bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of endodontic procedure on postoperative pain: Evidence from systematic reviews
Authors: Krunić Jelena , Mladenović Irena , Žuža Aleksandra , Radović Igor , Stojanović Nikola
Published: November 2019

Pain control, during and after root canal treatment is one of the important issues in endodontic practice. Occurrence of pain after intervention often presents considerable distress to both patient and dentist. In many studies influence of different endodontic treatment factors on incidence of postoperative pain has been investigated. However, different and inconsistent results between studies and growth in number of published papers each year made professional updating and clinical-decision making challenging. Systematic reviews synthesized and combined data from relevant studies to find the answer to a research question providing the highest level of scientific evidence. Thus, their use may facilitate decision making in clinical practice. The aim of this article was to present results from systematic reviews about the influence of endodontic treatment on postoperative pain.
In vitro assessment of erosive effects of some common soft drinks on dental hard tissues
Authors: Bitri Enea , Petcu Lucian , Mocanu Gabriela , Balaban Doina
Published: November 2019

Background/Aim: The chemical nature of soft drinks is acidic, so they possess the capacity to cause hard tissue erosion. The aim of this study is to assess the potentially erosive effect linked to pH and titratable acidity of some common soft drinks on dental hard tissues in prolonged time exposure. Material and Methods: Seven types of soft drinks in Romanian market were selected for this study. The pH and Titratable acidity were determined. Twenty one human dental hard tissue specimens were immersed in 5 ml solution each for 336h. Every 48h weight loss was determined for each specimen and after 336h volume changes were calculated. Enamel microhardness was determined using a Microhardness Tester model HV-1000 and compared to normal enamel microhardness. Results: The pH values of beverages ranged from 2.37 to 3.1, showing no significant differences. All specimens presented color and surface texture modifications, weight loss and volume reduction. There were found significant differences between the mean values of weight loss and enamel microhardness of each type of specimens and type of beverages tested. The most representative findings were achieved by indentations done in specific zones on Sprite® immersed specimen. This result suggest that microhardness near the eroded surface was significant lower than in other zones. Conclusions: Data obtained have shown that all the soft drinks tested had an erosive effect, causing dental hard tissue dissolution. For prolonged time exposure titratable acidity may be a major predictor for erosive potential. Dental erosion may affect different levels of enamel causing decreased enamel microhardness.
Geographic tongue: Does Candida play a role in its pathogenesis
Authors: Matić-Petrović Sanja , Đorđević Mihajlo , Radunović Milena , Živanović Tanja , Pavlica Dušan , Pucar Ana
Published: November 2019

Background/Aim: Geographic tongue (GT), a benign self-limiting condition (inflammation) is commonly seen in practice. Although quite easy for clinical diagnosis, in clinical practice it is commonly misdiagnosed and treated as Candida infection. The main aim of this study was to compare the prevalence of Candida spp. on tongue in patients with GT and subjects with clinically healthy oral mucosa. Additional aims were to evaluate subjective symptoms, uncontrolled usage of prescribed or non-prescribed antifungal topical medications and the presence of the cancerophobia or other health concerns in patients with GT. Material and Methods: A total of 70 subjects were divided into two groups: Group B - patients with diagnosed Geographic tongue and group A - aged and gender matched controls with clinically health oral mucosa. Anamnestic charts designed for this study included information about symptoms (measured by Visual Analogue Scale), previous knowledge or fear about presence of GT and received therapy for this condition. Detection of Candida spp. from tongue was done using sterile cotton swab and Sabouraud dextrose agar. Results: At the time of this study, 18 (52.94%) of subjects with GT were aware of having this condition and even 12 of them (66.7%) used topical antifungal drugs prescribed by physician. Also, 66.7% of them experienced fear about the presence of GT at some moment. Detection of Candida spp. was similarly distributed in both groups (22.2% in group A and 17.6% in group B). Conclusions: Geographic tongue has frequently been treated by topical antifungal drugs. In this study, GT was not associated with presence of Candida spp.
Diagnostic and therapeutic approach to HIV-Kaposi's sarcoma patients: Case report
Authors: Chari Charis , Dalampiras Antonios , Margianou Ioanna , Zarampouka Katerina , Michalopoulos Antonios
Published: November 2019

Background/Aim: The Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is an immunologic entity, which is due to an RNA virus. AIDS is relatively easy transmitted and has a poor prognosis. The main mechanism of this Syndrome is characterized by the destruction and diminishing of T4 lymphocytes or helper/suppressor T-cells. Kaposi's sarcoma is a neoplasm due to human herpes HHV-8. Kaposi's sarcoma is one of the entities that determines the disease of AIDS. Kaposi's sarcoma appears as skin lesions and attacks the oral cavity and lymph nodes. Case report: A male patient, with HIV-syndrome, was referred to the Special Infection Clinic of the University Hospital with a chief complaint of having two lesions, in the oral cavity and in the right ear. The histological report revealed the diagnosis of vascular tumor having morphological and immuno-histochemical characteristics compatible with Kaposi's sarcoma. Conclusions: The doctor must be suspicious when lesions are observed, particularly in the oral cavity. A biopsy must be taken in order to obtain the correct diagnosis and examine the possibility of the presence of Kaposi's sarcoma or AIDS.
Two Approaches to Examine the Impact of Different Credit Default Indicators on Real Estate Loans
Authors: Pfalz Reimar
Published: November 2019

Financing of real estates was a trigger of the largest financial crisis after the “Great Depression” from the early thirties in the last century. One of the main causes of this 2007 crisis was poor risk management in real estate financing. The aim of this paper is to examine the impact of different classes of indicators on credit default rates of real estate loans. Two research approaches should confirm a model that proves how strong the relationship is between different predictor variables such as interest rates, macroeconomic and individual indicators on the response variable of credit defaults. The first approach focuses on conducting descriptive and inferential experimental research by collecting secondary data in different markets and by analysing these data for correlations and linear regressions. The second approach is an expert survey of different banks to compare and complement the results of the first research approach. The research provides the evidence that individual indicators and macroeconomic indicators have a higher impact on credit defaults than interest rates. The scientific research on this theme has led to nearly the same results in different markets: the unemployment rate and thus personal conditions are the most responsible predictors for the credit defaults, also in different markets. The novelty of the present research is the proof that a banking survey with primary data on the causes of credit defaults confirms and complements the results of the secondary data analysis.
Effect of glucose deprivation on the expression of genes encoding glucocorticoid receptor and some related factors in ERN1-knockdown U87 glioma cells
Authors: Riabovol Olena O. , Tsymbal Dariia O. , Minchenko Dmytro O. , Lebid-Biletska Kateryna M. , Sliusar Myroslava Y. , Rudnytska Olha V. , Minchenko Oleksandr H.
Published: November 2019

Objective. The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of glucose deprivation on the expression of genes encoded glucocorticoid receptor (NR3C1) and some related proteins (NR3C2, AHR, NRIP1, NNT, ARHGAP35, SGK1, and SGK3) in U87 glioma cells in response to inhibition of endoplasmic reticulum stress signaling mediated by ERN1/IRE1 (endoplasmic reticulum to nucleus signaling 1/inositol requiring enzyme 1) for evaluation of their possible significance in the control of glioma growth through endoplasmic reticulum stress signaling mediated by IRE1 and glucose deprivation.

Methods. The expression of NR3C1, NR3C2, AHR, NRIP1, NNT, ARHGAP35, SGK1, and SGK3 genes in U87 glioma cells transfected by empty vector pcDNA3.1 (control cells) and cells without ERN1 signaling enzyme function (transfected by dnERN1) under glucose deprivation was studied by real time quantitative polymerase chain reaction.

Results. It was shown that the expression level of NR3C2, AHR, SGK1, SGK3, and NNT genes was up-regulated in control U87 glioma cells under glucose deprivation condition in comparison with the control cells growing with glucose. At the same time, the expression of NRIP1 gene is down-regulated in these glioma cells under glucose deprivation, but NR3C1 and ARHGAP35 genes was resistant to this experimental condition. We also showed that inhibition of ERN1 signaling enzyme function significantly modified the response of most studied gene expressions to glucose deprivation condition. Thus, effect of glucose deprivation on the expression level of NR3C2, AHR, and SGK1 genes was significantly stronger in ERN1 knockdown U87 glioma cells since the expression of NNT gene was resistant to glucose deprivation condition. Moreover, the inhibition of ERN1 enzymatic activities in U87 glioma cells led to up-regulation of ARHGAP35 gene expression and significant down-regulation of the expression of SGK3 gene in response to glucose deprivation condition.

Conclusions. Results of this study demonstrated that glucose deprivation did not change the expression level of NR3C1 gene but it significantly affected the expression of NR3C2, AHR, NRIP, SGK1, SGK3, and NNT genes in vector-transfected U87 glioma cells in gene specific manner and possibly contributed to the control of glioma growth since the expression of most studied genes in glucose deprivation condition was significantly dependent on the functional activity of IRE1 signaling enzyme.
The coexistence of infundibular pituicytoma and Cushing’s disease due to pituitary adenoma: A case report
Authors: Gezer Emre , Selek Alev , Cetinarslan Berrin , Canturk Zeynep , Tarkun Ilhan , Ceylan Savaş
Published: November 2019

Objectives. Pituicytomas are rare, solid, well-circumscribed, low grade (grade I), non-neuroendocrine, and noninfiltrative tumors of the neurohypophysis or infundibulum, which appear in the sellar/suprasellar regions. Herein, we present a case with Cushing’s disease (CD) caused by an ACTH-secreting pituitary adenoma in association with an infundibular pituicytoma.

Subject and Results. A 37-year-old male patient presented to the hospital with a six-month history of blurry vision. Physical examination demonstrated plethora, excessive sweating, weight gain, moon facies, and acne. Basal serum cortisol and ACTH levels were 16 µg/dl and 32 pg/ml, respectively. The results of screening tests were suggestive of Cushing syndrome. It was also 1.97 µg/dl following 8 mg dexamethasone suppression test which was consistent with CD. Pituitary MR imaging revealed a single lesion measuring 6x6.5 mm on the pituitary stalk. Infundibular mass excision and pituitary exploration by extended endoscopic endonasal approach were applied. On immunohistochemistry, strong diffuse immunolabeling for both S100 and TTF-1 was noted for the cells of infundibular mass, diagnosed as pituicytoma. Because the developed panhypopituitarism postoperatively, patient was discharged with daily desmopressin, levothyroxine, hydrocortisone, and intramuscular testosterone, once a month.

Conclusions. Pituicytoma is an uncommon noninvasive tumor of the sellar and suprasellar regions. In this case report, we described a patient with Cushing’s disease to whom MRI displayed only an infundibular well-circumscribed lesion, but not any pituitary adenoma. Despite the absence of any sellar lesion, awareness of other undetected possible lesion and exploring hypophysis during the transsphenoidal surgery is mandatory for the correct diagnosis.
The bone hormones and their potential effects on glucose and energy metabolism
Authors: Addai Daniel , Zarkos Jacqueline , Tolekova Anna
Published: November 2019

The bones form the framework of our body. We know that bones protect our vital organs, regulate calcium and phosphorous homeostasis, and function as a site of erythropoiesis. More recently, however, the identification of bone hormones has allowed us to envision bones as endocrine organs too. Within the last few years, the bone hormones osteocalcin and lipocalin 2 have been implicated with glucose and energy metabolism. We systematically reviewed articles surrounding this subject and found a clear relationship between the osteocalcin levels and glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity. We also found that many journals have shown the detrimental effects of an absences of lipocalin 2 from adipocytes. As osteocalcin administration to mice showed decreased blood glucose levels and promoted glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity. Future studies could perhaps explore the use of osteocalcin as a supplement for type 2 diabetes.
Tree testing and estimation of heritability using the pedunculate oak Quercus robur L. seed orchard in the Krotoszyn Forest District
Authors: Barzdajn Władysław , Bruder Maciej
Published: November 2019

In this paper, we present the results and analyse of tree height measurements, phenological observations (bud flushing), oak powdery mildew symptoms and multiple shoots of pedunculate oaks Quercus robur L. at the age of 12 years. The examined oaks belonged to 29 open pollination families. Family as well as individual heritability scored very highly for their respective indices. The calculated indices were 0.83 for tree height, 0.98 for flushing of buds, 0.53 for oak powdery mildew symptoms and 0.58 for the multi-stem index. Family seed orchards established using a completely randomized design are not a reliable substitute for progeny testing, because of the commonly small number of collected families.
Evaluation of long term forest fires in India with respect to state administrative boundary, forest category of LULC and future climate change scenario: A Geospatial Perspective
Authors: Ahmad Firoz , Uddin Meraj , Goparaju Laxmi
Published: November 2019

Analysing the forest fires events in climate change scenario is essential for protecting the forest from further degradation. Geospatial technology is one of the advanced tools that has enormous capacity to evaluate the number of data sets simultaneously and to analyse the hidden relationships and trends. This study has evaluated the long term forest fire events with respect to India’s state boundary, its seasonal monthly trend, all forest categories of LULC and future climate anomalies datasets over the Indian region. Furthermore, the spatial analysis revealed the trend and their relationship.

The state wise evaluation of forest fire events reflects that the state of Mizoram has the highest forest fire frequency percentage (11.33%) followed by Chhattisgarh (9.39%), Orissa (9.18%), Madhya Pradesh (8.56%), Assam (8.45%), Maharashtra (7.35%), Manipur (6.94%), Andhra Pradesh (5.49%), Meghalaya (4.86%) and Telangana (4.23%) when compared to the total country’s forest fire counts. The various LULC categories which represent the forest show some notable forest fire trends. The category ‘Deciduous Broadleaf Forest’ retain the highest fire frequency equivalent to 38.1% followed by ‘Mixed Forest’ (25.6%), ‘Evergreen Broadleaf Forest’ (16.5%), ‘Deciduous Needle leaf Forest’ (11.5%), ‘Shrub land’ (5.5%), ‘Evergreen Needle leaf Forest’ (1.5%) and ‘Plantations’ (1.2%). Monthly seasonal variation of forest fire events reveal the highest forest fire frequency percentage in the month of ‘March’ (55.4%) followed by ‘April’ (28.2%), ‘February’ (8.1%), ‘May’ (6.7%), ‘June’ (0.9%) and ‘January’ (0.7%). The evaluation of future climate data for the year 2030 shows significant increase in forest fire seasonal temperature and abrupt annual rainfall pattern; therefore, future forest fires will be more intensified in large parts of India, whereas it will be more crucial for some of the states such as Orissa, Chhattisgarh, Mizoram, Assam and in the lower Sivalik range of Himalaya. The deciduous forests will further degrade in future.

The highlight/results of this study have very high importance because such spatial relationship among the various datasets is analysed at the country level in view of the future climate scenario. Such analysis gives insight to the policymakers to make sustainable future plans for prioritization of the various state forests suffering from forest fire keeping in mind the future climate change scenario.
Forest policy goals in Poland in light of the current forestry aims in Europe Part 4. Trends in forest policy of selected European countries
Authors: Kaliszewski Adam
Published: November 2019

The aim of this paper was to review and analyse the main forest policy documents in terms of the priorities formulated at the European level for Austria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Germany (federal level) and Brandenburg (federal state level), as well as Finland. A total of 14 documents was covered in this research, including national forest programmes and forest strategies implemented in the period from 1997 to 2017. In all of the studied countries, forest policy documents were periodically revised and updated to account for changing political, economic, social and environmental conditions. As a result, at some point during the examined 20-year period, in each country the forestry priorities and goals were defined by a national forest programme. Furthermore, the vast majority of the priorities set by the European forest policy was reflected in the programmes and strategies of all the countries. Certain priorities concerning the illegal harvesting and trade of forest products, however, have not been included in the explored documents. Combating illegal harvesting of forest products and related trade is a corner stone of the EU FLEGT Action Plan and extends beyond forest policy issues of EU member states. The second corner stone is to ensure the contribution of the forest sector to a green economy, including a new concept of green economy, which still needs to be incorporated into national forest policies. Unlike Poland, in the studied countries the priorities of European forest policy have been included in single policy programmes or strategies, which define aims and goals, as well as means of their implementation in a comprehensive and coherent manner. This promotes strengthening the position of the forest sector within the national socio-economic system and supports active shaping of its relations to other sectors of the economy.
Elemental problems, methodical solutions: expertise, ecology and entertainment in the study of marine mammals
Authors: Rees Amanda
Published: November 2019

This paper examines the development of socio-technical strategies and practices for the study and display of marine mammals. It considers how techniques initially developed for terrestrial use were deployed under marine conditions, not least through the adaptation of strategies and habits originating in industry, commerce and the military, in order to facilitate researchers’ access to their subjects. In particular, it examines how these methodological developments intersected with the terrestrial display of marine mammals. Throughout, it shows how the agency of the animals under observation had a key role to play in the emergence of cetology as a profession and as a form of knowledge.
The Silver Spring monkey controversy: changing cultures of care in twentieth-century laboratory animal research
Authors: Kirk Robert G. W.
Published: November 2019

In September 1981 police raided the Institute for Behavioral Research (Silver Spring, Maryland, USA) seizing a number of macaque monkeys in response to accusations of animal cruelty against the neuroscientist Edward Taub. Over the following decade a volatile battle was fought as Taub, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the nascent animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), contested the claims and decided the monkeys’ fate. In spite of the monkeys having been surgically altered so as to be incapable of feeling pain a loose alliance of veterinarians, ethologists and animal advocates argued that they nonetheless suffered. Whilst this episode is often seen as a polarized confrontation between science and society, this paper argues that the Silver Spring monkey controversy saw two historically distinct cultures of laboratory animal care meet resulting in the development of new approaches to animal welfare in biomedical science.
Measuring ephemera: finding the “qualitative” in Qualitative Behaviour Assessment as a “whole-animal” science of animal welfare
Authors: Tomlinson Maisie
Published: November 2019

Qualitative Behaviour Assessment (QBA) emerged in the early 2000s as a way of evaluating the expressive quality of animal behaviour and emotions using qualitative descriptors, such as “playful” or “depressed.” Developed in response to the scepticism of behaviourist attitudes to animal emotions, QBA is now an internationally respected methodology, if still contentious in some circles for what is perceived as an “anthropomorphic” approach. This article results from a research period spent with a UK university laboratory team who were developing species-specific QBA descriptors for the welfare assessment of laboratory mice. The case of the search for a “calm mouse” illuminates the difficulties sometimes encountered in finding the “qualitative” in QBA. It suggests that welfare assessments of animals are epistemologically multiple. Through a historical account of QBA’s emergence, drawing on Cristina Grasseni’s concept of an “ecology of practice,” I argue that different modes of perceiving animal behaviour have emerged through socially and historically inscribed practices.
The National Institute for Scientific Research (INIC): Pathway and Influence in Portuguese Science Policy (1976-1992)
Authors: Soares Hugo
Published: November 2019

My Ph.D research project aims at writing the history of the Portuguese National Institute for Scientific Research (Instituto Nacional de Investigação Científica, INIC) (1976-92). Although INIC is an important institutional actor in the development of the Portuguese scientific system, it has been mostly absent from the history of the Portuguese institutions of science policy. INIC was founded after the Carnation Revolution of 25 April 1974 in a context in which institutional coordination of scientific research had already become a priority. The political instability of the post-revolutionary period, together with the expansion of the scientific system, resulted in institutional tensions and conflicts involving the scientific community, the higher education community, and other institutions tangent to INIC, that led to its extinction in 1992. Based on INIC’s archive and complemented by secondary sources and interviews, this project proposes to bring this institution into the historical narrative of the Portuguese institutions of science policy.
Sympathy for the Devil? Exploring Flexicurity Win–Win Promises
Authors: Pedraza Pablo de , Álvarez-Díaz Marcos , Domínguez-Torreiro Marcos
Published: November 2019

Flexicurity is the combination of more flexibility for employers and more security for workers. It is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon that lacks a well-developed monitoring framework or a statistically consistent grouping of the indicators. First, this paper proposes a conceptual framework by building upon the Wilthagen and Tros (2004) flexicurity matrix and the Danish Golden Triangle. It constructs flexicurity “drivers” by pooling together variables that are conceptually related to each other and a specific type of flexibility or security. Then, it obtains statistically consistent aggregate measures for each driver and selects three drivers that represent the three corners of the Danish “golden triangle”: external numerical flexibility, employment security, and income security. It conducts an empirical analysis on the evolution of the selected flexicurity drivers over time and across European Union (EU) countries and on the relationship between selected flexicurity drivers and social outcomes from the Social Scoreboard of the European Pillar of Social Rights. It finds evidence of convergence on external numerical flexibility and polarization on employment and income security across the EU. It finds that higher flexibility at the onset of the crisis contributed to a reduction in the unemployment rates after the crisis, while a more generous welfare system contributed to reducing poverty. Employment security, however, appears to be linked to the presence of higher levels of income inequality after the crisis.
Computational and experimental pore-scale studies of a carbonate rock sample
Authors: Godoy William , Pontedeiro Elizabeth M. , Hoerlle Fernanda , Raoof Amir , van Genuchten Martinus Th. , Santiago José , Couto Paulo
Published: November 2019

Carbonate rocks host several large water and hydrocarbon reservoirs worldwide, some of them highly heterogeneous involving complex pore systems. Pre-salt reservoirs in the Santos Basin off the south-east coast of Brazil, are an example of such rocks, with much attention focused on proper characterization of their petrophysical and multiphase flow properties. Since it is very difficult to obtain rock samples (coquinas) from these very deep reservoirs, analogues from north-eastern Brazil are often used because of very similar geological age and petrophysical properties. We used a coquina plug from an outcrop in a quarry in northeast Brazil to perform a comprehensive set of analyses. They included Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), and micro-computed tomography (μCT) image acquisition using a series of pixel sizes, as well as direct permeability/porosity measurements. Some of the experimental data were collected from the plug itself, and some from a small sample of the rock slab, including thin sections. Results included the carbonate rock composition and the pore system at different scales, thus allowing us to reconstruct and model the porosity and absolute permeability of the coquina using 3D digital imaging and numerical simulations with pore network models (PNMs). The experimental and numerical data provided critical information about the well-connected pore network of the coquina, thereby facilitating improved predictions of fluid flow through the sample, with as ultimate objective to improve hydrocarbon recovery procedures.
Extension of the Gardner exponential equation to represent the hydraulic conductivity curve
Authors: Ottoni Filho Theophilo B. , Lopes Alvarez Marlon G. , Ottoni Marta V. , Amorim Arthur Bernardo Barbosa Dib
Published: November 2019

The relative hydraulic conductivity curve K

r
(h) = K/K

s
is a key variable in soil modeling. This study proposes a model to represent K

r
(h), the so-called Gardner dual (GD) model, which extends the classical Gardner exponential model to h values greater than h
o, the suction value at the inflection point of the K

r
(h) curve in the log-log scale. The goodness of fit of GD using experimental data from UNSODA was compared to that of the MVG [two-parameter (K

ro
, L) Mualem-van Genuchten] model and a corresponding modified MVG model (MVGm). In 77 soils without evidence of macropore flow, GD reduced the RMSE errors by 64% (0.525 to 0.191) and 29% (0.269 to 0.193) in relation to MVG and MVGm, respectively. In the remaining 76 soils, GD generally was less accurate than MVG and MVGm, since most of these soils presented evidence of macropore flow (dual permeability). GD has three parameters and two degrees of freedom, like MVG. Two of them allow the calculation of the macroscopic capillary length, a parameter from the infiltration literature. The three parameters are highly dependent on the K

r
(h) data measurement in a short wet suction range around h
o, which is an experimental advantage.
Retarding contaminant migration through porous media using inclined barrier walls
Authors: Allam Ayman , Helal Esam , Mansour Mahmoud
Published: November 2019

This study aims to assess the abilities of inclined barrier walls (BWs) to retard the migration of contaminants through porous media. Four cases of BW arrangements were considered, including a single inclined BW (BW
1) and two adjacent BWs (BW
1 and BW
2) with different combinations of inclination ratios (i.e., I
1 = θ1 /90° and I2 = θ2 /90°). Furthermore, the effect of the distance (L) between the contamination source and BW
1 on the migration time (T) was evaluated. A numerical model (GeoStudio) containing two modules (SEEP/W and CTRAN/W) was used. The model proved its reliability to simulate contaminant migration through the porous media, where the normalized objective function values between the simulated and analytical results were 0.02 and 0.04 for the discharge of seepage and concentration of contamination, respectively. The results demonstrated that the migration time was strongly influenced by the inclination ratios of the BWs. Three-dimensional regression analysis was applied to demonstrate the combined effect of the inclination ratio, L and BW arrangements on T.
Is endocan a novel potential biomarker of liver steatosis and fibrosis?
Authors: Klisic Aleksandra , Kavaric Nebojsa , Abenavoli Ludovico , Stanisic Verica , Spasojevic-Kalimanovska Vesna , Kotur-Stevuljevic Jelena , Ninic Ana
Published: November 2019

Background

Studies that evaluated endocan levels in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and liver fibrosis are scarce. We aimed to explore endocan levels in relation to different stages of liver diseases, such as NAFLD, as determined with fatty liver index (FLI) and liver fibrosis, as assessed with BARD score.

Methods

A total of 147 participants with FLI≥60 were compared with 64 participants with FLI <30. An FLI score was calculated using waist circumference, body mass index, gamma-glutamyl transferase and triglycerides. Patients with FLI≥60 were further divided into those with no/mild fibrosis (BARD score 0–1 point; n=23) and advanced fibrosis (BARD score 2–4 points; n=124). BARD score was calculated as follows: diabetes mellitus (1 point) + body mass index≥28 kg/m2(1 point) + aspartate amino transferase/alanine aminotransferase ratio≥0.8 (2 points).

Results

Endocan was independent predictor for FLI and BARD score, both in univariate [OR=1.255 (95% CI= 1.104–1.426), P=0.001; OR=1.208 (95% CI=1.029– 1.419), P=0.021, respectively] and multivariate binary logistic regression analysis [OR=1.287 (95% CI=1.055– 1.570), P=0.013; OR=1.226 (95% CI=1.022–1.470), P=0.028, respectively]. Endocan as a single predictor showed poor discriminatory capability for steatosis/fibrosis [AUC=0.648; (95% CI=0.568–0.727), P=0.002; AUC= 0.667 (95% CI=0.555–0.778), P=0.013, respectively], whereas in a Model, endocan showed an excellent clinical accuracy [AUC=0.930; (95% CI=0.886–0.975), P<0.001, AUC=0.840 (95% CI=0.763–0.918), P<0.001, respectively].

Conclusions

Endocan independently correlated with both FLI and BARD score. However, when tested in models (with other biomarkers), endocan showed better discriminatory ability for liver steatosis/fibrosis, instead of its usage as a single biomarker.
Evaluation of long-term antibody response and cross-serotype reaction in ducks immunised with recombinant Riemerella anatipestifer outer membrane protein A and CpG ODN
Authors: Phonvisay May , Lee Jai-Wei , Liou Jhong-Jie , Wang Hsian-Yu , Chu Chun-Yen
Published: November 2019

Introduction

Riemerella anatipestifer (RA) infections can lead to high mortality in ducklings. Inactivated vaccines against RA are commercially available, but they fail to provide cross-protection against various serotypes. We have previously demonstrated that a subunit vaccine containing recombinant outer membrane protein A (rOmpA) antigen of serotype 2 formulated with CpG oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN) as the adjuvant was able to stimulate both humoral and cellular immunities.

Material and Methods

In the present study, thirty healthy 7-day-old Pekin ducks were randomly assigned to three equal treatment groups: rOmpA-vaccinated, rOmpA + CpG-vaccinated, and control. Vaccine was injected intramuscularly and a booster dose of the same vaccine was given two weeks after primary immunisation. The long-term antibody response and cross-serotype reaction of this vaccine were evaluated in ducks.

Results

Compared to ducks immunised with rOmpA alone, ducks immunised with rOmpA + CpG ODN had significantly (p < 0.05) increased serum antibody titre from two weeks until nine months after primary immunisation. In addition, expression of cytokines including interferon (IFN)-α, IFN-γ, interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-12 was significantly (p < 0.05) enhanced in PBMC of ducks immunised with rOmpA + CpG ODN two weeks after primary immunisation. Antibodies from ducks immunised with the rOmpA + CpG ODN vaccine could also detect RA serotypes 1 and 6 in Western blot analysis.

Conclusion

Combination of rOmpA and CpG ODN could be a feasible strategy for developing a subunit RA vaccine with long term and broader-ranging protection.
Potential role of different fish species as vectors of koi herpesvirus (CyHV-3) infection
Authors: Matras Marek , Stachnik Magdalena , Borzym Ewa , Maj-Paluch Joanna , Reichert Michał
Published: November 2019

Introduction

Koi herpesvirus (KHV) has infected farmed common carp in Poland clinically and asymptomatically since 2004. The role of non-carp species as vectors of virus transmission is well known except for in the case of KHV. The aim was to better understand this virus’ infection and transmission pathways in common carp, looking at the potential vector role of fishes kept with them.

Material and Methods

Eight species were experimentally infected with KHV by immersion in a suspension at 20°C ±1 and transferred to a tank after 45 minutes. Specimens were euthanised at intervals up to 56 days post infection (dpi) and tissue was examined for KHV DNA. Surviving infected fishes were introduced at intervals, each time into a separate tank, to naïve common carp for experimental infection. These were observed daily for symptoms, sacrificed along with controls after three months, and dissected to provide tissue samples. Also fish from 14 species collected from a farm with a history of KHV were sampled from 3 to 22 months after disease was confirmed. Organ sections from single fish were collected in a single tube.

Results

Viral DNA was detected in tench and roach samples up to 49 dpi, but in three-spined stickleback and stone maroko samples only up to 14 dpi. Transmission of KHV to naïve carp occurred after cohabitation. KHV DNA was detected in three fish species three months after the farm outbreak.

Conclusion

We confirmed that grass and Prussian carp, tench, roach, and brown bullhead can transfer the virus to naïve common carp.
Bats from Lebanon at the Natural History Museum, Vienna: a cautionary tale on the reliability of museum specimen data (Chiroptera)
Authors: Benda Petr , Engelberger Simon
Published: November 2019

Seven historical bat specimens of four species (Rhinolophus ferrumequinum, R. mehelyi, Taphozous nudiventris, Myotis myotis), attributed to originate from the territory of the present-day Lebanon, are deposited and documented in the modern database of the mammal collection of the Natural History Museum, Vienna, Austria (Naturhistorisches Museum Wien). Two of these species (R. mehelyi, T. nudiventris) have never been reported for Lebanon in the existing literature and recent surveys have also failed to find them in this country. Since these bats were collected in the period 1824–1885, the history of the all respective specimens was evaluated in detail. The revision brought rather unexpected results. Only one specimen (R. ferrumequinum) was found to come (most probably) from Lebanon, being collected by W. Hemprich and Ch. Ehrenberg in 1824. In the remaining six specimens, the origin could not be defined, thus rendering the statement that they were collected in Lebanon insecure. This case demonstrates that careful checks of modern interpretations of historical records are necessary when examining past distributions of organisms.
The effects of landscape structure and road topography on mortality of mammals: A case study of two different road types in Central Slovakia
Authors: Bitušík Peter , Kocianová-Adamcová Marcela , Brabec Juraj , Malina Radovan , Tesák Jerguš , Urban Peter
Published: November 2019

The magnitude, composition, temporal and spatial patterns of mammal road mortality were assessed along some sections of two different road types (I/51 and R1) connecting the towns of Banská Bystrica, Zvolen and Banská Štiavnica (Central Slovakia). Road kills were surveyed using a car, three or four times per week from March 2008 to December 2012. We conducted 440 surveys, traveling a total of 39,700 km, and recorded 5,416 road mortality events (120 kills per km on average). Mammals were represented by 693 individuals (12.8% of the total number of carcasses) identified into 20 species and categories, respectively. The most frequently identified species were fox, hedgehog and domestic cat, a substantial part fell into the category of small mammals, as they could not be mostly identified to a genus. We found significant temporal and spatial differences in the magnitude of road-kills and identified several road segments as mortality hotspots both for all observations and for each season. Using logistic models we found significant relationships between the number and composition of the mammal casualties and higher proportion of arable land, built-up areas and roads in the landscape bordering the roads. Road topography was found to be among the important variables in explaining road-kills as carnivores were most susceptible to be killed on the raised segments and insectivores and herbivore mammals on the raised or buried segments of the roads. Construction of the fence along the R1 expressway in 2010 was related to significant decrease in road-kills, however, significantly higher mortality level was recorded at the segments with the underpass where streams with line riparian vegetation are crossed by the road. This effect was not identified at segments with expressway feeders. This finding suggests that the line vegetation continues to serve as migration corridor and leads animals to the R1 road where they find defects in fencing and try to cross through them and enter the road.
Methods for measuring mammalian personalities: In which animals and how accurately can we quantify it?
Authors: Žampachová Barbora , Landová Eva , Frynta Daniel
Published: November 2019

The study of personality, and individual differences in behaviour has experienced a steady rise in popularity in the past years. In this review and meta-analysis, we aim to introduce the concept of personality and related phenomena. A behavioural trait should meet two basic conditions to be considered a personality trait – it should be consistent (1) in time and (2) across contexts. In mammals, the two most common orders in personality studies are primates and rodents. We therefore introduce different approaches to personality testing in these two orders. Primate personality studies are based on psychology studies and often rely on the observer’s ratings. Rodent personality studies originate in the studies of physiology and use an experimental approach. We present a more detailed overview of methodological issues of repeatability as a statistical tool for measuring consistency across time. The classic methods of computing repeatability do not consider habituation and other trends which may become confounding factors and lead to underestimation of repeatability. We also discuss consistency across contexts and different understandings of the context definition. We illustrate the variability of personality studies in mammals with a meta-analysis of repeatability estimates. We found that repeatability of behaviour depends on the methodology of behavioural testing and statistical analyses used, but also the number of test repetitions and differences between the focal behaviours. Repeatability decreased with more repetitions and the tests of aggressiveness and exploratory behaviour yielded lower repeatability estimates than the tests of activity.
Common names for Cricetus cricetus (Rodentia: Cricetidae)
Authors: Kryštufek Boris , Pozdnyakov Alexandr A.
Published: November 2019

We list over a hundred vernacular names for Cricetus cricetus, which are in use in English and in languages spoken within the distribution range of the species. These names belong to 36 languages (including three historical languages: Old Slavonic, Old Czech, Old High German) from nine linguistic groups: Slavic (13 spoken languages), Uralic (6), Turkic (4), German (3), Romanic (3), Romani (1), Iranian (1), Mongolic (1), and Chinese (1). The two currently most used names (Hamster, Cricetus) have roots in Slavic languages. “Hamster” and names related to it (Hamsterul, Homyak, Chomik, Komak) originate from the Old Slavonic “Homěstor”. “Skrzeczeck”/“Skreczecz” (Polish) is an example of onomatopoeia, an imitation of the hamster’s vocalization and is closely associated with various names in other Slavic languages (Skrečok, Křeč, Křeček, Chrček, Hrček, Hrčak, Gerčik), German (Grentsch, Krietsch), Romanian (Hârciog), and Hungarian (Hörcsög), and with the scientific tautonym Cricetus cricetus. Cricetus was first used by Albertus Magnus in the 13th century.
Using Consumers’ Digital Footprints for More Persuasive Mass Communication
Authors: Matz Sandra , Kosinski Michal
Published: November 2019

Powered by better hardware and software, and fueled by the emergence of computational social science, digital traces of human activity can be used to make highly personal inferences about their owner’s preferences, habits and psychological characteristics. The gained insights allow the application of psychological targeting and make it possible to influence the behavior of large groups of people by tailoring persuasive appeals to the psychological needs of the target audiences. On the one hand, this method holds potential benefits for helping individuals make better decisions and lead healthier and happier lives. On the other hand, there are also several potential pitfalls related to manipulation, data protection and privacy violations. Even the most progressive data protection regulations of today might not adequately address the potential abuse of online information in the context of psychological targeting, highlighting the need for further policy interventions and regulations.
Let the Machine Decide: When Consumers Trust or Distrust Algorithms
Authors: Castelo Noah , Bos Maarten W. , Lehmann Donald
Published: November 2019

Thanks to the rapid progress in the field of artificial intelligence algorithms are able to accomplish an increasingly comprehensive list of tasks, and often they achieve better results than human experts. Nevertheless, many consumers have ambivalent feelings towards algorithms and tend to trust humans more than they trust machines. Especially when tasks are perceived as subjective, consumers often assume that algorithms will be less effective, even if this belief is getting more and more inaccurate.

To encourage algorithm adoption, managers should provide empirical evidence of the algorithm’s superior performance relative to humans. Given that consumers trust in the cognitive capabilities of algorithms, another way to increase trust is to demonstrate that these capabilities are relevant for the task in question. Further, explaining that algorithms can detect and understand human emotions can enhance adoption of algorithms for subjective tasks.
AI-Driven Sales Automation: Using Chatbots to Boost Sales
Authors: Hildebrand Christian , Bergner Anouk
Published: November 2019

The implementation of bot interfaces varies tremendously in current industry practice. They range from the human-like to those that merely present a brand logo or a digital avatar. Some applications provide a maximum amount of information with limited turn-taking between the user and the interface; others offer only short pieces of information and require more turn-taking. Instead of simply implementing the default option provided by chatbot providers and platforms, companies should consider very carefully how the specifics of the chatbot interface might affect the user experience. Simple mechanics such as increasing the frequency of interactions leads to greater trust and a more enjoyable user experience. Also, personalizing chatbots with basic consumer characteristics such as gender increases trust and improves the perceived closeness between the customer and the chatbot – and ultimately the brand. Brand managers should therefore consider chatbots not as merely another digital marketing fad or a way to save costs through service automation. When implemented wisely, they are even able to increase a company’s upselling potential.
The Thorny Challenge of Making Moral Machines: Ethical Dilemmas with Self-Driving Cars
Authors: Awad Edmond , Bonnefon Jean-François , Shariff Azim , Rahwan Iyad
Published: November 2019

The algorithms that control AVs will need to embed moral principles guiding their decisions in situations of unavoidable harm. Manufacturers and regulators are confronted with three potentially incompatible objectives: being consistent, not causing public outrage, and not discouraging buyers. The presented moral machine study is a step towards solving this problem as it tries to learn how people all over the world feel about the alternative decisions the AI of self-driving vehicles might have to make. The global study displayed broad agreement across regions regarding how to handle unavoidable accidents. To master the moral challenges, all stakeholders should embrace the topic of machine ethics: this is a unique opportunity to decide as a community what we believe to be right or wrong, and to make sure that machines, unlike humans, unerringly follow the agreed-upon moral preferences. The integration of autonomous cars will require a new social contract that provides clear guidelines about who is responsible for different kinds of accidents, how monitoring and enforcement will be performed, and how trust among all stakeholders can be engendered.