bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Coordinated evaluation of active and sustainable school travel : international best practices
Authors: Hendren Graham
Published: May 2021

More children across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA) are driven to school than ever before, which is detrimental to their health and wellbeing, and contributes to traffic congestion and reduced environmental sustainability. Active and sustainable school travel (ASST) describes sustainable modes of school travel. The Big Move envisions that 60% of children will utilize ASST by 2033. However, contemporary data collection efforts are not coordinated across the region making it difficult to measure progress towards this goal. This paper explores international best practices for coordinated data collection and evaluation of school travel-related programming. Five recommendations are made for future school travel data collection efforts in the GTHA related to stakeholder relationship building, incentivizing data collection, utilizing multiple data collection tools, developing holistic performance indicators, and establishing clear leadership from one organization.

Key Words: active transportation, evidence-based planning, data collection, evaluation,

children, planning
Hiding in the bushes: the social and political dynamics in near-campus communities and the case of student housing in Hamilton, Ontario
Authors: Erl Chris
Published: May 2021

From the St. Scholastica Day Riots of 1355 to contemporary conflicts between residents and students, near-campus communities have been the sites of sustained and notable tension. A key factor in the cause of this tension is the short-term tenure of students in private-market rentals created from the conversion of single-detached residences. Using the case of student housing surrounding McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, an analysis of the location of private-
market rentals and the perceptions of the established community of a ‘creeping studentification’ are tied to conflicts that effective planning strategies and municipal regulation can address.
Assessing senior perspectives' towards ride for free public transportation: a case study in Oakville, Ontario
Authors: Mah Stephanie
Published: May 2021

This research investigated the Ride for Free Public Transportation program for seniors in Oakville, Canada. Using a mixed-methods approach, participants were surveyed (n=131) to understand their travel behaviour, and interviewed (n=16) to understand their perspectives towards taking public transportation. While 63% of seniors said that the Ride for Free Transit Program did not impact their travel behaviour, 37% said that it increased their public transit use. The most popular reason for seniors to use public transportation was taking it by themselves. Some interview respondents said that they used public transportation because they would not have to ask others for rides or they did not have access to a car. Seniors suggested that more education of how to use the bus and transfer could increase senior ridership. This research may aid other municipalities considering similar programs, which could help to sustain the independent mobility of seniors.
Addressing landlord absenteeism along Hamilton’s Barton Street commercial corridor
Authors: Bam Polina
Published: May 2021

Vacant and derelict commercial properties negatively impact surrounding businesses and the local community by detracting from streetscapes and discouraging investment. Therefore, local landlords are important stakeholders in encouraging revitalization. The reasons for commercial vacancies and dereliction are influenced by a set of complex factors, which must be better understood to create proactive landlord engagement strategies. This research explores the causes of landlord absenteeism along the Ward 3 section of Hamilton’s Barton Street, quantifies the extent of the issue, and analyses the strategies currently in place to address vacancies. Best practise examples from outside Hamilton are used to evaluate possible additional strategies to engage landowners in property maintenance.
Lebreton Flats : Redeveloping Former Brownfield Land in Canada's Capital. A Study of Urban Design Qualities and Best Practices
Authors: Kanavas Sophia
Published: May 2021

In 2014, the National Capital Commission made a call for proposals to develop approximately 9.3 hectares of Le-
Breton Flats, a former brownfield in Canada’s Capital. The objective is to create a new mixed-use community characterized by an institutional use to anchor the development. This report seeks to investigate what policies and urban design principles may be used to develop LeBreton Flats through a review of brownfield and urban design literature; policy analysis; and a review of case precedents for brownfield redevelopments. The recommendations provided seek to establish that good urban design for LeBreton Flats must contain elements of mixed-land uses with compact design; an institutional use of international or national significance to attract visitors and support local residents; walkable neighbourhoods with integrated public transportation; public realm dedication through parks and open space access to the waterfront; and innovative, architectural building construction with green design standards.
Secure bicycle parking: downtown Toronto office buildings
Authors: Sweanor Adam
Published: May 2021

Road congestion, urban intensification, environmental degradation and health concerns among other factors have led to an increase in cycling rates in Toronto. This increase in the cycling modal share, and a public policy environment that wishes to facilitate additional cycling, has in turn caused an increase in demand for associated facilities including secure bicycle parking. This paper examines the current provision of secure bicycle parking in downtown Toronto office towers and formulates a best practices standard to inform and encourage a more widespread adoption for a diverse range of office building size, location, and construction date. Many office buildings in downtown Toronto were built prior to the creation of zoning for bicycle parking, thus this paper focuses its recommendations on the implementation of future secure bicycle parking in the downtown core.
Linked Data Tools : semantic web for the masses
Authors: Byrne Gillian , Goddard Lisa
Published: May 2021

Semantic Web technologies have immense potential to transform the Internet into a distributed reasoning machine that will not only execute extremely precise searches, but will also have the ability to analyze the data it finds to create new knowledge. This paper examines the state of Semantic Web (also known as Linked Data) tools and infrastructure to determine whether semantic technologies are sufficiently mature for non–expert use, and to identify some of the obstacles to global Linked Data implementation.
DEVELOPMENT OF SPIRITUAL CULTURE AND VALUES OF TEACHERS IN THE SYSTEM OF CONTINUOUS SELF-EDUCATION
Authors:   Institute of Borys Grinchenko Kyiv University, Shkirenko Olena
Published: May 2021

The article deals with the spiritual culture and values ​​of teachers in the system of lifelong self-education. The spiritual culture of the individual is a system of worldviews and beliefs that are realized in relation to themselves, other people and the world around them. This is an essential basis for the development of future professionals. The values ​​of the teacher can be a source of motivation, action planning, constructive guidelines of consciousness. It is usually based on the ideals of Goodness, Beauty, Truth, and Love. It defines the norms of the individual and usually has an individual and a social framework. It can be the basis for addressing the purpose of man, the meaning of life, the highest achievements of mankind, which determine the success of society: economic, ideological, cultural, social, political, etc. Determining the level of development of spiritual culture and values ​​of teachers, it is found that there is a relationship, interaction, mutual determination between the level of development of a personal and professional component of spiritual culture and need-emotional orientation of personality, spiritual potential, value orientation. There is an average correlation between the development of the spiritual culture of teachers and orientation, character, communication, intelligence. There is a high correlation between the development of spiritual culture and self-awareness (0,734) and orientation (0,625) of teachers. It is noted that the psychological peculiarities of the development of teachers’ values should be taken into consideration. Psychological peculiarities are interconnected with cognitive, emotional, motivational and volitional processes. The actualization of higher mental functions of the individual and the psychological mechanisms of spiritual development of the individual is of great importance as well.
MONITORING OF THE NEW UKRAINIAN SCHOOL AS A PART OF MANAGEMENT ACTIVITY (A CASE STUDY OF THE RESEARCH ON VOCATIONAL GUIDANCE OF STUDENTS DURING GENERAL SECONDARY EDUCATION)
Authors:   SSI ", Denysiuk Oksana ,   Institute of Educational Analytics", Tytarenko Nataliia ,   SSI "Institute of Educational Analytics"
Published: May 2021

The implementation of any reform in general, and education in particular, includes the monitoring of its implementation. Monitoring as a management method allows achieving the purpose of control over education reform. For the purpose of our research, we have adopted the definition of monitoring as a set of standardized procedures for continuous monitoring of changes in the activities of the studied object and directing these changes to achieve the object’s given development parameters. Thus, the purpose of the article is to illustrate the use of monitoring studies to collect statistical data for the case study, such as the readiness of general secondary education institutions to introduce a specialized school as a part of the third level of general secondary education. During the basic monitoring study of the organization of career guidance work in general secondary education institutions, conducted in October-November 2020, the standardization of the procedure was followed with the help of the Google Forms service. The service was used to develop and aggregate a questionnaire for deputy directors of educational institutions. The questionnaire contained qualitative indicators on the organization of career guidance in educational institutions, namely information on the experience of work organization, its effectiveness, the need to improve the professional level of teachers for the organization of career guidance. The main results of the case study are as follows. Career guidance was organized in the majority (96,9 %) of general secondary education institutions. 69,3 % of respondents rate the efficiency of vocational guidance organized in general secondary education institutions as «high», 14,4 % – as «low» and «lower» (2,6 % and 11,8 %, respectively). The features of the organization of career guidance are revealed, the needs of educational institutions for the modernization of this work are singled out, the request of the respondents for raising the professional level on the research subject is determined. The analysis provided an opportunity to formulate conclusions and recommendations that will be an objective tool for creating a strategy for reforming career guidance, taking into account the needs of the labor market and the abilities and talents of high school students.
PEMBELAJARAN BAHASA INGGRIS UNTUK PAUD MELALUI METODE TOTAL PHYSICAL RESPONSE (TPR) DALAM MENGHADAPI TANTANGAN REVOLUSI INDUSTRY 4.0
Authors: Hayati Kinanti Resmi , Sumiati Sumiati
Published: May 2021

Pembelajaran bahasa asing terutama bahasa inggris sangat diperlukan dalam menghadapi revolusi Indutstri 4.0. Segala sesuatu yang berhubungan dengan teknologi selalu mengunakan bahasa inggris sebagai bahasa utamanya. Oleh karena itu, pengenalan terhadap bahasa inggris harus dimulai sejak dini agar dapat mengoptimalisasikan kemampuan dalam berbahasa inggris. Salah satu masalah bagi masyarakat Indonesia dalam pembelajaran bahasa inggris yakni posisi bahasa inggris sebagai bahasa asing. Hal ini harus menjadi salah satu hal yang harus diperhatikan oleh Pemerintah Indonesia agar dapat berkomunikasi baik dengan dunia internasional maupun dengan dunia teknologi. Pengenalan dan pembelajaran bahasa inggris sejak usia dini dapat menanggulangi kesulitan dalam pemahaman dan peggunaan bahasa asing dalam keseharian. Penerapan Metode Totally Physical Response (TPR) dalam Pembelajaran Bahasa Inggris sangat tepat dan efektif untuk diberlakukan dalam proses belajar mengajar di kelas untuk jenjang pendidikan tingkat Pendidikan Anak Usia Dini (PAUD) atan Taman Kanak-Kanak (TK) terutama untuk TK/KB Islam Al-Ikhlas Tenggilis-Surabaya sebagai salah satu TK Islam percontohan di SurabayaPembelajaran bahasa asing terutama bahasa inggris sangat diperlukan dalam menghadapi revolusi Indutstri 4.0. Segala sesuatu yang berhubungan dengan teknologi selalu mengunakan bahasa inggris sebagai bahasa utamanya. Oleh karena itu, pengenalan terhadap bahasa inggris harus dimulai sejak dini agar dapat mengoptimalisasikan kemampuan dalam berbahasa inggris. Salah satu masalah bagi masyarakat Indonesia dalam pembelajaran bahasa inggris yakni posisi bahasa inggris sebagai bahasa asing. Hal ini harus menjadi salah satu hal yang harus diperhatikan oleh Pemerintah Indonesia agar dapat berkomunikasi baik dengan dunia internasional maupun dengan dunia teknologi. Pengenalan dan pembelajaran bahasa inggris sejak usia dini dapat menanggulangi kesulitan dalam pemahaman dan peggunaan bahasa asing dalam keseharian. Penerapan Metode Totally Physical Response (TPR) dalam Pembelajaran Bahasa Inggris sangat tepat dan efektif untuk diberlakukan dalam proses belajar mengajar di kelas untuk jenjang pendidikan tingkat Pendidikan Anak Usia Dini (PAUD) atan Taman Kanak-Kanak (TK) terutama untuk TK/KB Islam Al-Ikhlas Tenggilis-Surabaya sebagai salah satu TK Islam percontohan di Surabaya
ANALISIS KELAYAKAN USAHA TELUR ASIN DI UMKM PUJAA KECAMATAN SAWAHAN KOTA SURABAYA
Authors: Safirin Moch. Tutuk , Aidil SZS Joumil , Santoso Budi
Published: May 2021

UMKM PUJAA memproduksi berbagai olahan telur asin berhasil mengubah kesejahteraan masyarakat di Kelurahan Putat Jaya hingga mendapat julukan sebagai kampung kreatif, kampung telur asin di Surabaya. Pesatnya perkembangan usaha telur asin saat ini mendorong UMKM PUJAA untuk mengembangkan usahanya dan membutuhkan analisis kelayakan usaha atau biasa disebut dengan studi kelayakan bisnis untuk menunjang keputusannya. Tujuan kegiatan pengabdian kepada masyarakat ini adalah untuk memberikan analisis kelayakan usaha telur asin di UMKM PUJAA. Analisis kelayakan usaha yang akan dilaukan terkait dengan 3 aspek, yaitu aspek pemasaran, aspek produksi, dan aspek manajemen. Metode yang digunakan yaitu wawancara dan sharing discussion. Hasilnya, usaha telur asin ini layak untuk dilaksanakan. Namun, tetap perlu dilasanakan evaluasi secara periodik dan pembaruan sistem maupun strategi, khususnya strategi pemasaran yang mengikuti perkembangan zaman.
ПСИХОЛОГІЧНІ ОСОБЛИВОСТІ СПРИЙНЯТТЯ КІБЕРШАХРАЙСТВА СТУДЕНТСЬКОЮ МОЛОДДЮ
Authors: Теслик Н. , Гончаренко А. , Громико Д.
Published: May 2021

Віртуалізація міжперсональної взаємодії провокує перехід незаконних способів впливу на людину у кіберпростір. Кібершахрайство є ознакою сучасного соціального життя людини у віртуальному просторі, особливо загрожуючи молоді як однієї із найбільш віртуально активних когорт суспільства. Раціональність сприйняття кібершахрайства визначає ступінь кібербезпеки користувачів кіберпростору.
ПСИХОЛОГІЧНІ АСПЕКТИ АНАЛІЗУ ІНФОРМАЦІЇ В ДІЯЛЬНОСТІ ФАХІВЦІВ БЕЗПЕКОВОГО СЕКТОРУ
Authors: Іванова Н. , Паливода О.
Published: May 2021

У статті виокремлено психологічні аспекти аналізу інформації, що циркулює в безпекових інституціях. Сформульовано поняття психологічного аналізу інформації як важливої проблеми функціонування безпекових інституцій в умовах посилення інформаційно-психологічного протиборства. Розкрито значення, зміст та особливості реалізації психологічного аналізу інформації. Виділені професійно важливі характеристики фахівців безпекових інституцій, що зумовлюють успішність здійснення ними аналізу інформації в професійній діяльності.
Investigation of the effects of different disinfectant solutions on honey bees (Apis mellifera )
Authors: SEVİN Sedat , CEYLAN Ahmet , ÖZGENÇ Özge , AKDENİZ Gökhan , YILMAZ Fatih , KABAKCI Dilek , YARSAN Ender
Published: May 2021

In this study, it was aimed to investigate the toxic effects of biocidal and nano silver-containing disinfectants, which were used in beekeeping, on bees. Biocidal and nano-silver-containing preparations used in disinfection of hives were obtained from commercial companies. Syrup (1/1 sucrose-water) was given to the control group (Group 1; n = 10). Biocidal preparation (Group 2; n = 10) and nano-silver containing preparation (Group 3; n = 10) were given to one of the experimental groups via an automatic pipette, orally 2 µl per bee. 24 hours after the application, the bees that died in all groups were counted and the midgut tissues of the bees that survived in the groups were taken for histomorphological analysis. No application was performed in the control group (Group 1). Different disinfection solution was used in the group 2 (biocidal ingredient) and Group 3 (nano silver contents). The preparations were applied to the groups by spraying and bee deaths were recorded. Two disinfectants applied to the hives under field conditions, were found to cause more bee deaths than the control group. The highest bee death was in the nano silver group. In laboratory trials, the nano-silver-containing preparation was observed to cause high number of bee deaths and serious damage to the midgut epithelium in histomorphological examinations. The results of the study showed that direct application of disinfectant substances on bees caused serious deaths in the colony. Biocidal and chemical based preparations and hive disinfection should be applied in the empty beehives.
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN STUDENTS’ BIOLOGY LABORATORY SKILL PERFORMANCE AND THEIR COURSE ACHIEVEMENT
Authors: Gobaw Getachew Fetahi , Atagana Harrison Ifeanyichukwu
Published: May 2021

The focus of this research study was to investigate the relationship between students’ prior achievement in higher education entrance examination score and their course achievement in undergraduate biology program. It also examined the relationship between students’ high school and college preparatory school biology laboratory experience and their undergraduate biology laboratory skill performance. A correlational study was used. The sample consisted of 55 third year undergraduate biology students. The findings of the study showed that there is significant and positive linear correlation between students’ competences in practical skills and performance in higher education entrance examination scores. There is a significant and a positively linear relationship between the students’ cumulative grade point average (CGPA) with higher education entrance exam scores and biology laboratory skill test score. However, laboratory skill performance test score was not correlated with students’ high school laboratory background and sex. The findings implicated that the Ministry of Education should foster secondary high schools and college preparatory schools to put greater efforts at preparing undergraduate admitted students for students’ better outcome and their retention in universities. Key words: high school achievement, practical skill test, undergraduate biology.
INVESTIGATING THE MOST NEGLECTED STUDENT LEARNING DOMAIN IN HIGHER EDUCATION: A CASE STUDY ON THE IMPACT OF TECHNOLOGY ON STUDENT BEHAVIOUR AND EMOTIONS IN UNIVERSITY MATHEMATICS LEARNING
Authors: King Samuel Olugbenga
Published: May 2021

Do students’ emotions and behaviours influence their learning in mathematics classes, and if yes, how and why? Based on a qualitative research design, evidence on how the use of Electronic Voting Systems (EVS) has influenced students’ emotional and behavioural engagement with university mathematics learning is presented. The results show that the use of EVS enables students to diagnose their level of understanding of learning material, relative to the rest of the class. EVS use also helps, in real time, to stimulate, maintain, and re-focus student attention during mathematics instruction. A favourable perception of the learning environment as being altruistic appears to have influenced students to emotionally identify and align themselves with mathematics learning goals. There is enhanced interactivity in EVS-facilitated lectures, including positive student competitiveness, while the EVS anonymity utility also enhances increased student participation rates. However, a major disincentive to student engagement is the use of EVS-based mathematics questions with low cognitive demand. This research is a contribution to how specific educational technology-based interventions influence student engagement.
Key words: emotional/behavioural engagement, digital natives, EVS/Clickers, engineering mathematics.
UNIFIED TAXONOMY OF COMPETENCES FOR VERIFICATION OF STUDENT'S SKILLS
Authors: Pešaković Dragica , Šafhalter Andrej
Published: May 2021

Skills, which students have to manage, are divided on a lower and higher taxonomic (»competent«) level, which allows differentiation and individualization in the lessons. It also allows easier monitoring and verifying of skills. The combination of taxonomies in all three fields, cognitive, affective and psychomotor has been searched and combined in competent taxonomic levels, which allows development and verification of student's skills on a lower and higher taxonomic level. Special attention was on verification and assessment of student's knowledge, where it can be found out once more that the greatest emphasis is on the knowledge, whereas skills are put in the background. Derived from introduced taxonomies, Bloom's cognitive and affective and Dave's and Simpson's psychomotor the lower and higher competent taxonomic level were defined and unified taxonomy of competences was developed. The paraphernalia was made, which allows monitoring and evaluating of student's skills on cognitive, affective and psychomotor field at technical subjects. Paraphernalia is transferable also on those fields of education, where student's skills are important.
Key words: unified taxonomy for competences, students' skills, generic competences.
Implementation of Cleanliness, Health and Environmental Sustainability Guidelines in Restaurants around the Southern Java Crossing Route in Ciamis Regency
Authors: Maemunah Ita
Published: May 2021

This study aims to determine the extent to which restaurants on the southern route of Java in Ciamis district implement standard health protocols for Cleanliness, Health, Safety and Environmental Sustainability (CHSE) in order to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 outbreak. This standard health protocol refers to the health guidebook in hotels and restaurants (CHSE) that has been issued and published by the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy. This research was conducted as a measuring tool as a control reference in the implementation of the CHSE health protocol, especially in restaurants in the southern route of Java, Ciamis district. This study used a survey research method approach with data collection techniques through interviews; observation, and literature study. The population in this study were restaurants located on the southern route of Java in Ciamis Regency with a non-random sampling technique, namely accidental sampling. The results of this study indicate that the implementation of general guidelines and specific guidelines for CHSE health protocols is still not going well.
Analysis of Stock Investment Decisions on Investors in Surabaya
Authors: Dewi Sinta , Pertiwi Tri Kartika
Published: May 2021

The purpose of this study is to analyze stock investment decisions in investors in Surabaya. This research is quantitative research. The Analysis technique used is the Partial Least Square (PLS) method using primary data. It involved 95 respondents who invested in stocks for more than a year as research objects. The results of the analysis show investors with a good understanding of financial literacy will make the right investment decisions and investors with a high level of financial literacy will be better aware and able to minimize the risks that will be faced but when investors want a high rate of return then investors can tolerate risk in order to get a profit in the future. The absence of a direct relationship between overconfidence to investment decisions can be incarnate in the world of stocks, the most respondents are respondents whose investment experience is 1 year to 3 years, it can be said as a beginner player in stock investing. beginners players are not reliable in making decisions. The most respondents were respondents aged 30-39 years. This age includes a mature age. Respondents with a mature age will be more careful, they do not make an unsecured excess confidence as a reference in acting in investment activities, although an attitude of excessive confidence can help respondents to be able to tolerate risks arising from activities.
Histopathological Evaluation of Non-Tumorous Areas of Thyroid Gland In Thyroid Malignancy
Authors: Jahan Shahanaz , Kamal Mohammed , Huq Mirza Hamidul , Rahman Mohammad Mosiur , Islam Shamina
Published: May 2021

Thyroid carcinoma is common and represents 1% of all human neoplasia. Incidence increases if occult carcinoma are taken into consideration. Some of the cancers of the thyroid gland have got relationship with non-neoplastic conditions such as Hashimoto thyroiditis, Graves' disease and multinodular goiter. This cross sectional study was performed on a total of 50 cases of thyroid carcinoma at the Department of Pathology Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka for a period of six months from March 2012 to August 2012 for histopathological evaluation of tumor and non-tumorous areas of thyroid gland. The age range of patients with malignant thyroid tumor was 12 to 65 years with a male to female ratio 1:3.2. Lymphocyte infiltration and lymphoid follicle formation were the predominant changes in the non-tumorous areas adjacent to thyroid malignancy which are found mostly with papillary thyroid carcinoma. This study suggested that if these changes are found in thyroid specimen which are operated due to any cause including clinically benign cases, we should thoroughly search for thyroid carcinoma inside the gland.

CBMJ 2014 July: Vol. 03 No. 02 P: 09-14
Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase Positive Large B-cell Lymphoma Mimicking Metastatic Carcinoma of the Cervical Lymph Node from an Unknown Primary Lesion
Authors: Kim Sang Woo , Lee Kyuho , Kim Bo Hae , Kim Eo Jin
Published: May 2021

Anaplastic lymphoma kinase positive large B-cell lymphoma (ALK+LBCL) is a rare subtype of B-cell lymphoma with aggressive features and a poor prognosis. The rarity of this disease and similarity of microscopic features with undifferentiated epithelial neoplasm disturb the provision of proper treatment. A 57-year-old male presented with a rapidly growing and painless mass on the left side of the neck. Metastatic carcinoma of an unknown primary (CUP) lesion was initially suspected based on the pathologic results obtained from a core needle biopsy, but it was finally diagnosed as ALK+LBCL after a modified radical neck dissection. We herein report a case of ALK+LBCL mimicking CUP with a literature review.
Risk of Microvascular Anastomosis Performed in Previous Treated Neck
Authors: Hyun Se Jin , Ahn Soon-Hyun
Published: May 2021

Background and Objectives This study aimed to determine if a microvascular anastomosis on the neck, which had previously been treated, increases the risk of early complications, such as flap failure or hemorrhage and venous congestion that necessitates re-exploration.Subjects and Method A retrospective review was conducted on 274 cases of tumor resection with simultaneous free flap reconstruction from 2005 to 2019. Flap failure and re-exploration rate was evaluated according to the clinical variables including treatment history of recipient vessels.Results Twenty-one (7.7%) cases of flap failure were identified and re-exploration was conducted in 51 (18.6%) cases. Although the failure rate appeared to be high when micro-anastomosis was performed in the neck, where neck dissection with radiotherapy was previously performed (22.7%), there was no statistical significance compared with no previous treatment group. Previous neck dissection with irradiation was found to influence re-exploration {odds ratio (OR)=3.674 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.348–10.014, p=0.011]} compared to no treatment. However, previous radiotherapy or surgery only did not show any significant difference compared to the untreated group. Venous congestion was the most common cause of re-exploration (50.1%), followed by hematoma (33.3%), and previous neck dissection with radiotherapy increased the risk of both [OR for venous congestion=3.056 (95% CI 1.009–9.255)], p=0.048, OR for hematoma=6.286 (95% CI 1.679–23.526), p=0.006] compared with no previous treatment. Radiotherapy alone did not change the risk of early complication.Conclusion Micro-anastomosis in a previously treated neck is feasible in terms of flap failure. However, micro-anastomosis in a neck, where neck dissection with radiotherapy were performed, may be more likely to cause complications such as venous congestion and hematoma that necessitate re-exploration.
Prediction of Gross Extrathyroidal Extension Using Preoperative Ultrasonography in Papillary Thyroid Cancer
Authors: Seo Hyo-Seok , Cheon Yong-Il , Kwon Hyun-Keun , Shin Sung-Chan , Seo Myeonggu , Cho Youngjin , Sung Eui-Suk , Lee Jin-Choon , Kim Bo Hyun , Kim In Ju , Lee Byung-Joo
Published: May 2021

Background and Objectives The American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging system 8th Edition has stated that gross extrathyroid extension (ETE) is more important than microscopic ETE, and that it plays an important factor in the classification of T stages. Therefore, the prediction of gross ETE before surgery is important in establishing the clinical stage and determining the surgical extent. However, there are few studies predicting gross ETE using preoperative ultrasonography (US). The purpose of this study is to predict the gross ETE of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) using preoperative US. Subjects and Method The preoperative US findings of 688 patients with PTC were compared with gross ETE confirmed during the surgery. The efficacy of preoperative US was statistically analyzed. Results A total of 70 (10%) patients were confirmed of their gross ETE. Thyroid tumors were classified into three groups (isolation, capsular contact, and capsular protrusion) according to their relationship with capsules, and evaluated using the preoperative US. There was a significant difference in gross ETE between groups (p<0.001). The thyroid tumor that came into contact with the capsule or protruded in the anterior region showed a difference between the capsular contact and capsular protrusion groups (p<0.001), whereas those came into contact with the capsule or protruded in the posterior region showed no significant difference between the two groups (p=0.187). There was no difference in the degree of protrusion (<25%, 25-50%, ≥50%) in the capsular protrusion group (p=0.868), but the difference in tumor size was significant (p<0.001).Conclusion Preoperative US is a useful tool for predicting gross ETE and is more predictable when the thyroid tumor is located anteriorly.
Age-related changes of human balance during quiet stance
Authors: Abrahamová D , Hlavačka F
Published: May 2021

Certain aspects of balance control change with age, resulting in a slight postural instability. We examined healthy subjects between 20-82 years of age during the quiet stance under static conditions: at stance on a firm surface and/or on a compliant surface with eyes either open or closed. Body sway was evaluated from centre of foot pressure (CoP) positions during a 50 sec interval. The seven CoP parameters were evaluated to assess quiet stance and were analyzed in three age groups: juniors, middle-aged and seniors. The regression analysis showed evident increase of body sway over 60 years of age. We found that CoP parameters were significantly different when comparing juniors and seniors in all static conditions. The most sensitive view on postural steadiness during quiet stance was provided by CoP amplitude and velocity in AP direction and root mean square (RMS) of statokinesigram. New physiological ranges of RMS parameter in each condition for each age group of healthy subjects were determined. Our results showed that CoP data from force platform in quiet stance may indicate small balance impairment due to age. The determined physiological ranges of RMS will be useful for better distinguishing between small postural instability due to aging in contrast to pathological processes in the human postural control.
The effect of lipoic acid on antioxidant status and lipid peroxidation in rats exposed to chronic restraint stress
Authors: Akpinar D , Yargiçoğlu P , Derin N , Alicigüzel Y , Ağar A
Published: May 2021

This study was designed to investigate effect of alpha-lipoic acid (LA) on lipid peroxidation, nitric oxide production and antioxidant systems in rats exposed to chronic restraint stress. Twenty four male Wistar rats, aged three months, were divided into four groups: control (C), the group treated with LA (L), the group exposed to restraint stress (S) and the group exposed to stress and treated with LA (LS). Restraint stress was applied for 21 days (1 h/day) and LA (100 mg/kg/day) was injected intraperitonally to the L and LS groups for the same period. Restraint stress significantly decreased brain copper/zinc superoxide dismutase (Cu,Zn-SOD) and brain and retina glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and catalase (CAT) activities compared with the control group. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), nitrite and nitrate levels were significantly increased in the tissues of the S group compared with the C group. LA produced a significant decrease in brain and retina TBARS, nitrite and nitrate levels of the L and LS groups compared to their corresponding control groups. LA increased all enzyme activities in the tissues of the LS group compared to the S group. Our study indicated that LA is an ideal antioxidant candidate for the prevention of stress-induced lipid peroxidation.
Increased angiotensinogen production in epicardial adipose tissue during cardiac surgery: Possible role in a postoperative insulin resistance
Authors: Roubíček T , Dolinková M , Bláha J , Haluzíková D , Bošanská L , Mráz M , Křemen J , Haluzík M
Published: May 2021

Critical illness induces among other events production of proinflammatory cytokines that in turn interfere with insulin signaling cascade and induce insulin resistance on a postreceptor level. Recently, local renin-angiotensin system of adipose tissue has been suggested as a possible contributor to the development of insulin resistance in patients with obesity. The aim of our study was to determine local changes of the renin-angiotensin system of subcutaneous and epicardial adipose tissue during a major cardiac surgery, which may serve as a model of an acute stress potentially affecting endocrine function of adipose tissue. Ten patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery were included into the study. Blood samples and samples of subcutaneous and epicardial adipose tissue were collected at the beginning and at the end of the surgery. Blood glucose, serum insulin and adiponectin levels were measured and mRNA for angiotensinogen, angiotensin-converting enzyme and angiotensin II type 1 receptor were determined in adipose tissue samples using RT PCR. Cardiac surgery significantly increased both insulin and blood glucose levels suggesting the development of insulin resistance, while serum adiponectin levels did not change. Expression of angiotensinogen mRNA significantly increased in epicardial adipose tissue at the end of surgery relative to baseline but remained unchanged in subcutaneous adipose tissue. Fat expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme and type 1 receptor for angiotensin II were not affected by surgery. Our study suggests that increased angiotensinogen production in epicardial adipose tissue may contribute to the development of postoperative insulin resistance.
Is A163G Polymorphism in the Osteoprotegerin Gene Associated with Heel Velocity of Sound in Postmenopausal Women?
Authors: Zajíčková K , Zemanová A , Hill M , Žofková I
Published: May 2021

Osteoprotegerin (OPG) plays an important inhibitory role in osteoclastogenesis. Polymorphisms in the OPG gene recently have been associated with various bone phenotypes including fractures. The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between three informative OPG polymorphisms and quantitative ultrasound variables of the heel. In a cohort of 165 perimenopausal women polymorphisms in the OPG promoter (A163G, T245G) and in exon 1 (G1181C) were assessed by PCR-RFLP analysis. The distribution of the investigated genotypes was similar to other Caucasian women (A163G-AA 68 %, AG 30 %, GG 2 %, T245G-TT 84.4 %, TG 15 %, GG 0.6 %, G1181C- GG 22 %, CG 55 %, CC 23 %). After adjustment for body mass index and years since menopause, in a subgroup of 87 postmenopausal subjects, calcaneal velocity of sound (VOS, m/s) was significantly associated with A163G polymorphism (p=0.0102, ANCOVA). Women with the presence of G allele (AG+GG genotypes) had significantly lower VOS than women with AA genotype. Neither T245G nor G1181C were associated with calcaneal ultrasound indices. In conclusion, A163G polymorphism was significantly associated with VOS at the heel in a limited cohort of postmenopausal women. The present study replicated in part the previous findings about OPG gene variations and peripheral bone mass in Caucasian women.
Hormonal Aspects of the Muscle-Bone Unit
Authors: Žofková I
Published: May 2021

Osteoporotic fractures are the result of low density and especially inferior bone quality (microarchitecture) caused by both internal (genes, hormones) and external (life style) influences. Bone mechanosensors are extremely important for the overall integrity of the skeleton, because in response to mechanical load they activate its modeling, resulting in an increase in bone density and strength. The largest physiological loads are caused by muscle contractions. Bone mass in adult men has a closer relationship to muscle mass than is case in women. The sexual differences in the relationship between bone and muscle mass are also apparent in children. Based on the mechanostatic theory, the muscle-bone unit has been defined as a functional system whose components are under the common control of the hormones of the somatotropin-IGF-I axis, sexual steroids, certain adipose tissue hormones and vitamin D. The osteogenic effects of somatotropin-IGF-I system are based on the stimulation of bone formation, as well as increase in muscle mass. Moreover, somatotropin decreases the bone mechanostat threshold and reinforces the effect of physical stress on bone formation. The system, via the muscle-bone unit, plays a significant role in the development of the childhood skeleton as well as in its stability during adulthood. The muscle and bone are also the targets of androgens, which increase bone formation and the growth of muscle mass in men and women, independently of IGF-I. The role of further above-mentioned hormones in regulation of this unified functional complex is also discussed.
Increase of Nocturnal Melatonin Levels in Hemodialyzed Patients After Parathyroidectomy – A Pilot Study
Authors: Kancheva R , Sulková S , Švára F , Hill M , Kanchev L , Žofková I
Published: May 2021

In hemodialyzed patients hormonal disturbances are known to occur. However, melatonin levels have not been completely studied. The aim of the study was to find whether changes in calcaemia affect melatonin secretion. For this reason we followed the nocturnal serum concentrations of melatonin and parathyroid hormone (PTH) in 9 hemodialyzed patients (6 women and 3 men, aged 37-65 years) both before and 1-3 months after parathyroidectomy at 6 p.m., 9 p.m., 11 p.m., 2 a.m., 5 a.m. and 7 a.m. At 6 p.m. blood samples to evaluate the levels of calcium and phosphate were also collected. Parathyroidectomy resulted in an increase in nocturnal melatonin levels. As expected, the parathyroidectomy was followed by considerable PTH decrease. PTH showed no nocturnal variation before or after parathyroidectomy. Calcium levels significantly decreased after the operation while phosphate levels increased. In summary, in hemodialyzed patients with hyperparathyroidism, parathyroidectomy significantly increases the nocturnal secretion of melatonin. Relationships between the pineal gland and parathyroid glands have yet to be elucidated.
AMN 082, an agonist of mGluR7, exhibits mixed anti- and proconvulsant effects in developing rats
Authors: Mareš P
Published: May 2021

Metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) represent a potential therapeutic target. Possible anticonvulsant action of AMN 082, an agonist of mGluR7 subtype, was studied in immature rats using pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-induced seizures as a model. Five age groups of rats (7-, 12-, 18-, 25-day-old and adult animals) were pretreated with AMN 082 in doses of 0.5, 1, 2, and 5 mg/kg i.p. and 30 min later PTZ was administered (100 mg/kg s.c.). Controls received saline instead of the agonist. AMN 082 did not exhibit clear anticonvulsant action with the exception of suppression of the tonic phase of generalized tonic-clonic seizures (GTCS) in 12-day-old rats. Shorter latencies of GTCS after AMN 082 pretreatment indicate a proconvulsant action. Involuntary movements (mostly tremor) appeared after AMN 082 before PTZ administration, therefore we performed another experimental series with AMN 082 only (1, 2, 5, and 10 mg/kg i.p.). During 60-min observation period tremor appeared in all age groups; sensitivity to this action decreased with age from the 2 mg/kg dose in 7- and 12-day-old rats to the 10 mg/kg dose in adult rats. Mixed anti- and proconvulsant actions of AMN 082 together with unwanted motor effects makes clinical use of this drug highly improbable.
Rough or Smooth Balls? That is the Question
Authors: Myers T.G. , Mitchell S.L.
Published: May 2021

The question posed at the study group, by a South African premiership team based in Johannesburg, was basically, ‘Can we choose a match ball that will disadvantage opponents?’ In this report we answer the question through focussing on the motion of a football through the air (which is where the difference in the ball’s behaviour due to altitude is greatest). The forces affecting a ball’s motion are described and we show how this translates into a mathematical problem consisting of a system of coupled nonlinear differential equations. Numerical and approximate analytical solutions are presented and compared. We then show how the mathematical results may be used to guide the choice of ball.
Searching for a Predictive Model for Burglaries in Catalonia
Authors: Aguareles Maria , Bikov Dusan , Canadell Marta , Costa-Miracle Enric , Domingo Carlos , Fernandez-Sanchez Jesus , Folguera Nuria , Saludes Jordi , Stojanova Aleksandra , Varbanov Zlatko
Published: May 2021

In this report we present the results of the analysis of burglary data provided by Catalonian Police Department and we propose different approaches to derive predicting models, thus improving the algorithms that the police are now using. In particular we propose an algorithm to derive connections between different regions of Catalonia, that is to say, the goal is to detect if two given sets of burglaries which have taken place in regions that may be far away from each other have any relation at all, in the sense that when a burglary takes place in, for instance, region A, it is highly probable that burglaries in B will also take place.
Modelling the flow through Sugar Cane
Authors: Breward Chris , Hocking Graeme , Ockendon Hilary , Please Colin , Schwendeman Donald
Published: May 2021

We construct mathematical models for the flow of sugarcane and juice througha sugar diffuser. The models describe how the concentration of sugar in thejuice increases during the process. The flow through the sugar cane in thediffuser is analysed. The injection of tracer on one of the jets is studied. Thediffusivity of the tracer is different for the direction of flow and across the flow.Our model is able to reproduce the behaviour observed in tracer experiments.A cavitation mechanism is investigated for creating dry regions in voids in thesugar cane. We show that voids occur when the permeability varies with depthin a way to produce regions of negative pressure. Their existence depends onthe variation in the permeability through the whole depth but especially onregions of low permeability away from the bottom of the bed.
A Guide to Nucleic Acid Vaccines in the Prevention and Treatment of Infectious Diseases and Cancers: From Basic Principles to Current Applications
Authors: Qin Furong , Xia Fan , Chen Hongli , Cui Bomiao , Feng Yun , Zhang Ping , Chen Jiao , Luo Min
Published: May 2021

Faced with the challenges posed by infectious diseases and cancer, nucleic acid vaccines present excellent prospects in clinical applications. Compared with traditional vaccines, nucleic acid vaccines have the characteristics of high efficiency and low cost. Therefore, nucleic acid vaccines have potential advantages in disease prevention and treatment. However, the low immunogenicity and instability of nucleic acid vaccines have limited their development. Therefore, a large number of studies have been conducted to improve their immunogenicity and stability by improving delivery methods, thereby supporting progress and development for clinical applications. This article mainly reviews the advantages, disadvantages, mechanisms, delivery methods, and clinical applications of nucleic acid vaccines.
Current Developments on the Role of α1-Adrenergic Receptors in Cognition, Cardioprotection, and Metabolism
Authors: Perez Dianne M.
Published: May 2021

The α1-adrenergic receptors (ARs) are G-protein coupled receptors that bind the endogenous catecholamines, norepinephrine, and epinephrine. They play a key role in the regulation of the sympathetic nervous system along with β and α2-AR family members. While all of the adrenergic receptors bind with similar affinity to the catecholamines, they can regulate different physiologies and pathophysiologies in the body because they couple to different G-proteins and signal transduction pathways, commonly in opposition to one another. While α1-AR subtypes (α1A, α1B, α1C) have long been known to be primary regulators of vascular smooth muscle contraction, blood pressure, and cardiac hypertrophy, their role in neurotransmission, improving cognition, protecting the heart during ischemia and failure, and regulating whole body and organ metabolism are not well known and are more recent developments. These advancements have been made possible through the development of transgenic and knockout mouse models and more selective ligands to advance their research. Here, we will review the recent literature to provide new insights into these physiological functions and possible use as a therapeutic target.