bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
MicroRNA-21 and PTEN Expression Levels Are Negatively Correlated in Doxorubicin Resistant MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cell Line
Authors: Astuti Indwiani , Sofyannoor Gusti Muhammad , Oktriani Risky , Wardana Tirta , Anwar Sumadi Lukman , Aryandono Teguh , Mubarika Haryana Sofia
Published: April 2019

Background: Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer mortality and morbidity among Indonesian women. Identification of biological pathways leading into therapeutic resistance through in vitro model is an important step to develop alternative effective therapy in breast cancer. Loss of PTEN expression has been associated with resistance to chemotherapy by involving PI3K/PTEN- dependent apoptosis pathway. We conducted in vitro experiment to investigate the association of hsa-miR-21 and PTEN expression in Doxorubicin-resistant MCF-7 cell line. Methods:  Parental MCF-7 cells were periodically incubated with Doxorubicin to obtain specific Dox-resistant variant determined by IC50 using MTT assay. PTEN protein expression was analyzed using immunocytochemistry. Expression of mature has-miR-21 was measured using qRT-PCR. Results: The IC50 of Doxorubicin in parental MCF-7 and Doxorubicin-resistant MCF-7 cells (MCF-7/Dox) was 0.68 and 5.78 µg/ml, respectively. Hsa-miR-21 was significantly overexpressed in MCF-7/Dox cells compared to parental MCF cells (7.94 fold changes). Conclusion: PTEN and hsa-miR-21 expression levels were negatively correlated in Doxorubicin resistant-MCF cells. Further study to confirm the causal relationship of miR-21 overexpression and PTEN downregulation in MCF-7/Dox is required.
Perturbing Enhancer Activity in Cancer Therapy
Authors: Hamdan Feda H. , Johnsen Steven A.
Published: April 2019

Tight regulation of gene transcription is essential for normal development, tissue homeostasis and disease-free survival. Enhancers are distal regulatory elements in the genome that provide specificity to gene expression programs and are frequently misregulated in cancer. Recent studies examined various enhancer-driven malignant dependencies and identified different approaches to specifically target these programs. In this review, we describe numerous features that make enhancers good transcriptional targets in cancer therapy and discuss different approaches to overcome enhancer perturbation. Interestingly, a number of approved therapeutic agents such as cyclosporine, steroid hormones, and thiazolidinediones actually function by affecting enhancer landscapes by directly targeting very specific transcription factor programs. More recently, a broader approach to targeting deregulated enhancer programs has been achieved via Bromodomain and Extraterminal (BET) inhibition or perturbation of transcription-related cyclin-dependent kinases (CDK). One challenge to enhancer-targeted therapy is proper patient stratification. We suggest that monitoring of enhancer RNA (eRNA) expression may serve as a unique biomarker of enhancer activity that can help to predict and monitor responsiveness to enhancer-targeted therapies. A more thorough investigation of cancer-specific enhancers and the underlying mechanisms of deregulation will pave the road for an effective utilization of enhancer modulators in a precision oncology approach to cancer treatment.
Colorimetric Detection of Mercury Ions in Water with Capped Silver Nanoprisms
Authors: Tanvir Fouzia , Yaqub Atif , Tanvir Shazia , An Ran , Anderson William A.
Published: April 2019

The emission of mercury (II) from coal combustion and other industrial processes continues to be a concern and have local impact on water resources.  The detection of these ions in water with sensitive but rapid testing methods is desirable for environmental screening and fieldwork.  Nanoparticles of various chemistries have shown promise for this purpose, as they can be used in simple colorimetric analyses. Silver nanoprisms were chemically synthesized resulting in a blue reagent solution, that transitioned towards yellow and colorless solutions when exposed to Hg2+ ions at various concentrations. A rapid galvanic reduction of Hg2+ onto the nanoprism surfaces is apparently responsible for a change in shape towards spherical nanoparticles, leading to the change in color. There were no interferences by other metal ions in solution, and pH had minimal effect in the range of 6.5 to 9.8. The silver nanoprism reagent provided a detection limit of approximately 0.5 µM (100 µg/L) for mercury (II), which compares favorably with other nanoparticle-based techniques. Further optimization may reduce this detection limit.
The Standard Cosmological Model: Basic Geometric and Kinematic Features
Authors: Nagirner Dmitrij , Jorstad Svetlana
Published: April 2019

We present a brief history of the construction of models of the universe, followed by calculations of quantitative characteristics of basic geometric and kinematic properties of the Standard Cosmological Model ($\Lambda$CDM). Using the Friedmann equations of uniform space, we derive equations characterizing a $\Lambda$CDM model that describes a universe corresponding to current observational data. The equations take into account the effects of radiation and ultra-relativistic neutrinos. It is shown that the universe at very early and late stages can be described to sufficient accuracy by simple formulas. Certain important moments of cosmic evolution are determined: the times when densities of the gravitational components of the universe become equal, when they contribute equally to the gravitational force, when the accelerating expansion of space begins, and several others. The dependences of different distances on redshift and the scale factor of space are derived. The distance to the sphere that expands with the speed of light (the Hubble distance), and its current and future acceleration, are found. Concepts of a horizon, second inflation, and second horizon are discussed. We consider the remote future of the universe and the opportunity, in principle, of connection with extraterrestrial civilizations.
Enabling Fine-Grained Scientific Citation for GRASS GIS Software Modules
Authors: Loewe Peter , Petras Vaclav , Neteler Markus , Mitasova Helena
Published: April 2019

The authors introduce the GRASS GIS add-on module g.citation as an initial implementation of a fine-grained software citation concept. The module extends the existing citation capabilities of GRASS GIS, which until now only provide for automated citation of the software project as a whole, authored by the GRASS Development Team, without reference to individual persons. The functionalities of the new module enable individual code citation for each of the over 500 implemented functionalities, including add-on modules. Three different classes of citation output are provided in a variety human- and machine-readable formats. The implications of this reference implementation of scientific software citation for both for the GRASS GIS project and the OSGeo foundation are outlined.
Nucleotide Epi-Chains and New Nucleotide Probability Rules in Long DNA Sequences
Authors: Petoukhov Sergey V.
Published: April 2019

One of creators of quantum mechanics P. Jordan in his work on quantum biology claimed that life's missing laws were the rules of chance and probability of the quantum world. The article presents author’s results of studying probabilities of nucleotides on so-called epi-chains of long DNA sequences of various eukaryotic and prokaryotic genomes. DNA epi-chains are algorithmically constructed subsequencies of DNA nucleotide sequences. According to the algorithm of construction of any epi-chain of the order n, the epi-chain is such nucleotide subsequence, in which the numerations of adjacent nucleotides differ by n    (n = 2, 3, 4,…). Correspondingly each epi-chain of order n contains n times less nucleotides than the original DNA sequence. The presented results unexpectedly show that nucleotide probabilities on such DNA epi-chains of different orders are practically identical to nucleotide probabilities in the original long DNA sequence. These data allow considering DNA as a regular rich set of epi-chains, which can play a certain role in genetic and epigenetic phenomena as the author belives. Appropriate rules of nucleotide probabilities on epi-chains of long DNA sequences are formulated for further their tests on a wider set of biological genomes. These phenomenological data and their possible biological meaning are discussed.
A Mechatronic Platform for Computer Aided Detection of Nodules in Anatomopathological Analyses via Stiffness and Ultrasound Measurements
Authors: Massari Luca , Bulletti Andrea , Prasanna Sahana , Mazzoni Marina , Frosini Francesco , Vicari Elena , Pantano Marcello , Staderini Fabio , Ciuti Gastone , Cianchi Fabio , Messerini Luca , Capineri Lorenzo , Menciassi Arianna , Oddo Calogero Maria
Published: April 2019

This study presents a platform for ex-vivo detection of cancer nodules, addressing automation of medical diagnoses in surgery and associated histological analyses. The proposed approach takes advantage of the property of cancer to alter the mechanical and acoustical properties of tissues, because of changes in stiffness and density. A force sensor and an ultrasound probe were combined to detect such alterations during force-regulated indentations. To explore the specimens, regardless of their orientation and shape, a scanned area of the test sample was defined using shape recognition applying optical background subtraction to the images captured by a camera. The motorized platform was validated using seven phantom tissues, simulating the mechanical and acoustical properties of ex-vivo diseased tissues, including stiffer nodules that can be encountered in pathological conditions during histological analyses. Results demonstrated the platform’s ability to automatically explore and identify the inclusions in the phantom. Overall, the system was able to correctly identify up to 90.3% of the inclusions by means of stiffness in combination with ultrasound measurements, paving pathway towards robotic palpation during intraoperative examinations.
Swallowing Speed as Potential Predictor of Aspiration in Parkinson’s Disease Patients
Authors: Pflug Christina , Niessen Almut , Buhmann Carsten , Bihler Moritz
Published: April 2019

There is still a lack of a clinical test to reliably identify patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) being at risk for aspiration. In this prospective, controlled, cross-sectional study we assessed if swallowing speed for water is a useful clinical test to predict aspiration proven by flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES). Due to this we measured the swallowing speed for 90 ml water in 115 consecutive and unselected PD outpatients of all clinical stages and 32 healthy controls. Average swallowing speed was lower in patients compared with controls (6.5 ± 3.9 ml/s vs. 8.5 ± 3.2 ml/s; p < 0.01). The disease-independent widely used threshold of < 10 ml/s showed insufficient sensitivity of 88% and specificity of 19% with unacceptable false-positive rates of 63% for patients and 69% for controls. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was carried out to define a suitable cut-off value for detection of aspiration of water (area under the curve 0.72, p < 0.001) in PD patients. The optimized cut-off value was 5.5 ml/s with a sensitivity of 69% and a specificity of 64%. Overall, measuring swallowing speed is prone to methodological errors and not suitable as a screening instrument to predict aspiration in PD patients.
A randomized trial of split dose 3 L polyethylene glycol lavage solution, 2 L polyethylene glycol lavage combined with castor oil, and 1 L of polyethylene glycol lavage solution combined with castor oil and ascorbic acid for preparation for colonoscopy
Authors: Tian Xu , Shi Bing , Liu Xiao-Ling , Chen Hui , Chen Wei-Qing
Published: April 2019

Our aim was to evaluate efficacy and safety of 30mL CaO alone or plus Asc in bowel preparation before colonoscopy. Two hundred and forty six patients were allocated randomly to ingest 2L PEG with 30mL CaO, 1L PEG with 30mL CaO plus 5g Asc, or 3L PEG. We used Boston Bowel Preparation Scale (BBPS) to evaluate bowel preparation efficacy. We also determined other outcomes such as procedure time, polyp or adenoma detection rate and adverse events (AEs). Of 282 patients recruited, 36 were excluded. Groups were matched for baseline characteristics except weight (P = 0.020) and body mass index (BMI) (P = 0.003). Patient’s satisfaction were higher in 2L PEG-CaO (P = 0.016) and 1L PEG-CaO-Asc groups (P = 0·017). Patients’ compliance was 67.5%, 71.4% and 80.5% in 3L PEG, 2L PEG-CaO and 1L PEG-CaO-Asc groups (P = 0.014). Adequate bowel preparation rate was 75%, 78.57% and 53.66% in 3L PEG, 2L PEG-CaO and 1L PEG-CaO-Asc groups (P = 0.021). There were no differences in terms of remaining outcomes. Despite an increase in patients’ satisfaction and compliance, 1L PEG-CaO-Asc significantly decreased adequate bowel preparation rate. However, 2L PEG-CaO improved the patients' satisfaction and compliance and increased adequate bowel preparation rate.
Influence of Incentives Measures for Green Manure Planting Adopted by Local Authorities and Farmers Perceptions of the Use of Rotational Fallow for Agricultural Sustainability in Guangxi, China
Authors: Ntakirutimana Leonard , Yin Changbin , Li Fuduo
Published: April 2019

The influence of instrumental variables on farmers ‘perceptions using rotation fallow as sustainable agriculture practices had been the aim of our research. By using simultaneous equations models, this study tried to understand the relationship between green manure farmer’s perceptions on using rotation-fallow and planting green manure in Guangxi Province, south of China. The results showed that subsidizing green manure farmers based on standard subsidy by the unit of green manure sown area; the training on the green manure planting technology or the demonstration preaching; the green manure farmers preference for the kinds of subsidy (funds, seeds, and mechanical services) were the mostly great drivers of the program of restoring planting green manure in the study area. These incentives measures must be enhanced as priority to restore definitely green manure planting. However, the findings of the study showed that the total income of the 2017 year, the area of an agricultural field of household and the household members (16–65 years old), providing labor in the agricultural field, have some influences on planting green manure and on  farmer’s perceptions on using rotation-fallow as sustainable agriculture practices. Brief, the unobserved factors which influenced the endogenous factors play an important role to enhance widely the impact of farmers’ perceptions on planting green manure.
Soft Driving Epicyclical Mechanism for Robotic Finger
Authors: Ramirez Arias Jose Luis , Rubiano Fonseca Astrid , Castiblanco Moreno Paola Andrea
Published: April 2019

Nowadays, the development or improvement of actuation mechanisms is a crucial topic for the achievement of dextrous manipulation using soft robots. Then, a primary target of research is the design of actuation and driving devices. Consequently, in this paper, we introduce a soft driving epicyclical mechanism that mimics human muscle behavior and fulfills motion requirements to achieve grasping gestures using a robotic finger. The prototype is experimentally assessed, and results show that our approach has enough performance for the implementation in grasping tasks. Furthermore, we introduce the basis for a new soft epicyclical mechanism merger with shape memory alloys to allow active stiffness control of the mechanism.
The Pipeline of Processing fMRI Data with Python Based on the Ecosystem NeuroDebian
Authors: Li Qiang , Xue Rong
Published: April 2019

In the neuroscience research field, specific for medical imaging analysis, how to mining more latent medical information from big medical data is significant for us to find the solution of diseases.  In this review, we focus on neuroimaging data that is functional Magnetic Resonance (fMRI) which non-invasive techniques, it already becomes popular tools in the clinical neuroscience and functional cognitive science research. After we get fMRI data, we actually have various software and computer programming that including open source and commercial, it’s very hard to choose the best software to analyze data. What’s worse, it would cause final result imbalance and unstable when we combine more than software together, so that's why we want to make a pipeline to analyze data. On the other hand, with the growing of machine learning, Python has already become one of very hot and popular computer programming. In addition, it is an open source and dynamic computer programming, the communities, libraries and contributors fast increase in the recent year. Through this review, we hope that can make neuroimaging data analysis more easy, stable and uniform base the one platform system.
GIS-Based Rockfall Susceptibility Zoning in Greece
Authors: Saroglou Charalampos
Published: April 2019

The assessment of rockfall risks on human activities and infrastructure is of great importance. Rock falls pose a significant risk to a) transportation infrastructure b) inhabited areas and c) Cultural Heritage sites. The paper presents a method to assess rockfall susceptibility at national scale in Greece, using a simple rating approach and GIS techniques. An extensive inventory of rockfalls for the entire country was compiled for the period between 1935 and 2019. The rockfall events that were recorded are those, which have mainly occurred as distinct rockfall episodes in natural slopes and have impacted human activities, such as roads, inhabited areas and archaeological sites. Through a detailed analysis of the recorded data, it was possible to define the factors which determine the occurrence of rockfalls. Based on this analysis, the susceptibility zoning against rockfalls at national scale was prepared, using a simple rating approach and GIS techniques. The rockfall susceptibility zoning takes into account the following parameters: (a) the slope gradient, (b) the lithology, (c) the annual rainfall intensity, (d) the earthquake intensity and (e) the active fault presence. Emphasis was given on the study of the earthquake effect as a triggering mechanism of rockfalls. Finally, the temporal and spatial frequency of the recorded events and the impact of rockfalls on infrastructure assets and human activities in Greece were evaluated.
Employees’ Organizational Commitment in Higher Educational Setting
Authors: Kassaw Endris seid , Golga Dawit Negassa
Published: April 2019

Employees’ organizational commitment is considered to be a critical issue in higher educational setting for the success its visions and goals, as well as to keep its employees motivation granted for achieving better work performance. This subject has therefore, been studied so as to draw attention to enhance effectiveness of higher educational institution in Ethiopia, particularly in reference to Haramaya University. The major objective of study was to find out the level of academic staffs’’ commitment. The study also assessed whether a significant difference exist in academic staffs’’ commitment level in terms of their gender and level of education. Researchers used a cross-sectional research design to study the problem. Primary and secondary data sources were used for the study; 242 participants were selected using stratified sampling technique. Questionnaire, focus group discussion and document review were used to collect data. The quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics; and the qualitative data were also analyzed using narration methods of analysis. Study result showed that there were moderate level of overall commitment and commitment dimensions among academic staffs’. The study further indicated that, there is no gender difference in level of both the overall commitment and its dimensions; however, significant differences were existed in reference to level of education. In conclusion of major recommendations, some of the university guiding principles and situational working environment should be reviewed so as to enhance commitment for achieving better university work performance.
Transcriptome Analysis of Brain Tissues in a MeCP2-Null Rat Model of Rett Syndrome
Authors: Le Liang , Fu Hui , Bai Xue , Li Caihong , Zhai Wei , Jiang Baoping , Gao Hai , Hu Keping
Published: April 2019

Objective: Rett syndrome (RTT) is an X-linked neurodevelopmental disorder caused by mutations in MeCP2, a transcription factor. MeCP2 mutations cause abnormal expression of downstream genes and eventually lead to brain dysfunction. The role of MeCP2 in brain neural development remains unclear. To further elucidate this role, a MeCP2-null rat model was created with the CRISPR/cas9 system. Method: A MeCP2-cas9 vector was constructed and then microinjected into fertilized rat ova in vitro. Two mutations by CRISPR/cas9 were confirmed to cause deletions in exon 2 of MeCP2 via DNA sequencing, and protein expression was measured by Western blotting. Transcriptome data for three brain tissues, the cerebellum, cerebral cortex and hippocampus, were obtained via next-generation sequencing. Results: MeCP2-null rats were successfully obtained, and preliminary analysis showed that the MeCP2-null rats exhibited motor dysfunction and anxious and depressed behaviour. In addition, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in the three MeCP2-null brain tissues compared to wild-type rat brain tissues. In the rat cerebellum, 388 downregulated DEGs were mainly involved in the calcium ion signalling pathway and the PI3K-Akt signalling pathway. In the cerebral cortex, 386 upregulated DEGs were primarily involved in intracellular signal transduction, protein phosphorylation and the MAPK signalling pathway. In the hippocampus, the DEGs were related to the MAPK signalling pathway. Conclusion: We constructed a MeCP2-null rat model with unique features with CRISPR/cas9 technology to study RTT and analysed DEGs in three rat brain tissues to highlight potential targets for the development of new medicines.
ANALISIS IMPLEMENTASI KURIKULUM TEKNIK SEPEDA MOTOR-HONDA DI SMK PANCASILA SURAKARTA
Authors: Riyanti Wiwit , Suharno Suharno , Wijayanto Danar Susilo
Published: April 2019

This research aims to know: (1) relevance of learning school with Honda; (2) implementation of curriculum techniques motorcycles Honda in Vocational High School Pancasila Surakarta; (3) evaluation curriculum techniques motorcycles Honda in Vocational High School Pancasila Surakarta. This research is evaluative research. Data source derived from 98 students TSM-Honda, headmaster, Deputy Headschool of curriculum, curriculum development division Honda. Data techniques include by questionnaire, interview, observation, and documentation. This research used logic validity or reasoning that instrument is valid based on rational analysis. Apparatus are arranged based on reasoning should be referred to experts so this instrument truly intelligent before distributed to respondents. The procedure consists research method, determine, devise research instruments, data retrieval, data analysis, the withdrawal of conclusion. The conclusion is: (1) curriculum implementation of Motorcycle-Honda Engineering is composed of four aspects context, planning, execution and evaluation, curriculum implementation of Honda overall reaches 72% with a high category; (2) context aspect reaches 78% with top grade. This means that the aspect context which includes the relevance of learning school with Honda and Honda-TSM program eligibility is already proper; (3) planning aspect reached 68% with a high category. Aspects planning that includes an input of students, the quality of the applicants, the parties involved, the training of teacher preparedness, Honda's been good; (4) implementation aspect of the reach 74% with a high category. Implementation aspects of administrative arrangement that includes teaching, learning materials, tools and materials, media of learning, learning methods are already good; (5) evaluation aspect reached 67% with a high category. An evaluation includes elements of competency teachers, students, students ' value competency, communication with Honda, the success of curriculum, curriculum development is already good.
EFEKTIFITAS METODE PEMBELAJARAN ELF MCBRIDE MELALUI TEKNIK HITUNG CEPAT TERHADAP HASIL BELAJAR MATEMATIKA PESERTA DIDIK
Authors: Setyawan Dedy
Published: April 2019

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui apakah ada pengaruh metode pembelajaran elf mcbride melalui teknik hitung cepat terhadap hasil belajar matematika peserta didik. Metode penelitian yang digunakan dalam penelitan ini adalah metode pre-eksperimen. Design penelitian yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah one grup pre-test. Sampel dalam penelitian ini yaitu berjumlah 20 orang peserta didik yang terdiri dari 9 laki-laki dan 11 perempuan. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa ada pengaruh metode pembelajaran elf mcbride melalui teknik hitung cepat terhadap hasil belajar matematika peserta didik kelas V SDN-3 Panarung Palangka Raya setelah pembelajaran dilakukan dengan menggunakan metode pengajaran Elf McBride melalui teknik hitung cepat. Dibuktikan dengan hasil belajar peserta didik dari pra tindakan  sampai siklus I ada peningkatan, pada pra tindakan ketuntasan klasikalnya hanya mencapai 30% dengan kriteria belum tercapai, sedangakan pada siklus I ketuntasan klasikalnya mencapai 95% dengan kriteria tercapai.
MR Imaging Features of Orbital Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis
Authors: wu chunnan , Mu xuetao , Hei yan , lan pengyu , li kuncheng
Published: April 2019

Background

To investigate the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features of orbital Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) to improve diagnostic accuracy.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed clinical manifestations and MRI findings of 23 patients with histology-confirmed LCH of the orbit. The findings were evaluated for the following: (a) symptoms, (b) location, (c) configuration, (d) margin, (e) MR imaging signal intensity and enhanced performance.

Results

Eighteen patients (78%) in our series were male, only five (22%) patients were female, and the mean age at presentation was 6.3 years,. The common symptoms include swollen eyelids, exophthalmos, and a palpable mass Fourteen patients presented with swollen eyelids and/or exophthalmos. Twenty-two cases involved unilateral orbits, and one case involved bilateral orbits. In our study, there was one patient with cough and expectoration, and one patient with polydipsia and polyuria. Lesions were located in the superior or superlateral orbital roof of seventeen patients (74%). Lesions formed masses or irregular shapes. The majority of lesions appeared heterogeneous isointense and iso-hypointense on T1-weighted imaging and hyper-hypointense mixed signals on T2-weighted imaging. Hemorrhage and cystic change were usually seen in lesions. After enhancement, most lesions presented marked enhancement at the edges and the surrounding tissues, and with heterogeneous obvious enhancement of the lesion center. Besides, some lesions were surrounded by a low circular signal.

Conclusion

There were several characteristic MRI features that can provided crucial information for clinicans and improve our understanding and the diagnostic accuracy of the orbital LCH.
Prevention of forest (steppe) fires: The case of the Trans-Baikal region
Authors: Scherbatyuk Andrey P.
Published: April 2019

The article presents an analysis of the dynamics of changes in the long-term forest fire situation in the TRANS-Baikal region. Recommendations on high-quality and planned carrying out of actions for preparation for the new forest fire period on each forestry are given. The characteristics of possible forest (steppe) fires are given. Preventive measures and options for the use of new technical devices for emergency response related to forest fires are proposed.
Has Merger and Acquisition been considered as a method of dealing with weak banks? Evidence from the third bank restructuring process in Vietnam
Authors: Thị Nhung Nguyễn , Thị Vân Anh Trần
Published: April 2019

In the third bank restructuring process in Vietnam during the 2011–2016 period, banking system experienced the participation of 14 commercial banks with 7 successful, both mandatory and voluntary, M&A deals. This research tries to answer if M&A was a good method of dealing with weak banks as Vietnam expected. Firstly, the article evaluates M&A activities’ effects on business results of acquiring banks through three financial ratios (including return on asset (ROA), return on equity (ROE) and net interest margin (NIM) by using paired sample T-Test. The results show that M&A activities only have positive effects on ROA of acquiring banks in Vietnam, while impacts of M&A activities on ROE and NIM are not clear. Secondly, by using a fuzzy TOPSIS approach based on Balanced Scorecard, the research shows that the performance of acquiring banks in mandatory M&A deals are not good as compared to the other acquiring banks. In fact, M&A deal only has strongly positive effects on acquiring bank performance, when it is totally based on real demands of both target and acquiring banks as well as created synergy. Therefore, to deal with weak banks in the next time period, Vietnamese banking system should focus on other market solutions in addition to keeping the nature of M&A activities and improving its efficiency.
Colonization by Pseudomonas aeruginosa of dental unit waterlines and its relationship with other bacteria: suggestions for microbiological monitoring
Authors: Ditommaso Savina , Giacomuzzi Monica , Ricciardi Elisa , Memoli Gabriele , Zotti Carla M.
Published: April 2019

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an environmental bacterium, ubiquitous in aquatic habitats and water distribution systems, including dental unit waterlines (DUWLs). We investigated the prevalence of P. aeruginosa in DUWLs from private dental settings. We also analyzed the relationship between P. aeruginosa contamination and the presence of Legionella spp. and total viable count (TVC) in order to suggest a simple and inexpensive protocol to test the quality of water from DUWLs. We detected and quantified P. aeruginosa both by culture and by a PMA (propidium monoazide)-qPCR method. Overall, we detected P. aeruginosa in 17 samples using the PMA-qPCR and in 11 samples using the culture. All culture-positive samples were positive with the PMA-qPCR too, with an agreement between the two methods of 93% and a Cohen's kappa coefficient of κ = 0.747 (good concordance). Comparing results with results of our previous study, we noted that (a) P. aeruginosa was isolated only from DUWLs with high TVC and (b) five out of six Legionella-positive samples were negative for Pseudomonas spp. Our final suggestion is that the cleanliness of DUWLs should be assessed by TVC because it is a good indicator of the presence of pathogens such as Legionella spp. and P. aeruginosa.
Outcomes of Patients with Cardiac Myxoma: A Retrospective Multicentre Study
Authors: Duman Umit , Furat Cevdet , Keskin Gokhan , Kahraman Dogan , Hafiz Erhan
Published: April 2019

Background:

We present a 15-year follow-up of patients with Cardiac Myxoma (CM) who underwent tumour resection.

Patients and Methods:

Between 2001 and 2016, 38 patients with CM were operated on. We retrospectively reviewed, their clinical presentations. We also analysed the echocardiographic, electrocardiographic and pathology reports.

Results:

No mortality was seen after surgery. The mean age of the patients was 41.7±7.8 years and the female/male ratio was 22/16. Two patients with CM were children. The main symptoms of left atrial CM were dyspnoea on exertion, chest pain and congestive heart failure. Tricuspid valve pathology, and leg oedema were the main symptoms in patients with right atrial CM combined with right heart failure. CM as a cause of nephrotic syndrome was detected in 2 patients. In 5 asymptomatic patients (13.1%), CM was detected incidentally. We detected a pericardial invasion by the tumour in 1 patient. We performed secondary surgery because of tumour recurrence in 2 patients. Overall, survival for patients after surgical excision was 96.4±1.6% at 1 year, 91.7±2.4% at 5 years, 87.6±2.6% at 10 years and 85±1.9% at 15 years.

Conclusion:

The symptoms of CM may include congestive heart failure or nephrotic syndrome. Because CM may be associated with serious cardiac symptoms, tumour excision should be performed immediately after diagnosis. The use of right anterior thoracotomy for CM resection is a safe surgical approach.
Lehetőségek a városi levegőminőség jellemzésére költséghatékony elektrokémiai szenzorok alkalmazásával
Authors: Antalné Bökfi Katalin , Klucsik Krisztián Pál , Varga Tamás , Domokos Endre
Published: April 2019

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The evaluation of changes in muscle strength in elderly patients with premature aging
Authors: Pavlova Tatyana V. , Proshchayev Kirill I. , Satarinova Elmira E. , Pilkevich Natalia B. , Pavlova Lyubov A.
Published: April 2019

Purpose: to evaluate changes in muscle strength in elderly patients with signs of premature aging. Materials and methods: the study included 1080 people: 540 aged 44 to 54 years (mean age 49.1±2.2) and 540 at the age of 55 to 64 years (mean age 57.2±2.4). All patients, depending on the proposed variant of nutritional support and physical activity, were divided into three groups: the 1st (standard recommendations), the 2nd (standard recommendations, Scandinavian walking and daily walks for at least 30 minutes), the 3rd (standard recommendations, Scandinavian walking, daily walks for at least 30 minutes and nutritional support). Results: it was found that in the group of men and women aged 55-64 years, where nutritional support and physical activity were applied, the dosage indicators for the total carpal dynamometry were lower, but lower than in the same group aged 45-54, which is due to decrease in the index of car dynamometry with age. Conclusion: for the prevention of sarcopenic agerelated changes, it is possible to recommend a credibly eff ective system of nutritional support and motor training, for both men and women.
Opportunistic infections among people living with HIV at reference health care centers in Morocco, 2015 (Preprint)
Authors: Sakhri Noureddine , Meski Fatima Zahra , TRIKI SOUMIA
Published: April 2019

BACKGROUND

Morbidity and mortality in HIV disease is due to immune-suppression leading to life-threatening opportunistic infections (OIs) during the natural course of the disease. In 2015, the HIV prevalence is low in general population and concentrated among key populations.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to assess the prevalence and CD4 correlates of OIs among adult HIV-infected patients attending antiretroviral health care in Morocco, during 2015.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional survey among all adult PLHIV for admitted in the health care centers during 2015, who had acquired infection disease. Patients’ opportunistic infection status was determined through clinical diagnosis and laboratory investigations. CD4 count was determined using flow cytometry technique. The clinical stage of HIV was identified by the classification of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). We collected Socio-demographic and clinical data from patients’ medical records. We performed statistical analysis by using Epi-Info 7.2.0.1 software. The appropriate test was applied, bivariate analysis was made and the differences were significant when p<.05.

RESULTS

299 HIV-infected cases were included; 53% were males. The most represented age group was 25-34 years (36.1%). The mean age of the cases was 38.7 ± 16.8. The prevalence of OIs was 47.8%. Tuberculosis (65/299, 21.7%), Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia (40/299, 13.4%) and Oral candidiasis (22/299, 7.4%) were the most frequently observed OIs.

CONCLUSIONS

Tuberculosis, pneumocystis and oral candidacies were the leading OIs, encountered by HIV-infected cases. Preventive measures and early diagnosis of HIV associated to OIs are crucial.
Mitigating Interest in Union Organizing: Employee Relations Plan Case Study
Authors: Portugal, PhD Lisa Marie
Published: April 2019

This discussion examined a case study regarding whether resident assistants were university employees who had the right to unionize under federal and state law. Factors contributing to employee interest in unionization were addressed. The university’s strategy to win certification election as well as the union’s strategy to win was evaluated. Finally, a plan for employee relations was developed to mitigate interest in organizing unions by university Resident Assistants (RAs) and their mentors known as CDAs on other campuses and institutions.
Sobre las controversias científico-tecnológicas públicas
Authors: Murguía Lores Adriana
Published: April 2019

El artículo reflexiona sobre las controversias científico-tecnológicas públicas, las condiciones sociales que hicieron posible su aparición, así como sobre la relación entre la ciencia y la sociedad en términos de una teoría de la sociedad que considera a la primera producto de la evolución social de la modernidad.
Yo es/soy “el otro”: Variantes del documental subjetivo o personal
Authors: Ruffinelli Jorge
Published: April 2019

Mediante el análisis crítico de siete documentales considerados entre los más importantes producidos en América Latina en el último cuarto de siglo, este ensayo propone mostrar las diferentes manifestaciones de una variante nueva del género: el cine documental subjetivo o personal. Se pone énfasis en la negociación entre el Sujeto y el Objeto, que por momentos se identifican en una sola entidad, o bien se juegan en el área próxima de la “familia”. El segundo énfasis se coloca en la negociación de esas dos entidades (Sujeto y Objeto) con el espectador o receptor, que a su vez representa a la sociedad en sus dimensiones culturales, sociales e ideológicas.
La gran minería en América Latina, impactos e implicaciones.
Authors: Delgado Ramos Gian Carlo
Published: April 2019

El presente trabajo indaga desde la perspectiva de la ecología política y la economía ecológica las principales características, impactos e implicaciones de la minería de principios del siglo XXI. Se comienza con una introducción sobre las características de la minería y sus implicaciones argumentando la actual existencia de un esquema (neo)colonial de extracción y transferencia de minerales que entre otras cuestiones permite que los países primario-exportadores internalicen los costos socioambientales asociados, un rasgo que adquiere cada vez más relevancia frente a crecientes patrones de consumo de minerales. En un segundo momento se ofrece un análisis crítico de la acción del capital minero internacional en América Latina y el grado de transferencia de minerales hacia el exterior y en  un tercer apartado se aborda el caso del nuevo boom minero en México a modo de aterrizar el análisis en un caso concreto. Lo anterior da pie, en el cuarto y último apartado, a una indagación del rol que juega México y América Latina como reserva importante de recursos mineros, tanto esenciales, estratégicos y críticos, y lo que ello significa desde la perspectiva de la hegemonía estadounidense. Se concluye con una reflexión sobre la necesidad de construir alternativas económica, social y ecológicamente armónicas, tomando en cuenta las complejidades y particularidades de cada región y asegurando el futuro de  los pueblos.
Aproximación narrativa al estudio de fenómenos sociales: principales líneas de desarrollo
Authors: Bernasconi Ramírez Oriana
Published: April 2019

Este artículo organiza y discute para una audiencia hispanoamericana las principales líneas de desarrollo de los estudios narrativos, con especial énfasis en los aportes realizados por la investigación sociológica anglosajona y norteamericana durante las últimas décadas. El artículo explica los ejes estructurantes de este enfoque así como sus antecedentes, discute las nociones de historia o relato y presenta algunos ejemplos de su operacionalización, describe las principales características del análisis narrativo y lo compara con otras estrategias de análisis cualitativo de texto y termina puntualizando algunas limitaciones y potencialidades de este enfoque para la conducción de investigación social cualitativa.
Develop and use educational electronic resources in the discipline “Design” for schools the International baccalaureate (IB)
Authors: Zaslavskaya Olga Yurievna , Anikanova Kristina Igorevna
Published: April 2019

Problem and goal. The article deals with the processes of development of the modern information society and various educational programs, which contributes to the need for the use of information technology in the educational sphere. The aim was to identify the features of the development of educational electronic publications and resources for the International baccalaureate program, a comparative analysis of the program and a comparison with the existing program of education in Russia on the Federal state educational standard. This made it possible to take into account the peculiarities of methods of work with resources and assessment of tasks by students in this program, as well as to develop educational electronic resources for the International baccalaureate program in the discipline “Design” and to evaluate the effectiveness of these resources as tools of work. Methodology. Development of a system of educational electronic resources and teaching methods for these resources in the discipline “Design” in the framework of the international baccalaureate program are carried out through the analysis of curricula, manuals, dissertations, materials of conferences on FSES and International baccalaureate, study of scientific literature on approaches and methods for the development of electronic systems for the evaluation of the results of training, observation, organization and conduct of pedagogical experiment and analysis of its results. Results. The analysis of the FSES and the International baccalaureate training program to identify the features of the educational process in each of the programs under consideration. Various approaches and technologies to the evaluation of learning outcomes, including the system of electronic assessment are considered. On the basis of the data obtained, an educational electronic resource on the discipline “Design” within the framework of the International baccalaureate training program was developed, consisting of evaluation tasks, work with which was based on the use of information and communication technologies, and a system for evaluating the results of these tasks for grade 6. Conclusion. The results led to the conclusion that the organization of training in the discipline “Design” in the framework of the International baccalaureate program with the use of educational electronic resources will contribute to a significant increase in the interest of primary school students to the study of this subject area and, in the future, a more conscious choice of direction of training in the field of informatization. The presented method of teaching and developed educational electronic resource on the discipline “Design”, built to meet the requirements of the International baccalaureate program, will improve the efficiency of learning by students.
China in D. Trump’s Free and Open Indo-Pacific Strategy
Authors: Leksyutina Yana Valeryevna
Published: April 2019

With Trump as a president of the US from January 2017 and his decisive actions, which have undermined many agreements reached by previous American administrations (like withdrawal from the TTP, the Paris climate agreement, the Iran nuclear deal, the UNESCO, etc.), the international system and regional subsystems are under serious reconfiguration and readjustments. This accentuates the necessity to systemize Trump’s actions and initiatives in the realm of foreign policy and foreign trade, to interpret these actions’ logic, and to evaluate the changes that Trump’s policies have brought about. It is of high importance to analyze Trump’s strategy in the Indo-Pacific which is the priority region in his foreign policy agenda and the region where two major threats to the US and its allies are coming from - the rise of China as a country that pursues unfair trade and economic policies and reveals assertiveness in securing its core interests, and the threat from the North Korea. The aim of the article is to analyze China’s place in Trump’s Indo-Pacific strategy. By studying American conceptual documents, Trump’s and other American high-level officials’ speeches, the article characterizes Trump’s free and open Indo-Pacific strategy, reveals its commonalities and peculiarities vis-à-vis Obama’s rebalancing to the Asia-Pacific strategy. The article also addresses the issue of Trump’s policies in the region on the economic front, because this is where Trump administration has introduces dramatic changes. Trump’s Indo-Pacific strategy is examined in the article in the context of its impact on the US-China relations. The relations between the two countries - without exaggeration, one of the most consequential for the world - may seriously deteriorate due to not only the evolving US-China trade war, but also contradictions between them over various issues in the IndoPacific region. The article analyzes the aggravation of tensions between the US and China in 2017-2018 over South and East China Seas, Taiwan issue, and North Korea issue.
Analysis of the English Language Needs of Students at the Russian Technological University
Authors: Rossikhina Olga G , Ermakova Polina V , Aleshchenko Olga A
Published: April 2019

The article looks into the English language needs of engineering students and young graduates at one of the leading technological universities in Russia - NUST MISiS. The authors used a mixed methodology approach to explore how often and in what real-life situations current and former students use the English language. 107 paper questionnaires were completed by master’s degree students in class and the answers were counted; 123 responses were received online from 2015 and 2016 graduates and processed statistically; 17 structured interviews with college administrators and subject professors were recorded and then coded for the main categories. The results demonstrate that despite dramatic changes at NUST MISiS under The Competitiveness Enhancement Program 5-100, good English competence is not a priority, with the majority of young graduates being ‘unsure’ about its benefits for their career and some administrators calling it ‘the least required competence’. However, the English language needs vary across subject departments. Thus, students majoring in new materials and programming use English on a regular basis, while economists and metallurgists might not really need it in both studies and future job. Overall, the most required skill is reading, and the least used ones are oral communication and academic writing in English. The authors discuss how orientation on potential rather than actual needs can affect the ESP/EAP course design in the context of engineering education in Russia.