the perspective of Islamic treaty law. This research is a library research using a conceptual approach and qualitative analysis techniques. This paper shows that there are three factors underlying the use of ICOs as a way to raise funds, namely a change in orientation in the business model, tokenization, and characteristics of business activities. As a crypto money project, Tixl (TXL) cannot provide benefits that are comprehensive or kully, even the harm caused is greater than the benefits. Transaction of token sales in ICO held by Tixl (TXL) is a transaction that is damaged because it is contrary to maqāṣid al-sharī'ah.