bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Plasma levels of endothelin-1 and renal function among young and healthy adults
Authors: Fischer Andreas , Bossard Matthias , Aeschbacher Stefanie , Egli Peter , Cordewener Carolin , Estis Joel , Todd John , Risch Martin , Risch Lorenz , Conen David
Published: February 2017

Background:

Endothelin-1 (ET-1), a vasoconstrictive and pro-inflammatory peptide, is associated with several cardiovascular risk factors and outcomes. We aimed to investigate the association of plasma ET-1 levels and renal function among young and healthy adults.

Methods:

Individuals aged 25–41 years were enrolled in a population-based cohort study. Main exclusion criteria were established kidney disease, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus and a body mass index>35 kg/m2. Fasting venous plasma samples were used to measure creatinine, cystatin C and ET-1. The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated using the creatinine based chronic kidney disease epidemiology collaboration (CKD-EPI) formula. Multivariable regression models were constructed to assess interrelationships of plasma ET-1 with parameters of renal function.

Results:

Median age of the 2139 participants was 37 years, 47% males. Median creatinine and eGFR were 67 μmol/L and 112 mL/min/1.73 m2, respectively. Using quartile one as the reference group, the β-coefficients (95% confidence intervals [CIs]) for eGFR were 0.06 (− 1.22 to 1.35),−0.66 (− 1.95 to 0.62) and−1.70 (− 3.01 to−0.39) for quartiles 2–4 (p-for-trend=0.0056), respectively and β-coefficients (95% CIs) for cystatin C were 0.002 (− 0.01 to 0.02), 0.02 (0.003–0.03) and 0.03 (0.01–0.04) for quartiles 2–4 (p-for-trend<0.0001), respectively. Using ET-1 as a continuous variable, the β-coefficient (95% CI) for eGFR per 1-unit increase was−1.82 (− 3.19 to−0.44, p=0.0095) and 0.02 (0.01–0.04, p=0.0003) for cystatin C. Similar results were found between creatinine and ET-1 levels.

Conclusions:

ET-1 levels are strongly associated with parameters of renal function among young and healthy adults, suggesting an important role of ET-1 and endothelial function in the regulation of kidney function.
Practical motives are prominent in test-ordering in the Emergency Department
Authors: van der Horst Armando , van de Wijngaart Dennis J. , Scherrenburg Jolanda , van Dijk Nadine , Janssens Pim M.W.
Published: February 2017

Background:

Laboratory test ordering under time pressure may impact test-ordering behavior.

Methods:

To investigate the test-ordering behavior of doctors working under such pressure, we designed a questionnaire for trainees and staff in the Emergency Department (ED). This questionnaire addressed topics such as necessity of requested tests, time spent on ordering, costs and availability of tests, and the time of the day. We hypothesized that ordering behavior would be guided predominantly by the medical need of tests and aimed at identifying practical motives that also have an effect.

Results:

Remarkably, two-third of the respondents (67%) admitted that tests were ordered that would not influence treatment policy directly and 48% of the doctors stated that tests were ordered that do not impact treatment at all. The frequency of such orders was “sometimes” and “frequent” in a 50:50 ratio. Interestingly, tests that could prove relevant at a later stage are often ordered simultaneously to reduce burden on the patient. None of the respondents spent more than 3 min on the ordering process and very few (8%) desired more time for ordering. Most respondents (81%) declared to have limited knowledge of the costs of laboratory tests. A random survey covering four tests confirmed this. Generally, turnaround time did influence ordering behavior while time of the day did not.

Conclusions:

In conclusion, doctors in an ED – besides first of all medical motives – heavily exploit practical (non-medical) reasoning for laboratory test ordering, e.g. taking availability of tests into account and ordering non-immediate tests.
Factors associated with increased irisin levels in the type 1 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Ates I. , Arikan M. F. , Erdogan K. , Kaplan M. , Yuksel M. , Topcuoglu C. , Yilmaz N. , Guler S.
Published: February 2017

Objective. The aim of the present study was to determine the irisin levels in patients with the type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and to examine the relation of irisin levels with the inflammation and autoimmunity.

Methods. This study included 35 cases diagnosed with T1DM and 36 healthy volunteers. Antiglutamic acid decarboxylase (anti-GAD), islet cell antibody (ICA), and insulin autoantibody levels were measured in patients at the time when they were included into the study and recorded from the patient files. Serum irisin levels were measured by ELISA kit.

Results. The median irisin levels were determined higher in T1DM group compared to the control one (6.8 ng/ml vs. 4.8 ng/ml, p=0.022; respectively). Median irisin levels were higher in anti-GAD (p=0.022) and ICA (p=0.044) positive groups compared to negative groups. In T1DM group, irisin levels displayed positive correlation with glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) (r=0.377, p<0.001) and anti-GAD (r=0.392, p=0.020) and negative correlation with creatinine (r=-0390, p=0.021). In multivariate regression model, HbA1c (B±SE: 2.76±17683, p<0.001), and anti-GAD (B±SE: 2.311±0.610, p=0.001) were determined as independent predictors for predicting the irisin levels.

Conclusion. In patients with T1DM, which chronic inflammation and autoimmunity take part in their etiopathogenesis, anti-GAD levels were an independent risk factor for the irisin. Th is may suggest that factors such as inflammation and autoimmunity can be effective in the synthesis of irisin.
Hypoxic regulation of the expression of genes encoded estrogen related proteins in U87 glioma cells: eff ect of IRE1 inhibition
Authors: Do Minchenko , Oo Riabovol , Oo Ratushna , Oh Minchenko
Published: February 2017

Objective. The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of inhibition of endoplasmic reticulum stress signaling, mediated by IRE1 (inositol requiring enzyme 1), which is a central mediator of the unfolded protein response on the expression of genes encoded estrogen related proteins (NRIP1/RIP140, TRIM16/EBBP, ESRRA/NR3B1, FAM162A/E2IG5, PGRMC2/PMBP, and SLC39A6/LIV-1) and their hypoxic regulation in U87 glioma cells for evaluation of their possible significance in the control of glioma cells proliferation.

Methods. The expression of NRIP1, EBBP, ESRRA, E2IG5, PGRMC2, and SLC39A6 genes in U87 glioma cells, transfected by empty vector pcDNA3.1 (control) and cells without IRE1 signaling enzyme function (transfected by dnIRE1) upon hypoxia, was studied by a quantitative polymerase chain reaction.

Results. Inhibition of both enzymatic activities (kinase and endoribonuclease) of IRE1 signaling enzyme function up-regulates the expression of EBBP, E2IG5, PGRMC2, and SLC39A6 genes is in U87 glioma cells in comparison with the control glioma cells, with more significant changes for E2IG5 and PGRMC2 genes. At the same time, the expression of NRIP1 and ESRRA genes is strongly down-regulated in glioma cells upon inhibition of IRE1. We also showed that hypoxia increases the expression of E2IG5, PGRMC2, and EBBP genes and decreases NRIP1 and ESRRA genes expression in control glioma cells. Furthermore, the inhibition of IRE1 in U87 glioma cells decreases the eff ect of hypoxia on the expression of E2IG5 and PGRMC2 genes, eliminates hypoxic regulation of NRIP1 gene, and enhances the sensitivity of ESRRA gene to hypoxic condition. Furthermore, the expression of SLC39A6 gene is resistant to hypoxia in both the glioma cells with and without IRE1 signaling enzyme function.

Conclusions. Results of this investigation demonstrate that inhibition of IRE1 signaling enzyme function affects the expression of NRIP1, EBBP, ESRRA, E2IG5, PGRMC2, and SLC39A6 genes in U87 glioma cells in gene specific manner and these changes possibly contribute to the suppression of the cell proliferation. Most of these genes are regulated by hypoxia and preferentially through IRE1 signaling pathway of endoplasmic reticulum stress.
Eff ects of hemin, a heme oxygenase-1 inducer in L-arginine-induced acute pancreatitis and associated lung injury in adult male albino rats
Authors: Aziz N. M. , Kamel M. Y. , Rifaai R. A.
Published: February 2017

Objective. The aim of the current study was to assess the protective outcome of hemin, a heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) inducer on L-arginine-induced acute pancreatitis in rats. Acute pancreatitis (AP) is considered to be a critical inflammatory disorder with a major impact on the patient health. Various theories have been recommended regarding the pathophysiology of AP and associated pulmonary complications.

Methods. Twenty-four adult male albino rats were randomly divided into four groups: control group, acute pancreatitis (AP), hemin pre-treated AP group, and hemin post-treated AP group.

Results. Administration of hemin before induction of AP significantly attenuated the L-arginine- induced pancreatitis and associated pulmonary complications characterized by the increasing serum levels of amylase, lipase, tumor necrosis factor-α, nitric oxide, and histo-architectural changes in pancreas and lungs as compared to control group. Additionally, pre-treatment with hemin significantly compensated the deficits in total antioxidant capacities and lowered the elevated malondialdehyde levels observed with AP. On the other hand, post-hemin administration did not show any protection against L-arginine-induced AP.

Conclusions. The current study indicates that the induction of HO-1 by hemin pre-treatment significantly ameliorated the L-arginine-induced pancreatitis and associated pulmonary complications may be due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
Radiology of the adrenal incidentalomas. Review of the literature
Authors: Farrugia F. A. , Martikos G. , Surgeon C. , Tzanetis P. , Misiakos E. , Zavras N. , Charalampopoulos A.
Published: February 2017

The term “adrenal incidentaloma” is a radiological term. Adrenal incidentalomas are adrenal tumors discovered in an imaging study that has been obtained for indications exclusive to adrenal conditions (Udelsman 2001; Linos 2003; Bulow et al. 2006; Anagnostis et al. 2009). This definition excludes patients undergoing imaging testing as part of staging and work-up for cancer (Grumbach et al. 2003; Anagnostis et al. 2009). Papierska et al. (2013) have added the prerequisite that the size of a tumor must be “greater than 1cm in diameter”, in order to be called incidentaloma. Although in the most cases these masses are non-hypersecreting and benign, they still represent an important clinical concern because of the risk of malignancy or hormone hyperfunction (Barzon et al. 2003). Th e adrenal tumors belong to the commonest incidental findings having been discovered (Kanagarajah et al. 2012).
European Monetary Integration as a Development Factor of Eurocurrency Market
Authors: Ćurić Predrag , Petrović Dragan , Marelj Rankica
Published: February 2017

Economic interconnection among the European countries influenced the birth of a single economic space with a common monetary policy. In addition, the abolition of the gold standard represented an important external factor that followed the same path. In parallel with these processes, the conditions were created for developing a Eurocurrency market which favoured financial integration of Europe, as well as the creation of a single European currency. In accordance with such economic flows, Eurocurrency market emerged as a distinguished international financial market, crucial for the development of international banking. Thus, business entities were allowed to access the capital which represents the transfer of the international accumulation of the exporting country onto the European capital market, thereby resulting in more efficient financing of the member states. Thanks to similar economic effects, these processes of European monetary integrations have become imperative to other countries in the region.
Tourists and Local Stakeholders Attitudes Towards Offer and Market Position of Tourist Destination Budva
Authors: Marković Ana Tripković , Rađenović Miško , Murić Anisa
Published: February 2017

There are various definitions of tourist destination. All of them define tourist destination as an area with specific tourist facilities and attractions, (primary and secondary elements) which tourists choose as their journey goal. Budva individually represents the largest tourist destination due to number of arrivals and overnight stays. During its life cycle Budva has gone through different phases as a tourist destination. This thesis implies that it is not enough to use only common quantitative indicator of visitor number to define proper the position of tourist destination and predict further development. This text is based on a comparative analysis of the attitudes of tourists and local stakeholders in the three field researches, conducted in the period between 2015 and 2016. The thesis comes to the conclusion that the actual growth is based on meeting the needs of existing markets and tourists. On the other side, aspect of desired market position disagrees with scores of tourist offer elements- which should be input for improvement and preparation for the next stage in the destination development.
Log-Periodic Power Law and Generalized Hurst Exponent Analysis in Estimating an Asset Bubble Bursting Time
Authors: Wątorek Marcin , Stawiarski Bartosz
Published: February 2017

We closely examine and compare two promising techniques helpful in estimating the moment an asset bubble bursts. Namely, the Log-Periodic Power Law model and Generalized Hurst Exponent approaches are considered. Sequential LPPL fitting to empirical financial time series exhibiting evident bubble behavior is presented. Estimating the critical crash-time works satisfactorily well also in the case of GHE, when substantial „decorrelation“ prior to the event is visible. An extensive simulation study carried out on empirical data: stock indices and commodities, confirms very good performance of the two approaches.
A Puzzle of Excessive Equity Risk Premium and the Case of Poland
Authors: Kliber Paweł
Published: February 2017

The article presents a historical review of the literature related to the empirical problem of excessive risk premium. The risk premium (the difference between the return on equities and risk-free rate) observed in financial markets cannot be reconciled with theoretical models of financial markets - it is too high (“excessive”). We present the original model from the seminal work of Mehra and Prescott (1985), where this problem has been signaled. The article gives an overview of the main trends in the literature concerning this problem, of the proposed solutions and of the extension to the model. Finally, we consider the problem in the Polish context, estimating the original Mehra-Prescott model using data from the Polish financial market.
Currency Competition in the Eurozone: An Answer to the Crisis
Authors: Spirzewski Krzysztof
Published: February 2017

The common currency was created as a result of theoretical considerations regarding the functioning of optimum currency areas. This theory refers to a number of benefits as well as costs. It imposes a number of requirements that are necessary for the newly created structure to be considered optimum. The economies of Eurozone countries did not meet these requirements. In consequence, the present functioning of the Eurozone encounters many disturbances - the strong differentiation of the balance of payments is a significant example. The reforms initiated in the European Union and undertaken in response to the financial crisis encompassed the Eurozone countries, yet they only concern financial policy. The adopted strategy of action arouses questions as to its effectiveness. The aim of this article is to present one of the reasons for the Eurozone crisis and a proposal for changing the monetary policy, in particular the exchange rate. In view of this objective, the main hypothesis reads as follows: one of the methods of counteracting the crisis is to introduce currency competition within the Eurozone.
Financialization and the Cultural Attitude of Polish Society towards the Banking Sector
Authors: Kurkliński Lech
Published: February 2017

The article is dedicated to changes in the cultural attitude of Polish society towards the banking sector under the conditions of progressing financialization and arising consequences for the ban¬king sector. First of all, attention is focused on the cultural characteristics of Poles, their attitude towards finance, especially in the period of transition. The main reference to cultural conditions relates to the tendency to save, incur loans, and the attitude towards banks. It is complemented, among other things, by the model of cultural dimensions by G. Hofstede and S. Schwartz, in line with which attempts are made to explain the mechanisms shaping the financial (banking) system and the financialization tendency. This picture is confronted with the present shape and evolution of the Polish banking sector since 1989, including the role of foreign capital. In particular, attention is focused on the image of banks towards challenges related to the global financial crisis and the main problem of Polish banking institutions, namely household mortgage debt in foreign currencies. The author presents a thesis that significant financialization cannot be indicated in Poland and the historical and cultural aspects do not cause its expansion to the same degree as in a number of other countries. However, certain features, such as preference for loans rather than savings, are favorable for this direction.
Should The Paradigms of Banking Theory be Redefined Based on Banking Practice? (Thoughts on The Polarity of Opinion Concerning The Polish Banking Sector)
Authors: Szambelańczyk Jan , Marcinkowska Monika
Published: February 2017

In accordance with the principles of best academic practice, a research community is identified through an internalised paradigm comprising notions and theories that form the foundations of a given academic field or discipline. This paper aims to provide a selective overview of differing opinions with respect to solutions, phenomena or processes concerning the Polish banking sector, as an example of the degree of development of banking theory and practice.

In view of the analysis a question arises as to whether finance and socio-economic practice holds a paradigm that would prove adequate in terms of the level of development of such practice, i.e. the so-called disciplinary matrix, involving symbolic generalisations, informational efficiency of financial markets hypothesis), methodological assumptions (reflecting the cognitive structure of the phenomena, processes or structures researched) or, finally, models for resolving scientific problems (handbooks, monographs, research reports) and practical experience (e.g. methods of arbitration valuation, estimating the risk premium). Or perhaps, as G. Kołodko would put it, the finance paradigm is really based on the fact that “things happen the way they do, because many things are happening all at once”. It cannot be ruled out that what finance needs is a change similar to the economics of complexity, defined by A. Wojtyna as the incorporation of a behavioral concept (reconstructing the homo oeconomicus concept) and challenging the traditional understanding of economic system equilibrium and dynamics.

It is also worth considering whether the triad of finance categories (money, risk, time) is not lacking a fourth component, namely trust, essential for financial stability and the balance between finance capital and social capital, serving as the basis for efficient financial intermediation (including the development of an unselfish advisory function, especially with regard to financial products securing the customers’ day-to-day existence in the post-employment period).
Comparing densities of spider mites (Tetranychidae) and predatory mites (Phytoseiidae) on the common oak (Quercus robur L.) in forests of natural and industrial areas
Authors: Lubiarz Magdalena
Published: February 2017

This paper presents results of studies conducted in the forest areas of the Polesie National Park and in the surroundings of the chemical producer Zakłady Azotowe in the town of Puławy on the abundance of mites from the families Tetranychidae and Phytoseiidae. These studies were conducted on eight different sites in the years 2002–2004 and aimed at answering the question of whether mite abundance is related to factors such as area, site and year. In total, 8894 specimen of the spider mite family and 1835 specimen of the predatory mite family were collected. Spider mites were more abundant in Puławy than in the Polesie National Park, whilst the abundances of predatory mites were similar in both study areas. For spider mites, statistically significant differences were found in terms of study area and site, but also in terms of the study area in relation to the year of investigation. In the case of predatory mites, statistically significant differences were also found in terms of the study area in relation to the year of investigation.
Effects of root pruning and fertilization on biometric traits of 2-year-old seedlings of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.)
Authors: Kasprzyk Winicjusz , Jastrzębowski Szymon
Published: February 2017

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of pruning the root system and different doses of nitrogen fertilization on the height and root collar diameter of 2-year-old beech seedlings (Fagus sylvatica L.). This research was conducted in the forest nursery Muchów (Jawor Forest District, regional directorate of State Forests in Wrocław) and two different pruning treatments (no pruning and at 12 cm depth) and nitrogen fertilization doses (25 and 50 kg×ha−1) were applied. Results from an ANOVA showed statistically significant differences between the two pruning treatments (p = 0.000) as well as for the interaction of both treatment factors (p = 0.019). Root collar diameter correlated with seedling height, both of which were significantly different for the two pruning treatments (p = 0.000). No statistically significant impact by the nitrogen fertilization doses on seedling height could be observed (p = 0.125). To conclude, we found that it is reasonable to reduce the doses of nitrogen fertilization to half the recommended amount, 25 kg×ha−1, if the root system is not pruned during the second growth year. Seedlings that do receive pruning should be fertilized using the recommended nitrogen doses.
Endophytes – characteristics and possibilities of application in forest management
Authors: Hilszczańska Dorota
Published: February 2017

Endophytes are organisms that live within the plant tissue without usually causing any symptoms. In plants of natural ecosystems, endophytic fungi are in fact ubiquitous. This review summarizes research carried out on their biology emphasizing their functionality in terms of the host range, the colonization extent, the way of transmission between hosts and their influence on host fitness. The main focus will be on two classes of fungal endophytes, class 2 and 4 (Dark Septate Fungi), due to their potential for practical application in forestry. Raising awareness of the potential of endophytes to enhance the host’s resistance to pathogens, insects and anthropogenic disturbances is a key factor in developing applications for forest management.
Zooplankton from can Giuoc River in Southern Vietnam
Authors: Duc Pham Anh , Linh Nguyen Thi Mai , Thanh Dang My , Van Mien Pham
Published: February 2017

In this study, the variables of zooplankton and water quality were investigated in the Can Giuoc River, Southern Vietnam. Zooplankton was monitored in April and September 2015 at 5 sampling sites in the river. Some basic water quality parameters were also tested, including pH, total suspended solid (TSS), dissolved oxygen (DO), biological oxygen demand (BOD5), inorganic nitrogen (NH4+), dissolved phosphorus (PO43−), and coliform. The zooplankton biodiversity indices were applied for the water quality assessment.

The results showed that pH ranged from 6.7 to 7.6 during the monitoring. The TSSs were between 34–117 mg/L. The DO and BOD5 were from 0.6 to 3.8 mg/L and from 6.3 to 13.2 mg/L, respectively. The NH4+ and PO43− concentrations ranged from 0.44 to 3.23 and from 0.08 to 1.85 mg/L, respectively. The coliform number was between 9.3×103–9.3×104 MPN/100 mL. The zooplankton analyses showed that there were 31 species of coelenterates, rotatoria, oligochaetes, cladocerans, copepods, ostracods, mysidacea, and 8 larval types. Thereof, the species of copepods were dominant in the species number. The zooplankton density ranged from 9 500 to 23 600 individuals/m3 with the main dominant species of Moina dubia (Cladocera), Thermocyclops hyalinus, Acartia clausi, Oithona similis (Copepoda), and nauplius copepods. The biodiversity index values during the monitoring were from 1.47 to 1.79 characteristic of mesotrophic conditions of the aquatic environment. Besides, the species richness positively correlated with pH, TSS, DO, BOD5, NH4+, PO43−, and coliform, while the zooplankton densities got a positive correlation with DO, BOD5, NH4+, PO43−, and coliform. The results confirmed the advantage of using zooplankton and its indices for water quality assessment.
Potential Unconventional Gas Plays in the Mature Basin of the Czech Republic
Authors: Bujok Petr , Klempa Martin , Skupien Petr , Matýsek Dalibor , Porzer Michal
Published: February 2017

The presence of unconventional resources has been proven in deeper parts of mature oil and gas provinces and coal basins of the world. In this context, it is worth to focus also on the prospects of unconventional gas production from within hydrocarbon provinces of the Moravian part of the Vienna basin. The estimation of hydrocarbon generation potential of Jurasic marls from the Mikulov Formation of the Czech part of the Vienna Basin was performed based on the Rock Eval pyrolysis.
Removal of Inorganic Nutrient and Organic Carbon from Wastewater of Binh Dien Market Using Green Alga Chlorella sp
Authors: Ha Bui Manh , Huong Duong Thi Giang , Xuyen Luong Thi Hong
Published: February 2017

Traditional markets play a major role in socio-economics and constitutes a significant aspect of Vietnamese culture. However, wastewater streams discharged from the markets are generally characterized by a lot of inorganic nutrients and organic substances originated from fresh food processing units. They could lead to serious water contamination if discharged without proper treatment. This study applied microalgae Chlorella sp. for eliminating inorganic nutrients (NO3−-N, NH4+-N and PO43−-P) and organic carbon (Chemical oxygen demand-COD) from wastewater of the Binh Dien market. The removal efficiencies reached for NH4+-N > 86%, for NO3−-N > 72%, and for PO43−-P > 69%, respectively, at algal density of 49 × 104 cell mL−1, and for COD > 96% at algal density of 35 × 104 cell mL−1 after five cultivating days. The effluence satisfied the Vietnamese standard, column B, of the National technical regulation on industrial wastewater (QCVN 40:2011/BTNMT). The results demonstrated that the culture system composed of green algal Chlorella sp. could be a potential candidate for the removal of nutrients and organic carbon by a wastewater treatment process from the Binh Dien market.
Vitamin D modulates the expression of HLA-DR and CD38 after in vitro activation of T-cells
Authors: Villegas-Ospina Simon , Aguilar-Jimenez Wbeimar , Gonzalez Sandra M. , Rugeles María T.
Published: February 2017

Objective:

Vitamin D (VitD) is an anti-inflammatory hormone; however, some evidence shows that VitD may induce the expression of activation markers, such as CD38 and HLA-DR. We explored its effect on the expression of these markers on CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells in vitro, and their potential correlations in vivo.

Materials and methods:

CD38 and HLA-DR expression was measured by flow cytometry in PHA/IL-2-activated mononuclear cells cultured under VitD precursors: three cholecalciferol (10−11M, 10−9M, 10−7M; n=11) and two calcidiol (40 ng/mL, 80 ng/mL; n=9) concentrations. The correlation between the expression of these markers in freshly isolated blood cells and serum levels of calcidiol was also explored (n=10).

Results:

Cholecalciferol at 10−7M increased the proportion of CD4+ CD38+ and CD8+ CD38+ cells, and decreased CD8+HLA-DR+ cells. As co-expression, it increased the CD38+HLA-DR− and decreased CD38−HLA-DR+ subpopulations in both CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells, and decreased CD4+CD38−HLA-DR− and CD8+ CD38+HLA-DR+; whereas both calcidiol concentrations decreased the proliferation of CD38−HLA-DR− and CD38−HLA-DR+ subpopulations. Both forms of VitD increased the number of CD38 molecules per cell. In contrast, there was a positive but non-significant correlation between serum calcidiol levels and the expression of CD38 and HLA-DR in CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells.

Conclusion:

Although no significant correlations were observed in vivo in healthy subjects, VitD treatment in vitro modulated immune activation by increasing the expression of CD38 and decreasing the proliferation of HLA-DR+ and resting cells, which may correlate with improved effector and decreased proliferative capabilities. These results highlight the potential use of VitD as therapeutic strategy in immune disorders.
The Corrosion Behavior of Stainless Steel 316L in Novel Quaternary Eutectic Molten Salt System
Authors: Wang Tao , Mantha Divakar , Reddy Ramana G.
Published: February 2017

In this article, the corrosion behavior of stainless steel 316L in a low melting point novel LiNO3-NaNO3-KNO3-NaNO2 eutectic salt mixture was investigated at 695 K which is considered as thermally stable temperature using electrochemical and isothermal dipping methods. The passive region in the anodic polarization curve indicates the formation of protective oxides layer on the sample surface. After isothermal dipping corrosion experiments, samples were analyzed using SEM and XRD to determine the topography, corrosion products, and scale growth mechanisms. It was found that after long-term immersion in the LiNO3-NaNO3-KNO3-NaNO2 molten salt, LiFeO2, LiFe5O8, Fe3O4, (Fe, Cr)3O4 and (Fe, Ni)3O4 oxides were formed. Among these corrosion products, LiFeO2 formed a dense and protective layer which prevents the SS 316L from severe corrosion.
Ukrainian Issues in Geopolitical Thought of the Twentieth and Twenty-first Centuries
Authors: Reginia-Zacharski Jacek
Published: February 2017

Ukrainian lands in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries have been in proximity of great geopolitical changes several times. During that time the Ukrainian nation – due to various factors – encountered a number of “windows of opportunity” for achieving the realization of dreams about independence and national sovereignty. The author identified in the period considered four “general moments,” of which two have been completed successfully. The first of these occurred in 1990–1991, when for the first time in modern history, Ukrainians managed to achieve a lasting and relatively stable independence. The second of the “moments” – still unresolved – are events that began in the late autumn of 2013. The process, called “Revolution of Dignity”, represents a new quality in the history of the Ukrainian nation, therefore, that the Ukrainians have to defend the status quo (independence, territorial integrity, sovereignty, etc.) but not to seek to achieve an independent being. The analysis leads to the conclusion that the ability of Ukrainians to achieve and maintain independence is largely a function of the relative power of the Russian state as measured with respect to the shape and quality of international relations.
The Swedish Perception of European Security in Light of the Crisis in Ukraine
Authors: Kobierecka Anna
Published: February 2017

The events in Ukraine, the annexation of Crimea, and the Russian attitude towards Ukraine show an evident change in European relations. The escalation of conflict between Russia and Ukraine however does not affect only those two countries, but also those in the nearest vicinity. Especially in Scandinavian and Nordic countries change in social ambience can be observed. The aim of this article is essentially to analyze Swedish reaction to the Ukrainian Crisis, the change in Swedish attitude towards international security systems, especially NATO, and Swedish perception of its national safety.
Russia and Its International Image: From Sochi Olympic Games to Annexing Crimea
Authors: Kobierecki Michał Marcin
Published: February 2017

The aim of the article is to analyze the change of the Russian Federation’s international image in the light of two significant events: the Olympic Winter Games in 2014 in Sochi and the annexation of Crimea. According to the first hypothesis, one of the main aims for hosting the Olympic Games was to improve the international prestige of Russia. Shortly after the Olympics Russia increased its activity in Eastern Ukraine, which resulted in the annexation of the Crimean Peninsula. Therefore the article is also aimed to investigate whether by annexing Crimea Russia squandered the possible positive effects of hosting the Olympics in terms of its international image.
Convergence Analysis of An Improved Extreme Learning Machine Based on Gradient Descent Method
Authors: Yusong Liu , Zhixun Su , Bingjie Zhang , Xiaoling Gong , Zhaoyang Sang
Published: February 2017

Extreme learning machine (ELM) is an efficient algorithm, but it requires more hidden nodes than the BP algorithms to reach the matched performance. Recently, an efficient learning algorithm, the upper-layer-solution-unaware algorithm (USUA), is proposed for the single-hidden layer feed-forward neural network. It needs less number of hidden nodes and testing time than ELM. In this paper, we mainly give the theoretical analysis for USUA. Theoretical results show that the error function monotonously decreases in the training procedure, the gradient of the error function with respect to weights tends to zero (the weak convergence), and the weight sequence goes to a fixed point (the strong convergence) when the iterations approach positive infinity. An illustrated simulation has been implemented on the MNIST database of handwritten digits which effectively verifies the theoretical results..
The Internet of Things: Technological and Social Aspects
Authors: Sowa Grzegorz , Marchlewska Alina
Published: February 2017

The basic idea of is the Internet of Things is presence around us of a variety of things – such as RFID tags, sensors, actuators, mobile phones, etc. – which are able to interact with each other and cooperate with their neighbors to reach common goals. Semantic oriented IoT visions have also been proposed. The number of items involved in the future Internet is destined to become extremely high. Therefore, issues pertaining how to represent, store, interconnect, search, and organize information generated by the IoT will become very challenging. In this context, semantic technologies will play a key role. And creative approaches to visualizing data – humans are far better than computers at seeing patterns –frequently prove integral to the process of creating knowledge. From a privacy perspective, IoT is challenging because it operates in private settings, like homes, and presents an attack target that is harder to secure.
Effect of cardiovascular and muscular endurance is not associated with stress fracture incidence in female military recruits: a 12-month follow up study
Authors: Scheinowitz Mickey , Yanovich Ran , Sharvit Nurit , Arnon Michal , Moran Daniel S.
Published: February 2017

Background:

Stress fracture (SF) is a common injury among military recruits, especially among women, during the army basic training (ABT). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of health habits and physical activity before recruitment on the fitness level and the incidence of SF during the 4-month ABT.

Methods:

We screened 226 female recruit volunteers (weight: 60.5±10 kg; height: 163±6 cm) from an integrated combat unit and 124 aged-matched female controls (weight: 57.0±8.3 kg, height 162±7 cm) from a non-combat unit. A self-report questionnaire on their habits pertaining to smoking, physical activity, and orthopedic injuries prior to recruitment were analyzed in relation to the incidences of SF during ABT.

Results:

Aerobic fitness was similar between the two groups. The overall incidence of SFs was 10.2%. Physical training prior to recruitment had no significant effect on the incidence of SF during ABT (11.7% vs. 9.6% in those who trained and did not train before recruitment, respectively) (Odds ratio, OR)=1.24, p=0.236). Nearly 42% of the female recruits smoked regularly, and the incidence of SFs among smokers was 10.5% compared with 9.9% among the non-smokers (OR=1.07, p=0.188). The overall incidence of SFs 12 months after recruitment was 1.78%. The use of contraceptive medication did not affect the incidence of SF: 10.0% among prior-trained vs. 6.4% in non-prior trained (p>0.05) recruits. SFs were not correlated to these variables at the end of the ABT program and 16 months after recruitment.

Conclusions:

In the present female cohort, physical activity prior to recruitment had no protective effect against SF during or after ABT. The incidence of SFs during the 12-month period after ABT was negligible.
The Relevance of Coding Gene Polymorphysms of Cytokines and Cellular Receptors in Sepsis
Authors: Georgescu Anca Meda , Grigorescu Bianca Liana , Chirteș Ioana Raluca , Vitin Alexander A. , Fodor Raluca Ștefania
Published: February 2017

Sepsis is an injurious systemic host response to infection, which can often lead to septic shock and death. Recently, the immune-pathogenesis and genomics of sepsis have become a research topic focusing on the establishment of diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers. As yet, none have been identified as having the necessary specificity to be used independently of other factors in this respect. However the accumulation of current evidence regarding genetic variations, especially the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of cytokines and other innate immunity determinants, partially explains the susceptibility and individual differences of patients with regard to the evolution of sepsis. This article outlines the role of genetic variation of some serum proteins which have the potential to be used as biomarker values in evaluating sepsis susceptibility and the progression of the condition.
Emergency Surgery in a Critically Ill Patient with Major Drug-Induced Bleeding and Severe Ischaemic Heart Failure
Authors: Tomescu Dana , Popescu Mihai
Published: February 2017

Introduction: Anticoagulant overdose frequently occurs in elderly populations especially in remote areas where medical services are scarce. When emergency surgery is required, such patients offer major anaesthetic challenges.

Case presentation: We describe the case of an elderly patient admitted to a surgical ward with acute abdominal pain, on dual anti-platelet therapy and acenocoumarol for a recent acute myocardial infarction treated percutaneously with two drug-eluting stents. Laboratory tests showed severe anticoagulant overdose with uncoagulable INR. The decision was made to use of both light transmission aggregometry [LTA] for platelet function testing and thromboelastography to aid in the management of perioperative haemostasis in order to prevent both severe bleeding and stent thrombosis. Surgery revealed haemoperitoneum, volvulus of the ileum and a venous mesenteric infarction. Intraoperative blood loss was minimal and no blood products were administered. Postoperative course was uneventful without either thrombotic or haemorrhagic complications and the patient was discharged from the Postanaesthesia Care Unit on postoperative day two.

Conclusion: The use of aggregometry and thrombography helped in both evaluation and management of haemostasis of a high-risk patient by goal-directed administration of pro-and anti-coagulants.
Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Residents’ Perception of Simulation Training in Four Romanian Centres
Authors: Vasian Horațiu N , Mărgărit Simona C , Grigoraș Ioana , Azamfirei Leonard , Corneci Dan , Ionescu Daniela
Published: February 2017

Introduction: Simulation training offers an opportunity to educate anaesthesia and intensive care (AIC) residents safely. At present, it is not yet a mandatory part of residency curriculum.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the residents’ perception of the inclusion of simulation-based training in the Romanian AIC residency program.

Material and methods: Romanian AICs in anaesthesia and intensive care from four training centres completed a twenty-question survey regarding their views on simulation during their residency training. Residents were divided into junior, in the first three years, or senior groups, in the last two years of residency training. The questionnaire included Likert-scale multiple-choice, open-ended, and “yes” or “no” questions regarding simulator learning, the frequency of simulation sessions, and the value of the simulation sessions in improving practice, skills or teamwork. The open-ended questions, asked which were the respondents’ preferred topics to be included in simulation sessions.

Results: Fifty-six percent of residents completed and returned the questionnaire. Ninety-eight percent of them considered simulation-learning useful once a month or every three months especially in the first two years of training. All residents thought simulation sessions would improve their skills, communication abilities, and teamwork. Senior residents paid more attention to clinical scenarios (p=0.007), haemodynamic monitoring (p=0.017) and mechanical ventilation (p=0.004) as compared to juniors. All residents considered difficult airway management, and cardiac life support to be very important issues to be included in simulation sessions.

Conclusion: The survey demonstrated that simulation-based training should play a greater role and eventually became compulsory in training program in AIC academic centres.
Smart Data for Digital Humanities
Authors: Zeng Marcia Lei
Published: February 2017

The emergence of “Big Data” has been a dramatic development in recent years. Alongside it, a lesser-known but equally important set of concepts and practices has also come into being—“Smart Data.” This paper shares the author’s understanding of what, why, how, who, where, and which data in relation to Smart Data and digital humanities. It concludes that, challenges and opportunities co-exist, but it is certain that Smart Data, the ability to achieve big insights from trusted, contextualized, relevant, cognitive, predictive, and consumable data at any scale, will continue to have extraordinary value in digital humanities.

The emergence of “Big Data” has been a dramatic development in recent years. Alongside it, a lesser-known but equally important set of concepts and practices has also come into being—“Smart Data.”
Being there yet not there: why don’t embodied responses to literary texts jar with one another?
Authors: Jajdelska Elspeth
Published: February 2017

Language and literature can stimulate the embodied resources of perception. I argue that there is a puzzle about why we experience sequences of these embodied responses as integrated and coherent, even though they are not anchored in space and time by a perceiving body. Some successions of embodied representations would even be impossible in real world experience, yet they can still be experienced as coherent and flowing in response to verbal texts. One possibility is that embodied responses to language are fleeting; they need not be integrated because they do not depend on, or relate to, one another as they would in perception. Yet it is the potential for embodied representations to linger and connect with one another which underlies new and persuasive embodied literary theories of vividness, narrative coherence and metaphor comprehension. Another possibility is that readers anchor their embodied representations in a notional human body, one endowed with superhuman powers, such as omniscience. But this account relies on implausible, post hoc explanations. A third possibility is that integrating embodied representations produced by language need be no more problematic than integrating the deceptively patchy information harvested from the environment by perception, information which gives rise to an experience of the world in rich and continuous detail. Real world perceptual cues, however, sparse though they might be, are still integrated through grounding in specific points in time and space. To explain the integration of embodied effects, I draw on sensorimotor theories of perception, and on Clark’s suggestion (1997, Being There. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press) that language can be understood as an additional modality. In this light, the embodied simulations generated by literary texts can be integrated through patterning in a high dimensional, vector space neural architecture, a patterning which recalls real world experience but is specialised to the sustained experience of language itself. This account can help us understand what makes literary experience distinctive and unique.
A semantic study of tense backshift and its literary effects in FID
Authors: Bu Jiemin
Published: February 2017

This study presents a semantically-oriented theoretical and descriptive study of tense backshift and its literary effects in FID. Based on Fludernik’s study (1993), the detailed linguistic indicators of FID are described in order to provide the criteria for data collection for this study. The data are FID passages collected from four canonical English novels: Austen’s Persuasion, Conrad’s Lord Jim, and Woolf’s Mrs. Dalloway and To the Lighthouse. A theory of tense semantics underlying FID is explored, and the literary effects of tense backshift in FID are examined. The results of this study show that: (1) the mechanism of tense backshift in FID is tense backshift from absolute tense defined by the default temporal reference point t0 in present time domain in the narrator’s intensional domain into relative tense defined by the central time of orientation in past time domain in the represented character’s intensional domain; and (2) the literary effects of tense backshift in FID, analysed in terms of relative past tense, relative lazy past tense, relative past progressive tense and relative past future perfect tense are shown to be effects of remoteness, terseness, close-up and irony respectively.
Intercultural Challenges in Virtual Teams
Authors: Krawczyk-Bryłka Beata
Published: February 2017

Virtual teams are usually geographically dispersed and consist of members from different countries and cultures. They influences internal communication processes and can cause personal conflicts, misunderstandings or lack of trust. Intercultural diversity is also significant for goal setting and team effectiveness. The aim of this article is to check if virtual team members appreciate the cultural diversity or rather suffer from lack of team cohesion and mutual understanding. The article presents research conducted among specialists from IT sector who have experience in working in virtual teams. They perceive intercultural collaboration in virtual teams as the opportunity to exploit the potential of specialists from all over the world but they also point to some challenges related to cross-cultural virtual teamwork.