bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Wave propagation through an interface between dissimilar media with a doubly periodic array of arbitrary shaped planar delaminations
Authors: Golub Mikhail V , Doroshenko Olga V
Published: December 2017

This paper considers the scattering of elastic waves by a doubly periodic array of three-dimensional planar delaminations at the interface between two dissimilar media. The delaminations are modelled in terms of the spring boundary conditions, which are employed to formulate a boundary integral equation. The problem is solved using the Bubnov–Galerkin scheme and the integral approach, taking into account geometrical periodicity. The effects of distribution and shape of periodic delaminations on wave transmission and diffraction are analysed. The specific phenomenon of pass-bands or an ‘opening’ interface for wave propagation by a periodic array of delaminations is revealed.
Article Commentary: Targeting DNA Damage and Repair by Curcumin
Authors: Ji Zhenyu
Published: December 2017

Curcumin is a compound with anti-tumor effects in a tolerable dose. A recent paper by Rowe et al described that curcumin induced DNA damage in triple negative breast cancer cells and regulated BRCA1 protein expression and modification. 1 Related research and potential use of curcumin will be discussed in this article.
Mobile games on the basis of uses and gratifications approach: A comparison of the mobile game habits of university and high school students
Authors: Bulduklu Yasin
Published: December 2017

The aim of this study was to determine the attitudes of university and high school students towards mobile games, and to investigate their motivation and gratification needs in terms of mobile gaming. The descriptive method was used in the study. The sampling group was composed of 846 participants. The data were collected through the Mobile Gaming Motivation Survey. The reliability coefficient of the survey (Cronbach’s alpha) was found to be 0.893. The data analysis revealed that the mobile gaming motives of participants were self-realization/individual gratification, rivalry, social interaction, addiction and escaping. It was concluded that the motivation of the participants to play mobile games and the time they spent on mobile gaming decreased as their education level increased. It was also found that the mean scores for each factor got lower as the age progressed.
Visualising the politics of appearance in times of democratisation: An analysis of the 2010 Belgrade Pride Parade television coverage
Authors: Krstić Aleksandra , Parry Katy , Aiello Giorgia
Published: December 2017

The 2010 Belgrade Pride Parade represents a critical moment in the story of Serbia’s democratisation process and highlights the threat that right-wing extremism poses to democratic rights and personal freedoms. Through a focus on patterns of visibility and visuality in the coverage of different protagonists in the streets of Belgrade, we explore the ways in which distinct communities perform their affinities, their right to be seen in public spaces, and rejection of ‘the other’. We conduct a visual framing analysis across four news programmes (RTS, Prva TV, TV B92 and Pink TV), emphasising the stylistic-semiotic choices which work to construct the contested spaces of the city. In shifting attention to how the news images work to create the spaces of political ‘appearance’ and the potentials for political agency through mediated visibility, the article explores the uneasy ambivalence of the democratisation process for authorities and the resulting marginalisation of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community in news coverage.
Accuracy of inter-hospital transfer information in Australian hospital administrative databases
Authors: Assareh Hassan , Achat Helen M , Levesque Jean-Frederic
Published: December 2017

Inter-hospital transfers improve care delivery for which sending and receiving hospitals both accountable for patient outcomes. We aim to measure accuracy in recorded patient transfer information (indication of transfer and hospital identifier) over 2 years across 121 acute hospitals in New South Wales, Australia. Accuracy rate for 127,406 transfer-out separations was 87 per cent, with a low variability across hospitals (10% differences); it was 65 per cent for 151,978 transfer-in admissions with a greater inter-hospital variation (36% differences). Accuracy rate varied by departure and arrival pathways; at receiving hospitals, it was lower for transfer-in admission via emergency department (incidence rate ratio = 0.52, 95% confidence interval: 0.51–0.53) versus direct admission. Transfer-out data were more accurate for transfers to smaller hospitals (incidence rate ratio = 1.06, 95% confidence interval: 1.03–1.08) or re-transfers (incidence rate ratio > 1.08). Incorporation of transfer data from sending and receiving hospitals at patient level in administrative datasets and standardisation of documentation across hospitals would enhance accuracy and support improved attribution of hospital performance measures.
Effectiveness of a Self-Management Intervention to Promote an Active Lifestyle in Persons With Long-Term Spinal Cord Injury: The HABITS Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Kooijmans Hedwig , Post Marcel W. M. , Stam Henk J. , van der Woude Lucas H. V. , Spijkerman Dorien C. M. , Snoek Govert J. , Bongers-Janssen Helma M. H. , van Koppenhagen C. F. , Twisk Jos W. ,   ALLRISC Group, Bussmann Johannes B. J.
Published: December 2017

Background. Most people with long-term spinal cord injury (SCI) have a very inactive lifestyle. Higher activity levels have been associated with health benefits and enhanced quality of life. Consequently, encouraging an active lifestyle is important and behavioral interventions are needed to establish durable lifestyle changes. Objective. The Healthy Active Behavioral Intervention in SCI (HABITS) study was aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a structured self-management intervention to promote an active lifestyle in inactive persons with long-term SCI. Methods. This assessor-blinded randomized controlled trial was conducted at 4 specialized SCI units in the Netherlands. Sixty-four individuals with long-term SCI (>10 years), wheelchair-user and physically inactive, were included. Participants were randomized to either a 16-week self-management intervention consisting of group meetings and individual counseling and a book, or to a control group that only received information about active lifestyle by one group meeting and a book. Measurements were performed at baseline, 16 weeks, and 42 weeks. Primary outcome measures were self-reported physical activity and minutes per day spent in wheelchair driving. Secondary outcomes included perceived behavioral control (exercise self-efficacy, proactive coping), stages of change concerning exercise, and attitude toward exercise. Results. Mixed models analyses adjusted for age, sex, level of SCI, time since injury, baseline body mass index, and location did not show significant differences between the intervention and control groups on the primary and secondary outcomes ( P ≥ .05). Conclusions. A structured 16-week self-management intervention was not effective to change behavior toward a more active lifestyle and to improve perceived behavioral control, stages of change, and attitude.
Travelling or not? A content analysis mapping Danish television drama from 2005 to 2014
Authors: Helles Rasmus , Lai Signe Sophus
Published: December 2017

The article presents a quantitative content analysis of the first episode of the 32 Danish drama series produced between 2005 and 2014. Some of these, such as Borgen (2010–2013) and Forbrydelsen (The Killing) (2007–2012), have experienced unprecedented, international success. The article shows that there are systematic differences in terms of formal characteristics, themes and characters’ communicative style between the series that travel and those that do not. The analysis finds that the presence of strong female lead characters is systematically linked to the positive travel patterns of the series and that this cuts across different genres of series.
Linking Stages in the Development of Applied Sociology and Women's Studies
Authors: Richardson Barbara
Published: December 2017

As a field, applied sociology has developed along with the growth of women's studies. Women's studies scholars have called for greater recognition and appreciation of early women scholars, researchers, and activists during this formative period in the discipline's development (Crocco and Davis, 1999; Frankel and Dye, 1991; Hayden, 1992). Sociology has only recently begun to acknowledge the contributions of women leaders and their organizations during the early years of the discipline (Deegan, 1978; Kandal, 1988; Smith, 1998). This paper focuses on just a few of the Progressive Reform Era women's clubs active in social reforms: Domestic Science and the Municipal Housekeeping movements. Only a few of the voices of the first generation of founding mothers are highlighted here (Clark, 1973; Gilman, 1991; Gordon, 1990; Gusfield, 1955; Hunt, 1942; Richardson, 2002; Scott, 1992). We close with an analysis of nineteenth century women's group's accomplishments, as they worked hand in hand with applied sociologists, to document the impact of poverty on inner city families.
The Linguistic Features of Acronyms in Arabic
Authors: Altakhaineh Abdel Rahman Mitib
Published: December 2017

This study investigates the phonological, semantic, and pragmatic features of acronyms in Arabic. Acronyms in Arabic have appeared quite recently as a result of globalization and exposure to or contact with, mainly, English via radio stations and TV channels, which are broadcasting in English and in some countries, for example, Morocco in both English and French. Through in-depth analysis, it has been observed that acronyms in Arabic are subject to different restrictions: (a) The phonological combinations are formed on the basis of Arabic templates; hence, should be compatible with Arabic phonotactics, for example, consonant clusters should be broken up by vowels; (b) the connotation of the acronyms should not be negative; and (c) in conformity with relevance theory, when the acronyms are homophonous to existing words, the former maximize contextual effects with minimum processing effort. The fact that they appear in certain contexts also reduces the processing effort. It has also become evident that the period between the establishment of the movement or party and the first use of the acronym decreases over time, provided that the acronyms are frequently mentioned in the media. The examination of acronyms in different languages shows that acronymization is quite pervasive cross-linguistically; this may suggest that not any word-formation process can easily spread; it needs to be prevalent and potentially universal.
Predictive Factors for Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy Tube Placement After Anterior Cervical Fusion
Authors: De la Garza-Ramos Rafael , Goodwin C. Rory , Abu-Bonsrah Nancy , Jain Amit , Passias Peter G. , Neuman Brian J. , Sciubba Daniel M.
Published: December 2017

Study Design:

Retrospective case-control study.

Objectives:

To identify incidence and risk factors for percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube placement after anterior cervical fusion (ACF).

Methods:

Adult patients undergoing elective ACF with/without corpectomy for spondylosis from 2002 to 2011 were identified using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample database. The primary outcome measure was PEG tube placement; secondary outcomes included in-hospital mortality, total hospital charges, and discharge disposition. Multiple regression analyses were conducted to identify independent predictors of PEG tube placement.

Results:

Of 164 097 patients, 217 (0.13%) required a PEG tube. Patients needing PEG tube placement were older (69 vs 52 years; P < .001) and more likely to be male (65% vs 46.6%; P < .001) when compared with control patients. After regression analysis, age over 65 year (odds ratio [OR] = 4.16; P < .001) was the strongest independent predictor for PEG tube placement; other associated factors included male gender (OR = 2.14; P < .001), congestive heart failure (OR = 4.11; P < .001), anemia (OR = 3.52; P < .001), alcohol abuse (OR = 2.80; P = .009), renal failure (OR = 2.25; P = .003), chronic lung disease (OR = 1.78; P < .001), corpectomy (OR = 2.16; P < .001), and fusion of ≥3 segments (OR = 1.74; P < .001). Mortality rate for patients requiring PEG tube placement was 5.1% versus 0.05% for controls ( P < .001); average hospital charges were $134 379 versus $39 519 ( P < .001), and nonroutine discharges were seen in 89.3% versus only 6.4% for controls ( P < .001).

Conclusions:

The incidence of PEG tube placement after ACF was 0.13% in this study. Identified risk factors included age >65, corpectomy, fusion of ≥3 segments, and various comorbidities. Additionally, there may be increased risk of in-hospital mortality, hospital charges, and nonroutine discharges among these patients.
Air pollution and subclinical interstitial lung disease: the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) air–lung study
Authors: Sack Coralynn , Vedal Sverre , Sheppard Lianne , Raghu Ganesh , Barr R. Graham , Podolanczuk Anna , Doney Brent , Hoffman Eric A. , Gassett Amanda , Hinckley-Stukovsky Karen , Williams Kayleen , Kawut Steve , Lederer David J. , Kaufman Joel D.
Published: December 2017

We studied whether ambient air pollution is associated with interstitial lung abnormalities (ILAs) and high attenuation areas (HAAs), which are qualitative and quantitative measurements of subclinical interstitial lung disease (ILD) on computed tomography (CT).

We performed analyses of community-based dwellers enrolled in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) study. We used cohort-specific spatio-temporal models to estimate ambient pollution (fine particulate matter (PM2.5), nitrogen oxides (NOx), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and ozone (O3)) at each home. A total of 5495 participants underwent serial assessment of HAAs by cardiac CT; 2671 participants were assessed for ILAs using full lung CT at the 10-year follow-up. We used multivariable logistic regression and linear mixed models adjusted for age, sex, ethnicity, education, tobacco use, scanner technology and study site.

The odds of ILAs increased 1.77-fold per 40 ppb increment in NOx(95% CI 1.06 to 2.95, p = 0.03). There was an overall trend towards an association between higher exposure to NOxand greater progression of HAAs (0.45% annual increase in HAAs per 40 ppb increment in NOx; 95% CI −0.02 to 0.92, p = 0.06). Associations of ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5), NOxand NO2concentrations with progression of HAAs varied by race/ethnicity (p = 0.002, 0.007, 0.04, respectively, for interaction) and were strongest among non-Hispanic white people.

We conclude that ambient air pollution exposures were associated with subclinical ILD.
Characterizations of contractive conditions by using convergent sequences
Authors: Suzuki Tomonari
Published: December 2017

We give characterizations of the contractive conditions, by using convergent sequences. Since we use a unified method, we can compare the contractive conditions very easily. We also discuss the contractive conditions of integral type by a unified method.
La estrategia narrativa como recurso humorístico en la comedia de situación: el caso de Cómo conocí a vuestra madre
Authors: Aliaga Aguza Laura María
Published: December 2017

El objetivo de este artículo es analizar cómo se consigue crear humor en una comedia de situación. Para ello, nos apoyaremos en la Teoría General del Humor Verbal establecida por Attardo y Raskin (1991). Esta teoría se fundamenta en seis recursos de conocimiento desde un enfoque semántico-pragmático. Para llevar a cabo nuestro estudio examinaremos un capítulo de la serie estadounidense Cómo conocí a vuestra madre, centrándonos, en uno de los recursos que ofrece la Teoría General del Humor Verbal, concretamente, en la estrategia narrativa. Además, observaremos tanto los jab lines (ganchos) como el punch line (remate) (Attardo, 1994), mecanismos humorísticos que ayudan a crear el efecto cómico. De este modo, a partir de la estructura del capítulo se establece el hilo conductor de la trama por medio de ganchos, bromas menores que nos sitúan en la trama y preparan el argumento para aumentar el efecto hilarante del remate, desenlace humorístico que cierra la trama de forma cómica.
Una propuesta metodológica para el estudio de colocaciones en un corpus no etiquetado y especializado
Authors: Lozano  Bachioqui Eleonora
Published: December 2017

El presente trabajo tiene como objetivo presentar una propuesta metodológica guiada por corpus para el estudio de unidades fraseológicas, específicamente las colocaciones, en los lenguajes de especialidad. Las unidades fraseológicas se identifican a través de los verbos clave de un área determinada en un corpus no etiquetado, especializado y con fines específicos. La metodología aquí propuesta se ha probado en la identificación de unidades fraseológicas en un corpus legal perteneciente al género del derecho civil mexicano. Para ello, se explican las diferentes etapas del proceso, asimismo se proporciona un resumen de los resultados obtenidos. La metodología propuesta resulta útil para la enseñanza-aprendizaje del español para propósitos específicos, la traducción legal y la formación de profesionales en derecho, así como cualquier otra persona interesada en el tema.
Modelos para el diseño de experiencias transmedia en entornos educativos. Exploraciones en torno a The Walking Dead, La Odisea y Tom Sawyer
Authors: Montoya-Bermudez Diego-Fernando , Vásquez-Arias Mauricio
Published: December 2017

Este texto presenta dos modelos para el diseño de experiencias transmediales aplicables desde el contexto de la comunicación a escenarios pedagógicos. Usando como método la investigación a través del diseño, se sistematizan dos prácticas de transmediación: una de carácter narrativo en contextos educativos formales, y la otra experiencial para entornos pedagógicos informales; ambos ejercicios con fines comunes: incentivar la lectura y la escritura en distintos públicos, y potenciar las prácticas transmedia como dinamizadores de procesos de alfabetización mediática, en una idea de poner los medios de comunicación del lado de la educación. Dichas propuestas permitieron evidenciar, tanto desde los sistemas intertextuales como desde los intermediales, las potencialidades de la  transmedialidad como vector articulador de procesos de creación y experimentación. Finalmente, como aporte, el texto se centra en la elaboración de una propuesta metodológica para el diseño transmedia de experiencias mediante la cual se plantea la intermedialidad como una mirada más amplia hacia la transmediación.
Los eventos, herramienta clave en las estrategias de comunicación de marcas turísticas: de la linealidad a la transmedialidad
Authors: Martínez-Sala Alba-María , Campillo-Alhama Concepción
Published: December 2017

La presente investigación aborda el reto que plantea la utilización de eventos en la creación y desarrollo de marcas turísticas. Desde el enfoque del protagonismo absoluto del individuo, se hace un recorrido conceptual de los eventos, de los eventos 2.0, de la narrativa transmedia y del transmedia branding para evaluar la explotación de su potencial comunicativo en la comunicación de marca. El objetivo principal se materializa en un análisis de la implementación de las premisas de la narrativa transmedia en la comunicación 2.0 de eventos. A partir de un muestreo intencional de trece destinos turísticos culturales españoles, Sitios Patrimonio Mundial, se analiza la difusión de eventos y la interacción generada en las redes sociales Facebook y Twitter mediante la metodología del case studies. Los resultados revelan una gestión incipiente de la comunicación transmedia de los eventos 2.0 en ambas redes sociales. Pese a ello, el análisis realizado y la bibliografía consultada corroboran el papel clave de los eventos en la creación de marcas país, territorio, turísticas, etc., y sustentan la principal aportación de esta investigación: la definición de las premisas de implementación de la narrativa transmedia en el ámbito de los eventos.
Los valores en la publicidad impresa. Análisis de “XLSemanal”
Authors: Gutiérrez-Guerrero María-Dolores , Méndiz-Noguero Alfonso , Repiso-Caballero Rafael
Published: December 2017

Este artículo se enmarca dentro del estudio de los valores sociales en la publicidad impresa. Presenta un análisis descriptivo y comparativo de los valores sociales percibidos en la redacción publicitaria de los anuncios publicados en el año 2012 en el suplemento español XL Semanal, revista con más difusión en España según el Estudio General de Medios y la OJD. Los valores sociales determinan la convivencia entre las personas y los medios de comunicación de masas son un factor de cambio social que por el imperativo económico están al servicio de la publicidad. Los publicistas, en su afán por lograr anuncios eficaces, usan estrategias cada vez más elaboradas donde recurren a estudios sociológicos y de mercado para conocer las costumbres y los valores a los que han de apelar en sus mensajes. Estas realidades justifican el hacer un análisis de cuáles son esos valores sociales emitidos en los anuncios y que llegan masivamente a la ciudadanía. Utilizando la técnica de Escalamiento Multidimensional (MDS) se ha podido determinar el posicionamiento de los diferentes valores según su participación en los diferentes sectores comerciales, permitiendo estudiar qué valores se asemejan mejor al conjunto y, en contrapartida, qué valores extraordinarios sobresalen al diferenciarse del conjunto.
Fingimiento y ficción en la narrativa argentina sobre los años 70
Authors: García Victoria
Published: December 2017

El fingimiento es un tema central de la narrativa argentina sobre los años 70, vinculado a las dobles identidades que asumieron los miembros de organizaciones revolucionarias clandestinas, por un lado, y a la simulación de la colaboración a la que recurrieron para sobrevivir ciertos militantes detenidos durante la dictadura, por otro. Pero, además, el fingimiento es la forma que cobra cierta literatura sobre los 70, en la que la tematización de la simulación como modo de vida, dentro y fuera del cautiverio, se realiza mediante procedimientos narrativos característicos del discurso ficcional. En efecto, la ficción implica un tipo particular de fingimiento. El presente artículo orienta sus reflexiones en esa línea. En primer lugar, introducimos la cuestión de las relaciones entre fingimiento y ficción, subrayando la oscilación semántica entre engaño y creación imaginativa, que históricamente ha rodeado al concepto de ficción. En segundo lugar, analizamos tres textos que tematizan el fingimiento como práctica cotidiana y hasta vital en los años 70: Los compañeros (Rolo Diez), La Voluntad (Eduardo Anguita y Martín Caparrós) y Pequeños combatientes (Raquel Robles). Al recrear el proceso de la década de 1970 como una gran «ficción» sostenida por sus protagonistas, estos textos intervienen en los dilemas y debates de posdictadura, exponiendo la complejidad de las subjetividades políticas que participaron de aquella experiencia.
Calcium. Estrategias transversales, transtextuales y transmediales. El tiempo «después»: algunas reflexiones sobre la memoria y la función del recuerdo en Nostalgia de la luz de Patricio Guzmán
Authors: De Toro Alfonso
Published: December 2017

En el presente ensayo perseguimos dos finalidades: una es la descripción y teorización del uso de mi concepto: «memoria performativa»; otra es analizar el fillm documental de Patricio Guzmán Nostalgia de la luz (2010), que tiene como tema la búsqueda de muchas madres por el desierto de Atacama rastreando las huellas y los rastros de sus parientes desaparecidos. Las madres, llamadas las «mujeres de Calama», buscaron por 28 años los huesos de las víctimas y algunas de ellas aún siguen buscando.
Literatura expandida en el dominio digital
Authors: Kozak Claudia
Published: December 2017

El artículo toma como punto de partida la noción de literatura expandida, que permite leer diversos modos en que, al menos desde inicios del siglo XX, y con fuerte impacto en décadas recientes, una zona de la literatura se ha volcado fuera de sí. Sin desdeñar la noción de expansión implicada en la vida misma como terreno de experimentación y experiencia literaria, el texto focaliza en una literatura expandida como apertura y desplazamiento hacia otros lenguajes –más allá del verbal– y otros medios y soportes –más allá del libro–; en particular en relación con la literatura digital latinoamericana. Asimismo, se plantea un breve recorrido histórico y una propuesta crítica para abordar este tipo de literatura que desafía los hábitos de la crítica. Esta propuesta crítica implica a su vez una mirada latinoamericana, para la cual el espesor semántico de la metáfora dominio digital –tanto dominio web como dominación digital– sirve de anclaje.
The WD+He star binaries as the progenitors of type Ia supernovae
Authors: Wang Bo , Liu Dongdong
Published: December 2017

Employing the MESA stellar evolution code, we computed He accretion onto carbon-oxygen white dwarfs (CO WDs).We found two possible outcomes for models in which the WD steadily grows in mass towards the Chandrasekhar limit. For relatively low He-accretion rates carbon ignition occurs in the center, leading to a type Ia supernova (SN Ia) explosion, whereas for relatively high accretion rates carbon is ignited off-center, probably leading to collapse. Thus the parameter space producing SNe Ia is reduced compared to what was assumed in earlier papers, in which the possibility of off-center ignition was ignored. We then applied these results in binary population synthesis modelling, finding a modest reduction in the expected birthrate of SNe Ia resulting from the WD+He star channel.
Effect of maternal age, height, BMI and ethnicity on birth weight: an Italian multicenter study
Authors: Spada Elena , Chiossi Giuseppe , Coscia Alessandra , Monari Francesca , Facchinetti Fabio
Published: December 2017

Aim:

To assess the effect of maternal age, height, early pregnancy body mass index (BMI) and ethnicity on birth weight.

Subjects and methods:

A cross-sectional study was conducted on more than 42,000 newborns. Ethnicity was defined by maternal country of birth or, when missing (<0.6% of records), by citizenship. The effect of maternal characteristics on birth weight was evaluated with general linear models.

Results:

Maternal height and BMI, although not age, significantly affected birth weight. Among Italian babies, 4.7% of newborns were classified as appropriate-for-gestational age (AGA) (birth weight between the 10th and the 90th centile) according to the country-specific Italian Neonatal Study (INeS) charts and were re-classified as either large-(LGA) (birth weight >90th centile) or small-(SGA) (birth weight <10th centile) for gestational age (GA) after adjustment for maternal characteristics. On the contrary, 1.6% of Italian newborns were classified as SGA or LGA according to the INeS charts and re-classified as AGA after adjustment. Maternal ethnicity had a significant impact on birth weight. Specifically, babies born to Senegalese mothers were the lightest, whilst babies born to Chinese mothers were the heaviest.

Conclusions:

Maternal height and early pregnancy BMI, should be considered in the evaluation of birth weight. The effect of ethnicity suggests the appropriateness of ethnic-specific charts. Further studies are necessary to determine if changes in birth weight classification, may translate into improved detection of subjects at risk of adverse outcomes.
Preparation and Physico-Chemical Stability of Dexamethasone Oral Suspension
Authors: Binson Guillaume , Venisse Nicolas , Bacle Astrid , Beuzit Karine , Dupuis Antoine
Published: December 2017

Background

Dexamethasone is commonly used to treat a wide variety of diseases including oncological disorders. The aim of this study was to propose a liquid formulation of dexamethasone. Therefore we have developed and assessed the stability of a 5 mg/mL dexamethasone oral suspension.

Methods

A stability-indicating analytical method, using HPLC-UV, was developed and fully validated according to well-recognized international guidelines. The dexamethasone suspension was prepared using dexamethasone acetate powder and Ora-Sweet

Results

The mean dexamethasone concentration of the compounded oral suspensions was equal to 5.07±0.17 mg/mL. No colour modifications, precipitate or suspending troubles was observed throughout the storage period and the pH of the oral suspensions was decreased slightly, from 4.41±0.01 to 4.20±0.02. According to the dexamethasone content determined by HPLC-UV, whatever storage condition was used, no significant degradation of dexamethasone occurred over the 60 days of the study period.

Conclusion

Dexamethasone oral suspension prepared according to our conditions is stable over 60 days under regular storage temperatures (at 4±2 °C or at 21±3 °C).
Reexamination of the crystal structure of semseyite, Pb9Sb8S21
Authors: Matsushita Yoshitaka
Published: December 2017

The crystal structure of semseyite, Pb9Sb8S21 was successfully refined using a single-crystal specimen from Wolfsberg, Harz, Germany, having chemical composition (EPMA) Pb9.01(1)Sb8.00(3)S21.05(5). The structure belongs to the monoclinic C2/c space group (a=13.6267(10) Å, b=11.9742(9) Å, c=24.5891(18) Å, β=105.997(3)°, V=3856.8(5) Å3, Z=4, Dc
=6.048 g/cm3). Crystal structure refinement with all atoms refined anisotropically converged to R
1=4.64% (I>2σ(I)). The crystal structure is built of two subunits (A and B) showing TlSbS2-like topology. Each of them stacks parallel to (001), and c/2 in thickness. Two cation sites (Pb1 and Sb5) located at central part of the subunit, show mixed occupancy behavior as 95% Pb and 5% Sb at the Pb5 site, and 95% Sb and 5% Pb at the Sb1 site, respectively. Each of subunits are related by unit cell-level twinning mechanism “tropochemical cell twinning” with the TlSbS2-like subunits alternatively parallel to (1 1 −4) and (−1 1 4) planes.
Dynamic Fracture Characterization of Cantilever Structure Specimens with V-Notch Tips
Authors: Yue Zhongwen , Zhang Wang , Song Yao , Hu Qingwen , Xie Luzhou
Published: December 2017

The dynamic fracture behavior of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) cantilever structure specimens with different notch angles under low-speed impact is studied using the digital array high-speed imaging system. First, dynamic caustic patterns at the notch tip and the propagating crack tip, respectively, are recorded. Then, the evolution of the stress intensity factor (SIF) and the crack propagation velocity are calculated, which are illustrated in detail based on the stress wave. Finally, the effect of notch angle on fracture behavior is analyzed, and the microscopic characterizations of the fracture surface are described. The results play an important role in evaluating the dynamic fracture properties of cantilever structures.
Genomic Prediction and Association Mapping of Curd-Related Traits in Gene Bank Accessions of Cauliflower
Authors: Thorwarth Patrick , Yousef Eltohamy A A , Schmid Karl J
Published: December 2017

Genetic resources are an important source of genetic variation for plant breeding. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and genomic prediction greatly facilitate the analysis and utilization of useful genetic diversity for improving complex phenotypic traits in crop plants. We explored the potential of GWAS and genomic prediction for improving curd-related traits in cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis) by combining 174 randomly selected cauliflower gene bank accessions from two different gene banks. The collection was genotyped with genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) and phenotyped for six curd-related traits at two locations and three growing seasons. A GWAS analysis based on 120,693 single-nucleotide polymorphisms identified a total of 24 significant associations for curd-related traits. The potential for genomic prediction was assessed with a genomic best linear unbiased prediction model and BayesB. Prediction abilities ranged from 0.10 to 0.66 for different traits and did not differ between prediction methods. Imputation of missing genotypes only slightly improved prediction ability. Our results demonstrate that GWAS and genomic prediction in combination with GBS and phenotyping of highly heritable traits can be used to identify useful quantitative trait loci and genotypes among genetically diverse gene bank material for subsequent utilization as genetic resources in cauliflower breeding.
Homoclinic Solutions for Some Nonperiodic Fourth Order Differential Equations with Sublinear Nonlinearities
Authors: Ying Wang  , Ziheng Zhang
Published: December 2017

In this paper we investigate the existence of homoclinic solutions for the following fourth order nonautonomous differential equations; u(4) + wu’’ + a(x)u = f (x,u), (FDE) where w is a constant, a ɛ C(R, R) and f ɛ C(R x R, R) . The novelty of this paper is that, when (FDE) is nonperiodic, i.e., a and f are nonperiodic in x, assuming that a is bounded from below and f is sublinear as | u |→ +ꚙ , we establish one new criterion to guarantee the existence and multiplicity of homoclinic solutions of (FDE). Recent results in the literature are generalized and improved.
Macrominerales en Sangre en Cuatro Genotipos Bovinos en la Amazonía Ecuatoriana
Authors: Quinteros Roberto , Barbona Ivana , Vargas Julio César , Moyano Juan Carlos , Marini Pablo Roberto
Published: December 2017

El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar la concentración de macrominerales en sangre de vacas lecheras de cuatro genotipos bajo condiciones de pastoreo libre en la provincia de Napo, Ecuador. Se evaluaron 36 vacas de primer parto, cruzas de Bos indicus con Gir, Brown Swiss, Jersey y Sahiwal. Se tomaron muestran de sangre los días 60 y 21 antes del parto, en el parto y a los 30, 60 y 90 días del parto y se determinaron los valores en plasma de calcio (Ca2+), fósforo (P), magnesio (Mg), potasio (K+), sodio (Na+) y cloro (Cl). Ninguna de los valores plasmáticos presentó diferencias significativas entre grupos raciales y los valores obtenidos se encontraron entre los valores referenciales para vacas lecheras.
Uso de Oxitocina para Prevenir Mortalidad Embrionaria Temprana en Alpacas
Authors: Sánchez Silvia , Leyva V. Víctor , Oscanoa M. Alex , García V. Wilber
Published: December 2017

El objetivo del presente experimento fue comprobar el efecto de la oxitocina en la supervivencia embrionaria durante el periodo de riesgo por luteolisis en alpacas posservicio. Se seleccionaron 43 alpacas adultas receptivas al macho y con un folículo ovárico e»7 mm de diámetro, que fueron sometidas a monta controlada e»10 minutos con macho fértil, asegurando la ovulación con 1 ml de GnRH i.m. (Día 0). Dentro de las alpacas con cuerpo lúteo confirmado por ecografía transrectal en el día 7, se seleccionaron 30 animales al azar y se distribuyeron en dos grupos similares. Al primer grupo se le aplicó 40 UI/d de oxitocina los días 9, 10 y 11 pos-servicio, fraccionadas en 4 dosis de 10 UI cada 5 horas. Al segundo grupo se le aplicó un placebo como control. Se evaluó la supervivencia embrionaria por receptividad sexual los días 8, 10, 11, 12 y 40 pos-servicio. La viabilidad embrionaria fue confirmada el día 40 pos-servicio mediante ecografía. Las alpacas tratadas con oxitocina tuvieron porcentajes de supervivencia embrionaria de 100% los días 8 y 10, de 93.3% los días 11 y 12, y de 86.7% el día 40 pos-servicio, en tanto que las alpacas no tratadas fueron de 100, 80, 66.7, 46.7 y 46.7% los días 8, 10, 11, 12 y 40 posservicio, respectivamente, habiendo diferencias entre grupos los días 12 y 40 (p<0.05). Se concluye que la oxitocina exógena redujo la mortalidad embrionaria en alpacas antes de los 40 días de gestación.
Tratamiento Fisioterapéutico en Caninos Domésticos con Claudicación del Tren Posterior
Authors: Pilco P. Marelsy , Hinostroza M. Elizabeth , Serrano-Martínez Enrique
Published: December 2017

El estudio tuvo por objetivo evaluar el efecto de un tratamiento de fisioterapia (masajes, termoterapia, electroterapia y ultrasonido) en la recuperación de pacientes caninos con lesiones del tren posterior. Los canes de los 15 casos evaluados fueron de ambos sexos, con edades desde 5 meses hasta 12 años, que acudieron a la consulta veterinaria con claudicación del tren posterior por displasia de cadera, espondiloartrosis y neuropatías traumáticas. Los caninos fueron tratados hasta un máximo de 12 sesiones, donde las primeras seis sesiones eran dos veces por semana y las otras seis eran una vez por semana. Doce de los 15 pacientes se recuperaron de manera favorable y tres pacientes gerontes no respondieron al tratamiento. La aplicación de la fisioterapia tuvo una efectividad de 80% en caninos con problemas del tren posterior.
Conducta del Puma Andino Puma concolor (Linnaeus, 1771) en cautiverio Bajo un Programa de Enriquecimiento Ambiental en el Parque Zoológico «Taraccasa» (Apurímac, Perú)
Authors: Morales Mijahuanca Cristian J. , Machaca M. Roger , Quispe Peña Edgar , Cano Fuentes Víctor , Escobedo Enriquez Max H. , Corredor Flor A. , Machaca Machaca Virgilio
Published: December 2017

Se aplicó un programa de enriquecimiento ambiental a pumas (Pumas concolor) del Parque Zoológico Taraccasa en Abancay (Apurímac, Perú) con el objetivo de monitorear cambios de conducta. Se observaron cuatro pumas (tres hembras, un macho) de 3 a 9 años de edad. Se utilizaron cuatro tipos de enriquecimiento ambiental: físico (taburetes de madera, troncos), alimenticio (carne de equino, alimento balanceado de gatos), sensorial (costales con esencias aromáticas y especias, orines de zorros y venados), y social (pelotas con piel de equino). El estudio consideró la etapa previa al enriquecimiento ambiental (24 días) y la etapa durante el enriquecimiento ambiental (24 días). Se registraron las conductas entre 09:00 a 12:00 y entre 16:00 a 18:00 con cámara de video. Las conductas individuales con incremento significativo fueron el cuidado corporal, locomoción, observación, exploración, búsqueda (p<0.001) y disminución de un comportamiento anormal como el pacing (p<0.001), mientras que en las conductas grupales que incrementaron la aproximación y marcaje (p<0.001) y disminuyó la persecución (p<0.001). Se concluye que el programa de enriquecimiento ambiental aplicado a los pumas tuvo un efecto positivo, al aumentar los comportamientos de actividad y sociales normales y disminuir la estereotipia.
Efecto de la Suplementación con Medicago sativa (Alfalfa) sobre Algunos Parámetros de la Leche Bovina
Authors: Cruz Carrillo Anastasia , Lizarazo Cely Carlos Sebastián , Porras Vargas José Luis
Published: December 2017

El objetivo de este trabajo fue determinar si la suplementación con alfalfa en vacas en producción podría generar un efecto antioxidante y modificar la composición de los ácidos grasos de la leche. Se utilizaron 19 vacas distribuidas en un grupo tratado (suplementado con alfalfa; n=11) y un grupo control (n=8). Se determinó el nivel de oxidación de la grasa de la leche (prueba de jabón de cobre), la calidad composicional y la presencia de ácidos grasos (cromatografía de gases) en la leche. La grasa de la leche de los animales suplementados mostró mayor estabilidad y menor oxidación respecto al grupo control, mostrando un efecto antioxidante, aun en aquella leche que se mantuvo 14 días a temperatura ambiente. Asimismo, hubo aumento de ácidos grasos poliinsaturados y disminución de los saturados, y aumento del porcentaje de grasa total de la leche. Se concluye que la suplementación con alfalfa da mayor estabilidad a la grasa de la leche por su efecto antioxidante y mejora la proporción de ácidos grasos poliinsaturados con disminución de los saturados, lo cual podría ser más benéfico para la salud del consumidor.
Descripción Osteológica del Puma Andino (Puma concolor): I. Esqueleto Apendicular
Authors: Pacheco C. Joel , Zapata Celso
Published: December 2017

Se realizó el estudio del esqueleto apendicular del puma andino (Puma concolor) en dos especímenes adultos: un macho y una hembra, decomisados en Cusco, Perú, por el Servicio Nacional Forestal y de Fauna Silvestre (SERFOR). La obtención de las piezas óseas se realizó siguiendo la técnica estándar de disección osteológica. La descripción de los términos anatómicos se hizo según la Nómina Anatómica Veterinaria. Las características más resaltantes del esqueleto apendicular fueron descritas. En general, las eminencias de los huesos no son tan notorias y solo se presentan como zonas rugosas; el radio y cúbito completos y con carillas articulares bien definidas. A nivel de las manos, en los carpos sobresale el carpo intermedio radial, los metacarpos ligeramente cilíndricos y curvados en la superficie palmar, la tercera falange en caso del primer dedo está bastante desarrollada y con una prominente apófisis ungeal, característico de estas especies. Se presenta una cabeza de fémur esférica y a nivel de los cóndilos, dos sesamoideos del gastrocnemio bien definidos; tibias y peronés completos. En los tarsos, en número de siete, sobresalen el astrágalo y el calcáneo. Los metatarsianos y falanges son muy similares a los de la mano. A nivel del coxal, los huesos compactos se asemejan a los del gato doméstico.
Caracterización de la Citología Exfoliativa Vaginal en Alpacas (Vicugna pacos)
Authors: Pacheco Joel
Published: December 2017

Se realizó una caracterización de las formas celulares encontradas en frotices vaginales de alpacas vacías, así como la caracterización del índice de maduración en diferentes estadios fisiológicos (hembras vacías, preñadas, posparto temprano, pos-cópula) y la descripción del tejido vaginal de hembras vacías y preñadas para determinar diferencias estructurales. Las diferencias del índice de maduración entre alpacas vacías y preñadas podrían ser útiles como método de diagnóstico de gestación.
Percepción de los Estudiantes de Medicina Veterinaria acerca de los Perros vagabundos y sus Estrategias de Control en Lima, Perú
Authors: Vizquerra B. Micaela , San Martín H. Felipe , Carbajal G. Iván , Falcón P. Néstor
Published: December 2017

El objetivo del estudio fue determinar la percepción de los estudiantes de la carrera de medicina veterinaria (MV) acerca de la presencia de perros vagabundos y sus estrategias de control en Lima, Perú. Se elaboró un instrumento de auto-aplicación con preguntas de alternativas múltiples, de una o más opciones de respuesta y se aplicó en forma anónima a los estudiantes de MV de dos universidades de Lima. Se hizo una validación previa del contenido por jueces expertos (prueba de distribución binomial) y prueba piloto en estudiantes de MV de una tercera universidad, para evaluar la consistencia interna (prueba estadística alfa de Cronbach). Se analizaron 457 encuestas. El 36.5% de los encuestados perciben que los perros vagabundos en las calles tenían dueño. Los encuestados consideraron que los principales problemas que sufren estos animales eran desnutrición (86.7%), parasitosis (62.8%) y accidentes (54.9%), y los principales problemas que ocasionaban eran la reproducción no deseada (76.1%), zoonosis (47.9%) y ruptura de bolsas de basura (40.7%). Los estudiantes le atribuyen la responsabilidad de enfrentar el problema a la municipalidad del distrito (86.4%) y el Ministerio de Salud (60.6%). Para controlar el problema consideran las esterilizaciones (79.0%), adopciones (70.9%) y castraciones (60.8%) como las opciones más viables.
OPTIMIZATION OF ENHANCED PROBIOTIC SPORES PRODUCTION IN SUBMERGED CULTIVATION OF BACILLUS AMYLOLIQUEFACIENS B-1895
Authors: Khardziani Tamar , Sokhadze Kakha , Kachlishvili Eva , Chistyakov Vladimir , Elisashvili Vladimir
Published: December 2017

The aim of this study was to gain a deeper fundamental knowledge on the physiology of B. amyloliquefaciens B-1895 for development of probiotic production technology through the submerged fermentation of renewable and inexpensive agro-industrial lignocellulosic biomass.
For comparison, bacilli cultivation was performed in the synthetic medium with different carbon sources. The highest yield of spores (7.1 x 109/mL) was attained after 72 h of submerged cultivation of bacilli in the 0.4% glucose-containing medium. Substitution of glucose with various lignocellulosic materials at concentration of 40 g/L yielded 2.3-10.8 x 109 spores/mL. After subsequent optimization, the developed simple medium containing milled corn cobs as a growth substrate and casein hydrolysate at concentration of 40 mM N provided formation of as high as 2.8 x 1010 spore/mL in shake-flasks experiments and 2.5 x 1010 spores/mL in a laboratory fermenter enabling the large scale production of low-cost probiotic for their biotechnological application. The study underlines importance for the efficient sporulation of carbon source depletion at the end of the exponential growth phase. Moreover, it shows that an exploitation of lignocellulosic materials with an appropriate chemical composition is a reasonable way to achieve high cell density and sporulation since bacilli secrete sufficient levels of glycosyl hydrolases for substrate saccharification to ensure bacterial culture with carbon and energy source.
DETECTION OF MYCOTOXINS USING MALDI-TOF MASS SPECTROMETRY
Authors: Hleba LukÃ¡Å¡ , Císarová Miroslava , Ali Shariati Mohammad , Tančinová Dana
Published: December 2017

Mycotoxins are toxic substances produced by some microscopic fungi such as Aspergillus, Fusarium and Penicillium sp. These species commonly contaminate foods and feeds. Therefore, the quick and accurate detection is very necessary. In this study, a six mycotoxins, concretely: aflatoxin B1, citrinin, deoxynivalenol, zearalenone, T2-toxin, and griseofulvin were detected by Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). In addition, sodium adducts were observed in all tested mycotoxins. All mycotoxins were ionizated by HCCA matrix. Our results showed that it is possible to detect selected mycotoxins by MALDI-TOF MS Microflex LT in linear positive ion mode.
EFFECT OF VITAMINS ON THE QUALITY OF INSEMINATION DOSES OF BULLS
Authors: Hashim Faridullah , Tvrdá Eva , Greifová Hana , Lukáč Norbert
Published: December 2017

To preserve and protect spermatozoa against any possible oxidative damage the addition of natural antioxidants might be the ideal solution which has been investigated worldwide. The composition of the diluents is as follows: 50 µM/L vitamin C with 0.5% DMSO (dimethyl sulfoxide, Sigma, St. Louis, USA); 50 µM/L vitamin E with 0.5% ethanol; each added separately to the spermatozoa with the aim to determine its effect on post-thaw quality of spermatozoa. 20 samples from each control and experimental group were analysed. Semen was thawed at 37°C for 70 seconds. The sperm motility parameters were analysed immediately after thawing used Sperm Vision CASA (Computer Assisted Semen Analysis) system. The viability of the cells was evaluated by metabolic activity MTT assay and the nitroblue-tetrazolium (NBT) test was used to assess the intracellular formation of the superoxide radicals. Motility was observed with highest statistical differences (P0.05) with the samples containing vitamin C, however, higher percentage (54%) of motility was observed in comparison to the control group (51.61%). Based on MTT assay, viability was also improved with the supplementation of vitamin C with the highest significance (P0.05). however, had higher percentage of viable spermatozoa (105.8%) when compare to the control group (100.1%) which did not contain vitamin E. All of the mentioned substances used – vitamin C, vitamin E – prevented the intracellular overproduction of free radicals within the sperm mitochondrial membrane with the statistical significance (P