bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of interaction between Phytophthora nicotianae and Meloidogyne spp. on the productivity and quality of tobacco plants (Nicotiana tabacum)
Authors: Vanegas-Villa Diana M. , Navarro-Álzate Rafael A. , Afanador-Kafuri Lucia , Gutiérrez-Monsalve Jaime A. , Morales-Osorio Juan G. , Uribe-Soto Sandra I. , Gaviria-Gutiérrez Bertha M. 
Published: May 2020

Summary
Black shank disease caused by Phytophthora nicotianae is the most devastating pathology in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum). In Colombia, an increase in the severity of P. nicotianae has been reported when parasitic nematodes are active in tobacco plants. The main objective of this study was to determine the pathogenicity, leaf quality and interaction between P. nicotianae (Races 0 and 1) with Meloidogyne spp. on tobacco plants in samples collected in 15 farms of Colombia. To quantify the interaction between both pathogens, variables such as plant survival, index of pathogenicity, and chemical and physical quality of the leaves were measured. Within a confidence level of 95% there is evidence of a positive synergistic effect between Meloidogyne incognita, M. javanica and P. nicotianae (Races 0 and 1) in a variety-dependent manner. For ‘ICA Servita’ the variables of index of pathogenicity, of root-knots and fresh weight of root, reduced the leaf price because of the interaction. For ‘K346’, Race 0 of P. nicotianae apparently reduced the pathogenicity of M. javanica in contrast to P. nicotianae Race 1. In addition, ‘ICA Servita’ and ‘K346’ showed susceptibility to nematodes. At the end of the harvest of ‘ICA Servita’, the interaction caused a considerable decrease in the physical and chemical quality of tobacco leaves, resulting in lower weight and number of leaves, affecting the price of tobacco in the market with reductions of more than 50%. Plant mortality of ‘ICA Servita’ and ‘K346’ was 50 and 60%, respectively, in interactions with both pathogens.
Machine Learning Systems Applied to Health Data and System
Authors: Bonifazi Fedele , Volpe Elisabetta , Digregorio Giuseppe , Giannuzzi Viviana , Ceci Adriana 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
The use of machine learning (ML) in medicine is becoming increasingly fundamental to analyse complex problems by discovering associations among different types of information and to generate knowledge for medical decision support. Many regulatory and ethical issues should be considered. Some relevant EU provisions, such as the General Data Protection Regulation, are applicable. However, the regulatory framework for developing and marketing a new health technology implementing ML may be quite complex. Other issues include the legal liability and the attribution of negligence in case of errors. Some of the above-mentioned concerns could be, at least partially, resolved in case the ML software is classified as a ‘medical device’, a category covered by EU/national provisions. Concluding, the challenge is to understand how sustainable is the regulatory system in relation to the ML innovation and how legal procedures should be revised in order to adapt them to the current regulatory framework.
Sensitivity of 89–190-GHz Microwave Observations to Ice Particle Scattering
Authors: Chen Ruiyao , Bennartz Ralf 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThe sensitivity of microwave brightness temperatures (TBs) to hydrometeors at frequencies between 89 and 190 GHz is investigated by comparing Fengyun-3C (FY-3C) Microwave Humidity Sounder-2 (MWHS-2) measurements with radar reflectivity profiles and retrieved products from the Global Precipitation Measurement mission’s Dual-Frequency Precipitation Radar (DPR). Scattering-induced TB depressions (ΔTBs), calculated by subtracting simulated cloud-free TBs from bias-corrected observed TBs for each channel, are compared with DPR-retrieved hydrometeor water path (HWP) and vertically integrated radar reflectivity ZINT. We also account for the number of hydrometeors actually visible in each MWHS-2 channel by weighting HWP with the channel’s cloud-free gas transmission profile and the observation slant path. We denote these transmission-weighted, slant-path-integrated quantities with a superscript asterisk (e.g., HWP*). The so-derived linear sensitivity of ΔTB with respect to HWP* increases with frequency roughly to the power of 1.78. A retrieved HWP* of 1 kg m−2 at 89 GHz on average corresponds to a decrease in observed TB, relative to a cloud-free background, of 11 K. At 183 GHz, the decrease is about 34–53 K. We perform a similar analysis using the vertically integrated, transmission-weighted slant-path radar reflectivity and find that ΔTB also decreases approximately linearly with . The exponent of 0.58 corresponds to the one we find in the purely DPR-retrieval-based ZINT–HWP relation. The observed sensitivities of ΔTB with respect to and HWP* allow for the validation of hydrometeor scattering models.
Archetypes of Climate-Risk Profiles among Rural Households in Limpopo, South Africa
Authors: Paumgarten Fiona , Locatelli Bruno , Witkowski Ed T. F. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractMore frequent and intense climate hazards, a predicted outcome of climate change, are likely to threaten existing livelihoods in rural communities, undermining households’ adaptive capacity. To support households’ efforts to manage and reduce this risk, there is a need to better understand the heterogeneity of risk within and between communities. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change revised their climate vulnerability framework to incorporate the concept of risk. This study contributes toward the operationalization of this updated framework by applying a recognized methodology to the analysis of the climate-related risk of rural households. Using a mixed-method approach, including a cluster analysis, it determined and assessed archetypical patterns of household risk. The approach was applied to 170 households in two villages, in different agroecological zones, in the Vhembe District Municipality of South Africa’s Limpopo Province. Six archetypical climate-risk profiles were identified based on differences in the core components of risk, namely, the experience of climate hazards, the degree of exposure and vulnerability, and the associated impacts. The method’s application is illustrated by interpreting the six profiles, with possible adaptation pathways suggested for each. The archetypes show how climate-related risk varies according to households’ livelihood strategies and capital endowments. There are clear site-related distinctions between the risk profiles; however, the age of the household and the gender of the household head also differentiate the profiles. These different profiles suggest the need for adaptation responses that account for these site-related differences, while still recognizing the heterogeneity of risk at the village level.
Access to Credit, Farm Productivity and Market Participation in Ghana: A Conditional Mixed Process Approach
Authors: Alhassan Hamdiyah , Abu Benjamin Musah , Nkegbe Paul Kwame 
Published: May 2020

This study tests the hypothesis of whether credit impacts productivity, and whether productivity in turn impacts market participation under a simultaneous modelling framework of credit, productivity and market participation, which has not been pursued in the literature. Using data from the Ghana Living Standards Survey Round 6, we applied a conditional mixed process estimation technique to correct for selectivity bias and unobserved endogeneity. We find that credit positively impacts productivity, which in turn positively impacts market participation. Furthermore, other determinants such as roads, public transport, radio and phone, and compliance with extension advice positively influence productivity while availability of markets and multiple cropping in a season increase the decision to sell maize. These findings imply that the transmission mechanism to transform the subsistence nature of Ghanaian agriculture into a sector characterized by commercial agriculture is to enhance access to credit, which in turn would stimulate productivity, which in turn would enhance market engagement. JEL Classification: Q12, Q13, Q14
Comparative analysis of 23-, 25-, and 27-gauge forceps stiffness and related displacement
Authors: Pastore Marco R , De Giacinto Chiara , Cirigliano Gabriella , Turco Gianluca , Borelli Massimo , Tognetto Daniele 
Published: May 2020

Purpose To test the stiffness and displacement of different vitreous forceps. Physical features and deformation after multiple procedures were also measured. Methods Eleven different 23-, 25-, and 27-gauge vitreous forceps were studied. The measurements were repeated loading the probe at different distances from the tip: at the top of the tip and 10 and 20 mm from the tip, respectively. For each probe, 10 successive identical bending tests were performed. The total length and the internal and external diameters of each forceps were also measured. Results A total of 330 successive identical bending tests were performed. No progression in deformation after the repeated measurements was recorded ( p > 0.05). In each gauge group, displacement differences were detected according to the manufacturing metal properties, the total length, and the thickness of the shaft wall. A minimal adequate model to describes forceps displacements in terms of their significant predictors, such as gauge, model, and load distance from the tip, was created. Conclusion We provided a precise assessment of the stiffness and displacement of different vitreous forceps to enable surgeons to select the optimal instrument according to the benefits and limitations of each forceps.
Successful Removal of Clostridioides Difficile Spores and Pathogenic Bacteria From a Launderable Barrier Using a Commercial Laundry Process
Authors: Hooker Edmond Anderson , Ulrich David , Brooks Dane 
Published: May 2020

Background: To properly clean and disinfect hospital mattresses, bed manufacturers recommend a 3- to 6-step process to remove all pathogenic bacteria. An alternative is to use a removable barrier on the mattress, which is laundered after each use. The current study was to determine efficacy of a commercial laundry process in eliminating Clostridioides difficile (C diff) spores, Mycobacterium terrae (M terrae), methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P aeruginosa), Klebsiella pneumoniae (K pneumoniae), and Escherichia coli (E coli) from a barrier. Methods: A test barrier received 3 unique microbial suspensions in separate locations, each suspension having a known quantity of specific microorganisms: C diff spores, M terrae, and a mixed suspension of MRSA, S aureus, P aeruginosa, K pneumoniae, and E coli. A wash load contained the test barrier and 11 additional ballast barriers. Various soils were spread onto the barriers to simulate heavy soiling that may occur in a wash load: Each barrier received a small amount of mixed soil, 50% received urine, 25% received blood, and 25% received a large amount of additional mixed soil. The load was laundered using 71°C (160°F) water, detergent, and chlorine bleach, with final drying at 71°C (160°F). After laundering, remaining colony-forming units (CFUs) of each microorganism were counted at the applied locations. Each test was replicated 3 times. Industry-accepted methods were used to produce suspensions, apply inoculum, and recover organisms after laundering. Results: Before laundering, test barriers contained at least 7.0 log10 cfu/mL of each microorganism distributed over 103 cm2. After laundering, in all cases, no residual CFUs were detected over the test area, resulting in greater than 6.0 log10 reductions for every organism. ( P < .05). Conclusions: Under extreme test conditions including the presence of soil, the laundry process removed all detectable pathogenic bacteria and spores from the barrier.
The Potential Uses of Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Dermatology: A Review
Authors: Thomsen Bryce J. , Chow Eunice Y. , Sapijaszko Mariusz J. 
Published: May 2020

Background A growing interest exists in the relationship between diet and skin disease, with many recent studies identifying a role for omega-3 fatty acids (O3FAs) in various dermatological conditions. Objective Our objective was to identify the spectrum of uses for O3FA supplementation reported in literature and to evaluate the current level of evidence for its clinical application in skin disease prevention and management. Methods A search was conducted using Ovid MEDLINE for primary literature that examined O3FA intake and skin health. A manual search of reference lists was performed to identify additional articles for inclusion. Results A total of 38 studies met eligibility for review, reporting benefits for O3FA supplementation in the treatment of psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, acne, and skin ulcers. Additionally, a reduced incidence of skin cancer and a decrease in the severity of drug-associated mucocutaneous side effects were reported with O3FA supplementation. Conclusion This review yielded many well-studied benefits of O3FA uses in dermatology. Given its high safety profile, low cost, and ease of supplementation, O3FA is a reasonable supplement that may benefit patients wishing to improve inflammatory skin conditions through diet. Areas of particular clinical interest where supplementation may be valuable include O3FAs for systemic UV photoprotection, as well as adjuvant treatment for acne to reduce both inflammatory lesion count and the severity of mucocutaneous side effects associated with isotretinoin use.
Electronic hand hygiene monitoring: accuracy, impact on the Hawthorne effect and efficiency
Authors: Gould Dinah , Lindström Håkan , Purssell Edward , Wigglesworth Neil 
Published: May 2020

Objectives: To evaluate a type five electronic monitoring system (EMS) for hand hygiene (HH) adherence with respect to accuracy and ability to avoid the Hawthorne effect. Design: HH events were observed manually and electronically. The agreement between the two observation methods was evaluated. Continuous electronic measurement was made throughout the study. Setting: An acute 31-bed medical ward in a National Health Service trust in London, United Kingdom. Participants: Staff working or attached to the ward. Intervention: A newly developed type five EMS that can measure disinfectant dispenser usage as well as continuous movements of health workers throughout the ward with arm-length precision and analyse HH adherence was installed at the ward. Results: A total of 294 HH events were observed in five sessions by an observer previously unknown to the ward. There was concordance between HH adherence assessed by manual observer and the EMS on 84% (79.1%–89.9%) of the occasions. During the five observation sessions, the observed HH adherence increased from 24% to 76% while the EMS measurements immediately before the arrival of the observer remained constant for all sessions. Conclusion: The 84% agreement between the EMS and the manual observation suggest a high level of precision for the evaluated system. The Hawthorne effect (higher rate of HH performance) was clearly seen in the increase by a factor of three in the manually observed adherence from session to session as the health workers became more aware of them being observed. The EMS was able to avoid the Hawthorne effect when the observer was not present.
Deficits in coordinated neuronal activity and network topology are striatal hallmarks in Huntington’s disease
Authors: Fernández-García S. , Orlandi J. G. , García-Díaz Barriga G. A. , Rodríguez M. J. , Masana M. , Soriano J. , Alberch J. 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background
Network alterations underlying neurodegenerative diseases often precede symptoms and functional deficits. Thus, their early identification is central for improved prognosis. In Huntington’s disease (HD), the cortico-striatal networks, involved in motor function processing, are the most compromised neural substrate. However, whether the network alterations are intrinsic of the striatum or the cortex is not fully understood.

Results
In order to identify early HD neural deficits, we characterized neuronal ensemble calcium activity and network topology of HD striatal and cortical cultures. We used large-scale calcium imaging combined with activity-based network inference analysis. We extracted collective activity events and inferred the topology of the neuronal network in cortical and striatal primary cultures from wild-type and R6/1 mouse model of HD. Striatal, but not cortical, HD networks displayed lower activity and a lessened ability to integrate information. GABAA receptor blockade in healthy and HD striatal cultures generated similar coordinated ensemble activity and network topology, highlighting that the excitatory component of striatal system is spared in HD. Conversely, NMDA receptor activation increased individual neuronal activity while coordinated activity became highly variable and undefined. Interestingly, by boosting NMDA activity, we rectified striatal HD network alterations.

Conclusions
Overall, our integrative approach highlights striatal defective network integration capacity as a major contributor of basal ganglia dysfunction in HD and suggests that increased excitatory drive may serve as a potential intervention. In addition, our work provides a valuable tool to evaluate in vitro network recovery after treatment intervention in basal ganglia disorders.
Risk of late cervical cancer screening in the Paris region according to social deprivation and medical densities in daily visited neighborhoods
Authors: Traoré Médicoulé , Vallée Julie , Chauvin Pierre 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background
Social and physical characteristics of the daily visited neighborhoods have gained an extensive interest in analyzing socio-territorial inequalities in health and healthcare. The objective of the present paper is to estimate and discuss the role of individual and contextual factors on participation in preventive health-care activities (smear screening) in the Greater Paris area focusing on the characteristics of daily visited neighborhoods in terms of medical densities and social deprivation.

Methods
The study included 1817 women involved in the SIRS survey carried out in 2010. Participants could report three neighborhoods they regularly visit (residence, work/study, and the next most regularly visited). Two “cumulative exposure scores” have been computed from household income and medical densities (general practitioners and gynecologists) in these neighborhoods. Multilevel logistic regression models were used to measure association between late cervical screening (> 3 years) and characteristics of daily visited neighborhoods (residential, work or study, visit).

Results
One-quarter of the women reported that they had not had a smear test in the previous 3 years. Late smear test was found to be more frequent among younger and older women, among women being single, foreigners and among women having a low-level of education and a limited activity space. After adjustment on individual characteristics, a significant association between the cumulative exposure scores and the risk of a delayed smear test was found: women who were exposed to low social deprivation and to low medical densities in the neighborhoods they daily visit had a significantly higher risk of late cervical cancer screening than their counterparts.

Conclusions
For a better understanding of social and territorial inequalities in healthcare, there is a need for considering multiple daily visited neighborhoods. Cumulative exposure scores may be an innovative approach for analyzing contextual effects of daily visited neighborhoods rather than focusing on the sole residential neighborhood.
Achieving low-density lipoprotein cholesterol targets as assessed by different methods in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia: an analysis from the HELLAS-FH registry
Authors: Rizos Christos V. , Florentin Matilda , Skoumas Ioannis , Tziomalos Konstantinos , Rallidis Loukianos , Kotsis Vasileios , Athyros Vasileios , Skalidis Emmanouil , Kolovou Genovefa , Garoufi Anastasia , Bilianou Eleni , Koutagiar Iosif , Agapakis Dimitrios , Kiouri Estela , Antza Christina , Katsiki Niki , Zacharis Evangelos , Attilakos Achilleas , Sfikas George , Anagnostis Panagiotis , Panagiotakos Demosthenes B. , Liberopoulos Evangelos N. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractBackgroundFamilial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is characterized by elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels and increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. FH patients often have increased lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] levels, which further increase CVD risk. Novel methods for accurately calculating LDL-C have been proposed.MethodsPatients with FH were recruited by a network of Greek sites participating in the HELLAS-FH registry. LDL-C levels were calculated using the Friedewald (LDL-CF) and the Martin/Hopkins (LDL-CM/H) equations as well as after correcting LDL-CM/Hfor Lp(a) levels [LDL-CLp(a)corM/H]. The objective was to compare LDL-C levels and target achievement as estimated by different methods in FH patients.ResultsThis analysis included 1620 patients (1423 adults and 197 children). In adults at diagnosis, LDL-CFand LDL-CM/Hlevels were similar [235 ± 70 mg/dL (6.1 ± 1.8 mmol/L) vs 235 ± 69 mg/dL (6.1 ± 1.8 mmol/L), respectively;P = NS], while LDL-CLp(a)corM/Hlevels were non-significantly lower than LDL-CF[211 ± 61 mg/dL (5.5 ± 1.6 mmol/L);P = 0.432]. In treated adults (n = 966) both LDL-CF[150 ± 71 mg/dL (3.9 ± 1.8 mmol/L)] and LDL-CM/Hlevels [151 ± 70 mg/dL (6.1 ± 1.8 mmol/L);P = 0.746] were similar, whereas LDL-CLp(a)corM/Hlevels were significantly lower than LDL-CF[121 ± 62 mg/dL (3.1 ± 1.6 mmol/L);P < 0.001]. Target achievement as per latest guidelines in treated patients using the LDL-CM/H(2.5%) and especially LDL-CLp(a)corM/Hmethods (10.7%) were significantly different than LDL-CF(2.9%;P < 0.001).In children, all 3 formulas resulted in similar LDL-C levels, both at diagnosis and in treated patients. However, target achievement by LDL-CFwas lower compared with LDL-CM/Hand LDL-CLp(a)corM/Hmethods (22.1 vs 24.8 vs 33.3%;P < 0.001 for both comparisons).ConclusionLDL-CLp(a)corM/Hresults in significantly lower values and higher target achievement rate in both treated adults and children. If validated in clinical trials, LDL-CLp(a)corM/Hmay become the method of choice to more accurately estimate ‘true’ LDL-C levels in FH patients.