bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sustainability - Oriented Innovation and Performance of Small and Medium Enterprises in South Africa
Authors: FATOKI Olawale
Published: May 2019

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of sustainability-oriented innovation (SOI) on the performance of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in South Africa. The study adopted a multi-dimensional measure of performance (financial, social, environmental, innovation and quality). The study used the quantitative research approach and the descriptive and causal research design. Data was collected from one hundred and ninety eight owners/managers of SMEs in the manufacturing sector. The cross-sectional survey method (self-administered questionnaire) was used for data collection. The participants in the study were conveniently sampled. Descriptive statistics, factor analysis, correlation and regression analysis were used for data analysis. The Cronbach’s alpha was used as a measure of reliability. The findings of the study indicate that economic, environmental and social dimensions of SOI have significant positive relationships with the five measures of performance. Limitations, areas for further study and recommendations to improve the SOI of SMEs are suggested.
Recommendation for the Use of Regional Tourist Resources by the Example of the Resort City of Sochi, Russia
Authors: KATAEVA Valentina , FOMICHEVA Tatiana , SULYAGINA Julia , KUVSHINOVA Julia , EVSTRATOVA Tatiana , MOSKVITIN Gennady
Published: May 2019

Issues related to the measures aimed to improve the competitiveness of tourist destinations have currently become most urgent. The number of competing tourist destinations in Russia and worldwide is on the rise, leading to tough competition among market participants that feel necessary to improve the efficiency of management in the tourism industry. Tourism development in the regions can be considered as a factor of regional socio-economic development. The research contains recommendations on the management of tourist resources, and measures aimed to enhance the region’s tourist attractiveness by the example of the resort city of Sochi.
Identification, Assessment and Raking of Geomorphosites: A Guide to Sustainable Tourism Development. Case Study of Khorramabad County in Iran
Authors: MAGHSOUDI Mehran , DEHESTANI Hedieh , BAHARVAND Mehdi , HAJIKARIMI Zahra
Published: May 2019

Geotourism is defined as tourism that involves protection of geographical features, environment, culture, aesthetic and heritage of the places that are visited and bring prosperity to its citizens. the importance of geomorphosites in tourism sustainable development, different researches have been done around the world in recent decades Khorramabad county is located in Lorestan province in the southwestern Iran. It has a high potential to attract domestic and foreign tourists owing to its geographical location, climate, topography and geological specific conditions. In this paper, 39 sites were also studied using field observations and available information, and then 8 sites were chosen and ranked using Rocha model (2014), fieldwork and experts' viewpoint and researches of this study. Finally, assessment of 8 geomorphosites was done using a suitable model for the study area. According to the assessment of 8 geomorphosites, Makhmalkooh was selected with high score and Salt mines have earned the lowest score. Also, the results showed that most of the selected geomorphosites have good infrastructure and are approximately near to the urban settlement.
The Determinant Factors of Foreign Tourists’ Visit to Tourism Destination in North Sumatra
Authors: BATE’E Maria Magdalena , MENDROFA Syah Abadi , ZEGA Yamolala , HULU Syukur Kasieli , LELYSO LELYSO , ZEBUA Emmanuel
Published: May 2019

This research aims to investigate the factors influencing the rate of foreign tourists’ visit to tourism destination in North Sumatra, Indonesia. The data were collected using observation, interview, documentation study and questionnaires. The data were analysed using multiple linear regression analysis. The findings of the study indicated that the ancillary facilities are the dominant factor influencing tourists’ visit to tourism destination in North Sumatera. The factors of service quality and facilities and infrastructures provide negative influence on tourists’ visit to tourism destination.
University Spin-Off: A Literature Review for Their Application in Colombia
Authors: CASTRILLÓN MUÑOZ Andrés José , MORO Alfonso Infante , COLLAZOS Alexander Zúñiga , LÓPEZ Francisco José Martínez
Published: May 2019

This article gathers some of the most important theoretical and conceptual references, systematized from the review and consultation of specialized literature on university Spin Off, through a documentary type methodological qualitative process with a tendency to observe closely, afterwards, the capacity that has the University of Cauca, a public Colombian higher education institution, regarding the organization of knowledge to transfer the results generated by its research groups towards the environment, in alliance with entrepreneurs and other groups of interest, where the following analytical categories among others, are highlighted: The evaluation of the diverse typologies presented by well-known experts based on their heterogeneity. The analysis of different organizational models related to this type of entrepreneurships. The factors of success and the failure of some universities Spin Offs. The stages that might have to be exhausted for the successful implementation of this kind of organizations and the basic aspects to be considered in the relationship between University-Firm-State. As closure, it is suggested that for all legal purposes, a university Spin-Off in Colombia is "a company based on knowledge, especially the one protected by rights of Intellectual Property, created in the area of the Higher Education Institution (HEI), as a result of research and development activities conducted under their support, in their laboratories and facilities or by researchers who are linked to them, among others" (Law 1838, Act of 2017).
Researching at the community-university borderlands: Using public science to study policing in the South Bronx
Authors: Stoudt Brett G. , Torre María Elena , Bartley Paul , Bissell Evan , Bracy Fawn , Caldwell Hillary , Dewey Lauren , Downs Anthony , Greene Cory , Haldipur Jan , Lizama Scott , Hassan Prakriti , Manoff Einat , Sheppard Nadine , Yates Jacqueline
Published: May 2019

This article is a case study of the Morris Justice Project (MJP), a participatory action research (PAR) study in a South Bronx neighborhood of New York City (NYC) designed to understand residents’ experiences with and attitudes towards the New York Police Department (NYPD). An illustration of public science, the research was conducted in solidarity with an emerging police reform movement and in response to an ongoing and particularly aggressive set of policing policies that most heavily impacts poor communities and communities of color.  The case study describes a set of ongoing participatory, research-action, “sidewalk science” strategies, developed in 42 square blocks of the South Bronx, designed to better understand and challenge the ongoing structural violence of the carceral state. Collaboratively written with members of the Morris Justice collective, we tell our story across three sections that outline the genesis of the project, describe our major commitments, and offers PAR and public science as a possible “intervention” in traditional university practice.
Collaborative research and multi-issue movement building for educational justice: Reflections on the Urban Research Based Action Network (URBAN)
Authors: Warren Mark R. , Glass Ronald David
Published: May 2019

Two long-time scholar-activists reflect on a distinctive approach to research that they call collaborative research for justice, research that is conducted with community leaders and education activists to advance equity and social justice. They argue that by linking research directly with action this kind of research has the power to speak directly to the current crises not only in education, but also in the other institutions of civil society. Drawing on decades of experience in public research universities, local community based organizations, inter/national disciplinary research organizations, and distributed informal networks of engaged scholars, social justice activists, and community leaders, they reflect specifically on the more recent formation of the Urban Research Based Action Network (URBAN), a national network of people enacting a variety of forms of collaborative research for justice, now with more than 1500 members. They outline lessons that might contribute to building the multi-issue movement for educational justice that they believe is required to transform public schools to make them serve the needs of the most disadvantaged, aggrieved, and inequitably treated communities. In its short history URBAN has already impacted the academy through the gatherings and meetings it has hosted as well as through a rigorous publishing agenda, including a special issue of EPAA in which this article appears.
Research, action, activism: Critical solidarities & multi-scalar powers
Authors: Su Celina
Published: May 2019

In this essay, I draw upon my work with the Urban Research Based Action Network (URBAN) to argue for several key principles in research for social justice: reflexivity, especially regarding our work in fraught academic institutions, and engaging multiple ways of knowing. These principles are essential to forming critical solidarities across constituencies, to recognizing and addressing issues of power at multiple scales—local, national, global, and to imagining ourselves as protagonists in our collective futures.
Gastric pH in Rats: Key Determinant for Preclinical Evaluation of pH-dependent Oral Drug Absorption
Authors: Šíma Martin , Kutinová-Canová Nikolina , Ryšánek Pavel , Hořínková Jana , Moškořová Denisa , Slanař Ondřej
Published: May 2019

Data on gastric pH in rats to be used in preclinical models for pH-dependent drug absorption are still limited or contradictory. The aim of this study was to describe gastric pH in rats at fasted state and to evaluate its changes induced by pentagastrin or omeprazole in order to mimic gastric pH at fasted and fed human subjects. Twenty Wistar rats, fasting for 12 h, were randomly assigned into four treatment groups (n=5): control, pre-treated with omeprazole 2 h before pH measurement, pre-treated with omeprazole 12 h before pH measurement, and pre-treated with pentagastrin 20 min before pH measurement. An incision on the stomach wall was made in anesthetized animals, and pH of gastric juice was measured. The observed pH values were significantly different among groups (p=0.0341), with the median (IQR) values of gastric pH of 3.5 (2.7–4.2), 6.7 (4.7–7.0), 5.6 (3.5–6.4) and 2.2 (1.6–3.1) in control, omeprazole 2 h, omeprazole 12 h and pentagastin group, respectively. We recommend using short interval pentagastrin and 2 h omeprazole pre-treatment in fasting animals to model similar gastric pH as is expected in human fasted and fed state pharmacokinetic studies, respectively.
Is Cardiometabolic Index a Predictive Marker for Renal Cell Cancer Aggressiveness?
Authors: Dursun Murat , Besiroglu Huseyin , Otunctemur Alper , Ozbek Emin
Published: May 2019

Studies show that metabolic syndrome is a factor for developing renal cell cancer (RCC) and tumour aggressiveness. In our study, we evaluated the association between renal cell cancer and cardiometabolic index (CMI) which meets the main components of the metabolic syndrome. We retrospectively reviewed the records of 310 consecutive patients with RCC who underwent radical nephrectomy at our institution. We evaluated the tumour size, histologic subtype, Fuhrman nuclear grade. CMI was calculated as the product of waist circumference (WC) to waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) and triglyceride to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (TG/HDL-c). CMI were statistically higher in patients with tumour size ≥ 7 cm than those < 7 cm (p<0.05). Mean CMI level was 2.34 ± 0.84 in patients with high tumour size; and 1.18 ± 0.74 in the other group. The patients with high tumour size had higher TG levels, higher WC and lower HDL-c levels. Similarly, CMI levels were statistically higher in patients with Fuhrman grade 3 and 4 than patients with Fuhrman grade 1 and 2 (p<0.001). The patients with high Fuhrman grade had higher TG levels, higher WC and lower HDL-c levels. The simplicity of WC and height measurement and TG and HDL assessment make CMI an easily applicable index for the evaluation of cardiovascular dysfunction. The components of CMI may have effect on tumour carcinogenesis in similar pathways. In this context, CMI which meets the main components of the metabolic syndrome, can be a useful index for the evaluation and calculation of renal cell cancer aggressiveness.
Immediate Removal of an Entrapped Central Venous Catheter Guide Wire
Authors: Bruthans Jan , Trča Stanislav
Published: May 2019

Extravasal guide wire entrapment due to fraying during central venous catheter placement using the Seldinger technique is a rare complication, which should be resolved as soon as possible. A 68-year-old male was scheduled for open right-side decortication. After the induction of general anesthesia, an attempt was made to place a central venous line in the right subclavian vein. However, the guide wire was entrapped extravasally between the right clavicle and the first rib. The exact site was located by palpating the bend of the guide wire in the subclavian triangle and the thoracic surgeon was available. Therefore, it was decided not to try to visualize the guide wire any further and to immediately proceed with surgical removal of the guide wire. The platysma muscle was dissected allowing access to the subclavian triangle. Venotomy of the external jugular vein was performed and the entrapped guide wire was removed via the venotomy. The whole complication was resolved within 30 minutes and the primary procedure was then performed. Managing rare complications of central venous line placement requires skill, ingenuity and, sometimes, interdisciplinary cooperation, either with a radiologist or a surgeon. The decision to proceed with immediate surgical removal of the guide wire proved a right one, and, to the best of our knowledge, such a strategy has not been described in the relevant literature to date.
Primary Adrenal Squamous Cell Carcinoma in a Single Kidney Patient: Case Report and Review of Literature
Authors: Parizi Mehdi Kardoust
Published: May 2019

The adrenal gland is a common metastatic site of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), however primary adrenal SCC has not been reported in literature. In this case report, we presented the first case of primary adrenal SCC. A 53-year-old man presented with chronic right flank pain. Abdominopelvic computed tomography (CT) confirmed left kidney agenesis and a soft tissue density mass measuring about 40×30 mm in the right adrenal gland. Adrenal functional assessment including metanephrine, normetanephrine and vanillyl mandelic acid were normal. The patient underwent surgical resection of right adrenal mass. Pathology report revealed adrenal SCC. Immunohistochemistry evaluation demonstrated positive staining for P63, CK, CD10, CK7, chromogranin, neuron specific enolase, and negative staining for alpha-inhibin, neurofilament, CK20, and tyrosine hydroxylase that were compatible with SCC. All other assessments to find primary site of SCC including upper and lower gastro-intestinal endoscopy, chest CT scan, positron emission tomography scan, and bronchoscopy demonstrated normal findings. To our knowledge, this is the first case of primary adrenal SCC without any evidence of metastatic nature of such adrenal involvement by SCC.
Entrenchment and productivity: The role of input in the code-mixing of a German-English bilingual child
Authors: Quick Antje Endesfelder , Hartmann Stefan , Backus Ad , Lieven Elena
Published: May 2019

This paper investigates the role of input in the code-mixing (CM) of a German-English bilingual child between the age of 2;3 until 3;11. Supporting a usage-based approach to linguistic theory, multiword units are shown to play an important role in language acquisition scenarios, both in the input children receive as well as in their own early language production.

The current study combines findings from Child-directed-speech (CDS) and children’s output to investigate whether utterance-initial, multiword units in the code-mixing of a German-English bilingual child can be traced back to patterns found in the input.

The findings reveal that a large proportion of the child code-mixed (78%) and parental input (59%) data instantiate the selection of multiword units. Additionally, we found that many of the units used by the child (74%) correlate with units in the parental input suggesting that bilingual children construct their code-mixed utterances on the basis of both concrete lexical strings and partially schematic patterns they have heard before.
The effect of adrenaline on the mineral and trace element status in rats
Authors: Shkurashivska Svitlana , Ersteniuk Hanna
Published: May 2019

Up until now, changes in biochemical and physiological parameters occurring a long time after stress are not yet elucidated. This is particularly the case for metals, some of which may considerably influence other branches of metabolism, such as bioenergetics and antioxidant defense. The aim of the current study was to investigate changes in levels of minerals (calcium and magnesium) and trace elements (copper and zinc) in erythrocytes and the liver of rats injected once or twice (modeling repeated stress) with adrenaline. The tissues were sampled 0.5 and 24 hours after the injection. A single injection of adrenaline in rats led to a dramatic increase in the levels of zinc (Zn), magnesium (Mg), and calcium (Ca) in their erythrocytes and liver, without a return to the control level (unstressed animals) after 24 hours. The levels of copper (Cu) increased 0.5 hour after a single adrenaline injection in erythrocytes and the liver, but returned to the control level after 24 hours. Double injection of rats with adrenaline led to an increase in the levels of Cu and Zn in their erythrocytes, and Mg in the liver, without a return to the control level after 24 hours. On the other hand, the double injection led to a drastic but transient increase in levels of Mg and Ca in erythrocytes, and Cu, Zn, and Ca in the liver. Thus, injection with adrenaline results in dramatic changes in levels of minerals and trace elements, which do not return to the control level after stress. Low doses of adrenaline lead to more stable changes in levels of essential metals.
Compact and Circularly Polarized Hemispherical DRA for C-Band Applications
Authors: Gupta Shabya , Killamsetty Vinay , Chauhan Monika , Mukherjee Biswajeet
Published: May 2019

A novel circular polarized Hemispherical Dielectric Resonator Antenna (HDRA) has been proposed in this paper. The Circular Polarization (CP) and enhanced gain characteristics of the antenna are attributed to the fractal geometry applied on the HDRA. Probe coupling is used to excite the proposed antenna which resonates at 4.16 GHz and offers an impedance bandwidth of 2.6 GHz (57 %), from 3.3 to 5.9 GHz. The gain and efficiency of the antenna are 6.38 dBi and 93 % respectively at 4.16 GHz. The Proposed DRA is designed using FR-4 material having a dielectric constant (εr
) of 4.3 and dissipation factor (tan δ) of 0.025. The designed Antenna is experimentally verified and offers a close agreement between simulated and measured results. This Antenna offers a 3-dB Axial Ratio (AR) bandwidth of 1.1 GHz from 4.2 to 5.3 GHz.
Asymmetric total synthesis of filamentous fungi related resorcylic acid lactones 7-epi-zeaenol and zeaenol
Authors: Doda Sai Reddy , Raghavendar Avula , Haridasyam Sharath Babu , Putta Chandra Shekar , rao Bhattu Kanakadurga , Kadari Sudhakar
Published: May 2019

An efficient, short and, a convenient asymmetric total synthesis of filamentous fungi related resorcylic acid lactones 7-epi-zeaenol (2) and zeaenol (1) have been achieved in 7 and 9 linear steps with the high overall yield of 32% and 21% respectively, from the known intermediate 13. Mitsunobu inversion, De Brabander’s protocol for macrolactonisation, Heck cross-coupling, diastereoselective alkyne aldehyde coupling and Ohira–Bestmann alkynylation are the key reactions.
Cutting performance of a functionally graded cemented carbide tool prepared by microwave heating and nitriding sintering
Authors: Tang Siwen , Li Peizhen , Liu Deshun , Li Pengnan , Niu Qiulin
Published: May 2019

The cutting force, the friction coefficient of the rake face, and the flank wear of functional gradient cemented carbide (FGCC) cutting tools prepared by microwave heating and nitriding sintering were tested by turning test and compared with those of a conventional cemented carbide cutting tool. The results show that the cutting force, the friction coefficient of the rake face, and the wear of the GFCC cutting tool are lower than those of the conventional cutting tool with the same composition. Additionally, the effects of cutting speed on cutting force and tool wear were studied. Furthermore, the failure mechanism in the cutting process, the heat distribution of the second derformation zone and the resistant to the generation and extend of tool surface micro-cracks were analyzed. The friction and wear mechanism of the FGCC tool was found to be affected by the gradient distribution of the tool surface composition.
On the 𝑝-closedness and 𝑝-nilpotency of finite groups
Authors: Dong Shuqin , Pan Hongfei , Miao Long
Published: May 2019

Let

acd
⁡

(
G
)

{\operatorname{acd}(G)}

and

acs
⁡

(
G
)

{\operatorname{acs}(G)}

denote the average irreducible character degree and the average conjugacy class size, respectively, of a finite group G.
The object of this paper is to prove that if

acd
⁡

(
G
)

<

2
⁢

(

p
+
1

)

/

(

p
+
3

)

\operatorname{acd}(G)<2(p+1)/(p+3)

, then

G
=

O
p

⁢

(
G
)

×

O

p
′

⁢

(
G
)

G=O_{p}(G)\times O_{{p^{\prime}}}(G)

, and that if

acs
⁡

(
G
)

<

4
⁢
p

/

(

p
+
3

)

\operatorname{acs}(G)<4p/(p\kern-1.0pt+\kern-1.0pt3)

, then

G
=

O
p

⁢

(
G
)

×

O

p
′

⁢

(
G
)

G=O_{p}(G)\kern-1.0pt\times\kern-1.0ptO_{{p^{\prime}}}(G)

with

O
p

⁢

(
G
)

{O_{p}(G)}

abelian, where p is a prime.
A note on 𝑝-parts of conjugacy class sizes of finite groups
Authors: Li Jinbao , Yang Yong
Published: May 2019

Let G be a finite group and p a prime.
Let

cl
⁡

(
G
)

{\operatorname{cl}(G)}

be the set of conjugacy classes of G, and let

ecl
p

⁡

(
G
)

{\operatorname{ecl}_{p}(G)}

be the largest integer such that

p

ecl
p

⁡

(
G
)

{p^{\operatorname{ecl}_{p}(G)}}

divides

|
C
|

{|C|}

for some

C
∈

cl
⁡

(
G
)

{C\in\operatorname{cl}(G)}

.
We show that if

p
≥
3

{p\geq 3}

and

ecl
p

⁡

(
G
)

=
1

{\operatorname{ecl}_{p}(G)=1}

, then

|

G

⁢

:

⁢

O
p

⁢

(
G
)

|

p

≤

p
3

{\lvert G\mskip 1.0mu \mathord{:}\mskip 1.0mu O_{p}(G)\rvert_{p}\leq p^{3}}

.
This improves the main result of Y. Yang and G. Qian,
On p-parts of conjugacy class sizes of finite groups,
Bull. Aust. Math. Soc. 97 2018, 3, 406–411.
Tidal volume monitoring during initial resuscitation of extremely prematurely born infants
Authors: Hunt Katie A. , Murthy Vadivelam , Bhat Prashanth , Fox Grenville F. , Campbell Morag E. , Milner Anthony D. , Greenough Anne
Published: May 2019

Background

Airway obstruction can occur during facemask (FM) resuscitation of preterm infants at birth. Intubation bypasses any upper airway obstruction. Thus, it would be expected that the occurrence of low expiratory tidal volumes (VTes) would be less in infants resuscitated via an endotracheal tube (ETT) rather than via an FM. Our aim was to test this hypothesis.

Methods

Analysis was undertaken of respiratory function monitoring traces made during initial resuscitation in the delivery suite to determine the peak inflating pressure (PIP), positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP), the VTe and maximum exhaled carbon dioxide (ETCO2) levels and the number of inflations with a low VTe (less than 2.2 mL/kg).

Results

Eighteen infants were resuscitated via an ETT and 11 via an FM, all born at less than 29 weeks of gestation. Similar inflation pressures were used in both groups (17.2 vs. 18.8 cmH2O, P = 0.67). The proportion of infants with a low median VTe (P = 0.6) and the proportion of inflations with a low VTe were similar in the groups (P = 0.10), as was the lung compliance (P = 0.67). Infants with the lowest VTe had the stiffest lungs (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Respiratory function monitoring during initial resuscitation can objectively identify infants who may require escalation of inflation pressures.
Characterizations of Convex spaces and Anti-matroids via Derived Operators
Authors: Chen Fanhong , Shen Chong
Published: May 2019

In this paper we use the notion of derived sets to study convex spaces. By axiomatizing the derived sets on convex spaces, we define c-derived operators and restricted c-derived operators. Results show that convex structures can be characterized in terms of c-derived operators. Furthermore, the link between c-derived operators and Shi’s m-derived operators is studied. Specifically, it is proved that a c-derived operator is an m-derived operator if and only if it satisfies the Exchange Law. At last, we show an application of c-derived operators to anti-matroids.
Effects of Rehabilitation in Bankart Lesion in Non-athletes: A report of three cases
Authors: Hwan Kim Yong , So Wi-Young
Published: May 2019

A Bankart lesion is a common traumatic sports injury of the glenohumeral joint. When the shoulder is dislocated, the connective tissue surrounding the joint may tear or rupture. This study aimed to describe the initial dislocation, treatment, medical treatment, rehabilitation outcomes at 3 and 8 months, and return to daily life for three patients. Patient 1 was a 28-year-old male office worker who enjoyed fitness and weight training. His injury was sustained by a fall from his bicycle and subsequent performance of pull-up exercises. Surgery was recommended for repair of the anterior and inferior labrum tear. Reassessment of the surgery was performed after 2 months of rehabilitation. The patient was asked to exercise once a week at a rehabilitation center and to perform home-based exercises. In the first 2 months, the main exercise consisted of range of motion (ROM) exercises and stretching. Thereafter, muscle strengthening, using tubing, equipment and body weight exercises, and proprioceptive exercises were performed to gradually improve muscle strength and for return to daily activities. ROM progressively increased, with recovery of normal range at 2 months post-surgery. However, pain decreased only slightly, with a visual analog score of 6 out of 10 at 2 months post-surgery. At 8 months, the pain was bearable, without causing discomfort. Muscle strength remained almost unchanged initially but gradually recovered, although with a residual deficit of 20–30% in flexion, adduction and internal rotation. Considering the prolonged rehabilitation after surgery, future studies are warranted to analyze the long-term effects of non-surgical therapies by accumulating more cases and developing effective exercise rehabilitation programs.
Matrix metalloproteinase 2 knockdown suppresses the proliferation of HepG2 and Huh7 cells and enhances the cisplatin effect
Authors: Liu Jiangwei , Li Xiaocheng , Huang Jianzhao , Liu Yan
Published: May 2019

Background

This study evaluated the functions of matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells and assessed the effects of MMP2 on HCC cell sensitivity to cisplatin.

Methodology

HepG2 and Huh7 cells were cultured. A pre-experiment was performed to explore the optimal transduction conditions of the MMP2-siRNA lentivirus (si-MMP2). Quantitative real-time PCR and western blot assays were performed to measure the expression levels of MMP2 in HepG2 and Huh7 cells. An MTT assay was used to evaluate cell proliferation, and flow cytometry analysis was applied to examine cell apoptosis. A Transwell assay was carried out to assess cell invasion.

Results

The optimal virus:cell ratio was 100 multiplicity of infection (MOI) for both cells, and the optimal transduction times for HepG2 and Huh7 cells were 48 h and 72 h, respectively. MMP2 knockdown significantly decreased the mRNA and protein levels of MMP2 in both cell lines (P<0.01). MMP2 knockdown significantly decreased the proliferation and increased the apoptosis of HepG2 and Huh7 cells (P<0.01). Co-treatment with si-MMP2 and cisplatin significantly increased the sensitivity of HepG2 and Huh7 cells to cisplatin (P<0.01).

Conclusion

MMP2 may act as an oncogene and may be a potential therapeutic target in HCC.
Comparison of laparoscopy and open radical nephrectomy of renal cell cancer
Authors: Wang Dong , Xiao Zejun , Shou Jianzhong , Li Changling , Xing Nianzeng
Published: May 2019

Objective

The aim of this study was to summarize the current evidence to evaluate the effects of laparoscopic radical nephrectomy (LRN) and open radical nephrectomy (ORN) in the treatment of renal cell carcinoma.

Methods

A comprehensive literature search was performed using PubMed, Embase and Google Scholar to identify all relevant studies. 8 published studies were included in this meta-analysis. We pooled the odds ratios (OR), standardised mean difference (SMD) and conducted heterogeneity, and quality assessment.

Results

The outcome of treatment effects included surgical blood loss, surgical time, postoperative complications, and post-operative length of hospital stay. Comparing open radical nephrectomy for kidney cancer patients, the pooled SMD of surgical time was 0.47, (95% confidential index CI = [0.09, 0.85]), the pooled SMD of operative blood loss was -68.98, (95% CI = [-99.63, -38.34]), the pooled SMD of post-operative length of hospital stay was -4.32, (95% CI = [-4.62, -4.03]), and the pooled OR of postoperative complications was 0.52, (95% CI = [0.30, 0.91]).

Conclusion

LRN was found to significantly decrease patients’ blood loss. In addition, LRN offers less post-operative length of hospital stay.
Investigation of rare earth upconversion fluorescent nanoparticles in biomedical field
Authors: Jia Feifei , Li Guoling , Yang Bo , Yu Bing , Shen Youqing , Cong Hailin
Published: May 2019

Rare earth upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) with the superior performance in the biomedical field have attracted great attention. Due to the good light stability, low toxicity, deep tissue penetration and excellent bio-compatibility, UCNPs display great potential for development in the biomedical field. Excellent related reports are increasing year by year, like molecular sensing, bioimaging and therapeutics. In this paper, the preparation, modification, application of upconversion fluorescent nanoparticles and the latest research results in the field of biomedical materials have been reported in detail.

Graphical abstract: In this paper, we systematically summarize and describe the preparation, modification, application and latest discovery in biomedical field of rare earth upconversion nanoparticles (UCNP). Due to the good light stability, low toxicity, deep tissue penetration and excellent biocompatibility, UCNPs display superior performance for the development of biomedical field in cancer therapy. Our work will certainly inspire researchers in related fields to create more meaningful upconversion nanomaterials and do more contributions to human cancer treatment research.
Carbon Nanotubes Coated Paper as Current Collectors for Secondary Li-ion Batteries
Authors: Ventrapragada Lakshman K. , Creager Stephen E. , Rao Apparao M. , Podila Ramakrishna
Published: May 2019

We developed a surfactant-free spray coating process to coat commercial cellulose-based paper with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and prepared paper-CNTs current collectors for Li-ion batteries (LIBs). The paper-CNTs were used as current collectors for replacing conventional aluminum foil. Li-ion batteries assembled using paper-CNTs were coated with LiFePO4as the active material and used as cathodes with Li as the anode, and the assembled LIBs showed a high energy density of 460 Wh kg−1at a power density of 250 W kg−1. These electrodes were stable even at a current density as high as 600 mA g−1, and showed cycling stability for ~450 cycles at 150 mAh g−1. Furthermore, paper-CNTs based electrodes showed ~17% improvement in areal capacity compared to commercial aluminum-based electrodes suggesting that paper-CNTs can readily displace Al foils as current collectors.

Summary: Paper based current collectors have been proposed as a cost-effective and simple replacement for aluminum current collectors. This has been achieved by a scalable spray coating of CNTs on printing papers without any surfactants or binders and subsequently testing them as current collectors for Li-ion batteries.
Insight into the working wavelength of hotspot effects generated by popular nanostructures
Authors: Wang Zhong , Cai Kesu , Lu Yang , Wu Haining , Li Yuee , Zhou Qingguo
Published: May 2019

A proper excitation wavelength is much important for the application of surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) in the biochemical field. Here, based on a SERS substrate model with an incident Gaussian beam, we investigate the dependence of the electric field enhancement on the incident wavelength of the excitation laser for popular nanostructures, including nanosphere dimer, nanorod dimer, and nanorod arrays. The results in the present manuscript indicate that both the nanosphere and nanorod dimer present a much broader plasmonic excitation wavelength range extending to the near-infrared region. The enhancement effect of Nanorod arrays is strongly dependent on the incident direction of excitation light. Finally, according to the conclusions above, a SERS substrate consisting of nanocubes based on the SPP eigen-mode is proposed and the electric field enhancement is homogeneous, and insensitive to the polarization of the incident laser. The enhancement factor is not ultrahigh; however, good homogeneousness permits for quantitative detection of lower concentration components in mixtures.

Graphical abstract: By investigating the dependence of the electric field enhancement on the incident wavelength of the excitation laser for popular nanostructures, we propose a SERS substrate consisting of Au nanocubes based on the SPP eigenmode. The electric field enhancement is homogeneous, and insensitive to the polarization of the incident laser. Though the enhancement factor is not ultrahigh, good homogeneousness permits for quantitative detection of lower concentration components in mixtures.
Mechanical contribution of vascular smooth muscle cells in the tunica media of artery
Authors: Mozafari Hozhabr , Zhou Changchun , Gu Linxia
Published: May 2019

The stiffness of arterial wall in response to cardiovascular diseases has been associated with the changes in extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins,i.e., collagen and elastin. Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) helped to regulate the ECM reorganizations and thus contributed to arterial stiffness. This article reviewed experimental and computational studies for quantifying the roles of ECM proteins and VSMCs in mechanical properties of arteries, including nanostructure and mechanical properties of VSMCs and ECMs, cell-ECM interaction, and biomimetic gels/scaffolds induced contractile properties and phenotype changing of VSMCs. This work will facilitate our understanding of how the microenvironments and mechanotransduction impact and regulate the arterial adaptation.
Investigating the impact of dissolved natural gas on the flow characteristics of multicomponent fluid in pipelines
Authors: Ismayilov Gafar G. , Fataliyev Vugar M. , Iskenderov Elman Kh.
Published: May 2019

The conventional equations for describing the flow characteristics of the mixtures merely consider fluid that is homogenic, if it is above the bubble point conditions but ignore that a system containing sub-micron sized gas or vapor bubbles distributed throughout the volume of the liquid, which can exhibit unexpected heterogenic and complex phase properties. In this paper, a new mathematical model for the flowing gas-liquid mixture is presented, which has been proposed considering the colloidal feature of the system above the saturation or bubble point pressure. This approach is more in line with the actual dynamic performance of the oil and gas mixture export pipeline. Experimental data, simulations and field case studies validate the new proposed mathematical model of flow characteristics in pipeline. The obtained results confirmed that the calculated data are in good agreement with the experimental data. Based on Azerbaijan oil-gas-condensate field “Guneshli” data, this new model was used for calculating the condition in which the transformation of the flow characteristics from stable into instable is occurred. It has been discovered that the flow becomes unstable at a pressure about 30% higher than Bubble Point Pressure, which causes pulsation effect in the pipeline structure. However, homogenic behavior should be observed in this hydrodynamic condition. Also, the model provides a guideline on how to optimize the flow rate by adjusting the pipeline parameters to minimize the flow resistance, liquid slugging and hydraulic hammering effects, which cause instable operation.
From dative to accusative. An ongoing syntactic change in Romance
Authors: Pineda Anna
Published: May 2019

In several Romance languages, including Catalan, Spanish, Asturian and Neapolitan, several verbs (‘phone’, ‘answer’, ‘shoot’, ‘rob’, among others) can take a dative- or accusative-marked complement. I argue that this alternation is indeed a transition from dative to accusative; that is, it is a process of syntactic change, with different stages of evolution depending on the dialectal or even idiolectal variety. The relevant verbs, beinga prioridative-taking intransitive verbs, are analyzed as unergatives, made up of a light verb and a nominal, ‘phone= do+phone call’. When the complement ‘to somebody’ is added, a ditransitive structure is obtained, where I assume that the direct (‘phone call’) and the indirect (‘to somebody’) objects are related via an applicative head. The properties of this functional applicative head allow me to explain the change from dative to accusative case in the first stages of syntactic change. Likewise, I show that the completion of the syntactic change results in a true transitivization of the structure.
Phases, labeling, antilocality and intonational phrases: recomplementation in Spanish
Authors: Vera Gabriel Martínez
Published: May 2019

This paper addresses recomplementation (i.e. double-complementizer constructions) in Spanish, comparing Latin American Spanish (LAS) and European Spanish (ES). I make the novel observation that in spite of a superficial difference whereby a lowerqueafter a left dislocate (LD) surfaces in ES but not in LAS, LAS does have recomplementation. In fact, LAS patterns with ES in that there are two constructions in each variety, i.e. a construction in which an intonational break following the LD is present and a construction in which the break is absent. I argue that the constructions with the break differ from the constructions without it with regard to reconstruction effects,noinsertion and the position of high adverbs, which arise due to a locality violation in the former but not in the latter. I propose a syntactic analysis in terms of phases and argue that the locality violation is circumvented in the constructions with no break via verb movement, which is not possible in the constructions with the break. I further propose a mapping from the syntactic structures of recomplementation into prosody that correlates with the presence/absence of the intonational break in these constructions, hence providing prosodic evidence for phasal structure more generally.
A step-by-step guide to collecting and analyzing long-format speech environment (LFSE) recordings
Authors: Casillas Marisa , Cristia Alejandrina
Published: May 2019

Recent years have seen rapid technological development of devices that can record communicative behavior as participants go about daily life. This paper is intended as an end-to-end methodological guidebook for potential users of these technologies, including researchers who want to study children’s or adults’ communicative behavior in everyday contexts. We explain how long-format speech environment (LFSE) recordings provide a unique view on language use and how they can be used to complement other measures at the individual and group level. We aim to help potential users of these technologies make informed decisions regarding research design, hardware, software, and archiving. We also provide information regarding ethics and implementation, issues that are difficult to navigate for those new to this technology, and on which little or no resources are available. This guidebook offers a concise summary of information for new users and points to sources of more detailed information for more advanced users. Links to discussion groups and community-augmented databases are also provided to help readers stay up-to-date on the latest developments.
Taking Intersectionality Seriously
Authors: Graves Donna , Dubrow Gail
Published: May 2019

In recent years, preservation agencies at the federal, state, and locals levels have advanced more inclusive approaches to historic preservation by commissioning theme studies, surveys, and nominations to registers of historic places that address previously neglected aspects of US heritage. Much of the work done under the broad umbrella of inclusive histories has been focused on communities defined by a single aspect of identity. This essay raises questions about the effectiveness of single-community studies in addressing previously overlooked aspects of history at the intersections of race, class, gender, sexuality, and more. We encourage preservation professionals to take seriously the concept of intersectionality, which acknowledges the multivalent quality of lived experience, addresses the complexity of identity, and recognizes the multiplicity of communities with a stake in the preservation and interpretation of any given historic property. This essay argues for the strategic importance of learning from recent studies of LGBTQ resources to refine intersectional approaches to preservation planning, while identifying hidden barriers to inclusion and cultural equity in programs and projects that use a single lens to identify cultural resources associated with underrepresented groups.
Prof. Dr. Gheorghe Bilascu. Pro Patria
Authors: Rotaru Alexandru , Rotaru Horatiu
Published: May 2019

Gheorghe Bilaşcu came to Cluj from Budapest, where he enjoyed all the privileges reserved for the high-class people in the Hungarian capital city, in 1919. He renounced this comfortable existence in order to establish the Romanian Dental Education in Cluj. When he made this choice, he was aware that he would sacrifice his life for a national ideal.

The following text describes the background and events that shaped the future of Romanian dentistry in Cluj, driven by the personality of Gheorghe Bilașcu.
A Public Health Crisis: Electronic Cigarettes, Vape, and JUUL
Authors: Walley Susan C. , Wilson Karen M. , Winickoff Jonathan P. , Groner Judith
Published: May 2019

Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) and vape devices have rapidly become the most common tobacco products used by youth, driven in large part by marketing and advertising by e-cigarette companies. There is substantial evidence that adolescent e-cigarette use leads to use of combustible tobacco products. E-cigarette companies commonly advertise that e-cigarettes contain nicotine, flavoring chemicals, and humectants (propylene glycol and/or vegetable glycerin), but toxicants, ultrafine particles, and carcinogens have also been found in e-cigarette solutions and emissions, many of which are known to cause adverse health effects. Most major e-cigarette brands are owned by big tobacco companies that use similar marketing and advertising strategies to attract youth users as they did with traditional tobacco products. In this review, we provide an overview of e-cigarettes and vape devices with an emphasis on the impact for the pediatric population. We describe the vast array of e-cigarette devices and solutions, concern for nicotine addiction, and the scientific background on the known health harms. There are accompanying visual depictions to assist in identifying these products, including newer e-cigarette products and JUUL. Because current federal regulations are insufficient to protect youth from e-cigarette use, exposure, and nicotine addiction, there are recommendations for pediatricians and pediatric health care providers to counsel and advocate for a tobacco-free lifestyle for patients and families.
Demographic transformation in the agglomerations of Dnipropetrovsk region
Authors: Bezugly V. V. , Boyko Z. V. , Tsvietaieva О. V.
Published: May 2019

This article examines the demographic situation in Dnipropetrovsk region and identifies the main demographic problems of the region , among which the most important are low fertility, reduced family size, high divorce rates and unregistered marriages, contimuing aging of the population, increased gender disproportion among the population, intra-regional and especially modern external migrations of the population, etc. The Dnipropetrovsk settlement system includes four industrial agglomerations: Dniprovsky-Kamianske, Kryvyi Rih, Nikopol and Pavlohrad, where more than 83.5% of the region’s population lives , indicating a high level of urbanization of the territory. It was found that the dynamics of the population of the urban agglomerations of the Dnipropetrovsk region over the past 20 years has a tendency to progressive reduction: if in 1997 the size of the existing population amounted to 3,888.8 thousand people, in 2017it amounted to 3,227.5 thousand people. It is stated that the natural replenishment of the population provides a continuous change of generations, creating the quantitative boundaries of labour resources of urban agglomerations of Dnipropetrovsk region. The current state of migration processes in the agglomerations of Dnipropetrovsk region is caused by socio-economic and political problems. This has led to an increase in labour out-migration, which now has already become catastrophic, not only in the Dnipropetrovsk region, but throughout Ukraine. Negative consequences of this are the depopulation of cities and areas of agglomerations, the outflow of high quality labour potential (and in particular qualified labour), the collapse of families, rise in crime and corruption, etc. In general, it is established that the demographic aspect, due to natural and mechanical movements, has become a determining factor inthe formation of the labour resource situation and affects not only the process of replenishmnent itself, but also the structure of the economically active population. We present the general demographic features of the population's reproduction, in the urban agglomerations of Dnipropetrovsk region from 1997 to 2017; a decrease in the total population, a negative natural population growth (mortality rates will prevail over birth rates), aging of the population, which is reflected in an increase in the number of people aged 70, disproportion in the sexual structure of the population (prevalence of women), negative balance of migration and continuous outflow of inhabitants of reproductive age, especially to the countries of the European Union.