bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Molecular epidemiology of carbapenem resistant Enterobacteriaceae in Sri Lanka: First report of KPC-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae
Authors: Kumudunie Wirittamulla Gamage Maheshika , Wijesooriya Wijesooriya Rathnayaka Pathirennehalage Lakmini Inoka , Namalie Kalubowilage Dhananja , Sunil-Chandra Narapity Pathirannehalage , Wijayasinghe Yasanandana Supunsiri 
Published: May 2019

Abstract
Background

Extended spectrum β-lactamase producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-PE) and carbapenamase producing Enterocacteriaceae (CPE) are widely disseminated globally creating a huge public health threat. Even though incidence of multidrug-resistant Enterobacteriaceae is rapidly growing, the epidemiological data regarding the occurrence of CRE in Sri Lanka is scarce. In this study, we determined the prevalence of ESBP-PE and CRE and the genetic determinants of CPE.

Methods

A total of 593 clinically significant Enterobacteriaceae was isolated from different clinical samples (urine, pus/wound, respiratory, blood, and other sterile specimens) at a tertiary care hospital in Sri Lanka from December 2017 – February 2018. Antimicrobial susceptibility and identification of ESBL-PE, CRE were done by disc diffusion method. CRE were identified to species level using a rapid identification kit and carbapenemase production was determined by modified carbapenem inactivation method. The presence of blaKPC, blaNDM, blaOXA-48-like genes were detected by PCR.

Results

The overall prevalence of ESBL-PE and CRE were found to be 26.0% and 9.6%, respectively. The rate of ESBL-PE in different sample types ranged from 18.2% to 30.8% with the highest prevalence among uropathogenic Enterobacteriaceae. The occurrence of CRE ranged from 6.7% to 20.8% with the highest prevalence among respiratory Enterobacteriaceae. CRE species identified were K. pneumoniae (80.7%), E. coli (5.3%), C. freundii (7.0%), P. rettgeri (3.5%), E. cloacae (1.7%), and E. aerogenes (1.7%). The carbapenemase production was detected in 94.7% of CRE isolates. The carbapenemases found were OXA-48-like (88.9%), NDM (14.8%), and KPC (3.7%).

Conclusions

The prevalence of CRE in Sri Lanka is alarming. Carbapenamse production was the major mechanism of carbapenem resistance and K. pneumoniae was the predominant CRE. Presence of KPC enzyme was detected in addition to the previously reported NDM and OXA-48-like carbapenamases in Sri Lanka. The rapid spread of CPE, necessitates the prompt implementation of preventive measures in Sri Lanka.
Medical Students' Perception of the Educational Environment at Al-Nahda College by using DREEM inventory
Authors: Hamdan Hamdan Z. , Ibrahim Marwa Yassin , Mohamed Rania Hessian , Ali Liza Hassan , Alhassan Yassir Mohamed , Ahmed Nasreldin Marhoum 
Published: May 2019

Abstract
Background: Educational environment encompasses everything that are found and occurs inside the school of Medicine. It affects the students’ ability to achieve their academic goals, feeling of academic satisfaction and well-being. Assessment of the educational environment of paramount-importance for all stake-holder, administrators and educators in the academic field. The aim of this study to measure the student perception towards the educational environment in Al-Nahda college.
Methods: This is an institutional based cross-sectional study conducted in Al-Nahda College between January and February 2018. Study population were 634 medical students. Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure (DREEM) questionnaire was used as a survey tool for this study. Students’ responses were entered to the computer and analyzed by using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 24 (SPSS Inc. Chicago, IL, USA).
Results: A (83.9%) pre-clinical and (16.1%) clinical stage participated in this study from all academic levels. Three hundred and sixty (56.9%) were male students, while the rest were female (43.1%). The overall mean (SD) DREEM score in this study is 130 (34.2), which indicates more positive educational environment than negative. Likewise, students’ perception for teachers, Students’ academic self-perception, Students’ perception of atmosphere and Students’ social self-perception. However, students’ perception for learning shows negative indicator. Students’ female gender have significantly higher mean (SD) overall DREEM score than male students [136 (31.5) Vs. 129 (35.5); P= 0.008], respectively. Female scored higher than male in subclass students’ perception for teachers, Students’ academic self-perception and Students’ social self-perception, [28.8 (7.8) Vs. 27.1 (8.5); P= 0.024]; [22.2 (5.6) Vs. 21.0 (7.2); P= 0.017]; [19.8 (4.9) Vs. 18.8 (5.4); P= 0.019], respectively. The foreign students perceived the overall educational environment better than Sudanese students [135.6(31.7) Vs. 131.3 (34.8); P=0.049].
Conclusions: The educational environment is perceived positive in Al-Nahda College. Four out of five inventory subscale were perceived positive, while only students’ perception of learning sub-scale was perceived negative. Female students and non-Sudanese students perceived the educational environment better than the male students and Sudanese students. The perception of clinical students did not differ from that of pre-clinical students.
Conservation Agriculture Increases Profits in an Andean Region of South America
Authors: Delgado J. A. , Barrera Mosquera V. H. , Escudero López L. O. , Cartagena Ayala Y. E. , Alwang J. R. , Stehouwer R. C. , Arévalo Tenelema J. C. , D'Adamo Robert , Domínguez Andrade J. M. , Valverde F. , Alvarado Ochoa S. P. 
Published: May 2019

Core Ideas
Erosion is decreasing the potential for food security in the Andean region.
Zero tillage would be a viable and economical practice for this region.
Adding N fertilizer increased the net economic returns by 22%.
These practices could potentially increase the income of 200,000 farmers.
The Andean region of Ecuador is critical for the country's food security; however, cultivation of high‐slope mountainous agricultural systems that experience significant precipitation is accelerating erosion of the soils and reducing the productivity and sustainability of these systems. For 5 yr we monitored tillage and crop residue management practices using a 2 × 2 factorial randomized block (Phase 1) and a 2 × 2 factorial randomized block with split plot (Phase 2) to assess the effects of tillage, crop residue management, and N fertilization on yields and economic returns. Our study found in the initial phase that for three out of the four crops zero tillage (ZT) had higher average yields than minimum tillage, and for one of these three crops, the increase was significant. Our study found in Phase 2 that when N fertilizer was added as a treatment, compared with crops that were not fertilized, yields were significantly higher in four out of five crops. Leaving the crop residue at the surface was a practice that increased the yields of one of the five crops. The higher net economic returns for Phase 1 were with ZT and with harvesting crop residue. When N was added as a treatment in Phase 2, higher net economic returns were found with ZT and residue removed and with N fertilization. Nitrogen fertilizer, crop residue removal, and zero tillage increased net economic returns by 22, 45.1, and 31.8%, respectively. There is potential to use ZT in this region of South America.
The Effect of Dry Cultivation on Yield, Water, and Iron Use Efficiency of Rice
Authors: Zhang Ya J. , Cheng Ya D. , Wang Chen , Xu Jing N. , Li Jin P. , Ye Qian , Chen He M. , Qu Ling L. , Yang Jian C. 
Published: May 2019

Core Ideas
Dry cultivation reduces yield, except for the absence of significant differences between plastic film mulching cultivation and continuously flooded in paddy rice.Dry cultivation increases Fe use efficiency and water use efficiency.The Fe per unit mass of rice grains in upland rice is richer than that in paddy rice.Dry cultivation is a good water conservation cultivation method in arid and semi‐arid regions with unstable irrigation sources while temperature is favorable to rice growth.
Iron is not only an essential trace element for plant growth and development, but also an indispensable trace element for humans. The objective of this study was to investigate the Fe absorption and utilization, water use efficiency (WUE) and grain yield difference between upland rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivar Zhonghan 3 (japonica) and paddy rice cultivar Wuxiangjing 99‐8 (japonica) which were grown on the farm of the Yangzhou University under three cultivation patterns of continuously flooded condition (CF, control), plastic film mulching cultivation (PFMC), and bare cultivation (BC) under non‐flooded conditions. Compared with the CF, the grain yield was significantly lower under the PFMC for upland rice, but no significant difference was found for paddy rice, and grain yield was significantly reduced under BC for both upland rice and paddy rice. Dry cultivation lowered the Fe concentration in the rice plants and grain under the PFMC and the BC, and lowered the amount of Fe absorption in aboveground plants. Whereas, Fe use efficiency and WUE were all higher with dry cultivation. Compared with paddy rice, the Fe concentration in the whole root system of upland rice was 39.5% lower, but that in the roots was 11.3% higher at heading stage, and in the aboveground plants and rice flour was 3.4 to 11.1% higher at heading and maturity stages. The results indicate that dry cultivation is a good water conservation cultivation method in arid and semiarid regions with unstable irrigation sources while temperature is favorable to rice growth, such as in Southeast China.
Integrated Phosphorus Placement and Form for Improving Wheat Grain Yield
Authors: Lu Dianjun , Song Hang , Jiang Shangtao , Chen Xiaoqin , Wang Huoyan , Zhou Jianmin 
Published: May 2019

Core Ideas
We assessed the movement capacity of different P.Banding P fertilizer in suboptimal placement reduced wheat yield with monocalcium phosphate.Diammonium phosphate compensated for the reduction in wheat yield due to suboptimal placement.
Banding of P can increase P availability to crops. Our objective was to determine if banding two forms of P fertilizer at multiple distances from the seed can improve wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) growth and P uptake vs. broadcast P fertilizer application. Waters‐soluble and Ca2– P concentrations in soil was greater near the point of P placement when monocalcium phosphate was used compared to diammonium phosphate, while the opposite result was found when the P diffusion distance was greater than 2 cm from the P placement. Another field experiment with four application strategies (broadcasting P, banding P under the wheat row, and banding P 5 and 12 cm from the wheat row) and two P forms was conducted over 2 yr. Banding P under the wheat row increased wheat yield and P uptake regardless of the P form compared to broadcasting P. Banding 12 cm from the row resulted in a 6.0% reduction in wheat yield for monocalcium phosphate compared to broadcasting P. Banding diammonium phosphate 5 or 12 cm from the row provided yield compensations over monocalcium phosphate. Dry matter at regreening was significantly depressed for banding 5 or 12 cm from the row with monocalcium phosphate application relative to broadcasting P, while there was compensatory growth for banding 5 cm from the row after regreening. Root length proliferated with diammonium phosphate than with monocalcium phosphate regardless of band placement. Diammonium phosphate should not be placed more than 5 cm from the row to ensure maximum P uptake potential.
Fiber Fraction Content in Legume–Grass Mixtures Treated with Mushroom Substrate and Cow Slurry
Authors: Jankowski Kazimierz , Malinowska Elżbieta 
Published: May 2019

Core Ideas
Mushroom substrate application to legume grass mixtures increased neutral detergent fiber content in the forage more than slurry.The mixture of orchard grass with alfalfa produced forage of the best quality, with regard to the content of fibre fractions.The content of the acid detergent fiber and acid detergent lignin fractions and yielding of legume grass mixtures were higher in the forage from plots with slurry than from plots with mushroom.
The work reported here was undertaken to determine the effect of spent mushroom substrate (SMS) and cow slurry used in the cultivation of hybrid alfalfa and grass mixtures on plant productivity and dry matter nutritional value. Uncomposted waste left after growing mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus) was used. Additionally, slurry from cows with the milk yield of 6000 to 8000 litters a year was applied; the animals were housed indoors on straw bedding, with manure removed daily. The 3‐yr research study (2013–2015) was conducted in the experimental field, in east‐central Poland. Treatments were replicated three times, with plots of 3 m3 as experimental units in a split‐plot arrangement. In the experiment the main research factors were legume–grass mixtures and organic fertilizers with high organic matter content: SMS and cow slurry, used separately and in various combinations. In the experiment three plant species were involved: Medicago sativa x varia Martyn (alfalfa hybrid) ‘Tula’, Dactylis glomerata (orchard grass) ‘Bora’, and Lolium perenne L. (perennial ryegrass) ‘Info’. These species were grown as three legume–grass mixtures. The results demonstrated that SMS application to legume–grass mixtures increased NDF content in the forage more than slurry. The content of the ADF and ADL fractions and the yields of legume–grass mixtures were higher in the forage from plots with slurry than from plots with SMS. The mixture of orchard grass with alfalfa produced forage of the best quality with regard to the content of fiber fractions.
Modeled El Niño‐Southern Oscillation Effects on Grain Sorghum under Varying Irrigation Strategies and Cultural Practices
Authors: Baumhardt R.L. , Schwartz R.C. , Marek G.W , Moorhead J.E. 
Published: May 2019

Core Ideas
Maturing Oceanic Niño Index identified La Niña years with less rain and yield.Increased irrigation plus rain improved yield but water use efficiency plateaued.Irrigation of partitioned areas with dryland improved yield independent of El Niño southern oscillation phase.
Equatorial sea surface temperatures vary systematically to cause the El Niño southern oscillation (ENSO) that produces predictable weather patterns in North America and may permit long‐range climate predictions and eventual proactive summer crop irrigation management. The declining Ogallala Aquifer in the Southern High Plains and consequently limited well capacities challenge producers to adapt cropping practices for irrigation that doesn’t meet crop water demand. Our objective was to evaluate sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] yield response to ENSO climate‐informed management of cultural practices and irrigation strategies on a Pullman soil (fine, mixed, superactive, thermic Torrertic Paleustoll). We used the simulation model SORKAM and long‐term (1961–2000) weather records from Bushland, TX, classified by ENSO phase to calculate sorghum grain yields for all combinations of irrigation levels (0.0, 2.5, 3.75, or 5.0 mm d−1), planting day of year (DOY = 135, 156, 176), and cultivar maturity (early, 95 d; medium, 105 d; late, 120 d). Using the September–November Oceanic Niño Index (ONI) to identify ENSO phase, La Niña years had 50 mm less precipitation and a corresponding 14.5% reduction in overall yield to 4550 kg ha−1 for sorghum planted at 16 plants m−2 population. Late maturing cultivars and late planting led to sorghum freeze injury and reduced yields regardless of ENSO phase. While yields consistently increased with irrigation, we conclude that concentrating water to irrigate an area partitioned 2:1 or 1:1 at 3.75‐ or 5.0‐mm d−1 with complementary dryland produced >30% more grain, overall, than uniformly irrigating an area at 2.5 mm d−1.
Lower‐Leaf Removal and Nitrogen Application Programs for Flue‐Cured Tobacco Production
Authors: Finch Camden E. , Vann Matthew C. , Fisher Loren R. , Wells Randy , Brown A. Blake 
Published: May 2019

Core Ideas
Lower‐leaf removal will reduce cured leaf yield but can reduce the portion of lower‐demand stalk positionsNitrogen application after leaf removal is of limited value and is currently discouragedIf these programs are to find commercial success, a higher selling price should be offered by leaf purchasers
With a current global over‐supply of flue‐cured tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.), tobacco producers in North Carolina have been encouraged to remove the lowermost leaves prior to harvest due to their low value in manufactured products. The objective of this research was to compare lower‐leaf removal programs. Research was conducted in 2016 and 2017 to quantify the agronomic effects of three lower‐leaf removal programs (0, 4, and 8 leaves plant−1) and the subsequent delivery of four N application rates (0, 5.6, 11.2, and 16.9 kg N ha−1 above base recommendation). All treatments combinations were applied during the early flowering stage of growth (8–10 wk after transplanting), when plants were approximately 120 cm tall. Programs absent of leaf removal generally produced the highest cured leaf yield. The addition of 16.9 kg N ha−1 increased yield when compared to lower N application rates within the 4‐leaf removal program. Nitrogen application did not affect yield in the 8‐leaf removal program. Cured leaf value was greatest in the 0‐leaf removal program (USD $10,131 ha−1) and was reduced in the 4‐ and 8‐leaf programs by $1611 and $2645 ha−1, respectively. Lower‐stalk positions were nearly eliminated in the 8‐leaf removal program, while the 4‐leaf removal program reduced their presence by more than 50%. Ultimately, if these programs are to be encouraged or required by industry, the removal of four leaves per plant proved to be more practical when paired with additional N, due to moderate yield reduction and lower‐stalk leaf production.
The Suitability of the Emerging Double Maize System Towards Sustainable Water Use under a Warm Temperature Continental Monsoon Climate
Authors: Wang Xingya , Liu Xiwei , Wu Qingzhao , Wang Pu , Meng Qingfeng 
Published: May 2019

Core Ideas
The yield of double maize system was comparable to the conventional winter wheat–summer maize system.Double maize system could improve crop production and save water under a warming climate.Short season–short season with plastic mulching can be applied to 67% of total area in the North China Plain with a yield potential of 20.2 Mg ha−1.
Double cropped winter wheat and summer maize system is a system that can improve food security, however, overexploitation of groundwater for irrigation limits its use. An alternative to the wheat/maize system is double cropped maize system. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether a new double maize system could improve yield with a sustainable water use manner. Higher temperature has provided an opportunity to develop an alternative double maize system across the North China Plain (NCP) using the Hybrid‐Maize model. Six combinations of long‐season and short‐season (LS and SS, respectively) maize varieties and two plastic film mulching treatments were used to evaluate the regional suitability of the new system. The average yield potential of the double maize system ranged from 19.6 to 21.3 Mg ha−1, comparable to the conventional winter wheat–summer maize system (Con W/M). The combination of SS and SS varieties using plastic film mulching (SS–SS[P]) has applicability to the environments with growing degree‐days (GDD) at ∼2566°C worldwide with a yield potential of 20.2 Mg ha−1. Although the similar yield potential can also be achieved for the combinations of SS–LS (P) and LS–SS (P), the frost risk of the two combinations for the second season maize was more than 80%. These results indicated that changing from a Con W/M to the newly‐developed double cropped maize system could result in major improvements in both crop production and water usage under current and future climate scenarios.
HAS INFLATION TARGETING BEEN SUCCESSFUL? EVIDENCE FROM UNIT ROOT TESTS
Authors: Turkay Mesut , Atasoy Burak Sencer 
Published: May 2019

<p class="run-in" align="center"><strong>ABSTRACT</strong></p><p>The popularity of inflation targeting has risen in the last decade and the number of countries that adopted inflation targeting as their monetary policy framework surpassed 40 by the end of 2016. This study analyzes whether inflation targeting around the world has been successful in terms of achieving the announced target and keeping inflation rate around it. We argue that a successful inflation targeting necessitates the deviation of inflation from the target be stationary. We employ both time series and panel unit root tests in order to analyze the stationarity properties of deviation of inflation from the target. Results of unit root tests provide evidence in favor of the success of inflation targeting framework around the world.</p><p align="center"><strong> </strong></p><p align="center"><strong>¿HAN SIDO EXITOSAS LAS METAS DE INFLACIÓN? RESULTADOS DE LAS PRUEBAS DE RAÍZ UNITARIA</strong></p><p class="run-in" align="center"><strong>RESUMEN</strong></p>La popularidad de las metas de inflación ha aumentado en la última década y el número de países que adoptaron metas de inflación como su marco de política monetaria sobrepasó los 40 a finales del 2016. Este estudio analiza si las metas de inflación alrededor del mundo han tenido éxito en términos de alcanzar el objetivo anunciado y mantener la tasa de inflación alrededor de su meta. Argumentamos que una meta exitosa de inflación requiere que la desviación de la inflación respecto a la meta sea estacionaria. Empleamos tanto series de tiempo como pruebas de raíz unitaria en panel con el fin de analizar las propiedades estacionarias de la desviación de la inflación en relación con el objetivo. Los resultados de las pruebas de raíz unitaria proporcionan evidencia a favor del éxito del marco de metas de inflación en todo el mundo.
Program Eliminasi Lymphatic Filariasis di Indonesia
Authors: Meliyanie Gusti , Andiarsa Dicky 
Published: May 2019

Filariasis has been a public health problem in Indonesia for a long time and WHO has established this disease as a neglected disease which is a public health problem in the world, therefore a global filariasis elimination program that must be achieved in 2020. This article compiles some literature for writing references related to the development of global filariasis elimination and the progress of filariasis elimination in Indonesia particularly. Filariasis elimination program in Indonesia has been running at least 26 districts that have stopped implementing mass drug administration (MDA) from 239 endemic filariasisdistricts. The remaining districts are expected to have implemented MDAstart from 2015 so that the year 2020 is completed and verified also given predicates of filariasis elimination according to global target of filariasis elimination. Management-based and community-based research is important to determine the best model of elimination. There are still many challenges in increasing coverage, so that continuing education efforts on filariasis and the importance of treatment will motivate communities to play an active role in achieving maximum coverage targets, and national filariasis elimination targets can be achieved by 2020.