bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
In vitro and in vivo anti-cancer activity of silymarin on oral cancer
Authors: Won Dong-Hoon , Kim Lee-Han , Jang Boonsil , Yang In-Hyoung , Kwon Hye-Jeong , Jin Bohwan , Oh Seung Hyun , Kang Ju-Hee , Hong Seong-Doo , Shin Ji-Ae , Cho Sung-Dae
Published: May 2018

Silymarin, a standardized extract from milk thistle fruits has been found to exhibit anti-cancer effects against various cancers. Here, we explored the anti-cancer activity of silymarin and its molecular target in human oral cancer in vitro and in vivo. Silymarin dose-dependently inhibited the proliferation of HSC-4 oral cancer cells and promoted caspase-dependent apoptosis. A human apoptosis protein array kit showed that death receptor 5 may be involved in silymarin-induced apoptosis, which was also shown through western blotting, immunocytochemistry, and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Silymarin increased cleaved caspase-8 and truncated Bid, leading to accumulation of cytochrome c. In addition, silymarin activated death receptor 5/caspase-8 to induce apoptotic cell death in two other oral cancer cell lines (YD15 and Ca9.22). Silymarin also suppressed tumor growth and volume without any hepatic or renal toxicity in vivo. Taken together, these results provide in vitro and in vivo evidence supporting the anti-cancer effect of silymarin and death receptor 5, and caspase-8 may be essential players in silymarin-mediated apoptosis in oral cancer.
Adolescent Victims Emerging From Cyberbullying
Authors: Brandau Melvina , Evanson Tracy A.
Published: May 2018

Cyberbullying is a pervasive public health issue, affecting 10% to 50% of adolescents and resulting in significant negative health outcomes. Due to the relative newness of cyberbullying, there are many elements of the phenomenon that are not understood. Fifteen adolescents and young adults who had experienced cyberbullying as adolescents, participated in one-on-one, semi-structured interviews. A grounded theory and model, Emerging From Cyberbullying, was constructed to describe the process of being a victim of cyberbullying. The process began by Being Targeted and a cycle of Being Cyberbullied, Losing Oneself, and Attempting to Cope followed. Once out of the cycle, victims could begin the process of Resolving and Finding Oneself. This theory can be used to inform cyberbullying prevention efforts and adolescent providers can utilize this theory to understand the process of being a victim of cyberbullying, promote open discussions with adolescents about cyberbullying, and offer suggestions for effective methods to cope.
Representative Budgeting: Women Mayors and the Composition of Spending in Local Governments
Authors: Funk Kendall D. , Philips Andrew Q.
Published: May 2018

One potential consequence of increasing women’s numeric representation is that women elected officials will behave differently than their men counterparts and improve women’s substantive representation. This study examines whether electing women to local offices changes how local government expenditures are allocated in ways that benefit women. Using compositional expenditure data from more than 5,400 Brazilian municipalities over eight years, we find significant differences in the ways men and women mayors allocate government expenditures. Our findings indicate that women mayors spend more on traditionally feminine issues, and less on traditionally masculine issues, relative to men mayors. In regard to specific policy areas, we find that women spend more on women’s issues, including education, health care, and social assistance, and less on masculine issues, including transportation and urban development, relative to men mayors. We further find that women’s legislative representation significantly influences the allocation of expenditures as a larger percentage of women councilors increases spending on traditionally feminine issues, as well as education, health care, and social assistance, relative to other policy issues. These findings indicate that women local elected officials improve women’s substantive representation by allocating a larger percentage of expenditures to issues that have historically and continue to concern women in Brazil.
Why Do Latino Survey Respondents Acquiesce? Respondent and Interviewer Characteristics as Determinants of Cultural Patterns of Acquiescence Among Latino Survey Respondents
Authors: Davis Rachel E. , Johnson Timothy P. , Lee Sunghee , Werner Christopher
Published: May 2018

Research indicates that Latino survey respondents are more likely to acquiesce than non-Latino European Americans (EAs), thereby decreasing the potential for measurement invariance across cultural groups. To better understand what drives this culturally patterned response style, we examined the influence of respondent and interviewer characteristics on acquiescence. Data were obtained from a telephone survey of 400 Mexican American, Puerto Rican, Cuban American, and non-Latino EA respondents, and a self-administered survey of 21 interviewers. Higher acquiescence was associated with several respondent characteristics: older age, lower education, stronger Latino cultural orientation, Spanish use, Latino ethnicity, and, among Latinos, Cuban American ethnicity. In contrast, acquiescence was not influenced by respondent–interviewer social distance, social deference, or interviewer characteristics (e.g., education, gender, acculturation, interviewer experience). These findings indicate that acquiescence differs across Latino ethnic subgroups and that respondent and language factors are more influential determinants of acquiescence than survey interviewers.
Comparative study of the synbiotic effect of inulin and fructooligosaccharide with probiotics with regard to the various properties of fermented soy milk
Authors: Mishra Shalini , Mishra HN
Published: May 2018

Numerous combinations of probiotics were explored to find the suitable starter culture for the development of synbiotic soy yoghurt which can give good product characteristics and may be acceptable among consumers. Prebiotics (fructooligosaccharide (FOS) and inulin) were supplemented in an attempt to reduce the after-taste of soymilk, improve acidification profile and growth of probiotics. The addition of prebiotics in soy milk significantly enhanced the acidification rate (10.82 to 23.00 × 10−3 pH units/min) and condensed the fermentation completion time. FOS-supplemented fermented soy milk showed better acidification and post-acidification profile as compared to inulin supplemented samples. The Streptococcus salivarius subsp. thermophilus (ST) – Lactobacillus acidophilus (LA) with FOS gave the better textural properties with firmer gel (350.10), lower adhesiveness (−93.10) and springiness (0.92), higher gumminess (164.50) and average cohesiveness (0.47). FOS-supplemented ST-LA-fermented samples showed good gel characteristics with higher elastic modulus (1672.39 Pa), viscous modulus (416.41 Pa), complex modulus (1723.53 Pa), lower tan δ (14) and higher overall acceptability scores (7.40) on a 9-point hedonic scale. Developed synbiotic soy fermented milk showed more than the 9 log cfu/ml count throughout storage which is required for probiotic functional food.
The Ukraine conflict and the European media: A comparative study of newspapers in 13 European countries
Authors: Fengler Susanne , Kreutler Marcus , Alku Matilda , Barlovac Bojana , Bastian Mariella , Bodrunova Svetlana S , Brinkmann Janis , Dingerkus Filip , Hájek Roman , Knopper Simon , Kus Michal , Láb Filip , Lees Caroline , Litvinenko Anna , Medeiros Débora , Orlova Dariya , Ozolina Liga , Paluch Anna , Nicoleta Radu Raluca , Stefanikova Sandra , Veldhoen Henrik , Zguri Rrapo
Published: May 2018

The crisis in Ukraine was one of the dominant topics in international news coverage of 2014 and the following years. Representing a conflict along the lines of an East-Western confrontation unprecedented since the end of the Cold War, the news reporting in different European countries with different historical backgrounds is an essential research topic. This article presents findings of a content analysis examining coverage of the conflict in the first half of 2014 in newspapers from a diverse set of 13 countries: Albania, Czech Republic, Germany, Latvia, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, as well as Ukraine and Russia. Drawing on prior literature on news values, key events, and news cycles in foreign coverage, this study maps the evolution of the conflict in the course of four key events and identifies specific characteristics of the coverage in different newspapers. The results show that attention for the conflict varies considerably across the countries, which might be traced back to different degrees of geographical and cultural proximity, domestication, and economic exchange, as well as lack of editorial resources especially in Eastern Europe. Russia dominated the news agenda in all newspapers under study with a constant stream of conflict news. Contradicting prior literature, media sought to contextualise the events, and meta-coverage of the media’s role in the crisis emerged as a relevant topic in many countries with a developed media system.
Cost-efficient dynamic quota-controlled routing in multi-community delay-tolerant networks
Authors: Wu Jiagao , Ma Yue , Liu Linfeng
Published: May 2018

Delay-tolerant networks are novel wireless mobile networks, which are characterized with high latency and frequent disconnectivity. Besides, people carrying mobile devices form a lot of communities because of similar interests and social relationships. How to improve the routing efficiency in multi-community scenarios has become one of the research hot spots in delay-tolerant networks. In this article, we present a network model of the multi-community delay-tolerant networks and formulate a dynamic quota-controlled routing problem of minimizing the average number of copies of a message that satisfies the required delivery probability under the given time-to-live of the message as a nonlinear optimization problem. To solve this problem, we propose an improved genetic algorithm called genetic algorithm for delivery probability and time-to-live optimization for the dynamic quota-controlled routing scheme to reduce the routing cost further. In addition, a cost-efficient dynamic quota-controlled routing protocol based on genetic algorithm for delivery probability and time-to-live optimization is proposed, which can dynamically adjust message copies according to its assigned delivery probability and time-to-live in different communities on the shortest path. Both the numerical and simulation results show that our routing with the proposed algorithm is more cost efficient.
‘It’s our everyday life’ – The perspectives of persons with intellectual disabilities in Norway
Authors: Witsø Aud Elisabeth , Hauger Brit
Published: May 2018

This study illuminates how adults with intellectual disabilities understand and describe their everyday life and its shortcomings when it comes to equal rights in the context of Norwegian community living. An inclusive research design, including nine persons with mild intellectual disability, two university researchers and two intellectual disability nurses from the municipality, was undertaken. An inductive thematic analysis of data identified three key themes: everyday life – context, rhythm and structure, social participation and staff – an ambiguous part of everyday life. Results show that service provision had institutional qualities; participants experienced lack of information and reduced possibilities for social inclusion and community participation like everyone else. More attention on the role of policy development, support staff and leadership, in relation to facilitating an everyday life with more user involvement, social inclusion and community participation of people needing support, is essential. Participatory, appreciative, action and reflection in workshops for persons with intellectual disabilities and support staff represent a promising approach to promote the voices and interests of persons with intellectual disabilities.

This article tells you about the everyday life of people with intellectual disabilities living in Norway. Nine people with intellectual disabilities worked together with two university researchers and two intellectual disability nurses in the community, in workshops. The people with intellectual disabilities liked to have their own apartment and going to work every day. They said that they wanted more social participation with friends and more participation in activities in the community, just like everyone else. They wanted to be treated with more respect by their staff. All participants in the project saw great value in working together and some of them are working together in a new project about involvement in the improvement of support services for people with intellectual disabilities.
Minimally invasive thread trigger digit release: a preliminary report on 34 digits of the adult hands
Authors: Guo Danqing , McCool Logan , Senk Alexander , Tonkin Brionn , Guo Joseph , Lytie Rachel M. , Guo Danzhu
Published: May 2018

The trigger finger release was performed in 34 digits (11 thumbs and 23 fingers) of 24 patients through the thread transecting technique with the tip-to-tip approach, in which a 22-gauge needle inserts into a 18-gauge needle when both needles are inside the hand, guiding the 22-gauge needle to exit the hand at the same access point of 18-gauge needle. We prospectively evaluated the effectiveness and functional recovery of these patients. In all 34 digits, triggering and locking were resolved, and complete extension and flexion occurred immediately following the release. There were no complications, such as incomplete release, neurovascular or flexor tendon or A2 pulley injury, infection, or tendon bow-stringing. Patients did not require prescription pain medications. Most patients used their hands to meet their basic living needs the same day of the procedure. The hand function evaluated with the Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire, and scored 4 within 3 months.

Level of evidence: II
Bacterial Contamination of a Marking Pen in Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction
Authors: Ridley Taylor J. , Rud Christopher T. , Krych Aaron J. , Macalena Jeffrey A.
Published: May 2018

Background:

A sterile surgical marking pen is commonly used during anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) to outline the proposed skin incision and then to mark the graft during preparation. Once in contact with the skin, the pen is a potential source of bacterial transmission and subsequent infections after ACLR.

Purpose/Hypothesis:

The purpose of this study was to assess whether the skin marking pen is a fomite for contamination during arthroscopic ACLR. We hypothesized that there would be a difference in the rate of culture-positive pens between control pens and the study pens used to delineate the proposed skin incision.

Study Design:

Controlled laboratory study.

Methods:

Twenty surgical marking pens were collected prospectively from patients undergoing ACLR over a 12-month period. All patients underwent standard preoperative sterile preparation and draping procedures. Proposed incisions were marked with a new sterile pen, and the pen tip was immediately sent for a 5-day inoculation in broth and agar. Negative controls (unopened new pen) and positive controls (used to mark the skin incisions preoperatively) were also cultured. Additionally, blank culture dishes were observed during the growth process. All pens were removed from the surgical field before incision, and new marking pens were used when needed during the procedure.

Results:

Three of the 20 study pens (15%) demonstrated positive growth. All 3 pens grew species of Staphylococcus. None of the negative controls demonstrated growth, 6 of the 12 positive controls showed growth, and none of the blank dishes exhibited growth.

Conclusion:

This study found a 15% rate of surgical marking pen contamination by Staphylococcus during ACLR. It is recommended that the skin marking pen not be used for any further steps of the surgical case and be discarded once used.

Clinical Relevance:

Infections after ACLR are rare but may result in significant morbidity, and all measures to reduce them should be pursued. Surgeons performing ACLR should dispose of the surgical marking pen after skin marking and before intraoperative use such as graft markup.
Angle-Dependent Distortions in the Perceptual Topology of Acoustic Space
Authors: Brimijoin W. Owen
Published: May 2018

By moving sounds around the head and asking listeners to report which ones moved more, it was found that sound sources at the side of a listener must move at least twice as much as ones in front to be judged as moving the same amount. A relative expansion of space in the front and compression at the side has consequences for spatial perception of moving sounds by both static and moving listeners. An accompanying prediction that the apparent location of static sound sources ought to also be distorted agrees with previous work and suggests that this is a general perceptual phenomenon that is not limited to moving signals. A mathematical model that mimics the measured expansion of space can be used to successfully capture several previous findings in spatial auditory perception. The inverse of this function could be used alongside individualized head-related transfer functions and motion tracking to produce hyperstable virtual acoustic environments.
北美印第安原住民的象形文字（中）： 日常使用中的记事功能
Authors: 黄亚平  , 伍淳
Published: May 2018

摘要

印第安原住民日常生活中使用的象形文字不但能够交流思想, 而且能够记录事件。 不但能记录简单事件, 也能记录复杂的事件。 不但有简单的构图形式, 还有繁复的类似于后世 “连环画” 的形式。 主要用于墓志和人物传记, 狩猎、采摘和旅行, 战争或战役的记录, 以及著名的冬日记事等。
Novel therapeutics for hemophilia and other bleeding disorders
Authors: Callaghan Michael U. , Sidonio Robert , Pipe Steven W.
Published: May 2018

Hemophilia and von Willebrand disease are the most common congenital bleeding disorders. Treatment of these disorders has focused on replacement of the missing coagulation factor to prevent or treat bleeding. New technologies and insights into hemostasis have driven the development of many promising new therapies for hemophilia and von Willebrand disease. Emerging bypass agents including zymogen-like factor IXa and Xa molecules are in development and a bispecific antibody, emicizumab, demonstrated efficacy in a phase 3 trial in people with hemophilia A and inhibitors. Tissue factor pathway inhibitor, the protein C/S system, and antithrombin are targets of novel compounds in development to alter the hemostatic balance and new approaches using modified factor VIII molecules are being tested for prevention and eradication of inhibitor antibodies in hemophilia A. The first recombinant von Willebrand factor (VWF) product has been approved and has unique VWF multimer content and does not contain factor VIII. These new approaches may offer better routes of administration, improved dosing regimens, and better efficacy for prevention and treatment of bleeding in congenital bleeding disorders.
Interpreting risk reduction in clinical trials for pulmonary arterial hypertension
Authors: Lajoie Annie C. , Bonnet Sébastien , Lacasse Yves , Lega Jean-Christophe , Provencher Steeve
Published: May 2018

Because of scepticism concerning study results when relying solely on relative effect estimates, the number needed to treat (NNT) has been used extensively to quantify the net clinical benefit of an intervention, and is reported increasingly in randomised trials and observational studies. This method is a simple measure representing the number of patients who would need to be treated to prevent one additional adverse event. However, like relative risk, the NNT is an inherently time-dependent measure. Thus, its calculation may lead to misleading interpretations, especially for studies involving varying follow-up times or recurrent outcomes. In addition to study duration and the efficacy of the therapy and the comparator, multiple other factors directly influence the NNT and should be taken into account in its interpretation as for comparative effectiveness of therapies. Its accurate estimation and interpretation, as well as its limitations, are therefore crucial to avoid erroneous clinical and public health decisions. We discuss the calculation and the interpretation of risk reduction and the NNT in the context of the changing landscape of clinical trials in pulmonary arterial hypertension.
BIM for heritage science: a review
Authors: Pocobelli Danae Phaedra , Boehm Jan , Bryan Paul , Still James , Grau-Bové Josep
Published: May 2018

Building Information Modelling (BIM) is a new process that is spreading in the Architecture, Engineering and Construction field. It allows the creation of virtual building models, which can be linked to numerical data, texts, images, and other types of information. Building components, such as walls, floors, etc. are modelled as “smart objects”, i.e. they are defined by numerical parameters, such as dimensions, and are embedded with other kinds of information, such as building materials and properties. Stored data are accessible and modifiable by all different professionals involved in the same project. The BIM process has been developed for new buildings, and it allows to plan and manage the whole building life-cycle. BIM for built heritage has started to be researched recently, and its use is still not widespread. Indeed, built heritage is characterised by complex morphology and non-homogeneous features, which clash with BIM’s standardised procedures. Moreover, to date, BIM does not allow fully automated procedures to model heritage buildings. This review focuses on the survey and digitisation phases, which can be seen as the initial phases of application of BIM in conservation projects. It also briefly covers the modelling stage. Here we present the main methodologies developed for BIM for built heritage. Issues about digitisation are also highlighted, principally in connection with the unavailability of automated processes. During the last 10 years, research has led to promising results; for example, videogame interfaces have been used to simulate virtual 3D tours that display in a single interface the 3D model and the database containing metadata, and new software plug-ins have been developed, to easily create “smart objects”. Nevertheless, further research is needed to establish how BIM can support the practice of building conservation. There is a gap in BIM’s information holding capacities, namely the storage of cultural and historical documentation, as well as monitored and simulated data relevant for preventive conservation. Future work should focus on the development of new tools that will be able to store and share all the relevant metadata.
Rucaparib Monotherapy in Patients With Pancreatic Cancer and a Known Deleterious BRCA Mutation
Authors: Shroff Rachna T. , Hendifar Andrew , McWilliams Robert R. , Geva Ravit , Epelbaum Ron , Rolfe Lindsey , Goble Sandra , Lin Kevin K. , Biankin Andrew V. , Giordano Heidi , Vonderheide Robert H. , Domchek Susan M.
Published: May 2018

Purpose

Pancreatic cancer has a poor prognosis and limited treatment options. Approximately 9% of pancreatic cancers harbor a germline or somatic BRCA1 or BRCA2 ( BRCA1/2) mutation. Because poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors have significant activity in BRCA1/2-mutant ovarian and breast cancers, RUCAPANC investigated the efficacy and safety of rucaparib in BRCA1/2-mutant pancreatic cancer.

Patients and Methods

RUCAPANC enrolled patients with measurable locally advanced/metastatic pancreatic cancer who had received one to two prior chemotherapy regimens. Patients received oral rucaparib (600 mg twice daily) until disease progression. The primary end point was objective response rate.

Results

Nineteen patients were enrolled. Sixteen of 19 BRCA1/2 mutations were germline; three were somatic. Patients had received a median of two prior chemotherapy regimens. Four patients achieved a response; two partial responses and one complete response (CR) were confirmed (objective response rate, 15.8%; 3 of 19), with an additional CR unconfirmed. The disease control rate (CR, partial response, or stable disease for ≥ 12 weeks) was 31.6% (6 of 19) in all patients and 44.4% (4 of 9) in those who had received one prior chemotherapy regimen. As prespecified in the protocol, enrollment was stopped because of an insufficient response rate among the first 15 patients. Treatment-emergent adverse events included nausea (63.2%) and anemia (47.4%). Grade ≥ 3 adverse events included anemia (31.6%), fatigue (15.8%), and ascites (15.8%). Secondary resistance mutations were detected in circulating free tumor DNA in two patients with a germline BRCA2 mutation. These mutations are predicted to lead to the reversion of a somatic—not germline—mutation.

Conclusion

Rucaparib provided clinical benefit to patients with advanced pancreatic cancer and a BRCA1/2 mutation, and demonstrated an acceptable safety profile. Additional trials of rucaparib in this population are warranted.
Is it time to scrap Scadding and adopt computed tomography for initial evaluation of sarcoidosis?
Authors: Levy Andrew , Hamzeh Nabeel , Maier Lisa A.
Published: May 2018

In this review, we argue for the use of high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) over chest X-ray in the initial evaluation of patients with sarcoidosis. Chest X-ray, which has long been used to classify disease severity and offer prognostication in sarcoidosis, has clear limitations compared with HRCT, including wider interobserver variability, a looser association with lung function, and poorer sensitivity to detect important lung manifestations of sarcoidosis. In addition, HRCT offers a diagnostic advantage, as it better depicts targets for biopsy, such as mediastinal/hilar lymphadenopathy and focal parenchymal disease. Newer data suggest that specific HRCT findings may be associated with important prognostic outcomes, such as increased mortality. As we elaborate in this update, we strongly recommend the use of HRCT in the initial evaluation of the patient with sarcoidosis.
Stage 1 Registered Report: Effect of deficient phagocytosis on neuronal survival and neurological outcome after temporary middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAo)
Authors: Emmrich Julius V. , Neher Jonas J. , Boehm-Sturm Philipp , Endres Matthias , Dirnagl Ulrich , Harms Christoph
Published: May 2018

Stroke is a major cause of death and disability worldwide. In addition to neuronal death resulting directly from energy depletion due to lack of blood supply, inflammation and microglial activation following ischemic brain injury has been increasingly recognized to be a key contributor to the pathophysiology of cerebrovascular disease. However, our understanding of the cross talk between the ischemic brain and the immune system is limited. Recently, we demonstrated that following focal ischemia, death of mature viable neurons can be executed through phagocytosis by microglial cells or recruited macrophages, i.e. through phagoptosis. It was shown that inhibition of phagocytic signaling pathways following endothelin-1 induced focal cerebral ischemia leads to increased neuronal survival and neurological recovery. This suggests that inhibition of specific phagocytic pathways may prevent neuronal death during cerebral ischemia. To further explore this potential therapeutic target, we propose to assess the role of phagocytosis in an established model of temporary (45min) middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAo), and to evaluate neuronal survival and neurological recovery in mice with deficient phagocytosis. The primary outcome of this study will be forelimb function assessed with the staircase test. Secondary outcomes constitute Rotarod performance, stroke volume (quantified on MR imaging or brain sections, respectively), diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) connectome mapping, and histological analyses to measure neuronal and microglial densities, and phagocytic activity. Male mice aged 10-12 weeks will be used for experiments.
Evaluation of the potential defensive strategy against Influenza A in cell line models
Authors: Antonova Ekaterina , Glazova Olga , Gaponova Anna , Eremyan Aykaz , Grebenkina Natalya , Zvereva Svetlana , Volkova Natalya , Volchkov Pavel
Published: May 2018

Background:Influenza virus can cause both seasonal infections and unpredictable pandemics. Rapidly evolving avian H5N1 and  H7N9 viruses have a potential pandemic threat for humans. Since avian Influenza can be transmitted by domestic birds, serving as a key link between wild birds and humans, an effective measure to control the influenza transmission would be eradication of the infection in poultry. It is known that the virus penetrates into the cell through binding with the terminal oligosaccharides - sialic acids (SA) - on the cell surfaces. Removal of SA might be a potential antiviral strategy. An approach to developing chicken lines that are resistant to influenza viruses could be the creation of genetically modified birds. Thus it is necessary to select a gene that provides defense to influenza. Here we have expressed in cells a range of exogenous sialidases and estimated their activity and specificity towards SA residues.

Methods:Several bacterial, viral and human sialidases were tested. We adopted bacterial sialidases fromSalmonellaandActinomycesfor expression on the cell surface by fusing catalytic domains with transmembrane domains. We also selected Influenza A/PuertoRico/8/34/H1N1 neuraminidase and human membrane sialidase (hNeu3) genes. Lectin binding assay was used for estimation of a α (2,3)-sialylation level by fluorescent microscopy and FACS.  

Results:We compared sialidases from bacteria, Influenza virus and human. Sialidases fromSalmonellaand Influenza A neuraminidase effectively cleaved α (2-3)-SA receptors. Viral neuraminidase demonstrated a higher activity. Sialidases fromActinomycesandhNeu3did not show any activity against α (2-3) SA under physiological conditions.

Conclusion: Our results demonstrated that sialidases with different specificity and activity can be selected as genes providing antiviral defence. Combining chosen sialidases with different activity together with tissue-specific promoters would provide an optimal level of desialylation. Tissue specific expression of the sialidases could protect domestic birds from infection.
BED: a Biological Entity Dictionary based on a graph data model
Authors: Godard Patrice , van Eyll Jonathan
Published: May 2018

The understanding of molecular processes involved in a specific biological system can be significantly improved by combining and comparing different data sets and knowledge resources. However, these information sources often use different identification systems and an identifier conversion step is required before any integration effort. Mapping between identifiers is often provided by the reference information resources and several tools have been implemented to simplify their use. However, most of these tools do not combine the information provided by individual resources to increase the completeness of the mapping process. Also, deprecated identifiers from former versions of databases are not taken into account. Finally, finding automatically the most relevant path to map identifiers from one scope to the other is often not trivial. The Biological Entity Dictionary (BED) addresses these three challenges by relying on a graph data model describing possible relationships between entities and their identifiers. This model has been implemented using Neo4j and an R package provides functions to query the graph but also to create and feed a custom instance of the database. This design combined with a local installation of the graph database and a cache system make BED very efficient to convert large lists of identifiers.
Intrathecal Immunoglobulin for treatment of adult patients with tetanus: A randomized controlled 2x2 factorial trial
Authors: Loan Huỳnh Thị , Yen Lam Minh , Kestelyn: Evelyne , Hao Nguyen Van , Thanh Tran Tan , Dung Nguyen Thi Phuong , Turner Hugo C. , Geskus Ronald B. , Wolbers Marcel , Tan Le Van , Van Doorn H. Rogier , Day Nicholas P. , Wyncoll Duncan , Hien Tran Tinh , Thwaites Guy E. , Vinh Chau Nguyen Van , Thwaites C. Louise
Published: May 2018

Despite long-standing availability of an effective vaccine, tetanus remains a significant problem in many countries. Outcome depends on access to mechanical ventilation and intensive care facilities and in settings where these are limited, mortality remains high. Administration of tetanus antitoxin by the intramuscular route is recommended treatment for tetanus, but as the tetanus toxin acts within the central nervous system, it has been suggested that intrathecal administration of antitoxin may be beneficial. Previous studies have indicated benefit, but with the exception of one small trial no blinded studies have been performed.

The objective of this study is to establish whether the addition of intrathecal tetanus antitoxin reduces the need for mechanical ventilation in patients with tetanus. Secondary objectives: to determine whether the addition of intrathecal tetanus antitoxin reduces autonomic nervous system dysfunction and length of hospital/ intensive care unit stay; whether the addition of intrathecal tetanus antitoxin in the treatment of tetanus is safe and cost-effective; to provide data to inform recommendation of human rather than equine antitoxin.

This study will enroll adult patients (≥16 years old) with tetanus admitted to the Hospital for Tropical Diseases, Ho Chi Minh City. The study is a 2x2 factorial blinded randomized controlled trial. Eligible patients will be randomized in a 1:1:1:1 manner to the four treatment arms (intrathecal treatment and human intramuscular treatment, intrathecal treatment and equine intramuscular treatment, sham procedure and human intramuscular treatment, sham procedure and equine intramuscular treatment). Primary outcome measure will be requirement for mechanical ventilation. Secondary outcome measures: duration of hospital/ intensive care unit stay, duration of mechanical ventilation, in-hospital and 240-day mortality and disability, new antibiotic prescription, incidence of ventilator associated pneumonia and autonomic nervous system dysfunction, total dose of benzodiazepines and pipecuronium, and incidence of adverse events.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02999815

Registration date: 21 December 2016
CORRELATION OF PARAMETERS OF POPLAR LEAF APPARATUS IN CONDITIONS OF URBAN LANDING
Authors: Бессчетнов Петр , Besschetnov Petr , Бессчетнова Наталья , Besschetnova Natalya
Published: May 2018

The parameters of the leaf apparatus of reproductively mature trees of five species from different sections of the poplar genus, most frequently encountered in urban plantings of Nizhny Novgorod, are investigated. Chinese poplar (Populus Simonii Carr.), white poplar (Populus alba L.), laurel poplar (Populus laurifolia Ledeb.), black poplar (Populus nigra L.), balsampoplar (Populus balsamifera L.). The methodological basis of the study was based on the principles of the only logical difference, suitability and expediency of the experiment. Along with the signs of direct account in the scheme of the experiment, derivative features are introduced that give a quantitative evaluation of the shape and an indirect estimate of the area of leaf blades. Statistical, correlation and regression analysis were used according to the generally accepted schemes. Representatives of the poplar genus in the urban plantations of the Middle Volga region form a leaf apparatus, that exhibits a variability in the basic morphological characteristics. Varying the linear parameters corresponds to the low and medium level of the Mamaev scale, which was steadily manifested in all the species studied. The coefficients of variation in the length of the leaf blade were from 12.05% (P. laurifolia) to 20.85% (P. alba). Correlation of the length and width of the leaf blades corresponds to the high closeness of the Cheddock connection, and their connection with estimates of the area of the leaf surface is very high and fixed at comparable levels. Dependence of changes in one index of the leaf apparatus on the nature of variation of the other adequately describes the equations of a straight line. Correlation and regression analyzes did not reveal a reliable relationship between the length of the leaf blade and its shape, which is recorded in all variants of the experiment. The indifference of the shape of the leaf blade indicates the stability of its manifestations within the species and determines the expediency of applying this index in solving classification and identification problems when forming the range of plantings.
Product-Line Pricing Under Discrete Mixed Multinomial Logit Demand
Authors: Li Hongmin , Webster Scott , Mason Nicholas , Kempf Karl
Published: May 2018

We study a product-line price optimization problem with demand given by a discrete mixed multinomial logit (MMNL) model. The market is divided into a finite number of market segments, with product demand in each segment governed by the multinomial logit (MNL) model. We show that the concavity property with respect to the choice probability vector shown for the MNL model breaks down under MMNL even for entirely symmetric price sensitivities. In addition, the equal markup property identified for the MNL model no longer holds under MMNL, suggesting that heterogeneity in customer population justifies non-equal-markup pricing. In this paper, we characterize the profit function under MMNL as the sum of a set of quasiconcave functions and present efficient optimization algorithms. We demonstrate the application of our methods using data from Intel Corporation. Our results show that the optimal prices exploit segment differences through redistribution of sales and profit among customer segments. In addition, we use our methods to generate the profit-share efficient frontier, helping the firm to set prices that effectively balance these two measures. The tools developed in this research function in three important ways at Intel: (1) they provide a new alternative for market share prediction among Intel products for different customer segments, adding to the suite of independent demand forecasting tools; (2) they optimize product prices based on segment-specific customer preferences revealed through sales data, a capability that Intel’s current pricing tools include only heuristically; (3) they quantify the trade-off between profit and market share, adding a new decision support capability to the company.

The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/msom.2017.0675 .
El reconocimiento recíproco en la filosofía de Axel Honneth: contribuciones a la transformación pacífica de los conflictos
Authors: París Albert Sonia
Published: May 2018

El texto se propone como un estudio del reconocimiento recíproco a través de una revisión de la propuesta elaborada por Axel Honneth en su filosofía, y con el objetivo de señalar sus principales contribuciones tanto para la configuración de la identidad humana como para la práctica de la metodología de la transformación pacífica de los conflictos. Tanto es así que se enfatiza, especialmente y siguiendo a Honneth, cómo el hecho de reconocerse recíprocamente ayudará a las personas a sentirse más confiadas, respetadas y estimadas, siendo éstos tres valores fundamentales para la regulación positiva de los conflictos y para la construcción de culturas para la paz. Además, el reconocimiento recíproco se pondrá en relación en estas páginas con otros medios pacíficos de la transformación de los conflictos.
Crítica dialéctica de la utopía: de Hegel a Bloch y Ellacuría
Authors: Romero Cuevas José Manuel
Published: May 2018

Este artículo expone la posición frente al concepto de utopía adoptada por una serie de pensadores de la tradición dialéctica, de Hegel a Bloch y Ellacuría. Persigue poner de manifiesto y reivindicar el modo característico en que dicha tradición afronta la cuestión de la utopía. Un lugar especial en nuestra exposición lo ocupa el pensamiento de Ellacuría, pues en él resulta significativo que lleva a cabo toda una reivindicación de la utopía entendida como ideal en el marco de una filosofía muy próxima al marxismo hegeliano. Ello nos permitirá poner de manifiesto la especificidad del planteamiento de Ellacuría y, al mismo tiempo, la pluralidad de posiciones respecto a esta problemática existentes dentro de la tradición de pensamiento hegeliano-marxista.
Corrosion Characteristics of Carbon Steel upon Exposure to Biodiesel Synthesized from Used Frying Oil
Authors: Setiawan Adhi , Amelia Novitrie Nora , Nugroho Agung , Widiyastuti W
Published: May 2018

The use of biodiesel leads to corrosion of automotive material, which can potentially shorten engine lifetime. The study aims to investigate the effect of temperature and contact time on the corrosion characteristics of carbon steel upon exposure to biodiesel synthesized from used frying oil. The corrosion rate of carbon steel was analyzed based on weight loss measurement according to the standard of ASTM G31 as affected by temperature and contact time. The immersion temperatures used in this study were 30oC, 40oC, and 70o, respectively. The contact times studied were 30 days, 40 days, and 50 days respectively. The results show that the increase of temperature and contact time of biodiesel on carbon steel surface speeds up the corrosion rate. Maximum corrosion rate (0.083 mmy) was observed on the carbon steel contacted to biodiesel at 70oC for 50 days. The SEM results showed an irregular shape of the corroded carbon steel surface. XRD / FTIR analysis of carbon steel samples show the presence of peaks, detected as Fe2O3, FeO(OH) and Fe2O2CO3, as the corrosion products. Keywords: biodiesel; carbon steel; corrosion; FAME; used frying oil
KINETIC STUDY OF OIL PALM EMPTY FRUIT BUNCH ENZYMATIC HYDROLYSIS
Authors: Meilany Diah , Mardawati Efri , Kresnowati Made Tri Ari Penia , Setiadi Tjandra
Published: May 2018

As  lignocellulosic biomass, Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch (OPEFB) can be used as the source of xylose that can be further utilized as the raw material for xylitol production. The processing of OPEFB to xylose comprises of pretreatment and hydrolysis that can be performed enzymatically. This process offers the advantages of moderate operation conditions and more environmentally friendly. This article describes the kinetic study of enzymatic hydrolysis process of OPEFB for producing xylose using self-prepared and commercial xylanase enzymes. Despite the possible mass transfer limitation, the Michaelis Menten kinetics was hypothesized. The results indicated that the reaction at pH 5 and 60°C followed the Michaelis Menten kinetics,  with Vm of 0.84 g/L-h and Km of 48.5 g/L  for the commercial enzyme, and Vm of 0,38 g/L-h and Km of 0,37 g/L for the self-prepared enzyme. The reaction is affected by temperature, with Ea of 8.6 kcal/gmol. The performance of self-prepared xylanase enzyme was not yet as good as the commercial enzyme, Cellic Htec 2. Keywords: enzymatic hydrolysis; kinetics parameter; OPEFB; xylanase; xylose
Indian tourism industry – a yardstick to GDP
Authors: Vedapradha R. , Hariharan Ravi , Niha Asif
Published: May 2018

Tourism industry plays a pivotal role in the economic development of a nation. This industry infuses opportunities with commendable impact on the economy in the areas of generating income, employment opportunities, one of the sources of foreign exchange earnings, infrastructure development and promotion of national heritage and culture, which contributes towards the national gross domestic product (GDP). This article is empirical about the contribution and impact of foreign exchange reserve, earning and the arrival of tourists on the growth of tourism industry and GDP in India. The researcher has collected secondary data, and the variables are assessed with the help of correlation and regression analysis to analyse the impact of tourism towards GDP in the country. The finding of this article is that domestic tourism is the only independent variable having significance in the GDP.
Green synthesis of zerovalent copper nanoparticles for efficient reduction of toxic azo dyes congo red and methyl orange
Authors: Ismail Muhammad , Gul Saima , Khan M.I. , Khan Murad Ali , Asiri Abdullah M. , Khan Sher Bahadar
Published: May 2018

In this study, plant-mediated copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) were synthesized. Due to its direct synthesis mechanism and eco-friendly nature, the current method accounts for the green chemistry approach using the fruit extract ofDuranta erectafor the first time. The UV-visible spectrum of the CuNPs solution showed a distinct absorption peak at 588 nm. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed that the fruit extract is responsible for the reduction as well as the stabilization of CuNPs. X-ray diffraction patterns conform the crystalline nature of CuNPs. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy was performed for elemental analysis whereas field emission scanning electron microscopy was carried out for surface morphology. Prepared CuNPs were used for the reduction of carcinogenic azo dyes methyl orange (MO) and congo red (CR). CuNPs exhibit outstanding catalytic reduction for MO and CR in the presence of NaBH4as reducing agents with the pseudo-first-order rate constants of 8.6×10−3s−1and 5.07×10−3s−1for MO and CR, respectively. Thus, natural plant materials act as cheap and environmentally friendly support for the synthesis of CuNPs and could be used for the purification of water from organic dye effluents.
Analysis of the embedded cell method in 1D for the numerical homogenization of metal-ceramic composite materials
Authors: Düll Wolf-Patrick , Hilder Bastian , Schneider Guido
Published: May 2018

In this paper, we analyze the embedding cell method, an algorithm which has been developed for the numerical homogenization of metal-ceramic composite materials. We show the convergence of the iteration scheme of this algorithm and the coincidence of the material properties predicted by the limit with the effective material properties provided by the analytical homogenization theory in two situations, namely for a one-dimensional linear elasticity model and a simple one-dimensional plasticity model.
The background markernáin Barayin
Authors: Lovestrand Joseph
Published: May 2018

This article gives a first account of the background markernáin Barayin, an East Chadic language spoken in the Guera region of Chad. The article describes the marker’s syntactic distribution and the semantic and pragmatic contexts it occurs in. It commonly occurs following a sentence-initial noun phrase or adverbial, and it also commonly follows a sentence-initial dependent clause such as a conditional clause. The material precedingnáis background information which provides a context for the interpretation of the following proposition, which is the main point of the communication.