bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Laboratory error reporting rates can change significantly with year-over-year examination
Authors: Noble Michael A. , Restelli Veronica , Taylor Annemarie , Cochrane Douglas
Published: February 2018

Background:

Incident reporting systems are useful tools to raise awareness of patient safety issues associated with healthcare error, including errors associated with the medical laboratory.

Methods:

Previously, we presented the analysis of data compiled by the British Columbia Patient Safety & Learning System over a 3-year period. A second comparable set was collected and analyzed to determine if reported error rates would tend to remain stable or change.

Results:

Compared to the original set, the second set presented changes that were both materially and statistically significant. Overall, the total number of reports increased by 297% with substantial changes between the pre-examination, examination and post-examination phases (χ2: 993.925, DF=20; p<0.00001). While the rate of change for pre-examination (clerical and collection) errors were not significantly different than the total year results, the rate of change for reporting examination errors rose by 998%. While the exact reason for dramatic change is not clear, possible explanations are provided.

Conclusions:

Longitudinal error rate tracking is a useful approach to monitor for laboratory quality improvement.
Surveying the Importance of Population and its Demographic Profile, Responsible for the Evolution of the Natura 2000 Sites of Bihor County, Romania
Authors: Linc Ribana , Dinca Iulian , Stasac  , Tatar Marcu Corina , Bucur Liviu
Published: February 2018

The current study focuses on the demographic profile research of Nature 2000 sites belonging to 28 administrative entities located in Bihor County, in northwestern Romania. For the purposes of this study, out of the 74 local administrative units (LAUs) holding protected areas of the type Nature 2000 while only sites that cover over 40% of the administrative entities’ area were taken into account. Starting from the interrelation of the contact between human communities and local ecosystems, the research sought to determine the interdependence level between the local residents’ lifestyle and the biodiversity-related maintenance/preservation of these protected areas.

Based on the referenced statistics, more demographic indicators were calculated (population decrement, population density, structure by age, dependency index, active population and structure by industry) and basic indicators of pressure on the environment (naturality index, human pressure through land use and forest area per capita). Each of these factors are meant to reveal how man cohabitates with nature in a balanced or disrupted manner according to the study results. Thus, considering the 28 LAUs from case to case, areas where environmental health tends to insecurity were identified, but there are cases in which it is satisfactory thanks to the existence of massive woodlands over wide areas, while also being due to a considerable demographic decrement.
Techniques employed to create event prestige value for corporate VIPs: the V.I.P. Framework
Authors: Jones Kayleigh , Moital Miguel
Published: February 2018

This research explored the techniques employed by event managers to create event prestige value for VIPs in a corporate events context. Research on prestige has mainly focused on the attributes that deliver prestige value (the prestige values). However, by focusing on those delivering prestige (as opposed to the recipients of prestige), this research identified two deeper, less explicit mechanisms required to deliver prestigious experiences, labelled Interaction and Principles. By identifying a more comprehensive set of techniques, those designing VIP experiences will be better equipped to satisfy the prestige needs of VIPs.
Export Product Concentration and De Facto Fiscal Space: Does Openness to International Trade matter?
Authors: Gnangnon Sena Kimm
Published: February 2018

This paper investigates the relationship between trade and fiscal space by examining whether export product concentration matters for fiscal space, in particular the “De Facto Fiscal Space”. The analysis relies on a panel dataset comprising 145 countries, including both developed and developing countries over the period 1984–2010. The empirical results suggest that on average, countries with a high level of export product concentration tend to experience a greater fiscal space. In particular, the impact of export concentration on fiscal space depends on countries’ level of development, and is higher, the lower the countries’ level of development. In addition, the positive impact of export concentration on fiscal space is higher, the higher the countries’ degree of openness to international trade.
Impact of opioid therapy on gonadal hormones: focus on buprenorphine
Authors: Varma Anjali , Sapra Mamta , Iranmanesh Ali
Published: February 2018

Objective

The USA is in the midst of an opioid crisis. Understanding the impact of opioids and commonly used treatments for opioid dependence is essential for clinicians and researchers in order to educate and treat the nation’s growing population with opioid use disorders. As a relatively new treatment for opioid dependence, buprenorphine is gaining popularity to the extent of becoming not only a preferred approach to the maintenance of opiate addiction, but also an option for chronic pain management. The purpose of this report is to review the available evidence on the endocrine effects of buprenorphine, particularly as it relates to the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis, which is controversial and not fully defined.

Method

We conducted a Pubmed search (2000–2017) for human studies in the English language for articles that were available as full length regarding buprenorphine, endocrinopathy, hypogonadism, bone density, opioids. Case reports were also reviewed, although prospective studies and randomized controlled trials received more weight.

Results

Opioid induced hypogonadism is well established. Most studies report that buprenorphine being a partial agonist/antagonist may not be impacting the pituitary trophic hormones as much. There are reports of sexual dysfunction in subjects maintained on buprenorphine, some without hormonal correlation. Thus with the understanding that pertinent clinical studies are limited in number, varied in methodology, mostly cross sectional, predominantly in men and small number of participants, more research in this area is warranted.

Conclusion

Based on a comprehensive review of the available literature, we conclude that despite its increasing popularity, buprenorphine has not been adequately studied in respect to its long-term effects on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. There is a great need for longitudinal systematic trials to define the potential buprenorphine-induced endocrine consequences.
Energy Scheduling of Smart Appliances at Home under the Effect of Dynamic Pricing Schemes and Small Renewable Energy Source
Authors: Kakran Sandeep , Chanana Saurabh
Published: February 2018

With the advancement of smart grid technology, the consumers get the opportunity to participate in various demand response (DR) programs. They can reduce their electricity bill by participating in DR programs. Along with the consumers, the power utility companies also get benefits due to the reduction in high energy peaks on the demand curve. In this paper, we propose an energy scheduling model for the scheduling of smart appliances at home. For the scheduling of appliances, two different dynamic pricing schemes are selected, i) time of use scheme, ii) real time pricing scheme. Along with this, a small renewable energy source in form of rooftop photovoltaic panels is also included to analyse its effect on energy scheduling solution. Finally, the scheduling problem is solved by mixed integer linear programming (MILP) technique. The CPLEX solver of GAMS software is used to apply MILP technique. A case study by considering different cases is done to analyse the effectiveness of formulated model and selected solution approach for the scheduling of the appliances. The simulation results by considering both the pricing schemes have been achieved and compared to get the better idea of the pricing schemes on the energy scheduling results.
Mentoring as a Knowledge Translation Intervention for Implementing Nursing Practice Guidelines: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Abdullah Ghadah , Higuchi Kathryn A. S. , Ploeg Jenny , Stacey Dawn
Published: February 2018

An interpretive descriptive qualitative study was conducted to explore the characteristics and outcomes of mentoring used for implementing nursing practice guidelines. We interviewed six mentees, eight mentors, and four program leaders who were involved in the Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario fellowship program in Ontario, Canada. Inductive content analysis was used and study rigor was verified using triangulation of findings and member checking. Mentors were described as accessible, dedicated, and having expertise; mentees were described as enthusiastic, self-directed, and having mixed levels of expertise. The mentoring process included building relationships, developing learning plans, and using teaching and learning activities guided by learning plans to support development of mentees. Mentoring was described as positively impacting mentoring relationships, mentees, mentors, and organizations. A central feature of this fellowship program was the learning plan used to identify mentees’ needs, guide mentoring activities, and monitor measureable outcomes.
Circulation and localization of a transnational founding story in a social movement
Authors: Garrido Maria Rosa
Published: February 2018

This article investigates the circulation and appropriation of the “origins” story in a social movement called Emmaus. In particular, it analyzes storytelling in two localities, Barcelona and London, at critical moments when collective identity is foregrounded for different socio-political purposes. Emmaus is a transnational social movement that (re)inserts marginalized people who live and work with more privileged members in local groups called “communities” dedicated to recycling and social projects. Ethnography is essential to situate and understand narratives in broader interactional and socio-political contexts. My multi-sited ethnography (2011–2012) affords an outlook on the storytelling practices that produce and negotiate acultural chronoscope, “depictions of place-time-and-personhood” to which participants orient when they interact with each other (including telling their life stories) within Emmaus. Situated storytelling constructs a collective identity across linguistic and national borders at a particular sociohistorical juncture. The Emmaus story constructs a certain worldview and person types within animagined communitymade up of (narrated) others all over the globe. The Emmaus chronoscope is based on the encounter between two individuals from different backgrounds, which will transform their reasons to live thanks to the shared value of solidarity with others.
Diet enriched with fresh coconut decreases blood glucose levels and body weight in normal adults
Authors: Vijayakumar Venugopal , Shankar Nagashree R. , Mavathur Ramesh , Mooventhan A. , Anju Sood , Manjunath NK
Published: February 2018

Background

There exist controversies about the health effects of coconut. Fresh coconut consumption on human health has not been studied substantially. Fresh coconut consumption is a regular part of the diet for many people in tropical countries like India, and thus there is an increasing need to understand the effects of fresh coconut on various aspects of health.

Aim

To compare the effects of increased saturated fatty acid (SFA) and fiber intake, provided by fresh coconut, versus monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) and fiber intake, provided by a combination of groundnut oil and groundnuts, on anthropometry, serum insulin, glucose levels and blood pressure in healthy adults.

Materials

Eighty healthy volunteers, randomized into two groups, were provided with a standardized diet along with either 100 g fresh coconut or an equivalent amount of groundnuts and groundnut oil for a period of 90 days. Assessments such as anthropometric measurements, blood pressure, blood sugar and insulin levels were performed before and after the supplementation period.

Results

Results of this study showed a significant reduction in fasting blood sugar (FBS) in both the groups. However, a significant reduction in body weight was observed in the coconut group, while a significant increase in diastolic pressure was observed in the groundnut group.

Conclusions

Results of this study suggest that fresh coconut-added diet helps reduce blood glucose levels and body weight in normal healthy individuals.
Antidiabetic and protective effects of the aqueous extract of
Arbutus unedo
L. in streptozotocin-nicotinamide-induced diabetic mice
Authors: Mrabti Hanae Naceiri , Sayah Karima , Jaradat Nidal , Kichou Faouzi , Ed-Dra Abdelaziz , Belarj Badiaa , Cherrah Yahia , Faouzi My El Abbes
Published: February 2018

Background

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is currently a major health problem and the most common chronic disease worldwide. Traditional medicinal plants remedies remain a potential adjunct therapy to maintain better glycemic control while also imparting few side-effects. Arbutus unedo L. has been traditionally used to manage several diseases including diabetes. This study was undertaken to contribute the validation of the traditional use of Arbutus unedoL. (Ericaceae) in the treatment of diabetes.

Methods

In-vitro antidiabetic effect of the A. unedo roots aqueous extract was conducted using α-glucosidase and α-amylase assays. While in-vivo antidiabetic activity was conducted using streptozotocin-nicotinamide (STZ-NA) induced diabetic mice. Diabetic animals were orally administered the aqueous extract in 500 mg/kg of body weight to assess the antidiabetic effect. The blood glucose level and body weight of the experimental animals were monitored for 4 weeks. In addition, the histopathological examination of the treated mice pancreas was also conducted to observe the changes of β-cells during the treatment process.

Results

The extract produced a significant decrease in blood glucose level in diabetic mice. This decrease was equivalent to that which observed in mice treated with a standard after 2–4 weeks. In addition, the plant extract exhibited a potent inhibitory effect on α-amylase and α-glucosidase activity with IC50 values of 730.15±0.25 μg/mL and 94.81±5.99 μg/mL, respectively. Moreover, the histopathologic examination of the pancreas showed a restoration of normal pancreatic islet cell architecture which observed in the diabetic mice treated with plant extract.

Conclusions

The aqueous A. unedo roots extract has a significant in vitro and in vivo antidiabetic effects and improves metabolic alterations. The revealed results justify its traditional medicinal use.
General Properties for an Agrawal Thermal Engine
Authors: Paéz-Hernández Ricardo T. , Chimal-Eguía Juan Carlos , Sánchez-Salas Norma , Ladino-Luna Delfino
Published: February 2018

This paper presents a general property of endoreversible thermal engines known as the Semisum property previously studied in a finite-time thermodynamics context for a Curzon–Ahlborn (CA) engine but now extended to a simplified version of the CA engine studied by Agrawal in 2009 (A simplified version of the Curzon–Ahlborn engine, European Journal of Physics
30 (2009), 1173). By building the Ecological function, proposed by Angulo-Brown (An ecological optimization criterion for finite-time heat engines, Journal of Applied Physics
69 (1991), 7465–7469) in 1991, and considering two heat transfer laws an analytical expression is obtained for efficiency and power output which depends only on the heat reservoirs’ temperature. When comparing the existing efficiency values of real power plants and the theoretical efficiencies obtained in this work, it is observed that the Semisum property is satisfied. Moreover, for the Newton and the Dulong–Petit heat transfer laws the existence of the g function is demonstrated and we confirm that in a Carnot-type thermal engine there is a general property independent of the heat transfer law used between the thermal reservoirs and the working substance.
Evaluation of basal sex hormone levels for activation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis
Authors: Ding Yu , Li Juan , Yu Yongguo , Yang Peirong , Li Huaiyuan , Shen Yongnian , Huang Xiaodong , Liu Shijian
Published: February 2018

Background:

This study aimed to identify the predictive value of basal sex hormone levels for activation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal (HPG) axis in girls.

Methods:

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) stimulation tests were performed and evaluated in a total of 1750 girls with development of secondary sex characteristics. Correlation analyses were conducted between basal sex hormones and peak luteinizing hormone (LH) levels ≥5 IU/L during the GnRH stimulation test. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves for basal levels of LH, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), LH/FSH, and estradiol (E2) before the GnRH stimulation test were plotted. The area under the curve (AUC) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were measured for each curve.

Results:

The maximum AUC value was observed for basal LH levels (0.77, 95% CI: 0.74–0.79), followed by basal FSH levels (0.73, 95% CI: 0.70–0.75), the basal LH/FSH ratio (0.68, 95% CI: 0.65–0.71), and basal E2 levels (0.61, 95% CI: 0.59–0.64). The appropriate cutoff value of basal LH levels associated with a positive response of the GnRH stimulation test was 0.35 IU/L, with a sensitivity of 63.96% and specificity of 76.3% from the ROC curves when Youden’s index showed the maximum value. When 100% of patients had peak LH levels ≥5 IU/L, basal LH values were >2.72 IU/L, but the specificity was only 5.45%.

Conclusions:

Increased basal LH levels are a significant predictor of a positive response during the GnRH stimulation test for assessing activation of the HPG axis in most girls with early pubertal signs.
A novel paraneoplastic syndrome with acquired lipodystrophy and chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy in an adolescent male with craniopharyngioma
Authors: Lockemer Hillary Elizabeth , Sumpter Kathryn Maria , Cope-Yokoyama Sandy , Garg Abhimanyu
Published: February 2018

Background:

Acquired lipodystrophy, craniopharyngioma and chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) are individually rare disorders, and have never before been reported in a single patient.

Case presentation:

A 15-year-7 month old Caucasian male presented with lower extremity weakness, frequent falls and abnormal fat distribution occurring over the previous 1 year. He was diagnosed with CIDP, craniopharyngioma and acquired lipodystrophy. The patient underwent tumor debulking and cranial irradiation for the craniopharyngioma, and received monthly intravenous immunoglobulin for the CIDP. The patient initially had some resolution of the lipodystrophy phenotype, but subsequently the abnormal fat distribution recurred and the patient developed additional systemic abnormalities, including mild pancytopenia and hepatic fibrosis.

Conclusions:

Our patient represents a novel association of acquired lipodystrophy, craniopharyngioma, and CIDP, possibly due to an as yet unidentified paraneoplastic autoantibody.
Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome: clinical and biochemical correlates
Authors: Donoghue Sarah E. , Pitt James J. , Boneh Avihu , White Susan M.
Published: February 2018

Background:

Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome (SLOS) is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by mutations in the DHCR7 gene that result in reduced cholesterol biosynthesis. The aim of the study was to examine the biochemical and clinical features of SLOS in the context of the emerging evidence of the importance of cholesterol in morphogenesis and steroidogenesis.

Methods:

We retrospectively reviewed the records of 18 patients (including four fetuses) with confirmed SLOS and documented their clinical and biochemical features.

Results:

Seven patients had branchial arch abnormalities, including micrognathia, immune dysfunction and hypocalcemia. Thymic abnormalities were found in three fetuses. All four patients with a cholesterol level of ≤0.35 mmol/L died. They all had electrolyte abnormalities (hyperkalemia, hyponatremia, hypocalcemia), necrotizing enterocolitis, sepsis-like episodes and midline defects including the branchial and cardiac defects. Patients with cholesterol levels ≥1.7 mmol/L had milder features and were diagnosed at 9 months to 25 years of age. All 10 patients had intellectual disability. One patient was found to have a novel mutation, c.1220A>G (p.Asn407Ser).

Conclusions:

We suggest that screening for adrenal insufficiency and for hypoparathyroidism, hypothyroidism and immunodeficiency, should be done routinely in infants diagnosed early with SLOS. Early diagnosis and intervention to correct these biochemical consequences may decrease mortality and improve long-term outcome in these patients.
Neonatal resuscitation experience curves: simulation based mastery learning booster sessions and skill decay patterns among pediatric residents
Authors: Matterson Heideh H. , Szyld Demian , Green Brad R. , Howell Heather B. , Pusic Martin V. , Mally Pradeep V. , Bailey Sean M.
Published: February 2018

Background

Following neonatal resuscitation program (NRP) training, decay in clinical skills can occur. Simulation-based deliberate practice (SBDP) has been shown to maintain NRP skills to a variable extent. Our study objectives were (a) to determine whether a single 30 min simulation-based intervention that incorporates SBDP and mastery learning (ML) can effectively restore skills and prevent skill decay and (b) to compare different timing options.

Methods

Following NRP certification, pediatric residents were randomly assigned to receive a video-recorded baseline assessment plus SBDP-ML refresher education at between 6 and 9 months (early) or between 9 and 12 months (late). One year following initial certification, participants had repeat skill retention videotaped evaluations. Participants were scored by blinded NRP instructors using validated criteria scoring tools and assigned a global performance rating score (GRS).

Results

Twenty-seven participants were included. Residents in both early and late groups showed significant skill decay 7 and 10 months after initial NRP. SBDP-ML booster sessions significantly improved participants’ immediate NRP performance scores (p<0.001), which persisted for 2 months, but were again lower 4 months later.

Conclusions

NRP skills may be boosted to mastery levels after a short SBDP-ML intervention and do not appear to significantly decline after 2 months. Brief booster training could potentially serve as a useful supplement to traditional NRP training for pediatric residents.
Making Up Peoples? Conferralism about Nationality
Authors: Behrensen Maren
Published: February 2018

I will apply Ásta’s conferralist account of sex and gender to nationality, and distinguish two different ways in which nationality is conferred – by institutions (legal nationality), and in social interactions (social nationality). I will then turn to the moral and political conflicts that arise where different understandings of nationality and different ways of conferring it overlap and collide. My main thesis is that these conflicts are never simply factual disputes about who and what belongs to a nation, they are always normative conflicts about who ought to belong. This, in turn, means that we cannot think about the ontology of nationality without thinking about what nationality ought to be, a conclusion that is well in line with the basic tenets of conferralism.
New Perspectives on the Date of the Great Festival of Ptolemy II
Authors: Kuzmin Yuri
Published: February 2018

The dating of the Great Festival at Alexandria described by Callixeinus (in Athenaeus) is controversial: the most widely accepted dates are the winters of 279/78, 275/74 or 271/70 BC. To the arguments for a date in the mid-270s BC should be added Athenaeus' mention (5.196 f) of a pavilion decorated with „silver“ and „golden“ thyreoi, i. e. oblong shields apparently of Celtic origin. This type of shield was not known in the Hellenistic East before the invasion of Celts into Asia Minor in 278 BC. Their appearance in the decoration of the pavilion may be connected to the destruction of the rebellious Celtic mercenaries of Ptolemy II Philadelphus on an island in the Nile Delta ca. 275 BC. This event was topical in royal propaganda of Philadelphus (in poetry, coinage, etc.). If the depiction of thyreoi alludes to this event 275/74 BC appears to be the most likely date for the Great Festival.
Bäuerliche Zeitvermessung bei Palladius
Authors: Brodersen Kai
Published: February 2018

Der spätantike Autor Palladius bietet in seinem Opus Agriculturae Angaben zu den Schattenlängen am Ende jeder Stunde in jedem Monat und ermöglicht dem Landwirt so, zum rechten Zeitpunkt zu agieren. In der Forschung wurde bisher vergeblich versucht, das System von Palladius' Zeitmessung nachzuvollziehen, die Herkunft der Angaben zu erweisen oder sie gar als Beleg für die Heimat des Autors zu deuten. Der Aufsatz schlägt eine neue Interpretation für die Berechnung der Schattenlängen bei Palladius und für ihre Nutzung vor: die Anwendung von Prinzipien der Land- für die Zeitvermessung.
Light requirements of water lobelia (Lobelia dortmanna L.)
Authors: Borowiak Dariusz , Bociąg Katarzyna , Nowiński Kamil , Borowiak Magdalena
Published: February 2018

Maximum depth of colonization (zC) and total area covered by a population of Lobelia dortmanna, as well as underwater light regime were studied in 25 soft water lobelia lakes in north-western Poland. Variations in underwater light conditions among the lakes were described by Secchi disc depths (zSD), and by attenuation coefficients of irradiance within photosynthetically active radiation range (Kd,PAR), and euphotic zone depths (zEU) derived from photometric measurements conducted twice a year (in midspring and midsummer) during the period 2014–2015. Maximum depth of colonization of water lobelia ranged from 0.1 to 2.2 m (median zC = 0.8 m; mean zC = 1.0 m). Nine lakes showed the relative coverage of the littoral zone (RCLZ) by L. dortmanna to be greater than the mean value, which was 4.8%. Studies showed that light requirements of water lobelia increase when the maximum depth of colonization also increases. This pattern could be partially related to the greater energy needs of deeper growing individuals due to enlarged seed production and their incubation, and for the creation of much heavier inflorescences. Assessment of the light requirements of L. dortmanna along the depth gradient indicates that relative irradiance (percentage of subsurface irradiance of PAR) should be at the level of: (i) 47–50% (annual total of quantum irradiance 3083–3280 mol m−2 yr−2) for plants growing within a depth range of 2.0–2.5 m; (ii) 44–47% (2886–3083 mol m−2yr−1) for plants growing within a depth range of 1.5–2.0 m; (iii) 41–44% (2690–2886 mol m−2yr−2) for plants growing within a depth range of 1.0–1.5 m; and (iv) 34–41% (2230–2690 mol m−1 yr−1) for those growing in the littoral zone at a depth of between 0.5 and 1.0 m. In average conditions in the Pomeranian lakes, the maximum depth of colonization by L. dortmanna accounts for approximately a third of the Secchi disc depth and a fifth of the depth of the euphotic zone with irradiance of PAR at zC equal to about 43% of subsurface irradiance. It has also been demonstrated that the light factor is a crucial one that limits the absolute maximum depth of lobelia population occurrence in Pomeranian lakes. The cleanest and most transparent lakes of this region have light attenuation coefficients (Kd,PAR) within the range of 0.35–0.42 m−1, which corresponds to the maximum colonization depths of 1.8–2.2 m.
Surfactants: a real threat to the aquatic geoecosystems of lobelia lakes
Authors: Markowski Maciej , Golus Włodzimierz , Polkowska Żaneta , Kwidzińska Monika
Published: February 2018

Lobelia lakes are valuable elements of the natural environment. They are characterised by low trophy, mainly in-forest location and a high transparency of water. However, similarly to other surface waters, they are subjected to increasing anthropogenic pressures, a good indicator of which is the level of surfactants, also called surface-active agents (SAAs). The aim of the study was to evaluate the intensity of anthropogenic pressures in 13 selected lobelia lakes and 14 streams in the catchments of these lakes in Northern Poland, based on SAA concentrations in the waters of these water bodies. We collected one water sample from each of these water bodies and determined the concentrations of cationic, anionic and non-ionic SAAs. We then compared the results with data concerning the ways in which these catchments and water bodies are used. While ionic (cationic and anionic) SAAs were found to be present in all the 27 samples (with concentrations ranging from 0.05 to 0.51 mg dm−3), non-ionic SAAs were identified in 17 of 27 samples (from 0.00 to 2.43 mg dm−3) with three samples largely exceeding the maximum concentration values reported by other authors. We concluded that SAAs are a real threat to the aquatic geoecosystems of lobelia lakes and that the pressures of tourism and leisure have the greatest impact.
Conservation status of the Natura 2000 habitat 3110 in Poland: Monitoring, classification and trends
Authors: Kolada Agnieszka , Piotrowicz Ryszard , Wilk-Woźniak Elżbieta , Dynowski Piotr , Klimaszyk Piotr
Published: February 2018

Soft water lakes, or so-called lobelia lakes, which are inhabited by a specific vegetation composed of isoetids, have been subjected to intense research aimed at evaluating their condition and conservation status for many years in Poland. At the time of Poland’s accession to the European Union and the implementation of the EU Habitats Directive, these lakes were classified as natural habitat 3110. In accordance with the provision of the Habitat Directive a comprehensive methodology for monitoring and classification of the state of this habitat has been developed. Using this methodology, two monitoring trials (in 2009–2010 and again in 2016–2017) were carried out at 45 and 43 sites of the 3110 natural habitat, respectively. These studies confirm the high sensitivity of these poorly buffered aquatic ecosystems to all external influences, both natural and anthropogenic. The overall conservation status of the 3110 habitat in Poland showed a relatively high stability, with similar proportions of sites classified as favourable (FV), unfavourable inadequate (U1) and unfavourable bad (U2) between 2009–2010 (35%, 49% and 16%, respectively) and 2016–2017 (33%, 56% and 11%, respectively). Out of 43 sites examined in 2016–2017, 29 remained unchanged compared with the results of the previous survey concerning their overall status. Results of the monitoring research also allow for the observation and evaluation of mechanisms and directions of changes in the functioning of these ecosystems. Based on the experiences from two series of monitoring conducted so far, the methodology has been assessed as appropriate for the assessment of the conservation status of the 3110 natural habitat, however, some modifications and additions have been suggested.
SDPBS Web Server for Calculation of
Electrostatics of Ionic Solvated Biomolecules
Authors: Jiang Yi , Xie Yang , Ying Jinyong , Xie Dexuan , Yu Zeyun
Published: February 2018

The Poisson-Boltzmann equation (PBE) is one important implicit solvent continuum model for calculating
electrostatics of protein in ionic solvent. We recently developed a PBE solver library, called SDPBS,
that incorporates the finite element, finite difference, solution decomposition, domain decomposition, and
multigrid methods. To make SDPBS more accessible to the scientific community, we present an SDPBS web
server in this paper that allows clients to visualize and manipulate the molecular structure of a biomolecule,
and to calculate PBE solutions in a remote and user friendly fashion.
The web server is available on the website https://lsextrnprod.uwm.edu/electrostatics/.
Determination of ionic conductivity in the Bi-Si-O and Pb-Si-O glasses
Authors: Karczewski J. , Miruszewski T. , Bochentyn B. , Kusz B.
Published: February 2018

Impedance spectroscopy measurements in various gas atmospheres were carried out in order to explain the doubts about the type of carriers and the mechanism of electrical conductivity in Bi-Si-O and Pb-Si-O glasses. In bismuth silicate glass, a typical ionic conductivity with oxygen ions as charge carriers was observed. The level of electrical conductivity of the glass at 400 °C was 5 × 10-8 S·cm-1, with the activation energy of 1.3 eV and was independent of measuring atmosphere. In the case of lead silicate glasses, the conductivity changed with measuring atmosphere. Two types of charge carriers: oxygen ions and proton ions were postulated. Proton conductivity measured in wet argon at temperature 400 °C was estimated at the level of 4 × 10-8 S·cm-1 while the oxygen ions conductivity in such conditions was 78 × 10-8 S·cm-1. We suggest that both types of charge carriers are transported along the same conduction paths using oxygen defects in the glass structure.
Crystal structure of tetraaqua-bis[6-(1H-imidazol-1-yl-κN)nicotinato]zinc(II), C18H20N6O8Zn
Authors: Li Zhao-Hao
Published: February 2018

C18H20N6O8Zn, triclinic, P1̅, a = 6.2576(6) Å, b = 6.9645(8) Å, c = 12.1262(15) Å, α = 78.536(10)°, β = 86.677(9)°, γ = 72.340(9)°, Z = 1, V = 493.52(10) Å3, R
gt(F) = 0.0603, wR
ref (F2) = 0.1290, T = 291(2) K.
The crystal structure of (3S,12R,20R,24S)-3,12-diacetyl-20,24-epoxy-dammarane-3,12,25-triol acetone solvate, C34H56O6
Authors: Hongzhang Liu , Yingting Wang
Published: February 2018

C34H56O6, orthorhombic, P212121 (no. 19), a = 8.0343(8) Å, b = 17.7992(16) Å, c = 24.153(3) Å, V = 3453.9(6) Å3, Z = 4, R
gt(F) = 0.0642, wR
ref(F
2) = 0.1573, T = 293(2) K.
Altruism from the Perspective of the Social Neurosciences
Authors: Windmann Sabine , Hein Grit
Published: February 2018

Altruism is a puzzling phenomenon, especially for Biology and Economics. Why do individuals reduce their chances to provide some of the resources they own to others? The answer to this question can be sought at ultimate or proximate levels of explanation. The Social Neurosciences attempt to specify the brain mechanisms that drive humans to act altruistically, in assuming that overtly identical behaviours can be driven by different motives. The research has shown that activations and functional connectivities of the Anterior Insula and the Temporoparietal Junction play specific roles in empathetic versus strategic forms of altruism, whereas the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, among other regions, is involved in norm-oriented punitive forms of altruism. Future research studies could focus on the processing of ambiguity and conflict in pursuit of altruistic intentions.
Topological aspects of some dendrimer structures
Authors: Aslam Adnan , Jamil Muhammad Kamran , Gao Wei , Nazeer Waqas
Published: February 2018

A numerical number associated to the molecular graph G that describes its molecular topology is called topological index. In the study of QSAR and QSPR, topological indices such as atom-bond connectivity index, Randić connectivity index, geometric index, etc. help to predict many physico-chemical properties of the chemical compound under study. Dendrimers are macromolecules and have many applications in chemistry, especially in self-assembly procedures and host-guest reactions. The aim of this report is to compute degree-based topological indices, namely the fourth atom-bond connectivity index and fifth geometric arithmetic index of poly propyl ether imine, zinc porphyrin, and porphyrin dendrimers.
Radiation processing for cultural heritage preservation – Romanian experience
Authors: Moise Ioan Valentin , Ene Mihaela , Negut Constantin Daniel , Cutrubinis Mihalis , Manea Maria Mihaela
Published: February 2018

Radiation sterilization has been considered a mass decontamination technique for biodegradable cultural heritage (CH) since its widespread application in the medical field. Initial experiments have revealed advantages, for example, efficiency and effectiveness, but also disadvantages, namely “side effects” concerning CH materials. More than 50 years later, the adequacy of ionizing radiation for some CH artefacts is still the subject of discussion. The main reason why is that science and industry are not yet able to provide a more efficient technique for treating mass decontamination. For wooden items, there is general agreement that the irradiation dose required for insect eradication is not damaging, even in the case of polychromed wood. For cellulose pulp (paper), there is a reduction in polymerization degree (DP) at the high doses necessary to stop the attack of fungi, but this should be considered taking into account the purpose of the treatment. Emergency or rescue treatments are necessary to mitigate the consequences of accidents or improper storage conditions. In some cases (archives), the value of written information is greater than the historical value of the paper support. For other materials, namely textiles, leather and parchment, less research has been published on the effect of ionizing radiation treatment. As a general rule, irradiation is not necessary when only a few CH elements are present that are affected by biological contamination since restorers can solve the problem by classical means. The need for radiation treatment arises when large collections (hundreds, thousands or even more elements) are heavily affected by the biological attack. In Romania, the IRASM gamma irradiator of IFIN-HH is receiving an increasing number of requests for CH treatment, mainly due to an intensive research programme concerning this topic and close liaison with CH owners or administrators. Besides reviewing the scientific results obtained in Romania and abroad, this paper presents some examples from experiences in Romania.
Development of the irradiation facility SIBO INRA/Tangier, Morocco by upgrading cobalt-60 in a temporary pool and enhancing safety and control features
Authors: Mohammed Mouhib , Mouad Chentouf , Amina Guessous
Published: February 2018

An automatic control system is one of the most important parts of an irradiation facility. The level of this control is always maintained to comply with safety procedures during routine work in this field. Also sometimes it is limited to the minimum level of regulation required due to economical aspects; some commercial systems are generally made by manufacturers of industrial facilities and considered affordable by irradiators. In some cases specific irradiation facilities tailor their control systems to their needs. For this kind of irradiator the control system can be developed and upgraded according to personal and industrial experiences. These upgrading procedures are also used by others to develop their systems. The objective of this paper is to share a local experience in upgrading security, safety systems and the use of cobalt-60 for the irradiator. It is a composite experiment at SIBO INRA/Tangier, Morocco and concerns the: (i) upgrade of cobalt-60 in a temporary pool in the SIBO irradiator in Tangier. This operation was conducted in collaboration with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and was a success story of 2014 according to the general conference of IAEA; (ii) safety and technical upgrade of the system in the SIBO irradiator made in collaboration with IAEA; (iii) installation and upgrade of the security system in accordance with the Global Threat Reduction Programme (GTRP) to reduce the threat of a Radiological Dispersal Device (RDD) in collaboration with The United States Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA).
Precedence permutation patterns creating criticality constellations: Exploring a conjecture on nonlinear activities with continuous links
Authors: Lucko Gunnar , Su Yi
Published: February 2018

The inaugural challenge of the 2016 Creative Construction Conference has posed two related questions on how many possible criticality constellations with different behaviors for delays and acceleration exist and how said constellations can occur for nonlinearly and monotonously progressing activities that have continuous relations. This paper systematically solves these questions by performing a thorough literature review, assembling theoretical foundations for link constellations, performing a computer simulation of all possible permutations, and providing a mathematical proof by contradiction. It is found that (for the initially assumed self-contained activities in a network schedule that exhibit only a linearly growing production), three newly hypothesized criticality constellations cannot exist. Nonlinear activity constellations with diverging or converging relative pro­ductivities are examined next. Lags in networks become buffers in linear schedules. It is found that a nonlinear curvature of the progress may induce middle-to-middle relations besides those between start and finish. If multiple curvatures are allowed, then partial segments can form relations, which increase the number of criticality constellations. This paper is extended from the 2017 Procedia Engineering conference version.
Direct determination of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) accumulated in bacteria by thermally assisted hydrolysis and methylation-gas chromatography in the presence of organic alkali
Authors: Baidurah Siti , Kubo Yasuko , Ishida Yasuyuki , Yamane Tsuneo
Published: February 2018

There is considerable interest in the development of simple methods for quantifying production of the biodegradable polyester poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) [P(3HB)] by bacteria. Cells of Cupriavidus necator were grown on agar medium containing different concentrations of glucose (10–25 g/L) as a sole carbon source. Trace amounts (100±5 μg) of dried C. necator cells were directly subjected to thermally assisted hydrolysis and methylation-gas chromatography (THM-GC) in the presence of tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH). On the resulting chromatograms, a series of characteristic peaks, attributed to the THM products from poly(3-hydroxybutylate) accumulated in the bacterial cells, were clearly observed without any interfering component. Based on the peak intensities, the contents of P(3HB) in C. necator were determined precisely and rapidly without using any cumbersome sample pretreatment. Furthermore, the values of the P(3HB) contents coincided overall with those obtained by the conventional method involving solvent extraction followed by gravimetric determination.
Chenophila nanseni sp. n. (Acari: Syringophilidae) parasitising the barnacle goose in Svalbard
Authors: Skoracki Maciej , Zawierucha Krzysztof
Published: February 2018

A new species, Chenophila nanseni sp. n., collected from covert quills of the barnacle goose Branta leucopsis (Anseriformes: Anatidae) in Svalbard (Spitsbergen) is described and female polymorphism is recorded in this species. In syringophilids this phenomenon was known only for representatives of the genus Stibarokris. The new species differs from the similar Ch. platyrhynchos by following features: in females of Ch. nanseni the anterior margin of the propodonotal shield is flat (vs. concave in Ch. platyrhynchos) and the lengths of idiosomal setae si, f2 and ag3 in Ch. nanseni are distinctly shorter than in Ch. plathyrynchos.
Organic carbon and nutrients (N, P) in surface soil horizons in a non-glaciated catchment, SW Spitsbergen
Authors: Szymański Wojciech , Wojtuń Bronisław , Stolarczyk Mateusz , Siwek Janusz , Waścińska Joanna
Published: February 2018

Organic carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus in the soils of the High Arctic play an important role in the context of global warming, biodiversity, and richness of tundra vegetation. The main aim of the present study was to determine the content and spatial distribution of soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (Ntot), and total phosphorus (Ptot) in the surface horizons of Arctic soils obtained from the lower part of the Fuglebekken catchment in Spitsbergen as an example of a small non-glaciated catchment representing uplifted marine terraces of the Svalbard Archipelago. The obtained results indicate that surface soil horizons in the Fuglebekken catchment show considerable differences in content of SOC, Ntot, and Ptot. This mosaic is related to high variability of soil type, local hydrology, vegetation (type and quantity), and especially location of seabird nesting colony. The highest content of SOC, Ntot, and Ptotoccurs in soil surface horizons obtained from sites fertilized by seabird guano and located along streams flowing from the direction of the seabird colony. The content of SOC, Ntot, and Ptotis strongly negatively correlated with distance from seabird colony indicating a strong influence of the birds on the fertility of the studied soils and indirectly on the accumulation of soil organic matter. The lowest content of SOC, Ntot, and Ptotoccurs in soil surface horizons obtained from the lateral moraine of the Hansbreen glacier and from sites in the close vicinity of the lateral moraine. The content of Ntot, Ptot, and SOC in soil surface horizons are strongly and positively correlated with one another,i.e.the higher the content of nutrients, the higher the content of SOC. The spatial distribution of SOC, Ntot, and Ptotin soils of the Hornsund area in SW Spitsbergen reflects the combined effects of severe climate conditions and periglacial processes. Seabirds play a crucial role in nutrient enrichment in these weakly developed soils.
Antarctic Halacaridae (Acari), new records, these species characteristics and an updated list of species
Authors: Bartsch Ilse
Published: February 2018

Four halacarid species:Agaue agauoides,Agaue parva,Bradyagaue drygalskii, andHalacarus minorhave been extracted from bottom samples taken in Admiralty Bay, King George Island, South Shetland Islands, another four,Colobocerasides auster,Halacarus arnaudi,Lohmannella fukushimai, andL. gaussi, from Kapp Norvegia, Atka and Halley Bay, Weddell Sea. Most of these species are widespread around Antarctica and adjacent islands. Diagnostic characters are outlined. An annotated list presents 66 halacarid species reported from south of the Antarctic Polar Front.
CO2-based hydrogen storage: CO2 hydrogenation to formic acid, formaldehyde and methanol
Authors: Schaub Thomas
Published: February 2018

The storage of hydrogen via hydrogenation of CO2 to small organic molecules can be attractive for mobile applications. In this article, the state of the art regarding hydrogen storage in Methanol, Formic Acid as well as Formaldehyde and derivates based on CO2 hydrogenation is summarized. The reverse reaction, the release of hydrogen from these molecules is also crucial and described in the articles together with possible concepts for the use of hydrogen storage by CO2 hydrogenation.