bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Regulation of PGLYRP1 and TREM-1 during Progression and Resolution of Gingival Inflammation
Authors: Silbereisen A. , Hallak A.K. , Nascimento G.G. , Sorsa T. , Belibasakis G.N. , Lopez R. , Bostanci N.
Published: April 2019

Introduction:

The triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 1 (TREM-1) signaling pathway is stimulated by bacteria and, together with its putative ligand peptidoglycan recognition protein 1 (PGLYRP1), propagates proinflammatory responses.

Objectives:

We aimed to evaluate the TREM-1/PGLYRP1/interleukin (IL)–1β regulation in response to biofilm accumulation and removal in an experimental human gingivitis model.

Methods:

The study (n = 42 participants, mean age: 23.8 ± 3.7 y) comprised a recruitment step (day –14) followed by experimentally induced biofilm formation (induction [I] phase, day 0 to +21) and a 2-wk resolution (R) phase (day +21 to +35). Plaque was recorded by the Modified Quigley and Hein Plaque Index (TQHPI), while records of gingival inflammation were based on the Modified Gingival Index (MGI). Unstimulated whole saliva supernatants (n = 210, 5 time points) were tested for TREM-1, PGLYRP1, and IL-1β by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Results:

During the I-phase, concentrations of all analytes showed a tendency for downregulation at day +7 compared to day 0. TREM-1 (P = 0.019) and PGLYRP1 (P = 0.007) increased significantly between day +7 and day +21. Although all analyte levels decreased during the R-phase, the difference was not significant except TREM-1 being at borderline significance (P = 0.058). Moreover, TREM-1, PGLYRP1, and IL-1β showed significant positive correlations (P < 0.0001) with each other. The study participants were grouped into “fast” and “slow” responders based on clinical gingival inflammation scores. At each time point, fast responders showed significantly higher concentrations of TREM-1 (P < 0.025), PGLYRP1 (P < 0.007), and IL-1β (P < 0.025) compared to slow responders. Mixed-effects multilevel regression analyses revealed that PGLYRP1 (P = 0.047) and IL-1β (P = 0.005) showed a significant positive association with the MGI scores.

Conclusion:

The study demonstrated that TREM-1 and PGLYRP1 are regulated in response to biofilm accumulation and removal, and fast responders demonstrated higher levels of these analytes compared to slow responders.

Knowledge Transfer Statement:

The results of this study demonstrated the suitability of salivary TREM-1 and PGLYRP1 to reflect biofilm accumulation and removal and PGLYRP1 to monitor the progression and resolution of inflammation in gingivitis-susceptible individuals (fast responders). Combined with conventional risk factors, the molecular toolbox proposed here should be further validated in future studies to confirm whether it can be used for population-based monitoring and prevention of gingivitis.
Tangent Host: An Uneasy Partnership
Authors: Ensign Prescott C. , Robinson Nicholas P.
Published: April 2019

Tangent Host, a Canadian-based website services provider, was established in 2014 as a general partnership by two personal and professional friends. Each had a 50% ownership stake in profits and workload. In 2016, it had total revenue of US$121,440, divided evenly between web design (100 clients) and web hosting (375 clients). As a start-up, Tangent had taken advantage of growth opportunities and had overcome a number of operational challenges. By 2017, there were mounting unresolved issues: tension between partners, concerns with uncollected receivables, technical performance, and future direction. One of the partners seemed to be less committed to the partnership, shifting interest and time to other activities that generated personal not partnership income. The case provides thought-provoking issues confronted by a new venture and partnership: friction between partners, customer relations, service performance, increasing revenue, scaling a business, making strategic choices, and conflict resolution.
Randomized Double-Blind Phase II Study of Regorafenib in Patients With Metastatic Osteosarcoma
Authors: Davis Lara E. , Bolejack Vanessa , Ryan Christopher W. , Ganjoo Kristen N. , Loggers Elizabeth T. , Chawla Sant , Agulnik Mark , Livingston Michael B. , Reed Damon , Keedy Vicky , Rushing Daniel , Okuno Scott , Reinke Denise K. , Riedel Richard F. , Attia Steven , Mascarenhas Leo , Maki Robert G.
Published: April 2019

PURPOSE

SARC024 is a phase II clinical trial of the multikinase inhibitor regorafenib in specific sarcoma subtypes, including advanced osteosarcoma. We hypothesized that regorafenib would improve progression-free survival (PFS) in patients with sarcoma and report the results of the osteosarcoma cohort.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This trial enrolled patients with progressive metastatic osteosarcoma with measurable disease by RECIST who had received at least one prior line of therapy. Patients were randomly assigned at a ratio of one to one to regorafenib or placebo. Crossover was allowed at time of disease progression. PFS was the primary end point of the study, which was powered to detect a difference of at least 3 months in median PFS.

RESULTS

Forty-two patients from 12 centers were enrolled between September 2014 and May 2018. Median age was 37 years (range, 18 to 76 years). Patients had received an average of 2.3 prior therapy regimens. Ten patients receiving placebo crossed over to active drug at time of progression. Study enrollment was stopped early, after a data safety monitoring committee review. Median PFS was significantly improved with regorafenib versus placebo: 3.6 months (95% CI, 2.0 to 7.6 months) versus 1.7 months (95% CI, 1.2 to 1.8 months), respectively (hazard ratio, 0.42; 95% CI, 0.21 to 0.85; P = .017). In the context of the crossover design, there was no statistically significant difference in overall survival. Fourteen (64%) of 22 patients initially randomly assigned to regorafenib experienced grade 3 to 4 events attributed to treatment, including one grade 4 colonic perforation.

CONCLUSION

The study met its primary end point, demonstrating activity of regorafenib in patients with progressive metastatic osteosarcoma. No new safety signals were observed. Regorafenib should be considered a treatment option for patients with relapsed metastatic osteosarcoma.
Severe thermoregulatory deficiencies in mice with a deletion in the titin gene
Authors: Miyano Carissa A. , Orezzoli Santiago F. , Buck C. Loren , Nishikawa Kiisa C.
Published: April 2019

Muscular dystrophy with myositis (mdm) mice carry a deletion in the N2A region of the gene for the muscle protein titin, shiver at low frequency, fail to maintain body temperatures (Tb) at ambient temperatures (Ta) <34 °C, and have reduced body mass (BM) and active muscle stiffness in vivo compared to wild type (WT) siblings. Impaired shivering thermogenesis (ST) could be due to the mutated titin protein causing more compliant muscles. We hypothesized that non shivering thermogenesis (NST) is impaired. To characterize response to cold exposure, we measured Tb and metabolic rate (MR) of WT and mdm mice at four nominal temperatures: 20 °C, 24 °C, 29 °C, and 34 °C. Subsequently, we stimulated NST with norepinephrine. Manipulation of Ta revealed an interaction between genotype and MR; mdm mice had higher MRs at 29 °C and lower MRs at 24 °C compared to WT. NST capacity was lower in mdm mice than in WT. Using MRs from a previous study, we compared MR of mdm mice to Perognathus longimembris, a mouse species of similar BM. Our results indicated low MR and reduced NST of mdm mice. These were more pronounced than differences between mdm and WT mice due to BM effects on MR and capacity for NST. Correcting MR using Q10 showed that mdm mice had lower MRs than size-matched P. longimembris, indicating mutated N2A titin causes severe thermoregulatory defects at all levels. Direct effects of the titin mutation lead to lower shivering frequency. Indirect effects likely lead to a lower capacity for NST and increased thermal conductance through decreased body size.
Ammonia-N exposure alters neurohormone levels in the hemolymph and mRNA abundance of neurohormone receptors and associated downstream factors in the gills ofLitopenaeus vannamei
Authors: Si Lingjun , Pan Luqing , Wang Hongdan , Zhang Xin
Published: April 2019

Effects of ammonia-N (0.05, 2, 10 and 20 mg L−1) on the neuroendocrine regulation of ammonia transport were investigated in Litopenaeus vannamei. The results showed that corticotrophin-releasing hormone, adrenocorticotropic hormone, dopamine, noradrenaline and 5-hydroxytryptamine concentration in all ammonia-N groups increased significantly between 3-12 h. Cortisol increased significantly between 3-24 h. All hormones except crustacean hyperglycemic hormone were reduced to control levels. mRNA abundance of guanylyl cyclase increased significantly during the experiment. Dopamine receptor D4 and α2 adrenergic receptor mRNA abundance in treatments decreased significantly at the beginning, and eventually returned to the control level, whereas mRNA abundance of 5-HT7 receptor increased significantly only within the first 12 h. Changes of protein kinases (PKA, PKG) mRNA abundance were similar to the patterns of biogenic amines and crustacean hyperglycemic hormone, peaking at 6 h and 12 h respectively, while PKC decreased within 24 h. 14-3-3 protein, FXYD2 and cAMP-response element binding protein mRNA abundance of treatments increased significantly and peaked at 6 h. β-catenin and T-cell factor mRNA abundance increased significantly throughout the experiment and peaked at 12 h. The up-regulation of Rh protein, K+-channel, Na+/K+-ATPase, V-type H+-ATPase and vesicle associated membrane protein (VAMP) mRNA, together with down-regulation of Na+/K+/2Cl− cotransporter mRNA indicated an adjustment of general branchial ion-/ammonia-regulatory mechanisms. Meanwhile, hemolymph ammonia concentration was significantly increased in most ammonia-N exposure groups. Histological investigation revealed the hepatopancreatic damage caused by ammonia-N. The results suggest hormones, biogenic amines and Wnt/β-catenin play a principal role in adapting to ammonia-N exposure and facilitating ammonia transport.
Ή ΕΙΣ ΤΑ ΣΥΝΟΡΑ Ή ΕΙΣ ΤΑΣ ΑΘΗΝΑΣ Ο «ΕΘΝΙΚΟΣ ΛΟΓΟΣ» ΤΗ ΔΕΚΑΕΤΙΑ ΤΟΥ 1870 ΣΤΗΝ ΕΦΗΜΕΡΙΔΑ ΕΥΒΟΙΑ ΤΟΥ ΓΕΩΡΓΙΟΥ ΦΙΛΑΡΕΤΟΥ
Authors: ΜΑΛΕΣΗΣ ΔΗΜΗΤΡΗΣ
Published: April 2019

ΔΕΝ ΔΙΑΤΙΘΕΤΑΙ ΠΕΡΙΛΗΨΗ ΣΤΗΝ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ ΓΛΩΣΣΑ
ΜΕΤΑΠΟΛΕΜΙΚΗ ΑΣΤΙΚΗ ΑΝΑΠΤΥΞΗ ΚΑΙ ΟΝΟΜΑΤΟΘΕΣΙΑ ΟΔΩΝ ΚΑΙ ΠΛΑΤΕΙΩΝ Ο ΔΗΜΟΣ ΑΘΗΝΑΙΩΝ (1945-1974)
Authors: ΠΑΠΑΚΟΝΔΥΛΗΣ ΓΙΑΝΝΗΣ
Published: April 2019

ΔΕΝ ΔΙΑΤΙΘΕΤΑΙ ΠΕΡΙΛΗΨΗ ΣΤΗΝ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ ΓΛΩΣΣΑ
ΛΑΛΟΥΝΤΕΣ ΜΟΝΟΝ ΤΗΝ ΟΘΩΜΑΝΙΚΗΝ Η ΑΝΑΓΚΗ ΓΙΑ ΔΙΕΡΜΗΝΕΑ ΣΤΟΝ ΜΟΥΣΟΥΛΜΑΝΙΚΟ ΠΛΗΘΥΣΜΟ ΤΗΣ ΛΑΡΙΣΑΣ ΤΗΝ ΠΕΡΙΟΔΟ 1882-1898
Authors: ΝΤΑΝΙΚΑ ΑΝΑΣΤΑΣΙΑ
Published: April 2019

ΔΕΝ ΔΙΑΤΙΘΕΤΑΙ ΠΕΡΙΛΗΨΗ ΣΤΗΝ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ ΓΛΩΣΣΑ.
ΟΙ ΧΑΜΕΝΕΣ ΕΠΙΣΤΟΛΕΣ ΤΟΥ ΚΩΝΣΤΑΝΤΙΝΟΥ ΣΤΑΜΑΤΗ ΠΡΟΣ ΤΟΝ ΠΑΝΑΓΙΩΤΗ ΚΟΔΡΙΚΑ (1788-1794)
Authors: ΘΕΟΔΩΡΟΥ ΘΟΔΩΡΟΣ
Published: April 2019

Δεν διατίθεται περίληψη
Κώστας Γαβρόγλου, Βαγγέλης Καραμανωλάκης, Χάιδω Μπάρκουλα, Το Πανεπιστήμιο Αθηνών και η ιστορία του (1837-1937), Ιστορικό Αρχείο Πανε πιστημίου Αθηνών, Ηράκλειο, Πανεπιστημιακές Εκδόσεις Κρήτης, 2014
Authors: Λάππας Κώστας
Published: April 2019

Δεν διατίθεται περίληψη.
Γιάννης Αίσωπος (επιμ.), Τοπία Τουρισμού: Ανακατασκευάζοντας την Ελλάδα / Yannis Aesopos (ed.), Tourism Landscapes: Remaking Greece, δεύτερη έκδο ση, ανα θεωρημένη και συμπληρωμένη, Αθήνα Μάρτιος 2015
Authors: Φέστας Μιχάλης
Published: April 2019

Δεν διατίθεται περίληψη
Hayden White, Λογοτεχνική θεωρία και ιστορική συγγραφή, μετάφραση Γιώρ γος Πινακούλας, Επιμέλεια έκδοσης ­ Υπεύθυνος σειράς: Βαγγέλης Γαλάνης, Τρίκαλα, εκδόσεις Επέκεινα, 2015
Authors: Σιχάνη Άννα Μαρία
Published: April 2019

Δεν διατίθεται περίληψη.
PRODUCTIVITY AND QUALITY OF MEDIUM-RIPED POTATO TUBERS DEPENDING ON THE DOSES OF PHOSPHOROUS FERTILIZERS ON THE GRAY FOREST SOIL OF FOREST-STEPPE OF THE MIDDLE VOLGA REGION
Authors: Владимиров Владимир , Vladimirov Vladimir , Егоров Леонид , Egorov Leonid , Артамонов Сергей , Artamonov Sergey
Published: April 2019

The aim of the research was to determine the optimal dose of phosphate fertilizers on the background of the use of nitrogen-potassium fertilizers in the potato cultivation of the middle-early group of Nevskiy variety. Experiments were carried out on gray forest soil of medium loamy granulometric composition with humus content in the arable layer according to Tyurin - 3.22-3.31%, easily hydrolyzed nitrogen - 140-155 mg/kg of soil, mobile phosphorus - 142-147 mg/kg, exchangeable potassium - 138-151 kg/kg of soil. Nitrogen-potassium background and sulfur in a dose of N90K120S30 were used in the experiments. Phosphate fertilizers were applied, depending on the variant, in increasing doses - P30, P60, P90, P120 kg of active substance. The results of studies on the effect of increasing doses of phosphate fertilizers on the productivity and quality of potato tubers of Nevskiy middle-aged group of ripeness are presented. Analysis of the content’s dynamics of the mobile phosphorus in the irrigated experimental plot of gray forest soil showed that it has a good provision with a mobile form of P2O5. During the growing season on fertilized variants, its content increased with increasing dose of phosphorus and varied in the soil phase of plant development. In the process of research, it was found that fertilizers in a dose of N90K120S30 (background) increased the crop of potato tubers by an average of 4 years by 9.54 tons per hectare. Phosphate fertilizers applied in addition to the background (N90K120S30) as their dose increases from 30 to 120 kg of active substance provided an increase in yield by 1.27-6.34 tons per hectare. The main elements of the mineral nutrition of plants in different ways influenced the quality of potato tubers. The introduction of phosphate fertilizers contributed to an increase in the content of dry matter, starch and improvement in taste in tubers, while the amount of nitrates decreased. Based on the data obtained, it can be concluded that in order to improve the quality indicators of tubers, a dose of fertilizers should be applied - N90P120 K120S30.
Nonparametric Self-Adjusting Control for Joint Learning and Optimization of Multiproduct Pricing with Finite Resource Capacity
Authors: Chen Qi (George) , Jasin Stefanus , Duenyas Izak
Published: April 2019

We study a multiperiod network revenue management problem where a seller sells multiple products made from multiple resources with finite capacity in an environment where the underlying demand function is a priori unknown (in the nonparametric sense). The objective of the seller is to simultaneously learn the unknown demand function and dynamically price the products to minimize the expected revenue loss. For the problem where the number of selling periods and initial capacity are scaled by [Formula: see text], it is known that the expected revenue loss of any non-anticipating pricing policy is [Formula: see text]. However, there is a considerable gap between this theoretical lower bound and the performance bound of the best-known heuristic control in the literature. In this paper, we propose a nonparametric self-adjusting control and show that its expected revenue loss is [Formula: see text] for any arbitrarily small [Formula: see text], provided that the underlying demand function is sufficiently smooth. This is the tightest bound of its kind for the problem setting that we consider in this paper, and it significantly improves the performance bound of existing heuristic controls in the literature. In addition, our intermediate results on the large deviation bounds for spline estimation and nonparametric stability analysis of constrained optimization are of independent interest and are potentially useful for other applications.

The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/moor.2018.0937 .
Research roundup
Authors: Heggs Karen
Published: April 2019

Synopses of a selection of recently published research articles of relevance to palliative care
Potentially Eventually Positive 2-generalized Star Sign Patterns
Authors: Ber-Lin Yu , Huang Ting-Zhu , Sanzhang Xu
Published: April 2019

A sign pattern is a matrix whose entries belong to the set $\{+, -, 0\}$. An $n$-by-$n$ sign pattern $\mathcal{A}$ is said to be potentially eventually positive if there exists at least one real matrix $A$ with the same sign pattern as $\mathcal{A}$ and a positive integer $k_{0}$ such that $A^{k}>0$ for all $k\geq k_{0}$. An $n$-by-$n$ sign pattern $\mathcal{A}$ is said to be potentially eventually exponentially positive if there exists at least one real matrix $A$ with the same sign pattern as $\mathcal{A}$ and a nonnegative integer $t_{0}$ such that $e^{tA}=\sum_{k=0}^{\infty}\frac{t^{k}A^{k}}{k!}>0$ for all $t\geq t_{0}$. Identifying necessary and sufficient conditions for an $n$-by-$n$ sign pattern to be potentially eventually positive (respectively, potentially eventually exponentially positive), and classifying these sign patterns are open problems. In this article, the potential eventual positivity of the $2$-generalized star sign patterns is investigated. All the minimal potentially eventually positive $2$-generalized star sign patterns are identified. Consequently, all the potentially eventually positive $2$-generalized star sign patterns are classified. As an application, all the minimal potentially eventually exponentially positive $2$-generalized star sign patterns are identified. Consequently, all the potentially eventually exponentially positive $2$-generalized star sign patterns are classified.
Non-Markovian features in semiconductor quantum optics: quantifying the role of phonons in experiment and theory
Authors: Carmele Alexander , Reitzenstein Stephan
Published: April 2019

We discuss phonon-induced non-Markovian and Markovian features in QD-based quantum nanooptics. We cover lineshapes in linear absorption experiments, phonon-induced incoherence in the Heitler regime, and memory correlations in two-photon coherences. To qualitatively and quantitatively understand the underlying physics, we present several theoretical models that capture the non-Markovian properties of the electron–phonon interaction accurately in different regimes. Examples are the Heisenberg equation of motion approach, the polaron master equation, and Liouville propagator techniques in the independent boson limit and beyond via the path integral method. Phenomenological modeling overestimates typically the dephasing due to the finite memory kernel of phonons and we give instructive examples of phonon-mediated coherence such as phonon-dressed anticrossings in Mollow physics, robust quantum state preparation, cavity feeding, and the stabilization of the collapse and revival phenomenon in the strong coupling limit of cavity quantum electrodynamics.
Two Contrasting Provenances of Prehistoric Obsidian Artifacts in South Korea: Mineralogical and Geochemical Characteristics
Authors: Jwa Yong-Joo , Yi Seonbok , Jin Mi-Eun , Hwang Ga-Hyun
Published: April 2019

Two provenances – Mount Baekdusan near Sino-Korean border and Kyushu of southwest Japan – are well known for Korean prehistoric obsidian artifacts. We examined the mineralogical and geochemical characteristics of the Baekdusan obsidians and the Kyushu obsidians. Though obsidians are of glassy material, microlites are easily found in the host matrix. Fe-oxides are the most abundant microlite phase, with a lesser amount of clinopyroxene, feldspar, and biotite. It is notable that the texture and chemical composition of the microlites in the Baekdusan obsidians are quite different from those in the Kyushu obsidians. Clinopyroxene in the Baekdusan obsidians occurs as oikocryst enclosing smaller Fe-oxides, and has the composition of hedenbergite to augite. On the other hand, clinopyroxene in the Kyushu obsidians is compositionally of clinoferrosilite, and shows intergrowth and/or overgrowth textures with Fe-oxides. Feldspar microlites in the Baekdusan obsidians are generally of sanidine to anorthoclase, whereas those in the Kyushu obsidians of oligoclase. Biotite microlites are often found in the Kyushu obsidians, but absent in the Baekdusan obsidians. Also, there exist prominent geochemical contrasts between the Baekdusan obsidians and the Kyushu obsidians. At the similar SiO2 range of 74 to 78 wt.% the host glasses of the Baekdusan obsidians have higher contents of TiO2, total FeO, K2O, Nb, Hf, Zr, Ta, Y and rare earth elements (REEs) than those of the Kyushu obsidians. The overall mineralogical and geochemical contrasts for the Baekdusan and Kyushu obsidians seem to reflect different parental magma composition and crystallization environment. This distinction can be used to establish the provenance of the obsidian artifacts from the prehistoric sites in the Korean Peninsula as well as contiguous areas such as China, Japan, and Russia.
Development of antimicrobial and antifouling nanocomposite membranes by a phase inversion technique
Authors: Arif Zeenat , Sethy Naresh Kumar , Kumari Lata , Mishra Pradeep Kumar , Verma Bhawna
Published: April 2019

Membrane separation technology is preferred over conventional techniques because of its simple operation and high efficiency. The major drawback of using a pristine polymer for membrane application includes its rapid fouling tendency, which affects the separation efficiency of membranes; hence, they need to be modified using physical or chemical techniques. Recent developments involve the incorporation of nanoparticles within the polymer to achieve high efficiency along with stability. The hydrophobic membranes of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) blended with titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles were synthesized using a phase inversion technique to develop an antifouling membrane. The effects of TiO2 loading on the permeation flux and antimicrobial behavior of the membranes were systematically investigated, and the experimental results were also justified using the theoretical model. Extended Derjaguin–Landau–Verwey–Overbeek, high-resolution scanning electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy were used to study the membrane morphology. It was observed that the antimicrobial properties of different PVDF/TiO2 ratios against Gram-negative Escherichia coli (E. coli) showed excellent results compared with PVDF membrane. The antimicrobial activity was also evaluated to study the exponential growth phases’ retardation of E. coli over the membrane surface. The experimental result for bovine serum albumin filtration was also studied and high protein rejection was achieved for PVDF/TiO2 (1.5 wt%) membrane.
Preparation, uranium (VI) absorption and reuseability of marine fungus mycelium modified by the bis-amidoxime-based groups
Authors: He Dianxiong , Tan Ni , Luo Xiaomei , Yang Xuechun , Ji Kang , Han Jingwen , Chen Can , Liu Yaqing
Published: April 2019

Bis-amidoxime-based claw-like-functionalized marine fungus material (ZZF51-GPTS-DCDA-AM) was prepared for study to absorb the low concentration uranium (VI) from aqueous solution. A series of characterization methods such as SEM, TGA and FT-IR were applied for the functionalized materials before and after modification and adsorption. The experimental results suggested that the amidoxime groups were successfully grafted onto the surface of mycelium powder and provided the special binding sites for the absorption of uranium (VI). In the absorption research, uranium (VI) initial concentration, pH and equilibrium time were optimized as 40 mg L−1, 6.0, and 110 min by L4
3 orthogonal experiment, respectively, and the maximum absorption capacity of the prepared material was 370.85 mg g−1 under the optimum batch conditions. After five cycling process, the desorption rate and regeneration efficiency of the modified mycelium were found to be 80.29 % and 94.51 %, respectively, which indicated that the material had an adequately high reusability property as a cleanup tool. The well known Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm adsorption model fitting found that the modified materials had both monolayer and bilayer adsorption to uranium (VI) ions. Simultaneously, the pseudo-second-order model was better to illustrated the adsorption kinetics process. The enhanced adsorption capacity of uranium (VI) by the modified fungus materials over raw biomass was mainly owing to the strong chelation of amidoxime groups and uranium (VI) ions.
Teachers’ Approach to Playfulness in the Process of Education/Learning in Lithuania and Greece
Authors: Synodi Evanthia , Linardakis Michalis , Sadauskienė Raimonda , Kochanskienė Asta , Rimavičienė Dalia
Published: April 2019

Playfulness is an integral part of pedagogy of play and includes elements such as humour, teasing, mimicry, riddles and rhymes, singing and chanting, shared activity in different contexts and with different resources (human and material), laughter, clowning, fooling around, inventing rules and rituals to begin, maintain and end play, wit, spontaneity, telling and laughing at jokes. Development of pre-school education in Lithuania and Greece has similarities and differences. The research was carried out in February/September, 2014 in pre-school education institutions of Lithuania and Greece. The chosen method of a research is a questionnaire, which was quantitatively analysed. 186 teachers in Lithuania and 197 teachers in Greece filled in a questionnaire. When analysing the data regarding the playful atmosphere teachers attempted to foster in kindergarten, the differences between the countries were statistically highly significant in all cases but one. In order to understand and maintain a playful education/learning, it is very important to observe children’s reactions, moods during both spontaneous and teacher-initiated activities for children (Broadhead, Wood, Howard, 2010). Teacher-initiated activities must be not less playful than the children’s spontaneous activity.
Clinical Significance: a Therapeutic Approach Topsychological Assessment in Treatment Planning
Authors: Afolabi Olusegun Emmanuel
Published: April 2019

Psychological assessment has long been reported as a key component of clinical psychology. This paper examines the complexities surrounding the clinical significance of therapeutic approach to treatment planning. To achieve this objective, the paper searched and used the PsycINFO and PubMed databases and the reference sections of chapters and journal articles to analysed, 1) a strong basis for the usage of therapeutic approach to psychological assessment in treatment plans, 2) explained the conceptual meaning of clinical significant change in therapeutic assessment, 3) answered some of the questions regarding practicability and the clinical significance of therapeutic approach to treatment plans, particularly during or before treatment, 4) linked therapeutic assessment to change in clients’ clinical impression, functioning and therapeutic needs 5) analysed the empirically documenting clinically significant change in therapeutic assessment. Finally, the study suggested that though therapeutic assessment is not sufficient for the systematic study of psychotherapy outcome and process, it is still consistent with both the layman and professional expectations regarding treatment outcome and also provides a precise method for classifying clients as ‘changed’ or ‘unchanged’ on the basis of clinical significance criteria.
Theoretical Background and Methodology of Senior Preschoolers’ Enlargement of the Vocabulary by Means of Phraseological Units
Authors: Mysan Inna
Published: April 2019

The article deals with the problem of preschoolers’ development of speech by means of phraseological units. It reveals their importance for children’s mental development, in particular emphasises that the most striking verges of the child’s language are reflected in its means of expression, that is, in phraseology. They make the language varied, expressive, emotional, vivid, figurative, deepen its ethno-cultural identity; offered are the results of the analysis of children’s speech on listening and use of phraseological units in oral speech. By taking into account the data on specific features of perception, understanding and use of phraseological units in the statements of children are represented the methods of work on phraseology in kindergarten based on the following assumptions: on timely and methodically correct implementation of work on phraseological units will depend speech and mental development of the preschool children because at this age, they begin to comprehend figurative meanings of words and master the process of meanings changing. In addition, at this age period, the child’s vocabulary is sufficiently formed to acquire the wealth and national characteristics of the native language, as well as expressive and aesthetic functions that perform phraseological units. Methodic contains and reveals its components such as: principles, goals, objectives, contents, methods, organisational forms and means of enlarging the vocabulary (impressive and expressive) with phraseological expressions.
Person’s Behavior Control in Stochastic Conditions of Symbolic Danger
Authors: Hmilyar Oleg
Published: April 2019

A person’s behaviour is controlled by five independent regulators – symbol, image, thought, sense and feeling. In this article, the author describes particularities of a person’s behaviour control in simulated stochastic conditions of symbolic danger. An ability of a person to control his/her behaviour under symbolic danger could be measured by a device designed for researching person’s behaviour under stochastic conditions. It was defined that symbolic danger could harmonise a person’s behaviour and cause him/her to act more constructively. The results of a psychological experiment indicated that under stochastic conditions of symbolic danger, efficiency of solving psychomotor tasks depends on the person’s ability to act under situation of uncertainty in space and time and alternative. Sensor-perceptual and symbolic and visual spheres that developed in a proper way allow to provide constructive control of person’s behaviour under situations related to lack of time or psychological tension. Control of behaviour under stochastic conditions of symbolic danger significantly depends on the level of energetic potential of a person. It was defined that participants of the psychological experiment with a high level of energetic potential acted more effectively under symbolic danger compared to persons with low energetic potential. In case of complication of psychomotor tasks, energetic potential of a person, in combination with sensor and motor skills, process of thinking and imagination, consolidate his/her behaviour in stochastic conditions of symbolic danger.
Social Media as a Tool for Improving Teaching and Learning Experience
Authors: Jankauskaitė Dovilė
Published: April 2019

At least a quarter of human population is actively engaging in social media. Social media possesses a high level of influence and importance. For example, social media shapes communication habits between people and provides a communication channel for business enterprises. The statement that teachers should utilise social media as a tool for improving teaching and learning experience, rather than ignoring it, is becoming a common topic for discussion. Hence the aim of this article is to analyse how to use social media in order to improve teaching and learning experience. A theoretical overview of scientific literature on the topic of social media application prospects in education is provided in this article, and a traditional input-process-output schematic for social media usage in teaching and learning is also developed.
Interrelations between Prospective Teachers’ Experiences of Artistic Creativity and Diversity and Individuality as Professional Value
Authors: Briška Ilze
Published: April 2019

The aim of the study is to investigate the possibilities of artistic creativity to foster the development of prospective teachers’ professional values to enable an appreciation of the diversity and individuality. The central idea of the article is on the development of the student’s values and its relation to a person’s direct emotional experience of a particular value and reflective arrangement of its emotional trend and subjective sense. One of the modes of experience of artistic creativity - experience of the creative process - is analysed as a source for emotions, necessary for the initiation of the process of development of values. The analysis of qualitative and quantitative data reveals significant interconnections between prospective teachers’ experience of creative process in art classes and their attitudes towards diversity and individuality as personally and professionally significant values. The results of the research enable us to provide suggestions about the content of visual art studies in teacher training curriculum, recommendable for facilitating the development of prospective teachers’ professional competence.
Students’ Ideas on Innovations in Higher Education
Authors: Jurgena Inese , Cēdere Dagnija
Published: April 2019

The academic staff plays a key role in the implementation of innovations, striving to introduce changes in the process of education and involving students in this process. The aim of this article is to analyse the ideas of students and pre-service teachers, on the role of innovations in the work of the academic staff at the institutions of higher education. The research is based on the analysis of scientific literature, regulatory documents, studies and surveys. The analytical data processing software SPSS was used for the analysis of the data. Having analysed the data of the survey involving the first-year students and pre-service teachers, enrolled both in the full-time and part-time studies at RTTEMA, the authors conclude that readiness for innovative activity and active involvement in the creation, acquisition and application of innovations is an essential factor for amending the traditional activity of the academic staff. The authors gained convincing evidence of the idea that in pedagogy the term innovation refers to the process of renewal, educational reforms, the selection of the most appropriate material (idea, activity, form, method, means, concept, or programme) and their practical implementation, i.e. the creation, acquisition and application of innovations in the pedagogical practice.
The Adult Learner: Self-Determined, Self-Regulated, and Reflective
Authors: Kellenberg Frank , Schmidt Joel , Werner Christian
Published: April 2019

This article refers to the increasing importance of lifelong learning due to changes in the structure of work and society. Learners, teachers and companies need to understand how successful adult learning can look like, which factors of influence exist, and which models are to be applied. As the current academic discussion shows, the area of self-determined and self-regulated learning is becoming increasingly important. Another relevant success factor in this context is the competency to reflect. This article deals with the question of how the three recognized success factors can be linked with each other and brought into line with adult learning. Based on literature review and the author's experience as an adult educator, this article discusses the importance of self-determination, self-regulation and reflection for the successful learning of adults, and highlights the connections between these three influencing factors. The discussion begins with the elaboration of the peculiarities of adult learning in the context of lifelong learning. The three identified influencing factors - self-determination, self-regulation and reflection - are then examined in more detail. These three factors and their influence on adult learning are presented and explained in a basic model. The associated implications for the application in teaching-learning process provide indications for the successful design of learning processes as well as an outlook for future research questions.
Self-Assessment of Physical Activity and Health Capacity of Students
Authors: Plavina Liana , Dulevska Ilva , Karklina Helena
Published: April 2019

The compulsory part of the individual life is physical activity. The physical activity is important for maintenance health capacity. Physical activity includes various kinds of components: physical activity during the leisure time (during the week days and weekend days), physical activity at home and in working place and physical activity during the transference from home to other place. Intensity of the physical activity could also be various from low to moderate and till high. Respondent of study groups were partly time students from Riga Medical College (RMC), n = 41, and from Riga Teacher Training and Education Management Academy (RTTEMA), n = 37. Respondents were students of both genders aged from 19 years till 53 years. We have provided the assessment of the principal anthropometric characteristics (height and body mass) as well the anthropometric indices (body mass index (BMI)) and physical activity level questionnaire for students. Analysis of the data of physical activity questionnaire revealed that the average physical activity for students from RMC corresponded to low level of physical activity. The respondents from RRTEMA have moderate level of physical activity.
The Opinion of Latvian Teachers About the Most Suitable Teaching Methods and Possibilities to Make Lessons Interesting
Authors: Porozovs Juris , Kristapsone Silvija
Published: April 2019

Student’s learning motivation and learning outcomes depend on the ability of the teacher to interest students, the chosen teaching methods and proficiency to manage the learning process. Teacher who can successfully choose teaching content, material resources and different teaching methods is able to cause interest about his subject. Teacher who is interested in teaching process himself can help students to learn a subject. The aim of the study was to find out the Latvian teachers' opinion about the disturbing factors affecting the achievement of high learning outcomes for students, the most suitable teaching methods and the possibilities to make lessons interesting. The survey of teachers of different schools in Latvia regarding their students’ learning motivation was carried out. The data from 482 teachers’ answers were analysed. The results of the research showed that the majority of surveyed teachers consider that learning motivation of Latvia students has decreased during the last few years. Teachers point out several factors, which do not allow students to reach high learning outcomes, the most important of them are: the inability of students to link career and success with learning and lack of life goals; inability of students to concentrate attention during lessons; indisposition of students to do homework. The teachers consider laboratory works, discussions, project works, group works and teacher’s presentations and narrative of new material as the most suitable teaching methods. Teachers consider that the most important personality trait of teachers and learning motivation for students to improve their skills is the teacher’s ability to teach the subject in an interesting way. Teachers believe that lessons can be made interesting if modern technologies and teaching methods are used during lessons and when the teacher is able to connect the subject with real life.
The Effectiveness Companion of Cognitive Behavioral Interventions and the Sensory Processing Styles Training on Behavioral Problems in Children Aged 7-12 Years
Authors: Eghbali Ghazijahani Nasrin , Hassanzadeh Ramazan , Doosti Yarali
Published: April 2019

Background: Children’s health is very important in societies. Children’s behavioral problems result in efficiency rate reducing in educational performance. Therefore, solving these problems is necessary. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral interventions and sensory processing styles training on children’s behavioral problems (7-12 aged). Methods: The current study was quasi-experimental with the pretest-posttest design. The statistical population of this research included all elementary students of sari city in 2017-2018. Among them, 90 target students (30 students per intervention) were selected as samples by the clustering sampling method and were randomly assigned to control and experimental groups. Experimental groups received cognitive-behavioral interventions and sensory processing styles training orderly. Control group received no training. A child behavioral questionnaire was used to collect information. After scoring the questionnaire and extracting the data, SPSS-21 software used for statistical analysis of multivariate covariance and independent t test. Results: The findings showed that cognitive-behavioral interventions and the training of sensory processing styles have a significant effect on behavioral problems in children and have reduced the internalization and extraversion problems in experimental groups and the effectiveness of the cognitive-behavioral intervention in reducing behavioral problems in children is more significant than teaching sensory processing styles. Conclusion: We suggest that cognitive-behavioral therapy and sensory processing styles training are useful for parents. They help to thought control, ethical behavior and parents, mental health.
The Relationship Among Parenting Practice Creativity and Parents Mental Health With Intelligence Quotient and Behavioral Disorder of 7-8 Years Old Children in Qaemshahr City
Authors: Hasanli Nastaran
Published: April 2019

Background: The aim of this study was the survey of the relationship of parenting practice, creativity and parent’s mental health with intelligence quotient and behavioral disorder of 7-8 years old children in Qaemshahr city. Methods: In this cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study. The statistical population consisted of seven and eight years old children in Qaemshahr city in 2017. Three hundred children among them selected with stratified random sampling. Data gathered by Baumrind parenting practices questionnaire, Thurstone and Mellinger creativity questionnaire, Derogatis mental health, Wechsler intelligence scale for children and Rutter children’s behavioral disorder. Data analysis executed by one-way ANOVA test and Pearson correlation with SPSS 22. Results: The results showed that there is no significant difference between behavioral disorder rate of boys & girls (P<0.05). Also, there is the significant relationship among parenting practices with intelligence quotient and children behavioral disorder (P<0.05), while there was no significant relationship between intelligence quotient and children’s behavioral disorder with creativity (P<0.05). Moreover, there was a significant relationship between mental health with behavioral disorder among children (P<0.05), however, there was no significant relationship with intelligence quotient (P<0.05). Conclusion: According to research results we can conclude that welfare and educational equipment’s by short-term, medium-term and long-term planning may enhance health and mental comfort among families with their children’s behavioral disorders.
Csmd2 Is a Synaptic Transmembrane Protein that Interacts with PSD-95 and Is Required for Neuronal Maturation
Authors: Gutierrez Mark A. , Dwyer Brett E. , Franco Santos J.
Published: April 2019

Mutations and copy number variants of the CUB and Sushi multiple domains 2 (CSMD2) gene are associated with neuropsychiatric disease.CSMD2encodes a single-pass transmembrane protein with a large extracellular domain comprising repeats of CUB and Sushi domains. High expression ofCSMD2in the developing and mature brain suggests possible roles in neuron development or function, but the cellular functions of CSMD2 are not known. In this study, we show that mouseCsmd2is expressed in excitatory and inhibitory neurons in the forebrain. Csmd2 protein exhibits a somatodendritic localization in the neocortex and hippocampus, with smaller puncta localizing to the neuropil. Using immunohistochemical and biochemical methods, we demonstrate that Csmd2 localizes to dendritic spines and is enriched in the postsynaptic density (PSD). Accordingly, we show that the cytoplasmic tail domain of Csmd2 interacts with synaptic scaffolding proteins of the membrane-associated guanylate kinase (MAGUK) family. The association between Csmd2 and MAGUK member PSD-95 is dependent on a PDZ-binding domain on the Csmd2 tail, which is also required for synaptic targeting of Csmd2. Finally, we show that knock-down ofCsmd2expression in hippocampal neuron cultures results in reduced complexity of dendritic arbors and deficits in dendritic spine density. Knock-down ofCsmd2in immature developing neurons results in reduced filopodia density, whereasCsmd2knock-down in mature neurons causes significant reductions in dendritic spine density and dendrite complexity. Together, these results point toward a function for Csmd2 in development and maintenance of dendrites and synapses, which may account for its association with certain psychiatric disorders.
Tri-ortho-cresyl phosphate induces autophagy of mouse ovarian granulosa cells
Authors: Wang Jinglei , Ruan Wenli , Huang Boshu , Shao Shuxin , Yang Dan , Liu Mengling , Zeng Lin , Wei Jie , Chen Jiaxiang
Published: April 2019

Tri-ortho-cresyl phosphate (TOCP) has been widely used as plasticizers, plastic softeners and flame-retardants in industry and reported to have male reproductive toxicology. However, it is still unknown whether TOCP affects the female reproductive system and its underlying mechanism. In the present study, we found that TOCP exposure significantly decreased ovarian coefficient, caused disintegration and depletion of the granulosa cells in the ovary tissue and significantly inhibited the level of serum estradiol (E2). TOCP markedly increased both LC3-II and the ratio of LC3-II/LC3-I as well as autophagy proteins ATG5 and Beclin1 in the ovary tissue, implying that TOCP could induce autophagy in the ovary tissue. To further investigate the potential mechanism, primary ovarian granulosa cells were isolated in vitro and treated with 0–0.5 mM TOCP for 48 h. We showed that TOCP decreased the number of viable mouse granulosa cells without affecting cell cycle and apoptosis of the cells. Intriguingly, TOCP treatment markedly increased both LC3-II and the ratio of LC3-II/LC3-I as well as ATG5 and Beclin1. Furthermore, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed that autophagic vesicles in the cytoplasm increased significantly in the TOCP-treated cells, indicating that TOCP could induce autophagy in the cells. Taken together, TOCP reduces the number of viable cells and induces autophagy in mouse ovarian granulosa cells without affecting cell cycle and apoptosis.
Reproductive science and the future of the planet
Authors: Findlay Jock K , Holland Michael K , Wong Bob B M
Published: April 2019

Reproductive sciences have made major contributions to human health, livestock production and environmental management in the past and will continue to do so in future. In collaboration with other disciplines, reproductive scientists can provide scientifically valid information that will allow the rational development of policies on topics such as declining fertility in men and women, livestock breeding efficiencies, climate change, pest animal control, wildlife management and environmental influences. It is imperative that the reproductive sciences are recognised by the community and policy makers as important contributors to future health and welfare of animals, humans and the planet if these potential benefits are to be captured and utilised. Reproductive Health Australia (RHA) was launched recently to advocate for reproductive biology as a national health, economic and social priority. This short review provides a snapshot of why it is imperative that reproductive science receives the recognition that is due to it and provides examples of how it can contribute to the future of the planet.