bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Image Transmission in 4G LTE using DWT based SC-FDMA System
Authors: V. M. Padmapriya
Published: September 2018

In recent trends, the image transmission over wireless communication system in 4G LTE (Long Term Evolution) grow into a challenging task. OFDMA (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access) plays a key role in data transmission (text, image and video) over wireless systems. In OFDMA several transformation techniques have been used for the transmission of images. But they have some drawbacks such as increased number of carriers, increased delay estimation, high ISI and ICI. Hence, to overcome these drawbacks, an image transmission over wireless communication is proposed using DWT technique. OFDMA has several benefits like less complexity, high flexibility and high spectral efficiency. However, still, it lacks in noise reduction and increased error rates. To avoid these issues, SC-FDMA (Single Carrier Frequency Division Multiple Access) techniques is introduced in this work for the image transmission over wireless communication systems. In this proposed work, a DWT based SC-FDMA system is implemented to reduce the noise and interference using wavelet transform analysis. The performance measure of SNR, PSNR, BER and MSE for the proposed DWT based SC-FDMA system is evaluated using MATLAB. The results indicate that the proposed technique affords superior performance with a reduced BER.
Healthcare Monitoring System Based on Wireless Sensor Network for Cardiac Patients
Authors: Gogate Uttara , Bakal Jagdish
Published: September 2018

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the major cause of mortality globally, as well as in India. Most of the deaths caused by CVD are sudden and without giving any chance to provide any medical help. To avoid such impulsive accidental deaths precautions are always required. Due to this heart patients require continuous monitoring of certain vital body parameters such as heart rate, pulse rate and electrocardiogram (ECG) showing current health status clearly. In this paper we are presenting 3 - tier architecture of our prototype healthcare monitoring system using wireless sensor network (WSN) which is developed to continuously monitor certain body parameters of patient. Different biosensors available to measure heart rate, body oxygen level and temperature are attached to Arduino Nano board and recorded signals are sent to server using Node MCU ESP8266 wireless communication. Data is made available on remote servers for doctors and caregivers using ThingSpeak, an internet of things (IOT) application. In case of emergency caregivers can be notified using smart phone alerts. The system is useful for cardiac patients and can be used for infant or baby care and elderly care in home and hospitals. Accuracy of the system is found 95% with the response time of 10 seconds.
Predicting the Functions of Unknown Protein by Analyzing Known Protein Interaction: A Survey
Authors: Mugur Rohini , Smitha P. S , Pallavi M. S.
Published: September 2018

The Protein complexes from PPIs are responsible for the important biological processes about the cell and learning the functionality under these biological process need uncovering and learning complexes and related interacting proteins. One way for studying and dealing with this PPI involves Markov Clustering (MCL) algorithm and has successfully produced result, due to its efficiency and accuracy. The Markov clustering produced result contains clusters which are noisy, these wont represent any complexes that are known or will contains additional noisy proteins which will impact on the correctness of correctly predicted complexes. And correctly predicted correctness of these clusters works well with matched and complexes that are known are quite less. Increasing in the clusters will eventually improve the correctness required to understand and organize of these complexes. The consistency of experimental proof varies largely techniques for assessing quality that have been prepared and used to find the most suitable subset of the interacting proteins. The physical interactions between the proteins are complimented by the, amplitude of data regarding the various types of functional associations among proteins, which includes interactions between the gene, shared evolutionary history and about co-expression. This technique involves the facts and figures from interactions between the proteins, microarray gene-expression profiles, protein complexes, and practical observations for proteins that are known. Clusters communicate not only to protein complex but they also interact with other set proteins by this, graph theoretic clustering method will drop the dynamic interaction by producing false positive rates.
Protein Kinase R Is Constitutively Expressed in the Human Pancreas
Authors: Jonsson Alexander , Yngve Erik , Karlsson Marie , Ingvast Sofie , Skog Oskar , Korsgren Olle
Published: September 2018

Summary

Viral infection of the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas has been proposed in the etiology of type 1 diabetes. Protein kinase R (PKR) is a cytoplasmic protein activated through phosphorylation in response to cellular stress and particularly viral infection. As PKR expression in pancreatic beta-cells has been interpreted as a viral footprint, this cross-sectional study aimed at characterizing the PKR expression in non-diabetic human pancreases. PKR expression was evaluated in pancreas tissue from 16 non-diabetic organ donors, using immunohistochemistry, qPCR, and western blot. Immunohistochemistry and western blot showed readily detectable PKR expression in the pancreatic parenchyma. The qPCR detected PKR mRNA in both endocrine and exocrine samples, with a slightly higher expression in the islets. In conclusion, PKR is constitutively expressed in both endocrine and exocrine parts of the pancreas and its expression should not be interpreted as a viral footprint in pancreatic beta cells.
Reimagining lace: A contemporary response to place and textile making
Authors: Heffer Cecilia
Published: September 2018

Over the last decade interdisciplinary engagement with lace as a contemporary design source has opened up a new emerging space for designers to explore unconventional approaches to traditional technologies and materials. This can be evidenced through International Contemporary Lace exhibitions over recent years, whereby artists outside the discipline of textiles have been invited to explore material innovation as a means to open up new definitions of lace (Radical Lace USA, 2007; Lost in Lace UK, 2011; Love Lace Australia, 2011–13). This portrait is an overview of my own contemporary lace practice during this time. I view my work as a practice of a practice made up of iterations of the one intent – that is to explore notions of making as an embodied response to the materials and places that I work and live in. Traditionally lace could be read as a place marker and came to represent the family and region where they were made through the materials and patterns employed to make them. Drawn to the technical complexity that this allusive textile holds I am interested in demonstrating how making knowledges move between generations. Historically embroidered laces for example are known as ‘punto en aire’ (‘stitches in the air’). This prompts me to question how new notions of stitches in the air can be re-imagined as a modern-day place marker. The motivation behind my lace works is to create original work that reflect back a unique recognition of place. It is in the experience of recognition itself that enables us to view our environment in a new light.
Exhibition Reviews
Authors: Clifton-Cunningham Alana , Sadkowska Ania , Walker Sarah
Published: September 2018

Out of Hand: Materializing the Digital, Museum of Applied Art and Sciences, Sydney, 3 September 2016–25 June 2017

Units of Possibility: The Reknit Revolution, Amy Twigger Holroyd, Rugby Art Gallery & Museum, 24 June–2 September 2017, Rugby, UK
Crafts as serious hobbies: Impact and benefits in later life
Authors: Adams-Price Carolyn E. , Morse Linda W.
Published: September 2018

Although the creation of crafts by middle-aged and older adults is common across the globe, its significance has been overlooked in western culture. This article reviewed current research on the benefits of long-term participation in culturally meaningful creative arts and crafts (i.e., serious hobbies) and their impact on positive development in mid to late life. Creative hobbies are seen to have major benefits when practiced longterm. In addition, they often reflect aspects of one’s culture and the desire to add to that culture. A series of studies from the Synapse Project demonstrated that older adults who spent several hours a week for a few months learning to participate in a new craft activity showed improvements in their cognitive performance and neural efficiency as compared to control participants. Tomioka et al. found that participation in different types of groups, including hobby groups or volunteer groups, led to less decline in everyday functioning and independence among older adults. Adams-Price and colleagues investigated the impact of long-term practice of creative hobbies and found that serious participation in crafts may play a role in life satisfaction and successful ageing. Their work found four factors: (1) identity, (2) spirituality, (3) calming and (4) mastery/recognition from others. These factors impact life satisfaction through generativity, which is an important construct in Erikson’s theory of adult development. These studies and others, which are discussed, support the importance of crafts as a type of serious hobby that impacts cognitive and social well-being and life satisfaction among older individuals.
Printed pots and computerized coils: The place of 3D printing in ceramic practice
Authors: Chittenden Tara
Published: September 2018

The emergence of innovations and new approaches in the field of 3D printing inspires and enables creative work that integrates the traditional languages of ceramics with digital aesthetics, processes and technologies. For makers, new tools to 3D print in clay present a range of ways to make, conceptualize and communicate ideas, and yet, for some, such methods of design and production signal a loss of traditional making skills and a loss of the ‘humanness’ in craft. This article presents a number of examples of practitioners who have found ways to reinsert the essence of human experiences into their work, not via metaphor or artistic interpretation, but through data. Instead of the maker’s touch, we find ‘spoken’ forms shaped through the digital data capture of voice and breath. Chris Gustin uses a CAD program to convert peaks and valleys of voice into bowl forms, whilst Jenny Filipetti captures the force of breath to shape her vessels, which are then 3D-printed in clay. In their work, we see evidence of the emergence of a new language of making that asks questions of the dialogues between traditional and digital craft skills, and between human and machine. The dialogic spaces that emerge from the coming together of data patterns and vessel forms, and of traditional and technological making processes, promote an understanding of 3D-printed ceramics as a series of structured conversations between forms of a diverse and eclectic nature. In terms of a 3D-printed ceramic language this means vessels that quote ceramic forms and processes that have been ‘said before’, and yet that also speak in anticipation of future vessel shapes and the syntax of process possibilities. This article suggests that 3D-printed ceramics should not be seen as a conflict or a compromise within crafts, but as a productive dialogue.
Murder, medium and manipulation in the metropolis
Authors: Giappone Krista Bonello Rutter , Tanti Emanuel
Published: September 2018

This article considers a cluster of twenty-first-century horror films that explore the idea of an urban hunter stalking victims in the city: The Last Horror Movie (Richards, 2003), Maniac (Khalfoun, 2012) and Nightcrawler (Gilroy, 2014). The urban context is discussed as a setting that surrounds, bewilders and potentially influences the action. Psychogeography and notions of urban space further inform the discussion, with particular reference to alternative means of urban exploration and spatial manipulation. The manner in which this architectural sprawl interacts with manipulative meta-filmic strategies will provide the framework for the examination of the fictional ‘urban hunter’ who inhabits, uses and sometimes guides the viewer through this space. We argue that this figure, both solitary and at home in the city’s rhythms, navigates the urban with varying degrees of effectiveness – an effectiveness that is not only limited to the on-screen prey, but also extends to an impact on the viewer invited or compelled to follow the protagonist, while her/his experience of the film is itself mediated and manipulated. This urban stalker both mediates and connects – sometimes alienating, sometimes directly and aggressively confronting the viewer, at other times seeming to align almost harmoniously with the medium, framing our view and promising the immediacy of a first-person experience – always, however, unsettling – whether challenging the assumption of our safe distance, or through jarring and ripping disjuncture, as the medium slips in and out of the frame, and as metavisual commentary intervenes to provide another mediating layer, made manifest.
An exploration of the self-selection of musical parts by members of a New Horizons concert band
Authors: Harrington Ann M.
Published: September 2018

This study examined the self-selection of musical parts (first, second, third or fourth) as perceived by members of a New Horizons concert band. Ensemble members’ self-reported part selection decisions, preferences for specific parts, perceived difficulties and benefits of the self-selection of musical parts, and suggestions for improvement of this part selection process were also examined. In this mixed methods study, an anonymous online questionnaire was used to collect data from (n=29) respondents, and semi-structured interviews were conducted with (n=9) participants. Results indicated that multiple factors influenced the self-selection of musical parts. These factors included, but may not be limited to: preferences for a particular part, the need for a balanced section, a need for all musical parts to be performed, personal musical skills, perceptions of the musical skill levels of other section members, and perhaps most important, a desire to make one’s best contribution to the ensemble. Suggested options for guiding ensemble members in the self-selection of musical parts, and for presenting members with strategies to improve musical skills while playing a variety of parts are discussed in the context of self-directed learning in an ensemble setting.
Classic Media Review
Authors: Murtaugh Monica
Published: September 2018

The Odd Couple, created by Jerry Belson and Garry Marshall (1970–75), Los Angeles, CA: Paramount Television
‘You’re standing on my neck’: Feminist cynicism and queer anti sociality in MTV’s Daria
Authors: McDonald Robin Alex
Published: September 2018

‘Look right through me / Say I’m gloomy / Yea, so sue me [...] I’ve got to be direct / It’s like a big train wreck / You’re standing on my neck / You’re standing on my neck,’ sing post-grunge band Splendora, throughout the opening sequence to MTV’s popular 1990s cartoon series, Daria. Brooding, sarcastic, and surly, Daria Morgendorffer – a teenager and unapologetic misanthrope from the small, fictional town of Lawndale – has much to offer scholars of feminist negativity and queer anti-social theory. Following Lee Edelman’s rejection of a communitarian, heteronormative ‘politics of hope,’ this article seeks to theorize Daria as an important feminist killjoy and queer cynic; one who vehemently disavows the liberal humanist and capitalist-driven narratives of heroism, optimism, femininity and success that so often saturate teenage television programming. Lauding negativity’s ability to ‘poke holes in the toxic positivity of contemporary thinking’, as Jack Halberstam writes, this article is interested in the kinds of alternative imaginings that are produced by one’s refusal to ‘grow up’ and to ‘fit in’.
Pink dreams, blue world: Power, fantasy and desire in Alain Berliner’s Ma Vie en Rose
Authors: Boyd Nolan
Published: September 2018

Alain Berliner’s film Ma Vie en Rose (1997) tells the story of Ludovic Fabre, a young transgender girl living in a suburban community outside of Paris. The film uses Ludovic’s story as a lens through which to examine the social policing of queerness and transgender embodiment. This article joins other previously published work about the film in reading it through a Foucauldian lens in order to examine the extent to which social power structures lend shape to normative understandings of gender identity and expression, but this article’s intervention lies in its combination of this Foucauldian perspective with a Lacanian psychoanalytic approach that invokes Lacan’s territory of the real, symbolic and imaginary and the authorization of social ‘law’ within this psychic terrain. I argue that the film’s powerful deployment of desire and fantasy can be analysed within a psychoanalytic framework to delineate the operations of social power and illuminate the extent to which queer gender expression is rendered outlaw and abject within hegemonic normative society.
S(t)imulating history: Queer historical play in Gone Home and The Tearoom
Authors: Harvat Zachary
Published: September 2018

In this article, I analyse two recent videogames about queer history, Gone Home (2013) and The Tearoom (2017), to demonstrate the potential of play as a method of queer historical engagement. Responding to recent scholarship on queer history and nostalgia in popular culture, I contend that videogames offer novel ways for interacting with the past that foreground the positive affective dimensions of play (joy, pleasure, camp, humour, etc.) without denying the realities of historical trauma and injury. Queer historical play, I posit, is an alternative method for engaging with the queer past that breaks from the overwhelming emphasis on trauma and the antisocial in queer studies of history and queer studies more broadly.
‘Positive recognition’ as a preventive approach in child and youth welfare services
Authors: Häkli Jouni , Korkiamäki Riikka , Kallio Kirsi Pauliina
Published: September 2018

The public welfare services provided to children and young people in Finland have proved insufficient and costly. Some concerns have also been voiced about the ways in which measures intended as supportive end up labelling their recipients as ‘problem youth’. In response, alternatives to the dominant ‘early intervention’ paradigm have been developed, with emphasis on preventive support for children and youth in general. In line with these policies, this article introduces the idea of ‘positive recognition’, developed in our recent study. Drawing from recognition theories, and in collaboration with professionals working with children and youth, we have developed a theoretically informed practical approach to fostering children and young people’s wellbeing at large, as part of everyday professional practices in institutional and non-institutional settings, and explored its potential in the prevention of social problems and marginalisation among children and youth. The paper provides a brief overview of the theoretical background of positive recognition in the context of social pedagogy, introduces how the approach can be implemented in professional practices with children and young people, and discusses the potentials of these alternative welfare practices to social pedagogy in Finland and beyond.
Copyright Violation and Distribution of Prohibited Content on the Internet: Analysis of Legal Arrangements in the Legislation of the Russian Federation
Authors: ADYGEZALOVA Gyulnaz Eldarovna , ALLALYEV Ruslan Muradovich , KISELEVA Alla Vasilievna , GRIGORIEVA Natalya Anatolyevna
Published: September 2018

The article provides an analysis of the features of the legal regulation of copyright protection and the control of the distribution of the prohibited content on the Internet. Copyright violation and distribution of the prohibited content are considered by the author as two sides of the same problem – the illegal use of information on the Internet. Despite the close attention received from legislators, law enforcers, Internet-based businessmen, journalists, bloggers and regular users of Internet resources, the amount of whom is becoming larger from year to year, this problem still remains unsolved up to date, so the urgency of development of its legislative solution is unquestionable. The objective of the work presented is to seek effective legal regulation of Internet relations connected to the protection of authors' rights and the fight against the distribution of illegal (hazardous) content. In order to achieve this objective the author analyses the Russian legislative framework, refers to international and foreign experience and views the positions of representatives of various sciences related to the Internet, especially legal scholars and political scientists. Various categories of Internet-based information, which are regulated under the Russian legal system, are considered in this article. The potential of existing technologies to restrict access to Internet resources is analyzed. The results of the study of different views on the mentioned problems are presented, and solutions for their resolution are offered, which is of scientific and social interest. The scientific novelty and relevance of the study are that in order to address the problem of copyright control and the distribution of illegal content on the Internet, it proposes an integrated approach, combining legislative restriction of access to relevant information with opening an active dialog with the Internet community and business in the area of Internet communications.
Commercial Dispute Resolution: Has Arbitration Transformed Nigeria’s Legal Landscape?
Authors: OLUJOBI Olusola Joshua , ADENIJI Adenike A. , OYEWUNMI Olabode A. , OYEWUNMI Adebukola E.
Published: September 2018

The adoption of arbitration in the light of its well established attributes promotes confidence levels in the general businesses environment, enhances institutional trust, whilst also developing practical compromise resolution mechanisms. However, Nigeria, a developing economy has not matched policy intent with commercial realities, particularly in terms of broad based integration and utilization of arbitral tools. This trend is not sustainable in the light of the renewed efforts to promote enhanced justice delivery; lower administrative costs and the urgent need to optimize the capabilities of the judicial arm of government. The paper assessed specific arbitral provisions of selected, State High Court Civil Procedures Rules, and on this basis critiqued the arbitral visibility and incorporation relative to established legal processes. Amongst other salient issues, a robust application of arbitration is recommended especially in view of the peculiarities of Nigeria’s legal processes, judicial institutions, evolving political and social-economic indicators.
Non Conviction Based (NCB) Asset Forfeiture for Recovering the Corruption Proceeds in Indonesia
Authors: PRIYATNO Dwidja
Published: September 2018

The success in recovering asset stolen from corrupt practices was one of the key success indicators in an attempt to eradicate corruption in Indonesia. The transnational corruption trend which involved many actors has made the asset recovery efforts to be more difficult. This article aimed to investigate the asset recovery efforts, the role of state institutions and the law enforcement officers in the assets recovery effort. The research method used was normative legal research, which was done by examining the secondary data in which the data were analyzed qualitatively. The conclusion derived in this article was that the Non Conviction Based (NCB) Asset Forfeiture is a critical tool for recovering the proceeds of corruption and also to combat corruption, especially in case where the proceeds have been transferred abroad. However, to ensure that such measure would be a strategic policy, it would be necessary to enter into international treaties with other countries related to the corruption case. In addition, the harmonization of Indonesian Anti-Corruption Law regarding the Eradication of Criminal Acts of Corruption should be conducted in order to support the Non Conviction Based (NCB) Asset Forfeiture. The NCB asset forfeiture system should encompass the 36 Key Concepts introduced in StAR so that the NCB system could be more effective in recovering the stolen assets.
Problematic Issues of the Administrative and Legal Status of the Police in the Baltic States (Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia)
Authors: SHAPOVAL Roman , BYTIAK Iurii , KHRYSTYNCHENKO Nadiia , SOLNTSEVA Khrystyna
Published: September 2018

This research article aims to analyze the essence of the notion ‘administrative and legal status of police bodiesʼ. Materials and methods include analysis of the target and structural and organizational elements of the administrative and legal status for each country; consideration of comments and proposals made by representatives of the public and experts, as well as problematic issues of the administrative and legal status of the police of countries: Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. Results of the article are that the international community and the Council of Europe, based on the national experience of different countries, have developed a set of norms and recommendations in the field of crime prevention measures, the perception of which is an important condition for qualitative improvement of police service, implementing it in accordance with the principles of legality, humanism, respect for human rights and freedoms and the citizen. In the conclusion of the article, it should be noted that there is still room for improvement and harmonization of the administrative and legal status of police in the Baltic countries
Twórczość artystyczna jako sposób urzeczywistniania paradygmatu emancypacyjnego
Authors: Pawlik Sabina
Published: September 2018

The article relates to artistic creation of intellectually disabled people as an example of possible means of their emancipation. In this paper I claim that artistic creation of intellectually disabled people may constitute a tool of self-expression, and as a result be a way to realize the emancipatory paradigm in special education. I have illustrated my hypothesis with some poetry written by two women affected by Down syndrome whose creation is a conscious act of formulating an autonomous artistic message.
From communication to humanization of disabled person
Authors: Żółkowska Teresa
Published: September 2018

The ongoing systemic transformations have intensified the need to update the reflection on (disabled) people, their abilities or even their destiny. The political transformation that took place in our country chanced the scope and forms of social life. Economic and socio-cultural changes led to the disappearance of disabled people. As a result, it is necessary to rebuild a humanistic programme based on embracing the human being, their abilities and capabilities. One of the most important methods of working on the condition and prospects of (disabled) people is undoubtedly communication, and dialogue within its scope.
Detection of Agglomeration by Analysis of Vibration Signatures in a Pilot-Scale Fluidized Bed Reactor of Propylene Polymerization
Authors: Alamolhoda Fatemeh , Shamiri Ahmad , Hussain Mohd Azlan , Zarghami Reza , Sotudeh-Gharebagh Rahmat , Mostoufi Navid
Published: September 2018

Polymerization of propylene was performed in a pilot fluidized bed reactor, resembling an industrial unit. In order to detect agglomeration in this reaction process, wall vibration signatures of the bed, which contains useful information about its hydrodynamics, were measured by an accelerometer. This approach is non-intrusive and can be easily applied in industry. Different methods employed to analyze the measured vibration signatures. Average cycle frequency of the signatures showed that agglomerates were formed and settled down in the reactor during the process. Plot of the power spectral density function of vibration signals showed that the peak corresponding to the dominant frequency generated by bubbles is located around 2,000 Hz. Energy of the signal among the three hydrodynamic structures in the bed (i. e., micro, meso and macro-scales) showed a decrease in share of macro-scale and a slight increase in share of micro and meso-scales due to the formation of agglomerates. The principal component analysis was performed to characterize the hydrodynamic changes occurred in bed due to formation of agglomerates during the polymerization reaction. Using the S-statistic test, changes in the hydrodynamics of the bed due to formation of agglomerates were detected about 20 minutes before defluidization.
Prebiotic-Like Effects of Water Soluble Chitosan on the Intestinal Microflora in Mice
Authors: Liu Likun , Wang Yang , Kong Min , Li Xinli
Published: September 2018

In the present work, water soluble chitosan (WSC) was prepared and growth curves of Lactobacillus delbrueckii and Escherichia coli were examined in vitro. In vivo, mice were randomly divided into three groups (10 mice in each group), treated with water, 1 g/kg WSC and 0.25 g/kg of WSC respectively for 24 days. Subsequently, levofloxacin (65 mg/kg) was given for 6 days. The dynamic changes of bacterial communities were evaluated by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis periodically. L. delbrueckii and E. coli have been inhibited by WSC in vitro. The bacteria from the genera of Bacteroides, Lactobacillus, Enterococcus and Devosia were dominant gut flora in the intestinal tract of mice. The growth of Lactobacillus has been dramatically stimulated, whereas Enterococcus faecium and Parabacteroides distasonis which were opportunistic bacterial pathogens have been inhibited. So WSC can be considered as a new food supplement to protect the intestinal microflora and regulate imbalance.
Correlation between the blood level of irisin and the severity of acute myocardial infarction in exercise-trained rats
Authors: Bashar Shaimaa M. , Samir El-sherbeiny Shereen M. , Boraie Mohamed Z.
Published: September 2018

Background

Acute myocardial infarction is a major cause of death all over the world. Irisin is a novel myokine released after exercise. This work aimed to study the correlation between the serum irisin level and the severity of the acute myocardial infarction in the exercise-trained rats.

Methods

Forty-eight male rats were classified into four groups (12 for each): group I, control sedentary (C); group II, exercise-trained (EX) (swimming for 8 weeks); group III, isoprenaline-induced infarct (MI); and group IV, exercise-trained infarct (EX-MI) (swimming for 8 weeks followed by isoprenaline-induced infarction). ECG was recorded at start and end of the study, before and after induction of infarction. The serum level of irisin, lipid peroxidation [malondialdehyde (MDA)], total antioxidant status (TAS), creatine phosphokinase-MB (CK-MB), and troponin I was determined. The hearts were excised for histopathology and immunohistochemistry for caspase-3.

Results

The infarct rats showed significant prolongation in QTc interval and elevation in the ST segment as well as significant elevation of serum CK-MB, troponin I, and MDA, whereas TAS and serum irisin level were significantly decreased. With exercise, we observed a high positive correlation between the serum irisin and QRS duration (+0.643), amplitude (+0.860), and TAS (+0.887). In addition, there was a high negative correlation between the serum irisin and ST elevation (−0.865), QTc (−0.886), CK-MB (−0.891), troponin (−0.882), and MDA (−0.868). This was confirmed by the negative correlation between serum irisin and both collagen deposition and caspase-3 expression (–0.823 and –0.822, respectively).

Conclusions

We recommend regular exercise or taking recombinant irisin as a supplement to protect at-risk individuals against acute myocardial infarction.
Effect of foot reflexology and slow stroke back massage on the severity of fatigue in patients undergoing hemodialysis: A semi-experimental study
Authors: Ahmadidarrehsima Sudabeh , Mohammadpourhodki Reza , Ebrahimi Hossein , Keramati Maryam , Dianatinasab Mostafa
Published: September 2018

Background

Fatigue is one of the most disturbing and the most common symptoms reported by patients dialyzed. There are methods available on complementary and alternative medicine, through which nurses can help patients to promote their health. Reflexology is a treatment which has a long history and is considered as one of the most popular and the most widespread methods of alternative medicine. In this study, the effects of foot reflexology and slow stroke back massage on the severity of fatigue in patients treated with hemodialysis were measured.

Methods

This is a quasi-experimental study that performed on 52 patients chosen from Imam Khomeini dialysis center in Zabol and divided into control and intervention groups by randomize allocation method. Required information collected from a demographic and fatigue severity questionnaire. After completing questionnaires by the study subjects, foot massage and slow stroke back massage was performed during three weeks, two sessions each week (5 sessions in total). At the end of intervention data of two groups was collected. Data was analyzed using independent sample t-Test, Chi-squared test, Fisher exact test, oneway ANOVA with repeated measures and Bonferroni test by SPSS software version 21.

Results

The mean [±SD] fatigue in patients with foot reflexology massage and slow stroke back massage reflect on the 53.61[±10.12] and 52.20 [±10.37], and the differences were not significant, but after the intervention, fatigue in the group receiving foot reflexology massage was reduced significantly compared to slow stroke back massage group (p<0.0001).

Conclusions

The result of this study showed that reflexology massage is a safe and economical nursing intervention for decreasing fatigue in hemodialysis patients.
Demonstrations in Sports Training: Communicating a Technique through Parsing and the Return-Practice in the Budo Class
Authors: Råman Joonas , Haddington Pentti
Published: September 2018

Demonstrating a sports technique to students presents coaches and teachers a practical challenge: How to communicate a multi-phased and fleeting movement of the body effectively and in a manner which also makes clear the temporal relation of the individual phases of the movement? By using video-based methods and video recordings collected in budo sports training, this paper illustrates how teachers parse a complicated and fast-paced technique into individual steps by resorting to talk and embodied means. Furthermore, we examine how the teachers can move back and forth between these steps with an interactional practice we call ‘return-practice’. By employing this practice, the teachers provide additional information regarding particular steps, highlight the simultaneous nature of particular body movements, demonstrate alternative ways of performing the technique, and illustrate the consequences of the incorrect performance of these steps. The linguistic design of the ‘return-practice’ is shown to differ in the above four functions.
PIPAC-OV3: A multicenter, open-label, randomized, two-arm phase III trial of the effect on progression-free survival of cisplatin and doxorubicin as Pressurized Intra-Peritoneal Aerosol Chemotherapy (PIPAC) vs. chemotherapy alone in patients with platinum-resistant recurrent epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer
Authors: Bakrin Naoual , Tempfer Clemens , Scambia Giovanni , De Simone Michele , Gabriel Boris , Grischke Eva-Maria , Rau Beate
Published: September 2018

Background

Recurrent, platin-resistant ovarian cancer (rPROC) has a poor survival. Even with the AURELIA trial, which is the best available treatment today, progression-free survival (PFS) is still only 6.7 months from the start of the second-line chemotherapy. Innovative, effective therapies are urgently needed. Pressurized Intra-Peritoneal Aerosol Chemotherapy (PIPAC) is a novel drug delivery system for administering drugs into the abdomen. PIPAC with cisplatin and doxorubicin (PIPAC C/D) may be safely used at an intraperitoneal dose of 10.5 mg/m2 and 2.1 mg/m2, respectively. Systemic toxicity of this therapy is low. In a phase II trial with 53 women, 62 % patients had an objective tumor response. Tumor regression on histology was observed in 76 % patients who underwent all three PIPACs. Randomized phase III studies are now required to evaluate the effect of PIPAC C/D compared to other standard treatments (sequential or simultaneous applications with systemic chemotherapy).

Methods

The present phase III study is a prospective, open, randomized, multicentric pivotal trial. A total of 244 patients will be randomly assigned (1:1) to the control (A) or to the experimental (B) group. Group A: Systemic palliative chemotherapy, physician’s best choice (monotherapy consisting of pegylated liposomal doxorubicin or topotecan or gemcitabine or paclitaxel weekly. Bevacizumab can be used in combination with paclitaxel, topotecan, or pegylated liposomal doxorubicin). Group B: Intraperitoneal chemotherapy, 3×PIPAC C/D, performed every 6 weeks. Combination with systemic therapy is not allowed. Treatment is continued until disease progression, death, or patient refusal. In case of progression, no recommendation for further therapy is given by protocol. Patients are allowed to receive PIPAC C/D or systemic chemotherapy after study termination. The primary endpoint is PFS (according to RECIST v1.1) or death from any cause. The co-primary endpoint is the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) measured as the global health status (GHS, QLQ-30 of EORTC). Secondary outcomes comprise overall survival, safety (CTCAE 5.0), and tumor response according to peritoneal regression grading score (PRGS).

Discussion

We expect PIPAC C/D to control peritoneal disease and preserve the QoL on this subset of patients.

Trial registration

The EudraCT number 2018-003664-31
Pharmaceutical Preparations for Intradermal Drug Tests
Authors: Ménétré Sophie , Robert Sophie , Demoré Béatrice
Published: September 2018

Our department of pharmacy takes over all the medical skin tests prescribed by the allergy department. The production takes place in specific premises, with qualified and calibrated equipment, by a qualified and regularly assessed staff—in compliance with the French preparation guidelines. The whole activity is under the responsibility of a pharmacist—handlings are performed by hospital pharmacy technicians. Each new intradermal skin test demand leads to a feasibility analysis—irritating nature, dilution solvent, concentration—this information is gathered in a thesaurus. The manufacturing steps are the following: prescription validation, production sheet and label printing, preparation of the needed equipment, batch numbers and expiration date checking, handling under a vertical laminar flow hood and control after production. The preparation activity increases continuously and the thesaurus currently contents 302 rows with following information: drug, dilution and reconstitution solvent, pure solution concentration and maximum concentration to test with intradermal tests. Work would prospect in costs reduction and resources optimization. Thanks to the allergists’ confidence, the partnership between the two departments can go on. This guarantees the quality of the preparations tested on patients but also the skin tests reproducibility.
Maintaining coherence in research argument: identifying qualitative differences between experts’ and students’ texts
Authors: Chang Peichin
Published: September 2018

This study explores coherence as a textual phenomenon in research writing Introductions. Drawing on Systemic Functional Linguistics, the analysis identifies differences in the quality of coherence in both experts’ and students’ texts by examining the semantic overlaps between the global Themes, followed by the quality of lexical chain deployment, and by how these inform the development of three rhetorical moves. Close analysis was performed on four texts, drawn from the corpora comprising 35 expert and 35 student research Introduction texts. The analysis reveals that the expert and student writers feature different paths in arguing. At global levels, the experts tend to have the key concepts resonate and their arguments are gradually narrowed down to occupy the niche of the study. The key concepts therefore often form into long and mixed chains both to sustain the line of the argument and to elaborate the difficult concepts. In the students’ texts, the key concepts are less consistently deployed, evidenced in how different paragraphs can develop different sets of concepts. Their long chains are also often formed by static terms which do not effectively develop the argument. Critical concepts often do not occupy prominent positions or are not mentioned earlier to allow for elaboration. When combined, these features compromised the development of the rhetorical move in the students’ texts.
Comparison of 5vs5 Training Games and Match-Play Using Microsensor Technology in Elite Basketball
Authors: Svilar Luka , Castellano Julen , Jukic Igor
Published: September 2018

Svilar, L, Castellano, J, and Jukic, I. Comparison of 5vs5 training games and match-play using microsensor technology in elite basketball. J Strength Cond Res 33(7): 1897–1903, 2019—The aim of this study was to compare the data obtained using microsensor technology in 2 types of 5vs5 training games—the regular-stop game (RSG) and the no-stop game (NSG)—and in match-play (MP) in elite basketball. Sixteen top-level basketball players were monitored during pre- and in-season periods (10 weeks). The variables included: player load, accelerations (ACC), decelerations (DEC), changes of direction (CoD), and jumps (JUMP)—all in both total (t) and high-intensity (h) relative values (i.e., per minute of play): PLmin, ACCmin, DECmin, CoDmin, and JUMPmin, respectively. Almost all variables showed trivial difference between MP and RSG. The only variable that showed small difference was tACCmin (MP > RSG). In case of RSG vs. NSG, 3 variables showed trivial difference—tACCmin, hACCmin, and hDECmin, 3 (i.e., hCODmin, tDECmin, and PLmin) small differences, and 3 (tCoDmin, tJUMPmin, and hJUMPmin) moderate differences (NSG > RSG). In MP vs. NSG, 2 variables (hCoDmin and tACCmin) showed trivial differences; variable hDECmin showed small difference, whereas the other 5 variables (tCoDmin, tJUMPmin, hJUMPmin, tDECmin, and PLmin) showed moderate difference (NSG > MP). Only one variable, hACCmin, showed moderate difference, when MP > NSG. The main conclusion of the study was that by introducing some constraints into 5vs5 tasks, the coaching staff could elicit higher physical demands than those occurring in MP. By understanding the differences in demands of NSG, RSG, and MP, coaches in elite basketball can improve their system of training drills selection, especially when looking for optimal short-term tapering approach, leading up to the game day.
Comparison of Physical Fitness Parameters for Starters vs. Nonstarters in an NCAA Division I Men's Lacrosse Team
Authors: Sell Katie M. , Prendergast James M. , Ghigiarelli Jamie J. , Gonzalez Adam M. , Biscardi Lauren M. , Jajtner Adam R. , Rothstein Alexander S.
Published: September 2018

Sell, KM, Prendergast, JM, Ghigiarelli, JJ, Gonzalez, AM, Biscardi, LM, Jajtner, AR, and Rothstein, AS. Comparison of physical fitness parameters for starters vs. nonstarters in an NCAA Division I men's lacrosse team. J Strength Cond Res 32(11): 3160–3168, 2018—The purpose of this study was to present a fitness profile of Division I male lacrosse players and compare the fitness attributes across different positions and starting status. Forty-one Division I men's lacrosse players (19.6 ± 1.6 years, 82.5 ± 9.5 kg, 182.0 ± 5.4 cm) volunteered to participate in the study. Fitness attributes assessed included aerobic fitness (1.5-mile run), muscular strength (1 repetition maximum bench press, squat, and hang clean), grip strength (hand dynamometer), explosive power (vertical jump), agility (3-cone drill, pro-agility), body composition (7-site skinfold), and speed (20- and 40-yard sprint). All testing was conducted by a certified strength and conditioning coach and occurred at the conclusion of pre-season training. The only significant difference across positions was for body mass, whereby defensemen were significantly heavier than attacking players (p < 0.05). Starters were significantly faster on the 3-cone drill, 20- and 40-yard sprint, and jumped significantly higher on the vertical jump compared with nonstarters (p < 0.05). Attributes pertaining to anaerobic fitness (speed, agility, and explosive power) may be better predictors of starting status than aerobic fitness in men's NCAA Division I lacrosse players. This differs from previous research on men's club lacrosse players where a difference in aerobic fitness and body composition was shown between starters and nonstarters. The normative data presented in this study may assist strength and conditioning coaches in the development of sport-specific training programs and motivate athletes toward achieving sport-specific fitness goals by helping identify areas of weakness before the start of the season.
Longitudinal Hydration Assessment in Collegiate Basketball Players Over Various Training Phases
Authors: Heishman Aaron D. , Daub Bryce D. , Miller Ryan M. , Freitas Eduardo D.S. , Bemben Michael G.
Published: September 2018

Heishman, AD, Daub, BD, Miller, RM, Freitas, EDS, and Bemben, MG. Longitudinal hydration assessment in collegiate basketball players over various training phases. J Strength Cond Res 35(4): 1089–1094, 2021—To the best of our knowledge, previous literature has not longitudinally examined hydration status in collegiate basketball players. Therefore, the purpose of this investigation was to examine the prepractice hydration status of collegiate basketball players across various training phases for 2 consecutive years. Retrospective analyses examined prepractice urine-specific gravity (USG) assessments obtained from National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I male basketball players during the preseason and competitive season, for 2 consecutive years. The first year (year 1 = Y1) of analysis consisted of 15 athletes and the second year (year 2 = Y2) consisted of 16 athletes, with 8 athletes in both seasons. Hydration status was classified based on the National Athletic Trainers' criteria: (a) euhydrated, USG < 1.020; (b) hypohydrated, USG = 1.020–1.030; and (c) significantly hypohydrated, USG > 1.030. Additional comparisons examined the association of minutes played with hydration status and changes in hydration status for athletes returning from Y1 to Y2. The results indicated 55–65.7% of cases showed levels of significant hypohydration during the preseason and competitive seasons for both years. Preseason hydration status was significantly better than the competitive season (Y1, p = 0.008; Y2, p = 0.005). Despite significant differences in minutes played (p < 0.001), no differences in hydration status were observed. Returning athletes displayed no differences in hydration status between Y1 and Y2. Collegiate basketball players show levels of hypohydration when longitudinally examined across various training phases. Although hydration may be improved in the preseason, alternative factors such as average game minutes played and length in program may not influence hydration status.