bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Libraries = Success: NJ Libraries and Schools Conquer Library Card Sign-Up Month
Authors: McClary Tiffany , Rawlins Sharon
Published: June 2020

Each September, the American Library Association (ALA) and libraries nationwide partner to promote Library Card Sign-Up Month. The goal is to remind community members, parents, students, teachers, and librarians about the importance of owning a library card, which is like a passport to vast book collections, digital resources, hands-on support, and much more.In 2019, staff at New Jersey State Library (NJSL) brainstormed ways to make the event extra special. We decided to create new partnerships and strengthen existing ones, so we collaborated with the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE), the New Jersey Library Association (NJLA), and the New Jersey Association of School Librarians (NJASL) to launch the Libraries = Success marketing campaign.
Marking a Milestone: Hosting a Kindergarten Library Card Party
Authors: Smithberger Anna , Wahlstrom Ann
Published: June 2020

Take one Caldecott Honor winner and add scores of kindergarteners. Throw in an effort to sign up more library users. Toss in a bunch of enthusiastic volunteers. That’s the recipe for Ramsey County (MN) Library’s (RCL) recent Kindergarten Library Card Party.It’s a program that has been running since 2008, starting humbly as a partnership between the Friends of the Ramsey County Libraries and the Junior League of St. Paul. The latter, a local women’s nonprofit organization focusing on volunteerism, was interested in developing a program where they could put books into the hands of kindergarteners.
Intellectual Freedom: Incorporating Intellectual Freedom and Information Literacy into Programming
Authors: Albright Meagan , Brown Ashley J.
Published: June 2020

Raising awareness of intellectual freedom and information literacy is important, and not just during Banned Books Week. Just like sneaking healthy food into a kid’s meal, these techniques for incorporating these topics will enrich the work you already do as a librarian without disrupting your programming routine. (Note: see sidebar on the next page for ready-made program ideas).
Pork Consumption in Relation to Body Weight and Composition: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: An Ruopeng , Liu Jianxiu , Liu Ruidong
Published: June 2020

Objectives: In this study, we systematically synthesized scientific evidence on pork consumption in relation to body weight and composition among adults. Methods: We performed a keyword search using Cochrane Library, PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL, and Google Scholar.
We conducted a meta-analysis to estimate the pooled effect size of pork consumption on body weight and composition. Results: Overall, 12 studies met the eligibility criteria for inclusion in the review. Among the experimental studies without daily total energy intake restrictions, pork
intake was associated with a reduction in body weight by 0.86 kg (95% CI = 0.17-1.55) and body fat percentage by 0.77% (95% CI = 0.11%-1.43%); pork intake was not associated with change in lean mass. Among the experimental studies with energy restrictions, pork intake was associated with a
reduction in body weight by 5.56 kg (95% CI = 0.55-10.59), lean mass by 1.50 kg (95% CI = 1.39-1.62), and fat mass by 6.60 kg (95% CI = 6.42-6.79). Among the observational studies, pork intake was not associated with overweight/obesity. Conclusions: Findings on pork consumption in relation
to body weight/composition differed by study design. Future experimental studies using representative samples are warranted to examine the effect of fresh/lean pork consumption on body weight and composition in the general population and by subgroups.
Adolescents' Health Literacy and Decision-making: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Fleary Sasha A. , Joseph Patrece
Published: June 2020

Objective: Adolescents assume increased responsibility for their health, particularly regarding health decision-making for lifestyle behaviors. Prior research suggests a relationship between health literacy (HL) and health behaviors in adolescents. Yet, the specific role of HL
in adolescents' health decision-making is unclear. This study qualitatively explored adolescents' use of HL in their health decision-making. Methods: Six focus groups with adolescents (N = 37, Mage = 16.49, 86% girls) were conducted. Adolescents' responses to questions about
their HL use were coded using thematic analysis. Results: Adolescents identified passive and active HL engagement and several individual (eg, future orientation, risk perception) and environmental (eg, access to resources/information, media) factors that influenced their use of HL in
health decision-making. Feedback from others, subjective health, and ability to navigate multiple sources of information also determined adolescents' confidence in their HL skills. Conclusions: Our results support expanding the types of HL studied/measured in adolescents and provide
insight on how HL can be leveraged to improve adolescents' health decision-making. Though there was no guiding theory for this study, results support using the Information-Motivation-Behavior Skills model to assess the HL/health decision-making relationship in adolescence.
Diet Quality, Carotenoid Status, and Body Composition in NCAA Division I Athletes
Authors: Jontony Nicole , Hill Emily B. , Taylor Christopher A. , Boucher Laura C. , O'Brien Vince , Weiss Rick , Spees Colleen K.
Published: June 2020

Objectives: In this paper, we examined diet quality and associations between changes in skin carotenoids and body composition among selected NCAA Division I athletes. Methods: Athletes from women's (rowing, swimming, gymnastics) and men's (swimming, wrestling) teams at
a large Midwest university (N = 129) completed one online food frequency questionnaire and 2 in-person visits, once in-season and once out-of-season, to assess skin carotenoids and body composition. Diet quality was assessed via Healthy Eating Index-2015 (HEI). Carotenoids were measured via
resonance Raman spectroscopy and body composition via dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. ANOVA and Pearson correlations were used to test differences between teams and determine association between changes from in-season to out-of-season. Results: Mean HEI score for all athletes was
71.0. Women's rowing reported the highest diet quality (73.5), men's wrestling lowest (56.5). Skin carotenoids decreased for all teams, except men's wrestling, from in-season to out-of-season. Body fat percentage increased for women and decreased for men. There was a moderate inverse association
between changes in skin carotenoids and body fat percentage (r = -.334, p = .001). Conclusions: Suboptimal diet quality coupled with decreases in skin carotenoids and increases in body fat percentage from in-season to out-of-season may justify dietitian-led interventions year-round
to improve dietary patterns in collegiate athletes.
Barriers and Facilitators to Timely Colonoscopy Completion for Safety Net Clinic Patients
Authors: Schneider Jennifer L. , Rivelli Jennifer S. , Gruss Inga , Petrik Amanda F. , Nielson Carrie M. , Green Beverly B. , Coronado Gloria D.
Published: June 2020

Objectives: In this study, we conducted telephone interviews with patients in community clinics who had abnormal fecal immunochemical test (FIT) results to identify follow-up colonoscopy challenges. The FIT is an effective colorectal cancer screening method, but its value is
contingent on follow-up diagnostic colonoscopy. Methods: We explored barriers at 3 timepoints: (1) abnormal FIT-result communication, (2) scheduling/completion of colonoscopy, and (3) receipt of results. We sought to understand variation in experience by both Spanish and English language
patients. Results: We interviewed 32 patients (16 English; 16 Spanish), 66% of whom were women. There were 13 early completers (≤ 2 months after FIT result), 14 later completers (> 2 months after FIT result), and 5 non-completers of the colonoscopy. The greatest challenge was
fear of the procedure, expressed more often by Spanish language (SL) participants and later completers. SL participants also cited cost and lack of clear communication about the need for a colonoscopy. English language (EL) participants experienced lack of reliable transportation. Conclusions:
Barriers to timely colonoscopy completion following an abnormal FIT can occur at different transitions in care and vary by patient characteristics. Our findings may inform the design of programs to improve colonoscopy completion in safety net clinics.
Mening og relationer i flipped learning
Authors: Viftrup Dorte Toudal , Hvidt Niels Christian
Published: June 2020

Artiklen præsenterer en undersøgelse af. hvorvidt og hvordan de studerende oplevede et flipped learning undervisningsforløb i videnskabsteori som relevant, samt hvilke dele af undervisningen, de oplevede, understøttede deres læring.

Et mindre mixed methods design blev benyttet. 36 studerende besvarede et spørgeskema med både kvalitative og kvantitative items, og vi udførte fokusgruppeinterview med 4 studerende. En fortolkende fænomenologisk metode- og analysedesign blev benyttet. Fire temaer blev fremanalyseret på baggrund af det kvalitative data: 1. Mening, 2. Forberedelse og deltagelse, 3. Forventninger og 4. Relationer.

Undersøgelsen viste, at de studerende i høj grad oplevede flipped learning undervisningsmetoden som relevant og understøttende for deres læring, men at dette hang sammen med, at undervisningen blev gjort meningsfuldt for dem af underviser, og at de oplevede tryghed i relation til underviser, medstuderende og i læringskonteksten. Mening og relationer i læringssituationer var centralt for at de studerende blev aktive medskabere af egen læring og indgik i de relationelle læringsprocesser.
Multisygdom
Authors: Sodemann Morten
Published: June 2020

Multisygdom har altid eksisteret, men blev desmaskeret af hyperspecialiseringen i sundhedsvæsnet, der har gjort denne gruppe af patienter til et problem, de ikke var tidligere. Dét der opfattes som en epidemi af komplekse patienter, der skyl- ler ind over et forsvarsløst sundhedsvæsen, er i virkeligheden et problem, der primært blev skabt af en ukontrolleret hyperspecialisering, hvor præmissen er, at patienter har én sygdom. Patienter med enkeltstående sygdom fik en plads i hver deres speciale, mens multisyge blev marginaliserede uden en afdeling, uden spe- ciale. Samtidig har sundhedsvæsnet en forståelsesramme, hvor sygdomme opfat- tes og behandles løsrevet fra deres sociale kontekst. Multisyge starter en automa- tiseret patientkarriere, præget af øget sårbarhed for komplikationer og yderligere sygdomme. De psykosociale konsekvenser af sygdom er ofte en stor skjult byrde, der ender med at forstyrre selv ukomplicerede sygdomsforløb. Multisygdom præ- ges af syndemier, hvor sygdomme gensidigt gør hinanden værre, end de hver især ville være – der sker en forstærkning af sygelighed, som yderligere potenseres hvis patienten bor i udsatte nærmiljøer (udsatte boligområder, områder uden geografisk let adgang til sundhedsvæsnet). Multisygdom har en tung social slagside og er i udpræget grad et socialt fænomen, som i årsager og behandling, ligger langt udenfor sundhedsvæsnets indflydelse, rammer og kompetencer. I princip- pet burde multimorbiditet kun være et problem, hvis patienten taber modstands- kraft eller hvis sårbarheden øges, men desværre monitorerer sundhedsvæsnet ikke patienters resiliens, stress niveau eller sårbarhed og kan dermed skabe pro- blematisk multisygdom. Multisyge havner derfor ofte i en Bermuda trekant, fordi multimorbiditet skabes af en samtidig forstyrrelse i deres sociale netværk, deres biologiske netværk og derpå, gennem deres kompleksitet, ender med at skabe for- styrrelse i sundhedsvæsnet. Multisygdomsbegrebet er under forandring med input fra epigenetik, kaostænkning, miljøfaktorer, mikrobe-antropologi og analyser af informationsspredning i sociale netværk.
People with multimorbidity assessed for home-based rehabilitation
Authors: Vedsegaard Helle Wendner , Dybbroe Betina
Published: June 2020

This article examines people’s vulnerability and agency, existing in complex everyday life with multimorbidity, and created in the meeting with the municipal assessor about provi- sion/ non-provision of a rehabilitation programme or home care. The question is how the meetings support these people’s everyday lives or, by contrast, create additional vulnera- bility. The article’s basis is an ethnographic field study in a west Copenhagen municipa- lity, with 26 people, aged between 28 and 86, that have multimorbidity and are applying for home care or already getting it. The article’s three cases look at four key informants - one married couple and two people living alone. The article’s finding is that people are supported in an everyday life with multimorbidity when everyday life and challenges in daily life’s practical activities are not separated, and where the meeting with the assessor is grounded in the person’s everyday life with multimorbidity. Conversely rehabilitation potential assessment, entailing marginalisation of people’s everyday life with multimorbidity, and excluding from the meeting people’s experiences of a meaningful everyday life and need for help in coping with complicated everyday life, results in unequal access to rehabilitation and home care, and creates additional vulnerability among those with multimorbidity.
Assessment of Post-Rehabilitation ACL Reconstructed Knees
Authors: Carlson Kevin
Published: June 2020

Background: Understanding objective measures of ACL-reconstructed knee function is important in determining the efficacy of rehabilitation protocols and a patient’s return to activities of daily living and sport activities. Objective: To assess the range of motion (ROM), isokinetic strength (torque) and functional performance measures (hop test) of ACL-reconstructed and ACL-intact knees. Methods: Twelve volunteers (5 females, 7 males) with unilateral ACL injury and reconstruction were given a battery of tests (hop test for distance, knee range of motion, knee extensor isokinetic testing to assess both affected and unaffected lower limb function, flexibility and strength. Main effects and interactions were analyzed by mixed-model repeated measures ANCOVA. Dependent variables included hop test for distance, knee flexion and extension range of motion, and knee extensor isokinetic torque. The independent variables were the intact/reconstructed ACL knee and time from surgery. Sex was the covariate. Results: No statistically significant differences (p>0.05) were found across all dependent variables hop test for distance (P = 0.939), knee flexion (P = 0.576) and extension (P = 0.431) ROM, and knee extensor torque (eccentric P = 0.923 and concentric P = 0.723) for the main effects and interactions of knee (ACL-reconstructed and ACL-intact) and time (0-12 months, 13-24 months, 25-36 months and 37+ months). The covariate, sex, did produce significant differences for the hop test (P < 0.0001) and isokinetic testing (eccentric peak torque P = 0.003 and concentric peak torque P=0.012). Conclusions: Clinicians may consider present rehabilitation protocols to be adequate in developing ROM and isokinetic strength following ACL reconstruction. However, greater improvements in ROM and strength may be achieved over an extended period following ACL reconstruction surgery.
Book Review: Open: The Philosophy and Practices that are Revolutionizing Education and Science
Authors: Simas Sam
Published: June 2020

In Open: The Philosophy and Practices that are Revolutionizing Education and Science—a volume of edited essays—the authors, Robert Biswas-Diener and Rajiv Jhangiani, situate the “open movement” and its many facets within the framework of education. They posit that openness and its associations with education, librarianship, and science suggest an important social justice imperative to support the world’s poor and underserved. Throughout this volume, short essays attest to, and present examples for, the critical and philosophical landscape that structures, benefits, and challenges the open movement.
Using Open Pedagogy to Engage LIS Students: A Case Study
Authors: Hollister Christopher
Published: June 2020

INTRODUCTION This case study describes the experimental use of open pedagogy to teach graduate-level library and information science (LIS) students in a newly developed course on international and comparative librarianship. Open pedagogy is the theory and practice of engaging students as creators of course content rather than requiring them to be consumers of it. In this case, students created an open textbook; each student authored a chapter about libraries and the field of librarianship in an assigned non-North American country. The textbook was developed under a Creative Commons license as an open educational resource (OER), allowing free use, remixing, and repurposing in future sections of the course or in similar courses offered in LIS programs at other institutions. METHOD The author used student perception data collected from a voluntary survey instrument and from a compulsory reflection paper assignment to assess the efficacy of implementing an open pedagogy framework in the course. RESULTS Collected data suggests the experiment produced results perceived by the majority of students as efficacious in the given context. DISCUSSION Students were enthusiastic in their embrace of creating renewable versus disposable coursework, and they expressed great satisfaction with the course outcomes of contributing to the professional literature, building the discipline’s nascent OER record, and having a publication to feature in their curricular and professional dossiers. CONCLUSIONS Massive shifts in teaching and learning demand radical transitions. Open pedagogy is a response to that demand that requires additional research and experimentation.
LCZ696 mitigates diabetic-induced nephropathy through inhibiting oxidative stress, NF-κB mediated inflammation and glomerulosclerosis in rats
Authors: Mohany Mohamed , Alanazi Ahmed Z. , Alqahtani Faleh , Belali Osamah M. , Ahmed Mohammed M. , Al-Rejaie Salim S.
Published: June 2020

Background

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is among the most common microvascular complications of diabetes resulting in end-stage renal disease and therefore search for candidates which can ameliorate the kidney function is needed simultaneously with standard diabetic pharmacotherapy. The current study was aimed to investigate the effect of long term sacubitril/valsartan therapy (LCZ696) in diabetic rats to assess its ameliorative impact against various pathological parameters such as oxidative stress, inflammation and glomerulosclerosis associated with chronic DN.

Methods

A single dose (60 mg/kg/day) of STZ was used to induce type 1 diabetes in adult male wistar rats. 2 weeks after diabetes induction, these rats were treated orally with valsartan (31 mg/kg) or LCZ696 (68 mg/kg) for 6 weeks. At end of the treatment period, serum and kidney samples were collected and analyzed. The serum levels of glucose, insulin, urea, creatinine, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-10 levels were estimated. In renal tissue homogenate, the levels of inflammatory markers such as TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, NF-kB along with oxidative stress biomarkers including thiobarbituric acid-reacting substances (TBARs), glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione S-transferase (GST) were assessed. Histological changes were observed in kidney.

Results

Time course therapy withLCZ696 and valsartan in diabetic rats resulted in significant reduction of serum glucose, urea and creatinine levels (P < 0.05). Additionally, serum of treated diabetic rats showed a diminution in inflammatory (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6) and increment in anti-inflammatory (IL-10) cytokines levels (P < 0.05). Tissue homogenate of the kidney extracted from LCZ696 and valsartan treated diabetic rats revealed a substantial reduction in the levels of inflammatory markers such as TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, NF-kB and sufficient restoration of anti-oxidant enzyme levels (P < 0.05). Finally, in the histological sections of the kidney, prevention of renal injury was observed with limited necrosis and inflammatory cells infiltration.

Conclusion

Present data suggest that LCZ696 has sufficient therapeutic potential to restrict DN progression through inhibiting inflammation, oxidative stress and glomerulosclerosis.
Salmo salar fish waste oil: Fatty acids composition and antibacterial activity
Authors: Inguglia Luigi , Chiaramonte Marco , Di Stefano Vita , Schillaci Domenico , Cammilleri Gaetano , Pantano Licia , Mauro Manuela , Vazzana Mirella , Ferrantelli Vincenzo , Nicolosi Rosalia , Arizza Vincenzo
Published: June 2020

Background and aims

Fish by-products are generally used to produce fishmeal or fertilizers, with fish oil as a by-product. Despite their importance, fish wastes are still poorly explored and characterized and more studies are needed to reveal their potentiality. The goal of the present study was to qualitatively characterize and investigate the antimicrobial effects of the fish oil extracted from Salmo salar waste samples and to evaluate the potential use of these compounds for treating pathogen infections.

Methods

Salmo salar waste samples were divided in two groups: heads and soft tissues. Fatty acids composition, and in particular the content in saturated (SAFAs), mono-unsaturated (MUFAs) and Polyunsaturated (PUFAs) fatty acids, was characterized through GC/MS Thermo Focus GC-DSQ II equipped with a ZB-5 fused silica capillary tubes column. The antimicrobial activity of the salmon waste oils was evaluated through the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration assay and the antibiotics contamination was determined by Liquid Chromatography with tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis. All experiments were done at least in triplicate.

Results

GC/MS analysis has shown the specific fatty acid composition of the salmon waste oils and their enrichment in MUFAs and PUFAs, with special reference to omega-3, -6, -7, -9 fatty acids. Furthermore, our study has highlighted the antimicrobial activity of the fish waste oil samples against two Gram+ and Gram- bacterial strains.

Conclusions

These data confirm that the fish waste is still quantitatively and qualitatively an important source of available biological properties that could be extracted and utilized representing an important strategy to counteract infective diseases in the context of the circular economy.
The common personal behavior and preventive measures among 42 uninfected travelers from the Hubei province, China during COVID-19 outbreak: a cross-sectional survey in Macao SAR, China
Authors: Lio Chon Fu , Cheong Hou Hon , Lei Chin Ion , Lo Iek Long , Yao Lan , Lam Chong , Leong Iek Hou
Published: June 2020

Background

The novel coronavirus diseases 2019 (COVID-19) caused over 1.7 million confirmed cases and cumulative mortality up to over 110,000 deaths worldwide as of 14 April 2020. A total of 57 Macao citizens were obligated to stay in Hubei province, China, where the highest COVID-19 prevalence was noted in the country and a “lockdown” policy was implemented for outbreak control for more than one month. They were escorted from Wuhan City to Macao via a chartered airplane organized by Macao SAR government and received quarantine for 14 days with none of the individual being diagnosed with COVID-19 by serial RNA tests from the nasopharyngeal specimens and sera antibodies. It was crucial to identify common characteristics among these 57 uninfected individuals.

Methods

A questionnaire survey was conducted to extract information such as behavior, change of habits and preventive measures.

Results

A total of 42 effective questionnaires were analyzed after exclusion of 14 infants and children with age under fifteen as ineligible for the survey and missing of one questionnaire, with a response rate of 97.7% (42 out of 43). The proportion of female composed more than 70% of this group of returners. The main reason for visiting Hubei in 88.1% of respondents was to visit relatives. Over 88% of respondents did not participate in high-risk activities due to mobility restriction. All (100%) denied contact with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 cases. Comparison of personal hygiene habits before and during disease outbreak showed a significant increase in practice including wearing a mask when outdoor (16.7% and 95.2%, P < 0.001) and often wash hands with soap or liquid soap (85.7% and 100%, P = 0.031).
The Maximum Flow and Minimum Cost–Maximum Flow Problems: Computing and Applications
Authors: Moolman W. H.
Published: June 2020

The maximum flow and minimum cost-maximum flow problems are both concerned with determining flows through a network between a source and a destination. Both these problems can be formulated as linear programming problems. When given information about a network (network flow diagram, capacities, costs), computing enables one to arrive at a solution to the problem. Once the solution becomes available, it has to be applied to a real world problem. The use of the following computer software in solving these problems will be discussed: R (several packages and functions), specially written Pascal programs and Excel SOLVER. The minimum cost-maximum flow solutions to the following problems will also be discussed: maximum flow, minimum cost-maximum flow, transportation problem, assignment problem, shortest path problem, caterer problem.
Combined Effect of Zinc and Boron with Fruit Thinning on the Quality Seed Production of Tomato
Authors: Khatun Khaleda , Mostarin Tahmina , Haq Md. Ehsanul , Afsun Jinia , Habiba Mst. Umme , Hossain Md. Monir
Published: June 2020

An experiment was conducted at the Horticulture Farm of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka during the period from October 2017 to April 2018. The present research was aimed to study effect of combinations of zinc and boron with fruit thinning on the quality seed production of tomato. There were four combination of zinc and boron viz. T0 =Zn0 kgB0kg/ha, T1=Zn2 kg B1.5 kg/ha, T2=Zn4kg B2 kg/ha, T3=Zn6B2.5 kg/ha and four levels of fruit thinning viz. P0= control (without fruit thinning), P1= 10 fruits were retained per plant, P2=20 fruits were retained per plant and P3 =30 fruits were retained per plant. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design with 3 replications and there were altogether 48 plots. Application of micronutrients with fruit thinning significantly influenced the growth and seed yield of tomato. The highest seed yield (297.82 kg/ha) was found from T3 and the lowest yield (260.69 kg/ha) was obtained from T0. Due to the fruit thinning, the highest seed yield (337.41 kg/ha) was obtained from P3 and lowest yield (190.69 kg/ha) was recorded from P1. In case of combined effect, the highest yield (360.39 kg/ha) was found from T3P3 and lowest yield (180.39 kg/ha) was found from T0P1. So, application of Zn6 kg B2.5 kg/ha along with 30 fruits were retained per plant was the best for yield of tomato seed.
Possible Impact of Select Trace Mineral Deficiency in HIV Seropositive Pregnant Women with/without Malaria Co-infection in NAUTH, Nnewi, Nigeria
Authors: Chukwuagwu Ikechukwu U. , Ukibe Nkiruka R. , Ogbu Innocent S. , Agu Victoria O. , Awalu Joseph C. , Ehiaghe Friday A. , Onyema-Iloh Obiageli B.
Published: June 2020

Aims: To evaluate the impact of HIV and malaria on serum Zinc (zn), Selenium (se) and Magnesium (mg) in HIV seropositive pregnant women in Nnewi, Nigeria.

Study Design:  This is a case-control study.

Place and Duration of Study: Prevention of Mother to Child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV  Clinic of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, (NAUTH), Nigeria, between December, 2017 and April, 2018.

Methodology: We included 122 consented female participants; 32 HIV seropositive pregnant women with malaria parasitaemia, 30 HIV seropositive pregnant women without malaria parasitaemia, 30 Malaria infected pregnant women, 30 pregnant women without HIV or malaria parasitaemia, aged between 18 and 42 years. Screening for HIV antibodies and malaria parasite was double screened using National algorithm, rapid detection technique (RDT) and Giemsa staining microscopy technique respectively. Micronutrient levels were determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS).

Results: When the mean zn, sel and mg levels were compared between the test and control groups, significant decreases in serum zn (37.34 ± 6.7, 36.70 ± 4.39), sel (29.93 ± 6.02, 28.00 ± 5.04) and mg (2.41 ± 0.46, 2.33 ± 0.14) were observed in HIV seropositive pregnant participants with/without malaria co-infection when compared with their corresponding controls Zn (45.1 ± 7.83, 50.36 ± 8.73); Sel (31.46 ± 6.19, 31.96 ± 6.81); Mg (2.62 ± 0.30) and (P < .05 respectively). Body mass index (BMI) was significantly decreased while diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and systolic blood pressure (SBP) were significantly increased in HIV seropositive pregnant women with malaria compared with their seronegative counterparts (P < .05 respectively).

Conclusion: The significant loss in BMI with derangement in serum zn, sel and mg levels in HIV seropositive pregnant women with/without malaria co-infection indicates high degree of malnutrition while the increased blood pressure suggests high blood pressure which might predispose the pregnant mothers to pre-eclampsia if not properly managed. Adequate micronutrient supplementation and effective anti malaria agent is strictly advocated in the routine management of HIV infected mothers during pregnancy to reduce the severity of the co-infection and adverse pregnancy complications especially in areas of malaria endemic transmissions.
The Constraints Experienced by Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Trainees in Forming Entrepreneurial Units
Authors: Yadav Raja , Ponnusamy K. , Meena H. R. , Mandi Kalyan
Published: June 2020

Entrepreneurship in agriculture and allied activities provide better income generating and employment opportunities among the rural households. With changes like globalization, deregulation, open competition and technological change taking place, our society is becoming an entrepreneurial society. However, in an entrepreneurial society, individuals face a tremendous challenge in running an enterprise. In this context, the study was purposively conducted in Krishi Vigyan Kendra (Farm Science Center) operating under ICAR-NDRI which imparts regular training to farmers, youth and women on major areas of agriculture such as crop production, dairy farming, dairy processing, vermiculture, beekeeping, fish farming and home science. A total of twenty respondents/entrepreneurs; who had previously attended entrepreneurship training programme were finally selected based on random sampling. Therefore, entrepreneurs from various sectors i.e. four in seed production (4), beekeeping (4), vermi-composting (3), dairy processing (4), fish farming (3) and home science (2) were finally selected. The constraints were operationalised as certain irresistible forces which are creating obstacles in establishment and running of entrepreneurial unit like constraints related to establishment of farm enterprise, production, marketing and government rules and regulation were identified. The major constraints in establishment of farm enterprise was lack of new idea for starting new entrepreneurial ventures, high-cost and non-availability of input was the major production related constraints. In case of marketing, operation of unorganized agricultural market was the major perceived constraints whereas lack of digital literacy such as digital mode of payment was the major constraint highlighting the inefficiency of government rules and regulations.
Effect of Straw Biochar on Soil Acidity and Phosphorus Nutrition in Wheat
Authors: Rangaswami M. N. , Banik G. C. , Rakesh S. , Uma K. T.
Published: June 2020

Two biochars were produced from the rice and wheat residues by slow pyrolysis (at 400°C) in muffle furnace with an aim to study the effect of their application on some chemical properties of acidic soil such as pH, exchangeable acidity and cation exchange capacity (CEC) as well as their effect on phosphorus uptake by wheat in a greenhouse experiment. The incubation study was conducted incubating acidic soil (Typic Fluvaquent, pH 5.07) with assorted doses of biochars (0, 10, 20 and 60 g kg-1) for 120 days. A dose of lime at half or the lime requirement was also added separately for comparison. Results indicated that incubation period (F, 84.81; Pr>F, <.0001) and application rate (F, 281.05; Pr>F, <.0001) had significant effects (p < 0.05) on the pH of soil. Both the biochars had significant effects on exchangeable acidity and CEC. Application of biochar derived from wheat residues showed relatively greater increase of soil pH. Graded doses (0, 5, 10 and 20 g kg-1) of both biochar addition significantly increased the phosphorus uptake by different plant parts as well as yield of wheat in greenhouse experiment.
In Pursuance of Differentiation Inducers to Combat Cancer via Targeting of Abnormal Methylation Enzymes
Authors: Liau Ming C. , Kim Jai-Hyun , Fruehauf John P.
Published: June 2020

Cell differentiation agent-2 (CDA-2) was a promising hypomethylating agent approved by the Chinese FDA for the therapy of MDS in China. The active components of CDA-2 are differentiation inducers (DIs) and differentiation helper inducers (DHIs). DIs are chemicals capable of eliminating telomerase from abnormal MEs commonly found in human cancers. The major DI of CDA-2 is an organic acid without UV absorption. Without UV absorption as a guide, it was difficult to purify the DI of CDA-2 for identification. Thus, we pursued possible candidates to function as DIs in this study.

Cancer MEs become abnormal due to association with telomerase. Naturally we sought telomerase inhibitors as possible candidates of DIs. Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) attracted our attention because it was implicated to involve in wound healing, which is a major biological mission of progenitor stem cells (PSCs) and cancer stem cells (CSCs). Eradication of CSCs has been a major focus of our studies. Besides, PGE2 fits the description of the major DI of CDA-2.

Induction of terminal differentiation (TD) of HL-60 cells by NBT assay was employed to evaluate the activity of chemicals as DIs. Cell growth was based on cell numbers. All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) are two well known DIs. ATRA displayed a wide active dosage range from 0.2 to 4.5 µM with a maximum of inducing 89% NBT+ cells at 3 µM. TPA displayed a narrow active dosage range from 0.2 to 0.6 nM with a maximum of inducing 84% NBT+ cells at 0.4 nM. BIBR1532 and bodine were the two telomerase inhibitors studied. Both were found active as DIs. BIBR1532 was active in the dosage range from 30 to 75 µM with a maximum of inducing 86% at 63 µM. Bodine was active in the dosage range from 60 to 98 µM with a maximum of inducing 80% at 98 µM. PGE2 was active in the dosage range from 20 to 70 µM with a maximum of inducing 80% at 56 µM.

DIs at dosages not active as DIs could function as effective DHIs to other DIs. RI0.5 of BIBR1532, boldine and PGE2 as DHIs were 2.02 µM, 3.11 µM, and 0.92 µM, respectively.

DIs alone, no matter how effective, could not induce NBT+ cells to reach 100%. 95% (89% plus 6% of blank) was the highest value achieved by ATRA. Incomplete induction of TD was the reason for frequent recurrence when ATRA was used alone in the therapy of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). A combination of ATRA and a DHI could induce NBT+ cells to reach 100% to avoid recurrence.
Reliability Evaluation of Multi-State Flow Networks Via Map Methods
Authors: Rushdi Ali Muhammad Ali , Alsalami Omar Mutab
Published: June 2020

This paper examines two simple (albeit useful) methods used to evaluate the reliability of two-terminal multistate flow networks. These two methods involve two Karnaugh map versions, namely the Variable-Entered Karnaugh Map (VEKM) and the Multi-Valued Karnaugh Map (MVKM). These two versions are crucial in providing not only the visual insight necessary to write better future software but also adequate means of verifying such software. We assess these two versions of map methods versus the exhaustive search method, which guarantees conceptual clarity at the expense of lack of computational efficiency. Our target is the evaluation of the probability mass function (pmf) in a wide array of cases, in which we consider flow from a source node to a sink node in a capacitated network with a multistate capacity model for the links. Each network link has a varying capacity, which is assumed to exist in a mutually exclusive sense. The reliability of the system is wholly dependent on its ability to successfully transmit at least a certain required system flow from the source (transmitter) to the sink (receiver) station. The max-flow min-cut theorem is critical in obtaining all successful states. To demonstrate the proposed methods applicability, two demonstrative examples are given with ample details.
Tunneling-Induced Decay of Wave Packets Localized Beyond an Asymmetric Potential Barrier
Authors: Strekalov Mikhail L.
Published: June 2020

The time behavior of a wave packet, transmitted through a potential barrier, is investigated for all times assuming it to be initially located outside the asymmetric barrier. The survival probability of the initial state, which characterizes the decay of the unstable quantum system in three time domains, is discussed. The presence of initial, exponential, and long-time regimes is a general feature of the decay process. We analytically found the three crucial points of time that separate these regimes. These characteristic times are set by simple formulae, including momentum distribution. It is then shown that the radius of convergence of the cumulant expansion for the survival probability is always small. A long-time behavior of survival probability is described by the asymptotic series whose coefficients decrease with increasing particle energy but at different rates. To be specific, we have examined the exactly solvable model of tunneling through a finite range triangular barrier.
On Import Growth Path of China’s Bulk Agri-Products from Perspective of Ternary Margins
Authors: Dong Yinguo , Yu Jiao
Published: June 2020

Based on the HS6 encoded agricultural trade data from 1995 to 2018, this paper uses the ternary marginal method to analyze the import path of China’s bulk agri-products from the static and dynamic perspectives. The study finds that the import of bulk agri-products is mainly driven by the quantity margin with an average annual growth rate of 6.28 since china’s accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO). This conclusion is robust in terms of time periods, major source countries and main varieties. Improvement of living standards of Chinese consumers, innate short of advantage in supply side, opening up policy facilitating foreign supplier and unnecessary import owing to price differential all explain quantity margin impetus. At present, the main problem in the bulk agri-products has switched from insufficient amount to structural imbalance. Therefore, it is urgent to adjust the production structure and manage the import structure of bulk agri-    products.
Melghiribacillus
Authors: Fardeau Marie‐Laure , Cayol Jean‐Luc
Published: June 2020

Mel.ghi.ri.ba.cil'lus. N.L. n.
Melghir –iris
the salt lake Chott Melghir in north‐east Algeria; L. masc. n.
bacillus
a rod; N.L. masc. n.
Melghiribacillus
a rod from Chott Melghir, where the type strain of the type species was isolated.

Firmicutes / Bacilli / Bacillales / Bacillaceae / Melghiribacillus

The genus
Melghiribacillus
comprises one validly published species,
Melghiribacillus thermohalophilus,
which was isolated from soil collected from an Algerian Salt Lake, Chott Melghir. The species of the genus is Gram‐positive‐staining, endospore forming, aerobic, thermophilic, and moderately halophilic. The strain forms long and thin filaments, 2–100 μm × 0.1–0.2 μm. Cells are not motile. Phylogenetic analyses using 16S RNA gene sequences placed the genus within the family
Bacillaceae
; the genus represents a distinct lineage and shows highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to the genera
Virgibacillus
,
Thalassobacillus
, and
Sediminibacillus
.

DNA G + C content (mol%)
: 41.9 (HPLC).

Type species
:
Melghiribacillus thermohalophilus
Addou et al. 2015
VP
.
Halococcoides
Authors: Sorokin Dimitry Y. , Merkel Alexander , Kublanov Ilya , Oren Aharon
Published: June 2020

Ha.lo.coc.co'i.des. Gr. masc. n.
hals
,
halos
, salt; N.L. masc. n.
coccus
(from Gr. masc. n.
kokkos
, grain, seed), coccus; L. suff. ‐
oides
(from Gr. suff. ‐
eides
, from Gr. n.
eidos
, that which is seen, form, shape, figure), resembling, similar; N.L. neut. n.
Halococcoides
, coccus‐shaped halophile.

Euryarchaeota / Halobacteria / Halobacteriales / Haloarculaceae / Halococcoides

The genus
Halococcoides
, classified within the family
Haloarculaceae
, order
Halobacteriales
, and within the class
Halobacteria
, currently consists of a single species,
Halococcoides cellulosivorans
. It was enriched and isolated in pure culture from a mixture of the surface brines and sediments of hypersaline athalassic lakes with neutral pH in the Kulunda Steppe (Altai region, Russia) using amorphous cellulose as the sole growth substrate. Cells are nonmotile cocci of variable size with a thin monolayer cell wall. Colonies are pale orange and form large zones of cellulose hydrolysis around them. The genus metabolism is characterized as aerobic organoheterotrophy with insoluble cellulose, xylan, and cellobiose as the only substrates shown to support growth. NaCl concentrations of 2.5–5 M are required for growth, optimum growth being observed at 3.5–4 M NaCl and neutral pH. The core archaeal lipids are dominated by C
20
C
20
and C
25
C
20
dialkyl glycerol ethers.

DNA G + C content (mol%)
: 65.7 (genome sequence).

Type species
:
Halococcoides cellulosivorans
Sorokin et al. 2019
VP
.
Boosting radiotherapy dose calculation accuracy with deep learning
Authors: Xing Yixun , Zhang You , Nguyen Dan , Lin Mu‐Han , Lu Weiguo , Jiang Steve
Published: June 2020

In radiotherapy, a trade‐off exists between computational workload/speed and dose calculation accuracy. Calculation methods like pencil‐beam convolution can be much faster than Monte‐Carlo methods, but less accurate. The dose difference, mostly caused by inhomogeneities and electronic disequilibrium, is highly correlated with the dose distribution and the underlying anatomical tissue density. We hypothesize that a conversion scheme can be established to boost low‐accuracy doses to high‐accuracy, using intensity information obtained from computed tomography (CT) images. A deep learning‐driven framework was developed to test the hypothesis by converting between two commercially available dose calculation methods: Anisotropic analytic algorithm (AAA) and Acuros XB (AXB). A hierarchically dense U‐Net model was developed to boost the accuracy of AAA dose toward the AXB level. The network contained multiple layers of varying feature sizes to learn their dose differences, in relationship to CT, both locally and globally. Anisotropic analytic algorithm and AXB doses were calculated in pairs for 120 lung radiotherapy plans covering various treatment techniques, beam energies, tumor locations, and dose levels. For each case, the CT and the AAA dose were used as the input and the AXB dose as the “ground‐truth” output, to train and test the model. The mean squared errors (MSEs) and gamma passing rates (2 mm/2% & 1 mm/1%) were calculated between the boosted AAA doses and the “ground‐truth” AXB doses. The boosted AAA doses demonstrated substantially improved match to the “ground‐truth” AXB doses, with average (± s.d.) gamma passing rate (1 mm/1%) 97.6% (±2.4%) compared to 87.8% (±9.0%) of the original AAA doses. The corresponding average MSE was 0.11(±0.05) vs 0.31(±0.21). Deep learning is able to capture the differences between dose calculation algorithms to boost the low‐accuracy algorithms. By combining a less accurate dose calculation algorithm with a trained deep learning model, dose calculation can potentially achieve both high accuracy and efficiency.
Asymmetric Alkynylation of Cyclic N‐Sulfonyl Imines using Synergistic Chiral Phosphoric Acid/Copper Catalysis
Authors: Li Ya‐Ling , Liu Jin‐Xin , Chen Xiao‐Pan , Zhou Yuan , Xiao You‐Cai , Chen Fen‐Er
Published: June 2020

The catalytic enantioselective alkynylation of six‐membered cyclic N‐sulfonyl imines was achieved using a cooperative chiral phosphoric acid and Cu(I) catalyst. This alkynylation reaction displays a broad substrate scope for both terminal alkynes and benzoxathiazine 2,2‐dioxides and provides a highly efficient method for the synthesis of chiral propargylic sulfamidates in up to 95% yield and 99% enantiomeric excess.

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Soil water and crop water use with crop rotations and cultural practices
Authors: Sainju Upendra M. , Lenssen Andrew W. , Allen Brett L. , Jabro Jalal D. , Stevens William B. , Iversen William M.
Published: June 2020

Limited and erratic precipitation in arid and semiarid regions can affect soil water storage, water use, and dryland crop performance. Our objective was to examine soil water content, crop yield, and water‐use efficiency (WUE) with crop rotations and cultural practices for 6 yr in the northern Great Plains. Crop rotations were durum wheat (or durum) (Triticum turgidum L.)−durum−canola (Brassica napus L.)−pea (Pisum sativum L.) (DDCP), durum−durum−flax (Linum usitatissimum L.)−pea (DDFP), durum−canola−durum−pea (DCDP), and durum−flax−durum−pea (DFDP). A continuous durum (CD) was also included for comparison. Cultural practices were traditional (a combination of conventional tillage, recommended seeding rate, broadcast N fertilization, and reduced stubble height) and improved (a combination of no‐tillage, increased seeding rate, banded N fertilization, and increased stubble height) practices. Pre‐plant and postharvest soil water contents at the 0‐ to 122‐cm depth were 19−39 mm lower with DDFP than other crop rotations. Pre‐plant soil water was 21−39 mm greater in the improved than the traditional cultural practice in 3 out of 6 yr. Annualized grain yield was 207−370 kg ha−1 lower with DDFP than CD and DCDP. Overall water use and WUE (yield/water use) for the rotation system were not affected by treatments, but varied for each crop as the growing season precipitation (GSP) increased. Pre‐plant and postharvest soil water, water use, grain yield, and WUE for each crop in the rotation varied with treatments and years. Alternate‐year rotations and CD can enhance dryland soil water storage and crop yield compared to stacked rotations.
Unattached and unconvinced: Australian non‐partisans
Authors: Tranter Bruce , Smith Jonathan F.
Published: June 2020

Political party identification is a strong predictor of political behaviour and social attitudes in advanced industrialised democracies. Australian Election Study data show declining identification with major parties over time, and that working‐class Australians, those who do not identify with any class, the secular and the politically uninterested are most likely to be non‐partisans. However, national samples rarely allow for detailed analysis of younger people, given the low numbers of younger people they contain. Longitudinal data from the Social Futures and Life Pathways (“Our Lives”) project enable us to focus upon young Australians aged 24 living in the state of Queensland. The Queensland data show that younger non‐partisans tend to lack post‐secondary education, are on lower incomes, are less interested in politics and, importantly, have non‐aligned parents. Nationally, non‐partisans were less likely than partisans to pay attention to politics during the 2016 Federal Election, but more likely to decide how to vote on the day of the Federal Election and more likely than partisans to vote informal. Younger non‐partisans were also less likely to engage in non‐electoral political actions, such as signing e‐petitions or posting in online forums or social networking sites.