bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reconstruction of Different Wetland Plant Habitats of the Pannonian Basin System (Neogene, Eastern Austria)
Authors: HOFMANN CHRISTA-CHARLOTTE , ZETTER REINHARD
Published: July 2019

Sedimentary and palynofacies analysis, total organic carbon content (TOC), and palynology from a densely sampled, small, lignite-bearing succession of Late Miocene age at Badersdorf, SE Austria, were compared with modern wetland ecologies. From this, six hydrologically controlled palynofacies types and six associated paleo-plant habitats in an ancient wetland system were differentiated. The associated woody and herbaceous hinterland flora also were distinguished. At least four horizons with relatively high fusinite content have been preserved, indicating occurrence of paleo-wildfires in either the wetland or the hinterland. The palynofacies types were used to determine the taphonomic bias of the associated palynomorph assemblages, which, together with a comparison with modern wetland vegetation, led to differentiation of the paleo-plant habitats. The paleo-wetland was dominated mainly by Glyptostrobus-containing vegetation, and comprised clastic swamp forests with woody angiosperms, natural levee forests, fern- and Glyptostrobus-dominated organic swamps, freshwater marshes, and wet prairies. The occurrence of more than 40 herbaceous taxa at this locality indicates that the lowland vegetation was not composed of only different closed-forest types, but also of areas with herbaceous vegetation. The more zonal vegetation of the adjacent hinterland has been interpreted as a mix of Pinaceae and woody angiosperms with patches of more herbaceous xeric layers.
Plant Taphonomy and Paleoecology of Late Pennsylvanian Intramontane Wetlands in the Graissessac-Lodève Basin (Languedoc, France)
Authors: MARTÍN-CLOSAS CARLES , GALTIER JEAN
Published: July 2019

The Late Pennsylvanian Graissessac-Lodève basin is a small, fluvio-palustrine depocenter located in the southern part of the Massif Central (France). A taphonomic and sedimentologic study carried out in this area allows a reconstruction of Late Carboniferous vegetation in an intramontane context. The paleoecology of such limnic settings is poorly known, and this study permits detailed comparison with paralic basins for the first time. The Graissessac peat mires developed in abandoned fluvial channels, in floodplains, and above distal alluvial fans. The vegetation was dominated by monospecific stands of the arborescent lycopsid Sigillaria brardii, whereas the tree fern Psaronius occurred during the later stages of mire accretion. This is in contrast to coeval North American peat mires, which generally were dominated by tree ferns and pteridosperms throughout the mire profile. Stephanian floodplains and distal alluvial fans of the Graissessac-Lodève Basin were devoid of vegetation, with the exception of isolated thickets of sphenopsids that were composed of Calamites and Sphenophyllum. These plants were found growing in situ in the floodplain mudstones as well as in fine-grained sands of secondary channels. Parautochthonous foliage assemblages of ferns and pteridosperms found in floodplain mudstones represent the most diverse plant community. The plants supplying these remains were growing in exposed areas close to floodplains. Large logs attributed to cordaitaleans and monotypic assemblages of large Cordaites leaves were found in fluvial sediments, and suggest that the plants were riparian elements in the basin.
Relay Strategy and Adaptation to a Muddy Environment in Isselicrinus (Isselicrinidae: Crinoidea)
Authors: FUJIWARA SHIN-ICHI , OJI TATSUO , TANAKA YASUTAKA , KONDO YASUO
Published: July 2019

Abundant columns of Isselicrinus ariakensis occur in a limited interval of the Upper Eocene Sakasegawa Formation in western Japan. Most of these are several centimeters in length, but curiously they usually stand upright, perpendicular to the bedding plane of the mudstone, and occur as bundles of 2 to 10 columns, with their original distal parts oriented downward. Based on detailed observation of the modes of occurrence as well as on CT scanning of the specimens, a reconstruction of the presumed mode of life is presented. The individuals of Isselicrinus adopted a relay strategy in the muddy substrate, using pre-existing upright columns as anchorage. Similar upright columns of Isselicrinus are also found, or have been reported, from other Eocene and Miocene strata in Japan, Argentina, and Denmark, suggesting that these Isselicrinus adopted this specialized mode of life as an adaptation to muddy bottoms.
Early Triassic Ophiuroids: Their Paleoecology, Taphonomy, and Distribution
Authors: TWITCHETT RICHARD J. , FEINBERG JOSHUA M. , DIANE D O'CONNOR , ALVAREZ WALTER , MCCOLLUM LINDA B.
Published: July 2019

The Permian–Triassic transition was an important time for many marine groups, including echinoderms. However, the fossil record of ophiuroids through this interval is poorly understood. Recent discoveries in Lower Triassic rocks from northern Italy and western US suggest that ophiuroids were more common during this time than previously has been appreciated. Evidence from resting traces (Asteriacites lumbricalis) indicates that Early Triassic ophiuroids lived on fine-grained siliciclastic sediments in oxygenated, shallow-marine environments within storm wave base. No resting traces have been recorded from deeper and/or oxygen-restricted settings. However, following death and decay, ophiuroid skeletal elements sometimes were transported into offshore, low-oxygen environments. All known occurrences of Early Triassic ophiuroids fall within the paleotropics, but this is attributed to sampling bias. Articulated body fossils and their trace fossils are most common in latest Lower Triassic (Olenekian) rocks, but disarticulated ossicles occur throughout the Induan and Olenekian. At times and places, ophiuroids were the dominant marine benthos, carpeting the substrate in prodigious numbers. However, at other times, they also comprised minor components of diverse benthic assemblages, living alongside crinoids (Holocrinus), bryozoans, bivalves, gastropods, and brachiopods. Morphological comparison with extant ophiuroids suggests that all known Early Triassic taxa were small surface-dwellers.
TAPHONOMIC BIAS OF SELECTIVE SILICIFICATION REVEALED BY PAIRED PETROGRAPHIC AND INSOLUBLE RESIDUE ANALYSIS
Authors: PRUSS SARA B. , PAYNE JONATHAN L. , WESTACOTT SOPHIE
Published: July 2019

Silicification is an important mode of fossil preservation but the extent to which silicified material represents an unbiased sampling of the total fossil assemblage within a given rock sample remains poorly quantified. Here, we use paired analyses of thin sections and acid-extracted silicified specimens from the same samples to examine the biases introduced during silicification of Lower Triassic Virgin Limestone carbonates preserved in the Muddy Mountains of southern Nevada. Bivalves dominate most thin sections in the point count data, but rarely silicify completely enough to be recognized in residue. Echinoderms and gastropods are less abundant in thin section but dominate the residues. The abundances of these groups in thin section and residue are only weakly correlated. These findings suggest that although silicification generally captures relative trends in proportional abundance of higher taxa among samples, the silicification process can be taxonomically biased. Given the biases that can occur during silicification, it should not be assumed that silicified collections present a pristine picture of taxonomic or paleoecologic composition. Petrographic analysis has the potential to illuminate the reliability of paleontological data based on silicified collections.
Off-fault Deformation Associated with Strike-slip Faults
Authors: Johnson Jeffrey A.
Published: July 2019

Habitable buildings can be protected from surface fault rupture by establishing structure “setback zones” similar in purpose to legally mandated zones in California and Utah. But post-earthquake surveys of offset and warped linear cultural features, believed to have been straight prior to the event, demonstrate that potentially damaging inelastic strains or off-fault deformation can extend tens of meters beyond the principal slip zone of strike-slip surface fault ruptures. Setback zones designed to also mitigate off-fault deformation are likely to be prohibitively wide, indicating the need for structural and geotechnical engineering solutions to accommodate the potentially damaging strains within adequate design buffers. This study analyzes nine strike-slip surface fault ruptures between 1906 and 2014 and develops a simplified procedure to quantify off-fault deformation based on earthquake magnitude and distance from the principal slip zone of strike-slip faults.
Nanisivik Mine — A Profitability Comparison of Actual Mining to the Expectations of the Feasibility Study
Authors: BURNS NEIL R. , DOGGETT MICHAEL
Published: July 2019

The Nanisivik mine offers a unique opportunity to examine the economics of a mining scenario from its original feasibility study through to closure. In the early 1970s, the Strathcona Sound project (exploration around the Nanisivik mine) had advanced to the point where a significant mineralized body had been defined and a feasibility study was initiated. The study supported development of the Nanisivik mine, with government investment in regional infrastructure, and the mine was constructed and operated for 26 years. Many elements of the feasibility study were difficult to estimate because the project was unique in its high Arctic setting. As a result, many differences were found when comparing the actual mining data to the feasibility study. The majority of these differences were the result of an actual mine life of 26 years instead of the planned 12.5 years. Most of the mining costs were higher than estimated and production occurred at a much higher extraction rate than planned. On a constant dollar basis, the metal prices were, on average, below the feasibility estimates. For the most part, these differences balanced out, with the actual mining being only slightly more profitable than anticipated in the feasibility study.
Geological Setting of the West Meliadine Gold Deposits, Western Churchill Province, Nunavut, Canada
Authors: CARPENTER R.L. , DUKE N.A.
Published: July 2019

The West Meliadine area is underlain by structurally interleaved panels of mafic and minor ultramafic metavolcanic rocks and metasedimentary rocks that occur along the northern margin of the Neoarchean Rankin Inlet greenstone belt. Three structural and metamorphic domains are recognized: (1) the easterly Wesmeg domain; (2) the central Barracuda-Ridge domain; and (3) the westerly Peter Lake domain. The Wesmeg domain is characterized by a series of southeast-trending, north-dipping, foliation-parallel panels of greenschist facies mafic metavolcanic and metasedimentary rocks. The Barracuda-Ridge domain is comprised of greenschist to amphibolite facies mafic metavolcanic rocks that define an east-northeast-trending structural grain. The Peter Lake domain consists of amphibolite facies mafic metavolcanic rocks and minor metasedimentary rocks intruded by a monzonite pluton. West Meliadine hosts the economically significant Wesmeg gold deposits, as well as other important gold showings across the Barracuda-Ridge and Peter Lake domains. The geological setting of the Wesmeg gold deposits resembles that of a break or fault zone. The Pyke Break is a major geophysical discontinuity (>65-km strike length) and is the first-order structural control on gold mineralization at West Meliadine. It is several kilometers wide and characterized by polyphase deformation and shear zone development accompanied by lode-gold mineralization. In general, gold concentration is related to quartz and iron-carbonate veining, iron sulfides (mainly arsenopyrite and pyrrhotite), and accompanying silicate alteration minerals that overprint favorable chemical and structural traps late in the history of deformation.
The ALOHA Trial: (Intra-Articular Local Anaesthetic in Hip Arthroscopy) – A Double-Blinded, 3-Arm Randomised Controlled Clinical Trial Comparing Pre-Emptive, High- and Low-Dose Intra-Articular Local Anaesthetic in Hip Arthroscopy
Authors: Tan Chong Oon , Tran Phong , Chong YewMing , Howard William , Weinberg Laurence
Published: July 2019

Background

Pain after hip arthroscopy is variable but can be severe [11-point Numerical Rating Scale (NRS-11) pain scores of 10] despite multimodal analgesia. Although postoperative rescue regional analgesia is useful in these cases its efficacy may be limited by the maximum safe dose of local anaesthetic (LA) permissible when high-dose intra-articular local anaesthetic (IALA) has already been used. IALA may reduce acute postoperative pain after hip arthroscopy, however neither its optimum dose nor timing of administration have been systematically evaluated.

Methods

In 132 randomly assigned adult patients scheduled for therapeutic hip arthroscopy we compared the effects of two different doses of IALA given at procedure end (Group L [low-dose]: 100mg ropivacaine; Group H [high-dose]: 200mg ropivacaine). We also investigated the effect of an additional pre-emptive dose at the beginning of the procedure (Group P [pre-emptive]: 100mg ropivacaine at procedure start and end).

Results

There were no statistically significant differences between groups for NRS-11 pain scores in recovery (mean[SD]: Group L – 2.2[1.9]; Group H – 2.3[2.1]; Group P – 2.7[2.5]; lowest p = 0.6), or post recovery Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) pain scores [largest mean difference VAS 1.5 hours: 5mm (p = 0.32); VAS 2 hours: 5mm (p = 0.35); VAS 4 hours: 2mm (p = 0.7); VAS 6 hours: 3mm (p = 0.7)]. There were also no significant differences in antiemetic usage and requirement for rescue fascia iliaca block (FIB) between groups.

Conclusions

Compared to a single 100 mg dose of ropivacaine at the end of the procedure, we were unable to demonstrate any advantage of either a higher dose IALA or a pre-emptive dose IALA when multimodal analgesia is used. Lower-dose IALA could reduce total systemic LA absorption if a given rescue regional analgesic LA dose is used postoperatively.
The Use of Data Science to Analyse Physiology of Oxygen Delivery in the Extracorporeal Circulation
Authors: Lukaszewski Marceli , Lukaszewski Rafal , Kosiorowska Kinga , Jasinski Marek
Published: July 2019

Background
Recent scientific reports brought into light a new concept of goal-directed perfusion (GDP) that aims to recreate physiological conditions in which the risk of end-organ malperfusion is minimalized. The aim of our study was to analyse patient’s interim physiology while on cardiopulmonary bypass based on the haemodynamic and tissue oxygen delivery measurements. We also aimed to create a universal formula that may help in the further implementation of the GDP concept.
Methods
We retrospectively analysed patients operated at Wroclaw University Hospital between June 2017 and December 2018. Since our observations provided a huge amount of data, including the patient's demographics, surgery details, and the perfusion-related data, the Data Science methodology was applied.
Results
A total of 272 (mean age 62.5±12.4, 74% male) cardiac surgery patients were included in the study. To study the relationship between haemodynamic and tissue oxygen parameters, the data for three different values of DO2i (280 ml/min/m2, 330 ml/min/m2 and 380ml/min/m2), were evaluated. Each set of those lines showed a descending function of CI in Hb concentration for the set DO2i.
Conclusions
Modern calculation tools make it possible to create a common data platform from a very large database. Using that methodology, we created models of haemodynamic compounds describing tissue oxygen delivery. The obtained unique patterns may both allow the adaptation of the flow in relation to the patient’s unique morphology that changes in time and contributes to the wider and safer implementation of tailored to individual patient’s needs perfusion strategy.
SUSD2 down-regulation is correlated with the occurrence and development of lung cancer
Authors: Liu Qiang , Wang Shuai , Pei Guotian , Yang Yingshun , Min Xianjun , Huang Yuqing , Yang Fan , Liu Jun , Wang Jun
Published: July 2019

Background: Molecularly targeted drugs yielded significant therapeutic advances in oncogene-driven non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), but the majority of patients develop acquired resistance. It is important to identify new target sites that mediate lung cancer progression for new targeted drugs development.
Methods: SUSD2 expression and methylation in 25 paired lung cancer and adjacent normal lung samples were investigated. In addition, the association between SUSD2 expression and prognosis was evaluated.
Results: SUSD2 gene expression was down-regulated in 21 of 25 lung cancer samples. Similarly, SUSD2 protein expression was down-regulated in 20 of 25 lung cancer samples. Furthermore, 7 of 25 lung cancer samples showed a higher methylation compared to adjacent normal lung samples, suggesting that SUSD2 methylation was closely associated with silencing of the gene expression. Except for the pathology type and TNM status (P<0.05), no correlation was observed between SUSD2 expression and other clinicopathological characteristics.
Conclusions: Our findings indicated that SUSD2 expression was down-regulated in lung cancer, and SUSD2 methylation might not be involved in SUSD2 gene expression, suggesting that SUSD2 could be a novel candidate gene for future mechanism research of lung cancer.
Management of Non-Muscle-invasive Bladder Cancer: Quality of Clinical Practice Guidelines and Variations in Recommendations
Authors: Zhang Jing , Wang Yunyun , Weng Hong , Wang Danqi , Han Fei , Huang Qiao , Deng Tong , Wang xinghuan , Jin Yinghui
Published: July 2019

Abstract Background: Bladder cancer (BC) has become a major worldwide public health issue, especially non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). A flood of related clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) have emerged; however, the quality and recommendations of the guidelines are controversial. We aimed to appraise the quality of the CPGs for NMIBC within the past 5 years and compare the similarities and differences between recommendations for therapies. Methods: A systematic search to identify CPGs for NMIBC was performed using electronic databases (including PubMed, Embase, Web of Science), guideline development organizations, and professional societies from January 12, 2014 to January 12, 2019. The Appraisal of Guidelines Research & Evaluation (AGREE) II instrument was used to evaluate the quality of the guidelines. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) analysis was performed to assess the overall agreement among reviewers. Results: Nine CPGs were included. The overall agreement among reviewers was excellent. The interquartile range (IQR) of scores for each domain were as follows: scope and purpose 69.44% (35.42%, 85.42%); stakeholder involvement 41.67% (30.56%, 75.00%); rigour of development 48.96% (27.08%, 65.63%); clarity and presentation 80.56% (75.00%, 86.11%); applicability 34.38% (22.92%, 40.63%) and editorial independence 70.83% (35.42%, 85.42%). The NICE, AUA, EAU and CRHA/CPAM clinical practice guidelines consistently scored well in most domains. It was generally accepted that the transurethral resection of bladder tumour (TURBT) and intravesical chemotherapy should be performed in the management of bladder cancer. The application of chemotherapy was highly controversial in high risk NMIBC. The courses of BCG maintenance were similar and included 3 years of therapy at full maintenance doses. Conclusions: The quality of NMIBC guidelines within the past 5 years varied, especially regarding stakeholders, rigour and applicability. Despite many similarities, the recommendations had some inconsistencies in the details.
Lower lymphocyte percentage and higher platelet count as poor prognostic factors for patients with epidermal growth factor receptor–mutated lung adenocarcinoma receiving tyrosine kinase inhibitors as first-line treatment
Authors: Wu Yi-Feng , Lin Chih-Bin , Chu Sung-Chao , Huang Wei-Han , Lee Jen-Jyh , Yang Gee-Gwo , Wang Tso-Fu , Li Chi-Cheng
Published: July 2019

Background

This study evaluated the effect of clinical factors on the treatment outcomes of patients with lung adenocarcinoma with active epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations who received tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) as first-line treatment.

Methods

Patients with stage IIIb or IV lung adenocarcinoma with mutated EGFR were enrolled retrospectively between March 2010 and December 2017. The effects of various clinical features and hematologic markers on progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were analyzed.

Results

A total of 190 patients were enrolled in this study. In univariate analysis, the male sex, smoking history, EGFR mutation with L858R, and presentation with malignant pleural effusion at initial diagnosis were significantly associated with shorter PFS or OS. Among hematologic markers, lower lymphocyte percentage and higher platelet count were associated with significantly poor PFS and OS. Stepwise multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that smoking history, EGFR mutation with L858R, and lower lymphocyte percentage were independent poor prognostic factors for PFS and OS. Presentation with malignant pleural effusion and higher platelet count was an independent poor prognostic factor for OS only.

Conclusion

Patients with lung adenocarcinoma receiving TKIs as the first-line treatment and having hematologic markers with lower lymphocyte percentage, and higher platelet count had poorer prognoses compared with other patients. Additional studies are warranted to elucidate the underlying mechanisms.
Prevalence and factors associated with safe male circumcision among Makerere University undergraduate students, Kampala - Uganda
Authors: Nyamwiza Jean , Mukisa John , Ictho Jerry , Ssenyonga Ronald , Nalutaaya Annet , Kawooya Ismael , Benjamin Temper , Nagendo Joanita , Musewa Angella , Ali Sam , Loro Emmanuel Lako Ernesto , Agaba Bekiita Bosco , Kiwuwa Mpungu Steven , Kalyango Joan N. , Karamagi Charles
Published: July 2019

Background

Safe male circumcision (SMC) is currently recognized as a preventive strategy in reducing the risk of HIV; however, the prevalence of circumcised men in Uganda is still quite low at 26%. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with SMC and among Makerere University undergraduate students, in Kampala Uganda.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional study among 602 participants selected using multistage probability sampling strategy. Pretested semi-structured questionnaires and focus group discussions were used to collect data. Quantitative data were analyzed with Stata 12.0, the prevalence ratio and p-values were calculated. Possible interactions and confounding variables were assessed with the Poisson regression model while qualitative data was analyzed with content analysis.

Results

The overall prevalence of safe male circumcision among male undergraduates was 58.3% (95% CI: 54.37 – 62.24). Factors associated with SMC prevalence included: safety of SMC procedure (Prevalence Ratio (PR) = 1.13, 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.03 – 1.25) and friendly health workers (PR = 0.78, 95% CI: 0.74 – 0.83). The perceived benefits of SMC included hygiene (86.5%, n = 521), reduced risk of HIV transmission (4.5%, n = 26) and reduced risk of penile cancer (45.7%, n = 275) while, the perceived barrier was pain (10.1%, n = 61). The students perceived that SMC recipient’s first sexual partner post-procedure should not be his girlfriend. Most participants in all the focus group discussions perceived SMC increases sexual pleasure.

Conclusion

The overall self-reported SMC success rate among participants was high, along with the safety of SMC services and friendly health workers as important factors among male students. There is a need for continuous sensitization campaigns and communication strategies to address beliefs about SMC, some related misconceptions, and barriers so as to increase its prevalence.
Food Insecurity among Women of Reproductive Age in Nepal: Prevalence and Correlates
Authors: Pandey Shanta , Fusaro Vincent
Published: July 2019

Background

Food insecurity is widely prevalent in certain sections of society in low and middle income countries. The United Nations has challenged all member countries to eliminate hunger for all people by 2030. This study examines the prevalence and correlates of household food insecurity among women, especially Dalit women of reproductive age in Nepal.

Methods

Data came from 2016 Nepal Demographic Health Survey, a cross-sectional, nationally representative survey that included 12,862 women between 15 and 49 years of age of which 12% were Dalit. Descriptive analysis was used to assess the prevalence of household food insecurity while logistic regression examined the relationship between women’s ethnicity and the risk of food insecurity after accounting for demographic, economic, cultural, and geo-ecological characteristics.

Results

About 56% of all women and 76% of Dalit women had experienced food insecurity. Ethnicity is strongly related to food insecurity. Dalit women were most likely to be food insecure, even after accounting for factors such as education and wealth. They were 82%, 85%, 89% and 92% more vulnerable to food insecurity than Muslims, Brahmin/Chhetri, Terai Indigenous, and Hill Indigenous populations, respectively. Education was a protective factor—women with secondary education (6th to 10th grade) were 39% less likely to be food insecure compared to their counterparts without education. With a more than 10th grade education, women were 2.27 times more likely to be food secure compared to their counterparts without education. Marriage was also protective. Economically, household wealth is inversely correlated with food insecurity. Finally, residence in the Mid-Western, Far-Western and Central Development regions was correlated with food insecurity.

Conclusion

To reduce food insecurity in Nepal, interventions should focus on improving women’s education and wealth, especially among Dalit and those residing in the Far- and Mid-Western regions.
Cover Crops Impacts on Louisiana Corn Production and Soil Properties
Authors: Sanchez Ina , Fultz Lisa M. , Lofton Josh , Haggard Beatrix
Published: July 2019

Core Ideas

Combination of cover crops with conservation tillage increased soil C.

Cover crops significantly reduced nitrate‐N levels during the fallow season.

Legume cover crops reduced N requirements when compared with non‐legumes.

Conventionally managed, continuous monoculture row‐crop production has depleted the soil of nutrients, organic matter, and overall productivity. This has increased the need for external inputs, specifically N, to meet crop demand. Despite the growing interest in conservation practices, including minimal tillage and cover crops, little work has been reported in the Mid‐South region. Cereal rye (Secale cereal L.), forage radish (Raphanus sativus var. longipinnatus L.), berseem clover (Trifolium alexandrinum L.), crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum L), winter pea (Pisium sativum L), hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth), and a cereal rye–forage radish mix were seeded in discrete blocks in October 2014, 2015, and 2016 along with a non‐cover fallow. Each block was divided into 16 sub‐plots to which one of four N fertilizer rates (0, 235, 268, and 302 kg N ha−1) were applied. Corn (Zea mays L.) grain yields increased with additions of N fertilizer; however, no difference was observed between the three fertilizer rates in 2 of 3 yr. Cover crops aided in the uptake and recycling of inorganic N, potentially reducing losses and providing N for subsequent cash crops. Following legume cover crops, corn grain yields were maximized with the addition of 235 kg N ha−1. Inclusion of grass and brassicas with no additional N input reduced corn grain yield, which remained lower than yield measured following legumes up to the 302 kg N ha−1 rate. Secondary benefits of cover crops included increased soil C (36%) and N (22%), and N cycling over a 2‐yr period.
Germination, Growth, and Ion Uptake of 15 Guar Accessions under Elevated Salinity
Authors: Suthar Jhaman Das , Rajpar Inayatullah , Ganjegunte Girisha K. , Shah Zia‐Ul‐Hassan , Niu Genhua , Grover Kulbushan
Published: July 2019

Core Ideas

Salinity and drought are the major issues confronting agriculture in arid regions of the world.

Guar is a multipurpose drought‐ and salt‐tolerant crop that has the potential to improve farm revenue in arid regions.

Guar accessions vary in their salt tolerance and there is a strong need for developing information on accessions appropriate for elevated salinity.

Results of this study provide information on accessions appropriate for saline arid regions.

Growers in the arid regions of the world constantly face freshwater scarcity and salinity. It is essential to develop information on crops that can tolerate water and salinity stress for ensuring long‐term viability of agriculture in these extreme environments. Guar (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba L.) is a multipurpose crop mainly grown in arid regions of south Asia and the United States is a major importer of this crop. If guar can be produced on saline soils in the arid west, it can improve farm income of local growers. This controlled environment study evaluated germination, physiological response, seedling growth parameters, and ions uptake of 15 guar accessions under different salinity (0.9‐control, 4.5 and 9.0 dS m−1). Results indicated that while one accession (PI 268229) recorded 100% germination at 9.0 dS m−1, two accessions (PI164476 and PI 43359) showed 100% germination at 4.5 dS m−1. Across all accessions the chlorophyll content and assimilation of CO2 decreased as salinity level of irrigation water increased, but the chlorophyll fluorescence (Chl F) remained higher at all three salinity levels. Accession PI 549164 had maximum leaf area and shoot biomass (OD weight) at 9.0 dS m−1. Although the Na and Cl contents increased, K content and K/Na ratio decreased in all accessions with increasing salinity. This could indicate that selective ion uptake to be the dominant salinity tolerance mechanisms in early stages of guar.
Structure–Property–Function Relationship of Humic Substances in Modulating the Root Growth of Plants: A Review
Authors: García Andrés Calderín , van Tol de Castro Tadeu Augusto , Santos Leandro Azevedo , Tavares Orlando Carlos Huertas , Castro Rosane Nora , Berbara Ricardo Luiz Louro , García‐Mina José Maria
Published: July 2019

The structural identity of humic substances (HS) in the soil is a highly debated issue in the soil sciences. Although the complexity and structural characteristics that determine the functions of HS justify their further study, there is enough scientific evidence explaining the presence of these compounds as a group of structures that are formed by humification and have unique chemical characteristics. This review presents scientific information that follows the structure–property–function relationship with the objective of better explaining the nature of HS. On the basis of the spectroscopic characterization of a number of humic acids, together with the use of chemometric techniques, it is shown that, although the sources of origin are different, HS have a unique structural pattern that is different from that of any other group of soil compounds. From this structural pattern, it is possible to understand how fragments with greater lability in HS can reach root surfaces and interact with the cell membrane, regulate oxidative metabolism, and stimulate root growth in plants. Lability and recalcitrance are properties arising from the characteristics and suprastructural organization of HS and can define the type and intensity of the bioactivity of HS in plants. In this review, we demonstrate that there are methods for studying HS by which a deeper understanding of the functions of these substances on the basis of their chemical properties is possible. Therefore, the understanding of this complex system allows the connection of the scientific elements that justify the existence of these compounds in the soil.

Core Ideas

Humic substances have an unequivocal and characteristic structural pattern.

Characterization combined with chemometrics allows the study of humic substance function.

Humic substances in the rhizosphere establish chemical interactions with plant roots.

Humic substances modulate reactive oxygen species and enzymatic activity in plants.

Labile structures in the humic suprastructure are related to plant root growth.
Perancangan Aplikasi Android Sebagai Pengendali APB (Automatic Patient Bed) dengan Metode Sekuensial (Waterfall)
Authors: Mekongga Ikhthison , Aryanti Aryanti , Hasan Yordan
Published: July 2019

Patient beds in hospitals are beds designed for people who need health care. Complaints of hospital nurses are still severe when moving patients from the patient's bed to the operating bed. Therefore we need a tool that can make it easier for nurses to move the patient's body from a particular operating bed to an inpatient bed or vice versa called APB (Automatic Patients Beds). However, the performance of APB (Automatic Patient Beds) that designed is still manual. In this study, android applications developed as controllers of APB (Automatic Patient Beds) with a sequential (waterfall) method, where this application will control the bed so that it can move automatically via android via bluetooth communication. In system design with sequential method consists of several stages, starting from the needs analysis, system design, writing program code, testing, and implementing the program. The results showed that if the patient's bed button clicked, the system would move the mattress to the operating bed, and if the operating bed button were clicked, the mattress would move to the operating bed, the patient's bed would stop if one of the beds were active, This indicates that the mattress has moved to the right position. With this application, it is expected to facilitate patient care in the hospital.
Evaluasi Implementasi Radiology Information System Picture Archiving and Communication System (RISPACS) dengan Pendekatan Model HOT-FIT
Authors: Suandari Putu Vierda Lya , Adi Kusworo , Suryawati Chriswardani
Published: July 2019

The application of current technology such as the Radiology Information System Picture Archiving and Communication System (RISPACS) in radiology that doesn’t meet the user’s expectation can raise the inconvenience and affect their productivity. To anticipate this, it is important to understand the basic factors that contribute to the reception and successfulness of applicating RISPACS. This study aims to describe the evaluation of the successful implementation of RISPACS using the Human Organization Technology (HOT FIT) model approach in Radiology Installation at Sanglah Hospital Denpasar. The data in this research were analyzed by Partial Least Square (PLS) test and measuring 71 radiologists as respondents who use RISPACS. The evaluation results of the Human Organization Technology (HOT FIT) model show that the successful implementation of RISPACS technology has a positive assessment that is seen from the user's attitude in responding to a RISPACS technology that is felt to be in accordance with the expectations and operational needs of the user. Variable of system quality, information quality, service quality have a positive influence on system user variable and user satisfaction. While the variable of system users, user satisfaction, organizational structure, and organizational environment had a positive and significant effect by the t-statistic value of >1,96.
Differentiation of employers as potential partners of higher educational institutions
Authors: Lysytsia Nadiia , Martynenko Maryna , Prytychenko Tamara , Gron Oleksandra , Liakh Inna
Published: July 2019

Employment of graduates of higher educational institutions (HEIs) is an important task worldwide. The main problems of employment are due to the existing discrepancy between the education re-ceived by graduates and the needs of business environment. The modern world should focus on the formation of graduates’ competencies in accordance with the demands of employers, which will pro-vide greater access to practical skills for students throughout the entire period of university studies. The purpose of the article is the differentiation of employers, analysis of their needs for graduates of economic specialties, readiness for partnership with HEIs. A survey of experts among employers and HEI professors allowed us to reveal the advantages of their social and professional partnerships and possible problems hampering the process of forming partnership relations. Discriminant analysis became the basis for classifying employers by the degree of their readiness to cooperate with HEIs. Three groups were employers are singled out: “business-focused”, “optimists” and “flagships”. Analysis of employers, taking into account their readiness to form partnership relations with HEIs, will contrib-ute to improving the quality of training personnel in business structures and HEIs.
OYUN DÖNEMİNDEN ÖN ERGENLİĞE GÖRSEL ARAMA SÜREÇLERİNİN GELİŞİMİ
Authors: GÜRDİL Filiz , ALICI Tevfik
Published: July 2019

Temel
psikolojik süreçlerden biri görsel aramadır. Dikkatin bu yönüne odaklanan
araştırmalar genellikle bir görsel arama görevi kullanırlar. Bu görevde,
katılımcılara görüntü ekranında bir hedef madde çeşitli çeldiriciler arasında
sunulur. Arama
zorluğu görüntü ekranındaki çeldiricilerin sayısını değişimleyerek veya hedef
ve çeldiricilerin benzerliğini değişimleyerek manüpüle edilebilir. Mevcut
araştırmanın amacı, oyun döneminden ön ergenliğe doğru görsel-mekansal dikkatin
gelişimini farklı görsel arama görevleri kullanarak incelemektir (özellik ve
bağlantı görevi). Özellik aramada, hedef bir set çeldirici ile renk bakımından
aynıdır ve diğer set çeldirici ile hiçbir özelliğini paylaşmaz. Bağlantı
aramada, hedef bir set çeldirici ile renk bakımından ve diğer set çeldirici ile
şekil bakımından aynıdır. Araştırmanın sonuçlarına göre, performans, özellikle
hedef yok denemelerinde ve bağlantı aramada artan sayıdaki çeldiriciler ile
bozuldu. Tüm yaş grupları manipülasyonlardan etkilendi; ancak yaş gradyanları,
bağlantı aramada özellik aramada olduğundan daha belirgindi. Hem bağlantı hem
de özellik aramaların sonuçları, çocukluk boyunca görsel aramada bir gelişmenin
altını çizdi.
KARGO HİZMETLERİNDE ŞİKÂYET ETME NİYETİ VE ÖNCÜLLERİ ARASINDAKİ İLİŞKİLERİN PLS-SEM İLE ARAŞTIRILMASI
Authors: TAŞKIN Çağatan , RAÇLI Selin
Published: July 2019

Bu çalışmanın amacı, kargo sektöründe nihai
tüketicilerin şikâyet etme niyetlerinin öncüllerinin (kontrol edilebilirlik,
bilgi düzeyi, algılanan uzaklaşma ve şikâyete yönelik tutum) şikâyet etme
niyeti üzerindeki etkilerini PLS-Sem ile
araştırmak ve elde edilen modelleme sonuçlarına göre kargo hizmetleri sunan
işletmelere müşteri şikâyet yönetimini daha etkin uygulamaları adına bazı
yönetimsel çıkarımlarda bulunmaktır. Araştırma
evrenini, Bursa ilinde yaşayan ve kargo firmalarının hizmetlerinden faydalanan
ve “yakın zamanda yaşanılan olumsuz hizmete” maruz kalmış müşteriler
oluşturmaktadır. Veriler hem online olarak oluşturulan
anket formu hem de yüz yüze yapılan görüşmelerle toplanmıştır. Araştırmada
kolayda örnekleme yöntemi kullanılmıştır. Araştırma modelinin test
edilmesinde PLS-Sem kullanılmıştır. Araştırma
sonuçları kontrol edilebilirliğin,
bilgi düzeyinin, algılanan uzaklaşmanın ve şikâyete yönelik tutumun, şikâyet
niyeti üzerinde önemli bir etkiye sahip olduğunu göstermektedir. Kontrol
edilebilirliğin hem şikâyete yönelik tutumlar hem de şikâyet etme niyeti
üzerinde en önemli öncül olduğu tespit edilmiştir.
Modelling gas–liquid mass transfer in wastewater treatment: when current knowledge needs to encounter engineering practice and vice versa
Authors: Amaral Andreia , Gillot Sylvie , Garrido-Baserba Manel , Filali Ahlem , Karpinska Anna M. , Plósz Benedek G. , De Groot Christopher , Bellandi Giacomo , Nopens Ingmar , Takács Imre , Lizarralde Izaro , Jimenez Jose A. , Fiat Justine , Rieger Leiv , Arnell Magnus , Andersen Mikkel , Jeppsson Ulf , Rehman Usman , Fayolle Yannick , Amerlinck Youri , Rosso Diego
Published: July 2019

Gas–liquid mass transfer in wastewater treatment processes has received considerable attention over the last decades from both academia and industry. Indeed, improvements in modelling gas–liquid mass transfer can bring huge benefits in terms of reaction rates, plant energy expenditure, acid–base equilibria and greenhouse gas emissions. Despite these efforts, there is still no universally valid correlation between the design and operating parameters of a wastewater treatment plant and the gas–liquid mass transfer coefficients. That is why the current practice for oxygen mass transfer modelling is to apply overly simplified models, which come with multiple assumptions that are not valid for most applications. To deal with these complexities, correction factors were introduced over time. The most uncertain of them is the α-factor. To build fundamental gas–liquid mass transfer knowledge more advanced modelling paradigms have been applied more recently. Yet these come with a high level of complexity making them impractical for rapid process design and optimisation in an industrial setting. However, the knowledge gained from these more advanced models can help in improving the way the α-factor and thus gas–liquid mass transfer coefficient should be applied. That is why the presented work aims at clarifying the current state-of-the-art in gas–liquid mass transfer modelling of oxygen and other gases, but also to direct academic research efforts towards the needs of the industrial practitioners.
Isolation, Synthesis and Medicinal Significance of Marine Pyridoacridine Alkaloids
Authors: Haider Saqlain , Chittiboyina Amar G. , Khan Ikhlas A.
Published: July 2019

Pyridoacridine alkaloids, distributed in marine organisms have emerged as an
important class of compounds due to their uniqure chemical architecture, diversity and
medicinal significance. These alkaloids are reported to exhibit a wide array of biological
activities like anti-cancer, anti-bacterial, ant-viral, anti-fungal and anti-parasitic activities.
The present review highlights the isolation, synthesis and medicinal significance of this
important class of pyridoacridine alkaloids.
Influence of Environmental and Political Determinants on Food Choices in a Sample of Portuguese Population
Authors: Ferrão Ana C. , Guiné Raquel P.F. , Correia Paula , Ferreira Manuela
Published: July 2019

Background:

There is an increasing concern regarding the impacts of food choices in the
environment. Therefore, in order to plan actions to promote more sustainable diets, it is crucial to
understand the influence of environmental and political determinants on people’s food choices.

Objective:

This work aimed at studying the extent to which environmental and political determinants
influence people’s food choices in a sample of the Portuguese population.

Methods:

A descriptive cross-sectional study was undertaken on a non-probabilistic sample of 1314
participants living in the Centre of Portugal. The questionnaires were applied after informed consent
only to adults (aged 18 or over) and the data were collected from January and December 2017 among
the Portuguese population.

Results:

The participants’ food choices were, in general, influenced by environmental and political
determinants (0.77 ± 0.53, in a scale from -2 to +2). It was also observed that the elderly, men and
the participants who had a university degree were more influenced by these determinants. These findings
were similar for those who lived in urban areas, the retired, the participants who had a professional
activity or studies in agriculture areas and those who were responsible for buying their own
food. Furthermore, there were found significant differences between age groups, genders and the
levels of education. There were also observed significant differences between the different living
environments, professional status, regarding the areas of work or studies and also between the participants
who were responsible for buying their one food and the ones who were not. These findings
are very important because they highlight the complicity of people’s food choices and are determinant
for the development of strategies that can improve people’s eating habits.

Conclusion:

This paper fulfills an identified need to study the environmental and political determinants
underlying the Portuguese food choices.
A Portable Visual Sensor by Molecularly Imprinted Hydrogels for HRP Recognition
Authors: Li Yanxia , Tan Juanjuan , Huang Lu , Chen Yiting , Lin Qi
Published: July 2019

Background:

Molecular imprinting is a technology used to produce artificial receptors
that simulate the molecular recognition in the nature and prepare the polymer network structure in the
presence of template molecule. Molecularly imprinted visual sensor combines the advantages of specific
recognition via molecular imprinting and fast response speed via visualization. The aims of this
paper are to prepare a portable visual sensor for Horseradish Peroxidase (HRP) recognition based on
molecularly imprinted hydrogel.

Methods:

At first, HRP-imprinted polyacrylamide hydrogels with 1 mm thickness were obtained by
one-step synthesis via radical induced in-situ polymerization of acrylamide using acrylamide (AAm)
as the functional monomer, N,N'-Methylenebisacrylamide (MBA) as the crosslink agent and HRP as
the template molecule.

Results:

Compared with nonimprinted hydrogels, the HRP-imprinted hydrogel sensor showed significant
color changes in response to the target HRP. This visual sensor was constructed based on 3, 3',
5, 5'- tetramethyl benzidine (TMB) - H2O2 color reaction system by HRP catalyzing to produce color
change through digital photography and image analysis (RGB system). The HRP-imprinted hydrogel
showed good response in the range of 0.001-0.5 mg/mL and had a significant specific recognition
compared to other proteins via selective test.

Conclusion:

The proposed portable visual sensor could be used for qualitative and semi-quantitative
analysis of HRP with high selectivity and reasonable regeneration. The sensor has the advantages of
simple operation, low cost, no special equipment, and can be applied to serum sample with less sample
consumption and no need of sample preparation. It has wide application prospects in microfluidic
devices, biomimetic sensors, flexible biosensor and membrane separation technology.