bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Trajectories of change and long-term outcomes in a randomised controlled trial of internet-based insomnia treatment to prevent depression
Authors: Batterham Philip J. , Christensen Helen , Mackinnon Andrew J. , Gosling John A. , Thorndike Frances P. , Ritterband Lee M. , Glozier Nick , Griffiths Kathleen M.
Published: September 2017

Background

Insomnia treatment using an internet-based cognitive–behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) program reduces depression symptoms, anxiety symptoms and suicidal ideation. However, the speed, longevity and consistency of these effects are unknown.

Aims

To test the following: whether the efficacy of online CBT-I was sustained over 18 months; how rapidly the effects of CBT-I emerged; evidence for distinct trajectories of change in depressive symptoms; and predictors of these trajectories.

Method

A randomised controlled trial compared the 6-week Sleep Healthy Using the Internet (SHUTi) CBT-I program to an attention control program. Adults (N=1149) with clinical insomnia and subclinical depression symptoms were recruited online from the Australian community.

Results

Depression, anxiety and insomnia decreased significantly by week 4 of the intervention period and remained significantly lower relative to control for >18 months (between-group Cohen'sd=0.63, 0.47, 0.55, respectively, at 18 months). Effects on suicidal ideation were only short term. Two depression trajectories were identified using growth mixture models: improving (95%) and stable/deteriorating (5%) symptoms. More severe baseline depression, younger age and limited comfort with the internet were associated with reduced odds of improvement.

Conclusions

Online CBT-I produced rapid and long-term symptom reduction in people with subclinical depressive symptoms, although the initial effect on suicidal ideation was not sustained.
Clinical Equipoise for Trials of Novel Biologic Therapies, Therapeutic Success Rates, and Predictors of Success: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Cho Doah , Roncolato Felicia T. , Man Johnathan , Simes John , Lord Sarah J. , Links Matthew J. , Lee Chee Khoon
Published: September 2017

Purpose

The demand for more rapid access to novel biologic therapies than randomized controlled trials can deliver is a topic of ongoing study and debate. We aimed to inform this debate by estimating therapeutic success from phase III trials comparing novel biologic therapies with standard of care and identifying predictors of success.

Methods

This was a meta-analysis of phase III trials evaluating novel biologic therapies in advanced breast, colorectal, lung, and prostate cancers. Therapeutic success was defined as statistically significant results for the primary end point favoring novel biologic therapies.

Results

Of 119 included phase III trials (76,726 patients), therapeutic success was 41%, with a statistically significant relative reduction in disease progression and death for novel biologic therapies over standard of care of 20% and 8%. Therapeutic success did not improve over time (pre-2010, 33%; 2010 to 2014, 44%; P = .2). Predictors of success were a biomarker-selected population (odds ratio, 4.74; 95% CI, 2.05 to 10.95) and progression-free survival end point compared with overall survival (odds ratio, 5.22; 95% CI, 2.41 to 11.39). Phase III trials with a biomarker-selected population showed a larger 28% progression-free survival benefit than phase III trials overall (hazard ratio, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.70 to 0.75) but similar 8% overall survival benefit (hazard ratio, 0.92; 95% CI, 0.90 to 0.94). Therapeutic success of phase III trials with and without a preceding phase II trial were 43% and 30%, respectively

Conclusion

Therapeutic success of novel biologic therapies in phase III trials, including therapies with a matching predictive biomarker, was modest and has not significantly improved over time. Equipoise remains and supports the ongoing ethical and scientific requirement for phase III randomized controlled trials to estimate treatment efficacy and assess the value of potential biomarkers.
Biochemical and structural bioinformatics studies of fungal CutA nucleotidyltransferases explain their unusual specificity toward CTP and increased tendency for cytidine incorporation at the 3′-terminal positions of synthesized tails
Authors: Kobyłecki Kamil , Kuchta Krzysztof , Dziembowski Andrzej , Ginalski Krzysztof , Tomecki Rafał
Published: September 2017

Noncanonical RNA nucleotidyltransferases (NTases), including poly(A), poly(U) polymerases (PAPs/PUPs), and C/U-adding enzymes, modify 3′-ends of different transcripts affecting their functionality and stability. They contain PAP/OAS1 substrate-binding domain (SBD) with inserted NTase domain. Aspergillus nidulans CutA (AnCutA), synthesizes C/U-rich 3′-terminal extensions in vivo. Here, using high-throughput sequencing of the 3′-RACE products for tails generated by CutA proteins in vitro in the presence of all four NTPs, we show that even upon physiological ATP excess synthesized tails indeed contain an unprecedented number of cytidines interrupted by uridines and stretches of adenosines, and that the majority end with two cytidines. Strikingly, processivity assays documented that in the presence of CTP as a sole nucleotide, the enzyme terminates after adding two cytidines only. Comparison of our CutA 3D model to selected noncanonical NTases of known structures revealed substantial differences in the nucleotide recognition motif (NRM) within PAP/OAS1 SBD. We demonstrate that CutA specificity toward CTP can be partially changed to PAP or PUP by rational mutagenesis within NRM and, analogously, Cid1 PUP can be converted into a C/U-adding enzyme. Collectively, we suggest that a short cluster of amino acids within NRM is a determinant of NTases’ substrate preference, which may allow us to predict their specificity.
AMR Surveillance in low and middle-income settings - A roadmap for participation in the Global Antimicrobial Surveillance System (GLASS)
Authors: Seale Anna C. , Gordon N. Claire , Islam Jasmin , Peacock Sharon J. , Scott J. Anthony G.
Published: September 2017

Drug-resistant infections caused by bacteria with increasing antimicrobial resistance (AMR) threaten our ability to treat life-threatening conditions. Tackling AMR requires international collaboration and partnership. An early and leading priority to do this is to strengthen AMR surveillance, particularly in low-income countries where the burden of infectious diseases is highest and where data are most limited.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has developed the Global AMR Surveillance System (GLASS) as one of a number of measures designed to tackle the problem of AMR, and WHO member states have been encouraged to produce National Action Plans for AMR by 2017. However, low-income countries are unlikely to have the resources or capacity to implement all the components in the GLASS manual. To facilitate their efforts, we developed a guideline that is aligned to the GLASS procedures, but written specifically for implementation in low-income countries. The guideline allows for flexibility across different systems, but has sufficient standardisation of core protocols to ensure that, if followed, data will be valid and comparable. This will ensure that the surveillance programme can provide health intelligence data to inform evidence-based interventions at local, national and international levels.
Analysis of the experience of networking in solving problems of improving the quality of education in schools with low learning outcomes and schools operating in difficult social conditions
Authors: Курносова С. , Kurnosova S. , Шевелева Н. , Sheveleva N.
Published: September 2017

The article presents the analysis of network interaction in solving problems of improving the quality of education in schools with low learning outcomes and in schools functioning in diffi cult social conditions, models of network interaction, their basic forms, both full-time and virtual.
A qualitative study exploring patients', with mild to moderate stroke, and their carers' perceptions of healthy lifestyles
Authors: Clague-Baker Nicola , Carpenter Christine , Robinson Thompson , Hagenberg Annegret , Drewry Sophie , Singh Sally
Published: September 2017

Background/Aims:

To explore patients', with mild to moderate stroke, and their carers' experiences after a stroke and to explore their perceptions of healthy lifestyles.

Methods:

A qualitative study using semi-structured interviews was undertaken with 20 people (12 males and 8 females) with mild to moderate stroke or transient ischaemic attack (1 week to 6 months' post event) and seven of their carers. Each interview was transcribed and a thematic analysis approach guided the analytic process.

Results:

Patients with sub-acute, mild to moderate stroke were positive about healthy lifestyles and their ability to achieve them post stroke. Three core themes were identified: perceptions related to exercise; perceptions related to other lifestyle factors; and understanding of stroke and healthy lifestyles.

Conclusions:

In the sub-acute phase of stroke recovery, barriers to exercise such as lack of motivation do not appear to be an issue. People with stroke have a lack of understanding of healthy guidelines, risk factors and cause of their stroke. It is not clear if this is due to a lack of information provision or a lack of recall. They also do not appear to make the link between lifestyle choices and the cause of their stroke.
Prevention and intervention
Authors: Cole Anna
Published: September 2017

The mental health challenge continues and schools are on the frontline. Anna Cole looks at the latest government policy, key challenges, recommended approaches, and signposts useful resources for schools
Emergency wound care
Authors: Brashear Megan
Published: September 2017

Veterinary nurses are frequently tasked with wound care in the hospital. From initial patient assessment and emergency care to wound cleaning and lavage, it is important for nurses to understand the how and why of wound management. This article emphasises emergency patient assessment including pain management and patient comfort before discussing how to prepare wounds for either final closure or bandaging. Nurses will feel confident in their approach to the wounded patient as well as their approach to educating pet owners on managing their pets with large wounds.
How to be a pain management advocate for exotic and zoo animals
Authors: Goldberg Mary Ellen
Published: September 2017

Veterinary nurses must advocate for their painful patients. This does not just include companion animals but extends to all species. An understanding of pain physiology, pain scoring systems and species-specific signs of pain are imperative for the veterinary nurse. How does pain management for these species differ from those of more traditional species? What can be done to educate clients and zoological staff about pain in animals that they work with daily?
Preservation of kinematics with posterior cruciate-, bicruciate- and patient-specific bicruciate-retaining prostheses in total knee arthroplasty by using computational simulation with normal knee model
Authors: Koh Y-G. , Son J. , Kwon S-K. , Kim H-J. , Kwon O-R. , Kang K-T.
Published: September 2017

Objectives

Preservation of both anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) can lead to near-normal post-operative joint mechanics and improved knee function. We hypothesised that a patient-specific bicruciate-retaining prosthesis preserves near-normal kinematics better than standard off-the-shelf posterior cruciate-retaining and bicruciate-retaining prostheses in TKA.

Methods

We developed the validated models to evaluate the post-operative kinematics in patient-specific bicruciate-retaining, standard off-the-shelf bicruciate-retaining and posterior cruciate-retaining TKA under gait and deep knee bend loading conditions using numerical simulation.

Results

Tibial posterior translation and internal rotation in patient-specific bicruciate-retaining prostheses preserved near-normal kinematics better than other standard off-the-shelf prostheses under gait loading conditions. Differences from normal kinematics were minimised for femoral rollback and internal-external rotation in patient-specific bicruciate-retaining, followed by standard off-the-shelf bicruciate-retaining and posterior cruciate-retaining TKA under deep knee bend loading conditions. Moreover, the standard off-the-shelf posterior cruciate-retaining TKA in this study showed the most abnormal performance in kinematics under gait and deep knee bend loading conditions, whereas patient-specific bicruciate-retaining TKA led to near-normal kinematics.

Conclusion

This study showed that restoration of the normal geometry of the knee joint in patient-specific bicruciate-retaining TKA and preservation of the anterior cruciate ligament can lead to improvement in kinematics compared with the standard off-the-shelf posterior cruciate-retaining and bicruciate-retaining TKA. Cite this article: Y-G. Koh, J. Son, S-K. Kwon, H-J. Kim, O-R. Kwon, K-T. Kang. Preservation of kinematics with posterior cruciate-, bicruciate- and patient-specific bicruciate-retaining prostheses in total knee arthroplasty by using computational simulation with normal knee model. Bone Joint Res 2017;6:557–565. DOI: 10.1302/2046-3758.69.BJR-2016-0250.R1.
Towards design hybridity: Negotiating traditions through contemporary craft making in Finland
Authors: Kouhia Anna , Seitamaa-Hakkarainen Pirita
Published: September 2017

This article discusses how contemporary craft and design practitioners negotiate and apply ‘tradition’ in the materiality of creative making. By doing so, it aims to demonstrate how hybridization is crucial to an innovative renewal of traditional craft practice. With the data derived from two design competitions, the article proposes a new conceptual framework that unpacks the mobilization of ‘tradition’ in terms of three design strategies: the preservation strategy that concentrates on maintaining traditions, the application strategy that modifies and hybridizes traditions and the transformative strategy that subverts and changes tradition. The study argues that traditions can offer a point of reflection through the materiality of creative practice. Finally, it is concluded that artisanship today regenerates the new vernacular that redraws its own dependability and authenticity from the negotiations between the contemporary maker and the very materials that are being used in these negotiations.
Exhibition Review
Authors: Walker Sarah , Sadkowska Ania
Published: September 2017

Disobedient Bodies: J.W. Anderson Curates The Hepworth Wakefield, Wakefield, Yorkshire, UK, 18 March–18 June 2017
The tape readers: Financial trading as a visual practice
Authors: Cochrane Richard
Published: September 2017

Since the early twentieth century, speculators have used visual methods to detect future trends in prices. The resulting visual hermeneutics has become known as ‘technical analysis’. Although it has some mathematical elements, however, its genealogy is much stranger. This essay traces elements of this tradition including its associations with vibrations and cycles, numerology, astrology and hermeticism. Elements of these traditions can be detected in mainstream trading manuals even today.
Speculative science: Aby Warburg and probability theory
Authors: Hönes Hans Christian
Published: September 2017

While Aby Warburg, in his younger years, advocated a completely rational, mathematical understanding of the world, he lost confidence in this scientific ideal later on. This article proposes that this crucial shift in perspective, redefining Warburg’s opinions about empiricism, rationality and thus cultural evolution as a whole, took place very early on, namely in the summer of 1890. The present article studies, for the first time, an unpublished student essay by Warburg on probability theory. While discussing stochastic and the possibility of mathematical prediction of future events, Warburg’s belief in the infallible exactitude of numerical sciences got first cracks.
Toward an iconology for temporal object
Authors: Galligo Igor
Published: September 2017

The advent of cinema brought with it a different kind of image montage, to which Warburg’s iconological project was strangely oblivious. Are we meant to believe, then, that the cinema does not produce icons? Is iconology destined to be only a science of classical culture, or can it also evolve to integrate into its own study new forms of kinematic art? We would like to ask the question of organogenesis of iconology here, that is to say, the invention of an iconological science for temporal objects by means of appropriate instruments for this new medium. The instrument is both conceived as a means of acting upon the real, and as a means of activating noetic capacities. The aim of our study will be to first outline the iconographic and iconological consequences stemming from animation and flux that have governed images since the birth of cinema, precipitating a crisis in classical iconology. Secondly, through the analysis of the noetic function of animated GIFs (Graphics Interchange Format) in digital streams, we will introduce the notion of ‘temporal gesture’ – as a tertiarized retentional technology, which can be reused for imagining an iconology of temporal suspension and insistence. This will be presented in the third part of this work to reflect on an iconological device for temporal objects by the grammatization and the engramming of ‘temporal gesture’, as an art of delay and repetition. This thinking will be based on the video artwork produced in collaboration with Gregory Dassié titled Iconologie pour objet temporel.
Warburg’s desk
Authors: Hensel Thomas
Published: September 2017

The article deals with an object which has hitherto been overlooked, but which was essential to Aby Warburg’s work: the desk. While in a first step sources are collected from and about Warburg, which emphasize the significance of the desk for Warburg’s work, a second step is taken to reconstruct a specific type of desk that was of great importance to Warburg. From the identification of this work table the thesis is derived that this table played a decisive role in the formation of the tableaus of the Mnemosyne Atlas.
Caracterización y estudio arqueométrico de un conjunto de vidrios de la edad del hierro de la necrópolis de palomar de pintado (Toledo, España)
Authors: Conde J. F. , Agua F. , Maldonado S. , Torres J. de , Pereira J. , Villegas M. A. , García-Heras M.
Published: September 2017

Un importante conjunto de vidrios se ha hallado recientemente en la necrópolis de la Edad del Hierro de Palomar de Pintado (Toledo, España). Los vidrios se asocian a tres de las cinco fases cronológicas y se fechan principalmente entre los siglos V y III a.C. Se presentan los resultados de un estudio arqueométrico cuyos objetivos consistieron en determinar su composición química, su tecnología de producción y su posible procedencia geográfica. Se utilizaron técnicas convencionales como microscopía óptica (MO), microscopía electrónica de barrido de emisión de campo (MEBEC) junto con microanálisis de dispersión de energía de rayos X (EDS), difracción de rayos X (DRX) y espectrofotometría UV-visible. Los resultados indicaron que en su mayoría se trataba de vidrios LMG (low magnesium glass) de silicato sódico cálcico de base natrón, procedentes probablemente del Mediterráneo Oriental. Una de las muestras resultó ser un vidrio opaco de color rojo con elevado contenido de PbO y presencia de cristalizaciones de cuprita (vidrio de aventurina de cobre). El hallazgo de un conjunto de vidrios de procedencia foránea en un contexto funerario sugiere que el vidrio era un bien de prestigio para las comunidades de la Edad del Hierro peninsular.
Análisis arqueométrico de denarios romanos del tesoro de Llíria (Valencia, España) mediante espectrometría XRF portátil
Authors: Roldán García Clodoaldo , Delegido Morant Carmen , Ripollés Alegre Pere Pau
Published: September 2017

El Tesoro de Llíria (Valencia, España) constituye probablemente, por el número de monedas que lo integran, el tesoro de denarios más importante de España y uno de los más importantes de Europa. En el conjunto de monedas están representadas las emisiones de diversos emperadores altoimperiales, que en su mayor porcentaje corresponden al s. II d.C. Este trabajo se centra en los denarios acuñados bajo el reinado del emperador Adriano (117-138 d.C.) y uno de sus objetivos es la caracterización elemental de la aleación en superficie y el estudio de la variación porcentual de la plata en los denarios emitidos durante ese periodo. Con este propósito, se han analizado, mediante fluorescencia de rayos-X (XRF), 50 denarios de plata seleccionados entre los emitidos durante el reinado de Adriano. Los análisis no destructivos realizados aportan información sobre las aleaciones y sugieren un enriquecimiento superficial en plata. Junto a la plata, elemento mayoritario de la aleación, se ha observado la presencia de cobre, plomo, oro y otros elementos traza. Las concentraciones de plata obtenidas varían entre el 89% y el 97% e indican una cierta uniformidad en las aleaciones, acorde con el periodo de estabilidad económica y política del reinado de Adriano.
Methodological approach and first results of use-wear traces on flint tools through confocal microscope
Authors: Santamaría Cabornero Claudia , Luengo Cortés Sergio Miguel , Navazo Ruiz Marta , Benito-Calvo Alfonso , Martín Lerma Ignacio
Published: September 2017

This work aims to analyze the Laser Scanning Confocal Microscope (LSCM) potential for use-waer analysis in lithic industry. This kind of studies seeks to identify use marks in stone tools in order to meet the various activities carried out by human groups during prehistoric times. Therefore we propose microscopic analysis by confocal microscope as progress in quantifying marks or surface patterns, achieving favorable results for use-wear analysis, and Archaeology in general.
¿Es necesario un giro aretaico de la teoría de la argumentación jurídica?
Authors: Aránguez Sánchez Tasia
Published: September 2017

La actual teoría de la argumentación jurídica tiene como base epistemológica la ética discursiva de Habermas y, en última instancia, la noción kantiana de la racionalidad práctica. Dicho paradigma se basa en una razón fría, que aspira a ser neutral, imparcial, universal y descontextualizada. Este enfoque abandona cuestiones centrales para la argumentación, tales como el carácter de la persona oradora, las emociones del auditorio o la persuasión producida por los elementos estéticos. Por eso, frente al paradigma habermasiano, las llamadas «éticas de la virtud» podrían dar lugar a un nuevo punto de vista de la teoría de la argumentación que se preocupe por los auditorios reales desde una noción de la racionalidad más humana, hermanada con la emoción y la biografía.
Development of Feed and Organic Fertilizer Bioindustry Based on Cocoa-Goat Integration
Authors: . Gunawan , Talib Chalid
Published: September 2017

The cacao farmers generally experienced problems on low cacao productivity and hence farmer’s income. The aim of this paper is to describe concept on the development of feed and organic fertilizer bioindustry based on cacao-goat integration to enhance productivity and farmer’s income. The potential cacao-goat integration covers 1.4 million hectares of cacao plantation and 7.8 million head of goats in nine provinces. Implementation of cacao-goat integration allows to use cacao biomass as feed for goats, and goat’s manure can be applied as fertilizer for cacao plantation. Bioindustry of feed is developed from 3.3 million tons biomass of cacao that consisted of 1.9 million tons of cacao pods and 1.4 million tons of cacao leaves. Bioindustry productions of solid and liquid organic fertilizer are 0.6 million tons and 344 million liters, respectively. The development of feed and organic fertilizer bioindustry is appropriate to improve cacao and goat productivities lead to increase farmer’s income.
Addition of Rituximab Significantly Improves Outcomes in Patients with Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma – a Single-center, Retrospective Study
Authors: Belada David , Smolej Lukáš , Hrudková Monika , Štěpánková Pavla , Sýkorová Alice , Žák Pavel , Bukač Jiří , Malý Jaroslav
Published: September 2017

CHOP chemotherapy has been used as a standard first-line treatment for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma since the 1970s. Phase III trials have shown that the addition of rituximab (R) to CHOP chemotherapy leads to significant improvements in response rate, progression-free survival and overall survival. This single-center, retrospective study was performed to evaluate the role of the addition of R to chemotherapy (CHT) in a real-world clinical setting. Outcomes were assessed in 85 patients with newly diagnosed DLBCL treated with CHT alone (n=38) and R-CHT (n=47). Complete response (CR) rates were significantly higher after R-CHT than CHT (93 % vs. 73 %; p=0.02). The relapse rate was significantly higher after CHT compared with R-CHT (38 % versus 12 %; p=0.01). Progression-free survival was significantly extended by the addition of R (median not reached versus 26.1 months; p=0.04). These data bring further support for rituximab- based immunochemotherapy as a standard first-line therapy for patients with DLBCL.
Abrikossoff Tumor of the Larynx
Authors: Enoz Murat , Kiyak Erkan , Katircioglu Sami , Gulluoglu Mine
Published: September 2017

Case report about laryngeal localization of a granular cell tumor in a 38 years old female without recurrence over an observation period of two years.
Effects of organic fertilizers on growth and biochemical characteristics of Fenugreek
Authors: Saadatian Mohammad , Alaghemand S. , Ayyubi H. , Hasanpour E. , Olfati J. A. , Hamidoghli Y. , Kazemi S. , Karimi H.
Published: September 2017

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) is an annual herb used as organic (green) manure and has medicinal applications. Organic fertilizers are used in sustainable agriculture of vegetables. Sources of organic manure and their effects on growth and yield characteristics of plants need to be determined. Effects of vermicompost and vermiwash were determined on qualitative and quantitative factors of chemical content, development and yield of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-gaecum L.) from May to July 2012 at Agriculture College of University Guilan. A completely randomized block design with 3 replications was used. Treatments included 7 t/ha of cow manure, vermicompost, vermiwash (obtained from 7 t/ha vermicompost); 7 t/ha of leachate vermicompost + vermiwash and a control (no fertilization). Use of organic fertilizers beneficially affected plant height, pod length, pod fresh and dry mass, 1000-seed mass, plant fresh and dry mass, internode length and percents of leaves protein and nitrogen. Use of organic fertilizers may increase yield and yield components of fenugreek and its yield efficiency.
UVA + B treatment affects antioxidant system and phytochemicals of parsley plant under different concentrations of Zn
Authors: Abedini Masoumeh , Malaei Shirwan , Daei-Hassani Behrokh
Published: September 2017

Decline in ozone layer that followed by enhanced solar UV radiation is a limiting factor for some plants. In this study the effect of UVA+UVB radiation on parsley plant was studied hydroponically at different concentrations of Zn (1.5 and 6.5 µm). UV radiation at both concentrations of Zn, slightly decreased the plant growth and significantly increased the carotenoids, flavonoids, total phenols and H2O2 contents, but had no effect on chlorophylls content. At concentration of 1.5 µm of Zn, UV radiation caused significant increases in the MDA and anthocyanin contents and the activities of POD and CAT enzymes, but decreased the soluble sugars and protein contents. At concentration of 6.5 µm of Zn, UV radiation caused significant increases in the CAT activity, but had no significant effect on other parameters. Results suggest that parsley plant tolerates UVA+UVB radiation particularly at concentration of 6.5 µmof Zn.
Genetic relationships among okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench) cultivars in Nigeria
Authors: Bello Bashir O. , AMINU D.
Published: September 2017

This study was conducted on okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench) cultivars at the Teaching and Research Farm, University of Maiduguri, Nigeria. The objective was to evaluate the level of genetic divergence and heritability of eight characters in 2015 and 2016 dry seasons using irrigation. The results showed highly significant (p<0.01) differences in the ten okra cultivars for days to anthesis, plant height, fresh capsule length, fresh mass per capsule and fresh capsule diameter across the two years. A high genotypic coefficient of variation, heritability, and genetic advance were detected in all the characters except for days to anthesis and fresh capsule diameter. This implied that different genetic constitution and preponderance of additive effects governed these characters, thus presenting a significant opportunity for selection. The Mahanalobis D2 analysis allotted the ten cultivars into four clusters. The highest was cluster I comprising four cultivars, followed by cluster II containing three cultivars, cluster III consisting two cultivars, and cluster IV with mono genotypic. The three most superior okra cultivars (Salkade, Y’ar gagure and Kwadag) for yield and related characters could be exploited directly or introgressed with other promising ones in future breeding programs.
Natural incidence of bean viruses in the northwest of Iran
Authors: Rastgou Mina , Jalali Masoumeh
Published: September 2017

Bean is considered as one of the most important legumes around the world. Viral diseases are a major yield reducing factor in bean production. Bean samples with virus-like symptoms like severe or mild mosaic, vein banding, leaf curling, blistering and necrosis were collected from different bean fields in Urmia (Northwest of Iran) during the growing seasons of 2013 and 2014. Bean common mosaic virus (BCMV), Bean common mosaic necrosis virus (BCMNV), Bean yellow mosaic virus (BYMV), Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV), Tomato mosaic virus (ToMV) and Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) were detected by double antibody sandwich enzyme-linked-immunosorbent assay. Mixed infection of BCMV and BCMNV were found. BCMNV was the most frequent virus in this region whereas BYMV and TYLCV were each detected just in one sample. This is the first report of BCMNV, BCMV, BYMV, TSWV, TMV and TYLCV incidence on bean in Urmia, Iran.
In vitro allelopathic effect of aqueous extracts of sugarcane on germination parameters of wheat
Authors: Majeed Abdul , MUHAMMAD Zahir , HUSSAIN Manzoor , AHMAD Habib
Published: September 2017

Allelopathy – interactions among plants for resources along with competition – is a composite phenomenon which has spacious potentials of application in agriculture. Understanding of interactions among plants, particularly cultivated crops, may be helpful in modifying crop cultivation pattern with consequent yields increments. In this study, we investigated the allelopathic effects of aqueous extracts of root, stem peels and leaves of sugarcane (Saccharum officinale L.) cultivar 51 at concentrations 0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5 and 10.0 g/l on germination indices and seedling biomass of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivar Pirsabak-2005. Results demonstrated that higher concentration (10.0 g/l) of extracts of root, stem peels and leaves significantly decreased mean germination time (MGT) but increased shoot and seminal root growth and seedling dry biomass; however, germination percentage was affected neither by extract concentration nor by plant parts used in the study. Extract concentrations up to 7.5 g/l had no effect on the studied parameters of wheat. Our result suggests that sugarcane’s allelopathy demonstrates healthy effects on wheat growth and that wheat could be cultivated in sequential rotation in field conditions.
Evaluation of different crop sequences for wheat and maize in sandy soil
Authors: Ouda Samiha Abou El-Fetouh , Zohry Abd El-Hafeez A. , Hamd-Alla Wael Ahmed , Shalaby El-Sayed
Published: September 2017

The objective of this paper was to assess four crop sequence system including wheat and maize grown in sandy soil of Upper Egypt with respect to the applied irrigation amount for each crop sequence, total production and water productivity. Two field experiments were conducted in Egypt during 2013/14 and 2014/15 growing seasons. Each experiment included four crop sequences: maize then wheat (CS1); maize, short season clover (SSC) then wheat (CS2); cowpea, SSC then wheat (CS3); cowpea intercropped with maize, SSC then wheat (CS4). The lowest amount of applied water was added to CS1 which resulted with low value of wheat and maize yield and the lowest water productivity. The highest amount of applied water was applied to CS2 and CS4 (similar values). The highest wheat yield and water productivity were obtained in CS3. The highest maize yield and water productivity was obtained from CS4. The highest total production (170.88 and 213.43 CU ha-1 in the 1st and 2nd season, respectively) and water productivity (0.093 and 0.114 CU m-3 in the 1st and 2nd season, respectively) for the studied crop sequences was obtained from CS3. In conclusion, higher water productivity for wheat in sandy soil can be attain by cultivating two legume crops before it (CS3); and for maize, it should be intercropped with a legume crop (CS4).
High salicylic acid concentration alters the electron flow associated with photosystem II in barley
Authors: Habibi Ghader , Vaziri Atousa
Published: September 2017

In this study, the effects of exogenously applied salicylic acid (0.5 and 5 mM SA) on the rates of photosystem II (PSII) activity was analysed in 4-week-old barley (Hordeum vulgare‘Bahman’ ) seedlings using chlorophyll (Chl) a fluorescence transient (OJIP) measurements. No evident changes in Chl and carotenoid contents as well as chlorophyll fluorescence transient curves were observed in either of the studied concentrations after 24 h of SA application. After 5 d, low SA concentration (0.5 mM) increased PSII activity, Chl b and carotenoid contents in barley seedlings. In contrary, 5 days after 5 mM SA treatment, the maximal quantum efficiency of PSII (Fv/Fm) and the Performance Index (PIABS), as an indicator of PSII structure and functioning, were significantly decreased. This lower Fv/Fm and PIABS coupled with lower levels of Chl b and carotenoids, and lower values of photosynthetic electron transport chain components including the electron transport flux (φEo) and the inferred oxygen evolving complex activity (Fv/Fo). By monitoring the chlorophyll a fluorescence rise kinetics, from the initial “O” level to the “P” (the peak) level, a dramatic increase in “OJ” phase was detected, which coincides with an increased photo-reduction of QA as a result of blockage of electron flow. This study provided the evidence that the high concentration of SA induced damage to different sites of the PSII.
The use of the model for determining potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) tuber distribution in the soil
Authors: Potrpin Jošt , Benec Uroš , Bernik Rajko , Gospodarič Bojan
Published: September 2017

The paper focuses on the testing of a model for determining the distribution of potato tubers in the soil. Analytical testing of the model was performed at the laboratory of the Biotechnological Faculty (University in Ljubljana) in 2015 and in the same year, the model was tested in practice on a field owned by the company Zeleni Hit d.o.o. in Ljubljana. After the laboratory testing, the results were analyzed and additional steps were taken to expedite field measurements. To optimize the determination of the distribution of potato tubers in the soil, the program was upgraded to include three-dimensional data acquisition. This allows accurate determination of the horizontal, vertical and longitudinal spans of the distribution of tubers in the soil. Specifically, the program calculates the shape of the tubers, vertical cover of tubers with soil and their minimum distance from the left and right edges of the ridge. The program also locates the center of the tubers, which is a key parameter (along with tuber mass) for determining the area of the tuber cluster. The laboratory testing of the model revealed successful data processing of the program and adequate precision analytics. The testing of the model in the field on Arizona potato variety revealed that the model includes all the data necessary for further processing. Based on the calculated data, it can be assumed with great certainty that the model enables the acquisition of all necessary data and accurately determines the distribution of potato tubers in the soil, ideal shape of the ridge and the minimum necessary depth and distance for the planting of Arizona seed potatoes.
EVALUATION OF MAIZE CROPS FOR SUSTAINABLE FARMING
Authors: Bohanec Borut , BOHINC Tanja , VUČAJNK Filip
Published: September 2017

Modern hybrid maize varieties dominated for several decades both in Slovenia and elsewhere in the world. The production is maintained only of few landrace populations, but some are maintained at Slovenian Gene Bank. Improvement of local varieties is possible by recurrent selection and may in the case of their specific characteristics deserve their cultivation for specific purposes. Presented experiments have been conducted to characterize selected old Slovenian accessions in two regions - in central Slovenia and in Bela Krajina. Yields of corn at both locations and both years were significantly depending on the genotype. 'Rdeča Bohinjka' and partially 'Rumena Bohinjka' and, similarly, the 'LJ 180' had a predominantly low yields but were also the earliest, while modern hybrid variety 'P 9074' and 'Ronaldinio KWS ' had the expected highest yield. Yield of 'P 9074' grown at the Laboratory field of the Biotechnical Faculty was almost twice higher than the second best accession 'Metliška Plut'. However it is this semi-flint accessions 'Metliška Plut' that proved very suitable at all four experiments and is recommended for further maintenance and varietal testing as it can serve as appropriate alternative in a less intensive production.
First report of nematodes Parasitylenchus bifurcatus Poinar & Steenberg, 2012 parasitizing multicolored Asian lady beetle Harmonia axyridis (Pallas, 1773) in Slovenia
Authors: Gerič Stare Barbara , ŠIRCA Saša , UREK Gregor
Published: September 2017

In years 2015 and 2016 around 200 specimens of ladybird species Harmonia axyridis were collected in Slovenia. Ladybirds were dissected and checked under stereomicroscope for presence of nematodes. Nematodes were discovered in samples of ladybirds H. axyridis collected at Brdo pri Lukovici and Trboje. The incidence of parasitized ladybirds was around 30 %. Nematodes were analysed morphometrically and the characteristic features of Parasitylenchus bifurcatus nematodes were observed: straight stylet lacking basal thickenings, a bursa and a forked tail tip in the vermiform females and juvenile males. The identity was confirmed with 18S rDNA region sequence (acc. no. LT629306 and LT629307) which showed high similarity (>99.9 % nucleotide identity) to the P. bifurcatus sequences in the public domain. This is a first report of P. bifurcatus nematode species found parasitizing ladybird Harmonia axyridis in Slovenia. The species compromises fecundity of its host and has therefore a potential to be used as a biological control agent to control high abundance of invasive H. axyridis ladybirds.
Extracting Conceptual Relationships and Inducing Concept Lattices from Unstructured Text
Authors: Anoop V.S. , Asharaf S.
Published: September 2017

Concept and relationship extraction from unstructured text data plays a key role in meaning aware computing paradigms, which make computers intelligent by helping them learn, interpret, and synthesis information. These concepts and relationships leverage knowledge in the form of ontological structures, which is the backbone of semantic web. This paper proposes a framework that extracts concepts and relationships from unstructured text data and then learns lattices that connect concepts and relationships. The proposed framework uses an off-the-shelf tool for identifying common concepts from a plain text corpus and then implements machine learning algorithms for classifying common relations that connect those concepts. Formal concept analysis is then used for generating concept lattices, which is a proven and principled method of creating formal ontologies that aid machines to learn things. A rigorous and structured experimental evaluation of the proposed method on real-world datasets has been conducted. The results show that the newly proposed framework outperforms state-of-the-art approaches in concept extraction and lattice generation.
Coloring subgraphs with restricted amounts of hues
Authors: Goddard Wayne , Melville Robert
Published: September 2017

We consider vertex colorings where the number of colors given to specified subgraphs is restricted. In particular, given some fixed graph F and some fixed set A of positive integers, we consider (not necessarily proper) colorings of the vertices of a graph G such that, for every copy of F in G, the number of colors it receives is in A. This generalizes proper colorings, defective coloring, and no-rainbow coloring, inter alia. In this paper we focus on the case that A is a singleton set. In particular, we investigate the colorings where the graph F is a star or is 1-regular.
Preferred names of constitutional units for use in structure-based names of polymers (IUPAC Recommendations 2016)
Authors: Mormann Werner , Hellwich Karl-Heinz , Chen Jiazhong , Wilks Edward S.
Published: September 2017

A list of constitutional units (CU) used for naming polymers according to IUPAC nomenclature rules is provided. This list contains CUs of commercial and well-known polymers, as well as CUs which have been used in polymer-nomenclature-related IUPAC documents. A preferred name is provided for each constitutional unit. Other acceptable names and names which must not be used because they are outdated or incorrect, although they may have been correct in the past or in a different context, are also listed. A second table contains names of common polymers: structure-based, source-based, and retained traditional polymer names, as well as names that are not acceptable, again because they are outdated or incorrect. These tables supersede similar tables and names in previous documents. The rules given in those documents are still valid, but names of constitutional units should be checked for agreement with the present document. The preferred names of constitutional units should be used in structure-based names of regular and irregular polymers.
Co-assembly of helical β3-peptides: a self-assembled analogue of a statistical copolymer
Authors: Buchanan Claire , Garvey Christopher J. , Perlmutter Patrick , Mechler Adam
Published: September 2017

Unnatural peptide self-assembly offers the means to design hierarchical nanostructures of controlled geometries, chemical function and physical properties. N-acyl β3 peptides, where all residues are unnatural amino acids, are able to form helical fibrous structures by a head-to-tail assembly of helical monomers, extending the helix via a three point supramolecular hydrogen bonding motif. These helical nanorods were shown to be stable under a wide range of physical conditions, offering a self-assembled analogue of polymeric fibres. Hitherto the self-assembly has only been demonstrated between identical monomers; however the self-assembly motif is sequence-independent, offering the possibility of hetero-assembly of different peptide monomers. Here we present a proof of principle study of head-to-tail co-assembly of two different helical unnatural peptides Ac-β3[WELWEL] and Ac-β3[LIA], where the letters denote the β3 analogues of natural amino acids. By atomic force microscopy imaging it was demonstrated that the homo-assembly and co-assembly of these peptides yield characteristically different structures. Synchrotron small angle X-ray scattering experiments have confirmed the presence of the fibres in the solution and the averaged diameters from modelled data correlate well to the results of AFM imaging. Hence, there is evidence of co-assembly of the fibrous superstructures; given that different monomers may be used to introduce variations into chemical and physical properties, the results demonstrate a self-assembled analogue of a statistical co-polymer that can be used in designing complex functional nanomaterials.
Land-Use Change and Communal Conflicts in Sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Balestri Sara , Maggioni Mario A.
Published: September 2017

This paper addresses the correlation between land-use changes and communal conflicts in Sub-Saharan Africa. In particular, by articulating the analysis on a 0.5° × 0.5° regular grid, we estimate the probability of a communal conflict event at time
Estimation and inference of threshold regression models with measurement errors
Authors: Chong Terence Tai-Leung , Chen Haiqiang , Wong Tsz-Nga , Yan Isabel Kit-Ming
Published: September 2017

An important assumption underlying standard threshold regression models and their variants in the extant literature is that the threshold variable is perfectly measured. Such an assumption is crucial for consistent estimation of model parameters. This paper provides the first theoretical framework for the estimation and inference of threshold regression models with measurement errors. A new estimation method that reduces the bias of the coefficient estimates and a Hausman-type test to detect the presence of measurement errors are proposed. Monte Carlo evidence is provided and an empirical application is given.
‚Kultur‘ und ‚das Kulturelle‘: Zur Reflexivität eines begehrten Begriffs
Authors: Spitzmüller Jürgen
Published: September 2017

This paper discusses the interpretive complexity of ‘culture’, which is at the same time the central theoretical concept of ‘cultural linguistics’ (kulturwissenschaftliche Linguistik) as well as the object of its investigation, i.e., a conceptual term and a discursive phenomenon. This results in ambiguous conceptualizations: In culture-theoretical work, ‘culture’ is usually described as being ‘dynamic’, ‘fluid’, ‘procedural’ and ‘context-dependent’, but in discourse, culture is often, if not predominantly, perceived as something ‘static’, ‘fixed’, ‘essential’ and ‘general’. From this ambiguity, many methodological questions emerge: Is it advisable to rely on a concept that has such an enormous ideological load (and that, moreover, is increasingly used in recent neo-nationalist and even neo-racist propaganda)? Does culture analysis willy-nilly perpetuate problematic essentialist framings while relying on ‘culture’ as a descriptive concept? Is it methodologically sensible to use concepts for description and explanation of discourses that are actually products of the discourses that are supposed to be explained (cf. Foucault 2001 [1968])? In other words: is ‘cultural linguistics’ a circular venture if it explains cultural discourses on the background of the concept of culture? Is the discrepancy between dynamic and static, ‘descriptive’ and ‘prescriptive’ concepts of culture to be solved, and how? Should we try to de-ideologize ‘culture’, as some culturally oriented scholars have proposed? Or should we rather drop the concept, as other scholars (particularly from a post-colonial point of view) have suggested? The paper discusses these questions, argues for more sensitivity vis-à-vis the ideological contextualization of ‘culture’ and suggests differentiating ideological fixations of ‘culture’ from the discursive processes and negotiations that constitute ‘the cultural’.