bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Structural alterations and markers of endothelial activation in pulmonary and bronchial arteries in fatal asthma
Authors: Rossi Renata Calciolari , Anonni Raquel , Ferreira Diogenes Seraphim , da Silva Luiz Fernando Ferraz , Mauad Thais
Published: August 2019

Background

There is interest in better understanding vessel pathology in asthma, given the findings of loss of peripheral vasculature associated with disease severity by imaging and altered markers of endothelial activation. To date, vascular changes in asthma have been described mainly at the submucosal capillary level of the bronchial microcirculation, with sparse information available on the pathology of bronchial and pulmonary arteries. The aim of this study was to describe structural and endothelial activation markers in bronchial arteries (BAs) and pulmonary arteries (PAs) of asthma patients who died during a fatal asthma attack.

Methods

Autopsy lung tissue was obtained from 21 smoking and non-smoking patients who died of an asthma attack and nine non-smoking control patients. Verhoeff–Masson trichrome staining was used to analyse the structure of arteries. Using immuno-histochemistry and image analyses, we quantified extracellular matrix (ECM) components (collagen I, collagen III, versican, tenascin, fibronectin, elastic fibres), adhesion molecules [vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1) and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1)] and markers of vascular tone/dysfunction [endothelin-1 (ET-1) and angiotensin II type 2 receptor (AT2)] in PAs and BAs.

Results

There were no significant differences in ECM components, ICAM-1, ET-1 or AT2 between asthma patients and controls. Smoking asthma patients presented with decreased content of collagen III in both BA (p = 0.046) and PA (p = 0.010) walls compared to non-smoking asthma patients. Asthma patients had increased VCAM-1 content in the BA wall (p = 0.026) but not in the PA wall.

Conclusion

Our data suggest that the mechanisms linking asthma and arterial functional abnormalities might involve systemic rather than local mediators. Loss of collagen III in the PA was observed in smoking asthma patients, and this was compatible with the degradative environment induced by cigarette smoking. Our data also reinforce the idea that the mechanisms of leukocyte efflux via adhesion molecules differ between bronchial and pulmonary circulation, which might be relevant to understanding and treating the distal lung in asthma.
Evaluating short and long term outcomes following pediatric Myringoplasty with Gelfoam graft for tympanic membrane perforation following ventilation tube insertion
Authors: Song Jin Soo , Corsten Gerard , Johnson Liane B.
Published: August 2019

Background

Myringotomy with ventilation tube (VT) insertion to treat recurrent acute otitis media and chronic secretory otitis media has become one of the most common surgical procedures performed in children. Although contemporary literature has detailed the various patient and perioperative factors that affect successful pediatric myringoplasty, there is still limited evidence surrounding the increasing number of graft material options. In particular, gelfoam patching has arisen as a simple and efficient modality for perforation closure, but has a paucity of evidence particularly in pediatric cohorts. Our study aims to evaluate the clinical and audiometric outcomes following gelfoam myringoplasty for TMP following prolonged VT insertion in an urban pediatric population.

Methods

A retrospective review of pediatric patients who underwent myringoplasty between 2013 and 2018 following ventilation tube insertion. Patient demographics, comorbidities, and graft material were correlated with audiometric and clinical outcomes on follow up examination.

Results

One hundred twenty patients underwent myringoplasty, with 61 (50.8%) males with a mean age of 8.9 years old. 101 (84.2%) of patients eventually underwent successful tympanic membrane (TM) closure, with 93 (77.5%) demonstrating closure at initial follow up. In the gelfoam cohort, 77 (90.6%) of patients demonstrated successful TM closure at initial follow up. Overall mean time to closure was 5.6 (standard error (SE) 0.9) months. A multivariate Cox proportional hazards model demonstrated none of the covariates including graft material significantly affected TM closure. Mean change in air conduction threshold were comparable between graft materials.

Conclusions

Pediatric myringoplasty with gelfoam graft material is a safe and viable alternative with favorable short and long term clinical and audiometric outcomes.
The Natural History of a Man With Ovotesticular 46,XX DSD Caused by a Novel 3-Mb 15q26.2 Deletion Containing NR2F2 Gene
Authors: Carvalheira Gianna , Malinverni Andrea M , Moysés-Oliveira Mariana , Ueta Renata , Cardili Leonardo , Monteagudo Patrícia , Mathez Andreia L G , Verreschi Ieda T , Maluf Miguel A , Shida Márcia E F , Leite Mila T C , Mazzotti Diego , Melaragno Maria Isabel , Dias-da-Silva Magnus R
Published: August 2019

Gonadal sex determination is a complex genetic process by which an embryonic primordium is driven to form an ovary or a testis, which requires a delicate dosage balance involving many genes. Disruption in this molecular pathway can lead to differences of sex development (DSD). Although some genetic mechanisms leading to 46,XY DSD have been elucidated, little is known about copy-number variation (CNV) causing testicular or ovotesticular 46,XX DSD. We describe a 20-year natural history of a man with SRY-negative 46,XX who was born with atypical male external genitalia, aortic coarctation, and bilateral blepharophimosis-ptosis. The molecular study identified a de novo heterozygous 3-Mb 15q26.2 deletion, a gene-poor locus containing NR2F2, which encodes the nuclear receptor COUP-TFII that is highly expressed in ovary and cardiac arteries. Immunohistochemistry confirmed the low COUP-TFII expression on his ovotestis tissue. Monosomy of 15q26.2, encompassing the NR2F2 gene, may act as a Z-factor regulating the male sex determination negatively. This finding supports a novel type of CNV resulting in DSD in an individual who developed male puberty spontaneously.
The Monstrous Birth of Alexander the Great
Authors: Franklin-Brown Mary
Published: August 2019

Alone among the French romances of Alexander the Great penned in the twelfth century, Thomas de Kent’s Roman de toute chevalerie reproduces the story of Alexander’s illegitimate birth from the principal Latin source. According to this account, Alexander’s father was Nectanabus, a mage and astrologer who seduced Queen Olympias with an astronomy lesson, deceived her by using animal pelts to disguise himself as a god, and then used his magic arts to retard the child’s birth when his astrological calculations indicated the child would be born a hybrid man-beast. Thomas wrote his romance at the very moment when both astrology and paradoxography (the writing of marvels) were being reevaluated as means of understanding the world, and so Alexander’s odd birth offers a reflection — shaped by the romance genre — on the limitations and ethical implications of medieval natural science.
Repositories for academic products/outputs: Latin American and Chilean visions
Authors: Torres Leandro , Hartley Ricardo
Published: August 2019

Open access policies have been progressing since the beginning of this century. Important global initiatives, both public and private, have set the tone for what we understand by open access. The emergence of tools and web platforms for open access (both legal and illegal) have placed the focus of the discussion on open access to knowledge, both for academics and for the general public, who finance such research through their taxes, particularly in Latin America. This historically unnoticed discussion must, we believe, be discussed publicly, given the characteristics of the Latin American scientific community, as well as its funding sources. This article includes an overview of what is meant by open access and describes the origins of the term, both in its philosophical sense and in its practical sense, expressed in the global declarations of Berlin and Bethesda. It also includes the notion of open access managed (or not) by some reputable institutions in Chile, such as CONICYT (National Commission for Scientific and Technological Research) and higher education institutions reputed nationally, such as the Universdad de Chile and Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. Various Latin American initiatives related to open access (Scielo, Redalyc, among others) are described, as well as the presence of Chilean documents in those platforms. The national institutional repositories are listed, as well as their current status and a discussion about what open access has implied in Latin America and its importance for the replicability of the investigations carried out locally. Finally, we describe some governmental initiatives (mainly legislative) at the Latin American level and propose some recommendations regarding the promotion and implementation of repositories for the access to scientific data (for access and replication purposes) of the national research.
Pathfinder: open source software for analyzing spatial navigation search strategies
Authors: Cooke Matthew B. , O'Leary Timothy P. , Harris Phelan , Brown Richard E. , Snyder Jason S.
Published: August 2019

Spatial navigation is a universal behavior that varies depending on goals, experience and available sensory stimuli. Spatial navigational tasks are routinely used to study learning, memory and goal-directed behavior, in both animals and humans. One popular paradigm for testing spatial memory is the Morris water maze, where subjects learn the location of a hidden platform that offers escape from a pool of water. Researchers typically express learning as a function of the latency to escape, though this reveals little about the underlying navigational strategies. Recently, a number of studies have begun to classify water maze search strategies in order to clarify the precise spatial and mnemonic functions of different brain regions, and to identify which aspects of spatial memory are disrupted in disease models. However, despite their usefulness, strategy analyses have not been widely adopted due to the lack of software to automate analyses. To address this need we developed Pathfinder, an open source application for analyzing spatial navigation behaviors. In a representative dataset, we show that Pathfinder effectively characterizes the development of highly-specific spatial search strategies as male and female mice learn a standard spatial water maze. Pathfinder can read data files from commercially- and freely-available software packages, is optimized for classifying search strategies in water maze paradigms, and can also be used to analyze 2D navigation by other species, and in other tasks, as long as timestamped xy coordinates are available. Pathfinder is simple to use, can automatically determine pool and platform geometry, generates heat maps, analyzes navigation with respect to multiple goal locations, and can be updated to accommodate future developments in spatial behavioral analyses. Given these features, Pathfinder may be a useful tool for studying how navigational strategies are regulated by the environment, depend on specific neural circuits, and are altered by pathology.
On the Accounting Policies of Small Enterprises in the Terms of Simplifi ed System of Accounting
Authors: Поленова С. , Polenova S.
Published: August 2019

Th e article attempts to analyze the theory and practice of forming the accounting policy of a small enterprise in the terms of simplifi ed system of accounting, the current regulatory documentation governing this process. The possibilities of the practical implementation of certain provisions of documents on accounting policies are explored, recommendations on their refi nement and practical application are substantiated.
Salesforce Contracting Under Uncertain Demand and Supply: Double Moral Hazard and Optimality of Smooth Contracts
Authors: Dai Tinglong , Jerath Kinshuk
Published: August 2019

Uncertainty in both demand and supply as well as unobservable firm actions related to supply are important for determining the right sales force compensation contract.
Random Serial Dictatorship: The One and Only
Authors: Bade Sophie
Published: August 2019

Fix a Pareto-optimal, strategy-proof, and nonbossy deterministic matching mechanism and define a random matching mechanism by assigning agents to the roles in the mechanism via a uniform lottery. Given a profile of preferences, the lottery over outcomes that arises under the random matching mechanism is identical to the lottery that arises under random serial dictatorship, where the order of dictators is uniformly distributed. This result extends the celebrated equivalence between the core from random endowments and random serial dictatorship to the grand set of all Pareto-optimal, strategy-proof, and nonbossy matching mechanisms.
Discontinuities in the Value of Relational Capital: The Effects on Employee Entrepreneurship and Mobility
Authors: Byun Heejung , Raffiee Joseph , Ganco Martin
Published: August 2019

We examine how a discontinuous increase in the value of an employee’s relational capital influences the employee’s mobility and entrepreneurship decisions in professional and business service contexts. Drawing on the unfolding model of voluntary turnover, we develop a theory proposing that positive shocks to external relational capital will catalyze employees to consider alternative employment options, thereby increasing the probability of exit. We further maintain that exit decisions in response to such shocks will be driven by a desire to appropriate more value, making these shocks strong predictors of employee entrepreneurship, especially when the employee works in an area that is peripheral to the firm’s core capabilities. Empirically, we construct a unique employee-employer linked database that tracks employment of lobbyists in the United States federal lobbying industry. Leveraging plausibly exogenous shocks to the value of an employee’s relational capital and a novel market-based measure of the employee’s position in the firm’s knowledge space, we report two sets of findings. First, an increase in the value of relational capital has a positive effect on the likelihood of mobility to established firms and employee entrepreneurship, with the effect for the latter stronger than the former. Second, the magnitude of the effect on employee entrepreneurship becomes stronger when the employee is peripheral to the firm’s core knowledge. Together, our results are consistent with a value creation-value appropriation rationale, where sudden increases in the value of an employee’s relational capital drive exit as a means to appropriate a greater portion of value created.
Soft skills: raising the bar
Authors: Bissett Julie
Published: August 2019

Your clinical skills may be tip-top but how developed are those innately human qualities that can elevate the patient experience? Julie Bissett investigates
Are your men dentally fit?
Authors: Memon Shaz
Published: August 2019

How do you market dentistry to your male patients? Shaz Memon considers your moves
What are those dental nursing essentials?
Authors: Silver Rebecca
Published: August 2019

‘You must be able to read the little cues from patients, such as a raise of the eyebrows or the clench of a fist’ – award-winner Rebecca Silver offers insight into the qualities that make a first-class dental nurse
Different methods to detect fatigue crack nucleation and growth rate
Authors: Baragetti Sergio
Published: August 2019

This paper reports a short summary of some procedures that allow to evaluate crack growth propagation rate. Numerical models developed using the equations of linear elastic fracture mechanics are described. Confirmation of the numerical results needs comparison with experimental results. The crack replica method and crack growth gages application are reported and prove to be powerful tools for crack propagation rate evaluation.
Immune cell pathology in rabbit hemorrhagic disease
Authors: Semerjyan Anna Babken , Sargsyan Mariam Armenak , Arzumanyan Hranush Harutyun , Hakobyan Lina Hayrapet , Abroyan Liana Onik , Semerjyan Zara Babken , Avetisyan Aida Sergey , Karalova Elena Michael , Manukyan Davit Mihran , Matevosyan Hripsime Shavarsh , Krasnikov Nikolay Fyodor , Karalyan Zaven Alexandr
Published: August 2019

Aim: The aim of this research was to study the effect of rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) on the host immune response by examining the cellular composition/pathology of lymphoid organs and serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ).

Materials and Methods: Nine adult rabbits were inoculated with 1 ml of 10% infected liver homogenate, and three rabbits served as controls. The rabbit hemorrhagic disease (RHD)-induced animals were studied on 3 consecutive days post-infection. Diagnosis of RHD was made through routine hemagglutination tests and the polymerase chain reaction. Blood smears and tissue samples from bone marrow (BM), spleen, lymph nodes, and liver were analyzed for cell composition and cytopathology. Serum levels of TNF-α and IFN-γ were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Results: RHD showed a decreased absolute cell count of blood as well as lymph nodes, spleen, and BM cell populations with marked left shift. This was seen as a progressive rise in immature and blast cells. Quantitative cellular changes were accompanied by an increase in specific inflammatory cytokines. Immunocytopathological alterations were evidenced by: Vacuolized, hyperactivated tissue macrophages, finding of Dohle bodies in neutrophils, and activated lymphocytes with increased nuclear-cytoplasmic ratio. Cytoplasmic eosinophilic viral inclusions found in tissue (liver, spleen, and BM) macrophages were shown for the 1st time in RHD. Megakaryocytic emperipolesis was a common feature of RHD.

Conclusion: These studies suggest that RHDV induces pathology in leukocytes due to hyperactivation with left shift (toward immature stages of the different cell lineages). Macrophages are increased in number and show an expressed cytopathic effect often accompanied by viral eosinophilic cytoplasmic inclusions. They also developed a secretory activation (increased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines).

Keywords: cytopathology, emperipolesis, eosinophilic viral inclusions, immune response, macrophages, rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus.
Coleus amboinicus extract increases transforming growth factor-1β expression in Wistar rats with cisplatin-induced nephropathy
Authors: Sahrial Iwan , Solfaine Rondius
Published: August 2019

Background and Aim: Coleus amboinicus (CA) plants are known to exert antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects and demonstrate antiproliferative effects against cancer cells. This study aimed to investigate the activity of CA extract on the expression of transforming growth factor-1β (TGF-1β) in cisplatin-induced nephropathy in Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus).

Materials and Methods: CA was obtained from fresh leaves of CA and was extracted using 96% ethanol maceration. This blinded, controlled, randomized post-test study assigned 24 Wistar rats to three groups (n=8). Negative controls received normal saline (P0), nephropathy was induced in rats by cisplatin (5 mg/kg, IP) (P1), and treated with ethanolic coleus extract (500 mg/kg, PO) (P2), respectively, for 7 days. Nephropathy was induced on the 4th day. All rats were sacrificed on the 8th day for blood and kidney sample collection. Concentrations of blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, and alkaline phosphatase were analyzed using colorimetric analysis. A semi-quantitative analysis was performed on sectioned kidneys to determine the numbers of positive cells for TGF-1β expression and to evaluate structural and functional alterations in the kidneys using histopathological and immunohistochemical staining.

Results: The concentrations of BUN, creatinine, and alkaline phosphatase from blood samples in the treatment group were significantly lower than those of the control group (p<0.05). Morphological evaluation of the tubular interstitium and glomeruli revealed that necrotic, degenerating, and infiltration of cells significantly decreased in the treatment group compared to the control group (p<0.05). The mean immunostaining scores indicating the presence of TGF-1β were 7.8 in the ethanolic coleus extract group, 3 in the induction group, and 2.3 in the control group. The expression scores for TGF-β1 were significantly different between the ethanolic coleus extract treatment and control group (p<0.05).

Conclusion: Our results suggest that in Wistar rats with cisplatin-induced nephropathy, CA extract inhibits pathological lesions by regulating the renal expression of TGF-1β in areas containing the renal tubules and glomeruli.

Keywords: cisplatin, Coleus amboinicus, nephropathy, transforming growth factor-1β.
Multinomial Logistic Model for Coinfection Diagnosis Between Arbovirus and Malaria in Kedougou
Authors: Loum Mor Absa , Poursat Marie-Anne , Sow Abdourahmane , Sall Amadou Alpha , Loucoubar Cheikh , Gassiat Elisabeth
Published: August 2019

In tropical regions, populations continue to suffer morbidity and mortality from malaria and arboviral diseases. In Kedougou (Senegal), these illnesses are all endemic due to the climate and its geographical position. The co-circulation of malaria parasites and arboviruses can explain the observation of coinfected cases. Indeed there is strong resemblance in symptoms between these diseases making problematic targeted medical care of coinfected cases. This is due to the fact that the origin of illness is not obviously known. Some cases could be immunized against one or the other of the pathogens, immunity typically acquired with factors like age and exposure as usual for endemic area. Thus, coinfection needs to be better diagnosed. Using data collected from patients in Kedougou region, from 2009 to 2013, we adjusted a multinomial logistic model and selected relevant variables in explaining coinfection status. We observed specific sets of variables explaining each of the diseases exclusively and the coinfection. We tested the independence between arboviral and malaria infections and derived coinfection probabilities from the model fitting. In case of a coinfection probability greater than a threshold value to be calibrated on the data, long duration of illness and age are mostly indicative of arboviral disease while high body temperature and presence of nausea or vomiting symptoms during the rainy season are mostly indicative of malaria disease.
Zur Entwicklung der Verbstellung im mittelniederdeutschen Relativsatz
Authors: Ihden Sarah
Published: August 2019

Der vorliegende Aufsatz widmet sich der diachronen Entwicklung der Verbstellung im mittelniederdeutschen Relativsatz und setzt damit an einem noch immer bestehenden Desiderat im Bereich der mittelniederdeutschen Syntax an. Auf der Basis eines Korpus aus sechs nordniedersächsischen Rechtstexten aus der Zeit vom 13. bis zum 16. Jahrhundert werden zunächst verschiedene Verbstellungstypen im Relativsatz ermittelt. Anschließend werden mit der Folge Finitum vor Infinitum im Verbalkomplex, der Nachfeldbesetzung sowie den afiniten Konstruktionen drei Phänomene genauer in den Blick genommen, die eine absolute Verbletztstellung im mittelniederdeutschen Relativsatz verhindern. Im Aufsatz soll das Vorkommen dieser Phänomene in Rechtstexten verschiedener Entstehungszeiten präsentiert und auf dieser Basis die Frage beantwortet werden, ob eine diachrone Zunahme der absoluten Verbletztstellung im mittelniederdeutschen Relativsatz festzustellen ist.
Eine diachrone Korpusanalyse der rhetorischen Figur Litotes
Authors: Neuhaus Laura
Published: August 2019

Dieser Beitrag beschäftigt sich mit einem Aspekt der mehrfachen Negation, der in der historischen Linguistik bisher kaum Beachtung gefunden hat. Bei dem hier thematisierten Phänomen, das oft mit dem rhetorischen Begriff Litotes in Zusammenhang gebracht wird, sind die beiden Negationselemente semantisch aufeinander bezogen (nicht unlieblich). Behaghel (1918: 244) geht in einer Nebenbemerkung von lateinischem Einfluss und einem Eindringen ins Deutsche ab dem 18 Jh. aus. Im vorliegenden Beitrag weist eine Korpusanalyse des DTA unter Einbezug des REM und des FnhdC bereits frühere Verwendungen nach. Dabei wird deutlich, dass die in Neuhaus (2016a) skizzierten synchronen pragmatischen Verwendungsweisen (Verneinung, Mitigation, Understatement) und quantitative Ergebnisse aus Neuhaus (2019) sich parallel im DTA zeigen. Die Rolle des Lateinischen und die Einordnung als Lehnphänomen wird darüber hinaus kritisch evaluiert. Diese Analyse leistet somit einen Beitrag zu einer formorientierten und empirischen historischen Pragmatik.
Telic Priority: Prioritarianism’s Impersonal Value
Authors: Hanisch Christoph
Published: August 2019

I develop the recent claim that prioritarianism, and not only its egalitarian competitors, must be committed to an impersonal outcome value (i. e. a value that makes a distribution better even if this does not affect anyone’s welfare). This value, that I label telic priority and that consists in the goodness of benefits going to the worst off recipients, implies implausible judgments that more than compete with ‘pure’ (Parfit) egalitarianism’s applause in leveling down scenarios. ‘Pure prioritarianism’, an axiological theory that would consist in an unqualified commitment to telic priority only, must therefore be developed into a pluralist version of the priority view. Contra Parfit, prioritarianism and egalitarianism are on a par concerning the relationship between their pure (and implausible) formulations and their pluralist (and plausible) versions. The final section explains why telic priority always assigns preference to the worst-off (and not merely to the worse-off).
Rauheitsauswertung mit hoher lateraler Auflösung mittels räumlicher Lichtmodulatoren / Roughness evaluation with high lateral resolution by spatial light modulators
Authors: Pöller Franziska , Bilgeri Laura Maria , Jakobi Martin , Wang Shengjia , Dong Jie , Koch Alexander W. , Salazar Bloise Félix
Published: August 2019

Die Oberflächeneigenschaften, insbesondere die Rauheit, sind in der Industrie von großer Bedeutung. Derzeit gibt es zahlreiche Verfahren zur optischen Rauheitsmessung. Ziel der in diesem Artikel beschriebenen Arbeiten ist es, eine Verbesserung der in [1, 2] beschriebenen Verfahren zu erzielen. Da bei realen Rauheitsmessungen gekrümmte Streifen auftreten, wird das Verfahren durch eine lokale Ermittlung der Streifenausrichtung im Interferogramm erweitert. Durch die Richtungsbestimmung der Streifen kann eine hohe laterale Auflösung erzielt und Oberflächenunregelmäßigkeiten besser erkannt werden. Als Referenz im Messsystem wird ein räumlicher Lichtmodulator verwendet.
Laser-Doppler-Dehnungssensor / Laser-Doppler strain gauge
Authors: Wang Fangjian , Scholz Angelina , Hug Joachim , Rembe Christian
Published: August 2019

In diesem Beitrag stellen wir einen Lasersensor vor, der die mechanische Dehnung bei der Betriebsfestigkeitsprüfung in Schwingprüfmaschinen kontaktlos misst. Die Auslenkungen an zwei nebeneinanderliegenden Messpunkten in der Dehnungsrichtung werden mit dem Sensor interferometrisch erfasst. Die Differenzauslenkung bezogen auf den Abstand der beiden Messstellen entspricht der Dehnung. Im Vergleich zum Stand der Wissenschaft zeigen wir einen verbesserten Sensoraufbau und ein erweitertes mathematisches Modell. Außerdem werden erstmals Testmessungen mit unserem Versuchsaufbau durchgeführt. Schließlich bestimmen wir den Beitrag des Rauschens, der sich mit unserer derzeitigen Signalverarbeitung ergibt. Unsere jetzige Realisierung erlaubt eine Auflösung der Dehnungsmessung von 0,02 ‰ bei einer Bandbreite von 1,25 kHz.
Heterodynes Laser-Doppler-Vibrometer mit gekoppelten Diodenlasern zur Schwingungsanalyse von SAW-Filtern / Heterodyne laser-Doppler vibrometer with frequency-offset-locked diode lasers for vibration analysis of SAW filters
Authors: Kowarsch Robert , Rembe Christian
Published: August 2019

Heterodyne Interferometer messen Schwingungsamplituden bei Frequenzen > 100MHz mit definierter Messunsicherheit im Gegensatz zu homodynen Verfahren. Die geringe Effizienz von Bragg-Zellen als Frequenzschieber bei Frequenzen > 409MHz limitieren den Einsatz von heterodynen Interferometern im Gigahertz- Bereich. In diesem Beitrag stellen wir ein heterodynes Laser-Doppler-Vibrometer-Mikroskop vor, in dem eine optoelektronische Phasenregelschleife zwei Diodenlaser auf eine Frequenzdifferenz regelt und die Trägerfrequenz erzeugt. Unser Messsystem bietet eine Auflösung von Schwingungsamplituden im Pikometer-Bereich bei Schwingungsfrequenzen von 10MHz bis 700MHz. Die Messfähigkeit der Betragsamplitude und Phase der Schwingung wird am Messbeispiel eines Oberflächenwellen-Filters demonstriert.
Measurement of ellipsometric data and surface orientations by modulated circular polarized light / Messung von ellipsometrischen Daten und Oberflächenorientierungen durch moduliertes zirkular polarisiertes Licht
Authors: Chen Chia-Wei , Hartrumpf Matthias , Längle Thomas , Beyerer Jürgen
Published: August 2019

Ellipsometry is a widely used optical method for the characterization of materials and thin films. However, only flat or nearly flat surfaces can be measured since small deviations of the angle of incidence might lead to significant experimental errors. In order to overcome the geometrical limitations of ellipsometry, the retroreflex ellipsometry developed at Fraunhofer IOSB is used. Based on this configuration, a new illumination method is proposed. When the sample is illuminated by modulated circular polarized light (LCP and RCP), the ellipsometric parameters (Ψ, Δ) and the tilted angle (Φ) can be determined directly. Combined with reflectance measurement or prior knowledge of optical properties of samples, the surface orientation can be obtained.
A magnetoelectric vibration converter with tunable resonance frequency / Magnetoelektrischer Vibrationswandler mit einstellbarer Resonanzfrequenz
Authors: Naifar Slim , Bradai Sonia , Kanoun Olfa
Published: August 2019

Integration of smart materials to harvest energy from low vibration sources for powering wireless sensor networks has been of significant interest and still is. Owing to large magnetostriction and energy density of Terfenol- D, the use of piezoelectric/Terfenol-D composites exhibit great potential for the realization of vibration converters. In this work, a magnetoelectric vibration converter is dpresented. The interaction between the magnetic circuit and the magnetoelectric transducer is employed to tune the resonance frequency of the converter.
Maschinelles Lernen für Abdeckungsmessungen von Oberflächen mit abgeschiedenen Au-Nanosphären mittels Lichtstreuung / Machine learning for coverage measurements of surfaces with deposited Au-nanospheres by light scattering
Authors: Alexe Gabriela , Tausendfreund Andreas , Stöbener Dirk , Fischer Andreas
Published: August 2019

Die nicht-negative Matrixfaktorisierung wird als Ansatz zur Lösung des inversen Problems bei Oberflächenmessungen basierend auf der Auswertung von Streulichtverteilungen vorgeschlagen. Die Entwicklung neuer Streulichtmethoden basiert derzeit auf empirischen Lösungen, die stark von der jeweiligen Anwendung abhängen. Die vorgeschlagene modellbasierte Lösung wird ohne a priori Expertenwissen für Au-Nanosphären auf Au-Substraten angewendet und für die Messung der Oberflächenabdeckung mit Partikeln mittels Streulichtsimulationen verifiziert. Ausblickend werden Strategien für die Validierung vorgestellt.
Strafrechtliche Schuld oder soziale Beziehung
Authors: Stangl Wolfgang
Published: August 2019

Das formalisierte Strafverfahren und der strafrechtliche Täter-Opfer Ausgleich sind nicht nur unterschiedliche Verfahrensweisen, um strafrechtliche Delikte zu prozessieren. Im Beitrag wird gezeigt, dass es sich um soziale Kontrollformen handelt, die unterschiedlichen sozialen Ordnungssystemen angehören: der rechtlichen und der lebensweltlichen Ordnung, die – so das Argument – durch einen „epistemologischen Bruch“ voneinander getrennt sind. Fallbeispiele, die einem internationalen Mediationsprojekt entnommen sind, illustrieren die Analyse.
Stadt als Protestraum
Authors: Scharloth Joachim
Published: August 2019

This article is concerned with the question why and how urban space becomes a space of protest and contestation. It argues that protest transforms urban space into an alternative space, in which the conventional practices associated with this space, the space’s symbolic functions and the concepts of space themselves are interpreted as means to create power. Protest emerges where the constitutive characteristics of public spaces are restricted, i. e. where accessibility, freedom of conduct and role diversity, and anonymity are limited. After laying the theoretical foundations, the article discusses the typical functions of squares (gatherings and rallies), streets (marches and demonstrations), and parks (festivals, preparation, recreation) for urban protests. It finally discusses the protest practices of the black block, of the occupation of squares, and of Reclaim the Streets in the light of the theories of urban space.
Potential role of Claudin-1 immunohistochemical expression and ultrastructural changes in detecting early focal segmental glomerulosclerosis
Authors: Elhefnawy Nadia Galal , Adb Raboh Nermine Mohamed , Nada Ola Hassan , Mahmoud Esraa Adel , Abd El Mohsen Waleed Anwar
Published: August 2019

Background: Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) and Minimal change disease (MCD) are two disease entities presented mainly by nephrotic syndrome. While 95% of MCD cases showed complete remission on steroid therapy, 50% of FSGS cases progress to end stage renal disease. Early sclerotic lesions in FSGS can be missed in routine H&E examination. Objective: To differentiate early FSGS from MCD by detection of activated parietal epithelial cells (PECs) in early glomerular sclerotic lesions using Claudin-1 immunohistochemical (IHC) staining and by examining podocyte ultrastructural changes. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study included 28 cases diagnosed as MCD and 20 cases diagnosed as early FSGS. Clinicopathologic data collection, claudin-1 IHC staining and reviewing ultrastructural changes were performed and the results were statistically analyzed. Results: A statistically significant correlation was detected between claudin-1 expression and the initial diagnosis of the studied groups (P=0.005). Claudin-1 was expressed in a visceral location in (39.28%) of the biopsies initially diagnosed as MCD thus were reevaluated as early FSGS lesions. 63.64% of these positive cases were presented by steroid resistant nephrotic syndrome and 63.6% of which showed some ultrastructural changes of FSGS in podocytes including abnormalities in mitochondrial shapes, endoplasmic reticulum changes and a decreased number of autophagic vacuoles. Conclusion: Claudin-1 is a novel diagnostic marker that can differentiate between confusing cases of early FSGS versus MCD. Defective autophagy plays a role in the pathogenesis of FSGS.
Efficacy and safety of a modified- ‘modified Ponticelli’ regimen for treatment of primary membranous nephropathy
Authors: Rao Indu Ramachandra , Attur Ravindra Prabhu , Rangaswamy Dharshan , Shenoy Srinivas , Laxminarayana Sindhura Lakshmi Koulmane , Nagaraju Shankar Prasad
Published: August 2019

Background: Modified Ponticelli regimen (mPR), consisting of cyclical steroids and cyclophosphamide, is the most established therapy for primary membranous nephropathy (MN). Yet, the potential toxicity of this treatment regimen poses a significant concern. Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of a modified version of the conventional mPR for primary MN using lower-than-standard dose pulse steroids. Patients and Methods: This was a retrospective single-center analysis of patients admitted between January 2008 to December 2017. All treatment-naive patients with biopsy-proven primary MN treated with a lower-than-standard dose pulse steroid-based modification of the conventional mPR (intravenous pulse of 500 mg methyl-prednisolone, instead of 1000 mg) were included. We report the remission rates at the end of 6 months (both complete and partial), relapses and adverse effects of treatment at the end of follow-up. Results: A total of 41 individuals were included. Of 31 individuals who completed six months of treatment (six were lost to follow-up, while four discontinued immunosuppression due to infections), 71% (n=22) responded to treatment [complete remission in 25.8% (n=8), partial remission in 45.2% (n=14)]. Most common complications detected throughout the treatment were steroid induced diabetes mellitus in 40% (n=14/35), infections in 25.7% (of which immunosuppression was discontinued for four participants), and leucopenia in 8.5% (n=3/35). Relapses were seen in 29% (n=9) during follow-up (mean follow-up period: 36 months). Conclusions: The modified- ‘modified Ponticelli’ regimen with lower-than-standard dose intravenous steroids and cyclophosphamide was efficient in attaining remission in primary MN.
Urinary podocin level as a predictor of diabetic kidney disease
Authors: ElShaarawy Abdelbassit , Behairy Maha Abdelmoneim , Bawady Somia Abdelhameed , Abdelsattar Hoda Ahmed , Shadad Eman
Published: August 2019

Background: Albuminuria showed to be a deteriorating condition in diabetic kidney disease (DKD) associated with high morbidity and mortality. A need for a novel marker for early detection of DKD development and progression becomes mandating. Objective: To study the clinical value of urinary podocin as an early marker of diabetic kidney disease and its association with severity of the disease. Patients and Methods: This study included 45 individuals with type 2 DM whose GFR >60 mL/min/1.73 m2 , recruited from Ain Shams University Hospital, Cairo, Egypt. Patients were further divided into three groups according to urinary albumin/creatinine ratio (ACR). In addition to, ten healthy volunteers serving as the control group was enrolled in the study. Routine chemistry including serum creatinine, fasting blood glucose (FBG), HbA1c, albumin, lipid profile, urine analysis, ACR and urinary podocin quantification were conducted for all participants (by ELISA method). Results: Podocin was higher in patients with ACR <30 mg/g, ACR 30-299 mg/g and ACR ≥ 300 mg/g versus healthy controls, respectively (P<0.001). Both GFR and serum albumin showed highly significant negative correlations with urinary podocin. Significant positive correlations were detected between urinary podocin with blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine, FBG, HbA1c, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels. Conclusions: Urinary podocin is assumed to be a promising marker for early DKD detection in type 2 DM patients.
An old disease, a new diagnosis; A 49 year-old man with nephrotic syndrome
Authors: Cedeño Santiago , Verdalles Ursula , Goicoechea Marian , García de Vinuesa Soledad , Luño José
Published: August 2019

Background: IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is a systemic immune-mediated disease that typically manifests as fibro-inflammatory masses that can affect nearly any organ system. Case Report: We present here a case of a 49-year old man with forgotten old disease (Mikulicz disease) with membranous nephropathy (MN). Conclusions: This entity is currently included within the spectrum of IgG4-related disease. The development of renal disease shortly after the suspension of rituximab suggests another probable pathway involved. To our knowledge the transforming growth factor may be responsible for existing pattern of fibrosis in this disease. The lack of response or at least partial response to rituximab can be explained by greater involvement of regulatory T lymphocyte in the pathophysiology of this entity.
Cold spray for reducing venopuncture pain in hemodialysis patients; a randomized double-blinded controlled trial
Authors: Shafii Zahra , Abdi Bastami Neshiman , Nasiri Amir Ahmad
Published: August 2019

Introduction: The pain due to cannulation and needle insertion into blood vessels becomes problematic among patients suffering hemodialysis. Objectives: The present study aimed to assess the pain relieving effects of cooling sprays among patients undergoing hemodialysis. Patients and Methods: Eighty patients aged higher than 18 years who were on chronic hemodialysis were randomly assigned into two groups including the group received cooling spray for relieving pain (n = 40) and the group received stilled water as placebo (n = 40). In the intervention group and in a hemodialysis session, 2 puffs of the Cramer Cold Spray were sprayed 30 seconds before the cannulation. The pain severity was assessed by the visual analogue scale (VAS) method. Results: The mean of pain severity score was not different between the intervention and control group before intervention, however after intervention, the patients in the intervention group experienced milder pain due to cannulation as compared to control group (3.28 ± 1.13 versus 5.30 ± 1.76; P < 0.001). Interviewing with the patients receiving cooling spray showed willingness to the use of spray in 87.5% of cases. The local complication due to the use of cold spray was revealed only in 5% of patients. Conclusion: The use of cooling spray in hemodialysis patients can reduce the pain caused by needle insertion. This method can be routinely used as a non-pharmacological pain relief method to reduce pain in hemodialysis patients
Renal damages in patients with major β-thalassemia
Authors: Najafpour Malihe , Farshdousti-Hagh Majid , Movasagpoor-Akbari Ali Akbar , Hosein-Pour Feyzi Abbas-Ali , Malaki Majid
Published: August 2019

Introduction: Numerous studies have shown the presence of renal dysfunction in patients with beta thalassemia major (βTM). According to iron overload and effects on renal, evaluation of renal function in βTM can cause better control of them. Objectives: In this study, we evaluated renal function in children and adults with βTM. Patients and Methods: Sixty patients (38 male and 22 female) with βTM, and 60 healthy control subjects (25 males and 35 females), were participated in this cross-sectional study. Biochemical and urine analysis were conducted to evaluate renal function. Additionally, patients were classified based on the administration of iron chelators including deferoxamine (Desferal), deferiprone (L1), deferasirox (Exjade) and combination therapy. Results: Renal dysfunctions such as hyperfiltration and proteinuria were common findings in patients compared with the normal group. Hypercalciuria was found only in patients groups receiving Exjade. Hyperfiltration was detected in all patients. Proteinuria was no related to drug administration. Conclusion: We found a high percentage of our βTM patients who had renal dysfunction as evidenced by proteinuria and hyperfiltration.
Knowledge and practices about hemodialysis among dialysis technicians in western part of India
Authors: Balwani Manish R , Shrimali Jigar , Pasari Amit , Shah Jay , Kute Vivek
Published: August 2019

Introduction: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a global health burden with a high economic cost to health systems. Objectives: To determine the knowledge and practices regarding end-stage renal disease and hemodialysis (HD) among dialysis technicians. Patients and Methods: Total of 157 technicians participated in a study carried out at Ahmedabad city of Gujrat state. A validated written questionnaire was distributed among dialysis technicians who gave their consent to participate in the study and responded questionnaires were analyzed. Data entry was made in Excel software in codes and analysis was conducted by SPSS software version 17.0 Results: Out of 157, 113 participants were routinely using online clearance monitoring. Around, 19.1% carried out disinfection of water loop once per week, while 23.6% and 28% were doing it once in 15 days and 30 days respectively. Reverse osmosis (RO) plant parameters like pH, hardness of water, chlorine content were checked once daily by 46.5% of technicians while 17.8% and 24.2% technicians were doing it once a week and once a month respectively. About 87.3% of technicians said that dialyzer was reused at their center. Accordingly, 33.8% and 51.6% of technicians were using formalin and per-acetic based disinfectants for dialyzer reprocessing. Additionally 7.6% of technicians were using hypochlorite as disinfectant at their center. Around 63.7% of technicians said they were not reprocessing dialyzers of HCV positive patients. They preferred to use single dialyzers in these subsets of patients at their center. Around, 79.6% of technicians said that endotoxin filter was installed in their dialysis unit. Likewise, 45.9% knew correctly the permissible level of endotoxin in RO water used for HD. Only 15.3% of technicians had correct knowledge of permissible level of bacteria in treated RO water as per association for the advancement of medical instrumentation (AAMI) standards. Conclusion: Better knowledge and awareness about dialysis standards among dialysis technicians will help in better patient’s care. Effective dialysis education campaign needs to be driven at regular intervals with relevant information among dialysis technicians to address the knowledge gap.
Melatonin and alpha lipoic acid restore electrolytes and kidney morphology of lopinavir/ritonavir-treated rats
Authors: Adikwu Elias , Brambaifa Nelson , Obianime Wolfe Atuboyedia
Published: August 2019

Introduction: Lopinavir/ritonavir (LPV/r) may cause renal dysfunction such as electrolyte and acid base disorders and alteration in kidney morphology. Drug–induced renal dysfunction can occur through multiple mechanisms including oxidative stress and inflammation. Objectives: The current study aimed at evaluating the protective effects of melatonin (MT) and alpha lipoic acid (ALA) against serum electrolytes and kidney histology of LPV/r-treated rats. Adult albino rats were randomized into six groups (A to F). Rats in the control groups were treated orally with normal saline and 1% ethanol as placebo and solvent control for 90 days respectively. Rats in the experimental groups were pre-treated orally with 10 mg/kg of MT, 10 mg/kg of ALA, and MT+ ALA daily before treatment with 22.9/5.71, 45.6/11.4 94 and 91.4/22.9 mg/kg/d of LPV/r for 90 days respectively. Materials and Methods: At the end of treatment, rats were euthanized. Blood samples were collected and serum samples were extracted and evaluated for electrolytes, total protein, and albumin. Additionally, kidneys were excised via dissection and evaluated for morphological changes. Results: Significant (P<0.001) decreases in serum sodium, potassium, chloride, bicarbonate, total protein and albumin in a dose-dependent fashion were obtained in LPV/r-treated rats when compared to control. Dose-dependent kidney morphological changes characterised by tubular necroses were obtained in LPV/r-treated rats. The observations in LPV/r-treated rats were significantly reversed in MT (P<0.01), ALA (P<0.01) and MT+ALA (P<0.001) pre-treated rats when compared to LPV/r-treated rats. Conclusion: MT and ALA can serve as adjuvant therapies for LPV/r-associated alterations in serum electrolytes and kidney histology.