bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Job Shadowing as a Training Tool for Lecturers in Higher Education Bilingual Teaching
Authors: Salaberri Ramiro Maria Sagrario , Sanchez Perez Maria del Mar
Published: February 2020

The current context of higher education institutions is guided by targets of internationalization and globalization which adopt different forms, one of them based on the essential role of language learning as an operational instrument that contributes to international activity. Different approaches have been devised to promote language learning—content and language integrated learning (CLIL) or English-medium instruction (EMI)—characterized by the use of a foreign language as a teaching device. In tertiary education, the implementation of bilingual programs demands the use of professional and academic language, communicative skills, and training in methodological abilities. The challenge for lecturers is considerable and they have reported the demanding overload of work, effort, and time, but training in dual-focused teaching is essential to achieve goals successfully. Job shadowing is suggested as a training tool focused on developing bilingual professional skills, knowledge, and competences through observation, action, and reflection while accompanying a professional.
Materials Development
Authors: Ávila-López Javier
Published: February 2020

This chapter reviews the literature on materials development for EMI, providing keys for evaluation, adaptation, production, and exploitation of learning materials for English-taught higher education courses. It identifies the key assets in the coordinated application of materials development and EMI research, drawing on the prerequisites for coordinated language use and content learning. The key approaches for the development of interactive communicative materials are considered and analyzed to provide a deep insight on the rationale behind the main educational proposal—task-based content through language teaching (TBCLT)—that offers a number of indications to develop task-based EMI materials taking into account the potential of a text-driven syllabus that includes integrated project work as a staple diet of classroom dynamics.
Classcraft as a Resource to Implement Gamification in English-Medium Instruction
Authors: Rivera-Trigueros Irene , Sánchez-Pérez Maria del Mar
Published: February 2020

The exponential growth of English-medium instruction (EMI) programs in higher education has driven to the search for new and innovative teaching resources and techniques to facilitate the teaching and learning of disciplinary content matter through a non-native language. During the last years, gamification has emerged as a great tool when it comes to foster students' motivation and, consequently, favour their learning. There are numerous ways of introducing gamification in the classroom and a high number of resources and tools available for teachers to design and implement gamification proposals. One of these tools is Classcraft, an online role-playing platform that allows the teacher to turn the classroom into a real role-playing scenario. This chapter will explore the benefits of including gamification—and more specifically Classcraft—for EMI in higher education. Exhaustive guidelines are described in order to serve as a base for EMI lecturers to implement gamification in their courses.
Optimizing Learning Weights of Back Propagation Using Flower Pollination Algorithm for Diabetes and Thyroid Data Classification
Authors: Roman Muhammad , Khan Siyab , Khan Abdullah , Ali Maria
Published: February 2020

A number of ANN methods are used, but BP is the most commonly used algorithms to train ANNs by using the gradient descent method. Two main problems which exist in BP are slow convergence and local minima. To overcome these existing problems, global search techniques are used. This research work proposed new hybrid flower pollination based back propagation HFPBP with a modified activation function and FPBP algorithm with log-sigmoid activation function. The proposed HFPBP and FPBP algorithm search within the search space first and finds the best sub-search space. The exploration method followed in the proposed HFPBP and FPBP allows it to converge to a global optimum solution with more efficiency than the standard BPNN. The results obtained from proposed algorithms are evaluated and compared on three benchmark classification datasets, Thyroid, diabetes, and glass with standard BPNN, ABCNN, and ABC-BP algorithms. The simulation results obtained from the algorithms show that the proposed algorithm performance is better in terms of lowest MSE (0.0005) and high accuracy (99.97%).
Neuropsychological Rehabilitation
Authors: Singh Geeta , Kaloiya G. S.
Published: February 2020

Neuropsychological rehabilitation is concerned with achievement of maximum potential in diverse domains of psychological, social, vocational, and everyday life functioning in people with cognitive, emotional, psychosocial, and behavioral deficits caused by an insult to the brain. Hence, neuropsychological rehabilitation is the process of helping a patient to recover the functions that are impaired due to brain injury. The major role of neuropsychological rehabilitation is the improvement of cognitive deficits resulting from brain damage using extensive cognitive retraining. This chapter explores neuropsychological rehabilitation.
Security Issues of Cloud Migration and Optical Networking in Future Internet
Authors: Mikavica Branka , Kostić-Ljubisavljević Aleksandra
Published: February 2020

Future internet environment is affected by permanent and rapid changes, triggered by the emergence of high bandwidth-demanding services, applications, and contents. Cloud computing might be considered as the prelude of the future internet. Additionally, the concept of elastic optical networks is a widely accepted promising solution for the future internet. This chapter addresses the security aspects of the content provisioning process with cloud migration over elastic optical networks in the future internet environment. Key characteristics of the cloud computing and elastic optical networks relevant to the content provisioning process are presented. Major threats in each segment of the observed process, including vulnerabilities in the cloud computing and security issues in elastic optical networks, are considered.
Application of Cloud Computing in Electric Power Utility Systems
Authors: Raković Radoslav M.
Published: February 2020

The concept of “Cloud computing” became very interesting in recent years because it enables optimization of resources used and costs paid for it. Considering all advantages, this approach is applied widely in business systems of general purpose. In recent years, in literature it is possible to find considerations related to application of this approach in corporate systems as electric power utilities. Having in mind that such types of systems represent infrastructure ones that have great impact to the security of people and utilities, a very important question related to information security should be seriously considered. This chapter discusses advantages and disadvantages of application of cloud computing in electric power utility systems.
Telemedicine Adoption Opportunities and Challenges in the Developing World
Authors: Zobair Khondker Mohammad , Sanzogni Louis , Sandhu Kuldeep , Islam Md Jahirul
Published: February 2020

Mapping opportunities and challenges of telemedicine adoption in an emerging economy has always been presumptive due to the scarcity of empirical evidence. Only recently the potential influencing factors of both issues in the rural context of emerging economies (using Bangladesh as a cases study) were investigated. Analysis of existing literature identified seven broad categories of challenges (e.g., deficient organisational commitment, inadequate technological infrastructure, insufficient resource allocations, deficient service quality, clinicians demotivation, patients' dissatisfaction, and patients' distrust) and six broad categories of opportunities (e.g., service usefulness, service assurance, secured patient privacy, adequacy of services, peer influence on use of services, and environmental conditions) concerning telemedicine adoption. Their significance is outlined. These findings contribute to the literature by distinguishing significant factors, which can positively favour or deter telemedicine implementation in developing countries and similar settings.
Analysis of Biological Damage of the Timber Footbridge
Authors: Fojtík Roman , Vašková Veronika
Published: February 2020

Glued laminated timber – Glulam is commonly used for the constructing of wooden structures in the interior and exterior. Wood as an organic material and may be the subject to a biological processes that can be a risk, mainly for construction on the exterior. Analyzed footbridge is made of glued laminated timber and is build in the Czech Republic. Analysis shows a serious disturbance caused by biological influences only a few years after construction completion. This article described summary of analysis of timber footbridge damage and their causes.
Corrosive Environment Factors and their Influence on the Development of Weathering Steel Corrosion Products
Authors: Kubzová Monika , Křivý Vit , Urban Viktor , Kreislova Katerina
Published: February 2020

This article deals with the topic of atmospheric corrosion. Atmospheric corrosion causes damage to nearly 80% of all existing steel structures. The main parameters of atmospheric corrosion are the time of wetness (TOW), air temperature and aggressive corrosive agents such as chlorides, sulfur dioxide and others. Currently, low alloy steels with improved atmospheric corrosion resistance called weathering steels are used for the steel structures located in outdoor environment. A protective layer of corrosion products is created on the steel surface and this layer can reduce continuation of corrosion of steel. The time of wetness together with the effect of aggressive corrosive agents are various for surfaces oriented vertically or horizontally. Experimental tests of atmospheric weathering steel were carried out to monitor the impact of location and position of surface on the different constructions. These tests allow monitoring the development of corrosion products in real exposures. The article presents a part of the research, which includes monitoring the development of the thickness of corrosion products with regard to the position on the structure. Research is developed to refine of prediction models with the aim of improving determination of corrosion losses during the service life of the structure. Second part of these experiments is dedicated to measuring the deposition rate of chlorides. Chlorides have a corrosive impact on the steel surface. Under normal conditions the chlorides does not create suitable environment for the development of a protective layer of corrosion products.
Pre-Tension Losses in Cable Bolts and their Progress in Time
Authors: Dvorak Pavel
Published: February 2020

Bolting and anchoring products are mostly pre-tensioned after their putting into the construction. Pre-tensioning force is a force with clearly defined size and direction and helps the construction to transfer loads. After pre-tensioning a cable bolt some pre-tension losses occur immediately after releasing the jack and other losses progress during their working time. These losses may occur due to the mechanical properties of the cable bolt and its structure itself, but also due to the properties of the surrounding rock mass.The article deals with the enumeration and description of individual losses in accordance with applicable legislation and their measurements both in the laboratory and in actual mining conditions. The comparison of calculated and measured losses and a brief overview of pre-tensionable bolting technology within OKD coal deep mines is a part of the content as well. The result of the tests is quantification of these types of pre-tension losses including proposals for their reduction.
Transverse and Longitudinal Harmonic Wave in Layered Structure Made of Hyperelastic Materials
Authors: Major Maciej , Niemiro Judyta , Major Izabela , Brozovsky Jiri
Published: February 2020

The purpose of paper is to analyze approximate behavior of harmonic wave propagating in a layered composite. The composite was made of materials with hyperelastic Blatz-Ko potential. Using two special cases of constitutive equation of Blatz-Ko material, it was assumed that the layers are filled alternately with foam rubber and homogenous rubber. The two extreme layers are infinite material areas separated by two layers on the lengths d1 and d2. According to the assumptions in the work it was discussed harmonic wave in the form of longitudinal and transverse acoustic wave. Numerical analysis was carried out based on the work [1] using the material constants obtained on the basis of experimental studies in works [2-4].
Collaborating across organizational lines in Language for Specific Purposes
Authors: Yu Qiaona , Vincent Amanda , Merfeld-Langston Audra L. , Pérez-Muñoz Carmen
Published: February 2020

Since its inception in the 1970s, the field of Language for Specific Purposes (LSP) in the United States has continually adapted to ever-changing real-world needs. Its evolution has contributed to its increasing relevance, though the field faces ongoing challenges presented by the gap between its interdisciplinary nature and a lack of instructor expertise in the LSP content area, and thus calls for collaborations among institutions and communities. Reviewing successful collaborations in LSP, this chapter proposes an interdisciplinary collaboration taxonomy that aims to describe, compare, and evaluate such collaborations. The taxonomy categorizes LSP interdisciplinary collaborations at resource, project, course, and program levels, through intra-institutional and extra-institutional partnership. Furthermore, this chapter showcases examples of such collaborations at two institutions in courses of business Chinese, business French, medical Spanish, and a minor in Latin American studies for technical applications. These successful experiences demonstrate how LSP instructors can conduct intra- and extra-institutional collaboration with varying degrees of interactivity and on various scales to align the course with discipline standards. Each example also reflects on challenges and share tips related to logistics for replication and future development.
Business Portuguese in the age of digital instruction
Authors: Viana da Silva Eduardo
Published: February 2020

This research article provides an overview of the online material available for business Portuguese classes in the United States and it explores the potential for digital instruction. It also shows the results of a needs-analysis survey conducted with 111 participants, including business people and university students in the United States. It also offers a proposal for a business Portuguese class that takes advantage of digital instruction resources already available.
Vocabulary demands for engineering students studying English in Russia: Comparing ESP course materials across three engineering disciplines
Authors: Nekrasova-Beker Tatiana
Published: February 2020

With English language instruction becoming increasingly more specialized in higher education institutions around the globe, English for Specific Purposes (ESP) practitioners are facing a unique challenge in developing language courses that require considerable knowledge of a specific discipline in order to make it applicable to students and to meet their specific language needs. In the case of Engineering, which is the target discipline in this study, substantial empirical research has been published describing general discipline-specific requirements as well as common challenges that second language (L2) students face in various pedagogical contexts (e.g., Kaewpet, 2009; Pritchard & Nasr, 2004; Rowley-Jolivet, 2015; Rozycki & Johnson, 2013). Yet research investigating the vocabulary demands of pedagogical materials utilized in various sub-fields within the same discipline is limited. Therefore, the present study examined the extent to which the vocabulary demands of the pedagogical materials employed in ESP courses in Thermal-Power, Computer, and Chemical Engineering in Russia were comparable across the courses and achievable for the students. The results indicated that vocabulary coverage varied considerably across the three disciplines, with Chemical Engineering texts requiring the largest vocabulary size for adequate comprehension. The implications of the study for materials development and teaching ESP courses in various Engineering sub-fields are discussed.
COVID-19 R0: Magic Number or Conundrum?
Authors: Viceconte Giulio , Petrosillo Nicola
Published: February 2020

There is an increasing concern about COVID-19 worldwide. [...]
Table of Contents Vol 9, No 1 (2019)
Authors: Office Editorial
Published: February 2020

No abstract available.
Preservation of the lenticulostriate arteries during insular glioma resection
Authors: Ghali Michael
Published: February 2020

Insular gliomas represent 25% and 10% of low- and high-grade gliomas, respectively. Their resection proves challenging due to the intimate involvement of eloquent parenchyma and the lenticulostriate arteries (LSAs), limiting facility of achieving maximal safe resection. The majority of postoperative deficits following insular glioma resection is attributed to compromise of the LSAs. It is contemporaneously critical and challenging to preserve these vessels, given they are numerous and small, with an intraparenchymal course hidden from direct visualization during the operative intervention. A lesser degree of medially directed displacement of the LSAs predicts tumoral encasement of these vessels, which portends a decreased likelihood for achieving a gross total resection and increased probability of postoperative morbidity. Preservation of these vessels thus requires knowledge of their location during the entirety of the insular glioma resection and is facilitated by pre- and intra-operative imaging. Intraoperative real-time tracking, however, may prove rather challenging, especially with transcortical access. Conventional catheter digital subtraction angiography, computed tomographic angiography, magnetic resonance imaging and angiography, and three-dimensional ultrasound powered Doppler have proven effective modalities in assessing lenticulostriate position, and their use facilitates a greater extent of resection while minimizing the attendant morbidity consequent to LSA injury.
Dysphagia in a young adult: Rare case of giant cervical osteophyte
Authors: Mallepally Abhinandan , Tandon Vikas , Chhabra Harvinder
Published: February 2020

Cervical osteophytes may be seen in diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis, ankylosing spondylitis, posttraumatic, postoperative, degenerative causes, cervical spondylosis, and infectious spondylitis. A cervical osteophyte is very rarely considered among the differentials for symptoms of dysphagia. C5–C6 as well as C6–C7 being a site of greater load-bearing and mobility, the propensity to form osteophytes is high, with a small osteophyte leading to local mass effect. A 42-year-old male patient presented with mild dyspnea and significant dysphagia since 8 months, accompanied by dysphonia, weight loss, and intermittent aspiration. Clinical examination including neurological examination was normal. A barium swallow showed that osteophytes were severely protruding and displacing the lower pharynx and the proximal esophagus anterosuperiorly. The patient underwent surgical removal of the osteophyte through Smith–Robinson approach. Complaints of dysphagia were significantly decreased in postoperative period. A thorough evaluation is necessary to rule out other causes of dysphagia. Surgical management of this uncommon condition might be considered after confirmation of the osteophyte to be the offending lesion as it has favorable clinical outcomes.
Ventriculoperitoneal shunt complication in pediatric hydrocephalus: Risk factor analysis from a single institution in Nepal
Authors: Paudel Prakash , Bista Prakash , Pahari Durga , Sharma Gopal
Published: February 2020

Objective: Ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt surgery is one of the commonly performed neurosurgical procedures. Complications due to shunt failure are associated with high morbidity and mortality. We report an analysis of risk factors for shunt failure in pediatric patients from a single institution in Nepal. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analytical study with prospective data was designed. All children younger than 15 years, with first time VP shunting, at a tertiary government hospital in Kathmandu during 2014-2017 were followed up. Association of independent variables with the primary outcome variable (complication of VP shunt) was analyzed using Chi-square test. Bivariate logistic regression was performed to identify unadjusted odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI). Multivariate logistic regression model was designed to calculate adjusted OR with 95% CI. Results: Of 120 patients, more than half (55.8%) of the patients were male. Mean age was 62.97 months. Maximum duration of follow-up was 30 months. Most common cause of hydrocephalus was congenital aqueductal stenosis (40.8%) followed by tumors (29.2%). Overall shunt complication was found in 26.7% (95% CI 19.0%–35.5%). Shunt infection was seen in 5% while malfunction without infection was found in 21.7%. Bivariate logistic regression showed duration of surgery more than 1 h (OR 2.67, 95% CI 1.11–6.42, P = 0.028) compared to 1 h or less, experienced surgeon (OR 0.37, 95% CI 0.16–0.89, P = 0.026) compared to residents, and emergency surgery (OR 3.97, 95% CI 1.69–9.29, P = 0.001) compared to elective surgery as significant risk factors, while emergency surgery was the only significant variable for shunt failure on multivariate regression analysis (OR 3.3, 95% CI 1.16–9.35, P = 0.025). Conclusion: Longer duration of surgery, less experience of the surgeon, and the priority of the case (emergency) were independent risk factors for shunt complications.
Coexisting moyamoya syndrome and type 1 diabetes mellitus: A case report and review of the literature
Authors: Bolem Nagarjun , Nga Vincent , Chou Ning , Yeo Tseng , Lin Jeremy , Sharma Vijay
Published: February 2020

Moyamoya disease (MMD) is an incompletely understood malady that affects many age groups, primarily in a bimodal age distribution. We present a patient with the association of type 1 diabetes mellitus (type 1 DM) and MMD followed by a review of the existing literature. We found five papers that describe this association, in the form of one case report, one case series, and three retrospective reviews. Despite a poor understanding of the underlying pathophysiology, a clear association between autoimmune conditions and MMD appears to exist. Clinicians who manage such patients ought to be vigilant and have a high index of suspicion when young patients with type 1 DM present with new onset of neurological symptoms.
Heel suturing on the donor vessel prior to arteriotomy for end-to-side cerebrovascular anastomoses
Authors: Wongsuriyanan Somkiat , Sriamornrattanakul Kitiporn
Published: February 2020

Microvascular anastomosis is a common procedure in cerebrovascular surgery. End-to-side anastomoses were the most common procedure for extracranial-to-intracranial bypass. Many techniques were used to reduce clamping time of the recipient vessel. The authors innovated heel suturing on the donor vessel prior to arteriotomy (HSDA) technique from the previously described double sutures on the toe and heel of the donor vessel before arteriotomy technique for end-to-side anastomosis. Forty-three end-to-side anastomoses using the HSDA technique were collected from 32 patients.
Analysis of surgical cases of tarsal tunnel syndrome in our department: Case series and literature review
Authors: Yunoki Masatoshi
Published: February 2020

Background: Tarsal tunnel syndrome (TTS) is an entrapment neuropathy in which the tibial nerve is compressed within the tarsal tunnel and causes sensory disturbance in the sole of the foot. In this manuscript, we summarized our early surgical cases of TTS. Materials and Methods: Six feet in five patients with TTS were treated surgically. The patients were aged 31–70 years (mean 53.1 years), and all of them complained of pain or dysesthesia of the sole of the foot sparing the heel. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and nerve conduction test were performed preoperatively. In surgery, flexor retinaculum was dissected (tarsal tunnel opening [TTO]), the posterior tibial nerve was freed from the arteriovenous complex (neurovascular decompression [NVD]), and fascia of the abductor hallucis muscle was excised to decompress the medial and lateral plantar nerve (releasing fascial of abductor hallucis muscle [RFAH]). Results: Preoperative MRI confirmed that all seven cases were idiopathic TTS. Moreover, NCD demonstrated delayed sensory conduction velocity but not delayed distal motor latency. Surgical decompression was beneficial in 5 feet. The recurrence of symptoms was found in one case within 1 postoperative month. Conclusion: Surgical treatment for idiopathic TTS with TTO, NVD, and RFAH was generally good. However, symptoms recurred in one instance. Some methods to prevent adhesion and granulation in the reconstructed tarsal tunnel should be considered.
Freehand insertion of external ventricular drainage catheter: Evaluation of accuracy in a single center
Authors: Lee Keng , Zhang John , Bolem Nagarjun , Leong May , Goh Chun , Hassan Rashidul , Salek Al Amin , Sein Lwin Asher , Teo Kejia , Chou Ning , Nga Vincent , Yeo Tseng
Published: February 2020

Introduction: External ventricular drain (EVD) placement is the gold standard for managing acute hydrocephalus. Freehand EVD, using surface anatomical landmarks, is performed for ventricular cannulation due to its simplicity and efficiency. This study evaluates accuracy and reason(s) for misplacements as few studies have analyzed the accuracy of freehand EVD insertion. Patients and Methods: Preoperative and postoperative computed tomography scans of patients who underwent EVD insertion in 2014 were retrospectively reviewed. Diagnosis, Evans ratio, midline shift, position of burr hole, length of the catheter, and procedural complications were tabulated. The procedures were classified as satisfactory (catheter tip in the frontal horn ipsilateral lateral ventricle) and unsatisfactory. Unsatisfactory cases were further analyzed in relation to position of burr hole from midline and length of the catheter. Results: Seventy-seven EVD placements in seventy patients were evaluated. The mean age of the patients was 57.5 years. About 83.1% were satisfactory placements and 11.7% were unsatisfactory in the contralateral ventricle, corpus callosum, and interhemispheric fissure. Nearly 5.2% were in extraventricular locations. Almost 2.6% EVD placements were complicated by hemorrhage and 1 catheter was reinserted. Suboptimal placements were significantly associated with longer intracranial catheter length. The mean length was 66.54 ± 10.1 mm in unsatisfactory placements compared to 58.32 ± 4.85 mm in satisfactory placements. Between the two groups, no significant difference was observed in Evans ratio, midline shift, surgeon's experience, distance of burr hole from midline, and coronal suture. Conclusion: Freehand EVD insertion is safe and accurate. In small number of cases, unsatisfactory placement is related to longer catheter length.
Incidence and risk factors for venous thromboembolism following craniotomy for intracranial tumors: A cohort study
Authors: Kaewborisutsakul Anukoon , Tunthanathip Thara , Yuwakosol Pakorn , Inkate Srirat , Pattharachayakul Sutthiporn
Published: February 2020

Context: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a devastating complication of intracranial tumor surgery. The present study helps identify patients at the greatest risk of developing VTE. Aims: The aim of the study was to evaluate the incidence of and risk factors for VTE following craniotomy for intracranial tumors. Setting and Designs: This was a retrospective cohort study. Methods: Data from the institutional database (between January 2017 and December 2018) were reviewed. Consecutive patients with intracranial tumors who underwent craniotomy were included. Statistical Analysis Used: Patient characteristics were reported as descriptive data, and factors associated with VTE development were analyzed by the Cox regression model. Results: The study identified 177 patients. The incidence of VTE was 10.2% (deep-vein thrombosis [DVT], 8.5%; pulmonary embolism [PE] 1.7%; and simultaneous DVT and PE, 1.7%). In univariate analysis, VTE development was associated with diabetes mellitus (DM), operative duration of >420 min, blood transfusion, and new-onset postoperative motor deficits. DM and new-onset postoperative motor deficits were statistically significant factors in multivariable analysis, with hazard ratios of 4.52 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.38–14.82) and 3.46 (95% CI = 1.17–10.23), respectively. Conclusions: Postcraniotomy VTE was detected in 10.2% of patients with intracranial tumors. Risk factors for VTE included DM and new-onset postoperative motor deficits. Hence, intracranial tumor patients with these risk factors are the most likely to require VTE prophylaxis with an anticoagulant.
Aetiological agents for pulmonary exacerbations in children with cystic fibrosis
Authors: Arvind Balaji , Medigeshi Guruprasad R. , Kapil Arti , Xess Immaculata , Singh Urvashi , Lodha Rakesh , Kabra Sushil Kumar
Published: February 2020

Background & objectives:

Pulmonary disease is the main cause of morbidity and mortality in cystic fibrosis (CF). The infection occurs with a unique spectrum of bacterial pathogens that are usually acquired in an age-dependent fashion. The objective of this study was to find out the aetiological agents in respiratory specimens from children with CF during pulmonary exacerbation and relate with demographic variables.

Methods:

In this observational study, airway secretions from children (n=104) with CF presenting with pulmonary exacerbations were collected and tested for bacteria, fungi, mycobacteria and viral pathogens using appropriate laboratory techniques. The frequencies of isolation of various organisms were calculated and associated with various demographic profiles.

Results:

Bacteria were isolated in 37 (35.5%) and viral RNA in 27 (29.3%) children. Pseudomonas was the most common bacteria grown in 31 (29.8%) followed by Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc) in three (2.8%) patients. Among viruses, Rhinovirus was the most common, identified in 16 (17.4%) samples followed by coronavirus in four (4.3%). Fungi and mycobacteria were isolated from 23 (22.1%) and four (3.8%) children, respectively. Aspergillus flavus was the most common fungus isolated in 13 (12.5%) children.

Interpretation & conclusions:

Pseudomonas was the most common organism isolated during exacerbation. Non-tuberculous mycobacteria were not isolated, whereas infection with Bcc and Mycobacterium tuberculosis was observed, which could probably have a role in CF morbidity. Polymicrobial infections were associated with severe exacerbations.
Comparison of plasma adipocytokines & C-reactive protein levels in healthy schoolgoing adolescents from private & government-funded schools of Delhi, India
Authors: Chakraborty Shraddha , Prasad Gauri , Marwaha Raman Kumar , Basu Analabha , Tandon Nikhil , Bharadwaj Dwaipayan
Published: February 2020

Background & objectives:

Obesity-mediated chronic inflammatory state is primarily governed by lifestyle and food habits in adolescents and marked by alterations in the level of various inflammatory markers. This cross-sectional study was aimed to compare the inflammatory status of healthy Indian adolescents vis-à-vis their obesity profile. The inflammatory state of urban adolescents attending private and government-funded schools, and the relationship between inflammatory marker levels and anthropometric indices in the study participants from both groups were examined.

Methods:

A total of 4438 study participants (10-17 yr) were chosen from various schools of Delhi, India, and their anthropometric parameters were measured. Plasma adipocytokines (adiponectin, leptin and resistin) of the study participants were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and plasma C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were assayed by a biochemical analyzer. Metabolic syndrome-related risk factors such as waist circumference, hip circumference (HC), fasting glucose, fasting insulin, Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol and triglycerides of normal-weight adolescents were also evaluated.

Results:

The level of leptin and CRP increased with increasing adiposity, whereas adiponectin levels were found to be negatively related to obesity. All plasma cytokine levels (adiponectin, leptin and resistin) were significantly elevated in female than male adolescents. Age-based classification revealed a distinct trend of variability in the levels of all the inflammatory markers among adolescents of varying age groups. Significant differences were observed between private and government schoolgoing adolescents in terms of anthropometric and inflammatory parameters, with higher adiposity indices in the former group. The relationship of plasma adipokine and CRP levels with various adiposity indices was found to be distinctly different between private and government schoolgoing students.

Interpretation & conclusions:

Inflammatory markers were significantly elevated in overweight/obese adolescents. The socio-economic condition of urban Indian schoolgoing adolescents reflecting lifestyle transition has profound effects on their adiposity indices and inflammatory states. Longitudinal studies in different regions of the country need to be done to further confirm the findings.
The need & the issues related to new-generation typhoid conjugate vaccines in India
Authors: Vashishtha Vipin M. , Kalra Ajay
Published: February 2020

The low- and middle-income countries bear the highest burden of typhoid fever in the world. India, along with other South Asian countries, has a significant incidence of typhoid fever among young children though there is a paucity of published data on community burden. In spite of the availability of Vi-polysaccharide (Vi-PS) and conjugated Vi-PS vaccines, these are not adequately utilized in India and in the neighbouring countries. To address many shortcomings of the unconjugated Vi-PS vaccines, typhoid conjugate vaccines (TCVs) are developed by conjugating Vi-PS with different carrier proteins. Three such vaccines using tetanus toxoid as a carrier protein are already licensed in India. Several other Vi-PS conjugates are currently in various stages of development. The current review provides an update on the existing and upcoming new TCVs along with a detailed discussion on the various issues involved with their clinical use and limitations.
О наследуемости $\pi$-теоремы Силова подгруппами
Authors: Vdovin Evgeny Petrovitch , Manzaeva Nomina Chingizovna , Revin Danila Olegovich
Published: February 2020

Пусть $\pi$ - произвольное множество простых чисел. Скажем, что для конечной группы $G$ выполнена $\pi$-теорема Силова или, по-другому, что $G$ является $\mathscr D_\pi$-группой, если все максимальные $\pi$-подгруппы группы $G$ сопряжены. Очевидно, что $\pi$-теорема Силова влечет существование $\pi$-холловых подгрупп. В статье получено положительное решение проблемы 17.44, (b) из "Коуровской тетради", а именно доказано, что надгруппа $\pi$-холловой подгруппы в $\mathscr D_\pi$-группе всегда будет $\mathscr D_\pi$-группой.
Библиография: 52 названия.
Связное компактное локально чебышeвское множество в конечномерном пространстве является чебышeвским
Authors: Shklyaev Konstantin Sergeevich
Published: February 2020

Пусть $X$ - банахово пространство. Множество $M\subset X$ называется чебышeвским, если для каждой точки $x\in X$ существует единственная ближайшая к $x$ точка в множестве $M$. Множество $M$ называется локально чебышeвским, если для каждой точки $x\in M$ найдется такое чебышeвское множество $F_x\subset M$, что некоторая окрестность $x$ в $M$ лежит в $F_x$. В статье доказывается, что всякое связное компактное локально чебышeвское множество в конечномерном нормированном пространстве является чебышeвским.
Библиография: 11 названий.
Improving Complementary Food Hygiene Behaviors Using the Risk, Attitude, Norms, Ability, and Self-Regulation Approach in Rural Malawi
Authors: Chidziwisano Kondwani , Slekiene Jurgita , Mosler Hans-Joachim , Morse Tracy
Published: February 2020

The study evaluated the effectiveness of an intervention to improve complementary food hygiene behaviors among child caregivers in rural Malawi. Formative research and intervention development was grounded in the risk, attitude, norms, ability, and self-regulation (RANAS) model and targeted washing hands and kitchen utensils with soap, safe utensil storage, reheating of leftover food, and feeding of children by caregivers. Longitudinal research was applied at baseline and follow-up surveys among 320 caregivers. Determinants of selected behaviors were found, and interventions were developed based on the behavior change techniques aligned with these determinants in the RANAS model. The intervention was delivered over 9 months through group (cluster) meetings and household visits and included demonstrations, games, rewards, and songs. We randomly assigned villages to the control or intervention group. Follow-up results indicated a significant increase in three targeted behaviors (washing kitchen utensils with soap, safe utensil storage, and handwashing with soap) among intervention recipients. Several psychosocial factors differed significantly between the intervention and control groups. Mediation results showed that the intervention had a significant effect on these three targeted behaviors. For handwashing, feelings, others’ behavior in the household, and remembering; for washing kitchen utensils, others’ behavior in the household and difficulty to get enough soap; for safe utensils storage, others’ behavior in the village and remembering mediated the effect of the intervention on the targeted behaviors. The study demonstrated that targeting food hygiene behaviors with a theory-driven behavior change approach using psychosocial factors can improve the behavior of child caregivers in rural Malawi.
Artemether–Lumefantrine Efficacy for the Treatment of Uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum Malaria in Choco, Colombia after 8 Years as First-Line Treatment
Authors: Olivera Mario J. , Guerra Angela Patricia , Cortes Liliana Jazmin , Horth Roberta Z. , Padilla Julio , Novoa Jonathan , Ade María de la Paz , Ljolje Dragan , Lucchi Naomi W. , Marquiño Wilmer , Renteria Martha , Yurgaky Wilman , Macedo de Oliveira Alexandre
Published: February 2020

Artemether–lumefantrine (AL) is the first-line treatment for uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum infection in Colombia. To assess AL efficacy for uncomplicated falciparum malaria in Quibdo, Choco, Colombia, we conducted a 28-day therapeutic efficacy study (TES) following the WHO guidelines. From July 2018 to February 2019, febrile patients aged 5–65 years with microscopy-confirmed P. falciparum mono-infection and asexual parasite density of 250–100,000 parasites/µL were enrolled and treated with a supervised 3-day course of AL. The primary endpoint was adequate clinical and parasitological response (ACPR) on day 28. We attempted to use polymerase chain reaction (PCR) genotyping to differentiate reinfection and recrudescence, and conducted genetic testing for antimalarial resistance–associated genes. Eighty-eight patients consented and were enrolled; four were lost to follow-up or missed treatment doses. Therefore, 84 (95.5%) participants reached a valid endpoint: treatment failure or ACPR. No patient remained microscopy positive for malaria on day 3, evidence of delayed parasite clearance and artemisinin resistance. One patient had recurrent infection (12 parasites/µL) on day 28. Uncorrected ACPR rate was 98.8% (83/84) (95% CI: 93.5–100%). The recurrent infection sample did not amplify during molecular testing, giving a PCR-corrected ACPR of 100% (83/83) (95% CI: 95.7–100%). No P. falciparum kelch 13 polymorphisms associated with artemisinin resistance were identified. Our results support high AL efficacy for falciparum malaria in Choco. Because of the time required to conduct TESs in low-endemic settings, it is important to consider complementary alternatives to monitor antimalarial efficacy and resistance.
Cylinder Pressure Based Method for In-Cycle Pilot Misfire
Detection
Authors: Jorques Moreno Carlos , Stenlaas Ola , Tunestal Per
Published: February 2020

For the reduction of emissions and combustion noise in an internal combustion
diesel engine, multiple injections are normally used. A pilot injection reduces
the ignition delay of the main injection and hence the combustion noise.
However, normal variations of the operating conditions, component tolerances,
and aging may result in the lack of combustion i.e. pilot misfire. The result is
a lower indicated thermal efficiency, higher emissions, and louder combustion
noise. Closed-loop combustion control techniques aim to monitor in real-time
these variations and act accordingly to counteract their effect. To ensure the
in-cycle controllability of the main injection, the misfire diagnosis must be
performed before the start of the main injection. This paper focuses on the
development and evaluation of in-cycle algorithms for the pilot misfire
detection.

Based on in-cylinder pressure measurements, different approaches to the design of
the detectors are compared. For non-adaptive methods, a constant threshold,
direct misfire probability, and posterior misfire probability detectors are
investigated. For adaptive methods, an adaptive threshold update is suggested,
an adaptation of the predictive stochastic models and a sensor fusion of them is
proposed to increase the detection performance.

A Scania D13 engine is used to perform the experiments under different operating
conditions. The effectiveness of the algorithms is tested for different engine
speeds, rail pressures, injection durations, starts of injection, EGR levels,
and fuels. The results show that the observability of in-cycle pilot misfire
depends on the operating conditions, and its detection can be performed
successfully before the start of the main injection. With a maximum in-cycle
pilot misfire observability of 98.5%, a maximum successful detection ratio of
about 96% can be reached with the proposed in-cycle pilot misfire detectors. The
algorithms are therefore suitable for in-cycle closed-loop combustion control
feedback. By including cycle-to-cycle adaptation, the detection performance and
robustness are improved significantly. The limitations are directly related to
the signal-to-noise ratio of each operating condition.
Time-dependent effects of cellulose and gelatin-based hemostats on cellular processes of wound healing
Authors: Wagenhäuser Markus U. , Garabet Waseem , van Bonn Mia , Ibing Wiebke , Mulorz Joscha , Hyun Rhee Yae , Spin Joshua , Dimopoulos Christos , Oberhuber Alexander , Schelzig Hubert , Simon Florian
Published: February 2020

Introduction

Oxidized regenerated cellulose-based (ORC – TABOTAMP), oxidized non-regenerated cellulose-based (ONRC – RESORBA CELL), and gelatin-based (GELA – GELITA TUFT-IT) hemostats are commonly used in surgery. However, their impact on the wound healing process remains largely unexplored. We here assess time-dependent effects of exposure to these hemostats on fibroblast-related wound healing processes.

Material and methods

Hemostats were applied to fibroblast cell cultures for 5–10 (short-), 30 and 60 min (intermediate-) and 24 h (long-term). Representative images of the hemostat degradation process were obtained, and the pH value was measured. Cell viability, apoptosis and migration were analyzed after the above exposure times at 3, 6 and 24 h follow-up. Protein levels for tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and transforming-growth factor β (TGF-β) were assessed.

Results

ORC and ONRC reduced pH values during degradation, while GELA proved to be pH-neutral. Hemostat structural integrity was prolonged for GELA (vs. ORC and ONRC). TGF-β and TNF-α levels were reduced for ORC and ONRC (vs. GELA and control) (p < 0.05). Further, exposure of ORC and ONRC for longer than 5-10 min reduced cell viability vs. GELA and control at 3 h post-exposure (p < 0.05). Similarly, cell migration was impaired with ORC and ONRC exposure longer than 60 min at 24 h follow-up (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Short-term exposure to ORC and ONRC impairs relevant wound healing-related processes in fibroblasts, and alters protein levels of key mediating cytokines. GELA does not show similar effects. We conclude that GELA may be preferred over ORC and ONRC over short-, intermediate- and long-term exposures. Future validation of the clinical relevance is warranted.
CD98hc as a marker of radiotherapy-resistant cancer stem cells in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Kawasaki Yohei , Omori Yasufumi , Suzuki Shinsuke , Yamada Takechiyo
Published: February 2020

Introduction

The prognosis of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is generally good in cases of high radiation sensitivity but poor in cases exhibiting radiation resistance; this resistance has been attributed to the presence of cancer stem cells. In recent years, CD98hc overexpression has been associated with poor prognosis in various types of cancers. CD98 is a heterodimer of heavy and light chains and is strongly involved in cell proliferation, survival, migration, and adhesion. We investigated whether CD98hc can be used as a cancer stem cell marker for HNSCC.

Material and methods

We exposed five HNSCC cell lines to a total radiation dose of 60 Gy administered in 2 Gy fractions on consecutive days to investigate changes in CD98hc expression. Furthermore, we separated CD98-positive and CD98-negative cell populations to comparatively investigate the properties of each.

Results

Radiation resistance was observed in all five cell lines, and resistant cells exhibited CD98hc overexpression, with enhanced spheroid formation, migratory, and invasive abilities. Radiation-resistant cell lines were separated into CD98-positive and CD98-negative populations. CD98hc-positive radiation-resistant cell lines exhibited enhanced spheroid formation, invasion, and plating efficiency as well as strong tumorigenicity in nude mice.

Conclusions

CD98hc-positive cells exhibited cancer stem cell-like properties in all cell lines. Thus, CD98hc is a potential marker of radiation sensitivity as well as a potential therapeutic target for improved survival rates of patients with HNSCC.