bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
U Mass - Energy balance – food intake, energy expenditure, physical activity v1
Authors: Kim Jason
Published: May 2019

Summary: The TSE PhenoMaster/LabMaster Metabolic Cage system is used to measure indirect calorimetry, food/water intake, energy expenditure, and physical activity in individually housed awake mice. The experiment noninvasively measures VO² consumption and VCO² production rates in individual mice using metabolic chambers and calculates the respiratory exchange ratio (respiratory quotient) to reflect energy expenditure. Metabolic cage measurement is conducted continuously for 72 hours (3 days) to account for acclimation of mice housed in home cages during the study. With our high-speed Siemens O²/CO² sensing unit, indirect calorimetry measurements may be performed at a 20-min interval for a full 12-cage study.
Military Special Operations and Traffic Police Officers Have Similar Lifestyles Unrelated to Physical Fitness
Authors: Batista Francisco Valério De Medeiros , Leandro Leonardo Da Silva , Oliveira Leonardo dos Santos , Torres Vitor Bruno Cavalcante , Santos Heleodório Honorato dos , Aniceto Rodrigo Ramalho
Published: May 2019

O estilo de vida (EV) pode estar relacionado às atividades ocupacionais, contudo, pouco se sabe sobre o EV de policiais brasileiros com diferentes demandas de trabalho. Portanto, analisou-se o EV e sua relação com a aptidão física relacionada à saúde (AFRS) de policiais do Batalhão de Operações Especiais (BOPE) e do Batalhão de Polícia de Trânsito (BPTRAN) de Patos-PB, Brasil. Foram analisados 44 militares da ativa, divididos por atividade ocupacional: BOPE (n=23) e BPTRAN (n=21). O EV foi analisado pela escala do Perfil de Estilo de Vida Individual (PEVI) e a AFRS por uma bateria de testes: medidas antropométricas, sentar-e-alcançar, abdominal de 1 min, flexão de cotovelos e vai-e-vem de 20m. Foram utilizados os testes U de Mann-Whitney, Qui-quadrado e correlação parcial (controlada por idade e escolaridade). Os componentes do EV foram similares entre os grupos (P>0,05). Não foram observadas associações significantes entre os perfis negativo e positivo dos componentes do EV com os grupos (P>0,05). O PEVI apresentou fraca correlação parcial com a AFRS em geral ou por atividade ocupacional (−0,310<r<0,287). Conclui-se que o EV apresentou independência da atividade ocupacional e não se relacionou às dimensões da AFRS nos policiais militares da ativa.Palavras-chaves: Saúde do Trabalhador. Esgotamento Profissional. Riscos Ocupacionais. Medicina Militar. AbstractLifestyle can be related to occupational activity; however, little is known about lifestyle of Brazilian police officers with different work demands. Thus, lifestyle and its relation to health-related physical fitness (HRPF) of police officers of the Special Operations Battalion (SOB) and Traffic Police Battalion (TPB) from Patos-PB, Brazil were analyzed. Forty-four active military personnel men were analyzed by occupational activity: SOB (n=23) and TPB (n=21). Lifestyle was analyzed by the Individual Lifestyle Profile (ILP) scale and HRPF by a battery of tests: anthropometric measurements, sit-and-reach test, 1-min curl-up test, elbow flexion and 20-m shuttle run test. Mann-Whitney U test, Chi-square and partial correlation (controlled by age and schooling) were used. Lifestyle components were similar between the groups (p>0.05). There were no significant associations between the negative and positive profiles of lifestyle components with the groups (P>0.05). ILP showed a weak correlation with HRPF in general or by occupational activity (−0.310<r<0.287). In conclusion, lifestyle did not depend of the occupational activity and it was not related to the dimensions of the HRPF in the active military personnel.Keywords: Occupational Health. Burnout, Professional. Occupational Risks. Military Medicine.
Profile and Level of Satisfaction of Patients Attended at the Dentistry Clinic of the Catholic University Center of Quixadá / CE
Authors: Silva Cosmo Helder Ferreira da , Melo Samara Cristina de
Published: May 2019

Conhecer a satisfação dos usuários é de fundamental importância para o desenvolvimento de ações e melhorias da qualidade de atendimento da universidade, além de ajudar na formação de profissionais qualificados, que prestam serviço à comunidade. O objetivo desse artigo foi conhecer o perfil social, demográfico, econômico e avaliar o grau de satisfação dos pacientes atendidos pelos alunos de graduação na clínica de odontologia do Centro Universitário Católica de Quixadá, Ceará, no período de fevereiro a abril de 2018. Trata-se de estudo descritivo, populacional, transversal, quantitativo, utilizando um questionário com questões objetivas, apresentando informações sobre variáveis socioeconômicas e a satisfação do paciente, sendo aplicado com 100 pacientes. A média de idade dos participantes foi de 25,9 anos, houve a predominância do sexo feminino com 65% (n=65), a maioria dos participantes eram de Quixadá 88% (n=88), quanto a renda familiar 58% (n=58) dos usuários possuía uma renda de até um salário mínimo. Quanto a satisfação dos atendimentos recebidos pelos alunos 76% (n=76) dos participantes do estudo disseram ser ótimo. Foi possível concluir que a maior parte dos usuários entrevistados da pesquisa demonstraram grande satisfação com relação a qualidade do serviço odontológico prestados pelos alunos na clínica do Centro Universitário católica de Quixadá.Palavras-chave: Saúde Bucal. Serviços de Saúde. Comportamento do Consumidor.   AbstractKnowing user satisfaction is of crucial importance for the development of actions and improvements in the quality of care of the university, as well as help in the training of qualified professionals, who provide service to the community. The objective of this article was to know the social, demographic, economic profile and to evaluate the patients’ degree of satisfaction  attended by undergraduate students in the dentistry clinic of Quixadá Catholic University Center, Ceará, from February to April 2018. This is a descriptive, population, transversal, quantitative study, using a questionnaire with objective questions, presenting information on socioeconomic variables and patient satisfaction, being applied with 100 patients. The mean age of the participants was 25.9 years, there was a predominance of females with 65% (n = 65), most participants were Quixadá 88% (n = 88), and family income 58% (n = 58) of the users had an income of up to a minimum wage. Regarding the satisfaction of the attendance received by the students, 76% (n = 76) of the study participants said that it was great. It was possible to conclude that the majority of  the interviewed users of the study showed great satisfaction regarding the quality of the dental service provided by the students in the clinic of the Quixadá Catholic University Center.Keywords: Oral Health. Health Services. Consumer’s  Behavior.
Cultural Influences on Foreign Direct Investment
Authors: Goraieb Marcelo Ribeiro , Reinert do Nascimento Maurício , Verdu Fabiane Cortez
Published: May 2019

The current business competitive environment has influenced companies to cross national borders to explore foreign markets. The decision about in which country the company should invest isn’t easy. Many factors can influence this decision, and culture is one of factors that international business scholars have incorporated in their researches. This article deals with the influence of cultural distances on Foreign Direct Investment, specifically it aims to examine whether cultural values affects bilateral Foreign Direct Investment, that is, Foreign Direct Investment Stock. Data that include bilateral Multiple Regression Quadratic Assignment Procedure technique between 45 countries in 2007 were used, representing almost 95% of the Foreign Direct Investment Stock worldwide. The Multiple Regression Quadratic Assignment Procedure technique was used. It was found that the similarities in Power Distance between two countries positively affects the Foreign Direct Investment stock between them (it means that companies prefer countries similar from their home country) and the presence of high Uncertainty Avoidance in one or in both countries of a dyad negatively affects the Foreign Direct Investment stock between them (it means that companies avoid countries that are different from their home country). Contributions: (1) uses an innovative approach Multiple Regression Quadratic Assignment Procedure technique to analyze how individual cultural dimensions influence Foreign Direct Investment; (2) responds to the critique by Shenkar, by applying separate rather than aggregate cultural distance; (3) unveils how some cultural dimensions work in influencing FDI.
Empreendedorismo Imigrante e Étnico: O Papel das Redes Sociais no Processo Empreendedor de um Imigrante Sírio no Brasil
Authors: Da Silva Diniz Gislene Cordeiro , Guimarães Liliane de Oliveira , Fernandes Duval Magalhães
Published: May 2019

Este estudo procurou compreender e analisar o papel das redes sociais no país de acolhimento no empreendedorismo de imigrantes sírios no Brasil. Com o uso da metodologia história de vida, buscou-se identificar e descrever os tipos de recursos que são oferecidos pelas redes sociais, analisando o papel dessas redes no empreendedorismo de imigrantes. Os resultados confirmaram estudos relatados na literatura, ou seja, as redes sociais representam fontes de vários tipos de recursos, entre eles capital financeiro, social e humano e ainda atuam como apoio emocional e de aconselhamento que, aliados, favorecem o empreendedorismo imigrante e étnico. A pesquisa também confirmou que as redes sociais são ferramentas valiosas para a criação e manutenção de novos negócios.
O Papel das Capacidades Dinâmicas na Internacionalização de Empresas
Authors: Kretschmer Caroline , Garrido Ivan Lapuente
Published: May 2019

O objetivo desta pesquisa é contribuir para a literatura de Capacidades Dinâmicas e Negócios Internacionais evidenciado quais os recursos organizacionais permitem a inserção e permanência em mercados externos, bem como as capacidades que são desenvolvidas por empresas que se internacionalizam e se mantêm no contexto internacional. Para tanto, buscou-se articular a lente teórica das capacidades dinâmicas e sua relação com a atuação em mercado internacionais, e aliar a literatura que aborda a internacionalização organizacional. Desenvolveu-se a pesquisa empírica por meio da análise do processo de internacionalização e do comportamento estratégico de duas empresas brasileiras. Realizou-se um estudo de caso múltiplo e qualitativo, os dados foram coletados por meio de entrevistas semiestruturadas e documentos, sendo analisados mediante a análise de conteúdo. Os resultados sustentam que a internacionalização se mostrou viável e alicerçada na articulação das capacidades dinâmicas que moldam uma arquitetura organizacional competitiva e na constante percepção dos gestores de novas oportunidades de atuação internacional provenientes de seus clientes. O artigo contribui para as duas vertentes teóricas propondo um framework para concatena-las, evidenciando os recursos, caminhos e capacidades necessárias para a perenidade e expansão em contextos internacionais, assim como a relevância das Capacidades Dinâmicas na internacionalização organizacional.
International Disaster Risk Reduction Strategies and Indigenous Peoples
Authors: Lambert Simon , Scott John
Published: May 2019

With more frequent and more intense disasters, disaster risk reduction (DRR) has become increasingly important as a fundamental approach to sustainable development. Indigenous communities hold a unique position in DRR discourse in that they are often more vulnerable than non-Indigenous groups and yet also hold traditional knowledges that enable a greater understanding of hazards and disasters. This article provides an overview of multilateral agreements for incorporating Indigenous Peoples into wider debates on disaster policies as well as development agendas. Essential DRR strategies can be adapted for Indigenous communities through respect for Indigenous approaches in coordinating alliances; culturally appropriate incentives; accurate, appropriate, and ethical data collection; acknowledgment of Indigenous land use practices; use of Indigenous language, leadership, and institutions; collaboration with Indigenous knowledges; and acceptance of traditional healing approaches.
A systematic literature review on psychosocial factors of adolescents' online self-disclosure
Authors: Paluckaite Ugne , Zardeckaite-Matulaitiene Kristina
Published: May 2019

It is said that nowadays online self-disclosure plays an essential role in adolescents' development and it gains a lot of attention of today's researchers. However, it is still unclear what are the particular psychosocial factors related to adolescents' online self-disclosure as in general researchers analyse specific elements (e.g., narcissism, privacy concerns), related to the aims of their study. Thus, the systematic literature review has been organised on purpose to find out what are the most significant psychosocial factors related to adolescents' online self-disclosure. After the process of selection, 24 articles (from 1936) have been analysed. The systematic literature review has shown that psychosocial factors of adolescents' online self-disclosure may be distinguished into three groups: psychological (personal characteristics and motives), socio-demographical and social-contextual factors. Particular results of psychosocial factors and papers included in the study are discussed, together with limitations and directions for future research.
Keywords: Adolescents, online self-disclosure, psychosocial factors.
Mobile learning in Romania, a failed experience?
Authors: Stan Emil
Published: May 2019

Some specialists in education sciences doubt the presence of computer resources in formal education: an almost general feeling that they might represent the Trojan horse wheeling in superficiality, ignorance and lack of discipline (Alessandro Barricoâ€™s barbarians), destroying the â€˜seriousâ€™ vein of schools, but arenâ€™t there computers in schools? Isnâ€™t there an IT infrastructure widely used in education? When the administration takes over, they make a special room, and they put the computers in that room and they have a computer period with a computer teacher. Our study starts from the hypothesis that the usage of mobile learning in class will intensify learning; starting from this idea, we planned to analyse how much the teachers from a specific region of Romania have at their disposal, the resources and competencies needed for mobile learning and in what measure they are really using those resources and competencies in a systematic manner in the educational.

Keywords: Mobile learning, multitasking, net generation, school teaching
Being a mother of children with ADHD and the problems it causes to mothers
Authors: Ozdemir Nurgul , Abaci Erginyavuz Kubra
Published: May 2019

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders in the childhood period. In the children, the symptoms of this disorder are reluctance to tasks that require attention, disorganisation, losing things frequently, forgetting homework, restlessness, being unable to wait their turn and so on. Those children, who are hyperactive, impulsive and distracted, might experience severe problems in their relationship with their families, parents, peers and friends. Compared to the parents of normal children, the parents of children with ADHD, especially the mothers who play a more active role in child care, are more likely to suffer from stress, anxiety and depression in the course of time. Therefore, in order to protect family functionality and provide a healthy communication between the parents and the child, it is crucial to raise parentsâ€™, in particular mothersâ€™, awareness on ADHD and its treatment for the evaluation of parentsâ€™ psychological state and referring them to a specialist, if necessary.

Keywords: ADHD, child, mother, psychological problems, psychiatric nursing.
METHODS OF QUESTIONING IN ARABIC AND YORUBA: A COMPARATIVE STUDY/ أساليب الاستفهام في العربية ويوربا: دراسة تقابلية
Authors: Adebisi Aliy Abdulwahid , Akanni Abdullahi Shittu
Published: May 2019

Interrogative  methods is a fundamental part of a language that is common in all human conversation and speeches in their corporate lives, comparative analysis between languages of the same origin and those of different sources have been carried out to fully identify the likely challenges that might be encountered by learners of linguistics and probable lasting solution to those problems, thus, the research aims to study the  contrasting between the two languages with specific attempts at reviewing the interrogational methods and in a bid to draw on the differences. The methodology adopted is an analytical and contrastive method, and the major findings of the thesis include: (1) the interrogative methods in both languages are similar, and as such, the student will not encounter many challenges in the course of learning both languages. (2) There are significant differences in the use of the interrogational particles and adaptations in the studied languages. For instance, all of the interrogative elements of Arabic language are generally placed at the beginning of sentences while in the Yoruba language, it varies between the beginning and terminal positions; and (3) Arabic language possess the quality of being composed of the variable and fixed elements but the Yoruba language is mainly composed of fixed elements, and this can pose a big challenge to students.
The study concluded that there are no such gaps in interrogative methods of both languages, except in some cases of fixed and non-fixed elements in Arabic, the study therefore, recommended that curriculum designers should consider areas of similarities and dissimilarities while designing curriculum in order to have suitable curriculum for students of Arabic among the Yoruba  and  the  necessity that teachers should familiarize themselves with linguistic contrasts; which would enable them to perform their professional assignment and task in the easiest and most efficient.
Diabetes and Lung Disease: An Underestimated Relationship
Authors: Khateeb Jasmin , Fuchs Eyal , Khamaisi Mogher
Published: May 2019

BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus is a systemic disorder associated with inflammation and oxidative stress which may target many organs such as the kidney, retina, and the vascular system. The pathophysiology, mechanisms, and consequences of diabetes on these organs have been studied
widely. However, no work has been done on the concept of the lung as a target organ for diabetes and its implications for lung diseases. AIM: In this review, we aimed to investigate the effects of diabetes and hypoglycemic agent on lung diseases, including asthma, chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD), idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, pulmonary hypertension, and lung cancer. We also reviewed the potential mechanisms by which these effects may affect lung disease patients. RESULTS: Our results suggest that diabetes can affect the severity and clinical course
of several lung diseases. CONCLUSIONS: Although the diabetes-lung association is epidemiologically and clinically well-established, especially in asthma, the underlying mechanism and pathophysiology are not been fully understood. Several mechanisms have been suggested, mainly associated
with the proinflammatory and proliferative properties of diabetes, but also in relation to micro- and macrovascular effects of diabetes on the pulmonary vasculature. Also, hypoglycemic drugs may influence lung diseases in different ways. For example, metformin was considered a potential therapeutic
agent in lung diseases, while insulin was shown to exacerbate lung diseases; this suggests that their effects extend beyond their hypoglycemic properties.
Questões da Lógica da Pesquisa Científica ou Um Exercício de Metodologia Dogmática
Authors: Machado Mario Brockmann
Published: May 2019

Este artigo apresenta uma análise sistemática de temas fundamentais da pesquisa científica, a saber: conceitos, definições, indicadores, sentenças, hipóteses, leis e teorias, explicação e predição. Para tanto, foi elaborada uma síntese, reconhecidamente heterodoxa, livremente inspirada na filosofia da ciência do Positivismo Lógico do Círculo mde Viena e nas tradições inglesas do empirismo e da filosofia analítica da linguagem.
Utilização do resí­­duo sólido de cultivo de camarão em sistema de biofloco para produção da microalga Navicula sp.
Authors: ABREU Jéssika Lima de , BRITO Luis Otavio , MORAES Laenne Barbara Silva de , SILVA Débora Louise Barros , BARBOSA Sílvia Mariana da Silva , GÁLVEZ Alfredo Olivera
Published: May 2019

O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar o crescimento da microalga Navicula sp. utilizando resí­­duo sólido de um cultivo em sistema de bioflocos como meio de cultura em comparação ao meio Conway. Foram realizados dois experimentos, com e sem adição de metais traços, sendo que cada experimento teve cinco tratamentos com três repetições cada um: R0C100 (100% Conway); R25C75 (25% resí­­duo e 75% Conway); R50C50 (50% resí­­duo e 50% Conway), R75C25 (75% resí­­duo e 25% Conway) e R100C0 (100% resí­­duo). Os cultivos de alga foram realizados em erlenmeyers de 1 L durante 10 dias, com fotoperí­­odo integral e inóculo inicial de 5x104 cél.mL-1. Realizaram-se contagens diárias para acompanhamento da densidade celular máxima, tempo de duplicação e velocidade de crescimento. O pH e a temperatura foram mensurados no iní­­cio e no final dos experimentos. Para as análises estatí­­sticas, utilizaram-se os testes de Cochran, Shapiro Wilk, ANOVA e Tukey (P < 0,05). O pH e a temperatura mantiveram-se dentro dos padrões de cultivo nos dois experimentos. O meio de cultura com resí­­duo de cultivo de camarão em biofloco apresentou resultado semelhante ao do meio Conway e mostrou-se satisfatório para o desenvolvimento da microalga Navicula sp., ressaltando que a presença de metais traços favoreceu o crescimento da espécie.
Free fermions at the edge of interacting systems
Authors: Stéphan Jean-Marie
Published: May 2019

We study the edge behavior of inhomogeneous one-dimensional quantum
systems, such as Lieb-Liniger models in traps or spin chains in
spatially varying fields. For free systems these fall into several
universality classes, the most generic one being governed by the
Tracy-Widom distribution. We investigate in this paper the effect of
interactions. Using semiclassical arguments, we show that since the
density vanishes to leading order, the strong interactions in the bulk
are renormalized to zero at the edge, which simply explains the survival
of Tracy-Widom scaling in general. For integrable systems, it is
possible to push this argument further, and determine exactly the
remaining length scale which controls the variance of the edge
distribution. This analytical prediction is checked numerically, with
excellent agreement. We also study numerically the edge scaling at
fronts generated by quantum quenches, which provide new universality
classes awaiting theoretical explanation.
Identifying Opportunities and Challenges of Human Resources in Smart Development Projects in Egypt
Authors: Khodeir Laila M. , Nabawy Mohamed
Published: May 2019

Design and building of Smart development projects (SDP) has arrived to be one of the most essential targets by most of the countries worldwide. This is due to the positive impact on the qualities of countries living standards, economic situation and human working force engagement.  The Egyptian 2030 strategic plan (2016) aims at constructing SDP with identified specific vision and strategy in Egypt. Despite, the design and building of SDP in Egypt is expected to offer many (HR) opportunities, but also it shall generate different challenges which might lead to drastic failures. Technological solutions, among those challenges, must be understood as a tool to achieve goals and to tackle the challenges cities must face Helfert (2015). Skilled workforce is another major concern for development of SDP. According to Fails Management Institute’s (FMI) talent development survey (2015) 86% of respondents reported that their company was witnessing skilled labor shortages. Thus, the main aim of this paper is to identify human resource key Opportunities and Challenges arising from the internal and external stakeholder’s environments, where the paper assumes that such HR factors can impact the success of delivery of design and building of SDP.  The paper undergoes a review for human resource challenges and opportunities in design and building of SDP. The factors were studied for case studies highlighted mainly from developed countries with an emphasis on the case of Egypt. A qualitative analysis was then performed to identify the key challenges impacting the success of building and designing new SDP. By the end of the paper a complete risk breakdown structure was obtained including key HR challenges and opportunities. The identified factors can then be successfully lamented into the development of Egyptian smart cities. The paper adds knowledge value in human resource project management concerned with building new smart projects.
An Economic Assessment for Manufacturing of Insulating Fire-bricks Using Bagasse With 1% Polystyrene
Authors: Ghazal Hassan Barakat , Moselhy Hosam , Hassan Ali M.
Published: May 2019

This paper deals with the addition of bagasse with 1% polystyrene (P.S.) as an organic matter to kaolin and grog in a kneader mixer to produce insulating fire-bricks (IFB) with adequate physical and thermal properties.Clay and grog were mixed in a kneader mixer on a plant scale for twenty minutes to give a paste of ~ 18-20%moisture content. The paste was hand moulded into shapes and dried. The shapes were then fired according to a certain schedule so as to avoid the rapid evolution of gases which causes cracks and destruction of the bricks.Physical properties such as water absorption, apparent porosity and bulk density were performed according toASTM. The mechanical properties of these bricks were also determined. Also, the author was able to construct a simple apparatus to measure the thermal conductivity by the comparative method.It was found that 3 % of bagasse with addition of 1% P.S. is accompanied by an increase in the water absorption and apparent porosity of the fired bricks. It also causes a decrease in cold crushing strength as well as thermal conductivity.Mathematical relations were developed to relate thermal conductivity to apparent porosity, and thermal conductivity to temperature.Finally, an economic study was performed for a product of bulk density 1.06 g/cm3 which showed that the use of 3% of bagasse with 1% P.S. gives the maximum saving.
Novel p53 delivery systems in the treatment of head and neck cancer
Authors: Lu Yingxin , Wang Hui
Published: May 2019

Background:

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a severe cancer with high morbidity and mortality. Once diagnosed, more than 50% to 70% patients progress to advanced stages, resulting in poor prognosis after treatment. With the rapid development of technologies, especially the Next-Generation Sequencing, the critical role of tumor suppressor p53 in HNSCC patients has been further revealed.

Methods:

In this article, we hereby review the biological property of p53 in the control of cell repair by focusing on how p53 mutation and deletion lead to tumor cell growth and development. We also summarize the gene delivery systems and small molecules that have been used for p53 transfer in animal tumor models and clinical applications to assess transgene expression specificity and efficacy in the treatment of HNSCC.

Discussion:

Loss-of-Function of p53 is strongly associated with poor clinical response and outcome in HNSCC. Gain-of-function of p53 pathway may be an effective to cure HNSCC.

Conclusion:

Powerful delivery systems for reproduced p53 expression and activation in cancer cells would be a promising treatment to achieve therapeutic goal for HNSCC.
BNIP3-mediated Autophagy Induced Inflammatory Response and Inhibited VEGF Expression in Cultured Retinal Pigment Epithelium Cells Under Hypoxia
Authors: Chen Yuhong , Yan Quan , Xu Yihua , Ye Fuxiang , Sun Xiaodong , Zhu Hong , Wang Hong
Published: May 2019

Background:

Bcl-2/adenovirus E1B-19kDa-interacting protein (BNIP3), an
important target of hypoxia-inducible factors-1 alpha (HIF-1α), was reported to be overexpressed
under hypoxic condition. Our previous study demonstrated the protective
effect on detached retina by BNIP3-mediated autophagy. The study investigated the role
of BNIP3-mediated autophagy in retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells under hypoxia,
and observed the relationship between BNIP3, vascular endothelial growth factor
(VEGF) and inflammatory response in hypoxic RPE cells.

Methods:

BNIP3 knock down in retinal pigment epithelial cells was performed by small
interfering RNA (siRNA) technology in ARPE-19 cells, a human RPE cell line. Both
control and BNIP3-knockdown ARPE-19 cells were then subjected to a hypoxic
challenge using cobalt (II) chloride (CoCl2). The expression of autophagy-related genes,
VEGF and inflammatory factors (IL-18, IL-8, MMP-2, MMP-9, NLRP3, TNF-α) in RPE
cells was examined using quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR). The protein
levels of HIF-1α, BNIP3, the maker proteins (ATG5, LC3,p62, Beclin-1) of autophagy
and the component proteins (p-p70S6K, p70S6K, mTOR, p-mTOR) of the mTORC1
pathway were analyzed by Western blot. BNIP3 subcellualr localization was detected by
immunofluorescence. Cell viability was measured with Cell Counting kit-8. Cell apoptosis
was examined by TUNEL staining and caspase-3 activity assay.

Results:

The expression levels of BNIP3, HIF-1α and marker genes of autophagy were
upregulated in ARPE-19 cells in response to hypoxia. Importantly, hypoxia-induced
autophagy was mediated by the mTORC1 pathway, and was blocked upon BNIP3
knockdown. Additionally, hypoxia reduced cell viability, which was relieved by an
mTORC1 inhibitor. Also, autophagy protected ARPE-19 cells from CoCl2-induced cell
apoptosis. Moreover, inhibition of autophagy upregulated the expression of VEGF and
IL-18, and downregulated the expression of other inflammatory factors in the hypoxic
ARPE-19 cells.

Conclusion:

BNIP3-mediated autophagy under hypoxia is involved in regulating
inflammatory response and VEGF expression, which consequently affects the cell
viability of RPE cells.
Recent Progress on the Discovery of Sirt2 Inhibitors for the Treatment of Various Cancers
Authors: Wang Ting , Xu Zhuyu , Lu Yongping , Shi Jianyou , Liu Wenbo , Zhang Chengchen , Jiang Zhongliang , Qi Baowen , Bai Lan
Published: May 2019

Sirtuins family is a class of NDA+ dependent protein deacetylases that play a key role in the
regulation of several aspects of biological processes, such as cell cycle regulation, autophagy, immune
and inflammatory response. Many studies have shown that sirtuins2 as a key player in the cancer pathway
is of great significance in tumorigenesis. This review summarizes the newly discovered, in recent
years, some SIRT2 inhibitors for cancer target structure, action mechanism, biological activity, substrate
specificity, and signaling pathways.
A Comprehensive Review on Preclinical Diabetic Models
Authors: Shakya Anshul , Chaudary Sushil Kumar , Garabadu Debapriya , Bhat Hans Raj , Kakoti Bibhuti Bhusan , Ghosh Surajit Kumar
Published: May 2019

Background:

Preclinical experimental models historically play a critical role in the exploration
and characterization of disease pathophysiology. Further, these in-vivo and in-vitro preclinical experiments
help in target identification, evaluation of novel therapeutic agents and validation of treatments.

Introduction:

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a multifaceted metabolic disorder of multidimensional aetiologies
with the cardinal feature of chronic hyperglycemia. To avoid or minimize late complications of
diabetes and related costs, primary prevention and early treatment are therefore necessary. Due to its
chronic manifestations, new treatment strategies need to be developed, because of the limited effectiveness
of the current therapies.

Methods:

The study included electronic databases such as Pubmed, Web of Science and Scopus. The
datasets were searched for entries of studies up to June, 2018.

Results:

A large number of in-vivo and in-vitro models have been presented for evaluating the mechanism
of anti-hyperglycaemic effect of drugs in hormone-, chemically-, pathogen-induced animal models
of diabetes mellitus. The advantages and limitations of each model have also been addressed in this
review.

Conclusion:

This review encompasses the wide pathophysiological and molecular mechanisms
associated with diabetes, particularly focusing on the challenges associated with the evaluation and
predictive validation of these models as ideal animal models for preclinical assessments and discovering
new drugs and therapeutic agents for translational application in humans. This review may further
contribute to discover a novel drug to treat diabetes more efficaciously with minimum or no side effects.
Furthermore, it also highlights ongoing research and considers the future perspectives in the field
of diabetes.
METHOD OF COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF OPTIONS FOR JOINT USE OF TRADITIONAL AND NEW TYPES OF HIGH-TECH PRODUCTS
Authors: Batkovsky A. M. , Leonov A. V. , Pronin A. Yu. , Fomina A. V.
Published: May 2019

In conditions of limited financial resources of the state, the task of assessing the appropriateness and choosing rational options for the joint use of traditional and new types of high-tech products is topical. The paper proposes a method for substantiating rational options for the joint use of traditional and new products of high-tech products, based on the criteria of their comparative technical and economic assessment, namely, comparing the achieved efficiency and the required cost of performing a fixed set of tasks. The dialectical foundations of the method are presented, in particular, it is established that the law of development of high-tech products fully corresponds to the well-known classical law of «denial of denial». The structure of the method, the order of formation of the set of Pareto-optimal options for the joint use of traditional and new products, as well as the algorithm for choosing a rational option are considered.
REQUIREMENTS FOR ACCURACY OF SETTING PARAMETERS OF SIGNALS EMITTED BY A MATRIX SIMULATOR
Authors: Sabitov T. I. , Stepanov M. A. , Kiselev A. V.
Published: May 2019

Using the example of a two-point geometric model, to the points of which correlated normal random processes with specified spectral properties are summed, the influence of the inaccuracy of setting the parameters of signals emitted by a matrix simulator on the errors of angular noise modeling is considered. Simulation errors were estimated as deviations of the probability density parameters of the angular noise from the specified values. Relations have been obtained that allow to estimate the magnitude of modeling errors caused by the inaccurate setting of the parameters of the emitted signals. It is established that errors in setting signal levels primarily lead to a deviation of the expectation of angular noise from a given value. Not accurate specification of the cross-correlation coefficient of the emitted signals leads to a change in the parameter of the width of the probability density distribution of the angular noise, that is, leads to errors in specifying the angular size of the object being replaced. The ranges of the angular position and angular dimensions of the replaced objects are determined, within which the requirements on the accuracy of setting the parameters of the signals emitted by the matrix simulator are minimal.
MATRIX SIMULATOR OF ECHO SIGNALS OF TWO-POSITION RADAR STATION
Authors: Sabitov T. I. , Kiselev A. V.
Published: May 2019

In this paper echo signals simulation task of two-position systems was considered. A matrix simulator composed of coherent transmitters is offered as a solution. Herewith in order to provide independent imitation for each antenna of the Radar station it’s suggested to use the additional transmitters correcting simulated echo signals at the receiving points. Correction is based on the principle of phase compensation of the signals from emitters that are equidistant from a specific receiver point. The configuration of the minimum possible number of emitting points was obtained, which has the potential for independent control of the apparent radiation center. Shown that the compensation condition of the signals of the transmitter group is not enough for independent control of the apparent radiation center. The sufficient independence conditions were formulated. The obtained theoretical results were confirmed by the data of numerical experiments.
Morfometría y patrones de distribución de Melocactus violaceus subsp. margaritaceus (Cactaceae), en dos ecosistemas contrastantes brasileños
Authors: Larios Ulloa Mauricio , Vinicius Meiado Marcos , Loza Cornejo Sofía , Da Conceiҫão Santos Katiane
Published: May 2019

Antecedentes y Objetivos: Melocactus violaceus una cactácea endémica que se distribuye en el este de Brasil, está categorizada como especie vulnerable en la Lista Roja de la IUCN debido a la pérdida de hábitat. Esta investigación se realizó en dos ecosistemas contrastantes brasileños, caatinga (Parque Nacional Sierra de Itabaiana) y restinga (Playa de Pirambu), con el objetivo de determinar los patrones de distribución, densidad, caracteres morfométricos vegetativos (altura y diámetro del tallo) y reproductivos (presencia de cefalio, morfología de flor, fruto y semilla) de esta subespecie y destacar la posible influencia del hábitat sobre sus poblaciones.
Métodos: Para cada una de las áreas de estudio se analizaron y compararon patrones de distribución, densidad, porcentaje de mortalidad y caracteres morfométricos de estructuras vegetativas (altura y diámetro del tallo) y reproductivas (longitud y diámetro de flor, fruto y semilla), mediante análisis estadísticos (ANDEVA, pruebas de comparaciones múltiples de Tukey y coeficientes de correlación de Pearson).
Resultados clave: Los resultados demostraron una densidad de 0.52 y 0.44 individuos/m2 en caatinga y restinga, respectivamente. Más de 65% de los individuos se establecen en parches libres de vegetación en ambas zonas. Los valores promedio de caracteres morfométricos están dentro de los establecidos para la subespecie, aunque se observaron diferencias estadísticas significativas (p<0.05) al comparar los dos sitios de estudio. Los coeficientes de correlación de Pearson más altos y significativos fueron para las variables longitud fruto vs. diámetro fruto (r=0.9909) y longitud fruto vs. diámetro flor (r=0.9907).
Conclusiones: En caatinga se registró mayor densidad e índice de mortalidad, mientras que un porcentaje mayor de individuos con cefalio fue registrado en restinga. Las diferencias registradas representarían un indicativo de la probable influencia ambiental, particularmente el microhábitat sobre algunos caracteres morfométricos de los individuos.
What Do Patients Complain About Online: A Systematic Review and Taxonomy Framework Based on Patient Centeredness (Preprint)
Authors: Liu Jing , Hou Shengchao , Evans Richard , Xia Chenxi , Xia Weidong , Ma Jingdong
Published: May 2019

BACKGROUND

Complaints made online by patients about their health care experiences are becoming prevalent because of widespread worldwide internet connectivity. An a priori framework, based on patient centeredness, may be useful in identifying the types of issues patients complain about online across multiple settings. It may also assist in examining whether the determinants of patient-centered care (PCC) mirror the determinants of patient experiences.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of our study was to develop a taxonomy framework for patient complaints online based on patient centeredness and to examine whether the determinants of PCC mirror the determinants of patient experiences.

METHODS

First, the best fit framework synthesis technique was applied to develop the proposed a priori framework. Second, electronic databases, including Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed, were searched for articles published between 2000 and June 2018. Studies were only included if they collected primary quantitative data on patients’ online complaints. Third, a deductive and inductive thematic analysis approach was adopted to code the themes of recognized complaints into the framework.

RESULTS

In total, 17 studies from 5 countries were included in this study. Patient complaint online taxonomies and theme terms varied. According to our framework, patients expressed most dissatisfaction with patient-centered processes (101,586/204,363, 49.71%), followed by prerequisites (appropriate skills and knowledge of physicians; 50,563, 24.74%) and the care environment (48,563/204,363, 23.76%). The least dissatisfied theme was expected outcomes (3651/204,363, 1.79%). People expressed little dissatisfaction with expanded PCC dimensions, such as involvement of family and friends (591/204,363, 0.29%). Variation in the concerns across different countries’ patients were also observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Online complaints made by patients are of major value to health care providers, regulatory bodies, and patients themselves. Our PCC framework can be applied to analyze them under a wide range of conditions, treatments, and countries. This review has shown significant heterogeneity of patients’ online complaints across different countries.
Building a Medical Education Outcomes Center: Development Study (Preprint)
Authors: Rosenberg Mark E , Gauer Jacqueline L , Smith Barbara , Calhoun Austin , Olson Andrew P J , Melcher Emily
Published: May 2019

BACKGROUND

Medical education outcomes and clinical data exist in multiple unconnected databases, resulting in 3 problems: (1) it is difficult to connect learner outcomes with patient outcomes, (2) learners cannot be easily tracked over time through the education-training-practice continuum, and (3) no standard methodology ensures quality and privacy of the data.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to develop a Medical Education Outcomes Center (MEOC) to integrate education data and to build a framework to standardize the intake and processing of requests for using these data.

METHODS

An inventory of over 100 data sources owned or utilized by the medical school was conducted, and nearly 2 dozen of these data sources have been vetted and integrated into the MEOC. In addition, the American Medical Association (AMA) Physician Masterfile data of the University of Minnesota Medical School (UMMS) graduates were linked to the data from the National Provider Identifier (NPI) registry to develop a mechanism to connect alumni practice data to education data.

RESULTS

Over 160 data requests have been fulfilled, culminating in a range of outcomes analyses, including support of accreditation efforts. The MEOC received data on 13,092 UMMS graduates in the AMA Physician Masterfile and could link 10,443 with NPI numbers and began to explore their practice demographics. The technical and operational work to expand the MEOC continues. Next steps are to link the educational data to the clinical practice data through NPI numbers to assess the effectiveness of our medical education programs by the clinical outcomes of our graduates.

CONCLUSIONS

The MEOC provides a replicable framework to allow other schools to more effectively operate their programs and drive innovation.
Motivation Theories: Validity During Economic Crisis. The Evidence of Greek Structural Design Engineers
Authors: Xanthakis Georgios
Published: May 2019

A first attempt to understand human motivation dates back to the time of Greek philosophers and focuses on hedonisms a basic driving force in human behavior One of the first studies on motivation in the workplace is the work of Frederick Taylor (1911) and his collaborators that resulted in the development of the Scientific Management theory. In the 1950s, many new models of employees motivation emerged, while in the mid-1960s, a new approach to studying work motivation emerged, that focused on outlining the processes that could explain job motivation. These American motivation theories reflect the cultural environment of the United States of the late 19th and 20th century and were developed based on American national culture in conditions of rapid economic growth. In Greece during 2010-2018 a great economic crisis happened resulted in high and constantly increasing unemployment rates, and a reduction in the well-being. It may be therefore not be particularly suited to studying cases that escaped this particular socio-economic model or required a rethink of the importance of the motivation factors considered by them.
Debates emergentes a treinta años de la publicación del libro De los medios a las mediaciones. Entrevista a Amparo Marroquín Parducci
Authors: Sánchez Narvarte Emiliano Roberto , Bernat María Sofía , Papaleo Manuela
Published: May 2019

La investigadora salvadoreña Amparo Marroquín Parducci, magíster en Comunicación, obtuvo su doctorado en Filosofía con la tesis La categoría de lo “popular-masivo” en el pensamiento de Jesús Martín-Barbero (2015). La especialista en el pensamiento del filósofo español-colombiano reflexiona sobre las condiciones de emergencia del clásico De los medios a las mediaciones (1987) y sobre los modos en que las preguntas allí formuladas continúan interpelándonos, al tiempo que dialoga sobre algunos de los debates político-culturales que atraviesan actualmente a la región.
Hacia una concepción compleja de la serialización televisiva en Latinoamérica: un análisis semiótico de Luis Miguel, la serie
Authors: Gómez Ponce Ariel
Published: May 2019

Este artículo se propone reflexionar acerca del modo en que se define el fenómeno de la serialización en la cultura contemporánea y profundizar en el estudio de narrativas masivas que, en clave semiótica, carecen de aproximaciones teóricas unívocas. Con base en el proyecto transdisciplinar de Mijaíl Bajtín, se entabla un marco teórico para observar el fenómeno actual de las ficciones seriadas en Latinoamérica con una mirada superadora de los géneros, que desarticule las dicotomías de forma-contenido y las clasificaciones clausuradas. Se selecciona como caso de análisis la ficción Luis Miguel, la serie (2018), una producción que cuestiona los límites de la serie televisiva contemporánea al borrar las fronteras de las formas tradicionales. Analizar los productos televisivos actuales en términos de una “unicidad genérica” permite comprender las operaciones compositivas de estas narrativas, así como la forma en que estas entablan intercambios cada vez menos normativizados con otras parcelas de la cultura.
Problemas públicos y configuración de colectivos. Una reflexión analítica sobre el pasaje al espacio público y sus condiciones de mediatización
Authors: Fernández Mariano
Published: May 2019

El siguiente artículo es una reflexión conceptual y analítica sobre la problemática —sociológica y comunicacional— de la constitución de colectivos y su pasaje al espacio público. El texto propone una hipótesis teórica con consecuencias metodológicas: que la estructura de configuración de los colectivos es triádica y no binaria, tal y como las teorías de la identidad colectiva suelen postular. Los colectivos, entonces, se constituyen, primero, en un proceso de colectivización interna, luego a través de la configuración de un campo de relaciones intercolectivas (el momento identitario) y, una vez que ingresan en el espacio público, necesitan de los discursos que les proveen una certificación pública de existencia. Sobre esta base, se sugieren algunas ideas de proceder metodológico para la indagación empírica a partir de estudios de caso.