bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influencia de los regímenes de expansión y curado en el comportamiento de hormigones expansivos autocompactantes y convencionales
Authors: García Calvo José Luis , Carballosa de Miguel Pedro , Revuelta Crespo David
Published: March 2018

En este trabajo se evalúa el comportamiento y las prestaciones de hormigones autocompactantes expansivos (HACEs), comparándolos con hormigones expansivos de consistencia blanda. En la fabricación de estos hormigones se han empleado dos tipos de agentes expansivos: tipo K, basado en la formación de etringita, y tipo G, basado en la formación de portlandita. Se han analizado las propiedades físico-mecánicas, microestructurales y el comportamiento expansivo de estos hormigones bajo distintas condiciones de restricción y de curado. Los resultados obtenidos muestran que es posible diseñar HACEs, incluso empleando elevados contenidos de agentes expansivos, si bien el empleo de filler calizo es más aconsejable que el de cenizas volantes, debido a que estas últimas pueden limitar la expansión generada. Además, las condiciones de curado y la composición del hormigón influyen en la reactividad de los agentes expansivos. Por otro lado, las condiciones de expansión (libre o restringida) influyen en la resistencia a compresión y la estructura porosa de los hormigones, así como en la morfología y composición química de los hidratos promotores de la expansión.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4995/HAC2018.2018.5693
Empleo de residuos de industria cementera y arrocera en micro-hormigón para paneles de viviendas de interés social en Uruguay
Authors: Rodriguez de Sensale Gemma Paula , Sabalsagaray Curuchet Blanca Stela , Boiani Casella Alba Gabriela
Published: March 2018

Sistemas constructivos no tradicionales se están utilizando actualmente en Uruguay para construcción de viviendas de interés social con subsidio gubernamental. Tal es el caso de un sistema denominado Emmedue (M2) que se basa en el empleo de paneles auto-portantes formados por poliestireno expandido y mallas de acero cuya morfología de diseño les permite recibir micro-hormigón en en obra. En este sistema para el micro-hormigón se limita la granulometría de los agregados para permitir la proyección en el panel (en especial sobre el panel vertical y el inferior de la losa). El micro-hormigón proyectado en cada cara de los paneles verticales, no puede ser inferior a 3cm de espesor y la carpeta de compresión en los  paneles losa no menor a 5cm, siendo exigida una resistencia mínima para este micro-hormigón de fck= 25 MPa a los 28 días de edad. La ceniza de cáscara de arroz y el polvo de electro-filtro de industria cementera son residuos muy abundantes en nuestro país que no tienen aplicación específica. Por eso en este trabajo primeramente a partir de un micro-hormigón tomado como referencia, se estudia la variación de la resistencia a compresión a los 28 días de edad cuando se realizan mezclas binarias sustituyendo 5, 10, 15, 20 y 25% de cemento por estos residuos. Luego se estudia la incidencia económica  que se produce por el empleo de esos residuos en la construcción de viviendas dúplex de 2 y 3 dormitorios, basadas en el sistema de paneles mencionado manteniendo la resistencia a compresión del micro-hormigón no inferior a 25MPa. Los resultados alcanzados permiten concluir que si bien el polvo de electro-filtro baja la resistencia y la ceniza de cáscara de arroz la sube, en relación a la referencia, hay porcentajes óptimos produciendo beneficios económicos y medioambientales su empleo.DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.4995/HAC2018.2018.5936
Cajas de trabajabilidad como herramienta de diseño de hormigones autocompactantes con árido reciclado
Authors: González Fonteboa Belén , González Taboada Iris , Martínez Abella Fernando , Varela Puga Fernando
Published: March 2018

En este trabajo se diseñan siete hormigones autocompactantes convencionales y de cada uno de ellos se obtienen tres hormigones autocompactantes con árido grueso reciclado de hormigón (utilizando sustituciones del 20%, 50% y 100% en volumen). Las mezclas recicladas se fabrican utilizando el árido reciclado seco y con un 3% de humedad natural, añadiendo, en ambos casos, una cantidad de agua extra durante el amasado para compensar la elevada absorción de este tipo de árido. Todos los hormigones (49 mezclas) se ensayan en estado fresco mediante ensayos empíricos y reológicos a los 15 y 45 minutos del contacto entre cemento y agua.Los resultados indican que las relaciones entre diferentes parámetros de comportamiento en fresco en los hormigones autocompactantes reciclados (HACRs) siguen las mismas tendencias que las observadas en los hormigones autocompactantes convencionales. Para facilitar el diseño de estos HACRs, se proponen unas regiones de trabajabilidad definidas por aquellas mezclas que cumplen una serie de combinaciones de parámetros empíricos. Estas regiones permiten delimitar una caja de trabajabilidad (área en el reograma tensión de flujo estática y viscosidad plástica) en la que se garantiza que los HACRs que se sitúen en ella cumplen diferentes límites empíricos.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4995/HAC2018.2018.6360
Análisis experimental mediante fotogrametría del comportamiento de fisuras de cortante en vigas esbeltas de hormigón armado reforzado con fibras macro sintéticas
Authors: Navarro Gregori Juan , Ortiz Navas Francisco , Serna Ros Pedro
Published: March 2018

En esta investigación se realiza un estudio experimental sobre el comportamiento de vigas de hormigón reforzadas con macrofibras sintéticas de polipropileno con fallo por cortante. El estudio está centrado en el análisis de la evolución de la red de fisuración por cortante desde su aparición hasta la rotura de los elementos. En este estudio se ha repetido una buena parte de una tradicional campaña experimental realizada por Bresler y Scordelis en la Universidad de Berkeley en los años 60. La campaña experimental consta de un total de 8 vigas fabricadas con hormigón reforzado con macrofibras sintéticas sintéticas y con fallo por cortante. Además, los resultados se completan con otras 8 vigas análogas fabricadas con hormigón convencional y otras 8 vigas realizadas con hormigón con fibras de acero. Para cada grupo de 8 vigas se han considerado 4 de ellas sin armadura de cortante. Se han estudiado dos anchos distintos y dos relaciones de esbeltez a cortante diferentes (a/d = 4 y 5). El objetivo de este trabajo es estudiar con detalle la red de fisuración por cortante con el fin de averiguar cómo se va produciendo la evolución de las aberturas y los deslizamientos de las fisuras críticas con el aumento del nivel de carga. Se pretende estudiar los rangos de aberturas y deslizamientos que se pueden alcanzar en el propio instante de la fisura y compararlos con los que se obtienen para el caso de hormigones convencionales. El estudio abarca tanto el análisis de vigas con y sin armadura transversal por lo que también se posibilita el análisis de los efectos de la sinergia entre estribos y fibras en cuanto a la evolución de las fisuras de cortante. Como conclusión general del estudio se puede decir que las macrofibras sintéticas de polipropileno, con una dosificación adecuada, son un eficaz mecanismo de resistencia a cortante. Además, permiten que se alcancen en situación de rotura deslizamientos y aberturas significativamente superiores al caso del hormigón convencional y en rangos superiores a los 5 mm.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4995/HAC2018.2018.6411
Privatization: A Catalyst for the Profitability of French Companies: Empirical Validation
Authors: Dkhili Anouar
Published: March 2018

The aim of this paper is to test the static and dynamic effects of the long-term privatization of public companies, on the one hand on their economic and financial profitability, and on the other hand on their stock market performance. To achieve this goal, we used a sample of 14 French companies observed during the period 1986-2014. The econometric approach used in this study is of the longitudinal type, the data cover a horizon of seven years (three years before privatization, the year of privatization and three years later), while applying tests of median differences (Wilcoxon test) and mean difference (Student's test), applied to the two series of averages of profitability ratios and market performance indices calculated before and after privatization. The empirical results indicate firstly that there is a significant static effect for most companies on the profitability ratios (ROA, ROE), as well as on the stock market performance indices (BHR, BHAR), except the ratio of investment expenditure that is not statistically significant. Secondly, although the coefficient of the variable TP (expressing the interaction between the variables T and P) to only five positive signs out of 14 firms, there is a good linear adjustment (R2) between the independent variables (the time variable T, the privatization dummy variable P) and the dependent variable (Performance), which has just confirmed the dynamic efficiency of privatizations.
Willpower of Retentive Factors in Job Level and Recital Human Resource Management in Project
Authors: Kong YuSheng , Khan Rabnawaz , Imran Mohammad
Published: March 2018

This research will focus on the “Willpower Of Retentive Factors In Job Level And Recital Human Resource Management In Project”, it’s based differences in project human resource management as an application of the John Bauknecht (2008) study “Embattled Worker Retention: Performance-Based and Job-R elated Differences in Reported Reasons for Staying” in the various production and engineering industrial projects of southern Punjab considering Project Human Resource Management as a fundamental basic function of project administration.This study has its importance in life of a student from different aspects. As for as this study is part of students degree award. It helps students to gain a practical knowledge of the organization and compare it with the theoretical knowledge gained during the four years course of study. Personally this study helped me recognize my abilities and suitability to work in industrial sector of Punjab.
The left edge of the word in the Berber derivational morphology
Authors: Lahrouchi Mohamed
Published: March 2018

In many Berber varieties, causative and reciprocal verbs are built by means of monoconsonantal prefixes attached to a stem. These prefixes are realized as single or geminated depending on the properties of the stem. In this paper, it is argued that an initial templatic site is responsible for the length variation of the prefixes. Under specific licensing conditions, the initial site hosts the causative and the reciprocal prefixes by means of two distinct operations, namely movement and spreading. Moreover, complex combinations of those prefixes (causative + reciprocal, reciprocal + causative) feed apparently unrelated phenomena of selective harmony and dissimilation. They are argued to follow directly from the use of the initial site as part of the verb domain. Handled in syntactic structure, the initial site further allows accounting for the cooccurrence restrictions that the causative and the imperfective markers undergo: it is proposed that the causative takes precedence over the imperfective because it is generated lower in the structure under the vP. The same reasoning holds for the incompatibility of imperfective gemination with the reciprocal marker. It is precisely this type of restrictions that strictly phonological analyses fail to address.
A Structural Equation Model for Analyzing the Impact of Strategic Management Accounting Techniques on Quality of Financial Information
Authors: Saleem AL-Dweikat Mohand Fayz , Ibrahim Nour Mohmoud
Published: March 2018

This paper aims to analyzing the effect of strategic management accounting techniques on quality of financial information in private Jordanian universities in the capital, Amman. The study involves a questionnaire-based survey of dean and heads of department respondents from private Jordanian universities at Amman capital. A total of (212) valid questionnaire was finally obtained for analysis towards achieving the study objectives. Structural equation modeling was performed to understand the relationship between study variables. The results show that Benchmarking has a significant positive impact on Quality of Financial Information (Relevance, Understandability and Comparability). Value Chain Cost, also, has a significant positive impact on Quality of Financial Information (Relevance, Understandability and Comparability). As well as, Balanced Scorecard has a significant positive impact on Quality of Financial Information.This study displays the important role of strategic management accounting techniques in enhancing the Quality of Financial Information, as well as, helps decision makers to take their decisions based on Information Relevance, Understandability and Comparability.
Genetic Variation among Robusta Coffee Genotypes for Growth and Yield Traits in Ghana
Authors: Akpertey Abraham , Anim-Kwapong Esther , Ofori Atta
Published: March 2018

Quantifying the level of variation and estimates of genetic parameters are important to make informed decisions regarding the improvement of agronomic traits in Coffea canephora. The objectives of the present study were to assess the growth and yield performance of 54 C. canephora clones derived through ortet selection, based on yield from a previous hybrid trial; estimate genetic parameters of growth traits (stem diameter, height, span, number of laterals, length of laterals and diameter of laterals), and yield; and determine the relationship between yield and the growth traits. The clones were planted in the field in 2009 using a randomized complete-block design with three replications. Significant (p < 0.01) clone effects for all traits and broadsense heritability range of 0.15 (mean yield of last 3 productive years)-0.43 (diameter of laterals) were observed. Stem diameter was moderately and positively correlated with early years’ yield (2012/13 mean yield, r = 0.49; p < 0.001), late years’ yield (2014 to 2016 mean yield, r = 0.44; p < 0.001), and mean yield across five years (r = 0.42; p = 0.001). Relatively high genotypic coefficient of variation and expected genetic advance values were obtained for the evaluated traits, which indicated a high probability of success of selection for these traits.
Impact of Salinity on Quality and Post-Harvest Conservation of Gherkin (Cucumis anguria L.)
Authors: Morais D. L. de , Aroucha E. M. M. , Oliveira F. de A. de , Medeiros J. F. de , Paiva C. A. de , Nascimento L. V.
Published: March 2018

Gherkin presents short shelf life. Its quality is influenced by cultivation’s conditions which has scarce information in the literature. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of salinity on quality and post-harvest conservation of gherkin. For this, an experiment was carried out in a randomized block design, with treatments arranged in a 2 × 4 factorial scheme (two cultivars, ‘Do Norte’ and ‘Liso Gibão’ and four salinity levels; 2.0, 3.5 and 5.0 dSm-1), with three replicates, with the experimental unit being represented by six plastic vessels with capacity of 10 liters, each one with one plant. Harvest was carried out 60 days after planting of seedlings and the following analyzes were proceeded: length, fruit diameter; soluble solids content (SS); titratable acidity (TA); SS/TA ratio; total sugar content; chlorophyll and total phenolic content. The highest yield (‘Liso Gibão’) allowed the storage of fruits, stored in trays covered with PVC, at 15±2 °C and 85±2% RH for 0, 3, and 6 days. Increase in saline solution reduced fruit length and diameter and increased pH, soluble solids and SS/TA ratio. The cultivar ‘Liso Gibão’ was superior to ‘Do Norte’ cultivar for the variables length, diameter, pH, total sugars and SS/TA ratio. The fruits of the ‘Liso Gibão’ mixer can be stored for six days without loss of quality. Fruits cultivated with saline solution of 2.0 dS m-1 presented higher acidity and chlorophyll content during storage, but reduced total sugars and pH in fruits of gherkin.
Macronutrients and Micronutrients Variability in Soybean Seeds
Authors: Vargas Rodrigo L. de , Schuch Luis O. B. , Barros Willian S. , Rigo Geliandro A. , Szareski Vinícius J. , Carvalho Ivan R. , Pimentel João R. , Troyjack Cristian , Jaques Lanes B. A. , Souza Velci Q. de , Rosa Tiago C. da , Aumonde Tiago Z. , Pedó Tiago
Published: March 2018

The objective of this work was to evaluate the chemical composition of the macronutrients: nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg) and sulfur (S), and micronutrients: boron (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo) and zinc (Zn), and the elements aluminum (Al) and sodium (Na) measured in soybean seeds from different producing regions of Brazil. This work was carried out by sampling 2543 lots of soybean seeds produced in the 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 growing seasons. There is high variability of macro and micronutrients concentration in soybean seeds produced in several regions of Brazil. The nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, and calcium are the most pronounced macronutrients in soybean seeds. Among the micronutrients, iron, manganese and zinc are those with more evidence. Understanding macro and micronutrients variability is critical for improving management and fertility treats in soybean seed production fields.
Micronutrient Content and Physiological Quality of Soybean Seeds
Authors: Rigo Geliandro Anhaia , Schuch Luis Osmar Braga , Vargas Rodrigo Lamaison de , Barros Willian Silva , Szareski Vinícius Jardel , Carvalho Ivan Ricardo , Troyjack Cristian , Pimentel João Roberto , Escalera Ruddy Alvaro Veliz , Rosa Tiago Corazza da , Souza Velci Queiróz de , Aumonde Tiago Zanatta , Pedó Tiago
Published: March 2018

The aimed to correlate the micronutrients content in soybean seeds with their physiological potential. The work was developed in the Federal University of Pelotas, in the facilities of the Seed Science and Technology Graduate Program. The experimental design was randomized blocks in arranged in four replicates. The micronutrients measured were: B, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Zn, Al and Na. The magnitudes of micronutrients are dependent on the genetic constitutions of soybean cultivars. Higher variations are expressed for boron, copper, manganese, zinc, molybdenum, sodium and aluminum content, while iron is the most stable micronutrient in soybean seeds. Molybdenum and copper are characterized as determining micronutrients for physiological quality of soybean seeds.
Efficacy of Libidibia ferrea var. ferrea and Agave sisalana Extracts against Dactylopius opuntiae (Hemiptera: Coccoidea)
Authors: Lopes Rosineide S. , Oliveira Luciana G. , Costa Antonio F. , Correia Maria T. S. , Lima Elza A. Luna-Alves , Lima Vera L. M.
Published: March 2018

The carmine cochineal (Dactylopius opuntiae) is an insect-plague of Opuntia ficus-indica palm crops, causing losses in the production of the vegetable used as forage for the Brazilian semiarid animals. The objective of this work was to analyze the efficacy of plant extracts, insecticides and their combination in the control of D. opuntiae. Leaf and pod extracts of Libidibia ferrea var. ferrea, Agave sisalana leaf at concentrations 10, 25, 50, 100 and 200 mg/mL, and insecticides (chlorpyrifos, acetamiprid, thiamethoxam and lamba-cyhalothrin) at concentrations minimum, median and maximum; were applied on cladodes infested by D. opuntiae. After 10 days of treatment, the percentages of mortality and LC50 (concentration to kill 50% of cochineal) were obtained on the stages of nymphs II and adult females. The association between the LC50 of the plant extracts with the insecticides on the cochineal it was tested. The results showed that L. ferrea extracts were more effective against cochineal, causing the 81% of nymphal II mortality (LC50: 20 to 160 mg/mL) and 97% of adult females (LC50: 43 to 50 mg/mL), whereas the extracts of A. sisalana only controlled adult females, causing the mortality from 51 to 97% (LC50: 17 to 46 mg/mL). The insecticide chlorpyrifos was the most efficient on nymphs and adult females cochineal (LC50: 0,084 mL/L). The combination of this insecticide with the extracts promoted a percentage of mortality above 90%. The extracts presented insecticidal potential on D. opuntiae and can be tested isolated or in combination with insecticides in control of cochineal.
Influence of Drying in Hyptis pectinata Essential Oil
Authors: Branquinho Núbia Angélica de Ávila , Silva Fabiano Guimarães , Resende Osvaldo , Barbosa Luiz Cláudio Almeida , Oliveira Daniel Emanuel Cabral de , Pedroso Rita Cássia Nascimento
Published: March 2018

The present study assessed the effects of drying at different temperatures (35, 45 and 55 °C) and air velocities (1 and 2 m s-1) on the content and chemical characteristics of Hyptis pectinata essential oil. Drying was conducted in a fixed-bed dryer, and the temperatures and air velocities were controlled and recorded by an automated system. A 350±0.12 g quantity of fresh leaves was used for each of the four repetitions in each dryer. From the material obtained after drying, 60 g of each repetition was used to extract essential oil by the hydrodistillation method. Dichloromethane was used as the solvent, and anhydrous sodium sulfate was used as the desiccating agent. Gas chromatography in the forms of GC-MS and GC-FID were used for the chemical characterization of the essential oil compounds. Decreasing drying times and decreasing concentrations of essential oils were observed with increasing temperatures. A GC-MS analysis of the essential oil from H. pectinata leaves led to the identification of 19 compounds. A sesquiterpene called caryophyllene oxide was the most abundant compound under all drying conditions, with the highest concentration at a temperature of 55 °C, ranging from approximately 42 to 53%.
Strategic and Interactive Writing Instruction: An Efficacy Study in Grades 3-5
Authors: Wolbers Kimberly , Dostal Hannah , Graham Steve , Branum-Martin Lee , Kilpatrick Jennifer , Saulsburry Rachel
Published: March 2018

A quasi-experimental study was conducted to examine the impact of Strategic and Interactive Writing Instruction on 3rd-5th grade deaf and hard of hearing students’ writing and written language compared to a business-as-usual condition (treatment group N = 41, comparison group N = 22). A total of 18 hours of instruction was provided for each of two types of writing—personal narrative and persuasive. Writing samples, collected prior to instruction and after, were scored for writing traits, written language accuracy, and complexity. Data were analyzed using a two-level, mixed-effects regression. Results show the treatment to be effective for personal narrative and persuasive writing traits, and personal narrative written language variables, with effect sizes ranging from 0.46 to 2.01. Treatment effects were also substantial for persuasive writing written language outcomes (0.38 to 1.06), although not all were statistically significant at the 0.05 level. The findings suggest the importance of apprenticeship in writing and consideration for the specific language needs of students with hearing loss.
Dialectical Logic K-Model: the Discrete Time Dynamical Sampling System, Multidimensional Logic Variable and Associate Database(ADB)
Authors: Jiang Yaozhi
Published: March 2018

Following the earlier works about dialectical logic K-model by the author, in this succeed paper author described the three problems : the first is that discrete time dynamical sampling system to solve which the true-value function is unknown and need discrete time dynamical sampling system to obtain a series of sampled discrete time true-value function points to predict the continuous true-value function or we need some properties of true value function in the frequency domain, a several formulas for true-value function of single-dimensional logic variable via discrete Fourier transformation are explained; the second is the graph expression and matrices expression for the multidimensional logic variables in dialectical logic K-model. Multidimensional logic variable is important that can be used in multidimensional contradictions and in multiple-person games. In fact, author also described the graph $G_K^p$ and corresponding matrices of the multidimensional logic variables; the third is the machine oriented database, associated database i.e. ADB, this is a new database for artificial intelligence, in present paper author describes theoretical properties and some features of ADB.
New techniques for wound management: A systematic review of their role in the management of chronic wounds
Authors: Bekara Farid , Vitse Julian , Fluieraru Sergiu , Masson Raphael , Runz Antoine De , Georgescu Vera , Bressy Guillaume , Labbé Jean Louis , Chaput Benoit , Herlin Christian
Published: March 2018

Debridement is a crucial component of wound management. Recent technologies such as hydrosurgery (Versajet), ultrasound therapy (the MIST therapy device), or plasma-mediated bipolar radio-frequency ablation therapy (Coblation) seem to represent interesting alternatives for wound debridement. The purpose of this systematic review was to describe, evaluate, and compare these three recently developed methods for the management of chronic wounds. In January 2016, an electronic database search was conducted of MEDLINE, PubMed Central, and Embase for articles concerning these three innovative methods for the management of chronic wounds. A total of 389 references were identified by our search strategy, and 15 articles were included. We extracted data regarding the number and age of patients, indications, operating time, number of procedures, costs, wound healing time, decrease in exudation, perioperative blood loss, bacterial load, and the occurrence of complications. The 15 articles included studies that involved 563 patients who underwent hydrosurgery (7 studies), ultrasound therapy (6 studies), or Coblation (2 studies). Six randomized controlled trials were included that compared the use of a scalpel or curette to hydrosurgery (2 studies) or ultrasound therapy (6 studies). Hydrosurgery, in addition to being a very precise and selective tool, allows significantly faster debridement. Ultrasound therapy provides a significant reduction of exudation, and improves the wound healing time. No comparative study dedicated to Coblation was identified. Despite the obvious clinical interest of the topic, our review of the current literature revealed a lack of prospective randomized studies comparing these devices with each other or with standard techniques, particularly for Coblation and hydrosurgery.
Superficial temporal artery flap for reconstruction of complex facial defects: A new algorithm
Authors: Elbanoby Tarek M. , Zidan Serag M. , Elbatawy Amr M. , Aly Gaber M. , Sholkamy Khallad
Published: March 2018

Background A variety of island flaps can be based on the superficial temporal artery with variable tissue composition. They can be used for defect reconstruction, cavity resurfacing, facial hair restoration, or contracture release.

Methods Seventy-two patients underwent facial reconstruction using a superficial temporal artery island flap from October 2010 to October 2014. The defects had various etiologies, including trauma, burns, tumors, exposed hardware, and congenital causes. We classified the patients by indication into 5 groups: cavity resurfacing, contracture release, facial hair restoration, skin coverage, and combined. The demographic data of the patients, defect characteristics, operative procedures, postoperative results, and complications were retrospectively documented. The follow-up period ranged from 24 to 54 months.

Results A total of 24 females and 48 males were included in this study. The mean age of the patients was 33.7±15.6 years. The flaps were used for contracture release in 13 cases, cavity resurfacing in 10 cases, skin coverage in 17 cases, facial hair restoration in 19 cases, and combined defects in 13 cases. No major complications were reported. Conclusion: Based on our experiences with the use of superficial temporal artery island flaps, we have developed a detailed approach for the optimal management of patients with composite facial defects. The aim of this article is to provide the reader with a systematic algorithm to use for such patients.
Perioperative Effects of Surgery, Anesthesia and Analgesics Associated with Cancer Progression: A Review
Authors: Keishla  M.  García  , Karla  M.  Flores  , Adriana  Falcón  , Charlynne  De  Jesus  , Loida  Del Rio  , Laura  C.  Rivera  , Michelle  Marquez  , Santos  Ortiz  , Gretchen  Sandoval  , Alejandro Ruiz  , Fabiola Rodriguez  , Frances Gonzalez  , Kenneth Cintron  , Miguel J. Berdiel  , Jorge Duconge  , Maricelly Santiago  , Ines Alfaro  , Michael J. Gonzalez
Published: March 2018

One of the most common treatments available for cancer patients is surgical removal of the malignant tumor; its long-term implications, however, are still little-known. The purpose of this review is to look at the perioperative effects and determine if there is any correlation between surgery, anesthetics and analgesics, and cancer progression, in the form of cancerous tumor growth and progression and patient survival, within the Puerto Rican population. A retrospective literature review was conducted. Current data suggest that surgery is associated with an increase in cancer proliferation and metastasis, for various reasons such as angiogenesis enhancement and bloodstream migration. Also, it was found that some anesthetics and analgesics have been associated with cancer progression, based on the peri- and postoperative immune status of the patient. Thiopental, ketamine, isoflurane, halothane and some opioids were positively correlated with cancer progression given their role in immunosuppression; while propofol, lidocaine, ropivacaine and bupivacaine were negatively correlated with tumor progression given their immune enhancement. Others, like sevoflurane, nitrous oxide, and etomidate showed inconclusive correspondence. Therefore, it was concluded that immune system boosting anesthetics and analgesics can reduce cancer progression in a patient that has undergone surgical resection. For further research and since the available data are not extensive, other variables such as age, sex, stressors and comorbidities could be considered to better understand the mechanism in which the chemicals hereby studied can cause cancer progression.
Possible errors in pain treatment with ozone [abstract]
Authors: Tiron Stefan
Published: March 2018

This presentation is made based on (more than) 3000 patient’s experience.

The pain treatment with ozone is an excellent one. So … why don’t we have 100% results?

WRONG DIAGNOSIS :
- Treatment of an irradiate pain like a local one: every pain in
• Upper limb (with no evident cause): must be treated like an irradiate cervical problem, and treated in cervical region.
• Lower limb ( with no evident cause ) : must be treated like an irradiate lombar problem and treated in lombar region
- Traumatical or surgical scars in cervical or abdominal region can explain cervical or lombar pain. The treatment must begin with subcutaneous ozone injections in the pericicatricial region.
- Pain given by chronic fatigue syndrome.
- Treatment in diseases when the ozone treatment is inefficient ( lombar stenosis, torticolis … )

TECHNICAL ERRORS:
- position of the needle ( paravertebral )
- wrong concentration of ozone
Ozone in the treatment of musculoskeletal infections [abstract]
Authors: Sundaresh Srikanth
Published: March 2018

Ozone, an antibacterial, has a spectrum of action which is bigger than any antibiotic known today. Very few bacteria can resist the onslaught of ozone and this is again dependent on the route of delivery of the ozone- oxygen mixture. Musculoskeletal infections, mainly chronic osteomyelitis and foot ulcers, were taken as criteria for study. Chronic osteomyelitis of the long bones, mainly the tibia was preferred as route of entry into the marrow cavity is easier. Foot ulcers, diabetic or trophic were selected on random basis. Graphic representation based on dimension and pictures taken on regular intervals were the criteria for evidence of healing. All cases were subjected to a short course of antibiotics, based on culture and sensitivity reports, and ozone was added as an adjuvant to see whether ozone hastens recovery and if yes, the quality of recovery, the reduction in financial burden and the requirement of surgery like skin grafts or amputations. All cases were treated using ozone bagging and rectal insufflations on alternate days. It was concluded that ozone not only hastens the healing process, provides antibacterial remedy, but also ensures the healing occurs with good granulation tissue and without the requirement of a skin graft.
Chelation and Ozone Combination – the knock-out blow in treating ischemic heart disease [abstract]
Authors: Da-Costa Lenny
Published: March 2018

The recent TACT study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association showed that up to 50% of selected patients with heart disease will die from their disease unless they are treated with EDTA chelation therapy. Special benefits are seen in the diabetic population. TACT 2 is now underway to better understand the mechanisms at play to bring about this outcome. (Lamas, G. A., Goertz, C., Boineau, R., Mark, D. B., Rozema, T., Nahin, R. L., et al. (2013). Effect of disodium EDTA chelation regimen on cardiovascular events in patients with previous myocardial infarction: the TACT randomized trial. JAMA, 309(12), 1241–1250).

Now a new study is offering proof that not only can EDTA chelation therapy treat heart disease, it can also treat the atherosclerosis that leads to heart disease.

The researchers looked at the effect of EDTA chelation therapy on 118 men and women with atherosclerosis. Their ages ranged from 48 to 89 years old. Before the study began, they measured the pulse wave velocity of their arteries. After only 10 chelation treatments, the pulse wave velocity readings decreased substantially. The arteries were becoming more flexible and less stiff. After 20 chelation treatments, the readings decreased even more. And after 30 treatments, the decrease in the readings seems to have reached their maximum in most of the patients. This is exactly what I have been seeing in my patients for the past 35 years. Maximum effect of chelation therapy tends to occur between 20-30 treatments (Tadashi Mitsuo, MD, Sigenori Nakano, MD, Masao Yoshida,MD, Hideki Ohno,MD, Kazuo Tsubota,MD. Na2EDTA Chelation Therapy Can Decrease baPWV in Elderly Patients. www.acam.org/news. Friday, June 13, 2014).

When it comes to heart disease, the combination of Chelation and Ozone works even better than the chelation treatments by themselves. The chelation therapy treats the atherosclerosis and the ozone improves the way the heart cells use oxygen – a perfect marriage.

Ozone therapy improves oxygen delivery and circulation by:
1 Decreasing the viscosity and thickness of the blood, so that it can navigate the small capillaries better, and is easier to pump
2 Improves the ability of red blood cells to unload oxygen to the tissues. This persists long after the course of treatments is completed
3 Decreases inappropriate inflammation in the blood, allowing for the formation of nitric oxide to help the arteries dilate, further improving blood flow.

Chelation therapy improves circulation by:
1 Removing heavy metals such as lead, which impair the formation of nitric oxide. Nitric oxide is produced by the lining of the blood vessels as a signal to help arteries relax and dilate, improving circulation
2 Delivering high doses of nutrients such as magnesium, acting as a natural calcium channel blocker to keep arteries dilated and relaxed.
Horseshoe crabs as a flagship species for the conservation and restoration of estuarine, beach and mangrove habitats
Authors: Botton Mark , Tanacredi John
Published: March 2018

Horseshoe crabs (HSC’s) have a 445 million year fossil record, but the four living species face multiple threats including the loss of spawning and nursery habitats through coastline development and overharvesting for use as food, bait and biomedical purposes. Mangrove HSC’s (Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda) are imperiled by the decimation of mangroves throughout Asia. Sandy estuarine beaches are spawning sites for Tachypleus tridentatus, T. gigas, and Limulus polyphemus, and shoreline armoring degrades or eliminates suitable habitat. Likewise, mudflats and salt marsh pans, recognized as important juvenile nursery habitats, are also threatened by anthropogenic factors. With global sea level rise exacerbating coastal habitat loss, it is imperative that we find sustainable solutions. The IUCN HSC Specialist Group has promoted the concept of HSC’s as a flagship species for wise management and restoration of the coastal zone. We discuss examples from Asia and North America demonstrating how HSC’s have helped increase public support for the conservation of coastal habitats and HSC themselves. Recent research and restoration activities involve alternative shore-protection approaches, such as ‘living shorelines’ that dampen wave energy while maintaining viable habitat. Captive breeding programs in the US (e.g. Molloy College), India, Hong Kong and elsewhere will further augment possible HSC restoration efforts.
Advertisement call of Brachycephalus albolineatus (Anura: Brachycephalidae)
Authors: Bornschein Marcos R. , Ribeiro Luiz Fernando , Rollo Jr. Mario M. , Confetti André E. , Pie Marcio R.
Published: March 2018

Background. Brachycephalus are among the smallest terrestrial vertebrates in the world. The genus encompasses 34 species endemic to the Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest, occurring mostly in montane forests, with many species showing microendemic distributions to single mountaintops. It includes diurnal species living in the leaf litter and calling during the day, mainly during the warmer months of the year. The natural history of the vast majority of the species is unknown, such as their advertisement call, which has been described only for seven species of the genus. In the present study, we describe the advertisement call of Brachycephalus albolineatus, a recently described microendemic species from Santa Catarina, southern Brazil.

Methods. We analyzed 34 advertisement calls from 20 individuals of B. albolineatus, recorded between 5–6 February 2016 in the type locality of the species, Morro Boa Vista, on the border between the municipalities of Jaraguá do Sul and Massaranduba, Santa Catarina, southern Brazil. We collected five individuals as vouchers (they are from the type series of the species). We used the note-centered approach sensu Köhler et al. (2017) to describe the advertisement calls of the species.

Results. Brachycephalus albolineatus have a long advertisement call of 40–191 s (mean of 88 s) composed of 7–26 notes (mean of 14 notes) emitted at a rate of 6–13 notes per minute (mean of 9 notes per minute) and at a note dominant frequency of 5–7 kHz (mean of 6 kHz). Advertisement calls are composed of isolated notes and note groups (two notes involved in each particular note group); the former is composed by one to three pulses (mean of 2.0) and the note groups by two or three pulses in each note (mean of 2.7). Most advertisement calls present both isolated notes and note groups, with a few cases showing only the former. Note groups are emitted invariably in the last third of the advertisement call. Most isolated notes escalate their number of pulses along the advertisement call (1 to 2, 1 to 3 or 2 to 3). Note duration of isolated notes varies from 0.002–0.037 s (mean of 0.020 s) and duration of note group vary from 0.360–0.578 s (mean of 0.465 s).

Discussion. Individuals increase the complexity of their calls as is proceeds, incorporating note groups and pulses per note. Intra-individual variation analysis also demonstrated that less structured advertisement calls (i.e. with notes with fewer pulses) are not stereotyped. It is possible that isolated notes and note groups could have distinct function, perhaps territorial defense and mating, respectively. We believe that using a note-centered approach facilitates comparisons with calls of congeners, as well as underscores the considerable differences in call structure between species in a single group and among species groups.
Orbitofrontal neurons signal sensory associations underlying model-based inference in a sensory preconditioning task
Authors: Sadacca Brian F , Wied Heather M , Lopatina Nina , Saini Gurpreet K , Nemirovsky Daniel , Schoenbaum Geoffrey
Published: March 2018

Using knowledge of the structure of the world to infer value is at the heart of model-based reasoning and relies on a circuit that includes the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC). Some accounts link this to the representation of biological significance or value by neurons in OFC, while other models focus on the representation of associative structure or cognitive maps. Here we tested between these accounts by recording OFC neurons in rats during an OFC-dependent sensory preconditioning task. We found that while OFC neurons were strongly driven by biological significance or reward predictions at the end of training, they also showed clear evidence of acquiring the incidental stimulus-stimulus pairings in the preconditioning phase, prior to reward training. These results support a role for OFC in representing associative structure, independent of value.
Early structural and functional plasticity alterations in a susceptibility period of DYT1 dystonia mouse striatum
Authors: Maltese Marta , Stanic Jennifer , Tassone Annalisa , Sciamanna Giuseppe , Ponterio Giulia , Vanni Valentina , Martella Giuseppina , Imbriani Paola , Bonsi Paola , Mercuri Nicola Biagio , Gardoni Fabrizio , Pisani Antonio
Published: March 2018

The onset of abnormal movements in DYT1 dystonia is between childhood and adolescence, although it is unclear why clinical manifestations appear during this developmental period. Plasticity at corticostriatal synapses is critically involved in motor memory. In the Tor1a+/Δgag DYT1 dystonia mouse model, long-term potentiation (LTP) appeared prematurely in a critical developmental window in striatal spiny neurons (SPNs), while long-term depression (LTD) was never recorded. Analysis of dendritic spines showed an increase of both spine width and mature mushroom spines in Tor1a+/Δgag neurons, paralleled by an enhanced AMPA receptor (AMPAR) accumulation. BDNF regulates AMPAR expression during development. Accordingly, both proBDNF and BDNF levels were significantly higher in Tor1a+/Δgag mice. Consistently, antagonism of BDNF rescued synaptic plasticity deficits and AMPA currents. Our findings demonstrate that early loss of functional and structural synaptic homeostasis represents a unique endophenotypic trait during striatal maturation, promoting the appearance of clinical manifestations in mutation carriers.
Restoration of Full Shoulder Range of Motion After Application of the Fascial Distortion Model
Authors: Boucher Joshua D. , Figueroa Jose
Published: March 2018

Decreased active and passive range of motion (ROM) accompanied by pain in the shoulder is a common presentation for patients with frozen shoulder, and it can be difficult to restore normal function. Through the fascial distortion model, physicians can apply a manual technique to rapidly and effectively increase ROM and decrease pain. A 28-year-old man presented 18 months after sustaining a shoulder hyperextension injury. On active and passive ROM examination, he had approximately 90° of shoulder abduction and moderately reduced internal rotation associated with 8/10 pain. After 2 applications of the fascial distortion model, his shoulder restored to full abduction and internal rotation with no pain.
Changes in nutrients and decay rate of Ginkgo biloba leaf litter exposed to elevated O3 concentration in urban area
Authors: Fu Wei , He Xingyuan , Xu Sheng , Chen Wei , Li Yan , Li Bo , Su Lili , Ping Qin
Published: March 2018

Ground-level ozone (O3) pollution has been widely concerned in the world, particularly in the cities of Asia, including China. Elevated O3 concentrations have potentially influenced growth and nutrient cycling of trees in urban forest. The decomposition characteristics of urban tree litters under O3 exposure are still poorly known. Ginkgo biloba is commonly planted in the cities of northern China and is one of the main tree species in the urban forest of Shenyang, where concentrations of ground-level O3 are very high in summer. Here, we hypothesized that O3 exposure at high concentrations would alter the decomposition rate of urban tree litter. In open-top chambers (OTCs), 5-year-old G. biloba saplings were planted to investigate the impact of elevated O3 concentration (120 ppb) on changes in nutrient contents and decomposition rate of leaf litters. The results showed that elevated O3 concentration significantly increased K content (6.31 ± 0.29 vs 17.93 ± 0.40, P < 0.01) in leaves of G. biloba, significantly decreased the contents of total phenols (2.82 ± 0.93 vs 1.60 ± 0.44, P < 0.05) and soluble sugars (86.51 ± 19.57 vs 53.76 ± 2.40, P < 0.05), but did not significantly alter the contents of C, N, P, lignin and condensed tannins, compared with that in ambient air. Furthermore, percent mass remaining in litterbags after 150 days under ambient air and elevated O3 concentration was 56.0% and 52.8%, respectively. No significant difference between treatments was observed in mass remaining at any sampling date during decomposition. The losses of the nutrients in leaf litters of G. biloba showed significant seasonal differences regardless of O3 treatment. However, we found that elevated O3 concentration slowed down the leaf litter decomposition only at the early decomposition stage, but slightly accelerated the litter decomposition at the late stage (after 120 days). This study provides our understanding of the ecological processes regulating biogeochemical cycles from deciduous tree species in high-O3 urban area.
The adipokine C1q TNF related protein 3 (CTRP3) is elevated in the breast milk of obese mothers
Authors: Kwon Megan R. , Cress Eileen , Clark W. Andrew , Alamian Arsham , Lu Yongke , Peterson Jonathan M.
Published: March 2018

Background

C1q TNF related protein 3 (CTRP3) is a relatively novel hormonal factor primarily derived from adipose tissue and has anti-diabetic properties. To determine if CTRP3 could play a role in early childhood development, the purpose of this study was to establish the presence of CTRP3 in breast milk (BM) and to determine whether CTRP3 levels were correlated with pregravid obesity status of the mother.

Methods

Breast milk was collected from breast-feeding mothers who had a pregravid body mass index (BMI) classification of normal weight (BMI 18–25 kg/m2,n= 23) or obese (BMI > 30 kg/m2,n= 14). Immunoprecipitation followed by immunoblot analysis confirmed the presence of CTRP3 in BM. The concentration of CTRP3 in BM samples was determined by ELISA. Additional bioactive components were also measured by commercially available assays: ghrelin, insulin, leptin, adiponectin, interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and glucose. Bioactive components in normal weight and obese mothers were compared using unpairedt-test (parametric) and Mann–WhitneyU-test (non-parametric), as appropriate.

Results

The primary findings of this study are that the adipokine CTRP3 is present in BM and CTRP3 levels are increased with pregravid obesity. Additionally, this study independently confirmed previous work that BM from obese mothers has a higher concentration of insulin and leptin. Further, no differences were observed in BM between obese and normal weight mothers in ghrelin, adiponectin, IL-6, TNF-α, or glucose levels.

Conclusion

This study identified a novel factor in BM, CTRP3, and showed that BM CTRP3 levels higher in obese mothers. Because of the purported insulin sensitizing effect of CTRP3, it is possible that the elevated levels of CTRP3 in the BM of obese mothers may offset negative effects of elevated leptin and insulin levels in the BM of obese mothers. Future studies will need to be conducted to determine the relevance of CTRP3 in BM and to examine the presence of other adipose tissue-derived hormonal factors.