bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
TUBERCULOSIS OF THE MENINGES IN THE VOLGOGRAD REGION
Authors: Yudin S. A.
Published: November 2018

The work deals with peculiarities of diagnostics, clinical course and outcomes of tuberculosis of the Central nervous system in modern conditions in the Volgograd region. In the morbidity structure of the predominant form is meningoencephalitis. In half of the cases tuberculosis of the meningitis developed on the background of HIV infection and chronic viral hepatitis C. The most severe form of meningoencephalitis caused by the presence of drug resistance of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which led to lethal outcome in every second patient.
THE OBSTETRICS, GYNECOLOGY AND PERINATOLOGY SIMULATION TRAINING CENTER OF VOLGOGRAD STATE MEDICAL UNIVERSITY: A CONTRIBUTION TO THE SOLUTION OF PROBLEMS OF REGIONAL HEALTHCARE
Authors: Delaryu N. V. , Mandrikov V. B. , Zayachnikova T. E.
Published: November 2018

This article contains the description of basic overall results of three year activity (2014-2017) of the Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology Simulation Training Center of Volgograd State Medical University and its contribution to the solution of problems of regional healthcare and the prospective ways of its effective using.
TACTICS OF CARE OF PATIENTS WITH SURROSOMETRA IN POSTMANOPAUSE
Authors: Selihova M. S. , Vdovin S. V. , Pankratov S. B. , Michaylovskya M. V.
Published: November 2018

Conducted a retrospective analysis of case histories of gynecological departments in Volgograd for 2013-2014. It was found that the appearance of the liquid in the uterus during ultrasound genitals - not an indication for surgical intervention mandatory - hysteroscopy. In this case, further examination, dynamic monitoring, and only after this decision on the need for hysteroscopy Serozometra in 82,4 % of cases is not accompanied by endometrial pathology and is an independent US-sign.
PREVENTION OF RECURRENCE OF ENDOMETRIAL HYPERPLASIA IN PERIMENOPAUSE
Authors: Tkachenko L. V. , Sviridova N. I. , Isaeva L. V.
Published: November 2018

The Volgograd State Medical University,
THE FEATURES OF PARAMETERS OF AMBULATORY CENTRAL AORTIC PRESSURE MONITORING IN HYPERTENSIVE PATIENTS WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS
Authors: Statsenko M. E. , Derevyanchenko M. V. , Titarenko M. N. , Turkina S. V.
Published: November 2018

Aim: to evaluate the features of the parameters of ambulatory central aortic pressure monitoring (CAP) in patients with arterial hypertension (AH) in combination with diabetes mellitus (DM) type 2. Materials and methods: 120 patients with stage II-III of AH aged from 40 to 65 years old were included into the research. The 1st (the main) group (n = 80) consisted of patients with AH and DM of type 2, the 2nd group (control) consisted of patients (n = 40) with «isolated» AH. The groups were comparable in terms of the main clinical and demographic characteristics. The parameters of CAP were determined using a multifunctional complex BPLab (Petr Telegin, Russia). Results: Pulse aortic pressure (PADao) was significantly higher in patients with AH and type 2 DM than in the group of patients with AH without type 2 DM (54,0 ± 10,1 vs 46,3 ± 6,7 mm Hg) mainly due to an increase in PADao during the day (52,2 ± 9,9 vs 48,1 ± 4,9 mm Hg, p < 0,05). The overall index of augmentation (IA) was statistically significantly higher in the main group of patients than in the control group (32,9 ± 7,3 vs 26,8 ± 13,7 mm Hg) due to an increase in IA overnight in patients with AH and type 2 DM in comparison with those with «isolated» AH (37,2 ± 9,8 vs 22,6 ± 10,7 mm Hg, p < 0,05). Conclusion: The more unfavorable parameters of the ambulatory profile of the CAD were noted in the group of patients with AH and type 2 DM, compared with the group of patients with «isolated» AH. It reflects the increase in rigidity of the main arteries. The obtained data testify the patients with AH and type 2 DM to a higher risk of cardiovascular complications than the patients with «isolated» AH. It is necessary to take into account the effect of drugs on the elasticity of the vascular wall when choosing antihypertensive therapy in persons with AH in combination with type 2 DM.
AWARENESS AND COMPLIANCE OF PREGNANT WOMEN IN THE FORMATION OF DENTAL HEALTH
Authors: Danilina T. F. , Mihal’chenko D. V. , Donika A. D. , Denisenko L. N , Danilina E. V. , Golubev A. N.
Published: November 2018

Given the urgency of demographic problems and the need to improve the quality of medical care in the national health system conducted a comprehensive study of the socio-psychological motivation of pregnant women to the formation of dental health. The empirical base consisted of the data of a sociological and clinical studies conducted on a model of a group of women in 1 trimester of pregnancy (N = 150, mean age = 24,2 ± 1,4 years), where women with a pathological course of pregnancy iron deficiency anemia (IDA), and women with physiological course of pregnancy, presented in equal ratio. The results of the exit poll show that educational work among various age and social groups of pregnant has a sufficient efficiency (68 %), the majority of respondents (73 %) have significant compliance, realize the importance and necessity of dental care and treatment during pregnancy giving preference to a competent, qualified professional (56-63 %), coformity degree of trust and willingness to cooperate. However, a significant part of the study group (36 %) do not evaluate enough and (or) to underestimate the importance of the role of a dentist in the formation of dental health of baby and pregnant women, which is especially important in complicated pregnancy on the background of somatic pathology.
ANALYSIS OF CLINICAL AND LABORATORY PARAMETERS IN CHILDREN PERINATAL HIV INFECTION RECEIVING ARVT
Authors: Loannidi E. A. , Osipov A. V. , Bondarenko A. I.
Published: November 2018

The article presents data about impact of antiretroviral therapy on immunological and virological parameters in children with perinatal HIV infection in the Volgograd region.
COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE CATALYTIC ACTIVITY OF HIGHLY PURIFIED HUMAN BUTYRYLCHOLINESTERASE IN NATIVE AND CONJUGATED GOLD NANOPARTICLES IN VIVO
Authors: Sokolov O. I. , Selivanov N. Y. , Selivanova O. G. , Velikorodnaya Yu. I. , Dykman L. A. , Bogatyrev V. A. , Pocheptsov A. Ya. , Filatov B. N.
Published: November 2018

The paper presents a comparative analysis of the effect of two forms of highly purified butyrylcholinesterase: native and conjugated with gold nanoparticles on the dynamics of cholinesterase activity in blood plasma and target organs. The results of the experiment showed that the peak of cholinesterase activity was observed 24 hours after administration of the native butyrylcholinesterase. The conjugated form of butyrylcholinesterase showed a small but stable increase in the cholinesterase level over a longer time (up to 3 days).
An ARDL Approach to Check the Linkage Between Economic Growth, Electricity Access, Energy Use and Population Growth in Pakistan: Long-run and Short-run Analysis
Authors: Rehman Abdul , Deyuan Zhang
Published: November 2018

The major aim of this study was to investigate and explores the linkage between economic growth, electricity access, energy use and population growth in Pakistan. To check the variables stationarity, Augmented Dickey-Fuller (ADF) and Phillips-Perron unit root test was applied and an Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) bounds testing approach to co-integration was applied to investigate the dynamic causality link among the study variables. These tests shed light on the long-run connection among the variables; further, the results revealed that electricity access to population, electricity access to urban population, energy usage, population growth, and urban population growth had a significant impact on economic growth, while the electricity access to rural population and rural population growth has a negative impact on the economic growth in Pakistan. According to these findings, study commends that government of Pakistan pay further attention to increase its electricity production from different sources including, hydroelectric, solar, oil and gas and nuclear in order to fulfill the country’s demands. By using ARDL bounds testing approach, this study filled the literature gap regarding economic growth, electricity access, energy use and population growth in Pakistan.
Termites (Isoptera Brullé 1832) of Abuko Nature Reserve, Nyambai Forest Park and Tanji Bird Reserve (The Gambia)
Authors: Ndiaye Abdoulaye Baila , Njie Ebrima , Correa Paul
Published: November 2018

From October 28 to November 05, 2013, we conducted a termite sampling in 3 protected sites in The Gambia (West Africa). Termites sampling is carried out in 100 m x 2 m transects repeated 3 times in each site. A total of 33 species of termites have been recorded. Of the 33 species, 22 are new to The Gambia. Additionnal measurements are given for several collected termite species. Euchilotermes arcuata Silvestri is elevated to the rank of species.
Up-Conversion Luminescence Properties of Lanthanide-Gold Hybrid Nanoparticles as Analyzed with Discrete Dipole Approximation
Authors: Lv Ruichan , Feng Miao , Parak Wolfgang J.
Published: November 2018

Up-conversion nanoparticles (UCNP) under near-infrared (NIR) light irradiation have been well investigated in the field of bio-imaging. However, the low up-conversion luminescence (UCL) intensity limits applications. Plasmatic modulation has been proposed as an effective tool to adjust the luminescence intensity and lifetime. In this study discrete dipole approximation (DDA) was explored concerning guiding the design of UCNP@mSiO2-Au structures with enhanced UCL intensity. The extinction effects of gold shells could be changed by adjusting the distance between the UCNPs and the Au NPs by synthesized tunable mesoporous silica (mSiO2) spacers. Enhanced UCL was obtained under 808 nm irradiation. Theoretical predictions could not be demonstrated to full extend by experimental data, indicating that better models for simulation need to better take into account inhomogeneities in particle morphologies.
Earth Observation Actionable Information Supporting Disaster Risk Reduction Efforts in a Sustainable Development Framework
Authors: Lorenzo-Alonso Alberto , Palacios Marino , Utanda Ángel
Published: November 2018

Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) is a high priority on the agenda of main stakeholders involved in sustainable development and Earth Observation (EO) can provide useful, timely and economical information in this context. This short communication outlines the European Space Agency’s (ESA) specific initiative to promote the use and uptake of satellite data in the global development community: ‘Earth Observation for Sustainable Development (EO4SD)’. One activity area under EO4SD is devoted to Disaster Risk Reduction: EO4SD DRR. Within this project, a team of European companies and institutions are tasked to develop EO services for supporting the implementation of DRR in International Financial Institutions’ (IFI) projects. Integration of satellite-borne data and ancillary data to generate insight and actionable information is thereby considered a key factor for improved decision making. To understand and fully account for the essential user requirements (IFI & Client States), engagement with technical leaders is crucial. Fit-for-purpose use of data and comprehensive capacity building eventually ensure scalability and long-term transferability. Future perspectives of EO4SD and DRR regarding mainstreaming are also highlighted.
Speech Recognition and a Cymatics Based Configurable Speech Perception
Authors: MIAN QAISAR Saeed
Published: November 2018

This paper propose an original approach of achieving a Cymatics based visual perception of isolated speech commands. The idea is to smartly combine the effective speech processing and analysis methods with the phenomena of Cymatics. In this context, an effective approach for automatic isolated speech based message recognition is proposed. The incoming speech segment is enhanced by applying the appropriate pre-emphasis filtering, noise thresholding and zero alignment operations. The Mel-Frequency Cepstral coefficients (MFCCs), Delta coefficients and Delta-Delta coefficients are extracted from the enhanced speech segment. Later on, the Dynamic Time Warping (DTW) technique is employed to compare these extracted features with the reference templates. The comparison outcomes are used to make the classification decision. The classification decision is transformed into a methodical excitation. Finally, this excitation is converted into the systematic visual perceptions via the phenomenon of Cymatics. The system functionality is tested with an experimental setup and results are presented. The approach is novel and can be employed in various applications like visual art, encryption, education, archeology, architecture, integration of impaired people, etc.
Hierarchical Clustering of DNA K-Mer Counts in RNAseq Fastq Files Identifies Sample Heterogeneities
Authors: Kaisers Wolfgang , Schwender Holger , Schaal Heiner
Published: November 2018

We apply hierarchical clustering (HC) of DNA k-mer counts on multiple Fastq files. The tree structures produced by HC may reflect experimental groups and thereby indicate experimental effects, but clustering of preparation groups indicates the presence of batch effects. Hence, HC of DNA k-mer counts may serve as an unspecific diagnostic device. In order to provide a simple applicable tool we implemented sequential analysis of Fastq reads with low memory usage in an R package (seqTools) available on Bioconductor. The approach is validated by analysis of Fastq file batches containing RNAseq data. Analysis of three Fastq batches downloaded from ArrayExpress indicated experimental effects. Analysis of RNAseq data from two cell types (dermal fibroblasts and Jurkat cells) sequenced in our facility indicate presence of batch effects. The observed batch effects were also present in reads mapped to the human genome and also in reads filtered for high quality (Phred > 30). We propose, that hierarchical clustering of DNA k-mer counts provides an unspecific diagnostic tool and a quality criterion and for RNAseq experiments.
Gluten Immunogenic Peptides as Standard for the Evaluation of Potential Harmful Prolamin Content in Food and Human Specimen
Authors: Cebolla Ángel , Moreno María de Lourdes , Coto Laura , Sousa Carolina
Published: November 2018

Gluten is a complex mixture of storage proteins in cereals like wheat, barley and rye. Prolamins are the main components of gluten. Their high content in proline and glutamine makes them water-insoluble and difficult to digest in the gastrointestinal tract. Partial digestion generates peptide sequences which trigger immune responses in celiac and gluten-sensitive patients. Gluten detection in food is challenging because of the diversity, in various food matrices, of protein proportions and their immunogenicity. Attempts to develop standard reference materials have been unsuccessful. We present here a summary of recent studies reporting the detection of dominant Gluten Immunogenic Peptides (GIP) sharing epitopes presented in the α-gliadin 33-mer, the most important celiac disease-immunogenic sequence within gluten. GIP were not only detectable and quantifiable in very different kind of difficult to analyze food, but also in stool and urine of celiac patients on a supposedly gluten-free diet (GFD), providing the first simple and objective means to assess adherence to the GFD. Methods to specifically and sensitively detect the most active GIP in food and biological fluids are rational candidates may use similar analytical standard references for determination of the immunopathological risk of gluten exposure in gluten-related diseases.
Condition Monitoring with Prediction Based on Oil Engines of Urban Buses – A Case Study
Authors: Raposo Hugo , Farinha José Torres , Fonseca Inácio , Ferreira Luis
Published: November 2018

The paper presents a case study and a model for condition monitoring of Diesel engines’ oil of urban buses, through the accompaniment of the evolution of its degradation, with the objective to implement a predictive maintenance policy. Along time, because the usage, there is some decay in the lubricant properties. However, in normal functioning conditions, the lubricants properties, at the time the manufacturers recommend its changing, regardless of they are within the safety limits. Then, based on the accompaniment of the lubricants’ oil condition, the intervals of oil replacement can be enlarged what implies the availability increasing and the corresponding production increasing of the equipment. The model presented in this paper shows its potential to be spread to other types of equipment and organisations that want can implement similar maintenance policies, to achieve the best availability based on the real equipment health conditioning conditions
Forest Edge Effects on Seedlings in Mixed Oriental Beech (Fagus orientalis Lipsky) - Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) Stands
Authors: Topaçoğlu Osman , Genç Emre
Published: November 2018

Forest edges created by silvicultural treatment influence micro-climatic conditions and available light in forest stands. Studies regarding the impacts of forest edges on regeneration is limited in mixed Oriental beech (Fagus orientalis Lipsky)-Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) stands. In this study, the influences of forest edges on height growth, root-collar diameter (RCD) growth and density of seedlings in an adjacent stand of Oriental beech-Scots pine were observed. In addition, the effects of stand basal area and height-to-crown base (HCB) on height growth, RCD growth and seedlings density were monitored. The study was conducted within Samatlar Forest Planning Directorate, in Kastamonu city, Turkey. In the selected Oriental beech-Scots pine stand, twenty-five transects were installed perpendicular to the forest edge, and all the measurements were taken within these transects. There were statistically significant relationships between the distance from the forest edge and the growth of Scots pine seedlings (p<0.05), while the stand edge did not have any effect on the growth of Oriental beech seedlings. Density of Scots pine seedlings decreased, while Oriental beech seedling density increased from the edge into the intact stand (p<0.05). Stand basal area and HCB did not significantly change from the edge into the intact stand (p>0.05). The differences in seedling growth and seedling density between the two species can be associated with their dissimilar tolerance to shade. The initial results obtained in this study point out the importance of forest edges on the regeneration of Oriental beech and Scots pine seedlings. Data suggest that regeneration of mixed Oriental beech-Scots pine should be successful using group methods rather than traditional shelterwood method within entire stand.
Numerical and Experimental Analyses of Three-Dimensional Unsteady Flow Around a Micro-Pillar Subjected to Rotational Vibration
Authors: Kaneko Kanji , Osawa Takayuki , Kametani Yukinori , Hayakawa Takeshi , Hasegawa Yosuke , Suzuki Hiroaki
Published: November 2018

The steady streaming (SS) phenomenon is gaining increased attention in the microfluidics community, because it can generate net mass flow from the zero-mean vibration. We developed numerical simulation and experimental measurement tools to analyze this vibration induced flow, which has been challenging due to its unsteady nature. Validity of these analysis methods is confirmed by comparing the three-dimensional (3D) flow field induced around a cylindrical micropillar under circular vibration. In the numerical modeling, we directly solved the flow in the Lagrangian frame so that the substrate with a micropillar becomes stationary, and the result was converted to the Eulerian frame to compare them with the experimental results. The present approach enables to avoid the introduction of moving boundary or small perturbation approximation. The flow field obtained by the micro particle image velocimetry (PIV) measurement supported the three-dimensionality observed in the numerical results, which could be important for controlling the mass transport and manipulating particulate objects in the microfluidic systems.
A Systematic Review of the Basis for WHO's New Recommendation for Limiting Aircraft Noise Annoyance
Authors: Gjestland Truls
Published: November 2018

The new WHO Environmental Noise Guidelines for the European Region have recommendations for limiting noise exposure associated with adverse health effects. The limits are said to be based on a systematic review of existing evidence. This paper gives a systematic assessment of the presented evidence with respect to aircraft noise annoyance and demonstrates that the new guidelines are based on an arbitrary selection of existing studies comprising an imperfect and faulty set of data not representative for the general airport population.
Effect of PWHT Temperature and Time on Hardness and Microstructure of 410NiMo Weld Metal
Authors: Özdemir Uğur , Keskinkılıç Selçuk , Acar Filiz K. , Kabakci Fikret , Acarer Mustafa
Published: November 2018

ASTM A743 CA6NM alloy is a martensitic stainless steel typically used in energy industry -runners and hydraulic turbine components- due to its superior toughness, yield and fatigue properties. In both the manufacturing, shielded metal arc welding is applied to join for this grade steels. However, weldability of the steels is limited due to formation of hard and brittle phases such as untempered martensite during welding and post weld heat treatment processes. The formation causes a reduction in toughness. In this study, influence of post-weld heat treatment procedure (single tempering and double tempering) and parameters on microstructure and hardness of AWS410NiMo all weld metal. Hardness tests were conducted from weld metal. Microstructures of the all weld metals subjected to different heat treatment process were characterized.
On-Board Correction of Systematic Odometry Errors in Differential Robots
Authors: Maldonado-Bascón Saturnino , López Sastre Roberto J. , Acevedo-Rodríguez Fco. Javier , Gil Jiménez Pedro
Published: November 2018

An easier method for the calibration of differential drive robots is presented. Most of the calibration is done on-board and it is not necessary to expend too much time taking note of the robot's position. The calibration method does not need a big free space to perform the tests. The bigger space is just in a straight line, which is easy to find. Results with the proposed method are compared with those from UMB as a reference, and they show very little deviation while the proposed calibration is much simpler.
A Combined Geochemical and Fluid Inclusion Study of the Hongyan Cu-Polymetallic Deposit in the Eastern Hegenshan-Heihe Suture Zone, NE China: Implications for Petrogenesis, Tectonic Setting and Mineralization
Authors: Mao Chen , Lü Xinbiao , Chao Chen
Published: November 2018

In order to study the petrogenesis and tectonic setting of Permian A-type granites and their relationships with hydrothermal mineralization along the Hegenshan-Heihe suture zone (HHSZ) in northeastern China, we select the newly discovered Hongyan Cu-polymetallic deposit in the northeastern part of the HHSZ that develops three stages of mineralization associated with the Shanshenfu alkali-feldspar granite (SAFG). The zircon U-Pb dating and whole rock geochemistry suggest that the SAFG is a typical A-type granite formed in the Early Permian. The zircon Hf isotopes and trace elements suggest that the SAFG has high Ti-in-zircon temperature (721–990℃), high magmatic oxygen fugacity and largely positive εHf(t) (+6.0 to +9.9). Therefore, we propose that the SAFG was derived from the crustal assimilation and fractional crystallization of the charnockitized juvenile crust. The high oxygen fugacity favors the chalcophile elements (e.g., Cu, Au, Ag) of the source region enriched in the fluid phases after magmatic fractional crystallization, consequently facilitating subsequent hydrothermal mineralization, which is also consistent with the characteristics of ore-forming fluids that changed from the initial high temperature, high salinity, high fO2 and CO2-rich magmatic-hydrothermal fluids of stage I to CO2-poor, dilute, and cooling meteoric fluids of stage III. Combined with regional geological background, the Permian A2-type granites along the HHSZ can be formed in post-collisional slab break-off process. In subsequent exploration for hydrothermal deposits along the HHSZ, the Permian A-type granites with arc-related juvenile crustal source and high fO2 have great potential and need more attention.
The Impact of Translation Equivalence on Tunisian EFL Learners’ Vocabulary Knowledge and Word-Learnability
Authors: Boustani Kamel
Published: November 2018

One of the most pivotal challenges that learners may face, during foreign language learning, is building a reliable lexicon. Insufficient vocabulary knowledge may put serious obstacles in the foreign language learning process. Thus, students need to equip themselves with different strategies to cope with these difficulties. Translation equivalence (TE) is one of these strategies. Since the success or failure of any vocabulary learning strategy depends on two main factors: developing the learners’ vocabulary knowledge and the extent of difficulty or ease with which the learner acquires new words, this research aims at investigating the impact of this strategy on EFL learners’ vocabulary knowledge and word learnability. 258 Tunisian 9th graders participated in this project. Two vocabulary recognition tests, one using translation equivalence and the other using only-English strategies, were used to test the hypotheses. Different statistical tests and techniques were employed to analyze data. Findings showed that TE has a positive impact on learners’ vocabulary knowledge and revealed that students, at this level of proficiency, learn vocabulary through translation better than any other strategy using only English.
Overlap Coefficients Based on Kullback-Leibler of Two Normal Densities: Equal Means Case
Authors: Dhaker Hamza , Ngom Papa , Ibrahimou Boubakari , Mbodji Malick
Published: November 2018

Overlap coefficient (OVL) represents the proportion of overlap between two probability distributions, as a measure of the similarity between them. In this paper, we define a new overlap coefficient Λ based on KullbackLeibler divergence and compare its performance to three known overlap coefficients, namely Matusia’s Measure ρ, Morisita’s Measure λ, Weitzman’s Measure δ. We study their properties, relations between them, and give approximate expressions for the biases and the variances.
An Efficient Method to Learn Overcomplete Multi-Scale Dictionaries of ECG Signals
Authors: Luengo David , Meltzer David , Trigano Tom
Published: November 2018

The electrocardiogram (ECG) was the first biomedical signal where digital signal processing techniques were extensively applied. By its own nature, the ECG is typically a sparse signal, composed of regular activations (the QRS complexes and other waveforms, like the P and T waves) and periods of inactivity (corresponding to isoelectric intervals, like the PQ or ST segments), plus noise and interferences. In this work, we describe an efficient method to construct an overcomplete and multi-scale dictionary for sparse ECG representation using waveforms recorded from real-world patients. Unlike most existing methods (which require multiple alternative iterations of the dictionary learning and sparse representation stages), the proposed approach learns the dictionary first, and then applies an efficient sparse inference algorithm to model the signal using the learnt dictionary. As a result, our method is much more efficient from a computational point of view than other existing methods, thus becoming amenable to deal with long recordings from multiple patients. Regarding the dictionary construction, we locate first all the QRS complexes in the training database, then we compute a single average waveform per patient, and finally we select the most representative waveforms (using a correlation-based approach) as the basic atoms that will be resampled to construct the multi-scale dictionary. Simulations on real-world records from Physionet's PTB database show the good performance of the proposed approach.
Integrating Simulation-Based Optimization for Lean Logistics: A Case Study
Authors: Gonzalez-Resendiz Jorge , Arredondo-Soto Karina Cecilia , Realyvásquez-Vargas Arturo , Hijar-Rivera Humberto , Carrillo-Gutiérrez Teresa
Published: November 2018

The present work aims at the comprehensive application of stochastic and optimization tools with the support of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) through a case study in a logistics process for electronic goods; simulation and Response Surface Methodology (RSM) are applied for this purpose. The problem to be evaluated is to define an optimal distribution cost for products shipped to wholesale customers located in different cities in Mexico from a manufacturing plant in Tijuana, Mexico. The factors under study are the product allocation for each distribution center, finished good inventory level and on time deliveries, which are supposed to be significant to get the objective. The methodology applied for this problem considers the design of a discrete event simulation model to represent virtually the real life of logistics process, which is considered a complex system due to different activities are interrelated to carry it out. This model is used to execute the different experiments proposed by the RSM. The results obtained from simulation model were analyzed with the RSM to define the mathematical model that allows identifying the parameters of the factors in order to optimize the process. The findings prove how the ICT facilitate the application of stochastic tools with the purpose of process optimization.
Flexibility of Boolean Network Reservoir Computers in Approximating Arbitrary Recursive and Non-recursive Binary Filters
Authors: Echlin Moriah , Aguilar Boris , Notarangelo Max , Gibbs David L , Shmulevich Ilya
Published: November 2018

Reservoir computers (RCs) are a biology inspired computational framework for signal processing typically implemented using recurrent neural networks. Recent work has shown that Boolean networks (BN) can also be used as reservoirs. We analyze the performance of BN RCs, measuring their flexibility and identifying factors that determine effective approximation of Boolean functions that are applied in a sliding-window fashion over a binary signal, either non-recursively or recursively. We train and test BN RCs of different sizes, signal connectivity, and in-degree to approximate 3-bit, 5-bit and 3-bit recursive binary functions. We analyze how BN RC parameters and function average sensitivity, a measure of function smoothness, affect approximation accuracy as well as the spread of accuracies for a single reservoir. We found that approximation accuracy and reservoir flexibility are highly dependent on RC parameters. Overall, our results indicate that not all reservoirs are equally flexible and RC instantiation and training can be more efficient if this is taken into account. The optimum range of RC parameters opens up an angle of exploration for understanding how biological systems might be tuned to balance system restraints with processing capacity.
Coarsened Exact Matching of Trabectome Surgery Combined with Baerveldt to Baerveldt: Same Session Trabectome Negates Tube Fenestration
Authors: Esfandiari Hamed , Hassanpour Kiana , Knowlton Peter , Shazly Tarek , Yaseri Mehdi , Loewen Nils A.
Published: November 2018

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy and survival rates of trabectome-mediated ab interno trabeculectomy combined with non-fenestrated Baerveldt glaucoma implants (BT) in comparison to Baerveldt glaucoma implant alone (B).Method: A total of 175 eyes undergoing primary glaucoma surgery (60 eyes BT and 115 B) were enrolled in this retrospective comparative case series. Participants were identified using the procedural terminology codes. Groups were then matched using Coarsened Exact Matching (51 eyes in each group). The primary outcome measure was surgical success, defined as 5 mmHg < IOP ≤ 21 mmHg, and IOP reduction ≥ 20% from baseline, and no reoperation for glaucoma. Secondary outcome measures were intraocular pressure, the number of glaucoma medications, and best corrected visual acuity (BCVA).Results: The cumulative probability of success at one year was 61% in BT, and 50% in B. IOP decreased significantly from 23.5±2.4 mmHg at baseline to 14.1±2.7 mmHg at the final follow up in BT (P= 0.001). The corresponding numbers for B were 23.2± 2.0 and 13.9± 1.6, respectively (P= 0.001). There was no significant difference in IOP at the final follow-up (P=0.56). The number of medications at baseline was 2.3±0.3 in both groups. However, BT needed significantly fewer drops at all postoperative time intervals and used 1.1±0.3 (BT) and 2.0±0.4 eye drops (B) at the final follow-up visit (P= 0.004). No dangerous hypotony or hypertension occurred in BT.Conclusion: Similar rates of success and IOP reduction were observed in BT and B. BT needed significantly fewer glaucoma medications. Tube fenestration was not necessary in BT resulting in less postoperative hypotony and hypertension.
Linking Endoplasmic Reticular Stress and Alternative Splicing
Authors: Carew Nolan T. , Nelson Ashley M. , Liang Zhitao , Smith Sage M. , Milcarek Christine
Published: November 2018

Endo-reticular stress induces the unfolded protein response including a highly conserved set of genes crucial for cell survival against a variety of onslaughts. Among the activated stress response genes is Ire1, which undergoes auto-phosphorylation and acquires a regulated Ire1-dependent mRNA decay activity. Ire1P non-canonically splices the mRNA for Xbp1 in the cytoplasm. This spliced Xbp1 serves as mRNA encoding a transcription factor for unfolded protein response genes. Meanwhile the mRNA decay function of Ire1P degrades other cellular mRNAs and can cause changes to the translation machinery by altering regulators in a cell specific manner. Naïve splenic B cells differentiate into Antibody Secreting Cells and activate Ire1 phosphorylation early on after LPS stimulation, within 18 hrs. When Ire1 is activated in B cells, in addition to Xbp1 splicing, there are large-scale changes in mRNA; inhibition of the mRNA degradation function of Ire1 both reduces the number and changes the type of genes involved in altered splicing patterns, including factors for snRNA transcription. Some of the splicing changes seen at 18 hrs after LPS persist into the late stages of antibody secretion, up to 72 hrs, while others are supplanted by new splicing changes introduced by the induction of ELL2, a transcription elongation factor. ELL2 changes mRNA processing patterns and is necessary for Immunoglobulin secretion. RNA splicing patterns in antibody secreting cells are thus shaped by endo-reticular stress, ELL2 induction, and are associated with changes in the levels of snRNAs.
Evaluation of the Bioavailability and Translocation of Selected Mobile Chemical Species by Brassica juncea and Spinacea oleracea L for a South African Power Utility Coal Fly Ash
Authors: Mashau Aluwani Shiridor , Gitari Mugera Wilson , Akinyemi Segun Ajayi
Published: November 2018

This study evaluated the physicochemical, mineralogical properties, mobile chemical species’ bioavailability and translocation in Brassica juncea and Spinacea oleracea L plants of a South African coal fired power utility. Coal fly ash (CFA) disposal is associated with various environmental and health risks including air, soil, surface and ground water pollution due to the leaching of toxic chemical species; these ends up in food webs affecting  human health, while repeated inhalation causes bronchitis, silicosis, hair loss and lung cancer. The morphology, chemical, and mineralogical composition of CFA were determined using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and X-ray Diffraction, respectively. In pot culture experiments, S. oleracea L and B. juncea plants were grown in three sets of pots containing CFA (set 1), soil (set 2) and a mixture of CFA plus soil at ratio 1:1 (50% CFA: 50% soil) (set 3), while no plants were grown in set 4 as a control for the leachate samples. SEM showed that surface morphology of CFA has a lower degree of sphericity with irregular agglomerations of many particles. The XRF results revealed that CFA contains 43.65%, 22.68% and 10.89% of SiO2, Al2O3 and Fe2O3 respectively which indicate that the CFA is an alumino-silicate material. While XRD showed that the coal CFA contains mullite as a major phase followed by quartz mineral phases. Chemical species such as Fe, Mn, B, Ba and Zn were accumulated highly in most parts of the plant species. However, B. juncea showed higher potential to accumulate chemical species as compared to S. oleracea L. The bioconcentration and translocation factors (BF and TF) showed that B. juncea was the most effective in terms of bioconcentration and translocation of most of the chemical species. This indicates that B. juncea has potential in application for phytoremediation of CFA dumps and could contribute to remediation of CFA dumps and reduction of potential health and environmental impacts associated with CFA.
A Critical Exploration of Child-Parent Attachment as a Contextual Construct
Authors: Lai Ya-Hsin , Carr Sam
Published: November 2018

Bowlby’s (1969/1982) attachment theory has been employed as a broad and integrative framework to explore human wellness across a range of disciplines. Attachment theory has even been labelled one of the last surviving “grand theories” not to have been completely dismissed, replaced, or extensively reworked (e.g., Carr, 2012; Mercer, 2011). However, despite the ubiquitous nature of some of the theory’s fundamental tenets, there are always possibilities for new conceptual development, extension, and revision. In this paper, we critically explore the idea of “context-specific” attachment within parent-child relationships. We briefly outline critical assumptions and key areas of attachment and articulate potential rationale, conceptualisation, and relevance of contextual attachment.
Analysis of the Causes of Accident in Construction Project
Authors: Ahmed Shakil
Published: November 2018

Bangladeshi construction industry suffers a lot of safety and accidental issues than other developing countries in the world. Among many of these, accident of construction project goes far beyond and shape a horrific figure of death for every year. The aims of this study is that analysis and discussion of causes of accident at construction project in Bangladesh. A widespread statistical data collection and data analysis take place to identify the causes and design the questionnaire. The questionnaire-based survey was used to elicit the attitude of four stakeholders as workers, owners, consultants, and contractors towards passive causes of fatal accident at construction site. These study also identify 77 passive causes under 14 major groups and ranked them based on Relative Importance Index (RII). The top 5 major group of causes are (1) Management related, (2) Consultant related, (3) Technology related, (4) Labour related and (5) Contractor related. The top 5 passive causes are: (1) Unaware of safety-related issue, (2) Lack of personal protective equipment, (3) Lack of safety eliminating/ avoiding design, (4) Unfit equipment, (5) Lack of knowledge and training on equipment.
Poly(imide-co-siloxane) as a Thermo-Stable Binder for Thin Layer Cathode of Thermal Batteries
Authors: Oh Ilwhan , Cho Jaeyoung , Kim Kwansu , Ko Jaehwan , Cheong Haewon , Yoon Young Soo , Jung Hyun Min
Published: November 2018

The polymer binder, poly(imide-co-siloxane) (PIS), was synthesized and applied to form a thin cathode layer composites for a thermal battery that has an unusually high operating temperature of 450 °C. The PIS was prepared through cross-linking of the polyimide with polysiloxane. The morphology of FeS2/PIS composites showed that FeS2 particles was coated with the PIS cross-linked gel. The FeS2/PIS composites enabled to fabricate mechanically stable thin cathode layer that was 20–10% of the thickness of a conventional pellet-type cathode. The FeS2/PIS composites were stable up to 400 °C and maintained their morphology at this temperature.  PIS coating layers decomposed at 450 °C and a new residue was generated, which was observed by transmission electron microscopy and the compositional change was analyzed. The FeS2/PIS composites showed enhanced thermal stability over that of FeS2 in thermogravimetric analysis. The thermal battery with the PIS polymer binder showed a 20% discharge capacity increase when compared to a conventional pellet-type cathode.
Phenotypic transformation as a cause of secondary drug resistance to osimetinib clinical observation
Authors: Nelyubina L. A. , Reutova E. V. , Laktionov K. K. , Yudin D. I. , Marinov D. T. , Kozak E. N. , Mochalnikova V. V.
Published: November 2018

Targeted therapy is the optimal treatment of patients with advanced EGFR-positive NSCLC. The first- and second-generation EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors provide a durable antitumor response in most patients during the year. Due to appearance of T790M secondary mutation of resistance at progression of the disease, the administration of osimertinib leads to full control of the tumour for another 10 months. However, this is not the only mechanism of acquired drug resistance. A repeated biopsy of the tumour followed by histological and molecular genetic research makes it possible to clarify the cause of resistance and personalize the further disease management.
Second-line targeted therapy for metastatic colorectal cancer. Possibilities for choices
Authors: Bolotina L. V. , Kaprin A. D.
Published: November 2018

The most effective first-and subsequent line drug regimens for metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) suggest the inclusion of targeted drugs (TD). The choice of TD for the second-line therapy takes into account not only the biological features of the tumor and the general condition of the patient, but also the option of the previous line therapy, its effectiveness and toxicity. Treatment with anti-EGFR antibodies (AT) did not significant improve overall survival (OS) in comparison with chemotherapy in the secondline regimens, in contrast to antiangiogenic drugs. Among this group of MAT, aflibercept provides the best results in a selected group of patients (the highly effective group) and a controlled toxicity profile.
Ribociclib in the first-line therapy for metastatic hormone-dependent HER2-negative breast cancer in patients with intact ovarian function
Authors: Menshikova S. F. , Frolova M. A. , Glazkova E. V. , Stenina M. B.
Published: November 2018

Treatment of choice of metastatic hormone-dependent breast cancer regardless of age is hormone therapy (HT) even with visceral metastases. Now we have a new class of drugs called inhibitors of cyclin-dependent kinases 4/6, which significantly increase effectiveness of HT and prevent development of resistance to HT. In MONALEESA-7 inhibitor of cyclin-dependent kinases 4/6 ribociclib was studied in combination with ovarian suppression and hormone therapy in young patients with preserved ovarian function, and found no differences in the efficacy and safety of these drugs compared with menopausal patients. Our clinical experience strongly demonstrates the safety and efficacy of ribociclib in combination with HT and ovarian suppression in premenopausal patient with visceral metastases.
Cetuximab in treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer: background and clinical observation
Authors: Darenskaya A. D. , Dobrova N. V. , Medvedeva B. M.
Published: November 2018

Today, the researchers continue the search for the most optimal regimens of drug therapy for metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) which are supposed to increase progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS), improve patient quality of life. Due to significant progress in chemotherapy (CT) and surgical treatment of mCRC, and the multidisciplinary approach, the treatment algorithms have changed. The increase in life expectancy of patients is observed when all three of the most active chemotherapy drugs in this disease: oxaliplatin (Oxa), irinotecan (Iri), fluoropyrimidines are administered. The inclusion of the targeted drug cetuximab in modern mCRC treatment regimens led to a statistically significant increase in the objective response rate (ORR), median PFS and OS. The article presents the results of the most significant clinical studies of the eficacy of the antiEGFR drug cetuximab in combination with standard CT regimens for the first- and second-line treatment of mCRC, and describes a clinical case of the successful use of cetuximab in mCRC therapy.
Pharmacoeconomic evaluation of the use of targeted therapy and chemotherapy in the first- and second-line therapies for metastatic colorectal cancer
Authors: Tryakin A. A. , Balunov P. A.
Published: November 2018

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a genetically heterogeneous disease, which prognosis and efficacy of treatment are determined by the localization of the primary tumour (left- and right-sided tumours). CRC ranks high in prevalence in the Russian Federation, a quarter of cases are diagnosed at stage IV. The choice of the most optimal therapy regimen is a topical issue for a modern oncologist, who has time-proven combinations of chemotherapy and modern targeted drugs in the arsenal. The aim of this article is to provide a pharmacoeconomic review, taking into account both clinical and economic parameters of one or another CRC pharmacotherapy regimen. As a result, it was found that the use of chemotherapeutic regimens in the first- and second-line therapies of patients with CRC is the most pharmacoeconomically justified as compared with the use of targeted therapy at the initial stage.
Adjuvant therapy in premenopausal women with hormone-dependent breast cancer
Authors: Semiglazov V. F. , Lifanova V. Yu. , Appolonova V. S.
Published: November 2018

In recent years, several studies have indicated that aromatase inhibitors (AIS) combined with a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRH agonist) are safe and effective in premenopausal patients with hormone receptor positive (HR+) breast cancer (BCA). The ABCSG-12 trial has shown a comparable DFS for 3-eyar adjuvant therapy with anastrazol-goserelin and tamoxifengoserelin. However a combined analysis of the data from SOFT and TEXT trials demonstrated that compared with tamoxifen plus ovarian suppression, adjuvant endocrine therapy with exemestane plus GnRH agonist (Triptorelin) in premenopausal patients with a significant improved DFS and an extended interval without distant recurrence. The differing results emerging from ABCSG-12 and the TEXT and SOFT trials misht be related to higher statistical power in the combined analysis.