bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Atuação profissional frente à pandemia de COVID-19: dificuldades e possibilidades
Authors: Carvalho Ana Luisa de Souza , Assad Suellen Gomes Barbosa , Santos Silvia Cristina Pereira dos , Rodrigues Gabryella Vencionek Barbosa , Valente Geilsa Soraia Cavalcanti , Cortez Elaine Antunes
Published: September 2020

Objetivo: O presente estudo tem por objetivo relatar a experiência de profissionais que atuam em cenários diferentes ante ao enfrentamento da pandemia de COVID-19. Metodologia: Trata-se de um relato de experiência acerca da vivência de 4 profissionais de saúde, 3 enfermeiras e 1 psicóloga, que atuam em diferentes regiões do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, em diferentes cenários de trabalho: Estratégia de Saúde da Família; Unidade de Pronto Atendimento; Instituição privada de ensino técnico e superior e Consultório clínico, no período pandêmico de março a abril de 2020, local de atuação profissional das participantes do estudo. Resultados: Como resultados, apresentaram-se as principais dificuldades e potencialidades ante o enfrentamento à pandemia, na área de ensino e na assistência, quais foram: Necessidade de adaptação às novas ferramentas tecnológicas; Dificuldade na adaptação rápida à transição do ensino presencial para o ensino online; Insuficiência de recursos humanos e materiais e de qualificação, além de danos psicológicos; porém foi relatado o desenvolvimento da capacidade de resiliência e união profissional. Considerações Finais: Pode-se concluir que os danos psicológicos enfrentados por esses profissionais são preocupantes, necessitando assim, de condutas de autocuidado e apoio entre os membros da equipe a fim de assegurarem sua saúde mental.
Tokat İlinde Kullanılan Bitki Koruma Makinelerinin Ürün Güvenliği Açısından Değerlendirilmesi
Authors: TEMEL Uğur , ÖZTEKİN Y. Benal
Published: September 2020

Güvenli
ve sağlıklı çalışma ortamını tesis etmek için öncelikle kullanıcıların yeterli
derecede güvenli makineler ile çalışmasına olanak sağlanmalıdır. Bu çalışmada,
Tokat İlinde kullanılan bitki koruma makinelerinin ürün güvenliği açısından
değerlendirilmesi amaçlanmıştır. Bu amaçla Tokat ilinde Zile, Artova, Erbaa ve Niksar ilçelerinde bitki koruma
makineleri kullanan çiftçiler ile yüz
yüze görüşmeler yoluyla anket çalışması yürütülmüş ve kullandıkları bitki
koruma makineleri incelenmiştir.  Araştırma
verileri SPSS paket programında istatistiksel analize tabi tutularak bulgular
ortaya konulmuştur.
Fermente Sucukların Fizikokimyasal ve Mikrobiyolojik Kalitesi Üzerine Gamma Işınlamanın Etkisi
Authors: KAYNARCA Gülce Bedis , GÜMÜŞ Tuncay
Published: September 2020

Isıl işlem görmüş sucuk teknolojik açıdan daha verimli bir ürün olmasına karşın tüketici tarafından pek de tercih edilmemektedir. Ülkemizde, tüketici tarafından tercih edilen fermente sucuk ise ne yazık ki mikrobiyal kalite bakımından zayıf bir ürün olarak karşımıza çıkmaktadır. Fermente sucuğun lezzetini olumsuz etkilemeden mikrobiyal açıdan daha güvenli hale getirilmesi önemli bir konudur. Bu amaçla araştırmamızda gama ışınlama kullanarak daha hızlı ve daha kaliteli ürünler elde edilmeye çalışılmıştır. Bu kapsamda, tesadüfi örnekleme yöntemine göre seçilmiş 10 farklı markaya ait fermente sucuk örneklerinin mikrobiyal ve kimyasal özellikleri üzerine gamma ışınlamanın (0, 2, 4 ve 6 kGy) etkisi araştırılmıştır. Fermente sucuk örnekleri Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, laktik asit bakterisi (LAB), sporlu bakteri sayısı, maya-küf sayısı, pH değeri, % protein içeriği, Hunter Lab renk değerleri ve yağ asitleri bileşimi bakımından incelenmiştir. Mikrobiyolojik analiz sonuçlarına göre; E. coli ve S. aureus tespit edilen örneklerde 4 kGy’lik ışınlama işlemi patojen mikroorganizmaların tamamını inhibe etmeye yetmiştir. 6 kGy’lik ışınlama işlemi laktik asit bakterileri üzerinde %93, maya-küf tespit edilen örneklerde ise yaklaşık %90’lık azalma sağlamıştır. 4 kGy’lik bir ışınlama ile maksimum seviyede E. coli inhibisyonu sağlanmıştır. Işınlama işleminin mikroorganizmalar üzerine genel etkisi incelendiğinde patojen bakterilerin inhibisyonu laktik asit bakterileri ve maya-küflere göre daha düşük dozlarda gerçekleşmiştir. Işınlama işleminin örneklerin kimyasal özellikleri üzerine etkisi incelendiğinde ise sucuk tekstüründe önemli bir değişme gözlenmezken, 6 kGy' lik ışınlamanın örneklerin yağ asitleri kompozisyonunda istatiksel olarak önemli (p<0.05) değişmelere neden olduğu görülmüştür. Bu değişim ise, C14:1 trans, C16:1 trans, C17:1 trans ve C18:1 trans yağ oluşumu sonucunda trans yağ miktarındaki artışı ile açıklanabilir.
Tarım Sektörünün Çevre Kirliliği Üzerindeki Etkisi: Türkiye Ekonomisi İçin Bir Eşbütünleşme ve Nedensellik Analizi
Authors: ÇETİN Murat , SAYGIN Selin , DEMİR Harun
Published: September 2020

Son yıllarda çevre kirliliği ve onu etkileyen temel faktörlerin doğru tespit edilebilmesi, önemli bir inceleme konusudur. Bu çalışmanın amacı, Türkiye’de tarım sektörü ve çevre kirliliği arasındaki ilişkiyi 1968-2016 dönemi için araştırmaktır. Literatürde tarım sektörü ve çevre kirliliği arasındaki ampirik ilişki hakkında bir fikir birliği bulunmamaktadır. Bu nedenle çalışma hem literatüre katkı sağlamakta hem de gelecekteki çalışmalar için önemli bir kanıt sunmaktadır. Çalışmada tarımın belirleyicileri olarak tarımsal katma değer ve tarımsal arazi serileri tercih edilirken çevre kirliliğinin ölçütü olarak karbondioksit emisyonu kullanılmaktadır. Ayrıca, ekonomik büyüme ve yenilenebilir enerji tüketimi diğer bağımsız değişkenler olarak modellere dahil edilmektedir. Ampirik analizde tarım ve çevre kirliliği ilişkisi iki model kurularak tahmin edilmektedir. Yöntem, üç aşamadan oluşmaktadır. İlk olarak, serilerin durağanlık özellikleri DF-GLS ve Ng-Perron gibi geleneksel birim kök testleri ile test edilmektedir. Ek olarak, serilerin durağanlık seviyeleri Zivot-Andrews ve Lee-Strazicich yapısal kırılmalı birim kök testleri ile araştırılmaktadır. İkinci olarak, ARDL modeli ile seriler arasındaki eşbütünleşme ve uzun dönem katsayıları tahmin edilmektedir. Son olarak, seriler arasındaki nedenselliğin varlığı Toda-Yamamoto testi ile belirlenmektedir. Bulgular, çalışmada ele alınan seriler arasında bir eşbütünleşmeyi işaret etmektedir. Bulgular aynı zamanda uzun dönemde tarımsal katma değer ve tarımsal arazinin karbondioksit emisyonunu azalttığını ortaya koymaktadır. Çalışma, çevresel Kuznets eğrisi (ÇKE) hipotezinin Türkiye ekonomisi için geçerli olduğunu ispatlamaktadır. Tarımın karbondioksit emisyonuna neden olduğu tespit edilmektedir. Dahası tarımsal katma değer ve tarımsal arazinin yenilenebilir enerji tüketiminin nedeni olduğu saptanmaktadır. Sonuç olarak, politika yapıcıları Türkiye’de sürdürülebilir bir ekonomik gelişme için tarım sektörüne daha fazla önem vermelidir. Ayrıca tarım arazileri korunmalı ve katma değerli üretim için teşvik edilmelidir. Böylece çevre kirliliği azalış eğiliminde olacaktır.
ANALISIS PENGGUNAAN VARIASI KATALIS NaOH, NaCl, DAN KOH TERHADAP LAJU ALIRAN GAS HHO
Authors: - Prasetyo , Rahmanto Raden Hengki , Diningrum Jenny Primanita
Published: September 2020

Enhancement human need for energy, especially fossil energy that is used in everyday life as fuel in industry and fuel that is used for personal use. Increased consumption of fossil fuels is not offset by the availability of natural resources, therefore alternative energy is needed to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. One alternative energy that has been found is electrolysis of water to produce HHO gas. This study aims to determine the production rate and efficiency of the HHO gas generator using a variety of NaOH, NaCl and KOH catalysts where each catalyst uses a mass fraction percentage of 4.76%. From the results of the research that has been done the results of NaOH catalyst have a flow rate of 2.203 ml / s and are the best catalyst compared to 1.24 ml / s NaCl catalyst and 1.859 ml / s KOH catalyst. Then for efficiency, KOH catalyst was obtained as the best catalyst with an efficiency of 8.76% compared with NaCl of 8.18% and NaOH of 7.82%
PENGARUH WELDING REPAIR TERHADAP SIFAT MEKANIK PADA PENGELASAN GTAW BAJA DUPLEX UNS S32760
Authors: Juanda Muhamad Nur , Oktadinata Herry , - Taufiqullah
Published: September 2020

Technological developments in the increasingly advanced industrial sector cannot be separated from the welding method, one of which is welding repair. Welding improvements can affect the mechanical properties and microstructure of the material used. This research was conducted to determine the effect of welding repair on UNS S32760 stainless steel duplex material using ER 2594 welding wire which was applied to a vacuum vessel tank. The process of welding original welding in sample 1 using a welding wire with a diameter of 2.4 mm receiving the largest heat input 1.394 kJ / mm. The welding repair process carried out on sample 2 using 2.4 mm diameter welding wire received the largest heat input 1.111 kJ / mm and in sample 3 also experienced welding repair using a welding wire of 2.00 mm receiving the largest heat input 1.347 kJ / mm. The impact test results showed a decrease in the toughness value in sample 2 and sample 3 which underwent welding repair. While the results of Vickers hardness testing increased in sample 2 and sample 3 which underwent a repair welding process, was directly proportional to the increase in heat input received in each sample. The microstructure in samples 2 and 3 changed the phase of Ferrite to Acicular Ferrite. In the HAZ and WL regions in sample 3 Ferrite Grain Boundary is also formed, where Grain Boundary-Ferrite is formed first in the transformation of Austenite to Ferrite, which usually forms along the Austenite boundary. In this research, welding repair process that has mechanical properties close to the mechanical properties of Base Metal is sample 2 which uses 2.4 mm diameter welding wire for welding repair.
ANALISIS EKSPERIMENTAL KINERJA TURBIN VORTEX AKIBAT PERUBAHAN TINGGI IMPELLER TIPE SUDU BERPENAMPANG LURUS
Authors: Rahmanto Raden Hengki , Az Muhammad Syaifuddin , Setiadi Geri
Published: September 2020

The use of fossil fuels is now increasing while these resources will be used up if used continuously and these energy resources require a long process to be reused. Alternative energy sources and renewable energy reserves in Indonesia are quite large, but their development has not been optimal because of the geographical gap between the location of energy supply and demand and high technology investment to develop new renewable energy-based technologies and the application of new renewable energy technologies, especially in the electricity sector and as fuel. Based on research that has been carried out on the mechanics of involute inward vortex inflows, the optimal size of the impeller height has not yet been found. This study uses an experimental research method, namely by making a vortex turbine with a straight-section blade type that has a blade height of 180 mm, 210 mm and 240 mm with a water capacity of 10.1471 L / s. loading variations used 3 kg, 3.5 kg, 4 kg, 4.5 kg, 5 kg, 5.5 kg and 6 kg. Tests will be carried out with the above variables on torque, mechanical power and vortex turbine efficiency. The results obtained that the height of the impeller 210 mm has torque, mechanical power and optimal efficiency than the impeller height of 180 mm and 240 mm. The highest mechanical power produced by turbines with an impeller height of 210 mm at a capacity of 10.1471 L / s with a load of 6 kg has a mechanical power of 24.28 watts. The highest efficiency is owned by turbines with a height of 210 mm occurred at a capacity of 10.1471 L / s with a loading of 6 kg, having an efficiency of 37.93%. This is because by adding the height of the impeller to the turbine, the area of ​​the blade affected by the impact of the water fluid becomes more, even when given the turbine loading conditions are not completely submerged. The more blade area submerged by fluid has a more significant influence on the power and efficiency produced than turbines that are resistant to loading even though the turbine is perfectly submerged.
El impacto de las remesas internacionales sobre la inversión en educación en la localidad de Caltimacán, Hidalgo
Authors: García Nájera Yesenia , Cuecuecha Mendoza Alfredo
Published: September 2020

This article presents the results of a study about the impact of international remittances on investment in education in the Mexican town of Caltimacán, Hidalgo, Mexico, a community that is characterized by legal migration through temporary labor contracts. The estimations apply instrumental variables based on job creation in the American states were migrants worked between 2010 and 2016. The results show that the proportion of expenditure spent on education is higher among households that receive remittances than among households that do not receive them. However, this effect vanishes when household expenditure and wealth are introduced in the model. These results confirm that the investments in the education of the inhabitants of Caltimacán face credit constraints, which in turn are diminish by the reception of remittances.
Hypoglossal Nerve Palsy after Carotid Endarterectomy: Case Report
Authors: Ocak Özgül , Celik Hamit , Varıslı Behcet
Published: September 2020

Carotid artery stenosis is the
important causes of ischemic stroke, and it may result in death.  Many complications can occur during carotid
endarterectomy (CEA), which is the standard revascularization procedure for
treating severe carotid artery stenosis.  CEA is applied for prevention of stroke occurred
by atherosclerotic plaque which is located at the common carotid artery
bifurcation and, commonly, internal carotid artery. In addition to serious
complications, such as stroke, infection, myocardial
infarction, postoperative bleeding and
death, non-fatal complications, such as cranial nerve palsy, can also occur
rarely. Cranial nerve injury is a well-recognized complication' of carotid
endarterectomy. Although major injuries are rare, in several series where
thorough pre and postoperative neurologic examinations were performed, the
incidence of cranial nerve dysfunction after carotid surgery ranged from 9.7%
to 39%

Here we present the an 80-year-old
male patient with hypoglossal nerve palsy after carotid endarterectomy as it is
a rare complication.
Race, Poverty, and Narcocapitalism on The Wire: A Political Economic Analysis
Authors: Johnson Michael
Published: September 2020

This chapter will critically examine how poverty, race, and the political economics of the narcocapitalist society all function within the narrative world of HBO’s award-winning series, The Wire. I will analyze the series across its five seasons with a special focus on the series’ interpretation of the upwardly mobile economic aspirations of many of its characters. The Wire’s Baltimore setting also offers viewers an interpretation of a contemporary American urban metropolis populated with African American and Latinx citizens who occupy the bottom of the socioeconomic spectrum, while city politicians, judicial officers, and businessmen occupy the highest echelons of that hierarchy. Using textual and discourse analysis, I critically analyze the messages the series offers to its audience in keeping with a political economic theoretical framework. Thus, this chapter’s analysis will attempt to answer the following three questions. First, how is the socioeconomic hierarchy defined within the series and in what discrete ways is poverty defined? How are those definitions contested or reaffirmed against its inner city setting, and by whom? Second, what influence, if any, does the narcocapitalist system of drug production, distribution and consumption have upon the characters’ lives? And third, how is wealth and success characterized and by whom? What justifications (if any) are offered for the methods by which their economic successes are achieved, and what costs if any appear to that success?
Queer Incrementalism and the Emancipatory Rhetoric of Redemption on FX’s “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia”
Authors: Johnson Michael
Published: September 2020

This research critically examines the life of Mac Reynolds on the popular cult comedy It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Here I argue that Mac’s character represents a careful strategy of “queer incrementalism” in which ostensibly gay characters are introduced following a predictable path of marginality, whereby their sexual identities are slowly uncovered over the course of time in keeping with the prevailing social discourses of palatability. Simultaneously, Sunny uses satire because of its heavy reliance on the ability of sketch comedies like it to, ‘avoid the unpleasant effects of its own situations’” (Mellencamp 1997), thereby rendering its messages communicatively nonthreatening and ensuring the series economic profitability. Finally, I critique the use of redemptive rhetoric that perpetuates the utility of emergence narratives from the closet as a means of self-congratulatory praise that undermines critical analyses of queer characters in the media, and on television in particular.
The Unintended Consequences of Democratic Reforms: Electronic Voting and Criminal Violence in Brazil
Authors: Nieto-Matiz Camilo , Skigin Natán
Published: September 2020

Under what conditions can democracy reduce violent conflict? We argue that, in weakly institutionalized contexts, institutional reforms that promote the rise of programmatic parties decrease levels of violence. We exploit the implementation of a political reform in Brazil that gradually introduced electronic voting to reduce electoral fraud. Using a regression discontinuity design, we show that violence decreased by a half standard deviation in municipalities where electronic voting was first adopted, relative to those where the technology was not implemented. We show that by reducing fraud and increasing enfranchisement, electronic voting eroded the power of hegemonic political machines more likely to collude with organized criminal groups. These results, we show, cannot be explained by higher investments in security or social programs. Our paper sheds light on the links between criminal violence and elections, the alternatives to iron-fist policies, and the unintended consequences of democratic reforms in weakly institutionalized contexts.
Why do allies receive less aid than non-allies?
Authors: Zhang Qi
Published: September 2020

Traditionally, scholars believe that formal defense alliances increase foreign aid allocation. However, this paper finds since the 1970s, OECD donors have been increasing their development assistance to non-allies, and by the mid-2000s, the average amount of aid allocated to non-allies has surpassed that of allies. What explains this changing pattern of alliance and foreign aid allocation? This paper argues that alliance’s impact on foreign aid is conditional on the global security environment, defined as the sum of hostility and insecurity between all states in the system. Alliance can save donors’ budgets through attraction and substitution mechanisms when the security environment is favorable. This paper contributes to the debate on the cost of alliances by showing that alliances can reduce the financial burden of the leading state. It will test the hypothesis with two-way fixed effect models and various robustness checks using foreign aid data from 1960 to 2013.
Monitoring Anti-tuberculosis Treatment Response Using Analysis of Whole Blood Mycobacterium tuberculosis Specific T Cell Activation and Functional Markers
Authors: Vickers Molly A. , Darboe Fatoumatta , Muefong Caleb N. , Mbayo Georgetta , Barry Amadou , Gindeh Awa , Njie Sainabou , Riley Abi-Janet , Sarr Binta , Sambou Basil , Dockrell Hazel M. , Charalambous Salome , Rachow Andrea , Owolabi Olumuyiwa , Jayasooriya Shamanthi , Sutherland Jayne S.
Published: September 2020

Background

Blood-based biomarkers have been proposed as an alternative to current sputum-based treatment monitoring methods in active tuberculosis (ATB). The aim of this study was to validate previously described phenotypic, activation, and cytokine markers of treatment response in a West African cohort.

Methods

Whole blood immune responses to Mycobacterium tuberculosis ESAT-6/CFP-10 (EC) and purified protein derivative (PPD) were measured in twenty adults at baseline and after 2 months of standard TB treatment. Patients were classified as fast or slow responders based on a negative or positive sputum culture result at 2 months, respectively. Cellular expression of activation markers (CD38, HLA-DR), memory markers (CD27), and functional intracellular cytokine and proliferation (IFN-γ, Ki-67, TNF-α) markers were measured using multi-color flow cytometry.

Results

There was a significant increase in the proportion of CD4+CD27+ cells expressing CD38 and HLA-DR following EC stimulation at 2 months compared to baseline (p = 0.0328 and p = 0.0400, respectively). Following PPD stimulation, slow treatment responders had a significantly higher proportion of CD8+CD27–IFN-γ+ (p = 0.0105) and CD4+CD27+HLA-DR+CD38+ (p = 0.0077) T cells than fast responders at baseline. Receiver operating curve analysis of these subsets resulted in 80% sensitivity and 70 and 100% specificity, respectively (AUC of 0.82, p = 0.0156 and 0.84, p = 0.0102).

Conclusion

Our pilot data show reductions in expression of T cell activation markers were seen with treatment, but this was not associated with fast or slow sputum conversion at 2 months. However, baseline proportions of activated T cell subsets are potentially predictive of the subsequent speed of response to treatment.
Online Topology Inference from Streaming Stationary Graph Signals with Partial Connectivity Information
Authors: Shafipour Rasoul , Mateos Gonzalo
Published: September 2020

We develop online graph learning algorithms from streaming network data. Our goal is to track the (possibly) time-varying network topology, and affect memory and computational savings by processing the data on-the-fly as they are acquired. The setup entails observations modeled as stationary graph signals generated by local diffusion dynamics on the unknown network. Moreover, we may have a priori information on the presence or absence of a few edges as in the link prediction problem. The stationarity assumption implies that the observations’ covariance matrix and the so-called graph shift operator (GSO—a matrix encoding the graph topology) commute under mild requirements. This motivates formulating the topology inference task as an inverse problem, whereby one searches for a sparse GSO that is structurally admissible and approximately commutes with the observations’ empirical covariance matrix. For streaming data, said covariance can be updated recursively, and we show online proximal gradient iterations can be brought to bear to efficiently track the time-varying solution of the inverse problem with quantifiable guarantees. Specifically, we derive conditions under which the GSO recovery cost is strongly convex and use this property to prove that the online algorithm converges to within a neighborhood of the optimal time-varying batch solution. Numerical tests illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed graph learning approach in adapting to streaming information and tracking changes in the sought dynamic network.
Designing of an Enterprise Resource Planning for the Optimal Management of Agricultural Plots Regarding Quality and Environmental Requirements
Authors: Aguilar Morales Damián , Sánchez-Bravo Paola , Lipan Leontina , Cano-Lamadrid Marina , Issa-Issa Hanán , Campo-Gomis Francisco J. del , Lluch David B. López
Published: September 2020

One of the main current problems in European quality agricultural production is the lack of objective data for linking quality to origin and to evidence environmental concern (CO2 uptake and use of water in Spain). The aim of this study was to develop an agricultural management platform, based on Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) principles and with the ability to collect geolocated information from different plots related to Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) and Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) wine production. First a survey to farmers, technicians and PDO and PGI managers was carried out to detect the needs of the three groups in relation to ERP platforms; and secondly an ERP platform was developed to collect agronomic information to comply with the Spanish legal requirements. Results showed that the end user completes information database, complies with the legal requirements, and obtains benefits derived from the data analysis. Consequently, the platform (i) solves lack of agricultural data problem; (ii) provides the user with management tools for its agricultural operations; (iii) allows the decision maker to obtain geolocated information in real time; and (iv) sets out the bases for the future development of agricultural systems based on Big Data.
Influence of Metal-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Strain K1 on the Alleviation of Chromium Stress in Wheat
Authors: Zeng Fanrong , Zahoor Munazza , Waseem Muhammad , Anayat Alia , Rizwan Muhammad , Ahmad Awais , Yasmeen Tahira , Ali Shafaqat , El-Sheikh Mohamed A. , Alyemeni Mohammed Nasser , Wijaya Leonard
Published: September 2020

Chromium (Cr) is recognized as a toxic metal that has detrimental effects on living organisms; notably, it is discharged into soil by various industries as a result of anthropogenic activities. Microbe-assisted phytoremediation is one of the most emergent and environmentally friendly methods used for the detoxification of pollutants. In this study, the alleviative role of Staphylococcus aureus strain K1 was evaluated in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under Cr stress. For this, various Cr concentrations (0, 25, 50 and 100 mg·kg−1) with and without peat-moss-based bacterial inoculum were applied in the soil. Results depicted that Cr stress reduced the plants’ growth by causing oxidative stress in the absence of S. aureus K1 inoculation. However, the application of S. aureus K1 regulated the plants’ growth and antioxidant enzymatic activities by reducing oxidative stress and Cr toxicity through conversion of Cr6+ to Cr3+. The Cr6+ uptake by wheat was significantly reduced in the S. aureus K1 inoculated plants. It can be concluded that the application of S. aureus K1 could be an effective approach to alleviate the Cr toxicity in wheat and probably in other cereals grown under Cr stress.
Variation and Association of Hen Performance and Egg Quality Traits in Individual Early-Laying ISA Brown Hens
Authors: Anene Doreen O. , Akter Yeasmin , Thomson Peter C. , Groves Peter , O’Shea Cormac J.
Published: September 2020

Uniformity in hen and egg traits is an important consideration in commercial layer flocks. There is little information on how individual hen feed consumption and body weight affect egg quality measurements. This study investigated the variation in performance traits of individual hens and associations with egg quality characteristics. Four hundred and fifty-five ISA Brown caged hens in early lay were monitored for 42 days (25 to 30 weeks of age) to collect hen feed consumption and egg production measurements. Forty-four hens from the flock were randomly selected and eggs were collected from the same hen once weekly for albumen, yolk, and shell assessment. The means ± standard deviation of average daily feed intake (ADFI), albumen height, initial body weight (IBW), and final body weight (FBW) were 124 g ± 15, 10.3 mm ± 1.5, 1802 g ± 129, and 2000 g ± 175, respectively. Albumen height was not associated with ADFI (r = 0.18, p = 0.21), IBW (r = −0.04, p = 0.79), or FBW (r = −0.06, p = 0.69). This study showed variation in feed intake, body weight, and albumen quality of individual early-lay hens. Feed intake and body weight did not influence albumen quality.
Studying the Effects of Collagenase (Type 1) on the Collagen in Woody Breast Meat
Authors: Morey Amit , Johnson Meredith Lane , Kataria Jasmine , Gonzalez John Michael
Published: September 2020

Abnormal collagen infiltration in the Pectoralis major, breast muscle, of fast-growing big broilers has led to woody breast (WB) myopathy resulting in meat quality issues. Mechanisms to degrade the collagen were investigated to potentially improve WB texture. Freshly deboned WB fillets (n = 5 per trial; 3 trials) were ground and divided in to 25 g portions. Aqueous collagenase Type I solution (1 mL) from concentrations of 2.5, 5, and 10 mg/mL were incorporated in ground WB samples (n = 3 samples/treatment × 3 trials). Ground WB with 1 mL water acted as a control. All the samples were placed at 4 °C for 24 h and frozen at −80 °C. Control samples without any treatment or water addition (n = 3/trial) were frozen immediately upon grinding. Data collected on total (TC), soluble (SC), and insoluble collagen (IC) content was analyzed using one-way ANOVA with Tukey’s honestly significant difference (HSD) (p ≤ 0.05). Fresh WB fillets had TC, SC, and IC content of 19.5, 4.9, and 14.6 mg/g, respectively. The addition of collagenase decreased (p ≤ 0.05) the IC to 5.8 mg/g in the 10 mg/mL treatment after 24 h. Converting IC to SC using collagenase can potentially help the poultry industry to reduce WB toughness.
Alpaca Field Behaviour When Cohabitating with Lambing Ewes
Authors: Matthews Paige T. , Barwick Jamie , Doughty Amanda K. , Doyle Emma K. , Morton Christine L. , Brown Wendy Y.
Published: September 2020

A common strategy to reduce predator attack on livestock is the deployment of guardian alpacas. However, little research has been conducted on the behaviour of this species while housed with other livestock. This study monitored two male alpacas cohabitating with 180 lambing ewes in order to quantify field behaviour in two phases. Phase one assessed diurnal patterns of alpacas and lambing ewes using Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) collars recording data over 41 days, in combination with observational recordings. Phase two developed an alpaca behavioural ethogram through continuous observations from 05:30 to 19:30 h over a 3-day period. The two alpacas shared similar behaviours with commonality of distance travelled, and both species exhibited an increase in activity level based on speed between the times of 05:00 and 17:00 h. The GNSS data indicated that the alpacas flocked with the ewes at night sharing the same resting location, however, would spend time during the day on the outskirts of the paddock. Alpacas were observed to spend the majority of the observation period in two behavioural states: grazing (57%) and resting (27%). As a result of this study we were able to catalogue a range and frequency of field behaviours which alpacas exhibit while cohabitating with lambing ewes. However, further research is needed to determine in more detail how these behaviours correspond with the effectiveness of this species as a livestock guardian.
Pearsonema spp. (Family Capillariidae, Order Enoplida) Infection in Domestic Carnivores in Central–Northern Italy and in a Red Fox Population from Central Italy
Authors: Pelligra Salvatore , Guardone Lisa , Riggio Francesca , Parisi Francesca , Maestrini Michela , Mariacher Alessia , Perrucci Stefania
Published: September 2020

Pearsonema spp. nematodes infect the urinary bladder of domestic and wild carnivores. The red fox is considered a reservoir of Pearsonema plica, while the prevalence of Pearsonema spp. in domestic carnivores is still poorly known. This study aimed to assess the occurrence of Pearsonema spp. infection in privately owned cats (26) and dogs (83) from central and northern Italy alongside occurrence in red foxes (42) from central Italy. In positive dogs and cats, associated clinical signs were also evaluated. Urine samples were first examined under a stereomicroscope; then, they were centrifuged and microscopically examined after a flotation test. As for foxes, the urinary bladders were opened and urine was collected and processed as above, while collected nematodes were identified at the species level. Among examined animals, 2/26 cats (7.7%), 1/83 dogs (1.2%), and 38/42 foxes (90.5%) scored positive. Recurrent cystitis, pollakiuria, and hematuria were the main clinical signs in symptomatic dogs and cats. This is the first study on Pearsonema spp. infection in domestic carnivores examining a large number of privately owned pet animals. Obtained results confirm the role of the red fox as a reservoir for P. plica and suggest a possible high occurrence of Pearsonema spp. infection in domestic cats of central Italy.
First Identification and Characterization of Lactococcus garvieae Isolated from Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) Cultured in Mexico
Authors: Ortega Cesar , Irgang Rute , Valladares-Carranza Benjamín , Collarte Constanza , Avendaño-Herrera Ruben
Published: September 2020

Lactococcosis is a hyperacute hemorrhagic septicemia disease caused by Lactococcus garvieae, which is an emerging pathogen in global fish farming. Between 2016 and 2018, rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) from five farms that presented outbreaks were sampled as part of a Mexican surveillance program for the detection of fish diseases. Fourteen L. garvieae isolates were recovered from sampled fish, as confirmed by biochemical tests, 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and clinical and histological insights. The biochemical and protein profiles of the isolates obtained were homogeneous. Repetitive extragenic palindromic—(REP)—and enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus sequence PCR (ERIC-PCR) analyses established weak genetic heterogeneity. Rainbow trout challenged with two of the isolates used at different bacterial concentrations (10−2 and 10−4 CFU/mL) showed melanosis, and hemorrhages were observed in the fins, liver, kidney, and spleen. Isolates were obtained from all of the organs sampled, including from surviving fish, as either pure or mixed cultures. The present study is the first to confirm the presence of L. garvieae as the agent of severe lactococcosis outbreaks in the two primary Mexican states for trout farming.
Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Kurarinone Involves Induction of HO-1 via the KEAP1/Nrf2 Pathway
Authors: Nishikawa Sakiko , Inoue Yasumichi , Hori Yuka , Miyajima Chiharu , Morishita Daisuke , Ohoka Nobumichi , Hida Shigeaki , Makino Toshiaki , Hayashi Hidetoshi
Published: September 2020

Kurarinone, a flavonoid isolated from the roots of Sophora flavescens, was suggested to exert potent antioxidant and immunosuppressive effects. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) is a key transcription factor that regulates the antioxidant defense system with anti-inflammatory activity. In the present study, we demonstrated that kurarinone activated Nrf2 and increased the expression of antioxidant enzymes, including heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). Mechanistically, kurarinone downregulated the expression of kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (KEAP1), subsequently leading to the activation of Nrf2. Kurarinone also inhibited the expression of the inflammatory cytokine, interleukin (IL)-1β, and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNos) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages. The overexpression of HO-1 suppressed the LPS-induced production of inflammatory mediators in RAW264.7 cells, and the immunosuppressive effects of kurarinone were partially inhibited by a treatment with Tin Protomorphyrin IX (TinPPIX), an inhibitor of HO-1. These results indicate that kurarinone activates the KEAP1/Nrf2 pathway to induce HO-1 expression, thereby exerting immunosuppressive effects.
Bone Healing and Regeneration Potential in Rabbit Cortical Defects Using an Innovative Bioceramic Bone Graft Substitute
Authors: Ou Keng-Liang , Hou Ping-Jen , Huang Bai-Hung , Chou Hsin-Hua , Yang Tzu-Sen , Huang Chiung-Fang , Ueno Takaaki
Published: September 2020

This study aimed to elucidate the local effect and micro-computed tomographic (μ-CT) assessment following bone implantation of an innovative bioceramic (α-calcium sulfate hemihydrate; α-CSH) on femur lateral condyle cortical bone of rabbit models. The innovative α-CSH bioceramic was synthesized through a green processing technology (microwave irradiation treatment). The bilateral implantation model was performed among 24 New Zealand White rabbits which were divided into three groups based on the type of filling materials: α-CSH, control, and blank. Treatments were performed in defects with 6 mm diameter and 7 mm depth and observed after 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks. Material reaction and bone formation after implantation were evaluated radiographically and histopathologically. The μ-CT analysis results showed that the degradation of α-CSH and control material was similar at 4 and 8 weeks. The bone volume in the defects indicated the α-CSH increased most in 8 weeks. In histopathological evaluation, the α-CSH group was repaired with lamellar bone and well-grown bone marrow infiltration similar to the control material. Moreover, the α-CSH revealed a faster degradation rate and better healing progress than the control material under the same conditions. Therefore, the α-CSH was confirmed to be useful in promoting osteoconduction and in controlling the resorption rate in bone defects. Further, the innovative α-CSH could be considered as a promising bone substitute for utilization in bone reconstructive therapy in dental and orthopedic fields.
Efficient Video Frame Interpolation Using Generative Adversarial Networks
Authors: Tran Quang Nhat , Yang Shih-Hsuan
Published: September 2020

Frame interpolation, which generates an intermediate frame given adjacent ones, finds various applications such as frame rate up-conversion, video compression, and video streaming. Instead of using complex network models and additional data involved in the state-of-the-art frame interpolation methods, this paper proposes an approach based on an end-to-end generative adversarial network. A combined loss function is employed, which jointly considers the adversarial loss (difference between data models), reconstruction loss, and motion blur degradation. The objective image quality metric values reach a PSNR of 29.22 dB and SSIM of 0.835 on the UCF101 dataset, similar to those of the state-of-the-art approach. The good visual quality is notably achieved by approximately one-fifth computational time, which entails possible real-time frame rate up-conversion. The interpolated output can be further improved by a GAN based refinement network that better maintains motion and color by image-to-image translation.
Qualitative and Quantitative Assessment of Urban Sustainability in Social Housing Using the Casa Azul Label and SBTool Urban in Brazil
Authors: Gonçalves Djanny Klismara de Oliveira , Masiero Érico , Bragança Luis , Kakuda Francis Massashi
Published: September 2020

The sustainability potential of Brazilian social housing (SH) needs to be assessed, considering the impacts on the population’s quality of life and urban systems. One of the main weaknesses of Casa Azul Label refers to the absence of a procedure that quantifies the measures for assessing urban sustainability. Based on the post-occupation analysis of an SH project implemented in Araraquara, São Paulo state, Brazil, evaluation of urban sustainability was developed, using a multi-method approach combining the Casa Azul Label and Sustainable Building Tool (SBTool) Urban certification tools. It was proposed to apply the calculations established in SBTool Urban according to the Casa Azul Label certification requirements, as well as insert a national benchmark as a reference for the analysis and normalizing results. These procedures made it possible to base an improvement framework on a Brazilian environmental certification system, including a quantification system to evaluate the efficiency of the applied measures regarding urban sustainability. The multi-method approach, associated with the SBTool Urban procedures, could significantly help to improve the application of a sustainable assessment system in social housing in developing countries. The high number of residential units produced in recent years could be qualitatively evaluated, improving both the construction procedures and the criteria for the urban insertion of human settlements.
Handling Skewed Data: A Comparison of Two Popular Methods
Authors: Hammouri Hanan M. , Sabo Roy T. , Alsaadawi Rasha , Kheirallah Khalid A.
Published: September 2020

Scientists in biomedical and psychosocial research need to deal with skewed data all the time. In the case of comparing means from two groups, the log transformation is commonly used as a traditional technique to normalize skewed data before utilizing the two-group t-test. An alternative method that does not assume normality is the generalized linear model (GLM) combined with an appropriate link function. In this work, the two techniques are compared using Monte Carlo simulations; each consists of many iterations that simulate two groups of skewed data for three different sampling distributions: gamma, exponential, and beta. Afterward, both methods are compared regarding Type I error rates, power rates and the estimates of the mean differences. We conclude that the t-test with log transformation had superior performance over the GLM method for any data that are not normal and follow beta or gamma distributions. Alternatively, for exponentially distributed data, the GLM method had superior performance over the t-test with log transformation.
Robust Path Tracking Control for Autonomous Vehicle Based on a Novel Fault Tolerant Adaptive Model Predictive Control Algorithm
Authors: Geng Keke , Liu Shuaipeng
Published: September 2020

Autonomous vehicles are expected to completely change the development model of the transportation industry and bring great convenience to our lives. Autonomous vehicles need to constantly obtain the motion status information with on-board sensors in order to formulate reasonable motion control strategies. Therefore, abnormal sensor readings or vehicle sensor failures can cause devastating consequences and can lead to fatal vehicle accidents. Hence, research on the fault tolerant control method is critical for autonomous vehicles. In this paper, we develop a robust fault tolerant path tracking control algorithm through combining the adaptive model predictive control algorithm for lateral path tracking control, improved weight assignment method for multi-sensor data fusion and fault isolation, and novel federal Kalman filtering approach with two states chi-square detector and residual chi-square detector for detection and identification of sensor fault in autonomous vehicles. Our numerical simulation and experiment demonstrate that the developed approach can detect fault signals and identify their sources with high accuracy and sensitivity. In the double line change path tracking control experiment, when the sensors failure occurs, the proposed method shows better robustness and effectiveness than the traditional methods. It is foreseeable that this research will contribute to the development of safer and more intelligent autonomous driving system, which in turn will promote the industrial development of intelligent transportation system.
Numerical Study of the Toughness of Complex Metal Matrix Composite Topologies
Authors: Lemesle Julie , Hubert Cedric , Bigerelle Maxence
Published: September 2020

Fracture toughness tests (compact tension) of a dual material composed of a structured Metal Matrix Composite (MMC) (martensitic steel and titanium carbides, named MS-TiC) surrounded by martensitic steel (MS) are simulated with a Discrete Elements Model (DEM) developed with the GranOO Workbench. The MMC structures are micro-lattices such as gyroid, octet-truss and Face and Body-Centered Cubic with Z-truss (FBCCZ). The volume fraction of these MMC inserts and their cell size are fixed, the influence of the cell orientation is studied. The aim of the study is to determine the configuration of topology (shape and cell orientation) which absorbs the most energy and is the most crack resistant. From experimental tests, the Young’s moduli and the failure stresses of the MMC material and the metal are estimated, and thanks to beam network discretization, a local stiffness and a failure criterion are evaluated to finally obtain a crack propagation path. To verify the suitability of the DEM model, a Compact Tension (CT) experimental test on MMC specimens is performed and a stress intensity factor is computed. A good agreement with an error less than 10% is obtained between experimental and simulated KIc with values respectively equal to 35 and 37 MPam. From DEM simulations based on the CT tests, the FBCCZ cell absorbs the most energy at the crack propagation compared to other structures and the steel. The crack propagation length depends on the shape of the topology. The originality of the study lies in the modeling, with granular properties using DEM, of the mechanical and elastic fracture behavior of these topological structures classically solved by Finite Elements Method (FEM): the microscopic constitutive relations have been validated macroscopically by experimental tests on homogeneous MMC materials.
CQDs@NiO: An Efficient Tool for CH4 Sensing
Authors: Carbone Marilena
Published: September 2020

A composite material based on carbon quantum dots (CQDs) and NiO was prepared and tested for methane sensing. The synthesis procedure is simple and foresees the preparation of the CQDs by citric acid pyrolysis and NiO by hydrothermal synthesis. A phase sonication and stirring procedure yielded the composite CQDs@NiO at different loads. The composites were characterized by X-ray diffraction, ultraviolet–visible light (UV–Vis) spectroscopy, SEM microscopy, energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) mapping, and surface area, porosity, and impedance measurements. A gas sensor was built in-house and used to probe the response of the synthesized samples to CH4 detection, at constant environmental humidity. The CQDs@NiO at 1% weight load displayed excellent performances in terms of gas response both vs. temperature and vs. concentration, whereas higher loads resulted in CQD aggregation and diminished output. Response/recovery times of the 1%CQDs@NiO sample were good, as well as the selectivity and the stability over time and for variable environmental humidity. The estimated limit of detection was 0.1 ppm.
EVAR-eaSE: An Easy-to-Use Software for Planning Sac Embolization in EndoVascular Aneurysm Repair Procedure
Authors: Cercenelli Laura , Lodi Simone , Bortolani Barbara , Mascoli Chiara , Gargiulo Mauro , Marcelli Emanuela
Published: September 2020

Background: Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) has become the primary choice of treatment for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) and preventive intraoperative AAA sac embolization (SE) is an effective way to reduce endoleaks after EVAR. Preoperative planning of AAA SE has not been standardized yet, and typically requires a quite long and operator-dependent procedure using standard EVAR planning software. Methods: We introduce ‘EVAR-eaSE’, a software tool that we have developed to help vascular surgeons to plan the optimal SE procedure during EVAR, providing semi-automatic AAA segmentation and 3D modeling starting from patient scans, and then computing the aneurysm volumes. A preliminary accuracy evaluation on radiological phantoms, and a comparison with the commercial 3Mensio software for EVAR planning are carried out. Results: EVAR-eaSE software showed a good level of accuracy in aneurysm volume reconstruction and calculation (mean difference of 2.5% between real and segmented phantom volumes). A strong positive correlation (r = 0.940, r = 0.954, p < 0.001) was found between EVAR-eaSE computation of AAA Lumen and AAA Total volumes and the same measurements obtained with 3Mensio, for a database of 26 AAA cases. Conclusions: EVAR-eaSE demonstrated to be an easy-to-use, objective and accurate tool to assist the vascular surgeons in preoperative planning of SE during EVAR.