bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Territórios fabris no ramo têxtil em Alagoas e fisiografias urbanas em Maceió (1857-1943): histórias e representações
Authors: Tavares Marcelo Góes
Published: June 2019

Este artigo traz como proposta, analisar historicamente a constituição de territórios fabris no ramo têxtil no estado Alagoas, Brasil, e as fisiografias urbanas que sua capital, Maceió, passou no âmbito da modernização e efeitos da Revolução Industrial. As noções de território e espaço são analiticamente operadas como construtos dinâmicos, marcados pelo tempo, constituidoras de múltiplas e dialéticas fisiografias, e sob efeitos de poder. Analisa-se como exemplo desse universo o território fabril de Fernão Velho em Maceió-AL onde se localiza a antiga Companhia União Mercantil. Trata-se de um território que viabilizava a produção capitalista simultânea ao controle e presença dos operários no local de produção, delineando um complexo território produtivo formado por Fábrica com Vila Operária. Nesta narrativa, utilizo mapas e fotografias, além de visibilidade de outras representações. Do ponto de vista metodológico, opero com as noções de território e espaço a partir de Michel Foucault e Michel de Certeau, abordando o território fabril como espaço disciplinar.
Configuração espacial da geografia alimentar em Sergipe
Authors: Menezes Sônia de Souza Mendonça , Silva Paulo Adriano Santos , Silva Heberty Ruan Conceição
Published: June 2019

A heterogeneidade de alimentos cultivados em Sergipe está assentada na intrínseca relação com a agricultura familiar, porém, alguns produtos também são cultivados nos estabelecimentos rurais de médio e grande porte. As ações do Estado brasileiro, por meio das políticas públicas e programas de governo, em consonância com a atuação dos diferentes órgãos governamentais de Sergipe, influenciaram diretamente no fortalecimento dos distintos ramos produtores de alimentos. O objetivo deste artigo é analisar a atual configuração espacial da produção de alimentos, tendo como base os principais gêneros alimentícios produzidos no estado. Para tanto, iremos analisar a trajetória histórica e a dinâmica atual da produção de frutas, grãos, tubérculos, leite, queijos e suínos; além de identificar a distribuição espacial desses alimentos no território sergipano. Como procedimentos metodológicos, fundamentamos as nossas análises nos debates teóricos, nos bancos de dados e nas pesquisas de campo desenvolvidas pelo Grupo de Estudos e Pesquisas em Alimentos e Manifestações Culturais Tradicionais - GRUPAM. Como resultados, evidenciamos que a produção de alimentos em Sergipe se apresenta de forma complexa e heterogênea, mesclando a produção familiar e o agronegócio, diferentes sabores, formas de produção, de comercialização e de consumo, um emaranhado de relações que configura a Geografia da produção de alimentos de Sergipe.
Território alagoano (Brasil): contribuições à história e geografia de suas cidades
Authors: Souza Roberto Silva de , Tavares Marcelo Góes
Published: June 2019

As categorias tempo e espaço estão presentes na pesquisa urbana da Geografia, sobretudo na Geografia Histórica Urbana. O objetivo deste trabalho é indicar a necessidade da realização de estudos de núcleos urbanos de Alagoas, sob geografias do passado, enquanto modo de narrativas históricas. Partiu-se de reflexões teóricas que reúnem autores que lidam com esse tipo de investigação. Trata-se uma pesquisa exploratória que demandou, para o momento, pesquisa bibliográfica (teórica e empírica). Conclui-se que a investigação do espaço e do tempo de cidades alagoanas, à luz da Geografia Histórica, ao fazer uso, também, de fontes documentais, entrevistas etc., podem desvendar processos sociais que auxiliam no fortalecimento de suas memórias, indo além da simples descrição das formas que as compõem para as formações que ocorreram no passado.
Onde estavam as freguesias goianas até 1783?
Authors: Maluly Vinicius Sodré
Published: June 2019

Este artigo propõe estudar a estrutura eclesiástica da Capitania de Goyaz até o ano de 1783. O estudo, realizado a partir de dados extraídos da "Notícia Geral da Capitania de Goiás", propõe uma abordagem metodologicamente inserida na Geografia Histórica com o uso de tecnologias informáticas e de análises quantitativas. A partir desse aparato procedimental, a construção de uma cartografia digital possibilita a compreensão de fatores relevantes às freguesias goianas (ou paróquias), às suas capelas e aos bispados que compreendiam esse vasto território do América portuguesa. Fatores localizacionais foram discutidos, mas também outros parâmetros associados diretamente ao espaço, como a jurisdição dessas freguesias, a composição demográfica da região e as fronteiras visíveis a partir dessas construções gráficas. Por fim, análises quantitativas foram extraídas visando apreender tendências estabelecidas ao longo dos dados recolhidos, tanto em referência à demografia quanto em relação à distância entre cada capela e freguesia. Certos entendimentos com relação à pesquisa sobre o século XVIII em Goyaz foram propostos, todos proporcionados pela elaboração técnica e metodológica sugerida neste artigo.
La recherche scientifique sur les shrinking cities : apport de la bibliométrie
Authors: Morel-Doridat Frédérique , Hamez Grégory
Published: June 2019

Les années 2000 marquent le développement de la production scientifique sur le sujet de la décroissance urbaine, en particulier en Europe. Par une approche bibliométrique et le traitement statistique des mots-clés, cet article analyse les grandes trajectoires des études scientifiques sur le processus, cela depuis 1980. Deux bases de références bibliographiques ont particulièrement alimenté cette étude : l’une anglophone (Academic Search Complete), l’autre francophone (Francis).
Evaluation of Pattern Based Customized Approach for Stock Market Trend Prediction With Big Data and Machine Learning Techniques
Authors: Verma Jai Prakash , Tanwar Sudeep , Garg Sanjay , Gandhi Ishit , Bachani Nikita H.
Published: June 2019

The stock market is very volatile and non-stationary and generates huge volumes of data in every second. In this article, the existing machine learning algorithms are analyzed for stock market forecasting and also a new pattern-finding algorithm for forecasting stock trend is developed. Three approaches can be used to solve the problem: fundamental analysis, technical analysis, and the machine learning. Experimental analysis done in this article shows that the machine learning could be useful for investors to make profitable decisions. In order to conduct these processes, a real-time dataset has been obtained from the Indian stock market. This article learns the model from Indian National Stock Exchange (NSE) data obtained from Yahoo API to forecast stock prices and targets to make a profit over time. In this article, two separate algorithms and methodologies are analyzed to forecast stock market trends and iteratively improve the model to achieve higher accuracy. Results are showing that the proposed pattern-based customized algorithm is more accurate (10 to 15%) as compared to other two machine learning techniques, which are also increased as the time window increases.
“Most of the Teaching is in Arabic Anyway”, English as a Medium of Instruction in Saudi Arabia, Between De Facto and Official Language Policy
Authors: Louber Ismael , Troudi Salah
Published: June 2019

There has been much debate about the issue of English as a Medium of Instruction (EMI) and the place of English in the context of international education in general and in the Arabian/Persian Gulf region in particular. This study explores the use of EMI in an undergraduate engineering programme in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Using a qualitative approach to data collection by means of open-ended questionnaires and semi-structured interviews, this study explores the views of Arab expatriate teachers of scientific subjects, Saudi engineering students and preparatory year EFL non-Arab expatriate teachers on the use of EMI in their institution. The study sheds light on a certain gap in terms of actual classroom practices, between EMI as an official language policy and Arabic as de facto medium of instruction. Furthermore, the findings of the study suggest that the implementation of EMI may pose several challenges to both teachers and students.
A Review on Cyberattacks and Their Preventive Measures
Authors: Sumi Farhana Haque , Dutta Lokesh , Sarker Farhana
Published: June 2019

Every year many individuals and organizations suffer from cyberattacks, which include data loss, information hacks, transaction problem, and unauthorized access of information or data. The frequency of these attacks is increasing day by day and it's creating a lot of problems or threats in our life. These attacks can be extremely damaging to businesses as well as people. Therefore, we must know about cyberattacks and their preventive measures as many of us are still unaware about it. The objective of this paper is to create awareness of the various types of cyber-attacks and lay the foundation for their cyber security planning. In this paper, we discuss different types of cyberattacks and the tools used to perform these cyberattacks. Moreover, this paper presents a clear picture of some attacks that helps people to understand how attacker accomplishes all these attacks. Finally, we discuss the preventive measures.
Cyber Investigations, A Law Enforcement Needs Assessment
Authors: Hartle III Frank X. , Wydra Christopher
Published: June 2019

The purpose of this article is to assess the needs of local and state law enforcement agencies to investigate both cyber-enabled and cyber-dependent crimes. While large federal investigative agencies have the skills, tools and resources to investigate cyber-crimes, the increasing propagation of such crimes has overwhelmed their ability to investigate all but the most serious national security threats and large-scale cyber-crimes. To that end, this article assesses the current knowledge, skills, and abilities of local law enforcement to perform cyber-crime investigations and more importantly their desire to do so. As these crimes grow in ease and popularity it is posited that local law enforcement will be required to have the technical skills to investigate a myriad of cyber-crimes at the local level. As such, there will be a need for local training in cyber-crimes investigation and shared investigative resources. Additionally, this paper gauges local law enforcements' willingness to participate in such training.
Towards Remote Sensing Datasets Collection and Processing
Authors: Semlali Badreddine Boudriki , Chaker El Amrani
Published: June 2019

The world is witnessing important increases in industrial, transport and agriculture activities. This leads to economic growth, but, on the other hand, causes substantial damage in urban air, due to emissions of harmful gases, mainly CO, SO2, NO2 and the Particular Matter (PM). The World Health Organization (WHO) confirms that daily exposure to pollutants causes approximately three million deaths. It is therefore necessary to assess continuously the air quality. In this context, a Java-based application was developed to acquire data from EUMETSAT geostationary and Polar Orbit satellites, through the Mediterranean Dialogue Earth Observatory (MDEO) terrestrial station. This application filters, subsets, processes and visualizes products covering Morocco zone. Significant correlations were found between emissions and industrial activities related to power thermal plants, factories, transportation and ports.
Business Process Driven Trust-Based Task Scheduling
Authors: Shu Jian , Jain Hemant , Liang Changyong
Published: June 2019

The demand for agile and flexible business application systems has sparked interest in using cloud computing technology to respond quickly and effectively to a dynamic business environment. The authors classify the appropriate cloud services as a multi-objectives task scheduling problem in a hybrid cloud service system. In this article, the authors propose a business process (BP) driven task scheduling system that supports multiple clouds, including private ones. A trust-based non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm (NSGA2) is developed to solve the multi-objective task scheduling problem. By sorting populations into different hierarchies based on the ordering of Pareto dominance, they identify a Pareto-optimal multi-dimensional frontier that permits managers to reconcile conflicting objectives when scheduling tasks on cloud resources. The authors illustrate the usability and effectiveness of their approach by applying it to a case study conducting simulated experiments.
The relationship between components of metabolic syndrome and plasma level of sex hormone-binding globulin
Authors: Alinezhad Amin , Jafari Fatemeh
Published: June 2019

Plasma concentration of sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), as an androgen binding protein, is impressed by many physiological and environmental factors. Recent studies have shown that plasma level of SHBG is related to some components of metabolic syndrome (MetS); however, in contrast, few articles failed to show any associations between SHBG and MetS. So, this study was conducted to investigate the relationship between Components of Metabolic Syndrome and Plasma Level of Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin. In this study, after measuring the plasma level of SHBG in 84 individuals, the relation between MetS and the plasma level of SHBG was investigated. After evaluating the plasma level of SHBG and metabolic abnormalities in men and women, we investigated the factors which mentioned above in two groups including patients with and without MetS. Also, the metabolic abnormalities which evaluated in this study including plasma level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D, serum uric acid (SUA), Albumin, lipid profiles and etc. according to five components of MetS. Our result shows that SHBG could contributed to some laboratory parameters such as LDL-C (P<0.05), total cholesterol (P<0.05), triglycerides (P<0.05) and etc. in men, but not in women. On the other hand, we observed that concentration of SHBG is higher in patients with MetS (P<0.05); however, results from our experiment showed that there is no relation between lower level of SHBG and five components of MetS such as central obesity, raised fasting plasma glucose (FPG) (P>0.05), reduced HDL-C (P>0.05), raised triglycerides (P>0.05) and raised blood pressure (P>0.05) in both men and women. There is a significant association between SHBG and Log-Hip Circumference (P<0.05), Non-HDL-C (P<0.05) and Log-25(OH)D (P<0.05) was seen in this cross-section study in both men and women. Results obtained from our study suggest that SHBG is not a powerful enough factor to use as a predictor of MetS alone and there is no association between plasma level of SHBG and development of five components of MetS, however, lower SHBG level may contributed to lipid profiles.
The effect of lower limb passive movement on lung function
Authors: Narain S. , Lin J. , Puckree T.
Published: June 2019

This study examined the effects of ankle passive movement on lung function in healthy adults. A pre-test post-test experimental design was used. Passive plantar and dorsiflexion of the ankle were performed at 60 repetitions per minute on 60 healthy subjects in the supine position. Lung function at rest was compared to that during passive movements. The results indicated that all measured parameters including the breathing frequency, tidal volume, minute ventilation, oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide output, increased significantly during passive movements as compared to those at rest. The authors conclude that passive movements elicit a significant ventilatory increase in healthy human subjects. The effect of passive movements in the treatment of unconscious or diseased individuals should be investigated.
The strategic development of physiotherapy in South Africa paper 2: Mapping strategy - critical choices over 30 years
Authors: Bowerbank P.
Published: June 2019

This paper demonstrates an unusual approach to trace decision makers’ interpretations over time as they attempt to understand environmental events. The paper adopts an evolutionary perspective and methodologically, demonstrates a way of tracing changes in cause maps over time from available documents and statements. Arguments are offered for the usage of such data to infer cognitive processes. The South African Society of Physiotherapy is the subject of study.
A Computational Process to Effectively Design Seals for Improved Wind Noise Performance
Authors: Oettle Nicholas , Powell Robert , Senthooran Sivapalan , Moron Philippe
Published: June 2019

The ability to assess noise transmitted through seals to cabin interiors early in the design process is very important for automotive manufacturers. When a seal design is inadequate, the noise transmitted can dominate the interior noise, making the wind noise performance of the vehicle unacceptable. This can cause launch delays, increasing costs and risking loss of sales. Designing seals using conventional experimental processes is challenging, since the location and strength of flow noise sources are not known when the seal design is planned. Making changes to the seal system after the tooling stage is expensive for manufacturers as tooling and redesign costs can be considerable. Deliberate overdesign by adding multiple layers of seals in a wide range of locations also can reduce profit by unnecessarily raising part and manufacturing costs. Consequently, there is a strong motivation to use reliable computational capabilities to predict interior noise transmitted through seals early in the design process to address these challenges, designing seals right first time.

The current study presents a computational process that can be used to predict interior noise transmitted through seals early in the design process. This computational approach uses a Lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) based computational fluid dynamics (CFD) solver to predict the transient flow field and exterior noise sources. A statistical energy analysis (SEA) solver was used to transmit noise from these sources into the cabin through glass panels and seals. Experiments were performed to quantify noise transmitted through glass panels, window seals and door seals, allowing validation of the computational predictions. Detailed flow analysis was performed to gain insight into the noise sources and the exterior loads on both the seals and glass panels. Accurate prediction of the seal noise and the insight provided by the flow analysis showed that this computational process can be used early in the vehicle development process to design efficient seals for improved wind noise performance.
Prediction of Broadband Noise in an Automotive Centrifugal Compressor with Three-Dimensional Computational Fluid Dynamics Detached Eddy Simulations
Authors: Dehner Rick , Selamet Ahmet
Published: June 2019

Centrifugal compressors for automotive turbochargers must operate over wide speed and flow ranges to provide the required air pressure and mass flow rate to the intake manifold of the internal combustion engines. At a fixed rotational speed, the flow field near the inducer of the impeller becomes increasingly unstable with decreasing flow rate, as the incidence angle grows between the air flow approaching the impeller, relative to the tangent of the main impeller blades at the leading edge. Flow field measurements conducted earlier have revealed that once the incidence angle exceeds a critical value (nearly independent of rotational speed) of approximately 15°, reversed flow near the periphery (blade tips) starts penetrating upstream of the impeller, with a high tangential velocity in the direction of impeller rotation. As the incidence angle is increased towards this critical value, whoosh noise elevates, where it remains high for a significant portion of the mid-flow operating range, before decreasing at further elevated incidence angles. To understand this phenomenon further, a detailed, three-dimensional (3D) computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model of the experimental setup was constructed, and simulations were completed at four flow rates along a constant rotational speed. Predictions from this 3D CFD model agree reasonably well with experiments, including the steady-state performance, time-averaged flow field, and noise as captured from the pressure transducer installed in the compressor inlet duct. Near the peak whoosh noise of the studied speed, the impeller flow field was closely examined. Predictions reveal the highest total sound pressure level in the whoosh frequency range occurs near the inducer plane, within the shear layer between the concentric, bi-directional flow structure, with forward flow closer to the axis and reversed flow around the periphery.
A Comparison of Two Source Characterisation Techniques Proposed for Standardisation
Authors: van den Bosch Daniël , van der Seijs Maarten , de Klerk Dennis
Published: June 2019

Automotive industry shows an increased tendency towards characterisation of vibration sources by independent quantities such as blocked forces and free velocities. Currently two independent ISO working groups propose standards for this source characterisation process. Both standards are still under development.

In this paper it is shown how the different approaches can be derived and compared using the general framework for Transfer Path Analysis (TPA). It is shown how one standard clearly relates to classical TPA methods (using interface forces), while the other standard adheres the component-based TPA principles (using blocked forces). Practical guidelines found in the standard proposals are reviewed, allowing for a qualitative comparison of the proposed procedures. To address typical problems regarding completeness of the interface, an addition is proposed that incorporates the use of 6-DoF Virtual Point forces and moments. It is shown how this approach can be applied to any force characterisation, improving the general usefulness of the found forces. A simulated numerical test case shows the procedure of both standards and discusses the added value of including rotational moments in the source-describing force vectors. An industrial application case demonstrates the application of the second standard with the addition of virtual point forces and moments, leading to perfect agreement with the on-board validation sensor.
Characteristics of Bending Stress with Whirling at the Rear End of a Crankshaft in an Inline 4-Cylinder High Speed Diesel Engine
Authors: Kobayashi Shinichiro
Published: June 2019

As engines become lighter and achieve higher output to meet carbon dioxide emissions targets, it becomes more challenging to design a crankshaft that is both lighter and capable of handling higher loads. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the characteristics of forces imposed on the crankshaft, and the mechanisms by which stresses are created in the crankshaft. This paper describes the characteristics of bending stresses measured on the rearmost crank pin fillet of a crankshaft. Two basic crankshaft resonant modes are described. Forward crankshaft whirl then has the effect of increasing the system natural frequencies by the stiffening effect, while reverse whirl reduces the system natural frequencies by the softening effect. The effect of whirl grows with increasing engine speed. This results in what appears to be four crankshaft natural frequencies rather than two. The four resonances appear at all non-zero engine speeds. The influence of flywheel mass on the stresses and natural frequencies is also described. It is shown that the bending stress in the crank fillet is proportional to the radial force acting on the crank pin. It is also shown that the direction of whirl affects the amplitude of stress imposed by the radial crank pin force, and that the effect of whirl becomes larger as the flywheel inertia is increased. Because increasing engine speed causes more whirl force and moment, engine speed has an influence on bending stress amplitude. Finally, the paper explains why the ratio of crank stress amplitude to radial force varies as a function of the rotational direction of whirl.
Manuais didáticos e currículo de sociologia: uma análise pós-estruturalista
Authors: Silva Jefferson Evanio da , Burity Joanildo Albuquerque
Published: June 2019

Este artigo persegue dois objetivos: a) oferecer uma reflexão teórico/metodológica do currículo e dos manuais didáticos a partir de uma perspectiva discursiva; b) realizar um exercício de aplicação desse referencial teórico na análise do discurso de alguns manuais didáticos de Sociologia aprovados pelo PNLD 2018. Numa perspectiva pós-estruturalista, currículo e livros didáticos são concebidos como práticas discursivas, objetos que se entrecruzam num incessante processo de produção de discursos, identidades, sujeitos. O artigo identifica, nos manuais analisados, a presença de uma formação discursiva (imaginação sociológica) que interpela o sujeito no sentido de atribuir para ele um determinado lugar no mundo simbólico, além de identificar as filiações sociais, históricas e políticas dessa formação situando-a num projeto mais geral de produção da subjetividade política dos sujeitos.
As representações de corpo, gênero e masculinidades no filme “Hércules”
Authors: Garcia Rafael Marques , Silva Alan Camargo , Pereira Erik Giuseppe Barbosa
Published: June 2019

O filme “Hércules”, de Walt Disney Animation Studios, retrata o percurso deste herói grego para retornar ao Monte Olimpo, morada dos deuses, de onde foi tomado quando criança. Embora lançado originalmente em 1997, foi relançado em Blu-ray em 2014 e retransmitido pela Cinemark no Brasil em 2017, o que demonstra sua atualidade no trato de assuntos pertinentes aos estudos do universo do corpo. No presente trabalho, por meio da análise fílmica, objetivamos compreender as representações sobre corpo e gênero empregados no filme. Identificamos durante a trama diversos ícones e mensagens acerca de corpos válidos e aceitáveis disseminados ao público infantil, estritamente veiculados a preceitos normativos e coercitivos de corpo e suas masculinidades.
Designing Labor Market Institutions in Emerging and Developing Economies
Authors: Duval Romain , Loungani Prakash
Published: June 2019

This paper discusses theoretical aspects and evidences related to designing labor market institutions in emerging market and developing economies. This note reviews the state of theory and evidence on the design of labor market institutions in a developing economy context and then reviews its consistency with actual labor market advice in a selected set of emerging and developing economies. The focus is mainly on three broad sets of institutions that matter for both workers’ protection and labor market efficiency: employment protection, unemployment insurance and social assistance, minimum wages and collective bargaining. Text mining techniques are used to identify IMF recommendations in these areas in Article IV Reports for 30 emerging and frontier economies over 2005–2016. This note has provided a critical review of the literature on the design of labor market institutions in emerging and developing market economies, and benchmarked the advice featured in IMF recommendations for 30 emerging market and frontier economies against the tentative conclusions from the literature.
Silent atrial fibrillation is associated with P-wave duration index in patients with cardiac resynchronisation therapy
Authors: Demirtas Abdullah Orhan , Icen Yahya Kemal , Donmez Yurdaer , Koca Hasan , Kaypakli Onur , Koc Mevlut
Published: June 2019

Introduction

Atrial fibrillation (AF) attacks can be silent, symptomatic, or emerge with its complications in pacemaker-implanted patient groups. P-wave duration index (PWDI), a novel parameter, is calculated by dividing the P-wave duration (PWD) by the PR interval. This study aimed to investigate the relation between PWDI and silent AF development in cardiac resynchronisation therapy defibrillator (CRT-D)-applied patients.

Material and methods

The study population consisted of 181 CRT-D device-implanted patients. Atrial fibrillation attacks that last at least 30 s with no symptoms were accepted as silent AF.

Results

Patients were separated into two groups: ”with silent AF” and ”without silent AF“. The without silent AF group comprised 121 patients (mean age: 62.9 ±8.7 years, 62% male). The with silent AF group included 60 patients (mean age: 67.9 ±9.7 years, 60% male). The silent AF group had significantly higher mean age (p = 0.001). PR duration was significantly higher in the without silent AF group (p = 0.001). Patients with first-degree IAB and PWDI values were significantly higher in the with silent AF group (p-values were 0.001 and < 0.001, respectively). Age (OR = 1.073, 95% CI: 1.028–1.119, p = 0.001) and PWDI (OR = 1.053, 95% CI: 1.028–1.078, p < 0.001) were detected as independent predictors for silent AF in the binomial logistic regression analysis. In the ROC analysis, a PWDI cut-off value of 0.67 determined silent AF with 81.7% sensitivity and 51.4% specificity (AUC = 0.701, p < 0.001).

Conclusions

P-wave duration index was significantly associated with silent AF in patients with CRT-D.
Comparisons of heart-type fatty acid-binding protein (H-FABP) levels in off-pump versus on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting
Authors: Ulukan Mustafa Ozer , Ugurlucan Murat , Unal Orcun , Yılmaz Muhammet Fatih , Kasifoglu Nilgun , Sevin M. Behcet
Published: June 2019

Introduction

Heart-type fatty acid-binding protein (H-FABP) is a novel indicator of myocardial damage. The aim of the study was to compare the levels of H-FABP in off-pump and on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).

Material and methods

Thirty non-randomised 30 patients who underwent CABG between January 2009 and January 2010 were enrolled in the study. Patients were divided into two equal size (n = 15) groups as group A (off-pump CABG group) and group B (on-pump CABG group). Three arterial blood samples were obtained for H-FABP after sternotomy (H-FABP 1), after the last distal anastomosis in group A and immediately after the cross clamp was removed from the aorta in group B (H-FABP 2) and 24 h after the operation (H-FABP 3). Renal and liver functions and circulating fatty acid binding protein (FABP) levels were also assessed in blood samples obtained 24 h before and 1 h after the operation.

Results

At all three assessment points patients in group B had significantly higher H-FABP values when compared with group A. Preoperative renal and liver functions were similar in both groups and they did not differ significantly in group A and group B when preoperative and postoperative values were compared. In both groups circulating FABP levels increased in the postoperative period, and the increase was more pronounced in the on-pump CABG group.

Conclusions

On-pump surgery resulted in higher levels of H-FABP as an ischaemic marker in patients receiving coronary artery bypass surgery.
Awareness among the general population about lipid profile screening in individuals over 20 years old in Alriyadh, Saudi Arabia
Authors: Bahakim Nasraddin Othman , Al-Ghamdi Sameer Hamed , Alyahya Hisham Fahad , Alburayk Khalid Bader , Mahzari Yahya Ibrahim , Aldawsari Abdulrahman Mohammed
Published: June 2019

Introduction

Plasma cholesterol and triglycerides are clinically important because their abnormally high levels are major treatable risk factors for cardiovascular disease. This study aimed to evaluate the awareness, general knowledge, and attitudes about regular lipid profile screening among adult individuals in Al-Riyadh.

Material and methods

This is a cross-sectional study collected by convenience sampling method. Residents of Riyadh region older than 20 years were targeted through an electronic questionnaire distributed via Twitter and WhatsApp. The study was conducted between November 28, 2016 and December 31, 2016. Study results were analysed using the SPSS system.

Results

This study included 1383 participants; 646 (46.7%) were male and 737 (53.3%) female. Of them, 905 (65.4%) did not screen for their lipid profiles, while 478 (34.6%) screened. A visit to a primary health care facility or hospital was the reason for screening of lipid profile in 195 (14.1%) of the participants, whereas 64 (4.6%) of them were ordered by doctors.

Conclusions

More educated participants were found to be more aware of the importance of screening lipid profile. Our results reflect poor awareness among the population regarding the importance of regular screening of lipid profiles. A visit to primary health care or hospital was the most frequent reason for screening of lipid profile. Screening lipid profiles was predominant among males and it was significantly related to the gender, age, and educational level. This shows the strong need in the community for health education about the importance of screening lipid profile at different levels of health care delivery.
Coordinated medical care for children with neurofibromatosis type 1 and related RASopathies in Poland
Authors: Karwacki Marek W. , Wysocki Mariusz , Perek-Polnik Marta , Jatczak-Gaca Agnieszka
Published: June 2019

Coordinated medical care offered in Poland for patients suffering from neurofibromatosis type 1 and related RASopathies combines complex multispecialty consultation with permanent supervision and the patient’s oriented longitudinal care. Neurofibromatosis type 1 is one of the most common single gene disorders in the global population, observed in 1 out of 2500–3000 live births. It is a primary neoplasia disease with 100% penetration of the gene mutation but remarkable age-dependent onset of different disease signs and symptoms, outstanding clinical heterogeneity between patients even in one family and lack of genotype-phenotype correlation, a high rate of spontaneous mutation exceeding 50%, and multiple comorbidities among which increased risk of malignancy is the most important. Medical practice proved that not only patient-oriented complex but also coordinated care provided in centers of competence is indispensable for patients and the families and provides a sense of medical security to them in conjunction with public health costs rationalization.
Long intergenic non-coding RNA, regulator of reprogramming (LINC-ROR) over-expression predicts poor prognosis in renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Fawzy Manal S. , Toraih Eman A. , El-Wazir Aya , Hosny Marwa M. , Badran Dahlia I. , Kelish Amr El
Published: June 2019

Introduction

Long intergenic non-coding RNA, regulator of reprogramming (LINC-ROR) is a newly identified cytoplasmic long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) implicated in cell longevity and apoptosis. We aimed in the current work for the first time to investigate the association of the expression profiles of LINC-ROR and three stem-related transcriptional factors with clinicopathological data and their impact on renal cell carcinoma (RCC) progression in a sample of RCC patients.

Material and methods

Expression levels of LINC-ROR and stemness-related factors: SOX2, NANOG, and POU5F1 were detected in 60 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues, and their paired adjacent non-cancer tissues (n = 60) by using real-time qRT-PCR analysis. Additionally, the expression profiles were compared with the available clinicopathological features.

Results

The genes studied were markedly up-regulated in RCC (medians and interquartile ranges were 30.3 (1.84–235.5), 10.2 (1.84–53.9), 5.39 (0.94–23.5), and 12.5 (1.61–43.2) for LINC-ROR, SOX2, NANOG, and POU5F1, respectively) relative to paired non-cancer tissue. High expression levels were associated with poor prognosis in terms of tumour undifferentiation (for LINC-ROR, SOX2, and NANOG), lymph node infiltration (for SOX2), postoperative recurrence (for LINC-ROR and SOX2), and shorter overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (for all genes studied). The best curve for OS prediction was constructed with LINC-ROR data (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) = 0.804 at a cut-off value of 72.7, sensitivity 78.9%, and specificity 80.5%).

Conclusions

Collectively, aberrant LINC-ROR and pluripotent gene expression may be recognised as prognostic markers for RCC. Future functional studies are highly recommended to validate the study findings.
Late to early velocity index as a predictor of iatrogenic femoral artery pseudoaneurysm recurrence in patients treated with ultrasound-guided thrombin injection
Authors: Kurzawski Jacek , Janion-Sadowska Agnieszka , Zandecki Łukasz , Janion Marianna , Sadowski Marcin
Published: June 2019

Introduction

Ultrasound-guided thrombin injection (UGTI) is the preferred treatment of pseudoaneurysms (psA). The potential risk of complications increases with the number of UGTI treatments needed for complete psA obliteration. Identification of risk factors for recurrent psA is needed.

Material and methods

In total, 508 patients with femoral artery psA underwent UGTI, followed by ultrasound examination repeated twice, at 1-week intervals, to assess UGTI effectiveness. In cases of psA recurrence, the procedure was repeated. Clinical and ultrasound data were prospectively collected.

Results

The psA recurrence occurred in 76 (15%) patients. UGTI was repeated twice in 49 (64%), three times in 15 (20%) and more than three times in 12 (16%) patients. The median thrombin dose was 150 IU (80–250 IU), and was lower in initial procedures than repeated UGTI (p = 0.025). The median psA volume was 2.26 ml (0.86–5.47 ml). The median length of the communicating channel was 4 mm (0–12 mm). A time interval between vessel catheterization and UGTI greater than 7 days (p < 0.001), a late to early velocity index (LEVI) of < 0.2 identified during the outflow phase (p < 0.001), a psA volume > 5 ml (p = 0.032), and a short communicating channel between the psA and the artery (p = 0.037) predicted psA recurrence. Antiplatelet and anticoagulant agents did not increase the risk.

Conclusions

The LEVI and time interval between artery cannulation and UGTI treatment are strong parameters identifying patients at risk of psA recurrence. The psA volume and communicating channel length are less substantial risks, but still significant. Concomitant antiplatelet and anticoagulant therapy do not affect the success rate of UGTI.
Silent cerebral infarcts following pulmonary vein isolation with different atrial fibrillation ablation techniques – incidence and risk factors
Authors: Glowniak Andrzej , Tarkowski Adam , Janczarek Marzena , Wysokinski Andrzej
Published: June 2019

Introduction

Silent cerebral infarcts (SCIs) detected by diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance (DW-MRI) following atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation have been reported, with the incidence of 1–38%. We aimed to compare the incidence of SCIs following AF ablation with four different technologies and analyze the risk factors.

Material and methods

A total of 104 patients (mean age: 59.9 ±9.5 years, 68 males) with symptomatic AF, referred for ablation, were included in the study. The AF ablation was performed with irrigated radiofrequency point-by-point technique (RF group) in 24 patients, and with 3 different single-shot techniques: phased-RF (PVAC) in 46, second-generation cryoballoon (CB) in 24 and irrigated multipolar RF catheter (nMARQ) in 10 patients. In all patients DW-MRI was performed pre- and post-procedurally to evaluate the incidence of SCIs. Procedural parameters, complication rate and post-procedural SCI incidence were compared between the groups.

Results

Procedure (167.1 vs. 110.5 vs. 106.0 vs. 141.5 min, p < 0.001), fluoroscopy (22.7 vs. 15.9 vs. 16.3 vs. 15.3 min, p = 0.048) and LA dwell (101.5 vs. 53.9 vs. 56.0 vs. 97.0 min, p < 0.001) times compared respectively between RF, PVAC, CB and nMARQ groups were significantly shorter with single-shot techniques. The number of new-onset SCIs was 4/24 (16.7%) in RF, 7/46 (15.2%) in PVAC, 1/24 (4.2%) in CB and 1/10 (10%) in the nMARQ group. Univariate analysis identified procedure duration (p = 0.02), lower LV ejection fraction (p = 0.03), persistent form of arrhythmia (p = 0.007) and intraprocedural cardioversion (p = 0.002) as risk factors of new-onset SCIs.

Conclusions

Silent cerebral infarcts can be detected following AF ablation regardless of the technology used. Prolonged procedure time, lower ejection fraction, persistent form of arrhythmia and intraprocedural cardioversion increase the risk of SCIs.
Modulation of Ki67 and myogenic regulatory factor
expression by tocotrienol-rich fraction ameliorates
myogenic program of senescent human myoblasts
Authors: Tan Chun Min , Mohd Najib Nadwa Aqeela , Suhaimi Nur Farahin , Halid Nur Alia , Cho Vi Vien , Abdullah Saiful Idham , Ismail Muhammad Zulhilmi , Khor Shy Cian , Jaafar Faizul , Makpol Suzana
Published: June 2019

Introduction

Replicative senescence results in dysregulation of cell proliferation and differentiation, which plays a role in the regenerative defects observed during age-related muscle atrophy. Vitamin E is a well-known antioxidant, which potentially ameliorates a wide range of age-related manifestations. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of tocotrienol-rich fraction (TRF) in modulating the expression of proliferation- and differentiation-associated proteins in senescent human myoblasts during the differentiation phase.

Material and methods

Human skeletal muscle myoblasts were cultured until senescence. Young and senescent cells were treated with TRF for 24 h before and after differentiation induction, followed by evaluation of cellular morphology and efficiency of differentiation. Expression of cell proliferation marker Ki67 protein and myogenic regulatory factors MyoD and myogenin were determined.

Results

Our findings showed that treatment with TRF significantly improved the morphology of senescent myoblasts. Promotion of differentiation was observed in young and senescent myoblasts with TRF treatment as shown by the increased fusion index and larger size of myotubes. Increased Ki67 and myogenin expression with TRF treatment was also observed in senescent myoblasts, suggesting amelioration of the myogenic program by TRF during replicative senescence.

Conclusions

TRF modulates the expression of regulatory factors related to proliferation and differentiation in senescent human myoblasts and could be beneficial for ameliorating the regenerative defects during aging.
Extraversion and focus of attention on facial emotions: an experimental eye-tracking study
Authors: Ellingsen Eline F. , Drevsjø Sandra , Volden Frode , Watten Reidulf G.
Published: June 2019

Background

Emotions and personality traits seem to be important factors affecting social attention. In the present study, we used eye-tracking equipment to investigate the differences between extraverts and introverts in visual attention to positive and negative emotions shown in human faces. We want to describe more detailed types of eye movements in this visual attention, and especially pat-terns of spatial and temporal fixations. Based on previous research we would expect that extraverts would be more attentive to faces showing positive emotions compared to introverts.

Participants and procedure

Emotions and personality traits seem to be important factors affecting social attention. The current study investigated differences between extraverts’ and introverts’ visual attentional focus on positive and negative emotions expressed in human faces.

Results

Compared to the introverts group, extraverts showed significantly longer average fixation duration (AFD) for whole faces per-ceived to express positive emotions. There were no significant differences between the groups for dwelling time (DT), entry time (ET), and first fixation (FF). However, the extraversion group showed significantly longer DT, FF and AFD attention towards the mouth area compared to the introverts.

Conclusions

Extraverts seem to show a selective visual attentional bias towards positive emotions in human faces, particularly towards the mouth area of smiling faces compared to introverts. The study showed that the visual mechanisms behind this selective attention were differences in temporal fixation patterns such as average fixation duration, dwelling time and first fixation time.
Climatology of the mesopause relative density using a global distribution of meteor radars
Authors: Yi Wen , Xue Xianghui , Reid Iain M. , Murphy Damian J. , Hall Chris M. , Tsutsumi Masaki , Ning Baiqi , Li Guozhu , Vincent Robert A. , Chen Jinsong , Wu Jianfei , Chen Tingdi , Dou Xiankang
Published: June 2019

Abstract. The existing distribution of meteor radars located from high- to
low-latitude regions provides a favorable temporal and spatial coverage for
investigating the climatology of the global mesopause density. In this
study, we report the climatology of the mesopause relative density estimated
using multiyear observations from nine meteor radars, namely, the Davis
Station (68.6∘ S, 77.9∘ E), Svalbard (78.3∘ N,
16∘ E) and Tromsø (69.6∘ N, 19.2∘ E) meteor
radars located at high latitudes; the Mohe (53.5∘ N,
122.3∘ E), Beijing (40.3∘ N, 116.2∘ E),
Mengcheng (33.4∘ N, 116.6∘ E) and Wuhan (30.5∘ N, 114.6∘ E) meteor radars located in the midlatitudes; and the
Kunming (25.6∘ N, 103.8∘ E) and Darwin (12.3∘ S, 130.8∘ E) meteor radars located at low latitudes. The daily
mean relative density was estimated using ambipolar diffusion coefficients
derived from the meteor radars and temperatures from the Microwave Limb
Sounder (MLS) on board the Aura satellite. The seasonal variations in the
Davis Station meteor radar relative densities in the southern polar
mesopause are mainly dominated by an annual oscillation (AO). The mesopause
relative densities observed by the Svalbard and Tromsø meteor radars at
high latitudes and the Mohe and Beijing meteor radars at high midlatitudes
in the Northern Hemisphere show mainly an AO and a relatively weak
semiannual oscillation (SAO). The mesopause relative densities observed by
the Mengcheng and Wuhan meteor radars at lower midlatitudes and the Kunming
and Darwin meteor radars at low latitudes show mainly an AO. The SAO is
evident in the Northern Hemisphere, especially at high latitudes, and its
largest amplitude, which is detected at the Tromsø meteor radar, is
comparable to the AO amplitudes. These observations indicate that the
mesopause relative densities over the southern and northern high latitudes
exhibit a clear seasonal asymmetry. The maxima of the yearly variations in
the mesopause relative densities display a clear latitudinal variation
across the spring equinox as the latitude decreases; these latitudinal
variation characteristics may be related to latitudinal changes influenced
by gravity wave forcing. In addition to an AO, the mesopause relative
densities over low latitudes also clearly show an intraseasonal variation
with a periodicity of 30–60 d.