bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The multifaceted role of podoplanin expression in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Cioca Andreea , Ceausu Amalia R. , Marin Irina , Raica Marius , Cimpean Anca M.
Published: February 2017

The role of podoplanin in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is not clear yet. The aim of our study was to evaluate the expression of podoplanin in HCC and to determine its role in hepatocarcinogenesis. We performed immunohistochemistry with monoclonal D2-40 antibody, on paraffin-embedded tissue sections of 72 patients diagnosed with HCC. Lymphatic vessels density (LVD) was increased in patients who had vascular invasion at the time of diagnosis (P=0.018) and in those with associated cirrhosis (P=0.006). Tumor cells showing podoplanin expression were correlated with histological grade (P=0.040). Podoplanin-expressing cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs) were correlated with both LVD (P=0.019) and tumor cells (P=0.015). Our results sustain the dual role of podoplanin in HCC by its involvement in both HCC tumorigenesis, lymphatic neovascularization and tumor invasion invasiveness. A possible crosstalk between epithelial and stromal tumor cells in HCC tumor microenvironment may be mediated by podoplanin, but this hypothesis needs further studies to elucidate this interrelation.
Functional topography of the fully grown human oocyte
Authors: Monti Manuela , Calligaro Alberto , Behr Barry , Rejo Pera Renee , Redi Carlo Alberto , Wossidlo Mark
Published: February 2017

In vivo maturation (IVM) of human oocytes is a technique used to increase the number of usable oocytes for in vitro fertilization (IVF) and represents a necessity for women with different ovarian pathologies. During IVM the oocytes progress from the germinal vesicle stage (GV) through the metaphase II and during this journey both nuclear and cytoplasmic rearrangements must be obtained to increase the probability to get viable and healthy zygotes/embryos after IVF. As the successful clinical outcomes of this technique are a reality, we wanted to investigate the causes behind oocytes maturation arrest. For obvious ethical reasons, we were able to analyze only few human immature oocytes discarded and donated to research by transmission electron microscopy showing that, as in the mouse, they have different chromatin and cytoplasmic organizations both essential for further embryo development.
Are N-acetylcysteine and adalimumab effective for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis?
Authors: Yalçın Mustafa , Kıyak Muhammed Ali , Akarsu Mesut , Çelik Aslı , Bengi Göksel , Sağol Özgül
Published: February 2017

Due to the lack of effective medical treatment for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), we aimed to evaluate new treatment options. In particular, our goal was to investigate and compare the effects of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and Adalimumab treatment on tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and oxidative stress during the development of NASH in a rat model of the disease. Our study included a total of 35 female Wistar albino rats that were divided into 5 groups of 7 each, and evaluated over a 6 week period. One group received a normal diet, while the other four groups received a methionine and choline deficient (MCD) diet. One of the groups receiving the MCD diet did not take any medicine, while the other three were administered NAC, adalimumab, or a NAC/adalimumab combination therapy. NASH was successfully established in the MCD diet group. Levels of TNF-α were effectively suppressed in the three groups that received therapy. Even though adalimumab significantly enhanced suppression of TNF-α, the NASH score was suppressed to a more statistically significant extent in the groups receiving NAC. Our study showed that TNF-α and oxidative stress play an important role in NASH pathogenesis. The antioxidant agent, NAC, was found to be superior to the anti-TNF agent, Adalimumab, in the improvement of total NASH score. Although these drugs did not prevent the development of NASH, it was shown that they mildly reverse the NASH histopathology score, suggesting improvement of and overall liver function.
Pseudomembranous colitis in a patient with lamotrigine-induced drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms syndrome
Authors: Orozco Manuel Soria , Martín Nares Eduardo , López Iñiguez Alvaro , Gónzalez Saldaña Sandra , Valerdi Contreras Lorena , Toro Guerrero Jair Abdiel
Published: February 2017

Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) syndrome is a hypersensitivity reaction with rash, fever and multiorgan dysfunction potentially lethal in up to 10% of cases. It often affects liver function, but it can also affect kidney, lungs, and heart. Severe gastrointestinal involvement is rare. We present a case of a 31-year-old hispanic woman with pseudomembranous colitis associated with lamotrigine-induced DRESS syndrome. To the best of our knowledge, this is the fourth reported case of severe involvement of the gastrointestinal tract and the first to report pseudomembranous colitis in the setting of DRESS syndrome.
Relationship between Nuclear DNA-Content of Sperm Cells and the Timing of Events in the Cell Cycle of Brassica campestris L. (Brassicaceae)
Authors: Deng Hua
Published: February 2017

In this work we conducted a quantitative analysis of the nuclear DNA-content of developing sperm cells of the plant Brassica campestris L. The sperm cells were in young pollen grain, mature pollen grain and pollen tubes. When generative cells, at the pre-anthesis stage, split into two sperm cells, we have established that the newly-formed sperm cells begin to synthesize nuclear DNA in developing pollen grain of B. campestris. We measured this DNA-content during the development of sperm cells. The results indicate that during development, sperm cells of B. campestris have passed the G1 phase of the cell cycle and entered the S phase, presumably then fusing with egg cells at a level of 2C, as is characteristic of G2 type fertilization in angiosperms.
60 years of UK visibility measurements: impact of meteorology and atmospheric pollutants on visibility
Authors: Singh Ajit , Bloss William J. , Pope Francis D.
Published: February 2017

Abstract. Reduced visibility is an indicator of poor air quality. Moreover, degradation in visibility can be hazardous to human safety; for example, low visibility can lead to road, rail, sea and air accidents. In this paper, we explore the combined influence of atmospheric aerosol particle and gas characteristics, and meteorology, on long-term visibility. We use visibility data from eight meteorological stations, situated in the UK, which have been running since the 1950s. The site locations include urban, rural and marine environments. Most stations show a long-term trend of increasing visibility, which is indicative of reductions in air pollution, especially in urban areas. Additionally, the visibility at all sites shows a very clear dependence on relative humidity, indicating the importance of aerosol hygroscopicity on the ability of aerosol particles to scatter radiation. The dependence of visibility on other meteorological parameters, such as wind speed and wind direction, is also investigated. Most stations show long-term increases in temperature which can be ascribed to climate change, land-use changes (e.g. urban heat island effects) or a combination of both; the observed effect is greatest in urban areas. The impact of this temperature change upon local relative humidity is discussed. To explain the long-term visibility trends and their dependence on meteorological conditions, the measured data were fitted to a newly developed light-extinction model to generate predictions of historic aerosol and gas scattering and absorbing properties. In general, an excellent fit was achieved between measured and modelled visibility for all eight sites. The model incorporates parameterizations of aerosol hygroscopicity, particle concentration, particle scattering, and particle and gas absorption. This new model should be applicable and is easily transferrable to other data sets worldwide. Hence, historical visibility data can be used to assess trends in aerosol particle properties. This approach may help constrain global model simulations which attempt to generate aerosol fields for time periods when observational data are scarce or non-existent. Both the measured visibility and the modelled aerosol properties reported in this paper highlight the success of the UK's Clean Air Act, which was passed in 1956, in cleaning the atmosphere of visibility-reducing pollutants.
Ground-based MAX-DOAS observations of tropospheric aerosols, NO2, SO2 and HCHO in Wuxi, China, from 2011 to 2014
Authors: Wang Yang , Lampel Johannes , Xie Pinhua , Beirle Steffen , Li Ang , Wu Dexia , Wagner Thomas
Published: February 2017

Abstract. We characterize the temporal variation and vertical distribution of nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), formaldehyde (HCHO) and aerosol extinction based on long-term multi-axis differential optical absorption spectroscopy (MAX-DOAS) observations from May 2011 to November 2014 in Wuxi, China. A new inversion algorithm (PriAM) is implemented to retrieve profiles of the trace gases (TGs) and aerosol extinction (AE) from the UV spectra of scattered sunlight recorded by the MAX-DOAS instrument. We investigated two important aspects of the retrieval process. We found that the systematic seasonal variation of temperature and pressure (which is regularly observed in Wuxi) can lead to a systematic bias of the retrieved aerosol profiles (e.g. up to 20 % for the AOD) if it is not explicitly considered. In this study we take this effect into account for the first time. We also investigated in detail the reason for the differences of tropospheric vertical column densities derived from either the geometric approximation or by the integration of the retrieved profiles, which were reported by earlier studies. We found that these differences are almost entirely caused by the limitations of the geometric approximation (especially for high aerosol loads). The results retrieved from the MAX-DOAS observations are compared with independent techniques not only under cloud-free sky conditions, but also under various cloud scenarios. Under most cloudy conditions (except fog and optically thick clouds), the trace gas results still show good agreements. In contrast, for the aerosol results, only near-surface AE could be still well retrieved under cloudy situations. After applying a quality control procedure, the MAX-DOAS data are used to characterize the seasonal, diurnal and weekly variations of NO2, SO2, HCHO and aerosols. A regular seasonality of the three trace gases is found, but not for aerosols. Similar annual variations of the profiles of the trace gases appear in different years. Only NO2 shows a significant seasonality of the diurnal variations. Considerable amplitudes of weekly cycles occur for NO2 and SO2, but not for HCHO and aerosols. The TGs and aerosols show good correlations, especially for HCHO in winter. More pronounced wind direction dependencies, especially for the near-surface concentrations, are found for the trace gases than for the aerosols, which implies that the local emissions from nearby industrial areas (including traffic emissions) dominate the local pollution, while long-distance transport might also considerably contribute to the local aerosol levels.
Characterizing source fingerprints and ageing processes in laboratory-generated secondary organic aerosols using proton-nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR) analysis and HPLC HULIS determination
Authors: Zanca Nicola , Lambe Andrew T. , Massoli Paola , Paglione Marco , Croasdale David R. , Parmar Yatish , Tagliavini Emilio , Gilardoni Stefania , Decesari Stefano
Published: February 2017

Abstract. The study of secondary organic aerosol (SOA) in laboratory settings has greatly increased our knowledge of the diverse chemical processes and environmental conditions responsible for the formation of particulate matter starting from biogenic and anthropogenic volatile compounds. However, characteristics of the different experimental setups and the way they impact the composition and the timescale of formation of SOA are still subject to debate. In this study, SOA samples were generated using a Potential Aerosol Mass (PAM) oxidation flow reactor using alpha-pinene, naphthalene and isoprene as precursors. The PAM reactor facilitated exploration of SOA composition over atmospherically-relevant photochemical aging time scales that are unattainable in environmental chambers. The SOA samples were analyzed using two state-of-the-art analytical techniques for SOA characterization – proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR) spectroscopy and HPLC determination of humic-like substances (HULIS). Results were compared with previous Aerodyne aerosol mass spectrometer (AMS) measurements. The combined 1H-NMR, HPLC, and AMS datasets show that the composition of the studied SOA systems tend to converge to highly oxidized organic compounds upon prolonged OH exposures. Further, our 1H-NMR findings show that only α-pinene SOA acquire spectroscopic features comparable to those of ambient OA when exposed to at least 1*1012 molec OH /cm3*s OH exposure, or multiple days of equivalent atmospheric OH oxidation. Over multiple days of equivalent atmospheric OH exposure, the formation of HULIS is observed in both α-pinene SOA (maximum yield = 16 %) and in naphthalene SOA (maximum yield = 30 %), providing evidence of the formation of humic-like polycarboxylic acids in unseeded SOA.
Technical note: A closed chamber method to measure greenhouse gas fluxes from dry sediments
Authors: Lesmeister Lukas , Koschorreck Matthias
Published: February 2017

Abstract. Greenhouse gas emissions from dry aquatic sediments are probably globally relevant. However, they are difficult to measure because of the often rocky substrate and the dynamic nature of the habitat. Here we tested the performance of different materials to seal a closed chamber to stony ground both in laboratory and field experiments. Using on-site material consistently resulted in elevated fluxes. The artefact was caused both by outgassing of the material and production of gas. The magnitude of the artefact was site dependent – the measured CO2 flux was increased between 10 and 208 %. Errors due to incomplete sealing proved to be more severe than errors due to non-inert sealing material. Pottery clay as sealing material provided a tight sealing of the chamber to the ground and no production of gases was detected. With this approach it is possible to get reliable gas fluxes from hard-substrate sites without using a permanent collar. Our test experiments confirmed that CO2 fluxes from dry aquatic sediments are similar to CO2 fluxes from normal soils.
Strato-mesospheric carbon monoxide profiles above Kiruna, Sweden (67.8 ° N, 20.4 ° E), since 2008
Authors: Ryan Niall J. , Palm Mathias , Raffalski Uwe , Larsson Richard , Manney Gloria , Millán Luis , Notholt Justus
Published: February 2017

Abstract. This paper presents the retrieval and validation of a self-consistent time series of carbon monoxide (CO) above Kiruna using measurements from the Kiruna Microwave Radiometer (KIMRA). The data set currently spans the years 2008–2015, and measurements are ongoing at Kiruna. The spectra are inverted using an optimal estimation method to retrieve altitude profiles of CO concentrations in the atmosphere within an average altitude range of 48–84 km. Atmospheric temperature data from the Special Sensor Microwave Imager/Sounder aboard the US Air Force meteorological satellite DMSP-F18, are used in the inversion of KIMRA spectra between January 2011 and May 2014. This KIMRA CO data set is compared with CO data from the Microwave Limb Sounder aboard the Aura satellite: there is a maximum bias for KIMRA of  ∼  0.65 ppmv at 68 km (corresponding to 14.7 % of the mean CO value at 68 km) and a maximum relative bias of 22 % (0.44 ppmv) at 60 km. Standard deviations of the differences between profiles are similar in magnitude to the estimated uncertainties in the profiles. Correlations between the instruments are within 0.87 and 0.94. These numbers indicate agreement between the instruments. To expand the CO data set outside of the lifetime of DMSP-F18, another inversion setup was used that incorporates modelled temperatures from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts. The effect on the retrieved CO profiles when using a different temperature data set in the inversion was assessed. A comparison of the two overlapping KIMRA CO data sets shows a positive bias of  <  5 % in the extended data set and a correlation  >  0.98 between the lower retrievable altitude limit and 82.5 km. The extended data set shows a larger range ( ≤  6 %) of CO concentrations that is not explained by random error estimates. Measurements are continuing and the extended KIMRA CO time series currently spans 2008–2015, with gaps corresponding to non-operation and summer periods when CO concentrations below  ∼  90 km drop to very low values. The data can be accessed at doi:10.1594/PANGAEA.861730.
Review of the global models used within phase 1 of the Chemistry–Climate Model Initiative (CCMI)
Authors: Morgenstern Olaf , Hegglin Michaela I. , Rozanov Eugene , O'Connor Fiona M. , Abraham N. Luke , Akiyoshi Hideharu , Archibald Alexander T. , Bekki Slimane , Butchart Neal , Chipperfield Martyn P. , Deushi Makoto , Dhomse Sandip S. , Garcia Rolando R. , Hardiman Steven C. , Horowitz Larry W. , Jöckel Patrick , Josse Beatrice , Kinnison Douglas , Lin Meiyun , Mancini Eva , Manyin Michael E. , Marchand Marion , Marécal Virginie , Michou Martine , Oman Luke D. , Pitari Giovanni , Plummer David A. , Revell Laura E. , Saint-Martin David , Schofield Robyn , Stenke Andrea , Stone Kane , Sudo Kengo , Tanaka Taichu Y. , Tilmes Simone , Yamashita Yousuke , Yoshida Kohei , Zeng Guang
Published: February 2017

Abstract. We present an overview of state-of-the-art chemistry–climate and chemistry transport models that are used within phase 1 of the Chemistry–Climate Model Initiative (CCMI-1). The CCMI aims to conduct a detailed evaluation of participating models using process-oriented diagnostics derived from observations in order to gain confidence in the models' projections of the stratospheric ozone layer, tropospheric composition, air quality, where applicable global climate change, and the interactions between them. Interpretation of these diagnostics requires detailed knowledge of the radiative, chemical, dynamical, and physical processes incorporated in the models. Also an understanding of the degree to which CCMI-1 recommendations for simulations have been followed is necessary to understand model responses to anthropogenic and natural forcing and also to explain inter-model differences. This becomes even more important given the ongoing development and the ever-growing complexity of these models. This paper also provides an overview of the available CCMI-1 simulations with the aim of informing CCMI data users.
Source apportionment of atmospheric water over East Asia – a source tracer study in CAM5.1
Authors: Pan Chen , Zhu Bin , Gao Jinhui , Kang Hanqing
Published: February 2017

Abstract. The atmospheric water tracer (AWT) method is implemented in the Community Atmosphere Model version 5.1 (CAM5.1) to quantitatively identify the contributions of various source regions to precipitation and water vapour over East Asia. Compared to other source apportionment methods, the AWT method was developed based on detailed physical parameterisations, and can therefore trace the behaviour of atmospheric water substances directly and exactly. According to the simulation, the northern Indian Ocean (NIO) is the dominant oceanic moisture source region for precipitation over the Yangtze River valley (YRV) and southern China (SCN) in summer, while the north-western Pacific (NWP) dominates during other seasons. Evaporation over the South China Sea (SCS) is responsible for only 2.7–3.7 % of summer precipitation over the YRV and SCN. In addition, the Indo-China Peninsula is an important terrestrial moisture source region (annual contribution of  ∼  10 %). The overall relative contribution of each source region to the water vapour amount is similar to the corresponding contribution to precipitation over the YRV and SCN. A case study for the SCS shows that only a small part ( ≤  5.5 %) of water vapour originates from local evaporation, whereas much more water vapour is supplied by the NWP and NIO. In addition, because evaporation from the SCS represents only a small contribution to the water vapour over the YRV and SCN in summer, the SCS mainly acts as a water vapour transport pathway where moisture from the NIO and NWP meet.
Impacts of spatial resolution and representation of flow connectivity on large-scale simulation of floods
Authors: Mateo Cherry May R. , Yamazaki Dai , Kim Hyungjun , Champathong Adisorn , Vaze Jai , Oki Taikan
Published: February 2017

Abstract. Global-scale River Models (GRMs) are core tools for providing consistent estimates of global flood hazard, especially in data-scarce regions. Due to former limitations in computational power and input datasets, most GRMs have been developed to use simplified representation of flow physics and run at coarse spatial resolutions. With increasing computational power and improved datasets, the application of GRMs to finer resolutions is becoming a reality. To support development in this direction, the suitability of GRMs for application to finer resolutions needs to be assessed. This study investigates the impacts of spatial resolution and flow connectivity representation on the predictive capability of a GRM, CaMa-Flood, in simulating the 2011 extreme flood in Thailand. Analyses show that when single downstream connectivity (SDC) is assumed, simulation results deteriorate with finer spatial resolution; Nash–Sutcliffe Efficiency coefficient decreased by more than 35 % between simulation results at 10 km resolution and 1 km resolution. When multiple downstream connectivity (MDC) is represented, simulation results slightly improve with finer spatial resolution. The SDC simulations result in excessive backflows on very flat floodplains due to the restrictive flow directions in finer resolutions. MDC channels attenuated these effects by maintaining flow connectivity and flow capacity between floodplains in varying spatial resolutions. While a regional-scale flood was chosen as a test case, these findings are universal and can be extended to global-scale simulations. These results demonstrate that a GRM can be used for higher resolution simulations of large-scale floods, provided that MDC in rivers and floodplains is adequately represented in the model structure.
A multi-service data management platform for scientific oceanographic products
Authors: D'Anca Alessandro , Conte Laura , Nassisi Paola , Palazzo Cosimo , Lecci Rita , Cretì Sergio , Mancini Marco , Nuzzo Alessandra , Mirto Maria , Mannarini Gianandrea , Coppini Giovanni , Fiore Sandro , Aloisio Giovanni
Published: February 2017

Abstract. An efficient, secure and interoperable data platform solution has been developed in the TESSA project to provide fast navigation and access to the data stored in the data archive, as well as a standard-based metadata management support. The platform mainly targets scientific users and the situational sea awareness high-level services such as the decision support systems (DSS). These datasets are accessible through the following three main components: the Data Access Service (DAS), the Metadata Service and the Complex Data Analysis Module (CDAM). The DAS allows access to data stored in the archive by providing interfaces for different protocols and services for downloading, variables selection, data subsetting or map generation. Metadata Service is the heart of the information system of the TESSA products and completes the overall infrastructure for data and metadata management. This component enables data search and discovery and addresses interoperability by exploiting widely adopted standards for geospatial data. Finally, the CDAM represents the back-end of the TESSA DSS by performing on-demand complex data analysis tasks.
North Atlantic deep water formation and AMOC in CMIP5 models
Authors: Heuzé Céline
Published: February 2017

Abstract. Deep water formation in climate models is indicative of their ability to simulate future ocean circulation, carbon and heat uptake, and sea level rise. Present-day temperature, salinity, sea ice concentration and ocean transport in the North Atlantic subpolar gyre and Nordic Seas from 23 CMIP5 (Climate Model Intercomparison Project, phase 5) models are compared with observations to assess the biases, causes and consequences of North Atlantic deep convection in models. The majority of models convect too deep, over too large an area, too often, and too far south. Deep convection occurs at the sea ice edge and is most realistic in models with accurate sea ice extent, mostly those using the CICE model. Half of the models convect in response to local cooling or salinification of the surface waters; only a third have a dynamic relationship between freshwater coming from the Arctic and deep convection. The models with the most intense deep convection have the warmest deep waters, due to a redistribution of heat through the water column. For the majority of models, the variability of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) is explained by the volumes of deep water produced in the subpolar gyre and Nordic Seas up to 2 years before. In turns, models with the strongest AMOC have the largest heat export to the Arctic. Understanding the dynamical drivers of deep convection and AMOC in models is hence key to realistically forecast Arctic oceanic warming and its consequences on the global ocean circulation, cryosphere and marine life.
Surface energy budget responses to radiative forcing at Summit, Greenland
Authors: Miller Nathaniel B. , Shupe Matthew D. , Cox Christopher J. , Noone David , Persson P. Ola G. , Steffen Konrad
Published: February 2017

Abstract. Greenland Ice Sheet surface temperatures are controlled by an exchange of energy at the surface, which includes radiative, turbulent, and ground heat fluxes. Data collected by multiple projects are leveraged to calculate all surface energy budget (SEB) terms at Summit, Greenland, for the full annual cycle from July 2013 to June 2014 and extend to longer periods for the radiative and turbulent SEB terms. Radiative fluxes are measured directly by a suite of broadband radiometers. Turbulent sensible heat flux is estimated via the bulk aerodynamic and eddy correlation methods, and the turbulent latent heat flux is calculated via a two-level approach using measurements at 10 and 2 m. The subsurface heat flux is calculated using a string of thermistors buried in the snow pack. Extensive quality-control data processing produced a data set in which all terms of the SEB are present 75 % of the full annual cycle, despite the harsh conditions. By including a storage term for a near-surface layer, the SEB is balanced in this data set to within the aggregated uncertainties for the individual terms. November and August case studies illustrate that surface radiative forcing is driven by synoptically forced cloud characteristics, especially by low-level, liquid-bearing clouds. The annual cycle and seasonal diurnal cycles of all SEB components indicate that the non-radiative terms are anticorrelated to changes in the total radiative flux and are hence responding to cloud radiative forcing. Generally, the non-radiative SEB terms and the upwelling longwave radiation component compensate for changes in downwelling radiation, although exact partitioning of energy in the response terms varies with season and near-surface characteristics such as stability and moisture availability. Substantial surface warming from low-level clouds typically leads to a change from a very stable to a weakly stable near-surface regime with no solar radiation or from a weakly stable to neutral/unstable regime with solar radiation. Relationships between forcing terms and responding surface fluxes show that the upwelling longwave radiation produces 65–85 % (50–60 %) of the total response in the winter (summer) and the non-radiative terms compensate for the remaining change in the combined downwelling longwave and net shortwave radiation. Because melt conditions are rarely reached at Summit, these relationships are documented for conditions of surface temperature below 0 °C, with and without solar radiation. This is the first time that forcing and response term relationships have been investigated in detail for the Greenland SEB. These results should both advance understanding of process relationships over the Greenland Ice Sheet and be useful for model validation.
Roles of Organizational Cultural, Networks, Interpersonal Relationships, and Leadership Challenges: An Empirical Investigation of Women in Management
Authors: Salah Ali Atallah , Rahahleh Arwa Hisham , Alabaddi Zaid Ahmad , Al-omoush Majd Mohammad
Published: February 2017

The presence of women in workplace has increased in last decades surrounded by leadership challenges that negatively marked their progress. The aims of the current work are to examine the research gap on Jordanian female managers and to investigate the challenges that women encounter in private and public sectors. Further, this work also investigates the effects of organizational culture, networks, and interpersonal relationships on the leadership challenges that women face in the Jordanian workplace. The current work employed quantitative methods to gather accessible data from the sample of the study. Measures used in this study are demographic characteristics, leadership challenges, organizational cultural, networks, and interpersonal relationships. Partial Least Squares (PLS) approach as a statistical method was used to analyze the data. Results indicated that the most leadership challenges faced by women are organizational networks and interpersonal relationships. Further, results of PLS showed that significant and positive effects carried out by organizational networks and interpersonal relationships and organizational culture on leadership challenges. Practical implications and recommendations for future research are presented and discussed.
Relevance of Stakeholders in Policy Implementation
Authors: Yaro Ibrahim , Arshad Rozita , Salleh Dani
Published: February 2017

The purpose of this study is to examine the relevance of stakeholders in education policy implementation. This become necessary for the fact that despite efforts of most countries in contemporary world of not only trying to ensure that quality education is received, but of making education accessible to all, the aim has not been adequately achieved due to ineffective implementation of the education policies and lack of relevant stakeholder’s involvement as the government alone cannot shoulder the responsibility of education provision. Using qualitative research approach, 15 respondents were purposively interviewed and the result analyzed using Nvivo software. The findings indicated that education stakeholders have significant role to play in policy implementation which is categorized into two themes (i.e. total commitment and supporting the school system). It is therefore, recommended that stakeholders should be allowed full participation in education provision; government should as well provide sound measures of effective implementation so that collaboratively quality education could be ensured.
Enseñanza del español, como segunda lengua en estudiantes indígenas, modalidad regular, URACCAN, Siuna, 2015
Authors: Rodríguez Andrade Jacoba Estela , Argüello Mendieta Julia Del Carmen
Published: February 2017

La investigación, se realizó con estudiantes indígenas del primer año de las carreras: Ingeniería Agroforestal, Administración de Empresas e Informática Administrativa de la Universidad de las Regiones Autónomas de la Costa Caribe Nicaragüense (URACCAN) Siuna. La finalidad fue analizar la situación de la enseñanza aprendizaje del español como segunda lengua, modalidad regular, describir las metodologías de enseñanza, estilos de aprendizaje, actitudes y compromisos que asumen los estudiantes. Es cualitativa y según el nivel de profundidad, descriptiva desde el enfoque del interaccionismo simbólico.  Participaron once estudiantes indígenas, cinco mujeres, seis varones. Según su pertenencia étnica, siete miskitos, cuatro sumu-mayangnas. El universo y la muestra representan el cien por ciento. Las para la recolección de la información fueron: entrevistas, grupos focales, la observación y la revisión documental.Los hallazgos, reflejan la variedad de metodologías que utilizan los docentes, en las que existe coincidencia sobre la metodología participativa, elaboración conjunta e interrogatorios. Los estilos de aprendizaje que se identificaron fueron: con mayor frecuencia el acomodador, en segundo lugar el divergente. Entre las estrategias propuestas para facilitar el proceso educativo del español como segunda lengua, se destacan: atención a la diversidad mediante tutorías de acompañamiento docente, la práctica de técnicas y hábitos de estudio. SummaryThe research was conducted with indigenous students of first year from the careers of: Agroforestry Engineering, Business Administration and Administrative Computing of the University of the Autonomous Regions of the Caribbean Coast of Nicaragua (URACCAN), from Siuna campus. The purpose was to analyze the situation of teaching-learning Spanish as a second language in the regular modality, describe the teaching methods, learning techniques, attitudes and commitments that are assumed by the students. The study is qualitative and according to the level of profoundness it’s descriptive from the perspective of symbolic interactionism. Eleven indigenous students participated, five women, six men. According to their ethnicity seven were Miskitus and four Sumu-Mayangnas. The universe and the sample represents one hundred percent. The instruments for data collection that was used were based on interviews, focus groups, observation and document review.The findings reflect the variety of methodologies that is used by the teachers, where there is agreement on the participative methodology, the joint elaboration as well as the interrogations. The learning techniques identified were: in first place the usher, and secondly the divergent. Among the strategies proposed to facilitate the educational process of Spanish as a second language we find: attention to diversity through teacher tutoring accompaniment, the practice of techniques and the implementation of study habits.
Análisis ambiental desde una perspectiva jurídica del ecosistema sur del Municipio La Sierpe
Authors: Zedeño Valmaseda Alexis Ramón , Carbonell Nuñez Bertha Emérita , Elizalde Consuegra Roberto Luis
Published: February 2017

El trabajo es un resultado de investigaciones realizadas en el marco del proyecto Formación de capacidades para el manejo integrado de la costa Sur del municipio La Sierpe. En el mismo se hace un análisis ambiental a partir de un marco jurídico nacional e internacional vigente de las afectaciones provocadas por la no existencia de un Manejo integrado de la costa sur del municipio la Sierpe. El análisis se centra principalmente en tres recursos fundamentales que son los que más se ven afectados, los cuales son: Los bosques, las aguas terrestres y marinas y los suelos como uno de los componentes fundamentales de la tierra. En el trabajo se analizan detalladamente las causas y condiciones que han propiciado el deterioro de estos recursos, así como los elementos legales que la sustentan. Todo lo cual propicia un importante material investigativo a tener en cuenta por las autoridades del territorio para la toma de decisiones en cuanto a la necesidad de implementar el manejo integrado de la zona. Desde el punto de vista investigativo se realiza un diagnóstico sobre las principales afectaciones ambientales de la zona, así como las acusas que la originan a partir de lo cual la ciencia puede actuar con propuestas para mitigar estos cambios.SummaryThe work is a result of investigations carried out in the mark of the project Formation of capacities for the integrated handling of the south coast of the municipality The Serpent. In the same one an environmental analysis is made starting from an effective national and international juridical mark of the affectations caused by the non existence of an integrated Handling of the south coast of the municipality the Serpent. The analysis is centered mainly in three fundamental resources that are those that more they are affected, which are: The forests, the terrestrial and marine waters, the floors like one of the fundamental components of the earth. In the work they are analyzed the causes and conditions that have propitiated the deterioration of these resources detailedly as well as the legal elements that sustain it. All that which favorable an important investigative material to keep in mind for the authorities of the territory for the taking of decisions as for the necessity of implementing the integrated handling of the area. From the investigative point of view he/she is carried out a diagnosis on the main environmental affectations of the area as well as you accuse them that they originate it starting from that which the science can act with proposals to mitigate these changes.
Pulmonary pseudotumoral tuberculosis in an old man: A rare presentation
Authors: Campobasso Anna , Perrone Antonio , D'Introno Alessia , Boccuti Viera , Sangineto Moris , Resta Leonardo , Sabbà Carlo
Published: February 2017

The pseudotumoral form of tuberculosis is very rare in healthy immunocompetent subjects and can simulates lung carcinoma causing diagnosis dilemma or lead to abusive surgical resection. Here we report a case of pulmonary tuberculosis in its pseudotumoral form in an immunocompetent old men who presented with cough, fatigue and fever. A computerized tomography of the chest indicated a dishomogeneous mass that compressed and deformed the left main bronchus that was referable to a primary tumor. The hystopatological exam from the bioptic samples obtained by bronchoscopy was negative for neoplasia. Moreover, an abdomen CT scan showed hypodense solid lesions of the liver likely to be considered as metastasis; the histological analysis of these hepatic lesions was negative for neoplasia. It was necessary to perform a second CT scan of the chest and another bronchoscopy with biopsy and histopathological examination before establishing the diagnosis of the pulmonary pseudotumoral form. The case report confirm, as previously described, the difficulties in the diagnosis of this rare form of tuberculosis that lead to a delay in therapy, and suggest that the pseudotumor has to be included as different diagnosis of pulmonary mass also in healthy immunocompetent subjects.
The effect of problem-based learning on nursing students' decision making skills and styles
Authors: Thabet Mona , Taha Eman EL-Sayed , Abood Sahar Ahmed , Morsy Shadia Ramdan
Published: February 2017

Decision making skill is deemed to be a key feature of the nurse’s role in today’s health care organizations. Thus, educators should use innovative teaching strategies that grow students’ competence in problem-solving and decision making skills like problem-based learning (PBL). The aim of this study is to determine the effect of problem-based learning on nursing students' decision making skills and styles. A quasi-experimental research design was utilized. The sample consisted of 84 students from the fourth year in the Faculty of Nursing, Minia University. Two tools were used: Nursing Students’ Decision Making Skills Scale and Nursing Students’ Decision Making Style. This study revealed that the mean scores of decision making skills in the study group students increased before and after applying PBL (before: 71 + 8.5, after: 116.3 + 10.4) with a statistical significant difference (p = .001). There was no statistical significant differences between the study and control groups (p = 1.000) before intervention. The most dominant decision-making style among the study and control groups in relation to before and after applying PBL was a behavioral decision style with no statistical significant differences. This study concluded that using PBL has a curial role in developing and improving nursing students' decision making skills; however, it has no effect on decision-making style.
Initial Community Hospital Performance of Radioactive Seed Localization for Breast Cancer Patients
Authors: Wheeler James A , Liu Fang
Published: February 2017

Purpose: To compare the positive margin rates for women with nonpalpable breast tumors who underwent breast conserving surgery with wire localization versus those with radioactive seed localization in a small community hospital and to compare the size of the corresponding breast specimens.Introduction: Wire localization (WL) has been the standard technique to assist in the removal of nonpalpable breast tumors for the past three decades for patients undergoing breast conserving surgery. Radioactive seed localization (RSL) is an alternative technique that provides advantages of patient comfort and scheduling convenience. There are numerous studies from large academic centers, but little information on how successfully this technique can be implemented in community hospitals.Methods:         Thirty-five patients who underwent WL between September 18, 2013 and December 10, 2014 were compared to 110 patients who underwent RSL between February 12, 2014 and December 16, 2015. Results: Three of the 35 WL patients (8.5%) had a positive margin compared to 14 of the 110 RSL patients (12.7%), but this difference was not statistically significant (p-value 0.763). The breast specimen weight had a geometric mean of 30.26 g for the WL patients and 32.78 g for the RSL patients, a difference of 8.3%, which was not statistically significant. Positive margin rates did not depend on the surgeon or the radiologist placing the I-125 localization seed.Conclusion: The RSL technique can be implemented in community hospitals with the expectation of having the same positive margin rates as reported from academic centers.
Chondromalacia – a diagnosis or diagnostic nihilism?
Authors: Witoński Dariusz
Published: February 2017

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APPLICATION OF FUNCTIONAL NEUROMARKERS FOR CONSTRUCTING PROTOCOLS OF NEUROTHERAPY AND MONITORING THE SUCCESS OF TREATMENT IN CHRONIC CROSSED TRANSCORTICAL SENSORY APHASIA: A CASE STUDY
Authors: Chantsoulis Marzena , Półrola Paweł , Góral-Półrola Jolanta , Herman-Sucharska Izabela , Kropotov Juri D. , Pachalska Maria
Published: February 2017

Background. The goal of the study was threefold: 1) to evaluate QEEG/ERPs in­dexes of functional brain impairment after a stroke associated with chronic crossed transcortical sensory aphasia, 2) to construct a neu­rotherapy protocol to compensate for this functional damage, and 3) to assess the changes in the functional neuromarkers induced by the neurotherapy sessions.
Case study. A 72-year-old, strongly right-handed woman with atrial fibrillation sud­denly developed cerebral embolism of the right middle cerebral artery. She was treated conservatively, and the left hemiparesis, and aphasia – in a moderate degree, consequently existed. A CT-scan showed a large infarct lesion partially parallel to Wernicke’s area. After one year of ineffective aphasia therapy we constructed an experimental neuro­therapy protocol (TMS combined with comprehensive aphasia therapy) on the basis of an assessment of the spontaneous QEEG and event-related potentials (ERPs) in the cued GO/NOGO. The patient was assessed before and after the neurotherapy sessions by the same methodology.
Conclusions.It was found that before the TMS treatment the temporal area (T6) generates a strong P2 wave in response to visual stimulus indicating a hyper-sensitivity of the neurons located at temporal areas of the right hemisphere. This was connected with crossed transcortical sensory aphasia found within the aphasia profile in the Polish version of the Western Aphasia Battery (K-WAB). The TMS sessions reduced this hyper-sensitivity substantially. The patient speech returned to the norm, she was to return to social life.
THE BEGINNINGS OF WORLD OF DIAGNOSIS WITHIN NEUROLOGICAL RESEARCH ON THE EXAMPLE OF THE POLISH SCHOLAR JAN PILTZ
Authors: Zamachowska Monika , Gryglewski Ryszard  W.
Published: February 2017

Jan Piltz has gone down in the history of medicine, and not only of Polish medicine, as an eminent researcher into papillary reflexes. Our text is predominantly dedicated to this issue. Our primary goal was to present the course of the research conducted by this Polish scientist, providing details and depicting the conditions in which he reached his solutions; ones so significant for the development of neurology and medical practice. Our paper is a review, therefore, it includes references to both Piltz’s own publications and descriptions of and references to his scientific achievements in the reports of other authors. However, before we touch upon this substantive item of our paper, we assume it would be worthwhile providing a short introduction of Jan Piltz as a scientist and one of the founding fathers of modern Polish neurology.
The genus Brachypsectra LeConte, 1874 (Coleoptera: Brachypsectridae) in the Palaearctic Region
Authors: Petrzelkova Ivana , Makris Christodoulos , Kundrata Robin
Published: February 2017

We summarize all information regarding the genus Brachypsectra (Coleoptera: Brachypsectridae) in the Palaearctic Region. New material of B. kadleci Hájek, 2010 is reported from western and southern Iran and its intraspecific variability in coloration and morphology is described and figured. Brachypsectra jaechi sp. nov. from southern Turkey is described from males, and an unassociated Brachypsectra species from Cyprus is reported, including the descriptions of its female and larva. These findings are the first records of this genus as well as of the family Brachypsectridae for Turkey and Cyprus. Additionally, a diagnostic key to the adult males and larvae of all Brachypsectra species is updated.
Impacts of Organizational Culture on Leadership’s Decision-Making
Authors: Jalal Akram
Published: February 2017

Variances in cultural performances cause disagreement between team members.
The aim of this paper is to explore the influences of organisational multi-culture on leadership decision-making process.
Hypotheses were proposed to develop an appropriate conceptual research model. The data collection was accomplished using an online structured questionnaire survey with global respondents. 50 questionnaires were distributed and only 39 valid responds were returned.
Correlation and regression statistical analysis was applied to measure the relationships between independent variables: cultural diversity, communication, teamwork, learning and development, trust, obligation and cohesion, productive team work with dependent variable: leadership’s decision-making.
The findings show that leadership’s decision-making process was significantly influenced by organisational cultural diversity.
Explanatory factors of willingness to pay for cultural attributes in Castilla wal
Authors: Luna Méndez Nexeai , Jaramillo Villanueva José Luis , Ramírez Juárez Javier
Published: February 2017

The aim of the study was to determine the explanatory factors of the willingness to pay (WTP) a price premium for consuming local Castilla walnut versus the imported one in the region of “Sierra Nevada”, state of Puebla. Data were gathered from 216 questionnaires administered to consumers in three cities: Puebla capital, San Pedro Cholula and Atlixco. To explain the WTP, an econometric probit model with multiple intervals was estimated. A WTP a premium of 10 % for the attribute “local” was found. The explanatory variables were the price paid (PRECIO), safety of the product (INOCUIDAD) and gastronomic identity (IDENTIDAD).