bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Age-Specific Prevalence and Clinical Characteristics of Humeral Medial Epicondyle Apophysitis and Osteochondritis Dissecans: Ultrasonographic Assessment of 4249 Players
Authors: Otoshi Kenichi , Kikuchi Shinichi , Kato Kinshi , Sato Ryohei , Igari Takahiro , Kaga Takahiro , Konno Shinichi
Published: May 2017

Background:

Traction apophysitis of medial epicondyle (MEC) lesions and osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) of the capitellum are common elbow injuries in adolescent baseball players. However, the age-specific prevalence of these pathologies and their influence on elbow pain remain unknown.

Purpose:

To investigate the age-specific prevalence of each MEC lesion and capitellar OCD and to identify the incidence of elbow pain in each condition.

Study Design:

Descriptive epidemiology study.

Methods:

Study participants consisted of 4249 baseball players aged 6 to 17 years. A questionnaire was used to assess history of elbow pain, and morphological changes of the elbow joint were assessed using ultrasonography.

Results:

Regarding MEC lesions, fragmented (FG) and irregular (IR) lesions both reached their greatest respective prevalence at 11 to 12 years of age. After 14 years of age, IR decreased sharply, whereas FG was maintained at approximately 10%. Hypertrophic (HT) lesions increased sharply, reaching over 50% at 16 years of age, while there was a decrease in IR and FG lesions in the same age group. The prevalence of capitellar OCD remained the same (approximately 2%) throughout all ages except for in players aged 7 to 8 years (>7%). Players with MEC lesions had significantly greater prevalence of a history of elbow pain compared with those without (68.0% vs 39.1%) and were at a significantly greater risk for FG lesions (odds ratio [OR], 4.04; 95% CI, 3.16-5.22) compared with IR (OR, 3.22; 95% CI, 2.44-4.27) and HT lesions (OR, 2.03; 95% CI, 1.75-2.36). Players with capitellar OCD also had a significantly greater risk of a history of elbow pain (OR, 2.34; 95% CI, 1.40-4.11).

Conclusion:

Controlling the amount of practice and its intensity according to the condition of each player in the preadolescent and adolescent periods may be important in accelerating bony healing and decreasing preventable elbow pain in adulthood.
Place-making and performance: The impact of walkable built environments on business performance in Phoenix and Boston
Authors: Credit Kevin , Mack Elizabeth
Published: May 2017

This paper examines the importance of place-making in economic development by evaluating the relationship between specific urban design features – based on Jacobs’ “four generators of diversity” and Ewing and Cervero’s “Five-D’s” – and business sales volume. Despite the increased recognition of the importance of walkable urbanism in recent years, relatively little research has assessed the potential economic development benefits of walkable places. While a few authors have assessed the impact of urban design on property values, this paper fills a gap by examining links between components of walkable built environments and individual business characteristics. This paper uses a Hierarchical Linear Modeling framework to explicitly look at the relationship between neighborhood built environment features at the Census tract level and the sales volume per employee of individual businesses in 2010. The cities of Phoenix and Boston are used as contrasting study sites in order to inspect how larger regional characteristics influence the built environment–performance link. The results indicate that specific features of walkable built environments are positively associated with business performance. However, the relationship between walkable built environments and business performance varies considerably depending on the type of business and city-level context being studied, indicating that significant nuance must be used when considering place-based economic interventions. Although no causal statements can be made about the built environment and business performance, the results of this paper indicate that (in some contexts) design-based place-making initiatives could be used to generate sustainable local economic development.
High PD-1 expression on regulatory and effector T-cells in lung cancer draining lymph nodes
Authors: van de Ven Rieneke , Niemeijer Anna-Larissa N. , Stam Anita G.M. , Hashemi Sayed M.S. , Slockers Christian G. , Daniels Johannes M. , Thunnissen Erik , Smit Egbert F. , de Gruijl Tanja D. , de Langen Adrianus J.
Published: May 2017

The treatment of advanced nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with PD-1/PD-L1 immune checkpoint inhibitors has improved clinical outcome for a proportion of patients. The current challenge is to find better biomarkers than PD-L1 immunohistochemistry (IHC) that will identify patients likely to benefit from this therapy. In this exploratory study we assessed the differences in T-cell subsets and PD-1 expression levels on T-cells in tumour-draining lymph nodes (TDLNs) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs).

To evaluate this, flow cytometric analyses were performed on endobronchial ultrasound-guided (EBUS) fine-needle aspirates (FNA) from TDLNs of patients with NSCLC, and the results were compared to paired PBMC samples. For a select number of patients, we were also able to obtain cells from a non-TDLN (NTDLN) sample.

Our data show that the frequency of PD-1+CD4+and CD8+T-cells, as well as the PD-1 expression level on activated regulatory T (aTreg) and CD4+and CD8+T-cells, are higher in TDLNs than in PBMCs and, in a small sub-analysis, NTDLNs.

These elevated PD-1 expression levels in TDLNs may reflect tumour-specific T-cell priming and conditioning, and may serve as a predictive or early-response biomarker during PD-1 checkpoint blockade.
Gefitinib and EGFR Gene Copy Number Aberrations in Esophageal Cancer
Authors: Petty Russell D. , Dahle-Smith Asa , Stevenson David A.J. , Osborne Aileen , Massie Doreen , Clark Caroline , Murray Graeme I. , Dutton Susan J. , Roberts Corran , Chong Irene Y. , Mansoor Wasat , Thompson Joyce , Harrison Mark , Chatterjee Anirban , Falk Stephen J. , Elyan Sean , Garcia-Alonso Angel , Fyfe David Walter , Wadsley Jonathan , Chau Ian , Ferry David R. , Miedzybrodzka Zosia
Published: May 2017

Purpose

The Cancer Esophagus Gefitinib trial demonstrated improved progression-free survival with the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor gefitinib relative to placebo in patients with advanced esophageal cancer who had disease progression after chemotherapy. Rapid and durable responses were observed in a minority of patients. We hypothesized that genetic aberration of the EGFR pathway would identify patients benefitting from gefitinib.

Methods

A prespecified, blinded molecular analysis of Cancer Esophagus Gefitinib trial tumors was conducted to compare efficacy of gefitinib with that of placebo according to EGFR copy number gain (CNG) and EGFR, KRAS, BRAF, and PIK3CA mutation status. EGFR CNG was determined by fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) using prespecified criteria and EGFR FISH-positive status was defined as high polysomy or amplification.

Results

Biomarker data were available for 340 patients. In EGFR FISH-positive tumors (20.2%), overall survival was improved with gefitinib compared with placebo (hazard ratio [HR] for death, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.35 to 1.00; P = .05). In EGFR FISH-negative tumors, there was no difference in overall survival with gefitinib compared with placebo (HR for death, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.69 to 1.18; P = .46). Patients with EGFR amplification (7.2%) gained greatest benefit from gefitinib (HR for death, 0.21; 95% CI, 0.07 to 0.64; P = .006). There was no difference in overall survival for gefitinib versus placebo for patients with EGFR, KRAS, BRAF, and PIK3CA mutations, or for any mutation versus none.

Conclusion

EGFR CNG assessed by FISH appears to identify a subgroup of patients with esophageal cancer who may benefit from gefitinib as a second-line treatment. Results of this study suggest that anti-EGFR therapies should be investigated in prospective clinical trials in different settings in EGFR FISH-positive and, in particular, EGFR-amplified esophageal cancer.
Perspectives of Patients With Cancer on the Ethics of Rapid-Learning Health Systems
Authors: Jagsi Reshma , Griffith Kent A. , Sabolch Aaron , Jones Rochelle , Spence Rebecca , De Vries Raymond , Grande David , Bradbury Angela R.
Published: May 2017

Purpose

To inform the evolving implementation of CancerLinQ and other rapid-learning systems for oncology care, we sought to evaluate perspectives of patients with cancer regarding ethical issues.

Methods

Using the GfK Group online research panel, representative of the US population, we surveyed 875 patients with cancer; 621 (71%) responded. We evaluated perceptions of appropriateness (scored from 1 to 10; 10, very appropriate) using scenarios and compared responses by age, race, and education. We constructed a scaled measure of comfort with secondary use of deidentified medical information and evaluated its correlates in a multivariable model.

Results

Of the sample, 9% were black and 9% Hispanic; 38% had completed high school or less, and 59% were age ≥ 65 years. Perceptions of appropriateness were highest when consent was obtained and university researchers used data to publish a research study (weighted mean appropriateness, 8.47) and lowest when consent was not obtained and a pharmaceutical company used data for marketing (weighted mean appropriateness, 2.7). Most respondents (72%) thought secondary use of data for research was very important, although those with lower education were less likely to endorse this (62% v 78%; P < .001). Overall, 35% believed it was necessary to obtain consent each time such research was to be performed; this proportion was higher among blacks/Hispanics than others (48% v 33%; P = .02). Comfort with the use of deidentified information from medical records varied by scenario and overall was associated with distrust in the health care system.

Conclusion

Perceptions of patients with cancer regarding secondary data use depend on the user and the specific use of the data, while also frequently differing by patient sociodemographic factors. Such information is critical to inform ongoing efforts to implement oncology learning systems.
Cobalt Oxide/Reduced Graphene Oxide Composite with Enhanced Electrochemical Supercapacitance Performance
Authors: Sengottaiyan Chinnasamy , Jayavel Ramasamy , Bairi Partha , Shrestha Rekha Goswami , Ariga Katsuhiko , Shrestha Lok Kumar
Published: May 2017

Binary nanocomposite materials comprised of cobalt oxide (Co3O4) nanocrystals embedded in reduced graphene oxide (RGO) sheet were fabricated using one-pot hydrothermal synthetic route without using any structure guiding surfactant. We succeeded to visualize a 1/8 corner of a single cubic shape Co3O4 crystal under transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Shape and size of Co3O4 crystals varies from particle-type (size ∼10 nm), octahedral (size ∼20 nm) and aggregates of particles (size in the range of 50–80 nm) with increase in concentration of Co3O4 in the Co3O4/RGO composite. Cyclic voltammetry and charge/discharge measurements in aqueous KOH electrolyte (2 M) revealed that the Co3O4/RGO composite material exhibits electrochemical supercapacitive performance giving specific capacitance of 487 F g−1 at scan rate of 5 mV s−1 followed by outstanding cyclic stability sustaining 96.6% of capacitance after 2000 cycles.
Responsabilidade civil do Estado por dano moral e a questão da prioridade da reparação in natura
Authors: Maffini Rafael
Published: June 2017

O presente artigo aborda o tema da responsabilidade civil do Estado por dano moral causado pela manutenção de presos em condições desumanas e degradantes, na perspectiva de proposta apresentada pelo ministro Luís Roberto Barroso no julgamento do Recurso Extraordinário nº 580.252, pelo Supremo Tribunal Federal. Tal proposta, sob a premissa de que a reparação in natura predomina sobre a reparação econômica, consiste, em suma, na redução da pena imposta em decorrência das condições desumanas ou degradantes existentes em certas casas prisionais brasileiras. Do cotejo de tal proposta com o sistema jurídico constitucional vigente, o trabalho indica uma série de argumentos que culminam por apontar para a inviabilidade de tal solução, a despeito de se reconhecê-la como deveras criativa. The present article aims to discuss the civil liability of the State due to moral damages caused by the act of keeping prisoners in inhuman and degrading conditions. The article takes into consideration the perspective of the proposal presented by justice Luís Roberto Barroso during the trial RE 580.252 from the Brazilian Supreme Federal Court. Such proposal, which considers that in natura compensation prevails over economic repair, consists in the reduction of the penalty imposed because of inhuman and degrading conditions existing in certain prisons in Brazil. From the analysis of such proposal and concerning the current legal and constitutional system, this article shows a number of arguments that point out to the impossibility of applying such solution, regardless of the fact that it can be recognized a truly creative one.
Fiscalização de profissões regulamentadas
Authors: Barros Rodrigo Janot Monteiro de
Published: June 2017

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O PAPEL DO CONTADOR NA PRESTAÇÃO DE CONTAS ELEITORAIS
Authors: Rocha Mario Souza da
Published: May 2017

Este ensaio tem por objetivo analisar o papel do contador na “Prestação de Contas dos Partidos Políticos e dos Candidatos”, evidenciando as atividades dos contadores, tendo em vista que este profissional desenvolve o trabalho, desde as classificações contábeis às digitações das movimentações financeiras das arrecadações e os gastos de campanha, bem como, ao final da elaboração do trabalho desenvolvido, apresenta como resultado as peças contábeis. Contudo, para que se possa apresentar esse resultado ao Juiz, é necessária a assinatura de um advogado, mesmo que tenha participado ou não no desenvolvimento do serviço contábil. Em outros juízos, tais como na justiça trabalhista, varas cíveis, o contador, ao atuar como perito, apresenta os Laudos Periciais diretamente em cartório, sendo, portanto, desnecessária a figura do advogado para assinar as peças contábeis. Diante disso, os principais resultados do estudo permitem concluir que a perícia é de exclusividade do contador e, nesse aspecto, ele deve apresentar seu trabalho, assim como responder às diligências que lhe forem demandadas, sem que um advogado assine o que por ele não foi realizado, haja vista que o patrono não participou da elaboração contábil; tal situação fere o Código de Ética dos Advogados.
ASSOCIAÇÃO DE MULHERES LOUCEIRAS DO MARUANUM (ALOMA): TRADIÇÃO E ECONOMIA SOLIDÁRIA NO ESTADO DO AMAPÁ-AMAZÔNIA-BRASIL
Authors: Santos Kátia Paulino dos
Published: May 2017

A economia solidária vem se fortalecendo e se afirmando como uma possibilidade viável, sensata e emancipadora. Nesta perspectiva, este artigo tem como objetivo analisar a Associação de Mulheres Louceiras do Maruanum (ALOMA), localizada no extremo norte da Amazônia Brasileira, o Estado do Amapá, de forma a evidenciar os principais avanços e fragilidades na política de fomento à economia solidária, assim como os principais progressos e entraves enfrentados pela Associação. Realizou-se estudo de caso sobre a ALOMA, com Análise de Custo-Efetividade (ACE), por meio de entrevistas com a presidente da Associação e com outras associadas, concretizando uma pesquisa qualitativa.  Encontra-se estruturado em três partes: a primeira tratou da política nacional de economia solidária e suas estratégias de fomento aos empreendimentos; a segunda apresentou o espaço geográfico da pesquisa, o Estado do Amapá; e a última parte analisou a Associação, seu perfil, principais resultados das políticas de fomento e seus principais entraves e avanços.
Experimental simulation fractal interaction of plane stamp and sand base
Authors: Богомолов Александр , Bogomolov Aleksandr , Галашев Юрий , Galashev Yuriy , Шматков Валерий , Shmatkov Valeriy , Гетманова Елена , Getmanova Elena
Published: June 2017

The article presents the results of laboratory experiments to simulation the interactions of the model belt punch with a sandy base in conditions close to the plane strain. The technique for testing and interpretation of the results obtained by using the theory of fractals and percolation. Formulate conclusions based on the results of experiments, the interim results of the research and possible development of methods for calculating the joint work of bases and foundations as interacting fractal systems
Feline stress in a nutshell — why does it occur, how can it be recognised, and what can be done to alleviate it?
Authors: Hargrave Claire
Published: May 2017

Many cat owners assume that their cat's relative independence ensures that the cat has a considerable level of choice regarding their encounters with stimuli that could be potential stressors. As a result, a substantial number of cat owners consider their cat to live a stress-free life. Yet the PDSA's 2016 PAWS report found that UK veterinary surgeons considered chronic stress to be among the three top welfare problems for cats. Consequently, there is an obvious role for the veterinary team in owner education regarding the prevention, recognition and alleviation of feline stress within the domestic environment.
Book Reviews
Authors: AbuKhalil As’ad , Schwartz Kathryn A.
Published: May 2017

Is it Fitnah or the rope? Kanaan Makiyya returns

The Rope: A Novel, Kanan Makiya (2016) New York: Pantheon, 336 pp., ISBN-10: 1101870478, ISBN-13: 9781101870471, h/bk, US$17

Anatomy of Authoritarianism in the Arab Republics, Joseph Sassoon (2016) New York, Cambridge University Press, 325 pp., ISBN: 9781107043190, h/bk; ISBN: 9781107618312, p/bk, $29.99
Entrenching sectarianism: How Chilcot sees Iraq
Authors: Ismael Tareq Y. , Ismael Jacqueline S.
Published: May 2017

The 2003 invasion of Iraq by a coalition led by the United States and United Kingdom brought about a regime change that saw the imposition of a sectarianized political order in Iraq. Never before experienced by Iraqis, this politicized the social phenomenon of sectarian identity and prejudice. In spite of the countless references to the role of sectarianism by witnesses appearing before them, the 2016 Iraq Inquiry Report largely accepted the phenomenon as Sui generis – originating from within the Iraqi social setting and therefore accepted it as a rational and pragmatic modality around which to structure the new political order. This assumption saw the Inquiry adopt the assumption held by those they were meant to interrogate – the British officials and government decision makers who led Britain to war in 2003. The article argues that the new regime imposed through the US–UK occupation was not reflective of a bottom up desire for communal representation but rather a top down imposition by the occupation. This resulted in the expression of conflict in predominantly sectarian terms since 2003, the institutionalization of sectarianism in the constitution and government apparatus, as well as a denial of Iraqi self-determination and the opening of the country to excessive foreign influence, extending the bloodletting and impairing economic growth and social comity.
The criminal conspiracy of the Bush administrations and the protection of Iraq’s children
Authors: Boyle Francis A.
Published: May 2017

US/UK efforts led to the devastation and ruination of Iraq from 1991 through aerial bombardment and economic embargo and then military invasion and occupation (2003–11) which led to the deaths and ruination of large numbers of Iraqi civilians. This period (1990–2011) witnessed the US/UK policy viz. Iraq abrogate the Nuremberg Charter, Judgment and Principles, a repudiation of the very legal mechanisms and norms intended to constrain such state actions. It is suggested that, following such mass casualties, that all US and UK government officials should be held fully accountable under international law for the commission of such grievous international crimes.
Season to taste: Television cookery programmes, aesthetics and seasonality
Authors: Cardwell Sarah
Published: May 2017

This article considers seasonality in relation to television and its more familiar context, food. From the perspective of television aesthetics, moving beyond dominant evaluative conceptions of ‘aesthetics’ often found in studies of TV cookery shows, it argues that selected recent cookery programmes warrant and reward aesthetic attention. Specifically, considering examples fronted by Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall and Nigel Slater, this article contends that such shows evoke ‘seasonality’ in myriad ways and by varied means, many of which fall under the realm of the aesthetic. These programmes do more than offer cookery instruction or educate the viewer with regard to when particular foods are in and out of season. They stand as legitimate works of TV art which contribute to an aesthetic appreciation of changing seasons. They contribute to the perpetuation of cultural seasonality, offer vital and powerful reminders of our natural-world seasonality, and encourage the audience to celebrate both.
Sleep Loss Promotes Astrocytic Phagocytosis and Microglial Activation in Mouse Cerebral Cortex
Authors: Bellesi Michele , de Vivo Luisa , Chini Mattia , Gilli Francesca , Tononi Giulio , Cirelli Chiara
Published: May 2017

We previously found thatMertkand its ligandGas6, astrocytic genes involved in phagocytosis, are upregulated after acute sleep deprivation. These results suggested that astrocytes may engage in phagocytic activity during extended wake, but direct evidence was lacking. Studies in humans and rodents also found that sleep loss increases peripheral markers of inflammation, but whether these changes are associated with neuroinflammation and/or activation of microglia, the brain's resident innate immune cells, was unknown. Here we used serial block-face scanning electron microscopy to obtain 3D volume measurements of synapses and surrounding astrocytic processes in mouse frontal cortex after 6–8 h of sleep, spontaneous wake, or sleep deprivation (SD) and after chronic (∼5 d) sleep restriction (CSR). Astrocytic phagocytosis, mainly of presynaptic components of large synapses, increased after both acute and chronic sleep loss relative to sleep and wake. MERTK expression and lipid peroxidation in synaptoneurosomes also increased to a similar extent after short and long sleep loss, suggesting that astrocytic phagocytosis may represent the brain's response to the increase in synaptic activity associated with prolonged wake, clearing worn components of heavily used synapses. Using confocal microscopy, we then found that CSR but not SD mice show morphological signs of microglial activation and enhanced microglial phagocytosis of synaptic elements, without obvious signs of neuroinflammation in the CSF. Because low-level sustained microglia activation can lead to abnormal responses to a secondary insult, these results suggest that chronic sleep loss, through microglia priming, may predispose the brain to further damage.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTWe find that astrocytic phagocytosis of synaptic elements, mostly of presynaptic origin and in large synapses, is upregulated already after a few hours of sleep deprivation and shows a further significant increase after prolonged and severe sleep loss, suggesting that it may promote the housekeeping of heavily used and strong synapses in response to the increased neuronal activity of extended wake. By contrast, chronic sleep restriction but not acute sleep loss activates microglia, promotes their phagocytic activity, and does so in the absence of overt signs of neuroinflammation, suggesting that like many other stressors, extended sleep disruption may lead to a state of sustained microglia activation, perhaps increasing the brain's susceptibility to other forms of damage.
A comprehensive assessment of land surface-atmosphere interactions in a WRF/Urban modeling system for Indianapolis, IN
Authors: Sarmiento Daniel P. , Davis Kenneth J. , Deng Aijun , Lauvaux Thomas , Brewer Alan , Hardesty Michael
Published: May 2017

As part of the Indianapolis Flux (INFLUX) experiment, the accuracy and biases of simulated meteorological fields were assessed for the city of Indianapolis, IN. The INFLUX project allows for a unique opportunity to conduct an extensive observation-to-model comparison in order to assess model errors for the following meteorological variables: latent heat and sensible heat fluxes, air temperature near the surface and in the planetary boundary layer (PBL), wind speed and direction, and PBL height. In order to test the sensitivity of meteorological simulations to different model packages, a set of simulations was performed by implementing different PBL schemes, urban canopy models (UCMs), and a model subroutine that was created in order to reduce an inherent model overestimation of urban land cover. It was found that accurately representing the amount of urban cover in the simulations reduced the biases in most cases during the summertime (SUMMER) simulations. The simulations that used the BEP urban canopy model and the Bougeault & Lacarrere (BouLac) PBL scheme had the smallest biases in the wintertime (WINTER) simulations for most meteorological variables, with the exception being wind direction. The model configuration chosen had a larger impact on model errors during the WINTER simulations, whereas the differences between most of the model configurations during the SUMMER simulations were not statistically significant. By learning the behaviors of different PBL schemes and urban canopy models, researchers can start to understand the expected biases in certain model configurations for their own simulations and have a hypothesis as to the potential errors and biases that might occur when using a multi-physics ensemble based modeling approach.
Abnormal glycogen chain length pattern, not hyperphosphorylation, is critical in Lafora disease
Authors: Nitschke Felix , Sullivan Mitchell A , Wang Peixiang , Zhao Xiaochu , Chown Erin E , Perri Ami M , Israelian Lori , Juana‐López Lucia , Bovolenta Paola , Rodríguez de Córdoba Santiago , Steup Martin , Minassian Berge A
Published: May 2017

Lafora disease (LD) is a fatal progressive epilepsy essentially caused by loss‐of‐function mutations in the glycogen phosphatase laforin or the ubiquitin E3 ligase malin. Glycogen in LD is hyperphosphorylated and poorly hydrosoluble. It precipitates and accumulates into neurotoxic Lafora bodies (LBs). The leading LD hypothesis that hyperphosphorylation causes the insolubility was recently challenged by the observation that phosphatase‐inactive laforin rescues the laforin‐deficient LD mouse model, apparently through correction of a general autophagy impairment. We were for the first time able to quantify brain glycogen phosphate. We also measured glycogen content and chain lengths, LBs, and autophagy markers in several laforin‐ or malin‐deficient mouse lines expressing phosphatase‐inactive laforin. We find that: (i) in laforin‐deficient mice, phosphatase‐inactive laforin corrects glycogen chain lengths, and not hyperphosphorylation, which leads to correction of glycogen amounts and prevention of LBs; (ii) in malin‐deficient mice, phosphatase‐inactive laforin confers no correction; (iii) general impairment of autophagy is not necessary in LD. We conclude that laforin's principle function is to control glycogen chain lengths, in a malin‐dependent fashion, and that loss of this control underlies LD.
Perceived employability trajectories: A Swedish cohort study
Authors: Kirves) Kaisa Törnroos (née , Bernhard-Oettel Claudia , Leineweber Constanze
Published: May 2017

Objectives

This study identified perceived employability trajectories and their associations with sleeping difficulties and depressive symptoms over time.

Methods

The sample was part of the Swedish Longitudinal Survey on Health from 2008 to 2014 (n=4,583).

Results

Two stable trajectories (high and low perceived employability over time) and three trajectories with changes (increasing, decreasing, and V-shaped perceived employability over time) were identified. Workers with stable low perceived employability reported more sleeping difficulties and depressive symptoms than those who perceived high or increasing employability.

Conclusion

Perceived employability is a rather stable personal resource, which is associated with wellbeing over time. However, changes in perceived employability do not seem to be echoed in wellbeing, at least not as immediately as theoretically expected.
ISOLATION AND IDENTIFICATION OF Elizabethkingia meningoseptica FROM DISEASED AFRICAN CATFISH Clarias gariepinus
Authors: A.A Laith , A.G Mazlan , M.A Ambak , A Jabar , M. Najiah
Published: May 2017

Two isolates of Elizabethkingia meningoseptica were successfully isolated from kidney and skin tissue of diseased African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) in Malaysia. The percentage similarity of both physical and biochemical characteristics for the isolates from kidney (K1) and skin samples (S1) as determined by BBL-Crystal and API 20E were 99 % and 95.4%, respectively. Furthermore, both isolates were identified via 16S rRNA gene sequences and showed more than 97% homology to sequences deposited in GenBank. The API ZYM results were analogous for both strains, with only minor quantitative variations. However, the isolates from kidney sample (K1) showed higher levels of enzymatic activity reaction towards esterase lipase and leucine arylamidase. Moreover, the enzymatic activity of α-galactosidase was detected at low level in kidney isolate and absence in skin isolate.
IMPACT OF CHEESE WHEY PROTEIN ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF BROILER: AN APPROACH OF CHEESE WHEY UTILIZATION IN POULTRY FEED
Authors: Mr Kanza , Majeed Majid , Sameen Aysha , Usman khan Muhammad , Ali Shariati Mohammad , Karapetkovska - Hristova Vesna
Published: May 2017

Cheese whey is greenish yellow liquid separated during cheese processing. It accounts 80-90% of milk after cheese processing. It is usually wasted by cheese industries, particularly in developing countries like Pakistan that increases BOD and COD of dairy effluent. Various useful components like lactose, proteins, minerals etc. are present in whey. Among proteins, whey proteins are very effective in body muscle anabolism along with other health benefits. Present research utilized whey proteins in the form of protein supplement. Whey protein was precipitated by combination of pH, temperature and salt treatment followed by filtration. Two types of whey protein concentrates (WPCs) were formed. One was creamy textured while the other was in powder form. WPCs were added in broiler feed at the rate of 0.2% in powder form and 2% in the creamy texture form. Growth parameters like feed consumption, body weight and weight gain increased with whey protein supplement while had no effect on feed conversion ratio (FCR). Carcass traits like carcass, breast, thigh, wings, drumstick weight had significantly increased with the incorporation of whey protein while having non-significant effect on liver weight, GIT weight and GIT/carcass ratio. Whey protein supplementation exhibit no significant influence on packed cell volume (PCV), hemoglobin, lymphocytes and polymorphnuclear leukocyte (PMN) while exhibit significant impact on leukocytes and platelets. It is concluded that only 0.2% WPC (powder) exhibit significant impact on carcass growth while 2% WPC (creamy texture) supplementation improved the growth parameters but statistical analysis revealed it non-significant.
DIVERSITY OF MYCOBIOTA ASSOCIATED WITH ONION (ALLIUM CEPA L.) CULTIVATED IN ASSIUT, WITH A NEWLY RECORDED FUNGAL SPECIES TO EGYPT
Authors: M. Abdel-Gawad Khayria , Y. Abdel-Mallek Ahmed , A. Hussein Nemmat , R. Abdel-Rahim Ismail
Published: May 2017

The goal of this study was to characterize diversity of fungal biota in soil, roots and green leaves of onion plant. Seventy- nine fungal species belonging to 32 genera were isolated from soil (29 genera and 72 species), rhizosphere (25 and 52), rhizoplane (24 and 38), phyllosphere (17 and 41) and phylloplane (17 and 35) on PDA medium at 19º and 28ºC. The number of fungal genera and species in soil was higher than those on roots and leaves, while those on the surface of roots (rhizosphere) or leaves (phyllosphere) were higher than those adhering to roots (rhizoplane) or leaves (phylloplane). Aspergillus (A. niger and A. terreus), followed by Penicillium (P. funiculosum and P. chrysogenum), Rhizopus (R. stolonifer) and Fusarium (F. oxysporum) were the most common fungi. A new record species is reported for the first time to Egypt namely, Zopfiella latipes (from phylloplane of onion).
BIOCONVERSION OF WATER-HYACINTH TO NUTRITIONALLY ENRICHED ANIMAL FEED BY SOLID STATE FERMENTATION USING Pleurotus sajor-caju
Authors: Mohammad Shamim Hossain , Ali Abdel-Rahman Mohamed , Shakhawat Hussain Md , Islam Md Rezuanul , Al-Mahin Abdullah
Published: May 2017

This study was undertaken to improve nutritional values and digestibility of water-hyacinth by solid-state fermentation with a white rot fungi, Pleurotus sajor-caju. At the end of 56 days fermentation of CaCO3 treated water-hyacinth, significant (p
A PRELIMINARY STUDY ABOUT GLUTEN LEVELS IN SARDINIAN CRAFT BEERS
Authors: Fanari Mauro , Cristina Porcu Maria , Zinellu Manuel , Farina Donatella , Scognamillo Sergio , Forteschi Mauro , Pretti Luca
Published: May 2017

The aim of this study was to determine the gluten content of a representative sampling of Sardinian craft beers. Twenty-five craft beers produced by seven Sardinian microbreweries were analyzed. All beers were produced without micro-filtration, pasteurization or preservative additions provided by Italian law. The competitive enzyme immunoassay (Ridascreen competitive ELISA kit) was used for gluten quantification. The levels of gluten found ranged from 39 mg/L in a Pilsner beer to 2400 mg/L in a Weizen. No gluten-free beer was found and eight (32%) of the twenty-five beers analyzed contained less than 100 mg/L of gluten and could be labeled as “very low gluten” according to the Commission Regulation (EC) No 41/2009.
Furthermore a significant positive correlation between gluten content and foam stability was found.
DEVELOPMENT OF OYSTER MUSHROOM POWDER AND ITS EFFECTS ON PHYSICOCHEMICAL AND RHEOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF BAKERY PRODUCTS
Authors: Majeed Majid , Usman Khan Muhammad , Nadhim Owaid Mustafa , Rizwan Khan Muhammad , Ali Shariati Mohammad , Igor Pigorev , Ntsomboh Ntsefong Godswill
Published: May 2017

Wheat flour is staple diet and is mainly consumed in the form of chapatti and bread in Pakistan. Wheat is deficient in lysine which is the first limiting amino acid in wheat. Proteins are indispensable constituents of human diet and are considered crucial for the growth, maintenance and repair of the body tissues. They are one of the essential building blocks of all life. The objective of this study was to prepare the composite flour by blending straight grade flour with oyster mushroom powder (OMP) in different proportions for the baking of bread. The flour was also evaluated for rheological properties. The supplemented bread was subjected to sensory evaluation and physical analysis by Farinograph measurements of the following characteristics affected by mushroom powder: water absorption, dough development time, softening of dough, dough stability and mixing tolerance index. Results showed that OMP increased water absorption capacity of dough with highest absorption recorded in T5 (66.4%) and minimum in T0 (56.4%). Dough development time increased with the increasing amount of OMP. It was minimum in T0 (1.5 min) and maximum in T5 (4.6 min). The capacity of dough to get soft also increased with increasing treatment level. Dough stability also decreased with increasing level of OMP. Mixing tolerance index was also significantly affected by OMP. Results of amylograph indicated that peak viscosity increased from 1595 to 1700 BU from T1 (3% mushroom powder) to T5 (15% mushroom powder) with the increase of OMP.
DIAGNÓSTICO DEL PATRIMONIO CULTURAL INTANGIBLE DE COSTA RICA: INSTRUMENTO PARA RECONOCER LA DIVERSIDAD CULTURAL
Authors: CHANG VARGAS DRA. GISELLE
Published: May 2017

En este trabajo se sistematiza un diagnóstico del patrimonio cultural inmaterial. El proyecto se realizó en todas las regiones del país y el registro de datos se basó en los talleres participativos con personas reconocidas por su labor cultural o miembros de organizaciones comunales. El diagnóstico nos permitió reconocer varios elementos que afectan la salvaguarda de este tipo de bienes culturales, pero sobre todo nos mostró la diversidad étnica-cultural y sus particularidades, así como la debilidad de las instituciones públicas en la divulgación y seguimiento de acciones de las comunidades.
EFECTO DE LOS SERVICIOS CONTABLES EN LA TOMA DE DECISIONES DE LAS PYMES
Authors: BERMÚDEZ CARRILLO LUIS ALBERTO
Published: May 2017

El propósito del presente artículo es analizar el efecto que tiene para la toma de decisiones de las pymes contratar servicios contables.  Para el desarrollo de la investigación se planteó la pregunta en relación a, qué tanto ayuda a la toma de decisiones de las pymes el contratar los servicios contables en lugar de desarrollarlos dentro de la empresa.  Para el análisis se consideraron las variables: tipo de actividad comercial y económica que desarrollan, el tipo de servicio e información contable que demandan, las capacidades técnicas que tienen para entender y extraer de la información contable datos relevantes que se apliquen a la toma de decisiones y los criterios por los cuales contratan servicios contables.  Como muestra para la realización del estudio, se trabajó con 61 pymes, todas ellas contratan servicios contables; la muestra fue seleccionada intencionalmente por la naturaleza de la pyme y por su ubicación.  Los resultados obtenidos reflejan que las pymes contratan servicios principalmente para la presentación de los reportes e informes tributarios, carecen de formación académica y técnica para poder hacerles frente a los procesos contables, conocen los estados financieros, pero no saben interpretarlos, contratan servicios contables por precio, confianza y puntualidad.  Algunos motivos por los cuales no realizan su propia contabilidad son la falta de capacitación y la falta de recursos económicos.
Structural Characterization of Nc-Si/A-Sio2 Superlattices Subjected To Thermal Treatment
Authors: Grom G. F. , Tsybeskov L. , Hirschman K. D. , Fauchet P. M. , McCaffrey J. P. , Labbé H. J. , Lockwood D. J.
Published: May 2017

The morphology of nanocrystalline (nc)-Si/amorphous (a)-SiO2 superlattices (SLs) is studied using Raman spectroscopy in the acoustic and optical phonon ranges, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). It is demonstrated that high temperature annealing (up to 1100°C) and oxidation in O2/H2O ambient do not destroy the SL structure, which retains its original periodicity and nc-Si/a-SiO2 interface abruptness. It is found that oxidation at high temperatures reduces the defect density in nc-Si/a-SiO2 SLs and induces the lateral coalescence of Si nanocrystals (NCs). The size, shape, packing density, and crystallographic orientation of the Si nanocrystals are studied as a function of the oxidation time.
Surface Chemistry of Porous Silicon
Authors: Chazalviel J.-N. , Ozanam F.
Published: May 2017

As-prepared porous silicon comes out covered with covalently bonded hydrogen. This hydrogen coating provides a good electronic passivation of the surface, but it exhibits limited stability, being removed by thermal desorption or converted into an oxide upon prolonged storage in air. Starting from the hydrogenated surface, an oxide layer with good electronic properties is also obtained by anodic oxidation or rapid thermal oxidation.

The hydrogenated surface may be nitridized using thermal treatments in nitrogen or ammonia. Fast halogenation of the surface may be obtained at room temperature, but the resulting coating is rapidly converted to an oxide in the presence of moisture. Many metals have been incorporated into the pores, using chemical or vacuum techniques, or even direct incorporation during porous silicon formation.

More interestingly, organic derivatization may increase surface stability or provide chemical functionalities. The poor reactivity of the hydrogenated surface can be remedied by using various methods: thermal desorption of hydrogen, hydroxylation or halogenation of the surface, thermal or UV assisted reaction. However, most promising results have been obtained through either Lewis-acid catalyzed grafting or electrochemical activation of the surface. The latter method has been used for grafting formate, alkoxy, and recently methyl groups. In most of these methods, oxidation is present as a parallel path, and care must be taken if it is not desired. Also, 100% substitution of the hydrogens by organic groups has never been attained, due to steric hindrance problems. The electrochemical method appears especially fast, and has led to 80% substitution of the hydrogens by methyl groups, with no photoluminescence loss and a chemical stability increased by one order of magnitude.
Functionalization of Porous Silicon Surfaces by Solution-Phase Reactions with Alcohols and Grignard Reagents
Authors: Kim N. Y. , Laibinis P. E.
Published: May 2017

This paper describes the covalent attachment of various organic molecules to the hydrogenterminated surface of porous silicon using alcohols and Grignard reagents. With alcohols, the chemical reaction forms Si-O-C attachments to the silicon substrate and requires modest heating (40–70 °C). With Grignard reagents, the reaction proceeds at room temperature and forms a covalent film that is attached by Si-C bonds to the silicon support. Evidence for these reactions is provided by infrared and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopies.
Electro-Polymerization in Porous Silicon Films
Authors: Soni R. K. , Fonseca L. F. , Resto O. , Guadalupe A. , Weisz S. Z.
Published: May 2017

Luminescent porous silicon films were created by electrochemical anodization of n-type substrate under light illumination. Semi-transparent conducting polypyrrole films were deposited by electrochemical polymerization at a low current density. The SEM micrographs showed that the polymer film impregnates into the wide vertical pores of 1–5 µm and grows sideways suggesting strong current distribution on the walls. The AFM images of polymer surface reveal nanometer size polymer aggregates on the porous layer. The impregnation of the polymer film due to sideways growth provides a useful mean to fabricate stable contact for light emitting diodes from porous silicon.
Nanostructured Arrays Formed by Finely Focused Ion Beams
Authors: Zuhr R. A. , Budai J. D. , Datskos P. G. , Meldrum A. , Thomas K. A. , Warmack R. J. , White C. W. , Feldman L. C. , Strobel M. , Heinig K. -H.
Published: May 2017

Amorphous, polycrystalline, and single crystal nanometer dimension particles can be formed in a variety of substrates by ion implantation and subsequent annealing. Such composite colloidal materials exhibit unique optical properties that could be useful in optical devices, switches, and waveguides. However colloids formed by blanket implantation are not uniform in size due to the nonuniform density of the implant, resulting in diminution of the size dependent optical properties. The object of the present work is to form more uniform size particles arranged in a 2-dimensional lattice by using a finely focused ion beam to implant identical ion doses only into nanometer size regions located at each point of a rectangular lattice. Initial work is being done with a 30 keV Ga beam implanted into Si. Results of particle formation as a function of implant conditions as analyzed by Rutherford backscattering, x-ray analysis, atomic force microscopy, and both scanning and transmission electron microscopy will be presented and discussed.
In Situ Studies of the Vibrational and Electronic Properties of Si Nanoparticles
Authors: Fox J. R. , Akimov I. A. , Xi X. X. , Sirenko A. A.
Published: May 2017

We report on in situ studies of the vibrational properties of ultra-thin Si layers grown by dc magnetron sputtering in ultrahigh vacuum on amorphous MgO and Ag buffer layers. The average thickness of the Si layers ranged from monolayer coverage up to 200 Å. The interference enhanced Raman scattering technique has been used to study changes in the phonon spectra of Si nanoparticles during the crystallization process. Marked size-dependencies in the phonon density of states of the Si quantum dots and the relaxation of the k-vector conservation condition with decrease in size of the Si nanoparticles have been detected. Electron energy loss spectra have been collected for amorphous and crystallized Si nanoparticles on SiO2 buffer layers and the difference in the onset of the electronic transitions have been found.
X-ray Reflectivity Study of Porous Silicon Formation
Authors: Chamard V. , Dolino G. , Eymery J.
Published: May 2017

X-ray reflectometry is used to study the first stages of formation of thin n-type porous silicon layers. Results on classical n−-type porous silicon prepared under illumination are first reported. Then, the effect of the illumination during the formation is observed by comparing n+/− - type samples prepared in darkness or under illumination. X-ray specular reflectivity measurements allow to observe an increase of the surface porosity even for the short formation times and a macroporous layer under the nanoporous layer is also identified for illuminated samples. The presence of a crater at the top of the layer is observed by profilometer measurements, especially in the case of illuminated samples. Specular and diffuse x-ray scattering results show important effects of light during the porous silicon formation.
Thermodynamics and Kinetics of Melting and Growth of Crystalline Silicon Clusters
Authors: Keblinski P.
Published: May 2017

Molecular-dynamics (MD) simulations and the Stillinger-Weber three-body potential are used to study the growth and stability of silicon clusters of diameters from 2 to 5 nm embedded in the melt. Our simulations show that the melting temperature of such nano-clusters is lower than the bulk melting temperature by an amount proportional to the inverse of the cluster size. We also show that the nature of the kinetics of such small Si clusters is essentially the same as that of the homoepitaxial growth. In particular, we show that the mobility of the highly-curved crystalliquid interface is controlled by diffusion in the adjacent melt, and is characterized by the same activation energy.
Germanium Nanostructures Fabricated by PLD
Authors: Hassan K. M. , Sharma A. K. , Narayan J. , Muth J. F. , Teng C. W.
Published: May 2017

Quantum confined nanostructures of semiconductors such as Ge and Si are being actively studied due to their interesting optical and electronic transport properties. We fabricated Ge nanostructures buried in the matrix of polycrystalline-AIN grown on Si(111) by pulsed laser deposition at lower substrate temperatures than that used in previous studies. The characterization of these structures was performed using high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), photoluminescence and Raman spectroscopy. HRTEM observations show that the Ge islands are single crystal with a pyramidal shape. The average size of Ge islands was determined to be 15 nm, considerably smaller than that produced by other techniques. The Raman spectrum reveals a peak downward shift, upto 295 cm−1, of the Ge-Ge mode caused by quantum confinement in the Ge-dots. Photoluminescence (PL) was observed both with a single layer of Ge nanodots embedded in the AlN matrix and from ten layers of dots interspersed with AIN. The PL of the dots was blue shifted by ˜0.266 eV from the bulk Ge value of 0.73 eV at 77 K, resulting in a distinct peak at ˜1.0 eV. The full width at half maximum (FWHM) of the peak was 13 meV, for the single layer and 8 meV for the ten layered sample, indicating that the Ge nanodots are fairly uniform in size, which was found to be consistent with our HRTEM results. The importance of pulsed laser deposition (PLD) in fabricating novel nanostructures is discussed.