bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Application of a radiosensitivity flow assay in a patient with DNA ligase 4 deficiency
Authors: Buchbinder David , Smith Matthew J. , Kawahara Misako , Cowan Morton J. , Buzby Jeffrey S. , Abraham Roshini S.
Published: July 2018

Key Points

DNA ligase 4 deficiency is a defect causing lymphopenia (T-B-NK+) and a radiosensitive severe combined immunodeficiency phenotype. Flow cytometric analysis of phosphorylation/dephosphorylation states of histone H2AX allows for in-depth lineage-specific assessment.
Assessment of dynamic change in psychotherapy with adolescents
Authors: Ness Elisabeth , Dahl Hanne-Sofie Johnsen , Tallberg Peter , Amlo Svein , Høglend Per , Thorén Agneta , Egeland Jens , Ulberg Randi
Published: July 2018

Background

Diagnostic interviews and questionnaires are commonly used in the assessment of adolescents referred to child and adolescent mental health services. Many of these rating scales are constructed for adults and focus on symptoms related to diagnosis. Psychodynamic Functioning Scales (PFS) focus on relational aspects and how the patients handle affects and solve problems, rather than manifest symptoms. As these aspects are considered important for mental health, the PFS were developed to assess change in adults, consistent with the relational and intrapsychic concepts of dynamic psychotherapy. The scales describe internal predispositions and psychological resources that can be mobilized to achieve adaptive functioning and life satisfaction. PFS consist of six subscales; the relational subscales Family, Friends and Romantic/Sexual relationships and the dynamic subscales Tolerance for Affects, Insight and Problem-solving Capacity. PFS has been used for the first time as a measure of change in adolescent psychotherapy. This study examines the reliability of PFS when used to assess adolescents’ level of relational functioning, affective tolerance, insight, and problem-solving capacities.

Methods

Outpatient adolescents 16–18 years old with a major depressive disorder were included in the First Experimental Study of Transference work in Teenagers (FEST-IT). They were evaluated before and after time-limited psychodynamic psychotherapy with an audio-recorded semi-structured psychodynamic interview. Based on the audio-tapes, raters with different clinical background rated all the available interviews at pre-treatment (n = 66) and post-treatment (n = 30) using PFS. Interrater reliability, the reliability of change ratings and the discriminability from general symptoms were calculated in SPSS.

Results

The interrater reliability was on average good on the relational subscales and fair to good on the dynamic subscales. All pre-post changes were significant, and the analyses indicated discriminability from general symptoms. The interrater reliability on PFS (mean) and Global Assessment of Functioning were good to excellent.

Conclusion

Based on the interrater reliability in our study, PFS could be recommended in psychotherapy with adolescents by experienced clinicians without extensive training. From the post-treatment evaluations available, the scales seem to capture statistically and clinically significant changes. However, the interrater reliability on dynamic subscales indicates that subscales of PFS might be considered revised or adjusted for adolescents.

Trial registration First Experimental Study of Transference-Work-In Teenagers (2011/1424 FEST-IT). ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01531101
Regulation of Pituitary Progenitor Differentiation by β-Catenin
Authors: Youngblood Julie L , Coleman Tanner F , Davis Shannon W
Published: July 2018

The pituitary gland is a critical organ that is necessary for many physiological processes, including growth, reproduction, and stress response. The secretion of pituitary hormones from specific cell types regulates these essential processes. Pituitary hormone cell types arise from a common pool of pituitary progenitors, and mutations that disrupt the formation and differentiation of pituitary progenitors result in hypopituitarism. Canonical WNT signaling through CTNNB1 (β-catenin) is known to regulate the formation of the POU1F1 lineage of pituitary cell types. When β-catenin is deleted during the initial formation of the pituitary progenitors, Pou1f1 is not transcribed, which leads to the loss of the POU1F1 lineage. However, when β-catenin is deleted after lineage specification, there is no observable effect. Similarly, the generation of a β-catenin gain-of-function allele in early pituitary progenitors or stem cells results in the formation of craniopharyngiomas, whereas stimulating β-catenin in differentiated cell types has no effect. PROP1 is a pituitary-specific transcription factor, and the peak of PROP1 expression coincides with a critical time point in pituitary organogenesis—that is, after pituitary progenitor formation but before lineage specification. We used a Prop1-cre to conduct both loss- and gain-of-function studies on β-catenin during this critical time point. Our results demonstrate that pituitary progenitors remain sensitive to both loss and gain of β-catenin at this time point, and that either manipulation results in hypopituitarism.
Discharge Hemoglobin Level and 30-Day Readmission Rates After Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery
Authors: Cho Brian C. , DeMario Vincent M. , Grant Michael C. , Hensley Nadia B. , Brown Charles H. , Hebbar Sachidanand , Mandal Kaushik , Whitman Glenn J. , Frank Steven M.
Published: July 2018

BACKGROUND:

Restrictive transfusion strategies supported by large randomized trials are resulting in decreased blood utilization in cardiac surgery. What remains to be determined, however, is the impact of lower discharge hemoglobin (Hb) levels on readmission rates. We assessed patients with higher versus lower Hb levels on discharge to compare 30-day readmission rates after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).

METHODS:

We retrospectively evaluated 1552 patients undergoing isolated CABG at our institution from January 2013 to May 2016. We evaluated 2 Hb cohorts: “high” (above) and “low” (below) the mean discharge Hb level of 9.4 g/dL, comparing patient characteristics, blood utilization, and clinical outcomes including 30-day readmission rates. We further evaluated the effects of the lowest (<8 g/dL) discharge Hb levels on 30-day readmission rates by dividing the patients into 4 anemia cohorts based on discharge Hb levels: “no anemia” (>12 g/dL), “mild anemia” (10–11.9 g/dL), “moderate anemia” (8–9.9 g/dL), and “severe anemia” (<8 g/dL). Risk adjustment accounted for age, sex, Charlson comorbidity index, preoperative comorbidities, revision sternotomy, and patient blood management program implementation.

RESULTS:

The “high” and “low” groups had similar patient characteristics except for Hb levels (mean discharge Hb was 10.4 ± 0.9 vs 8.5 ± 0.6 g/dL, respectively). Notably, no evidence for a difference in 30-day readmission rates was noted between the “high” (76/746; 10.2%) and “low” (97/806; 12.0%) (P = .25) Hb cohorts. The 4 anemia cohorts had differences in age, revision sternotomy incidence, Hb levels, certain patient comorbidities, and time to readmission. On multivariable analysis, the risk-adjusted odds of readmission in the “low” Hb cohort (odds ratio, 1.16; 95% confidence interval, 0.84–1.61; P = .36) was not significant compared to the “high” Hb cohort. Compared to patients with discharge Hb ≥8 g/dL, patients with Hb <8 g/dL had a higher incidence of readmission (22/129; 17.1% vs 151/1423; 10.6%; P = .036). On multivariable analysis, Hb <8 g/dL on discharge was predictive of readmission (odds ratio, 1.77; 95% confidence interval, 1.05–2.88; P = .03). The most common reason for readmission was volume overload, followed by infection and arrhythmias.

CONCLUSIONS:

A discharge Hb level below the institution mean for CABG patients does not provide evidence for an association with an increased 30-day readmission rate. In the small number of patients discharged with Hb <8 g/dL, there is a suggestion of increased risk for readmission and larger more controlled studies are needed to verify or refute this finding.
RERE deficiency leads to decreased expression of GATA4 and the development of ventricular septal defects
Authors: Kim Bum Jun , Zaveri Hitisha P. , Jordan Valerie K. , Hernandez-Garcia Andres , Jacob Daron J. , Zamora Diana L. , Yu Wei , Schwartz Robert J. , Scott Daryl A.
Published: July 2018

Deletions of chromosome 1p36 are associated with a high incidence of congenital heart defects (CHDs). The arginine-glutamic acid dipeptide repeats gene (RERE) is located in a critical region for CHD on chromosome 1p36 and encodes a cardiac-expressed nuclear receptor co-regulator. Mutations affecting RERE cause atrial and ventricular septal defects (VSDs) in humans, and RERE-deficient mice also develop VSDs. During cardiac development, mesenchymal cells destined to form part of the atrioventricular (AV) septum are generated when endocardial cells in the AV canal undergo epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and migrate into the space between the endocardium and the myocardium. These newly generated mesenchymal cells then proliferate to fill the developing AV endocardial cushions. Here, we demonstrate that RERE-deficient mouse embryos have reduced numbers of mesenchymal cells in their AV endocardial cushions owing to decreased levels of EMT and mesenchymal cell proliferation. In the endocardium, RERE colocalizes with GATA4, a transcription factor required for normal levels of EMT and mesenchymal cell proliferation. Using a combination of in vivo and in vitro studies, we show that Rere and Gata4 interact genetically in the development of CHDs, RERE positively regulates transcription from the Gata4 promoter and GATA4 levels are reduced in the AV canals of RERE-deficient embryos. Tissue-specific ablation of Rere in the endocardium leads to hypocellularity of the AV endocardial cushions, defective EMT and VSDs, but does not result in decreased GATA4 expression. We conclude that RERE functions in the AV canal to positively regulate the expression of GATA4, and that deficiency of RERE leads to the development of VSDs through its effects on EMT and mesenchymal cell proliferation. However, the cell-autonomous role of RERE in promoting EMT in the endocardium must be mediated by its effects on the expression of proteins other than GATA4.

This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
Diagnostic value of halo sign in young women (aged 45 to 49 years) in a breast screening programme with synthesized 2D mammography
Authors: Sánchez-Camacho González-Carrato María Pilar , Romero Castellano Cristina , Aguilar Angulo Paul Martín , Cruz Hernández Lina Marcela , Sánchez Casado Marcelino , Ruiz Martín Juan , Fraile Alonso Iñaki , Pinto Varela José María , Martínez-Vizcaíno Vicente
Published: July 2018

Objective:

To assess the clinical performance of the halo sign in tomosynthesis and synthesized 2D mammography, and to identify age groups where its diagnostic value may be greater.

Methods:

183 patients with nodules were recalled from the breast screening programme (with tomosynthesis and 2D synthesized mammograms). The patients were separated into two groups, 45–49 years and 50–69 years, and depending on the presence or not of halo sign. We calculated the predictive values for the different age groups.

Results:

In 45–49 years group, 86 nodular lesions were recalled, 66 (76.7%) with positive halo sign and 20 (23.3%) with negative halo sign. In positive halo sign group, biopsy was considered in 23 (34.8%), with histological features of benignity. In 50–69 years group, 98 nodular lesions from 97 patients were recalled, 51 (52%) with positive halo sign and 47 (48%) with negative halo sign. In positive halo sign group, biopsy was considered in 13 (25.5%); four (30.8%) were malignant and nine (69.2%) were benign.

Conclusion:

Halo sign could be considered as a marker of benign lesion in females < 50 years. In females ≥ 50 years, other breast imaging techniques should be considered, with or without histological studies, to rule out malignancy.

Advances in knowledge:

The trend of a positive halo sign to act as a marker of benign lesion could be improve the recall rate and positive predictive values in the breast screening programme with tomosynthesis and synthesized 2D mammography, especially in young females.
Preoperative axillary nodal staging with ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging: predictive values of quantitative and semantic features
Authors: Kim Won Hwa , Kim Hye Jung , Lee So Mi , Cho Seung Hyun , Shin Kyung Min , Lee Sang Yub , Lim Jae Kwang , Lee Won Kee
Published: July 2018

Objective:

Although axillary imaging has recently received renewed interest for preoperative staging in tandem with the evolving minimally invasive surgical approaches, axillary imaging is limited by the lack of standardization in the interpretation. We aimed to classify imaging features in ultrasound and MRI into quantitative and semantic features and evaluate predictive value of each feature for predicting nodal metastases.

Methods:

A total of 316 breast cancers patients who underwent ultrasound and MRI prior to axillary surgery were included. Retrospective reviews of our breastimaging database were done for the quantitative features [cortical thickness (CT) and CT-derived parameters, long diameter (LD), short diameter (SD), and LD/SD ratio] and semantic features (eccentricity, loss of fatty hilum, and irregularity) of the axillary lymph node in images. Odd ratios (ORs) for each imaging feature were calculated with adjustment for clinicopathological characteristics significantly associated with nodal metastases.

Results:

All CT-derived parameters were significantly associated with nodal metastases in both ultrasound and MRI (OR, 3.3–3.5 for ultrasound and 3.3–3.9 for MRI, respectively; Ps < .05). For the ultrasound, LD/SD ratio (OR, 2.1), eccentricity (OR, 2.4), and fatty hilum loss (OR, 27.2) were significantly associated with nodal metastases (Ps < .05). For the MRI, SD (OR, 2.1) and eccentricity (OR, 3.0) were significantly associated with nodal metastases (Ps < .05).

Conclusion:

Among the quantitative features, all CT-derived parameters can be used for predicting nodal metastases. Significant predictors of semantic features were heterogeneous between ultrasound and MRI.

Advances in knowledge:

(1) Imaging features of ultrasound and MRI for preoperative axillary nodal staging can be classified into quantitative and semantic features. (2) Predictive values of each imaging features are heterogeneous for predicting nodal metastases.
Recent advances in the management of malignant pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma: focus on tyrosine kinase and hypoxia-inducible factor inhibitors
Authors: Toledo Rodrigo , Jimenez Camilo
Published: July 2018

Inactivating mutations of the succinate dehydrogenase subunit B (SDHB) gene and the subsequent stabilization and activation of the hypoxia-inducible factor 2-alpha (HIF2α) unit are recognized hallmarks associated with the development of metastatic pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas (MPPG). Despite this discovery, the development of systemic therapies for patients with MPPG has been very slow. The rarity of the disease, the lack of preclinical animal models, and the impracticable development of large clinical trials has hindered the therapeutic progress for MPPG. Chemotherapy and low-specific activity131meta-iodo-benzyl-guanidine (MIBG) (manufactured by simple isotope exchange methodology) led to positive clinical responses in about a third of patients. Molecular targeted therapies were introduced into oncological clinical practice at the beginning of the 21st century. These therapies have been demonstrated to be effective for patients with cancers that previously exhibited limited responses to systemic chemotherapy, such as kidney and thyroid carcinomas and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. The pathogenesis of MPPG overlaps in some way with the pathogenesis of kidney, medullary thyroid, and pancreatic neuroendocrine carcinomas, providing scientific support to explore molecular targeted therapies such as tyrosine kinase and HIF inhibitors.
Status of drowning in Nepal: A study of central police data
Authors: Sedain Bhagabati , Pant Puspa Raj
Published: July 2018

Background:  Drowning is a serious and mostly preventable injury-related cause of death. Low-and-middle income countries represent over 90% of total drowning deaths worldwide. There is lack of epidemiological studies of drowning in Nepal. The aim of this paper is to describe the status of drowning in Nepal.

Methods: Cases of drowning, occurring between 1 January 2013 and 31 December 2015 were extracted from the Daily Incident Recording System of Nepal Police. Drowning cases were extracted and analysed regardless of their intent. Variables on age, sex of the deceased, types of water bodies, geographical locations, season when drowning occurred and activities of deceased were extracted and descriptive analysis was conducted.

Results: A total of 1,507 drowning cases were recorded over a 3 year period. The rate of drowning was 1.9 per 100,000 (2.95 for males and 0.92 for females). Majority of drowning occurred among males (76%) and more than half were (53%) under 20 years of age. Mostly drowning occurred in rivers (natural water bodies). The findings provide strong indication that drowning occurs throughout the year in Nepal. Children were highly vulnerable to drowning. The magnitude of drowning was found to be lower than estimated by global burden of disease (GBD) study.

Conclusion: The burden of drowning in Nepal is considerable, but mostly unknown to the public. Despite only having access to a limited data source, this study provides useful evidence that comprehensive research in Nepal is needed urgently.
Prevalence of aerobic pathogenic bacteria isolated from patients with burn infection and their antimicrobial susceptibility patterns in Al-Najaf City, Iraq- a three-year cross-sectional study.
Authors: Aljanaby Ahmed Abduljabbar Jaloob , Aljanaby Israa Abduljabbar Jaloob
Published: July 2018

Background: Burn infections are one of the most common serious illnesses caused by pathogens, mainly by both gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria. The aim of this study was to detect of the prevalence of multi-drug resistant and extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing (ESBL) bacteria isolated from inpatients with burn infection and the antimicrobials sensitivity patterns of all bacterial isolates during three years.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed in Al-Najaf Central Hospital in Al-Najaf City, Iraq from January 2015 to December 2017. A total of 295 burns swabs were collected from hospitalized patients with burn infection. All grown bacterial isolates were identified by standardized microbiological tests. Antimicrobials susceptibility testing was done using the disc diffusion method.

Multi-drug, extensive-drug and pan-drug resistant bacteria and extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing bacteria were determined according to standardized methods and guidelines.

Results: Of the 295 burn swabs, 513 different bacteria strains were isolated. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the most common bacteria with 142 isolates (27.6%) followed by methicillin resistance Staphylococcus aureus 106 isolates (20.6%), while Staphylococcus typhi was the least common bacteria with only 17 isolates (3.3%). 323 (63%) different bacterial strains were isolated from patients who stayed in hospital for 15 days. Most bacterial isolates were resistant to most antimicrobials with high percentages. Out of the 513 bacterial isolates; only 33 isolates (6.4%) were resistant to imipenem 10µg and 464 isolates (90.4%) were multi-drug resistant, 20 isolates (14%) were extensive-drug resistant and 17 isolates (3.3%) were pan-drug resistant. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the most common ESBL-producing bacteria (51 isolates-35.9%).

Conclusions: There was a high prevalence of multi-drug resistant bacteria in burn infection in Al-Najaf hospital. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the most common multi-drug resistant bacteria, and the most common of ESBL bacteria causing burn infection over the three years.
Emerging Hand Foot Mouth Disease in Bangladeshi Children- First Report of Rapid Appraisal on Pocket Outbreak: Clinico-epidemiological Perspective Implicating Public Health Emergency
Authors: Hossain Khan Md. Azraf , Anwar Kazi Selim , Muraduzzaman A. K. M. , Hossain Mollah Md. Abid , Akhter-ul-Alam S. M. , Munisul Islam Kazi , Hoque Sheikh Ariful , Nazrul Islam Md. , Ali Md. Ahasan
Published: July 2018

Background:Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) is a common contagious disease among children under 5 years, particularly in the Asia-Pacific-region. We report a localized outbreak of childhood HFMD for the first time from Bangladesh, diagnosed only based on clinical features due to gross lack of in laboratory-diagnostic facilities.

Methods:Following the World Health Organization’s case-definition, we conducted a rapid-appraisal of HFMD among 143 children attending Pabna Medical College and General Hospital with fever, mouth ulcers and rash. Data were collected between September and November 2017 using a preset syndromic approach and stringent differential diagnostic-protocols.

Results:The mean age of children was 2.9±2.3 years. Age did not differ with sex (P=0.98), first sibling being more likely to (62%) belong to middle-income families. Younger children (<5 years) were more likely to suffer with moderate-to-high (38.5°C) fever (P<0.04), painful oral ulcers (P<0.03) and painful/itchy rash (P<0.01). Sex did not differ with other symptoms, but boys had less painful oral ulcers than girls (P<0.04). Fever (63%) and chicken-pox-like-rash (62%) was observed more in mid-October to mid-November than September to mid-October (P<0.01 and P<0.03, respectively). No differences in symptoms (fever, oral ulcers and extremity rash) were observed with precipitation, nor with ambient temperature. Children <5 years (85%) had quicker recovery (within 5 days) than those ≥5 years (69%), (P<0.04), with marginal differences in sex (P<0.05).

Conclusions:Our findings highlight the potential usefulness in diagnosing HFMD based on clinical parameters, although stringent differential diagnosis remains indispensable. It is particularly applicable for resource-constrained countries who lack appropriate virology laboratory equipment. Since no specific treatment or effective vaccination is available for this disease, supportive therapy and preventive measures remain the primary methods to circumvent transmission augmented by climate-related factors. Standardized virology laboratory warrants appropriate diagnosis and globally representative multivalent vaccine is deemed essential towards preventing HFMD.
Case Report: Recurrent hypokalemic periodic paralysis associated with distal renal tubular acidosis (type 1) and hypothyroidism secondary to thyroiditis
Authors: Meregildo-Rodríguez E. Dante , Failoc-Rojas Virgilio E.
Published: July 2018

Background: Hypokalemic periodic paralysis (HypoKPP) is characterized by transient episodes of flaccid muscle weakness. We describe the case of a teenaged boy with HypoKPP and hyperthyroidism due to Hashimoto's thyroiditis with initial manifestation of renal tubular acidosis. This combination is rare and little described previously in men.

Case presentation: A 17-year-old boy was admitted after three days of muscular weakness and paresthesia in the lower limbs with an ascending evolution, leading to prostration. Decreased strength was found in the lower limbs without a defined sensory level, reduced patellar and ankle reflexes. Positive antithyroid antibodies were found. He received hydration treatment, IV potassium and levothyroxine, with which there was a clinical improvement. Other examinations led to the diagnosis of type 1 renal tubular acidosis.

Conclusion: HypoKPP is a rare disorder characterized by acute episodes of muscle weakness. Type 1 renal tubular acidosis can occur as a consequence of thyroiditis, which is explained by the loss of potassium. This combination is unusually rare, and has not been described before in men. The etiopathogenesis of the disease as well as a dynamic explanation of what happened with the patient are discussed in this report.
Design and protocol for a pragmatic randomised study to optimise screening, prevention and care for tuberculosis and HIV in Malawi (PROSPECT Study)
Authors: MacPherson Peter , Webb Emily L , Lalloo David G. , Nliwasa Marriott , Maheswaran Hendramoorthy , Joekes Elizabeth , Phiri Dama , Squire Bertie , Pai Madhukar , Corbett Elizabeth L
Published: July 2018

Background: Adults seeking diagnosis and treatment for tuberculosis (TB) and HIV in low-resource settings face considerable barriers and have high pre-treatment mortality. Efforts to improve access to prompt TB treatment have been hampered by limitations in TB diagnostics, with considerable uncertainty about how available and new tests can best be implemented.

Design and methods: The PROSPECT Study is an open, three-arm pragmatic randomised study that will investigate the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of optimised HIV and TB diagnosis and linkage to care interventions in reducing time to TB diagnosis and prevalence of undiagnosed TB and HIV in primary care in Blantyre, Malawi. Participants (≥ 18 years) attending a primary care clinic with TB symptoms (cough of any duration) will be randomly allocated to one of three groups: (i) standard of care; (ii) optimised HIV diagnosis and linkage; or (iii) optimised HIV and TB diagnosis and linkage. We will test two hypotheses: firstly, whether prompt linkage to HIV care should be prioritised for adults with TB symptoms; and secondly, whether an optimised TB triage testing algorithm comprised of digital chest x-ray evaluated by computer-aided diagnosis software and sputum GeneXpert MTB/Rif can outperform clinician-directed TB screening. The primary trial outcome will be time to TB treatment initiation by day 56, and secondary outcomes will include prevalence of undiagnosed TB and HIV, mortality, quality of life, and cost-effectiveness.

Conclusions: The PROSPECT Study will provide urgently-needed evidence under “real-life” conditions to inform clinicians and policy makers on how best to improve TB/HIV diagnosis and treatment in Africa.

Clinical trial registration: NCT03519425 (08/05/2018)
Contents of Rare-Earth Elements and Heavy Metals in Soils and Snow Samples
Authors: Винокуров Станислав , Vinokurov Stanislav , Тарасова Наталия , Tarasova Natalya , Трунова Анастасия , Trunova Anastasiya , Крюков Георгий , Kryukov Georgiy
Published: July 2018

The problem related to urban districts’ ecological and geochemical assessment due to the growth of environment’s technogenic pollution is becoming more and more important. The urban population is practically not protected from the constantly increasing exposure to toxic elements coming from solid, liquid and gaseous wastes of the city transport and manufactures located both in Moscow and in Moscow Region. Soils and snow samples on the territory of natural reserve «The Setun River’s Valley» have been analyzed with the aim of determining the contents of rare-earth elements and heavy metals by the method of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Variations in concentrations of rare-earth elements, heavy metals and indicator relationships of elements in soil samples and in snow’s solid fractions have been revealed. Has been established a chaotic distribution of rare-earth elements and heavy metals in soils, as well as a decrease of some elements’ content in snow’s solid fractions at the northeastern direction. The level of seasonal atmospheric pollution for the investigated territory has been estimated, and its possible source has been identified.
Eco-Geo-Chemistry of Mercury in Soils and Coals of the South of Kuzbass
Authors: Осипова Н. , Osipova N. , Арбузов С. , Arbuzov S. , Ткачева Е. , Tkacheva E. , Язиков Е. , Yazikov E. , Тарасова Наталия , Tarasova Natalya
Published: July 2018

Assessment for content of mercury as a toxic component of coal combustion by-product in rocks and deposit environments is aimed at identification of risks caused by impact of hazardous activities on the environment in full concordance with green chemistry concept. In this paper have been presented results of mercury content determination for the South Kuzbass coals and soils of the coal-mining area. The mercury contents in soils (30 samples) and coals (30 samples) were determined by atomic absorption method on the RA‑915+ mercury analyzer with pyrolytic attachment. The mercury content in Mezhdurechensk strip mines’ coals varies from 0.13 to 2.46 mg/kg with the average concentration of 0.57±0.10 mg/kg. The determined content exceeds the Clarke of mercury in coals by factor of 1.3 to 24.6. The mercury content in soil samples varies from 0.012 to 0.173 mg/kg with the average value of 0.057±0.007 mg/kg, which is by 1.7 times more than the average mercury content in the Earth crust. There are five locations within Mezhdurechensk city area where the mercury content in the soil exceeds 3.1–5.3 times the Clark value. During past 25 years the average mercury content in the soil has been decreased by 2.8 times. The solubility of mercury from technogenic landscapes’ soils has been studied by methods of successive acetate-ammonium and hydrochloric acid extracts. The solubility of mercury in aqueous extracts from Mezhdurechensk soils is by 2.2–2.9 times higher than the ones taken from undisturbed landscapes, in acetate-hydrochloric acid and alkaline extracts it is within the limits of content in natural soils; in strongly acidic extracts has been found the maximum solubility of mercury (30.6–84.8% from the total amount). Based on the major contribution of coal dust in the gross input of mercury into the environment of Mezhdurechensk, it is possible to expect the increasing of mercury background in and around the city caused by the growth of coal mining in the area without implementation of modern and effective methods for dust suppression.
Removal of Hydrogen Sulfide from Gas Mixtures Using Membranes Impregnated with Ionic Liquids
Authors: Ахметшина А. , Ahmetshina A. , Мечергуи А. , Mechergui A. , Петухов А. , Petuhov A. , Воротынцев А. , Vorotyncev A. , Сергеева М. , Sergeeva M. , Воротынцев И. , Vorotyncev I.
Published: July 2018

In this paper have been considered gas transport properties of porous membranes immobilized by 1-butyl‑3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate (bmim [BF4]) and 1-butyl‑3-methylimidazolium acetate (bmim [ace]) toward CH4, CO2 and H2S. Have been investigated transport features of individual gases as well as theirs binary mixtures CO2/CH4 and H2S/CH4. It has been stated that for binary gas mixtures the highest efficiency of acidic gases separation is achieved on membranes containing bmim [ace]. It has been shown experimentally that for a membrane operating according to mechanism of simplified transport, the separation factor increases with diminishing of concentration for penetrant fixed by ionic liquid.
Two-Phase Structure of Fluorinated Powdered Silica Resulting from Deep Processing of Rice Wastes
Authors: Рашковский А. , Rashkovskiy A. , Политова Е. , Politova E. , Меркушкин А. , Merkushkin A. , Арсентьев М. , Arsent'ev M. , Масленкова Е. , Maslenkova E. , Смолянский А. , Smolyanskiy A.
Published: July 2018

In this investigation the structure of «green» silica maid with rice husk has been studied by methods of physicochemical analysis. By method of X-ray diffraction it has been found that the samples of «green» silica powders are completely amorphous, and the observed amorphous halo consists of two components. By method of scanning electron microscopy it has been revealed that nano-particles of «green» SiO2 can form agglomerates and microstructures with dimensions from 0,1 to 500 microns, containing numerous pores, which presence has been confirmed by sorption measurements. By method of mass spectrometry with inductively coupled plasma has been found the presence of aluminum, titanium and nickel mechanical impurities in the «green» SiO2 powders. By method of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy significant amount of fluorine atoms in «green» silica (up to 5% (at.)) has been revealed, which could be introduced in SiO2 in the process of its preparation. In such a case, it was found that fluorine interacts with «green» silica by means of two mechanisms, leading to appearance of two phases within fluorinated powders of «green» SiO2.
Research Nuclear Facilities’ Safety
Authors: Кузнецов В. , Kuznecov V. , Хвостова М. , Khvostova Marina
Published: July 2018

Research nuclear facilities (RNFs) such as research reactors (RRs), critical and subcritical stands (CSs and SCSs), have played a decisive role in obtaining fundamental and applied knowledge in the area of nuclear physics. As neutron sources, RNFs represent for experimenters a unique research tool in various areas of science and technology. Without RNFs it would be impossible both the creation of nuclear weapons and development of nuclear power industry. The number of RNFs in the world went up especially fast in the 50–70s of the last century and by the mid 1970s peaked. Over time, RNFs began to be used not only for solving problems of defense, fundamental science and nuclear power industry, but also in other industries, including medicine and biology. Dozens of RNFs was built by the Soviet Union in other countries. In this paper have been considered the safety issues of RNFs located in the Russian Federation’s territory. Statistical information has been presented, and analysis of RNFs malfunctions reasons has been carried out. Tight spots in the nuclear and radiation safety assurance at RNFs operation have been identified. The main unresolved questions connected with storage of spent nuclear fuel and radioactive wastes have been specified. Detailed safety moves have been developed. The progress of works for RNFs decommissioning has been analyzed. To justify the technical possibility for continuing the use of RNFs, taking into account the established level of safety beyond the designated service life, it is necessary to carry out the condition survey for RNFs’ elements, systems and structures for subsequent management of theirs resource characteristics. Increasing demands on RNFs operation safety initiate the development and implementation of special activities on modernization and lifetime extension of RNFs systems elements, which are important for safety.
Epistemic Erotetic Search Scenarios
Authors: Łupkowski Paweł , Majer Ondrej , Peliš Michal , Urbański Mariusz
Published: July 2018

The aim of this paper is to introduce erotetic search scenarios known from Inferential Erotetic Logic by using the framework of epistemic erotetic logic. The key notions used in this system are those of askability and epistemic erotetic implication. Scenarios are supposed to represent all rational strategies of an agent solving the problem posed by the initial question where the interaction with an external information source is seen as a series of updates of the agent’s knowledge.
AFFECTIVE DOMAIN IN LEARNING MATHEMATICS ACCORDING TO STUDENTS' GENDER
Authors: Rojo Robas Vanesa , Villarroel Villamor José Domingo , Madariaga Orbea José María
Published: July 2018

The performance in mathematics, the reduction of science as a vocation in university studies, as well as the demotivation and unfavourable attitudes towards mathematics generated in Secondary Education are a reason for concern. This research focuses on the affective implications tied to learning mathematics during Secondary Education, with an insight into explanatory variables such as attitudes, motivation and beliefs and their differences according to sex. The results obtained by girls show worse motivation and mathematical self-concept, as well as a less favourable attitude towards mathematics than boys. Out of 42 beliefs about mathematics, 13 show a gender difference; 10 of which belong to the category beliefs about teaching of mathematics, and of these, 5 have median effect size.
The Construct of ‘Respect’ in Teacher-Student Relationships: Exploring Dimensions of Ethics of Care and Sustainable Development
Authors: Thompson Canute S.
Published: July 2018

This study examines the construct of respect, its manifestations in teacher-student relationships, and it relationship to ethics of care and sustainable development. The study found that students place a high premium on being respected by their teachers and measure expressions of respect chiefly through the attention received through listening. Students’ perspectives on the quality of the schools’ leadership and the teaching and learning environment were found to be shaped by their assessments of the degree to which they feel respected. In a number bivariate correlations, the study found strong, positive correlations between the variable ‘listening’ and other variables that characterize the teacher-student relationship, in particular respect for teachers and principals and comfort with the teaching and learning environment.

The study makes the case that the act of showing respect is a critical component of the ethics of care and sustainable development. The study recommends that one strategy that teachers and educational administrators should adopt in seeking to strengthen teacher-student relationships, exert positive influence on students’ behaviours and academic performance, and thus ensure the sustainability of healthy social environments is to invest in the creation of organizational cultures and administrative systems and processes that create the avenues through which respect for students can be demonstrably seen.
Thriving environment
Authors: Blake Nicola
Published: July 2018

Nicola Blake is a senior dental nurse from the Community Dental Services. Here, she details her role in special care
‘42 years ago, the only rubber gloves were used by the cleaner’
Authors: Cavey Elaine
Published: July 2018

We hear from dental nurse Elaine Cavey who waved farewell to her long career in dentistry earlier in the summer, having worked along the same dentist for 30 years
The cracker challenge – how it feels to have a dry mouth
Authors: Harding Jocelyn
Published: July 2018

How many dry crackers can you eat in one minute? World Record is four. Jocelyn Harding investigates
A professional identity for working with children
Authors: Johnstone Barbara
Published: July 2018

This article considers the way that staff are perceived by colleagues and questions whether this influences working relationships and impacts on professional learning in early years provision.
Area of concern
Authors: Moylett Helen , Stewart Nancy
Published: July 2018

The original EYFS was a result of extensive consultation with appropriate experts and research, but its revision lacks such rigour, say Helen Moylett and Nancy Stewart
With purpose
Authors: Rawstrone Annette
Published: July 2018

At London setting Tuffkid – from the Hebrew word meaning ‘purpose' – children with SEND flourish alongside their mainstream peers, explains Annette Rawstrone
Artırılmış Gerçeklik Uygulamalarının İlkokul Öğrencilerinin Artırılmış Gerçeklik Uygulamalarına Yönelik Tutumlarına ve Fen Motivasyonlarına Etkisi
Authors: İzgi onbaşılı Ümit
Published: July 2018

Bu araştırmanın amacı artırılmış gerçeklik (AG)
uygulamalarının ilkokul dördüncü sınıf öğrencilerinin artırılmış gerçeklik
uygulamalarına yönelik tutumlarına ve fen öğrenmeye yönelik motivasyonlarına
etkisini incelemektir.   Araştırmada nitel ve nicel desenlerin birlikte
kullanıldığı karma yöntem desenlerinden açımlayıcı sıralı model kullanılmıştır.
 Araştırma; 2017-2018 öğretim yılında bir
devlet okulundaki ilkokul 4. sınıf öğrencileriyle (24 öğrenci) yürütülmüştür. Üç
hafta süresince derslerde AG kartları  kullanılarak dersler işlenmiştir. Araştırmada
Küçük, Yılmaz, Baydaş ve Göktaş (2014) tarafından geliştirilen “Artırılmış
Gerçeklik Uygulamaları Tutum Ölçeği” (AGUTÖ), Dede ve Yaman (2008) tarafından
geliştirilen “Fen Öğrenmeye Yönelik Motivasyon Ölçeği” ve öğrencilerin AG
uygulamalarına yönelik görüşlerini almak amacıyla araştırmacı tarafından
geliştirilen dört açık uçlu sorudan oluşan görüşme formu kullanılmıştır. Araştırma
sonucunda AG uygulamalarının öğrencilerin AG uygulamalarına yönelik tutumları
ve fen öğrenmeye yönelik motivasyonları üzerinde anlamlı fark yarattığı sonucu
elde edilmiştir. Öğrencilerin açık uçlu sorulara verdikleri yanıtlar
incelendiğinde, sınıfta AG uygulamalarıyla ders işlemenin eğlenceli olduğu,
derse karşı ilgilerini arttırdığı, öğrenmelerini kolaylaştırdığı, özellikle Fen
Bilimleri dersi başta olmak üzere Matematik, Türkçe ve Sosyal Bilgiler
derslerinde de  AG uygulamalarının
kullanılmasını istedikleri belirlenmiştir.
Sintomas Depressivos em Enfermeiros do Serviço Hospitalar Privado
Authors: Luz Alisson Aparecido da , Lima Denise de Faria , Borges Amanda Aparecida , Pereira Vanessa Oliveira Silva , Alves Mateus Goulart , Dalrí Maria Celia Barcellos
Published: July 2018

Riscos de adoecimento com desenvolvimento de sintomas depressivos deve ser avaliados em enfermeiros independentemente do local de atuação. Poucos são os estudos observados sobre sintomas depressivos em enfermeiros no contexto hospitalar privado. O objetivo desta pesquisa é investigar sintomas depressivos em enfermeiros que atuam em Hospital privado. Trata-se de um estudo de caráter descritivo, exploratório e transversal, com abordagem quantitativa. Dados analisados através de estatística descritiva. Os participantes foram 22 enfermeiros de um hospital privado do interior de Minas Gerais. A coleta de dados foi por meio do Inventário de Depressão de Beck. Observou-se 70% sem depressão ou depressão mínima; 30% em nível de depressão leve a moderada. Mesmo sem índices de depressão grave é possível verificar a inclinação da enfermagem atuante em hospital privado à depressão, reforçando a necessidade de programas institucionais e estudos que avaliem as possibilidades de alcance no equilíbrio da saúde psíquica do enfermeiro.
Febre Amarela: Sua Perspectiva No Brasil
Authors: Costa Raissa De Moura , Facioli Larissa De Souza , Reis Thainá Desiree Franco dos , De Sá Odila Rigolin , Bernardes Nicole Blanco
Published: July 2018

Em pleno século XVII, ocorreu o primeiro surto de febre amarela em terras brasileiras, mais especificamente no nordeste. Ao passar dos anos, com a expansão territorial, a doença se alastrou para outras localidades, gerando novos casos epidemiológicos e tornando-se assim uma doença reemergente. Portanto, objetivo deste trabalho é discutir as características da febre amarela, tais como sua letalidade, epidemiologia, tratamento e diagnóstico e também sua gravidade juntamente com a importância da prevenção no Brasil. As buscas foram realizadas em duas bases de dados bibliográficos, sendo estes SciELO (Scientific Eletronic Libray Online) e Google Acadêmico.  Foram selecionados artigos do período de 1976 a 2017. A febre amarela possui origens históricas, sendo trazida dos navios negreiros na época da colonização. Essa doença possui ciclo urbano e silvestre, apresentando os vetores. Atualmente, a doença ocorre em ciclos de seis a sete anos, sendo classificada como reemergente, em áreas de zona rural e nos principais estados de Minas Gerais e São Paulo. Fica claro, portanto, que a febre amarela é uma doença que se proliferou devido ao avanço da urbanização e da ineficácia de políticas públicas para erradicá-la.  Logo a melhor forma para proteção é a conscientização da população e a preservação ambiental.
Análise dos Serviços Logísticos de Distribuição de Bananas: Um Estudo de Caso na Empresa Sítio Barreiras
Authors: Nunes Maria das Graças Cavalcante , Oliveira Alyne Leite de , Viana Hudson Josino , Lima Antonio Raniel Silva , Alencar Maria Patrícia De
Published: July 2018

A logística agrega valor aos produtos desde sua origem até chegar ao consumidor final, buscando a satisfação destes e oferecer um produto com qualidade e diferencial para mercado, a presente pesquisa teve por finalidade analisar os serviços logísticos de distribuição da fruta banana, cujo processo requer especial manuseio e movimentação por apresentar um curto ciclo de vida. Através de um estudo de caso e observação assistemática dos fatos, foram analisados métodos e técnicas utilizados no campo em estudo, comparados ao embasamento teórico de autores que referenciam as práticas competentes aos processos logísticos no canal de distribuição. A pesquisa foi elaborada com objetivo descritivo, abordagem qualitativa, utilizado para coleta de dados a empresa Sítio Barreiras da cidade de Missão Velha, atuando desde 1996 com a fruta banana onde foi aplicada uma entrevista semiestruturada A construção da análise dos dados se deu através do método hipotético-dedutivo que levantado às hipóteses, segue uma linha de raciocínio afirmativo ou negativo dos fatos observados, apresentando um bom gerenciamento logístico em todo o canal de distribuição do produto, ajustando as necessidades e satisfação plena dos clientes, alinhando aos objetivos da empresa. Com amostragem não probabilística por cotas de conveniência aplicou-se um questionário aos principais clientes da cidade de Juazeiro do Norte, para levantamento de dados relacionados à satisfação dos mesmos, com elaboração de gráficos, os resultados obtidos mostraram o grau de eficiência das técnicas e procedimentos logísticos tornando o produto eficaz com agregação de valor, credibilidade e confiança entre empresa-cliente-consumidor.
Ataques cibernéticos: Representações sociais da pessoa negra na internet
Authors: Figueira Talita Vieira , Castro Amanda , Córdova Ismael De , Fernandes Fernanda De Souza
Published: July 2018

Esta pesquisa teve por objetivo compreender as representações sociais da pessoa negra por meio de reações à postagens na internet. Para este estudo foram selecionados 69 comentários gerados por 3 redes sociais (instagram, Twitter, Facebook) e blogs pessoais online. Os comentários foram organizados em um único corpus que foi submetido a uma Nuvem de palavras e uma Classificação Hierárquica Descendente (CHD) simples com o auxílio do programa informático IRAMUTEQ. Os resultados encontrados se dividiram em 4 classes 1)A Universidade como algo que foi reduzido com a política de cotas, como um ambiente menos produtivo; 2)Insatisfação com professores de ideologia de esquerda que estimulam políticas de cotas, bem como insatisfação com a Universidade que permite o ingresso de alunos negros e com a grade curricular; 3)Adjetivos como fedida e escrava são utilizados para menosprezar a mulher negra; 4)Estereótipos relacionados à animalização (macaco), criminalidade, empregos relativos à limpeza (empregada doméstica) e vadiagem.
Assistência ao Homem na Estratégia Saúde da Família
Authors: Coelho Saryse Figueredo Castro , Melo Rosana Alves de
Published: July 2018

Apesar da ampliação da rede básica ter contribuído para melhor acessibilidade geográfica, evidenciou-se desproporção na capacidade de atendimento à demanda de alguns gêneros, o que pode ser percebido em ações que são prioritariamente voltadas a saúde da criança, da mulher e do idoso, pouco favorecendo a saúde do homem adulto. O objetivo do presente estudo foi analisar quais os aspectos acerca da assistência ao homem na atenção primária à saúde têm sido analisados nas pesquisas realizados por profissionais de saúde. Trata-se de uma revisão integrativa da literatura em publicações sobre a assistência a saúde do homem, de 2009 a 2017. Os resultados demonstraram que as instâncias de saúde pouco incentivam a realização de campanhas e outras formas de disseminar informações aos homens e que, incluir a participação do homem nas ações de saúde ainda é um desafio para os serviços de saúde.