bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Functional abnormalities in Broca’s area in adolescents with ADHD: A resting-state fMRI study
Authors: Pikusa Michał , Jończyk Rafał
Published: April 2015

There is evidence that attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is associated with linguistic difficulties. However, the pathophysiology underlying these difficulties is yet to be determined. This study investigates functional abnormalities in Broca’s area, which is associated with speech production and processing, in adolescents with ADHD by means of resting-state fMRI. Data for the study was taken from the ADHD-200 project and included 267 ADHD patients (109 with combined inattentive/hyperactive subtype and 158 with inattentive subtype) and 478 typically-developing control (TDC) subjects. An analysis of fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (fALFF), which reflects spontaneous neural activity, in Broca’s area (Brodmann Areas 44/45) was performed on the data and the results were compared statistically across the participant groups. fALFF was found to be significantly lower in the ADHD inattentive group as compared to TDC in BA 44, and in the ADHD combined group as compared to TDC in BA 45. The results suggest that there are functional abnormalities in Broca’s area with people suffering from ADHD, and that the localization of these abnormalities might be connected to particular language deficits associated with ADHD subtypes, which we discuss in the article. The findings might help explore the underlying causes of specific language difficulties in ADHD.
Experimentelle Analyse der Dynamik von Zahnradgetrieben – Teil 2
Authors: Šmeringaiová Anna , Vojtko Imrich , Monková Katarína
Published: April 2015

Der vorliegende zweite Teil eines Beitrags zur Analyse der Dynamik von
Zahnradgetrieben befasst sich mit der experimentellen Bewertung der
Dynamik von Zahnradgetrieben. Das Ziel war, eine Methodik zur
Bewertung des dynamischen Verhaltens bei Getrieben unterschiedlicher
Bauformen, bzw. von unterschiedlicher technologischer oder
konstruktiver Ausführung unter gleichen Betriebsbedingungen einerseits
und bei gleichen Getrieben unter verschiedenen Betriebsbedingungen
andererseits zu schaffen.

Es werden der experimentelle Prüfstand, die verwendeten diagnostischen
Methoden, die Ergebnisse der Prüfungen auf dem Prüfstand und die
vorgeschlagene Methodik zur Bestimmung der dynamischen Eigenschaften
von Zahnradgetrieben vorgestellt.
Chancen und Grenzen von automatischer Annotation
Authors: Zinsmeister Heike
Published: April 2015

Linguistic annotation helps corpus users to retrieve relevant examples in an efficient way. It also supports the identification of latent patterns in the data by encoding generalizations such as parts of speech. Since manual annotation is very time-consuming, many projects use off-the-shelf tools for annotating or at least preprocessing their data. This article discusses pros and cons of such automatic annotation using part-of-speech tagging as an example case. It argues that errors made by annotation tools are systematic in nature and hence predictable to a certain extent. In addition, the article addresses the issue of descriptive adequacy of tagsets. In particular, it discusses how well the Stuttgart-Tübingen Tagset (STTS) describes German parts of speech. Finally, the article briefly addresses normalization, an additional preprocessing step that is sometimes required before automatic annotation tools can be applied.
Activation of Corticostriatal Circuitry Relieves Chronic Neuropathic Pain
Authors: Lee Michelle , Manders Toby R. , Eberle Sarah E. , Su Chen , D'amour James , Yang Runtao , Lin Hau Yueh , Deisseroth Karl , Froemke Robert C. , Wang Jing
Published: April 2015

Neural circuits that determine the perception and modulation of pain remain poorly understood. The prefrontal cortex (PFC) provides top-down control of sensory and affective processes. While animal and human imaging studies have shown that the PFC is involved in pain regulation, its exact role in pain states remains incompletely understood. A key output target for the PFC is the nucleus accumbens (NAc), an important component of the reward circuitry. Interestingly, recent human imaging studies suggest that the projection from the PFC to the NAc is altered in chronic pain. The function of this corticostriatal projection in pain states, however, is not known. Here we show that optogenetic activation of the PFC produces strong antinociceptive effects in a rat model (spared nerve injury model) of persistent neuropathic pain. PFC activation also reduces the affective symptoms of pain. Furthermore, we show that this pain-relieving function of the PFC is likely mediated by projections to the NAc. Thus, our results support a novel role for corticostriatal circuitry in pain regulation.
A Critical Role for Purinergic Signalling in the Mechanisms Underlying Generation of BOLD fMRI Responses
Authors: Wells Jack A. , Christie Isabel N. , Hosford Patrick S. , Huckstepp Robert T.R. , Angelova Plamena R. , Vihko Pirkko , Cork Simon C. , Abramov Andrey Y. , Teschemacher Anja G. , Kasparov Sergey , Lythgoe Mark F. , Gourine Alexander V.
Published: April 2015

The mechanisms of neurovascular coupling underlying generation of BOLD fMRI signals remain incompletely understood. It has been proposed that release of vasoactive substances by astrocytes couples neuronal activity to changes in cerebrovascular blood flow. However, the role of astrocytes in fMRI responses remains controversial. Astrocytes communicate via release of ATP, and here we tested the hypothesis that purinergic signaling plays a role in the mechanisms underlying fMRI. An established fMRI paradigm was used to trigger BOLD responses in the forepaw region of the somatosensory cortex (SSFP) of an anesthetized rat. Forepaw stimulation induced release of ATP in the SSFP region. To interfere with purinergic signaling by promoting rapid breakdown of the vesicular and/or released ATP, a lentiviral vector was used to express a potent ectonucleotidase, transmembrane prostatic acid phosphatase (TMPAP), in the SSFP region. TMPAP expression had no effect on resting cerebral blood flow, cerebrovascular reactivity, and neuronal responses to sensory stimulation. However, TMPAP catalytic activity markedly reduced the magnitude of BOLD fMRI responses triggered in the SSFP region by forepaw stimulation. Facilitated ATP breakdown could result in accumulation of adenosine. However, blockade of A1receptors had no effect on BOLD responses and did not reverse the effect of TMPAP. These results suggest that purinergic signaling plays a significant role in generation of BOLD fMRI signals. We hypothesize that astrocytes activated during periods of enhanced neuronal activity release ATP, which propagates astrocytic activation, stimulates release of vasoactive substances and dilation of cerebral vasculature.
Differential Regulation of Two Isoforms of the Glial Glutamate Transporter EAAT2 by DLG1 and CaMKII
Authors: Underhill Suzanne M. , Wheeler David S. , Amara Susan G.
Published: April 2015

The gene for EAAT2, the major astrocytic glutamate transporter, generates two carrier isoforms (EAAT2a and EAAT2b) that vary at their C termini as a consequence of alternative RNA splicing. The EAAT2b cytoplasmic C terminus contains a postsynaptic density-95/Discs large/zona occludens-1 (PDZ) ligand, which is absent in EAAT2a. To understand how the distinct C termini might affect transporter trafficking and surface localization, we generated Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells that stably express EGFP-EAAT2a or EGFP-EAAT2b and found robust basolateral membrane expression of the EAAT2b isoform. In contrast, EAAT2a displayed a predominant distribution within intracellular vesicle compartments, constitutively cycling to and from the membrane. Addition of the PDZ ligand to EAAT2a as well as its deletion from EAAT2b confirmed the importance of the motif for cell-surface localization. Using EAAT2 constructs with an extracellular biotin acceptor tag to directly assess surface proteins, we observed significant PDZ ligand-dependent EAAT2b surface expression in cultured astrocytes, consistent with observations in cell lines. Discs large homolog 1 (DLG1; SAP97), a PDZ protein prominent in both astrocytes and MDCK cells, colocalized and coimmunoprecipitated with EAAT2b. shRNA knockdown of DLG1 expression decreased surface EAAT2b in both MDCK cells and cultured astrocytes, suggesting that the DLG scaffolding protein stabilizes EAAT2b at the surface. DLG1 can be phosphorylated by Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CaMKII), resulting in disruption of its PDZ-mediated interaction. In murine astrocytes and acute brain slices, activation of CaMKII decreases EAAT2b surface expression but does not alter the distribution of EAAT2a. These data indicate that the surface expression and function of EAAT2b can be rapidly modulated through the disruption of its interaction with DLG1 by CaMKII activation.
Hoxb8 Intersection Defines a Role forLmx1bin Excitatory Dorsal Horn Neuron Development, Spinofugal Connectivity, and Nociception
Authors: Szabo Nora E. , da Silva Ronan V. , Sotocinal Susana G. , Zeilhofer Hanns Ulrich , Mogil Jeffrey S. , Kania Artur
Published: April 2015

Spinal cord neurons respond to peripheral noxious stimuli and relay this information to higher brain centers, but the molecules controlling the assembly of such pathways are poorly known. In this study, we use the intersection ofLmx1bandHoxb8::Creexpression in the spinal cord to genetically define nociceptive circuits. Specifically, we show that Lmx1b, previously shown to be expressed in glutamatergic dorsal horn neurons and critical for dorsal horn development, is expressed in nociceptive dorsal horn neurons and that its deletion results in the specific loss of excitatory dorsal horn neurons by apoptosis, without any effect on inhibitory neuron numbers. To assess the behavioral consequences ofLmx1bdeletion in the spinal cord, we used the brain-sparing driverHoxb8::Cre. We show that such a deletion ofLmxb1leads to a robust reduction in sensitivity to mechanical and thermal noxious stimulation. Furthermore, such conditional mutant mice show a loss of a subpopulation of glutamatergic dorsal horn neurons, abnormal sensory afferent innervations, and reduced spinofugal innervation of the parabrachial nucleus and the periaqueductal gray, important nociceptive structures. Together, our results demonstrate an important role for the intersection ofLmx1bandHoxb8::creexpression in the development of nociceptive dorsal horn circuits critical for mechanical and thermal pain processing.
Lost between the fruits and the tree
Authors: Merin Yuval
Published: April 2015

The article proposes a new model for the exclusion of evidence obtained as an indirect result of police illegality, which aims to strike the appropriate balance between the intrinsic and the extrinsic objectives of criminal evidence—truth seeking vis-à-vis procedural values. To this end, the article critically examines the underlying theories and the doctrinal approaches to the admissibility of derivative evidence in three legal systems: the United States, the European Court of Human Rights, and Israel. Whereas deterrence, which is the sole justification under current U.S. law, is conceived of as the only theory that clearly warrants the suppression of derivative evidence, the rationales for exclusion that prevail in other jurisdictions—moral integrity and the protection of rights—are regarded as predominantly entailing the suppression of primary evidence. The article argues, however, that all three rationales may equally mandate the suppression of derivative evidence and that only a combination of the guiding principles could sustain a coherent theory for the exclusionary doctrine. It also contends that the different doctrinal approaches are largely based on the degree of each legal system’s adherence to considerations associated with the “crime control model,” and that a narrowly construed discretionary regime, based exclusively on due process considerations, is preferable to a rigid one, as it enables the courts to avoid the adverse consequences of exclusion.
Massively Parallel Functional Analysis of BRCA1 RING Domain Variants
Authors: Starita Lea M , Young David L , Islam Muhtadi , Kitzman Jacob O , Gullingsrud Justin , Hause Ronald J , Fowler Douglas M , Parvin Jeffrey D , Shendure Jay , Fields Stanley
Published: April 2015

Interpreting variants of uncertain significance (VUS) is a central challenge in medical genetics. One approach is to experimentally measure the functional consequences of VUS, but to date this approach has been post hoc and low throughput. Here we use massively parallel assays to measure the effects of nearly 2000 missense substitutions in the RING domain of BRCA1 on its E3 ubiquitin ligase activity and its binding to the BARD1 RING domain. From the resulting scores, we generate a model to predict the capacities of full-length BRCA1 variants to support homology-directed DNA repair, the essential role of BRCA1 in tumor suppression, and show that it outperforms widely used biological-effect prediction algorithms. We envision that massively parallel functional assays may facilitate the prospective interpretation of variants observed in clinical sequencing.
Adolescent Drug Testing Policies in Schools
Authors: Levy Sharon , Schizer Miriam ,   COMMITTEE ON SUBSTANCE ABUSE, Ammerman Seth D. , Gonzalez Pamela K. , Ryan Sheryl A. , Siqueira Lorena M. , Smith Vincent C.
Published: April 2015

This Technical Report was reaffirmed July 2021.

More than a decade after the US Supreme Court established the legality of school-based drug testing, these programs remain controversial, and the evidence evaluating efficacy and risks is inconclusive. The objective of this technical report is to review the relevant literature that explores the benefits, risks, and costs of these programs.
Metric Units and the Preferred Dosing of Orally Administered Liquid Medications
Authors:   COMMITTEE ON DRUGS
Published: April 2015

Medication overdoses are a common, but preventable, problem among children. Volumetric dosing errors and the use of incorrect dosing delivery devices are 2 common sources of these preventable errors for orally administered liquid medications. To reduce errors and increase precision of drug administration, milliliter-based dosing should be used exclusively when prescribing and administering liquid medications. Teaspoon- and tablespoon-based dosing should not be used. Devices that allow for precise dose administration (preferably syringes with metric markings) should be used instead of household spoons and should be distributed with the medication.
Point-of-Care Ultrasonography by Pediatric Emergency Medicine Physicians
Authors:   AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS, Committee on Pediatric Emergency Medicine,   SOCIETY FOR ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE, Academy of Emergency Ultrasound,   AMERICAN COLLEGE OF EMERGENCY PHYSICIANS, Pediatric Emergency Medicine Committee,   WORLD INTERACTIVE NETWORK FOCUSED ON CRITICAL ULTRASOUND, Abo Alyssa M. , Doniger Stephanie J. , Fischer Jason W. , Kessler David O. , Levy Jason A. , Noble Vicki E. , Sivitz Adam B. , Tsung James W. , Vieira Rebecca L. , Shook Joan E. , Ackerman Alice D. , Chun Thomas H. , Conners Gregory P. , Dudley Nanette C. , Fuchs Susan M. , Gorelick Marc H. , Lane Natalie E. , Moore Brian R. , Wright Joseph L. , Benjamin Lee S. , Barata Isabel A. , Alade Kiyetta , Arms Joseph , Avarello Jahn T. , Baldwin Steven , Brown Kathleen , Cantor Richard M. , Cohen Ariel , Dietrich Ann Marie , Eakin Paul J. , Gausche-Hill Marianne , Gerardi Michael , Graham Charles J. , Holtzman Doug K. , Hom Jeffrey , Ishimine Paul , Jinivizian Hasmig , Joseph Madeline , Mehta Sanjay , Ojo Aderonke , Paul Audrey Z. , Pauze Denis R. , Pearson Nadia M. , Rosen Brett , Russell W. Scott , Saidinejad Mohsen , Sloas Harold A. , Schwartz Gerald R. , Swenson Orel , Valente Jonathan H. , Waseem Muhammad , Whiteman Paula J. , Woolridge Dale , Hockberger Robert S. , Diercks Deborah B. , Jones Alan E. , Blomkalns Andra L. , Courtney D. Mark , Clem Kathleen J. , Kaji Amy H. , Holmes James F. , Martin Ian B.K. , Bird Steven B. , Hudak Lauren , Noble Vicki , Storti Enrico , Tsung Jim , Volpicelli Giovanni
Published: April 2015

Point-of-care ultrasonography is increasingly being used to facilitate accurate and timely diagnoses and to guide procedures. It is important for pediatric emergency medicine (PEM) physicians caring for patients in the emergency department to receive adequate and continued point-of-care ultrasonography training for those indications used in their practice setting. Emergency departments should have credentialing and quality assurance programs. PEM fellowships should provide appropriate training to physician trainees. Hospitals should provide privileges to physicians who demonstrate competency in point-of-care ultrasonography. Ongoing research will provide the necessary measures to define the optimal training and competency assessment standards. Requirements for credentialing and hospital privileges will vary and will be specific to individual departments and hospitals. As more physicians are trained and more research is completed, there should be one national standard for credentialing and privileging in point-of-care ultrasonography for PEM physicians.
Infections and antimicrobial use among institutionalized residents in Hungary: Increasing need of microbiological surveillance
Authors: Szabó Rita , Böröcz Karolina
Published: April 2015

As a result of the age-related changes, more elders live in long-term care facilities (LTCFs). Due to their susceptibility, infections and excess use of antimicrobials are common. The aim was to estimate the burden of infections and antimicrobial use in Hungarian LTCFs in order to increase the attention given to the prevention. European-wide point prevalence survey was conducted between April and May 2013. For each resident who had a signs and symptoms of an infection and/or treated with an antibacterial for systemic use a resident questionnaire was completed. Descriptive statistics were used to present the data. In total, 91 LTCFs with 11,823 residents were selected in this survey. The 252 residents had a sign/symptom of an infection (2.1%) and 156 received antimicrobial (1.3%). Skin and soft tissues (36.5%) was the most frequent infection. However, antimicrobials were mostly prescribed for respiratory tract infections (40.4%). The most common therapeutic antimicrobial agent (97.5%) belonged to the quinolone antibacterials (34.2%). Our results emphasise the need for targeted improvement of antimicrobial use including: reducing the use of quinolone antibacterials in order to prevent the spread ofClostridium difficileand other antimicrobial resistant microorganisms among institutionalized residents.
Ubiquiter circovirus sequences raise challenges in laboratory diagnosis: The case of honey bee and bee mite, reptiles, and free living amoebae
Authors: Marton Szilvia , Ihász Katalin , Lengyel György , Farkas Szilvia , Dán Ádám , Paulus Petra , Bányai Krisztián , Fehér Enikő
Published: April 2015

Circoviruses of pigs and birds are established pathogens, however, the exact role of other, recently described circoviruses and circovirus-like viruses remains to be elucidated. The aim of this study was the detection of circoviruses in neglected host species, including honey bees, exotic reptiles and free-living amoebae by widely used broad-spectrum polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays specific for the replication initiation protein coding gene of these viruses. The majority of sequences obtained from honey bees were highly similar to canine and porcine circoviruses, or, were distantly related to dragonfly cycloviruses. Other rep sequences detected in some honey bees, reptiles and amoebae showed similarities to various rep sequences deposited in the GenBank. Back-to-back PCR primers designed for the amplification of whole viral genomes failed to work that suggested the existence of integrated rep-like elements in many samples. Rolling circle amplification and exonuclease treatment confirmed the absence of small circular DNA genomes in the specimens analysed. In case of honey bees Varroa mite DNA contamination might be a source of the identified endogenous rep-like elements. The reptile and amoebae rep-like sequences were nearly identical with each other and with sequences detected in chimpanzee feces raising the possibility that detection of novel or unusual rep-like elements in some host species might originate from the microbial community of the host. Our results indicate that attention is needed when broad-spectrum rep gene specific polymerase chain reaction is chosen for laboratory diagnosis of circovirus infections.
The greatest era of the UK pop music industry
Authors: Hon Lee
Published: April 2015

As one of the biggest nations in the world in terms of music industry revenue, the UK prides itself as an industry leader in the sector, both commercially and artistically. Ever since the inception of the UK pop charts back in 1952, the country has seen several highs and lows although the sector remains as vibrant and innovative as ever. The height of the industry’s achievements undoubtedly came in the early 1960s and 1980s, two high points in the UK music industry which saw UK artistes scaling the charts all over the world, most notably conquering even the US pop charts thus leading to the term British invasion. Employing DEA methodology, this paper compares the achievements of five decades in UK pop history and found the 1980s to be the most efficient decade in terms of musical achievements. In addition, 1981 was the year which was benchmarked the most hence earning the “most efficient year” tag in UK music history. From the results, the second British invasion, an era which was spearheaded by the New Romantics movement is the best era in British music folklore, surpassing even the first invasion, which was then led by the legendary band, The Beatles.
The making of identity and its relation to place and success
Authors: Sheather Gaye , McIntyre Phillip
Published: April 2015

This article reports on findings from research into the development of ‘mainstream’ popular music in one Australian city, that of Newcastle, NSW, in the period 1973–88. This period became known more generally as the Oz/pub rock era and coincides approximately with the period during which the national music programme Countdown was televised (1974–87). It is argued here that the formation of a musical identity is strongly connected to a local habitus, which includes the cultivation of social, symbolic, economic and cultural capital that are built up over time, such as connecting musicians with audiences and venues in Newcastle. Given Newcastle’s proximity to Sydney and the attempt by local bands to achieve success there, it was found that these accumulated capitals were not easily transferrable to other areas. What Newcastle came to offer local musicians, as a result, was the ability to recognize and use to its full extent the social, symbolic and cultural capital available to them in their home town.
How English became the language of pop in Denmark
Authors: Smith-Sivertsen Henrik
Published: April 2015

In popular music history, the first years of the 1960s have traditionally been described as ‘in-between years’, dominated by soft and commercial teen music. This article argues that the years between the golden age of rock ’n’ roll and the arrival of The Beatles were very important, at least outside the Anglo-American sphere. During those years English became the language of not only popular music, but of youth music. Using a collection of letters written by Danish teenagers from 1962 to 1965, it is demonstrated how this process took place in practice. The letters, all sent to a Danish weekly magazine, were especially addressing musical topics. They generally reflect a major public debate on popular music taking place in Denmark during those years, and therefore reflect pro/contra positions concerning the rather new Danish term, pop. As is shown, this neologism was interpreted in various ways, but its young protagonists especially associated it with songs in English. Conversely, many associated Danish language songs with old fashioned styles and practices. In particular, the practice of translating songs into Danish was targeted by both aesthetic and moral arguments, an illustration how English had became the sound of pop and, by extension, of youth. These positions and attitudes towards style and language found in the letters reflected the general assumption in Danish media that young people preferred Anglophone popular music. The letters are concrete examples of negotiations of genre and culture at the time when the mediascape changed radically both in Denmark and internationally. By 1964 the linkage between English and youth was well established and the success of the British Invasion well prepared for through the preceding years of pop.
An introduction to the music collection at the National Library of Sweden
Authors: Olofsson Jan , Gustafsson Hans , Brodin David
Published: April 2015

Jan Olofsson, Hans Gustafsson and David Brodin introduce the resources at the National Library of Sweden.
Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis) Invasion in the Northern Great Plains: A Story of Rapid Dominance in an Endangered Ecosystem
Authors: DeKeyser Edward S. , Dennhardt Lauren A. , Hendrickson John
Published: April 2015

Kentucky bluegrass was introduced into the present-day United States in the 1600s. Since that time, Kentucky bluegrass has spread throughout the United States and Canada becoming prolific in some areas. In the past century, Kentucky bluegrass has been a presence and often a dominant species in some prairies in the Northern Great Plains. Sometime within the past few decades, Kentucky bluegrass has become the most-common species on the untilled, native prairie sites of much of North and South Dakota. In this article, we hypothesize how Kentucky bluegrass has come to dominate one of the most endangered ecosystems in North America—the prairie—through a historical, ecological, and climatological lens. We urge others to start addressing the invasion of Kentucky bluegrass with both new research and management strategies.
Environmental geotechnics in the US region: a brief overview
Authors: Hoyos Laureano R. , DeJong Jason T. , McCartney John S. , Puppala Anand J. , Reddy Krishna R. , Zekkos Dimitrios
Published: April 2015

The present contribution to the Regional Editors themed issue offers a concise yet focused overview of some of the key technical and scientific issues, as well as of current trends and future challenges, related to the broad discipline of environmental geotechnics in the US region. Particular attention is devoted to current policy and societal drivers as well as future professional and research capacity requirements in critical areas such as innovative recycling and improvement of compost, construction and geologic materials; solid waste management, landfilling and geoenvironmental remediation techniques; and crucial geotechnical engineering aspects of renewable energy production, storage and distribution.
Leaching assessment of matrix land reclamation material
Authors: Guo Lin , Xu Wen Yu , Quek Augustine , Wu Dong Qing
Published: April 2015

A green strategy has been proposed by stabilising incineration bottom ash (IBA) waste and marine clay (MC) waste as land reclamation material, termed MC-IBA matrix. However, the reuse of IBA may increase the potential threats to the environment since IBA contains heavy metals. Heavy metal leaching depends on the interplay of various physical and chemical factors such as size, shape and porosity of the particles, temperature, pH, aging and degradation of material and control mechanism and so on. In this paper, the leaching process against pH and time was studied as a necessary environmental assessment. Three laboratory leaching tests were employed to characterise the leaching: pH-dependent test (CEN/TS 14429), availability test (NEN 7371) and diffusion test (NEN 7347). The shear strength development of the MC-IBA matrix was also determined. Results indicated that (1) the shear strength of the MC-IBA matrix presented a great increase during curing time; (2) pH played a significant role in heavy metal leaching; (3) in long-term leaching, the heavy metal release of the MC-IBA matrix was at minimum level and it was reduced over time; (4) the cumulative heavy metal leaching of the MC-IBA matrix over 64 d was below the maximum leaching threshold.
Field load tests on plastic tube cast-in-place concrete piles
Authors: Qi Chang-Guang , Chen Yong-Hui , Iskander Magued
Published: April 2015

An instrumented axial load test programme was conducted to study the load transfer behaviour of plastic tube cast-in-place concrete piles (TC piles), which are increasingly being used for support of embankments over soft ground in China. Additionally, in order to enhance the bearing properties of TC piles, the effects of shaft pre-grouting and increasing the diameter of the pile were investigated through load tests. Grouting was found to increase the capacity by 8–20%, while settlement decreased by 20–36%. Additionally, increasing the diameter from 16 to 20 cm resulted in a 10–17% decrease in capacity, due to the accompanying decrease in pile length to accommodate the capabilities of the available construction equipment. Also, increasing the diameter increased settlement by 14–33%. The effect of the pile set-up was investigated, and the capacity was increased by 20%, 8% and 11% for TC piles, gravity-grouted piles and enlarged-diameter piles for axial load tests conducted after 105 d relative to tests conducted after 24 d. In addition, three calculation models of single-pile settlement were evaluated with respect to predictions made of the bearing capacity and settlement.
Societal Inclusion in Expert Venues: Participation of Interest Groups and Business in the European Commission Expert Groups
Authors: Gornitzka Åse , Sverdrup Ulf
Published: April 2015

The elaborate system of expert groups that the European Commission organises is a key feature of EU everyday governance and also a potential channel of societal involvement in EU policy making. This article examines the patterns of participation in the expert group system of a broad set of societal actors—NGOs, social partners/unions, consumer organisations, and business/enterprise. The analysis is based on a large-N study of Commission expert groups. Taking on an “executive politics” perspective, we identify main patterns of participation and analyse organisational factors that affect the inclusion of societal actors in the expert group system. We find that such actors are strongly involved in this system. Yet, there is a striking heterogeneity in the extent to which the Commission’s administrative units include societal groups as experts in the policy process. The logics that underpin the inclusion of business organisations are not identical to the logics of inclusion applied to social partners and NGOs. The Commission as the core supranational executive is thus selectively open for societal involvement in its expert groups system, and this bureaucratic openness is patterned, clustered, and conditioned by structural factors that affect how the Commission as a multi-organisation operates.
Representative Bureaucracy and the Role of Expertise in Politics
Authors: Trondal Jarle , Murdoch Zuzana , Geys Benny
Published: April 2015

The vast majority of existing studies on bureaucratic representation focus on bureaucracies’ permanent and internal staff. Yet, the rising sophistication of modern democracies and the technocratization of political life are gradually inducing an increased reliance on external experts to assist in the development and implementation of policy decisions. This trend, we argue, raises the need to extend studies of bureaucratic representation to such external and non-permanent experts in governmental affairs. In this article, we take a first step in this direction using seconded national experts (SNEs) in the European Commission as our empirical laboratory. Our results highlight that Commission SNEs do not appear representative of their constituent population (i.e., the EU-27 population) along a number of socio-demographic dimensions. Moreover, we find that the role perception of “experts” is primarily explained by organizational affiliation, and only secondarily by demographic characteristics (except, of course, education).
Adipose tissue dysfunction markers in obese patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome
Authors: Yakovlev A V , Mayanskaya S D , Vergazova A N , Plutalova L P , Mazina P B , Mayanskaya N N , Yakovleva N F
Published: April 2015

Aim. To examine the relationship between obstructive sleep apnea syndrome and metabolic dysfunction in obese patients.Methods. The study included 66 male patients aged 53±5.11 years with previously diagnosed obstructive sleep apnea syndrome and obesity (body mass index ≥30 kg/m2). Cardiorespiratory monitoring, 24-hour blood pressure monitoring was performed in all patients; low density lipoprotein, triglycerides, high density lipoprotein, total cholesterol and glucose blood levels, as well as adiponectin and leptin blood concentrations were measured in all patients.Results. Blood pressure level and leptin blood concentration were significantly higher in patients with severe form of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. There was no statistically significant relationship found between the lipid profile parameters and other adipokines and the severity of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. The data analysis also revealed association between the elevated levels of leptin and the classic cardiovascular risk factors - arterial hypertension and low density lipoprotein level.Conclusion. The revealed associations may indicate the additional role of leptin as the biochemical marker of early development of obstructive breathing sleep disorders in patients with abdominal obesity, as well as the early manifestation of other components of metabolic syndrome - arterial hypertension and dyslipidemia with concomitant significant increase in cardiovascular risk.
Laparoscopic endocystectomy in patients with liver echinococcosis
Authors: Mukantayev T E
Published: April 2015

Aim. To evaluate the efficiency and to review the indications for laparoscopic endocystectomy in liver echinococcosis.Methods. The results of laparoscopic endocystectomy in 86 patients treated for liver echinococcosis compared to cystectomy by laparotomy in 159 patients are presented.Results. Optimal characteristics for laparoscopic endocystectomy were types CL, CE1-CE3 of cystic echinococcosis according to cystic echinococcosis ultrasonic classification by H.A. Gharbi (1981) modified by World Health Organization (2003) with cysts localized in 2-6 liver segments; partial superficial location of cysts; cyst size not less than 5 cm; no cysts in 1, 7 and 8 liver segments or deeply located cysts of any size, as well as cysts of CE4-CE5 types. Of the 86 cases in which laparoscopic endocystectomy was completed successfully, in 4 patients the surgery was continued by a laparotomy access. The reasons for the continuation with laparotomy were unsuccessful attempts for stable hemostasis at resection of liver fibrous capsule excesses (1 case), presence of large fistula between the cyst and components of the biliary system at the bottom of the fibrous cavity (2 patients), and location of the second cyst in the segment unavailable for laparoscopic manipulation (1 case). The frequency of early complications after laparoscopic endocystectomy was 15.1% (p=0.23). Relapse occurred in 1 (1.2%) patient (p=0.23). Comparative assessment of echinococcosis recurrence risk in different periods (Kaplan-Meier analysis) after laparoscopic interventions and laparotomy, both followed by albendazole treatment, did not identify any statistically significant differences.Conclusion. The early and long-term effects of laparoscopic endocystectomy in liver echinococcosis are not inferior to conventional laparotomy if indications are strictly followed.
A novel algorithm for shock treatment in patients with injuries
Authors: Kotel’nikov G P , Trukhanova I G , Shabanova A Yu
Published: April 2015

Aim. To improve the algorithm for diagnosis, intensive care and anesthesia in the acute period of traumatic disease at pre-hospital and hospital stages.Methods. The first group included 60 patients who were admitted in 2009-2010 (standart treatment approach), the second group included 41 patient who were injured at 2011-2012 (transition period), the third group consisted of 55 patients treated using a novel algorithm in 2013. Systemic circulation parameters were measured in all patients. To characterize the severity of polytrauma, ISS (Injury Severity Score; Baker S.P., 1974) was used.Results. Using the routine approach to shock treatment in the first group of patients (2009-2010) with shock both on pre-hospital and hospital stages had increased the duration and severity of acute shock period. Surgical interventions were performed only in life-threatening situations, and osteosynthesis surgeries were postponed. During the transition period, a specialized trauma center was formed for providing in-patient care, allowing new surgical approaches in treatment of acute shock stage. Although in 2013 mostly high energy injuries were observed (the number of separate injuries per patient increased up to 7.38±4.2), a newly introduced algorithm together with decreased transportation time to the hospital down to 20 minutes allowed to achieve more stable indicators of central circulation on pre-hospital stage (mean blood pressure 69.939±15.009 mm Hg, heart rate 97.991±9.931 per minute, stroke volume 85.815±13.667 ml, heart index 4569.862±1240.153 ml/min/m2). This allowed to imply the tactics of early surgical interventions in patients with polytrauma and improved the outcomes. A novel algorithm use decreased the hospital stay of patients with polytrauma both in the intensive care unit (from 2.98 to 1.86 days) and in the department (from 13.12 to 11.78 days).Conclusion. The changed algorithm of care applied in 2013, is rational and effective from the practical point of view, ensures continuity of medical aid provided to patients with polytrauma both on pre-hospital and hospital stages.
Intraoperative intestinal viability assessment in acute bowel obstruction
Authors: Nesterov M I , Ramazanov M R , Ramazanov M M , Aliev E A
Published: April 2015

Aim. To improve the results of surgical treatment of acute bowel obstruction by introducing a new device and a method for intraoperative assessment of intestinal viability and further choice of resection and enteroenteroanastomosis level.Methods. Our team has designed a new device for checking the arterial blood hemoglobin oxygen saturation, pulse rate, perfusion and intramural pressure in intestinal wall. A novel method for checking peripheral blood circulation was used for choosing the resection level during the surgery and for enteroenterostomy in 50 patients of the main group. Suture line viability index was also calculated using the formula proposed by M.R. Ramazanov (2008), suture line arterial blood hemoglobin oxygen saturation was also determined. Control group included 44 patients, in whom intestinal resection and enteroenterostomy for acute bowel obstruction were performed without examining the peripheral blood circulation before the device was introduced.Results.Intramural pressure in bowel obstruction area in 10 patients was significantly lower (48.4±0.6/36.3±0.6 mm Hg at arterial blood pressure of 120.2±0.8/80±0.6 mm Hg) compared to the similar parameter in 15 healthy patients (86.5±0,9/60.3±0,5 mm Hg, pConclusion. The developed device allows to adequately access the peripheral blood flow in bowel obstruction, intestinal viability index and arterial blood hemoglobin oxygen saturation might be used in bowel obstruction to specify the intestinal resection level during surgery.
Influence of parental social status on intrauterine fetal growth restriction development
Authors: Garaeva S Z
Published: April 2015

Aim. To study the role of parental social status on the chance of intrauterine growth restriction.Methods. We observed 315 mothers who delivered off children with intrauterine growth restriction, of which 172 mothers gave birth to children with asymmetric type, and 143 mothers - with symmetric type of intrauterine growth restriction. Control group included 119 mothers who delivered off babies with normal growth. All mothers filled in a questionnaire addressing parental education, occupation, age, living conditions and area of residence. Dispersion analysis was performed to determine the influence of the studied factors on the chance of intrauterine growth restriction.Results. Mother’s employment had the most influence - 8.93%. Mother’s education level effect on the chance of intrauterine growth restriction was 5.51%, followed by father’s employment, which had 4.24% of impact. Living conditions influence on the chance of intrauterine growth restriction was assessed as 2.53%, followed by the family area of residence and mother’s age, which were 2.12 and 1.52%, respectively.Conclusion. Conducted analysis of parental social status influence on the chance of intrauterine growth restriction revealed that mother’s unemployment and low educational level are the major risk factors for this condition, which might further help to develop preventive and therapeutic approaches to decrease the effects of intrauterine growth restriction consequences.
Determining the risk factors for xerostomia in dental out-patients
Authors: Komarova K V , Ratkina N N , Polenichkin V K , Karmanov E P
Published: April 2015

Aim. To determine the risk factors for xerostomia.Methods. The study included 137 patients aged 25 to 60 years (61 males, 76 females), the main group consisted of 40 patients with xerostomia (11 males, 29 females), with a median age of 44.5 years (38; 49.5). The control group included 97 patients without xerostomia (50 males, 47 females), median age - 42 years (36; 49). The questionnaire by V.V. Afanas’ev (1993) was used to collect the complaints, anamnesis and to determine the risk factors for xerostomia. Qualitative indicators are listed as absolute numbers and shares (%). In assessing the statistical significance of qualitative indicators differences, contingency tables with subsequent Pearson chi-square test were used.Results. Among the patients of the main group, 19 (47.5%) took medications decreasing the salivation, with intake period duration ranging from 1 to 4 months. When questioned, patients with xerostomia reported statistically significant increase in the rates of cardiovascular disorders (15 patients, 37.5%), gastrointestinal tract diseases (11 patients, 27.5%), endocrine diseases (10 patients, 25%), musculoskeletal diseases (9 patients, 22.5%). The combination of three or more positive answers on V.V. Afanas’ev questionnaire questions was revealed in 12 (30%) patients of the main group, which was significantly higher compared to the control group (1 patient, 1.03%).Conclusion. The most typical reasons for developing xerostomia were the following: taking medications decreasing the salivation, presence of cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal and endocrine disorders. Three or more positive answers on V.V. Afanas’ev questionnaire questions increase the probability of detecting xerostomia in a respondent.
Intra-abdominal pressure monitoring in postoperative period in patients with diffuse peritonitis
Authors: Salakhov E K , Salakhov K K
Published: April 2015

Epidemiology, etiology, pathologic and morphologic changes associated with increased intra-abdominal pressure are described. The most common ways of its measuring and monitoring are presented. Intra-abdominal pressure is increased by more than 15 mm Hg in patients with diffuse peritonitis. Increased intra-abdominal pressure is associated with the disease severity: the higher the intra-abdominal pressure, the more severe is the disease. If intra-abdominal pressure is increased over 20 mm Hg, treatment strategy depends on the signs of organ failure. In the absence of organ failure, intra-abdominal pressure should be monitored every 4 hours as long as the patient is in critical condition. Intra-abdominal pressure monitoring in case of peritonitis must be attributed to the mandatory manipulation, as pressure changes precede the clinical manifestations of intra-abdominal complications. Measurement of intra-abdominal pressure allows to detect the early signs of multiple organ failure, which is essential for the correction of systemic complications in pancreatogenic peritonitis. In this case, monitoring of intra-abdominal pressure in diffuse postoperative peritonitis should be considered only as a screening test for assessing of the organ dysfunction severity, as the development of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome involves complex pathophysiological mechanisms. Predictions that are more accurate can be made using such integrated indicators as APACHE II (Acute Physiology And Chronic Health Evaluation scale, which is used for assessing various acute and chronic diseases), SAPS (Simplified Acute Physiology Score - a simplified scale for acute functional changes assessment), SOFA (Sepsis-related Organ Failure Assessments Score - scale for dynamic assessment of organ failure in sepsis), MPI (Mannheim Peritonitis Index) scales.
Vascular endothelial growth factor role in predicting vascular disorders in pregnant with fetal growth restriction syndrome
Authors: Ul’yanina E V , Fatkullin I F
Published: April 2015

The review covers the up-to-date data of vascular endothelial growth factor role in forming of placental blood circulation in non-complicated pregnancy and in fetal growth retardation syndrome. It is shown that the normal trophoblast invasion to the spiral arteries wall in the myometrium and adequate remodeling of spiral arteries are essential for the normal fetal growth and development. The processes of blood vessels formation - vasculogenesis and angiogenesis - are described in detail. The process of angiogenesis regulation by growth factors and their receptors is reviewed. The importance of angiogenic and antiangiogenic factors coordinated action for the adequate placental microvasculature formation and normal fetal development is described. The growth factor complexes and their receptors formation processes and competition for receptor binding, as well as the role of placental growth factor in uteroplacental complex angiogenesis are analyzed. It is shown that the serum growth factors represent the mechanisms of pathologic reactions in placental insufficiency and fetal growth restriction syndrome. Special attention is given to the family of vascular endothelial growth factor as for the most important angiogenesis regulator. To determine the physiological role of vascular endothelial growth factor and to assess the its influence on angiogenesis and adequate uteroplacental and fetoplacental blood circulation formation, the features of vascular endothelial growth factor chemical structure are described. Determining the vascular endothelial growth factor in blood may be used to assess the mother-placenta-fetus system formation. The need for developing the criteria for choosing the optimal delivery term in pregnant with fetal growth restriction syndrome is discussed.