bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Postgraduate Course ERS Copenhagen 2005 - Therapeutic options for interstitial lung diseases in 2005
Authors: Baughman R.P. , du Bois R.M.
Published: September 2016

Educational aims

To discuss the role of corticosteroids in treating sarcoidosis.

To provide information about when to consider cytotoxic drugs for chronic sarcoidosis.

To outline how to monitor the use of cytotoxic drugs.

To better understand the differences in response when using anti-tumour necrosis factor agents in treating sarcoidosis

The decision to treat a patient with sarcoidosis is dependent on many factors, the most important being whether the patient is symptomatic. Initial systemic therapy for symptomatic sarcoidosis usually includes corticosteroids. However, most symptomatic patients will require months to years of therapy. Therefore, alternatives to corticosteroids have been studied. This review will give a brief overview of the effect of corticosteroids and alternative treatments options available.
HERMES: a European Core Syllabus in Respiratory Medicine
Authors: Loddenkemper R. , Séverin T. , Eiselé J-L. , Chuchalin A. , Donner C.F. , Di Maria G. , Magyar P. , Muers M. , Muir J-F. , Nybo B. , Phillips G. , Riddell G. , Stevenson R. , Zach M. , Haslam P.L.
Published: September 2016

HERMES is a project to promote better “Harmonised education and training in Respiratory Medicine for European Specialists”. The first aim of the project was to develop a European core syllabus listing core competencies that all respiratory specialists should possess. This report presents the resulting consensus-based document. A total of 50 experts in respiratory medicine from 29 countries took part in its development. Moreover, over 400 qualified respiratory physicians and over 100 trainees provided further feedback throughout the project.

Competencies were identified and ranked through a three-round Delphi consensus process. Some 229 competencies were selected and split into nine sections and 51 modules. Of these, 14 were ranked as optional, 215 as mandatory. Items were further ranked into three different levels, according to the level of knowledge and competence expected. The Delphi process proved an effective tool for creating expert consensus and to enable “group” ownership of the project outcomes.
Severe asthma
Authors: Bel E.H.
Published: September 2016

Key points

Not all patients with “difficult-to-control” asthma have “severe asthma”. Many of them have either an incorrect diagnosis, or mild-moderate asthma with unrecognised aggravating factors, or are non-compliant with prescribed therapy.

For a diagnosis of severe asthma, it is necessary to confirm the diagnosis of asthma, to evaluate and treat endogenous and exogenous aggravating factors, and to closely follow the patient for ≥6 months.

Severe asthma is a heterogeneous condition with different phenotypes. Defining clinical phenotypes is necessary to improve understanding of underlying mechanisms, to help guide current treatment and to provide clues for novel therapeutic interventions.

Despite intensive multi-drug treatment with high-dose inhaled and oral corticosteroids, many patients with severe asthma remain uncontrolled. There is an urgent need for new, more-effective treatments.

Educational aims

To help the reader distinguish between “difficult-to-control”, “refractory” and “severe” asthma.

To discuss the initial approach to and assessment of a patient with difficult-to-control asthma.

To inform the reader how to recognise different clinical phenotypes of severe asthma.

To outline management strategies and discuss treatment modalities.

“Severe asthma” refers to asthma that remains difficult to control despite intensive multidrug therapy, extensive assessment and management of comorbidity, and long-term observation by an asthma specialist.

The three main clinical phenotypes of severe asthma include asthma with frequent severe exacerbations, asthma with chronic airflow limitation, and steroid-resistant asthma.

Many patients with severe asthma are oral-steroid dependent. Classical steroid-sparing drugs (gold, methotrexate, cyclosporin) are only weakly effective and have unacceptable side-effects. Monoclonal antibodies against immunoglobulin (Ig)E and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α have shown clinical benefit in subgroups of patients with severe asthma, and large studies are under way to confirm these promising findings.
Telemedicine and home care: controversies and opportunities
Authors: Vitacca M. , Scalvini S. , Spanevello A. , Balbi B.
Published: September 2016

Key points

The costs for care assistance in chronic disease patients are dramatically increasing.

Telemedicine may be a very useful application of information and communication technologies in high-quality healthcare services.

The efficacy of respiratory disease telemedicine projects is promising (i.e.to tailor therapeutic intervention; to avoid useless hospital and emergency department admissions, reduce GP visits and specialised visits; and to involve the patients and their families).

The nurse practitioner is common to all the trials and appears to have a key role in the management of chronic disease.

Different programmes based on specific and local situations, on specific diseases and levels of severity with a high level of flexibility should be utilised.

Respiratory team members and the ERS need to identify the ideal candidates and the most appropriate systems to deliver telemedicine with an acceptable cost/efficacy and costs/benefits balance.

Educational aims

To motivate the interest of chest physicians in a new approach to delivering medical care.

To define the different types of telemedicine: telecare and telesurveillance.

To provide information on the main clinical results in this field and give examples of case studies.

To provide details on the recommendations and limitations of telemedicine programmes.

This review focuses on the prospects, and possible drawbacks, of a new innovative instrument of care known as “home telehealth”, “telecare” or “telemedicine”. The main results from utilising telemedicine in respiratory diseases (asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) as the illustrative conditions) are presented. A principal goal of telemedicine is to improve access to healthcare services. During this process, savings in time and travel costs should be achieved, thereby rationalising access to medical care. The field of telemedicine is relatively new and expanding. In order to establish evidencebased guidelines for the design and implementation of disease management plans that employ telemedicine, further research is required. Telemedicine is not simply “technology” but an innovative medical approach (based more on a dedicated healthcare team than on high-tech instruments) that will help the medical team to care for patients and their families. In the future, it is hoped that telemedicine will form a valuable part of the disease management process, because, when used intelligently, home telehealth should supplement conventional delivery techniques and not replace them.
Ireland's workplace smoking ban
Authors: Clancy L.
Published: September 2016

Key points

Successful attributes of the workplace smoking ban campaign

strong clear health message

strong political support and commitment

trade union support

unified approach of all tobacco-control agencies

Educational aims

To highlight the role of chest physicians in tobacco control.

To present the important elements in achieving the workplace ban.

To review some of the outcomes of the ban, including the impact on respiratory health.

Tobacco control is arguably the most important health intervention of our time, and it is appropriate and important that chest physicians play an active role in this process. Smoking is the main cause of COPD and lung cancer, and is important in asthma. Its clear role in infections of both children and adults is such that there are very few respiratory physicians whose work is not affected by smoking. The workplace ban in Ireland is an example of a successful intervention with immediate beneficial respiratory health outcomes and, in all likelihood, enormous long-term benefits. This review examines the processes in the formation of a national tobacco control policy which supported the implementation of the ban and also reviews the effectiveness of the intervention, in particular with regard to acute respiratory health.
Asthma and pregnancy: interactions and management
Authors: Gaga M. , Oikonomidou E. , Zervas E. , Papageorgiou-Georgatou N.
Published: September 2016

Key points

Asthma is one of the most common diseases complicating pregnancy.

Pregnancy influences the control of asthma; its effect may be beneficial or detrimental.

Asthma during pregnancy should be treated according to its severity in a step-wise manner and as aggressively as asthma in nonpregnant patients.

It is safer for pregnant women with asthma to be treated with asthma medications than to have asthma symptoms and exacerbations.

Uncontrolled and severe asthma is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes for both mother and foetus.

Frequent monitoring, severity-based pharmacotherapy, and prevention and prompt treatment of exacerbations are very important for the safe delivery of a healthy baby.

Breastfeeding is strongly recommended for asthmatic females; it is associated with a reduction in the development of atopy in children, and the use of asthma medications is safe during breastfeeding.

Integrated care (obstetrics and pulmonary), patient education, compliance with treatment and avoidance of triggering factors are key issues in the management of a pregnant asthmatic patient.

Educational aims

To describe interactions between asthma and pregnancy.

To present management guidelines and discuss the use of specific asthma medications during pregnancy.

Asthma is one of the most common diseases complicating pregnancy. It can lead to significant morbidity for both mother and foetus. Pregnancy may also affect asthma control and severity. Therefore, pregnant asthmatic patients should receive integrated obstetric and respiratory care.

The focus of asthma treatment remains the control of symptoms and maintenance of normal lung function of the mother. However, during pregnancy, the safe delivery of a healthy baby is an additional goal. It is safer for pregnant women with asthma to be treated with asthma medications than for them to have asthma symptoms and exacerbations.

Asthma treatment during pregnancy follows the same step-wise approach as normal, and studies have shown that first-line asthma medications (such as inhaled glucocorticosteroids and ß2-agonists) are not associated with an increased incidence of foetal abnormalities. Moreover, inhaled glucocorticosteroids have been shown to prevent exacerbations of asthma in pregnancy and should be used in persistent asthma to control the disease and prevent exacerbations. If acute exacerbations develop, they should be treated promptly and aggressively in order to avoid foetal hypoxia.

Good pregnancy and asthma outcomes are achieved through integrated obstetric and respiratory care, close monitoring, meticulous tailoring of pharmacotherapy, patient education and reassurance. This review describes interactions between asthma and pregnancy and briefly presents treatment guidelines.
Postgraduate Course ERS Munich 2006 - Diagnostic procedures to detect the causes of hypoxic respiratory failure: is being less invasive necessarily better?
Authors: Ferrer M.
Published: September 2016

Educational aims

To review the diagnostic approach to the most relevant pulmonary causes of hypoxic acute respiratory failure.

To focus on the use of invasive and noninvasive diagnostic techniques for these diseases.

Both acute and chronic pulmonary disorders can lead to hypoxic acute respiratory failure (ARF), in which patients are unable to maintain arterial oxygenation despite not retaining carbon dioxide. The three major acute disorders which can underly ARF are (ventilator-assisted) pneumonia (VAP), acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and pulmonary embolism. Each of these conditions poses its own diagnostic and treatment difficulties. This article will review diagnostic procedures relating to these most relevant causes of this syndrome.
Lung transplantation:Mycobacterium abscessusas a cause of graft dysfunction
Authors: Ceron J. , Pastor A. , Sole A. , Jorda C. , Escriva J. , Padilla J.
Published: September 2016

Lung transplantation (LT) is a therapeutic option in patients with end-stage lung diseases where other effective treatments are lacking [1]. However, the procedure is not without risks and side-effects. One of the most important causes of morbidity and mortality in these patients is infection [1, 2]. Recently, there has been an increase in the incidence of emerging infections, with the majority of mycobacterial infections due toMycobacterium tuberculosis[3], although this is not the only pathogen in the mycobacteria group. Atypical mycobacteria are also being identified with increasing frequency as the cause of disease in transplant patients [2, 4–7].
Optimal consultations for those with respiratory illness
Authors: Roberts N.J. , Partridge M.R.
Published: September 2016

Key points

The spectrum of disease seen by health services has changed over time, but in many cases the mode of consultation has remained the same.

Patients can be encouraged to attend either by making consultations more convenient or by using reminders.

Preparation and follow-up are vital aspects of a successful consultation.

Patients who are helped to understand their treatment may be more compliant.

Educational aims

To increase awareness of the need for specialist consultation clinics to be configured in a manner that is convenient for patients with long-term respiratory conditions.

To encourage clinicians to consider the problems associated with non-attendance of patients in specialist clinics.

To provide clinicians with the necessary knowledge to improve patient satisfaction with specialist outpatient consultations.

Consultations with those with respiratory disease increasingly involve those with longterm conditions. Such conditions merit greater attention being paid to the selection of simple treatment regimens, self-management education, enhancing compliance and good communication. The design and running of a respiratory consultation service can be enhanced by addressing the best use of the time before the consultation, the consultation itself and methods for reinforcing messages during follow-up.
Allergy diagnosis: pros and cons of different tests, indications and limitations
Authors: Brand P.L.P.
Published: September 2016

Key points

Allergy and sensitisation are not the same.

Sensitisation to both food and airborne allergens may change over time.

Double-blind placebocontrolled food challenges are by far the best way to diagnose food allergy.

Size matters: the degree, not the presence, of sensitisation determines risk of allergy.

Educational aims

To describe different methods of allergy diagnosis, with pros and cons.

To explain the difference between sensitisation and allergy.

To demonstrate that allergic sensitisation is not an all-or-nothing phenomenon, but that the degree of sensitisation is also important.

Although related, allergy and sensitisation are not identical. It is quite common for sensitisation to occur asymptomatically, while “allergic” symptoms may also appear independent of the presence of sensitisation. In addition, the risk of allergic disease (symptoms) depends on the degree of sensitisation, rather than whether sensitisation is present.

The results of tests for sensitisation, such as skin prick tests (SPTs) and specific immunoglobulin (Ig)E tests, must be interpreted with this in mind. Because of their low cost and rapid results, SPTs are the preferred method to screen for allergic sensitisation. Specific IgE tests are more useful to confirm or reject the suspicion of specific sensitisation to a certain allergen. Caution is necessary when interpreting published results from tertiary-care reference centres; because the population studied is usually distinctly different from the patients in your centre, the results of such studies may not be applicable in your own clinical practice.
Management of blast and inhalation injury
Authors: Gregoretti C. , Decaroli D. , Stella M. , Mistretta A. , Mariano F. , Tedeschi L.
Published: September 2016

Key points

All patients with facial burns may be suspected of having ‘difficult-to-control’ airways owing to smoke inhalation injury (SII). Many of them either have an incorrect diagnosis, or mild-to-moderate injury with unrecognised aggravating respiratory failure.

For a diagnosis of inhalation injury, it is necessary to follow the patient closely for >48 h.

Inhalation injury is a condition with different clinical presentations. Clinical follow-up is necessary to improve patient care, to help guide treatment and to provide clues for therapeutic interventions.

Notwithstanding intensive care treatment including airway intubation and mechanical ventilation, many patients with severe inhalation injury remain under-treated.

Educational aims

To discuss the initial approach and assessment of a patient with SII.

To help the reader recognise different clinical pictures of inhalation injury.

To outline management and discuss treatment.

“Inhalation injury” describes a variety of insults caused by the aspiration of superheated gases, steam or noxious products of incomplete combustion. Inhalation injury involves the entire respiratory system. Early diagnosis based on history and physical examination, in addition to careful monitoring for respiratory complications, is mandatory. As there is no specific treatment for inhalation injury, management involves providing the necessary degree of support required to compensate for upper airway swelling and impairment in gas exchange. Airway intubation and mechanical ventilation may be required while the endobronchial and alveolar mucosa are regenerating.

Primary blast injury (BI) is caused by immediate pressure variations, which are the product of rapid sequences of compression and decompression. Secondary and tertiary BI include lesions caused when the subject is thrown against rigid structures or is hit by flying objects. Its diagnosis and therapy follows guidelines for emergency care.
The effect of mesenchymal stromal cell sheets on the inflammatory stage of flexor tendon healing
Authors: Shen Hua , Kormpakis Ioannis , Havlioglu Necat , Linderman Stephen W. , Sakiyama-Elbert Shelly E. , Erickson Isaac E. , Zarembinski Thomas , Silva Matthew J. , Gelberman Richard H. , Thomopoulos Stavros
Published: September 2016

Background

The clinical outcomes following intrasynovial flexor tendon repair are highly variable. Excessive inflammation is a principal factor underlying the formation of adhesions at the repair surface and affecting matrix regeneration at the repair center that limit tendon excursion and impair tendon healing. A previous in-vitro study revealed that adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (ASCs) modulate tendon fibroblast response to macrophage-induced inflammation. The goal of the current study was therefore to explore the effectiveness of autologous ASCs on the inflammatory stage of intrasynovial tendon healing in vivo using a clinically relevant animal model.

Methods

Zone II flexor tendon transections and suture repairs were performed in a canine model. Autologous ASC sheets were delivered to the surface of repaired tendons. Seven days after repair, the effects of ASCs on tendon healing, with a focus on the inflammatory response, were evaluated using gene expression assays, immunostaining, and histological assessments.

Results

ASCs delivered via the cell sheet infiltrated the host tendon, including the repair surface and the space between the tendon ends, as viewed histologically by tracking GFP-expressing ASCs. Gene expression results demonstrated that ASCs promoted a regenerative/anti-inflammatory M2 macrophage phenotype and regulated tendon matrix remodeling. Specifically, there were significant increases in M2-stimulator (IL-4), marker (CD163 and MRC1), and effector (VEGF) gene expression in ASC-sheet treated tendons compared with nontreated tendons. When examining changes in extracellular matrix expression, tendon injury caused a significant increase in scar-associated COL3A1 expression and reductions in COL2A1 and ACAN expression. The ASC treatment effectively counteracted these changes, returning the expression levels of these genes closer to normal. Immunostaining further confirmed that ASC treatment increased CD163+ M2 cells in the repaired tendons and suppressed cell apoptosis at the repair site.

Conclusions

This study provides a novel approach for delivering ASCs with outcomes indicating potential for substantial modulation of the inflammatory environment and enhancement of tendon healing after flexor tendon repair.
Tests on Thin Reinforced Concrete Walls Subjected to In-Plane and Out-of-Plane Cyclic Loading
Authors: Almeida João , Prodan Ovidiu , Rosso Angelica , Beyer Katrin
Published: September 2016

The present data paper describes an experimental campaign on five thin T-shaped reinforced concrete walls (DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.3490754.v2), which includes: details on the test units, materials, test setup, loading protocol, instrumentation, main features of each unit's response, organization of the provided test data, and examples of derived data. The tests aimed at assessing the influence of wall thickness on member stability, the role of lap splices on damage distribution and displacement ductility, and the effects of the simultaneous application of out-of-plane loading on the member response. A set of five companion test reports, one for each of the tested units, are included in the data set and supplement the present manuscript.
Autophagy in adhesion and migration
Authors: Kenific Candia M. , Wittmann Torsten , Debnath Jayanta
Published: September 2016

Autophagy, a pathway for lysosomal-mediated cellular degradation, has recently been described as a regulator of cell migration. Although the molecular mechanisms underlying autophagy-dependent motility are only beginning to emerge, new work demonstrates that selective autophagy mediated by the autophagy cargo receptor, NBR1, specifically promotes the dynamic turnover of integrin-based focal adhesion sites during motility. Here, we discuss the detailed mechanisms through which NBR1-dependent selective autophagy supports focal adhesion remodeling, and we describe the interconnections between this pathway and other established regulators of focal adhesion turnover, such as microtubules. We also highlight studies that examine the contribution of autophagy to selective degradation of proteins that mediate cellular tension and to integrin trafficking; these findings hint at further roles for autophagy in supporting adhesion and migration. Given the recently appreciated importance of selective autophagy in diverse cellular processes, we propose that further investigation into autophagy-mediated focal adhesion turnover will not only shed light onto how focal adhesions are regulated but will also unveil new mechanisms regulating selective autophagy.
The Impact of Art Therapy on the Development of Emotional Sphere of the Older Pre-Schoolchildren
Authors: Николаева  , Nikolaeva Viktoriya , Байкенова  , Baykenova A.
Published: September 2016

This article is devoted to the issue of development of the

emotional sphere of the pre-schoolchildren. Pre-school education

and training is the first level of continuing education, it creates

developing environment for the full formation of the child´s personality,

taking into account age and individual characteristics. At

the present stage of development of the Republic of Kazakhstan

there is a great task to educate fully developed personality to society.

An important role in this is the development of emotional sphere

of preschool children. The authors examine the art therapy as a

means of correcting the emotional state of children of the senior

preschool age. The article presents the experimental work on the

problem of research, including: states and forming a control experiment.

In order to try to make changes in the emotional state

of children preventive and developmental program on the use of

art therapy was drawn up. The end, the authors come to the conclusion

that in the conditions of a single art - a qualitatively new and

higher educational and social progress has been made in aesthetic

environment.
Issues of the System Forecasting: an Analysis of the Inversions
Authors: Севостьянов  , Sevostyanov D.
Published: September 2016

The article analyzes common form of internal system

relations, specifically the inversion`s relationship. These relations

are a manifestation of the systemic contradictions between the

formal location of the element in the hierarchy and from its actual

role in it. In complex systems there are several organizing

principles. These have the potential to collide with each other, and

this causes the inversion in this system.

Lack of understanding of the mechanisms of development of inversions

leads to the fact that the system state is assessed as chaotic.

It is shown that knowledge of the conditions under which likely to

develop inverse relations, it is necessary for creating an adequate

picture of the system and preparation of a realistic forecast of its

further functioning.
Descriptors of Successful Entrepreneurial Activity
Authors: Кибальченко  , Kibalchenko I. , Эксакусто  , Eksakusto T.
Published: September 2016

This paper is aimed at studying young adults’ personality traits and abilities, which are the main descriptors of successful entrepreneurial activity. It describes the empirical model of potential entrepreneurs’ personal types’ factor structure, which is expressed in special features of intentionality to entrepreneurial activity and is also the descriptor of different entrepreneurial abilities. Three groups of adults were identified during the research; these groups have different abilities for entrepreneurial activity and can be characterized by different success estimation. Different estimation of their activity success is determined by the following descriptors: communication skills; motivation; ability to make responsible decisions, ability to run the risks. The descriptors mentioned above prove that there is a direct link between the motivation and potential entrepreneur personality type: the higher entrepreneurial potential the person has, the better his/her Entrepreneurial abilities are developed, the higher his/her internal motivation, interest in activity is (form the point of view of his/her personal development, formation as a professional).
Institutional Economics: Rhetoric and Myths
Authors: Ерзнкян  , Yerznkyan Bagrat
Published: September 2016

This article analyzes the application of rhetoric in institutional economics interpreted in various – evaluative, disciplinary, instrumental – aspects. When considering the rhetoric with the evaluative position the emphasis is done not on the positive and neutral, but on its negative – for the recipients – treatment. In terms of disciplinary or specific scientific fields, the main attention is paid to the system, as well as evolutionaryinstitutional approach. A detailed analysis of rhetorical instruments that serve as a tool for manipulating the target audience is done. On the example of the study of place and role of cultural code in economic research it is shown by which rhetorical means myths are introduced into scientific circulation.
Institutional Environment of Education and Competitiveness of Educational Services of Russian Universities
Authors: Муравьёва  , Muraveva E. , Сазанова  , Sazanova S.
Published: September 2016

The article discusses the concept of “institutional environment education”, “educational service”,

“competitiveness of educational services”, clarifying their contents. The authors analyzed the nature and

content of the competitive educational services offered criteria for the competitiveness of educational

institutions in terms of the value-oriented approach. The authors examined the effect of the institutional

environment of education at institute of education and justify the link between the institutional environment of

education and competitiveness of educational institutions and educational services. Improving the Russian

education system, the institutional environment of education and competitiveness of educational services

of Russian universities is only possible on the basis of a deep and comprehensive study of the described

relationship.
Сoordination of supply and demand alternative energy in Russia industrial with organizational solution
Authors: Рязанова  , Ryazanova G.
Published: September 2016

One of the key factors affecting the competitiveness of an enterprise is low energy costs. Despite the status of Russia as an energy superpower, Russian companies are paying a high price for electricity. It has increased the past 10 years more than 3 times. In addition the traditional energy sources, there are renewable energy sources, which include solar, geothermal, bioenergy, and others. They are close in certain cases and are able to give energy. In developed countries, the production and consumption of energy from renewable sources for industry is growing every year. In Russia it is used hardly, but the potential of renewable energy is huge. This is due to the peculiarities of the country – there are a lot of hydrocarbons in Russia, and industry has focus on hydrocarbon energy sources. At the same time, in our country there are the situations where renewables can be an essential complement centralized system of electrification. But in Russia there is no mechanism of regulation of the supply / demand of alternative energy. There are not institutional conditions for state regulation of renewable energy production, there is not renewables market. The paper proposes an organizational solution that solves the problem of the coordination of the supply / demand in the Russian context.
The Problems of the Society Human Resources Management in Market Conditions
Authors: Турчинов  , Turchinov Alyeksandr
Published: September 2016

The article considers the current governance problems associated with the position of the polity in relation

to the human resource potential of society in market conditions. The author gives an overview of facts

that characterizes the condition of the human resources potential in Russia for the past decades. In the

article it is noted, that over the years the polity rashly confided the regulatory role of market in the creation

of highly complex mechanisms of understanding professional man as a precious asset of society, the

state, the organization. The author emphasizes that the capability of human resource strategy is not quite

comprehended in state governance yet. The need of a holistic scientific approach to reproduction and

demand for human resource capacity is justified, that will provide personnel security of the society and the

state in the conditions of human resource globalization.
TESTING MAGNESIA-CARBON BRICKS FOR OXIDATION RESISTANCE
Authors: Bounziová Jana , Nagyová Iveta , Zajac Vincent , Hrabčáková Lucia , Vadász Pavol , Kamenský Rastislav
Published: September 2016

MgO-C based refractory materials are used in steel metallurgy to a large extent. Magnesia-carbon bricks are tested for basic physical-mechanical parameters in as supplied state, for carbon content, and chemical analysis of magnesium component. According to the type of their usage, they are subjected to tests at higher temperatures, carbonization firing, and after firing, the physical-mechanical parameters are determined at specified temperatures. One of the most tested properties of these materials is their resistance to oxidation. The methodology for such testing is not yet defined in ISO, EN and ASTM test procedures, therefore the methodology used in other countries is being applied. In conditions of U. S. Steel, Košice, s.r.o., the MgO-C bricks intended for the working lining of slag zones of steel ladles are tested by oxidation resistance test (oxidizing area procedure). The described test method was developed at U. S. Steel Research and Technology Center in Munhall and has been used for more than 15 years to evaluate various carbon containing bricks. Test specimens in the shape of a cube are heated in an oxidizing atmosphere to a temperature of 1482°C with holding time of 5 hours. After cutting of the test specimens, the percentage of oxidized area is calculated. This test is used for selecting the appropriate type of lining material for the working lining of slag zone of the steel ladle in the steelmaking secondary metallurgy process and for the building of database of different types of MgO-C bricks.
THE MICROSTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT DURING ISOTHERMAL HEAT TREATMENT STUDY OF AN Al-Mg-Si ALUMINIUM ALLOY
Authors: Ziar Toufik , Farh Hichem , Guemini Rebai
Published: September 2016

The effects of isothermal heat treatment on the microstructure development of an Al-Mg-Si aluminum alloy have been investigated by means of transmission electron microscopy. From micrographs illustrating the micro structural change of the alloy during isothermal heat treatment; we can observe in the water quenched alloy sample aged for 50 and 75 hours at 350C, dispersoid particles that were aligned along <100> matrix direction losing their distribution at their early stage of precipitation with an increase in holding times. For the microstructure of the alloy ramp heated and aged at 450C for different holding times, we can clearly see dispersoid particles in their early stages of formation heterogeneously distributed with different shapes after an increase in holding times. These dispersoid particles exhibited strain field contrast when they are heated at low temperatures, that indicating they are coherent or semi-coherent with the matrix. A loss of coherency was observed for most of the dispersoid particles when they were aged with high holding times.
STUDY OF Zn-Ni ALLOY COATINGSMODIFIED BY NANO-AL2O3 PARTICLES INCORPORATION
Authors: Diafi Malika , Benramache Said , Temam Elhachmi Guettaf , Lakhdar Adaika Mohamed , Gasmi Brahim
Published: September 2016

Zn–Ni–Al2O3 nano-composite coatings were electrodeposited on mild steel using a novel sol enhanced electroplating method. The effect of alumina sol on the electrodeposition process, and coating properties was investigated using, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), measurement of microhardness and chronoamperometry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were studied in a solution of 3% NaCl. The results indicated that the electro-crystallization processes of Zn–Ni and Zn–Ni–Al2O3 were governed by a three-dimensional nucleation process controlled by diffusion. XRD results showed that the phase structure of both alloy and composite coatings was single Ni5Zn21-γ phase, and the addition of alumina sol in the Zn-Ni matrix increases the microhardness, and we note the maximum hardness is obtained for 50 g/L Al2O3. Conversely, these coatings showed smaller crystallite size and Surface of coatings was uniform and compact, the values of Rct and Zw increase, while the values of Cdl decrease with increasing alumina nano-particles content values for the Zn–Ni– Al2O3 alloy clearly confirm the better corrosion resistance.
Erratum
Authors: AMS Editorial
Published: September 2016

The publisher regrets that the acknowledgements, authors name and/or affiliations of the authors attributed to these papers are incorrect.

 

The correct submitting acknowledgements for the first paper listed above is:

This research was fully supported by the Slovak Grant Agency for Science (VEGA 1/0425/14).
VISCOSITY END ELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVITY OF LIQUID HYPEREUTECTIC ALLOYS Al-Si
Authors: Chikova Оlga А. , Nikitin Konstantin V. , Moskovskikh Olga P. , Tsepelev Vladimir S.
Published: September 2016

The kinematic viscosity of AlSi20 liquid alloy was measured by using the crucible rotating oscillation damping method, and the viscosity-temperature relation curve ν(T) in the temperature range of 850∼1200K was obtained. The viscosity changed abnormally with temperature in the heating process, i.e., the viscosity turned from rapid increase to gradual decrease when the temperature increased to 1000∼1100 K, while the viscosity diminishes exponentially with temperature in the subsequent cooling process. The microscopic mechanism of the evolution of viscosity was analyzed from the viewpoint of the micro-inhomogeneity theory of metallic melts, and it was found that the destruction of the β-Si phase was the basic reason of the head-turning change of viscosity. The paper discussed the correlation of the viscosity and atomic density, which is thought that the viscosity corresponds to the atomic density to some extent. The abstract should be written in the past tense, because it refers to work which was already done. Any equations and references are not allowed. It must state the main object, scope, findings, describe the methodology, summarize the results and state the principal conclusions.
Contents
Authors: AMS Editorial
Published: September 2016

Research papers
On Computation of Generalized Derivatives of the Normal-Cone Mapping and Their Applications
Authors: Gfrerer Helmut , Outrata Jiří V.
Published: September 2016

The paper concerns the computation of the graphical derivative and the regular (Fréchet) coderivative of the normal-cone mapping related to C2 inequality constraints under very weak qualification conditions. This enables us to provide the graphical derivative and the regular coderivative of the solution map to a class of parameterized generalized equations with the constraint set of the investigated type. On the basis of these results, we finally obtain a characterization of the isolated calmness property of the mentioned solution map and derive strong stationarity conditions for an MPEC with control constraints.
Continuing Professional Development: Survivability of PreHospital Cardiac Arrest: A Survey
Authors: Jenkins Steven
Published: September 2016

Overview

Prehospital cardiac arrest patients are historically known to have low survival rates. It is also a common medical presentation that ambulance clinicians have to treat. This survey looks at survivability figures of these patients brought into one hospital over a 12-month period, and discusses factors such as return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), advanced life support (ALS) and basic life support (BLS). It also discusses the difficult choice of whether to ‘stay on scene’ or ‘load and go’.

Learning Outcomes

After completing this module you will be able to: • Appreciate the appropriate use of data and how it is affected by the Data Protection Act. • Appreciate that effective basic life support (BLS) is the most important factor in achieving a successful outcome from prehospital cardiac arrest. • Understand the importance of interprofessional and interdepartmental collaboration in allowing research and data compilation. • Understand that each prehospital cardiac arrest case is unique, and accept that each clinician must make their decision in a dynamic environment. • Reflect on future cardiac arrest patients, and be more open to the two options of ‘load and go’ or ‘stay on scene’.
Continuing Professional Development: Major trauma and catastrophic haemorrhage
Authors: Price Michael
Published: September 2016

Overview

Major trauma is a leading worldwide cause of mortality, killing or seriously injuring thousands of people each day. Casualties have the potential to die immediately as a result of massive head injury or rupture of major vessels, or shortly afterwards as a result of progressive blood loss and hypoxia. A third group survive the initial insult, but succumb to their wounds days or weeks later as a result of secondary conditions including multiple organ failure and sepsis. This Continuing Professional Development (CPD) module will focus on the rapid assessment and timely management of casualties of major trauma, with particular emphasis placed on the catastrophically haemorrhaging patient.

Learning Outcomes

After completing this module you will be able to: • Define the concepts of major trauma and catastrophic haemorrhage • Appreciate the range of traumatic injuries sustained in the United Kingdom • Revise the pathophysiology of haemorrhage and hypovolaemic shock • Understand the management of the traumatically injured patient • Learn about a range of recent developments in trauma care
Bone morphogenetic protein-2 provokes interleukin-18-induced human intervertebral disc degeneration
Authors: Ye S. , Ju B. , Wang H. , Lee K-B.
Published: September 2016

Objectives

Interleukin 18 (IL-18) is a regulatory cytokine that degrades the disc matrix. Bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) stimulates synthesis of the disc extracellular matrix. However, the combined effects of BMP-2 and IL-18 on human intervertebral disc degeneration have not previously been reported. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the anabolic cytokine BMP-2 and the catabolic cytokine IL-18 on human nucleus pulposus (NP) and annulus fibrosus (AF) cells and, therefore, to identify potential therapeutic and clinical benefits of recombinant human (rh)BMP-2 in intervertebral disc degeneration.

Methods

Levels of IL-18 were measured in the blood of patients with intervertebral disc degenerative disease and in control patients. Human NP and AF cells were cultured in a NP cell medium and treated with IL-18 or IL-18 plus BMP-2. mRNA levels of target genes were measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction, and protein levels of aggrecan, type II collagen, SOX6, and matrix metalloproteinase 13 (MMP13) were assessed by western blot analysis.

Results

The serum level of patients (IL-18) increased significantly with the grade of IVD degeneration. There was a dramatic alteration in IL-18 level between the advanced degeneration (Grade III to V) group and the normal group (p = 0.008) Furthermore, IL-18 induced upregulation of the catabolic regulator MMP13 and downregulation of the anabolic regulators aggrecan, type II collagen, and SOX6 at 24 hours, contributing to degradation of disc matrix enzymes. However, BMP-2 antagonised the IL-18 induced upregulation of aggrecan, type II collagen, and SOX6, resulting in reversal of IL-18 mediated disc degeneration.

Conclusions

BMP-2 is anti-catabolic in human NP and AF cells, and its effects are partially mediated through provocation of the catabolic effect of IL-18. These findings indicate that BMP-2 may be a unique therapeutic option for prevention and reversal of disc degeneration. Cite this article: S. Ye, B. Ju, H. Wang, K-B. Lee. Bone morphogenetic protein-2 provokes interleukin-18-induced human intervertebral disc degeneration. Bone Joint Res 2016;5:412–418. DOI: 10.1302/2046-3758.59.BJR-2016-0032.R1.
Structure, regeneration and growth of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) stands with respect to changing climate and environmental pollution
Authors: Vacek Stanislav , Vacek Zdeněk , Bílek Lukáš , Simon Jaroslav , Remeš Jiří , Hůnová Iva , Král Jan , Putalová Tereza , Mikeska Miroslav
Published: September 2016

Changes in the structure and development of managed Scots pine ( L.) stands with respect to changing environmental conditions were set for the period 1979â2015. The study was conducted in conditions of natural pinewoods and pine-oak sites on five permanent research plots (0.25 ha) in Eastern Bohemia, Czech Republic (CR). Studied forest stands showed positive development of stand structural characteristics related to their diversity, number of regeneration individuals and growth characteristics. The standing volume of regularly distributed tree layer in 2015 was in the range of 320â434 m ha, which indicates an increase by 5.9â20.0% over 10 years. Correlation between pine radial increment and the amount of precipitation was generally the strongest one. Positive statistically significant correlation between diameter increment and temperature was demonstrated only for the average March temperature of the current year. Within the CR, study site can be characterised as a medium polluted area both for sulphur and nitrogen, despite this SOconcentrations and N deposition in combination with extreme climate events caused severe defoliation in pine stands. Conversely, radial growth was positively significantly correlated with mean NO concentrations. Drought mainly in combination with even medium environmental pollution can further worsen the health status of pine stands in lowland areas of Central Europe. Thus, formulation of silvicultural techniques able to mitigate the impact of these stress factors is needed.Pinus sylvestris3â12 x
Gambaran Uji Fungsi Paru pada Diabetes Melitus Tipe 1 Usia 8-18 Tahun
Authors: Irlisnia Irlisnia , Supriyatno Bambang , Tridjadja Bambang , Windiastuti Endang
Published: September 2016

Latar belakang. Uji fungsi paru dapat membedakan kelainan paru obstruktif, restriktif atau campuran antara obstruktif dn restriktif. Namun demikian, sampai saat ini belum ada penelitian tentang dampak DMT1 terhadap paru di Indonesia. Tujuan. Mengetahui gambaran uji fungsi paru pada pasien DMT1 usia 8-18 tahun. Metode. Penelitian potong lintang dilakukan di Poliklinik Endokrinologi dan Respirologi Rumah Sakit Cipto Mangunkusumo (RSCM), serta Laboratorium Prodia pada bulan Januari 2015.Wawancara orangtua dilakukan dan data kadar HbA1c dalam rentang satu tahun terakhir diambil dari rekam medis atau berdasarkan hasil pemeriksaan sebelumnya. Uji fungsi paru dilakukan tiga kali dan diambil salah satu hasil yang terbaik. Kemudian darah subjek diambil untuk pemeriksaan kadar HbA1c dengan metode cation-exchange high pressure liquod chromatography (HPLC).Hasil. Terdapat 35 subjek, terdiri atas 68,6% perempuan. Rerata usia 14±2,7 dan median durasi DM 4 tahun (1,3-10,2). Rerata parameter FEV1  86,8%±14%,  FVC 82,7%±12% dan V25 83,1% ± 26,2%. Median FEV1/FVC 92,4% (77,6-100) dan V50  91,5% (41,1-204). Fungsi paru normal dan terganggu didapatkan 19 (54,3%) dan 16 (45,7%) subjek, terdiri atas 10 (28,6%) gangguan restriktif, 2 (5,7%) obstruktif dan 4 (11,4%) subjek campuran. Rerata HbA1c dalam 1 tahun terakhir pada subjek dengan gangguan restriktif 10,3%. Kesimpulan. Nilai parameter uji fungsi paru pasien DMT1 usia 8-18 tahun  masih dalam  batas normal. Gangguan fungsi paru didapatkan 16 (45,7%) subjek dengan gangguan restriksi terbanyak 10 (28,6%) subjek.
Perbandingan Efektifitas dan Keamanan Parasetamol Intravena dan Ibuprofen Oral pada Penutupan Duktus Arteriosus Persisten pada Bayi Kurang Bulan
Authors: Sari Oktaviliana , Nova Ria , Bermawi Herman , Bahar Erial
Published: September 2016

Latar belakang. Duktus arteriosus persisten (DAP) pada bayi kurang bulan (BKB) dapat menimbulkan gangguan hemodinamika sehingga perlu segera ditutup. Salah satu cara penutupan adalah dengan obat penghambat siklooksigenase (COX), khususnya ibuprofen. Mengingat efek samping yang ditimbulkan ibuprofen, parasetamol yang bekerja menghambat peroksidase mulai diperkenalkan sebagai alternatif dengan efektifitas setara dan efek samping yang minimal.Tujuan. Membandingkan efektifitas dan keamanan antara parasetamol intravena dan ibuprofen oral untuk penutupan DAP pada BKB.Metode. Uji klinis terbuka, acak terkontrol pada bayi dengan usia gestasi ≤37 minggu yang dikonfirmasi DAP dengan menggunakan ekokardiografi. Dilakukan randomisasi blok untuk menerima parasetamol intravena atau ibuprofen oral. Hasil utama yang dinilai adalah respon terapi penutupan duktus arteriosus (DA), efek samping yang timbul, dan kejadian reopening.Hasil. Penutupan DAP terjadi pada 33 dari 36 (91,6%) BKB yang mendapat parasetamol intravena dan 29 dari 40 (72,5%) yang mendapat ibuprofen oral (p=0,03). Pada kelompok ibuprofen, efek samping yang timbul berupa trombositopenia (28,5%) dan perdarahan saluran cerna (25,7%), sedangkan pada kelompok parasetamol intravena tidak dijumpai efek samping. Reopening terjadi hanya pada satu bayi di kelompok ibuprofen oral.Kesimpulan. Parasetamol intravena lebih efektif dan lebih aman dibandingkan ibuprofen oral untuk penutupan DAP pada BKB.