bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis of Potential Future Climate and Climate Extremes in the Brazos Headwaters Basin, Texas
Authors: Awal Ripendra , Bayabil Haimanote , Fares Ali
Published: December 2016

Texas’ fast-growing economy and population, coupled with cycles of droughts due to climate change, are creating an insatiable demand for water and an increasing need to understand the potential impacts of future climates and climate extremes on the state’s water resources. The objective of this study was to determine potential future climates and climate extremes; and to assess spatial and temporal changes in precipitation (Prec), and minimum and maximum temperature (Tmin and Tmax, respectively), in the Brazos Headwaters Basin under three greenhouse gas emissions scenarios (A2, A1B, and B1) for three future periods: 2020s (2011–2030), 2055s (2046–2065), and 2090s (2080–2099). Daily gridded climate data obtained from Climate Forecast System Reanalysis (CFSR) were used to downscale outputs from 15 General Circulation Models (GCMs) using the Long Ashton Research Station–Weather Generator (LARS-WG) model. Results indicate that basin average Tmin and Tmax will increase; however, annual precipitation will decrease for all periods. Annual precipitation will decrease by up to 5.2% and 6.8% in the 2055s and 2090s, respectively. However, in some locations in the basin, up to a 14% decrease in precipitation is projected in the 2090s under the A2 (high) emissions scenario. Overall, the northwestern and southern part of the Brazos Headwaters Basin will experience greater decreases in precipitation. Moreover, precipitation indices of the number of wet days (prec ≥ 5 mm) and heavy precipitation days (prec ≥ 10 mm) are projected to slightly decrease for all future periods. On the other hand, Tmin and Tmax will increase by 2 and 3 °C on average in the 2055s and 2090s, respectively. Mostly, projected increases in Tmin and Tmax will be in the upper range in the southern and southeastern part of the basin. Temperature indices of frost (Tmin < 0 °C) and ice days (Tmax < 0 °C) are projected to decrease, while tropical nights (Tmin > 20 °C) and summer days (Tmax > 25 °C) are expected to increase. However, while the frequency distribution of metrological drought shows slight shifts towards the dry range, there was no significant difference between the baseline and projected metrological drought frequency and severity.
Solvent-mediated conductance increase of dodecanethiol-stabilized gold nanoparticle monolayers
Authors: Reissner Patrick A , Tisserant Jean-Nicolas , Sánchez-Ferrer Antoni , Mezzenga Raffaele , Stemmer Andreas
Published: December 2016

Gold nanoparticle monolayers provide convenient templates to study charge transport in organic molecules beyond single junction techniques. Conductance is reported to increase by several orders of magnitude following immersion of alkanethiol-stabilized gold nanoparticle monolayers in a solution containing conjugated thiol-functionalized molecules. Typically, this observation is attributed to molecular exchange. Less attention has been paid to the role of the solvent alone. Here, we report on an increase in conductance of dodecanethiol-stabilized gold nanoparticle monolayers on Si/SiO2 by an average factor of 36 and 22 after immersion in pure ethanol (EtOH) and tetrahydrofuran (THF), respectively. Analysis by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) reveals a solvent-induced decrease in lattice constant of close-packed monolayers. We compare the conductance of the monolayer after molecular exchange with two different oligophenylenes to shed light on the respective contribution of the solvent-induced structural change and the molecular exchange itself on the conductance increase.
Antiviral Potential and Mode of Action of Indigofera Heterantha against HSV-2 by Targeting the Early Stages of Infection
Authors: Kaushik Natasha Kapoor , Guha Rupa , Thomas Becky M
Published: December 2016

Background

The development of antivirals against herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2) has a major public health importance because of the wide spectrum of associated clinical disease in both immunocompetent and immunocompromised populations. Even with the extensive use of acyclovir, issues such as emergence of drug-resistant strains, poor oral bioavailability and low effectiveness in recurrent infections have highlighted the requirement for alternate therapies. Plants, which are rich in metabolites and active against viruses, are being explored as one such source. We had earlier reported specific and potent anti-HSV-2 activity from the roots of the plant Indigofera heterantha. Herein, we describe the mechanism by which it exerts this antiviral potential against HSV-2.

Methods

MTT, plaque reduction and immunofluorescence techniques were used for in vitro antiviral studies. Animal studies were carried out in HSV-2-infected mice followed by plaque reduction assays.

Results

The extract was found to act at multiple steps of viral entry viz attachment, adsorption and penetration by blocking binding sites present on the viral envelope glycoproteins which eventually blocks its binding with the cell surface receptors present on the host cells. We also showed efficacy of PP9706642 topical application in prohibiting HSV-2 invasion to nearby organs from the site of infection, that is vagina in HSV-2 infected animals.

Conclusions

The extract targets the early and late stages of HSV-2 viral life cycle and thus shows great promise as both a prophylactic as well as therapeutic phytopharmaceutical against HSV-2.
Dolutegravir Plasma Concentrations According to Companion Antiretroviral Drug: Unwanted Drug Interaction or Desirable Boosting Effect?
Authors: Cattaneo Dario , Minisci Davide , Cozzi Valeria , Riva Agostino , Meraviglia Paola , Clementi Emilio , Galli Massimo , Gervasoni Cristina
Published: December 2016

Background

Studies in healthy volunteers have shown that the recently approved HIV integrase inhibitor dolutegravir has limited drug-to-drug interaction profile. Here we carried out a pharmacokinetic survey in HIV-infected patients given dolutegravir as part of their antiretroviral therapy.

Methods

Dolutegravir plasma trough concentrations were measured in 78 HIV-infected patients given the drug in combination with a protease inhibitor, a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor or abacavir/lamivudine. Drug concentrations were assessed by high performance liquid chromatography method with UV-detection.

Results

All patients were given dolutegravir at 50 mg once daily, with median trough drug concentrations of 1,096 (664–2,356) ng/ml (interindividual coefficient of variation: 85.3%). Patients given dolutegravir with atazanavir had significantly higher drug concentrations compared with those given darunavir, rilpivirine or abacavir/lamivudine (2,399 [1,929–4,070] versus 738 [552–1,048], 603 [432–1,373] or 1,045 [856–1,115] ng/ml; P<0.001 for all comparisons). By multivariate analyses, only companion antiretroviral drug resulted in significant association with dolutegravir plasma trough concentrations ( P=0.012).

Conclusions

Atazanavir coadministration significantly inhibited dolutegravir metabolism, ultimately resulting in a two- to fourfold increase in drug disposition compared with other antiretroviral drugs. This boosting effect of atazanavir could be used to optimize dolutegravir dosing in particular clinical settings.
Garšana Notes
Authors: Owen David I.
Published: December 2016

Depuis les publications des archives Garšana et Iri-Saĝrig, de nouveaux textes ont été parfois identifiés dans diverses collections et sur le CDLI et ont été associés à ces archives. Des exemples supplémentaires de l’expression á mu-ku x (DU) “livraison de (rations pour) un travail (fini)”, connues seulement dans 13 textes de Garšana publiés précédemment, sont documentés par 9 sources nouvellement identifiées ; 1 texte supplémentaire de Garšana, sans lien avec les autres, est ajouté au corpus.
Alternative interpretations of the early Mesopotamian building plan on RTC 145
Authors: Gruber Martin , Roaf Michael
Published: December 2016

La tablette RTC 145, provenant de Tello en Irak du sud et datant du troisième millénaire avant J.-C., porte un plan de construction sur lequel ont été écrits les noms et les dimensions des pièces. Néanmoins, le dessin et les dimensions ne sont pas en adéquation. Cet article examine la nature du bâtiment représenté sur la tablette et suggère des moyens possibles pour résoudre cette divergence.
Aqba-Hammu et le début du mythe d’Atram-hasis
Authors: Ziegler Nele
Published: December 2016

Une lettre envoyée par le devin Aqba-Hammu, beau-frère du roi de Karana, à Zimri-Lim de Mari pourrait donner un argument supplémentaire pour interpréter le premier vers d’Atram-hasis, âprement débattu depuis sa publication en 1969. La lettre de Mari montre qu’un locatif-adverbial pouvait être utilisé pour exprimer une comparaison à l’époque paléo-babylonienne. Pour cette raison, l’auteur donne raison à W. G. Lambert concernant son interprétation du vers Atr. I 1.
Le problème du choix social est-il résolu ?
Authors: Fleurbaey Marc
Published: December 2016

La théorie du choix social contient des apories qui n’ont malheureusement pas favorisé la production de critères d’évaluation plus satisfaisants que ceux encore utilisés de nos jours en analyse coût-bénéfice. Il existe pourtant des solutions intéressantes qui tiennent compte des choix éthiques imposés par les impossibilités logiques révélées par la théorie. Des exemples de critères et de questions appliquées sont présentés pour montrer comment la théorie du choix social peut éclairer l’évaluation des politiques publiques et des états de la société. Classification JEL  : D6, D71.
Les théories de l’égalité des opportunités de Fleurbaey et de Roemer sont-elles irréconciliables ?
Authors: Trannoy Alain
Published: December 2016

Le thème de l’égalité des chances est devenu omniprésent dans la littérature sur la justice sociale. Marc Fleurbaey [1994], [2008] et John Roemer [1993], [1998] ont joué un rôle essentiel de passeurs d’idées exprimées par les philosophes, et de transformation de ces idées en des modèles de justice sociale permettant d’être appréhendés par des économistes. Les idées de responsabilité et de compensation sont déclinées d’une façon différente par ces deux auteurs et nous montrons que des concepts hybrides empruntant à chacun d’entre eux peuvent avoir du sens. En particulier nous proposons un nouveau principe de récompense dit « en moyenne » qui est compatible avec le principe de compensation ex post sans hypothèse particulière. Nous indiquons également comment introduire l’idée d’un déterminisme partiel des choix dans l’approche de Marc Fleurbaey. Classification JEL : D3, D63, D71.
Éthique de la population : l’apport des critères de bien-être dépendant du rang
Authors: Zuber Stéphane
Published: December 2016

Cet article présente l’intérêt que peuvent avoir des critères de bien-être dépendant du rang dans le cadre de l’éthique de la population. Ce champ de recherche s’intéresse à l’évaluation et à la comparaison d’allocations lorsque des populations de tailles différentes sont en jeu. On montre que les critères de bien-être dépendant du rang ne sont pas sujets à plusieurs écueils auxquels sont confrontés les critères utilitaristes (généralisés) habituellement étudiés dans ce champ. Classification JEL : D63.
Establishment of Lactobacillus plantarum strain in honey bee digestive tract monitored using gfp fluorescence
Authors: Javorský P. , Fecskeová L. Kolesár , Hrehová L. , Sabo R. , Legáth J. , Pristas P.
Published: December 2016

Lactic acid bacteria are symbiotic bacteria that naturally reside in the gastrointestinal tract of honey bees. They serve a multitude of functions and are considered beneficial and completely harmless. In our experiments Lactobacillus plantarum strain B35, isolated from honey bee digestive tract, was modified using pAD43-25 plasmid carrying a functional GFP gene sequence (gfpmut3a) and used as a model for monitoring and optimisation of the mode of application. The establishment of this strain in honey bee digestive tract was monitored using GFP fluorescence. Three different modes of oral application of this strain were tested: water suspension of lyophilised bacteria, aerosol application of these bacteria and consumption of sugar honey paste containing the lyophilised lactobacilli. Two days after administration the L. plantarum B35-gfp was present throughout the honey bee digestive tract with 104-105 cfu/bee with highest count observed for aerosol application.
A probiotic combination attenuates experimental colitis through inhibition of innate cytokine production
Authors: Kim M.S. , Byun J.S. , Yoon Y.S. , Yum D.Y. , Chung M.J. , Lee J.C.
Published: December 2016

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a severe immune cell-mediated syndrome characterised by extensive inflammatory and effector mucosal responses leading to tissue destruction in the colon and small intestine. The leading hypothesis is that dysbiosis of the gut flora causes an excessive immune response and inflammation in the gastrointestinal track. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) can correct dysbiosis of the normal microbiota. In the current study, the therapeutic potential of seven LAB strains in combination to treat IBD was evaluated using experimental colitis model. This LAB cocktail, designated GI7, includes four strains of Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactococcus lactis, two strains of Bifidobacterium bifidum, Bifidobacterium breve, and one strain of Streptococcus thermophilus. We confirmed that GI7 suppressed pro-inflammatory cytokines in Raw264.7 macrophages. When dextran sulphate sodium-induced colitic mice were treated with GI7, their symptoms of colitis, as assessed by body weight, colon length, myeloperoxidase activity, intestinal bleeding, and histological damage, were reduced compared to untreated mice. In addition, GI7 treatment significantly inhibited the production of innate pro-inflammatory cytokines during colitic progression. Therefore, we suggest that GI7, a combination of seven LAB, has a potential role in the treatment of IBD.
Therapeutic interventions for gut dysbiosis and related disorders in the elderly: antibiotics, probiotics or faecal microbiota transplantation?
Authors: Vemuri R.C. , Gundamaraju R. , Shinde T. , Eri R.
Published: December 2016

Ageing and physiological functions of the human body are inversely proportional to each other. The gut microbiota and host immune system co-evolve from infants to the elderly. Ageing is accompanied by a decline in gut microbial diversity, immunity and metabolism, which increases susceptibility to infections. Any compositional change in the gut is directly linked to gastrointestinal disorders, obesity and metabolic diseases. Increase in opportunistic pathogen invasion in the gut like Clostridium difficile leading to C. difficile infection is more common in the elderly population. Frequent hospitalisation and high prevalence of nosocomial infections with the ageing is also well documented. Long-term utilisation of broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy is being followed in order to control these infections. Nosocomial infections and antibiotic therapy in combination or alone is leading to gastroenteritis followed by Clostridium associated diarrhoea or antibiotic associated diarrhoea. Above all, use of broad-spectrum antibiotics is highly debated all over the world due to growing antimicrobial resistance. The use of narrow spectrum antibiotics could be helpful to some extent. Dietary supplementation of probiotics with prebiotics (synbiotics) or without prebiotics has improved gut commensal diversity and regulated the immune system. The recent emergence of faecal microbiota transplantation has played an important role in treating recurrent Clostridium associated diarrhoea. This review focuses on various therapeutic interventions for gut dysbiosis and gastrointestinal diseases in the elderly. The possible mechanism for antimicrobial resistance and mechanism of action of probiotics are also discussed in detail.
A review of dose-responses of probiotics in human studies
Authors: Ouwehand A.C.
Published: December 2016

The probiotic definition requires the administration of an ‘adequate amount’ in order to obtain a health benefit. What that amount should be is not indicated. Here, an overview is given of studies that investigated the dose-response relation of probiotics in human interventions. Studies were divided in; meta-analyses, meta-analyses on specific probiotic strains, and studies testing two or more doses of a probiotic (combination) in the same study. Meta-analyses on the effect of probiotics on antibiotic associated diarrhoea (AAD) suggest a dose-response effect; for Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhoea on the other hand no dose-response was observed. For other end-points; such as necrotising enterocolitis, prevention of atopic dermatitis and slow intestinal transit, no dose-response relation was identified in meta-analyses. For prophylaxis in colorectal cancer and relief of irritable bowel syndrome, no dose-response relation was determined. However, for blood pressure, a meta-analysis observed that higher doses (greater than 1011 cfu) were more effective than lower doses. Meta-analyses of specific strains suggest a break-point for effectiveness of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG in the treatment of acute gastroenteritis in children; no dose-response was observed for two other probiotics assessed. Studies comparing two or more doses indicate that faecal recovery and risk reduction of AAD follow a positive dose-response relationship. Other end-points such as immune markers, general health, and bowel function did not exhibit clear dose-response relations. For AAD, the findings are very compelling; both meta-analyses and dedicated dose-response studies observe a positive correlation between dose and AAD risk. These findings do not allow for extrapolation, but suggest that studying higher doses for this end-point would be worthwhile. The lack of a clear dose-response for other end-points, does not mean it does not exist; present data does just not allow drawing any conclusions.
Evaluation ofSaccharomyces cerevisiae as an anti-fumonisin B1 additive in a horse digestion model
Authors: Taran F.M.P. , Silva V.P. , Abrunhosa L. , Rosa C.A.R. , Venâncio A. , Almeida F.Q.
Published: December 2016

In this study, the capacity ofSaccharomyces cerevisiae to adsorb fumonisin B1 (FB1) was evaluated inin vitro assays. The digestion of nutrients from maize contaminated with FB1 was assessed as well as the influence of digestive enzymes and pH on the bioavailability of FB1 in solution. Adsorption assays in buffers containing 5 µg/ml of FB1 were conducted to determine the strain to be used in thein vitro digestion assays. Four different yeast strains (1, 2, 3 and 4) along with five different cell concentrations of each one were studied under pH 2 and 6.8 at 39 °C. Strain 4 showed higher adsorption values at 1×109 cfu/ml, adsorbing 39.4% of the mycotoxin at pH 2 and 37.5% at pH 6.8. After that, thein vitro enzymatic digestion was conducted in two separated experiments. First, maize artificially contaminated with FB1 (5 µg/g) was used in five different treatments. Then, assays with maize naturally contaminated with FB1 (Maize A: 3.2 µg/g and Maize B: 29.0 µg/g) were conducted. In all samples, FB1 was quantified by HPLC-FL in liquid fraction and in solid residue. Samples of maizein natura and solid residues were subjected to chemical analysis of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, neutral detergent fibre and starch to estimate the digestion of nutrients. The presences of FB1 andS. cerevisiae (Strain 4) in these assays had no influence on the digestion of the maize nutrients. The adsorption capacity of yeast was observed more clearly in treatments with higher concentrations of FB1 in the maize grain.S. cerevisiae strain 4 removed between 8 to 18% of FB1 in solution, showing a limited capacity to adsorb FB1 underin vitro conditions of horse enzymatic digestion.
Central settlements in Slovenia in 2016
Authors: Nared Janez , Bole David , Breg Valjavec Mateja , Ciglič Rok , Goluža Maruša , Kozina Jani , Razpotnik Visković Nika , Repolusk Peter , Rus Petra , Tiran Jernej , Černič Istenič Majda
Published: December 2016

This article presents central settlements in Slovenia and their main characteristics in 2016. We defined central settlements based on services of general interest and the population of an individual settlement, and developed the analysis further by using competitiveness indicators. We defined 360 central settlements at six levels of centrality, among which the significance of Ljubljana as a national center of international importance and the significance of intermunicipal, local, and rural centers are increasing. The significance of certain regional centers at the second and third levels of centrality is decreasing. The level of services of general interest supplied to Slovenian territory is relatively appropriate, but it should be improved by promoting competitiveness, especially in centers of national and regional importance.
De Statuis: las fuentes cristianas sobre la “Revuelta de las estatuas”
Authors: Quiroga Puertas Alberto J.
Published: December 2016

La información sobre la “Revuelta de las estatuas” acontecida en Antioquía en el año 387 d. C. transmitida por autores cristianos contemporáneos a la asonada y del siglo V d. C. relata los acontecimientos desde diversos géneros literarios pero con unas líneas directrices comunes. La decisiva intervención del sector meleciano de la Iglesia antioquena para conseguir el perdón del emperador Teodosio y el retrato de éste como un monarca obediente a las figuras cristianas son las pautas comunes en los relatos de Juan Crisóstomo, Ambrosio de Milán, Sozómeno y Teodoreto de Ciro.
Nuevas aportaciones al estudio de las cofradías y hermandades en la Castilla bajomedieval: el ejemplo de Jerez de la Frontera
Authors: Pérez González Silvia María
Published: December 2016

El estudio de las hermandades y cofradías en el Sur de Castilla es muy amplio en lo que se refiere a los siglos posteriores a la Edad Media. En cambio durante el periodo medieval, momento en el que tienen su origen estas instituciones, las dificultades son mayores debido a la escasez de documentos. Ya estudiado el caso de Sevilla, abordamos en este trabajo el ejemplo de la segunda ciudad del Reino hispalense, Jerez de la Frontera, cuya documentación más antigua y un momento de desarrollo evolutivo anterior nos arroja nuevas luces a los aún oscuros orígenes de las cofradías y hermandades andaluzas.
Nobles y monjes: los Osorio villafranquinos y los monasterios bercianos (siglos XIV-XV)
Authors: Cavero Domínguez Gregoria
Published: December 2016

A lo largo de los siglos bajomedievales se produjo en el noroeste leonés una especial alianza entre la nobleza, representada por el linaje Osorio, de la casa condal de Lemos, y el monacato tradicional y mendicante. Es nuestro objetivo analizar el papel de la poderosa nobleza que culminaría su expansión económica y lograría encontrar un lugar para el eterno descanso de sus miembros dentro de los numerosos centros monásticos bercianos, masculinos y femeninos, urbanos y rurales: Santa María de Carracedo y San Francisco de Villafranca, entre otros.
“Que buen provecho hagan al postor”. Fraude y oportunidad durante la desamortización del monasterio de San Prudencio de Monte Laturce en el trienio liberal: el caso Manuel María García
Authors: Téllez Alarcia Diego
Published: December 2016

La desamortización del Trienio Liberal sigue siendo una desconocida en el horizonte historiográfico riojano. Otro tanto puede decirse del devenir histórico del monasterio de San Prudencio, una de las instituciones desamortizadas, en las últimas décadas de su existencia. Arrojar algo de luz sobre estas dos problemáticas será parte del propósito de este trabajo. Pero el gran objetivo del mismo, gracias a la resolución del misterio de la venta de estas tierras del priorato de Villamediana, será ilustrar algunos de los medios que la naciente elite liberal-burguesa logroñesa empleó para consolidar su poder económico en la región en el convulso comienzo del s. XIX.
Late prehistoric sites from the Sabaloka province north of Khartoum on the Eastern bank of the Nile, Sudan
Authors: Nassr Ahmed Hamid
Published: December 2016

Les recherches archéologiques conduites au Soudan suggèrent que les communautés de la préhistoire récente se sont développées au travers de transitions majeures et d’une diversité régionale notable. Dans les régions centrale et septentrionale, un nombre important de sites d’habitat des périodes mésolithique et néolithique ont été identifiés. Les données inédites émergeant de projets en cours comme le Sabaloka Dam archaeological project (SDASP) and the El Salha project complètent progressivement la carte archéologique complexe du Soudan pour les périodes de la préhistoire récente apportant de nouvelles informations sur les modalités des transitions et l’emplacement des sites. De nombreux sujets ont déjà été explorés mais certaines problématiques restent vierges et de vastes régions encore inexplorées. Cet article rend compte des récents travaux de prospection et fouille menés dans la région de Sabaloka, au nord de Khartoum, depuis 2013-2015. Il est également l’occasion de proposer une discussion autour des particularismes régionaux dans la préhistoire récente du Soudan central, à partir d’études comparatives de mobilier.
Changes in Soil Microbial Community Structure and Functional Diversity in the Rhizosphere Surrounding Tea and Soybean
Authors: Qin Xiaomin , Wei Chizhang , Li Jinting , Chen Yuanquan , Chen Hai Sheng , Zheng Yi , Nong Yuqin , Liao Chunwen , Chen Xing , Luo Yanfei , Lu Jinmei , Zeng Zhiyun , Wei Jinjian
Published: December 2016

Field trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of different planting patterns (tea monocropping, tea and soybean intercropping, soybean monocropping) on microbial community structure and microbial functional diversity using Biolog technique. Results showed that intercropping treatment exhibited higher average well color development (AWCD), diversity indices and community functional diversity as compared with monocropping. The microbial utilization of 6 types of carbon source indicated some differences. Principal component analysis and cluster analysis demonstrated that intercropping treatment significantly changed the functional diversity of the soil microbial community, mainly depending on carbohydrates and carboxylic acids. Our findings suggested that soil microbial metabolic activities and functional diversity were significantly changed by tea-soybean intercropping.
Effectiveness of Extension Service Delivery and Productivity of Cassava Farmers in Southwestern Nigeria
Authors: Aderinto A. , Agbelemoge A. , Dada O. M.
Published: December 2016

Cassava production in Nigeria is limited by poor downstream activities. Effective support servicesof relevant stakeholders are critical in removing the limitations. Effectiveness of services of extension agencies as it affects productivity of cassava farmers in southwestern Nigeria was therefore examined. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to select cassava farmers from 20% of Agricultural Development Programme (ADP) extension blocks in Oyo, Ogun and Ondo states based on intensity of cassava production. Forty percent of cassava farmers in 10% of ADP cells in selected blocks were randomly selected, producing 153, 127 and 96 respondents for the states respectively. Data obtained through interview schedule were subjected to descriptive and inferential statistics at p=0.05. Most respondents were males (74.7%), married (97.1%) and members of farmers’ association (71.0%) while 59.6% had no formal education. Mean age was 47.9±11.79 years, farm size 4.6±2.03/ ha, family size 6.5±0.46 persons and farming experience 24.7±12.55 years. Most respondents were males (74.7%), married (97.1%) and members of farmers’ association (71.0%) while 59.6% had no formal education. Mean age was 47.9±11.79 years, farm size 4.6±2.03/ ha, family size 6.5±0.46 persons and farming experience 24.7±12.55 years. Majority of the respondents had low access to extension (4.62±1.24), Service effectiveness rating was low for extension (13.3±5.16). Respondents considered irregular visits of extension agents (100.0%) as the most severe constraints to utilization of services. Majority (80.9%) recorded low productivity. Respondents’ productivity was influenced by farming experience (β=-0.193), family size (β=-0.111), farm size (β=-0.187), membership of association (β=0.112), and production capacity (β=0.096. Extension agencies were not effectively meeting the aspirations of cassava farmers. Extension agencies should therefore be more accessible and provide cassava farmers with effective support services for improved productivity.
Learning Style and Academic Performance of First Year Agricultural Undergraduates: A Case in Rajarata University of Sri Lanka
Authors: Karalliyadda S.M.C.B.
Published: December 2016

In Sri Lankan universities, lecturers are trained and requested to conduct learning style assessments to design strategies for better educational environments. Even though, limited attention has been acquired in the area of learning styles and academic performances, less literature is found related to agricultural undergraduates. This study has attempted to investigate the learning styles of first year agricultural undergraduates in one of the Sri Lankan universities. The objective was thereby, to examine any association between learning styles and academic performances. A Cross sectional survey was administered using a structured questionnaire consisting of the VARK learning style tool. Results illustrated that most of the students have multimodal learning styles and, those styles were independent from gender or their high school academic discipline pertaining to agriculture or biology. Among these learning styles, kinesthetic style has gained a reasonable attention. The study concluded no substantial association between learning styles and academic performances. Availability of multimodal learning styles are suitable to use blended teaching aids such as lectures, video and illustrations as well as to encourage students to take self-notes etc. Moreover, facilitating each student to gain hand on experience can be used to enhance the learning. Finally, this study can also be performed using some other available methods to avoid the biased errors and to understand the learning styles in different angles.
Invasive Thymoma with Pure Red Cell Aplasia and Amegakaryocytic Thrombocytopenia
Authors: Onuki Takuya , Kiyoki Yusuke , Ueda Sho , Yamaoka Masatoshi , Shimizu Seiich , Inagaki Masaharu
Published: December 2016

We here describe a case involving a 67-yearold female patient who was referred to our hospital due to severe anemia (hemoglobin, 5.0 g/dL), thrombocytopenia (platelet count, 0.6 × 104/μL), and a mediastinal shadow with calcification noted on X-ray. On admission, an anterior mediastinal tumor was detected, and bone marrow biopsy revealed few megakaryocytes and severely reduced numbers of erythroid cells. The diagnosis was thymoma with pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) and acquired amegakaryocytic thrombocytopenia (AAMT). On Day 8 of admission, the patient received immunosuppressive therapy together with cyclosporine for the 2 severe hematologic diseases, which were stabilized within 2 months. Subsequently, total thymectomy was performed. The diagnosis of the tumor invading the left lung was invasive thymoma, Masaoka- Koga stage III. The histological diagnosis was World Health Organization type AB. Thymoma accompanied with PRCA and AAMT is very rare, and, based on our case, immunotherapeutic therapy for the hematologic disorders should precede surgical intervention.
Daphnia diversity in water bodies of the Po River Basin
Authors: Marková Silvia , Maurone Catia , Racchetti Erica , Bartoli Marco , Rossi Valeria
Published: December 2016

Shallow water bodies dominate the areal extent of continental waters and host a proportion of biodiversity higher than the percentage of Earth’s surface they cover. Daphnia is a key component of small aquatic ecosystems food webs. Here we present the result of a survey in 24 ponds located in the core of Po river Basin, to assess the actual spreading of Daphnia species in one of the most productive areas of the Northern hemisphere. By using diagnostic genetic markers (12S rRNA and ND5 genes) we identified five Daphnia species: D. ambigua, D. curvirostris, D. longispina, D. obtusa and D. pulex in fourteen ponds. Additional analyses of two nuclear genes (LdhA and Rab4) revealed that D. pulex in the study area is native European strain. In opposite, D. ambigua shared haplotype with the North-Eastern American lineage that was introduced to Europe by long-distance dispersal. In the Po river Basin we identified a highly divergent lineage of D. longispina group that formed a clade with individuals from northern European Russia and might represent a new Daphnia species. Daphnia species in the Cremona province have European origin, except for D. ambigua which is a North American species spreading across Europe. Future attention will require monitoring of invasive species, particularly D. ambigua and the North American invasive clone of D. pulex that is already present in Northern Italy. 
Predicting the invasive potential of the cladoceran Daphnia lumholtzi Sars, 1885 (Crustacea: Cladocera: Daphniidae) in the Neotropics: are generalists threatened and relicts protected by their life-history traits?
Authors: Sousa Francisco Diogo R. , Palaoro Alexandre V. , Elmoor-Loureiro Lourdes M.A. , Kotov Alexey A.
Published: December 2016

            Invasive species are one of the major threats to biodiversity, which is aggravated in poorly known groups, such as cladocerans. Daphnia lumholtzi Sars (Cladocera: Anomopoda: Daphniidae) is currently invading the Neotropical region, and there are few records of this process. Our goal was to predict the invasive scenario for D. lumholtzi in the Neotropics using species distribution modelling and to assess the climatic overlap of the invader with the native species. We trained our MaxEnt model using occurrence records from native and invaded areas and projected it in the Neotropics. Additionally, we compared the climatic niche of some native species with the invader’s niche. Our model showed high environmental suitability in areas connected by the lowland Paraná River Basin (southwestern Brazil, eastern Argentina and Uruguay), in south-central Chile and Atlantic coastal areas. Widely distributed native species showed climatic overlap with the invader, while relict species did not. Daphnia lumholtzi thrives in warm and stable environments (e.g. the Paraná River basin), which of concern because the invader could already be spreading in that area. Native species could suffer due to climatic niche similarity, while natural barriers and local environmental conditions may protect relict species. We urge the need for further studies to understand this invasion process more fully.   
No health without mental health
Authors: Vladu Cristina , Novac Andrei , Preda Adrian , Bota Robert G.
Published: December 2016

n.a.
Prevalence, Demographic Characteristics and Associated Risk Factors of Malnutrition among 0-5 Aged Children: A Cross-Sectional Study from Van, Eastern Turkey
Authors: Kizilyildiz Baran Serdar , Sönmez Bülent , Karaman Kamuran , Beger Burhan , Mercen Adnan , Alioğlu Süleyman , Cesur Yaşar
Published: December 2016

Malnutrition in childhood is a dramatic indicator of poor socio-economical status worldwide. To recognize and reveal the socio-demographic features is crucial, especially for developing countries. Our aim was to investigate the prevalence and association with sociodemographic variables of malnutrition in 0-5 years old children in Van, Turkey. A total of 702 children are included in this cross-sectional study. Demographic features of subject including age, gender, family characteristics and other data were obtained. Nutritional assessment was done using anthropometric indices including weight-for-age, height-for-age, weight-for-height, head circumference and body mass index-for-age. Multivariate logistic regressions were carried out to assess malnutrition- associated factors. Prevalence of underweight, stunting and wasting were 19.7, 17.7 and 16.2%, respectively. Socio-demographic variables that statistical significantly in association with malnutrition were low monthly family income, educational level and employment status of father, parental consanguinity, number of pregnancies, regular intake of vitamin D and history of prematurity. The prevalence of children with head circumference-z score ≤−2SD and body mass index-for-age ≤−2SD were 9.8 and 16.3%, respectively. Multivariate analysis detected following risk factors for these indices; low monthly family income, history of prematurity, unemployed father and the period between pregnancies (1- 2 years). We found that prevalence of malnutrition in the city of Van, was still higher than more developed regions of Turkey. The associated risk factors of malnutrition should be specifically interpreted by health professionals and also by government authorities that are responsible for making practical politics of public health.
Plunging Ranula in Children: Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Carlini Veronica , Calcaterra Valeria , Pasqua Noemi , Guazzotti Marinella , Fusillo Mario , Pelizzo Gloria
Published: December 2016

Few cases of plunging ranulas (PRs) occur during childhood and the lesions are frequently misdiagnosed. Here, a PR in a child is reported along with a literature review. A seven-year-old female complaining of swelling in the midline neck, left-submandibular region, was evaluated. No oral cavity or major salivary glands abnormalities were detected. On palpation, a soft, painless, and fluid-containing mass was observed. The suspicion PR was performed by ultrasound. The diagnosis was confirmed with a histopathological examination. The lesion was removed with a cervical approach, without recurrence. PR is an uncommon condition in children under 10 years of age. Differential diagnosis depends on clinical examination and ultrasonography. A computed tomography-scan and magnetic resonance imaging can be performed if the diagnosis remains uncertain. In pediatrics, the key to success of the treatment may rely on the radical excision of the cyst and sublingual gland, via an intraoral or submandibular approach.
Severe Lower Limb Ischemia by Massive Arterial Thrombosis Revealing an Acute Myeloid Leukemia Needing for Leg Amputation: Clinical and Emotional Aspects Related to the Communication with the Patient and Hhis Family
Authors: D'Angelo Paolo , Taormina Calogero , Mosa Clara , Di Marco Floriana , Valentino Fabrizio , Trizzino Angela , Guadagna Paola , Talarico Francesco
Published: December 2016

Large vessel thrombosis is a very rare clinical presentation of acute leukemia, generally associated with coagulopathy, usually characteristic of acute promyelocytic leukemia. A 13- year-old boy with a previously undiagnosed acute myeloid leukemia was referred to our hospital with acute ischemia of the right lower limb due to occlusion of the right external iliac artery, treated with emergency double surgical thromboembolectomy and chemotherapy. The thrombotic complication resulted in leg amputation. Now the boy is well in complete remission, with a good social integration and quality of life, 30 months after completing treatment. The report highlights the crucial role of early diagnosis and subsequent chemotherapy in avoiding amputation. We particularly focused critical and emotional aspects related to the communication about the leg amputation with the patient and his family.
A Module-theoretic Characterization of Algebraic Hypersurfaces
Authors: Miranda-Neto Cleto B.
Published: December 2016

In this note we prove the following surprising characterization: if X ⊂ is an (embedded, non-empty, proper) algebraic variety deûned over a field k of characteristic zero, then X is a hypersurface if and only if the module of logarithmic vector fields of X is a reflexive -module. As a consequence of this result, we derive that if is a free -module, which is shown to be equivalent to the freeness of the t-th exterior power of for some (in fact, any) t ≤ n, then necessarily X is a Saito free divisor.
From lattice Quantum Electrodynamics to the distribution of the algebraic areas enclosed by random walks on $\mathbf Z^2$
Authors: Epelbaum Thomas , Gelis François , Wu Bin
Published: December 2016

In theworldline formalism, scalar Quantum Electrodynamics on a 2-dimensional lattice is related to the areas of closed loops on this lattice. We exploit this relationship in order to determine the general structure of the moments of the algebraic areas over the set of loops that have xed number of edges in the two directions. We show that these moments are the product of a combinatorial factor that counts the number of such loops, by a polynomial in the numbers of steps in each direction. Our approach leads to an algorithm for obtaining explicit formulas for the moments of low order.
The arcsine law and an asymptotic behavior of orthogonal polynomials
Authors: Saigo Hayato , Sako Hiroki
Published: December 2016

Interacting Fock spaces connect the study of quantum probability theory, classical random variables, and orthogonal polynomials. They are pre-Hilbert spaces associated with creation, preservation, and annihilation processes. We prove that if three processes are asymptotically commutative, the arcsine law arises as the “large quantum number limits.” As a corollary, it is shown that for many probability measures, the asymptotic behavior of orthogonal polynomials is described by the arcsine function. A weaker form of asymptotic commutativity provides us with a discretized arcsine law, which is described by the Bessel functions of the first kind.
Period preserving properties of an invariant from the permanent of signed incidence matrices
Authors: Crump Iain , DeVos Matt , Yeats Karen
Published: December 2016

A 4-point Feynman diagram in scalar

\phi^4

theory is represented by a graph

G

which is obtained from a connected 4-regular graph by deleting a vertex. The associated Feynman integral gives a quantity called the period of

G

which is invariant under a number of meaningful graph operations – namely, planar duality, the Schnetz twist, and it also does not depend on the choice of vertex which was deleted to form

G

.

In this article we study a graph invariant we call the graph permanent, which was implicitly introduced in a paper by Alon, Linial and Meshulam [1]. The graph permanent applies to any graph

G = (V,E)

for which

|E|

is a multiple of

|V| - 1

(so in particular to graphs obtained from a 4-regular graph by removing a vertex). We prove that the graph permanent, like the period, is invariant under planar duality and the Schnetz twist when these are valid operations, and we show that when

G

is obtained from a

2k

-regular graph by deleting a vertex, the graph permanent does not depend on the choice of deleted vertex.
$q$-randomized Robinson–Schensted–Knuth correspondences and random polymers
Authors: Matveev Konstantin , Petrov Leonid
Published: December 2016

We introduce and study

q

-randomized Robinson–Schensted–Knuth (RSK) correspondences which interpolate between the classical (

q=0

) and geometric

q \nearrow1

) RSK correspondences (the latter ones are sometimes also called tropical).

For

0<q<1

our correspondences are randomized, i.e., the result of an insertion is a certain probability distribution on semistandard Young tableaux. Because of this randomness, we use the language of discrete time Markov dynamics on two-dimensional interlacing particle arrays (these arrays are in a natural bijection with semistandard tableaux). Our dynamics act nicely on a certain class of probability measures on arrays, namely, on

q

-Whittaker processes (which are

t=0

versions of Macdonald processes of Borodin–Corwin [8]). We present four Markov dynamics which for

q=0

reduce to the classical row or column RSK correspondences applied to a random input matrix with independent geometric or Bernoulli entries.

Our new two-dimensional discrete time dynamics generalize and extend several known constructions. (1) The discrete time

q

-TASEPs studied by Borodin–Corwin [7] arise as one-dimensional marginals of our „column" dynamics. In a similar way, our“row" dynamics lead to discrete time

q

-PushTASEPs – new integrable particle systems in the Kardar–Parisi–Zhang universality class. We employ these new one-dimensional discrete time systems to establish a Fredholm determinantal formula for the two-sided continuous time

q

-PushASEP conjectured by Corwin–Petrov [23]. (2) In a certain Poisson-type limit (from discrete to continuous time), our two-dimensional dynamics reduce to the

q

-randomized column and row Robinson–Schensted correspondences introduced by O’Connell–Pei [59] and Borodin–Petrov [15], respectively. (3) In a scaling limit as

q\nearrow1

, two of our four dynamics on interlacing arrays turn into the geometric RSK correspondences associated with log-Gamma (introduced by Seppäläinen [70] or strict-weak (introduced independently by O’Connell–Ortmann [58] and Corwin–Seppäläinen–Shen [25] directed random lattice polymers.
Mixed spectral regimes for square Fibonacci Hamiltonians
Authors: Fillman Jake , Takahashi Yuki , Yessen William
Published: December 2016

For the square tridiagonal Fibonacci Hamiltonian, we prove existence of an open set of parameters which yield mixed interval-Cantor spectra (i.e. spectra containing an interval as well as a Cantor set), as well as mixed density of states measures (i.e. measures whose absolutely continuous and singular continuous components are both nonzero). Using the methods developed in this paper, we also show existence of parameter regimes for the square continuum Fibonacci Schrödinger operator yielding mixed interval-Cantor spectra. These examples provide the rst explicit examples of an interesting phenomenon that has not hitherto been observed in aperiodic Hamiltonians. Moreover, while we focus only on the Fibonacci model, our techniques are equally applicable to models based on any two-letter primitive invertible substitution.
Dimensions of graphs of prevalent continuous maps
Authors: Balka Richárd
Published: December 2016

Let

K

be an uncountable compact metric space and let

C(K,\mathbb{R}^d)

denote the set of continuous maps

f\colon K \to \mathbb{R}^d

endowed with the maximum norm. The goal of this paper is to determine various fractal dimensions of the graph of the prevalent

f\in C(K,\mathbb{R}^d)

.

As the main result of the paper we show that if

K

has finitely many isolated points then the lower and upper box dimension of the graph of the prevalent

f\in C(K,\mathbb{R}^d)

are

\underline {\mathrm {dim}}_B K+d

and

\overline{\mathrm {dim}}_B K+d

, respectively. This generalizes a theorem of Gruslys, Jonušas, Mijovic, Ng, Olsen, and Petrykiewicz.

We prove that the packing dimension of the graph of the prevalent

f\in C(K,\mathbb{R}^d)

is

\mathrm {dim}_P K+d

, generalizing a result of Balka, Darji, and Elekes.

Balka, Darji, and Elekes proved that the Hausdorff dimension of the graph of the prevalent

f\in C(K,\mathbb{R}^d)

equals

\mathrm {dim}_H K+d

. We give a simpler proof for this statement based on a method of Fraser and Hyde.
On the number of nonzero digits in the beta-expansions of algebraic numbers
Authors: Kaneko Hajme
Published: December 2016

Many mathematicians have investigated the base-

b

expansions for integral base-

b \geq 2

, and more general

\beta

-expansions for a real number

\beta > 1

. However, little is known on the

\beta

-expansions of algebraic numbers. The main purpose of this paper is to give new lower bounds for the numbers of nonzero digits in the

\beta

-expansions of algebraic numbers under the assumption that

\beta

is a Pisot or Salem number. As a consequence of our main results, we study the arithmetical properties of power series

\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \beta^{-\kappa(z;n)}

, where

z > 1

is a real number and

\kappa(z;n)=\lfloor n^z\rfloor

.