bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of improved beehives technology adoption on honey production efficiency: empirical evidence from Southern Ethiopia
Authors: Tarekegn Kassa , Ayele Assefa 
Published: July 2020

AbstractBackgroundKaffa, Sheka and Bench Maji zones of Southern Ethiopia are high honey production areas with dense forest coverage. However, due to the traditional production system, the productivity per hive is low. To exploit this production potential in these zones by increasing productivity per hive, different governmental and non-governmental organizations disseminate improved beehives technologies. Yet, the impact of these disseminated and adopted technologies on honey production has not been determined. Thus, this study aimed to estimate the impact of improved beehive adoption on honey production efficiency.MethodologyA multistage sampling technique was used to select 360 sampled households. This study applied a stochastic frontier model to assess the technical efficiency (TE) of honey producers and propensity score matching (PSM) with probit model to analyze adoption decision of improved beehive and its impact on honey production efficiency.ResultsThe finding of this study shows that the number hives, type of beehive used, and proximity to the available forest had a significant and positive effect on honey production. The mean TE was 77% that shows the deviation of actual from optimal production amounts. Beekeeping experience, education, level, cooperative membership, participation in improved beehive technology demonstration and extension contact had significant effects on TE. The result of PSM indicates that the adoption of improved beehive technology has a positive and significant effect on production efficiency, as measured by TE. Farmers who adopted improved beehive technology were less technically inefficient than those who did not adopt.ConclusionOverall, the estimated 19.5% difference in TE among the two groups shows there is considerable room for the improvement of beekeeping by efficient utilization of inputs and also provides strong evidence for the diffusion of improved beehives in Kaffa Sheka and Bench Maji zones.
Japanese version of the 42-item psychological well-being scale (PWBS-42): a validation study
Authors: Sasaki Natsu , Watanabe Kazuhiro , Imamura Kotaro , Nishi Daisuke , Karasawa Mayumi , Kan Chiemi , Ryff Carol Diane , Kawakami Norito 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background
The aim of this study was to examine the internal consistency, structural validity, and convergent/known-group validity of the Japanese version of the 42-item Psychological Well-Being Scale (PWBS-42).

Methods
The PWBS-42 includes six 7-item subscales designed to measure the following dimensions of eudaimonic psychological well-being: 1) autonomy, 2) environmental mastery, 3) personal growth, 4) positive relations with others, 5) purpose in life, and 6) self-acceptance. A questionnaire was administered to 2102 community residents in Tokyo aged 30 or over as a part of the Midlife in Japan (MIDJA) survey, in 2008. The internal consistency reliability was tested using Cronbach’s α. Structural validity was examined using exploratory factor analysis (EFA). Convergent validity was evaluated by calculating correlations of the Japanese PWBS-42 subscales with life satisfaction, negative affect, negative adjectives, positive affect, positive adjectives, self-esteem, and perceived stress scales.

Results
Data from 1027 respondents (505 males and 522 females) were analyzed (valid response rate = 56.2%). Cronbach’s α values ranged from 0.70 to 0.78 for five of the subscales, while that for purpose in life was lower (0.57). EFA yielded a five-factor structure: The first two factors consisted of negative and positive items mostly from the environmental mastery, purpose in life, and self-acceptance subscales. The third, fourth, and fifth factors consisted mostly of items from the positive relations with others, autonomy, and personal growth subscales, respectively. As hypothesized, the scores for life satisfaction, negative and positive affect/adjectives, self-esteem and perceived stress were significantly correlated with all subscales of the Japanese PWBS-42.

Conclusion
The subscales of the Japanese version of the PWBS-42 showed accep. levels of reliability and support for convergent validity in the Japanese population. The factor structure was slightly different from the theoretical 6-factor model: items of three subscales (environmental mastery, purpose in life, and self-acceptance) loaded together on two factors. This finding may be interpreted in light of the interdependent self construal found in Japan in which these three components could be closely linked.
Meningioma cells express primary cilia but do not transduce ciliary Hedgehog signals
Authors: Findakly Sarah , Choudhury Abrar , Daggubati Vikas , Pekmezci Melike , Lang Ursula E. , Raleigh David R. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractMeningiomas are the most common primary intracranial tumors, but treatment options for meningioma patients are limited due to incomplete understanding of tumor biology. A small percentage of meningiomas harbor somatic variants in the Hedgehog pathway, a conserved gene expression program that is essential for development and adult stem cell homeostasis. Hedgehog signals are transduced through primary cilia, and misactivation of the Hedgehog pathway is known to underlie cancer. Nevertheless, the mechanisms of Hedgehog signaling in meningioma are unknown. Here, we investigate mechanisms of ciliary Hedgehog signaling in meningioma using tissue microarrays containing 154 human meningioma samples, NanoString transcriptional profiling, primary meningioma cells, pharmacology, and CRISPR interference. Our results reveal that meningiomas of all grades can express primary cilia, but that cilia are less prevalent among anaplastic tumors. Moreover, we find that expression of Smoothened alleles that are oncogenic in other contexts fail to activate the Hedgehog transcriptional program or promote proliferation in primary meningioma cells. These data reveal that meningiomas can express the subcellular structure necessary for canonical Hedgehog signaling, but suggest that they do not transduce ciliary Hedgehog signals.
A dual-genotype oligoastrocytoma with histologic, molecular, radiological and time-course features
Authors: Nasrallah Mac Lean P. , Desai Arati , O’Rourke Donald M. , Surrey Lea F. , Stein Joel M. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractA case of a true dual-genotype IDH-mutant oligoastrocytoma with two different cell types within a single mass in a young woman is presented. Imaging findings of the left frontal infiltrating glioma predicted the two neoplastic components that were identified upon resection. Tissue examination demonstrated areas of tumor with contrasting histologic and molecular features, including specific IDH1, ATRX, TP53, TERT and CIC mutational profiles, consistent with oligodendroglioma and astrocytoma, respectively. The clinical and radiological course over 17 months from first diagnosis included three surgical resections with slow progression of the astrocytic component, and ultimately chemotherapy and radiation treatments were commenced. Reports of the clinical courses for these rare cases of dual-genotype oligoastrocytomas will inform therapy choices, to optimize benefit while minimizing side effects. The steadily increasing number of cases suggests that the neoplasm might be reconsidered as an official entity by the WHO.
Growth of centimeter-scale perovskite single-crystalline thin film via surface engineering
Authors: Deng Yu-Hao , Yang Zhen-Qian , Ma Ren-Min 
Published: July 2020

AbstractModern electronic and photonic devices rely on single-crystalline thin film semiconductors for high performance and reproducibility. The emerging halide perovskites have extraordinary electronic and photonic properties and can be synthesized via low cost solution-based methods. They have been used in a variety of devices with performance approaching or over the devices based on conventional materials. However, their solution based growth method is intrinsically challenge to grow large scale single-crystalline thin film due to the random nucleation and isotropous growth of the crystal. Here, we report the growth of centimeter-scale perovskite single-crystalline thin films by controlling the nucleation density and growth rate of the crystal under a spatially confined growth condition. The hydrophobic treatment on substrates inhibits nucleation and accelerates the growth of single-crystalline thin film, providing enough space for initial nucleus growing up quickly without touching each other. Single-crystalline perovskite thin-film with an aspect ratio of 1000 (1 cm in side length, 10 μm in thickness) has been successfully grown. The low trap density and the high mobility of the as-grown thin film show a high crystallinity. The photodetector based on the perovskite thin film has achieved a gain ~ 104, benefitting from the short transit time of the carries due to the high mobility and thin thickness of the active layer. Our work opens up a new route to grow large scale perovskite single-crystalline thin films, providing a platform to develop high- performance devices.
Inhibitory effects of Mezoneuron benthamianum root extracts on oral cariogenic microorganisms and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging radical
Authors: Osamudiamen Paul M. , Oluremi Bolaji B. , Osamudiamen Fisayo T. , Aiyelaagbe Olapeju O. 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background
Chewing sticks are commonly used as oral hygiene tool in Africa and reactive oxygen species have been linked to the cause of degenerative diseases because of their ability to induce oxidative damage to biological molecules. Plants have been a long source of dietary antioxidants as most plants have been found to exhibit excellent antioxidant potentials. Mezoneuron benthamianum is a plant that is used locally as chewing sticks in southwest, Nigeria, but its use as a therapeutic agent in dental caries, a disease caused by bacteria especially Streptococcus mutans is poorly investigated. This study was therefore designed to investigate the anticaries activities of the crude extracts of M. benthamianum root against four clinical oral pathogens (Staphylococccus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Streptococcus mutans) and the antioxidant activities using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH).

Results
The results of this study showed that M. benthamianum had a consistent activity against all the bacterial organisms tested, with the ethyl acetate extract having the highest anticaries activity with minimum inhibitory concentration values of 78 and 156 μg/mL, while the hexane extract had the least anticaries activity with MIC values of 2500 μg/ml against S. mutans and E. coli respectively. The results also revealed that the ethyl acetate and aqueous methanol extract exhibited a higher antioxidant activity (IC50 = 23.70 and 21.30 μg/mL) than standard ascorbic acid (IC50 = 38.20 μg/mL).

Conclusion
This study demonstrated the anticaries and antioxidant potentials of M.benthamianum and therefore justifies the folkloric use of M. benthamianum in oral hygiene.
Isolation and characterization of Pasteuria parasitizing root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita, from black pepper fields in India
Authors: Mhatre Priyank Hanuman , Eapen Santhosh J , Chawla Gautam , Pervez Rashid , N Agisha V , Tadigiri Sirisha , M Nagesh 
Published: July 2020

AbstractRoot-knot nematode (RKN), Meloidogyne incognita, is one of the most lingering and difficult to manage pest of black pepper in India. The options for controlling RKN are becoming increasingly limited due to the potential risk involved in environmental and health hazards. Biological control using Pasteuria is one of the most effective and efficient ways of nematode management. Pasteuria spp. are obligate parasites of plant-parasitic nematodes and completely inhibit their fecundity. There is also a tremendous opportunity for the discovery of native strains adapted to local environmental conditions and nematode species. Therefore, in the present study, efforts were made to isolate the native strain of Pasteuria from the fields of black pepper. Random sampling was done from black pepper-growing areas of Kerala and Karnataka states of India. Out of 39 samples, Pasteuria was found in 8 samples from the fields of ICAR-IISR, Kozhikode, Kerala, India. The host range study revealed that the identified Pasteuria strain was very specific to M. incognita and completed its life cycle in RKN. Infected females laid no eggs or egg masses; thus, Pasteuria prohibited the total fecundity of the nematodes. The Pasteuria strain was named as IISR-MiP for it was found in the fields of ICAR-IISR and its specificity towards M. incognita. The average size of the identified Pasteuria strain IISR-MiP endospore was 2.75 μm. Light as well as scanning electron micrographs revealed 3 types of endospore attachments viz., conventional, inverted, and sideways. Further, it was found that endospores attached to the nematode cuticle in the maximum number in a conventional type of attachment (87.62%), followed by inverted (6.55%) and sideways attachments (5.82%). The inverted and sideways attachments were unique to the biology of Meloidogyne-Pasteuria interactions, indicating the presence of collagen-like fibres on the entire surface of Pasteuria endospores. Pasteuria strain IISR-MiP had the potential biocontrol capabilities and provided an opportunity for its evaluation against M. incognita on black pepper under field conditions.
ψ*-closed sets in fuzzy topological spaces
Authors: Allah M. A. Abd , Nawar A. S. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractIn this paper, we introduce a new class of fuzzy sets, namely, fuzzy ψ*-closed sets for fuzzy topological spaces, and some of their properties have been proved. Further, we introduce fuzzy ψ*-continuous, fuzzy ψ*-irresolute functions, and fuzzy ψ*-closed (open) functions, as applications of these fuzzy sets, fuzzy T1/5-spaces, fuzzy $$ {T}_{1/5}^{\psi \ast } $$

T

1
/
5

ψ
∗

-spaces, and fuzzy ψ*T1/5-spaces.
Raman tensor of layered black phosphorus
Authors: Zhu Yanming , Zheng Wei , Wang Weiliang , Zhu Siqi , Li Linxuan , Cheng Lu , Jin Mingge , Ding Ying , Huang Feng 
Published: July 2020

AbstractBlack phosphorus has a strong Raman anisotropy on the basal and cross planes due to its orthorhombic crystal structure. However, almost all the studies on black phosphorus’ anisotropy focus on basal plane with the cross plane neglected. Here, we performed a systematic angle-resolved polarized Raman scattering on both the basal and cross planes of black phosphorus and obtained its integral Raman tensors. It is discovered that when the polarization direction of excitation light is along different crystal axes, the Raman intensity ratio (Ixx : Iyy: Izz) of $$ {A}_g^1 $$

A
g
1

mode is 256:1:5. Besides, via calculation, it is confirmed that the strong Raman anisotropy mainly comes from different differential polarizability alone different directions. This phenomenon is also observed when it comes to the $$ {A}_g^2 $$

A
g
2

mode.
Who’s your coach? The relationship between coach characteristics and birth attendants’ adherence to the WHO Safe Childbirth Checklist
Authors: George Emily R. , Hawrusik Rebecca , Marx Delaney Megan , Kara Nabihah , Kalita Tapan , Semrau Katherine E.A. 
Published: July 2020

Background: Research demonstrates that coaching is an effective method for promoting behavior change, yet little is known about which attributes of a coach make them more or less effective. This post hoc, sub-analysis of the BetterBirth trial used observational data to explore whether specific coaches’ and team leaders' characteristics were associated with improved adherence to essential birth practices listed on the World Health Organization Safe Childbirth Checklist. Methods: A descriptive analysis was conducted on the coach characteristics from the 50 BetterBirth coaches and team leaders. Data on adherence to essential birth practices by birth attendants who received coaching were collected by independent observers. Bivariate linear regression models were constructed, accounting for clustering by site, to examine the association between coach characteristics and attendants’ adherence to practices. Results: All of the coaches were female and the majority were nurses. Team leaders were comprised of both males and females; half had clinical backgrounds. There was no association between coaches’ or team leaders’ characteristics, namely gender, type of degree, or years of clinical training, and attendants’ adherence to essential birth practices. However, a significant inverse relationship was detected between the coach or team leader’s age and years of experience and the birth attendants’ adherence to the checklist. Conclusion: Younger, less experienced coaches were more successful in promoting essential birth practices adherence in this population. More data is needed to fully understand the relationship between coaches and birth attendants.
Single-transcript multiplex in situ hybridisation reveals unique patterns of dystrophin isoform expression in the developing mammalian embryo
Authors: Hildyard John C. W. , Crawford Abbe H. , Rawson Faye , Riddell Dominique O. , Harron Rachel C. M. , Piercy Richard J. 
Published: July 2020

Background: The dystrophin gene has multiple isoforms: full-length dystrophin (dp427) is principally known for its expression in skeletal and cardiac muscle, but is also expressed in the brain, and several internal promoters give rise to shorter, N-terminally truncated isoforms with wider tissue expression patterns (dp260 in the retina, dp140 in the brain and dp71 in many tissues). These isoforms are believed to play unique cellular roles both during embryogenesis and in adulthood, but their shared sequence identity at both mRNA and protein levels makes study of distinct isoforms challenging by conventional methods. Methods: RNAscope is a novel in-situ hybridisation technique that offers single-transcript resolution and the ability to multiplex, with different target sequences assigned to distinct fluorophores. Using probes designed to different regions of the dystrophin transcript (targeting 5', central and 3' sequences of the long dp427 mRNA), we can simultaneously detect and distinguish multiple dystrophin mRNA isoforms at sub-cellular histological levels. We have used these probes in healthy and dystrophic canine embryos to gain unique insights into isoform expression and distribution in the developing mammal. Results: Dp427 is found in developing muscle as expected, apparently enriched at nascent myotendinous junctions. Endothelial and epithelial surfaces express dp71 only. Within the brain and spinal cord, all three isoforms are expressed in spatially distinct regions: dp71 predominates within proliferating germinal layer cells, dp140 within maturing, migrating cells and dp427 appears within more established cell populations. Dystrophin is also found within developing bones and teeth, something previously unreported, and our data suggests orchestrated involvement of multiple isoforms in formation of these tissues. Conclusions: Overall, shorter isoforms appear associated with proliferation and migration, and longer isoforms with terminal lineage commitment: we discuss the distinct structural contributions and transcriptional demands suggested by these findings.
Fitness cost of insecticide resistance on the life-traits of a Anopheles coluzzii population from the city of Yaoundé, Cameroon
Authors: Nkahe Diane Leslie , Kopya Edmond , Djiappi-Tchamen Borel , Toussile Wilson , Sonhafouo-Chiana Nadege , Kekeunou Sevilor , Mimpfoundi Remy , Awono-Ambene Parfait , Wondji Charles Sinclair , Antonio-Nkondjio Christophe 
Published: July 2020

Background: Pyrethroid resistance is rapidly expanding in An. gambiae s.l. populations across Sub-Saharan Africa. Yet there is still not enough information on the fitness cost of insecticide resistance . In the present study, the fitness cost of insecticide resistance on Anopheles coluzzii population from the city of Yaoundé was investigated. Methods: A resistant An. coluzzii colony was established from field collected mosquitoes resistant to both DDT and pyrethroid and selected for 12 generations with deltamethrin 0.05%. The Ngousso laboratory susceptible strain was used as control. A total of 100 females of each strain were blood fed and allowed for individual eggs laying, and then different life traits parameters such as fecundity, fertility, larval development time, emergence rate and longevity were measured. The TaqMan assay was used to screen for the presence of the L1014F and L1014S kdr mutations. Results: Field collected mosquitoes from the F0 generation had a mortality rate of 2.05% for DDT, 34.16% for permethrin and 50.23% for deltamethrin. The mortality rate of the F12 generation was 30.48% for deltamethrin, 1.25% for permethrin and 0% for DDT. The number of eggs laid per female was lower in the resistant colony compared to the susceptible (p <0.0001). Insecticide resistant larvae were found with a significantly long larval development time (10.61±0.33 days) compare to susceptible (7.57±0.35 days). The number of emerging females was significantly high in the susceptible group compared to the resistant . The adults lifespan was also significantly high for susceptible (21.73±1.19 days) compared to resistant (14.63±0.68 days). Only the L1014F-kdr allele was detected in resistant population.. Conclusion: The study suggests that pyrethroid resistance is likely associated with a high fitness cost on An.coluzzii populations. The addition of new tools targeting specifically larval stages could improve malaria vectors control and insecticide resistance management.
Long-wavelength GaInNAs/GaAs Vertical-cavity Surface-emitting Laser for Communication Applications
Authors: Chaqmaqchee Faten A. 
Published: July 2020

This paper presents a comprehensive study of optical and electrical properties of vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers(VCSELS) for long wavelength communication applications. The device consists of GaInNAs/GaAs multi-quantum wells QWs that enclosed between standard top and bottom epitaxially grown on AlGaAs/GaAs distributed Bragg reflectors. The impact of driven currents and injecting optical powers through QWs layers on the output light emission is addressed. Room temperature spectra measurements are performed at various applied currents using 980 nm pump laser and maximum intensity amplitude at around 21 dB was achieved.
Stand und Entwicklung nichtfinanzieller Kennzahlen im Rahmen der Unternehmenssteuerung und ihre Rolle im Steuerungssystem der Vorstandsvergütung
Authors: Knauer Thorsten , Hermanns Martin , Schwering Anja , Winkelmann Sandra 
Published: July 2020

Durch den Deutschen Rechnungslegungs Standard 20 und die sog. Corporate Social Responsibility-Richtlinie sind nichtfinanzielle Kennzahlen im Rahmen der Unternehmenssteuerung zunehmend in den Fokus gerückt. Trotz dieser regulatorischen Signale etabliert sich deren Nutzung in der Praxis nur langsam. Im vorliegenden Beitrag wird daher ein Überblick über die Bedeutung, die Hintergründe und den Stand der Implementierung nichtfinanzieller Kennzahlen in der Unternehmenssteuerung im Allgemeinen und insbesondere im Hinblick auf das Steuerungssystem der Vorstandsvergütung gegeben.