bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Factors influencing the implementation and uptake of a discharge care bundle for patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a qualitative focus group study
Authors: Michas Marta , Deuchar Lesly , Leigh Richard , Bhutani Mohit , Rowe Brian H. , Stickland Michael K. , Ospina Maria B. ,   for the COPD PRIHS-2 Group, Damant Ron , Mayers Irvin , Hall Jerry , Green Lee , Yan Charles , Pendharkar Sachin , Mody Chris , Field Stephen , Walker Brandie , Lohman Tara , Roman Michael , Graham Jim , Farris Peter , Ryan Allan , Mrklas Kelly , Dubois Roberta
Published: February 2020

Background

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of the most common causes of mortality and morbidity in high-income countries. In addition to the high costs of initial hospitalization, COPD patients frequently return to the emergency department (ED) and are readmitted to hospital within 30 days of discharge. A COPD acute care discharge care bundle focused on optimizing care for patients with an acute exacerbation of COPD has been shown to reduce ED revisits and hospital readmissions. The aim of this study was to explore and understand factors influencing implementation and uptake of COPD discharge care bundle items in acute care facilities from the perspective of health care providers and patients.

Methods

Qualitative methodology was adopted. Nine focus groups were conducted using a semi-structured guide: seven with acute and primary/community health care providers and two with patients/family members. Focus groups were audiotaped, transcribed verbatim, and coded and analyzed using a thematic approach.

Results

Forty-six health care providers and 14 patients/family members participated in the focus groups. Health care providers and patients identified four factors that can challenge the implementation of COPD discharge care bundles: process of care complexities, human capacity in care settings, communication and engagement, and attitudes and perceptions towards change. Both health care providers and patients recognized process of care complexity as the most important determinant of the COPD discharge bundle uptake. Processes of care complexity include patient activities in seeking and receiving care, as well as practitioner activities in making a diagnosis and recommending or implementing treatment. Important issues linked to human capacity in care settings included time constraints, high patient volume, and limited staffing. Communication during transitions in care across settings and patient engagement were also broadly discussed. Other important issues were linked to patients’, providers’, and system attitudes towards change and level of involvement in COPD discharge bundle implementation.

Conclusions

Complexities in the process of care were perceived as the most important determinant of COPD discharge bundle implementation. Early engagement of health providers and patients in the uptake of COPD discharge bundle items as well as clear communication between acute and post-acute settings can contribute positively to bundle uptake and implementation success.
Prediagnosis cardiovascular risk and subsequent myocardial infarction (MI) among lymphoma survivors.
Authors: Salz Talya , Zabor Emily Craig , de Nully Brown Peter , Dalton Susanne Oksbjerg , Raghunathan Nirupa Jaya , Matasar Matthew J. , Steingart Richard , Hjalgrim Henrik , Specht Lena , Oeffinger Kevin C. , Johansen Christoffer
Published: February 2020

7564

Background: Chest radiation is associated with increased risk of MI among lymphoma survivors. The extent to which pre-existing cardiovascular risk factors also contribute to risk is understudied. We investigated this association among a national population of lymphoma survivors with a full range of cardiovascular risk factors. Methods: Using Danish population-based registries, we identified all adults diagnosed with aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma or Hodgkin lymphoma from 2000-2010 and followed them from 1 year after diagnosis through 2016. MI was ascertained from the nationwide Hospital Discharge Register and Cause of Death Register. Cardiovascular risk factors (hypertension, dyslipidemia, and diabetes), vascular disease, and intrinsic heart disease prevalent at lymphoma diagnosis were ascertained algorithmically using the National Prescription Register and the Hospital Discharge Register. Controlling for age, sex, histology, receipt of chest radiation, and prevalent cardiovascular diseases, we used multivariable Cox regression to test the association between pre-existing cardiovascular risk factors and subsequent MI. Results: Among 4246 survivors of lymphoma, median age at diagnosis was 60 (interquartile range 45-70 years); median follow-up was 6.9 years (range 0-16 years). 115 survivors were diagnosed with MI. Before lymphoma diagnosis, 28% of survivors had ≥1 cardiovascular risk factor, and 16% of survivors received chest radiation. In multivariable analysis, survivors who received chest radiation had an increased risk of MI compared to survivors who did not (HR=1.92 [95% CI=1.16-3.17]). Survivors with ≥1 cardiovascular risk factor had an increased risk of MI compared to survivors with none (HR = 2.44 [95% CI=1.65-3.62]). Conclusions: In a large, well-characterized, nationally representative study of contemporarily treated lymphoma survivors, prevalent hypertension, dyslipidemia, and diabetes were associated with later MI. Findings suggest that pre-existing cardiovascular risk factors confer the same amount of MI risk as does chest radiation. To prevent MI among survivors, decisions about post-treatment monitoring should address prevalent cardiovascular risk.
Validation of broad panel clinical sequencing-based genomic risk stratification in patients with advanced lung adenocarcinomas.
Authors: Whipple Sam , Martin Axel , Martinec Michael , Arbour Kathryn Cecilia , Seshan Venkatraman E. , Riely Gregory J. , Crane Gracy , Shen Ronglai
Published: February 2020

9113

Background: We recently established the ability of broad-panel clinical sequencing data to stratify overall survival of patients with advanced lung adenocarcinomas in a single institutional experience (Shen, Riely et al., JCO Precision Oncology 2019). Here we sought to assess its generalizability to a broader range of patients (including patients from multiple community and academic sites) using a different sequencing panel, with an integrated electronic health record and genomic database. Methods: We identified 2,779 next-generation sequencing-tested patients with advanced lung adenocarcinomas from the Flatiron-Foundation Medicine Clinico-Genomic database. A genomic risk model developed from the initial discovery cohort (n=1,054) was used to calculate a risk score for each patient in the validation cohort, scaled between 0 and 10, indicating the risk of cancer specific mortality. Results: Patients in the validation cohort were classified into four risk categories with median survival ranging from 37.6 months (95% CI: 32.9-43.8) in the low risk group (n=534) to 10.9 months (95% CI: 8.0-16.5) in the highest risk group (n=75), representing a hazard ratio of 3.0 (95% CI: 2.2-4.1) and closely matching the discovery cohort observations. A smaller proportion of patients were deemed high risk in the validation cohort (2.7% vs 10% in the discovery cohort). There were some differences in the frequencies of the most common genomic alterations between the validation and discovery cohorts, including TP53 (57.3% vs 55.1%) , KRAS (32.8% vs 30%), EGFR (18.6% vs 29.4%) as well as overlapping STK11 and KEAP1 co-mutations (2.4% vs 10%). Conclusions: We demonstrate that a clinical tumor sequencing-based genomic risk stratification strategy can be applied broadly across cohorts and different sequencing panels and platforms, to improve the understanding of heterogeneity in clinical outcome for patients with metastatic lung adenocarcinomas and the mutation and co-mutational patterns that underlie such heterogeneity.
Crenolanib versus midostaurin combined with induction and consolidation chemotherapy in newly diagnosed FLT3 mutated AML.
Authors: Stone Richard M. , Wang Eunice S. , Goldberg Aaron David , Sweet Kendra Lynn , Fathi Amir Tahmasb , Liu Hongtao , Messahel Boo
Published: February 2020

TPS7068

Background: Despite the approval of multi-targeted protein kinase inhibitor midostaurin for use in combination with chemotherapy which improves 5-year survival in newly diagnosed (NDx) acute myeloid leukemia (AML) associated with FLT3 mutations; the cumulative incidence of relapse in FLT3 mutant AML remains high, with progression often characterized by secondary FLT3-TKD mutations. Crenolanib is a potent pan- FLT3 inhibitor that has shown promising efficacy and tolerability in combination with chemotherapy in Phase 1/2 trials for AML patients with FLT3-ITD or - TKD mutations. This is the first globally initiated, randomized Phase 3 trial comparing the efficacy of two FLT3-TKIs, crenolanib and midostaurin, combined with intensive chemotherapy in NDx FLT3-mutated AML patients. Methods: This Phase 3, randomized, multi-center trial will be conducted at multiple sites worldwide, with a target enrollment of 510 subjects. Patient inclusion was modified to match the midostaurin RATIFY criteria to enroll NDx FLT3-mutated AML (18 – 60 yo), who are eligible for intensive chemotherapy; with the addition of any FLT3-ITD and/or -TKD mutations being eligible. All subjects will receive TKI treatment and will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive either crenolanib (arm A) or the active-control, midostaurin (arm B). All patients will be treated with 7+3 (100 mg/m2 IV cytarabine; 90 mg/m2 IV daunorubicin) and can initiate treatment while awaiting FLT3 results prior to randomization. Consolidation could include chemotherapy (3000 mg/m2 IV HiDAC) for up to 4 cycles and/or Allo-HSCT, depending on patient condition. During induction and consolidation patients on arm A will take crenolanib (100 mg TID) from d9 until 72h prior to the next cycle, and patients on arm B will take midostaurin (50 mg BID) on d8 to d21 of each cycle. Following consolidation or HSCT, patients may receive up to 12 months of FLT3-TKI maintenance. Maintenance efficacy will be evaluated over time using single-cell sequencing to assess MRD. Primary endpoint is event-free survival. Interim analyses will occur at approximately 178 and 267 events, and primary analysis at 356 events. Enrollment is underway as of January 31, 2019. Clinical trial information: NCT03258931.
Decreasing Cost and Decreasing Length of Stay After Implementation of Updated High-Dose Methotrexate Discharge Criteria
Authors: Binder Adam F. , Burdette Samantha , Galanis Patricia , Birchmeier Katlin , Handley Nathan , Piddoubny Maria
Published: February 2020

PURPOSE:

High-dose methotrexate (HD-MTX) is commonly used for the treatment of osteosarcoma or for CNS involvement in lymphoproliferative neoplasms. It is often given in the inpatient setting because of monitoring requirements after administration. We conducted a process improvement initiative to change our institutional discharge criteria for HD-MTX from 0.05 µmol/L to ≤ 0.1 µmol/L to reduce cost and length of stay (LOS) for this patient population.

METHODS:

After an assessment of drivers of LOS among patients receiving HD-MTX, we identified discharge criteria as an actionable factor. We developed a workflow to discharge patients with 3 days of oral leucovorin and sodium bicarbonate when the methotrexate level reached ≤ 0.1 µmol/L. Patient demographics, chemotherapy regimen, cycle, dose, and LOS data were collected for a 7-month period before and a 4-month period after the intervention. Cost savings were estimated on the basis of the daily cost of a hospital bed at the institution.

RESULTS:

Mean LOS for the pre-intervention and postintervention group was 4.84 days (n = 49) and 3.67 days (n = 42), respectively, resulting in a 24.4% reduction in LOS, with a mean ratio of 0.756 (95% CI, 0.615 to 0.927; P = .007). Reduced LOS resulted in a decrease in cost of $1,828.73 per admission, with a 4-month savings of $76, 806.56 and projected annualized savings of $230,419.67. No patient experienced complications because of the change in discharge criteria.

CONCLUSION:

Liberalizing discharge criteria for HD-MTX was feasible and safe and reduced cost. Additional efforts to reduce LOS for elective chemotherapy admissions or to safely transition some of these complex regimens to the home setting are currently underway at our institution.
Introduction
Authors: Haines Christian P. , Hitchcock Peter
Published: February 2020

This article introduces the dossier “Is There a Place for the Commons?” by briefly explaining the concepts of the common (no s) and the commons (with an s) in terms of their philosophical, political, social, and historical trajectories. It examines the tension between the universalizing aspiration of the common as a political project and the particular social situations of the commons. It emphasizes the commons as praxis, that is, as a practice that takes place in the world without being reducible to place. In doing so, it also considers the vexed relationship between the commons and state sovereignty, the way in which the common functions as a placeholder for revolutionary subjectivity, the significance of ecology for the commons and vice versa, and the importance of queer, indigenous, feminist, and minoritarian commons for understanding what it means “to common” within and against capitalism.
A Biopolitics of the Commons
Authors: McClennen Sophia A.
Published: February 2020

The violence that surrounded the 2016 Standing Rock protests was clearly a sign of a militarized police state protecting profit over people, but it was also a reminder of a long legacy of systemic racism toward the first peoples of this nation. The author argues that the example of Standing Rock allows us to see the convergence and conflict among neoliberal biopolitics, white environmentalism, and the notion of the commons.
The Plantationocene and the Performative Commons
Authors: Dillon Elizabeth Maddock
Published: February 2020

This article proposes that the commons is best understood as a relation among people, land, water, flora, and fauna that requires performance. The “performative commons” takes place in opposition to the alienating and disentangling work of the plantation machine and the systemic disarticulation of lifeworlds that marked the onset of racial capitalism and an epochal transformation of the earth identifiable as the Plantationocene.
ACT-UP and the Queer Commons
Authors: Grattan Sean
Published: February 2020

Focusing on the way that ACT-UP actually achieved many of its goals while also creating a commons around belonging, protest, and disability, this article interrogates the displaced position of ACT-UP and AIDS organizing and protest in recent discussions of the commons and protest more generally. Drawing on short readings of Sarah Schulman’s People in Trouble and David Feinberg’s Queer and Loathing, this article invokes the importance of not forgetting the power of protest during ACT-UP to envision the world as something other than it is and to necessarily dwell in the utopian possibilities opened up by this particular queer commons.
The Indigenous Commons
Authors: Hegeman Susan
Published: February 2020

The concept of the commons is central to an argument that connects indigenous people and their struggles both to global politics and to radical reconceptualizations of the relationships among knowledges, resources, and human communities. This article considers the use of the idea of a commons in water and atmosphere in the 2016 protest on the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation against the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline. It also contextualizes the concept of the commons in relation to the historical expropriation of land from native peoples in North America.
Developmental changes in bone mechanics from Florida manatees (Trichechus manatus latirostris), obligate swimming mammals
Authors: Ingle D. N. , Porter M. E.
Published: February 2020

Mammals living in aquatic environments load their axial skeletons differently than their terrestrial counterparts. The structure and mechanical behavior of trabecular bone can be especially indicative of varying habitual forces. Here, we investigate vertebral trabecular bone mechanical properties (yield strength, stiffness, and toughness) throughout development in Florida manatees (Trichechus manatus latirostris), obligate undulatory swimmers. Thoracic, lumbar, and caudal vertebrae were dissected from manatees (N=20) during necropsies. We extracted 6 mm3 samples from vertebral bodies and tested them in compression in three orientations (rostrocaudal, dorsoventral, and mediolateral) at 2 mm min−1. We determined variation in mechanical properties between sexes, and among developmental stages, vertebral regions, and testing orientations. We also investigated the relationships between vertebral process lengths and properties of dorsoventrally and mediolaterally-tested bone. Rostrocaudally-tested bone was the strongest, stiffest, and toughest, suggesting that this is the principle direction of stress. Our results showed that bone from female subadults was stronger and stiffer than their male counterparts; based on these data we hypothesize hormonal shifts at sexual maturity may partially drive these differences. In calves, bone from the posterior region was stronger and tougher than from the anterior region. We hypothesize that since animals grows rapidly throughout early development, bone in the posterior region would be the most ossified to support the rostrocaudal force propagation associated with undulatory swimming.
Aliphatic Oxaboroles Enabling Remarkable Recognition of Diols
Authors: Arakawa Nozomi , Nagao Kazunori , Murakami Ryo , Sumida Yuto , Arakawa Hiroshi , Inagaki Fuyuhiko , Ohmiya Hirohisa
Published: February 2020

5-Membered ring aliphatic oxaboroles revealed unique characteristics in their reactivity with diols. The aliphatic oxaborole derivatives exhibited a higher complexation activity for Alizarin Red S than phenyl-, alkylboronic acid, benzoxaborole, and oxaborin. Furthermore, the sugar recognition ability depended on the chirality of the aliphatic boroles.
Painful Medial Ankle in a Young Dancer: A Case Report of a Symptomatic Secondary Ossification Center of the Medial Malleolus
Authors: Zhang Mandy , Wong Yue Shuen
Published: February 2020

An osseous fragment at the distal tip of the medial malleolus in a skeletally immature individual may represent a secondary ossification center and should not always be interpreted as a fracture. In this case study of a young dance student presenting with bilateral medial ankle pain,
we postulated that hindfoot valgus, in combination with extreme loads placed on the foot during ballet training, increased stresses at the medial malleolus and accessory physis. Our patient was treated conservatively for symptomatic secondary ossification of medial malleolus and she returned
to dance class at 6 months.
Financial Models of the Largest Global Companies in the Global 500 List: Financial Leverage, Return on Equity, Debt Servicing
Authors: Lihachev O. , Kupriyashina N.
Published: February 2020

The article is devoted to the analysis of approaches to financing the business activities of large companies of the Fortune Global 500 list, one of the most popular rating lists today. The selection of the optimal financing model is one of the key issues in the development of the modern market.
Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Activities: Results and Problems
Authors: Guttsayt E.
Published: February 2020

The article deals with diverse aspects of assessing the effectiveness of measures. The main components of this efficiency are analyzed: the costs of the event, direct and indirect effects of its implementation. We investigate the situation when all these components of efficiency are fully known, and the more common situation when the valuation of at least some of them is unknown. Difficulties of cost estimation of components of this efficiency are studied and recommendations on their overcoming are given. A number of examples of such assessment, including audit ones, are given.
Alcohol-related brain damage: diagnosis, treatment and medical management
Authors: Nazarko Linda
Published: February 2020

Alcohol misuse is often a hidden problem and alcohol-related brain damage is thought to account for around 10% of cases of dementia ( Gupta and Warner, 2008 ; Brust, 2010 ). In England, an estimated 589 101 adults are alcohol-dependent and 24% of adults in England and Scotland regularly drink more than Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) guidelines ( Burton et al, 2016 ). Alcohol misuse can affect many aspects of health and can lead to alcohol-related brain damage (ARBD). This article explains about the pathophysiology and clinical features of ARBD, and how it is diagnosed, treated and managed.
Consent conundrums: patient consent in neuroscience nursing
Authors: Finch John
Published: February 2020

In BJNN 15(4) and BJNN 15(5), John Finch looked in detail at the role of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and its accompanying Code in the practice of neuroscience nurses. He concluded, as have others, that the guidance offered by the Act and the Code falls short of what neuroscience nurses need in their practice. In this article, he turns his attention to the treatment of patients who can and do consent to proposed treatment. The law relating to such patients in this matter offers neither an act nor a code. The law is to be found in court decisions. It might, at first sight, appear that a practice situation in which a patient with undoubted mental capacity or, at least, sufficient mental capacity to understand and accept what is proposed, presents no legal problem. But a closer examination of mental processes encountered in patients who may be in pain, distress and pressing need reveals that communication between the treater and the treated may be subtle and complex, and that the meeting of minds required in law to ensure that a patient has genuinely agreed to a detailed proposal is anything but simple.
Adopting evidence-based guidelines for acute stroke care: barriers and enablers for health professionals
Authors: Harrison Joanna , Timoroksa Anne-Marie , Gregary Bindu , Hill James Edward
Published: February 2020

An evidence summary based on the systematic review: Baatiema L, Otim ME, Mnatzaganian G, de-Graft Aikins A, Coombes J, Somerset S. Health professionals' views on the barriers and enablers to evidence-based practice for acute stroke care: a systematic review. Implement Sci. 2017;12:74. 10.1186/s13012-017-0599-3

Evidence-based practice is the keystone of clinical practice, policy and management. Despite this, a knowledge-to-practice gap still exists, and it is estimated to take 17 years for evidence to be translated into clinical practice. The reasons for slow translation in acute stroke care are not completely understood.
Advance care planning: the who, what, when, where and why
Authors: Steel Anna J , Owen Lucy H
Published: February 2020

Advance care planning is an opportunity for patients to express their priorities for future care. NHS England has outlined a commitment to end-of-life care, advocating a shift towards more patient-centred care. The NHS is encouraging the workforce to engage patients in conversations about what is important to them, shifting the focus from ‘what is wrong with you’ to ‘what matters to you’. Traditionally, this was seen as the doctor's role but this conversation can and should happen with the wider skilled medical workforce. The key to advance care planning is to have these conversations early on when patients have the capacity to discuss their preferences for care. Advance care planning can occur in any setting where the patient is comfortable to have the conversation, be that at home, in the GP surgery, in hospital or another setting. Patients with advance care plans are more likely to have their wishes respected, have fewer unwanted interventions, experience reduced transitions between care settings and are more likely to die in their preferred place of death. Healthcare professionals have a duty to offer advance care planning to patients nearing the last phase of life so that care can be delivered to honour individual needs at the end of life.
Productivity and Profitability of Four Crop Rotations under Limited Irrigation
Authors: Schlegel Alan J , Assefa Yared , O’Brien Daniel
Published: February 2020

Abstract. Selection of optimal crops and cropping systems for most efficient water use specific for local environments can improve global water security. Limited irrigation with ground water is one alternative to alleviate crops from low amount or unevenly distributed water in the growing seasons in semi-arid regions. The main objectives of this research were to quantify yield-water use relationships of three limited irrigated crops, determine effect of crop selection on profitability with limited irrigation, and identify profitable and alternative crop production systems. A field study was conducted at the Kansas State University Southwest Research-Extension Center near Tribune, Kansas, from 2012 through 2017. There were four treatments in the study, two 1-yr systems of continuous corn ( L.) (C-C) and continuous grain sorghum (L.) (GS-GS) and two 2-yr rotations of corn-grain sorghum (C-GS) and corn-winter wheat ( L.) (C-W). Overall corn yield after wheat (C-W) was about 1.4 Mg (ha)-1 greater than C-C. Corn and sorghum yields were similar grown as monoculture or in rotation with each other. Available soil water at corn planting and during the growing season were 20 to 40 mm (240 cm profile-1) less in the C-GS rotation compared with C-C and C-W rotations. Corn yield increased as water use (yield-water use) increased in C-W rotation but yield-water use relationships tended to be negative in C-C and C-GS rotations. Grain sorghum yield increased with water use in both rotations but at a greater rate in GS-GS compared with C-GS. Despite greater corn grain yield in C-W, our economic analysis showed that wheat was the least profitable of the three crops causing the C-W rotation to be least profitable. In this study, the most profitable limited irrigation crop rotation was corn-grain sorghum (C-GS). Keywords: Corn-sorghum-wheat, Crop rotation, Limited irrigation, Profitability, Supplementary irrigation, Sustainability.
Factory-Calibrated Soil Water Sensor Performance Using Multiple Installation Orientations and Depths
Authors: Marek Gary W. , Marek Thomas H. , Heflin Kevin R. , Porter Dana O. , Moorhead Jerry E. , Schwartz Robert C. , Brauer David K.
Published: February 2020

Abstract. The use of soil water sensors is commonly advocated to aid and improve irrigation management in crop production systems. However, there are concerns about how sensor type, installation technique, sensor orientation, and soil texture may affect sensor accuracy. A field study was conducted to compare the performance of three commercially available soil water sensors (Acclima 315L, Decagon GS1, and Campbell Scientific 655) and a soil water potential sensor (Watermark 200SS) using different installation orientations of horizontal insertion, laid horizontal placement, and vertical insertion at depths of 15, 46, and 76 cm (6, 18, and 30 in.) in an irrigated clay loam soil field. Results indicated all sensors demonstrated similar trends of soil water content in response to wetting events (precipitation and irrigation) at the 15 cm depth following a 4-month settling period prior from the start of the growing season. Comparatively, the Acclima 315L performed well using horizontal insertion compared to calibrated neutron moisture meters (NMMs) at depths of 46 and 76 cm with R2 of 0.73 and 0.96 and slopes of 1.36 and 1.47, respectively. In addition, water storage in the 0.9 m soil profile integrated using the horizontally inserted Acclima 315L across the three depths matched closely with profile water storage determined by the NMMs with a mean difference (MD) and root mean square error (RMSE) of 25.7 and 36.4 mm. However, site-specific corrections or calibrations for each sensor type are required for accurate soil water content estimations with this clay loam soil for irrigation management applications. Keywords: Corn, Irrigation management, Neutron moisture meter, Soil water content, Soil water sensors, Semi-arid region.
Application of RS/GIS in Conservation Studies for Surface and Groundwater Harvesting in Cold Arid Regions of Northwestern Himalayas
Authors: Khan Junaid N. , Ali Syed Rouhullah , Jillani Asima , Ashraf Ifra
Published: February 2020

Abstract.

The availability of erratic rainfall and high evapotranspiration causes temporal and spatial variability of water thereby causing crop yield reduction and crop failure. The potential of water harvesting (WH) both groundwater as well as surface water to mitigate the spatial and temporal variability of precipitation. One technique for water harvesting (WH) is to collect excess runoff water both rain and snowmelt, store it for agricultural purposes during dry spells. The present work accentuated the expediency of remote sensing (RS) and geographic information system (GIS) applications in water harvesting studies. The resultant water harvesting potential map prepared was thus classified into three WH potential zones namely, high, medium and low covering an area of 32.82, 10320.10, and 7596.18 ha (<1%, 57.49%, and 42.32%) respectively. The groundwater map in the area was also classified as high potential areas covering 1421.69 ha (7.92%), medium potential areas covering 8762.69 ha (48.81%), and low potential areas covering 7764.72 ha (43.25%). The integrated remote sensing (RS), Geographical Information System (GIS), Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT), and analytical hierarchy process (AHP) were found to be efficient methods to recover water and to select suitable water and groundwater harvesting sites in order to ensure better water accessibility to the people for domestic, irrigation and other activities in cold arid regions of northwestern Himalayas. Keywords: Analytical hierarchy process, Geographic Information System, Groundwater harvesting, Remote sensing, Spatial variability, Temporal variability, Water harvesting.
Mathematical Modelling, Moisture Transport, Shrinkage and Nutrient Content Properties in Drying Selected African Leafy Vegetables
Authors: Mutuli Gibson P , Mbuge Duncan O , Gitau Ayub N
Published: February 2020

Highlights

Page model best described their drying pattern at moisture content above 0.5 w.b.

Shrinkage linearly correlates to moisture loss.

Activation energy correlates to air temperature.

Vitamins A, C, and E are preserved by drying and storage.

ABSTRACT. The study investigated physical, thermodynamic, and nutritional properties with drying and storage of selected African green leafy vegetables. The vegetables studied were: (Jute Mallow), (Slender Leaf), (Cowpea), (Nightshade), and (Amaranthus). Drying experiment was done at 30°C, 40°C, and 50°C in a convective laboratory dryer and drying was pattern fitted to existing models, moisture diffusivity, and activation energy trends were determined, shrinkage was determined from change in leaf thickness, and vitamins A, C, and E were analyzed using spectroscopy and high-pressure liquid chromatography as freshly harvested and after drying at 40°C and storage for 60 days. Results showed that drying occurred in the falling rate period and Page model could simulate the drying pattern of the vegetables with a ˜97% correlation between the empirical and predicted values with the model prediction being precise above 0.5 moisture content on wet basis (w.b.). Shrinkage was found to be a function of moisture loss at a range of 89% to 98% linear correlation. The rate of moisture loss and activation energy correlated with air temperature. The trend in the drying characteristics and moisture transport of the vegetables was unique with each vegetable. Drying at 40°C and storage for 60 days realized a retention in the scale range of 50% to 75% for vitamins A, C, and E. The study showed that drying is an effective way to preserve the vegetables. Keywords: Mathematical modeling, Mass transfer, Nutrient preservation, Shrinkage, Thermodynamic properties.
Inactivation of Aerosolized Newcastle Disease Virus with Non-thermal Plasma
Authors: Schiappacasse Charles , Peng Peng , Zhou Nan , Liu Xiaoying , Zhai Jie , Cheng Yanling , Shao J. , Verma V. , Singh N. , Chen P. , Janni, K.  A. , Liang Y. , Noll S. , Ruan R.  R.
Published: February 2020

Highlights

Non-thermal plasma treatment completely inactivated Newcastle disease virus (NDV).

Higher airborne virus concentrations at lower humidity levels & higher flow rates.

Nebulization (20 min) did not inactivate NDV .

Abstract.The airborne transmission of poultry viruses, such as Newcastle disease virus, is major health and economic concern. The poultry industry currently lacks a cost-effective solution to prevent airborne transmission. The present study explored non-thermal plasma’s ability to inactivate poultry viruses, by challenging a laboratory-scale non-thermal plasma reactor with aerosolized Newcastle disease virus at increasing flow rates (i.e., decreased direct treatment time). Viruses were inactivated below the green fluorescent protein (GFP) focus-forming units per mL (GFU/mL) limit of detection at the flow rates 18, 23, and 28 liters per minute (LPM). However, this study did not differentiate between inactivation effects caused by direct NTP treatment and indirect NTP treatment (viruses exposed to ozone after collection on gelatin membrane filters). A strong relationship (R2 =.99) was observed between decreasing relative humidity and increasing airborne virus concentrations. Twenty minutes of nebulization did not significantly change liquid virus concentration in the nebulizer. Keywords: Aerosol, Airborne, Newcastle disease, Non-thermal, Pathogen, Plasma, Virus.
Developing a Graphical User Interface (GUI) to Predict the Contamination of GM Corn in Non-GM Corn
Authors: Salish Karthik , Mosher Gretchen A , Ambrose R. P. Kingsly
Published: February 2020

Highlights

A GUI tool was developed to predict the adventitious presence in non-GM produce.

The software calculates tolerance and the probability of GM corn in non-GM corn.

Predicted probability of contamination ranged from 0.050 to 0.356 at tolerance levels ranging from 0.1% to 5.0%.

Abstract. The current rate of population growth necessitates the use of viable technologies like genetic modification to address estimated global food and feed requirements. However, in recent years, there has been an increase in resistance against the diffusion of genetic modification technology around the world. Many countries have adopted coexistence policies to allow a certain percentage of adventitious presence in non-genetically modified crops. However, the tolerance percentage for adventitious presence has been a bottleneck to free trade in some cases. It is a challenging task to fix a tolerance percentage considering the level of permeation of genetic modification technology in agriculture. This article introduces a software developed to serve as a decision-making tool to predict the probability distribution of genetically modified (GM) contamination in non-GM grain lot using user inputs such as final quantity of processed corn, overall tolerance level, and moisture content. The output from the software includes the mass of corn in each processing stage, the tolerance level and the probability distribution of potential GM contamination. The software predicted the probability of contamination with adventitious presence at tolerance levels of 5.0%, 3.0%, 1.0%, 0.9%, 0.5%, and 0.1% as 0.05, 0.07, 0.11, 0.12, 0.16, and 0.36, respectively. The predictions from the model were compared to a similar study wherein the effect of tolerance levels incurred in the costs of segregation was studied. The mean absolute percentage error for the predictions was found to be 3.07%. This software can be used as a tool in testing GM contamination in non-GM grain against a desired threshold levels in a grain elevator. Keywords: Corn, Genetic modification, Graphical User Interface (GUI), Threshold level.
O DESENHO DA CARRANCA E SEUS SIGNIFICADOS
Authors: Miranda Rosélia Sampaio de
Published: February 2020

O presente trabalho tem por objetivo apresentar a simbologia da imagem da Carranca e de uma variedade de personagens folclóricos que habita o Rio São Francisco, bem como suas respectivas influências imagéticas na vida do povo ribeirinho. Estudamos a escultura, suas influências e contribuições para o reconhecimento da cultura visual de um povo. A nossa abordagem está fundamentada no estudo das personagens relacionadas a este amuleto, envolvendo as mais variadas nuances expressivas e interpretações dessa escultura imagética dos ribeirinhos.
VINHETAS, CRÉDITOS INCIAIS OU ABERTURAS: UMA TRAJETÓRIA
Authors: Lima Rafaelle dos Santos
Published: February 2020

As aberturas, créditos iniciais ou vinhetas, são um produto que está presente em diversos meios de comunicação e seus formatos, age como um elemento identificador destes. Este trabalho tem por finalidade historicisar o que chamamos hoje de aberturas nas plataformas de video digital. Identificar suas funções e importância na comunicação, em especial para os audiovisuais. Para tanto utilizaremos Aznar (1997) como apoio teórico e outros autores que coadunam com seus pensamentos, no intento de atualizar as discussões e/ou os conhecimentos sobre as aberturas que estão em franco desenvolvimento e modificação em paralelo com a sociedade e suas tecnologias. O presente trabalho foi realizado com apoio da Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - Brasil (CAPES) - Código de Financiamento 001.
O MÉTODO ICONOGRÁFICO COMO FERRAMENTA PARA ANÁLISE E INTERPRETAÇÃO DOS TEXTOS MULTIMODAIS PRESENTES EM AVALIAÇÕES DE LÍNGUA ESPANHOLA.
Authors: Silva Denise Pereira da
Published: February 2020

Este artigo é fruto das pesquisas desenvolvidas no mestrado em Desenho, Cultura e Interatividade e tem como tema o estudo do uso do método iconológico como ferramenta facilitadora na leitura das imagens presentes nas avaliações de língua espanhola. Para tanto, tomamos como corpus as questões do Exame Nacional do Ensino Médio (ENEM), dos anos de 2013 e 2015. Este trabalho se justifica dado o uso cada vez mais intenso de textos multissemióticos em avaliações, exames, livros didáticos, e na mídia em geral. Porém, na contramão desta constatação, ainda não se verifica uso e emprego de métodos para a compreensão destes textos no âmbito do ensino de língua estrangeira, no caso aqui especificamente do espanhol. Diante desse panorama, e visando contribuir para uma melhor práxis educativa, buscamos entender o conceito de imagem, e seu uso nas questões avaliativas, em seguida apresentamos o método iconológico - também conhecido como método de Panofsky (1932), o qual fornecem subsídios para a leitura imagética e posterior resolução das questões. Entendemos que, da mesma forma que é necessário aprender a ler os signos fônicos, também a leitura e interpretação de imagens perpassa por um aprendizado – a chamada, educação visual. Assim que, propomos, aqui, o uso da iconologia como uma das possíveis pontes entre a imagem e a sua leitura.
OS JOGOS DIGITAIS NA APRENDIZAGEM DE DESENHO: UMA INTERAÇÃO DE SABERES
Authors: Fonseca Cibele Silva dos Santos da
Published: February 2020

O texto apresenta um ensaio sobre a importância da utilização de jogos digitais no processo de ensino e aprendizagem de Desenho enquanto linguagem de interação e fonte de conhecimento, potencializando o conhecimento através do espaço virtual e conduzindo à investigação do uso de jogos digitais em sala de aula como instrumento auxiliador de aprendizagens e desenvolvimento de saberes geométricos, memórias e habilidades cognitivas, propondo uma possível valorização da disciplina.
Label-free optical imaging in developmental biology [Invited]
Authors: Wang Shang , Larina Irina V. , Larin Kirill V.
Published: February 2020

Application of optical imaging in developmental biology marks an exciting frontier in biomedical optics. Optical resolution and imaging depth allow for investigation of growing embryos at subcellular, cellular, and whole organism levels, while the complexity and variety of embryonic processes set multiple challenges stimulating the development of various live dynamic embryonic imaging approaches. Among other optical methods, label-free optical techniques attract an increasing interest as they allow investigation of developmental mechanisms without application of exogenous markers or fluorescent reporters. There has been a boost in development of label-free optical imaging techniques for studying embryonic development in animal models over the last decade, which revealed new information about early development and created new areas for investigation. Here, we review the recent progress in label-free optical embryonic imaging, discuss specific applications, and comment on future developments at the interface of photonics, engineering, and developmental biology.
Introduction to the Photonic Networks and Devices (NETWORKS) Special Issue
Authors: Furdek Marija , Caplan David , Fiorentino Marco
Published: February 2020

This special issue comprises extended versions of some of the top-scored papers that were presented at the OSA Photonic Networks and Devices (NETWORKS) meeting that was part of the OSA Advanced Photonics Congress held in Burlingame, California, USA, July 29–August 1, 2019. Here, we highlight relevant topics from included papers relating to photonic communication network development.
Ground-based FTIR observation of hydrogen chloride (HCl) over Hefei, China, and comparisons with GEOS-Chem model data and other ground-based FTIR stations data
Authors: Yin Hao , Sun Youwen , Liu Cheng , Lu Xiao , Smale Dan , Blumenstock Thomas , Nagahama Tomoo , Wang Wei , Tian Yuan , Hu Qihou , Shan Changgong , Zhang Huifang , Liu Jianguo
Published: February 2020

In this study, the characterization of Hydrogen Chloride (HCl) seasonal variations and inter-annual linear trend are presented for the first time over the polluted region at Hefei (117°10’E, 31°54’N), China. The time series of HCl were retrieved by the mid-infrared (MIR) solar spectra recorded by the ground-based high-resolution Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) between July, 2015 and April, 2019. The magnitude of HCl reaches a peak in January (2.70 ± 0.16) × 1015 molecules*cm-2 and a minimum in September (2.27 ± 0.09) × 1015 molecules*cm-2. The four-year time series of HCl total column show a negative linear trend of (-1.83 ± 0.13) %. The FTIR data are compared with GEOS-Chem data in order to evaluate the performance of the GEOS-Chem model to simulate HCl. In general, total column FTIR data and GEOS-Chem model data are in a good agreement with a correlation coefficient of 0.82. GEOS-Chem model data present a good agreement with FTIR data in seasonal variation and inter-annul trend. The maximum differences occur in January and April with mean differences of 4%-6%. We also present HCl time series observed by 6 NDACC stations (Bremen, Toronto, Rikubetsu, Izana, Reunion.maido, Lauder) in low-middle-latitude sites of the northern and southern hemispheres and Hefei stations in order to investigate the seasonal and annual trends of HCl in low-middle-latitude sites. The HCl total column at the northern hemisphere stations reached the maximum in the late winter or early spring and the minimum in the early winter or late autumn. In general, the seasonal variations of HCl over Hefei is similar to that in other northern hemisphere mid-latitude FTIR stations.
27 W 2.1 µm OPCPA system for coherent soft X-ray generation operating at 10 kHz
Authors: Feng Tianli , Heilmann Anke , Bock Martin , Ehrentraut Lutz , Witting Tobias , Yu Haohai , Stiel Holger , Eisebitt Stefan , Schnürer Matthias
Published: February 2020

We developed a high power optical parametric chirped-pulse amplification (OPCPA) system at 2.1 µm harnessing a 500 W Yb:YAG thin disk laser as the only pump and signal generation source. The OPCPA system operates at 10 kHz with a single pulse energy of up to 2.7 mJ and pulse duration of 30 fs. The maximum average output power of 27 W sets a new record for an OPCPA system in the 2 µm wavelength region. The soft X-ray continuum generated through high harmonic generation with this driver laser can extend to around 0.55 keV, thus covering the entire water window (284 eV - 543 eV). With a repetition rate still enabling pump-probe experiments on solid samples, the system can be used for many applications.
Saturation regime of THz generation in nonlinear crystals by pumps with arbitrary spectral modulations
Authors: Curcio A. , Petrarca M.
Published: February 2020

A self-consistent analytic formalism of the description of saturation effects in optical rectification is provided. It is shown that a nonlinear absorption term arises from this process that is dominant over two-photon absorption, deriving instead from the nonlinear susceptibility of the third order. An analytical expression for the saturation intensity is provided and compared to experiments in literature. Moreover, it is shown how the saturation effects modify the transfer of the pump spectral phase and amplitude into the terahertz domain.
2.9  µm lasing from a Ho3+/Pr3+ co-doped AlF3-based glass fiber pumped by a 1150  nm laser: publisher’s note
Authors: Wang Shunbin , Zhang Jiquan , Xu Niannian , Jia Shijie , Brambilla Gilberto , Wang Pengfei
Published: February 2020

This publisher’s note contains corrections to Opt. Lett. 45,
1216 (2020).
Effect of ultra-precision fly-cutting on the surface integrity of potassium dihydrogen phosphate crystals
Authors: Zhang Yong , Hou Ning , Zhang Liangchi
Published: February 2020

The surface integrity of a potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KDP) crystal significantly affects the laser damage threshold of the material. However, the detection of the surface integrity of KDP crystals is difficult due to the material’s special properties including soft, brittle, and sensitive to external environments (e.g., humidity, temperature, and applied stress). This results in conventional characterization methods, such as transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM), which cannot be used to study the mechanisms of surface/subsurface damages of KDP crystals. This paper investigates the ultra-precision fly-cutting effect on the surface integrity of KDP crystals. To explore the fundamentals, nanoindentation was used. The results demonstrated that the elastic-plastic deformation of a KDP crystal occurs more easily on a machined surface than on a cleaved (damage-free) surface. The elastic modulus and hardness of the former surface are lower than that of the latter. Additionally, fly-cutting reduces the anisotropy of the elastic modulus and hardness. To explore the mechanisms behind such variations, a novel method to characterize subsurface damage was proposed by using the grazing incidence X-ray diffraction (GIXD) technique. It was identified that the damages induced by fly-cutting are dislocations and lattice misalignments.