bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Salvage of Failed Achilles Tendon Interposition Arthroplasty for DRUJ Instability After Ulnar Head Resection With Aptis Prosthesis
Authors: Wimalawansa Sunishka M. , Lopez Rocio Rodriguez , de Lucas Fernando Garcia , De Smet Luc , Boin Michael A. , Dorweiler Matthew , Degreef Ilse
Published: October 2016

Background: Historically, failed conservative treatment for irreparably damaged distal radioulnar joints (DRUJs) is treated via distal ulnar resection or DRUJ fusion; complications include disabling painful convergence of the radius and ulnar stump during lifting Various treatments for radioulnar impingement include distal radioulnar Achilles tendon allograft interpositional arthroplasty. This technique does not adequately prevent radioulnar impingement and we explore an alternative treatment. Methods: We report 7 adult patients who failed Achilles tendon interposition, subsequently treated with Aptis total DRUJ prostheses (mean follow-up, 26 months; range, 7-40). Results: Revision to Aptis prosthesis produced clinically stable DRUJ, improved grip strength and painless lifting capabilities, high patient satisfaction, and no major complications. All returned to daily activities and even recreational sports. Conclusions: Tendon lacks biomechanical features key to the shock-absorbing function of cartilage—features it cannot deliver when used to prevent radioulnar convergence. We report Aptis DRUJ prosthesis as an alternative to the tendon allograft technique.
Array-CGH in pediatric neurology: A prospective observational study
Authors: Vitaliti Giovanna , Pavone Piero , Motamed-Gorji Nazgol , Matin Nassim , Vecchio Michele , Ledda Caterina , Lubrano Riccardo , Falsaperla Raffaele
Published: October 2016

Array-comparative genomic hybridization (Array-CGH) has been proposed as the first efficient approach to scan the entire genome for variations in DNA copy number. This diagnostic method is based on the study of total genomic DNA isolated from any sample and reference cell populations, differentially labelled and hybridized to DNA microarrays. The method has been initially applied in clinical genetics research and has recently also been used in cancer research, as tumor genomes have a wide variety of copy number phenotypes, indicating different types of genetic instability. In this field, array-CGH has been demonstrated to be an efficient diagnostic method to provide information on the location of important cancer genes. Recently the use of array-CGH has been expanded, including the analysis of constitutional abnormalities, to diagnose subtending mutations of neurologic diseases, with promising results in diagnosing genetic mutations otherwise not evident with other genetic tests. We performed a prospective study on the efficiency of array-CGH in the genetic-molecular diagnosis of pediatric patients affected by developmental delay and mental retardation associated with clinical signs of dimorphism and/or other relevant neurological symptoms. In our study, we had a detection rate of 22.71% by array-CGH analysis and we were able to take more precise genetic information for microdeletion and microduplication of our cohort of patients with developmental delay and/or idiopathic mental retardation and/or dimorphic face and/or epilepsy. In our opinion, we think that these findings would be helpful in early diagnosis and family genetic counseling, above all in those clinical neurologic cases in which other diagnostic tests have not succeed in performing a diagnosis.
Economic burden of informal care attributable to stroke among those aged 65 years or older in China
Authors: Joo Heesoo , Liang Di
Published: October 2016

Stroke is a leading cause of disability in China, frequently resulting in the need for informal care. No information, however, is available on costs of informal care associated with stroke, required to understand the true cost of stroke in China. Using the 2011 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study, we identified 4447 respondents aged ≥65 years suitable for analyses, including 184 stroke survivors. We estimated the economic burden of informal care associated with stroke using a two-part model. The monthly number of hours of informal caregiving associated with stroke was 29.2 h/stroke survivor, and the average annual cost of informal care associated with stroke was 10,612 RMB per stroke survivor. The findings stress the necessity of proper interventions to prevent stroke and will be useful for estimating the economic burden of stroke.
Bone marrow stromal cell therapy for ischemic stroke: A meta-analysis of randomized control animal trials
Authors: Wu Qing , Wang Yuexiang , Demaerschalk Bart M , Ghimire Saruna , Wellik Kay E , Qu Wenchun
Published: October 2016

Background

Results of animal studies assessing efficacy of bone marrow stromal cell therapy for ischemic stroke remain inconsistent.

Aims

The aims are to assess efficacy of bone marrow stromal cell therapy for ischemic stroke in animal studies.

Methods

Randomized controlled animal trials assessing efficacy of bone marrow stromal cell therapy were eligible. Stroke therapy academic industry round table was used to assess methodologic quality of included studies. Primary outcomes were total infarction volume and modified Neurological Severity Score. Multiple prespecified sensitivity analyses and subgroup analyses were conducted. Random effects models were used for meta-analysis.

Results

Thirty-three randomized animal trials were included with a total of 796 animals. The median quality score was 6 (interquartile range, 5–7). Bone marrow stromal cell therapy decreased total infarction volume (standardized mean difference, 0.897; 95% confidence interval, 0.553–1.241; P < .001) at follow-up. Overall standardized mean difference between animals treated with bone marrow stromal cell and controls was 2.47 (95% confidence interval, 1.84–3.11; P < .001) for modified Neurological Severity Score; 1.27 (95% confidence interval, 0.72–1.82; P < .001) for adhesive removal test; and 2.13 (95% confidence interval, 0.65–3.61; P < .001) for rotarod test. Significant heterogeneity among studies was observed. Effect of all outcomes stayed significant in various sensitivity analyses and subgroup analyses, except in a few subgroup analyses with small sample size or with short time follow-up. No significant difference between groups was observed except for study location, in which significantly larger estimates were found in Asian countries. On the basis of this meta-analysis, larger sample sizes are warranted for future animal studies.

Conclusions

Bone marrow stromal cell therapy significantly decreased total infarction volume and increased neural functional recovery in randomized controlled animal models of ischemic stroke.
C4b binding protein negatively regulates TLR1/2 response
Authors: Morita Naoko , Yamai Ikuko , Takahashi Koichiro , Kusumoto Yutaka , Shibata Takuma , Kobayashi Toshihiko , Nonaka Mayumi I , Ichimonji Isao , Takagi Hidekazu , Miyake Kensuke , Takamura Sachiko A
Published: October 2016

TLR2 associates with TLR1 and recognizes microbial lipoproteins. Pam3CSK4, a triacylated lipoprotein, is anchored to the extracellular domain of TLR1 and TLR2 and induces pro-inflammatory signals. Here we show that C4b binding protein (C4BP), which is a complement pathway inhibitor, is a TLR2-associated molecule. Immunoprecipitation assay using anti-TLR2 mAb shows that C4BP binds to TLR2. In C4BP-deficient mice, Pam3CSK4-induced IL-6 levels were increased compared with wild type mice. In C4BP-expressing cells, Pam3CSK4-induced IL-8 production was reduced depending on the C4BP expression levels. These results reveal the important role of C4BP in negative regulation of TLR1/2-dependent pro-inflammatory cytokine production. Furthermore, using a fluorescent conjugated Pam3CSK4, we show that C4BP blocks the binding of Pam3CSK4 to TLR1/2. Finally, we show that exogenous C4BP also inhibits Pam3CSK4-induced signaling leading to IL-8 production. Our results indicate C4BP binding to TLR2 and consequent neutralization of its activity otherwise inducing pro-inflammatory cytokine production. C4BP is a negative regulator of TLR1/2 activity.
Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Breastfeeding Among Working Mothers in South Jordan
Authors: Altamimi Eyad , Al Nsour Reem , Al dalaen Duaa , Almajali Neyaf
Published: October 2016

Breast milk is the ideal food for human infants, with benefits to mothers and babies. However, working mothers are more likely to choose not to breastfeed or to interrupt breastfeeding prematurely. This study assessed breastfeeding knowledge and attitudes among working mothers in South Jordan. Four hundred cross-sectional, self-administered Arabic surveys were distributed to working mothers at their workplaces. In addition to measuring mothers’ knowledge of and attitudes toward breastfeeding, barriers that prevented continuing breastfeeding beyond 6 months were also explored. Three hundred forty-four (80%) completed questionnaires were returned. The breastfeeding initiation rate was 72.4%, but only 20.9% were exclusively breastfeeding by 6 months. The participants showed satisfactory knowledge about breastfeeding and had positive attitudes toward breastfeeding. Most of the women who initiated breastfeeding reported ending breastfeeding prematurely. Approximately 30% of the mothers attributed premature cessation of breastfeeding to work. The results of this study could be useful for health care providers and policy makers when planning effective breastfeeding promotion programs and creating breastfeeding-friendly workplaces.
Work-Family Conflict, Sleep, and Mental Health of Nursing Assistants Working in Nursing Homes
Authors: Zhang Yuan , Punnett Laura , Nannini Angela
Published: October 2016

Work-family conflict is challenging for workers and may lead to depression, anxiety, and overall poor health. Sleep plays an important role in the maintenance of mental health; however, the role of sleep in the association between work-family conflict and mental health is not well-studied. Questionnaires were collected from 650 nursing assistants in 15 nursing homes. Multivariate linear regression modeling demonstrated that increased work-family conflict was associated with lower mental health scores (β = −2.56, p < .01). More work-family conflict was correlated with more job demands, less job control, less social support, and longer work hours. Poor sleep quality, but not short sleep duration, mediated the association between work-family conflict and mental health. Workplace interventions to improve nursing assistants’ mental health should increase their control over work schedules and responsibilities, provide support to meet their work and family needs, and address healthy sleep practices.
Cost-effectiveness of anticoagulants for suspected heparin-induced thrombocytopenia in the United States
Authors: Aljabri Ahmed , Huckleberry Yvonne , Karnes Jason H. , Gharaibeh Mahdi , Kutbi Hussam I. , Raz Yuval , Yun Seongseok , Abraham Ivo , Erstad Brian
Published: October 2016

Publisher's Note: There is an Inside Blood Commentary on this article in this issue.
Interleukin 32: a novel player in the control of infectious diseases
Authors: Ribeiro-Dias Fátima , Saar Gomes Rodrigo , de Lima Silva Lucas Luiz , dos Santos Jéssica Cristina , Joosten Leo A B
Published: October 2016

Interleukin 32 (IL-32) is a proinflammatory cytokine, expressed as 9 distinct isoforms. The most active isoform is the predominantly intracellular-functioning IL-32γ. Involvement of IL-32 in infectious diseases is increasingly being appreciated. Production of IL-32 promotes pathways that serve to control bacterial infection, especially those caused by mycobacteria. A similar role for this cytokine is observed in the cellular response to viral infections. In addition to its protective effects against microorganisms, IL-32 is involved in immunopathogenesis of some infectious diseases. In parasitic diseases, it has been demonstrated that this cytokine is induced by Leishmania infection. In this review, we summarize the present data on the role of IL-32 in infectious diseases, highlighting this cytokine as new target for control of infections.
Biochemical pathways supporting beta-lactam biosynthesis in the springtail Folsomia candida
Authors: Suring Wouter , Mariën Janine , Broekman Rhody , van Straalen Nico M. , Roelofs Dick
Published: October 2016

Recently, an active set of beta-lactam biosynthesis genes was reported in the genome of the arthropod springtail Folsomia candida (Collembola). Evidence was provided that these genes were acquired through horizontal gene transfer. However, successful integration of fungal- or bacterial-derived beta-lactam biosynthesis into the metabolism of an animal requires the beta-lactam precursor L-α-aminoadipic acid and a phosphopantetheinyl transferase for activation of the first enzyme of the pathway, δ-(L-α-aminoadipoyl)-L-cysteinyl-D-valine synthetase (ACVS). In this study, we characterized these supporting pathways and their transcriptional regulation in F. candida. We identified one phosphopantetheinyl transferase and three pathways for L-α-aminoadipic acid production, distinct from the pathways utilized by microorganisms. We found that after heat shock, the phosphopantetheinyl transferase was co-regulated with ACVS, confirming its role in activating ACVS. Two of the three L-α-aminoadipic acid production pathways were downregulated, while PIPOX, an enzyme participating in the pipecolate pathway, was slightly co-regulated with ACVS. This indicates that L-α-aminoadipic acid may not be a limiting factor in beta-lactam biosynthesis in F. candida, in contrast to microorganisms. In conclusion, we show that all components for L-α-aminoadipic acid synthesis are present and transcriptionally active in F. candida. This demonstrates how springtails could have recruited native enzymes to integrate a beta-lactam biosynthesis pathway into their metabolism after horizontal gene transfer.
Early molecular events during retinoic acid induced differentiation of neuromesodermal progenitors
Authors: Cunningham Thomas J. , Colas Alexandre , Duester Gregg
Published: October 2016

Bipotent neuromesodermal progenitors (NMPs) residing in the caudal epiblast drive coordinated body axis extension by generating both posterior neuroectoderm and presomitic mesoderm. Retinoic acid (RA) is required for body axis extension, however the early molecular response to RA signaling is poorly defined, as is its relationship to NMP biology. As endogenous RA is first seen near the time when NMPs appear, we used WNT/FGF agonists to differentiate embryonic stem cells to NMPs which were then treated with a short 2-h pulse of 25 nM RA or 1 µM RA followed by RNA-seq transcriptome analysis. Differential expression analysis of this dataset indicated that treatment with 25 nM RA, but not 1 µM RA, provided physiologically relevant findings. The 25 nM RA dataset yielded a cohort of previously known caudal RA target genes including Fgf8 (repressed) and Sox2 (activated), plus novel early RA signaling targets with nearby conserved RA response elements. Importantly, validation of top-ranked genes in vivo using RA-deficient Raldh2−/− embryos identified novel examples of RA activation (Nkx1-2, Zfp503, Zfp703, Gbx2, Fgf15, Nt5e) or RA repression (Id1) of genes expressed in the NMP niche or progeny. These findings provide evidence for early instructive and permissive roles of RA in controlling differentiation of NMPs to neural and mesodermal lineages.
Strigolactone regulates shoot development through a core signalling pathway
Authors: Bennett Tom , Liang Yueyang , Seale Madeleine , Ward Sally , Müller Dörte , Leyser Ottoline
Published: October 2016

Strigolactones are a recently identified class of hormone that regulate multiple aspects of plant development. The DWARF14 (D14) α/β fold protein has been identified as a strigolactone receptor, which can act through the SCFMAX2 ubiquitin ligase, but the universality of this mechanism is not clear. Multiple proteins have been suggested as targets for strigolactone signalling, including both direct proteolytic targets of SCFMAX2, and downstream targets. However, the relevance and importance of these proteins to strigolactone signalling in many cases has not been fully established. Here we assess the contribution of these targets to strigolactone signalling in adult shoot developmental responses. We find that all examined strigolactone responses are regulated by SCFMAX2 and D14, and not by other D14-like proteins. We further show that all examined strigolactone responses likely depend on degradation of SMXL proteins in the SMXL6 clade, and not on the other proposed proteolytic targets BES1 or DELLAs. Taken together, our results suggest that in the adult shoot, the dominant mode of strigolactone signalling is D14-initiated, MAX2-mediated degradation of SMXL6-related proteins. We confirm that the BRANCHED1 transcription factor and the PIN-FORMED1 auxin efflux carrier are plausible downstream targets of this pathway in the regulation of shoot branching, and show that BRC1 likely acts in parallel to PIN1.
Vps34 regulates Rab7 and late endocytic trafficking through recruitment of the GTPase-activating protein Armus
Authors: Jaber Nadia , Mohd-Naim Noor , Wang Ziqing , DeLeon Jennifer L. , Kim Seong , Zhong Hua , Sheshadri Namratha , Dou Zhixun , Edinger Aimee L. , Du Guangwei , Braga Vania M. M. , Zong Wei-Xing
Published: October 2016

The class III phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) Vps34 (also known as PIK3C3 in mammals) produces phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate [PI(3)P] on both early and late endosome membranes to control membrane dynamics. We used Vps34-deficient cells to delineate whether Vps34 has additional roles in endocytic trafficking. In Vps34−/− mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs), transferrin recycling and EEA1 membrane localization were unaffected despite elevated Rab5-GTP levels. Strikingly, a large increase in Rab7-GTP levels, an accumulation of enlarged late endosomes, and decreased EGFR degradation were observed in Vps34-deficient cells. The hyperactivation of Rab7 in Vps34-deficient cells stemmed from the failure to recruit the Rab7 GTPase-activating protein (GAP) Armus (also known as TBC1D2), which binds to PI(3)P, to late endosomes. Protein–lipid overlay and liposome-binding assays reveal that the putative pleckstrin homology (PH) domain in Armus can directly bind to PI(3)P. Elevated Rab7-GTP led to the failure of intraluminal vesicle (ILV) formation and lysosomal maturation. Rab7 silencing and Armus overexpression alleviated the vacuolization seen in Vps34-deficient cells. Taken together, these results demonstrate that Vps34 has a previously unknown role in regulating Rab7 activity and late endosomal trafficking.
Medicaid Insurance in Old Age
Authors: De Nardi Mariacristina , French Eric , Jones John Bailey
Published: October 2016

The old age provisions of the Medicaid program were designed to insure retirees against medical expenses. We estimate a structural model of savings and medical spending and use it to compute the distribution of lifetime Medicaid transfers and Medicaid valuations across currently single retirees. Compensating variation calculations indicate that current retirees value Medicaid insurance at more than its actuarial cost, but that most would value an expansion of the current Medicaid program at less than its cost. These findings suggest that for current single retirees, the Medicaid program may be of the approximately right size. (JEL C51, H51, I13)
The Berlin Stock Exchange in Imperial Germany: A Market for New Technology?
Authors: Lehmann-Hasemeyer Sibylle , Streb Jochen
Published: October 2016

Analyzing 474 cases of firms going public in the German capital between 1892 and 1913, we show that innovative firms could rely on the Berlin stock market as a source of financing. Our data also reveal that initial public offerings (IPO) of innovative firms were characterized by particularly low underpricing, comparatively high first trading prices, and no long-run underperformance. We interpret these empirical results as evidence for the surprising fact that in the period of the Second Industrial Revolution the Berlin stock exchange was already a well-functioning market for new technology. (JEL G14, N23)
Endogenous Entry to Security-Bid Auctions
Authors: Sogo Takeharu , Bernhardt Dan , Liu Tingjun
Published: October 2016

We endogenize entry to a security-bid auction, where participation is costly and bidders must decide given their private valuations whether to participate. We first consider any minimum reserve security-bid of a fixed expected value that weakly exceeds the asset's value when retained by the seller. DeMarzo, Kremer, and Skrzypacz (2005) establish that with a fixed number of bidders, auctions with steeper securities yield the seller more revenues. Counterintuitively, we find that auctions with steeper securities also attract more entry, further enhancing the revenues from such auctions. We then establish that with optimal reserve securities, auctions with steeper securities always yield higher expected revenues. (JEL D44)
The velaue of intercultural communication in foreign language teaching
Authors: Башлуева  , Bashlueva Natalya
Published: October 2016

The article examines the close relationship of Russia´s national languages and intercultural communication, the possibility of introducing modern teaching technologies in the process of accelerating the adaptation period and the improvement of the Russian language in order to prepare future professionals and optimize the learning process. Teaching Russian as a foreign language - is learning not only and not so much phonetic, lexical and grammatical component and mastering the practice of intercultural communication, because every word reflects their world, thinking, tradition, customs and culture. In order to improve the Russian language, the need for real communication environment, immersion, contact with life, the active use of language in natural situations in communication.
Establishing psychological contact with a patient´s face at the stage of pre-test interviews in the framework of the psychophysiological research using the polygraph
Authors: Деулин  , Deulin Dmitriy , Гришаева  , Grishaeva Tatyana
Published: October 2016

The article discusses topical problems of one of the stages of the psychophysiological research using the polygraph. Based on the knowledge of legal psychology, the authors propose to use various techniques of establishing psychological contact at the stage of pre-test interviews in the framework of derivatives with the use of the polygraph. In addition, the article analyzes the approach to the examined person, depending on the type of accentuation.
Law Enforcement Public Service: to Be or not to Be?
Authors: Чаннов Сергей , CHannov Syergyey
Published: October 2016

The article discusses the current state of the law enforcement public service legislation. It is noted that the development of the legal regulation of law enforcement service over the past decade shows that legislators don’t understand to the full extent its specificity and differences from other types of public service. The author criticizes the refusal to use the term “law enforcement service” in the Federal Law “On the public service of the Russian Federation”, according to author´s opinion the service at specific positions in law enforcement service has a number of features in comparison with civil and military service and is characterized by a certain internal unity. The article compares approaches to the legal regulation of service at certain positions in different law enforcement agencies. The author notes that taken in recent years legislative acts concerning the service in law enforcement agencies mostly contain overlapping rules. This situation violates one of the principles of legal technique - maximum economy of norms in the presentation of legal regulations, prevention of their repetitions.
Trends of the Development of Criminal Law at the Modern Stage
Authors: Гравина Алла , Gravina Alla
Published: October 2016

The article analyses the modern criminal law, factors having negative effect on its development according with social, political and economic needs in the Russian Federation. Humanism is the main stream determining these trends. The author treats exercise of the principle of humanism in General and Special parts of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation. The work provides criminal statistics of the recent years. It pays particular attention to the reasons disturbing stability of law, leading to excess of legal regulation and excess of repressiveness of criminal law. It is impossible to predict the trends of criminal law without taking into account the political, social, economic development of the society, which determine the criminal policy of the country. The stability of law is also determined by them. The main methods of criminal policy are criminalization, decriminalization, penalization and depenalization. The article considers influence of criminalization and decriminalization on criminal law. The main trends in the development of criminal law is the further differentiation of criminal responsibility and expanding the list of forms of punishment not connected with isolation of guilty person from a society; introduction of less severe punishment. Some forms of differentiation of criminal liability such as — returning of administrative prejudice to criminal law, transfer of certain types of punishment to the category of other measures of criminal law applicable to the exemption from criminal liability; forecasting of introduction some new types of offences to the Criminal Code as well as support of the preparation of the Concept of modernization of criminal law.
Eurasian Economic Union: Borders Extension and Legal Reality
Authors: Каширкина Анна , Kashirkina Anna
Published: October 2016

Eurasian integration and the functioning of the Eurasian Economic Union are important parameters for the development of the modern practices of international organizations and associations. The study of the features of the ways of the Eurasian integration is necessary to determine further ways of improvement of the Eurasian Economic Union and efficiency upgrading of it. The article focuses on the scientific problems of possible growth and expansion of the Eurasian Economic Union. The author shows different possible ways of such movement and growth. Extensive way of growth should be seen in the enlargement of the member-states of the Eurasian Economic Union. In this case it should be noted that during two years of functioning of the Eurasian Economic Union, established by of three States — Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan, have joined the Republic of Armenia and the Kyrgyz Republic. Another way is increasing and intensification, i.e. intensification of international relations of the Eurasian Economic Union with different subjects of international law, primarily States and international organisations as SCO, ASEAN, European Union. It must be accented the entry of the Eurasian economic Union into the international stage of foreign trade relations with Vietnam and Serbia. In the forecast is conclusion of treaties with China, Israel, Mongolia and South Korea. In such relationships the Eurasian Economic Union will be able to implement its international legal personality, which is stipulated by the Agreement on the Eurasian Economic Union.
Theoretical Grounds of the Challenging of the Transactions under the Bankruptcy Legislation
Authors: Аюрова Аюна , Ayurova Ayuna
Published: October 2016

A lot of national and foreign researchers attempted to examine the theoretical grounds of the challenging of the transactions under the bankruptcy legislation. Thus, tort and quasi-delictual theory, the theory of executive power of the judgment, the theory of the judicial lien and legal theory have been developed. However, until now there hasn’t been developed a unified approach to understanding of the question of what is the basis of the creditor’s right to demand recognition of the debtor’s invalid transaction committed by itself with a third party, in respect of which insolvency (bankruptcy) case has been initiated. This paper analyzes the main concepts developed in support of the rights of the creditor and assesses their strengths and weaknesses. The study and its findings formulated on the basis of the former have allowed the author to offer his own opinion based on challenging the debtor´s transactions. The author reveals the purpose of legal regulation of invalidity of transactions the debtor committed to them on the eve of bankruptcy. This purpose is to protect the rights and property interests of both the debtor and the creditors, as well as is the formal (violation of the law) and material (violation of the property rights of the debtor and its creditors) base to contest the transactions.
Private life as the sphere of the individual concepts: scientific background study
Authors: Булавкин  , Bulavkin Aleksandr , Барадакова  , Baradakova Nina
Published: October 2016

This paper studied the approaches to the modern interpretation of the essence of phenomenology privacy. Consideration of the characteristics of privacy carried out by comparing them with the features of public life. The difference between them is clearly denoted on ongoing objectives and the possible implications of the transition to another sphere. Private life is not heterogeneous.
Manufacture of A “Functional” Fermented Milk Product with the Addition of an Alcoholic Plant Origin Extract
Authors: Zelovitis Ioannis , Vlachou Αnna-Maria , Pappa Eleni , Kondyli Eftymia
Published: October 2016

Changes in microbiological, physicochemical and sensory parameters of kefir were studied during refrigerated storage. Kefir batches were prepared with 0 μl/100g (control, K) 15μl/100g (KA) and 30μl/100g (KB) concentration of an ethanolic extract of Viscum album and Abies alba and samples for analysis were taken 24h after inoculation (day 1), at 10th day and 20th day of storage at 3 ±1oC. The alcoholic extract resulted from the mixture of leaves and stems from Viscum album and Abies alba with ethanol in proportion of 1:1:1. The mixture was left at 4° C for one month, filtered and added into the kefir. Viscum album is known for its potential immunostimulatory, cytotoxic, proapoptotic and anticancer effects (in-vitro). Abies alba is the host of Viscum album and their synergy enhance the above properties. The results of this study showed that the use of the ethanolic extract of Viscum album and Abies alba in kefir production did not alter the microbial and physicochemical characteristics of kefir. It seems that the incorporation of a small concentration (15μl/100g) of the ethanolic extract of Viscum album and Abies alba in kefir does not affect the final product, which is similar or even better than the control.
Electrochemical Evaluation of the Organic Matter Content of Edible Sea and Rock Salts Retailed in the Greek Market.
Authors: Sakellari Aikaterini , Plavšić Marta , Karavoltsos Sotirios , Diakos Ioannis , Dassenakis Manos , Proestos Charalampos
Published: October 2016

The release of copper-complexing ligands in 14 sea and 10 rock edible salts retailed in the Greek market has been examined. The concentration of ligands (LT) and the copper-binding strength (logKapp) of salt solutions were determined with Differential Pulse Anodic Stripping Voltammetry (DPASV).
The tested salt samples were found to have Cu complexing ligands, at concentrations ranging from <0.1 to 61.2 nmol g-1. In none of the salt samples examined (except a single one) were LTvalues exceeded by the corresponding total copper concentrations, indicating that Cu is fully complexed.
Aiming to partially characterize the physico-chemical properties of the organic material contained in salts, the surface active substances (SAS) and catalytically active compounds (CAC) were measured, for the first time, in salt solutions by sensitive electrochemical techniques. Higher concentrations of organic carbon and SAS were determined in sea samples compared to rock salts.
Determination of Α- and Β-Thujone in Wormwood and Sage Infusions of Greek Flora and Estimation of their Average Toxicity
Authors: Sotiropoulou Νefeli-Sofia , Kokkini Maria , P.Megremi Stiliani-Fani , Daferera Dimitra , Skotti Efstathia , Kimbaris Athanasios , Polissiou Moschos , Tarantilis Petros
Published: October 2016

Artemisia absinthium (wormwood) and Salvia sp. (sage) are used as additives to pharmaceuticals, food and alcoholic beverages while in Greece both herbs are also consumed as infusions. The compounds α- and β-thujone, are monoterpenes, which are found in various preparations of these herbs. According to organizations (EMA, SCF) and clinical studies, α- and β-thujone have shown neurotoxic effects in humans over established limits. In this study wormwoodandsageinfusions were investigated in terms of the relative % content of the volatile constituents and the concentrations of α- and β-thujone by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). In sage infusions, α-thujone was the predominant isomer while in wormwood β-thujone was dominated. Our results revealed that most of the above herbal infusions exceed thujone limits as set by EMA, which are 3 mg/day for wormwood and 5 mg/day for sage. Furthermore, the average toxicity as performed by the Microtox® Analyzer showed higher levels of toxicity in sage infusions compared to the wormwood. No correlation was found between thujone content and toxicity levels of both sage and wormwood infusions.
Production of a Functional Fresh Cheese Enriched with the Probiotic Strain Lb. Plantarum T571 Isolated From Traditional Greek Product
Authors: Papadopoulou Olga , Chorianopoulos Nikos
Published: October 2016

The aim of the study was the production of fresh cheese with enhanced quality, standardized characteristics and increased functional and nutritional value. The main idea was to produce probiotic cheese with the use of probiotic bacteria isolated from the microflora of traditional Greek products. For this reason, fresh cheese was produced according to the traditional method (control) and the probiotic strain Lb. plantarum T571 was also added as co-culture (probiotic). All samples were inoculated with L. monocytogenes (3 strains) of 3 log CFU/g initial inoculum level. Microbiological analysis occured during cheese production and until the end of the shelf life of the product stored at 4°C under vacuum packaging. pH, water activity (aW) and titratable acidity were also monitored along with the sensory analysis of the product. The survival of probiotic and Listeria strains was assessed by Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE). Results showed that on the 1st day of manufacture the population levels of lab exceeded 8 log CFU/g for all inoculated samples. By the end of shelf life, the population levels of lab in probiotic samples were approximately 7.5 log CFU/g. However, the probiotic samples resulted to significantly higher acidity, lower pH and reduced counts of coliforms and Listeria spp. The quality characteristics of probiotic products compared with the control ones were better according to the test panel. Regarding the PFGE results, Lb. plantarum T571 strain was found in all cases at populations above 7 log CFU/g. Although further research is needed, the results of the current study were encouraging for producing a probiotic fresh cheese with high added value and increased safety levels.
Cheese Whey Catalytic Conversion for Obtaining a Bioactive Hydrolysate With Reduced Antigenicity
Authors: Torkova Anna , Ryazantzeva Kseniya , Agarkova Evgeniya , Tsentalovich Mikhail , Kruchinin Aleksandr , Fedorova Tatyana
Published: October 2016

Bioinformatics was used to design a procedure for industrial enzymatic proteolysis of cheese whey. The specificity rules for commercial enzymes were applied to in silico proteolysis of cheese whey proteins. The pattern of antigens was considered, along with molecular descriptors of bitter taste, antioxidant capacity, and anti-hypertensive activity. The main objective was to obtain hydrolysates with reduced antigenicity and satisfactory sensory properties; an additional goal was to characterize their bioactivity profiles. Protamex/Alcalase mixtures were first used as multienzyme compositions to obtain non-bitter cheese whey hydrolysates. The multifactor optimization performed for degree of hydrolysis, free amino acid content, and residual antigenicity has revealed the optimal Protamex/Alcalase ratio of 3.5:0.5 and the optimal hydrolysis duration of 90 min. The hydrolysate obtained using Protamex/Alcalase 3.5:0.5 mixture had a double antioxidant capacity and a 15 times lower ACE-I inhibition concentration IC50 compared to cheese whey concentrate, and an 11 times lower β-LG residual antigenicity.
The effect of adolescent-parent relationship enhancement program on adolescent perceived parental acceptance / rejection levels and family functions
Ergen-ebeveyn ilişki geliştirme programının ergenlerin algıladıkları ebeveyn kabul/red düzeylerine ve aile işlevlerine etkisi
Authors: Epli Koç Hatice , Kaygusuz Canani
Published: October 2016

The aim of this research was to study the effect of adolescent-parent relationship enhancement program on adolescent perceived parental acceptance / rejection levels and family unfctions. The experimental group and control group of the research consist of 18 pairs of adolescent and parents.In the study, Parental Acceptance-Rejection Questionnaire(PARQ/Child) was used and  the Family Assessment Scale(FAD). Both the experimental and control groups were given these scale as pre-test and post-test. The sessions lasted approximately 120 minutes for 10 weeks. Nothing has been applied toy he control groups. For the statistical analyses of the data, the “2x2 two way ANOVA for Repeated Measures” which is suitable for using with mixed designs was employed. In accordance with the findings gathered from the study, perceived parental rejection scores of adolescents in the experimental group were decreased more as compared with the adolescents in the control group. Moreover, perceived unhealthy family function scores of adolescents in the experimental group were decreased more as compared with the control group. ÖzetBu çalışmanın amacı, ergen-ebeveyn ilişki geliştirme programı’nın ergenlerin ebeveynlerinden algıladıkları red düzeylerine ve aile işlevlerine etkisini araştırmaktır. Araştırmanın deney ve kontrol grubu toplam 18 ergen ve ebeveyn çiftinden oluşmaktadır. Araştırmada Ebeveyn Kabul-Red Ölçeği (EKRÖ/Çocuk)ve Aile Değerlendirme Ölçeği (ADÖ) kullanılmıştır. Deney ve kontrol gruplarına bu ölçekler ön-test ve son-test olarak uygulanmıştır. Oturumlar yaklaşık 120 dakika olmak üzere 10 hafta sürmüştür. Kontrol grubu ile herhangi bir çalışma yapılmamıştır. Verilerin analizinde mixed (karışık) desenlerde kullanılması uygun bir teknik olan “Tekrarlanmış Ölçümler için 2x2 İki Faktörlü ANOVA” tekniği kullanılmıştır. Araştırma sonuçlarına göre, ergen ebeveyn ilişki geliştirme programı’na katılan ergenlerin (deney grubu) ebeveynlerinden algıladıkları red puanlarında, bu programa katılmayan ergenlerin (kontrol grubu) ebeveynlerinden algıladıkları red puanlarına göre anlamlı düzeyde bir azalma olmuştur. Ayrıca ergen ebeveyn ilişki geliştirme programı’na katılan ergenlerin (deney grubu) sağlıksız aile işlevi puanlarında, bu programa katılmayan ergenlerin (kontrol grubu) sağlıksız aile işlevi puanlarına göre anlamlı düzeyde bir azalma olmuştur.
PERENCANAAN KONSEP MINAPOLITAN DI KAWASAN TAMBAK LOROK, SEMARANG UTARA
Authors: Wulanningrum Sintia Dewi , Jayanti Theresia Budi
Published: October 2016

Minapolitan region is an economic region consisting of production centers, marine and fishery commodities, services, housing and other related activities. Tambak Lorok  is one of fishing villages which is  that located on the coastline of Java Sea in Tanjung Mas, North Semarang. The main function of Tambak Lorok is as residential areas, ponds and trades especially seafood. The main issues in Tambak Lorok  are: the rob, low  economy, and  less infrastructure. The concept of minapolitan is used  to improve the local economy of coastal communities through agribusiness subsystems and its supporting subsystems. This study employed descriptive qualitative method. 

 
KAJIAN PEMANFAATAN RUANG KEGIATAN KOMERSIAL KORIDOR JALAN TAMAN SISWA KOTA SEMARANG
Authors: Wardhana Indra Wisnu , Haryanto Ragil
Published: October 2016

One of the educational areas which have the function as the center of the new growth is the Campus of the State University of Semarang. The existence of Unnes trigger the development of the Sekaran sub-district. One area that has developed commercial activity quite rapidly in the Sekaran sub-district is the Taman Siswa Road Corridor. The purpose of this study was to assess the utilization of space commercial activity in the Taman Siswa road corridors and look for the cause of development of land in the region. The method used in this research is the method of quantitative analysis techniques using descriptive statistics. In the analysis that has been performed, on the factor analysis, the results are not as expected from researchers, or can be said output generated deviate from the input that has been inserted. This is because there are errors in data entry. To anticipate this is to use the results obtained from the descriptive statistical analysis.
POLA DAN FAKTOR PERKEMBANGAN PEMANFAATAN LAHAN DI KECAMATAN MRANGGEN, KABUPATEN DEMAK
Authors: Putra Dewa Raditya , Pradoto Wisnu
Published: October 2016

Sebagai wilayah pinggiran, Kecamatan Mranggen mengalami perkembangan penggunaan lahan yang intensif sejak tahun 90-an, hal ini disebabkan adanya ekspansi pembangunan perkotaan ke wilayah pinggiran, seperti pembangunan Perumnas Pucang Gading dan peningkatan kawasan pemukiman akibat tingginya urbanisasi. Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah mengetahui pola dan faktor yang mempengaruhi perkembangan pemanfaatan lahan terbangun di Kecamatan Mranggen. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode kuantitatif dengan teknik pengumpulan data baik primer maupun sekunder. Penelitian dilakukan dalam beberapa analisis, yaitu analisis spasial overlay melalui analisis perbandingan citra 1994 dan 2015 menggunakan GIS, analisis deskriptif, dan analisis crosstabs menggunakan SPSS. Hasilnya pola pemanfaatan lahan di Kecamatan Mranggen sejak tahun 1994-2015 membentuk pola yang menyebar dengan mengalami perkembangan wilayah yang berbeda-beda (cepat, sedang, dan lambat) dan faktor yang mempengaruhi pamanfaatan lahan terbangun di Kecamatan Mranggen adalah faktor lokasi, harga, lingkungan, aksesibilitas, dan fasilitas.
When 1 + 1 > 2: How Investors React to New Product Releases Announced Concurrently with Other Corporate News
Authors: Warren Nooshin L. , Sorescu Alina
Published: October 2016

Firms routinely use press releases to announce the launch of their new products. An examination of these press releases shows that in approximately 7% of cases, firms issue new product announcements concurrently with other corporate announcements. However, the consequences of these actions are unknown because event studies typically eliminate concurrent announcements in an attempt to avoid their confounding effects. The authors use a comprehensive sample of press releases issued by publicly traded U.S. firms to document the consequences of firms announcing the release of a new product concurrently with another corporate announcement that conveys good news. Drawing on Merton's (1987) model of capital market equilibrium with incomplete information, the authors identify three conditions that are conducive to the issuance of concurrent new product announcements. They then verify that under these conditions, the increase in shareholder value associated with concurrent announcements is higher than that associated with issuing two similar announcements separately. This research provides insights into how firms can leverage corporate communications to increase stock prices.
Tell Me Where You Are and I’ll Tell You What You Want: Using Location Data to Improve Marketing Decisions
Authors: Spann Martin , Molitor Dominik , Daurer Stephan
Published: October 2016

Location data has become more and more accessible. Smartphone applications such as location-based services collect location data on a large scale. Up to now, most approaches have relied on past data, but new developments in machine learning and artificial intelligence will soon enable more dynamic real-time use of location data. Companies that embrace these technologies will be able to create competitive advantages.
Location data offers great potential to improve a variety of marketing decisions such as targeted pricing and advertising, store locations and in-store layout. Location based advertising is currently the most common application. It allows targeting all customers within a certain distance of a store. Besides advertising, location data can be used for dynamic pricing decisions. Customers close to competitor’s locations can be charged a lower price for particular products via discounts in order to reduce switching costs. Indoor tracking can help to optimize store design or the positioning of categories and brands. Granular location data about consumers’ movements hence further allows for minimizing potential offline transaction costs based on the distances to stores.
The Art of Creating Attractive Consumer Experiences at the Right Time: Skills Marketers Will Need to Survive and Thrive
Authors: Lemon Katherine N.
Published: October 2016

New technologies have made today’s marketing faster, more mobile, more location-based, more digital, more virtual, and more automatized than ever. In this new world, marketers need to be “real-time relevant” – to gain awareness, to change perceptions and to spur action. They need to have their content in the right channel, format, time and context – from a consumer’s perspective. Only then do they at least have a chance of the consumer attending to the information and being influenced by it. In such an environment new skills and competences are required. The amount of available data has virtually exploded. To gain any perspective or apparent “control” in these environments, successful managers must embrace the complexity and learn to analyze, integrate and interpret all this data. A critical skill for marketers will be to identify the metrics that best reflect the desired outcomes of the organization and that sufficiently reflect specific indicators of critical processes. Furthermore, insights from other disciplines such as architecture, design, information-processing, biology or engineering will be important for creating customer experiences. The marketer of the future will need to be supremely curious and creative and to balance and integrate different worlds. It will all come down to delivering memorable and lasting experiences in a constantly and fast changing environment.
Big Data in Market Research: Why More Data Does Not Automatically Mean Better Information
Authors: Bosch Volker
Published: October 2016

Big data will change market research at its core in the long term because consumption of products and media can be logged electronically more and more, making it measurable on a large scale. Unfortunately, big data datasets are rarely representative, even if they are huge. Smart algorithms are needed to achieve high precision and prediction quality for digital and non-representative approaches. Also, big data can only be processed with complex and therefore error-prone software, which leads to measurement errors that need to be corrected. Another challenge is posed by missing but critical variables. The amount of data can indeed be overwhelming, but it often lacks important information. The missing observations can only be filled in by using statistical data imputation. This requires an additional data source with the additional variables, for example a panel. Linear imputation is a statistical procedure that is anything but trivial. It is an instrument to “transport information,” and the higher the observed data correlates with the data to be imputed, the better it works. It makes structures visible even if the depth of the data is limited.