bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Synthesis of a Novel Bulky Primary Alkyl Group and Its Application toward the Kinetic Stabilization of a Tetraalkyldisilene
Authors: Yukimoto Mariko , Minoura Mao
Published: January 2018

A novel, peripherally extended sterically demanding primary alkyl group based on the triptycene (Trp) framework, Trp*CH2, was designed and synthesized via a convenient one-pot reaction using the Friedel-Crafts alkylation of the corresponding TrpCH2 precursor. The introduction of the Trp*CH2 groups onto a Si=Si double bond allowed isolating the first stable tetraalkyldisilene that contains primary alkyl groups.
Penilaian Gangguan Perilaku Anak Talasemia Mayor dengan Menggunakan The Child Behavior Checklist
Authors: Riyana Mire , Riza Muhammad
Published: January 2018

Latar belakang. Masalah gangguan perilaku anak yang menderita talasemia mayor, antara lain, masalah perkembangan, lingkungan sekolah, keluarga, dan masyarakat. Penilaian untuk menilai gangguan perilaku internal atau eksternal anak talasemia mayor perlu dilakukan. Tujuan. Menilai gangguan perilaku anak talasemia mayor dengan menggunakan the child behavior checklist (CBCL).Metode. Penelitian ini merupakan studi deskriptif. Populasi adalah anak penyandang talasemia mayor yang berusia 6 sampai 18 tahun yang dirawat di bangsal talasemia Rumah Sakit Dr. Moewardi Surakarta antara bulan Desember 2016 – April 2017 dengan diberikan kuesioner CBCL.Hasil. Didapatkan gangguan perilaku internal 22 anak (73,3%) dalam kategori terganggu dan gangguan perilaku eksternal dalam kategori normal 12 anak (40,0%) dari 30 anak populasi talasemia mayor. Rerata usia 12,62+3,20 tahun dengan usia 6-11 tahun 9 (30,0%) anak, dan usia 12-18 tahun 21 (70,0%) anak.Kesimpulan. Terdapat gangguan perilaku pada anak talasemia mayor. Didapatkan sebagian besar anak dengan gangguan perilaku internal, sementara sebagian besar anak dengan perilaku eksternal dalam kategori normal. Usia anak yang lebih tua memiliki skor CBCL lebih tinggi dan memiliki lebih banyak masalah perilaku.
Kadar 25-hydroxyvitamin D sebagai penanda sepsis pada anak
Authors: Tjowanta Austin Simon , Yoel Chairul , Lubis Munar
Published: January 2018

Latar belakang. Sepsis merupakan penyebab tersering morbiditas dan mortalitas pada anak. Vitamin D memiliki peran penting dalam mengoptimalkan sistem imun bawaan serta memodulasi respon imun adaptif pada sepsis.Tujuan. Untuk mengevaluasi nilai diagnostik dari kadar 25-hydroxyvitamin D sebagai penanda sepsis pada anak.Metode. Penelitian diagnostik dengan desain potong lintang dilakukan terhadap 50 anak, 25 anak didiagnosis sepsis dan 25 anak non sepsis di PICU RSUP Haji Adam Malik, dari Februari sampai Maret 2016. Kriteria inklusi adalah pasien anak berusia 1 bulan sampai <18 tahun. Sensitivitas, spesifisitas, nilai duga positif, nilai duga negatif, rasio kemungkinan positif dan rasio kemungkinan negatif dinilai pada penelitian ini.Hasil. Rerata dari kadar 25-hydroxyvitamin D pada kelompok sepsis (24 ng/mL) relatif lebih rendah dibandingkan dengan kelompok non sepsis (29,7 ng/mL). Nilai batas ambang kadar 25-hydroxyvitamin D adalah 24 ng/mL. Kami menemukan 15 orang dengan sepsis dan 2 orang non sepsis dengan nilai batas ambang ini. Dari uji diagnostik diperoleh sensitivitas 60%, spesifisitas 92%, nilai duga positif 88%, nilai duga negatif 70%, rasio kemungkinan positif 7,5 dan rasio kemungkinan negatif 0,43.Kesimpulan. Kadar 25-hydroxyvitamin D mempunyai spesifisitas yang tinggi dan sensitivitas yang rendah sehingga dapat digunakan sebagai penanda sepsis tambahan pada anak.
Mortalitas dan Morbiditas pada Bayi Prematur dengan Resusitasi Menggunakan Oksigen Konsentrasi Rendah
Authors: Munadzilah Syarimonitha , Dewi Rosalina
Published: January 2018

Latar belakang. Bayi prematur merupakan kelompok yang berisiko membutuhkan bantuan  resusitasi aktif. Selama bertahun-tahun, resusitasi neonatus menggunakan oksigen hingga konsentrasi 100% namun penggunaan oksigen 100% akan menyebabkan stress oksidatif dan kerusakan jaringan yang akan meningkatkan morbiditas dan mortalitas. Akhir-akhir ini penggunaan oksigen konsentrasi rendah (21% - 30% ) mulai dianjurkan.Tujuan. Mengetahui mortalitas dan morbiditas bayi prematur yang mendapatkan resusitasi neonatus dengan oksigen konsentrasi rendah dibandingkan konsentrasi tinggi.Metode. Penelusuran pustaka database elektronik: PubMed, Cochrane, Google scholar dan melalui penulis.Hasil. Didapatkan dua studi meta analisis yang relevan dan 1 studi acak terkontrol. Studi pertama menunjukkan tidak ada perbedaan mortalitas dan morbiditas pada kedua kelompok. Studi kedua menunjukkan tidak ada perbedaan mortalitas antara kedua kelompk, namun kejadian displasia bronkopulmonar lebih rendah pada kelompok konsentrasi oksigen rendah (RR 0,62). Studi terakhir menunjukkan bahwa resusitasi neonatus dengan oksigen hingga konsentrasi 50% masih aman digunakan.Kesimpulan. Resusitasi neonatus menggunakan oksigen konsentrasi rendah tidak lebih inferior dibandingkan konsnetrasi tinggi, bahkan menurunkan angka kejadian displasia bronkopulmonar.
Tata laksana Infeksi Sitomegalovirus pada Pasien Transplantasi Organ Padat
Authors: Santoso Lucyana Alim , Karyanti Mulya Rahma , Putri Nina Dwi
Published: January 2018

Pasien kandidat transplan organ padat merupakan populasi yang berisiko tinggi mengalami infeksi, terutama setelah transplantasi, karena pasien akan menerima terapi imunosupresan sehingga infeksi maupun reaktivasi patogen lebih mudah terjadi. Patogen penyebab morbiditas tersering adalah sitomegalovirus (CMV). Infeksi sitomegalovirus dapat bersifat simtomatik maupun asimtomatik. Penyakit CMV timbul apabila infeksi bersifat simtomatik dan dapat terjadi baik oleh infeksi primer, reaktivasi, maupun superinfeksi virus. Gejala penyakit CMV pada pasien imunokompromais dapat menjadi diseminata. Baku emas untuk mendiagnosis CMV adalah dengan polymerase chain reaction (PCR) CMV. Namun demikian, belum ada panduan tatalaksana profilaksis maupun batasan titer CMV yang memerlukan terapi. Makalah ini bertujuan untuk menelaah literatur sehingga dapat menghasilkan panduan profilaksis dan terapi penyakit CMV pada pasien transplantasi organ padat di Indonesia.
On the inferences and applications of transmuted exponential Lomax distribution
Authors: Kabir Umar , Godfrey IEREN Terna
Published: January 2018

This article proposed a new distribution referred to as the transmuted Exponential Lomax distribution as an extension of the popular Lomax distribution in the form of Exponential Lomax by using the Quadratic rank transmutation map proposed and studied in earlier research. Using the transmutation map, we defined the probability density function (PDF) and cumulative distribution function (CDF) of the transmuted Exponential Lomax distribution. Some properties of the new distribution were extensively studied after derivation. The estimation of the distributionâ€™s parameters was also done using the method of maximum likelihood estimation. The performance of the proposed probability distribution was checked in comparison with some other generalizations of Lomax distribution using three real-life data sets. The results obtained indicated that TELD performs better than the other distributions comprising power Lomax, Exponential-Lomax, and the Lomax distributions.
Consumer Heterogeneity and Surplus under Two-Part Pricing
Authors: Kolay Sreya , Tyagi Rajeev K.
Published: January 2018

For many products, consumers need to sign a pricing contract with the seller under uncertainty about their future consumption needs. Recent empirical literature has consistently pointed out that consumers may not be good forecasters of their future consumption needs, and may suffer from overestimation or underestimation biases. This paper considers consumers who are heterogeneous in their expected demands arising from heterogeneity in their biases about their forecasted consumption needs. We show that the optimal menu of two-part pricing in this case leads to the lower-expected demand segment getting exactly the same surplus on the average as the higher-expected demand segment, or the higher-expected demand segment getting even lower surplus on the average than the lower-expected demand segment. We show directions of externalities these unbiased, positively-biased, and negatively-biased segments impose on one another, and how they can be different under no price discrimination, and second- and third-degree price discrimination.
The Choice of Prices versus Quantities under Outsourcing
Authors: Chang Ray-Yun , Hu Jin-Li , Lin Yan-Shu
Published: January 2018

This paper establishes a duopoly model with product differentiation and outsourcing in order to analyze the equilibrium competition strategies (choice of prices versus quantities) when the outsourcer outsources its intermediate good to a final product competitor. We show that: (1) both firms choose the quantity strategy when the cost efficiency of the subcontractor is low; (2) the choice of competition strategy is the price strategy for the subcontractor and the quantity strategy for the outsourcer when the cost efficiency of the subcontractor is moderate; (3) both firms choose the price strategy when the cost efficiency of the subcontractor is sufficiently high.
The prognostic value of serum PCT, hs-CRP, and IL-6 in patients with sepsis
Authors: Suhua Zou , Lefeng Zhang , Qingli Chen , Yueying Wu
Published: January 2018

Objective

To evaluate the prognostic value of serum procalcitonin (PCT), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in patients with sepsis.

Methods

Sixty-six patients with sepsis were recruited in the 6th affiliated hospital of Wenzhou Medical University from February 2012 to April 2016. According to status of death or survival within 4 weeks, the patients were divided into death group (n=14) and survival group (n=52). The serum PCT concentration on the day of hospitalization was measured by double antibody immunosorbent assay, hs-CRP serum level was measured by immunoturbidimetric assay, and IL-6 serum concentration was tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) of the included 66 patients. Serum PCT, hs-CRP, and IL-6 were compared between the two groups. The prognostic performance of serum PCT, hs-CRP, and IL-6 in patients with sepsis was evaluated through sensitivity, specificity, and area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC).

Results

The serum concentrations of PCT, hs-CRP, and IL-6 in the death group were significantly higher than those of the survival group on the day of hospitalization (P<0.05). The sensitivities of serum PCT, hs-CRP, and IL-6 to predict the mortality of septic patients within 4 weeks were 94.64%, 83.93%, and 82.14%, and the specificities were 73.33%, 64.29%, and 71.43%, respectively. The areas under the ROC curves were 0.88, 0.76, and 0.77.

Conclusion

The serum levels of PCT, hs-CRP and IL-6 were significantly elevated in the death group, which could be used as serological markers to predict the risk of death for sepsis patients within 4 weeks.
Longevity and stress resistance are affected by activation of TOR/Myc in progenitor cells of Drosophila gut
Authors: Strilbytska Olha M. , Koliada Alexander K. , Storey Kenneth B. , Mudra Olha , Vaiserman Alexander M. , Lushchak Oleh
Published: January 2018

Diverse physiological pathways have been shown to regulate longevity, stress resistance, fecundity and feeding rates, and metabolism in Drosophila. Here we tesed physiological traits in flies with Rheb and Myc- Rheb overexpressed in gut progenitor cells, known as enteroblasts (EBs). We found that activation of TOR signaling by overexpression of Rheb in EBs decreases survival and stress resistance. Additionall, we showed that Myc co-expression in EBs reduces fly fecundity and feeding rate. Rheb overexpression enhanced the level of whole body glucose. Higher relative expression of the metabolic genes dilps, akh, tobi and pepck was, however, observed. The role of TOR/Myc in the regulation of genes involved in lipid metabolism and protein synthesis was established. We showed a significant role of TOR/Myc in EBs in the regulation of the JAK/STAT, EGFR and insulin signaling pathways in Drosophila gut. These results highlight the importance of the balance between all different types of cells and confirm previous studies demonstrating that promotion of homeostasis in the intestine of Drosophila may function as a mechanism for the extension of organismal lifespan. Overall, the results demonstrate a role of TOR signaling and its downstream target Myc in EB cells in the regulation of Drosophila physiological processes.
Sevoflurane-medicated the pathway of chemokine receptors bind chemokines in patients undergoing CABG
Authors: Kong Bing , Ma Yu-Wu , Li De-Xue , Liu Xi-Jiang , Xu Yong-Guang
Published: January 2018

Background

We aim to identify sevoflurane-induced modules and pathways in patients following coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery, and to further elucidate the molecular mechanisms of the cardioprotective effects of sevoflurane.

Methods

Differential co-expression network (DCN) was constructed. Candidate modules were identified via three steps: selection of seed genes, search of modules using snowball sampling, and refinement of modules. Afterwards, the significance of the candidate modules was assessed. Ultimately, pathway analyses for genes in differential modules were implemented to illuminate the biological processes.

Results

Overall, 122 genes were identified to serve as seed genes. From every seed gene, we extracted 122 modules and the mean node size in a module was 3. By setting the classification accuracy cutoff at 0.9 and the number of nodes in a module at 5, 7 candidate modules were identified, including module 80, 82, 82, 84, 85, 86 and 89. Based on the random permutation test, we found that these 7 candidate modules were all differential ones. Moreover, pathway analysis showed that genes in the differential modules 80, 82, and 85 were all enriched in the pathway of chemokine receptors bind chemokines.

Conclusion

Sevoflurane might exert cardioprotective functions in patients following CABG, partially through regulating the pathway of chemokine receptors bind chemokines.
Curcumin attenuates oxidative stress in liver in Type 1 diabetic rats
Authors: Xie Zhenglu , Zeng Xinqi , Li Xiaqing , Wu Binbin , Shen Guozhi , Wu Qianying , Wu Changbiao
Published: January 2018

We investigated the effect of curcumin on liver anti-oxidative stress in the type 1 diabetic rat model induced by streptozotocin (STZ). Experimental diabetic rats were induced by STZ intraperitoneally. All rats were fed for 21 days including three groups of control (NC), diabetic model (DC) and curcumin-treated (Cur, 1.5 g/kg by gavage). The results showed that curcumin-treatment significantly decreased the blood glucose and plasma malondialdehyde levels, but significantly increased the plasma superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and reduced glutathione levels. Curcumin treatment decreased the activity of aldose reductase, but increased the plasma glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, glucose synthetase and glucose-polymerizing activities. Curcumin treatment significantly decreased the protein of protein kinase C (PKC) and poly ADP ribose polymerase (PARP) expression in the Cur group compared with the DC group. Moreover, the sorbitol dehydrogenase activity was significantly decreased and deterred glucose enters into the polyol pathway leading to an increased NADPH content in the Cur group compared with the DC group. Our data provides evidence that oxidative stress in diabetic rats may be attenuated by curcumin by inhibiting polyol pathway associated with down-regulated expression of PKC and PARP, as evidenced by both an increase the antioxidant enzymes levels and glycogen biosynthesis enzymes activities.
Research Progress on Tissue Culture and Genetic Transformation of Kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus)
Authors: An Xia , Jin Guanrong , Zhang Jingyu , Ma GuangYing ,   LunjinDai, Jin Liang , Luo Xiahong , Chen Changli , Shi Xiaohua , Zhou Jun , Wei Wei , Li Wenlue , Chen Cong , Deng Gang , Zhu Guanlin
Published: January 2018

Recent research progresses on tissue culture (e.g. fast reproduction, another culture, protoplast culture and organogenesis) and genetic transformation of kenaf were reviewed and summarized in this paper. Existing problems were discussed, aiming to provide scientific references for promoting tissue culture and genetic transformation of kenaf.
Classical (adiponectin, leptin, resistin) and new (chemerin, vaspin, omentin) adipocytokines in patients with prediabetes
Authors: Gateva Antoaneta , Assyov Yavor , Tsakova Adelina , Kamenov Zdravko
Published: January 2018

Background

In the last decade, there has been an increased interest toward fat tissue as an endocrine organ that secretes many cytokines and bioactive mediators that play a role in insulin sensitivity, inflammation, coagulation and the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to investigate classical (adiponectin, leptin, resistin) and new (chemerin, vaspin, omentin) adipocytokine levels in subjects with prediabetes [impaired fasting glucose (IFG) and/or impaired glucose tolerance (IGT)] and obese subjects with normoglycemia.

Methods

In this study, 80 patients with a mean age of 50.4 ± 10.6 years were recruited, divided into two groups with similar age and body mass index (BMI) – with obesity and normoglycemia (n = 41) and with obesity and prediabetes (n = 39).

Results

Serum adiponectin levels were significantly higher in subjects with normoglycemia compared to patients with prediabetes. Adiponectin has a good discriminating power to distinguish between patients with and without insulin resistance in our study population [area under the curve (AUC) = 0.728, p = 0.002]. Other adipocytokine levels were not significantly different between the two groups. The patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS) had significantly lower levels of leptin compared to those without MetS (33.03 ± 14.94 vs. 40.24 ± 12.23 ng/mL) and this difference persisted after adjustment for weight and BMI. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis showed that low serum leptin can predict the presence of MetS (p = 0.03), AUC = 0.645.

Conclusion

Serum adiponectin is statistically higher in patients with normoglycemia compared to those with prediabetes and has a predictive value for distinguishing between patients with and without insulin resistance in the studied population. Serum leptin has a good predictive value for distinguishing between patients with and without MetS in the studied population.
Patterns and predictors of disclosure of HIV positive status among youth living with HIV in Ibadan, Nigeria
Authors: Olumide Adesola , Owoaje Eme
Published: January 2018

Background

Information on disclosure of HIV status among youth is sparse in spite of the fact that they bear a significant burden of the HIV epidemic. Our objective was to determine the predictors of HIV disclosure among youth aged 18–35 years in Ibadan, Nigeria.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted among youth with HIV attending two HIV support groups and one ARV clinic in Ibadan, Nigeria. Information was obtained with the aid of an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Descriptive and analytic statistics were conducted.

Results

There were 170 clients with a mean age of 29.6 ± 3.9 years; 140 (82.4%) were female and 139 (81.8%) had disclosed their status. Common people first informed included respondents’ mother 49 (35.3%), spouse 39 (28.1%) or father, 38 (27.3%). Disclosure to an unmarried sexual partner was low as only six (12.0%) of the 50 single youth who had a current sexual partner had disclosed their status to him/her. Youth who were aware that their spouse/partner was HIV positive (OR = 9.87; CI = 1.09–88.83) or negative (OR = 9.98; CI = 1.18–84.70) were more likely to have disclosed their status than those unaware of their spouse/partners’ status. Disclosure was also higher among members of an HIV support group (OR = 3.32; CI = 1.03–10.72).

Conclusions

Many respondents had disclosed their status although disclosure to an unmarried sexual partner was low. Interventions to improve HIV disclosure especially among unmarried sexually active youth could improve disclosure and overall management of HIV in our study area.
Influence of waist circumference on blood pressure status in non-obese adolescents
Authors: Benmohammed Karima , Valensi Paul , Nguyen Minh Tuan , Benmohammed Farah , Benlatreche Moufida , Benembarek Karima , Lezzar Alkassem
Published: January 2018

Objectives

To check whether excess in abdominal adiposity and metabolic factors were associated with blood pressure abnormalities in non-obese adolescents.

Methods

We randomly selected 1100 adolescent students, aged 12–18 years, from schools and classrooms in the city of Constantine, Algeria. Among them 179 were overweight and 51 were obese (IOTF criteria). Waist circumference (WC) was considered high if >74 cm in boys and 75 cm in girls (mean of WC of all population studied). Hypertension (HBP) and prehypertension (preHBP) were defined by the NHBPEP’s 2004 criteria.

Results

The prevalence of HBP/preHBP were 13.0%/12.4% with no difference between boys and girls. The percentages of HBP/preHBP patients were 15.6%/15.6% in overweight adolescents, 5.9%/31.4% in obese adolescents and 12.9%/10.6% in adolescents with normal body weight (p < 0.0001).

In obese adolescents, the prevalence of HBP was higher among boys than girls (36% vs. 27%, p = 0.002). In normal and overweight adolescents, the prevalence of HBP and preHBP was similar in boys and girls (11.9% vs. 11.0% and 14.7% vs. 12.1%); the association of WC (high vs. not high) with HBP was found in boys (16.1% vs. 8.8%, p = 0.009) but not in girls (12.1% vs. 10.2%), and with preHBP in girls (15.5% vs. 8.0%, p = 0.029) but not in boys (16.2% vs. 13.6%). Waist circumference [OR: 1.04 (1.03–1.06); p < 0.0001] and HOMA index [OR: 1.65 (1.13–2.39); p = 0.009] were associated with an increased risk of HBP.

Conclusion

In non-obese adolescents, a high WC, defined by values over the mean WC observed in our population, is associated with a higher risk of HBP in boys.
Post-traumatic stress and growth among CPR survivors in the southeast of Iran
Authors: Seyed Bagheri Seyed Hamid , Iranmanesh Sedigheh , Rayyani Masoud , Dehghan Mahlagha , Tirgari Batool , Hosseini Seyed Habibollah
Published: January 2018

Background

Almost 7.2%–10.6% of patients survive CPR in Iran. Most of them experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and post-traumatic growth (PTG). There are limited studies to assessing the correlation between these two psychological outcomes among CPR survivors.

Objective

This study aimed to examine the correlation between PTSD and PTG among CPR survivors in South-East Iran.

Subjects

Using Quota sampling, 163 CPR survivors in two provinces in the South-East of Iran were selected to participate in this study.

Method

A descriptive-correlational study was used to fulfill the aim of the study. The impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) for assessing PTSD and Post-traumatic growth questionnaires were used to assess PTG.

Results

The mean score of PTSD was 39.89 and according to the cutoff point, 87.1% of participants suffered from PTSD. The mean score of PTG was 78.6. PTSD and PTG had significant negative correlation. The result of multi-variate logistic regression showed that only the PTG score predicted PTSD (Odds ratio = 0.79, CI = 0.72–0.87; and p < 0.001). The result of multi-variate linear regression indicated that PTSD, time passed since CPR, and physical disability caused by CPR predicted PTG score significantly.

Conclusion

This study provides CPR survivors and health care personnel with some valuable insights about cultural aspects of PTSD and PTG among CPR survivors and that PTG is positively influenced by physical disability and time passed since CPR. CPR survivors may gain positive experience and valuable insight in group meetings and discussions with their counterparts.
Understanding Big Data for Industrial Innovation and Design: The Missing Information Systems Perspective
Authors: Nunes Miguel Baptista
Published: January 2018

This paper identifies a need to complement the current rich technical and mathematical research agenda on big data with a more information systems and information science strand, which focuses on the business value of big data. An agenda of research for information systems would explore motives for using big data in real organizational contexts, and consider proposed benefits, such as increased effectiveness and efficiency, production of high-quality products/services, creation of added business value, and stimulation of innovation and design. Impacts of such research on the academic community, the industrial and business world, and policy-makers are discussed.
A Framework for the Assessment of Research and Its Impacts
Authors: Daraio Cinzia
Published: January 2018

This paper proposes a holistic framework for the development of models for the assessment of research activities and their impacts. It distinguishes three dimensions, including in an original way, data as a main dimension, together with theory and methodology. Each dimension of the framework is further characterized by three main building blocks: education, research, and innovation (theory); efficiency, effectiveness, and impact (methodology); and availability, interoperability, and “unit-free” property (data). The different dimensions and their nine constituent building blocks are attributes of an overarching concept, denoted as “quality.” Three additional quality attributes are identified as implementation factors (tailorability, transparency, and openness) and three “enabling” conditions (convergence, mixed methods, and knowledge infrastructures) complete the framework. A framework is required to develop models of metrics. Models of metrics are necessary to assess the meaning, validity, and robustness of metrics. The proposed framework can be a useful reference for the development of the ethics of research evaluation. It can act as a common denominator for different analytical levels and relevant aspects and is able to embrace many different and heterogeneous streams of literature. Directions for future research are provided.
Rediscovering Don Swanson:The Past, Present and Future of Literature-based Discovery
Authors: Smalheiser Neil R.
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The late Don R. Swanson was well appreciated during his lifetime as Dean of the Graduate Library School at University of Chicago, as winner of the American Society for Information Science Award of Merit for 2000, and as author of many seminal articles. In this informal essay, I will give my personal perspective on Don’s contributions to science, and outline some current and future directions in literature-based discovery that are rooted in concepts that he developed.

Design/methodology/approach

Personal recollections and literature review.

Findings

The Swanson A-B-C model of literature-based discovery has been successfully used by laboratory investigators analyzing their findings and hypotheses. It continues to be a fertile area of research in a wide range of application areas including text mining, drug repurposing, studies of scientific innovation, knowledge discovery in databases, and bioinformatics. Recently, additional modes of discovery that do not follow the A-B-C model have also been proposed and explored (e.g. so-called storytelling, gaps, analogies, link prediction, negative consensus, outliers, and revival of neglected or discarded research questions).

Research limitations

This paper reflects the opinions of the author and is not a comprehensive nor technically based review of literature-based discovery.

Practical implications

The general scientific public is still not aware of the availability of tools for literature-based discovery. Our Arrowsmith project site maintains a suite of discovery tools that are free and open to the public (http://arrowsmith.psych.uic.edu), as does BITOLA which is maintained by Dmitar Hristovski (http://http://ibmi.mf.uni-lj.si/bitola), and Epiphanet which is maintained by Trevor Cohen (http://epiphanet.uth.tmc.edu/). Bringing user-friendly tools to the public should be a high priority, since even more than advancing basic research in informatics, it is vital that we ensure that scientists actually use discovery tools and that these are actually able to help them make experimental discoveries in the lab and in the clinic.

Originality/value

This paper discusses problems and issues which were inherent in Don’s thoughts during his life, including those which have not yet been fully taken up and studied systematically.
An Accurate and Impartial Expert Assignment Method for Scientific Project Review
Authors: Yue Mingliang , Tian Kailin , Ma Tingcan
Published: January 2018

Purpose

This paper proposes an expert assignment method for scientific project review that considers both accuracy and impartiality. As impartial and accurate peer review is extremely important to ensure the quality and feasibility of scientific projects, enhanced methods for managing the process are needed.

Design/methodology/approach

To ensure both accuracy and impartiality, we design four criteria, the reviewers’ fitness degree, research intensity, academic association, and potential conflict of interest, to express the characteristics of an appropriate peer review expert. We first formalize the expert assignment problem as an optimization problem based on the designed criteria, and then propose a randomized algorithm to solve the expert assignment problem of identifying reviewer adequacy.

Findings

Simulation results show that the proposed method is quite accurate and impartial during expert assignment.

Research limitations

Although the criteria used in this paper can properly show the characteristics of a good and appropriate peer review expert, more criteria/conditions can be included in the proposed scheme to further enhance accuracy and impartiality of the expert assignment.

Practical implications

The proposed method can help project funding agencies (e.g. the National Natural Science Foundation of China) find better experts for project peer review.

Originality/value

To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first publication that proposes an algorithm that applies an impartial approach to the project review expert assignment process. The simulation results show the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Using Machine Reading to Understand Alzheimer’s and Related Diseases from the Literature
Authors: Tsutsui Satoshi , Bu Yi , Ding Ying
Published: January 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to better understand a large number of papers in the medical domain of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and related diseases using the machine reading approach.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses the topic modeling method to obtain an overview of the field, and employs open information extraction to further comprehend the field at a specific fact level.

Findings

Several topics within the AD research field are identified, such as the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), which can help answer the question of how AIDS/HIV and AD are very different yet related diseases.

Research limitations

Some manual data cleaning could improve the study, such as removing incorrect facts found by open information extraction.

Practical implications

This study uses the literature to answer specific questions on a scientific domain, which can help domain experts find interesting and meaningful relations among entities in a similar manner, such as to discover relations between AD and AIDS/HIV.

Originality/value

Both the overview and specific information from the literature are obtained using two distinct methods in a complementary manner. This combination is novel because previous work has only focused on one of them, and thus provides a better way to understand an important scientific field using data-driven methods.
All-Optical Logic Gates and Boolean Expressions in a Photonic Mach–Zehnder Interferometer
Authors: Filho G. S. B , Martins F. L. B , Junior M. F , Araújo A. A. R , Nascimento J. C , Coelho A. G , de Fraga W. B
Published: January 2018

In this paper, we numerically investigate the behavior of solitons in a Mach–Zehnder interferometer made of dual-core photonic crystal fibers. The goal was to obtain logic gates with modulated information in ON-OFF keying (OOK). We considered ultra-short solitonic pulses propagating throughout the system in two distinct regimes of pump power and obtained the OR and XOR gates with fundamental solitons. In addition, the A→B and A←B Boolean expressions were obtained with high peak power. As these logical expressions were obtained with the same length of the obtained logic gates, they are important and therefore can be used to save space in the design of complex circuits.
Insulin resistance and lung function in obese asthmatic pre-pubertal children
Authors: Di Filippo Paola , Scaparrotta Alessandra , Rapino Daniele , de Giorgis Tommaso , Petrosino Marianna Immacolata , Attanasi Marina , Di Pillo Sabrina , Chiarelli Francesco , Mohn Angelika
Published: January 2018

Background:

Recent findings have supposed that the underlying association between the increased prevalence of both asthma and obesity may be insulin resistance (IR).

Methods:

Insulin and glucose serum levels were analyzed to calculate the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) for IR in 98 pre-pubertal children. Lung function and allergy status evaluation were performed. The study population was divided into four groups: (1) obese asthmatic children (ObA); (2) normal-weight asthmatic children (NwA); (3) normal-weight non-asthmatic children (Nw) and (4) obese non-asthmatic children (Ob).

Results:

Forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) was slightly lower in obese subjects compared with normal-weight subjects and forced vital capacity (FVC) appeared lower in asthmatics, whereas between non-asthmatics subjects, it was lower in the obese group than in the normal-weight one. The post hoc analysis revealed a statistically significant reduction in FEV1, peak expiratory flow (PEF), forced expiratory flows (FEF) between 50% and 25% of the FVC (FEF50 and FEF25) between ObA and Nw and in FEV1, FVC, PEF, FEF50 and FEF25 between NwA and Nw, but no statistically significant differences of lung function parameters were observed between ObA and NwA. We found an inverse relationship between HOMA-IR and all spirometric parameters, although without any statistical significance. We also observed a significantly lower FVC in insulin-resistant children (HOMA-IR>95th percentile) (p=0.03).

Conclusions:

This study suggests that lung function could be early altered in obese children, already in pre-pubertal age. Although IR should not manifest its effects on lungs in pre-pubertal obese children, the prevention or treatment of obesity in the pre-pubertal period may prevent definitive negative effects on lungs.
Crystal structure of dimethanol-bis(μ2-methanol-κ2
O:O)-bis{3-((4-methoxy-2-oxidobenzylidene)amino)-2-oxo-2H-chromen-4-olato-κ3
O,N,O′}dimanganese(II), C38H38Mn2N2O14
Authors: Li Jing , Jia Hao-Ran , Sun Yin-Xia
Published: January 2018

C38H38Mn2N2O14, triclinic, P1̅ (no. 2), a = 8.2828(12) Å, b = 10.428(2) Å, c = 12.152(3) Å, α = 113.44(2)°, β = 93.369(16)°, γ = 107.890(16)°, Z = 1, V = 896.5(3) Å3, R
gt(F) = 0.0578, wR
ref(F
2) = 0.1288, T = 293(2) K.
Crystal structure of dibromido[(1,2-bis(diisopropylphosphino)-1,2-dicarba-closo-dodecaborane-κ2
P,P′]nickel(II), C14H38B10NiBr2P2
Authors: Liguo Yang , Qingyun Liu , Xin Wang , Qianqian Gao , Yuqiang Dai
Published: January 2018

C14H38B10NiBr2P2, monoclinic, P21/c (no. 14), a = 10.1920(14) Å, b = 19.055(2) Å, c = 13.5243(17) Å, β = 103.394(2)°, V = 2555.1(6) Å3, Z = 4, R
gt(F) = 0.0461, wR
ref(F
2) = 0.0869, T = 298 K.
Crystal structure of catena-poly[chlorido-(μ2-chlorido)-bis(imidazole-κN)copper(II)] C6H8Cl2CuN4
Authors: Zhang Hong
Published: January 2018

C6H8Cl2CuN4, orthorhombic, Cmc21 (no. 26), a = 12.915(3) Å, b = 10.784(3) Å, c = 6.8037(18) Å, V = 947.6(4) Å3, Z = 4, R
gt(F) = 0.0368, wR
ref(F
2) = 0.0905, T = 293(2) K, Flack parameter: 0.05(4).
The Crystal structure of 2-iodo-1-(p-tolyl)propan-1-one, C10H11IO
Authors: Liu Hui , Li Linglan , Zhang Shu , Miao Junfeng
Published: January 2018

C10H11IO, monoclinic, P21/c (no. 14), a = 6.5799(5) Å, b = 10.1508(9) Å, c = 15.0983(12) Å, β = 92.313(7)°, V = 1007.61(14) Å3, Z = 4, R
gt(F) = 0.0343, wR
ref(F
2) = 0.0860, T = 297 K.
Examining the success of the central banks in inflation targeting countries: the dynamics of the inflation gap and institutional characteristics
Authors: Ardakani Omid M. , Kishor N. Kundan
Published: January 2018

This paper analyzes the performance of the central banks in inflation targeting (IT) countries by examining their success in achieving their explicit inflation targets. For this purpose, we decompose the inflation gap, the difference between actual inflation and the inflation target, into predictable and unpredictable components. We argue that the central banks are successful if the predictable component diminishes over time. The predictable component of the inflation gap is measured by the conditional mean of a parsimonious time-varying autoregressive model. Our results find considerable heterogeneity in the success of these IT countries in achieving their targets at the start of this policy regime. Our findings suggest that the central banks of the IT adopting countries started targeting inflation implicitly before becoming an explicit inflation targeter. The panel data analysis suggests that the relative success of these countries in reducing the gap is influenced by their institutional characteristics, particularly fiscal discipline and macroeconomic performance.
The role of the biosphere reserve «Askania-Nova» in preserving the rare fauna of national and international importance
Authors: Havrylenko V. , Dumenko V. , Polishchuk I.
Published: January 2018

The ecosystems of the modern biosphere reserve «Askania-Nova» have been signifi cantly transformed in the course of almost 120 years of its existence and have in their natural-anthropogenic line all the variants of na- ture management inherent in the Dnieper-Molochnianske interfl uve. The largest protected steppe ecosystem of Europe and the oldest one on the planet has become a steppe oasis among the agrolandscape. Aim. The aim of the study was to determine the species diversity of rare fauna in the territory of the biosphere reserve, protected by the Red Book of Endangered Species of Ukraine, the Red Book of the International Union for Conservation of Nature, and according to international conventions for biodiversity preservation. Methods. The studies were conducted via the analysis of literature and archive data, electronic databases of the authors, visual observa- tions over animals within the boundaries of the biosphere reserve and insects from light traps, application of ultrasound Pettersson D 240x
and Pettersson D 500x detectors with further processing using BatSound and Excel 2016 software. Results. 130 species of animals listed in the Red Book of Ukraine, 324 protected ones according to the Bern (1979) and Bonn (1979) conventions, as well as 66 species included in the list of the International Union for Nature Conservation were found in the biosphere reserve «Askania-Nova». A gradual decrease of the special steppe rare fauna with a simultaneous increase in ecological niches for rare animals of other climatic zones is traced. The character of the stay of the protected species changes and the quantita- tive indices of steppe taxa are reduced with the simultaneous increase in wetland and polyecotopic ones. Conclusions. The relevance of the correction of the existing edition of the Red Book of Ukraine has been proven, which concerns additional listing of 87 animal species as well as their current status for the territory of the biosphere reserve.
Cytological features of pig oocytes in the process of spontaneous maturation
Authors: Lobchenko V.
Published: January 2018

Aim. The study was aimed at determining the cytological changes, related to the germinal vesicle (GV) of porcine oocyte during the follicular maturation. Methods. The ovaries were classifi ed according to the estrous cycle phase, judging by the status of yellow bodies and follicles. The oocytes were isolated from each animal using dominating and atresiated follicles separately. The oocytes were used to prepare whole mounts by a specially designed express-method, which is thermal fi xation (about 95 °С) and their further transfer into the medium for clarifi cation. The whole procedure of preparing the mount from one oocyte or their group lasted for about 10 min. The microscopic studies were conducted using the phase contrast. A total of 831 oocytes were studied. Results. It was established that sow oocytes had eccentric location of GV which may be found in oocytes from early antral follicles. This condition is kept until the beginning of meiosis restoration and GV destruction. The nucleolus is also located eccentrically. Another relevant cytological change was gradual condensation of chromatin around the nucleolus, starting from separate clots on its surface and further formation of circular structures. Conclusions. Contrary to laboratory rodents, GV in porcine oocytes has eccentric localization, which is set even in early antral follicles and remains until the beginning of meiosis restoration. The process of chromatin transformation was found to be its gradual condensation around the nucleolus which may be defi ned as a nucleolus complex.
Miscanthus: genetic diversity and a method of ploidy variability identification using fluorescent cytophotometry
Authors: Kovalchuk N. , Roik M.
Published: January 2018

Aim. Due to the introduction of the Miscanthus species, attributed to the European gene pool, in Ukraine, it is necessary to develop methods for the determination of genome ploidy and adjust them to the foreign methods in order to ensure high purity of the planting material, to study genetic diversity, to produce new polyploid lines and select alternative Miscanthus × giganteus clones (3x). Methods. Cytological, biotechnological, fl uores- cence cytophotometry, fi eld, laboratory. Results. Domestic diploid millet (Panicum) variety of Veselopodilska Research Breeding Station and grain sorghum (Sorghum) variety Dniprovsky, whose number of chromosomes was previously investigated, served as standard genotypes for the ploidy identifi cation with Partec ploidy analyser (Germany). Using the technique, various species of miscanthus, namely Miscanthus × giganteus (3x), Miscanthus sinensis (2x), and Miscanthus saccharifl orus (2x) were selected and multiplied by clones. The heterogeneity of the Miscanthus × giganteus
(3x) population of the two ecotypes was determined based on the level of genome ploidy in the vegetative reproduction of rhizomes which originated from Poland and Austria. Conclusions. Due to the complexity of cytological research, the need to involve the representatives of the Miscanthus genus in the development of bioenergy in Ukraine, and to differentiate them both in vivo and in vitro conditions to assimilate the European gene pool, a new methodology for identifi cation of plant material of different miscanthus species using the method of fl uorescence cytophotometry is presented. The ploidy of commercial foreign samples of miscanthus, introduced in the network of research and selection stations of the Institute of Bioenergy Crops and Sugar Beets of NAAS, was identifi ed.
Biological efficiency of citrates of microelements in animal breeding
Authors: Iskra R. , Vlislo V. , Fedoruk R.
Published: January 2018

To ensure normal functioning of the organism of animals, the maintenance of their vital functions, the growth and development of the young animals, their productive and reproductive capacities, it is necessary to ensure their full nutrition. Unbalanced mineral nutrition in the diet of the animals leads to the impairments of mineral metabolism in their body. One of the most promising way of obtaining micronutrients with guaranteed safety and bioticity is the use of the achievements of nanotechnology and bioorganic chemistry for the synthesis of organometallic biocomplexes, in particular, citrates. The Institute of Animal Biology of the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine conducts studies to fi nd out the physiological and biochemical mechanisms of the action of nanoaquacitrate minerals in the organism of animals in different periods of ontogenetic devel- opment and productive use. It has been established that the trace elements of microelements are biologically active and safe for health, and
their use in livestock breeding leads to increased animal vitality and productivity.
Alternative sources of vegetative mass for biofuels in Polissia zone
Authors: Vishnevskaya O.
Published: January 2018

Aim. To determine the optimal vegetative biological resources in the area of Polissia for the introduction of the domestic green fuel and energy complex. Methods. Field, laboratory, mathematical. The estimation of the biomaterial was carried out, taking into account its biochemical properties and technological growth. Results. Based on the results of the research, the estimation of the biomaterial was carried out, taking into account its biochemical properties and technological growth. It was established that perennial crops can annually provide renewable biomass inputs at the level of 4.6–11.7 t/ha from cereal grasses and 5.5–25.8 t/ha from non-traditional crops, respectively yielding biomethane 722–1857 m 3 /ha and 1161–4715 m 3 /ha per year. The content of useful substances of the processed substrate was determined as follows: N – 0.49–2.58%, P 2 О 5 – 0.14–1.98%, K 2 О – 0.38–2.64 %. Conclusions. The vegetative mass of the seeds of perennial grasses along with other renewable sources can be used as
vegetative fi llers of methane tanks in the Polissya zone.