bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dihydrocapsaicin Inhibits Epithelial Cell Transformation through Targeting Amino Acid Signaling and c-Fos Expression
Authors: Lee Ji Su , Kim Yeong A. , Jang Young Jin , Oh Yongtaek , Byun Sanguine
Published: June 2019

Chili peppers are one of the most widely consumed spices worldwide. However, research on the health benefits of chili peppers and some of its constituents has raised controversy as to whether chili pepper compounds possess cancer-promoting or cancer-preventive effects. While ample studies have been carried out to examine the effect of capsaicin in carcinogenesis, the chemopreventive effect of other major components in chili pepper, including dihydrocapsaicin, capsiate, and capsanthin, is relatively unclear. Herein, we investigated the inhibitory effect of chili pepper components on malignant cell transformation. Among the tested chili pepper compounds, dihydrocapsaicin displayed the strongest inhibitory activity against epidermal growth factor (EGF)-induced neoplastic transformation. Dihydrocapsaicin specifically suppressed EGF-induced phosphorylations of the p70S6K1-S6 pathway and the expression of c-Fos. A reduction in c-Fos levels by dihydrocapsaicin led to a concomitant downregulation of AP-1 activation. Further analysis of the molecular mechanism responsible for the dihydrocapsaicin-mediated decrease in phospho-p70S6K1, revealed that dihydrocapsaicin can block amino acid-dependent mechanistic targets of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1)-p70S6K1-S6 signal activation. Additionally, dihydrocapsaicin was able to selectively augment amino acid deprivation-induced cell death in mTORC1-hyperactive cells. Collectively, dihydrocapsaicin exerted chemopreventive effects through inhibiting amino acid signaling and c-Fos pathways and, thus, might be a promising cancer preventive natural agent.
Dysbiosis and Prematurity: Is There a Role for Probiotics?
Authors: Baldassarre Maria Elisabetta , Di Mauro Antonio , Capozza Manuela , Rizzo Valentina , Schettini Federico , Panza Raffaella , Laforgia Nicola
Published: June 2019

Healthy microbiota is a critical mediator in maintaining health and it is supposed that dysbiosis could have a role in the pathogenesis of a number of diseases. Evidence supports the hypothesis that maternal dysbiosis could act as a trigger for preterm birth; aberrant colonization of preterm infant gut might have a role in feeding intolerance and pathogenesis of necrotizing enterocolitis. Despite several clinical trials and meta-analyses, it is still not clear if modulation of maternal and neonatal microbiota with probiotic supplementation decreases the risk of preterm birth and its complications.
Developments in Carbohydrate-Based Cancer Therapeutics
Authors: Hossain Farzana , Andreana Peter R.
Published: June 2019

Cancer cells of diverse origins express extracellular tumor-specific carbohydrate antigens (TACAs) because of aberrant glycosylation. Overexpressed TACAs on the surface of tumor cells are considered biomarkers for cancer detection and have always been prioritized for the development of novel carbohydrate-based anti-cancer vaccines. In recent years, progress has been made in developing synthetic, carbohydrate-based antitumor vaccines to improve immune responses associated with targeting these specific antigens. Tumor cells also exhaust more energy for proliferation than normal cells, by consuming excessive amounts of glucose via overexpressed sugar binding or transporting receptors located in the cellular membrane. Furthermore, inspired by the Warburg effect, glycoconjugation strategies of anticancer drugs have gained considerable attention from the scientific community. This review highlights a small cohort of recent efforts which have been made in carbohydrate-based cancer treatments, including vaccine design and the development of glycoconjugate prodrugs, glycosidase inhibiting iminosugars, and early cancer diagnosis.
Polymer M-Z Thermal Optical Switch at 532-nm Based on Wet Etching and UV-Writing Waveguide
Authors: Lv Jiawen , Cao Yue , Lin Baizhu , Yang Yue , Sun Yue , Li Shuai , Yi Yunji , Wang Fei , Zhang Daming
Published: June 2019

Polymer thermal optical switches have low power consumption and 532 nm is the communication window of polymer fiber. Polymer thermal optical switches at 532 nm are rarely reported, because of switching extinction ratio properties that are restricted by modes of the waveguide. Single mode waveguide at 532 nm is hard to fabricate due to the dissolution of core and cladding materials. A polymer M-Z thermal optical switch at 532 nm was first demonstrated based on the wet etching method. The proposed thermal optical switch was consisted of silica substrate, photosensitive polymer core, and cladding material. The device was fabricated and tested with the power consumption of 6.55mW, extinction of 4.8 dB, and switching time of 0.23 ms (rise)/0.28 ms (down). An optimized switch structure combining with the UV-writing technique and graphene thermal conduction layer was proposed based on the experiments above. A side electrode was designed to reduce the power consumption and the switching time. The optimized device was calculated to have a power consumption of 1.5 mW. The switching time of the UV-writing device was simulated to be 18.2 μs (rise) and 85 μs (down). The device is promising in the wearable device and laser radar area.
Discovering the Representative Subset with Low Redundancy for Hyperspectral Feature Selection
Authors: Zhang Wenqiang , Li Xiaorun , Zhao Liaoying
Published: June 2019

In this paper, a novel unsupervised band selection (BS) criterion based on maximizing representativeness and minimizing redundancy (MRMR) is proposed for selecting a set of informative bands to represent the whole hyperspectral image cube. The new selection criterion is denoted as the MRMR selection criterion and the associated BS method is denoted as the MRMR method. The MRMR selection criterion can evaluate the band subset’s representativeness and redundancy simultaneously. For one band subset, its representativeness is estimated by using orthogonal projection (OP) and its redundancy is measured by the average of the Pearson correlation coefficients among the bands in this subset. To find the satisfactory subset, an effective evolutionary algorithm, i.e., the immune clone selection (ICS) algorithm, is applied as the subset searching strategy. Moreover, we further introduce two effective tricks to simplify the computation of the representativeness metric, thus the computational complexity of the proposed method is reduced significantly. Experimental results on different real-world datasets demonstrate that the proposed method is very effective and its selected bands can obtain good classification performances in practice.
Dual-Channel Reconstruction Network for Image Compressive Sensing
Authors: Zhang Zhongqiang , Gao Dahua , Xie Xuemei , Shi Guangming
Published: June 2019

The existing compressive sensing (CS) reconstruction algorithms require enormous computation and reconstruction quality that is not satisfying. In this paper, we propose a novel Dual-Channel Reconstruction Network (DC-Net) module to build two CS reconstruction networks: the first one recovers an image from its traditional random under-sampling measurements (RDC-Net); the second one recovers an image from its CS measurements acquired by a fully connected measurement matrix (FDC-Net). Especially, the fully connected under-sampling method makes CS measurements represent original images more effectively. For the two proposed networks, we use a fully connected layer to recover a preliminary reconstructed image, which is a linear mapping from CS measurements to the preliminary reconstructed image. The DC-Net module is used to further improve the preliminary reconstructed image quality. In the DC-Net module, a residual block channel can improve reconstruction quality and dense block channel can expedite calculation, whose fusion can improve the reconstruction performance and reduce runtime simultaneously. Extensive experiments manifest that the two proposed networks outperform state-of-the-art CS reconstruction methods in PSNR and have excellent visual reconstruction effects.
Extraction and Research of Crop Feature Points Based on Computer Vision
Authors: Cui Jingwen , Zhang Jianping , Sun Guiling , Zheng Bowen
Published: June 2019

Based on computer vision technology, this paper proposes a method for identifying and locating crops in order to successfully capture crops in the process of automatic crop picking. This method innovatively combines the YOLOv3 algorithm under the DarkNet framework with the point cloud image coordinate matching method, and can achieve the goal of this paper very well. Firstly, RGB (RGB is the color representing the three channels of red, green and blue) images and depth images are obtained by using the Kinect v2 depth camera. Secondly, the YOLOv3 algorithm is used to identify the various types of target crops in the RGB images, and the feature points of the target crops are determined. Finally, the 3D coordinates of the feature points are displayed on the point cloud images. Compared with other methods, this method of crop identification has high accuracy and small positioning error, which lays a good foundation for the subsequent harvesting of crops using mechanical arms. In summary, the method used in this paper can be considered effective.
Time Difference of Arrival (TDoA) Localization Combining Weighted Least Squares and Firefly Algorithm
Authors: Wu Peng , Su Shaojing , Zuo Zhen , Guo Xiaojun , Sun Bei , Wen Xudong
Published: June 2019

Time difference of arrival (TDoA) based on a group of sensor nodes with known locations has been widely used to locate targets. Two-step weighted least squares (TSWLS), constrained weighted least squares (CWLS), and Newton–Raphson (NR) iteration are commonly used passive location methods, among which the initial position is needed and the complexity is high. This paper proposes a hybrid firefly algorithm (hybrid-FA) method, combining the weighted least squares (WLS) algorithm and FA, which can reduce computation as well as achieve high accuracy. The WLS algorithm is performed first, the result of which is used to restrict the search region for the FA method. Simulations showed that the hybrid-FA method required far fewer iterations than the FA method alone to achieve the same accuracy. Additionally, two experiments were conducted to compare the results of hybrid-FA with other methods. The findings indicated that the root-mean-square error (RMSE) and mean distance error of the hybrid-FA method were lower than that of the NR, TSWLS, and genetic algorithm (GA). On the whole, the hybrid-FA outperformed the NR, TSWLS, and GA for TDoA measurement.
Realizing the Circular Economy for Sanitation: Assessing Enabling Conditions and Barriers to the Commercialization of Human Excreta Derived Fertilizer in Haiti and Kenya
Authors: Moya Berta , Sakrabani Ruben , Parker Alison
Published: June 2019

Efficient fecal sludge management solutions are especially challenging in densely populated urban informal settlements, where space is limited and land tenure uncertain. One solution is to collect and treat human excreta to produce soil conditioners for use in agriculture, through container-based sanitation, thus realizing the circular economy for sanitation. This study focused on container-based sanitation ventures that produce and sell fertilizers from human excreta. Stakeholder interviews showed that challenges faced by these ventures were similar: unclear regulations on the use of fertilizers derived from source-separated excreta, undeveloped markets for organic fertilizers, difficulties in securing secondary sources of organic matter for composting as well as complex transport and distribution logistics. The findings of this study emphasized the need for clear policies with respect to human excreta derived fertilizer, as well as institutional involvement in order to incentivize the sale and use of human excreta derived fertilizer locally to ensure that sustainable and safely managed sanitation systems are available in urban areas.
A Comparison of a Smart City’s Trends in Urban Planning before and after 2016 through Keyword Network Analysis
Authors: Min Kyunghun , Yoon Moonyoung , Furuya Katsunori
Published: June 2019

The aim of this study was to explore the keywords related to smart city concepts, and to understand their flow. This research used a keyword network analysis by collecting keywords from papers published on the web from Scopus, which is an international scholarly papers engine. The data were collected from before and after 2016, and since the amount of data has been growing rapidly after global agreements such as the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015, we attempted to focus on adjacent years of publication. In order to understand the flow of research, we conducted a central analysis, which is widely used in quantitative research relating to social network analysis, and performed cluster analysis to identify relationships with related research. The results of the analysis are represented in the form of network maps, and the role of each keyword was clarified based on these network maps. In addition, the overall flow explained the change of flow through discarded and emerging keywords, and the relationships with related fields were explained through cluster analysis. The findings could serve as a basis for policymakers, urban managers, and researchers seeking a comprehensive understanding of the smart city concept in urban planning areas.
The Segregation of Foreigners in U.S. Mainstream Classrooms
Authors: Lee Ee Lin
Published: June 2019

(1) This study investigates the norms of speaking in the classroom by examining the speaking practices of Japanese international students (JIS)—a nonnative English speaking group—in classroom conversations with native English speakers (NES). (2) Semi-structured interviews in Japanese were conducted with 12 JIS in undergraduate programs at a predominantly White university in the United States. (3) The use of speech codes theory and Hymes’s SPEAKING framework, coupled with the grounded theory, reveal that all the interviewees dealt with conflicting feelings of eagerness and dread when deciding whether or not to participate in classroom conversations. The JIS revealed threatening classroom dynamics that made them feel inadequate, isolated, and intimidated. The norms for speaking in the classroom subjugate the JIS into silent observers and subalterns who lack colloquial English skills or local cultural knowledge. Unforgiving sanctions, including discrimination, exclusion, ignorance, and silent treatment, are used by the NES to illegitimize JIS membership in the classroom community. (4) These micro-level nuances of classroom culture are discussed in relation to the macro-level institutionalized structures of U.S. higher education that are, in turn, embedded in the socio-historical dynamics of the nation.
On Nonlinear Reaction-Diffusion Model with Time Delay on Hexagonal Lattice
Authors: Martsenyuk Vasyl , Veselska Olga
Published: June 2019

In the work, a nonlinear reaction-diffusion model in a class of delayed differential equations on the hexagonal lattice is considered. The system includes a spatial operator of diffusion between hexagonal pixels. The main results deal with the qualitative investigation of the model. The conditions of global asymptotic stability, which are based on the Lyapunov function construction, are obtained. An estimate of the upper bound of time delay, which enables stability, is presented. The numerical study is executed with the help of the bifurcation diagram, phase trajectories, and hexagonal tile portraits. It shows the changes in qualitative behavior with respect to the growth of time delay; namely, starting from the stable focus at small delay values, then through Hopf bifurcation to limit cycles, and finally, through period doublings to deterministic chaos.
The Influence of Processing Parameters on the Mitigation of Deoxynivalenol during Industrial Baking
Authors: Stadler David , Lambertini Francesca , Woelflingseder Lydia , Schwartz-Zimmermann Heidi , Marko Doris , Suman Michele , Berthiller Franz , Krska Rudolf
Published: June 2019

Deoxynivalenol (DON), a frequent contaminant of flour, can be partially degraded by baking. It is not clear: (i) How the choice of processing parameter (i.e., ingredients, leavening, and baking conditions) affects DON degradation and thus (ii) how much DON can be degraded during the large-scale industrial production of bakery products. Crackers, biscuits, and bread were produced from naturally contaminated flour using different processing conditions. DON degradation during baking was quantified with the most accurate analytical methodology available for this Fusarium toxin, which is based on liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Depending on the processing conditions, 0–21%, 4–16%, and 2–5% DON were degraded during the production of crackers, biscuits, and bread, respectively. A higher NaHCO3 concentration, baking time, and baking temperature caused higher DON degradation. NH4HCO3, yeast, vinegar, and sucrose concentration as well as leavening time did not enhance DON degradation. In vitro cell viability assays confirmed that the major degradation product isoDON is considerably less toxic than DON. This proves for the first time that large-scale industrial baking results in partial detoxification of DON, which can be enhanced by process management.
In Vitro Mutagenic and Genotoxic Assessment of a Mixture of the Cyanotoxins Microcystin-LR and Cylindrospermopsin
Authors: Díez-Quijada Leticia , Prieto Ana I. , Puerto María , Jos Ángeles , Cameán Ana M.
Published: June 2019

The co-occurrence of various cyanobacterial toxins can potentially induce toxic effects different than those observed for single cyanotoxins, as interaction phenomena cannot be discarded. Moreover, mixtures are a more probable exposure scenario. However, toxicological information on the topic is still scarce. Taking into account the important role of mutagenicity and genotoxicity in the risk evaluation framework, the objective of this study was to assess the mutagenic and genotoxic potential of mixtures of two of the most relevant cyanotoxins, Microcystin-LR (MC-LR) and Cylindrospermopsin (CYN), using the battery of in vitro tests recommended by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) for food contaminants. Mixtures of 1:10 CYN/MC-LR (CYN concentration in the range 0.04–2.5 µg/mL) were used to perform the bacterial reverse-mutation assay (Ames test) in Salmonella typhimurium, the mammalian cell micronucleus (MN) test and the mouse lymphoma thymidine-kinase assay (MLA) on L5178YTk± cells, while Caco-2 cells were used for the standard and enzyme-modified comet assays. The exposure periods ranged between 4 and 72 h depending on the assay. The genotoxicity of the mixture was observed only in the MN test with S9 metabolic fraction, similar to the results previously reported for CYN individually. These results indicate that cyanobacterial mixtures require a specific (geno)toxicity evaluation as their effects cannot be extrapolated from those of the individual cyanotoxins.
Deoxynivalenol-3-Glucoside Content Is Highly Associated with Deoxynivalenol Levels in Two-Row Barley Genotypes of Importance to Canadian Barley Breeding Programs
Authors: Tucker James R. , Badea Ana , Blagden Richard , Pleskach Kerri , Tittlemier Sheryl A. , Fernando W. G. Dilantha
Published: June 2019

Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is a multipurpose crop that can be harvested as grain or cut prior to maturity for use as forage. Fusarium head blight (FHB) is a devastating disease of barley that reduces quality of grain. FHB can also result in the accumulation of mycotoxins such as deoxynivalenol (DON). Breeding FHB resistant varieties has been a long-term goal of many barley-producing countries, including Canada. While the genetic basis of DON detoxification via production of less-phytotoxic conjugates such as DON-3-glucoside (DON3G) is well documented in barley, little information exists in reference to varietal response. Over two years, 16 spring, two-row barley genotypes, of importance to western Canadian barley breeding programs, were grown as short-rows and inoculated following spike emergence with a Fusarium graminearum conidia suspension. Half of the plots were harvested at soft dough stage and then dissected into rachis and grain components, whereas the remainder was harvested at maturity. Multiple Fusarium-mycotoxins were assayed using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Mycotoxin content was elevated at the earlier harvest point, especially in the rachis tissue. DON3G constituted a significant percentage (26%) of total trichothecene content and thus its co-occurrence with DON should be considered by barley industries. DON3G was highly correlated with DON and 3-acetyl-deoxynivalenol (3ADON). The ratio of D3G/DON exhibited consistency across genotypes, however more-resistant genotypes were characterized by a higher ratio at the soft-dough stage followed by a decrease at maturity. Plant breeding practices that use DON content as a biomarker for resistance would likely result in the development of barley cultivars with lower total DON-like compounds.
Observing the Dark Sector
Authors: Marra Valerio , Rosenfeld Rogerio , Sturani Riccardo
Published: June 2019

Despite the observational success of the standard model of cosmology, present-day observations do not tightly constrain the nature of dark matter and dark energy and modifications to the theory of general relativity. Here, we will discuss some of the ongoing and upcoming surveys that will revolutionize our understanding of the dark sector.
Mast Cells and Natural Killer Cells—A Potentially Critical Interaction
Authors: Portales-Cervantes Liliana , Dawod Bassel , Marshall Jean S.
Published: June 2019

Natural killer (NK) cells play critical roles in host defense against infectious agents or neoplastic cells. NK cells provide a rapid innate immune response including the killing of target cells without the need for priming. However, activated NK cells can show improved effector functions. Mast cells are also critical for early host defense against a variety of pathogens and are predominately located at mucosal surfaces and close to blood vessels. Our group has recently shown that virus-infected mast cells selectively recruit NK cells and positively modulate their functions through mechanisms dependent on soluble mediators, such as interferons. Here, we review the possible consequences of this interaction in both host defense and pathologies involving NK cell and mast cell activation.
Condition Assessment of Water Infrastructures: Application to Segura River Basin (Spain)
Authors: Urrea-Mallebrera Mario , Altarejos-García Luis , García-Bermejo Juan , Collado-López Bartolomé
Published: June 2019

The paper deals with the condition assessment of water management infrastructures such as storage facilities, water mains and water distribution facilities. The objective is to develop a methodology able to provide a fast, simple assessment of present asset condition, that can also be used for predicting future conditions under different investment scenarios. The authors investigate the use of different methodologies to assess condition with focus on simple, indirect condition indices based on maintenance records, such as Infrastructure Value Index (IVI) and Asset Sustainability Index (ASI). The novelty of the approach presented is the development of a methodology that combines an asset inventory together with maintenance data, that can be integrated hierarchically, delivering an assessment of condition of elements, assets and groups of assets in a bottom-up fashion. The methodology has been applied to a group of water management infrastructures of the Segura River Basin in Spain. The main conclusion is that the proposed methodology allows to assess assets’ sustainability based upon past and current trends in operation and maintenance budgets, providing a baseline for planning future maintenance actions.
Relationship between Coliform Bacteria and Water Quality Factors at Weir Stations in the Nakdong River, South Korea
Authors: Seo Mijin , Lee Haejin , Kim Yongseok
Published: June 2019

Artificial structures installed in rivers can change the natural physical, physiochemical, and biological characteristics of the rivers. Coliform bacteria are important water quality indicators, related to human health. This study investigated the relationship between coliform bacteria and water quality factors at eight weir stations constructed in the Nakdong River, a major river in South Korea. Fifteen water quality factors were analyzed at these sites from 2012 to 2016 using correlation and multiple regression analyses. The results for all stations confirmed the analytical validity, with high adjusted R2 values of approximately 0.6 and 0.8 on average for total and fecal coliforms, respectively. The results showed influential water quality factors affecting the concentration of coliform bacteria at weir stations. Specifically, total coliforms were mostly affected by organic matter and fecal coliforms were mostly affected by phosphate phosphorus and suspended solids. Rainfall was the most influential factor affecting both coliforms. Further, both coliforms were negatively affected by organic matter below the Dalseong weir in the mid- to downstream area of the Nakdong River. A positive relationship with phosphate phosphorus was indicated at all weir stations. To the authors’ knowledge, this kind of study has never been attempted so far. Thus, the study results can provide important information on influential water quality factors related to coliform bacteria, especially in the Nakdong River, creating a foundation for future water quality management.
Correction: Li, J., et al. Nutrient Control to Prevent the Occurrence of Cyanobacterial Blooms in a Eutrophic Lake in Southern Sweden, Used for Drinking Water Supply. Water 2018, 10, 919
Authors: Li Jing , Hansson Lars-Anders , Persson Kenneth M.
Published: June 2019

The authors wish to make the following corrections to this paper [...]
Stand-Alone Battery Thermal Management for Fast Charging of Electric Two Wheelers—Integrated Busbar Cooling
Authors: Mayer Bastian , Schier Michael , Friedrich Horst E.
Published: June 2019

This paper presents a thermal interface for cylindrical cells using busbar-integrated cooling channels. This interface is available due to the use of a stand-alone refrigerant circuit for the thermal management of the battery. A stand-alone refrigerant circuit offers performance and efficiency increases compared to state-of-the-art battery thermal management systems. This can be achieved by increasing the evaporation temperature to the requirements of the Li-ion cells and the use of alternative refrigerants. The solution proposed in this paper is defined for electric two-wheelers, as the thermal management of these vehicles is currently insufficient for fast charging where high heat losses occur. Three channel patterns for the integrated busbar cooling were examined regarding their thermal performance to cool the li-ion cells of a 16p14s battery pack during fast charging. A method of coupling correlation-based heat transfer and pressure drop with thermal finite element method (FEM) simulations was developed. The symmetric channel pattern offers a good compromise between battery temperatures and homogeneity, as well as the best volumetric and gravimetric energy densities on system level. Average cell temperatures of 22 °C with a maximum temperature spread of 8 K were achieved.
Studies on the Fusarium stalk rot infection of the maize genotypes using the Findex percentage and a computerised image analysis program
Authors: Csaba Szőke  , István Virág  , Donát Magyar  , Ferenc Rácz  , Csaba L. Marton
Published: June 2019

In a continental climate, the pathogens causing the most serious problems are species belonging to the Fusarium genus. When the pathogen attacks the stalk, the plant dies earlier, reducing grain filling and resulting in small, light ears. In addition, the stalks break or lodge, resulting in further yield losses from ears that cannot be harvested. During the three years of the experiment, 14 inbred lines were examined. The genotypes were sown in a two-factor split-plot design with four replications, with the genotypes in the main plots and four treatments in the subplots: two Fusarium graminearum isolates (1. FG36, 2. FGH4), 3. sterile kernels, 4. untreated control. The results experiments showed significant differences between the genotypes for resistance to fusarium stalk rot. Among the inbred lines the best resistance to fusarium stalk rot was exhibited by P06 and P07, both of which were related to ISSS. The precision and sensitivity of disease evaluations carried out visually and using image analysis software were compared in the experiment, and with two exceptions the CV values were lower for the image analysis. As the CV for measurements can be considered as a relative error, it can be stated that image analysis is the more precise of the two methods, so this technique gives a more accurate picture of the extent of stalk rot. The extent of stalk rot developing in response to natural infection is extremely environment-dependent, so the use of artificial inoculation is recommended for selection trials.
The virus infection of South-Hungarian corn fields
Authors: Melinda Apró  , Mária Papp  , Eszter Cseh  , Richard Gáborjányi  , József Horváth  , András Péter Takács
Published: June 2019

The past years cereal diseases, including the virus diseases have been increased in Hungary as well as worldwide. The aim of our work was to survey the virus infection of South Hungarian wheat fields. Leaf samples were collected in Szeged at the experimental farm of Cereal Research Nonprofit Co., in April and Junes of 2009 and 2010. DAS ELISA tests were carried out using Loewe antisera of Brome mosaic virus (BMV), Barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV), Barley stripe mosaic virus (BSMV), Brome streak mosaic virus (BStMV), Wheat dwarf virus (WDV), and Wheat streak mosaic virus (WSMV) and measured with Labsystem Multiscan RC Elisa reader at 405nm. In the samples of 2009 the Wheat dwarf and Wheat streak mosaic viruses were dominated. It was also significant the appearance of the. Barley yellow dwarf virus. 2010. was favourable for the spread of the virus vectors, therefore the incidence of virus diseases increased.
Fruit melanotic ringspot (FMRS) – a disease of resistant Capsicum genotypes infected with Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) on the fruits
Authors: Pál Salamon  , Katalin Nemes  , Katalin Salánki
Published: June 2019

Etiology of pepper fruit melanotic ringspot (FMRS) disease (Salamon, 2009) was studied on fruit samples collected in forced pepper populations. It was noticed that in spite of heavy thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis) infestations and of TSWV epidemy detected in the forcing houses, FMRS occurred only in plants having healthy foliage. Symptomatological surveys strongly suggested that FMRS appeared exclusively in specific pepper genotypes. The size of melanotic ringspots has been observed to grow at room temperature during postripening of diseased fruits. A mechanically transmitted plant virus was isolated from symptomatic parts of 9 white pepper fruits affected by FMRS. On test plants each of the virus isolates caused systemic symptoms characteristic to TSWV. Using cDNA/PCR technique and TSWV N-gene specific primers a ca. 300 bp long DNA fragment has been amplified from total nucleic acid extracted from symptomatic tissues but never from asymptomatic parts of the fruits showing FMRS. Plant progenies grown from seeds of FMRS diseased fruits segregated in respect of resistance and/or susceptibility to TSWV infection. TSWV was also detected in and isolated from three fruits showed non-melanotic yellow rings (one of them was infected with a tobamovirus, too). Seedlings derived from these fruits proved to be susceptible to TSWV. Based on the above results we could conclude that the FMRS disease developed on fruits of “cecei” type white peppers that carry a TSWV resistance gene, most likely the Tsw gene in heterozygous form. These fruits were infected with thrips transmitted TSWV and FRMS appeared as a hypersentive reaction (HR) manifested in fruits.
Studies of Cryphonectria parasitica (MURR.) BARR subpopulations on Quercus petraea in Ukraine
Authors: László Radócz  , Gábor Tarcali  , László Irinyi  , Gábor Görcsös
Published: June 2019

Chryphonectria parasitica (Murr.) Barr, the casual agent of chestnut blight disease, which is one of the most important fungal pathogens of chestnut (Castanea sativa). The disease seriously affected the chestnut in Northern-America and in Europe as well. It is important to mention that the pathogen does not only infect the chestnut but oak species (Quercus spp.) also. In the Carpathian-Basin, the chestnut is endemic in the Mecsek mountains, in Zala, in Somogy counties but it also can be found in the Danube-Bend. In the Carpathian-Basin (outside Hungary) the chestnut is found in Slovakia, Ukraine, Romania. In our study bark samples infected by Cryphonectria parasitica were collected from Bobovyshche, Serednje and Rostovjatica (Ukraine). The rate of infected chestnut tree were higher than 90% around Bobovyshche and beside chestnut, the symptoms were detected on oak trees as well. We collected bark samples from chestnut and oak as well and then we isolated the pathogen Cryphonectria parasitica in the lab of University of Debrecen. Symptomatological observations, laboratory examinations on fungus morphology, as well as comparisons of ITS sequency homology were made and approved that the causal agent of new disease was Cryphonectria parasitica. Our results proved that the Cryphonectria. parasitica infects oak trees beside chestnut in the Carpathian-Basin. Further studies are needed to determine the VCG (Vegatative Compatibility Group) group of the Cryphonectria parasitica found on oak trees.
Molecular studies on Cryphonectria parasitica isolates from Carpathian-basin
Authors: László Irinyi  , Gábor Görcsös  , László Radócz
Published: June 2019

Chryphonectria parasitica, the casual agent of chestnut blight, is one of the most important fungal pathogens of chestnut (Castanea spp.) in Europe and Hungary. In this study we analyzed the diversity of 14 Cryphonectria parasitica strains isolated from different location of Carpathian-Basin. For the analyses we used the partial sequences of the translation elongation coding gene, tef1. Our results showed that the tef1 gene, contrary to other fungal species, is not suitable for the molecular analyses of C. parasitica. In the future, for the molecular studies of C. parasitica, we need to use other molecular markers like microsatellites.
Analysis of changes in resources and outputs of companies and partnerships in Hungarian agriculture
Authors: Mónika Harangi-Rákos
Published: June 2019

The aim of the study was to examine the achievement of Hungarian agricultural companies and partnerships, particularly agricultural co-operatives based on the aggregated database of National Tax and Customs Administration (NAV)1. From the methodological aspect, descriptive statistical methods and time series analysis were used. One of the most important conclusions is that the socio-economic weight of the agricultural co-operatives was strongly decreased in the period after the EU accession. The other important statement is that apart from the general examination of economic actors on aggregated level the comparative analysis of the single organizations forms would be needed. In the case of co-operatives, separated examination of the former type producer co-operatives and the so-called new type ones (e.g. marketing co-operatives etc.) would be necessary.
Parameter optimization of an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer for measuring arsenic and selenium
Authors: Dávid Andrási  , Anita Puskás-Preszner  , Zsuzsa Tarján  , Béla Kovács  , Zoltán Győri
Published: June 2019

In the last decades, an increased interest has evolved in arsenic and selenium. The aim is to understand the environmental, agricultural and biological roles of these elements. In the case of arsenic, the major reasons are the relatively high concentration of arsenic in marine biota (mg kg-1) and the arsenic contaminated drinking water bases of some Asian countries, as well as Hungary. The toxicity of higher level selenium content is also known; nevertheless, selenium is essential for several biological functions. Considering its essentialness, in our country, the insufficient selenium intake rate causes a lack of selenium. Measuring the concentrations of these elements provides crucial, but unsatisfactory information, as the speciation, i.e. the form of an element presented in a sample is also required.In both cases, the most suitable method to determine concentration is inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Our objective was to optimize the variable parameters of the ICP-MS to attain the lowest (the best) detection limit. For this purpose, we investigated the effect of parameter change on net signal intensity and relative signal intensity. With the optimized parameter settings, the limits of detection for arsenic and selenium were determined, which are 0,032 ng dm-3 for arsenic, and 0,097 ng dm-3 for selenium.
Development of the reproductive tract of immature gilts
Authors: Anna Zmudzińska  , Wojciech Kapelański
Published: June 2019

Mechanisms of regulation of litter size in pigs are complex and depend on many factors, including genetic regulation and also physiological and anatomical development of the reproductive tract in gilts. Improvement of growth rate in present breed pigs raises the question as to whether, with the development of the reproductive tract, sexual maturity would also be attained.The aim of the study was to assess the morphometric traits of reproductive tracts taken from gilts slaughtered at 100 kg body weight, i. e., just when they may become actively sexual mature.This study was concluded on 80 prepubertal gilts of the Polish Landrace (PL) breed tested at the Pig Program Testing Station. The animals were kept in individual pens with control feeding and standard management. They were slaughtered after attaining 100 kg body weight. Immediately after slaughter, the reproductive tract was removed and carefully assessed. The morphometric estimation of the reproductive tract involved themeasurement of uterus weight with ligament, vagina-cervix length, uterine horns and oviducts length, ovaries weight, height and width. Uterus volume capacity was also determined, based on volumetric method of Kwaśnicki’s (1951) with own modification.All pigs were divided into three groups in respect to age at slaughter: A – below 160 days (n=38), B – from 160 to 180 days (n=28) and C – above 180 days of age (n=14). The results were elaborated statistically computing the arithmetic means (x) for every traits and standard deviations (s). One-way analysis of variance ANOVA was performed. The significance of differences between age groups was estimated using Duncan’s test.Calculations were performed with STATISTICA 8PL Software.Obtained results are presented in the tables below. The most pronounced differences in the development of the reproductive tract are dependent on the age of gilts concerning only the uterus weight (P≤0.01) and uterus vagina-cervix length (P≤0.05). Gilts at age 160-180 days attained the full stage of reproductive tract development. Differences between the compared age groups of gilts dealing with the other morphometric traitsand ovary characteristics were statistically not significant.
Effect of molybdenum treatment on the element uptake of plants in a long-term experiment
Authors: Anita Puskás-Preszner  , Béla Kovács  , Dávid Andrási  , Zita Kata Burján
Published: June 2019

Molybdenum as a constituent of several inmportant enzymes is an essential micorelement. It can be found in all kind of food naturally at low level, however, environmental pollution, from natural or anthropogenic sources, can lead to high level of the metal in plants. Our study is based on the long-term field experiments of Nagyhörcsök, where different levels of soil contamination conditions are simulated. Plant samples were collected from the experiment station to study the behaviour of elements: uptake by and transport within the plants, accumulation in different organs, phytotoxicity and effects on the quantity and quality of the crop.In this work we present the effect of molybdenum treatment on the uptake of other elements. Molybdenum is proved to be in an antagonist relationship with copper and sulphur, while molybdenum-phosphorus is a synergist interaction.However, in most of the plants we studied increasing molybdenum-treatment enhanced cadmium-uptake. We have found the most significant cadmium-accumulation in the case of pea, spinach and red beet.
INFECCIÓN POR CLAMIDIA
Authors: Ybaseta-Medina Jorge
Published: June 2019

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NIVEL DE ANSIEDAD Y PROCESO DE AFRONTAMIENTO EN ADULTOS MAYORES ATENDIDOS EN UN CENTRO DE SALUD ICA PERÚ 2017.
Authors: Sauñe-Oscco Wilson E , Martínez Paucar Félix , Oscco-Torres Olinda , Ramos-Cajo Astrid
Published: June 2019

Objetivo: Determinar el nivel de ansiedad y proceso de afrontamiento en los adultos mayores atendidos en un Centro de Salud Ica Perú 2017. Materiales y métodos: El estudio fue cuantitativo, de tipo descriptivo, y transversal, la muestra estuvo conformada por 62 adultos mayores que fueron seleccionados a través del muestreo no probabilístico intencional, la técnica que se utilizó fue la encuesta y entrevista. Resultados: En relación a los datos generales, el 56% es de sexo femenino, el 58% tienen entre 60 a 70 años, el 45% son empleados, el 89% presentan alguna enfermedad crónica, y el 45% vive con su cónyuge. Respecto al Nivel de ansiedad de los adultos mayores según escala de Hamilton el 58% presenta intensidad leve, 35% no presenta ansiedad, 5% intensidad media y el 2% tiene intensidad elevada. El Proceso de afrontamiento es desfavorable en la dimensión resolución de problemas, expresión emocional, apoyo social y evitación de problemas con 58%, 61%; 52%, 53% y favorable en 42%; 39%; 48% y 47% obteniéndose un consolidado global desfavorable en 56%(35) y favorable en 44%(27). Conclusiones: El nivel de ansiedad es leve en la mayoría de los adultos mayores, aunque existe un 5% con intensidad media y 2% tiene intensidad elevada; el proceso de afrontamiento es desfavorable, por lo que se recomienda la valoración geriátrica integral así como sitios de encuentro entre pares con el fin que pueda socializar con más personas de su misma edad lo cual contribuirá en una mejor calidad de vida.
Efecto de la educación sobre la pobreza monetaria en las regiones del Perú
Authors: Arias Luis , Sucari Henry
Published: June 2019

The objective of this research was to analyze the effect of education on monetary poverty in the regions of Peru. As a source of information, the SIRTOD database of the National Institute of Statistics and Informatics was used for the period 2007 to 2016. The study is based on the framework of human capital theory and consumer microeconomic theory. Therefore, the study is considered as hypothetico-deductive. Education was approached through the percentage of the economically active population by educational levels; primary, secondary, non-university education and university education, and poverty by the percentage of the population that have less expenditure than the monetary poverty line. The main hypothesis of the study is that the higher level of education has a positive effect in the reduction of monetary poverty, through the mechanism of productivity and income improvement. The estimation methodology was the panel data model; fixed and random effects. The research results show that from the beginning of secondary education monetary poverty is reduced in the regions of Peru; that is, the population educated by educational levels increases by 10%, this would lead to a reduction of poverty in the regions by 1.07%, 1.68% and 0.83% respectively. Finally, public policy is that the regions and the central government close gaps in access to education, especially in secondary education and non-university education, which have the greatest effect.
Actitudes ambientales en estudiantes del nivel secundario
Authors: Casa Manuela , Mamani Fiorela , Cusi Luz
Published: June 2019

Attitudes are ways in which an individual is actively adapted to their environment and is the result of a cognitive, affective and behavioral process, attitudes are the result of learning to respond to stimuli, and are manifested in the form of positive or negative tendency towards people, objects and situations, in this way the objective of the study was to determine environmental attitudes to environmental problems in students, 4th grade of secondary education in the city of Puno, during the 2016 academic year. The methodology used corresponds to the simple descriptive type and the diagnostic design with quantitative and qualitative data, 232 students were taken as a population, the study sample consisted of 132 students, selected through non-probabilistic sampling, to whom a survey that allowed identifying the positive and negative environmental attitudes of the students. The results were that 58% of the students in the total have a positive attitude with respect to environmental care, concluding that the students have a favorable attitude, means that in them there is responsibility, care towards environmental problems.
Planificación Curricular de los docentes y la Cultura Ambiental en los estudiantes de educación básica
Authors: Aza Patty , Lica Jubit
Published: June 2019

The objective of this research was to determine the level of relationship between the curricular planning of teachers from the environmental focus and environmental culture in the students of the IV and V cycle of the Educational Institutions of the Upper Zone of the district of Atuncolla, Puno, period 2018. The type of research was non-experimental and its form was the descriptive and correlational, the research method was the hypothetico-deductive. The procedure for obtaining the data was through a questionnaire that was applied to teachers and students. Teachers applied the questionnaire on the processing of the environmental approach in the curricular planning in the annual programming, teaching units and learning sessions. The questionnaire was applied to the students to determine the level of the environmental culture. The results indicate that there is a positive relationship of 79. 27% on average between teacher curricular planning and the level of environmental culture.
El ensayo como herramienta y estrategia del aprendizaje
Authors: Segarra-Báez Iván
Published: June 2019

El presente trabajo trata de innovar el área de la educación superior mediante el estudio de los beneficios que presenta la redacción del ensayo como herramienta y estrategia pedagógica en el nivel superior de enseñanza de Puerto Rico. Continuamente observamos los profesores de lengua las grandes dificultades que presentan los alumnos en sus principales años de formación universitaria porque desconoce muchas de las herramientas básicas para la redacción eficiente. La propuesta que defiende esta investigación es la redacción eficiente mediante el uso del ensayo argumentativo y su elaboración en el aula académica de enseñanza.
Mechanochemical amorphization of chitin: impact of apparatus material on performance and contamination
Authors: Di Nardo Thomas , Moores Audrey
Published: June 2019

Herein, we present a study of the impact of the jar and ball medium on the performance in the mechanochemical amorphization of chitin. We measured the crystallinity index of chitin after milling it in a vibration mill in an apparatus made of copper, aluminum, brass, tungsten carbide, zirconia, stainless steel, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), or poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). These materials offer a range of Vickers hardness values and the impact of these parameters is discussed. The role of the size and mass of the balls is also studied in the case of stainless steel. This study also highlights one of the major challenges during milling, which is contamination of the studied samples.