bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Advanced mapping of the human white matter microstructure better separates elite sports participation
Authors: Caron Bradley , Bullock Daniel , Kitchell Lindsey , McPherson Brent , Kellar Derek Alexander , Cheng Hu , Newman Sharlene D. , Port Nicholas L. , Pestilli Franco
Published: January 2020

Collision-sport athletes, especially football players, are exposed to a higher number of repetitive head impacts. Little is known, however, regarding the effects of long-term exposure to repetitive head impacts on brain tissue structure and the locations (i.e. superficial or deep tissue structures) affected. On top of this, little is known about the effects of highly competitive, strenuous, long-term athletics on brain tissue structure. We investigated this relationship using advanced microstructural mapping techniques. Specifically, we examined the baseline differences in collegiate athletic participants by using two models of the diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging signal (the Diffusion Tensor and NODDI model). DTI and NODDI parameters were mapped in both cortical and subcortical structures, as well as in the major white matter tracts. Three groups of young adults participated in our study; IU football players, cross country runners, and non-athlete students. For both models, athletes were found to have consistently higher measures of microstructure than controls. The NODDI model parameters showed stronger results indicating that it might be more sensitive to capturing differences in brain white matter tissue microstructure than the DTI model. This was the first investigation into the effects of repetitive head impacts to use an open-source data processing platform brainlife.io. Data and analyses for this study are available at https://doi.org/10.25663/brainlife.pub.14.
La pension libre complémentaire pour salariés (PLCS) en Belgique
Authors: Sabbadini Pierre M.
Published: January 2020

This contribution explains the genesis and the functioning of the supplementary free pension for employees or "PLCS" In Belgium. Since March 2019, the PLCS has allowed employees in the private sector to build up an additional pension linked to their professional activity in the absence of (sufficient) provisions in this regard within their company. This contribution then provides a critical analysis of the characteristics of the PLCS in relation to the mechanisms existing within the second and third pillars of pensions.
Correlation of Sonographic Morphologic Index and CA-125 in Predicting the Nature of Ovarian Tumor
Authors: Gusain Poonam , Rawal Suniti Joshi , Paudel Sharma
Published: January 2020

Introduction: Ovarian tumor is a group of diseases that originates in the ovaries or in the related areas of the fallopian tubes and the peritoneum. Ovarian cancer causes more deaths than any other cancer of the female reproductive system. This study was undertaken to evaluate the efficacy of Sonographic Morphology Index (MI) and CA-125 levels in predicting malignancy in patients with ovarian tumors.

Methods: This study was conducted between April 2016 and April 2017 in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Radiology of Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital. During this period,106 women with ovarian tumors fulfilling inclusion criteria were taken into the study. CA-125 levels measured and MI scoring was done. The diagnosis made with MI score and CA-125 score were then compared with histopathology report.

Results: Among the 106 studied cases (N=106), 88 (83.01%) had benign and 18 (16.98%) had malignant ovarian tumors. Negative Predictive Value (NPV) and sensitivity of CA-125 for ovarian tumor was 94.10% and 77.77 % respectively with accuracy of 73.58%. Sensitivity and NPV of MI score was 100% with accuracy of 84.9% in predicting nature of ovarian tumors. Pearsonscorrelation coefficient was 0.216 which showed a positive correlation between MI and CA-125 in predicting nature of ovarian tumors.

Conclusion: The Sonographic MI system is an accurate and simple method to differentiate a malignant tumor from a benign ovarian tumor. The accuracy of the Sonographic MI system improved when the serum CA-125 level was also considered along.
Bibliometric Analysis of Community Pharmacy Research Activities in Nepal over a period of 1992-2018
Authors: Shrestha Sunil , Shakya Deepa , Dangol Resha , Danekhu Krisha , Sharma Shailesh , K.C Bhuvan
Published: January 2020

Introduction: Community pharmacy services are an integral part of the healthcare system directly involved in providing safe and effective patient care services. Despite the beneficial role of the community pharmacist, limited research focusing on their roles and responsibilities have been conducted. Thus, a bibliometric study was carried out to give a bibliometric overview of publications on community pharmacy in Nepal.

Method: This is a bibliometric review of published literature of articles on community pharmacy in Nepal. The extensive literature search was carried out using PubMed, Google Scholar, NepJol as the sources of data. The community-based articles published from January 1, 1992, up to December 31, 2018, were retrieved. The keywords or medical subject headings (MeSH) terms, such as “Community Pharmacy”, “Community Pharmacist”, “Community Pharmacies”, “Community Pharmaceutical Services”, “Community Pharmaceutical Service”, "Private Pharmacy" and "Retail Pharmacy" were used.  Nepal was entered as a country affiliation.

Result: A total of forty-seven articles were retrieved, of which 87.5% (N=47) were based on original research papers. The maximum number of an article published in a single year was 17.02% (The majority [8 (17.02%]) of articles were published in 2016. The average number of authors per article was 4.65 with a standard deviation of 2.33. These articles were published in 38 journals, of which 10 articles were published in the journal without the impact factor or Scimago Journal and Country Rank.

Conclusion: Scientific publications from community pharmacy settings are scant in Nepal. Hence, more analytical research work should be carried out to enhance the community pharmacy services and to promote the quality use of medicines in Nepalese society.
Adsorptive Removal of Cr (VI) from Aqueous Solution onto Charred Sugar Cane Bagasse
Authors: Bhatt Puspa Raj , Aryal Ram Lochan , Poudel Bhoj Raj , Bhattarai Sitaram , Gautam Surendra Kumar
Published: January 2020

Available with full text.
Outcomes and Problems of the Librarian’s Licensure Examination in the Philippines: An Analysis Using Steps for Coding and Theorization (SCAT)
Authors: Miyahara Shizuko
Published: January 2020

This study aims to clarify the outcomes and problems of the Librarian’s Licensure Examination and professional licensure system as a vocational qualification, which have been conducted in the Philippines since 1992. The author conducted expert interviews with related individuals and analyzed the content using Steps for Coding and Theorization (SCAT). The results show that the Licensure Examination for Librarians and librarian’s licensure system have a great impact on society’s recognition of the librarian position as a profession. However, this has also created a shortage of licensed librarians in the workplace. Concerned organizations should cooperate in managing the examination and licensure system.
Prvi nalaz školjkaša Tellimya tenella (Lovén, 1846) u talijanskom dijelu Jadranskog mora
Authors: Strafella Pierluigi , Salvalaggio Vera , Fabi Gianna , Spagnolo Alessandra , Santelli Angela , Punzo Elisa , Cuicchi Clara
Published: January 2020

Alive specimens belonging to Tellimya tenella (Lovén, 1846) were recorded for the first time in Adriatic Sea. Up to date, only few pleistocene fossils or empty valves of this species had been reported in Italian waters.
Afectación del rendimiento académico por estilos de vida en los estudiantes de enfermería
Authors: León Revelo Erika Marcela
Published: January 2020

Los seres humanos han ido creando y adaptando una serie de conductas y hábitos, los cuales pueden ser modificados a lo largo de su existencia, ayudándoles a enfrentar los diferentes escenarios en los que puede verse involucrado en su vida diaria, o en la sociedad en la que se desenvuelve.  El Objetivo es evaluar los estilos de vida en estudiantes de la Carrera de Enfermería de la Universidad Politécnica Estatal del Carchi y comparar si estos repercuten con su rendimiento académico.  Es un estudio descriptivo, cuantitativo, no experimental transversal y de alcance correlacional, se realizó el estudio en 70 estudiantes de pregrado de cuarto semestre de la Carrera de Enfermería de la Universidad Politécnica Estatal del Carchi.   Los datos se procesaron en el programa SPSS con una potencia del 80%, con una media de 1.8 y una desviación estándar (DE) de 6.9, frecuencias, ANOVA.  Entre los  resultados, la edad promedio es de 18-20 años, se determina que los estudiantes dedican dos horas y más para estudiar, su rendimiento académico esta entre bueno y muy bueno, consideran que ha disminuido por dedicar mucho tiempo a las redes sociales, a veces no asisten a clases por enfermedad, pereza, o se quedan dormidos, casi nunca ingieren alcohol, a veces realizan actividad física deportiva, leen poco, el cual en gran medida afecta su rendimiento académico y su alimentación es poco saludable. Se concluye que se evidenciaron estilos de vida poco saludables en la mayoría de las dimensiones evaluadas en los estudiantes de enfermería. Se sugiere proponer estrategias para fomentar actividades que refuercen un mayor aprovechamiento del tiempo libre y que motiven la actividad física.
WiFi and Bluetooth Low Energy Beacons for Indoor Positioning System
Authors: Zulkpli Nurul Fatehah , Ab. Aziz Nor Azlina , Abd Rahman Noor Ziela , Besar Rosli
Published: January 2020

Indoor Positioning System (IPS) is used to locate a person, an object or a location inside a building. IPS is important in providing location-based services, which hasrecently gainmuchpopularity. The services ease visitors’ navigation at unfamiliar premises. Location-based services depend on the capability of IPS to accurately determine the location of the user, which is a challenging issue in indoor environments. Several wireless technologies are available. In this paper, two of the most widely used IPS technologies are reviewed which are, WiFi and Bluetooth low energy (BLE). Their advantages and disadvantages are reviewed and reported here.Comparison of the systemsbased on theirperformance, accuracy and limitations are presented as well.
Energías renovables
Authors: Casamitjana Causa Maria
Published: January 2020

Colombia se encuentra en una ubicación privilegiada a nivel geográfico para poder generar energías renovables al ubicarse en la zona ecuatorial del planeta y adicionalmente cuenta con una gran variedad de climas y ecosistemas, lo que deriva en una gran aptitud para desarrollar energías limpias renovables.
Diseño y simulación de un amplificador “Instrumental Operacional” como apoyo en la lectura y transmisión de señales mioeléctricas por un solo canal con bajo ruido
Authors: Aguirre Mesa Elkin Dario , García Arango David Alberto , Henao Villa César Felipe
Published: January 2020

La importancia de diseñar un AIO (Amplificador Operacional Instrumental), es la necesidad de un desarrollo y producción de elementos electrónicos que ayuden a la interface mioelectriaca, en la que sin depender de fuentes de poder o energía altas, se pueda controlar dispositivos con los movimientos básicos del ser humano, a través de alguno de sus miembros articulados, para esto se requiere que tenga incorporado un amplificador operacional -  instrumental.  La más utilizada a la fecha son los de dos etapas, compuesta por un diferencial de entrada y un inversor de salida, estas, aun no cuentan con etapas de limpieza, filtro, frecuencia y longitud de la señal para ser tipificada para ciertas operaciones y acciones básicas con especial atención a los aspectos de diseño que minimizan el ruido y la tensión del amplificador.

La investigación inicia con un modelado y diseño de los componentes de filtros y reducción de ruidos con AIO, que capturan la señal por un canal, para poder ir escalando en complejidad y operabilidad, todo esto apoyado en un análisis experimental y soportado por el marco CDIO (Concepcion, Diseño, Implementación y Operatividad). Se desarrolla un primer modelo lógico de un prototipo manipulado con algún músculo, este sirve de plataforma para el movimiento de un servomotor y controlar como minimo 2 posibles movimientos, en trabajos futuros serán documentados y gestionados a través de un software que valide la reducción significativa de ruido. Se deberá adquirir una mayor comprensión y conocimiento del ruido, la Interferencia electromagnética o EMI y sus causas ya que puede ayudar en el paso posterior de la cadena de procesado, que es su eliminación o disipación, por ello se tiene previsto asignar un tiempo al mejor conocimiento del ruido y al estudio de los sistemas de adquisición orientados a su reducción
Evaluation of relation with pet food and first record of Necrobia rufipes (De Geer, 1775) (Coleoptera: Cleridae) associated with pet clinic in Turkey
Authors: KOÇ Nafiye , ARSLANBAŞ Mert , TİFTİKÇİOĞLU Canberk , NALBANTOĞLU Serpil , ÇAKMAK Ayşe
Published: January 2020

The purpose of this study, Necrobia rufipes (N. rufipes), mainly related to forensic entomology, is to report clinical infestations caused by pet food. As a result of the evaluation of the infested materials which came to our laboratory, clinical observations were made to understand the intensity of infestations in the region and to learn their origins. As a result, dry cat and dog foods were determined to be responsible for infestation. During the observations, intense insect populations were found, especially in pet food bowl and bags. The related insects have caused considerable loss of product and significant economic damage in infested pouches. Reports on clinical infestations from N. rufipes are quite rare. However, considering the high protein content of cat and dog foods present in clinic and the nutritional habits of these insects, the possibility of having clinic infestations from N. rufipes should not be ignored. Many factors, such as lack of sanitation, can play an important role in infesting foods with insects. With the early detection and control of the invasions, it is possible to prevent the spread of pests throughout the clinic and to maintain the wholeness and quality of food products.
Comparative effects of nisin and monensin on pure cultures of rumen bacteria
Authors: DEMİRTAŞ Ahu
Published: January 2020

Nisin is a low molecular weight bacteriocin which is produced by Lactococcus lactis. Literature about the effects of nisin on pure cultures of rumen bacteria is scarce. The objective of the present study was to investigate the comparative effects of nisin and monensin on pure cultures of some Gram-positive and Gram-negative rumen bacteria. The antibacterial activity assays of nisin and monensin were carried out using broth microdilution method in anaerobic conditions. Antibacterial effect of monensin on Gram-positive rumen bacteria was higher than nisin. Ruminococcus albus and Eubacterium ruminantium were the most sensitive bacteria to monensin. Growth of these bacteria was inhibited completely by monensin, at 6 and 12 µg/mL concentrations respectively. Nisin exhibited stimulatory effects on R. albus, E. ruminantium and, Streptecoccus bovis (p<0.05), unlike monensin.  Both nisin and monensin showed potential antibacterial activity on Ruminococcus flavefaciens and Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens (p<0.05), although they did not inhibit these bacteria completely. Nisin and monensin also did not show inhibitory effect on Methanobacterium formicicum, however the potential antimicrobial activity of monensin on this methanogen was more evident. Gram-negative rumen bacteria, Megasphaera elsdenii and Fibrobacter succinogenes, were resistant to both of nisin and monesin. It was concluded that the different effects of nisin and monensin particularly on some Gram-positive rumen bacteria may be responsible for their inconsistent effects on ruminal fermentation.
Modelling of the milk supplied to the industry in Turkey through Box-Jenkins and Winters' Exponential Smoothing methods
Authors: AKIN Ahmet Cumhur , TEKİNDAL Mustafa Agah , ARIKAN Mehmet Saltuk , ÇEVRİMLİ Mustafa Bahadır
Published: January 2020

Analysis of the quantity of cow milk supplied to the industry in Turkey is one of the methods that could provide stakeholders with the most accurate results from the perspective of raw milk projections and the interpretation of the sector. Therefore, it is important that the amount of milk supplied to the industry is used instead of the total amount of milk produced in the projections of the sector. The present study is intended to model the time series data of the amount of milk supplied to the dairy industry in Turkey between 2013/01 and 2018/03 using Box-Jenkins and Winters' Exponential Smoothing methods, and to analyse the production of milk and the future of the dairy industry in Turkey utilising the forecasts obtained from such models. The results of the analyses indicate that the Winters' Exponential Smoothing model gives more consistent results than the Box-Jenkins model with respect to the future forecast value and decision-making criterion of the amount of milk supplied to the industry.
Вплив кверцетину (Квертину) на відновлення NO-залежних реакцій судин за участю ендотелію та периваскулярної жирової тканини в щурів після рентгенівського опромінення
Authors: Паршиков О. В. , Утко Н. О. , Горбань Є. М.
Published: January 2020

Порушення судинного тонусу, зумовлені підвищенням метаболізму оксиду азоту (NO), є найзначущим проявом патологічної дії високих доз радіації на серцево-судинну систему. Мета дослідження – вивчити вплив кверцетину на відновлення NO-залежних реакцій судин за участю ендотелію та периваскулярної жирової тканини (ПВЖТ) у щурів після одноразового рентгенівського опромінення в сублетальній дозі (R, 7 Gy), зокрема, порівняти скоротливі та дилататорні реакції фрагментів торакальної аорти (ТА) і мезентеріальної артерії (МА), ізольованих у контрольних і опромінених тварин, а також опромінених тварин, які отримували лікарську форму кверцетину (Квертин, БХФЗ). Дослідження проводили на судинах дорослих щурів-самців (7–8 міс.). Кверцетин вводили опроміненим тваринам протягом 14 днів (per os, 10 мг/кг). Попереднє скорочення кілець МА і ТА, очищених від ПВЖТ (ПВЖТ–) і неочищених (ПВЖТ+), викликали за допомогою KCl (60 ммоль/л) і фенілефрину (3 • 10–6 моль/л). Накопичення NO у судинах визначали за реакцією скорочення кілець у відповідь на блокатор NO-синтази (L-NAME, 10–5 моль/л) і реакції розслаблення у відповідь на N-ацетилцистеїн (10–4 моль/л) та ацетилхолін (доза-ефект). Реакції судин контрольної групи свідчили про низький рівень спонтанної продукції та депонування NO за участю ендотелію (ТА) і ПВЖТ (МА). Проте в регуляції скоротливих і дилататорних відповідей судин опромінених тварин спостерігали значні зміни, що було пов’язано з підвищенням рівня спонтанної продукції NО в ендотелії (МА) і ПВЖТ (ТА). Курсове введення кверцетину тваринам після R-опромінення призводило до зниження рівня спонтанної продукції NО і нормалізації скоротливої активності судин. Отримані дані вказують на те, що препарати на основі кверцетину можуть бути ефективно застосовані для протидії пострадіаційним ушкодженням серцево-судинної системи.
Nota de urgencia de la Secretaría General del Congreso de los Diputados relativa a la tramitación parlamentaria del proyecto de ley orgánica por la que se autoriza la ratificación por España del Tratado de la Unión Europea
Authors: Congreso de los Diputados Secretaría General
Published: January 2020

Nota de urgencia sobre el proyecto de ley orgánica por la que se autoriza la ratificación por España del Tratado de la Unión Europea.
Procedimiento de reforma de los reglamentos parlamentarios
Authors: Alba Navarro Manuel
Published: January 2020

Estudio sobre los procedimientos de reforma de los reglamentos parlamentarios.
Tsatsos, Dimitris Th.: «Parteiehfinanzierung im europäischen Vergleich» (recensión)
Authors: González-Varas Ibáñez Santiago
Published: January 2020

Recensión de la obra de Tsatsos, Dimitris Th.: «Parteiehfinanzierung im europäischen Vergleich»
Fossas Espalader, Enric: «El derecho de acceso a los cargos públicos» (recensión)
Authors: Sánchez Sánchez Javier
Published: January 2020

Recensión de la obra de Enric Fossas Espalader: «El derecho de acceso a los cargos públicos»
Análisis de los instrumentos estructurales en la Unión Europea : fuentes documentales y recopilación bibliográfica
Authors: Fuentes García Josefa
Published: January 2020

SUMARIO: 1. Introducción.-2. Los fondos estructurales-2.1. Contenido.-2.2. Subvenciones globales-2.3. Iniciativas comunitarias-3. El fondo de cohesión.-4. ClFRAS.-5. regiones y zonas-5.1. La territorialización de las transferencias de los Fondos.-6. Datos cronológicos.-6.1. Reformas de los Fondos-6.2. Plazos de funcionamiento.-7. Fuentes de información.-8. recopilación bibliográfica.
Parlamento y opinión pública en el parlamentarismo británico clásico: la obra de Walter Bagehot
Authors: Silva Ochoa Juan Carlos da
Published: January 2020

Reflexión sobre el Parlamento y la opinión pública en el parlamentarismo británico clásico, tomando como referencia la obra de Walter Bagehot.
Application of functional near-infrared spectroscopy in psychiatry and physical activity studies
Authors: Kolasa Grzegorz , Rybakowski Filip
Published: January 2020

Objectives. Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) is one of the fastest developing neuroimaging modalities. Features, such as non-invasiveness, simplicity of application and resistance to motion artefacts, allow to take measurements and to create scientific experiments imitating real life conditions. In this review, we want to focus on the potential of fNIRS in the fields of psychiatry, neurorehabilitation and physical exercise. Additionally, we present the advantages of fNIRS over other neuroimaging techniques like fMRI, PET and EEG/EMG. We also consider potential directions of development and challenges which emerge in front of the fNIRS society.

Literature review. The main application in the discipline of neurorehabilitation is to monitor and to observe the repair mechanism of neurons after brain traumas. The non-invasiveness of infra-red light permits to investigate patients of both adult and child psychiatry. The utility of fNIRS as a diagnostic tool and a predictor is proven. Researchers are looking for functional abnormalities within the prefrontal cortex. fNIRS creates new possibilities in terms of exploration of the physical exercise. Recent articles consider which type of effort has the best effect on the hemodynamic response in the cortex. It seems that investigating the impact of the physical activity in group of psychiatric patients is an interesting direction.

Conclusions. Currently, we are at the breakthrough in the fNIRS technology. The number of new studies, more precise methods of data analysis, and availability of good quality systems help us to better understand how to design scientific experiments properly and reliably measure the activity of the cerebral cortex.
Effects of Ozone and Clouds on Temporal Variability of Surface UV Radiation and UV Resources over Northern Eurasia Derived from Measurements and Modeling
Authors: Chubarova Natalia E. , Pastukhova Anna S. , Zhdanova Ekaterina Y. , Volpert Elena V. , Smyshlyaev Sergey P. , Galin Vener Y.
Published: January 2020

Temporal variability in erythemal radiation over Northern Eurasia (40°–80° N, 10° W–180° E) due to total ozone column (X) and cloudiness was assessed by using retrievals from ERA-Interim reanalysis, TOMS/OMI satellite measurements, and INM-RSHU chemistry–climate model (CCM) for the 1979–2015 period. For clear-sky conditions during spring and summer, consistent trends in erythemal daily doses (Eery) up to +3%/decade, attributed to decreases in X, were calculated from the three datasets. Model experiments suggest that anthropogenic emissions of ozone-depleting substances were the largest contributor to Eery trends, while volcanic aerosol and changes in sea surface temperature also played an important role. For all-sky conditions, Eery trends, calculated from the ERA-Interim and TOMS/OMI data over the territory of Eastern Europe, Siberia and Northeastern Asia, were significantly larger (up to +5–8%/decade) due to a combination of decrease in ozone and cloudiness. In contrast, all-sky maximum trends in Eery, calculated from the CCM results, were only +3–4%/decade. While Eery trends for Northern Eurasia were generally positive, negative trends were observed in July over central Arctic regions due to an increase in cloudiness. Finally, changes in the ultraviolet (UV) resources (characteristics of UV radiation for beneficial (vitamin D production) or adverse (sunburn) effects on human health) were assessed. When defining a “UV optimum” condition with the best balance in Eery for human health, the observed increases in Eery led to a noticeable reduction of the area with UV optimum for skin types 1 and 2, especially in April. In contrast, in central Arctic regions, decreases in Eery in July resulted in a change from “UV excess” to “UV optimum” conditions for skin types 2 and 3.
Transient Characterization of Automotive Exhaust Emission from Different Vehicle Types Based on On-Road Measurements
Authors: Ma Chao , Wu Lin , Mao Hong-jun , Fang Xiao-zhen , Wei Ning , Zhang Jin-sheng , Yang Zhi-wen , Zhang Yan-jie , Lv Zong-yan , Yang Lei
Published: January 2020

Previous works on real-world vehicle emission characteristics have mainly focused on the influences of fuel, speed, vehicle type, elevation, and other factors on vehicle emission quantity and components. However, few studies have investigated the transient trend of automotive exhaust emissions through on-road measurements. The key objective of the present paper was to examine the transient characteristics of exhaust emissions from different vehicle types on the roads of Tianjin. To achieve the goal, a portable emission measurement system (PEMS) was employed to monitor emissions from selected test vehicles—private cars, passenger vehicles, and cargo vehicles. It was found that the high-emission points of test vehicles were mainly distributed in two regions: the high-speed region (speed > 70–90 km/h, vehicle-specific power (VSP) > 0 kW/t) and the medium-speed–acceleration region (20–30 km/h < speed < 60–90 km/h, 0 kW/t <VSP < 12 kW/t). The CO, hydrocarbon (HC), NOx, and particulate number (PN) average emission rates in the high-emission points could be 3.15–14.93 times, 1.93–24.89 times, 3.23–6.03 times, and 3.22–30.27 times of those of average emission rates. The HC, NOx, and PN average emission rates of China IV vehicles in the high-emission points were 2.46–4.92 times, 3.56–6.03 times, and 3.22–13.21 times of those of average emission rates, not less than those of China III (1.93–2.52 times, 2.75–3.90 times, and 9.98–22.34 times). Test vehicles mainly emitted nucleation-mode and Aitken-mode particles, and the increase of the PN concentration emission rate in low-speed and high-speed regions was higher than that in the medium-speed region. The exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) + diesel particulate filter (DPF) could effectively inhibit the Aitken output caused by turbocharged intercooler (CIC). The selective catalytic reduction (SCR) might cause more nucleation-mode particles.
The Role of Movement Representation Techniques in the Motor Learning Process: A Neurophysiological Hypothesis and a Narrative Review
Authors: Cuenca-Martínez Ferran , Suso-Martí Luis , León-Hernández Jose Vicente , La Touche Roy
Published: January 2020

We present a neurophysiological hypothesis for the role of motor imagery (MI) and action observation (AO) training in the motor learning process. The effects of movement representation in the brain and those of the cortical–subcortical networks related to planning, executing, adjusting, and automating real movements share a similar neurophysiological activity. Coupled with the influence of certain variables related to the movement representation process, this neurophysiological activity is a key component of the present hypothesis. These variables can be classified into four domains: physical, cognitive–evaluative, motivational–emotional, and direct-modulation. The neurophysiological activity underlying the creation and consolidation of mnemonic representations of motor gestures as a prerequisite to motor learning might differ between AO and MI. Together with variations in cognitive loads, these differences might explain the differing results in motor learning. The mirror neuron system appears to function more efficiently through AO training than MI, and AO is less demanding in terms of cognitive load than MI. AO might be less susceptible to the influence of variables related to movement representation.
Sarcomatoid Dedifferentiation in Renal Cell Carcinoma: From Novel Molecular Insights to New Clinical Opportunities
Authors: Debien Véronique , Thouvenin Jonathan , Lindner Véronique , Barthélémy Philippe , Lang Hervé , Flippot Ronan , Malouf Gabriel G.
Published: January 2020

Sarcomatoid features in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) have long been associated with dismal prognosis and poor response to therapy, while biological mechanisms underpinning sarcomatoid dedifferentiation remained obscure. Several efforts have been conducted to break down the molecular profile of sarcomatoid RCC and investigate different targeted therapeutic approaches. Mutations enriched for in sarcomatoid RCC involve, notably, TP53, BAP1, cell cycle, and chromatin-remodeling genes. The immunological landscape of these tumors is also gradually being uncovered, showing frequent expression of programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1) and high levels of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes. These features may be major determinants for the activity of immune checkpoint inhibitors in this population, which has been confirmed by retrospective studies and subgroup analyses of large randomized phase 3 trials. Combinations based on PD-1/PD-L1 inhibition have demonstrated response rates and complete responses in >50% and >10% of patients in the first-line metastatic setting, respectively, with median overall survival exceeding two years. This remarkable improvement in outcomes effectively establishes immune checkpoint inhibitor combinations as a new standard of care in patients with sarcomatoid RCC. New research fields, including epigenetic regulations and tumor–microenvironment interactions, may further sharpen understanding of sarcomatoid RCC and advance therapeutic developments.
The Application of Arsenic Trioxide in Ameliorating ABT-737 Target Therapy on Uterine Cervical Cancer Cells through Unique Pathways in Cell Death
Authors: Hsin I-Lun , Chou Ying-Hsiang , Hung Wei-Li , Ko Jiunn-Liang , Wang Po-Hui
Published: January 2020

ABT-737, a B cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) family inhibitor, activates apoptosis in cancer cells. Arsenic trioxide is an apoptosis activator that impairs cancer cell survival. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a combination treatment with ABT-737 and arsenic trioxide on uterine cervical cancer cells. MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-25-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay revealed that ABT-737 and arsenic trioxide induced a synergistic effect on uterine cervical cancer cells. Arsenic trioxide enhanced ABT-737-induced apoptosis and caspase-7 activation and the ABT-737-mediated reduction of anti-apoptotic protein Mcl-1 in Caski cells. Western blot assay revealed that arsenic trioxide promoted the ABT-737-mediated reduction of CDK6 and thymidylate synthetase in Caski cells. Arsenic trioxide promoted ABT-737-inhibited mitochondrial membrane potential and ABT-737-inhibited ANT expression in Caski cells. However, ABT-737-elicited reactive oxygen species were not enhanced by arsenic trioxide. The combined treatment induced an anti-apoptosis autophagy in SiHa cells. This study is the first to demonstrate that a combination treatment with ABT-737 and arsenic trioxide induces a synergistic effect on uterine cervical cancer cells through apoptosis. Our findings provide new insights into uterine cervical cancer treatment.
Cancer Associated Fibroblasts and Senescent Thyroid Cells in the Invasive Front of Thyroid Carcinoma
Authors: Minna Emanuela , Brich Silvia , Todoerti Katia , Pilotti Silvana , Collini Paola , Bonaldi Elisa , Romeo Paola , De Cecco Loris , Dugo Matteo , Perrone Federica , Busico Adele , Vingiani Andrea , Bersani Ilaria , Anichini Andrea , Mortarini Roberta , Neri Antonino , Pruneri Giancarlo , Greco Angela , Borrello Maria Grazia
Published: January 2020

Thyroid carcinoma (TC) comprises several histotypes with different aggressiveness, from well (papillary carcinoma, PTC) to less differentiated forms (poorly differentiated and anaplastic thyroid carcinoma, PDTC and ATC, respectively). Previous reports have suggested a functional role for cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) or senescent TC cells in the progression of PTC. In this study, we investigated the presence of CAFs and senescent cells in proprietary human TCs including PTC, PDTC, and ATC. Screening for the driving lesions BRAFV600E and N/H/KRAS mutations, and gene fusions was also performed to correlate results with tumor genotype. In samples with unidentified drivers, transcriptomic profiles were used to establish a BRAF- or RAS-like molecular subtype based on a gene signature derived from The Cancer Genome Atlas. By using immunohistochemistry, we found co-occurrence of stromal CAFs and senescent TC cells at the tumor invasive front, where deposition of collagen (COL1A1) and expression of lysyl oxidase (LOX) enzyme were also detected, in association with features of local invasion. Concurrent high expression of CAFs and of the senescent TC cells markers, COL1A1 and LOX was confirmed in different TC histotypes in proprietary and public gene sets derived from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) repository, and especially in BRAF mutated or BRAF-like tumors. In this study, we show that CAFs and senescent TC cells co-occur in various histotypes of BRAF-driven thyroid tumors and localize at the tumor invasive front.
Long Term Survival after Cytoreductive Surgery Combined with Perioperative Chemotherapy in Gastric Cancer Patients with Peritoneal Metastasis
Authors: Yonemura Yutaka , Prabhu Aruna , Sako Shouzou , Ishibashi Haruaki , Mizumoto Akiyoshi , Takao Nobuyuki , Ichinose Masumi , Motoi Shunsuke , Liu Yang , Nishihara Kazurou , Brandl Andreas , Fushida Sachio
Published: January 2020

The present study demonstrated prognostic factors for long-term survival in patients after a comprehensive treatment (CHT) for peritoneal metastasis (PM) from gastric cancer (GC). Materials and Methods: Among 419 patients treated with neoadjuvant intraperitoneal/systemic chemotherapy (NIPS), 266 (63.5%) patients received complete resection (CC-0) of the macroscopic tumors. In total, 184 (43.9%) patients were treated with postoperative systemic chemotherapy. Results: All patients treated who received incomplete cytoreduction (CC-1) died of GC within 6 years. In contrast, 10- year survival rates (-YSR) of CC-0 resection were 8.3% with median survival time (MST) of 20.5 months. Post-NIPS peritoneal cancer index (PCI) ≤11, and pre-NIPS PCI ≤13 were the significant favorable prognostic factors. Patients with numbers of involved peritoneal sectors ≤5 survived significant longer than those with ≥6. Both negative pre- and post-NIPS cytology was associated with significant favorable prognosis. Multivariate analyses identified pre-PCI (≤13 vs. ≥14), and cytology after NIPS (negative cytology vs. positive cytology) as independent prognostic factors. Ten year-survivors were found in patients with involvement of the greater omentum (9%), pelvic peritoneum (3%), para-colic gutter (13.9%), upper jejunum (5.6%), lower jejunum (5.5%), spermatic cord (21.9%), rectum (9.5%), ureter (6.3%), ovary (6.7%), and diaphragm (7.0%) at the time of cytoreduction. Twenty-one patients survived longer than 5 years, and 17 patients are still alive without recurrence. Conclusions: GC-PM should be removed aggressively, in patients with PCI after NIPS ≤11, PCI before NIPS ≤13, mall bowel PCI ≤2, and complete cytoreduction should be performed for metastasis in ≤5 peritoneal sectors.
STAT3 Relays a Differential Response to Melanoma-Associated NRAS Mutations
Authors: Kim James , Novak Daniel , Sachpekidis Christos , Utikal Jochen , Larribère Lionel
Published: January 2020

Melanoma patients carrying an oncogenic NRAS mutation represent 20% of all cases and present worse survival, relapse rate and therapy response than patients with wild type NRAS or with BRAF mutations. Nevertheless, no efficient targeted therapy has emerged so far for this group of patients in comparison with the classical combination of BRAF and MEK inhibitors for the patient group carrying a BRAF mutation. NRAS key downstream actors should therefore be identified for drug targeting, possibly in combination with MEK inhibitors. Here, we investigated the influence of different melanoma-associated NRAS mutations (codon 12, 13 or 61) on several parameters such as oncogene-induced senescence, cell proliferation, migration or colony formation in immortalized melanocytes and in melanoma cell lines. We identified AXL/STAT3 axis as a main regulator of NRASQ61–induced oncogene-induced senescence (OIS) and observed that NRASQ61 mutations are not only more tumorigenic than NRASG12/13 mutations but also associated to STAT3 activation. In conclusion, these data bring new evidence of the potential tumorigenic role of STAT3 in NRAS-mutant melanomas and will help improving current therapy strategies for this particular patient group.
Therapeutic Choice in Older Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia: A Matter of Fitness
Authors: Palmieri Raffaele , Paterno Giovangiacinto , De Bellis Eleonora , Mercante Lisa , Buzzatti Elisa , Esposito Fabiana , Del Principe Maria Ilaria , Maurillo Luca , Buccisano Francesco , Venditti Adriano
Published: January 2020

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML), with an incidence increasing with age, is the most common acute leukemia in adults. Concurrent comorbidities, mild to severe organ dysfunctions, and low performance status (PS) are frequently found in older patients at the onset, conditioning treatment choice and crucially influencing the outcome. Although anthracyclines plus cytarabine-based chemotherapy, also called “7 + 3” regimen, remains the standard of care in young adults, its use in patients older than 65 years should be reserved to selected cases because of higher incidence of toxicity. These adverse features of AML in the elderly underline the importance of a careful patient assessment at diagnosis as a critical tool in the decision-making process of treatment choice. In this review, we will describe selected recently approved drugs as well as examine prognostic algorithms that may be helpful to assign treatment in elderly patients properly.
Growth, Nutrient Assimilation, and Carbohydrate Metabolism in Korean Pine (Pinus koraiensis) Seedlings in Response to Light Spectra
Authors: Wei Hongxu , Hauer Richard J. , Chen Guoshuang , Chen Xin , He Xingyuan
Published: January 2020

A need is growing to plant superior Korean pine (Pinus koraiensis Siebold & Zucc.) seedlings to cope with the degradation of secondary forests in Northeast Eurasia. The goal of this study was to detect the physiological effect on the quality of Korean pine seedlings exposed to a range of spectra. One-year-old seedlings (n = 6) were cultured in three light-emitting diode (LED) spectra (69‒77 μmol m−2 s−1) of 13.9% red (R) + 77.0% green (G) + 9.2% blue (B) (R1BG5), 26.2% R + 70.2% G + 3.5% B (R2BG3), and 42.3% R + 57.3% G + 0.4% B (R3BG1). The spectrum of high-pressure sodium (HPS) lamps (43.9% R + 54.7% G + 1.5 B) was taken as the reference. Results showed that LED-lighting resulted in shorter seedlings with a greater diameter, shoot biomass, assessed quality, and sturdiness compared to those under the HPS-lighting. The R3BG1 spectrum reduced the shoot nitrogen (N) deficiency induced by the HPS spectrum, while the R1BG5 treatment induced a steady-state uptake of N and phosphorus (P) in whole-plant organs. The R1BG5 spectrum also resulted in a higher soluble sugar concentration and higher activities of glutamine synthetase and acid phosphatase in needles compared to the control. Seedlings in the R2BG3 spectrum had the highest concentrations of chlorophyll and soluble protein in the leaves. Overall, the R-high LED-spectrum could stimulate biomass accumulation in shoot, but meanwhile resulted in a P deficiency. Hence, the LED lighting in the R1BG5 spectrum is recommended to promote the quality of Korean pine seedlings.
The Two-Stage Game Approach to Coalition Formation: Where We Stand and Ways to Go
Authors: Hagen Achim , von Mouche Pierre , Weikard Hans-Peter
Published: January 2020

Coalition formation is often analysed in an almost non-cooperative way, as a two-stage game that consists of a first stage comprising membership actions and a second stage with physical actions, such as the provision of a public good. We formalised this widely used approach for the case where actions are simultaneous in each stage. Herein, we give special attention to the case of a symmetric physical game. Various theoretical results, in particular, for cartel games, are provided. As they are crucial, recent results on the uniqueness of coalitional equilibria of Cournot-like physical games are reconsidered. Various concrete examples are included. Finally, we discuss research strategies to obtain results about equilibrium coalition structures with abstract physical games in terms of qualitative properties of their primitives.
Evaluation of the Abundance of DNA-Binding Transcription Factors in Prokaryotes
Authors: Sanchez Israel , Hernandez-Guerrero Rafael , Mendez-Monroy Paul Erick , Martinez-Nuñez Mario Alberto , Ibarra Jose Antonio , Pérez-Rueda Ernesto
Published: January 2020

The ability of bacteria and archaea to modulate metabolic process, defensive response, and pathogenic capabilities depend on their repertoire of genes and capacity to regulate the expression of them. Transcription factors (TFs) have fundamental roles in controlling these processes. TFs are proteins dedicated to favor and/or impede the activity of the RNA polymerase. In prokaryotes these proteins have been grouped into families that can be found in most of the different taxonomic divisions. In this work, the association between the expansion patterns of 111 protein regulatory families was systematically evaluated in 1351 non-redundant prokaryotic genomes. This analysis provides insights into the functional and evolutionary constraints imposed on different classes of regulatory factors in bacterial and archaeal organisms. Based on their distribution, we found a relationship between the contents of some TF families and genome size. For example, nine TF families that represent 43.7% of the complete collection of TFs are closely associated with genome size; i.e., in large genomes, members of these families are also abundant, but when a genome is small, such TF family sizes are decreased. In contrast, almost 102 families (56.3% of the collection) do not exhibit or show only a low correlation with the genome size, suggesting that a large proportion of duplication or gene loss events occur independently of the genome size and that various yet-unexplored questions about the evolution of these TF families remain. In addition, we identified a group of families that have a similar distribution pattern across Bacteria and Archaea, suggesting common functional and probable coevolution processes, and a group of families universally distributed among all the genomes. Finally, a specific association between the TF families and their additional domains was identified, suggesting that the families sense specific signals or make specific protein-protein contacts to achieve the regulatory roles.
The Early Literary Evolution of the Notorious Pirate Henry Avery
Authors: Frohock Richard
Published: January 2020

Henry Avery (alternately spelled Every) was one of the most notorious pirates of the late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries, and scholars have written much about Avery in an effort to establish the historical details of his mutiny and acts of piracy. Other scholars have focused on the substantial literary production that his life occasioned; the early literary history of Avery’s exploits evolves quickly away from the known facts of his life, offering instead a literary trajectory of accumulated tropes about Avery’s motivations, actions, and transformations. This literary invention of Avery is a compelling subject in itself, particularly as writers used his story to explore pressing philosophical and political concerns of the period. In this essay, I consider how early fictions about Avery look well beyond the history of a particular pirate to ruminate on topical ideas about the state of nature, the origins of civil society, and human tendencies toward self-interest and corruption that seem—inevitably—to accompany power and threaten civil order, however newly formed or ostensibly principled.
Bridging the Gap between Authentic Leadership and Employees Communal Relationships through Trust
Authors: Iqbal Sadaf , Farid Tahir , Khan Muhammad Khalil , Zhang Qionghon , Khattak Amira , Ma Jianhong
Published: January 2020

Authentic leadership has emerged as a positive relational-leadership approach that has gained the attention of academicians and practitioners by stimulating a healthy work environment. This study examined the direct influence of authentic leadership on employees’ communal relationships. In addition, the study examined the mediating role of affective- and cognitive-based trust on these relationships. We adopted a cross-sectional study design and collected data from 200 employees working in the private banking sector in Pakistan. The findings indicated that authentic leadership was positively correlated with communal employee relationships. In addition, both affective- and cognitive-based trust were found to have a positive mediating effect on the relationship between authentic leadership and communal employee relationships. The practical implications, limitations and suggestions for future research are discussed.
The Effectiveness of Digital Interventions for Psychological Well-Being in the Workplace: A Systematic Review Protocol
Authors: Armaou Maria , Konstantinidis Stathis , Blake Holly
Published: January 2020

Objective: Psychological well-being has been associated with desirable individual and organisational outcomes. This systematic review aims to assess the effectiveness of digital interventions for the improvement of psychological well-being and/or the prevention/management of poor mental well-being in the workplace. Methods: This review protocol is registered in PROSPERO (CRD42019142428). Scientific databases including MEDLINE, Web of Science, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Cochrane Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) and EMBASE will be searched for relevant studies published between January 1990 and July 2019. Studies will be included if they report specific primary and secondary outcomes of digital interventions delivered to adults in the workplace for the improvement of their psychological wellbeing and/or the prevention/management of poor mental well-being and were published in English. Following screening of titles and abstracts, full texts of potentially eligible papers will be screened in duplicate to identify studies that assess the effectiveness of those digital interventions. Discrepancies will be resolved through consensus or by consulting a third reviewer. An integrated narrative synthesis will assess included studies’ findings, and a meta-analysis will be performed if included studies appear to be homogeneous. The “Cochrane Collaboration’s Risk of Bias” tool and the JBI (Joanna Briggs Institute) Critical Appraisal Checklist for Quasi-Experimental Studies will be used to appraise included studies. Conclusion: The results of this work will provide recommendations on the use of digital interventions for the promotion of psychological well-being at work. It will also guide the development of future workplace digital interventions and subsequent primary research in this field.