bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Serum Cystatin C Levels in COPD: Potential Diagnostic Value and Relation Between Respiratory Functions
Authors: Telo Selda , Kuluöztürk Mutlu , Deveci Figen , Kırkıl Gamze , Öner Önsel , Kaman Dilara
Published: January 2018

Background:The aim of this study was to determine the level of serum cystatin C (CysC) in patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) during exacerbation and stable periods and to investigate its potential diagnostic value and the relationship between CysC levels and the pulmonary function test (PFT).

Methods:One hundred twenty-six patients with COPD (68 in stable periods, 58 during exacerbation periods) and 50 healthy subjects were included in the study. PFT, body mass index (BMI), white blood cell counts, C-reactive protein (CRP), serum urea and creatinine levels were evaluated in both groups of patients. CysC levels were measured in all participants.

Results:Serum CysC levels were statistically higher in both COPD groups than the control group (p<0.001 for both) although there was no statistically significant difference between COPD groups (p>0.05). CysC levels showed negative correlation with forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) and a positive correlation with C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in patients with stable COPD. There was a positive correlation between serum CysC levels and serum urea, creatinine, CRP levels in patients with COPD exacerbation (r=0.333, p=0.011; r=0.260, p=0.049; r=0.414, p<0.01 respectively). When stable COPD and control groups were evaluated, serum CysC had an area under the curve (AUC) in the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of 0.951 (0.909–0.994 95% CI: p<0.001).

Conclusions:Our results showed that CysC levels increased in both COPD groups. Increased CysC levels may be related with lung function decline and inflammation in COPD patients. In addition, CysC levels may be a potential indicator for the diagnosis of COPD.
Clinical follow-up data and the rate of development of precocious and rapidly progressive puberty in patients with premature thelarche
Authors: Çiçek Dilek , Savas-Erdeve Senay , Cetinkaya Semra , Aycan Zehra
Published: January 2018

Background:

We aimed to evaluate the clinical follow-up data of patients with premature thelarche and determine the rate of development of precocious and early puberty in these patients.

Methods:

The charts of 158 girls with premature thelarche who were followed-up in our pediatric endocrinology polyclinic were reviewed. The patients were divided into three groups according to the age at onset: group 1 (0–1 month) (n=12), group 2 (1–24 months) (n=40) and group 3 (2–8 years) (n=106).

Results:

At admission, the mean height standard deviation score (SDS), body weight (BW)-SDS, body mass index (BMI) and BMI-SDS were significantly higher in group 3 than in group 1 and group 2. At admission, 8.8% of the patients were obese and 24% of the patients were overweight. The majority of patients who were obese and overweight were in group 3. At the end of the follow-up, thelarche regressed in 24.7%, persisted in 32.9%, progressed in 25.9% and had a cyclic pattern in 16.5% of the patients. Precocious or rapidly progressive puberty developed in 47 of the 158 patients (29.7%). The mean age at progression to early or rapidly progressive puberty was 98.1±17.6 months. A total of 89.3% of the patients who progressed to early or rapidly progressive puberty were in group 3.

Conclusions:

Precocious or rapidly progressive puberty developed in 29.7% of subjects with premature thelarche. As patients who developed rapidly progressive puberty had a higher BW-SDS and BMI-SDS than those who did not, it is suggested that the increase in weight could stimulate rapidly progressive puberty in cases with premature thelarche.
Mycorrhizal fungi and microalgae modulate antioxidant capacity of basil plants
Authors: Hristozkova Marieta , Gigova Liliana , Geneva Maria , Stancheva Ira , Vasileva Ivanina , Sichanova Mariana , Mincheva Janet
Published: January 2018

Mycorrhizal fungi, algae and cyanobacteria are some of the most important soil microorganisms and major components of a sustainable soil-plant system. This study presents for the first time evidence of the impact of green alga and cyanobacterium solely and in combination with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) on plant-antioxidant capacity. In order to provide a better understanding of the impact of AMF and soil microalgae on Ocimum basilicum L. performance, changes in the pattern and activity of the main antioxidant enzymes (AOEs), esterases and non-enzymatic antioxidants including phenols, flavonoids, ascorbate, and α-tocopherols were evaluated. The targeted inoculation of O. basilicum with AMF or algae (alone and in combination) enhanced the antioxidant capacity of the plants and the degree of stimulation varied depending on the treatment. Plants in symbiosis with AMF exhibited the highest antioxidant potential as was indicated by the enhanced functions of all studied leaf AOEs: 1.5-, 2- and more than 10-fold rises of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and glutathione reductase (GR), respectively. The greatest increase in the total esterase activity and concentration of phenols, flavonoids and ascorbate was marked in the plants with simultaneous inoculation of mycorrhizal fungi and the green algae. 2,2-diphenyl-1-pycril-hydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging method and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay proved the increased plant antioxidant capacity after co-colonization of green algae and mycorrhizae.
Development and Comparison of Technical Solutions for Electricity Monitoring Equipment
Authors: Potapovs A. , Obushevs A.
Published: January 2018

The paper focuses on the elaboration of a demand-side management platform for optimal energy management strategies; the topicality is related to the description and comparison of the developed electricity monitoring and control equipment. The article describes two versions based on Atmega328 and STM32 microcontrollers, a lower and higher level of precision, and other distinct performance parameters. At the end of the article, the results of the testing of the two types of equipment are given and their comparison is made.
Modelling the Spatial Distribution of Wind Energy Resources in Latvia
Authors: Aniskevich S. , Bezrukovs V. , Zandovskis U. , Bezrukovs D.
Published: January 2018

The paper studies spatial wind energy flow distribution in Latvia based on wind speed measurements carried out at an altitude of 10 m over a period of two years, from 2015 to 2016. The measurements, with 1 min increments, were carried out using certified measuring instruments installed at 22 observation stations of the Latvian National Hydrometeorological and Climatological Service of the Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre (LEGMC). The models of the spatial distribution of averaged wind speed and wind energy density were developed using the method of spatial interpolation based on the historical measurement results and presented in the form of colour contour maps with a 1×1 km resolution. The paper also provides the results of wind speed spatial distribution modelling using a climatological reanalysis ERA5 at the altitudes of 10, 54, 100 and 136 m with a 31×31 km resolution. The analysis includes the comparison of actual wind speed measurement results with the outcomes of ERA5 modelling for meteorological observation stations in Ainazi, Daugavpils, Priekuli, Saldus and Ventspils.
Three-dimensional femtosecond laser processing for lab-on-a-chip applications
Authors: Sima Felix , Sugioka Koji , Vázquez Rebeca Martínez , Osellame Roberto , Kelemen Lóránd , Ormos Pal
Published: January 2018

The extremely high peak intensity associated with ultrashort pulse width of femtosecond laser allows us to induce nonlinear interaction such as multiphoton absorption and tunneling ionization with materials that are transparent to the laser wavelength. More importantly, focusing the femtosecond laser beam inside the transparent materials confines the nonlinear interaction only within the focal volume, enabling three-dimensional (3D) micro- and nanofabrication. This 3D capability offers three different schemes, which involve undeformative, subtractive, and additive processing. The undeformative processing preforms internal refractive index modification to construct optical microcomponents including optical waveguides. Subtractive processing can realize the direct fabrication of 3D microfluidics, micromechanics, microelectronics, and photonic microcomponents in glass. Additive processing represented by two-photon polymerization enables the fabrication of 3D polymer micro- and nanostructures for photonic and microfluidic devices. These different schemes can be integrated to realize more functional microdevices including lab-on-a-chip devices, which are miniaturized laboratories that can perform reaction, detection, analysis, separation, and synthesis of biochemical materials with high efficiency, high speed, high sensitivity, low reagent consumption, and low waste production. This review paper describes the principles and applications of femtosecond laser 3D micro- and nanofabrication for lab-on-a-chip applications. A hybrid technique that promises to enhance functionality of lab-on-a-chip devices is also introduced.
Nominal and Real Stochastic Convergence of the BRICS Economies
Authors: You Pin , Sun Yunpeng , An Lei
Published: January 2018

This study sheds light on the real and nominal economic convergence and the time-varying convergence speed of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa (BRICS). This paper also employs panel data models and a Malmquist index to analyze the mechanism of real economic convergence. The study finds evidence of real convergence in monthly growth of output (industrial production) of the BRICS economies, where the speed of convergence increases in the post-crisis period. Economic convergence is also witnessed by physical capital per capita and total factor productivity (TFP). However, lack of monetary convergence is apparent in nominal interest rate spreads, monetary aggregate M2, and the price level. Although the BRICS economies are converging to a fully-fledged economic and trade union, such convergence is not echoed by their monetary aggregates and price levels. Finally, the evidence of technological progress is expected to promote labor productivity and to further accelerate economic convergence.
Herding Behavior of Institutional Investors in Romania. An Empirical Analysis
Authors: Brodocianu Mihaela , Stoica Ovidiu
Published: January 2018

During the last decades, institutional investors have been the main players, both in developed as well as in emerging stock markets. Thus, their investment behavior was analyzed at the national or international level, in order to assess if institutional investors herd, increase stock return volatility, affect market efficiency and liquidity, influence the corporate governance, or destabilize stock prices. This paper studies the behavior of the institutional investors on the Romanian stock market, a European frontier market that struggles to attain the status of emerging market. We examine if the disclosure level generates any herding behavior for institutional investors. In emerging markets, the lack of transparency affects the degree of investments in a listed company, as long as insider trading is pushed to the limit of the legal line. For this study, we used financial information from the companies listed on the Bucharest Stock Exchange for the period 2010-2014. The findings highlight that there is a certain herding behavior among institutional investors in Romania.
Negative Word-of-Mouth: Exploring the Impact of Adverse Messages on Consumers’ Reactions on Facebook
Authors: Chiosa Ana Raluca , Anastasiei Bogdan
Published: January 2018

Nowadays, with the major role that social media is playing in our life, people have found an easy way to utter negative word-of-mouth (NWOM). A self-administrated questionnaire with a visual stimulus was used to collect data from 108 Romanian Facebook users, between the ages of 18 and 26 years. This research aimed to determine the impact of adverse messages on brand attitude and a series of others consumer reactions.

The results indicate that negative messages may change brand perception and generate negative word-of-mouth, with significant impact on future purchase intentions. They also indicate that identity avoidance is a more relevant electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM) antecedent than negative emotions, strongly and positively influencing brand hate. The findings show that negative events or actions can seriously affect consumer behavior, triggering brand rejection that eventually may translate into brand image deterioration and sales decline.
The Qwerty Phenomenon: Its Relevance in a World with Creative Destruction
Authors: Weghake Jens , Grabicki Fabian
Published: January 2018

Does quality always win? Looking at the critical drivers of success in and efficiency of high-tech markets, two contrasting perspectives exist in the academic sector. One camp argues that the higher quality of a product or service exerts a major influence on its market success. Consequently, an inferior market player should not persist. The opposite group emphasises the importance of network effects, which can lead to lock-ins in inferior situations or being stuck in a bad equilibria accordingly, also known as the QWERTY phenomenon. In this paper, we investigate this debate. We demonstrate that the missing consideration of the status quo bias in previous studies leads to the rejection of the QWERTY phenomenon, which means that independent of the quality offered by a business or service the pure moment of who reaches the customer first, establishes a status quo from which it is hardly possible to escape. We give several examples with inferior market leaders. We suggest that this phenomenon causes only temporary harm, and lock-ins could be overcome by Schumpeterian creative destruction. Therefore, we claim that even if lock-ins exist, they pose no problems as innovative market participants have the opportunity to introduce new business models.
Cultural Stereotypes – A Revival of Bosche’s View
Authors: Neculăesei Onea Angelica-Nicoleta
Published: January 2018

The analysis of cultural stereotypes is important for different areas of knowledge. It is usually considered that psychology is concerned about these issues, but this subject is also of interest for some economic subdomains. One of these sub-domains is intercultural management, which attempts to provide intercultural diagnostic models to highlight cultural specific elements and cultural differences and to provide recommen–dations to valorize them in management. There are even intercultural diagnostic models that are based on the analysis of cultural stereotypes due to their connection with attitudes, values, social norms, therefore of their ability to capture cultural specific aspects. The Bosche approach presented in this article is part of this category. Although the results were not very edifying in terms of cultural specificity, the author noticing the differences between self-stereotypes and hetero-stereotypes, the highlighted conceptual, methodological and epistemological aspects have of special importance allowing their valorization in future intercultural studies.
Exact Solutions of the Nonlocal Nonlinear Schrödinger Equation with a Perturbation Term
Authors: Zuo Da-Wei
Published: January 2018

Analytical solutions of both the nonlinear Schrödinger equation (NLSE) and NLSE with a perturbation term have been attained. Besides, analytical solutions of nonlocal NLSE have also been obtained. In this paper, the nonlocal NLSE with a perturbation term is discussed. By virtue of the dependent variable substitution, trilinear forms of this equation is attained. Lax pairs and Darboux transformation of this equation are obtained. Via the Darboux transformation, two kinds solutions of this equation with the different seed solutions are attained.
Cd(II) and Zn(II) thiocyanate coordination compounds with 3-ethylpyridine: synthesis, crystal structures and properties
Authors: Neumann Tristan , Jess Inke , dos Santos Cunha Cesar , Terraschke Huayna , Näther Christian
Published: January 2018

Reaction of Cd(NCS)2 and Zn(NCS)2 with 3-ethylpyridine leads to the formation of compounds of compositions M(NCS)2(3-ethylpyridine)4 (M=Cd, 1-Cd; Zn, 1-Zn) and M(NCS)2(3-ethylpyridine)2 (M=Cd, 2-Cd; Zn, 2-Zn). 1-Cd and 1-Zn are isotypic and form discrete complexes in which the metal cations are octahedrally coordinated by two trans-coordinating N-bonded thiocyanate anions and four 3-ethylpyridine co-ligands. In 2-Cd the cations are also octahedrally coordinated but linked into chains by pairs of μ-1,3-bridging anionic ligands. 2-Zn is built up of discrete complexes, in which the Zn cation is tetrahedrally coordinated by two N-bonded thiocyanate anions and two 3-ethylpyridine co-ligands. Compounds 1-Cd, 2-Cd and 2-Zn can be prepared in a pure state, whereas 1-Zn is unstable and transforms on storage into 2-Zn. If 1-Cd and 1-Zn are heated, a transformation into 2-Cd, respectively 2-Zn is observed. Luminescence measurements reveal that 1-Cd, 2-Cd and 2-Zn emit light in the blue spectral range with maxima at, respectively, 21724, 21654 and 22055 cm−1, assigned to ligand-based luminescence.
Thermal Degradation of Complexes Derived from Cu (II) Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) and Sesame (Sesamum indicum) Soaps
Authors: Joram Anju , Sharma Rashmi , Sharma Arun kumar
Published: January 2018

The complexes have been synthesized from Cu (II) soaps of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) and sesame (Sesamum indicum) oils, with ligand containing nitrogen and sulfur atoms like 2-amino-6-methyl benzothiazole. The complexes were greenish brown in color. In order to study TGA, first characterized them by elemental analysis, and spectroscopic technique such as IR, NMR and ESR. From the analytical data, the stoichiometry’s of the complexes have been observed to be 1:1 (metal:ligand). These complexes have been thermally analyzed using TGA techniques to determine their energy of activation. These complexes show three step thermal degradation corresponding to fatty acid components of the edible oils and each complex has three decomposition steps in the range of 439–738 K. Various equations like Coats–Redfern (CR), Horowitz–Metzger (HM) and Broido equations (BE) were applied to evaluate the energy of activation. The values of energy of activation are observed to be in the following order for both copper groundnut benzothiazole (CGB) and copper sesame benzothiazole (CSeB) complexes: CGB > CSeB.

CGB is observed to be more stable than CSeB due to its higher activation energy. The above studies would provide significant information regarding the applications of synthesized agrochemicals and their safe removal through parameters obtained in degradation curves and its relation with energy.
Effect of Heat Stress on Measures of Running Performance and Heart Rate Responses During a Competitive Season in Male Soccer Players
Authors: Coker Nicholas A. , Wells Adam J. , Gepner Yftach
Published: January 2018

Coker, NA, Wells, AJ, and Gepner, Y. The effect of heat stress on measures of running performance and heart rate responses during a competitive season in male soccer players. J Strength Cond Res 34(4): 1141–1149, 2020—Measures of running performance and heart rate (HR) responses to match play during 3 different heat stress (HS) conditions were assessed in 7 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I male soccer players. Total distance and distance covered within distinct velocity zones (walking [WALK], jogging [JOG], low-speed running, high-speed running, sprinting [SPRINT], low-intensity running [LIR], and high-intensity running [HIR]) were assessed using global positioning system units for more than 12 matches. Heat stress was monitored during each match, and matches were defined as low (HSlow, n = 4), moderate (HSmod, n = 4), or high (HShigh, n = 4) HS. Minutes played were significantly different across HS conditions (p = 0.03). Therefore, distance covered within each movement velocity was assessed relative to minutes played and as a percentage of total playing time. WALKrel was significantly greater during HShigh compared with HSlow (p = 0.035). LIRrel was significantly greater during HSmod (p = 0.015) compared with HSlow. A trend was observed for %WALK being higher during HShigh compared with HSlow (p = 0.066). %LIR was significantly greater during HShigh compared with HSlow (p = 0.048). High-intensity running was not significantly different across HS conditions. Percent of time spent >85% HRmax was significantly greater during HShigh (p = 0.002) and HSmod (p < 0.001) compared to HSlow. Percent of time spent between 65–84% HRmax was significantly greater during HSlow compared to HShigh (p < 0.001). Results indicate that HS resulted in increased LIR and %HR≥85, while HIR was maintained. High-intensity running performance may be conserved through decreased playing time or the adoption of pacing strategies. This may assist coaches in altering player management strategies to optimize team performance.
Tapering Practices of Strongman Athletes
Authors: Winwood Paul W. , Dudson Mike K. , Wilson Daniel , Mclaren-Harrison Justice K.H. , Redjkins Vladislav , Pritchard Hayden J. , Keogh Justin W.L.
Published: January 2018

Winwood, PW, Dudson, MK, Wilson, D, Mclaren-Harrison, JKH, Redjkins, V, Pritchard, HJ, and Keogh, JWL. Tapering practices of strongman athletes. J Strength Cond Res 32(5): 1181–1196, 2018—This study provides the first empirical evidence of how strongman athletes taper for strongman competitions. Strongman athletes (n = 454) (mean ± SD: 33.2 ± 8.0 years, 178.1 ± 10.6 cm, 108.6 ± 27.9 kg, 12.6 ± 8.9 years general resistance training, 5.3 ± 5.0 years strongman implement training) completed a self-reported 4-page internet survey on tapering practices. Analysis by sex (male and female), age (≤30 and >30 years), body mass (≤105 and >105 kg), and competitive standard (local/regional amateur, national amateur and professional) was conducted. Eighty-seven percent (n = 396) of strongman athletes reported that they used a taper. Athletes stated that their typical taper length was 8.6 ± 5.0 days, with the step taper the most commonly performed taper (52%). Training volume decreased during the taper by 45.5 ± 12.9%, and all training ceased 3.9 ± 1.8 days out from competition. Typically, athletes reported that training frequency and training duration stayed the same or decreased and training intensity decreased to around 50% in the last week. Athletes generally stated that tapering was performed to achieve recovery, rest, and peak performance; the deadlift, yoke walk, and stone lifts/work took longer to recover from than other lifts; assistance exercises were reduced or removed in the taper; massage, foam rolling, nutritional changes, and static stretching were strategies used in the taper; and, poor tapering occurred when athletes trained too heavy/hard or had too short a taper. These data will assist strongman athletes and coaches in the optimization of tapering variables leading to more peak performances. Future research could investigate the priming and preactivation strategies strongman athletes use on competition day.
Creatine Monohydrate Supplementation: Considerations for Cognitive Performance in Athletes
Authors: Machek Steven B. , Bagley James R.
Published: January 2018

CREATINE MONOHYDRATE SUPPLEMENTATION CAN INCREASE TOTAL CREATINE AND PHOSPHOCREATINE STORES FOR RESYNTHESIS OF ADENOSINE TRIPHOSPHATE. ALTHOUGH MOST EXISTING LITERATURE HAS INVESTIGATED CREATINE TO IMPROVE STRENGTH AND BODY COMPOSITION, IT HAS ALSO BEEN SHOWN TO PROMOTE BRAIN ENERGY HOMEOSTASIS AND IMPROVE COGNITIVE PARAMETERS. THIS MAY BE ANOTHER MECHANISM FOR PERFORMANCE ENHANCEMENT BECAUSE EXERCISE IS BOTH PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY DEPLETING. THIS ARTICLE AIMS TO (A) REINFORCE THE EFFICACY OF CREATINE SUPPLEMENTATION IN ATHLETES, (B) SHOWCASE CREATINE'S ROLE AS A COGNITIVE ENHANCER, AND (C) ESTABLISH THE NEED FOR FUTURE INTERVENTIONS IN CREATINE'S EFFECT AS A COMPREHENSIVE ERGOGENIC AID (COMBINING PHYSICAL AND COGNITIVE BENEFITS).
A Shared Vision for Machine Learning in Neuroscience
Authors: Vu Mai-Anh T. , Adalı Tülay , Ba Demba , Buzsáki György , Carlson David , Heller Katherine , Liston Conor , Rudin Cynthia , Sohal Vikaas S. , Widge Alik S. , Mayberg Helen S. , Sapiro Guillermo , Dzirasa Kafui
Published: January 2018

With ever-increasing advancements in technology, neuroscientists are able to collect data in greater volumes and with finer resolution. The bottleneck in understanding how the brain works is consequently shifting away from the amount and type of data we can collect and toward what we actually do with the data. There has been a growing interest in leveraging this vast volume of data across levels of analysis, measurement techniques, and experimental paradigms to gain more insight into brain function. Such efforts are visible at an international scale, with the emergence of big data neuroscience initiatives, such as the BRAIN initiative (Bargmann et al., 2014), the Human Brain Project, the Human Connectome Project, and the National Institute of Mental Health's Research Domain Criteria initiative. With these large-scale projects, much thought has been given to data-sharing across groups (Poldrack and Gorgolewski, 2014; Sejnowski et al., 2014); however, even with such data-sharing initiatives, funding mechanisms, and infrastructure, there still exists the challenge of how to cohesively integrate all the data. At multiple stages and levels of neuroscience investigation, machine learning holds great promise as an addition to the arsenal of analysis tools for discovering how the brain works.
Inhalation Frequency Controls Reformatting of Mitral/Tufted Cell Odor Representations in the Olfactory Bulb
Authors: Díaz-Quesada Marta , Youngstrom Isaac A. , Tsuno Yusuke , Hansen Kyle R. , Economo Michael N. , Wachowiak Matt
Published: January 2018

In mammals, olfactory sensation depends on inhalation, which controls activation of sensory neurons and temporal patterning of central activity. Odor representations by mitral and tufted (MT) cells, the main output from the olfactory bulb (OB), reflect sensory input as well as excitation and inhibition from OB circuits, which may change as sniff frequency increases. To test the impact of sampling frequency on MT cell odor responses, we obtained whole-cell recordings from MT cells in anesthetized male and female mice while varying inhalation frequency via tracheotomy, allowing comparison of inhalation-linked responses across cells. We characterized frequency effects on MT cell responses during inhalation of air and odorants using inhalation pulses and also “playback” of sniffing recorded from awake mice. Inhalation-linked changes in membrane potential were well predicted across frequency from linear convolution of 1 Hz responses; and, as frequency increased, near-identical temporal responses could emerge from depolarizing, hyperpolarizing, or multiphasic MT responses. However, net excitation was not well predicted from 1 Hz responses and varied substantially across MT cells, with some cells increasing and others decreasing in spike rate. As a result, sustained odorant sampling at higher frequencies led to increasing decorrelation of the MT cell population response pattern over time. Bulk activation of sensory inputs by optogenetic stimulation affected MT cells more uniformly across frequency, suggesting that frequency-dependent decorrelation emerges from odor-specific patterns of activity in the OB network. These results suggest that sampling behavior alone can reformat early sensory representations, possibly to optimize sensory perception during repeated sampling.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTOlfactory sensation in mammals depends on inhalation, which increases in frequency during active sampling of olfactory stimuli. We asked how inhalation frequency can shape the neural coding of odor information by recording from projection neurons of the olfactory bulb while artificially varying odor sampling frequency in the anesthetized mouse. We found that sampling an odor at higher frequencies led to diverse changes in net responsiveness, as measured by action potential output, that were not predicted from low-frequency responses. These changes led to a reorganization of the pattern of neural activity evoked by a given odorant that occurred preferentially during sustained, high-frequency inhalation. These results point to a novel mechanism for modulating early sensory representations solely as a function of sampling behavior.
Learning Black Language Matters
Authors: Baker-Bell April , Paris Django , Jackson Davena
Published: January 2018

How can and must critical qualitative inquiry be part of ongoing struggles for cultural and educational justice with the communities of our work? We explore this question by reflecting on our collaborative research on culturally sustaining pedagogy centered in the study of Black Language (BL). Building on the core humanizing research notion of dialogic consciousness-raising between researchers and participants, we describe the ways the three of us came to deepened knowledge about the role of BL in our lives and in the lives of the high school students we worked with through a humanizing research as culturally sustaining pedagogy framework. In this framework, the ability to participate in BL, research-based knowledge about BL, and critical collaborative research on BL joined reciprocal inquiry with teaching and learning to center the value of our Black language and Black lives within a schooling and research enterprise that often devalues both.
Laras concept and its triggers: A case study on garap of jineman Uler Kambang
Authors: Widodo Widodo , Ganap Victor , Soetarno Soetarno
Published: January 2018

Laras is one unresolved aesthetic concept and gendhing garap models as the triggers have not been identified yet either. This paper is a case study which discusses a case of jineman garap Uler Kambang pélog lima, the first winner of Sindhèn Idol contest 2012, which is considered to have the most qualified performance to meet laras criteria. The purpose of this research is to figure out the laras concept construction and identify the gendhing garap models as its triggers. Laras concept reconstruction within the aesthetic framework of Javanese karawitan and identification of gendhing garap model are discussed based on concept of garap in Javanese karawitan. This research uses a qualitative-descriptive method. The results show that laras is a beautiful, delicate, and deep karawitan sense containing elements of mat, lega, betah, adhem, ayem, tentrem, jinem, sengsem, and marem. The triggering gendhing garap models include: garap of leres, rempeg, greget-urip, and sarèh-sumèlèh.
Church music inculturation by way of an experiment of arrangement of Dolo-Dolo mass ordinarium accompaniment- composed by Mateus Weruin for woodwind quintet
Authors: Ruswanto Yohanes , Adimurti Juanita Theresia
Published: January 2018

Inculturation of Church music in an experiment of creating this arrangement aims to bring a different form of musical ordinarium accompaniment form of Dolo-Dolo Mass from Flores, with a different media that uses the woodwind quintet (flute, oboe, clarinet, French horn, and Basson). The experiment took one of the ordinary songs from Madah Bakti “Tuhan Kasihanilah Kami”. The harmonization fine-tunes to the chorus arrangement composed by Mateus Weruin. The literature study was conducted through collecting references on the art of Dolo-Dolo and woodwind quintet so it can be used to create an idea for this arrangement. The result shows that a rhythmic character that characterizes the traditional Flores music lies in a dotted sixteenth pattern. The richness of sounds and agile characters coming from each instrument creates a percussive atmosphere of Flores folk music. The result of the arrangement experiment can be used to enrich the reference of accompaniment music to the general public and specifically, the Catholic Church. 
The Javanese Panji Story: its transformation and dissemination into the performing arts in Southeast Asia
Authors: Bramantyo Triyono , Hung Susan
Published: January 2018

This paper studies descriptively several versions of Javanese Panji Story with its transformation and dissemination into the performing arts found in Southeast Asia. Accordingly, there are versions varied not only regarding its stories, locations, events, and the style of its narratives but also the flow of the stories. So many other versions have not been described here in this paper just to imagine how this 13th century Javanese literature has turned out to become so many versions. Moreover, the story has spread out not only in Indonesia but also throughout the Southeast Asian archipelago. The writer found that authenticity is not the concern because the original version of the Panji Story was not existed and thus texts can be in so many forms. However, what was overwhelming is that the story had been transformed into so many genres of performing arts in Southeast Asia, such as in Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia and Myanmar, the former state of Burma. The study found that the performing styles of Panji or Inou in Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia, and Myanmar shared the same styles as typical classical dance of Royal Palace that performed high standards of performances such as glorifying model of costumes and accompanied by aesthetically qualified Royal Palace Music Ensembles.
HSD17B1 expression induces inflammation-aided rupture of mammary gland myoepithelium
Authors: Järvensivu Päivi , Heinosalo Taija , Hakkarainen Janne , Kronqvist Pauliina , Saarinen Niina , Poutanen Matti
Published: January 2018

Hydroxysteroid (17-beta) dehydrogenase type 1 (HSD17B1) converts low-active estrogen estrone to highly active estradiol. Estradiol is necessary for normal postpubertal mammary gland development; however, elevated estradiol levels increase mammary tumorigenesis. To investigate the significance of the human HSD17B1 enzyme in the mammary gland, transgenic mice universally overexpressing human HSD17B1 were used (HSD17B1TG mice). Mammary glands obtained from HSD17B1TG females at different ages were investigated for morphology and histology, and HSD17B1 activity and estrogen receptor activation in mammary gland tissue were assessed. To study the significance of HSD17B1 enzyme expression locally in mammary gland tissue, HSD17B1-expressing mammary epithelium was transplanted into cleared mammary fat pads of wild-type females, and the effects on mammary gland estradiol production, epithelial cells and the myoepithelium were investigated. HSD17B1TG females showed increased estrone to estradiol conversion and estrogen-response element-driven estrogen receptor signaling in mammary gland tissue, and they showed extensive lobuloalveolar development that was further enhanced by age along with an increase in serum prolactin concentrations. At old age, HSD17B1TG females developed mammary cancers. Mammary-restricted HSD17B1 expression induced lesions at the sites of ducts and alveoli, accompanied by peri- and intraductal inflammation and disruption of the myoepithelial cell layer. The lesions were shown to be estrogen dependent, as treatment with an antiestrogen, ICI 182,780, starting when lesions were already established reversed the phenotype. These data elucidate the ability of human HSD17B1 to enhance estrogen action in the mammary glandin vivoand indicate that HSD17B1 is a factor inducing phenotypic alterations associated with mammary tumorigenesis.
Treatment of refractory thyroid cancer
Authors: Berdelou Amandine , Lamartina Livia , Klain Michele , Leboulleux Sophie , Schlumberger Martin , _ _
Published: January 2018

Distant metastases from thyroid cancer of follicular origin are uncommon. Treatment includes levothyroxine administration, focal treatment modalities with surgery, external radiation therapy and thermal ablation, and radioiodine in patients with uptake of 131I in their metastases. Two-thirds of distant metastases become refractory to radioiodine at some point, and when there is a significant tumor burden and documented progression on imaging, a treatment with a kinase inhibitor may provide benefits.
SRT2104 attenuates diabetes-induced aortic endothelial dysfunction via inhibition of P53
Authors: Wu Hao , Wu Junduo , Zhou Shengzhu , Huang Wenlin , Li Ying , Zhang Huan , Wang Junnan , Jia Ye
Published: January 2018

Endothelial dysfunction contributes to diabetic macrovascular complications. Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) protects against diabetic vasculopathy. SRT2104 is a novel SIRT1 activator and was not previously studied for its effects on diabetes-induced aortic endothelial dysfunction. Additionally, whether or to what extent deacetylation of P53, a substrate of SIRT1, is required for the effects of SIRT1 activation was unclear, given the fact that SIRT1 has multiple targets. Moreover, little was known about the pathogenic role of P53 in diabetes-induced aortic injury. To these ends, diabetes was induced by streptozotocin in C57BL/6 mice. The diabetic mice developed enhanced aortic contractility, oxidative stress, inflammation, P53 hyperacetylation and a remarkable decrease in SIRT1 protein, the effects of which were rescued by SRT2104. In HG-treated endothelial cells (ECs),P53siRNA and SRT2104 produced similar effects on the induction of SIRT1 and the inhibition of P53 acetylation, oxidative stress and inflammation. Interestingly, SRT2104 failed to further enhance these effects in the presence ofP53siRNA. Moreover, P53 activation by nutlin3a completely abolished SRT2104’s protection against HG-induced oxidative stress and inflammation. Further, forced activation of P53 by nutlin3a increased aortic contractility in the healthy mice and generated endothelial oxidative stress and inflammation in both the normal glucose-cultured ECs and the aortas of the healthy mice. Collectively, the present study demonstrates that P53 deacetylation predominantly mediates SRT2104’s protection against diabetes-induced aortic endothelial dysfunction and highlights the pathogenic role of P53 in aortic endothelial dysfunction.
Integration of Theoretical Systems and Practice for Sustainable Urban Development
Authors: Lin Kuan Wen  , Shih Chih Ming
Published: January 2018

In this study, we extended the practice of six city theoretical systems, namely “sustainable city,” “eco-city,” “low-carbon city,” “smart city,” “resilient city,” and “knowledge city” to obtain a clear understanding of, the sustainable development of contemporary cities. The study was divided into two parts: First, we executed a review of the literature on the six city theoretical systems, and second, we combined the practice of international organizations and cities corresponding to the aforementioned theories. We elucidated the definition of the theoretical systems and their practical application, representative cities, and relationship with sustainable urban development in terms of international organizations and operations. Finally, we conclude that low-carbon city is the only city theoretical system that can develop international legal initiatives and that it represents the importance and urgency of sustainability in the global urban environment. This study suggests that because different city theoretical systems are considered from the perspective of “sustainable cities”. The sustainable development is dynamic and changes with time and must thus be investigated in depth.
Socialinio mobilumo tarp kartų apraiškos Lietuvoje
Authors: Vencius Tautvydas
Published: January 2018

Straipsnyje siekiama ištirti socialinio mobilumo tarp kartų apraiškas Lietuvoje. Mėginama identifikuoti, kurie išskirti intergeneraciniai veiksniai yra reikšmingiausi bei kaip šių veiksnių sąveika skiriasi tarp skirtingų kartų.Tyrimui atlikti naudojama pirminė aprašomoji ir regresinė Europos vertybių tyrimo 2008 m. duomenų analizė. Šių metodų taikymas parodė, kad socialinio mobilumo tarp kartų ekonominiai ir socialiniai veiksniai mažai reikšmingi Lietuvos visuomenėje, tačiau neabejotina institucinių veiksnių (švietimo) įtaka, išliekanti ir tarp skirtingų kartų.
Uso da simulação de alta fidelidade no preparo de enfermeiros para o atendimento de urgências e emergências: revisão da literatura
Authors: Miranda Fernanda Berchelli Girão , Mazzo Alessandra , Pereira Junior Gerson Alves
Published: January 2018

AIMS: To identify, in the scientific literature, what are the gains perceived by nurses in the use of simulated high fidelity practices in urgency and emergency situations.METHODS: The search was done in pairs in the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Latin-American and Caribbean Literature in Health Sciences, National Library of Medicine, SCOPUS and Web of Science, using the keywords or their synonyms for each item of the strategy. Thus, nurses OR nursing was used for Population; perception OR "acquisition of knowledge" OR experiences, for Concept; "high fidelity simulation" OR simulation OR emergencies, for Context.RESULTS: Eight studies that met the established inclusion criteria were analyzed, seven of each (88%) being quantitative studies that performed the interventions only with professional nurses. Among the several gains obtained by the nurses, the increase of self-confidence and satisfaction, and improvements in technical and non-technical skills, communication and leadership were remarkable. The fact that each participant had different places of professional performance may have influenced their experience, which may have resulted in different perceptions for each of them.CONCLUSIONS: The high fidelity simulation in urgency and emergency care with nurses presented itself as a tool that, in association with other teaching strategies, can result in countless benefits for professionals, for the health system, and, especially, for patient safety. Knowledge about the contributions this method provides to the professionals can be a reliable ally to stimulate their participation in simulated scenarios and also to justify to the employers the necessity of this type of strategy.
Orquesta Sinfónica de Galicia, estudio sobre su programación en el período 1992-2002
Authors: García Escuredo Aranzazu
Published: January 2018

La Orquesta Sinfónica de Galicia (OSG) está próxima a celebrar su veinticinco aniversario. En ese tiempo, ha pasado de ser una orquesta pionera en su área a competir con otras entidades en la oferta musical, a un público cada vez más formado, informado y diversificado. A través del análisis del repertorio interpretado en los primeros diez años de existencia de la OSG, la autora busca determinar el perfil propio que la OSG se ha ido creando frente a un público específico para llegar a consolidar su posición como referente orquestal a nivel nacional. El elemento diferenciador más importante es la labor que la OSG ha realizado en la recuperación, puesta en valor y promoción de las obras de compositores gallegos, pero también es relevante el papel de la OSG en el incremento de la oferta cultural en La Coruña al ofrecer por primera vez una programación estable de música clásica.
Manifestaciones de masculinidad en el baile tradicional guanacasteco: estudio de caso Taller de Danza Folclórica Nahualt
Authors: Espinoza Jiménez Yorleny
Published: January 2018

Este estudio tiene como objetivo analizar las manifestaciones subjetivas de la masculinidad desde los gestos, instrumentos y formas de cortejo puestos en práctica en tres espectáculos del Taller de Danza Folclórica Nahualt; La chola y el sabanero, El dulce hacer y Chalanadas. Además, busca demostrar que el espacio del baile tradicional en Guanacaste es un momento de construcción cultural y de generación de conocimiento el cual debe estar siempre abierto y sujeto a una transformación oportuna.
Estimation of annual repair expenditure for interstate highway bridges
Authors: Ghahari Seyed Ali , Volovski Matthew , Alqadhi Saeed , Alinizzi Majed
Published: January 2018

State-level bridge expenditure forecasts are used by highway agencies for financial need forecasts, long-term planning and budgeting, asset valuation and infrastructure user cost allocation. It has been observed that the levels of normalised bridge expenditure vary widely across the states and across time periods, and therefore, it may be inappropriate to use an average value of normalised expenditure for agencies business processes. Further, there is a need to investigate the underlying causes of this variation so that bridge managers can better estimate their expected costs. This paper shows how aggregate ( jurisdiction-level) bridge data can be used to develop annual maintenance/repair expenditure (Amex) models. In the case study of the paper, data from US states were used, and the Amex was expressed as a function of bridge condition, bridge inventory size, traffic loading and climate severity. The paper quantifies the magnitude of the increase in Amex per unit area due to changes in factor levels that include traffic loading, annual temperature, precipitation and the conditions ratings of the superstructure and substructure. The results indicate that there are significant scale economies in state-level bridge expenditures – for every additional 1000 m2 of bridge deck inventory, the bridge Amex decreases by $0·0916/m2.
Informações técnicas para seleção de cavalos mecânicos para o transporte rodoviário
Authors: Silva Guilherme Magro da , Benetti Bruno Bortoluzzi , Brandelero Catize , Gindri Eric Porto , Werner Valmir
Published: January 2018

Em virtude da quantidade de variáveis importantes existentes, este trabalho objetivou sintetizar informações técnicas que auxiliem na seleção dos cavalos mecânicos, como: motor (marca, modelo e potência), capacidade máxima de tração e volume dos tanques de combustível. A pesquisa foi elaborada com base em dados coletados nos catálogos dos modelos de cavalos mecânicos, disponíveis no mercado brasileiro, no ano de 2016. Os dados obtidos pela consulta aos catálogos foram tabulados em planilha eletrônica para efetuar a análise. No levantamento, foram identificados 135 modelos, disponíveis para comercialização neste ano. Com os resultados, observou-se que os fabricantes de cavalos mecânicos predominantes no mercado brasileiro, pela quantidade de modelos ofertados, são da marca Scania, seguida por Volvo, Mercedes, Iveco e Volkswagen. Para os fatores de potência, capacidade máxima de tração e capacidade de tanque, a maior parte dos cavalos mecânicos produzidos no país busca atender os limites máximos de peso de carga transportado, determinados pela lei, estando nas Classes II e III estabelecidas no estudo, compostas por valores medianos.
Avaliação de aptidão de lançamento do efluente tratado em sistema híbrido de wetlands construídos
Authors: Rousso Benny Zuse , Santos Mayara Oliveira dos , Freitas Monique Nunes de , Pelissari Catiane , Fechine Victor Ybarzo , Sezerino Pablo Heleno
Published: January 2018

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o desempenho de remoção de poluentes de um sistema híbrido, composto por um wetland construído de fluxo subsuperficial vertical descendente (WCVD) seguido por um wetland construído de fluxo subsuperficial horizontal (WCH), empregado no tratamento de esgoto sanitário. A partir das eficiências registradas ao longo das primeiras 70 semanas de operação, avaliou-se a aptidão de lançamento do efluente tratado conforme normativas legais de âmbito nacional e estadual. O sistema híbrido apresentou elevada remoção de DQO, SST, N-NH4+ e P-PO43-, na ordem superior a 90%, enquanto que a remoção de NT limitou-se a aproximadamente 69%. A remoção de NT foi incompleta devido à limitada capacidade do WCH em remover N-NO3- afluente, gerando um efluente com teor médio de 19,4 ± 10 mg N-NO3- L-1. Contudo, o efluente tratado sempre se mostrou apto para lançamento conforme a resolução CONAMA 430/2011 e a Lei Estadual de Santa Catarina no 14.675/2009, enquanto que para a resolução CONAMA 357/2005 estudos caso a caso devem ser realizados. Para corpos hídricos classes 1 a 3, vazões Q (7,10) variando de 0,5 a 13 L s-1 são necessárias para não se infligir acréscimos significativos (Δ ≤ 0,01) nas concentrações dos diferentes parâmetros analisados na zona de mistura.