bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Awareness and understanding of dementia in South Asians: A synthesis of qualitative evidence
Authors: Hossain Muhammad , Crossland John , Stores Rebecca , Dewey Ann , Hakak Yohai
Published: October 2018

Background

Despite a growing elderly South Asian population, little is known about the experience of diagnosis and care for those living with dementia. There have been a number of individual qualitative studies exploring the experiences of South Asian people living with dementia and their carers across different contexts. There has also been a growing interest in synthesizing qualitative research to systematically integrate qualitative evidence from multiple studies to tell us more about a topic at a more abstract level than single studies alone. The aim of this qualitative synthesis was to clearly identify the gaps in the literature and produce new insights regarding the knowledge and understanding of the attitudes, perceptions, and beliefs of the South Asian community about dementia.

Methods

Following a systematic search of the literature, included qualitative studies were assessed by two independent reviewers for methodological quality. Data were extracted and pooled using the Joanna Briggs Institute Qualitative Assessment and Review Instrument (QARI). Findings were synthesized using the Joanna Briggs Institute approach to qualitative synthesis by meta-aggregation.

Results

Seventeen papers were critically appraised, with 13 meeting the inclusion criteria. Participants were mostly of South Asians of Indian background; followed by Pakistani with a few Sri Lankans. Missing South Asian countries from the current evidence base included those from Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, and Nepal. Three meta-synthesis themes emerged from the analysis: (1) a poor awareness and understanding of dementia, (2) the experience of caregiving, and (3) the attitudes toward dementia care provision.

Conclusions

A consistent message from this qualitative synthesis was the limited knowledge and understanding of dementia amongst the South Asians. Whilst symptoms of dementia such as ‘memory loss’ were believed to be a part of a normal ageing process, some South Asian carers viewed dementia as demons or God’s punishments. Most studies reported that many South Asians were explicit in associating stigmas with dementia.
Do the Low WHRs and BMIs Judged Most Attractive Indicate Higher Fertility?
Authors: Lassek William D. , Gaulin Steven J. C.
Published: October 2018

We examine the widely accepted view that very low waist–hip ratios and low body mass indices (BMIs) in women in well-nourished populations are judged attractive by men because these features reliably indicate superior fertility. In both subsistence and well-nourished populations, relevant studies of fertility do not support this view. Rather studies indicate lower fertility in women with anthropometric values associated with high attractiveness. Moreover, low maternal BMI predisposes to conditions that compromise infant survival. Consistent with these findings from the literature, new data from a large U.S. sample of women past reproductive age show that women with lower BMIs in the late teens had fewer live births, controlling for education, marital history, and race. They also had later menarche and earlier menopause compared with women with higher youth BMIs. In addition, data from the 2013 U.S. natality database show that mothers with lower prepregnancy BMIs have an increased risk of producing both low-birth-weight and preterm infants controlling for other relevant variables—conditions that would have adversely affected fitness over almost all of human evolution. Thus, a review of the relevant literature and three new tests fail to support the view that highly attractive women are more fertile.
Operating under the radar in spheres of influence: Taking advantage of industry leaders’ market domains
Authors: Gómez Jaime , Orcos Raquel , Palomas Sergio
Published: October 2018

Industry leaders enact mutual forbearance by establishing spheres of influence where the dominant industry leader is bestowed market dominance in exchange for similar treatment in the spheres of the other industry leaders. Because of this, spheres of influence are markets with lower rivalry levels. Accordingly, non-dominant firms operating within them benefit from their favorable competitive conditions. The extent to which a non-dominant firm benefits from its location in spheres of influence varies according to the competitive tension perceived by the industry leader that dominates the sphere. Large and fast-growing non-dominant firms will generate competition tension. Consequently, the industry leader of the sphere could direct its hostility toward them, reducing the potential returns that they may obtain from operating in spheres of influence. Our analyses in the Spanish retail banking sector show that non-dominant firms operating under the radar of industry leaders benefit more from their presence within spheres of influence.
Effects of Onchung-eum, an Herbal Prescription, on 5-Fluorouracil–Induced Oral Mucositis
Authors: Park Jae-Woo , Oh Jayoung , Ko Seok-Jae , Chang Mun Seog , Kim Jinsung
Published: October 2018

In most cancer patients, chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis (OM) is a frequent side effect, leading to low quality of life and delay in therapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Onchung-eum, a well-known herbal prescription in traditional medicine comprising 8 herbs that has long been used for skin diseases, on 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)–induced OM in human pharyngeal cells and golden Syrian hamsters. DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging activity, MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay, and reactive oxygen species production were measured in vitro. The effects of Onchung-eum on OM of hamster cheek pouches induced by 5-FU were evaluated histologically and using TUNEL assay. In addition, the expression of nuclear factor-κB, caspase-3, and pro-inflammatory cytokines were measured by immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry. Significantly increased cell viability was observed in the Onchung-eum–treated groups compared with the 5-FU–treated control group. In 500 and 1000 mg/kg Onchung-eum–treated groups, the damaged epithelial layers in the cheek pouches of hamsters were significantly recovered. Moreover, at all concentrations, cell death in the cheek pouches of hamsters in the Onchung-eum–treated groups significantly decreased. The expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, nuclear factor-κB, and caspase-3 also significantly decreased in Onchung-eum–treated groups at 500 and 1000 mg/kg. In conclusion, this study revealed that Onchung-eum can be used to treat chemotherapy-induced OM. However, further studies are required to understand the underlying mechanisms.
Healthy Volunteers’ Perceptions of the Benefits of Their Participation in Phase I Clinical Trials
Authors: Fisher Jill A. , McManus Lisa , Wood Megan M. , Cottingham Marci D. , Kalbaugh Julianne M. , Monahan Torin , Walker Rebecca L.
Published: October 2018

Other than the financial motivations for enrolling in Phase I trials, research on how healthy volunteers perceive the benefits of their trial participation is scant. Using qualitative interviews conducted with 178 U.S. healthy volunteers enrolled in Phase I trials, we investigated how participants described the benefits of their study involvement, including, but not limited to, the financial compensation, and we analyzed how these perceptions varied based on participants’ sociodemographic characteristics and clinical trial history. We found that participants detailed economic, societal, and noneconomic personal benefits. We also found differences in participants’ perceived benefits based on gender, age, ethnicity, educational attainment, employment status, and number of clinical trials completed. Our study indicates that many healthy volunteers believe they gain more than just the financial compensation when they accept the risks of Phase I participation.
Social Network Analysis: An Example of Fusion Between Quantitative and Qualitative Methods
Authors: Yousefi Nooraie Reza , Sale Joanna E. M. , Marin Alexandra , Ross Lori E.
Published: October 2018

A quantitative approach to social network analysis involves the application of mathematical and statistical techniques and graphical presentation of results. Nonetheless—as with all sciences—subjectivity is an integral aspect of network analysis, manifested in the selection of measures to describe connection patterns and actors’ positions (e.g., choosing a centrality indicator), in the visualization of social structure in graphs, and in translating numbers into words (telling the story). Here, we use network research as an example to illustrate how quantitative and qualitative approaches, techniques, and data are mixed along a continuum of fusion between quantitative and qualitative realms.
Selective maintenance optimisation considering random common cause failures and imperfect maintenance
Authors: Cao Wenbin , Jia Xisheng , Liu Yu , Hu Qiwei , Zhao Jianmin
Published: October 2018

This article addresses a selective maintenance optimisation problem for systems subject to random common cause failures. A system is likely to suffer from several random common cause failures during a given mission. Random common cause events, which occur with a specific probability distribution, may result in the simultaneous failures of multiple elements. Because time is one of the most crucial maintenance resources, a time-based imperfect maintenance model is proposed to quantify the maintenance efficiency of each candidate maintenance action. To meet the demands of the next mission, a selective maintenance model is proposed to optimally identify a subset of maintenance activities to be performed on certain elements of a system. A genetic algorithm and Monte Carlo simulation method is presented to solve the proposed selective maintenance optimisation problem. Illustrative examples combined with detailed discussions are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed model. The results show that the proposal of time-based imperfect maintenance model can yield better maintenance results, while ignoring random common cause failures in selective maintenance optimisation may produce biased maintenance decisions and system reliability.
The rise of the gay warrior: Rhetorical archetypes and the transformation of identity categories
Authors: Cloud Doug
Published: October 2018

This essay investigates the representation of lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) people during the debate over whether they should serve openly in the United States military. Many studies on this topic have focused on the question of whether this debate ‘militarized’ LGB people. This study takes a broader view, tracking five rhetorical archetypes (the Gay Warrior, the Gay Spoiler, the Gay Victim, the Gay Family Member and the Gay Activist) through two US Congressional Hearings. I identify and track these archetypes using a coding procedure that draws on concepts from Membership Categorization Analysis, rhetorical theory, discourse analysis and elsewhere. The result is a holistic picture of how LGB people were represented across the hearings. While they were increasingly associated with military values in the later hearing, they were also less often represented as victims, spoilers or activists in a negative sense. These findings offer additional insights into how the meanings-in-use of identity categories are changed in discourse.
Money talks: Customer-initiated price negotiation in business-to-business sales interaction
Authors: Niemi Jarkko , Hirvonen Linda
Published: October 2018

This article provides an in-depth analysis of a conversational exchange initiated by a customer’s price question in real-life business-to-business (B2B) sales encounters. The analysis focusses on when the customer requests a price, what that implies as well as how the price discussion is conducted. Marketing literature usually considers product/service price to be an obstacle that the salesperson needs to overcome; we demonstrate that the price question is a positive signal for the salesperson. By requesting the price, the customer claims sufficient understanding of the offer, recognition of the service value and a readiness to move to the next phase in the meeting. The salesperson initiates an insert expansion to tailor the price to her or his customer and then informs the price in an expanded clausal response to build customer value. The conversation analytic study was based on a dataset of 13 video-recorded B2B sales meetings in Finland.
Educational Support Around Dialysis Modality Decision Making in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease: Qualitative Study
Authors: Cassidy Brendan P. , Harwood Lori , Getchell Leah E. , Smith Michael , Sibbald Shannon L. , Moist Louise M.
Published: October 2018

Background:

Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are asked to choose a renal replacement therapy or conservative management. Education and knowledge transfer play key roles in this decision-making process, yet they remain a partially met need.

Objective:

We sought to understand the dialysis modality decision-making process through exploration of the predialysis patient experience to better inform the educational process.

Design:

Qualitative descriptive study.

Setting:

Kidney Care Centre of London Health Sciences Centre in London, Ontario, Canada.

Patients:

Twelve patients with CKD, with 4 patients on in-center hemodialysis, home hemodialysis, and peritoneal dialysis, respectively.

Measurements:

Not applicable.

Methods:

We conducted semistructured interviews with each participant, along with any family members who were present. Interviews were transcribed verbatim. Conventional content analysis was used to analyze the transcripts for common themes. Representative quotes were decided via team consensus. A patient collaborator was part of the research team.

Results:

Three themes influenced dialysis modality decision making: (i) Patient Factors: individualization, autonomy, and emotions; (ii) Educational Factors: tailored education, time and preparation, and available resources; and (iii) Support Systems: partnership with health care team, and family and friends.

Limitations:

Sample not representative of wider CKD population. Limited number of eligible patients. Poor recall may affect findings.

Conclusions:

Modality decision making is a complex process, influenced by the patient’s health literacy, willingness to accept information, predialysis lifestyle, support systems, and values. Patient education requires the flexibility to individualize the delivery of a standardized CKD curriculum in partnership with a patient-health care team, to fulfill the goal of informed, shared decision making.
Domesticating Facebook: The Shift From Compulsive Connection to Personal Service Platform
Authors: Sujon Zoetanya , Viney Leslie , Toker-Turnalar Elif
Published: October 2018

As one of the largest social media platforms, the meaning and role of Facebook is widely contested, where many argue that Facebook’s cultural importance especially for younger generations, is declining. Popular thinking and common assumptions often position Facebook as a boring platform taken up by older generations. Yet, despite these claims, Facebook’s user base continues to grow and it is still one of the most dominant global platforms in today’s media ecology. This article provides insight into this apparent contradiction through longitudinal research conducted with young adults, aged 18 to 30 in 2013, and aged 24 to 34 in 2017. Informed by research on youth and young adults, this article returns to domestication theory to understand how personal economies of meaning are shaped over time through changing patterns of use, in relation to an ever-evolving Facebook platform. Although respondents share contradictory accounts of their understandings of Facebook, they also share commonalities. Notably, respondents shift from a highly emotive framing of Facebook marked by “compulsive connection” in 2013 to a routinized use of Facebook for performing personal and often mundane services such as scheduling, micro coordinating, archiving, and to some extent, relationship maintenance. We argue that this shift illustrates the domestication of Facebook from a wild social space to a “personal service platform,” thus providing an important insight into Facebook’s continued user growth and cultural dominance.
Arterial Switch Operation in a Patient With Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Type IV
Authors: Murthy Raghav , Herrick Nicole L. , El-Said Howaida , Grossfeld Paul , Moore John , Lamberti John J.
Published: October 2018

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome vascular type IV is characterized by translucent skin, easy bruising, and fragility of arteries. A full-term female infant presented at four weeks of age with a diagnosis of d-transposition of the great arteries with restrictive atrial septal defect. She successfully underwent emergent balloon atrial septostomy and placement of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) stent. She required restenting of the PDA and pulmonary artery banding prior to arterial switch procedure. At 16 months of age, the patient successfully underwent arterial switch procedure without complication. This report demonstrates the feasibility of an arterial switch operation along with long-term follow-up of this rare condition.
Successful Percutaneous Recanalization of a Chronically Occluded Inferior Vena Cava in a Young Child
Authors: Lawson Emily N. , Seckeler Michael D.
Published: October 2018

Young children with congenital heart disease are undergoing an increasing number of catheter-based interventions. These procedures can lead to obstruction of large central veins, making future interventions more challenging or even impossible. We present a young child with a chronically occluded inferior vena cava (IVC) secondary to prior catheterization-based interventions for congenital heart disease. The IVC was recanalized with serial angioplasty and stent placement with continued patency for over two years. Despite the long duration of obstruction, the IVC was successfully recanalized, eliminating the potential consequences of long-term IVC obstruction and making it easier for future catheter-based interventions, if needed.
A preliminary investigation of parent-reported fiction versus non-fiction book preferences of school-age children with autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Davidson Meghan M , Ellis Weismer Susan
Published: October 2018

Background & aims

Anecdotal evidence suggests that individuals with autism spectrum disorder prefer non-fiction books over fiction books. The current study was the first to investigate parent-reports of children with autism spectrum disorder’s fiction and non-fiction book preferences and whether these relate to individual differences in social communication, oral language, and/or reading abilities.

Method

Children (ages 8–14 years, M = 10.89, SD = 1.17) with autism spectrum disorder diagnoses ( n = 19) and typically developing peers ( n = 21) participated. Children completed standardized measures of social communication, oral language, and reading abilities. Parents reported children’s current favorite book, and from these responses, we coded children’s fiction versus non-fiction book preferences.

Main contribution

Contrary to anecdotal evidence, children with autism spectrum disorder preferred fiction similar to their typically developing peers. Fiction versus non-fiction book preference was significantly related to social communication abilities across both groups. Children’s oral language and reading abilities were related, as expected, but the evidence for a relationship between social communication and reading comprehension was mixed.

Conclusions

This study provides preliminary evidence supporting the association of social communication in fiction versus non-fiction book preference, which may be related to children’s comprehension and support the theoretical role of social communication knowledge in narrative/fiction.

Implications

It should not be assumed that all children with autism spectrum disorder prefer expository/non-fiction or do not read narrative/fiction. Children who prefer non-fiction may need additional social communication knowledge support to improve their understanding of narrative fiction.
Three-dimensional seismic analysis of Late Paleozoic coal-bearing series reflections in the Hangjinqi, North Ordos Basin, China
Authors: Wu Xiaochuan , Pu Renhai , Wang Donghui , Deng Dong , Dong Machao
Published: October 2018

The study of sand bodies and coalbeds that formed during strong events is conducive to understand the relationship between source rocks and reservoirs. Two sets of Late Paleozoic coal-bearing sequences including the Late Carboniferous Taiyuan Formation and Early Permian Shanxi Formation, with an accumulated thickness of more than a half wavelength (90 m), were deposited in the Hangjinqi region on the northern margin of the Ordos Basin. These strata appear as two peaks and two troughs, three peaks and three troughs in the 3D seismic data. We analyzed this coal-bearing seismic response through a combination of well-data statistical analysis, the establishment of forward modeling, and the creation of crossplots. The coal-seam thicknesses of the Taiyuan and Shanxi Formations and the spacing between the two sets of coal indicate the major roles in the merging and bifurcation of events. The formation of three peaks and three troughs requires that the thicknesses of the two sets of coal are greater than 2 m. The spacing between the two sets of coal must also exceed 10 m with a detectable lateral extension, which would otherwise generate two peaks and two troughs. The two peaks and two troughs indicate a combined relationship between the thin sandstones at the bottom of the Shanxi Formation and the thick coalbeds in the Taiyuan and Shanxi Formations. The three peaks and three troughs suggest a combined relationship between the thick sandstones at the bottom of the Shanxi Formation and the thin coalbeds in the Taiyuan and Shanxi Formations. The drilling results clarified that the well situated at the two peaks and two troughs regions is accompanied by higher gas productivity, revealing that the coal-seam thickness has a significant influence on gas accumulation. The presence of two peaks and two troughs indicates favorability for natural gas exploration.
Fluid Challenge During Anesthesia: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Messina Antonio , Pelaia Corrado , Bruni Andrea , Garofalo Eugenio , Bonicolini Eleonora , Longhini Federico , Dellara Erica , Saderi Laura , Romagnoli Stefano , Sotgiu Giovanni , Cecconi Maurizio , Navalesi Paolo
Published: October 2018

BACKGROUND:

Assessing the volemic status of patients undergoing surgery is part of the routine management for the anesthesiologist. This assessment is commonly performed by means of dynamic indexes based on the cardiopulmonary interaction during mechanical ventilation (if available) or by administering a fluid challenge (FC). The FC is used during surgery to optimize predefined hemodynamic targets, the so-called Goal-Directed Therapy (GDT), or to correct hemodynamic instability (non-GDT).

METHODS:

In this systematic review, we considered the FC components in studies adopting either GDT or non-GDT, to assess whether differences exist between the 2 approaches. In addition, we performed a meta-analysis to ascertain the effectiveness of dynamic indexes pulse pressure variation (PPV) and stroke volume (SV) variation (SVV), in predicting fluid responsiveness.

RESULTS:

Thirty-five non-GDT and 33 GDT studies met inclusion criteria, including 5017 patients. In the vast majority of non-GDT and GDT studies, the FC consisted in the administration of colloids (85.7% and 90.9%, respectively). In 29 non-GDT studies, the colloid infused was the 6% hydroxyethyl starch (6% HES; 96.6% of this subgroup). In 20 GDT studies, the colloid infused was the 6% HES (66.7% of this subgroup), while in 5 studies was a gelatin (16.7% of this subgroup), in 3 studies an unspecified colloid (10.0% of this subgroup), and in 1 study albumin (3.3%) or, in another study, both HES 6% and gelatin (3.3%). In non-GDT studies, the median volume infused was 500 mL; the time of infusion and hemodynamic target to assess fluid responsiveness lacked standardization. In GDT studies, FC usually consisted in the administration of 250 mL of colloids (48.8%) in 10 minutes (45.4%) targeting an SV increase >10% (57.5%). Only in 60.6% of GDT studies, a safety limit was adopted. PPV pooled area under the curve (95% confidence interval [CI]) was 0.86 (0.80–0.92). The mean (standard deviation) PPV threshold predicting fluid responsiveness was 10.5% (3.2) (range, 8%–15%), while the pooled (95% CI) sensitivity and specificity were 0.80 (0.74–0.85) and 0.83 (0.73–0.91), respectively. SVV pooled area under the curve (95% CI) was 0.87 (0.81–0.93). The mean (standard deviation) SVV threshold predicting fluid responsiveness was 11.3% (3.1) (range, 7.5%–15.5%), while the pooled (95% CI) sensitivity and specificity were 0.82 (0.75–0.89) and 0.77 (0.71–0.82), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS:

The key components of FC including type of fluid (colloids, often 6% HES), volume (500 and 250 mL in non-GDT studies and GDT studies, respectively), and time of infusion (10 minutes) are quite standardized in operating room. However, pooled sensitivity and specificity of both PPV and SVV are limited.
Recognizing the Chinese Pioneer of Neuraxial Labor Analgesia: Dr Guang-Bo Zhang and Her Unpublished Manuscript From More Than a Half-Century Ago
Authors: Cai Zhen-Yu , Hu Ling-Qun , Stellaccio Francis S. , Wang Dong-Xin
Published: October 2018

Dr Guang-Bo Zhang was the first anesthesiologist to administer and study the effects of labor epidural analgesia in China. Between September 1963 and March 1964, she conducted an observational study evaluating the effects of neuraxial analgesia for laboring women. She presented her research and prepared an article; however, due to the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution (Cultural Revolution), which began in 1966, her work went unpublished. She successfully preserved her unpublished article, notes, and slides throughout the Cultural Revolution by hiding them in a countryside location near Beijing. These 54-year-old, previously unpublished documents represent the first known clinical trial of neuraxial labor analgesia conducted in China.
Contemporary Academic Contributions From Anesthesiologists in Adult Critical Care Medicine
Authors: Kiefer Jesse J. , Cartron Alexander , Galvagno Samuel , Mazzeffi Michael A.
Published: October 2018

BACKGROUND:

Anesthesiology has a long relationship with critical care medicine (CCM). However, US anesthesiologists are less likely to practice CCM than non-US anesthesiologists. To date, no studies have compared academic contributions in CCM between US anesthesiologists and non-US anesthesiologists. The objective of our study was to use recent trends in critical care publications as a surrogate for academic contribution among US and non-US anesthesiologists.

METHODS:

Research articles published between 2010 and 2015 in 3 anesthesiology journals (Anesthesiology, Anesthesia & Analgesia, and British Journal of Anaesthesia) and 3 multidisciplinary CCM journals (Critical Care Medicine, Intensive Care Medicine, and Journal of Critical Care) were reviewed. Author information, including the primary department appointment and geographic location for the first and senior author(s), and article details, including topic and publication type, were collected. Odds ratios for having a first or senior author from the United States were calculated. Anesthesiologists’ contributions in individual journals were summarized, as were trends in anesthesiology CCM publications during the 6-year study period.

RESULTS:

A total of 3831 articles were reviewed, with 1050 (27.4%) having US authors. Eighty-two and one-half percent of CCM articles in anesthesiology journals had a US anesthesiologist as first author, and 81% had a US anesthesiologist as senior author, while fewer CCM articles in multidisciplinary journals had a US anesthesiologist as first (12.1%) or senior (12.3%) author. When considering all publications, 16.3% and 16.4% of articles had a US anesthesiologist as the first or senior author compared with articles for which non-US anesthesiologists were first (23.8%) or senior (20.9%) authors. The odds of having a US anesthesiologist as first or senior author compared to a non-US anesthesiologist for all publications were 0.6 (0.5–0.7) and 0.7 (0.6–0.9). The number of publications trended downward for both US anesthesiologists and non-US anesthesiologists during the study period.

CONCLUSIONS:

When compared to non-US anesthesiologists, US anesthesiologists had more CCM publications in anesthesiology journals and fewer publications in multidisciplinary CCM journals. The number of anesthesiology CCM publications decreased for both US and non-US anesthesiologists throughout the study period.
scaRNAs and snoRNAs: Are they limited to specific classes of substrate RNAs?
Authors: Deryusheva Svetlana , Gall Joseph G.
Published: October 2018

Posttranscriptional modifications of rRNA occur in the nucleolus where rRNA modification guide RNAs, or snoRNAs, concentrate. On the other hand, scaRNAs, the modification guide RNAs for spliceosomal snRNAs, concentrate in the Cajal body (CB). It is generally assumed, therefore, that snRNAs must accumulate in CBs to be modified by scaRNAs. Here we demonstrate that the evidence for the latter postulate is not consistent. In the nucleus, scaRNA localization is not limited to CBs. Furthermore, canonical scaRNAs can modify rRNAs. We suggest that the conventional view that scaRNAs function only in the CB needs revision.
Needle lost in the haystack: multiple reaction monitoring fails to detect Treponema pallidum candidate protein biomarkers in plasma and urine samples from individuals with syphilis
Authors: Van Raemdonck Geert A. , Osbak Kara K. , Van Ostade Xaveer , Kenyon Chris R.
Published: October 2018

Background:Current syphilis diagnostic strategies are lacking a sensitive manner of directly detectingTreponema pallidumantigens. A diagnostic test that could directly detectT. pallidumantigens in individuals with syphilis would be of considerable clinical utility, especially for the diagnosis of reinfections and for post-treatment serological follow-up.

Methods:In this study, 11 candidateT. pallidumbiomarker proteins were chosen according to their physiochemical characteristics,T. pallidumspecificity and predicted abundance. Thirty isotopically labelled proteotypic surrogate peptides (hPTPs) were synthesized and incorporated into a scheduled multiple reaction monitoring assay. Protein extracts from undepleted/unenriched plasma (N = 18) and urine (N = 4) samples from 18 individuals with syphilis in various clinical stages were tryptically digested, spiked with the hPTP mixture and analysed with a triple quadruple mass spectrometer.

Results:No endogenous PTPs corresponding to the eleven candidate biomarkers were detected in any samples analysed. To estimate the Limit of Detection (LOD) of a comparably sensitive mass spectrometer (LTQ-Orbitrap), two dilution series of rabbit cultured purifiedT. pallidumwere prepared in PBS. Polyclonal anti-T. pallidumantibodies coupled to magnetic Dynabeads were used to enrich one sample series; no LOD improvement was found compared to the unenriched series. The estimated LOD of MS instruments is 300T. pallidum/ml in PBS.

Conclusions:Biomarker protein detection likely failed due to the low (femtomoles/liter) predicted concentration ofT. pallidumproteins. Alternative sample preparation strategies may improve the detectability ofT. pallidumproteins in biofluids.
Defining the Relationship between the Perceptions and the Misconceptions about Photosynthesis Topic of the Preservice Science Teachers
Authors: Urey Mustafa
Published: October 2018

The aim of the research is to determine the perceptions of the preservice science teachers about the photosynthesis and to reveal the relation between these perceptions and the misconceptions of the existing concepts. In the research, field scanning method was used as a descriptive research method. The sample of the research is composed of 355 preservice science teachers trained in different universities. For the selection of the sample, purposeful sample selection was used and attention was paid to the fact that the preservice science teachers had taken the General Biology-I and General Biology-II courses at the undergraduate level in the determination of the class level to be included in the study. The "Photosynthesis Concept Achievement Test" (PCAT) developed by the researcher and composed of 4 questions was used as a data collection tool. Quantitative data obtained from the study were analyzed using SPSS.20 package program while content analysis was performed in the analysis of qualitative data. As a result of the research, it was determined that the preservice science teachers' perceptions of photosynthesis were in the direction of chemical and biological approaches and that the teacher candidates preferred the chemical approach rather than the biological approach. However, preservice science teachers who prefer the chemical approach have reached the conclusion that they are in much more misconception than the biologically approaching teacher candidates.
Human Resource Management Practices in Turkish Education System (Denizli Case)
Authors: Cobanoglu Fatma , Sertel Gulsum , Seven-Sarkaya Sevda
Published: October 2018

Human Resource Management (HRM) includes recruitment, training, development, motivation and evaluation of the staff who will achieve the goals of the organization and perform the necessary activities to be successful. The success of the organization depends on the effective use and management of human resources. Considering that The Ministry of Turkish National Education has the most crowded personnel and the potential of leading the future human resources, the HRM strategies of this organization becomes significant.  In this study, it is aimed to investigate to the human resources management practices of the Ministry of Turkish National Education from the perspectives of teachers who are also the human resources of the system.  In this research, holistic-multiple case study design was employed and the open-ended interview form which includes nine questions considering the functions of the HRM was utilized as the data collection tool. Research results showed that teachers know the duties and responsibilities which are declared in their job definition but they do not consider some of the significant professional efficiencies such as planning, assessment and evaluation. Moreover, the ministry does not make long-term plans in order to determine the required human resources, and also the functionality and subjectivity of the system is under discussion in terms of selection and appointment. What's more, the desired aims cannot be reached in terms of professional development. Teachers have the anxiety of performance evaluation based on accountability, and they emphasize fair and subjectivity in terms of payment, rewarding and discipline.
AVALIAÇÃO DA BIOSSEGURANÇA EM ESTABELECIMENTOS DE APLICAÇÃO DE MAQUIAGEM
Authors: Foppa Vanessa Cavanus , Tiecher Matias , Contri Renata Vidor
Published: October 2018

O uso compartilhado de instrumentos em procedimentos estéticos pode resultar na contaminação tanto dos utensílios, quanto do cosmético que será utilizado em sua embalagem original, podendo ser fonte de transmissão de doenças. Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o nível de informação que as maquiadoras possuem, utilizando a aplicação de um questionário, com relação às medidas de biossegurança inerentes às atividades realizadas, e também determinar a presença ou ausência de bactérias patogênicas em artigos utilizados em procedimentos de maquiagem, correlacionando os resultados encontrados com as respostas do questionário. Cinco estabelecimentos prestadores de serviços de maquiagem participaram da pesquisa, sendo que cada um forneceu dois artigos para aplicação de maquiagem, para tentativa de isolamento das bactérias Staphylococcus aureus e Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Além disso, cada estabelecimento apresentou um profissional maquiador para responder ao questionário com perguntas envolvendo biossegurança. Não houve crescimento das bactérias pesquisadas nas amostras analisadas; porém, uma delas apresentou desenvolvimento de colônias compatíveis com Staphylococcus epidermidis. Com relação ao questionário, algumas respostas dos profissionais apontaram não conformidades com a legislação, como a falta do uso de EPI, a falta de um local específico para limpeza do material, e a ausência do detergente enzimático na limpeza dos artigos de maquiagem, o que indica maior risco de contaminação. Não foram encontradas as bactérias de interesse nos artigos de maquiagem, apesar dos profissionais dos estabelecimentos responderem que não cumprem algumas medidas de biossegurança. Contudo, não está descartada a possibilidade de haver outras bactérias ou fungos potencialmente patogênicos presentes no material utilizado nos procedimentos.
AÇÃO DO ACETILHEXAPEPTÍDEO-3 NO PROCESSO DE REJUVENESCIMENTO FACIAL
Authors: Machado Karina Elisa , Sigales Geonara Leite , Solovy Ivanisse
Published: October 2018

O envelhecimento é um processo multifatorial, resultado de diversos fatores, intrínsecos e extrínsecos. Consiste em um processo continuo que não afeta apenas a aparência, mas as diversas estruturas e funções da pele. Todo o organismo sofre com as alterações provocadas pelo envelhecimento, porém, é na face, uma das áreas mais foto exposta, que essas alterações são mais facilmente reconhecidas. A região facial envelhecida pode apresentar flacidez, rugas, linhas de expressão, entre outros distúrbios estéticos, que representam os sinais mais aparentes de uma pele senil. Na busca pela juventude, diversas técnicas de rejuvenescimento facial vêm sendo utilizado nos últimos anos, entre o quais acetilhexapeptídeo-3, um ativo de uso tópico que foi sintetizado com objetivo de mimetizar os efeitos da neurotoxina botulínica. Nesta perspectiva, o objetivo do presente trabalho foi analisar o processo de envelhecimento cutâneo e a ação do ativo acetilhexapeptideo-3 no processo de rejuvenescimento facial, por meio de uma revisão bibliográfica. O presente estudo caracterizou-se com uma revisão bibliográfica exploratória-descritiva com abordagem qualitativa, neste contexto buscou-se informações a respeito do processo de envelhecimento cutâneo e a ação do ativo acetilhexapeptídeo-3 no rejuvenescimento facial. Os resultados mostraram que o acetilhexapeptídeo-3, embora muito menos potente que a neurotoxina botulínica, promove melhoras significativas na aparência da pele envelhecida, justificando desta maneira seu uso em formulações cosméticas antienvelhecimento.
DIRETRIZES PARA ELABORAÇÃO DE UM PROTOCOLO E RELATÓRIO DE ESTUDO DE DEGRADAÇÃO FORÇADA DE MEDICAMENTOS DE ACORDO COM A RDC 53/2015
Authors: Da Costa Gabriel Nunes , Viana Gil Mendes , Lima Filho Ubiracir Fernandes , Cabral Lucio Mendes
Published: October 2018

O estudo de degradação forçada (EDF) é uma atividade preditiva chave para conhecer a estabilidade de um insumo farmacêutico ativo (IFA) e do seu respectivo produto acabado. A partir dele, é possível obter um método indicativo de estabilidade pela realização de condições de estresse severas capaz de quantificar todos os degradantes possíveis no IFA ou no seu produto acabado. Os principais guias internacionais que tratam sobre o tema apenas dão uma visão geral sobre como realizar o EDF não fornecendo detalhes sobre uma abordagem prática destes estudos, o que dificulta uma padronização científica da metodologia. Com a publicação da RDC 53/2015 e do guia 04/2015 pela Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária (ANVISA), as práticas internacionais de realização do EDF deverão ser revisadas para a obtenção de um registro de medicamento no Brasil. Portanto, este trabalho propõe um modelo de protocolo e relatório de EDF que atenda os requerimentos da legislação brasileira. Rota de degradação, condições de estresse, endpoints, percentual de degradação, balanço de massas, perfil de degradação potencial, validação analítica, identificação e qualificação de produtos de degradação foram discutidos ao longo deste trabalho. O modelo de protocolo e relatório apresentado atende a RDC 53/2015 em sua totalidade.
South Africa's 'Radical Economic Transformation'
Authors: Tleane Lekgantshi Console
Published: October 2018

The South African political class appears to have finally recognized the depth of the crisis into which the country's capitalist system has sunk. Can the government's new Radical Economic Transformation program begin to address the profound inequalities that remain at the heart of South African society?
Persepsi dan Perilaku Wanita Usia Subur dalam Melakukan Tes Inspeksi Visual Asam Asetat
Authors: Sahr Liyasda Amalis , Kusumaningrum Tanjung Anitasari Indah
Published: October 2018

Latar Belakang: Kabupaten Sukoharjo menempati sebagai salah satu kabupaten tertinggi positif IVA di Jawa Tengah dengan presentase sebesar 19.35%. Jumlah tersebut melampaui ambang batas yang ditetapkan oleh Kementerian Kesehatan RI yaitu sebesar 3%. Kunjungan tes IVA terendah terdapat di Puskesmas Kecamatan Sukoharjo yaitu hanya 47 (0,19%) wanita usia subur (WUS) yang telah tes IVA. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk memahami perilaku WUS yang telah bersedia dan tidak bersedia melakukan tes IVA berdasarkan teori Health Belief Model. Metode: Jenis penelitian ini merupakan penelitian kualitatif dengan pendekatan studi kasus WUS yang bersedia dan tidak bersedia melakukan tes. Sebanyak 14 WUS terlibat dalam penelitian ini dan disertai dengan 14 suami WUS yang bersedia dilakukan wawancara mendalam sebagai teknik pengumpulan data.  Satu orang bidan sebagai pelaksana program IVA tes juga di wawancara mendalam sebagai informan triangulasi. Hasil: Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa sebagian besar WUS belum melakukan tes IVA. Persepsi hambatan yang dirasakan oleh WUS merupakan persepsi yang paling melatarbelakangi WUS tidak melakukan tes IVA. Alasan WUS enggan melakukan tes IVA karena kurangnya informasi tentang tes IVA sehingga WUS merasa tidak faham tentang IVA, selain kesibukan, perasaan takut, dan malu. Persepsi yang paling berkaitan dengan WUS melakukan tes IVA adalah cues to action. Alasan WUS melakukan tes IVA adalah karena mendapat sosialisasi lengkap sehingga faham manfaatnya, selain juga dukungan dari suami serta adanya contoh dari teman yang telah melakukan tes IVA.Kata Kunci: Kanker Serviks, Wanita Usia Subur, IVA, persepsi, Health Belief Model
Between Bioconservatism and transhumanism: In search of a third way
Authors: Bardziński Filip
Published: October 2018

Review of the book edited by R. Cole-Turner Transhumanism and Transcendence: Christian Hope in an Age of Technological Enhancement.
Common Sense and Scientific Inquiry: Remarks on John Dewey’s Philosophy of Educational Progressivism
Authors: Malitowska Anna , Bonecki Mateusz
Published: October 2018

This paper focuses on analysis of relation between pedagogical and epistemological ideas of John Dewey. Our considerations are divided into four sections. (1) We reconstruct Dewey’s conception of culture as a body of normative and regulative common sense beliefs determining human conduct and language use. (2) Further, we compare common sense based inquiry and its scientific mode with regard to their respective conceptual frameworks in order to show that “theoretical-scientific” perspective provides more comprehensive insight into the relations constituting problem situations. (3) We identify informal education with socialization processes and argue that educational process relies on constant reflection on cultural habits. (4) We conclude that competences of using theoretical conceptual frameworks and conducting scientific inquiry play crucial role in Dewey’s educational ideology of progressivism since they provide basic tools for critical reconsideration and revision of common sense beliefs.
Searching for Selfhood: Ricoeur’s Recognition and Cavellian Acknowledgment
Authors: Chrzanowska Klementyna
Published: October 2018

Ricoeur's theory of narrative identity is not his last word when it comes to philosophy of selfhood. This paper aims to outline how the findings of one of Ricoeur's final books, The Course of Recognition fit into Ricoeur’s philosophy of selfhood, and to do so by comparing Ricoeur’s analyses of the concept of recognition and Stanley Cavell’s explorations of the idea of acknowledgment. Cavell, much of whose philosophy investigates “the extent to which my relation to myself is figured in my relation to my words,” can show recognition to be not only the gaining of knowledge, but the outward affirmation, acceptance, agreement to that knowledge (in language). That requirement of outwardness, of intersubjectivity, is what makes acknowledgment crucial for theories of selfhood.
Introduction to No. 1, Part two: Developing Moral Competence, Perfecting Selfhood, Practicing Forgiveness
Authors: Bardziński Filip , Dutka Joanna
Published: October 2018

The introductioń to Ethics in Progress Special Issue, Vol. 7(1), No. 2 isgiven, with brief exposes on the articles present in the section.
Edukacja na rzecz zwierząt i ich praw. Uwagi w kontekście dyskursu o przemocy wobec zwierząt
Authors: Helios Joanna
Published: October 2018

The purpose of this article is to present the issues of violence against animals. This text is educational in nature. Sometime in our society violence against animals is often marginalized. Humanitarianism and animal welfare are pushed into the background. It is therefore worth considering the causes of animal cruelty.
Znieważający konstytucjonalizm i konstytucjonalizm znieważony. Refleksja socjologiczna na temat kryzysu liberalno-demokratycznego konstytucjonalizmu w Europie pokomunistycznej
Authors: Skąpska Grażyna
Published: October 2018

This paper debates abusive constitutionalism and constitutionalism abused as ways to introduce a fundamental change of political system. Abusive constitutionalism consists in a change of a democratic regime in a less democratic one with the help of democratic means, i.e. democratically legitimized change of the existing constitution, or proclamation of a new constitution, as it recently happened in Hungary. An example of abused constitutionalism presents contemporary Poland. There the fundamental change of democratic regime happens notwithstanding the still binding constitution, as in an oblivion of it, by the means of ordinary laws proclaimed in a rush process by the ruling parliamentary majority. The whole process is steered in an informal way by the chairman of the ruling party. The important context of abusive constitutionalism, and of constitutionalism abused, as I am going to argue, presentst he crisis of liberal constitutionalism, the loss of its motivational force as a moral sign-post in the public sphere. Instead, one observes a retreat to some primordial and emotionally laden conceptualizations of a politically organized community (a Gemeinschaft) where emotions, primary bonds, foundational myths are more important than law and liberal constitution. Such a retreat results from the past but also presents a reaction to the growing complexity of the contemporary world, and involved risks.