bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ανίχνευση βλαβών DNA σε σωματικά υγρά, σε ασθενείς με καρκίνο μαστού που υποβάλλονται σε ακτινοθεραπεία
Authors: Βερίγος Κοσμάς
Published: April 2021

Ο καρκίνος του μαστού αποτελεί τη συχνότερη εμφανιζόμενη μορφή καρκίνου παγκοσμίως. Η ακτινοθεραπεία διαδραματίζει επικουρικό ρόλο στην αντιμετώπισή του. Κατά την έκθεση των κυττάρων στην ακτινοβολία, οι παραγόμενες δραστικές ενώσεις οξυγόνου (ROS) και αζώτου (RNS) προκαλούν το σχηματισμό της 8-υδροξυδεοξυγουανίνης (8-OHdG) και 8-νιτρογουανίνης (8-NG), αντιστοίχως. Δεδομένου ότι κατά την ακτινοθεραπεία χορηγείται ιονίζουσα ακτινοβολία, το επιστημονικό ενδιαφέρον της παρούσας εργασίας εστιάζει στην ανίχνευση της 8-OHdG και 8-NG σε ακτινοβοληθέντες ασθενείς με καρκίνο του μαστού και στη διερεύνηση των παραπάνω ως προβλεπτικούς δείκτες της ακτινικής δερματίτιδας, η οποία ανήκει στις πλέον συνήθεις παρενέργειες της ακτινοθεραπείας. Το ερευνητικό ερώτημα απαντήθηκε με τη μέθοδο ELISA όπου εξετάσθηκαν δείγματα πλάσματος από 33 ασθενείς οι οποίοι υπεβλήθησαν σε μετεγχειρητική ακτινοθεραπεία. Ο εργαστηριακός έλεγχος επικεντρώθηκε στην ανίχνευση των βλαβών DNA, 8-OHdG και 8-NG καθώς και της γλουταθειόνης (GSH) η οποία είναι γνωστή για την αντιοξειδωτική της δράση.Από τις κλινικές παραμέτρους που μελετήθηκαν, οι μεταβολές των [8-OHdG] και [8- NG] συσχετίζονται σημαντικά κυρίως με την ακτινική δερματίτιδα. Κανονικοποιήσεις των μεταβολών των [8-OHdG] και [8-NG] με τις BMI και BSA παραμέτρους ανέδειξαν σημαντικές συσχετίσεις με την προκληθείσα δερματική τοξικότητα. Επιπλέον, τα πηλίκα των [8-NG]/BMI και [8-NG]/BSA συσχετίζονται σημαντικά με την ακτινική δερματίτιδα πριν την έναρξη ακτινοθεραπείας (P<0.05). Οι συνολικές μεταβολές των [8-OHdG] και [8-NG] συσχετίζονται στατιστικώς σημαντικά με την ακτινική δερματίτιδα κατά τα χρονικά διαστήματα D0-D14, D0- 28 και D0-D56. Αντίθετα, οι σχετικές μεταβολές των [8-OHdG] συσχετίζονται σημαντικά με τη δερματική τοξικότητα μόνο κατά το χρονικό διάστημα D0-D14 (P<0.05) ενώ οι σχετικές μεταβολές των [8-NG] κατά τις ημέρες D0-D14 (P<0.05) και D14-D28 (P<0.05). Η δυνατότητα πρόβλεψης της αναπτυσσόμενης ακτινικής δερματίτιδας μέσω των 8-OHdG και 8- NG ανακύπτει από τη σημαντική γραμμική συσχέτιση των % σχετικών μεταβολών της [8- OHdG] και [8-NG] με το βαθμό ακτινικής δερματίτιδας (P<0.001). Θετικές χαρακτηρίζονται οι συσχετίσεις των συνολικών μειώσεων των % επιπέδων της [GSH] με το βαθμό ακτινικής δερματίτιδας στις δόσεις ακτινοβολίας 2000 cGy (P<0.05) και 6000 cGy (P<0.005). Συμπερασματικά, η 8-OHdG και 8-NG μπορούν να προταθούν ως προβλεπτικοί δείκτες ακτινικής δερματίτιδας σε ασθενείς που υποβάλλονται σε ακτινοθεραπεία. Τέλος, όσον αφορά τη GSH, η αυξημένη μείωση των % επιπέδων της, σηματοδοτεί μεγαλύτερη πιθανότητα ανάπτυξης δερματικής τοξικότητας κατόπιν ακτινοθεραπείας.
Κάστρο και οικισμός Χώρας Φολεγάνδρου (16ος - 21ος)
Authors: Κατραούζου Δήμητρα
Published: April 2021

Επιχειρώντας μία σφαιρική κριτική θεώρηση της εξέλιξης του οικισμού της Χώρας Φολεγάνδρου, η παρούσα διατριβή εμβάθυνε στο ευρύτερο πλαίσιο αναφοράς της Αρχιτεκτονικής του δομημένου χώρου και του αρχιτεκτονημένου Τοπίου της μέσα από το θεωρητικό υπόβαθρο της ιστορικής έρευνας βασισμένης σε βιβλιογραφικά και αρχειακά δεδομένα. Το αντικείμενο της μελέτης αφορά στην πλήρη διερεύνηση της αρχιτεκτονικής του οικισμού της Χώρας, μελετώντας διεξοδικά την οχυρωματική αρχιτεκτονική του φράγκικου ‘Κάστρου’, στο οποίο ανάγονται οι πρωταρχικές ρίζες του σημερινού οικισμού, με χρονική αφετηρία την εποχή της δημιουργίας του (τον 16ο αιώνα), και συνεχίζοντας στην ανάλυση της αρχιτεκτονικής για την ‘εκτός των τειχών’ περιοχή του ‘Χωριού’ του μεταγενέστερου παραδοσιακού οικισμού του, όπως υφίσταται μέχρι σήμερα. Η μελέτη των πηγών συσχετίστηκε με την ενδελεχή πρωτότυπη αποτύπωση (in situ) και τη συλλογή μαρτυριών για την ανακάλυψη ορατών και μη ορατών αυθεντικών στοιχείων, που αφορούν κυρίως την ιστορική τεκμηρίωση του μνημειακού συνόλου του Κάστρου, καθώς επιχειρηματολογούμε για τον εξαρχής σχεδιασμό του. Για την πληρέστερη ανάγνωση και κατανόηση του αρχιτεκτονικού χαρακτήρα καθώς και των αρχιτεκτονικών φάσεων της εξέλιξης του συνόλου, το θέμα εξετάστηκε σε όλο του το φάσμα από ιστορικής, γεωγραφικής, οικονομικής, κοινωνικής, πολεοδομικής, μορφολογικής, τυπολογικής και τοπιακής πλευράς, ενώ με την μελέτη της αποτύπωσης του συνόλου και την διεξοδική ανάλυση της τυπολογίας της κατοικίας, διαπιστώθηκε πως ο οικισμός της Χώρας Φολεγάνδρου αποτελεί μια αδιάσπαστη γεωπεριβαλλοντική, ιστορική, αισθητική και αρχιτεκτονική ενότητα. Σε ένα γυμνό, σχεδόν σιδερένιο και ταυτόχρονα εύθραυστο ανθρωπογενές τοπίο και παρά τις διαπιστωμένες ταλαιπωρίες που υπέστησαν οι Φολεγανδρίτες σε βάθος χρόνου, κατάφεραν να επιβιώσουν ως αυτόνομη παραγωγική μονάδα, διαφυλάσσοντας ταυτόχρονα την πολιτιστική τους ταυτότητα. Εμβαθύνοντας στην ανακάλυψη αυτού του μοναδικού ‘φαινόμενου ενός μικρό-κοσμου’ διαπιστώνουμε τη σημασία του στο ευρύτερο ιστορικό-γεωγραφικό-κοινωνικό γίγνεσθαι, από την εποχή της φραγκοκρατίας μέχρι σήμερα και στην πρωταρχική αξία να προστατευτεί, καθώς με το πέρασμα του χρόνου και την ταχύτητα των αλλαγών, ελλοχεύει ο κίνδυνος της αλλοίωσής του.
КЛИНИЧЕСКИЙ СЛУЧАЙ ДИАГНОСТИКИ СТРОНГИЛОИДОЗА У ПАЦИЕНТА В ХРОНИЧЕСКОМ КРИТИЧЕСКОМ СОСТОЯНИИ НА ФОНЕ ТЯЖЕЛОГО ПОРАЖЕНИЯ ГОЛОВНОГО МОЗГА
Authors: Samchuk Maria G. , Panasenkova Olga G. , Yakovleva Alexandra V. , Yakovlev Alexey A. , Shchelkunova Inessa G.
Published: April 2021

Состояние вопроса. У 100 % пациентов, поступивших в реанимационные отделения Федерального научно-клинического центра реаниматологии и реабилитологии (ФНКЦ РР) в хроническом критическом состоянии (ХКС), обусловленном различными поражениями головного мозга, наблюдается полиморбидность, которая обуславливает наслоение и мозаичность симптоматики. При этом своевременная диагностика и терапия всех сопутствующих заболеваний является одним из важнейших аспектов ранней нейрореабилитации в условиях отделения анестезиологии и реанимации, а отсутствие патогномоничной и четко-дифференцированной симптоматики определяет необходимость использования четких диагностических алгоритмов и диктует необходимость повышенной настороженности у персонала.

Материалы и методы. В работе описан случай стронгилоидоза на фоне тяжелой редицивирующей полисегментарной пневмонии и колита неясной этиологии у пациента в ХКС.  Описан процесс дифференциальной диагностики клинической картины колита, а также проведенные после выявления глистной инвазии противоэпидемические мероприятия.

Результаты. В ФНКЦ РР обследование на наличие глистных инвазий проводится каждому пациенту с учетом общего состояния, связанного с ХКС и иммуносупрессией. Учитывая очень низкий процент выявления любой глистной инвазии при однократном обследовании, также предложен алгоритм диагностики глистных инвазий у пациентов в ХКС: трехкратное проведение лабораторного исследования на глистные инвазии (при поступлении в стационар, при появлении клинических симптомов и через десять дней после начала клиники).

Заключение. Такой подход позволяет исключить гиподиагностику глистной инвазии, в том числе начать своевременно лечение при выявлении, а также принять своевременные меры направленные на недопущение распространения инвазии в условиях лечебного стационара.
Injective stabilization of additive functors, III. Asymptotic stabilization of the tensor product
Authors:   Northeastern University, Martsinkovsky Alex , Russell Jeremy ,   Phillips Exeter Academy
Published: April 2021

The injective stabilization of the tensor product is subjected to an iterative procedure that utilizes its bifunctor property. The limit of this procedure, called the asymptotic stabilization of the tensor product, provides a homological counterpart of Buchweitz's asymptotic construction of stable cohomology. The resulting connected sequence of functors is isomorphic to Triulzi's J-completion of the Tor functor. A comparison map from Vogel homology to the asymptotic stabilization of the tensor product is constructed and shown to be always epic. The category of finitely presented functors is shown to be complete and cocomplete. As a consequence, the inert injective stabilization of the tensor product with fixed variable a finitely generated module over an artin algebra is shown to be finitely presented. Its defect and consequently all right-derived functors are determined. New notions of asymptotic torsion and cotorsion are introduced and are related to each other.
Structure of relatively free trioids
Authors:   Luhansk Taras Shevchenko National University, Zhuchok Anatolii
Published: April 2021

Loday and Ronco introduced the notions of a~trioid and a trialgebra, and constructed the free trioid of rank 1 and the free trialgebra. This paper is a survey of recent developments in the study of free objects in the varieties of trioids and trialgebras. We present the constructions of the free trialgebra and the free trioid, the free commutative trioid, the free n-nilpotent trioid, the free left (right) n-trinilpotent trioid, and the free rectangular trioid. Some of these results can be applied to constructing relatively free trialgebras.
The relationship between the sensory processing and occupational motor skills of children with autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Kashefimehr Babak , Huri Meral , Kayihan Hulya , Havaei Naser
Published: April 2021

Background/Aims

Motor skills difficulties may affect participation and communication in children with autism. Sensory processing problems are well-known problems in children with autism, so sensory processing could be important to predicate motor skills. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between sensory processing and occupational motor skills and the ability to predict motor skill performances using sensory abilities.

Methods

A total of 31 children with autism participated in the study. The Sensory Profile questionnaire and Short Child Occupational Profile tool were used to assess the sensory ability and occupational motor skills of the children (boys=90.3%; mean age=5.45 years ± 1.73 years). The backward method of correlation coefficient analysis, multiple linear regression analysis, and multiple regressions were used for statistical analysis.

Results

There was a significant relationship between occupational motor skills and sensory processing capabilities of children. The regression prediction equation was statistically significant in all sections of sensory processing except for oral processing (F (6.24)=4.46, P=0.004), with a value of R2=0.527 and R2Adj=0.409. Modelling motor skills based on sensory processing capabilities of children showed that the regression prediction equation was statistically significant (F (2.28) =11.87, P<0.001); with the value of R2=0.459 and R2Adj=0.420. In the final model, the factors of auditory processing and multi-sensory were found effective in children's motor skills (P<0.05).

Conclusions

Sensory processing is related to occupational motor skills and can help to predict occupational motor skill issues of children with autism spectrum disorder. This could be helpful to develop appropriate treatments to improve the functional motor skills of children with autism.
A Feasibility Study for a Smartphone-Based Vibratory Bowl System for Peanut Sorting
Authors: Li Rui , Velaga Hima , Zhao Zhuo , Tse Zion T.H.
Published: April 2021

Highlights

Conventional peanut sorting and harvest day prediction were time-consuming and inefficient.

A smartphone-based vibratory bowl system was fabricated for fast peanut sorting.

The system could transport and sort 200 peanuts in less than 5 minutes.

The accuracy of peanut counting was greater than 87%, and the accuracy of color detection was greater than 90%.

Abstract. Peanut is an important crop in the southern region of the United States. The southeastern states of Georgia, Florida, and Alabama account for over two-thirds of peanut production. Determining an optimum harvest maturity for peanuts is critical to the industry because it directly impacts the yield and quality of the peanuts. The conventional way of determining peanut maturity is a visual inspection method that could take a long time to generate unreliable and inconsistent results due to human errors. In this study, a new method of determining peanut harvest time was proposed. The black peanuts, which is a class of ready-to-pick one, were selected through an automated process. The machine consists of two processes. The transport process used a mechanism of bowl vibration to align the peanuts into a line before entering the second process-the automated sorter, which would separate the peanuts according to their maturity level. Base on the transport analysis, the vibrational bowl was able to transport 200 peanuts to the automated sorter for less than 5 minutes. As for the sorting process, the experimental results showed the accuracy of peanut counting was more than 87%. The average F1 score for peanut color sorting was greater than 90%. All the findings suggested it is feasible to use a smartphone-based vibratory bowl system for fast peanut counting and color sorting. Keywords: Dynamic color detection, Image processing, Peanut maturity, Vibrational bowl.
A New Frame-Based Calibration Method for Extended Octagonal Ring Transducers
Authors: Aikins Kojo Atta , Desbiolles Jack M. A. , Jensen Troy A. , Antille Diogenes L.
Published: April 2021

Highlights

A simple frame was built to hold and apply uniaxial and biaxial loads to octagonal ring transducers for calibration.

Similar results were obtained with the frame as with a universal tensile testing machine.

The transducer outputs exhibited low cross-sensitivities and hysteresis (=0.4%), and R2 = 0.9998.

The frame is portable and safe, and its concept can be adapted to take a wide range of non-gravitational loads.

Abstract. An extended octagonal ring transducer (EORT) is a simple, single, and compact biaxial force measuring transducer, which is ideal for soil force measurement in tillage tool research. Calibration of EORTs is needed to ascertain their sensitivities and to determine an accurate calibration equation to convert voltage output to force measurement. Typically, calibration of EORTs involves the use of universal tensile testing machines, hydraulic systems and large gravitational loads (hanging weights) to apply loads. In this study, a simple calibration frame that enables application of non-gravitational loads was evaluated and used to hold and calibrate an EORT through both uniaxial and biaxial loading. The frame was suitable for both uniaxial and biaxial application of offset coincident force up to 3000 N and centered perpendicular force up to 1500 N. The EORT exhibited a strong linear relationship (R2 = 0.9998) between applied forces and voltage outputs, low hysteresis errors (=0.4%), and low cross-sensitivities (3.61% and 1.6% for coincident and perpendicular forces, respectively). Calibration equations developed from the primary bridge output data or from the biaxial loading data using the frame produced good force predictions, which also improved when taking into account the impacts of cross-sensitivity. The results confirmed that this calibration approach can integrate the interactions of output cross-sensitivity to deliver more accurate force prediction. Coefficients of determination of the relationships between applied and predicted forces were 0.9993 to 0.9996 and 0.9877 to 0.9984 for coincident and perpendicular forces, respectively. This calibration frame presents potential for safely applying large, non-gravitational loads in a contained and portable manner and its concept can easily be adapted to suit the scale of the transducer. Keywords: Biaxial loading, Cross-sensitivity, EORT calibration, Offset coincident force, Uniaxial loading.
Effectiveness of Manure Pit Additive in Reducing Emissions and Solids
Authors: Duong Cuong Manh , Wang Haipeng , Lim Teng-Teeh
Published: April 2021

Highlights

A simple design was applied to simulate long-term manure storage for pit additive effectiveness.

Odor reduction was observed after six months, suggesting some additives take time to show effects.

Low reductions of total solids and volatile solids were observed only for the 200% dosage treatment.

Nutrient contents were not affected by the additive during the long-term storage.

Abstract. Odor emissions have always been a challenge for intensive animal operations. Various pit additives continue to be developed and improved to mitigate odor and manure solids. A commercial, biological additive was evaluated in a laboratory setting for effectiveness in reducing manure solids as well as gas and odor concentrations. In a short-term experiment (Experiment 1), twelve 3.79-L (1-gal) glass jars were used to mimic semi-long-term manure storage. The experiment was conducted in triplicate with four treatments consisting of dosages of 0, 50%, 100%, and 200% of manufacturer recommendations. The stored manure was analyzed for pH, total solids (TS), and volatile solid (VS) contents, as well as ammonia (NH3) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) concentrations. After the additive application method and dosages were verified, a long-term experiment (Experiment 2) was conducted in triplicate by using nine 15-cm (6-in.) ID, 1.52-m (5-ft.) long PVC reactors with different treatments: control, 100%, and 200% dosage. No statistical differences were observed for pH, NH3, and H2S between the control and treatment groups in both experiments. Low reductions of TS and VS were observed only for the 200% dosage group in Experiment 1. Odor concentration, after decimal logarithm transformation, was significantly reduced only at the 200% dosage treatment at the end of Experiment 2 (p < 0.05). Nutrient contents were similar among the groups, which confirmed that the additive did not alter manure nutrients during the long-term treatment period. Keywords: Deep-pit, Manure storage, Microbial activity, Mitigation, Odor.
Establishing a Physiology-Yield-Quality Evaluation Model for Optimizing Drip Irrigation on Grape Fields in Extremely Arid Regions
Authors: Wen Yue , Wang Zhenhua , Guo Li , Li Wenhao
Published: April 2021

Highlights

Regulated deficit irrigation and fertilization ratio were used to test grapes in extremely arid areas.

Physiology, yield, and quality indexes of drip irrigation grapes were analyzed accordingly in this study.

Single and comprehensive evaluation models were used to evaluate the optimal water and fertilizer treatment.

Abstract. Water shortage and chemical fertilizer abuse are important factors restricting grape industry development in Xinjiang. In this study, the physiology, yield and quality indexes of drip irrigation grapes were analyzed, and the water-fertilizer system was properly optimized by a model of combination of single evaluation methods and comprehensive evaluation methods. Five irrigation schemes and three fertilizer ratios were combined to form 15 treatments in Xinjiang, China. Results showed that irrigation and fertilization had different effects on physiology, yield, and quality indicators of grapes in different growth periods, and each index cannot reach its maximum value under the same treatment. Four single evaluation methods of Principal Component Analysis (PCA), Membership Function Analysis (MFA), Gray Correlation Analysis (GCA), and TOPSIS were used to evaluate grapes of 15 water and fertilizer treatments, but there were 9 treatments with a ranking standard deviation greater than 1.0, which was over 60% of all treatments. Through four comprehensive evaluation methods of Average Value, Borda, Copeland, and Fuzzy Borda, single evaluation results were analyzed, and the standard deviations of 13 treatments ranked 1.0 or below, more than 80% of all treatments, and Average Value comprehensive method had the highest compatibility. Therefore, the combination of Average Value method and four single evaluation methods is an appropriate evaluation model. It was determined that W4F2 was the optimal treatment which was performed regulated deficit irrigation in the berry mature period, the irrigation amount, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium fertilizers were sequentially controlled to 694 mm, 235.7, 235.7, and 353.6 kg·ha-1, and its ranking was ranked first under the four comprehensive evaluation methods. This study can provide theoretical guidance for the combined evaluation of water and fertilizer use of drip irrigation grapes in extremely arid regions. Keywords: Comprehensive model evaluation, Extremely arid regions, Drip irrigation grapes, Physiology-yield-quality effects, Single method evaluation.
Convolutional neural network for estimating physical parameters from Newton’s rings
Authors: Li Peihang , Lu Ming-Feng , Ji Chen-Chen , Wu Jin-Min , Liu Zhe , Wang Chenyang , Zhang Feng , Tao Ran
Published: April 2021

By analyzing Newton’s rings, often encountered in interferometry, the parameters of spherical surfaces such as the rings’ center and the curvature radius can be estimated. First, the classical convolutional neural networks,  visual geometry group (VGG) network and U-Net, are applied to parameter estimation of Newton’s rings. After these models are trained, the rings’ center and curvature radius can be obtained simultaneously. Compared with previous analysis methods of Newton’s rings, it is shown that the proposed method has higher precision, better immunity to noise, and lower time consumption. For a Newton’s rings pattern of

640

×

480

pixels comprising

−

5

d
B

Gaussian noise or 60% salt-and-pepper noise, the parameters can be estimated by the VGG model in 0.01 s, the error of the rings’ center is less than one pixel, and the error of curvature radius is lower than 0.5%.
Field-resolved detection of the temporal response of a single plasmonic antenna in the mid-infrared
Authors: Fischer Marco P. , Maccaferri Nicolò , Gallacher Kevin , Frigerio Jacopo , Pellegrini Giovanni , Paul Douglas J. , Isella Giovanni , Leitenstorfer Alfred , Biagioni Paolo , Brida Daniele
Published: April 2021

Unveiling the spatial and temporal dynamics of a light pulse interacting with nanosized objects is of extreme importance to widen our understanding of how photons interact with matter at the nanoscale and trigger physical and photochemical phenomena. An ideal platform to study light–matter interactions with an unprecedented spatial resolution is represented by plasmonics, which enables an extreme confinement of optical energy into sub-wavelength volumes. The ability to resolve and control the dynamics of this energy confinement on the time scale of a single optical cycle is at the ultimate frontier towards a full control of nanoscale phenomena. Here, we resolve in the time domain the linear behavior of a single germanium plasmonic antenna in the mid-infrared by measuring the complex optical field response in amplitude and phase with sub-optical-cycle precision, with the promise to extend the observation of light–matter interactions in the time domain to single quantum objects. Accessing this fundamental information opens a plethora of opportunities in a variety of research areas based on plasmon-mediated photonic processes and their coherent control, such as plasmon-enhanced chemical reactions and energy harvesting.
Mistakes can stabilise the dynamics of rock-paper-scissors games
Authors: Kleshnina Maria , Streipert Sabrina S. , Filar Jerzy A. , Chatterjee Krishnendu
Published: April 2021

A game of rock-paper-scissors is an interesting example of an interaction where none of the pure strategies strictly dominates all others, leading to a cyclic pattern. In this work, we consider an unstable version of rock-paper-scissors dynamics and allow individuals to make behavioural mistakes during the strategy execution. We show that such an assumption can break a cyclic relationship leading to a stable equilibrium emerging with only one strategy surviving. We consider two cases: completely random mistakes when individuals have no bias towards any strategy and a general form of mistakes. Then, we determine conditions for a strategy to dominate all other strategies. However, given that individuals who adopt a dominating strategy are still prone to behavioural mistakes in the observed behaviour, we may still observe extinct strategies. That is, behavioural mistakes in strategy execution stabilise evolutionary dynamics leading to an evolutionary stable and, potentially, mixed co-existence equilibrium.
Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus antibody prevalence in Mauritanian livestock (cattle, goats, sheep and camels) is stratified by the animal’s age
Authors: Schulz Ansgar , Barry Yahya , Stoek Franziska , Ba Aliou , Schulz Jana , Haki Mohamed L. , Sas Miriam A. , Doumbia Baba A. , Kirkland Peter , Bah Mohamed Y. , Eiden Martin , Groschup Martin H.
Published: April 2021

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) is one of the most widespread zoonotic arthropod-borne viruses in many parts of Africa, Europe and Asia. It belongs to the family ofNairoviridaein the genus ofOrthonairovirus. The main reservoir and vector are ticks of the genusHyalomma. Livestock animals (such as cattle, small ruminants and camels) develop a viremias lasting up to two weeks with absence of clinical symptoms, followed by seroconversion. This study was carried out to assess risk factors that affect seroprevalence rates in different species. In total, 928 livestock animal samples (cattle = 201; sheep = 247; goats = 233; camels = 247) from 11 out of 13 regions in Mauritania were assayed for CCHFV-specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) (including a novel indirect camel-IgG-specific CCHFV ELISA). Inconclusive results were resolved by an immunofluorescence assay (IFA). A generalized linear mixed-effects model (GLMM) was used to draw conclusions about the impact of certain factors (age, species, sex and region) which might have influenced the CCHFV antibody status of surveyed animals. In goats and sheep, about 15% of the animals were seropositive, whereas in cattle (69%) and camels (81%), the prevalence rate was significantly higher. On average, cattle and camels were up to twice to four times older than small ruminants. Interestingly, the seroprevalence in all species was directly linked to the age of the animals, i.e. older animals had significantly higher seroprevalence rates than younger animals. The highest CCHFV seroprevalence in Mauritania was found in camels and cattle, followed by small ruminants. The large proportion of positive animals in cattle and camels might be explained by the high ages of the animals. Future CCHFV prevalence studies should at least consider the age of surveyed animals in order to avoid misinterpretations.
Home care aides’ attitudes to training on oral health care
Authors: Hsu Wei-Chung , Hsieh Yen-Ping , Lan Shou-Jen
Published: April 2021

This study investigated home care aides’ (HCAs) oral health care experience, knowledge, and their intention to receive professional training, to explain and predict factors of their intention to receive such training. This cross-sectional study collected data through a structured questionnaire. HCAs affiliated with home care agencies in Taichung, Taiwan were recruited through purposive sampling. A total of 487 questionnaires were distributed from September to December 2015 with 280 valid responses collected (57.4%).This study predicted the factors of HCAs’ intention to receive oral health care training through a decision tree analysis. The decision tree model classified the respondents with an accuracy of 77.5%. The optimal predictor variable was oral health care knowledge (χ2 = 66.662, p < 0.0001). Among the low-scoring respondents on oral health care knowledge, 76.4% were classified in the “uninterested” group, whereas 84.8% of the high scorers were classified in the “interested” group. The second best predictor variable was whether oral health care is part of the job responsibility (χ2 = 7.979, p = 0.007). Among those who answered Yes, 92.9% were in the interested group, as were 76.5% of those who answered No. It is recommended to add “disease and oral care-related content” and “safety protection, assessment, and usage of oral care tools during practical oral care process” to the oral healthcare training course content for HCAs in order to improve HCAs’ oral healthcare knowledge and oral care skills. These research findings are valuable and may be taken into account in the future development of the in-service educational training of oral healthcare for HCAs.
Family as a health promotion setting: A scoping review of conceptual models of the health-promoting family
Authors: Michaelson Valerie , Pilato Kelly A. , Davison Colleen M.
Published: April 2021

Background

The family is a key setting for health promotion. Contemporary health promoting family models can establish scaffolds for shaping health behaviors and can be useful tools for education and health promotion.

Objectives

The objective of this scoping review is to provide details as to how conceptual and theoretical models of the health promoting potential of the family are being used in health promotion contexts.

Design

Guided by PRISMA ScR guidelines, we used a three-step search strategy to find relevant papers. This included key-word searching electronic databases (Medline, PSycINFO, Embase, and CINAHL), searching the reference lists of included studies, and intentionally searching for grey literature (in textbooks, dissertations, thesis manuscripts and reports.)

Results

After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, the overall search generated 113 included manuscripts/chapters with 118 unique models. Through our analysis of these models, three main themes were apparent: 1) ecological factors are central components to most models or conceptual frameworks; 2) models were attentive to cultural and other diversities, allowing room for a wide range of differences across family types, and for different and ever-expanding social norms and roles; and 3) the role of the child as a passive recipient of their health journey rather than as an active agent in promoting their own family health was highlighted as an important gap in many of the identified models.

Conclusions

This review contributes a synthesis of contemporary literature in this area and supports the priority of ecological frameworks and diversity of family contexts. It encourages researchers, practitioners and family stakeholders to recognize the value of the child as an active agent in shaping the health promoting potential of their family context.
Prediction of early recurrence of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma after resection
Authors: Sugawara Toshitaka , Ban Daisuke , Nishino Jo , Watanabe Shuichi , Maekawa Aya , Ishikawa Yoshiya , Akahoshi Keiichi , Ogawa Kosuke , Ono Hiroaki , Kudo Atsushi , Tanaka Shinji , Tanabe Minoru
Published: April 2021

Background

Even after curative resection, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) patients suffer a high rate of recurrence. There is an unmet need to predict which patients will experience early recurrence after resection in order to adjust treatment strategies.

Methods

Data of patients with resectable PDAC undergoing surgical resection between January 2005 and September 2018 were reviewed to stratify for early recurrence defined as occurring within 6 months of resection. Preoperative data including demographics, tumor markers, blood immune-inflammatory factors and clinicopathological data were examined. We employed Elastic Net, a sparse modeling method, to construct models predicting early recurrence using these multiple preoperative factors. As a result, seven preoperative factors were selected: age, duke pancreatic monoclonal antigen type 2 value, neutrophil:lymphocyte ratio, systemic immune-inflammation index, tumor size, lymph node metastasis and is peripancreatic invasion. Repeated 10-fold cross-validations were performed, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) and decision curve analysis were used to evaluate the usefulness of the models.

Results

A total of 136 patients was included in the final analysis, of which 35 (34%) experienced early recurrence. Using Elastic Net, we found that 7 of 14 preoperative factors were useful for the predictive model. The mean AUC of all models constructed in the repeated validation was superior to the standard marker CA 19–9 (0.718 vs 0.657), whereas the AUC of the model constructed from the entire patient cohort was 0.767. Decision curve analysis showed that the models had a higher mean net benefit across the majority of the range of reasonable threshold probabilities.

Conclusion

A model using multiple preoperative factors can improve prediction of early resectable PDAC recurrence.
Economical assessment of an investment related to the establishment of a new farrowing place and pig-rearing building
Authors: Zsótér Brigitta , Milojev Ágnes
Published: April 2021

In our research work we aimed at carrying out an economical assessment of an investment and development of substantial volume. The examined project was completed at a pig-farm during which a new farrowing place and pig rearing building were built, as well as the renovation of the existing pig-farm. All of them were financed partly from the firm’s own source, partly from a non-repayable aid granted by the state, and finally from a credit granted by a commercial bank. The term of the credit is 10 years and the return of the investment expected by the investors is 8%, so we carried out our calculations according to these data. We examined the three possible ways of financing the investment from the economical point of view, as a result we proposed three hypotheses. Our hypotheses are: Hypothesis 1 (Case „A”): The investment will be financially recovered within the examined period of 10 years if it is financed from the firm’s own source, the state grant and the bank credit. Hypothesis 2 (Case „B”): The investment can be economically completed within the given period of time if the project meets the costs from the firm’s own source and the credit. Hypothesis 3 (Case „C”): The investment will be economically accomplished within the examined 10 years provided the firm finances the project from their own source and the state grant. In our calculations we used the net present value (NPV), the internal rate of return (IRR), the payback time (PB), the discounted payback time (DPB) and the profitability index (PI) as economy indicators. We carried out our calculations regarding 10 years to be able to compare the results since the term of the granted credit is 10 years, too.
Analysis of trophy parameters in Fallow deer (Dama dama) in Hungary, 1998-2016
Authors: Kovács Imre , Schally Gergely , Csányi Sándor
Published: April 2021

The assessment of the trophy quality in Fallow deer (Dama dama) is often based on the measured values of the individuals with the largest antlers. However, there is little knowledge about the reliability and representativity of this approach.

In our study, we analysed the trend of the annual number of evaluated trophies between 1998 and 2016, the age distribution of the harvested bucks, and the temporal variation in the values of trophy weight and antler length during the study period on the population level and in the case of the best quality antlers. The data were examined in 3 estimated age classes (young: up to 4 yrs, middle-aged: 5-9 yrs, old: from 10 yrs). The groups (year × age class) were characterized by the median, while the largest values were picked in each group by selecting the lowest value among the individuals belonging to the upper 1%, 5% and 10% of the sample size.

The annual number of the presented trophies increased from 894 to 3,795 with an exponential trend. The proportion of the age classes changed significantly. The proportion of the young bucks increased by 10.2%, while the proportion of the middle-aged individuals decreased by 9.9%.

The median of the weight showed no trend in the complete dataset. In the young age class, it increased until 2006, then decreased until 2016. In case of the middle-aged and old individuals, the median and the strongest values at each threshold also increased. The median of the complete dataset, as well as the middle-aged and old bucks, stagnated in the case of antler length. It showed an 8.5 cm decrease between 2007 and 2016 in the young age class. In general, the difference between the group median and the largest values showed the highest variability in case of the 1% threshold. We found a strong correlation between the group median and the strongest values only in two cases (Top 10% and 5% threshold, trophy weight of middle-aged bucks).

Our results suggest that in Fallow deer, the assessment of the trophy quality based on only the largest antlers may be misleading in several cases, especially in the young age class or if the complete dataset is treated as one group. However, the trend of the largest trophy weight in the middle-aged and old age classes may refer to the trend of the median in the relevant groups.
Production of tomato carotenoids (solanum lycopersicon mill.) during different forcing periods
Authors: Kristó Edit , Lantos Ferenc
Published: April 2021

Tomatos are one of the most widely grown and consumed vegetables in the world. It does not only meet the needs of the fresh market, but also has become an essential ingredient for the food industry. Since 2012, however, intensive soilless forcing is gaining ground on increasingly large areas, using more and more modern technologies. This will make the fulfilling of our domestic tomato demands more continuous, however we can also produce for exports.

However, the yield is not all! Continuous forcing also means that the plant grows during the winter-spring period when biological and other physical factors are not in line with nature.  During this period, the necessary factors must be artificially provided for the plant! There may be a question as to what kind of quality differences can be found between autumn-winter and spring-summer tomatoes?! The most valuable carotene of the tomato is the red lycopene, which is continuously produced during ripening. However, elevated air temperatures above 32 °C can stop the production of lycopene and then the yellow ß-carotene becomes a stronger colour in the berry. During my work, I studied the ratio of the production of the two carotenoids in different types in different forcing periods.
Modern finance: a catalyst for truly modern agriculture
Authors: Mori Margherita
Published: April 2021

This paper aims at investigating the crucial role that the three pillars of the financial system – i.e. financial markets, products and institutions – are likely to play in order to speed up the process of modernization in agriculture, especially in agri-food chains. Four main areas of interest can be identified that consist of sustainable, inclusive, blended and rural finance, and that embody a set of strategic tools: their support to the agricultural sector ranges from its most traditional side to unprecedented forward steps, such as those pertaining to novel foods and to farming on Mars. While innovation allows for progress both in the financial industry and in agribusiness, glocal co-opetitive challenges surface from what can be found at the crossroads: a growing concern for sustainability issues is just an example, which leads to emphasize the 17 Sustainable Development Goals and the underlying generation pact. Focusing on finance, this is a qualitative research that draws upon empirical evidence and success stories; a framework for analysis is outlined, in an attempt at promoting rural finance as a specialized discipline from a theoretical point of view and a peculiar market segment for operating purposes, with relevant sub-sets such as agricultural finance, agricultural value chain finance and agricultural microfinance. Conclusions encompass recommendations that unveil academic implications; supporting arguments stem from – among others – the widely recognized need for upgrading financial education and literacy, especially in rural areas and even within the context of lifelong learning.
Effect of freeze-thaw on the texture of gluten-free pie crust dough
Authors: Csonka Judit , Friedrich László , Pásztor-Huszár Klára , Hidas Karina , Visy Anna , Zeke Ildikó
Published: April 2021

Quick frozen food are becoming increasingly popular among consumers in the last decades. During the development of a quick frozen gluten-free pie crust dough product, the aim was to develop a dough that does not suffer any harmful changes after the freeze-thaw process. The texture is one of the most important sensorial properties, and has a great influence on consumer acceptance. Texture Analyser was used to measure the hardness and the brittleness of various doughs. A quick frozen pie crust dough should be easily cut, but non-crumbling after baking. The results showed that the hardness of a dough with 10% more rice flour was bigger than the other dough’s hardness and it became harder after the freeze-thaw process, while the other dough’s hardness have not changed during the process. The first dough was less brittle than the second dough, also before and after the freeze-thaw. In conclusion, the 1st dough is harder, so it is not more easy to cut than the 2nd dough. However, the first dough being less brittle allows cutting with less crumbs. Considering the expectations, in the future the first recipe should be used to make a fast-frozen pie crust dough product.
The Incidence of Adding-On or Distal Junctional Kyphosis in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Treated by Anterior Spinal Fusion to L3 Was Significantly Higher Than by Posterior Spinal Fusion to L3
Authors: Hyun Seung-Jae , Lenke Lawrence G. , Kim Yongjung , Bridwell Keith H. , Cerpa Meghan , Blanke Kathy M.
Published: April 2021

Objective: To compare and identify risk factors for distal adding-on (AO) or distal junctional kyphosis (DJK) in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) treated by anterior- (ASF) and posterior spinal fusion (PSF) to L3.Methods: AIS patients undergoing ASF versus PSF to L3 from 2000–2010 were analyzed. Distal AO and DJK were deemed poor radiographic results. New stable (SV) and neutral vertebra (NV) scores were defined for this study. The total stability (TS) score was the sum of the SV and NV scores.Results: Twenty of 42 (ASF group: 47.6%) and 8 of 72 patients (PSF group: 11.1%) showed poor radiographic outcome. Fused vertebrae, correction rate of main curve, coronal reduction rate of L3 were significantly higher in PSF group. Multiple logistic regression results indicated that preoperative SV-3 at L3 in standing and side benders (odds ratio [OR], 2.7 and 3.7, respectively), TS score -5, -6 at L3 (OR, 4.9), rigid disc at L3–4 (OR, 3.7), lowest instrumented vertebra (LIV) rotation > 15° (OR, 3.3), LIV deviation > 2 cm from center sacral vertical line (OR, 3.1) and ASF (OR, 13.4; p < 0.001) were independent predictive factors. There was significant improvement of the Scoliosis Research Society (SRS)-22 average scores only in PSF group. Furthermore, the ultimate scores of PSF group were significantly superior to ASF group.Conclusion: The prevalence of AO or DJK at ultimate follow-up for AIS with LIV at L3 was significantly higher in ASF group. Ultimate SRS-22 scores were significantly better in PSF group.
Települési tényezők fontosság-elégedettség elemzése a Balaton térségben
Authors: Banász Zsuzsanna , Fekete-Berzsenyi Hajnalka
Published: April 2021

A kutatás tárgya a Balaton kiemelt turisztikai fejlesztési térség településeihez kötődő lakosság véleményének vizsgálata a települési tényezőkkel kapcsolatban. A vizsgált adatok 2018 és 2019-ben végzett primer kérdőíves felmérésből származnak, melynek során 27 települési tényezőt vizsgáltak meg a szerzők, az értékelhető minta elemszáma 1201 fő. A tanulmány az ISA (Importance – Satisfaction Analysis) fontosság-elégedettség módszert alkalmazza a Balaton térség települési tényezőinek értékelése során, ugyanakkor elemzik a mátrixtechnikák módszertani dilemmáit is. A kutatás célja annak a kérdésnek a megválaszolása, hogy milyen települési fejlesztésekre vágynak leginkább a balatoniak. E kérdés megválaszolásához az egyes települési tényezők általuk érzékelt fontosságát és az ezekkel való elégedettségüket használták fel a szerzők. A tanulmányban alkalmazott módszertan mind a gyakorlati, mind a tudományos szakemberek számára használható keretrendszert alkalmaz. Az elemzések eredményei útmutatást nyújthatnak a döntéshozóknak a beavatkozás fő területeinek meghatározásában.
Az autentikus vezetés jellemzőinek vizsgálata hazai felső vezetők élettörténetében
Authors: Cserháti Gabriella , Fehérvölgyi Beáta , Csizmadia Tibor , Obermayer Nóra
Published: April 2021

Az autentikus vezetés korunk komplex elvárásaira reagáló vezetésfelfogás. Nemzetközi súlyának növekedését a folyamatosan bővülő publikációszám is alátámasztja, ugyanakkor kevés hazai vizsgálat található a témában. A szerzők tanulmányukat hiánypótló szándékkal készítették, amelyben az autentikus vezetők jellemzőit vizsgálták hazai felső vezetők élettörténeteiben. A kutatás során tartalomelemzést végeztek húsz felső vezető félig strukturált élettörténeti interjúinak bázisán. Vizsgálatuk megerősítette, hogy az autentikus vezetés sajátosságai az élettörténeti narratívák elemzésével vizsgálható. Kutatásuk alátámasztotta, hogy a magyar felső vezetők jelentős, az autentikus vezetőre jellemző jellemvonásokkal bírnak. Szigorú értékrenddel rendelkeznek és értékeikkel összhangban cselekednek, vezetői szemléletükben megjelenik a társadalom, a környezetük iránti érzékenység, valamint dolgoznak azon, hogy értelmezzék és internalizálják élettörténetük jelentős eseményeit. A téma aktualitása és a vizsgálati eredmények is alátámasztják további hazai vizsgálatok végrehajtását, ahol a szerzők lehetséges iránynak tartják a narratívák részletesebb elemzését, illetve a kontrollcsoportok vizsgálatát. Eredményeik alapján úgy vélik, hogy az élettörténet értelmezésére és internalizálására fókuszáló folyamat a vezetők fejlesztésének, coaching szemléletű támogatásának hatékony eszköze lehet a jövőben.
Unreliable Estimation of Fibrosis Regression During Treatment by Liver Stiffness Measurement in Patients With Chronic Hepatitis B
Authors: Ji Dong , Chen Yan , Shang Qinghua , Liu Huabao , Tan Lin , Wang Jing , Chen Yongping , Li Qin , Long Qinghua , Song Laicheng , Jiang Li , Xiao Guangming , Yu Zujiang , Chen Liang , Hu Xiaoyu , Wang Xiaodong , Chen Da , Li Zhiqin , Dong Zheng , Chen Guofeng , Yang Yongping
Published: April 2021

INTRODUCTION:

Little reliable evidence has been reported regarding usefulness of liver stiffness measurement (LSM) for monitoring the hepatic fibrosis changes during treatment. We aimed to assess the association between changes in LSM and histological outcomes in patients with chronic hepatitis B.

METHODS:

In this prospective multicenter study, 727 treatment-naive patients receiving entecavir-based therapy, who underwent paired biopsies at treatment baseline and week 72, were analyzed. Changes in LSM were defined as ≥30% decrease, minor change, and ≥30% increase. Multivariate logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) of changes in LSM on clinical outcomes accounting for regression to the mean. A new on-treatment LSM threshold was established by receiver operating curve.

RESULTS:

Overall regression of fibrosis, improvement of inflammation, significant histological response, virologic response, alanine aminotransferase normalization, and hepatitis B e antigen seroconversion were 51.2%, 74.4%, 22.0%, 86.0%, 83.5%, and 13.3%, respectively. The association between changes in LSM and improvement of inflammation was nonlinear (P = 0.012). LSM decrease ≥30% was associated with regression of fibrosis (OR 1.501, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.073–2.099, P = 0.018), significant histological response (OR 1.726, 95% CI 1.124–2.652, P = 0.013), and alanine aminotransferase normalization (OR 2.149, 95% CI 1.229–3.757, P = 0.007). After adjusting for regression to the mean, LSM increase ≥30% became negatively associated with the above 3 outcomes. A new on-treatment LSM cutoff value of 5.4 kPa was established for indicating the significant histological response.

DISCUSSION:

Changes in LSM are unreliable to estimate regression of fibrosis during treatment; the established cutoff value of on-treatment LSM can optimize monitoring strategy for histological outcomes in patients with chronic hepatitis B.