bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bioactivity Evaluation of Pinocembrin Derivatives From Penthorum chinense Pursh Stems
Authors: Ding Qinchao , Jin Zhuo , Dong Jiahui , Wang Zhaolei , Jiang Kai , Ye Yingyan , Dou Xiaobing , Ding Bin
Published: September 2019

The extract of Penthorum chinense Pursh (PCP), a well-known Miao herb medicine, has been used as a key component for a Chinese patented drug to treat several kinds of liver-related diseases. In this work, 3 pinocembrin derivatives, S1, S2, and S3, were isolated from PCP stems and identified with high-performance liquid chromatography and electrospray ionization mass spectrometer. The molecular masses of S1, S2, and S3 were identical to Pinocembrin-7-O-[4″,6″-hexahydroxydiphenoyl (HHDP)]-β-D-glucose, Pinocembrin-7-O-[3″-O-galloyl-4″,6″-(s)-HHDP)-β-D-glucose, and Thonningianin A, respectively. Their free radical scavenging capability was evaluated with the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl assay. The half-maximal effective concentrations of S1, S2, and S3 were 26.75, 9.06, and 5.50 μg/mL, respectively. In vitro AML-12 assays demonstrated that S1 (5-20 μg/mL), S2 (10-40 μg/mL), and S3 (10-40 μg/mL) not only protected cells from H2O2-induced oxidation and alcohol-induced cell damages, but also reduced oleic acid (OA)-induced triglyceride accumulations in a dose-dependent manner. However, the 3 compounds potently exhibited similar cytotoxicity effect at high concentrations. The half-maximal inhibitory concentrations of S1, S2, and S3 to AML-12 cells were 74.19, 85.86, and 80.43 μg/mL. In addition, the 3 compounds also showed antibacterial activity on Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, and Bacillus subtilis.
The Wandering Circles: A Flicker Rate and Contour-Dependent Motion Illusion
Authors: Blair Christopher D. , Erlikhman Gennady , Caplovitz Gideon P.
Published: September 2019

Understanding of the visual system can be informed by examining errors in perception. We present a novel illusion—Wandering Circles—in which stationary circles undergoing contrast-polarity reversals (i.e., flicker), when viewed peripherally, appear to move about in a random fashion. In two psychophysical experiments, participants rated the strength of perceived illusory motion under varying stimulus conditions. The illusory motion percept was strongest when the circle’s edge was defined by a light/dark alternation and when the edge faded smoothly to the background gray (i.e., a circular arrangement of the Craik-O’Brien-Cornsweet illusion). In addition, the percept of illusory motion is flicker rate dependent, appearing strongest when the circles reversed polarity 9.44 times per second and weakest at 1.98 times per second. The Wandering Circles differ from many other classic motion illusions as the light/dark alternation is perfectly balanced in time and position around the edges of the circle, and thus, there is no net directional local or global motion energy in the stimulus. The perceived motion may instead rely on factors internal to the viewer such as top-down influences, asymmetries in luminance and motion perception across the retina, adaptation combined with positional uncertainty due to peripheral viewing, eye movements, or low contrast edges.
Size Perception Biases Are Temporally Stable and Vary Consistently Between Visual Field Meridians
Authors: Schwarzkopf Dietrich S.
Published: September 2019

The apparent size of visual stimuli depends on where in the visual field they appear. We recently presented a model of how size perception could be biased by stimulus encoding in retinotopic cortex. However, it remains unclear if such perceptual biases are instead trivially related to discrimination ability and if they are temporally stable. An independent test of the model is also still outstanding. Here, I show that perceptual biases are stable across stimulus durations between 50 and 1,000 milliseconds, even though discrimination ability unsurprisingly improves with duration. Furthermore, perceptual biases are stronger along the vertical than the horizontal meridian, which mirrors reported differences in spatial vision and the positional selectivity of early visual cortex. Taken together, these findings support our model of how size is inferred from cortical responses.
Municipal surveillance regulation and algorithmic accountability
Authors: Young Meg , Katell Michael , Krafft P. M.
Published: September 2019

A wave of recent scholarship has warned about the potential for discriminatory harms of algorithmic systems, spurring an interest in algorithmic accountability and regulation. Meanwhile, parallel concerns about surveillance practices have already led to multiple successful regulatory efforts of surveillance technologies—many of which have algorithmic components. Here, we examine municipal surveillance regulation as offering lessons for algorithmic oversight. Taking the 2017 Seattle Surveillance Ordinance as our primary case study and surveying efforts across five other cities, we describe the features of existing surveillance regulation; including procedures for describing surveillance technologies in detail, requirements for public engagement, and processes for establishing acceptable uses. Although the Seattle Surveillance Ordinance was not intended to address algorithmic accountability, we find these considerations to be relevant to the law’s aim of surfacing disparate impacts of systems in use. We also find that in notable cases government employees did not identify regulated algorithmic surveillance technologies as reliant on algorithmic or machine learning systems, highlighting definitional gaps that could hinder future efforts toward algorithmic regulation. We argue that (i) finer-grained distinctions between types of information systems in the language of law and policy, and (ii) risk assessment tools integrated into their implementation would strengthen future regulatory efforts by rendering underlying algorithmic components more legible and accountable to political and community stakeholders.
The psychology of peasant religious conversion for the purpose of disease control: The role of belief in understanding Chinese rural religious practices
Authors: Zhou Lang , Sun Qiuyun
Published: September 2019

This paper focuses on the religious psychology of peasants who undergo religious conversion in order to cure an illness or disease. Field research was conducted in Wang village in Northern Jiangsu, examining the psychology of newly converted peasants. In academic circles psychology of peasants is usually critiqued according to utility and rationality. In this paper, belief is a starting point for understanding the psychology of peasants. The natural mentality and family ethics of the peasants lead them to place high expectations on religion as a tool for curing disease and facing life crises and dilemmas. The three levels of religious practice include: religious construction of ‘belief’; emotional embedding of ‘belief’; and developing ‘faith’. These requirements lead to the transformation of the individual’s psychological status from secular to religious. Based on the interaction between the individual and religion which is affected by the initial disease and its seriousness, peasants’ religious psychology is divided into three types: collapse of belief; transition of belief; and upgrading of belief. The rituals and different attitudes towards belief constitute the mechanism of developing religious psychology and also shape peasants’ attitudes towards faith. In addition, this paper explores the role of belief in understanding individual religious psychology, religious conversion, and religious revival in Chinese rural religious practices.
Does the Measurement Matter? Assessing Alternate Approaches to Measuring State School Finance Equity for California’s Local Control Funding Formula
Authors: Knight David S. , Mendoza Jesús
Published: September 2019

Scholars have not reached consensus on the best approach to measure state school finance equity. The regression-based approach estimates the relationship between district poverty rate and funding level, controlling for other district cost factors. A second commonly used approach involves estimating the weighted average funding level for low-income students or other subgroups. Meanwhile, policymakers have preferences for their own data systems and poverty indicators when reading reports and assessing progress. We constructed parallel, district-level panel data sets using data from the California Department of Education and the U.S. Census. We estimated changes over time in district-level school finance equity under California’s Local Control Funding Formula, using multiple school finance measurement approaches, with each of the two data sets. Our results show that different methods and analytic choices result in policy-relevant differences in findings. We discuss the implications for policy and future research.
Computerized Electronic Features Direct Children’s Attention to Print in Single- and Dual-Language e-Books
Authors: Yow W. Quin , Priyashri Sridhar
Published: September 2019

There has been a rapid proliferation of electronic books in recent years. Given that dual-language books may impose extra cognitive load on children’s information processing capacity, we investigated whether multimedia features in e-books (i.e., audio narration and tracking animation) were effective in directing preschoolers’ attention to print in the target language. Seventy-one English-and-Mandarin speaking 4- to 6-year-olds were presented with single-language and dual-language e-books (with and without enhancing features) on a computer fitted with an eye tracker to read independently. Children attended more to their dominant language text than the other when reading dual-language texts silently but comparably in single-language texts. Most importantly, enhancing electronic features with synchronized dual-channel (visual and audio) inputs and attention-guiding cues effectively directed children’s attention to print in both their dominant and nondominant languages. These findings provide important implications on how computerized electronic books affect children’s attention to print and in turn support the development of children’s emergent literacy.
Neurotic Fantasy: The Third Temple As a Metaphor in the Contemporary Israeli Art of Nira Pereg and Yael Bartana
Authors: Barkai Sigal
Published: September 2019

In the political reality of Israel, some symbols lie at the heart of the political, religious, national, and historical discourse that characterize the peoples and cultures living on the Israeli-Palestinian soil. Among these, the Temple Mount in Jerusalem is one of the most complex and conflictual symbols. The multiple religious claims to the Temple Mount—Jewish, Christian, and Muslim—are the subject of extensive study, but this article focuses on their reflection in contemporary Israeli art. In traditional Jewish art, the visual representations of the Temple or of Jews praying nearby expressed the longing of the Jews for generations to return to the Mount. In contrast, Yael Bartana and Nira Pereg view the multiple socio-political currents and religious rituals surrounding the Temple Mount as a reflection of the internal public debate regarding the face of the Israeli society today. This article discusses the contribution of their visual art to a conscious and aware discourse about the Israeli society and the underground currents that shape its contemporary identity. The analysis of their work tracks a “politics of aesthetics”—interpretation of the images within a socio-political context—and draws upon Israeli sociology, art history, and visual culture. In-depth personal interviews with the artists also inform the analysis.
The Surgical Risk Preoperative Assessment System: Determining which predictor variables can be automatically obtained from the electronic health record
Authors: Meguid Robert A , Bronsert Michael R , Hammermeister Karl E , Kao David P , Lambert-Kerzner Anne , Sinex Jacob A , Myers Jody M , Henderson William G
Published: September 2019

Introduction

The Surgical Risk Preoperative Assessment System is a parsimonious, universal surgical risk calculator integrated into our local electronic health record. We determined how many of its eight preoperative risk predictor variables could be automatically obtained from the electronic health record. This has implications for the usability and adoption of Surgical Risk Preoperative Assessment System, serving as an example of use of electronic health record data for populating clinical decision support tools.

Methods

We quantified the availability and accuracy in the electronic health record of the eight Surgical Risk Preoperative Assessment System predictor variables (patient age, American Society of Anesthesiology physical status classification, functional health status, sepsis, work Relative Value Unit, in-/outpatient operation, surgeon specialty, emergency status) at the patient’s preoperative encounter of 5205 patients entered into the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program. Accuracy was determined by comparing the electronic health record data to the same patient’s National Surgical Quality Improvement Program data, used as the “gold standard.” Acceptable accuracy was defined as a Kappa statistic or Pearson correlation coefficient ≥0.8 when comparing electronic health record and National Surgical Quality Improvement Program data. Acceptable availability was defined as presence of the variable in the electronic health record at the preoperative encounter ≥95% of the time.

Results

Of the eight predictor variables, six had acceptable accuracy. Only preoperative sepsis and functional health status had Kappa statistics <0.8. However, only patient age and surgeon specialty were ≥95% available in the electronic health record at the preoperative visit.

Conclusions

Processes need to be developed to populate more of the Surgical Risk Preoperative Assessment System preoperative predictor variables in the patient’s electronic health record prior to the preoperative visit to lessen the burden on the busy surgeon and encourage more widespread use of Surgical Risk Preoperative Assessment System.
Duvelisib for CLL/SLL and follicular non-Hodgkin lymphoma
Authors: Patel Krish , Danilov Alexey V. , Pagel John M.
Published: September 2019

In this Blood Spotlight, the authors review the appropriate clinical background, mechanism of action, and detailed therapeutic data about duvelisib in chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL) and follicular lymphoma.
The accessibility of data on environmental risk assessment of pharmaceuticals: Is the marketing authorisation procedure in conflict with the international right of access to environmental information?
Authors: Oelkers Kim , Floeter Carolin
Published: September 2019

Background

For a large part of the active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) available on the market, there is no or no comprehensive environmental risk assessment (ERA) existent/available. Existing ERAs are, moreover, treated as commercially/industrial confidential information (CCI) and the information content on the ERAs contained in the Public Assessment Reports is very limited. Thus, neither the public can inform itself sufficient nor environmental authorities can use the ERAs to compile environmental quality standards. Environmental information law, on the other hand, requires the general accessibility of environmental information. Against this background, this investigation examines the following questions in conformity with the environmental information law: Which environmental information on pharmaceuticals is generated in the marketing authorisation? Which of the environmental information generated in the marketing authorisation is available to the public? Does the environmental information on pharmaceuticals concern CCI?

Results

According to international and European environmental information law, there is in principal a right of access to the ERAs of pharmaceuticals (environmental information according to Art. 2(3)(b) Aarhus Convention), which is ineffective due to product-based data and allegedly conflicting CCI. The practised blanket classification of CCI by the marketing authorisation holders is in conflict with the principle of transparency of environmental information law. In any case, the outcomes of the ERA (in particular the ecotoxicity endpoints) may not be classified as CCI. Furthermore, the publicly accessible information in the format of the Public Assessment Report does not sufficiently reflect the information from ERAs and thus does not fulfil the mandate of active access to information (Art. 5 Aarhus Convention). The conflict between the actual accessibility of environmental information on pharmaceuticals and the requirements of environmental information law could be resolved through an API-based publicly accessible database with the outcomes of the ERAs (including all underlying ecotoxicity endpoints). To fulfil the right of access to environmental information effectively, the database also needs to be extended to “old” APIs for which environmental risk assessments have not yet been carried out. This would be the basis for prioritisation of API and establishing a monograph system.

Conclusion

The environmental information law requires an improved accessibility of ERAs that could be achieved through an API-based publicly accessible database.
NfiS, a species-specific regulatory noncoding RNA of Pseudomonas stutzeri, enhances oxidative stress tolerance in Escherichia coli
Authors: Hu Guihua , Hu Tao , Zhan Yuhua , Lu Wei , Lin Min , Huang Yunhong , Yan Yongliang
Published: September 2019

Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) can finely control the expression of target genes at the posttranscriptional level in prokaryotes. Regulatory small RNAs (sRNAs) designed to control target gene expression for applications in metabolic engineering and synthetic biology have been successfully developed and used. However, the effect on the heterologous expression of species- or strain-specific ncRNAs in other bacterial strains remains poorly understood. In this work, aPseudomonas stutzerispecies-specific regulatory ncRNA, NfiS, which has been shown to play an important role in the response to oxidative stress as well as osmotic stress inP. stutzeriA1501, was cloned and transferred to theEscherichia colistrain Trans10. Recombinant NfiS-expressingE. coli, namely, Trans10-nfiS, exhibited significant enhancement of tolerance to oxidative stress. To map the possible gene regulatory networks mediated by NfiS inE. coliunder oxidative stress, a microarray assay was performed to delineate the transcriptomic differences between Trans10-nfiSand wild-typeE. coliunder H2O2shock treatment conditions. In all, 1184 genes were found to be significantly altered, and these genes were divided into mainly five functional categories: stress response, regulation, metabolism related, transport or membrane protein and unknown function. Our results suggest that theP. stutzerispecies-specific ncRNA NfiS acts as a regulator that integrates adaptation to H2O2with other cellular stress responses and helps protectE. colicells against oxidative damage.
Genomics of rare genetic diseases—experiences from India
Authors:   The GUaRDIAN Consortium, Sivasubbu Sridhar , Scaria Vinod
Published: September 2019

Home to a culturally heterogeneous population, India is also a melting pot of genetic diversity. The population architecture characterized by multiple endogamous groups with specific marriage patterns, including the widely prevalent practice of consanguinity, not only makes the Indian population distinct from rest of the world but also provides a unique advantage and niche to understand genetic diseases. Centuries of genetic isolation of population groups have amplified the founder effects, contributing to high prevalence of recessive alleles, which translates into genetic diseases, including rare genetic diseases in India.

Rare genetic diseases are becoming a public health concern in India because a large population size of close to a billion people would essentially translate to a huge disease burden for even the rarest of the rare diseases. Genomics-based approaches have been demonstrated to accelerate the diagnosis of rare genetic diseases and reduce the socio-economic burden. The Genomics for Understanding Rare Diseases: India Alliance Network (GUaRDIAN) stands for providing genomic solutions for rare diseases in India. The consortium aims to establish a unique collaborative framework in health care planning, implementation, and delivery in the specific area of rare genetic diseases. It is a nation-wide collaborative research initiative catering to rare diseases across multiple cohorts, with over 240 clinician/scientist collaborators across 70 major medical/research centers. Within the GUaRDIAN framework, clinicians refer rare disease patients, generate whole genome or exome datasets followed by computational analysis of the data for identifying the causal pathogenic variations. The outcomes of GUaRDIAN are being translated as community services through a suitable platform providing low-cost diagnostic assays in India. In addition to GUaRDIAN, several genomic investigations for diseased and healthy population are being undertaken in the country to solve the rare disease dilemma.

In summary, rare diseases contribute to a significant disease burden in India. Genomics-based solutions can enable accelerated diagnosis and management of rare diseases. We discuss how a collaborative research initiative such as GUaRDIAN can provide a nation-wide framework to cater to the rare disease community of India.
Protection of lead in an environment containing acetic acid vapour by using adsorbents and their characterization
Authors: Msallamova Sarka , Kouril Milan , Strachotova Kristyna Charlotte , Stoulil Jan , Popova Kateryna , Dvorakova Pavla , Lhotka Miloslav
Published: September 2019

Historical museums and depositories contain collections with a number of lead objects or historical documents with lead seals. Lead is a metal which has good corrosion resistance under atmospheric conditions. On the other hand, lead corrodes in an activity in an environment which contains volatile organic compounds (mainly acetic acid and formic acid). In a depository environment, sources of volatile compounds can be the historical documents themselves, wood, plastics (those made from cellulose acetate), polyvinyl acetate adhesives, varnishes, oil or emulsion paints, etc. The aim of this work was to compare the efficiency of commercial adsorbents (activated carbon, activated alumina, zeolite, and bentonite) in the acetic acid vapours. The lead corrosion rates were determined by using lead resistometric probes. Activated alumina and activated carbon were found to be the most effective adsorbents of acetic acid vapours. On the other hand, the available zeolite had the worst sorption ability compared with the other tested substances.
Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index and Controlling Nutritional Status Score can predict postoperative 180-day mortality in hip fracture surgeries
Authors: Kotera Atsushi
Published: September 2019

Background

The Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI) based on serum albumin level and body weight and the Controlling Nutritional Status Score (CONUT) based on serum albumin level, total cholesterol level, and total lymphocyte count were created to evaluate objectively a patient’s nutritional status in 2005. Here we validated the usefulness of the GNRI and the CONUT as a prognostic factor of the 180-day mortality in patients who underwent hip fracture surgeries.

We retrospectively collected data from patients with hip surgeries performed from January 2012 to December 2018. The variables required for the GNRI and the CONUT and the factors presumably associated with postoperative mortality including the patients’ characteristics were collected from the medical charts. Intergroup differences were assessed with the χ2 test with Yates’ correlation for continuity in category variables. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to test for differences in continuous variables. We validated the power of the GNRI and the CONUT values to distinguish patients who died ≤ 180 days post-surgery from those who did not, by calculating the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). The correlation between these two models was analyzed by Spearman’s rank correlation (ρ).

Results

We retrospectively examined the cases of 607 patients aged 87 ± 6 (range 70–102) years old. The 180-day mortality rate was 5.4% (n = 33 non-survivors). The GNRI value in the non-survivors was 83 ± 9 (range 66–111), which was significantly lower than that in the survivors at 92 ± 9 (range 64–120). The CONUT value in the non-survivors was 6 ± 3 (range 1–11), which was significantly higher than that in the survivors at 4 ± 2 (range 0–11). The AUC value to predict the 180-day mortality was 0.74 for the GNRI and 0.72 for the CONUT. The ρ value between these two models was 0.61 in the total of 607 patients and was 0.78 in the 33 non-survivors.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that the GNRI and the CONUT are a simple and useful tool to predict the 180-day mortality in patients who have undergone a hip surgery.
Homeostatic activity regulation as a mechanism underlying the effect of brain stimulation
Authors: Chai Zhi , Ma Cungen , Jin Xiaoming
Published: September 2019

Hyperexcitability of the neural network often occurs after brain injuries or degeneration and is a key pathophysiological feature in certain neurological diseases such as epilepsy, neuropathic pain, and tinnitus. Although the standard approach of pharmacological treatments is to directly suppress the hyperexcitability through reducing excitation or enhancing inhibition, different techniques for stimulating brain activity are often used to treat refractory neurological conditions. However, it is unclear why stimulating brain activity would be effective for controlling hyperexcitability. Recent studies suggest that the pathogenesis in these disorders exhibits a transition from an initial activity loss after acute injury or progressive neurodegeneration to subsequent development of hyperexcitability. This process mimics homeostatic activity regulation and may contribute to developing network hyperexcitability that underlies neurological symptoms. This hypothesis also predicts that stimulating brain activity should be effective in reducing hyperexcitability due to homeostatic activity regulation and in relieving symptoms. Here we review current evidence of homeostatic plasticity in the development of hyperexcitability in some neurological diseases and the effects of brain stimulation. The homeostatic plasticity hypothesis may provide new insights into the pathophysiology of neurological diseases and may guide the use of brain stimulation techniques for treating them.
Detection of stretch reflex onset based on empirical mode decomposition and modified sample entropy
Authors: Du Mingjia , Hu Baohua , Xiao Feiyun , Wu Ming , Zhu Zongjun , Wang Yong
Published: September 2019

Background

Accurate spasticity assessment provides an objective evaluation index for the rehabilitation treatment of patients with spasticity, and the key is detecting stretch reflex onset. The surface electromyogram of patients with spasticity is prone to false peaks, and its data length is unstable. These conditions decrease signal differences before and after stretch reflex onset. Therefore, a method for detecting stretch reflex onset based on empirical mode decomposition denoising and modified sample entropy recognition is proposed in this study.

Results

The empirical mode decomposition algorithm is better than the wavelet threshold algorithm in denoising surface electromyogram signal. Without adding Gaussian white noise to the electromyogram signal, the stretch reflex onset recognition rate of the electromyogram signal before and after empirical mode decomposition denoising was increased by 56%. In particular, the recognition rate of stretch reflex onset under the optimal parameter of the modified sample entropy can reach up to 100% and the average recognition rate is 93%.

Conclusions

The empirical mode decomposition algorithm can eliminate the baseline activity of the surface electromyogram signal before stretch reflex onset and effectively remove noise from the signal. The identification of stretch reflex onset using combined empirical mode decomposition and modified sample entropy is better than that via modified sample entropy alone, and stretch reflex onset can be accurately determined.
Challenges and opportunities in evaluating programmes incorporating human-centred design: lessons learnt from the evaluation of Adolescents 360
Authors: Doyle Aoife M. , Mulhern Emma , Rosen James , Appleford Gabrielle , Atchison Christina , Bottomley Christian , Hargreaves James R. , Weinberger Michelle
Published: September 2019

Adolescents 360 (A360) is a four-year initiative (2016–2020) to increase 15-19-year-old girls’ use of modern contraception in Nigeria, Ethiopia and Tanzania. The innovative A360 approach is led by human-centred design (HCD), combined with social marketing, developmental neuroscience, public health, sociocultural anthropology and youth engagement ‘lenses’, and aims to create context-specific, youth-driven solutions that respond to the needs of adolescent girls. The A360 external evaluation includes a process evaluation, quasi-experimental outcome evaluation, and a cost-effectiveness study. We reflect on evaluation opportunities and challenges associated with measuring the application and impact of this novel HCD-led design approach.

For the process evaluation, participant observations were key to capturing the depth of the fast-paced, highly-iterative HCD process, and to understand decision-making within the design process. The evaluation team had to be flexible and align closely with the work plan of the implementers. The HCD process meant that key information such as intervention components, settings, and eligible populations were unclear and changed over outcome evaluation and cost-effectiveness protocol development. This resulted in a more time-consuming and resource-intensive study design process. As much time and resources went into the creation of a new design approach, separating one-off “creation” costs versus those costs associated with actually implementing the programme was challenging. Opportunities included the potential to inform programmatic decision-making in real-time to ensure that interventions adequately met the contextualized needs in targeted areas.

Robust evaluation of interventions designed using HCD, a promising and increasingly popular approach, is warranted yet challenging. Future HCD-based initiatives should consider a phased evaluation, focusing initially on programme theory refinement and process evaluation, and then, when the intervention program details are clearer, following with outcome evaluation and cost-effectiveness analysis. A phased approach would delay the availability of evaluation findings but would allow for a more appropriate and tailored evaluation design.
Expert voices and equal partnerships: establishing Controlled Human Infection Models (CHIMs) in Vietnam
Authors: Kestelyn Evelyne , Le Phuong Chi , Ilo Van Nuil Jennifer , Dong Thi Hoai Tam , Minh Nguyen Nguyet , Dinh The Trung , Chambers Mary , Simmons Cameron P. , Nguyen Trong Toan , Nguyen The Dung , Phuong Le Truc , Do Van Dung , Duc Anh Dung , Nguyen Van Vinh Chau , Baker Stephen , Wills Bridget ,   OUCRU Controlled Human Infection Models workshop and focus group participants
Published: September 2019

The number of controlled human infection models (CHIMs) conducted worldwide has increased considerably in recent years, although few have been conducted in low and middle-income countries (LMICs), where infectious diseases have the greatest burden. Recently Oxford University Clinical Research Unit (OUCRU) in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) started developing CHIM research proposals motivated by the need to develop a clearer and more grounded understanding of the issues surrounding the conduct of CHIMs in LMICs. To explore initial perceptions and barriers to conducting CHIMs in Vietnam, OUCRU researchers conducted a set of key stakeholder interviews early in 2018 and held a CHIM workshop in HCMC in March 2018. This paper summarizes the discussions from the workshop and outlines a way forward for conducting CHIMs in Vietnam.
Generalized Structured Component Analysis in candidate gene association studies: applications and limitations
Authors: Thompson Paul A. , Bishop Dorothy V. M. , Eising Else , Fisher Simon E. , Newbury Dianne F.
Published: September 2019

Background: Generalized Structured Component Analysis (GSCA) is a component-based alternative to traditional covariance-based structural equation modelling. This method has previously been applied to test for association between candidate genes and clinical phenotypes, contrasting with traditional genetic association analyses that adopt univariate testing of many individual single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with correction for multiple testing.

Methods: We first evaluate the ability of the GSCA method to replicate two previous findings from a genetics association study of developmental language disorders. We then present the results of a simulation study to test the validity of the GSCA method under more restrictive data conditions, using smaller sample sizes and larger numbers of SNPs than have previously been investigated. Finally, we compare GSCA performance against univariate association analysis conducted using PLINK v1.9.

Results: Results from simulations show that power to detect effects depends not just on sample size, but also on the ratio of SNPs with effect to number of SNPs tested within a gene. Inclusion of many SNPs in a model dilutes true effects.

Conclusions: We propose that GSCA is a useful method for replication studies, when candidate SNPs have been identified, but should not be used for exploratory analysis.
Competence approach in personnel management
Authors: Чуланова Оксана , Chulanova Oksana
Published: September 2019

The textbook substantiates the relevance of the competence approach in personnel management, presents historical trends in the development of competence approach in personnel management. The socio-economic content of the concepts "competence" and "competence"is presented. Operationalization of the concept of "competence"is carried out. The classification of competencies is proposed. The essence and content of the competence model of the organization's personnel are determined. A methodical approach to the formation of the competence model is developed. The method of formation of the competence model of the organization's personnel is developed. The concept of competence approach in work with the personnel is developed. The essence of personnel assessment on the basis of competence approach is revealed. The methodical recommendations of the use of competence approach in the training of personnel of the organization, work with the personnel reserve of the organization, in the development of incentive systems for personnel. The role of emotional competence in the General model of managerial competencies is shown. Accompanied by control questions, situational tasks and test tasks for self-examination.
Meets the requirements of the Federal state educational standards of higher education of the last generation.
For bachelors studying in the areas of training "personnel Management", "State and municipal management", "Management", "Economics", as well as for undergraduates and graduate students, doctoral students, researchers studying and conducting research in the field of personnel management, it can be useful for the teaching staff of universities to update the courses taught. Specialists-practitioners on work with personnel of modern organizations, consultants, coaches, business coaches will be able to find useful information for their professional work.
Labor Protection Specialist’s Role in Modern Management System of Occupational Safety
Authors: Хайруллина Л. , Hayrullina L. , Чижова М. , Chizhova M. , Гасилов В. , Gasilov V. , Тучкова Оксана , Tuchkova Oksana
Published: September 2019

The necessity of professional standards application in the organization’s personnel policy formation and remuneration system setting is discussed. It is specified that the professional standard can be used during certification of the worker upon examination a level of his knowledge. Invaluable assistance of professional standards during preparation of employment contracts is also noted. There is an opinion that professional standards are an addition to the unified job evaluation catalog, and should replace it over the long term. In connection with the stated topic, the labor protection specialist’s professional standard is considered in detail in this paper. It has been noted that the main purpose of this employee is assessment, decrease and even elimination the impact of harmful and dangerous production factors on workers. The whole complex of the most important issues in the safety management system has been considered. It is subject to problems related to both personal protective equipment, and providing of investigation and recording for accidents and occupational diseases. The requirements to the labor protection specialist’s education and training, experience of his practical work are discussed, as well as special conditions for permit-to-work. The importance of a special assessment for labor conditions has been highlighted in this paper. It is noted that one of the latest trends in the safety management system is a behavioral audit, representing a system for assessment and analysis of personnel’s unsafe actions at work. It is concluded that the professional standard is a characteristic of the qualification required for an employee to perform a certain type of activity. This standard should serve as a valuable reference point for vocational education’s aims. It is pointed out that the role of labor protection services and specialists is constantly increasing and requires even some elements of independence directly from employers. Such a process is supposed to be carried out in the form of an industry council on professional qualifications and centers for their evaluation.
The distribution of serotonergic nerve on the hippocampus of the fruit bats (Rousettus amplexicaudatus)
Authors: Wirawati Vivin , Widiati Nourrisma D. A. , Gunawan Geraldus , Saragih Golda R. , Hening Puspa , Wihadmadyatami Hevi
Published: September 2019

Background: Rousettus amplexicaudatus is one of the old world fruit bats, commonly known in Javanese word as codot belongs to Order Chiroptera and suborder Megachiroptera. R. amplexicaudatus possessed an outstanding visual ability, which helps in the process of searching for food. Those activities process and save within the brain involving the learning and memory activities. Learning and memory activities are centered around the hippocampus with the help of serotonergic nerve.

Aim: This study conducted to identify the morphology and distribution of serotonergic nerve (5-hydroxytryptamine) in the hippocampus of R. amplexicaudatus, which related to the function of serotonin within the learning and memory process.

Materials and Methods: Five R. amplexicaudatus bats were brought from Gunung Kidul cave, Yogyakarta, Java Island, Indonesia. The bats were anesthetized using ketamine and xylazine. R. amplexicaudatus then perfused intracardially. The brain samples were collected processed into paraffin block, and a further cut in 8 μm thickness serially. The tissue slides were stained using hematoxylin-eosin, cresyl echt violet, and immunohistochemistry with rabbit's anti-serotonin (1:200). The results observed and analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively using image J (https://imagej.nih.gov/ij/) (Bethesda, Maryland, USA) and GraphPad Prism 7 (La Jolla, CA, USA).

Results: The hippocampus of R. amplexicaudatus composed of the dentate gyrus (DG), hippocampus proper (cornu ammonis 3 [CA3], and CA1 as the main area for learning memory), and subiculum. On the DG serotonin immunoreactive cells found within the granular layer (132±35.03 cells/mm2), polymorphic stratum (86.33±11.23 cells/mm2), and molecular layer (93±1 cells/mm2). Meanwhile, on CA3 area, the immunoreactive cells for serotonin found in each stratum. The number of immunoreactive cells on each stratum from highest to the lowest are stratum pyramidal 123.33±15.88 cell/mm2, stratum molecular 63±13.11 cell/mm2, stratum lucidum 62.67±8.08 cell/mm2, stratum radiatum 55.33±510.21 cell/mm2, stratum oriens 48±3.46 cell/mm2, and stratum alveus 28.67±2.52 cell/mm2. In addition, in CA1 also hampers the immunoreactive cells in the pyramidal stratum, molecular, lucidum, oriens, radiatum, and alveus layer, respectively, of each 91±27.40 cell/mm2, 60.33±20.65 cell/mm2, 53.67±4.51 cell/mm2 44.33±10.40 cell/mm2, 41.33±5.51 cell/mm2, and 27±4 cell/mm2.

Conclusion: Taking together the distribution of serotonin-immunoreactive cells in the hippocampus of R. amplexicaudatus mostly found on CA3 followed by CA 1 and DG.
Detection of torque teno sus virus infection in Indian pigs
Authors: Subramanyam Vinutha , Hemadri Divakar , Kashyap Shashidhara Phani , Hiremath Jagadish , Barman Nagendra Nath , Ralte Esther Lalzoliani , Patil Sharanagouda S. , Suresh Kuralayanapalya P. , Rahaman Habibur
Published: September 2019

Background and Aim: Torque teno viruses (TTVs) are circular, single-stranded DNA viruses, which infect a wide range of animals including livestock and companion animals. Swine TTVs (torque teno sus viruses [TTSuVs]) are thought to act as a primary or coinfecting pathogen in pathological conditions such as porcine dermatitis and nephropathy syndrome and post-weaning multisystemic wasting syndrome. So far, the presence of the virus has not been reported in India. Considering that TTSuVs have the potential to cross the species barrier into humans and that pork consumption is common in North-Eastern states of India, the current study aims to investigate the presence of TTSuV in the Indian pig population.

Materials and Methods: A total of 416 samples were collected during 2014-2018, from both apparently healthy pigs and also from pigs suspected of having died from classical swine fever and/or porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome. These samples were screened for TTSuV infection by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNA sequencing techniques.

Results: The presence of the virus was confirmed in 110 samples from 12 different states of India. Phylogenetic analysis of the nucleotide sequences obtained from the PCR products indicated the presence of viruses of both Iotatorquevirus and Kappatorquevirus genera in India.

Conclusion: The study is the first report on the presence of TTSuVs in India and highlights the circulation of both genera of the virus in the country.
High-Definition Chromoendoscopy Versus High-Definition White Light Colonoscopy for Neoplasia Surveillance in Ulcerative Colitis: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Yang Dong-Hoon , Park Soo Jung , Kim Hyun-Soo , Park Young Sook , Park Dong Il , Lee Kang-Moon , Jung Sung-Ae , Choi Chang Hwan , Koo Ja Seol , Cheon Jae Hee , Yang Suk-Kyun , Kim Won Ho , Kim Jihun , Kim Hogeun , Ryan Choi Chang-Ho ,   Korean Association for the Study of the Intestinal Diseases (KASID) study
Published: September 2019

OBJECTIVES:

Although chromoendoscopy is currently the recommended mode of surveillance in patients with long-standing ulcerative colitis, it is technically challenging and requires a long procedure time. The aim of this study was to compare the dysplasia detection rate of high-definition white light endoscopy with random biopsy (HDWL-R) vs high-definition chromoendoscopy with targeted biopsy (HDCE-T).

METHODS:

This was a multicenter, prospective randomized controlled trial involving 9 tertiary teaching hospitals in South Korea. A total of 210 patients with long-standing ulcerative colitis were randomized to undergo either the HDWL-R group (n = 102) or HDCE-T group (n = 108). The detection rates of colitis-associated dysplasia (CAD) or all colorectal neoplasia from each trial arm were compared.

RESULTS:

There was no significant difference in the CAD detection rate between HDCE-T and HDWL-R groups (4/102, 3.9% vs 6/108, 5.6%, P = 0.749). However, HDCE-T showed a trend toward improved colorectal neoplasia detection compared with HDWL-R (21/102, 20.6% vs 13/108, 12.0%, P = 0.093). The median (range) time for colonoscopy withdrawal between the 2 groups was similar (17.6 [7.0–43.3] minutes vs 16.5 [6.3–38.1] minutes; P=0.212; for HDWL-R and HDCE-T, respectively). The total number of biopsies was significantly larger in the HDWL-R group (34 [12–72]) compared with the HDCE-T group (9 [1–20]; P < 0.001).

DISCUSSION:

On the basis of our prospective randomized controlled trial, HDCE-T was not superior to HDWL-R for detecting CADs.
Capacidad institucional: Revisión del concepto y ejes de análisis
Authors: Rosas Huerta Angélica
Published: September 2019

Muchos estudios que evalúan políticas concluyen que los fracasos de implementación se deben a la falta de capacidades estatales. Sin embargo ¿a qué se refiere cuando se habla de capacidad institucional? ¿Cuáles son sus diversas concepciones? ¿y cuáles los ejes para su análisis? ¿qué indicadores existen para su evaluación? Se busca realizar un aporte a la conceptualización de las capacidades institucionales, y presentar una metodología para analizarla. Una de las reflexiones es que la capacidad institucional ha evolucionado para responder a nuevos problemas y sistemas de gestión de las agencias estatales, sin embargo, el concepto ha sido utilizado arbitrariamente asumiendo una diversidad de ejes de análisis e indicadores que ha dificultado contar con esquemas para su evaluación.
STUDIES DEVOTED TO ANTIPHOSPHOLIPID SYNDROME AT THE V.A. NASONOVA RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF RHEUMATOLOGY: MAIN ACHIEVEMENTS (ON THE OCCASION OF THE 40th ANNIVERSARY OF THE DISSERTATION BOARD)
Authors: Reshetnyak T. M.
Published: September 2019

The paper presents achievements associated with the study of antiphospholipid syndrome from its description to the present time, i.e. over the last 30 years, worldwide and at the V.A. Nasonova Research Institute of Rheumatology.