bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Patient-Specific Risk Adjustment Improves Comparison of Infection Rates Following Posterior Fusion for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis
Authors: Newton Peter O. , Bastrom Tracey P. , Yaszay Burt
Published: November 2019

Background:

There is increasing interest in surgeon “performance measures.” Understanding patient factors that increase the risk of adverse events is important for the comparison of such metrics among surgeons and centers. The purpose of this study was to ascertain whether patient characteristics, beyond the control of the surgeon, were associated with increased risk of postoperative infection following posterior spinal fusion for the correction of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) and to establish a “risk-adjusted” method of reporting postoperative infection rates.

Methods:

We reviewed the data of patients from 14 participating scoliosis treatment centers who experienced an infection within 90 days following posterior spinal fusion for the treatment of AIS. Patients with a deep infection (irrigation and debridement performed) were compared with those without an infection with regard to age, sex, body mass index (BMI) percentile for age, Lenke classification of curve type, primary curve magnitude, and estimated 3-dimensional sagittal kyphosis (T5-T12). A regression model was created to identify variables that were associated with infection, and the performance of the risk model was evaluated. The actual infection rate by site was divided by the predicted infection rate for that site and multiplied by the overall rate to create a risk-adjusted rate.

Results:

Of 2,122 patients analyzed, 21 (1.0%) had an infection within 90 days following surgery. Obesity was the only significant risk factor (odds ratio [OR], 7.6; p ≤ 0.001), with the resultant model demonstrating good discrimination and calibration. For the 8 sites that enrolled ≥100 patients, the predicted infection rates based on the proportion of obese patients ranged from 0.8% to 1.2%. The range of the risk-adjusted infection rates varied more substantially, from 0.2% to 2.0%.

Conclusions:

For the posterior approach to surgical correction of AIS, the only identified patient risk factor for postoperative infection was a BMI percentile for age of ≥95%. To assess infection rates, we suggest adjusting for the proportion of obese patients in the cohort. A risk-adjusted infection rate for posterior spinal fusion with instrumentation for AIS allows for more accurate assessment of performance and comparison among centers.

Level of Evidence:

Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Learner Autonomy of Science Using 5E Learning Cycle
Authors: Fauzi Fatchul , Mustadi Ali
Published: November 2019

This aims to determine the effect of the 5E learning on student learning Autonomy. The research subjects are 84 PGSD students. 5E Learning applicants with the syntax of Engagement, Exploration, Exploration, Elaboration, and Evaluation were carried out in advanced science courses in the second semester. Research with the type of quasi experiment using questionnaires as a measure of student learning Autonomy. The results showed that the mean score of the control group and the experimental group had increased. The Mann-Whitney U test obtained a significance of 0.039 and the effect of the 5E learning showed a high category with score of N gain is 0.98. it can be concluded that the 5E learning affects student learner autonomy.
Editorial Responsibilities
Authors: .. ..
Published: November 2019

Editors
Jessica Lange, Editor-in-Chief, McGill University
Linda Ecclestone, Section Editor (Book Reviews), Lasalle Secondary School
Éthel Gamache, Section Editor (French Language), Concordia University
Corinne Gilroy, Layout Editor, Mount Saint Vincent University
Krista Godfrey, Production Editor, Memorial University of Newfoundland
Jen Hoyer, Section Editor (Innovations in Practice), Brooklyn Public Library
Tamara Noor, Section Editor (Features), OCAD University
Rainer Schira, Layout Editor, Brandon University
Ann Smith, Section Editor (Theory & Research), Acadia University
Copyeditors
Lindsay McNiff, Lead Copyeditor, Dalhousie University
Catherine Lachaîne, University of Ottawa
Chris Landry, OCAD University
Dahlal Mohr-Elzeki, McGill University Health Centre
Greg Nightingale, Western University
Andrea Quaiattini, McGill University
Emily Tyschenko, Guelph Public Library
Proofreaders
Deborah Hemming, Simon Fraser University
Mylène Pinard, McGill University
Tanya Ulmer, Internet Archive Canada (Alberta)
Social Media & Web Design
Natalie Colaiacovo, Digital & Social Media Coordinator, Centennial College
Graham Lavender, Web Design Coordinator, Michener Institute of Education at UHN
Translation
Patrick Labelle, Translator, University of Ottawa
Vigorous cool room treadmill training to improve walking ability in people with Multiple Sclerosis using ambulatory assistive devices: A feasibility study.
Authors: Devasahayam Augustine J , Chaves Arthur R , Lasisi Wendy O , Curtis Marie E , Wadden Katie P , Kelly Liam P , Pretty Ryan , Chen Alice , Wallack Elizabeth M , Newell Caitlin J , Williams John B , Kenny Hannah , Downer Matthew B , McCarthy Jason , Moore Craig S , Ploughman Michelle
Published: November 2019

Background: Aerobic training has the potential to restore function, stimulate brain repair, and reduce inflammation in people with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). However, disability, fatigue, and heat sensitivity are major barriers to exercise for people with MS. We aimed to determine the feasibility of conducting vigorous harness-supported treadmill training in a room cooled to 16°C (10 weeks; 3times/week) and examine the longer-term effects on markers of function, brain repair, and inflammation among those using ambulatory aids. Methods: Ten participants (9 females) aged 29 to 74 years with an Expanded Disability Status Scale ranging from 6 to 7 underwent training (40 to 65% heart rate reserve) starting at 80% self-selected walking speed. Feasibility of conducting vigorous training was assessed using a checklist, which included attendance rates, number of missed appointments, reasons for not attending, adverse events, safety hazards during training, reasons for dropout, tolerance to training load, subjective reporting of symptom worsening during and after exercise, and physiological responses to exercise. Functional outcomes were assessed before, after, and 3 months after the completion of training. Walking ability was measured using Timed 25 Foot Walk test and on an instrumented walkway at both fast and self-selected speeds (stance (%), swing (%), double support (%)). Fatigue was measured using standardized questionnaires (fatigue/energy/vitality sub-scale of 36-Item Short-Form (SF-36) Health Survey, Fatigue Severity Scale, modified Fatigue Impact Scale). Aerobic fitness (maximal oxygen consumption) was measured using maximal graded exercise test (GXT). Quality-of-life was measured using SF-36 Health Survey. Serum levels of neurotrophin (brain-derived neurotrophic factor) and cytokine (interleukin-6) were assessed before and after GXT. Results: Fast walking speed (cm/s), gait quality (double-support (%)) while walking at self-selected speed, fatigue (modified Fatigue Impact Scale), fitness (maximal workload achieved during GXT), and quality-of-life (physical functioning sub-scale of SF-36 Health Survey) improved significantly after training, and improvements were sustained after 3-months. Improvements in fitness (maximal respiratory exchange ratio and maximal oxygen consumption during GXT) were associated with increased brain-derived neurotrophic factor and decreased interleukin-6. Conclusion: Vigorous cool room training is feasible and can potentially improve walking, fatigue, fitness, and quality-of-life among people with moderate to severe MS-related disability.
Metagenomics Reveals Impact of Urbanisation in Central India on the Human Gut Microbiome and its Antimicrobial Resistance Profiles
Authors: Monaghan Tanya , Sloan Tim J. , Stockdale Stephen R. , Blanchard Adam M. , Emes Richard D. , Wilcox Mark , Biswas Rima , Nashine Rupam , Manke Sonali , Gandhi Jinal , Jain Pratishtha , Bhotmange Shrejal , Ambalkar Shrikant , Satav Ashish , Draper Lorraine A. , Hill Colin , Kashyap Rajpal Singh
Published: November 2019

Background The impact of the rapid urbanisation of low- and middle-income countries on the human gut microbiome remains grossly understudied. Whilst the effect of urbanisation on the bacterial populations of the human gut microbiome have been documented, little is known about the influence of diet and antibiotics on the bacteriome, its virome, and antibiotic resistome. Here, we use shotgun metagenomics to comprehensively characterise the bacterial and viral fractions of the human gut microbiome, and their encoded functions, from two divergent Central Indian populations (rural agriculturalists from Melghat and an urban population in Nagpur). Additionally, we investigate cohorts with and without diarrhoea, and the potential burden of Clostridioides difficile, associated with widespread unregulated use of antibiotics in India. Results We observed distinct rural-urban differences in the gut microbiome, including viral diversity and composition, with geography exhibiting a greater influence than diarrhoeal status. Urban microbiomes were enriched in metabolic pathways responsible for degradation of drugs and organic compounds, which were predicted to relate to replacement of rural-enriched Prevotella spp. and fermentative Clostridiales with Enterobacteriaceae and Bacteroides spp. By linking phages present in the microbiome to their bacterial hosts through CRISPR spacers, a shift from Prevotella- and Eubacterium-infecting phages to Bacteroides- and Parabacteroides-infecting phages was observed in rural and urban populations, respectively. Additionally, the auxiliary metabolic potential of rural-associated phage populations was enriched for carbon and amino acid energy harvesting potential, compared to urban-associated phages. A core set of antimicrobial resistance genes was identified in both populations, particularly those conferring resistance to macrolides, tetracyclines and 1stgeneration cephalosporins, with the majority also showing evidence of resistance to fluoroquinolones, aminoglycosides and sulphonamides. In a subgroup of urban subjects with diarrhoea and high antibiotic exposure, most of whom tested positive for C. difficile toxin, evidence of resistance to fosfomycin, glycopeptides, daptomycin, 3rd generation cephalosporins and carbapenems was widespread. Conclusions We report distinct differences in antimicrobial resistance gene profiles as well as a marked variation in the burden of C. difficile disease between rural and urban populations. The key drivers of variation in urban and rural Indian microbiomes are geography, diet, industrial and healthcare exposures.
Tongue coating microbiome characterization of Chinese preschool children with halitosis
Authors: Zhang Yu , Zhu Ce , Feng XiPing , Chen Xi
Published: November 2019

Background: Halitosis may affect individuals of any age. However, epidemiological surveys and etiological research into halitosis among children are limited. To assess the bacterial characteristics and environmental factors associated with intra-oral halitosisamong Chinese preschool children. Methods: An epidemiological study was conducted among 273 preschool children (aged 3 to 4 years) in Shanghai, China,followed by collection of 16 samples from the tongue coating of caries-free healthy and halitosis participants according to their organoleptic score.The characterization of associated microbial communities was performed using 16S rRNA genesequencingon the MiSeq. Results:Halitosis was observed in 13.1% of the preschool children.Logistic regression analysis showed that less frequent intake of sweet snacks and mothers’ poor oral condition were associated with children’s halitosis positively. Further analysis detected the presence of 15 phyla, 24 classes, 35 orders, 53 families, 93 genera, and 226 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) in the microbial communities. In terms of microbial diversity, the tongue coating of control and halitosis groups showed no significant difference (P>0.05). Both groups shared a mass of common OTUs. The dominant bacterial genera observed in both groups included Prevotella_7(15.17% vs. 10.72%), Veillonella (13.52% vs. 10.86%), Streptococcus (13.95% vs. 18.68%),Neisseria (9.44% vs. 21.14%), Actinomyces(7.37% vs. 5.88%), Haemophilus (6.69% vs. 5.69%), andLeptotrichia (5.05% vs. 1.95%). At the genus level, the proportion of Gemellawas statistically larger in the control group (P=0.018). Conclusions: Overall, halitosis is associated with multi-microbial mutual interactions. The oral flora microorganisms may exert potentiating or inhibiting effects on each other.
The true panel of Cystic Fibrosis mutations in the Sicilian population
Authors: chamayou sandrine , SICALI Maria , LOMBARDO Debora , MAGLIA Elena , LIPRINO Annalisa , CARDEA Clementina , FICHERA Michele , VENTI Ermanno , GUGLIELMINO Antonino
Published: November 2019

Background: the aim was to establish the true risk of having an affected child with Cystic Fibrosis (CF) in the Sicilian infertile population.
Methods: a longitudinal CFTR screening of 1,279 Sicilian infertile patients for all CFTR mutations sequencing the entire gene by Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) was performed from patient ‘blood.
Results: one patient out of 16 was a carrier of a CFTR mutation. Twenty-four mutations were found. Theoretically one couple out of 256 was at risk of CF transmission.
Conclusions: the risk of CF transmission is unexpectedly high in Sicily and with a high heterogeneity. Sequencing an entire and long gene such as CFTR makes accessible the real panel of mutations in a specific population and helps better to understand the true risk of having an affected child.
Clinical outcomes of prophylactic compression sutures for treatment of uterine atony during the cesarean delivery of twins
Authors: Kim Mi-La , Hur Yoon-Mi , Ryu Hye Jin , Lee Min Jin , Seong Seok Ju , Shin Joong Sik
Published: November 2019

Introduction : Twin pregnancy has a high risk for developing uterine atony (UA). This study aimed to evaluate efficacy and clinical outcomes of prophylactic compression sutures to treat UA during the twin cesarean section (CS). Materials and Methods : All patient records of twin pregnancies in a large maternity hospital in South Korea between January 2013 and June 2018 were reviewed. Patients with monochorionic monoamniotic twins, fetal loss of one or both fetus before 20 gestational weeks, twins delivered prior to 24 gestational weeks, and patients who were delivered twins vaginally were excluded from data analysis. In total, 953 women were eligible for data analysis. Results : Of the 953 patients, compression sutures were applied to 147 cases refractory to uterine massage and uterotonics. Of 147, two patients (1.4%) proceeded to additional uterine artery ligation to achieve hemostasis, yielding a success rate of 98.6%. The rate of transfusion after the first 24 hours of delivery in the suture group was not significantly different from that in the non-suture group, suggesting that both groups achieved hemostasis at an equal rate after the first 24 hours of delivery. The difference in the operation time between the two groups was only 8.5 minutes. The rate of subsequent pregnancy among the patients who received compression sutures was 44.4%. Conclusions : Overall, our findings suggest that with early and fast implementation of compression sutures, UA can be treated in the setting of twin cesarean delivery without significantly increasing maternal morbidity.
Determinants of early postnatal care attendance: analysis of the 2016 Uganda Demographic and Health Survey
Authors: Ndugga Patricia , Namiyonga Noor Kassim , Sebuwufu Deogratious
Published: November 2019

Background The first two days after childbirth present the highest risk of dying for a mother. Providing postnatal care within the first two days after childbirth can help avert maternal mortality because it allows early detection of problems that could result in adverse maternal health outcomes. Unfortunately, knowledge of the uptake of early postnatal care (EPNC), which is imperative for informing policies aimed at reducing maternal mortality, remains low in Uganda. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate the determinants of early postnatal care attendance among Ugandan women. Methods This study was based on nationally representative data from the 2016 Uganda Demographic and Health Survey. The study sample comprised 5,471 women (age 15–49) who delivered a child in the 2 years preceding the survey. We used logistic regression to identify factors associated with the use of early postnatal care. Results Our findings showed that 50% of mothers used EPNC services for their most recent delivery in the 2 years preceding the survey. Women’s residence, education level, religion, wealth status, marital status, occupation, antenatal care attendance, place of delivery, birth order, perceived accessibility of health facilities, and access to mass media messages were associated with greater use of EPNC. The percentage of women receiving EPNC was much higher among women who delivered at a health facility, either a public facility (63%) or private facility (65%), versus only 9% among women who delivered at home. Multivariate analysis showed that delivery at a health facility was the most important determinant of early postnatal care attendance. Conclusions To increase mothers’ use of EPNC services and improve maternal survival in Uganda, programs could promote and strengthen health facility delivery and ensure that EPNC services are provided to all women before discharge. Even so, the fact that only about two-thirds of women who delivered at a health facility received early postpartum care shows substantial room for improvement.
How can gastro-intestinal tuberculosis diagnosis be improved? A prospective cohort study
Authors: Lowbridge Christopher , Fadhil Soraya A. M. , Krishnan Gayathri D. , Schimann Emma , Karuppan Raman Muthu , Sri Nagaraj , Rajahram Giri Shan , Menon Jayaram , Patel Aatish , William Timothy , Paul Dawn Carmel , Ralph Anna P.
Published: November 2019

Gastrointestinal tuberculosis (TB) is diagnostically challenging; therefore, many cases are treated presumptively. We aimed to describe features and outcomes of gastrointestinal TB, determine whether a clinical algorithm could distinguish TB from non-TB diagnoses, and calculate accuracy of diagnostic tests. Methods We conducted a prospective cohort study of hospitalized patients in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia, with suspected gastrointestinal TB. We recorded clinical and laboratory characteristics and outcomes. Tissue samples were submitted for histology, microscopy, culture and GeneXpert MTB/RIF®. Patients were followed for up to two years. Results Among 88 patients with suspected gastrointestinal TB, 69 were included in analyses; 52 (75%) had a final diagnosis of gastrointestinal TB; 17 had a non-TB diagnosis. People with TB were younger (42.7 versus 61.5 years, p=0.01) and more likely to have weight loss (91% versus 64%, p=0.03). An algorithm using age <44, weight loss, cough, fever, no vomiting, albumin >26 g/L, platelets >340 x109/L and immunocompromise had good specificity (96.2%) in predicting TB, but very poor sensitivity (16.0%). GeneXpert® performed very well on gastrointestinal biopsies (sensitivity 95.7% versus culture 35.0% against a gold standard case definition of confirmed TB). Most patients (79%) successfully completed treatment and no treatment failure occurred, however adverse events (21%) and mortality (13%) among TB cases were high. We found no evidence that six months of treatment was inferior to longer courses. Conclusions The prospective design provides important insights for clinicians managing gastrointestinal TB. We recommend wider implementation of high-performing diagnostic tests such as GeneXpert® on extra-pulmonary samples.
Management of competitiveness and economic performance based in the V4 countries
Authors: Bacik Radovan , Kloudova Jitka , Gonos Jaroslav , Ivankova Viera
Published: November 2019

The economic condition and competitiveness is currently a highly discussed issue and it is necessary to confront individual countries. In a period characterized by economic dynamics, economic growth, the sustainability of economic development, it is common that most countries are concerned with the study of indicators that can help them to understand their economic situation. This paper focuses on the competitiveness and economic performance of the V4 countries based on two selected indicators – Global Competitiveness Index and Gross Domestic Product growth rate in the period from 2002 to 2016. The countries of the Visegrad Group do not only share a common Central European space, apart from geographic location, but they are also linked with history, culture, values, priorities and interests to strengthen stability in the Central European region. The aim of this study is to assess the development of the V4 economies and to define the degree of homogeneity of the Global Competitiveness Index and the rate of GDP growth between Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland. To meet the main goal, selected indicators were subjected to an analysis of their development in the set period and their mutual confrontation was carried out. For analysis of variances, we used statistical method ANOVA. Countries of Visegrad Group are linked by significant factors from social areas, but each country faces different economic problems, which determines their economic status and position in the world. Based on the results, the Czech Republic records the most significant differences in the GCI index compared to other V4 countries. The study agrees with the arguments that the Czech Republic is the most successful country within the Visegrad Group. The benefit of the article reflects the perception of the V4 countries from an economic point of view, which is not conditioned by the common characteristics of this group. The analysis absorbs possible skewed speculation and encourages further research that may be dealt with in the future by other macroeconomic indicators within the Visegrad Group.
Anticrisis management: warning signals before failure
Authors: Elexa Lubos , Hvolkova Lenka , Knapkova Miroslava
Published: November 2019

Critical situations in the operations of companies, both evitable and inevitable, usually have a certain pattern and development trend but are different as to the duration, sector or region. Many of them ask for some legal procedure, the most critical ones lead to a bankruptcy process. The purpose of the research is the rapid increase in number of bankruptcies in Slovakia in recent years. The main aim of this paper is to analyse the evolution of the bankruptcy as a type of critical situation in Slovak companies and specify it according to the regional and sectoral perspective, including economic conditions prior to a bankruptcy. The paper utilizes secondary data obtained from
available databases. The initial analysis is focused on the group of all companies entering the bankruptcy process in the period from 2009 until 2019. Firstly, the full sample is considered, regardless of the legal form and data and the outcome of the analysis is used for mapping of industrial and regional intensity of bankruptcies. The second stage of the research is focused on research sample after the irrelevant subjects were ousted from it. As irrelevant subjects we consider sole traders without business data and companies with doubtful data or unclear bankruptcy start. Through
the available indicators are identified the early warning signals from the financial perspective. Indicators are split into two categories – absolute and relative ones and they are investigated three, two and one years before the start of bankruptcy. Four hypotheses were formulated before the research, the length of bankruptcy process was quantified and specified for SK NACE sectors and regions. The paper presents the results of empirical analysis, which showed that the dynamic change in number of bankruptcies was brought with significant amending of bankruptcy legislation.
The longest bankruptcy process is found in accommodation and food services (4 years), while IT companies generally went bankrupt within a year. The economic situation in bankrupting companies significantly worsen in case of sales and equity (the number of companies with negative equity doubled), development of profit/loss fluctuate a bit due to the sale of assets which helped in later stages. There is no statistically significant difference in the length of bankruptcy among the industries and regions. In case of legislative rules the lower cash ratio seems to be the dominant reason while companies enter the bankruptcy. The research results can be useful for further and more detailed analysis, mostly in connection with bankruptcy development (what happen when bankruptcy started) and liabilities compensation and through non-financial bankruptcy factors in individual industries.
Information economy: management of educational, innovation, and research determinants
Authors: Shkarlet Serhiy , Kholiavko Nataliia , Dubyna Maksym
Published: November 2019

A global trend of economic development is the transition to the formation of a new economic paradigm – the information economy. Ability to generate knowledge and innovation is a prerequisite for improving the competitiveness of the country and its regions; as well, it determines the pace of their social and economic development. In this context, the need to determine the levels of the development of the information economy and its structural components (educational, research and innovation) in the regions of the country is actualized. The purpose of the article is to develop and test a methodological toolkit for assessing the development of the information economy in terms of its structural components, that will allow for the formation of regional clusters by the intensity of educational, innovation and research components, and to identify priority vectors for stimulating the development of the information economy at the macro- and meso-economic levels. When developing methodological tools, the authors proceeded from existing methodological approaches in the world, the possibility of adapting them to national specifics, as well as the potential of statistical bases. In order to cluster the regions of Ukraine by the development level of educational, innovation and research components of the information economy, the k-means algorithm is used. The conducted cluster analysis showed that processes of the formation of the information economy in Ukraine are developing unevenly and are in the stage of formation. More regions of the state fall into the cluster of problematic regions with low levels of the development of educational, innovation and research components; leadership in the development level of the information economy is demonstrated by Kharkiv region, assigned to the cluster of regions with the intensive development of the information economy; in addition, a cluster of perspective regions with the level of the moderate development of the information economy is highlighted. The research made it possible to find out the main problems and identify areas of regional imbalances in the development of the information economy, including in terms of its structural components. In conclusions, the authors proposed directions to improve the approaches to the government control of the processes of the information economy evolvement, based on specific features of the regions, their smart specialization, actual capacities and the achieved level of the development of the information economy components.
Determining the optimum irrigation schedule in furrow‐irrigated cotton using soil moisture sensors
Authors: Plumblee Michael T. , Dodds Darrin M. , Krutz L. Jason , Catchot Angus L. , Irby J. Trenton , Jenkins Johnie N.
Published: November 2019

The Mississippi River Valley Alluvial Aquifer is declining at a rapid rate due to withdrawal for agricultural irrigation. This research was conducted to develop a sensor‐based irrigation threshold for cotton that maximizes net returns and irrigation water use efficiency. Earn 1 CEU in Soil & Water Management by reading this article and taking the quiz atwww.certifiedcropadviser.org/education/classroom/classes/727.
Spatial Variation of Soil Health Indices in a Commercial Potato Field in Eastern Canada
Authors: Zebarth Bernie J. , Islam Mohammad Monirul , Cambouris Athyna N. , Perron Isabelle , Burton David L. , Comeau Louis‐Pierre , Moreau Gilles
Published: November 2019

There is increasing interest in using various indices to assess soil health; however, the nature of the within‐field variation in such indices, and their relationship with soil properties, are generally unknown. This study examined the spatial variation of 15 soil health indices in a 21‐ha commercial potato field in New Brunswick, Canada. Soil samples (0–15 cm depth) were collected in spring of 2016 at 154 geo‐referenced locations within the field. With the exception of CaCl2 extractable NH4–N, all soil parameters demonstrated strong or moderate spatial dependence. Several soil properties were significantly correlated, for example, soil organic carbon was strongly positively correlated with indices of soil C availability, soil N availability and soil physical properties. Principal Component Analysis suggested that the parameters fell into three major groups: PC1 (39.9% of total variance) was associated primarily with parameters related to the quantity of soil organic matter; PC2 (15.3% of total variance) with parameters related to soil organic matter quality; and PC3 (10.3% of total variance) with parameters related to soil structure. In comparison, the spatial pattern of total tuber yield was related to soil texture and soil drainage and was most strongly correlated with indices of soil organic matter quality (PC2). Soil management zones and mapped soil series were both generally effective in capturing the spatial variation in soil health indices and can be used to stratify the sampling of soil health indices in spatially variable fields.
Soybean and Soil Potassium Pools Responses to Long‐Term Potassium Fertilization and Deprivation under No‐Till
Authors: Firmano Ruan Francisco , de Freitas Melo Vander , de Oliveira Junior Adilson , de Castro Cesar , Alleoni Luís Reynaldo Ferracciú
Published: November 2019

Lack of potassium (K) fertilization can affect the nutrient reserve in soil and soybean [Glycine max(L.) Merrill] yield in humid tropical agroecosystems. The effects of K management in soil K pools and soybean nutrition is best evaluated by taking samples from long‐term experiments. The aim of this study was to investigate changes in K pools and soybean nutrition as a result of K fertilizer deprivation in an Oxisol under no‐till. Soil samples were collected in a field experiment started in 1983 in southern Brazil. Non‐exchangeable K contents were extracted by boiling HNO3, whereas exchangeable K contents were extracted by Mehlich‐1 and ion exchange resin. Grain yields and K contents in grains and index leaves (trifoliolate leaflets) were also obtained. Potassium fertilizer deprivation restricted soybean yield and reduced exchangeable K in a nonlinear fitting. The total K contents were influenced by K rates, without effects by K application. The 1 M HNO3solution had high positive correlations with exchangeable K extractants, K leaf, and K grain contents. However, the exchangeable K extractants were better for interpreting the results due to higher correlations with yield and superior sensitivity to K application after deprivation. Potassium applications influenced K removals by soybeans and K leaf contents. The results indicate that long‐term K management has effects on stable K pools (non‐exchangeable and total K) and highlights that the buffer capacity of exchangeable K was strongly related to these stable pools. This underscores the importance of avoiding a negative K balance in soybean production systems to conserve K reserves and exchangeable forms.
The Effectiveness of Local Wisdom-Based Teaching Materials in Enhancing Creative Writing Skills of Elementary School Students
Authors: Santosa Agus Budi , Basuki Yudi , Puspita Ari Metalin Ika
Published: November 2019

This study aims at describing the effectiveness of local wisdom-based teaching materials on the creative writing skills of elementary school students. The sample of the study was 2nd-grade students at SDN 1 Campurdarat, which amounted to 45 students. The research design uses quasi-experimental research in the form of a nonrandomized control group pretest-posttest design. The data were collected using the instrument of creative writing skills. The analysis was performed by different tests using the Wilcoxon formula. The results showed that there were differences before and after the use of teaching materials based on local wisdom towards students' creative writing skills. The results of evaluating creative writing on each learning from learning 1 to 6 show the students' mastery in achieving creative writing criteria.
La pulsión en Freud ¿un concepto superado?
Authors: Lopera Echavarría Juan Diego
Published: November 2019

El presente artículo expone un análisis crítico, intra y extratextual, del concepto de pulsión en la teoría psicoanalítica freudiana; primero, se destacan las características principales de la pulsión: la fuente, el esfuerzo (medida de trabajo), la meta y el objeto; segundo, se analiza si la pulsión es un concepto referido a una realidad biológica o a una psíquica; tercero, se estudian sus relaciones con la represión; cuarto, se interroga si es preferible hablar de tendencias (Logos, Eros, Thánatos y Ananké) y de pulsiones como aspectos de la vida psíquica sometidos a esas cuatro tendencias; y quinto, se analizan las estrechas relaciones de las pulsiones con la biología. En este recorrido, se examinan y señalan algunas contradicciones que surgen al comparar dos momentos en la conceptualización freudiana de la pulsión: primero, bajo la oposición entre pulsiones sexuales y pulsiones de autoconservación, y segundo, bajo la perspectiva de las pulsiones de vida y las pulsiones de muerte. Se concluye señalando la necesidad de un diálogo con la biología actual, así como con las investigaciones sobre las emociones en la psicología contemporánea.
Exploración de la dimensionalidad y las propiedades psicométricas de la Escala de Inteligencia Emocional -EIS-
Authors: Salavera Bordás Carlos , Usán Supervía Pablo
Published: November 2019

El presente trabajo tiene por objetivo la adaptación de la Escala de Inteligencia Emocional -EIS- (abreviatura por su nombre en inglés Emotional Intelligence Scale) de Schutte et al. (1998) al idioma español, evaluando su consistencia interna, estructura factorial y validez y comparando tres modelos de medición de la Escala en una muestra de 1153 personas de origen español (48.83% hombres; M edad=29.32 años). El estudio comprendió dos fases: 1) se realizó la traducción de la EIS al español y se evaluó su consistencia interna, estructura factorial y validez convergente; y 2) se realizó el análisis factorial confirmatorio de la Escala. Los resultados apoyan la consistencia interna de la medida y apuntan a una estructura de seis factores de la inteligencia emocional: Atención a las propias emociones; Atención a las emociones de otros; Regulación de las propias emociones; Emoción expresada; Regulación de las emociones de otros; Emociones en la resolución de problemas. El análisis factorial exploratorio mostró claramente que los factores de la EIS presentan una varianza acumulada del 59,83%, mostrando su capacidad de explicar la variación de inteligencia emocional. Por su parte, el análisis factorial confirmatorio confirma la adecuación del modelo compuesto por seis factores identificados y 33 ítems. La EIS es un instrumento fácil de comprender y rápido de completar, por lo que se considera útil para la evaluación de la inteligencia emocional en población hispanohablante.
Asociación entre matoneo escolar, síntomas depresivos e ideación suicida
Authors: Ceballos-Ospino Guillermo , Suárez-Colorado Yuly Paola , Campo-Arias Adalberto
Published: November 2019

El objetivo de la presente investigación fue estimar la relación entre matoneo escolar (ME), síntomas depresivos con importancia clínica (SDIC) y alto nivel de ideación suicida (ANIS) en adolescentes estudiantes de la ciudad de Santa Marta, Colombia. Se diseñó un estudio transversal en el que participaron estudiantes entre 10 y 17 años, de sexto a undécimo grado escolar, quienes diligenciaron una versión de cinco ítems del Cuestionario de Intimidación Escolar Abreviado, CIE-A; la versión de diez ítems de la Escala del Centro de Estudios Epidemiológicos de la Depresión, CES-D-10; y la Escala de Okasha para Suicidalidad, EOS. Participaron 350 estudiantes (M=13,3; DE=1,8), 188 mujeres y 162 hombres, 236 estudiantes de básica secundaria y 114 en media vocacional. Un total de 58 (16,6%) informó ME, 59 (16,9%) SDIC y 33 (9,4%) ANIS. El ME se asoció significativamente a ANIS (OR=3,1; IC95% 1,3-7,9), después de controlar por SDIC y sexo. Se evidencia la relevancia de evaluar SDIC en víctimas de ME, y las posibilidades de reducir el riesgo de ANIS a partir de la identificación y realización de programas de intervención en adolescentes con SDIC.
Identidad personal como organización cognoscente: examinando la relación entre constructivismo y cognitivismo postracionalista
Authors: López-Silva Pablo , Otaíza-Morales Mauricio
Published: November 2019

El enfoque postracionalista de Vittorio Guidano en psicología intenta superar la forma en que el objetivismo cartesiano concibe la relación entre sujeto y realidad dentro del paradigma cognitivo tradicional. Esta teoría debe buena parte de su concepto fundamental – la identidad personal como organización cognoscente – al constructivismo de Humberto Maturana. Sin embargo, a pesar de la estrecha conexión, la relación conceptual entre ambos enfoques se mantiene obscura. Este artículo examina en detalle la relación entre el postracionalismo de Vittorio Guidano y el constructivismo de Humberto Maturana en torno al análisis del concepto de identidad personal para así clarificar sus coincidencias y divergencias.
What determines the operational sustainability of rural drinking water points in Ethiopia? The case of Woliso woreda
Authors: Gurmessa Birki , Mekuriaw Abate
Published: November 2019

Water is a fundamental element essential for life and health. However, more than 33.3% of rural water services in Ethiopia are not functioning and hence sustainability of rural drinking water points in the country is under question. With this in mind, this study was undertaken to investigate the factors that affect the operational sustainability of rural drinking water points in Woliso woreda, Ethiopia. A semi-structured questionnaire was administered to a randomly selected 211 households from six rural Kebeles, which were selected using stratified sampling technique. Focus group discussions and key interviews were also held along with observation. The quantitative data were analysed through descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression. The qualitative data were used to augment the results from the regression analysis. The results revealed that water service fee, willingness to pay, occurrence of conflict in the water points, monitoring by water user committees, willingness to sustain service, users' participation in the water point construction, satisfaction with the water point service, perception on the possibility of contamination, and training on maintenance are found to be significant factors that affect the operational sustainability of rural drinking water points. Therefore, these significant factors should be sufficiently addressed when planning water supply projects.
Analysis of the characteristics of poultry slaughterhouse wastewater (PSW) and its treatability
Authors: Njoya M. , Basitere M. , Ntwampe S. K. O.
Published: November 2019

The first step towards selecting a suitable treatment option for poultry slaughterhouse wastewater (PSW) treatment is to characterize it. Various parameters such as the pH, tCOD, BOD5, TSS, FOG, turbidity, salinity or conductivity were analyzed in this study and provided values significantly higher than discharge limits imposed by various countries. Furthermore, the biodegradability index (BOD5/COD) of PSW was determined and averaged a value of 0.61 for the samples collected during normal processing operations in the slaughterhouse and 0.72 for samples collected during the cleaning of equipment after broiler processing operations. This good biodegradability translated to a good biological decomposition potential, which can be a risk for the environment as a result of untreated effluent, and also highlights the suitability of biological treatment processes for the treatment of such wastewater. Moreover, to reduce the production of chemical waste from the toxic reagents used for some analyses, and to alleviate the cost and the time required for these analyses, linear regressions were used to correlate three water quality parameters (tCOD, BOD5, and FOG), interchangeably. These linear regressions provided a good relationship between these parameters, with R2 > 0.9 for the samples collected during normal operation periods; and weaker correlation for the FOG/BOD5 and FOG/tCOD of samples collected during the cleaning of processing equipment. This was attributed to the high concentration of FOG (5,216 ± 2,534) in the samples collected during this period, from the collection of carcass debris and fats left on the equipment during the slaughtering.
Novel Aspects of Insulin-like Growth Factor 1/insulin Network in Chronic Inflammatory Airway Disease
Authors: Ruan Wenjing , Deng Jing , Ying Kejing
Published: November 2019

At least a proportion of patients suffering from chronic inflammatory airway diseases
respond poorly to the bronchodilator and corticosteroid therapies. There is a need for the development
of improved anti-inflammatory treatment. Insulin Growth Factor 1 (IGF1) and insulin participate
in not only metabolism and glucose homeostasis, but also many other physiological and
pathophysiological processes, including growth and inflammation. Recently, it was shown that not
only the classical IGF1 and IGF1 Receptor (IGF1R), but also the other molecules in the IGF1/insulin
network, including insulin, insulin-like growth factor-binding protein (IGFBP), and IGFBP protease,
have roles in chronic inflammatory airway diseases. This review aims to provide a comprehensive
insight into recent endeavors devoted to the role of the IGF1/insulin network in chronic inflammatory
airway diseases. Its participation in airway inflammation, remodeling, and hyper-responsiveness
(AHR), as well as acute exacerbation, has been conclusively demonstrated. Its possible relation to
glucocorticoid insensitivity has also been indicated. A better understanding of the IGF1/insulin
network by further bench-to-bedside research may provide us with rational clinical therapeutic
approaches against chronic inflammatory airway diseases.
The Emerging Role of Exosomal Non-coding RNAs in Musculoskeletal Diseases
Authors: Tu Chao , He Jieyu , Chen Ruiqi , Li Zhihong
Published: November 2019

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Exosomes are phospholipid bilayer-enclosed membrane vesicles derived and constitutively secreted by various metabolically active cells. They are capable of mediating hetero- and homotypic intercellular communication by transferring multiple cargos from donor cells to recipient cells. Nowadays, non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) have emerged as novel potential biomarkers or disease-targeting agents in a variety of diseases. However, the lack of effective delivery systems may impair their clinical application. Recently, accumulating evidence demonstrated that ncRNAs could be efficiently delivered to recipient cells using exosomes as a carrier, and therefore can exert a critical role in musculoskeletal diseases including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, muscular dystrophies, osteosarcoma and other diseases. Herein, we present an extensive review of biogenesis, physiological relevance and clinical implication of exosome-derived ncRNAs in musculoskeletal diseases.
Assessment of Memory Impairment in Early Diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Vyhnálek Martin , Marková Hana , Laczó Jan , De Beni Rossana , Di Nuovo Santo
Published: November 2019

Memory impairment has been considered as one of the earliest clinical hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease. This paper summarizes recent progress in the assessment of memory impairment in predementia stages. New promising approaches of memory assessment include evaluation of longitudinal cognitive changes, assessment of long-term memory loss, evaluation of subjective cognitive concerns and testing of other memory modalities, such as spatial memory. In addition, we describe new challenging memory tests based on memory binding paradigms that have been recently developed and are currently being validated.
Marine Actinomycetes-derived Natural Products
Authors: Yang Chengfang , Qian Rui , Xu Yao , Yi Junxi , Gu Yiwen , Liu Xiaoyu , Yu Haobing , Jiao Binghua , Lu Xiaoling , Zhang Wei
Published: November 2019

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Actinomycetes is an abundant resource for discovering a large number of lead compounds,
which play an important role in microbial drug discovery. Compared to terrestrial microorganisms, marine
actinomycetes have unique metabolic pathways because of their special living environment, which
has the potential to produce a variety of bioactive substances. In this paper, secondary metabolites isolated
from marine actinomycetes are reviewed (2013-2018), most of which exhibited cytotoxic, antibacterial,
and antiviral biological activities.
Designer Nucleases: Gene-Editing Therapies using CCR5 as an Emerging Target in HIV
Authors: Almeida Maria João , Matos Ana
Published: November 2019

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), is a life-threatening disorder that persists worldwide as a severe health problem. Since it was linked with the HIV attachment process, the Chemokine receptor, CCR5, has been at the development leading edge of several gene-based therapies. Given the shortcomings of the current antiretroviral treatment procedure and the non-availability of a licensed vaccine, the aptitude to modify complex genomes with Designer Nucleases has had a noteworthy impact on biotechnology. Over the last years, ZFN, TALEN and CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing technology have appeared as a promising solution that mimics the naturally occurring CCR5/Δ32 mutation and permanently guarantees the absence of CCR5-expression on the surface of HIV target-cells, leading to a continuous resistance to the virus entry and, ultimately, proving that cellular immunization from infection could be, in fact, a conceivable therapeutic approach to finally achieve the long-awaited functional cure of HIV.