bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of traditional training and push‐pull training for the binocular visual function in anisometropic amblyopia
Authors: Fu J. , Hong J. , Zhao B.
Published: September 2017

Purpose

To compare the binocular visual function in anisometropia amblyopia used by Push‐pull Training and traditional training.

Methods

A total of 64 children with anisometropia amblyopia were enrolled in our study and randomly divided into two groups. After wearing glasses to correct refractive errors in the first three months, the experimental group were treated with push‐pull training, and the the control group were treated with traditional covering method and visual stimulation for a period of 6 months. Then binocular visual functio was measured by synoptophore and random‐dot stereograms(RDS).

Results

The average visual acuity of the amblyopic eyes in the experimental group was increased 4.2±2.6 lines and the control group was increased 4.52±1.9 lines (p>0.05). The average score of far stereoscopic in experimental group increased 9.3±4.7 points and the control group increased 10.1±5.6 points(P>0.05.)There was no statistical difference between the two groups.

The average score of large‐scale RDS stereoscopic in experimental group increased 14.2±9.7points and the control group increased 12.1±7.5points (P<0.05). The average score of the acuity stereopsis RDS in experimental group was increased 19.3±10.2 points and the control group increased 13.5±8.4 points(P<0.05). The average score of cross stereoscopic RDS in experimental group increased 14.9±6.8 points and the control group increased 11.8±5.7 points (P<0.05). The average score of uncross stereoscopic RDS in experimental group increased 17.1±7.9 points and the control group increased13.4±6.6 points (P<0.05). There was statistical difference between the two groups.

Conclusions

compared with traditional cover training methods, the push‐pull training method can not only achieve the same visual acuity, but also establish better binocular vision function.
A method for a rapid objective measurement of eye deviation angle in both strabismus and phoria
Authors: Yehezkel O. , Spierer A. , Oz D. , Yam R. , Belkin M.
Published: September 2017

Purpose

Strabismus is usually treated by corrective surgery of the extraocular muscles, the parameters of which mainly depend on the misalignment measurement and hence on its precision. The current strabismus angle measurement (prism cover test) hasn't changed since the eighteenth century. This test is time‐consuming, cumbersome, severely limited by the child's cooperation, subjective and highly dependent on the examiner's skill and experience. Studies have shown a very high inter‐examiner variability in measurement results. Moreover, the angle of strabismus itself may vary over time and the current low‐efficiency test does not allow for multiple testing of the same patient, thus reducing the test's accuracy. Increasing the measurement accuracy and efficiency may reduce the number of reoperations and will improve results of strabismus surgery, prism prescriptions and orthoptic therapy and monitoring.

Methods

We are evaluating the accuracy and repeatability of NovaSight's novel strabismus angle measurement method using an automatic and objective system based on eye tracking, in comparison to the prism cover test results.

Results

A group of 23 adult subjects (average age 26.8 ± 4.6 years) with eye deviations, heterotropia and heterophoria, were tested by both the automatic and the manual tests in a masked fashion by two experienced optometrists. The clinical trial results show a high correlation of over 88% between the presented automatic test and the golden standard prism cover test while a significant difference in standard deviation was found, the repeatability of the automated test is twice as high as that of the manual test.

Conclusions

The system increases the examination accuracy and thus may reduce the number of strabismus reoperations. The system also reduces chair time significantly and has the potential to become the new standard of care.
Can the retina be used to diagnose and plot the progression of Alzheimer's disease?
Authors: Mahajan D. , Votruba M.
Published: September 2017

Purpose

Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative disease and the most common cause of senile dementia. The fact that the diagnosis can only be definitively made postmortem, or when the disease is fairly advanced, presents a serious problem if novel therapeutic interventions are to be devised and used early in the course of the disease. Therefore there is a pressing need for more sensitive and specific diagnostic tests with which we can detect Alzheimer's disease in the preclinical stage. In this presentation we describe the work of a systematic review,addressing the question whether the retina can be used to make a specific and early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease.

Methods

This review was written during the EVER fellowship,2016 in the School of Optometry and Vision Sciences .All human and animal reviews, clinical and comparative studies, published in any language in the past 5 years from March 2011 were studies. 36 suitable papers were choosen after screening.

Results

With improvements in retinal imaging techniques like OCT, Doppler, FLIO and FLES, which are non invasive and inexpensive, the early diagnosis of AD is possible. Dynamic vessel analysis, retinal oximetry and adaptive optic retinal imaging are recent advances in retinal imaging, which provide a detailed analysis of the retina. Retinal vasculature screening may be a method for population screening of AD. With curcumin and immunotherapy the progression of the disease can be monitored and treatment can be planned, which is highly promising.

Conclusions

A high degree of clinical suspicion is needed to correlate problems in cognition with the changes in the eye, particularly the retina, pupil and ocular movements, so that the disease can be detected early and managed in the prodromal phase. The definitive diagnosis currently requires a combination of many biomarkers.
The time course of contrast sensitivity recovery after a pigment bleaching is delayed in subjects with abdominal obesity
Authors: Puell M. , Jemni N. , Veselinova‐Nikolova A. , Fernández‐Balbuena A.
Published: September 2017

Purpose

The abdominal obesity is an anthropometric marker associated with inflammation and age‐related macular degeneration (AMD). We examined the association between mesopic contrast recovery dynamics and abdominal obesity in older adults with normal macular health.

Methods

29 eyes of 29 healthy subjects (47–70 years) divided in two groups: a group without abdominal obesity (waist‐to‐height ratio (WHtR) < 0.5; n = 15) and a group with abdominal obesity (WtHR ≥ 0.5; n = 14) were examined. The recovery of contrast sensitivity for sine‐wave gratings of low spatial frequency (1 cycles per degree) and low mean luminance (0.1 cd.m‐2) was measured within the central retina for 6 minutes in darkness after photo‐pigment bleaching. Sensitivity recovery functions were fitted to an exponential decay function. The time constant for recovery (tau, seconds), elevation and final contrast thresholds (CT) were calculated. The intersession repeatability of the method was determined by the Bland‐Altman coefficient of repeatability (COR). Visual acuity (VA), body mass index (BMI) and WtHR were obtained.

Results

The mean tau was 42 s slower in the group with abdominal obesity (83.84 ± 35.78 s) than in the group without abdominal obesity (41.94 ± 13.70 s) (P < 0.001). The mean elevation and final CTs did not vary significantly between groups. Forward stepwise regression analysis revealed that tau was independently correlated with WtHR (r = 0.74; P < 0.0001), but not with BMI, CT, VA or age. There was no significant relationship between WtHR and CTs. Intersession repeatability of recovery measurements was high (tau, COR= ± 16 s).

Conclusions

The time constant for contrast sensitivity recovery after a pigment bleaching increases with abdominal obesity in eyes of older adults with normal macular health. Testing for the combination of these factors would allow for early detection of AMD.
Effect of microglia suppression on branch retinal vein occlusion in mice
Authors: Jovanovic J. , Ebneter A. , Kokona D. , Zinkernagel M.S.
Published: September 2017

Purpose

Activation of retinal microglia seems to have an influence on the outcome of retinal degenerative diseases. Recent studies show that systemic colony stimulating factor‐1 receptor (CSF‐1R) inhibition ablates microglia in the mouse central nervous system. However, the role of microglia inhibition in ischemic retinal disease remains unclear. The present study aims at investigating the effect of microglia depletion in vivo in experimental branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO).

Methods

Cx3cr1gfp/+ mice, specifically expressing green fluorescent protein (gfp) on microglia/macrophages, were fed with the CSF‐1R inhibitor PLX5622 in mouse chow for two weeks before laser‐induced BRVO. Following BRVO, one group of animals was continuously treated with PLX5622 for three more weeks (PLX5622 group), while a second group was switched to normal diet (PLX5622 cessation group). Anatomical changes in the retina and gfp+ cell distribution were monitored weekly with optical coherence tomography and scanning laser ophthalmoscopy autofluorescence imaging (AF), respectively. Every week, 2–3 animals of each group were euthanized for histology. Retinal whole mounts stained for iba‐1 (microglia/macrophages) and brn3a (ganglion cells) were compared to in vivo AF images.

Results

Accumulation of gfp‐expressing cells in the area affected by BRVO was observed shortly after the laser in both groups. However, this accumulation was less pronounced in the PLX5622 treated group. Surprisingly, ganglion cell numbers were significantly decreased in the PLX5622 cessation group compared to the PLX5622 Group.

Conclusions

The data provided here showed that CSF‐1R inhibition has a protective effect on ganglion cells after experimental BRVO. Thus, such inhibitiors may be a promising tool for modulation of retinal microglia and could be proven a useful target for ischemic retinal diseases.
The effect of autoimmune retinopathy on retinal vessel oxygen saturation in patients with and without clinical features of retinitis pigmentosa
Authors: Waizel M. , Türksever C. , Rickmann A. , Todorova M.G.
Published: September 2017

Purpose

To study the retinal vessel oxygen saturation alterations in patients with autoimmune retinopathy (AIR) and patients with autoimmune retinopathy associated with retinitis pigmentosa (AIR‐RP) in comparison to healthy controls and patients with isolated retinitis pigmentosa (RP).

Methods

Retinal vessel oximetry (RO) was performed on a total of 139 eyes: 6 eyes suffering from AIR and 4 eyes with AIR‐RP were compared to 59 heathy control eyes and to 70 eyes with RP. The oxygen saturation in the first and second branch retinal arterioles (A‐SO2) and venules (V‐SO2) were measured and their difference (A‐V SO2) was calculated. In addition, we measured the diameter of the retinal arterioles (D‐A) and venules (D‐V).

Results

Both, AIR and AIR‐RP groups, differed from healthy controls showing significantly higher V‐SO2 values and significantly lower A‐V SO2 values (p<0.025). In addition, the AIR‐RP group could be differentiated from eyes suffering from isolated RP by means of significantly higher V‐SO2 values. Comparing retinal vessel diameters, both, the AIR and AIR‐RP groups, presented with significant arterial (p=0.05) and venular (p<0.03) vessel attenuation than the healthy control group.

Conclusions

Based on our preliminary results, in analogy to patients suffering from RP, oxygen metabolism seems to be altered in AIR patients.
Fuchs’ uveitis masquerading as a Behçet related anterior uveitis
Authors: Claeys M. , Sys C. , Leroy B.P. , De Schryver I.
Published: September 2017

Purpose

To report a case of a Turkish patient with Behçet disease and a recurrent unilateral uveitis.

Methods

Observational report of a case of Behçet disease with unilateral anterior uveitis in the left eye (LE). The anterior inflammation was considered as part of the clinical spectrum of Behçet disease. The patient underwent an extensive ophthalmological work‐up.

Results

A 37‐years‐old male Turkish patient presented with an unilateral panuveitis. The Behçet's diagnosis was based on the criteria published by the international study group for Behçet's disease. At presentation the patient reported fatigue, recurrent oral ulcerations and arthralgia. Ophthalmolgical work‐up revealed a visual acuity of 4/10 in the LE. Slit lamp study showed cells in the anterior chamber (AC), vitritis and periflebitis. The panuveitis, refractory to local therapy, was treated with systemic corticosteroids and azathioprine. The posterior inflammation responded well. The anterior segment (AS) showed a chronic, recurrent low‐grade inflammation refractory to conventional immunomodulatory therapy during 8 months. Based upon the therapy‐resistant AS inflammation, the typical diffuse fine stellate keratic participates and the absence of posterior synechiae, the diagnosis of fuchs’ uveitis was suspected. Fundoscopy of the right eye showed hyperpigmented chorioretinal scars, previously related to toxoplasmosis. The clinical picture was highly suggestive for a congenital rubella infection.

Conclusions

To our knowledge this is the first case of a patient with Behçet's disease associated to Fuchs’ uveitis. The refractory anterior inflammation mimicking a Behçet's related AS uveitis is a diagnostic challenge. Ophthalmological work‐up should include an AC punction with Polymerase Chain Reaction to rule out a possible viral genome. As in Hickam's Dictum, one pathology can masque another.
Triangulation in clinical practice
Authors: JONES WENDY
Published: September 2017

The aim of the article is to clarify the research term ‘triangulation’.

Examples are given to illustrate the use of triangulation in clinical practice.

The strength of using triangulation in both the design and analysis stages are highlighted.
Comparison of direct in‐house cerebrospinal fluid cytology with commercial pathology results in dogs
Authors: Newton P. L. , Fry D. R. , Best M. P.
Published: September 2017

Objectives

To investigate the correspondence between in‐house direct cytological assessment of cerebrospinal fluid and results from a commercial veterinary pathology laboratory.

Methods

Prospective inclusion of samples from dogs that were presented for investigation of suspected neurological disease and had cerebrospinal fluid samples submitted to a commercial pathology laboratory for analysis. A board‐certified veterinary pathologist assessed all cerebrospinal fluid samples, and a line smear was assessed in‐house by two observers. Nucleated cell count, red blood cell count and differential cell counts were recorded and compared.

Results

In‐clinic and commercial pathology nucleated cell counts and red blood cell counts were strongly correlated. In‐house line smear results were compared with the gold standard of a defined dichotomous rating of ‘increased nucleated cell count’ provided by the external pathology service. Sensitivity was 93% and specificity 80% for samples with at least two cells per linear field.

Clinical Application

Although not a replacement for the assessment of cerebrospinal fluid samples by specialist veterinary pathologists, this method can provide rapid and clinically meaningful information before externally processed sample results are available.
Multi‐Scale Detection of Variance Changes in Renewal Processes in the Presence of Rate Change Points
Authors: Albert Stefan , Messer Michael , Schiemann Julia , Roeper Jochen , Schneider Gaby
Published: September 2017

Non‐stationarity of the rate or variance of events is a well‐known problem in the description and analysis of time series of events, such as neuronal spike trains. A multiple filter test (MFT) for rate homogeneity has been proposed earlier that detects change points on multiple time scales simultaneously. It is based on a filtered derivative approach, and the rejection threshold derives from a Gaussian limit process L which is independent of the point process parameters.

Here, we extend the MFT to variance homogeneity of life times. When the rate is constant, the MFT extends directly to the null hypothesis of constant variance. In the presence of rate change points, we propose to incorporate estimates of these in the test for variance homogeneity, using an adaptation of the test statistic. The resulting limit process shows slight deviations from L that depend on unknown process parameters. However, these deviations are small and do not considerably change the properties of the statistical test. This allows practical application, for example, to neuronal spike trains, which indicates various profiles of rate and variance change points.
Supernatants and lipids from stored red blood cells activate pulmonary microvascular endothelium through the BLT2 receptor and protein kinase C activation
Authors: Silliman Christopher C. , Kelher Marguerite R. , Khan Samina Y. , West F. Bernadette , McLaughlin Nathan J.D. , Elzi David J. , England Kelly , Bjornsen Jason , Kuldanek Susan A. , Banerjee Anirban
Published: September 2017

BACKGROUND

Although transfusion is a lifesaving intervention, it may be associated with significant morbidity in injured patients. We hypothesize that stored red blood cells (RBCs) induce proinflammatory activation of human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (HMVECs) resulting in neutrophil (PMN) adhesion and predisposition to acute lung injury (ALI).

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Ten units of RBCs were collected; 50% (by weight) were leukoreduced (LR‐RBCs) and the remainder was unmodified and stored in additive solution‐5 (AS‐5). An additional 10 units of RBCs were collected, leukoreduced, and stored in AS‐3. HMVECs were incubated with [10%‐40%]FINAL of the supernatants on Day (D)1 to D42 of storage, lipid extracts, and purified lipids. Endothelial surface expression of intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 (ICAM‐1), interleukin (IL)‐8 release, and PMN adhesion to HMVECs were measured. HMVEC signaling via the BLT2 receptor was evaluated. Supernatants and lipids were also employed as the first event in a two‐event model of ALI.

RESULTS

The supernatants [10%‐40%]FINAL from D21 LR‐RBCs and D42 RBCs and LR‐RBCs and the lipids from D42 stored in AS‐5 induced increased ICAM‐1 surface expression on endothelium, IL‐8 release, and PMN adhesion. In addition, the supernatants [20%‐40%]FINAL from D21 and D42 RBCs in AS‐5 also increased endothelial surface expression of ICAM‐1. D42 supernatants and lipids also caused coprecipitation of β‐arrestin‐1 with BLT2, protein kinase C (PKC)βI, and PKCδ and served as the first event in a two‐event rodent model of ALI.

CONCLUSION

Lipids that accumulate during RBC storage activate endothelium and predispose to ALI, which may explain some of the adverse events associated with the transfusion of critically injured patients.
Pretreatment with fish oil attenuates heart ischaemia consequences in rats
Authors: Lescano de Souza Junior Alcione , Mancini Filho Jorge , Pavan Torres Rosângela , Irigoyen Maria Cláudia , Curi Rui
Published: September 2017

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?

We investigated whether pretreatment with fish oil could prevent the major consequences of ischaemic injury to the heart.

What is the main finding and its importance?

Fish oil pretreatment attenuated the consequences of ischaemic injury as indicated by the small infarction area and the preservation of systolic function and coronary blood flow. These findings support the use of fish oil in order to reduce the impact of heart ischaemia.

ω‐3 Polyunsaturated fatty acid (ω‐3 PUFA)‐rich fish oil supplementation has protective effects on heart ischaemic injury. Left ventricular (LV) ischaemia was induced in rats by permanent ligation of the left descending coronary artery. Saline, fish oil or soybean oil was administered daily by gavage [3 g (kg body weight)−1] for 20 days before inducing ischaemia. Outcomes were assessed 24 h after left descending coronary artery ligation. Pretreatment with fish oil decreased the ω‐6/ω‐3 fatty acid ratio in the LV. A reduction in infarct size and in the intensity of ventricular systolic dysfunction was found in the fish oil group compared with the saline or soybean oil groups through echocardiographic evaluation. Before infarction, LV glycogen concentrations were decreased in the fish oil group compared with the saline group. Soybean oil pretreatment led to a further increase in the LV levels of CINC‐2/αβ, IL‐1β and TNF‐α induced by the heart infarction. In heart‐infarcted rats, fish oil pretreatment decreased creatine kinase and caspase‐3 activities; prevented the decrease in the coronary blood flow; increased LV contents of ATP and lactate; increased the mRNA levels of iNOS, eNOS, HIF1α, GLUT1, VEGF‐α and p53 in the LV as measured by RT‐PCR; and did not change LV pro‐inflammatory cytokine concentrations compared with the control group. Fish oil protected the heart from ischaemia, as indicated by the decrease in the heart infarction area and systolic dysfunction associated with increased LV ATP concentrations and maintenance of the coronary blood flow with no change in pro‐inflammatory cytokine levels.
Spatial acoustic radiation of respiratory sounds for sleep evaluation
Authors: Shabtai Noam R. , Zigel Yaniv
Published: September 2017

Body posture has an effect on sleeping quality and breathing disorders and therefore it is important to be recognized for the completion of the sleep evaluation process. Since humans have a directional acoustic radiation pattern, it is hypothesized that microphone arrays can be used to recognize different body postures, which is highly practical for sleep evaluation applications that already measure respiratory sounds using distant microphones. Furthermore, body posture may have an effect on distant microphone measurement; hence, the measurement can be compensated if the body posture is correctly recognized. A spherical harmonics decomposition approach to the spatial acoustic radiation is presented, assuming an array of eight microphones in a medium-sized audiology booth. The spatial sampling and reconstruction of the radiation pattern is discussed, and a final setup for the microphone array is recommended. A case study is shown using recorded segments of snoring and breathing sounds of three human subjects in three body postures in a silent but not anechoic audiology booth.
A multiband approach for accurate numerical simulation of frequency dependent ultrasonic wave propagation in the time domain
Authors: Egerton J. S. , Lowe M. J. S. , Huthwaite P. , Halai H. V.
Published: September 2017

Finite element (FE) simulations are popular for studying propagation and scattering of ultrasonic waves in nondestructive evaluation. For a large number of degrees of freedom, time domain FE simulations are much more efficient than the equivalent frequency domain solution. However, unlike frequency domain simulations, time domain simulations are often poor at representing the speed and the attenuation of waves if the material is strongly damping or highly dispersive. Here, the authors demonstrate efficient and accurate representation of propagated and scattered waves, achieved by combining a set of time domain solutions that are obtained for a set of frequency ranges known as bands, such that, in combination, the authors' multiband solution accurately represents the whole wave spectrum. Consequently, high accuracy is achieved, at minor computational cost, using a modest number of bands. The multiband technique is implemented for ultrasonic wave propagation in highly attenuating polyethylene material, using three frequency bands, and can yield a reduction in empirical acoustic properties fractional error compared with respective time domain simulations, in propagation duration, of a factor of 1.4, and in full-width-half-maximum, of a factor of 10. Last, the accuracy of this approach is further exemplified in a wave scattering simulation.
THE “SUPINE BRIDGE” THERAPEUTIC EXERCISE: DETERMINATION OF JOINT TORQUES BY MEANS OF BIOMECHANICAL MODELING AND TECHNOLOGIES
Authors: BISCARINI ANDREA , BUSTI DANIELE , CALANDRA ANDREA , CONTEMORI SAMUELE
Published: September 2017

We developed a quantitative biomechanical analysis of the supine bridge exercise by combining biomechanical modeling with kinematic and kinetic measurements recorded with an optoelectronic motion capture system and a grid of force platforms embedded in the ground. The relevant joint angles and joint torques were determined accounting for three exercise variants: the distance L of the feet from upper back, the degree of pelvic elevation, and the change in shear ground reaction force intentionally induced by voluntary isometric knee-flexion/extension efforts. Contrary to the ankle and hip, the knee angle displays a nonmonotonic dependence on pelvic elevation. A voluntary isometric knee-flexion (knee-extension) effort enhances (reduces) the hip extensor torque when the hips are above the level of the ground. Progressive pelvic elevation and decrease in L gradually change the knee flexor torque into a knee extensor torque, while reducing the hip extensor torque, to reach a limit configuration where a knee extensor torque sustains the bridge position with a negligible contribution of the hip extensors. Moreover, in this configuration, a hip flexor torque is needed to counteract the hip extension thrust induced by a voluntary quadriceps effort across the closed kinetic chain constituted by the lower limbs and trunk.
Nonlinear wavelet shrinkage estimator of nonparametric regularity regression function via cross-validation with simulation study
Authors: Afshari Mahmoud
Published: September 2017

Nonparametric regression techniques provide a very effective and simple way of finding structure in data sets without the imposition of a parametric regression model. Wavelet theory has the potential to provide statisticians with powerful new techniques for nonparametric inference. In this paper, we consider the wavelet shrinkage kernel estimator of regression function with a common one-dimensional probability density function. We investigate a new nonparametric curve estimator and convergence ratio of given estimator by using cross-validation method to choice of wavelet threshold when the observations are taken on the regular grid. At the end we used simulation study to examine our proposed estimator. We survey the theoretical outcomes with numerical computation by using [Formula: see text] software to compare purpose estimator with another estimators.
Mechanotransduction signaling in podocytes from fluid flow shear stress
Authors: Srivastava Tarak , Dai Hongying , Heruth Daniel P. , Alon Uri S. , Garola Robert E. , Zhou Jianping , Duncan R. Scott , El-Meanawy Ashraf , McCarthy Ellen T. , Sharma Ram , Johnson Mark L. , Savin Virginia J. , Sharma Mukut
Published: September 2017

Recently, we and others have found that hyperfiltration-associated increase in biomechanical forces, namely, tensile stress and fluid flow shear stress (FFSS), can directly and distinctly alter podocyte structure and function. The ultrafiltrate flow over the major processes and cell body generates FFSS to podocytes. Our previous work suggests that the cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2)-PGE2-PGE2receptor 2 (EP2) axis plays an important role in mechanoperception of FFSS in podocytes. To address mechanotransduction of the perceived stimulus through EP2, cultured podocytes were exposed to FFSS (2 dyn/cm2) for 2 h. Total RNA from cells at the end of FFSS treatment, 2-h post-FFSS, and 24-h post-FFSS was used for whole exon array analysis. Differentially regulated genes ( P < 0.01) were analyzed using bioinformatics tools Enrichr and Ingenuity Pathway Analysis to predict pathways/molecules. Candidate pathways were validated using Western blot analysis and then further confirmed to be resulting from a direct effect of PGE2on podocytes. Results show that FFSS-induced mechanotransduction as well as exogenous PGE2activate the Akt-GSK3β-β-catenin (Ser552) and MAPK/ERK but not the cAMP-PKA signal transduction cascades. These pathways are reportedly associated with FFSS-induced and EP2-mediated signaling in other epithelial cells as well. The current regimen for treating hyperfiltration-mediated injury largely depends on targeting the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. The present study identifies specific transduction mechanisms and provides novel information on the direct effect of FFSS on podocytes. These results suggest that targeting EP2-mediated signaling pathways holds therapeutic significance for delaying progression of chronic kidney disease secondary to hyperfiltration.
Static and Dynamic Mechanical Properties of Long-Span Cable-Stayed Bridges Using CFRP Cables
Authors: Kuihua Mei , Shengjiang Sun , Guoqing Jin , Yamin Sun
Published: September 2017

The elastic modulus and deadweight of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) cables are different from those of steel cables. Thus, the static and dynamic behaviors of cable-stayed bridges using CFRP cables are different from those of cable-stayed bridges using steel cables. The static and dynamic performances of the two kinds of bridges with a span of 1000 m were studied using the numerical method. The effects of geometric nonlinear factors on static performance of the two kinds of cable-stayed bridges were analyzed. The live load effects and temperature effects of the two cable-stayed bridges were also analyzed. The influences of design parameters, including different structural systems, the numbers of auxiliary piers, and the space arrangement types of cable, on the dynamic performance of the cable-stayed bridge using CFRP cables were also studied. Results demonstrate that sag effect of the CFRP cable is much smaller than that of steel cable. The temperature effects of CFRP cable-stayed bridge are less than those of steel cable-stayed bridge. The vertical bending natural vibration frequency of the CFRP cable-stayed bridge is generally lower than that of steel cable-stayed bridge, whereas the torsional natural vibration frequency of the former is higher than that of the latter.
A Comparative Study of First-Order Reliability Method-Based Steepest Descent Search Directions for Reliability Analysis of Steel Structures
Authors: Makhduomi Hamed , Keshtegar Behrooz , Shahraki Mehdi
Published: September 2017

Three algorithms of first-order reliability method (FORM) using steepest descent search direction are compared to evaluate the reliability index of structural steel problems which are designed by the Iranian National Building code. The FORM formula is modified based on a dynamic step size which is computed based on the merit functions named modified Hasofer-Lind and Rackwitz-Fiessler (MHL-RF) method. The efficiency of the gradient, HL-RF, and MHL-RF method was compared for a bar structure under tensile capacity, a multispan beam under bending capacity, a connection under tension load, and a column under axial force. The results illustrated that the MHL-RF method is more efficient than the HL-RF and gradient method. The designed steel components by the Iranian National Building code showed good confidence levels with the reliability index in the range from 2.5 to 3.0.
Natural epigenetic variation within and among six subspecies of the house sparrow Passer domesticus
Authors: Riyahi Sepand , Vilatersana Roser , Schrey Aaron W. , Node Hassan Ghorbani , Aliabadian Mansour , Senar Juan Carlos
Published: September 2017

Epigenetic modifications can respond rapidly to environmental changes and can shape phenotypic variation in accordance with environmental stimuli. One of the most studied epigenetic marks is DNA methylation. In the present study, we used the MSAP technique to investigate the natural variation in DNA methylation within and among subspecies of the house sparrow Passer domesticus. We focused on five subspecies from the Middle East because they show great variation in many ecological traits and because this region is the probable origin for the house sparrow's commensal relationship with humans. We analysed house sparrows from Spain as an outgroup. The level of variation in DNA methylation was similar among the five house sparrow subspecies from Middle East despite high phenotypic and environmental variation; yet the non-commensal subspecies was differentiated from some Middle Eastern subspecies. Further, the European subspecies, was differentiated from all other subspecies. Our results indicate that variation in DNA methylation does not strictly follow subspecies designations. We detected a correlation between methylation level and some morphological traits, such as standardized bill length, and we suggest that part of the high morphological variation in the native populations of the house sparrow is influenced by differentially methylated regions in specific loci throughout the genome. We also detected ten differentially methylated loci among subspecies and three loci differentiated between commensal or non-commensal status. Therefore, the MSAP technique detected larger-scale differences among the European and non-commensal subspecies, but did not detect finer-scale differences among the other Middle Eastern subspecies.
About the Authors
Authors: Authors About
Published: September 2017

About the Authors
English-Language Books Censored during Wartime in Estado Novo Portugal
Authors: Gombár Zsófia
Published: September 2017

Abstract. In contrast to press censorship, books published in Estado Novo Portugal were not subject to a priori censorship, but rather post-publication censorship. Additionally, imported books along with other publications were rigorously examined by custom officials, and private mailing of certain individuals was also monitored by post office clerks. Theoretically, no foreign book could easily enter the country without official inspection. Based on the censorship reports, it seems, however, that the degree of censorship was often fluctuating and uneven. The varying rigor, for the most part, can be put down to historical and political factors such as wars and other domestic conflicts, but there were indeed other types of inconsistencies. Through an exhaustive analysis of selected case studies, the paper also provides detailed insights into the mechanisms of censorship that operated in Salazar-Caetano regime Portugal.
Organization System of the Causal Relationship between Diseases, Disability and Death of the Citizens Affected by Radiation Factors in the Russian Federation
Authors: Бушманов Андрей , Bushmanov Andrey , Удалов Ю. , Udalov Yu. , Рыжман Н. , Ryzhman N. , Башарин В. , Basharin V. , Воронин С , Voronin S , Карамуллин М. , Karamullin M. , Язенок А. , Yazenok A. , Кретов А. , Kretov A. , Власова И. , Vlasova I.
Published: September 2017

There are two Advisory councils on the territory of the Russian Federation: the Interdepartmental Advisory Council (IAC) and Military Medical Commission (MMC) – where citizens may apply to establish the cause of a disease, disability and death from exposure to ionizing radiation.

The article describes the normative documents and the legislative base which regulates work of IAC and MMC on the establishment of a causal relationship between diseases, disability and death of the citizens, exposed to radiation from the Chernobyl accident.

Categories of citizens who are eligible to apply for the examination to establish causation of the disease, disability and death as a result of exposure to ionizing radiation in IAC and MMC are defined.

MMC can treat only military servants, personnel and citizens, passing military service (equal service), service in bodies and organizations of Prosecutor's office, the actions of high-risk units, who took part in liquidation of consequences of the Chernobyl accident. Veterans of special risk subdivisions, and all other citizens exposed to radiation due to the Chernobyl accident may apply to IAC.
Promoting mental health first aid literacy in secondary schools
Authors: Glasper Alan
Published: September 2017

Emeritus Professor Alan Glasper, from the University of Southampton, discusses a new initiative designed to help teachers in secondary schools better understand and identify mental health issues in children
THE SCHOOL ENROLLMENT OF CHILDREN IN THE PLANTATION SECTOR IN INDONESIA
Authors: Ngadi NFN
Published: September 2017

This paper aims to analyze the determinants of school enrollment of children age 10–15 whose parents are working in plantation sector, Indonesia. The data for the analysis is obtained from the 2013 National Socioeconomic Survey conducted by Badan Pusat Statistik, Indonesia. The data covers 20,311 children at age 10–15 in the plantation sector. The analysis is carried out using the descriptive and logistic regression models. The result shows that the enrollment rate for children age 10–15 in the plantation sector was high at 93.7 percent. Meanwhile, the logistic regression analysis shows that the economic activity of children (working or not working) was the most influencing factor on the educational enrollment. Working children had 0,085 times less chance to enroll in education than children who do not work. This finding is compounded by the fact that many heads of household only complete primary schooling. That makes it difficult for working children to enroll in schooling. Therefore, the government should improve the quality of education so that the educational benefit will be greater than the forgone earnings. In addition, it is important to increase the household income in order to prevent children from working.
Ríos, riadas y política. La comisión senatorial del año 54 a.C.
Authors: Coello Joaquin Muñiz
Published: September 2017

Desde el siglo III a.C., las villas de Interamna y Reate mantuvieron un litigio a causa de las obras que, para mejorar el régimen de los ríos que bañaban la zona, emprendió el censor Curio Dentado, en el 272. A partir de entonces, las lluvias copiosas afectaron no sólo a Interamna sino a la misma Roma, donde el Tíber se desbordaba por las crecidas de aquellos afluentes de su cabecera. Todo esto motivó un debate en el senado sobre medidas a tomar, que desde una perspectiva histórica siempre favorecieron a Reate.
Der Einfluss pharmazeutischer Unternehmer auf Arzneimittelstudien
Authors: Schott Gisela , Ludwig Wolf-Dieter
Published: September 2017

Die Ergebnisse von klinischen Studien zu Arzneimitteln sind eine wesentliche Grundlage für die medikamentöse Behandlung von Patienten. Sie werden derzeit meist von pharmazeutischen Unternehmern (pU) gesponsert. Viele Untersuchungen haben gezeigt, dass pU das Design, die Durchführung und die Publikation der von ihnen gesponserten Studien zu ihren Gunsten beeinflussen. Deswegen müssen mehr öffentliche Gelder für klinische Forschung bereitgestellt werden, um Studien zu Arzneimitteln unabhängig von pU durchzuführen – und eine optimale Behandlung der Patienten zu gewährleisten.
Die Bedeutung der Pharmakoökonomie für Public Health
Authors: Gumbert Laura , Bindl Dominik , Nagels Klaus
Published: September 2017

Die Arzneimittelversorgung trägt wesentlich zur Gesundheit der Wohnbevölkerung bei. Die Leistungsfähigkeit dieser Versorgungskomponente für die Bevölkerung ist damit auch ein wichtiges Themenfeld von Public Health. Durch die Integration klinischer, versorgungsfokussierter und ökonomischer Daten kann die Pharmakoökonomie in diesem Kontext mit wissenschaftlicher Transparenz und Evidenz die nötige Analyse- und Informationsgrundlage für normative Entscheidungen liefern. Am Beispiel von Ungleichheiten in der Versorgung soll das Potenzial der Pharmakoökomomie für Public Health verdeutlich werden.
Artefaktorientierte Didaktik – einige grundsätzliche Überlegungen zu einer neuen „Konzeption“
Authors: Roggenkamp Antje
Published: September 2017

Der Aufsatz befasst sich mit der Frage, inwiefern didaktische Strukturen fachliche Anliegen der Theologie und empirische Forschungen zum Religionsunterricht zugleich reflektieren. Der diesem Verfahren prinzipiell zugrunde liegende religionsdidaktische Ansatz greift nicht nur aktuelle pðdagogische Diskussionen auf. Er bringt insbesondere Artefakte christlicher Herkunft mit den Lernenden so in ein Gesprðch, dass einerseits Beziehungen zwischen Artefakten und Lernenden entstehen, andererseits ein Theologisieren über die Auseinandersetzung mit dem Sachgehalt des jeweiligen Artefakts möglich wird. Hermeneutische Kategorien erweitern das religionspðdagogische Spektrum und stellen Raum für interreligiöse Auseinandersetzung zur Verfügung.
VARIASI MORFOMETRIK DAN ALLOZYME CALON INDUK RAJUNGAN, Portunus pelagicus DARI BEBERAPA PERAIRAN DI INDONESIA
Authors: Permana Gusti Ngurah , Moria Sari Budi , Haryanti Haryanti , Susanto Bambang
Published: September 2017

Sampel diambil dari empat populasi rajungan yang berbeda yaitu Sulawesi Selatan, Jawa Timur, Jawa Tengah, dan Bali. Penelitian ini dilakukan untuk mengetahui variasi morfometrik dan allozyme dari calon induk rajungan. Hasil yang diperoleh yaitu variasi genetik rata-rata keempat populasi sangat rendah (0,0025). Rajungan dari Jawa Tengah dan Bali mempunyai nilai heterosigositas tertinggi yaitu 0,004 sedangkan populasi Sulawesi Selatan dan Jawa Timur (0,001). Jarak genetik populasi Jawa Timur dan Bali (0,0013), kemudian Jawa Tengah (0,0016), dan Sulawesi Selatan (0,002). Uji analisis komponen utama (Principal component analysis, PCA), menunjukkan bahwa secara morfometrik rajungan jantan dan betina yang berasal dari populasi Cilacap-Jawa Tengah dan P. Saugi-Sulawesi Selatan dapat membentuk satu sub populasi yang sama, sebaliknya populasi asal Negara-Bali membentuk sub populasi tersendiri. Korelasi yang erat antara nisbah panjang dan lebar karapas terhadap bobot tubuh ditemukan pada populasi P. Saugi-Sulawesi Selatan dan Cilacap-Jawa Tengah sebaliknya pada populasi Negara-Bali mempunyai korelasi yang rendah.Samples were collected from South Sulawesi, Central Java, East Java, and Bali. Genetic variation from allozyme was consistently low in all populations (0.0025) This research aimed to know morphometric and allozyme variation of Swimming Blue Crab, Portunus pelagicus from Indonesian waters. Population from Central Java and Bali had the highest heterozigosity value (0.004) compare to those from South Sulawesi and East Java (0.001). Sample cluster according to the pair’s genetic distance showe that East Java and Bali population has the smallest value (0.0013). By contrast, the largest value was observed in Central Java (0.0016) and South Sulawesi population (0.002). Principal Component Analysis showed that morphometrically male and female swimming blue crabs from Saugi and Cilacap population can build one identical subpopulation On the other hand population originated from Negara made a separate subpopulation There high correlation between carapace length and width ratio on population of P. Saugi-South Sulawesi and Cilacap-Central Java, on the other hand, Negara-Bali population had a low correlation.
KANIBALISME PADA YUWANA IKAN KERAPU MACAN (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus) DALAM KONDISI PEMELIHARAAN SECARA TERKONTROL
Authors: Setiadi Eri
Published: September 2017

Ikan kerapu macan (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus) merupakan ikan yang memiliki nilai ekonomi penting sebagai komoditas ekspor dan telah berhasil dibudidayakan di Indonesia. Kendala yang dihadapi dalam budi daya ikan tersebut yaitu masih tingginya tingkat kanibalisme pada pemeliharaan secara intensif. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui frekuensi gigitan, menelan, dan mortalitas pada pemeliharaan yuwana ikan kerapu macan dan upaya pengendaliannya. Penelitian ini terdiri atas dua tahap, yaitu penelitian variasi ukuran yang dipuasakan (Penelitian I) dan variasi ukuran dengan kepadatan jembret yang berbeda (Penelitian II) terhadap terjadinya kanibalisme, seperti frekuensi gigitan, menelan, dan mortalitas telah dilakukan. Ukuran yuwana kerapu macan yang digunakan sebagai hewan uji terdiri atas tiga ukuran, yaitu ukuran kecil, sedang, dan besar. Hasil penelitian I menunjukkan bahwa ada perbedaan (P<0,0001) di antara perlakuan terhadap frekuensi gigitan, menelan, dan mortalitas. Penelitian II menunjukkan juga adanya perbedaan (P<0,0006) di antara perlakuan terhadap frekuensi gigitan, menelan dan mortalitas. Kepadatan jembret 1.000 individu/L dapat mengurangi kanibalisme.Tiger grouper, E. fusoguttatus is one of the marine finfish species have a high economic value as an export commodity in Indonesia. Mass production of this species has largely been successful in Indonesia. However, cannibalism is a main problem can be reduced mass production during in an intensive culture system. The aim of this experiment is to examine frequency of bitting and swallowing, mortality, and its control. This experiment was focused on size variation and mysid density that affect on frequency of bitting, frequency of swallowing, and mortality. The fry of tiger grouper used in this experiment was consisted of three sizes (small, medium, and big). Two kinds of experiments were set up namely size variation and starvation (experiment I) and size variation and mysid density (experiment II). The result showed that size variation indicated that significantly different (P<0.0001) in frequency of bitting and swallowing, and mortality and also mysid density could affect the frequency of biting and swallowing, and mortality (P<0.0006) among the treatments. Mysid density (1,000 individu/L) could be reduced the cannibalism.
Inclusive practices: the role of the support teacher
Authors: Soldevila Pérez Jesús , Naranjo Llanos Mila , Muntaner Guasp Joan Jordi
Published: September 2017

ABSTRACTThe purpose of this study is to describe and analyse the functions, tasks and actions of support teachers in inclusive classrooms in an ordinary school, moving from a therapeutic, integrative model to an inclusive one. Qualitative research in a longitudinal case study is presented, following two children with functional diversity over four years along three axes: the concept of inclusive education, the determination of good practices for inclusion and the role of the support teacher. The results allow us to propose different inclusive practices for support teachers, and a significant increase in the presence, participation and progress of these children in ordinary classrooms. We conclude that a conceptual change in the teaching approach of teachers can lead to the implementation of alternative teaching methods, requiring involvement of support teachers for adequate inclusion, through greater presence and participation in the ordinary educational activities of students with functional diversity, favouring their social, emotional and academic development and learning.Keywords: inclusive education, good inclusive practice, support teacher, special education teacher, educational change.RESUMENEl propósito de este estudio es describir y analizar las funciones, tareas y actuaciones del profesorado de apoyo en las prácticas inclusivas de aula en un centro ordinario que pasa de un modelo terapéutico e integrador a un modelo inclusivo. Para ello, se plantea una investigación cualitativa de estudio de casos longitudinal, con el seguimiento de dos niños con diversidad funcional durante cuatro años, fundamentada en tres ejes: el concepto de educación inclusiva, la determinación de buenas prácticas para la inclusión y el rol del profesor de apoyo. Los resultados han permitido definir diferentes prácticas inclusivas relacionadas con el profesor de apoyo, que han permitido un incremento significativo de la presencia, participación y progreso de estos niños en el aula ordinaria. Este trabajo nos permite concluir que un cambio conceptual en el modelo educativo de los docentes provoca la implementación de métodos didácticos alternativos, que exigen unas funciones del profesor de apoyo acordes con los planteamientos de la inclusión, que repercuten en una mayor presencia y participación de las actividades educativas ordinarias de los alumnos con diversidad funcional, favoreciendo su desarrollo y aprendizaje tanto social, emocional como académico.Palabras Clave: educación inclusiva, buenas prácticas inclusivas, docente de apoyo, maestro educación especial, cambio educativo.
增加绿量是提高城市园林绿化生态效益的重要途径之一
Authors: 徐 波波
Published: September 2017

目前，城市园林绿化建设也进入快发展时期，如何通过有效的手段改善并进一步提高城市园林绿化的生态效益，从而改善城市环境质量，实现城市的可持续发展是一个极为重要的问题。