bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Diffuse subretinal fibrosis syndrome: A rare entity
Authors: Stolowy Natacha D , Donnadieu Benjamin P , Comet Alban CM , Nadeau Sébastien , Beylerian Marie A-S , Denis Danièle , Matonti Frédéric J
Published: May 2018

Background/ purpose:

Diffuse subretinal fibrosis and uveitis syndrome is an inflammatory disease rarely reported. The purpose of this article is to describe a rare case of diffuse subretinal fibrosis syndrome in an 8-year-old child.

Methods and results:

The patient initially presented with a loss of vision in his right eye, with a visual acuity of 20/200. The visual acuity of the left eye was normal. Clinical examination showed bilateral anterior and posterior inflammation while the fundus revealed on the right eye an inter maculopapillar fibrosed lesion with a discrete retinal hemorrhage and a similar but smaller lesion on the left eye. The optical coherence tomography showed hyper-reflective material compatible with pre-retinal and subretinal pigment epithelial fibrosis and associated subretinal fluid. The angiography facilitated the diagnosis of neovascularization that was associated with the fibrotic lesion. The rest of the clinical pediatric examination remained negative and a diagnosis of diffuse subretinal fibrosis syndrome complicated with neovascularization was made. Treatment with systemic corticosteroids at the dose of 1 mg/kg/day for 1 month with a progressive decrease of 5 mg per month allowed for both anatomical and functional improvement. The visual acuity of the right eye improved from 20/200 to 20/63 at 1 month, 20/32 at 2 months, and 20/20 at 4 months.

Conclusion:

To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of bilateral diffuse subretinal fibrosis complicated by neovascularization. General corticosteroid therapy proved to be effective in this case and appears to be a viable option in first-line treatment.
‘World-class’ fantasies: A neocolonial analysis of international branch campuses
Authors: Siltaoja Marjo , Juusola Katariina , Kivijärvi Marke
Published: May 2018

In this article, we build on postcolonial studies and discourse analytical research exploring how the ‘world-class’ discourse as an ideology and a fantasy structures neocolonial relations in international branch campuses. We empirically examine how international branch campuses reproduce the fantasy of being so-called world-class operators and how the onsite faculty members identify with or resist this world-class fantasy through mimicry. Our research material originates from fieldwork conducted in business-school international branch campuses operating in the United Arab Emirates. Our findings show the ambivalent nature of mimicry towards the world-class fantasy to include both compliance and resistance. Our contributions are addressed to postcolonial management studies by discussing the ambivalent nature of mimicry in international branch campuses and the significance of grandiose constructions in organizations for neocolonial relations.
‘Happy that someone cared’—Non-native-speaking immigrant mothers’ experiences of participating in screening for postpartum depression in the Swedish child health services
Authors: Skoog Malin , Berggren Vanja , Hallström Inger Kristensson
Published: May 2018

Immigrant mothers who have immigrated during the last ten years and do not speak the language of the new country are found to be at particular risk of being affected by postpartum depression (PPD). Still they choose to participate to a lesser extent in screening for PPD and are not screened out as frequently as can be expected. In this study, non-native-speaking immigrant mothers’ experiences of participating in screening for PPD in the Swedish Child Health Services were elucidated. Thirteen qualitative interviews were performed with the help of an interpreter and analysed using latent content analysis. The possibility to participate in screening was appreciated by the mothers even though the concept of PPD in general was unclear. Cultural beliefs about mental ill health, negative expectations connected to their perceived value as a woman, shame at not being grateful enough for their new life and negative experience of the interaction during the screening challenged them in speaking about their mood. To facilitate the screening procedure for this vulnerable group of mothers, it is important to be aware of possible challenges when speaking about their mood and to strive for a trusting clinical interview with the assistance of a female interpreter on-site.
Effect of trace zinc amounts introduced in various chemical structures in diesel fuel on coke deposits of fuel injectors of a CI engine
Authors: Stepien Zbigniew , Krasodomski Wojciech
Published: May 2018

The goal of the article was to carry out a comparative research on the propensity of a standard-class commercial diesel fuel, consistent with the requirements of the EN-590 standard, with zinc catalysts of various chemical structures introduced, to form deposits on the tips of fuel injectors of a compression ignition engine. Studies on structures of zinc carboxylic salts type dissolved in the fuel and dispersed zinc oxides/hydroxides type were planned. The influence of zinc dialkyldithiophosphates (ZDDP) on the deposit formation was not investigated because of their complex structure and inability to evaluate the additional impact of phosphates(V) on the deposit formation process. Studies of pre-prepared fuel samples without zinc and with various zinc contents of various origins, which may constitute trace impurities of diesel fuel, were carried out using a standardised engine test acc. to the general European CEC F-98-08 procedure, in which the amount of the engine power decrease was adopted as an evaluation criterion for the size of the deposits formed on the tips of fuel injectors. Also, an analysis of elemental composition of the coke deposits formed on the tips of fuel injectors of a Peugeot DW10B engine was carried out by the X-ray fluorescence method. In the results of the studies carried out, it was found that in the case of commercial diesel fuel used for the tests, none of the zinc compounds assumed as deposits precursors had a significant influence on the chemistry of the deposit formation process during combustion of the diesel fuel in the engine. The deposits being formed are characterised by practically the same chemical nature. However, differences were found in the case of amounts of deposits forming on the tips of the fuel injectors and their growth rate during the test.
A study of soot formation in a rapid compression machine at conditions representative of cold-fast-idle in spark ignition engines
Authors: Ketterer Justin E , Cheng Wai K
Published: May 2018

The soot yield, defined as the ratio of the soot mass to the carbon mass in the fuel, for the homogeneous combustion of a rich fuel-air mixture has been measured in a rapid compression machine using the laser light extinction method. The temperature and pressure conditions are representative of those in spark-ignition direct-injection engines at cold-fast-idle. The fuels used are a certification gasoline (with 28% aromatic content) and a blend of the gasoline with toluene (the blend had 40% aromatic content by volume) so that the sensitivity of soot formation to the fuel aromatic content could be assessed. Beyond a threshold fuel equivalence ratio (ϕ) value, the soot yield increases exponentially with ϕ. The soot yield of the gasoline–toluene blend is four to six times higher than that of the gasoline. The soot yield decreases exponentially with temperature, by a factor of 0.58 for every 10 K increase in temperature. In the 657–695 K temperature range, the threshold ϕ value increases linearly from approximately 2.4 to 2.7, at a rate of 0.1 point per 10 K rise in temperature. This temperature dependence is insensitive to the charge density.
The process of disclosing a diagnosis of dementia and mild cognitive impairment: A national survey of specialist physicians in Denmark
Authors: Nielsen T Rune , Svensson Birthe Hjorth , Rohr Gitte , Gottrup Hanne , Vestergaard Karsten , Høgh Peter , Waldemar Gunhild
Published: May 2018

Background

Although general recommendations for diagnostic disclosure of dementia are available, little is known about how these recommendations are implemented. The aim of the current study was to investigate the process and content of dementia diagnostic disclosure meetings, and to compare key aspects of disclosing a diagnosis of dementia and mild cognitive impairment.

Method

A total of 54 specialist physicians in Danish dementia diagnostic departments completed an online survey on their practices regarding diagnostic disclosure of dementia and mild cognitive impairment. The influence of respondent characteristics was assessed, and differences on key aspects of disclosing a diagnosis of dementia and mild cognitive impairment were analyzed.

Results

The results suggest that among Danish specialist physicians, there is a general consensus regarding the organization of diagnostic disclosure meetings. However, differences in employed terminology and information provided when disclosing a dementia diagnosis were evident. Significant differences were present on key aspects of the diagnostic disclosure of dementia and mild cognitive impairment. For instance, 91% would use the term dementia during diagnostic disclosures compared to just 72% for mild cognitive impairment.

Conclusion

The range of practices reflected in the present study confirms the complexity of diagnostic disclosure and highlights the importance of preparation and follow-up strategies to tailor the disclosure process to the needs of individual patients with dementia and their caregivers. Due to earlier diagnosis of neurodegenerative disorders, more research is urgently needed on this aspect of the diagnostic process, especially to develop evidence-based models for the disclosure of mild cognitive impairment.
Experimental investigation of the turbulent density – Far-field sound correlations in compressible jets
Authors: Mercier Bertrand , Castelain Thomas , Bailly Christophe
Published: May 2018

Jet mixing noise is experimentally investigated by means of cross-correlations between density fluctuations inside the turbulent jet flow and the far-field acoustic pressure. The time-resolved density fluctuations are measured by an experimental device based on Rayleigh scattering, which is mounted in the large anechoic wind tunnel of Ecole Centrale de Lyon. An original signal processing developed in a previous study is implemented for the photon counting, combined with the use of a single photomultiplier to remove shot noise. A high-speed subsonic jet and a perfectly expanded supersonic jet with a subsonic convective velocity are considered to characterize mixing noise sources. In order to go beyond the classical Fourier analyses, conditional cross-correlations are determined, and the signature of turbulent events linked to the noise emission in the downstream direction is extracted.
Prevalence of Workplace Violence Against Health-Care Professionals in China: A Comprehensive Meta-Analysis of Observational Surveys
Authors: Lu Li , Dong Min , Wang Shi-Bin , Zhang Ling , Ng Chee H. , Ungvari Gabor S. , Li Jun , Xiang Yu-Tao
Published: May 2018

Background:

In China, workplace violence (WPV) toward health-care professionals has been a major concern, but no meta-analysis on this topic has been published. This study is a meta-analysis of the pooled prevalence of WPV against health-care professionals in China and its associated risk factors.

Method:

English- (PubMed, PsycINFO, and Embase) and Chinese-language (Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, WanFang, and SinoMed) databases were systematically searched. Data on the prevalence of WPV and the subtypes of violence experienced by health-care professionals in China were extracted and pooled using random-effects models.

Findings:

A total of 47 studies covering 81,771 health-care professionals were included in the analyses. The overall prevalence of WPV from 44 studies with available data was 62.4% (95% confidence interval [CI] = [59.4%, 65.5%]). The estimated prevalence of physical violence, psychological violence, verbal abuse, threats, and sexual harassment were 13.7% (95% CI [12.2%, 15.1%]), 50.8% (95% CI [46.2%, 55.5%]), 61.2% (95% CI [55.1%, 67.4%]), 39.4% (95% CI [33.4%, 45.4%]), and 6.3% (95% CI [5.3%, 7.4%]), respectively. Males were more likely to experience WPV than females.

Interpretation:

WPV against health-care professionals appears to be a significant issue in China. Relevant policies and procedures related to WPV should be developed. Staff should be provided with adequate training, education, and support to implement violence management policies to ensure safety at the workplace.
Deep Learning Role in Early Diagnosis of Prostate Cancer
Authors: Reda Islam , Khalil Ashraf , Elmogy Mohammed , Abou El-Fetouh Ahmed , Shalaby Ahmed , Abou El-Ghar Mohamed , Elmaghraby Adel , Ghazal Mohammed , El-Baz Ayman
Published: May 2018

The objective of this work is to develop a computer-aided diagnostic system for early diagnosis of prostate cancer. The presented system integrates both clinical biomarkers (prostate-specific antigen) and extracted features from diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging collected at multiple b values. The presented system performs 3 major processing steps. First, prostate delineation using a hybrid approach that combines a level-set model with nonnegative matrix factorization. Second, estimation and normalization of diffusion parameters, which are the apparent diffusion coefficients of the delineated prostate volumes at different b values followed by refinement of those apparent diffusion coefficients using a generalized Gaussian Markov random field model. Then, construction of the cumulative distribution functions of the processed apparent diffusion coefficients at multiple b values. In parallel, a K-nearest neighbor classifier is employed to transform the prostate-specific antigen results into diagnostic probabilities. Finally, those prostate-specific antigen–based probabilities are integrated with the initial diagnostic probabilities obtained using stacked nonnegativity constraint sparse autoencoders that employ apparent diffusion coefficient–cumulative distribution functions for better diagnostic accuracy. Experiments conducted on 18 diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging data sets achieved 94.4% diagnosis accuracy (sensitivity = 88.9% and specificity = 100%), which indicate the promising results of the presented computer-aided diagnostic system.
Dysfunctional Nav1.5 channels due to SCN5A mutations
Authors: Han Dan , Tan Hui , Sun Chaofeng , Li Guoliang
Published: May 2018

The voltage-gated sodium channel 1.5 (Nav1.5), encoded by the SCN5A gene, is responsible for the rising phase of the action potential of cardiomyocytes. The sodium current mediated by Nav1.5 consists of peak and late components (INa-Pand INa-L). Mutant Nav1.5 causes alterations in the peak and late sodium current and is associated with an increasingly wide range of congenital arrhythmias. More than 400 mutations have been identified in the SCN5A gene. Although the mechanisms of SCN5A mutations leading to a variety of arrhythmias can be classified according to the alteration of INa-Pand INa-Las gain-of-function, loss-of-function and both, few researchers have summarized the mechanisms in this way before. In this review article, we aim to review the mechanisms underlying dysfunctional Nav1.5 due to SCN5A mutations and to provide some new insights into further approaches in the treatment of arrhythmias.

Impact statement

The field of ion channelopathy caused by dysfunctional Nav1.5 due to SCN5A mutations is rapidly evolving as novel technologies of electrophysiology are introduced and our understanding of the mechanisms of various arrhythmias develops. In this review, we focus on the dysfunctional Nav1.5 related to arrhythmias and the underlying mechanisms. We update SCN5A mutations in a precise way since 2013 and presents novel classifications of SCN5A mutations responsible for the dysfunction of the peak (INa-P) and late (INa-L) sodium channels based on their phenotypes, including loss-, gain-, and coexistence of gain- and loss-of function mutations in INa-P, INa-L, respectively. We hope this review will provide a new comprehensive way to better understand the electrophysiological mechanisms underlying arrhythmias from cell to bedside, promoting the management of various arrhythmias in practice.
Thrombolysis for Venous Thromboembolism During Pregnancy: A Literature Review
Authors: Ho Vy T. , Dua Anahita , Lavingia Kedar , Rothenberg Kara , Rao Christina , Desai Sapan S.
Published: May 2018

Background:

Pregnancy is a hypercoagulable state, conferring an increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). However, treatment algorithms for deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism are based on studies of nonpregnant patients.

Methods:

A literature review of cases in which thrombolysis was used for the treatment of VTE during pregnancy was conducted using the PubMed (National Institutes of Health) database.

Results:

A PubMed database search of English language articles for reports of thrombolysis for the treatment of VTE in pregnancy identified 215 cases, including 183 cases of systemic thrombolysis, 19 cases of catheter-directed thrombolysis, and 13 cases of mechanical thrombectomy. For systemic thrombolysis, the maternal complication rate was 4.40% and the fetal complication rate was 1.65%. For catheter-directed thrombolysis, the maternal complication rate was 14.75% and the fetal complication rate was 5.2%. In cases of mechanical thrombectomy, there were no reported maternal or fetal complications.

Conclusions:

Although conservative strategies are preferred in pregnancy, thrombolysis is an adjunct for limb or life-threatening VTE. Review of past reports suggests low rates of maternal and fetal complications following systemic thrombolysis and mechanical thrombectomy but higher rates of complications after catheter-directed thrombolysis in the treatment of VTE during pregnancy.
Proton exchange membrane fuel cell remaining useful life prognostics considering degradation recovery phenomena
Authors: Zhang Dacheng , Cadet Catherine , Yousfi-Steiner Nadia , Bérenguer Christophe
Published: May 2018

This work explores the challenges of handling the recovery phenomena in the degradation behavior of the proton exchange membrane fuel cells, from the perspective of the prognostics. An adaptive prognostics and health management approach with additional knowledge, such as the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, from the state of health characterization, is applied on two fuel cell stacks under both stationary and quasi-dynamic operating regimes. Some improvements in the prognostic performance are obtained in the view of the remaining useful life predictions by comparing with a classical particle filtering–based prognostic approach.
From lines to networks: Calendars, narrative, and temporality
Authors: Cossu Andrea
Published: May 2018

The focus of the article is the analysis of a particular site of collective memory (one state’s system of national holidays condensed in a calendar) from a perspective that highlights its relational and narrative characteristics. By adopting the idea of “commemorative networks,” the article will regard commemorated events as nodes in a network, connected by ties that highlight the causal relationship between any two events as perceived by the commemorating agencies in the making of narratives of the state. This approach offers a methodologically sound complement to other perspectives that investigate the formal narrative and semiotic features of “collective memory.”
Exploring the Role of Entrepreneurial Team Characteristics on Entrepreneurial Orientation
Authors: Yoon Hyunjoong
Published: May 2018

This study explores the role of entrepreneurial teams’ characteristics as determinants of entrepreneurial orientation (EO). Previous literature usually assumed the determinants of EO as given, and focused on the performance effects of EO. Although some theoretical concerns shed light on the role of entrepreneurial team influences on EO, a direct analysis of such positive association has so far been limited. This current study examines the positive influences of top talents and the possible influence of functional diversity of entrepreneurial teams on EO, as well as those of entrepreneur’s human and social capital. The results of 1,228 Korean business venture samples showed that the level of EO is determined by both the entrepreneurial team characteristics, such as human and social capital, and the existence of marketing top talents. However, supplementary subgroup analyses showed that these positive effects of an entrepreneurial team’s characteristics on EO are significant for the sample of “founders stay,” whereas the positive influence of an entrepreneurial team’s diversity as well as the existence of marketing top talents are significant for the sample of “founders left.” Based on these results, theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
A Thematic Analysis of Health Care Workers’ Adoption of Mindfulness Practices
Authors: Valley Morgan , Stallones Lorann
Published: May 2018

Mindfulness training, which teaches individuals to bring awareness and acceptance to the present moment, has been effective in improving the well-being of health care workers. Limited research examines the adoption of mindfulness practices using health behavior theories. The current study sought to conceptualize hospital health care workers’ experiences in adopting mindfulness practices using the Health Belief Model (HBM), a theoretical framework used by health promotion practitioners to design and implement health behavior change interventions. Hospital health care workers in Colorado participated in an 8-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) course. Participants ( n = 19) answered open-ended questions about their experiences adopting mindfulness practices. A theory-driven thematic analysis approach was used to analyze data with key constructs of the HBM acting as the framework for the analysis. Results showed that HBM constructs, including internal cues to action, perceived benefits and barriers, and self-efficacy, helped portray the participants’ experiences and challenges in adopting and adhering to the mindfulness practices taught in the MBSR course.
The association of body mass index with endometriosis and disease severity in women with pain
Authors: Holdsworth-Carson Sarah J , Dior Uri P , Colgrave Eliza M , Healey Martin , Montgomery Grant W , Rogers Peter AW , Girling Jane E
Published: May 2018

Introduction:

There is a well-established inverse relationship between body mass index and frequency of endometriosis. However, these population-based studies have relied mostly on self-reported cases of endometriosis, rather than surgically confirmed endometriosis where disease severity has been objectively assessed. The aim of the current retrospective study was to establish whether the established relationship between endometriosis and low body mass index was independent of disease severity.

Methods:

Women with menstrual and/or pelvic pain undergoing laparoscopy for suspected endometriosis were recruited for this retrospective study (n = 509). Women were grouped by body mass index (kg/m2) according to World Health Organization criteria: underweight (<18.5), normal (18.5–24.99), pre-obese (25–29.99) or obese (≥30). Endometriosis was scored according to the revised American Fertility Society system. Data were analysed based on body mass index and endometriosis status to identify any relationship between body mass index and disease.

Results:

The average body mass index of women with endometriosis was 25.0 kg/m2. The body mass index distribution of women with endometriosis differed relative to women in the general population. As expected, fewer obese women had endometriosis than in the lower body mass index categories. However, the obese women who did have endometriosis had significantly higher revised American Fertility Society scores compared to women with normal and pre-obese body mass indices.

Discussion:

Our results are consistent with the established finding of an inverse relationship between body mass index and endometriosis. The novel finding from this study is that obesity is associated with increased disease severity and reduced frequency of stage I endometriosis. It remains unclear what role body mass index has in the cause or effect of endometriosis; we speculate that body mass index may be useful for sub-classifying the disease.
The promise of proximity: The politics of knowledge and learning in South–South cooperation between water operators
Authors: Carolini Gabriella , Gallagher Daniel , Cruxên Isadora
Published: May 2018

This paper seeks to illuminate the multiple ways in which South–South collaboration may reorganize knowledge production and learning processes across scales and beyond the unilateral transfer of expertise. Drawing on empirical evidence from a knowledge exchange partnership between water and sanitation operators in Salta, Argentina, and Brasília, Brazil, we provide a grounded, contextual account of the partnership to examine what was learned, under what circumstances, and with what potential effects. We contend that common claims by proponents of South–South cooperation around the centrality of shared geopolitical history are not enough to understand South–South cooperation at the project level. At this scale, we find that other forms of proximity, including organizational, linguistic, technological, and cultural, also matter in shaping the constitution of collaborative partnerships and the forms of learning that occur through them. In the case that we examine, partners’ multiple shared proximities resulted in a subversion of traditional mentor–mentee relations and emergence of a process of mutual learning. Further, we suggest that flows of knowledge in the partnership can be characterized across a learning spectrum, from technical and processual learning to experiential understanding and self-reflection, each with different consequences for institutional and material change at different scales. Crucially, such forms of learning bolstered participants’ bargaining power for implementing improvements at home and fostered advances in operators’ tactical thinking.
Mixed effects of remittances on child education
Authors: Bucheli José R. , Bohara Alok K. , Fontenla Matías
Published: May 2018

We exploit the size of the 2010 Ecuadorian Census to estimate the effect of remittances on secondary school enrollment across four key dimensions: gender, household wealth, rural vs. urban, and family migration status. Using a bivariate probit model that accounts for both endogeneity and non-linearity issues, we find both positive and negative effects of remittances on the likelihood of schooling. The strongest positive effects are for poorer, urban males, while the negative effects are for rural females. For children in wealthier households, the effects of remittances are either negative or non-significant. This suggests that the positive income effects of remittances may be offset by the negative effects of a missing parent due to migration, more visible in wealthier families where financial constraints may not be as binding. We find further support for this by estimating the effects of remittances conditional on migration status. Our results show positive effects on schooling for non-migrant households that receive remittances and no effects for children living in households where at least one parent has migrated. The sharp contrasts within and across groups, while using the same data and econometric specifications, help explain the lack of consensus in the literature.
Correction to: Multianalytical approach for the analysis of the Codices Millenarius Maior and Millenarius Minor in Kremsmuenster Abbey, Upper Austria
Authors: Frühmann Bernadette , Cappa Federica , Vetter Wilfried , Schreiner Manfred , Petrus Father
Published: May 2018

After the publication of the original article [1], the authors realized several typographical errors, which are listed with the corrected version as follows.
Information and statistical methods of solving econometric, sociological and psychometric problems
Authors: Юдин Сергей , Yudin Sergey , Юдин Александр , Yudin Aleksandr
Published: May 2018

The monograph contains a number of new author's theoretical and methodological developments based on the methods of mathematical information theory. It can be useful for students, graduate students and researchers in the analysis of data and the construction of models of economic, sociological and psychometric processes.
It can be used as a textbook in the study of the relevant sections of the course "Mathematics", "modeling And data processing", "Econometrics" and others.
Novel by G. D. Grebenshchikov "Churaev" in the socio-cultural context of the era
Authors: Царегородцева Светлана , Caregorodceva Svetlana
Published: May 2018

The monograph is devoted to the multi-volume novel "Churaev" by G. D. Grebenshchikov, which became the artistic embodiment of the philosophical views of Russian cosmism: V. I. Vernadsky's noospheric ideas, the theory of the common cause. Fedorov, the search of the Eurasians. Novel "Churaev" Grebenshchikov is considered a classic work of Siberian prose. However, many pages of this work are related to the Moscow text (volume 1 "Brothers"), the Crimean text (volume 4 "Trumpet voice").
Making CPD more effective
Authors: Webb Helen
Published: May 2018

What makes an outstanding teacher? Last year, Helen Webb wrote about her work developing an in-school teacher development programme. She now updates us on this work, the challenges she has encountered and how the programme has evolved
Teacher wellbeing and CPD
Authors: Williamson Megan
Published: May 2018

The links between effective CPD and teacher wellbeing and morale are clear. Megan Williamson looks at the research and offers some practical advice
Atopic dermatitis
Authors: Paterson Sue
Published: May 2018

Canine atopic dermatitis (CAD) is a common genetically predisposed inflammatory and pruritic disease. CAD is a diagnosis made by the exclusion of other pruritic skin diseases such as ectoparasites, and other allergies such as flea bite hypersensitivity, and cutaneous adverse food reaction. Nurses can play an important part in helping to investigate the underlying causes of pruritus in dogs, it is therefore important they have a good working knowledge of the clinical presentation of this common disease and the appropriate diagnostic tests that are routinely used to help rule out other causes of pruritus. Therapy can include systemic medication such as essential fatty acids, antihistamines, glucocorticoids, ciclosporine, Janus kinase inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies to IL31 and allergen specific immunotherapy.
Principles of rabbit anaesthesia for veterinary nurses
Authors: Sibbald Rachel
Published: May 2018

This article focuses on the techniques and principles of rabbit anaesthesia. In previous years, rabbit anaesthesia was a task which often struck fear within general veterinary practice due to the higher mortality rates seen in rabbits compared with cats and dogs. However, as rabbit medicine and surgery has advanced, so have the protocols for anaesthesia, and as the majority of general anaesthesia will be monitored by veterinary nurses in general practice, it is vital nurses understand the fundamentals and recognise the signs and symptoms of anaesthesia-related complications in the rabbit.
FATTY-OXYGEN COMPOSITION OF SEEDS OILS OF SOME WILD-GROWING AND CULTIVATED PLANTS OF THE ASTRAKHAN REGION OBTAINED BY THE SUPERCRITICAL FLUID EXTRACTION METHOD
Authors: Великородов (Velikorodov) Анатолий (Аnatolij) Валериевич (Valerievich) , Ковалев (Kovalev) Вячеслав (Vyacheslav) Борисович (Borisovich) , Носачев (Nosachev) Святослав (Svyatoslav) Борисович (Borisovich) , Тырков (Tyrkov) Алексей (Аleksej) Георгиевич (Georgievich) , Морозова (Morozova) Людмила (Lyudmila) Викторовна (Viktorovna)
Published: May 2018

Samples of oils from seeds of wild-growing plants (Elaeagnus angustifoli, Xanthium strumarium, Nelumbo nucifera) and cultivated plants (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench, Volzhskoye 51 and Amaranthus cruentus sort Kharkiv 1) in the Astrakhan region, were obtained using supercritical fluid extraction with carbon dioxide in the presence of ethanol as co-solvent. The fatty acid composition of lipid fractions of plant seeds is determined by gas chromatography after conversion to methyl esters of the corresponding fatty acids. The main component of Elaeagnus angustifolia, Xanthium strumarium, Nelumbo nucifera, Amaranthus cruentus and Sorghum bicolor (L.) seed oil is linoleic acid. In addition to it, decadieneal (3.4%), linoleic acid propyl ester (5.7%), 2.5-pentadecadiene-1-ol (0.7%), and 9-oxononanoic acid (1.5%), related to oxygenated acids, were identified. The highest ratio of unsaturated fatty acids to saturated (8.06: 1) is characteristic of the seeds of Elaeagnus angustifoli. A distinctive feature of Amaranthus cruentus seed oil is a high squalene content (6.9%). Peculiarities of the component composition of the oil of the narrow-leaved loch seed are probably due to the soil-climatic conditions of growth and the allelopathic influence of biocenoses.
OMPARATIVE STUDIES OF THE CONTENT OF PHENOLIC COMPOUNDS, FLAVONOIDS AND ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF APPLES OF DIFFERENT VARIETIES
Authors: Макарова (Makarova) Надежда (Nadezhda) Викторовна (Viktorovna) , Валиулина (Valiulina) Динара (Dinara) Фанисовна (Fanisovna) , Азаров (Azarov) Олег (Oleg) Игоревич (Igorevich) , Кузнецов (Kuznetsov) Анатолий (Anatolij) Александрович (Aleksandrovich)
Published: May 2018

In this article discusses the most commonly used methods of investigation of antioxidants.  Six varieties of apples (23-25-64, 23-17-22, 23-20-50, 23-25-51, 23-31-135, Sinap of Samara) were selected as objects of research, from the collection of the Research Institute "Zhigulevsky Gardens" "The harvest of 2016 grown on the territory of the Samara region. For the study was obtained hydroalcoholic extract (1 : 1) at 37 °C for 2 hours. The analysis for the maintenance of the total number of phenolic compounds content of gallic acid, flavonoids catechin content, antioxidant capacity with use of free radical DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-pikrilgidrazil), restoring forceb with method of FRAP (ferric reducing antioxidant power), the antioxidant activity in linoleic acid system. A significant number of methods to assess the antioxidant activity of the compounds according to the method systematically recording parameters used to determine antioxidant activity, including quantitative. As a result of a comparative study of the content of phenolic compounds, flavonoids, antiradical ability using the 2,2'-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl reagent method, the FRAP restoring force with 2,4,6-tri(2-pyridyl)-1,3 reagent, 5-triazine, antioxidant activity on the linoleic acid model for six varieties of apples were identified as leaders by individual indicators (phenols - apples of variety 23-20-50, flavonoids - apples of variety 23-20-50, anti-radical ability – apples of variety 23-25-51, FRAP-values – apples of variety 23-20-50, antioxidant ability – Syn up of Samara), and in general for the majority of indicators - apples of variety 23-20-50.
VARIATIONS OF THE CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF EXTRACTIVE KIDNEYS OF THE KIDNEYS BERES OF ST. PETERSBURG AND THE LENINGRAD REGION
Authors: Ведерников (Vedernikov) Дмитрий (Dmitrij) Николаевич (Nikolaevich) , Казарцев (Kazartsev) Игорь (Igor') Александрович (Aleksandrovich)
Published: May 2018

The article is devoted to the differences in the composition of extractive substances of vegetative buds of birch trees in St. Petersburg and the Leningrad region and its change. Buds of birch (Betulae gemmae) are a medicinal product and are included in the state register of medicines. The substances soluble in acetone were studied by chromatography-mass spectrometry method after preliminary methylation with diazomethane. The retention indices of the identified compounds are given. Earlier, the structure of compounds was established by methods of NMR spectroscopy.Birch buds from the surveyed areas contain sesquiterpenoids and flavonoids. These components correspond to the classical notions of the composition of the buds. However, specimens of birch trees were found containing only triterpenoids and fatty acids in the buds, and also a combination of all the listed compounds - the intermediate composition. This tendency was observed in the Betula pendula Roth. birch, Betula pubescens Ehrh., Betula pendula var. carelica Merckl., Betula krylovii G.V.Krylov in the arboretum of the St. Petersburg Forestry University and observed on the Betula pendula and, Betula pubescens in St. Petersburg and the Leningrad region. Presumably one type of chemical composition can be replaced by another in time. The change in the composition was recorded for several years on specimens of birches.Various reasons for this phenomenon are discussed.
SEASONAL DYNAMICS OF ARGININE CONTENT IN PINUS SYLVESTRIS L. NEEDLES DEPENDING ON THE TIM-ING OF NITROGEN AND BORON APPLICATION
Authors: Чернобровкина (Chernobrovkina) Надежда (Nadezhda) Петровна (Petrovna) , Робонен (Robonen) Елена (Elena) Вильямовна (Vil'yamovna) , Репин (Repin) Андрей (Аndrej) Владимирович (Vladimirovich) , Макарова (Makarova) Тамара (Tamara) Николаевна (Nikolaevna)
Published: May 2018

The annual cycle of arginine content in young and 1-year-old needles of 10-year-old Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) was studied as related to various periods of nitrogen deposition into the soil at a high dose (300 kg/ha) and boron deposition in the optimal dose (3 kg/ha). Fertilizers were applied once, in June, July or August. The amino acid levels in young and 1-year-old needles of control plants remained similar throughout the study period (0.7±0.1 – 1.3±0.1 µmol/g absolute dry matter), with the peak in May. The placement of the fertilizers in the soil at three instances considerably augmented arginine content in young and 1-year-old needles during the first annual cycle following the impact. Nitrogen and boron application to the soil in June had the highest effect on arginine accumulation, primarily in young needles. The maximum amino acid levels were 618 ± 60 and 152 ± 15 μmol/g DM, 256 ± 24 and 154 ± 14 μmol/g DM, 132 ± 13 and 76 ± 7 μmol/g DM at the June, July and August fertilization in the young and 1-year-old needles, respectively. The seasonal patterns of arginine accumulation in coniferous plants, as well as the mechanisms through which nitrogen and boron influence this process are discussed.
COMPONENT COMPOSITION OF ESSENTIAL OIL OF MONARDA FISTULOSA L. GRASS FROM THE COLLEC-TION OF NIKITSKY BOTANICAL GARDEN
Authors: Никитина (Nikitina) Ангелина (Angelina) Сергеевна (Sergeevna) , Алиев (Aliyev) Аслан (Aslan) Мурадалиевич (Muradalievich) , Феськов (Feskov) Сергей (Sergej) Александрович (Aleksandrovich) , Никитина (Nikitina) Наталья (Natal'ja) Владимировна (Vladimirovna)
Published: May 2018

The creation of promising varieties of medicinal plants with useful properties is an actual direction. The acquisition of new highly productive varieties of medicinal plants and their introduction into the culture are successfully implemented in the Nikitsky Botanical Garden, R. Krym. The purpose of this work was to determine the specific features of the essential oil composition of the highly productive varieties Monarda fistulosa L. to determine the prospects of its use in pharmacy and further standardization of raw materials. Essential oil from the aboveground part of Monarda fistulosa L. was obtained by hydrodistillation using the Ginsberg instrument, its content in the raw material reached 2.38% in terms of absolutely dry raw materials. The component composition of essential oil from the aboveground part of the Monarda fistulosa L. was studied by chromatography-mass spectrometry. The presence of 41 components was revealed, 38 of them were identified, the main group being monoterpenes and their derivatives. The highest content of p-cymene, thymol, thymoquinone, thymohydroquinone, carvacrol, γ-terpinene was found in the sample of essential oil. Evaluation of the data of chromatography-mass spectrometry confirms the prospects of using essential oil and Monarda fistulosa L. grass of the assayed variety in pharmaceutical and medical practice as an antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antifungal and immunostimulating agent.
LOW-WASTE TECHNOLOGY OF PRODUCING HUMIC SUBSTANCES FROM PEAT OF DIFFERENT BOTANICAL COMPOSITION AND DECOMPOSITION DEGREE
Authors: Дудкин (Dudkin) Денис (Denis) Владимирович (Vladimirovich , Федяева (Fedyaeva) Ирина (Irina) Михайловна (Mikhailovna)
Published: May 2018

Objective: create a cost-effective and environmentally safe technology of obtaining of humic substances allows to use as organic raw materials all kinds of peat.Objectives of the study: reducing overall energy cost, temperature, pressure, duration of process and the number of stages of production of humic substances; increase the practical output while minimizing waste; reduced labor costs; the creation of a "flexible" system changes in production volumes of finished products.The paper presents low-waste technology of obtaining solutions of humic substances from peat with low decomposition degree (less than 15 %) and ash content (less than 10%). The technology used for the first time mechanochemical method of processing of peat, based on the cavitation of mechanical activation of chemical processes. The technology differs from similar technologies the ability to use any types of raw peat botanical composition, including the types of sphagnum peat with low degree of decomposition for the production of solutions of humic substances intended for use as a liquid humic fertilizer. The developed technology is characterized by high economic performance, due to the higher degree of conversion of raw materials and lower energy costs by reducing the duration of the process. The ability to reuse the resulting production of organic wastes increases the environmental effectiveness of technological solutions due to a significant increase in practical yield and reducing waste. Presents the technological scheme allows to flexibly change the volume of production without substantial costs for the reorganization proceedings. Lower values of temperature and pressure of the technological process make the production process more secure.
FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS FROM PAPER WASTES. I. FROM WASTE NEWSPRINT PAPER AND CARDBOARD TO HIGH-GRADE CELLULOSE FIBERS
Authors: Михаилиди (Mikhailidi) Александра (Aleksandra) Михайловна (Mikhailovna) , Маркин (Markin) Вадим (Vadim) Иванович (Ivanovich) , Котельникова (Kotel'nikova) Нина (Nina) Ефимовна (Efimovna) , Saurov Shahriar Karim
Published: May 2018

Utilization of paper wastes as renewable resource of lignocellulosic constituents has the opportunity to promote a cleaner environment and to prepare valuable materials. This paper describes our study on an isolation of low-fiber powder cellulose from two grades of wastes as feedstocks: waste newsprint paper and cardboard wrapper through recycling including a thermal defibration, an alkali treatment with a solution of NaOH with a concentration from 0.03 to 1.00 М, a bleaching with a solution of Н2О2 with a concentration from 0.8 to 2.6 М followed with an acid hydrolysis of the pretreated species with a solution of HNO3 of 1.5 and 3.0 M. An impact of the pretreatment on sizes of fibers was evaluated with a stereoscopic microscopy. The powder celluloses obtained as a result of the acid hydrolysis exhibited the structure of cellulose I revealed with a WAXS method and were of a high-grade purity, according to EDXA. Sorption capacities of the powder celluloses from the waste cardboard and newsprint towards a dye methylene blue were 6.67 mg∙g-1 and 8.75 mg∙g-1 correspondingly.
IN MEMORY OF PENTEGOVA VALENTINA ALEKSEEVNA
Authors: Кукина (Kukina) Татьяна (Tat'iana) Петровна (Petrovna)
Published: May 2018

Memorable information on the 100th anniversary of  V.A. Pentegova, a renowned expert in the study of plant raw materials.
Sistema para aproveitamento de água de chuva para fins não potáveis e sua viabilidade econômica em escola municipal no município de Lagarto/SE
Authors: Trindade Kayc Araujo , Alvarado Carlos Alfonso Alva , Santana Neuma Rubia Figueiredo
Published: May 2018

O aproveitamento de água da chuva é uma fonte alternativa de abastecimento que vem sendo utilizado para combater os períodos de estiagem e as altas tarifas atribuídas ao consumo de água. A disponibilidade hídrica da região nordeste é baixa, além disso, a região sofre com a seca devido ao seu clima semiárido e a contaminação dos principais mananciais, sendo cada vez mais necessário armazenar água para tais períodos. Essa pesquisa visou realizar um estudo para aproveitar água da chuva na Unidade Municipal de Ensino Infantil (U.M.E.I.) Raimundo José de Carvalho, captando as águas que caem sobre a cobertura e armazenando em um reservatório para abastecer as bacias sanitárias, máquina de lavar roupas e torneira de jardim. Junto com o consumo de água, as altas tarifas são fatores determinantes para a redução do consumo da creche que hoje tem custos de aproximadamente R$2000,00 de consumo de água. Analisou-se as instalações presentes, sistema de micro drenagem, local para instalação de reservatórios e dimensionou-os pelo método de Rippl, método da simulação e método de Azevedo Neto. Os resultados obtidos, determinou-se que o reservatório terá capacidade de 40 mil litros divididos em dois de 20 mil litros e que haverá um conjunto moto bomba para conduzir a água para os reservatórios superiores. A implantação desse sistema pode contribuir com uma economia financeira na faixa de R$ 900,00 mensais e um tempo de retorno de aproximadamente três anos e meio, evidenciando excelente relação custo x benefício.
GeoTAB: Clima, recursos hídricos e bacias hidrográficas na região de atuação da Embrapa Tabuleiros Costeiros
Authors: Cruz Marcus Aurélio Soares , Rocha Rafael Oliveira Franca , Silva Ana Alexandrina Gama da , Amorim Julio Roberto Araujo de , Aragão Ricardo de
Published: May 2018

O Portal GeoTAB da Embrapa Tabuleiros Costeiros, por meio de suas bases ClimaTAB e HidroTAB, visa disponibilizar via web dados geoespaciais relacionados a clima, recursos hídricos e bacias hidrográficas em sua área de atuação, que é composta pelos Tabuleiros Costeiros e áreas adjacentes (TCNEB), fornecendo informações que podem ser de grande valia ao processo de gestão dos recursos hídricos. Neste estudo são apresentados alguns produtos resultantes de análises realizadas com dados dessas bases relacionados à variabilidade das precipitações médias anuais e mensais, características de relevo e bacias hidrográficas. As precipitações médias apresentam volumes com maior concentração entre março e julho e sobre a faixa litorânea leste dos TCNEB, variando de 1600 a 2100 mm por ano. Mais de 88% da área de estudo localiza-se em altimetria inferior a 100 m. Relevo Plano a Suavemente ondulado predomina em 54% da região.  As bacias hidrográficas presentes na região apresentam média propensão a inundações, com coeficiente de forma médio da ordem de 1,77 e baixo coeficiente de variação.