bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Combination of Prednisolone and Azathioprine for Steroid-Responsive Meningitis-Arteritis Treatment in Dogs
Authors: Giraud Lucile , Girod Maud , Cauzinille Laurent 
Published: July 2020

ABSTRACTTreatment with high corticosteroid dosages for steroid-responsive meningitis-arteritis (SRMA) is correlated with severe adverse effects and worse quality of life. In order to improve immunosuppression and decrease dosage and duration of glucocorticoid treatment, a second immunosuppressive drug is commonly used in most of the immune-mediated diseases. The objective of this retrospective study was to evaluate the efficacy, tolerability, and occurrence of relapse for the combination of prednisolone and azathioprine. All dogs received azathioprine 2 mg/kg q 24 hr for 1 mo and then 2 mg/kg every other day for 2 mo; prednisolone was started at an immunosuppressive dosage and tapered off gradually during a mean of 3 mo. Twenty-six dogs met inclusion criteria. Twenty-one dogs (81%) were in clinical remission with no relapse observed within the 2 yr follow-up period. Treatment was well tolerated in all dogs and side effects were most of the time mild and self-limiting. The relapse rate (19%) was lower than most published rates. A prednisolone and azathioprine combination appeared to be effective for primary treatment of dogs with SRMA and allows a quicker tapering in prednisolone dosage, a decrease in long-term side effects of steroids, a shorter duration of treatment, and a low relapse rate.
Mechanical Evaluation of 2.7- Versus 3.5-mm Plating Constructs for Midshaft Clavicle Fractures
Authors: Alzahrani Mohammad M. , Cota Adam , Alkhelaifi Khalid , Harvey Edward J. 
Published: July 2020

Objectives:
This study compares the mechanical performance of 2.7- and 3.5-mm plating constructs for the treatment of midshaft clavicle fractures.

Methods:
Twenty-four synthetic clavicles were randomly divided into four treatment groups—Synthes 2.7-mm cold-worked calcaneal reconstruction plate with 6 (CRP6) or 8 bicortical screws (CRP8); Synthes 3.5-mm LCP reconstruction plate (RP; and Synthes 3.5-mm LCP precontoured superior-anterior clavicle plate (PCRP). All clavicles were plated, a wedge-shaped inferior cortical defect was created, and testing was performed using a cantilever bending model to determine bending stiffness and yield point for each construct.

Results:
Bending stiffness for the 3.5-mm PCRP construct was markedly higher when compared with the other three constructs, whereas the 3.5-mm RP construct was markedly stiffer than both of the 2.7-mm CR constructs. The yield point for the 3.5-mm PCRP construct was greater than the other three constructs; however, the yield point for the 2.7-mm CRP with six screws and with eight screws was higher than the 3.5-mm RP construct. The amount of displacement required to reach the yield point was highest for the 2.7-mm CRP with six screws. and this was markedly higher than the values for the other three constructs.

Discussion:
The 3.5-mm plates demonstrated increased bending stiffness compared with the 2.7-mm plates. Despite the lower resistance to bending forces, the cold-worked 2.7-mm plate exhibited a markedly higher yield point and required markedly more superior to inferior displacement to initiate plastic deformation when compared with the 3.5-mm LCP RP.

Level of evidence:
Level IV
Risk Adjustment for Episode-of-Care Costs After Total Joint Arthroplasty: What is the Additional Cost of Individual Comorbidities and Demographics?
Authors: Fillingham Yale A. , Zachwieja Erik , Rondon Alexander J. , Vannello Chris , Austin Matthew S. , Courtney P. Maxwell 
Published: July 2020

Introduction:
Concerns exist regarding the lack of risk adjustment in alternative payment models for patients who may use more resources in an episode of care. The purpose of this study was to quantify the additional costs associated with individual medical comorbidities and demographic variables.

Methods:
We reviewed a consecutive series of primary total hip and knee arthroplasty patients at our institution from 2015 to 2016 using claims data from Medicare and a single private insurer. We collected demographic data and medical comorbidities for all patients. To control for confounding variables, we performed a stepwise multivariate regression to determine the independent effect of medical comorbidities and demographics on 90-day episode-of-care costs.

Results:
Six thousand five hundred thirty-seven consecutive patients were identified (4,835 Medicare and 1,702 private payer patients). The mean 90-day episode-of-care cost for Medicare and private payers was $19,555 and $30,020, respectively. Among Medicare patients, comorbidities that significantly increased episode-of-care costs included heart failure ($3,937, P < 0.001), stroke ($2,604, P = 0.002), renal disease ($2,479, P = 0.004), and diabetes ($1,368, P = 0.002). Demographics that significantly increased costs included age ($221 per year, P < 0.001), body mass index (BMI; $106 per point, P < 0.001), and unmarried marital status ($1896, P < 0.001). Among private payer patients, cardiac disease ($4,765, P = 0.001), BMI ($149 per point, P = 0.004) and age ($119 per year, P = 0.002) were associated with increased costs.

Discussion:
Providers participating in alternative payment models should be aware of factors (cardiac history, age, and elevated BMI) associated with increased costs. Further study is needed to determine whether risk adjustment in alternative payment models can prevent problems with access to care for these high-risk patients.
Current Applicable DNA Markers for Marker Assisted Breeding in Rice (Oryza sativa L.)
Authors: Hasan Nor’Aishah , Rafii Yusoff Mohd , Rahim Harun Abdul , Ahmad Faiz 
Published: July 2020

Rice, (Oryza sativa L.) account as the second cereal most cultivated in the world. Unfortunately, global rice production is rendered by significant number abiotic and biotic stresses. Breeding for resistant variety through conventional breeding is an economical method; generally, it takes at least 10 years to release a new rice variety. Advance technology in molecular marker had revolutionized and irreversibly changes the disciplines of plant genetic and breeding. Integration of DNA-based markers in selection process enhances the effectiveness and accuracy of conventional plant breeding. It offers a novel tool for discovering and tagging alleles and genes specifically in plant. Ubiquitous of DNA marker-trait associations for diverse crops species are available with the findings of many quantitative trait loci (QTLs) mapping studies. The linkage drags, and time-consuming in conventional breeding can minimize with the application of DNA markers in plant breeding. The utilization of DNA marker in QTL mapping, MAS and gene pyramiding has been investigated. In this chapter, we discussed the recent utilizing markers in rice breeding program against abiotic and biotic stresses. In a few decades, molecular marker assisted breeding (MAB) provide a boundless task for breeders in attaining an important impact on crop development.
Morphological and molecular characterization of three new Parastenocarididae (Copepoda: Harpacticoida) from caves in Southern Italy
Authors: Bruno Maria Cristina , Cottarelli Vezio , Marrone Federico , Grasso Rosario , Stefani Erika , Vecchioni Luca , Spena Maria Teresa 
Published: July 2020

We describe three new parastenocaridid: Cottarellicaris sanctiangeli Bruno & Cottarelli sp. nov., Stammericaris vincentimariae Bruno & Cottarelli sp. nov. and Proserpinicars specincola Bruno & Cottarelli sp. nov., collected in the pools of five different caves located in Calabria (Southern Italy). We conducted a phylogenetic analysis based on the mitochondrial COI and ribosomal 18S sequences of C. sanctiangeli sp. nov. and S. vincentimariae sp. nov., and of four more species of Stammericaris and one Proserpinicaris available from literature. Based on the molecular study, the specimens of C. sanctiangeli sp. nov. are clearly separated from the species belonging to the closely-related genus Stammericaris. The morphological and molecular data indicate that the genera belonging to the two subfamilies Parastenocaridinae and Fontinalicaridinae form two monophyletic and distinct clades, thus supporting their status. We also provide insights on the genus Proserpinicaris based on morphological data only; in particular, the most important synapomorphic character of the genus, i.e., the taxonomic value of the hyaline structure inserted on the anterior surface of the male leg 4 basis, is discussed based on the development of the P4 endopod, as observed in the last copepodid stage of some species of this genus. Finally, we widen the biogeographic and ecological knowledge of the three genera.
Sustainable Consumption Behaviour in The Context of Millennials in Indonesia – Can Environmental Concern, Self-efficacy, Guilt and Subjective Knowledge Make a Difference?
Authors: Rizkalla Nosica , Erhan Trihadi Pudiawan 
Published: July 2020

Research Question: This paper assesses the effect of environmental concern, self-efficacy, subjective knowledge and guilt on sustainable consumption behaviour. Motivation: This study focuses on predicting and explaining sustainable consumption behaviour by proposing a model comprised of environmental concern, self-efficacy, consumer guilt and subjective knowledge as predictors. Environmental concern is an important element in VBN theory proposed by Stern (1999). Meanwhile, self-efficacy is part of SCT theory by Bandura (1997); as for subjective knowledge, it is deemed to be a better predictor of environmental behaviour (Kollmuss & Agyeman, 2002). Guilt is included in this model as it is an important emotion that can affect sustainable consumption behaviour, especially in the context of collectivist culture country like Indonesia (Lee et al., 2012). All these factors have been proven to be able to influence sustainable consumer behaviour. However, there are still a few studies that explore these factors altogether simultaneously, especially in the context of a developing country. Thus, this study tries to examine sustainable consumption behaviour by incorporating these factors altogether. Idea: The main idea of this study is to empirically assess the influence of proposed independent variables, namely environmental concern, self-efficacy, subjective knowledge and guilt on sustainable consumption behaviour. This study also tries to assess whether there is a significant difference of sustainable consumption behaviour among demographic groups such as gender, education and age. Data: The model is tested by conducting a survey using a self-administered questionnaire on 200 respondents. The respondents are younger millennials aged between 17-27. The questionnaire consists of questions about demographic profile and about the research instruments. Tools: This study uses descriptive research design and purposive sampling to collect the data. Research hypotheses were tested by multiple regression analysis. Findings: The result of this study shows that environmental concern, self-efficacy and environmental knowledge have an influence on sustainable consumption behaviour, where environmental knowledge contributes the most in predicting the aforementioned behaviour. Meanwhile, this study also finds that consumer guilt has no impact upon this behaviour. Contributions: This study gives additional insight and understanding of sustainable consumption behaviour in the context of millennials in a developing country. The findings of this study can be used by the government to formulate environmental policies as well as for businesses to formulate strategies to promote their environmentally-friendly products.
Book Review “The Righteous Mind-Why Good People are Divided by Politics and Religion” by Jonathan Haidt
Authors: Chung Ung-il 
Published: July 2020

Book Review of “The Righteous Mind-Why Good People are Divided by Politics and Religion”
Written by Jonathan Haidt (2012). New York: Pantheon Books. eISBN: 978-0-307-90703-5.
PERCEPTIONS AND ATTITUDES OF THE STUDENTS OF YUAN ZE UNIVERSITY ABOUT THE USE OF BIOGAS PRODUCED BY HUMAN WASTE
Authors: François Mathurin 
Published: July 2020

<p> </p><p>ABSTRACT</p><p>Energy demand is increasing following the expansion of the world population. Approximately 1.1 billion people worldwide do not have access to electricity, mostly living in developing countries. This article aimed to evaluate the perception of the students of Yuan Ze University about the use of biogas produced from human waste. A sample of 110 students from different faculties of the university was randomly chosen to be interviewed on this subject through a questionnaire with both closed and opened questions. The analysis of the data was processed with the R software in order to calculate the p-value of the questions and socio-demographic data, with the significant level set at 0.05. This work found that 54.5% of the students have already heard that human waste can be used to produce biogas, while 89.1% of the respondents thought this alternative is possible. When asked whether they would use this gas, the percentage dropped to 55.5%. Most of the students stated that they would use only biogas produced with their own excreta (52.0%). The main barriers presented by the respondents for not using this gas were health risk (40.0%), bad smell (26.4%), and fear (10.9%). This work found that the use of human waste in the production of biogas was regarded as a viable alternative by the students of Yuan Ze University, with health risk being the major concern.</p><p> </p><p>PERCEPÇÕES E ATITUDES DOS ESTUDANTES DA UNIVERSIDADE YUAN ZE EM RELAÇÃO DO USO DO BIOGÁS PRODUZIDO PELA EXCRETA HUMANA</p><p>RESUMO</p><p>A medida que a população mundial aumenta, com ela cresce a demanda de energia. Cerca de 1,1 bilhão de pessoas no mundo não houveram acesso a eletricidade. A maioria deles vive em países em desenvolvimento. Este artigo teve como objetivo avaliar a percepção dos estudantes da Universidade Yuan Ze sobre o uso de biogás proveniente de excreta humana. Um total de 110 estudantes de diferentes faculdades foi escolhido aleatoriamente para ser entrevistado sobre esse assunto, por meio da utilização de questionário com perguntas fechadas e abertas. A análise dos dados foram processadas no software R para calcular o valor-p, a fim de determinar o nível significativo estabelecido em 0,05 para as perguntas e as características sociodemográficas. Constatou-se que 54,5% dos estudantes já ouviram falar que a excreta humana pode ser usada para produzir biogás, 89,1% dos entrevistados pensaram que essa alternativa é possível. Quando perguntados se usariam esse gás, o percentual caiu para 55,5%. A maioria dos estudantes afirmou que usaria apenas biogás produzido com suas próprias excretas (52,0%). As principais barreiras apresentadas pelos entrevistados para não usar esse gás foram risco à saúde (40,0%), mau cheiro (26,4%) e medo (10,9%). <br /> Conclui-se que o uso de excremento humano na produção de biogás foi visto como uma alternativa viável pelos estudantes da Universidade Yuan Ze, mas o risco à saúde foi a maior preocupação deles.</p>
ANÁLISE COMPARATIVA DAS ALTERNATIVAS PARA TRATAMENTO DE ESGOTOS DE RESIDÊNCIAS UNIFAMILIARES
Authors: Relvas Pereira Anne , De Souza Marco Antonio Almeida 
Published: July 2020

<p>O objetivo desta pesquisa foi analisar a aplicabilidade dos processos para tratamento de esgotos de residências unifamiliares no Brasil e as condições em que estes seriam recomendados. Foi desenvolvida uma metodologia baseada nos métodos multiobjetivo ELECTRE-III e TOPSIS. Avaliaram-se os seguintes processos: (1) Tanque séptico; (2) Tanque séptico e filtro anaeróbio; (3) Tanque séptico e <em>Wetland</em>; (4) UASB e biofiltro aerado submerso (BAS); (5) Reator UASB e lodo ativado convencional; e (6) Tanque séptico e Reator Biológico de Membrana (MBR). Esses processos foram avaliados em três cenários: (1) lençol freático baixo, solo com alta permeabilidade e risco epidemiológico e ambiental pequeno; (2) lençol freático alto e/ou solo com infiltração baixa e risco epidemiológico e ambiental grande; e (3) reúso direto não-potável da água. Concluiu-se que, para o Cenário 1, a melhor alternativa é Tanque Séptico seguido ou não por filtro anaeróbio. Para o Cenário 2, é mais adequado empregar Tanque Séptico seguido por filtro anaeróbio ou por <em>Wetland</em>. No Cenário 3, Tanque Séptico seguido por MBR e desinfecção é o ideal, mas a alternativa ótima deveria ser Tanque Séptico seguido por BAS e desinfecção, caso relaxassem-se alguns padrões de reúso de água.</p><p> </p><p>COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF ALTERNATIVES FOR TREATMENT OF SEWAGE FROM SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENCES</p><p>ABSTRACT</p><p>The objective of this research was to analyse the applicability of processes for treating sewage from single-family dwellings in Brazil and the conditions under which they would be recommended. A methodology was developed based on the multi-objective ELECTRE-III and TOPSIS methods. The following processes were evaluated: (1) Septic tank; (2) Septic tank and anaerobic filter; (3) Septic tank and Wetland; (4) UASB and submerged aerated biofilter (BAS); (5) UASB reactor and conventional activated sludge; and (6) Septic tank and Biological Membrane Reactor (MBR). These processes were evaluated in three scenarios: (1) low water table, soil with high permeability, and small epidemiological and environmental risk; (2) high water table and / or soil with low infiltration, and great epidemiological and environmental risk; and (3) direct non-potable water reuse. The conclusion was that for Scenario 1 the best alternative is Septic Tank followed or not by an anaerobic filter. For Scenario 2, it is more appropriate to use a septic tank followed by an anaerobic filter or by Wetland. In Scenario 3, Septic Tank followed by MBR and disinfection is ideal, but the optimal alternative should be Septic Tank followed by BAS and disinfection, if some water reuse standards were relaxed.</p>
A Novel Synthetic, Xeno‐Free Biomimetic Surface for Serum‐Free Expansion of Human Mesenchymal Stromal Cells
Authors: Thamm Kristina , Möbus Kristin , Towers Russell , Segeletz Sandra , Wetzel Richard , Bornhäuser Martin , Zhang Yixin , Wobus Manja 
Published: July 2020

AbstractHuman mesenchymal stromal cells (hMSCs) have enormous potential for the treatment of various inflammatory and degenerative diseases. Their manufacturing for cell‐based therapies requires extensive ex vivo expansion and optimal growth conditions. To support cell adhesion, spreading, and growth in serum‐free culture conditions, the applied plasticware needs to be functionalized with essential biochemical cues. By employing a recently developed screening tool, a chemically defined functional matrix composed of dextran sulfate and a bone‐related extracellular matrix peptide is identified, which supports long‐term culture of bone marrow‐derived hMSCs in serum‐free culture conditions. Cells grown under these conditions display rapid proliferation and high viability while maintaining their differentiation and immunomodulatory capacity, characteristic cell morphology, expression of hMSC‐specific surface antigens as well as important markers of stemness and differentiation potential. The chemically defined, serum‐free culture environment enables reliable and reproducible expansion of hMSCs important for cell based‐therapies, drug screening, and disease modeling.
Multimode Hydraulically Amplified Electrostatic Actuators for Wearable Haptics
Authors: Leroy Edouard , Hinchet Ronan , Shea Herbert 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThe sense of touch is underused in today’s virtual reality systems due to lack of wearable, soft, mm‐scale transducers to generate dynamic mechanical stimulus on the skin. Extremely thin actuators combining both high force and large displacement are a long‐standing challenge in soft actuators. Sub‐mm thick flexible hydraulically amplified electrostatic actuators are reported here, capable of both out‐of‐plane and in‐plane motion, providing normal and shear forces to the user’s fingertip, hand, or arm. Each actuator consists of a fluid‐filled cavity whose shell is made of a metalized polyester boundary and a central elastomer region. When a voltage is applied to the annular electrodes, the fluid is rapidly forced into the stretchable region, forming a raised bump. A 6 mm × 6 mm × 0.8 mm actuator weighs 90 mg, and generates forces of over 300 mN, out‐of‐plane displacements of 500 µm (over 60% strain), and lateral motion of 760 µm. Response time is below 5 ms, for a specific power of 100 W kg−1. In user tests, human subjects distinguished normal and different 2‐axis shear forces with over 80% accuracy. A flexible 5 × 5 array is demonstrated, integrated in a haptic sleeve.
Surface‐Carbonized Bamboos with Multilevel Functional Biostructures Deliver High Photothermal Water Evaporation Performance
Authors: Liu Jie , Yao Jiahao , Yuan Yang , Liu Qinglei , Zhang Wang , Zhang Xiaohui , Gu Jiajun 
Published: July 2020

AbstractInterfacial solar steam generation (ISSG) has attracted global attention as an important approach for water purification and desalination. The related photothermal materials based on 3D biostructures are promising due to their abundance and easy accessibility. Here, it is shown that surface‐carbonized bamboo (SC‐bamboo) as a photothermal material exhibits outstanding ISSG performance due to its multilevel functional biostructures. On a microscopic scale, the bamboo's air‐filled parenchyma cells promote thermal insulation while its vascular bundles ensure rapid water transport. On a macroscopic scale, a unique concave structure at the bamboo nodes concentrates water and heat in a confined region and the air‐filled hollow chambers in bamboo internodes also ensure thermal insulation. These multilevel functional structures of SC‐bamboo result in a solar‐thermal conversion efficiency up to 93.63% ± 1.57% under 1 kW m−2 irradiation, surpassing most biomass‐derived materials ever reported. Considering bamboo's low cost and convenience, this work sheds light on the design and fabrication of readily accessible, multilevel functional structure for efficient photothermal‐conversion devices.
Tracking the Consolidation of U.S. Agriculture
Authors: MacDonald James M. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractI assess farm sector consolidation in the United States from the 1980s through the most recent (2017) Census of Agriculture. Consolidation has been large, widespread across crop and livestock commodities, and persistent over time. Research on this topic benefits from access to farm‐level datasets, which provide more comprehensive insights into consolidation and alter what we thought we knew about farm consolidation in earlier studies using aggregated data. I close with a reflection on the applications and challenges that I have found in using firm‐, plant‐, and transactions‐level microdata through my career.