bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rodents as potential hosts and reservoirs of parasites along the edge of a Central African forest: Bwindi impenetrable national park, South Western Uganda
Authors: Mawanda Patrick , Rwego Innocent , J Kisakye John , Sheil Douglas
Published: October 2020

Background: Rodents which constitute 42% of the world’s mammalian population are major reservoirs of pathogens that cause zoonoses. Currently we know little about rodents’ potential zoonotic transfer from human settlements into protected areas and how any such threats might be reduced.

Objective: To investigate the role of rodents as reservoirs of zoonotic pathogens along the boundary of Bwindi.

Methods: A rodent inventory in three villages along the edge of Bwindi, was carried using live trapping techniques and the local rodents’ ecto and endoparasite fauna investigated.

Results: Two hundred eighty eight rodents captured belonged to 24 species, 17 genera and 4 families with Lophuromys aquilus being most abundant (30.2%). 240 ectoparasites which included mites, fleas and ticks were collected from 88 rodents out of 249. Proamys jacksoni rodents were most infested. Although the mites represented the largest proportion (84.6%), the highest species diversity was shown among the fleas (9 species). Some 36.9% of the rodents were infected with endopara- sites of which L. aquilus haboured most. Endoparasitic genera identified included Nippostrongylus, Ascaris, Strongyloides, Trichuris, Hymenolepis, Taenia and Cryptosporidium.

Conclusion: Rodents have a zoonotic potentiality. There is need for developing effective integrated rodent management programs against rodent to reduce chances of parasite transmission within the protected areas.

Keywords: Bwind; human disease; mountain gorillas; rodents; transmission.
Socio-demographic predictors of gender inequality among heterosexual couples expecting a child in south-central Uganda
Authors: J Vrana-Diaz Caroline , E Korte Jeffrey , Gebregziabher Mulugeta , Richey Lauren , Selassie Anbesaw , Sweat Michael , Chemusto Harriet , Wanyenze Rhoda
Published: October 2020

Background: Gender inequality is a pervasive problem in sub-Saharan Africa, and has negative effects on health and de- velopment.

Objective: Here, we sought to identify socioeconomic predictors of gender inequality (measured by low decision-making power and high acceptance of intimate partner violence) within heterosexual couples expecting a child in south-central Uganda.

Method: We used data from a two-arm cluster randomized controlled HIV self-testing intervention trial conducted in three antenatal clinics in south-central Uganda among 1,618 enrolled women and 1,198 male partners. Analysis included Cochran Mantel-Haenzel, proportional odds models, logistic regression, and generalized linear mixed model framework to account for site-level clustering.

Results: Overall, we found that 31.1% of men had high acceptance of IPV, and 15.9% of women had low decision-making power. We found religion, education, HIV status, age, and marital status to significantly predict gender equality. Specifically, we observed lower gender equality among Catholics, those with lower education, those who were married, HIV positive women, and older women.

Conclusion: By better understanding the prevalence and predictors of gender inequality, this knowledge will allow us to better target interventions (increasing education, reducing HIV prevalence in women, targeting interventions different reli- gions and married couples) to decrease inequalities and improve health care delivery to underserved populations in Uganda.

Keywords: Gender inequality; Pregnancy; HIV/AIDS; Prenatal Care; Uganda.
Effects of miR-489 targeting on SOX4 gene on proliferation and apoptosis of human hepatocellular carcinoma cells
Authors: Wang Bing , Jin Wang-Xun , Zhang Yun-Li , Huang Ling , Ni Hai-Bin , Fang Dilong
Published: October 2020

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma is one of the most common malignant tumors found all over the globe. Despite advances in surgery and chemotherapy, the five-year survival rate of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma is still low. It is known that the proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma cells is closely related to the occurrence, development and prog- nosis of hepatocellular carcinoma. The present work investigates the expression of microRNA-489 (miR-489) in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells and its effect on the biological behavior of human hepatocellular carcinoma cells.

Methods: The expression of miR-489 by fluorescence quantitative PCR detection in 30 patients with hepatoblastoma of liver cancer tissues and adjacent tissues was studied. Also, the determination of hepatoblastoma in four cell lines with differ- ent metastatic potential (HR8348, HCT116, HT29 and HEPG2) and the expression of miR-489 during miR-489 simulation process was studied. MTT assay, flow cytometry and Western blot analysis were performed to know the cell proliferation to detect the changes in cell cycle, apoptosis of cells, and SOX4 gene expression respectively.

Results: RT-PCR results showed that the cells compared with pre-cancerous tissue, the expression level of miR-489 in hepatocellular carcinoma tissues than in adjacent tissue significantly decreased (P<0.05), and with liver cancer cell metastasis increased (P<0.05); analogue transfection constructed miR-489 overexpressing HEPG2 cell line by microRNA. MTT results showed that miR-489 can inhibit the proliferation of HEPG2 cells, the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05); flow cytometry results showed that miR-489 mimics was transfected into HEPG2 cells at 48 hours had no significant effect on cell cycle distribution (P > 0.05); but miR-489 expression could induce apoptosis, compared with the control group, the apoptosis of miR-489 mimics was significantly increased and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: In conclusion, miR-489 can significantly inhibit the occurrence and development of hepatocellular carcinoma cells. The mechanism may be down regulated by the expression of SOX4 and inhibit cell proliferation. Further this study showed that the tumor cells SOX4 gene as a regulatory factor target the genes of miR-489 in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Keywords: Hepatocellular carcinoma; mircroRNA-489; SOX4; apoptosis.
Acute leukemia in sickle cell disease patients in a tertiary health facility in Nigeria: a case series
Authors: W Aworanti Oladapo , A Fasola Foluke , R Kotila Taiwo , A Olaniyi John , J Brown Biobele
Published: October 2020

Background and objectives: Sickle cell disease(SCD) is a disorder of red cells resulting from the co-inheritance of hae- moglobin S (HbS) with another abnormal haemoglobin. The diagnosis of acute leukaemia is uncommon in our patients with sickle cell disease more so the patients have high morbidity and mortality due to the sickling process.Acute leukemia is a malignant clonal disorder of haemopoietic precursor cells resulting in accumulation of immature blood cells in the bone marrow and blood.The objective of the case series was to highlight the challenges of diagnosis and management of SCD patients with acute leukaemia, the importance of peripheral blood film review and propound a possible risk factor.

Methods: Records of 58 patients diagnosed and managed for acute leukaemia over a 7 year period at the University College Hospital, Ibadan were reviewed. The diagnosis of acute leukaemia was based on clinical features in addition to peripheral and bone marrow smears findings. Microsoft excel version 2013 was used for statistical analysis.

Results: Five (8.6%) of the patients with acute leukaemia also had sickle cell disease: 3 males and 2 females were described. Recurrent fever and anaemia were the most consistent presenting features in the patients. All the patients were not on any routine medications meant for SCD patients and had poor history of clinic attendance prior to the diagnosis of acute leu- kaemia. The diagnosis of acute leukaemia was not made until the patients were seen by a haematologist. The principal tool of diagnosis in all the patients was peripheral blood film review. Two patients were discharged against medical advice.The treatment period ranged between one month and one year in the remaining three patients.

Conclusion: SCD patients are not exempted from developing acute leukaemias and the diagnoses of the two conditions overwhelms the social and economic support of patients and care givers.The study also underscores the relevance of high level of suspicion and prompt review of peripheral blood film of SCD patients particularly when patients present with un- remitting symptoms associated with anaemia and fever.

Keywords: Acute leukaemia; sickle cell disease; anaemia.
Telepathological evaluation of paediatric histological specimens in support of a hospital in Tanzania
Authors: Voelker Hans-Ullrich , Poetzl Laura , Strehl Annette , Mueller-Hermelink Hans-Konrad , Stuefe Ansgar , Stauch Gerhard
Published: October 2020

Background/Objective: In a project of telepathology (TP) between German pathologists and a hospital in Tanzania, trained technical assistants have uploaded digital histological images onto the internet-based platform ipath. The diagnoses from 486 paediatric specimens were analysed.

Methods: The investigation included diagnoses, either primarily done via TP or secondarily after a further workup of the paraffin-embedded tissue, which was sent to Germany for cases which could not be solved via TP. In the latter, the initial TP-diagnoses were compared with the results after re-evaluation.

Results: The median age was 11 years. The cohort comprised 390 benign diseases (80.2%) and 96 malignant diseases (19.8%). For benign diseases, the most frequent anatomic sites were lymph nodes, skin, and soft tissue, breast, and head&- neck. Frequent diagnoses were non-specific inflammations and benign tumors. In malignant diseases, the most sites were lymph nodes, skin, soft tissue, head&neck, and ovary and the most frequent diseases sarcomas and lymphomas. The paraffin embedded tissue of 179 cases (36.3%) was shipped to Germany. With the concordance analysis, we could discover the man- datory necessity for the possibility of second opinion in difficult cases.

Conclusion: An exclusively TP-support cannot meet all requirements of modern medical diagnostics. The education of local pathologists is imperative.

Keywords: Telepathology; low income country; ipath; paediatric.
A quality improvement project to improve diabetes self-management and patient satisfaction in a low-resourced central Kenyan hospital
Authors: Muhoma Tsitsi , W Waruiru Margaret , Sanni Olayemi , D Knecht Linda , McFarland Marilyn
Published: October 2020

Background: There is limited evidence about effective strategies for promoting culturally congruent diabetes education in low-resourced primary-care settings.

Objectives: This project, conducted in Central Kenya, examined the effect of an intervention on provider practices and patients’ knowledge of diabetes self-care management.

Methods: The intervention consisted of short (30-minute) sessions that offered providers evidenced-based, culturally con- gruent diabetes education and teaching materials to use with patients. A checklist was used to assess providers’ diabetes care practices at baseline and post intervention. Data from semi-structured patient interviews assessed patients’ diabetes knowledge at baseline and post intervention. Providers and patients also completed post-intervention satisfaction surveys.

Results: Six providers and 74 patients participated in the project. Statistical analysis was completed using SPSS. Significant increases were noted in patients’ post-intervention overall diabetes knowledge score (p=.05) and the foot care knowledge subscale (p=.02). No significant differences were noted between patients’ baseline and post-intervention scores in the gen- eral diabetes (p=.86) or nutrition knowledge (p=.32) subscales.

Conclusion: These findings suggest supporting providers with culturally congruent tools and resources about diabetes care guidelines can improve knowledge of self-care practices in patients with diabetes.

Keywords: Type II diabetes mellitus; foot care; diabetes self-care; diabetes education; culturally congruent; Swahili; Kikuyu; central Kenya.
Weight reduction ameliorates inflammatory cytokines, adipocytokines and endothelial dysfunction biomarkers among Saudi patients with type 2 diabetes
Authors: M Abd El-Kader Shehab , H Al-Jiffri Osama , A Neamatallah Ziyad , M AlKhateeb Afnan , S AlFawaz Saad
Published: October 2020

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) considered as one of the cardiovascular disorders (CVD) principle risk fac- tor as diabetes is associated with abnormal levels of endothelial function, inflammatory and adipocytokines.

Objective: The aim of this study was to measure the impact of weight reducing on inflammatory cytokines, adipocytokines and endothelial function biomarkers among obese T2DM patients.

Methods: One–hundred T2DM patients enrolled in the present study; the age range was 35-55 year. Participants shared in this study were enrolled in group (A) received diet control and aerobic exercise on treadmill, while, group (B) had no inter- vention for 3 months.

Results: The mean values of body mass index (BMI), tumor necrosis factor –alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), leptin, inter-cellular adhesion molecule (ICAM-1) ,vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM-1), E-selectin and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 activity (PAI-1 activity) were significantly decreased and adiponectin was increased significantly in the training group, however the results of the control group were not significant. Also, there were significant differences between both groups at the end of the study.

Conclusion: Weight reducing program modulates inflammatory cytokines, adipocytokines and endothelial function bio- markers among obese T2DM patients.

Keywords: Diabetes; endothelial dysfunction biomarkers; cytokines; adipocytokines; weight reduction.
Prevalence and antibiotic susceptibility pattern of bacteriuria among HIV-seropositive patients attending the Bamenda Regional Hospital, Cameroon
Authors: Samje Moses , Yongwa Onesimus , Mbi Enekegbe Alice , Njoya Simon
Published: October 2020

Background: HIV causes a decrease in CD4+ lymphocyte cells count, exposing the individual to infections (urinary tract infections). This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of bacteriuria and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of bacteria isolates among HIV patients.

Methods: Clean catch mid-stream urine samples were collected from 135 HIV- seropositive patients, cultured on Cystein lactose electrolyte deficient (CLED) agar and incubated at 370C for 24 hours. The modified Kirby-Bauer’s disc diffusion method was used to assess susceptibility to antimicrobial agents.

Results: The prevalence of bacteriuria was 67.4% (91/135). Staphylococcus aureus was the most predominant (42.9%) isolate, followed by Escherichia. coli (24.2%), then Coagulase negative Staphylococci (10.9%). The highest proportion of bacteria was isolated from patients having a CD4+ T-cell count of less than 300 cells/mm3 (39.6%). There was an association between the level of CD4+cell count and bacterial urinary tract infection (P= 0.001). Most sensitive drugs were gentamycin, vanco- mycin and amoxicillin-clavulanic acid while the drug with the greatest resistance was sulphamethoxazole-trimethoprim, with Enterococcus and Proteus showing 100% resistance to this drug.

Conclusion: Bacteriuria and resistance to commonly used antibiotics is prevalent among HIV/AIDS patients attending the Bamenda Regional Hospital. Therapy based on antimicrobial susceptibility test is encouraged.

Keywords: Bacteriuria; HIV-seropositive patients; susceptibility; CD4+ T-cell.
Knowledge, attitudes and prevention practices regarding HIV/AIDS among barbers in Ho municipality, Ghana
Authors: Quarm Mercy , Tarkang Elvis , Pencille Lilian , Lutala Prosper
Published: October 2020

Barbering poses risks of HIV transmission if it is not conducted in a hygienic manner. This study assessed the knowledge, attitudes and prevention practices regarding HIV transmission among barbers in the Ho Municipality, Ghana. A cross-sectional design was employed in Ho Municipality, and data were collected from 121 participants and analysed using Stata version 13.0 at the significance level of 0.05. Knowledge was low (63.6%) and was associated with attitude [COR=4.37 (95% CI: 1.98-9.62); p<0.001] and with level of education [COR=4.92 (95% CI: 1.70-14.21); p=0.003]. Attitude was inad- equate (58.7%) and was associated with level of education [COR=3.47 (95% CI: 1.18-10.14); p=0.023]. Poor prevention practice was high (87.6%) and was associated with work experience [COR=20.72 (95% CI: 3.86-111.05); p<0.001] and lo- cation of operation [COR=4.92 (95% CI: 1.60-15.14); p=0.006]. Programmes aimed at improving knowledge, attitudes and practices should focus on Barbers in urban communities, those without any formal education, and those with less than five years work experience.

Keywords: Knowledge; attitudes and practice; HIV/AIDS; Barbers; Ghana.
Homonymous visual field defects in patients with multiple sclerosis: results of computerised perimetry and optical coherence tomography
Authors: Schmutz Lydia , Borruat François-Xavier
Published: October 2020

AIMS OF THE STUDY
Visual dysfunction is frequent in multiple sclerosis, usually resulting from retrobulbar optic neuritis or papillitis. Less frequently, demyelinating lesions can affect the retrochiasmal pathways. There are few reports of homonymous visual field defects (HVFD) in multiple sclerosis and little is known about their evolution. The purpose of this study was to better define both the clinical profile and the evolution of HVFD in patients with multiple sclerosis.

METHODS
We performed a retrospective study of all multiple sclerosis patients who presented HVFD and were examined by automated static perimetry. A subset of patients benefited from macular assessment with optical coherence tomography (OCT). We also reviewed the worldwide literature on the subject.

RESULTS
Twenty patients were retrieved from the neuro-ophthalmology database of the Hôpital Ophtalmique Jules-Gonin. There were 11 women and 9 men, and their average age was 35 ± 11 years. The relapsing-remitting form of multiple sclerosis was most common (18/20; 90%), the primary progressive form (1/20; 5%) and the secondary progressive form (1/20; 5%) were rare. HVFD were the presenting symptom of multiple sclerosis in seven patients (35%). The recovery was complete in 12/20 patients (60%), and the median time to recovery was 10 weeks (2-13 weeks). An incomplete recovery was found in 5/20 subjects (25%) and no recovery occurred in 3/20 subjects (15%). Magnetic resonance imaging disclosed a definite lesion explaining the HVFD in 7/11 patients: five within the optic radiations (71.4%), one within the optic tract (14.3%) and one within the lateral geniculate nucleus (14.3%). Our results were comparable to those compiled from our literature search (29 publications, totalling 70 cases). A recurrent episode of HVFD occurred in three patients (15%). OCT was performed in 10/20 patients. Retinal ganglion cell layer thickness was assessed and revealed a homonymous thinning in three patients, diffuse unilateral or bilateral thinning (resulting from previous episodes of optic neuritis) in six patients, and normal retinal ganglion cell layer thickness in one patient.

CONCLUSION
HVFD in multiple sclerosis are found mostly in young patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, which is consistent with the epidemiology of multiple sclerosis. HVFD can be the first manifestation of multiple sclerosis and have a relatively good prognosis. Like optic neuritis, HVFD can recur. The incidence of HVFD in multiple sclerosis is unknown, as it is probably underdiagnosed. Systematic automated static perimetry and OCT could help to determine the true incidence of HVFD in multiple sclerosis.
Transfer czy osmoza. Literatura polska w angloamerykańskiej literaturze światowej
Authors: Jarniewicz Jerzy
Published: October 2020

Podjęty w artykule problem transferu kulturowego przybiera najpierw postać pytania o warunki udanego przeszczepienia dzieł literackich, a następnie o kryteria jego oceny. Wśród tych ostatnich autor wyróżnia trzy: wpływ przełożonego dzieła na literaturę języka przekładu, jego krytyczną recepcję oraz udział autora w debatach publicznych. Przeszczepione z sukcesem dzieło staje się elementem „literatury światowej”, kształtowanej jednak zawsze w obrębie określonej (tu: angloamerykańskiej) kultury. Zagadnienia te omówione zostają na konkretnych przykładach tłumaczeń współczesnej literatury polskiej na angielski i formach jej obecności w kulturze angloamerykańskiej, przy czym w centrum uwagi znajduje się nie tylko oddziaływanie przekładów na literaturę kultury docelowej, ale także wpływ tej literatury na przełożone dzieło. Bowiem transfer kulturowy to proces wielokierunkowej osmozy, w którego wyniku zmienia się i dzieło, i jego nowe środowisko.

Transfer or Osmosis? Polish Literature and the Anglo-American World Literature

The article addresses the problem of cultural transfer, first, by defining its conditions, and, secondly, by asking about the criteria by which we can measure its success. Among the latter, one can mention the impact of the translated work on the target language literature, the critical reception of the work, and on its author’s presence in the public space of the foreign culture. The successfully transferred work becomes an element of “world literature,” constituted differently in different cultures. The article discusses these issues by analyzing specific examples of translations of contemporary Polish literature into English and various forms of their presence in the Anglophone world. Special attention is paid not only to the influence these translations have on the literature of the target language, but also on the ways in which they are in turn affected by their new cultural and linguistic environment. Cultural transfer is thus seen as a process of multidirectional osmosis, in effect of which both the translated work and foreign literature are modified.
Dynamika transferu, ruch przemieszczenia. Polska poezja w drodze do Hiszpanii
Authors: Farré Xavier
Published: October 2020

Adam Zagajewski ma ugruntowaną pozycję w hiszpańskim systemie literackim. Być może jest on najbardziej cenionym twórcą spośród zagranicznych poetów. Jego twórczość stanowi przedmiot odniesienia hiszpańskich poetów, reprezentujących różne pokolenia i kierunki. Artykuł przedstawia mechanizmy, które umożliwiały polskiemu poecie zajęcie centralnej pozycji w nowym systemie, analizuje tło i przebieg tego specyficznego transferu literackiego.

Dynamic of Transfer, Displacement in Motion. Polish Poetry on the Way to Spain

Adam Zagajewski is an established figure within the Spanish literary system. He might be the most admired author amongst foreign poets. His oeuvre is a reference point for Spanish poets from various generations and representing diverse literary movements. This article explores the mechanisms, which allowed the Polish poet to claim a central position in the new system and analyses the background as well as the course of this particular literary transfer.
The mediating role of self-brand connection and brand identity in the relationship between brand credibility and brand loyalty
Authors: Thanh Nguyen Ngoc Dan , Thanh Nguyen Duc , Thuy Le Thi Thanh , Thuy Do Minh , Thao Nguyen Thi Thanh , Thanh Tong Nguyen Phuong
Published: October 2020

Brand loyalty has a crucial role in the business and wins the mind of the customers is the key mission of any brand. On the other hand, consumers use brands to express themselves, position and integrate the brand image into their own identity. Hence, this study aims to find out the relationship between brand credibility, self-brand connection, and brand identity to brand loyalty in the context of Apple's brand. The study is quantitative research, data is surveyed in a single time collected from a population. 420 questionnaires are distributed to young people who are studying and working in Ho Chi Minh City and they are the current Apple customers. The finding of the research was shown that there has a mediating role of self-brand connection and brand identity in the relationship between brand credibility and brand loyalty. Also, brand identity has a positive impact on a self-brand connection. The findings also implied to the managers must be aware to build up the brand of products, it could increase the brand loyalty of customers. The results were also contributed to the knowledge of self-congruity theory about the self-brand connection would affect the relationship.

Keywords: Brand credibility, self-brand connection, brand identity, brand loyalty.
Factors affecting green food purchase intention in Ho Chi Minh city
Authors: Van Nguyen Thi Thanh , Duy Nguyen Thien , Dung Pham Tien
Published: October 2020

This study adopts Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) and Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) to measure factors affecting green food purchase intention in Ho Chi Minh city (HCMC). The survey data was collected from 197 students during the period of 1st to 20th September, 2017. Testing the conceptual model by Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), we find that perceived usefulness of green food and perceived ease of purchase impact on attitudes towards green food purchase. We also find that subjective norm, perceived usefulness of green food, attitudes towards green food purchase are positively associated with green food purchase intention. From the research findings, some recommendations are proposed accordingly.
The role of trust in information adoption in social commerce: A PLS approach
Authors: Truc Tran Thi Thao , Tuan Nguyen Manh
Published: October 2020

Social commerce (s-commerce or SC) is rapidly growing and it is an increasingly favourite shopping way that customers adopt. Based on the view of trust as a social reality and Petty & Cacioppo’s (1986) ELM theory, the paper proposes a theoretical model integrating information quality and social support to explain information adoption through perceived consumer trust. A survey with PLS-SEM analysis of 333 consumers shows that 7 out of 11 hypotheses are empirically supported and the model explains up to 47.4% of consumer information adoption. Moreover, as expected, the information quality of s-commerce sites is always to be present to build consumer trust in s-commerce sites and in members of s-commerce sites.
Reasons for customers reluctance to use electronic payments – A study in Ho Chi Minh City
Authors: Xuan Le Thi Thanh , Khoa Tran Tien , Kha Nguyen Thi
Published: October 2020

This study aims to investigate reasons why customers are reluctant to use e-payment and how these reasons explain their impacted values, with the following research objectives: (1) to identify characteristics of electronic payment generating the resistance of customers to this E-payment; (2) to explore the connections between those characteristics and values of individuals through the consequences of these characteristics; (3) to propose suggestions for service providers and financial institutes to develop appropriate strategic plans to motivate e-payment in Vietnam. To address these research objectives, the means-end chain (MEC) theory is employed with hard laddering interviews as data collection methods. Then, the collected data are analyzed by the Association Pattern Technique (APT) and used to build the Hierarchical Value Map (HVM). The HVM indicates five main reasons which bar customers from using e-payment: (1) lack of information about e-payment and its benefits, (2) security vulnerabilities in online payment systems, (3) unavailability of legal laws to protect e-payment users, (4) unpopularity of e-payment, and (5) transaction fees and no discount for e-payment. The Value map also revealed that Safety is the most crucial value explaining why most customers are unwilling to use e-payment. Besides, the respondents also care about the Economy and the Convenience of e-payment. From these findings, the study offers some suggestions for banks and service providers to increase the popularity of e-payments.
Higher-Genus Contributions to an Induced Supergravity Action
Authors: Davis Simon
Published: October 2020

The higher-genus contributions to a supergravity action induced by the evaluation of the superstring path integral are considered. Three extra terms are found in the BRST transformation that would arise in the supergravity action. The supersymmetric BRST contour integral over the ideal boundary of an in.nite-genus surface is found to be vanishing if the harmonic measure is zero. The e.ect of a conformal transformation is demonstrated to be consistent with the vanishing of the BRST superspace contour integral. Since the commutator of BRST and conformal Since the BRST symmetry and conformal transformations transofrmations is proportional to the .rst current in four-dimensional gravity, and the vacuum is invariant under both transformations, conditions on the worldsheet .elds result from the dynamics in the embedding space. A connection between conformal models on the two-dimensional worldsheet and the quantum action of the gravitational theory in four dimensions is established through the ghost sector. The number of degrees of freedom in the gravity theory must be reduced to achieve this result. The introduction of new variables related to the embedding of two-dimensional surfaces in three-geometries and then fourmanifolds is then required to satisfy the condition of quantum consistency characteristic of conformal .eld theories.
Título en español.
Authors: E. Hernández Medina  , Fernando Abruña  , R. del Valle
Published: October 2020

Los resultados del estudio para determinar el efecto del magnesio sobre el rendimiento del café sembrado en un suelo de tipo Los Guineos arcilloso sugieren las conclusiones siguientes: 1. Las aplicaciones de magnesio a los cafetos corrigieron la deficiencia de magnesio en el suelo. 2. El magnesio indujo un aumento significativo en el rendimiento de los cafetos que recibieron las aplicaciones, los cuales produjeron, aproximadamente, 7.5 quintales más de café por acre que los que no recibieron dicho nutrimento. 3. Los rendimientos máximos guardaron relación con los altos contenidos de magnesio en la hoja. 4. Se obtuvieron correlaciones altamente significativas entre el rendimiento y el contenido de magnesio en las hojas de las muestras recolectadas en el verano y el otoño. 5. Los datos obtenidos indican que el contenido de magnesio en las hojas recolectadas en el verano y el otoño puede servir de índice para estimar los rendimientos relativos del café.
Título en español.
Authors: M. A. Lugo López  , J. Juárez  , J. A. Bonnet
Published: October 2020

En este trabajo se presentan datos sobre la infiltración mínima (a la octava hora) de 57 de los suelos principales de Puerto Rico. El estudio incluyó 740 pruebas de infiltración. Se encontró que la infiltración media de los suelos de Puerto Rico varía de 11.49 pulgadas de agua por hora en el suelo Yunque lómico arenoso a un valor tan bajo como el de 0.07 en el suelo Aguirre arcilloso y 0.01 en las arcillas Palmas Atlas y Britton. Cuando los suelos se agruparon según una clasificación sencilla y práctica que se utiliza en Puerto Rico, los valores medios fluctuaron entre 0.01 para los suelos del grupo 5w y 7.82 pulgadas de agua por hora para los del grupo 11. Al agruparse por órdenes de suelos según el más moderno sistema de clasificación, los suelos de la orden Vertisol fluctuaron en promedio entre 0.07 y 3.83 pulgadas de agua por hora. Los Mollisols, Oxisols y Ultisols alcanzaron los valores medios más altos. En este trabajo, también se ofrece información en cuanto a los efectos que tienen diversas prácticas de manejo de los suelos sobre la tasa de infiltración.
PHYSALOSPORA RHODINA (BERK and CURT.) COOKE, THE PERFECT STAGE OF A DIPLODIA RESPONSIBLE FOR A DIEBACK OF MANGO IN PUERTO RICO
Authors: L. A. Alvarez García
Published: October 2020

PHYSALOSPORA RHODINA (BERK and CURT.) COOKE, THE PERFECT STAGE OF A DIPLODIA RESPONSIBLE FOR A DIEBACK OF MANGO IN PUERTO RICO
A CHECKLIST OF CRUSTACEA OF ST. CROIX, VIRGIN ISLANDS
Authors: Harry A. Beatty
Published: October 2020

A CHECKLIST OF CRUSTACEA OF ST. CROIX, VIRGIN ISLANDS
Título en español.
Authors: F. Sánchez Nieva  , I. Hernández  , G. Colom Covas  , R. Guadalupe Luna  , N. Díaz  , C. B. Viñas
Published: October 2020

En este estudio se compararon las características de las selecciones de plátano Maricongo y Guayamero que más se prestan para la elaboración. En ambas selecciones fue similar la florecida y la producción del racimo. No se observó diferencia alguna en la composición química ni en la textura de las frutas. El Maricongo superó al Guayamero tanto en el número de plátanos por cuerda como en el peso de la fruta. Al elaborarse tostones, platanutre y plátano maduro en ahníbar, no se observó diferencia entre las dos selecciones en los rendimientos ni en la calidad de los productos elaborados.
Título en español.
Authors: Servando Silva  , Fernando Abruña  , José Vicente Chandler
Published: October 2020

Durante un período de 2 años se estudió el efecto que tuvieron el número de "cogidas" en la producción y calidad del café Bourbon cultivado intensivamente en la proximidad de Jayuya. Se obtuvieron rendimientos estimados e ingresos comparables cuando toda la cosecha se hizo de una sola vez ("ripiando") bien a mediados de octubre o de noviembre, lo que indica, aparentemente, que no es de gran importancia que se fije una fecha precisa para la cosecha siempre que se haga dentro de límites razonables. La proporción de granos verdes y/o negros disminuyó a medida que aumentaron las "cogidas" o se demoró el "ripio". Se obtuvieron mayores estimados de ingresos cuando la cosecha se hizo en varias "cogidas". Aunque al presente es preferible hacer la cosecha en varias "cogidas", la recolección total puede que resulte más ventajosa en uno o dos "pases" antes que en tres o cuatro, si continúa acrecentándose la escasez de obreros.
Título en español.
Authors: F. R. Miller  , H. J. Cruzado  , R. W. Bovey  , C. C. Dowler
Published: October 2020

Los herbicidas 2-cloro-4,6-bis(isopropilamino)-s-triazine (Propazine), 2-cloro-4-etilamino-6-isopropilamino-s-triazine (Atrazine) y 3-(3-4-diclorofenil)- l,l-dimetilurea (Diuron) fueron evaluados en siembras de sorgo (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench.) de la variedad SA 406 en la Estación Experimental Federal de Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. Las pruebas preliminares indicaron que las aspersiones de Propazine o de Atrazine aplicados como preemergente, a razón de 3 libras por acre, fueron eficaces para combatir los yerbajos de hoja ancha y las gramíneas, mientras que el Diuron fue menos eficaz contra los yerbajos de hoja ancha. El Propazine fue menos nocivo al sorgo que el Atrazine. Pruebas adicionales demostraron que la eficacia del Propazine fue mayor durante la sequía (usando riego) que durante la temporada lluviosa. Durante la estación seca, un predio testigo desyerbado con azada produjo la mayor cantidad de forraje, pero este rendimiento no fue significativamente mayor que la que se produjo mediante los tratamientos con 1 y 3 libras de Propazine por acre. Sin embargo, durante la estación lluviosa, el rendimiento del predio testigo desyerbado fue significativamente mayor que el de los predios sometidos a otros tratamientos. No se notaron efectos residuales del herbicida en las siembras de avena (Avena sativa (L.)) hechas 6 meses más tarde en los predios que habían sido tratados con 1 y 3 libras de Propazine por acre. La eficacia demostrada por el Propazine cuando se aplicaron de 2 a 3 libras por acre, unido a su bajo costo, parecen hacer de este herbicida un medio económico para combatir los yerbajos en las siembras de sorgo en los trópicos, siempre que el tipo de suelo, la precipitación pluvial, los yerbajos, etc. sean similares a los que prevalecieron en estos estudios.
Effect of Certain Climatic Factors on Flowering of Sugarcane at Gurabo, Puerto Rico
Authors: Chu Teh-ling , Serapión J. L.
Published: October 2020

A large number of sugarcane varieties which are profuse or moderate tasselers under normal conditions at the Gurabo Agricultural Experiment Substation, failed to flower, or flowered abnormally during the 1967 blooming season. Observations proved that a high percentage of the tops of many varieties had not accumulated enough flowering stimulus to shift the vegetative meristem to the initiation of flowering. Other varieties did have flower initiation, but failed to develop into normal tassels. Quite a number of reversions of meristem and "bunch tops" were also observed. An examination of meteorological data indicated that the average maximum and minimum temperatures and their range during the flowering induction period of 1967, may have had some effect on the suppression of flowering. However, the principal factor responsible for the observed differences in flowering was probably the low soil moisture which resulted from the deficit in precipitation.
Evaluation of A Portable Brush-Cutter for Harvesting Sugarcane
Authors: Van Rest David J.
Published: October 2020

It was found possible to modify a power-driven brush-cutter to cut, but not to windrow, standing cane. A short trial was made on cane being cut for seed to assess the usefulness and estimate the costs of operation in comparison to hand-cutting. The benefit from a faster rate of cutting did not compensate for the extra hand labor required for the operations of collecting, cleaning and topping. New procedures will have to be developed for these operations if the potential benefit from the use is to be realized. The advantages and disadvantages of the unit are described and the implications for operator selection and training and the provisions for servicing, are outlined.
Título en español.
Authors: Manuel Soldevila  , Lilia Lefebvre González  , Juan A. Morassi
Published: October 2020

En este estudio se hicieron cinco evaluaciones respecto al sabor y al olor de la carne de cadera de pollos para parrilla, que se sometieron a diversas dietas, a base de varias combinaciones de harina de atún, carne y soja. En las dietas se usaron niveles de hasta un 24 por ciento de harina de atún y/o de carne. Paneles entrenados efectuaron los catados. No se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas (P. < .05) entre los diversos tratamientos, en los diferentes catados que se llevaron a cabo. Todos fueron aceptables desde el punto de vista del sabor, y ninguno de los miembros de los paneles se percató de sabores o de olores indeseables— a marisco o de otra naturaleza—en la carne. Las dietas prácticas para las aves destinadas al asado a la parrilla no deben contener más de un 12 por ciento de atún y/o de carne con hueso, para cumplir con la tolerancia máxima de 1 por ciento de calcio en la dieta, que es lo necesario para el crecimiento óptimo de las aves. Basado en los resultados obtenidos en el estudio III, donde los niveles de calcio estaban dentro de los requisitos de tolerancia, la proporción de harina de atún y/o de carne con hueso a usarse, debe depender del costo por unidad de la proteína, al compararse con el de la harina de soja. Se observaron tendencias hacia un aumento y una disminución en cuanto a la aceptabilidad del sabor en el caso de aquellas porciones de carne que se sometieron a tratamientos en los cuales varió el tiempo del almacenamiento. Estos resultados justifican el que se lleve a cabo una investigación más detallada sobre las interrelaciones entre las fuentes de la proteína en las dietas, el período de almacenamiento y la aceptabilidad de la carne.
Título en español.
Authors: Alex G. Alexander  , Rafael Montalvo-Zapata  , Ashok Kumar
Published: October 2020

Se estudió la interrelación entre las enzimas y la sacarosa en caña de azúcar inmadura a las 9 semanas después de recibir un tratamiento foliar con ácido giberélico (AG). Se usó silicio (Si) para inducir patrones de comportamiento de la sacarosa y las enzimas, que luego se compararon con los de plantas tratadas y no tratadas con AG. El objetivo final es explorar la base enzimática del crecimiento y la degradación del azúcar que sigue al crecimiento inicial estimulado por el AG. Para este estudio se fijaron tres objetivos: 1, Provocar acumulaciones definitivas de sacarosa mediante el uso diario de Si; 2, inducir tendencias enzimáticas que pudieran correlacionarse con niveles cambiantes de sacarosa; 3, demostrar que cuando las enzimas de la caña de azúcar dejan de recibir un estimulo para el crecimiento, se comportan igual que las de aquellas plantas que no han sido tratadas con AG. Se obtuvieron los siguientes resultados: 1. En las plantas tratadas con AG foliar (0.01 por ciento) ocurrió un alargamiento inicial de los entrenudos y un aumento en el peso verde. Los efectos visibles de crecimiento cesaron a las 9 semanas. El Si aplicado a concentraciones de 250 y 500 p.p.m. impidió moderadamente el crecimiento. Este efecto fue menos severo en las plantas tratadas con AG. 2. Los niveles de sacarosa aumentaron en los tejidos de las hojas, en el tejido reservante tierno y en los tallos como resultado de un aumento progresivo en las aplicaciones de Si. La concentración de Si más favorable para el crecimiento y la producción de sacarosa se mantuvo entre 100 y 250 p.p.m. 3. Se encontraron indicaciones de la presencia de un mecanismo moderador del Si que evita los cambios relativamente extremos en el comportamiento de las enzimas foliares. 4. La peroxidasa, oxidasa de polifenol, fosfatasa y ATP-asa fueron vigorosamente inhibidas en las hojas a medida que el suministro de Si se aumentaba. En todos los casos la sensitividad de la enzima al Si se alteró grandemente en las plantas tratadas foliarmente con AG. Igualmente se alteró la sensitividad de la amilasa al Si por la acción del AG. Concentraciones de 100 p.p.m. de Si estimularon la enzima en vez de retardarla, y generalmente concentraciones más elevadas apenas la inhibieron. 5. Los datos obtenidos sobre las enzimas y el azúcar se interpretaron como sigue: El crecimiento y los aumentos en la sacarosa ocasionados por el AG, aunque fácilmente determinables, cesaron a las 9 semanas. La base enzimática necesaria para el crecimiento y los aumentos en la sacarosa había desaparecido. Una composición enzimática distinta tanto en las plantas sin tratar como en las que fueron estimuladas la había sustituido. 6. Se concluyó que las plantas a las cuales se les suministraron tratamientos adicionales de AG con el fin de prolongar su crecimiento y aumentar la producción de azúcar, serían bioquímicamente distintas a las que se les suministró el tratamiento inicial. Se discuten las implicaciones prácticas que se derivan de los datos relativos al crecimiento, al azúcar y a las enzimas.
Título en español.
Authors: S. Alers-Alers  , M. A. Lugo-López  , R. Gandía Caro
Published: October 2020

En este trabajo se presentan los datos obtenidos de dos experimentos de campo establecidos uno en Corozal y el otro en Barceloneta. En ambos, se utilizó el diseño de parcelas divididas (split plot design) en el que los ciclos de cosecha, o sea la edad de la caña al cosecharse (12, 18 y 24 meses), comprendían las parcelas principales, las cuales a la vez se subdividieron para acomodar seis variedades de caña de azúcar. Se estudió el comportamiento de las siguientes variedades: P.R. 1028, P.R. 1016, P.R. 1013, P.R. 980, P.R. 975 y B. 4362. Cada tratamiento se replicó seis veces. Los estudios estadísticos de los datos obtenidos revelaron que, bajo las condiciones prevalecientes en las áreas donde se llevaron a cabo los experimentos o áreas similares en Puerto Rico, estando en uso las variedades de caña disponibles en la actualidad y considerando los métodos típicos del manejo de los suelos y cosechas en uso corriente, las cañas cosechadas a los 12 y a los 18 meses de sembradas producen más azúcar que las que se cosechan a los 24 meses. También los datos revelan que se puede obtener más tonelaje de caña por cuerda y más azúcar total por cuerda al mes cuando se adoptan los ciclos de cosechas de 12 y 18 meses que cuando el ciclo es de 24 meses.
Dairy Beef Production from Mixtures of Sugarcane Bagasse and Concentrates
Authors: Randel Paul F.
Published: October 2020

Sixteen Holstein-Friesian and Brown Swiss male calves, ranging in age from 212 to 278 days and in weight from 162 to 339 pounds, were fed to slaughter weights of approximately 1,000 pounds on four mixtures of sugarcane bagasse and concentrates. All four mixtures were fed ad libitum as the sole diet to two pairs of animals in two separate pens. The diets contained two levels of bagasse (20 and 30 percent) and two levels of crude protein (approximately 12.5 and 16 percent), thus constituting a 2X2 factorial design. The following respective average responses were observed on diets A (low bagasse-low protein), B (low bagasse-high protein), C (high bagasse-low protein), and D (high bagasse-high protein): Daily liveweight gain, 2.46, 2.61, 2.54, and 2.33 pounds; daily feed consumption, 19.3, 19.0, 20.5, and 19.7 pounds; and feed consumed per pound of gain, 7.84, 7.28, 8.07, and 8.45 pounds. None of these differences among treatments were significant. The feed conversion ratios were in the range of 4.5 to 5.5 during the first month and thereafter increased steadily to values approaching and/or above 10.0. During the 24-hour pre-slaughter shrink the animals fed the high-bagasse diets lost proportionately more liveweight than the animals fed the lowbagasse rations (5.13 and 5.09 vs. 3.10 and 3.35 percent). The same result was found as to weight lost by the carcass upon chilling (1.98 and 1.55 vs. 1.32 and 1.33 percent). The diets had no significant effects on chilled carcass dressing percentages, the averages being 54.3, 54.8, 52.6, and 53.4 for A through D, respectively. Neither were there any significant differences among treatments in the percentages of chilled carcass weight represented by the various wholesale cuts nor in the Wamer-Bratzler shear force-scores of meat samples from the rib or round. It is concluded that all four formulas gave excellent and comparable results in growth response of the animals and their carcass yields. The higher level of protein was not significantly beneficial, nor the higher level of bagasse significantly detrimental.
Life History of Lymnaea columella (Say) and its Experimental Infection with Fasciola hepatica (L.)
Authors: De León-Dancel Delfín
Published: October 2020

The life history of Lymnaea columella was studied under laboratory conditions at Río Piedras, Puerto Rico. The snail matured in 21 to 23 days after hatching, when shell length was 5 to 6 mm. A culture box 27 X 21 X 11 cm. provided adequate space for a colony of 20 adult specimens. A mature snail raised individually produced an average of 20 eggs daily. The incubation period of the eggs at 26° to 28° C. varied from 10 to 13 days with 98 to 100 percent hatchability. Both eggs and adult snails were highly sensitive to desiccation; not so young snails. To test the behavior of L. columella under stress of infection with Fasciola hepatica, adult specimens were exposed to a variable number of miracidia. These were obtained by cultivation of eggs from the gall-bladder of infected cattle. The miracidia hatched in 10 to 13 days at 26° to 28° C. and did not live more than 3 1/2 hours. Snails receiving 2 to 4 miracidia tolerated the infection well with low mortality but died within 2 to 6 days after cercariae started emerging. Specimens receiving four to six miracidia were able to survive but the mortality rate was high. Inocula of 10 to 16 miracidia caused early death of the snail. The cercariae, released from the snail in 57 to 60 days after infection encysted within 15 to 20 minutes to become metacercariae. Mice tolerated infection with one metacercaria; rats, with five metacercariae. Eggs first were observed in feces at 31 and 51 days post-exposure in mice and rats respectively.
Evaluation of Performance of Coffee Harvesters
Authors: Phillips Allan L.
Published: October 2020

An analysis is developed of the mathematical relationships among factors which determine the performance of harvest systems, with special reference to coffee. The analysis provides a context for evaluating harvest systems and indicates potential benefits resulting from improvements in any of the individual factors.