bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Left Ventricular Apical Papillary Fibroelastoma Resection via Mediastinoscope through the Aortic Valve
Authors: Toeg Hadi Daood , Cusimano Robert James
Published: January 2019

This case report describes a novel minimally invasive technique for complete resection of a cardiac papillary fibroelastoma by directly visualizing the mass via an intraoperative mediastinoscope placed through the aortic valve. A 68-year-old man presented to the emergency department with two episodes of transient ischemic attack. Echocardiography demonstrated a pedunculated, mobile mass in the left ventricular apex. Cardiac surgery was consulted, and complete resection of the fibroelastoma was carried out by inserting a mediastinoscope through the aortic valve and into the left ventricle, whereby the mass was directly visualized and excised with biopsy forceps. There were no postoperative complications, and at 1-year follow-up, the patient had no further evidence of embolic events.
Thoracoscopic Epicardial Lead Implantation as an Alternative to Failed Endovascular Insertion for Cardiac Pacing and Resynchronization Therapy
Authors: Nesher Nahum , Ganiel Amir , Paz Yosef , Kramer Amir , Mohr Refael , Ben-Gal Yanai , Pevni Demitri
Published: January 2019

Objective

Numerous anomalies or postprocedural stricture of the venous system prevent optimal endovascular implantation of a pacing lead in more than 10% of patient indicated for permanent pacing or cardiac resynchronization therapy. The purpose of this report was to summarize our experience and immediate postoperative results of thoracoscopic lead implantation as a lesser invasive solution to an unsuccessful endovascular lead insertion.

Methods

From January 2008 to April 2013, 11 epicardial leads were introduced thoracoscopically at our center as a rescue treatment after failed endovascular attempts. Patients were ventilated using a double-lumen endotracheal tube. A 5-mm 30-degree lance thoracoscope was used with either 2 or 3 additional working ports. A screw-in pacing lead (Medtronic Model 5071 Pacing lead, Minneapolis, MN USA) was inserted into the left ventricular epicardium. After the lead placement and assessment for threshold less than 1 V, the lead was brought to the chest wall and tunneled to the pacemaker generator pocket. At the end of the procedure, a small, flexible 14F thoracic drain, was left inside the pleural cavity for the next 24 hours.

Results

There were no mortality or any major surgical complications among these patients. All patients responded to the epicardial lead implantation in terms of appropriate pacing and conductivity. No clinical failure was observed, and no patient required a repeat procedure.

Conclusions

Thoracoscopic lead insertion is safe and easy to perform. We believe it should be offered as the first choice after failed endovascular pacing lead implantation.
Mediastinal Parathyroid Adenoma with Osteitis Fibrosis Cystica: Robot-Assisted Thoracic Surgical Resection
Authors: Sridhar Praveen , Steenkamp Devin W. , Lee Stephanie L. , Ebright Michael I. , Litle Virginia R. , Fernando Hiran C.
Published: January 2019

Mediastinal parathyroid adenomas can be resected by sternotomy or video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. Robot-assisted thoracic surgical approaches have recently been described. We report robotassisted thoracic surgical resection of a mediastinal parathyroid in a morbidly obese patient. Additional comorbidities included multiple pathological fractures related to hypercalcemia. Intraoperative parathyroid hormone levels confirmed successful removal of the adenoma. Hungry bone syndrome developed after surgery but eventually resolved. Robotassisted thoracic surgery avoided the need for sternotomy and associated concerns related to poor bone healing. Robot-assisted thoracic surgery has potential advantages over video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery in patients with obesity because of easier instrument articulation within the thoracic cavity rather than at the chest wall.
A set strategy approach for multidisciplinary robust design optimization under interval uncertainty
Authors: Yi Yongsheng , Li Wei , Xiao Mi , Gao Liang
Published: January 2019

Uncertainties widely exist in complex engineering systems. Robust design is one of the most used method for designing under uncertainty and has been gaining more attention. For the wide range of uncertainties, this article proposes a multidisciplinary robust design optimization method based on the set strategy. In this method, a robust design model that utilizes the maximum variation analysis is developed for uncertainty analysis. Then, a set strategy–based approach is employed to build a system optimization model, which is used to coordinate the coupling variables between full autonomy subsystems and obtains a new design space. Finally, the system robust optimal solution and the optimal robust design space are obtained through the sequential optimization, which provide a direction for the subsequent analysis. Two mathematics examples and the speed reducer design problem are taken to verify the validity and accuracy of the proposed method. A practical engineering problem, namely, air cooling battery thermal management system design problem, is successfully solved by the proposed method.
Long- and short-term antibacterial properties of low-density polyethylene-based films coated with zinc oxide nanoparticles for potential use in food packaging
Authors: Rokbani Hajer , Daigle France , Ajji Abdellah
Published: January 2019

Concerns in food safety and the need for high-quality foods have increased the demand for extending the shelf life of packaged foods. Subsequently, promoting and investigating the development of antibacterial materials for food packaging has become inevitable. Zinc oxide nanoparticles have attracted attention lately owing to their multifunctional properties, especially antibacterial activity. For this study, antibacterial low-density polyethylene films were prepared by coating zinc oxide nanoparticles onto their surface. The low-density polyethylene film antibacterial activity was evaluated toward Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The scanning electron microscopy images showed that using anhydride-modified low-density polyethylene (LDPE-g-AM) resin permitted improved zinc oxide nanoparticle distribution on the low-density polyethylene film surface, reduced the agglomerate sizes, and reinforced the zinc oxide nanoparticle bonding to the low-density polyethylene film surface. We found that the coated low-density polyethylene films exhibited high antibacterial activity against both strains. The antibacterial tests also proved that the coated films retained their antibacterial efficiency toward Escherichia coli, even after eight months, with a reduction rate higher than 99.9%, whereas for Staphylococcus aureus the antibacterial properties for the linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) films decreased at eight months and improved for the LDPE-g-AM films. When the zinc oxide coated films were laminated with neat low-density polyethylene, only the LDPE-g-AM was still active against E. coli provided that the lamination thickness does not go beyond 8 µm. This research demonstrated that the coated low-density polyethylene films have excellent attributes when used as an active coating in the food packaging industry.
Disrupted filamin A/αIIbβ3 interaction induces macrothrombocytopenia by increasing RhoA activity
Authors: Donada Alessandro , Balayn Nathalie , Sliwa Dominika , Lordier Larissa , Ceglia Valentina , Baschieri Francesco , Goizet Cyril , Favier Rémi , Tosca Lucie , Tachdjian Gérard , Denis Cecile V. , Plo Isabelle , Vainchenker William , Debili Najet , Rosa Jean-Philippe , Bryckaert Marijke , Raslova Hana
Published: January 2019

Filamin A (FLNa) links the cell membrane with the cytoskeleton and is central in several cellular processes. Heterozygous mutations in the X-linked FLNA gene are associated with a large spectrum of conditions, including macrothrombocytopenia, called filaminopathies. Using an isogenic pluripotent stem cell model derived from patients, we show that the absence of the FLNa protein in megakaryocytes (MKs) leads to their incomplete maturation, particularly the inability to produce proplatelets. Reduction in proplatelet formation potential is associated with a defect in actomyosin contractility, which results from inappropriate RhoA activation. This dysregulated RhoA activation was observed when MKs were plated on fibrinogen but not on other matrices (fibronectin, vitronectin, collagen 1, and von Willebrand factor), strongly suggesting a role for FLNa/αIIbβ3 interaction in the downregulation of RhoA activity. This was confirmed by experiments based on the overexpression of FLNa mutants deleted in the αIIbβ3-binding domain and the RhoA-interacting domain, respectively. Finally, pharmacological inhibition of the RhoA-associated kinase ROCK1/2 restored a normal phenotype and proplatelet formation. Overall, this work suggests a new etiology for macrothrombocytopenia, in which increased RhoA activity is associated with disrupted FLNa/αIIbβ3 interaction.
The use of targeted sequencing and flow cytometry to identify patients with a clinically significant monocytosis
Authors: Cargo Catherine , Cullen Matthew , Taylor Jan , Short Mike , Glover Paul , Van Hoppe Suzan , Smith Alex , Evans Paul , Crouch Simon
Published: January 2019

The diagnosis of chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) remains centered on morphology, meaning that the distinction from a reactive monocytosis is challenging. Mutational analysis and immunophenotyping have been proposed as potential tools for diagnosis; however, they have not been formally assessed in combination. We aimed to investigate the clinical utility of these technologies by performing targeted sequencing, in parallel with current gold standard techniques, on consecutive samples referred for investigation of monocytosis over a 2-year period (N = 283). Results were correlated with the morphological diagnosis and objective outcome measures, including overall survival (OS) and longitudinal blood counts. Somatic mutations were detected in 79% of patients, being invariably identified in those with a confirmed diagnosis (99%) but also in 57% of patients with nondiagnostic bone marrow features. The OS in nondiagnostic mutated patients was indistinguishable from those with CMML (P = .118) and significantly worse than in unmutated patients (P = .0002). On multivariate analysis, age, ASXL1, CBL, DNMT3A, NRAS, and RUNX1 mutations retained significance. Furthermore, the presence of a mutation was associated with a progressive decrease in hemoglobin/platelet levels and increasing monocyte counts compared with mutation-negative patients. Of note, the immunophenotypic features of nondiagnostic mutated patients were comparable to CMML patients, and the presence of aberrant CD56 was highly specific for detecting a mutation. Overall, somatic mutations are detected at high frequency in patients referred with a monocytosis, irrespective of diagnosis. In those without a World Health Organization–defined diagnosis, the mutation spectrum, immunophenotypic features, and OS are indistinguishable from CMML patients, and these patients should be managed as such.
Luspatercept for the treatment of anemia in myelodysplastic syndromes and primary myelofibrosis
Authors: Fenaux Pierre , Kiladjian Jean Jacques , Platzbecker Uwe
Published: January 2019

Anemia of lower-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDSs) and primary myelofibrosis (PMF) generally becomes resistant to available treatments, leading to red blood cell (RBC) transfusions, iron overload, shortened survival, and poor quality of life. The transforming growth factor-β superfamily, including activins and growth differentiation factors (GDFs), is aberrantly expressed in lower-risk MDSs and PMF. Luspatercept (and sotatercept), ligand traps that particularly inhibit GDF11, lead to RBC transfusion independence in 10% to 50% of lower-risk MDSs resistant to available treatments, and have started to be used in PMF.
Low prevalence of substance use in people with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome
Authors: Vingerhoets Claudia , van Oudenaren Mathilde J.F. , Bloemen Oswald J.N. , Boot Erik , van Duin Esther D.A. , Evers Laurens J.M. , Fiksinski Ania M. , Breetvelt Elemi J. , Palmer Lisa D. , Vergaelen Elfi , Vogels Annick , Meijer Carin , Booij Jan ,   Genetic Risk and Outcome of Psychosis (GROUP) investigators, de Haan Liewe , Swillen Ann , Vorstman Jacob A.S. , Bassett Anne S. , van Amelsvoort Therese A.M.J.
Published: January 2019

Background

22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11DS), one of the most common recurrent copy number variant disorders, is associated with dopaminergic abnormalities and increased risk for psychotic disorders.

Aims

Given the elevated prevalence of substance use and dopaminergic abnormalities in non-deleted patients with psychosis, we investigated the prevalence of substance use in 22q11DS, compared with that in non-deleted patients with psychosis and matched healthy controls.

Method

This cross-sectional study involved 434 patients with 22q11DS, 265 non-deleted patients with psychosis and 134 healthy controls. Psychiatric diagnosis, full-scale IQ and COMT Val158Met genotype were determined in the 22q11DS group. Substance use data were collected according to the Composite International Diagnostic Interview.

Results

The prevalence of total substance use (36.9%) and substance use disorders (1.2%), and weekly amounts of alcohol and nicotine use, in patients with 22q11DS was significantly lower than in non-deleted patients with psychosis or controls. Compared with patients with 22q11DS, healthy controls were 20 times more likely to use substances in general (P < 0.001); results were also significant for alcohol and nicotine use separately. Within the 22q11DS group, there was no relationship between the prevalence of substance use and psychosis or COMT genotype. Male patients with 22q11DS were more likely to use substances than female patients with 22q11DS.

Conclusions

The results suggest that patients with 22q11DS are at decreased risk for substance use and substance use disorders despite the increased risk of psychotic disorders. Further research into neurobiological and environmental factors involved in substance use in 22q11DS is necessary to elucidate the mechanisms involved.

Declaration of interest

None.
Essential experimental steps and estimates of renal carcinoma initiating cells.
Authors: Gedye Craig , Sirskyj Danylo , Lobo Nazleen Carol , Hyatt Ella , Evans Andrew , Finelli Antonio , Fleshner Neil Eric , Hamilton Robert James , Kulkarni Girish S. , Robinette Michael , Zlotta Alexandre , Jewett Michael A.S. , Ailles Laurie
Published: January 2019

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Background: Rare cancer stem cells (CSC), proposed to be solely responsible for tumor propagation and re-initiation, are functionally identified as tumor-initiating cells (TIC) from ex vivo tumors using xenotransplantation and clonogenic limiting dilution assays (LDA). TIC have not previously been described from ex vivohuman clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). Methods: Primary human ccRCC samples (n=120) from patients undergoing nephrectomy were processed and implanted as subcapsular fragments or cell suspension injection LDAs with Matrigel in NOD/SCID/IL2Rγ-/- (NSG) mice, and observed for at least 6 months. In vitro clonogenic LDAs assays were performed from primary cell suspensions and ccRCC cell lines. LDAs were supplemented with human stromal cells and proteins, and the Y-26732 ROCK inhibitor. Multiparametric flow cytometry and immunofluorescence were used to investigate tumor heterogeneity and cell viability. Results: ccRCC TIC appeared rare from injected suspensions, but xenografts engrafted frequently from tiny fragments, and clonogenic frequencies were 103-104greater than TIC frequencies, suggesting that LDAs underestimated ccRCC tumor cell potential. We systematically identified multiple methodological steps that distort quantitation and identification of ccRCC TIC. For example cell viability was highly variable prior to processing, disaggregation itself destroyed up to 99% of tumor cells, standard assays substantially overestimated tumor cell viability in suspensions, and supplementation with human extracellular cells or proteins, or inhibition of anoikis by Y-26732 increased clonogenic and TIC frequencies in cell lines and primary ccRCC suspensions. Annexin-V staining revealed that tumor cells were more apoptotic then normal stromal cells, and that tumor cells positive for CD44 (a putative CSC marker) were more viable than CD44- tumor cells. Conclusions: We describe multiple, unappreciated and largely unavoidable observational errors in essential methods used to study TIC in ccRCC. ccRCC TIC may be more common than appreciated. Re-examination of the CSC hypothesis in other solid tumors is warranted in view of these previously unexplored methodological biases.
“In Case I Die Where I Am Selected to Be Sent”: Coercion and the Tlaxcalan Resettlement of 1591
Authors: Jeffres Travis
Published: January 2019

The Tlaxcalans famously aided Hernando Cortés’s overthrow of the Aztec Empire and provided large numbers of allies in Spain’s subsequent American conquests. In 1591 nearly one thousand Tlaxcalans were resettled along New Spain’s war-torn frontier in an effort to pacify northern peoples known as Chichimecs. Historians have cast them as eager volunteers and interpreted the campaign as another example of Tlaxcala’s distinguished colonial service. However, records written by Tlaxcalans in their own language (Nahuatl) reveal that the mission met a furious resistance and that many of the settlers were coerced. The resettlement also attended a period of decline in the province and coincided with administrators’ efforts to undermine its privileges and subordinate its people alongside other indios in New Spain. Reconstructing the sociopolitical context and incorporating native texts, this article considers the resettlement from a Tlaxcalan perspective and sheds new light on the experiences of indigenous allies in the colonial Americas.
Putting VE-cadherin into JAIL for junction remodeling
Authors: Cao Jiahui , Schnittler Hans
Published: January 2019

Junction dynamics of endothelial cells are based on the integration of signal transduction, cytoskeletal remodeling and contraction, which are necessary for the formation and maintenance of monolayer integrity, but also enable repair and regeneration. The VE-cadherin–catenin complex forms the molecular basis of the adherence junctions and cooperates closely with actin filaments. Several groups have recently described small actin-driven protrusions at the cell junctions that are controlled by the Arp2/3 complex, contributing to cell junction regulation. We identified these protrusions as the driving force for VE-cadherin dynamics, as they directly induce new VE-cadherin-mediated adhesion sites, and have accordingly referred to these structures as junction-associated intermittent lamellipodia (JAIL). JAIL extend over only a few microns and thus provide the basis for a subcellular regulation of adhesion. The local (subcellular) VE-cadherin concentration and JAIL formation are directly interdependent, which enables autoregulation. Therefore, this mechanism can contribute a subcellularly regulated adaptation of cell contact dynamics, and is therefore of great importance for monolayer integrity and relative cell migration during wound healing and angiogenesis, as well as for inflammatory responses. In this Review, we discuss the mechanisms and functions underlying these actin-driven protrusions and consider their contribution to the dynamic regulation of endothelial cell junctions.
Nocebo as a source of bias in the assessment of treatment effect
Authors: Wartolowska Karolina
Published: January 2019

The term nocebo refers to the worse outcomes or side effects experienced by patients as a result of their negative expectations regarding a treatment. It may distort estimates of treatment effectiveness and safety in both clinical trials and clinical practice; moreover, it may cause discontinuation of therapy or drop out from a trial.

Nocebo effect is evoked by the information given to patients during a clinical consultation or during enrolment into a study, but information available from the media or the Internet may also play an important role. In research settings, a trial design may introduce bias from the nocebo effect. For example, if the non-treatment group is unblinded and aware that they are not receiving any treatment, their treatment expectations are not met, which results in worse outcomes, and subsequently, the problems that the trial was supposed to investigate may be enhanced in the non-treatment arm.

Nocebo effect is common, and its magnitude may be large, but it receives less attention and research focus than the placebo effect. Unlike the placebo effect, which is usually taken into consideration while interpreting treatment results and controlled for in clinical trials, the nocebo effect is under-recognised by clinical researchers as well as clinicians.

It is important to recognise and any potential nocebo effect must be considered while assessing the effect of treatment and should be minimised through careful choice and phrasing of treatment-related information given to the patients.
Cutaneous neonatal Langerhans cell histiocytosis: a systematic review of case reports
Authors: Venning Victoria , Yhao Evelyn , Huynh Elizabeth , Frew John W.
Published: January 2019

Background:Cutaneous langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a rare disorder characterized by proliferation of cells with phenotypical characteristics of Langerhans cells. Although some cases spontaneously resolve, no consistent variables have been identified that predict which cases will manifest with systemic disease later in childhood.

Methods:A systematic review (Pubmed, Embase, Cochrane database and all published abstracts from 1946-2018) was undertaken to collate all reported cases of cutaneous LCH in the international literature. This study was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42016051952). Descriptive statistics and correlation analyses were undertaken. Bias was analyzed according to GRADE criteria.

Results:A total of 83 articles encompassing 128 cases of cutaneous LCH were identified. Multiple lesions were weakly associated with an increased length of survival (R=0.304 (p<0.05)), Worse prognosis was associated with internal organ involvement with a statistically significant chi squared statistic (χ2=14.96, 2DF p<0.001) and an elevated odds ratio ((OR)= 12.30 95% CI=2.67-56.74). Vesicular lesions (OR=10.8 95% CI=2.83-41.26), but not ulceration (OR=0.53 95% CI 0.12-2.05) were associated with greater risk of mortality.

Conclusions:Congenital and neonatal LCH most commonly presents as multiple lesions in multiple anatomical sites at birth. Significant differences, including the associations of mortality with lesion morphology and number were seen in this neonatal cohort compared to overall pediatric LCH. These findings require validation in a large prospective cohort.
The Dynamics of Appellations in《陆犯焉识》 (Prisoner Lu Yanshi)
Authors: Weihong Zhu
Published: January 2019

This study is an attempt at combining James Phelan’s rhetorical approach to narrative, particularly his theory of narrative progression, and Nie Zhenzhao’s theory of the Sphinx factor. It takes as its subject of study the appellations of the protagonist in 《陆犯焉识》(Prisoner Lu Yanshi, 2011) by Yan Geling, a major overseas Chinese female writer. It delineates how the narrative progression of the novel is governed by the dynamics of Lu Yanshi’s varied appellations which are bound with varied ethical identities and ethical duties. It argues that the varied appellations serve as the instabilities of the narrative. At the story level, the protagonist transforms from a proud saint to a humble human being, as a result of the discovery of his animal factor which comes to the surface under extreme circumstances. At the level of discourse, circuitous narration and double focalizations create tensions between the protagonist’s understanding of and readers’ responses to the ethical implications of the appellations, thus helping the readers to see the ethical message conveyed by the novel – a complete human consists of both the human factor and the animal factor; he is defective when solely controlled by either of them.
On the issue of the personal and professional development of civil servants in the system of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia
Authors: Кожанов Ержанат , Kozhanov Erzhanat , Мальцева Татьяна , Maltseva Tatyana
Published: January 2019

The article reveals the relevance of the research of personal and professional development of civil servants in the system of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia It analyzes the leading approaches to the development of the problem of personal and professional development that have developed in foreign and domestic psychology, which allows us to state the following: personal and professional development should be considered as part of a person’s life, as a specific form of development in the process of professionalization and individualization due to external determinants and internal activity of the individual.
Gender identity in schizophrenia
Authors: Stusiński Jarosław , Lew-Starowicz Michal
Published: December 2018

Sprawdzenie w jaki sposób osoby chorujące na schizofrenię przeżywają siebie w kontekście płci i jaki wpływ ma to na ich funkcjonowanie. Przegląd literatury dostępnej w PubMed, PsycNET i Google Scholar. Zgłębianie problematyki tożsamości płci w schizofrenii powinno uwzględniać wymiar zarówno osobisty, jak i społeczny funkcjonowania chorych. Badania nad wewnętrzną tożsamością płci nastręczają licznych trudności i nie dostarczyły dotąd wiarygodnych konkluzji. Pewne przesłanki pozwalają zakładać częstsze niż w populacji ogólnej występowanie dysforii płci wśród osób chorujących na schizofrenię oraz częstsze występowanie cech schizoidalnych i schizotypowych wśród osób z dysforią płci. Część chorych doświadcza objawów wytwórczych dotyczących zmiany płci. Dane na temat roli płciowej w schizofrenii wskazują, że pacjenci różnią się od populacji ogólnej w zakresie cech typowo kobiecych i męskich. Może to generować trudności adaptacyjne i negatywnie wpływać na interakcje społeczne, zwłaszcza w przypadku chorujących mężczyzn. Dotychczasowe doniesienia wskazują na swoiste trudności w sferze tożsamości płciowej wśród osób chorujących na schizofrenię.
Sexual preferences and associated disorders: toward an extended model for description
Authors: Zielona-Jenek Monika
Published: December 2018

Pojęcie preferencji seksualnych człowieka odnosi się do względnie stałych wzorców reagowania seksualnego i kierowania zachowań seksualnych ku określonym bodźcom pobudzającym, ważnym także dla satysfakcji seksualnej. Preferencje dotyczyć mogą cech obiektu, jak również samej czynności seksualnej. Diagnozowanie preferencji seksualnych odbywa się, w podstawowym zakresie, przy użyciu kryteriów zaburzeń określonych w klasyfikacjach diagnostycznych takich jak ICD-10 czy DSM 5. I choć posłużenie się tymi kryteriami pozwala na przyporządkowanie preferencji seksualnych pacjenta do obszaru zdrowia lub choroby, wydaje się jednak dalece niewystarczające do pełnego opisu możliwej złożoności indywidualnego wzorca zainteresowań seksualnych.
Celem artykułu jest przedstawienie uszczegółowionego, dymensonalnego modelu opisu preferencji seksualnych. Propozycja ta zakłada opis dwóch aspektów preferencji: aspektu treściowego, określającego indywidualną hierarchię bodźców seksualnie atrakcyjnych i awersyjnych oraz aspektu formalnego. Ten ostatni obejmuje cztery wymiary: zakres różnorodności bodźców mieszczących się we wzorcu zainteresowań seksualnych pacjenta, zmienność preferencji w czasie, spójność pomiędzy poszczególnymi komponentami reagowania na bodźce seksualne oraz wgląd we własne preferencje. Zaproponowany model ma za zadanie uzupełniać podstawowy opis preferencji seksualnych dokonywany w oparciu o obowiązujące kryteria zaburzeń. Stanowić ma narzędzie pomocne w praktyce diagnostycznej, przede wszystkim w precyzyjnym określaniu różnorodności problemów pacjentów związanych z cechami ich seksualnych zainteresowań. Może także stać się inspiracją dla nowych badań nad mniej eksplorowanymi dotąd właściwościami wzorców zainteresowań seksualnych.
Sertraline – isolation methods and quantitation in biological material
Authors: Dziurkowska Ewelina , Wesolowski Marek
Published: December 2018

Sertralina (SRT) jest nowoczesnym i stosunkowo bezpiecznym selektywnym inhibitorem wychwytu zwrotnego serotoniny często stosowanym w terapii depresji. Monitorowanie poziomu leku i jego aktywnego metabolitu, N-demetylosertraliny (DSRT), w organizmie pacjenta umożliwia optymalizację dawkowania i personalizację leczenia, a ponadto ma szczególne znaczenie w przypadku nasilonych działań niepożądanych lub braku reakcji organizmu na zastosowaną terapię. Z tych powodów istotną kwestią jest dysponowanie szybkimi, czułymi i wiarygodnymi metodami analitycznymi umożliwiającymi oznaczenie SRT i DSRT w materiale diagnostycznym, tj. we krwi, osoczu, moczu i ślinie, a ponadto w materiale biologicznym pochodzącym od osób zmarłych. Pożądana jest duża różnorodność metod analitycznych i materiału diagnostycznego z uwagi na konieczność oznaczenia zarówno całkowitego poziomu leku (analiza krwi), jak również niezwiązanego z białkami (analiza śliny i moczu). Z tego względu dokonano szczegółowego przeglądu piśmiennictwa traktującego o sposobach izolacji SRT i DSRT z materiału biologicznego i technikach analitycznych wykorzystywanych do ich oznaczania. Scharakteryzowano takie procedury ekstrakcyjne, jak ekstrakcja i mikroekstrakcja do fazy stałej oraz ekstrakcja od fazy ciekłej. Zwracano szczególną uwagę na parametry uwzględniane podczas optymalizacji ekstrakcji, tj. wpływ pH, rodzaju rozpuszczalnika oraz składu mieszaniny rozpuszczalników na proces przemywania różnych rodzajów sorbentów (hydrofobowych, hydrofilowo-lipofilowych, jonowymiennych) oraz wymywania analitów. Wskazano na wady i zalety technik ekstrakcyjnych, uwzględniając wydajność i precyzję ekstrakcji. Omówiono też precypitację białek jako jeden z nowszych sposobów oczyszczania próbek. Przedstawiając techniki końcowego oznaczania, tj. HPLC, LC, GC, zwrócono uwagę na znaczenia detektora (UV, azotowo-fosforanowy, MS), jako podstawowego elementu decydującego o czułości wyrażanej jako granice wykrywalności i oznaczalności osiągane daną metodą.
Editorial
Authors: Dudek Dominika , Sobański Jerzy , Klasa Katarzyna
Published: December 2018

bez streszczenia
Cost Sharing in Zambia’s Public Universities: Prospects and Challenges
Authors: Masaiti Gift , Shen Hong
Published: December 2018

This research paper explores the concept of ‘cost sharing’ which became more prominent in Zambia education with the advent of democratic form of governance in 1991. As a way of responding to the ever diminishing tax revenues, government through the education policy of 1996, allowed higher education institutions including public universities to introduce cost sharing as way of improving financial vibrancy, accountability and cost effectiveness. This paper therefore, uses students’ perceptions to examine the cost sharing policy which has now been existence for almost two decades. More specifically, it explores underlying factors which can make cost sharing more effective and sustainable. In exploring these prospects and challenges, a self administered questionnaire based on convenient sampling was used to collect data from 729 respondents in Zambia’s three biggest public universities. The findings revealed that the current cost sharing policy was appropriate but lacked the government support in its implementation. The study further highlighted the need for re-engineering the current policy by providing details on the implementation process. The study highly recommends that a true cost-sharing model be implemented in an effort towards making public universities more effective and sustainable.
Examination of Self-Efficacy and Burnout Dynamics of Preschool Teachers in Turkey and the United States
Authors: Orcan Maide
Published: December 2018

This study aimed to comparatively examine the self-efficacy and burnout levels of preschool teachers in Turkey and the United States. Of the general screening models, the study uses the relational screening model. A total of 90 teachers participated in the study. 32 of the participants were from the United States and 58 were from Turkey. The Teacher Self-Efficacy Scale and Burnout Scale were used in the study. The data were analyzed through the Whitney U-Test. According to the analyses regarding the self-efficacy levels of teachers, a significant difference in student participation sub-dimension as well as in total points in favor of the teachers in Turkey were found. However, no significant difference was found between the two countries with regards to teachers’ burnout levels. Regarding the self-efficacy levels of teachers working in Turkey, a significant difference was found in favor of teachers with two to five years of experience in the student participation sub-dimension, while no significant difference was found in the other sub-dimensions and in total points. On the other hand, no significant difference was determined was found between the self-efficacy levels and years of experience for the teachers in the United States.
Brisk Attitude and Optimism: Top Workers’ Childhood Experiences Forming the Basis of Success at Work
Authors: Uusiautti Satu , Määttä Kaarina
Published: December 2018

This study focused on the phenomenon of success at work asking whether it would be possible to find factors from top workers’ children and school experiences that would explain their later success. This study was a part of a larger research in which Finnish top workers, employees of the year, who have been selected as successful professionals of their field in Finland were researched. This article focuses on the narrative data collected through qualitative interviews. In this article, their childhood and adolescence experiences were analyzed in order to find out whether successful development could be enhanced already in early phases of life. This study employed the narrative interview method through which top workers were asked to reminisce their childhood and adolescence experiences. What factors have supported their success and how have they coped with adversities in life? According to the results, the most important key to success at work adopted from home was caring upbringing as parents did not set any ambitious goals for success for their children but made the children think about their future and have an optimistic attitude to life. The role of careers counseling at school was also discussed. Analyzing these factors is important if aiming at helping people’s chances of finding an occupation they fit and in which they can use their talents. Experiences and events taking place in childhood and adolescence can be crucial, or at least, direct people in a right direction.
Pre-service Teachers’ Opinions about the Use of 21st Century Learner and 21st Century Teacher Skills
Authors: Tican Canses , Deniz Sabahattin
Published: December 2018

The purpose of the current study is to determine pre-service teachers’ opinions about 21st century learner and teacher skills. The study group of the current research is comprised of 391 senior students from an education faculty. As the data collection tool, the 21st century Learner Skills Use Questionnaire and 21st Century Teacher Skills Use Questionnaire were employed. In the analysis of the collected data, frequencies, percentages, arithmetic means, independent samples t-Test, One-Way Anova, Correlation, Mann Whitney-U, Kruskal Wallis techniques were used. The findings of the study revealed that the pre-service teachers’ opinions about 21st century learner and teacher skills vary significantly depending on the variables of gender, department attended, academic achievement, experience of private tutoring and practicum teaching (doing practicum teaching at elementary and secondary schools). As a result, it was concluded that the pre-service teachers are ready for using 21st century learner skills (cognitive skills, autonomous skills, collaboration and flexibility skills, innovativeness skills) and teacher skills (administrative skills, technopedagogical skills, affirmative skills, flexible teaching skills, generative skills). However, it was also found that the pre-service teachers were not able to make enough use of learner and teacher skills during their practicum teaching at schools. Moreover, a positive, medium and significant correlation was found between 21st century learner skills and 21st century teacher skills.
Experiences of Prospective Physical Education Teachers on Active Gaming within the Context of School-Based Physical Activity
Authors: Yuksel Hidayet Suha
Published: December 2018

The present study aims to explore the experiences of prospective physical education teachers on active gaming. The study, which used qualitative case study design enrolled 2 prospective physical education teachers (1 male, 1 female) who were included in extracurricular activities and physical education classes in 2015-2016 academic year. For data collection, semi-structured interview forms, diaries and extended field notes were used. For data analysis, the content analysis method was used: following the transcription process, coding was performed in two categories and themes and sub-themes were created that reflect common codes. The findings have revealed that according to prospective teachers, active gaming ensures active participation of students and facilitates classroom management in physical education classes, which, in turn contributes to the learning environment where every student can participate. It also has been found that active gaming in the extracurricular activities contributes to the arousal of the initial participation desire in students, and establishment of an environment suitable for the improvement of physical competence. According to prospective teachers, active gaming should be used not in every part, but in certain parts of classes or of extracurricular activities.
Investigation of the Effect of the Integration of Arduino to Electrical Experiments on Students' Attitudes towards Technology and ICT by the Mixed Method
Authors: Bulus Esma , Basaran Billur
Published: December 2018

In this research, After I have realized some technological applications in the course of general physics laboratory II of the science teacher program, this research aims to examine the effects of the students' attitudes towards technology and the information of the communication technology (ICT) with the mixed method. For this application, after the introduction of Arduino was done, it was used as a measuring instrument in the laboratory; it also used the Fritzing program for circuit diagrams and the e-support system for sending poster studies. The research was carried out with the 50 first-year students of the department of science education at Kocaeli University. In this study, the attitude scales toward technology and ICT were used to collect the quantitative data, and a semi-structured interview form was used to collect the qualitative data. For the quantitative analyses in the study, “t-Test for Dependent Groups” and “A Two-Way ANOVA was used for Complex Measurements”, for the qualitative analyses, “Descriptive Analysis” was used. The two analyses were combined according to the mixed method research model and interpreted. The results of the research showed that technological applications in the physics of the laboratory such as using arduino, fritzing program, and poster studies have a significant effect on the attitudes of students in the study group toward technology and ICT, and it was supported by the qualitative research.
In Situ Atomic Force Microscopy Studies of the Effect of Indolicidin on E.coli Cells
Authors: Fojan Peter
Published: December 2018

E.coli cells were succesfully attached to both gelatin coated surfaces andpolylactic acid honeycomb patterned mica surfaces as determined by in situatomic force microscopy. The gelatin coated surfaces provided a softer supportonto which the E.coli cells were capable of slightly submerging leading to abetter adhesion compared to the harder surfaces consisting of polylactic acidpolymer surfaces. After continuous scanning in liquid media, the E.coli cellsremained rod shaped and smooth. Indolicidin, a 13-AA linear antimicrobialpeptide, was injected in order to visualize the peptide-membrane interac-tions in real time. Instantly after the injection of the peptides, the bacterialmembranes were observed to be distorted and seemed to melt proceeding as afunction of time. In conclusion, these experiments proved that the E.coli cellswere not ruptured as could be expected due to pore formation and disruptionof the osmotic pressure. This indicates a possible intracellular target killingmechanism of indolicidin interacting with E.coli cells.
Weight distribution of a class of cyclic codes of length $2^n$
Authors: SİNGH Manjit , BATRA Sudhir
Published: December 2018

Let $\mathbb{F}_q$ be a finite field with $q$ elements and $n$ be a positive integer. In this paper, we determine the weight distribution of a class cyclic codes of length $2^n$ over $\mathbb{F}_q$ whose parity check polynomials are either binomials or trinomials with $2^l$ zeros over $\mathbb{F}_q$, where integer $l\ge 1$. In addition, constant weight and two-weight linear codes are constructed when $q\equiv3\pmod 4$.
A variação sociolinguística de /t, d/ diante de /i/ em Seabra (BA)
Authors: Moreira Ribeiro Marana De Almeida , Paim Marcela Moura Torres
Published: January 2019

Esta pesquisa investiga a palatalização das consoantes oclusivas dentoalveolares /t/ e /d/ diante da vogal alta /i/, em posição tônica ou átona, como dia; mandioca, e nos casos em que essa vogal resulta da elevação do /E/ em posição átona final, como em tarde, noite. Do ponto de vista metodológico, os dados coletados foram extraídos dos questionários fonético-fonológico (QFF) e semântico-lexical (QSL) do Projeto Atlas Linguístico do Brasil (COMITÊ NACIONAL, 2001) aplicados no interior da Bahia, mais precisamente na cidade de Seabra. Para tanto, consideram-se quatro informantes nascidos e criados na localidade, com pais e cônjuges com esse mesmo perfil, pertencentes a duas faixas etárias (uma de 18 a 30 anos e outra de 50 a 65 anos). O fator social escolaridade não é considerado devido ao método estabelecido pelo projeto, que só registra indivíduos com ensino universitário completo e fundamental incompleto nas capitais, enquanto que nos interiores – objeto dessa pesquisa – há, apenas, o registro de indivíduos com ensino fundamental incompleto. De acordo com os pressupostos teórico-metodológicos da Sociolinguística Variacionista, foram controladas as variáveis sociais sexo e faixa etária. Totalizam-se 160 (cento e sessenta)dados analisados quantitativamente, nessa investigação.PALAVRAS-CHAVE: Variação; Sociolinguística; Palatalização; Consoantes dentoalveolares.
A implementação de a gente não sujeito no sertão alagoano
Authors: Silva José Manoel Siqueira da , Vitório Elyne Giselle de Santana Lima Aguiar
Published: January 2019

No presente estudo, interessamo-nos em estudar a implementação de a gente nas funções de não sujeito na fala de sertanejos alagoanos. Assim, observamos a alternância entre nós e a gente pronomes, levando em consideração as funções de acusativo, dativo, (oblíquo) complemento e (oblíquo) adjunto. Ainda, procuramos saber qual a frequência de uso de cada forma, quais fatores sociais e/ou linguísticos condicionam o uso da variável e, por fim, questionar se estamos diante de uma variação estável ou uma mudança em curso. Baseado nisso, o presente trabalho leva em consideração o que é proposto pela Teoria da Variação e Mudança Linguística (LABOV, 2008), associados aos estudos de Lopes (2002, 2004), Ramos, Bezerra & Rocha (2009), Vianna & Lopes (2012, 2013), Vitório (2017). Os dados analisados foram extraídos a partir do banco de dados do Projeto A Língua Usada no Sertão Alagoano (LUSA) e rodados no programa computacional GoldVarb X. Após a análise dos dados, concluímos que, embora haja a variação pronominal nas funções estudadas, o pronome conservador encontra-se com um maior índice de realização, havendo pouca realização do a gente e que essa variação é condicionada apenas por fatores internos, além de apresentar uma variação estável.
A Sociolinguística Educacional na formação do professor: crenças e atitudes linguísticas de acadêmicos de Letras
Authors: Ribeiro Thiago Leonardo , Ramos Pinto Vera Maria
Published: January 2019

Os documentos oficiais de ensino, como os Parâmetros Curriculares Nacionais (PCN/1998), orientam que o ensino de língua portuguesa nas salas de aula deve levar em consideração a abordagem da variação linguística juntamente com o ensino da gramática normativa. Desse modo, é necessário que os professores de Língua Portuguesa (LP) tenham consciência da diversidade da nossa língua e conheçam a realidade linguística dos seus alunos, para não possibilitar a eles apenas o conhecimento da norma padrão. Diante disso, com base em estudos teórico-metodológicos de Bortoni-Ricardo (2004, 2005), Cyranka (2007, 2014, 2015, 2016), Coelho et al (2010, 2015), Faraco (2008, 2015), Lambert e Lambert (1972), Gómez Molina (1987), Santos (1996), entre outros, neste artigo, apresentamos  as crenças e atitudes linguísticas de acadêmicos que ingressam nos cursos de Letras  sobre a visão do ensino de Língua Portuguesa, sobretudo, no que diz respeito à abordagem da variação linguística nas aulas de LP, com base na pesquisa de doutorado de Pinto (2018), cuja tese defendida é a de que, na formação inicial do docente de Letras, além do conhecimento teórico-científico e metodológico sobre e como lidar com a variação linguística no contexto escolar, é preciso que os professores sejam mediadores na construção da consciência linguística desses futuros docentes.
Hard facts, soft measures: Gender, quality and inequality debates in Danish film and television in the 2010s
Authors: Redvall Eva Novrup , Sørensen Inge Ejbye
Published: January 2019

This article investigates discussions about gender, quality and equality in Danish film and television in the 2010s. Contrary to Sweden, where gender diversity has been part of public debate and formal screen policy since the 2000s, there was little discussion of gender in the Danish screen industry until the Danish Film Institute (DFI) began focusing on diversity as a priority area before the Film Strategy for 2015–18. The article analyses how both DFI and industry players have continuously argued against gender quotas, instead opting for soft measures such as ‘gender declarations’ and initiatives to raise awareness. One of these initiatives was a manifesto, ManusFestet, that used humour to raise questions about gender representation on-screen. The article discusses how a balance between hard facts and soft measures seems to be experienced as a constructive way forward, as long as this combination does in fact facilitate the intended change.
Moral crusades in the East: Swedish filmmakers ‘going abroad to do good’
Authors: Hedling Olof
Published: January 2019

The article is an attempt to identify some common themes in a body of work while at the same time regarding Sweden as especially conducive to pessimism regarding the decline in the moral economy of the world. Ever since the collapse of the Soviet Union and the newfound independence of the Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, Swedish filmmakers have repeatedly crossed the Baltic in search of subject matter not readily available in the supposedly well-ordered domestic setting. In these films, the former communist territories have almost invariably been imagined as marked by malaise, decay, a crumbling infrastructure and as destinations for sex tourism. Social security is undercut, poverty is rampant and phenomena such as prostitution, trafficking, drug use and child abandonment all seem to be on the rise. A famous example is Lukas Moodysson’s 2002 film Lilya 4-ever, the story of an abandoned teenage girl from the former Eastern bloc, who is manipulated into coming to Sweden as an involuntary sex worker. However, Moodysson’s film does not stand alone, but rather shares certain characteristics with other works exploring the Baltic connection.