bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identifying geographically differentiated features of Ethopian Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) morphology with machine learning
Authors: Wöber Wilfried , Curto Manuel , Tibihika Papius , Meulenbroek Paul , Alemayehu Esayas , Mehnen Lars , Meimberg Harald , Sykacek Peter
Published: April 2021

Visual characteristics are among the most important features for characterizing the phenotype of biological organisms. Color and geometric properties define population phenotype and allow assessing diversity and adaptation to environmental conditions. To analyze geometric properties classical morphometrics relies on biologically relevant landmarks which are manually assigned to digital images. Assigning landmarks is tedious and error prone. Predefined landmarks may in addition miss out on information which is not obvious to the human eye. The machine learning (ML) community has recently proposed new data analysis methods which by uncovering subtle features in images obtain excellent predictive accuracy. Scientific credibility demands however that results are interpretable and hence to mitigate the black-box nature of ML methods. To overcome the black-box nature of ML we apply complementary methods and investigate internal representations with saliency maps to reliably identify location specific characteristics in images of Nile tilapia populations. Analyzing fish images which were sampled from six Ethiopian lakes reveals that deep learning improves on a conventional morphometric analysis in predictive performance. A critical assessment of established saliency maps with a novel significance test reveals however that the improvement is aided by artifacts which have no biological interpretation. More interpretable results are obtained by a Bayesian approach which allows us to identify genuine Nile tilapia body features which differ in dependence of the animals habitat. We find that automatically inferred Nile tilapia body features corroborate and expand the results of a landmark based analysis that the anterior dorsum, the fish belly, the posterior dorsal region and the caudal fin show signs of adaptation to the fish habitat. We may thus conclude that Nile tilapia show habitat specific morphotypes and that a ML analysis allows inferring novel biological knowledge in a reproducible manner.
I-FABP is decreased in COVID-19 patients, independently of the prognosis
Authors: Guedj Kevin , Uzzan Mathieu , Soudan Damien , Trichet Catherine , Nicoletti Antonino , Weiss Emmanuel , Manceau Hana , Nuzzo Alexandre , Corcos Olivier , Treton Xavier , Peoc’h Katell
Published: April 2021

Background

Severe acute respiratory syndrome caused by the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) is frequently associated with gastrointestinal manifestations. Herein we evaluated the interest in measuring the intestinal fatty acid-binding protein (I-FABP), a biomarker of intestinal injury, in COVID-19 patients.

Methods

Serum I-FABP was analyzed in 28 consecutive patients hospitalized for a PCR-confirmed COVID-19, in 24 hospitalized patients with non-COVID-19 pulmonary diseases, and 79 patients admitted to the emergency room for abdominal pain.

Results

I-FABP serum concentrations were significantly lower in patients with COVID-19, as compared to patients with non-COVID-19 pulmonary diseases [70.3 pg/mL (47–167.9) vs. 161.1 pg/mL (88.98–305.2), respectively, p = 0.008]. I-FABP concentrations in these two populations were significantly lower than in patients with abdominal pain without COVID-19 [344.8 pg/mL (268.9–579.6)]. I-FABP was neither associated with severity nor the duration of symptoms. I-FABP was correlated with polymorphonuclear cell counts.

Conclusions

In this pilot study, we observed a low I-FABP concentration in COVID-19 patients either with or without gastrointestinal symptoms, of which the pathophysiological mechanisms and clinical impact remain to be established. Further explorations on a larger cohort of patients will be needed to unravel the molecular mechanism of such observation, including the effects of malabsorption and/or abnormal lipid metabolism.
Proteomic identification of biomarkers in maternal plasma that predict the outcome of rescue cerclage for cervical insufficiency
Authors: Dan Kisoon , Lee Ji Eun , Han Dohyun , Kim Sun Min , Hong Subeen , Kim Hyeon Ji , Park Kyo Hoon
Published: April 2021

Objective

We sought to identify plasma protein biomarkers that are predictive of the outcome of rescue cerclage in patients with cervical insufficiency.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study included 39 singleton pregnant women undergoing rescue cerclage for cervical insufficiency (17–25 weeks) who gave plasma samples. Three sets of pooled plasma samples from controls (cerclage success, n = 10) and cases (cerclage failure, n = 10, defined as spontaneous preterm delivery at <33 weeks) were labeled with 6-plex tandem mass tag (TMT) reagents and analyzed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Differentially expressed proteins between the two groups were selected from the TMT-based quantitative analysis. Multiple reaction monitoring-mass spectrometry (MRM-MS) analysis was further used to verify the candidate proteins of interest in patients with cervical insufficiency in the final cohort (n = 39).

Results

From MRM-MS analysis of the 40 proteins showing statistically significant changes (P < 0.05) from the TMT-based quantitative analysis, plasma IGFBP-2, PSG4, and PGLYRP2 levels were found to be significantly increased, whereas plasma MET and LXN levels were significantly decreased in women with cerclage failure. Of these, IGFBP-2, PSG4, and LXN levels in plasma were independent of cervical dilatation. A multiple-biomarker panel was developed for the prediction of cerclage failure, using a stepwise regression procedure, which included the plasma IGFBP-2, PSG4, and LXN (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.916). The AUC for this multiple-biomarker panel was significantly greater than the AUC for any single biomarker included in the multi-biomarker model.

Conclusions

Proteomic analysis identified useful and independent plasma biomarkers (IGFBP-2, PSG4, and LXN; verified by MRM) that predict poor pregnancy outcome following rescue cerclage. Their combined analysis in a multi-biomarker panel significantly improved predictability.
Monocyte distribution width compared with C-reactive protein and procalcitonin for early sepsis detection in the emergency department
Authors: Woo A la , Oh Dong Kyu , Park Chan-Jeoung , Hong Sang-Bum
Published: April 2021

Purpose

Monocyte distribution width (MDW) has been suggested as an early biomarker of sepsis, but few studies have compared MDW with conventional biomarkers, including C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin (PCT). This study evaluated MDW as a biomarker for sepsis and compared it with CRP and PCT.

Materials and methods

Patients aged 18–80 years who visited the emergency department were screened and prospectively enrolled in a tertiary medical center. Complete blood count, MDW, CRP, and PCT were examined. Diagnostic performance for sepsis was tested using the area under the curve (AUC) of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, sensitivity, and specificity.

Results

In total, 665 patients were screened, and 549 patients with valid laboratory test results were included in the analysis. The patients were categorized into three groups according to the Sepsis-3 criteria: non-infection, infection, and sepsis. MDW showed the highest value in the sepsis group (median [interquartile range], 24.0 [20.8–27.8]). The AUC values for MDW, CRP, PCT, and white blood cells for predicting sepsis were 0.71 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.67–0.75), 0.75 (95% CI, 0.71–0.78], 0.76 (95% CI, 0.72–0.79, and 0.61 (95% CI, 0.57–0.65), respectively. With the optimal cutoff value of the cohort, the sensitivity was 83.0% for MDW (cutoff, 19.8), 69.7% for CRP (cutoff, 4.0), and 76.6% for PCT (cutoff, 0.05). The combination of quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (qSOFA) with MDW improved the AUC (0.76; 95% CI, 0.72–0.80) to a greater extent than qSOFA alone (0.67; 95% CI, 0.62–0.72).

Conclusions

MDW reflected a diagnostic performance comparable to that of conventional diagnostic markers, implying that MDW is an alternative biomarker. The combination of MDW and qSOFA improves the diagnostic performance for early sepsis.
L-phenylalanine attenuates high salt-induced hypertension in Dahl SS rats through activation of GCH1-BH4
Authors: Wang Zhengjun , Cheng Chen , Yang Xiaoyu , Zhang Chen
Published: April 2021

Amino acid metabolism plays an important role in controlling blood pressure by regulating the production of NO and ROS. The present study examined amino acid levels in the serum of Dahl SS rats and SS.13BN rats fed a low or high salt diet. We observed that 8 of 27 amino acids responded to a high salt diet in SS rats. Thus, we hypothesized that a defect in amino acids may contribute to the development of salt-induced hypertension. L-phenylalanine was used to treat SS rats with a low or high salt diet. The results demonstrated that L-phenylalanine supplementation significantly enhanced the serum nitrite levels and attenuated the high salt-induced hypertension in SS rats. Low levels of BH4 and nitrite and the impaired vascular response to acetylcholine were rescued by L-phenylalanine supplementation. Moreover, increased GTP cyclohydrolase (GCH1) mRNA, levels of BH4 and nitrite, and reduced superoxide production were observed in the kidneys of hypertensive SS rats with L-phenylalanine. The antihypertensive effects of L-phenylalanine might be mediated by enhancing BH4 biosynthesis and decreasing superoxide production from NO synthase, thereby protecting vascular and kidney function with reduced ROS and elevated NO levels. The present study demonstrated that L-phenylalanine supplementation restored vascular function, suggesting L-phenylalanine represented a potential target to attenuate high salt-sensitive hypertension through GCH1-BH4.
‘A lot of sharp teeth and claws’: Production culture and storytelling at National Geographic
Authors: Duncan Phillip D.
Published: April 2021

This article examines the relationship between the production culture and storytelling practices of content producers for the National Geographic organization. Supplementing producer interviews with a textual and contextual analysis of National Geographic and the wildlife media it disseminates, this article suggests a number of political, economic and cultural factors that determine the focus of narratives created and disseminated by National Geographic across its many global media platforms.
Retórica e Poética
Authors: Pereira Belmiro Fernandes , Várzeas Marta Isabel de Oliveira
Published: April 2021

O uso formalizado e eficaz da palavra constitui o principal ponto de intersecção de duas artes milenares que, como tantas outras, tiveram origem na Grécia Antiga – a Poética e a Retórica. Este volume reúne um conjunto de artigos sobre as relações entre estas duas artes do logos, da autoria de especialistas vindos de diferentes áreas do conhecimento: os Estudos Clássicos, a Filosofia e a Literatura Portuguesa. Os artigos cobrem um vasto lapso temporal, que vai da Antiguidade até ao séc. XXI, e abordam questões mais teóricas, como as relacionadas com determinados conceitos – clímax, sublime, ou mesmo hermenêutica, retórica e poética –; e outras mais práticas, que consistem na análise de textos literários à luz de alguns aspectos da teorização retórica.
Molecular identification of Trichuris trichiura and Hymenolepis diminuta in long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis) in Lopburi, Thailand
Authors: Sricharern Wanat , Inpankaew Tawin , Kaewmongkol Sarawan , Jarudecha Thitichai , Inthong Natnaree
Published: April 2021

Background and Aim: Trichuris trichiura and Hymenolepis diminuta are helminthic intestinal parasites that infect humans and other animals, including non-human primates. However, molecular detection of these parasites remains scarce in long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis), which coexist with human communities in Thailand. Thus, this study aimed to molecularly confirm the occurrence of Trichuris spp. and Hymenolepis spp. infection and determine the species of both parasites that were found in long-tailed macaques.

Materials and Methods: A total of 200 fecal samples were randomly collected from long-tailed macaques living in Lopburi, Thailand, and tested based on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays for Trichuris spp. and Hymenolepis spp. infections. The PCR products were submitted for DNA purification and sequencing. Phylogenetic analysis was performed using the maximum likelihood method.

Results: Of 200 tested samples, three (1.5%) were positive for Trichuris spp. Sequence analysis of all positive samples revealed the presence of T. trichiura, while eight samples (8/200, 4%) positive for Hymenolepis spp. were classified as H. diminuta. No significant associations were found between parasite infection and sex of macaques.

Conclusion: This study revealed that long-tailed macaques harbor T. trichiura and H. diminuta. These results suggested that local residents and tourists must pay attention to limiting contact with long-tailed macaques and take hygienic precautions to reduce the risk of zoonotic and anthroponotic transmission of these parasites between humans and long-tailed macaques.
Incidence of avian malaria in hummingbirds in humid premontane forests of Pichincha Province, Ecuador: A pilot study
Authors: Abad Claudia S. , Tellkamp Markus P. , Amaro Isidro R. , Spencer Lilian M.
Published: April 2021

Background and Aim: Avian malaria is a tropical disease caused by protozoans of the genera Plasmodium and Haemoproteus. As a nonlethal disease, avian malaria can affect the lifespan and reproductive rate of birds. If there is a differential effect depending on bird species, then this disease might have a significant effect on avian biodiversity. The current study aimed to determine the incidence of Plasmodium in hummingbirds in humid premontane forest areas. Materials and Methods: Blood samples (n=60) were collected from hummingbirds from two areas (Santuario de Aves Milpe and Hacienda Puyucunapi) of Pichincha Province, Ecuador. Prevalence and parasitemia were determined by microscopic examination of blood smears stained with Giemsa reagent. Both study sites are part of a 1000 m elevational gradient; hence, elevation was used as a predictor variable for prevalence and parasitemia levels in a Mann–Whitney U-test. This test was also used to test for a sex bias. Results: This study reports on a total of 12 bird species that inhabit both study sites. At Milpe, the lower elevation site, a prevalence of 100% was recorded, whereas at Puyucunapi, the prevalence was 96%. The combined prevalence was 97%. Elevation and sex did not influence prevalence nor parasitemia in hummingbirds. Conclusion: This study does not suggest a significant elevation or sex bias on prevalence and parasitemia in hummingbirds.
Effect of Diet, Physical Activity, and Psychosocial Factors, on Menstrual Cycle Abnormalities in College Students of Karad, Maharashtra, India
Authors: Gupta Divya Sachin , Jadhav Neha Anandrao , Kanase Suraj Bhimarao
Published: April 2021

BACKGROUND Menstruation is a periodic and cyclical shedding of pre-gestational endometrium. Abnormalities of menstruation can be seen as dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, menorrhagia, premenstrual symptoms (PMS), hypomenorrhea etc. This abnormality can be due to various factors like diet, smoking, physical activity, exercise, stress etc. This study was conducted to study the factors affecting menstrual cycle like diet, physical activity, psychosocial factors and menstrual cycle abnormalities. METHODS This was an observational study undertaken on 300 participants aged between 18 - 26 years. A structured questionnaire comprising of components related to type of diet, physical activity, and the alterations in psychosocial factors along with the changes in menstrual cycle was used for this study. RESULTS According to the data, it could be seen that there was a significant relation between the diet altered (67 % of 300 participants) and the occurrence of menorrhagia (73 % with altered diet) (P < 0.0001) as well as oligomenorrhea (63 % with altered diet) (P < 0.0001). It was seen that absence of physical activity or following a sedentary lifestyle (61 % of 300 participants) had a relation with higher occurrence of dysmenorrhea (94 % with limited physical activity) (P < 0.0001) and menorrhagia (78 % with limited physical activity). A significant relation was seen between alterations in psychosocial factors (high levels of stress, anxiety, etc) (81 % of 300 participants) and oligomenorrhea (71 % with high levels of psychosocial factors alteration). High levels of stress also had a considerable effect on premenstrual symptoms (93 % with alterations in psychosocial factors). CONCLUSIONS Diet, physical activity or exercise and psychosocial factors had an effect on menstrual cycle abnormalities. Proper education about the effects of these factors is needed as these factors could be the underlying cause of abnormalities and hence can prevent future complications as well as improve the quality of life. KEY WORDS Menstrual Cycle, Diet, Physical Activity, Psychosocial Factors, Abnormalities
Pénzügyi körkép a magyar vállalatokról 1994–2004
Authors: András Krisztina , Juhász Péter
Published: April 2021

A Budapesti Corvinus Egyetem Vállalatgazdaságtan Intézete (illetve elődszervezetei) 1996., 1999. és 2004. évi vállalati versenyképességi felméréseinek adatbázisaira támaszkodva értékeljük a hazai cégek pénzügyi teljesítményének alakulását. A rendelkezésre álló pénzügyi adatok egyes területeken lehetővé teszik az 1994–2003 közötti időszak tendenciáinak leírását és elemzését. A szerzők cikkükben elemzik a jövedelmezőség alakulását, a tulajdonosi szerkezet és a pénzügyi teljesítmény egyes területeinek összefüggéseit, az adórendszer versenyképességre gyakorolt hatását, a fizetési morál, a finanszírozási megoldások és a pénzügyi mutatók alakulását. Legfőbb általános megállapításunk, hogy a pénzügyi gazdálkodás területén a fejlett piacgazdaságokban szokásos játékszabályok érvényesülnek. A tulajdonosi értéknövelés koncepciója még nem elterjedt. Eredményességben pedig azok a vállalatok emelkednek ki, ahol ez a koncepció áll a vezetés középpontjában.
Szervezeti karriergondozás a nők előmenetelének szolgálatában: Sikeres európai uniós és hazai megoldások (Organizational career development in the career chance of women: successful European and Hungarian solutions)
Authors: Koncz Katalin
Published: April 2021

A szerző tanulmányában a női karrierpálya és a szervezeti karriergondozás sajátosságait mutatja be. A női munkaerő sajátos munkaerő. Sajátosságait a társadalmi munkamegosztásban elfoglalt helye, szerepe, az ebből is táplálkozó férfiakétól eltérő személyisége, motivációja, habitusa, munkahellyel és munkakörrel kapcsolatos elvárásai alkotják. A hatékony emberierőforrás-menedzsment célja, hogy a rendelkezésre álló munkaerő-potenciált, kompetenciatárat minél jobban kihasználja. Ezért hasznosítja a sokszínűségből fakadó szinergiahatást, és számol a különböző alkalmazotti rétegek eltérő adottságaival. _____________________ The career needs of women demands special requirements towards organizational career development which covers the whole process of the human resource management. It is necessary to take attention to the elimination of all forms of discrimination in the organization, to develop an objective selection process based on competences, to eliminate barriers of advancement, to contact and inform women during the paid child-care period, to provide new ways to balance career and family, to extend the mentor system, to aid the preparation of individual career plans, to extend the different forms of flexible employment, to eliminate the wage and income differences. In Hungary the lack of women-friendly social environment and organizational culture prevent the development of diversity management, the fulfilling of the special mission and tasks of female career development. These circumstances waste the human resources in social and organizational level, too. It results the insufficient utilization of the competences of skilled workforce, especially that of women.
Small business strategy: German and Anglo-American evidence
Authors: Kraus Sascha , Málovics Éva
Published: April 2021

This article examines how and to which extent small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) apply strategic planning within their business activities. Specifically, the authors address the question of why SMEs seem to plan less than big companies, whether strategic planning and corporate success correlate with each other and whether strategic planning is a function of increasing company size. Along these lines, they conducted an analysis of the relevant literature based on a systematic review of articles on planning and strategy in SMEs over the last twenty years. These have been taken from the leading Entrepreneurship and Strategy journals as well as from other sources in the German as well as the English language science. SMEs seem to plan strategically in a less structured and more informal manner than bigger companies, while they might engage relatively more in (informal) visionary strategic management. The paper structures current research on strategic planning in SMEs and derives an agenda for future research, thereby extending our knowledge on strategic planning in SMEs. The authors close this paper with their own conceptualization of “strategic planning in SMEs”.
Teljesítménymérés és -értékelés a magyarországi vízműszektorban
Authors: Székely Ákos
Published: April 2021

A szerző a magyarországi víziközmű-szektorban 2001–2005 között végzett átfogó vizsgálatot, a szervezeti teljesítménymérésről és -értékelésről. Azt vizsgálta, hogy milyen kapcsolat van a teljesítménymérési és -értékelési rendszer, valamint a víziközmű-vállalatok vállalati szinten értelmezett, statisztikai eszközökkel leírható, operatív üzleti teljesítménye között. A kutatás kvantitatív és kvalitatív kutatásra egyaránt épült.
Analysis and intuition in strategic decision making. The case of California
Authors: Zoltayné Paprika Zita
Published: April 2021

Many management scholars believe that the process used to make strategic decisions affects the quality of those decisions. However several authors have observed a lack of research on the strategic decision making process. Empirical tests of factors that have been hypothesized to affect the way strategic decisions are made notably are absent. (Fredrickson, 1985) This paper reports the results of a study that attempts to assess the effects of decision making circumstances focusing mainly on the approaches applied and the managerial skills and capabilities the decision makers built on during concrete strategic decision making procedures. The study was conducted in California between September 2005 and June 2006 and it was sponsored by a Fulbright Research Scholarship Grant.
Projektek minőségmenedzsment-módszerei
Authors: Sebestyén Zoltán , Szabó Gábor Csaba , Nagy Jenő Bence
Published: April 2021

Megelégedhetünk-e azzal, hogy a projektek minőségmenedzsmentje alatt a minőségmenedzsment általánosan és széles körben használt eszköztárát értjük – ahogyan ezt számos releváns projektmenedzsment-szakirodalom teszi, ha egyáltalán megfelelő részletességgel tárgyalja a témát –, attól függetlenül, hogy ezek mennyire alkalmasak a projektek minőségmenedzsmentjére, mennyire illeszkednek a projektek tömegtermeléstől alapvetően különböző jellemzőihez? Jogos-e feltételezni azt, hogy a projektek a minőségmenedzsment szempontjából különböznek a termeléstől? A szerzők határozott véleménye az, hogy eddig ez a kérdés nem kapott megfelelő hangsúlyt, a projekteknek ugyanis minőségmenedzsment szempontból is megvannak a sajátosságai. A cikk célja a minőségmenedzsment-módszerek projektek megvalósítására való alkalmasságának vizsgálata.
Vezetőnek születni kell? Vezetői személyiségjellemzők vizsgálata TCI-kérdőív segítségével
Authors: Kunos István , Lakatos Orsolya
Published: April 2021

A szerzők vizsgálatukkal arra az „örök” kérdésre keresik a választ, hogy vajon vezetőnek születni kell, vagy szinte bárkiből válhat sikeres, vezetői pozíciót betöltő ember. Hosszú idő óta folyik a vita arról, hogy a genetikai tényezők milyen szerepet játszanak személyiségünk alakulásában, milyen arányban befolyásolják tulajdonságainkat, vonásainkat öröklött tényezők, és milyen mértékben felelősek ugyanezért a környezeti hatások. A szerzők kutatásukhoz vizsgálati eszközként a Cloninger-féle Temperamentum és Karakter kérdőív (TCI) kérdőívet használták, mely amellett, hogy képes a személyiségprofil feltérképezésére, választ ad a személyiségjellemzők eredetére is azzal, hogy megkülönbözteti a genetikai megalapozottságú, öröklött temperamentumfaktorokat a szociális tanulásnak és a környezeti hatásoknak köszönhető karakterektől.
A szennyezési jogok kezelése a gazdálkodó szemszögéből: számviteli kérdések
Authors: Andor Ágnes , Fazekas Dóra
Published: April 2021

A szerzők cikkükben az Európai Unióban 2005. január 1-je óta működő emissziókereskedelmi rendszerben elszámolható szennyezéskibocsátási jogosultságok számviteli kezelését mutatják be a hatályos magyar szabályozás alapján. Az üvegházhatású gázok kibocsátásának visszaszorítása és kiszámíthatóvá tétele nagy kihívást jelent napjainkban. A kötelezettségvállalások végső címzettjei, az üzemeltetők számra a kibocsátási egységek vagyoni értékű jogként jelennek meg a számviteli beszámolókban. Írásuk első részében bemutatják az emissziókereskedelmi rendszer bevezetését, s 2007 végéig tartó próbaidőszakának működését. A cikk második fele a kibocsátási kvóta kereskedelmének számvitelét elemzi, majd a kvóták megjelenésének eredményre gyakorolt hatását vizsgálja. A szerzők végezetül pedig kitekintést adnak a 2008-ban kezdődő második periódusra, s a lehetséges változásokra.
Evaluation of fracture resistance of zirconia monolithic restorations: an in vitro study
Authors: Arafa Ahmed Mohamed , El-Kouedi Ahmad , Hamza Tamer , Katamish Hisham
Published: April 2021

Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate fracture resistance of zirconia monolithic restorations after ageing procedures. Material and methods: The fracture resistance of zirconia-based restoration after ageing procedures was evaluated. Monolithic translucent zirconia 3-unit FDPs were fabricated using Cerec inLab CAD/CAM system on 2 stainless steel dies prepared from stainless steel with a uniform 120 degrees circumferential deep chamfer finish line of 1 mm width and were placed into a stainless steel holder. FDPs were divided into 2 groups, the first group (Group A) was subjected to aging procedures in an autoclave at hydrothermal conditions 134 °C /2 bars for 5 hours. The second group (Group B) was not subjected to any ageing procedures and was designed as control group. All specimens of group A (Aged TZI) and group B (non- aged TZI) were loaded compressively in a universal testing machine at cross head speed 0.5 mm/min until fracture occurred. The percentage of monoclinic (m) phase was detected by XRD device. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to examine the fractured surfaces for Aged TZI (Group A) and Non-aged TZI (Group B). Student’s t-test was used to compare between fracture resistances of both groups. The significance level was set at P ? 0.05. Results: The fracture resistance mean (SD) values of non-aged TZI (Group B) was 2406.9±306.8 N which showed statistically significantly higher than that of aged group (Group A) which was 1964.5±234.5 N. The percentage of monoclinic (m) phase detected by XRD device software in non-aged TZI (Group B) was nearly 0 weight % and in aged TZI (Group A) was about 42 weight %. Conclusion: Accelerated artificial aging decreases the fracture resistance of monolithic TZI FDPs.
Keywords
Artificial aging; Fracture resistance; Monolithic zirconia.
Photosensitizers and Exposure Times To Light Showed Tissue Compatibility In Isogenic Mice
Authors: Assed Bezerra da Silva Raquel , Silva Barroso de Oliveira Daniela , Morant Holanda de Oliveira Katharina , Pucinelli Carolina Maschietto , Nelson Filho Paulo , Consolaro Alberto , Belém Novaes Jr Arthur , Assed Bezerra da Silva Lea
Published: April 2021

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the subcutaneous tissue response after different protocols to photodynamic therapy (PDT). In Phase 1, were tested the diode laser (used for 1min) associated to the photosensitizer phenothiazine chloride solution (PCS) in different concentrations. In Phase 2 – the diode laser and LED were tested associated to two different photosensitizers, PCS and Curcumin, in different exposure times of light application. Material and Methods: After 7, 21 and 63-days the animals were euthanized and the subcutaneous tissue processed to histological analysis. Qualitative and semi-quantitative descriptions of the inflammatory process and immunohistochemical technique were performed. The obtained data were analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn’s post-test (alpha = 0.5). Results: On Phase 1, the tissue response was very similar among the groups. For the inflammatory infiltrate, PCS with concentration of 10mg/mL exhibited the most intense reaction (p > 0.05). On Phase 2, at 7-days period, the analyzed parameters presented small magnitude and after 21 and 63-days, all the parameters demonstrated tissue compatibility. Conclusion: Both photosensitizers presented proper tissue compatibility regardless the different concentrations used on Phase 1 and different durations of light exposure on Phase 2.
 
Keywords
Photodynamic therapy; Phenothiazine chloride solution; Curcumin; Isogenic mice; Subcutaneous tissue.
Cephalometric comparison of dentofacial parameters between Yemeni and Caucasian adults
Authors: Al-Yousefi Amal , Al- Haddad Khaled , Daer Ammar , A. Al-Labani Mohammed
Published: April 2021

Objective: The purposes of this research were to establish cephalometric standards for Yemeni adults and to compare them with those of the Caucasians. Material and Methods: 100 Yemeni students (fifty males, mean age of 23.6 ± 2.1 years, and fifty female, mean age of 21.5 ± 3.1 years) with normal occlusions and wellbalanced faces were involved in the study. Inclusion criteria were a class I malocclusion with minor or no crowding, the whole teeth is present except third molars and no previous orthodontic, orthopedic or maxillofacial surgery treatment. Five angular and eighteen linear measurements were used for the skeletal, dental and soft tissue analysis. All participant’s lateral cephalometric radiographs were evaluated. The average values and standard deviations for all the angles and linear measurements were determined. The differences for each measurement between the Yemeni and Caucasian participants were calculated using unpaired t–tests. Results: Yemeni subjects had a more retrognathic mandibular positions (P< 0.05), protrusive mandibular incisors (P< 0.01), more protruded lip positions (P < 0.01), deeper mentolabial sulci (P< 0.01) and a steeper mandibular planes (P< 0.001) compared to the Caucasians. Yemeni females had a larger lower face height than Caucasian females (P< 0.001). Conclusions: The study provides specific standards for Yemeni adults and shows that the Yemenis had different skeletal and dentoalveolar cephalometric standards in comparison with Caucasians.
 
Keywords
Cephalometric comparison; Skeletal and dental features; Yemeni norms.
Digital Dental Radiology
Authors: Costa André Luis Ferreira , Lopes Sergio Lúcio  Pereira de Castro
Published: April 2021

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Isolation and Identification of Cellulase Producing and Sugar Fermenting Bacteria for Second-Generation Bioethanol Production
Authors: Weerasinghe Weerasinghe Mudiyanselage Lakshika Iroshani , Madusanka Dampe Acharige Tharindu , Manage Pathmalal Marakkale
Published: April 2021

Over the last decades, the negative impacts of fossil fuel on the environment and increasing demand for energy due to the unavoidable depletion of fossil fuels, has transformed the world’s interests towards alternative fuels. In particular, bioethanol production from cellulosic biomass for the transportation sector has been incrementing since the last decade. The bacterial pathway for bioethanol production is a relatively novel concept and the present study focused on the isolation of potential “cellulase-producing” bacteria from cow dung, compost soil, and termite gut and isolating sugar fermenting bacteria from palm wine. To select potential candidates for cellulase enzyme production, primary and secondary assays were conducted using the Gram’s iodine stain in Carboxy Methyl Cellulose (CMC) medium and the Dinitrosalicylic acid (DNS) assays, respectively. Durham tube assay and Solid-Phase Micro-Extraction (SPME) coupled with Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to evaluate the sugar fermenting efficiency of the isolated bacteria. Out of 48 bacterial isolates, 27 showed cellulase activity where Nocardiopsis sp. (S-6) demonstrated the highest extracellular crude enzyme activity of endoglucanase (1.56±0.021 U) and total cellulase activity (0.93±0.012 U). The second-highest extracellular crude enzyme activity of endoglucanase (0.21±0.021 U) and total cellulase activity (0.35±0.021 U) was recorded by Bacillus sp. (T-4). Out of a total of 8 bacterial isolates, Achromobacter sp. (PW-7) was positive for sugar fermentation resulting in 3.07% of ethanol in broth medium at 48 h incubation. The results of the study revealed that Nocardiopsis sp. (S-6) had the highest cellulase enzyme activity. However, the highest ethanol percentage was achieved with by having both Bacillus sp. (T-4) and Achromobacter sp. (PW-7) for the simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) method, as compared to separate hydrolysis and fermentation (SHF) methodologies.
Peritoneal Pseudocyst Causing Acute Abdomen as a Complication of Cronh’s Disease
Authors: Damaskos Christos , Garmpis Nikolaos , Garmpi Anna , Liakea Aliki , Mantas Dimitrios
Published: April 2021

Peritoneal pseudocysts (PPs) in patients who are diagnosed with Crohn’s disease (CD), is a rarely diagnosed entity with unknown epidemiology, etiology and pathogenesis. We present the case of a 30-year old male with known CD who presented with an acute abdomen because of a PP. PPs are developed as a complication caused in patients, suffering from mainly thee conditions. Firstly, PPs appear in patients with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD), they are also developed in patients with peritoneal trauma and finally in CD patients. Our case belongs to these three reported cases in our literature review, since it refers to a CD patient that developed PPs. He underwent emergency laparotomy and excision of the cyst, with good postoperative results. A literature review of 22 publications show that PPs often represent a diagnostic and therapeutic problem as it has a variable presentation and there are no data on what the best treatment option is – surgical excision or aspiration.
The Effects of Ranitidine Treatment on the Risk of Necrotizing Enterocolitis in Preterm Infants: A Case-Control Study
Authors: Zvizdic Zlatan , Milisic Emir , Jonuzi Asmir , Terzic Sabina , Zvizdic Denisa , Vranic Semir
Published: April 2021

Introduction: Gastric acidity plays an important role in the protection of infants against various pathogens from the environment. The histamine-2 receptor blockers (H2-blockers) are off-labeled drugs that are frequently prescribed in preterm neonates to prevent stress ulcers. The impact of the H2-blockers on the development of the necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in preterm infants is still controversial, particularly in the developing world. Materials and Methods: One hundred twenty-two preterm infants were enrolled in the study. The multivariate logistic regression model was used to identify potential postnatal risk factors associated with NEC. Results: Preterm infants (n = 51) with total NEC, medical NEC, and surgical NEC had the highest rate of receiving ranitidine compared with controls (n = 71) (39.2%, 19.6%, and 47.6%, p < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis revealed that ranitidine use and nosocomial infections were significantly associated with NEC development (odds ratios 1.55 and 3.3). Conclusions: We confirm that ranitidine administration was associated with an increased risk of NEC in preterm infants. H2-blockers use should be only administered in very strictly selected cases after careful consideration of the risk-benefit ratio.
Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy for Obstructive Hydrocephalus and Ventriculocystostomy for Intraventricular Arachnoid Cysts
Authors: Akgun Bekir , Ozturk Sait , Hergunsel Omer Batu , Erol Fatih Serhat , Demir Fatih
Published: April 2021

Objective: To evaluate and discuss the outcomes of a combination of ventriculocystostomy (VC) and endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) for obstructive hydrocephalus (HCP) due to ventricular/cisternal arachnoid cysts, and only ETV for obstructive HCP due to different etiologies. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed all 40 symptomatic patients (aged 4 months – 61 years) of obstructive HCP treated by ETV or VC+ETV during October 2014 – April 2019. VC+ETV was performed in 7 patients with intraventricular/cisternal arachnoid cyst and obstructive HCP. Only ETV was performed in 33 patients with obstructive HCP due to other etiologies. Results: Successful ETV or VC+ETV surgery was performed in 35 patients. The procedure failed in 5 patients aged < 1 year; all these 5 patients had a head circumference (HC) of > 90 percentile at the time of surgery. Another 5 patients aged < 1 year showed successful ETV, with a HC of 75–90 percentiles. Conclusion: ETV is a successful alternative treatment for obstructive HCP. The ventricular size may not demonstrate a remarkable reduction post-ETV than post-shunting. Accordingly, increased intracranial pressure may not effectively decrease during the early period post-ETV than post-shunting. Therefore, the success rates of VC and/or ETV are low in very young patients with very high HCs (> 90 percentile).
Regulacja sektora energetycznego w Unii Europejskiej oraz na Ukrainie. Cele i prawne środki regulacji sektora energetycznego/ The regulation of the energy sector in the European Union and in Ukraine. The objectives and legal measures of the energy sector-specific regulation/ Регулювання енергетичного сектору в Європейському Союзі та в Україні Цілі та правові засоби регулювання енергетичного сектору
Authors:   Adam Mickiewicz University, Faculty of Law and Administration, Kosiński Eryk
Published: April 2021

Trzyjęzyczne opracowanie stanowiące istoty wkład w rozwój publicznego prawa gospodarczego, jak i prawa w ogólności. Autor dokonuje analizy regulacji prawnej sektora energetycznego (regulacji sektorowej dla sektora energetycznego) Ukrainy poprzez odniesienie jej do regulacji sektora energetycznego Unii Europejskiej oraz sformułowanie wniosków w zakresie zbliżenia tych systemów do siebie. Stosując współczesne rozumienie pojęcia regulacji sektorowej, w toku badań ustalone zostały cele (wartości) oraz prawne środki (instrumenty) interwencji państwa zawarte w regulacjach prawnych UE i Ukrainy. Cztery podstawowe cele regulacji sektora energetycznego stanowiły koncepcję wyjściową badań i są nimi: realizowanie i wspieranie szeroko rozumianych zasad ekonomii; szeroko rozumiana ochrona interesów konsumentów (odbiorców w gospodarstwach domowych, w tym odbiorców wrażliwych) i ich dobrobytu socjalnego (cele społeczne regulacji); zagwarantowanie bezpieczeństwa energetycznego; i gwarancje ochrony środowiska naturalnego i klimatu (cele proekologiczne). W pracy sformułowano tezę, zgodnie z którą regulacja jest konstrukcją funkcjonalną, dynamiczną, zmienną w czasie i podlegającą ewolucji (modernizacji), a na podstawie przeprowadzonych badań stwierdzono, że obecnie obowiązująca unijna regulacja sektora energii elektrycznej i gazu ziemnego uznaje wszystkie istotne cele określone jako cele regulacyjne. Z kolei analiza obowiązującej na Ukrainie regulacji sektorów elektroenergetycznego i gazu ziemnego prowadzi do wniosku, że wprowadzone i prawnie zagwarantowane zostały kluczowe istotne prawne środki (instrumenty) realizacji wszystkich istotnych celów regulacyjnych. Odrębnym zagadnieniem pozostaje problematyka praktyki stosowania oraz realizacji analizowanych aktów prawnych Ukrainy.
Legitymizacja podatku od gier – kierunki poszukiwań teoretycznej koncepcji
Authors: Duda-Hyz Michalina
Published: April 2021

Celem artykułu jest identyfikacja teorii ekonomicznych, w świetle których upatruje się uzasadnienia podatków od gier hazardowych przyjmujących postać selektywnych podatków obrotowych oraz konfrontacja założeń tych teorii ze specyfiką zjawiska, jakim jest hazard. W kolejnych częściach opracowania wskazano argumenty przemawiające za dodatkowym opodatkowaniem działalności polegającej na świadczeniu usług hazardowych, wynikające z teorii optymalnego opodatkowania, teorii korekcyjnego podatku ekologicznego oraz teorii ekonomii behawioralnej. Wskazano również główne kontrowersje i problemy aplikacyjne, jakie w kontekście specyfiki zjawiska hazardu i podatków od gier rodzą powyższe teorie.
Regionalne zróżnicowanie potencjału przetwórstwa przemysłowego w Polsce w kontekście postulatu reindustrializacji
Authors: Ulbrych Marta
Published: April 2021

Znaczenie przetwórstwa przemysłowego w gospodarce zależy obecnie od jego międzynarodowej konkurencyjności i aktywności innowacyjnej, która umożliwia unowocześnienie struktury rzeczowej produkcji i poprawę pozycji w globalnych łańcuchach wartości. Konieczność intensyfikacji działań w kierunku poprawy poziomu zaawansowania technicznego polskiego przetwórstwa przemysłowego to zagadnienie regularnie pojawiające się w literaturze i praktyce gospodarczej. Potrzeba wzrostu zdolności polskiego przemysłu do sprostania globalnej konkurencji została także podkreślona w przyjętej przez Radę Ministrów w 2017 r. Strategii na rzecz Odpowiedzialnego Rozwoju, w której postulat reindustrializacji stanowi jeden z celów szczegółowych. Mając na uwadze te uwarunkowania oraz zróżnicowanie regionalne potencjału przemysłowego w Polsce, celem artykułu jest analiza rozmieszczenia przetwórstwa średnio i wysoko zaawansowanego technicznie w polskiej gospodarce. W opracowaniu wykorzystano metodę krytycznej analizy literatury oraz badania statystyczne. W oparciu o kwerendę literatury przedstawiono ideę terytorializacji rozwoju i rolę przetwórstwa przemysłowego we współczesnej gospodarce. W odniesieniu do diagnozy przestrzennego rozmieszczenia produkcji przemysłowej w Polsce, posłużono się analizą wartości dodanej brutto w układzie województw. Ostatnia część opracowania koncentruje się na wynikach badania empirycznego, które przeprowadzono dla wybranych działów przetwórstwa przemysłowego w zakresie zmian liczby podmiotów i poziomu zatrudnienia. Otrzymane wyniki wskazują na wzrost liczby podmiotów i stosunkowo stały poziom zatrudnienia działów zaawansowanych technicznie. Iloraz lokalizacji podkreśla koncentrację produkcji sprzedanej wysoko i średnio-wysoko zaawansowanej technicznie w województwie dolnośląskim, śląskim i podkarpackim.
Nadmierny formalizm procesowy jako naruszenie art. 6 ust. 1 Konwencji o ochronie praw człowieka i podstawowych wolności
Authors: Szwed Marcin
Published: April 2021

All judicial proceedings are inevitably based on the formalized procedures. Procedural provisions pursue many important objectives, such ensuring the effectiveness of proceedings or protecting legal certainty by regulating the competences of procedural bodies and the rights and duties of parties. At the same time, excessive procedural formalism may disproportionately limit the right to court, making access to court illusory. Within the framework of the European Convention on Human Rights, the permissible limits of procedural formalism are set by Article 6(1). The European Court of Human Rights, assessing whether excessive formalism has occurred in a given case, examines whether relevant formal requirements served a legitimate purpose, in particular legal certainty and proper administration of justice, and did not lead to a disproportionate restriction of the right of access to court. This assessment is made on the basis of all relevant circumstances of the case, such as the stage at which the proceedings were terminated, the type of proceedings, the party’s due diligence, the existence of circumstances justifying failure to comply with a formal requirement or the fact that the party was represented by a professional representative. Therefore, not only the content of national provisions is important, but also the manner of their application by courts.
Klauzule earnout oraz clawback w umowach sprzedaży nieruchomości
Authors: Jelonek-Jarco Barbara
Published: April 2021

Klauzule earnout oraz clawback są coraz częściej stosowane w umowach sprzedaży. Klauzule te zapewniają elastyczność ceny, a w konsekwencji ich znaczenie prawne i gospodarcze dla stron umowy jest bardzo duże. Analizy wymaga dopuszczalność ich zastrzegania w umowach sprzedaży nieruchomości (prawa użytkowania wieczystego). Wynika to z regulacji zawartej w art. 157 § k.c., zgodnie z którym własność nieruchomości nie może być przeniesiona pod warunkiem ani z zastrzeżeniem terminu. Gdyby bowiem klauzule te spełniały przesłanki uznania ich za warunek, nie byłoby możliwe ich zamieszczanie w umowach sprzedaży nieruchomości mających przenieść jej własność na kupującego. Celem opracowania jest podjęcie próby udzielenia odpowiedzi na to pytanie. Przeprowadzone badania prowadzą do wniosku, że klauzule earnout oraz clawback spełniają przesłankę określenia ceny w sposób zgodny z art. 536 § 1 k.c., a więc przez wskazanie podstaw do jej ustalenia. Należy także przyjąć dopuszczalność wprowadzania takich klauzul do umów sprzedaży nieruchomości – nie stanowią one bowiem warunku (art. 157 k.c.); w konsekwencji umowa taka wywołuje skutek rozporządzający – przenosi więc własność na kupującego.
Obowiązek współdziałania stron przy realizacji zamówienia publicznego
Authors: Klich Grzegorz
Published: April 2021

Celem artykułu jest zwrócenie uwagi na istniejący na gruncie polskiego prawa zobowiązań obowiązek współdziałania stron stosunku zobowiązaniowego na etapie wykonania zobowiązania. Regulacja ta znajduje zastosowanie do wszelkiego rodzaju zobowiązań, niewątpliwie jednak najczęściej odwołuje się do niej w przypadku stosunków umownych. W tym kontekście zainteresowanie budzi zastosowanie powinności współdziałania do zobowiązań stanowiących rezultat zawarcia umowy w sprawie zamówienia publicznego. W artykule problem ten poddano szczegółowej analizie. Odniesiono się przy tym zarówno do dotychczasowej jak i nowej regulacji Prawa zamówień publicznych.
Problem wielości sankcji represyjnych za nieszczepienie dziecka z perspektywy skutecznego wykonania obowiązku szczepień
Authors: Czechowicz Sebastian
Published: April 2021

Obowiązkowe szczepienia ochronne dzieci budzą wiele kontrowersji w przestrzeni publicznej. Szczególnie w ostatnich latach widoczna jest wzmożona aktywność ruchów antyszczepionkowych. Niniejszy artykuł ma na celu przybliżenie problematyki sankcji w odniesieniu do obowiązkowych szczepień ochronnych dzieci, wokół których narosło wiele kontrowersji natury społecznej i prawnej. Analizie poddane zostały sankcje stosowane w związku z uchylaniem się od obowiązkowych szczepień ochronnych dzieci w Polsce. Rozważano istotę sankcji administracyjnej w przypadku obowiązku szczepień ochronnych dzieci, a także przeniesienie egzekucji tego obowiązku na sądy karne. Wskazano na konieczność bezwzględnego rozróżnienia zakresu możliwości stosowania sankcji administracyjnych w toku postępowania egzekucyjnego w administracji od sankcji przewidzianych na gruncie prawa wykroczeń. Dokonano analizy aktów normatywnych i literatury przedmiotu oraz orzecznictwa sądowego dotykających prezentowanej problematyki. Przy wykorzystaniu metody dogmatycznoprawnej oraz analizy orzecznictwa sądowego ustalono, że celem stosowania sankcji administracyjnoprawnych może być jedynie przymuszenie do wykonania obowiązku. Natomiast sankcje na gruncie prawa wykroczeń wymierzane będą za uchylanie się od obowiązkowych szczepień ochronnych dzieci w Polsce.