bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Validation of a novel method for localization of parathyroid adenomas using SPECT/CT
Authors: LeBlanc Rachelle A. , Isaac Andre , Abele Jonathan , Biron Vincent L. , Côté David W. J. , Hearn Matthew , O'Connell Daniel A. , Seikaly Hadi , Harris Jeffrey R.
Published: October 2018

Background

Accurate localization of parathyroid adenomas is of critical importance in surgical planning for minimally invasive parathyroidectomy. SPECT/CT is considered the investigation of choice but has limitations regarding localization of superior versus inferior adenomas. We proposed a novel method for localization using SPECT/CT by determining the anterior-posterior relationship of the adenoma to a horizontal line in the coronal plane through the tracheoesophageal groove. Our objective was to determine the accuracy, validity, and inter-rater reliability of this method.

Method

This was a retrospective review of patients who underwent parathyroidectomy for a single adenoma between 2010-2017. SPECT/CT images were reviewed by two staff Otolaryngologists, a Radiologist, an Otolaryngology fellow and Otolaryngology resident. Results were compared using intra-operative report as the gold standard. Overall accuracy in determining superior/inferior and right/left adenomas was calculated, as well as Cohen's Kappa to determine agreement with operative report and inter-rater reliability. The performance was compared to that of the original radiology report.

Results

One hundred thirty patients met criteria and were included. Our method correctly identified the location of the adenoma in terms of both side and superior/inferior position in 80.4% [76 - 84%] of patients, which considerably outperformed the original radiology report at 48.5% [4-78%] accuracy. The agreement level between our method and operative report was high (Kappa=0.717 [0.691-0.743]), as was the inter-rater reliability (Kappa=0.706 [0.674-0.738]).

Conclusion

We report a novel method for localization of parathyroid adenomas using SPECT/CT which outperforms standard radiology reporting. This tool can be used by surgeons and radiologists to better inform and plan for minimally invasive parathyroidectomy.
High expectancy and early response produce optimal effects in sertraline treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder
Authors: Graham Belinda , Garcia Natalia M. , Burton Mark S. , Cooper Andrew A. , Roy-Byrne Peter P. , Mavissakalian Matig R. , Feeny Norah C. , Zoellner Lori A.
Published: October 2018

Background

Better indicators of prognosis are needed to personalise post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) treatments.

Aims

We aimed to evaluate early symptom reduction as a predictor of better outcome and examine predictors of early response.

Method

Patients with PTSD (N= 134) received sertraline or prolonged exposure in a randomised trial. Early response was defined as 20% PTSD symptom reduction by session two and good end-state functioning defined as non-clinical levels of PTSD, depression and anxiety.

Results

Early response rates were similar in prolonged exposure and sertraline (40 and 42%), but in sertraline only, early responders were four times more likely to achieve good end-state functioning at post-treatment (Number Needed to Treat = 1.8, 95% CI 1.28–3.00) and final follow-up (Number Needed to Treat = 3.1, 95% CI 1.68–16.71). Better outcome expectations of sertraline also predicted higher likelihood of early response.

Conclusions

Higher expectancy of sertraline coupled with early response may produce a cascade-like effect for optimal conditions for long-term symptom reduction. Therefore, assessing expectations and providing clear treatment rationales may optimise sertraline effects.

Declaration of interest:

None.
WHAT IS FUNCTIONAL/NEUROMOTOR FITNESS?
Authors: Stenger Leslie
Published: October 2018

Apply It!SUMMARY STATEMENTPULLED TEXT

Functional training is a broad and confusing concept because of the multitude of definitions and applications. The aim of this article is to:

1) review the multitude of definitions for functional fitness from respected health and fitness professionals.

2) translate the complexities of functional fitness into context for practical application by health and fitness professionals.

3) apply general programming guidelines to the development of a functional neuromotor program.

Functional training can be any type of training that is performed with a purpose to enhance movement and/or performance of movement. The purpose is defined by the defined goal or desired outcome or the program and that outcome is developed through the collaboration of the health and fitness professional and the client, patient, athlete based on their specific abilities, their readiness to change, and the environment the program will take place.

“There are two factors that influence your response when you are asked to define functional training: your perception, which results from experience, knowledge, and education, and you own specialization in the field.”

“Specialization influences the desired outcome of a field that has been divided into three professions: strength and conditioning, personal training, and physical therapy. These three professions have merged into what is now referred to as a performance specialist.”

“Performance specialist offers services to individuals that participate in active occupations such as the military, firefighters, police, emergency medical personnel, etc. Functional training aligns with active occupations that can benefit from training that is specific to the skills that transfer to the efficient movement patterns associated with the specific job.”
Different drying temperatures modulate chemical and antioxidant properties of mandai cempedak (Artocarpus integer)
Authors: Rahmadi Anton , Sabarina Yuliana , Agustin Sukmiyati
Published: October 2018

Background: Mandai, the fermented inner skin of cempedak (Artocarpus integer), may have further use as industrial ingredient while maintaining its antioxidative capacity. To promote fermentation, Lactobacillus casei was induced as the starter culture. This research was carried out (i) to investigate the effect of temperature on yield, chemical properties, and antioxidant activity of starter induced fermented mandai powder, (ii) to find the best drying temperature for the powder, and (iii) to find correlations between phenolic contents and antioxidant activity of the powder.

Methods: The drying temperature was used as the variable, and was set at 45, 50, and 55°C at a fixed duration of 18 hours. The control was spontaneously fermented mandai dried at 50°C for 18 hours. Total phenolic content (TPC), hydrolyzed tannic content (HTC), and total flavonoid content (TFC) were spectrophotometrically measured, expressed gallic acid (GAE), tannic acid (TAE), and catechin (CAE) equivalents. Antioxidant capacity was measured by DPPH assay. 

Results: The best mandai powder had total phenolic content of 348.8±55.6 mg GAE kg-1, HTC of 143.8±9.3 mg TAE kg-1, TFC of 17.5±1.3 mg CAE kg-1, antioxidant activity (IC50) of 56.96 ppm, ash content of 4.0±0.7%, pH value of 5.0±0.8, and yield of 9.3±0.8%. There was a strong correlation between TPC, HTC, TFC, and the antioxidant activity.

Conclusions: Drying temperature affected all observed parameters but not ash and pH. Temperature of 45°C emerged as the best treatment to produce mandai powder from L. casei-inoculated mandai cempedak fermentation. The antioxidant activity of mandai cempedak was contributed by the phenolic components.
Checklist of mosses of the Pasvik State Nature Reserve (Murmansk Region, Russia)
Authors: Boychuk Margarita A. , Borovichev Eugene A.
Published: October 2018

The list of mosses of the Pasvik State Nature Reserve (Pasvik Reserve) consists of 197 species. Here we summarize all available data on the diversity of mosses of the Pasvik Reserve, including approximately 800 specimens collected by the authors. Stereodon pallescens and Tayloria serrata are in the Murmansk Region only known from the Pasvik Reserve. Seven species are red-listed in the Murmansk Region (Bryum cyclophyllum, Buxbaumia aphylla, Encalypta streptocarpa, Psilopilum laevigatum, Tayloria serrata, Tayloria splachnoides and Tetrodontium repandum). Tetrodontium repandum is included in the Red Data Book of the Russian Federation and Tayloria splachnoides is red-listed in Europe. The Pasvik Reserve gives a good possibility for the protection of rare mosses.
The lichen genus Xanthoparmelia (Parmeliaceae) in Belarus
Authors: Tsurykau Andrei , Golubkov Vladimir , Bely Pavel
Published: October 2018

Two hundred six specimens of Xanthoparmelia collected in Belarus in 1905–2017 were examined based on morphological and chemical characters. Six species (X. angustiphylla, X. conspersa, X. delisei, X. loxodes, X. pulla and X. verruculifera) were identified in this study. Xanthoparmelia angustiphylla and X. delisei are reported for Belarus for the first time. Presence of Xanthoparmelia pokornyi and X. stenophylla has not been confirmed, and therefore these species should be excluded from the Belarusian list of lichens. A key to the species of Xanthoparmelia in Belarus is provided.
EFFICIENCY OF BIOLOGICAL CONSERVANTS WITH VARIOUS CONTENT OF DRY MATTER OF GREEN MASS OF LUCERNE
Authors: Бикчантаев Ирек , Bikchantaev Irek , Шакиров Шамиль , Shakirov Shamil' , Тагиров Марсель , Tagirov Marsel , Аскарова Аделя , Askarova Adelya
Published: October 2018

For the production of high quality silage, and reduction of losses of biological yield, the use of effective biological preparations is topical. In order to reveal the effectiveness of the preservation of nutrients from plant raw materials, a number of laboratory studies were carried out in 2016-2017 in the Tatar Scientific Research Institute of Agriculture (TatNIISKh). The object of research was haylage harvested from the green mass of alfalfa, grown on the experimental field “TatNIISh” in Laishevsky district of the Republic of Tatarstan. The nutritional value of the conserved green mass of the alfalfa (Medicago sativa) variety Aisleau in the phase of budding with different moisture was analyzed. Preservation of the planted plant mass was carried out using biological preparations Biotrof (St. Petersburg), Ferbak-Sil (Kazan), Bioamid-3 (Saratov). The variant with biological preparation Biotroph served as the control. The maximum content of exchange energy (EE), with an increased concentration of phytomass moisture, was established in the control sample, which was 2.36 MJ/kg and was higher than the experimental samples with Bioamid-3 and Ferbak-Sil preparations at 6.78 and 3.82 %. With an increased dry matter content in the green mass of alfalfa, this indicator was the maximum in the sample with the preparation Bioamid-3 (3.67 MJ/kg), which was higher than the control by 4.56%. The leader in the concentration of crude protein and crude fiber, with a high moisture content of raw materials, was set in a control sample and amounted to 6.11 and 6.07%, which were higher than the prototypes with Bioamid-3 and Ferbak-Sil preservatives by 0.33 and 0.16%, 0.76 and 0.48% respectively. The leading preservative for the preservation of raw protein and crude fiber, with reduced moisture content of raw materials, showed the drug Bioamid-3, whose indices were above the control by 0.39 and 0.23%.
THE IMPACT OF THE DROUGHT OF 2010 ON THE STATE OF THE FORESTS OF THE REPUBLIC OF TATARSTAN
Authors: Сингатуллин Ирек , Singatullin Irek
Published: October 2018

The drought in 2010 had a negative impact on the state of the main forest-forming species in the territory of the Republic of Tatarstan. The carried out researches in 2011-18. the scale of desiccation is determined, regularities of drying in plantations, different in age, composition, types of forest conditions, completeness are revealed. It is established that birch and spruce were most affected. In birch forests, more than 90% of the area of desiccation occurs in mature and overmature plantations, whose share in the total forest area reaches 50%. Dependence of desiccation on the participation of birch in the composition, completeness and diameter is not revealed. In spruce forests, desiccation occurred in all age categories, mostly in monocultures created outside the natural range. The conducted studies revealed the dynamics of birch changing after drying and sanitary cutting: in Kama - on spruce and linden, in the Transcaucasus - on aspen and linden, in the Upper Kama region - on maple, linden and oak. Birch in the conditions of the forest-steppe by the age of 40 almost completely loses its ability to grow and after felling does not participate in the formation of a new stand. In addition to birch and spruce, the aspen shrunk on significant areas, as a result of the drought in 2010, the area of fir was reduced and the border of its growth beyond the Kama river was reduced. There was a weakening of the pine, after 2010 the areas and volumes of drying increased due to infection with the root sponge. In total, the area affected by the 2010 drought in plantations in the Republic of Tatarstan according to preliminary estimates is more than 200 thousand hectares, incl. more than 30 thousand hectares of forest cultures have died or are in unsatisfactory condition. There was a decrease in the stock of forest-covered areas, especially ripe and overmature. It is necessary to develop measures to restore these areas.
EVALUATION THE LABOR PRODUCTIVITY LEVEL IN AGRICULTURAL ENTERPRISES OF ULYANOVSK REGION
Authors: Смирнова Елена , Smirnova Elena , Постнова Марина , Postnova Marina , Тарасова Елена , Tarasova Elena
Published: October 2018

The level of labor productivity, being an indicator of the efficiency of production, characterizes the degree of competitiveness of the economy of the region, including the agrarian sector. Robust labor productivity assessments are needed to assess the efficiency and monitor the state of the industry. To assess the productivity of labor, various indicators are used: natural, value (gross, commodity and net products, profits). The estimation of labor productivity in agricultural enterprises of the Ulyanovsk region was carried out according to the system of indicators in the dynamics for 2012 - 2017. Analysis of labor productivity in the agrarian sector of the region has revealed a positive trend of its growth, both in the value dimension and in the natural one. There is an increase in gross income and profit per worker in the industry, a decrease in labor costs per unit of the main types of products (grain, milk). The analysis of productivity in the region’s industries can act as an element of regional diagnostics: this analysis gives an idea of the level of labor force efficiency, growth potential and potential return from ongoing activities, public policy.
MAIN PROBLEMS OF CADASTRAL ESTIMATION OF AGRICULTURAL LAND ON THE EXAMPLE OF THE REPUBLIC OF TATARSTAN
Authors: Ибрагимов Линар , Ibragimov Linar , Сафиуллин Ильнур , Safiullin Il'nur , Амирова Эльмира , Amirova Elmira
Published: October 2018

The development of the agrarian sector of the economy is possible only with the rational use of all the applied costs and resources, including land. One of the most important conditions ensuring the rational use of agricultural land is the work on cadastral valuation of land and application of its results to the practice of the operation of agricultural units. This article is devoted to the generalization of the results of the cadastral valuation of agricultural land on the example of the Republic of Tatarstan. The work reveals the main problems faced by appraisers in conducting cadastral valuation of agricultural land.
SUBSTANTIATION OF THE FORM AND DETERMINATION OF THE CONSTRUCTIVE PARAMETERS OF THE ROTATION ROLLER OF SOIL
Authors: Булгариев Гумар , Bulgariev Gumar , Пикмуллин Геннадий , Pikmullin Gennadiy , Галиев Ильгиз , Galiev Ilgiz , Ситдиков Фарит , Sitdikov Farit , Бегалиев Багдат , Begaliev Bagdat
Published: October 2018

At the present stage of development of the country’s agro-industrial complex, the technological process of surface tillage by combined soil-cultivating machines, simultaneously combining a number of operations in one pass through the field, causes the presence in their designs of the necessary set of various promising working organs. In view of the foregoing, a rotary soil ripper with a spiral-plate working member equipped with radially directed teeth and connected by means of rods with end flanges has been developed. Also, the researched ripper has the limits of penetration of the working element in the form of flat discs equipped with flanges and the radial stop have the ability to rotate around their axes independently of the ripper shaft. An analytical study of the working units of this ripper was carried out from the point of view of the influence of their size and teeth on the process of interaction with the soil, on the basis of which some of their parameters were determined. In conclusion, it was concluded that the analytical equations obtained allow us to justify the choice of the most important design parameters of the proposed new design and design a toothed rotary working device that reduces to constructive implementation after calculating their basic dimensions.
Mutual Expectations of Employers and Graduates: a Comparative Analysis
Authors: Казакова Ю. , Kazakova Yu. , Охотников О. , Ohotnikov O.
Published: October 2018

The article is devoted to the problems of attracting personnel to vacancies of mass positions in the companies of the retail sphere of activity. In particular, Modern trends in the labor market and the market of educational services, their interaction today can have a special impact on the state of the domestic economy. In this regard, the purpose of this article is a comparative analysis of career expectations of graduates and the labor market through the description of the requirements of employers. The empirical base is the data of a questionnaire survey of students aged 19 to 23 years on the basis of the Urfu in Yekaterinburg. Information base are career portals, open sources and data banks for job search. The relevance of the study is due to the existence of a gap in the views of employers and graduates of the requirements for young professionals entering the labor market. The results of the study have showed:

1. Own assessment of graduates of their professional readiness for personal development and career is divorced from real ideas and knowledge about what skills and characteristic skills a young specialist should have.

2. The discrepancy between the expections and preferences of employers and graduates reflects the objective state of the gap between the market of educational services and the labor market.
Management of higher education institution
Authors: Антонов Александр , Antonov Aleksandr , Архипов Алексей , Arkhipov Alyeksyey , Боровская Марина , Bohrovskaya Marina , Васин Сергей , Vasin Sergey , Вдовина Ольга , Vdovina Olga , Двоеглазов Владимир , Dvoeglazov Vladimir , Егорев Сергей , YEgoryev Syergyey , Егоршин Александр , YEgorshin Alyeksandr , Еремкин Александр , YEryemkin Alyeksandr , Звонников Виктор , Zvonnikov Viktor , Игошина Ирина , Igoshina Irina , Каледа Виктор , Kalyeda Viktor , Кревский Игорь , Krevskiy Igor' , Логинова Надежда , Loginova Nadyezhda , Мазей Юрий , Mazyey YUriy , Маскаева Асия , Maskayeva Asiya , Панов Илья , Panov Ilya , Пономаренко Юлия , Ponomaryenko YUliya , Резник Галина , Ryeznik Galina , Резник Семен , Reznik Semen , Сазыкина Ольга , Sazykina Ol'ga , Семин Александр , Semin Aleksandr , Филиппов Владимир , Filippov Vladimir , Филиппов Кирилл , Filippov Kirill , Шестернина Ольга , SHyestyernina Olga , Челышкова Марина , CHyelyshkova Marina , Юсупов Мамед , YUsupov Mamyed
Published: October 2018

Over a thousand universities and their branches represent the Russian higher education system today. The effectiveness of their activities is largely determined by the quality of intra-University management, professionalism of senior staff of higher educational institutions.
The system of University management, technologies of educational process management, scientific activity, economic, social and educational work are considered.
Much attention is paid to the international activities of the University, the formation and development of its management potential, management of information processes in the activities of the University.
For senior staff of higher educational institutions, the reserve for nomination, as well as for graduate students, doctoral students and anyone interested in the problems of intra-University management.
Audit in accordance with international standards
Authors: Кочинев Юрий , Kochinev Yuriy
Published: October 2018

The textbook presents theoretical and practical material on auditing. The issues of normative legal regulation and organization of audit activity in Russia are considered, the material on audit planning, techniques and methods of audit is presented and is brought into full compliance with the requirements and recommendations of international standards of audit, which entered into force in the territory of the Russian Federation from 01.01.2017. and also in accordance with the requirements of legislative and regulatory acts on accounting, taxation, civil and labor law as of 01.01.2018.
It corresponds to the Federal state educational standard of higher education of the last generation.
Designed for auditors, accountants, students of economic universities, persons receiving a second higher education, as well as for those who are certified and improve their skills.
The (Sun)Light and Dark of 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Testing
Authors: French Deborah
Published: October 2018

Background

Vitamin D is obtained by the body via sunlight on the skin, from the diet, or from supplementation. The primary function of vitamin D is to maintain calcium homeostasis and bone health, but in the past decade, numerous other health benefits have been proposed.

Content

With the increased awareness of the potential benefits of maintaining sufficient concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D, clinicians began ordering this test for their patients much more frequently. The number of available methods increased, but with that came a larger focus on the challenges of measuring 25-hydroxyvitamin D accurately due to binding to vitamin D-binding protein and the presence of other vitamin D metabolites. Further, standardization of these assays became a focus for several organizations so that clinical guidelines can be applicable to every patient regardless of what methodology is used in 25-hydroxyvitamin D measurement.

Improvements are being made in the specificity, accuracy, and standardization of the measurement of 25-hydroxyvitamin D, and the future of this testing is looking brighter.
Perbedaan Laktat Serial Syok Terkompensasi dengan Syok Dekompensasi pada Sindrom Syok Dengue
Authors: Chandra Ivan Haria , Mariko Rinang , Arbi Firman
Published: October 2018

Latar belakang. Tahapan syok sindrom syok dengue (SSD) menurut WHO terbagi dua, yaitu SSD terkompensasi dan dekompensasi. Pada SSD terjadi gangguan perfusi yang mengakibatkan hipoksia jaringan dan peningkatan produksi laktat. Kadar laktat darah dapat digunakan sebagai marker yang dapat membedakan severitas infeksi dengue.Tujuan. Untuk mengetahui perbedaan laktat serial syok terkompensasi dan syok dekompensasi pada pasien SSD. Metode. Penelitian ini merupakan studi cross sectional yang dilakukan pada Januari 2016-Januari 2017 di bangsal anak RSUP Dr. M Djamil. Sampel dikumpulkan secara consecutive sampling. Sampel dibagi atas dua kelompok, yaitu SSD terkompensasi dan dekompensasi. Setiap sampel dilakukan pemeriksaan laktat secara serial dengan alat Accutrend lactate meter, yaitu pada jam ke-0(L1), ke-6(L2), ke-12 (L3), dan ke-24 (L4). Kadar Laktat disebut hiperlaktatemia bila didapatkan nilai >2 mmol/L. Data dianalisis dengan t-test independen.Hasil. Sampel 40 orang, setiap kelompok 20 sampel. Kadar laktat tertinggi terdapat pada L1. Peningkatan kadar laktat darah pada kelompok SSD terkompensasi dan dekompensasi berturut turut mencapai 4,7+0,97 mmol/L dan 6+1,64 mmol/L. Perbandingan kedua kelompok didapatkan perbedaan bermakna (p<0,05) pada rerata kadar laktat darah L1. Tidak didapatkan perbedaan bermakna kedua kelompok pada rerata kadar laktat darah L2, L3,L4 (p>0,05).Kesimpulan. Kadar laktat didapatkan hiperlaktemia pada setiap pemeriksaan laktat serial. Rerata kadar laktat pada kelompok SSD dekompensasi lebih tinggi dibandingkan terkompensasi dengan perbedaan yang bermakna dan didapatkan pada awal penerimaan di rumah sakit.
Impaired hypoglycemia awareness in diabetes: epidemiology, mechanisms and therapeutic approaches
Authors: Klimontov Vadim V.
Published: October 2018

Impaired awareness of hypoglycemia (IAH) is a frequent complication of insulin therapy. Up to half insulin-treated individuals with type 1 and type 2 diabetes report the problems with hypoglycemia awareness, and 1525% of patients have a permanent IAH.
A recurrent hypoglycemia is a cornerstone in IAH formation. The repeated episodes of hypoglycemia impair neurohumoral response to hypoglycemia, reduce its symptoms and induce inadequate brain adaptation to low glucose levels. In this regard, the IAH phenomenon can be considered as an example of "metabolic memory" in diabetes.
The IAH is associated with episodes of severe hypoglycemia, fear of hypoglycemia and cognitive dysfunction. These associates can be combined into IAH syndrome. Development of IAH becomes a serious barrier in diabetes management.
A growing body of evidence indicates that IAH is a reversible condition. If the syndrome is present, the hypoglycemia avoidance should be primary goal of the treatment. Structured training under specialized programs with psychological support is the most reasonable therapeutic approach to IAH amending. Technological approaches, including continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion, real-time continuous glucose monitoring, closed-loop insulin delivery systems ("artificial pancreas"), and islet transplantation also showed efficacy in hypoglycemia awareness improvement in some clinical studies.
The diabetes management in patients with IAH is time-consuming and expensive. Therefore, step-by-step approach, from insulin personalization and therapeutic training to advanced medical technologies, should be recommended for these patients.
ACTIVE CONSTITUENTS OF PLANTS WITH HYPOGLYCEMIC POTENTIALS
Authors: Fayzullina Renata , Akhmetyanova Alfiya , Kudashkina Natalya
Published: October 2018

Now in medical community are even more often discussed such concept as the complementary medicine (CM) and its integration into conventional medicine. One of the most widespread directions of CM is phytotherapy which is regulated by allowing documentation of bodies of health care and consequently it is included in conventional medicine. A serious problem of world health care is the diabetes mellitus. According to data of the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) for 2015, in the world there are 415 million people have the diagnosis a diabetes mellitus and by 2040 increase in number of patients up to 642 million. In Russian Federation 12,1 million people are sick a diabetes mellitus. For prophylaxis and at early stages of development of a diabetes mellitus of the 2nd type phytotherapy is recommended. Now there is the active searching of plants with hypoglycemic activity. The pharmacological effect of plants is caused by the biologically the active materials (BAM) which are their part which are very various on structure and, respectively, on the effect which had by them. The review of results of the researches confirming presence of hypoglycemic activity at the BAМ, most widespread in flora is provided in article (phenolic substances, polysaccharides, alkaloids, etc.), mechanisms of their action are described. The submitted data demonstrate that from a position of evidential medicine searching and development of the new means of a phytogenesis allowing to expand the range of the medicines applied at a diabetes mellitus are expedient. At the same time the greatest effect of phytotherapy can be reached when using the multicomponent herbal teas containing a larger range of BAM in comparison with individual plants that will allow to influence pathogenetic processes of a disease.
Sensitivity to androgens: beyond the well-known facts
Authors: Khripun Irina A. , Vorobyev Sergey V.
Published: October 2018

Gonadal and extragonadal effects of testosterone in males have been extensively investigated in recent years. To date, there is no doubt that testosterone deficiency in males is associated with increased risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and atherosclerosis. Sensitivity to androgens determined by the length of CAG-repeats in the androgen receptor gene is one of the underlying mechanisms of testosterone action. Increase in the number of CAG-repeats reduces activity of androgen receptors, which manifests in the form of low sensitivity to testosterone. On the contrary, decrease in the number of trinucleotide repeats is accompanied by increased sensitivity of the receptors to androgens. This review discusses the effect of androgen receptor gene polymorphism on embryogenesis and sex differentiation, regulation of spermatogenesis, progression of cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia, symptoms of hypogonadism, control of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, bone mineral density, vascular endothelium, response to replacement therapy with testosterone, as well as on the psychosocial aspects of personality in males. Implementation of the study of androgen receptor gene polymorphism into clinical practice will enable not only predicting male fertility or the risk of developing prostate cancer, but also selecting an individual therapy for testosterone deficiency.
Wound healing mechanisms in rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus
Authors: Ivanov Evgeniy V. , Gavrilova Svetlana A. , Morozova Maria P. , Klochihina Ekaterina M. , Erdyakov Aleksey K. , Gorbacheva Anna M. , Dzhemilova Zera N. , Artemova Ekaterina V. , Galstyan Gagik R. , Koshelev Vladimir B.
Published: October 2018

Background. Wound healing disorders and formation of diabetic foot, a severe disabling complication of diabetes mellitus, are accompanied by nervous system impairment and/or ischemia.
Objective — the study was aimed at assessing the effect of peripheral innervation disorders on the regulation of tissue repair in the streptozotocin-induced rat model of diabetes mellitus.
Material and methods. The study was carried out in male white outbred rats (n=70). The animals were wounded 42 days after induction of diabetes by injecting streptozotocin (diabetes group; this group received insulin Levemir at a dose of 2 units/kg in saline subcutaneously to reduce mortality), or after injection of citrate buffer (CB group). Skin samples were taken on day 8, 16, and 24 after wound modeling. Pain sensitivity was assessed in all animals. The resulting skin fragments were fixed, dehydrated, and embedded in paraffin according to standard procedures. Sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin, antibodies specific for Ki-67, α1, β1, and β2-adrenoreceptors were used for immunohistochemical staining. Intact animals were used as an additional control group.
Results. Tail withdrawal time measured on day 56 was higher in DM group rats as compared to the control group (p=0.017). CB group demonstrated a tendency towards more rapid wounds healing than diabetic animals, although the difference was not statistically significant due to wide scatter of data in the DM group (p=0.64). The intensity of staining for Ki67 was lower in the DM group (p=0.045). Reduced density of β2-adrenoreceptors was observed at the areas remote from the wound in CB group rats.
Conclusion The results show no correlation between altered innervation and impaired tissue repair in rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes.
Sprawy ziemi. (Eko)poetyka Małgorzaty Lebdy
Authors: Lekowska Daria
Published: October 2018

The article is an attempt to interpret the work of the Krak.w poet from the ecocritical perspective. The central point of study is ecopoetics understood as a type of sensitivity, an attitude towards the world and a certain way of writing that shapes readership awareness, imagination and knowledge. The study analyzes in particular portrayal of the environmental spaces, attitude of the entity towards nature and all of non-human creatures, lines entangled in the biographical context and depicting the death of the animals. In the course of this interpretation, Małgorzata Lebda’s poetry fits in the ecological context that was postulated in the outset, revealing its ecopoetic potential.
Adsorção em coluna de leito fixo aplicada para a pré-concentração de cádmio em amostras de água
Authors: Silva Neto Humberto Alexandre da , Garcia Helenice Leite , Araujo Rennan Geovanny Oliveira , Garcia Carlos Alexandre Borges
Published: October 2018

Neste trabalho foi aplicado um processo de adsorção para pré-concentração de cádmio complexado pelo composto orgânico 1-(2-piridilazo)-2-naftol (PAN) em pH 11-12, sendo o adsorvente carvão ativado empregado como meio sólido empacotado em coluna. Foi realizada a caraterização do material adsorvente carvão, que apresentou ponto de carga zero na faixa de pH 8 e 10. Foi possível avaliar também a presença de grupos funcionais como hidroxilas, carbonila, anéis aromáticos e álcoois. O modelo da isoterma de Freundlich foi ajustado aos dados experimentais de equilíbrio por estimação não linear utilizando um programa computacional. A adsorção do complexo Cd(PAN)2 em coluna de carvão ativado com alimentação de 2 mg L-1 de Cd2+ apresentou como parâmetros da curva de ruptura o tempo útil e total de 6,20 e 25 minutos, respectivamente. A capacidade de adsorção de Cd2+ em carvão foi 0,6250 mg g-1, e altura útil da coluna foi de 1,24 cm. Foi otimizado um método para pré-concentração de Cd2+ empregando a espectrometria de absorção atômica com chama (FAAS). O fator de enriquecimento foi de 32 vezes. O método de pré-concentração foi aplicado para a determinação de Cd2+ em amostras de resíduo laboratorial e de água torneira. O método de enriquecimento apresentou-se viável para o enriquecimento das amostras, com um o tempo de preparação da amostra inferior a 15 minutos.
A Dual of the Chow Transformation
Authors: Méo Michel
Published: October 2018

We define a dual of the Chow transformation of currents on the complex projective space. This transformation factorizes a left inverse of the Chow transformation and its composition with the Chow transformation is a right inverse of a linear diferential operator. In such a way we complete the general scheme of integral geometry for the Chow transformation. On another hand we prove the existence of a well defined closed positive conormal current associated to every closed positive current on the projective space. This is a consequence of the existence of a dual current, defined on the dual projective space. This allows us to extend to the case of a closed positive current the known inversion formula for the conormal of the Chow divisor of an effective algebraic cycle.
An improved Schwarz Lemma at the boundary
Authors: Mercer Peter R.
Published: October 2018

We obtain an new boundary Schwarz inequality, for analytic functions mapping the unit disk to itself. The result contains and improves a number of known estimates.
Remarks on b-Metric and metric-preserving functions
Authors: Khemaratchatakumthorn Tammatada , Pongsriiam Prapanpong
Published: October 2018

We introduce new classes of functions related to metric-preserving functions and b-metrics. We investigate their properties and compare them to those of metric-preserving functions.
Sequential decreasing strong size properties
Authors: Capulín Féelix , Lara Miguel A. , Orozco-Zitli Fernando
Published: October 2018

Let X be a continuum. The n-fold hyperspace Cn
(X), n < ∞, is the space of all nonempty closed subsets of X with at most n components. A topological property

P

$ \mathcal{P} $

is said to be a (an almost) sequential decreasing strong size property provided that if μ is a strong size map for Cn
(X,

{

t
j

}

j
=
1

∞

$ \{t_{j}\}_{j=1}^{\infty} $

is a sequence in the interval (t,1) such that lim tj
= t ∈ [0,1) (t ∈ (0,1)) and each fiber μ−1(tj
) has property

P

$ \mathcal{P} $

, then so does μ−1(t). In this paper we show that the following properties are sequential decreasing strong size properties: being a Kelley continuum, local connectedness, continuum chainability and, unicoherence. Also we prove that indecomposability is an almost sequential decreasing strong size property.
A note on automorphisms of lie ideals in prime rings
Authors: Davvaz Bijan , Arif Raza Mohd
Published: October 2018

In the present paper, we prove that a prime ring R with center Z satisfies s
4, the standard identity in four variables if R admits a non-identity automorphism σ such that (u
σ,u]v
σ+v
σ[u
σ,u])
n
∈Z for all u,v in some non-central Lie ideal L of R whenever either char(R)>n or char(R)=0, where n is a fixed positive integer.
Compliance of Agricultural Practices Used in Family Farms With Those Recommended in Organic Farming
Authors: Guiné Raquel P. F. , Costa Cristina A.
Published: October 2018

This research intended to evaluate to what extent the managers in family farms tend to adopt practices of organic farming and identify the possible factors that might be associated with those choices. For that, a survey was undertaken in Portuguese and Spanish municipalities. The participation, by direct interview, was voluntary and 125 valid responses were obtained distributed as: 30 in Viseu (PT), 30 in Braga (PT), 30 in Barcelos (PT), 16 in Pontevedra (SP) and 19 in Padron (SP). For the treatment of the data, basic descriptive statistics tools were used in combination with crosstabs and chi square tests. Also tree classifications were conducted following the Classification and Regression Trees algorithm. In all tests a level of significance of 5% was considered. The results identified factors that influenced the behaviour of the managers in family farms towards an approximation to organic farming practices, which were the level of education and municipality, found as major determinants of the level of compliance with organic farming practices. Also, other factors like age or gender influence, although to a lesser extent, the compliance with organic farming. These results were the same for the chisquare tests or the tree classification analysis, and they thus indicate that improvements could be achieved towards a more expressive adoption of organic farming practices if planned to target the influential factors identified.
The Relational Life of Trees. Ontological Aspects of “Tree-Ness” in the Early Bronze Age of Northern Europe
Authors: Fahlander Fredrik
Published: October 2018

During the Early Bronze Age in northern Europe, tree-like features appear in henges, burials, and rock art in ways that differ from earlier periods. Rather than investigating this phenomenon in symbolic or metaphorical terms, a concept of tree-ness is explored that focuses on the real constitution of trees and what trees actually do. It is suggested that the accentuation of tree-ness in Early Bronze Age ritual contexts can be related to an ontological shift in conjunction with emerging bronze technology in which different entities can merge or take advantage of each other’s generative properties.
Fulfilling High Hopes? The Legitimacy Potential of the European Citizens’ Initiative
Authors: Waele de Henri , Mastenbroek Ellen
Published: October 2018

The European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) constitutes the Union’s first genuine instrument of direct democracy. The first experiences with regard to its deployment have however proved disappointing, criticism of the instrument is mounting, and suggestions for reform abound. This raises the question whether the ECI holds any genuine potential to enhance the legitimacy of the EU - or whether it should at least in this regard be considered an ineffective, misguided experiment instead. The current paper provides a response by triangulating three types of data: legal insight and argument, empirical information with regard to the functioning of the instrument in the first five years of its operation, and a rational assessment of the procedure, now and in the future. This allows for a comprehensive reflection on the impact the ECI has had, and what impact it may yet have in the long or medium term, on the overall legitimacy of the EU.
The roots of clientelism in Iraqi Kurdistan and the efforts to fight it
Authors: Bali Ahmed Omar
Published: October 2018

This study examines the roots of clientelism in Iraqi Kurdistan and the effort to fight it. The clientelism system exists when a kind of deal is struck between those in power and clients in society who agree to exchange benefits. The political issues in Kurdistan particularly, corruption and lack of social justice have historical roots as a result of the accumulation of problems that have not been resolved by the client system that is adopted by the two political parties in power, namely the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) and the Democratic Party of Kurdistan (KDP). The two political parties have monopolised the public sector, the Peshmerga and Security forces, as well as the economy, they have succeeded in controlling the larger part of society through clientelism. In hence, they used public funds, jobs and posts to buy people’s votes and loyalty. The opposition parties have been unable to exert pressure on the ruling parties who can buy the affiliation of people through the use of public finance. The opposition and independent media began to play a large role in highlighting the corruption and the client system.
Touching Without Touching: Objects of Post-Deconstructive Realism and Object-Oriented Ontology
Authors: Mickey Sam
Published: October 2018

This paper presents a juxtaposition of the understanding of objects in Jean-Luc Nancy’s postdeconstructive realism and Graham Harman’s object-oriented ontology, particularly with reference to their respective notions of touch. Nancy incorporates a tension between the phenomenological accounts of touch and embodiment given by Merleau-Ponty, who focuses on the relationality of the flesh, and Levinas, who focuses more on non-relational alterity. Furthermore, Nancy does not accept the anthropocentric assumptions whereby phenomenology accounts for objects insofar as they correlate to human existence. Following the deconstruction of sovereign humanity, Nancy approaches what Derrida calls “post-deconstructive realism,” accounting for touch with regard to the relationality and alterity of all objects, human and nonhuman. However, abjuring the metaphysical interiority posited by panpsychists, Nancy admits that his philosophy cannot account for the discrete, atomistic differences between beings. Graham Harman agrees with much of Nancy’s philosophy, but he criticizes Nancy on this point, offering a corrective supplement in the form of his object-oriented ontology, which avoids panpsychism while nonetheless accounting for the discrete differences between objects.
Theology in Public Space and Social Movements: Notes from Alain Badiou’s Concept of Event
Authors: Buttelli Felipe Gustavo Koch , Bruyns Clint Le
Published: October 2018

The debate over the public role of religion and of theology has become quite urgent. Not only by the evident religious presence in the party politics sphere, nor by its influence in the Brazilian social culture and life, but by the role that theology and, in this case, the churches can have to transform the social order. The present work reinforces the emancipatory potential of theology and the action of the church in the public space, pointing to a priority locus, from which both reflection and practice can be emancipatedly formulated, namely, social movements. Social movements, it will be argued, are the space in which the spark that gives rise to social and political change emerges in reality. In this sense, some notes will be made from the notion of Event of Alain Badiou, which recognizes, so to speak, the unique epiphanic character of the Events that can divide history between before and after, which effectively have a radically transforming character. In this sense, the heuristic potential for the church and theology will be emphasized to engage in the struggles of movements in the experience of the Badiousian Events that we could characterize as based on the paradigm of revelation.
Conditions for Encounters with Ultimacy Across Religious Boundaries
Authors: Konigsburg Joyce Ann
Published: October 2018

Simply reading sacred texts across religious boundaries rarely achieves an “aha moment” or an encounter with ultimacy. The possibility of engaging with ultimacy requires establishing some necessary conditions. Any attempt to compel an experience results in false spiritual encounters rather than permitting authentic ones to occur. Therefore, a balance is necessary between being open to the possibility of a religious experience and seeking, but not forcing, an encounter with ultimacy. Placing oneself in a prayerful or spiritual state, for example, achieves the potential for encountering ultimacy by actively reading and meditating on various traditions’ sacred texts. These diverse writings relate others’ encounters with ultimacy and reveal multiple perspectives and imaginative descriptions of the transcendent. An encounter with ultimacy entails an open, willing, prayerful demeanor, intellectual curiosity, a rich imagination regarding divine imagery, and a sincere effort at understanding such a religious experience. A Christian contemplative process known as Lectio Divina satisfies many of these requirements. The method is general and flexible enough to utilize with sacred texts across religious boundaries; it invites a person to slow down, read, pay attention, respond with wonder, and humbly submit to the transforming presence and revelation of ultimate reality.
Levinas and the Significance of Passivity in the Christian Religious Experience
Authors: Cyfko James
Published: October 2018

Analyzing the tendency of Christian believers to rationalize the religious experience of the face of the Other, I reveal through Levinas, how, in doing so, they paradoxically neglect to perceive God, who is love. I will focus on the appropriate response shown by both Levinas and Christ in the inter-human drama, specifically, that of passive kenosis, as opposed to self-preserving activity. In undergoing the an-archic passion of the Other, I encounter a possibility of transformation from my self qua ego which disconnects me from reality, to my self qua responsibility which throws me back into my finitude. This becomes most powerful upon experiencing the Crucifixion of Christ, as ‛I’, as active agent, become traumatically substituted by ‛me’, as passive recipient. When I surrender to this accusative gaze of the face of Christ which pierces my egoistic shell, I encounter, according to Levinas, the infinite demands of the vulnerable Other haunting me before ontological qualification. In this, I experience the trace of the inescapable Infinite who calls me to holiness. This holiness can only be reached if I cease to manipulate God, instead allowing him the freedom to do with me as he wills through the self-emptying passivity which Levinas describes.
A new method for solving nonlinear systems of equations that is based on functional iterations
Authors: Moreno Joaquín , López Miguel A. , Martínez Raquel
Published: October 2018

Regarding solving nonlinear equations systems, there is a main problem that is the number and complexity of the linear algebra operations, and the functional evaluations of the applied algorithm. In this paper, an alternative solution will be proposed by means of constructing a converse of the Banach Theorem fixed-point, only to ℝ2 and ℝ3, in the following sense, this being: each root of a non-linear equations system has been considered as a fixed-point. Besides, the compact set and the continuous functions that fulfil the Banach Theorem are built under certain conditions, those that must satisfy the systemfunctions. Thus each iteration only requires the evaluation of two or three functions.