bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Essential Diagnostics for the Use of World Health Organization Essential Medicines
Authors: Schroeder Lee F , Guarner Jeannette , Amukele Timothy K
Published: June 2018

BACKGROUND

There are numerous barriers to achieving high-quality laboratory diagnostic testing in resource-limited countries. These include inconsistent supply chains, variable quality of diagnostic devices, lack of human and financial resources, the ever-growing list of available tests, and a historical reliance on syndromic treatment algorithms. A list of essential diagnostics based on an accepted standard like the WHO Essential Medicines List (EML) could coordinate stakeholders in the strengthening of laboratory capacity globally.

METHODS

To aid in the creation of an essential diagnostics list (EDL), we identified laboratory test indications from expert databases for the safe and effective use of WHO EML medicines. In all, 446 EML medicines were included in the study. We identified 279 conditions targeted by these medicines, spanning communicable and noncommunicable diseases (e.g., HIV, diabetes mellitus).

RESULTS

We found 325 unique diagnostic tests, across 2717 indications, associated with the identified conditions or their associated medicines. The indications were divided into 10 categories: toxicity (865), diagnosis (591), monitoring (379), dosing/safety (325), complications (217), pathophysiology (154), differential diagnosis (97), comorbidities (53), drug-susceptibility testing (22), and companion diagnostic testing (14). We also created a sublist of 74 higher-priority tests to help define the core of the EDL.

CONCLUSIONS

An EDL such as we describe here could align the global health community to solve the problems impeding equitable access to high-quality diagnostic testing in support of the global health agenda.
Convergence through conflict: A case study of a US Spanish-language publication’s efforts to grow a national audience
Authors: Hickerson Andrea
Published: June 2018

Drawing on literature related to convergence and conflict in diaspora, this manuscript describes how one long-standing, immigrant, regional Spanish-language newspaper in the United States responded to economic pressures by employing the highly contested topic of immigration to build a larger, more diasporic audience. A comparative analysis of two weeks’ worth of print content and content published on its Facebook page, its primary digital platform, found a larger proportion of immigration stories online than in print. Furthermore, although immigration was the third most frequent subject of online news stories, behind crime and entertainment stories, immigration stories were the most popular stories as evidenced by audience ‘likes’ and ‘shares’. These results lend support to the idea that so-called ‘ethnic entrepreneurs’ can refocus and redirect diasporic audiences around new conflicts in countries of residence.
Mediating identity: The West African diaspora, conflict and communication
Authors: Silverman Jon
Published: June 2018

Migration raises many existential problems, not least, questions of identity. Over time, migrants settle and form a diaspora in a new land but does dislocation from their geographical ‘home’ inevitably subvert their sense of self? Can representation through the diasporic media mitigate this loss? The African Union considers the diaspora the sixth region of Africa and the news media helps foster amongst exiles an ‘imagined diaspora’ (Anderson), connecting them to their country of origin. In the social media age, this ‘diaspora of the Internet’ (Tettey) can be seen at work, often acting as a mirror for division and disharmony in the country of origin. Taking a case study approach of three countries in West Africa and interpreting conflict in its broadest senses, this article seeks to examine the ways in which the news-related media of the West African diaspora has influenced understandings of identity.
Light speed expanding reversed black hole quantum cosmology
Authors: V. S. Seshavatharam U , Lakshminarayana S
Published: June 2018

With reference to ordinary matter, dark matter, critical density and time reversed black hole physics, it seems possible to develop a model of light speed quantum cosmology.Â
Formulation, physicochemical evaluation and antimicrobial activity of green toothpaste on streptococcus mutans
Authors: Ogboji Joel , Y. Chindo I. , Jauro Aliyu , Boryo D , N. M. Lawal
Published: June 2018

Background: Toothpaste is a cosmetic product with increasing relevance and demand. However most commercial toothpaste consist of complex chemicals whose health safety remain unclear.Objectives: The present work involves the formulation, and comparative physicochemical evaluation and antimicrobial activity of green toothpaste and three commercial toothpastes (Close-Up, Oral-B and Dabur-Herbal)Methods: The green toothpaste were formulated using Tumeric (Curcuma longa), Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis miller), Guava (Psidium guajava), Mint (Mentha piperita), Neem (Azadirachta indica), and Lemon (Citrus lemon) as the active ingredients and comparatively evaluated for various properties like colour, taste, odor, texture, abrasivity, spreadability, cleansing ability, foaming ability, stability, homogeneity, moisture content, gritty matter and pH. The antimicrobial activity of the formula was comparatively tested on Streptococcus mutans (the major causative organism of dental caries).Results: Cold extracts of plant materials with ethanol showed a relative low (3.6% - 6.8%) percentage recovery of bioactive compounds. Physico-chemical tests revealed that the spreadability, pH, foam, gritty matter and homogeneity gave favourable results that compares well with commercial ones. The result of the antimicrobial test shows significant difference between the mean zones of inhibition of the various toothpastes.Conclusion: The results of the study agree with traditional application of the herbaceous plants and showed that the formulated toothpaste contains phytochemicals which possess antimicrobial properties and may be safer compared to toothpaste consisting of synthetic chemicals.Â
Tackling Food System Challenges through Experiential Education: Criteria for Optimal Course Design
Authors: Grant Michelle , Shreck Aimee , Buchmann Nina
Published: June 2018

Educating students to find sustainable solutions to food system challenges is a task that spans disciplines and contexts. Our two-week World Food System Summer School allows participants, specialists and stakeholders to learn from one another. We describe the conceptual framework for
the course, elucidate the design criteria used and discuss challenges, aiming to support the development of education offerings in this space.
Chancen für erneuerbare Energien in Wärmenetzen: Bericht vom Leuphana Energieforum 2017
Authors: Bickel Manuel W. , Soetebeer Ina , Neidig Philipp
Published: June 2018

Akteure aus Wissenschaft, Politik und Praxis diskutierten beim Energieforum an der Leuphana Universität Lüneburg über die Steigerung des Anteils erneuerbarer Energien an der Wärmeversorgung in Deutschland.
The negative effects of hair dyes on human health
Saç boyalarının insan sağlığı üzerine olumsuz etkileri
Authors: Doğanel Aksoy Gizem , Karaman Dilek , Pulat İmamoğlu Öznur , Yılmaz Dilek
Published: June 2018

In modern societies, groomed hair plays an important role in increasing people's confidence by changing their appearance. People have well-maintained and healthy hair and the hair style has a positive effect on the environment they are in. For this reason, hair dyes used by the whole society, especially women, are routinely and unconsciously used regardless of negative effects on human health. In this article; aiming to increase the awareness of the society by explaining the negative effects of hair dyes. Extended English summary is in the end of Full Text PDF (TURKISH) file.  ÖzetModern toplumlarda, insanların dış görünümlerinin değişerek kendilerine olan güvenlerinin artmasında, bakımlı saçlar önemli rol oynar. İnsanların bakımlı ve sağlıklı saçların olması ve saç stili onlara bulundukları ortamlarda olumlu bir etki bırakır. Bu nedenle özellikle kadınlar olmak üzere tüm toplum tarafından kullanılan saç boyaları, insan sağlığı üzerine olumsuz etkilerine bakılmaksızın rutin olarak, bilinçsizce kullanılmaktadır. Bu makalede; saç boyalarının olumsuz etkileri açıklanarak, toplumun farkındalığının artırılması amaçlanmıştır.
Analysis and improvement of production efficiency in a construction machine assembly line
Authors: Xavier Alidiane , Gonzalez Murilo De Melo
Published: June 2018

The increased competitiveness in the market encourages the ongoing development of systems and production processes. The aim is to increase production efficiency to production costs and waste be reduced to the extreme, allowing an increased product competitiveness. The objective of this study was to analyze the overall results of implementing a Kaizen philosophy in an automaker of construction machinery, using the methodology of action research, which will be studied in situ the macro production process from receipt of parts into the end of the assembly line , prioritizing the analysis time of shipping and handling. The results show that the continuous improvement activities directly impact the elimination of waste from the assembly process, mainly related to shipping and handling, improving production efficiency by 30% in the studied processes.
Balance capacity with variability caused by human factor: an application in a line with Monte Carlo simulation
Authors: Mendes Augusto Sandes , Silva Adriano Maniçoba da , Kawamoto Júnior Luiz Teruo
Published: June 2018

The variation in processing times due to the human factor between the working stations of a production line can generate queues resulting in a higher cost to the productive process. The objective of this study was to apply Monte Carlo simulation to balance the capacity of a production line with stations suffering variability in processing time due to the human factor. Simulations of the current situation of the production line were performed by comparing it with a proposal to align capacity with the production restriction in order to reduce inventories process while maintaining full capacity of the line. To develop the study, the selection involves the case of a company’s production line in the metal industry that produces machinery and products for metalworking area. The results allowed pointing suggestions for the company to reduce in-process inventory, keeping then total capacity of the line.
Integration in the chain: a case study on the collaboration in the chain of a resale company of parts for industrial equipment
Authors: Chubachi Inês Shinobu , Garo Junior Wagner Roberto
Published: June 2018

The increasing market competition makes companies seek better results, through partnerships with suppliers, and it isnecessary to analyze and adapt to the requirements of customers and market. Thus, for the realization of this article, it is based on concepts of Logistics according to supply chain, intending to analyze operational processes and suggest improvements in results and competitive gains for collaboration in the chain of trade in pieces of industrial equipment company in the Greater São Paulo region. Therefore, we conducted literature searches through books and articles, as well as a case study, which in general, revealed that the supply chain of the studied company has great potential for improvement it once has modest integration actions compared to a model with a strategic focus and some deviations compared to the academic literature. Research results have shown issues such as ignorance of the subject proposed by the employees as well as the need to create alternatives to maximize the interaction between the sectors within the organization contributing more competitive solutions in addition to providing agility in the process as a whole. To carry out further research, it is recommended further study regarding the implementation of management information systems to improve some processes and, consequently, the outcome of that organization.
Stocks management through application of demand forecast methods: a case study
Authors: Rodrigues Lucas Lopes Filholino , Oliveira Igor Henrique Inácio de , Alexandre Maurílio Fagundes , Castorani Rodrigo Rodrigues , Jacubavicius Celso
Published: June 2018

The present study consists in assessing the feasibility of implementing demand forecasting techniques due to the optimization of inventory management, so that it is objective the reduce storage costs and to have the least amount of stationary material stock in a certain period. Data analysis was for application of techniques based on the real case of a multinational company in the segment of electronic and digital systems in the infrastructure area, which operates in the metropolitan region of São Paulo.The study aims to evaluate the behavior of the studied company demand, in order to demonstrate some forecast models for it and thus being able to identify the most appropriate method to get the highest possible degree of assertiveness. At a first moment, there will be a survey of data concerning the company's historical demand, including the forecast used at the latest period, and then to survey the state of the art discussed topic, in order to clarify the reader, and as a result: the analysis of the collected data and the implementation of demand forecasting techniques presented in bibliographic references.After performing an analysis of the naive method demand forecasting practiced by the company, was carried out the application of different forecasting methods and found out that the method that best suits the given demand was the moving average, which provided the optimization of cost of storage in approximately 63% of the one presented by the naive method and also a gain of approximately R $ 2,000,000.00 during the studied period, thus proving the effectiveness of demand forecasting application for inventory management.
Quality HACCP applied to flight catering industry
Authors: Souza Vaz David , Nobre Isabella Caroline Novo , Rodrigues Enio Fernandes , Kawamoto Junior Luiz Teruo
Published: June 2018

The quality industry try to standardize the production procedures, actions and controls work in a uniform manner so as not to cause errors in operation and customer dissatisfaction, bringing the final product according to the requested specifications. With the duty to commitment with the consumer, many companies try to answer the questions of the quality applying techniques so that their processes are so tiny they are done in the most correct and accurate as possible. Since 2008 noted a growing importance as the HACCP due the major problems occurred in the handling of food, such as food poisoning, foreign objects and sanitary quality, which are the largest and most serious problems resulting from the production process, thus generating a new culture and the care of the food. Considering the importance of the issue of the impending population growth that carry air travel as well as international agreements between countries and continents, it has being demonstrated the effectiveness of the system demonstrating in practice how they work their analysis of points of danger and an investigation into the operational process within the context of the food industry.
Mytacism in Latin grammarians
Authors: Zago Anna
Published: June 2018

This paper focuses on the different definitions of the so-called mytacism in Latin grammarians (from the early imperial period to twelth-century treatises), starting from an assessment of the textual basis of their statements. Mytacism is a vitium orationis which affects the phonetic realization of the final group vowel + [m] when followed by another vowel; mytacism also raises various phonetic and rhetorical issues such as weakening of the sound [m], nasalization of the preceding vowel, elision and hiatus. Two competing theories in modern scholarship (weak nasal consonant versus nasalized vowel) try to explain the pronunciation of the final group vowel+[m] followed by another vowel; however, ancient grammar does not possess a theoretical and terminological framework stringent enough to give an accurate phonetic description of this sound. Finally, the paper argues that mytacism is a linguistic mistake associated with the ancient perception of word boundary; its varying definitions allow us to recognize at least an elementary “phonological awareness” in ancient grammatical doctrines.
Ditransitive verbs in Latin: A typological approach
Authors: Napoli Maria
Published: June 2018

This paper aims to describe the behavior of Latin verbs with three arguments basically encoding the transfer of aThemefrom anAgentto aRecipient: these verbs, labelled asditransitiveswithin the framework of linguistic typology, will be analyzed here on the basis of this theoretical approach. Across languages, the object arguments of ditransitives may be marked as thePatientof monotransitives or differently from it, giving rise to various types ofalignment: the most frequent are theindirective, thesecundativeand theneutral alignment. In Latin, these three basic types of alignment are attested with ditransitives in the active and passive voice, although they are differently distributed across the lexicon. Moreover, some verbs allow more than one type of encoding of the relevant arguments, showing alternating alignments. I shall focus on the reasons of the distribution and alternation of the three types, with the goal of providing a point of departure for a deeper understanding of ditransitives in the Latin language.
Periphrastic comparison in Latin
Authors: Pultrová Lucie
Published: June 2018

Comparison of adjectives (and adverbs) is a grammatical category that has passed practically unremarked upon by generations of Latin linguists. Latin grammar books (with few exceptions, cf. Kühner and Stegmann, 1955: 565–566The Oxford Latin syntax. Volume I: The simple clause, 47. Oxford: Oxford University Press) omit entirely the question of which adjectives can be compared and which cannot. Nevertheless, the data from modern languages show that the category of comparison of adjectives (and adverbs) is actually highly limited, making it essential to address this question for Latin, too.

One of the issues comprehended within the extremely complex area of (non-)gradability of adjectives is periphrastic comparison. Latin grammar books explain, based on the assertions of ancient Latin grammarians, that it applies to adjectives ending in-eus, -iusand-uus, implying, or even explicitly stating, that the reason for this type of comparison is phonetic incompatibility of the word-formative suffix with the comparative suffix. However, two facts call for reinterpretation of the matter: (i) periphrastic comparison also occurs in other adjectives for which there is no phonetic incompatibility; (ii) by contrast, some adjectives in-eus, -iusand-uusactually do have simple forms. In the light of these facts, this paper aims to map the real situation of periphrastic comparison in Latin. The employed corpus comprises all the words marked as adjectives in theOxford Latin Dictionary(more than 10,000 items) and all their occurrences throughout the databaseBibliotheca Teubneriana Latina III.
Wavefront manipulation by acoustic metasurfaces: from physics and applications
Authors: Liang Bin , Cheng Jian-chun , Qiu Cheng-Wei
Published: June 2018

Molding the wavefront of acoustic waves into the desired shape is of paramount significance in acoustics, which however are usually constrained by the acoustical response of naturally available materials. The emergence of acoustic metamaterials built by assembling artificial subwavelength elements provides distinct response to acoustic waves unattainable in nature. More recently, acoustic metasurfaces, a class of metamaterials with a reduced dimensionality, empower new physics and lead to extended functionalities different from their three-dimensional counterparts, enabling controlling, transmitted or reflected acoustic waves in ways that were not possible before. In this review paper, we present a comprehensive view of this rapidly growing research field by introducing the basic concepts of acoustic metasurfaces and the recent developments that have occurred over the past few years. We review the interesting properties of acoustic metasurfaces and their important functionalities of wavefront manipulation, followed by an outlook for promising future directions and potential practical applications.
On Birkhoff – James and Roberts orthogonality
Authors: Arambašic Ljiljana , Rajic Rajna
Published: June 2018

In this paper we present some recent results on characterizations of the Birkhoff-James and the Roberts orthogonality in C*-algebras and Hilbert C*-modules.
Backwards in high heels: Detecting Epistolary Unfriendliness Across the Abyss of Time
Authors: Shanzer Danuta R.
Published: June 2018

This paper concerns itself with unfriendliness, an attitude rather than an emotion, and whether it can be detected in ancient correspondence. After discussing various other philologically detectable tells for authorial attitude or identity in modern contexts, it turns to a few examples from Late Antique correspondence (Augustine, Ruricius, Avitus). It ends with an extended linear reading of Augustine, Epistula 151 to Caecilianus on the execution of Marcellinus and Apringius, highlighting two techniques that are christened outsourcing and basso ostinato. The letter emerges, polite fancy-dress notwithstanding, as a paranoid-making, reproachful, and quite unfriendly letter.
The Ways of Ridiculing the Opponents in Augustine’s Letters. The case of the Donatists
Authors: Toczko Rafał
Published: June 2018

Augustine is rarely studied as a polemist and even less often as a satirist, especially if we are to compare him with Jerome. The pages of his anti-Donatist writings are primarily read by historians and theologians, for whom, rightly, the question of his use of ridicule is of secondary importance. In this case study of Augustine’s anti-Donatist correspondence I will try to ask exactly that question. The close reading of his polemical letters proves that Augustine at times aimed at raising laughter by portraying his adversaries in a peculiar way. The analysis starts with the Donatists’ leaders who are presented as hypocrites and men of unimpressive intelligence. Next, I discuss how Augustine mocked the Donatists’ martyrs and their idea of martyrdom. The last part presents the ways of ridiculing the Donatist converts.
Unfriendly and polemical elements in Augustine’s correspondence with other clerics
Authors: Adamiak Stanisław
Published: June 2018

Nearly half of the letters written by Augustine were directed to other clerics. The paper analyses how polemical intentions could be hidden behind friendly formulas. Particular consideration is given to the correspondence between Augustine and Donatist clerics, whom he treated as his peers and brothers. The research was funded by the Polish National Science Centre grants: “The Presbyters in the Late Antique West” (2013/10/E/HS3/00202) and “The History of the Donatist Schism” (2015/19/D/HS3/00626).
Preparation and Chemical Modification of Rice Husk Char for the Removal of a Toxic Dye (Orange G) from Aqueous Medium
Authors: Malik Abdul , Khan Abbas , Humayun Muhammad
Published: June 2018

The rice husk char (RHC) was prepared by keeping a known amount of the rice husk in furnace at 400°C. The product was modified with KOH and labeled as KOH modified rice husk char (KMRHC) which was used as an adsorbent for the removal of toxic dye, Orange G (OG) from aqueous media. Variation in the experimental conditions (agitation time, dye concentration, adsorbent dose, pH and temperature) play significant role in the adsorption process. The maximum adsorption capacity of OG on KMRHC was investigated as 38.8 mg/g at pH=4 using initial dye concentrations of 80 mg/L containing 2 g/L of the adsorbent dose with agitation speed of 250 rpm at 303 K. The % adsorption of dye was inspected as 96%. Thermodynamics studies of the adsorption of OG on KMRHC indicated that the value of ΔG and ΔH were negative which revealed that the adsorption process is exothermic and spontaneous process. The negative value of ΔS suggested that randomness decreases at the interface of adsorbent–adsorbate during the adsorption process. The kinetics study indicated that the experimental data of the adsorption process best fits to pseudo-second order kinetic model. The equilibrium data was tested on Langmuir, Freundlich and Temkin adsorption isotherm models. It was inspected that data follows all the three isotherm models (R2>0.91). However, the values of correlation coefficients (R2) indicated that the data is best fit to the Langmuir isotherm model (R2>0.99) which suggest for chemi-sorption process. The effect of temperature (303–343 K) shows that by varying the temperature the adsorption process is significantly affected. The general trend indicates that adsorption efficiency is higher at lower temperature as compared to higher temperature. This trend also suggests that the adsorption coefficient (K), rate of adsorption, and hence the spontaneity of adsorption process also decreases with raising the temperature.
Muscle Activation in Unilateral Barbell Exercises: Implications for Strength Training and Rehabilitation
Authors: Mausehund Lasse , Skard Audun E. , Krosshaug Tron
Published: June 2018

Mausehund, L, Skard, AE, and Krosshaug, T. Muscle activation in unilateral barbell exercises: Implications for strength training and rehabilitation. J Strength Cond Res 33(7S): S85–S94, 2019—The purpose of the present investigation was to assess lower-body muscle activity and hamstrings-to-quadriceps (HQ) activation ratios during performance of the split squat (SS), single-leg squat (SLS), and rear foot elevated split squat (RFESS), while using the same relative load and performing the exercises to muscular failure. Eleven healthy, moderately strength-trained subjects performed a 6–8 repetition maximum set of each exercise while electromyographic (EMG) activity of the vastus lateralis, biceps femoris, gluteus maximus, and gluteus medius was recorded. The results show that there were no significant differences in EMG peak activity of the gluteus maximus and vastus lateralis between any of the exercises. Gluteus medius activation was significantly (p ≤ 0.05) higher during the SLS (81.9% maximum voluntary isometric contraction [MVIC]), compared with the RFESS (54.9% MVIC) and SS (46.2% MVIC). The RFESS elicited higher (p ≤ 0.05) biceps femoris activity (76.1% MVIC) than the SS (62.3% MVIC), as well as higher (p ≤ 0.05) HQ activation ratios (0.83) than the SS (0.69) and SLS (0.63). During the SLS and the SS, HQ activation ratios increased significantly in the course of the repetition maximum set. In conclusion, although absolute loading differs between exercises, similar training stimuli of the gluteus maximus and quadriceps femoris can be expected for all exercises. The SLS is likely to induce the greatest improvements in gluteus medius strength, whereas the RFESS should be preferred if high hamstring coactivation is desired. To improve validity in EMG studies, strength training exercises should be performed close to failure while using the same relative loading.
Experimental Investigation on Soil Deformation Caused by Pile Buckling in Transparent Media
Authors: Qi Chang-Guang , Zheng Jin-Hui , Zuo Dian-Jun , Liu Gan-Bin
Published: June 2018

Transparent media and particle image velocimetry (PIV) approaches were employed to measure the buckling deformation of fully embedded model piles and the consequent soil deformation under different constraints in a nonintrusive manner. Transparent media (also called transparent soils) are made of fused quartz and a pore solution, the refractive index of which is matched with that of fused quartz. A laser light sheet was employed to irradiate the transport soil and capture digital images of the buckling deformation of the model piles, and PIV was used to obtain the deformation of pile foundation and soil mass. The results show that the effect of the constraint mode at the pile tip on the buckling curve depends on the change in pile strength and slenderness ratio, the movement of soil on both sides of the maximum buckling point fits Rankine’s earth pressure theory, and compared with single-pile buckling, the buckling deformation curve of multiple piles shows an elevated maximum deflection point.
Effect of Microstructural Characteristics of Thick Steel Plates on Residual Stress Formation and Cracking during Flame Cutting
Authors: Jokiaho Tuomas , Santa-aho Suvi , Järvinen Henri , Honkanen Mari , Peura Pasi , Vippola Minnamari
Published: June 2018

Thick wear-resistant steel plates are commonly used in demanding conditions, such as in the mining industry. In harsh environments, a high degree of both toughness and hardness is required, which extends the service life of the components but also makes the production of the plates difficult. Flame cutting is a generally applied cutting method in the heavy steel industry since it enables the cutting of thick steel plates at high production rates. However, flame cutting may cause cracks in the cut edge of the steel plates, leading to rejects for the steel industry and end-users. In addition, cutting generates a heat-affected zone at the cut edge, where volumetric and microstructural changes and hardness variations take place. A steep thermal gradient, generated during flame cutting, also produces high residual stresses on the cut edge. The goal of this study is to examine how microstructural features contribute to the residual stress formation and cracking probability of thick steel plates. Specific microstructural features can make the plates prone to cracking and tend to produce undesired stresses during the cutting process. The residual stress profiles of flame-cut specimens were measured using the X-ray diffraction method. In addition, the mechanical properties of steel plates were evaluated. The microstructures of the cut edge and the base material were characterized by electron microscopy. Results indicate that the shape of the prior austenite grains has an effect on both the cracking probability and residual stress formation. Longitudinally oriented prior austenite grain boundaries combined with a high residual tensile stress state provide potential sites for cracking.
Crack-Size Measurement of Additive Manufactured Plastics Based on the DCPD Method
Authors: Bauer Benjamin , Reschetnik Wadim , Kullmer Gunter , Richard Hans Albert
Published: June 2018

Additive manufacturing offers the possibility of producing novel plastic products, which can be unique and complex, especially when the use of load-bearing components leads to a periodic load. Therefore, plastic components must also be examined for a sufficient service life. The aspects of crack initiation and crack propagation are particularly important. In this regard, a significant parameter is the crack propagation curve, for whose determination a continuous crack-size measurement is required. This article addresses how far the Direct Current Potential Drop (DCPD) method can be applied on additive manufactured plastics in order to make a statement about the fracture mechanical behavior of the materials. For this reason, the surfaces of compact tension (CT) specimens were coated with an electrically conductive layer using two different coating methods. Referring to this, experimental investigations were carried out in regard to the applicability of the DCPD method. Overall, two different coating methods were tested with experimental investigations. The experiments showed that the methods of galvanization and specimen coating enabled the application of the DCPD method to additive manufactured plastics. Furthermore, fracture mechanical investigations were carried out. In this context, crack propagation curves were determined by using both methods, and typical fracture mechanics parameters, e.g., threshold value, ΔKI,th, and stress-intensity factor at unstable crack propagation, ΔKIC, were identified.
The American Black Duck: Three Decades of Science-Based Adaptive Management
Authors: Ringelman Kevin M. , Williams Christopher K.
Published: June 2018

The American black duck (Anas rubripes) population declined by 50% between 1955 and 1985, prompting more than three decades of intensive scientific research and strategic management. Analyses of band recovery data suggest that the historical declines may have been caused in part by harvest, but even with restrictive hunting regulations implemented in the mid 1980s, populations have not recovered. Increasing competition and hybridization with mallards (Anas platyrhynchos), coupled with habitat loss and fragmentation on northern breeding grounds are hypothesized to have contributed to a lower continental black duck population. Simultaneously, there is a concern that declines in the quantity and quality of wintering habitat—coastal salt marshes of the eastern United States—may have deleterious cross-seasonal effects on black duck demographics. Black ducks have a long legacy of intensive research and management, and ongoing threats to their populations make this a well-rooted and timely case study in science-based conservation.
ACyclin ECentered Genetic Network Contributes to Alcohol-Induced Variation in Drosophila Development
Authors: Morozova Tatiana V , Hussain Yasmeen , McCoy Lenovia J , Zhirnov Eugenea V , Davis Morgan R , Pray Victoria A , Lyman Rachel A , Duncan Laura H , McMillen Anna , Jones Aiden , Mackay Trudy F C , Anholt Robert R H
Published: June 2018

Prenatal exposure to ethanol causes a wide range of adverse physiological, behavioral and cognitive consequences. However, identifying allelic variants and genetic networks associated with variation in susceptibility to prenatal alcohol exposure is challenging in human populations, since time and frequency of exposure and effective dose cannot be determined quantitatively and phenotypic manifestations are diverse. Here, we harnessed the power of natural variation in the Drosophila melanogaster Genetic Reference Panel (DGRP) to identify genes and genetic networks associated with variation in sensitivity to developmental alcohol exposure. We measured development time from egg to adult and viability of 201 DGRP lines reared on regular or ethanol- supplemented medium and identified polymorphisms associated with variation in susceptibility to developmental ethanol exposure. We also documented genotype-dependent variation in sensorimotor behavior after developmental exposure to ethanol using the startle response assay in a subset of 39 DGRP lines. Genes associated with development, including development of the nervous system, featured prominently among genes that harbored variants associated with differential sensitivity to developmental ethanol exposure. Many of them have human orthologs and mutational analyses and RNAi targeting functionally validated a high percentage of candidate genes. Analysis of genetic interaction networks identified Cyclin E (CycE) as a central, highly interconnected hub gene. Cyclin E encodes a protein kinase associated with cell cycle regulation and is prominently expressed in ovaries. Thus, exposure to ethanol during development of Drosophila melanogaster might serve as a genetic model for translational studies on fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.
Human Enhancers Harboring Specific Sequence Composition, Activity, and Genome Organization Are Linked to the Immune Response
Authors: Lecellier Charles-Henri , Wasserman Wyeth W , Mathelier Anthony
Published: June 2018

The FANTOM5 consortium recently characterized 65,423 human enhancers from 1829 cell and tissue samples using the Cap Analysis of Gene Expression technology. We showed that the guanine and cytosine content at enhancer regions distinguishes two classes of enhancers harboring distinct DNA structural properties at flanking regions. A functional analysis of their predicted gene targets highlighted one class of enhancers as significantly enriched for associations with immune response genes. Moreover, these enhancers were specifically enriched for regulatory motifs recognized by transcription factors involved in immune response. We observed that enhancers enriched for links to immune response genes were more cell-type specific, preferentially activated upon bacterial infection, and with specific response activity. Looking at chromatin capture data, we found that the two classes of enhancers were lying in distinct topologically associating domains and chromatin loops. Our results suggest that specific nucleotide compositions encode for classes of enhancers that are functionally distinct and specifically organized in the human genome.
Internet Addiction Management among Students of AMA Computer Colleges in Region III, Philippines
Authors: Agatep John Lenon E. , Edaño Domingo C.
Published: June 2018

The study assessed the level of internet addiction exists among students of AMA Computer Colleges in Region III, Philippines and identified internet addiction management practices as strategies to address the problem, to lessen if not to eliminate, to prevent or cure level of internet addiction that exists. The descrip-tive-analysis method of research was utilized. A total of one thousand five hun-dred fifteen student-respondents and one hundred fifty-eight administrator-respondents participated in the study. The researcher found out that there is a severe addiction level described as Often. There is a severe dependence on the internet as reflected in the internet addiction mean test scores of the student-respondents. There is a significant relationship between the level of internet ad-diction and the perceived level of implementation of the internet addiction man-agement practices. There is a significant relationship between the internet addic-tion test scores and the perceived level of implementation of the internet addic-tion management practices. Overall findings conclude that there was a significant very strong negative relationship between the level of internet addiction and internet addiction test scores of student-respondents and the perceived level of implementation of internet addiction management practices of administrator-respondents; hence, the negative relationship indicates that as the intensity of the perceived level of implementation increases, the level of internet addiction and internet addiction test scores among student-respondents decreases. This study is expected to provide a worthy contribution to the institution and to international literature on internet addiction; the result can be used in providing solution, actions and remedies to lessen if not to eliminate addiction in Internet usage.
THE EFFECT OF MICROSATELITTE CORE SEQUENCE IN THE DIFFERENTIATION OF AMARANTHUS CRUENTUS GENOTYPES
Authors: Kyseľ MatÃºÅ¡ , Štefúnová Veronika , Bežo Milan , Žiarovská Jana
Published: June 2018

A collection of Amaranthus cruentus accessions was analysed to compare the characteristics of different dinucleotide core sequences of microsatellites repeats. ISSR analysis was performed to obtain corresponding genetic fingerprints and based on them, to construct dendrograms for every individual primer used in the study. A total of eighteen accesions were analysed. Dinucleotide sequence of (CA)6 repetition anchored by GG bases resulted in a total of 65 DNA fragments and 100-percent polymorphism. This marker has differ completely only 10 from all of the analysed genotypes. Dinucleotide sequence of (CT)8 repetition anchored by AC bases has resulted in the amplification of totally 97 fragments and 84.62 % of polymorphism. Only seven accesions were different among themselves when regarding this microsatellite core sequence. Dinucleotide sequence of (GA)6 repetition anchored by CC bases has resulted in the amplification of totally 171 DNA fragments and 100 % polymorphism. Not all the genotypes were separated based on this marker, two of them - Ames 5638 RRC 1139 and Ames 5648 RRC 1148 - possess the same profile of amplified ISSR fragments. The most distant genotype separated by all of the used primers was a landrace PI 511876 Huatle originated in Mexico.
ARMS RACE BETWEEN PHYTOPATHOGENS AND HOST PLANTS: A SIMILITUDE OF TWO NATIONS AT WAR
Authors: Olalekan Shittu Hakeem , Henry Obiazikwor Onyemaechi
Published: June 2018

Phytopathogens have coexisted with their host plants from the beginning of their existence, relying on them for shelter and nutrients to survive, therefore leading to a constant attack of host plants. On the other hand, host plants have evolved several strategies to defend themselves against pathogen attack. The attacks and counter-attacks can be likened to an “arms race”, between two nations at war. Pathogens evolved strategies (arms) which include exertion of mechanical forces and secretion of biochemical substances such as enzymes and growth regulators, to attack susceptible host plants. These strategies are facilitated by the inability of the host plants to recognize certain molecules, known as PAMPs (Pathogen-Associated Molecular Patterns) from the pathogens. In a counter attack, host plants have developed receptors to recognize the presence of pathogens and PAMPs. This recognition activates PAMP-triggered immunity (PTI), thereby making the hitherto host plants resistant. Pathogens have further evolved another set of “arms”, known as secretion systems and effector genes, whose gene products suppress PTI, thus causing diseases. As the arms race continued, plants have evolved effector-triggered immunity (ETI) by developing intracellular resistance genes, thereby resulting to a hypersensitive reaction that follows the gene-for-gene concept. Presently, some pathogens have developed mechanisms for the suppression of ETI. In some plant-pathosystems, the plants are winning, while in others, the pathogens are winning. Phytopathological research should therefore be directed towards assisting susceptible plants to defeat phytopathogens, in order to ensure food security.
Emergency Department Alcohol Intervention: Effects on Dating Violence and Depression
Authors: Ngo Quyen M. , Eisman Andria B. , Walton Maureen A. , Kusunoki Yasamin , Chermack Stephen T. , Singh Vijay , Cunningham Rebecca
Published: June 2018

OBJECTIVES:

With this study, we examined secondary outcomes of an emergency department (ED)–based brief intervention (BI) on dating violence perpetration and victimization and depression symptoms over 3, 6, and 12 months.

METHODS:

ED patients (14–20 years) were screened for risk drinking. Patients who received positive screen results were randomly assigned to a computer BI (n = 277), therapist BI (n = 278), or control condition (n = 281). After the 3-month assessment, participants were randomly assigned to receive the post-ED BI or control condition. BIs were used to address alcohol consumption and consequences (eg, dating violence and depression symptoms) by using motivational interviewing.

RESULTS:

A total of 836 patients were enrolled in the randomized controlled trial of 4389 patients screened and 1054 who reported risky drinking. Regression models were used to examine longitudinal effects of the alcohol BI on dating violence perpetration, dating violence victimization, and depression symptoms. The therapist BI resulted in a significant reduction of dating violence perpetration up to 12 months (incidence rate ratio [IRR] = 0.53; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.37–0.77) and depression symptoms up to 3 months (IRR = 0.85; 95% CI: 0.72–1.00) after the intervention. Computer BI resulted in a reduction of dating violence perpetration (IRR = 0.52; 95% CI: 0.35–0.76) and depression symptoms (IRR = 0.78; 95% CI: 0.66–0.94) 6 months postintervention. Post-ED BIs were associated with lower perpetration at 12 months and lower victimization at 6 and 12 months, irrespective of BI intervention randomization at baseline; however, they did not affect depression symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS:

A single-session ED BI revealed previously to show promise in reducing underage drinking also demonstrates promise in preventing dating violence perpetration and depression symptoms. These technology-enhanced BIs could be particularly helpful given the potential for more efficient resource usage and ease of future implementation.
Gestación y parto en mujeres con edad materna avanzada en Tunja, Colombia. 2011-2015
Authors: Ospina-Diaz Juan Manuel , Manrique-Abril Fred Gustavo , Herrera-Amaya Giomar Maritza
Published: June 2018

Introducción. La gestación en mujeres >35 años se considera una condición de riesgo obstétrico, tanto para la madre como para el feto.Objetivo. Explorar la prevalencia y los factores determinantes asociados con la gestación en mujeres >35 años en Tunja.Materiales y métodos. Estudio de corte transversal en el que se analizó el registro institucional de partos ocurridos en mujeres residentes en Tunja durante el período 2011-2015.Resultados. Se presentaron 1 558 partos en >35 años, lo que constituye el 11.6-13% del total anual; 49.8% de los partos se dieron mediante cesárea. Los factores asociados fueron afiliación al régimen contributivo, escolaridad de la gestante y de su pareja, hábitat urbano y pareja estable. No se encontró riesgo incrementado de complicaciones obstétricas en comparación con otros grupos de edad, pero sí asociación positiva con mayor probabilidad de prematurez, sobrepeso, óbito fetal previo y operación cesárea.Conclusiones. La incidencia de parto es ligeramente mayor a la media nacional, quizás por factores sociales y culturales no establecidos con plenitud, pero similares a los reportados en la literatura. Es recomendable profundizar en el análisis de determinantes para mejorar las estrategias de vigilancia y control, así como rutinas de tamizaje.
Helicobacter pylori, úlcera péptica y cáncer gástrico
Authors: Ruiz-Narváez Carlos Ernesto , Martínez-Rodríguez Jhon Edward , Cedeño-Burbano Anuar Alonso , Erazo-Tapia José Miguel , Pabón-Fernández Carlos David , Unigarro-Benavides Lina Victoria , Buitrón-Zúñiga Ednna Lizeth , Burbano-Imbachí Alexander
Published: June 2018

Introducción. Por lo general, se ha descrito que la localización duodenal de la úlcera es más frecuente que la localización gástrica; sin embargo, en áreas con alta incidencia de cáncer gástrico la úlcera péptica parece tener una distribución anatómica distinta, existiendo predominio de la localización gástrica.Objetivo. Realizar una revisión narrativa de la literatura acerca de la distribución anatómica de la úlcera péptica en áreas con alta y baja incidencia de cáncer gástrico.Materiales y métodos. Se realizó una búsqueda estructurada de la literatura en las bases de datos ProQuest, EBSCO, ScienceDirect, PubMed, LILACS, Embase, Trip, SciELO y Cochrane Library con los términos “Peptic ulcer” AND “stomach neoplasm”; la búsqueda se hizo en inglés con sus equivalentes en español y se limitó a estudios observacionales, cohortes y casos y controles.Resultados. Se encontraron alrededor de 50 artículos con información relevante para la presente revisión.Conclusión. La literatura disponible sugiere que la úlcera péptica predomina en áreas donde el cáncer gástrico tiene alta incidencia, mientras que en zonas donde la incidencia de la neoplasia es baja predomina la localización duodenal.