bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison and Diet Preference of Novel Endophyte‐Infected Tall Fescue Cultivars
Authors: Kenyon Sarah L. , Roberts Craig A. , Lory John A. , Bailey Eric A. , Kallenbach Robert L. , Rottinghaus George E. , Young Carolyn A. , Davis David K.
Published: March 2019

A fungal endophyte,Epichloë coenophiala(Morgan‐Jones & W. Gams) C.W. Bacon & Schardl, naturally infects tall fescue [Lolium arundinaceum(Schreb.) Darbysh.]. The common, toxic endophyte produces ergot alkaloids that cause the livestock disorder known as tall fescue toxicosis. Strains ofE. coenophialathat produce little or no toxic ergot alkaloids are referred to as “novel” endophyte associations and offer a solution to tall fescue toxicosis. The objective of this study was to determine differences in animal preference and ground cover among commercially available novel endophyte‐infected tall fescue cultivars. Six cultivars of novel tall fescue and controls of common, toxic endophyte‐infected and endophyte‐free tall fescue were evaluated for animal preference, forage mass, forage removal, forage quality, and ground cover during a 2‐yr grazing trial at Linneus, MO. Plots were grazed over nine grazing events by beef cattle (Bosspp.) during the 2‐yr study, and some animals were fitted with GPS collars to determine which cultivar was grazed first and most often. ‘BarOptima’, a soft‐leaf cultivar, was grazed first and most frequently. Forage mass, forage removal, and forage quality measurements of crude protein, acid detergent fiber, and neutral detergent fiber were similar among cultivars. Ground cover increased each year of the study, even though seed production was inhibited. In addition, rust (Pucciniaspp.) susceptibility differed among cultivars. Under this management system, which used up to 24‐h grazing periods and at least 8‐cm stubble height, animal preference was not based on endophyte status.
Comparing Four Methods of Measuring Soil Organic Matter in North Carolina Soils
Authors: Roper Wayne R. , Robarge Wayne P. , Osmond Deanna L. , Heitman Joshua L.
Published: March 2019

Core Ideas

Results of agronomic management effects on SOM are inconsistent among methods.

Correlations among methods of measuring SOM differ depending on soil.

Soil organic matter content should be compared using similar procedures.

Soil organic matter (SOM) provides many beneficial soil ecosystem services for sustainable soil management, but it is unclear how results from different methods of measuring SOM should be compared when making soil management decisions. To compare different methods, we used 84 soil samples from long‐term agronomic trials in the coastal plain, piedmont, and mountain regions of North Carolina. Coastal plain and mountain trials included combinations of tillage and management (conventional vs. organic), whereas piedmont trials were configured to evaluate tillage intensity. The methods used to measure SOM were Walkley‐Black (WB), mass loss on ignition (LOI), automated dry combustion (ADC), and humic matter (HM) colorimetry. Correlations among LOI, WB, and ADC were significant (p< 0.0001) for SOM measured from the total population of soils, but variability due to location implied that HM had no correlation to other methods. For measures of soil organic carbon compared to SOM, the WB results were biased high compared to ADC, and ADC was more strongly correlated to LOI than WB. When using the methods to evaluate the effects of agronomic management on SOM, results varied for different methods and locations. Conservation management did not consistently accumulate more SOM than other soil management practices, and no method consistently differentiated soils based on management. Variation in the composition of SOM measured using conventional methods may be causing discrepancies in reported changes in SOM content over time. To avoid confusion about how agronomic management affects SOM, assessments should limit comparisons to methodologies with similar measurement protocols.
Soil Microbial Community Structure Shifts Induced by Biochar and Biochar‐Based Fertilizer Amendment to Karst Calcareous Soil
Authors: Zhou Zhidong , Gao Ting , Van Zwieten Lukas , Zhu Qian , Yan Taotao , Xue Jianhui , Wu Yongbo
Published: March 2019

Core Ideas

Biochar‐based fertilizer treatments induced significant microbial community structure shifts compared with no‐biochar and biochar alone.

Biochar‐based fertilizer especially at higher biochar addition rate increased soil microbial biomass and fertility.

Soil microbial species were strongly correlated with soil nutrients under biochar and biochar‐based fertilizer into karst soil.

Karst ecosystems are vulnerable to degradation and constitute a significant proportion of southwestern China. Here, we explore the amendment of these soils with wood biochar in combination with N‐P‐K fertilizer and swine manure compost with the goal of improving microbial community structure and soil nutrient status of these soils. A pot experiment with six treatments, including control (CK, no amendment), swine manure compost plus N‐P‐K fertilizer (MF), wood biochar at 2% in soil (W2), wood biochar at 4% in soil (W4), wood biochar‐based fertilizer at 2% in soil (W2MF), and biochar‐based fertilizer at 4% in soil (W4MF), was set up for 20 months. The results showed that soil organic matter and soil available nutrients N, P, and K in W4MF increased by 63.95, 66.23, 284.96, and 94.56%, respectively, compared with CK. Soil microbial biomass C, N, and P increased in sequence by 60.05, 87.64, and 307.85%, respectively. Soil bacterial and fungal diversity indices (Simpson and Shannon) and richness index (Chao1) were generally higher in biochar‐based fertilizer treatments (W2MF and W4MF) than biochar alone (W2 and W4). The bacterial and fungal community structures of biochar based fertilizer treatments differed from those of biochar amendment alone or control (P < 0.05). Linear discriminant (Effect Size) analysis showed that the bacterial biomarkers of the W2MF + W4MF group were mainly the phylum Acidobacteria and class Alphaproteobacteria, and the fungal biomarkers were the phylum Rozellomycota and Glomeromycota. Redundancy analysis revealed strong relationships between microbial community structure and soil organic matter and soil available nutrients N, P, and K (P < 0.05). In conclusion, either sole biochar or biochar‐based fertilizer amendment improved karst soil nutrient conditions and induced microbial community structural shifts. The performance was better in biochar‐based fertilizer treatment than that in biochar addition alone.
Effects of Biomass Removal Levels on Soil Carbon and Nutrient Reserves in Conifer‐Dominated, Coarse‐Textured Sites in Northern Ontario: 20‐Year Results
Authors: Morris Dave M. , Hazlett Paul W. , Fleming Rob L. , Kwiaton Martin M. , Hawdon Laura A. , Leblanc J.‐D. , Primavera M.J. , Weldon Tom P.
Published: March 2019

Core Ideas

Biomass removal trials targeted soils sensitive to nutrient removal (shallow to bedrock and infertile sands).

14 long‐term sites (42 plots per treatment) were used to evaluate C and nutrient reserves 20 years post‐harvest.

After 20 years, soil C, N, and K reserves did not differ between pre‐harvest levels and SO and FT.

Soil reserves of FTB treatments remained significantly lower than the pre‐harvest levels.

Jack pine and black spruce declined in height on FTB on sandy sites; there were no differences between SO and FT.

Here we report on 20‐yr soil (forest floor plus the upper 20 cm of mineral soil) carbon and nutrient reserves from 14 biomass removal trials established on coarse‐textured, nutrient poor sites. Harvest treatments included stem only (SO, delimbed at the stump), full‐tree (FT, entire trees with boles and branches removed), and full‐tree plus forest floor blading (FTB, full‐tree harvest followed by removal of the forest floor and approximately the upper 5 cm of mineral soil). After 20 yr, there were no significant differences in soil C, N, and K reserves between pre‐harvest levels and the SO and FT treatments. Only the soil reserves of the FTB treatment remained significantly lower than the pre‐harvest levels. Extractable soil Ca and Mg reserves increased in Year 5 in all treatments, followed by slow declines, but all treatments remained comparable to or exceeded pre‐harvest levels at Year 20. For P, harvesting (SO and FT) resulted in significant declines that remain after 20 yr. Both jack pine and black spruce showed reduced top height growth on FTB, but only on some of the sandy sites. There were no differences in top height for either species between SO and FT across all 14 study sites. Current results suggest there is no need for restrictions on full‐tree harvesting for traditional wood products on these nutrient poor sites. However, from a cautionary perspective, it seems prudent at this time to restrict more intensive bioenergy harvests to deep, finer‐textured sites that have larger soil C and nutrient reserves.
Quantifying Cumulative Effects of Harvesting on Aspen Regeneration through Fuzzy Logic Suitability Mapping
Authors: Sealey Landon L. , Amichev Beyhan Y. , Van Rees Ken C.J.
Published: March 2019

Core Ideas

Multivariate statistics and fuzzy logic analysis were used to assess aspen regeneration.

Vegetation indices were the dominant factors in determining regeneration suitability.

Vegetation indices were significantly higher in high suitability areas.

Skidder traffic was significantly lower on high regeneration suitability land.

The percentage of slash coverage was significantly lower on high suitability land.

Vigorous aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) regeneration immediately following a harvesting event is important to ensuring the continued health and productivity of the future forest. This study aimed to examine the potential of using unoccupied aerial vehicle, multispectral remote sensing, and GIS mapping techniques to develop a comprehensive approach for predicting aspen regeneration success at the harvest block scale. Three winter harvested blocks were studied at Duck Mountain Provincial Park in east‐central Saskatchewan, Canada. Ten regeneration predictor variables (number of skidder passes, percentage slash coverage, topographic wetness index, slope, aspect, slope position, and four vegetation indices: green normalized vegetation index [GNDVI], normalized red‐edge index [NDRE], simple RED to NIR ratio [SR], and chlorophyll index green [CIG]) were determined for 168 measurement plots 1 yr after harvest. Principal component analysis, principal component regression, fuzzy logic analysis, and GIS mapping techniques, were combined for the first time in this study to determine cumulative effects on aspen regeneration. On average, low suitability areas had significantly more skidder traffic (34 passes) compared to below average (17), above average (10), and high (7) suitability areas. Low suitability areas also had significantly more slash coverage (13.1%) compared to below average (8.49%) or high suitability land (7.18%). High suitability areas had significantly higher GNDVI, NDRE, SR, and CIG indices, compared to low and below average suitability land. Not only does this method of analysis help to assess how a combination of factors may influence aspen regeneration, it can also act as a decision support system tool for industry, or government, to improve aspen regeneration assessments.
Leaching of Five Pesticides of Contrasting Mobility through Frozen and Unfrozen Soil
Authors: Holten Roger , Larsbo Mats , Jarvis Nicholas , Stenrød Marianne , Almvik Marit , Eklo Ole Martin
Published: March 2019

Core Ideas

Significantly more pesticides leached from frozen than from unfrozen soil columns.

Rapid breakthrough of pesticides indicated preferential flow in frozen soil.

A strong negative correlation between Kf and leaching was observed.

The effect of sorption properties is weaker in the presence of macropore flow.

Macropore flow may be less important for highly mobile or highly sorbed pesticides.

Field and laboratory studies show increased leaching of pesticides through macropores in frozen soil. Fast macropore flow has been shown to reduce the influence of pesticide properties on leaching, but data on these processes are scarce. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of soil freezing and thawing on transport of pesticides with a range of soil sorption coefficients (Kf). To do this we conducted a soil column study to quantify the transport of bromide and five pesticides (2‐methyl‐4‐chlorophenoxyacetic acid, clomazone, boscalid, propiconazole, and diflufenican). Intact topsoil and subsoil columns from two agricultural soils (silt and loam) in southeastern Norway were used in this experiment, and pesticides were applied to the soil surface in all columns. Half the columns were then frozen (−3°C), and the other half were left unfrozen (4°C). Columns were subjected to repeated irrigation events where 25 mm of rainwater was applied during 5 h at each event. Irrigations were followed by 14‐d periods of freezing or refrigeration. Percolate was collected and analyzed for pesticides and bromide. Pesticide leaching was up to five orders of magnitude larger from frozen than unfrozen columns. Early breakthrough (<<1 pore volume) of high concentrations was observed for pesticides in frozen columns, indicating that leaching was dominated by preferential flow. The rank order in pesticide leaching observed in this study corresponded to the rank order of mean Kf values for the pesticides, and the results suggest that sorption plays a role in determining leaching losses even in frozen soil.
The Effect of the Normalization Method Used in Different Sample Sizes on the Success of Artificial Neural Network Model
Authors: AKSU Gökhan , GÜZELLER Cem Oktay , ESER Mehmet Taha
Published: March 2019

In this study, it was aimed to compare different
normalization methods employed in model developing process via artificial
neural networks with different sample sizes. As part of comparison of
normalization methods, input variables were set as: work discipline,
environmental awareness, instrumental motivation, science self-efficacy, and
weekly science learning time that have been covered in PISA 2015, whereas
students' Science Literacy level was defined as the output variable. The amount
of explained variance and the statistics about the correct classification
ratios were used in the comparison of the normalization methods discussed in
the study. The dataset was analyzed in Matlab2017b software and both prediction
and classification algorithms were used in the study. According to the findings of the study, adjusted
min-max normalization method yielded better results in terms of the amount of
explained variance in different sample sizes compared to other normalization
methods; no significant difference was found in correct classification rates
according to the normalization method of the data, which lacked normal
distribution and the possibility of overfitting should be taken into
consideration when working with small samples in the modelling process of
artificial neural network. In addition, it was also found that sample size had
a significant effect on both classification and prediction analyzes performed
with artificial neural network methods. As a result of the study, it was
concluded that with a sample size over 1000, more consistent results can be
obtained in the studies performed with artificial neural networks in the field
of education.
Removal of Chrysoidine Y from water by Graphene-based Nanocomposite Derivatives with Magnetic Chitosa Nanocomposite
Authors: Shammala Farid Abu , Chiswell Barry
Published: March 2019

This article describes a novel and efficient MCTS/GO nanocomposite for the accumulation and removal of a hazardous azo dye (Chrysoidine Y) from its aqueous solutions. Magnetic Chitosan /graphene oxide (MCTS/GO) nanocomposite adsorbent was prepared by wet-spinning technique, was used as accumulation and removal of Chrysoidine Y from aqueous solution. The structure and morphology of MCTS/GO nanocomposites were investigated using transmission electron microscope (TEM) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy were carried out on the MCTS/GO before the Chrysoidine Y (CY) accumulation experiments. The adsorption kinetics and isotherm studies were conducted under different conditions (pH = 3-7 and CY concentration = 100-400 mg/L) to examine the accumultion efficiency of the MCTS/GO towards CY in aqueous solution. The kinetics data of the adsorption process were analyzed using different kinetic models in order to investigate the adsorption behavior of CY on MCTS/GO. The results showed that the maximum adsorption capacity of the MCTS/GO nanocomposites towards CY can achieve up to ~700 mg/g for the adsorption at 300 mg/L CY. Kinetic data of adsorption process were found to fit pseudo-second order model as compared with pseudo-first-order model. The intraparticle diffusion model suggested that the adsorption process of MCTS/GO towards CY was dominated by the external mass transfer of CY molecules to the surface of MCTS/GO.
UM BREVE OLHAR SOBRE A CIENCIOMETRIA: ORIGEM, EVOLUÇÃO, TENDÊNCIAS E SUA CONTRIBUIÇÃO PARA O ENSINO DE CIÊNCIAS
Authors: Parra Maurício Rodrigues , Coutinho Renato Xavier , Pessano Edward Frederico Castro
Published: March 2019

O presente trabalho faz uma análise contextualizada a partir de um estudo bibliográfico sobre a Cienciometria, a qual se caracteriza como um novo ramo da ciência definida como o estudo da mensuração e quantificação do progresso científico, onde a pesquisa baseia-se em indicadores bibliométricos. Nesse cenário o presente trabalho tem como intuito percorrer a história, desvelando a possível origem da Cienciometria, seu desenvolvimento no mundo, no Brasil e ao final indicar possíveis tendências. A metodologia de execução deste trabalho caracteriza-se por um estudo de revisão bibliográfica sobre a referida temática, visando localizá-la e diferenciá-la na Ciência da Informação junto com os demais ramos da ciência de mensuração como a Bibliometria, a Informetria e a Webometria. As análises e discussões proporcionaram a verificação da necessidade do surgimento da Cienciometria dentro do cenário mundial, bem como a sua importância para com a avaliação da produção científica, fornecendo indicadores e subsídios para a comunidade acadêmica e sociedade em geral, pois, além de apontar possíveis problemáticas relacionadas ao modelo quantitativo, indica as soluções para se observar a realidade social do pesquisador ou da pesquisa e também contribuir para a visualização de lacunas e de temáticas que são pouco investigadas.
O CONHECIMENTO DO CONHECIMENTO: UMA ESTRATÉGIA DA ESCOLA PARA ENSINAR A VIVER
Authors: Tondin Celso Francisco , Kroth Gasparetto Sirlei Antoninha , Junges Claudete Teresinha
Published: March 2019

O presente artigo tematiza a relação entre complexidade, educação e saberes transdisciplinares, e objetiva a proposição de um ensino que considere os estudos realizados pela teoria histórico-cultural, em relação à aprendizagem e ao desenvolvimento, em diálogo com a complexidade do conhecimento. Trata-se de um estudo qualitativo, de caráter teórico, que tem como fontes a produção bibliográfica de autores reconhecidos por suas investigações referentes ao foco investigado, assim, foram destacados os conceitos aprendizagem e desenvolvimento, trabalhados por Vigotski, complexidade do conhecimento de acordo com Morin e transdisciplinaridade com base em Moraes. Evidencia-se que o desenvolvimento de um humanismo complexo nas escolas já ocorre em experiências educativas e pode ser potencializado onde houver o desenvolvimento de um trabalho pedagógico que observe a aprendizagem e o desenvolvimento dos estudantes, a natureza complexa do conhecimento e potencialize a curiosidade epistemológica nos sujeitos envolvidos no processo de ensino-aprendizagem.
Water source quality in Ahenema Kokoben, Ghana
Authors: Salifu Amadu , Essandoh Helen M. K. , Traore Afsatou Ndama , Potgieter Natasha
Published: March 2019

Regular monitoring of microbial quality of water used for drinking is an important aspect of public health. Microbiological quality, using a novel microbial water quality test kit – Compartment Bag Test (CBT; AguaGenX, LLC, Chapel Hill, NC, USA), and physical parameters (pH, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, temperature and electrical conductivity) of 94 different water sources used by communities in the Ahenema Kokoben area of Ghana for drinking were tested. Using the WHO drinking water quality risk categories for the presence of Escherichia coli indicator bacteria, only 56% (53/94) of the water sources were safe for drinking, while 29% (27/94) of the water sources were classified as high risk and unsafe for human purposes. Some of the physical parameters were also higher than guideline values and could have been a contributing factor to poor water quality. Overall, the CBT proved to be a reliable alternative to traditional and laboratory-dependent microbial drinking water quality tests which can be easily used by water authorities to make sure that water is safe to drink.
US flood insurance at 50 years: is the public–private partnership working?
Authors: Grigg Neil S.
Published: March 2019

In the United States, the national framework to address flood risk is the 50-year-old National Flood Insurance Program where the government bears the risk and private insurers handle customer policies. The program bundles insurance with flood mapping, floodplain management, and mitigation in the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Despite financial shortfalls and political controversy, evidence shows that public support is sufficient to continue and reform the program. Originally intended to transfer risk from taxpayers to insurance, the program recently required a taxpayer bailout after major hurricane-induced flood losses. Affordability of premiums is a major financial concern, even while premiums are forecast to rise. The flood mapping program is key to risk assessment, but it needs much improvement. The risk pool depends on compliance with floodplain resilience controls, which work better in riverine environments than in coastal zones. There is evidence of increased private sector interest in offering flood insurance. Politics raise questions about whether the needed reforms will succeed, but promising initiatives are to base premiums on risk, emphasize improvements in flood mapping, increase the involvement of private insurers in flood insurance, and increase responsibility of the state and local governments in flood risk resilience.
Water purification in a solar reactor incorporating TiO2 coated mesh structures
Authors: El-Kalliny Amer S. , Rivandi Alireza H. , Uzun Sibel , Ruud van Ommen J. , Nugteren Henk W. , Rietveld Luuk C. , Appel Peter W.
Published: March 2019

The rate of photocatalytic oxidation of contaminants in drinking water using an immobilized catalyst can be increased by properly designing the catalyst structure. By creating a solar reactor in which meshes coated with TiO2 were stacked, we demonstrated that degradation of humic acids with four superimposed stainless steel meshes was up to 3.4 times faster than in a single plate flat-bed reactor. Incorporation of TiO2 coated mesh structures resulted in a high specific photocatalytically active surface area with sufficient light penetration in the reactor, while the coated area for one mesh was 0.77 m2 per m2 projected area. This brought the photocatalytic efficiency of such reactors closer to that of dispersed-phase reactors, but without the complex separation of the very fine TiO2 particles from the treated water.
Platońskie idee i Eriugeny przyczyny prymordialne w kontekście ich przyczynowości i poznawalności
Authors: Grzegorzyca Adam
Published: March 2019

W systemie filozoficznym Platona idee to wieczne i niezmienne byty, które są wzorami i przyczynami dla świata fenomenów. Rzeczy są tym czym są, ponieważ uczestniczą w ideach. W systemie filozoficznym Jana Szkota Eriugeny przyczyny prymordialne to stworzone przez Boga wieczne byty, które stanowią źródło porządku i doskonałą formę stworzenia. W sensie absolutnym idee i przyczyny prymordialne wymykają się ludzkiemu poznaniu, choć w pewnej mierze pozostają dostępne dla intelektu. Artykuł jest próbą ukazania idei i przyczyn w kontekście ich przyczynowości i poznawalności. Warto, zdaniem autora, podjąć próbę takiego porównania, ponieważ Platon i Eriugena to postacie znaczące dla europejskiej kultury i naszej cywilizacji.
Ockhamowa krytyka teleologii a narodziny nowożytnego rozumienia celowości świata natury
Authors: Majcherek Kamil
Published: March 2019

Artykuł ten stanowi próbę omówienia wpływu, jaki poglądy Williama Ockhama wywarły na przejście od średniowiecznego do nowożytnego rozumienia celowości świata natury (tj. celowości bytów nierozumnych). Rozważeniu poddaje się sposób, w jaki do idei celowości świata natury odnosili się wybrani autorzy nowożytni. Krytyce poddaje się „tradycyjną” interpretację przejścia, jakie dokonać miało się w tym aspekcie między średniowieczem a nowożytnością, podług której nowożytność miała przynieść całkowity kres posługiwaniu się celowością w filozofii natury, zastępując ją odwołaniami do przyczynowości sprawczej. Następnie wskazuje się na nowsze, bardziej subtelne próby podejścia do tego zagadnienia, wskazujące na to, iż w filozofii nowożytnej mamy raczej do czynienia z reinterpretacją, a nie porzuceniem idei przyczynowości celowej. W związku z tym autor artykułu proponuje wyróżnienie w obrębie owej filozofii dwóch głównych nurtów. Dalszą część stanowi analiza koncepcji Ockhama, polegająca na wskazaniu w niej tych wątków, które – jak się twierdzi – mogły wywrzeć szczególny wpływ na narodziny nowożytnego rozumienia celowości świata natury. Autor wymienia cztery takie wątki, próbując je powiązać z wyróżnionymi wcześniej dwoma nurtami nowożytnego rozumienia teleologii natury.
Ensemble Visual Content Based Search and Retrieval for Natural Scene Images
Authors: Singh Pushpendra , Hrisheekesha P.N. , Singh Vinai K.
Published: March 2019

Background:

Content Based Image Retrieval (CBIR) is one of the fields for information retrieval
where similar images are retrieved from database based on the various image descriptive parameters. The
image descriptor vector is used by machine learning based systems to store, learn and template matching.
These feature descriptor vectors locally or globally demonstrate the visual content present in an image using
texture, colour, shape, and other information.

Objective:

The main vision of this paper is to categorize and evaluate those algorithms, which were proposed
in the interval of last 10 years. In addition, experiment is performed using a hybrid content descriptors
methodology that helps to gain the significant results as compared with state-of-art algorithms.

Methods:

In past, several algorithms were proposed to fetch the variety of contents from an image based on
which the image is retrieved from database. But, the precision and recall for the gained results using single content
descriptor is not significant. The proposed system architecture uses the hybrid ensemble feature set for image
matching. The hybrid parameters include globally and locally defined feature extraction methodologies.

Results:

The hybrid methodology decreases the error rate and improves the precision and recall for large
natural scene images dataset having more than 20 classes. The overall combination will provide almost 97%
accurate results which is better than the existing literature results.

Conclusion:

In conclusion the experimentation result suggests that the use of the local feature extraction
mechanism is better when compared with the global feature extraction methodology.
Detection and Validation of Native Plants Traditionally Used as Medicine in Guatemala
Authors: Cáceres Armando , M. Cruz Sully
Published: March 2019

Guatemala as part of Mesoamerica, is a region of high biological and cultural diversity, where several cultures have flourished. Since 1976, a project started for the detection, validation, production, and utilization of medicinal species for primary health care. It included several ethnobotanical surveys conducted among ten Guatemalan ethnical groups. The objective of this paper is to summarize the ethnobotanical surveys conducted in the country and review the literature validating the use of the most promising native species. From these surveys, more than 650 plant species used for medicinal purposes were detected and cultivation activities were conducted for some of these species. Initially, in cooperation with the multidisciplinary teams in Guatemala, and later with other academic institutions in Brazil, Costa Rica, Italy, Mexico, Panama, Spain and United States, in vitro and in vivo validation activities were performed, such as biocidal, anti-inflammatory, spasmolytic, immunomodulatory, antioxidant and other activities. A comprehensive literature review of the most relevant species was performed. Based on the traditional utilization and preclinical or clinical evidence, several national and international projects were conducted. The most interesting results include anti-candida (Solanum nigrescens), antimicrobial (Tagetes lucida), immunomodulator (Phlebodium pseudoaureum), anti-protozoal (Neurolaena lobata), sedative (Valeriana prionophylla), anti-menopause (Piper hispidum) activities and others. With this information and the reviewed literature, specific formulas were prepared for the treatment of different pathologies, leading to several products registered as phytotherapic in Guatemala. Concise updated information is integrated into mini-reviews for 15 species in order to inform about the properties, chemistry and potential use of these species.
Influence of Al, Ta Doped ZnO Seed Layer on the Structure, Morphology and Optical Properties of ZnO Nanorods
Authors: Mageswari S. , Palanivel Balan
Published: March 2019

Background:

Zinc oxide (ZnO) is one of the most attractive II-VI semiconductor oxide material, because of its direct wide band gap (3.37 eV) and large binding energy (60 meV). Zinc oxide (ZnO) is a promising semiconductor due to its optimised optical properties. Among semiconductor nanostructures, the vertically aligned one-dimensional ZnO nanorods are very important for nano device application.

Methods:

Vertically aligned ZnO nanorod arrays were grown on ZnO, aluminum doped ZnO (ZnO:Al), tantalum doped ZnO (ZnO:Ta) and aluminum and tantalum co-doped ZnO (ZnO:Al,Ta) seed layer by hydrothermal method.

Results:

The X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) investigation indicated the presence of hexagonal phase for the both seed layers and nanorods. The Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) images of ZnO and doped ZnO seed layer thin-films show spherical shaped nanograins organized into wave like morphology. The optical absorption spectra revealed shift in absorption edge towards the shorter wavelength (blue shifted) for ZnO nanorods grown on ZnO:Al, ZnO:Ta and ZnO:Al,Ta seed layer compared to ZnO nanorods grown on ZnO seed layer.

Conclusion:

The increase in band gap value for the ZnO nanorods grown on doped ZnO seed layers due to the decrease in crystallite size and lattice constant as evidenced from XRD analysis. The unique property of Al, Ta doped ZnO can be used to fabricate nano-optoelectronic devices and photovoltaic devices, due to their improved optical properties.
Student’s Research Activity
Authors: Tymochko Nataliya
Published: March 2019

Breakthrough technologies and fast development in the informational basis in medicine put on finding different sources for well-timed reception of necessary information in order to keep pace with achievements in medicine (journals, conferences, and webinars). Such demand can be often met only after individual studying, researching necessary information. Each student must be proficient in methods of research activity. In higher educational institutions of Ukraine students are taught to approach search and usage of scientific and practical research projects methodologically in their training.

Objective. To teach students formulate hypotheses, collect and evaluate critical data for problem solving, writing of a research project.
Model of Teacher’s Readiness for Educational Work with Students at Higher Education Institution
Authors: Vyshyvanyuk Vira , Skrobach Nadiya , Shapoval Oksana , Petryna Vitalii , Solomchak Dmytro
Published: March 2019

The importance and prospects for developing a model of teacher’s readiness for educational work with students at higher education institutions are determined by social factors such as: firstly, the educational influence of both the teacher and educational institution on the formation of the student’s personality, his/her initiative, creative approach to the organization of the teaching and educational process; secondly, the use of collective forms of educational activity where pedagogical education and the students’ independent activity are organically combined; thirdly, the development and improvement of the teacher’s educational activity, especially its organizational and communicative components.

The developed model of teacher’s readiness for educational work is a system subordinated to certain tasks of methodological work which simultaneously allows teacher to successfully increase his/her readiness for educational work at the particular higher education institution.

The model itself is a specific form of reflection, which contains information about the object. A characteristic feature of such models is their simplicity in comparison with the original or real-life situation which is modelled.
Comportamiento depredador de dos especies de arañas del género Phonotimpus (Araneae: Phrurolithidae)
Authors: Angulo Ordoñes Gabriela Guadalupe , Dor Ariane , Campuzano G. Emmanuel Franco , Ibarra-Núñez Guillermo
Published: March 2019

Se estudió el comportamiento depredador de dos especies de arañas del género Phonotimpus (Araneae: Phrurolithidae) frente a cuatro tipos diferentes de presas potenciales (un Collembola, dos Hemiptera y un Psocoptera). Estas arañas habitan en la hojarasca del suelo de un bosque de niebla y de un cafetal en Chiapas, México. No existen estudios previos sobre el comportamiento de caza de esta familia de arañas. Debido al reducido tamaño de las arañas, el estudio se realizó en laboratorio, mediante videograbaciones de los encuentros con cada tipo de presa. A partir de las grabaciones se elaboró un catálogo de 16 actos de comportamiento que las arañas presentaron durante los encuentros con las presas, entre los que destacan el de “abanicar” y el de “ataque”. Las grabaciones evidenciaron que ambas especies de arañas tuvieron una capacidad significativamente mayor de ataque y captura de los colémbolos que de los hemípteros y psocópteros, además de presentar un repertorio más variado de actos frente a los colémbolos y, para Phonotimpus pennimani un mayor nivel de actividad durante los encuentros con colémbolos. Así, nuestros resultados son similares a los de otros autores que estudiaron el consumo de presas en laboratorio, por dos especies distintas de Phrurolithidae, indicando que es altamente posible que en su hábitat natural los colémbolos sean parte importante de las presas de las Phrurolithidae. Las grabaciones también mostraron que ambas especies de arañas emplean dos estrategias de caza. Una es la emboscada, donde la araña permanece fija en un sitio por periodos relativamente prolongados, a la espera de la aproximación de una presa potencial, y la otra es la búsqueda activa, en la que la araña recorre activamente su entorno hasta que se topa con una presa potencial. De las dos estrategias, hubo un claro predominio de la emboscada, en cuanto su distribución de tiempos durante los encuentros.
Development of an Early Warning System to Prevent Crises in the Palliative Home Care Setting of Patients and Their Informal Caregivers: Protocol for a Mixed Method Study (Preprint)
Authors: Fringer André , Arrer Eleonore , Maier Edith , Schnepp Wilfried , Ulmer Tom
Published: March 2019

BACKGROUND

Most people wish to die at home, but most people in Switzerland die in hospitals or nursing homes. Family caregivers often offer support so patients with palliative care needs can stay at home for as long as possible. However, crises and unplanned hospital admissions often occur in this setting because of family caregiver strain and symptom severity in patients. The so-called smart devices such as wearables or smartphones offer the opportunity to continuously monitor certain parameters and recording symptom deteriorations. By providing professionals with this information in a timely manner, crises in the home could be avoided.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this interdisciplinary study is to explore the symptom burden of people with palliative care needs who are cared for at home and to understand the development of crises in the home care setting. On the basis of the findings from this study, we will develop an early warning system to stabilize the home care situation and to prevent critical events from happening, thereby reducing avoidable hospitalizations.

METHODS

A mixed method study is being conducted consisting of 4 main consecutive phases: (1) developing the monitoring system; (2) pretesting the system and adapting it to user needs; (3) conducting the study in the palliative home care setting with approximately 40 patients; and (4) distinguishing symptom patterns from the collected data specific to crisis emergence, followed by the development of an early warning system to prevent such crises. In study phase 3, each patient will receive an upper arm sensor and a symptom diary to assess symptom burden related to patients and family caregivers. A within-case analysis will be conducted for each patient’s situation followed by a cross-case comparison to identify certain symptom patterns that may predict symptom deterioration (study phase 4).

RESULTS

The collaboration with the local mobile palliative care team for participant recruitment and data collection has been established. Recruitment is forthcoming.

CONCLUSIONS

We expect the findings of this study to provide holistic insight into symptom burden and the well-being of patients with palliative care needs and of their family caregivers. This information will be used to develop an early warning system to avoid the occurrence of potential crises, thereby improving palliative care provision at home.
Conversational Agents in the Treatment of Mental Health Problems: Mixed-Method Systematic Review (Preprint)
Authors: Gaffney Hannah , Mansell Warren , Tai Sara
Published: March 2019

BACKGROUND

The use of conversational agent interventions (including chatbots and robots) in mental health is growing at a fast pace. Recent existing reviews have focused exclusively on a subset of embodied conversational agent interventions despite other modalities aiming to achieve the common goal of improved mental health.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to review the use of conversational agent interventions in the treatment of mental health problems.

METHODS

We performed a systematic search using relevant databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and Cochrane library). Studies that reported on an autonomous conversational agent that simulated conversation and reported on a mental health outcome were included.

RESULTS

A total of 13 studies were included in the review. Among them, 4 full-scale randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included. The rest were feasibility, pilot RCTs and quasi-experimental studies. Interventions were diverse in design and targeted a range of mental health problems using a wide variety of therapeutic orientations. All included studies reported reductions in psychological distress postintervention. Furthermore, 5 controlled studies demonstrated significant reductions in psychological distress compared with inactive control groups. In addition, 3 controlled studies comparing interventions with active control groups failed to demonstrate superior effects. Broader utility in promoting well-being in nonclinical populations was unclear.

CONCLUSIONS

The efficacy and acceptability of conversational agent interventions for mental health problems are promising. However, a more robust experimental design is required to demonstrate efficacy and efficiency. A focus on streamlining interventions, demonstrating equivalence to other treatment modalities, and elucidating mechanisms of action has the potential to increase acceptance by users and clinicians and maximize reach.
JMASM 51: Bayesian Reliability Analysis of Binomial Model – Application to Success/Failure Data
Authors: Akhtar M. Tanwir , Khan Athar Ali
Published: March 2019

Reliability data are generated in the form of success/failure. An attempt was made to model such type of data using binomial distribution in the Bayesian paradigm. For fitting the Bayesian model both analytic and simulation techniques are used. Laplace approximation was implemented for approximating posterior densities of the model parameters. Parallel simulation tools were implemented with an extensive use of R and JAGS. R and JAGS code are developed and provided. Real data sets are used for the purpose of illustration.
Credit derivatives disclosure in banks’ risk reporting: Empirical evidence from four large European banks
Authors: Scannella Enzo
Published: March 2019

This paper aims to analyze the derivatives disclosure in banks’ annual risk reports. In this paper, the author uses content analysis to examine the qualitative and quantitative profiles of the derivatives disclosure at a cross-country level, with particular reference to credit derivatives. The empirical research is conducted on a sample of large European banks. The paper also shows that there is room to improve various aspects of derivatives disclosure, and provides some useful insights for further research. The derivatives disclosure in banks’ annual risk reports has deep managerial, financial, regulatory and accounting implications at a firm and industry levels, and the comprehension of the rational underlying it is critical to maintaining competitive advantages in the banking industry and informational and allocative efficiency in the financial markets. Although the existence of substantial research on credit derivatives and financial statements in the literature, none have directly focused on credit derivatives disclosure at a cross-country level applying the content analysis based on an objective evaluation approach. It leaves a gap that the paper aims to overcome.
Camouflage treatment for skeletal Class III patient with facial asymmetry using customized bracket based on CAD/CAM virtual orthodontic system:
Authors: Sha Ha Na , Lim Sun Young , Kwon Sun Mi , Cha Jung-Yul
Published: March 2019

When considering camouflage orthodontic treatment for Class III malocclusion with skeletal facial asymmetry, it is crucial to preserve the favorable compensated posterior occlusion. Once the inclination of the compensated occlusion is changed during orthodontic treatment, unstable occlusion, such as crossbite or scissor bite may occur. A 23-year-old female patient had anterior spacing with Class III malocclusion and a mandibular asymmetry. A nonsurgical approach was adopted. The treatment objectives were to establish a Class I molar relationship with compensated inclination of the posterior dentition and to correct the midline deviation. To achieve these goals, the computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) orthodontic system plus customized brackets was applied, and miniscrews were used to distalize the left mandibular dentition for midline correction. The results suggested that the CAD/CAM-based customized brackets can be efficiently used in camouflage treatment to achieve a correct final occlusion.
The Effect of Liquid Meal Replacements on Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Overweight/Obese Individuals With Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Noronha Jarvis C. , Nishi Stephanie K. , Braunstein Catherine R. , Khan Tauseef A. , Blanco Mejia Sonia , Kendall Cyril W.C. , Kahleová Hana , Rahelić Dario , Salas-Salvadó Jordi , Leiter Lawrence A. , Sievenpiper John L.
Published: March 2019

OBJECTIVE

The evidence for liquid meal replacements in diabetes has not been summarized. Our objective was to synthesize the evidence of the effect of liquid meal replacements on cardiometabolic risk factors in overweight/obese individuals with type 2 diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Data sources included MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library through 10 December 2018. We included randomized trials of ≥2 weeks assessing the effect of liquid meal replacements in weight loss diets compared with traditional weight loss diets on cardiometabolic risk factors in overweight/obese subjects with type 2 diabetes. Two independent reviewers extracted relevant data and assessed risk of bias. Data were pooled using the inverse variance method. The overall certainty of the evidence was evaluated using GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation).

RESULTS

Nine trial comparisons (N = 961 [median follow-up 24 weeks]) met eligibility criteria. Mean differences were for body weight −2.37 kg (95% CI −3.30 to −1.44), BMI −0.87 kg/m2 (−1.31 to −0.42), body fat −1.66% (−2.17 to −1.15), waist circumference −2.24 cm (−3.72 to −0.77), HbA1c −0.43% (−0.66 to −0.19) (−4.7 mmol/mol [−7.2 to −2.1]), fasting glucose −0.63 mmol/L (−0.99 to −0.27), fasting insulin −11.83 pmol/L (−23.11 to −0.54), systolic blood pressure −4.97mmHg (−7.32 to −2.62), and diastolic blood pressure −1.98 mmHg (−3.05 to −0.91). There was no effect on blood lipids. The overall certainty of the evidence was low to moderate owing to imprecision and/or inconsistency.

CONCLUSIONS

Liquid meal replacements in weight loss diets lead to modest reductions in body weight, BMI, and systolic blood pressure, and reductions of marginal clinical significance in body fat, waist circumference, HbA1c, fasting glucose, fasting insulin, and diastolic blood pressure. More high-quality trials are needed to improve the certainty in our estimates.
Computing Tire Component Durability via Critical Plane Analysis
Authors: Mars William V. , Wei Yintao , Hao Wang , Bauman Mark A.
Published: March 2019

Tire developers are responsible for designing against the possibility of crack development in each of the various components of a tire. The task requires knowledge of the fatigue behavior of each compound in the tire, as well as adequate accounting for the multiaxial stresses carried by tire materials. The analysis is illustrated here using the Endurica CL fatigue solver for the case of a 1200R20 TBR tire operating at 837 kPa under loads ranging from 66 to 170% of rated load. The fatigue behavior of the tire's materials is described from a fracture mechanical viewpoint, with care taken to specify each of the several phenomena (crack growth rate, crack precursor size, strain crystallization, fatigue threshold) that govern. The analysis of crack development is made by considering how many cycles are required to grow cracks of various potential orientations at each element of the model. The most critical plane is then identified as the plane with the shortest fatigue life. We consider each component of the tire and show that where cracks develop from precursors intrinsic to the rubber compound (sidewall, tread grooves, innerliner) the critical plane analysis provides a comprehensive view of the failure mechanics. For cases where a crack develops near a stress singularity (i.e., belt-edge separation), the critical plane analysis remains advantageous for design guidance, particularly relative to analysis approaches based upon scalar invariant theories (i.e., strain energy density) that neglect to account for crack closure effects.