bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The relation of novel cardiovascular risk parameters in patients with familial Mediterranean fever
Authors: Kozan Mustafa , Ozan Zeynep Tugba , Demir Vahit , Ede Hüseyin
Published: January 2019

Objective

In this study, we aimed at correlating the thickness of epicardial adipose tissue and levels of Vitamin D with cardiac risk in patients with familial Mediterranean fever.

Methods

Sixty-five patients with familial Mediterranean fever and 38 healthy controls with matching age and sex were included in the study. The patients with a history of familial Mediterranean fever attacks within the previous two weeks or with any history of inflammatory or cardiovascular disease were excluded. Data regarding age, gender, weight, height, waist circumference, body mass index (calculated as weight/height2), pulse wave velocity, serum Vitamin D levels from fasting blood samples, and Homeostatic Model Assessment for insulin resistance were obtained for the patients and controls. The epicardial adipose tissue was visualized as an echo-free space between the outer surface of myocardium and visceral pericardium using two-dimensional echocardiography, and the thickness of epicardial adipose tissue was measured in parasternal long-axis view at the end of diastole.

Results

The patients with familial Mediterranean fever had significantly higher levels of C-reactive protein, epicardial adipose tissue, and pulse wave velocity (p < 0.001, <0.05, <0.005, respectively) as compared with the control group. However, the serum Vitamin D levels in the two groups were observed to be similar (p = 0.486). Weak but significant positive correlations were observed between epicardial adipose tissue thickness and C-reactive protein (r = 0.302, p < 0.005), epicardial adipose tissue thickness and pulse wave velocity (r = 0.263, p < 0.01), and C-reactive protein and pulse wave velocity (r = 0.235, p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Thickness of epicardial adipose tissue and pulse wave velocity were observed to increase in patients with familial Mediterranean fever.
Understanding the Workplace Interactions of Young Adult Cancer Survivors With Occupational and Environmental Health Professionals
Authors: Stone Dawn S. , Pavlish Carol L. , Ganz Patricia A. , Thomas Elizabeth Anne , Casillas Jacqueline N. , Robbins Wendie A.
Published: January 2019

Work provides satisfaction and stability to young adult cancer survivors. However, progressive health changes because of cancer may compromise safety and diminish functional ability. The purpose of this study was to describe long-term young adult cancer survivors’ work experiences and describe their interactions with occupational and environmental health professionals (OEHPs) within the workplace. Cancer survivors were recruited from the Los Angeles County Cancer Surveillance Program. Professional organizations provided access to OEHPs. Constructivist grounded theory guided individual semi-structured interviews during data collection and analysis. Processes of interaction between cancer survivors and OEHPs found to influence work included revealing the survivor-self, sustaining work ability, gatekeeping (employment opportunities, return to work), and accessing support. OEHPs appeared to facilitate survivors’ work ability in the long term if services were available, services were known to survivors, and survivors revealed needs. Educating workers about OEHP services throughout cancer experiences and survivorship could ultimately improve interactivity and provide supportive work environments.
Developing a Care Coordination Model Using a Hybrid DEMATEL and PLS-SEM Approach
Authors: Prakash Gyan , Srivastava Shefali
Published: January 2019

The aim of this article is to develop and assess a model for care coordination (CC). A novel hybrid approach of Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) and partial least square structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) has been used to assess the CC model. The study has been conducted in four phases: (a) literature review, (b) Delphi session, (c) development of CC model through DEMATEL and (d) validation of the model through PLS-SEM. The study involves perspectives of service providers as well as service receivers, for which data were collected from hospitals across India. The literature review and Delphi session helped in finalising the seven measures of CC. Identified measures of CC are: IT-enabled coordination, inter-professional teamwork and consistency, patient centredness, communication and information transfer, physical infrastructural facilities and requirements, delivery of quality care, and facilitating transitions and accountability. Patient-centredness was found to be the most important construct of CC. Delivery of quality care is the most influenced construct and is affected by all the other constructs. Based on the results, practitioners may develop an overarching strategy to deliver seamless care and better health outcomes. This understanding may help in designing processes which in turn would deliver health as a social good.
Refugeeness as political subjectivity: Experiencing the humanitarian border
Authors: Kallio Kirsi Pauliina , Häkli Jouni , Pascucci Elisa
Published: January 2019

Building on the idea of the humanitarian border, the paper seeks to theorise its fluctuating geographies as growing from particular governmental strategies, yet shaped by social elements operating beyond the migration regime. We approach the humanitarian border topologically as a relational space experienced by refugee-subjects and constituting of regulations, techniques, tactics and (counter)practices that have emerged, and keep evolving, when people seek asylum in different parts of the world. We suggest that one of the asylum seekers’ key assets in navigating the humanitarian border is agency based on subjective relatedness with the figure of the refugee. Hence, we direct our analytical attention to experiences of refugeeness that we have studied empirically in the context of forced migration in Finland and Jordan. The analysis identifies asylum seekers’ ambivalent emotions and agencies, foregrounding political subjectivities both in the context of immobile life in Amman, and on the move along the Western Balkans route. This reveals the dual politics of the humanitarian border, at once constitutive of and constituting in encounters between asylum seekers and its other actors. In conclusion, the paper makes two suggestions regarding the study of refugeeness as political subjectivity and the topological theorisation of the humanitarian border.
Alterations in Protein Kinase A Substrate Specificity as a Potential Cause of Cushing Syndrome
Authors: Bathon Kerstin , Weigand Isabel , Vanselow Jens T , Ronchi Cristina L , Sbiera Silviu , Schlosser Andreas , Fassnacht Martin , Calebiro Davide
Published: January 2019

Cushing syndrome is a severe endocrine disorder of cortisol excess associated with major metabolic and cardiovascular sequelae. We recently identified somatic mutations in PRKACA, the gene encoding the catalytic (C) α subunit of protein kinase A (PKA), as being responsible for cortisol-producing adrenocortical adenomas (CPAs), which are a major cause of Cushing syndrome. In spite of previous studies on the two initially identified mutations (L206R, 199_200insW), the mechanisms of action of the clinically highly relevant PRKACA mutations remain poorly understood. Here, by investigating a large panel of PRKACA mutations, including all those identified so far in Cushing syndrome, we unexpectedly found that not all mutations interfere with the binding of regulatory (R) subunits as previously hypothesized. Because several mutations lie in a region of PKA Cα involved in substrate recognition, we investigated their consequences on substrate specificity by quantitative phosphoproteomics. We found that all three mutations analyzed (L206R, 200_201insV, and d244−248+E249Q) cause major changes in the preference of PKA for its targets, leading to hyperphosphorylation of several PKA substrates, most notably including histone H1.4 at Ser36, which is required for and promotes mitosis. This is reflected by a ninefold hyperphosphorylation of H1.4 in CPAs carrying the L206R mutation. Thus, our findings suggest that in addition to hampering binding to R subunits, PRKACA mutations act by altering PKA substrate specificity. These findings shed light on the molecular events leading to Cushing syndrome and illustrate how mutations altering substrate specificity of a protein kinase may cause human disease.
Structure-guided design of a high-affinity ligand for a riboswitch
Authors: Huang Lin , Wang Jia , Wilson Timothy J. , Lilley David M.J.
Published: January 2019

We have designed structure-based ligands for the guanidine-II riboswitch that bind with enhanced affinity, exploiting the twin binding sites created by loop–loop interaction. We synthesized diguanidine species, comprising two guanidino groups covalently connected by Cn linkers where n = 4 or 5. Calorimetric and fluorescent analysis shows that these ligands bind with a 10-fold higher affinity to the riboswitch compared to guanidine. We determined X-ray crystal structures of the riboswitch bound to the new ligands, showing that the guanidino groups are bound to both nucleobases and backbone within the binding pockets, analogously to guanidine binding. The connecting chain passes through side openings in the binding pocket and traverses the minor groove of the RNA. The combination of the riboswitch loop–loop interaction and our novel ligands has potential applications in chemical biology.
Sigmoid volvulus: Comorbidity with sigmoid gangrene
Authors: Atamanalp Sabri Selcuk , Disci Esra , Atamanalp Refik Selim
Published: January 2019

Sigmoid volvulus (SV) is the wrapping of the sigmoid colon around its mesentery, and sigmoid gangrene is a catastrophic complication of SV. Although the diagnosis of SV is generally not difficult, unfortunately, most of the clinical, laboratory and radiological signs are not pathognomonic in demonstrating sigmoid gangrene. The treatment of gangrenous SV requires emergency surgery. Sigmoid gangrene worsens the prognosis of SV by doubling the mortality rate.

How to cite this:Atamanalp SS, Disci E, Atamanalp RS. Sigmoid volvulus: Comorbidity with sigmoid gangrene. Pak J Med Sci. 2019;35(1):288-290.  doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.35.1.295

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Biochemical and clinical characterization of metabolic phenotypes: a cross-sectional study from Maracaibo city, Venezuela
Authors: Bermudez Valmore , Rojas Joselyn , Salazar Juan , Martinez Maria Sofia , Olivar Luis Carlos , Calvo Maria Jose , Mindiola Andres , Añez Roberto , Wilches-Duran Sandra , Cerda Marcos , Graterol Modesto , Graterol Rosemily , Hernandez Juan Diego , Garicano Carlos , Velasco Manuel
Published: January 2019

Background: In 1980, Reuben Andresen observed that in certain individuals, obesity did not increase mortality, introducing an atypical phenotype called “healthy obese”. Other studies reported that 10-15 % of lean individuals presented insulin resistance, hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia. The objective of this study was to evaluate biochemical and clinical characteristics of metabolic phenotypes in Maracaibo city.

Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional sub-analysis of The Maracaibo City Metabolic Syndrome Prevalence Study, with a randomized multistage sampling was performed including 1226 non diabetic individuals from both sexes. For phenotype definition, the subjects were first classified according to their BMI into Normal-Weight, Overweight and Obese; then divided in metabolically healthy and unhealthy using a two-step analysis cluster being predictive variables: HOMA2-IR, HOMA2-βcell, triglycerides. To evaluate the relationship with coronary risk, a multiple logistic regression model was performed.

Results: In the studied population, 43.9% (n=538) were healthy normal weight, 5.2% (n=64) unhealthy normal weight, 17.4% (n=217) healthy obese and 33.5% (n=411) unhealthy obese subjects. Atypical phenotypes, Metabolically Unhealthy Normal-Weight (MUNW) was more frequent in males (56.3%), whereas Metabolically Unhealthy Obese (MUO) was more frequent in females (51.3%). This phenotypes had a higher coronary event risk, especially for obese individuals (MHO: OR=1.85 CI95%: 1.11-3.09; p=0.02 and MUO: OR=2.09 CI95%: 1.34-3.28; p<0.01).

Conclusion: Individuals with atypical metabolic phenotypes are common in Maracaibo city. Related factors may include insulin resistance, basal glucose, and triglycerides levels. Lastly, obese subjects show a higher coronary event risk even those with normal metabolic status.
Graduate Student Perceptions of Online Advising
Authors: Cross Lydia Karakolidis
Published: January 2019

As online education continues to expand across the nation and world, studies on online learners need to continually address student needs for and satisfaction with advising. However, to date, academic advising for online education has been explored rarely. Therefore, this quantitative study was conducted on graduate students' perceptions of academic advising experiences in online education programs in terms of communication, academic advisor knowledge of support services, and academic advisor behaviors. The data indicated that students agreed to statements about academic advisors as effective and that they expected proactive, timely, and knowledgeable advising. Implications for advisors of online students and suggested strategies emerged from the data and may enhance current advising practices.
Monitoring and Evaluation of Whole-Body Vibration Exposure of Equipment Operators and Assessment of Associated Health Risk in an Indian Underground Pb-Zn Mine
Authors: BHUSHAN MANDAL BIBHUTI , SHRINARAYAN PRAJAPATI SHIVKUMAR , AFTAB HUSSAIN SYED , ANUP MISHRA RAHUL
Published: January 2019

Exposure to whole-body vibration (1-80 Hz) manifest in higher incidences of low back pain and other musculoskeletal disorders among the workforce in mining industry. The aim of the study was to determine the vibration intensity of twelve mining equipments which are regularly deployed in an underground mine and to evaluate the long term health risk of their operators as per ISO 2631-1:1997 guidelines. It was observed that the low profile dump trucks (LPDT) and load haul dumpers (LHD) had x axis (front-back) as dominant axis of vibration. The operators of LPDTs and LHDs had moderate health risk considering frequency weighted root mean square (r.m.s.) acceleration values of vibration (0.46 – 1.01 m/s2) and corresponding daily exposure of about 6 hours in a shift. Operators of three equipments i.e. water sprinkler, utility vehicle and backfill material carrier had high health risk with z (vertical) as dominant axis of vibration. RMS acceleration values were comparatively high (1.30- 1.96 m/s2) even though their duration of exposure was less (2.5-5.0 hours). Motor grader operator had minimal health risk from vibration exposure while rest two operators of explosive and personnel carrier had moderate health risk. Additional assessment of health risk was carried out using total vibration dose values wherever applicable. High health risks were attributed to fast and harsh driving, poor seat condition and absence of independent seat suspension. Besides technical and operational modifications, training programs should be organised to improve the awareness of this hazard among miners in India.
Comparative Analysis of the Level of Pesticide Residues in Beef, Chevon and Internal Organs of Cows and Goats Slaughtered in Yola Abattoir of Adamawa State, Nigeria
Authors: N. OLIVER MAITERA , LOUIS HITLER , S. YUSUF BATA , T. ADEREMI ADELEYE , U. OZIOMA AKAKURU , O. THOMAS MAGU
Published: January 2019

This work examines the presence of pesticides residue levels in beef, chevon, and internal organs obtained from cows and goats slaughtered at Yola Abattoir in Adamawa State.Residues of organochlorines and organophosphorus pesticides were extracted from the meat, chevon and internal organs of the cows and goats using QuEChERS method, and analyzed by GC-MS technique.The residue analysis revealed that beef and chevon samples had no traces of organochlorines whileorganophosphorus (chlorpyrifos, dichlorvos, dichlorpyrifos, diazinon, dimethoate, primifos-methyl, and malathion) pesticide residues detected were below threshold level of 0.01 mg/kg. The result of the animals’ intestine showed the presence of chlorpyrifos (0.034 ± 0.001 vs. 0.031 ± 0.001) and (0.027 ± 0.001 vs.0.023 ± 0.0014) above the standard values, whereas, the dichlorvos level were (0.059 ± 0.0014 vs. 0.050 ± 0.0007), (0.061 ± 0.0007 vs. 0.043 ± 0.0014) and (0.072 ± 0.0014 vs. 0.031 ± 0.001) below the maximum residual value of 1 mg/kg.The kidney residue revealed that dichlorpyrifos, diazinon, dimethoate, primi-methyl and malathion were below the maximum residue limit (0.001 mg/kg) in the cow samples while chlorpyrifos: (0.013 ± 0.001 vs. 0.012 ± 0.001 vs. 0.018 ± 0.001 vs. 0.053 ± 0.001) were above the standard value (0.01 mg/kg). Dichlorvos was detected in the kidney of the goats; (0.069 ± 0.0007 vs. 0.035 ± 0.0014) and (0.052 ± 0.0014) below the maximum residual limit (MRL). Residue analysis in the livers of the cows also showed the presence of chlorpyrifos at (0.011 ± 0.001), (0.014 ± 0.001), (0.08 ± 0.001) above the recommended value, while dichlorvos (1.012 ± 0.001 vs. 0.027 ± 0.001) and (0.029 ± 0.001 vs. 0.037 ± 0.001) were below MRL established by the international health regulation agencies. Residue analysis of all the samples studied shows no trace of organochlorine pesticides. These findings are alarming and are potential threats to the public health.
Biomass Carbon, Carbon Sequestration Potential and Soil Properties as Influence by Different Modules for Management of Chambal Ravines
Authors: SINGH AKHILESH , VERMA S.K. , A. KHAMBALKAR PRIYADARSHANI , S. YADAV SHASHI , RAJPUT SUNIL
Published: January 2019

Erosion through ravines causes many problems on bank of Chambal river in Madhya Pradesh. It damages rangelands, croplands and infra-structures. Plantation of different fruit trees (Moringa oleifera, Amblica officinalis, Psidium guaijava, Ziziphuszezuba, Punica grantum, Annonasquamosa), forest / medicinal trees (Cenchr sciliaris,Azardirechtaindica, Pongamia pinnata, Albizialebbeck, Dalbergiasisso and Acacia nilotica)) and some grasses (lemon grass, pamarosa, para and napier grass) under four management modules viz. M1-diversified cropping system, M2- Agri-horticultural, M3- Horti-pastoral, M4- Silvi-medicinal and M5- Silvi-pastoral were raised during 2012 at 3x3 m spacing. Plants absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere by the process of photosynthesis and store the carbon (C) as biomass.The highest biomass carbon wasyielded in ModuleM3, followed by M2, M5, M4 and M1, respectively. The average biomass carbon was found highest in grasses followed by fruit and forest trees. The study shows that the carbon sequestration in soil (0-15 cm) was found highest in M4 (0.45%) followed by M5 (0.44%), M1 (0.36%), M2 (0.35%) and between depth 15-25 cm the soil sequestration was highest in M1. The percent increase in soil carbon from 2012 to 2017 was highest in M1 (0-15 cm), while in depth 15-25 cm M4 showedhighest increase in soil carbon. Available nutrient status showedtremendous changes over initial value whereas available phosphorous showed decreasing trend under all modules after six years of studies.
PENGEMBANGAN DAN VALIDASI METODE KROMATOGRAFI LAPIS TIPIS DENSITOMETRI UNTUK PENETAPAN KADAR TEOFILIN DAN EFEDRIN HIDROKLORIDA SECARA SIMULTAN PADA SEDIAAN TABLET
Authors: Wulandari Lestyo , Retnaningtyas Yuni , Mustafidah Diyanul
Published: January 2019

The combination of Theophylline and Ephedrine isoften used to induce an additive effect in alleviating thesymptoms of respiratory disorders. This research is aimed todevelop a Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) densitometrymethodfor the simultaneous determination of Theophyllineand Ephedrine hydrochloride in tablet dosage form. Themethod employed TLC aluminium plates precoated withsilica gel 60F254 as the stationary phase and the mixture ofethyl acetate: glacial acetic acid: aquabidest (11: 5 : 1 v/v)asthe eluen system. For detection of Ephedrinehydrochloride, the TLC plate must be re-eluted with 0,5%ninhydrin solution in aquabidest, and then heated at 105°Cfor 15 min. Quantitative evaluation was performed bymeasuring the absorbance-reflectance of the analyte spot at279 nm and 505 nm for Theophylline and Ephedrinehydrochloride, respectively. validation of the method showthat TLC Densitometryis selective and specific,showed agood linearity, precise, and accurate and can be used forroutine analysis of tablet in industrial quality controllaboratories.Keywords:TLCDensitometryV, alidationT, heophyllineE, phedrinehydrochloride
SITOTOKSISITAS XANTHORRHIZOL dari MINYAK ATSIRI RIMPANG Curcuma xanthorrhizaRoxb. terhadap SEL KANKER PAYUDARA YBM-1
Authors: Udin Zalinar
Published: January 2019

Curcuma xanthorrhiza Roxb. (temulawak) known hascytotoxic activity against cancel cells. The active compoundofCurcuma xanthorrhizaRoxb., for several cancer cells isxanthorrhizole. This research would assay the cytotoxicactivity of volatile oil from Curcuma xanthorrhizaRoxb. 'srhizome toward YMB-1 breast cancer cell. The method wasdone by in-vitro with alamar blue dyed, and measuredtheabsorbance to observe the viability (%) of cell and IC,ovalue. Xanthorrhizole used in this research was isolate fromethyl acetate fraction of Curcuma xanthorrhizaRoxb. 'srhizome compared the result with pure xanthorrhizol . Thecytotoxic activity assay toward YMB-1 cell showed thatxantorrhizole has highest activity with ICso 2.88 glmL,followed by the volatile oil with IC,o 3.20 glmL.lt meansthatactivity of volatile oil was not significantly different comparedwith that of xanthorrhizole . The lowest activity was found onisolate C27 with ICso 4.80 g/ml, while antimycin as positivecontrol gave IC,o 1.03 glmL..Keywords: Curcumaxanthorrhiza Roxb., volatile oil,xanthorrhizol,breast cancer,YMB-1cell, alamar blue method
APLlKASI KALSIUM KLORIDA DAN ETHEPHON DALAM UPAYA PENINGKATAN KUALITAS BUAH NANAS (Ananas comosus (L) Merr)
Authors: Astuti Nungki Kusuma , Maghfoer Moch Dawam , Soelistyono Roedy
Published: January 2019

The objective of research was to obtain the treatmenttime of CaCl2 applications, dosage of CaCl2 and ethephonapplications to improve the fruit quality of pineapple. Thisresearch used Split-Split Plot Design and each treatmentreplicated 3times. The main plot is time ofCaCl2 applicationsthat consists of three levels, those are 90 day after flowering(daf), 120 daf and twice of CaCl2 applications at 90 and 120daf The sub plot is dosage of CaCl2 that consists of threelevels, those are 50 kg ha', 75 kg ha' and 100 kg ha', The subsub plot is dosage of ethephon that consists of two levels,those areO L ha' and 2,5 L ha', The results showed that thecombined treatment ofCaCl2 application on 90 daf, dosage ofCaCl250 kg ha' and dosage of ethephon 2.5 L ha' producedistribution external fruit maturity level of 25% and 50%higher than the other treatments. Combined treatment twiceof CaCl2 application on 90 and 120 daf with dosage of CaCl2100 kg ha' produces calcium content higher than the othertreatment and produce fruit texture, percentage of fruitdiseases and percentage of fruit bruised lower than othertreatments. Ethephon application had noeffect on calciumcontent but decreasing fruit texture, percentage of fruitdiseases and improved percentage offruit bruised. CaCl2 andethephonapplications didnot affect the total soluble solid,total acidity and vitamin C. .Keywords: CaCl2, ethephon, pineapple, fruit quality.
ISOLASI DAN PEMURNIAN WEDELOLAKTON DARI TUMBUHAN URANG ARING (Eclipta alba L. Hassk)
Authors: Yuliana Trisna
Published: January 2019

Wedelolactone has a wide range of biological activities and used for the-treatment of various ailment. In the present study an experiment of isolation method of wedelolactone from Eclipta alba L. Hassk plant has been developed by conventional process using maceration method, partitions, and column chromatography and the result was characterized by NMR, UV- Vis and mass spectroscopy. The experimental results showed that the process of isolation isproduce wedelolactone with94% purity which are expected to be used as a standard.
SINTESIS XANTON DARI ASAM 2-PHENOXYBENZOIC ACID SEBAGAI BAHAN DASAR OBAT MALARIA BARU
Authors: Amanatie Amanatie , Jumina Jumina , Mustofa Mustofa , Hanafi M.
Published: January 2019

Synthesis of xanthone was conducted from the raw material of 2-phenoxybenzoic acid through acid-catalyzed-cyclization. The product was characterized using UV- Vis, 1 13 d FT-IR, H-NMR, C-NMR, an LC-MS Cyclization of 2-phenoxybenzoic acid using sulfuric acid catalyt gave xanthone in 86.11 % yield. These compounds as the basis of new malaria drugs.Keywords 2-phenoxybenzoic acid, Synthesis, Xanthone, Characterized.
KARAKTERISTIK BIO-OIL HASIL PIROLISIS AMPAS TEBU
Authors: Erawati Emi , Sediawan Wahyudi Budi , Mulyono Panut
Published: January 2019

Bagasse (Saccarum oficinarum L) is a waste of sugar mills that can be utilized for a variety of chemicals. The purposes of this study are to determine the percentage of compounds and physical properties of bio-oil, to determine the effect of variations of particle size and heating rate on the yields of bio-oil. Pyrolysis has been carried out in a reactor made of steel pipe type 5737 with dimension: diameter 7.62 em and a length of 3 7 cm.. The reactor was inserted into the furnace with a diameter of 15.24 em and a length of 40 em. One hundred and fifty grams of bagasse (Saccarum oficinarum L) has been inserted into the reactor without the presence of oxygen at atmospheric pressure. Pyrolysis has been carried out at the particle size of (-20+25) mesh, (-25+30) mesh, (-30+35) mesh, (- 35+40) mesh, and -40 mesh with electrical voltage of 100, 105, 115, and 120 volt. Produced of bio-oil has the following properties: brown color, pH of 2.96 to 3.03, viscosity of 1.3306 to 1.5101 cp, and density of 1.03 to 1.5 g/mL. The largest content of the compound is acetic acid (59, 72%). The highest yields percentage of the particle size is (40,32%) on (-20+25 mesh) with the highest yields percentage of electrical voltage is 38,82% on 105 volt.Keywords : Bagasse, acetic acid, bio-oil, pyrolysis, yields
The medical aspect of using anabolic androgenic steroids in males attending gyms of Saint-Petersburg
Authors: Lykhonosov Mykola P. , Babenko Alina Yu.
Published: January 2019

Background. Anabolic androgenic steroids (AASs) are often used by individuals engaged in physical recreational activity. AASs inhibit the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonad axis and can cause erectile dysfunction and reduced fertility. There is no data on the use of AASs in this category of people in the Russian Federation; therefore, a study exploring the rate and patterns of using steroids for non-medical purposes is topical.
Aim of this study was to investigate the rate and patterns of using AASs in males attending gyms in Saint Petersburg.
Material and methods. We used individual anonymous postal survey of males attending gyms. We analyzed demographic and anthropometric data, information on the use of AASs, awareness of their side effects, used agents, patterns and duration of their use, and rehabilitation therapy.
Results. Out of 1,815 sent questionnaires, we received back 762 ones. The criteria were met by 550 questionnaires. The mean age was 29.37.4 years. The use of AASs was reported by 30.4% of respondents. The main AAS (74.3%) consumers were males aged 22 to 35 years. The most popular drug was Testosterone Propionate (51.5%); the drug was often combined with Oxandrolone (19.7%). In 70.6% of cases, drugs were administered by injection or injection combined with tablet intake. The injectable testosterone dose ranged from 500 to 2,000 mg/week and above. The most common dose was 1,000 mg/week (23.9%). AAS administration for more than 1 year was reported in 16.1% of males. Anastrozole (55%), hCG (51.3%), Clomiphene (41.3%), and Tamoxifen (30.5%) were used during the recovery period. The main source of information on AASs, doses, and dosage patterns was the Internet (48.7%). A negative attitude towards AASs was found in 17.3% of respondents. The desire to receive qualified information about AASs and their impact on health was reported by 54.8% of the surveyed respondents.
Conclusion. Almost every fourth gym visitor has experience in using AASs. These are males of an optimal reproductive age. The common pattern of using AASs is an aggressive steroid course followed by a recovery period. The list of used drugs and their doses indicate a significant pharmacological intervention and a high risk to health.
Endometrial cell apoptosis impairment associated with hormonal imbalance as a key factor in the development of endometriosis
Authors: Ukrainets Roman V. , Korneva Yulia S.
Published: January 2019

The review describes the effect of certain hormones and their imbalance on apoptosis of retrogradely refluxed endometrial cells in the abdominal cavity and the effects of estrogen, progesterone, anti-Mullerian hormone, and gonadotropin-releasing hormone on the internal and external apoptotic pathways of various cell populations in endometriotic foci. The nuclear estrogen receptor (ER-) is shown to inhibit TNF receptors that trigger the external apoptotic pathway, but the effects of estrogens do not play a key role in the pathogenesis of endometriosis. The role of progesterone and changes in the receptor status towards prevalence of PR-A with a decreased response of endometrial tissue to progesterone and inhibition of apoptosis are described. We discuss the role of the anti-Mllerian hormone and gonadotropin-releasing hormone II (GnRH II) as activators of apoptosis in normal endometrial tissue and in endometriosis. Investigation of endocrine effects on apoptosis of parenchymal and stromal cells of endometriotic foci may provide a theoretical basis for searching for new therapeutic targets in this hormone-dependent pathology.
Integration of Lidar Data and GIS Data for Point Cloud Semantic Enrichment at the Point Level
Authors: Aljumaily Harith , Laefer Debra F. , Cuadra Dolores
Published: January 2019

Commercial aerial laser scanning is generally delivered with point-by-point metadata for object identification, but current vendor-generated classification approaches (which rely exclusively on that data) generate high misclassification rates in urban areas. To overcome this problem
and provide a fully scalable solution that harnesses distributed computing capabilities, this paper introduces a novel system, employing a MapReduce framework and existing GIS-based data, to provide more detailed and accurate classification. The approach goes beyond traditional gross-level
classification (roads, buildings, trees, noise) by enriching the point cloud metadata with detailed semantic information about the object type. The approach was evaluated using two datasets of differing point density, separated by eight years for the same study area in Dublin, Ireland. As
evaluated against manually classified data, classification quality ranged from 76% to 91% depending upon category and only 8% remained unclassified, as opposed to the commercial vendor's classification quality which ranged from 43% to 78% with 82% left unclassified.
Assessment of Different Vegetation Parameters for Parameterizing the Coupled Water Cloud Model and Advanced Integral Equation Model for Soil Moisture Retrieval Using Time Series Sentinel-1A Data
Authors: Wang Long , He Binbin , Bai Xiaojing , Xing Minfeng
Published: January 2019

Soil moisture is an important state variable of the land surface ecosystem. In this paper, the water cloud model (WCM) and advanced integral equation model (AIEM) are coupled to retrieve soil moisture using time series Sentinel-1A
data and moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer (MODIS) data. Normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), enhanced vegetation index (EVI), leaf area index (LAI) and fraction
of photosynthetically active radiation (FPAR), are cross-combined to initialize the calibrated model. The calibration results show the following: (1) Vegetation parameters have a great influence on model calibration; and (2) The combination of (NDVI,
LAI) is recommended to calibrate the coupled model, the RMSE, R2 is 0.739 dB, and 0.716 for the observed and estimated backscattering coefficients. The soil moisture inversion results show that: (1) the accuracy of model calibration
and soil moisture inversion are inconsistent; and (2) The normalized vegetation parameters, such as NDVI, EVI and FPAR, are suitable for WCM to describe vegetation characteristics, and
NDVI is the optimum. When V2 is the NDVI, the average bias, MAE, RMSE, ubRMSE and R2 are –0.007 m3/m3, 0.074 m3/m3, 0.087
m³/m³, 0.087 m3/m3 and 0.750, respectively.
The Potential of Multispectral Vegetation Indices Feature Space for Quantitatively Estimating the Photosynthetic, Non-Photosynthetic Vegetation and Bare Soil Fractions in Northern China
Authors: Zheng Guoxiong , Bao Anming , Li Xiaosong , Jiang Liangliang , Chang Cun , Chen Tao , Gao Zhihai
Published: January 2019

Non-photosynthetic vegetation (NPV) is widely distributed in the arid and semi-arid area, especially in the sandy areas. The hyperspectral-based cellulose absorption index (CAI) is an accepted method for estimating the cover fractions
of NPV. However, the spaceborne hyperspectral data currently available to us are very limited. In this study, we tried to identify one or more combinations based on the multispectral vegetation indices feature space model to quantitatively estimate the PV,
NPV and bare soil fractions of the Otindag Sandy Land in northern China. Three frequently-used green vegetation indices, NDVI, EVI and OSAVI, and nine multispectral-based indices sensitive
to NPV were used to examine the spatial patterns based on the field measured endmember spectra and non-growing and growing season Landsat-8 OLI image reflectance spectra. The capabilities of these different combinations were tested in this
study area using mosaicked Landsat-8 OLI imagery. The results show that the feature space of different combinations based on the field measured spectra and image reflectance spectra has good consistency. The separability of feature space determines the availability
of this model. The normalized difference senescent vegetation index (NDSVI) and brightness index (BI) were found to have greater potential to combine with the three selected green vegetation indices for simultaneous estimation of the fractional cover of PV, NPV,
and bare soil in the Otindag Sandy Land because of their clear and separable feature space. We obtained the best and medium-precision estimates for NDVI-NDSVI (fPV: RMSE=0.26; fNPV:
RMSE=0.17) and OSAVI-BI (fPV: RMSE=0.27; fNPV: RMSE=0.25) for 104 field observations.
Start late or finish early
Authors: Song Shuang , Liu Xu , Wu Qinzhe , Gerstlauer Andreas , Li Tao , John Lizy K.
Published: January 2019

Graph processing systems are important in the big data domain. However, processing graphs in parallel often introduces redundant computations in existing algorithms and models. Prior work has proposed techniques to optimize redundancies for out-of-core graph systems, rather than distributed graph systems. In this paper, we study various state-of-the-art distributed graph systems and observe root causes for these pervasively existing redundancies. To reduce redundancies without sacrificing parallelism, we further propose
SLFE,
a distributed graph processing system, designed with the principle of "start late or finish early".
SLFE
employs a novel preprocessing stage to obtain a graph's topological knowledge with negligible overhead.
SLFE's
redundancy-aware vertex-centric computation model can then utilize such knowledge to reduce the redundant computations at runtime.
SLFE
also provides a set of APIs to improve programmability. Our experiments on an 8-machine high-performance cluster show that
SLFE
outperforms all well-known distributed graph processing systems with the inputs of real-world graphs, yielding up to 75x speedup. Moreover,
SLFE
outperforms two state-of-the-art shared memory graph systems on a high-end machine with up to 1644x speedup.
SLFE's
redundancy-reduction schemes are generally applicable to other vertex-centric graph processing systems.
Improving optimistic concurrency control through transaction batching and operation reordering
Authors: Ding Bailu , Kot Lucja , Gehrke Johannes
Published: January 2019

OLTP systems can often improve throughput by
batching
transactions and processing them as a group. Batching has been used for optimizations such as message packing and group commits; however, there is little research on the benefits of a holistic approach to batching across a transaction's entire life cycle. In this paper, we present a framework to incorporate batching at multiple stages of transaction execution for OLTP systems based on optimistic concurrency control. Storage batching enables reordering of transaction reads and writes at the storage layer, reducing conflicts on the same object. Validator batching enables reordering of transactions before validation, reducing conflicts between transactions. Dependencies between transactions make transaction reordering a non-trivial problem, and we propose several efficient and practical algorithms that can be customized to various transaction precedence policies such as reducing tail latency. We also show how to reorder transactions with a thread-aware policy in multi-threaded OLTP architecture without a centralized validator.

In-depth experiments on a research prototype, an opensource OLTP system, and a production OLTP system show that our techniques increase transaction throughput by up to 2.2x and reduce their tail latency by up to 71% compared with the start-of-the-art systems on workloads with high data contention.
An Empirical Examination of the “Rule of Three”: Strategy Implications for Top Management, Marketers, and Investors
Authors: Uslay Can , Altintig Z. Ayca , Winsor Robert D.
Published: January 2019

This study represents the first empirical examination of the “Rule of Three,” a theory at odds with several popular notions regarding industry structure and business performance, including the positive linear market share–performance relationship. In general, the findings from more than 160 industries support the Rule of Three and provide five main insights: First, there appears to be a prevalent competitive structure for mature industries in which three “generalist” firms control the market. Second, industries that conform to this structure tend to perform better than industries with a fewer or greater number of generalists. Third, both “specialists” and generalists outperform firms that are “stuck in the middle.” Fourth, the performance benefits of market leadership appear to diminish with excessive market share. Fifth, the Rule of Three industry structure and its influence over firm profitability do not appear to be priced appropriately by financial markets. The authors discuss the implications for multiple stakeholders.
Don't Think Twice, It's All Right: Music Piracy and Pricing in a DRM-Free Environment
Authors: Sinha Rajiv K. , Machado Fernando S. , Sellman Collin
Published: January 2019

The music industry has widely viewed digital rights management (DRM) as an effective strategy for reducing digital piracy. Digital rights management systems aim to prevent unauthorized copying and to reduce the overall rate of piracy. Therefore, the recent move toward offering DRM-free music by some major online music sellers appears paradoxical. In this article, the authors propose a model that conceptualizes and estimates the concept of hardcore piracy in an attempt to resolve this apparent paradox. Based on two large empirical studies and a validation exercise with a large sample of more 2000 college students, the model results indicate that the music industry can benefit from removing DRM because such a strategy has the potential to convert some pirates into paying consumers. In addition, a DRM-free environment enhances both consumer and producer welfare by increasing the demand for legitimate products as well as consumers’ willingness to pay for these products. The authors find that producers could benefit by lowering prices from currently observed levels. The article concludes with a discussion of the practical implications of the findings for managers within the music industry.
Customer Reactions to Service Separation
Authors: Keh Hean Tat , Pang Jun
Published: January 2019

Recent research suggests that inseparability is not a universal distinguishing characteristic of services and that the consumption of many services is or can be separated from their production. This research defines service separation as customers’ absence from service production, which denotes the spatial separation between service production and consumption. In a series of qualitative and quantitative studies across different services, the authors examine customer reactions to service separation. The results indicate that service separation increases customers’ perceptions of not only access convenience and benefit convenience but also performance risk and psychological risk. Furthermore, these effects differ across services. Specifically, relative to experience services, for credence services, the effects of separation on service convenience are mitigated, and the effects on perceived risk are magnified. Subsequently, the convenience and risk perceptions induced by service separation can influence customers’ purchase decisions and postexperience evaluations. Customers prefer separation for experience services and when they have an established relationship with the service provider. Finally, the authors discuss the theoretical contributions and managerial implications and offer directions for further research.
Designing Solutions around Customer Network Identity Goals
Authors: Epp Amber M. , Price Linda L.
Published: January 2019

When companies fail to account for collective and relational goals in customer solutions, a mismatch can occur between firms’ solutions and those that customers envision. Understanding the integration processes of customer networks is essential to improving solution design. This investigation draws on depth interviews with 21 families, the focal customer network, to generate collective and relational vacation narratives that contextualize their accounts. The authors identify four customer network integration processes: offerings assembled around prioritized goals, alternate participation, concurrent participation, and offerings assembled around separate coalitions. The findings reveal that the resulting mix of integrated products and services, or the solution, is shaped by customer network identity goals, goal management approaches, and constraints. The authors conclude with recommendations for how firms can use this information to improve solution design, identify new network partners, and revise value propositions.
Market Pioneer and Early Follower Survival Risks: A Contingency Analysis of Really New versus Incrementally New Product-Markets
Authors: Min Sungwook , Kalwani Manohar U. , Robinson William T.
Published: January 2019

Does the first entrant in a new market have a difficult time surviving or do first-mover advantages provide protection from outright failure? This empirical study of 264 new industrial product-markets yields insights into this controversial research topic. The key data analysis insights arise through a comparison of survival risks in markets that were started with a really new product and in those that were started with an incremental innovation. When a pioneer starts a new market with a really new product, it can be a major challenge just to survive. In contrast, in markets started by an incremental innovation, market pioneer survival risks are much lower. Notably, early followers have the same survival risk across both types of markets. Overall, these results indicate that in markets started by a really new product, the first to market is often the first to fail. In contrast, in markets started by an incremental innovation, it appears that first-mover advantages protect the pioneer from outright failure.
Understanding Consumer Responses to Product Risk Information
Authors: Cox Anthony D. , Cox Dena , Zimet Gregory
Published: January 2019

Two experiments examine how message framing moderates consumer responses to product risk information. The findings suggest that contrary to an influential theory, consumers exposed to loss-framed messages exhibit a general aversion to product risk involving both short-term adverse effects and more permanent harm. In contrast, consumers exposed to gain-framed messages differentiate among different types of product risk. They essentially ignore temporary product risks but give considerable decisional weight to risks of permanent harm. This article discusses the implications of these findings for those who design and regulate promotional messages that contain product risk disclosures.
When Should a Retailer Create an Exciting Store Environment?
Authors: Kaltcheva Velitchka D. , Weitz Barton A.
Published: January 2019

Addressing inconsistent results in the literature, the conceptual framework that the authors develop proposes that the consumer's motivational orientation moderates the effect of the arousal produced by a store environment on the pleasantness of the environment. Two experiments support the framework. When consumers have a recreational motivational orientation, high arousal has a positive effect on pleasantness, but when consumers have a task-oriented motivational orientation, high arousal decreases pleasantness. In addition, high arousal increases consumer intentions to visit and make purchases in the store for recreationally oriented consumers, but it has a negative impact on shopping behavior for task-oriented consumers. Pleasantness mediates the effect of arousal on shopping behavior.
The Emergence of Dominant Designs
Authors: Srinivasan Raji , Lilien Gary L. , Rangaswamy Arvind
Published: January 2019

In many product categories, technological evolution results in the emergence of a single product design that achieves market dominance. In this article, the authors examine two questions: Will a dominant design emerge in a new product category? and If it does, how long will it be before a dominant design emerges? Thus, the authors simultaneously model the probability of emergence of a dominant design and the time of that emergence, conditional on its emergence. The model incorporates the effects of several product-market characteristics on the probability and time of dominant design emergence, including appropriability of the rents associated with the product, network effects, size of the product's value net, the standards-setting process, radicalness of innovation, and research-and-development intensity. The authors use data for 63 office products and consumer durables to estimate a split-population hazard model for the probability and time of emergence of the dominant design. They find that a dominant design is more likely to emerge with weak appropriability, weak network effects, low product radicalness, and high research-and-development intensity. Dominant designs that emerge are likely to emerge sooner in product categories in which there is weak appropriability, there are a large number of firms in the value net, the standards are set by a de facto process, and there is low product radicalness The proposed model can be used to predict both the probability and the time of the emergence of a dominant design in a new product category.