bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Monitoring and Guiding Pupils' Problem Solving
Authors: Hodnik Čadež Tatjana , Manfreda Kolar Vida
Published: April 2018

This paper presents a discussion of the problem-solving approaches of primary and secondary school pupils in relation to the following issues: developing strategies, communicating, and receiving guidance. Guiding is the role of the teacher who should be sensitive enough to support pupils’ thinking, when necessary, but not direct it. A group of pupils (35 pupils between 10 and 19 years old) were given a geometrical problem that required them to define the number of parts created when a single plane was divided by straight lines. Each pupil tackled the problem individually, while prospective teachers from the Faculty of Education observed and guided them. After analysing the prospective teachers’ research reports on guiding pupils through the problem we came to the following conclusions: all the pupils needed guiding in order to make progress in problem solving towards general rule, most of the pupils need to learn about heuristics more systematically, prospective teachers got better inside view on thinking process for problem solving of different age groups of pupils. From the success at problem solving point of view we observed the following: until presented with a problem that required a geometrical approach, the differences among the age groups in terms of successful problem solving were not that noteworthy, the difference among age groups was observed in examples of more complex problem solving where a shift towards an arithmetical approach was needed.
Antibiotic Allergy in Pediatrics
Authors: Norton Allison Eaddy , Konvinse Katherine , Phillips Elizabeth J. , Broyles Ana Dioun
Published: April 2018

The overlabeling of pediatric antibiotic allergy represents a huge burden in society. Given that up to 10% of the US population is labeled as penicillin allergic, it can be estimated that at least 5 million children in this country are labeled with penicillin allergy. We now understand that most of the cutaneous symptoms that are interpreted as drug allergy are likely viral induced or due to a drug–virus interaction, and they usually do not represent a long-lasting, drug-specific, adaptive immune response to the antibiotic that a child received. Because most antibiotic allergy labels acquired in childhood are carried into adulthood, the overlabeling of antibiotic allergy is a liability that leads to unnecessary long-term health care risks, costs, and antibiotic resistance. Fortunately, awareness of this growing burden is increasing and leading to more emphasis on antibiotic allergy delabeling strategies in the adult population. There is growing literature that is used to support the safe and efficacious use of tools such as skin testing and drug challenge to evaluate and manage children with antibiotic allergy labels. In addition, there is an increasing understanding of antibiotic reactivity within classes and side-chain reactions. In summary, a better overall understanding of the current tools available for the diagnosis and management of adverse drug reactions is likely to change how pediatric primary care providers evaluate and treat patients with such diagnoses and prevent the unnecessary avoidance of antibiotics, particularly penicillins.
External Validation of the PediBIRN Clinical Prediction Rule for Abusive Head Trauma
Authors: Pfeiffer Helena , Smith Anne , Kemp Alison Mary , Cowley Laura Elizabeth , Cheek John A. , Dalziel Stuart R. , Borland Meredith L. , O’Brien Sharon , Bonisch Megan , Neutze Jocelyn , Oakley Ed , Crowe Louise , Hearps Stephen J. C. , Lyttle Mark D. , Bressan Silvia , Babl Franz E. ,   on behalf of the Paediatric Research in Emergency Department International Collaborative (PREDICT)
Published: April 2018

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:

A 4-variable abusive head trauma (AHT) clinical prediction rule (CPR) for use in the PICU was derived and validated for children <3 years of age by the Pediatric Brain Injury Research Network (PediBIRN). We aimed to externally validate PediBIRN as designed (PICU only) as well as using broader inclusion criteria (admitted children with head injuries).

METHODS:

This was a secondary analysis of a prospective multicenter study of pediatric head injuries at 5 Australian and New Zealand tertiary pediatric centers. Possible AHT was identified by clinician suspicion, epidemiology codes, or a high-risk group (<3 years of age, admitted, abnormal neuroimaging results). At 1 center, we additionally reviewed head injuries in the forensic database. We designated patients as positive for AHT, negative for AHT, or having indeterminate outcome after multidisciplinary review and applied the PediBIRN CPR, blinded to outcome, to PICU admissions only, and any head injury admissions. CPR accuracy was calculated by using 95% confidence intervals.

RESULTS:

One hundred and forty-one patients were admitted with abnormal neuroimaging results. Twenty-eight (20%) were positive for AHT, 94 (67%) were negative for AHT, and 19 (13%) had indeterminate outcome. Excluding indeterminate cases, in the PICU (n = 28), the CPR was 100% (75%–100%) sensitive and 11% (0%–48%) specific; in all admitted patients (n = 141), sensitivity was 96% (82%–100%) and specificity of 43% (32%–53%).

CONCLUSIONS:

This validation revealed high sensitivity and low specificity for PICU patients. Specificity was improved but moderate in a broader group of admitted head injury patients.
El deslizamiento del 8 de diciembre de 1994 en el volcán Irazú (Costa Rica): aspectos históricos y geomorfología con base en fotografías aéreas históricas y recientes
Authors: Fallas Mauro , Prado Alejandro , Mora Mauricio M. , Ruiz Paulo , Alfaro Eric J. , Soto Gerardo J.
Published: April 2018

El 8 de diciembre de 1994, a las 22:48 (hora local), tuvo lugar en flanco norte del volcán Irazú un evento particular, que se describió en esa época como una erupción freática. Recientemente, se cuestionó la naturaleza volcánica de este evento y se propuso que habría sido una avalancha de escombros generado por un deslizamiento. En este trabajo se retomó el análisis de este proceso desde la perspectiva histórica, geológica y geomorfológica, y se reforzó dicha hipótesis a la luz de evidencias sismológicas, aunque sigue sin descartarse que hubiera intervenido actividad geotermal. En este trabajo se realizó la restitución fotogramétrica a partir de fotografías aéreas obtenidas por el Instituto Geográfico Nacional (IGN) el 20 de diciembre de 1994, mediante la cual se estimó un volumen deslizado entre 21±8 y 22±7x106 m3.
Nuevo registro fósil de Aturia Cubaensis (Lea, 1841) [Cephalopoda, Nautilidae] para el Mioceno Inferior - Medio de Costa Rica
Authors: Laurito César A. , Mora Martín J.
Published: April 2018

Un nuevo espécimen de Aturia fósil fue colectado en las secuencias sedimentarias sublitorales o marino someras de la Formación Roca Carballo de edad Mioceno Inferior-Medio, en la costa pacífico central de Costa Rica, en la provincia de Puntarenas. Como resultado del análisis taxonómico del fósil, se confirma el registro de la especie Aturia cubaensis (Lea, 1841), fundamentado en la forma de la concha y de las características de su distintiva escultura. Esta es la segunda vez que se registra dicha especie para el Mioceno del Sur de América Central y por ello se hacen algunas inferencias estratigráficas acerca del primer hallazgo en la Formación Río Banano.
Primer registro fósil de un Myriapoda (Polydesmida) para el Pleistoceno Tardío de la localidad de La Palmera de San Carlos, provincia de Alajuela, Costa Rica
Authors: Laurito César A. , Valerio Ana L.
Published: April 2018

Se describe por primera vez para Costa Rica y América Central un milpiés (Diplopoda, Polydesmida) fósil; el material fue recolectado de depósitos de travertino y estaban asociados a varios restos óseos de roedores fósiles así como abundante flora fósil del Pleistoceno tardío. Los restos fósiles están básicamente constituidos por segmentos corporales y están cercanamente emparentados al género viviente Nyssodesmus Cook, 1896.
ZnO MICRORODS SURFACE-DECORATED BY WO3 NANORODS FOR ENHANCING NH3 GAS SENSING PERFORMANCE
Authors: Dien Nguyen Dac
Published: April 2018

Regularly shaped, single-crystalline ZnO microrods (MRs) with wurtzite structure were prepared via a wet chemical method. The obtained rods possess average diameter and length of 350 nm and 3.5 μm, respectively. Besides, WO3 nanorods (NRs) with the size of 20 nm in diameter and 120 nm in length were synthesized by hydrothermal route. A facile solid state reaction route was employed to synthesize the WO3/ZnO structure by grinding WO3 NRs powder and ZnO MRs powder with various weight ratios (1:2, 1:1 and 2:1) together at room temperature without any surfactant and template. WO3 NRs were sprinkled on ZnO MRs surface and it was observed that the amount of WO3 significantly affected the overall surface of ZnO MRs. Furthermore, NH3 gas-sensing property of the obtained products were studied and compared with that of sole ZnO MRs sample. The results demonstrated that the sensors based on WO3/ZnO structures possessed larger response, better selectivity, faster response/recovery than the sensor based on pure ZnO MRs. Especially, the gas sensing property of the WO3/ZnO composite based sensor with weight ratio of 1:1 was superior to others. However, the operating temperature is quite high (400 C). The mechanism of gas sensing was also studied.
SCAPS SIMULATION OF ZnO/In2S3/Cu2Sn3S7/Mo SOLAR CELL
Authors: Hoat Phung Dinh
Published: April 2018

Operation of ZnO/In2S3/Cu2Sn3S7/Mo solar cell was calculated using the SCAPS software. Main input data were energy band gap Eg, absorption coefficient α, thickness d, mobility μ and carrier concentration n of the ZnO, In2S3 and Cu2Sn3S7 films obtained from experiments. In all calculation processes, parameters of the ZnO (Eg = 3.3 eV, d = 0.2 μm, μn = 100 cm2/(Vs)) and In2S3 (Eg = 2.96 eV, d = 0.1 μm, μn = 50 cm2/(Vs)) films were kept constant. Effects of thickness d and carrier concentration np of the Cu2Sn3S7 (αmax = 4.2×104 cm-1, Eg = 1.46 eV) film on Voc, Jsc, Vm, Jm, FF and η of the cell were investigated in the ranges of d = 0.3 – 3.5 μm and np = 1017 – 1020 cm-3. Under the standard AM 1.5G illumination at 300 K, the ZnO/In2S3/Cu2Sn3S7/Mo solar cell having Rs = 10 Ω.cm2 and Rsh = 1×106 Ω.cm2 using Cu2Sn3S7 film having d = 2 μm, αmax = 4.2×104 cm-1, Eg = 1.46 eV, μp = 15 cm2/(Vs) and np = 1020 cm-3 has the highest conversion efficiency ηmax = 18.0 % with Voc = 0.98 V, Jsc = 31.2 mA/cm2, Vm = 0.62 V, Jm = 28.8 mA/cm2 and FF = 58.8 %.
SURVEY ON TOTAL LIPID CONTENT AND COMPOSITION OFFATTY ACIDS FROM HEAD AND VISCERA OF TUNA
Authors: Thanh Le Tat
Published: April 2018

In this study, 16 samples including 8 head samples and visceral samples of tuna species incentral Vietnam coast are collected and serveyed the composition and content of fatty acids inthe total lipid. The obtained results show that the total lipid content in the head samples rangefrom 4.5 % to 11.7 % weight of fresh samples, particularly, the total lipid content of MT1 (headof Thunnusobesus) and VV1 (head of Thunnusalbacares) reached 14.2 % and 14.8 %. Invisceral samples, the total lipid content ranges from 2.3 % to 6.5 % compared with the weight offresh sample. We also identified 37 kinds of fatty acids, in which head samples of tuna are richin fatty acids in the omega-3 group (from 24.7 % to 37.8 %). Especially DHA ranges from19.3 % to 27.8 % and EPA ranges from 4.4 % to 8.4 %. Analysis results showed that omega-3content in visceral samples less than head samples of tuna, their contents only reach from 16.0 %to 31.4. The fatty acids content in the omega-6 group are the lowest and reach from 4.7 % to10.8 %.
STUDY ON THE AROMA MODEL OF VIETNAMESE CORIANDER LEAVES (Polygonum odoratum)
Authors: To Quynh Cung Thi
Published: April 2018

The volatiles present in fresh Vietnamese coriander (Polygonum odoratum) were isolated by solvent extraction and analyzed by GC analyses, aroma extract dilution analysis and omission test. The fresh herb was characterized as green, citrusy, pungent, and floral odors. The saturated aldehydes C10,C11, C12, hexanal and decanol were most likely the principal contributors to Vietnamese coriander's characteristic aroma. The aroma reconstitution was finally examined by sensory evaluation methods based on the 5 key odorants mentioned above. The results of the omission experiments confirmed that dodecanal, decanal, hexanal and undecanal have significant impacts on the odor of Vietnamese coriander, while decanol does not play an important role.
CELLULOSE NANOCRYSTALS: SYNTHESIS, CHARACTERISTICS AND EFFECT ON HYDROXYPROPYL METHYLCELLULOSE-BASED COMPOSITE FILMS AND COATINGS
Authors: Minh Nguyet Nguyen Thi
Published: April 2018

This study aimed to synthesize, determine characteristics of cellulose nanocrystals such as morphology, size particle, zeta potential, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The study also evaluated effect of concentration of added cellulose nanocrystals to hydroxypropyl methylcellulose-base films and coatings containing carnauba Nano emulsion and chitosan nanoparticles. Results showed the shape and size of the nanoparticle generally depend on hydrolysis condition of microcrystalline cellulose. Cellulose nanocrystals obtained from processing hydrolyzed microcrystalline cellulose in range from 47 wt. % to 55 wt. % had length range of from 160 to 196 nm and diameter from 9 to 11 nm. Cellulose nanocrystals were added into nanocomposite HPMC that incorporated with both of carnauba Nano emulsion and chitosan nanoparticles with concentration of cellulose nanocrystals at levels: 0.2, 0.5, 0.8 and 1.1 %. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images revealed that nanocomposite films become more compact and dense due to the cellulose nanocrystals occupy empty spaces of porous of matrix nanocomposite HPMC increasing the collapse of the pores in the films. The concentration of cellulose nanocrystals at 0.5 % was added to Nanocomposite HPMC including both of carnauba nano emulsion and chitosan nanoparticles improved the physical strength of film with the best quality compared with other films as: film solubility was raised up 16.65 %, film drying time is faster than others (51.33 minutes). Assessement of the effect of cellulose nanocrystals added into the nanocomposite films coated on fruit bananas showed that respiration of bananas were reduced from 57.08 ml CO2/kg.h to 30.17 ml CO2/kg.h;  weight loss was declined from 4.0 % to 1.82 % thanks to the limitation of the films gas and moisture permeability.
IMPROVEMENT OF LYCOPENE EXTRACTION FROM TOMATOES BY ENZYME – ASSISTED TREATMENT
Authors: Nam Vu Phuong
Published: April 2018

Lycopene is a natural carotenoid pigment and a high value nutraceutical having wide use in the food, feed, medicinal and cosmetic industries. Both food researchers and producers always attract enhancement of the lycopene extraction yield from tomatoes. In this work, improvement of lycopene extraction by enzyme – assisted treatment from tomatoes was studied. Hydrolytic enzymes such as cellulases and pectinases were firstly screened for enzymatic treatment of tomato purée, then, some process parameters of the enzymatic treatment of tomatoes were optimized, with respect to concentration of the enzymes, tomato purée/water ratio, pH of tomato purée, temperature and incubation time. Lycopene extraction of enzymatic treatment of tomato purée by mix of solvents (hexane, acetone and ethanol: 2:1:1v/v/v) showed that: Pectinex Ultra Clear preparation attributed significantly to increase the extractability of tomato lycopene in comparison to Viscozymes L, Cellulast 1.5 and control samples (no enzyme addition). The highest lycopene yield was obtained, reached 163.35 mg/kg at their optimum parameters of enzymatic treatment, such as tomato purée/water ratio: 1/0; enzyme addition: 1 %; pH: 5.0; temperature: 50 oC and incubation time: 60 minutes.
GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS FROM ANAEROBIC DIGESTION PLANTS
Authors: Phong Nguyen Thanh
Published: April 2018

This study investigated emissions of CH4, N2O and NH3 from nine anaerobic digestion plants that treat biowaste. The treatment is in form of mechanical pre-treatment, anaerobic digestion followed by a composting with or without intensive aeration. The exhaust gases from the mechanical and anaerobic steps are treated by biofilters. The emission sources at the plants consisted of biofilters, combined heat and power units (CHP), liquid digestate treatment systems (LTS) and open composting windrows of the solid digestate. Overall, the emission factors were 0.4 - 16 kg (Mg biowaste)-1 for CH4, 7 - 170 g (Mg biowaste)-1 for N2O and 41 - 6,032 g (Mg biowaste)-1 for NH3. Open composting windrows of solid digestate resulted in high emissions of CH4 and N2O. Intensive aeration of the solid digestate could reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
ADSORPTION OF URANIUM FROM AQUEOUS SOLUTION BY Cu0.5Ni0.5Fe2O4 – REDUCED GRAPHENE OXIDE NANOCOMPOSITES
Authors: Dat Tran Quang
Published: April 2018

Cu0.5Ni0.5Fe2O4 – reduced graphene oxide composites (CNF-rGO) as an efficient adsorbent for the adsorption of uranium (VI) have been synthesized by a two-steps methods. The structures and the physicochemical properties of adsorbents are characterized by Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy (RAMAN) and Vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) measurement. It was found that rGO were exfoliated and decorated homogeneously with CNF nanoparticles having diameters of 20 nm. The saturated magnetization (Ms) value was estimated to be 60 emu/g, remanences (Mr) and coercive forces (Hc) near to zero, indicating that obtained material is superparamagnetic. The pH effect, contact time and adsorption isotherms were examined in batch experiments. The adsorption isotherm agreed well with the Langmuir model, having a maximum adsorption capacity of 256 mg/g, at pH = 6, T = 298 K.
COPPER AND LEAD RECOVERY FROM DISCARDED PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARDS BY ELECTROLYSING LEACHED SOLUTION
Authors: Phuong Thao Tran Thi
Published: April 2018

Results of copper and lead recovery from discarded printing circuit boards (PCB) by acidic dissolution and electrodeposition are presented. A preliminary procedure of the recovery process is proposed with the following steps: disposal of the mounted electrical elements, cleaning, grinding, iron separation for grains screening, metal dissolution, and electrolysis. The composition analysis is performed to define suitable electrochemical parameters for recovery. XRF and AAS techniques are used for preliminary estimation of metal content in leached solution. LSV method is implemented to establish parameters for copper electrodeposition. The product quality is evaluated through XRD analysis. The high recovery efficiencies, 97.61% and 96.59 % for copper (in metallic form) and lead (in dioxide form), respectively, were reached.
USING BENTHOS TO EVALUATE THE QUALITY OF MARINE ENVIRONMENT: CASE STUDY FROM CENTRAL VIETNAM AFTER THE INCIDENT CAUSED BY FORMOSA
Authors: Minh Phuong Nguyen Thi
Published: April 2018

In this study, we evaluated the quality of marine environment in central Vietnam after the disaster caused by Formosa Ha Tinh Steel Corporation (Formosa), using both bio-indicators (benthos) and chemical indicators. Results show that using benthic fauna, especially meio-benthos can obtain data on the quality of marine environment faster and more accurate than using chemical indicators. In marine environment, monitoring contaminated areas and contamination sources is difficult since currents are normally strong, contaminants often move fast and far away from the sources. For the reasons, using benthos as indicator to localize the contaminated areas as well as assess the quality of marine environment can be an effective method. However, this indicator cannot help to identify the exact contaminants and using this requires a comprehensive knowledge on sea bottom topography, sedimentary characteristics, sea currents, biological competition, etc.
INTERACTION EFFECTS OF LITSEA CUBEBA ESSENTIAL OIL AND ANTIBIOTICS ON ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY AGAINST PATHOGENIC BACTERIA IN AQUACULTURE
Authors: Nguyen Hai Van
Published: April 2018

In this study, the interaction effects of Litsea cubeba essential oil (EO) and two antibiotics (ABs) on the antibacterial activity against pathogenic bacteria in aquaculture were investigated. Two reference strains (Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 (E. coli ATCC 25922) and Vibrio parahaemolyticus ATCC 17802 (V. parahaemolyticus ATCC 17802)) and six locally isolated aquatic pathogenic strains (E. coli 9C48, E. coli 11C123, Vibrio 2S4, Vibrio 2N38, V. parahaemolyticus ND201 and V. parahaemolyticus TB81) were used. The inhibitory effects of individual antimicrobial agent (L. cubeba EO, nalidixic acid, and oxytetracycline) were tested against eight strains by using broth microdilution assay in 96-well microplates. A higher inhibitory effect of L. cubeba EO was observed against isolated aquatic pathogenic (MIC = 1.15 - 2.30 mg/mL) than that in the reference strains (MIC = 5.53 mg/mL). The combination effects of L. cubeba EO and ABs often used in the treatment of bacteria effects in aquaculture (nalidixic acid and oxytetracycline) were evaluated by the checkerboard method. Fractional Inhibitory Concentration (FIC) values were determined to characterize the interaction among combinations. Out of 16 AB-EO combinations tested, 11 of them showed a synergistic effect (FIC ≤ 0.5), 3 of them showed an additional effect (0.5 < FIC ≤ 1.0) and 2 of them showed indifferent effect           (1 < FIC ≤ 4), no antagonistic effect was observed. The antimicrobial synergy of EO and AB could enhance efficacy, reduce toxicity, decrease adverse side effects, and lower the dose of ABs used in aquaculture.
DISTRIBUTION AND ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF ENDOPHYTIC ACTINOMYCETES ISOLATED FROM Litsea cubeba (Lour.) Pers. IN NORTHERN PROVINCES OF VIETNAM
Authors: Lam Pham Ngoc
Published: April 2018

Endophytic actinomycetes from medicinal plants have been recently reported as the potential producers of antibiotics, anticancer agents and other bioactive compounds. In this study, the distribution and antimicrobial activity of endophytic actinomycetes isolated from Listea cubeba (Lour.) Pers. were investigated. Consequently, the antimicrobial activities of endophytic isolates against eight pathogens, consisting of Salmonella enterica ATCC 14028, Escherichia coli ATCC 11105, Sarcina lutea CNLM, Bacillus cereus ATCC 11778, Proteus vulgaris CNLM, Pseudomonas aeruginosa CNLM, Staphylococcus epidermidis ATCC 12228, Enterobacter aerogenes ATCC 13048 were tested. Total 143 actinomycetes strains were isolated from L. cubeba tissues, in which 53, 23 and 67 strains were respectively obtained from plant samples collected in Thanh Hoa, Hanoi and Phu Tho provinces. Among media used for isolation, the highest number endophytes were from two main media including HV (18.2 %) and SA (16.1 %). Assessment of strains isolated from three kinds of plant tissues, most of endophytes were from roots (n = 65, 45.5 %) and followed by stems (n = 41, 28.7 %) and leaves (n = 37, 25.9 %). Examination of antimicrobial activity of endophytes revealed that 32.9  % of total strains showed inhibitory activity against at least one of the eight tested pathogenic microorganisms. The obtained results indicated that the L. cubeba (Lour.) Pers. could be an extremely rich reservoir for isolation of diverse actinobacteria producing antimicrobial activities and other bioactive compounds.
STUDY ON CORROSION RESISTANCE OF CARBON NANOTUBES REINFORCED Al2O3 COATING
Authors: Tuan Nguyen Van
Published: April 2018

This paper presents our research on the reinforcement with 1 % of carbon nanotubes (CNT) for a ceramic Al2O3 coating applied by air plasma spray (APS) on CT3 steel. The corrosion resistances of both CNTs reinforced and non-CNTs reinforced Al2O3 coatings were investigated by using different such techniques as: potentiodynamic polarization; electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS); salt spray and erosion corrosion tests.The obtained results show positive effects of CNT to improve the corrosion protection of the Al2O3 coating: time of appearance of first rust points on the surface in the salt spray test increased from 2 hours for pure Al2O3 coating to 24 hours for the CNTs-Al2O3 one; the erosion-corrosion resistance of the CNTs-Al2O3 coating increased about 17 % in comparison with the one of the Al2O3 coating.
SYNTHESIS AND APPLICATION OF CHITOSAN/GRAPHENE OXIDE/MAGNETITE NANOSTRUCTURED COMPOSITE FOR Fe(III) REMOVAL FROM AQUEOUS SOLUTION
Authors: Le Truong Dang , Tran Hoang Vinh , Thu Le Dieu , Quang Tran Ngoc , Hang Nguyen Thi Minh , Khoi Nguyen Dang
Published: April 2018

In this research, the potential of chitosan/Fe3O4/graphene oxide (CS/Fe3O4/GO) nanocomposite for efficient removal of Fe(III) a cationic metal ion from aqueous solutions was investigated. The synthesized CS/Fe3O4/GO was characterized by XRD, VSM and SEM techniques. Also, the various parameters affecting Fe3+ removal were investigated. Fe(III) adsorption equilibrium data were fitted well to the Langmuir isotherm and the maximum monolayer capacity (qmax), was calculated from the Langmuir as 6.5 mg.g-1. The results show that, CS/Fe3O4/GO nanocomposite, can be used as a cheap and efficient adsorbent for removal of heavy metal ions from aqueous solutions.
INVESTIGATION OF CERIUM (III) ACTIVATED-CERIA NANOPARTICLES AS CORROSION INHIBITORS FOR CARBON STEEL
Authors: Nguyen Anh Son , Nguyen Thuy Duong , Thai Thu Thuy , To Thi Xuan Hang
Published: April 2018

The present work investigated the corrosion protection performance of ions Ce3+ activated-cerium(IV) oxides nanoparticles for carbon steel in a NaCl solution. Ceria nanoparticles were synthesized by homogeneous precipitation in ethanol/water mixed solvent. The obtained CeO2 nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The corrosion inhibition action of the activated nanoparticles by cerium(III) ions on carbon steel in NaCl solution was evaluated by electrochemical measurements (electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and potentiodynamic polarization). Then, the effect of cerium salt activated-CeO2 on the protection properties of poly-vinyl-butyral (PVB) coating deposited onto carbon steel plate was studied by salt spray test. The obtained results showed that the salt activated-nanoparticles are anodic corrosion inhibitors. The presence of Ce3+ activated CeO2 in the coating improved the barrier properties and corrosion protection performance of the PVB coating. No swellings of coating were observed after 48 hours of exposure in salt spray chamber.
Parallel corpora and contrastive linguistics: Where to look for pitfalls in the translation of information structure
Authors: Dušková Libuše
Published: April 2018

This paper deals with some of the problems encountered in English-Czech contrastive studies of information structure based on parallel texts. It largely focuses on those arising from the different hierarchy of the respective word order principles, the primary one being grammatical function in English, and information structure / functional sentence perspective (FSP) in Czech. Three aspects are considered: linear ordering of clause elements, FSP structure, and the basic distribution of communicative dynamism. Owing to the character and complexity of the FSP factors, word order, context, semantics and intonation, and the lack of distinctive realization forms of the carriers of the FSP functions, the study is based on manual excerpts from passages of digitalized running text of three English novels and their Czech translations drawn from the InterCorp. The results show that most problems arise in the case of different linear ordering as it may indicate either an identical or a different FSP structure.
English vs. German from a textual perspective: Looking inside chain intersection
Authors: Kunz Kerstin , Lapshinova-Koltunski Ekaterina
Published: April 2018

This paper presents a cross-lingual corpus-based study on the intersection of chains of coreference and lexical cohesion. The two types of cohesion are often combined and thus play an important role for the development of discourse topics. We analyse chain intersection as cases where chain elements of lexical cohesion occur inside of coreference chains. We use a corpus of English and German original texts from four written and spoken registers which is annotated for both types of cohesion. Our analyses point to contrasts between the two languages and across the four registers under analysis in the types and the number of intersections in coreference chains. This variation has an effect on the way important topics develop in a text.
Laboratory-Based Biomarkers and Liver Metastases in Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer
Authors: Cotogno Patrick M. , Ranasinghe Lahiru K. , Ledet Elisa M. , Lewis Brian E. , Sartor Oliver
Published: April 2018

Background

Metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) patients with liver metastases have a poor prognosis. No large studies have investigated the clinical and biochemical parameters associated with liver metastases in this population.

Materials and Methods

Patient data made available via Project Data Sphere were collected from 1,281 men with mCRPC who were enrolled on to three phase III clinical trials for the treatment of their disease. Multiple logistic regression was performed on eight clinical and biochemical baseline variables to test their association with the presence of liver metastases on baseline radiographic imaging. Variables of interest included prior docetaxel exposure, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status, albumin, alkaline phosphatase, alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase (AST), hemoglobin (HGB), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), prostate-specific antigen, and total bilirubin. Final models were compared when treating the variables as either continuous or categorized.

Results

Multiple variable analysis demonstrated that an increasing serum AST or LDH or a decreasing HGB was associated with an increased probability of having documented radiographic liver metastases (p < .0001). The area under the curve for the continuous model was 0.6842 and 0.6890 for the categorical one, with the latter model containing a dichotomized AST and LDH based on the upper limit of normal and tertile ranges of HGB based on the distribution of the outcome.

Conclusion

Our analysis demonstrated a significant association between the presence of liver metastases and laboratory levels of AST, LDH, and HGB. These have implications for patient management. More research is needed to validate these biomarkers and prospectively determine their application in the clinical setting.

Implications for Practice

The purpose of this study was to evaluate biochemical and clinical biomarkers associated with the presence of liver metastases in men diagnosed with metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer. The results indicate that quantitative assessments of aspartate transaminase, lactate dehydrogenase, and hemoglobin are significantly associated with an increased probability of having documented radiographic liver metastases. Analysis of these simple variables can alert clinicians to those at high risk for prostate cancer that has spread to the liver, a finding of clear importance for clinical management.
Clinical Utility of Analyzing Circulating Tumor DNA in Patients with Metastatic Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Nakamura Yoshiaki , Yoshino Takayuki
Published: April 2018

Multiple genomic changes caused by clonal evolution induced by therapeutic pressure and corresponding intratumoral heterogeneity have posed great challenges for personalized therapy against metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) in the past decade. Liquid biopsy has emerged as an excellent molecular diagnostic tool for assessing predominant spatial and temporal intratumoral heterogeneity with minimal invasiveness.

Previous studies have revealed that genomic alterations in RAS, BRAF, ERBB2, and MET, as well as other cancer-related genes associated with resistance to anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) therapy, can be analyzed with high diagnostic accuracy by circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) analysis. Furthermore, by longitudinally monitoring ctDNAs during anti-EGFR therapy, the emergence of genomic alterations can be detected as acquired resistance mechanisms in specific genes, mainly those associated with the mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway. Analysis of ctDNA can also identify predictive biomarkers to immune checkpoint inhibitors, such as mutations in mismatch repair genes, microsatellite instability-high phenotype, and tumor mutation burden. Some prospective clinical trials evaluating targeted agents for genomic alterations in ctDNA or exploring resistance biomarkers by monitoring of ctDNA are ongoing.

To determine the value of ctDNA analysis for decision-making by more accurate molecular marker-based selection of patients and identification of resistance mechanisms to targeted therapies or sensitive biomarkers for immune checkpoint inhibitors, clinical trials must be refined to evaluate the efficacy of study treatment in patients with targetable genomic alterations confirmed by ctDNA analysis, and resistance biomarkers should be explored by monitoring ctDNA in large-scale clinical trials. In the near future, ctDNA analysis will play an important role in precision medicine for mCRC.

Implications for Practice

Treatment strategies for metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) are determined according to the molecular profile, which is confirmed by analyzing tumor tissue. Analysis of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) may overcome the limitations of tissue-based analysis by capturing spatial and temporal intratumoral heterogeneity of mCRC. Clinical trials must be refined to test the value of ctDNA analysis in patient selection and identification of biomarkers. This review describes ctDNA analysis, which will have an important role in precision medicine for mCRC.
Comprehensive Molecular Characterization of Young Chinese Patients with Lung Adenocarcinoma Identified a Distinctive Genetic Profile
Authors: Hou Helei , Zhu Hua , Zhao Han , Yan Weihua , Wang Yongjie , Jiang Man , Liu Bin , Liu Dong , Zhou Na , Zhang Chuantao , Li Pansong , Chang Lianpeng , Guan Yanfang , Wang Zhe , Zhang Xiaoping , Li Zhuokun , Fang Bingliang , Zhang Xiaochun
Published: April 2018

Background

Occurrence at a younger age has been demonstrated to be associated with a distinct biology in non-small cell lung cancer. However, genomics and clinical characteristics among younger patients with lung adenocarcinoma remain to be determined. Here we studied the potentially targetable genetic alterations by next-generation sequencing (NGS) assay in young Chinese patients with lung adenocarcinoma.

Materials and Methods

Seventy-one surgically resected lung adenocarcinoma tissue samples from patients aged less than 45 years were collected with informed consent from all patients. Targeted NGS assays were used to identify actionable genetic alterations in the cancer tissues. Additionally, the genomic and clinicopathologic characteristics of 106 patients with lung adenocarcinoma who received NGS testing over the same period were analyzed retrospectively.

Results

The frequencies of targetable genetic alterations in 177 patients with lung adenocarcinoma were analyzed by defined age categories, which unveiled a distinctive molecular profile in the younger group, aged less than 45 years. Notably, higher frequency of ALK and HER2 genetic alterations were associated with young age. However, a reverse trend was observed for KRAS, STK11 and EGFR exon 20 mutations, which were more frequently identified in the older group, aged more than 46 years. Furthermore, concurrent EGFR/TP53 mutations were much more prevalent in the younger patients (81.6% vs. 46.8%), which might have a poor response to treatment with epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor.

Conclusion

In this study, NGS assay revealed a distinctive genetic profile in younger patients with adenocarcinoma. High frequency of concurrent EGFR/TP53 mutations was found in the younger patients, which especially warranted personalized treatment in this population.

Implications for Practice

Further investigation is needed to understand the genomics and clinical characteristics of young patients with lung adenocarcinoma. In the present study, hybrid capture-based next-generation sequencing assays were used to identify targeted genetic alterations in young lung adenocarcinoma patients. Young patients with lung adenocarcinoma, aged less than 45 years, harbored a higher frequency of ALK and HER2 genetic alterations compared with patients aged more than 46 years. Dramatically, concurrent EGFR/TP53 mutations were much more prevalent in younger patients, which had a poor response to treatment with epidermal growth factor receptor kinase inhibitor. These results reveal a distinctive genetic profile in younger patients with adenocarcinoma, which might improve the treatment of this subpopulation.
Monoclonal Antibodies and Multiple Myeloma: All in All It's Just Another Brick in the Wall?
Authors: Musto Pellegrino
Published: April 2018

This commentary offers insight about the recent review by the European Medicines Agency on the approval of daratumumab for the treatment of adult patients with multiple myeloma.
Acceleration effect of synthesised calcium silicate hydrate with different morphologies and Ca/Si on cement hydration
Authors: Zhang Hao , Wang Penggang , Li Wei , She Wei
Published: April 2018

Synthetic calcium silicate hydrate (C–S–H) is an important accelerator in cement chemistry. The early age hydration of cement was studied in the presence of synthetic C–S–H of different Ca/Si ratios and in different morphologies. Compressive strength, isothermal conduction calorimetry, zeta potential and inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectroscopy were employed to investigate the acceleration efficiency. Results show that the extent of the acceleration was dependent on the amount, the morphologies and the chemical composition of the C–S–H, but not in a linear way; however, the acceleration efficiency was closely related to the specific surface area. It is suggested that the specific surface area is the main indicating factor for the acceleration efficiency. The induction period of cement hydration was shortened because the rate and the degree of dissolution of cement were increased while the secondary nucleation process energy of C–S–H was decreased. This paper provides an understanding of the effect of synthetic C–S–H of different Ca/Si ratios and morphologies on cement hydration and also sheds new light on the optimising effect of synthetic C–S–H on cement-based materials.
Predicting building damage from dam failure using fragility curves
Authors: Coombs Rhys
Published: April 2018

An updated building damage classification system for use in dam breach modelling has been developed based on a detailed assessment of the building damage caused during the Great East Japan Tsunami event. The method seeks to improve on the existing classification system, which adopted destroyed, partially damaged and inundated descriptors. The proposed classification has seven tiers: washed away, collapsed, complete damage, major damage, moderate damage, minor damage and no damage. Furthermore, the probability of each class occurring at individual properties can be calculated, rather than adopting rigid classification boundaries as in Binnie & Partners. This methodology is of necessity limited to detailed two-dimensional inundation and consequence analysis, and confirms the one-dimensional screening method in Risk Assessment for Reservoir Safety Management is reasonable.
Annealing time effect on the optical properties of Zn(O,OH,S) films onto ZnO seed layer under un-vacuum ambient
Authors: ÖZÜTOK Fatma , Yakar Emin
Published: April 2018

In this study, Zn (O,OH,S) films were synthesized onto ZnO seed layers by chemical bath deposition, which were annealed at 500 °C. The differences of structural, morphological and detailed optical properties of the films were investigated depending on the annealing time (between 30 min. and 90 min.). While samples of 30.min and 90 min. showed decomposed structures, sample of 60 min. showed different dimensions of nano-flower structures. Although all films had ZnO-hexzagonal crystal structure, the most obvious ZnS-related peaks were observed in the sample of 90 min. Optical absorption edge was shifted at 362 nm from Uv-Vis spectroscopy. Although ZnO, Zn(OH)2 vibration related peaks were so sharp, ZnS vibration peaks were so weak for all samples from FTIR. The PL intensities were differential depending on the annealing time but defect state-corresponding peaks were similar for each films.
Vocabulary Skills and Online Dictionaries: A Study on EFL Learners’ Receptive Vocabulary Knowledge and Success in Searching Electronic Sources for Information
Authors: Niitemaa Marja-Leena , Pietilä Päivi
Published: April 2018

The study reported in this article examined Finnish EFL learners’ ability to search for lexical items and information in online dictionaries and on websites. The study was conducted as part of a project investigating upper secondary school students’ digital skills in relation to language learning. The motivation behind the study was that in Finland, the high-stakes school-leaving examinations, including foreign language tests, are currently being digitalized. The aim of the study was to uncover the relationship between word recognition skills and the learners’ ability to find lexical items and information in a series of online vocabulary tasks when the choice of the digital sources was not controlled. The results showed, for example, that overall word recognition skills and recognition of low-frequency vocabulary correlated positively with success rates in finding individual words in online dictionaries and factually accurate information on webpages, but not with finding appropriate collocations. Moreover, to succeed in 50% of the look-ups required scoring a minimum of 60% in the vocabulary levels test.
The Effect of Visual Contextual Support and Glossary of Words on Guessing Meaning of New Vocabulary Items in English by Pre-university Male EFL Students
Authors: Nasrollahi Kamal , Daneshfar Samran
Published: April 2018

The present study aims at investigating the impact of visual contextual support and Glossary of Words on EFL learners’ vocabulary learning. For this purpose, a total number of 60 male pre-university students were randomly selected after administering the English proficiency test to assure the homogeneity of the participants. The learners were assigned to three homogeneous groups, 2 experimental groups, namely, visual contextual support and glossary of words and one control group to highlight the comparative purposes.  During treatment, the first experimental group received a passage including new vocabulary items and visual contextual supports as treatment and the second experimental group received the same passage including new vocabulary items and the glossary of words as treatment. On the other hand, the control group received no treatment and they were just given the new vocabulary items of the same passages given to the experimental groups in order to guess the meaning of new words only by using their own vocabulary knowledge. To compare the probable differential impact of the study a pretest and posttest were applied to all three groups and the results of the tests were contrasted and analysed. For data analysis, the one-way ANOVA was administered for pretest and posttest. The results of the study demonstrated a significant improvement of vocabulary learning through utilizing visual contextual support in comparison to the glossary of words group and moreover than the control group.
A Comparison of Corrective Feedback Used in International and EFL Contexts
Authors: Simhony Julia , Chanyoo Natthapong
Published: April 2018

The current study aims to investigate types of corrective feedback used in two classroom settings (i.e. EFL and international school classrooms) and to compare the frequency of corrective feedback types used in the two classrooms. The participants of this study were 31 students from two classrooms (6 international and 25 in EFL classrooms) and their respective teachers; one in each classroom. Data was collected through four classroom observations and one semi-structure interview conducted with the teacher from each classroom. The findings revealed that all six types of feedback were provided by the teachers in the two classrooms. A comparison of the frequency of the use of corrective feedback in two different classrooms revealed that recast was the most frequently used type of feedback in the EFL classroom while metalinguistic clues were used the most in the international school classroom. Data from the interviews suggested that teachers from both classrooms provided the feedback to students without awareness of how the feedback types should be used appropriately for different foci of the content. This study recommends the need for teacher training on corrective feedback so that the teachers will be able to analyze, select, and provide appropriate feedback types to learners.
Teachers’ Beliefs of Authentic Materials for Teaching Reading in Indonesian EFL Classrooms
Authors: Rusmawaty Desy , Atmowardoyo Haryanto , Hamra Arifuddin , Noni Nurdin
Published: April 2018

It is believed that authentic reading materials can link students to contextual use of English, as they can improve students’ communicative and cultural competences. Related to point, this is very important to highlight the investigation on teachers’ beliefs about authentic reading materials as it is reflected through the teachers’ expectation and how they manifest them in classroom practices. This is a case study of four teachers who teach English at public senior high school in Samarinda, East Kalimantan. The study explores the beliefs of these teachers about authentic reading materials in their classroom practices. The data were taken from a semi structured interview, classroom observation, and teachers’ written documents. The study revealed that there were three themes of teachers’ beliefs emerged, (1) types of authentic reading materials, (2) skills to be improved after reading, and (3) teachers’ challenges of using authentic reading materials for the classroom-bases. It is noted that teachers did self-adjustment when manifesting their beliefs in classroom activities. In addition, Teachers needs self-management when utilizing authentic materials.
Bilingual-based Instruction in Teaching English for Academic Purposes at Islamic University
Authors: Nurpahmi Sitti , Rahman Muhammad Asfah , Salija Kisman
Published: April 2018

This paper investigates the implementation of bilingual based instruction in teaching English for Academic purposes at Islamic University. It was investigated by using case study with single case study at Indonesian Islamic University. The findings showed that the lecturer used English and Indonesian as a language interaction. The functions of Indonesian used by the lecturer were to translate, clarify, explain, lexical gap, address specification, and address affection. The lecturer sometimes alternated her language unconsciously. Lecturer’s language functions not only as language instruction but also as language source. This bilingual based instruction facilitated more exposure to the students; therefore the students can imitate lecturer’s language, then they can practice the language, finally, they can acquire the language.