bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Correlative Study of Reading Speed and Reading Comprehension of the Second Year Students of SMP Islam Sultan Fattah Salatiga in the Academic Year of 2007/2008
Authors: Izzatul Laila Inna Naili
Published: February 2018

This study is conducted to find out the profile of students’ speed reading skill and the students’ reading comprehension, as well as to prove if there is significant correlation between the students’ skill in reading speed and reading comprehension of students of SMP Islam Sultan Fattah Salatiga in the academic year of 2007/2008. The writer applies random sampling technique to take the sample (40) from the total of population of 81 students. Furthermore, the profile of students’ reading speed skill in the text comprehension is observed through applying reading speed limited by time. From such a test, the writer knows how many words produced by students every minute. The students’ reading comprehension, in addition, can be seen from the result of the answered of questions. The data is analyzed using correlative statistics. From the result, the writer finds that there is no correlation between reading speed and reading comprehension of the students. It is shown from the result r0=0,027 and rt=0,312 in the level of significance 5%. Then, there are many factors that influence reading speed and the comprehension as children weakness of vocabularies and the lack of concentration in reading.Keywords: Reading Speed; Reading Comprehension
The Significance of Introducing Culture in EFL Instruction
Authors: Malihah Noor
Published: February 2018

EFL students many times made mistakes in using the English expressions and led to misinterpretations or even acceptable message of their utterances. This is due to their lack of cultural awareness or their understanding towards L2 culture. Therefore, EFL teachers should think of how to give position to the L1 and L2 culture in their teaching and learning process of EFL instructions.To solve the problems, there are some approaches used to introduce the target language culture, by knowing the obstacles that the learners frequently made. Keywords: EFL; Cultural Awareness; Approaches; Obstacles
The Existence of Learners in Language Learning
Authors: Ruwandi Ruwandi
Published: February 2018

Caring of students in teaching-learning process should be one of the most important attentions of teachers. They should be the central body by which the measurement of success or failure is underpinned. Teachers will be considered successful when their students get scores above the passing grade. However, they must fail when the students get unsatisfactory achievements. Even though students’ success is the end of the aim of teaching-learning process but their involvement is not taken into account accordingly. To achieve such a goal, their internal potentials should be revitalized. The inner potentials include attitude, motivation, aptitude, and intelligence. The successful study can be achieved when the four internal potential are well managed. For that reason, teachers’ attention should be addressed to intensify the potentials to get the significant yield.Keywords: Care of; Internal Potentials;  Attitude;  Motivation; Aptitude;Intelligence
The Experimental Study of the Effectiveness of Teaching Speaking by Using Cartoon in the Fifth Year Students of Islamic Elementary School
Authors: Hasanah Uswatun
Published: February 2018

This research was carried out to find out how far the achievement of speaking English lesson by using cartoon and a significant difference of the students speaking ability between the students taught by using cartoon media and those taught without using cartoon media. The research was conducted at Islamic Elementary School (Madrasah Ibtidaiyah) Lancar, Wonosobo, Central Java, Indonesia. The objects of the research were the fifth year students. This is quantitative research. Technique of sampling in this research used classified random sampling. The result of the research is the score of the post-test from the experiment group is higher (7,68) than the score of the post-test from control group (6,95). Therefore, the writer might conclude that using of cartoon media proved better result in speaking skill than students who are taught without using cartoon media. It means that there is significant difference of the students speaking skill between those using cartoon media and those who do not use cartoon in teaching speaking. Also, there is a significant contribution of using cartoon in teaching speaking. Keywords: Effectiveness, Speaking;  Cartoon Media; Teaching Speaking through Cartoon for Elementary School Students
AN ERROR ANALYSIS OF ENGLISH SIMPLE PRESENT TENSE OF THE SECOND YEAR STUDENTS OF SMP N 1 SUSUKAN REGENCY OF SEMARANG IN THE ACADEMIC YEAR 2003/2004
Authors: Safudin Agus
Published: February 2018

The aim of this research is to find out how far the errors of simple present tense produced bythe second year students of SMP N 1 Susukan. The research was conducted at State Junior High School (SMP N) 1 Susukan, Regency of Semarang, Central Java, Indonesia. The objects of this research were the eighth graders. This is quantitative research. The writer uses random sampling by lottery. There are about 75 students and the writer took 50% as the sample.The errors made by the students were divided into eight aspects. (1) Error in using auxiliary is 36.75%. (2) Error in using plural noun is 22.90%. (3) Error in using to be is (am, is, are,) is 7.69%.(4) Error in adverb of manneris 4.27%. (5) Error in using verb in simple present tense is 4.78%. (6) Error in using possessive sentence 5.24%. (7) Error in using imperative sentence is 0.34%. (8) Error due to ignorant is 11.28%. Relating to those errors there should be the preventing efforts by the teachers such as providing lots of examples of English and Indonesian sentences so that the students have greater understanding about the difference of those languages.Keywords: Error Analysis; Simple Present Tense; SMP N 1 Susukan
“From Teacher-Centered to Students-Centered to Collaborative Learning” Illuminating My Teacher Knowledge through Narrative Inquiry
Authors: Triyoko Hanung
Published: February 2018

Teacher knowledge refers to the ways teachers know themselves and their professional work situations. This paper applies the narrative inquiry method to illuminate my own teacher knowledge. Through each vignette told in this paper, I will inquire into what I know and feel about English teaching-learning process and illuminate my teacher knowledge by referring to what education experts say regarding particular concepts of English teaching-learning. My students and I will have greater chance to share the values behind the students-centered classroom interaction, the Internet-based learning, or other kind of learning to follow in the future when ‘we’, not only ‘I’ redefine education practices at schools Keywords: Narrative Inquiry; Teacher Knowledge; Vignette
Improving Students’ Writing Skill in Descriptive Text by Using Outdoor Activity
Authors: Suharmi Sri
Published: February 2018

This study is a classroom action research. The general objective of this study is improving students’ writing skill through outdoor activity. While the specific objective of this research are (1) whether or not outdoor activity can increase the students’ writing content of descriptive text of the second year of Mts Sudirman Kopeng  Getasan. (2) it describe whether the outdoor activity can improve  the students’ writing skill in developing paragraph. This classroom action research was conducted at MTs Sudirman Getasan. The procedure of the research consisted of planning, action, observing, and reflection. The observation during the process of English teaching and learning was helped by the collaborator. In this research,  the writer acted as a practitioner. The test was in the form of pre-test and post –test conducted in cycle 1, cycle 2, and cycle 3. The research result were: (1)  using outdoor activity as a method can improve students’ writing skill, its proved with the student’s improvement score. The mean score of the pre-test of the students was 57 (very poor) and the mean score of the post- test 70 (good). The mean of the post-Test is higher than the mean of the pre-Test ( 64.53>56.56), the mean of the post-test in cycle 2  is higher than mean of cycle 1 (70.59>64.53) and the mean of the post –Test cycle 3 is higher than cycle 2 (74.56>70.59). the proven result of the implementation was 75%. (2) The effectiveness of using outdoor activity in improving students’ writing skill is proved from the t-test and t-table in cycle 1 (9.67>2.042) which the score of t-test was higher than the score of t-table and the result of t-test and t-table in cycle 3 (15.11>2.042) also showed that the score of t-table.
Enhancing Students’ Speaking Skill through Gallery Walk Technique
Authors: Anwar Farrah Zakiyah
Published: February 2018

The aims of this research are (1) to describe the procedure of enhancing students’ speaking skill by “gallery walk” technique at the first grade students of SMA Muhammadiyah (plus) Salatiga in academic year 2014/2015. (2) to find out whether the “gallery walk” technique can enhance students’ speaking skill or not and (3) to find out the extent of the use of “gallery walk” technique enhancing students’ speaking skill. The research method that is used in this research is classroom action reserach. The subjects of the research were 34 students in grade X at SMA Muhammadiyah (plus) Salatiga. The researcher uses two cycles; each cycle consists of planning, action, observation and reflection. The result of this research shows that there is an enhancement of the students’ speaking skill using “gallery walk” technique. It can be seen from T-Test calculating in cycle I is 5.09 and cycle II 6.70; T-Table with N = 34 is 2.035. And also the increasing students’ mean score in percentage from cycle I to cycle II with the standardized score (the minimum of passing criteria) is 75,  At the cycle I is 55.88% students and 82.35% in the cycle II. The increasing of score in percentage from cycle I to cycle II is 26.47 %. This indicates that by applying “gallery walk” technique, the students’ speaking skill can be enhanced.
Modeling Students’ Readiness to Adopt Mobile Learning in Higher Education: An Empirical Study
Authors: Al-Adwan Ahmad Samed , Al-Madadha Amr , Zvirzdinaite Zahra
Published: February 2018

Mobile devices are increasingly coming to penetrate people's daily lives. Mobile learning (m-learning) is viewed as key to the coming era of electronic learning (e-learning). In the meantime, the use of mobile devices for learning has made a significant contribution to delivering education among higher education students worldwide. However, while m-learning is being widely adopted in developed countries, the adoption of such an approach in developing countries is still immature and underdeveloped. Developing countries are facing several challenges and lagging behind in terms of adopting m-learning in higher education. Thus, this paper explores the factors that have an impact on students’ intentions and readiness to adopt m-learning in higher education in Jordan. Based on the data collected from the field, we examine Jordanian students' requirements and preferences in terms of m-learning design, and we also investigate their concerns about adopting m-learning. This empirical study collected data from students using a paper-based questionnaire. The results reveal that students' intentions to adopt m-learning is influenced by several factors that include the relative advantage, complexity, social influence, perceived enjoyment, and the self-management of learning. By providing a picture of students' willingness to adopt m-learning, this study offers useful and beneficial implications for developers of m-learning applications and for educational providers to guide the design and implementation of comprehensive m-learning systems.
A Computational Analysis of Gas Jet Flow Effects on Liquid Aspiration in the Collison Nebulizer
Authors: Feng James
Published: February 2018

Pneumatic nebulizers (as variations based on the Collison nebulizer) have been widely used for producing fine aerosol droplets from a liquid material. The basic working principle of those nebulizers has been qualitatively described as utilization of the negative pressure associated with an expanding gas jet to syphon liquid into the jet stream, then to blow and shear into liquid sheets, filaments, and eventually droplets. Detailed quantitative analysis based on fluid mechanics theory is desirable, to gain in-depth understanding of the liquid aspiration mechanism among other aspects of the Collison nebulizer behavior. The purpose of present work is to investigate the nature of negative pressure distribution associated with compressible gas jet flow in the Collison nebulizer by a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis, using an OpenFOAM® compressible flow solver. The value of the negative pressure associated with a gas jet flow is examined by varying geometric parameters of the jet expansion channel adjacent to the outlet of jet orifice. Such an analysis can provide valuable insights into fundamental mechanisms in liquid aspiration process, helpful for effective design of improved pneumatic atomizer in the Aerosol Jet® direct-write system for micro-feature, high-aspect-ratio material deposition in additive manufacturing.
KEEFEKTIFAN MODEL PEMBELAJARAN TEAMS GAME TOURNAMENT TERHADAP HASIL BELAJAR MATEMATIKA SISWA KELAS IV SD
Authors: Prayekti Dewi , Maryadi H , Suyitno Suyitno
Published: February 2018

Penelitian ini dilatarbelakangi oleh kurangnya kemampuan guru dalam memilih dan menerapkan model pembelajaran yang tepat dalam  pembelajaran dan rendahnya tingkat keaktifan siswa dalam kegiatan belajar mengajar sehingga hasil belajar matematika siswa rendah. Terbukti dari hasil ulangan harian siswa dari 21 siswa hanya 14 siswa yang memenuhi KKM 63, dengan rata- rata nilai 61. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui keefektifan model pembelajaran Teams Game Tournament terhadap hasil belajar siswa kelas IV SD Negeri 2 Kalitengah Kabupaten Rembang.  Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian eksperimen dengan pendekatan kuantitatif. Desain yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah Pra Experimental Design dengan rancangan One group pretest posttest design. Simpulan dari penelitian ini adalah, berdasarkan uji hipotesis dengan menggunakan uji t-test maka Model pembelajaran Teams Game Tournament efektif terhadap hasil belajar matematika siswa.

Kata Kunci : Hasil Belajar,  Teams Game Tourname
PENGEMBANGAN MEDIA DIORAMA PADA PEMBELAJARAN TEMATIK TERINTEGRASI TEMA INDAHNYA NEGERIKU UNTUK MENINGKATKAN HASIL BELAJAR SISWA
Authors: Amalia Miftah Devi , Agustini Ferina , Sulianto Joko
Published: February 2018

Tujuan dalam penelitian ini adalah (1) Mengetahui bagaimana kevalidan me­dia diorama pada pembelajaran tematik terintegrasi tema indahnya negeriku, (2) Mengetahui pengembangan Media diorama pada pembelajaran tematik terintegrasi tema indahnya negeriku untuk meningkatkan hasil belajar siswa kelas IV SDN Panggang 01 Jepara. Penelitian menggunakan metodologi penelitian  Research dan Development (R&D). Langkah-langkah penelitian dan pengembangan ini dikem­bangkan dengan prosedur pengembangan model Borg and Gall. (1)Hasil dari analisis data dari validasi ahli media I sebesar 91,25%, ahli media II sebesar 97% dan ahli media III sebesar 79%. Validasi ahli materi I sebesar 91,7%, ahli materi II sebesar88,3% dan ahli materi III sebesar 75%. (2)Uji coba produk dilakukan dua kali yaitu uji coba terbatas dan uji coba perluas, uji coba terbatas di lakukan di SDN 1 Panggang Jepara dengan respon siswa  sebesar 92,2% dan respon guru sebesar 92,5%.. Uji coba perluas di lakukan di 2 SD yaitu SDN 4 Panggang dan SDN 5 Mulyoharjo dengan respon siswa 92% dan respon guru sebesar 87,5% dari analisis tersebut dapat disimpulkan media diorama layak digunakan di sekolah dasar.

 

Kata kunci : media diorama, tematik terintegrasi
EFFECT OF KANGFUXIN LIQUID ON INTESTINAL BARRIER IN ELDERLY PATIENTS WITH MECHANICAL VENTILATION IN THE INTENSIVE CARE UNIT
Authors: Hongwei Zhang , Liyou Wei , Gang Zhao , Shuzheng Liu , Jing Zhang
Published: February 2018

Background:Kangfuxin Liquid is extracted from America periplaneta, which is effective for treating gastrointestinal ulcers and repairing gastrointestinal mucosal tissue. The purpose of this study is to explore the effect of Kangfuxin Liquid on improving intestinal barrier dysfunction in elderly patients using mechanical ventilation and effectively restraining the concentration of D-lactate.

Materials and Methods: Elderly patients with mechanical ventilation were selected, and divided into “control” and “treatment” groups by using a random number table. Patients in both groups were given conventional treatment. Patients in “treatment group” additionally received Kangfuxin Liquid. At baseline and at 3, 7days following treatment, recordings for the concentration of D-lactate, intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) and bowel sounds were conducted. The duration of mechanical ventilation, the time of stay in ICU and the mortality rate during 28 days were recorded.

Results: At baseline, there were no significant differences in the terms of the concentrations of D-lactate, IAP and bowel sounds in the two groups (P>0.05). At 3 and 7days following treatment, the concentration of D-lactate, IAP and bowel sounds in the “treatment group” were better than those in the “control group”. The differences were statistically significant (P
Adoption of Mobile Banking and Perceived Risk in GCC
Authors: Chavali Kavita , Kumar Ajith
Published: February 2018

The study deals with the adoption of mobile banking services by respondents in UAE and the perception of risk factors by them. A model was developed on the Customer Adoption Process of mobile banking. The model is validated based on the data collected using the questionnaire from a sample of 90 respondents in UAE. Factor analysis is used to evaluate and analyze the responses. Belief in technology and the value it creates are the major driving force for respondents to adopt mobile banking. Respondents perceive that mobile banking helps in proper financial planning due to continuous monitoring the transactions and time saving. Lack of privacy in the mobile banking transactions and not all banks offering mobile banking services in UAE are the major challenges perceived by the respondents for non-adoption of mobile banking. Respondents identify time risk, financial risk and performance risk as the most predominant risk factors compared to other risks in the adoption process.
Locally produced hydrogen sulphide detecting water quality test kits increase household level monitoring in rural Tanzania
Authors: Matwewe Fatuma , Hyland Kate , Thomas Jacqueline
Published: February 2018

In developing countries, rural water sources have the highest levels of faecal contamination but are the least monitored. Affordable field-based water quality tests are needed. The presence of faecal indicator bacteria can be determined with hydrogen sulphide (H2S) detecting tests, that are inexpensive and simple to make locally. In rural Tanzania, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) designed, produced and evaluated a new H2S water quality test kit. The H2S test results correlated with log10Escherichia coli densities from conventional water quality tests. The production cost was US$ 1.10 and the test retailed for US$ 1.37. In total, 433 tests were sold through local pharmacies and NGOs. Additionally, 165 WaSH education meetings, reaching 3,408 community members, were conducted with the H2S test demonstrated in over half the meetings. Pre- and post-surveys of 294 meeting participants saw an increased reporting of household level water treatment by 24%. The H2S test was widely accepted, with 94% of those surveyed willing to buy the test in the future. International and national guidelines for drinking water monitoring need to be amended to include locally produced H2S water quality tests. This will enable households to monitor their own water sources and make informed choices about water safety and treatment.
Esclerodermia em placa: Relato de caso
Authors: Cardoso Luísa Fernandes Rivelli , Bezerra Maria Olívia De Lima , Soares Márcia Cristina Almeida , Moreira Isabela Martins , Cardoso Isabela Fernandes Rivelli , Mendonça Ignez Dos Santos Muri
Published: February 2018

A esclerodermia é uma doença de etiologia desconhecida, que envolve o tecido conjuntivo e se caracteriza por endurecimento da pele devido a fibrose. Divide-se em esclerodermia sistêmica e localizada (morfeia). A morfeia clinicamente se subdivide em 5 formas: em placas ou circunscrita; em gotas; linear ou em golpe de sabre; disseminada ou generalizada e profunda. Com o objetivo de demonstração clínica, relata-se o caso de uma criança que apresentava esclerodermia localizada do subtipo em placa. Pela raridade dessa patologia relatos de caso da doença são importantes para orientar clínicos e dermatologistas para a suspeita diagnóstica, além de contribuir com a literatura nacional. Diante disso, relata-se o caso de uma criança que apresentou morfeia em placa, com evolução clássica da doença. Foi iniciado tratamento com propionato de clobetasol 0,05%, com melhora significativa das lesões dermatológicas, apresentando atualmente apenas hipercromia e atrofia residual.
Proposta de prevenção de acidentes: um foco em aspectos comportamentais
Authors: Da Silva Ana Paula , Braga Enilson Salino , Ferreira Alex Franco , De Carvalho José Thomaz
Published: February 2018

Diariamente, pessoas de diversas categorias e classes sociais sejam elas iniciantes, aprendizes ou até mesmo os mais experientes, estão envolvidas em algum tipo de acidente do trabalho, tendo como um dos influenciadores o fator humano.  Este trabalho é uma revisão bibliográfica, onde através de pesquisas em revistas, artigos, dissertação de mestrado dentre outros recursos, buscou-se abordar o elevado número de acidentes do trabalho e apresentar propostas para prevenção dos mesmos, tendo como foco o aspecto comportamental.  Verificou-se mais de 600 mil acidentes no ano de 2015, destes, mais de 2500 vieram a óbito, segundo dados da AEPS (2015).  Partindo desse princípio, o presente trabalho fez uma abordagem em um dos fatores que propiciam o acidente do trabalho, que é o fator humano.  A partir de então, buscou-se propostas para eliminar os acidentes, mas principalmente, trabalhar com medidas de prevenção que traga conscientização ao funcionário, para tanto foi apresentado o Programa 5S, a Auditoria Comportamental e a Ginástica Laboral.  São medidas fáceis de implantar, podem ser desenvolvidas em qualquer empresa, porém para que as mesmas dêem resultados, deverá haver conscientização e transformação tanto por parte do empregado quanto por parte do empregador e principalmente deve haver comprometimento de ambas as partes.  Conclui-se que essas medidas, embora sejam simples, podem trazer melhores condições de trabalho aos funcionários, bem como uma maior e melhor segurança, visto que todas elas visam uma melhor qualidade de vida no trabalho.
Utilização de resíduos provenientes da construção e demolição de reforma residencial como agregado miúdo para fabricação de concreto
Authors: Monteiro Rayra Ribeiro , Paula Dinah Amaral da silva , Fonseca Stéfani Delgado , Pacheco Jonas Dos santos , Gomes Gustavo josé Da costa
Published: February 2018

A exploração infrene por recursos naturais para aplicação na construção civil é foco por estudos que visam maximizar a reutilização de resíduos que seriam descartados inadequadamente. Dessa maneira, esta pesquisa visa elaborar um concreto utilizando resíduos de construção e demolição como agregado miúdo, de forma a obter uma boa aplicabilidade na construção civil. A diversidade de resíduos coletados pode desencadear reações com os demais compostos do concreto, alterando a sua qualidade e consequentemente o resultado final. A aplicabilidade do concreto na construção civil dependerá, dentre outros fatores, da resistência aos esforços de compressão que são analisados em equipamento apropriado. Os resultados apresentaram a possibilidade de inserção do material em estudo em algumas modalidades de concreto, desde que atendam aos requisitos das normas vigentes.
Procedimentos de segurança para o manuseio correto e consciente de lâmpadas de vapor.
Authors: Dos Santos Raphael Alves , Raposo Arvellos Luis Fernando , Ferreira Alex Franco , De Carvalho José Thomaz
Published: February 2018

Com a regulamentação da Lei de Eficiência Energética, que induziu ao banimento gradativo das lâmpadas incandescentes e a substituição pelas lâmpadas fluorescentes, as quais são mais eficientes do ponto de vista energético, a quantidade de lâmpadas fluorescentes geradas devido à essa substituição das incandescentes por fluorescentes aumentou a quantidade deste tipo de lâmpadas. Além disso, devido também a substituição das fluorescentes por LED, que são ainda mais eficientes, tornou-se o manuseio para substituição e descarte ainda maior. Além das fluorescentes, outros modelos de lâmpadas de vapor tubulares e ovóides são utilizadas em áreas de iluminação pública. O mercúrio é um componente essencial para o funcionamento das lâmpadas fluorescentes e lâmpadas de vapor de mercúrio, e está relacionado à longa vida útil e à eficiência energética. Porém, é um elemento de alto efeito tóxico e cumulativo. O vidro é outro componente utilizado nestas lâmpadas e oferece riscos de acidente durante seu manuseio para instalação, retirada, armazenamento e descarte. Torna-se necessário realizar uma análise dos riscos oferecidos pelo manuseio incorreto, tanto ao  meio ambiente quanto à saúde física dos profissionais da área, focando nos procedimentos de segurança para o manuseio correto e consciente de lâmpadas de vapor. Este trabalho traz informações necessárias para o entendimento dos riscos oferecidos e das medidas de segurança que devem ser adotadas para os profissionais da área de eletricidade e manutenção que mantém contato diretamente ou indiretamente com lâmpadas de vapor. O presente artigo apresenta um estudo com base em consultas e registros fotográficos de campo sobre o atual cenário da forma incorreta de manuseio e descarte praticada pela sociedade. Tem por objetivo destacar a importância conscientização dos riscos existentes, para aplicação das medidas de segurança que serve de referência para aplicação em empresas e residências. Considera-se que a visão geral proporcionada por este trabalho permitirá razoável posicionamento do leitor quanto às ações de operacionalização na segurança no manuseio correto lâmpadas de vapor para melhoria das atuais formas de manuseio e descarte para um processo de trabalho mais seguro.
Current Limitations in the Treatment of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s Diseases: State-of-the-Art and Future Perspective of Polymeric Carriers
Authors: Tonda-Turo Chiara , Origlia Nicola , Mattu Clara , Accorroni Alice , Chiono Valeria
Published: February 2018

Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases are the most common neurodegenerative
diseases worldwide and their incidence is increasing due to the aging population. At the moment,
the available therapies are not disease modifying and have several limitations, some of
which are discussed in this review. One of the main limitations of these treatments is the low
concentration that drugs reach in the central nervous system after systemic administration.
Indeed, the presence of biological barriers, particularly the blood-brain barrier (BBB), hinders
the effective drug delivery to the brain, reducing the potential benefit coming from the administration
of the medication. In this review, the mechanisms of transport across the BBB
and new methods to improve drug passage across the BBB are discussed. These methods include
non-invasive solutions such as intranasal and intravitreal administration, and the use of
nanotechnology solutions based on polymeric carriers when the drug is intravenously injected,
orally taken for intestine adsorption or delivered through the dermal mucosa. Also, it
provides an analysis of more invasive solutions that include intracranially injected hydrogels
and implanted devices for local drug delivery. Efforts in finding new therapeutic drugs blocking
neurodegenerative disease progression or reverting their course should be coupled with
efforts addressed to efficient drug delivery systems. Hence, new pharmacology discoveries
together with advancements in nanotechnologies and biomaterials for regenerative medicine
are required to effectively counteract neurodegenerative diseases.
Protein Tyrosine Nitration in Lung Cancer: Current Research Status and Future Perspectives
Authors: Zhan Xianquan , Huang Yuda , Qian Shehua
Published: February 2018

Oxidative/nitrative damage is a crucial element among the complex factors that
contribute to lung carcinogenesis. Nitric oxide (NO) free radicals, through chemical modifications
such as tyrosine nitration, are significantly involved in lung carcinogenesis and metastasis.
NO-mediated protein nitration, which is the addition of the nitro group (–NO2) to position
3 of the phenolic ring of a tyrosine residue, is an important molecular event in lung cancer,
and has been studied with mass spectrometry. Nitration is involved in multiple biological
processes, including signal transduction, protein degradation, energy metabolism, mitochondrial
dysfunction, enzyme inactivation, immunogenic response, apoptosis, and cell death. This
article reviews the relationship of NO and its derivates and lung cancer, formation and roles
of tyrosine nitration in lung cancer, differences of protein nitration between lung cancer and
other inflammatory pulmonary diseases, current status of protein nitration and nitroproteomics
in lung cancer, and future perspectives to achieve a better understanding of lung carcinogenesis,
for biomarker discovery; and for new diagnostic and prognostic monitoring, and therapeutic
targets.
Modulation of Hepatic MRP3/ABCC3 by Xenobiotics and Pathophysiological Conditions: Role in Drug Pharmacokinetics
Authors: Ghanem Carolina I. , Manautou Jose E.
Published: February 2018

Liver transporters play an important role in the pharmacokinetics and disposition of pharmaceuticals, environmental contaminants, and endogenous compounds. Among them, the family of ATP-Binding Cassette (ABC) transporters is the most important due to its role in the transport of endo- and xenobiotics. The ABCC sub-family is the largest one, consisting of 13 members that include the cystic fibrosis conductance regulator (CFTR/ABCC7); the sulfonylurea receptors (SUR1/ABCC8 and SUR2/ABCC9) and the multidrug resistanceassociated proteins (MRPs). The MRP-related proteins can collectively confer resistance to natural, synthetic drugs and their conjugated metabolites, including platinum-containing compounds, folate anti-metabolites, nucleoside and nucleotide analogs, among others. MRPs can be also catalogued into "long" (MRP1/ABCC1, -2/C2, -3/C3, -6/C6, and -7/C10) and "short" (MRP4/C4, -5/C5, -8/C11, -9/C12, and -10/C13) categories. While MRP2/ABCC2 is expressed in the canalicular pole of hepatocytes, all others are located in the basolateral membrane. In this review, we summarize information from studies examining the changes in expression and regulation of the basolateral hepatic transporter MPR3/ABCC3 by xenobiotics and during various pathophysiological conditions. We also focus, primarily, on the consequences of such changes in the pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic and/or toxicity of different drugs of clinical use transported by MRP3.
Tolfenamic Acid Prevents Amyloid β-induced Olfactory Bulb Dysfunction In Vivo
Authors: Cornejo-Montes-de-Oca José M. , Hernández-Soto Rebeca , Isla Arturo G. , Morado-Urbina Carlos E. , Peña-Ortega Fernando
Published: February 2018

Background:

Amyloid beta inhibits olfactory bulb function. The mechanisms involved in this
effect must include alterations in network excitability, inflammation and the activation of different
transduction pathways. Thus, here we tested whether tolfenamic acid, a drug that modulates several of
these pathological processes, could prevent amyloid beta-induced olfactory bulb dysfunction.

Objective:

To test whether tolfenamic acid prevents amyloid beta-induced alterations in olfactory bulb
network function, olfaction and GSK3β activity.

Method:

The protective effects of tolfenamic acid against amyloid beta-induced population activity inhibition
were tested in olfactory bulb slices from adult mice, while tolfenamic acid and amyloid beta
were bath-applied. We also tested the effects of amyloid-beta in slices obtained from animals pre-treated
chronically (21 days) with tolfenamic acid. The effects of amyloid beta micro-injected into the olfactory
bulbs were also tested, after two weeks, on olfactory bulb population activity and olfaction in control
and tolfenamic acid chronically treated animals. Olfaction was assessed with the odor-avoidance and the
habituation/cross-habituation tests. GSK3β activation was evaluated with Western-blot.

Results:

Acute bath application of tolfenamic acid does not prevent amyloid beta-induced inhibition of
olfactory bulb network activity in vitro. In contrast, chronic treatment with tolfenamic acid renders the
olfactory bulb resistant to amyloid beta-induced network activity inhibition in vitro and in vivo, which
correlates with the inhibition of GSK3β activation and the protection against amyloid beta-induced olfactory
dysfunction.

Conclusion:

Our data further support the use of tolfenamic acid to prevent amyloid beta-induced pathology
and the early symptoms of Alzheimer Disease.
A UBI 31-38 Peptide-coumarin Conjugate: Photophysical Features, Imaging Tracking and Synergism with Amphotericin B Against Cryptococcus
Authors: Ferreira Soraya M.Z.M.D. , Carneiro Hellem C. , Alves Rosemeire B. , Batista Ana Carolina S. , da Silva Junior Eufranio N. , Dias Gleiston G. , Resende Jarbas M. , Santos Daniel A. , Oliveira Debora L. , Rodrigues Marcio L. , Freitas Rossimiriam P.
Published: February 2018

Cryptococcosis is a fungal disease of global significance for which new effective treatments
are needed. The conjugation of the synthetic antimicrobial peptide fragment UBI 31-38 to a
coumarin derivative showed to be an effective approach for the design of a novel anticryptococcal
agent. In addition to antifungal activity, the conjugate exhibited intense fluorescence, which could be
valuable for mechanistic investigations of this molecule. In this work, we studied the photophysical
properties of the conjugate and confocal scanning laser microscopy was used to inspect the distribution
of the peptide-coumarin conjugate in Cryptococcus cell. The synergism of this compound with
amphotericin B or fluconazole against C. gattii and C. neoformans strains was also investigated. The
results indicated that the fluorescent conjugate alone as well as its combination with amphotericin B
are promising tools against cryptococcosis.
Diastasis Recti Abdominis-diagnosis, Risk Factors, Effect on Musculoskeletal Function, Framework for Treatment and Implications for the Pelvic Floor
Authors: Werner Laura Anne , Dayan Marcy
Published: February 2018

Background:

Diastasis Recti Abdominis (DRA) can occur during pregnancy and postpartum. It is defined as an increase of the inter-recti distance (IRD) beyond normal values. The diagnosis of DRA is inconsistent within the literature and varies depending on measurement instrument and activity during measurement (rest versus active curl-up). DRA is characterized by the stretching of linea alba (LA) and contributes to a protrusion of the anterior abdominal wall due to increased laxity in the myofascial system that supports abdominal viscera. DRA has been postulated to affect lumbopelvic support and function due to laxity of the LA and altered angle of muscle insertion, but recent studies have not confirmed this. Risk factors for the development of DRA have been investigated in pregnancy to 12-months postpartum.

Objective:

Rehabilitation for DRA has been traditionally focused on reducing the IRD, but recent research has proposed that a sole focus on closing the DRA is suboptimal.

Results:

It is important alongside the rehabilitation of the abdominal wall that there is the consideration of the pelvic floor (PF). In healthy individuals, with the activation of the transversus abdominis, there is a sub-maximal co-contraction of the PF muscles. This co-contraction can be lost or altered in women with urinary incontinence. An increase in intra-abdominal pressure without simultaneous co-contraction of the PF may cause caudal displacement of the PF.

Conclusion:

The aim of this review is to bring the reader up to date on the evidence on DRA and to propose a rehabilitation framework for the whole abdominal wall in DRA with consideration of the impact on the PF.
In vitro Evaluation of the Marginal Fit and Internal Adaptation of Zirconia and Lithium Disilicate Single Crowns: Micro-CT Comparison Between Different Manufacturing Procedures
Authors: Riccitiello Francesco , Amato Massimo , Leone Renato , Spagnuolo Gianrico , Sorrentino Roberto
Published: February 2018

Background:

Prosthetic precision can be affected by several variables, such as restorative materials, manufacturing procedures, framework design, cementation techniques and aging. Marginal adaptation is critical for long-term longevity and clinical success of dental restorations. Marginal misfit may lead to cement exposure to oral fluids, resulting in microleakage and cement dissolution. As a consequence, marginal discrepancies enhance percolation of bacteria, food and oral debris, potentially causing secondary caries, endodontic inflammation and periodontal disease.

Objective:

The aim of the presentin vitrostudy was to evaluate the marginal and internal adaptation of zirconia and lithium disilicate single crowns, produced with different manufacturing procedures.

Methods:

Forty-five intact human maxillary premolars were prepared for single crowns by means of standardized preparations. All-ceramic crowns were fabricated with either CAD-CAM or heat-pressing procedures (CAD-CAM zirconia, CAD-CAM lithium disilicate, heat-pressed lithium disilicate) and cemented onto the teeth with a universal resin cement. Non-destructive micro-CT scanning was used to achieve the marginal and internal gaps in the coronal and sagittal planes; then, precision of fit measurements were calculated in a dedicated software and the results were statistically analyzed.

Results:

The heat-pressed lithium disilicate crowns were significantly less accurate at the prosthetic margins (p<0.05) while they performed better at the occlusal surface (p<0.05). No significant differences were noticed between CAD-CAM zirconia and lithium disilicate crowns (p>0.05); nevertheless CAD-CAM zirconia copings presented the best marginal fit among the experimental groups. As to the thickness of the cement layer, reduced amounts of luting agent were noticed at the finishing line, whereas a thicker layer was reported at the occlusal level.

Conclusion:

Within the limitations of the presentin vitroinvestigation, the following conclusions can be drawn: the recorded marginal gaps were within the clinical acceptability irrespective of both the restorative material and the manufacturing procedures; the CAD-CAM processing techniques for both zirconia and lithium disilicate produced more consistent marginal gaps than the heat-pressing procedures; the tested universal resin cement can be safely used with both restorative materials.
Diabetes Educators� Insights Regarding Connecting Mobile Phone� and Wearable Tracker�Collected Self-Monitoring Information to a Nationally-Used Electronic Health Record System for Diabetes Education: Descriptive Qualitative Study (Preprint)
Authors: Wang Jing , Chu Chin-Fun , Li Chengdong , Hayes Laura , Siminerio Linda
Published: February 2018

BACKGROUND

Diabetes educators are integral to a clinical team in providing diabetes self-management education and support; however, current mobile and Web-based self-management tools are not integrated into clinical diabetes care to support diabetes educators’ education efforts.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of our study was to seek diabetes educators’ insights regarding the development of an interface within the Chronicle Diabetes system, a nationally used electronic health record (EHR) system for diabetes education documentation with behavioral goal-setting functions, to transfer mobile phone- and wearable tracker-collected self-monitoring information from patients to diabetes educators to facilitate behavioral goal monitoring.

METHODS

A descriptive qualitative study was conducted to seek educators’ perspectives on usability and interface development preferences in developing a connected system. Educators can use the Chronicle Diabetes system to set behavioral goals with their patients. Individual and group interviews were used to seek educators’ preferences for viewing mobile phone- and wearable tracker-collected information on diet, physical activity, and sleep in the Chronicle Diabetes system using open-ended questions. Interview data were transcribed verbatim and analyzed for common themes.

RESULTS

Five common themes emerged from the discussion. First, educators expressed enthusiasm for and concerns about viewing diet and physical activity data in Chronicle Diabetes system. Second, educators valued viewing detailed dietary macronutrients and activity data; however, they preferred different kinds of details depending on patients’ needs, conditions, and behavioral goals and educators’ training background. Third, all educators liked the integration of mobile phone-collected data into Chronicle Diabetes system and preferably with current EHR systems. Fourth, a need for a health care team and a central EHR system to be formed was realized for educators to share summaries of self-monitoring data with other providers. Fifth, educators desired advanced features for the mobile app and the connected interface that can show self-monitoring data.

CONCLUSIONS

Flexibility is needed for educators to track the details of mobile phone- and wearable tracker-collected diet and activity information, and the integration of such data into Chronicle Diabetes and EHR systems is valuable for educators to track patients’ behavioral goals, provide diabetes self-management education and support, and share data with other health care team members to faciliate team-based care in clinical practice.
Metabolic and Hypertensive Complications of Pregnancy in Women with Nephrolithiasis
Authors: Tangren Jessica Sheehan , Powe Camille E. , Ecker Jeffrey , Bramham Kate , Ankers Elizabeth , Karumanchi S. Ananth , Thadhani Ravi
Published: February 2018

Background and objectives

Kidney stones are associated with future development of hypertension, diabetes, and the metabolic syndrome. Our objective was to assess whether stone formation before pregnancy was associated with metabolic and hypertensive complications in pregnancy. We hypothesized that stone formation is a marker of metabolic disease and would be associated with higher risk for maternal complications in pregnancy.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of women who delivered infants at the Massachusetts General Hospital from 2006 to 2015. Women with abdominal imaging (computed tomography or ultrasound) before pregnancy were included in the analysis. Pregnancy outcomes in women with documented kidney stones on imaging (stone formers, n=166) were compared with those of women without stones on imaging (controls, n=1264). Women with preexisting CKD, hypertension, and diabetes were excluded.

Results

Gestational diabetes and preeclampsia were more common in stone formers than nonstone formers (18% versus 6%, respectively; P<0.001 and 16% versus 8%, respectively; P=0.002). After multivariable adjustment, previous nephrolithiasis was associated with higher risks of gestational diabetes (adjusted odds ratio, 3.1; 95% confidence interval, 1.8 to 5.3) and preeclampsia (adjusted odds ratio, 2.2; 95% confidence interval, 1.3 to 3.6). Infants of stone formers were born earlier (38.7±2.0 versus 39.2±1.7 weeks, respectively; P=0.01); however, rates of small for gestational age offspring and neonatal intensive care admission were similar between groups (8% versus 7%, respectively; P=0.33 and 10% versus 6%, respectively; P=0.08). First trimester body mass index significantly influenced the association between stone disease and hypertensive complications of pregnancy: in a multivariable linear regression model, stone formation acted as an effect modifier of the relationship between maximum systolic BP in the third trimester and body mass index (P interaction <0.001).

Conclusions

In women without preexisting diabetes, hypertension, and CKD, a history of nephrolithiasis was associated with gestational diabetes and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, especially in women with high first trimester body mass index.
Drivers of museum visitors' willingness to practice green activities
Authors: Han Heesup , Kim Wansoo , Lee Sanghyeop
Published: February 2018

Our objectives were to propose and test a single framework for the relationships among environmental awareness and positive and negative anticipated feelings in building museum visitors' green behavioral intentions, and also to identify the role of environmental awareness as an independent
variable or a moderator in these relationships. The proposed model and hypotheses were in general supported by data collected from a field survey completed by 270 visitors to museums in Seoul, South Korea. Results of structural equation modeling analysis indicated that anticipated feelings
had a significant direct impact on visitors' behavioral intentions and mediated the influence of environmental awareness on intentions. Moreover, through a test for metric invariance, we established that it was more suitable to use environmental awareness as an independent variable rather
than as a moderator variable. As museum visitors' ecofriendly behavior had rarely been explored previously in research, our findings provide meaningful insights for museum researchers and practitioners.
Reliability and validity of the Beck Depression Inventory-II applied to Chinese construction workers
Authors: Zhu Jianbo , Zhang Jinwen , Sheng Zhaohan , Wang Fengting
Published: February 2018

As previous researchers have found that depression is prevalent among construction workers, we applied the Chinese version of the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) to 712 construction workers in Nanjing, China, to measure their depression. In doing so, we analyzed the reliability
and validity of the Chinese version of the BDI-II, and aimed to provide more extensive empirical data for its further development. Results indicated that the Chinese version of the BDI-II has good reliability and validity, and can therefore be used to screen for depressive symptoms.