bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Homozygous sickle cell disease in Central India & Jamaica
Authors: Jain Dipty , Tokalwar Rajini , Upadhye Dipti , Colah Roshan , Serjeant Graham Roger 
Published: May 2020

Background & objectives:
Homozygous sickle cell (SS) disease in Central India runs a more severe clinical course than reports from other areas of India. The current study was undertaken to compare the disease in Central India (Nagpur) with that in Jamaica, both populations defined by newborn screening.

Methods:
The Nagpur cohort included infants born to sickling-positive mothers from May 2008 to 2012, examined by high-pressure liquid chromatography and DNA analysis. The Jamaican cohort screened 100,000 consecutive non-operative deliveries between June 1973 and December 1981, analyzed by haemoglobin (Hb) electrophoresis and confirmed by family studies and compatible HbA2 levels.

Results:
In Nagpur, 103 SS patients were detected, but only 78 (76%) were followed up. In Jamaica, 311 cases were followed from birth and compliance with follow up remained 100 per cent up to 45 years. In the Nagpur cohort all had the Asian haplotype, and 82 per cent of Jamaicans had at least one Benin chromosome; none had the Asian haplotype. Compared to Jamaica, Nagpur patients had higher foetal Hb, less alpha-thalassaemia, later development of splenomegaly and less dactylitis. There were also high admission rates for febrile illness and marked anaemia. Invasive pneumococcal disease occurred in 10 per cent of Jamaicans but was not seen in Nagpur.

Interpretation & conclusions:
There were many differences between the disease in Nagpur, Central India and the African form observed in Jamaica. The causes of severe anaemia in Nagpur require further study, and reticulocyte counts may be recommended as a routine parameter in the management of SS disease. The role of pneumococcal prophylaxis needs to be determined in Nagpur patients. Future studies in India must avoid high default rates.
Serum procalcitonin as a biomarker of bloodstream infection & focal bacterial infection in febrile patients
Authors: Harikrishna Janjam , Mohan Alladi , Kalyana Chakravarthi D.P. , Chaudhury Abhijit , Kumar B. Siddhartha , Sarma K.V.S. 
Published: May 2020

Background & objectives:
Bacteraemia is a serious form of infection in patients presenting with fever, thus, there is a necessity for a biomarker for rapid diagnosis of bacteraemia in such patients to make better therapeutic decisions. This study was conducted to measure the serum procalcitonin (PCT) levels at the time of initial presentation as a biomarker for identifying bacteraemia and as a predictor of mortality in patients admitted with acute fever.

Methods:
Four hundred and eighty patients, who presented with acute fever requiring admission to a tertiary care teaching hospital in south India, were prospectively studied. All patients were evaluated with a detailed history, physical examination, laboratory and imaging studies. Baseline serum PCT was measured for each patient within six hours of admission.

Results:
Among patients with single infectious cause (n=275), significantly higher median serum PCT levels were evident in bacteraemia compared to leptospirosis (P=0.002), dengue (P<0.001), scrub typhus (P<0.001) and evident focus of infection without bacteraemia (P=0.036). By receiver-operator characteristic curve analysis, at a cut-off value of >3.2 ng/ml, the sensitivity and specificity of serum PCT levels in predicting bacteraemia were 81.1 and 63.3 per cent, respectively. As per the worst-case scenario analysis, 91 (18.9%) patients had a poor outcome and these had significantly higher median serum PCT levels compared to survivors (n=389) [9.46 (2.03-44.4) vs. 1.23 (0.34-7.645); P<0.001]. At a cut-off value of >3.74 ng/ml, serum PCT levels at initial presentation predicted in-hospital mortality with a sensitivity and specificity of 67 and 67.5 per cent, respectively.

Interpretation & conclusions:
Our observations suggest that serum PCT level may be a useful biomarker for identifying bacteraemia as well as predicting mortality in patients with acute fever requiring admission to hospital.
Epigenetic downregulation of desmin in gall bladder cancer reveals its potential role in disease progression
Authors: Bhunia Shushruta , Barbhuiya Mustafa Ahmed , Gupta Sanjiv , Shrivastava Braj Raj , Tiwari Pramod Kumar 
Published: May 2020

Background & objectives:
Gall bladder cancer (GBC) is a fatal neoplasm, with a globally variable incidence rates. To improve the survival rate of patients, a newer set of biomarkers needs to be discovered for its early detection and better prognosis. Our earlier studies on GBC proteomics and whole-genome methylome data revealed expression of desmin to be significantly downregulated with correlated promoter hypermethylation during gall bladder carcinogenesis. Thus, to evaluate desmin as a potential biomarker for GBC, we carried out a detailed follow up study.

Methods:
Methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (MS-PCR) (n=17, GBC and n=23, non-tumour control), real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) [n=14, GBC and n=14, adjacent non-tumour (ANT)], immunohistochemistry (n=27, GBC and n=14, non-tumour) and immunoblotting (n=13, GBC and n=13, ANT) were performed in surgically removed gall bladder tissue samples.

Results:
MS-PCR analysis showed methylation of desmin in 88.23 per cent (15/17) gall bladder tumour samples as compared to non-tumour tissues (39.13%, 9/23). Real-time qRT-PCR analysis revealed a significant downregulation of desmin expression in GBC as compared to ANT tissue. This was further confirmed by western blot, showing reduced expression of desmin protein in GBC, as compared to non-tumour tissue. Immunohistochemical analysis also showed a decreased level of desmin i.e., more than 95 per cent (26/27) in tumour cells compared to non-tumours (35.71%, 5/14).

Interpretation & conclusions:
The increased frequency of desmin promoter methylation which could be responsible for its significant downregulation, indicates its potential as a candidate biomarker for GBC. This requires further validation in a large group of patients to evaluate its clinical utility.
Prevalence of Burkholderia glumae in rice crops in Ecuador
Authors: Paz-Carrasco Lenin Celiano , Intriago-Mendoza Luz Diana , Basso Marcos Fernando , Celi-Herán Roberto E. 
Published: May 2020

Burkholderia glumae is the agent responsible for bacterial panicle blight disease (BPBD) of rice that causes severe damage to this crop worldwide. During 2012 and 2013, symptoms of BPBD were observed in Palestina city, located in Guayas province, Ecuador. In 2014, the presence of B. glumae was confirmed at this location. In view of the socio-economic importance of rice in Ecuador, this research aimed to investigate the prevalence of B. glumae in other rice-producing regions. Eighteen bacterial isolates obtained from blighted kernels were characterized. Physiological, biochemical, serological, and molecular assays and the amplification of the 16S-23S rRNA ITS of the bacterial isolates collected confirmed the identity of the BPBD-associated bacterium. Pathogenicity assays verified the ability of these isolates to produce discoloration, spotting, and empty grains, symptoms associated with BPBD. Antibiotic assays showed that EC-EELS-01 isolate was sensitive to ciprofloxacin and tetracycline, and resistant to polymyxin. The dissemination and prevalence of B. glumae were confirmed in the rice-producing areas of El Oro, Cañar, Guayas, and Los Rios provinces. This research will serve to develop genetic studies to characterize the population in the B. glumae isolates in Ecuador.
Differing precipitation response between solar radiation management and carbon dioxide removal due to fast and slow components
Authors: Laakso Anton , Snyder Peter K. , Liess Stefan , Partanen Antti-Ilari , Millet Dylan B. 
Published: May 2020

Abstract. Solar radiation management (SRM) and carbon dioxide removal (CDR) are geoengineering methods that have been proposed to mitigate global warming in the event of insufficient greenhouse gas emission reductions. Here, we have studied temperature and precipitation responses to CDR and SRM with the Representative Concentration Pathway 4.5 (RCP4.5) scenario using the MPI-ESM and CESM Earth system models (ESMs). The SRM scenarios were designed to meet one of the two different long-term climate targets: to keep either global mean (1) surface temperature or
(2) precipitation at the 2010–2020 level via stratospheric sulfur injections. Stratospheric sulfur fields were simulated beforehand with an
aerosol–climate model, with the same aerosol radiative properties used in
both ESMs. In the CDR scenario, atmospheric CO2 concentrations were reduced to keep the global mean temperature at approximately the 2010–2020 level. Results show that applying SRM to offset 21st century climate warming in the RCP4.5 scenario leads to a 1.42 % (MPI-ESM) or 0.73 % (CESM) reduction in global mean precipitation, whereas CDR increases global precipitation by 0.5 % in both ESMs for 2080–2100 relative to 2010–2020. In all cases, the simulated global mean precipitation change can be represented as the sum of a slow temperature-dependent component and a fast temperature-independent component, which are quantified by a regression method. Based on this component analysis, the fast temperature-independent component of the changed atmospheric CO2 concentration explains the global mean precipitation change in both SRM and CDR scenarios. Based on the SRM simulations, a total of 163–199 Tg S (CESM) or 292–318 Tg S (MPI-ESM) of injected sulfur from 2020 to 2100 was required to offset global mean warming based on the RCP4.5 scenario. To prevent a global mean precipitation increase, only 95–114 Tg S was needed, and this was also enough to prevent global mean climate warming from exceeding 2∘ above preindustrial temperatures. The distinct effects of SRM in the two ESM simulations mainly reflected differing shortwave absorption responses to water vapour. Results also showed relatively large differences in the individual (fast versus slow) precipitation components between ESMs.
A novel regional irrigation water productivity model coupling irrigation- and drainage-driven soil hydrology and salinity dynamics and shallow groundwater movement in arid regions in China
Authors: Xue Jingyuan , Huo Zailin , Wang Shuai , Wang Chaozi , White Ian , Kisekka Isaya , Sheng Zhuping , Huang Guanhua , Xu Xu 
Published: May 2020

Abstract. The temporal and spatial distributions of regional irrigation water
productivity (RIWP) are crucial for making decisions related to agriculture,
especially in arid irrigated areas with complex cropping patterns. Thus, in this study, we
developed a new RIWP model for an irrigated agricultural area with complex
cropping patterns. The model couples the irrigation- and drainage-driven soil water and salinity dynamics and shallow groundwater movement in order to quantify the temporal and spatial distributions of the target hydrological and biophysical variables. We divided the study area into 1 km × 1 km hydrological response units (HRUs). In each HRU, we considered four land use types: sunflower fields, wheat fields, maize fields, and uncultivated lands (bare soil). We coupled the regional soil hydrological processes and groundwater flow by taking a weighted average of the water exchange between unsaturated soil and groundwater under different land use types. The RIWP model was calibrated and validated using 8 years of hydrological variables obtained from regional observation sites in a typical arid irrigation area in North China, the Hetao Irrigation District. The model simulated soil moisture and salinity reasonably well as well as groundwater table depths and salinity. However, overestimations of groundwater discharge were detected in both the calibration and validation due to the assumption of well-operated drainage ditch conditions; regional evapotranspiration (ET) was reasonably estimated, whereas ET in the uncultivated area was slightly underestimated in the RIWP model. A sensitivity analysis indicated that the soil evaporation coefficient and the specific yield were the key parameters for the RIWP simulation. The results showed that the RIWP decreased from maize to sunflower to wheat from 2006 to 2013. It was also found that the maximum RIWP was reached when the groundwater table depth was between 2 and 4 m, regardless of the irrigation water depth applied. This implies the importance of groundwater table control on the RIWP. Overall, our distributed RIWP model can effectively simulate the temporal and spatial distribution of the RIWP and provide critical water allocation suggestions for decision-makers.
Axial transonic compressor performance enhancement with circumferential grooves
Authors: Ahmad Naseem , Zheng Qun , Fawzy Hamza , Yaqoob Tasneem , Abdu Ahmad Salman , Bin Jiang 
Published: May 2020

Abstract. Casing treatment has been broadly used as a prudent passive flow
control technique to improve the stall margin with a small drop in
efficiency. The effect of grooves in certain details is overlooked however,
different grooves shape (angels and location) has a remarkable effect on the
controlling impact. In the current research work, an investigation on the
effect of fillet and chamfer corners of rectangular circumferential grooves
with various tip gap height on the performance of casing treatment is
carried out with the help of CFD simulation. The performance of different
models of grooves with various tip gap height on NASA rotor 37 is
investigated by discretizing 3D RANS equations based on finite volume
technique. Rectangular circumferential grooves casing treatment (CGCT)
profile and smooth wall casing performances are evaluated. Moreover, the
adiabatic efficiencies and the stall margins of smooth wall casing,
rectangular grooves and rectangular grooves with fillet and chamfer corners
are compared to assess the impacts of profiles of grooves on the stability
and performance of axial flow compressor with different tip gaps. The stall
margin of models 1–6 increased by 4.39 %, 2.52 %,
2.16 %, 1.75 %, 1.69 % and 2.06 % respectively. While the adiabatic
efficiency of the models 1–6 decreased by 0.9 %, 1.01 %,
1.08 %, 1.12 %, 1.22 % and 1.16 % respectively.
Refractory black carbon (rBC) variability in a 47-year West Antarctic snow and firn core
Authors: Marquetto Luciano , Kaspari Susan , Cardia Simões Jefferson 
Published: May 2020

Abstract. Black carbon (BC) is an important climate-forcing agent
that affects snow albedo. In this work, we present a record of refractory
black carbon (rBC) variability, measured from a 20 m deep snow and firn
core drilled in West Antarctica (79∘55′34.6′′ S, 94∘21′13.3′′ W, 2122 m above sea level) during the 2014–2015 austral summer. This
is the highest elevation rBC record from West Antarctica. The core was
analyzed using the Single Particle Soot Photometer (SP2) coupled to a CETAC
Marin-5 nebulizer. Results show a well-defined seasonality with geometric
mean concentrations of 0.015 µg L−1 for the wet season
(austral summer–fall) and 0.057 µg L−1 for the dry season
(austral winter–spring). The core was dated to 47 years (1968–2015) using
rBC seasonality as the main parameter, along with sodium (Na), sulfur (S)
and strontium (Sr) variations. The annual rBC concentration geometric mean
was 0.03 µg L−1, the lowest of all rBC cores in Antarctica
referenced in this work, while the annual rBC flux was 6.25 µg m−2 a−1, the lowest flux in West Antarctica rBC
records. No long-term trend was observed. Snow albedo reductions at the site
due to BC were simulated using SNICAR online and found to be insignificant
(−0.48 %) compared to clean snow. Fire spot inventory and BC emission
estimates from the Southern Hemisphere suggest Australia and Southern
Hemisphere South America as the most probable emission sources of BC to the
drilling site, whereas HYSPLIT model particle transport simulations from
1968 to 2015 support Australia and New Zealand as rBC sources, with limited
contributions from South America. Spectral analysis (REDFIT method) of the
BC record showed cycles related to the Antarctic Oscillation (AAO) and to El
Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO), but cycles in common with the Amundsen
Sea Low (ASL) were not detected. Correlation of rBC records in Antarctica
with snow accumulation, elevation and distance to the sea suggests rBC
transport to East Antarctica is different from transport to West Antarctica.
A Glance at Mediation in German Administrative Courts
Authors: Seibert Max-Jürgen , Keller Matthias 
Published: May 2020

A Glance at Mediation in German Administrative Courts
The article gives an overview of mediation in German administrative courts. It deals with the legal basis as well as the organisation of mediation within the courts. The special features of mediation with an administrative law background are explained. By means of examples, the authors make clear that there is more room for alternative dispute regulation in public law than one might imagine.
Maatschappelijk effectieve omgevingsrechtspraak
Authors: Verhoeven M.J.H.M. (Maarten) 
Published: May 2020

Maatschappelijk effectieve omgevingsrechtspraak
In dit artikel wordt eerst dieper ingegaan op het begrip ‘maatschappelijk effectieve rechtspraak’. Aan de hand van concrete gevallen licht de auteur de succesfactoren voor maatschappelijk effectieve omgevingsrechtspraak toe. Tot slot onderzoekt de auteur of de Omgevingswet kansen biedt dan wel een bedreiging vormt voor maatschappelijk effectieve omgevingsrechtspraak.
Afscheid van het Landbouwvliegersarrest
Authors: de Vries H.J. (Henk) 
Published: May 2020

Afscheid van het Landbouwvliegersarrest. Centrale Raad van Beroep en Afdeling bestuursrechtspraak slaan andere weg in: over exceptieve toetsing van bestemmingsplannen en andere algemeen verbindende voorschriften
Op 1 juli 2019 heeft de Centrale Raad van Beroep uitspraken gedaan over de exceptieve toetsing van algemeen verbindende voorschriften. In dit artikel worden twee uitspraken van de Afdeling Bestuursrechtspraak van de Raad van State besproken, waarbij de Afdeling voortbouwt op de lijn van de Centrale Raad van Beroep.
De kracht van verbinding
Authors: Aarten Pauline , van de Ven Pien , Ceulen Rik 
Published: May 2020

The power of communion. A qualitative study into the role of peer support for survivors of severe traffic offenses
For co-victims of severe traffic offenses in the Netherlands, peer support is offered. However, no research into the meaning of peer support for this specific group of victims has been conducted. In this study, nineteen narrative interviews with co-victims of traffic offenses were collected. These interviews show that through dialogue and the sharing of experiences, as well as the care and support for each other, peer support offers the possibility to work on the meaning-making of the traffic offense and its aftermath. The article ends with policy implications and steps for follow-up research.
Victimologie en corruptie: over de slachtoffers van een (al dan niet) slachtofferloos delict
Authors: van Dijk Suzanne , Hutten Moniek 
Published: May 2020

Victimology and corruption: the victims of a victimless crime
There is no clear answer to the question if corruption makes victims. Currently an (international) discussion is taking place about this matter. On the one hand it can be discussed that corruption in general does not know any direct victims and that corruption can even take place without any damage. On the other hand it is known that corruption can cause tremendous public and financial damage, with society as a whole as the victim of this crime, whether or not in primary gradation. In the underlying article these two perspectives will be discussed and applied on two cases. Special attention will also be paid to the impact and relevance of pointing out the victims.
Kinderrechten als Kompas
Authors: Kalverboer M.E. , Van den Heuvel L. 
Published: May 2020

Kinderrechten als Kompas. In vier stappen naar het beste besluit voor het kind
In dit artikel leest u hoe het Kinderrechtenverdrag kan helpen bij het beantwoorden van de vaak lastige vraag welke vereisten er zijn aan het onderzoeken en vaststellen van het belang van het kind en hoe in een besluitvormingsprocedure in vier praktische stappen tot het beste besluit voor het kind kan worden gekomen.
Leidt beleidsvrijheid van gemeenten bij de organisatie van Veilig Thuis tot rechtsongelijkheid?
Authors: Huitema L.A. 
Published: May 2020

Leidt beleidsvrijheid van gemeenten bij de organisatie van Veilig Thuis tot rechtsongelijkheid?
Een bespreking van de rechtsbescherming van cliënten van het advies- en meldpunt huiselijk geweld en kindermishandeling (AMHK) bij het uitoefenen van rechten op grond van privacywetgeving. Het gaat hierbij om rechten als het recht op inzage en afschrift, recht op rectificatie en het recht op vernietiging van een dossier. In de praktijk lijken hiervoor twee rechtsingangen (bestuurs- en civielrechtelijk) te bestaan.
Ontslagrecht volgens de Commissie Regulering van Werk; een reflectie
Authors: Bij de Vaate Vivian 
Published: May 2020

Ontslagrecht volgens de Commissie Regulering van Werk; een reflectie
De Commissie Regulering van Werk is ferm in haar eindconclusie die zij op 23 januari 2020 presenteerde. De waarden van werk worden door de huidige regelgeving onvoldoende gewaarborgd en er zijn fundamentele aanpassingen nodig, aldus de Commissie. De auteur bespreekt in deze bijdrage de voorstellen die de Commissie doet tot aanpassing van het ontslagrecht en voorziet deze van een kritische reflectie.
Het wijzigingsrecht als koninklijke weg naar interne wendbaarheid
Authors: Gundt Nicola 
Published: May 2020

Het wijzigingsrecht als koninklijke weg naar interne wendbaarheid
In deze bijdrage wordt bezien in hoeverre het wijzigingsrecht van de werkgever in de lege lata en de lege ferenda kan bijdragen aan de wens tot meer bedrijfsinterne flexibiliteit. Voorwaarde voor de wijziging als functionerend arbeidsmarktinstrument is de aanwezigheid van heldere en duidelijke criteria voor de toepassing van dit instrument. Deze criteria worden aan de hand van rechtspraak en doctrine onderstaand geformuleerd. De criteria betreffen zowel de vraag wanneer een werkgever een wijziging mag inzetten als hoe een dergelijke wijziging inhoudelijk wordt vormgegeven. Een tweede, even belangrijke vraag betreft de waarborgen voor werknemers indien een werkgever gebruik maakt van een wijzigingsbevoegdheid. In dit kader worden ook procedurele waarborgen in het buitenland onderzocht.
Overlap, verschil en verband tussen ziekte en handicap: Europese ontwikkelingen en de betekenis voor discriminatoir ontslag
Authors: Veldman Albertine 
Published: May 2020

Overlap, verschil en verband tussen ziekte en handicap: Europese ontwikkelingen en de betekenis voor discriminatoir ontslag
Naar aanleiding van de uitspraak van het Hof van Justitie van de Europese Unie van 11 september 2019 in de zaak DW/Nobel Plastiques Ibérica, staan in deze bijdrage twee vragen centraal, namelijk in hoeverre de begrippen ziekte en handicap elkaar overlappen en of een ontslag wegens ziekte geoorloofd is wanneer de ziekte tevens een handicap vormt. Aan bod komt de Europese rechtsontwikkeling op dit gebied en de betekenis hiervan voor de Nederlandse ontslagpraktijk.
Kroniek e-grond: van onwil tot ontslag, wat mag?
Authors: Kind Michelle , Stekelenburg Maarten 
Published: May 2020

Kroniek e-grond: van onwil tot ontslag, wat mag?
In deze kroniek wordt een analyse gegeven van de belangrijkste vanaf 1 juli 2015 tot 1 februari 2020 gepubliceerde rechtspraak over de e-grond, afgezet tegen de invulling gegeven door het UWV en de wetgever aan de e-grond.