bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Accountability and the infection control nurse
Authors: Shakespeare D
Published: July 2017

This paper takes the perspective of a recently appointed infection control nurse (ICN) and looks at how the issue of accountability for specialist practitioners is influencing practice. The article may also be relevant to link nurses and those considering a career move into infection control.
Lead-antimony sulfosalts from Tuscany (Italy). XIX. Crystal chemistry of chovanite from two new occurrences in the Apuan Alps and its 8 Å crystal structure
Authors: Biagioni Cristian , Moëlo Yves
Published: July 2017

Two new occurrences of the lead oxy-sulfosalt chovanite have been identified at the Monte Arsiccio and Pollone mines, Apuan Alps, Tuscany, Italy. Chovanite from Monte Arsiccio occurs as black acicular crystals, up to 5 mm long, associated with rouxelite, robinsonite, sphalerite, valentinite,baryte, dolomite, quartz and Ba-rich K-feldspar ('hyalophane') in metadolostone vugs. Its unit-cell parameters area= 48.38(5),b= 4.11(4),c= 34.18(4) Å, β = 106.26(2)°,V= 6521(64) Å3, space groupC2/m. Very weakreflections indicate the doubling of thebparameter. Electron-microprobe data gave (wt.%): Ag 0.28, Tl 1.51, Pb 45.57, Sb 31.00, As 1.09, S 19.73, Se 0.05, Cl 0.02, sum 99.25. On the basis of ∑Me= 58 apfu, its formula is Ag0.30Tl0.86Pb25.56Sb29.59As1.69S71.52Se0.07Cl0.05.Adding one oxygen atom, it is close to the formula TlPb26(Sb,As)31S72O. Chovanite from Pollone occurs as thick black acicular crystals, up to 1 cm long, associated with baryte and quartz. The high-diffraction quality of the available material allowed the solutionand refinement of the 8 Å crystal structure in the space groupP21/c, with unit-cell parametersa= 34.052(3),b= 8.2027(7),c= 48.078(4) Å, β = 106.258(4)°,V= 12891.9(19) Å3. The refinement convergedtoR1= 9.14% on the basis of 19,853 observed reflections withFo> 4σ(Fo). Electron-microprobe data gave (wt.%): Ag 0.12, Tl 0.54, Pb 48.34, Bi 0.20, Sb 26.71, As 3.37, S 20.23, Cl 0.07, sum 99.57. It corresponds to the formulaAg0.13Tl0.30Pb26.94Bi0.10Sb25.33As5.20S72.85Cl0.20, close to the idealized formula Pb28(Sb,As)30S72O, with a single oxygen atom bound to two (Sb/As) atoms alternating witha vacancy along b as in scainiite and in other Pb oxy-sulfosalts. The crystal chemistry of this 8 Å crystal structure is detailed, taking into account its modular description, the (Sb,As)mSnpolymerization, its topological derivation from pellouxite,and the oxygen non-stoichiometry.
Increasing use of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation in patients aged 70 years and older in the United States
Authors: Muffly Lori , Pasquini Marcelo C. , Martens Michael , Brazauskas Ruta , Zhu Xiaochun , Adekola Kehinde , Aljurf Mahmoud , Ballen Karen K. , Bajel Ashish , Baron Frederic , Battiwalla Minoo , Beitinjaneh Amer , Cahn Jean-Yves , Carabasi Mathew , Chen Yi-Bin , Chhabra Saurabh , Ciurea Stefan , Copelan Edward , D’Souza Anita , Edwards John , Foran James , Freytes Cesar O. , Fung Henry C. , Gale Robert Peter , Giralt Sergio , Hashmi Shahrukh K. , Hildebrandt Gerhard C. , Ho Vincent , Jakubowski Ann , Lazarus Hillard , Luskin Marlise R. , Martino Rodrigo , Maziarz Richard , McCarthy Philip , Nishihori Taiga , Olin Rebecca , Olsson Richard F. , Pawarode Attaphol , Peres Edward , Rezvani Andrew R. , Rizzieri David , Savani Bipin N. , Schouten Harry C. , Sabloff Mitchell , Seftel Matthew , Seo Sachiko , Sorror Mohamed L. , Szer Jeff , Wirk Baldeep M. , Wood William A. , Artz Andrew
Published: July 2017

Key Points

Over the last decade, allogeneic HCT has been increasingly administered in the United States to adults aged 70 and older with hematologic malignancies. Allogeneic transplant outcomes were reasonable; high comorbidity and ablative conditioning regimens were associated with inferior outcomes.
Effect of a 6-month pedometer-based walking intervention on functional capacity in patients with chronic heart failure with reduced (HFrEF) and with preserved (HFpEF) ejection fraction: study protocol for two multicenter randomized controlled trials
Authors: Vetrovsky Tomas , Siranec Michal , Parenica Jiri , Griva Martin , Stastny Jiri , Precek Jan , Pelouch Radek , Bunc Vaclav , Linhart Ales , Belohlavek Jan
Published: July 2017

Background

Regular physical activity is recommended for patients with chronic heart failure to improve their functional capacity, and walking is a popular, effective, and safe form of physical activity. Pedometers have shown potential to increase the amount of walking across a range of chronic diseases, but it is unknown whether a pedometer-based intervention improves functional capacity and neurohumoral modulation in heart failure patients.

Methods

Two multicenter randomized controlled trials will be conducted in parallel: one in patients with chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), the other in patients with chronic heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Each trial will consist of a 6-month intervention with an assessment at baseline, at 3 months, at the end of the intervention, and 6 months after completing the intervention. Each trial will aim to include a total of 200 physically inactive participants with chronic heart failure who will be randomly assigned to intervention or control arms. The 6-month intervention will consist of an individualized pedometer-based walking program with weekly step goals, behavioral face-to-face sessions with a physician, and regular telephone calls with a research nurse. The intervention will be based on effective behavioral principles (goal setting, self-monitoring, personalized feedback). The primary outcome is the change in 6-min walk distance at the end of the 6-month intervention. Secondary outcomes include changes in serum biomarkers levels, pulmonary congestion assessed by ultrasound, average daily step count measured by accelerometry, anthropometric measures, symptoms of depression, health-related quality of life, self-efficacy, and MAGGIC risk score.

Discussion

To our knowledge, these are the first studies to evaluate a pedometer-based walking intervention in patients with chronic heart failure with either reduced or preserved ejection fraction. The studies will contribute to a better understanding of physical activity promotion in heart failure patients to inform future physical activity recommendations and heart failure guidelines.

Trial registrationThe trials are registered in ClinicalTrials.gov, identifiers: NCT03041610, registered 29 January 2017 (HFrEF), NCT03041376, registered 1 February 2017 (HFpEF)
Overall Survival in Patients With Advanced Melanoma Who Received Nivolumab Versus Investigator’s Choice Chemotherapy in CheckMate 037: A Randomized, Controlled, Open-Label Phase III Trial
Authors: Larkin James , Minor David , D'Angelo Sandra , Neyns Bart , Smylie Michael , Miller Wilson H. , Gutzmer Ralf , Linette Gerald , Chmielowski Bartosz , Lao Christopher D. , Lorigan Paul , Grossmann Kenneth , Hassel Jessica C. , Sznol Mario , Daud Adil , Sosman Jeffrey , Khushalani Nikhil , Schadendorf Dirk , Hoeller Christoph , Walker Dana , Kong George , Horak Christine , Weber Jeffrey
Published: July 2017

Purpose

Until recently, limited options existed for patients with advanced melanoma who experienced disease progression while receiving treatment with ipilimumab. Here, we report the coprimary overall survival (OS) end point of CheckMate 037, which has previously shown that nivolumab resulted in more patients achieving an objective response compared with chemotherapy regimens in ipilimumab-refractory patients with advanced melanoma.

Patients and Methods

Patients were stratified by programmed death-ligand 1 expression, BRAF status, and best prior cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4 therapy response, then randomly assigned 2:1 to nivolumab 3 mg/kg intravenously every 2 weeks or investigator’s choice chemotherapy (ICC; dacarbazine 1,000 mg/m2 every 3 weeks or carboplatin area under the curve 6 plus paclitaxel 175 mg/m2 every 3 weeks). Patients were treated until they experienced progression or unacceptable toxicity, with follow-up of approximately 2 years.

Results

Two hundred seventy-two patients were randomly assigned to nivolumab (99% treated) and 133 to ICC (77% treated). More nivolumab-treated patients had brain metastases (20% v 14%) and increased lactate dehydrogenase levels (52% v 38%) at baseline; 41% of patients treated with ICC versus 11% of patients treated with nivolumab received anti–programmed death 1 agents after randomly assigned therapy. Median OS was 16 months for nivolumab versus 14 months for ICC (hazard ratio, 0.95; 95.54% CI, 0.73 to 1.24); median progression-free survival was 3.1 months versus 3.7 months, respectively (hazard ratio, 1.0; 95.1% CI, 0.78 to 1.436). Overall response rate (27% v 10%) and median duration of response (32 months v 13 months) were notably higher for nivolumab versus ICC. Fewer grade 3 and 4 treatment-related adverse events were observed in patients on nivolumab (14% v 34%).

Conclusion

Nivolumab demonstrated higher, more durable responses but no difference in survival compared with ICC. OS should be interpreted with caution as it was likely impacted by an increased dropout rate before treatment, which led to crossover therapy in the ICC group, and by an increased proportion of patients in the nivolumab group with poor prognostic factors.
Using k-anonymization for registry data: pitfalls and alternatives
Authors: Anspal Sten , Kaska Mart , Seppo Indrek
Published: July 2017

We describe an applied study of ICT students' employment in Estonia based on data from two national registries. The study offered an opportunity to compare results from both k-anonymised data as well as those from the novel Sharemind platform for privacy-preserving statistical computing, which offers a way to use confidential data for research without loss of information. Comparison of results using k-anonymized and lossless data indicate substantial differences in estimates of students' employment rates. The results illustrate, on the basis of a real-world study, how the effects of k-anonymization can lead to considerable bias in estimates. While privacy-preserving computing does entail inconveniences because original microdata is not revealed to the statistician, this can be offset by greater confidence in the results.
Temporal Motivations of Volunteers to Participate in Cultural Crowdsourcing Work
Authors: Alam Sultana Lubna , Campbell John
Published: July 2017

Crowdsourcing (CS) by cultural and heritage institutions engage volunteers in online projects without monetary compensation. Uncertainty concerning online volunteer motivation has led to a growing body of academic research. This study contributes to that debate, by extending focus to CS volunteer work in nonprofit cultural institutions where no monetary benefit is offered to volunteers. This study examines motivations of high performing volunteers in a newspaper digitisation CS project, initiated by the National Library of Australia. Volunteers are motivated by personal, collective, and external factors, and these motivations change over time. Volunteers initially show intrinsic motivations, though both intrinsic and extrinsic motivations play a critical role in their continued participation. Volunteer contributions range from data shaping (e.g., correcting digitised optical character recognition data) to knowledge shaping (e.g., shaping historical data through tagging and commenting, but also through development of norms and social roles). The locus of motivation (intrinsic or extrinsic) also changes with different kinds of contributions. The distinction between data and knowledge shaping contributions, and the locus and focus of motivation behind these activities, has implications for the design of CS systems. Design for improved usability through cognitive and physical system affordances and development of social mechanisms for ongoing participation is discussed.
Shapeshifting: focusing on body functionality to improve body image
Authors: Alleva Jessica
Published: July 2017

On a daily basis, men and women are confronted with numerous messages concerning the importance of their physical appearance. These pressures can then contribute to a negative body image. Jessica Alleva describes how these pressures can be counteracted by focusing not on how the body looks, but what it can do, and explores how this shift can lead to a much healthier body image
The perks of customer feedback: how even bad reviews can benefit your practice
Authors: Smith Victoria , Wiggins Nancy
Published: July 2017

With the rapid development of digital feedback platforms and instant access to social media, one bad patient experience can have a reverberating impact on your practice. Nancy Wiggins and Victoria Smith look at how the art of complaining is evolving, explain why negative feedback is a gift and discuss how to implement a system that sees patients providing the solution to excellent customer service
An improved method for measuring hip abduction in spica after surgical reduction for developmental dysplasia of the hip
Authors: DeFrancesco C. J. , Blumberg T. J. , Chauvin N. A. , Sankar W. N.
Published: July 2017

Purpose

Excessive in-spica abduction is a risk factor for oste-onecrosis after surgical reduction for developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH). The traditional method for radiographically measuring hip abduction using axial imaging does not reflect the true angle, which usually lies in an oblique plane. The purpose of this study was to describe a novel method for measuring true hip position using advanced imaging.

Methods

A trigonometric model was derived to define hip position based upon the femoral axis angular deviation from midline as measured on axial and coronal sequences of MRI studies. In-spica MRIs of 28 hips having undergone surgery for DDH were reviewed. On two separate occasions, the same three raters measured the femoral axis deviation from mid-line on axial and coronal imaging. Abduction was estimated using the traditional method of measurement and our novel method. Intra- and inter-rater reliability were assessed.

Results

The methods yielded different estimates (p < 0.001). Inter- and intra-rater reliability were excellent for both methods (inter-rater ICC > 0.922, intra-rater ICC > 0.919). The traditional method is accurate at 90° of flexion, but it increasingly overestimates abduction as hip flexion decreases. All cases where hip flexion was ≤ 40° exhibited ≥ 10° of error.

Conclusions

Decreasing hip flexion in spica modifies the perceived angle of abduction as measured using axial imaging. This inaccuracy can be overcome through assessment of orthogonal views using our new approach, which is accurate and reliable. It should be considered for future research investigating the effects of in-spica hip position on outcomes of DDH treatment.
Making Sense of Sensors
Authors: O’Riordan Kate , Parker Jennifer , Harris David , Devereaux Emile
Published: July 2017

The paper explores the different projects resulting from a practical workshop on making and hacking biosensors. The projects and the workshop enable a series of reflections about biosensors and their commercial promises and what they might offer to other constituents in digital arts theory and practice. These reflections include issues about expertise and how to “make with sensors,” how inner states of being can be communicated in social situations, non-human relations and the possibility of radical communication beyond the human, and questions about materiality and performance and the role of the manifesto in relation to devices. These points are developed to argue that despite the radical promise of biosensors to offer new forms of communication, the objects they produce often fail. However, the process of design and making opens up questions about the technological horizon and possibilities for connection in a device-orientated culture.
Jak Polacy rozumieją serbską frazeologię, a jak Serbowie polską – na podstawie jednostek odnoszących się do podobnej rzeczywistości pozajęzykowej
Authors: Nawrocka-Żarnecka Małgorzata
Published: July 2017

Przedmiotem badań był problem rozumienia serbskiej i polskiej frazeologii odnoszącej się do tej samej rzeczywistości pozajęzykowej przez użytkowników języka polskiego i serbskiego. Relacje między językiem polskim i serbskim, jako należącymi do jednej grupy języków słowiańskich, są liczne i widoczne także na płaszczyźnie utartych połączeń leksykalnych. Frazeologia stanowi niezwykle bogaty zespół nieregularnych semantycznie związków wyrazowych, które odzwierciedlają specyficzne dla danego narodu wydarzenia, cechy ludzkie, stereotypy, zjawiska przyrody. Ta sama rzeczywistość pozajęzykowa może być w różnych językach różnie opisywana. Istotą rozważań jest to, w jaki sposób użytkownicy danego języka rozumieją jednostki nieobecne w ich kodzie językowym, czy są w stanie na podstawie znaczenia strukturalnego oraz charakterystycznej dla danego narodu wiedzy pozajęzykowej odkryć idiomatyczny sens spetryfikowanych połączeń leksykalnych.
Grzeczność językowa biegaczy nieprofesjonalnych (na podstawie wpisów na portalu społecznościowym Facebook)
Authors: Kijak Agnieszka
Published: July 2017

Celem artykułu jest ukazanie silnego poczucia wspólnoty pomiędzy biegaczami. O życzliwych relacjach świadczą akty grzecznościowe, które występują w komunikacji osób uprawiających ten sport. Analizowany materiał pochodzi z portalu społecznościowego Facebook, za pośrednictwem którego biegacze przekazują sobie informacje dotyczące zawodów sportowych czy też wspólnych treningów. W artykule zostały zanalizowane wybrane wpisy będące przykładami aktów grzecznościowych, takich jak: powitania i pożegnania, zaproszenia, deklarowanie pomocy, odmowy, prośby i rady, wspieranie i gratulowanie oraz życzenia.
Tracing intercultural and interlinguistic moves within and beyond student mobility programmes: The case of the IEREST project
Authors: Čebron Neva
Published: July 2017

The paper presents the core aims and objectives of the teaching materials developed within the IEREST (Intercultural Education Resources for Erasmus Students and their Teachers) project, and shows how the innovative approach adopted for these activities can be implemented in the classroom. The IEREST teaching modules are innovative in that the approach adopted draws strongly on the notions of critical cosmopolitanism (Holliday 2012) and intercultural communicative competence (Byram 1997 and 2012). The activities in the modules promote a view of culture as a negotiated „process” among individuals, small or large groups and intercultural communication as a co-construction of meaning conveyed across linguistic and cultural boundaries, thus rejecting explicitly any “essentialist” attitudes and simplistic overgeneralisation of “otherness.” The approach to language use in intercultural encounters observes how the above concepts are expressed in a number of contexts, while also building on the view that intercultural communication among bilinguals often takes advantage of a lingua franca, a foreign language that all the participants in the communicative activity have in common because they had learned it. Taking into account the concept of “linguaculture” (Risager 2012) the modules seek to raise awareness of the negotiating process in rendering meaning through a linguistic and cultural blend of both the target language and the speake’s first language. The paradigm shift proposed by the IEREST Modules indicates a need to rethink current practices in intercultural education and to acknowledge societal changes in multilingual Europe and beyond.
Unscrambling jumbled sentences: An authentic task for English language assessment?
Authors: Lanteigne Betty
Published: July 2017

Jumbled sentence items in language assessment have been criticized by some authors as inauthentic. However, unscrambling jumbled sentences is a common occurrence in real-world communication in English as a lingua franca. Naturalistic inquiry identified 54 instances of jumbled sentence use in daily life in Dubai/Sharjah, where English is widely used as a lingua franca. Thus it is seen that jumbled sentence test items can reflect real-world language use. To evaluate scrambled sentence test items, eight test item types developed from one jumbled sentence instance (“Want taxi Dubai you?”) were analyzed in terms of interactivity and authenticity. Items ranged from being completely decontextualized, non-interactive, and inauthentic to being fully contextualized, interactive, and authentic. To determine appropriate assessment standards for English tests in schools in this region, the English language standards for schools and English language requirements for university admission in the UAE were analyzed. Schools in Dubai/Sharjah use Inner Circle English varieties of English (e.g., British or American English) as the standard for evaluation, as well as non-native-English-speaker varieties (e.g., Indian English(es)). Also, students applying to English-medium universities in the UAE must meet the required scores on standardized English tests including the IELTS and TOEFL. Standards for evaluation of communication in English involving tasks of jumbled sentences in classroom tests must reflect the language learning goals of the school and community. Thus standards for classroom assessment of English in Dubai/Sharjah are determined by local schools’ and universities’ policies.
Application of LSP texts in translator training
Authors: Ilynska Larisa , Smirnova Tatjana , Platonova Marina
Published: July 2017

The paper presents discussion of the results of extensive empirical research into efficient methods of educating and training translators of LSP (language for special purposes) texts. The methodology is based on using popular LSP texts in the respective fields as one of the main media for translator training. The aim of the paper is to investigate the efficiency of this methodology in developing thematic, linguistic and cultural competences of the students, following Bloom’s revised taxonomy and European Master in Translation Network (EMT) translator training competences. The methodology has been tested on the students of a professional Master study programme called Technical Translation implemented by the Institute of Applied Linguistics, Riga Technical University, Latvia. The group of students included representatives of different nationalities, translating from English into Latvian, Russian and French. Analysis of popular LSP texts provides an opportunity to structure student background knowledge and expand it to account for linguistic innovation. Application of popular LSP texts instead of purely technical or scientific texts characterised by neutral style and rigid genre conventions provides an opportunity for student translators to develop advanced text processing and decoding skills, to develop awareness of expressive resources of the source and target languages and to develop understanding of socio-pragmatic language use.
The role of cytokines in degenerative spine disorders
Authors: Sutovsky J. , Kocmalova M. , Benco M. , Kazimierova I. , Pappova L. , Frano A. , Sutovska M.
Published: July 2017

Background: Degenerative spine disorders (DSD) are the most frequent reason of morbidity in adults. Commonly DSD includes degenerative disorders of intervertebral discs (IVDs), spinal stenosis and degenerative spondylolisthesis (SL). There is increasing evidence about significant role of cytokines in DSD pathogenesis, symptomathology and progression, but their protective levels remain still unknown.

Material and Methods: The aim of presented study was to provide quantitative and qualitative analysis of cytokine, chemokine and growth factors levels in individual parts of IVDs - annulus fibrosus (AF) and nucleus pulposus (NP) - separately and in facet joints (FJ) subchondral bone of patients with DSD and in controls - healthy subjects during a multiorgan procurement procedure. Bio-Plex® assay was used to measure concentrations of 27 different cytokines in tissue of patients with DSD. Their concentrations in tissues of healthy subjects during a multiorgan procurement procedure represented protective levels.

Results: The Bio-Plex® assay revealed significant differences between the patients suffered from degenerated and herniated IVDs and from lumbar SL and controls in cytokines, chemokines and growth factor profiles suggested that pro-inflammatory changes of both NP and AF were dominated in herniated IVDs, whereas the same tissue of lumbar SL patients exhibited much more complex changes in cytokine levels suggested o only ongoing inflammation (IL-6, IL-8, MCP-1, TNF-α), abut also antiinflammatory processes (IL-ra, IL-10) or connective tissue remodeling (PDGF-bb, IL-17, VEGF). The different mediators were found elevated in lumbar SL samples of subchondral FJ bone. These also confirmed ongoing inflammation, accelerated bone resorption and formation and increased fibroblasts activity in FJ bone.

Conclusion: The study supported the significant involvement of several cytokines, chemokines and growth factors in the pathogenesis of DSD. These cytokines should represent future potential targets for new biological treatment able to slow DSD progression as well as factor determining prognosis of DSD.
Lycopene restores trace element levels in ochratoxin A-treated rats
Authors: Palabiyik Saziye Sezin , Erkekoglu Pinar , Kızılgun Murat , Sahin Gonul , Kocer-Gumusel Belma
Published: July 2017

This study was designed to investigate the in vivo effects of ochratoxin A (OTA) and/or lycopene on the levels of selenium, zinc, and copper in the liver, kidneys, and testes of male Sprague-Dawley rats. The rats were treated with OTA (0.5 mg kg-1 day-1) and/or lycopene (5 mg kg-1 day-1) by gavage for 7 or 14 days. Trace element levels were measured by atomic absorption spectrometry. OTA significantly lowered selenium (20 % in the liver, 17 % in the kidney, and 40 % in the testis), zinc (24 % in the liver, 23 % in the kidney, and 26 % in the testis), and copper levels (40 % in the liver and 10 % in the kidney). Lycopene alone did not affect the trace element levels in any of the organs. In combination with OTA, however, it significantly restored liver, kidney, and testis selenium and zinc levels compared to the group treated with OTA alone. Our results have confirmed that depletion of trace elements in different organs is one of the mechanisms of action of OTA. They also suggest that lycopene interferes with this depleting effect and restores trace element levels, the implications of which need to be further investigated.
Facts about phthalate toxicity in humans and their occurrence in alcoholic beverages
Authors: Karačonji Irena Brčić , Jurica Sonja Anić , Lasić Dario , Jurica Karlo
Published: July 2017

Phthalates are esters of phthalic acid and aliphatic alcohol added to plastic to improve its softness, flexibility, and extensibility. They easily migrate from plastic products into the environment because of their physical and chemical properties. This review summarises their characteristics, distribution in the environment, monitoring, use, toxic effects on human health, regulatory limits in different matrices and products, and tolerable daily intake. The studies we have reviewed suggest that phthalates have a potential to affect reproduction and development in humans. Due to the inconsistent data, further studies are needed and, in the meantime, precautionary policies must be implemented. Here we draw attention to the methods of determining phthalate levels in alcoholic beverages and reported levels in plum spirits produced in Croatia. Legally produced and moderately consumed plum spirits do not seem to increase the risk of phthalate toxicity for human health. We conclude with recommendations for the effective monitoring of phthalate exposure in humans and for the implementation of alternative materials in alcohol production.
Evaluation and Analysis of Environmental Noise Pollution in Seven Major Cities of India
Authors: Garg Naveen , Sinha A. K. , Dahiya M. , Gandhi V. , Bhardwaj R. M. , Akolkar A. B.
Published: July 2017

The paper describes the noise monitoring data acquired from the pilot project on the establishment of National Ambient Noise Monitoring Network (NANMN) across seven major cities in India for continuous noise monitoring throughout the year. The annual average Lday (06-22 h) and Lnight (22-06 h) values observed in year 2011-2014 for the 35 locations under study in which 14 locations are in commercial zone,5 in Industrial, 7 in residential and 9 in silence zones are described. The long-term noise monitoring shows that ambient noise levels have marginally increased for 29 sites (82.9%) since past four years. The present study is focused on evaluation and analysis of environmental noise pollution at 35 noise monitoring sites in seven major cities of India and shall be instrumental in planning for the noise abatement measures for controlling the noise pollution in these sites.
Noise Elimination of Reciprocating Compressors Using FEM, Neural Networks Method, and the GA Method
Authors: Chang Ying-Chun , Chiu Min-Chie , Xie Ji-Lin
Published: July 2017

Industry often utilizes acoustical hoods to block noise emitted from reciprocating compressors. How-ever, the hoods are large and bulky. Therefore, to diminish the size of the compressor, a compact discharge muffler linked to the compressor outlet is considered. Because the geometry of a reciprocating compressor is irregular, COMSOL, a finite element analysis software, is adopted. In order to explore the acoustical performance, a mathematical model is established using a finite element method via the COMSOL commercialized package. Additionally, to facilitate the shape optimization of the muffler, a polynomial neural network model is adopted to serve as an objective function; also, a Genetic Algorithm (GA) is linked to the OBJ function. During the optimization, various noise abatement strategies such as a reverse expansion chamber at the outlet of the discharge muffler and an inner extended tube inside the discharge muffler, will be assessed by using the artificial neural network in conjunction with the GA optimizer. Consequently, the discharge muffler that is optimally shaped will decrease the noise of the reciprocating compressor.
Reference intervals and longitudinal changes in copeptin and MR-proADM concentrations during pregnancy
Authors: Joosen Annemiek M.C.P. , van der Linden Ivon J.M. , Schrauwen Lianne , Theeuwes Alisia , de Groot Monique J.M. , Ermens Antonius A.M.
Published: July 2017

Background:

Vasopressin and adrenomedullin and their stable by-products copeptin and midregional part of proadrenomedullin (MR-proADM) are promising biomarkers for the development of preeclampsia. However, clinical use is hampered by the lack of trimester-specific reference intervals. We therefore estimated reference intervals for copeptin and MR-proADM in disease-free Dutch women throughout pregnancy.

Methods:

Apparently healthy low risk pregnant women were recruited. Exclusion criteria included current or past history of endocrine disease, multiple pregnancy, use of medication known to influence thyroid function and current pregnancy as a result of hormonal stimulation. Women who miscarried, developed hyperemesis gravidarum, hypertension, pre-eclampsia, hemolysis elevated liver enzymes and low platelets, diabetes or other disease, delivered prematurely or had a small for gestational age neonate were excluded from analyses. Blood samples were collected at 9–13 weeks (n=98), 27–29 weeks (n=94) and 36–39 weeks (n=91) of gestation and at 4–13 weeks post-partum (PP) (n=89). Sixty-two women had complete data during pregnancy and PP. All analyses were performed on a Kryptor compact plus.

Results:

Copeptin increases during pregnancy, but 97.5th percentiles remain below the non-pregnant upper reference limit (URL) provided by the manufacturer. MR-proADM concentrations increase as well during pregnancy. In trimesters 2 and 3 the 97.5th percentiles are over three times the non-pregnant URL provided by the manufacturer.

Conclusions:

Trimester- and assay-specific reference intervals for copeptin and MR-proADM should be used. In addition, consecutive measurements and the time frame between measurements should be considered as the differences seen with or in advance of preeclampsia can be expected to be relatively small compared to the reference intervals.
Effects of procalcitonin testing on antibiotic use and clinical outcomes in patients with upper respiratory tract infections. An individual patient data meta-analysis
Authors: Odermatt Jonas , Friedli Natalie , Kutz Alexander , Briel Matthias , Bucher Heiner C. , Christ-Crain Mirjam , Burkhardt Olaf , Welte Tobias , Mueller Beat , Schuetz Philipp
Published: July 2017

Background:

Several trials found procalcitonin (PCT) helpful for guiding antibiotic treatment in patients with lower respiratory tract infections and sepsis. We aimed to perform an individual patient data meta-analysis on the effects of PCT guided antibiotic therapy in upper respiratory tract infections (URTI).

Methods:

A comprehensive search of the literature was conducted using PubMed (MEDLINE) and Cochrane Library to identify relevant studies published until September 2016. We reanalysed individual data of adult URTI patients with a clinical diagnosis of URTI. Data of two trials were used based on PRISMA-IPD guidelines. Safety outcomes were (1) treatment failure defined as death, hospitalization, ARI-specific complications, recurrent or worsening infection at 28 days follow-up; and (2) restricted activity within a 14-day follow-up. Secondary endpoints were initiation of antibiotic therapy, and total days of antibiotic exposure.

Results:

In total, 644 patients with a follow up of 28 days had a final diagnosis of URTI and were thus included in this analysis. There was no difference in treatment failure (33.1% vs. 34.0%, OR 1.0, 95% CI 0.7–1.4; p=0.896) and days with restricted activity between groups (8.0 vs. 8.0 days, regression coefficient 0.2 (95% CI –0.4 to 0.9), p=0.465). However, PCT guided antibiotic therapy resulted in lower antibiotic prescription (17.8% vs. 51.0%, OR 0.2, 95% CI 0.1–0.3; p<0.001) and in a 2.4 day (95% CI –2.9 to –1.9; p<0.001) shorter antibiotic exposure compared to control patients.

Conclusions:

PCT guided antibiotic therapy in the primary care setting was associated with reduced antibiotic exposure in URTI patients without compromising outcomes.
On a class of (p; q)-Laplacian problems involving the critical Sobolev-Hardy exponents in starshaped domain
Authors: Shahrokhi-Dehkordi M.S.
Published: July 2017

Let Ω ⊂ ℝn be a bounded starshaped domain and consider the (p; q)-Laplacian problem

-∆pu - ∆pu = λ(x)|u|p*-2u + μ|u|r-2u

where μ is a positive parameter, 1 < q ≤ p < n, r ≥ p* and is the critical Sobolev exponent. In this short note we address the question of non-existence for non-trivial solutions to the (p; q)-Laplacian problem. In particular we show the non-existence of non-trivial solutions to the problem by using a method based on Pohozaev identity.
The influence of ethephon application to processing tomato plants on yield structure in relation to weather conditions during the growing period
Authors: Jędrszczyk Elżbieta , Skowera Barbara , Kędzior Renata , Gawęda Maria
Published: July 2017

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of ethephon application (Agrostym 480 SL) on the yield and yield structure of five processing tomato cultivars (Rumba, Hubal, Sokal F1 , Mieszko F1 and Polset F1 ). The experiment was carried out in the open field in the years 2009-2011 in Mydlniki near Kraków, Poland. Two weeks before harvesting, half of the plants of each cultivar were treated with Agrostym 480 SL (3 dm3 ha-1) and the other half were left as a control without spraying. Marketable yield included properly shaped and welldeveloped light red and red fruits. Non-marketable yield included pink and turning fruits, mature green and breaker fruits, and diseased fruits. A generalized linear model (GLM) for Poisson distribution with the log link function was used to determine the relationship between the years of the study and cultivar and selected values of the yield structure. The yield structure of tomato depended significantly on the weather conditions during the growing period in different years of the study, on the cultivar, and on the use of ethephon. Ethephon had a particularly beneficial effect on yield structure in the years with an unfavourable distribution of precipitation. Ethephon application in the years 2009 and 2010 had a beneficial effect on the health of tomato plants.
The Measurement of Housing Preferences in the Analytic Hierarchy Process
Authors: Gawlik Remigiusz , Głuszak Michał , Małkowska Agnieszka
Published: July 2017

The paper focuses on an adaptation of the AHP method to elicit housing preferences on the rental market. To assess the applicability of the AHP method for residential market analyses, a survey was conducted on a group of students from Cracow University of Economics, Poland. The students were asked to evaluate the importance of particular criteria when selecting an apartment. We identified the major methodological difficulties of the utilization of the AHP method in applied research on preferences and decision-making on the housing market. Potential solutions to the mentioned limitations were also presented.
Methods of Event History Analysis in the Assessment of Crisis Impact on Sectors Related with the Real Estate Market in Poland
Authors: Bieszk-Stolorz Beata , Markowicz Iwona
Published: July 2017

The subject of the article is the use of methods of event history analysis to assess the fall of prices and the subsequent increase of share prices of companies operating in the construction industry, developers (real estate) and building materials industry compared to other industries. The 328 examined companies were listed on the continuous market and the parallel market on the Stock Exchange in Warsaw. Share prices were observed in the period from 1 January 2008 to 31 December 2009 which was based on the earlier observations of stock quotes and the WIG index, the latter reaching its minimum in February 2009. The closing price of a share was taken into account. The 60% decrease and 80% growth in shares prices in particular sectors were analysed. What was assessed was the risk of fall in share prices and their chance for recovery. Additionally, the intensity of the increase of share prices and the probability of failure to reach the limit were examined.
Cumulative Incidence Function in Studies on the Duration of the Unemployment Exit Process
Authors: Bieszk-Stolorz Beata
Published: July 2017

When we analyse the employment seeking process, an event that ends the observation of a given individual is their employment. The remaining observations are considered to be censored: the observations concluded before the end of the study or the cases of deregistering for other causes (e.g. old-age pension, taking up residence in a foreign country, starting further education). The act of taking up income-generating work can take various forms: taking up a job, setting up a business or taking advantage of subsidised job programmes. Jobseekers are often deregistered from poviat labour offices because they refuse to take up an offered job or fail to report to the office in due time. All the above events are forms of competing risk. The purpose of this paper is to use the cumulative incidence function to assess the probability of the unemployment exit with regard to different types of the competing risk. When competing-risk events occur, a solution sometimes is used where the remaining endpoint events are considered censored observations. Such a solution leads to an overestimation of probability. The results implicate that the beneficiaries’ will to find employment was not a principal reason for a registering decision. The study is based on the individual data of jobseekers registered in the Poviat Labour Office in Szczecin.
White Gaussian Noise – Models for Engineers
Authors: Jondral Friedrich K.
Published: July 2017

This paper assembles some information about white Gaussian noise (WGN) and its applications. It starts from a description of thermal noise, i. e. the irregular motion of free charge carriers in electronic devices. In a second step, mathematical models of WGN processes and their most important parameters, especially autocorrelation functions and power spectrum densities, are introduced. In order to proceed from mathematical models to simulations, we discuss the generation of normally distributed random numbers. The signal-to-noise ratio as the most important quality measure used in communications, control or measurement technology is accurately introduced. As a practical application of WGN, the transmission of quadrature amplitude modulated (QAM) signals over additive WGN channels together with the optimum maximum likelihood (ML) detector is considered in a demonstrative and intuitive way.
Choline taurinate: a new biocompatible amino-functionalized ionic liquid as basic catalyst and extraction solvent
Authors: Deng Wenxiu , Liu Lujie , Peng Yanqing
Published: July 2017

A new biocompatible amino-functionalized ionic liquid composed solely of biomaterials was synthesized from taurine and choline hydroxide, and its physical properties (density, viscosity, miscibility and thermal stability) were also determined. The classic base-promoted three-component cyclic condensation of aromatic aldehydes, malononitrile and dimedone was chosen as the test reaction to demonstrate the catalytic activity of choline taurinate ([Ch][Tau]). The catalyst could be recovered and reused several times with no significant loss of activity. As a basic ionic liquid, [Ch][Tau] can extract acidic compounds from immiscible solvents through acid-base interaction. The extraction process of fluorescent dye Rhodamine B was monitored using ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy, by which the percentage extraction rate was determined as 95%.
Acoustic impact testing and waveform analysis for damage detection in glued laminated timber
Authors: Xu Feng , Wang Xiping , Teder Marko , Liu Yunfei
Published: July 2017

Delamination and decay are common structural defects in old glued laminated timber (glulam) buildings, which, if left undetected, could cause severe structural damage. This paper presents a new damage detection method for glulam inspection based on moment analysis and wavelet transform (WT) of impact acoustic signals. Acoustic signals were collected from a glulam arch section removed from service through impact testing at various locations. The presence and positions of internal defects were preliminarily determined by applying time centroid and frequency centroid of the first moment. Acoustic signals were then decomposed by wavelet packet transform (WPT) and the energy of the sub-bands was calculated as characteristics of the response signals. The sub-bands of 0–375 Hz and 375–750 Hz were identified as the most discriminative features that are associated with decay and delamination and therefore are indicative of the presence of delamination or decay defects. A defect diagnosis algorithm was tested for its ability to identify internal decay and delamination in glulam. The results show that depth of delamination in a glulam member can be determined with reasonable accuracy.
The moderate essential amino acid restriction entailed by low-protein vegan diets may promote vascular health by stimulating FGF21 secretion
Authors: McCarty Mark F.
Published: July 2017

The serum total and LDL cholesterol levels of long-term vegans tend to be very low. The characteristically low ratio of saturated to unsaturated fat in vegan diets, and the absence of cholesterol in such diets, clearly contribute to this effect. But there is reason to suspect that the quantity and composition of dietary protein also play a role in this regard. Vegan diets of moderate protein intake tend to be relatively low in certain essential amino acids, and as a result may increase hepatic activity of the kinase GCN2, which functions as a gauge of amino acid status. GCN2 activation boosts the liver’s production of fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21), a factor which favorably affects serum lipids and metabolic syndrome. The ability of FGF21 to decrease LDL cholesterol has now been traced to at least two mechanisms: a suppression of hepatocyte expression of sterol response element-binding protein-2 (SREBP-2), which in turn leads to a reduction in cholesterol synthesis; and up-regulated expression of hepatocyte LDL receptors, reflecting inhibition of a mechanism that promotes proteasomal degradation of these receptors. In mice, the vascular benefits of FGF21 are also mediated by favorable effects on adipocyte function – most notably, increased adipocyte secretion of adiponectin, which directly exerts anti-inflammatory effects on the vasculature which complement the concurrent reduction in LDL particles in preventing or reversing atherosclerosis. If, as has been proposed, plant proteins preferentially stimulate glucagon secretion owing to their amino acid composition, this would represent an additional mechanism whereby plant protein promotes FGF21 activity, as glucagon acts on the liver to boost transcription of the FGF21 gene.
Impact of FGF21 on glycemic control
Authors: Strowski Mathias Z.
Published: July 2017

Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) plays a role in regulating adaptation to various metabolic abnormalities. In addition, FGF21 is involved in controlling glucose and lipid homeostasis. The regulation of FGF21 is a complex process and depends upon multiple metabolic factors and hormones. Humans and animals with obesity or type 2 diabetes have abnormal expression and changes of FGF21 in the circulation. Interventional studies in rodents and monkeys with obesity, insulin resistance or type 2 diabetes revealed a potential therapeutic relevance of FGF21 in correcting these abnormalities. This review summarizes the current knowledge about the regulation of FGF21 by distinct metabolic and endogenous factors, considering the most relevant studies. In this context, the results of interventional studies in humans and various animal models of diseases, such as diabetes and obesity, are discussed. In addition, potential mechanisms of the molecular regulation of FGF21 expression and secretion are reviewed.
Present Situation and Prospect of EAF Gas Waste Heat Utilization Technology
Authors: Yang Ling-zhi , Jiang Tao , Li Guang-hui , Guo Yu-feng , Chen Feng
Published: July 2017

With the increase of hot metal ratio in electric arc furnace (EAF) steelmaking process, physical sensible heat and chemical latent heat of gas increased significantly. As EAF raw material condition is similar to basic oxygen furnace (BOF), and the condition of BOF gas waste heat utilization technology is mature, waste heat utilization technology in EAF steelmaking will be getting more and more attention. Scrap preheating and steam production as mature technology is the main way of EAF gas waste heat utilization. Power generation converted high temperature steam to electricity will further improve the EAF gas utilization value. The previous ways are to recycle physical sensible heat of EAF gas. To use chemical latent heat of gas, the secondary combustion technology is usually adopted to make CO fully burn into CO2. Coal gas production can fully recycle the chemical latent heat of gas theoretically, which is higher efficiency than other ways. Coal gas production needs a stable steelmaking process to stabilize high temperature gas. And the way need to develop EAF sealing technology, oxygen removal technology and gas purification technology, to make gas content meet the requirements of coal gas production in EAF steelmaking process.