bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of Medical Cannabis on Patient-Reported Symptoms for Patients With Cancer Enrolled in Minnesota’s Medical Cannabis Program
Authors: Anderson Susan P. , Zylla Dylan M. , McGriff Deepa M. , Arneson Tom J.
Published: March 2019

PURPOSE:

Minnesota’s medical cannabis program is unique, in that it routinely collects patient-reported scores on symptoms. This article focuses on changes in symptom severity reported by patients with cancer during their first 4 months of program participation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Patients with cancer in Minnesota’s medical cannabis program reported symptoms (anxiety, lack of appetite, depression, disturbed sleep, fatigue, nausea, pain, and vomiting) at their worst over the last 24 hours before each medical cannabis purchase. Baseline scores on each of the eight symptoms were statistically compared with the average symptom scores reported in the first 4 months of program participation. Symptom scores were also calculated as percent change from baseline, with patients achieving and maintaining at least a 30% reduction in symptoms reported in this article. Patients also reported intensity of adverse effects.

RESULTS:

A significant reduction in scores was found across all symptoms when comparing baseline scores with the average score submitted within the first 4 months of program participation (all Ps < .001). The proportion of patients achieving 30% or greater symptom reduction within the first 4 months of program participation varied from 27% (fatigue) to 50% (vomiting), with a smaller proportion both achieving and maintaining those improvements. Adverse effects were reported in a small proportion of patients (10.5%).

CONCLUSION:

Patients with cancer enrolled in Minnesota’s medical cannabis program showed significant reduction across all eight symptoms assessed within 4 months of program participation. Medical cannabis was well tolerated, and some patients attained clinically meaningful and lasting levels of improvement.
Digital Economics
Authors: Goldfarb Avi , Tucker Catherine
Published: March 2019

Digital technology is the representation of information in bits. This technology has reduced the cost of storage, computation, and transmission of data. Research on digital economics examines whether and how digital technology changes economic activity. In this review, we emphasize the reduction in five distinct economic costs associated with digital economic activity: search costs, replication costs, transportation costs, tracking costs, and verification costs. (JEL D24, D83, L86, O33, R41)
Gorbachev versus Deng: A Review of Chris Miller’s The Struggle to Save the Soviet Economy
Authors: Guriev Sergei
Published: March 2019

Chris Miller’s book is a historian’s account of Mikhail Gorbachev’s efforts to save the Soviet economy. Miller focuses on the question of why Gorbachev did not follow Deng Xiaoping and did not manage to reform the economy. Miller argues that it was not for the lack of understanding (Gorbachev did invest in learning China’s approach to reform and did understand it well), nor for the lack of trying. In fact, Gorbachev did try to implement Deng’s agricultural and industrial enterprise reforms. However, Gorbachev’s reforms were blocked by powerful vested interests. An inability to tackle the agricultural and industrial lobbies eventually resulted in the bankruptcy and collapse of the Soviet Union. While I generally agree with the political economy argument, I discuss a number of alternative explanations. I also discuss sources of Gorbachev’s weak state capacity and offer an evaluation of Gorbachev’s and post-Gorbachev reform efforts and mistakes based on the political economy research carried out in the last twenty-five years. ( JEL D72, O57, P21, P23, P24, P26)
Reconhecendo analogias e precedentes a partir de decisões da justiça do trabalho: dois esquemas de argumentação caso a caso
Authors: Andrade Mário Cesar da Silva , Lucas Daniel De Souza
Published: March 2019

O presente artigo destaca as diferenças entre a argumentação que apela ao precedente para decidir e aquela que justifi ca a decisão tendo por base uma analogia. Compreender as diferenças é relevante, pois é a partir da argumentação que as instâncias superiores uniformizam os entendimentos que serão percebidos como vinculantes pelas instâncias inferiores. Metodologicamente, a pesquisa qualitativa bibliográfica utiliza as contribuições teóricas no tema, em especial, as de Katharina Stevens e Trudy Govier, para, de forma hipotético-dedutiva, reconstruir argumentos judiciais que problematizam os efeitos do precedente e da analogia no direito. A pesquisa vale-se de fontes doutrinárias, legislativas e jurisprudenciais. Em conclusão, a aceitação da tese de que existem duas versões do princípio de acordo com o qual casos semelhantes devem ser tratados igualmente permite diferenciar objetivamente os casos de analogia e os de precedente. As estruturas e as perguntas críticas propostas por Stevens conseguem dar suporte à avaliação do contexto e da intenção do autor do argumento, o que é fundamental para perceber uma decisão anterior como vinculante.
Recent advances in understanding phosphoinositide signaling in the nervous system
Authors: Dickson Eamonn James
Published: March 2019

Polyphosphoinositides (PPIn) are essential signaling phospholipids that make remarkable contributions to the identity of all cellular membranes and signaling cascades in mammalian cells. They exert regulatory control over membrane homeostasis via selective interactions with cellular proteins at the membrane–cytoplasm interface. This review article briefly summarizes our current understanding of the key roles that PPIn play in orchestrating and regulating crucial electrical and chemical signaling events in mammalian neurons and the significant neuro-pathophysiological conditions that arise following alterations in their metabolism.
Mutations in Caenorhabditis elegans actin, which are equivalent to human cardiomyopathy mutations, cause abnormal actin aggregation in nematode striated muscle
Authors: Hayashi Yuriko , Ono Kanako , Ono Shoichiro
Published: March 2019

Actin is a central component of muscle contractile apparatuses, and a number of actin mutations cause diseases in skeletal, cardiac, and smooth muscles. However, many pathogenic actin mutations have not been characterized at cell biological and physiological levels. In this study, we tested whether the nematodeCaenorhabditis eleganscould be used to characterize properties of actin mutants in muscle cellsin vivo. Two representative actin mutations, E99K and P164A, which cause hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in humans, are introduced in a muscle-specificC. elegansactin ACT-4 as E100K and P165A, respectively. When green fluorescent protein-tagged wild-type ACT-4 (GFP-ACT-4), is transgenically expressed in muscle at low levels as compared with endogenous actin, it is incorporated into sarcomeres without disturbing normal structures. GFP-ACT-4 variants with E100K and P165A are incorporated into sarcomeres, but also accumulated in abnormal aggregates, which have not been reported for equivalent actin mutations in previous studies. Muscle contractility, as determined by worm motility, is not apparently affected by expression of ACT-4 mutants. Our results suggest thatC. elegansmuscle is a useful model system to characterize abnormalities caused by actin mutations.
THE PRODUCTION OF SELECTIVE ADDITIVES TO GROWING MEDIUM DRIGALSKI LACTOSE AGAR
Authors: Ермаков Владимир , Ermakov Vlyadimir , Датченко Оксана , Datchenko Oksana , Курлыкова Юлия , Kurlykova Yuliya
Published: March 2019

The purpose of the study is to improve the selective supplement for selective media with the purpose to produce enterobacteria. Tasks of the study are to identify the sensitivity of strains obtained of enterobacteria in regard to an-tibiotics; develop a new selective supplement with antibiotics to the nutrient medium Drigalski Lactose Agar. Media should have a content that in the best way possible ensures the growth and reproduction of microorganisms of cer-tain species or family. Intensive biotechnology development and Microbiology allows today to develop new nutrient media and modify the already existing content of media. The object of the study was a new selective additive with antibiotics to the nutrient medium Drigalski Lactose Agar. 253 isolates of bacteria produced from the intestinal mi-crobiotope of different animal species have been the Material for research. The study was conducted in the period from 2010 to 2017. Carbenicillin 30±2.3 from the group of carboxypenicillins and piperacillin 37±2.5 from the group of ureidopenicillins, kanamycin 24±1.5, amikacin 26±1.7 and gentamicin 25±0,8, cefepime 38±3.2 from the group of IV generation cephalosporins, tetracycline 28±1.6, doxycycline 34±2.3 and chloramphenicol 31±2.5, nalidixic acid 37±2.8, trimethoprim 35±3,4 demonstrated the greatest antimicrobial activity against all cultures of enterobac-teria that has been achieved. The high resistance of enterobacteria was shown to benzylpenicillin from the group of natural penicillins, to streptomycin, cephalotine from the group of cephalosporins of the first generation, to polymyx-in B, to ofloxacin (tarivid) and metronidazole. Antibacterial drugs effective against the accompanying gram-positive and gram-negative microflora were considered as the samples of the selective components. Vancomycin from the group of glycopeptides, linezolid from the group of oxazolidinones, and telithromycin from the group of ketolides were chosen. Antibiotics vancomycin and telithromycin in a dose of 0.008 g/dm3, linezolid 0.004 g/dm3 were cho-sen as the selective additive to Drigalski Lactose Agar medium.
HEMATOLOGICAL PARAMETERS OF COWS DURING THE USE OF IMMUNOMODULATORY DRUGS
Authors: Баймишев Мурат , Baimishev Murat , Еремин Сергей , Eremin Sergey , Баймишев Хамидулла , Baymishev Khamidulla , Баймишева Светлана , Baimisheva Svetlana
Published: March 2019

The aim of the study is to increase the morphological and functional status of cows depending on their physiologi-cal state. The morphological composition of blood is one of the main informative systems and has long attracted the attention of researchers. Blood, as a co-single tissue, has been studied well enough. Its indicators are the main fac-tors in determining the state of an animal health, as well as pointing out the presence of pathological processes in inside the organism. To determine the effect of complex use of STEMB (embryonic stimulator) and Uteromastin on the blood parameters of cows in comparison with individual administration three groups of pregnant cows
(7.0-8.0 months) were formed separately, each with 20 heads in compliance with the method of groups-analogues (experimental-1, experimental-2, experimental-3). Animals in groups to be examined were provided the same con-ditions both in feeding and keeping. Animals of the first experimental group 25-30 days before calving were admin-istered STEMB drug hypodermic in the neck at a dose of 0.075 ml per 1 kg of live weight with an interval of 7 days three times, animals of the second experimental group were administered the drug Uteromastin 8-10 hours after calving intrauterine at a dose of 150 ml once. Cows of the third experimental group were administered drugs STEMB and Uteromastin in these doses (mixed). The influence of the complex use of drugs STEMB and Utero-mastin on morphological, biochemical and immunobiological parameters of blood of cows were studied on the 15th day after calving. The use of the drugs STEMB and Pteromalid complex improves cellular composition of the blood and indices of the blood serum, which enhances immunotoxicol system of organism of cows.
INFLUENCE OF STATE HAY WITH BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATIVES ON MILK AND CHEESE QUALITY
Authors: Карамаева Анна , Karamayeva Anna , Карамаев Сергей , Karamaev Sergey , Соболева Наталья , Soboleva Nataliya
Published: March 2019

The purpose of the study is to improve the property of eastern galega haylage by using verdant grass preservative applicator and biologies. Iit was established that the eastern galega verdant grass, because of the low sugar con-tent, is not good for state hay purchasing due to the of the obtained results. The biological preservative applicators use for state hay purchasing significantly improves the quality of feed. The preservatives use for verdant grass al-lowed to increase the active acidity of the finished feed in the range between 6.3 to 11.2%, the content of lactic acid –
0.51-0.84 per cent and to reduce the content of acetic acid by 0.19 and 0.27%, respectively. The proportion of lactic acid in the total volume of organic acids was increased by 13.03-16.88%.The nutritional value of haylage with bio-logical preservative applicants increased due to augment of the dry content by 1.7-3.2%, EKE – by 4.4-11.1%, crude protein – by 4.3-10.1%, digestible protein – by 7.4-14.7%.The coefficient of digestibility in the diet of dry con-tent increased by 1.14-3.19%, crude protein – by 2.14-3.62%, crude fat – by 1.64-4.09%, crude fiber – by 1.74-3.87%,
BEV – by 2.05-4.13%, which is very important for animal feeding. The use of haylage with a preservative in the diet of cows from experimental groups increased the fat content in milk by 0.03-0.08%, protein – by 0.04-0.10%, and casein contained – by 0.07-0.18%. Rennet additive apply helps milk to coagulate faster by 2.3-4.5 min (6.6-12.8%), and decrease losses of dry content with serum by 1.5-3.0%. The dry content mass in the experimental samples of cheese increased by 2.8-4.7%, fat – by 1.6-2.7%, protein – by 0.7-1.6%, the degree of cheese maturity improved. The «Milostan and Loktantra + zeolite» preservatives provide better properties for products produced.
THE INFLUENCE OF MIXER ROTATION FREQUENCY AND ITS BLADES LENGTH ON THE QUALITY OF THE MIXTURE
Authors: Фомина Мария , Fomina Mariya , Чупшев Алексей , Chupshev Aleksey , Терюшков Вячеслав , Teryushkov Vyacheslav , Коновалов Владимир , Konovalov Vladimir
Published: March 2019

The aim of the study is the quality improvement of the feed mixture prepared and substantiation of the design and technological parameters of blade mixer batch- operated. The task is to set the functional dependence between the prepared mixtures quality and the empirical ratio of the intensity of mixing, taking into account the blades length in regard to values of the rotation frequency and the length of the blade of the batch-operated mixer, as well as the definition of rational length of the mixer blades. Improving the quality of mixture requires both the adding of all nec-essary nutrients and feed components into the volume of prepared portion of the mixture as stipulated by the recipe for mixture, and smooth distribution of components throughout the volume of ready feed. Smooth distribution of the mixture components is related to the design and operation of the mixer. Blade mixer batch- operated is one of the effective types of existing mixers, mixing the ingredients of feed with good quality. The article presents the result oriented design scheme of the blade mixer. Positive functions of the mixture quality and the empirical coefficient of mixing intensity included in their composition are assessed taking into account the length of the blades, depending on the rotation speed and frequency of the mixer. The graphic results of experimental studies taking into account the influence of the blade length and the speed of the mixer on the quality of the prepared mixture are given. The increase of blade length and rotation speed improves the quality of the mixture. Recommended blade length is 75...80 mm. With frequency of rotation increase and the length of the blades the total value of the empirical coeffi-cient of the intensity of mixing, depending on the effect of the length of the blades decreases at a slower pace. This is typical of the obtained hyperbolic dependence.
THEORETICAL UNDERPINNING OF FIELDS MAPPING AUTOMATION FOR IMPROVEMENT OF THE WAY OF SOIL SAMPLIN
Authors: Васильев Сергей , Vasilev Sergey , Машков Сергей , Mashkov Sergei , Крючин Павел , Kruychin Pavel
Published: March 2019

The study objective – is the improvement of sampling of the soil by automation of field mapping. High labour and time requirements at all stages of performance study is the shortcoming of existing ways of soil sampling. In particu-lar, field mapping is carried out by both ways either geodetic methods and equipment, or Aerial Survey Cartog-raphy, however in all cases the analysis of data and work allotted to make quads in the field is carried out manually. Manual subjective correction of field mapping results is a disadvantage. The soil sampling way offered allows au-tomating this process, i.e. calculation of coordinates of quads, its entry and sampling points for robotics taking into account a field contour form parameters and a coordinate grid positioning, concentration of sampling points, a traffic route of robotic samplers between these points. The area of the field is divided into quads of correct (square or rec-tangular) or wrong (with the bent borders) forms in regard to this method. These quads are at the same time, cells of the coordinate grid put on the map of the field. Its parameters (a step and an azimuth) are set at the beginning of mapping. Coordinates of sampling points of the soil, on each quad, and a trajectory of their location, are determined taking into account a form of the concrete quad by the offered dependences. The offered way of sampling of the soil envisages the use of a special device for its implementation – the robotic sampler taking into account (in the course of mapping) coordinates estimated prior to the work start and its performance automatically. Field mapping and co-ordinates calculation of all critical points is to be carried out on the basis of the developed mathematical depend-ences and technological schemes automatically, using navigation systems of GLONASS or GPS standards.
INFLUENCE OF DESIGN OPERATING AND TECHNOLOGICAL PARAMETERS OF AUGER-BLADE MIXER ON POWER CONSUMED BY IT
Authors: Хольшев Николай , Khol'shev Nikolai , Мухин Виктор , Mukhin Viktor , Петрова Светлана , Petrova Svetlana
Published: March 2019

The purpose of the study – is the equipment improvement for dry mixing of crumbled feed with substantiation of de-sign and operating parameters. The use of complete feed mixtures is possible only with the use of special techno-logical equipment – feed mixers, producing mixture homogeneity meeting livestock requirements. The costs of pur-chasing, operating and maintaining mixers ultimately affect the cost of livestock production. Accordingly, it is neces-sary to aim efforts at the reduction of these costs. This can be achieved by reducing the specific energy costs for the mixing process, which largely depend on the mixer design, its working parts operation and the efficiency of the mix-ing process and power consumption needed for mixing process. No method of power consumption estimation of mixers with combined working parts according to theoretical studies obtained, having alternating in regard to exe-cution and purpose areas. Power consumption needed for the mixing process is one of the main components of the operating costs for the mixing equipment, ultimately determining the specific energy costs for the mixing process – is one of the important specification of any mixer. The research methodology provided a theoretical basis for the relationship of the mixer parameters on the power consumption during mixing process. Equations for determining the power consumption for the parts were submitted in regard to auger conveyor, the first and the second transport-ing and throwing blades. The expression for determination of power consumption for mixing process from the an-gle of installation mixing and transporting blades, the filling ratio of the mixer and the frequency of rotation of the working parts have been received. The obtained and given expressions allow to determine the power values for the mixing process with an error of no more than 5%, with the values of the studied parameters of the mixer within the boundaries of the experiment.
DETERMINATION OF AUGER-BLADE MIXER RATIONAL PARAMETERS
Authors: Хольшев Николай , Khol'shev Nikolai , Мухин Виктор , Mukhin Viktor , Петрова Светлана , Petrova Svetlana
Published: March 2019

The purpose of the study is to improve the equipment for mixing dry crumbled feed with regard to the basic opera-tion condition or parameters. As a result of the issue analysis and the existing mixers structure, it was found that many machines used for the preparation of compound feeds are complex in the structure and not reliable in opera-tion, the feed mixture quality does not always meet the zootechnical requirements; the applied standard and exper-imental mixers of compound feeds because of imperfection of technological process and working parts contained, possess high specific power consumption. The construction of a universal low-speed batch mixer with a fixed rec-tangular case and combined two forcibly mixing working parts mounted horizontally is an advanced study direction for feed mixers improving. The study objectives incorporated the development of structural and technological speci-fication of a low-speed auger-blade mixer of batch action; the assessment of the impact of design parameters above mentioned of the mixer on its performance; to identify the rational structural and operating specification of the auger-blade mixer taking into consideration the cycle duration time. The research methodology provided the theo-retical justification of specification of the mixer taking into account the cycle duration period of the blending. Ex-pressions to determine the performance efficiency along the following stages were provided: involving auger con-veyor, the first and the second mixing transporting and throwing blades. Formulas are obtained for estimation the cycle period from the installation angle of the mixing-transporting blades and the rotation frequency of the working parts. Data obtained and given for estimation the cycle time from the installation angle of the mixing-transporting blades and the speed of the working parts allow to operate during the minimum cycle time, that is, to choose the op-timal angle of installation of the blades and the speed of rotation of the working parts.
SOIL STRUCTURE AND HARDNESS CHANGE RESULTING FROM THE DEPTH OF A TRACTOR TRACK UNDER DIFFERENT WHEEL DRIVE TOWING STRENGTH
Authors: Черников Олег , Chernikov Oleg , Быченин Александр , Bychenin Aleksandr , Сазонов Дмитрий , Sazonov Dmitriy
Published: March 2019

The aim of the research is to reduce the influence of wheel propellers on the structure and hardness of the soil in the track of the tractor. The technique and results of the study of the impact of the drive wheels of the power tool of the machine-tractor unit (MTA) on the structure and hardness of the soil in the layers of the horizon are presented. The influence of slipping on these indicators is revealed. The research has been of MTA consisting of a tractor of drawbar category 0,6 kN (T-25A) and trailed cultivator KPS-4,0. The method of investigation involved the determination of changes in the structural composition of the soil (DS parameter,%) by the number of erosion-hazardous (less than 0.25 mm in size) particles, as well as soil hardness (DN parameter, kg/cm2) on the track of the tractor in different layers of the horizon (0...50 mm; 50...100 mm; 100...150 mm; 150...200 mm and 200...250 mm). The slipping mode was changed by changing the number of working sections of the cultivator. The slipping of the driving wheels was taken into account, as well as the agronomic background. The studies were carried out in conditions of equal humidity. The speed of MTA, its weight and the air pressure in the tires of the drive wheels is maintained constant. It is established that the greatest change in the structure of the soil on the layers of the horizon is exposed when slipping δ=20...30%. To change the hardness of this range is also the least favorable. The obtained dependences of the structure and hardness of the soil on the layers of the horizon from slipping allow us to recognize the rational modes of MTA work, in which
the slipping of the propelling power means is in the range of 9 to 12% regardless of
from the soil fertility. Slipping over 12% leads to a sharp increase in the soil structure of the number of erosion-hazardous particles, as well as an increase in the hardness of the soil in the track of the tractor in 3,4 ... 3,7 times in the layer depth of 50 ... 100 mm.
INFLUENCE OF VARIOUS WAYS OF MAIN SOIL TREATMENT ON ENZYMATIC ACTIVITY DURING SPRING BARLEY CULTIVATION IN ZAVOLZHYE FOREST-STEPPE CONDITIONS
Authors: Марковская Галина , Markovskaya Galina , Чугунова Ольга , Chugunova Olga
Published: March 2019

The aim of the research is to increase the spring barley productivity via the use of various methods of soil treatment, affecting its enzymatic activity, in conditions of the middle Volga region insufficient moisture. The possibilities of minimizing soil tillage for barley in the forest-steppe of the middle Volga region of the Samara region are consid-ered. The studies were conducted in two crop rotations on the experimental fields of the Samara state agricultural Academy Department of «Agriculture, soil management, agro-chemicals and land registry» Samara state agricul-tural Academy in 2005-2008. The following variants of main soil tillage were studied: 20-22 cm; depth tilling; 10-12 cm; loosening; zero plowing. The average soil samples were taken from the experimental field from all variants of tillage in triplicate during two periods: in the seedlings and after harvesting. Samples were taken from different depths: 0-5 cm,
5-10 cm, 10-20 cm and 20-30 cm, crushed and sieved through a metal sieve. Soil-ecological monitoring is aimed at tracking changes occurring in the soil under the influence of various anthropogenic loads. The dependence of the total soil biogenicity on the hydrothermal coefficient (HTC) was revealed. It was found that microbiota was more active in relation to pure steam during the year with a low HTC, as well as during the year with a higher HTC on the background of sideral steam. The mostly spread enzymes characteristic of the vast majority of soil microflora-catalase, invertase, urease – were studied for obtaining better understanding of the total enzymatic activity of the soil. No significant influence of the main treatment methods on the activity of the enzyme catalase and invertase was found, but as for the spread of urease within the soil layers it was revealed: the increase in the activity of the enzyme in the upper soil layer ranging in 0-10 cm and a decrease in its activity with the depth increase was ob-served with the fall of the mechanical load. The use of green manure steam in crop rotation contributed to an in-crease in the number of soil microorganisms and the activity of soil enzymes.
AGROBIOLOGICAL FEATURES OF SUNFLOWER HYBRIDS CULTIVATION UNDER THE CONDITIONS OF THE NON-CHERNOZEM ZONE
Authors: Виноградов Дмитрий , Vinogradov Dmitri , Макарова Марина , Makarova Marina
Published: March 2019

The purpose of the research is to evaluate the productivity of sunflower hybrids in the climatic conditions of the Non-chernozem zone of Russia. In 2013-2017, in the Ryazan region, field experiment was conducted on dark gray forest soil, the Hungarian sunflower hybrids BA-306, Samanta, Nova, Walcer, Larissa were subjected to studies. The
natural and climatic conditions of the southern part of the Ryazan region are favorable for the cultivation of oilseeds and are characterized by the following indicators: the sum of the active air temperatures is 2200-2350°C, the rain-fall during the growing period is 510-560 mm. As a result of the measurements of the main morphometric parame-ters, Larissa and Samanta, were identified as the tallest hybrids. The average height of plants produced by these hybrids reached 219 and 205 cm, respectively. The BA-306 hybrid (176 cm) had the smallest parameters. Walcer hybrid plants formed the largest area of the assimilation surface and amounted to 31.6 thousand m2/ha. The area of the leaves of other Hungarian sunflower hybrids was less by 11.0-19.9%. The lowest values of this indicator were observed in the hybrid Nova. In Samanta, Walcer and Larissa hybrids, the diameter of the anthodium exceed-ed 21 cm. However, the Samanta hybrid anthodium resulted in the smallest productive area – 73.5%. The largest mass of
1000 seeds was obtained from hybrids BA-306 and Nova and amounted to 61.4 and 62.2 g respectively. Due to the yield, the Hungarian hybrids were arranged in the following order: Nova, Samanta, Larissa, BA-306, Walcer. This pattern was observed both taken from average values over the years of research, during each year separately. The oil content of all studied sunflower hybrids was high and amounted to 48.4-51.2%. The ability of Hungarian sun-flower hybrids to produce high yields of good quality when grown in the conditions of the Ryazan region, belonging to the southern part of the Non-Chernozem zone, is established.
FORMATION OF MIXED AGRO-PHYTOCENOSIS OF PERENNIAL GRASSES UNDER THE GROWTH STIMULANTS USE
Authors: Карлова Ирина , Karlova Irina , Васин Василий , Vasin Vasiliy , Васин Алексей , Vasin Aleksey
Published: March 2019

The purpose of the research is the formation of mixed hay-pasture grass-based costretsa; the application of growth stimulants in the Middle Volga region forest-steppe conditions. Growth stimulants use for plant growing along with other agrotechnical methods of intensive technologies of crop cultivation is absolutely relevant and advantageous method of increasing the productive efficiency. The studies were conducted by the fodder crop rotation laboratory staff of The Department of plant growing and agriculture of the Samara State Agricultural Academy on the base of field experience, taking into account the technical tips for field experiments with fodder crops. The article stipulates the results of studies taking into account the period between 2015-2018, with the assessment of seed quality, seed-ling emergence, plant height and overhead weight gain. The study of the herbage on the basis of the Awnless brome showed that good indicators of herbage formation parameters are achieved with bean components use. The best option Awnless brome + Smooth brome + Hungarian sainfoin, but mixture Awnless brome + Smooth brome + Alfalfa Sinegibridnaya provides herbage quality as well. Observations showed that the growth of culm in height occurs gradually from the beginning of vegetation (the grass tillering phase and branching in legumes) to the phase of fruit formation; the more components in the grass mixture, the higher its productivity. The use of rosta stim-ulants (Gumi 20M and Growth Matrix) leads to change in the parameters of herbage and the accumulation of over-head mass. The highest rates are observed in the phase of fruit formation with the maximum values in the grass-mixtures with bean components.
Scarlet fever: Clinical overview of a rising public health concern
Authors: Duncan Deborah Louise
Published: March 2019

Scarlet fever (scarlatina) is a common childhood infection which is caused by the Streptococcus pyogenes (group A Streptococcus [GAS]) bacterium ( Public Health England [PHE], 2017 ). The incidence of this disease has been increasing since 2008 in Asia and the UK ( Guy et al, 2014 ; Lau et al, 2012 ). Generally, these bacteria cause few problems, but GAS can cause non-invasive infections such as pharyngitis, impetigo and scarlet fever ( Duncan, 2007 : PHE, 2017 ; Walker et al, 2014 ). The more serious sequelae and rarer complications are streptococcal toxic shock syndrome, rheumatic heart disease and streptococcal glomerulonephritis, necrotising fasciitis, and septicaemia ( Duncan, 2007 ; Lamden, 2011 ). This article provides a clinical overview of scarlet fever. This includes the presentation of the disease, treatment, the possible complications and any preventive measures.
Knife crime and stabbings – First aid training to reduce fatalities
Authors: Hammett Emma
Published: March 2019

With knife crime on the rise and increasing fatalities and injuries among young people, Emma Hammett explains how teaching first aid skills in schools can help reduce fatalities and combat knife-carrying.
A plan to address the child mental health crisis?
Authors: Feuchtwang Anna
Published: March 2019

Evidence of a mental health crisis among young people is overwhelming. But slowly and surely we are beginning to take action, says Anna Feuchtwang
An introduction to Kaizen in health care
Authors: Goyal Simran , Law Elizabeth
Published: March 2019

Kaizen is a Japanese word with two parts: ‘zen’ meaning ‘good’ and ‘kai’ meaning ‘change’, translating literally as ‘good change’ or ‘improvement’. Kaizen or continuous improvement-based approaches have been applied to many industries including health care. Kaizen principles include that everyone should be involved in daily improvement, that managers and front-line staff work together and that solutions should be small and incremental. Implementing Kaizen can have a strong influence on organizational culture including medical engagement, as highlighted through key case studies. One obstacle to successful change is the culture of organizations involved. This article highlights the potential for Kaizen as an agent for change in the NHS.
Development of a Graphene Paper-Based Flexible Solid-Contact Lead Ion-Selective Electrode and its Application in Water
Authors: Yao Yao , Ying Yibin , Ping Jianfeng
Published: March 2019

Abstract. A graphene paper-based flexible solid-contact ion-selective electrode (SC-ISE) was developed to detect lead ion sensitively. Graphene paper obtained via a simple vacuum filtration method was used as the electrode substrate for direct coating of an ion-selective membrane. The Nernstian slope of the prepared paper-based potentiometric sensor toward lead ion detection was demonstrated as 29.4 mV per decade. A detection limit as low as 2.5 × 10-7 mol L-1 was achieved. Reversed chronopotentiometry and water layer test revealed that the graphene paper-based SC-ISE possessed excellent potential stability because of the hydrophobicity of graphene paper. Furthermore, reliable data were obtained from the detection of lead ion levels in real water samples using the graphene paper-based potentiometric sensor, which shows great potential in practical application. Keywords: Graphene paper, Heavy metal, Ion-selective electrode, Potentiometry, Water sample.
An HPLC Ultraviolet Method Using Low Sample Volume and Protein Precipitation for the Measurement of Retinol in Human Serum Suitable for Laboratories in Low- and Middle-Income Countries
Authors: Chaudhary-Webb Madhulika , Schleicher Rosemary L , Erhardt Juergen G , Pendergrast Elizabeth C , Pfeiffer Christine M
Published: March 2019

Background

Assessing vitamin A status in populations remains a high public health priority for low- and middle-income countries. However, analytical difficulties with serum retinol measurements persist in international laboratories. Nearly all participants in a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention external quality assessment program use HPLC to measure serum retinol, but round-to-round results failing to meet acceptable criteria suggest the need to provide a straightforward stable HPLC ultraviolet (UV) method that can be adopted by these laboratories to improve performance. We present a protein precipitation HPLC-UV method that measures serum retinol below the deficiency cutoff value (<0.7 μmol/L or 20 μg/dL) that is suitable for low- and middle-income countries and uses commercially available materials.

Methods

Serum (25 μL) added to retinyl acetate was precipitated with acetonitrile (125 μL) to extract retinol. Solvent-based calibration solutions required no extraction. Calibration used either single-point (50 μg/dL) or multipoint solutions (0.52–100 μg/dL). C18 column (4.6 × 100 mm) and acetonitrile with 0.1% triethylamine/water (83/17, v/v) as isocratic mobile phase (1.1 mL/min), achieved baseline separation (7 minutes).

Results

With only 25 μL of serum, the limit of detection was 0.52 μg/dL. Single- and multipoint calibration generated equivalent results. Over several years, between-run imprecision was ≤7.1% in multiple quality-control materials. Overall mean (CV) method bias for NIST-certified reference materials (e-series) was −0.2% (5.8%). Maximally, 180 samples were processed within 24 h.

Conclusions

This method was robust and stable over years and accurately measured serum retinol with low-volume samples. Thus, it may be of interest to low- and middle-income countries and to pediatric and finger stick applications.
PARTICULARS OF ADSORBENT REGENERATION WITH THE USE OF MICROWAVE ENERGY
Authors: Dobrotvorskiy Sergey , Dobrovolska Ludmila , Basova Yevheniia , Aleksenko Borys
Published: March 2019

Energy conservation issues are acute in the world. Compressed air is widely used in the modern industrial production. The production of compressed air is a very energy-intensive process, since most of the energy, which is expended by the compressor, passes into the energy of heating. Compressed air cannot be used in modern production without a prior drying and cleaning. Industrial dryer’s air losses is up to 20% of compressed air additionally. Therefore, the issue of saving air during its drying stage is important. In the presented article, the thermal and aerodynamic processes that occur in the classical adsorption tower with the most modern design are considered. The processes that occur in the adsorption column with the microwave regeneration of the adsorbent are also considered. A comparative analysis of these constructions from the point of view of energy saving is made.
THE SUGGESTIONS AS TO THE CALCULATION BEARING CAPACITY OF SANDWICH REINFORCED CONCRETE — FOAMED CONCRETE FLOOR SLABS
Authors: Lytvyniak Oksana , Tashak Myroslava
Published: March 2019

This article presents the results of an experimental research of sandwich reinforced concrete-foamed concrete floor slabs. These floor slabs combine three different materials — normal concrete, foamed concrete and a steel reinforcement. As experimental models six beams with dimensions L × b × h = 4200 × 500 × 200mm were made. Experimental beams were established on two supports (hinged fixed support and hinged movable support). The experimental study of these beams was executed by two concentrated forces in thirds of beam’s span. Received results allowed to describe a behaviour of sandwich reinforced concrete-foamed concrete floor slabs under loading. Moreover, these researches allowed to present suggestions regarding calculations of bearing capacity of sandwich reinforced concrete-foamed concrete floor slabs. These suggestions will give an opportunity to use sandwich reinforced concrete-foamed concrete floor slabs in civil engineering and house building.
The Experience of Taking Control over the Illegal Turnover of the Sturgeon Fishes, Committed by Forms of Organized Crime, Applied Abroad
Authors: AMANGELDIYEV Darkhan Amangeldievich
Published: March 2019

The presented article takes a look at the problems of resisting the illegal turnover of the sturgeon fishes, committed by forms of organized crime. At present, when the moratorium on fishing the sturgeon species in the Caspian has been adopted, poaching continues to be the only source of the illegal turnover of the products, made from the sturgeon fishes, and at the same time, it is the major threat to the sturgeon populations, and the poaching takes organized forms. The author considers the causes and circumstances that lead to the emergence of organized forms and committing illegal fishing of the sturgeon fishes in the Ural River and the part of the Caspian that belongs to Kazakhstan, and why the illegal turnover of sturgeon flesh and roe persists. Among the main causes of the illegal turnover and poaching, the author names the unemployment problems of the local population, the high demand on the products made from the sturgeon fishes abroad, the insufficient government control over the issue. The experience of implementing some organizational and law-enforcement measures has been examined, that are applied in different states, in order to prevent the poaching violations, as regards the sturgeon fishes and the illegal turnover of the sturgeon products. As the directions of improving the legal basis, introducing harsher criminal responsibility for poaching is suggested, and a set of organizational measures for putting an end to the illegal turnover of the products from the sturgeon fishes.
Interaction between HFE and haptoglobin polymorphisms and its relation with plasma glutathione levels in obese children
Authors: Aguiar Laura , Marinho Cláudia , Martins Rute , Alho Irina , Ferreira Joana , Levy Pilar , Faustino Paula , Bicho Manuel , Inacio Angela
Published: March 2019

Obesity among children has emerged as a serious public health problem. The growing prevalence of childhood obesity has led to the appearance of serious complications, including a chronic systemic inflammation associated with oxidative stress.  In the present study, we analysed the interaction between two genes related with iron metabolism - HFE and haptoglobin – and the plasmatic concentration of glutathione, as a way to evaluate the antioxidant response capacity in obesity. To achieve this, 118 obese children and 89 eutrophic children were recruited for the study. Results showed that although obese children present a significantly decreased tGSH levels, once we analysed separately children based on their haptoglobin phenotype, the decreased tGSH levels is significant only for the Hp 2 allele. Additionally, Hp 2.2 obese children carrying H63D polymorphism show significantly lower tGSH/GSSG values. Our results found an association of haptoglobin and HFE with oxidative stress in childhood obesity.
Effect of resveratrol administration on muscle glycogen levels in rats subjected to acute swimming exercise
Authors: Bicer Mursel , Baltaci Saltuk Bugra , Mogulkoc Rasim , Baltaci Abdulkerim Kasim , Avunduk Mustafa Cihat
Published: March 2019

The present study aims to examine how resveratrol administration affects muscle glycogen levels in rats subjected to an acute swimming exercise bout. The study was conducted on adult male rats of Wistar-Albino. The 28 rats used in the study were equally divided among four groups: Group 1, Control Group: The group fed on a standard diet and not subjected to any procedure. Group 2, Control Swimming Group: The group fed on a standard diet and subjected to an acute swimming exercise bout for 30 minutes at the end of the study. Group 3, Resveratrol Group: The group fed on a standard diet and given (10 mg/kg) resveratrol in drinking water for four weeks. Group 4, Resveratrol + Swimming Group: The group fed on a standard diet, given (10 mg/kg) resveratrol in drinking water for four weeks and subjected to a 30-minute acute swimming exercise at the end of the study. At the end of the four weeks, the animals were decapitated, muscle glycogen levels using immunohistochemical method. The highest muscle glycogen levels were obtained in the resveratrol-administered Group 3 and the lowest levels in group 2 (swimming group) (p<0.05). The results of the study demonstrate that resveratrol support had a protective and/or regulatory effect on mucle glycogen in both exercised and not-exercised rats.
Simultaneous responses of photosystem II and soluble proteins of rapeseed to cold acclimation
Authors: Arminian Ali , Dehghani Bidgoli Reza
Published: March 2019

This experiment was conducted to assess the quantitative and qualitative changes in soluble proteins as well as some chlorophyll fluorescence parameters in the leaves of a winter canola (Brassica napus L., cv. Licord) under continuous low temperature. Over the experiment, seedlings were initially grown at 15/10 °C (d/n). At fourth fully expanded leafy stage (day 30), a part of the plants were transferred to 4/2°C for 4 weeks. Plants were sampled for protein extraction from leaves in which chlorophyll fluorescence parameters (Fo, Fv, Fm, Fv/Fo, Fm/Fo, Fv/Fm, Fo´, FV´, Fm´ and some other calculated) were also measured. The results showed a clear increase in soluble proteins quantity caused by cold treatment. The enhancements appeared abruptly following the cold exposure to 4°C and lasted. The electrophoretic protein patterns showed changes in the intensity of some polypeptides, besides, induction a new probable protein weighing 47-kW in response to cold treatment. Cold-triggered reduction in maximum quantum yield of PSII (Fv/Fm) was connected especially with drastic decreasing Fv and Fm. Interestingly, high quantitative amounts of soluble proteins along with induction of the new probable polypeptide induced at cold temperature, were attributed to low deduction of maximum quantum yield of PSII. Additionally, more imperative chlorophyll fluorescence parameters changed e.g. qP, NPQ, qL, Y(II) or Ñ„PSII etc at light. Nowadays, radar charts or spider plots are the most sophisticated multivariate statistical tools representing physiological responses of plants to abiotic stress conditions or even morphophysiological studies of plants. In rapeseed many researches performed by applying the radar charts for low temperature stresses and interpreted their effects more advancely than common statistical tools. We observed a good representation of the chl fluorescence parameters fluctuations using radar plots. Overall, cold-induced soluble proteins accumulated after longer cold-acclimation, can contribute in photosynthetic apparatus protection against low-temperature damages.
Elucidation of stability profiles of common chemistry analytes in serum stored at six graded temperatures
Authors: Shimizu Yoshihisa , Ichihara Kiyoshi
Published: March 2019

Background

Many reports address the stability of biochemical analytes in serum. However, studies covering a wide range of storage temperatures are unavailable. Using equipment enabling precise temperature control, we investigated the effect of six different storage temperatures on serum analytes.

Methods

Serum specimens from seven healthy volunteers were obtained and divided into multiple aliquots for storage at −30, −20, −10, 0, 4, and 25 °C. On days 1, 3, 7, 14, 28 and 56, the aliquots stored at each temperature were relocated to a deep freezer maintained at −80 °C. On day 60, all aliquots were measured collectively for 13 major chemistry analytes.

Results

(1) At 25 °C, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), creatine kinase (CK), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and total bilirubin (TBil) were very unstable especially on day 7 and later. (2) At ≤4 °C, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT), amylase (AMY), high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), triglyceride (TG), TBil and complement component-4 (C4) were generally stable and were very stable at 25 °C until day 14. (3) Between −20 and 4 °C, especially at −10 °C, test results of ALT, AST and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) showed prominent decreases, but their stability was greatly improved at −30 °C. (4) In contrast, the value of complement component-3 (C3) increased at ≥− 20 °C. (5) At −30 °C, test results of all analytes were generally very stable except for ALT and CK, which showed noticeable reductions in activity after 14 days.

Conclusions

This is the first study to assess the stability of serum analytes at six graded temperatures simultaneously. Each analyte has a unique stability pattern for a range of temperatures.