bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clopidogrel Versus Ticagrelor in the Treatment of Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: Effects on Platelet Function Assessed by Platelet Function Tests and Mean Platelet Volume.
Authors: Zhang Yang , Peng Rui , Li Xiaojuan , Cheng Gaowa , Wang Ximing , Yu Jinxing , Hua Muxing , Chen Xi , Zhou Zhou
Published: July 2020

Background: Knowledge on the pharmacodynamic effects of antiplatelet drugs including clopidogrel and ticagrelor on Asian patients is scarce. We aim to evaluate the effects of the two drugs on platelet reactivity in the treatment of Chinese patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), using two platelet function tests (PFT). Meanwhile, the relationship between mean platelet volume (MPV), a routinely index of platelet size, and high on-treatment platelet reactivity (HPR) is also investigated.Methods: Patients receiving dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) treatment were scheduled for the assessment of platelet reactivity at 2-3 days after PCI. Two PFTs, light transmission aggregometry (LTA) and vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP) assay, were applied in the evaluation of platelet reactivity. MPV was measured simultaneously.Results: The final study population included the traditional therapy group with aspirin and clopidogrel (n = 46) and the new therapy group with aspirin and ticagrelor (n = 66). In the new therapy group, the value of platelet aggregation assessed by LTA was obviously lower than that in the traditional therapy group (P < 0.001). The platelet reactivity index (PRI) level at VASP test was also markedly lower in the group given the new therapy (P < 0.001). It presented significant difference of HPR rates between the two groups. MPV showed a potent ability in predicting the presence of HPR at VASP assay (AUC = 0.788, 95% CI: 0.701-0.875, P < 0.001) in receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis.Conclusions: Compared with clopidogrel, ticagrelor has dramatically greater antiplatelet effect, with a superiority of suppressing platelet function and a lower HPR rates. In addition, there existed a significantly independent association between MPV and high prevalence of HPR at VASP assay.
A procedure for stable electrical measurements on a rock sample against high contact resistance as a prerequisite for electrical tomography
Authors: Suzuki Takeshi , Yoshimura Ryokei , Yamazaki Ken'ichi , Oshiman Naoto
Published: July 2020

An important geophysical issue is determining the resistivity of rocks under various conditions. To characterise the internal resistivity structure of a rock needs electrical data from many small electrodes attached around its surface. Effective measurement must overcome the high resistance of the rock itself and the high contact resistance on the rock’s surface during measurement. Therefore, we developed a new method for stable, multi-point, electrical measurement on rock samples that is effective at high contact and sample resistance. The method employed conductive, adhesive epoxy electrodes, which strongly attached even to dry rock surfaces and provided high conductivity. Sustained current injection for long periods into high-resistance rocks was fulfilled using a constant direct current source with high internal resistance. Accurate voltage measurement across the high-resistance rock was accomplished by differential measurement using two high input resistance voltmeters. Measurements of high resistance also require a stable measurement environment: the temperature and humidity in the laboratory were controlled using an air conditioner, a humidifier, a dehumidifier, and a vinyl tent. Signal noise arising from human activities was eliminated by the remote operation of the measuring equipment and switching terminal. We assessed the precision and stability of our new method when applied to a dry granite sample at various levels of absolute humidity. The method recorded highly reproducible measurements under all absolute humidity conditions, thus indicating its validity. The observed changes of measured values with absolute humidity showed that atmospheric moisture greatly influences a sample’s resistance and contact resistance, and indicate the importance of stabilising the temperature and humidity conditions in the laboratory when taking electrical measurements of dry rocks at room temperature and pressure. Additional electrical measurement of dry granite using a simple electrode array constituted the first step toward electrical tomography measurements. A 40-electrode array acquired the potential distribution on the granite’s surface in response to injected current. Sample resistivity, which was sufficient to explain the measured potential distribution, was estimated by forward modelling. This demonstrates the robustness of our method, and indicates that it is potentially applicable to electrical tomography.
A Novel Small Molecule CXCR4 Antagonist Potently Mobilizes Hematopoietic Stem Cells in Mice and Monkeys
Authors: Fang Xiao , Fang Xiong , Mao Yujia , Ciechanover Aaron , Xu Yan , An Jing , Huang Ziwei
Published: July 2020

Background Hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) transplantation is an effective treatment strategy for many types of diseases. Peripheral blood (PB) is the most commonly used source of bone marrow (BM)-derived stem cells for current HSC transplantation. However, PB usually contains very few HSCs under normal conditions, as these cells are normally retained within the BM. This retention depends on the interaction between the CXC chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) expressed on the HSCs and its natural chemokine ligand, stromal cell-derived factor (SDF)-1α (also named CXCL12) present in the BM stromal microenvironment. In clinical practice, blocking this interaction with a CXCR4 antagonist can induce the rapid mobilization of HSCs from the BM into the PB.Methods C3H/HEJ, DBA/2, CD45.1+, CD45.2+ mice and monkeys were employed in colony-forming unit (CFU) assays, flow cytometry assays, and competitive/non-competitive transplantation assays, to assess the short-term mobilization efficacy of HF51116 and the long-term repopulating (LTR) ability of HSCs. Kinetics of different blood cells and the concentration of HF51116 in PB were also explored by blood routine examinations and pharmacokinetic assays. Results In this paper, we report that a novel small molecule CXCR4 antagonist, HF51116, which was designed and synthesized by our laboratory, can rapidly and potently mobilize HSCs from BM to PB in mice and monkeys. HF51116 not only mobilized HSCs when used alone but also synergized with the mobilizing effects of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) after co-administration. Following mobilization by HF51116 and G-CSF, the long-term repopulating (LTR) and self-renewing HSCs were sufficiently engrafted in primary and secondary lethally irradiated mice and were able to rescue and support long-term mouse survival. In monkeys, HF51116 exhibited strong HSC mobilization activity and quickly reached the highest in vivo blood drug concentration. Conclusions These results demonstrate that HF51116 is a new promising stem cell mobilizer which specifically targets CXCR4 and merits further preclinical and clinical studies.
Effects of Amyloid Light-chain Amyloidosis on Clinical Characteristics and Prognosis in Multiple Myeloma: A Single-center Retrospective Study
Authors: Xu Junhui , Wang Mangju , Shen Ye , Yan Miao , Xie Weiwei , Wang Bingjie , Song Zhengyang , Liu Huihui , Cen Xinan
Published: July 2020

Background

Amyloid light-chain amyloidosis (AL amyloidosis) is commonly associated with multiple myeloma. However, the clinical characteristics and prognosis of multiple myeloma with AL amyloidosis are not particularly clear.
Methods

Patients with multiple myeloma in the Peking University First Hospital registry from 2010 to 2018 were studied. The clinical and laboratory information were collected from first presentation to death or until the last available clinical follow-up. The patients’ survival and outcomes were analyzed, and the relationships between the clinical parameters and survival were also assessed.
Results

Compared with patients without AL amyloidosis, patients with AL amyloidosis had higher incidence of BNP ≧ 1000 pg/ml (P = 0.001), ALP > 187.5 IU/L (P = 0.002) and ALB < 35 g/L (P = 0.001), but lower incidence of HB < 85 g/L (P = 0.031), hypercalcemia > 2.65 mmol/L (P = 0.008), bone destruction more than three (P < 0.001), bone marrow plasma cell ratio ≧ 30% (P < 0.001) and worse D-S stage (P < 0.001). Multiple myeloma was more often complicated by λ-type AL amyloidosis than κ-type AL amyloidosis. However, further comparison found that multiple myeloma with κ-type AL amyloidosis had higher incidence of ALP > 187.5 IU/L (P = 0.001) and renal insufficiency (P = 0.001) along with worse D-S stage (P = 0.003) than multiple myeloma with λ-type AL amyloidosis. Renal biopsies of many patients suggested AL amyloidosis, but their bone marrow biopsies or subcutaneous abdominal fat pad aspirates results were negative. The existence of AL amyloidosis especially the heart involvement was related to shorter long-term survival of multiple myeloma according to univariate analysis. Cox regression model for overall survival detected the presence of AL amyloidosis in multiple myeloma having independent prognostic significance (RR = 4.52, P = 0.049).
Conclusions

Patients with multiple myeloma accompanied by AL amyloidosis have milder target organ damage and lower tumor burden. The incidence of AL amyloidosis in κ-type multiple myeloma is lower but more severe than λ-type multiple myeloma. Renal biopsy can help to identify patients with AL amyloidosis. AL amyloidosis is an independent poor prognostic factor for multiple myeloma is mainly because involvements of important organs especially the heart.
Developing the nomogram for the prediction of in-hospital incidence of acute respiratory distress syndrome in patients with COVID-19
Authors: Ding Ning , Zhou Yang , Yang Guifang , Guo Cuirong , Tang Fengning , Chai Xiangping
Published: July 2020

Background: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) was the most common complication of coronavirus disease-2019(COVID-19), leading to poor clinical outcomes. However, the model to predict the in-hospital incidence of ARDS in patients with COVID-19 is limited. Therefore, we aimed to develop a predictive nomogram for the in-hospital incidence of ARDS in COVID-19 patients.Methods: Patients with COVID-19 admitted to Changsha Public Health Centre between Jan 30, 2020, and Feb 22, 2020, were enrolled. Clinical characteristics and laboratory variables were analyzed in patients with ARDS. Risk factors for ARDS were selected by LASSO binary logistic regression. Nomogram was established based on risk factors and validated by the dataset.Results: A total of 113 patients, involving 99 in the non-ARDS group and 14 in the ARDS group were included in the study. 8 variables including hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cough, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase (CK), white blood count (WBC), body temperature, and heart rate were identified to be included in the model. The specificity, sensitivity, and accuracy of the full model were 100%, 85.7%, and 87.5% respectively. The calibration curve also showed good agreement between the predicted and observed values in the model.Conclusions: The nomogram can predict the in-hospital incidence of ARDS in COVID-19 patients. It helps physicians to make an individualized treatment plan for each patient.
Short Term Stress of COVID-19 on World Major Stock Indices
Authors: Rehan Muhammad , Alvi Jahanzaib , KARACA
Published: July 2020

The main objective of this study is to check short term stress of COVID-19 on the American, European, Asian, and Pacific stock market indices, furthermore, the correlation between all the stock markets during the pandemic. Secondary data of 41 stock exchange from 32 countries have been collected from investing.com website from 1st July 2019 to 14th May 2020 for the stock market and the COVID-19 data has been collected according to the first cases reported in the country, stocks market are classified either developed or emerging economy, further divided according to the subcontinent i.e. America, Europe, and Pacific/Asia, the main focus in the data is the report of first COVID-19 cases. The study reveals that there is volatility in the all the 41 stock market (American, Europe, Asia, and Pacific) after reporting of the first case and volatility increase with the increase of COVID-19 cases, moreover, there is a significant negative relationship between the number of COVID-19 cases and 41 major stock indices of American, Europe, Asia and Pacific, European subcontinent market found more effected from the COVID-19 than another subcontinent, there is Clustering effect of COVID-19 on all the stock market except American's stock market due to smart capital investing.
SWOT-TOWS analysis to improve home health waste management during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Silva Thais , Maciel Renata , Florencio Lourdinha , Santos Simone Machado
Published: July 2020

Home health services are of great concern, as infectious diseases can be transmitted not only to residents but also to home health care workers. Worldwide, there are few studies related to home health waste management. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, a survey on waste management from home health care services was carried out between October and December 2019. In the survey, all 67 stakeholders (health teams and caregivers/patients) involved in home health care services in the municipality of Caruaru (Brazil) were interviewed. The collected data showed that the home health care and waste management practices identified during field visits would be severely impacted by the pandemic. In this context, a SWOT analysis and TOWS matrix were employed in the analysis of home health care practices; in this work, those practices include care provided by health teams and patient caregivers, encompassing the handling of waste resulting from health care. The results show the need to promote strategies to improve home health care services to preserve the health of professionals and patients in the pandemic and post-pandemic periods. In this context, care related to the transmission of COVID-19 has been ratified, generating additional actions for the proper management of health waste.
The interaction between dietary Non-Enzymatic Antioxidant Capacity (NEAC) and variant of Cocaine and Amphetamine-Regulated Transcript Prepropeptide (CARTPT) 5q13-14 - rs2239670 locus on hypothalamic-pituitary axis hormones and metabolic risk factors in obese individuals
Authors: Khodarahmi Mahdieh , Farhangi Mahdieh , Niknam Mahdi
Published: July 2020

BackgroundEpidemiological studies have illustrated that polymorphisms of Cocaine and Amphetamine-Regulated Transcript Prepropeptide gene (CARTPT) may affect obesity outcomes. However, no study has investigated the CARTPT gene-diet interactions in term of antioxidant potential of diet. This study aimed to evaluate the interactions between CARTPT gene and dietary non-enzymatic antioxidant capacity on hypothalamic- pituitary axis hormones and cardio-metabolic risk factors. Method and MaterialIn the present cross-sectional study, 288 apparently healthy obese adults aged 20–50 years with a body mass index (BMI) of 30–40 kg/m2 completed the study. Dietary assessment was performed by food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) and antioxidant capacity of diet was estimated by calculating the oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), total radical trapping antioxidant parameter (TRAP) and Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC). The CARTPT rs2239670 polymorphism was genotyped by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR–RFLP) technique.ResultsThere was a significant interaction between CARTPT rs2239670 and dietary ORAC on BMI (Pinteraction = 0.048) and fat mass percent (FM%) (Pinteraction = 0.008); in A allele carriers, higher adherence to the dietary ORAC was related to lower level of BMI and FM%. As well as, the significant interactions were observed between FRAP index and rs2239670 in relation to HOMA (P interaction = 0.049) and QUICKI (P interaction = 0.048). Moreover, there were significant interactions of rs2239670 with TRAP (Pinteraction = 0.029) and TEAC (Pinteraction = 0.034) on the serum glucose level; individuals with AG genotype were more respondent to higher intake of TRAP.ConclusionThe present study indicated the interactions between CARTPT genotypes and dietary NEAC on obesity and its-related metabolic parameters. Further studies are warranted to confirm our findings.
Pain Talk in Hospice Care: A Conversation Analysis
Authors: Wu Yijin
Published: July 2020

Background A large number of the hospice patients have been reported to be with symptoms of pain. Thus, managing the patient’s pain is one aspect of hospice care provision. The delivery of pain care services could be facilitated through effective communication. However, little has been done to explore the interactional details of the delivery of pain care services in palliative care. Methods Conversation analysis is a useful method to explore the interactional details of interaction by hospice care providers and terminally ill patients. Using the method of Conversation Analysis (CA), this study aims to demonstrate how the hospice care provider employs different types of interactional practices to address the patient’s pain concerns. The data showed in this study are collected from the Alexander St website http://ctiv.alexanderstreet.com, an educational resource presenting a large collection of psycho-therapeutic videos. Results In this study, an illustrative analysis is demonstrated to show the potential of conversation analysis for research on pain talk in palliative care. It has been shown that conversation analysis could contribute to unfolding the interactional details regarding “pain talk” in hospice care settings. Specifically, conversation analysis could provide a detailed description and interpretation of the conversational practices, which are used to construct hospice care provider participation in delivering pain talk. In addition, conversation analysis could also demonstrate the interactional resources by which patients disclose their experiences of physical or spiritual pain to the hospice care provider and the way how the hospice care provider responds to the patient’s troubles talk or feelings talk. Conclusions This study identifies five types of interactional resources which are used to deal with the patient’s pain concerns in hospice care setting. A conversation analytical study of pain talk in hospice care could provide a turn-by-turn description of how the hospice care provider communicates with the terminally ill patient in terms of the patient’s pain concerns. The findings in this study could inform how the hospice care provider initiates, delivers and develops a pain talk with the terminally ill patient effectively.
Tatenlose Massnahmen?
Authors: Thommen Marc , Habermeyer Elmar , Graf Marc
Published: July 2020

Damit eine stationäre therapeutische Massnahme angeordnet werden kann, muss u.a. eine vorsätzliche und rechtswidrige Anlasstat gegeben sein. Der vorliegende Beitrag zeigt auf, dass der krankheitsbedingte Irrtum eines Schizophrenen die Rechtswidrigkeit der Anlasstat aufheben kann, wenn der Täter bei Abwehrhandlungen im Verfolgungswahn die Voraussetzungen der Putativnotwehr erfüllt. Um eine Gefährdung der öffentlichen Sicherheit und des therapiebedürftigen Schizophrenen zu verhindern, bieten die Autoren verschiedene Lösungsansätze und sprechen sich letztlich klar für eine Gesetzesänderung aus.
Application of Enhanced Hidden Markov Model in Stock Price Prediction
Authors: Acula Donata D. , De Guzman Teofilo
Published: July 2020

The main focus of this research is the enhancement of the Hidden Markov Model by using some features of Neural Networks and the forecasted values of predictors by Seasonal Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average. The enhanced method was used to predict the close price of stocks whose predictors are open price, high price, low price, and volume of Apple and Nokia data. The performance of the method was measured using the Mean Absolute Percentage Error of the predicted price. The result was compared against the actual close price by using the paired T-test. The testing of the hypothesis showed that the Enhanced Hidden Markov Model obtained more than 94% accuracy rate. It also shows that in Apple data, the predicted close price of the Enhanced Hidden Markov Model is significantly better than the predicted close price of Neural Networks. Using Nokia data, the test claims that there is no difference between the performance of Enhanced Hidden Markov Model and Neural Network in prediction.
Competition of maize hybrids with alexandergrass (Urochloa plantaginea)
Authors: Frandoloso Fernando , Galon Leandro , Gabiatti Ricardo Luis , Bianchessi Felipe , Holz Cinthia Maethê , Menegat André Dalponte , Santin Carlos Orestes , Júnior Francisco Wilson Reichert , Franceschetti Milena Barretta , Bagnara Maico André Michelon , Agazzi Luciane Renata , Forte César Tiago
Published: July 2020

Maize is one of the world's major cereals, and alexandergrass is the most damaging weed in the crop. The objective of this work was to evaluate the relative competitive ability of maize hybrids in the presence of alexandergrass through replacement series experiments. The experiments were set up in a complete randomized block design, with four replications. Firstly, for the maize hybrids as well as for the alexandergrass, the plant population was determined in which the final production becomes constant. were composed of plastic pots with a capacity of 8 dm3, and in each experimental unit was placed in the proportion corresponding to each treatment (100: 00, 75:25, 50:50, 25:75 and 0: 100) in each experimental unit, the species competing or not between them. For each hybrid, a separate experiment was considered with the objective of evaluating intra and interspecific competition. The analysis of the competitiveness of the species was carried out through diagrams applied to the replacement experiments and by the relative competitiveness indexes. At 50 days after the emergence of the maize the leaf area (LA) and the dry mass of the aerial part (DM) of the plants were checked. The relative competition was occured among the weed and each maize hybrid, being negatively affected for both of species, independently of the proportion of weed causing reductions in LA and DM of the maize. Interspecific competition causes less damage to LA and DM of species than intraspecific competition. There is basically competition for the same environment resources (water, CO2, sun light and nutrients) between maize and alexandergrass, being the crop more competitive than the weed.
Genetic analysis of nutritional and antioxidant traits in eggplant (S. melongena)
Authors: Afful N. T , Nyadanu D. , Akromah R , Amoatey H. M , Amiteye S. , Annor C.
Published: July 2020

Six generations of eggplants (P1, P2, F1, F2, BC1 and BC2) obtained from two crosses SM001-07 x ST004-03 and SM001-07 x San005-01 were grown in an open field using Randomized complete Block Design with four replications. The experiment was conducted to determine gene effects for the inheritance of twelve nutritional and antioxidant traits in eggplant using generation mean analysis. The analysis of variance showed significant differences for most traits indicating the presence of sufficient variation in the eggplant materials under study. Additive-dominance effect was adequate to demonstrate the genetic variation and its significance in the inheritance of protein and magnesium contents, while non-allelic interactions were observed to be important for iron, zinc and total phenol in both crosses. The study also showed low values for dominance and environmental variances that resulted in high heritability values for most traits. Therefore, to improve these traits population improvement approaches (recurrent selection or pure line) followed by delayed selection in segregating generation would yield better results.
Operational cost of mechanized harvesting of first-crop coffee
Authors: Santinato Felipe , Silva Carlos Diego da , Silva Rouverson Pereira da , Ormond Antônio Tassio Silva , Gonçalves Victor Afonso Reis , Santinato Roberto
Published: July 2020

The use of adapted harvesters for harvesting first-crop coffee requires a lower cost and exhibits a higher efficiency than manual harvesting. In view of this, the present study aimed to analyze the operational cost of mechanized harvesting of first-crop coffee. The experiment was conducted in a factorial scheme (2 × 3) + 1 and outlined in randomized blocks with five replications. There were seven treatments: two automotive harvesters (conventional and adapted) with times of operations for each harvester (1, 2 and 3 time operations) and manual harvesting. We tested these treatments in a young coffee crop planted in Catalão, GO, irrigated by Pivot, with 1.5 m of height. We measured the lost coffee, coffee harvest, remaining coffee before the operation to obtain efficient parameters and with the prices of the operations and the costs of the treatments. When operated once and three times, the adapted harvester required a lower transfer cost than the conventional harvester. Moreover, the adapted harvester showed no difference in cost between each operation. The cost reduction by mechanized harvesting varied from 23.96 to 59.9 %, depending on the frequency of the mechanized operations. In conclusion, it is efficient to harvest the young coffee with the adapted harvesters reducing the cost of coffee harvesting.
Genetic parameters and yield potential of polyembryonic maize genotypes
Authors: Rico Juan Samuel Guadalupe Jesús Alcalá , Benítez Alfonso López , Barragán Odilon Gayosso , Maas Julio Narcizo Ek , Ramos Dreyli Maygualida Hidalgo , Morales José Ángel Marroquín
Published: July 2020

In the context of the mutants, polyembryony in maize (PEm) has agronomic potential; therefore, the inclusion of the PEm in new varieties may be useful when considering the ascending demand for food. The objective of this study was to develop new genotypes with high productivity potential, superior to in local area, and useful for family and extensive agriculture. In this work, single crosses were carried out between three pure lines and the high frequency polyembryonic populations. The resulting F1 were advanced to the third generation (G3) and the genotypes obtained from this last generation were used as progenitors of a mating plan, according to the Griffing method 4. The resulting crosses were evaluated in a yield test measuring common characteristics of economic importance (Days to Male Flowering (MF), Plant Height (PH), Cob Height (CH), Fusarium Rotten cobs, Cobs (CFUS), Yield (YLD), and analyzed with the computer routine DIALLEL-SAS05. The results allowed to indicate that both the source of variation Genotypes as additive effects (GCA) presented significance for all variables, while non-additive (SCA) were significant only in the variables of cob sanity (p≤0.01) and productivity (p≤0.05). In this regard, most of the variables showed a greater contribution of the effects of General Combining Ability (GCA) compared to Specific Combining Ability (SCA). In addition, it was observed that the crosses were superior in all the variables evaluated with respect to BAP and NAP, and statistically similar in some cases with respect to hybrids. This means that this type of segregant polyembryony crosses can compete with other materials evaluated in the region. The estimation of GCA and SCA generated information on the potential of the studied parents and their crosses and are worthy of being taken into account in the formation of varieties.
Accelerated aging test and image analysis for barley seed
Authors: Ebone Luciano Antônio , Gonçalves Inri Mateus , Lângaro Nadia Canali
Published: July 2020

Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) planted area has increased in Brazil after a decline from 2005‒2009, but the country continues to import malt for the brewing industry. The physiological quality of the seed lot is essential for plant establishment and for screening for high yield grain. However, a uniform accelerated aging (AA) procedure has not been developed for testing barley seeds. Thus, this study aimed to determine the best AA method for measuring barley seed vigor. Seeds of three barley cultivars (BRS Cauê, BRS Brau, and MN 6021) were subjected to four AA treatment (T1: 41 °C for 72 h; T2: 42 °C for 48 h; T3: 42 °C for 60 h; and T4: 43 °C for 48 h). The following variables were evaluated using traditional vigor tests: seed viability in the first and last count of the germination test, number of seminal roots, shoot length, and radicle length. In addition, digital images of seedlings were acquired with the Seed Analysis System (SAS®) to compute seedling vigor, growth, and uniformity. AA methods T2 and T3 were effective in separating barley cultivars into vigor categories at day four of the germination test. Computer analysis of digital images of barley seedlings is a valuable tool for testing barley seed vigor. Accelerated aging methods T2 and T3 also gave the best separation in seed lot vigor and seedling growth using the SAS® index, respectively.
New morphological key using male prothoracic leg characters to identify Helicoverpa (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) species
Authors: Perini Clerison Regis , Angulo Andres O. , Olivares Tania Sonia , Arnemann Jonas Andre , Guedes Jerson Vanderlei Carus
Published: July 2020

Since invasion of Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) in South America, identification of Helicoverpa species became essential for Integrated Pest Management (IPM). Thus, we worked out on a pictorial key to identify tree important Helicoverpa species that occur in the Southern Cone of America, using new morphological characters from the prothoracic legs. Adult male and female of Helicoverpa zea (Boddie), H. armigera, and Helicoverpa gelotopoeon (Dyar) were used for identification. Prothoracic legs from moths were removed and images were taken (magnification of 25X) with scales and specialized scales. In addition, images (magnification of 50X) of prothoracic legs were used to measure the foretibia and epiphysis. The results showed that measurable characters were more reliable and accurate on male moths than female moths. For this reason, we will show only detailed results of male moths. Foretibia of H. zea were longer than H. gelotopoeon, but shorter than H. armigera. This size is visible with or without scales and specialized scales on males. Here, we show a first detailed description of protibial epiphysis. H. armigera has the longest epiphysis with fore margin pointed and with bristles terminating before the end of epiphysis. This illustrated pictorial key shown some first detailed descriptions of prothoracic legs. These characters are useful on integrated pest management programs of many crops to identify male representatives of Helicoverpa, which are captured on pheromone traps.
Characterization and evaluation of biogas generation of Arba Minch Town slaughterhouse wastewater, Ethiopia
Authors: Dawana Demisie , Kassa Kinfe
Published: July 2020

This study was carried out to characterize raw and treated Arba Minch town slaughterhouse wastewater and to assess its methane generation potential with lab-scale anaerobic batch reactors. The methane was collected by downward displacement of an alkaline water column. The methane generation potential of the slaughterhouse wastewater was 270.6 mL methane per gram of volatile solids at hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 20 days at 37 °C. The organic loading rate was 0.48 g and the organic matter removal efficiency of the reactor was COD (93.5%), BOD5 (88.5%), and TVS (94.7%). The result demonstrated that installation of a biogas reactor to treat slaughterhouse wastewater can recover methane, reduce pollutants and protect the environment. The result can be a demonstration for untreated slaughterhouse wastewaters in developing countries like Arba Minch Town to use anaerobic treatment and supplement their scarce energy options.
Assessment of impacts of change in land use and climatic variables on runoff in Tajan River Basin
Authors: Sadeghi Sajad , Saghafian Bahram , Najarchi Mohsen
Published: July 2020

The main objective of the present study was to investigate runoff response to climate variables as well as landuse change over the past 30 years in Tajan River Basin, using the SWAT model. After the model calibration, four different scenarios were simulated and compared. Comparison of simulated runoff results determined from different scenarios indicated that climatic variables reduced the amount of runoff while the landuse change increased this amount in most months of the year. Simulated runoff under three landuse scenarios in all months demonstrated that the runoff achieved from scenario 1 was smaller than scenarios 2 and 4. In scenario 4, the runoff amount increased by 3–21% and 0.8–13% in Kordkheil station compared to those of scenario 1 and scenario 2, respectively. Furthermore, the increase in runoff for scenario 4 is 3–19% and 2–12% in Rig Cheshmeh station relative to those of scenario 1 and scenario 2, respectively. Nonetheless, the maximum change in runoff was only 6% under climatic variables. Hence, landuse had more significant impacts on the runoff compared to climatic variables.
Modeling the removal of Reactive Red 120 dye from aqueous effluents by activated carbon
Authors: Oueslati Kods , Lima Eder C. , Ayachi Fakher , Cunha Mariene R. , Ben Lamine Abdelmottaleb
Published: July 2020

The adsorption isotherms of Reactive Red 120 (RR-120) on Brazilian pine-fruit shell activated carbon, at six temperatures (298, 303, 308, 313, 318 and 323 K) and pH = 6, were determined and interpreted using a double layer model with one energy. A statistical physics treatment established the formulation of this model. Steric and energetic parameters related to the adsorption process, such as the number of adsorbed molecules per site, the receptor sites density and the concentration at half-saturation, have been considered. Thermodynamic potential functions such as entropy, internal energy and Gibbs free enthalpy are analyzed, and the choice of the models is based on assumptions in correlation with experimental conditions. By numerical fitting, the investigated parameters were deduced. The theoretical expressions provide a good understanding and interpretation of the adsorption isotherms at the microscopic level. We believe that our work contributes to new theoretical insights on the dye adsorption in order to know the physical nature of the adsorption process.
Synthesis of nanospindle-akaganéite and its photocatalytic degradation for methyl orange
Authors: Xiong Huixin , Shen Xingyu , Cui Can , Cheng Lin , Xu Yiqun
Published: July 2020

Iron oxyhydroxides as important catalysts and environmental mineral materials have drawn significant interest for their potential applications in the field of wastewater treatment. In this work, we investigated the influence of nonionic surfactant Brij30 or glucose (0.01 wt%) on the formation of iron precipitates in iron(III) chloride solutions for 3 days at 40, 60 and 80 °C. The results showed that the presence of glucose or Brij30 could promote the nanospindle-akaganéite formation and the akaganéite with a length of 300–500 nm obtained at 60 °C was the optimal catalyst for organic photocatalysis degradation. Further, we investigated the capacity of C60 akaganéite for degradation removal of methyl orange (MO) under the action of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) addition and/or UV irradiation, and in the presence of different radical scavengers at pH 4.5. We also researched the effects of various levels of H2O2 and catalyst, and the reaction pH values. It was found that akaganéites could remove almost 100% of MO under 100 mg·L−1 of catalyst and H2O2 at pH 4.5. Akaganéite maintained 86% of MO removal capacity after four successive cycles. Our results can be used as a reference for the synthesis of environmentally functional material and the application in photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutant.
Microwave-assisted preparation of manganese dioxide modified activated carbon for adsorption of lead ions
Authors: Yan Heng , Hu Wenhai , Cheng Song , Xia Hongying , Chen Quan , Zhang Libo , Zhang Qi
Published: July 2020

In this study, manganese dioxide was evenly distributed on the surface of activated carbon (AC), and the porous structure of AC and the surface functional groups of manganese dioxide were used to adsorb the heavy metal ion Pb(II). The advantages of microwave heating are fast heating and high selectivity. The mole ratio control of the AC and MnO2 in 1:0.1, microwave heating to 800 °C, heat preservation for 30 min. The maximum adsorption capacity of the MnO2-AC prepared by this method on Pb(II) can reach 664 mg/L at pH = 6. It can be observed by SEM that manganese dioxide particles are dispersed evenly on the surface and pore diameter of AC, and there is almost no agglomeration. The specific surface area was 752.8 m2/g, and the micropore area was 483.9 m2/g. The adsorption mechanism was explored through adsorption isotherm, adsorption kinetics, FTIR, XRD, XPS. It is speculated that the adsorption mechanism includes electrostatic interaction and specific adsorption, indicating that lead ions enter into the void of manganese dioxide and form spherical complexes. The results showed that the adsorption behavior of Pb(II) by MnO2-AC was consistent with the Langmuir adsorption model, the quasi-second-order kinetic model, and the particle internal diffusion model.
El turismo como contribución al crecimiento del PIB, para el desarrollo de la economía del país
Authors: Mogrovejo-Andrade Johana Milena , Herrera-Martínez Sheyla Vanessa , Maldonado-Niño Lissette Gabriela , García-Torres Nelson Emilio
Published: July 2020

Esta investigación parte del macroproyecto “apuestas de competitividad de la ruta agroturística del sector cafetero del municipio de Gramalote Norte de Santander” que está realizando la academia con la Federación Nacional de Cafeteros, donde se pretende identificar la creciente participación del turismo en la economía colombiana y sea eje impulsador de la economía regional y nacional. Debido a las nuevas tendencias, los mercados han empezado a incursionar en nuevos modelos de negocios, donde la principal opción se centra en los diferentes tipos de turismo como un impulsador de la económica de los países, se propone identificar el aporte del sector turismo en la economía del país. Donde se desarrolla una investigación con un enfoque descriptivo, aplicada con diseño documental y revisión teórica. Los resultados obtenidos con esta investigación evidencian que el sector turismo en Colombia según reporte de los indicadores económicos se ha incrementado en un 150 % y muestra una considerable participación en la economía colombiana. Como conclusión, el turismo es un motor económico y de igual manera se constituye un referente importante de ingresos para el país a partir de la diversificación en los destinos turísticos para la competitividad.
Rozważania dotyczące określenia właściciela kapitału po stwierdzeniu nieważności umowy kredytu walutowego na przykładzie kredytów frankowych
Authors: Grabowski Jędrzej
Published: July 2020

Artykuł stanowi próbę określenia właściciela kapitału oddanego do dyspozycji w ramach kredytu walutowego udzielonego we frankach szwajcarskich. Celem artykułu jest analiza oraz omówienie problematyki stwierdzenia nieważności umów kredytów walutowych w orzecznictwie sądów powszechnych i próba oceny zasadności roszczeń banków w stosunku do powodów (klientów), którym udzielone zostało finansowanie we franku szwajcarskim.
Charakter prawny wpisu do rejestru funduszy inwestycyjnych
Authors: Borowski Filip
Published: July 2020

Głównym celem artykułu jest omówienie charakteru prawnego wpisu do rejestru funduszy inwestycyjnych. Opis podstawowych informacji dotyczących celu i sposobu funkcjonowania funduszy inwestycyjnych oraz Rejestru Funduszy Inwestycyjnych stanie się podstawą ustalenia danych podlegających wpisom. Zdecydowana większość z nich ma charakter deklaratoryjny, toteż artykuł poświęcony jest szczegółowej analizie tych, których skutki są konstytutywne. Wiążą się one zazwyczaj ze zwieńczeniem pewnego procesu, czy to przekształcania funduszu, tworzenia, łączenia czy likwidacji. Skutki omawianych wpisów nie zawsze są precyzyjnie określone przez przepisy ustawy o funduszach inwestycyjnych i zarzadzaniu alternatywnymi funduszami inwestycyjnymi, stąd kluczowa jest umiejętność właściwego rozróżniania ich charakteru.
Effects of Diacerein Intake on Cardiometabolic Profiles in Type 2 Diabetics: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Clinical Trials
Authors: Nowrouzi-Sohrabi Peyman , Tabrizi Reza , Jalali Mohammad , Jamali Navid , Rezaei Shahla , Hessami Kamran , Keshavarz Pedram , Shahabi Saeed , Kolahi Ali-Asghar , Carson‐Chahhoud Kristin , Sahebkar Amirhossein , Safiri Saeid
Published: July 2020

Introduction:

A systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials were undertaken to
evaluate the effect of diacerein intake on cardiometabolic profiles in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus
(T2DM).

Methods:

Electronic databases such as PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar,
and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched from inception to 31 July 2019. Statistical
heterogeneity was evaluated using Cochran’s Q test and I-square (I2) statistic. Data were pooled
using random-effects models and weighted mean difference (WMD).

Results:

From 1,733 citations, seven clinical trials were eligible for inclusion and meta-analysis. A
significant reduction in hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) (WMD -0.73; 95%CI -1.25 to -0.21; P= 0.006; I2=
72.2%) and body mass index (BMI) (WMD -0.55; 95%CI -1.03 to -0.07; P= 0.026; I2= 9.5%) was identified.
However, no significant effect of diacerein intake was identified on fasting blood sugar (FBS)
(WMD -9.00; 95%CI -22.57 to 4.57; P= 0.194; I2= 60.5%), homeostatic model assessment for insulin
resistance (HOMA-IR) (WMD 0.39; 95%CI -0.95 to 1.73; P= 0.569; I2= 2.2%), body weight (WMD -
0.54; 95%CI -1.10 to 0.02; P= 0.059), triglycerides (WMD -0.56; 95%CI -24.16 to 23.03; P= 0.963; I2=
0.0%), total-cholesterol (WMD -0.21; 95%CI -12.19 to 11.78; P= 0.973; I2= 0.0%), HDL-cholesterol
(WMD -0.96; 95%CI -2.85 to 0.93; P= 0.321; I2= 0.0%), and LDL-cholesterol levels (WMD -0.09;
95%CI -8.43 to 8.25; P= 0.983; I2= 37.8%).

Conclusion:

Diacerein intake may reduce HbA1c and BMI; however, no evidence of the effect was observed
for FBS, HOMA-IR, body weight, triglycerides, total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol or LDLcholesterol.
Structure of DNA-PAMAM Dendrimer Complexes Studied Using Small-angle Scattering Techniques
Authors: Mansel Bradley W. , Chen Hsin-Lung
Published: July 2020

Gene therapy is one of the most important developments for modern medicine. As
such methods for the compaction and delivery of nucleic acids bearing therapeutic sequences
is essential. The quest for non-viral carriers of nucleic acids has produced a number of possible
candidates with dendrimer being among the most promising. Their hyper-branched structure
and well-defined size together with low cytotoxicity has found success in both ex-vivo
and in-vivo studies. The compaction of DNA with dendrimer has produced a rich array of different
structures depending on the physiochemical conditions. Mechanisms that drive the
compaction have been shown to be a number of physical interactions that reduce the large
polymeric entity from 100s of nanometers to some tens of nanometers to fit into the cell nucleus.
The mechanisms driving the compaction of DNA will be discussed in detail while the
focus will be directed to tuning the structural properties of the complexes and their structural
characterization using small-angle scattering techniques.
Lipid carriers mediated targeted delivery of nutraceuticals: Challenges, role of blood brain barrier and promises of nanotechnology based ap-proaches in neuronal disorders.
Authors: Aslam Mohammed , Javed Md Noushad , Deeb Hala Hasan , Nicola Michel Kaisar , Sabir Ayisha Md , Hasnain Md Saquib , Alam Md Sabir , Waziri Aafreen
Published: July 2020

:

Despite all significant research in discovering new therapeuticals, there has been an alarming rate of reported neurological disorders. However, the delivery of these neurotherapeuticals within the brain region is still a significant chal-lenge in the clinical management of neuronal disorders. Here, characteristic of the blood-brain barrier and blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier serves the purpose of a physiological barrier to restrict the passage of systemic bioavailable neu-rotherapeuticals inside the brain, owing to low permeability and drug localization issues. The major advantage of such lipid-based delivery systems is that these are effective non–invasive techniques-based approaches that enable targeting of neuro-therapeuticals into the central nervous system. In the case of poorly water-soluble drugs, these lipid-based carriers not onlyfavor to increase bioavailability by enabling better solubility characteristics in the gastrointestinal tract but such encapsulat-ed neurotherapeuticals loads within the systems; may also favor stability. While owing to their small size and lipid-based composition, they offer enhanced permeability across the blood-brain barrier. These lipid-based nanocarriers effectively transport the encapsulated loads such as synthetic drugs, nutraceuticals, phytoconstituents, herbal extracts, or therapeuticalpeptides; across of these impermeable barriers to reduce the incidence of off-target mediated adverse impacts and toxicity.

:

In this review, we discussed, in brief, the potential of nanotechnology processed and lipid-based carriers, which are not onlyto enable higher penetration through the blood-brain barrier but also to maintain drug plasma levels in the desired range, ow-ing to control release profile. Apart from an increase in the extent of bioavailable fraction of drugs within the brain region, other attributes such as modulation in drug release, better penetration, the incidence of bypassing the first-pass metabolism to elevate half-lives; are further favoring the potential application of these carriers. Hence in this introductory review paper, a brief account of general introduction on limitation of neurotherapeuticals loaded conventional dosage forms, the blood-brain barriers as pharmacological barriers, challenges in brain targeted drug delivery, as well as potentials of different lipid-based nanoparticles and their patents, as emerging delivery solutions for neurotherapeuticals delivery; in the clinical man-agement of neuronal disorders; were thoroughly discussed.