bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Improved Monarch Butterfly Optimization Algorithm Based on Opposition‐Based Learning and Random Local Perturbation
Authors: Sun Lin , Chen Suisui , Xu Jiucheng , Tian Yun
Published: February 2019

Many optimization problems have become increasingly complex, which promotes researches on the improvement of different optimization algorithms. The monarch butterfly optimization (MBO) algorithm has proven to be an effective tool to solve various kinds of optimization problems. However, in the basic MBO algorithm, the search strategy easily falls into local optima, causing premature convergence and poor performance on many complex optimization problems. To solve the issues, this paper develops a novel MBO algorithm based on opposition‐based learning (OBL) and random local perturbation (RLP). Firstly, the OBL method is introduced to generate the opposition‐based population coming from the original population. By comparing the opposition‐based population with the original population, the better individuals are selected and pass to the next generation, and then this process can efficiently prevent the MBO from falling into a local optimum. Secondly, a new RLP is defined and introduced to improve the migration operator. This operation shares the information of excellent individuals and is helpful for guiding some poor individuals toward the optimal solution. A greedy strategy is employed to replace the elitist strategy to eliminate setting the elitist parameter in the basic MBO, and it can reduce a sorting operation and enhance the computational efficiency. Finally, an OBL and RLP‐based improved MBO (OPMBO) algorithm with its complexity analysis is developed, following on which many experiments on a series of different dimensional benchmark functions are performed and the OPMBO is applied to clustering optimization on several public data sets. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm can achieve the great optimization performance compared with a few state‐of‐the‐art algorithms in most of the test cases.
Cochineal Waxy Residues as Source of Policosanol: Chemical Hydrolysis and Enzymatic Transesterification
Authors: Ramos-Zambrano Emilia , Herrera-Serrano Pedro , García-Dávila Jorge , Ríos-Cortés Gabriel , Jiménez-Aparicio Antonio Ruperto , Martínez-Ayala Alma Leticia
Published: February 2019

The aim of this study was to obtain and characterise the long-chain alcohols present in policosanol derived from waste from the production of carminic acid, a natural colouring agent widely used in the food industry. The effectiveness of different methods designed for extraction of policosanol from waxy waste was investigated and its content and composition was determined. Triacontanol was the main component in policosanol produced by chemical processes, and it yields up to 13% by alkaline hydrolysis in water and chloroform extraction. Regarding enzymatic transesterification, policosanol was obtained using lipase Candida antarctica recombinant in Aspergillus niger (CAL-Bn) in a reaction medium with toluene. To improve the reaction, different acyl receptors, propanol, butanol, and isopropanol, were tested and molecular sieves were employed to maintain an anhydrous reaction medium. In this case, the policosanol was made up of other long-chain alcohols, but triacontanol was obtained in yields of up to 19% using isopropanol as an acyl receptor. Triacontanol has a great commercial value due to its effect as a promoter of plant growth, and these results contribute to the use and application of this agroindustrial waste in obtaining value-added products.
Jwa Kum Whan Attenuates Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease by Modulating Glucose Metabolism and the Insulin Signaling Pathway
Authors: Lim Dong-Woo , Kim Hyuck , Lee Seung-Jun , Yu Ga-Ram , Kim Jai-Eun , Park Won-Hwan
Published: February 2019

Over the last decade, the link between nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and insulin resistance has attracted considerable attention. Caused by chronic hyperglycemic stress, insulin resistance (IR) impairs insulin signal transduction and leads to the development of NAFLD. Jwa Kum Whan (JKW), a herbal formula in Traditional Korean Medicine, consists of two medicinal herbs that possess notable effects against hyperglycemia and IR. In this study, we sought to determine the pharmacological effects of JKW, and the mechanisms responsible, on hepatic steatosis in free fatty acids (FFAs)-stimulated HepG2 cells and in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed obese mice. Treatment with JKW significantly decreased intracellular lipid accumulation in vitro. Furthermore, JKW significantly triggered the phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) and modulated glucose and lipid metabolism via an AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway. Analysis of serum parameters in HFD-fed mice showed that JKW improved glucose levels and insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR). In addition, JKW successfully reduced hepatic triglyceride (TG) and cholesterol accumulation. Our results suggest that JKW alleviates NAFLD by modulating the insulin signaling pathway and glucose metabolism. These findings provide a scientific rationale for the potential use of JKW for the treatment and prevention of NAFLD.
Prosthetic Joint Infection Trends at a Dedicated Orthopaedics Specialty Hospital
Authors: Runner Robert P. , Mener Amanda , Roberson James R. , Bradbury Thomas L. , Guild George N. , Boden Scott D. , Erens Greg A.
Published: February 2019

Introduction. Historically, a majority of prosthetic joint infections (PJIs) grew Gram-positive bacteria. While previous studies stratified PJI risk with specific organisms by patient comorbidities, we compared infection rates and microbiologic characteristics of PJIs by hospital setting: a dedicated orthopaedic hospital versus a general hospital serving multiple surgical specialties. Methods. A retrospective review of prospectively collected data on 11,842 consecutive primary hip and knee arthroplasty patients was performed. Arthroplasty cases performed between April 2006 and August 2008 at the general university hospital serving multiple surgical specialties were compared to cases at a single orthopaedic specialty hospital from September 2008 to August 2016. Results. The general university hospital PJI incidence rate was 1.43%, with 5.3% of infections from Gram-negative species. In comparison, at the dedicated orthopaedic hospital, the overall PJI incidence rate was substantially reduced to 0.75% over the 8-year timeframe. Comparing the final two years of practice at the general university facility to the most recent two years at the dedicated orthopaedics hospital, the PJI incidence was significantly reduced (1.43% vs 0.61%). Though the overall number of infections was reduced, there was a significantly higher proportion of Gram-negative infections over the 8-year timeframe at 25.3%. Conclusion. In transitioning from a multispecialty university hospital to a dedicated orthopaedic hospital, the PJI incidence has been significantly reduced despite a greater Gram-negative proportion (25.3% versus 5.3%). These results suggest a change in the microbiologic profile of PJI when transitioning to a dedicated orthopaedic facility and that greater Gram-negative antibiotic coverage could be considered.
Multi‐DOF Ultrasonic Actuators for Laser Beam Positioning
Authors: Bansevicius Ramutis , Mazeika Dalius , Jurenas Vytautas , Kulvietis Genadijus , Drukteiniene Asta
Published: February 2019

A novel design concept of multi‐degree‐of‐freedom (multi‐DOF) piezoelectric actuator is introduced in the paper. The main idea is to connect two identical piezoelectric transducers by hyperelastic material in order to increase the total number of degrees‐of‐freedom of the system. Such design principle also allows to separate vibrations of two piezoelectric transducers and to control them independently. The ring‐ and cylinder‐type piezoelectric transducers were used to design two multi‐DOF ultrasonic actuators for precise laser beam positioning. Reflecting mirror is mounted on the top of the actuator and is preloaded by magnetic force. Both disc‐ and cylinder‐type actuators can realize up to six degrees‐of‐freedom, i.e., to rotate the mirror about three axes employing one transducer and to position mirror in the plane by using another transducer. Bidirectional rotation and translation motion of the mirror are obtained by switching excitation signals between different electrodes of the transducers. Both the numerical simulation and physical prototype were used to verify operating principle of the actuators. Numerical investigation of the piezoelectric actuator was performed to investigate modal‐frequency and harmonic response analysis while experimental study was performed to measure electrical and mechanical output characteristics of the piezoelectric actuator. A mathematical model of contacting force control was proposed, and numerical verification was performed when the mirror need to be rotated according to the specific motion trajectory.
Fundus Autofluorescence in Lamellar Macular Holes and Pseudoholes: A Review
Authors: Bottoni Ferdinando
Published: February 2019

Macular pseudoholes (MPHs) and lamellar macular holes (LMHs) have been recently defined according to spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) criteria. A major feature for differentiating an MPH from an LMH remains the loss of foveal tissue. The anatomy of the foveola is peculiar with the macular pigment (MP) embedded in a very thin layer of tissue underlying the internal limiting membrane and mainly constituted of a specialized group of Müller cells and Henle’s fibers. Despite the near microscopic resolution (≈5–7 μm) and the capability to visualize the outer retina in detail, SD-OCT may fail to ascertain whether a very small loss of this foveolar tissue has occurred. Blue-fundus autofluorescence (B-FAF) imaging is useful in this respect because even very small loss of MP can be identified, suggesting a corresponding localized loss of the innermost layers of the foveola. A definition of MP loss would help differentiating an LMH from an MPH where B-FAF imaging will be negative.
Recognition of a New Cr(VI)-Reducing Strain and Study of the Potential Capacity for Reduction of Cr(VI) of the Strain
Authors: Wang Chunyong , Cui Yanshan
Published: February 2019

The biotransformation of hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] via Cr(VI)-reducing microorganisms is considered an ecofriendly approach to detoxify Cr(VI). A new Cr(VI)-reducing bacterium named Microbacterium sp. QH-2 was isolated in this study. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images showed protrusions on the bacterial surface of strain QH-2 after an 18 h incubation in media under 10 mM Cr(VI) treatment. Results of the experiments on the capacity of reducing Cr(VI) indicated that strain QH-2 could reduce 100% Cr(VI) less than 48-96 h. When media with 4 mM Cr(VI) were incubated, the fastest reduction rate of strain QH-2 could come up to 2.17 mg/L Cr(VI) h−1. Furthermore, strain QH-2 could reduce Cr(VI) over the pH between 7 and 10. The optimum pH to reduce Cr(VI) by strain QH-2 was 9. Strain QH-2 also exhibited a relatively high tolerance even to 20 mM Cr(VI). These results declared that strain QH-2 had the potential to detoxify Cr(VI) in the Cr(VI)-contaminated soil or effluent.
Opinion Polarization during a Dichotomous Electoral Process
Authors: Olivares G. , Cárdenas J. P. , Losada J. C. , Borondo J.
Published: February 2019

Political polarization can emerge on electoral campaigns where the population faces a dichotomous decision, with only two voting alternatives. In this paper, we analyze the Twitter conversation around the second round of the 2017 Chilean elections, where voters had to choose between the final two candidates. First, we have estimated the opinions of Twitter users obtaining a distribution of opinions for each day. Next, we have measured the resulting political polarization from the cited opinion distributions and track its evolution during a full week that includes the voting day. We found the conversation to be highly polarized, reaching its maximum during the previous day to the election and significantly decreasing the day after due to the presence of new users who only participated during that day.
Prior Exposure to Immunosuppressors Sensitizes Retinal Microglia and Accelerates Optic Nerve Regeneration in Zebrafish
Authors: Bollaerts Ilse , Van houcke Jessie , Beckers An , Lemmens Kim , Vanhunsel Sophie , De Groef Lies , Moons Lieve
Published: February 2019

As adult mammals lack the capacity to replace or repair damaged neurons, degeneration and trauma (and subsequent dysfunction) of the central nervous system (CNS) seriously constrains the patient’s life quality. Recent work has shown that appropriate modulation of acute neuroinflammation upon CNS injury can trigger a regenerative response; yet, the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms remain largely elusive. In contrast to mammals, zebrafish retain high regenerative capacities into adulthood and thus form a powerful model to study the contribution of neuroinflammation to successful regeneration. Here, we used pharmacological immunosuppression methods to study the role of microglia/macrophages during optic nerve regeneration in adult zebrafish. We first demonstrated that systemic immunosuppression with dexamethasone (dex) impedes regeneration after optic nerve injury. Secondly, and strikingly, local intravitreal application of dex or clodronate liposomes prior to injury was found to sensitize retinal microglia. Consequently, we observed an exaggerated inflammatory response to subsequent optic nerve damage, along with enhanced tectal reinnervation. In conclusion, we found a strong positive correlation between the acute inflammatory response in the retina and the regenerative capacity of the optic nerve in adult zebrafish subjected to nerve injury.
Inhibition of Cerebral High-Mobility Group Box 1 Protein Attenuates Multiple Organ Damage and Improves T Cell-Mediated Immunity in Septic Rats
Authors: Ren Chao , Li Xiu-hua , Wu Yao , Dong Ning , Tong Ya-lin , Yao Yong-ming
Published: February 2019

Sepsis remains one of the leading causes of mortality in intensive care units, but there is a shortage of effective treatments. A dysregulated host immune response and multiple organ injury are major factors for the pathogenesis and progression of sepsis, which require specific mechanism and treatment. In the present study, we performed an intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection of BoxA, a specific antagonist of high-mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1), in septic rats that were produced by cecal ligation and puncture surgery; we further assessed the functional changes of multiple organs and splenic T lymphocytes. We found that the inhibition of cerebral HMGB1 significantly alleviated multiple organ damage under septic exposure, including damage to the heart, liver, lungs, and kidneys; reversed the immune dysfunction of T cells; and increased the survival of septic rats. These data suggest that central HMGB1 might be a potential therapeutic target for septic challenge and that inhibition of brain HMGB1 can protect against multiple organ dysfunction induced by sepsis.
Metformin Use and Lung Cancer Risk in Diabetic Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Yao Long , Liu Mengke , Huang Yunlong , Wu Kaiming , Huang Xin , Zhao Yuan , He Wei , Zhang Renquan
Published: February 2019

Background. Antidiabetic medications (ADMs) can alter the risk of different types of cancer, but the relationship between lung cancer incidence and metformin remains controversial. Our aim was to quantitatively estimate the relationship between incidences of lung cancer and metformin in patients with diabetes in this meta-analysis. Methods. We performed a search in PubMed, Embase, ISI Web of Science, and Cochrane Library until September 20, 2017. The odds ratio (OR), relative risk (RR) or hazard ratio (HR), and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were estimated using the random-effect model. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) was used to assess the study quality. Results. A total of 13 studies (10 cohort studies and 3 case-control studies) were included in the meta-analysis. Compared to nonmetformin users, metformin probably decreased lung cancer incidence in diabetic patients (RR=0.89; 95% CI, 0.83-0.96; P=0.002) with significant heterogeneity (Q=35.47, I2=66%, P=0.0004). Subgroup analysis showed that cohort studies (RR=0.91; 95% CI, 0.85-0.98; P=0.008), location in Europe (RR=0.90; 95% CI, 0.86-0.94; P<0.0001), the control drug of the sulfonylurea group (RR=0.91; 95% CI, 0.86-0.96; P=0.001), and adjusting for smoking (RR=0.86; 95% CI, 0.75-1.00; P=0.05) may be related to lower lung cancer risk. No significant publication bias was detected using a funnel plot. Conclusion. Metformin use was related to a lower lung cancer risk in diabetic patients compared to nonusers, but this result was retrieved from observational studies and our findings need more well-designed RCTs to confirm the association.
Topological Influence‐Aware Recommendation on Social Networks
Authors: Li Zhaoyi , Xiong Fei , Wang Ximeng , Chen Hongshu , Xiong Xi
Published: February 2019

Users in online networks exert different influence during the process of information propagation, and the heterogeneous influence may contribute to personalized recommendations. In this paper, we analyse the topology of social networks to investigate users’ influence strength on their neighbours. We also exploit the user‐item rating matrix to find the importance of users’ ratings and determine their influence on entire social networks. Based on the local influence between users and global influence over the whole network, we propose a recommendation method with indirect interactions that makes adequate use of users’ relationships on social networks and users’ rating data. The two kinds of influence are incorporated into a matrix factorization framework. We also consider indirect interactions between users who do not have direct links with each other. Experimental results on two real‐world datasets demonstrate that our proposed framework performs better than other state‐of‐the‐art methods for all users and cold‐start users. Compared with node degrees, betweenness, and clustering coefficients, coreness constitutes the best topological descriptor to identify users’ local influence, and recommendations with the measure of coreness outperform other descriptors of user influence.
Infraglenoid Muscle as an Anatomic Variation of the Anterior Rotator Cuff
Authors: Lee Gwan Bum , Kholinne Erica , Kwak Jae-Man , Sun Yucheng , Alhazmi Adel Mohammaed , Jeon In-Ho
Published: February 2019

Case. We report a patient with osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint who underwent reverse shoulder arthroplasty and showed anatomical variation in the subscapularis muscle (SM). A variation of the rotator cuff originating from the anteroinferior aspect of the glenoid was separated from the SM by a septum and was named infraglenoid muscle (IGM). Conclusion. We suggest that the IGM may serve as an additional dynamic stabilizer for external rotation. Studying this particular muscular variation would lead to better understanding of the anatomical structures around the glenoid cavity.
A Simplified Finite Element Approach for Modeling of Multilayer Plates
Authors: Liu Taiyou , Ma Xinbo , Wong Pak Kin , Zhao Jing , Xie Zhengchao , Melo Cristino V. A.
Published: February 2019

The multilayer plate has a great potential for automotive and aerospace applications. However, the complexity in structure and calculation of the response impede the practical applications of multilayer plates. To solve this problem, this work proposes a new plate finite element and a simplified finite element (FE) model for multilayer plates. The proposed new plate finite element consists of the shear and extension strains in all layers. The multilayer structure with the proposed new plate finite element is regarded as a reference to calculate the reference value of the transverse response. The simplified FE model of multilayer plates is proposed based on the equivalent bending stiffness by curve fitting of the reference value of the transverse response. Numerical study shows that this approach can be used to set up the simplified FE model of multilayer plates.
STAT4,TRAF3IP2,IL10, andHCP5Polymorphisms in Sjögren’s Syndrome: Association with Disease Susceptibility and Clinical Aspects
Authors: Colafrancesco Serena , Ciccacci Cinzia , Priori Roberta , Latini Andrea , Picarelli Giovanna , Arienzo Francesca , Novelli Giuseppe , Valesini Guido , Perricone Carlo , Borgiani Paola
Published: February 2019

Sjögren’s syndrome (SS) is a chronic autoimmune condition characterized by autoantibody production, sicca syndrome, and periepithelial lymphocytic lesions in target tissues. A predisposing genetic background is likely, and, to date, several polymorphisms in non-HLA genes have been explored with interesting results. We investigated the association between theSTAT4,TRAF3IP2,HCP5, andIL10polymorphisms and SS susceptibility and their possible role in the modulation of clinical and laboratory features. 195 consecutive patients with SS were enrolled and clinical and laboratory data were collected. 248 age- and sex-matched healthy subjects were used as controls. Genotyping was performed by allelic discrimination assays. A case-control association study and a phenotype-genotype correlation analysis were performed. A genetic risk profile was developed considering the risk alleles. Both the variant alleles of rs7574865 in theSTAT4gene and rs3099844 in theHCP5gene were significantly more prevalent in patients than in controls (OR=1.91andOR=2.44, respectively). The variant allele of rs3024505 ofIL10resulted to be a susceptibility allele (OR=1.52), while the variant allele of rs1800872 seemed to confer a protective effect for the development of the disease (OR=0.65). A risk genetic profile showed a higher probability to develop the disease in subjects with at least three risk alleles; subjects with 4 risk alleles were not observed in the controls.HCP5rs3099844 was associated with anti-SSA (P=0.006,OR=3.07) and anti-SSB (P=0.005,OR=2.66) antibodies, severity of focus score (P=0.03,OR=12), and lymphoma development (P=0.002,OR=7.23). Patients carrying theSTAT4rs7574965 variant allele had a higher risk of monoclonal component and leukopenia (P=0.002,OR=7.6;P=0.048,OR=2.01, respectively). We confirmed the association of SS with theSTAT4andIL10genes and we describe a novel association withHCP5. In particular, we describe an association of this specific SNP ofHCP5not only with disease development but also with autoantibody production and focus score suggesting a potential contribution of this variant to a more severe phenotype.
Gene Identification and Characterization of Correlations for DEPs_DEGs Same Trend Responding to Salinity Adaptation inScylla paramamosain
Authors: Wang Huan , Wei Hongling , Tang Lei , Lu Junkai , Mu Changkao , Wang Chunlin
Published: February 2019

Scylla paramamosainis a commercially important species distributed along the coast of southern China and other Indo-Pacific countries. Sudden salinity drop exceeding the adjustment capability ofS. paramamosaincan result in damage or even mortality. In our previous study, we had analyzed the mechanism of adapting sudden drop in salinity from the level of transcriptomics and proteomics, respectively. This study performed a correlation analysis of RNA sequencing transcriptomics and iTRAQ proteomics in order to investigate the adaptation mechanisms to sudden salinity drop from 23‰ to 3‰. There were 3954 correlations and a total of 15 correlations for differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) from proteomics and transcriptomics. The correlation between DEPs and DEGs was 0, and the Spearman correlation coefficient of the same trend correlation for DEPs and DEGs was the highest, reaching 0.9080. KEGG pathway enrichment correlation revealed that protein digestion and absorption (Ko04974), proximal tubule bicarbonate (Ko04964), and bile secretion (Ko04976) played important roles in Na+/H+and Na+/K+exchange. In addition, important genes related to osmoregulation, such as ion transport and carbonic anhydrase, were also detected in the correlation analysis for same trend DEPs_DEGs. In conclusion, the proteome and transcriptome correlation results from this study indicate that ion transport plays a critical role in the adaptation ofS. paramamosainto sudden reduction in salinity.
Special Needs Dental Management of the Class 3 Obese Patient
Authors: Malik Zanab
Published: February 2019

Obesity, classified as a chronic disease by the World Health Organisation (WHO), is a worldwide public health problem. Obesity has links with numerous systemic diseases which may complicate dental management and as such, patients with obesity and concomitant medical comorbidities are commonly managed by Special Needs Dentistry specialist departments in Australia. The sparsity of available evidence on the dental status in this group is likely due to significant access issues experienced by the class 3 obese, who often weigh >140 kg and therefore are unable to be examined or treated in conventional dental chairs. “Bariatric” is a term used to refer to a specific branch of medicine dealing with causes, prevention, and treatment of obesity. It is used widely in the literature to refer to obese patients; however, dentistry for this cohort (“bariatric dentistry”) is less well defined and represents less frequently used terminology. This case report is of a 58-year-old female, with class 3 obesity, who presented in May 2018 for outpatient consult to the Special Needs Unit/Medically Complex Dental Clinic at Westmead Centre for Oral Health, Sydney, Australia, with a compromised and neglected dentition and requiring full dental clearance. The case highlights many of the significant access issues and considerations for safe and effective delivery of dental management. As we move into the future, dental professionals need to become more aware of the growing challenge obesity presents and understand how medical complexities influence dental management. Facilities need to be able to meet this growing need and the specific requirements for a functional and safe bariatric dental service; dependent on both appropriate infrastructure and training.
Switch Matrix Algorithm for Series Lithium Battery Pack Equilibrium Based on Derived Acceleration Information Gauss‐Seidel
Authors: Wei Yewen , Dai Shuailong , Wang Jiayu , Shan Zhifei , Min Jie
Published: February 2019

With the rapid development of energy internet and new energy‐related industries, lithium‐ion batteries are widely used in various fields due to their superior energy storage characteristics. To reduce the influence of the inconsistency of the individual cells in the battery pack, a switch array DC equalization circuit together with an acceleration information Gauss‐Seidel (DAIGS) method is proposed. The aging factor is added in the system state matrix considering the battery time effect. In this method, the energy transfer path can be optimized by updating the switch control matrix in each iteration. Hence, it can avoid the repeated charging and discharging of the battery and also reduce energy loss in rapid equalization. A four‐cell battery string equalization model simulation was built in the PSIM and the experiment was also carried out to prove the feasibility of the proposed method. It was verified that the DAIGS had better performance under the same precision or number of iterations.
Effect of Oxidative Stress on the Estrogen-NOS-NO-KCa Channel Pathway in Uteroplacental Dysfunction: Its Implication in Pregnancy Complications
Authors: Hu Xiang-Qun , Song Rui , Zhang Lubo
Published: February 2019

During pregnancy, the adaptive changes in uterine circulation and the formation of the placenta are essential for the growth of the fetus and the well-being of the mother. The steroid hormone estrogen plays a pivotal role in this adaptive process. An insufficient blood supply to the placenta due to uteroplacental dysfunction has been associated with pregnancy complications including preeclampsia and intrauterine fetal growth restriction (IUGR). Oxidative stress is caused by an imbalance between free radical formation and antioxidant defense. Pregnancy itself presents a mild oxidative stress, which is exaggerated in pregnancy complications. Increasing evidence indicates that oxidative stress plays an important role in the maladaptation of uteroplacental circulation partly by impairing estrogen signaling pathways. This review is aimed at providing both an overview of our current understanding of regulation of the estrogen-NOS-NO-KCa pathway by reactive oxygen species (ROS) in uteroplacental tissues and a link between oxidative stress and uteroplacental dysfunction in pregnancy complications. A better understanding of the mechanisms will facilitate the development of novel and effective therapeutic interventions.
High Expression of ANXA2 Pseudogene ANXA2P2 Promotes an Aggressive Phenotype in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Wang Qiu-shuang , Shi Liang-Liang , Sun Fei , Zhang Yi-fan , Chen Ren-Wang , Yang Sheng-li , Hu Jian-li
Published: February 2019

Objective. Accumulating evidence suggests that pseudogenes play potential roles in the regulation of their cognate wild-type genes, oncogenes, and tumor suppressor genes. ANXA2P2 (annexin A2 pseudogene 2) is one of three pseudogenes of annexin A2 that have recently been shown to be aberrantly transcribed in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells. However, its clinical meaning and biological function in HCC have remained unclear. Therefore, the present study was aimed at exploring the prognostic value of a high expression of ANXA2P2 in HCC tissue and at identifying whether it can affect the efficacy of targeted drugs (sorafenib, regorafenib, and lenvatinib). Methods. We obtained ANXA2P2 mRNA expression levels from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) RNA sequence database. The expression levels of ANXA2P2 in 49 pairs of intratumoral and peritumoral liver tissues were examined by RT-PCR. Wound healing and transwell assays were performed to confirm the tumor-promoting properties of ANXA2P2 in HCC cells. CCK8 assay was conducted to identify whether ANXA2P2 can affect the growth of HCC cells when administered with targeted drugs (sorafenib, regorafenib, and lenvatinib). Results. The expression of ANXA2P2 in HCC tissues was significantly higher than that in adjacent cancerous tissues from TCGA database and validation group. Additionally, patients with high ANXA2P2 expression in HCC tissue had a shorter overall survival, whereas no statistically significant correlation was found between ANXA2P2 expression and disease-free survival (p=0.08) as well as other clinical parameters, such as age, gender, histological grade, T classification, stage, albumin level, alpha-fetoprotein, and vascular invasion (p=0.7323, 0.8807, 0.5762, 0.8515, 0.7113, 0.242, 1.0000, and 0.7685, respectively). Furthermore, in vitro experiments showed that knockdown of ANXA2P2 inhibited migration and invasion of HCC cells but did not have an influence on the HCC cell proliferation when treated with targeted drugs (sorafenib, regorafenib, and lenvatinib). Conclusion. Our study confirmed elevated ANXA2P2 expression levels in HCC tissue compared with adjacent noncancerous tissue and a worse prognosis of patients with high ANXA2P2 levels in the HCC tissue. The newly found properties of promoting migration and invasion of ANXA2P2 in HCC help to explain this phenomenon. ANXA2P2 could be a novel and suitable predicative biomarker for the risk assessment of recurrence or metastasis of HCC patients but may not be effective to predict the efficacy of targeted drugs.
Statistical Tools for Air Pollution Assessment: Multivariate and Spatial Analysis Studies in the Madrid Region
Authors: Núñez-Alonso David , Pérez-Arribas Luis Vicente , Manzoor Sadia , Cáceres Jorge O.
Published: February 2019

The present work reports the distribution of pollutants in the Madrid city and province from 22 monitoring stations during 2010 to 2017. Statistical tools were used to interpret and model air pollution data. The data include the annual average concentrations of nitrogen oxides, ozone, and particulate matter (PM10), collected in Madrid and its suburbs, which is one of the largest metropolitan places in Europe, and its air quality has not been studied sufficiently. A mapping of the distribution of these pollutants was done, in order to reveal the relationship between them and also with the demography of the region. The multivariate analysis employing correlation analysis, principal component analysis (PCA), and cluster analysis (CA) resulted in establishing a correlation between different pollutants. The results obtained allowed classification of different monitoring stations on the basis of each of the four pollutants, revealing information about their sources and mechanisms, visualizing their spatial distribution, and monitoring their levels according to the average annual limits established in the legislation. The elaboration of contour maps by the geostatistical method, ordinary kriging, also supported the interpretation derived from the multivariate analysis demonstrating the levels of NO2 exceeding the annual limit in the centre, south, and east of the Madrid province.
W stulecie niepodległości i „ustalonej” pisowni polskiej
Authors: Saloni Zygmunt
Published: February 2019

In the Centenary of Independence of Poland and of “Fixed” Polish SpellingThe unification of Polish spelling after the regaining of independence in 1918 was an important task, especially as the young state intended to build a system of public schools and introduce compulsory schooling. In view of the divergence of the so-called “Cracow” and “Warsaw” spelling at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, it was deemed necessary. The relevant resolution was adopted by the Academy of Learning in Cracow in 1918. Unfortunately, the official orthography was introduced with too much haste, and so it continued to be modified and amended in the following years, until a reform was passed in 1936. Later, further modifications were introduced, but not in a very clear way; first by the Language Culture Committee, then by the Polish Language Council of the Polish Academy of Sciences. The resolutions published by PLC concern details and minor issues, and have effectively no impact on how Polish is written. Generally speaking, the current Polish spelling is fixed – in its 1936 form, and petrified by long use. Usage has resisted the unskillful codification proposals.
Trudne rozliczenie z radziecką przeszłością (na przykładzie opisu zbrodni katyńskiej w rosyjskich podręcznikach do historii)
Authors: Kadykało Anna
Published: February 2019

Difficult Settlement with the Soviet Past (on the Example of the Description of the Katyn Massacre in Russian History Textbooks)The aim of the article is to show how in contemporary Russian history textbooks the Katyn Massacre (1940) is presented and compare its interpretation with different approaches to this tragedy that are actively discussed in scientific circles and among ordinary Russians. This approach should answer the question of the place occupied by this sensitive issue in Russian politics of memory and show how the process of forming historical memory related to the Katyn Massacre, based on historical education in schools, and public policy, looks like. Civic education in Russia is based on patriotic values and shapes the pride of power of the motherland. By emphasizing the importance of war victories, strong leaders, the formation of the students’ sense of belonging to the Russian nation and loyalty to the state takes place. The Katyn case continues to be a painful theme in Russian interpretation of the past, which explains why attempts are made to justify the crimes of the Stalinist regime. It is also not useful for patriotic education, as evidenced by the lack of mention of it in some history textbooks, or attempts to justify it partially.
Reforma wspólnej polityki bezpieczeństwa i obrony Unii Europejskiej w latach 2016-2017
Authors: Węc Janusz J.
Published: February 2019

The Reform of the Common Security and Defence Policy of the European Union in 2016‑2017The subject of the article is the reform of the Common Security and Defence Policy in 2016‑2017 following the adoption of the new EU External Security Strategy by the European Council in June 2016. The first part of the article analyzes the European Union’s Global Strategy on Foreign and Security Policy. However, the second part of the article reconstructs the process of implementing the global strategy and describes the successes and failures of the reform.
Zasady kształtowania reprezentacji politycznej w Parlamencie Europejskim w świetle regulacji traktatu z Lizbony
Authors: Sieklucki Dominik
Published: February 2019

The Principles of Shaping Political Representation in the European Parliament in the Regulations of the Treaty of LisbonThe article analyses the basic principles of representation in the European Parliament established in the Treaty of Lisbon and applied in the 2014 elections. The author focuses on the size of the parliament and the distribution of seats between the member states. Author also analyses the principle of degressive proportionality. In conclusions, the author states that the main problems with the rules of representation are a consequence of treating the borders of states as the borders of electoral districts.
Aspekty polityki Unii Europejskiej wobec Turcji, Jordanii i Libanu w kontekście kryzysu migracyjnego
Authors: Banach Wawrzyniec
Published: February 2019

Aspects of the External Policy of the European Union Towards Turkey, Jordan and Lebanon in the Context of Migration CrisisThe aim of the article is to explore the processes of the policy of the European Union towards the three countries most affected by massive migration flows from Syria from 2011. Analysis of the legal acts and soft law documents of the European Union allowed to recognize the main mechanisms standing behind the EU external policy dimension. The results of the study have identified the process of externalization of the migration policy and external border management of the EU towards Turkey, Jordan and Lebanon.
Znaczenie traktatu lizbońskiego dla rozwoju współpracy między Unią Europejską a jej państwami sąsiedzkimi
Authors: Tkachuk Olesia
Published: February 2019

The Importance of the Treaty of Lisbon for the Development of Cooperation Between the European Union and Neighbouring CountriesThis article aims to analyse the importance of the Treaty of Lisbon which was signed as of 13th of December 2007 for the development of cooperation between the European Union and neighbouring countries within the framework of the European Neighbourhood Policy in legal and institutional terms.The first part of the article represents the provisions of analysed the Reform Treaty, which regulates the Union’s cooperation with third countries and international organisations, in particular art. 8 TEU. The following part of the article presents institutional changes insertion by the Treaty of Lisbon, among others, establishing a position of the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and appointment of European External Action Service. The summary of the above considerations is located at the end of the article.
Muzyka w relacjach międzykulturowych
Authors: Golemo Karolina
Published: February 2019

Music in Intercultural RelationsThe author undertakes a very relevant analysis of intercultural relations performed by individuals and groups by means of music. Music constitutes here a specific language, able to communicate and transmit the most complicated and intimate thoughts and emotions of the sender(s). Examples given in the article stem from different cultures and traditions and are discussed on the basis of flamenco, Cape Verdean music, the case of Orchestra di Piazza Vittorio, the concept of lusophony and so called “world music”. The general conclusion leads to a statement about a unique role of music in the intercultural relations.
Controlling Mathematics Anxiety by the Views of Guidance and Psychological Counseling Candidates
Authors: Aydin Davut , Aytekin Cahit
Published: February 2019

The aim of this study is to reveal the suggestions of guidance and psychological counseling candidates (GPC) in dealing with math anxiety. The study analysed 50 GPC candidates’ opinions and suggestions on math anxiety. The research study utilized case study method. The participants were asked to respond what kind of studies they would suggest to their clienst in order to overcome math anxiety once they begin to work in their profession. The interviews transcripts were converted into written documents. Content analysis was made on those documents to find GPC candidates’ suggestions and opinions. Based on the findings, it can be concluded that the reasons of math anxiety can vary from individual to individual. Therefore, it was emphasized that the studies to determine the causes of math anxiety should be specific for each individual. Then, consultancy service should be formed based on the assessment of reasons that cause anxiety for each person. If the individual's math anxiety is caused by environmental factors such as teachers, families and peers, guidance and psychological counseling services should be offered to these environmental factors.
Surjective Additive Rank-1 Preservers on Hessenberg Matrices
Authors: Khachorncharoenkul Prathomjit , Pianskool Sajee
Published: February 2019

Let $H_{n}(\mathbb{F})$ be the space of all $n\times n$ upper Hessenberg matrices over a field~$\mathbb{F}$, where $n$ is a positive integer greater than two. In this paper, surjective additive maps preserving rank-$1$ on $H_{n}(\mathbb{F})$ are characterized.
In-sphere property and reverse inequalities for matrix means
Authors: Dinh Trung Hoa , Tam Tin-Yau , Vo Bich Khue T
Published: February 2019

The in-sphere property for matrix means is studied. It is proved that the matrix power mean satisfies in-sphere property with respect to the Hilbert-Schmidt norm. A new characterization of the matrix arithmetic mean is provided. Some reverse AGM inequalities involving unitarily invariant norms and operator monotone functions are also obtained.
Conversion of nursing evidence to practice science: Translational nursing
Hemşirelik kanıtlarının uygulamaya dönüştüğü bilim: Translasyonel hemşirelik
Authors: Şendir Merdiye , Yaman Rabia , Kızıl Hamiyet , Özdemir Cevriye , Kubat Bakır Gizem
Published: February 2019

Today, enhancing the quality of healthcare, offering cost-effective healthcare, the increase in healthcare costs, knowledge management, healthcare preferences of the changing community, cost, effective healthcare policies and similar reasons have made it necessary to integrate evidence-based research findings into clinical practice. Evidence-based nursing practices are important to improve the quality and outcomes of nursing care and to make a difference in clinical practice. Translational nursing is a dynamic process defined as the initiation of research in the clinic where the research is carried out in order to fulfill this necessity. This process takes place through an intensive and complex interaction between researchers and the users of information and facilitates bridging the gap between scientific knowledge and its clinical use. When the examples of Translational Nursing from around the world are examined,"Translational Nursing" practices have been realized for a long time. Studies carried out in Turkey show that there are translational practices in nursing but this term is not used. It was aimed to emphasize, with this review, the importance of the use of the concept of “Translational Nursing” as a common terminology to integrate scientific knowledge with clinical practices.Extended English summary is in the end of Full Text PDF (TURKISH) file. ÖzetGünümüzde sağlık bakım kalitesinin arttırılması, maliyet-etkili bakımın verilmesi, sağlık bakımı maliyetlerindeki artış, bilginin yönetimi, değişen toplumun sağlık bakım tercihleri, maliyet, etkili bakım politikaları gibi nedenler kanıt düzeyi yüksek araştırma bulgularının klinik uygulamalar ile bütünleştirilmesini zorunlu hale getirmiştir. Hemşirelik uygulamalarının kanıta dayalı olması ise bakım kalitesini ve sonuçlarını iyileştirmek, klinik uygulamalarda fark yaratmak için önem taşımaktadır. Translasyonel hemşirelik;  araştırmanın gerçekleştiği klinikte uygulanmaya başlanması olarak tanımlanan dinamik bir süreçtir. Bu süreç, araştırmacılar ve bilgiyi kullananlar arasında yoğun ve karmaşık bir etkileşim içinde gerçekleşerek bilimsel bilgi ve onun klinik kullanımı arasındaki boşluğu kaldırmaya yardımcı olmaktadır. Dünya literatürü incelendiğinde “Translasyonel Hemşirelik” uygulamalarının uzun zamandır gerçekleştiği görülmektedir. Ülkemizde yapılan çalışmalar incelendiğinde ise , hemşirelikte translasyonel uygulamaların olduğu ancak bu terimin kullanılmadığı belirlenmiştir. Bu derleme ile “Translasyonel Hemşirelik” kavramının bilimsel bilgi ile klinik uygulamaların bütünleştirilmesinde ortak terminoloji olarak kullanılması ve translasyonel bilimin uygulanmasının önemini vurgulamak amaçlanmıştır.
The effect of mindfulness-based programs on coping with test anxiety: A systematic review
Sınav kaygısıyla başa çıkmada bilinçli farkındalık temelli programların etkiliği: Sistematik bir derleme
Authors: İkiz Fatma Ebru , Uygur Sevgi
Published: February 2019

The research is a systematic review and the purpose of the research is; is the evaluation of experimental and mixed studies designed to examine the effectiveness of mindfulness-based programs applied to coping with test anxiety. In this context, English and Turkish articles and theses published in YOK TEZ, ULAKBIM, Google Academic and EBSCOhost databases between 2000 (January) and 2018 (April) have been systematically screened. In the study, mindfulness based interventions for test anxiety, mindfulness based stress reduction and test anxiety, mindfulness based anxiety management, mindfulness based cognitive therapy for test anxiety, and mindfulness based theraphy for test anxiety were used as keywords. Research that does not meet the criteria is excluded from the study; the 14 articles that met the criteria were examined and evaluated in terms of sample groups, purposes, countries where they were used, techniques used, measurement methods and findings. Findings have shown that investigations are usually carried out on the university students and that mindfulness-based programs are effective in reducing the anxiety of individuals experiencing test anxiety on different sample groups.Extended English summary is in the end of Full Text PDF (TURKISH) file. ÖzetAraştırma sistematik bir derleme olup araştırmanın amacı; sınav kaygısıyla başa çıkmada uygulanan bilinçli farkındalık temelli programların etkililiğini incelemek amacıyla yapılmış deneysel ve karma çalışmaların değerlendirilmesidir. Bu kapsamda YÖK TEZ, ULAKBİM, Google Akademik ve EBSCOhost veri tabanlarında 2000 (Ocak) -2018 (Nisan) yılları arasında yayımlanan İngilizce ve Türkçe makaleler ve tezler sistematik olarak taranmıştır. Taramada sınav kaygısı için bilinçli farkındalık temelli müdaheleler, stress azaltma temelli bilinçli farkındalık ve sınav kaygısı, bilinçli farkındalık temelli sınav kaygısı yönetimi, sınav kaygısına yönelik bilinçli farkındalık temelli bilişsel terapi, sınav kaygısına yönelik bilinçli farkındalık temelli terapi anahtar kelimeler olarak kullanılmıştır. Ölçütleri karşılamayan araştırmalar çalışma dışında tutulurken; ölçütleri karşılayan 14 makale bu çalışmada örneklem grupları, amaçları, yapıldığı ülkeler, kullanılan teknikler, ölçme yöntemleri ve bulgular açısından incelenmiş ve değerlendirilmiştir. Elde edilen bulgular, araştırmaların genellikle üniversite öğrencileri çalışma grubu üzerinde yürütüldüğünü ve bilinçli farkındalık temelli programlarının farklı örneklem grupları üzerinde sınav kaygısı yaşayan bireylerin kaygısını azaltmada etkili olduğunu göstermiştir.
Mity o edukacji Towarzystwa Jezusowego
Authors: Maliszewski Krzysztof
Published: February 2019

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Jan Konefał, Działalność społeczno-polityczna Aleksandra Zawadzkiego (Ojca Prokopa) w Królestwie Polskim 1876-1917, Lublin 2000, ss. 205
Authors: Paruzel Eugeniusz
Published: February 2019

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