bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Use of HPV testing in cervical cancer screening services in Mexico, 2008-2018: a nationwide database study
Authors: Hurtado-Salgado Erika , Ortiz-Panozo Eduardo , Salmerón Jorge , Saavedra-Lara Nenetzen , Kuri-Morales Pablo , Pesqueira-Villegas Eduardo , Luna-Gordillo Rufino , Franco Eduardo L , Lazcano-Ponce Eduardo
Published: December 2018

Objective. To describe the methods of a study aimed at evaluating high risk-HPV (hrHPV)-based screening and cervical cytology as triage compared to conventional cervi­cal cytology as primary screening in the detection of grade 2+ cervical intraepithelial neoplasia in the National Cancer Screening Program (NCSP) of Mexico. Materials and methods. We will use information originated from the Womens Cancer Information System of Mexico regarding cervical cancer from 2008 to 2018. The database includes cytology results, diagnostic confirmation by histopathology and/or treatment colposcopy. We will then carry out statisti­cal analyses on approximately 15 million hrHPV. Results. We will evaluate the overall performance of hrHPV-based screening as part of the NCSP and compare hrHPV-based to cytology-based screening under real-life conditions. To guarantee an unbiased comparison between hrHPV with cy­tology triage and conventional cytology we will use propensity score matching. Conclusion. Decision makers may use our results to identify areas of opportunity for improvement in NCSP processes.
Release Mechanisms for Slow- and Controlled-release Fertilizers and Strategies for Their Use in Vegetable Production
Authors: Morgan Kelly T. , Cushman Kent E. , Sato Shinjiro
Published: December 2018

Fertilizer material costs, particularly nitrogen (N), have increased substantially over the past 5 years. Increased costs, along with increased awareness of the impact of fertilizer leaching on the environment in humid regions, have increased interest in use of slow-release fertilizer (SRF) or controlled-release fertilizer (CRF) materials. The goals of SRF and CRF use are that no nutrient should be limiting for crop uptake, there should be improved nutrient uptake efficiency, and nutrient-leaching potential should be reduced. These considerations are particularly important for crops grown on sandy soils with relatively low nutrient and water holding capacities. Release rates of biodegradable, or slow-release materials, such urea formaldehyde, isobutylidene diurea, and methylene urea are proportional to soil microbial activity and are therefore soil temperature dependent. These materials are N sources and depend on soil biological activity, thus, soil temperature during specific crop growth phenology must be considered and release may be delayed by soil fumigation. Whereas CRFs depend on diffusion through coatings and not biodegradation, both are soil moisture and temperature dependent. Examples of coated materials are sulfur-coated urea, polymer-coated urea, and polymer/sulfur-coated urea. The advantage of these materials is that leachable fertilizer elements other than N can be incorporated within the coating. However, this comes at an increased cost. The use of any single or combination of these materials depends on time of year, the length of crop cycle and crop nutrient demand patterns, and the use of soil fumigants.
An Analysis of Floral Consumption Values and Their Difference for Genders and Geographic Regions
Authors: Yeh Tzu-Fang , Huang Li-Chun
Published: December 2018

Studying the value of consumption is believed to have diagnostic value in the analysis of consumer choice behavior and, therefore, is helpful in improving the efficiency of the market. The objective of this study was to identify the consumption value that consumers seek from floral products, while also clarifying the context of that consumption value. A total of 644 valid questionnaires from a consumer survey were used for the statistical analysis. The statistical results of the factor analysis revealed that sensory hedonics, emotion conditioning, curiosity fulfillment, monetary worth, and showing care to others were the main types of the consumption value in relation to floral products. Different consumer groups were found to emphasize different types of floral consumption value. Female consumers reveal a stronger demand for the value of emotion conditioning and curiosity fulfillment, while male consumers are more likely to seek the value of sensory hedonics. Consumers in rural areas reveal a stronger demand for the value of curiosity fulfillment and monetary worth, while the consumers in urban areas reveal a stronger demand for the value of emotion conditioning, with regard to the consumption value of flowers. The study results provide florists with the key value points as they seek to increase the attraction of floral products to consumers.
Slow-release Nitrogen Fertilizers in Vegetable Production: A Review
Authors: Guertal E.A.
Published: December 2018

Slow-release nitrogen (N) fertilizers offer many potential benefits for vegetable production. In sandy soils, their use may lessen N leaching. If the slow-release fertilizer has a release pattern that matches crop needs, N uptake by the growing crop may become more efficient. Additionally, if slow-release fertilizers can be applied as a preplant application, production costs could be lessened, eliminating the need for multiple applications of soluble N fertilizer. Synthetic slow-release fertilizers can be separated into two general groups: those that are slow release as a byproduct of a chemical reaction (such as urea-formaldehyde), and those that are slow release via a sulfur, wax, or resin coating around the fertilizer prill. In vegetable crop research, much of the available literature has focused on use of sulfur coat urea and urea-formaldehyde, as they have been in the fertilizer market for 40 years. Newer research has evaluated resin-coated products. In most studies, use of slow-release N fertilizers as a preplant treatment did not decrease crop yield, but yield was rarely increased when compared with standard split applications of soluble N. Based on available research, the benefits of using slow-release N fertilizers in vegetable crop production will come from reduced environmental risk and savings in production costs.
Overview of the Use of High Tunnels Worldwide
Authors: Lamont William J.
Published: December 2018

High tunnels have been used for many years worldwide, but in the United States, the utilization of high tunnel technology for the production of horticultural crops is a relatively recent phenomenon. Single and multibay high tunnels are used throughout the world to extend the production season. One big advantage of high tunnels in the temperate and tropical regions of the world is the exclusion of rain, thus reducing the amount of disease pressure and crop loss while improving crop quality and shelf life. In temperate regions of the world, high tunnels are used to increase temperatures for crop production in spring, fall, and sometimes winter seasons. The use of high tunnels in their many forms continues to increase worldwide, and many different kinds of vegetables, small fruit, tree fruit, and flowers are being cultivated. One impediment in determining high tunnel usage worldwide is the failure of many authors and agricultural census takers to distinguish between high tunnels and plastic-covered greenhouses. In many instances, they are presented together under the heading “protected cultivation.”
Management of the Soil Environment in High Tunnels
Authors: Montri Adam , Biernbaum J.A.
Published: December 2018

High-tunnel soil, water, and fertility management can be achieved using a wide range of approaches from polyethylene film-mulched, drip-fertigated beds to certified organic management based on maintaining high soil organic matter (SOM) content. Soil management techniques are discussed in relation to the high tunnel structure used and the length of the growing season, site preparation, soil health, SOM, irrigation water quality, and fertility, with a focus on certified organic management.
Effects of Citric Acid, Sucrose, and Proton Concentration in Suppressing Defoliation in Hibiscus Plants Grown under Low-illumination Conditions
Authors: Zhang L. , Livingstone J.R. , Tarui Y. , Hirasawa E.
Published: December 2018

Potted young hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis ‘Italian Red’) plants were placed in a postharvest environment under low-illumination conditions in a room from 22 July to 31 Dec. 2003. On treatment with a mineral nutrition (MN) solution, 19% of their leaves remained intact after 8 weeks, but all the leaves were lost after 12 weeks from the time of placement. Incorporation of citric acid (CA) into the MN solution at a final concentration of 5 mm considerably suppressed the defoliation so that 57% of the leaves remained intact after 8 weeks and 53% did so after 12 weeks from the time of placement. Furthermore, treatment with 3% sucrose (SUC) instead of CA also considerably suppressed the defoliation, with 26% of the leaves remaining intact for more than 8 weeks and 20% remaining intact for more than 12 weeks. Neither the CA nor the SUC solution was effective in maintaining the hibiscus plants for more than 20 weeks under low illumination. However, treatment with MN solution containing CA and SUC was highly effective in suppressing defoliation. About 60% of the leaves on the plants that were treated with the solution were retained for the entire 24-week period. The proton concentration of the organic solution was found to be a critical factor that affected plant maintenance. The plants survived only on treatment with a solution of pH 5.0, but not with one with a pH of 6.0 or 7.0.
Nutrients and Pesticides in Stormwater Runoff and Soil Water in Production Nurseries and Citrus and Avocado Groves in California
Authors: Mangiafico Salvatore S. , Newman Julie , Merhaut Donald J. , Gan Jay , Faber Ben , Wu Laosheng
Published: December 2018

Potential water quality impacts of agricultural production include runoff and leaching losses of nutrients, pesticides, and sediment. Stormwater runoff and soil water samples were collected from citrus (Citrus spp.), avocado (Persea americana), and ornamental nursery sites in Ventura County, CA, across 19 months. Nitrate–nitrite–nitrogen concentrations in runoff ranged from 0.07 to 31.1 mg·L−1, with medians for groves and nurseries of 4.2 and 5.7 mg·L−1, respectively. Constituents in runoff exceeding benchmarks for surface waters included turbidity, chlorpyrifos, and some organochlorine pesticides. When detected, chlorpyrifos concentration was linearly related to sample turbidity (P = 0.0025, r2 = 0.49). This suggests that the retention of waterborne sediments on-site may be an effective method for mitigating runoff of this pesticide. Bifenthrin, permethrin, and diazinon were also detected in runoff, but concentrations did not exceed water quality benchmarks. Nutrient concentrations in soil water were generally similar to nutrient concentrations in stormwater runoff, suggesting that potential groundwater contamination from leaching at citrus, avocado, and nursery sites may be as much of a concern as stormwater from these operations, particularly on sites with sandy or structured soil texture or flat topography. Nitrate–nitrite–nitrogen and orthophosphate concentrations in soil water were linearly related to nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer application rates across sites, respectively (P < 0.0001, r2 = 0.49 and 0.50, respectively), suggesting that proper nutrient management is important in reducing potential groundwater contamination at these operations.
Names and Species of Ophiopogon Cultivated in the Southeastern United States
Authors: Fantz Paul R.
Published: December 2018

Species of Ophiopogon Ker-Gawl (aztec grass, monkey grass, mondo grass, and snake's beard) are versatile, evergreen, grass-like perennials used in a variety of landscape situations. The nursery/landscape industry commonly recognizes the Ophiopogon species O. japonicus (Linn. f.) Ker-Gawl and O. plansicapus Nakai, with O. clarkei Hook. f., O. intermedius D. Don, O. graminifolius (L.) Wehrh., O. jaburan (Sieb.) Lodd., O. kansuensis Bat., and O. ohwii Okuyama available, but often misidentified and marketed under other names. Additional taxa are being introduced through botanic gardens and plant expeditions by horticulturists. A taxonomic treatment by the author of liriopogons cultivated in the southeastern United States had been in progress for nearly 15 years. Plants bearing the name O. graminifolius included additional misidentified species of Liriope Lour. and Ophiopogon. Plants bearing the name O. chingii Wang and Chang did not bear inflorescences, but vegetatively appear to be equivalent to O. graminifolius. Plants bearing the name O. mairei H. Lév. and O. wallichianus (Kunth) J.D. Hook. were misidentified as Liriope exiliflora (L.H. Bailey) H.H. Hume. Additional taxa available in botanic gardens included O. bockianus Diels., O. bodnieri H. Lév., O. checkiangensis Koiti Kimura and Migo, O. chingii, and O. marmoratus Pierre ex L. Rodr. Plants bearing the name O. parviflorus (Hook. f.) Hara died without producing reproductive structures; thus, identification to even genus was unattainable. Ophiopogon arabicus Hort., O. nigra Hort., and O. nigrescens Hort. were invalid names used in the trade for O. planiscapus. This treatment includes original morphological descriptions from data obtained in the study, observational notes, and a table with a key to segregation of taxa.
Tools for Evaluating Native Grasses as Low Maintenance Turf
Authors: Bunderson Landon D. , Johnson Paul G. , Kopp Kelly L. , Van Dyke Adam
Published: December 2018

Visual ratings are the standard for evaluating turfgrass quality. However, to provide more objective evaluations and to address statistical concerns, other methods have been developed to measure turfgrass quality, including digital image analysis and measurements of chlorophyll content. These have been largely applied to traditionally used turfgrass species, but here we used these methods to evaluate turfgrass quality of nontraditional species and mixtures that are native or adapted to the intermountain west region of North America. Two fertilizer treatments (1.0 or 2.0 lb/1000 ft2 nitrogen) were applied to 21 different species and species mixtures in North Logan, UT. These plots were irrigated to replace 60% of the local evapotranspiration rate and were mowed at 4 inches. Turfgrass quality ratings were most effective in measuring quality among the diverse species used in this study. Because of the wider variation in acceptable visual characteristics and lower quality expectations for low-maintenance native turf, the objective evaluation methods proved less useful. Generally, chlorophyll meter data, digital image analysis of cover, and digital image analysis of color data were not well correlated with human visual quality ratings in this study. Measurements were well correlated in some species, but not in others. These methods can supplement, but cannot replace, human visual turfgrass quality ratings for comparison of dissimilar grasses.
Survey of the Research Needs of the Potential Organic Ornamental Bedding Plant Industry in Maine
Authors: Burnett Stephanie E. , Stack Lois Berg
Published: December 2018

Organic and conventional greenhouse growers in Maine were surveyed to determine the research needs of growers who may produce organic ornamental bedding plants. Organic growers were also asked to identify their greatest motivator to determine whether they feel that there is a greater market for organically grown ornamental plants. The greatest percentage (75%) of organic growers indicated that they choose to grow plants organically because “it's the right thing to do.” The second greatest percentage (36%) of organic growers choose organic production techniques for ornamental plants because they grow food crops organically and consider it convenient to use only one production technique. A relatively small number of organic growers (7%) considered the market for organic ornamental plants to be a strong motivator for growing organically. Organic growers were asked to select production issues that pose the greatest challenge for them from a list of common production problems. They considered insect and disease management and organic fertility, substrate, and pH management to be their greatest problems. Conventional growers primarily avoid organic production techniques because they consider organic fertilization or organic insect management to be too big of a challenge. Because organic and conventional growers consider insect and fertility or substrate management to be challenges facing organic growers, these topics should be top priorities for future research on organic greenhouse production.
Comparative Performance of Different Plastic Films for Soil Solarization and Weed Suppression
Authors: Gill Harsimran K. , McSorley Robert , Treadwell Danielle D.
Published: December 2018

Soil solarization is an important practice for small-acreage farmers and home gardeners and is used commercially in areas with high solar radiation and air temperature during the summer. In this technique, clear plastic films are used to increase soil temperature to manage soil-borne plant pests such as insects, diseases, nematodes, fungi, and weeds. Several different kinds of plastic films were evaluated in 2007 and 2008 for durability, weather tolerance, and weed suppression. Treatments were arranged in a randomized complete block design with five replications. In 2007, treatments were four clear plastic films including: ISO, VeriPack, Poly Pak, Bromostop®, and a white plastic control. In 2008, treatments were Polydak®, Poly Pak, Bromostop®, and white plastic. Films were evaluated for weed suppression based on the population density of weeds that emerged through breaks in the plastic, for durability in terms of number and size of breaks in the films, and for the total exposed soil area resulting from breaks. Purple nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus) was the major weed problem throughout both years. In both years, total exposed area was greater with white plastic and Bromostop® (81.5 ft2/bed) compared with other plastic films (<21.5 ft2/bed). Due to their durability, Poly Pak, ISO, and VeriPack suppressed nutsedge more than Bromostop and white plastic. Although a number of very small (<0.75 inch long) breaks were observed in Polydak® plastic film, they never increased in size, and this plastic film remained intact throughout the experiment and provided excellent weed control.
Large Single-head Broccoli Yield as Affected by Plant Density, Nitrogen, and Cultivar in a Plasticulture System
Authors: Schellenberg Daniel L. , Bratsch Anthony D. , Shen Zhengxing
Published: December 2018

An open-market window has been identified in Virginia for fall broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica). Vegetable producers using plasticulture systems can capitalize on this opportunity by growing broccoli as a second crop after summer vegetables. The objective of this project was to evaluate suitability of two broccoli cultivars, Everest and Gypsy, for the fall production of large single-heads (>6 inches in diameter) for the fresh market. Planting density and rate of nitrogen (N) fertilizer (25, 60, and 100 lb/acre N) effects on yield characteristics were evaluated in a plasticulture system during a 3-year study (2003–05) conducted with broccoli transplants at the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Kentland Agricultural Research Farm near Blacksburg, VA. The percentage of large heads was cultivar, plant density, and N rate dependent. The midseason ‘Gypsy’ produced significantly higher total yield and head weight compared with the early-season ‘Everest’. The optimum density to maximize floret production per area was 12,500 plants/acre and a supplemental N rate of 100 lb/acre. This N rate significantly (P < 0.002) improved marketable yield, large head yield, and leaf N accumulation compared with the lower rates. The data indicate that the feasibility of growing fall broccoli using a plasticulture system depends on the number of large heads produced for the fresh market. This in turn will depend on the choice of cultivar, stand establishment, and the requirement for supplemental N fertilizer over the residual level available in the soil after the first crop.
L-PEACH: A Computer-based Model to Understand How Peach Trees Grow
Authors: Lopez Gerardo , Favreau Romeo R. , Smith Colin , DeJong Theodore M.
Published: December 2018

L-PEACH is a computer-based model that simulates the growth of peach [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch] trees. The model integrates important concepts related to carbon assimilation, distribution, and use in peach trees. It also includes modeling of the responses to horticultural practices such as tree pruning and fruit thinning. While running L-PEACH, three-dimensional (3D) depictions of simulated growing trees can be displayed on the computer screen and the user can easily interact with the model. Quantitative data generated during a simulation can be saved to a file or printed for visualization and analysis. L-PEACH is a powerful tool for understanding how peach trees function in the field environment, and it can be used as an innovative method for dissemination of knowledge related with carbohydrate assimilation and partitioning. In this study, we describe the version of L-PEACH that runs on a daily time-step (L-PEACH-d) and how users can run the model and interact with it. To demonstrate how L-PEACH-d works, different pruning and fruit thinning strategies were analyzed. Regarding pruning, model outputs showed 3D depictions of unpruned trees and pruned trees trained to a perpendicular V system. For the fruit thinning studies, we simulated different intensities and dates of fruit thinning in mature peach trees. Total simulated yield increased with crop load but the opposite was observed for average fruit weight. An optimal balance between simulated total yield and average fruit weight was obtained by leaving 150 fruit per tree. Simulating different dates of fruit thinning indicated that fruit weight at harvest was higher on earlier compared with later-thinned trees. The model indicates that fruit thinning should be therefore carried out early in the season to maximize fruit size. The simulation results demonstrate that L-PEACH-d can be used as an educational tool and facilitate the adoption of suitable cultural practices for efficient production.
Ultrashort pulses propagation through different approaches of the Split-Step Fourier method
Authors: De Negreiros Júnior José Stênio , Do Nascimento e Sá Cavalcante Daniel , Lopes de Moraes Jermana , Marcelino Lucas Rodrigues , De Carvalho Belchior Magalhães Francisco Tadeu , Rodrigues Barboza Renata , Rocha Menezes de Carvalho Marcos Lúnciel , De Freitas Guimarães Glendo
Published: December 2018

Simulating the propagation of optical pulses in a single mode optical fiber is of fundamental importance for studying the several effects that may occur within such medium when it is under some linear and nonlinear effects. In this work, we simulate it by implementing the nonlinear Schrödinger equation using the Split-Step Fourier method in some of its approaches. Then, we compare their running time, algorithm complexity and accuracy regarding energy conservation of the optical pulse. We note that the method is simple to implement and presents good results of energy conservation, besides low temporal cost. We observe a greater precision for the symmetrized approach, although its running time can be up to 126% higher than the other approaches, depending on the parameters set. We conclude that the time window must be adjusted for each length of propagation in the fiber, so that the error regarding energy conservation during propagation can be reduced.
CatbNet: A Multi Network Analyzer for Comparing and Analyzing the Topology of Biological Networks
Authors: Pournoor Ehsan , Elmi Naser , Masoudi-Nejad Ali
Published: December 2018

Background:

Complexity and dynamicity of biological events is a reason to use comprehensive
and holistic approaches to deal with their difficulty. Currently with advances in omics data
generation, network-based approaches are used frequently in different areas of computational biology
and bioinformatics to solve problems in a systematic way. Also, there are many applications and tools
for network data analysis and manipulation which their goal is to facilitate the way of improving our
understandings of inter/intra cellular interactions.

Methods:

In this article, we introduce CatbNet, a multi network analyzer application which is prepared
for network comparison objectives.

Result and Conclusion:

CatbNet uses many topological features of networks to compare their structure
and foundations. One of the most prominent properties of this application is classified network
analysis in which groups of networks are compared with each other.
A Review on the Recent Developments of Sequence-based Protein Feature Extraction Methods
Authors: Zhang Jun , Liu Bin
Published: December 2018

Background:

Proteins play a crucial role in life activities, such as catalyzing metabolic reactions, DNA replication, responding to stimuli, etc. Identification of protein structures and functions are critical for both basic research and applications. Because the traditional experiments for studying the structures and functions of proteins are expensive and time consuming, computational approaches are highly desired. In key for computational methods is how to efficiently extract the features from the protein sequences. During the last decade, many powerful feature extraction algorithms have been proposed, significantly promoting the development of the studies of protein structures and functions.

Objective:

To help the researchers to catch up the recent developments in this important field, in this study, an updated review is given, focusing on the sequence-based feature extractions of protein sequences.

Method:

These sequence-based features of proteins were grouped into three categories, including composition-based features, autocorrelation-based features and profile-based features. The detailed information of features in each group was introduced, and their advantages and disadvantages were discussed. Besides, some useful tools for generating these features will also be introduced.

Results:

Generally, autocorrelation-based features outperform composition-based features, and profile-based features outperform autocorrelation-based features. The reason is that profile-based features consider the evolutionary information, which is useful for identification of protein structures and functions. However, profile-based features are more time consuming, because the multiple sequence alignment process is required.

Conclusion:

In this study, some recently proposed sequence-based features were introduced and discussed, such as basic k-mers, PseAAC, auto-cross covariance, top-n-gram etc. These features did make great contributions to the developments of protein sequence analysis. Future studies can be focus on exploring the combinations of these features. Besides, techniques from other fields, such as signal processing, natural language process (NLP), image processing etc., would also contribute to this important field, because natural languages (such as English) and protein sequences share some similarities. Therefore, the proteins can be treated as documents, and the features, such as k-mers, top-n-grams, motifs, can be treated as the words in the languages. Techniques from these filed will give some new ideas and strategies for extracting the features from proteins.
Ultrasonography as a Diagnostic Aid in Evaluating Cystic Lesions, Benign Tumors and Malignancies of Maxillofacial Region: A Clinical Study
Authors: Puri Nidhi , Ahuja Upasana Sethi , Dhillon Manu , Rathore Akshay
Published: December 2018

Aim:

To evaluate the accuracy of Ultrasonography as a diagnostic aid in cysts, benign tumors and malignancies of maxillofacial region.

Objectives:

This study was conducted to evaluate the accuracy of ultrasonography in the diagnosis of the osseous lesions of the jaws including cysts, benign tumors and malignant tumors. All the findings obtained by ultrasonography were compared and correlated with the clinical diagnosis, radiographic diagnosis and histopathological findings.

Materials and Methods:

The study was conducted on 42 patients with osseous maxillofacial swellings. The clinical and radiographic examination was carried out for all the patients who were afterward subjected to ultrasonography with color Doppler followed by histopathology. All the findings obtained were then statistically analyzed.

Results:

The utility of ultrasonography was evaluated considering histopathology as a gold standard. The diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound was found to be 100% in cystic lesions, 80% in benign tumors, and 85.71% in malignant tumors.

Conclusion:

Ultrasonography provides an accurate imaging of the head and neck region and does provide information about the nature of the lesion, its extent, and relationship with the surrounding structures. We propose the use of ultrasonography as an adjunctive examination for osseous lesions of the jaws before any invasive treatment.
Immunophenotyping Oral Amyloidosis for the Precise Identification of the Biochemical Forms: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Binmadi Nada , Intapa Chidan , Chaisuparat Risa , Akeel Sara , Sindi Amal , Meiller Timothy
Published: December 2018

Background:

Amyloidosis refers to a group of systemic and localized disorders associated with the accumulation of misfolded protein aggregates called amyloids in different parts of the body. Owing to the existence of multiple forms of amyloids with similar tertiary structures, precise identification of their biochemical form is critical for correct therapy.

Objective:

This retrospective study aimed to determine whether typing of oral amyloid deposits can help diagnose a serious systemic condition in the early phase of the disease

Methods:

All histopathologically confirmed cases of amyloidosis managed over a 14-year period (January 1, 1997 to December 31, 2011) were retrieved for analysis. Two board-certified oral and maxillofacial pathologists reviewed the histopathological findings of amyloidosis on the basis of its classic Congo red staining characteristics. This was followed by immunohistochemical analysis of biopsy samples using a panel of antibodies specific for different forms of amyloidosis.

Results:

The most common location of amyloidosis was the tongue, and women were more commonly affected than men. The patient age ranged from 11 to 83 years (average 59.3 years). In patient 9, light-chain and pre-albumin (transthyretin) antibodies were related to arthritis and senile amyloidosis, respectively. The biopsy sample of patient 10, who was reported to have multiple myeloma, was positive for light chains and β2 microglobulin. All other samples exhibited localized (solitary) amyloidosis.

Conclusion:

Histological analysis coupled with immunostaining with a panel of specific antibodies might assist in identifying early systemic amyloidosis in patients with localized oral forms of the disease.
Prognostic Significance Of Serum Urea Concentration at Admission in older patients with hip fracture
Authors: Fisher Alexander , Fisher Leon , Srikusalanukul Wichat , Smith Paul N
Published: December 2018

Background:

There are unmet needs in objective prognostic indicators for Hip Fracture (HF) outcomes.

Objectives:

To evaluate the determinants and prognostic impact of elevated serum urea, a key factor of nitrogen homeostasis, in predicting hospital mortality, inflammatory complications and length of stay in HF patients.

Methods:

In 1819 patients (mean age 82.8±8.1 years; 76.4% women) with osteoporotic HF, serum urea level at admission along with 22 clinical and 35 laboratory variables were analysed and outcomes recorded. The results were validated in a cohort of 455 HF patients (age 82.1±8.0 years, 72.1% women).

Results:

Elevated serum urea levels (>7.5mmol/L) at admission were prevalent (44%), independently determined by chronic kidney disease, history of myocardial infarction, anaemia, hyperparathyroidism, advanced age and male gender, and significantly associated with higher mortality (9.4% vs. 3.3%, p<0.001), developing a high postoperative inflammatory response (HPIR, 22.1% vs.12.1%, p=0.009) and prolonged hospital stay (>20 days: 31.2% vs. 26.2%, p=0.021). The predictive value of urea was superior to other risk factors, most of which lost their discriminative ability when urea levels were normal. Patients with two abnormal parameters at admission, compared to subjects with the normal ones, had 3.6-5.6 -fold higher risk for hospital mortality, 2.7-7.8-fold increase in risk for HPIR and 1.3-1.7-fold higher risk for prolonged hospital stay. Patients with increased admission urea and a high inflammatory response had 9.7 times greater mortality odds compared to patients without such characteristics.

Conclusion:

In hip fracture patients admission serum urea is an independent and valuable predictor of hospital outcomes, in particular, mortality.
Examining Predictors of Real-World User Engagement with Self-Guided eHealth Interventions: Analysis of Mobile Apps and Websites Using a Novel Dataset (Preprint)
Authors: Baumel Amit , Kane John M
Published: December 2018

BACKGROUND

The literature suggests that the product design of self-guided electronic health (eHealth) interventions impacts user engagement. Traditional trial settings, however, do not enable the examination of these relationships in real-world use.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to examine whether the qualities of product design, research evidence, and publicly available data predict real-world user engagement with mobile and Web-based self-guided eHealth interventions.

METHODS

This analysis included self-guided mobile and Web-based eHealth interventions available to the public—with their qualities assessed using the Enlight suite of scales. Scales included Usability, Visual Design, User Engagement, Content, Therapeutic Persuasiveness, Therapeutic Alliance, Credibility, and Research Evidence. Behavioral data on real-world usage were obtained from a panel that provides aggregated nonpersonal information on user engagement with websites and mobile apps, based on a time window of 18 months that was set between November 1, 2016 and April 30, 2018. Real-world user engagement variables included average usage time (for both mobile apps and websites) and mobile app user retention 30 days after download.

RESULTS

The analysis included 52 mobile apps (downloads median 38,600; interquartile range [IQR] 116,000) and 32 websites (monthly unique visitors median 5689; IQR 30,038). Results point to moderate correlations between Therapeutic Persuasiveness, Therapeutic Alliance, and the 3 user engagement variables (.31≤rs≤.51; Ps≤.03). Visual Design, User Engagement, and Content demonstrated similar degrees of correlation with mobile app engagement variables (.25≤rs≤.49; Ps≤.04) but not with average usage time of Web-based interventions. Positive correlations were also found between the number of reviews on Google Play and average app usage time (r=.58; P<.001) and user retention after 30 days (r=.23; P=.049). Although several product quality ratings were positively correlated with research evidence, the latter was not significantly correlated with real-world user engagement. Hierarchical stepwise regression analysis revealed that either Therapeutic Persuasiveness or Therapeutic Alliance explained 15% to 26% of user engagement variance. Data on Google Play (number of reviews) explained 15% of the variance of mobile app usage time above Enlight ratings; however, publicly available data did not significantly contribute to explaining the variance of the other 2 user-engagement variables.

CONCLUSIONS

Results indicate that the qualities of product design predict real-world user engagement with eHealth interventions. The use of real-world behavioral datasets is a novel way to learn about user behaviors, creating new avenues for eHealth intervention research.
A evidenciação da Resolução n° 1.429/2013 nos clubes campeões da Copa do Brasil entre 2013 e 2017
Authors: Freira Kallyse Priscila Soares de Oliveira , Souza André Luiz , Costa Júnior Roberto Vasconcelos
Published: December 2018

Com a profissionalização do futebol os clubes passaram a ser grandes entidades que começaram amovimentar bilhões em um mercado bastante acirrado. Diante desse mercado, passou-se a ter um olhar especialaos ativos intangíveis. O presente estudo tem o objetivo de analisar a adequação dos clubes campeões da Copado Brasil no período de 2013 a 2017 à Resolução n° 1.429/2013. Tal pesquisa se justifica pela contribuição que aContabilidade traz para o tema. O presente estudo caracteriza-se como exploratório, bibliográfico e quantitativo.Para a aplicação dos testes, foram analisadas mediante a aplicação do check-list dez variáveis que poderiam estarpresentes nas demonstrações contábeis dos clubes. Das dez variáveis contidas no checklist, e dos cinco clubesanalisados, destaca-se a Sociedade Esportiva Palmeiras com melhor desempenho (90%), e com pior desempenhoClube Atlético Mineiro com 60%.
Genome-Wide Association Study Confirming a Strong Effect of HLA and Identifying Variants inCSAD/lnc-ITGB7-1on Chromosome 12q13.13 Associated With Susceptibility to Fulminant Type 1 Diabetes
Authors: Kawabata Yumiko , Nishida Nao , Awata Takuya , Kawasaki Eiji , Imagawa Akihisa , Shimada Akira , Osawa Haruhiko , Tanaka Shoichiro , Takahashi Kazuma , Nagata Masao , Yasuda Hisafumi , Uchigata Yasuko , Kajio Hiroshi , Makino Hideichi , Yasuda Kazuki , Kobayashi Tetsuro , Hanafusa Toshiaki , Tokunaga Katsushi , Ikegami Hiroshi
Published: December 2018

The first genome-wide association study of fulminant type 1 diabetes was performed in Japanese individuals. As previously reported using a candidate gene approach, a strong association was observed with multiple single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the HLA region, and the strongest association was observed with rs9268853 in the class II DR region (P = 1.56 × 10−23, odds ratio [OR] 3.18). In addition, rs11170445 in CSAD/lnc-ITGB7-1 on chromosome 12q13.13 showed an association at a genome-wide significance level (P = 7.58 × 10−9, OR 1.96). Fine mapping of the region revealed that rs3782151 in CSAD/lnc-ITGB7-1 showed the lowest P value (P = 4.60 × 10−9, OR 1.97 [95% CI 1.57–2.48]). The risk allele of rs3782151 is a cis expression quantitative trait locus for ITGB7 that significantly increases the expression of this gene. CSAD/lnc-ITGB7-1 was found to be strongly associated with susceptibility to fulminant, but not classical, autoimmune type 1 diabetes, implicating this locus in the distinct phenotype of fulminant type 1 diabetes.
Arctic in Russia's Emergency Preparedness System
Authors: Elgsaas Ingvill Moe
Published: December 2018

Recent and projected developments in the Arctic call for improving emergency preparedness in the region. Arctic emergency preparedness is facing traditional challenges on a new scale as well as new, non-traditional challenges. There is political will on the part of Russian leadership to create a comprehensive emergency preparedness system in the Arctic, a system that integrates non-traditional alongside traditional emergency preparedness. This paper examines the formal institutional foundation for developing an emergency system in the Russian Arctic that includes counterterrorism as well as search and rescue and oil spill response. The paper concludes that the strengthening of Russian counterterrorism in recent years has produced a parallel specialized structure that operates autonomously and in isolation from the emergency preparedness structures responsible for handling traditional challenges. Differences between the national system for countering terrorism and the unified state system for prevention and liquidation of emergencies hinder comprehensive emergency preparedness in the Russian Arctic. That being said, there is considerable overlap in central actors between the two systems. This may serve as a window of opportunity for cooperation in Arctic emergency preparedness.
The Role of Proximity Dimensions in Facilitating University-Industry Collaboration in Peripheral Regions: Insights from a Comparative Case Study in Northern Norway
Authors: Nilsen Trond , Lauvås Thomas Andre
Published: December 2018

It is commonly argued in the literature on regional innovation that regions must continuously develop new economic activities to compensate for economic decline. If a region manages to diversify from an existing path, it can sustain long-term economic development. One of the measures taken to increase these types of opportunities and to avoid lock-in is to stimulate a closer relationship and collaboration between universities and industry partners. However, we know little about the formation and investigation of successful university-industry relationships in regions outside metropolitan areas. This paper seeks to fill this research gap by investigating how different dimensions of cognitive, organizational, social and geographical proximity facilitate or hinder innovation processes in collaborations between industry and universities in peripheral regions. We find that social proximity, combined with high organizational proximity, overcomes the barriers presented by low geographical proximity. Social proximity compensates for thin regional structures with few high-tech firms, a lack of knowledge producers and a weak support system. An important policy implication is that stimulating collaboration within areas of expertise possessed by university and industry partners create potential for innovation.
Anti-biofoulan Alami Moringa oleifera Sebagai Bahan Pengisi Membran Mixed Matrix Selulosa Asetat untuk Klarifikasi Jus Buah
Authors: Wibisono Yusuf , Faradilla Ashried , Utoro Panggulu Ahmad , Sukoyo Agung , Izza Ni'matul , Dewi Shinta Rosalia
Published: December 2018

Teknologi membran banyak digunakan dalam pemisahan padatan terlarut dalam cairan, termasuk dalam pengolahan pangan misalnya klarifikasi jus buah. Namun salah satu faktor penghambat utama penggunaan membran adalah terjadinya fouling yang berpotensi menurunkan kualitas produk. Dalam proses klarifikasi jus buah, membran berpotensi mengalami fouling karena material biologis. Antibiofoulan alami seperti biji buah kelor Moringa oleifera berpotensi untuk digunakan sebagai agen pencegah biofouling pada proses membran karena mengandung fenol. Pada penelitian ini diketahui kandungan total fenol ekstrak bji kelor sebesar 123.61 mg/g ekstrak. Ekstrak ditambahkan sebagai bahan pengisi dengan konsentrasi yang berbeda pada larutan cetak membran selulosa asetat dengan pelarut dimetil formamida yang berfungsi sebagai matrix. Morfologi membran mixed matrix yang dihasilkan berupa pori-pori yang berbentuk jari dan masuk dalam kategori membran mikrofiltrasi. Kinerja membran diuji kekuatan mekaniknya, nilai fluks, dan sifat antibakteri menggunakan E-coli. Penambahan ekstrak biji kelor pada mampu memberikan dua keuntungan, yaitu menghambat pertumbuhan bakteri sebesar 39.7% dan menurunkan permeabilitas dari 1765.25 L/m2.jam.bar menjadi 1235.5231 L/m2.jam.bar yang berpotensi meningkatkan tingkat rejeksi membran mikrofiltrasi yang dihasilkan.
Reflexiones en torno a la traducción del francés antillano: «L'écran rouge» de Ernest Pépin
Authors: Curell Clara
Published: December 2018

Cuando se aborda la traducción de un texto literario escrito en una variedad geolectal, una de las mayores dificultades que se plantean es la traslación de los diatopismos, que suelen remitir a realia o culturemas cargados de referencias y connotaciones específicas, muy a menudo sin correspondencia léxica en otra lengua. Las estrategias traductológicas que pueden adoptarse ante este tipo de vocablos se mueven entre dos polos: aquellas que privilegian la traslación de la información semántica y aquellas otras que tratan de preservar su identidad, restituyendo, dentro de lo posible, los elementos no denotativos que contienen. Para ilustrar esta problemática, nos hemos servido de la novela corta L'écran rouge (1998) del autor guadalupeño Ernest Pépin, escrita, como toda su obra, en su lengua vernácula, el francés antillano, y de la versión española que la ensayista y traductora cubana Lourdes Arencibia publicó en 2001 con el título de La pantalla roja. Nuestro propósito es analizar y comentar algunos ejemplos representativos y ofrecer, en su caso, otras posibles propuestas de traducción.
To the Indian Manner Born: How English Tells its Stories
Authors: Chandran K. Narayana
Published: December 2018

Writing from outside the Anglo-American world is appreciated largely for the social life of English in worlds elsewhere, the linguistic oddities of its non-native cast of characters that spot poor translations. While English is easily granted inordinate powers of cultural assimilation, the languages of erstwhile colonies, the bhashas of India for example, from which this ‘translation’ presumably takes place, are seen to be rather weak and ill-equipped to meet the challenging demands of western narrative gambits. This essay offers three concrete examples of English fiction where its Indian writers afford us glimpses of a phenomenon critics have barely begun to notice. The passages examined here show how the bhashas sound differently when cast in English, or how English begins to breathe an unmistakable Indian ethos and idiom. When the Indian bhashas and English so happen together, there is no discrete language from which or into which translation occurs. It is evident that the writers here are no ‘Indianizers’ of a language whose fortunes now are global in reach and affect. For readers in India, English is still a bhasha-in-the-making, which is neither set in a ‘colonial’ far away and long ago, nor yet within current precincts of some ‘postcolonial’ felicity. If the efforts of these writers at resisting translation win, it is because they have asserted their right to imagine a language as a form of global life toward which English has taken them.
KINERJA PENYULUH LAPANGAN KELUARGA BERENCANA (PLKB) PADA KANTOR BADAN PEMBERDAYAAN MASYARAKAT DAN KELUARGA BERENCANA (BPMKB) DI KABUPATEN SUBANG
Authors: Wicaksono Wasis
Published: December 2018

Hasil penelitian tentang Kinerja Penyuluh Lapangan Keluarga Berencana pada Kantor Badan Pemberdayaan Masyarakat dan Keluarga Berencana di Kabupaten Subang didasarkan pada adanya permasalahan mengenai rendahnya partisipasi masyarakat untuk mendukung program Keluarga Berencana, hal ini terkait dengan kinerja penyuluh lapangan keluarga berencana yang belum maksimal. Kinerja pegawai itu sendiri merupakan hasil kerja yang bisa didapat baik oleh individu maupun kelompok didalam sebuah organisasi sesuai dengan pekerjaanya masing - masing dalam hal menggapai tujuan organisasi tersebut. Adapun tujuan penelitian ini, penulis ingin mengetahui bagaimana Kinerja Penyuluh Lapangan Keluarga Berencana pada Kantor Badan Pemberdayaan Masyarakat dan Keluarga Berencana di Kabupaten Subang, Untuk mengetahui dan menganalisis bagaimana Kinerja Penyuluh Lapangan Keluarga Berencana tersebut, penulis menggunakan teori dari Terence Mitchell, yang menjelaskan bahwa kinerja pegawai yang baik harus dilihat dari 5 dimensi, antara lain: Kualitas pekerjaan, Komunikasi, Kecepatan kerja, Kemampuan pegawai, dan Inisiatif. Metode yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini   adalah  metode  deskriptif  melalui  pendekatan  kuantitatif.  Data  dikumpulkan melalui wawancara, studi dokumentasi, dan penyebaran angket kepada seluruh Kepala Unit Pelayanan Teknis pada masing-masing Kecamatan yang ada di Kabupaten Subang. Hasil penelitian menunjukan bahwa Kinerja Penyuluh Lapangan Keluarga Berencana   pada   Kantor   Badan   Pemberdayaan   Masyarakat   dan   Keluarga Berencana di Kabupaten Subang secara keseluruhan dilihat berdasarkan teori Mitchell berada dalam kategori baik, kendati demikian ada beberapa indikator yang perlu ditingkatkan untuk memaksimalkan kinerja pegawai