bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Carcass traits and meat quality of steers on pasture submitted to different dietary supplementation
Authors: Menezes Bruna Biava de , Fernandes Henrique Jorge , Morais Maria da Graça , Rosa Edneia Pereira , Souza Andrea Roberto Duarte Lopes , Feijó Gelson Luis Dias , Franco Gumercindo Loriano
Published: September 2019

This study aimed at evaluating carcass traits and meat quality of Nellore steers on pasture submitted to different dietary supplementation strategies. The 32 Nellore animals tested (8 ± 0.6 months) were raised under rotational grazing on Brachiaria brizantha cv. Piatã (syn. Urochloa brizantha cv. Piatã) pasture and distributed in four treatments: supply of mineral salt ad libitum in the growth and finishing phases (MSGF); concentrate supplementation only during the growth phase (CG); concentrate supplementation only during the finishing phase (CF) and concentrate supplementation the growth and finishing phases (CGF). The concentrated supplement was supplied at 0.5% of body weight and mineral ad libitum. The steers were slaughtered when more than 50% of the lot of each treatment reached 450 kg body weight. The mean the hot and cold carcass weight and subcutaneous fat thickness did not differ between treatments (P > 0.05). The calves the treatment CF and CGF showed a larger rib-eye area and higher ether extract levels in the Longissimus dorsi muscle than in MSGF and CG (P < 0.05). Mean shearing force was similar between treatments (P > 0.05). The use of feeding strategies on pasture with concentrate supplementation in the growth and finishing phases of Nellore cattle anticipates slaughter in 92 days and produces carcasses and meat with satisfactory traits.
Productivity and nutritional value of elephant grass BRS Canará forage
Authors: Ferreira Eduardo André , Abreu Joadil Gonçalves de , Martinez Junio Cesar , Amorim Ricardo Santos Silva , Behling Neto Arthur , Cabral Carlos Eduardo Avelino , Braz Thiago Gomes dos Santos , Silva Júnior Carlos Alberto , Ferreira Daniel Paulo
Published: September 2019

The goal was to determine the ideal cutting age of elephant grass BRS Canará for forage production in the dry and rainy seasons. The experimental design comprised randomized blocks, with five treatments (42, 56, 70, 84, and 98 days in the dry season and 42, 60, 76, 91, and 105 days of regrowth in the rainy season) and four replications each. Agronomic, morphological, and chemical characteristics were evaluated. In the dry season, there was a significant quadratic response for plant height and leaf blade length. For the other characteristics, a significant linear response was observed, except stem diameter. In the rainy season, a quadratic response for the leaf blade length, leaf blade width, and leaf:stem ratio was observed. For the other characteristics, there was a significant linear effect, except for the percentage of dead material. In the dry season, a verified linear response was observed for the chemical characteristics, except neutral detergent insoluble protein. In the rainy season, a linear response was verified for all evaluated characteristics, except acid detergent insoluble protein. Elephant grass BRS Canará for forage production should be cut between 70 and 85 days in the dry season and between 60 and 70 days of regrowth in the rainy season.
Productivity and morphological composition of Xaraés palisade grass under three light intensities
Authors: Gomes Vinicius Carreteiro , Barros Juliana da Silva , Meirelles Paulo Roberto de Lima , Costa Ciniro , Santana Erikelly Aline Ribeiro de , Pariz Cristiano Magalhães , Sousa Daniel Martins de , Castilhos André Michel de
Published: September 2019

The adaptation of Urochloa brizantha to Brazilian ecosystems and the use of artificial shading in low light production studies are important tools to obtain productive responses and to know the behavior of plants when used in integration with arboreal components. The experiment was conducted at the FMVZ - UNESP in Botucatu city, São Paulo state, Brazil. The study aimed to evaluate the yield of U. brizantha (syn Brachiaria brizantha) cv. Xaraés (Xaraés palisade grass) under three light intensities and four cuts. The experimental design was a randomized block with three treatments (natural luminosity, 30% light reduction, and 60% light reduction), three replicates and four cuts. The following morphological components were determined: leaf area index (LAI), forage accumulation rate (FAR), total forage mass (TFM), stem yield (SY), leaf yield (LY), and dead material yield (DMY). Light intensity influenced grass productivity, and the best performance was reached under 60% shading, which had higher values of TFM, LY, SY, LAI, and FAR if compared to natural luminosity. Thus, a reduction of 60% in light intensity showed to be the most productive and the best alternative under those conditions.
Carcass traits of sheep fed banana pseudostem hay
Authors: Silveira Junior José Assunção , Pedreira Márcio dos Santos , Cruz Christian Albert Carvalho da , Santos-Cruz Cristiane Leal dos , Freitas Cláudio Eduardo Silva , Oliveira Alana Alves de , Soares Maxwelder Santos , Silva Henrique Almeida da
Published: September 2019

The objective of this study was to evaluate carcass yield, measurements, cuts, and fat deposition of sheep fed banana pseudostem hay and Tifton 85 grass hay, with or without virginiamycin. Thirty-three uncastrated male Dorper × Santa Ines crossbred lambs at five months of age, with an average body weight of 25.00 ± 1.95 kg, were used in a feedlot experiment. The following four diets were evaluated: Tifton 85 grass hay plus concentrate with virginiamycin, banana pseudostem hay replacing 60% of Tifton 85 grass hay plus concentrate with virginiamycin, Tifton 85 grass hay plus concentrate without virginiamycin, and banana pseudostem hay replacing 60% of Tifton 85 grass hay plus concentrate without virginiamycin. The experiment was set in a completely randomized design, in a factorial scheme, using orthogonal contrasts. The diet replacing 60% Tifton 85 grass hay by banana pseudostem hay without virginiamycin had no effect on carcass traits. The combination of virginiamycin and Tifton 85 grass hay provided increases in warm carcass weight, warm carcass yield, spine, omental and mesenteric fat deposition, and, regardless of roughage, increases in the thoracic perimeter.
A foto jornalística como discurso e campo fértil de produção de sentidos
Authors: Barcelos Janaina Dias
Published: September 2019

Este artigo apresenta parte das discussões teóricas da tese “Imagem e produção de sentido sobre favelas cariocas em fotos jornalísticas”, ao retomar o debate sobre o caráter aparentemente objetivo da foto e o risco de assimilar-se o visto sem considerar seus elementos culturais e ideológicos, para pensar sobre o discurso fotojornalístico e os sentidos que ele pode engendrar, direcionando o olhar para determinadas visões de mundo.
O trauma nas imagens após Chernobyl
Authors: Azevedo Dunya Pinto
Published: September 2019

Este artigo propõe uma reflexão sobre a fotografia documental contemporânea ligada ao trauma após o acidente nuclear de Chernobyl, na Ucrânia, em 1986. Pretendemos investigar como os vestígios do trauma se inscrevem nas imagens. Tomaremos como corpus empírico algumas imagens do fotografo francês Guillaume Herbaut, publicadas no livro Tchernobylsty, feitas em Kiev e na cidade abandonada de Prypiat, alguns anos após o acidente.
Effect of Patient Body Mass Index, Recommendation for Weight Modification, and Nonmodifiable Factors on Patient Satisfaction
Authors: Wells Joel , Batty Miles , Box Hayden , Nakonezny Paul A.
Published: September 2019

Introduction:

Patient satisfaction serves an increasingly important role in health care. Multiple nonmodifiable patient factors have been found to influence patient satisfaction. To the best of our knowledge, however, no study has investigated the influence of body mass index (BMI) on satisfaction scores. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether BMI and provider recommendation for patient weight modification were associated with patient satisfaction.

Methods:

We reviewed Press Ganey patient satisfaction survey scores from 3,044 clinical encounters in an academic orthopaedic center between November 2010 and May 2017. Multiple patient factors, BMI, and recommendation for weight loss, or requirement of weight loss, before surgery were recorded. Patient satisfaction was operationalized as a binary outcome of completely satisfied or not completely satisfied, and multiple logistic regression was used to estimate the odds of being completely satisfied from the subset of potential predictors.

Results:

White patients (odds ratio [OR] = 1.340, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.113 to 1.584, P = 0.0007) and Medicare-insured patients (OR = 1.260, 95% CI: 1.044 to 1.521, P = 0.0164) were more likely to be completely satisfied, whereas patients being seen by a provider for the first time were less likely to be completely satisfied (OR = 0.728, 95% CI: 0.626 to 0.847, P < 0.0001). BMI, recommendation for weight loss, and requirement of weight modification before surgery were not found to be associated with patient satisfaction.

Discussion:

Neither patient BMI nor provider recommendation for weight loss, or as a requirement for surgery, was associated with patient satisfaction. Race, insurance status, and previous visits with the care provider were identified as nonmodifiable patient factors that influence patient satisfaction.

Level of Evidence:

Level III
Migration – a Significant Social Security Concern for the European Union
Authors: Matis Jozef , Nagyová Lenka
Published: September 2019

The article presents the view of migration seen as a serious global problem of the 21st century that must be seriously considered by the European Union. Particularly, uncontrolled mass migration is conceived as a global problem because it affects all areas of life of every society – political, economic and cultural. The article highlights the main causes of mass migration: poverty and its deepening in the world, and the war. These phenomena are briefly described and analysed in the first part of the article. The second part is concerned with the description and analysis of the possible consequences of uncontrolled mass migration for the European Union. Radicalism, extremism and terrorism were defined as the most serious consequences of uncontrolled mass migration in the article. Despite the fact that migration is conceived as an important social and security issue, it is also defined as an important factor of the current European integration. At the end of the article it is concluded that if migration is not conceived as an important social and security issue which needs to be addressed, it can result in such phenomena as radicalism, extremism and terrorism in the European Union.
La implantación del periodismo ‘Open Source’ como un nuevo modelo de comunicación en Internet
Authors: Renedo Farpón Cristina
Published: September 2019

Richard Stallman, uno de los padres y abanderado del software libre, define esta tecnología como la libertad de los usuarios para ejecutar, copiar, distribuir, estudiar, cambiar y mejorar el software (Stallman, 2004). Estos principios, que fueron enunciados para ser aplicados a código informático, pueden extrapolarse a la creación, uso y distribución de la información periodística en entornos digitales a través de los principios de participación (intervención y aportes ciudadanos para construir o completar la información periodística), colaboración (capacidad de utilizar, distribuir y mejorar la información) y transparencia (accesibilidad y apertura completa de la información).Aunque en el año 1999 apareciera por primera vez el término periodismo “Open Source”, ha sido en los últimos años cuando en el ámbito académico ha comenzado a definirse este fenómeno y a estudiarse su potencial como nuevo modelo comunicativo en el que la información puede mejorarse y redistribuirse gracias a la colaboración, cada vez más masiva, de usuarios. Además, su desarrollo se ha ligado a iniciativas muy vinculadas con el activismo, como Wikileaks o diferentes movimientos ciudadanos, como el 15M en España.Esta investigación muestra el análisis de 117 proyectos que reúnen alguna de estas características del periodismo ‘Open Source’ y pretende analizar su nivel de implantación como un modelo comunicativo de éxito en Internet. Se han analizado variables de transparencia, colaboración y participación, así como su origen, procedencia, duración y nivel de aplicación, para evaluar si verdaderamente estamos ante un nuevo fenómeno revolucionario en el mundo del periodismo o es una tendencia sin continuidad.
The early Toarcian extinction event and associated Pliensbachian-Toarcian palaeoenvironmental perturbations in Bulgaria
Authors: Pugh Autumn , Little Crispin TS , Savov Ivan P , Metodiev Lubomir , Wignall Paul B , Newton Robert J , Riding James
Published: September 2019

The Early Toarcian was characterised by the eruption of the Karoo-Ferrar large igneous province (LIP), rapid global warming, significant perturbations in the global carbon cycle, the development of widespread anoxia known as the Early Toarcian Oceanic Anoxic Event (T-OAE) and a biotic crisis in the marine realm known as the Early Toarcian Mass Extinction (ETME). Despite the purported global nature of these environmental and biotic changes, the majority of records come from Western European sections, and remain particularly focused on settings in which the T-OAE was clearly expressed. Fewer studies focus on sections where the manifestation of ocean deoxygenation appears to have been considerably weaker, or even absent. We herein focus on Lower Jurassic successions of the Moesian Basin in the Balkan Mountains of the Balkan Mountains (Bulgaria) that were deposited on an open-ocean facing carbonate shelf. The Bulgarian δ13C and δ18O profiles show similar trends through the Lower Jurassic to coeval European sections, suggesting that seawater in the Moesian Basin was recording global palaeoclimatic and palaeoceanographic conditions during this time. Analysis of the carbon isotope record reveals a broad positive carbon isotope excursion (CIE) of 3‰ in δ13Cbel through the Early Toarcian, interrupted by a negative CIE of 3.5‰ recorded in organic carbon (Tenuicostatum–Falciferum zones). Progressive warming of seawater and increased influx of freshwater into the Moesian Basin through the Early Toarcian is recorded in δ18Obel isotopes. Such changes are attributed to the eruption of the Karoo-Ferrar LIP, reflected in the Moesian Basin by an enrichment in Mercury (Hg) recorded as a shift in sedimentary Hg/TOC values synchronous with the negative CIE. A biotic crisis is recorded amongst bivalves and considered to be part of the ETME, which is here recorded in Bulgaria for the first time. Although a significant loss amongst bivalves during the ETME often coincides with the spread of anoxia, this link is not clearly seen in Bulgaria as geochemical and sedimentological records do not support the prevalence of anoxic conditions. As such, oxygen deficiency cannot be considered a key driving mechanism for the ETME in this part of the ocean and other factors such as rapid warming may have been more important in this central Tethyan region.
Autoría de regalo: una aproximación a su frecuencia en una revista peruana
Authors: Zafra-Tanaka Jessica Hanae , Roca Cristian , Canari-Casano Jorge Luis , Vargas-Calla Ana
Published: September 2019

Introducción. La autoría injustificada o ‘autoría de regalo’ es una práctica inadecuada que consiste en nombrar como autores a personas que no cumplen los criterios de autoría. Los informes de investigaciones científicas suelen ser publicados como artículos originales en revistas científicas y pueden presentar estas prácticas inadecuadas.Objetivos. Determinar la prevalencia de autoría de regalo en publicaciones de artículos originales.Materiales y métodos. Se trata de un estudio descriptivo en el cual se revisó la sección de contribuciones de autoría de todos los artículos publicados en una revista peruana desde enero de 2013 hasta marzo de 2017. Se consideró una autoría de regalo cuando un autor no cumplía con, al menos, uno de los criterios establecidos por el International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE).Resultados. De los 209 artículos originales publicados, 11 fueron excluidos debido a que no reportaron las contribuciones de autoría. La prevalencia de autoría de regalo de los 198 artículos incluidos fue de 106 (53,5 %). Los criterios que menos cumplieron fueron la aprobación final del manuscrito (23,2 %), y su redacción y revisión crítica (16,8 %).Conclusiones. Es necesario que las instituciones educativas capaciten a los investigadores para que discriminen entre autoría y contribución. Además, es necesarioque las revistas soliciten y corroboren las contribuciones reportadas.
Giant cells lepromatous leprosy. Diffuse dermatitis with exuberant foreign body giant cells in treated lepromatous leprosy
Authors: Rodríguez Gerzaín , Arias Viviana
Published: September 2019

Patients with lepromatous leprosy that have received treatment for many years usually get follow up biopsies for persistent skin lesions or positive bacilloscopy even if the values are lower than in the initial bacilloscopy.We report the case of a 48-year old woman with long-standing lepromatous leprosy of 15 years of evolution, with a bacterial index of 4 in the direct smear and the initial skin biopsy.The patient was treated with multidrug therapy for 32 months although the treatment recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) is only for 12 months.A skin biopsy was taken to determine if there was an active disease. We observed a diffuse dermal inflammation with numerous foreign body giant cells and vacuolated macrophages (Virchow´s cells). These cells contained granular acid-fast material that was also positive with immunohistochemistry for BCG. There were fragmented bacilli and the BI was 2.These cells were also strongly positive for CD68. The biopsy was interpreted as a residual form of lepromatous leprosy that did not require further multidrug therapy.We have observed similar histological profiles in several cases. The lack of clinical data makes it a histological challenge. The accumulation of lipids in these giant cells is due to bacillary destruction and fusion of vacuolated macrophages. We discuss here the role of bacillary and host lipids in the pathogenesis of lepromatous leprosy. We concluded that there was no need to extend the 12-month multidrug therapy recommended by WHO.
Evaluación de la calidad del diagnóstico de malaria en la red local de laboratorios y en los laboratorios intermedios en el contexto de la eliminación de la enfermedad en Ecuador
Authors: Mendoza Nohora Marcela , Díaz César Eduardo , Wong Yim Yan , Echeverría Adriana Estefanía , Guale Doris Grimaneza , Delgado Rosa Haydeé , Muñoz José Mauricio , Solórzano Luis Fernando , Andrade Marcelo Eduardo , Quintero Rosa Alba , Palacios Belinda Regina , Ortega Saida Marlene , Cuero Wilson Benigno , Castillo John Richard
Published: September 2019

Introducción. El cumplimiento de la meta de eliminación de la malaria en Ecuador en el 2020 exige contar con la capacidad requerida para el diagnóstico microscópico ajustado a los estándares de calidad de la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) y de la Organización Panamericana de la Salud (OPS) y proveer el tratamiento adecuado a los pacientes.Objetivo. Conocer la idoneidad o competencia de los microscopistas de la red pública local para el diagnóstico parasitológico de la malaria y el desempeño de los laboratorios intermedios de referencia.Materiales y métodos. Se hizo un estudio descriptivo de corte transversal a partir de la información obtenida en los talleres de evaluación de idoneidad en el diagnóstico microscópico de la red de laboratorios en las coordinaciones zonales de salud utilizando un panel de láminas para evaluar la concordancia del diagnóstico. Además, se calificó el desempeño de los laboratorios intermedios en el diagnóstico en el marco del programa de evaluación externa del desempeño. Los resultados se compararon con los obtenidos por el laboratorio supranacional de Perú.Resultados. En los 11 talleres realizados, se evaluó la idoneidad de 191 microscopistas, de los cuales 153 (80,1 %) aprobaron las pruebas. Las medianas de los indicadores fueron las siguientes: concordancia entre la detección y el resultado, 100 % (Q1- Q3: 96-100); concordancia en la especie, 100 % (Q1- Q3: 93-100); concordancia en el estadio, 93,0 % (Q1- Q3: 86-95) y concordancia en el recuento, 77 % (Q1- Q3: 71-82). En el programa de evaluación externa de desempeño, los tres laboratorios intermedios obtuvieron una concordancia del 100 % en el resultado y una del 96 % en la especie.Conclusiones. Los indicadores de competencia de la red local y de desempeño de los laboratorios intermedios alcanzaron altos estándares de calidad acordes con el proceso de entrenamiento implementado en el país.
The new ichthyosauriformChaohusaurus brevifemoralis(Reptilia, Ichthyosauromorpha) from Majiashan, Chaohu, Anhui Province, China
Authors: Huang Jian-dong , Motani Ryosuke , Jiang Da-yong , Tintori Andrea , Rieppel Olivier , Zhou Min , Ren Xin-Xin , Zhang Rong
Published: September 2019

A new species of ichthyosauriform is recognized based on 20 specimens, including nearly complete skeletons, and namedChaohusaurus brevifemoralis. A part of the specimens was previously identified asChaohusaurus chaoxianensisand is herein reassigned to the new species. The new species differs from existing species ofChaohusaurusin a suite of features, such as the bifurcation of the caudal peak neural spine and a short femur relative to trunk length. The specimens include both complete and partially disarticulated skulls, allowing rigorous scrutiny of cranial sutures. For example, the squamosal does not participate in the margin of the upper temporal fenestra despite previous interpretations. Also, the frontal unequivocally forms a part of the anterior margin of the upper temporal fenestra, forming the most medial part of the anterior terrace. The skull of the holotype largely retains three-dimensionality with the scleral rings approximately in situ, revealing that the eyeball was uncovered in two different directions, that is, laterally and slightly dorsally through the main part of the orbit, and dorsally through the medial extension of the orbit into the skull roof. This skull construction is likely a basal feature of Ichthyosauromorpha. Phylogenetic analyses place the new species as a sister taxon ofChaohusaurus chaoxianensis.
UNA CONTIENDA ¿INÚTIL? SÍMBOLOS RELIGIOSOS Y ESPACIO PÚBLICO EN ARGENTINA
Authors: Monzón José María
Published: September 2019

En los años recientes el despliegue de símbolos religiosos en el espacio público se ha convertido en un conflicto judicial y política en la Argentina. Mientras los tribunales han resuelto que ese despliegue no comporta una preferencia estatal por una determinada religión ni conlleva una discriminación hacia quienes no son cristianos o hacia quienes son agnósticos o ateos, otros jueces y fiscales entienden que ese despliegue comporta un debilitamiento de la neutralidad que debe tener el poder judicial. Pero el problema que los tribunales señalan es si en este tema hay una real causa constitucional.
LA PROHIBICIÓN DE REGISTRO COMO MARCA DE SÍMBOLOS RELIGIOSOS. CORTE SUPREMA, SENTENCIA DE 8 DE MAYO DE 2017 (ROL N° 55054-2016; CL/JUR/2870/2017) Corte Suprema, sentencia de 8 de Mayo de 2017 (Rol N° 55054-2016; CL/JUR/2870/2017)
Authors: Bernet Páez Manuel
Published: September 2019

La sentencia de la Corte Suprema de 8 mayo de 2017 de manera tangencial examina la prohibición de registro como marca de los símbolos con contenido religioso. Tal decisión nos permitirá revisar qué posición adopta el Derecho comparado sobre esta cuestión. Acto seguido, trataremos de resolver bajo qué criterios normativos es posible denegar la inscripción de tales signos en nuestro país, teniendo a la vista conceptos jurídicos indeterminados, como son el orden público, la moral o las buenas costumbres, que se recogen en la prohibición contenida en el artículo 20 letra k) de la Ley de Propiedad Industrial.
EL ACOPLAMIENTO ESTRUCTURAL ENTRE SISTEMAS RELIGIOSOS Y LEGALES EN NORMAS CONTEMPORÁNEAS Y FUNDAMENTALISMAS
Authors: Copetti Santos André Leonardo
Published: September 2019

El presente trabajo pretende abordar las relaciones estructurales que, en este momento, se han establecido entre los sistemas religiosos jurídicos, a través de la intersección de reglas y recursos entre ellos. El objetivo central del trabajo es la búsqueda de un sentido democrático del derecho constitucionalmente apropiado a la libertad religiosa. Se utilizó el método dialéctico, según la famosa tríada: tesis, antítesis y síntesis. Los resultados iniciales indican que los acoplamientos positivos en el sistema estadounidense son antidemocráticos, mientras que las perspectivas hermenéuticas brasileñas son totalmente opuestas, ya que consolidan la democracia en lo que depende del derecho a la libertad religiosa.
Knowledge Assessment of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in First Professional Medical Students
Authors: Khosa Zulfiqar , Mehboob Mukhtar , Zubair Muhammad , Sana Hamaiyal
Published: September 2019

Objective: To assess the knowledge of first professional medical students of Bolan University of Medical and Health Sciences Quetta about Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Methodology: This cross sectional descriptive study was carried out on first professional MBBS students of Bolan Medical College Quetta from 1st May 2017 to 30 June 2017 (two months).The sample size was 200 students. . The questionnaire included 12 questions about diabetes mellitus, related to general knowledge of Type 2 diabetes mellitus. The students were divided into two groups. The group I was the students who think that they have knowledge of type 2 diabetes mellitus and the group II was the students who think that they have poor or deficient knowledge of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Each question was allocated 5 marks. After giving marks to all replied questions, the  total 60 marks for 12 questions were further categorized as; A score of  less than 20 poor, 21—30 average, 31—40 good, ˃ 40 excellent.  The results were analyzed by SPSS.

Results: There were 174 (87.0%) students who had some knowledge of type 2 diabetes mellitus, while 26 (13.0%) had no any knowledge of diabetes mellitus. The students having age of 20 years or more were 126 (63%) where majority 107 (53.5%) were studying in second year. There were 102 (51%) male and 98 (49%) female students. The knowledge of investigation and diagnostic criteria for type 2 diabetes mellitus were found significant amongst all. The knowledge of etiology, symptoms, course, treatment and complications were found insignificant. Only 10 (5%) students had excellent knowledge of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Conclusion: The students having an age of more than 20 years had excellent and more knowledge of type 2 diabetes mellitus. The problems of diabetes mellitus among their relatives and friends, its causative factors, symptoms and course was found insignificant. The knowledge of diagnostic test and interpretation had a positive correlation but insignificant. Majority of students 96 (48%) had average knowledge of diabetes mellitus.
Loop-mediated Isothermal Amplification LAMP, Simple Alternative Technique of Molecular Diagnosis Process in Medicals Analysis: A Review
Authors: Uwiringiyeyezu T. , Khalfi B. El , Belhachmi J. , Soukri A.
Published: September 2019

The Medical diagnostic process requires more various methods to cover all sorts of clinical demands. Those methods depend on the types of samples and the requested analysis. The Medical diagnostic is considered as a process until making a clinical decision about a physiopathology or infection through medicals analysis. Nucleic acid amplification methods continue to play a role in these medicals analysis processes, but, many gold conventional standard Methods are time-consumers, less sensitive, technically challenging. It is that reason why recently, after the development of the PCR technique; the real-time PCR became a frequently requested tool to diagnose the virus, bacteria, fungal and parasites infections in different pathologies, especially in developed countries. However, its availability remains a big problem in resource-limited countries like Africa continent. It is because of the issue due to cost, technology, human resource constraints and the remote areas with limited access to laboratory facilities which stays also a major problem.

Nucleic acids amplification methods remain to be expensive, not accessible for all laboratories. In addition to this, they are easily inhibited and contaminated by the other biochemical reagents time-consumer, for this reason, other methods of nucleic acid amplification under isothermal conditions have emerged each with its  particularities. Despite their successes, molecular biology should have a method that combines many of the advantages and accessible everywhere. So, in 2000, the LAMP method was developed and offered many advantages such as speed, specificity, high sensitivity and the cost of very low equipment. In this review, we present the different studies to confirm the advantages of LAMP that we consider as an alternative to PCR in molecular  diagnostics with a wide range of use on clinical samples and in scientific research and also, the method to save the Africans patients from the high cost and time consuming of other amplification methods.
Risk Factors of Cardiovascular Disease among Ghanaian Police Officers
Authors: Essien Miriam , Lutterodt Herman Erick , Annan Reginald Adjetey
Published: September 2019

Background: Cardiovascular diseases continue to be a global public health burden among occupational groups like Police officers. Police officers play important roles to ensure law and order in countries. However, the nature of police work exposes them to violence and stress. Again, irregular food habits, irregular exercise, inadequate sleep, smoking and drinking are lifestyles which makes police officers prone to high incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Aim: This study looked at the prevalence of CVD risk factors among police officers in Kumasi, Ghana.

Study Design: Cross- sectional.

Place and Duration of study: Ashanti Regional Police Headquarters, Kumasi, Ghana, between September, 2017 to July, 2018.

Methodology: Weight, height, Body Mass Index (BMI), waist circumference, lipid profile, systolic and diastolic blood pressure of 120 officers were measured. Additionally, lifestyle and dietary factors such as exercise and intake of fruits of Police officers were assessed. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 22.0.

Results: Slightly more than half (63, 52.5%) of the officers were females and the remaining (57,47.5%) were males. The mean of the various CVD risk factors among the total study participants are as follows; BMI 28.184±4.461 kg/m2, waist circumference 92.702±10.941 cm, systolic blood pressure (SBP) 128.121±17.047 mmHg, diastolic blood pressure (DBP) 85.569±10.854 mmHg, fasting blood sugar 5.387±1.756 mmol/l, high density lipoprotein (HDL) 1.546±0.211 mmol/l, low density lipoprotein 2.321±0.706 mmol/l (LDL) and total cholesterol (TC) 4.362±0.906 mmol/L.  Prevalence of obesity among male and female officers were 43.9% and 36.5% respectively. With regards to hypertension, policemen and women recorded 31.6% and 20.6% respectively and dyslipidemia among males and females were 43.9% and 85.7% respectively.

Conclusion: The officers were generally overweight, with over a quarter having hypertension and about two-thirds having dyslipidemia, making their risk for CVDs high. Further studies to elucidate the causes are required, routine medical screening and nutritional support are recommended.
Study of Effect of Cowpea Biscuits Supplementation on Nutritional and Cognitive Development of Malnourished Pre-school Children
Authors: . Vandana , . Preeti , Kushwaha Archana
Published: September 2019

This study aimed to determine the effect of supplementation of cowpea biscuits on nutritional status and cognitive development of malnourished pre-school children. Pre-school children, aged 3-5 years, from Saraswati Shishu Mandir School, Pantnagar (Uttarakhand, India) were screened for low weight for age. Malnourished children (N=48), who volunteered, were divided equally into three groups viz. control I (no supplementation), control II (refined wheat flour biscuits) and experimental group (cowpea biscuits) and subjected to intervention for the period of three months. Parameters like height, weight, mid upper arm circumference (MUAC) and cognitive development was analyzed before and after supplementation in each month. No significant differences between groups were observed during follow-up concerning height, weight, MUAC. Experimental group supplemented with cowpea biscuits outperformed significantly in all the domains of cognitive development as compared to control groups. The study concluded that cowpea supplementation is likely to be more effective in cognitive development of malnourished preschool children in short period of time.
Effect of Increasing Elevation of Lowland Coastal Saline Soils of Sundarbans (India) on Soil Salinity and Its Seasonal Variation
Authors: Sengupta Tonmoy , Bandyopadhyay B. K. , Tripathi Sudipta
Published: September 2019

The delta region of the river Ganges spreads over India (West Bengal) and Bangladesh is popularly known as Sundarbans. Crop productivity of the region is very poor. Agricultural lands of the region are mostly saline and low-lying with drainage congestion due to presence of brackish groundwater table at shallow depth and flat topography. In recent years, improvement in productivity of these lands was witnessed by farmers when the elevation of lowlands was increased through land shaping. In the present study changes in the salinity status of soil were due to raise of land elevation through land shaping was investigated for two years and 3 seasons (winter, summer and late summer). It was found that there was a considerable decrease in soil salinity due to increase in elevation of lowlands through land shaping. The salinity of original lowlands was about 200% higher than the raised lands or uplands made through land shaping. Salinity of rhizosphere soil decreased with depth and there was a strong seasonal variation of soil salinity. At all soil depths soil salinity increased as the dry season progressed from winter to late summer through summer and soil salinity was highest in the surface (0-10 cm). The depth to groundwater table and the groundwater salinity also showed strong seasonal variation and were maximum in late summer season. The drainage condition of soil improved with increasing in land elevation.
Chemical Analysis of Itobe Limestone Deposit for Potential in Cement Manufacturing
Authors: Emmanuel-Alonge Temitope , Joseph Dorcas , Dada Emily , Baba Jamil , Victor Abere , Uzuh Florence Dennis
Published: September 2019

In this research, the assessment of the chemical composition of the Itobe marble deposit for comparison with the general limestone requirements for cement making was investigated.  Six pits were dug and carefully studied in the area. The research work is aimed at determining the suitability of the Itobe marble deposit in the manufacturing of cement, establish the nature, size and type of the deposit and to estimate the various impurities present and at what concentrations. The soil samples collected were analysed for their chemical properties. Samples were also obtained from river channels and from outcrops of the deposits. The result showed that an appreciable amount of the marble deposit, with CaO in the range of 32.95% to 50.05% and Silica ranging from 1.40% to 7.20%. From these chemical analyses, Itobe limestone showed a great potential in cement production to augment cement availability for building and civil engineering construction in Nigeria.
Aspects of the Fourier-Stieltjes Transform of C*-algebra Valued Measures
Authors: Gbemou Koami , Mensah Yaogan
Published: September 2019

This paper deals with the Fourier-Stieltjes transform of C∗-algebra valued measures. We construct an involution on the space of such measures, define their Fourier-Stieltjes transform and derive a convolution theorem.
Assessment of Building Collapse Impact on Socio Economic Development in Port Harcourt Metropolis of Rivers State
Authors: Emekoma C. C.
Published: September 2019

The rate of disorganized building construction in Nigeria especially Port Harcourt Metropolis is to a great degree aggravating building collapse, due to construction inefficiencies, leading to loss of lives and properties. This is resulting in genuine difficulties to building business owners/partners, land lords and users culminating in failure /wastage of cash related endeavors. Each developed building structure has to satisfy the needs of urban residents in meeting the socio-economic goals of prosperity, serviceability and economy. It is against this setting the structural stability of buildings needs to be examined to fix up the inevitable responsibility on a set of city planning officials and building developers for building collapses. In the absence of a rigorous technically approved non corrupt examination of building stability, the entire process of achieving socio-economic growth of urban citizens fails, affecting the overall development of Port Harcourt Metropolis. The examination is coordinated through basic and discretionary data. The basic data was delivered utilizing composed well organized surveys to help the city planners to accomplish the overall success of making Port Harcourt Metropolis, a well developed urban conglomeration. To ensure the planned examination technically efficient and viable, Cronbach's alpha and t-test were used for the examination. The result revealed that five fundamental segments of wisdom based knowledge enhancement planning and administrative factors, if properly implemented, can yield honest, good and critical frameworks for overcoming breakdown or disillusionment of responsible establishments in the state. The factors for poor stability of building structures are: Non-approval of building controls, inadequate learning of advancement materials, Lack of on the site area specific readily implemented technical details, insufficient resources and Construction issues. As per the Millennium/Sustainable Development Goals (MDG/SDG), this examination fills in as a fundamental gadget for approach makers to ensure that development standard is passed as a law in Port Harcourt Metropolis of Rivers state, to avoid repetition of construction inefficiencies.
Neuromuscular Activation Differences During Gait in Patients With Ehlers‐Danlos Syndrome and Healthy Adults
Authors: Robbins Shawn M. , Cossette‐Levasseur Marianne , Kikuchi Kazunori , Sarjeant Jenna , Shiu Ying‐Ga , Azar Christiane , Hazel Elizabeth M.
Published: September 2019

Objective

Ehlers‐Danlos syndrome (EDS) is a group of genetic disorders affecting connective tissue. Symptoms include joint and ligament laxity. The objectives of this study were to compare muscle activation, joint angles, and spatiotemporal parameters during gait, and to compare isometric strength between participants with EDS (hypermobility and classical subtypes) and healthy adults.

Methods

Participants with EDS (n = 14) and healthy adults (n = 14) were recruited for this cross‐sectional study. Lower extremity muscle activation, sagittal joint angles, and spatiotemporal parameters during gait were measured using surface electromyography (EMG), motion capture, and force plates. Isometric strength of the lower extremity joints was measured with an isokinetic dynamometer. Important characteristics (principal components [PCs]) were determined from EMG and angle waveforms using PC analysis; relationships between PC scores and groups were examined using multilevel linear models after accounting for gait speed. Spatiotemporal parameters and strength were compared using independent t‐tests and effect sizes (Cohen’s d coefficient).

Results

The EDS group was associated with delayed vastus lateralis (b = 16.69) and medialis activation (b = 11.33), higher rectus femoris (b = 28.34) and tensor fascia latae activation (b = –11.06), prolonged gluteus medius activation (b = –32.78), and lower medial gastrocnemius activation (b = –27.18). Joint angles were similar between the EDS and healthy groups. The EDS group had slower gait speeds, shorter stride lengths, and a greater percentage of time in stance (d = –1.05 to 0.96). The EDS group had weaker hip and ankle muscles (d = –0.83 to –0.97).

Conclusion

Alterations in muscle activation and spatiotemporal parameters during gait in patients with EDS may be a result of impaired proprioception and balance and muscle weakness. Interventions should target these deficits.
Real‐World Adherence to Oral Methotrexate Measured Electronically in Patients With Established Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Michaud Kaleb , Vrijens Bernard , Tousset Eric , Pedro Sofia , Schumacher Rebecca , Dasic Gorana , Chen Connie , Agarwal Ekta , Suarez‐Almazor Maria E.
Published: September 2019

Objective

To assess methotrexate (MTX) adherence using the Medication Event Monitoring System (MEMS) and characterize associations with adherence in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods

Eligible patients participated in Forward, the National Databank for Rheumatic Diseases, and recently (12 months or sooner) initiated oral MTX. MEMS was used to compile MTX weekly dosing over 24 weeks. The Beliefs about Medicines Questionnaire (BMQ) was completed, and baseline demographics and disease characteristics obtained. MTX adherence (percentage of weeks dose taken correctly), implementation (percentage of weeks dose taken correctly from initiation until last dose), and persistence (duration from initiation to last dose) were calculated. Analyses measured associations between patient characteristics and adherence, modeled using logistic generalized estimating equations and censored Poisson regression, and persistence modeled using Cox regression.

Results

Overall, 60 of 119 eligible patients were included in the analysis. MTX adherence, implementation, and persistence were 75%, 80%, and 83%, respectively, at 24 weeks. Demographics and disease characteristics were generally similar between patients with 1 week or less and 2 weeks or more of missed MTX. Unemployment, less disability, higher Patient Global scores, and no prior disease‐modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) use were associated with correct dosing. No significant differences in adherence were observed between patients receiving concomitant MTX versus MTX monotherapy, and biologic DMARD‐experienced versus biologic DMARD‐naïve patients. Higher scores in BMQ Specific Necessity (indicating a greater belief in the necessity of the medication) was associated with a decreased likelihood of dosing at an interval shorter than prescribed (odds ratio 0.89).

Conclusion

Even in a participatory group over a short period, MTX adherence was suboptimal and associated with certain demographics, medication experience, and beliefs about medicines. This suggests a need for screening and alternative treatment opportunities in nonadherent MTX patients with RA.
Emerging Approaches of Cell‐Based Nanosystems to Target Cancer Metastasis
Authors: Gong Xiang , Li Jie , Tan Tao , Wang Zhiwan , Wang Hong , Wang Yuqi , Xu Xiaoxuan , Zhang Zhiwen , Li Yaping
Published: September 2019

Cancer metastasis accounts for the high mortality of cancer‐related deaths and the therapy is greatly challenged by the limited drug delivery efficiency. Inspired by the essential role of culprit cancer cells and versatile accessory cells during cancer metastasis, diverse cell‐based nanosystems (CBNs) are emerging as attractive and encouraging drug delivery platforms to target cancer metastasis. Herein, the authors focus on the emerging strategies of versatile CBNs that synergistically combine the merit of source cells and nanoparticles for antimetastasis therapy. CBNs are usually comprised of natural nanosized vesicles, cell membrane camouflaged nanoparticles, and bioengineered living cell vehicles. The authors discuss the rationality and advances of various CBNs in targeting different stages of cancer metastasis, including primary tumor, circulating tumor cells (CTCs), and distant metastasis as well as the tumor immune microenvironments (TIM). On this basis, this review provides some feasible perspectives on designing CBNs to enhance the drug delivery efficiency for treating cancer metastasis.
Defect‐Driven Magnetization Configuration of Isolated Linear Assemblies of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles
Authors: Rastei Mircea V. , Pierron‐Bohnes Véronique , Toulemon Delphine , Bouillet Corinne , Kákay Attila , Hertel Riccardo , Tetsi Ebenezer , Begin‐Colin Sylvie , Pichon Benoit P.
Published: September 2019

The magnetization state of 1D magnetic nanoparticle (NP) chains plays a key role in a wide range of applications ranging from diagnosis and therapy in medicine to actuators, sensors, and quantum recording media. The interplay between the exact particle orientation and the magnetic anisotropy is in turn crucial for controlling the overall magnetization state with high precision. Here, a 3D description of the magnetic structure of one‐NP‐wide chains is reported. Here, two complementary experimental techniques are combined, magnetic force microscopy (MFM) and electronic holography (EH) which are sensitive to out‐of‐plane and in‐plane magnetization components, respectively. The approach to micromagnetic simulations is extended, which provides results in good agreement with MFM and EH. The findings are at variance with the known results on unidirectional NP assemblies, and show that magnetization is rarely strictly collinear to the chain axis. The magnetic structure of one‐NP‐wide chains can be interpreted as head‐to‐head magnetic domain structures with off‐axis magnetization components, which is very sensitive to morphological defects in the chain structure such as minute size variation of NPs, tiny misalignment of NPs, and/or crystal orientation with respect to easy magnetization axis.
Scalable Spider‐Silk‐Like Supertough Fibers using a Pseudoprotein Polymer
Authors: Gu Lin , Jiang Yuanzhang , Hu Jinlian
Published: September 2019

Spider silks are tougher than almost all other materials in the world and thus are considered ideal materials by scientists and the industry. Although there have been tremendous attempts to prepare fibers from genetically engineered spider‐silk proteins, it is still a very large challenge to artificially produce materials with a very high fracture energy, not to mention the high scaling‐up requirements because of the extremely low productivity and high cost levels. Here, a facile spider‐silk‐mimicking strategy is first reported for preparing scalable supertough fibers using the chemical synthesis route. Supertoughness (≈387 MJ m−3), more than twice the reported value of common spider dragline silk and comparable to the value of the toughest spider silk, the aciniform silk of Argiope trifasciata, is achieved by introducing β‐sheet crystals and α‐helical peptides simultaneously in a pseudoprotein polymer. The process opens up a very promising avenue for obtaining excellent spider fibers.