bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ultrasound–guided percutaneous laser ablation for pancreatic cancer: a new treatment option
Authors: Yu Jie , Han Zhiyu , An Chao , Dong Linan , Feng Wenzhe , Liang Ping
Published: April 2020

Background & purpose‎: Most patients with pancreatic cancer (PC) suffer from an unresectable tumor at the time of diagnosis with limited treatment effectiveness. The purpose of this study is to investigate the feasibility and safety of percutaneous laser ablation (LA) for locally advanced and metastatic PC.Methods: Between September 2016 and April 2018, nine patients (mean age, 65.2 ± 5.4 years; age range, 62–68 years) with histologically proved PC were prospectively included to undergo ultrasound-guided LA. Effect including safety, pain perception and survival were evaluated. Results: Three patients were with locally advanced PC (stage III) and six with metastases (stage IV). All patients underwent LA in one session. The mean largest tumor diameter was ‎5.2±0.8 ‎cm (range, 4.2-6.9cm). Ablation power of all patients was 5 W and the mean ablation energy was 8.3±2.4 KJ (range 4.4-12KJ). Mean ablation volume was 17.1±3.2ml (range 13.0-22.1ml), which reached 89.1±7.4% (range 80.2-98.0%) of tumor volume. After a median follow-up period of 9.7 months (range, 6-15 months), the median survival from diagnosis was 11.2 months. Four stage IV patients died during 6.5-12.5 months after LA because of one hepatic encephalopathy and three tumor progression. No major complications occurred. Pain symptom achieved significant remission (P < 0.001) and patients experienced ameliorative physical function after LA. Percutaneous LA for unresectable PC is generally well tolerated. Conclusions: Preliminary results are encouraging with tumor size reducing and physical function significant improvement. US-guided percutaneous LA provides a new minimally invasive therapy modality for PC.
Pur-alpha participates in the progression of Alzheimer's disease through direct and indirect ways
Authors: Shi Xiaoguang , Ren Shuanglai , Zhang Bingying , Guo Shanshan , He Wenxin , Yuan Chengmin , Yang Xiaofan , Ig-lzevbekhai Kevin , Sun Tao , Wang Qinwen , Cui Jianqi
Published: April 2020

Background: Purine rich element binding protein A (Pur-alpha), encoded by the PURA gene, is an important transcriptional regulator that binds to DNA and RNA and is involved in processes such as DNA replication and RNA translation. Pur-alpha plays an important role in the nervous system. Our previous research found that the regulatory effect of Pur-alpha on APP suggests that it may be involved in the production of beta-amyloids. Suggestting that Pur-alpha may plays a role in Alzheimer ’s disease (AD), but the relevant evidence is insufficient.Methods: We performed RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) analysis of Pura-KO mouse hippocampal neuronal cell line (HT22) to analyze the effect of puralpha deletion on neuron expression profile. And then combined with ChIP-seq analysis to explore the mechanism of Pura on gene regulation.Results: we found 656 differentially expressed genes between HT22 and Pura-KO HT22. A total of 62 overlapping genes were found by comparison with early brain protein expression profiles in mice, which may play important role in early neuronal development. We found that 7 Alzheimer’s disease (AD)-related genes (Lpl, Mapt, Mme, Ndufa3, Lrp1, Gapdh, mt-Co3) and 5 Aβ clearance related genes (Mme, C3, Lrp1, Insr, Trem2) were regulated by Pur-alpha, suggesting that Pur-alpha plays an important role in AD. Through ChIP-seq analysis, we found that Pur-alpha binds directly to 47 genes and regulates their transcription,ncluding Insr, Mapt, Vldlr, Jag1, etc. The direct regulation of Vldlr, the Reelin ligand, suggests that Pur-alpha may be involved in the process of synaptic plasticity. The direct regulation of Jag1 suggests that Pur-alpha may be involved in the Notch pathway.Conclusions: Our study re-confirms the important role of Pur-alpha in neurodevelopment. The regulation of Pur-alpha on AD-related genes means that Pur-alpha plays an important role in the pathogenesis of AD.
Patients with Monomicrobial Aeromonas Necrotizing Fasciitis Had Higher Mortality Rates Than Those of Vibrio vulnificus Infections
Authors: Tsai Yao Hung , Huang Tsung-Yu , Yu Pei-An , Kuo Liang Tseng , Chen Chi-Lung , Chuang Po-Yao , Hsiao Cheng Ting , Huang Kuo Chin
Published: April 2020

Backgroud: Monomicrobial necrotizing fasciitis (NF) caused by Vibrio vulnificus, Aeromonas hydrophila and Aeromonas sobria are often associated with high mortality rates. The purpose of this study was to compare the independent predictors related to outcomes between of Vibrio vulnificus and Aeromonas spp. necrotizing fasciitis. We also investigated the risk factors association with mortality in patients with monomicrobial Aeromonas necrotizing fasciitis. Methods: Monomicrobial necrotizing fasciitis caused by Vibrio vulnificus (60 patients) and Aeromonas species (31 patients) over an 11-year period were retrospectively reviewed. Differences in mortality, patient characteristics, clinical presentations, and laboratory data were compared between the Vibrio vulnificus and Aeromonas species groups, and between the death and the survival subgroups Aeromonas patients. Results: Six patients in the Vibrio vulnificus group (10%) and eleven in the Aeromonas group (32.3%) died. Vibrio vulnificus patients had a significant higher incidence of bacteremia; however, the proportion of Aeromonas patients presenting bacteremia associated with death was significantly higher than that of Vibrio vulnificus group (p = 0.0002). Aeromonas isolates had a significant higher incidience of antibiotics resistance (p = 0.0001). The death subgroup of Aeromonas NF patients had a significantly higher incidence of bacteremia (p = 0.001), higher counts of banded leukocytes (p = 0.026), lower platelet counts (p = 0.043), lower total lymphocyte counts (p = 0.013), and lower serum albumin level (p = 0.019) than the survival subgroup. Conclusion: Monomicrobial necrotizing fasciitis caused by Aeromonas spp. was characterized more fulminating and higher mortality than that of the Vibrio vulnificus infection even after early fasciotomy and third-generation cephalosporin antibiotic therapy. The death patients of Aeromonas group have a significantly higher proportion of antibiotics resistance and bacteremia, higher incidence of shock, lower lymphocyte counts, and lower albumin levels than the Vibrio patients who died. Level of Evidence: Therapeutic level III.
Low temperature synthesis nanoscale Ta4HfC5 powder and characterization of Ta4HfC5 ceramics
Authors: Pan Ruiqun , Chen Guiqing , Yu Xinmin , Yang Yusen , Han W.B.
Published: April 2020

Solvothermal treatment was used to synthesize nanoscale 4TaC–HfC (Ta 4 HfC 5 ) powder at a relatively low calcination temperature (1400 °C) and in a short period through material selection and process optimization. High-volume Teflon-lined stainless steel autoclave (1000–2000 mL) could be used to prepare powder by using this method. The obtained powder had good size distribution and dispersity. Ta 4 HfC 5 powder could be obtained at a low temperature because of the existence of Ta 2 Hf 6 O 17 during carbothermal reduction.Ta 4 HfC 5 ceramics were consolidated via spark plasma sintering at 2100 °C and at 30, 40, and 50 MPa. Holding time was 5 min. Ceramics had a better densification and smaller grain sizes at a shorter sintering time compared with that of the mechanical ball milling method. The densification behavior of ceramics was analyzed, and the mechanical properties of different samples were investigated. Flexural strength increased from 5.85 ± 0.43 GPa to 10.07 ± 0.61 GPa. Fracture toughness was similar in all the compositions in the range of 2.36–2.56 MPa m 1/2 . This method can be applied to synthesize Ta 4 HfC 5 powder with high purity and uniformity in large quantities. Hence, ceramic sintering and Ta 4 HfC 5 –matrix composite preparation have a broad application prospect.
The frequency and inter-relationship of PD-L1 expression and tumour mutational burden across multiple types of advanced solid tumours in China
Authors: Chen Yanhui , Wang Yating , Luo Hongli , Meng Xue , Zhu Wei , Wang Di , Zhang Henghui , Zeng Hui
Published: April 2020

Background: PD-L1 expression and tumour mutational burden (TMB) have been demonstrated to be associated with the responses of multiple tumours to ICI therapy. Their prevalence and correlations in various types of advanced solid tumours from Chinese patients warrant further study. Methods: PD-L1 expression, TMB, PD-1+ Tils infiltration and the relationships among them were assessed in 6,668 advanced solid tumour specimens across 25 tumour types. The relationships among PD-L1 expression, TMB, PD-1+ Tils and CD8+ T cell infiltration and the therapeutic effect of PD-1 inhibitors were analysed in NSCLC samples.Results: PD-L1 expression and TMB varied widely among tumour types. PD-L1 expression and TMB was not significantly correlated within most cancer subtypes, and they showed only a small association across all specimens (Spearman R = 0.059). PD-1+ Tils infiltration was correlated with PD-L1 expression across all samples (Spearman R = 0.3056). However, PD-1+ Tils infiltration and TMB were not correlated. In NSCLC samples, CD8+ T cell infiltration was correlated with PD-1+ Tils infiltration and PD-L1 expression but not with TMB (Spearman R = 0.4117, 0.2045, 0.0007). Patients in the CR/PR group (anti-PD-1 therapy) had higher levels of PD-L1 expression, TMB, PD-1+ Tils and CD8+ T cell infiltration, and more patients in this group exhibited elevated levels of multiple biomarkers. Conclusions: Our results showed the PD-L1 expression and TMB in various types of advanced solid tumours in Chinese patients and their relationship with PD-1+ Tils and CD8+ T cell infiltration, which may inform ICI treatment.
Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in a COVID-19 Patient with ST-segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction after Lung Transplantation: A Case Report
Authors: XUAN Tian-ming , WANG Xing-xiang , PU Xiang-yuan , GUO Xiao-gang , HAN Wei-li
Published: April 2020

We present an unusual case of a patient with bilateral lung transplantation due to severe Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), who subsequently complicated with acute myocardial infarction and underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention.
Identifying Integration and Differentiation in a Hospital’s Logistical System: A social network analysis of a case study
Authors: Ham Annelies van der , Merode Frits Van , Ruwaard Dirk , Raak Arno Van
Published: April 2020

Background Integration, the coordination and alignment of tasks, is widely promoted in order to improve the performance of hospitals. Both organization theory and social network analysis offer perspectives on integration, but studies using a system-wide perspective are rare. This exploratory study describes the tasks that are performed in arranging the logistics for surgery patients in a hospital and in what way the agents involved in these tasks interact. In addition, the extent to which tasks are segmented into subsystems, which is referred to as differentiation, and whether these tasks are coordinated and aligned, thus achieving integration, is analyzed. Methods The study is based on case study research carried out in a hospital in the Netherlands. All logistical tasks that are executed for surgery patients were studied. Using a mixed method, data were collected from the Hospital Information System, documentation, observations and interviews. These data were used to perform a social network analysis and calculate network metrics of the hospital network. Results This paper shows that 23 tasks are executed by 635 different agents who interact through 31,499 interaction links. The social network of the hospital demonstrates both integration and differentiation. The network appears to function differently from what is assumed in literature with regard to hospitals, as the network does not reflect the formal organizational structure of the hospital and tasks are mainly executed across functional silos. Nurses and physicians perform integrative tasks and there are two agents who mainly coordinate the tasks in the network, without having a hierarchical position towards other agents. The Hospital Information System (HIS) does not seem to fulfill the interactional needs of agents. Conclusions This exploratory study reveals the network structure of a hospital. The cross-functional collaboration, the integration found and position of managers, coordinators, nurses and doctors suggests a possible gap between organizational perspectives on hospitals and reality. This research sets a basis for further research that should focus on the relation between network structure and performance, on how integration is achieved and in what way organization theory concepts and social network analysis could be used in conjunction with one another.
Sports activity participation after curved periacetabular osteotomy for acetabular dysplasia
Authors: Takahashi Yoshiki , Takahira Naonobu , Uchiyama Katsufumi , Fukushima Kensuke , Moriya Mitsutoshi , Shibuya Manaka , Tsuda Kouji , Tozaki Kiyoshi , Kudo Sho , Kaneda Hiroaki , Sekita Junya , Takaso Masashi
Published: April 2020

Background: Curved periacetabular osteotomy (CPO) was developed to treat acetabular dysplasia. Given that CPO can improve physical function in the early post-operative period, patients might be able to participate in sports activities post-operatively. Therefore, this study examined the post-operative sports activity participation and characteristics of acetabular dysplasia patients who have undergone CPO. Methods: A total of 52 patients who underwent CPO for acetabular dysplasia were given a questionnaire on pre- and post-operative sports activities; 43 patients responded. We surveyed patients’ sports activities, satisfaction, and physical function. Patients were divided according to whether they participated in sports activities after CPO. Physical function was compared before and after CPO. Results: The pre- and post-operative sports activity participation rates were 55.8% and 72.1%, respectively. Patients mostly performed low-impact sports activities. Moreover, patients who participated in sports activities post-operatively returned to full weight-bearing earlier. Conclusions: Among acetabular dysplasia patients who underwent CPO, 72.1% participated in sports activities post-operatively. Post-operatively, patients participated not only in low-impact sports activities, but also in high-impact ones. These findings are important for clinical decision-making for CPO and should be communicated to patients.
Timing of first ANC booking among pregnant women attending ANC at public health facilities, Western Ethiopia.
Authors: Bekuma Tariku Tesfaye , Deressa Workinesh , Regassa Tesfaye , Fetensa Getahun
Published: April 2020

Background: Early booking of antenatal care is regarded as a cornerstone of maternal and neonatal health care. However, existing evidence from developing countries indicates that lots of pregnant women begin ANC booking lately. According to WHO report 2016, 34% of women made their ANC visit at first trimester of pregnancy. According to Ethiopia Demographic and Health Survey 2016, 62% of pregnant women who gave birth in five years preceding the survey received antenatal care from a skilled provider and 20% of women made their first ANC visit before the four-month of pregnancy. This reveals that that significant proportion of pregnant women have not started ANC timely.Objective: This study was aimed to assess timing of first ANC booking among pregnant women attending Nekemte referral hospital, East Wollega, Oromia, Ethiopia. Method: The study was conducted among pregnant women attending ANC clinic at public health facilities in Nekemte town from February to March 2017. A total of 376 pregnant women were included in the study. The average monthly client load from the daily average ANC clients flow of the hospital and health center was taken from the registry book after which systematic random sampling was used to select women who participated in the study. Thus, every other pregnant woman entering ANC service were selected for the study in the public health facilities. Data entry was made using Epi-info version 7.2 and then exported to SPSS version 20 for further analysis. Descriptive statistics were used to describe variables of the study.Result: Three hundred forty-seven (92.3 %) respondents reported that they were informed when to book ANC of which 165 (47.56%) mentioned that the right time to start ANC is within 12 weeks of gestation. In this study, the timing of the first ANC booking ranged from 8 weeks to 24 weeks of gestation with mean timing of gestational 12 weeks. A total of 163(43.4%) respondents early booked within12 weeks of gestation; while 213 (56.6%) booked after 12 weeks of gestation. Conclusion: Less than half of the respondents made their first ANC timely. Though early ANC booking was seen to be higher in this study compared to others, it is still below the WHO recommendation. Therefore, factors related to late ANC booking should be further investigated and appropriate intervention should be made to address problems which may arise early time before 12 weeks of gestational age.
Underwater Routing Protocols: Analysis of Intrepid Link Selection Mechanism, Challenges and Strategies
Authors: Ashraf Shahzad , Ahmed Tauqeer
Published: April 2020

The sensor nodes deployed in underwater environment has different routing mechanism in contrast to the terrestrial network. Getting underwater data on pollution detection, control of the ecosystem, marine mining, catastrophe avoidance and strategic surveillance thereby demands smooth packet transmission from dynamic nodes to base station encounters numerous challenges, out of which selecting best communication link between source and destination node is a key phenomenon of Underwater sensor network. The meticulous research has been conducted to search out the best link selection mythology of bodacious underwater routing protocol EnOR, SURS‐PES and USPF. The performance has been evaluated through NS2 simulation for packet delivery ratio, end-to-end delay, network lifespan and network energy consumption.
Evaluation of General Awareness Among Professionals Regarding COVID-19: A Survey Based Study from Pakistan
Authors: Khan Samea , Gilani Usman Shah , Raza Syed Muhammad Muslim , Hussain Tanveer
Published: April 2020

End of the year 2019 marks an unprecedented outbreak of a pandemic named COVID-19 caused by the SARS-CoV-2. It was initiated in China and later spread to the whole world, currently inflicting almost 200 countries. After China, few other countries have emerged as potential epicenters of this disease including the US, Italy, Spain and Pakistan, as indicated by the World Health Organization (WHO). Since proper preventive and curative measures in the form of a vaccine or medication are currently unavailable throughout the world, the only remedy devised to stop the spread of this virus is self-isolation. Such a measure necessitates ample awareness and understanding among people to avoid actions that lead to the spread of this virus. Pakistan is the fifth-most populous country in the world (212.2 million) and has a record of contagious outbreaks in the past. Therefore, it is key to evaluate the general understanding regarding the cause, spread and control of this disease in Pakistani population and acquire data to anticipate the possible spread and persistence of this disease to design relevant preventive measures. We have attempted to collect such data from professionals who are susceptible to acquiring the infection due to an unavoidable exposure. Keeping in view the current lock down, we have relied on an internet based collection of data by filling a self-designed questionnaire that is responded to by 1132. Descriptive and Frequency Analysis were performed on the responses received using MS Excel and SPSS software. To our expectations, almost after a month of the coronavirus outbreak in Pakistan, above 50% to up to 90% of the recorded responses against every question showed ample understanding regarding the cause, spread and control of the disease which is an indicator of effective public awareness campaigns throughout the country largely based on media drive.All authors contributed equally to this work.
Examine medicinal plants from South Africa for suppression of Meloidogyne incognita under glasshouse conditions
Authors: Khosa Mbokota Candy , Dube Zakheleni , De Waele Dirk , Daneel Mieke Stefanie
Published: April 2020

The nematicidal activity of crudely milled powders of stems, leaves, and bulbs of Cassia abbreviata, Cissus cactiformis, Euphorbia ingens, Ipomoea kituiensis, Synadenium cupulare, Senna petersiana, Urigenia sanguinea, Maerua angolensis, and Tabernaemontana elegans on eggs and J2 population densities of Meloidogyne incognita race 2 on tomato was examined under glasshouse conditions. These plant species have medicinal properties and are being used in South Africa by traditional healers as so-called “muti.” All plant species showed a suppressive effect. Relative to untreated control, the soil amendments consistently suppressed M. incognita population densities in tomato roots and the reproductive potential (RP) of the nematode. When compared to fenamiphos, a commercial systemic chemical nematicide, the soil amendments performed comparable or better in suppressing nematode populations in the root systems in 2008 and 2009, but fenamiphos performed better than all soil amendments in 2011. The RP of M. incognita was comparable for both soil amendment- and fenamiphos-treated plants. No consistent trend in the effect of the soil amendments on plant root and shoot bioweight was observed, except when plants were treated with T. elegans-based soil amendments and both root and shoot bioweight were consistently higher compared with untreated control plants. Our results show that the plant species examined are potential sources of phytonematicides effective against M. incognita race 2.
Extraction of high-silica granites from an upper crustal magma reservoir: Insights from the Narusongduo magmatic system, Gangdese arc
Authors: Zhou Jin-Sheng , Yang Zhu-Sen , Wang Qiang , Zheng Yuan-Chuan , Hou Zeng-Qian , Wyman Derek A.
Published: April 2020

The genesis of high-silica igneous rocks is important for understanding the behavior of shallow magmatic systems. However, although many such studies have focused on the eruption of crystal-poor high-SiO2 rhyolites, the origin of high-silica granites (HSGs) has received comparatively little attention. Here, we present a detailed study of HSGs from the Narusongduo volcanic complex, Gangdese arc. Combining zircon U-Pb geochronology with stratigraphic investigations, we show that the Narusongduo magmatic system was constructed over a period of ≥3.7 Myr with or without lulls. On the basis of zircon textures and ages, diverse zircon populations, including antecrysts and autocrysts, are recognized within the HSGs and volcanic rocks. All of the igneous rocks within the Narusongduo volcanic complex have highly radiogenic Sr–Nd isotopic compositions. Our results indicate the presence of an andesitic magma reservoir in the upper crust at a paleodepth of ~8 km. Ubiquitous zircon antecrysts in the HSGs, combined with compositional similarities between the HSGs and evolved melts of the andesitic magma reservoir, indicate that the Narusongduo HSGs represent melts extracted from the shallow magma reservoir. In addition, our results suggest that magma recharge promoted the escape of high-silica melts to form the Narusongduo HSGs. This work presents an excellent case that kilometer-scale high-silica granites are the differentiated products from an upper crustal magma reservoir. It would make a contribution to contemporary debates concerning the efficiency of crystal–melt separation in upper crustal magmatic systems.
Coffea arabica cultivars with resistance to nematode Meloidogyne exigua originated from Costa Rica
Authors: Barrantes Mainor Rojas , Valerio Daniel Ramírez , Figueroa Luis Salazar , Sera Tumoru , Sera Gustavo Hiroshi
Published: April 2020

The nematode Meloidogyne exigua causes moderate losses in almost all coffee plantations in Costa Rica. The objective of this research was to evaluate the resistance of Coffea arabica cultivars developed in Brazil to M. exigua native from Costa Rica. The trial was carried out in Heredia, Costa Rica. A randomized complete block design with five replications was used to evaluate the cultivars Caturra, Catuaí Vermelho IAC 99, IAPAR 59, IPR 98, IPR 99, IPR 100, IPR 102, IPR 103, IPR 106 and IPR 107. The plants were grown in pots and inoculated with 2500 eggs + J2 117 d after the transplant. The evaluation was performed 209 d after the inoculation considering the number of eggs + J2 in 100 g of roots and the estimation of gall index (GI) of each plant. The reduction in the reproduction factor showed resistance for the cultivars IPR 99, IPR 100, IPR 102, IPR 103 and IPR 107. This represents a great possibility to face M. exigua of Costa Rica in a sustainable way with varieties developed in Brazil.
Exogenous salicylic acid modifies gas exchange and biomass production of Mentha x piperita L.
Authors: Gonçalves Fabrício Custódio de Moura , Parreiras Nathália de Souza , Campos Felipe Girotto , Mantoan Luís Paulo Benetti , Boaro Carmen Sílvia Fernandes
Published: April 2020

Peppermint (Mentha x piperita L.) is a medicinal plant that produces an essential oil used as an additive in food and pharmaceutical formulations. Salicylic acid is a phenolic compound widely distributed throughout the plant kingdom, being able to modify plant physiological and metabolic responses. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of the application of salicylic acid on the production of biomass, pigments, as well as gas exchange of peppermint plants. For this purpose, a completely randomized design composed of four replications was applied. Pigment evaluations were carried out in a 4x4 factorial scheme, consisting of the application treatments: 0 (control), 75, 150, and 225 mg L-1 of salicylic acid and four harvest periods. Gas exchange and physiological growth rates were evaluated in a 4x3 factorial scheme. Data were submitted to analysis of variance and regression. The application of salicylic acid increased CO2 assimilation and use, stomatal conductance, water use efficiency, and transpiration, which in turn, resulted in increased height, and dry stem and root mass production. It is concluded that the application of salicylic acid influences the primary metabolism, increasing gas exchange and biomass production of peppermint plants.
Response of bermudagrass to enhanced-efficiency fertilizers, application strategies and release under tropical conditions
Authors: Borges Bernardo Melo Montes Nogueira , Peixoto Fernanda Ribeiro , Braga Marilena de Melo , Brunozzi Barbara de Brito , Silveira Maria Lucia , Coutinho Edson Luiz Mendes
Published: April 2020

Nitrogen fertilization is an important input for crop yield; however, it can result in detrimental environmental effects due to low use efficiency of regular N sources. This study evaluated the effects of N fertilizers and application strategies (single vs. split application) on bermudagrass (Cynodon spp.) responses and release pattern and rate in controlled and field incubations. The bermudagrass study was arranged in a two-way factorial scheme of 6 N fertilizers, urea, Polymer Coated Urea (PCU), PCU-6 (6 months), PCU-4 (4 months), PCU-2 (2 months) and urea + urease inhibitor (U-NBPT) applied as a single (400 kg N ha-1 yr-1) or two split applications of 200 kg N ha-1 (400 kg N ha-1 yr-1). The controlled experiment was a two-way factorial of PCU-6, PCU-4, PCU-2 and 15, 45 and 90% water hold capacity (WHC), sampling period of 170 days, the field incubation used the same sources sampled up to 220 days. Enhanced-efficiency fertilizers (EEF) increased herbage accumulation (HA) by 1.3 Mg ha-1 compared to untreated urea, on average. Nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) was greater for EEFs (44%) than urea (36%). Results showed that increased soil moisture inferred positive responses in release pattern and a minimum of 45% WHC was necessary for optimum release. Fertilizers at field conditions resulted in an earlier release than expected, ~20 days.
Yield potential of green maize from partially inbred lines in top crosses
Authors: Silva Caique Machado e , Candido Willame dos Santos , Almeida Pedro Henrique Sousa , Costa Maraiza Lima , Silva Bruna Elaine de Almeida , Pinto Jefferson Fernando Naves , Reis Edésio Fialho dos
Published: April 2020

Selecting potential progenies in early inbred generations is an essential step towards the success of breeding programs. Given this, the use of top crosses assists breeders in selecting progenies to generate lines with the potential for hybrid yield. Thus, the purpose of this study was to assess the behavior of partially inbred progenies (S1) of maize with potential for green maize yield in top crosses and to evaluate the hybrid performance. Seventy-five top cross hybrids were generated from the cross between 75 S1 progenies and the F2 generation of the hybrid AG 1051. The 75 hybrids, the male tester (F2 generation of the hybrid AG 1051 as a broad genetic base tester), and the hybrid AG 1051 were sown in a block design with four replicates. The following traits were evaluated: husked ear yield; commercial ear yield; flowering; plant height; strawing; mean weight of grain mass in green maize stage; tassel branch number; ear row number; ear length; and ear diameter. The analysis of variance was performed estimating the general combining ability, and, from the means, the Scott & Knott test was conducted. The top cross hybrids that were prominent for commercial ear yield were those composed of partially inbred progenies 19, 48, 6, 28, and 42 with high GCA, suggesting a potential for the production of open pollination population or synthetic production as well.
Potassic and nitrogen fertilization in a modern hybrid of sorghum for biomass production cultivated in an Oxisol
Authors: Silva Franciele de Freitas , Cavalcante Thomas Jefferson , Barbosa Kassia de Paula , Castoldi Gustavo , Freiberger Mariângela Brito , Silva Fabiano Guimarães
Published: April 2020

Biomass sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.)] is a promising option for the supply of dedicated biomass for energy cogeneration in Brazil. However, it is still necessary to better understand gaps around the nutrient requirement and fertilization management, especially for modern materials. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) doses on dry matter (DM) and nutrient accumulation in a modern hybrid of biomass sorghum cultivated in an Oxisol. For that, two separate trials were carried out with the hybrid Palo Alto 2562, grown in 2015/16 summer season in the central-western region of Brazil. Both trials were carried out in a randomized block design with four replicates and five doses: 0, 70, 140, 210 and 280 kg ha-1 (of N or K). The hybrid Palo Alto 2562 responded positively to N fertilization. The DM production and N accumulation hybrid of Palo Alto 2562 was increased as N fertilization added, reaching, respectively, values of 24.6 Mg ha-1 and 206 kg ha-1 at dose of 280 kg ha-1 N. Also, in order to avoid depletion of N levels in the soil we required a fertilization of at least 140 kg ha-1 N. The Palo Alto 2562 hybrid has a high absorption capacity of K, which is the most absorbed nutrient by the plant, reaching values of 316 kg ha-1. However, in this study due to high levels of K in the soil and high K saturation in CEC, the K fertilization may be not necessary to produce sorghum biomass.
Quercetin-Mediated Apoptosis and Cellular Senescence in Human Colon Cancer
Authors: Özsoy Serpil , Becer Eda , Kabadayı Hilal , Vatansever Hafize S. , Yücecan Sevinç
Published: April 2020

Background:

Quercetin is a flavonol from the flavonoid group of polyphenols, which positively affects
human health due to its anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial and cardioprotective effects. The effects of
phenolic compounds, including quercetin, on programmed cell death and cellular senescence, have been the subject
of research in recent years.

Objective:

In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of quercetin on cell viability, apoptosis and cellular
senescence in primary (Colo-320) and metastatic (Colo-741) colon adenocarcinoma cell lines.

Methods:

Cytotoxicity was analyzed via MTT assay in Colo-320 and Colo-741 cell lines. After quercetin treatment,
cell ularsenescence and apoptosis were evaluated by TUNEL staining, X-Gal staining and indirect peroxidase technique
for immunocytochemical analysis of related proteins such as Bax, Bcl-2, caspase-3, Hsp27, Lamin B1, p16,
cyclin B1.

Results:

The effective dose for inhibition of cell growth in both cell lines was determined to be 25μg/ml quercetin
for 48 hours. Increased Baximmunoreactivityfollowingquercetin treatment was significant in both Colo-320 and
Colo-741 cell lines, but decreased Bcl-2 immunoreactivitywas significant only in theColo-320 primary cell line. In
addition, after quercetin administration, the number of TUNEL positive cells and, immunoreactivities for p16,
Lamin B1 and cyclin B1 in both Colo-320 and Colo-741 cells increased.

Conclusion:

Our results suggest that quercetin may only induce apoptosis in primary colon cancer cells. Furthermore,
quercetin also triggered senescence in colon cancer cells, but some cells remained alive, suggesting that colon
cancer cells might have escaped from senescence.
Frederik Byrn Køhlert, Serial Selves: Identity and Representation in Autobiographical Comics
Authors: Miers John
Published: April 2020

Frederick Byrn Køhlert’s monograph on autobiographical comics argues that ‘the form’s self-reflective engagement with autobiographical representations […] might matter politically, especially for people on the social and cultural margins’. He thus places his work explicitly in a tradition of scholarship that frames comics autobiography as a vehicle through which marginalised voices can be given a platform, developing works such as Hilary Chute’s Graphic Women and standing alongside more recent scholarship such as Elisabeth El Refaie’s Visual Metaphor and Embodiment in Graphic Illness Narratives. To this end, his opening description of the history of comics autobiography emphasises its origins in independent publishing, and its historical position as a counterweight to the types of heteronormative power fantasies narratives constitutive of its most popular genres.
Precision Health–Enabled Machine Learning to Identify Need for Wraparound Social Services Using Patient- and Population-Level Data Sets: Algorithm Development and Validation
Authors: Kasthurirathne Suranga N , Grannis Shaun , Halverson Paul K , Morea Justin , Menachemi Nir , Vest Joshua R
Published: April 2020

Background

Emerging interest in precision health and the increasing availability of patient- and population-level data sets present considerable potential to enable analytical approaches to identify and mitigate the negative effects of social factors on health. These issues are not satisfactorily addressed in typical medical care encounters, and thus, opportunities to improve health outcomes, reduce costs, and improve coordination of care are not realized. Furthermore, methodological expertise on the use of varied patient- and population-level data sets and machine learning to predict need for supplemental services is limited.

Objective

The objective of this study was to leverage a comprehensive range of clinical, behavioral, social risk, and social determinants of health factors in order to develop decision models capable of identifying patients in need of various wraparound social services.

Methods

We used comprehensive patient- and population-level data sets to build decision models capable of predicting need for behavioral health, dietitian, social work, or other social service referrals within a safety-net health system using area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC), sensitivity, precision, F1 score, and specificity. We also evaluated the value of population-level social determinants of health data sets in improving machine learning performance of the models.

Results

Decision models for each wraparound service demonstrated performance measures ranging between 59.2%% and 99.3%. These results were statistically superior to the performance measures demonstrated by our previous models which used a limited data set and whose performance measures ranged from 38.2% to 88.3% (behavioural health: F1 score P<.001, AUROC P=.01; social work: F1 score P<.001, AUROC P=.03; dietitian: F1 score P=.001, AUROC P=.001; other: F1 score P=.01, AUROC P=.02); however, inclusion of additional population-level social determinants of health did not contribute to any performance improvements (behavioural health: F1 score P=.08, AUROC P=.09; social work: F1 score P=.16, AUROC P=.09; dietitian: F1 score P=.08, AUROC P=.14; other: F1 score P=.33, AUROC P=.21) in predicting the need for referral in our population of vulnerable patients seeking care at a safety-net provider.

Conclusions

Precision health–enabled decision models that leverage a wide range of patient- and population-level data sets and advanced machine learning methods are capable of predicting need for various wraparound social services with good performance.
A Psychosocial Support Website From the British Association of Dermatologists for People Living With a Skin Condition: Mixed Methods Evaluation
Authors: Heapy Connor , Montgomery Kerry , Ersser Steven , Gass Matt , Goad Nina , Thompson Andrew R
Published: April 2020

Background

There is a lack of psychological support for individuals with skin conditions, and few low-intensity self-help interventions are available.

Objective

This study aimed to test the acceptability and usability of a support website and its embedded self-help resources.

Methods

A mixed methods approach was utilized. A total of 583 participants (426 with a skin condition, 97 relatives and friends, and 60 dermatology professionals) viewed the British Association of Dermatologist’s SkinSupport website and then completed a survey about their well-being and the usability of the website. A comparison group comprising 816 participants also completed the well-being measures. In total, 37 participants (19 living with a skin condition, and the relatives and friends of individuals with a skin condition, and 18 dermatology professionals) viewed the SkinSupport website and then took part in focus groups. Participants were recruited via social media, professional networks, and volunteer lists. Data from the survey were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics and qualitative content analysis.

Results

Both quantitative and qualitative responses suggest that the SkinSupport website was viewed positively by both patients and health professionals. Overall, 79.8% (417/523) of individuals with a skin condition, and the relatives and friends of individuals with a skin condition, said that they would use the website again; and 86.7% (52/60) of dermatology professionals said that they would recommend the site to somebody with a skin condition. Qualitative responses related to the website fell into 4 key themes: (1) appearance, (2) use and navigation, (3) information, and (4) areas for development.

Conclusions

The SkinSupport website was considered acceptable and usable. A range of areas requiring modification were identified. The website provides a useful resource that patients can access freely. Given the lack of services available to patients with skin conditions, health care professionals could routinely inform patients of this resource at assessment.
Giving Children With Osteogenesis Imperfecta a Voice: Participatory Approach for the Development of the Interactive Assessment and Communication Tool Sisom OI
Authors: Siedlikowski Maia , Rauch Frank , Tsimicalis Argerie
Published: April 2020

Background

Children with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) experience acute and chronic symptoms that expose them to physical, mental, and social challenges. Empowering these children by involving them in their care can help them to cope with OI. Sisom is an interactive assessment and communication tool designed to help children aged 6-12 years with chronic illnesses express their symptoms. This tool has not yet been adapted to the unique needs of OI.

Objective

The aim of this study was to develop a Sisom OI paper prototype by seeking the perspectives of end users.

Methods

A participatory approach was adopted to develop the prototype overseen by an expert panel of 9 clinicians at a university-affiliated pediatric hospital. Purposive sampling was used to recruit 12 children with OI who were aged 6-12 years. The study was carried out over the course of 3 feedback cycles. Data were deductively interpreted using content analysis techniques.

Results

Overall, 64% (57/89) of the Sisom symptoms were deemed relevant for inclusion in Sisom OI, with 42% (37/89) directly incorporated and 22% (20/89) incorporated with changes. In total, 114 symptoms were used to create the prototype, of which 57 were newly generated. The relevant symptoms addressed children’s thoughts and feelings about hospitalization and their wishes for participation in their own care. The new symptoms addressed fractures, body image, and social isolation related to difficulties with accessibility and intimidation.

Conclusions

Once developed, Sisom OI will offer clinicians an innovative and child-centered approach to capture children’s perspectives on their condition.
Militaryeconomic cooperation of the CSTO and EAEU member states with third countries: challenges and threats to Russia
Authors: Degtereva Ekaterina A. , Chernysheva Anna M.
Published: April 2020

The Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) was founded in 1992 for military-economic cooperation of member countries and mainly reflects the intention of Russia to maintain its zone of influence on the territory of the former USSR. In continuation of this policy, an agreement was concluded on the foundation of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), which began its operation in 2015 and provides a certain freedom of movement of goods (services), capital and labor. These organizations provide effective interaction between the CSTO member states and the EAEU including common space between the countries and their development in a single trajectory, which allows to obtain a synergistic effect on the international arena. Thus, it is necessary to monitor the level of military-economic cooperation between the CSTO and EAEU member states. The purpose of this article was to study the challenges and threats to the Russia of military-economic cooperation of the CSTO and EAEU member states with third countries. To achieve this goal, military-economic cooperation of Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Armenia with third countries was examined and proposals were made for replacing purchases on the arms market with Russian counterparts. Some CSTO and EAEU countries seek to diversify their purchases in the arms market, providing a program of independent military development with the development of military-industrial cooperation with third countries. This situation forces Russia to ensure the development of plans for the import substitution of military products with Russian counterparts on the market of the CSTO and the EAEU. To test this hypothesis, we reviewed and analyzed publicly available statistics and documents, including data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. In the course of data analysis, it was proved that Belarus, Kazakhstan and partially Armenia diversify their purchases of military equipment and weapons by actively developing military-economic cooperation with third countries, including China.
Interrelationship of Corruption and Ecological Disaster
Authors: Rustamaji Muhammad , Santoso Bambang
Published: April 2020

Human being and living quality of their global community very depends on environmental condition. Then, various policies, regulation managements, law enforcement and technical supervision are conducted in attempts of biological environment conservation. However, corruption has always been primary enemy for all aspects of the environmental conservation. Apart from all efforts that had been conducted, natural resource sector is, in fact, a fertile land for corruption. Unguaranteed property right aspect, unbalanced discretion, complexity management of natural resource product, and weakness of control are factors leading to ecological environment become vulnerable area of corruption. Ultimately, bad impacts of the environmental damage return to human being as ecological disaster on individuals as well as global people. Therefore, efforts of prevention such as to involve people in recognizing forms of corruption contributing to ecological disaster is important. Grand corruption (state capture & elite capture), middle class corruption and petty corruption are forms of corruptions of ecological environment that should be understood deeply by people.
Transdisciplinarity and Transpraxis
Authors: McGregor Sue L. T.
Published: April 2020

This paper represents an inaugural attempt to relate transpraxis to transdisciplinarity. After providing overviews of Nicolescuian transdisciplinarity (especially ontology), praxis, and transpraxis, their juxtaposition revealed that augmenting transdisciplinarity with transpraxis and vice versa is a noteworthy addition to both strands of thought. Transdisciplinarity gains reflexivity, dialogic exchange, transpraxis space, contingent universalities and provisionality, and the notion of deconstructing self-serving hierarchies. Transpraxis gains a rich methodology for creating new knowledge emergent from deconstructing self-serving hierarchies and binaries. It is enriched with the zone of nonresistance, the unifying Hidden Third, and a richer notion of resistance in the form of multiple levels of Reality. Researchers and practitioners are encouraged to build on the narrative shared in this paper and conceptualize the neologism transdisciplinary transpraxis as a new phenomenon.
Are companies managed by overconfident CEO financially constraint? Investment-cash flow sensitivity approach
Authors: Bukalska Elżbieta
Published: April 2020

Research background: Overconfidence is one of the biases and fallacies that affect a cognitive process. Indeed, overconfidence has some serious consequences even in corporate finance. The literature is not consistent as for the impact of overconfidence on investment and financing decisions. Additionally, we include the issue of financial constraints to our analysis as investment-cash flow sensitivity (ICFS) is perceived as the measure of financial constraints.
Purpose of the article: The aim of this paper is to test investment-cash flow sensitivity and financial constraints under managerial overconfidence. We think that companies managed by overconfident managers show a higher relation between cash flows and investment and demonstrate bigger financial constraints.
Methods: In this paper, we test investment-cash flow sensitivity and financial constraints under CEO overconfidence among panel data of Polish private firms. We collect the unique sample of 145 non-listed companies by surveying the CEOs on their overconfidence. We collect the financial data of surveyed companies covering the 2010?2016 period. Total number of observations is 1015.
Findings & Value added: First, we find a positive and higher relation between the investment-cash flow sensitivity for companies managed by overconfident managers which is in line with recent research. As for the financial constraints we find lower level of financial constraints among the companies managed by overconfident man-agers. This might be evidence that despite having lower financial constraints the companies managed by overconfident managers intentionally choose internal funds as the main source of financing and refrain from using external funds. To the best of our knowledge, this paper is the first empirical study for Polish companies on the relation between CEO overconfidence and financial decisions.