bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Increased Chromogranin A–Positive Hormone-Negative Cells in Chronic Pancreatitis
Authors: Moin Abu Saleh Md , Cory Megan , Choi Jennifer , Ong Allison , Dhawan Sangeeta , Dry Sarah M , Butler Peter C , Rizza Robert A , Butler Alexandra E
Published: April 2018

Context

Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is characterized by inflammation, fibrosis, and a loss of pancreatic acinar cells, which can result in exocrine and eventually endocrine deficiency. Pancreatitis has been reported to induce formation of new endocrine cells (neogenesis) in mice. Our recent data have implicated chromogranin A–positive hormone-negative (CPHN) cells as potential evidence of neogenesis in humans.

Objective

We sought to establish if CPHN cells were more abundant in CP in humans.

Design, Setting, and Participants

We investigated the frequency and distribution of CPHN cells and the expression of the chemokine C-X-C motif ligand 10 (CXCL10) and its receptor chemokine C-X-C motif receptor 3 in pancreas of nondiabetic subjects with CP.

Results

CPHN cell frequency in islets was increased sevenfold in CP [2.1% ± 0.67% vs 0.35% ± 0.09% CPHN cells in islets, CP vs nonpancreatitis (NP), P < 0.01], as were the CPHN cells found as scattered cells in the exocrine areas (17.4 ± 2.9 vs 4.2 ± 0.6, CP vs NP, P < 0.001). Polyhormonal endocrine cells were also increased in CP (2.7 ± 1.2 vs 0.1 ± 0.04, CP vs NP, % of polyhormonal cells of total endocrine cells, P < 0.01), as was expression of CXCL10 in α and β cells.

Conclusion

There is increased islet endogenous expression of the inflammation marker CXCL10 in islets in the setting of nondiabetic CP and an increase in polyhormonal (insulin-glucagon expressing) cells. The increase in CPHN cells in CP, often in a lobular distribution, may indicate foci of attempted endocrine cell regeneration.
Identification of Differential Transcriptional Patterns in Primary and Secondary Hyperparathyroidism
Authors: Sadowski Samira Mercedes , Pusztaszeri Marc , Brulhart-Meynet Marie-Claude , Petrenko Volodymyr , De Vito Claudio , Sobel Jonathan , Delucinge-Vivier Céline , Kebebew Electron , Regazzi Romano , Philippe Jacques , Triponez Frédéric , Dibner Charna
Published: April 2018

Context

Hyperparathyroidism is associated with hypercalcemia and the excess of parathyroid hormone secretion; however, the alterations in molecular pattern of functional genes during parathyroid tumorigenesis have not been unraveled. We aimed at establishing transcriptional patterns of normal and pathological parathyroid glands (PGs) in sporadic primary (HPT1) and secondary hyperparathyroidism (HPT2).

Objective

To evaluate dynamic alterations in molecular patterns as a function of the type of PG pathology, a comparative transcript analysis was conducted in subgroups of healthy samples, sporadic HPT1 adenoma and hyperplasia, and HPT2.

Design

Normal, adenomatous, HPT1, and HPT2 hyperplastic PG formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded samples were subjected to NanoString analysis. In silico microRNA (miRNA) analyses and messenger RNA–miRNA network in PG pathologies were conducted. Individual messenger RNA and miRNA levels were assessed in snap-frozen PG samples.

Results

The expression levels of c-MET, MYC, TIMP1, and clock genes NFIL3 and PER1 were significantly altered in HPT1 adenoma compared with normal PG tissue when assessed by NanoString and quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. RET was affected in HPT1 hyperplasia, whereas CaSR and VDR transcripts were downregulated in HPT2 hyperplastic PG tissue. CDH1, c-MET, MYC, and CaSR were altered in adenoma compared with hyperplasia. Correlation analyses suggest that c-MET, MYC, and NFIL3 exhibit collective expression level changes associated with HPT1 adenoma development. miRNAs, predicted in silico to target these genes, did not exhibit a clear tendency upon experimental validation.

Conclusions

The presented gene expression analysis provides a differential molecular characterization of PG adenoma and hyperplasia pathologies, advancing our understanding of their etiology.
Cholesterol Metabolism Is Enhanced in the Liver and Brain of Children With Citrin Deficiency
Authors: Hirayama Satoshi , Nagasaka Hironori , Honda Akira , Komatsu Haruki , Kodama Takahiro , Inui Ayano , Morioka Ichiro , Kaji Shunsaku , Ueno Tsuyoshi , Ihara Kenji , Yagi Mariko , Kizaki Zenro , Bessho Kazuhiko , Kondou Hiroki , Yorifuji Tohru , Tsukahara Hirokazu , Iijima Kazumoto , Miida Takashi
Published: April 2018

Context

Citrin-deficient infants present neonatal intrahepatic cholestasis caused by citrin deficiency (NICCD), which resolves at 12 months. Thereafter, they have normal liver function associated with hypercholesterolemia, and a preference for lipid-rich carbohydrate-restricted diets. However, some develop adult-onset type II citrullinemia, which is associated with metabolic abnormalities.

Objectives

To identify the causes of hypercholesterolemia in citrin-deficient children post-NICCD.

Design and Setting

We determined the concentrations of sterol markers of cholesterol synthesis, absorption, and catabolism by liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization–tandem mass spectrometry and evaluated serum lipoprotein profiles.

Subjects

Twenty citrin-deficient children aged 5 to 13 years and 37 age-matched healthy children.

Intervention

None.

Main Outcome Measures

Relationship between serum lipoproteins and sterol markers of cholesterol metabolism.

Results

The citrin-deficient group had a significantly higher high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) concentration than did the control group (78 ± 11 mg/dL vs 62 ± 14 mg/dL, P < 0.001), whereas the two groups had similar low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations. The concentrations of markers of cholesterol synthesis (lathosterol and 7-dehydrocholesterol) and bile acids synthesis (7α-hydroxycholesterol and 27-hydroxycholesterol) were 1.5- to 2.8-fold and 1.5- to 3.9-fold, respectively, higher in the citrin-deficient group than in the control group. The concentration of 24S-hydroxycholesterol, a marker of cholesterol catabolism in the brain, was 2.5-fold higher in the citrin-deficient group. In both groups, the HDL-C concentration was significantly positively correlated with that of 27-hydroxycholesterol, the first product of the alternative bile acid synthesis pathway.

Conclusions

HDL-C and sterol marker concentrations are elevated in citrin-deficient children post-NICCD. Moreover, cholesterol synthesis and elimination are markedly enhanced in the liver and brain of citrin-deficient children.
American Society for Enhanced Recovery: Advancing Enhanced Recovery and Perioperative Medicine
Authors: Gan Tong J. , Scott Michael , Thacker Julie , Hedrick Traci , Thiele Robert H. , Miller Timothy E.
Published: April 2018

As the population ages, the increasing surgical volume and complexity of care are expected to place additional care delivery burdens in the perioperative setting. In this age of integrated multidisciplinary care of the surgical patients, there is increasing recognition that an evidence-based perioperative pathway is associated with the optimal outcomes. These pathways, collectively referred to as Enhanced Recovery Pathways, have resulted in shortened length of hospital stay, reduced complications, and variance in outcomes, as well as earlier return to baseline activities. The American Society for Enhanced Recovery (ASER) is a multispecialty, nonprofit international organization, dedicated to the practice of enhanced recovery in perioperative patients through education and research. Perioperative Quality Initiatives were formed whose intent is to organize a series of consensus conferences on topics of interest related to perioperative medicine. The journal affiliation between American Society for Enhanced Recovery and Anesthesia & Analgesia will enable these evidence-based practices to be disseminated widely and swiftly to the practicing perioperative health care professionals so they can be adopted to improve the quality of perioperative surgical care.
Profound Intraoperative Hypotension Associated With Transfusion via the Belmont Fluid Management System
Authors: Miller Joanna , Kim Sang , Adelmann Dieter , Hill Bryan , Schlichting Nicolette , Smith Natalie , DeMaria Samuel , Zerillo Jeron
Published: April 2018

This retrospective observational case series conducted at 2 large academic centers over a 4-year period consists of 15 cases of profound hypotension in surgical patients immediately after initiation of the Belmont Fluid Management System for rapid transfusion of blood products. Halting the infusion and administering vasoactive agents led to resolution of hypotension. Repeat transfusion with the Belmont system resulted in repeat hypotension unless counteracted with vasopressors. No etiology was elucidated. This represents the largest documented association of acute hypotensive transfusion reaction with any rapid infusion system in surgical patients.
Mathematical Model and Software for Prognosis the of Probability of the Lethal Outcome of Oncosurgical Patients Exposed to Radiation Exposure in the Conditions of Production
Authors: Удалов Ю. , Udalov Yu. , Васильева Ирина , Vasil'eva Irina , Гордиенко А. , Gordienko A. , Бахарев С. , Baharev S.
Published: April 2018

Purpose: Identification of risk factors that influence the outcome of the patient, their ranking on the contribution to the outcome of treatment, as well as determining the possibility of their additional diagnostic evaluation and correction in the deviation at the preoperative preparation stage with the subsequent construction of a prognostic model. Material and methods: The study included patients who received treatment in the surgical department in A. I. Burnasyan Federal Medical Biophysical Center from January 2009 to July 2017, including workers of nuclear facilities that are exposed to ionizing radiation in professional conditions. The study was conducted in 112 patients, 42 of whom (37.5 %) were men and 70 (62.5 %) women aged 25 to 85 years (59.6 ± 13.2). Among the persons included in the study, 25 men and 26 women were exposed to long-term exposure to ionizing radiation from external sources under production conditions during labor activity within the limits of annual maximum permissible doses, averaged 124.6 ± 10.7 mSv. The work experience under conditions of exposure to ionizing radiation ranged from 5 to 35 years, an average of 24 years. The mean age was 59.1 ± 13.4 years. At the end of hospitalization after surgical treatment, 51 patients were discharged (45.5 %), and 61 (54.5 %) died. In all patients, the parameters of the functioning of various organs and systems were collected, including taking into account the anamnestic data of oncological patients, with differentiation in the final outcome of surgical treatment. To determine the leading risk factors for the lethal outcome of the oncosurgical patient, the Fisher criterion χ2 was used. Based on the leading risk factors for constructing mathematical models, the logistic regression equation was used. The mathematical models were analyzed by researching the area under the ROC curves. Results: Using the Fisher criterion χ2, factors were determined by which the groups of survivors and died patients differ: patient age, body mass index, history of heart rhythm disorders, fraction of cardiac output, Hb level in the blood, presence of protein in urine, INR indicator in coagulograms. Based on the identified factors, twelve mathematical models were constructed using the binary logistic regression method, allowing patients to be divided into groups with the outcomes of hospitalization died / survived after surgery. A mathematical model with the best discriminating ability was chosen. Based on the prognostic model, a decision rule was designed that allows to rank patients into three groups: green (patients with a minimal risk of death), yellow (patients who need preoperative correction), red (patients with the maximum risk of death, decision about surgery is necessary to be solved on a consultation).
Risk Assessment and Dose Thresholds at the Plutonium Pnevmosclerosis
Authors: Осовец С. , Osovets S. , Азизова Т. , Azizova T. , Григорьева Е. , Grigor'eva E.
Published: April 2018

Purpose: To assess risks curves, dose thresholds, and their uncertainties for plutonium-induced pneumosclerosis (PPS) among Mayak PA workers based on developed methods of mathematical modeling. Material and methods: PPS risk modeling with further calculation of dose thresholds and their uncertainties was performed using a comparative analysis of estimates of individual absorbed lung doses from incorporated plutonium-239 provided by two Mayak Worker Dosimetry Systems: MWDS-2008 and MWDS-2013. To carry out the calculations, four groups of workers were formed: workers with PPS induced only by plutonium (pure PPS; n = 107); workers with PPS induced by both plutonium and other factors (mixed PPS; n = 46); workers with undefined PPS (n = 153); control workers (comparison group; n = 188). Weibull’s dose distribution model was applied to assess risk curves. Dose distribution parameters were calculated using the least square technique. Dose thresholds were estimated using two basic methods: quantile threshold method and estimation based on dose distribution functions for each group with PPs and the comparison group. Common uncertainties were calculated using two methods: Monte-Carlo method and error propagation. Results: Risk curves were plotted based on Weibull’s models for three groups of workers diagnosed with PPS. Modeling results were statistically significant (R2 = 0.96 – 0.99) with both dosimetry systems used (MWDS-2008 and MWDS-2013). Median absorbed lung alpha-dose (D50) estimated using Weibull’s model varied significantly with the dosimetry system. E.g., in the group with pure PPS D50= 0.79 Gy when MWDS-2008 was used while the corresponding estimate was D50= 2.05 Gy when MWDS-2013 was used, demonstrating more than a two-fold difference between the estimates. Dose thresholds for PPS occurrence and their standard uncertainties were estimated. With MWDS-2013 used, the dose thresholds were D0= 0,63 Gy for the lung and D0= 1.0 Gy for alveolar-interstitial lung tissues, respectively. The mean relative uncertainty of these thresholds was U = 23 %. Quantile dose thresholds were an order of magnitude lower than those above and their standard uncertainty, on the contrary, was 23 % higher: the mean uncertainty of 5 % quantile was U = 60 % while the corresponding value for 1 % quantile was U = 95 %. Conclusions: For the first time dose thresholds and their uncertainties for the formation of PPS with internal alpha irradiation were estimated. The reported results are of considerable interest both for scientific and practical application in radiation safety and medicine.
Field Junction Technique for Helical Tomotherapy-Based Total Body Irradiation
Authors: Логинова А. , Loginova A. , Товмасян Д. , Tovmasyan D. , Черняев А. , Chernyaev A. , Варзарь С. , Varzar' S. , Кобызева Д. , Kobyzeva D. , Нечеснюк А. , Nechesnyuk A.
Published: April 2018

Purpose: Combination of total body irradiation (TBI) with chemotherapy is widely used technique for conditioning before hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for patient with hematological malignancies worldwide. Total body irradiation for patients with high height has to be divided into two parts: irradiation of upper part of the patient’s body (including head, body and part of legs) and irradiation of lower part of the patient’s body (including leg). There is an area in which the fields overlap each other – the junction area. The aim of this work is the development and verification of simple junction technique that would provide the dose distribution in the junction area from 90 to 125 % of prescribed dose.

Material and methods: Total body irradiation was performed on the Tomotherapy machine using helical geometry of the beam delivery. Distribution of the dose in junction area was investigated. Simple solution was proposed: during the optimization of the radiotherapy plan certain margin should be maintained between upper and lower targets while dose distribution in junction area satisfies the uniformity requirements for the given irradiation geometry. The dimension of the margin was determined experimentally using a CheesePhantom and radiochromic EBT-2 films. The uniformity of dose distribution in the junction area was monitored by in vivo measurements using radiochromic EBT-2 films located on the skin surface of patients.

Results: The dimension of the margin at which the dose in the junction area is within the range of 90 to 125 % of the prescribed dose was determined experimentally and amounted to 5.25 cm. The values of the measured dose were in the range from 97 to 105 %. In total 18 in vivo measurements of the junction area were performed. According to the results of in vivo dosimetry, the values of the doses measured in the junction area were in the range from 93 ± 3 % to 108 ± 4 %.

Conclusion:The developed planning method with the selected plan geometry ensures satisfactory heterogeneity of the dose distribution in the area of field junction between the upper and lower irradiation regions, despite of the existing uncertainty of patient positioning. Results were confirmed by in vivo measurements. The obtained data can be used for total body irradiation of the patients using Helical Tomotherapy.
Features of Development and Evaluation of Efficiency Innovative Strategy for Reproduction Technical Basis of Plant Growing
Authors: Кузьменко О. , Kuz'menko O.
Published: April 2018

The article gives methodical features of strategic planning and estimation of economic efficiency of reproduction of a technical base of plant on the basis of introduction of technical and technological innovations in agriculture. The results of the evaluation of the economic efficiency of the innovative strategy for the reproduction of technology for the arid conditions of the south of the Rostov region are presented and conclusions are drawn about the feasibility of its implementation, taking into account the different conditions for financing costs.
KINERJA BENTONIT TERINTERKALASI HDTMA DAN KOMPOSIT BENTONIT KITOSAN SEBAGAI ADSORBEN UNTUK FENOL DAN METILEN BIRU
Authors: Fransiscus Yunus
Published: April 2018

Serangkaian proses modifikasi bentonit telah dilakukan untuk mendapatkan bentonit terinterkalasi HDTMA dan komposit bentonit-kitosan. Kedua bahan diaplikasikan sebagai adsorben metilen biru dan fenol. Larutan surfaktan HDTMA–Cl 1% dan suspensi bentonit disiapkan dengan rasio bentonit/air 20g/100mL melalui proses pengaturan pH, pemanasan, pengendapan, dan pencucian. Sebanyak 5 g bentonit tersebut dicampur dengan 1% v/v asam asetat dan ditambahkan kitosan yang sudah dideasetilasi. Setelah diaduk 12 jam, campuran tersebut dicuci, disaring, dan dikeringkan. Adsorbat fenol dan biru metilen disiapkan sebagai larutan stok dari pengenceran larutan induk fenol dan biru metilen dengan akuades. Larutan umpan dari stok dibuat sesuai konsentrasi yang dikehendaki. Percobaan dilakukan secara batch dengan kolom adsorpsi OMNIFIT. Aliran dari kolom adsorpsi diresirkulasi ke tanki penampung. Laju larutan umpan dan banyaknya adsorben diatur konstan pada kecepatan 1 mL/menit. Konsentrasi awal fenol dan biru metilen divariasikan dari 10 hingga 250 mg/L. Sampling dilakukan setiap 5 menit pada 30 menit pertama, diikuti dengan tiap 15 menit, hingga sistem mencapai kondisi setimbang. Analisis sampel dilakukan dengan menggunakan spektrofotometer UV. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa komposit bentonit-kitosan memiliki kemampuan adsorpsi yang lebih besar, yaitu 65 mg/g dan 95 mg/g untuk adsorbat fenol dan metilen biru. Sedangkan, bentonit terinterkalasi HDTMA memiliki kemampuan adsorpsi 35 mg/g untuk fenol dan 38 mg/g untuk metilen biru. Aplikasi model adsorpsi yang paling sesuai adalah model Freundlich. Model adsorbsi tersebut menjelaskan interaksi antara adsorben dan adsorbat dipengaruhi oleh reaksi fisik
LEACHABLE BORON FROM FLY ASH
Authors: Ekaputri Januarti Jaya
Published: April 2018

An experimentally observation was conducted to determine boron in fly ash with Inductively CoupledPlasma Spectrometry (ICPS). Sample of solution from fly ash mixed with distilled water was analyzed forpH, agitation time, boron concentration and temperature. It was revealed that fly ash released soluble boronrapidly about 25%-30% from total boron content. Desorption of boron ions occurred afterwards. Afterimmersion in more than one day, sorption of boron by fly ash increased with increasing pH, up to 13. Theequilibrium state transpires after fly ash contact with water. Aluminum borates may release soluble boron tothe solution while alkalinity of fly ash is believed to lead particles on fly ash surface to capture boron ions.
EVALUASI KINERJA FILTER CEPAT DI PDAM SIDOARJO DENGAN METODA FILTER CORING
Authors: Marsono Bowo Djoko
Published: April 2018

Filter air mampu memisahkan kotoran dengan proses fisik, kimia dan biologis melalui media filter.  Kualitas air yang akan didistribusi bergantung pada kinerja filter yang digunakan. Untuk itu, diperlukan evaluasi terhadap kinerja filter untuk  memberikan gambaran filter saat beroperasi maupun saat backwash.  Evaluasi kinerja filter cepat meliputi parameter kekeruhan filtrat, filter run volume, lama operasi filter, dan rasio volume air backwash terhadap volume air filtrat. Evaluasi backwash  meliputi parameter profil kekeruhan air cucian backwash, profil kekeruhan filtrat, solid retention profile, dan ukuran media terekspansi pada saat backwash. Evaluasi backwash dilakukan dengan menggunakan metoda  filter coring. Penelitian ini dilaksanakan di Instalasi Pengolahan Air  Minum Taman Tirta PDAM Sidoarjo, khususnya unit filtrasi, dengan parameter kualitas air yang diperiksa adalah kekeruhan. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa kinerja filter cepat yang dievaluasi mempunyai rasio volume air backwash terhadap filtrat yang dihasilkan mencapai 2,3% atau dalam katagori baik, filter run volume mencapai 237 - 271 m3/m2 sesuai kriteria. Hasil analisa floc retention sampling dari 2 unit filter yang diteliti mencapai kekeruhan 35 - 44 NTU atau sesuai kriteria floc retention yang berarti media filter bersih.  Sedangkan ekspansi media filter terdistribusi dengan baik.
Karakteristik Adsorben Karbon Aktif Dari Limbah Padat Kelapa Sawit (Review)
Authors: Rahayu Dwi Ermawati , Hadi Wahyono
Published: April 2018

Agroindustri kelapa sawit menghasilkan limbah biomassa dengan volume yang besar. Limbah tersebut berpotensi untuk dimanfaatkan menjadi bioadsorben untuk digunakan dalam pengolahan air limbah, air minum dan remediasi tanah. Kualitas adsorben yang baik mempunyai karakteristik porositas tinggi, stabilitas fisik kimia dan luas area permukaan besar. Untuk menghasilkan bioadsorben karbon aktif maka dilakukan proses karbonisasi dilanjutkan dengan proses aktivasi. Proses ini meliputi aktivasi fisik, kimia serta gabungan fisik-kimia maupun kimia-fisik. Aktivasi bertujuan untuk meningkatkan mesopori dan makropori sehingga dihasilkan karbon aktif dengan luas permukaan spesifik yang besar. Pemilihan proses aktivasi secara fisik, kimia asam atau basa untuk proses aktivasi akan berpengaruh terhadap karakteristik karbon aktif yang dihasilkan. Terutama berpengaruh terhadap affinitas alifatik fungsional grup yang terdapat pada permukaan atas karbon aktif
KINERJA PREFILTER SINTETIS
Authors: Marsono Bowo Djoko
Published: April 2018

Prefilter merupakan salah satu solusi untuk mengurangi beban saringan pasir cepat pada pengolahan air minum.  Prefilter dapat diterapkan pada instalasi pengolahan air minum yaitu di bak sedimentasi atau sebelum unit filter. Media sintetis berupa botol plastik bekas dan media dari pabrikan perlu diteliti sebagai media pre filter.  Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui kinerja prefilter dalam menurunkan tingkat kekeruhan setelah unit sedimentasi. Parameter kinerja terutama diukur dari tingkat efisiensi removal kekeruhan dan headloss yang melewati media prefilter. Penelitian ini menggunakan 3 jenis variabel yaitu jenis media, ketebalan media, dan kecepatan filtrasi. Jenis media yang digunakan adalah media plastik PET dan media fabrikasi. Ketebalan media yang digunakan adalah 6 cm dan 10 cm, sedangkan kecepatan filtrasinya yaitu 6, 8 dan 10 m3/m2/jam dengan konsep aliran kontinyu upflow. Hasil dari penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa kinerja prefilter terbukti cukup signifikan yaitu dapat mencapai efisiensi penurunan kekeruhan sebesar 44,3%  sehingga apabila diterapkan dalam sistem pengolahan air minum dapat meningkatkan produksi filtrat. Kehilangan tekanan selama lima jam operasi, dengan ketebalan 10 cm hanya mencapai 4,2 mm, sangat layak untuk diterapkan di unit clarifier atau sebelum unit filter. Media pabrikan lebih layak diterapkan daripada media plastik ditinjau dari aspek efisiensi penurunan kekeruhan dan  kemudahan pemasangan.
Improving the quality and speed of access to operation notes
Authors: Howard Matthew , Parwaiz Hammad , Cassels Emily , Smith Natalie , Howard Lucy
Published: April 2018

Introduction:

Operation notes are often poorly completed, potentially compromising patient care. This project was undertaken to improve the quantity, quality and clarity of information included in operation notes, and make them easier to locate within a set of patient notes.

Methods:

Operation notes were audited against standards laid out in national guidelines. The time taken for staff to locate an operation note, and information within it, was then measured. The layout was re-designed, followed by a re-audit.

Results:

The number of operation notes with all measured domains completed rose from 4% to 34% (P<0.001). The mean time to locate the operation note fell from 30 to 4 seconds, and the mean time to locate all requested pieces of information within the operation note fell from 35 to 20 seconds.

Conclusions:

The interventions have improved quality and speed of access of operation notes, but there is still room for improvement.
Determination of Teacher Candidates’ Views Concerning V Diagrams Used in General Biology Laboratories
Authors: Kayacan Kadriye
Published: April 2018

This study was conducted within the scope of the General Biology Laboratory II course, which was taught in the Science Teaching Department in the Spring semester of the 2016-2017 academic year. The study group consisted of 40 teacher candidates in their second year in the Science Teaching Department at a state university in Konya. The purpose of the study, in which case study design was used, was to determine the views of teacher candidates concerning the V diagrams used in the General Biology Laboratory II course. To this end, experiments were conducted for a period of 10 weeks and reports for the experiments were formed by the teacher candidates in the form of V diagrams. The views of the teacher candidates regarding V diagrams were collected through open-ended questions and analyzed via content analysis.
Il Padrino’s dilemma: a simple model of Mafia decision making
Authors: Wintrobe Ronald
Published: April 2018

The major threat to security in the 21st century appears to come from ‘ungoverned spaces’ – areas where governmental control is weak or contested by clans, gangs or terrorist organizations. In a situation where trust in government is weak, the Mafia provides the service of enforcing transactions and protection. The paper builds a model to explain why, even though the Mafia appears to fulfill a valuable function, namely to provide contract enforcement when state support for that is weak, it is nevertheless so destructive. The reason, I suggest, is not simply that the Mafia is a private supplier of a public good (trust) but that it also supplies a public bad (distrust). The Mafia supplies trust by enforcing contracts but it also has to prevent that trust from spreading to those who do not pay. To stop this, the Mafia also supplies distrust. So the Mafia leader always has a choice between two ways of making profits: to supply trust, or to supply distrust. This is Il Padrino’s dilemma. The next and crucial point is that trust tends to get undervalued and distrust overvalued by Mafia leaders. Among the reasons for this are that trust is fragile, while distrust is durable, combined with the peculiar ‘ownership’ structure of the Mafia, which is that the reputation of the organization cannot be capitalized and sold. So the Mafia leader oversupplies distrust and neglects the damages this does to the society in which it operates. This distortion in Il Padrino’s thinking—the undervaluation of trust and overvaluation of distrust relative to their social values—partly explains why the Mafia is so destructive, and why areas where their control is strong tend to remain poor.
The lighthouse in economics: colonial America’s experience
Authors: Mixon Franklin G. , Bridges Robert Shaw
Published: April 2018

With the 1974 publication of his study titled ‘The lighthouse in economics’, Nobel Laureate Ronald Coase demonstrated that England’s history of lighthouse services provision includes examples of private sector involvement, dating back to 1614 and going forward to 1816. Critics argue, however, that Coase perhaps overstated the case in concluding that most lighthouse services during this period were ‘privately provided’, and instead explain that this particular industry provides an example of a mixed system of private-public partnerships. This study integrates these critiques into a Coase-type examination of the existence of ‘private-ness’ in lighthouse services provision in colonial American history. In doing so, it fills a hole in the literature that has existed since Coase’s examination of the history of lighthouse services provision in England.
Hodnocení kvality terénních programů digitální interpretace přírodního dědictví
Authors: Činčera Jan , Medek Michal , Lupač Miroslav
Published: April 2018

Studie diskutuje otázku kvality terénní digitální interpretace přírodního dědictví. Popisuje proces vymezení kategorií kvality, který zahrnoval kombinaci literární rešerše, diskuse s experty v rámci ohniskové skupiny a terénní průzkum. V poslední části představuje a diskutuje klíčové kategorie kvality, které by se mohly stát doporučením pro další autory digitální interpretace.
Ethnobotanical survey of the flora of Maidan Valley, Lower Dir District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, Pakistan
Authors: Irfan Muhammad , Ali Izaz , Kashif Rabia Afza
Published: April 2018

An ethnomedicinal survey of the plants of Maidan Valley, Lower Dir District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, Pakistan was carried out to collect and document the information available with the local people. A total of 43 ethnomedicinal taxa were identified, that were distributed among 40 genera and 31 families and utilized by the local people for the treatment of various ailments. Amongst them thirty eight taxa were Angiosperms that included thirty four Dicotyledons and four Monocotyledons. The remaining five taxa comprised of two Pteridophytes, two Gymnosperms and one Fungus. Lamiaceae was the largest family with seven taxa, Apiaceae, the second largest family with three taxa followed by Amaranthaceae, Berberidaceae, Rhamnaceae, Rutaceae and Violaceae having two taxa each. The remaining families viz. Anacardiaceae, Asteraceae, Buxaceae, Canabiaceae, Cucurbitaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Fagaceae, Fumariaceae, Geraniaceae, Juglandaceae, Liliaceae, Morchellaceae, Oleaceae, Papaveraceae, Papilionaceae, Punicaceae Rosaceae, Saxifragaceae and Solanaceae had one taxa each of ethnobotanical importance.. They were mostly used in the form of dicoctions and infusionsas remedies against respiratory diseases viz. asthma, bronchitis, emphysema and pneumonia, kidney and urinary problems, circulatory disorders and skin diseases.
Continuous space-time transformations
Authors: Pazzis Clément de Seguins , Šemrl Peter
Published: April 2018

We prove that every continuous map acting on the four-dimensional Minkowski space and preserving light cones in one direction only is either a Poincaré similarity, that is, a product of a Lorentz transformation and a dilation, or it is of a very special degenerate form.
Adaptation of cardiovascular system stent implants
Authors: Ostasevicius Vytautas , Tretsyakou-Savich Yahor , Venslauskas Mantas , Bertasiene Agne , Minchenya Vladimir , Chernoglaz Pavel
Published: April 2018

Time-consuming design and manufacturing processes are a serious disadvantage when adapting human cardiovascular implants as they cause unacceptable delays after the decision to intervene surgically has been made. An ideal cardiovascular implant should have a broad range of characteristics such as strength, viscoelasticity and blood compatibility. The present research proposes the sequence of the geometrical adaptation procedures and presents their results. The adaptation starts from the identification of a person’s current health status while performing abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) imaging, which is a point of departure for the mathematical model of a cardiovascular implant. The computerized tomography scan shows the patient-specific geometry parameters of AAA and helps to create a model using COMSOL Multiphysics software. The initial parameters for flow simulation are taken from the results of a patient survey. The simulation results allow choosing the available shape of an implant which ensures a non-turbulent flow. These parameters are essential for the design and manufacturing of an implant prototype which should be tested experimentally for the assurance that the mathematical model is adequate to a physical one. The article gives a focused description of competences and means that are necessary to achieve the shortest possible preparation of the adapted cardiovascular implant for the surgery.
Intracellular communication between lipid droplets and peroxisomes: the Janus face of PEX19
Authors: Schrul Bianca , Schliebs Wolfgang
Published: April 2018

In order to adapt to environmental changes, such as nutrient availability, cells have to orchestrate multiple metabolic pathways, which are catalyzed in distinct specialized organelles. Lipid droplets (LDs) and peroxisomes are both endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-derived organelles that fulfill complementary functions in lipid metabolism: Upon nutrient supply, LDs store metabolic energy in the form of neutral lipids and, when energy is needed, supply fatty acids for oxidation in peroxisomes and mitochondria. How these organelles communicate with each other for a concerted metabolic output remains a central question. Here, we summarize recent insights into the biogenesis and function of LDs and peroxisomes with emphasis on the role of PEX19 in these processes.
Analysis and Calculation of the Fluid Flow and the Temperature Field by Finite Element Modeling
Authors: Dhamodaran M. , Jegadeesan S. , Kumar R. Praveen
Published: April 2018

This paper presents a fundamental and accurate approach to study numerical analysis of fluid flow and heat transfer inside a channel. In this study, the Finite Element Method is used to analyze the channel, which is divided into small subsections. The small subsections are discretized using higher number of domain elements and the corresponding number of nodes. MATLAB codes are developed to be used in the analysis. Simulation results showed that the analyses of fluid flow and temperature are influenced significantly by the changing entrance velocity. Also, there is an apparent effect on the temperature fields due to the presence of an energy source in the middle of the domain. In this paper, the characteristics of flow analysis and heat analysis in a channel have been investigated.
A Repeated Power Training Enhances Fatigue Resistance While Reducing Intraset Fluctuations
Authors: Gonzalo-Skok Oliver , Tous-Fajardo Julio , Moras Gerard , Arjol-Serrano José Luis , Mendez-Villanueva Alberto
Published: April 2018

Oliver, GS, Julio, TF, Moras, G, José Luis, AS, and Alberto, MV. A repeated power training enhances fatigue resistance while reducing intraset fluctuations. J Strength Cond Res 33(10): 2711–2721, 2019—The present study analyzed the effects of adding upper-body repeated power ability (RPA) training to habitual strength training sessions. Twenty young elite male basketball players were randomly allocated into a control group (CON, n = 10) or repeated power group (RPG, n = 10) and evaluated by 1 repetition maximum (1RM), incremental load, and RPA tests in the bench press exercise before and after a 7-week period and a 4-week cessation period. Repeated power group performed 1–3 blocks of 5 sets of 5 repetitions using the load that maximized power output with 30 seconds and 3 minute of passive recovery between sets and blocks, respectively. Between-group analysis showed substantial greater improvements in RPG compared with CON in: best set (APB), last set (APL), mean power over 5 sets (APM), percentage of decrement, fluctuation decrease during APL and RPA index (APLpost/APBpre) during the RPA test (effect size [ES] = 0.64–1.86), and 1RM (ES = 0.48) and average power at 80% of 1RM (ES = 1.11) in the incremental load test. The improvements of APB and APM were almost perfectly correlated. In conclusion, RPA training represents an effective method to mainly improve fatigue resistance together with the novel finding of a better consistency in performance (measured as reduced intraset power fluctuations) at the end of a dynamic repeated effort.
La comunicación de boca en boca electrónica en los medios sociales. Análisis de sus antecedentes / Electronic word of mouth communication in the social media. Analysis of its background
Authors: Sarmiento Guede José Ramón , Rodríguez Terceño José
Published: April 2018

En los últimos años, la comunicación de boca en boca electrónica ha desarrollado un crecimiento exponencial debido a los medios sociales y a los avances producidos en el comercio electrónico. Un incremento que ha venido acompañado por una mayor percepción de los fenómenos asociados a ella, como la profusión de informaciones falsas, la falta de comprobación de las informaciones, imprecisión, manipulación y generación espontánea de movimientos digitales o incluso ciudadanos, todo lo cual se ha quedado globalmente incluido bajo el nombre genérico de “Post-verdad”.  Ante este contexto, el presente trabajo se ha marcado como objetivo principal identificar las dimensiones que tienen relación e influyen de una manera directa en el desarrollo de la comunicación de boca en boca electrónica. Para ello, se ha utilizado en la metodología la técnica de la entrevista en profundidad y la técnica de la encuesta online, dicha encuesta se aplicó a usuarios de los medios sociales en toda España. Para analizar los resultados, se recurrió al modelo de regresión lineal. Como conclusión, podemos afirmar que las dimensiones de la percepción de calidad, la percepción de valor y la satisfacción que los usuarios desarrollan en los medios sociales tiene una influencia directa en la comunicación de boca en boca electrónica.
Regulation of axonal caliber, neurofilament content, and nuclear localization in mature sensory neurons by nerve growth factor
Authors: Gold BG , Mobley WC , Matheson SF
Published: April 2018

The neuronal perikaryal response to axonal injury (axon reaction) includes reduction in axonal caliber beginning in the proximal portion of the nerve (somatofugal axonal atrophy), development of nuclear eccentricity, and chromatolysis. The means by which these events are triggered is unknown, but it has been argued that loss of a neurotrophic signal from the target of injured neurons plays a role. To date, the identity of this substance(s) remains unknown. In the present study, we have asked whether NGF normally functions to control axonal caliber of sensory neurons in the L4 and L5 dorsal root ganglia (DRG) of the adult rat. Two approaches were used: (1) NGF was continuously delivered to the proximal stump of a transected sciatic nerve to determine whether NGF administration would prevent the production of somatofugal axonal atrophy; and (2) NGF antisera were administered to normal animals to determine whether NGF deprivation would produce somatofugal axonal atrophy. In the first experiment, 9-week-old rats underwent a unilateral sciatic nerve transection at midthigh, and the proximal stump was connected to an osmotic pump containing either NGF or cytochrome C (as control). At 11 weeks of age, dorsal root fibers in lumbar DRG from the control group appeared smaller in caliber and less circular in shape than fibers from age-matched normal animals. Although smaller than those in normal animals, fibers from the NGF-treated nerves were larger than in axotomized controls. Mean axonal area and shape factor (an index in circularity) were measured and found to be decreased significantly (22% and 15%, respectively) from the control group. Fibers from the NGF-treated nerves were significantly (p less than 0.05) larger in axonal caliber and more circular in shape; mean values were only reduced by 11% and 10%, respectively. Quantitation of neurofilament (NF) numbers revealed that the larger calibers in the NGF- treated nerves result from a greater NF content. NGF treatment did not prevent the atrophy of motor fibers in the proximal ventral root. In the second experiment, 2 antisera to mouse NGF were given daily into the footpad for 11 or 12 d; control animals were given normal goat serum. Quantitation of axonal calibers in the L5 DRG demonstrated that mean axonal area and shape factor were significantly (p less than 0.05) reduced by 14% and 17% respectively. The axoplasm of atrophic fibers demonstrated a paucity of NFs.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Ionic currents of cultured olfactory receptor neurons from antennae of male Manduca sexta
Authors: Zufall F , Stengl M , Franke C , Hildebrand JG , Hatt H
Published: April 2018

Whole-cell and single-channel voltage-clamp techniques were used to identify and characterize the ionic currents of insect olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs) in vitro. The cells were isolated from the antennae of male Manduca sexta pupae at stages 3–5 of adult development and maintained in primary cell culture. After 2–3 weeks in vitro, the presumptive ORNs had resting potentials of -62 +/- 12 mV (n = 18) and expressed at least 1 type of Na+ channel and at least 3 types of K+ channels. Na+ currents, recorded in the whole-cell mode, were reversibly blocked by 0.1 microM tetrodotoxin. The predominant type of K+ channel observed was a voltage-activated K+ channel (gamma = 30 pS) with characteristics similar to those of the delayed rectifier. The activity of the 30-pS K+ channel could be inhibited by the application of nucleotides to the cytoplasmic face of inside-out patches of membrane. The nucleotides had relative potencies as follows: ATP greater than cGMP greater than cAMP, with an inhibition constant for ATP of Ki = 0.18 mM. Raising the intracellular Ca2+ concentration from 0.1 to 5 microM induced the opening of a Ca2(+)-activated K+ channel (gamma = 66 pS at 0 mV) that had a low voltage sensitivity. A third, transient type of K+ channel (gamma = 12–18 pS) could be activated by depolarizing voltage steps from very negative resting potentials. Properties of this channel were similar to those of the “A-channel.” These results support the conclusion that M. sexta ORNs differentiate in vitro and provide the basis for studying primary mechanisms of olfactory transduction.
Inflammation near the nerve cell body enhances axonal regeneration
Authors: Lu X , Richardson PM
Published: April 2018

Although crushed axons in a dorsal spinal root normally regenerate more slowly than peripheral axons, their regeneration can be accelerated by a conditioning lesion to the corresponding peripheral nerve. These and other observations indicate that injury to peripheral sensory axons triggers changes in their nerve cell bodies that contribute to axonal regeneration. To investigate mechanisms of activating nerve cell bodies, an inflammatory reaction was provoked in rat dorsal root ganglia (DRG) through injection of Corynebacterium parvum. This inflammation enhanced regeneration in the associated dorsal root, increasing 4-fold the number of regenerating fibers 17 d after crushing; peripheral nerve regeneration was not accelerated. A milder stimulation of dorsal root regeneration was detected after direct injection of isogenous macrophages into the ganglion. It is concluded that changes favorable to axonal regeneration can be induced by products of inflammatory cells acting in the vicinity of the nerve cell body. Satellite glial cells and other unidentified cells in lumbar DRG were shown by thymidine radioautography to proliferate after sciatic nerve transection or injection of C. parvum into the ganglia. Intrathecal infusion of mitomycin C suppressed axotomy-induced mitosis of satellite glial cells but did not impede axonal regeneration in the dorsal root or the peripheral nerve. Nevertheless, the similarity in reactions of satellite glial cells during 2 processes that activate neurons adds indirect support to the idea that non-neuronal cells in the DRG might influence regenerative responses of primary sensory neurons.
Activity-dependent development of synaptic varicosities at crayfish motor terminals
Authors: Lnenicka GA , Hong SJ , Combatti M , LePage S
Published: April 2018

Tonically and phasically active crayfish motor terminals have well- characterized differences in synaptic physiology. During repetitive activation, the tonic terminals show facilitation and no depression, while the phasic terminals show dramatic synaptic fatigue. It has been proposed that this greater capacity for transmitter release from tonic terminals may be largely due to the presence of large synaptic varicosities along tonic terminals that contain large mitochondria, synapses, and numerous synaptic vesicles. In addition, a recent study indicates that in vivo tonic stimulation of a phasic terminal in young animals increases the fatigue resistance of the neuromuscular synapses and increases the number of synaptic varicosities, as well as the size of mitochondria and synapses. Because these previous morphological studies of crustacean motor terminals were performed using transmission electron microscopy, only short lengths of terminal were observed, and changes in synaptic varicosity frequency and size could not be thoroughly examined. In order to examine the synaptic varicosities along the terminal, motor terminals were injected with HRP, and the morphology of contrast-enhanced light microscopic images was examined. We report here that tonic terminals have much larger and more numerous synaptic varicosities than phasic terminals. In vivo stimulation of a phasic motoneuron results in an increase in the frequency of synaptic varicosities. This represents an increase in the total number of varicosities because terminal length appears to remain constant. These synaptic varicosities appear to form along preexisting terminals and persist for days after the final in vivo stimulation. The results indicate that the greater transmitter-releasing capabilities of tonic terminals compared to phasic terminals are due to their larger and more frequent synaptic varicosities. In addition, the development of these synaptic varicosities is activity dependent.