bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Panel summary report :
Authors: Dadfarnia Mehdi , Sharp Michael
Published: September 2022

Risk management is an important topic in any domain. With the growing acceptance and adoption of Industrial Artificial Intelligence (IAI), both the academic and industrial communities are beginning to take a more serious look at the risks and rewards of using IAI. This paper summarizes insights generated at the 2021 INFORMs panel addressing the risk-based evaluation of AI use from both a performance and business impacts perspective. The summarized insights are gathered and presented in a logical fashion to highlight identified gaps and barriers in the evaluation and adoption of IAI technologies. Additional context and suggestions regarding paths forward are provided by the authors.
Entrevista a Arturo Márquez
Authors: López Prado José María
Published: September 2022

Maestro Márquez [1], tuvimos la oportunidad de contar con su presencia en dos ocasiones en el marco del Festival Internacional de Música Mexicana de la Facultad de Música de la Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León; la primera de ellas en el año 2018, en su tercera edición y la segunda en 2021 en la sexta edición. El primer concierto se realizó de manera presencial en la gran sala del Teatro de la Ciudad de Monterrey en México, y según recuerdo se le rindió un homenaje por su importante labor musical como compositor. La segunda intervención fue de manera Virtual desde su casa en Tepoztlán, México, de esa participación surge la incitativa de entrevistarlo con el propósito de que nos comparta sus experiencias y anécdotas como creador de las cuatro obras orquestales que se interpretaron en su concierto homenaje del año 2018, por lo que agradecemos la oportunidad que nos brinda para emprender este diálogo. 

 

[1] El compositor mexicano Arturo Márquez es uno de los compositores más célebres a nivel internacional del panorama musical mexicano de la música de concierto. El maestro ha sido acreedor a diversos galardones en México y el extranjero, entre ellos las medallas Bellas Artes, Mozart, Dr. Alfonso Ortiz Tirado y Orgullo Sonorense 2009, así como el California Institute of the Arts Distinguished Alumnus Award y el Premio Nacional de Ciencias y Artes 2009, por mencionar algunos. Asimismo, ha recibido numerosos homenajes en festivales de música de Latinoamérica, donde sus obras han sido interpretadas y han conseguido popularidad. Sus danzones son utilizados con mayor frecuencia en producciones balletistas alrededor del mundo, gracias a lo cual en 2004 el Festival Internacional de Música realizado en Caracas, Venezuela, fue denominado con su nombre.
Data Envelopment Analysis in the Assessment of the Efficiency of Local Government Units: The Case of LAG Walczak“Polcentrum”
Authors:   Lodz University of Technology, Walczak Marcin , Marcinkiewicz Edyta ,   Lodz University of Technology
Published: September 2022

Purpose: The main aim of this paper is to examine the performance in terms of efficiency of six Polish municipalities associated in Local Action Group (LAG) “Polcentrum” with the use of Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) method. Design/methodology/approach: Despite the specific character of their activities, municipalities are subject to the same assessment in terms of effectiveness and efficiency as private for-profit organizations. However, there are some differences between public and private sector entities with this respect. Helpful in such an issue can be DEA, which is a method especially suitable for the assessment of the efficiency of non-profit organizations, including local government units. Findings: Our analysis allows for concluding that the studied municipalities perform in fact quite uniformly in terms of their efficiency. Therefore, such results are in favor of the statement that due to close cooperation the units may become more homogeneous in terms of performance. Research limitations/implications: The employed DEA method does not allow for concluding whether this unification is associated with improvement in all the units. What needs to be strongly emphasized is that DEA calculates the “relative” efficiency, so it can show how well a given unit is doing when compared to other peer units, but not compared to a “theoretical maximum”. Originality/value: What distinguishes this study is that the administrative units under investigation are very closely related in terms of geographic location, but also in terms of extensive cooperation in LAG. On this basis, we pose a research question of whether such a close relationship translates into a similarity in terms of their performance.
The Relationship Between Benevolent Leadership and Organizational Citizenship Behavior
Authors:   Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Grego-Planer Dorota
Published: September 2022

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to assess the relationship between benevolent leadership and employees’ organizational citizenship behavior in the context of Polish organizations. Design/methodology/approach: The data were obtained from 415 company employees. The relationship was investigated using structural equation models (SEMs). Findings: The analyses of the results showed that benevolent leadership has a positive relationship with OCB. The more benevolent the leadership, the more frequent the organizational citizenship behaviors among workers. Research limitations/implications: There are some limitations to this study. The results cannot be generalized since the sample was not selected probabilistically. It should be added that the research was conducted only in enterprises. The analyzed relationship between BL and OCB in public institutions, which are by definition established to serve the public, could also be examined. The research provided a significant contribution to the literature, particularly in the field of leadership. First, it demonstrates that benevolent leadership as a synthetic construct may be applied in a variety of cultural contexts. Secondly, the study findings support predictions derived from the social exchange theory. Benevolent leaders, and thus fair and trustworthy ones, will motivate their subordinates to emulate their positive behavior. Originality/value: The article presents a fragment of the results of research conducted for the first time in Poland on the topic of benevolent leadership.
Households’ Borrowing Intentions During the COVID-19 Crisis: The Role of Financial Literacy
Authors:   Warsaw School of Economics, Kurowski Łukasz , Malinowska-Misiąg Elżbieta ,   Warsaw School of Economics
Published: September 2022

This study aims to determine the role of financial literacy in households’ borrowing intentions during the coronavirus pandemic. Employing a survey of 1,300 Polish citizens conducted during the COVID-19 crisis and an instrumental variable analysis, we found that financial literacy significantly increases households’ borrowing intentions. This applies to financially sound consumers both in crisis and normal times. In terms of sociodemographic features, young adults and the less educated are less willing to borrow during the pandemic.
Competency-Based Tests as a Tool for Teacher Evaluation in Higher Education Institutions
Authors:   Wrocław University of Science and Technology, Ludwikowska Kamila
Published: September 2022

Purpose: This study aims to verify the quality of the teacher competency inventory as a pedagogical competencies measure of teachers in higher education institutions. Design methodology: The development and testing of the teacher competency inventory covered three phases: (1) item generation, (2) dimension identification and data reduction (factor analysis), and (3) scale evaluation. The current study tests its construct validity, using an independent samples t-test, variance analysis, and Anova in two different environments. Findings: Results indicate that the inventory measures unitary constructs and provide its predictive capacity. The developed instrument measures levels of future-oriented pedagogical competencies with comparable reliability and validity. Practical implications: Teacher competency inventory may be applied to teachers’ recruitment, selection, development, and performance evaluation with the goal to identify current and required levels of competencies. The inventory allows one to compare teacher competencies with the expected competency profile. Possible differences may indicate deficits or overruns in relation to the expected profile. Originality: Teacher competency inventory is a meaningful tool to improve human resource practices – including recruitment, selection, and teacher performance monitoring – and to indicate the current and required level of competencies. The identified competency gap can help plan teacher development to increase job performance.
Integrated Cultural Theories on Mobile Marketing Acceptance: Literature Review
Authors:   Hue University, School of Tourism and Hospitality, Nguyen Ngoc , Rudawska Edyta ,   University of Szczecin
Published: September 2022

Purpose: This article investigates trends in studies on the impact of cultural factors on mobile marketing acceptance. To that end, the article provides a literature review of technology acceptance models and cultural models used in research on mobile marketing. Design/method/approach: This study used qualitative methods to assess the situation of studying cultural factors in the context of mobile marketing acceptance. Various bibliographic sources were consulted, mainly from publications specializing in mobile marketing and cultural theories. These queries were primarily performed through Scopus, one of the main databases of indexed publications related to this topic. Findings: In the field of mobile marketing, interest in the impact of cultural factors on consumer behavior has steadily increased over the past decade. Furthermore, the research showed the role and impact of each cultural dimension on mobile marketing acceptance. Cultural differences lead to differences in consumer behavior toward mobile marketing. Originality/Value: This overview provides a comprehensive discussion and appraisal of cultural theories, a review of technology acceptance theories, and an analysis of previous cross-cultural studies on technology adoption.
Investigating the feasibility of using precipitation measurements from weather RaDAR to estimate potential recharge in regional aquifers: the Majella massif case study in Central Italy
Authors: Di Curzio Diego , Di Giovanni Alessia , Lidori Raffaele , Marzano Frank Silvio , Rusi Sergio
Published: September 2022

Rain gauge spatial sparsity and temporal discontinuity of data represent one of the major issues for reliable recharge estimations. In the past decades, the use of ground-based microwave weather RaDAR has dramatically improved quantitative rainfall estimation by providing spatially continuous estimates of rainfall over an area of more than 400 km2 every 10 minutes. Furthermore, weather RaDAR data have also proved relatively reliable in mountainous areas. These paramount features of RaDAR-derived precipitation data could improve the estimation of potential recharge of aquifers, which rely on geospatializations (e.g., Thiessen polygons) of rainfall data collected by a sparse rain gauge network which often shows lacking at high altitude (i.e., recharge areas), introducing additional uncertainty in the inflow volumes. Weather RaDAR rainfall estimation is also affected by various sources of error, which can be reduced by proper post-processing; however, uncertainties remain, especially for surface rain rate estimations. Despite the currently necessary complex numerical processing, the purpose of the study is to evaluate the use of the weather RaDAR data as an alternative or in addition to meteorological data. Based on the above considerations, the feasibility of using RaDAR-based precipitation data to estimate aquifer potential recharge and calculate a detailed water budget in the areas characterized by high elevations, such as the Majella massif in the central Apennines, has been evaluated. To address this objective, the water budget has been calculated in the 2017-2018 period using both RaDAR-based precipitation data and rain gauge data, as well as adopting different methods (i.e., Turc and Thornthwaite). Although intrinsically uncertain, the RaDAR-based precipitation data provided solid results, pointed out by comparing it with water budget obtained by rain gauge data, and especially with experimental literature data. This interdisciplinary work may pave the way for continuous monitoring of aquifer potential recharge at extremely high temporal and spatial resolution.
High-altitude nuclear explosion energy accumulation law in atmosphere
Authors: Peng Guo-Liang , Zhang Jun-Jie , Wang Zhong-Qi , Ren Ze-Ping , Xie Hai-Yan , Du Tai-Jiao ,   College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China,   Northwest Institute of Nuclear Technology, Xi’an 710024, China
Published: September 2022

An accumulation model of X-ray and debris in a high altitude nuclear explosion is built in this work. Using the established model, we simulate the energy accumulations of four large scale experiments (i.e. the Checkmate, Starfish, K3 and K4) conducted by the United States and the Soviet Union. The dynamics of the kinetic accumulation at 100–200 km altitude is analyzed. Our simulation results show that the kinetic patch spreads a relatively small spatial region and has a large energy density compared with the X-ray patch. The accumulation of the debris ions can be finished within around 0.5 s, and two absorption peaks (hence two kinetic patches) can be observed at an altitude of about 115 km and the burst point. The shape of the kinetic region projected onto the horizontal plane is roughly elliptical, the eccentricity will be smaller at higher latitudes, and the area will be larger at higher altitudes. Away from the bursting point, the maximum energy density of the kinetic patch is near the magnetic field line that crosses the bursting point. Within the magnetic bubble, the maximum energy density of the kinetic patch occurs near the bursting point.
Genome-wide identification and transcriptional profiling of the basic helix-loop-helix gene family in tung tree (Vernicia fordii)
Authors: Liu Wenjuan , Yi Yaqi , Zhuang Jingyi , Ge Chang , Cao Yunpeng , Zhang Lin , Liu Meilan
Published: September 2022

The basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factor gene family is one of the largest gene families and is extensively involved in plant growth, development, biotic and abiotic stress responses. Tung tree (Vernicia fordii) is an economically important woody oil plant that produces tung oil rich in eleostearic acid. However, the characteristics of the bHLH gene family in the tung tree genome are still unclear. Hence, VfbHLHs were first searched at a genome-wide level, and their expression levels in various tissues or under low temperature were investigated systematically. In this study, we identified 104 VfbHLHs in the tung tree genome, and these genes were classified into 18 subfamilies according to bHLH domains. Ninety-eight VfbHLHs were mapped to but not evenly distributed on 11 pseudochromosomes. The domain sequences among VfbHLHs were highly conserved, and their conserved residues were also identified. To explore their expression, we performed gene expression profiling using RNA-Seq and RT-qPCR. We identified five, 18 and 28 VfbHLH genes in female flowers, male flowers and seeds, respectively. Furthermore, we found that eight genes (VfbHLH29, VfbHLH31, VfbHLH47, VfbHLH51, VfbHLH57, VfbHLH59, VfbHLH70, VfbHLH72) were significant differential expressed in roots, leaves and petioles under low temperature stress. This study lays the foundation for future studies on bHLH gene cloning, transgenes, and biological mechanisms.
Degreasing and bleaching bones using light sources as a tool to increase the safety of teaching osteology at the University of Veterinary Sciences Brno
Authors: Horák Ondřej , Pyszko Martin , Páral Václav , Šandor Ondřej
Published: September 2022

The key part of creating bone material for teaching is degreasing and whitening it. However, the substances used are often dangerous and toxic. We tested and compared safer methods based on two physical variables. These are light and heat. The material for our study was 45 femurs from 23 adult domestic dogs (Canis lupus f. familiaris). The bones were divided into three groups of 15 pieces according to the method used to remove muscles and ligaments from their surface. Five femurs from each group were exposed to three different light sources for 28 days—sunlight, warm light from a classical incandescent light bulb and cold light by a LED bulb. At regular intervals, the change in the colour of the bone surface and the amount of fat loss from the medullary cavity was also monitored. The best degreasing and bleaching results were achieved in macerated bones exposed to sunlight. They achieved the required condition as early as 21 days after the start of sun exposure. The biggest problem was haemoglobin, which permeated through the Haversian canals and discoloured the bone tissue. The results showed that the use of light and heat is a suitable and safe alternative to chemical methods of degreasing and bleaching bones. The disadvantage is the length of time, especially for native material.
La recepción de las letras catalanas en la prensa chilena entre 1940 y 1947. Reconstrucción política y difusión literaria
Authors:   Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (Chile), Llopis i Alarcon Moisés
Published: September 2022

Chile fue un país de grandes oportunidades para la intelectualidad catalana, desde el que se pudieron llevar a cabo algunas iniciativas sociales, culturales y literarias importantes, sobre todo si tenemos en cuenta la situación de indefensión, desprotección y desprestigio del circuito cultural catalán después del resultado del conlicto bélico de 1936. El artículo, pues, pretende ahondar en los factores que hicieron posibles estas relaciones entre chilenos y catalanes, así como en el impacto que tuvieron estas iniciativas en la prensa chilena del momento.
Dos textos americanistas de Benjamín Vicuña Mackenna
Authors:   Universidad de Chile, Bottinelli Alejandra , Sanhueza Marcelo ,   Universidad de Chile
Published: September 2022

Sin Resumen
SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Response in Patients with Co-morbidities in Kashmir’s Ethnic Population: An Observational Cohort Study
Authors: Azad Aaliya Mohi-Ud-Din , Shah Naveed Nazir , Bashir Haamid , Hamza Adnan , Dar Khurshid Ahmad , Shahnawaz Mir
Published: September 2022

Introduction: Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection risks in co-morbid patients are still unknown two years after the pandemic began. The prevalence of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 infection is crucial for determining disease preventive and mitigation strategies. Obesity, type 2 diabetes, and chronic cardiovascular disease can raise the risk of Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19), which has a greater morbidity and fatality rate. Aim: To determine the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID19) antibodies and their relationship to co-morbidities in Kashmir's ethnic population. Material and Methods: The present observational cohort study was done in the Department of Pulmonary Medicine at Chest Disease Hospital Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India, from September 2020 to September 2021 and 1,846 co-morbid unvaccinated patients were chosen for the study. As per standard methodology, a cohort study was undertaken, a questionnaire was prepared, and demographic and associated parameters were recorded. All participants had their immune profiles tested, and the existence of Immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies for SARS-CoV-2 was determined using the chemiluminisence immunoassay technique. Chi-square and Fischer exact test were used for stastical analyses and p-value <0.05 were taken as statistically significant. Results: As per the present study estimates, demographic and socio-economic characteristic affected test attendants. The SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody response among co-morbid patients were found to be 54.3%. The hypertension and diabetes were most prevalent co-morbidity found in the individuals (p<0.001). Conclusion: Co-morbidities including hypertension and diabetes in an individual are more likely have COVID-19 which can lead to death. COVID-appropriate conduct is required to limit infection transmission in the community, and immunisation is of paramount importance for all individuals. More research is needed to determine the risk of co-morbidities among Kashmir's ethnic community.
Trade Competitiveness of Palm Oil Export from ASEAN Countries
Authors: Lakshmi B. Teena , Shivakumar K. M. , Kumar D. Suresh , Mahendran K. , Suresh J.
Published: September 2022

Aims: To study the competitiveness, import intensity and structural break of palm oil exports from ASEAN member countries to the Indian market for the period 2000 to 2020.

Data and Methodology: The relevant data was collected from UNCOMTRADE for the period of 21 years (2000 to 2020). The tools used for the analysis were Revealed Symmetric Comparative Advantage (RSCA), Import Intensity Index (III) and Chow test.

Results: The study revealed that Indonesia had lost its comparative advantage due to differential tariff rates imposed by India between Indonesia and its close competitor Malaysia. After 2011, the import intensity index clarifies that there was a gradual decrease in imports from Indonesia. However, Malaysia and Thailand showed an upward trend in import intensity index till the year 2018. After 2018, Singapore had an upward trend in import intensity. From chow test, there was a significant difference in importing palm oil from ASEAN countries to India before and after signing AIFTA (ASEAN- India Free Trade Agreement).

Conclusion: Considering India’s demand for palm oil which is expected to double by 2030, so sustainable palm oil cultivation is recommended and a balanced approach should be taken to fix the tariff rate to protect domestic producers and refineries without compromising consumer demand.
Some Efficient Exponential Ratio Type Estimators in Adaptive Cluster Sampling
Authors: Singh Rajesh , Gupta Sat N. , Mishra Rohan
Published: September 2022

In this paper three efficient exponential ratio type estimators of finite population mean in the Adaptive Cluster Sampling design have been proposed using one known auxiliary variable. The expressions of bias and mean squared error of the proposed estimators are derived up to the first order of approximation. A simulation study has been conducted on two different populations to examine the performance of the proposed estimator over similar existing estimators in the Adaptive Cluster Sampling design. The simulation study showed that the proposed estimators perform better than other related estimators discussed in this article.
Effect of Antagonistic Microorganisms on Extension of Shelf-life and Physiochemical Properties of Papaya (Carica papaya) var. Red Lady
Authors: Yadravi Reshma N. , Rudresh D. L. , Jagadeesh S. L. , Ambika D. S.
Published: September 2022

A wide range of fungi, bacteria, yeast and actinomycetes can be used as antagonistic microorganisms against post-harvest pathogens in many horticulture produce. It is considered as non-toxic ecofriendly method to minimize post-harvest loss due to diseases during storage. In this contest an experiment was conducted in the Department of Agricultural Microbiology and Post-Harvest Technology, COH, Bagalkot, Karnataka during the year 2017-2018. Five effective antagonistic microorganisms, against post-harvest anthracnose disease causing organism Colletotrichum gleosporiodies were isolated and used to in papaya fruits with an objective to reduce the anthracnose disease infection and to extend shelf life of papaya fruits with retention of good physiochemical properties. In the present experiment the papaya fruits treated with biocontrol agents and observed that, the papaya fruits treated with BCA5-Isolate No.10 (T5) exhibited higher shelf life of 10 days with minimum physiological loss in weight (16.23%), higher firmness (2.16 N) and higher TSS (14.10o brix) and ascorbic acid (38.19 mg/100 g) at 9 days of storage followed by BCA-Isolate No.09(T4) and Carbendazium at 0.1 per cent for 5 min(T7). Similarly the effect of biocontrol agents on physiochemical properties of papaya fruits challenge inoculated with C. gloeosporioides showed that, fruits treated with T5 (BCA5 -Isolate No. 10) recorded higher shelf life of 9.67 days with lowest per cent physiological loss in weight (16.13%), higher firmness retention (2.22 N), higher TSS (12.47o brix), and ascorbic acid content (30.19 mg/100 g) at 9 days of storage followed by BCA4 -Isolate No.9 (T4) and Carbendazium at 0.1 per cent (T7). These two isolates identified in this experiment can be effectively used alternative to chemicals against anthracnose.
Effect of Integrated Nutrient Management on the Growth, Yield and Quality in Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.)
Authors: Kushum Swet , Singh Devi , Deepanshu .
Published: September 2022

The present investigation was carried out entitled Effect of integrated nutrient managment on the growth, yield and quality in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) at the Department of Horticulture, Naini Agricultural Institute, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh during the Kharif-2021-22 with a view to determine the effect of integrated nutrient management on growth,yield and quality in  tomato variety TMTH-2267 and to work out the economics of various treatments. Under this experiment, overall 10 treatment was laidout in a completely randomized block design (RBD) with three replications. From the present investigation it was concluded that T1 (75% N through Urea +MOP + SSP + 25% through FYM + Boron + Azotobacter +PSB) was found to be best among all treatment in terms of yield and T6 (75% N through Urea+ MOP + SSP + 25% through Vermicompost + B + Zn + Azotobacter +PSB) in growth and quality of tomato i.e. plant spread, plant height, T.S.S. etc. The maximum net return of Rs. And maximum Cost:Benefit (B:C) ratio that is 3.25 was observed for T6. Therefore, use of chemical fertilizers alongwith FYM, Boron, Azotobacter and PSB in crop production can enhance the yield and quality of crop especially in case of tomato.
Performance of Bottle Gourd (Lagenaria siceraria L.) Genotypes for Growth, Yield and Quality
Authors: Bhavanasi Satheesh , Bahadur Vijay , Kerketta Anita , Prasad V. M.
Published: September 2022

An experiment on the “Performance of Bottle Gourd (Lagenaria siceraria L.)  Genotypes for Growth, Yield and Quality” was conducted during February to May. 2022, in field of Horticulture Research Farm, Department of Horticulture, Naini Agricultural Institute, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj (U.P.) India. The results of the present investigation, regarding the performance of 10 genotypes of Bottle Gourd i.e. (IET/2021/BOGVAR-1, IET/2021/BOGVAR-2, IET/2021/BOGVAR-3, IET/2021/BOGVAR-4, IET/2021/BOGVAR-5, IET/2021/BOVAR-6, IET/2021/BOGVAR-7, IET/2021/BOGVAR-8, IET/2021/BOGVAR-9 and IET/2021/BOGVAR-10) obtained from different sources evaluated for plant growth, yield and quality have been discussed and interpreted in the light of previous research work. The experiment was conducted in Randomized block design, were each replicated thrice. From the present experimental findings it was founded that the genotype IET/2021/BOGVAR-8 was recorded with the maximum number of female flowers (15.40), vine length (228.33cm), number of fruits/plant (10.80 fruits), yield per hectare (438.7 q/ha), TSS (4.13ºB) gross return (658050), net return (508807), and B:C ratio (4.4).
Response of Onion (Allium cepa L.) to Different Sources and Levels of Sulphur on Growth, Yield and Quality
Authors: Lalrintluanga . , Singh Devi , Prasad V. M. , Bahadur Vijay
Published: September 2022

The present investigation entitled “response of onion (Allium cepa L.) to different sources and levels of sulphur on growth, yield and quality” was carried out in the Horticulture Research Farm, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture and Sciences, Prayagraj during the Rabi season of 2021-22 to find out the best treatment combination for better growth, yield and quality of onion. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design comprising of 13 treatments. The treatments consisted of two sources (viz., Elemental Sulphur and Gypsum) and six levels of sulphur (10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 kg ha-1) along with control group. RDF was applied uniformly to all treatments. The parameters relating to growth, yield and quality were recorded to make a critical analysis of the crop as affected by the different treatments. The technique of representative sample was adopted for recording the observations on various morphological characters in onion. At every observation, five plants from each plot were randomly selected and tagged. The treatments in each replication were allotted randomly. The results revealed that the treatment T10 (40 kg/ha Gypsum + RDF at transplanting) was found to be the most suitable over all the other treatments in relation to plant height (39.33 cm, 50.09 cm and 72.11 cm), leaf length (33.33 cm, 44.41 cm, 63.34 cm) and number of leaves (6.71 cm, 8.08 cm, 11.96 cm) at different stages of crop growth (30, 60 and 90 DAT), neck diameter (15.69 mm), bulb diameter (69.63 mm polar diameter and 69.33 mm equatorial diameter), fresh weight of bulbs per plant bulb (195.29g) yield (312.46 q/ha), number of scales (12.89), total soluble solids (11.5°Brix) and ascorbic acid (13.62 mg/100g) and B:C ratio (2.31) of onion.
Evaluation of Physical and Functional Properties of Composite Flour from Finger Millet, Rice and Guar Gum
Authors: Singh Kunal , Immanuel Genitha
Published: September 2022

The objective of this study was to investigate the physical and functional qualities of composite flour made from finger millet (Eluesine coracana), rice flour (Oryza sativa), and guar gum flour (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba). As physicochemical and functional parameters, the moisture content, ash content, fat content, protein content, swelling capacity, water absorption capacity, bulk density, foaming capacity, and oil absorption capacity were determined. 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% of guar gum were combined with equal amounts of flour from finger millet and rice flour. The proximate, physicochemical, and functional features of composite flour were analysed. Moisture content, ash content, amount of fat, and protein isolate were 11.2-11.9%, 1.3-2.1%, 1.5-2.5%, and 6.8-23.5%, respectively. The composite flour moisture level was below 12%, which makes it suitable for storage. The swelling capacity, water absorption capacity, bulk density, foaming capacity, and oil absorption capacity were, respectively, 6.93 to 7.49 g/g, 106 to 364%, 0.815-0.815 gm/ml, 4.0 to 18.6%, and 113 to 119%. This work promotes for the promotion and use of ragi and rice flour in the production of pasta and bread in India, a country noted for its exclusive reliance on wheat flour. Ragi and rice flour can be found in most Indian super markets.
Black Shade Net Effects on Soil Properties and Cabbage Water Use Efficiency in Humid Coastal Environment
Authors: Daniel Kengere Atambo , Muindi Esther Mwende , Gogo Elisha Otieno , Muti Simon
Published: September 2022

Cabbage is a popular vegetable grown in Kenya for food and income generation. Despite the important role played by the crop within the country, current climate change effects and population pressure pose a need for increasing production through utilization of available resources. A study was therefore conducted to evaluate the effects of black shade net on soil properties and cabbage water use efficiency in humid coastal environment. Black shade nets of 0%, 50% and 70% shading intensity and two cabbage types (Brassica rapa and Brassica oleracea) were evaluated in Randomized complete block design with three replications. 0% represented open field. Data collected included: soil chemical characteristics, soil moisture content, air temperature, fresh head weight, dry matter weight, and water use efficiency. Data obtained were subjected to analysis of variance using general linear model SAS Computer package version 9.1 and means separated using Tukey’s test at 5%. From the findings obtained, the use of black shade net of 70% and 50% shading significantly increased soil moisture content by 5.1% and 2.6% than open field. Maximum air temperature in 70% and 50% shade nets was lower than open field by 4.6⁰C and 1.8⁰C respectively while minimum air temperature under 70% and 50% shade nets was higher than open field by 2.7⁰C and 1.6⁰C respectively. Brassica rapa from 70% shading had 35% more fresh weight per plant than open field while those from 50% had 30%. Brassica oleracea from both 70% and 50% shading had 44% and 29% more fresh weight per plant respectively than those from open field. Although shade nets did not have significant effect on availability of nutrients within soil solution, Brassica rapa under 70% shading recorded 49% higher water use efficiency than open field while, 50% shading recorded 50% more WUE than open field. Brassica oleracea under 70% shading recorded 41% higher water use efficiency than open field, while 50% shading recorded 25% increase than open field. Owing to the fact that shade nets did not have significant effect on available nutrients within the soils but significantly influenced WUE, there is need for further studies to understand the effects of shade nets on cabbage nutrient use efficiency under the same environment.
Low Notch-1 and High Jagged-1 Expressions are Associated with Better Treatment Response and Survival in Adult Egyptian Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Authors: Amin Noha Yousef , Esheba Noha Elsayed , Khedr Gamal Elsayed , El-Enein Amany Mohamed Abo , Hamouda Sahar Ahmed
Published: September 2022

Background: Acute Myeloid Leukemias (AMLs) are neoplastic proliferations arising in hematopoietic precursor cells in the bone marrow resulting in overgrowth of myeloblasts and other cells of myeloid lineage. Notch-1 receptor is a transmembrane protein of type I. Interactions between Notch-1 and its ligands Jagged-1 and Dll-1 result in proteolytic cleavages inside the receptor, followed by the release and nuclear translocation of the intracellular domain (Notch-1-IC). Notch-1 expression was also found in CD34+ bone marrow progenitors and other cells in peripheral blood and bone marrow. Jagged-1 and Delta-like1 (Dll-1) seem to be functionally opposing members of the Notch-1 ligand family; however, their precise methods of action in AML are unknown.

Methods: Using flow cytometry, the expression of the Notch-1 intracellular domain and the surface expression of Jagged-1 and Dll-1 ligands on leukemic blasts from newly diagnosed AML patients was evaluated. In addition, protein expression was associated with clinical data, laboratory data, responsiveness to therapy, Disease-Free (DFS) and Overall Survival (OS).

Results: Notch-1 was positively expressed in 20% of studied patients. Positive Notch-1 expression was associated with shorter OS (6.1 months) and DFS (3.1 months). Higher Notch-1 expression levels were significantly associated with lower remission and higher relapse rates. In contrary, Jagged-1 protein marker weas positively expressed in 56% studied patients, those patients showed shorter OS (6.6 months) and longer DFS (3.6 months) compared to negatively expressed ones. Higher Jagged-1 expression levels were significantly associated with higher remission and lower relapse rates. Positive Dll-1 expression was recorded in 30 % patients, yet with no significant relationship with OS and DFS rates as well as clinical outcome after therapy.

Conclusion: Both Notch-1 receptor and its ligands, Jagged-1 and Dll-1, seem to be implicated in AML pathogenesis, however Jagged-1 has a greater impact on clinical findings than Dll-1. A better prognosis is related with high Jagged-1 surface expression in individuals with AML. Hence, further research is required to acquire a greater knowledge of the modes of action of Notch-1 and its ligands in AML.
A Comprehensive Review of the Pros and Cons of Definitions of Radiation-Induced Trismus
Authors: Somay Efsun , Yilmaz Busra , Kucuk Ahmet , Topkan Erkan
Published: September 2022

Radiation therapy is the most common cause of cancer-related trismus. Radiation therapy can lead to fibrosis and hypoxia in the temporomandibular joint ligaments, synovial fluid, and masticatory muscles. This makes it difficult for patients to move their jaws and eventually leads to restricted mouth opening. This devastating complication is called radiation-induced trismus, which occurs after radiation therapy in patients with head and neck cancers and affects their daily routine functions such as eating, speaking, chewing, swallowing, and oral hygiene habits, as well as impairs their psychosocial communication and decreases their quality of life. The evaluation in radiation-induced trismus determination is basically performed by measuring the maximum mouth opening. Previous studies evaluating radiation-induced trismus have used many maximum mouth opening cut-off values such as 40 mm, 35 mm, 30 mm, and 20 mm. The fact that no common and valid language is used to establish cut-off values means that the impact and prevalence of this serious complication are not fully revealed. In the absence of a widely accepted maximum mouth opening cutoff value or range for radiation-induced trismus definition that applies to all patients with head and neck cancers, a patient may be labeled as trismus in some studies but non-trismus in others. Preventative and therapeutic treatments may be disregarded in certain patients as a result of such ambiguity, which may cause severe declines in affected patients’ medical, psychological, social, sexual, and financial status. With a focus on the detrimental effects of such competing definitions on patient management, the current review aims to carefully compare and evaluate the pros and cons of each definition of radiation-induced trismus.
Relationship of Mergers and Acquisitions with Financial Performance: Indian Evidence
Authors: Ali Khurshid , Chisti Khalid Ashraf , Sangmi Moh-Ud-Din , Malik Irshad Ahmad
Published: September 2022

In this paper an attempt has been made to investigate the level of relationship between acquisitions/mergers and operating financial performance by making the pre and post-merger comparison of operating financial performance. The researchers have studied various aspects such as Return on Capital Employed (ROCE), Debt Equity Ratio, Return on Net worth (RONW), Net Profit Margin (NPM), Operating Profit Margin (OPM), Gross Profit Margin (GPM), Earning per Share (EPS) and Price to Earnings Ratio (P/E) so as to ascertain the relationship between pre and post-merger operating financial performance of the acquirers. For this purpose two industries are taken into consideration such as, aviation industry and oil and gas industry. The reference period of five years has been taken for every firm. The findings put forth by the study affirm that the inorganic growth decisions have not gone well, particularly, in the aviation industry for the financial performance has gone from bad to worse, however, the oil and gas industry has put forth mixed results.
Association Between Advanced T Stage and Thick Rectus Abdominis Muscle and Outlet Obstruction and High-Output Stoma After Ileostomy in Patients With Rectal Cancer
Authors: Komatsu Yasuhiro , Shigeyasu Kunitoshi , Takeda Sho , Mori Yoshiko , Takahashi Kazutaka , Hata Nanako , Miyamoto Kokichi , Umeda Hibiki , Kakiuchi Yoshihiko , Kikuchi Satoru , Yano Shuya , Kuroda Shinji , Kondo Yoshitaka , Kishimoto Hiroyuki , Teraishi Fuminori , Nishizaki Masahiko , Kagawa Shunsuke , Fujiwara Toshiyoshi
Published: September 2022

Objective

This study aimed to identify factors associated with outlet obstruction and high-output stoma (HOS) after ileostomy creation.

Summary of background data

Ileostomy creation is effective in preventing leakage among patients undergoing low anterior resection for rectal cancer. However, major complications such as outlet obstruction and HOS can occur after surgery. Moreover, these complications cannot be prevented.

Methods

This retrospective study included 34 patients with rectal cancer who underwent low anterior resection and ileostomy creation at Okayama University Hospital from January 2015 to December 2018. Then, the risk factors associated with outlet obstruction and HOS were analyzed.

Results

Of 34 patients, 7 (21%) experienced outlet obstruction. In a multivariate logistic regression analysis, advanced T stage (P = 0.10), ileostomy with a short horizontal diameter (P = 0.01), and thick rectus abdominis (RA) muscle (P = 0.0005) were considered independent risk factors for outlet obstruction. There was a significant correlation between outlet obstruction and HOS (P = 0.03). Meanwhile, the independent risk factors of HOS were advanced T stage (P = 0.03) and thick RA muscle (P = 0.04).

Conclusions

Thick RA muscle and advanced T stage were the common risk factors of outlet obstruction and HOS. Therefore, in high-risk patients, these complications can be prevented by choosing an appropriate ileostomy location according to RA muscle thickness and by preventing tubing into the ileostomy.
Optimized User Experience, Efficiency, and Resource Use in Online Self-Management of Atopic Dermatitis
Authors: Kern Dorian , Ljótsson Brjánn , Lönndahl Louise , Hedman-Lagerlöf Erik , Bradley Maria , Lindefors Nils , Kraepelien Martin
Published: September 2022

This quality improvement study describes the revision of an internet-delivered, self-guided psychological treatment for atopic dermatitis.
Development and Comparative Performance of Physiologic Monitoring Strategies in the Emergency Department
Authors: Kim David , Jin Boyang Tom
Published: September 2022

Importance

Accurate and timely documentation of vital signs affects all aspects of triage, diagnosis, and management. The adequacy of current patient monitoring practices and the potential to improve on them are poorly understood.

Objective

To develop measures of fit between documented and actual patient vital signs throughout the visit, as determined from continuous physiologic monitoring, and to compare the performance of actual practice with alternative patient monitoring strategies.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This cross-sectional study evaluated 25 751 adult visits to continuously monitored emergency department (ED) beds between August 1, 2020, and December 31, 2021. A series of monitoring strategies for the documentation of vital signs (heart rate [HR], respiratory rate [RR], oxygen saturation by pulse oximetry [Spo2], mean arterial pressure [MAP]) was developed and the strategies’ ability to capture physiologic trends and vital sign abnormalities simulated. Strategies included equal spacing of charting events, charting at variable intervals depending on the last observed values, and discrete optimization of charting events.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Coverage was defined as the proportion of monitor-derived vital sign measurements (at 1-minute resolution) that fall within the bounds of nursing-charted values over the course of an ED visit (HR ± 5 beats/min, RR ± 3 breaths/min, Spo2 ± 2%, and MAP ± 6 mm Hg). Capture was defined as the documentation of a vital sign abnormality detected by bedside monitor (tachycardia [HR >100 beats/min], bradycardia [HR <60 beats/min], hypotension [MAP <65 mm Hg], and hypoxia [Spo2 <95%]).

Results

Median patient age was 60 years (IQR, 43-75 years), and 13 329 visits (51.8%) were by women. Monitored visits had a median of 4 (IQR, 2-5) vital sign charting events per visit. Compared with actual practice, a simple rule, which observes vital signs more frequently if the last observation fell outside the bounds of the previous values, and using the same number of observations as actual practice, produced relative coverage improvements of 31.5% (95% CI, 30.5%-32.5%) for HR, 31.0% (95% CI, 30.0%-32.0%) for MAP, 16.8% (95% CI, 16.0%-17.6%) for RR, and 7.8% (95% CI, 7.3%-8.3%) for Spo2. The same strategy improved capture of abnormalities by 38.9% (95% CI, 26.8%-52.2%) for tachycardia, 38.1% (95% CI, 29.0%-47.9%) for bradycardia, 39.0% (95% CI, 24.2%-55.7%) for hypotension, and 123.1% (95% CI, 110.7%-136.3%) for hypoxia. Analysis of optimal coverage suggested an additional scope for improvement through more sophisticated strategies.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this cross-sectional study, actual documentation of ED vital signs was variable and incomplete, missing important trends and abnormalities. Alternative monitoring strategies may improve on current practice without increasing the overall frequency of patient monitoring.
Genome-by-Trauma Exposure Interactions in Adults With Depression in the UK Biobank
Authors: Chuong Melisa , Adams Mark J. , Kwong Alex S. F. , Haley Chris S. , Amador Carmen , McIntosh Andrew M.
Published: September 2022

Importance

Self-reported trauma exposure has consistently been found to be a risk factor for major depressive disorder (MDD), and several studies have reported interactions with genetic liability. To date, most studies have examined gene-environment interactions with trauma exposure using genome-wide variants (single-nucleotide variations [SNVs]) or polygenic scores, both typically capturing less than 3% of phenotypic risk variance.

Objective

To reexamine genome-by-trauma interaction associations using genetic measures using all available genotyped data and thus, maximizing accounted variance.

Design, Setting, and Participants

The UK Biobank study was conducted from April 2007 to May 1, 2016 (follow-up mental health questionnaire). The current study used available cross-sectional genomic and trauma exposure data from UK Biobank. Participants who completed the mental health questionnaire and had available genetic, trauma experience, depressive symptoms, and/or neuroticism information were included. Data were analyzed from April 1 to August 30, 2021.

Exposures

Trauma and genome-by-trauma exposure interactions.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Measures of self-reported depression, neuroticism, and trauma exposure with whole-genome SNV data are available from the UK Biobank study. Here, a mixed-model statistical approach using genetic, trauma exposure, and genome-by-trauma exposure interaction similarity matrices was used to explore sources of variation in depression and neuroticism.

Results

Analyses were conducted on 148 129 participants (mean [SD] age, 56 [7] years) of which 76 995 were female (52.0%). The study approach estimated the heritability (SE) of MDD to be approximately 0.160 (0.016). Subtypes of self-reported trauma exposure (catastrophic, adult, childhood, and full trauma) accounted for a significant proportion of the variance of MDD, with heritability (SE) ranging from 0.056 (0.013) to 0.176 (0.025). The proportion of MDD risk variance accounted for by significant genome-by-trauma interaction revealed estimates (SD) ranging from 0.074 (0.006) to 0.201 (0.009). Results from sex-specific analyses found genome-by-trauma interaction variance estimates approximately 5-fold greater for MDD in male participants (0.441 [0.018]) than in female participants (0.086 [0.009]).

Conclusions and Relevance

This cross-sectional study used an approach combining all genome-wide SNV data when exploring genome-by-trauma interactions in individuals with MDD; findings suggest that such interactions were associated with depression manifestation. Genome-by-trauma interaction accounts for greater trait variance in male individuals, which points to potential differences in depression etiology between the sexes. The methodology used in this study can be extrapolated to other environmental factors to identify modifiable risk environments and at-risk groups to target with interventions.