bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clear cell renal cell carcinoma presenting as a single cutaneous metastasis
Authors: Georgescu Tiberiu Augustin , Sajin Maria , Costache Mariana
Published: September 2019

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the most common kidney tumor in adults, accounting for 2% of all cancers worldwide. It is two times more frequent in men than in women and it can metastasize to the lungs, liver, bones and brain. Skin metastases are unusual. A 79-year-old male with no personal history of malignancy, presents to the Department of Plastic Surgery for excision of a 36/32/14 mm ulcerated tumoral mass located in the right parietal area. Microscopic examination revealed a well-defined multinodular tumor located in the deep dermis, composed of a mostly solid and partially discohesive proliferation of cells featuring clear or granular-eosinophilic cytoplasm and vesicular nuclei with prominent nucleoli, lacking marked atypia. Mitotic rate varied from 2-3 to 12 mitoses per 10HPF. Focal areas of haemorrhage and necrotic debris as well as brisk lymphocytic infiltration were easily identifiable. The expansive and non-infiltrative pattern of growth supported the hypothesis of a metastatic tumor. The scarcity of clinical data and absence of a highly suggestive histopathological aspect, led to multiple differential diagnoses, including: large cell lymphoma, metastatic melanoma and metastatic carcinoma. Immunohistochemical stainings eventually confirmed the diagnosis of cutaneous metastasis of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (CD10+, PAX8+, Vimentin+) and excluded all other differentials (LCA-, Melan A-, AE1/AE3-, CK5/6-). Cutaneous metastases of RCC in the head and neck area are extremely unusual, given the distance from the anatomical site of the primary tumor. This case highlights the importance of careful clinical inspection of the skin in patients with internal organ malignancy.
Squamous cell carcionomas in a 31 year old patient with Rothmund-Thomson syndrome
Authors: Patrascu Oana Maria , Costache Mariana , Sajin Maria
Published: September 2019

Squamous cell carcinomas are malignant epithelial tumors frequently found in patients over 60-65 years old, with only 1-6% [2] of the cases being diagnosed in patients younger than 40 years. Rarely, it appears as a sign or complication of a genetic condition such as Rothmund-Thomson syndrome or poikiloderma congenitale, an autosomal recessive disorder due to mutations of RECQL4 helicase gene on 8q24 [2]. Furthermore, there are only 300 cases reported in the literature so far [3]. Beside skin tumors, this condition is characterized by redness and atrophy of the skin, small stature, sparse hair, teeth and nails abnormalities, osteopenia, osteoporosis or osteosarcomas [4, 5]. We report an interesting case of a 32 year old patient known with Rothmund-Thomas syndrome and multiple skin tumors excised over the past few years, which presented with two skin tumors on the cheek and on the nasal region, measuring 1 cm and 0,7 cm in diameter (Figure 1). Histologically, both tumors were composed of malignant and pleomorphic keratinocytes, with enlarged nuclei, evident nucleoli and numerous atypical mitosis (Figure 2,3) infiltrating the deeper portions of the dermis. One tumor also presented keratin formation, thus diagnosed as keratinized squamous cell carcinoma, while the other was non-keratinized squamous cell carcinoma (Figure 4,5).
Late presentation of nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Authors: Nicolaescu Alexandru , Coman Cristina , Agachi Luminita
Published: September 2019

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma has a tipically insidious presentation, with often neglected signs and symptoms, thus more than 99% of patients are symptomatic on diagnostic 1. There are 5 types of presentation models: the rhinologic type (nasal obstruction, epistaxis, rhinorrhea), the otologic type (otorrhea, conductive hearing loss), the lymphatic type (bulky cervical neck masses), the neurologic type (headache, cranial nerve palsy) and the opthalmic type (diplopia due to cranial nerve involvement - III, IV and VI). These presentation models are usually singular but will become associated as the disease progresses and the tumor extends, encompassing the skull base. 

We present the case of a 51 y.o. male with bilateral neck massess which appeared approximatively 6 months ago, recurrent epistaxis after sneezing, unilateral (right) hearing loss and otorrhea, right side hypogeusia (partial loss of taste sense) of the tongue and hypoesthesia of the right hemiface, involving the mandible and cheek. 

Naso-pharyngeal endoscopy showed a tumor involving the right lateral wall of the rhinopharynx as well as the posterior and superior walls and extending to the sphenoid sinuses and downward to the oropharynx. The tumor encompassed the Eustachian tube orifice - and the patient had otomastoiditis with persistent suppuration, consistent with otoscopy findings. Contrast CT scans showed skull base involvement, thus explaining cranial nerve involvement (mandibular branch of V).

The diagnosis was locally advanced disease (stage IV) and a biopsy was performed, followed by a multi-modal radiation and chemotherapy protocol.

Case particularity: late-onset presentation with rhinologic, neurologic, otic and lymphatic signs.
PREGNANCY IN CONGENITAL SEPTATE UTERUS
Authors: Dumitrașcu Mihai Cristian , Nenciu Cătălin-George , Nenciu Adina-Elena
Published: September 2019

Congenital uterine malformations can be found in low percentage in the general population due to the defect of joining the paramezonephrotic ducts and  often causes infertility [1]. In the case of malformed uterine pregnancy we encounter increased  risk of spontaneous abortion, premature birth and fetal dystocia [2]. We present the case of a 24 year patience, without a personal history of pathology and  primary infertility for two years .The blood test reveal  normal values with hormonal analyzes within normal limits. The clinically examination it is in normal range. The ultrasound revealed partial septate uterus. The diagnosis was confirmed in histerosalpingography. The  exploratory laparoscopy  shown permeability for both fallopian tubes.After ovarian stimulation with Clomiphene Citrate two months in a row a pregnancy was obtain. The patient delivered at term, without complication during pregnancy.
Posterior Polar Cataract
Authors: Gheorghe Alina , Chiș Roxana Gabriela
Published: September 2019

Young patient was referred to us for cataract surgery removal and artificial intraocular implant , due to progressive vision loss. Slit lamp examination revealed posterior polar cataract. Posterior  Polar cataract represent a medically and surgically unique subset of cataract that often arise at the end of a hyaloid artery remnant, which can result in a range of pathology from the benign "Mittendorf dot" to a more clinically relevant cataract.[1] Capsular fragility has been reported [2] that is why surgical technique must place the least amount of stress possible on the posterior capsule. [2] The surgeon should avoid hydrodissesction and the removal of the nucleus should be performed in a very stable anterior chamber. After lens material phacoemulsification, manual manipulation of posterior polar plaque should be attempted. If posterior capsular rupture occurs, anterior vitrectomy should be done before placing the intraocular lens.
The Value of the Muller maneuver during endoscopic evaluation of OSAS patients
Authors: Nicolaescu Alexandru , Agachi Luminita
Published: September 2019

The Muller maneuver is a forced inspiration with both the nose pinched and mouth closed, after a forced expiration, so as to simulate the colapse of pharyngeal walls, similar to what happens at night during deep sleep (atonia of the pharyngeal muscles during REM sleep). When diagnosing patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) the nasofibroscopy-assisted Muller maneuver (NMM) is indispensable to identifying the site of obstruction[1] and thus properly establishing the surgical indication [2]. This patient was overweight (BMI of 29.4) and had documented severe OSAS with 4 channel ambulatory polygraphy and the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) of 83.7 events\hour. Objective E.N.T. assessment shown Mallampati 3 with moderate-severe (Brodsky 3+) palatine tonsil hypertrophy. The images show (clockwise) the initial aspect ("helicopter view") of the oropharynx as seen from the rhinopharynx, the beginning of the Muller maneuver and the total closure of the oropharynx during the maneuver. Thus the patient was classified in the Fujita I class of OSAS, and was later operated, by way of tonsillectomy and modified uvulo-palatal-pharyngoplasty (UPPP) with expansion-sphincter construction. The NMM is a easy-to-use technique that provides valuable information in patients with OSAS and thus help establish the proper surgical indication.
Necrotizing fasciitis, poor hygiene and negligence in obese patients
Authors: Dumitrescu Dan , Dumitrescu Victor , Savlovschi Costel
Published: September 2019

The Tegument, the body's largest organ, also fulfills the protective function by preventing the pathogens from penetrating into the body. The barrier, once overcome, opens the gate to serious illnesses with varying degrees of severity. We present the case of an obese patient aged 63, BMI 40, admitted to emergency service for necrotizing fasciitis in the abdominal wall. Anamnesis and general clinical examination highlight the presence of a large area of necrosis in the lower abdominal wall, affecting the iliac fossa, the hypogastric region and the left iliac fossa, lack of substance at this level, limited supraaponvrotic, with multiple sepsis, isolated tissue areas granulation, anfractum edges, suggestive aspect for necrotizing fasciitis. Serious surgical interventions have been carried out, with the aim of broad, digital and instrumental debridement, the important lavage of the wound with hydrogen peroxide and betadine and antibiotic treatment according to the antibiogram. Subsequently, dressings were applied with negative pressure, with development of granulation tissue in the wound and in the end was chosen for secondary suture with favorable outcome and discharge from the hospital 33 days after admission. Precarius socio-economic status, poor hygiene in an obese, careless patient, without identifying other causes like diabetes or surgical history, have led to the development of a multilingual, life-threatening condition. Serious surgical attitude and postoperative care have led to a medical success, although burdened by significant costs, which could have been avoided with minimal effort especially from the patient.
A rare case of portal pneumatosis. What are the therapeutic resources?
Authors: SLAVU IULIAN , Mihaila Daniela , Alecu Lucian
Published: September 2019

Hepatic portal vein gas was first describes in 1955 by Wolf and Evans. It is a rare and severe condition that in 80% of cases leads to patient’s death. Most common causes are :necrotizing enterocolitis, mesenteric ischemia, sepsis , intestinal perforation. A 73-year old male patient underwent an elective rectal amputation for anal adenocarcinoma, after radiotherapy.In the 12th postoperative day the clinical state of the patient degraded, with onset of acute abdominal pain and fever.A CT scan and ultrasound examination showed the presence of  hepatic portal venous gas with of pneumatosis intestinalis and an abcess in the pelvic region.Intraoperatively, two small perforations were found at the distal jejunun with no ischemia or necrosis. An ileostomy was performed, with drainage of the peritoneal cavity.Post-operatively the patient was stabilized and was eventually discharged in stable condition .The presence of hepatic portal venous gas with the  of pneumatosis intestinalis is most frequently associated with ischemic bowel, ileus, diverticulitis, gastric distention, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), hypotension post dialysis treatment, decompression sickness, trauma and iatrogenic causes from instrumentation and recent surgery.
Optic nerve coloboma
Authors: Chis Roxana Gabriela , Gheorghe Alina , Burcea Marian
Published: September 2019

A 20 years old female presented for a routine eye examination. Her best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was OU - 20/20 Snellen chart. Fundoscopy of the right eye revealed a massive optic disc coloboma with no other associated abnormalities. Fundoscopy of the left eye revealed a normal eye fundus.

Optic nerve coloboma is a congenital condition caused by incomplete closure of embryonic fissure. It usually occurs bilaterally, autosomal dominantly inherited, or sporadic cases. Serous macular detachment and visual field loss can be frequently observed in this condition. It can also be associated with other colobomas (lens, cilliary body and choroid), microphtalmos, retinal dysplasia, or can be part of systemic anomalies like Aicardi syndrome, Meckel syndrome and CHARGE association, with poor visiual prognosis. Subjects with isolated optic nerve coloboma, with no other associated abnormalities, like this case, can have excellent visual prognosis.
The Effectiveness of Debt Relief: Assessing the Influence of the HIPC Initiative and MDRI on Tanzania’s Health Sector
Authors: Oggier Fernando
Published: September 2019

Debt relief initiatives have been part of the international development sphere since the early 1990s. With the launch of the Heavily Indebted Poor Country (HIPC) Initiative in 1996 and the Multilateral Debt Relief Initiative (MDRI) in 2005 many countries have been able to successfully qualify for debt relief. Tanzania has been one of the primary beneficiaries of debt relief over the years. While empirical evidence demonstrates that the country’s economic growth has been positively impacted by debt relief initiatives, other aspects of human development need to be analyzed to ensure a comprehensive assessment of the HIPC Initiative and the MDRI. This study compiles Tanzania’s health data into a composite indicator to perform a graphical analysis to compare the trends between health outcomes and external debt. The graphical analysis is contextualized through a qualitative analysis of political, economic and health financing literature from the Bank of Tanzania, UNICEF and USAID. The results indicate that there health outcomes improved throughout the whole study’s time period particularly after the HIPC Initiative. The health financing literature also points to increased development expenditure during this period. Nonetheless, the effects of debt relief seem to diminish in the long-term due to fluctuations in external donors and logistical barriers to budget execution. Tanzania also continues to face socio-economic and geographic disparities in health outcomes and funding. Some of the literature also states that the country’s weak system of checks and balances and the lack of robust institutions could cause opportunistic policy preferences that might not necessarily improve Tanzania’s health outcomes.
KEYWORDS: Child Mortality Rate; Debt Relief; External Debt; Heavily Indebted Poor Country Initiative; International Monetary Fund; Life Expectancy; Maternal Mortality Rate; Multilateral Debt Relief Initiative; Official Development Aid; Prevalence of Undernourishment
IMPLEMENTASI KEBIJAKAN PELIMPAHAN WEWENANG DARI BUPATI KEPADA CAMAT DI KECAMATAN TANJUNGSARI KABUPATEN SUMEDANG PROVINSI JAWA BARAT
Authors: Hadijaya Isman
Published: September 2019

ABSTRACT

This study analyzes and obtain a description of Policy Implementation delegation of some authority of government of the Regent to the District Head in District Tanjungsari of Sumedang Regency. Design used in this study using descriptive research design with a qualitative approach. Data analysis techniques employed in descriptive research through data selection, data reduction, data presentation, drawing conclusions and verification. The results of this study can be revealed that the implementation of the policy of delegation of some powers to the District Head in District Regents Tanjungsari accordance with decree No. 55 of 2009 which bestows 22 (twenty two) areas of authority, are still not followed up with a technical guide its implementation, making it difficult for field implementation fully implemented and still can not run optimally. The obstacles faced by the integrated services that have not been implemented, in the sense of the service process in the district Tanjungsari not through one door and go through the procedure on each part in accordance with their main duty, so that the bureaucracy getting longer, there are still overlapping authority with Technical service or other agencies, so that the implementation of the service becomes not optimal, uniform pattern of delegation of authority to all the districts to make the pattern of service be the same and there is no specification tailored to the needs of local communities, Lack of Human Resources (HR). So that the delegation of authority is on target and in accordance with the needs, competencies and skills Increasing Human Resources (personnel) in the district Tanjungsari who will carry out the delegation of authority, the provision of funding support for the implementation of the delegation of authority from the Regents to the District Head in District Tanjungsari of Sumedang Regency in a way inventory and forecast demand infrastructure and facilities and where possible existing infrastructure be utilized in the process of implementation of the delegation of authority.

Keywords: implementation, policy, authority delegation.
ANALISIS PERILAKU KEPEMIMPINAN TRANSFORMASIONAL DAN TRANSAKSIONAL DALAM PENYELENGGARAAN PEMERINTAHAN DESA
Authors: Rinaldi Hasymi , Jaya Mahendra , Diah Januardi M.
Published: September 2019

ABSTRACT

Rapid development of information technology and increased authority of village by the law No. 06 of 2014 on Village, need the existence of transformational leadership. Village head is expected to have ability to respond the changes, and influence the changes to support village development. The purpose of research are identify the ability of village head to respond the change, and identify behavior of transformational and transactional of village head to govern the village government in Kuburaya Regency. Samples of the research are two villages with different characteristics and resources. The two villages are Telukempening and Sungairaya Dalam. The result shows that limitation and lack of resources in Telukempening encourage the village head to be transformational leader, meanwhile village head of Sungairaya Dalam shows the behavior of transactional leadership.

Keywords: transformational leadership, transactional leadership, village, information technology
IMPLEMENTASI KEBIJAKAN PROGRAM PEMBANGUNAN INFRASTRUKTUR PEDESAAN (PPIP) DI DESA LOPANA SATU KECAMATAN AMURANG TIMUR KABUPATEN MINAHASA SELATAN
Authors: Nurdin Ismail , Rorimpandey Megawati Cindy
Published: September 2019

The purpose of this study is to describe comprehensively and provide recommendations from the results of this PPIP research program. This study uses the theory of Edward III. This research is a qualitative research using descriptive methods through a deductive approach. The technique of collecting data is done by interviews, observation, and documentation. Based on the results of the study, it is known that the PPIP Program Implementation in Lopana Satu Village has not run optimally. This causes the Village Development to proceed slowly. Then the community has distrust in the implementation of the program due to the failure of development in the previous program period. This program also has problems in managing funds that are a resource in this program. For this reason, the Regional Government should pay more attention to matters, namely approaching the community for the smooth running of the program and improving management problems and the PPIP funding budget

Keywords:  Policy Implementation, Rural Infrastructure Development Program, and Adequate Infrastructure
PAJAK TEMBAKAU: PERMASALAHAN PRODUKSI ROKOK ILEGAL DI INDONESIA
Authors: Baidhowah Adfin Rochmad
Published: September 2019

Tax which can influencea country’s economy and society’s prosperity, namely through increasing health and revenue objectives (UN 2018 p. 40), such as tobacco tax. In Indonesia, the revenue from tobacco tax had been increasing from 2007 to 2018. This paper argues that Indonesia should tax the informal tobacco firms based several strategies. The contributors of Indonesian illicit cigarettes are 90 percent from domestic industries and 10 percent from oversea industries. The possible factors which cause the illicit cigarettes are Indonesian complex tax structure and negative behaviour of cigarettes firms. To solve the issues, the Indonesian government should conduct several strategies. First, analysing cost and benefit of taxing the informal sectors. Second, after deciding to tax the informal sectors, five tax reforms policies should be implemented by the Indonesian government, namely the capability of the revenue administration, the pragmatic approach, technical approach, firms’ incentive approach, and political and administrative incentive approaches.

Key words: Tobacco tax, Informal Sector, National Revenue
ANALISIS EFEKTIVITAS PEMERINTAHAN MUKIM DI KECAMATAN JOHAN PAHLAWAN KABUPATEN ACEH BARAT PROVINSI ACEH
Authors: AL-YAHYA ANITA SURYA
Published: September 2019

The effectiveness of the Mukim Government in Johan Pahlawan District, West Aceh Regency is an important study in the administration of government activities which oversees several villages and is directly under and responsible to the Camat. Based on the results of the research on the effectiveness of the Mukim Government in general it has not gone well. This is influenced by organizational characteristics; environmental characteristics; factor characteristics of workers; and the characteristics of management policies and practices. The right strategy and priority is based on the SWOT and Litmust Test analysis to improve the effectiveness of the Mukim Government, namely: providing training to increase the capacity of the apparatus; clarify and detail the authority of the Mukim Government through regulation; explore and utilize the potential resources available in the Settlements; provide adequate facilities / parasana; and uti

Keywords: Effectiveness, Mukim, Mukim Government, Implementation of Mukim Government
INOVASI PELAYANAN PUBLIK DI KOTA KREATIF DALAM MENINGKATKAN KEPERCAYAAN MASYARAKAT TERHADAP PEMERINTAH DI KOTA BANDUNG PROVINSI JAWA BARAT
Authors: Hendiyani Mesy Faridah
Published: September 2019

this article discusses public service innovations carried out by local governments to increase public trust in the government. The locus of this research is in the city of Bandung, West Java Province, one of the UNESCO creative city networks. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the innovation of public services carried out by the government to serve the public in creating and innovating so that public trust in the government increases. The research method uses a qualitative method with an inductive approach. Data obtained through interviews, observation and documentation. The results of this study indicate that the regional government of Bandung City creates service innovations in the form of facilities to support the creation and innovation of the community, although there are some things that still need to be addressed. The relationship between the government and the community is closer. The role of local government in serving the community to support the potential of community creation and innovation is very important.

Keywords: community; creation; government; innovation; service
IMPLEMENTASI SISTEM INFORMASI MANAJEMEN KELURAHAN (SIMKEL) PADA DINAS KEPENDUDUKAN DAN PENCATATAN SIPIL KOTA MAGELANG PROVINSI JAWA TENGAH
Authors: Hartati Sri , Hadina Fairuz Nurma
Published: September 2019

he Village Administration Management Information System (Simkel) is a system aims to provide a database of population and civil registration data that is integrated with SIAK applications that same between village administration, subdistricts and the department of population and civil registration that online and connected to the website. This research was intended to understand and know how to implement Simkel and the obstacles and efforts did by the Department of Population and Civil Registration of Magelang City.The research method used in this final report is descriptive qualitative with an inductive approach. the data collected were analyzed using analysis techniques in the form of data presentation, data reduction and drawing conclusions referring the theory of George Edward III.Based on the analysis conducted by the writer, the implementation of the Village Administration Management Information System (Simkel) has not going well because there are still some obstacles including unstable networks, limited number of employees and application providers that have not worked optimally. Efforts made to overcome obstacles include coordinating, making minimum qualification letters for staff needs and coaching for employees. Keywords: implementation, Simkel
6360 Sayılı Kanun Sonrası Yerel Siyasal Elitlerin Değişimi
Authors: AYDIN Abdullah
Published: September 2019

Elit kavramı gün
geçtikçe, yani demokratik kurumlar yerine oturdukça değişime uğramıştır. Yerel
yönetimler bağlamında değerlendirildiğinde, ilk başta toprak ve soy bazlı bir
elit mantığı varken daha sonra ekonomik güç bazlı bir elit anlayışı
gelişmiştir. Akabinde demokratikleşme neticesinde siyasal elitler veya
demokratik elitler devreye girmiştir. Türkiye’de uzun bir süre yerel elitlerden
bahsetmek mümkün olmamıştır. Ancak özellikle 1963 yılı ile yerel seçimlerin
demokratik bir ortamda gerçekleşmesi merkeze ve diğer güç odaklarına karşı yeni
bir gücün oluşmasına veya mevcut güçlerin siyasal olarak dönüşmesine neden
olmuştur. Artık siyasal alanda söz sahibi olmak da bir elitlik sebebine
dönüşmüştür. Kent kimliğinin bir parçası olan soylu, köklü ve zengin gruplar
kümesinden meydana gelen elitlerin yanına sayıca fazla olan gruplar kümesi de
eklemiştir. Çalışmanın temel amacı 6360 sayılı yasa kapsamında yaşanan
değişiklikleri ortaya koymak ve yasanın Türkiye’deki yerel elitler bağlamında
oluşturduğu değişimi ortaya koymaktır. Bunu yaparken elit kavramı üzerinde
durularak, siyasal elit kavramının tarihsel gelişimi ve yerele yansımaları ele
alınmıştır. Akabinde Türkiye’deki yerel yönetimlerin durumu ve 6360 sayılı
kanun ile ortaya çıkan durum anlatılarak kanun çerçevesinde yerel elitlerdeki
değişim boyutları ve kapsamı çizilmiştir. Sonuç ve değerlendirme kısmı ile de
bu durumun Türk yerel demokrasisi açısından oluşturduğu olumlu ve olumsuz
durumlar ortaya konarak, sorun ve çözüm önerileri yapılmıştır.
CHALLENGES FACED IN PPP AND HAM MODEL AND THE NEED FOR AN ALTERNATIVE
Authors: Jain A. , Khan F. , Gupta P. , Gupta K. , Yadav S. R.
Published: September 2019

Public Private Partnership Model (PPP) by Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MORTH) renewal was undertaken by introduction of the hybrid annuity model (HAM) wherein government decided to share the risk of financing by contributing 40% towards the project. With the launch of this scheme more than fifty percent projects got green signal in 201617 under the HAM scheme. This work compares these two models by undertaking a questionnaire survey from the key stakeholders involved in such projects and identifies challenges & risk faced and issues pertaining to delays and success of the proposed model. The outcome from the work highlights that funding has been a major challenge faced by PPP projects and thus innovation into the model is necessary. There also seems to be a lack of transparency in the entire process which makes it riskier for the private investor. It is also concluded from the work that financial risk is predominant whether it is a PPP or HAM model and thus a search for a new sustainable model that is sustainable is essential.
WATER PERMEABILITY AND CHLORIDE AND SULPHATE RESISTANCE OF RUBBERISED FIBRE MORTAR
Authors: Mukaddas A. M. , Abd Aziz F. N. A. , Mohd Nasir N. A. , Mohamed Sutan N.
Published: September 2019

Non-biodegradable solids such as waste tyres and oil palm fruit fibre (OPFF) would cause environmental problems if not disposed properly. This research studied the water permeability and chloride and sulphate resistance of mixes with addition of OPFF and sand replacement with Treated Crumb Rubber (TCR). The mix known as Rubberised Fibre Mortar (RFM) is a composite of 10% to 30% of TRC and addition of 1% to 1.5% of OPFF. In total sixteen different mixes, with water to cement ratio of 0.48 were prepared and subjected to related tests up to 56 days. The specimens are separated to two water curing types; immersion and spraying. The results show immersion cured specimens is less permeable and more resistance to chloride and sulphate than spraying specimens. The TCR does reduce the water permeability of the mix when 20% and less replacement made, while addition of less than 1% OPFF allows medium permeability. The moderate chloride resistance is achieved in mix with less than 10% TCR replacement and OPFF is not added. While sulphate resistance of RFM with less than 30% TCR is acceptable but addition of OPFF must be limited to 1% to prevent large strength reduction. In conclusion, for indoor mortar applications such as partition wall, RFM made of less than 10% TCR and less than 1% OPFF is recommended.
Spinal Mobility with Concept of the Combination of Motion Spheres in the Body
Authors: Bando Hiroshi , Murakami Mitsuru , Moriyasu Akito
Published: September 2019

In recent years, the importance of physical rehabilitation has been more emphasized. The authors and colleagues have continued practice and research for long. Furthermore, we have given workshops for various subjects. The content included how to perform walking, jogging, and running associated with stretching, pole exercising, standing straight, leaning forward and others. How can person keep a good standing attitude at all times? Firstly, make the body relax without muscle tension. Secondly, make your back bone stretch straight. It is important to conduct the following three operations slowly in this order.
The Past as a Mirror: Deep Time Climate Change Exemplarity in the Anthropocene
Authors: Svensen Henrik Hovland , Bjærke Marit Ruge , Kverndokk Kyrre
Published: September 2019

During the past decades, notions of Earth dynamics and climate change have changed drastically, as anthropogenic CO2-emissions are linked to measurable Earth system changes. At the same time, Earth scientists have discovered deep time climate changes triggered by large scale and natural release of CO2. As the understanding of past climatic changes improved, they were used to envision what might happen in the near future. This article explores the use of deep time climate examples by analyzing publications on a 56-million-year-old greenhouse gas-driven rapid global warming event, the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM). We explore how the PETM is framed and used as an example of “extreme climatic warming” in four cases across different scientific genres. The scientific knowledge about the PETM is considered too uncertain to draw conclusions from, but our analysis shows that, by being presented as an example, the PETM may still contribute to the scientific understanding of ongoing climate change. Although the PETM is regarded as too uncertain to guide present day climate change modeling, it is still considered morally significant, and is allowed to influence public opinion and policy making. We argue that the PETM is used as an example in ways that have formal similarities with the early modern historia magistra vitae topos. The PETM example highlights the ambivalence that characterizes the Anthropocene as a temporal conception. The Anthropocene is “completely different”, but at the same time pointing to the similarity between the present and the deep past, thereby allowing for comparison to past geological events. Thus, the Anthropocene is not so “completely different” after all. Just a little bigger, a lot faster, and a lot scarier to humans.
Three-Dimensional Point Cloud Reconstruction and Morphology Measurement Method for Greenhouse Plants Based on the Kinect Sensor Self-Calibration
Authors: Sun Guoxiang , Wang Xiaochan
Published: September 2019

Plant morphological data are an important basis for precision agriculture and plant phenomics. The three-dimensional (3D) geometric shape of plants is complex, and the 3D morphology of a plant changes relatively significantly during the full growth cycle. In order to make high-throughput measurements of the 3D morphological data of greenhouse plants, it is necessary to frequently adjust the relative position between the sensor and the plant. Therefore, it is necessary to frequently adjust the Kinect sensor position and consequently recalibrate the Kinect sensor during the full growth cycle of the plant, which significantly increases the tedium of the multiview 3D point cloud reconstruction process. A high-throughput 3D rapid greenhouse plant point cloud reconstruction method based on autonomous Kinect v2 sensor position calibration is proposed for 3D phenotyping greenhouse plants. Two red–green–blue–depth (RGB-D) images of the turntable surface are acquired by the Kinect v2 sensor. The central point and normal vector of the axis of rotation of the turntable are calculated automatically. The coordinate systems of RGB-D images captured at various view angles are unified based on the central point and normal vector of the axis of the turntable to achieve coarse registration. Then, the iterative closest point algorithm is used to perform multiview point cloud precise registration, thereby achieving rapid 3D point cloud reconstruction of the greenhouse plant. The greenhouse tomato plants were selected as measurement objects in this study. Research results show that the proposed 3D point cloud reconstruction method was highly accurate and stable in performance, and can be used to reconstruct 3D point clouds for high-throughput plant phenotyping analysis and to extract the morphological parameters of plants.
Actinobacteria Structure in Autogenic, Hydrogenic and Lithogenic Cultivated and Non-Cultivated Soils: A Culture-Independent Approach
Authors: Wolińska Agnieszka , Górniak Dorota , Zielenkiewicz Urszula , Kuźniar Agnieszka , Izak Dariusz , Banach Artur , Błaszczyk Mieczysław
Published: September 2019

The aim of the study was to determine the Actinobacteria structure in cultivated (C) versus non-cultivated (NC) soils divided into three groups (autogenic, hydrogenic, lithogenic) with consideration its formation process in order to assess the Actinobacteria sensitivity to agricultural soil use and soil genesis and to identify factors affecting their abundance. Sixteen C soil samples and sixteen NC samples serving as controls were taken for the study. Next generation sequencing (NGS) of the 16S rRNA metagenomic amplicons (Ion Torrent™ technology) and Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis (DGGE) were applied for precise determination of biodiversity. Generally, greater abundance of Actinobacteria in the NC soils relative to the C soils was found. Moreover, it was indicated that the actinobacterial diversity depended on both the soil genesis and the land use; however, this effect directly depended on the particular family and genera. Two factors: redox potential (Eh) and total carbon (TC) seemed to had a significant effect on the diversity of Actinobacteria. More precisely, Actinobacteria from the NC soils displayed a greater affinity for each other and were clearly influenced by Eh, whilst those from the C soils were mostly influenced by TC.
Soil Nitrification Potential Influences the Performance of Nitrification Inhibitors DCD and DMPP in Cropped and Non-Cropped Soils
Authors: Mukhtar Hussnain , Lin Yu-Pin
Published: September 2019

The application of nitrification inhibitors (NIs) shows promise in prolonging the ammonium presence in soil with beneficial effects for agriculture ecosystems and climate change mitigation. Although the inhibitory effect (IE) of NIs has been studied in the presence of various environmental and edaphic conditions, little is known about the effect of soil nitrification potential (NP) on the effectiveness of NIs. Here, laboratory-scale experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of the variation in soil NP rates, among land-use type and temperature, on the performance of two nitrification inhibitors, dicyandiamide (DCD) and 3,4-dimethypyrazole phosphate (DMPP), at four NI application rates imposed upon eight cropland and non-cropland soils. We found that the IE of DCD and DMPP were organized according to soil NP rates. Nevertheless, NP was lower in non-cropped soil than in cropped systems, and DMPP-based inhibition was higher than DCD. The IE of both NIs decreased with NP and the amount of NI required to achieve an IE ≈ 50%, was significantly reduced for soils that exhibited the lowest NP rates, especially for DMPP. However, the temperature did not appear to have a major influence on IE of both DCD and DMPP, demonstrating the potential of NIs to inhibit nitrification for a wider temperature range, dependent on the NI application rate. Our findings provide evidence that change in soil NP rate has important influences on the efficacy of NI which required great consideration for N-fertilizer optimization with the application of nitrification inhibitors.
Effects of Mannan Oligosaccharides on Gas Emission, Protein and Energy Utilization, and Fasting Metabolism in Sheep
Authors: Zheng Chen , Ma Junjun , Liu Ting , Wei Bingdong , Yang Huaming
Published: September 2019

This study investigated the effects of mannan oligosaccharides (MOS) on in vitro and in vivo gas emission, utilization of crude protein (CP) and energy, and relative parameters of sheep under fasting metabolism conditions. In vitro gas productions were evaluated over 12 h in sheep diets containing different amounts of MOS (from 0% to 6.0%/kg, the increment was 0.5%). A control experiment was used to assess the gas emission, utilization of CP and energy, and fasting metabolism in control sheep and sheep treated with 2.0% MOS over 24 days (d). The results showed that 2.0% MOS supplementation led to the lowest in vitro CO2 production and less CH4 production, while also leading to decrease in vivo nutrients intake, CP and energy excretion, digested and retained CP, and energy released as CH4 (p < 0.05). Furthermore, 2.0% MOS supplementation appeared to decrease in vivo O2 consumption and CH4 production per metabolic body weight (BW0.75), and increase the CP retention rate of sheep (p < 0.074). MOS did not affect other parameters, along with the same parameters of sheep under fasting metabolism conditions (p > 0.05). The findings indicate MOS has only slight effects on the gas emission and nutrients and energy metabolism of sheep.
Resveratrol Ameliorates Testicular Histopathology of Mice Exposed to Restraint Stress
Authors: Mustafa Sheeraz , Wei Quanwei , Ennab Wael , Lv Zengpeng , Nazar Korejo , Siyal Farman , Rodeni Saif , Kavita Ngekure , Shi Fangxiong
Published: September 2019

We evaluated immobilization stress and resveratrol supplementation in immature male mice at 30 days of age for 15 consecutive days. Fifty Swiss mice were divided into five groups (10 mice each): Controls, restraint stress (RS), restraint stress + vehicle (RS + V), RS + 2 mg/kg, and RS + 20 mg/kg. We determined results on the basis of hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), “Periodic acid-Schiff” staining, and TUNEL assay. The results indicated that immobilization stress significantly decreased body weight, testis weight, and water/food intake compared to the control; while resveratrol ameliorated these effects. The quantitative histologic evaluation of the seminiferous tubule diameter, luminal diameter, area of seminiferous tubules, area of tubule lumen, epithelial height, Leydig cell number, and the width of the tunica albuginea were similarly decreased after exposure to RS. These parameters recovered back to normal in the RS + 2 mg/kg group. The development of spermatogenesis was significantly delayed in the RS, RS + V, and RS + 20 mg groups based upon our evaluation score system. However, we observed no significant differences in the RS + 2 mg group compared with the control group. The number of TUNEL-positive cells also significantly decreased in the RS + 2 mg/kg group. In conclusion, we found that the administration of 2 mg/kg was an effective dose against immobilization stress in mice.
Comprehensive Analysis of Porcine Prox1 Gene and Its Relationship with Meat Quality Traits
Authors: Dong Chao , Zhang Xiying , Liu Kaiqing , Li Bojiang , Chao Zhe , Jiang Aiwen , Li Rongyang , Li Pinghua , Liu Honglin , Wu Wangjun
Published: September 2019

Prox1 is involved in muscle fiber conversion, adult-onset obesity, and type 2 diabetes. However, information regarding porcine Prox1 and its relationship with meat quality traits is still unknown. In this study, we characterized the full-length cDNA and proximal promoter of two transcript variants of porcine Prox1. Moreover, Prox1 was expressed abundantly in the skeletal muscle and its expression was higher in the soleus muscle than that in the biceps femoris muscle. Its expression pattern in the high and low meat color (redness) value a* groups was similar to that of myoglobin and MyHC I, but opposed to that of MyHC IIB. Importantly, there was a significant positive correlation between Prox1 expression and meat color (redness) value a* (r = 0.3845, p = 0.0394), and a significant negative correlation between Prox1 expression and drip loss (r = −0.4204, p = 0.0232), as well as the ratio of MyHC IIB to MyHC I expression (r = −0.3871, p = 0.0380). In addition, we found that the polymorphisms of three closely linked SNPs in Prox1 promoter 1 were significantly associated with pH24h in a pig population. Taken together, our data provide valuable insights into the characteristics of porcine Prox1 and indicate that Prox1 is a promising candidate gene affecting meat quality traits.
Effect of Oxytocin, Cloprostenol or Buserelin in Semen Doses on Sow Fertility
Authors: Manjarín Rodrigo , Kirkwood Roy N. , Ngula Jose , Martinez-Pastor Felipe , Alegre Beatrix , Domínguez Juan Carlos
Published: September 2019

During the periods January to April, May to August, and September to December in two consecutive years, sows were assigned at breeding to receive semen doses supplemented with 87 µg cloprostenol (PG; n = 158), 5 IU oxytocin (OT; n = 154), 2 µg buserelin (GN; n = 93), or served as non-supplemented controls (CON; n = 605). Sows were inseminated at the detection of estrus, and again 24 h later, but only the first inseminations were supplemented. Compared to CON, only buserelin increased pregnancy and farrowing rates (p ≤ 0.05); there was no effect of a period or a treatment × period interaction. Litter size was larger (p ≤ 0.001) for all seminal additive groups during the first two periods and tended to increase in GN compared to CON (p ≤ 0.1) during the third period, resulting in a tendency (p < 0.1) for a period × treatment interaction. The addition of cloprostenol, oxytocin or buserelin to semen doses at first insemination increases litter size in multiparous sows.
A Trial of a Solar-Powered, Cooperative Sensor/Actuator, Opto-Acoustical, Virtual Road-Fence to Mitigate Roadkill in Tasmania, Australia
Authors: Englefield Bruce , Candy Steven G. , Starling Melissa , McGreevy Paul D.
Published: September 2019

When wildlife and motor vehicles collide, the result for the animals is often death (roadkill). A commercial roadkill mitigation device that forms a so-called virtual fence (VF), is said to reduce roadkill by up to 90%. A field trial to test its effectiveness was undertaken along a 4.5-km segment of a Tasmanian highway subdivided into 6 equal sections. A total of 126 days of monitoring of roadkill by species was conducted, with alternate sections being switched on or off, according to a variation of Crossover and Multiple Before-After-Control-Impact experimental designs that divided monitoring into five periods. From the six sections over the five periods, the 30 aggregated values of daily counts of roadkill for each species were modelled. Bennett’s wallabies (BW) (Notamacropus rufogriseus), Tasmanian pademelons (TP) (Thylogale billardierii) and common brush-tail possums (BP) (Trichosurus vulpecula) accounted for most of the total roadkill of 174 animals. Although initially there appeared to be an effect, linear model fits to standardised roadkill rates were not statistically significant for each of BW, TP, and BP using each of the Crossover, Multiple Before-After-Control-Impact, and simple On versus Off comparisons. Adjustment for spatial and temporal trends using a Generalised Additive Model with Poisson error also failed to detect a significant VF effect. A simulation study used to estimate the power to detect a statistically significant reduction in roadkill rate gave, for median estimates of reduction of 21%, 48%, and 57%, estimates of power of 0.24, 0.78, and 0.91, respectively. Therefore, this study failed to confirm previously reported estimates of reduction in roadkill rates claimed for this VF of 50%–90%, despite having adequate power to do so. However, point estimates obtained for these three species of reductions ranging from 13% to 32% leave open the question of there being a real but modest effect that was below statistical detection limits.
Transferrin Identification in Sterlet (Acipenser ruthenus) Reproductive System
Authors: Xin Miaomiao , Vechtova Pavlina , Shaliutina-Kolesova Anna , Fussy Zoltan , Loginov Dmitry , Dzyuba Borys , Linhart Otomar , Boryshpolets Serhii , Rodina Marek , Li Ping , Loginova Yana , Sterba Jan
Published: September 2019

Transferrins are a superfamily of iron-binding proteins and are recognized as multifunctional proteins. In the present study, transcriptomic and proteomic methods were used to identify transferrins in the reproductive organs and sperm of out-of-spawning and spermiating sterlet (Acipenser ruthenus) males. The results showed that seven transferrin transcripts were identified in the transcriptome of sterlet, and these transcripts were qualified as two different transferrin genes, serotransferrin and melanotransferrin, with several isoforms present for serotransferrin. The relative abundance of serotransferrin isoforms was higher in the kidneys and Wolffian ducts in the spermiating males compared to out-of-spawning males. In addition, transferrin was immunodetected in sterlet seminal plasma, but not in sterlet spermatozoa extract. Mass spectrometry identification of transferrin in seminal plasma but not in spermatozoa corroborates immunodetection. The identification of transferrin in the reproductive organs and seminal plasma of sterlet in this study provides the potential function of transferrin during sturgeon male reproduction.
Phenylboronic Acids Probing Molecular Recognition against Class A and Class C β-lactamases
Authors: Linciano Pasquale , Vicario Mattia , Kekez Ivana , Bellio Pierangelo , Celenza Giuseppe , Martín-Blecua Isabel , Blázquez Jesús , Cendron Laura , Tondi Donatella
Published: September 2019

Worldwide dissemination of pathogens resistant to almost all available antibiotics represent a real problem preventing efficient treatment of infectious diseases. Among antimicrobial used in therapy, β-lactam antibiotics represent 40% thus playing a crucial role in the management of infections treatment. We report a small series of phenylboronic acids derivatives (BAs) active against class A carbapenemases KPC-2 and GES-5, and class C cephalosporinases AmpC. The inhibitory profile of our BAs against class A and C was investigated by means of molecular docking, enzyme kinetics and X-ray crystallography. We were interested in the mechanism of recognition among class A and class C to direct the design of broad serine β-Lactamases (SBLs) inhibitors. Molecular modeling calculations vs GES-5 and crystallographic studies vs AmpC reasoned, respectively, the ortho derivative 2 and the meta derivative 3 binding affinity. The ability of our BAs to protect β-lactams from BLs hydrolysis was determined in biological assays conducted against clinical strains: Fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI) tests confirmed their ability to be synergic with β-lactams thus restoring susceptibility to meropenem. Considering the obtained results and the lack of cytotoxicity, our derivatives represent validated probe for the design of SBLs inhibitors.