bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gastrointestinal Presentation in a Patient with COVID-19 Without Respiratory Tract Symptoms: A Case Report From Qom, Iran
Authors: Hormati Ahmad , Shahhamzeh Alireza , Aminnejad Reza , Afifian Mahbobeh , Ahmadpour Sajjad
Published: June 2020

Introduction: Considering the increasing number of patients referred to gastroenterology clinics, we report a suspected case of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) with only gastrointestinal (GI) presentation in Qom, Iran. Case Presentation: A 74-year-old man with epigastric pain, diarrhea and vomiting for one week was treated, based on the routine abdominal treatment protocol. Since all GI symptoms were resistant to therapy, we decided to perform laboratory assays for a more accurate diagnosis of the disease. Considering the persistence of abdominal pain and nausea, abdominal and pelvic computed tomography (CT) scans, as well as endoscopy and colonoscopy, were performed. After performing the chest CT scan, we noticed the involvement of the lungs. The patient did not have any respiratory symptoms, and at the time of his hospitalization, the COVID-19 epidemic had been reported in Iran. With the progression of the disease, he started to experience mild fever (38°C). Using a specific COVID-19 kit, he was diagnosed with COVID-19 after precise evaluations. However, without any medications, all of his symptoms subsided after 2 - 3 weeks. Conclusions: It is important for all physicians to know that some pure GI symptoms, which are resistant to therapy, may be the only symptoms in suspected COVID-19 patients. Timely diagnosis and isolation of these patients can guarantee population to avoid the spread of this highly contagious infection.
Relapse in Alopecia Totalis after Successful Treatment with Intralesional Corticosteroid and Oral Immunomodulator
Authors: Legiawati Lili , Anissa Lidwina
Published: June 2020

Introduction: Alopecia areata (AA) is a chronic, recurrent, and non-scarring condition resulting in hair loss, which may affect all hair-bearing areas. There are three clinical patterns: patch AA, alopecia totalis, and alopecia universalis. Patients may show spontaneous recovery or respond well to treatment, but the disease may follow a course of relapse. Case Presentation: We report a case of recurrent alopecia totalis following successful treatment six years prior to the current visit. A 19-year-old female of Asian descent was admitted to our clinic due to recurrent hair loss in the last three months. Six years prior, she was diagnosed with alopecia totalis. After four years in remission, she started to have patchy hair loss. Dermatological examination revealed six nummular well-defined alopecia patches all over her parietal, temporal, and occipital scalp. She was treated with triamcinolone injection and light-emitting diode (LED). Additionally, topical minoxidil and hydrocortisone butyrate scalp solution were applied daily. Oral Inosine pranobex was administered twice a week. One year after the first re-administration of the therapy, complete remission was achieved. Conclusions: Relapse in AA is common. Patients should be informed during education and counseling. Long term follow-up is essential in managing patients with AA.
HIV-Related Knowledge and Stigma Among the General Population in the Southeast of Iran
Authors: Dehghan Mahlagha , Shokoohi Mostafa , Mokhtarabadi Sima , Tavakoli Fatemeh , Iranpour Abedin , Rafiei Rad Ali Ahmad , Nasiri Naser , Karamouzian Mohammad , Sharifi Hamid
Published: June 2020

Background: HIV-related stigma is a barrier to effective HIV responses among people living with HIV (PLHIV). Objectives: The current study aimed at measuring HIV-related stigma, and its associated factors among the general population in the Southeast of Iran. Methods: The current cross-sectional study was conducted on a convenience sample of 900 individuals in Kerman, Southeast of Iran, from July to September 2016. Data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire, including (I) demographic and background characteristics; (II) HIV-related stigma; and (III) HIV-related knowledge. Data were analyzed with SPSS version 20 using descriptive statistics, as well as bivariable and multivariable linear regressions. Results: Low, moderate, and high levels of stigmatizing attitudes toward PLHIV were reported by 39.1%, 57.8%, and 3.1% of the participants, respectively. Female sex(beta = 0.33, P value = 0.01) and those not having a history of HIV testing (beta = 0.45, P value < 0.001) had, on average, higher levels of stigmatizing attitudes, while those with a higher level of education (beta = -0.97, P value < 0.001) had, on average, lower levels of stigmatizing attitudes. Conclusions: Gender-sensitive educational interventions need to be developed to reduce the negative attitude towards PLHIV in Iran.
Teaching Cardiac Arrhythmias Using Educational Videos and Simulator Software in Nurses: An Educational Interventional Study
Authors: Tavan Hamed , Norouzi Siros , Shohani Masoumeh
Published: June 2020

Background: Cardiac arrhythmias are among the most prominent causes of mortality in patients with heart diseases. By timely diagnosis of arrhythmias, nurses can provide necessary therapeutic measures to these patients. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of teaching cardiac arrhythmias using educational videos and simulator software in nurses. Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, 22 novice nurses were selected based on the census method. Evaluations were performed before and after educational interventions for cardiac arrhythmia. The interventions included using simulator software and face-to-face education. A questionnaire with 20 questions regarding cardiac arrhythmias organized in 4 parts of sinus arrhythmias, atrial arrhythmias, ventricular arrhythmias, and blocks and junctional rhythm, and each with 5 questions was used to collect data. Each question was scored 1 point, and the final score ranged from 0 to 20. The scores were categorized into poor (< 10), moderate (11 - 15), and good (16 - 20) levels. Data were analyzed using SPSS V.20 software. Results: There was a significant difference in the mean of total score regarding the diagnosis of arrhythmias before (9.9) and after (15.68) the education (P value = 0.022). This indicated an increase of about 6 scores at post-intervention. The classification of the scores showed that 9 (40.9%) and 13 (59.1%) nurses had poor and moderate diagnostic abilities before training. However, following education, 10 nurses (50%) acquired moderate and 10 (50%) nurses obtained good scores. Conclusions: Arrhythmia scores varied before and after training, with the mean scores after training increased, and arrhythmia detection rate was increased after the intervention. It is advisable to use modern educational methods as good alternatives for reviewing educational content and concepts.
Open Praxis vol. 12 issue 1
Authors: Gil-Jaurena Inés
Published: June 2020

The first Open Praxis issue in volume 12 includes a brief report on the journal development since its relaunching in 2013, with a special focus on volume 11, published in 2019; nine research papers, one innovative practice paper and one book review.
What applying growth mixture modeling can tell us about predictors of number line estimation
Authors: DeVries Jeffrey M. , Kuhn Jörg-Tobias , Gebhardt Markus
Published: June 2020

Number line estimation tasks have been considered a good indicator of mathematical competency for many years and are traditionally analyzed by fitting individual regression curves to individual responders. We innovate on this technique by applying growth mixture modeling and compare it to traditional regression using a sample of 2nd graders (n = 325) who completed both 0–20 and 0–100 number line tasks. We explore the effects of gender, special education needs, and migration background. Using growth mixture modeling, more children were identified as logarithmic responders than were identified using regressions. Growth mixture modeling was able to identify the significant effects of gender on class membership for both tasks, and of special education needs for the 0–20 task. Overall, growth mixture modeling provided a more complete picture of individual response patterns than traditional regression techniques. We discuss the implications of these findings and provide recommendations for future researchers to use growth mixture modeling with future number line task analyses.
More problems after difficult problems? Behavioral and electrophysiological evidence for sequential difficulty effects in mental arithmetic
Authors: Mosbacher Jochen Andreas , Brunner Clemens , Grabner Roland Hugo
Published: June 2020

This study investigated whether sequential difficulty effects emerge during processing of a mixed set of small, easy and large, more difficult arithmetic problems. Furthermore, we assessed if these sequential difficulty effects are reflected in event-related (de-)synchronization (ERS/ERD) patterns. To this end, we analyzed data of 65 participants, who solved two separate blocks (additions and subtractions) of arithmetic problems while their EEG was recorded. In each block, half of the problems were difficult problems (two-digit/two-digit with carry/borrow), and the other half were easy problems (one-digit/one-digit). Half of the problems were preceded by a problem of the same difficulty (repeat trials), and half were preceded by problems of the other difficulty (switch trials). In subtractions a sequential difficulty effects pattern emerged. Participants solved easy repeat trials faster than easy switch trials, while difficult repeat trials were solved slower and less accurately than difficult switch trials. In the EEG, we found the strongest effects in left hemispheric beta band (13–30 Hz) ERD. Specifically, participants showed a stronger beta band ERD in easy switch trials than in easy repeat trials. Furthermore, beta band ERD was stronger in difficult problems than in easy problems within repeat trials, but stronger in easy problems than in difficult problems within switch trials. In summary, our results are in line with the presence of sequential difficulty effects, as processing of easy and difficult problems was impaired if they were preceded by a difficult problem. Furthermore, these sequential difficulty effects are reflected in ERD patterns.
NASCO: A new method and program to generate dot arrays for non-symbolic number comparison tasks
Authors: Guillaume Mathieu , Schiltz Christine , Van Rinsveld Amandine
Published: June 2020

Basic numerical abilities are generally assumed to influence more complex cognitive processes involving numbers, such as mathematics. Yet measuring non-symbolic number abilities remains challenging due to the intrinsic correlation between numerical and non-numerical dimensions of any visual scene. Several methods have been developed to generate non-symbolic stimuli controlling for the latter aspects but they tend to be difficult to replicate or implement. In this study, we describe the NASCO method, which is an extension to the method popularized by Dehaene, Izard, and Piazza (2005). Their procedure originally controlled for two visual dimensions that are mediated by Number: Total Area and Item Size (i.e., N = TA/IS). Here, we additionally propose to control for another twofold dimension related to the array extent, which is also mediated by Number: Convex Hull Area and Mean Occupancy (i.e., N = CH/MO). We illustrate the NASCO method with a MATLAB app—NASCO app—that allows easy generation of dot arrays for a visually controlled assessment of non-symbolic numerical abilities. Results from a numerical comparison task revealed that the introduction of this twofold dimension manipulation substantially affected young adults’ performance. In particular, we did not replicate the relation between non-symbolic number abilities and arithmetic skills. Our findings open the debate about the reliability of previous results that did not take into account visual features related to the array extent. We then discuss the strengths of NASCO method to assess numerical ability, as well as the benefits of its straightforward implementation in NASCO app for researchers.
Llano Alonso, Fernando H., Homo excelsior. Los límites ético-jurídicos del transhumanismo, Valencia, tirant lo blanch, 2018
Authors: Campoy Cervera Ignacio
Published: June 2020

Recensión del libro de Fernando Lllano Alonso"Homo excelsior. Los límites ético-jurídicos del transhumanismo", Valencia, tirant lo blanch, 2018.
Tecnología digital: ¿realidad aumentada o deformada?
Authors: Ballesteros Alfonso
Published: June 2020

Este trabajo pretende ofrecer una aproximación humanista a la tecnología digital alrededor de las preguntas: “¿la tecnología digital aumenta o disminuye la estatura del hombre?”, “¿mejora la realidad o la deforma?”. Se sostiene aquí que, fundamentalmente, deforma la realidad y la existencia humanas. Así, deforma progresivamente el conocimiento humano (deformación epistemológica), al individuo (deformación antropológica) y la relación con los otros (deformación socio-política). Quizá fijarnos en el modelo del jardinero, por su conocimiento sensorial, su paciencia y su capacidad de distinguir lo dado de lo construido pueda apuntar una salida a este problema.
La interferencia estatal en la vida privada y familiar
Authors: Alvarez Medina Silvina
Published: June 2020

Este artículo se ocupa del derecho en relación con la vida privada y familiar. El objetivo del mismo es volver a pensar la distinción público-privado desde una perspectiva no excluyente sino gradualista, menos centrada en la idealización de la autonomía como capacidad plena o absoluta y más interesada en las acciones, su contexto y alcance interpersonal. Esta nueva perspectiva permite calibrar mejor la adecuada participación de las instituciones estatales y del derecho para la gestión de las relaciones y los conflictos de la vida privada y familiar, y reformular la vieja noción de interferencia estatal.
Los derechos de las personas LGBTI: ¿hacia un derecho a la orientación sexual y la identidad de género?
Authors: Martínez de Pisón Cavero José
Published: June 2020

Este trabajo tiene por objeto un estudio de los derechos de las minorías sexuales en el marco del sistema internacional de derechos humanos. Ni la Declaración Universal de Derechos Humanos, ni los tratados posteriores contemplan un derecho específico que reconozca y asegure una vida digna para el colectivo de personas LGBTI. Este artículo reivindica “un derecho a la orientación sexual y la identidad de género” que proteja la especial situación de estas personas en el mundo. Para ello, se estudia y analiza la labor del Alto Comisionado de Naciones Unidas para los Derechos Humanos y el Consejo de Derechos Humanos de Naciones Unidas y se hace referencia a la doctrina jurisprudencial del Tribunal Europeo de Derechos Humanos.
Contribución a la conservación del patrimonio musical en Educación Primaria. Estudio de caso en Galicia en 2003 y 2019
Authors: Chao Fernández Rocío , Gisbert Caudeli Vicenta , Chao Fernández Aurelio
Published: June 2020

A mediados del s. XIX, surge en Galicia un movimiento intelectual conocido como "Rexurdimento", que se propuso la recuperación de la identidad lingüística y cultural gallega. Actualmente, la recuperación cultural es indiscutible, sin embargo, en la conservación y difusión de nuestro patrimonio musical, el resultado no es tan evidente. El objetivo de esta investigación es comprobar si ha habido diferencias en los resultados sobre el empleo del folclore musical en el aula de los centros educativos gallegos con respecto al estudio realizado anteriormente por Chao-Fernández (2008), contribuyendo así a la conservación y transmisión de la herencia musical. La investigación se ha llevado a cabo bajo los fundamentos de un modelo mixto, comparando los resultados de un cuestionario aplicado en los cursos 2003/2004 y 2018/2019, a una muestra total de 304 profesores y una entrevista a 7 docentes. Los resultados corroboran los recabados hace quince años, e indican que, a pesar de que se usan mayoritariamente los métodos pedagógicos que fomentan el uso del folclore, los responsables no utilizan el folclore con esta finalidad y que la enseñanza se limita a escasas canciones, danzas e instrumentos del folclore gallego. Se concluye que la escuela gallega no contribuye a la conservación del patrimonio musical.
Leptin increases sympathetic nerve activity via induction of its own receptor in the paraventricular nucleus
Authors: Shi Zhigang , Pelletier Nicole E , Wong Jennifer , Li Baoxin , Sdrulla Andrei D , Madden Christopher J , Marks Daniel L , Brooks Virginia L
Published: June 2020

Whether leptin acts in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) to increase sympathetic nerve activity (SNA) is unclear, since PVN leptin receptors (LepR) are sparse. We show in rats that PVN leptin slowly increases SNA to muscle and brown adipose tissue, because it induces the expression of its own receptor and synergizes with local glutamatergic neurons. PVN LepR are not expressed in astroglia and rarely in microglia; instead, glutamatergic neurons express LepR, some of which project to a key presympathetic hub, the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM). In PVN slices from mice expressing GCaMP6, leptin excites glutamatergic neurons. LepR are expressed mainly in thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) neurons, some of which project to the RVLM. Injections of TRH into the RVLM and dorsomedial hypothalamus increase SNA, highlighting these nuclei as likely targets. We suggest that this neuropathway becomes important in obesity, in which elevated leptin maintains the hypothalamic pituitary thyroid axis, despite leptin resistance.
Evolutionarily conserved regulation of immunity by the splicing factor RNP-6/PUF60
Authors: Kew Chun , Huang Wenming , Fischer Julia , Ganesan Raja , Robinson Nirmal , Antebi Adam
Published: June 2020

Splicing is a vital cellular process that modulates important aspects of animal physiology, yet roles in regulating innate immunity are relatively unexplored. From genetic screens in C. elegans, we identified splicing factor RNP-6/PUF60 whose activity suppresses immunity, but promotes longevity, suggesting a tradeoff between these processes. Bacterial pathogen exposure affects gene expression and splicing in a rnp-6 dependent manner, and rnp-6 gain and loss-of-function activities reveal an active role in immune regulation. Another longevity promoting splicing factor, SFA-1, similarly exerts an immuno-suppressive effect, working downstream or parallel to RNP-6. RNP-6 acts through TIR-1/PMK-1/MAPK signaling to modulate immunity. The mammalian homolog, PUF60, also displays anti-inflammatory properties, and its levels swiftly decrease after bacterial infection in mammalian cells, implying a role in the host response. Altogether our findings demonstrate an evolutionarily conserved modulation of immunity by specific components of the splicing machinery.
Unravelling the evolutionary history of kisspeptin
Authors: Arnone Maria I , Oliveri Paola
Published: June 2020

Experiments in sea cucumbers reveal how the physiological responses regulated by a neuropeptide called kisspeptin have evolved.
COVID-19 medical papers have fewer women first authors than expected
Authors: Andersen Jens Peter , Nielsen Mathias Wullum , Simone Nicole L , Lewiss Resa E , Jagsi Reshma
Published: June 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in school closures and distancing requirements that have disrupted both work and family life for many. Concerns exist that these disruptions caused by the pandemic may not have influenced men and women researchers equally. Many medical journals have published papers on the pandemic, which were generated by researchers facing the challenges of these disruptions. Here we report the results of an analysis that compared the gender distribution of authors on 1893 medical papers related to the pandemic with that on papers published in the same journals in 2019, for papers with first authors and last authors from the United States. Using mixed-effects regression models, we estimated that the proportion of COVID-19 papers with a woman first author was 19% lower than that for papers published in the same journals in 2019, while our comparisons for last authors and overall proportion of women authors per paper were inconclusive. A closer examination suggested that women’s representation as first authors of COVID-19 research was particularly low for papers published in March and April 2020. Our findings are consistent with the idea that the research productivity of women, especially early-career women, has been affected more than the research productivity of men.
Comprehensive assessment of the coupling coordination degree between urbanization and ecological environment in the Siberian and Far East Federal Districts, Russia from 2005 to 2017
Authors: Zheng Ji , Hu Yingjie , Boldanov Tamir , Bazarzhapov Tcogto , Meng Dan , Li Yu , Dong Suocheng
Published: June 2020

The urbanization growth in the 20th and 21st centuries has led to a series of unprecedented problems in the ecological environment. Based on constructing an integrated urbanization-ecological environment index system, this article conducts a comprehensive evaluation of the coupling coordination degree between urbanization and the ecological environment and uncovers its spatiotemporal variation characteristics in the Siberian and Far East Federal Districts, Russia from 2005 to 2017. The coupling coordination of urbanization and the ecological environment in the Siberian and Far East Federal Districts improve from slightly unbalanced development stage to barely balanced development stage from 2005 to 2017. In 2017, more than half regions achieved the barely balanced development of urbanization and the ecological environment. However, the most desirable development stage, the superior balanced development stage, is never achieved in the Siberian and Far East Federal Districts during the study period. The spatial pattern of the coupling coordination degree of urbanization and the ecological environment in the Siberian and Far East Federal District gradually changes from “dumbbell” to “high-north low-south”. The south part of the Siberian and Far East Federal Districts should be paid more attention in the future urban development process. This research will provide support in the future coordination of urban development in the Siberian and Far East Federal Districts.
Post-Secondary Stress and Mental Well-Being: A Scoping Review of the Academic Literature
Authors: Linden Brooke , Stuart Heather
Published: June 2020

Post-secondary students have been identified as an at-risk population for chronic stress and poor mental health. We conducted a scoping review of the academic literature surrounding student stress and mental well-being as the first phase of research in the development of Canada’s National Standard for the Psychological Health and Safety of Post-Secondary Students. Major thematic findings included student stress, resilience through effective coping and help-seeking, and programs or strategies to improve campus mental health. Recommendations include a call for increased mental health promotion and mental illness prevention activities that are sensitive to diverse cultures, ethnicities, religions, and sexualities.
Backward Doubly SDEs with weak Monotonicity and General Growth Generators
Authors: Mansouri B. , Saouli M. A.
Published: June 2020

We deal with backward doubly stochastic differential equations (BDSDEs) with a weak monotonicity and general growth generators and a square integrable terminal datum. We show the existence and uniqueness of solutions. As application, we establish the existenceand uniqueness of Sobolev solutions to some semilinear stochastic partial differential equations (SPDEs) with a general growth and a weak monotonicity generators. By probabilistic solution, we mean a solution which is representable throughout a BDSDEs.
Characteristics and Causes of Neonatal Mortality in Hospitalized Cases at Benghazi Children's Hospital (2013-2014)
Authors: Rajab Ashraf , Elnasfi Suad F. , Elfakhri Amal , Elfakhri Raja , Elgetaany Hind K. , Eltigane Abeer , Lawgaly Sami A.
Published: June 2020

Background: Neonatal morbidity and mortality are major global public health challenges with approximately 3.1 million babies worldwide dying each year in the first month of life. The vast majority of neonatal death occurs in developing countries.                                     

Aims: This study was undertaken to assess the magnitude of neonatal mortality and identify the main causes and associated factors of neonatal mortality.              

Methodology: A retrospective study of 5791 neonates was conducted in Benghazi children hospital from 1st January 2013 up to December 2014.             

Results: During the two years of the study there were 5791 neonates admitted to neonatal unit of Benghazi hospital, out of them 389 died (6.7% of total neonatal admissions) accounting for 59.6% of the total Paediatric deaths within the same period, moreover approximately one neonate died every 48 hours throughout the study period. There was a slight predominance of male deaths 225 (57.5%) over females 164 (42.5%). The majority of neonates were Libyan 365 (94%), 212 of them were born in Benghazi, while the remaining 177 from other cities. Preterm neonate accounted for 35% (138) of deceased neonates. The most common causes were lung diseases of prematurity (29%), sepsis (25%), Congenital Heart Diseases (12.5%), post-operative intestinal obstruction (7%), multiple congenital anomalies (7%), intractable convulsions (6.5%).

Conclusion: This study indicated that neonatal mortality represented the highest portion of all deaths reported at Benghazi children hospital during the study period. Lung diseases of prematurity was found to be the top leading cause followed by sepsis then congenital heart diseases. Male showed marginal predominance over female in this study. More than one third of deceased neonates were preterm.
Chemostat Model with Periodic Nutrient Input Described by Fourier Series
Authors: Ireri Jane , Pokhariyal Ganesh , Moindi Stephene
Published: June 2020

In this paper we present a periodic Chemostat model of two species competing for a single nutrient available in limiting supply. The nutrient input is varied periodically using a Fourier series function to take into account the changing patterns as seasons vary. We show both analytically and numerically that varying the nutrient input using a Fourier Series function results in a better model to describe coexistence of species in natural environments.
Demonstration of Conservation Farming Practices in Improving Sorghum Yield at Tanqua-Abergelle Wereda, Ethiopia
Authors: Assefa Guesh , Weleslasie Meresa
Published: June 2020

Conservation agriculture (CA) technologies involve minimum soil disturbance, permanent soil cover through crop residues or cover crops, and crop rotations for achieving higher productivity. Today tillage is seen destroying activity that leads to decline in organic matter and destruction of soil structure. Hence, the objective of this study was then to improve soil moisture and structure through minimizing soil disturbance which can be explained by the obtained yield response of sorghum. The research was undertaken at twenty one (21) interested farmers’ piece of land (10 m x 10 m) at Tanqua Abergelle Wereda in specific sites called Sheka Tekli and Agbe tabias’, it was successful only at thirteen (13) farmer’s land at Sheka Tekli. The conservation farming practices such as basin was prepared two weeks earlier from its sowing date. Grain yield and farmers perception on each practice of conservation agriculture were collected and subjected to simple descriptive statistics. Accordingly, the grain yields obtained from tied-ridger and basin technologies were 1.6 t/ha and 1.31 t/ha, respectively. However, conventional tillage revealed the lowest grain yield of sorghum. Farmers have shown great interest and promise to adopt tie ridger than basin due to lower yield. Therefore technology promotions and popularization on the study and similar agro ecological areas should be carried out in collaboration with stakeholders.
Hotelling’s Rule Verification of a Mining Project
Authors: Sorin Pricope
Published: June 2020

On the basis of a real (confidential) mining project data the Hotelling’s rule fitting is verified and a new production schedule is proposed, which better fulfill the Hotelling rate rule than the previously program published by the investor. The intertemporal influences in project duration period are analyzed.
Standardization of Optimum Planting Time on Yield and Fruit Quality of Banana var. Grand Naine under Mid Hill Condition of Arunachal Himalaya
Authors: Angami Thejangulie , Kalita Homeswar , Kumar Jitendra , Ramajayam D. , Singh Raghuveer , Chandra Anup
Published: June 2020

A field experiment was executed during 2013-16 at ICAR Research Farm, Gori, ICAR (Research Complex) for NEH Region, Arunachal Pradesh Centre, Basar to find out the optimum planting time for yield and quality attributes of Grand Naine banana. The experiment was laid out in RBD having five treatments with four replications. The study divulged that the planting dates had a significant influence on growth, yield and fruit quality of banana. Fruits harvested from mid-may planting recorded the highest in yield based parameters viz. number of hands per bunch (13.17), number of fingers per bunch (162.63) and bunch weight (24.67 kg) respectively. However, fruits from mid-june planting exhibited the highest finger weight (148.67 g) which was statistically at par with mid-may planting (147.54 g). It was noted that plants of mid-june planting produced the maximum number of functional leaves at the shooting stage (15.38) which was found at par with mid-may planting (15.13).The fruit quality attributes like sugars, ascorbic acid, acidity were also influenced by planting times whereas it had no significant effect on TSS content of the fruits. Fruits from mid-may plant recorded the highest TSS (21.03°Brix), minimum acidity (0.23%) and highest ascorbic acid content (14.99 mg per 100 g) followed by mid-june planting with TSS, acidity and ascorbic acid content of (20.56°Brix), (0.24%) and (14.47 mg per 100 g) respectively. Starch content was found maximum in fruits from mid-august planting (2.08%) whereas, minimum starch content was recorded in fruits from mid-june planting (0.71%) inferring that mid-may is the optimum time for planting for Grand Naine variety of banana under subtropical mid-hill conditions of Arunachal Pradesh justifying future actions in the expansion of planting.
Classical Nucleation and Lattice Model Unite
Authors: Jennings John H.
Published: June 2020

Classical nucleation theory predicts the limit of superheat of liquids quite well. To come up with an equation for the limit of superheat of polymer solutions, the lattice model for polymer solutions was used to give the surface tension of polymer solutions. A formula for bubble nucleation in polymer solutions was derived by Jennings with the precursor equation dlnA/dK=1/(6K) where J=AexpK gives the nucleation rate for liquids. The aim of this paper was to show that the precursor equation holds for monomer in the polystyrene-cyclohexane system. Thus, the precursor equation is true for all molecular weight polymer. This happens because the surface tension of polystyrene is significantly more than cyclohexane and the influence of the surface tension dominates.
Impact of Tillage and Residue Management on Hydro-physical Properties of Clay Soil under Rice-wheat Cropping System in Indo-Gangetic Plains of India
Authors: Shambhavi Shweta , Kumar Rakesh , Singh Yanendra Kumar , Mandal Sanjay Kumar
Published: June 2020

A field experiment on the residual impact of tillage operations and organic residues incorporation on hydro-physical properties of clay soil under the rice-wheat cropping system in split-plot design with three replications was carried out at the experimental farm of BAU, Sabour. The treatments of tillage operations and application of organic residues, along with their interactions, significantly decreased the soil strength/compaction and consequently bulk density of the soils over control. It was confirmed by the positive and highly significant correlation of soil strength with the bulk density (r = 0.802**). The maximum decrease was noted under T3 (Mould board plough) and C6 (GM + rice husk) and their interactions. A significant decrease in clod size was observed under treatments T3 and C6 and their interactions over control. The maximum increase in stable water-stable aggregates was estimated under treatments T3 and C6 and their interactions (T3 x C6) due to an increase in porosity and decrease in compaction of the soils which led to increasing in hydraulic conductivity. This was further confirmed by a positive and highly significant correlation of hydraulic conductivity with MWD (r = 0.788**) and negatively and highly significant correlation with compaction (r = -0.646**) and BD (r = -0.846**). It was revealed that the soil moisture content showed a variable increase with variable depth and observed their maximum values in T4 (28%) and C6 (29%) treatments at 45-60 cm depth of the soils. The increase in yield of wheat grain was highest under the influence of treatments (MB) T3 and C6 (GM + rice husk) and their interaction. These observations were further confirmed by the positive and highly significant correlation of yield of wheat grain with MWD (r = 0.514*) and HC (r = 0.482*) and negative and highly significant correlation with soil strength (r = -0.649**). The most effective treatments were T3 and C6 and their interactions, while minimum improvements were noted under T1 (desi plough) and C3 (paddy straw) and their interactions.
Comparative Phytochemical and in vitro Antioxidant Screening of the Root and Stem Bark of Annona muricata Linn
Authors: Anarado C. E. , Chukwubueze F. M. , Anarado C. J. O. , Umedum N. L. , Nwanya C. B.
Published: June 2020

Aim: To compare the phytochemicals and antioxidant activities of stem bark and root extracts of Annona muricata.

Methodology: The stem bark and root of Annona muricata were collected, washed, air-dried, ground and each extracted with methanol, ethyl acetate and n-hexane. The extracts were analysed for the presence of phytochemicals. Antioxidant screening was also carried out on the samples.

Results: Cardiac glycosides were present in all the extracts of both root and stem bark. Alkaloids were present in moderate abundance in all the extracts except the ethyl acetate stem bark extract. Saponins and tannins were found in methanol extracts of both parts and also in very high abundance but the stem contained higher amount of saponins while alkaloids and tannins were found more in the root. Flavonoids were only found in the ethyl acetate stem bark extract.  Steroids were absent in all the extracts except n-hexane root extract. The root showed greater enzymatic antioxidant activities than the stem bark. The solvent polarity affected the phytochemical found in each extract.  The antioxidant activities of the catalase, superoxidase dismutase and glutathione peroxidase were significantly higher in the root of Annona muricata than in the stem. Conversely, peroxidase showed a significantly higher activity in the stem than in the root.

Conclusion: The stem bark and root exhibited good antioxidant properties, so there is need to isolate the compounds responsible for antioxidant property exhibited by the plant parts.
Is Ethylene the Ripening Hormone
Authors: Pholoma Senewa Bobby
Published: June 2020

The fruits constitute a commercially important and nutritionally indispensable food commodity since they play a vital role in human nutrition by supplying the necessary growth factors essential for maintaining normal health.  One of the limiting factors that influence their economic value is the relatively short ripening period and reduced post-harvest life.  The fruit ripening involves a wide spectrum of coordinated biochemical and physiological processes that eventually leads to development of soft edible fruit with desirable qualities such as carotenoids, anthocyanin, color, sweetness, texture, firmness, flavor and aroma.  The ripening is the phase of fruit development just before senescence, therefore the excessive tissues softening due to the high ethylene exposure leads to the spoilage upon the storage.  Ethylene, a fruit ripening hormone can trigger many events of cell metabolism including ripening particularly in climacteric fruits even in minute amounts.  As fruit mature, the rate of ACC and ethylene biosynthesis increases as well as the enzyme activities for ACC oxidase and ACC synthase enhance.  However, the application of ethylene inhibitors such as 1-MCP, AVG and the ethylene remover proved to reduce the ripening where some quality attributes of ripening were reduced due to suppressed expression of the ripening hormone.
The role of sphingolipids in endoplasmic reticulum stress
Authors: Park Woo‐Jae , Park Joo‐Won
Published: June 2020

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is an important intracellular compartment in eukaryotic cells and has diverse functions, including protein synthesis, protein folding, lipid metabolism and calcium homeostasis. ER functions are disrupted by various intracellular and extracellular stimuli that cause ER stress, including the inhibition of glycosylation, disulphide bond reduction, ER calcium store depletion, impaired protein transport to the Golgi, excessive ER protein synthesis, impairment of ER‐associated protein degradation and mutated ER protein expression. Distinct ER stress signalling pathways, which are known as the unfolded protein response, are deployed to maintain ER homeostasis, and a failure to reverse ER stress triggers cell death. Sphingolipids are lipids that are structurally characterized by long‐chain bases, including sphingosine or dihydrosphingosine (also known as sphinganine). Sphingolipids are bioactive molecules long known to regulate various cellular processes, including cell proliferation, migration, apoptosis and cell–cell interaction. Recent studies have uncovered that specific sphingolipids are involved in ER stress. This review summarizes the roles of sphingolipids in ER stress and human diseases in the context of pathogenic events.
Ethics of Belief
Authors: McCormick Miriam
Published: June 2020

The broad question asked under the heading of “the ethics of belief” is: what ought one believe? An ethics of belief attempts to uncover the norms that guide belief formation and maintenance. The dominant view among contemporary philosophers is that the norms governing belief are evidential or epistemic. That is, the only proper reasons for belief are ones that relate to the likelihood of the proposition believed being true. Reasons relating to the benefits of believing are thought to not be reasons for belief. The view that there are no practical reasons to believe is widely referred to as “evidentialism” and the view that there can be nonevidential (often called “practical”) reasons for belief has come to be called “pragmatism.” In the last decade, the dominant evidentialist picture has been questioned and so there are now, once again, two sides to the ethics of belief debate. This entry reviews some the central arguments put forth by each side.
Paternalism
Authors: Scoccia Danny
Published: June 2020

Before we can determine when, if ever, paternalism is morally justified, we need to know what it is. This entry begins with a discussion of how it is best defined, then moves on to explore good‐based (consequentialist) and right‐based (deontological) objections to it.
Empathy
Authors: Stueber Karsten
Published: June 2020

The concept of empathy has played and continues to play a central role in the philosophical and psychological discussions and investigations of two central features characterizing the social nature of human beings: the ability to recognize what other people are thinking and feeling, and the ability to engage with other people in a social manner. Accordingly, empathy refers to a broad range of psychological processes and phenomena having to do with our ability to know another person's state of mind and our ability to be emotionally affected by how others feel and think about their situation, allowing us to feel like them, to feel with them, to care for them, and to be concerned about them. This entry will discuss how the concept of empathy has been defined in a variety of philosophical and psychological contexts. It will also explain the role that empathy plays in gaining knowledge of other minds and explicate how we might think about empathy's contribution to the constitution of human sociality and morality.
Welfarism
Authors: Bramble Ben
Published: June 2020

Welfarism is a theory of value (or the good)
simpliciter
. Theories of value are fundamentally concerned with explaining what makes some possible worlds better than others. Welfarism is the view according to which the relative value of possible worlds is fully determined by how individuals are faring – or, in other words, by the facts about well‐being that obtain – in these worlds. This entry begins by distinguishing between various forms of welfarism (pure vs. impure welfarism, and then narrow vs. wide welfarism). It then outlines some of the key attractions of welfarism. Finally, it surveys some of the most serious objections to welfarism (including malicious pleasure, the well‐being of the wicked, great works of art, the non‐identity problem, human extinction, transitivity of betterness, and distribution).
Piezocatalytic Tumor Therapy by Ultrasound‐Triggered and BaTiO3‐Mediated Piezoelectricity
Authors: Zhu Piao , Chen Yu , Shi Jianlin
Published: June 2020

Ultrasound theranostics features non‐invasiveness, minor energy attenuation, and high tissue‐penetrating capability, and is playing ever‐important roles in the diagnosis and therapy of diseases in clinics. Herein, ultrasound is employed as a microscopic pressure resource to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) for piezocatalytic tumor therapy under catalytic mediation by piezoelectric tetragonal BaTiO3 (T‐BTO). Under the ultrasonic vibration, the electrons and holes are unpaired and they are separated by the piezoelectricity, resulting in the establishment of a strong built‐in electric field, which subsequently catalyzes the generation of ROS such as toxic hydroxyl (•OH) and superoxide radicals (•O2−) in situ for tumor eradication. This modality shows intriguing advantages over typical sonoluminescence‐activated sonodynamic therapy, such as more stable sensitizers and dynamical control of redox reaction outcomes. Furthermore, according to the finite element modeling simulation, the built‐in electric field is capable of modulating the band alignment to make the toxic ROS generation energetically favorable. Both detailed in vitro cellular level evaluation and in vivo tumor xenograft assessment have demonstrated that an injectable T‐BTO‐nanoparticles‐embedded thermosensitive hydrogel will substantially induce ultrasound irradiation‐triggered cytotoxicity and piezocatalytic tumor eradication, accompanied by high therapeutic biosafety in vivo.
Biodegradable Laser Arrays Self‐Assembled from Plant Resources
Authors: Guo Jiaqi , Haehnle Bastian , Hoenders Daniel , Creusen Guido , Jiao Dejin , Kuehne Alexander J. C. , Walther Andreas
Published: June 2020

The transition toward future sustainable societies largely depends on disruptive innovations in biobased materials to substitute nonsustainable advanced functional materials. In the field of optics, advanced devices (e.g., lasers or metamaterial devices) are typically manufactured using top‐down engineering and synthetic materials. This work breaks with such concepts and switchable lasers self‐assembled from plant‐based cellulose nanocrystals and fluorescent polymers at room temperature and from water are shown. Controlled structure formation allows laser‐grade cholesteric photonic bandgap materials, in which the photonic bandgap is matched to the fluorescence emission to function as an efficient resonator for low threshold multimode lasing. The lasers can be switched on and off using humidity, and can be printed into pixelated arrays. Additionally, the materials exhibit stiffness above typical thermoplastic polymers and biodegradability in soil. The concept showcases that highly advanced functions can be encoded into biobased materials, and opens the design space for future sustainable optical devices of unprecedented function.
Metallic Waveguide Arrays for Metasurface‐Like Control with High Simplicity in Design
Authors: Liang Huawei , Li Jiaqi , Wu Zhiyong , Zhang Lei , Ruan Shuangchen
Published: June 2020

Metallic waveguide arrays, consisting of regularly arranged holes, are proposed for metasurface‐like control of phase, polarization, and amplitude, while the design procedure is greatly simplified. In a sharp contrast to the existing metasurface working principles, the phase delay is dependent on the waveguide dimension perpendicular to the polarization direction, but not on the dimension parallel to the polarization direction. Due to the negligible cross‐polarization effect, the phase can be completely independently controlled for two orthogonally polarized waves with either the same or the different frequencies using one waveguide array. Notably, the analytical relationship between the phase delay and hole dimensions can be presented explicitly, which greatly simplifies the design process to select the waveguide array for a desired phase distribution. Furthermore, the amplitude and polarization can be completely controlled by tuning the dimension and the orientation angle of metal holes. Based on the control over phase, polarization, and amplitude, several control functionalities are theoretically and experimentally demonstrated at the terahertz frequency. A control efficiency of up to 70% is experimentally obtained. The freestanding waveguide array with features of both easy availability and high durability may significantly push forward the development of various photonic devices.
A Biomimetic Approach toward Enhancing Angiogenesis: Recombinantly Expressed Domain V of Human Perlecan Is a Bioactive Molecule That Promotes Angiogenesis and Vascularization of Implanted Biomaterials
Authors: Lin Xiaoting , Tang Fengying , Jiang Shouyuan , Khamis Heba , Bongers Andre , Whitelock John M. , Lord Megan S. , Rnjak‐Kovacina Jelena
Published: June 2020

Angiogenic therapy involving delivery of pro‐angiogenic growth factors to stimulate new blood vessel formation in ischemic disease is promising but has seen limited clinical success due to issues associated with the need to deliver supra‐physiological growth factor concentrations. Bio‐inspired growth factor delivery utilizing the native growth factor signaling roles of the extracellular matrix proteoglycans has the potential to overcome many of the drawbacks of angiogenic therapy. In this study, the potential of the recombinantly expressed domain V (rDV) of human perlecan is investigated as a means of promoting growth factor signaling toward enhanced angiogenesis and vascularization of implanted biomaterials. rDV is found to promote angiogenesis in established in vitro and in vivo angiogenesis assays by potentiating endogenous growth factor signaling via its glycosaminoglycan chains. Further, rDV is found to potentiate fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) signaling at low concentrations that in the absence of rDV are not biologically active. Finally, rDV immobilized on 3D porous silk fibroin biomaterials promotes enhanced vascular ingrowth and integration of the implanted scaffolds with the surrounding tissue. Together, these studies demonstrate the important role of this biologically active perlecan fragment and its potential in the treatment of ischemia in both native and bioengineered tissues.