bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Diagnostic Accuracy of Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Nerve Injury in Obstetric Brachial Plexus Injury: Protocol for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Hardie Claire Madeline , Brooks James , Wade Ryckie G , Teh Irvin , Bourke Grainne
Published: October 2021

BackgroundObstetric brachial plexus injury (OBPI) is typically caused by excessive traction to the neck during delivery and can cause permanent dysfunction of the upper limb. Surgical exploration is typically performed at 3 months of age if insufficient signs of spontaneous functional recovery are demonstrated, and nerve reconstruction is performed at this point if indicated. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) offers a non-invasive alternative in detecting nerve injury, however the reported diagnostic accuracy in existing literature is conflicting. A systematic review is therefore required to clarify the accuracy of MRI and help define its role clinically. The primary objective is to determine the diagnostic accuracy of MRI for detecting root avulsion in obstetric brachial plexus injuries. The secondary objectives are to determine the diagnostic accuracy of MRI for detecting any nerve abnormality (including post-ganglionic injury) and to determine the diagnostic accuracy of MRI for detecting pseudomeningocele(s) as a surrogate marker of root avulsion.MethodsElectronic databases will be searched systematically for studies reporting the accuracy of MRI (index test) compared to surgical exploration (reference standard) in detecting root avulsions, other nerve abnormalities and pseudomeningocele in children with OBPI. A revised QUADAS-2 tool will be used to assess methodological quality of included studies. If appropriate, summary sensitivities and specificities for target conditions (root avulsion, abnormal nerve and pseudomeningocele) will be obtained via meta-analyses using a bivariate model. DiscussionThis study will aim to clarify the current diagnostic accuracy of MRI for detecting nerve injury and define its clinical role. Systematic review registrationPROSPERO registration CRD42021267629.
Differences in Cardiometabolic Risk Profiles Between Chinese and Finnish Older Adults with Glucose Impairment and Central Obesity
Authors: Le Shenglong , Zhang Yinan , Voutilainen Ari , Tan Xiao , Laukkanen Jari , Wang Congrong , Cheng Sulin
Published: October 2021

Background
Obesity and ethnicity play important roles in cardiovascular complications in patients with T2DM. This study aimed to compare cardiometabolic risk profiles between Chinese and Finnish older adults with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and central obesity.
Methods
Study subjects were 60-74 years old and originated from two population samples. The Finnish subjects came from the Kuopio Ischemic Heart Disease (KIHD) study (n = 1089), and the Chinese subjects came from the Shanghai High-risk Diabetic Screen (SHiDS) study (n = 818). The KIHD and SHiDS studies used similar questionnaires to determine participants’ baseline characteristics regarding the history of medication use and diseases and lifestyle factors. All study subjects participated in glucose tolerance tests and anthropometry assessments, including waist circumference measurements.
Results
Among study subjects with prediabetes and central obesity (n = 298), fasting glucose, 2-h glucose, fasting insulin, insulin resistance, and triglyceride (TG) levels were significantly higher while the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) and LDL to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) ratio were lower in Chinese individuals than Finnish individuals (p <0.0001-0.003). Among subjects with T2DM and central obesity (n = 251), Chinese subjects had significantly less proportions of antihypertensive, glycaemic control medication, and statin users as well as lower level of physical activity (p < 0.0001 for all), while higher blood pressure (p = 0.002 for systolic blood pressure and p < 0.0001 for diastolic blood pressure), TG levels (p < 0.05) and HDL (p = 0.002) than the Finnish counterparts. There were no differences in β-cell function (HOMA-β) between Chinese and Finnish both in prediabetes and T2DM.
Conclusions
Our results indicated that Chinese and Finnish older adults with prediabetes and T2DM had similar β-cell function. However, Chinese individuals with prediabetes are prone to lipid metabolism dysfunction and insulin resistance. Strategies for preventing prediabetes from developing into diabetes in Chinese individuals should be focused on interventions such as exercise to increase insulin sensitivity and prevent insulin resistance. For Finnish individuals with prediabetes, more attention should be given to weight control.
Retrospective diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients with Long COVID by measuring specific T cell mediated IL-2 release.
Authors: Krishna Benjamin A. , Lim Eleanor Y. , Mactavous Lenette , Team NIHR BioResource , Lyons Paul , Doffinger Rainer , Bradley John , Smith Kenneth G. C. , Sinclair John , Matheson Nicholas J. , Lehner Paul J. , Wills Mark R. , Sithole Nyaradzai
Published: October 2021

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines define Long COVID as signs and symptoms that develop during or after an infection consistent with COVID-19, that continue for more than 12 weeks and are not explained by an alternative diagnosis. Long COVID is as yet poorly understood and difficult to diagnose. The diagnostic complexity of Long COVID is compounded in many patients who were infected with SARS-CoV-2 but not tested at acute presentation and are antibody negative. Given the diagnostic conundrum of Long COVID, we set out to design a SARS-CoV-2 specific T cell assay, to follow up a cohort of undifferentiated mostly non-hospitalised patients with Long COVID for up to 13 months. Here, we show that IL-2 release from SARS-CoV-2-specific memory T cells shows >75% sensitivity and >88% specificity in identifying individuals with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection >6 months after a positive PCR test.
Small-molecule-mediated OGG1 inhibition attenuates pulmonary inflammation and lung fibrosis
Authors: Tanner Lloyd , Single Andrew , Bhongir Ravi , Heusel Moritz , Mohanty Tirthankar , Karlsson Christoffer , Clausson Carl-Magnus , Andersson Cecilia , Oommen Riya , Erjefält Jonas , Malmström Johan , Wallner Olov , Helleday Thomas , Kalderen Christina , Egesten Arne
Published: October 2021

Interstitial lung diseases such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) are caused by persistent micro-injuries to alveolar epithelial tissues accompanied by aberrant repair processes. Despite substantial advancement in our understanding of IPF progression, numerous questions remain concerning disease pathology. IPF is currently treated with pirfenidone and nintedanib, compounds which slow the rate of disease progression but fail to target underlying pathophysiological mechanisms. The DNA repair enzyme 8-oxoguanine DNA glycosylase-1 (OGG1) is upregulated following TGF-β1 exposure in several fibrosis-associated cell types. Currently, no pharmaceutical solutions targeting OGG1 have been utilized in the treatment of IPF. In this study, administration of Ogg1-targetting siRNA, mitigated bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice, thereby highlighting OGG1 as a tractable target in lung fibrosis. The novel small molecule OGG1 inhibitor, TH5487, decreased myofibroblast transition and associated pro-fibrotic markers in fibroblast cells. In addition, TH5487 decreased pro-inflammatory cytokine production, inflammatory cell infiltration, and lung remodeling in a murine model of bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis. OGG1 and SMAD7 interact to induce fibroblast proliferation and differentiation, with both increased in fibrotic murine and IPF patient lung tissue. Taken together, these data strongly suggest that TH5487 is a potent, specific, and clinically-relevant treatment for IPF.
Gene Expression Associated with Human Brain Activations in Facial Expression Recognition
Authors: Wang Zirui , Ji Yuan , Fu Yumeng , Liu Feng , Du Xin , Liu Huaigui , Zhu Wenshuang , Xue Kaizhong , Qin Wen , Zhang Quan
Published: October 2021

Previous studies identified some genetic loci of emotion, but few focused on human emotion-related gene expression. In this study, the facial expression recognition (FER) task-based high-resolution fMRI data of 203 subjects in the Human Connectome Project (HCP) and expression data of the six healthy human postmortem brain tissues in Allen Human Brain Atlas (AHBA) were used to conduct a transcriptome-neuroimaging spatial association analysis. Finally, 153 genes were identified to be significantly associated with FER-related brain activations. Enrichment analyses revealed that FER-related genes are mainly expressed in the brain, especially neurons, and might be related to cell junction organization, synaptic functions, and nervous system development regulation, indicating that FER was a complex polygenetic biological process involving multiple pathways. Moreover, these genes exhibited higher enrichment for psychiatric diseases with heavy emotion impairments. This study provided new insight into understanding the FER-related biological mechanisms and might be helpful to explore treatment methods for emotion-related psychiatric disorders.
Assessment of landslide susceptibility for Meghalaya in North Eastern Region of India using bivariate and multi-criteria decision analysis models
Authors: Agrawal Navdeep , Dixit Jagabandhu
Published: October 2021

The state of Meghalaya of the North Eastern Region (NER) of India, situated in the India Himalayan Region (IHR), is the rainiest place in the country and falls under seismic zone V. The Himalayan ranges account for 80% of total landslide hazards in India. The main goal of the present study is to generate the GIS-based landslide susceptibility map (LSM) of Meghalaya by using frequency ratio (FR), Shannon entropy (SE), analytical hierarchy process (AHP), and fuzzy-AHP (FAHP) models and compare these models for the study area. Fifteen landslide conditioning factors are used for susceptibility mapping includes a slope, aspect, elevation, plan curvature, stream power index (SPI), topographic wetness index (TWI), land use land cover (LULC), normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), distance from the river, road and faults, rainfall (30 years mean annual rainfall), soil texture, geomorphology, and lithology. Landslide inventory of 1330 landslide events is prepared and mapped from various sources. The inventory dataset is randomly split in a 70/30 ratio to make the training dataset (70%) used in the model and testing dataset (remaining 30%) for validation purposes. The southern escarpment, the southeast region of the study area, and hillslope along the roadside show high susceptibility for landslide occurrence in all four models. The LSMs produced in the present study are validated using the area under curve (AUC) value. The presented LSMs can help concerned authorities and planners to make sustainable development plans and formulate risk mitigation strategies keeping in mind the critical areas for landslide hazards.
Systematic Review & Meta-Analysis of the Diagnostic Accuracy of Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) for the Detection of Prostate Cancer in Symptomatic Patients
Authors: Merriel Samuel William David , Pocock Lucy , Gilbert Emma , Creavin Sam , Walter Fiona M , Spencer Anne , Hamilton Willie
Published: October 2021

BackgroundProstate Specific Antigen (PSA) is a commonly used test to detect prostate cancer. Attention has mostly focused on the use of PSA in screening asymptomatic patients, but the diagnostic accuracy of PSA for prostate cancer in patients with symptoms is less well understood.MethodsA systematic database search was conducted of Medline, EMBASE, Web of Science, and the Cochrane library. Studies reporting the diagnostic accuracy of PSA for prostate cancer in patients with symptoms were included. Two investigators independently assessed the titles and abstracts of all database search hits and full texts of potentially relevant studies against the inclusion criteria, and data extracted into a proforma. Study quality was assessed using the QUADAS-2 tool by two investigators independently. Summary estimates of diagnostic accuracy were calculated with meta-analysis using bivariate mixed effects regression.Results563 search hits were assessed by title and abstract after de-duplication, with 75 full text papers reviewed. 19 studies met the inclusion criteria, 18 of which were conducted in secondary care settings (one from a screening study cohort). All studies used histology obtained by Transrectal Ultrasound guided biopsy (TRUS) as a reference test, usually only for patients with elevated PSA or abnormal prostate examination. Pooled data from 14,489 patients found estimated sensitivity of PSA for prostate cancer was 0.93 (95% CI 0.88, 0.96) and specificity was 0.20 (95% CI 0.12, 0.33). The area under the receiving-operator characteristic curve was 0.72 (95% CI 0.68, 0.76). All studies were assessed as having a high risk of bias in at least one QUADAS-2 domain.ConclusionsCurrently available evidence suggests PSA is highly sensitive but poorly specific for prostate cancer detection. However, significant limitations in study design and reference test reduces the certainty of this estimate. There is very limited evidence for the performance of PSA in primary care, the healthcare setting where most PSA testing is performed.
Impact of Extratropical Cyclone Intensity and Speed on the Extreme Wave Trends in the Atlantic Ocean
Authors: Gramcianinov Carolina Barnez , de Camargo Ricardo , Campos Ricardo Martins , Soares Carlos Guedes , Dias Pedro Leite da Silva
Published: October 2021

This work analyzes the extratropical cyclone-related extreme waves in the ocean surface and their trends in the North and South Atlantic Oceans. Atmospheric and ocean wave products are obtained from ERA5, from 1979 to 2020 with 1-hourly outputs, covering 42 years with the present climate changes evaluated by the difference between the two 21-years time slices. The cyclones are tracked through the relative vorticity at 850 hPa and then associated with extreme wave events using an automated scheme that searches for an extreme wave region 1500 km from the centre of the cyclone, following criteria that exclude possible swell dominated events. The hot-spot regions of cyclone-related waves occurrence found by the method are in agreement with previous studies and are related to the cyclogenesis region and storm track orientation. Most cyclones associated with extreme wave events are generated in the western boundary of the domains. The east-poleward side of the ocean basins presents the highest density of occurrences related to the higher density of cyclone track and the dominance of more mature stage cyclones while in the west side prevail systems on developing stages, with notable propagating fronts and consequently, lower wind persistence. Changes in occurrence cannot be explained just by the storm track variation during the period due to the lack of statistical confidence. However, the wave occurrence responds to changes in the cyclone intensity, modulated by cyclone displacement speed. Regions with an increase of extreme waves are related to the effect of more intense cyclones or cyclones with slower propagation, being the last associated with a longer interaction of winds with the ocean surface.
Resilience and resistance: powers help phytoplankton to keep spatial heterogeneity during long-term intermittent water diversion
Authors: Pei Haiyan , Zhang Shasha , Xu Hangzhou , Wei Jielin , Li Qian , Yan Qing
Published: October 2021

How phytoplankton respond to changes in water resource allocations, and whether water diversion cause phytoplankton homogenization remain no incontestable conclusion. Herein the changing rules of phytoplankton communities faced to water diversion were unveiled based on long-term (2011–2019) time-series observation and analysis of algae data of three regulating lakes on the eastern route of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project in China. We found that phytoplankton composition had dramatic differences before and after water transfer; however, after long-term planned water diversion the algal structure — especially for abundant species — gradually became similar to that found in 2014, revealing the community structure was changed by water mixing, and reverted slowly to the initial state after water diversion. Phytoplankton communities exhibited greater fragility when they firstly experienced human-mediated disturbance, while gradually adapted to more interferences and obtained stronger stability. More importantly, we found that the community composition had no homogenization across three lakes after water diversion and resistance and recovery are underlying mechanisms to maintain the community heterogeneity and stability. Moreover, the altered phytoplankton communities in round lakes re-established stable states, while strip-shaped Nansi Lake not, reflecting the strip-shaped lake had slower response and less resilience to the disturbance than the round lakes.
ANALISIS POTENSI OBYEK WISATA PANTAI DENGAN KONSEP HALAL BEACH TOURISM DI KOTA DENPASAR
Authors: Safitri Lailatul Nuzzulul , Mukaromah Siti Muslihatul , Habib Muhammad Alhada Fuadilah
Published: October 2021

Abstrak: Kota Denpasar merupakan salah satu kota di Pulau Bali yang memiliki wisata pantai kawasan tropis Asia Tenggara dengan banyak kunjungan wisatawan domestik dan mancanegara. Salah satu objek wisata yang sering dikunjungi wisatawan asing saat berkunjung ke Kota Denpasar adalah pantai. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk untuk menganalisis seberapa besar potensi wilayah pantai di Kota Denpasar dapat menerapkan konsep halal beach tourism dengan analisis strategi menggunakan matriks SWOT. Penelitian ini menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif. Data dikumpulkan dengan menggunakan interview, kuesioner, dan dokumentasi. Analisis data menggunakan matriks EFAS dan IFAS melalui strategi analisis SWOT. Hasilnya menunjukkan bahwa matriks strategi analisis SWOT dengan koordinat +0,691 (internal) dan +0,559 (eksternal) berupa diagram I yang artinya mendukung pertumbuhan halal beach tourism dengan menggunakan peluang (O) dan kekuatan (S) atau strategi SO.
Kata Kunci: Kota Denpasar; Halal Beach Tourism; Obyek Wisata Pantai; SWOT.
 
Abstract: Denpasar is one of the cities on the island of Bali which has beach tourism in the tropical Southeast Asia region which has many domestic and foreign tourist visits. One of the tourist attractions that are often visited by foreign tourists when visiting Denpasar is the beach. This study aims to analyze how big the potential of coastal areas in Denpasar can be to apply the concept of halal beach tourism with strategy analysis using the SWOT matrix. This study uses a qualitative approach. Data were collected using interviews, questionnaires, and documentation. Data analysis using EFAS and IFAS matrices through a SWOT analysis strategy. The results show that the SWOT analysis strategy matrix with coordinates +0.691 (internal) and +0.559 (external) is in the form of diagram I, which means that it supports the growth of halal beach tourism by using opportunities (O) and strengths (S) or SO strategies.
Keywords: Denpasar; Halal Beach Tourism; Tourist Attractions; SWOT.
PELANGGARAN HUKUM PERSAINGAN USAHA DALAM MEKANISME WHOLESALER PENJUALAN TIKET PENERBANGAN IBADAH UMRAH
Authors: Ramadhani Marina , Habib Muhammad Alhada Fuadilah , Fitri Adelina
Published: October 2021

Abstrak: Data terbaru menunjukkan bahwa jumlah masyarakat Indonesia yang melakukan perjalanan ibadah umrah mengalami peningkatan yang cukup signifikan. Hal ini memunculkan kerjasama di berbagai bidang, terutama pada bidang penerbangan. PT. Garuda Indonesia (Persero) Tbk. yang menjadi pilihan utama bagi PPIU (Penyelenggara Perjalanan Ibadah Umrah) untuk memberangkatkan jemaah umrah. Namun ternyata PT. Garuda Indonesia (Persero) Tbk. mengingkari komitmen kerjasama tersebut, dengan membuat mekanisme wholesaler untuk penjualan tiket penerbangan ibadah umrah melalui penujukan langsung yang tidak transparan, hanya kepada kelima wholesaler saja. Hal ini dipandang sebagai praktik diskriminasi terhadap PPIU lainnya dan tentu saja melanggar ketentuan hukum persaingan usaha pada Pasal 19 huruf d, karena melakukan penguasaan pasar dengan cara melakukan praktik diskriminasi. Selain itu mekanisme wholesaler penjualan tiket penerbangan ibadah umrah tersebut berdampak negatif terhadap pihak terkait yaitu, konsumen, biro dan agen perjalanan umrah lain, serta PT. Garuda Indonesia (Persero) Tbk. itu sendiri.
Kata Kunci: Wholesaler; Tiket Penerbangan; Ibadah Umrah; Praktik Diskriminasi; PT. Garuda Indonesia.
 
Abstract: The latest data shows that the number of Indonesians who travel for Umrah has increased significantly. This has led to cooperation in various fields, especially in the field of aviation. PT. Garuda Indonesia (Persero) Tbk. is the main choice for PPIU (Umrah Worship Travel Organizer) to dispatch Umrah pilgrims. However, it turns out that PT. Garuda Indonesia (Persero) Tbk. denying the commitment to cooperation, by establishing a wholesaler mechanism for the sale of flight tickets for Umrah pilgrimages through non-transparent direct appointments, only to the five wholesalers. This is seen as a discriminatory practice against other PPIUs and of course violates the provisions of the business competition law in Article 19 letter d, because it controls the market by practicing discrimination. In addition, the wholesaler mechanism for selling Umrah flight tickets has a negative impact on related parties, namely, consumers, other Umrah travel agents, and agents, as well as PT. Garuda Indonesia (Persero) Tbk. itself.
Keywords: Wholesaler; Flight ticket; Umrah; Discriminatory Practices; PT. Garuda Indonesia.
Energy efficiency of a passenger ship in Turkey
Authors: Tokuslu Aydɪn
Published: October 2021

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) introduced a new measure in 2011 with a set of technical innovation and performance standards to increase the energy efficiency of new ships at the design stage and aim to reduce CO2 emissions. This new measure is called Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) and this became a fast key instrument for the ships to be energy efficient. In this paper, one of the passenger ships in the Istanbul Strait was investigated and its emissions were estimated. The Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) of the ship was calculated. EEDI formula equations based on the study of passenger ships have been compared with the IMO other ship equations and some useful proposals have been presented to reduce the harmful effects of CO2 exhaust gas emission.
Reconstitution of the geometric elements of a conic gear
Authors: Turof Mihaela
Published: October 2021

Conical gears are used if the axes of the shafts between which the rotation movement is transmitted are concurrent. The technology of execution of these gears is more demanding, they are more sensitive to the deviations of execution and / or assembly and introduce large axial forces, which complicates, to some extent, the construction of the supports of the wheel support shafts. The straight-toothed conical gears, with relatively simple wheels for technological purposes, are used only at low peripheral speeds (𝑣 < 3 𝑚/𝑠), when step deviations and those of the tooth profiles do not yet produce high dynamic demands and noise. These gears, however, are sensitive to less precise mountings and to deformations, under load, of the support shafts. The calculation of the resistance of the conical gears, in contact and bending, is performed accepting the same calculation assumptions as in the calculation of cylindrical gears with straight teeth. It is, therefore, necessary to make a transition from the conical gear to an imaginary cylindrical gear, called virtual gear, and to find equivalence relations between the two gears - real and virtual.
Maintenance onboard ships using computer maintenance management system
Authors: Simion Dragoș
Published: October 2021

The importance and the role of the maintenance process are based on keeping the equipment and systems in an operative state of readiness. On the other hand, the knowledge of legislative framework, as well as the learning the practical skills lead to the successful application of the maintenance programs within the organizations. Regarding these aspects, the present paper addresses the topic of maintenance onboard ships. The general legislative framework for management and execution of the maintenance process specific to the maritime domain is presented, as well as the methods implemented onboard ships. It is described how to perform the maintenance of the equipment for a special ship using a computer maintenace management softwere. The study takes into account the constructive features, the equipment and the missions of the ship.
Emerging pollutants-a potential threat to the marine environment
Authors: Apetroaei Manuela Rossemary
Published: October 2021

Development of physical-chemical analysis methods has led to detection many chemical compounds (microplastics, pesticides, steroids, hormones, contraceptives, fragrances, sunscreen agents, water disinfection by products, gasoline additives, pharmaceutical formulations used in the treatment of human and veterinary affections, corrosion inhibitors, biocides, UV-filters, etc.) into the marine environment, called emerging pollutants. Their release into the environment was caused by industrial overgrowth, an excessive modernization of agriculture and the development of maritime transport. The large number of chemicals and compounds from surface waters, soils, groundwaters, and sediments is seen as a potential threat to human health because their presence is not widely regulated or monitored by national and international legislation. The emergence of these compounds is due to the increase of concern degree due to the impact they produce on the environment, as a result of their presence in a wide types variety and at different concentrations. The present paper aims to compile available data about the occurrence, sources, and impact of emerging pollutants to improve the analytical methods for detecting more contaminants, to establish new guideline values useful for human health and marine environment protection.
Pulp chamber temperature changes during orthodontic bonding – an in vitro study
Authors: Bani Aysegul Ayhan , Tuncer Burcu Balos , Tuncer Cumhur
Published: October 2021

Aim

Using a thermal camera, the aim of the study was to determine pulp chamber temperature changes during orthodontic bonding produced as a result of variations in curing light sources, different curing distances and bracket types.

Methods

One hundred sixty maxillary premolar teeth were sectioned into two halves and embedded into acrylic moulds. Four curing light sources were used which further divided the overall sample into Halogen, light emitting diode (LED), powered LED, and high-power LED groups. Additional subgroups were created according to the applied curing distances (5 mm, 10 mm) and different bracket types (metallic or ceramic). A standardised bonding procedure was performed and pulp chamber temperature changes were evaluated using a thermal camera. Statistical analysis was performed using a three-way ANOVA.

Results

The Halogen light curing group revealed a significantly higher temperature rise in the pulp chamber compared to the other groups. A shorter curing distance produced increases in pulpal temperature. There was no significant effect as a result of the bracket type.

Conclusions

None of the curing light sources exceeded the critical value for pulp chamber temperature rise. The primary desirable outcome was the lowest temperature increase noted with the high-power LED unit. The secondary outcome related to the different brackets revealed no difference relative to pulp chamber temperature change. From a clinical perspective, high-power LED units could be safely used.
Changes in Nutritive Value of Bermudagrass Hay during Storage
Authors: Turner James E. , Coblentz Wayne K. , Scarbrough Dean A. , Coffey Kenneth P. , Kellogg D. Wayne , McBeth Levi J. , Rhein Robert T.
Published: October 2021

Relatively little is known about storage of wet (>200 g kg−1 moisture) bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.] hay. Our objective was to assess the changes in nutritive value of bermudagrass hay as a function of hay moisture, storage time, and spontaneous heating. ‘Greenfield’ bermudagrass was grown on a Pickwick silt loam soil (fine‐silty, mixed, semiactive, thermic Typic Paleudult) and packaged in conventional rectangular bales at 219, 265, and 302 g kg−1 moisture [low‐moisture (LM), medium‐moisture (MM), and high‐moisture (HM) bales, respectively]. Concentrations of most fiber and fiber‐associated N components increased (P < 0.05) during storage, but these changes occurred primarily during the first 12 d. A nonlinear model was used to describe the changes in neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber, lignin, neutral detergent–insoluble N, and acid detergent–insoluble N (ADIN) during storage. The total changes (β) in NDF were 93.1, 69.5, and 67.8 g kg−1 for HM, MM, and LM bales, respectively. Respective asymptotic maxima for NDF (α) in these treatments were 777, 757, and 739 g kg−1. For ADIN, respective asymptotic maxima (α) reached 3.17, 1.83, and 1.71 g kg−1 for HM, MM, and LM bales, respectively. On Day 65, ADIN exceeded 10% of the entire N pool in both HM and MM bales. The nutritive value of bermudagrass hay baled and stored at >200 g kg−1 moisture deteriorates during storage, and the greatest deterioration occurs during the first 12 d after baling.
On‐Farm Assessment of Soil Quality in California's Central Valley
Authors: Andrews Susan S. , Mitchell Jeffrey P. , Mancinelli Roberto , Karlen Douglas L. , Hartz Timothy K. , Horwath William R. , Pettygrove G. Stuart , Scow Kate M. , Munk Daniel S.
Published: October 2021

The high‐value, large‐scale crop production systems in the San Joaquin Valley (SJV) of California typically entail intensive tillage and large fertilizer and water inputs but few C additions to the soil. Such practices often contribute to a decline in soil quality. Our objective for this participatory study was to examine the effects of supplemental C management practices (SCMPs) on various soil quality indicators. To increase farmer participation, we conducted the study on farms using a variety of SCMPs, including cover crops, compost and manure amendments, and several different crop rotations common to the region. The SCMPs significantly changed a number of soil properties, including soil organic matter (SOM); total Kjeldahl N; microbial biomass C and N; exchangeable K; Olsen P; and extractable Fe, Mn, and Zn. A comparison including previously established, adjacent organic, conventional, and transitional fields in addition to the treatment fields at one farm revealed significant differences in 16 of 18 soil quality indicators. A soil quality index computed for this farm scored the established organic system significantly higher than the conventional system. Our results suggest that significant changes in several soil quality indicators occur with a variety of SCMPs. This is especially noteworthy considering the intensive tillage, irrigation, and hot, semiarid environment of the SJV, California, where increases in SOM and related soil properties are generally not expected in a 3‐yr study.
Root Morphology of Contrasting Maize Genotypes
Authors: Costa Carlos , Dwyer Lianne M. , Zhou Xiaomin , Dutilleul Pierre , Hamel Chantal , Reid Lana M. , Smith Donald L.
Published: October 2021

Image analysis has greatly simplified the measurement of root systems, allowing more detailed and accurate assessment of standard root variables. However, maize (Zea mays L.) root morphology has primarily been studied in conventional hybrids. We tested the hypothesis that genotypes carrying the leafy trait (taller plants with more leaves and greater leaf area development) would have root morphologies differing from those of conventional maize hybrids. A 3 × 3 factorial experiment was arranged in a randomized complete block design with three blocks, three fertilization levels (0, 127.5, and 255 kg N ha−1 as NH4NO3), and three maize genotypes [leafy reduced stature (LRS), leafy normal stature (LNS), and a conventional commercial hybrid Pioneer 3905 (P3905)]. The genotypes were selected for their contrasting canopy and root architectures. Plants were grown in 63‐L plastic containers, and the roots were measured at the silking stage (80 d from emergence) by scanner‐based image analysis. In general, greater root length and root surface areas were obtained at an N fertilization rate of 127.5 kg N ha−1 compared with either the absence of fertilizer N or the higher rate of 255 kg N ha−1. For all genotypes, 95% of root length was comprised of roots ranging from 0.20 to 0.40 mm in diameter. Total root length (4 km) and total root surface area (3.2 m2) were similar for LNS and LRS genotypes and were greater than those of P3905 (1.4 km total root length and 1.1 m2 surface area). Root diameter did not differ among genotypes.
AEPAT
Authors: Liebig Mark A. , Miller Martin E. , Varvel Gary E. , Doran John W. , Hanson Jon D.
Published: October 2021

Approaches to assess the effects of management practices on agroecosystem functions are needed. This paper describes a computer program designed to assess the relative sustainability of management practices using agronomic and environmental data. The program, entitled AgroEcosystem Performance Assessment Tool (AEPAT), utilizes performance‐based index methodology to derive a relative ranking of agroecosystem performance among management practices for functions and indicators included in the procedure. The program is organized into eight major steps: Introduction, Input Files, Assign Indicators to Functions, Describe Indicators, Assign Weights, Select Output File, Calculate Agroecosystem Performance Scores, and Save Agroecosystem Project. Help windows as well as a tutorial are provided within the program to assist users through each step. Users must keep in mind the assumptions and drawbacks inherent to performance‐based indices while using AEPAT. Additionally, the program requires data on many indicators to provide useful information on agroecosystem performance. Therefore, its use is intended primarily for clientele conducting long‐term agroecosystem experiments.
In‐Season Optimization and Site‐Specific Nitrogen Management for Soft Red Winter Wheat
Authors: Flowers Michael , Weisz Randall , Heiniger Ronnie , Osmond Deanna , Crozier Carl
Published: October 2021

Site‐specific N management based on an in‐season assessment of crop N status may offer producers increased grain yield, profitability, and spring N fertilizer use efficiency (SNUE). The goal of this study was to determine the distinct contributions of (i) in‐season N rate optimization and (ii) site‐specific N management. Our objective was to compare site‐specific and field‐specific N management with typical growers' practices to determine if site‐specific N management (i) increased soft red winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grain yield, (ii) reduced N inputs, (iii) increased SNUE, and (iv) reduced within‐field grain yield variability. Research was conducted at eight sites in 2000, 2001, and 2002. A randomized complete block design with two or five N management systems was used at two and six sites, respectively. Site‐specific management did not improve grain yield compared with field‐specific management when based on the same in‐season estimation of optimum N rates. At sites where site‐specific or field‐specific systems were compared with typical growers' practices, grain yield benefits of in‐season N optimization (up to 2267 kg ha−1) were apparent. For grain yield, in‐season optimization of N rate was more important than site‐specific management. A large reduction in N inputs (up to 48.6%) was also attributed to in‐season N rate optimization. After incorporating in‐season optimization, a further reduction in N inputs (up to 19.6%) was possible through site‐specific application. Site‐specific N application maximized SNUE compared with either field‐specific or typical growers' practices at all sites and reduced within‐field grain yield variance at four sites.
Simulated Clover Leaf Weevil Injury and Alfalfa Yield and Quality
Authors: Madsen Rodney A. , Hunt Thomas E. , Higley Leon G.
Published: October 2021

The clover leaf weevil (Hypera punctata F.) is a sporadic but potentially serious pest of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.). Feeding of newly emerged adult fourth instar clover leaf weevil was simulated in a field study at the University of Nebraska Haskell Agricultural Research Lab near Concord, NE, in May 2001 and 2002. Twelve 1‐ by 1‐m plots were arranged in a randomized complete block design with three treatments and four replications. Treatments consisted of two levels of simulated clover leaf weevil defoliation of alfalfa and an undefoliated check. Leaflets were removed over 10 d. Dry matter yield and other plant responses were measured during the first two growth cycles. Yield differences among all three treatments were significant for the first growth cycle. The relationship between percentage defoliation and percentage yield reduction was linear both years. Defoliation did not significantly affect percentages of acid detergent fiber, neutral detergent fiber, and protein. Alfalfa development also was not significantly affected in the second growth cycle. Dry matter yield reduction as a result of leaf removal at the early bud stage was the most important effect of first growth cycle defoliation.
Integrating Herbicide‐Resistant Corn Technology in a Kura Clover Living Mulch System
Authors: Affeldt Richard P. , Albrecht Kenneth A. , Boerboom Chris M. , Bures Edward J.
Published: October 2021

Previous research has shown that with adequate suppression, kura clover (Trifolium ambiguum M. Bieb.) can be managed as a living mulch in corn (Zea mays L.); however, significant yield loss was observed in some environments. This study evaluated two herbicide‐resistant corn hybrids at three levels of kura clover living mulch suppression over multiple environments. In 1999 and 2000 near Arlington and in 2000 near Lancaster, WI, glyphosate [N‐(phosphonomethyl)glycine]‐resistant corn (Roundup Ready corn, RRC) and glufosinate [2‐amino‐4‐(hydroxymethylphosphinyl) butanoic acid]‐resistant corn (Liberty Link corn, LLC) hybrids were planted where kura clover had been (i) killed for monocrop corn, (ii) strongly suppressed with glyphosate and dicamba (3,6‐dichloro‐2‐methoxybenzoic acid), or (iii) lightly suppressed with only glyphosate. Suppressed kura clover also had a 25‐cm clopyralid (3,6‐dichloro‐2‐pyridinecarboxylic acid) plus dicamba‐killed band into which corn was planted. Subsequent postemergence applications of glyphosate or glufosinate herbicide were made for each hybrid. Corn whole‐plant yield ranged from 17.3 to 19.9 Mg ha−1, and grain yield ranged from 10.8 to 12.3 Mg ha−1. Yield of whole‐plant and grain across both corn hybrids did not differ between monocrop corn and corn in strongly suppressed kura clover. Whole‐plant yield of monocrop corn was 8 to 11% greater and grain yield 8 to 9% greater than in lightly suppressed kura clover, respectively. Both hybrids had similar corn whole‐plant yield, but LLC grain yield was lower than that of RRC. Kura clover recovery in the season following corn production was similar among living mulch suppression treatments by mid‐July. Herbicide‐resistant corn technology allowed for consistent kura clover living mulch management with little or no whole‐plant or grain yield loss.
Dependency of Cotton Leaf Nitrogen, Chlorophyll, and Reflectance on Nitrogen and Potassium Availability
Authors: Fridgen Jennifer L. , Varco Jac J.
Published: October 2021

In‐season assessment of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) leaf N and K concentration using remote sensing techniques is needed to address spatial and temporal variation of these two nutrients. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of varying N and K availability on cotton chlorophyll concentration and detection of leaf N utilizing reflectance properties. Fertilizer N rates of 0, 45, 90, 135, and 180 kg ha−1 in factorial combination with K rates of 0 and 112 kg ha−1 were applied to cotton under field conditions. Recently matured leaves on the main stem were collected at first bloom and peak bloom physiological stages of growth in 1999 and 2000 to determine leaf N and K concentrations, chlorophyll concentration, and spectral reflectance. Nutrient stress anomalies from spectral reflectance data were predicted using partial least‐squares regression. Partial least squares yielded a better predictability of leaf N concentration at first bloom and peak bloom when K was adequately supplied. The greatest predictability of leaf N was observed at peak bloom in 2000 with a maximum r2 of 0.77 and minimum standard error of prediction of 2.72. A red‐edge shift to longer wavelengths with increased N supply was observed when K was sufficient. Utilization of leaf N concentration sampled at a coarse resolution in combination with timely and appropriate imagery may enhance nutrient management capabilities in precision agriculture so long as other nutrients are not limiting.
SYNTHESIS, SPECTRAL CHARACTERIZATION AND ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITIES OF BIS(CYCLOPENTADIENYL)TITANIUM(IV) COMPLEXES WITH SCHIFF BASES DERIVED FROM5-(SUBSTITUTED ARYL)-2-HYDRAZINO-1, 3, 4-OXADIAZOLE AND INDOLINE-2, 3-DIONE
Authors:   Department of Chemistry, D.D.U Gorakhpur University Gorakhpur, India, Pin- 273009., Srivastava Anupama , Srivastava Shilpi ,   Department of Chemistry, Indira Gandhi National Tribal University, Amarkantak- 484886 India., P. Pandey Om. ,   Department of Chemistry, D.D.U Gorakhpur University Gorakhpur, India, Pin- 273009., K. Sengupta Soumitra ,   Department of Chemistry, D.D.U Gorakhpur University Gorakhpur, India, Pin- 273009.
Published: October 2021

Titanium(IV) complexes of type[(ÃƒÂŽÃ‚Â·5-C5H5)2TiCl(L)] have been synthesized by the reactions of bis(cyclopentadienyl)titanium(IV)dichloride with Schiff bases (LH) derived by the condensation of 5-(substituted aryl)-2-hydrazino-1,3,4-oxadiazole and indoline-2,3-dione in tetrahydrofuranin the presence oftriethylamine. All these complexes are soluble in PhNO2, DMF and DMSO.The complexes were characterized by elemental analyses, electrical conductance, magnetic susceptibility, UV-Vis, IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, XRD and SEM spectral techniques. Low molar conductance values indicate that they are non-electrolytes. The spectral data indicate5-coordinate geometry for the complexes.XRD pattern indicate that the complexes have monoclinic crystal system and particle sizes were found 49.36 nm (nano-size). In vitro antifungal activity of synthesized compounds was evaluated against fungi Aspergillusniger, Aspergillusflavus,ColletotrichumfalcatumandIn vitro antibacterial activity was determined by screening the compounds against gram negative (P. aeruginosa, S.typhi) and gram positive (S. aureus and B.subtilis) bacterial strains using minimum inhibition concentration method (MIC) by serial dilution technique. The titanocene(IV) complexes have higher antimicrobial effect than the parent Schiff bases.
EPIGASTRIC PULSATION: PREVALENCE AND ASSOCIATION WITH CO-MORBIDITIES IN KSA, A CROSS-SECTIONAL DESCRIPTIVE STUDY
Authors:   Assistant Professor and Consultant, Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, KSA., Abdulaziz Murad Manal , Rabie Alhamdan Majed ,   General Practionier, KSA., Mualla Alotaibi Mujib ,   General Practionier, KSA., Hassan Jafari Khalil ,   General Practionier, KSA., Mohammed Alotaibi Saud ,   General Practionier, KSA., Bani Alharbi Emad ,   General Practionier, KSA., Abdulaziz Almutairi Faisal ,   General Practionier, KSA., Saad Alrashdi Khalid ,   General Practionier, KSA., Abdullah Alghamdi Hamad ,   Medical Intern, KSA., Abdulhadi Alnaami Fajr ,   Medical Intern, KSA., Matrookalsuhaimi Turki ,   Medical Intern, KSA., Mari Alqahtani Abdulaziz ,   Medical Intern, KSA., Ali Alqahtani Mohammed ,   Medical Intern, KSA., Saleh Alghamdi Abdullah ,   Medical Intern, KSA., Abdullah Alghamdi Thamer ,   Medical Intern, KSA.
Published: October 2021

Epigastric pulsation is feeling of pulsation between the xiphoid process and the umbilicu. It can be found normally in population (especially in thin lean people) or abnormally as a sign or a symptom of other diseases, such as heart, liver, and aortic diease.This descriptive study, using a questionnaire, assesses the prevalence of epigastric pulsation among 878-case sample, the association with other diseases especially DM, smoking history and obesity. Prevalence was 51.7%. Most common diease to be associated with epigastric pulsation is gastrointestinal diseaseno. No association was found with DM. Positive association was found between smoking history and BMI, and the feeling of epigastric pulsation.
PRECONDICIONADOR PARA O PROBLEMA DE PRÉ-DESPACHO VIA MÉTODOS DE PONTOS INTERIORES
Authors: Carvalho Silvia Maria Simões de , Oliveira Aurelio Ribeiro Leite de , Peixoto Magda da Silva , Coelho Mayk Vieira
Published: October 2021

O método do pontos interiores primal-dual utilizado para minimizar os custos de geração e transmissão do pré-despacho hidrotérmico com manobras programadas e restrições de rampa. Apesar da eficiência mostrada por métodos de pontos interiores para problemas de muito grande porte, eles geralmente funcionam apenas razoavelmente quando aplicados a vários problemas de fluxo dimensional, o novo algoritmo de ponto interior especializado realizado nesse trabalho supera essa desvantagem. Esta especialização usa o método de gradiente conjugado precondicionado através de implementação da heurística de mínimo grau múltiplo para reduzir o preenchimento e consequentemente o trabalho requerido na fatoração de Cholesky para resolver um sistema linear em cada iteração do algoritmo. Este tem como idéia básica minimizar localmente o preenchimento. A cada iteração, o vértice escolhido para ser eliminado é o que possui o menor grau em um determinado grafo.
MODELO DE PREVISÃO PARA UMA SÉRIE TEMPORAL DE DADOS DE CABOTAGEM
Authors: Borges Francine da Silva , De Mattos Viviane Leite Dias
Published: October 2021

O transporte de cargas desperta o interesse da gestão pública e privada, pois afeta os interesses comerciais e de abastecimento das mercadorias, é algo que deve ser estudado. O presente artigo busca encontrar um modelo de previsão que retrate de forma fiel a série temporal dos dados de cabotagem dos anos de 1997 a 2018. Os dados utilizados na formulação dos modelos compreendem os anos de 1997 até 2013. Já os anos de 2014 até 2018 serviram para validação do modelo. Com isso, realizou-se o ajuste e posterior previsão com diferentes métodos estatísticos aplicados: Método das médias, Método Naive, Método Drift, Método de Regressão Linear, Método de Suavização Exponencial e Método de Box-Jenkins, utilizando as técnicas pertinentes de análise para cada um. Após, avaliou-se a acurácia de cada modelo estatístico estudado para a previsão. Esta etapa, foi executada com o auxílio do software R e do RStudio, além do software GRETL para comparação dos resultados e obtenção dos gráficos das previsões. Ainda, foi possível identificar que o modelo mais adequado, não foi aquele obtido pelo método mais complexo, e sim aquele obtido por um método simples a Regressão Linear. Visto que a série estudada apresenta uma tendência linear crescente e não possui sazonalidade.