bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Az érvelés és a stílus humora Gárdonyi regényeiben I.
Authors: Adamikné Jászó Anna
Published: November 2018

A tanulmány Gárdonyi műveit retorikai szempontból elemzi, továbbá rámutat stílusának, valamint humorának az egyediségére. A retorikai érvelés kimutatható Gárdonyi írásaiban: számos lehetőségre találunk példát az elemzett művekben, Gárdonyi hősei követik az emberek észjárását. Kiemelkedik a példa és az enthüméma, valamint a toposzlogika alkalmazása, mindez őrzi az elsődleges szóbeliséget is; a felsorolásban és a halmozásban pedig feltárul a környező világ. A szereplők jellemfejlődése összhangban van a regények lineáris szerkezetével, ugyanakkor észrevehető a búvópatak-technika alkalmazása is. A tanulmány a retorikai elemzés szempontjai szerint mutat be példákat, többnyire Gárdonyi jóságos humorára. Az idézett részeket fel lehet használni a retorikai érvelés és a stílus vagy a szóalkotásmódok tanításakor.
A szavaktól a történetekig
Authors: Murányi Sarolta
Published: November 2018

Az kommunikáció minősége szorosan összefügg a tanulmányaink, a munkánk és a kapcsolataink sikerességével. Nyelvi kompetenciánk észrevétlenül is meghatározza életünket, eredményeinket, ez alapján értékelnek bennünket. A dolgozat alapját jelentő vizsgálat az óvodáskori történetmesélés sajátosságait mutatja be; azt, hogy mennyire gördülékeny, önálló a szövegalkotás ebben a korosztályban. A szövegek vizsgálata során más tudományos munkákból már ismert elemzési szempontok mellett néhány új szempont is helyet kapott a kutatásban. Az eredmények alapján arra lehet következtetni, hogy ezt, az életünket hosszú távon befolyásoló kompetenciát már óvodáskorban is célzottan szükséges fejleszteni. A fejlesztés előkészítheti a későbbi fogalmazástanítás, az önálló szövegalkotás sikerességét, és nem utolsósorban önbizalmat, magabiztosságot adhat felnőttkorban is a kommunikációs helyzetekben.
Evaluation of Agronomic and Economic Performance of Controlled and Slow‐Release Nitrogen Fertilizers in Two Rice Cropping Systems
Authors: Mi Wenhai , Gao Qiang , Guo Xiaogang , Zhao Haitao , Xie Bin , Wu Lianghuan
Published: November 2018

Core Ideas

The mixed treatment increased rice grain yield, recovery efficiency of N, and net profit to different extents in two rice cropping systems.

No significant differences in agronomic performance between urea formaldehyde and common urea.

Urea formaldehyde provides little economic benefit to rice production.

This study investigated the agronomic and economic efficiency of urea formaldehyde (UF) and a mixture of controlled‐release and common urea (CU) in rice (Oryza sativa L.) production. Two 3‐yr field experiments were conducted in Jinhua, China, via four treatments: no N fertilization, split applications of CU, a single UF application, and a mixed treatment comprising a polymer coating of sulfur‐coated urea (PSCU) and CU. The mixed treatment led to significantly higher grain yields by 4.7 to 12.2 and 5.7 to 8.9% for late and single rice, respectively, than those in the CU treatment. The UF treatment had small to nonsignificant improvements (0.2–2.3% for late rice; 1.7–4.3% for single rice) in grain yield relative to the CU treatment. The recovery efficiency of N (REN) in the mixed treatment was enhanced by 4.8 to 32.9% in early rice, 29.2 to 67.6% in late rice, and 13.1 to 21.2% in single rice. The mixed treatment resulted in significantly higher soil NH4+–N concentrations during the tillering to heading stage for both cropping systems. The net profit was US$111 to 257 ha−1 higher than under the CU treatment. However, a single application of UF did not substantially increase net profit (US$17–47 ha−1) in early rice and single rice and decreased the profit (US$17 ha−1) in late rice, relative to the CU treatment. Overall, the mixture of PSCU and CU could be a promising alternative as a controlled‐release N fertilizer for sustainable increases in rice grain yield, REN, and net profit.
Selecting Traits to Reduce Seasonal Yield Variation of Summer Maize in the North China Plain
Authors: Fang Qin , Zhang X. Y. , Chen S. Y. , Shao L. W. , Sun H. Y. , Yan Z. Z.
Published: November 2018

Core Ideas

Seasonal yield variation was up to 47 and 42% under deficit and full irrigation, respectively.

Seed weight was the main yield component affecting the annual yield variation.

Diurnal temperature range and daily reference ET were positively related to grain yield during grain‐fill.

Smaller upper‐leaf angle, more aboveground biomass, high harvest index, and early tasseling were desirable traits.

Due to the short growth duration of summer maize, which is planted after winter wheat harvest to form the annual double cropping system in the North China Plain (NCP), maize yield is significantly affected by weather conditions. This study examined the seasonal yield variation and the effects of weather factors on yield and yield components of summer maize under full irrigation (FI) and deficit irrigation (DI) conditions during 2008 to 2016 using a local popular cultivar ‘Zhengdan 958’. In addition, eight cultivars in 2010 to 2012 and 16 cultivars in 2013 to 2016 were tested to examine crop responses to weather factors. Results indicated that seasonal yield variation was up to 47% of the average yield of the nine seasons. Grain kernel weight was the main yield component affecting annual yield variation under FI. Further analysis showed that daily maximum temperature (Tmax), diurnal temperature range (DTR), and daily reference evapotranspiration (ET0) were each positively related to grain kernel weight from blister stage to maturity. Results from the cultivar tests showed that the yield difference among the cultivars was up to 35% of the average grain yield. Selecting cultivars with higher yield potential in each season could decrease the seasonal yield variation up to 32%. Cultivars with smaller leaf angle of upper leaves, higher final aboveground biomass, higher harvest index, and an earlier tasseling date would likely lead to more stable, higher yields for short season maize in the NCP.
Seeding Rate and Fertility Effects on AC Saltlander Forage Production on Saline Soils
Authors: Gu Chen , Iwaasa Alan D. , Wall Ken , Gatzke Craig , Zhao Mengli
Published: November 2018

Core Ideas

AC Saltlander green wheatgrass is a new salinity tolerant cool season grass.

Proper seeding rate is effective to save costs and suppress foxtail barley.

The optimal seeding rate is 5.6 to 11.2 kg ha−1in severe saline drylands.

Large N application in severe saline soil was not beneficial over successive years.

Suppressing foxtail barley by N addition in severe saline soil is not recommended.

AC Saltlander green wheatgrass (Elymus hoffmanniiJensen & Asay) (ACS) was developed to tolerate moderate to severe root‐zone salinity. However, effects of seeding rate and nitrogen (N) addition on ACS forage production and suppressing foxtail barley (Hordeum jubatumL.) (FTB) weed infestation on saline environments are poorly understood. A 3‐yr experiment with four ACS seeding rates (2.8, 5.6, 11.2, and 16.8 kg ha−1pure live seed) and a 3‐yr experiment with three N levels (0, 50, and 150 kg ha−1actual N) were conducted on a severe to very severe range of saline dryland. The 5.6 and 11.2 kg ha−1ACS seeding rates had similar forage yields to the 16.8 kg ha−1seeding rate and better FTB suppress compared to the lowest seeding rate. Therefore, 5.6 kg ha−1seeding rate may be suitable under certain conditions. However, high salinity ranges and challenging environments could justify recommending the higher seeding rate. The ACS forage yields and qualities were higher in 50 and 150 kg ha−1of actual N in 2014, while yields in 2015 were only higher in 150 kg ha−1compared with the control but was similar to the 50 kg ha−1. No yield and quality differences were observed in 2016 and no FTB yield and relative yield differences were detected in each year among treatments. Therefore, a single large N fertilizer application in severe salt‐affected drylands was not beneficial over successive years compared to lower N application, and the suppression of FTB in ACS pasture by N addition is not recommended.
In Situ Denitrification in Saturated Riparian Buffers
Authors: Groh Tyler A. , Davis Morgan P. , Isenhart Thomas M. , Jaynes Dan B. , Parkin Timothy B.
Published: November 2018

Excess NO3leaching from the agricultural Midwest via tile drainage water has contributed to both local drinking water and national Gulf of Mexico benthic hypoxia concerns. Both in‐field and edge‐of‐field practices have been designed to help mitigate NO3flux to surface waters. Edge‐of‐field practices focus on maximizing microbial denitrification, the conversion of NO3to N2gas. This study assessed denitrification rates from two saturated riparian buffers (SRBs) for 2 yr and a third SRB for 1 yr, for a total of five sample years. These SRBs were created by diverting NO3–rich tile drainage water into riparian buffers soils. The SRBs in this study removed between 27 and 96% of the total diverted NO3load. Measured cumulative average denitrification rate for each SRB sample year accounted for between 3.7 and 77.3% of the total NO3removed. Both the cumulative maximum and 90% confidence interval denitrification rates accounted for all of the NO3removed by the SRBs in three of the five sample years, indicating that denitrification can be a dominant NO3removal mechanism in this edge‐of‐field practice. When adding the top 20 cm of each core to the cumulative denitrification rates for each SRB, denitrification accounted for between 33 and over 100% of the total NO3removed. Buffer age (time since establishment) was speculated to enhance denitrification rates, and there was a trend of the soil closer to the surface making up the majority of the total denitrification rate. Finally, both NO3and C could limit denitrification in these SRBs.

Core Ideas

Denitrification accounted for 3.7 to 77.3% of NO3removal within saturated riparian buffers.

We hypothesized that saturated riparian buffer denitrification increased with buffer age.

Soil surface horizons had a greater denitrification rate than deeper horizons.

A higher water table led to greater NO3removal through denitrification.

The saturation status of a buffer did not significantly affect denitrification rates.
Relationship of Carbon Isotope Discrimination with Biomass and Water Use Efficiency for Alfalfa in Northwestern China
Authors: Zhu Lin , Gao Xue , Su Ying , Xu Xing
Published: November 2018

Carbon isotope discrimination (Δ) has been proposed as a method for evaluating transpiration efficiency in C3plants. It is important to study the association of Δ in different parts with the long‐term water use efficiency (WUE). In this paper, plant height, Δ in leaf water soluble carbohydrates (ΔWSC), photosynthetic gas exchange parameters, Δ in aboveground shoot (ΔAGS), stem/leaf weight ratio, aboveground biomass (AGB), evapotranspiration, and WUE were determined in a collection of 10 alfalfa (Medicago sativaL.) genotypes under three water treatments (230 [T1], 460 [T2], and 700 mm irrigation [T3]) in a Ningxia central desert steppe in 2012 and 2013. Significant interactions were found for AGB and WUE among year, treatment, and genotype, whereas significant interactions of year × treatment and year × genotype were only found for ΔAGSbut not for ΔWSC. Generally, more water input increased the values of the traits tested except for WUE and single‐leaf intrinsic WUE (Pn/Gs). More irrigated water input resulted in increase in AGB, ΔAGS, and ΔWSCand decrease inPn/Gs. The greatest WUE was recorded under T2in 2012. Significant and positive correlations were observed between AGB and ΔAGS(r= 0.588, 0.574, and 0.386 under T1, T2, and T3, respectively). Under T2and T3, ΔWSCcorrelated negatively with WUE (r= −0.383 and 0.602, respectively). Ningmu No. 1 was found to have the greatest WUE (18.34 kg ha−1mm−1) and yield (17.71 Mg ha−1) across water treatments and years. The findings suggest that in the semiarid areas applying irrigation of 230 to 700 mm yr−1, Δ in aboveground shoots or in leaf water‐soluble carbohydrates at the flowering stage seems to be a useful indicators reflecting aboveground biomass and integrated WUE for alfalfa.
Genetic Covariance of Environments in the Potato National Chip Processing Trial
Authors: Schmitz Carley Cari A. , Coombs Joseph J. , Clough Mark E. , De Jong Walter S. , Douches David S. , Haynes Kathleen G. , Higgins Charles R. , Holm David G. , Miller J. Creighton , Navarro Felix M. , Novy Richard G. , Palta Jiwan P. , Parish David L. , Porter Gregory A. , Sathuvalli Vidyasagar R. , Thompson Asunta L. , Yencho G. Craig , Zotarelli Lincoln , Endelman Jeffrey B.
Published: November 2018

The National Chip Processing Trial is a collaborative effort between public breeding programs and the potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) industry to identify new clones with broad adaptation. The objective of this study was to investigate the genetic covariance of trial locations, based on 337 clones evaluated in 10 states from 2011 to 2016. Three models were considered: (I) assuming a uniform genetic correlation between locations within a year, (II) using a factor‐analytic (FA) model of the total genetic covariance of environments (location–year combinations), and (III) using a FA model of the additive genetic covariance based on 5278 single‐nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers. With Model I, the genetic correlation between locations was 0.50 for vine maturity, 0.54 for tuber yield, and 0.72 for specific gravity. The Akaike information criterion decreased as model complexity increased, from Models I to II to III, for maturity and yield but not specific gravity. Of the 10 states in the dataset, Florida stood out for having environments with substantial (up to 88%) genetic variance unexplained by the latent factors. Linear discriminants (LD) of the factor loadings were used to visualize the genetic correlation between locations. For vine maturity, LD1 separated Florida from the other locations, and LD2 separated the remaining southern locations from the northern ones. For yield, LD1 separated Texas from the other locations. This study has created a foundation for the design of more efficient trialing and selection programs for the US potato community.
HOBE: The Danish Hydrological Observatory
Authors: Jensen Karsten H. , Refsgaard Jens Christian
Published: November 2018

Core Ideas

HOBE provides an experimental catchment infrastructure.

Measurements, experiments, and modeling are carried out.

A number of research questions are addressed; the primary one is closure of the water balance.

The database is available for data sharing.

The Danish hydrological observatory was established in 2007 in a catchment in the western part of Denmark representing hydrological conditions in a temperate climate with groundwater‐dominated streamflow. In the catchment, an experimental infrastructure has been established where measurements, experiments, and modeling are performed across a range of spatial and temporal scales. The primary research question is water balance closure at different scales, which has been addressed using improved measurement and modeling methods. In addition, an array of research questions are related to processes in the individual hydrological compartments as well as the interactions between them. We provide here an overview of long‐term monitoring and observation, dedicated observations, experiments, and modeling. An overview of main research findings is also provided. The research has provided new insights into the dynamics of the individual hydrological processes and their interactions. The hydrological fluxes are now determined with greater certainty, and the water balance is better constrained at different spatial scales.
Snowmelt Infiltration and Macropore Flow in Frozen Soils: Overview, Knowledge Gaps, and a Conceptual Framework
Authors: Mohammed Aaron A. , Kurylyk Barret L. , Cey Edwin E. , Hayashi Masaki
Published: November 2018

Core Ideas

Review highlights the hydrological importance of macropore flow in frozen soils.

Governing flow mechanisms and infiltration and refreezing dynamics are discussed.

Research is needed to integrate macropore flow and soil freeze–thaw theory.

Dual‐domain models of macropore flow should be adapted to frozen ground.

A conceptual framework for modeling frozen macroporous soils is proposed.

Macropore flow in frozen soils plays a critical role in partitioning snowmelt at the land surface and modulating snowmelt‐driven hydrological processes. Previous descriptions of macropore flow processes in frozen soil do not explicitly represent the physics of water and heat transfer between macropores and the soil matrix, and there is a need to adapt recent conceptual and numerical models of unfrozen macropore flow to account for frozen ground. Macropores remain air filled under partially saturated conditions, allowing preferential flow and meltwater infiltration prior to ground thaw. Nonequilibrium gravity‐driven flow can rapidly transport snowmelt to depths below the frost zone or, alternatively, infiltrated water may refreeze in macropores and restrict preferential flow. As with unfrozen soils, models of water movement in frozen soil that rely solely on diffuse flow concepts cannot adequately represent unsaturated macropore hydraulics. Dual‐domain descriptions of unsaturated flow that explicitly define macropore hydraulic characteristics have been successful under unfrozen conditions but need refinement for frozen soils. In particular, because pore connectivity and hydraulic conductivity are influenced by ice content, modeling schemes specifying macropore–matrix interactions and refreezing of infiltrating water are critical. This review discusses the need for research on the interacting effects of macropore flow and soil freeze–thaw and the integration of these concepts into a framework of coupled heat and water transfer. As a result, it proposes a conceptual model of unsaturated flow in frozen macroporous soils that assumes two interacting domains (macropore and matrix) with distinct water and heat transfer regimes.
Identifying the Main Factors Contributing to the Spatial Variability of Soil Saline–Sodic Properties in a Reclaimed Coastal Area
Authors: Fei Yuanhang , She Dongli , Fang Kai
Published: November 2018

Core Ideas

A spatial model was used for identifying the main factors affecting spatial variability of soil salt.

Land‐use pattern was the most influential factor that affected spatial variation of soil salt.

The generalized least squares model was suitable for soil salt content in Transect 2.

This study is helpful for agronomic management practices in coastal reclamation areas.

Studies on changes in soil saline–sodic characteristics have important reference value for reclamation planning and agricultural utilization of coastal regions. The objective of this study was to investigate the spatial distribution of the soil salt content (SSC) and sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) in two transects, which extended through different reclamation areas along a reclaimed coastal area of China. A total of 54 sampling points along Transect 1 were collected to study soil saline–sodic characteristics of a recently reclaimed farmland in 2007, and 50 sampling points were collected along Transect 2 that ran through six farmland areas reclaimed at different times (2007, 1981, 1960, 1950, 1940, and 1916). A spatial model, generalized least squares (GLS), was used to conduct multiple regression equations on SSC or SAR and explanatory variables. The results showed that land‐use pattern was the most influential factor that affected spatial variation of SSC and SAR. The parametric Levene's test and Moran's I test showed that heterogeneity and autocorrelated residuals could only be found for SSC in Transect 2, so the GLS model was suitable for SSC in Transect 2. The GLS method did not perform better than the nonspatial model (ordinary least squares) by incorporating exhaustive ancillary variables but was more suitable when autocorrelation and heteroscedasticity existed in the errors of a model. Using these methods, we obtained information on the spatial variation of soil saline–sodic characteristics and its controlling factors. This information is helpful for land‐use planning, soil partition management, and agronomic management practices in coastal reclamation areas.
Fiscal stimuli and consolidation in emerging market economies
Authors: Chugunov Igor , Pasichnyi Mykola
Published: November 2018

The Great Recession has imposed vital limitations on the policy maker’s ability to react to further economic challenges. In this article, the authors set a purpose to assess the expediency and the size of fiscal consolidation or expansionary measures for countries with emerging markets depending on economic dynamics. The data on the episodes of large changes in fiscal policy, representing both fiscal stimuli and consolidation in Ukraine and in the EU countries with emerging market economies from 2001 to 2017, were evaluated. The authors examined the main reasons of fiscal policy’s volatility and its impact on economic growth. The countries with low and medium level of institutional framework for fiscal policy formulation could face permanent deficit and public debt problem. Episodes of expansionary fiscal adjustments based on government revenues cuts and spending increases were more effective compared with those that were entirely based on spending increases. Empirical investigation showed that successful fiscal consolidation measures obligatory included the government primary spending reduction. In those cases, the budget deficit-to-GDP and public debt-to-GDP ratios were declined. Medium-term priorities to develop the methodical bases of fiscal policy design were justified.
Purification effects of amended bioretention columns on phosphorus in urban rainfall runoff
Authors: Li Jiake , Li Laiyan , Dong Wen , Li Huaien
Published: November 2018

In order to develop bioretention fillers with better phosphorus removal capacity, we built 12 bioretention columns with six kinds of modified fillers, and analyzed the operation effects of the columns under different conditions through field tests. Results show that adding water treatment residual has optimal removal rates for total phosphorus (TP) (median = 96.80%) and soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) (median = 97.13%). The water reduction rates of the columns with improved fillers are 1.23–2.04 times that of the bioretention soil media column. The coconut chaff column has the best water storage capacity (median = 40.54%). Among the external factors affecting column operation, influent concentration of pollutants in urban surface runoff is the biggest influence factor on the removal efficiency of TP. However, there are no significant correlations between the removal efficiency of SRP and rainfall, influent concentration, and discharge ratio. The columns modified with medical stone, vermiculite, peat soil, medical stone + peat soil, green zeolite + peat soil all have good removal for phosphorus pollutant. After entering the columns, the contents of TP and SRP in most columns increased. The recommended fillers and the accumulation performance of phosphorus can help to improve purification effects in bioretention systems.
Photocatalytic performance of Ag2S/ZnO/ZnS nanocomposites with high visible light response prepared via microwave-assisted hydrothermal two-step method
Authors: Huang Jiwei , Yang Changlong , Song Qiang , Liu Dongxue , Li Li
Published: November 2018

A series of different ratios of Ag2S/ZnO/ZnS nanocomposites with visible light response were prepared by a microwave-assisted hydrothermal two-step method, whose composition, crystalline structure, morphology and surface physicochemical properties were well-characterized via X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV–vis/DRS), photoluminescence spectrum (PL), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) and N2 adsorption–desorption measurements. Results showed that as-composites mainly consisted of ZnS crystal phase, whose grain size increased obviously compared with non Ag2S samples. At the same time, due to the introduction of narrow band gap Ag2S, the synthesized composite can effectively increase the visible optical absorption of ZnO/ZnS composites. Among them, 1% Ag2S/ZnO/ZnS showed a mixed structure of nano-line and nano-particle, of which BET value increased significantly, and the morphology was more excellent. Photocatalytic activities of a series of Ag2S/ZnO/ZnS composites under different light sources were studied using methyl orange as a model molecule, and 1% Ag2S/ZnO/ZnS was taken as the best one. Meanwhile, 1% Ag2S/ZnO/ZnS also showed a good degradation effect on other dyes with different structures, and its degradation efficiency did not change significantly after three cycles, showing certain stability. In addition, composites with Ag2S loading of 1% possessed the highest hydrogen production ability of photolysis water, indicating that the introduction of Ag2S had significantly enhanced the catalytic performance.
Systematic Review of Food Addiction as Measured with the Yale Food Addiction Scale: Implications for the Food Addiction Construct
Authors: Penzenstadler Louise , Soares Carina , Karila Laurent , Khazaal Yasser
Published: November 2018

Background:

The concept of food addiction attracts much interest in the scientific community. Research is mainly based on the Yale Food Addiction Scale (YFAS), a tool developed to assess food addiction. Substance use disorder criteria have been used to develop this scale.

Objective:

The aim of this paper was to review the clinical significance of food addiction diagnoses made with the YFAS and to discuss the results in light of the current debate on behavioral addictions.

Methods:

We performed a systematic review of the studies that assessed food addiction with the YFAS published between January 2014 and July 2017 by searching the electronic databases PsycINFO, MEDLINE, and PsycARTICLES.

Results:

Sixty publications were included in the analysis. Thirty-three studies examined nonclinical samples and 27 examined clinical samples. All studies used YFAS scoring results to define food addiction. The prevalence of food addiction according to the YFAS varied largely by the studied samples. In general, a higher body mass index and the presence of eating disorders (EDs), especially binge eating disorder (BED), were associated with higher YFAS scores.

Conclusion:

The concept of food addiction has not been established to this day although it can be grouped with other EDs such as BED. More research is needed to understand this behavior and the differences between food addiction and other EDs. The criteria for food addiction should be revisited in light of the concepts currently used to examine behavioral addictions.
Transition Metal-free Trifluoroethoxylation of Diaryliodonium Salts and Fluoro Alcohols
Authors: Li Jian , Wang Zhengbing , Lu Xuechen , Lin Jing , Liu Li , Zhao Yue
Published: November 2018

A method for the synthesis of aryl trifluoroethyl ethers from fluoroalcohols and diaryliodonium salts in the presence of NaH and warm 1,2-dichloroethane has been developed. This transition metal free reaction is mild and facile. Various functional group including electron-withdrawing and electron-donating substrates in the diaryliodonium salts were tolerated in this transformation to afford the products in moderate to high yields.
Antimicrobial Activity, Antioxidant Properties and Phytochemical Screening of Aesculus hippocastanum Mother Tincture against Food-borne Bacteria
Authors: Bonomo Maria Grazia , Cafaro Caterina , Russo Daniela , Calabrone Luana , Milella Luigi , Saturnino Carmela , Capasso Anna , Salzano Giovanni
Published: November 2018

Background:

The advantageous health effects of extracts from different types of plants
have been known for centuries and the search for new natural extracts is very important at present.

Methods:

In this study, the antioxidant and the antimicrobial activities of Aesculus hippocastanum
mother tincture (TM) against a range of foodborne bacteria were investigated to determine the major
components and the action spectrum and the antimicrobial efficacy of the extract.

Results:

Results demonstrated a high antioxidant ability; total polyphenolic content was 506.8 ±
15.2mg GAE/100ml and the highest content was found for flavonoids. Moreover, TM demonstrated
the antimicrobial activity against all tested bacteria and all Gram-negative bacteria were sensitive
with an high antimicrobial activity. The inhibitory activity showed a moderate effect on the growth
of 72.7% of strains in presence of different extract MIC.

Conclusion:

The synergistic actions of bioactive compounds detected in the TM might be on the
basis of the antioxidant and biological activities observed. These results can be applied in the
pharmaceutical field and also in food preservation, alternative medicine and natural therapies.
Synthesis, Formulation and Analytical Method Validation of Rutin Derivative
Authors: Abualhasan Murad , Assali Mohyeddin , Jaradat Nidal , Sarhan Tala
Published: November 2018

Background:

In this study; we aimed to increase water solubility and formula dissolution
through synthesizing more soluble chemical derivative of rutin

Objective:

The synthesized rutin derivative is novel and shows an improvement in solubility and
hence possibly a better oral bioavailability. The steps followed in this study are of major benefit
which can be utilized by herbal and pharmaceutical industries to improve their products.

Methods:

In this study, a selective partial acetylation was performed to produce a hexaacetylated
ester of rutin. Water solubility of the synthesized hexaacetylated ester of rutin and its dissolution
were tested and compared to the original rutin. A simple UV/Vis spectrophotometric method was
developed and validated.

Results:

Water solubility and dissolution profile of hexaacetylated ester derivative of rutin were
increased by approximately two folds compared to that of the original rutin. The antioxidant activity
of the synthesized derivative was comparable to original rutin. The developed analytical method was
found to be linear, accurate, precise, robust and capable of quantifying the active ingredient at low
concentration (0.0259 mg/ml).

Conclusion:

An improvement in the solubility of rutin was achieved. The tablet formulation of the
partially acetylated ester derivative of rutin gives a better dissolution over the marketed rutin tablets.
Synthesis and In Vitro Biological Activity Evaluation of Novel Imidazo [2,1-B][1,3,4] Thiadiazole as Anti-Alzheimer Agents
Authors: Azimi Sara , Firuzi Omidreza , Iraji Aida , Zonouzi Afsaneh , Khoshneviszadeh Mahsima , Mahdavi Mohammad , Edraki Najmeh
Published: November 2018

Background: Considering that AD is multifactorial in nature, novel series of imidazo
[2,1-b][1,3,4] thiadiazole derivatives were designed to address the basic factors responsible for the
disease.

Methods: These compounds were investigated as inhibitors of beta-site APP cleaving enzyme 1,
acetylcholinesterase and butyryl cholinesterase.

Results: The BACE1 inhibitory results indicated that nitro phenyl substituted derivatives of imidazo
[2,1-b][1,3,4] thiadiazole scaffold (R2 = m-NO2) demonstrated superior BACE1 inhibitory activity
compared to other substituted moieties. In the BuChE assay, compounds 4h and 4l carrying meta
NO2 at R2 of phenyl ring turned out to be potent inhibitors.

Conclusion: In conclusion, these novel synthesized derivatives seem to be promising anti-Alzheimer
agents.
Dapsone Hypersensitivity Syndrome (DHS): A Detrimental Effect of Dapsone? A Case Report
Authors: Shukkoor Aashiq Ahamed , Thangavelu Saravanan , George Nimmy Elizabeth , Priya Shanmuga
Published: November 2018

Background:

Dapsone is a sulfone derived drug used in the treatment of leprosy and several
chronic inflammatory dermatological diseases. Dapsone Hypersensitivity Syndrome (DHS) is
characterized by fever, hepatitis, generalized exfoliative dermatitis and lymphadenopathy. It is rare and
potentially fatal.

Case Report:

We present a case report of a 52 years old female with a recent history of antecedent
dapsone exposure of 100 mg daily for 2 weeks. She developed fever 10 days after exposure to dapsone
therapy and was treated in various primary and tertiary centers for features of sepsis. When she
presented to us, clinical features of multi-organ dysfunction and intractable sepsis was evident. She
was successfully managed with intravenous corticosteroids and other supportive therapy. This case of
DHS is unique due to pulmonary, hepatic and colonic involvement in addition to secondary bacterial
and fungal infection, which is associated with an increased risk of mortality.

Conclusion:

As dapsone is mainstay in the treatment several infections and inflammatory conditions,
further research is needed to characterize markers to diagnose DHS and to develop screening policies
prior to initiation of dapsone therapy.
Treatment Preferences for Internet-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia in Japan: Online Survey (Preprint)
Authors: Sato Daisuke , Sutoh Chihiro , Seki Yoichi , Nagai Eiichi , Shimizu Eiji
Published: November 2018

BACKGROUND

The internet has the potential to increase individuals’ access to cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for insomnia at low cost. However, treatment preferences regarding internet-based computerized CBT for insomnia have not been fully examined.

OBJECTIVE

The aim was to conduct an anonymous online survey to evaluate treatment preferences for insomnia among patients with insomnia and individuals without insomnia.

METHODS

We developed an online survey to recruit a total of 600 participants living in the Kanto district in Japan. There were three subgroups: 200 medicated individuals with insomnia, 200 unmedicated individuals with insomnia, and 200 individuals without insomnia. The survey asked questions about the severity of the respondent’s insomnia (using the Athens Insomnia Scale), the frequency of sleep medication use and the level of satisfaction with sleep medication use, the respondent’s knowledge of CBT, his or her preference for CBT for insomnia before drug therapy, preference for CBT versus drug therapy, and preference for internet-based CBT versus face-to-face CBT.

RESULTS

Of the 600 respondents, 47.7% (286/600) indicated that they received CBT before drug therapy, and 57.2% (343/600) preferred CBT for insomnia to drug therapy. In addition, 47.0% (282/600) preferred internet-based CBT for insomnia to face-to-face CBT. Although the respondents with insomnia who were taking an insomnia medication had a relatively lower preference for internet-based CBT (40.5%, 81/200), the respondents with insomnia who were not taking an insomnia medication had a relatively higher preference for internet-based CBT (55.5%, 111/200).

CONCLUSIONS

The results of our online survey suggest that approximately half of the people queried preferred CBT for insomnia to drug therapy, and half of the respondents preferred internet-based CBT for insomnia to face-to-face CBT.
Programmatic Mapping: Providing Evidence for High Impact HIV Prevention Programs for Female Sex Workers (Preprint)
Authors: Emmanuel Faran , Persaud Navindra , Weir Sharon S , Bhattacharjee Parinita , Isac Shajy
Published: November 2018

UNSTRUCTURED

Programmatic mapping (PM) is a rapid and efficient mechanism to develop size estimates of key populations including female sex workers (FSWs) and geolocate them at physical locations in a systematic and scientific manner. At the macro level, this information forms the basis for allocating program resources, setting performance targets, and assess coverage. At a micro level, PM data provide specific information on hot spots, estimates of FSWs at those spots, and hot spot typology and days and times of operation, all of which provides targeted service delivery strategies. This information can provide a reliable platform to plan HIV prevention and treatment services to considerable scale and intensity. Above all, the entire PM process requires deep involvement of FSWs, which increases community ownership of the data and can lead to an increased uptake of services. Despite a few limitations, the approach is versatile and can be used in varied country contexts to generate important information about sex work and its dynamics. In this paper, we describe experiences and lessons learned from using evidence generated from PM of FSWs in multiple countries to develop HIV prevention programs at scale.
Analyzing the Communication Interchange of Individuals With Disabilities Utilizing Facebook, Discussion Forums, and Chat Rooms: Qualitative Content Analysis of Online Disabilities Support Groups (Preprint)
Authors: Stetten Nichole E , LeBeau Kelsea , Aguirre Maria A , Vogt Alexis B , Quintana Jazmine R , Jennings Alexis R , Hart Mark
Published: November 2018

BACKGROUND

Approximately 1 in 5 adults in the United States are currently living with a form of disability. Although the Americans with Disabilities Act has published guidelines to help make developing technology and social networking sites (SNS) more accessible and user-friendly to people with a range of disabilities, persons with disabilities, on average, have less access to the internet than the general population. The quality, content, and medium vary from site to site and have been greatly understudied. Due to this, it is still unclear how persons with disabilities utilize various platforms of online communication for support.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to qualitatively explore and compare the interactions and connections among online support groups across Facebook, discussion forums, and chat rooms to better understand how persons with disabilities were utilizing different SNS to facilitate communication interchange, disseminate information, and foster community support.

METHODS

Facebook groups, discussion forums, and chat rooms were chosen based on predetermined inclusion criteria. Data collected included content posted on Facebook groups, forums, and chat rooms as well as the interactions among group members. Data were analyzed qualitatively using the constant comparative method.

RESULTS

A total of 133 Facebook posts, 116 forum posts, and 60 hours of chat room discussions were collected and analyzed. In addition, 4 themes were identified for Facebook posts, 3 for discussion forums, and 3 for chat rooms. Persons with disabilities utilized discussion forums and chat rooms in similar ways, but their interactions on Facebook differed in comparison. They seem to interact on a platform based on the specific functions it offers.

CONCLUSIONS

Interactions on each of the platforms displayed elements of the 4 types of social support, indicating the ability for social support to be facilitated among SNS; however, the type of social support varied by platform. Findings demonstrate that online support platforms serve specific purposes that may not be interchangeable. Through participation on different platforms, persons with disabilities are able to provide and receive social support in various ways, without the barriers and constraints often experienced by this population.
Impact of a Novel Smartphone App (CureApp Smoking Cessation) on Nicotine Dependence: Prospective Single-Arm Interventional Pilot Study (Preprint)
Authors: Masaki Katsunori , Tateno Hiroki , Kameyama Naofumi , Morino Eriko , Watanabe Riri , Sekine Kazuma , Ono Tomohiro , Satake Kohta , Suzuki Shin , Nomura Akihiro , Betsuyaku Tomoko , Fukunaga Koichi
Published: November 2018

BACKGROUND

Mobile apps have been considered to provide active and continuous support for smoking cessation. However, it is yet to be known whether a smoking cessation smartphone app improves long-term abstinence rates in nicotine-dependent patients.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate the long-term abstinence effect of a novel smartphone app, CureApp Smoking Cessation (CASC), in patients with nicotine dependence.

METHODS

In this prospective, interventional, multicenter, single-arm study, we provided the CASC app to all the participants, who used it daily for 24 weeks. The CASC app includes features to maximize the therapeutic effect of pharmacological therapies and counseling at outpatient clinics for smoking cessation. The primary endpoint was a continuous abstinence rate (CAR) from weeks 9 to 24, whereas secondary endpoints were CARs from weeks 9 to 12 and 9 to 52.

RESULTS

Of the 56 adult smokers recruited, 1 did not download the app; therefore, 55 participants constituted the full analysis sample. The CAR from weeks 9 to 24 was 64% (35/55, 95% CI 51%-76%), whereas the CARs from weeks 9 to 12 and 9 to 52 were 76% (42/55, 95% CI 65%-88%) and 58% (32/55, 95% CI 46%-71%), respectively. These CARs were better than the results of the national survey on outpatient clinics with regard to smoking cessation under the National Health Insurance Program and that of the varenicline phase 3 trial in Japan and the United States. There was only 1 participant who dropped out during the 12 weeks of the treatment period. This treatment decreased the scores related to withdrawal and craving symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

The addition of CASC to usual smoking cessation therapies resulted in high CARs, high patient retention rates, and improvement of cessation-related symptoms. The smartphone app CASC is a feasible and useful tool to help long-term continuous abstinence that can be combined with a standard smoking cessation treatment program.
Development of a Consumer Health Vocabulary by Mining Health Forum Texts Based on Word Embedding: Semiautomatic Approach (Preprint)
Authors: Gu Gen , Zhang Xingting , Zhu Xingeng , Jian Zhe , Chen Ken , Wen Dong , Gao Li , Zhang Shaodian , Wang Fei , Ma Handong , Lei Jianbo
Published: November 2018

BACKGROUND

The vocabulary gap between consumers and professionals in the medical domain hinders information seeking and communication. Consumer health vocabularies have been developed to aid such informatics applications. This purpose is best served if the vocabulary evolves with consumers’ language.

OBJECTIVE

Our objective is to develop a method for identifying and adding new terms to consumer health vocabularies, so that it can keep up with the constantly evolving medical knowledge and language use.

METHODS

In this paper, we propose a consumer health term–finding framework based on a distributed word vector space model. We first learned word vectors from a large-scale text corpus and then adopted a supervised method with existing consumer health vocabularies for learning vector representation of words, which can provide additional supervised fine tuning after unsupervised word embedding learning. With a fine-tuned word vector space, we identified pairs of professional terms and their consumer variants by their semantic distance in the vector space. A subsequent manual review of the extracted and labeled pairs of entities was conducted to validate the results generated by the proposed approach. The results were evaluated using mean reciprocal rank (MRR).

RESULTS

Manual evaluation showed that it is feasible to identify alternative medical concepts by using professional or consumer concepts as queries in the word vector space without fine tuning, but the results are more promising in the final fine-tuned word vector space. The MRR values indicated that on an average, a professional or consumer concept is about 14th closest to its counterpart in the word vector space without fine tuning, and the MRR in the final fine-tuned word vector space is 8. Furthermore, the results demonstrate that our method can collect abbreviations and common typos frequently used by consumers.

CONCLUSIONS

By integrating a large amount of text information and existing consumer health vocabularies, our method outperformed several baseline ranking methods and is effective for generating a list of candidate terms for human review during consumer health vocabulary development.
Determining the Traction Characteristic of a Tractor in Operating Conditions
Authors: Arzhenovskiy A. G. , Kozlov D. S. , Petrishchev N. A.
Published: November 2018

One of the most important aspects in terms of increasing the efficiency of agricultural production is the improvement of the methods and tools of determining the main operating indicators of tractors as they influence the productivity, efficiency and ecological safety of machine­tractor units. (Research purpose) To develop a method for obtaining traction characteristics of a tractor, which make it possible to reduce the time needed for measurements under operating conditions, and to design an instrument for economical obtaining of tractors’ traction characteristics under specific farm conditions. (Materials and methods) the authors have chosen a method for determining the energy performance of tractors under operating conditions in a transient mode. They have conducted traction tests of tractors for various modes and soil backgrounds to evaluate its traction­dynamic and fuel­economic indicators. The traction characteristic of a tractor is the dependence of the tractor performance (traction power, speed, hourly and specific fuel consumption, and slipping) on the load at various speeds against a given soil background. However, traction tests require expensive equipment, as well as significant costs and time to prepare and conduct, which leads to their implementation only in the conditions of machine testing stations. (Results and discussion) The authors have developed a method for obtaining traction characteristics of a tractor under operating conditions. Instantly increasing the fuel supply to the maximum, during the tractor acceleration, the engine crankshaft speed and track­measuring wheel were measured at a given speed and against the corresponding soil background ­ with load and without load. It has been revealed that the fuel and economic indicators can be determined using cyclical fuel supply by the fuel pump at the maximum mode on the bench for checking and adjusting the fuel equipment. The authors have developed and assembled a measuring and computing installation that allows processing arrays of data from two inductive sensors. (Conclusions) The proposed method for determining the traction­dynamic and fuel­economic indicators of tractors and the measuring­computing installation that implements it allow obtaining a traction characteristic (speed, slipping, traction power, hourly and specific fuel consumption depending on the load at various speeds against a given soil background) in operating conditions, thus reducing the time and cost of operation.