bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A ciência atrás da siderurgia e da mineração do ferro
Authors: Gonçalves Pedro Wagner , Sicca Natalina Aparecida Laguna , Alves Maurílio Antonio Ribeiro , Fernandes Maria Cristina da Silveira Galan
Published: December 2019

A falta de ensino de ciências da terra no nível K12 no Brasil é o motivo para investigar como melhorar a integração curricular e a formação de professores em ciências da terra. Buscamos conjuntos de dados que possam facilitar projetos de ciências para a formação de professores e currículos inovadores para promover o conhecimento da Terra e do meio ambiente. Neste artigo, apresentamos o estudo de caso sobre curso integrado, utilizando os dados da história da ciência e tecnologia da mineração de ferro e aço, fabricação e origem na crosta terrestre. Os professores de química fizeram este curso e tornaram-se capazes de ensinar seus alunos de outro ponto de vista (eles mudam suas idéias sobre natureza, tempo geológico e meio ambiente). Os professores reconhecem as diferentes escalas de tempo e suas implicações nos processos sociais e ambientais que impulsionam as mudanças que afetam os recursos da Terra (escalas de tempo e mudanças climáticas globais). Estes cursos foram positivos, com os participantes indicando mudanças em sua experiência prática e visão sobre os recursos naturais. Isso incentiva a perspectiva de ensino e aprendizagem com integração curricular.
Representações discursivas da geografia física em livros didáticos de geografia
Authors: Neves Darlan da Conceição , Campos Alfredo Borges de
Published: December 2019

O presente artigo analisa as representações discursivas de conteúdos da Geografia Física em livros didáticos de Geografia. Para fins metodológicos, utilizou-se a Análise de Discurso Crítica que toma o texto como discurso e como prática social. Identificou-se que os conteúdos da Geografia Física apresentam traços de intertextualidade e interdiscursividade como modos de ação de ensinar fenômenos naturais, para mobilizar os conhecimentos prévios do leitor.
Analisis pengaruh Return On Asset (ROA), Return On Equity (ROE), Earning Per Share (PER), dan Price Earning Ratio (PER) terhadap harga saham yang konsisten listing pada Jakarta Islamic Index (JII)
Authors: Aminy Muhammad Muhajir
Published: December 2019

Purpose — This paper discusses the influence of the company's financial ratios, namely Return On Assets (ROA), Return on Equity (ROE), Earning Per Share (EPS), and Price Earning Ratio (PER) on stock price movements listed on Jakarta Islamic Index (JII).Research method — This study uses a quantitative approach with panel data regression analysis method with eight companies as samples.Result — This study found that all variables affect the movement of stock prices since in a simultaneous test with the value of Prob. F < alpha (0,05) and adjusted R-Squared value is 0,9709. While in partial test, EPS and PER are the only variables that have an impact on stock price movements. The variable that has a dominant influence on stock prices is EPS with a regression coefficient of 1,206877.
A elaboração de um índice de segregação socioespacial como ferramenta de gestão e análise do espaço urbano de Viçosa, MG
Authors: Bastos Filho Reinaldo Antônio , Almeida Pinto Neide Maria de , Fiúza Ana Louise de Carvalho , Rezende Dimitri Fazito de Almeida
Published: December 2019

O presente trabalho objetivou analisar o espaço urbano da cidade de Viçosa-MG a partir da elaboração de um índice de segregação socioespacial (ISSE). Utilizou-se a pesquisa bibliográfica sobre o conceito de segregação socioespacial para identificar os indicadores que explicam o mesmo e em seguida, realizou-se uma pesquisa documental (dados secundários) sobre os indicadores selecionados possibilitando a elaboração do ISSE. A pesquisa trás a luz a importância da elaboração desse índice, como ferramenta de gestão e análise do espaço urbano, uma vez que revelou de forma objetiva o estado do fenômeno.
6360 SAYILI KANUN SONRASI KIR-KENT AYRIMI BAKIMINDAN JANDARMANIN GÖREV VE SORUMLULUKLARININ DEĞERLENDİRİLMESİ
Authors: AKPINAR Rasim , UÇAR Ahmet
Published: December 2019

6 Aralık 2012 tarihinde “6360 sayılı On Üç Büyükşehir Belediyesi ve 26 İlçe Kurulması ile Bazı Kanun ve Kanun Hükmünde Kararnamelerde Değişiklik Yapılmasına Dair Kanun” çıkarılmıştır. 6360 sayılı Yasa ile Türk Yerel Yönetim Sistemine yeni bir yönetim sistematiği getirilerek il mülki sınırlarında hizmet üretecek, büyükşehir belediye modeli benimsenmiştir. Bu yasa ile büyükşehir belediye tanımında değişikliğe gidilerek orta büyüklükteki kentler de “Büyükşehir Belediyesi” statüsü kazanmıştır. Yasa ile 13 ilde büyükşehir belediyesi kurulmuştur. 6360 sayılı Yasa ile, daha önce 5216 sayılı Yasa ile getirilen ve İstanbul ile Kocaeli için geçerli olan, belediye sınırlarının mülki idari sınırlarıyla aynı olması uygulaması tüm büyükşehir belediyeleri için geçerli hale gelmiştir. Böylelikle büyükşehirlerde kır-kent ayırımı hizmet verme alanı bakımından ortadan kalkmış; büyükşehir belediyelerinin hizmet alanı tüm mülki il alanı olmuştur. Bu minvalde, çalışmanın temel amacı 6360 sayılı Kanunun illerde iç güvenlik hizmeti ve örgütlenmesi konusunu, 6638 sayılı Kanun çerçevesinde yetki ve sorumluluk paylaşımı, merkezileşme-yerelleşme, merkezi idare-yerel yönetimler ilişkileri bağlamında bütüncül olarak ele almak olacaktır. 6360 sayılı Kanunla ortaya çıkan hukuki ve idari boşluğu kapatmak maksadıyla 2015 yılının mart ayında 6638 sayılı Kanun ile bir düzenleme yapıldığı bilinmektedir. Jandarma teşkilatının buna benzer biçimde kır-kent ayırımı bakımından büyükşehirlerdeki konumu bu çalışmanın temel sorunsalı olacaktır.
A Hypothesis of Symbiosis between Humans and Poliovirus as a Critical Evolutionary Step in Human Speciation
Authors: Amin Adnan Saeed
Published: December 2019

No single evolutionary event has been identified as the cause for the final emergence of our species. I propose that a mutation on CD155 receptor gene occurred to establish a symbiosis with poliovirus, which exerted its beneficial impact via RNA dependent non-genetic transgenerational inheritance, which caused a qualitative enhancement of cognitive functions. I posit that this mutation occurred in what we call, Anatomically Modern Humans, our immediate ancestor species and that the disruption of this symbiosis causes autism spectrum disorder. Positive selection of CD155 to the extent of becoming a species defining characteristic, the chronology of autism spectrum disorder prevalence increase and continued increase, the multigenerational nature of RNA inheritance, the universal infection of humans by poliovirus and a very low associated mortality rate, and several other factors support this hypothesis. Specific genetic, epidemiological and sperm miRNA content studies are suggested to test this hypothesis.
The Role of Nanofluids and Renewable Energy in the Development of Sustainable Desalination Systems: A Review
Authors: Singh Tejvir , Atieh Muataz Ali , Al-Ansari Tareq , Mohammad Abdul Wahab , McKay Gordon
Published: December 2019

Desalination accounts for 1% of the total global water consumption and is an energy-intensive process, with the majority of operational expenses attributed to energy consumption. Moreover, at present, a significant portion of the power comes from traditional fossil fuel-fired power plants and the greenhouse gas emissions associated with power production along with concentrated brine discharge from the process, pose a severe threat to the environment. Due to the dramatic impact of climate change, there is a major opportunity to develop sustainable desalination processes to combat the issues of brine discharge, greenhouse gas emissions along with a reduction in energy consumption per unit of freshwater produced. Nanotechnology can play a vital role to achieve specific energy consumption reduction as nanofluids application increases the overall heat transfer coefficient enabling the production of more water for the same size desalination plant. Furthermore, concentrated brine discharge has a negative impact on the marine ecosystems, and hence, this problem must also be solved to support the objective of sustainable desalination. Several studies have been carried out in the past several years in the field of nanotechnology applications for desalination, brine treatment and the role of renewable energy in desalination. This paper aims to review the major advances in this field of nanotechnology for desalination. Furthermore, a hypothesis for developing an integrated solar thermal and nanofluid sustainable desalination system, based on the cyclic economy model is proposed.
A Comparitive Analysis Between Open Source And Closed Source Software in Terms of Complexity and Quality Factors
Authors: Sirshar Mehreen , Ali Asma , Ibrahim Sara
Published: December 2019

The complexity of software is increasing day by day due to the increase in the size of the projects being developed. For better planning and management of large software projects, estimation of software quality is important. During the development processes, complexity metrics are used for the indication of the attributes/characteristics of the quality software. There are many studies about the effect of the complexity of the software on the cost and quality. In this study, we discussed the effects of software complexity on the quality attributes of the software for open source and closed source software. Though, the quality metrics for open and closed source software are not distinct from each other. In this paper, we comparatively analyzed the impact of complexity metrics on open source and private software. We also presented various models for the management of the project complexity such as William’s Model, Stacey’s Agreement and Certainty matrix, Kahane’s Approach and UCP Model. Quality metrics here refer to the standards for the measurement of the quality of software which contains certain attributes or characteristics of the software that are related to the quality of the software. Certain quality attributes addressed in this study are Usability, Reliability, Security, Portability, Maintainability, Efficiency, Cost, Standards and Availability, etc. Both Open source and Closed source software are evaluated on the basis of these quality attributes. This study also recommended future approaches to manage the quality of project Open source and Closed source software and specify which one of them is mostly used in the industry.
Production of Tachyonic Neutrino in Matter
Authors: Nanni Luca
Published: December 2019

Recently, a new theory based on superluminal tunnelling has been proposed to explain the transition of highly energetic neutrinos propagating in matter to tachyonic states. In this work, we determine the possible mechanisms that lead neutrinos into a superluminal realm based on the assumption that ultrarelativistic particles travelling in matter lose part of their energy with the emission of Bremsstrahlung radiation. The obtained photons, in turn, can create neutrino-antineutrino pairs, one or both of which can be superluminal. We also prove that pair creation may occur with neutrino flavour oscillation provided that only one of them is a space-like particle. This suggests that mass oscillation and superluminal behaviour could be related phenomena. Finally, using the generalised Lorentz transformations, we formulate the Lagrangian of the kinematically allowed scattering processes. The structure of this Lagrangian is consistent with the formalism of the Standard Model. Based on this Lagrangian, at least one of the particles forming the pair must always be subluminal. The possibility that the pair creation process is mediated by a dark photon is also discussed.
Abnormal Functional and Structural networks in Rectal Cancer with Depressive risk: A Graph Theory Analysis
Authors: Zhang Wenwen , Zou Ying , Li Yuan , Fu Yu , Shi Jie , Huang Gang , Yao Zhijun , Hu Bin
Published: December 2019

Background: Surgery and chemotherapy can cause depressive risk in patients with rectal cancer (RC). However, few comprehensive studies are conducted on RC patients associated alterations induced by emotional disorders in the topological organization of structural and functional networks.
Methods: Resting-state functional MRI and Diffusion tensor imaging data were collected from 36 RC patients with surgery and chemotherapy and 32 healthy controls (HC). Functional network (FN) was constructed from extracting average time courses for 246 regions of interest (ROI) and structural network (SN) was established by deterministic tractography. Graph theoretical analysis was used to calculate small-worldness property, clustering coefficients, shortest path length and network efficiency. Additionally, we assess network resilient on FN and SN.
Results: Abnormal small-worldness property of FN and SN were found in RC patients. The FN and SN exhibited increased local efficiency and global efficiency respectively in RC patients.The increased nodal efficiency in RC patients were mainly found in the frontal lobe, parietal lobe and limbic lobe for FN and SN, while the decreased nodal efficiency were distributed in subcortical nuclei, parietal lobe and limbic lobe only for SN. In network resilient analysis, the RC patients showed less resilient to targeted or random node deletion in both networks compared with HC. Moreover, FN is more robust than SN for all participants.
Conclusions: This study revealed that topological organizations of the FN and SN may be disrupted in RC patients. Brain network reorganization is a compensation mechanism to alleviate the depressive risk in RC patients after surgery and chemotherapy.
The effects of ursodeoxycholic acid in the management of sepsis-induced cholestasis in rodents
Authors: Ainosah Randa H. , Hagras Magda M. , Alharthi Sameer , Saadah Omar I.
Published: December 2019

The authors have withdrawn this preprint from Research Square
Cyanobacterial taxonomy, metabolism, and cyanophage association in dark and anoxic sediment
Authors: Broman Elias , Holmfeldt Karin , Bonaglia Stefano , Hall Per OJ , Nascimento Francisco JA
Published: December 2019

Background Cyanobacteria are photosynthetic ancient bacteria ubiquitous in terrestrial and aquatic environments. Even though they carry a photosynthesis apparatus they are known to survive in dark environments. Cyanophages are viruses that infect and lyse cyanobacterial cells, adding bioavailable carbon and nutrients into the environment. Here we present the first study that investigate the metabolic spectrum of cyanobacteria in dark and anoxic environments, as well as their associated cyanophages. We sampled surface sediments during April 2018 located along a water depth gradient of 60–210 m—representing oxic, hypoxic and anoxic conditions—in the largest dead zone in the world. We combined metagenomic and total RNA sequencing to investigate cyanobacterial taxonomy, activity and their associated cyanophages. Results Cyanobacteria were detected at all four stations (n = 3 per station) along the sampled gradient, including the anoxic sediment. Top active genera in the anoxic sediment included Anabaena (19% RNA data), Synechococcus (16%), and Cyanobium (5%). The mRNA data showed that cyanobacteria were surviving through i) anaerobic carbon metabolism indicated by glycolysis plus fatty acid biosynthesis, and ii) nitrogen (N2) fixation (likely by heterocystous Anabaena). Interestingly, cyanobacteria were also actively transcribing photosynthesis, phytochromes, and gas vesicle genes. Cyanophages were also detected at all stations, and compared to the oxic sediment had a different beta diversity in the hypoxic-anoxic sediment. Moreover, our results show that these cyanophages infect cyanobacteria affecting the photosystem and phosphate regulation of cyanobacteria. Conclusions Cyanobacteria were found to transcribe genes for photosynthesis, phytochromes, and gas vesicles and this suggests that cyanobacteria are trying to ascend to the surface waters. The difference in cyanophage beta diversity between oxic and hypoxic-anoxic sediment suggests that anaerobic cyanobacteria select for specific cyanophages. Cyanobacteria are known to fuel oxygen depleted benthic ecosystems with phosphorous (so called internal loading), and our study suggests that cyanophage-controlled lysis of cyanobacteria likely provides a source of nitrogen. Photosynthetic cyanobacteria are commonly thought to have been essential in the great oxygenation event on Earth ca. 2.4 billion years ago. Our results suggest that active cyanobacteria might also provide nutrients (via N2 fixation and viral lysis) in dark and anoxic environments.
MRI-guided Thrombolysis for Lenticulostriate Artery Stroke within 12 Hours after the Onset of Symptoms
Authors: zhang jianying , Bai Qingke , Zhao Zhenguo , Mao Yiting , Dong Qiang , Cao Wenjie
Published: December 2019

Background and purpose: We sought to analyze the efficacy of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-guided thrombolysis in patients with lenticulostriate artery stroke (LSAS) within 12 hours after onset of symptoms. Methods: LSAS patients identified on diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) within 12h after onset of symptoms were assigned to receive intravenous alteplase (iv-tPA). DWI/ T2-weighte imaging (T2WI) mismatch -/+ was defined as an acute ischemic lesion on DWI with/without a corresponding lesion on T2WI in the territory of lenticulostriate artery. Favorable clinical outcome was defined as modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score <2 at 90 days. Baseline demographic data and medical history were compared between outcomes. Results: There were 160 LSAS patients received iv-tPA (104 within 4.5h) in 2008-2018 who had MRI data before treatment. DWI/T2WI-mismatch was detected in 73.1% (117/160) of patients. Lower admission systolic blood pressure (SBP) was significantly associated with 90d mRS<2 [adjusted odds ratio (OR) 0.93, 95%CI 0.88-0.99, p=0.026]. In overall patients, whether they received iv-tPA within 4.5h or not and whether they had DWI/T2WI-mismatch or not did not significantly impact the outcome. In DWI/T2WI-mismatch (+) group, hypertension negatively associated with favorable outcome (adjusted OR 0.15, 95% CI 0.04-0.59, p=0.007). In DWI/T2WI-mismatch (-) group, iv-tPA within 4.5h was an independent predictor of 90d mRS<2 (adjusted OR 7.38, 95% CI 1.25-43.48, p=0.027).Conclusion: MRI-guided iv-tPA within 12h is safe and effective for LSAS patients. Hypertension and higher admission SBP are associated with poor outcome. In patients who have no DWI/T2WI-mismatch, iv-tPA within 4.5h independently predicts favorable outcome.
Effect of direct angioplasty therapy on acute middle cerebral artery occlusion with good leptomeningeal collateral
Authors: Luo Ying , Huang Jun , Yang Yang , Liu Hong , Chen Xiu , Li Xiaogang , Li Zuoxiao , Liu Bo , Li Jinglun
Published: December 2019

Background: The objective of this study was to investigate and discuss the effect of direct angioplasty therapy on acute middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) patients with good leptomeningeal collateral circulation in 4.5 hours. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed our acute ischemic stroke database from January, 2017 to January, 2019, then selected consecutive patients with evidence of the proximal M1 segments of MCAO and good leptomeningeal collateral who have received angioplasty or mechanical thrombectomy (MT). The baseline characteristics and outcome of patients was statistical analysis, included age, gender and risk factors, baseline national institutes of health stroke scale (NIHSS) scores, preoperative alberta stroke programme early CT (ASPECT) score, time from door to needle, time of door to puncture, endovascular procedure time, 7d NIHSS score and the modified treatment in cerebral infarction (m-TICI) 2b or 3, symptomatic hemorrhage, average hospital stays, modified rankin scale (mRS) score 0–2 at 3-month and mortality. All the thrombi were analyzed by histopathology. All statistical analysis was done with t test for continuous data and χ2 test for binary data. Results: A total of 93 patients were included (direct angioplasty = 41 (44.1%), MT = 52 (55.9%)). There was no significant difference in baseline data between the two groups. The difference in the time of door to recanalization, the time of puncture to recanalization, symptomatic hemorrhage, and average hospital stays were significantly different between groups (P<0.05). The other agents were not significantly different between groups (P>0.05 each). Histopathological analysis showed all thrombi contained different amounts of platelets, fibrinogen, white blood cell, and red blood cell. Conclusion: Direct angioplasty therapy on acute MCAO with good leptomeningeal collateral may help to shorten the time of surgery, reduce symptomatic hemorrhage, and hospital stay.
Yeasts are able to inhibit growth of disease-associated fungi
Authors: Horváth Enikő , Sipiczki Matthias , Csoma Hajnalka , Miklos Ida
Published: December 2019

Background Fungal sepsis is often caused by non-albicans Candida or other species. These disease-associated species have strong virulence and often show resistance to the commonly used antifungal treatments. Therefore, finding new inhibitory agents nowadays is increasingly urgent.Results Our screening revealed that although the pathogenic fungi were much more tolerant to yeast-produced bioactive agents than the non-disease-associated yeasts, growth of Kodamaea ohmeri and Candida tropicalis could be inhibited by Metschnikowia andauensis , while Cryptococcus albidus can be controlled by Pichia anomala and Candida tropicalis. The size of the inhibitory zone formed by yeasts was depended on media, pH and temperature. However, extensive studies were carried out, we failed to find inhibitory yeast against Pichia kudriavzevii, suggesting that it must have high natural resistance.Conclusions Certain yeast species can contribute to the future solutions of problems caused by fungal resistance and can be good candidates for finding new bioactive agents which inhibit growth of disease-associated fungi.
Geriatricians’ Standpoint Regarding the Informed Consent Process among Patients with Alzheimer's Disease: The Lebanese Context
Authors: Fakhro Mohammed Ali
Published: December 2019

Background Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a degenerative brain disease and the most common cause of dementia among older adults. Moreover, as the disease progress, patients lose their capacity to make important decisions as related to their wishes. The primary objective was to characterize the Lebanese Geriatricians’ standpoint regarding the decision-making capacity (DMC) to consent to research and/or treatment participation among their patients with Alzheimer Disease (AD). The secondary objective was to propose an algorithm for a reliable, comprehensive, and valid assessment of the DMC. Methods A cross-sectional descriptive study was designed, where a list of active members of the Lebanese Society for Geriatric Medicine was obtained, and participants were contacted via a phone call, to explain the study purpose, and send them thereafter the survey link. Results Nine Geriatricians with a mean of 14.7 ± 9.6 years of experience completed the survey. Moreover, 66.67 % of the Geriatricians failed to recognize the need to confirm the patient's capacity to make decisions as related to her/his own wishes as related to the process of informed consent (IC). Despite that, 88.9 % of them stated that they tested for DMC among their patients with AD. Conclusion This study finding revealed that Lebanese Geriatricians had a poor understanding of both the concept of autonomy and the criteria needed for the IC process. Moreover, they were unable to select adequate tools to assess and judge the DMC.
Euthanasia in opinions of the first year Polish students of medicine
Authors: Lachowski Stanisław , Luszczki Jarogniew , Lachowska Bogusława , Florek-Łuszczki Magdalena
Published: December 2019

Background : The aim of this work is to present opinions of medical students about euthanasia. Study design: The anonymous questionnaire was conducted among first-year students of medicine at the Medical University of Lublin (Poland). Methods: The anonymous questionnaire consisted of 35 questions that concerned three components of euthanasia attitude: knowledge, evaluation, and declaration to conduct euthanasia. The study was attended by 281 students of medicine (77.6% of all first-year students). Results: Although euthanasia in Poland is legally prohibited, almost one fifth of students of medicine expressed a positive attitude towards euthanasia, and over a quarter of students opted for its legalization. Only two independent variables, i.e., family size (number of children) and religious involvement of the respondents, differentiate both the overall assessment of euthanasia and the level of acceptance for its legalization. Non-religious respondents frequently expressed their positive evaluation of euthanasia (43.3%) than those, who were religiously involved (6.4%). Conclusions: The attitudes of students towards euthanasia are often inconsistent. There is a need to evaluate medical study programs in the context of creating the right attitudes of future doctors towards euthanasia.
Pruning length of lateral branches influences auxin and cytokinins homeostasis in relation to growth and yields in Solanum lycopersicum L.
Authors: Xu Yang , Liu Xuelian , Gu Chaoheng , Yan Yanyan , Li Kai , Shi Qinghua , Cheng Fei , Zhang Lili , Shao Changyong , Gong Biao
Published: December 2019

Lateral branches (LBs) pruning is performed frequently to keep the tomato plants in optimal growth conditions. However, the suitable pruning length of LBs, as well as it-mediated physiological and molecular mechanisms on plant growth regulation remains elusive in tomato. The effects of pruning length of LBs from 0 to 20 cm on vegetative growth, reproductive growth, labor costs, hormone metabolism and genes transcripts were evaluated on indeterminate type tomato cultivar. By comprehensive analysis, we provided evidence that pruning length of LBs at about 6 ~ 7 cm was suitable for plant growth, high yield, and low labor costs in tomato production. For mechanisms, appropriate extension of pruning length of LBs increased indole acetic acid (IAA) concentrations in root, which promoted the biosynthesis and upward transport of inactive cytokinins (CKs), as well as root development. Meanwhile, existence of LBs had inhibited effect on auxin outflow of the lower fruit stalks by testing transcripts of AUX1 and PIN , which increased the IAA and CKs concentrations of ovary and then promoted fruit setting and swelling. Additionally, pruning length of LBs also influenced the leaf senescence to control assimilation. Taken together, we highlighted that pruning length of LBs influenced auxin and cytokinins homeostasis in relation to growth and yields in tomato plants.
Implementation of a Global Quality Improvement Project in 20 Countries: A Case Study
Authors: Coville Hongchuan , Barwise Amelia , Kashyap Rahul , Wang Bo , Sabov Moldovan , Yi Lisha , Suzuki Reina , Fan Lei , Gavrilovic Srdjan , Hache Manuel , Vukoja Marija , Gajic Ognjen , Dong Yue
Published: December 2019

Background: The Checklist for Early Recognition and Treatment of Acute Illness and Injury (CERTAIN) study is a before-and-after clinical quality improvement study involving 20 countries. Our aim was to describe the challenges and solutions for study implementation across various intensive care units.Methods: After local institutional review board approval, each study center had a setup period before patient data were collected. Each center was required to accomplish 4 stages: baseline data collection, remote simulation training, local implementation, and postimplementation data collection and maintenance of process of care. We measured the time required to complete each study stage and used the Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control (DMAIC) framework to identify the challenges encountered during each stage and guide improvement strategies to facilitate implementation of CERTAIN.Results: Between June 2012 and December 2017, 55 centers from 20 countries were recruited to participate. The time to complete each stage at different centers varied significantly. The most common domains in which challenges occurred were 1) leadership support and team building, 2) communication, 3) work environment culture, 4) language barriers, 5) infrastructure and technology, and 6) sustainability. Obstacles in these 6 areas delayed reaching major milestones of the study. Different strategies were deployed to overcome these barriers: engaging leadership for support, using native-speaking clinicians during training sessions, using various communication platforms, providing personal computers to local hospitals, making in-person site visits, offering flexible training time, and supporting local centers’ grant applications. Centers that enrolled during the control phase, compared with those that enrolled earlier, had significantly shorter times and less variation in times for each study stage and for the total study time.Conclusions: By using the DMAIC method, we identified the predominant 6 domains in which challenges occurred during implementation of the global CERTAIN study and developed targeted strategies to overcome the challenges and shorten the duration of the study. The DMAIC method would be useful in improving the efficiency of other large-scale multinational quality improvement projects.
Molecular Characterization of the S-alleles and Compatibility among Hybrid Pear Tree Cultivars for Subtropical Regions
Authors: Bisi Rayane Barcelos , Pio Rafael , da Hora Farias Daniela , Locatelli Guilherme , de Alcântara Barbosa Caio Morais , Pereira Welison Andrade
Published: December 2019

Pear (Pyrus spp.) is a temperate-climate fruit species that has gametophytic self-incompatibility. Cross-pollination among intercompatible cultivars can be useful in selecting for breeding programs. The objective of the present study was to evaluate effective fruiting from cross-pollination between hybrid pear cultivars and to characterize pear tree S-alleles. Seven cultivars were evaluated: Cascatense, Centenária, D’água, Primorosa, Seleta, Tenra, and Triunfo. Controlled crosses were carried out in two seasons and consisted of spontaneous self-pollination, parthenocarpy, and cross-pollination between cultivars. During the 2 years of research, the overlap of the entire flowering periods of all cultivars was higher than 50%. Phenology was evaluated from the beginning of pruning, and the time elapsed from pruning to the flowering phenophase was computed. Finally, the flowering-period overlap of the cultivars was analyzed. S-alleles were characterized by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using primers specific to previously known alleles. Under field conditions, the Primorosa cultivar has high potential as a pollinizer for D’água, Seleta, Tenra, and Triunfo. Pear tree hybrid cultivars have a high frequency of the S1 and S5 alleles. The S5S8 and S1S4 alleles are amplified in the D’água and Seleta cultivars, respectively, conferring compatibility between these cultivars. The S1 and S5 alleles are amplified in ‘Primorosa’, ‘Cascatense’, and ‘Triunfo’, conferring interincompatibility.
Leaf Lettuce Yield Is More Sensitive to Low Daily Light Integral than Kale and Spinach
Authors: Baumbauer David A. , Schmidt Colleen B. , Burgess Macdonald H.
Published: December 2019

Kale, leaf lettuce, and spinach were grown for 28 days in growth chambers under daily light integrals (DLI) of 8, 10, 12, and 14 mol·m−2·d−1. Fresh weight (FW), dry weight (DW), leaf area, and chlorophyll concentration were measured. Increasing DLI positively influenced lettuce FW; an increase from 1.27 g/plant to 4.33 g/plant was measured. DW for all species increased in a linear fashion under increasing DLI, with lettuce increasing 203%, kale 47%, and spinach 42% as DLI increased from 8 to 14 mol·m−2·d−1. Leaf area response was species-dependent, with lettuce leaf area increasing under increasing DLI while kale leaf area decreased under higher DLI. Chlorophyll levels in kale leaves decreased from DLI of 8 to 12 mol·m−2·d−1, and then increased to 14 mol·m−2·d−1 DLI. Chlorophyll content in kale leaves had a nonlinear response to DLI and the best fit was with a quadratic model. Growers wanting to add supplemental lighting can expect the greatest gains in lettuce yield compared with those of kale and spinach.
A Study of the Evaluation of the Pecan Drought Resistance of Grafted ‘Pawnee’ Trees From Different Seedling Rootstocks
Authors: Cao Fan , Wei Yunchu , Wang Xinwang , Li Yongrong , Peng Fangren
Published: December 2019

To describe the influence of different pecan seedling rootstocks on drought stress resistance, 12 rootstocks of ‘87MX1-2.2’, ‘87MX5-1.7’, ‘Elliott’, ‘Frutoso’, ‘Giles’, ‘Major’, ‘Moore’, ‘Peruque’, ‘Posey’, ‘Riverside’, ‘San Felipe’, and ‘VC1-68’ were selected as rootstock treatments for grafting. In addition, the experimental materials for the grafted young ‘Pawnee’ tree treatments included the pressure-volume technique (PV technique) and cutting shoot transpiration methods to plot the PV and the cutting shoot transpiration curves, and the parameters calculated from the two curves were used to analyze the data produced by the subordinate function and cluster dendrogram methods. The results revealed that the different seedling rootstock treatments influenced the ‘Pawnee’ grafted trees to varying degrees on aspects of drought resistance, the ability to save water, the modulation of osmosis, and the sensitivity of the stomatal response. The order of drought tolerance for these different pecan seedling rootstock treatments from high to low was as follows: ‘Posey’, ‘Peruque’, ‘Riverside’, ‘87MX5-1.7’, ‘VC1-68’, ‘Elliott’, ‘87MX1-2.2’, ‘San Felipe’, ‘Moore’, ‘Major’, ‘Giles’, and ‘Frutoso’.
Critical Temperatures and Heating Times for Fruit Damage in Northern Highbush Blueberry
Authors: Yang Fan-Hsuan , Bryla David R. , Strik Bernadine C.
Published: December 2019

Over-canopy sprinkler systems are used to cool northern highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) fields and maintain fruit quality in the northwestern United States, but more information is needed to determine exactly when cooling is needed. The objective of this study was to identify the critical temperatures for heat damage to berries and for effective evaporative cooling. An initial study conducted in western Oregon in a mature planting of late-season ‘Elliott’ blueberry revealed that heat damage was typically observed within 1 to 3 days after an extreme heat event. Fruit damage, including softening, shriveling, and necrosis, occurred during both green and blue stages of development and was found primarily on sun-exposed berries, which on hot, sunny days (>35 °C) were 7 to 11 °C warmer than the ambient air temperature. A subsequent study was conducted to determine whether the critical temperature for heat damage differed between the green and blue fruit stages. In this case, ‘Aurora’ was compared with ‘Elliott’ blueberry. Berries were heated using a chamber-free convective unit and were exposed for up to 4 hours to berry temperatures of 42, 44, 46, and 48 °C. When the berries were green, significant damage was visible at each temperature within 1.5 to 2 hours in ‘Aurora’ and 3 to 3.5 hours in ‘Elliott’. Damage of green berries increased with time and temperature, and after 4 hours, ranged from 17% to 59% of the total berry number in the cluster in ‘Aurora’ and 10% to 24% in ‘Elliott’. Fruit damage at the blue stage was less than at the green stage and was only significant at 46 and 48 °C (within 3.5 to 2 hours, respectively) in ‘Aurora’ and at 48 °C (within 2 hours) in ‘Elliott’. Wax and cutin layers thickened on the berries as they progressed from green to blue, which perhaps increased their tolerance to heat at later stages of development. Based on these results, northern highbush blueberry fields should be cooled at air temperatures >32 °C during the green stages of fruit development and >35 °C during ripening.
Effects of Salt Stress on Chlorophyll Fluorescence and the Antioxidant System in Ginkgo biloba L. Seedlings
Authors: Zhao Haiyan , Liang Haiying , Chu Yibing , Sun Congcong , Wei Ning , Yang Mengnan , Zheng Caixia
Published: December 2019

Ginkgo biloba L. (ginkgo) is generally regarded as a tolerant species to environmental stresses. However, its tolerance mechanisms are not well understood, particularly for salt stress. To evaluate the species’ physiological responses to salt stress, 3-year-old ginkgo seedlings were exposed to a range of salinity levels (0% to 1.0% NaCl). A significant reduction in maximum (Fv/Fm) and actual (ΦPSII) quantum yields of photosystem II (PSII) photochemistry and the nonphotochemical quenching (qN) coefficient only occurred in late treatment stages at the salinity levels of 0.6% to 1.0%. As salt concentration increased, the response time and chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence indices decreased. Overall, the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD); contents of catalase (CAT), reduced glutathione (GSH), and flavonoids; and scavenging rate of free radicals enhanced under salinity stress. These data indicate that ginkgo seedlings are tolerant to low salt stress, and enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidant systems seem to work synergistically to reduce lipid oxidation under NaCl stress because malondialdehyde (MDA) content did not increase. Correlation and principal component analyses determined that water potential, Chl fluorescence parameters, activities of POD and SOD, contents of CAT and flavonoids, and hydroxyl (•OH) and diphenyl picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging capability were sensitive to salt stress. These parameters can be used for in vitro or rapid and nondestructive monitoring of the responses of ginkgo seedlings to salinity stress. It is of significance to understand the tolerance mechanisms of ginkgo to salt stress, reduce the harm of NaCl and other snow-melting agents to ginkgo as shade trees, and develop new salt-tolerant varieties.
Morphological and Cytological Comparisons of Eight Varieties of Trailing Lantana (Lantana montevidensis) Grown in Florida
Authors: Steppe Carlee , Wilson Sandra B. , Deng Zhanao , Druffel Keri , Knox Gary W.
Published: December 2019

Trailing lantana (Lantana montevidensis) is a popular low-growing ornamental plant valued for its heat and drought tolerance and continuous purple or white flowering throughout much of the year. Recently, trailing lantana was predicted to be invasive by the University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF-IFAS) Assessment of Non-Native Plants in Florida, and therefore not recommended for use. All cultivars fall under this designation unless proven otherwise. Eight trailing lantana varieties were obtained from wholesale growers and naturalized populations found in Texas and Australia. Plants were propagated vegetatively, finished in 4-inch pots, and planted under field conditions to determine morphological and cytological differences among varieties. Australian trailing lantana differed morphologically from the other varieties in its smaller habit, leaves (which had serrate-crenate leaf margins, and fewer appressed hairs), heavy fruiting, and cold sensitivity (observational reduced growth and flowering during winter months). Nuclear DNA content analysis suggests that Australian trailing lantana is likely a tetraploid and all other varieties evaluated were likely triploids with high levels of sterility. Pollen stainability of Australian trailing lantana was moderately high (58.83%), whereas pollen production was rarely observed in all other varieties. Results support that there are two forms of trailing lantana, the U.S. varieties distinguished by their leaf and flower morphology, ploidy level, and the absence of fruit and viable pollen.
Spatial and Temporal Variation in an Apple Orchard
Authors: Talebpour Babak , Eminoğlu Maksut Barış , Yegül Uğur , Türker Ufuk
Published: December 2019

One important goal of precision horticulture (PH), as well as precision agriculture (PA), is to measure and manage spatial and temporal variation in orchards. In this study, temporal and spatial analysis of yields were carried out over 2 years for a 0.5-ha apple orchard (at the Haymana Research Station of Ankara University, Turkey, from 2017 to 2018) to determine the variability of yields over time and included seven apple varieties: ‘Royal Gala’, ‘Red Chief’, ‘Braeburn’, ‘Mondial Gala’, ‘Jonagold’, ‘Fuji’, and ‘Mitch Gala’. To achieve this, yield data for two different years were analyzed for mean yield, temporal variance, and cv in terms of spatial and temporal stability, and their yield maps were produced. The results showed that ‘Jonagold’, ‘Braeburn’, and ‘Red Chief’ varieties yielded less than the average yield, whereas the other varieties produced average yields when the yield from 2 years was taken into account. Calculation of the values for determining temporal stability over time resulted in all existing varieties being identified as stable over time. For example, the ‘Jonagold’ and ‘Red Chief’ varieties showed 100% stability in terms of temporal variance. Results also showed that the ‘Gala’ varieties were stable for 2 years and produced high yields, whereas the other varieties were specified as stable and low yielding when spatial and temporal variability was considered in combination.
Response of Calceolaria ×herbeohybrida Cultivars to Substrate pH and Corresponding Leaf Tissue Nutrient Concentration Effects
Authors: Owen W. Garrett
Published: December 2019

Calceolaria (Calceolaria ×herbeohybrida) is a flowering potted greenhouse crop that often develops upper-leaf chlorosis, interveinal chlorosis, and marginal and leaf-tip necrosis (death) caused by cultural practices. The objectives of this research were to 1) determine the optimal incorporation rate of dolomitic and/or hydrated lime to increase substrate pH; 2) determine the influence of the liming material on substrate pH, plant growth, and leaf tissue nutrient concentrations; and 3) determine the optimal substrate pH to grow and maintain during calceolaria production. Sphagnum peatmoss was amended with 20% (by volume) perlite and incorporated with pulverized dolomitic carbonate limestone (DL) and/or hydrated limestone (HL) at the following concentrations: 48.1 kg·m−3 or 144.2 kg·m−3 DL, 17.6 kg·m−3 DL + 5.3 kg·m−3 HL, or 17.6 kg·m−3 DL + 10.6 kg·m−3 HL to achieve a target substrate pH of 4.5, 5.5, 6.5, and 7.5, respectively. Calceolaria ‘Orange’, ‘Orange Red Eye’, ‘Yellow’, and ‘Yellow Red Eye’ were grown in each of the prepared substrates. For all cultivars, substrate solution pH increased as limestone incorporation concentration and weeks after transplant (WAT) increased, although to different magnitudes. For example, as limestone incorporation increased from 48.1 kg·m−3 DL to 17.6 kg·m−3 DL + 10.6 kg·m−3 HL, substrate solution pH for ‘Orange’ calceolaria increased from 4.1 to 6.9 to 4.8 to 7.2 at 2 and 6 WAT, respectively. Substrate solution electrical conductivity (EC) and growth indices were not influenced by limestone incorporation, but total plant dry mass increased. Few macronutrients and most micronutrients were influenced by limestone incorporation. Leaf tissue iron concentrations for ‘Orange’, ‘Orange Red Eye’, ‘Yellow’, and ‘Yellow Red Eye’ calceolaria decreased by 146%, 91%, 71%, and 84%, respectively, when plants were grown in substrates incorporated with increasing limestone concentrations from 144.2 kg·m−3 DL to 17.6 kg·m−3 DL + 10.6 kg·m−3 HL (pH 6.5–6.9). Therefore, incorporating 144.2 kg·m−3 DL into peat-based substrates and maintaining a pH <6.5 will avoid high pH–induced Fe deficiency and prevent upper-leaf and interveinal chlorosis.
Preliminary Study on Effect of Early Defoliation on Dry Matter Accumulation and Storage of Reserves on ‘Abbé Fétel’ Pear Trees
Authors: Mesa Karen , Serra Sara , Masia Andrea , Gagliardi Federico , Bucci Daniele , Musacchi Stefano
Published: December 2019

Annual accumulation of starch is affected by carbon reserves stored in the organs during the growing season and is controlled mainly by sink strength gradients within the tree. However, unfavorable environmental conditions (e.g., hail events) or application of management practices (e.g., defoliation to enhance overcolor in bicolor apple) could influence the allocation of storage carbohydrates. This preliminary research was conducted to determine the effects of early defoliation on the dry matter, starch, and soluble carbohydrate dynamics in woody organs, roots, and mixed buds classified by age and two levels of crop-load for one growing season in ‘Abbé Fétel’ pear trees (Oct. 2012 to mid-Jan. 2013 in the northern hemisphere). Regardless of the organs evaluated (woody organs, roots, and mixed buds), an increase of soluble carbohydrate concentration was observed in these organs in the period between after harvest (October) and January (dormancy period). Among all organs, woody short-old spurs showed the highest increase (+93.5%) in soluble sugars. With respect to starch, woody organs showed a clear trend of decreasing in concentration between October and January. In this case, short-old spurs showed the smallest decline in starch concentrations, only 6.5%, whereas in other tree organs starch decreased by 34.5%. After harvest (October), leaves showed substantially higher starch and soluble sugar concentrations in trees with lower crop-loads. These results confirm that in the period between October and January, dynamic interconversions between starch and soluble carbohydrates occur at varying magnitudes among organs in pear trees.
Genotype and Environment Effects on Lablab Seed Yield and Composition
Authors: Bhardwaj Harbans L. , Hamama Anwar A.
Published: December 2019

Lablab [Lablab purpureus (L.) Sweet], which is one of the most ancient crops among cultivated plants, is a relatively unknown crop in the United States. Lablab is a major source of protein in the human diet in many parts of the world. Even though lablab is a potential alternative food and feed crop in other areas of the United States, it is expected to produce seed in southern United States (Florida, Georgia, and Texas). However, there is a lack of information about production potential of lablab in Virginia and adjoining states. We report the results of a replicated field study that was conducted for 2 years with 17 lablab lines in Virginia. The seed yield varied from 559 to 1678, with a mean yield of 1012 kg·ha−1. The seed protein concentration varied from 20.6 to 28.8, with a mean concentration of 25.4%. Lablab seed contained small amounts of oil (0.54% to 1.13%). Total sugars in lablab seed meal varied from 4.2% to 10.1%. Based on seed yields from other parts of the world and concentrations of protein, oil, and total sugars reported in literature regarding other food legumes, we concluded that lablab is a potential alternative summer crop in Virginia and other mid-Atlantic states.