bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The dental challenges of eating disorders
Authors: Eder Andrew
Published: April 2017

Professor Andrew Eder explores the effects of bulimia on oral health, most specifically in terms of erosion as a result of self-induced vomiting, and how patients may be helped
The outcome of the surgical treatment of pelvic chondrosarcomas
Authors: Stihsen C. , Panotopoulos J. , Puchner S. E. , Sevelda F. , Kaider A. , Windhager R. , Funovics P. T.
Published: April 2017

Aims

Few studies dealing with chondrosarcoma of the pelvis are currently available. Different data about the overall survival and prognostic factors have been published but without a detailed analysis of surgery-related complications. We aimed to analyse the outcome of a series of pelvic chondrosarcomas treated at a single institution, with particular attention to the prognostic factors. Based on a competing risk model, our objective was to identify risk factors for the development of complications.

Patients and Methods

In a retrospective single-centre study, 58 chondrosarcomas (26 patients alive, 32 patients dead) of the pelvis were reviewed. The mean follow-up was 13 years (one week to 23.1 years).

Results

A total of 26 patients (45%) were alive and 32 patients (55%) had died. Overall survival was 76%, 55% and 45% at one, five and ten years post-operatively, respectively. In a competing risk model the cumulative risk of the development of a surgery-related complication was 64% at six months and 69% at one year, post-operatively, respectively. Endoprosthetic reconstruction was a significant risk factor for the development of complications (p = 0.006). Complications were not significantly related to age or the location or grade of the tumour (p = 0.823, p = 0.976, p = 0.858). The development of complications did not have a negative effect on survival (p = 0.147).

Conclusion

This is the first study with competing risk analysis of surgery-related complications in patients with a pelvic chondrosarcoma. The surgery in these patients remains prone to complications. Endoprosthetic reconstruction significantly increases the risk of the development of complications (p = 0.006). A competing risk model showed that the development of complications does not have a negative influence on overall survival (p = 0.147). An aggressive, surgical resection with the goal of achieving wide margins whenever possible remains the mainstay of treatment. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2017;99-B:686–96.
Radiographic scoring system for the evaluation of stability of cementless acetabular components in the presence of osteolysis
Authors: Narkbunnam R. , Amanatullah D. F. , Electricwala A. J. , Huddleston III J. I. , Maloney W. J. , Goodman S. B.
Published: April 2017

Aims

The stability of cementless acetabular components is an important factor for surgical planning in the treatment of patients with pelvic osteolysis after total hip arthroplasty (THA). However, the methods for determining the stability of the acetabular component from pre-operative radiographs remain controversial. Our aim was to develop a scoring system to help in the assessment of the stability of the acetabular component under these circumstances.

Patients and Methods

The new scoring system is based on the mechanism of failure of these components and the location of the osteolytic lesion, according to the DeLee and Charnley classification. Each zone is evaluated and scored separately. The sum of the individual scores from the three zones is reported as a total score with a maximum of 10 points. The study involved 96 revision procedures which were undertaken for wear or osteolysis in 91 patients between July 2002 and December 2012. Pre-operative anteroposterior pelvic radiographs and Judet views were reviewed. The stability of the acetabular component was confirmed intra-operatively.

Results

Intra-operatively, it was found that 64 components were well-fixed and 32 were loose. Mean total scores in the well-fixed and loose components were 2.9 (0 to 7) and 7.2 (1 to 10), respectively (p < 0.001). In hips with a low score (0 to 2), the component was only loose in one of 33 hips (3%). The incidence of loosening increased with increasing scores: in those with scores of 3 and 4, two of 19 components (10.5%) were loose; in hips with scores of 5 and 6, eight of 19 components (44.5%) were loose; in hips with scores of 7 or 8, 13 of 17 components (70.6%) were loose; and for hips with scores of 9 and 10, nine of nine components (100%) were loose. Receiver-operating-characteristic curve analysis demonstrated very good accuracy (area under the curve = 0.90, p < 0.001). The optimal cutoff point was a score of ≥ 5 with a sensitivity of 0.79, and a specificity of 0.87.

Conclusion

There was a strong correlation between the scoring system and the probability of loosening of a cementless acetabular component. This scoring system provides a clinically useful tool for pre-operative planning, and the evaluation of the outcome of revision surgery for patients with loosening of a cementless acetabular component in the presence of osteolysis. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2017;99-B:601–6.
Effect of Polydispersity of Clay Platelets on the Aggregation and Mechanical Properties of Clay at the Mesoscale
Authors: Ebrahimi Davoud , Whittle Andrew J. , Pellenq Roland J.-M.
Published: April 2017

The results from mesoscale simulations of the formation and evolution of microstructure for assemblies of Na-smectite particles based on assumed size distributions of individual clay platelets are presented here. The analyses predicted particle arrangements and aggregation (i.e. platelets linked in face—face configurations) and are used to link geometric properties of the microstructure and mechanical properties of the particle assemblies. Interactions between individual ellipsoidal clay platelets are represented using the Gay-Berne potential based on atomistic simulations of the free energy between two Na-smectite clay-platelets in liquid water, following a novel coarse-graining method developed previously. The current study describes the geometric (aggregate thickness, orientation, and porosity) and elastic properties in the ‘jammed states’ from the mesoscale simulations for selected ranges of clay particle sizes and confining pressures. The thickness of clay aggregates for monodisperse assemblies increases (with average stack thickness consisting of n = 3–8 platelets) with the diameter of the individualclay platelets and with the level of confining pressure. Aggregates break down at high confining pressures (50–300 atm) due to slippage between the platelets. Polydisperse simulations generate smaller aggregates (n = 2) and show much smaller effects of confining pressure. All assemblies show increased order with confining pressure, implying more anisotropic microstructure. The mesoscale simulations are also in good agreement with macroscopic compression behavior measured in conventional 1-D laboratory compression tests. The mesoscale assemblies exhibit cubic symmetry in elastic properties. The results for larger platelets (D = 1000 Å) are in good agreement with nano-indentation measurements on natural clays and shale samples.
Structure and Dynamics of Water—Smectite Interfaces: Hydrogen Bonding and the Origin of the Sharp O-Dw/O—Hw Infrared Band From Molecular Simulations
Authors: Szczerba Marek , Kuligiewicz Artur , Derkowski Arkadiusz , Gionis Vassilis , Chryssikos Georgios D. , Kalinichev Andrey G.
Published: April 2017

Experimental studies have shown that a sharp, high-frequency IR band at ~3615 cm-1 (in H2O form) and at ~2685 cm-1 (in D2O form) is a common feature for all smectites, and its position correlates with layer charge. In order to explain the molecular origin of this band in terms of total layer charge, charge localization, as well as nature of interlayer cations influencing the position and intensity of this peak, a series of classical molecular dynamics (MD) simulations was performed for several smectite models. The smectite layers were described using a modified CLAYFF force field, where the intramolecular vibrations of H2O were described more accurately by the Toukan-Rahman potential. The power spectra of molecular vibrations of hydrogens were calculated for selected sub-sets of interlayer H2O to analyze quantitatively their contribution to the observed spectral features. The statistics of hydrogen bonds in the smectite interlayers were also analyzed to support the spectral calculations.

The simulation results demonstrated clearly that only the H2O molecules in close proximity to the smectite surface are responsible for the sharp vibrational band observed. Other hypotheses for the possible origins of this band were considered carefully and eventually rejected. Two orientations of H2O molecules donating one or two H bonds to the basal oxygens of the smectite surface (monodentate and bidentate orientations, respectively) were observed. In both orientations, these H bonds are quite weak, pointing to a generally hydrophobic character of the smectite surface. Both orientations contributed to the high-frequency band, but the monodentate orientation provided the predominant contribution because surface H2O molecules in this orientation were much more abundant. In good agreement with experiment, only a small difference in the peak position was observed between smectites with different charge localization. The effect of the total layer charge, i.e. the red-shift for higher-charge smectites, was also confirmed. This shift arose from the decrease in the H-bonding distances of H2O in monodentate and bidentate orientation.
Changes in the Interlayer Structure and Thermodynamics of Hydrated Montmorillonite Under Basin Conditions: Molecular Simulation Approaches
Authors: Zhou Jinhong , Lu Xiancai , Boek Edo S.
Published: April 2017

Interlayer swelling of hydrated montmorillonite is an important issue in clay mineralogy. Although the swelling behavior of montmorillonite under ambient conditions has been investigated comprehensively, the effects of basin conditions on the hydration and swelling behaviors of montmorillonite have not been characterized thoroughly. In the present study, molecular dynamics simulations were employed to reveal the swelling behavior and changes in the interlayer structure of Na-montmorillonite under the high temperatures and pressures of basin conditions. According to the calculation of the immersion energy, the monolayer hydrate becomes more stable than the bilayer hydrate at a burial depth of 7 km (at a temperature of 518 K and a lithostatic pressure of 1.04 kbar). With increasing burial depth, the basal spacings of the monolayer and bilayer hydrates change to varying degrees. The density-distribution profiles of interlayer species exhibit variation in the hydrate structures due to temperature and pressure change, especially in the structures of bilayer hydrate. With increasing depth, more Na+ ions prefer to distribute closer to the clay layers. The mobility of interlayer water and ions increases with increasing temperature, while increasing pressure caused the mobility of these ions to decrease.
Soluciones tecnológicas a problemáticas sociales y ciudadanas. El caso de los Retos Cívicos y Públicos en México
Authors: Tena-espinoza-de-los-monteros Martin Adalberto
Published: April 2017

El objetivo de este trabajo es presentar el proceso de innovación cívica que, basado en soluciones tecnológicas y en iniciativas abiertas, propone la organización de la sociedad civil Codeando México para la atención y respuesta a problemáticas sociales y ciudadanas en México. Se abordan y describen las iniciativas Retos Cívicos y Retos Públicos como experiencias de innovación en la implementación de estrategias tecnológicas para la solución de problemáticas sociales y ciudadanas. Se reflexiona sobre la adopción cívica de TICs y su irrupción en los procesos de innovación, así como el impacto que tienen en la conformación de un nuevo ecosistema cívico. Por último, se hace mención de las estrategias de Hacking cívico y Comunidades Cívicas que la organización Codeando México promueve como modelo para la vinculación y la participación ciudadana en el marco de la innovación cívica.
Análisis de las metodologías en los estudios de los nativos digitales en la universidad. Revisión de la literatura científica entre 2010-2015
Authors: Lluch Brunat David , Gros Salvat Begoña
Published: April 2017

La popularización a partir de la década de los noventa del siglo XX del término nativos digitales ha motivado la realización de múltiples investigaciones en distintos países con el objetivo de clarificar las características de dichos nativos digitales en su forma de pensar, comportarse y aprender y de dilucidar su homogeneidad generacional. El objetivo de esta contribución es analizar las distintas metodologías de investigación utilizadas en los recientes trabajos empíricos para mejorar el conocimiento de las citadas características en el ámbito de la universidad. Para ello, se ha realizado una revisión de las ocho publicaciones científicas con el índice h5 de Google Scholar más elevado en la subcategoría Educational Technology entre los años 2010 y 2015. La metodología utilizada ha combinado el análisis documental con el análisis textual de las 37 investigaciones que aportan datos empíricos en el ámbito universitario y que cumplen los criterios de inclusión elaborados para el presente trabajo. Los resultados obtenidos muestran que, a pesar del uso habitual del término nativos digitales y de la habitual atribución de características específicas y homogéneas a los mismos, la variedad terminológica, por un lado, y la utilización de metodologías e instrumentos de investigación diversos por otro, no facilitan la comparación de los resultados obtenidos en las distintas investigaciones y no permiten obtener un conocimiento claro del fenómeno. A pesar de las dificultades constatadas, los diferentes estudios analizados mejoran la comprensión de los nativos digitales a la vez que ponen de manifiesto una complejidad no contemplada en las primeras investigaciones.
Opinión del estudiantado de la Universidad de Zaragoza sobre las competencias docentes del profesorado universitario
Authors: Bueno García Concepción , Ubieto-Artur María-Isabel , Abadía Valle Ana Rosa
Published: April 2017

En esta investigación se presentan los resultados de una encuesta realizada al profesorado y estudiantado de la Universidad de Zaragoza, relativa a las competencias que debe tener un buen docente universitario. Para ello se han distinguido seis competencias docentes: la interpersonal, metodológica, comunicativa, de planificación y gestión de la docencia, de trabajo en equipo y de innovación. Los resultados se centran prioritariamente en la opinión de los estudiantes, analizados según curso y rama de conocimiento de la titulación y se realiza una comparación entre las valoraciones otorgadas por los docentes y discentes a la importancia de las competencias presentadas. Entre las conclusiones se destaca que los estudiantes, independientemente del curso y de la rama de conocimiento de su titulación, coinciden en otorgar la mayor importancia para ser un buen docente a que este explique bien los contenidos de la asignatura y a que motive a los estudiantes. La competencia comunicativa suscita el acuerdo entre el profesorado y el alumnado en su valoración como la más importante.
Managing Education, Training and Knowledge
Authors: Christian Otter
Published: April 2017

Purpose of the article: Knowledge is increasingly importance for the economic well-being of businesses. Core competencies of management are the generation and processing of information, used to develop a competitive advantage. Information has become established as a commodity in its own right which can be bought and sold. Four out of five goods traded on the market now consist of services or relate to information in the broadest sense. Knowledge is created when different pieces of information are linked on the basis of a particular intellectual background and meaningfully interpreted. Accordingly, knowledge incorporates not just information but also experience, (pre)- judgements, rules of thumb and worldviews. Knowledge is always associated with human beings. Methodology/methods: This article is based on literature research. The original article was written in German and translated into English, supported by a translation agency. Scientific aim: A questionnaire is being drawn up on the basis of the research results. This will allow the appraisal of these influencing factors and framework conditions by small and medium sized enterprises to be surveyed and evaluated. Findings: Social systems arise through and are sustained by communication. Actions of managers primarily consist of communication. For cognitive simplification, all humans repeat actions that have previously proved successful. Previously accumulated knowledge thus becomes a significant barrier to learning. An organisation’s ability to learn depends not only the general willingness of its workforce to learn but also on the newness and/or compatibility of knowledge acquired from a partner. Conclusions (limits, implications etc): Developing or acquiring competition-relevant knowledge is generally time-consuming and costly. As a complementary function to knowledge acquisition, the retention of knowledge carriers in the form of people and materials forms another component of knowledge management. It is important to recognise early on those knowledge carriers who promise high potential in the future.
Process Design for Size-Controlled Flame Spray Synthesis of Li4Ti5O12 and Electrochemical Performance
Authors: Waser Oliver , Brenner Oliver , Groehn Arto J. , Pratsinis Sotiris E.
Published: April 2017

Inexpensive synthesis of electroceramic materials is required for efficient energy storage. Here the design of a scalable process, flame spray pyrolysis (FSP), for synthesis of size-controlled nanomaterials is investigated focusing on understanding the role of air entrainment (AE) during their aerosol synthesis with emphasis on battery materials. The AE into the enclosed FSP reactor is analysed quantitatively by computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and calculated temperatures are verified by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Various Li4Ti5O12 (LTO) particle compositions are made and characterized by N2 adsorption, electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction while the electrochemical performance of LTO is tested at various charging rates. Increasing AE decreases recirculation in the enclosing tube leading to lower reactor temperatures and particle concentrations by air dilution as well as shorter and narrower residence time distributions. As a result, particle growth by coagulation - coalescence decreases leading to smaller primary particles that are mostly pure LTO exhibiting high C-rate performance with more than 120 mAh/g galvanostatic specific charge at 40C, outperforming commercial LTO. The effect of AE on FSP-made particle characteristics is demonstrated also in combustion synthesis of LiFePO4 and ZrO2.
Simulation of N-Propanol Dehydration Process Via Heterogeneous Azeotropic Distillation Using the NRTL Equation
Authors: Wyczesany Andrzej
Published: April 2017

Numerical values of the NRTL equation parameters for calculation of the vapour - liquid - liquid equilibria (VLLE) at atmospheric pressures have been presented for 5 ternary mixtures. These values were fitted to the experimental VLLE and vapour - liquid equilibrium (VLE) data to describe simultaneously, as accurately as possible, the VLE and the liquid - liquid equilibria (LLE). The coefficients of this model called further NRTL-VLL were used for simulations of n-propanol dehydration via heterogeneous azeotropic distillation. The calculations performed by a ChemCAD simulator were done for 4 mixtures using hydrocarbons, ether and ester as an entrainer. In majority simulations the top streams of the azeotropic column had composition and temperature similar to the corresponding experimental values of ternary azeotropes. The agreement between the concentrations of both liquid phases formed in a decanter and the experimental values of the LLE was good for all four simulations. The energy requirements were the most advantageous for the simulation with di-npropyl ether (DNPE) and isooctane. Simulations were performed also for one mixture using the NRTL equation coefficients taken from the ChemCAD database. In that case the compositions of the liquid organic phases leaving the decanter differed significantly from the experimental LLE data.
Supporting evidence-based practice: Changes in service provision and practitioners’ attitudes following EBP Service Centre consultation – a qualitative study / Evidenzbasierte Praxis unterstützen: Veränderungen der Arbeitsweise und der Einstellungen von Ergotherapeuten/-innen durch die Nutzung eines EBP Service Centers - eine qualitative Studie
Authors: Schönthaler Erna , Schwab Petra , Zettel-Tomenendal Monika , Ritschl Valentin
Published: April 2017

Evidence-based practice (EBP) aims at optimal fulfilment of clients´ needs, but also plays an essential role in establishing an effective and efficient health care system. It is no longer a question whether EBP is essential and valued, but rather how to sustainably implement it into clinical practice. A new implementation strategy of an EBP workshop in combination with a CAT (critically appraised topic) service was established and investigated.

The aim of this study was to explore post EBP Service Centre consultation effects regarding occupational therapists’ changes in service provision, professional viewpoints and attitudes and job satisfaction. The second aim was receiving feedback on the EBP Service Centre for its further development.

For the evaluation of the EBP Service Centre the qualitative approach of content analysis by Gläser and Laudel was chosen. Two focus group discussions with 13 participants were conducted.

The combination of an EBP workshop and a CAT service, as provided by the EBP Service Centre, seems to be an effective tool to facilitate EBP implementation. The service was used intensively. Participants reported changes in service provision, e.g. increased client-centredness and occupation-based practice and changed professional attitudes like increased reflection and critical questioning.

A division of resources and strengths between research staff and practitioners seems to be reasonable. Hence research staff takes over literature search and appraisal and produces CATs, whereas practitioners focus on asking clinical questions and integrating the knowledge from the CAT into their clinical decisions.
Developing a framework for investigating L2 listeners’ longitudinal development
Authors: Yeldham Michael
Published: April 2017

In research conducted by this author examining the development of adult second language listeners, one key aspect of that study was to evaluate the learners’ growth in their listening strategy use. A search of the literature, however, found no reliable conception of listener growth to guide the evaluation. Consequently, this study sought to develop such a framework. To accomplish this, cross-sectional verbal report studies comparing the strategy use of proficient and less proficient listener groups were examined, and the strategies used frequently by the proficient listeners, but infrequently by the less-proficient listeners, served to indicate developmental trends. A second component of the study was then to order these strategies into the stages of Anderson’s (1985,Cognitive psychology and its implications, 2nd edn. New York: Freeman, 2010,Cognitive psychology and its implications, 7th edn. New York: Freeman) three-stage comprehension model, those of perception, parsing and utilization. This second part of the study was conducted to address apparent flaws in past research categorizing listening strategies based on this model.
Fetal cardiac time intervals in healthy pregnancies – an observational study by fetal ECG (Monica Healthcare System)
Authors: Wacker-Gussmann Annette , Plankl Cordula , Sewald Maria , Schneider Karl-Theo Maria , Oberhoffer Renate , Lobmaier Silvia M.
Published: April 2017

Background:

Fetal electrocardiogram (fECG) can detect QRS signals in fetuses from as early as 17 weeks’ gestation; however, the technique is limited by the minute size of the fetal signal relative to noise ratio. The aim of this study was to evaluate precise fetal cardiac time intervals (fCTIs) with the help of a newly developed fetal ECG device (Monica Healthcare System).

Methods:

In a prospective manner we included 15–18 healthy fetuses per gestational week from 32 weeks onwards. The small and wearable Monica AN24 monitoring system uses standard ECG electrodes placed on the maternal abdomen to monitor fECG, maternal ECG and uterine electromyogram (EMG). Fetal CTIs were estimated on 1000 averaged fetal heart beats. Detection was deemed successful if there was a global signal loss of less than 30% and an analysis loss of the Monica AN24 signal separation analysis of less than 50%. Fetal CTIs were determined visually by three independent measurements.

Results:

A total of 149 fECGs were performed. After applying the requirements 117 fECGs remained for CTI analysis. While the onset and termination of P-wave and QRS-complex could be easily identified in most ECG patterns (97% for P-wave, PQ and PR interval and 100% for QRS-complex), the T-wave was detectable in only 41% of the datasets. The CTI results were comparable to other available methods such as fetal magnetocardiography (fMCG).

Conclusions:

Although limited and preclinical in its use, fECG (Monica Healthcare System) could be an additional useful tool to detect precise fCTIs from 32 weeks’ gestational age onwards.
The renaissance of tramways and urban redevelopment in France
Authors: Boquet Yves
Published: April 2017

Tramways have made a remarkable comeback in France since the 1980s. An organization of public transport based on the decentralized administration system set up in the early 1980s has allowed local urban authorities to make their own choices to develop public transport networks in the context of automobile domination. As in many other countries, worries about fossil fuel dependency and demands concerning sustainable urban development appear as strong elements in favour of urban light rail. However, in France, tramways are not just technical solutions for traffic congestion, they have also become a symbol of a cultural mutation in urban development planning. Coupled with a national political push for a more inclusive city in social terms, tramways are the backbone of contemporary urban policies, in a French version of transit-oriented development (TOD), especially for mid-size cities.
Extending the S-benzimidazolyl (SBiz) platform: N-alkylated SBiz glycosyl donors with the universal activation profile
Authors: Hasty Scott J. , Rath Nigam P. , Demchenko Alexei V.
Published: April 2017

This article describes the development of alkylated S-benzimidazolyl (SBiz) imidates as versatile building blocks for chemical glycosylation. The SBiz imidates have been originally developed as a new platform for active-latent glycosylations and its utility was further extended to other common strategies for oligosaccharide synthesis. This article expands upon the utility of these compounds. We developed a general protocol for the synthesis of a series of N-alkylated SBiz glycosides from N-protected SBiz aglycones by Lewis acid-mediated coupling with glucose pentaacetate. The N-alkylated SBiz moiety was found to be stable under strong basic conditions which allowed us to obtain both armed and disarmed N-alkylated SBiz donors. These donors showed good reactivity at a variety of activation conditions, and generally provided high yields in glycosylations.
Some Interaction Solutions of a Reduced Generalised (3+1)-Dimensional Shallow Water Wave Equation for Lump Solutions and a Pair of Resonance Solitons
Authors: Wang Yao , Chen Mei-Dan , Li Xian , Li Biao
Published: April 2017

Through Hirota bilinear transformation and symbolic computation with Maple, a class of lump solutions, rationally localised in all directions in the space, to a reduced generalised (3+1)-dimensional shallow water wave (SWW) equation are prensented. The resulting lump solutions all contain six parameters, two of which are free due to the translation invariance of the SWW equation and the other four of which must satisfy a nonzero determinant condition guaranteeing analyticity and rational localisation of the solutions. Then we derived the interaction solutions for lump solutions and one stripe soliton and the result shows that the particular lump solutions with specific values of the involved parameters will be drowned or swallowed by the stripe soliton. Furthermore, we extend this method to a more general combination of positive quadratic function and hyperbolic functions. Especially, it is interesting that a rogue wave is found to be aroused by the interaction between lump solutions and a pair of resonance stripe solitons. By choosing the values of the parameters, the dynamic properties of lump solutions, interaction solutions for lump solutions and one stripe soliton and interaction solutions for lump solutions and a pair of resonance solitons, are shown by dynamic graphs.
Regio- and stereoselective 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions ofC-aryl (or hetaryl)-N-phenylnitrones to monosubstituted ylidene malononitriles and 4-benzylidene-2-phenyloxazol-5(4H)-one
Authors: Mekheimer Ramadan A. , Al-Zaydi Khadijah , Ibrahim Mahmoud A. A. , Al-Shamary Asma , Sadek Kamal
Published: April 2017

The first example of 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions ofC-aryl (or hetaryl)-N-phenylnitrones to monosubstituted ylidene malononitriles and 4-benzylidene-2-phenyl-oxazol-5(4H)-one is described. The reaction ofC-(4-(dimethylamino)phenyl)-N-phenyl-nitrone(1a)with 2-(4-substituted-benzylidene)malononitriles2a,bin dry toluene, in the absence of catalyst, at reflux temperature furnished the novel cycloadducts 2-(3-aryl-2-phenyl-2,3-dihydro-1,2,4-oxadiazol-5-yl)-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)acrylonitriles3a,b. RefluxingC-aryl (or hetaryl)-N-phenylnitrones1b–iwith 2-(4-methoxy-benzylidene)malononitrile (2a) in dry toluene, in the absence of catalyst, gave the unexpected 2-cyano-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-acrylamide (5), as the sole product. On the other hand, refluxing 4-benzylidene-2-phenyloxazol-5(4H)-one (7) with an equimolar amount ofC-aryl (or hetaryl)-N-phenyl-nitrones1a–c,f–iin absolute EtOH afforded the previously unknown 5-anilino-4-benzoyl-2-phenyloxazole (10), as the only isolable product. The resulting products were formed with a high degree of regio- and stereoselectivity. Quantum chemical calculations were performed to verify stereoselectivity of the studied reaction. A mechanistic proposal is presented to rationalize the formation of these products.
3,7-Isoquinoline quinones from the ascidian tunicateAscidia virginea
Authors: Possner Sven T. , Schroeder Frank C. , Rapp Hans Tore , Sinnwell Volker , Franke Stefan , Francke Wittko
Published: April 2017

A new isoquinoline quinone system and its iodinated derivatives were isolated from the ascidian tunicateAscidia virgineaMüller 1776 (Phlebobranchia: Ascidiidae). Structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods and derivatization reactions. Ascidine A (3,7-dihydro-1,8-dihydroxy-4-(4′-hydroxyphenyl)isoquinoline-3,7-dione (1), ascidine B (3,7-dihydro-1,8-dihydroxy-4-(4′-hydroxy-3′-iodophenyl)isoquinoline-3,7-dione (2), and ascidine C (3,7-dihydro-1,8-dihydroxy-4-(4′-hydroxy-3′,5′-diiodophenyl)isoquinoline-3,7-dione (3) represent a novel type of tyrosine-derived alkaloids.
Aspectos ecológicos dos parásitos en Cichlasoma bimaculatum (Cichlidae), pez ornamental de la Amazonia brasileña
Authors: Tavares-Dias Marcos , Gonçalves Raissa Alves , Oliveira Marcos Sidney Brito , Neves Ligia Rigôr
Published: April 2017

Este estudio investigó la fauna parasitaria de Cichlasoma bimaculatum (Cichlidae) en un afluente del sistema del Río Amazonas, en el norte de Brasil. La prevalencia parasitaria fue del 94,6 % y en total, 428267 parásitos fueron colectados, tales como Ichthyophthirius multifiliis, Piscinoodinium pillulare (Protozoa), Gussevia arilla (Monogenoidea), Posthodiplostomum sp. (Digena) y Procamallanus (Spirocamallanus) nopinatus (Nematoda). Aunque el predominio fue de I. multifiliis, el nematodo P. (S.) inopinatus fue la especie menos frecuente y abundante. Estas especies de parásitos mostraron un patrón de dispersión agregada. La fauna parasitaria se caracterizó por la presencia de algunas pocas especies de parásitos con mayor prevalencia y abundancia de ectoparásitos y una baja presencia de endoparásitos. Se discute que lo anterior puede deberse al modo de vida del hospedero y sugieren que C. bimaculatum ocupa un bajo nivel en la cadena trófica.
Ambientes colaborativos virtuales para el aprendizaje individual
Authors: González Herrera Denis
Published: April 2017

Resumen: El presente artículo muestra los resultados de una investigación sobre ambientes colaborativos virtuales, en la que participó un grupo de 15 estudiantes de la Universidad de Costa Rica. El objetivo de esta fue innovar en la formulación de estrategias didácticas que ayuden a involucrar al estudiantado-profesorado, como actores en los procesos de formación. Lo anterior se logró mediante el empoderamiento de tecnologías de la información y comunicación (TIC) y, en especial, el uso de dispositivos móviles. La investigación se realizó en el 2014, desde una aproximación mixta que sistematiza el proceso, experiencias y aprendizajes recolectados. Los datos se recopilaron por medio de un instrumento autoadministrado, en un único momento, además, las observaciones de los participantes fueron registradas durante todo el ciclo. La investigación ayudó a identificar herramientas tecnológicas que permiten innovar en la creación de ambientes colaborativos; además, se logró evidenciar que estos aumentan y mejoran la experiencia del proceso de aprendizaje. De igual forma, se demuestra que pueden ser creados con herramientas de software libre y accesible; y que se requieren habilidades mínimas de computación para personalizarlo, según las necesidades educativas. Por último, se expone una propuesta de un modelo de cinco etapas que permite que otros docentes puedan replicar este tipo de ambientes; el cual fue guía en la creación de una aplicación para celulares completamente funcional, que puede ser objeto de estudio en una futura investigación.
La formación de estudiantes de odontología en bioquímica: Un desafío para la docencia universitaria en la producción de un libro de texto
Authors: Granados-Zúñiga Jorge
Published: April 2017

La formación en bioquímica de los estudiantes de odontología es un desafío para la docencia en la Universidad de Costa Rica. Para tratar de abordar este problema se propuso realizar un libro de texto de bioquímica específicamente para ese campo de la salud. Se realizó una evaluación de las preferencias estudiantiles y docentes respecto a las posibles características de dicho texto, se consultaron los programas de los cursos ofrecidos durante el período comprendido entre 1971 y 2014, se aplicó un cuestionario a los estudiantes activos que estuvieran recibiendo el curso y se realizó un grupo focal con los docentes del curso, en ambos casos durante el primer semestre del 2016. Los resultados indican que no existen coincidencias relacionadas con lo que estudiantes y profesores consideran temas más relevantes, no hay un uso frecuente de libros de texto entre los estudiantes consultados y estos prefieren utilizar los libros impresos en lugar de electrónicos. Se concluye que la formación en bioquímica podría beneficiarse con la elaboración de un libro de texto, pero es necesario lograr un consenso entre docentes y estudiantes sobre sus contenidos. Asimismo, se debe prestar atención a la claridad del lenguaje empleado y la pertinencia para la práctica profesional de los contenidos seleccionados
An Interview with a Goddess
Authors: Lyngdoh Margaret
Published: April 2017

This article is based on primary fieldwork carried out between 2012 and 2017 in Chyrmang, Jaintia Hills. Among the Pnar of Jaintia Hills, Northeastern India, the practice of hiar blai or divine possession is significantly embedded in the everyday lives of the community members. I argue that possession rites mediate and regulate social norm and clan justice, through the intercession of the gods and goddesses in the village. The reflexive nature of fieldwork process sought to demonstrate the non-absolute positionality of the researcher, and informants and attempted to find ways how to articulate informant’s voices while at the same time protecting their identities.
Doing Philosophy Personally: Thinking About Metaphysics, Theism, and Antiblack Racism, by Dwayne A. Tunstall
Authors: Culling Joshua
Published: April 2017

Doing Philosophy Personally: Thinking About Metaphysics, Theism, and Antiblack Racism, by Dwayne A. Tunstall. Fordham University Press, 2013. 176 pp. Hb., $16.99. ISBN: 9780823251605
Family in the Life and Works of Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein)
Authors: Zyzak Wojciech
Published: April 2017

In modern times as never before, marriage and family are in danger. The contemporary problems were already present in many aspects in the times of Edith Stein. The author of the article studies the life and the works of the Saint with regard to marriage and family. For Edith Stein, marriage is an inseparable union of a man and woman, which, thanks to the sacramental grace, is filled with special strength to maintain reciprocal love and fidelity and also to cooperate with God in giving life and educating children. In Edith Stein’s opinion, both the husband and the wife in the family have rights and duties connected with being God’s image, bearing and bringing up children and transforming the world by their work. Edith, however, noted the difference between sexes and the way in which the tasks were realised according to the nature and the different callings. The Saint saw the necessity of complementarity of sexes and generations in a harmonious family. Such a vision of marriage and family is still applicable in our times.
Prayer as an expression of love
Authors: Jaworski Józef
Published: April 2017

The article presents the issue of the conjunction of prayer and love, which constitutes the essence of prayer. Attention is drawn to the fact that the reflexive human nature is in demand for prayer, which was reflected in the culture of antiquity. The need and appropriate understanding of prayer in the Old and New Testament thought is emphasized, which is ultimately explained in the love manifested in Christ the Redeemer of Man. The analytical and critical as well as the historical methods are employed in this article.
Theological Concept of the Fourth Gospel in the Context of Jesus’ Glorification Prayer (Jn 17:1-5)
Authors: Wróbel Mirosław S.
Published: April 2017

The analysis of Jn 17:1-5 in its textual, literary, exegetical and theological dimensions shows the importance of Jesus’ prayer to His Father. The prayer of glorification includes a deep theological perspective expressed by the connection between the Son and the Father, earth and Heaven, the believers and God. The glorification of the Father in the prayer of the Son obtains its dynamism in the glorification of the Son in the realization of the Hour. The concept of the Johannine Hour reveals its eschatological character which can be fulfilled in the Passion, Death and Resurrection of the Son. The prayer of Jesus opens the Heaven for every person who together with Him can fulfill the will of God. In the glorification of the Father by the Son (earthly glorification) and the Son by the Father (heavenly glorification) the believers obtain eternal life in the Heavenly Love of God.
Finite-element analyses of light timber-framed walls with and without openings
Authors: Togay Abdullah , Anil Özgür , Karagöz Işleyen Ümmü , Ediz İbrahim , Durucan Cengizhan
Published: April 2017

The static responses of timber-framed shear walls with and without openings of variable dimensions and locations were numerically investigated using the finite-element (FE) method. The lateral load resistance capacities and general load–displacement behaviours of the timber-framed shear walls were investigated. In the FE study, the frame elements were modelled as beams, plates were modelled as shells and nails were modelled as spring elements. The plastic behaviour of the materials was modelled using experimental stress–strain relationships of the materials. For timber frames and oriented strand board (OSB) panels, uniaxial stress–strain curves were experimentally obtained under tensile and compressive loading. From the experimental materials models it was found that spruce exhibited non-linear behaviour under both tensile and compressive stress. In contrast, the OSB sheathing layer used in the analyses exhibited non-linear behaviour under compressive stress and linear behaviour under tensile stress. The numerical results were verified using experimental load–deflection relationships obtained from a previous study. Good agreement was found between the analytical and experimental results. To further examine the applicability of the experimentally verified numerical model, four different timber-framed shear walls were simulated with FE models.
Impact of shock-wave therapy on the clinical and functional status of patients with coronary heart disease
Authors: Matskeplishvili S T , Borbodoeva B M , Asymbekova E U , Rakhimov A Z , Akhmedyarova N K , Kataeva K B , Buziashvili Yu I
Published: April 2017

Aim. To study of the impact of shock-wave therapy (SWT) on the functional status of patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). Subjects and methods. Thirty-four CHD patients (including 33 men) with left ventricular (LV) asynergic segments, as evidenced by echocardiography (EchoCG), were examined. Their mean age was 60.1±1.76 years. All the patients received a SWT cycle according to the standard scheme. The patient examination protocol involved EchoCG, dobutamine EchoCG, treadmill exercise EchoCG, and tissue Doppler EchoCG, which were performed at baseline, immediately and one month after the end of a SWT cycle. Results. Following a SWT cycle, all the patients were noted to have a significant decrease in mean angina pectoris and heart failure functional classes and in the frequency of daily intake of nitrates. EchoCG showed that at baseline the LV ejection fraction (EF) was 51.1±1.02%; end- diastolic volume index, 71.5±3.6 ml/m2; end-systolic volume index, 34.4±2.2 ml/m2. According to exercise EchoCG, the tolerance threshold was 6.4±0.1 Меts (Bruce protocol); the total exercise time of 5.05±0.23 min was achieved in an average of 75.2±1.32%. Immediately and one month after a SWT cycle, there was an increment in EF from 51.1±1.02 to 55±0.8 and 57±1.7%, respectively; a substantial increase in the tolerance threshold to 8.17±0.24 and 9.45±0.34 Меts, as compared to the baseline values. The exercise time increased up to 6.41±0.17 and 7.7±0.29 min immediately and one month after SWT, respectively. The increment in EF in response to exercise was 8.54±2.12, 14±1.5, and 16±1.2% at baseline, immediately and one month after SWT, respectively. Moreover, myocardial relaxation and diastolic function improved. Conclusion. Shock-wave therapy in patients with CHD is accompanied by their improved functional status, which is manifested by increased tolerance threshold and exercise duration, a rise in rest and exercise LV EF, better relaxation of LV, and its diminished stiffness.
Structural features of the lipid bilayer of the red blood cell membrane in people with isolated hypercholesterolemia without coronary artery disease and in patients with coronary artery disease
Authors: Vasilev A P , Streltsova N N , Lystsova N L
Published: April 2017

Aim. To identify the specific features of modifying the lipid composition of the red blood cell membrane in people with isolated hypercholesterolemia without coronary heart disease (CHD) and in CHD patients with different functional classes of angina pectoris. Subjects and methods. 92 men with Functional Class II—IV stable angina, 22 men with isolated hypercholesterolemia (HC) without CHD, and 18 healthy men with normal cholesterol levels were examined. Blood plasma cholesterol levels were determined in all the examinees. The erythrocyte membrane was examined for the levels of lipid peroxidation (LPO) products, free cholesterol, calcium, and phospholipid fractions and for the activity of Na+/K+-, Mg2+- and Ca2+-ATPases; a bicycle exercise test was carried out. Results. As compared with persons with normal blood cholesterol levels, the examinees with HC without CHD were found to have higher levels of LPO products, lower levels of readily oxidizable phospholipid fractions, decreased activity of membrane-bound Na+/K+-, Mg2+-, and Ca2+-ATPases, and elevated concentrations of free cholesterol and calcium in the red blood cell membrane. Having the pronounced activity of free radical oxidation, the patients with CHD were detected to have deeper similar structural changes in the cell membrane, which became more severe with a larger number of affected coronary arteries. Conclusion. The findings suggest that the lipid structure of the cell membrane undergoes changes associated with its functional depression just at the preclinical stage of atherogenesis. Biomembrane structural modification in patients with angina pectoris progresses in proportion to the number of affected coronary arteries, by limiting the functional reserve of the cell and whole body.
Disaccharidase deficiency and functional bowel diseases
Authors: Parfenov A I , Akhmadullina O V , Sabelnikova E A , Belostotsky N I , Kirova M V , Khomeriki S G , Bykova S V
Published: April 2017

Aim. To elucidate the role of intestinal carbohydrases (glucoamylase, maltase, sucrose, and lactase) in the etiology and pathogenesis of functional bowel diseases (FBD). Subjects and methods. 74 patients (36 men and 38 women) aged 18 to 50 years with FBD were examined. According to Rome IV criteria (2016), there was diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in 21 patients, functional diarrhea (FD) in 33, constipation-predominant IBS in 6, functional constipation (FC) in 4, and mixed IBS in 10. The activity of carbohydrases in the small intestine mucosa (SIM) was investigated by the Dahlquist method modified by Trinder in the duodenal biopsy specimens obtained during esophagogastroduodenoscopy. Results. Lactase deficiency was identified in 87.8% of the patients; maltase deficiency in 48.6%; sucrose deficiency in 51.3%; and glucoamylase deficiency in 85.1%. The activity of all the investigated enzymes was reduced in 23 (31.1%) patients with FBD; deficiency of 1—3 carbohydrases was found in 47 (63.5%). Normal enzymatic activity was established in 4 (5.4%) patients. Conclusion. In the majority of patients with FBD, the intestinal symptoms are caused by the decreased activity of SIM carbohydrases. Therefore, disaccharidase deficiency associated with an established damaging agent (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics, acute intestinal infections, etc.) should be considered to be a more precise diagnosis.