Key Quality Factors Research Articles

A Centroid Auto-Fused Hierarchical Fuzzy c-Means Clustering

Like k-means and Gaussian mixture model (GMM), fuzzy c-means (FCM) with soft partition has also become a popular clustering algorithm and still is extensively studied. However, these algorithms and their variants still suffer from some difficulties such as determination of the optimal number of clusters which is a key factor for clustering quality. A common approach for overcoming this difficulty is to use the trial-and-validation strategy, i.e., traversing every integer from large number like √n to 2 until finding the optimal number corresponding to the peak value of some cluster validity index. But it is scarcely possible to naturally construct an adaptively agglomerative hierarchical cluster structure as using the trial-and-validation strategy. Even if possible, existing different validity indices also lead to different number of clusters. To effectively mitigate the problems while motivated by convex clustering, in this article we present a centroid auto-fused hierarchical fuzzy c-means method (CAF-HFCM) whose optimization procedure can automatically agglomerate to form a cluster hierarchy, more importantly, yielding an optimal number of clusters without resorting to any validity index. Although a recently proposed robust-learning fuzzy c-means (RL-FCM) can also automatically obtain the best number of clusters without the help of any validity index, so-involved three hyperparameters need to adjust expensively, conversely, our CAF-HFCM involves just one hyperparameter which makes the corresponding adjustment relatively easier and more operational. Further, as an additional benefit from our optimization objective, the CAF-HFCM effectively reduces the sensitivity to the initialization of clustering performance. Moreover, our proposed CAF-HFCM method is able to be straightforwardly extended to various variants of FCM. Finally, extensive experiments on both synthetic and real data sets demonstrate the effectiveness and efficiency of CAF-HFCM.

An association study in the Taiwan Biobank reveals RORA as a novel locus for sleep duration in the Taiwanese Population

BackgroundSleep is a key factor for health-related quality of life since sleep disturbances are a significant and common problem for patients with various human diseases such as psychiatric disorders. While single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in circadian clock genes have been indicated to be associated with sleep duration, most of the association studies have been investigated in populations with European ancestry. It is believed that no studies have been conducted to investigate a link between sleep duration and the circadian clock genes RORA and RORB, which play a key role, with NR1D1, in an additional feedback loop for the circadian rhythm machinery. MethodsIn this study, we assessed the relationships between sleep duration and SNPs in the circadian clock genes NR1D1, RORA, and RORB in the Taiwan Biobank with a sample of 10,112 Taiwanese subjects. ResultsFrom our data, we revealed a novel significant association in sleep duration with the rs75981965 SNP (P = 9.93 × 10−5) in the RORA gene that has not been previously identified. The association of sleep duration with this SNP remained significant after performing Bonferroni correction. RORA is a potential candidate for sleep duration as RORA has been suggested to play a key role in the regulation of sleep disorders. Additionally, we pinpointed the effects of interactions between RORA rs75981965 and environmental factors such as tea consumption (P = 0.0015), coffee consumption (P = 0.0029), physical activity (P = 0.011), alcohol consumption (P = 0.0146), and smoking (P = 0.0223) in influencing sleep duration. We also found interactions between RORA and NR1D1 (P = 0.0023) as well as between RORA and RORB (P = 0.0061) in affecting sleep duration. ConclusionsOur results indicate that the circadian clock gene RORA may contribute to sleep duration independently as well as through gene-gene and gene-environment interactions in the Taiwanese population.

Balancing Waterfowl Hunting Opportunity and Quality to Recruit, Retain, and Reactivate

ABSTRACTWaterfowl hunter numbers and waterfowl populations were closely correlated until the past 2 decades when hunter numbers declined despite near‐record breeding population estimates for ducks in North America. As a result, efforts to recruit, retain, and reactivate (R3) waterfowl hunters have been promoted by the North American Waterfowl Management Plan community because hunters are a key source of funding for wetland‐wildlife habitat conservation and management. Increasing access and opportunity for hunting appears to be the primary R3 strategy in North America. We suggest that hunt quality is an equal, if not more important, facet of waterfowl hunter R3 that is substantially overlooked and undervalued by current R3 initiatives. We contend that providing abundant access and opportunity to hunt waterfowl alone, especially if it jeopardizes hunting quality, is inadequate. We urge the R3 community to integrate principles and methods used within the human dimensions field to focus on the relationships between quality, motivation, and satisfaction across various audiences and market segments. Such an approach will help R3 initiatives establish an empirical evidence base to develop strategies specifically focused on identifying key hunt quality or opportunity factors. © 2020 The Wildlife Society.

Continuous Monitoring of Cotton Stem Water Potential using Sentinel-2 Imagery

Monitoring cotton status during the growing season is critical in increasing production efficiency. The water status in cotton is a key factor for yield and cotton quality. Stem water potential (SWP) is a precise indicator for assessing cotton water status. Satellite remote sensing is an effective approach for monitoring cotton growth at a large scale. The aim of this study is to estimate cotton water stress at a high temporal frequency and at a large scale. In this study, we measured midday SWP samples according to the acquisition dates of Sentinel-2 images and used them to build linear-regression-based and machine-learning-based models to estimate cotton water stress during the growing season (June to August, 2018). For the linear-regression-based method, we estimated SWP based on different Sentinel-2 spectral bands and vegetation indices, where the normalized difference index 45 (NDI45) achieved the best performance (R2 = 0.6269; RMSE = 3.6802 (-1*swp (bars))). For the machine-learning-based method, we used random forest regression to estimate SWP and received even better results (R2 = 0.6709; RMSE = 3.3742 (-1*swp (bars))). To find the best selection of input variables for the machine-learning-based approach, we tried three different data input datasets, including (1) 9 original spectral bands (e.g., blue, green, red, red edge, near infrared (NIR), and shortwave infrared (SWIR)), (2) 21 vegetation indices, and (3) a combination of original Sentinel-2 spectral bands and vegetation indices. The highest accuracy was achieved when only the original spectral bands were used. We also found the SWIR and red edge band were the most important spectral bands, and the vegetation indices based on red edge and NIR bands were particularly helpful. Finally, we applied the best approach for the linear-regression-based and the machine-learning-based methods to generate cotton water potential maps at a large scale and high temporal frequency. Results suggests that the methods developed here has the potential for continuous monitoring of SWP at large scales and the machine-learning-based method is preferred.

Knockdown of VvMYBA1 via virus-induced gene silencing decreases anthocyanin biosynthesis in grape berries

Anthocyanin in grapevines, regulated by structural and regulatory genes, determines the colour of grape berries and is a key factor in wine quality. The transgenic approach is a useful strategy for elucidating gene function. However, it is difficult to obtain transgenic fruit trees, including grapevines. Viral vectors offer an effective strategy for overcoming this challenge. In this study, we successfully knocked down the VvMYBA1 gene in ‘Red Globe’ and ‘JiZaoMi’ grape berries via virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) by vacuum infiltration and silencing efficiencies of 73% and 93%, respectively, were obtained relative to the control. Total anthocyanins content was reduced 1.7- and 2.7-times relative to that in the control in ‘Red Globe’ and ‘JiZaoMi’ grape berries, respectively. The expression levels of VvUFGT and VvDFR were reduced by 80% and 8% and by 72% and 42% relative to the control in ‘Red Globe’ and ‘JiZaoMi’ grape berries, respectively, in the anthocyanin metabolic pathways. Tobacco rattle virus-mediated VIGS was, therefore, successfully established in grape berries. These findings provide direct evidence that VvMYBA1 encodes skin colour in red grape berries and suggest a possible application of VIGS for gene function studies in other fruits.

Effect of Pruning and Fertigation on Plant Biometric Characters in Guava (Psidium guajava L.) – A Review

Guava (Psidium guajava L.), is one of the most important fruit crops cultivated widely in tropical region of the world and considered as ‘poor man’s apple’ or ‘the apple of tropics’ due to its low cost of production and high nutritional value. Pruning is one of the most ancient horticultural practices which regulate the tree size and shape to achieve a desired architecture of the canopy and also to reduce the vegetative growth by removing unproductive branches of the tree. Guava is an evergreen tropical fruit crop and rarely pruned in our country to regulate the canopy for better yield and quality of fruits despite that guava responds to pruning. Fertigation (application of fertilizer solution with drip irrigation) has the potential for the right combination of water and nutrient which make it available at the root zone, satisfying the plant requirements. These inputs are the key factors for high yield and quality. Fertigation saves fertilizer as it permits applied fertilizer in required quantities at a time matching with the plants nutrient requirement. Besides, it is considered as eco-friendly which avoids leaching (Sharma et al., 2012) and also saves atmospheric pollution.

Quality of life and its association with psychiatric symptoms and socio-demographic characteristics among people with schizophrenia: A hospital-based cross-sectional study.

ObjectivesTo identify sociodemographic and illness-related factors associated with quality of life among people with Schizophrenia.MethodsA hospital-based cross-sectional study design was employed among 351 people with schizophrenia and attending the followup service at Jimma University Medical Center, psychiatric clinic during the study period. Participants were recruited using a systematic random sampling method and a sample fraction of two was used after the first person was identified by a lottery method. Data entry was done using EpiData version 3.1 and then exported to Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 25 for analysis. Multiple regression analysis was used to determine the statistically significant association between quality of life and independent variables.ResultsAmong the four domains of quality of life, respondents scored the lowest mean in the social relationships domain (10.14 ± 3.12). Final adjusted multiple regression model revealed, being divorced was negatively associated with the physical domain (β = −0.72, p = 0.02), having no formal education was negatively associated with physical health domain (β = −0.69, p = 0.001) and age was positively associated with the psychological domain (β = 0.371, p = 0.071). Being rural resident was negatively associated with physical domain (β = −0.48, p = 0.01), with environmental domain (β = −0.64, p = 0.03), with social relationships domain (β = −0.45, p = 0.04), and with overall quality of life (β = −1.93, p = 0.006). Positive symptoms (β = −0.22, p = 0.001), negative symptoms (β = −0.36, p = 0.001), and general psychopathology (β = −0.098, p = 0.006) were inversely associated with overall quality of life.ConclusionIn this study, the social relationship domain of quality of life among people with schizophrenia has the lowest mean score. Some socio-demographic variables and psychiatric symptoms were found to be key significant associated factors of quality of life. Priority interventions to improve the social deficits and addressing psychiatric symptoms of people with schizophrenia is essential to improve their quality of life.

Do caregiver proxy reports and congruence of client-proxy activity participation goals relate to quality of life in people with aphasia?

Achieving activity participation goals is a key factor in quality of life (QOL) for people with aphasia (PWA), but expressing participation goals can be difficult for many of them. Proxy reports by caregivers may not accurately reflect the interests and participation goals of PWA, and discrepancies in these goals between PWA and their caregivers may affect QOL, based on the assumption that caregivers' awareness of their loved ones' unique participation goals may be important to increasing PWA activity participation. To examine everyday activities valued by PWA using the Life Interests and Values (LIV) Cards; to measure congruence between PWA and their caregivers on life participation goals; and to measure how congruence of PWA-caregiver participation goals related to QOL. A convenience sample of 25 PWA completed the LIV Card assessment and the Stroke Aphasia Quality of Life Scale-39 to assess participation goals and QOL. Participation goals were also evaluated with respect to age, time post-onset and aphasia severity. A total of 12 caregivers were administered the LIV Cards to calculate agreement between PWA-proxy activity reports and the relationship between agreement and QOL. PWA endorsed wanting to participate more in a wide range of activities, with common interests in walking/running, going to the beach and eating out, among others. PWA-caregiver activity agreement was fair to moderate with point-to-point agreement averaging 70%. However, no relationship between degree of congruence in PWA-proxy pairs and QOL was found. PWA have a variety of activity participation goals that can be integrated into intervention plans. Dependence on proxy respondents should be reduced as much as possible to support self-determination for PWA. What this paper adds What is already known on the subject Achieving activity participation goals is a key factor in QOL for PWA, but communicating about participation goals can be difficult for many of them. Because proxy reports by caregivers may not accurately reflect the interests and participation goals of PWA, this study examined how both PWA and their caregivers responded to an aphasia-friendly assessment for determining participation goals, and then compared level of agreement about these goals to QOL. Because activity participation is known to be an important factor in QOL, the reason for investigating how agreement relates to QOL is that caregivers' awareness of their loved ones' unique participation goals likely facilitates increased participation by PWA in their ongoing desired activities. The relationship between PWA-caregiver agreement regarding participation goals and QOL in PWA had not yet been investigated before this study. What this paper adds to existing knowledge This study adds additional as well as confirmatory information to the existing literature about life participation goals of community-dwelling individuals with chronic aphasia. Top activities endorsed by a group of 25 PWA are reported within four activity domains (home and community activities, creative and relaxing activities, physical activities, and social activities). Results indicated that agreement between PWA and their caregiver proxies on PWA's most desired activities was < 50%. However, the level of agreement between caregivers and proxies on participation goals was not significantly related to QOL in this sample. What are the potential or actual clinical implications of this work? PWA have a variety of participation goals that can be integrated into intervention plans to be carried out with clinicians, caregivers and family members. The use of proxy respondents when determining participation goals should be reduced as much as possible to support self-determination for PWA. Use of the LIV Cards, a picture-based sorting-task assessment, reduces the need for proxy responders and guesswork about the specific participation goals of PWA.

Surface morphologies and corresponding hardness evolution during nanoscratching

Machining surface topography is a key factor affecting the properties of optical materials. It is generally accepted that the fracture mode tends to dominate practical concerns on machined parts and the elastic recovery area decreases with the increase of normal load. However, material removal rate is low for ductile zone processing of brittle materials. In this case, pile-up and elastic recovery are key factors for surface quality. In this study, an accurate scratching and ploughing hardness model with consideration of both pile-up and elastic recovery was established based on a series of continuous and constant nanoscratch tests. The hardness evolution mechanism under different nanoscratch deformation modes was then investigated. It was found that, in different modes, hardness values exhibited different characteristics due to the change of elastic recovery rate and the intersection of elastic and plastic states. Further, the mapping relationship between hardness dispersion and surface morphology characteristics was also investigated. The results indicated that high degree of hardness dispersion usually corresponded to modes Ⅰ and Ⅱ while stable hardness value represented a steady plastic stage. Based on the intrinsic relationship between evolution of hardness and deformation modes, predicting hardness distribution by in-situ testing data and then adjusting deformation mode in real time would be helpful in optimizing surface quality.

Prostorno-funkcionalni standardi socijalnog stanovanja u Srbiji - regulativa, praksa i percepcija korisnika

Adequate level of housing comfort, in terms of space, function and health, is one of the key factors of quality and sustainability of social housing. In post-socialist Serbia, the extremely residual system of provision in this sector has been a major challenge to achieve adequate quality standards for new social housing construction over the past two decades. Through a review of the national regulations in the field of planning, design and construction of social housing after 2000 and the results of the conducted empirical research on six completed projects (in Valjevo, Pančevo, Čačak, Kraljevo, Kragujevac and Belgrade), the paper discusses the situation, limitations and opportunities for improving current housing practices in this field. In the initial period of formation of the new housing system, through the recommendations for planning and design social housing was treated as below average standard and quality housing, but since 2009 its development through the legislative framework is increasingly directed towards the concept of sustainable housing development. At the same time, the results of the evaluation of the pioneering examples of practice in this area, realized in the period 2008-2010, indicate certain deficiency in terms of the application of sustainability criteria. Through a survey of tenants on satisfaction with various elements of housing comfort, the problems of overcrowding and inadequacy of housing conditions regarding functional and health aspects were observed in selected examples. It was found that the tenants are mostly satisfied with the level of thermal and light comfort in the apartments, while they expressed significant dissatisfaction due to the lack of auxiliary and open apartment areas, insufficient sound insulation and overall lower quality construction. In the concluding remarks, the results of the research are discussed and recommendations are given for the improvement of design standards and monitoring instruments in social housing programs in Serbia.

Modeling Stem Water Potential by Separating the Effects of Soil Water Availability and Climatic Conditions on Water Status in Grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.).

Measuring seasonal plant water status is critical in choosing appropriate management strategies to ensure yields and quality of agricultural products, particularly in a context of climate change. Water status of grapevines is known to be a key factor for yield, grape composition, and wine quality. Predawn leaf water potential (PLWP) and stem water potential (SWP) proved to be simple and precise indicators for assessing grapevine water status and subsequent same-day spatial comparisons. A drawback of SWP is that it does not allow for temporal comparisons, because the measured value is impacted both by soil water availability and climatic conditions on the day of measurement. The objectives of this study are i) to provide a model that separates the effect of soil water content from the effect of climatic conditions on the SWP value and ii) to standardize the SWP value to a value under predefined reference climatic conditions in order to compare SWP values collected under different climatic conditions. SWP and PLWP were temporally assessed on three soil types in Saint-Émilion (Bordeaux, France) in 2015 and on five soil types in Margaux (Bordeaux, France) in 2018 using a pressure chamber. SWP measurements on two consecutive days with contrasting climatic conditions allowed to assess the impact of these conditions on SWP values. A large portion of the variability in SWP values was explained by PLWP. Model selection further showed that the addition of maximum air temperature and seasonality explained a significant amount of the remaining variability in SWP values. SWP values could be successfully standardized to a theoretical value under reference climatic conditions, which allows for temporal comparisons of SWP values. A plant-based measurement, such as the water potential, can be considered as the most straightforward indicator of plant water status as it integrates the effects of soil, plant, and atmospheric conditions. More precise interpretation of SWP values provides winegrowers with a tool to more adequately implement short- and long-term management strategies to adapt to drought in order to ensure yield and grape quality.

Effect of the Quality of Microblog Information Content on Internet Public Opinion Dissemination

In the era of mobile internet, microblog has become the main source of information for people, and its information quality is crucial. From the perspective of information content quality, this paper constructs a quality index system of microblog information content, uses correlation analysis and empirical analysis to verify the impact of relevant indicators on the dissemination of public opinion, and concludes that the quality of microblog information content has a positive impact on the transmission of microblog. Finally, the key quality factors affecting the dissemination of public opinion are obtained, which can provide reference for the management of network public opinion.

Identification of Fertilizer Quality Factors from Distributors, Retailers and Farmers Perspective

Indonesia is one country in the world with a developing agricultural industry. Around 50% of Indonesian citizen is involved in the agricultural sector. Fertilizer is one important material for this industry to control the productivity of plantation or farming areas. In Indonesia, Fertilizer is produced by the fertilizer industry and is distributed to the farmer through two channels: distributor and retailer. With increasing competition in the Indonesian fertilizer industry due to the presence of fertilizer products from outside the country, it is necessary for this industry to maintain the quality of its product. Identification of product quality factors becomes a critical step in managing the quality of fertilizer products. Moreover, discussion with people in the Indonesian fertilizer industry, it is substantial to know the perception of customers about quality factors for fertilizer products. This research aims to identify quality factors for fertilizer products from distributors, retailers and farmers perspective. It was found that distributors and retailers emphasized the accuracy of weight and composition from fertilizer products as prominent quality factors while farmers stressed fertilizer price and fertilizer composition as key quality factors.

Key factors of service quality of B-2-B technology providers

Empirical studies of B-2-B service quality in B-2-B are rare, particularly in banking and telecom. This paper analyses the key factors of service quality of a technology provider for banking and telecommunications. It considers how service quality relates to the decision criteria of IT executives in these sectors for the selection of a technology provider in an emerging market. 597 IT executives in banks and telecom companies in Thailand were surveyed. Data analysis was conducted using structural equation modelling. The value of an adapted SERVQUAL/SERVPERF in B-2-B is confirmed by the bank and telecom executives. Importance based on the SERVQUAL/SERVPERF dimensions was strongly related. Expectations including customer responsiveness were second in importance. Influence of the provider was related to the decision. Executives indicated that service quality was not enough to make the decision to award a service contract. Technology providers should enhance their service quality capability and collaboration.

A comprehensive inventory of agricultural atmospheric particulate matters (PM10 and PM2.5) and gaseous pollutants (VOCs, SO2, NH3, CO, NOx and HC) emissions in China

Abstract Atmospheric pollutants emitted from agriculture are a key factor in regional air quality. However, previous studies of agricultural sources have only focused on agricultural burning, livestock or fertilizer; comprehensive agricultural emission inventories involving main agricultural operations are still lacking in China, which would limit our ability to understand, predict and control the effects of agricultural emissions on air quality and human health. This study presents the latest county-level sector-specific emission inventories of particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) and gaseous pollutants (VOCs, SO2, NH3, CO and NOx) from six agricultural sectors, including land preparation, crop harvesting, crop residue burning, grain processing, fertilizer application and agricultural machinery, based on a bottom-up emission estimation method. Agricultural activity data were collected from statistical yearbooks, and emission factors of each operation were adopted from published data. Annual emissions of PM10, PM2.5, VOCs, SO2, NH3, CO, and NOx from agricultural operations during 2015 in China were estimated to be 2867.4 Gg, 1941.1 Gg, 2321.9 Gg, 139.6 Gg, 1072.7 Gg, 10149.9 Gg and 1433.2 Gg, respectively. Higher pollutant emissions are found in Eastern and Central China. Atmospheric pollutant emissions show a primary peak in October in North, Northeast, Northwest and Southwest and in June and July in other regions. The historic trends (1997–2015) of agricultural emissions have shown annual average growth rates of 0.9%/yr, 1.3%/yr, 1.5%/yr, 2.5%/yr, 1.1%/yr, 1.2%/yr and 0.6%/yr for PM10, PM2.5, VOCs, NOx, SO2, CO and NH3, respectively. The detailed agricultural emission inventory generated by this study could provide useful information for air quality modeling and support the development of appropriate pollution control strategies.

Total phenolic content prediction inFlos Loniceraeusing hyperspectral imaging combined with wavelengths selection methods

AbstractHyperspectral imaging (HSI) method was applied to rapidly and nondestructively predict total phenolic content inFlos Lonicerae. The least squares support vector machine (LS‐SVM) and partial least squares regression (PLSR) models were developed on the basis of full wavelengths data and characteristic wavelengths data chosen by six wavelengths selection ways. The results clarified that standard normal variable (SNV) was the optimal pretreatment method, and the nonlinear LS‐SVM model based on the characteristic wavelengths chosen by the combination (CARS‐SPA) of competitive adaptive reweighted sampling (CARS) and successive projections algorithm (SPA) yielded the best prediction performance for the total phenolic content. The overall results demonstrated that the proposed CARS‐SPA was a good method for selecting characteristic wavelengths to enhance prediction performance of HSI, and nonlinear LS‐SVM was more appropriate than linear PLSR for the prediction of total phenolic content inFlos Lonicerae.Practical applicationsFlos Loniceraeis a well‐known traditional Chinese medicinal herb, and also the raw material of various medicines and herbal tea. The demand forFlos Loniceraeis increasing. Therefore, monitoring the quality ofFlos Loniceraeis very important to consumers and industry ofFlos Lonicerae. The phenolic compounds content inFlos Loniceraeis one of the key internal quality factors. The traditional methods (such as spectrophotometric techniques or high‐performance liquid chromatography) for detecting total phenolic content are time‐consuming, labor‐consuming, and destructive. Hyperspectral imaging (HSI) is a nondestructive and reliable method for quality inspection. The results showed that SNV was determined as the best method for pretreatment, and the nonlinear CARS‐SPA‐LS‐SVM model was developed for total phenolic content detection with high precision. It could be verified that HSI technology is effective and promising for rapid determination of total phenolic content and quality control ofFlos Loniceraeas well as other agricultural products.

The impact of exhibition service quality on general attendees’ satisfaction through distinct mediating roles of perceived value

PurposeIn an effort to better understand value-oriented general attendees, the purpose of this paper is to propose and empirically test a comprehensive model to examine the effect of three factors of service quality in exhibitions (i.e. service product, service environment and service delivery) on satisfaction through three factors of perceived value (i.e. emotional value, economic value and social value).Design/methodology/approachA confirmatory factor analysis was performed to determine key factors in exhibition service quality, perceived value and satisfaction. A structural equation modeling was conducted to analyze the causal relationships among the factors.FindingsThe empirical results indicated that service product and service environment were significantly and positively associated with all factors of perceived value, which in turn significantly influenced satisfaction. Service delivery, however, was associated only with emotional value. On the other hand, all three factors of perceived value significantly influenced general attendees’ satisfaction. The findings indicated perceived value as an important mediator between exhibition service quality and general attendees’ satisfaction.Originality/valueClearly identifying specific trajectories from service quality to satisfaction through distinct perceived values can be a stepping stone to establishing effective and efficient marketing strategies for general attendees and customizing for their needs. The distinct and clear associations between service quality and perceived value can help exhibition organizers and practitioners understand the process of determining general attendees’ overall satisfaction.

Psychomotorische und kognitive Entwicklung und Lebensqualität bei Kindern und Jugendlichen mit angeborenem Herzfehler

Children with congenital heart disease (CHD) are at significant risk of psychomotor and cognitive developmental disorders, with negative effects on psychosocial and academic performance and quality of life. Innate characteristics such as genetic abnormalities, type and severity of CHD and socioeconomic factors are the most important risk factors. Prenatally, hypoperfusion or hypoxia can cause developmental and maturation disorders of the brain, thus promoting postpartum lesions of the more vulnerable brain substance and neurodevelopmental disorders. The high-risk group includes primarily infants requiring open heart surgery. Specific phenotypic characteristics of development emerge at different ages: in early childhood motor and linguistic articulation deficits; at school age impaired speech and language, attention, memory, visual-spatial, executive, and motor skills, often associated with academic deficits, and emotional or social issues; in adolescence executive, psychosocial and psychiatric disorders and impaired quality of life; in adulthood, neurocognitive, psychosocial and problems of self-management and professional perspective. Physical and social functioning, psychomotor development and mental health are key factors for quality of life. The German Society of Pediatric Cardiology demands detailed serial neuropsychological examinations at the age of 2 and 5 years, before puberty and before adulthood, for the high-risk group of children with CHD operated on in infant age in order to detect and to treat partial performance disorders at an early stage.

The effect of a heel-unloading orthosis in short-term treatment of calcaneus fractures on physical function, quality of life and return to work \u2013 study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundThere are no standardized therapy guidelines for rehabilitation of calcaneus fractures. While there is consensus on non or partial weight-bearing, the use of supporting devices such as specific foot ankle orthosis is still a matter of debate. Recently, a heel-unloading orthosis (“Settner shoe”) was introduced for aftercare of these fractures, allowing walking by shifting the load to the middle-foot and forefoot. This orthosis enables early mobilization of patients suffering from either one-sided or two-sided fractures. The Settner shoe can be applied in non-operative therapy and after surgery. Specifically in calcaneus fractures, early regain of physical activity has been highlighted as one of the key factors for quality of life and the ability to return to work. Thus, we hypothesize that mobilization with the Settner shoe results in improved quality of life and greater physical activity within the first 3 months.MethodsThis is going to be analyzed by a randomized controlled study comparing treatment with and without this specific orthosis. The secondary outcome measure is the time point of return to work in patients aged between 18 and 60 years, with calcaneus fracture. Furthermore, the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot score, a 3-dimensional gait analysis, and the Euroqol-5 dimension-3 level (EQ-5D-3 L) questionnaire for quality of life are assessed.DiscussionThis is the first trial applying a standardized rehabilitation protocol in patients with calcaneus fractures, aiming to improve the non-operative part of treatment by use of an orthosis.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03572816. Registered on 27 July 2018.

In memoriam: Professor Gérard Seguin

On April 13, 2019, Professor Gérard Seguin passed away at the age of 82. Professor Seguin was a creative and enlightened researcher and a much respected professor in soil and terroir sciences at Bordeaux University. Encouraged by his mentor, the late Emile Peynaud, he developed a whole new field of research on the influence of soil and climate on vine development, grape composition and wine quality, referred to as “terroir”. As early as 1969 he published a paper in which restricted but regular water supply to the vines was shown to be a key factor in wine quality, a result which has been confirmed by many researchers ever since (Seguin, 1969). In this study, the water uptake of the vines was quantified with a neutron moisture probe, a highly innovative technique for that time. Unfortunately, this ground-breaking paper came out in a period when most European researchers published in their own language. Only in 1986 Seguin published a review paper about the effect of terroir in viticulture in English (Seguin, 1986). Seguin was also convinced that high terroir expression is only possible when grapes ripen at the end of the growing season, in relatively cool conditions (van Leeuwen and Seguin, 2006). This concept is gaining importance as the climate warms up. Seguin was one of the first researchers to study terroir on a scientific basis and certainly the very first to understand that its effect can only be understood by a multi-disciplinary approach, considering interactions between the climate and the vine and the soil and the vine. After his retirement in 1998, he was happy to see that terroir is gaining international recognition as an important aspect in winegrowing, as shown by terroir conferences organized all around the world, in Davis California in 2006, in Oregon in 2016 and one scheduled in Adelaide in 2020.Gérard Seguin was also a highly respected professor, unanimously appreciated by his students. He took his teaching mission very seriously, spending hours on fine tuning his lectures. He was able to explain complex issues in soil science in a perfectly clear way. He was close to his students and always ready to take their defense. In the management of his lab, he left as much freedom as necessary to his staff and doctoral students to develop innovative research, but he imposed everyone to be present at the coffee break of 9 am. This was not only a moment to discuss private matters and share impressions about last night’s good bottles, but also a place where many good research ideas emerged. This is certainly a point to consider in our ever busier schedules, where time for social interactions is more and more limited. We are sad to say farewell to Professor Seguin but we are grateful for his tremendous legacy.