bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessing Restoration Potential of Fragmented and Degraded Fagaceae Forests in Meghalaya, North-East India
Authors: Singh Prem Prakash , Chakraborty Tamalika , Dermann Anna , Dermann Florian , Adhikari Dibyendu , Gurung Purna B. , Barik Saroj Kanta , Bauhus Jürgen , Fassnacht Fabian Ewald , Dey Daniel C. , Rösch Christine , Saha *Somidh
Published: August 2020

The montane subtropical broadleaved humid forests of Meghalaya (Northeast India) are highly diverse and situated at the transition zone between the Eastern Himalayas and Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspots. Fagaceae family are the keystone species forms an important component of these forests. These forests in Meghalaya are highly degraded and fragmented due to anthropogenic disturbances (e.g., mining, unsustainable forest utilization, shifting cultivation, browsing, etc.). In this study, we assessed for the first time, the restoration potential (i.e. capacity to naturally regenerate and sustain desired forest structure) of Fagaceae species (2 Lithocarpus, 4 Castanopsis, and 4 Quercus species) in Meghalaya and how the biotic and abiotic factors, as well as anthropogenic disturbances, influence the restoration potential of these species. We selected fragmented forest patches in six locations on an elevational gradient on south-facing slopes in the Khasi Hills, Meghalaya. Fagaceae was the most dominant family in all sites except one site (Laitkynsew) where Fagaceae was co-dominant with Lauraceae. The family also had high natural regeneration (i.e., a high number of seedlings and saplings) but low recruitment to adult trees (DBH ≥ 10cm) at all sites. This study provides a means for assessing regeneration and a basis for forest management strategies in degraded and fragmented forests of Meghalaya.
Real-time Production and Logistics Self-adaption Scheduling based on Information Entropy Theory
Authors: Yang Wenchao , Li Wenfeng , Cao Yulian , Luo Yun , He Lijun
Published: August 2020

In recent years, the individualized demand of customers brings small batches and diversification of orders towards enterprises. The application of enabling technologies in factory, such as the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and Cloud Manufacturing (CMfg), enhances the ability of customer requirement automatic elicitation and the manufacturing process control. The job shop scheduling problem with random job arrival time dramatically increases the difficulty in process management. Thus, how to collaboratively schedule the production and logistics resources in the shop floor is very challenging, and it has a fundamental and practical significance of achieving the competitiveness for an enterprise. To address this issue, the real-time model of production and logistics resources is built firstly. Then, the task entropy model is built based on the task information. Finally, the real-time self-adaption collaboration of production and logistics resources is realized. The proposed algorithm is carried out based on a practical case to evaluate its effectiveness. Experimental results show that our proposed algorithm outperforms three existing algorithms.
Frequency Maps as Expert Instructions to Lessen Data Dependency on Real-time Traffic Light Recognition
Authors: Macedo Hendrik , Almeida Thiago , Matos Leonardo , Prado Bruno
Published: August 2020

Research on Traffic Light Recognition (TLR) has grown in recent years, primarily driven by the growing interest in autonomous vehicles development. Machine Learning algorithms have been widely used to that purpose. Mainstream approaches, however, require large amount of data to properly work, and as a consequence, a lot of computational resources. In this paper we propose the use of Expert Instruction (IE) as a mechanism to reduce the amount of data required to provide accurate ML models for TLR. Given an image of the exterior scene taken from the inside of the vehicle, we stand the hypothesis that the picture of a traffic light is more likely to appear in the central and upper regions of the image. Frequency Maps of traffic light location were thus constructed to confirm this hypothesis. The frequency maps are the result of a manual effort of human experts in annotating each image with the coordinates of the region where the traffic light appears. Results show that EI increased the accuracy obtained by the classification algorithm in two different image datasets by at least 15%. Evaluation rates achieved by the inclusion of EI were also higher in further experiments, including traffic light detection followed by classification by the trained algorithm. The inclusion of EI in the PCANet achieved a precision of 83% and recall of 73% against 75.3% and 51.1%, respectively, of its counterpart. We finally presents a prototype of a TLR Device with that expert model embedded to assist drivers. The TLR uses a smartphone as a camera and processing unit. To show the feasibility of the apparatus, a dataset was obtained in real time usage and tested in an Adaptive Background Suppression Filter (AdaBSF) and Support Vector Machines (SVMs) algorithm to detect and recognize traffic lights. Results show precision of 100% and recall of 65%.
Doubly-charged Negative Ions as Novel Tunable Catalysts: Graphene and Fullerene Molecules Versus Atomic Metals
Authors: Suggs Kelvin , Msezane Alfred Z
Published: August 2020

The fundamental mechanism underlying negative-ion catalysis involves bond-strength breaking in the transition state (TS). Doubly-charged atomic/molecular anions are proposed as novel dynamic tunable catalysts and demonstrated in water oxidation to peroxide. Density Functional Theory TS calculations have found tunable energy activation barrier reduction ranging from 0.030 eV to 2.070eV, with Si2ˉ, Pu2ˉ, Pa2ˉ and Sn2ˉ the best catalysts; the radioactive elements usher in new application opportunities. C602ˉ reduces significantly the standard C60ˉ TS energy barrier while graphene increases it, behaving like cationic systems. Rank-ordered catalysts according to their reaction barrier reduction efficiency, variation across charge states and systems reveal their tunable and wide applications, ranging from water purification to biocompatible anti-viral and anti-bacterial sanitation systems.
Differences between Women and Men in terms of Safety Measures to Prevent COVID-19 Pandemic in the Hotel Sector
Authors: Lenis Escobar Alexandra , Rueda López Ramón , Menor Campos Antonio , López-Felipe Teresa
Published: August 2020

The tourism sector in general and the hotelier in particular face the challenge of managing appropriate measures to deal with the covid-19 pandemic. In this sense it is useful to know what the measures are most demanded by the clientele. This research, by analyzing the variance (ANOVA) of a factor concluded that women are more demanding than men in terms of the level of demand in relation to the measures to be taken in hotels. This, as a practical application, allows to know more accurately the expectations, demands and demands of the client segmented by sex, in order to satisfy and improve the tourist experiences.
Determination of Formation Energies and Phase Diagrams of Transition Metal Oxides with DFT+U
Authors: Mutter Daniel , Urban Daniel F. , Elsässer Christian
Published: August 2020

Knowledge about the formation energies of compounds is essential to derive phase diagrams of multi-component phases with respect to elemental reservoirs. The determination of formation energies using common (semi-)local exchange-correlation approximations of density functional theory (DFT) exhibits well-known systematic errors if applied to oxide compounds containing transition metal elements. In this work, we generalize, reevaluate and discuss a set of approaches proposed and widely applied in the literature to correct for errors arising from the over-binding of the O2 molecule and from correlation effects of electrons in localized transition-metal orbitals. The DFT+U method is exemplarily applied to iron oxide compounds, and a procedure is presented to obtain U values, which lead to formation energies and electronic band gaps comparable to experimental values. Using such corrected formation energies, we derive the phase diagrams for LaFeO3, Li5FeO4 and NaFeO2, which are promising materials for energy conversion and storage devices. A scheme is presented to transform the variables of the phase diagrams from the chemical potentials of elemental phases to those of precursor compounds of a solid-state reaction, which represents the experimental synthesis process more appropriately. The discussed workflow of methods can directly be applied to other transition metal oxides.
Science-Driven Societal Transformation, Part I: Worldview
Authors: Boik John
Published: August 2020

Humanity faces serious social and environmental problems, including climate change and biodiversity loss. Risks are increasing and conditions deteriorating. Increasingly, scientists, global policy experts, and the general public conclude that incremental approaches are insufficient and transformative change is needed across all sectors of society. However, the meaning of transformation is still unsettled in the literature, as is the proper role of science in fostering it. This paper is the first in a three-part series that adds to the discussion by proposing a novel science-driven research-and-development program aimed at societal transformation. More than a proposal, it offers a perspective and conceptual framework from which societal transformation might be approached and understood. While acknowledging the necessity of reform to existing societal systems (e.g., governance, economic, and financial systems), the focus of the series is on transformation understood as systems change or systems migration—the de novo development of and migration to new societal systems. The series provides definitions, aims, reasoning, worldview, and a theory of change, and discusses fitness metrics and design principles for new systems. This first paper proposes a worldview built using ideas from evolutionary biology, complex systems science, cognitive sciences, and information theory that is intended to serve as the foundation for the R&D program.
The Hubble Tension: Change in Dark Energy or a Case for Modified Gravity?
Authors: Kenath Arun , Rebecca Louise , C Sivaram
Published: August 2020

Here we propose a modification of the gravitational field on large scales as an alternate explanation for the discrepancy in the value of the Hubble constant as implied by Planck observations of the CMBR in the early Universe and that deduced from other distance indicators in the present epoch.
Report on Self-Management of Mental Wellbeing Using Bonsai as an Ecotherapeutic Art Tool
Authors: Hermann Caroll
Published: August 2020

Objective: The study investigated the benefit of practicing the art of bonsai and the well-being of practitioners. The art promotes relaxation, focus and art therapy that can have personal and emotional value in a self-help setting. When the bonsai tree is used as a healing object, it may improve the ability of the bonsai practitioner to adapt to adverse and stressful life events, such as the present global COVID-19 pandemic. Method: International bonsai artists (n = 255) participated in a study that examined the effect their bonsai had on their mental well-being. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with bonsai artists answering the question: “How has bonsai helped you?”. Results: Most participants acknowledged that being able to take care of their bonsais affected their mood in a positive manner. Discussion: Although the participants did not report overall improved mental health, participants expressed an improvement in their mood when being able to work on a bonsai tree. Conclusion: These findings are significant in that it can be useful in as a preventative and restorative manner in the mental well-being of people who practice the art.
Practical Guide of References and Nutritional Recommendations for Individuals Affected by Coronavirus Disease 2019
Authors: Rodrigues Hadassa Hillary Novaes Pereira , Drescher Wanderson Hugo , Takeuchi Katiuchia Pereira , Silva Fernanda Cacilda dos Santos , Volp Ana Carolina Pinheiro
Published: August 2020

ABSTRACT: INTRODUCTION: Fast and exponentially spreading, COVID-19 pandemic has affected the entire world and caused a collapse in health systems to, due to the short contagion time, the need for hospitalization and intensive care. Of the affected, some portion needs hospitalization and essential nutritional support. OBJECTIVE: Considering the current demand on the need to better inform and prepare health professionals and the general population in a simplified mode, given a huge amount of disseminated information, the objective of this work was to present a summarized and practical guide of references and nutritional recommendations for individuals affected by COVID-19. METHODS: Bibliographic review about this subject related publications was carried out on scientific websites, including the main themes: critical patient, nutritional status, nutritional recommendations, immunity and coronavirus. RESULTS: The following items were included and presented very clearly in this guide: screening for nutritional risk; administration routes, objectives and guidelines of nutritional therapy; dietary and nutritional recommendations; immunomodulation; probiotics; and liquids/hydration. CONCLUSION: This article has summarized what is available on the subject in the literature up to now. We believe that this practical guide will facilitate and optimizes the conduct of health professionals.
Organic Growth Theory for Corporate Sustainability
Authors: Karnama Ahmad , Vinuesa Ricardo
Published: August 2020

This paper introduces a theory for the evolution of corporates in which the growth and sustainability strategies are developed simultaneously. Since the introduction of corporate sustainability, it has been an extra cost for risk mitigation and making ‘compensating’ positive impact. The world has reached a tipping point of volatility, mainly due to climate change but also by emergence of COVID-19, so that the applicability of existing corporate structures is under question and these poses high risk to the existence of our planet. On the other hand, the technology cost for sustainable investment has reached a parity in comparison with non-sustainable alternatives. Therefore, our proposed Organic Grow Theory introduces a step-by-step approach so that corporates can grow and be profitable without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. It is concluded that, a new structure for corporate, called Founcorp, would be needed to direct corporates to evolve being a responsible legal entity.
HUBUNGAN PENGUASAAN MATERI THAHARAH DENGAN KESADARAN MENJAGA KEBERSIHAN SEBAGAI ACUAN MANAJEMEN LINGKUNGAN SEKOLAH
Authors: Fikri Achmad Ali , Bustomi Muhammad Farid , Nikmah Astitik
Published: August 2020

This study aims to determine the mastery of student subject matter, the awareness of maintaining cleanliness of the school environment, and the relationship of mastery of student subject matter with the awareness of maintaining hygiene as a reference for school environment management. The population was 125 students of class VII MTs Hasan Kafrawi Jepara and a sample of 70 students with random sampling. Using a quantitative approach to the technique of collecting test data, questionnaires, and observations. Then using description analysis and correlation analysis. The results showed the value of r arithmetic = 0.431 means r arithmetic> r table (0.431> 0.235) This shows that there is a positive and significant relationship between mastery of student subject matter with awareness of maintaining cleanliness. This can be used as a reference for environmental management in MTs Hasan Kafrawi  Jepara.
Exome Sequencing Revealed Mutations in ADAT3 and HERC2 Genes in two Sudanese Families with Syndromic Mental Retardation
Authors: Yahia Ashraf , Bakhiet Aisha M. , Hamed Ahlam A. , Abozar Fatima , Adil Rawaa , Emad Sara , Musallam Mhammed Alhassan , Eltazi Isra Z. M. , Maaroof Omer M. , Ahmed Ammar E. , Elsayed Liena E. , Stevanin Giovanni
Published: August 2020

BackgroundAutosomal recessive intellectual disabilities, syndromic and non-syndromic, are of specific importance in consanguineous communities. High throughput sequencing technologies have enhanced diagnosing the Mendelian forms of intellectual disability. Mental retardation 36 and 38 are emerging clinical entities with variable presentations that extend beyond adaptive and intellectual functioning. MethodsWe used exome sequencing, bioinformatic tools and Sanger sequencing to diagnose two Sudanese families with syndromic intellectual disability. ResultsWe identified the variant NM_138422.3 (ADAT3):c.430G>A (rs730882213) in a homozygous state in two female siblings manifesting a clinical phenotype consistent with mental retardation 36. This variant was previously identified as pathogenic founder variant in multiple families from the Middle East manifesting mental retardation 36. Our patients had bullet-shaped distal phalanges, expanding the previously reported presentation. In a second family, the proband had a clinical phenotype consistent with mental retardation 38. Genetic analysis revealed the novel homozygous variant NM_004667.4 (HERC2):c.10855C>T as the potential culprit. In addition to what has been reported previously, the proband had cleft lip and palate, bulbous nose, spastic lower limbs and stones in his gallbladder.Conclusion Herein, we corroborated and extended the previously reported phenotypic spectrums associated with autosomal recessive mental retardation 36 and 38.
The social support, mental health, psychiatric symptoms, and functioning of persons with schizophrenia participating in peer co-delivered vocational rehabilitation: a pilot study in Taiwan
Authors: Cheng Kan-Yuan , Yen Chia-Feng
Published: August 2020

Background

A consensual understanding of the effect of vocational peer support (VPS) on the functioning of persons with schizophrenia still eludes researchers. There are also few VPS services found in non-Western countries. Hence, a pilot program of peer co-delivered vocational rehabilitation to support persons with schizophrenia in Taiwan was proposed and evaluated.
Methods

Six peers were trained and were willing to co-lead and assist workplace problem-solving and care skills training in an extended vocational rehabilitation program. A total of 46 persons with schizophrenia participated in such services from August 2017 to December 2018. The social support, mental health, psychiatric symptoms, and functioning of service users were assessed before and after peer co-delivered services, based on the following: Social Support Scale (SSS), Chinese Health Questionnaire-12 (CHQ-12), Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), Global Assessment of Function (GAF), and the Chinese version of the Social Functioning Scale (C-SFS).
Results

Most service users were middle-aged (49.1 ± 9.8), with 27 being male (58.7%). Forty-two service users who completed the program scored as follows before and after the intervention: 149.1 ± 31.8 vs. 161.2 ± 35.0, df = 41, t = 2.70, p = 0.01 (total SSS), and 44.4 ± 12.0 vs. 53.2 ± 13.2, df = 41, t = 4.72, p < 0.001 (subscale of friend-peer dimension); 69.8 ± 9.8 vs. 72.6 ± 8.8, df = 41, t = 3.50, p = 0.001 (GAF); 75.2 ± 8.8 vs. 78.1 ± 9.5, df = 41, t = 2.59, p = 0.01 (C-SFS); and 37.5 ± 35.5 vs. 43.6 ± 38.0, df = 41, t = 2.57, p = 0.01 (weekly wage). The BPRS-18 score decreased significantly after the intervention (31.2 ± 6.7 vs. 29.3 ± 5.0, df = 41, t = -2.83, p = 0.007).
Conclusions

Peer co-delivered vocational rehabilitation services can enhance the social support received by persons with schizophrenia and improve their occupational function (as evidenced in the wage increase). The pilot program proposed can thus be a model for non-Western countries with limited resources allocated from the government to support persons with schizophrenia.
The Lifting Force of An Airplane Wing When Flying Horizontally at High Speeds.
Authors: Braginsky Alexander
Published: August 2020

In this paper, an explanation is given of the lift force of an airplane during horizontal flight. It is shown that during a flight, five vertical forces act on the airplane: gravity; pressure gradient with a minus sign; Archimedes force; potential force and the vortex force obtained from the action minimum. The first three forces were known before. The potential force was also known from the Bernoulli equation, but its effect on the airfoil from the air had not previously been taken into account. The vortex force obtained from the minimum action in the application to a continuous medium was not taken into account in aerodynamics. In horizontal flight the vortex force is directed upwards, it compensates for the gravity of the airplane at high speed commensurate with the speed of sound. The article provides an explanation of the vortex trail behind the airplane, mentioned in the CMI Millennium problem.
Scaling-up a New Socio-mental Health Service Model in Iran to Reduce Burden of Neuropsychiatric Disorders: An Economic Evaluation Study
Authors: Hosseinijebeli Seyede Sedighe , Rezapour Aziz , Hajebi Ahmad , Lakeh Maziar Moradi , Damari Behzad
Published: August 2020

Background

The integration of core packages of mental health care into routine primary health care has been introduced as an effective way to achieve universal health coverage in mental health care. Based on the transition of mental health care in Iran, from introducing basic mental health care in PHC to the experience of community-based mental health centers for urban areas, a new socio-mental health service model has been so far proposed. This study aimed to estimate the impact of scaling-up the new socio-mental health model at the national level as well as its associated costs.
Methods

This study was an economic evaluation following One Health Tool methodology. The data required for the study were collected in the first quarter of the year 2020 with a time horizon from 2020 to 2030. The selected metric for summarizing health effects is healthy life years gained. Resources used in terms of drug and supply, staff salaries and outpatient visits were documented and associated costs were subsequently estimated in order to estimate the average cost of each intervention per case.
Results

The health impacts are calculated in terms of healthy life years gained for 2020-30, after adjusting the prevalence and incidence rates for each disorder. In total, 1,702,755 healthy life years were expected to be gained. Considering total 1,913,325,408 US dollars cost in base case scenario, each healthy life years gained will cost around 1124 US dollars. Based on the WHO criteria for cost-effectiveness threshold, all of the values ranged from 1042 to 1150 US dollars obtained through eight different scenarios were considered as cost-effective given the GDP per capita of 5506 US dollars for Iran in 2019.
Conclusions

The present study provided a timely analysis as the ministry of health in Iran sought to implement an ambitious plan of mental care scaling-up across the country. Therefore, this work could make a useful contribution to state-level deliberations on the implementation of this plan. Expanding such works beyond the mental health to all non-communicable diseases and making comparisons between packages of cares can be thus great evidence while the programs are aimed to be scaled-up.
Comparative Analysis of Machine Learning Classifiers for the Prediction of Malaria Incidence Attributed to Climatic Factors
Authors: Mohapatra Pallavi , Tripathi N.K. , Pal Indrajit , Shrestha Sangam
Published: August 2020

Background: India has a rising rate of malaria as well as a high mortality rate despite awareness and efforts being focused on the issue. Some regions are profoundly affected than others, such as in Odisha, where the prevalence of malaria is nearly a third of the whole country. This study investigated the influence of climate factors on the incidence of malaria in the Sundargarh district in the state of Odisha, India. Methods: Block-wise observed station rainfall data was sourced from the Special Relief Commissioners' (SRC) web portal. Gridded surface maximum temperature and relative humidity data were accessed from the European Center for Medium-range Weather Forecast (ECMWF) reanalysis data archive. Malaria incident data were collected from the Directorate of Public Health, Government of Odisha. WEKA machine learning tool with two classifier techniques, Multi-Layer Perceptron (MLP) and J48 with 10-fold cross-validation, percentile split (66%), and supplied test options, were used for the Malaria prediction. A comparative analysis was carried out on both techniques to ascertain the superior model amongst the two, concerning the prediction accuracy of malaria in the context of a varying climate. Classifier accuracy, Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), Kappa, and ROC scores were the indicators used for the analysis. Results: The results suggested that J48 had exhibited a better skill to MLP and illustrated less error with a positive kappa. In particular, the 10-fold cross-validation method had better performance over the percentile Spilt (66%) and supplied test options. J48 demonstrated less error (RMSE = 0.6), better kappa = 0.63, and higher accuracy = 0.71), suggesting it as most suitable model. Further, seasonal temperature and humidity variation had shown a better association with malaria incidents in comparison to rainfall.Conclusion: The performance of the machine learning methods for Sundargarh was particularly better during the monsoon and post-monsoon when the events are at the peak. The results were encouraging for the utilization of climate forecast for prediction of malaria incidences. It is thus recommended that the J48 classifier machine learning technique could be adopted for the development of malaria early warning system.
Characterization of urban wastewater treatment plant effluent from Tokyo using metagenomics and β-lactam-resistant Enterobacteriaceae isolates
Authors: Sekizuka Tsuyoshi , Itokawa Kentaro , Tanaka Rina , Hashino Masanori , Yatsu Koji , Kuroda Makoto
Published: August 2020

Background: The World Health Organization has endorsed a global action plan on antimicrobial resistance (AMR), which calls upon all nations to adopt mitigation strategies based on the one-health approach. In particular, environmental factors to evaluate their potential risk for promoting the evolution of AMR have not been sufficiently characterized, yet. Instead of the limited nosocomial AMR surveillance, sewage AMR surveillance could highlight a broader picture of the global burden of AMR, including local-specific features, such as urban-, suburban-, industrial-, or agricultural-based, based on the One-Health approach.Methods: We characterized environmental AMR burden in effluents of eight wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) around the Tama River and Tokyo Bay by metagenomic analysis of AMR genes (ARGs) and heavy metal resistance genes and whole-genome sequencing of AMR bacteria (ARB) isolates.Results: We found that seasonal features of ARGs eluted from WWTPs and sul1 and qacE (or qacE∆1), which are the main contributors of class 1 integron, were rich genetic factors as baseline ARG pollutants. In addition, aadA6 and msr(E) were predominant ARGs against aminoglycoside and macrolide resistance, respectively. Among the detected ARB isolates, complete genome sequencing demonstrated that E. coli O16:H5-ST131-fimH41 producing CTX-M-27 exhibited marked genome clonality with clinical isolates from several countries. Complete plasmid sequences highlighted that ARG distribution was involved in plasmid replicon and its bacterial hosts.Conclusions: Here, we provide a baseline for investigating environmental AMR dissemination and the possibility of using metagenomics for comprehensive AMR surveillance in sewage. This study demonstrated that AMR monitoring could uncover the actual status of the effluents from WWTP and would suggest how we should conduct further studies to reduce the related AMR burden to prevent it from becoming a potential health risk.
Spatial Distribution and Determinant Factors of Anaemia Among Adults Aged 15-59 in Ethiopia; Using Mixed-effects Ordinal Logistic Regression Model
Authors: tusa biruk , kebede Sewnet Adem , Weldesenbet Adisu Birhanu
Published: August 2020

Background: Anaemia is a global public health problem particularly in developing countries. Assessing the geographical distributions and determinant factors is a key and crucial step in designing targeted prevention and intervention programmes to address anaemia. Thus, the current study aimed to assess the spatial distribution and determinant factors of anaemia among adults aged 15-59 in Ethiopia.Methods: A secondary data analysis was done based on 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Surveys (EDHS). Total weighted samples of 29,140 adults were included. Data processing and analysis were performed using STATA 14; ArcGIS 10.1 and SaTScan 9.6 software. Spatial autocorrelation was checked using Global Moran’s index (Moran’s I). Hotspot analysis was made using Gettis-OrdGi*statistics. Additionally, spatial scan statistics were applied to identify significant primary and secondary cluster of anaemia. Mixed effect ordinal logistics were fitted to determine factors associated with the level of anaemia.Result: The spatial distribution of anaemia among adults age 15-59 was found to be clustered in Ethiopia (Global Moran’s I = 0.81, p value < 0.0001). In the multivariable mixed-effect ordinal regression analysis; being females [AOR = 1.53; 95% CI: 1.42, 1.66], never married [AOR = 0.86; 95% CI: 0.77, 0.96], higher educated [AOR = 0.71; 95% CI: 0.60, 0.84], rural residents [AOR = 1.53; 95% CI: 1.23, 1.81], rich wealth status [AOR = 0.77; 95% CI: 0.69, 0.86] and underweight [AOR = 1.15; 1.06, 1.24] were significant predictors of anaemia among adults.Conclusions: A significant clustering of anaemia among adults aged 15-59 were found in Ethiopia and the significant hotspot areas with high clusters of anaemia were identified in Somalia, Afar, Gambella, Dire Dewa and Harari regions. Besides, gender, marital status, educational level, place of residence, region, wealth index and body mass index (BMI) were significant predictors of anaemia. Therefore, effective public health intervention and nutritional education should be designed in the identified hotspot areas and risk groups to decrease the incidence of anaemia.
Causal Effect Between Total Cholesterol and HDL Cholesterol as Risk Factors for Chronic Kidney Disease: A Mendelian Randomization Study
Authors: Miao Liu , Min Yan , Zhu Chuan-Meng , Chen Jian-Hong , Qi Bin , Wang Yong , Li Jian-Fei , Li Rong-Shan
Published: August 2020

Background/Aims: While observational studies show an association between serum lipid levels and cardiovascular disease (CVD), intervention studies that examine the preventive eﬀects of serum lipid levels on the development of CKD are lacking. Methods: To estimate the role of serum lipid levels in the etiology of CKD, we conducted a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) study on serum lipid levels. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), which were signiﬁcantly associated genome-wide with plasma serum lipid levels from the GLGC and CKDGen consortium genome-wide association study (GWAS), including total cholesterol (TC, n = 187365), triglyceride (TG, n = 177861), HDL cholesterol (HDL-C, n = 187167), LDL cholesterol (LDL-C, n = 173082), apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1, n = 20687), apolipoprotein B (ApoB, n = 20690) and CKD (n = 117165), were used as instrumental variables. None of the lipid-related SNPs was associated with CKD (all P > 0.05). Results: MR analysis genetically predicted the causal effect between TC/HDL-C and CKD. The odds ratio (OR) and 95% conﬁdence interval (CI) of TC within CKD was 0.756 (0.579 to 0.933) (P = 0.002), and HDL-C was 0.85 (0.687 to 1.012) (P = 0.049). No causal eﬀects between TG, LDL-C- ApoA1, ApoB and CKD were observed. Sensitivity analyses conﬁrmed that TC and HDL-C were signiﬁcantly associated with CKD. Conclusions: The ﬁndings from this MR study indicate causal effects between TC, HDL-C and CKD. Decreased TC and elevated HDL-C may reduce the incidence of CKD but need to be further conﬁrmed by using a genetic and environmental approach.
The Use of 3D Printing Pelvis and Hip in a Complex THA: Clinical Experience and Reports of Literature
Authors: Huang Chenyu , Yao Qingqiang , Liu Wei , Xu Yan , Tang Cheng , Wei Bo , Li Jiayi , Wang Liming
Published: August 2020

Background: Total hip arthroplasty(THA) is a good solution of developmental dysplasia of the hip(DDH). However, patients diagnosed with Crowe type IV are difficult to deal with. With traditional operation skills, the operation time is quite long and the patients will lose a lot of blood.Case presentation: We present the case of a 58-year-old male patient who underwent left THA due to Crowe type IV DDH with the help of 3D printing models. Before the operation, we put the CT image into a computer software named mimics. After getting the stl. document, we use 3D printer to print the models out. By using the models, wo planned the operation in advance. And after sterilizing the models, we put them in the operation area, which saves a lot of operation time and reduces much blood loss by giving surgeons a better anatomy view. Conclusion: THA with the help of 3D printing pelvis and femur can result in a relatively short recovery time and provide good clinical efficacy of type IV DDH patients.
Integration of heparin-binding protein and interleukin-6 in the early prediction of respiratory failure and mortality in pneumonia by SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19)
Authors: Saridaki Maria , Metallidis Simeon , Grigiropoulou Sotiria , Vrentzos Emmanouil , Lada Malvina , Argyraki Katerina , Tsachouridou Olga , Georgiadou Anna , Vasishta Anil , Giamarellos-Bourboulis Evangelos J.
Published: August 2020

Purpose Recent publications on the probable role of heparin-binding protein (HBP) as a biomarker in sepsis prompted us to investigate its diagnostic and prognostic performance in severe COVID-19Methods HBP and IL-6 were measured by immunoassays at admission and on day 7 in 178 patients with pneumonia by SARS-CoV-2. Patients were classified into non-sepsis and sepsis as per the Sepsis-3 definitions and were followed-up for the development of severe respiratory failure (SRF) and for outcome. Results were confirmed by multivariate analyses.Results HBP was significantly higher in patients classified as having sepsis and was negatively associated with the oxygenation ratio and positively associated with creatinine and lactate. Logistic regression analysis evidenced admission HBP more than 18 ng/ml and IL-6 more than 30 pg/ml as independent risk factors for the development of SRP. Their integration prognosticated SRF with respective sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive 59.1%, 96.3%, 83.9% and 87.8%. Cox regression analysis evidenced admission HBP more than 35 ng/ml and IL-6 more than 30 pg/ml as independent risk factors for 28-day mortality. Their integration prognosticated 28-day mortality with respective sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive 69.2%, 92.7%, 42.9% and 97.5%. HBP remained unchanged over-time course. Conclusion A prediction score of the disposition of patients with COVID-19 is proposed taking into consideration admission levels of IL-6 and HBP. Using different cut-offs the score may predict the likelihood for SRF and for 28-day outcome.
Verification of precision, accuracy, and characteristics of dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and nuclear magnetic resonance in the analysis of mouse body composition
Authors: Baek Kyung-Wan , Kim Ji-Seok , Park Jin Sung , Kim So-Jeong , Ha Yong-Chan , Yoo Jun-Il
Published: August 2020

Background: As an instrument for measuring body composition in experimental animals, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is ideal for accuracy, cost, and measurement efficiency. However, there is too little insight into the effectiveness of the various aspects of applying DXA to experimental animals. Therefore, we investigated whether to compare and verify the precision and accuracy of DXA and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) animal body composition analyzers. We used 30 ICR mice in the study. First, in order to evaluate the reproducibility of DXA and NMR, we did repeated measurements by repositioning each mouse in anesthesia and euthanasia states. Subsequently, the accuracy of each device was evaluated by comparing the weight measured before the experiment, the weight of the tissue extracted from the mice after the experiment, and the measured DXA and NMR. In addition, when measuring the body composition of animals, we compared the time and the measurable body composition parameters and summarized the advantages and disadvantages of the two devices.Results: Compared to NMR, DXA had the advantage of a fast measurement of bone composition and rapid image analysis. In addition, DXA showed a higher correlation (> 95%) with FM, body weight, and fBMC baseline than did NMR (> 85%).Conclusion: In conclusion, DXA was confirmed to have higher precision and measurement accuracy than did NMR. Therefore, DXA is an effective method for evaluating the body composition of experimental animals.
Survival and Prognostic Factors Analyses in Malignant Giant Cell Tumor of Bone
Authors: Zhang Jin , Wang Xin , Lin Feng , Xu Guijun , Wu Haixiao , Duan Jincai , Mao Min , Zhang Chao
Published: August 2020

Background: The characteristics and survival of patients with malignant giant cell tumour of bone (GCTB) have not been investigated thoroughly due to the rarity of the disease. We evaluated these factors in a large cohort in the National Cancer Institute’s Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database.Methods: Data from patients who were diagnosed with malignant GCTB from 1975 to 2016 were extracted from the SEER database. The overall survival was calculated by Kaplan–Meier analysis, and intergroup differences were tested by the log-rank test. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression analyses were conducted to identify the independent survival factors.Results: A total of 325 patients with malignant GCTB were included. The overall 1-, 5-, and 10-year survival rates were 94.3% (95% CI: 91.7-96.8), 82.3% (95% CI: 77.9-86.6), and 80.1% (95% CI: 75.4-84.7), respectively. A potential non-linear J-shaped dose–response relationship between the age or diagnosis year and survival were found. Multivariate Cox regression showed poor survival in patients with age from 35 to 60 years (HR=9.99, 95% CI: 1.34-74.80, P=0.025), age older than 60 years (HR=62.03, 95% CI: 7.94-484.38, P<0.001), with stage T2 disease (HR=4.85, 95% CI: 1.52-15.47, P=0.008), with stage T3 disease (HR=6.09, 95% CI: 1.03-36.23, P=0.047), and with distant tumours (HR=2.76, 95% CI: 1.14-6.65, P=0.024), and extraskeletal sites (HR=3.33, 95% CI: 1.02-10.85, P=0.046).Conclusions: This large population-based series described the clinical characteristics of malignant GCTB. Patients with stage T2/3 disease, distant disease and extra-skeletal sites had more odds to be with worse survival. The elder age than 34 years had a gradually increased risk for survival.
Spatial Distribution and Modeling of Malnutrition Among Under-Five Children in Ethiopia
Authors: Lemessa Reta , Tafese Ararso , Aga Gudeta
Published: August 2020

Background

Majority of this world is concerned by malnutrition. Ethiopia is one of the Sub Saharan Africancountries known by poverty, childhood diseases, high mortality and poor infrastructures and technology. The study aimed to examine differences within individuals and between clusters in nutritional status of under-five children and to identify socioeconomic factors using adequate nutrition of children in Ethiopia.
Method:

Data was obtained from Ethiopian 2019 Mini Demographic and Health Survey surveyed by Ethiopian Public Health Institute. A weighted sub- sample of 8768 under-five children was drawn from the dataset. Spatial statistics was used to analysis spatial variations of malnutrition of children in clusters of regional areas of Ethiopia. Multilevel modeling was used to look at demographic, socioeconomic factors at individuals and clusters levels.
Result

At national level the proportion of stunting, underweight and wasting among under-five children were 39.5 percent, 29.8 percent and 15.4 percent respectively. The Global Moran Index’s value for children malnutrition result in Ethiopia was (for stunting I = 0.204, P-value = < 0.0001, for underweight I = 0.195, P-value = < 0.0001 and for wasting I = 0.152, P-value = < 0.0001). Spatial variability of malnutrition of under-five children across the clusters of Ethiopia observed. Result of heterogeneity between clusters obtained was \({X}^{2}=147.25, {X}^{2}=211.43 and {X}^{2}=201.43\)respectively for stunting, underweight and wasting with P = < 0.0001 providing evidences of variation among regional clusters with respect to the status of nutrition of under-five children.Multilevel model result revealed that high differences of malnutritionin individual households and regional clusters in the under-five children in Ethiopia.
Conclusion

The model showed that there were spatial variations in malnutrition among clusters in Ethiopia. Child age in month, breast feeding, family educational level, wealth index, place of residence, media access and region were highly significantly associated with childhood malnutrition. Inclusion of explanatory variables in multilevel model has shown that a significant impact on variation in malnutrition among individual households and regional clusters. Accessible resources, promoting education,use media to expand activities regarding nutritional and health services and through health workers and health institutions in Ethiopia is significant.
Study on the Pigments of Chinese Ancient Architectural Colored Drawing in the Altar of Agriculture (Beijing, China) by portable Raman Spectroscopy and Hand-held X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometry
Authors: Li Yan , Wang Fengping , Ma Junjie , He Kang , Zhang Min
Published: August 2020

As a precious treasure in the history of Chinese architecture, Chinese ancient architectural colored drawing is an important cultural heritage. Knowing exactly the pigment composition in the ancient architectural colored drawing is of great significance to understand and protection of the cultural relic. The in-situ measurement was carried out on the pigments used in the ancient architecture colored drawing in the Altar of Agriculture (Beijing, China) for the first time by Portable Raman spectroscopy and hand-held x-ray fluorescence spectroscopy. The components of the typical pigments, such as red, green, blue, white and black in the colored drawings were studied by spectral analysis and the relationship between the color and material composition of the pigments, including red lead (Pb3O4), massicot (PbO), carbon black (amorphous C), lead white (PbCO3∙Pb(OH)2), indigo (C16H10N2O2), and atacamite (Cu2(OH)3Cl) were established as well. According to the application history of the pigments and the records of the Altar of Agriculture, these colored drawings could be dated to the Qianlong period. Information about these pigments can help preserve and restore architectural drawings in the Altar of Agriculture (Beijing, China) as well as the architectural colored drawings in other Chinese ancient architecture.
The impact of packaging on consumer behavior in the private label market – the case of Slovak consumers under 25 years of age
Authors: Kádeková Zdenka , Košičiarová Ingrida , Vavřečka Vladimir , Džupina Milan
Published: August 2020

Although there were many consumer behavior studies, their focus was on traditional brands. Despite that, their conclusions and recommendations can serve as a model for private label research. This paper aims to find out the influence of packaging on consumer purchasing decisions in the yoghurt segment. Attention was drawn to Slovak consumers under the age of 25 years. To achieve the aim, survey, structured questionnaire (549 randomly chosen respondents) and blind test (20 respondents) methods were used. For a deeper analysis, four hypotheses were set out and tested using statistical methods of Pearsons’ Chi-Square Test, Friedman test, Mantel-Haenszel Chi-Square Test, Phi Coefficient, Cramer’s V Coefficient and correspondence analysis. The results proved that almost 58% of respondents bought private labels sporadically, over 20% of respondents bought them multiple times a week, and over 18% of respondents bought them once a week. In terms of perceived quality, it can be said that quality of private label products is perceived as good and adequate, they evoke impression of adequate quality at a reasonable price, the decisive factor for their purchase is a combination of reasonable price and quality, and the reasons not to buy are high price, low quality and lack of information about the producer. Regarding the impact of packaging on respondents’ purchasing decisions, it is found that less than 34% of respondents believe that packaging of private label products is unattractive, and up to 33% of respondents think that packaging does not affect them.
AcknowledgementThe paper was supported by the research project GA SUA No. 8/2019 “Private labels as the alternative to purchase”, which is solved at the Department of Marketing and Trade, Faculty of Economics and Management, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra.
Life cycle assessment of cucumber irrigation: unplanned water reuse versus groundwater resources in Tipaza (Algeria)
Authors: Azeb Latifa , Hartani Tarik , Aitmouheb Nassim , Pradeleix Ludivine , Hajjaji Nouredddin , Aribi Soumaya
Published: August 2020

Effective quantitative and qualitative management of water for irrigation is crucial in many regions and the use of reclaimed water is a possible solution. Quantifying the impact of the use of such water is thus important. Using life cycle assessment methodology, this study analyzes the impact of water reuse irrigation and farmers’ practices in greenhouse cucumber production. Three scenarios concerned sources of water for irrigation and agricultural practices: the first scenario used surface water including reclaimed water, the second used groundwater. The third scenario resembled the first but also accounted for fertilizer application based on theoretical cucumber requirements. The third scenario showed 35% less fertilizer is required than the quantities farmers actually use. Our results show that the higher environmental impact of irrigation using reclaimed water than using groundwater is mainly due to over-fertilization. Comparison of the first and third scenarios also showed that the reduction in the environmental impact under the third scenario was significant. We conclude that LCA is a useful tool to compare the impacts of different water sources and farmers’ irrigation/fertilization management practices, and in particular, that the quantity of nutrients in reclaimed water should be deducted from the actual amount applied by the farmers.