scholarly journals Multispecies for multifunctions: combining four complementary species enhances multifunctionality of sown grassland

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthias Suter ◽  
Olivier Huguenin-Elie ◽  
Andreas Lüscher
Keyword(s):  
Forage Quality ◽  
N Cycling ◽  
Forage Production ◽  
Mixture Effects ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
Overall Performance ◽  
The Mean ◽  
High Forage ◽  
Diversity Effects ◽  
Species Mixtures

AbstractAssessing the overall performance of ecosystems requires a quantitative evaluation of multifunctionality. We investigated plant species diversity effects on individual functions and overall multifunctionality in a grassland experiment with sown monocultures and mixtures comprising four key grass and legume species. Nitrogen fertilisation rates were 50, 150, and 450 kg N ha−1 yr−1 (N50, N150, N450). Ten functions were measured representing forage production, N cycling, and forage quality, all being related to either productivity or environmental footprint. Multifunctionality was analysed by a novel approach using the mean log response ratio across functions. Over three experimental years, mixture effects benefited all forage production and N cycling functions, while sustaining high forage quality. Thus, mixture effects did not provoke any trade-off among the analysed functions. High N fertilisation rates generally diminished mixture benefits. Multifunctionality of four-species mixtures was considerably enhanced, and mixture overall performance was up to 1.9 (N50), 1.8 (N150), and 1.6 times (N450) higher than in averaged monocultures. Multifunctionality of four-species mixtures at N50 was at least as high as in grass monocultures at N450. Sown grass–legume mixtures combining few complementary species at low to moderate N fertilisation sustain high multifunctionality and are a ‘ready-to-use’ option for the sustainable intensification of agriculture.

The Baby Shark (Songs Heard Affecting Resuscitation Kinetics) study

2020 ◽  
pp. bmjstel-2020-000657
Author(s):  
Rebecca Singer ◽  
Grace Leo ◽  
Tessa Davis ◽  
Ben Lawton ◽  
Henry Goldstein ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Control Group ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Target Zone ◽  
Compression Depth ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Overall Performance ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Training Exercises ◽  
And Control ◽  
Musical Cues

Previous research has examined the utilisation of musical cues to improve the performance of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) delivered in training environments. We postulated a musical cue that is both contemporary and transcends cultures may improve CPR performance. Our aim was to establish whether chest compressions are performed with improved rate and depth if a song of a fixed beat (PinkFong’s ‘Baby Shark’ with a tempo of 115 beats per minute (bpm) and 15 beats in each verse) is played to a healthcare professional immediately before undertaking CPR compared to whale noises (a non-metronomic rhythm). 58 Participants of a paediatric conference (majority doctors) were randomly assigned to listen to a minute of Baby Shark (28) or whale song (30) and then undertake a minute of CPR. There was no significant difference in the mean compression rate between the Baby Shark and control groups, with the groups achieving 121 and 125 bpm, respectively (p=0.18). In relation to compression depth within the target zone, the Baby Shark group had more compressions completed within the target zone (55%) than the control group (39%) although this difference was not significant (p=0.08). Listening to Baby Shark prior to undertaking simulated CPR does not improve overall performance, but there is a potential tendency to improve adequate compression depth which may be beneficial in training exercises.

scholarly journals The p38/MK2 Axis in Monocytes of Fibromyalgia Syndrome Patients: An Explorative Study

Medicina ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 57 (4) ◽  
pp. 396
Author(s):  
Boya Nugraha ◽  
Renate Scheibe ◽  
Christoph Korallus ◽  
Matthias Gaestel ◽  
Christoph Gutenbrunner
Keyword(s):  
Pain Management ◽  
P38 Mapk ◽  
Fibromyalgia Syndrome ◽  
Mapk Pathway ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase ◽  
Pain Syndromes ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Direct Target

Background and Objectives: The aetiology and pathomechanism of fibromyalgia syndrome 12 (FMS) as one of chronic pain syndromes still need to be further elucidated. Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway has been proposed as a novel approach in pain management. Since the major symptom of fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) patients is pain, it became of interest whether MAPK pathways, such as the stress-activated p38 MAPK/MK2 axis, are activated in FMS patients. Therefore, this study aimed at determining p38 MAPK/MK2 in FMS patients. Materials and Methods: Phosphorylation of MAPK-activated protein kinases 2 (MK2), a direct target of p38 MAPK, was measured in monocytes of FMS and healthy controls (HCs) to monitor the activity of this pathway. Results: The mean level of phosphorylated MK2 was fivefold higher in FMS patients as compared to HCs (p < 0.001). Subgroup analysis revealed that antidepressants did not influence the activity of MK2 in FMS patients. Conclusions: This result indicates that the p38/MK2 pathway could be involved in the pathomechanism of FMS, could act as a clinical marker for FMS, and could be a possible target for pain management in FMS patients.

Abstract 13131: The Priority of Coronary Arteriography and Therapeutic Hypothermia After Return of Spontaneous Circulation in Patients With Out-of-hospital Cardiac Arrest. the Result of Sos-kanto 2012 Study

Circulation ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 130 (suppl_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shuichi Hagiwara ◽  
Kiyohiro Oshima ◽  
Masato Murata ◽  
Makoto Aoki ◽  
Kei Hayashida ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cardiac Arrest ◽  
Therapeutic Hypothermia ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Coronary Arteriography ◽  
Spontaneous Circulation ◽  
P Value ◽  
Return Of Spontaneous Circulation ◽  
Overall Performance ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Hospital Cardiac Arrest

Aim: To evaluate the priority of coronary angiography (CAG) and therapeutic hypothermia therapy (TH) after return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) in patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). Patients and Methods: SOS-KANTO 2012 study is a prospective, multicenter (69 emergency hospitals) and observational study and includes 16,452 patients with OHCA. Among the cases with ROSC in that study, we intended for patients treated with both CAG and TH within 24 hours after arrival. Those patients were divided into two groups; patients in whom TH was firstly performed (TH group), and the others in whom CAG was firstly done (CAG group). We statistically compared the prognosis between the two groups. SPSS Statistics 22 (IBM, Tokyo, Japan) was used for the statistical analysis. Statistical significance was assumed to be present at a p value of less than 0.05. Result: 233 patients were applied in this study. There were 86 patients in the TH group (M/F: 74/12, mean age; 60.0±15.2 y/o) and 147 in the CAG group (M/F: 126/21, mean age: 63.4±11.1 y/o) respectively, and no significant differences were found in the mean age and M/F ratio between the two groups. The overall performance categories (OPC) one month after ROSC in the both groups were as follows; in the TH group, OPC1: 21 (24.4%), OPC2: 3 (3.5%), OPC3: 7 (8.1%), OPC4: 8 (9.3%), OPC5: 43 (50.0%), unknown: 4 (4.7%), and in the CAG group, OPC1: 38 (25.9%), OPC2: 13 (8.8%), OPC3: 15 (10.2%), OPC4: 18 (12.2%), OPC5: 57 (38.8%), unknown: 6 (4.1%). There were no significant differences in the prognosis one month after ROSC between the two groups. Conclusion: The results which of TH and CAG you give priority to over do not affect the prognosis in patients with OHCA.

scholarly journals Knowledge and awareness-based survey of COVID-19 within the eye care profession in Nepal: Misinformation is hiding the truth

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (7) ◽  
pp. e0254761
Author(s):  
Sandip Das Sanyam ◽  
Sanjay Kumar Sah ◽  
Pankaj Chaudhary ◽  
Matthew J. Burton ◽  
Jeremy J. Hoffman
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
World Health ◽  
Disease Spread ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Performance Score ◽  
National Guidelines ◽  
Eye Care ◽  
Overall Performance ◽  
The Mean

Background Nepal was under a severe lockdown for several months in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. There were concerns regarding misinformation circulating on social media. This study aimed to analyse the knowledge and awareness of COVID-19 amongst eye care professionals in Nepal during the first wave of the pandemic. Methodology We invited 600 participants from 12 ophthalmic centres across Nepal to complete a qualitative, anonymous online survey. Altogether, 25 questions (both open and closed-ended) were used. An overall performance score was calculated from the average of the 12 “Knowledge” questions for all the participants. Results Of the 600 eye care professionals invited, 310 (51%) participated in the survey. The symptoms of COVID-19 were known to 94%, whilst only 49% of the participants were aware how the disease was transmitted, with 54% aware that anyone can be infected with SARS-CoV-2. Almost 98% of participants recognized the World Health Organization’s (WHO) awareness message, but surprisingly, 41% of participants felt that consumption of hot drinks helps to destroy the virus, in contradiction to WHO information. Importantly, 95% of the participants were aware of personal protective equipment (PPE) and what the acronym stands for. Social distancing was felt to be key to limiting the disease spread; whilst 41% disagreed that PPE should be mandatory for eye care practitioners. The mean overall “Knowledge” performance score was 69.65% (SD ± 22.81). Conclusion There is still considerable scope to improve the knowledge of COVID-19 amongst ophthalmic professionals in Nepal. Opinion is also split on measures to prevent transmission, with misinformation potentially fuelling confusion. It is recommended to follow WHO and national guidelines, whilst seeking published scientific evidence behind any unofficial statements, to accurately inform one’s clinical practice.

Productivity and forage quality of scarlet amaranth and field beans in the Trans-Baikal Territory

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
О. Андреева ◽  
Н. Пилипенко ◽  
Л. Сидорова ◽  
Н. Харченко
Keyword(s):  
Dry Matter ◽  
Nutritional Value ◽  
Forage Production ◽  
Pests And Diseases ◽  
Fodder Quality ◽  
High Feed ◽  
Digestible Protein ◽  
High Forage ◽  
Field Beans

Исследования проведены в 20112013 годах на полях НИИ ветеринарии Восточной Сибири филиала СФНЦА РАН, расположенных в ИнгодинскоЧитинской лесостепи. Увеличение производства кормов, улучшение их качества и энергонасыщенности главная задача агропромышленного комплекса Забайкальского края. Одним из направлений в решении данной проблемы является возделывание малораспространённых и нетрадиционных однолетних кормовых культур, обладающих высокой кормовой продуктивностью, адаптивностью к природноклиматическим условиям региона. Цель и задачи исследований изучить возможность формирования высокой урожайности и питательной ценности нетрадиционных и малораспространённых кормовых культур (амаранта метельчатого, кормовых бобов), адаптивных к экстремальным условиям Забайкалья. Сорта изучаемых культур в опыте: амарант метельчатый Янтарь, кормовые бобы Сибирские. Дана оценка этим культурам по адаптивности к условиям выращивания и комплексу хозяйственно ценных признаков. Амарант метельчатый и кормовые бобы обладают высоким потенциалом кормовой продуктивности, качеством корма, устойчивостью к засухе (3,23,8 баллов), полеганию (5 баллов), вредителям и поражённостью болезням, обеспечивают урожайность зелёной массы 25,228,4 т/га, сухого вещества 5,75,8 т/га, кормовых единиц 4,4 т/га, обменной энергии 55,956,8 ГДж/га, переваримого протеина 695893 кг/га с содержанием в 1 корм. ед. 158203 г переваримого протеина, формируют семенную продуктивность 0,51,28 т/га. Для обеспечения животноводства Забайкальского края полноценным высокоэнергетическим кормом целесообразно использовать амарант метельчатый и кормовые бобы. The investigation took place in 20112013 at the EastSiberian Research Institute of Veterinary Medicine. Agriculture in the TransBaikal Territory is oriented towards increase in forage production and improvement of fodder quality and energy value. One of the ways to do that is to cultivate rare and unconventional annual forage species having high feed productivity and adaptability to the regional conditions. The goal and objectives of this research were to analyze the productivities and nutritional value of scarlet amaranth and field beans tolerant to the extreme conditions of the TransBaikal Territory. Scarlet amaranth Yantar and field beans Sibirskie performed as the objects of study. The investigation tested their adaptability and economically important traits. Scarlet amaranth and field beans had high forage productivity and quality, resistance to drought, lodging, pests and diseases. These crops could yield 25.228.4 t ha1 of green mass, 5.75.8 t ha1 of dry matter, 4.4 t ha1 of feed units, 55.956.8 GJ ha1 of exchange energy, 695893 kg ha1 of digestible protein and 0.51.28 t ha1 of seeds. One feed unit contained 158203 g of digestible protein. Scarlet amaranth and field beans were shown to be good sources of highenergy and highquality feed for livestock in the TransBaikal Territory.

scholarly journals Relations among the Riemann Zeta and Hurwitz Zeta Functions, as Well as Their Products

Symmetry ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 754 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. C. L. Ashton ◽  
A. S. Fokas
Keyword(s):  
Zeta Function ◽  
Zeta Functions ◽  
Formal Proof ◽  
Hurwitz Zeta Function ◽  
Mean Square ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Lindelöf Hypothesis ◽  
Riemann Zeta ◽  
The Mean

In this paper, several relations are obtained among the Riemann zeta and Hurwitz zeta functions, as well as their products. A particular case of these relations give rise to a simple re-derivation of the important results of Katsurada and Matsumoto on the mean square of the Hurwitz zeta function. Also, a relation derived here provides the starting point of a novel approach which, in a series of companion papers, yields a formal proof of the Lindelöf hypothesis. Some of the above relations motivate the need for analysing the large α behaviour of the modified Hurwitz zeta function ζ 1 ( s , α ) , s ∈ C , α ∈ ( 0 , ∞ ) , which is also presented here.

A novel approach to pathogen reduction in biosolids: the enzymic hydrolyser

2002 ◽  
Vol 46 (4-5) ◽  
pp. 427-434 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.E. Mayhew ◽  
M.S. Le ◽  
R. Ratcliff
Keyword(s):  
Enzymic Hydrolysis ◽  
Secondary Storage ◽  
Adequate Treatment ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
Mesophilic Digestion ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Pathogen Reduction ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Product Standard

Revision of the Sludge (Use in Agriculture) Regulations in the UK has resulted in the requirement of a final product standard in terms of E coli per gram of dry solids. Conventional mesophilic digestion including 14-day secondary storage should normally provide adequate treatment to meet the Treated Sludge Standard. Any process capable of greater pathogen reduction would ensure more process security and compliance comfort. Such a process would be a welcome alternative to extra secondary storage where an existing works does not have sufficient capacity, particularly if the differences in costs between the options are small. Enzymic hydrolysis was found to be up to ten-fold more effective in E coli reduction than conventional secondary digestion. A two-stage digestion process based on this technique has been developed by United Utilities and Montgomery Watson Harza (termed the enzymic hydrolyser, patent pending). Studies showed that the mean numbers of E coli were significantly lower in the enzymic hydrolyser systems (P&gt;0.05; t=13.19) compared to conventional digesters. Increased stability was a secondary benefit of the system (foam was eliminated or greatly reduced in the enzymic hydrolyser units). Another benefit of the system for retrofit to existing assets is the decreased tankage volumes required compared to secondary digestion to achieve more than twice the log kill of pathogens.

Role of Fundamental Frequency Differences in the Perceptual Separation of Competing Vowel Sounds by Listeners With Normal Hearing and Listeners With Hearing Loss

1997 ◽  
Vol 40 (6) ◽  
pp. 1434-1444 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathryn Hoberg Arehart ◽  
Catherine Arriaga King ◽  
Kelly S. McLean-Mudgett
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Fundamental Frequency ◽  
Normal Hearing ◽  
Average Increase ◽  
Identification Task ◽  
Vowel Identification ◽  
Overall Performance ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Perceptual Separation

This study compared the ability of listeners with normal hearing and listeners with moderate to moderately-severe sensorineural hearing loss to use fundamental frequency differences (ΔF 0 ) in the identification of monotically presented simultaneous vowels. Two psychophysical procedures, double vowel identification and masked vowel identification, were used to measure identification performance as a function of ΔF 0 (0 through 8 semitones) between simultaneous vowels. Performance in the double vowel identification task was measured by the percentage of trials in which listeners correctly identified both vowels in a double vowel. The masked vowel identification task yielded thresholds representing signal-to-noise ratios at which listeners could just identify target vowels in the presence of a masking vowel. In the double vowel identification task, both listeners with normal hearing and listeners with hearing loss showed significant ΔF 0 benefit: Between 0 and 2 semitones, listeners with normal hearing showed an 18.5% average increase in performance; listeners with hearing loss showed a 16.5% average increase. In the masked vowel identification task, both groups showed significant ΔF 0 benefit. However, the mean benefit associated with ΔF 0 differences in the masked vowel task was more than twice as large in listeners with normal hearing 9.4 dB) when compared to listeners with hearing loss (4.4 dB), suggesting less ΔF 0 benefit in listeners with hearing loss. In both tasks, overall performance of listeners with hearing loss was significantly worse than performance of listeners with normal hearing. Possible reasons for reduced ΔF 0 benefit and decreased overall performance in listeners with hearing loss include reduced audibility of vowel sounds and deficits in spectro-temporal processing.

scholarly journals Barriers Militating Against the Adoption of Biomimicry as a Sustainable Construction Practice

2019 ◽  
Vol 266 ◽  
pp. 03010
Author(s):  
Olusegun Aanuoluwapo Oguntona ◽  
Clinton Ohis Aigbavboa
Keyword(s):  
Construction Industry ◽  
Higher Learning ◽  
Sustainable Construction ◽  
Training And Education ◽  
Sustainable Solutions ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
Adoption And Implementation ◽  
Institutions Of Higher Learning ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Structured Questionnaire

The integration of sustainable practices into construction processes and activities are imperative for achieving the greening agenda of the construction industry. However, there has been a proliferation of several sustainable construction practices (SCPs) with biomimicry standing out among them. As a novel approach that studies and emulates nature’s forms, processes, and strategies to proffer sustainable solutions to human challenges, biomimicry is beginning to gain momentum in its application across different sectors. This research sets out to identify what constitutes the barriers to the application of biomimicry. A structured questionnaire survey was conducted to establish the perception of construction professionals on the significant barriers to biomimicry adoption and implementation. A quantitative approach to data analysis was employed using the mean scores of the identified variables. Lack of awareness, lack of professional knowledge, and lack of training and education are identified as the top three barriers to biomimicry adoption and implementation. The study recommended that government, relevant professional bodies and stakeholders should encourage and embrace the adoption of biomimicry through awareness, education, training, and inclusion in the curriculum of institutions of higher learning. These will maximise the potential of biomimicry to aid innovative and sustainable outputs in the construction industry.

scholarly journals The tradeoffs between safety and alert fatigue: Data from a national evaluation of hospital medication-related clinical decision support

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (8) ◽  
pp. 1252-1258 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zoe Co ◽  
A Jay Holmgren ◽  
David C Classen ◽  
Lisa Newmark ◽  
Diane L Seger ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Decision ◽  
Evaluation Tool ◽  
Order Entry ◽  
Percentage Point Increase ◽  
Point Increase ◽  
Fatigue Data ◽  
Overall Performance ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Physician Order Entry

Abstract Objective The study sought to evaluate the overall performance of hospitals that used the Computerized Physician Order Entry Evaluation Tool in both 2017 and 2018, along with their performance against fatal orders and nuisance orders. Materials and Methods We evaluated 1599 hospitals that took the test in both 2017 and 2018 by using their overall percentage scores on the test, along with the percentage of fatal orders appropriately alerted on, and the percentage of nuisance orders incorrectly alerted on. Results Hospitals showed overall improvement; the mean score in 2017 was 58.1%, and this increased to 66.2% in 2018. Fatal order performance improved slightly from 78.8% to 83.0% (P &lt; .001), though there was almost no change in nuisance order performance (89.0% to 89.7%; P = .43). Hospitals alerting on one or more nuisance orders had a 3-percentage-point increase in their overall score. Discussion Despite the improvement of overall scores in 2017 and 2018, there was little improvement in fatal order performance, suggesting that hospitals are not targeting the deadliest orders first. Nuisance order performance showed almost no improvement, and some hospitals may be achieving higher scores by overalerting, suggesting that the thresholds for which alerts are fired from are too low. Conclusions Although hospitals improved overall from 2017 to 2018, there is still important room for improvement for both fatal and nuisance orders. Hospitals that incorrectly alerted on one or more nuisance orders had slightly higher overall performance, suggesting that some hospitals may be achieving higher scores at the cost of overalerting, which has the potential to cause clinician burnout and even worsen safety.

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