bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Impact of Share 35 Policy on Patient Survival in Patients Undergoing Liver Transplantation With Gender- and Race-Mismatched Donors
Authors: Zhang Yefei , Boktour Maha R.
Published: March 2018

Introduction:

The United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) instituted the Share 35 policy in June 2013 in order to reduce death on liver transplant waitlist. The effect of this policy on patient survival among patients with gender- and race-mismatched donors has not been examined.

Research Question:

To assess the impact of Share 35 policy on posttransplantation patient survival among patients with end-stage liver disease (ESLD) transplanted with gender- and race-mismatched donors.

Design:

A total of 16 467 adult patients with ESLD who underwent liver transplantation between 2012 and 2015 were identified from UNOS. An overall Cox proportional hazards model adjusting for demographic, clinical, and geographic factors and separate models with a dummy variable of pre- and post-Share 35 periods as well as its interaction with other factors were performed to model the effect of gender and race mismatch on posttransplantation patient survival and to compare the patient survival differences between the first 18 months of Share 35 policy to an equivalent time period before.

Results:

Comparison of the pre- and post-Share 35 periods did not show significant changes in the numbers of gender- and race-mismatched transplants, or the risk of death for gender-mismatched recipients. However, black recipients with Hispanic donors (hazard ratio: 0.51, 95% confidence interval, 0.29-0.90) had significantly increased patient survival after Share 35 policy took effect.

Conclusion:

The Share 35 policy had a moderate impact on posttransplantation patient survival among recipients with racially mismatched donors according to the first 18-month experience. Future research is recommended to explore long-term transplantation.
Preparation and evaluation of isotropic and mesophase pitch-based carbon fibers using the pelletizing and continuous spinning process
Authors: Lim Tae Hwan , Kim Moo Sung , Yeo Sang Young , Jeong Euigyung
Published: March 2018

The purpose of this study is to investigate the potential of using a pelletized pitch in a continuous process for the economical preparation of large-scale pitch-based carbon fibers. The pitch was pelletized before spinning because the pitch powder can agglomerate in the feed throat of a screw extruder, which can render uniform heating difficult. Using the pelletized pitch in a single-screw extruder spinning apparatus, the pitch fiber can be spun to a great length as long as the amount of pitch pellets is sufficient. To evaluate the benefits of using pitch pellets in the continuous carbon fiber spinning process, isotropic and mesophase pitch fibers were prepared by both the conventional batch process using pitch powder and continuous process using pitch pellets. Even with a huge difference in the thermal energy used, the carbon fibers prepared using the pelletized-pitch-based continuous process had better tensile properties than those prepared using the conventional process. This suggests that the continuous process using pitch pellets has the potential to be an economical large-scale process for carbon fiber preparation.
Expression of NK Cell Surface Receptors in Breast Cancer Tissue as Predictors of Resistance to Antineoplastic Treatment
Authors: Garcia-Chagollan Mariel , Carranza-Torres Irma Edith , Carranza-Rosales Pilar , Guzmán-Delgado Nancy Elena , Ramírez-Montoya Humberto , Martínez-Silva María Guadalupe , Mariscal-Ramirez Ignacio , Barrón-Gallardo Carlos Alfredo , Pereira-Suárez Ana Laura , Aguilar-Lemarroy Adriana , Jave-Suárez Luis Felipe
Published: March 2018

Background:

Currently, one of the most used strategies for the treatment of newly diagnosed patients with breast cancer is neoadjuvant chemotherapy based on the application of taxanes and anthracyclines. However, despite the high number of patients who develop a complete pathological clinical response, resistance and relapse following this therapy continue to be a clinical challenge. As a component of the innate immune system, the cytotoxic function of Natural Killer (NK) cells plays an important role in the elimination of tumor cells. However, the role of NK cells in resistance to systemic therapy in breast cancer remains unclear. The present project aims to evaluate the gene expression profile of human NK cells in breast cancer tissue resistant to treatment with taxanes–anthracyclines.

Methods:

Biopsies from tumor tissues were obtained from patients with breast cancer without prior treatment. Histopathological analysis and ex vivo exposure to antineoplastic chemotherapeutics were carried out. Alamar blue and lactate dehydrogenase release assays were performed for quantitative analysis of tumor viability. Gene expression profiles from tumor tissues without prior exposure to therapeutic drugs were analyzed by gene expression microarrays and verified by polymerase chain reaction.

Results:

A significant decrease in gene expression of cell-surface receptors related to NK cells was observed in tumor samples resistant to antineoplastic treatment compared with those that were sensitive to treatment.

Conclusion:

A decrease in NK cell infiltration into tumor tissue might be a predictive marker for failure of chemotherapeutic treatment in breast cancer.
Naturopathic Oncology Care for Thoracic Cancers: A Practice Survey
Authors: Seely Dugald , Ennis Julie K. , McDonell Ellen , Zhao Linlu
Published: March 2018

Background and Objectives: There is a lack of information on therapies recommended by naturopathic doctors (NDs) for lung and gastroesophageal cancer care. Study objectives were to: (1) identify the most common interventions considered for use by NDs; (2) identify interventions NDs recommend to support key therapeutic goals; and (3) identify potential contraindications between integrative and conventional therapies. Methods: Oncology Association of Naturopathic Physicians (OncANP) members (n = 351) were invited to complete an electronic survey. Respondents provided information on interventions considered for thoracic cancer pre- and postoperatively across 4 therapeutic domains (supplemental natural health products, physical, mental/emotional, and nutritional), therapeutic goals, and contraindications. This survey was part of the development of the Thoracic Perioperative Integrative Surgical Evaluation trial. Results: Forty-four NDs completed the survey (12.5% response rate), all of whom were trained at accredited colleges in North America and the majority of whom were Fellows of the American Board of Naturopathic Oncology (FABNO) (56.8%). NDs identified significantly more interventions in the postoperative compared to preoperative setting. The most frequently identified interventions included modified citrus pectin, arnica, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, probiotics, exercise, acupuncture, meditation, stress reduction, low glycemic index diet, and Mediterranean diet. Potential contraindications with conventional treatment (surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy) differed across natural health products. Conclusions: These findings highlight naturopathic interventions with a high level of use in thoracic cancer care, describe and characterize therapeutic goals and the interventions used to achieve these goals, and provide insight on how practice changes relative to conventional cancer treatment phase.
Do Research Participants Trust Researchers or Their Institution?
Authors: Guillemin Marilys , Barnard Emma , Allen Anton , Stewart Paul , Walker Hannah , Rosenthal Doreen , Gillam Lynn
Published: March 2018

Relationships of trust between research participants and researchers are often considered paramount to successful research; however, we know little about participants’ perspectives. We examined whom research participants trusted when taking part in research. Using a qualitative approach, we interviewed 36 research participants, including eight Indigenous participants. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. This article focuses on findings related to non-Indigenous participants. In contrast to Indigenous participants, non-Indigenous participants placed their trust in research institutions because of their systems of research ethics, their reputation and prestige. Researchers working in non-Indigenous contexts need to be cognizant that the trust that participants place in them is closely connected with the trust that participants have in the institution.
Teaching nursing homes: the Norwegian experience 20 years on
Authors: Kirkevold Marit
Published: March 2018

Background

The Norwegian teaching nursing home (TNH) programme was launched in 1997 to address the continued challenges and threats to quality in long-term care. They included high turnover, inadequate recruitment of qualified staff, poor image and inadequate learning opportunities in long-term care for students, and lack of opportunities for knowledge and skill development for staff. Research into the particular challenges and needs in long-term care was very limited. The aim of the programmes was to establish partnerships between selected nursing homes, universities and university colleges. Together the institutions would address the challenges by developing quality development programmes, initiating research and improving teaching in collaboration. During the first project period (1997–2003), the TNHs proved to be efficient in launching quality-improvement programmes, improving teaching of students and staff and supporting relevant research. Following a formal evaluation, the programme was established on a permanent basis in 2004. Since then the programme has gone through a number of changes, including growing in numbers, being widened to include home care services, and changing focus from local developments to also being vehicles for national quality initiatives.

Aim

This paper describes the current programme of teaching nursing homes in relation to its goals, organisation and responsibilities.

Results

The strong learning network among the institutions contributes to the robustness of the programme which focuses on developing and implementing evidence-based care and creative learning environments for students and staff.

Conclusions

The programme has altered since its inception to ensure it remains a sustainable innovation for improving the care of older people.
Audience responses to online video in MENA: New favorite genres or just more of the same as on television?
Authors: Schoenbach Klaus , Saeed Marium , Wood Robb
Published: March 2018

How do audiences in the Middle East and North Africa respond to the dramatic expansion of content offered with the advent of online video? Rapid internet adoption in the region signifies the latest expansion of content menus available to audiences since television. In this article, we determine who—as a consequence of this expansion—diversifies their content preferences online and on traditional television, and who maintains the same preferences, regardless of platform. To answer these questions, this study applies Everett Rogers' diffusion of innovations theory, using data from a large-scale survey on media use in the Middle East and North Africa. The results reveal: In the Middle East and North Africa in 2016, classic characteristics of innovators and early adopters are no longer significant predictors that one will be receptive to different genres of content online versus on television. Instead, more significant predictors are the television landscape in one’s country, being interested in new content of all kinds, and the characteristics of the genres themselves.
Microbial counts in hands with and without nail varnish after surgical skin preparation: a randomized control trial
Authors: Kulkarni Vinay , Murray Anthony , Mittal Rajat , Spence David , O’Kane Gabrielle , Incoll Ian
Published: March 2018

Nail varnish is commonly removed from fingernails prior to surgical procedures. We report the results of a randomized controlled trial comparing the microbial counts in hands with and without nail varnish applied, following surgical skin preparation. Forty-three patients were randomized; three patients were lost to follow-up. Each patient had one hand painted with nail varnish and had both hands tested 1 week later. There was no significant difference in terms of positive microbial growth between the nail plates or hyponichia with or without nail varnish applied. Our results demonstrate that the presence of nail varnish does not have an effect on the microbial counts of hands following surgical skin preparation.

Level of evidence: I
Drawing in the School Context as a Learning Resource in School Leader Development: Application-Oriented Projects in Active Learning Designs
Authors: Cosner Shelby , De Voto Craig , Andry Rah’man April
Published: March 2018

This article investigates a yearlong professional development experience provided to two cohorts within a doctoral program for early career school leaders. Drawing from situated learning theory, we examined one aspect of this program’s pedagogy, which centers on the use of field-based application-oriented projects that leaders must take up in their school settings. From this investigation, we identified and reported two key elements of the school context that were regularly drawn into leaders’ application-oriented learning experiences. We also illustratively highlight several of the authentic leadership consideration and practice experiences that were enabled.
Recommendations for active correction of hypernatremia in volume-resuscitated shock or sepsis patients should be taken with a grain of salt: A systematic review
Authors: Quinn Joseph W , Sewell Kerry , Simmons Dell E
Published: March 2018

Background:

Healthcare-acquired hypernatremia (serum sodium >145 mEq/dL) is common among critically ill and other hospitalized patients and is usually treated with hypotonic fluid and/or diuretics to correct a “free water deficit.” However, many hypernatremic patients are eu- or hypervolemic, and an evolving body of literature emphasizes the importance of rapidly returning critically ill patients to a neutral fluid balance after resuscitation.

Objective:

We searched for any randomized- or observational-controlled studies evaluating the impact of active interventions intended to correct hypernatremia to eunatremia on any outcome in volume-resuscitated patients with shock and/or sepsis.

Data sources:

We performed a systematic literature search with studies identified by searching MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, ClinicalTrials.gov , Index-Catalogue of the Library of the Surgeon General’s Office, DARE (Database of Reviews of Effects), and CINAHL and scanning reference lists of relevant articles with abstracts published in English.

Data synthesis:

We found no randomized- or observational-controlled trials measuring the impact of active correction of hypernatremia on any outcome in resuscitated patients.

Conclusion:

Recommendations for active correction of hypernatremia in resuscitated patients with sepsis or shock are unsupported by clinical research acceptable by modern evidence standards.
Usefulness of small bowel reexamination in obscure gastrointestinal bleeding patients with negative capsule endoscopy findings: Comparison of repeat capsule endoscopy and double‐balloon enteroscopy
Authors: Otani Koji , Watanabe Toshio , Shimada Sunao , Nadatani Yuji , Hosomi Shuhei , Nagami Yasuaki , Tanaka Fumio , Kamata Noriko , Taira Koichi , Yamagami Hirokazu , Tanigawa Tetsuya , Shiba Masatsugu , Fujiwara Yasuhiro
Published: March 2018

Background

Although capsule endoscopy (CE) is a noninvasive diagnostic tool for patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB), bleeding lesions are often not detected. No strategies have been established to determine whether CE or double‐balloon enteroscopy (DBE) should be performed after negative CE.

Methods

Among 652 patients who underwent CE for OGIB, a total of 359 patients had negative findings. Of these, 41 and 48 patients underwent repeat CE and DBE for small bowel reexamination, respectively. We compared the rate of positive findings between the two groups. The findings were considered positive if mucosal break, vascular lesion, tumor, or active bleeding was observed.

Results

The rate of positive findings in the repeat CE group was significantly higher than that in the DBE group (73.2% vs. 39.6%; p = 0.001). Logistic regression analysis showed that the repeat CE group was significantly associated with positive findings (odds ratio (OR), 4.2; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.7–10.2; p = 0.002). Inverse probability of treatment‐weighted analysis revealed that repeat CE was significantly associated with positive findings (OR, 4.4; 95% CI, 1.6–12.2; p = 0.004).

Conclusions

Reexamination via CE appears to have more diagnostic value than DBE for OGIB patients with negative CE findings.
Anti-refugee Mobilization in Social Media: The Case of Soldiers of Odin
Authors: Ekman Mattias
Published: March 2018

In the wake of the international refugee crisis, racist attitudes are becoming more publicly evident across the European Union. Propelled by the attacks in Köln on New Year’s Eve 2015 and harsher public sentiments on immigration, vigilante gangs have emerged in various European cities. These gangs mobilize through social media networks and claim to protect citizens from alleged violent and sexual attacks by refugees. This article analyzes how racist actors use social media to mobilize and organize street politics targeting refugees/immigrants. The aim is to explore the relation between social media and anti-refugee mobilization in a time of perceived insecurity and forced migration. The study uses the vigilante network Soldiers of Odin as a specific case, looking at (1) how they communicate through social media, (2) how they are represented in the large “alternative” space of right-wing online sites, and (3) how they are represented in traditional mainstream news. Using a critical adaption of Cammaerts’ theory of “mediation opportunity structure,” the article explicates the (inverted) rationale of racist online networks. Using quantitative and qualitative content analysis, both social media content and traditional news media are examined. The results show that although racist actors succeed in utilizing many of the opportunities embedded in social media communication and protest logic, they are also subject to constraints, such as a lack of public support and negative framing in news media. The article calls for more research on the (critical) relationship between uncivil engagement and social media networks.
On Digital Passages and Borders: Refugees and the New Infrastructure for Movement and Control
Authors: Latonero Mark , Kift Paula
Published: March 2018

Since 2014, millions of refugees and migrants have arrived at the borders of Europe. This article argues that, in making their way to safe spaces, refugees rely not only on a physical but increasingly also digital infrastructure of movement. Social media, mobile devices, and similar digitally networked technologies comprise this infrastructure of “digital passages”—sociotechnical spaces of flows in which refugees, smugglers, governments, and corporations interact with each other and with new technologies. At the same time, a digital infrastructure for movement can just as easily be leveraged for surveillance and control. European border policies, in particular, instantiate digital controls over refugee movement and identity. We review the actors, technologies, and policies of movement and control in the EU context and argue that scholars, policymakers, and the tech community alike should pay heed to the ethics of the use of new technologies in refugee and migration flows.
Peer Attitudes and the Development of Prejudice in Adolescence
Authors: Hjerm Mikael , Eger Maureen A. , Danell Rickard
Published: March 2018

According to a number of psychological and sociological theories, individuals are susceptible to social influence from their immediate social environment, especially during adolescence. An important social context is the network of one’s peers. However, data limitations, specifically a lack of longitudinal data with information about respondents’ social networks, have limited previous analyses of the relationship between peers and prejudice over time. In this article, we rely on a five-wave panel of adolescents, aged either 13 or 16 in wave 1 (N = 1,009). We examine the effects of this social context on prejudice by focusing on nominated friends’ attitudes, attitudes of prestigious peers, and respondents’ own positions in their networks. Results indicate that the level of prejudice among peers affects individual prejudice over time. Results also show that both prestigious and nonprestigious peers affect prejudice. Finally, adolescents’ own positions in their networks matter: Network centrality is inversely related to prejudice.
The smart city model: A new panacea for urban sustainability or unmanageable complexity?
Authors: Colding Johan , Colding Magnus , Barthel Stephan
Published: March 2018

Despite several calls in this journal of debating the rapid growth of the literature on “smart cities”, such a debate has in large been absent. Smart cities are often un-critically launched as a sustainable way of developing cities. When cities become increasingly complex as its features are wired into the Internet, theories for their understanding is lagging behind. As it is prospected that a greater number of people and things will become connected by Information and Computer Technology, the complexity of urban systems will over time increase. Historical insights reveal that as complexity in societies increase, growth in energy consumption tends to follow. In this paper, we discuss whether complexity carried too far could lead to diminishing returns of energy saving and create unmanageable urban systems. As part of initiating such a debate, this commentary asks whether the smart cities development has a bearing on the issue whether a society can erode its capacity of sustaining itself? We pose this question against the backdrop that no one actually knows what type of society the smart cities model in the end will generate.
In Vitro Assessment of Selected Medicinal Plants Used by the Bapedi Community in South Africa for Treatment of Bacterial Infections
Authors: Kudumela Refilwe Given , Masoko Peter
Published: March 2018

There is very little scientific information on indigenous plants used for medicinal purposes. Therefore, the aim of the study was to evaluate the antibacterial and antioxidant activities of the leaves of Commelina africana, Elephantorrhiza elephantina, Dombeya rotundifolia, and the whole plant excluding the roots of Schkuhria pinnata indigenous medicinal plants from the Limpopo Province, which may be used for the treatment in humans infected with bacterial pathogens. The screening of different phytoconstituents using standard methods revealed the presence of terpenoids, flavonoids, tannins, and saponins. The total phenolic, tannin, and flavonoid content were estimated using spectrophotometric methods. D rotundifolia had the highest amounts of phenol (259.00 ± 2.65 mg of gallic acid equivalent [GAE]/g), tannin (330.33 ± 15.63 mg of GAE/g), and flavonoid (19.90 ± 0.75 mg of quercetin equivalent [QE]/g) content, while S pinnata had the least. All the plants had antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa with the bioautography method. The microbroth dilution assay revealed antibacterial activity with minimum inhibitory concentration values raining from 0.02 to 2.50 mg/mL. D rotundifolia had the highest antioxidant activity in both the free radical scavenging and ferric reducing power methods. S pinnata and C africana extracts had high antibacterial activity, while D rotundifolia had high antioxidant activity, which made them potential plants for isolation of bioactive compounds and possible application in the pharmaceutical industry.
Uptake of [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose in initial positron-emission tomography predicts survival in MALT lymphoma
Authors: Qi Shunan , Huang May Y. , Yang Yong , Schöder Heiko , Teckie Sewit , Noy Ariela , Chau Karen , Yahalom Joachim
Published: March 2018

Key Points

SUV on PET imaging is a predictive factor of OS for patients with MALT lymphoma. Large cell transformation and worse OS are more common in patients with SUV ≥10 on their initial PET scan.
A numerical study of surface-wave-based tunnel detection at the Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve, California
Authors: Sherman Christopher S. , Rector James , Dreger Douglas , Glaser Steven
Published: March 2018

Detecting underground voids, such as old mine workings, solution cavities in karst terrain, or unknown tunnels such as illicit cross-border tunnels, is a challenging problem for geophysics and an important concern for geotechnical design, public safety, and domestic security. Seismic surface-wave-based detection methods have become increasingly popular for detecting relatively shallow and small targets; however, the theoretical limitations of these methods have thus far remained unclear. We use a suite of 3D numerical simulations inspired by a tunnel detection experiment carried out at the Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve (BDM) in northern California. The geophysical anomalies predicted by our numerical simulations at BDM agree with field observations, and our estimates for the location of the primary tunnel target agree with historical records in the area. Using our calibrated numerical model, we perform a parametric study to determine the effect of tunnel size, depth of burial, filling material, and source characteristics to determine the range over which surface-wave backscattering and attenuation-based methods are effective. In addition, we perform a regression analysis to determine a relationship for the maximum depth at which a tunnel may be detected via these approaches, given the target diameter, wavelength of interest, and the signal-to-noise ratio.
Estimation of δ and C13 of organic-rich shale from laser ultrasonic technique measurement
Authors: Xie Jianyong , Di Bangrang , Schmitt Douglas R. , Wei Jianxin , Chen Yangkang
Published: March 2018

The laser ultrasonic technique (LUT) has many advantages in dealing with the anisotropy of organic-rich shale over the transducer ultrasonic contacting measurement. We have developed a systematic procedure to estimate anisotropic parameter [Formula: see text] and elastic parameter [Formula: see text] in organic-rich shale from LUT measurement. A novel filtering method called the structural-oriented space-varying median filter (SOSVMF) is proposed for removing the erratic noise from the recorded data. We apply the proposed algorithm onto one synthetic example and real recorded data in artificial bakelite and organic-rich shale by using LUT to show the successful performance. Compared with the original recorded data, the denoised waveform by SOSVMF will also help to obtain more accurate parameter estimations of the anisotropic parameter [Formula: see text] and elastic parameter [Formula: see text]. More importantly, the presented systematic procedure may extend the application of LUT to the study of attenuation anisotropy in organic-rich shale and scale physical modeling. In addition, the surface-modification method may be an effective method to enhance the laser-ultrasonic conversion efficiency.
Connexin hemichannels mediate glutathione transport and protect lens fiber cells from oxidative stress
Authors: Shi Wen , Riquelme Manuel A. , Gu Sumin , Jiang Jean X.
Published: March 2018

Elevated oxidized stress contributes to lens cataracts, and gap junctions play important roles in maintaining lens transparency. As well as forming gap junctions, connexin (Cx) proteins also form hemichannels. Here, we report a new mechanism whereby hemichannels mediate transport of reductant glutathione into lens fiber cells and protect cells against oxidative stress. We found that Cx50 (also known as GJA8) hemichannels opened in response to H2O2 in lens fiber cells but that transport through the channels was inhibited by two dominant-negative mutants in Cx50, Cx50P88S, which inhibits transport through both gap junctions and hemichannels, and Cx50H156N, which only inhibits transport through hemichannels and not gap junctions. Treatment with H2O2 increased the number of fiber cells undergoing apoptosis, and this increase was augmented with dominant-negative mutants that disrupted both hemichannels formed from Cx46 (also known as GJA3) and Cx50, while Cx50E48K, which only impairs gap junctions, did not have such an effect. Moreover, hemichannels mediate uptake of glutathione, and this uptake protected lens fiber cells against oxidative stress, while hemichannels with impaired transport had less protective benefit from glutathione. Taken together, these results show that oxidative stress activates connexin hemichannels in the lens fiber cells and that hemichannels likely protect lens cell against oxidative damage through transporting extracellular reductants.
Catheter securing and fixation devices: their role in preventing complications
Authors: Yates Ann
Published: March 2018

Ann Yates, Director of Continence Services, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, discusses the technology available to minimise urinary catheter-related complications, Ann.yates@wales.nhs.uk
Rhabdomyosarcoma: an overview and nursing considerations
Authors: Kerin Úna , Wolohan Colleen , Cooke Karen
Published: March 2018

This article aims to provide nurses with a clinical overview of rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare type of soft tissue sarcoma. The causes, clinical features, pathophysiology, diagnostic process, prognosis and treatment will be explored. Some of the main nursing considerations for rhabdomyosarcoma patients will be discussed in light of current treatment recommendations.
Offerings as Digitalized Interactive Platforms: A Conceptual Framework and Implications
Authors: Ramaswamy Venkat , Ozcan Kerimcan
Published: March 2018

In an age of digitalized interactions, offerings are no longer “finished” in the traditional sense; creation of value continues by engaging actors (often consumers and their associated social networks) interacting with organizing actors (often firms and their associated organizational ecosystem) in a joint space of interactive system-environments. One can think of the Apple Watch NikePlus (AWNP) offering in which the consumer co-creates valuable experienced outcomes with a mix of applications, touchpoints, and uses, while AWNP and its organizing actors co-create environments with consumers. Actors increasingly find themselves in such a joint enactment of interactional value creation, through offerings as evolving digitalized networked arrangements of artifacts, persons, processes, and interfaces, which the authors refer to as a Digitalized Interactive Platform (DIP). This implies a broader view of value creation—one in which value is created through interactions, versus one where value is simply the exchange of a fixed offering between a firm and its customers. Offerings as DIPs have significant implications for the theory and practice of marketing.
The Usage of the Dental Operating Microscope among Young Dentists in Tîrgu Mureș: A Questionnaire Survey
Authors: Kovács-Ivácson Andrea-Csinszka , Kovács Mónika , Monea Monica , Pop Mihai
Published: March 2018

Introduction: In the last 15 years, the most important revolution in dentistry has been the introduction and then the widespread adoption of the dental operating microscope. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usage of the dental operating microscope among young specialized and general practitioner dentists in Tîrgu Mureș.

Material and Methods: A 9-point questionnaire about dental microscope usage was distributed among endodontists, practitioners of other specialties, and general practitioners with less than 10 years of experience.

Results: According to our results, the dental operating microscope is used mainly during root canal therapy by endodontists. Practitioners of other specialties (prosthetists, alveolar dental surgeons, and orthodontists) use the microscope in a small percentage during coronal restoration, prosthetics, or periodontal surgery. Most general practitioners are not interested in using magnification in their practice.

Conclusions: Endodontists use the dental operating microscope when they face complicated cases and have access to it. Working under magnification is awakening the interest of doctors of other specialties also. Private practices should invest in acquiring a microscope, and young general practitioners should be motivated in using it during dental treatments.
Effectiveness of Bronchoalveolar Lavage in Diagnosis and Evolution of Coal Worker’s Pneumoconiosis — Case Report
Authors: Szász Zsuzsánna Ágnes , Horváth Gyopár , Székely-Vass Enikő , Hozoi Mădălina
Published: March 2018

Introduction:Our article offers a deeper insight into an important occupational disease — coal workers' pneumoconiosis, with all its diagnosis difficulties, treatment steps, and strategies.

Case presentation:A 33-year-old male patient, smoker, with 16 years of outside exposure to coal dust, presents shortness of breath and cough, which existed 4 months prior to presentation and progressed in time. The first chest X-ray has raised differential diagnosis difficulties with miliary tuberculosis, despite the patient’s exposure history. All the investigation procedures performed afterwards (clinical examination, fibrobronchoscopy with microlavage and cytological examination, chest computed tomography, and routine laboratory investigations) were not enough to provide a certain and final diagnosis. Exploratory thoracotomy with lung biopsy was needed, and its findings started to sustain the professional disease diagnosis that had already taken shape. To exclude a disease which can evolve hand in hand, but also as a therapeutic application, we decided that a whole lung lavage was needed.

Conclusion:Although whole lung lavage could not be accomplished completely, the performed right middle lobe bronchoalveolar lavage had a huge impact, not only on the patient’s symptomatology, but also on the paraclinical results.
Epicardial Fat, Paracrine-mediated Inflammation and Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Rat Nora , Mitre Adriana , Korodi Szilamér , Benedek István , Lázár Erzsébet , Kéri Johanna , Pakucs Annamária , Benedek István
Published: March 2018

Atrial fibrillation is the most frequent arrhythmia in adults, becoming more frequent with age. Recent clinical studies demonstrated that epicardial fat is linked with atrial fibrillation induction and recurrence. The arrhythmogenic mechanism consists in the fact that the epicardial adipose tissue is metabolically active, inducing local inflammation and enhancing the oxidative stress, which lead to atrial fibrillation as well as atherosclerosis. Having metabolic activity and secreting various anti- and pro-inflammatory biomarkers, the fat surrounding the heart has been linked to the complex process of coronary plaque vulnerabilization. This clinical update aims to summarize the role of epicardial adipose tissue in the pathogenesis, persistence, and severity of atrial fibrillation.
Bayesian statistics and Monte Carlo methods
Authors: Koch K. R.
Published: March 2018

The Bayesian approach allows an intuitive way to derive the methods of statistics. Probability is defined as a measure of the plausibility of statements or propositions. Three rules are sufficient to obtain the laws of probability. If the statements refer to the numerical values of variables, the so-called random variables, univariate and multivariate distributions follow. They lead to the point estimation by which unknown quantities, i.e. unknown parameters, are computed from measurements. The unknown parameters are random variables, they are fixed quantities in traditional statistics which is not founded on Bayes’ theorem. Bayesian statistics therefore recommends itself for Monte Carlo methods, which generate random variates from given distributions. Monte Carlo methods, of course, can also be applied in traditional statistics. The unknown parameters, are introduced as functions of the measurements, and the Monte Carlo methods give the covariance matrix and the expectation of these functions. A confidence region is derived where the unknown parameters are situated with a given probability. Following a method of traditional statistics, hypotheses are tested by determining whether a value for an unknown parameter lies inside or outside the confidence region. The error propagation of a random vector by the Monte Carlo methods is presented as an application. If the random vector results from a nonlinearly transformed vector, its covariance matrix and its expectation follow from the Monte Carlo estimate. This saves a considerable amount of derivatives to be computed, and errors of the linearization are avoided. The Monte Carlo method is therefore efficient. If the functions of the measurements are given by a sum of two or more random vectors with different multivariate distributions, the resulting distribution is generally not known. TheMonte Carlo methods are then needed to obtain the covariance matrix and the expectation of the sum.
On algebraic characterization of SSC of the Jahangir’s graph 𝓙
n,m
Authors: Raza Zahid , Kashif Agha , Anwar Imran
Published: March 2018

In this paper, some algebraic and combinatorial characterizations of the spanning simplicial complex Δs
(𝓙
n,m
) of the Jahangir’s graph 𝓙
n,m
are explored. We show that Δs
(𝓙
n,m
) is pure, present the formula for f-vectors associated to it and hence deduce a recipe for computing the Hilbert series of the Face ring k[Δs
(𝓙
n,m
)]. Finally, we show that the face ring of Δs
(𝓙
n,m
) is Cohen-Macaulay and give some open scopes of the current work.
FESEM, XRD and DRS studies of electrochemically deposited boron doped ZnO films
Authors: Caglar Yasemin , Ilican Saliha , Caglar Mujdat
Published: March 2018

In this study, the effect of boron (B) incorporation into zinc oxide (ZnO) has been investigated. The undoped, 2 at.%. and 4 at.% B doped ZnO films were deposited on p-type silicon (Si) substrates by electrodeposition method using chronoamperometry technique. Electrochemical depositions were performed by applying a constant potentiostatic voltage of 1.1 V for 180 min at 90 °C bath temperature. To analyze the surface morphology, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) was used and the results revealed that while a small amount of boron resulted in smoother surface, a little more incorporation of boron changed the surface morphology to dandelion-like shaped rods on the whole surface. By using X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, the crystal structures of the films were detected and the preferred orientation of the ZnO, which exhibited polycrystalline and hexagonal wurtzite structure, changed with B doping. For the estimation of the optical band gap of obtained films, UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectra (DRS) of the films were taken at room temperature and these data were applied to the Kubelka-Munk function. The optical band gap of ZnO narrowed due to incorporation of B, which was confirmed by red-shift.
Optical properties of ZnCoO layers obtained by PLD method
Authors: Potera P. , Virt I. , Wisz G. , Cebulski J.
Published: March 2018

Optical properties of the zinc-cobalt oxide (ZnCoO) layers manufactured at different process conditions have been investigated. ZnCoO layers were grown on sapphire and glass substrates by pulsed laser deposition (PLD) technique. The influence of growth conditions as well as post-growth annealing on the films transmission and gap energy was analyzed.
Functionalization of the Si(1 1 1) 7 × 7 substrate with coronene molecules using simple molecular source
Authors: Przychodnia Marta , Czajka Ryszard , Koczorowski Wojciech
Published: March 2018

The present paper aims at describing a source designed and constructed to generate an organic molecular beam under ultrahigh vacuum conditions. The presented construction solution of the evaporation source allows for independent deposition of three different kinds of molecules. The probability of molecules fragmentation is minimized by using a thermocouple being in contact with a molecular crucible, which enables precise temperature control. In addition, cleanness and molecular beam density are monitored using a quadrupole mass spectrometer and quartz microbalance, respectively. The operational parameters of the molecular source are optimized and deposition rates are measured for the coronene molecule in the sublimation temperature range between 430 K and 460 K. The analysis of scanning tunneling microscope images of the Si(1 1 1) 7 × 7 substrate covered with the sub-monolayer of coronene molecules and comparison with previously published data has been used for verification of the molecular source operation.
Diatoms – A “Green” Way to Biosynthesize Gold-Silica Nanocomposites?
Authors: Pytlik Nathalie , Butscher Daniel , Machill Susanne , Brunner Eike
Published: March 2018

Biosynthesis by diatoms provides a green approach for nanoparticle (NP) production. However, reproducible and homogeneous shapes are essential for their application. To improve these characteristics during biosynthesis, the underlying synthesis mechanisms as well as involved substances need to be understood. The first essential step for suitable analyses is the purification of Au-silica-nanocomposites from organic biomass. Succesfully cleaned nanocomposites could, for example, be useful as catalysts. In combination with the biosynthesized NPs, this material presents a “green” catalyst and could contribute to the currently thriving green nanochemistry. In this work, we compare different purification agents with respect to their ability to purify cells of the diatom Stephanopyxis turris without separating the biosynthesized Au-silica-nanocomposites from the diatom cell walls. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) are used to localize and identify Au-silica-nanocomposites around the cells. The amount of remaining organic compounds on the purified cell is detected by attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy. Furthermore, inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) is used to track the “gold path” during cell growth and the different purifications steps.
Efficacy of an 8-Week Concurrent Strength and Endurance Training program on Hand Cycling Performance
Authors: Nevin Jonpaul , Smith Paul , Waldron Mark , Patterson Stephen , Price Mike , Hunt Alex , Blagrove Richard
Published: March 2018

Nevin, JP, Smith, P, Waldron, M, Patterson, S, Price, M, Hunt, A, and Blagrove, R. Efficacy of an 8-week concurrent strength and endurance training program on hand cycling performance. J Strength Cond Res 32(7): 1861–1868, 2018—The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of an 8-week concurrent strength and endurance training program in comparison with endurance training only on several key determinants of hand cycling performance. Five H4 and 5 H3 classified hand cyclists with at least 1 year's hand cycling training history consented to participate in the study. Subjects underwent a battery of tests to establish body mass, body composition, V̇o
2peak, maximum aerobic power, gross mechanical efficiency (GME), maximal upper-body strength, and 30-km time-trial performance. Subjects were matched into pairs based on 30-km time-trial performance and randomly allocated to either a concurrent strength and endurance or endurance training only, intervention group. After an 8-week training program based on a conjugated block periodization model, subjects completed a second battery of tests. A mixed model, 2-way analysis of variance revealed no significant changes between groups. However, the calculation of effect sizes (ESs) revealed that both groups demonstrated a positive improvement in most physiological and performance measures with subjects in the concurrent group demonstrating a greater magnitude of improvement in body composition (ES −0.80 vs. −0.22), maximal aerobic power (ES 0.97 vs. 0.28), GME (ES 0.87 vs. 0.63), bench press 1 repetition maximum (1RM) (ES 0.53 vs. 0.33), seated row 1RM (ES 1.42 vs. 0.43), and 30-km time-trial performance (ES −0.66 vs. −0.30). In comparison with endurance training only, an 8-week concurrent training intervention based on a conjugated block periodization model seems to be a more effective training regime for improving the performance capabilities of hand cyclists.
Ending the Competition to Better Understand Emotional Processes in Borderline Personality Pathology: Commentary on Gunderson et al.
Authors: Schoenleber Michelle
Published: March 2018

In reviewing four prominent theories, Gunderson et al. (2018) incidentally highlight for the reader the need for new collaborative research efforts that draw together scholars representing these various theories o borderline personality pathology. Many avenues for such research exist that have the potential to improve o r overall understanding of the development, maintenance and possible treatment of borderline personality pathology in ways that research grounded in just one theory does not. Herein, the similarities and differences among these theories in their assumptions with regard to emotional baselines and sequences of emotion (i.e., primary and secondary emotional reactions) are discussed as one important direction for cross-theory research collaborations.
Variations in Ca2+Influx Can Alter Chelator-Based Estimates of Ca2+Channel–Synaptic Vesicle Coupling Distance
Authors: Nakamura Yukihiro , Reva Maria , DiGregorio David A.
Published: March 2018

The timing and probability of synaptic vesicle fusion from presynaptic terminals is governed by the distance between voltage-gated Ca2+channels (VGCCs) and Ca2+sensors for exocytosis. This VGCC-sensor coupling distance can be determined from the fractional block of vesicular release by exogenous Ca2+chelators, which depends on biophysical factors that have not been thoroughly explored. Using numerical simulations of Ca2+reaction and diffusion, as well as vesicular release, we examined the contributions of conductance, density, and open duration of VGCCs, and the influence of endogenous Ca2+buffers on the inhibition of exocytosis by EGTA. We found that estimates of coupling distance are critically influenced by the duration and amplitude of Ca2+influx at active zones, but relatively insensitive to variations of mobile endogenous buffer. High concentrations of EGTA strongly inhibit vesicular release in close proximity (20-30 nm) to VGCCs if the flux duration is brief, but have little influence for longer flux durations that saturate the Ca2+sensor. Therefore, the diversity in presynaptic action potential duration is sufficient to alter EGTA inhibition, resulting in errors potentially as large as 300% if Ca2+entry durations are not considered when estimating VGCC–sensor coupling distances.

SIGNIFICANT STATEMENTThe coupling distance between voltage-gated Ca2+channels and Ca2+sensors for exocytosis critically determines the timing and probability of neurotransmitter release. Perfusion of presynaptic terminals with the exogenous Ca2+chelator EGTA has been widely used for both qualitative and quantitative estimates of this distance. However, other presynaptic terminal parameters such as the amplitude and duration of Ca2+entry can also influence EGTA inhibition of exocytosis, thus confounding conclusions based on EGTA alone. Here, we performed reaction–diffusion simulations of Ca2+-driven synaptic vesicle fusion, which delineate the critical parameters influencing an accurate prediction of coupling distance. Our study provides guidelines for characterizing and understanding how variability in coupling distance across chemical synapses could be estimated accurately.