bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Validación de contenido de un catálogo de estímulos corporales visuales
Authors: Zuvirie Hernández Rosa Margarita , Vázquez Árevalo Rosalía , Mancilla Díaz Juan Manuel , Cervantes Navarrete Juan José
Published: April 2019

Parte de la investigación en Trastornos de la Conducta Alimentaria (TCA) se ha enfocado en la exhibición experimental del ideal de delgadez, donde se han empleado diferentes estímulos (Groesz et al., 2002), sin embargo, estos pocas veces son sometidos a procesos de validación. Por esto, el presente estudio tuvo como objetivo la validación de contenido de un catálogo de imágenes de mujeres delgadas, normopeso y obesas. Participaron ocho mujeres que fueron denominadas Jueces Expertos en TCA y 30 mujeres estudiantes de 19 a 25 años quienes fueron nombradas Jueces No Expertos. Se realizó una búsqueda en Internet de imágenes gratuitas de mujeres en tres categorías de peso: delgadez, normopeso y obesidad. De esta búsqueda resultaron 150 imágenes que se editaron. Posteriormente, fueron aleatorizadas en diapositivas para ser clasificadas por los jueces en delgadez, normopeso y obesidad. Se calculó el índice kappa para saber el acuerdo entre los Jueces Expertos, que reveló un nivel de coincidencia adecuado (kappa = 0.7 - 0.76, p < 0.05). A continuación, se realizó un análisis de las coincidencias entre los Jueces Expertos y No Expertos, se obtuvieron 32 imágenes de delgadez, 38 de obesidad y 12 de normopeso con un porcentaje de acuerdo del 70 al 100 %. La validación de contenido de este catálogo es una aproximación a la presentación experimental de estímulos que representan el ideal de delgadez.
From “Gomorrah domain” to “Don Peppe Diana Lands”. A southern Italian experience of work-based liberation, community networking, and well being
Authors: Natale Alfredo , Arcidiacono Caterina , Di Martino Salvatore
Published: April 2019

The article describes working experiences in relation to empowering activities, which have been carried out in a local community in the province of Caserta (in Southern Italy), a place characterized by the widespread presence of organized criminal groups. In this study, workplace is intended as a community network aimed at the promotion of coscientization, liberation, and well-being. Specifically, this paper features initiatives and projects aimed at establishing new community values through a re-construction of a work-based social system standing against criminal clans, which tend to dominate not only economical transactions but also civil life.
Gestión por competencias, modelo empresarial y sus efectos subjetivos. Una mirada desde la psicología social crítica
Authors: Amigot Leache Patricia , Martínez Laureano
Published: April 2019

Este artículo propone una mirada crítica sobre los discursos de gestión por competencias en el ámbito del trabajo. A partir de una perspectiva psicosocial crítica, se sostiene como hipótesis de lectura que el desarrollo del modelo de las competencias responde a una profunda transformación en el significado del trabajo y de sus formas de gestión y control. Esta transformación se vincula con la implementación de modelos de gestión empresarial en el campo laboral tanto público como privado, lo cual tiene como correlato nuevos modos de subjetivación y de control de la subjetividad de las personas empleadas y desempleadas. El artículo se estructura a partir de los siguientes interrogantes: ¿Qué transformación histórica en el mundo del trabajo permite la emergencia del modelo de las competencias?, ¿Cuál es su especificidad?, ¿Qué mecanismos de control utiliza?, ¿Cuáles son sus efectos subjetivos?
La revista latinoamericana de psicología en sus 40 años de historia: 1969-2009
Authors: Gallegos Miguel
Published: April 2019

Se presenta un trabajo que revisa la historia de la Revista Latinoamericana de Psicología (RLP) durante las cuatro décadas de existencia: 1969-2009. Desde el inicio, la RLP ha sostenido su calidad editorial, tres números anuales, contenidos con diversas perspectivas teóricas y metodológicas, autores procedentes de diferentes países del mundo, entre otras cosas. En el desarrollo del trabajo, se puede encontrar una breve historia de las motivaciones e intereses del fundador de la revista, una descripción del formato editorial y la presentación de varios indicadores que reflejan la importancia de la revista en el contexto latinoamericano e internacional. Sabiendo que muy pocas revistas de psicología, originadas en el contexto latinoamericano, han logrado superar la barrera del tiempo y la calidad editorial, es un grato honor llegar a celebrar 40 años de historia de la RLP.
The Second Messenger c-di-AMP Regulates Diverse Cellular Pathways Involved in Stress Response, Biofilm Formation, Cell Wall Homeostasis, SpeB Expression, and Virulence in Streptococcus pyogenes
Authors: Fahmi Tazin , Faozia Sabrina , Port Gary C. , Cho Kyu Hong
Published: April 2019

Cyclic di-AMP (c-di-AMP) is a recently discovered second messenger in bacteria. The cellular level of c-di-AMP in
Streptococcus pyogenes
is predicted to be controlled by the synthase DacA and two putative phosphodiesterases, GdpP and Pde2.
Identification of a Novel Deltavirus in Boa Constrictors
Authors: Hetzel Udo , Szirovicza Leonóra , Smura Teemu , Prähauser Barbara , Vapalahti Olli , Kipar Anja , Hepojoki Jussi
Published: April 2019

So far, the only known example of deltaviruses is the hepatitis delta virus (HDV). HDV is speculated to have evolved in humans, since deltaviruses were until very recently found only in humans. Using a metatranscriptomic sequencing approach, we found a circular RNA, which resembles that of HDV in size and coding strategy, in a snake. The identification of similar deltaviruses in distantly related species other than humans indicates that the previously suggested hypotheses on the origins of deltaviruses need to be updated. It is still possible that the ancestor of deltaviruses emerged from cellular RNAs; however, it likely would have happened much earlier in evolution than previously thought. These findings open up completely new avenues in evolution and pathogenesis studies of deltaviruses.
Gammaherpesvirus RNAs Come Full Circle
Authors: Ungerleider Nathan A. , Tibbetts Scott A. , Renne Rolf , Flemington Erik K.
Published: April 2019

After an adaptive immune response is mounted, gammaherpesviruses achieve persistence through the utilization of viral noncoding RNAs to craft a suitable host cell environment in an immunologically transparent manner. While gammaherpesvirus long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) and microRNAs have been recognized for some time and have been actively investigated, a recent spate of reports have now identified repertoires of the circular RNA (circRNA) class of noncoding RNAs in both the lymphocryptovirus and rhadinovirus genera of gammaherpesviruses.
Antibodies Elicited by an NS1-Based Vaccine Protect Mice against Zika Virus
Authors: Bailey Mark J. , Broecker Felix , Duehr James , Arumemi Fortuna , Krammer Florian , Palese Peter , Tan Gene S.
Published: April 2019

Zika virus is a global public health threat that causes microcephaly and congenital malformations in newborns and Guillain-Barré syndrome in adults. Currently, no vaccines or treatments are available. While antibodies targeting the envelope glycoprotein can neutralize virus, they carry the risk of antibody-dependent enhancement of disease (ADE). In contrast, antibodies generated against the NS1 protein can be protective without eliciting ADE. The present study demonstrates the effectiveness of an NS1-based vaccine in eliciting high titers of protective antibodies against Zika virus disease in a mouse model. Sera generated by this vaccine can elicit Fc-mediated effector functions against Zika virus-infected cells. Lastly, we provide human data suggesting that the antibody response against the Zika virus NS1 protein is long-lasting and functionally active. Overall, our work will inform the development of a safe and effective Zika virus vaccine.
16S rRNA/rRNA Gene Ratios and Cell Activity Staining Reveal Consistent Patterns of Microbial Activity in Plant-Associated Soil
Authors: Bowsher Alan W. , Kearns Patrick J. , Shade Ashley
Published: April 2019

Although the majority of microorganisms in natural ecosystems are dormant, relatively little is known about the dynamics of the active and dormant microbial pools through both space and time. The limited knowledge of microbial activity-dormancy dynamics is in part due to uncertainty in the methods currently used to quantify active taxa. Here, we directly compared two of the most common methods (16S ratios and active cell staining) for estimating microbial activity in plant-associated soil and found that they were largely in agreement in the overarching patterns. Our results suggest that 16S ratios and active cell staining provide complementary information for measuring and interpreting microbial activity-dormancy dynamics in soils. They also support the idea that 16S rRNA/rRNA gene ratios have comparative value and offer a high-throughput, sequencing-based option for understanding relative changes in microbiome activity, as long as this method is coupled with quantification of community size.
Severe cholestasis due to azathioprine in Behcet’s disease
Authors: Gisi Kadir , Ispiroglu Murat , Kantarceken Bulent , Sayar Hamide
Published: April 2019

Azathioprine (AZA) is an immunosuppressive drug that is widely used in the treatment of autoimmune diseases. Although AZA is used widely, many studies reported that AZA-related hepatotoxicity is rather rare. We aimed to present a case with severe cholestatic hepatitis due to AZA use for Behcet’s disease. Three weeks after starting AZA for the treatment of uveitis, the patient was admitted to our clinic with cholestasis and constitutional symptoms. In liver biopsy, findings were in accordance with drug reaction, and the AZA treatment was stopped. After 2 months, bilirubin levels and liver tests results became normal. As a result, given that AZA may cause severe cholestasis, the drug should be stopped if idiosyncrasy or hypersensitivity develops. If there is a debate in the diagnosis, histopathological evaluation of the liver would be the major issue because of the correct diagnosis of the drug toxicity and excluding other aetiologies.
Carcinosarcoma of the uterine cervix: a rare pathological finding originating from mesonephric remnants
Authors: Ribeiro Bárbara , Silva Raquel , Dias Renata , Patrício Vanda
Published: April 2019

Carcinosarcoma of the uterine cervix is a very rare tumour that has been described in less than 70 cases in the literature. It is less common compared with carcinosarcoma of the uterine corpus and it can have two origins: the Müllerian ducts and the mesonephric duct remnants. The association of mesonephric carcinoma with a sarcomatous component was reported in only 11 cases, including the following. We describe a case of a 64-year-old woman, presenting with vaginal bleeding and a cervical lesion reported as a sarcoma of endometrial stroma in the first biopsy. After exclusion of distant disease, she was submitted to radical surgery and the final histopathological examination showed a carcinosarcoma of the cervix with mesonephric origin.
Can typical and atypical antipsychotics show differential effectiveness in treating paranoia and hallucinations in schizophrenia?
Authors: Osimo Emanuele F , Goujon Marie Juliette , Perez Jesus , Murray Graham K
Published: April 2019

A dopamine excess is thought to be involved in positive psychotic symptoms in schizophrenia. All current antipsychotics show a degree of dopamine receptor antagonism. Little is known about the differential effectiveness of different antipsychotics in treating specific sets of symptoms. We report the case of a 35-year-old man with schizophrenia who presented with prominent hallucinatory symptoms (Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale [PANSS] P1=5, P3=5, P6=5) resistant to high doses of a dopamine, serotonin receptor antagonist, olanzapine. Switching from olanzapine to zuclopenthixol, a dopamine D2 receptor antagonist, led to a complete shift of his symptomatology: his hallucinations abated, however, he presented as very highly paranoid (PANSS P1=6, P3=2, P6=7). On a combination of both antipsychotics, his symptoms subsided (PANSS P1=3, P3=2, P6=2). We discuss the potential for differential effectiveness of different antipsychotic medications in treating hallucinations and paranoia. We argue that future studies could address this question by stratifying patients based on symptoms.
Design and simulation of a blanket module for TOKAMAK reactors
Authors: Sadeghi H. , Habibi M.
Published: April 2019

In this paper, we simulated an appropriate model for an advanced breeding blanket of future TOKAMAK fusion reactors with solid breeder (Li4SiO4) building material in the form of pebble beds, ODS ferritic steel as structural material and Beryllium as neutron multiplier. With the MCNPX code, the efficiency of this proposed model for the production and self-sufficiency of tritium was investigated. Total tritium breeding ratio of 1.15 is achieved. The helium-cooled pebble bed system and parameters of temperature and pressure are investigated by COMSOL multiphysics simulating software. The temperature of helium as cooling gas never exceeded 530[Formula: see text]C and the tolerable temperature of beryllium was obtained at 650[Formula: see text]C. In the proposed design, it is adequate to enrich the 6Li to 40%.
Simulation on biomarker sensor miniaturization based on metamaterial
Authors: Liu Ruitao , Cui Tianhong
Published: April 2019

Cancer is always the greatest threat to human health. In this work, a split-ring resonator (SRR)-based sensor was simulated for label-free detection on biomarkers in microwave. The model of biosensor was simulated by Computer Simulation Technology 2017 (CST2017) and some influences of feature parameters on resonance frequency and Q-factor were also discussed. From the simulation results, the model of sensor in our work showed ultrahigh Q-factor and sensitivity under different permittivities and also exhibited a trend of better performance when it works in higher frequency. Therefore, the SRR-based biosensor will become an important application in cancer precaution and treatment in the future.
EFFECT OF BONE QUALITY ON INITIAL STABILITY OF ORTHODONTIC MINISCREWS
Authors: TSAI MING-TZU , YU WAN-PING , HUANG HENG-LI , HSU JUI-TING
Published: April 2019

Purpose: This study investigated the effects of the contact percentage (BMC%) of three-dimensional (3D) bone-to-miniscrew specimens in relation to host bone quality on initial miniscrew stability. Furthermore, their correlations were evaluated.

Methods: Orthodontic miniscrews (1.6[Formula: see text]mm in diameter and 11[Formula: see text]mm in length) were inserted into four types of artificial bones to measure the maximum insertion torque value (ITV). The miniscrew and artificial foam bone specimens were also scanned using microcomputed tomography, and the obtained images were imported into Mimics software to reconstruct the 3D models and calculate the BMC%. The Kruskal–Wallis test, Wilcoxon rank-sum test with Bonferroni adjustment, and Spearman correlations were applied for statistical and correlation analyses.

Results and Conclusions: Inserting the orthodontic miniscrew into artificial foam bone exhibiting higher bone quality resulted in higher maximum ITV and BMC%. The initial implant stability, quantified using ITV, was strongly positively ([Formula: see text]) and correlated with BMC%, as measured from microcomputed tomography images.
A COMPUTATIONAL STUDY OF DIFFERENT ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING-BASED TOTAL ANKLE REPLACEMENT DEVICES USING THREE-DIMENSIONAL HUMAN LOWER EXTREMITY MODELS WITH VARIOUS ANKLE POSTURES
Authors: WARDHANI PRIMASARI , TSAI PEI-I , CHEN PEI-YU , CHEN YU-YOU , HSU CHING-CHI
Published: April 2019

Total ankle replacement (TAR) surgery is one of the useful methods to treat ankle arthritis. Selective laser melting that is an additive manufacturing (AM) technique has made it possible to fabricate orthopedic implants. However, there are rare studies to analyze AM implants using finite element method. Thus, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the various porous designs with three types of tibial shapes for five ankle postures using three-dimensional (3D) human lower extremity models. The variable-axis-mobile-bearing (VAMB) TAR models were developed in one solid TAR design and three porous TAR designs on the tibial and talar components. Additionally, three shape designs (curved, flat, and tilted) of the tibial component were also evaluated. Each TAR design was assembled on the human lower extremity model with standing, inversion, eversion, plantar flexion, and dorsiflexion ankle postures. The results showed that there was a minor effect among the solid and porous TAR designs on the implant stability, the bone stress, and the implant stress. However, those performances in the plantar flexion were significantly reduced compared to that in the other ankle postures. Although the porous TAR designs have a higher risk of implant failure and bone breakage, it may have better bone-implant bonding ability. This study could help engineers and surgeons to understand the design rationale and biomechanics of AM-based TAR devices.
Carbene insertion to N–H bonds of 2-aminothiazole and 2-amino-1,3,4-thiadiazole derivatives catalyzed by iron phthalocyanine
Authors: Cailler Lucie P. , Martynov Alexander G. , Gorbunova Yulia G. , Tsivadze Aslan Yu. , Sorokin Alexander B.
Published: April 2019

Iron(III) phthalocyaninate decorated with crown ether substituents, [(15C5)4PcFe]Cl, efficiently catalyzed the insertion of carbene derived from ethyl diazoacetate to six amines functionalized with thiazole, thiazoline and thiadiazole heterocycles. The reactions were carried out under practical conditions using EDA:amine stoechiometric ratio with 0.05 mol% catalyst loading. Turnover numbers up to 3360 have been achieved. The aminoacid derivatives bearing heterocyclic moieties were obtained under catalytic conditions for the first time with 36–69% yields in the case of single N–H insertion products and up to 77% in the case of double N–H insertion products.
Synthesis, singlet oxygen generation and DNA photocleavage of β,β′-conjugated polycationic porphyrins
Authors: Chen Li , Zhao Yimei , Sun Xinyu , Jiang Jun , Wu Fengshou , Wang Kai
Published: April 2019

In this paper, three [Formula: see text],[Formula: see text]-conjugated cationic porphyrin compounds were designed and synthesized. The structure of the intermediates and desired porphyrins were confirmed by UV, IR, 1H NMR, MS and elemental analysis. The interaction modes between these porphyrins and ct-DNA were studied by UV-vis spectroscopy and fluorescence emission spectroscopy. The results showed that PCP 1 had an external binding mode with DNA at low DNA concentration and could intercalate DNA with the increase of concentration. PCP 2 interacted with DNA through an external binding mode, and PCP 3 could insert into DNA. The binding constants ([Formula: see text] between PCP1[Formula: see text]PCP3 and ct-DNA were calculated to be 8.41 × 104, 7.33 × 104 and 4.14 × 104 M[Formula: see text], respectively. The singlet oxygen (1O[Formula: see text] generation of PCP1[Formula: see text]PCP3 was determined by the 1,3-diphenylisobenzofuran (DPBF) method using tetrapyridylporphyrin (H2TMPyP) as a reference. The 1O2 generation rate of PCP1[Formula: see text]PCP3 followed the order of PCP2 >PCP1>H2TMPyP >PCP3. Subsequently, the photocleavage effect of porphyrins on pBR322 plasmid DNA was studied by gel electrophoresis. At 10.0 [Formula: see text]M, PCP1 and PCP2 could cleave DNA completely. At 2.0 [Formula: see text]M, the cleavage rate of DNA by PCP3 was 57.5%, which was significantly higher than that of H2TMPyP (38.8%). These results verified that the amount of cationic ions in the porphyrin structure could affect the binding modes of porphyrins with DNA and their cleavage ability of DNA.
China’s Belt and Road Initiative: An Opportunity to Re-energize South-South Cooperation
Authors: Taidong Zhou , Haibing Zhang
Published: April 2019

Since the 2008 global financial crisis, the landscape of South-South cooperation has greatly changed mainly due to the ongoing power shift from the North to the South. Rising economies like China and India are taking the lead in driving forward the institutional development of South-South cooperation despite lingering challenges that call for collective actions and mutual support among developing countries. Based on the principle of achieving shared benefits through consultation and collaboration, China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has presented a good opportunity for reinvigorating South-South cooperation and drawing concerted efforts from the international community to reduce the global deficits in peace, development and governance. In the long run, the BRI is expected to facilitate a new round of economic globalization and help shape a more balanced and efficient system of global economic governance, which will serve as the basis for jointly building a “community of shared future for mankind” proposed by the Chinese government.
First African-American to hold a medical degree: brief history of James McCune Smith, abolitionist, educator, and physician
Authors: Lujan Heidi L. , DiCarlo Stephen E.
Published: April 2019

Dr. James McCune Smith, the first African-American to obtain a medical degree, has a remarkable legacy of historical proportions, yet his immense impact on society remains relatively unknown. He may be most celebrated for his effectiveness in abolitionist politics, however, his pioneering influence in medicine is equally remarkable. As examples, McCune Smith pioneered the use of medically based statistics to challenge the notion of African-American racial inferiority. He scientifically challenged the racial theories promoted in Thomas Jefferson’s Notes on the State of Virginia (Jefferson T., 1832), and he was a harsh critic of phrenology (study of the shape and size of the cranium as a supposed indication of character and mental abilities). Furthermore, notwithstanding being denied entry to America’s universities and medical societies because of his race, McCune Smith became a giving physician to orphans, an accomplished statistician, medical author, and social activist who worked to end slavery. His pioneering work debunked doubts about the ability of African-Americans to transition into free society. Specifically, he used his training in medicine and statistics to refute the arguments of slave owners and prominent thought leaders that African-Americans were inferior and that slaves were better off than free African-Americans or white urban laborers. Frederick Douglass, narrator of the Anti-Slavery Movement, cited Dr. James McCune Smith as the single most important influence on his life. Dr. McCune Smith, along with Frederick Douglass, Gerrit Smith, John Brown and other intellectual pioneers of the time, were instrumental in making the elimination of slavery possible.
Determinants of Exposures to Hazardous Materials among Nail Cosmeticians in the Kampala City, Uganda
Authors: Ssempebwa John C. , Ndejjo Rawlance , Neebye Ruth Mubeezi , Atusingwize Edwinah , Musinguzi Geofrey
Published: April 2019

Globally, nail salons represent a fast expanding industry and often with low-income cosmeticians. In general, cosmeticians have limited access to safety information about the hazardous materials they handle, which would potentially enable them to minimize workplace exposures. The problem is much pronounced in low- and middle-income countries due to weaknesses in regulation of the industry. We investigated determinants of exposures to hazardous materials among nail cosmeticians in Kampala District, Uganda. We employed a cross-sectional study design among a random sample of 243 participants. The sociodemographic characteristics, education and training status, knowledge about routes of exposure to hazardous chemicals, and personal protective material use of cosmeticians were assessed through face-to-face interviews. Most cosmeticians were aged 18–34 years, and more males were engaged in this work than females. Also, 82.7% believed inhalation was the major exposure route for the chemicals they handled. Participants who had attained secondary-level education and above were over three times more likely to wear masks (AOR = 3.19, 95% CI 1.58–6.41) and gloves (AOR = 3.48, 95% CI 1.55–7.81) and over two times more likely to use aprons (AOR = 2.50, 95% CI 1.18–5.32). Participants who had ever received safety training on hazardous chemicals were more likely to wear all four personal protective equipment: masks (AOR = 3.21, 95% CI 1.61–6.42), gloves (AOR = 4.23, 95% CI 2.05–8.75), goggles (AOR = 4.14, 95% CI 1.25–13.65), and aprons (AOR = 2.73, 95% CI 1.25–5.96). Participants who had spent more than two years in the nail cosmetics business were more likely to wear masks (AOR = 3.37, 95% CI 1.64–6.95). With the increasing demand for nail cosmetics, and many people in urban areas of low-income countries engaging in this industry, there is need for training and better workplace policies to promote a healthier urban workforce dealing in cosmetics.
Loss ofLLGL1Expression Correlates with Diffuse Gastric Cancer and Distant Peritoneal Metastases
Authors: Desuki Alexander , Staib Frank , Gockel Ines , Moehler Markus , Lang Hauke , Biesterfeld Stefan , Maderer Annett , Galle Peter R. , Berger Martin R. , Schimanski Carl C.
Published: April 2019

Background. Loss ofLLGL1has been associated with loss of cellular adhesion and dissemination of cells from colorectal cancer and malignant melanoma. Regulation and relevance ofLLGL1were analyzed in gastric cancer patients with lymphatic and distant dissemination. Furthermore,LLGL1expression was analyzed in relation to the cellular adhesion proteinE-cadherin.Methods.LLGL1andE-cadherintranscription levels were evaluated in 56 gastric cancer patients and five gastric cancer cell lines. IHC staining forLLGL1was performed on 39 gastric cancer specimens.LLGL1was stably transfected intoLLGL1negative gastric cancer cell line SNU16 (del(17) (p11.2)) for functionalin vitroassays and a xenograft bioassay.Results. Gastric cancer specimens and cell lines displayedLLGL1andE-cadherinexpression levels with variable intensity. In gastric mucosa,LLGL1exhibited weak cytoplasmic and strong cortical staining. Loss ofLLGL1expression occurred in 65% of gastric cancers and significantly correlated with loss ofE-cadherinexpression (P=0.00009). Loss ofLLGL1expression was associated with the diffuse type of gastric cancer (P=0.029) with peritoneal carcinomatosis (M1; P=0.006) and with female gender (P=0.017). Stable reexpression ofLLGL1in SNU16 cells significantly increased both plastic surface adhesion and extracellular matrix proteins laminin and fibronectin, but had no impact onin vitroproliferation, apoptosis, or invasion or onin vivoproliferation or differentiation in our xenograft bioassay.Conclusion.LLGL1is coexpressed withE-cadherin.Loss of expression of either protein is associated with diffuse gastric cancer and peritoneal metastases.LLGL1does not impact on proliferation or epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) rather increasing cellular adhesion.
Echocardiographic Findings in Patients with Atrial Septal Aneurysm: A Prospective Case-Control Study
Authors: Atak Ramazan , Ileri Mehmet , Ozturk Selcuk , Korkmaz Ahmet , Yetkin Ertan
Published: April 2019

Background. Atrial septal aneurysm (ASA) is a congenital deformity of the interatrial septum with a prevalence of 1-2% in the adult population. Although ASA has been supposed to be an incidental finding in echocardiographic examination, its structural and clinical associations have gained an increasing interest. Aim. To investigate and compare the clinical features and echocardiographic parameters between ASA patients and age- and gender-matched control group patients. Methods. 410 patients with ASA were enrolled in the study, prospectively. After the exclusion of 33 patients, the remaining 377 patients comprised the study group. The control group consisted of 377 age- and gender-matched patients without ASA. Results. Aortic valve regurgitation and mitral valve regurgitation were more often observed in patients with ASA, and percentages of patients with ascending aortic aneurysm (AAA), patent foramen ovale (PFO), and atrial septal defect (ASD) were higher in ASA patients compared to control group patients. Aortic root diameter was larger in ASA patients compared to control group patients (29.2 ± 3.9, 28.6 ± 3.1, p=0.05, respectively). Ascending aorta diameter was higher in ASA patients compared to patients without ASA (44 ± 0.3, 41.5 ± 0.2, p=0.02). Logistic regression analysis revealed that mitral valve regurgitation (OR: 2.05, 95% CI : 1.44–2.92, p<0.001) and PFO (OR: 11.62, 95% CI : 2.64–51.02, p=0.001) were positively and independently associated with the presence of ASA. AAA tended to be statistically and independently associated with ASA (OR: 2.69, 95% CI : 0.97–7.47, p=0.05). Conclusions. We have demonstrated a higher incidence of mitral/aortic valvular regurgitations, AAA, PFO, and ASD in ASA patients compared to age- and gender-matched control group patients. In addition, we have shown that ASA is significantly and positively associated with mild mitral regurgitation and PFO.
Verification of the Dose Reduction Effect via Diluted Injection in Dual-Energy Computed Tomography Using a Human Blood Flow Phantom
Authors: Tomita Hironobu , Shibata Koichi
Published: April 2019

Purpose. We sought to examine the possibility of reducing the contrast medium dosage in dual-energy imaging using a saline-mixed injection with a virtual monochromatic energy method of dual-source computed tomography (CT). Methods. An X-ray CT (SOMATOM Definition Flash: Siemens, Nurnberg, Germany) was employed. The mixing ratio of contrast medium and saline was gradually changed by 10%, followed by a mixed injection into a dynamic blood flow phantom (Nemoto Kyorindo, Japan) which is a hemodynamic simulation phantom to obtain time-enhancement curves (TECs). Exactly 64 TECs were prepared for each mixing ratio by changing the energy from 40 to 75 keV for monoenergetic imaging. The relationship between the image standard deviation (SD) and the energy of the virtual monochromatic image was determined. Combinations of the mixing ratio and energy (keV), which can maintain high CT numbers and low image SDs for 3D imaging, were tested, and the reduction rate of the contrast medium was calculated. Results. The TECs for the mixed injection method changed linearly with the dilution rates. The mixing ratios were strongly correlated with the maximum CT number of the TEC (R2 = 0.98). Contrast CT numbers and image SDs increased by approximately 20% and 25%, respectively, as the energy decreased by 5 keV. The optimal conditions for reducing the contrast medium dose were a mixing ratio of 6:4 and 55 keV of energy. Conclusion. The virtual monochromatic energy method reduced the contrast medium dosage by up to 40% for three-dimensional CT-angio (3DCTA) tests.
An Artificial Neural Network Model to Predict the Thermal Properties of Concrete Using Different Neurons and Activation Functions
Authors: Fidan Sehmus , Oktay Hasan , Polat Suleyman , Ozturk Sarper
Published: April 2019

Growing concerns on energy consumption of buildings by heating and cooling applications have led to a demand for improved insulating performances of building materials. The establishment of thermal property for a building structure is the key performance indicator for energy efficiency, whereas high accuracy and precision tests are required for its determination which increases time and experimental costs. The main scope of this study is to develop a model based on artificial neural network (ANN) in order to predict the thermal properties of concrete through its mechanical characteristics. Initially, different concrete samples were prepared, and their both mechanical and thermal properties were tested in accordance with ASTM and EN standards. Then, the Levenberg–Marquardt algorithm was used for training the neural network in the single hidden layer using 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 neurons, respectively. For each thermal property, various activation functions such as tangent sigmoid functions and triangular basis functions were used to examine the best solution performance. Moreover, a cross-validation technique was used to ensure good generalization and to avoid overtraining. ANN results showed that the best overall R2 performances for the prediction of thermal conductivity, specific heat, and thermal diffusivity were obtained as 0.996, 0.983, and 0.995 for tansig activation functions with 25, 25, and 20 neurons, respectively. The performance results showed that there was a great consistency between the predicted and tested results, demonstrating the feasibility and practicability of the proposed ANN models for predicting the thermal property of a concrete.
A Multicriteria Approach to Support Task Allocation in Projects of Distributed Software Development
Authors: Simão Filho Marum , Pinheiro Plácido R. , Albuquerque Adriano B. , Simão Régis P. S. , Azevedo Raimundo S. N. , Nunes Luciano C.
Published: April 2019

Organizations are increasingly investing in Distributed Software Development (DSD) over the years. A typical decision‐making problem in the distributed scenario consists of deciding which team should be allocated each task. That decision takes into account a relative degree of subjectivity. That setting is suitable for applying Verbal Decision Analysis (VDA). This paper introduces an approach to support the allocation of tasks to distributed units in DSD projects, structured on the hybridisation of methods of Verbal Decision Analysis for classification and rank ordering applied to influencing factors and executing units. Firstly, a review of the literature was conducted aiming to identify the approaches to support the allocation of tasks in DSD contexts. Then, an approach was developed by applying VDA‐based methods for classification and ordering. Bibliographic research and the application of surveys with professionals allowed identifying and characterising the main elements that influence task assignment in DSD projects. Afterwards, experiences were carried out in five real‐world companies. In the end, the proposed approach has been submitted to the evaluation by the professionals of the participating companies and by some project management experts. The proposed approach comprises a workflow containing responsible actors and descriptions of the activities. Automated tools are also employed in automating the implementation of the approach. After applying the approach in five companies, task assignment recommendations are presented in groups for each company, according to the task type, i.e., requirements, architecture, coding, and testing, ranging from the most to the least preferable office. Results of the experiences and evaluations held during this work present evidence that the proposed approach is flexible, adaptable, and easy to understand and to use. Moreover, it helps to reduce decision subjectivity and to think of new aspects, supporting the task allocation process in DSD.
Investigating Brute Force Attack Patterns in IoT Network
Authors: Stiawan Deris , Idris Mohd. Yazid , Malik Reza Firsandaya , Nurmaini Siti , Alsharif Nizar , Budiarto Rahmat
Published: April 2019

Internet of Things (IoT) devices may transfer data to the gateway/application server through File Transfer Protocol (FTP) transaction. Unfortunately, in terms of security, the FTP server at a gateway or data sink very often is improperly set up. At the same time, password matching/theft holding is among the popular attacks as the intruders attack the IoT network. Thus, this paper attempts to provide an insight of this type of attack with the main aim of coming up with attack patterns that may help the IoT system administrator to analyze any similar attacks. This paper investigates brute force attack (BFA) on the FTP server of the IoT network by using a time-sensitive statistical relationship approach and visualizing the attack patterns that identify its configurations. The investigation focuses on attacks launched from the internal network, due to the assumption that the IoT network has already installed a firewall. An insider/internal attack launched from an internal network endangers more the entire IoT security system. The experiments use the IoT network testbed that mimic the internal attack scenario with three major goals: (i) to provide a topological description on how an insider attack occurs; (ii) to achieve attack pattern extraction from raw sniffed data; and (iii) to establish attack pattern identification as a parameter to visualize real-time attacks. Experimental results validate the investigation.
A Two-Step Approach for Airborne Delay Minimization Using Pretactical Conflict Resolution in Free-Route Airspace
Authors: Cecen Ramazan Kursat , Cetek Cem
Published: April 2019

This study proposes a two-step solution approach for aircraft conflict resolution and fuel consumption due to resolution maneuver occurring in free-route airspace. This model aims to provide a mathematical basis for a decision-support system that is used during the pretactical conflict resolution in air traffic management. Mathematical model of the first step presents alternative entry points on both sides of existing sector entry points to minimize delays by directing aircraft to the most convenient entry points. The second step suggests a vector deflection maneuver to minimize extra fuel consumption caused by conflict resolution. GAMS/CPLEX solver is used to solve the first step of the model but the solution is not produced in a reasonable time. To obtain feasible solutions, genetic algorithm and tabu search algorithms are implemented in the first step. Small size test problems are generated to evaluate the metaheuristic algorithms, and results are compared with GAMS/CPLEX solver solutions. According to this comparison, both metaheuristics algorithms produce near optimal solutions in a reasonably short time. The proposed approach has made significant improvements for airborne delays and extra fuel consumption caused by aircraft conflicts resolution in large-scaled airspaces.
A Quasi-Two-Dimensional Physics-Based Model of HEMTs without Smoothing Functions for Joining Linear and Saturation Regions of I-V Characteristics
Authors: Ryndin Eugeny A. , Al-Saman Amgad A. , Konoplev Boris G.
Published: April 2019

A quasi-two-dimensional physics-based model of HEMT transistor without using any smoothing functions for joining the linear and saturation regions of current-voltage (I-V) characteristics was developed. Considering the intervalley transitions of electrons and the presence of holes in the channel of transistor, we calculated the nonuniform spatial distributions of the electrical field, electron temperature, and electron mobility within the channel. The model is in a good agreement with experimental data over the linear and saturation regions of operation. The model provides precise simulating of HEMT transistors and can be utilized as a tool for analysis and prediction of influence of the material parameters on device and circuit characteristics.
Roles of Steroids in Preventing Esophageal Stricture after Endoscopic Resection
Authors: Qiu Yu , Shi Ruihua
Published: April 2019

Background and Purposes. Endoscopic resection has been worldwide recognized as a treatment strategy for early esophageal lesions. The occurrence of esophageal stricture after endoscopic resection will reduce the quality of life of patients. This study will evaluate the efficacy and safety of steroids in the prevention of esophageal stricture after endoscopic resection and the influence of different steroid administration methods.Methods. In the relevant literature database, literature from 2008 to 2018 is retrieved by using preset keywords, the search results are carefully screened, and the conclusion of the literature is synthesized to form arguments and draw conclusions.Results. 73 articles met our requirements. Oral steroid administration, not prophylactic endoscopic balloon dilation alone, was effective in preventing esophagostenosis after esophagoscopic treatment and reducing the number of repeated endoscopic balloon dilations even after extensive endoscopic resection. Local steroid injection is useful and economy for preventing esophageal stricture, even though it may raise the risk of perforation during dilations. A wider range of circumferential mucosal defects is an independent predictor for stricture formation for patents given preventive steroid injections after endoscopic submucosal dissection. For complete circular mucosal defect, the further researches are essential to investigate the role of local steroid injection. The effect of other methods such as steroid gel, intravenous infusion of steroid, and novel steroid filling methods require more confirmation.Conclusions. Therefore, steroids play an irreplaceable role in preventing esophageal stricture after endoscopic resection. Oral and local injections of steroids are the two most acceptable methods and more prospective studies are needed to compare the effectiveness and safety of these two methods.
Effects of Whole-Body Vibration on Upper Extremity Function and Grip Strength in Patients with Subacute Stroke: A Randomised Single-Blind Controlled Trial
Authors: Ahn Jin-Young , Kim Hyeongsu , Park Chan-Bum
Published: April 2019

Background. Whole-body vibration has been used to improve motor function in chronic stroke patients, but its effect on patients with subacute strokes remains unclear. Objectives. We explored the effect of whole-body vibration on patients with subacute strokes. Methods. Participants were randomly allocated to a whole-body vibration (WBV) group (n=30) or an upper- and lower-cycle (ULC) group (n=30). Both groups received occupational therapy after these interventions. All participants received treatment for 30 min/day, 5 days/week, for 4 weeks. Both groups received the same conventional physical therapy. Results. The manual function test (MFT) score and grip strength improved after both WBV (p=0.001 and p=0.001, respectively) and ULC (p=0.002 and p=0.001, respectively), but the improvement was more pronounced (MFT p=0.016; GS p=0.023) after WBV. Conclusions. These findings suggest that the use of WBV and ULC was effective as remedial treatments for improving upper extremity motor function and increasing grip strength for patients with subacute strokes. The improvement was more pronounced for the WBV treatment. This trial is registered with KCT0003246.
An Intervention Study: Does a Cognitive Reappraisal Technique Reduce the Perceived Stress in Fourth-Year Dental Students in New Zealand?
Authors: Smith Alana , Scott Imogen , Ratnayake Jithendra , Newsham-West Kate , Cathro Peter
Published: April 2019

Background. The fourth-year of the Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) degree is considered the most stressful in the curriculum. Cognitive reappraisal is a self-applied method of stress management where an individual recognises his/her physiological responses to stress as a positive phenomenon helping him/her rise to the challenge, rather than a negative one in response to a threat situation.Aim. To investigate whether teaching fourth-year dental students to apply cognitive reappraisal reduces their perceived levels of stress.Methods. A survey was emailed to all fourth-year dental students, inviting them to respond to a 20-item questionnaire adapted from the Dental Environmental Stress (DES) Survey. Respondents were randomly assigned to reappraisal intervention/experimental (EXP) and control intervention (CON) groups, and each group was asked to watch an educational video. The EXP group video educated respondents on how to apply cognitive reappraisal in stressful situations, and the CON group video described generic methods of stress management. A follow-up survey was conducted after 3 weeks.Results. The respondent rate was 47.6%. Change scores were calculated by subtracting the follow-up DES scores from baseline DES scores. The average change score for the experimental group was +3.1, indicating a decrease in average perceived stress levels. Conversely, the average change score for the CON group was −1.06, indicating an increase in average perceived stress levels. However, this difference did not reach a statistical significance.Conclusion. EXP group has shown to have positive effects on stress management, and its effects on BDS students demonstrate promise.
Optimized Synthesis of Magnesium Oxide Nanoparticles as Bactericidal Agents
Authors: Imani Mohammad Moslem , Safaei Mohsen
Published: April 2019

Increased antibiotic resistance of microorganisms as well as the need to reduce health-care costs necessitates the production of new antimicrobials at lower costs. For this reason, this study was aimed to optimize the synthesis of magnesium oxide nanoparticles with the greatest antibacterial activity. In this study, 9 experiments containing different proportions of the factors (magnesium nitrate, NaOH, and stirring time) effective in the synthesis of magnesium oxide nanoparticles were designed using the Taguchi method. Magnesium oxide nanoparticles were synthesized using the coprecipitation method, and their antibacterial activity was evaluated using colony-forming unit (CFU) and disk diffusion. Morphology, crystalline structure, and size of synthesized nanoparticles were investigated using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The optimum conditions (0.2 M magnesium nitrate, 2 M NaOH, and 90 min stirring time) for the synthesis of magnesium oxide nanoparticles with the greatest antibacterial activity were determined using the Taguchi method. The results of colony-forming unit and disk diffusion revealed the optimal antibacterial activity of synthesized nanoparticles against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli bacteria. The results obtained from FTIR and XRD analyses confirmed the synthesis of nanoparticles with favorable conditions. Also, according to the SEM image, the average size of synthesized nanoparticles was determined to be about 21 nm. According to the results, magnesium oxide nanoparticles can significantly reduce the number of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and can be used as an appropriate alternative to commonly used antibacterial compounds in order to tackle drug resistance among pathogens.
Perceptions of Scientists and Stereotypes through the Eyes of Young School Children
Authors: Thomson Margareta M. , Zakaria Zarifa , Radut-Taciu Ramona
Published: April 2019

The goal of the current study was to investigate children’s representations of scientists using the Draw-a-Scientist Test (DAST). Participants (n=210) were young school children from Romania enrolled in both rural and urban public schools from grade levels 3, 4, and 5. The study findings showed that most children represented stereotypical characteristics of scientists in their drawings such as white male wearing lab coats using instruments that reflected a chemistry lab. Results also indicated statistically significant differences in the score of stereotyping indicators with respect to student grade level. Additionally, students who visited science museums scored significantly higher in stereotyping indicators than students who indicated on their survey answers that they have not visited science museums. Findings are discussed in relationship with students’ views about scientists and their understanding of science.