bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Vzorci zasedbe prostora za potrebe sprostitve in rekreacije v obmestnem prostoru: primer Jezero pri Podpeči, Slovenija
Authors: Goličnik Marušić Barbara , Mihevc Nevenka , Dremel Manca
Published: January 2020

Članek obravnava vprašanja o nosilni sposobnosti prostora za sprostitev in rekreacijo v obmestnih krajinah visokih naravnih ali kulturnih vrednot. Temelji na konceptu pristopov od spodaj navzgor, pri cemer uporablja metodo opazovanja in vedenjskih zemljevidov, ki temelji na drobnih kvalitativnih podatkih. Osredotoca se na zasnovo koncepta nosilne sposobnosti naravno vrednega obmocja za rabo in na ugotavljanje ocene nosilne sposobnosti takega obmocja za rabo. Izhajali smo iz Golicnik Marušic (2015), ki nakazuje smisel obravnave razvoja in nacrtovanja zelene infrastrukture z vidika uporabnikovih potreb in navad ter s konceptom nosilne sposobnosti prostora za zasedbo vkljucili tudi varstveni vidik. Na podlagi izvedenih podatkov, pridobljenih z opazovanjem in kartiranjem vedenja, smo komentirali dejansko rabo, uporabnike z vidika starostnih skupin ter nacin zasedanja prostora, pogostost pojavljanja dejavnosti in nacine zadrževanja v prostoru na primeru Jezera pri Podpeci, priljubljene izletniško-rekreacijske tocke na robu Ljubljanskega barja.
Robotic-assisted laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy: Initial Canadian experience
Authors: Zhao Yunwei , St. Martin Blair
Published: January 2020

Introduction: Abdominal sacrocolpopexy provides effective, long-term outcomes for apical pelvic organ prolapse. The introduction of robotic-assisted laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy (RALS) has mitigated the risks of abdominal surgery. This study aims to evaluate the preoperative patient characteristics, intraoperative surgical parameters, and postoperative outcomes of RALS, which has not been previously performed in Canada.

Methods: A retrospective chart review of 47 patients who have undergone RALS from 2016–2018 by a single surgeon at a tertiary care hospital in Canada was completed.

Results: This case series had a mean age of 60.2 years, body mass index of 28.3 kg/m2, and Charlson Comorbidity Index of 2.0. Preoperatively, 13 (28%), 23 (49%), and 11 (23%) patients had Baden-Walker grade 2, 3, and 4 apical prolapse, respectively. Intraoperatively, 45 (96%) underwent concomitant procedures, including 36 (77%) with adnexal surgery, 32 (68%) with anti-incontinence surgery, and 25 (53%) with hysterectomy. Intraoperative complications included one ureteric injury, two bladder injuries, and three vaginotomies. The mean robotic console time, surgery time, and total operating room times were 125.6, 148.6, and 190.6 minutes, respectively. Postoperatively, data was analyzed for 32 (68%) patients with greater than 12 weeks followup. There was no recurrence of apical prolapse on exam after a mean followup of 60.1 weeks. Seven (22%) patients experienced symptomatic prolapse in the posterior compartment. There were two grade 3 Clavien Dindo complications, including osteomyelitis and mesh exposure.

Conclusions: RALS can be safely and effectively performed with other pelvic procedures with good outcomes. Concurrent posterior repairs may be considered in select patients.
The relation between financial attitude, consumer purchasing behavior and debt background
Authors: Xavier Thais , Ferreira Marlette Cassia Oliveira , Bizarrias Flavio Santino
Published: January 2020

Purpose of the study: To estimate the degree of relationships between financial attitude, materialism, consumption by status, and consumer perception of the chosen payment method, and impacts on indebtedness.Methodology / approach: We used the survey technique, which collected data from 161 respondents. The quantitative data obtained were analyzed through structural equation modeling, as well as conditional mediation and moderation tests.Main results: Individuals with weak financial attitudes tend to be more materialistic and to consume more by status, and individuals with materialistic and status-driven tendencies are more prone to debt. No relationship was identified between the chosen means of payment and indebtedness. On the other hand, the mediation of the financial attitude in debt mitigation was observed.Originality / relevance: Despite the vast literature on the theories cited in the paper, the relationship between the financial attitude and the buying behavior of the Brazilian consumer had not yet been established, from an attitude perspective as a predictor of behavior.Theoretical / methodological contributions: The work contributes to studies on the inversely proportional advance relationship between financial attitude, status consumption and materialism, in which the latter constructs are discouraged by the individual's trait with that first characteristic. The study also identified the mediation of financial attitude as a debt reduction mechanism.
Consumer-based brand equity: benchmarking the perceived performance of brands
Authors: Porto Rafael Barreiros
Published: January 2020

Objective: Competitive performance between brands can be gauged by perceptual consumer indicators. The lack of a reference regarding this performance can hinder the establishment of real goals by marketing managers. This study aimed to compare product and service brand performance measured by consumer-based brand equity, thus revealing patterns for benchmarking. Specifically, the research detected the most differentiating metrics, validating a general indicator, showing the performance patterns, and comparing international with national brands.Method: In a cross-sectional study, 1,710 consumers evaluated six metrics of a consumer-based brand equity scale (awareness, associated image, perceived quality, loyalty, willingness to pay a premium price, and exclusivity) revalidated using confirmatory factor analysis. The study used 61 brands of 11 products and services to measure performance with univariate and multivariate analyses of variance.Results: The results for the consumers show that: (1) brands varied more strongly in the awareness and perceived quality metrics, (2) few brands exceed one standard deviation above the category’s average performance, (3) some categories do not have brands that exceed one standard deviation above the category’s average performance, and (4) international brands are generally perceived as having greater value than national brands.Theoretical/methodological contributions: The research gauges brand performance in the absence of accounting and market indicators using a research instrument. Relevance/Originality: The article offers the factorial revalidation of a consumer-based brand equity scale and a benchmark of perceived brand performance using that scale. Implications for management: The research helps in setting goals in marketing and their monitoring.
Changing negative attitudes through sport sponsorship: a gender perspective in Brazil
Authors: Zardini Filho Carlos Eugenio
Published: January 2020

Objective: This study assesses if a sport sponsorship is able to change a negative attitude towards a brand, also investigating the influence on consumption intentions and differences in terms of gender.Method: A questionnaire applied on Brazilians was structured based on a repeated measure design. The instrument was segmented in different scenarios, whose first one brought negative information about a sponsoring fictitious brand.  After selecting only participants who had developed negative attitudes in the first context, they were submitted to subsequent sports sponsorship scenarios, having their attitudes and consumption intentions measured. The second scenario associated the brand with sponsorships to football, having the third one also linking with football, but focusing on a community perspective. The last context approached volleyball, contextualizing the sponsorship in an Olympic/Paralympic frame. Relevance: Authors have been defending that the impact of sports sponsorships on attitudes is an important gap to be more investigated, where a lack of similar studies is clear.Results: In terms of gender, the football scenarios had a bigger influence on the male group, however, the Olympic/Paralympic frame was more efficient in women. In particular, the Scenario 3 showed the highest capacity of changing negative evaluations of attitude and consumption intentions.Contribution: In resume, it was demonstrated that sports sponsorship can change (minimize) a negative attitude towards a sponsor, with subsequent positive impacts on purchase intentions.
Gooool: motivation drivers of attitudinal and behavioral fan loyalty in Brazil
Authors: Rosenberger III Philip J. , Yun Jin Ho , Rahman Mohammad M. , Köcher Sören , De Oliveira Mauro José
Published: January 2020

Objective:  Football is the predominant sport in Brazil, but a better understanding of what motivates non-football and football fans is needed.Method: A conceptual model is empirically tested of the effects of six motivational drivers-Interest in Team, Socialisation, Aesthetics, Sport Knowledge, Interest in Sport, Vicarious Achievement-on both attitudinal and behavioural fan loyalty using survey data from 483 Brazilian sports fans.Originality/Relevance: a theoretical gap exists as to understanding the unique motivations for Brazilian fan loyalty (Wang, Zhang, Tsuji, 2011) and what drives Brazilian fans to attitudinally commit to a team and exhibit fan-related behaviours, such as attending matches and buying team merchandise.Results: fans of both football and other sports in Brazil share some underlying motivational drivers of attitudinal loyalty and behavioural loyalty. They also indicate that some differences exist across the motivational drivers of attitudinal and behavioural fan loyalty.Theoretical/methodological contributions: Results from this study support previous research into the influence of motivations on attitudinal loyalty and behavioural loyalty and offer insights into the direct influence of different motivations on attitudinal loyalty and behavioural loyalty.Social/management contributions: these findings will assist sports-marketing practitioners of sports competing with football in Brazil to formulate more effective, fan-centric marketing-communication strategies leading to a larger loyal fan base.
Game animals as a reservoir of rarely recorded opportunistic bacteria
Authors: Cieniuch Gabriela , Korzeniowska-Kowal Agnieszka , Bugla-Płoskońska Gabriela
Published: January 2020

In Poland, the population of game animals, including wild boars, roe and deer, is constantly increasing. The tonsils of wild game animals are a place of large variety of microorganisms. The pathogenic bacteria present in them, such as E. coli, Y. enterocolitica and Salmonella sp. are the most common source of meat infection. The opportunistic bacteria R. aquatilis, P. fluorescens,
S. liquefaciens, S. fonticola and S. plymuthica also play an important role in public health. S. liquefaciens may be an opportunistic pathogen and in people causes sepsis and inflammation of the
cornea. The protease, nuclease, phospholipase A, flagella, elastase and toxins haemolysin and
proteolysin are responsible for its ability to cause disease symptoms. S. plymuthica, a rod commonly
found in the environment, produces a red dye. It is most often isolated from soil, water
and food. In humans, it causes infections of burn wounds, soft leg tissue as well as post-operative
wounds and bacteraemia. Typically, the environmental rod S. fonticola differs from other Serratia
sp. by the lack of extracellular enzymes. It causes wound infections and bacteraemia resulting
from urinary tract infections. Bacteria from the genus Serratia sp. show a natural resistance
to glycopeptides, rifampicin and erythromycin. The aquatic rod R. aquatilis in humans causes
opportunistic infections of the urinary tract, wounds, bacteraemia and endocarditis. It exhibits
natural resistance to antibiotics from the group of cephalosporins, penicillins and macrolides
and quinolones. It is conditioned by the presence of class 1 integrons and class A β-lactamases.
The virulence factors of R. aquatilis are also LPS and adhesin. P. fluorescens in humans is responsible
for bacteraemia. It also exhibits resistance to human serum thanks to outer membrane
proteins and has T3SS, which effectively infects the host.
Strategies of current cancer immunotherapy
Authors: Rzepka Zuzanna , Knapik Marta , Wrześniok Dorota
Published: January 2020

Cancers are a significant health problem in the world. The most common therapeutic methods applied in oncology are chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgical methods. Finding new therapies in this branch of medicine, as well as developing solutions with the highest possible effectiveness, taking into account the multifactorial nature of cancer, is important from both the scientific and medical point of view and, for obvious reasons, it is in the interest of many people. Immunotherapy, despite many years of initial failures, has become one of the most important
clinically approved new treatments in oncology and is now successfully used in the treatment
of certain types of cancer. Current immunotherapeutic strategies are based on monoclonal
antibodies (including inhibitors of immune control points), cytokines, anti-cancer vaccines, oncolytic
viruses, as well as adoptive cell transfer. For many cancer immunotherapies, an increase
in their effectiveness is observed when they are used with other types of immunotherapy
as well as in combination with molecular targeted therapy, chemotherapy or radiotherapy.
The dynamic development of cancer immunotherapy since the beginning of the 21st century results
from the advances in genetic engineering, as well as from the increase in knowledge about the
anticancer immune response and the nature of cancer cells including abnormalities in their metabolism,
the ability to create a tumor microenvironment and the induction of immunosuppression.
The aim of the study is to present current knowledge in the field of cancer immunotherapy strategies.
Bases of Combustion Instability
Authors: Biryukov V.I.
Published: January 2020

Combustible systems generally consist of two types of chemically interacting components during combustion: an oxidizing agent (oxygen, fluorine, chlorine, their compounds) and fuel (hydrogen, hydrocarbons, nitrogen and hydrogen compounds, aluminum, etc.). The chemical properties of the components, their phase state, and their physical structure are essential when choosing the methods for supplying the components and organizing the processes in the combustion chambers, but they relatively weakly affect the basic laws of combustion processes. In the theory of combustion, the problems of burning homogeneous, premixed, gaseous components are studied in most detail. The concepts and methods of the theory of combustion are used in other areas of science and technology when considering exothermic processes with high heat generation. The separation of the issues of flame stability into diffusion-thermal and hydrodynamic problems, which is often encountered in theoretical works, is conditional and is caused by the desire to reduce the mathematical difficulties that arise when solving the problem in the general formulation. In fact, flame instability is determined by the influence of both transport processes in the flame (diffusion-thermal processes), depending on its structure, and hydrodynamic processes, i.e., the effects of gas flow. The determination of the concentration limits of flame propagation, ignition, and extinction, spontaneous instability of the flame front, the transition of combustion to detonation, and the excitation of oscillations during combustion are practical problems of the theory of combustion. Acoustic combustion instability can be considered as a self-oscillating process in which the feedback providing the energy necessary for maintaining undamped wave motions from a nonperiodic heat source (combustion process) is realized through the action of sound (acoustic) waves on combustion; in this case, the parameters of the wave motions, amplitude, waveform, and frequency, are determined by the internal properties of the system itself. This chapter provides a sequence of parametric estimates of acoustic instability during combustion in cylindrical chambers.
Cultivating Two Aspects of Intellectual Humility: Openness and Care
Authors: Robbiano Chiara , Scager Karin ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: January 2020

We believe that intellectual humility is an essential intellectual virtue for university students to foster. It enables them to excel as students of philosophy and other disciplines, to navigate the fast-changing world inside and outside academia, and to flourish in interaction with others. In this paper, we analyze this virtue by singling out two distinct but related aspects: the openness-aspect and the care-aspect. The former makes one value a dialogue with those who have different views from one’s own. The latter aspect involves searching for implicit assumptions one brings to encounters with one’s object of inquiry and trying to study this object as unique and irreducible. We discuss four learning activities we developed for the philosophy bachelor course “Who are we? Philosophical views on humans and the gods” at University College Utrecht (the Netherlands). Throughout this paper, we show extracts from the students’ assignments, reflections, and evaluations. These extracts indicate that students developed both aspects of intellectual humility —openness to different views and care for the uniqueness of each object of inquiry— and acknowledged their importance.
Propriedades psicométricas da versão em português Brasileiro da Physical Appearance Perfectionism Scale
Authors: Neves Angela Nogueira , Francisco Jéssica Naira , Corazza João Fernando , Carvalho Rodrigo Leal de Paiva , Ferreira Lucilene
Published: January 2020

O perfeccionismo direcionado à aparência física considera haver preocupação com a imperfeição e esperança para a perfeição em relação à aparência. O objetivo dessa pesquisa foi  validar a versão em português Brasileiro da Physical Appearance Perfectionism Scale em uma amostra de  praticantes de exercícios resistidos. A amostra não-probabilística foi constituída por 534 homens e mulheres com idades entre 18 a 39 anos. Foi utilizadaanálise fatorial confirmatória, para gerar evidencias psicométricas para a amostra de referencia. O modelo estrutural bifatorial alcançou índices de ajuste satisfatório, tanto na amostra geral, quanto na amostra por sexo. Em relação à validade convergente, quase todos os valores das cargas fatoriais estavam acima do aceitável, mas a variância média extraída foi adequada apenas na escala masculina. Quanto à validade discriminante, todos os valores da AVE estiveram acima do valor da variância compartilhada nos modelo geral, feminino e masculino, demonstrando haver alguma diferença as duas variáveis latentes. A confiabilidade de constructo foi estabelecida tanto na escala geral, quanto na escala feminina e masculina. O presente instrumento obteve  evidencias psicométricas adequadas para a versão brasileira da Physical Appearance Perfectionism Scale, o que permite recomendar seu uso no Brasil.

Perfectionism towards physical appearance considers to be concern about imperfection and hope for perfection in appearance. The aim of this research was to validate the Brazilian Portuguese version of Physical Appearance Perfectionism Scale in a sample of exercise resistance practitioners. The non-probabilistic sample consisted of 534 men and women aged 18 to 39 years. Confirmatory factorial analysis was used to generate psychometric evidence for the reference sample. The two-factor structural model achieved satisfactory adjustment indices, both in the general sample and in the sample by sex. Regarding convergent validity, almost all values of factorial loads were above acceptable, although the average variance extracted (AVE)   was adequate only in the male scale. Regarding the discriminant validity, all the AVE values were above the value of the shared variance in the general model, female and male, showing that there are some differences between the two latent variables. Construct reliability was established on both the general scale and the female and male scale. This instrument achieved adequate psychometric evidence for the Brazilian version of Physical Appearance Perfectionism Scale, which allows recommending its use in Brazil.
GENETIC ALGORITHM OPTIMAL ARRANGEMENT OF POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE STIFFNESS DAMPERS FOR HYBRID DAMPING BASED ON SEISMIC WAVES METHOD
Authors: JIE FU , ZHENHUA SHAO , MINGXING LIU
Published: January 2020

Increasing negative stiffness may lead to enhanced interlayer displacement. Therefore, the influence of many factors between pseudo-negative stiffness dampers and interlayer displacement should be analyzed. In order to reveal the qualitative relationship between hybrid damping and structural parameters, a novel method that optimizes the structural parameters of dampers based on based on seismic waves method with the help of MATLAB and the SAP2000 OAPI function platform is proposed. First, a negative stiffness damper was approximately simulated by the combination of a parallel damper unit and a multiline elastic unit, and the corresponding benchmark model was investigated. Second, the optimization program of structural damper damping based on a genetic algorithm was developed. Optimization analysis of the mixed damping of positive and negative stiffness dampers was conducted on the 20-story steel frame benchmark model. The damping of different stiffness was summarized on the basis of the analysis results, and the general arrangement principle of the device in the high-rise structure was discussed in the study. Finally, the hybrid damping was formed by the pseudo-negative stiffness damper and the traditional positive stiffness damper. The layout principle and vibration reduction effect of the hybrid damping were verified by experiments under MATLAB and the SAP2000 OAPI function platform. Results show that the top floor acceleration of the structure under the action of the El Centro wave and Kobe wave is reduced by approximately 15% when the pseudo-negative stiffness damper is used. Meanwhile, the displacement of the lower part of the structure is increased by only 5%. Furthermore, enhanced control results can be obtained by the different control strategies and a thorough analysis of the influencing factors used in layers 2–12 and 13–20. The proposed method provides references for optimizing the experimental platform construction and experimental evaluation of hybrid damping dampers.

Keywords: Negative stiffness damper, Structural parameter damping, Interlayer displacement peak, Genetic algorithm, Parameter optimization
Organizational development with torture rehabilitation programs
Authors: Rendahl Kristi , Kriege Santoso Pamela
Published: January 2020

Torture rehabilitation has emerged as a field over the past several decades and much of the literature has focused on clinical interventions, related evaluation, and documentation of torture. Less discussed are organizational development initiatives that seek to strengthen organizational effectiveness in order to improve mental health outcomes for torture survivors. Based on applied experience in organizational development with torture rehabilitation programs in post-conflict contexts, the authors explore key organizational development needs in the field of torture rehabilitation, areas of future consideration for international agency donors, and additional future considerations for torture rehabilitation programs themselves. A case is made fo organizational development efforts that prioritize time for strategic thinking that includes participation from stakeholders across the organization’s functions; staff care policies that prevent secondary trauma and promote wellbeing and retention; clarity surrounding organizational structure and roles; financial management systems that position the organization for growth and fund diversification strategies beyond the project-based international agency funding model. The work requires longterm commitment in terms of technical and subgrant assistance, including an ongoing process of assessing and adjusting approaches. The case examples included are representative of certain key challenges that may be addressed to some degree within the parameters of a similar project. While the work of torture rehabilitation is urgent by nature, the authors emphasize the need for practical approaches for the important (but not urgent) work of organizational development.
Channel characteristics and planform dynamics of the lower Niger River, Niger Delta Basin (1985–2015)
Authors: Akana Tombra , Adeigbe Olubunmi
Published: January 2020

This study used repeat satellite imagery and Geographic Information System analysis to assess the plan-form dynamics along the length of the lower Niger River Valley from Onitsha city to the coast between 1985 and 2015. The aim is to understand the altered dynamics and its plausible causes in this data-poor region. Analyses revealed that the Niger River has undergone change corresponding to enhanced instability in terms of an increased rate of erosion. In the study area, a change was observed from 3.7% of deposition in the first 10 years (1985–1995) to 3.9% of erosion in the next 10 years (1995–2005) and 4.7% of erosion in the last 10 years (2005–2015). Total erosion over the 30-year period (1985–2015) in the delta was calculated on 4.8%. The river channel has migrated toward the east in the upper and lower reaches while the mid-section of the channel is migrating towards the west. The east river bank is observed to be more unstable compared to west bank line through the study period. The maximum shifts identified were 3.35 km of deposition in 10 years (1985–1995), 3.31 km of erosion in the next 10 years (1995–2005), and another substantial erosional shift of 3.35 km in the next 10 years (2005–2015). Avulsion rates gradually moved from −42.1 m ∙ year−1 (1985–2005, segment F) to 100.2 m ∙ year−1 (1985–1995, segment D), large deposition in the first 10 years. Total avulsion rates of the delta in the last 30 years (1985–2015) has pointed on erosion (−2.2 m ∙ year−1). The altered dynamics observed would likely threaten the future of the frag-ile lower river system environment and raise concerns for operators with infrastructure within the Niger Delta.
Specific depletion of the motor protein KIF5B leads to deficits in dendritic transport, synaptic plasticity and memory
Authors: Zhao Junjun , Fok Albert Hiu Ka , Fan Ruolin , Kwan Pui-Yi , Chan Hei-Lok , Lo Louisa Hoi-Ying , Chan Ying-Shing , Yung Wing-Ho , Huang Jiandong , Lai Cora Sau Wan , Lai Kwok-On
Published: January 2020

The kinesin I family of motor proteins are crucial for axonal transport, but their roles in dendritic transport and postsynaptic function are not well-defined. Gene duplication and subsequent diversification give rise to three homologous kinesin I proteins (KIF5A, KIF5B and KIF5C) in vertebrates, but it is not clear whether and how they exhibit functional specificity. Here we show that knockdown of KIF5A or KIF5B differentially affects excitatory synapses and dendritic transport in hippocampal neurons. The functional specificities of the two kinesins are determined by their diverse carboxyl-termini, where arginine methylation occurs in KIF5B and regulates its function. KIF5B conditional knockout mice exhibit deficits in dendritic spine morphogenesis, synaptic plasticity and memory formation. Our findings provide insights into how expansion of the kinesin I family during evolution leads to diversification and specialization of motor proteins in regulating postsynaptic function.
HOPS recognizes each SNARE, assembling ternary trans-complexes for rapid fusion upon engagement with the 4th SNARE
Authors: Song Hongki , Orr Amy S , Lee Miriam , Harner Max E , Wickner William T
Published: January 2020

Yeast vacuole fusion requires R-SNARE, Q-SNAREs, and HOPS. A HOPS SM-family subunit binds the R- and Qa-SNAREs. We now report that HOPS binds each of the four SNAREs. HOPS catalyzes fusion when the Q-SNAREs are not pre-assembled, ushering them into a functional complex. Co-incubation of HOPS, proteoliposomes bearing R-SNARE, and proteoliposomes with any two Q-SNAREs yields a rapid-fusion complex with 3 SNAREs in a trans-assembly. The missing Q-SNARE then induces sudden fusion. HOPS can ‘template’ SNARE complex assembly through SM recognition of R- and Qa-SNAREs. Though the Qa-SNARE is essential for spontaneous SNARE assembly, HOPS also assembles a rapid-fusion complex between R- and QbQc-SNARE proteoliposomes in the absence of Qa-SNARE, awaiting Qa for fusion. HOPS-dependent fusion is saturable at low concentrations of each Q-SNARE, showing binding site functionality. HOPS thus tethers membranes and recognizes each SNARE, assembling R+Qa or R+QbQc rapid fusion intermediates.
Variability of soil carbon and nitrogen stocks after conversion of natural forest to plantations in Eastern China
Authors: Ngaba Mbezele Junior Yannick , Ma Xiang-Qing , Hu Ya-Lin
Published: January 2020

Forest plantation, either through afforestation or reforestation, has been suggested to reverse and mitigate the process of deforestation. However, uncertainties remain in the potential of plantation forest (PF) to sequestrate carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) compared to natural forest (NF). Soil C and N stocks require a critical and updated look at what is happening especially in the context of increasing rate of land use change and climate change. The current study was conducted in China’s Eastern forest to estimate soil C and N stocks in six depth layers (0–10, 10–20, 20–40, 40–60, 60–80 and 80–100 cm) and two forest types (NF and PF) at four sites along climate factors gradient. The results showed that the overall mean soil C and N amounts to a depth of 20 cm ranged from 2.6 ± 1.1 Mg ha−1 to 38.6 ± 23.1 Mg ha−1, and soil nitrogen stock ranged from 0.2 ± 0.1 Mg ha−1 to 3.3 ± 1.5 Mg ha−1. Moreover, a loss of C stock was observed at Qingyuan (QY) by −7%, Dinghushan (DH) by −26%, Jianfengling (JF) by −13% while that of N stock was observed at QY (−8%), DH (−19%) and JF (−12%) at both depth layers. These results indicate that NFs have a better capacity to accumulate soil C and N. The soil C and N decreased from the southeast to the northeast and increased from tropical to temperate mixed forests zone in the eastern part of the study area. The C and N stock mainly occurred in the topsoil and decreased significantly with depth. Moreover, soil C and N stocks increased with age of plantation. This study provides an overview of the current spatial distribution and soil stocks of C and N, as well as the effects of environmental factors on soil C and N stocks. It also indicated that, although mean annual temperature and mean annual precipitation are the key factors affecting the variations in soil C and N, their vertical and horizontal distribution differed in various aspects.
Global transcriptome analysis of alfalfa reveals six key biological processes of senescent leaves
Authors: Yuan Jianbo , Sun Xinbo , Guo Tao , Chao Yuehui , Han Liebao
Published: January 2020

Leaf senescence is a complex organized developmental stage limiting the yield of crop plants, and alfalfa is an important forage crop worldwide. However, our understanding of the molecular mechanism of leaf senescence and its influence on biomass in alfalfa is still limited. In this study, RNA sequencing was utilized to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in young, mature, and senescent leaves, and the functions of key genes related to leaf senescence. A total of 163,511 transcripts and 77,901 unigenes were identified from the transcriptome, and 5,133 unigenes were differentially expressed. KEGG enrichment analyses revealed that ribosome and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis pathways, and starch and sucrose metabolism pathways are involved in leaf development and senescence in alfalfa. GO enrichment analyses exhibited that six clusters of DEGs are involved in leaf morphogenesis, leaf development, leaf formation, regulation of leaf development, leaf senescence and negative regulation of the leaf senescence biological process. The WRKY and NAC families of genes mainly consist of transcription factors that are involved in the leaf senescence process. Our results offer a novel interpretation of the molecular mechanisms of leaf senescence in alfalfa.
Experimental Study: The Relationship between Plasmodium falciparum Gametocyte Carriage and Mosquitoes Infectiousness in Two Sympatric Ethnic Groups in Burkina Faso
Authors: S. Serme Samuel , H. Bere Noëlie , Sombie Salif , Diarra Amidou , Kargougou Desire , S. Sombie Benjamin , Guelbeogo Moussa , N. Issa Ouedraogo , B. Tiono Alfred , C. Bougouma Edith , Modiano David , Traore Yves , Soulama Issiaka , B. Sirima Sodiomon
Published: January 2020

Aims: The lower susceptibility of the Fulani to malaria compared to Mossi was previously described in Burkina Faso in West Africa. The mature gametocyte stage of Plasmodium falciparum is known to be the only stage capable of infecting the mosquito though this process is disrupted by the action of immunity and other factors as well. Our study aims to assess the ability of two sympatric ethnic groups known to have different susceptibility to Plasmodium falciparum malaria, to infect mosquitoes through an experimental membrane feeding assay.

Methodology: Study participants were gametocyte carriers aged from 2 to 12 years recruited in the village of Barkoundouba where Fulani and Mossi are living in sympatric. A venous blood was obtained from each participant for direct membrane feeding assay of insectary reared mosquitoes. Blood fed mosquitoes were stored for 7 days with sugar water as the only food source, then dissected for the microscopic detection for oocysts.

Results: A total of 1050 mosquitoes were used for the experimental infections. Eight day after feeding, a total of 897 mosquitoes were dissected, 275 from the Fulani and 622 from the Mossi group. With an average of 43 stomachs examined by experimentation, the mosquito infestation rate was 10.5% in Fulani and 13.2% in Mossi group (p=0.569). The fed mosquito rate was 95 % and 95.6% in Fulani and Mossi ethnic group respectively (p=0.241). The rate of survival mosquitoes after the feeding was 96.5% and 87.5% in Fulani and Mossi ethnic group respectively (p=0.088). The proportion of dissected mosquitoes was 100% and 99.2% in Fulani and Mossi ethnic group respectively (p=0.138) leading to an average oocystic load of 249 in Fulani and 21 in Mossi group. The success rate of DMFA in both groups combined was 57.14%. Indeed, this rate was 33.33% and 66.67% in Fulani and Mossi group respectively.

Conclusion: Our study showed that there is no significant difference found between the two ethnic group with the fed, survival, dissected and the infested mosquitoes rate. However, the average of oocystic load was higher in Fulani than the Mossi group despite the low infection in Fulani group. There is a need to explore the mechanism underlying such difference between the two ethnic groups.
Effect of Coloured Polythene Bags on Fruit Quality of ‘Himsagar’ Mango Grown in New Alluvial Zone of West Bengal
Authors: Datta Soustav , Sau Sayan , Datta Pallab
Published: January 2020

Aims: The study was aimed to investigate the effect coloured polythene bags on fruit quality of ‘Himsagar’ mango grown in New Alluvial Zone of West Bengal, India.

Methodology: Field experiment was conducted at Regional Research Station, New Alluvial Zone, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Gayeshpur, Nadia, West Bengal, India (22°56″ N, 88°31″ E and 9.75 m above mean sea level) during the period from 2017 to 2018. The experiment was laid out in completely randomized block design (RBD) having six distinct bagging treatments (T1- Blue polythene bag, T2- Green polythene bag, T3- Yellow polythene bag, T4-Red polythene bag, T5- White polythene bag, and one control i.e. T6- No bag), replicated four times. Fruit physical parameters, bio-chemical parameters, physiological loss in weight and disease incidence % at different days of storage were analyzed in this experiment.     

Results: Experimental findings showed that among different colour of bags, green colour (T2) proved most effective as most physical parameters and bio-chemical constituents of fruit were improved in this treatment. Fruits at 8 days storage at ambient room temperature showed maximum total soluble solids, total sugar and β-carotene content with the application of green colour bag. This treatment also exhibited less physiological loss in weight (PLW) with minimum incidences of post harvest diseases during storage at ambient room temperature.

Conclusion: Findings from this study show that fruit bagging with green polythene bag proved most effective in increasing the fruit weight and bio-chemical constituents of mango with less incidence of diseases that ultimately leading to better consumer acceptance and gives higher return to the growers.
Spatial Distribution of Bacterial Isolates from Different Abattoirs in Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Authors: Testimonies Chikanka Azuonwu , N. Ogbonna David
Published: January 2020

The constituents of wastes generated from abattoir activities create conducive environment for microbial proliferation, most of which are pathogenic. Infections caused by these microorganisms could result to zoonoses. This study was to determine the distribution of bacterial isolates and their biomass from different abattoirs in Port Harcourt. Samples like waste blood, table swab, service water, faecal matter, soil and wastewater from abattoirs in Iwofe, Rumuodomaya and Trans-Amadi were collected from October 2017 to November, 2018 and analysed using standard microbiological procedures. Results obtained revealed that the total heterotrophic bacterial count of blood samples ranged from 8.33x101 to 3.33x102 cfu/ml for Trans-Amadi and Iwofe abattoirs, table swabs ranged from 6.74x104 to 4.88x106 cfu/ml, water samples ranged from 1.56x104 to 2.07x104 cfu/ml; faecal matter had THB counts ranging from 9.97x107 to 1.06x108 cfu/g; and soil samples ranged from 1.11x1010 to 1.17x1010 g,  while wastewater counts ranged from 1.03x108 to 1.08x108 cfu/ml. The predominant Bacterial isolates were of the genera Micrococcus, Staphylococcus, Serratia, Pseudomonas, Proteus, Klebsiella, Escherichia and Chromobacterium, Serratia sp. only was isolated from Iwofe and Rumuodomaya abattoirs within April to October while Chromobacterium sp. was isolated in Trans-Amadi and Rumuodomaya abattoirs within the months of May to October. Among the isolates, Escherichia coli and Klebsiella species occurred more compared to others in all the three locations. A higher percentage of microorganisms were recorded in the month of May compared to other months. It is presumed that abattoir wastes harbour many microorganisms of public health importance. The occurrence of these microbes, most of which are enteric pathogens, poses a public health challenge as infections by them could result in illnesses such as gastroenteritis, septicaemia and pneumonia especially in the absence of good hygiene around abattoirs. Proper sanitation in abattoirs as well as management of abattoir wastes is important in reducing the spread of these microorganisms.
Analysis of the Simulation Results of Three Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Cycle Models
Authors: Ollila Antero
Published: January 2020

The CO2 (carbon dioxide) circulation models referred by the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) show that the increase of atmospheric CO2 by 240 GtC (Gigatonnes of carbon) from 1750 to 2011 is totally anthropogenic in nature, which corresponds to the permille value of about -12.5‰, but the observed value is only -8.3‰. The author’s improved 1DAOBM-3 CO2 circulation model shows that the anthropogenic CO2 amount in 2011 is only 73 GtC, satisfying the observed atmospheric permille values from 1750 to 2017. The CO2 circulation between the ocean and the atmosphere has increased the amount of atmospheric CO2 by natural CO2 197 GtC from the ocean, and this explains why the net uptake rate is only 1.9 GtC yr-1. Together with the anthropogenic amount of 73 GtC, the total increase is 270 GtC by 2017, corresponding to the observed atmospheric CO2 concentration. The simulations for 1000 GtC emissions by 2100 have been carried out by three models, including 1DAOBM-3, Bern2.5CC, and the mean model of 15 circulation models (called Joos 2013). The residence time of 1DAOBM-3 is 16 years for anthropogenic CO2 impulse, the same as for the radiocarbon decay time. The decay time of 1DAOBM-3 for the impulse function is about 600 years meaning the residence time of about 150 years only. These values are much shorter than the residence times of two other models, which show that 25±9‰ of any anthropogenic CO2 is still found in the atmosphere after 1,000 years. The reasons have been analyzed. The advantage of 1DAOBM-3 over the other models is that its results are in line with the oceanic and atmospheric observations from 1750 to 2017 but the future simulations include uncertainties due to ocean and biosphere uptake rate models.
Impact of the MLC leaf‐tip model in a commercial TPS: Dose calculation limitations and IROC‐H phantom failures
Authors: Koger Brandon , Price Ryan , Wang Da , Toomeh Dolla , Geneser Sarah , Ford Eric
Published: January 2020

Purpose

Treatment planning system (TPS) dose calculation is sensitive to multileaf collimator (MLC) modeling, especially when treating with intensity‐modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) or VMAT. This study investigates the dosimetric impact of the MLC leaf‐tip model in a commercial TPS (RayStation v.6.1). The detectability of modeling errors was assessed through both measurements with an anthropomorphic head‐and‐neck phantom and patient‐specific IMRT QA using a 3D diode array.

Methods and Materials

An Agility MLC (Elekta Inc.) was commissioned in RayStation. Nine IMRT and VMAT plans were optimized to treat the head‐and‐neck phantom from the Imaging and Radiation Oncology Core Houston branch (IROC‐H). Dose distributions for each plan were re‐calculated on 27 beam models, varying leaf‐tip width (2.0, 4.5, and 6.5 mm) and leaf‐tip offset (−2.0 to +2.0 mm) values. Doses were compared to phantom TLD measurements. Patient‐specific IMRT QA was performed, and receiver‐operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed to determine the detectability of modeling errors.

Results

Dose calculations were very sensitive to leaf‐tip offset values. Offsets of ±1.0 mm resulted in dose differences up to 10% and 15% in the PTV and spinal cord TLDs respectively. Offsets of ±2.0 mm caused dose deviations up to 50% in the spinal cord TLD. Patient‐specific IMRT QA could not reliably detect these deviations, with an ROC area under the curve (AUC) value of 0.537 for a ±1.0 mm change in leaf‐tip offset, corresponding to >7% dose deviation. Leaf‐tip width had a modest dosimetric impact with <2% and 5.6% differences in the PTV and spinal cord TLDs respectively.

Conclusions

Small changes in the MLC leaf‐tip offset in this TPS model can cause large changes in the calculated dose for IMRT and VMAT plans that are difficult to identify through either dose curves or standard patient‐specific IMRT QA. These results may, in part, explain the reported high failure rate of IROC‐H phantom tests.
Adherence to Antimalarial Therapy and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Among Patients With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Population‐Based Study
Authors: Salmasi Shahrzad , Sayre Eric C. , Antonio Aviña‐Zubieta J. , Esdaile John M. , De Vera Mary A.
Published: January 2020

Objective

To evaluate the association between adherence to antimalarials and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Methods

Using administrative health databases in British Columbia, Canada, we conducted a retrospective, longitudinal cohort study of patients with incident SLE and incident antimalarial use. We established antimalarial drug courses by defining a new course when a 90‐day gap is exceeded between refills and we calculated proportion of days covered (PDC) for each course. We categorized medication taking as: 1) adherent (PDC ≥0.90), 2) nonadherent (0 < PDC < 0.90), and 3) discontinuer (no drug). Type 2 DM outcomes were based on outpatient or inpatient visits, or antidiabetic medication use. We used multivariable Cox proportional hazards models with time‐dependent variables.

Results

Over a median of 4.62 years of follow‐up in our incident cohort of 1,498 patients with SLE (90.8% women), we recorded 140 incident cases of type 2 DM. Multivariable hazard ratios were 0.61 (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.40–0.93) for adherent and 0.78 (95% CI 0.50–1.22) for nonadherent, respectively, as compared to discontinuers.

Conclusion

Our findings of a protective effect of adherence to antimalarials in preventing type 2 DM provides further support for the importance of adherence to antimalarials to obtain the benefits of therapy.
Knee Osteoarthritis, Potential Mediators, and Risk of All‐Cause Mortality: Data From the Osteoarthritis Initiative
Authors: Wang Yilun , Nguyen Uyen‐Sa D. T. , Lane Nancy E. , Lu Na , Wei Jie , Lei Guanghua , Zeng Chao , Zhang Yuqing
Published: January 2020

Objective

To assess the relation of symptomatic knee osteoarthritis (OA), knee pain, and radiographic knee OA to All‐cause mortality and to identify mediators in the causal pathway.

Methods

Participants from the Osteoarthritis Initiative were divided into 4 groups: 1) symptomatic knee OA (i.e., both radiographic knee OA [Kellgren/Lawrence grade ≥2] and knee pain); 2) knee pain only; 3) radiographic knee OA only; and 4) neither radiographic knee OA nor knee pain. We examined the relation of knee OA status to All‐cause mortality using a multivariable Cox proportional hazards model and assessed the extent to which the association was mediated by disability, physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS) scores for quality of life (QoL), and use of oral pain‐relief medications (i.e., nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs and opioids).

Results

Among 4,796 participants, 282 died over the 96‐month follow‐up period. Compared with those with neither radiographic knee OA nor knee pain, multivariable‐adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) of mortality were 2.2 (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.6–3.1) for symptomatic knee OA, 0.9 (95% CI 0.6–1.4) for knee pain only, and 2.0 (95% CI 1.4–2.9) for radiographic knee OA only, respectively. Indirect effects (HRs) of symptomatic knee OA on mortality via disability and PCS of QoL were 1.1 (95% CI 1.0–1.4) and 1.2 (95% CI 1.0–1.4), respectively. No apparent mediation effect was observed through either MCS of QoL or oral pain‐relief medications use.

Conclusion

Participants with either symptomatic or radiographic knee OA were at an increased risk of All‐cause mortality. Increased risk of mortality from symptomatic knee OA was partially mediated through its effect on disability and PCS of QoL.
Molecular Patching Engineering to Drive Energy Conversion as Efficient and Environment‐Friendly Cell toward Wireless Power Transmission
Authors: Shu Jin‐Cheng , Cao Mao‐Sheng , Zhang Min , Wang Xi‐Xi , Cao Wen‐Qiang , Fang Xiao‐Yong , Cao Mao‐Qing
Published: January 2020

Spatial electromagnetic (EM) radiation, big data, is both an opportunity and a challenge. Harvesting and converting waste EM energy for high‐efficient recycling has a huge significance in the energy field. Herein, a new and effective patching engineering method using conductive polymers to repair magnetic graphene (NF‐P) is proposed, tailoring the microstructure network controllably, including conductive network and relaxation genes. It realizes the precise tuning of EM property, and the EM response shows a significant increase of 52%. The energy transformation inside materials is surveyed, and a revolutionary mode of energy conversion is constructed, ingeniously utilizing the stored electrical energy and the converted heat energy inside the material with the theoretical utilization of absorbed EM energy up to 100%. The NF‐P patching network serves as a prototype for a potential cell device with the EM energy conversion improved by ≈10 times and effective bandwidth increased by 13 GHz that covers the entire research frequency band (2–18 GHz). This research opens up a new idea for energy utilization inside materials, providing a novel and effective path for harvesting, converting and delivering spatial EM energy.