bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Congenital heart anomaly «single ventricle»: structural and functional diagnosis in everyday practice
Authors: Samigullina D N , Tsibulkin N A
Published: April 2016

Diagnosis and description of rare congenital heart anomalies are great challenges for the ultrasonographer. The biggest difficulties arise in hospitals, which do not have specialization in pediatrics or cardiac surgery. A rare form of congenital heart defects is a group of anomalies, unitedly defined as «single ventricle». Severe hemodynamic disturbances and unfavorable course of the disease reduce the possibility to detect this defect in adolescence or adulthood. Single ventricle, as the anomaly main feature, can occur in different forms of pathology. The most commonly single ventricle syndrome includes left heart hypoplasia, tricuspid atresia, and double inlet single ventricle syndromes. The most favorable course have cases when a single ventricle anatomically is left ventricle along with separate and properly formed atrioventricular valves, in the absence of main arteries significant stenosis and their normal location. This variant of a double inlet single ventricle is known as the «Holmes heart». Echocardiographic diagnosis allows to detail the anatomical and functional defects that are present in each case. Detailed identification of diagnostic features allows to specify the diagnosis and avoid inconsistencies in the obtained data interpretation. We present a clinical case of one of the most rare forms of these disease. The described case feature, in addition to its rarity, is long compensated course of defect. The lack of obvious signs of heart failure in this case may be due to a number of factors, such as a balance between the pulmonary and systemic circulation, absence of progressive changes in the pulmonary circulation blood vessels, atrioventricular valves functional adequacy, the absence of stenosis and valves changes of the main arteries, anatomically left ventricle with sufficient contractility.
To the 150th anniversary of pathological anatomy department of Kazan medical university
Authors: Shakirova A Z , Tsyplakov D E
Published: April 2016

The article presents data on the main stages of formation and development of the pathological anatomy department of Kazan (Imperial) University from department approval under the auspice of Professor A.V. Petrov in December, 1965 to its reorganization by merging of two departments - Pathological Anatomy and Pathological Physiology in June, 2014. Data on the department heads for the 150-year history are summarized, the main directions of scientific research conducted under the department heads supervision are described. Particular consideration is given to the Kazan scientists-pathologists achievements and contribution in fundamental and practical pathological anatomy, related subjects, clinical practice, social sciences, students’ education and doctors of various specialties training. Joint General Pathology department faculty new challenges are identified, namely transition plan generation, educational process radical restructuring in order to optimize it according to modern requirements for the higher and postgraduate education system. Initiated and conducted measures in connection with the department reorganization in the framework of new General Pathology discipline allowing to preserve the pathological anatomy structural and organizational integrity as a basic science, which is also of great practical importance, are presented.
Facilitating social work role plays in online courses: The use of video conferencing
Authors: Fitch Dale , Canada Kelli , Cary Suzanne , Freese Rebekah
Published: April 2016

Role plays have served an instrumental role in social work education by providing opportunities for students to acquire interaction skills. This project tested various online video conferencing tools to facilitate role plays for students who live in different locations and who are unable to be at the same place at the same time. Key features of the technology included the ability to facilitate real-time interaction, compatibility with laptops and Wi-Fi connections, and the ability to record sessions for later viewing and feedback. Method: Case study design. Results: Students were able to use the videoconferencing software with minimal support. Video quality was not always ideal with contributing factors being the time of day students used the software. There were no distinguishable time and effort demands associated with the online video conferencing compared to classroom role plays. Some students found use of the technology caused them to feel disconnected from their peers compared to face-to-face encounters, while other students found the encounter more intimate in that the pressure to perform in front of others was not felt. Implications: Video conferencing is a promising tool to facilitate social work role plays. Future research needs to assess the acquisition of specific skills compared to traditional classroom students.
Community Building in a Virtual Teaching Environment
Authors: Schwartz Sara Laura , Wiley June L. , Kaplan Charles D.
Published: April 2016

In 2010, the University of Southern California School of Social Work launched its Virtual Academic Center (VAC) to deliver online MSW programming to students located around the country. USC’s platform is a significant innovation in offering online education and has transformed the traditional educational model for both students and faculty. This research explores the experiences of faculty teaching via the VAC. Twenty-five in-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with USC faculty of different ranks. Inductive data collection using a grounded theory approach with thematic analysis examined experiences teaching in an online program, revealing the strengths and challenges associated with geographic diversity and community-building. Findings warrant the development of innovative practices to build community and to facilitate collaboration among geographically diverse faculty and students in a virtual education program.
Innovators and Early Adopters of Distance Education in Social Work
Authors: Coe Regan Jo Ann
Published: April 2016

This article highlights the innovators and early adopters of distance education in social work. The past, present and future is discussed as it relates to the evolution of technology innovation in social work education.
OFICINAS COMO ESPAÇO DE TERAPIA OCUPACIONAL PARA IDOSOS: RELATO DE EXPERIÊNCIA
Authors: Sousa Beatriz Alves , Arruda Deodora Alves de Sousa , Januário Polyana Brito
Published: April 2016

Relata experiência vivenciada em uma ação extensionista no contexto do programa “Cidadania e identidade social das pessoas idosas da Comunidade Sagrada Família em Mangabeira IV, João Pessoa, PB”, que teve como objetivo a melhoria da qualidade de vida das pessoas idosas da referida comunidade, aumentando a autoestima através da valorização de saberes e fazeres dessas pessoas. As atividades em formato de oficinas foram planejadas de forma social e participativa, levando em consideração os seguintes aspectos: as experiências acumuladas das/os idosas/os e a sua capacidade física, motora e cognitiva de desenvolver a atividade proposta, a estrutura física do ambiente, equipamentos e materiais disponíveis. Como resultados, foi possível observar um aumento da participação das/os idosas/os nas atividades; um maior interesse pelos trabalhos do colega; uma maior interação entre eles com o estabelecimento de novas relações pessoais. Por fim, observamos que as oficinas funcionam muito bem como uma troca de experiências, bem como terapia para os participantes.
ANÁLISE DA COMPETITIVIDADE DO SETOR VINÍCOLA DO RIO GRANDE DO SUL
Authors: Silva Mygre Lopes da , Lermen Nadine Gerhardt , Silva Rodrigo Abbade da , Coronel Daneil Arruda
Published: April 2016

Este trabalho analisa a competitividade das exportações gaúchas de vinhos, de 1999 a 2014, para os mercados dos Estados Unidos, Paraguai, União Europeia e Colômbia. Neste sentido, o método utilizado baseia-se no cálculo dos indicadores de competitividade aplicados ao comércio internacional. Os indicadores aplicados são os índices de Orientação Regional (IOR), Vantagens Comparativas Reveladas (IVCR) e Contribuição do Saldo Comercial (ICSC). As variáveis utilizadas foram coletadas do Sistema de Análise de Informações de Comércio Exterior (Alice Web). Os resultados indicaram que as exportações do setor vinícola gaúcho eram mais orientadas para o mercado paraguaio até 2002, e, após este período, estas passaram a se orientar de forma mais acentuada para o mercado colombiano. O estado apresenta vantagens comparativas no setor vinícola em relação às demais regiões do Brasil. Contudo, a contribuição do setor ao saldo comercial gaúcho é negativa devido às grandes importações de vinhos finos feitas pelo estado.
El plan de eliminación de la transmisión materna-infantil de la sífilis, una oportunidad para iniciar la implementación de la reglamentación de la ley estatutaria de la salud
Authors: Gaitán-Duarte Hernando , Cruz-Aconcha Adriana
Published: April 2016

La sífilis, infección causada por la bacteria T. pallidum, es un problema de salud pública a nivel mundial. Se estima que más de 12 millones de personas se infectan cada año, de las cuales 3 millones corresponden a América Latina y el Caribe (1). Respecto a los países de altos ingresos, es considerada una infección reemergente en el siglo XXI (2). La sífilis se transmite por relaciones sexuales no protegidas o a través de la placenta de la mujer gestante al feto. La sífilis gestacional se produce cuando una mujer infectada queda en embarazo o una gestante adquiere la infección sifilítica (3). La sífilis gestacional (SG) puede afectar al feto hasta en un 80 % de los casos, y causar aborto, óbito fetal, parto pretérmino, bajo peso al nacer o infección en el recién nacido o sífilis congénita (SC), que es una de las principales causas de morbilidad y mortalidad perinatal (4).
The In Vitro and In Vivo Osteogenic Capability of the Extraction Socket‐Derived Early Healing Tissue
Authors: Luo Jia , Xu Jing , Cai Jun , Wang Limei , Sun Qinfeng , Yang Pishan
Published: April 2016

Background: Healed extraction socket is one autologous bone source. Extraction socket‐derived early healing tissue (ESEHT) contains stem cells, osteoblasts, and growth factors, suggesting that it should have an osteogenic potential. The objective of this preliminary study is to explore the in vitro and in vivo osteogenic ability of ESEHT.

Methods: ESEHT from 2‐week healing extraction sockets and proper alveolar bone (PAB) from interdental septa or surrounding socket walls were acquired from beagle dogs. For in vitro experiments, ESEHT and PAB were separately cocultured with mouse bone marrow‐derived stromal cell lines (st2 cells) using a transwell system. The effect of ESEHT or PAB on migration, proliferation, and osteogenic differentiation of st2 cells was investigated. For in vivo study, 36 inflammatory Class II furcation defects in the bilateral mandibles of dogs were surgically created, and then ESEHT and PAB from the maxilla of the same dogs were implanted into defects. Histologic observation and histometric analysis were performed after an 8‐week healing period.

Results: The in vitro results indicated that ESEHT and PAB significantly promoted cellular migration, proliferation, alkaline phosphatase activity, expressions of bone sialoprotein, and Runt‐related transcription factor 2 in messenger RNA and protein levels and, moreover, that ESEHT showed stronger activities than PAB except in chemotactic activity. The in vivo tests showed that ESEHT and PAB had a similar function in enhancing percentages of regenerated cementum and regenerated bone, which were significantly higher than those in blank control groups.

Conclusion: Results showed that ESEHT possesses better effects on migration, proliferation, and osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells in vitro but similar promotion effect on periodontal regeneration in vivo compared with PAB, suggesting that ESEHT may be one of the most effective graft materials for periodontal regeneration.
Implementing Controlled Composition to Improve Vocabulary Mastery of EFL Students
Authors: Juriah Juriah
Published: April 2016

The purposes of this study was to know how (1) Controlled composition teaching techniques implemented by the English teacher at SDN 027 Samarinda to improve vocabulary mastery, and (2) Controlled composition teaching techniques improves vocabulary mastery of the sixth grade students of SDN 027 Samarinda. This research used a Classroom Action Research (CAR) as the research design. The subject of the research is the sixth grade students in the 2013/2014 academic year that consists of 43 students. The instruments employed in this study were observation checklist, field note, and vocabulary test. The result of the research showed that in cycle 1 the students’ achievement did not fulfill the minimal criteria of success. However the result of the cycle 1 was better than the preliminary study. The criteria of success did not fulfill in cycle one, some enhancement of the implementation of Controlled Composition were made in cycle two in the form of: Instruct the students bring dictionary, give more examples English sentences, guide the students find the mining of words in the dictionary and write a paragraph, more motivate the students and preparing a media/ picture .Meanwhile the students ’achievement in cycle two showed that fulfilled the criteria of success. Based on the findings and discussion, the conclusions : Firstly, Controlled composition was implemented well by the teacher of SDN 027 Samarinda. Controlled composition was implemented and gave impacts in: (a) increasing the students’ vocabulary mastery significantly, (b) making the students able to spell the vocabularies, (c) making the students understand the meaning English words, and (d) making the students able to pronounce English words quite good. Secondly, Controlled composition improved the students’ vocabulary mastery; it was only 20.9% of the students who achieved the English passing grade in the preliminary study, but then 81.39% of the students achieved the English passing grade in the end of cycle 2.
Applying Cultural Project Based Learning to Develop Students’ Academic Writing
Authors: Irawati Lulus
Published: April 2016

Writing is considered to be the most demanding and difficult skill for many college students, since there are some steps to be followed such as prewriting, drafting, editing, revising and publishing. The interesting topic like culture including lifestyle, costume, and custom is necessary to be offered in Academic Writing class. Accordingly, this article aims to elaborate the application of a cultural project based learning to develop students’ ability in academic writing. This descriptive qualitative research was conducted in Academic Writing class consisting of 20 students of the fourth semester. The students were divided into some groups, each consisting of 4-5 people assigned to make a cultural project within 6 weeks, in the form of essay. Each member of the groups has to create his/ her own essay and then compile the essays to be a mini-journal. Therefore, one group has one mini-journal consisting of 4-5 essays. To check the content of mini-journal, the lecturer also asked the groups to present in front of the class to get some suggestions, feedback, or comments.
Pengajaran Bahasa Melayu sebagai Bahasa Asing kepada Pelajar dari Negara China : Perkongsian Pengalaman di Universiti Sains Malaysia
Authors: Baharudin Mazlina , Md Radzi Razalina
Published: April 2016

Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) is one of the earliest public university which was established in Malaysia after Universiti Malaya. USM is also the first university that has been given the Apex status in Malaysia which is the highest recognition  and trust granted by the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia to USM. USM has received students from different countries such as China, Libya, Sudan, Egypt, Nigeria, Indonesia, Thailand, Japan, Korea and other countries. However, this research focuses only on the international students from China who were registered as undergraduates in USM. This paper is based on the writer’s experiences in  teaching Bahasa Malaysia III (LKM 300) as a university course that the students must pass as a requirement for international students to graduate. The main dimension of this research is to examine the effectiveness of teaching Malay language as a foreign language to international students (China) by using a teaching model that uses the Bahasa Malaysia III (LKM300) course module ) as determined by the School of Languages, Literacies and Translation. The research method used is full literature where the writers had referred to 43 international student’s final exam scripts that have taken the LKM300 course in the first semester of the 2012/2013 academic session. Their final exam result was taken for full analysis based on the different sections in the exam paper to be used as a source to conclude the research. This research is hoped to be able to provide an explanation of the effective results of the successful usage of the course module and students’ achievement.
Syllabus of Vocational High School Based on ESP Approach
Authors: Dewi Sri Utami
Published: April 2016

This study is designed as a case study and concerned on qualitative data, which reflected what actually happened in the area of case study. The Principal, the English Teachers and Students placed as the key informants. The data gained from the informants by applying in depth interview, questionnaire, documentation and observation. The data are analyzed by employing two methods, those are: descriptive qualitative and descriptive quantitative. There are two problems in this study that can be seen from two perspectives; syllabus designing and students’ needs analysis. From the perspectives of syllabus designing, the problem arise on defining a syllabus typically as the content standart which is commonly and formally provided by the higher authority (i.e. Ministry of National Education). In evidence, the existence of UN (Ujian Nasional/National Examination) makes teachers come into problems. Moreover, from learners’ needs analysis perspective, teachers define Target Situation Analysis (TSA) mainly as the content of students’ subject matters of their majors rather than students’ linguistic performance after finishing the course. Furthermore, the teachers define the Present Situation Analysis (PSA) mainly as students’ strengths/weaknesses in following the English course.
A Novel Uniform-Flux Solution Based on the Green's Function Method for Modeling the Pressure-Transient Behavior of a Restricted-Entry Well in Anisotropic Gas Reservoirs
Authors: Miranda Fabrício A. , Barreto Abelardo B. , Peres Alvaro M.
Published: April 2016

Applied gas-well-testing data analysis considers that the nonlinear diffusivity equation becomes linearized by the pseudopressure function and by assuming the gas viscosity-compressibility product constant throughout the test history. This approach is justified for small pressure drawdowns only. This condition is seldom met in low-permeability gas reservoirs, whether the wellbore is fully perforated or not. This paper considers a restricted-entry vertical well in a homogeneous anisotropic infinite reservoir producing at constant-gas-flow rate, which, surprisingly, has not been the object of much research, either by numerical simulation or by analytical means. In this work, the Green's function (GF) method is used to rewrite the usual partial-differential formulation as a multidimensional integro-differential equation for the pseudopressure function that rigorously accounts the gas viscosity-compressibility product change. From there, an approximate explicit solution for a uniform-flux boundary condition is derived, which shows that the pseudopressure solution is given by the correspondent restricted-entry well slightly compressible (i.e., liquid) solution, plus a corrective term that handles the gas viscosity-compressibility product variation with pressure. Comparison with a commercial numerical simulator shows that the uniform-flux approximate solution is very accurate. Results are presented for a few perforation lengths and positions, with and without vertical anisotropy. It is shown that during the perforation-radial (early-time) and final-radial (late-time) flow regimes, the corrective term becomes constant. Their magnitudes, however, are quite different; during the perforation-radial flow regime, the corrective term is quite large compared with the one seen at long times. Thus, the pseudopressure derivative with respect to the natural log of time exhibits the same restricted-entry behavior observed in oil reservoirs. By averaging the uniform-flux solution over the open interval, an infinite-conductivity approximate solution for the wellbore pseudopressure is presented, which shows a very-good agreement with results obtained from a finite-difference simulator.
Evaluation of the role of the cyclooxygenase signaling pathway during inflammation in skin and muscle tissues of ball pythons (Python regius)
Authors: Sadler Ryan A. , Schumacher Juergen P. , Rathore Kusum , Newkirk Kim M. , Cole Grayson , Seibert Rachel , Cekanova Maria
Published: April 2016

OBJECTIVE To determine degrees of production of cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 and -2 and other mediators of inflammation in noninflamed and inflamed skin and muscle tissues in ball pythons (Python regius).

ANIMALS 6 healthy adult male ball pythons.

PROCEDURES Biopsy specimens of noninflamed skin and muscle tissue were collected from anesthetized snakes on day 0. A 2-cm skin and muscle incision was then made 5 cm distal to the biopsy sites with a CO2 laser to induce inflammation. On day 7, biopsy specimens of skin and muscle tissues were collected from the incision sites. Inflamed and noninflamed tissue specimens were evaluated for production of COX-1, COX-2, phosphorylated protein kinase B (AKT), total AKT, nuclear factor κ-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells, phosphorylated extracellular receptor kinases (ERKs) 1 and 2, and total ERK proteins by western blot analysis. Histologic evaluation was performed on H&E-stained tissue sections.

RESULTS All biopsy specimens of inflamed skin and muscle tissues had higher histologic inflammation scores than did specimens of noninflamed tissue. Inflamed skin specimens had significantly greater production of COX-1 and phosphorylated ERK than did noninflamed skin specimens. Inflamed muscle specimens had significantly greater production of phosphorylated ERK and phosphorylated AKT, significantly lower production of COX-1, and no difference in production of COX-2, compared with production in noninflamed muscle specimens.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Production of COX-1, but not COX-2, was significantly greater in inflamed versus noninflamed skin specimens from ball pythons. Additional research into the reptilian COX signaling pathway is warranted.
Peanut Oil Stability and Physical Properties Across a Range of Industrially Relevant Oleic Acid/Linoleic Acid Ratios
Authors: Davis J.P. , Price K.M. , Dean L.L. , Sweigart D.S. , Cottonaro J.M. , Sanders T.H.
Published: April 2016

High oleic cultivars are becoming increasing prevalent in the peanut industry due to their increased shelf life compared to conventional cultivars. High oleic peanuts are typically defined as having oleic acid/linoleic acid (O/L) ratios ≥ 9, whereas most traditional varieties have O/L ratios near 1.5-2.0. In practice, this ratio can vary substantially among commercial material; accordingly, the goal of this study was to gain an understanding of the shelf life and physical properties of 16 model oil blends with O/L ratios systematically prepared from 1.3 to 38.1. Across these samples, % oleic acid, % linoleic acid, refractive index, density and dynamic viscosity were all highly (R2 > 0.99) linearly correlated. Increasing concentrations of oleic acid and corresponding decreases in linoleic acid were associated with decreasing oil density, decreasing refractive index, and increasing viscosity. Oxidative stability index (OSI), an established method for predicting relative oil shelf life, increased more than 7X from an O/L of 1.3 to 33.8 and this response was well described by a 2nd order polynomial. Oil stability was also assessed by storing oil blends at 24 C with 50% R.H. for 24 wk and periodically sampling these oils to measure peroxide value (PV) and describe oil flavor via sensory analysis. Excellent correlations were observed among O/L chemistry and off-flavor (oxidized/cardboard/rancid) development during storage, PV development during storage, and OSI. While viscosity was greatest for high oleic samples when comparing fresh oils, after storage under abusive conditions oil viscosity increased exponentially with decreasing O/L ratio due to oxidation/polymerization reactions. Overall, these data and observations will aid processors in selection of high O/L peanuts for various food applications and better determine final product shelf life.
Evidence for a Second RKN Resistance Gene in Peanut
Authors: Branch W.D. , Brenneman T.B. , Noe J.P.
Published: April 2016

Root-knot nematode (RKN), [Meloidogyne arenaria (Neal) Chitwood race 1] can result in highly significant yield losses in peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) production. Fortunately, very high levels of RKN nematode resistance have been identified and incorporated from wild species into newly developed peanut cultivars. In 2011-12 at Tifton, GA, a field site was artificially inoculated with M. arenaria race 1. A susceptible cultivar was used to uniformly increase the peanut-specific race 1 nematode population during the summer and fall; whereas, hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth) was used for the same purpose each winter as a susceptible cover crop. During 2013 and 2014, space-planted F2 and F3 populations from cross combinations involving A. hypogaea susceptible × resistant parental lines derived from ‘COAN’ were evaluated, respectively. Several past inheritance studies had suggested a single dominant gene, Rma, controlled the resistance. However in this study, the occurrence of a second recessive gene (rma2) was also found to be involved in very high peanut RKN resistance. Inheritance data fit a 13:3 genetic model and confirmed an earlier report for two RKN-resistance genes (Rma1 and rma2) found in TxAG-6 and now COAN.
Chemistry of Phosphorus Ylides: Part 44 Reaction of 1-Trimethylsilyl-1H-Imidazole with Phosphorus Reagents. A Convenient Synthesis of Phosphorus Silyl Imidazoles
Authors: El-Hussieny Marwa , Abd-El-Maksoud Mansoura Ali , Maigali Soher Said , Soliman Fouad Mohamed
Published: April 2016

The reaction of 1-trimethylsilyl-1 H-imidazole with nucleophilic active phosphacumulenes afforded imidazole silyl phosphoranylidenes or imidazole phosphoranylidenes according to the reaction conditions. The reaction of hexaphenylcarbodiphosphorane with 1-trimethylsilyl-1 H-imidazole resulted in the formation of silyl phosphoranylidene phosphoranyl imidazole, silyl phosphoranylidene imidazole and triphenylphosphane. Moreover, Lawesson and Japanese reagents afforded imidazole phosphinothioic thioanhydrides.
Supplementation of organic acid blends in water improves growth, meat yield, dressing parameters and bone development of broilers
Authors: Hossain ME , Nargis F
Published: April 2016

The present study was conducted in order to examine the effects of supplementing two liquid organic acid blends on growth performance, meat yield, dressing parameters, organ weights and bone development of broilers. A total of 120 broiler chicks were assigned to five dietary treatments in four replications with six birds per replication over a period of 5 weeks, following a completely randomized design. Dietary groups included; Control = Without organic acids; AW-C = Activate continuous administration; AW-P = Activate periodic administration; N-C = Nutrilac continuous administration; N-P = Nutrilac periodic administration. Results indicated that supplementation of organic acids improved (P<0.05) growth performance of broilers compared to the control. Among the supplemented groups, highest (P<0.05) body weight and body weight gain were in the AW-C group, followed by the N-C, AW-P, and N-P groups. Feed intake was higher (P<0.05) in the AW-C and N-C groups compared to the N-P and control groups. Feed conversion ratio was improved (P<0.05) in the organic acid groups, and the AW-C group showed the best value. Dressing yield as well as thigh and drumstick meat relative weights were higher (P<0.05) in the organic acid groups compared to control, whereas breast meat increased (P<0.05) in the AW-C group compared to the AW-P and control groups. Increased (P<0.05) relative weights of head and neck were observed in the AW-C group as well as that of gizzard in the N-C group compared to the other groups. On the other hand, abdominal fat content decreased (P<0.05) in the organic acid groups. Whole leg and wing bone relative weights increased (P<0.05) in the AW-C, AW-P, and N-C groups compared to the other groups. Further, longer (P<0.05) shank in the organic acid groups as well as longer drumstick bone length in the AW-C group were observed compared to the other groups. It was concluded based on the study results that supplementation of both organic acid blends improves growth performance, increases meat yield, organ development, dressing parameters and influences bone development of broilers. Therefore, as continuous addition of Activate showed better results compared to Nutrilac in terms of some tested parameters, it could be applied to broiler water to exert beneficial effects.Bang. J. Anim. Sci. 2016. 45 (1): 7-18
Examining the Impacts of Land Use on Air Quality from a Spatio-Temporal Perspective in Wuhan, China
Authors: Xu Gang , Jiao Limin , Zhao Suli , Yuan Man , Li Xiaoming , Han Yuyao , Zhang Boen , Dong Ting
Published: April 2016

Air pollution is one of the key environmental problems associated with urbanization and land use. Taking Wuhan city, Central China, as a case example, we explore the quantitative relationship between land use (built-up land, water bodies, and vegetation) and air quality (SO2, NO2, and PM10) based on nine ground-level monitoring sites from a long-term spatio-temporal perspective in 2007–2014. Five buffers with radiuses from 0.5 to 4 km are created at each site in geographical information system (GIS) and areas of land use categories within different buffers at each site are calculated. Socio-economic development, energy use, traffic emission, industrial emission, and meteorological condition are taken into consideration to control the influences of those factors on air quality. Results of bivariate correlation analysis between land use variables and annual average concentrations of air pollutants indicate that land use categories have discriminatory effects on different air pollutants, whether for the direction of correlation, the magnitude of correlation or the spatial scale effect of correlation. Stepwise linear regressions are used to quantitatively model their relationships and the results reveal that land use significantly influence air quality. Built-up land with one standard deviation growth will cause 2% increases in NO2 concentration while vegetation will cause 5% decreases. The increases of water bodies with one standard deviation are associated with 3%–6% decreases of SO2 or PM10 concentration, which is comparable to the mitigation effect of meteorology factor such as precipitation. Land use strategies should be paid much more attention while making air pollution reduction policies.
Current-Induced Transistor Sensorics with Electrogenic Cells
Authors: Fromherz Peter
Published: April 2016

The concepts of transistor recording of electroactive cells are considered, when the response is determined by a current-induced voltage in the electrolyte due to cellular activity. The relationship to traditional transistor recording, with an interface-induced response due to interactions with the open gate oxide, is addressed. For the geometry of a cell-substrate junction, the theory of a planar core-coat conductor is described with a one-compartment approximation. The fast electrical relaxation of the junction and the slow change of ion concentrations are pointed out. On that basis, various recording situations are considered and documented by experiments. For voltage-gated ion channels under voltage clamp, the effects of a changing extracellular ion concentration and the enhancement/depletion of ion conductances in the adherent membrane are addressed. Inhomogeneous ion conductances are crucial for transistor recording of neuronal action potentials. For a propagating action potential, the effects of an axon-substrate junction and the surrounding volume conductor are distinguished. Finally, a receptor-transistor-sensor is described, where the inhomogeneity of a ligand–activated ion conductance is achieved by diffusion of the agonist and inactivation of the conductance. Problems with regard to a development of reliable biosensors are mentioned.
A Phase I Study of Unimolecular Pentavalent (Globo-H-GM2-sTn-TF-Tn) Immunization of Patients with Epithelial Ovarian, Fallopian Tube, or Peritoneal Cancer in First Remission
Authors: O’Cearbhaill Roisin , Ragupathi Govind , Zhu Jianglong , Wan Qian , Mironov Svetlana , Yang Guangbin , Spassova Maria , Iasonos Alexia , Kravetz Sara , Ouerfelli Ouathek , Spriggs David , Danishefsky Samuel , Sabbatini Paul
Published: April 2016

We conducted a phase I study in ovarian cancer patients to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of a synthetic unimolecular pentavalent carbohydrate vaccine (Globo-H, GM2, sTn, TF, and Tn) supported on a peptide backbone, conjugated to keyhole limpet haemocyanin (KLH), and mixed with immunological adjuvant QS-21. Twenty-four advanced-stage, poor-risk, first-remission ovarian cancer patients were enrolled from January 2011–Septermber 2013. Three dose levels were planned (25, 50, 100 mcg) with three cohorts of six patients each, with an additional 6-patient expansion cohort at the MTD. ELISA serologic IgM and IgG responses for each antigen was defined as positive response if antibody titers were ≥1:80 over the respective patient’s pre-vaccination serum. The study would be considered positive if at least four of 12 patients treated at the MTD showed immune responses for at least three of the five antigens. Twenty-four patients (median age, 54 years [range, 36–68]) were included in the safety analysis. Histology was high-grade serous in 22 patients (92%); 18 had stage III and six stage IV disease. The vaccine was well-tolerated at all doses, with no DLTs. At the highest treated dose, IgG and/or IgM responses were recorded against ≥3 antigens in 9/12 patients (75%), ≥4 in 7/12 (58%), and 5 in 3/12 (25%). With a median follow-up of 19 months (range, 2–39), 20 patients (83%) recurred and six (25%) died. The unimolecular pentavalent vaccine construct was shown to be safe and immunogenic. Such a construct greatly simplifies regulatory requirements and manufacturing, facilitates scalability, and provides adaptability.
Role of Intermediate Filaments in Vesicular Traffic
Authors: Margiotta Azzurra , Bucci Cecilia
Published: April 2016

Intermediate filaments are an important component of the cellular cytoskeleton. The first established role attributed to intermediate filaments was the mechanical support to cells. However, it is now clear that intermediate filaments have many different roles affecting a variety of other biological functions, such as the organization of microtubules and microfilaments, the regulation of nuclear structure and activity, the control of cell cycle and the regulation of signal transduction pathways. Furthermore, a number of intermediate filament proteins have been involved in the acquisition of tumorigenic properties. Over the last years, a strong involvement of intermediate filament proteins in the regulation of several aspects of intracellular trafficking has strongly emerged. Here, we review the functions of intermediate filaments proteins focusing mainly on the recent knowledge gained from the discovery that intermediate filaments associate with key proteins of the vesicular membrane transport machinery. In particular, we analyze the current understanding of the contribution of intermediate filaments to the endocytic pathway.
The Hydrogen Bonded Structures of Two 5-Bromobarbituric Acids and Analysis of Unequal C5–X and C5–X′ Bond Lengths (X = X′ = F, Cl, Br or Me) in 5,5-Disubstituted Barbituric Acids
Authors: Gelbrich Thomas , Braun Doris , Oberparleiter Stefan , Schottenberger Herwig , Griesser Ulrich
Published: April 2016

The crystal structure of the methanol hemisolvate of 5,5-dibromobarbituric acid (1MH) displays an H-bonded layer structure which is based on N–H∙∙∙O=C, N–H∙∙∙O(MeOH) and (MeOH)O–H∙∙∙O interactions. The barbiturate molecules form an H-bonded substructure which has the fes topology. 5,5′-Methanediylbis(5-bromobarbituric acid) 2, obtained from a solution of 5,5-dibromobarbituric acid in nitromethane, displays a N–H···O=C bonded framework of the sxd type. The conformation of the pyridmidine ring and the lengths of the ring substituent bonds C5–X and C5–X′ in crystal forms of 5,5-dibromobarbituric acid and three closely related analogues (X = X′ = Br, Cl, F, Me) have been investigated. In each case, a conformation close to a C5-endo envelope is correlated with a significant lengthening of the axial C5–X′ in comparison to the equatorial C5–X bond. Isolated molecule geometry optimizations at different levels of theory confirm that the C5-endo envelope is the global conformational energy minimum of 5,5-dihalogenbarbituric acids. The relative lengthening of the axial bond is therefore interpreted as an inherent feature of the preferred envelope conformation of the pyrimidine ring, which minimizes repulsive interactions between the axial substituent and pyrimidine ring atoms.
Economic Impact of Intelligent Dynamic Control in Urban Outdoor Lighting
Authors: Wojnicki Igor , Ernst Sebastian , Kotulski Leszek
Published: April 2016

This paper presents and compares the possible energy savings in various approaches to outdoor lighting modernization. Several solutions implementable using currently-available systems are presented and discussed. An innovative approach using real-time sensor data is also presented in detail, along with its formal background, based on Artificial Intelligence methods (rule-based systems) and graph transformations. The efficiency of all approaches has been estimated and compared using real-life data recorded at an urban setting. The article also presents other aspects which influence the efficiency and feasibility of intelligent lighting projects, including design quality, design workload and conformance to standards.
Extracting Steady State Components from Synchrophasor Data Using Kalman Filters
Authors: Mahmood Farhan , Hooshyar Hossein , Vanfretti Luigi
Published: April 2016

Data from phasor measurement units (PMUs) may be exploited to provide steady state information to the applications which require it. As PMU measurements may contain errors and missing data, the paper presents the application of a Kalman Filter technique for real-time data processing. PMU data captures the power system’s response at different time-scales, which are generated by different types of power system events; the presented Kalman Filter methods have been applied to extract the steady state components of PMU measurements that can be fed to steady state applications. Two KF-based methods have been proposed, i.e., a windowing-based KF method and “the modified KF”. Both methods are capable of reducing noise, compensating for missing data and filtering outliers from input PMU signals. A comparison of proposed methods has been carried out using the PMU data generated from a hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) experimental setup. In addition, a performance analysis of the proposed methods is performed using an evaluation metric.
Recovery of Vegetation Cover and Soil after the Removal of Sheep in Socorro Island, Mexico
Authors: Ortíz-Alcaraz Antonio , Maya-Delgado Yolanda , Cortés-Calva Patricia , Aguirre-Muñoz Alfonso , Rojas-Mayoral Evaristo , Cordoba-Matson Miguel , Ortega-Rubio Alfredo
Published: April 2016

For over 140 years, the habitat of Socorro Island in the Mexican Pacific has been altered by the presence of exotic sheep. Overgrazing, jointly with tropical storms, has caused soil erosion, and more than 2000 hectares of native vegetation have been lost. Sheep eradication was conducted from 2009 to 2012. Since then, the vegetation has begun to recover passively, modifying soil properties. The objective of our study was to verify that this island was resilient enough to be recovered and in a relatively short time scale. To confirm our hypothesis, we analyzed changes in the physical-chemical properties of the soil and vegetation cover, the last one in different times and habitats after sheep eradication. The change in vegetation cover was estimated by comparing the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) between 2008 and 2013. In sites altered by feral sheep, soil compaction was assessed, and soil samples were taken, analyzing pH, electrical conductivity, organic carbon, total nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium, and magnesium. After a year of total sheep eradication, clear indications in the recovery of vegetation cover and improvement of soil quality parameters were observed and confirmed, specifically compaction and nitrogen, organic carbon, phosphorus, and calcium. The results seem to support our hypothesis.
The R-Operon: A Model of Repetitive DNA-Organized Transcriptional Compartmentation of Eukaryotic Chromosomes for Coordinated Gene Expression
Authors: Tang Shao-Jun
Published: April 2016

In eukaryotic genomes, it is essential to coordinate the activity of genes that function together to fulfill the same biological processes. Genomic organization likely plays a key role in coordinating transcription of different genes. However, little is known about how co-regulated genes are organized in the cell nucleus and how the chromosomal organization facilitates the co-regulation of different genes. I propose that eukaryotic genomes are organized into repeat assembly (RA)-based structural domains (“R-operons”) in the nuclear space. R-operons result from the interaction of homologous DNA repeats. In an R-operon, genes in different loci of the linear genome are brought into spatial vicinity and co-regulated by the same pool of transcription factors. This type of large-scale chromosomal organization may provide a mechanism for functional compartmentation of chromosomes to facilitate the transcriptional coordination of gene expression.
The Post-Amalgam Era: Norwegian Dentists’ Experiences with Composite Resins and Repair of Defective Amalgam Restorations
Authors: Kopperud Simen , Staxrud Frode , Espelid Ivar , Tveit Anne
Published: April 2016

Amalgam was banned as a dental restorative material in Norway in 2008 due to environmental considerations. An electronic questionnaire was sent to all dentists in the member register of the Norwegian Dental Association (NTF) one year later, to evaluate dentists’ satisfaction with alternative restorative materials and to explore dentists’ treatment choices of fractured amalgam restorations. Replies were obtained from 61.3%. Composite was the preferred restorative material among 99.1% of the dentists. Secondary caries was the most commonly reported cause of failure (72.7%), followed by restoration fractures (25.1%). Longevity of Class II restorations was estimated to be ≥10 years by 45.8% of the dentists, but 71.2% expected even better longevity if the restoration was made with amalgam. Repair using composite was suggested by 24.9% of the dentists in an amalgam restoration with a fractured cusp. Repair was more often proposed among young dentists (p < 0.01), employees in the Public Dental Service (PDS) (p < 0.01) and dentists working in counties with low dentist density (p = 0.03). There was a tendency towards choosing minimally invasive treatment among dentists who also avoided operative treatment of early approximal lesions (p < 0.01). Norwegian dentists showed positive attitudes towards composite as a restorative material. Most dentists chose minimally- or medium invasive approaches when restoring fractured amalgam restorations.
The Prevalence of Thyroid Nodules and an Analysis of Related Lifestyle Factors in Beijing Communities
Authors: Jiang Hua , Tian Yongfeng , Yan Wenhua , Kong Yue , Wang Haibin , Wang Anping , Dou Jingtao , Liang Ping , Mu Yiming
Published: April 2016

Thyroid nodules (TNs) have annual increasing trends worldwide, and large-scale investigations on the prevalence of TNs in Beijing communities have not been conducted since the introduction of salt iodization in 1995. We performed a cross-sectional study to determine the prevalence of TNs, their epidemiological characteristics, and their correlation with lifestyle factors. A total of 6324 permanent residents aged 18 years or older (mean age, 52.15 ± 11.58 years) from seven representative communities in Beijing were included in the analyses. Once informed consent was obtained, the subjects were asked to complete questionnaires, a physical examination, and thyroid ultrasound. A total of 3100 cases had TNs. The overall prevalence rate was 49.0%, and the age-standardized prevalence was 40.1%, which increased significantly as age increased (p < 0.001). The prevalence was significantly higher in females compared to males (p < 0.001), and it was significantly higher among female current smokers and former smokers compared to non-smokers (p = 0.007). There was no correlation between alcohol consumption and TNs, and there were no significant differences in the prevalence among different groups of taste preference. The prevalence decreased with an increased frequency of seafood intake (p = 0.015) and with higher literacy levels (p < 0.001). The Cochran–Armitage trend test showed that the prevalence significantly increased with decreased physical labor and exercise intensity (p < 0.001, p = 0.009). Logistic regression analysis showed that age (Odds ratio (OR) = 1.039 (1.034–1.044), p < 0.001), the female sex (OR = 1.789 (1.527–2.097)), Body mass index (BMI) (OR = 1.019 (1.005–1.034)), and current smoking habits (OR = 1.246 (1.046–1.483)) were independent risk factors for TNs. Our findings indicate that there is a high prevalence of TNs in Beijing, with a higher prevalence in females than in males. Moreover, the prevalence increases as age increases. Smoking and BMI are independent risk factors for TNs. Therefore, intervention against smoking and weight loss might help reduce the risk of TN occurrence.
The AaDREB1 Transcription Factor from the Cold-Tolerant Plant Adonis amurensis Enhances Abiotic Stress Tolerance in Transgenic Plant
Authors: Zong Jun-Mei , Li Xiao-Wei , Zhou Yuan-Hang , Wang Fa-Wei , Wang Nan , Dong Yuan-Yuan , Yuan Yan-Xi , Chen Huan , Liu Xiu-Ming , Yao Na , Li Hai-Yan
Published: April 2016

Dehydration-responsive element binding (DREB) transcription factors (TFs) play important roles in the regulation of plant resistance to environmental stresses and can specifically bind to dehydration-responsive element/C-repeat element (DRE/CRT) proteins (G/ACCGAC) and activate expression of many stress-inducible genes. Here, we cloned and characterized a novel gene (AaDREB1) encoding the DREB1 transcription factor from the cold-tolerant plant Adonis amurensis. Quantitative real-time (qRT)-PCR results indicated that AaDREB1 expression was induced by salt, drought, cold stress, and abscisic acid application. A yeast one-hybrid assay demonstrated that AaDREB1 encodes a transcription activator and specifically binds to DRE/CRT. Furthermore, transgenic Arabidopsis and rice harboring AaDREB1 showed enhanced tolerance to salt, drought, and low temperature. These results indicated that AaDREB1 might be useful in genetic engineering to improve plant stress tolerance.