bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Measuring the Economic Impact of Rural Tourism Membership on Local Economy: A Korean Case Study
Authors: Shin Hio-Jung , Kim Hyun , Son Jae-Young
Published: April 2017

The implementation of rural tourism membership can aid in boosting economic growth in rural areas. This study examines households’ preferences for rural tourism experience in association with sales of local agricultural products. Using a choice experiment method developed by experimental designs, this paper examines households’ preferences to trade off purchasing costs of local agricultural products against various benefits provided by the rural tourism membership. The methods utilized in this paper represent an effective approach to evaluate the value of local tourism resources and the influence of these resources on the local economy. In empirical estimation we applied econometric approaches that allow for different preferences by incorporating income and residence effects into the models. Findings reveal that respondents place a premium on tourism attributes such as invitation seats and outdoor adventure tickets when choosing a tourism membership. We also find that the economic impacts associated with inducing higher-level tourism membership are substantial. This paper illustrates the potential for the development of a strategy associated with rural tourism management to enhance the local economy.
Comment on Indoxyl Sulfate—Review of Toxicity and Therapeutic Strategies. Toxins 2016, 8, 358
Authors: Barreto Fellype , Barreto Daniela , Stinghen Andrea , Massy Ziad
Published: April 2017

Recently, the clinical and experimental evidences that support the toxic effects of indoxyl sulfate, a protein-bound uremic toxin in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients, has been discussed. In this panorama, the authors described several in vitro and in vivo studies, suggesting that indoxyl sulfate may play a part in the pathogenesis of low turnover bone disease. However, the discussion claims the need for relevant clinical studies in CKD patients whose bone turnover biomarkers and bone histomorphometry were assessed in order to demonstrate the association between serum levels of indoxyl sulfate and bone turnover. We would like to underline the availability of this clinical data to support the concept that indoxyl sulfate may play a part in the pathogenesis of low turnover bone disease in CKD patients.
Mechanisms of LTR‐Retroelement Transposition: Lessons from Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Nefedova Lidia , Kim Alexander
Published: April 2017

Long terminal repeat (LTR) retrotransposons occupy a special place among all mobile genetic element families. The structure of LTR retrotransposons that have three open reading frames is identical to DNA forms of retroviruses that are integrated into the host genome. Several lines of evidence suggest that LTR retrotransposons share a common ancestry with retroviruses and thus are highly relevant to understanding mechanisms of transposition. Drosophila melanogaster is an exceptionally convenient model for studying the mechanisms of retrotransposon movement because many such elements in its genome are transpositionally active. Moreover, two LTRretrotransposons of D. melanogaster, gypsy and ZAM, have been found to have infectious properties and have been classified as errantiviruses. Despite numerous studies focusing on retroviral integration process, there is still no clear understanding of integration specificity in a target site. Most LTR retrotransposons non‐specifically integrate into a target site. Site‐specificity of integration at vertebrate retroviruses is rather relative. At the same time, sequence‐specific integration is the exclusive property of errantiviruses and their derivatives with two open reading frames. The possible basis for the errantivirus integration specificity is discussed in the present review.
Development of an Integrated Water Quality and Macroalgae Simulation Model for Tidal Marsh Eutrophication Control Decision Support
Authors: Chen Yan , Zou Rui , Han Su , Bai Sen , Faizullabhoy Mustafa , Wu Yueying , Guo Huaicheng
Published: April 2017

Numerical modeling is an efficient and useful method for understanding the hydrodynamics and water quality responses to nutrient loading changes and other management in estuarine and coastal systems. In this study, the Environmental Fluid Dynamic Code (EFDC) was applied in the Famosa Slough, a small tidal marsh system in urban San Diego County, California, to analyze multiple management scenarios focusing on different aspects of controlling processes: watershed load reduction, macroalgae harvesting, dredging, and the combination of different options. In order to evaluate these management scenarios, a previous EFDC model was enhanced through modifying the model code to allow simulations of both benthic and floating macroalgae as separate state variables, and configuring a sediment diagenesis model to predictively represent the dynamic interactions between the watershed load and benthic nutrient flux. The model was calibrated and verified by comparing model predictions with the observed data of hydrodynamic and water quality parameters throughout 2008. The calibrated model was then applied to simulate the water quality response to various management scenarios. The simulated results showed that combining watershed nutrient load reductions and harvesting floating macroalgae can produce significant water quality benefits. The results provide useful information for hydrological ecosystem protection and can be used for determining cost-effective implementation actions in the future.
Optimal Operation Research of Flood Retarding in Plain River Network Region
Authors: Zhu Zhenye , Dong Zengchuan , Yang Wanhong , Zhou Jie , Li Dayong , Fu Xiaohua , Xu Wei
Published: April 2017

The operation of flood retarding areas does not attract much attention, although they are important components of flood control systems. Poor operation of such areas restricts not only the socio-economic development of the flood retarding area, but also limits scientific flood control options. As the second-largest flood retarding area in China, with more than 2000 km2 and 300 polders, the Hongze Lake vicinity was taken as a case study of graded flood retarding. A one and two-dimensional coupled hydrodynamic model was established to simulate flood routing in the Hongze Lake area. Fifteen different schemes involving different flood magnitudes and flood retarding operations were simulated. The results show that (1) having a flood retarding area is essential; and (2) the “graded flood retarding” scheme is superior to “no grading flood retarding” scheme; and (3) a “two-grade flood retarding” scheme is recommended.
Synthesis of coaxial nanotubes of polyaniline and poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate) by oxidative/initiated chemical vapor deposition
Authors: Balkan Alper , Armagan Efe , Ozaydin Ince Gozde
Published: April 2017

Vapor-phase synthesis techniques of polymeric nanostructures offer unique advantages over conventional, solution-based techniques because of their solventless nature. In this work, we report the fabrication of coaxial polymer nanotubes using two different chemical vapor deposition methods. The fabrication process involves the deposition of an outer layer of the conductive polyaniline (PANI) by oxidative chemical vapor deposition, followed by the deposition of the inner layer of poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (pHEMA) hydrogel by initiated chemical vapor deposition. The vapor-phase techniques allowed for fine-tuning of the thickness of the individual layers, keeping the functionalities of the polymers intact. The response of the single components and the coaxial nanotubes to changes in humidity was investigated for potential humidity sensor applications. For single-component conductive PANI nanotubes, the resistance changed parabolically with relative humidity because of competing effects of doping and swelling of the PANI polymer under humid conditions. Introducing a hydrogel inner layer increased the overall resistance, and enhanced swelling, which caused the resistance to continuously increase with relative humidity.
KELT-11b: A Highly Inflated Sub-Saturn Exoplanet Transiting the V = 8 Subgiant HD 93396
Authors: Pepper Joshua , Rodriguez Joseph E. , Collins Karen A. , Johnson John Asher , Fulton Benjamin J. , Howard Andrew W. , Beatty Thomas G. , Stassun Keivan G. , Isaacson Howard , Colón Knicole D. , Lund Michael B. , Kuhn Rudolf B. , Siverd Robert J. , Gaudi B. Scott , Tan T. G. , Curtis Ivan , Stockdale Christopher , Mawet Dimitri , Bottom Michael , James David , Zhou George , Bayliss Daniel , Cargile Phillip , Bieryla Allyson , Penev Kaloyan , Latham David W. , Labadie-Bartz Jonathan , Kielkopf John , Eastman Jason D. , Oberst Thomas E. , Jensen Eric L. N. , Nelson Peter , Sliski David H. , Wittenmyer Robert A. , McCrady Nate , Wright Jason T. , Relles Howard M. , Stevens Daniel J. , Joner Michael D. , Hintz Eric
Published: April 2017

We report the discovery of a transiting exoplanet, KELT-11b, orbiting the bright (V = 8.0) subgiant HD 93396. A global analysis of the system shows that the host star is an evolved subgiant star with

K,

,

,

, and

. The planet is a low-mass gas giant in a P = 4.736529 ± 0.00006 day orbit, with M

P
 = 0.195 ± 0.018

,

,

g cm−3, surface gravity

, and equilibrium temperature

K. KELT-11 is the brightest known transiting exoplanet host in the southern hemisphere by more than a magnitude and is the sixth brightest transit host to date. The planet is one of the most inflated planets known, with an exceptionally large atmospheric scale height (2763 km), and an associated size of the expected atmospheric transmission signal of 5.6%. These attributes make the KELT-11 system a valuable target for follow-up and atmospheric characterization, and it promises to become one of the benchmark systems for the study of inflated exoplanets.
Effects of Previous Osteotomy on Outcome of Hip Resurfacing Arthroplasty
Authors: Amstutz Harlan Cabot , Le Duff Michel Jean
Published: April 2017

The effect of previous conservative surgeries on the outcome of metal-on-metal hip resurfacing arthroplasty (HRA) has not been studied. This study compared postoperative clinical scores and survivorship results of hips with and without previous osteotomies in a population of patients who underwent HRA. A total of 1101 patients (1375 hips) with a mean age of 51.3 years at the time of surgery underwent HRA at a single center. Sixty-nine patients had undergone prior surgery on the operated hip including 14 osteotomies (1 pelvic, 6 femoral, and 7 combined pelvic and femoral osteotomies). Mean follow-up was comparable for patients with prior osteotomy and patients in the control group (101 months vs 96 months,
P
=.6916); however, patients with prior osteotomies were much younger at the time of surgery (34 years vs 51 years,
P
=.0001). Kaplan–Meier survival estimates were calculated, and the Cox proportional hazard ratio was used to adjust for the covariates that differed between the 2 groups and affected the survivorship of hip resurfacing. Patients who underwent prior osteotomy showed lower pain and activity scores. In addition, patients who underwent prior osteotomy had a greater chance of revision than the rest of the cohort (hazard ratio, 3.87; 95% confidence interval, 1.54–9.68;
P
=.004). For patients in whom the natural anatomy or the bone quality of the hip has been severely altered by a prior osteotomy, HRA may be contraindicated if good component fixation cannot be achieved and hip biomechanics restored. [
Orthopedics.
2017; 40(4):e609–e616.]
Trends in Surgical Management and Costs for Operative Treatment of Proximal Humerus Fractures in the Elderly
Authors: Hasty Eddie K. , Jernigan Edward W. , Soo Adrianne , Varkey Dax T. , Kamath Ganesh V.
Published: April 2017

Proximal humerus fractures in the elderly are increasing in frequency as the population ages. The purpose of this study was to investigate surgical and cost trends in the Medicare population. The PearlDiver database was queried using diagnosis codes to identify Medicare recipients with proximal humerus fractures from 2005 to 2012. Surgical trends, demographics, and charge/reimbursement data were analyzed. There were 750,426 proximal humerus fractures in Medicare recipients during the 8-year period. Eighty-five percent of the fractures were treated nonoperatively; however, the percentage of operative vs nonoperative management increased significantly over time for all fractures, isolated fractures, and fracture dislocations. Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) was the most common surgical treatment and remained constant. Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA) increased by 406% and hemiarthroplasty (HEMI) decreased by 47%. Compared with younger patients, older patients were more likely to undergo HEMI or RTSA than to undergo ORIF for isolated fractures and fracture dislocations. Charges and reimbursements from Medicare increased over time. The charge to reimbursement gap increased from 87% in 2005 to 104% in 2012. Charges were higher for RTSA than for ORIF or HEMI. Nonoperative management was the treatment of choice for 85% of proximal humerus fractures in the elderly; however, there was a trend toward higher rates of surgery. The RTSA rate increased and the HEMI rate decreased, while ORIF remained constant. There was an increasing charge to reimbursement ratio for all procedure types. [
Orthopedics.
2017; 40(4):e641–e647.]
The “Safe Zone” Technique Improves Suture Placement and Accuracy During Arthroscopic Remplissage
Authors: Garcia Grant H. , Degen Ryan M. , Liu Joseph N. , Kahlenberg Cynthia A. , Hurwit Daniel J. , Dines Joshua S.
Published: April 2017

In response to recent concerns about the accuracy of suture passage during arthroscopic remplissage, this study was conducted to determine whether a previously described “safe zone” technique can improve the accuracy of suture passage. A recommended safe zone technique was used for arthroscopic remplissage on 6 cadaveric specimens. The safe zone was described as a region at least 1 cm lateral and no greater than 3 cm distal to the posterolateral acromion. Results were compared with a control group of 6 specimens for which the safe zone technique was not used. For each group, 24 suture passes were performed. In the safe zone group, 83.3% (20 of 24) of sutures passed through the infraspinatus tendon. This was a significant improvement compared with the control group, in which only 25% (6 of 24) of sutures pierced the infraspinatus tendon (
P
<.01). In the safe zone group, 4.2% (1 of 24) of attempted suture passes were placed through the muscle or musculotendinous junction compared with 75% (18 of 24) in the control group (
P
<.01). Prevention of overmedialization improved significantly with the safe zone technique. In the safe zone group, both anchors had significantly more lateral (6 to 10 mm) suture passage compared with the control group (
P
<.01). The safe zone technique also showed greater precision of suture passes, and overall precision (SD) improved in 75% of passes. The safe zone technique significantly improved the accuracy of suture penetration into the infraspinatus tendon during arthroscopic remplissage. This reproducible method may help to prevent the reported complications of remplissage. [
Orthopedics.
2017; 40(4):e598–e603.]
Choriocapillaris Changes Imaged by OCT Angiography After Half-Dose Photodynamic Therapy for Chronic Central Serous Chorioretinopathy
Authors: Fujita Kyoko , Kawamura Akiyuki , Yuzawa Mitsuko
Published: April 2017

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate the choriocapillaris using optical coherence tomographic angiography (OCTA) after half-dose verteporfin photodynamic therapy (hd-PDT) for chronic central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

We studied six eyes (six patients) with chronic CSC treated by hd-PDT. OCTA was performed before, 1 week after, and 1 month after hd-PDT. The area of flow abnormality at the choriocapillaris level within the PDT spot after hd-PDT was compared with that before hd-PDT.

RESULTS:

Serous retinal detachment was diminished in all eyes, with three achieving complete resolution at 1 month. On OCTA, all eyes showed irregular choriocapillaris flow before hd-PDT. The areas of abnormal flow shrank progressively at 1 month after hd-PDT.

CONCLUSION:

On OCTA, choriocapillaris flow tended to recover at 1 month after hd-PDT. OCTA may be clinically useful for evaluating choriocapillaris and the therapeutic effects of hd-PDT for chronic CSC.

[
Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina.
2017;48:302–310.]
A Nine-Year Follow-Up of Macular Complications in Retinitis Pigmentosa and Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Mucciolo Dario Pasquale , Sodi Andrea , Murro Vittoria , Virgili Gianni , Rizzo Stanislao
Published: April 2017

The authors report a 9-year follow-up of macular complications in a 66-year-old woman affected with retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Rarely, clinical signs of diabetic retinopathy are presented in a patient with retinal dystrophy. This patient developed a bilateral diabetic macular edema (DME), which made its management complex due to the multiple pathogenic processes involved. Despite the chronicity of the DME, visual acuity remained stable without therapy. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of DME in RP with such a long follow-up.

[
Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina
. 2017;48:340–344.]
El sistema educativo de los primeros jesuitas
Authors: Margenat Peralta Josep María
Published: April 2017

Entre los primeros documentos de las universidades jesuitas de mediados del siglo XVI (entre 1551 y 1586) -y la versión más consolidada y difundida de la Ratio de Acquaviva de 1599- se observan importantes diferencias, señaladas ya en su día por Gabriel Codina y por Miquel Batllori. Es así que este artículo, a partir del estado de la cuestión y de investigaciones anteriores del autor, pretende poner de relieve el núcleo original de la “invención” renacentista de los primeros colegios y universidades jesuitas. La metodología propuesta por Luce Giard que considera la complejidad reticular de un colegio y universidad jesuita como lugares de producción y de difusión el saber, y no solo ni principalmente como centros de transmisión (educativa), permite una aproximación ante los logros culturales de una modernidad iniciada en el siglo XVI, inspirada en un permanente diálogo entre los saberes y las creencias. El artículo tiende a presentar este modelo como uno de los logros destacables de la primera modernidad europea configurada por los centros educativos jesuitas.
El pensamiento de Ignacio Ellacuría acerca de la función social de la universidad
Authors: Sols Lucia José
Published: April 2017

En un contexto histórico sorprendente, el de El Salvador (Centroamérica) de los años setenta y ochenta, con revueltas populares contra el sistema socioeconómico poscolonial, con una guerra civil que duró diez años, con asesinatos masivos de población civil, Ignacio Ellacuría piensa de un modo nuevo la función social de la universidad, partiendo de su experiencia como Director del Departamento de Filosofía de la UCA (Universidad Centroamericana) de El Salvador, primero, y como Rector de esa misma universidad, después. Concibe la universidad, en particular la de inspiración cristiana, como es el caso de la UCA, como una institución toda ella dedicada al análisis exhaustivo de la realidad histórica ?tanto de la realidad de la naturaleza en la que habita el hombre, como de la realidad social, económica y política? y a la transformación de esa realidad para conducirla hacia una sociedad futura en la que todos los hombres sean respetados en su dignidad humana. Con ello, la universidad ?tanto en su docencia, como en su investigación, como en su proyección social? constituye el momento teórico de los movimientos históricos de liberación, pero para ello su aportación debe ser tan universitaria como realista, lejos de las universidades políticamente desubicadas y de las universidades reconvertidas en simple local de agitación subversiva.
Liderazgo ignaciano y gobernanza en las universidades de la Compañía de Jesús
Authors: Guibert José María
Published: April 2017

Las universidades se enfrentan a múltiples retos que tienen ver con la misión que llevan a cabo en la sociedad en que se encuentran. La Compañía de Jesús en las últimas décadas ha renovado y reformulado de manera actualizada su misión. Es titular de casi doscientas instituciones de educación superior. Ha renovado también el entronque de dichas instituciones en la misión de la misma Compañía. El concepto de liderazgo ignaciano surge estos años como eje de renovación de personas e instituciones. Puede ser también, para las universidades jesuitas, ocasión de profundización en su identidad y de mejora en su servicio apostólico.
Work Engagement in the Era of Industry 4.0
Authors: Cordeiro Cheryl Marie
Published: April 2017

Understanding the human factor becomes increasingly important in technological innovation processes. To that end, different types of knowledges are needed in order to build a more engaging work environment for future productivity. This chapter brings theoretical and empirical insight into the processes of developing software tools for computer-supported cooperative work (CSCW), enhanced for cross-departmental functionality in a European founded multinational enterprise (MNE). Working with the assumption that knowledges are obtained via different perspectives, the deictic function of Pronouns is applied in the Götheborg IV (G4) model. The model shows how relative perspectives can be defined and applied in a systematic manner towards an understanding of greater work engagement for future human capital productivity. Three departments with global operations in a European enterprise is studied in how they manage human capital productivity in relation to technological advancements.
From the Walls to the Web: Media Aesthetics, Technological Innovation, and Audience Attention to Artwork Representations
Authors: Dahmen Nicole Smith
Published: April 2017

Aesthetic theory considers the reciprocal relationship between the creator, the object, and the viewer of an artwork. When viewing artworks on a museum website, a new element is added to the aesthetic model: the mass-mediated representation of the art object. This research brings together art and media theory, as well as technological understanding, to study mass-mediated presentations of artworks and to gauge audiences' visual attention to artworks based on differences in media presentations. Study findings indicate that art museums are generally showing rigor for visual displays of their artworks on their websites, thereby providing a legitimate visiting experience for their virtual patrons. However, regarding technology, art museum websites are not fully embracing web capabilities. Eyetracking data provide empirical evidence of the effects of certain changed aesthetic variables in the viewing experience. From a theoretical perspective, the research showed how aesthetic theory can be placed within a media aesthetic theory model to study the mass mediated viewing experience.
Determining the Accessibility of e-Government Websites in Sub-Saharan Africa Against WCAG 2.0 Standard
Authors: Verkijika Silas Formunyuy , De Wet Lizette
Published: April 2017

The purpose of this study was to determine the conformance levels of government websites in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) to Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 and examine which macro factors influenced the accessibility these websites. The findings indicated that the majority of government websites in SSA still had a long way to go to become accessible based on the WCAG 2.0 standards. None of the 217 government websites examined adhered to all the WCAG 2.0 guidelines. Cross country analysis showed that there are three macro factors influencing e-government accessibility in SSA, namely Human Development Index (HDI), Corruption Perception Index (CPI), and percentage of the active population (15-64 years). Countries with high HDI levels and low CPI levels tend to have websites with fewer accessibility errors, while those for countries with high percentage of the active population have more accessibility errors.
The Past-Present-Future Conundrum
Authors: Intezari Ali , Pauleen David J.
Published: April 2017

This paper extends the Knowledge Management-discipline's understanding of knowledge. By including the concept of time, this extended conceptualization of knowledge could make knowledge management and decision making more responsive to the complexity found in organizational and social environments. The authors suggest that knowledge tends to be past-oriented in terms of its formative components, while emergent situations are future-oriented, which may or may not have roots in the past. In this article, the authors explore this past-present-future conundrum by explaining how reliance on the past may restrict an organization's ability to deal with emergent situations in the future. The role of wisdom will be introduced as a bridge connecting current past-oriented knowledge to unknown and unpredictable future-oriented events. The paper concludes that handling complex business decisions requires wisdom and that knowledge management and information systems must be designed and developed to support decisions by providing an integrative framework of analytics and insight.
Knowledge Sharing between Enterprises of the Same Group
Authors: Carvalho Nuno , Gomes Isabel
Published: April 2017

This exploratory study seeks to promote investigation about knowledge sharing between enterprises of the same enterprise group and is motivated by the growing importance of knowledge management (KM) to businesses. The data was collected from Community Innovation Survey (CIS) 2012 and three linear regressions were performed (one to all enterprises, one to SME and one to large enterprises). The results show that cooperation for product or process innovation and service innovation influence knowledge sharing between enterprises of the same enterprise group, contributing to learning organizations. The present paper clarifies the importance of innovation and cooperation for innovation in KM practices between enterprises of the same enterprise group. The results are only valid to SME, since large enterprises have different practices of KM.
Tourism and Its Impact on Quality of Life
Authors: Ray Nilanjan , Das Dillip Kumar
Published: April 2017

Tourism is one of the fastest growing industry in World in general and India in particular. This present study tried to focuses on how the quality of life of people will improve through tourism development in Kamarpukur, West Bengal. Tourism has always acts as a catalyst to develop local economy, improve socio-cultural changes and life style of the people residing in and around different tourist locations. This current study also focuses on how empowerment of women as well as quality of life can be changed through rural tourism development in Kamarpukur in particular and West Bengal in general. The main purpose of this study is to find out different purposes of visit to this destination and to explore the reasons for which tourism development in Kamarpukur has created tremendous impact on local economy, life style and socio-cultural changes among the rural people. This paper mainly emphasized on tourism and its impact on role of women in promoting rural economy in the state of West Bengal with special emphasis on Pallimangal of Kamarpukur. There is always a wide scope for the women empowerment through tourism development in West Bengal. However, the state government including private agencies, NGOs, Self-Help Groups, should come forward to encourage and facilitate women in tourism related activities who are considered to be the backbone for improving the West Bengal economy.
An Approach of Role Updating in Context-Aware Role Mining
Authors: Wang Jian , Zhu Zejin , Liu Junju , Wang Chong , Xu Youwei
Published: April 2017

With the rapid development of Internet of Things (IoT) and mobile technologies, the service offerings available in the IoT and mobile environments are increasing dramatically. How to provide intelligent and personalized services for users becomes a challenging issue. Several context aware service recommendation approaches have been reported to leverage roles to represent common knowledge within user communities, based on which services can be recommended for users. Prior studies on context aware role mining mainly focus on mining roles from a fixed data set of user behavior patterns, while most of them neglect the dynamic change of the input data. The frequent change of the user data will result in the change of extracted roles, and how to efficiently update extracted roles according to change of the input user data remains a challenging issue. In this paper, towards this issue, the authors introduce a novel role updating approach in context aware role mining. In the apporach, several algorithms are presented towards various scenarios such as new users and new contexts are removed from and added into the input data. Experiments show that compared with existing solutions, the proposed algorithms can guarantee the completeness of updating results while keeping good updating efficiency.
Phytase in diets with crude protein levels for commercial layers
Authors: Pereira Adriana Aparecida , Junqueira Otto Mack , Griep Junior Dirceu Neutzling , Lima Júnior Dorgival Morais de , Sgavioli Sarah , Morais Socorro
Published: April 2017

The aim of this study was to evaluate the action of the phytase enzyme in diets formulated with variations in the crude protein content on performance and egg quality of commercial layers. A total of 336 commercial layers were housed at eight birds per cage in a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement with seven replicates. Treatments consisted of four crude-protein levels (17, 15, and 13%) and two enzyme levels (0 and 500 FTU kg-1 diet), distributed in a completely randomized design. Feed intake, egg production, feed conversion per dozen eggs and per kilogram, egg weight and mass, specific gravity, eggshell thickness, and Haugh unit were measured over five 28-day periods. The performance of commercial layers fed the diet containing 13% crude protein worsened, irrespective of phytase addition. However, at 15% crude protein, phytase inclusion did not affect feed conversion or egg weight. Inclusion of phytase leads to equal egg-quality and performance results at the dietary crude protein levels of 17 and 15%. The crude protein content of 13%, with or without phytase, is not recommended for the diet of brown-egg layers.
Daidzein plus isolase associated with zinc improves clinical symptoms and quality of life in patients with LUTS due to benign prostatic hyperplasia: Results from a phase I-II study
Authors: Tiscione Daniele , Gallelli Luca , Tamanini Irene , Luciani Lorenzo Giuseppe , Verze Paolo , Palmieri Alessandro , Mirone Vincenzo , Bartoletti Riccardo , Malossini Gianni , Cai Tommaso
Published: April 2017

Objective: In the last years there is a growing interest in nutraceutical substances that seems able to improve clinical symptoms in patients with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) due to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). In this paper, we evaluated both efficacy and safety of a combination of daidzein with isolase and zinc in patients with LUTS due to BPH. Materials and methods: In a phase I-II study clinical trial we enrolled patients with clinical and instrumental diagnosis of LUTS associated to BPH that received a six-month treatment with a combination of daidzein with isolase and zinc (1 tablet/day). Clinical, laboratory and instrumental analyses were carried out at the time of admission (T0) and 6 months after the ending of the treatment (T1). The Italian version of International Prostatic Symptom Score (IPSS), International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) and Quality of Well-Being (QoL) questionnaires were used. The development of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) and drug interactions (DDIs) were recorded using the Naranjo scale and drug interaction probability scale. Student’s t test and Anova test were used for statistical analysis, and the threshold of statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. Results: We enrolled 71 patients, 62 (87.3%) completed the follow-up and we documented a significant differences between T0 and T1 in terms of IPSS [21.5 ± 1.2 vs 16.2 ± 1.5; (-4.8); p < 0.001], Cmax [9.7 ± 3.7 vs 15.3 ± 2.5; (+5.6); p < 0.001] and QoL [0.56 ± 0.15 vs 0.84 ± 0.19; (+0.28); p < 0.001]. In contrast, no significant difference were recorded in terms of IIEF-5 [p = 0.50] and PSA [p = 0.67]. Finally, we did not record any significant ADRs or DDIs during the study. Conclusions: In this study, we documented that a combination of daidzein with isolase and zinc, reduces the clinical symptoms of LUTS and improves the quality of life in patients with BPH, without the development of ADRs or DDIs.
PEDIATRIC TUBERCULOSIS IN THE NORTH SARDINIA
Authors: Clemente Maria Grazia , Dore Elena , Abis Lidia , Molicotti Paola , Zanetti Stefania , Olmeo Paolina , Antonucci Roberto
Published: April 2017

Background and Objectives. Migration flux is an increasing phenomenon in Italy and it raises several public health issues and concerns about pediatric infectious diseases. To investigate pediatric TB in the Northern Sardinia.Design. We performed a cross-sectional analysis of clinical records available for 6 years (2009-2014) at the only referral Center for both symptomatic TB-infected children and TB-exposed household contacts.Results. Two-hundred-forty-six children (mean age = 5.8 ± 3.9 years) were identified, among whom 222 (90.2%) were natives and 24 (9.8%) immigrants. The majority of children (n=205; 83%) were TB-exposed but not infected, because negatives to both TB skin test (TST) and thorax X-ray (TX). Among the TST positive group (n= 39; 16%), 19 (49%) had latent TB infection (TX negative), while 20 (51%) had active TB (TX positive). The percent of TST positive children was significantly higher in the immigrant than native group (42.5% versus 14%, p < 0.001). Clinical presentations were pulmonary involvement with hilar lymphadenopathy (72%), pleurisy (13,5%), latero-cervical lymphadenopathy (9%), pneumonia with calcifications (4.5%) and disseminated TB (4.5%). One child had multidrug-resistant tuberculosis.Conclusion. Pediatric TB represents a relevant and potentially worsening public health problem in Northern Sardinia. A strict surveillance system and appropriate treatment can prevent the most severe forms and reduce TB transmission.
FDG-PET SCAN: A NEW PARADIGM FOR FOLLICULAR LYMPHOMA MANAGEMENT.
Authors: Gallamini Andrea , Borra Anna
Published: April 2017

In the present review the reader will be led across the most relevant observations that prompted oncologists and haematologist to consider FDG-PET/CT as a new paradigm for FL management in clinical practice. The contribute of functional imaging for lymphoma staging, restaging, prognostication, and tumour burden definition before radio-chemo-immunotherapy will be reviewed in detail. Moreover, a special focus will be addressed to technical and practical aspects of PET scan reporting, which have been set during the last decade in order to ensure the reproducibility of the therapeutic results. Finally, the predictive role of PET/CT on long-term treatment outcome will be compared with other well-known prognosticator as minimal residual disease (MRD) detection by gene rearrangement assessment by molecular biology.
Respiratory function in pediatric African SCA patients underwent bone marrow transplantation
Authors: Isgrò Antonella , Gaziev Javid , Marziali Marco , Paciaroni Katia , De Angelis Gioia , Alfieri Cecilia , Ribersani Michela , Olowoselu Festus Olusola , Lucarelli Guido
Published: April 2017

Children with sickle cell anemia (SCA) are prone to invasive infections caused by S. pneumonia, H. influenzae, and Plasmodium falciparum. The presence of asthma increases the risk of mortality, and it has been shown an association between the presence of bronchial hyperactivity and the onset of acute chest syndrome. Like thalassemia, allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is curative in most individuals with SCA. We report pulmonary function analyzed by spirometry, before and after transplantation, in a group of Nigerian SCA children. Our results indicate that restrictive pulmonary pattern (RVP) is a common finding in these patients. Although we do not observe significant improvements in lung function after 3-6 months of transplantation, it is useful to perform a spirometric evaluation of these patients at the time of transplant.
The start-up of the first hematopoietic stem cell transplantation center in the Iraqi Kurdistan: a capacity-building cooperative project by the Hiwa Cancer Hospital, Sulaymaniyah, and the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation.
Authors: Majolino Ignazio
Published: April 2017

We describe the entire process leading to the start-up of an hematopoietic stem cell transplantation center at the Hiwa Cancer Hospital, in the city of Sulaymaniyah, Kurdistan Iraqi Region. This capacity building project was funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation, and implemented with the support of the volunteer work of Italian professionals, either physicians, nurses, biologists and technicians. The intervention started in April 2016, was based exclusively on training and coaching, and led to a first autologous transplantation in June 2016 and to an allogeneic transplantation in October. At the time of reporting, 9 months from the initiation of the project, 18 patients have been transplanted, 15with an autologous and 3 with an allogeneic graft. The center at the HCH represents the first transplantation center in Kurdistan and the second in wide Iraq. We conclude that international development cooperation may play an important role also in the field of high-technology medicine, and contribute to improved local centers capabilities through country to country scientific exchanges.
Eccentric Exercise, Kinesiology Tape, and Balance in Healthy Men
Authors: Hosp Simona , Folie Ramona , Csapo Robert , Hasler Michael , Nachbauer Werner
Published: April 2017

Context: 

Deficits in balance have been identified as a possible risk factor for knee injuries in athletes. Despite a lack of evidence for its effectiveness, kinesiology tape (KT) is widely used to prevent knee injuries.

Objective: 

To investigate the influence of KT at the knee joint on balance ability in healthy men after eccentric exercise.

Design: 

Crossover study.

Setting: 

University laboratory.

Patients or Other Participants: 

Twelve young men with no history of lower limb injury volunteered for the study (age = 23.3 ± 2.6 years). All participants were students enrolled in a sports science program.

Intervention(s): 

Participants performed the balance test with and without KT at the knee joint on 2 separate days.

Main Outcome Measure(s): 

The ability to maintain balance was assessed during a single-legged–stance test using a computerized balance-stability test system. The test was performed before and after 30 minutes of downhill walking on a treadmill.

Results: 

Eccentric exercise resulted in a deterioration of balance ability, which was attenuated by the use of KT. Further analyses revealed that the effectiveness of KT depended on the participant's balance status, with the preventive effect being greater in participants presenting with poorer baseline balance ability.

Conclusions: 

Applied to the knee joint, KT counteracted the exercise-related deterioration of balance ability observed when no tape was used. Participants presenting with below-average balance ability received more benefit from KT. By preventing exercise-related impairment of balance ability, KT might help to reduce the risk of sport-associated knee injuries.
Work space optimization of a r-r planar manipulator using particle swarm optimization technique
Authors: Chaitanya G , Muddu Krishna B
Published: April 2017

A two link revolute planar robotic manipulator is optimized for maximization of work space covered by its end effector. A mathematical model for optimization is built considering singularities which control the range of design variables. Condition number which is the measure of change in output value (End effector position) for a small change in input value (joint angles) is modeled as the constraint. The non linear optimization model is initially linearised using Sequential Linear Programming technique and is solved graphically for optimum value of objective function. Particle swarm optimization technique is implemented on the non-linear optimization model for optimum value of objective function. The maximum value of objective function obtained from Particle swarm technique is found to be significantly higher than the value obtained using graphical approach.Keywords: Singularities, Condition number, Work-space
Contributions of surface solar radiation and precipitation to the spatiotemporal patterns of surface and air warming in China from 1960 to 2003
Authors: Du Jizeng , Wang Kaicun , Wang Jiankai , Ma Qian
Published: April 2017

Abstract. Although global warming has been attributed to increases in atmospheric greenhouses gases, the mechanisms underlying spatiotemporal patterns of warming trends remain under debate. Herein, we analyzed surface and air warming observations recorded at 1977 stations in China from 1960 to 2003. Our results showed a significant spatial pattern for the warming of the daily maximum surface (Ts-max) and air (Ta-max) temperatures, and the pattern was stronger in northwest and northeast China and weaker or negative in South China and the North China Plain. These warming spatial patterns were attributed to surface shortwave solar radiation (Rs) and precipitation (P), which play a key role in the surface energy budget. During the study period, Rs decreased by −1.50 ± 0.42 W m−2 10 yr−1 in China, which reduced the trends of Ts-max and Ta-max by about 0.139 and 0.053 °C 10 yr−1, respectively. More importantly, the decreasing rates in South China and the North China Plain were stronger than those in other parts of China. The spatial contrasts in the trends of Ts-max and Ta-max in China were significantly reduced after adjusting for the effect of Rs and P. For example, after adjusting for the effect of Rs and P, the difference in the Ts-max and Ta-max values between the North China Plain and the Loess Plateau was reduced by 97.8 and 68.3 %, respectively; the seasonal contrast in Ts-max and Ta-max decreased by 45.0 and 17.2 %, respectively; and the daily contrast in the warming rates of the surface and air temperature decreased by 33.0 and 29.1 %, respectively. This study shows that the land energy budget plays an essential role in the identification of regional warming patterns.
Seasonal MLT-region nightglow intensities, temperatures, and emission heights at a Southern Hemisphere midlatitude site
Authors: Reid Iain M. , Spargo Andrew J. , Woithe Jonathan M. , Klekociuk Andrew R. , Younger Joel P. , Sivjee Gulamabas G.
Published: April 2017

Abstract. We consider 5 years of spectrometer measurements of OH(6–2) and O2(0–1) airglow emission intensities and temperatures made near Adelaide, Australia (35° S, 138° E), between September 2001 and August 2006 and compare them with measurements of the same parameters from at the same site using an airglow imager, with the intensities of the OH(8–3) and O(1S) emissions made with a filter photometer, and with 2 years of Aura MLS (Microwave Limb Sounder) v3.3 temperatures and 4.5 years of TIMED SABER (Thermosphere Ionosphere Mesosphere Energetics and Dynamics Sounding of the Atmosphere using Broadband Emission Radiometry) v2.0 temperatures for the same site. We also consider whether we can recover the actual emission heights from the intercomparison of the ground-based and satellite observations. We find a significant improvement in the correlation between the spectrometer OH and SABER temperatures by interpolating the latter to constant density surfaces determined using a meteor radar.
A framework for modelling the complexities of food and
water security under globalisation
Authors: Dermody Brian J. , Sivapalan Murugesu , Stehfest Elke , van Vuuren Detlef P. , Wassen Martin J. , Bierkens Marc F. P. , Dekker Stefan C.
Published: April 2017

Abstract. In our globalised world, food security and water security are inextricably intertwined. Food production accounts for approximately 70 % of global freshwater use, with variability in agricultural production impacting water resources and vice versa. Trade is central to determining water resource use, because when we trade food, we also trade the water embedded in the production of that food. As the world becomes more globalised and more urbanised, our dependence on trade for food and water security increases. Managing food and water security under globalisation is a complex challenge owing to the increased interdependency among regions and sectors. Given the unprecedented pressure on water resources in the 21st century, there is an urgent need for new models to assist in developing water management policies that capture these complexities. We present a new framework for modelling the complexities of food and water security under globalisation. The framework sets out a method to capture agency, cross-scale socioenvironmental feedbacks and interdependency brought about by globalisation and urbanisation. The approach unifies and extends the existing fields of hydrology, Integrated Assessment Modelling and agent-based modelling. The core of our framework is a multi-agent network of city nodes and infrastructural trade links. This network captures the important role of cities as centres of food and water demand. In addition, it captures the infrastructural networks that constrain our ability to extract water resources from the environment and redistribute them to meet demand. We believe that this framework can form the basis for a new wave of models that capture cross-scale socioenvironmental feedbacks within our globalised world.
Impact of Treatments on the Family of Breast, Prostate, Colon and Lung Cancer Patients
Authors: Groux Philippe , Anchisi Sandro , Szucs Thomas
Published: April 2017

Objective: Many patients describe travel to cancer treatment as inconvenient and a practical hardship and it may be perceived or experienced as a barrier to treatment. We investigated which impact cancer treatments has on the family of the patients, especially for the most frequent cancer type prostate, breast, colon and lung cancer.The aim was to identify groups of patients with an increased burden for the family.Method: All patients coming in February 2012 for chemotherapy to one of the four centres of the hospital or to the unique private practice were asked to answer a survey. The questionnaire covered items as gender, date of birth, living place, kind of cancer, kind of treatment and questions covering different aspects of the travel: how the patient travelled to the centre, how long the travel lasted, which kind of support was necessary to travel and who provided this support, whether the accompanying person had to absent herself from her workplace, whether the patient lives alone or not and how many journeys to health care providers the patients had in the last month were included in the analysisResults: 298 patients answered to all required questions (73%). 186 came accompanied, a vast majority by a member of the family and one out of four of the accompanying person had to leave the workplace. Help at home is almost exclusively provided by family members. Patients have several journeys to health care providers per month.Conclusions: The type of cancer has an impact on the support needed and must added to the previously published factors as age, gender and distance. The journey to the cancer treatment is not the unique journey to health care providers the patients have and increase the burden for the patient and the family.