bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Η κριτική του Παναγιώτη Κονδύλη στη θεωρία του επικοινωνιακού πράττειν του Jürgen Habermas
Authors: Τσίρος Νικόλαος
Published: October 2017

Το άρθρο παρουσιάζει την κριτική του Παναγιώτη Κονδύλη στη θεωρία της επικοινωνιακής δράσης του Jürgen Habermas. Η κριτική αυτή αναφέρεται τόσο στην επιστημολογία όσο και στο περιεχόμενο της θεωρίας του γερμανού φιλόσοφου. Επισημαίνονται εκείνα τα σημεία που καθιστούν ευάλωτη τη χαμπερμασιανή επιχειρηματολογία λόγω της απουσίας ουσιωδών ανθρωπολογικών προϋποθέσεων. Παράλληλα, σκιαγραφείται η περιγραφική θεωρία της απόφασης του Κονδύλη και η «κοινωνιοντολογία» του, ως απόπειρα ερμηνείας της κοινωνικής σχέσης. Συμπερασματικά, επισημαίνονται τα θεωρητικά πλεονεκτήματα αλλά και τα μειονεκτήματα της ανάλυσης των δύο κορυφαίων στοχαστών.
Ευταξία και αυτονομία στην πολιτική και την κοινωνική θεωρία
Authors: Μπάλλιας Στάθης
Published: October 2017

Στο άρθρο αυτό εξετάζεται το πρόβλημα της ευταξίας στον Hobbes, καθώς και η κριτική που του άσκησε ο Parsons, ο οποίος αντιπρότει- νε ως πλαίσιο θεμελίωοής της το ηθικο-κανονιστικό σύστημα (την πολιτισμική παράδοση). Εντούτοις, το ίδιο το διάβημα του Parsons εγγράφεται σε μια «κοινωνιολογική παράδοση», η οποία θέτει το ζήτημα της ευταξίας σε μια λογική οργανικού τύπου -λογική που, από μια σκοπιά, χαρακτηρίζει και τον χώρο της πολιτικής θεωρίας. Ωστόσο, αυτή η οργανική λογική, επειδή ακριβώς εκτυλίσσεται στο «σύμπαν της νεωτερικότητας», διαφέρει από την κλασική οργανική αντίληψη, στον βαθμό που ενσωματώνει μια ιδέα της αυτονομίας που θεμελιώνεται στη «μεταφυσική του υποκειμένου», η οποία, όμως, εφόσον αναδεικνύει μια αυτάρκη ατομικότητα, συνδέεται με την «ηθικο-κανονιστική κρίση της νεωτερικότητας». Στο σημείο αυτό εξετάζεται η δυνατότητα υπέρβασης αυτής της κρίσης και η θεμελίωση της ευταξίας σε έναν μη μεταφυσικό ουμανισμό μέσω της κριτικής αξιολόγησης της παράδοσης, στο πλαίσιο και με τη διαμεσολάβηση της οποίας μπορεί να διασωθεί η αυτονομία του υποκειμένου.
Η αυταρχική θεωρία της πολιτικής και το πρόβλημα των αξιών (C. Schmitt)
Authors: Ψυχοπαίδης Κοσμάς
Published: October 2017

[Δεν διατίθεται περίληψη / no abstract available]
Ο ρόλος των υποεθνικών δρώντων στην Ε.Ε.: θεωρητικές αντιπαραθέσεις και εμπειρικές εκτιμήσεις
Authors: Ανδρέου Γιώργος
Published: October 2017

Το άρθρο αξιολογεί την κινητικότητα των ευρωπαϊκών περιφερειακών και τοπικιόν όρώντων υπό το φως της αντιπαράθεσης ανάμεσα στη φιλελεύθερη διακυβερνητική θεωρία και τη σχολή της πολυεπίπεδης διακυβέρνησης. Δύο (φαινομενικά) ανταγωνιστικές θεωρητικές υποθέσεις γύρω από τη σημασία και τις συνέπειες της υποεθνικής κινητοποίησης αντιπαραβάλλονται με τα διαθέσιμα εμπειρικά στοιχεία. Αντίθετα με τις προσδοκίες των εκφραστών της πολυεπίπεδης διακυβέρνησης, αποκαλύπτεται ότι η αύξηση της υποεθνικής συμμετοχής δεν συνεπάγεται πάντοτε αύξηση της υποεθνικής επιρροής. Επιπλέον, σε ορισμένες περιπτώσεις, και παρά την αυξανόμενη υπο- εθνική συμμετοχή, οι εθνικές κυβερνήσεις έχουν αναλάβει έναν ρόλο «ευέλικτου διαμεσολαβητή», που είναι πλήρως συμβατός με τη δια-κυβερνητική άποψη. Ωστόσο, η συνολική εικόνα είναι πιο σύνθετη: στην πράξη, τύποι διακυβέρνησης με τα χαρακτηριστικά ώριμων δικτύων πολιτικής συνυπάρχουν με παραδοσιακά διακυβερνητικά δίκτυα, ενώ η σχετική σημασία των δύο τύπων δικτύων ποικίλλει ανάλογα με τον τόπο και τον χρόνο.
Η εκπροσώπηση των εργοδοτικών/επιχειρηματικών οργανώσεων. Οι εθνικές οργανώσεις στη δυναμική της ευρωπαϊκής ολοκλήρωσης
Authors: Αρανίτου Βάλια
Published: October 2017

Αντικείμενο του άρθρου αυτού είναι η διερεύνηση της δυναμικής που αναπτύσσεται ανάμεσα στις εθνικές εργοδοτικές οργανώσεις και στις αντίστοιχες υπερεθνικές οργανώσεις που, ως γνωστόν, δραστηριοποιούνται στο πλαίσιο της ε.ε. Σε αντίθεση με όσα έχουν κατά καιρούς υποστηριχθεί, οι υπερεθνικές οργανώσεις των εργοδοτών δεν έχουν υποκαταστήσει τις εθνικές. Η δυναμική της ευρωπαϊκής αρχιτεκτονικής, ωστόσο, δεν έχει αφήσει ανεπηρέαστες τις εργοδοτικές ενώσεις σε εθνικό επίπεδο. Διαμορφώνεται για τις ευρωπαϊκές εργοδοτικές οργανώσεις ένα πλαίσιο δράσης που θα μπορούσε να περιγράφει ως «τεχνητός νεοκορπορατισμός», αφού αυτές φαίνεται να συμμετέχουν σε μια «από τα πάνω» προσπάθεια λειτουργίας τους ως νομιμοποιητικού μηχανισμού.
Christos J. Paraskevopoulos, Interpreting convergence in the European Union. Patterns of collective action, social learning and Europeanization
Authors: Σπανού Καλλιόπη
Published: October 2017

[Δεν διατίθεται περίληψη / no abstract available]
“Blaming, shaming, humiliation”: Stigmatising medical interactions among people with non-epileptic seizures
Authors: Robson Catherine , Lian Olaug S.
Published: October 2017

Background: People with non-epileptic seizures (NES) describe challenging relationships with health professionals, and explain negative interactions as common and expected. Despite these difficulties, little is known about how people with NES experience difficult healthcare encounters.

Methods: Using a thematic discourse analysis approach, we analysed the free-text survey responses of 135 people with NES and asked: what kind of challenges do people living with this condition encounter when interacting with health professionals, and how do they experience the consequences of difficult interactions? We explore their experiences by interpreting the latent meaning of participants’ texts from a social-constructionist perspective on health and illness.

Results: The overarching narrative depicts a fundamental breakdown in patient-provider relationships. According to our data, the negative experiences of study participants emerge from more than practitioners’ lack of awareness of NES and access to information about the condition - to the extent that it is available. In examining the challenges people with NES encounter when interacting with health professionals, their main experiences centre on blame and humiliation. When exploring their experiences, theories of stigma serve as a useful theoretical framework.

Conclusions: Normative judgements arising from psychogenic understandings of NES are stigmatising and restrict professional displays of respectful (patient-centred) care. Those with the condition depict being negatively stereotyped, illegitimated and held morally culpable by health professionals. Perceived to lack medical, moral and credible status, participants describe practitioners who treat them with disrespect, and some recount conduct that defies all ethical and professional obligations and standards. These encounters can have wide-ranging adverse consequences for patients: emotionally, physically, and for their future healthcare. The quality of healthcare interactions for people with NES requires urgent improvements. In addition to increased awareness of the condition, practitioners need to be conscious of making and acting on adverse moral appraisals when interacting with this patient group.
‘Look who’s got a case of dark prince envy’: Dracula, televisuality and the golden age(s) of TV horror
Authors: Abbott Stacey
Published: October 2017

While Dracula’s presence within the cinema has fuelled extensive scholarship, little attention has been played to his role within television. Where television adaptations are discussed, the analyses are primarily removed from their televisual contexts or discussed as anachronistic, their televisuality used to reaffirm the notion that within a world of modern horrors, Dracula is not scary any more. In contrast, this article examines the relationship between Dracula and television with a specific focus upon Dracula’s contribution to a changing landscape of televisual horror. The article focuses its analysis upon two key periods of TV horror – 1950s–1970s and post-2000 – examining the role that Dracula plays on TV and considering how it embodies the increasingly provocative nature of horror. It examines the role that Dracula plays within children’s, family and prestige drama. It considers how Dracula adaptations interrogate the uncanniness of the televisual medium. It examines the impact of the seeming over-familiarization of Stoker’s Count by challenging the perception that this familiarity has neutered Dracula as an icon of horror. Instead the article argues that television offers a space in which Dracula continues to function as horror, destabilizing questions of normality and the comforts of quality television programming.
[Recensão a] Borges, Anselmo (2016). Deus. Religiões. (In)Felicidade
Authors: Marques Maria Beatriz Moscoso
Published: October 2017

https://doi.org/10.14195/0870-4112_3-3_13
Vestígios para um amanhã
Authors: Gomes Sérgio Alexandre
Published: October 2017

Neste texto pretendemos contribuir para a discussão sobre como no estudo do passado se pode proporcionar uma oportunidade de trabalhar nas condições do futuro. A partir das propostas da arqueologia simétrica, vamos enfatizar o modo como uma práxis guiada pelo princípio da simetria e uma atitude de compreensão permitem o surgimento de pontos de vista que resistem aos imperativos disciplinares. Estes pontos de vista permitem produzir um registo arqueológico desalinhado da direção inicial de pesquisa. No seu desalinhamento, o registo arqueológico transforma-se num foco de resistência para reabrir as possibilidades da disciplina participar na configuração das possibilidades do futuro.
Evaluating Well-Formedness Constraints on Incomplete Models
Authors: Semeráth Oszkár , Varró Dániel
Published: October 2017

In modern modeling tools used for model-driven development, the validation of several well-formedness constraints is continuously been carried out by exploiting advanced graph query engines to highlight conceptual design aws. However, while models are still under development, they are frequently par- tial and incomplete. Validating constraints on incomplete, partial models may identify a large number of irrelevant problems. By switching o the val- idation of these constraints, one may fail to reveal problematic cases which are dicult to correct when the model becomes suciently detailed. Here, we propose a novel validation technique for evaluating well-formed- ness constraints on incomplete, partial models with may and must semantics, e.g. a constraint without a valid match is satisable if there is a completion of the partial model that may satisfy it. To this end, we map the problem of constraint evaluation over partial models into regular graph pattern matching over complete models by semantically equivalent rewrites of graph queries.
Prediction of RoHCv1 and RoHCv2 Compressor Utilities for VoIP
Authors: Tömösközi Máté , Seeling Patrick , Ekler Péter , Fitzek Frank H. P.
Published: October 2017

Modern cellular networks utilising the long{term evolution (LTE) and the coming 5G set of standards face an ever{increasing demand for low{latency mobile data from connected devices. Header compression is employed to min- imise the overhead for IP{based cellular network trac, thereby decreasing the overall bandwidth usage and, subsequently, transmission delays. Here, we employ machine learning approaches for the prediction of Robust Header Compression version 1's and version 2's compression utility for VoIP transmis- sions, which allows the compression to dynamically adapt to varying channel conditions. We evaluate various regression models employing r2 and mean square error scores next to complexity (number of coecients) based on an RTP specic training data set and separately captured live VoIP audio calls. We nd that the proposed weighted Ridge regression model explains about at least 50 % of the observed results and the accuracy score may be as high as 94 % for some of the VoIP transmissions.
Storing the Quantum Fourier Operator in the QuIDD Data Structure
Authors: Friedl Katalin , Kabódi László
Published: October 2017

Quantum algorithms can be simulated using classical computers, but the typical time complexity of the simulation is exponential. There are some data structures which can speed up this simulation to make it possible to test these algorithms on classical computers using more than a few qubits. One of them is QuIDD by Viamontes et al., which is an extension of the Algebraic Decision Diagram. In this paper, we examine the matrix of Fourier operator and its QuIDD representation. To utilize the structure of the operator we propose two orderings (reversed column variables and even-odd order), both resulting in smaller data structure than the standard one. After that, we propose a new method of storing the Fourier operator, using a weighted decision diagram that further reduces its size. It should be the topic of subsequent research whether the basic operations can be performed efficiently on this weighted structure.
Location selection of agricultural-residuals particleboard industry through group decision: The case study of northern Iran
Authors: Azizi Majid , Ramezanzadeh Mostafa
Published: October 2017

This paper presents a framework for locating agricultural-residuals particleboard industry in the northern provinces of Iran. Particleboard industry is the only Iranian wood and paper industry with an export potential and the use of agricultural residuals as the raw material can help with increasing the production in this industry, while reducing the damage to forest resources. The northern provinces of Iran are agricultural centers with ample amounts of agricultural residues. These provinces are, therefore, preferable to other provinces as the construction sites of particleboard plants. In the location selection model presented in this paper, the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) method is used and the results indicate that the criterion of ‘material and production’ and the sub-criterion of ‘reliability of supply’ have the highest priorities, and that Golestan province is the best alternative.
Transport infrastructure development in China
Authors: Bayane Bouraima Mouhamed , Yanjun Qiu
Published: October 2017

This paper reviews the historical configuration process of transportation systems in China and examines the relationship between economic development and transport system at three different levels. The current status of transport infrastructure system development in China is summarized at national and regional level. The investment trends for transport infrastructure in China are also depicted. The keys issues relating to government initiatives are presented.
Evaluation of physical and mechanical properties of quarry stones in the southern Republic of Benin
Authors: Bayane Bouraima Mouhamed , Yanjun Qiu
Published: October 2017

Engineering properties of stones have a crucial importance when they are used for civil engineering works. In this study, the suitability of rocks blocks or stones as a construction material is established. Cove and Dan cities surroundings in the southern part of Zou Province have large blocks and aggregates quarries operated recently. In this study, laboratory tests were carried out to investigate the performance of rocks blocks and aggregates quarried in the region. For this purpose of the study, three wooden containers with rocks blocks and aggregates samples were collected from three different quarries, and so, laboratory tests including particle density and water absorption test, resistance to wear, magnesium sulfate test, compressive strength and methylene blue absorption test were performed in accordance with the international standards to explore the quality of stones to be used for modern construction. Concluding that rocks blocks and aggregates satisfy the relevant regulation (that is, a norm, European standard).
Acute and chronic pain in vertebral fractures as systemic osteoporosis complication. Literature review
Authors: Rodionova Svetlana S. , Darchia Levan Yu. , Khakimov Umedzhon R.
Published: October 2017

A literature review is devoted to acute and chronic pain mechanisms in vertebral fractures complicating osteoporosis. The data of pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods of pain relief for vertebral bodies fractures, which precede the pathogenetic therapy of osteoporosis or could be combined with it.
Novel treatment options for secondary hyperparathyroidism in end-stage kidney disease patients on hemodialysis therapy
Authors: Rozhinskaya Liudmila Y. , Belaya Zhanna E. , Lutsenko Alexander S.
Published: October 2017

Pathogenesis of secondary hyperparathyroidism is based on D-hormone deprivation, leading to bone remodeling impairment, increase in FGF-23, PTH levels, changes in blood calcium and phosphorus levels. Taken together with alteration of calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) sensitivity, these changes result in alteration of bone structure and cardiovascular complications. CaSR agonists are one of the most important medications for treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism in dialysis patients. Until recently, there was only one CaSR agonist with proven effectiveness – cinacalcet, which is administered per os, daily. Now, a new drug is registered in US, Europe and Russia – etelcalcetide, which is administered intravenously 3 times a week. In this review we focus on results of clinical trials regarding etelcalcetide effectiveness and possible compliance benefits.
Polymorphism of some genes of bone tissue metabolism (VDR Bsm1 c.IVS7G>A, LCT 13910 T>C, COL1A 12046 G->T) among the representatives of Russian and Buryat nationalities
Authors: Verkhoturova Svetlana V. , Tsarenok Svetlana U. , Gorbunov Vladimir V. , Aksenova Tatyana A.
Published: October 2017

Aim: to study the frequency of genotypes of the polymorphous markers of bone remodeling (vita-min D receptor gene Bsm1 c.IVS7G> A, the lactase gene LCT 13910 T> C and collagen gene COL1A 12046 G-> T) in healthy people and patients with osteopo-rosis (OP) among the indigenous population of Trans-baikalia of Russian and Buryat nationalities.

Methods: 97 women with OP were examined: 49 Russian and 48 Buryat women aged from 50 to 80 years. 123 healthy women of the same age group were included in the control group. DNA sam-ples for molecular genetic analysis were taken from peripheral venous blood.

Results: The recessive allele A of the VDR – Bsm1c.IVS7G> A polymorphism was accumulated in women of Buryat nationality, but the statistical significance was not observed (OR = 1.04, CI [0 68, 1.6]). C al-lele of LCT -13910 T> C polymorphism was associated with the development of OP among the representa-tives of Buryat nationality.

Conclusion: The gene allele VDR Bsm1 c.IVS7G> Aand the LCT -13910 T>C leads to a higher risk of OP in women of Buryat nationality. The genotypes G/Tand T/T of COL1A12046 G-> T are associated with the development of OP in people of both nationalities.
Osteoporosis and osteoporotic fractures risk factors in men aged 50 years and older
Authors: Nikitinskaya Oksana A. , Toroptsova Natalya V.
Published: October 2017

Cross-sectional screening of random samples of men aged 50 years and older living in five cities (Arkhangelsk, Murmansk, Tyumen, Krasnoyarsk, and Chelyabinsk) from three Federal Districts (FD) of the Russian Federation was conducted to evaluate the frequency of individual risk factors (RF) of osteoporotic fractures among them. Total 1330 men were included in the study.  We found that the most common were the following RF: smoking, prior fragility fractures after age 40, secondary causes of OP, insufficient calcium intake. Significantly more smokers were among males in Siberian (S) FD and North –Western (NW)FD compared with those from Ural (U) FD (p=0,0011 and p=0,047, respectively), the frequency of other RF did not differ depending on region. The рprevalence of osteoporosis according to peripheral x-ray densitometry of the proximal forearm was higher among residents of the UFD (26%) than among men in the NWFD (17%) and SFO (19%). More than 50% of men in each region had 2 or more RF, while those with 3 or more RF were significantly more in the UFD at any age, and at the age of 50-59 years - in the NWFD. Calcium intake was inadequate in 85% of the respondents in these regions.
Total proteome turbidity assay for tracking global protein aggregation in the natural cellular environment
Authors: D. Shmueli Merav , Hizkiahou Noa , Peled Sivan , Gazit Ehud , Segal Daniel
Published: October 2017

Proteome homeostasis is crucial for optimal cellular function and survival in the face of various stressful impacts. This entails preservation of a balance between protein synthesis, folding, degradation, and trafficking collectively termed proteostasis. A hallmark of proteostasis failure, which underlies various diseases, is enhanced misfolding and aggregation of proteins. Here we adapted the measurement of protein turbidity, which is commonly used to evaluate aggregation of single purified proteins, for monitoring propensity for aggregation of the entire soluble cellular proteome incubated in vitro for several hours. We show that over-expression of an aggregation-prone protein or applying endoplasmic-reticulum (ER) stress to either cells in culture or to the intact organism, Drosophila, enhances the rise in turbidity of the global soluble proteome compared to untreated cells. Additionally, given that Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is known to involve ER stress and aggregation of proteins, we demonstrate that the soluble fraction of brain extracts from AD patients displays markedly higher rise of global proteome turbidity than in healthy counterparts. This assay could be valuable for various biological, medical and biotechnological applications.
Resolving biofilm topography by native scanning electron microscopy
Authors: Raab Neta , Bachelet Ido
Published: October 2017

Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) is a powerful tool for structural analysis, but it requires biological samples to undergo lengthy, chemically-complex multi-step preparation procedures, arguably altering some features in the sample. Here we report an ultra-rapid and chemical-free technique for visualizing bacterial biofilms at their native state. Our technique minimizes the time interval from culture to imaging to approximately 20 min, while producing high-resolution images that enable the detection of a variety of topographic features such as bacterial chains, and resolving cells from matrix. We analyzed images obtained from Bacillus subtilis biofilms, demonstrate the usefulness of this technique for multiple types of image analysis, and discuss its potential to be improved and adapted to other types of biological samples.
Measurement of intracellular calcium of submandibular glands using a high throughput plate reader
Authors: Shaalan Abeer Kamal , Carpenter Guy , Proctor Gordon
Published: October 2017

Calcium ions (Ca2+) impact nearly every aspect of cellular life and intracellular calcium [Ca2+]i is a critical factor in the regulation of a plethora of physiological functions, including: muscle contraction, saliva secretion, metabolism, gene expression, cell survival and death. By measuring the changes of [Ca2+]i levels, critical physiologic functions can be characterized and aberrant pathologic conditions or drug responses can be efficiently monitored. We developed a protocol for assessment of Ca2+ signaling in the acinar units of submandibular glands isolated from C57BL/6 mice, using benchtop, multi-mode, high throughput plate reader (FlexStation 3). This method represents a powerful tool for unlimited in vitro studies to monitor changes in receptor-mediated Ca2+ responses while retaining functional and morphological features of a native setting.
A multiplex PCR strategy to screen for known mutations in families with sudden cardiac death burden
Authors: Duong Giang , M. Helms Thomas , A. Karle Christoph
Published: October 2017

Ventricular tachyarrythmia occurring in ischemic heart disease, dilated/hypertrophic cardiomyopathies or rare monogenic mutations of cardiac ion channels or associated proteins belong to the most frequent causes of sudden cardiac death (SCD). In further decades, next generation sequencing and bioinformatic analysis will become the gold standard of SCD risk stratification. At the moment, Sanger-sequencing is still obligatory in genetic diagnosis. A multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay detecting eight SCD mutations in one reaction-tube was developed. To test the general validity of the assay, it was used with 12 patients, who had one or two of the eight mutations (LMNA, p.V256V; SCN5A, p.R1583C; RYR2, p.G1885E; MYH7, V606M; DSG2, p.T335A; KCNJ8, p.S422L; MYBPC, p.E441K; TNNT2, A38V). Thereafter, we tested the multiplex assay in a real diagnostic environment within a high risk family of several past SCD cases. This method allows efficient discrimination of multiple mutations by allele-specific PCR with standard PCR conditions. It relies on obtaining a PCR product specific to the mutation or wildtype—using primers that have the 3´end base complementary to the DNA template site, i.e. a specific primer only permits amplification to take place when its 3´terminal nucleotide matches with its target sequence. The PCR products are further analyzed by length, with Tape Station®(Agilent Technologies, Germany), a high-fidelity capillary chromatography test. The novel multiplex PCR assay strategy could be a good additional test used for SCD risk stratification. Advantages of the test are high velocity and ease of implementation, low price and flexibility of application within cardiomyopathy families for screening purposes.
A mass spectrometric method for quantification of tryptophan-derived uremic solutes in human serum
Authors: Zhang Anqi , Rijal Keshab , Ng Seng Kah , Ravid Katya , Chitalia Vipul
Published: October 2017

In addition to various physiologic roles, emerging evidence strongly points to pathogenic roles of tryptophan and of its metabolites, especially in diseases such as renal failure. Accurate estimation of levels of these metabolites in blood is important to mechanistically probe their contribution to disease pathogenesis, while clinically, such a panel can be used to risk stratify patients for a clinical phenotype. Herein, we describe a comprehensive liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC/MS)-based method to determine the level of tryptophan and its metabolites (kynurenine, kynurenic acid, xanthurenic acid, anthranilic acid, indoxyl sulfate and indoxyl acetate). Human sera samples were processed through a C18 column followed by application of a binary gradient and quantitation by MS/MS. The linearity, lower limit of detection, inter- and intraassay variabilities and recovery were determined, yielding a precise, reproducible method for all the metabolites. Unlike previous studies, we further validated these methods in a well-characterized set of human sera from end stage renal disease patients compared to age-, gender- and ethnic-background matched human controls. Overall, we report an optimized LC/MS-based estimation of a comprehensive panel of tryptophan-derived metabolites with quality features within FDA standards, underscoring their readiness for translational use.
A cost-effective RNA extraction technique from animal cells and tissue using silica columns
Authors: D. Escobar Mario , L. Hunt Jason
Published: October 2017

Ribonucleic acid (RNA) is widely used in molecular biology assays, and some of the most common assays include: northern blotting and RT-PCR gene expression analysis. RNA is generally extracted by two methods: phenol-chloroform or commercially available silica spin column kits. Phenol-chloroform extraction is generally more economical; however, it produces hazardous byproducts, and leftover chemicals in the sample that can inhibit downstream applications. Commercial kits usually have simple set ups and short preparation time; however, they can introduce a significant expense to laboratory budgets. Here we have created a method to extract RNA using generic silica columns and readily available reagents while maintaining a high yield and purity.
Small peptide substrates and high resolution peptide gels for the analysis of site-specific protein phosphorylation and dephosphorylation
Authors: Battle Laura Johnson , C. Chambers Timothy
Published: October 2017

Protein phosphorylation and dephosphorylation reactions play key regulatory roles in many fundamental cellular processes. Due to the large number of kinases and phosphatases in the genome, the identification of the specific enzymes responsible for a given site in a given protein is immensely challenging. However, because protein kinases and phosphatases recognize local specificity determinants within proteins, it is possible to use small peptides to study the characteristics of site-specific phosphorylation. In addition, phosphorylation usually causes retardation in gel mobility, providing an opportunity to investigate peptide phosphorylation and dephosphorylation by monitoring migration on high resolution peptide gels. In this study, we demonstrate the utility of such a technique using small peptides corresponding to cyclin-dependent kinase-1 (Cdk1)/cyclin B1 sites in two important apoptotic regulatory proteins, Bcl-xL and caspase-9. We show that the mobility of the peptides is retarded following Cdk1-mediated phosphorylation, and that peptide dephosphorylation, catalyzed either by purified phosphatase or by crude cell extracts, is readily observable by increased peptide gel mobility. Furthermore, the procedure can be conducted without the use of radioactive adenosine triphosphate (ATP), and does not require any specialized reagents or apparatus. The method can be used to identify and characterize specific kinase and phosphatases responsible for phosphorylation and dephosphorylation of specific sites in any protein of interest.
A fluorescence assay for detecting amyloid-β using the cytomegalovirus enhancer/promoter
Authors: M. Carrico Zachary , Le Geneva , Malinow Roberto
Published: October 2017

Robust assays for detecting the effects of elevated concentrations of amyloid-β (Aβ) may facilitate Alzheimer’s disease research. An appropriate assay would be high-throughput and enable identification of drugs and genetic mutations that block the effects of Aβ, potentially leading to treatments for Alzheimer’s disease. We discovered that the commonly used cytomegalovirus (CMV) enhancer/promoter is sensitive to the effects of Aβ. By combining the CMV enhancer/promoter with a fluorescent protein, we created a reporter system that produces changes in intracellular fluorescence in response to Aβ. Using hippocampal neurons, we quantified the ability of a CMV-fluorescent protein recombinant reporter to detect both exogenously applied and overexpressed Aβ. This is the first report of a high-throughput enhancer/promoter-based Aβ detection method. The reporter is able to detect the effects of elevated concentrations of Aβ in a high-throughput fashion, providing a new tool for Alzheimer’s disease research and important knowledge about the commonly used CMV enhancer/promoter.
Easy and cost-effective stable positioning of suspension cells during live-cell imaging
Authors: Ivanusic Daniel , Madela Kazimierz , Denner Joachim
Published: October 2017

Dynamic processes of cells can be best monitored when living cells are analyzed by imaging. While it is easy to observe adherent living cells it has been extremely challenging to analyze suspension cells. This cell type floats freely in the culture dish, and it is only a question of time when the focus or the observation field is lost. In order to keep the cells in focus, an easy and inexpensive method allowing the observation of living suspension cells during confocal laser scanning microscope imaging was developed.
Pulse Oximetry and Electric Pulp Test in Intact Teeth and Teeth with Hyperaemia Pulpae
Authors: Kosturkov D. , Uzunov Ts.
Published: October 2017

The pulp hyperaemia is associated with increased blood flow in the pulp. Diagnosis of this condition is very important for the outcome of a dental treatment. There are new methods, which can detect the pulp blood flow. Such method, gaining increasing popularity nowadays, is pulse oximetry. In this study, intact teeth and teeth with diagnosis of hyperaemia pulpae are examined by pulse oximeter and electric pulp test. The results show that the threshold of irritation is decreased in teeth with hyperemia, and the saturation of the pulp is increased by 12.34% in frontal teeth and 7.27% in distal teeth. There is a statistically significant difference (p < 0,05) in the values measured with pulse oximeter in the intact frontal and distal teeth and the teeth with hyperemia. Pulse oximetry can detect changes in pulp microcirculation in state of hyperemia. It is an extremely valuable method for early, objective diagnosis of pulp blood flow, as well as for its monitoring in dynamics.
Clinical and Etiological Structure of Nosocomial Infections in Bulgaria for the Period 2011-2016
Authors: Mitova Y. , Angelova S. , Doicheva V. , Donkov G. , Mincheva Ts.
Published: October 2017

Despite their partial diagnosis and registration, nosocomial infections are widespread in Bulgaria and they are of great healthcare, social and economic importance for the society. Statistical processing of official information for the period 2011-2016 shows that the incidence of registered NI among hospitalized patients in Bulgaria is below 1%. In the clinical structure of NI in the above mentioned period, the infections of the surgical site are leading with a prevailing share of 20.67%. S. aureus (19.74%) and E. coli (19.33%) have the highest incidence in the etiological deciphering of infections of the surgical site. Leading etiological agents of lower respiratory tract infections (including pneumonia) in Bulgaria are Acinetobacter spp. (24.12%) and Pseudomonas spp. (20.18%). Urinary tract infections have a relative share of 15.08% in the clinical structure of NI. They are primarily caused by E. coli (28.95%). In bloodstream infection, coagulase-negative staphylococci (S. epidermidis prevailing) are isolated in 30.58% of the cases.
Entropy generation and thermodynamic analysis of solar air heaters with artificial roughness on absorber plate
Authors: Prasad Radha K. , Sahu Mukesh K.
Published: October 2017

This paper presents mathematical modelling and numerical analysis to evaluate entropy generation analysis (EGA) by considering pressure drop and second law efficiency based on thermodynamics for forced convection heat transfer in rectangular duct of a solar air heater with wire as artificial roughness in the form of arc shape geometry on the absorber plate. The investigation includes evaluations of entropy generation, entropy generation number, Bejan number and irreversibilities of roughened as well as smooth absorber plate solar air heaters to compare the relative performances. Furthermore, effects of various roughness parameters and operating parameters on entropy generation have also been investigated. Entropy generation and irreversibilities (exergy destroyed) has its minimum value at relative roughness height of 0.0422 and relative angle of attack of 0.33, which leads to the maximum exergetic efficiency. Entropy generation and exergy based analyses can be adopted for the evaluation of the overall performance of solar air heaters.
The effect of different organic fluids on performances of binary slag washing water power plants
Authors: Li Zi-Ao , Liu Yanna , Dong Peng , Zhang Yingjie , Xiao Song
Published: October 2017

In this paper, 3 typical organic fluids were selected as working fluids for a sample slag washing water binary power plants. In this system, the working fluids obtain the thermal energy from slag washing water sources. Thus, it plays a significant role on the cycle performance to select the suitable working fluid. Energy and exergy efficiencies of 3 typical organic fluids were calculated. Dry type fluids (i.e., R227ea) showed higher energy and exergy efficiencies. Conversely, wet fluids (i.e., R143a and R290) indicated lower energy and exergy efficiencies, respectively.
Investigations on mixture preparation for two phase adiabatic pressure drop of R134a flowing in 5 mm diameter channel
Authors: Muszyński Tomasz , Andrzejczyk Rafał , Dorao Carlos A.
Published: October 2017

The article presents detailed two-phase adiabatic pressure drops data for refrigerant R134a. Study cases have been set for a mass flux varying from 200 to 400 kg/m2s, at the saturation temperature of 19.4 °C. Obtained experimental data was compared with the available correlations from the literature for the frictional pressure drop during adiabatic flow. Influence of mixture preparation on pressure drop was investigated, for varying inlet subcooling temperature in the heated section. The flow patterns have also been obtained by means of a high-speed camera placed in the visualization section and compared with literature observations.
Selected studies of flow maldistribution in a minichannel plate heat exchanger
Authors: Dąbrowski Paweł , Klugmann Michał , Mikielewicz Dariusz
Published: October 2017

Analysis of the state of-the-art in research of minichannel heat exchangers, especially on the topic of flow maldistribution in multiple channels, has been accomplished. Studies on minichannel plate heat exchanger with 51 parallel minichannels with four hydraulic diameters, i.e., 461 μm, 574 μm, 667 μm, and 750 μm have been presented. Flow at the instance of filling the microchannel with water at low flow rates has been visualized. The pressure drop characteristics for single minichannel plate have been presented along with the channels blockage, which occurred in several cases. The impact of the mass flow rate and channels’ cross-section dimensions on the flow maldistribution were illustrated.
Relativistic Persistent Currents in Ideal Aharonov-Bohm Rings and Cylinders
Authors: Cotăescu Ion I.
Published: October 2017

In this report we revisit the results obtained in [1, 2] where the relativistic Aharonov-Bohm was studied for the first time. The method is based on the exact solutions of the complete (1+3)-dimensional Dirac equation of fermions moving in ideal Aharonov-Bohm (AB) rings and cylinders which are used for deriving the exact expressions of the relativistic partial currents. It is shown that these currents can be related to the derivative of the fermion energy with respect to the flux parameter, just as in the non-relativistic case. However, a new and remarkable relativistic effect is the saturation of the partial currents for high values of the total angular momentum. Based on this property, the total relativistic persistent currents atT= 0 is evaluated for rings and cylinders obtaining approximative simple closed formulas. Notice that this report brings together the texts of Refs. [1, 2] with some improvements and unitary notations.
A cost-sensitive Bayesian combiner for reducing false positives in mammographic mass detection
Authors: Kozegar Ehsan , Soryani Mohsen
Published: October 2017

Mammography is the most widely used modality for early breast cancer detection. This work proposes a new computer-aided mass detection approach, in which a denoising method called BM3D is first applied to mammograms. Afterwards, using an adaptive segmentation algorithm, images are segmented to suspicious regions of interest (ROIs) and then a classifier is used to understand the features of true positive (TP) and false positive (FP) patterns. In this way, from selected suspicious ROIs, fractal dimension, texture and intensity features are extracted. Subsequently, a discretization approach followed by correlation-based feature selection (CFS) is combined with a genetic algorithm to obtain the most representative features. To neutralize the classifier’s bias in favor of the major class in imbalanced datasets, an oversampling algorithm is used. In the next step, a cost-sensitive ensemble classifier based on a trainable combiner is proposed in order to reduce the number of FP samples. Finally, the presented method is validated on miniMIAS and INBreast datasets. The free-response receiver operating characteristic (FROC) analysis results prove the efficiency of the proposed approach. A sensitivity of 88% and false positive per image (FPpI) of 0.78 for miniMIAS and also a sensitivity of 86% and FPpI of 0.75 for INBreast dataset were obtained.
Reaching consensus on communication of critical laboratory results using a collective intelligence method
Authors: Llovet Maria Isabel , Biosca Carmen , Martínez-Iribarren Alicia , Blanco Aurora , Busquets Glòria , Castro María José , Llopis Maria Antonia , Montesinos Mercè , Minchinela Joana , Perich Carme , Prieto Judith , Ruiz Rosa , Serrat Núria , Simón Margarita , Trejo Alex , Monguet Josep Maria , López-Pablo Carlos , Ibarz Mercè
Published: October 2017

Background:

There is no consensus in the literature about what analytes or values should be informed as critical results and how they should be communicated. The main aim of this project is to establish consensual standards of critical results for the laboratories participating in the study. Among the project’s secondary objectives, establishing consensual procedures for communication can be highlighted.

Methods:

Consensus was reached among all participating laboratories establishing the basis for the construction of the initial model put forward for consensus in conjunction with the clinicians. A real-time Delphi, methodology “health consensus” (HC), with motivating and participative questions was applied. The physician was expected to choose a numeric value within a scale designed for each analyte.

Results:

The medians of critical results obtained represent the consensus on critical results for outpatient and inpatient care. Both in primary care and in hospital care a high degree of consensus was observed for critical values proposed in the analysis of creatinine, digoxin, phosphorus, glucose, international normalized ratio (INR), leukocytes, magnesium, neutrophils, chloride, sodium, calcium and lithium. For the rest of critical results the degree of consensus obtained was “medium high”. The results obtained showed that in 72% of cases the consensual critical value coincided with the medians initially proposed by the laboratories.

Conclusions:

The real-time Delphi has allowed obtaining consensual standards for communication of critical results among the laboratories participating in the study, which can serve as a basis for other organizations.
‘Capiture’ plants with interesting biological activities: a case to go
Authors: Tittikpina Nassifatou Koko , Atakpama Wouyo , Pereki Hodabalo , Nasim Muhammad Jawad , Ali Wesam , Fontanay Stéphane , Nana Frédéric , Ejike Chukwunonso Ecc , Kirsch Gilbert , Duval Raphaël Emmanuel , Chaimbault Patrick , Karou Simplice D. , Batawila Komlan , Akpagana Koffi , Jacob Claus
Published: October 2017

The investigation of natural products used in Traditional Medicine in Africa is complicated as modern analytical and screening methods are often not available. Computer aided product identification from traditional usage records (CAPITURE) may provide an interesting alternative and has been evaluated in the context of an ethnobotanical survey on fungal diseases and their traditional treatment in Tchamba District (Togo). 53 traditional healers were interviewed and their knowledge recorded. Several indicators, the Use Value (UV), Plant Part Value (PPV), Specific Use (SU) Value, Intraspecific Use Value (IUV) and Informant Consensus Factor (ICF), were applied to the data. Those indices, in addition to a bibliographic review, were then fed into a computer-aided approach which predicted two interesting plants out of the 43 species survey-recorded and their specific activities: Pterocarpus erinaceus sap against ringworm, Daniellia oliveri sap against intertrigo and respectively their roots and trunk barks against candidiasis. Subsequent laboratory-based studies have confirmed the predicted antimicrobial activities with MIC (128 μg/mL to 30 mg/mL) and without any notable toxicity on a normal human cell (MRC-5 cells). Although such a method may not be flawless, it is able to provide first leads, and in the face of limited resources, is an attractive alternative worth considering.
Antimicrobial sesquiterpenoids from Laurencia obtusa Lamouroux
Authors: Bawakid Nahed O. , Alarif Walied M. , Alorfi Hajer S. , Al-Footy Khalid O. , Alburae Najla A. , Ghandourah Mohamed A. , Al-Lihaibi Sultan S. , Abdul-hameed Zainab H.
Published: October 2017

Purification of the organic extract of Laurencia obtusa Lamouroux by column chromatography and preparative thin layer chromatography provided four new compounds: a eudesmane-type sesquiterpenoid [eudesma-4(15),11-diene-5,7-diol (1)], a cuparane-type sesquiterpenoid [10-hydroxycuparaldehyde (2)], and two nor-cuparanes [3-hydroxy-15-nor-cuparan-10β-ol (3) and 2-bromo-3-hydroxy-15-nor-cuparan-10β-ol (4)]. Structural identification was made possible by comparison of spectral data with those reported in the literature. Compounds 3 and 4 are significant as nor-cuparanes are rarely isolated from marine environment. 1 showed moderate anticandidal activity, whereas 2 exhibited reasonable antibacterial activity against multidrug-resistant bacteria (especially Gram-positive). All the compounds are nontoxic to Artemia salina.
Cognitive indigenization effects in the English dative alternation
Authors: Röthlisberger Melanie , Grafmiller Jason , Szmrecsanyi Benedikt
Published: October 2017

We advance theory formation in cognitive sociolinguistics by exploring the extent to which language users’ probabilistic grammar varies regionally. For this purpose, we investigate the effects of constraints that influence the choice between the two syntactic variants in the well-known dative alternation (
Cognitive Grammar and English nominalization: Event/result nominals and gerundives
Authors: Park Chongwon , Park Bridget
Published: October 2017

This article develops an analysis of event/result nominals and gerundives from a Cognitive Grammar perspective. By reviewing the previous research, we first point out that these phenomena are much more flexible than the extant research claims. Moreover, widely accepted generalizations concerning the phenomena are, at best, only partially true. We demonstrate that the said flexibility is ascribed to two different types of construals: [1] mass-like construal accompanied by reification and [2] zone-activation or metonymic shift. Event nominals arise, without respect to the types of the nominal affixes, when the relationship profiled by a verb takes an internal perspective. Result nominals arise through zone activation or metonymic shift in addition to the reification of the verbal base. Several grounding strategies apply to both event and result nominals, thereby yielding different realizations of instances such as (in)definite and possessive. We show that our analysis can be systematically extended to gerundives, which permit limited grounding methods. We also demonstrate that V-to-N converted event nominals are accounted for unproblematically in our analysis because the rise of event nominals does not rely on the nominalizing affixes.
Thermal treatment of starch slurry in Couette-Taylor flow apparatus
Authors: Hubacz Robert , Masuda Hayato , Horie Takafumi , Ohmura Naoto
Published: October 2017

In this paper, thermal processing of starch slurry in a Couette-Taylor flow (CTF) apparatus was investigated. Gelatinized starch dispersion, after treatment in the CTF apparatus, was characterized using such parameters like starch granule diameters (or average diameter), starch granule swelling degree (quantifying the amount of water absorbed by starch granules) and concentration of dissolved starch. These parameters were affected mostly by the process temperature, although the impact of the axial flow or rotor rotation on them was also observed. Moreover, the analysis of results showed a relatively good correlation between these parameters, as well as, between those parameter and apparent viscosity of gelatinized starch dispersion. Meanwhile, the increase in the value of the apparent viscosity and in shear-tinning behaviour of dispersion was associated with the progress of starch processing in the CTF apparatus. Finally, the CTF apparatuses of different geometries were compared using numerical simulation of the process. The results of the simulation indicated that the apparatus scaling-up without increasing the width of the gap between cylinders results in higher mechanical energy consumption per unit of processed starch slurry.