bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ibrutinib-induced polyneuropathy: A case report
Authors: Cömert Pınar , Albayrak Murat , Yıldız Abdulkerim , Şahin Osman , Öztürk Hacer Berna , Reis Aras Merih
Published: February 2020

Introduction

Ibrutinib is an oral irreversible inhibitor of Bruton’s tyrosine kinase signaling. It is a well-tolerated agent with some side-effects, the most common of which are atrial fibrillation, diarrhea, upper respiratory tract infection, fatigue, nausea, rash and cytopenias. Most of these toxicities are mild, although some have a severe clinical course.

Case report

The case is here reported of a chronic lymphocytic leukemia patient with ibrutinib-induced polyneuropathy. A 63-year-old male patient with chronic lymphocytic leukemia was given ibrutinib as a third line treatment regimen. After the 10th month of therapy he had progressive complaints of numbness and tingling in his legs. The patient was diagnosed as grade 3 sensorineural polyneuropathy with electromyography. Management and outcome: Considering that ibrutinib treatment may cause neuropathy, the ibrutinib was discontinued, after which the neuropathic complaints improved. However, the neck and axillary lymph nodes were enlarged and treatment had to be re-started therefore ibrutinib was started at a low dose and gradually increased. The patient is currently in the 14th month of treatment and still using ibrutinib without any severe side-effects.

Discussion

To the best of our knowledge, polyneuropathy as a unique side-effect of ibrutinib has not been previously reported. In addition to the well-known side effects of ibrutinib treatment, it should be kept in mind that polyneuropathy may also develop.
Study of the stress–strain state of spongy bone around an implant under occlusal load
Authors: Zirakashvili Natela
Published: February 2020

The article studies the stress–strain state of the spongy bone of an implanted jaw. A spongy bone can be considered as a multiporous area with its fissures and pores as the most visible components of a double-porous system. The work studies the stress–strain state of the spongy jaw-bone near the implant, which is under occlusal load. A mathematical model of the problem is the contact problem of the theory of elasticity between the implant and the jaw-bone. The problem is solved by using the boundary element methods, which are based on the solutions of Flamant (BEMF) and Boussinesq’s (BEMB) problems. The cases of various lengths of an implant diameter are considered. Stress contours (isolines) in the jaw-bone are drawn and the results obtained by BEMF and BEMB for the different-diameter implants are compared.
Lymphocytic colitis in the setting of teriflunomide use for relapsing multiple sclerosis
Authors: Son Maksim , McEwan Lynn , Ubaidat Manaf , Bovell Keith , Morrow Sarah A
Published: February 2020

Teriflunomide is an oral monotherapy used to treat relapsing multiple sclerosis. Although teriflunomide may be associated with gastrointestinal symptoms, these events are mild and self-limiting. We present a 39-year-old female who developed severe diarrhea and lost 20 pounds within 3 weeks of starting teriflunomide. Despite discontinuing teriflunomide and undergoing cholestyramine washout, her symptoms persisted. Celiac disease on genetic testing was positive, but no anti-transglutaminase and anti-endomysial antibodies were detected. She underwent colonoscopy and biopsy was consistent with lymphocytic colitis. Remission was achieved within days of starting budenoside. Our case describes a rare, but serious, gastrointestinal adverse event of teriflunomide.
Missing women in Indian university leadership: Barriers and facilitators
Authors: Gandhi Meenakshi , Sen Kakoli
Published: February 2020

Gender diversity and equality in the workplace has been much researched and spoken about in the corporate sector but the higher education sector in India remains largely untouched by it, probably because women seemingly far outnumber men in the teaching fraternity. However, data also suggests that most women in the higher education sector remain restricted to middle-ranking posts, rising as high as heads of department, deans, controller of examination and even registrars but hardly ever becoming vice-chancellors. In a sector which has traditionally attracted many women as their preferred career choice, lack of an adequate talent pool cannot be the answer. This paper is a study exploring the barriers and enablers for women academicians’ ascent to leadership roles. It also presents strategies to close this gap and facilitate pathways for women to hold leadership roles in Indian universities. This paper is one of the first few on women’s leadership in Indian universities.
Risk-informed reliability improvement optimization for verification and validation planning based on set covering modeling
Authors: Wu Gongyu , Li Zhaojun (Steven) , Liu Pan
Published: February 2020

Verification and validation plays a crucial role in the new product development process since it is able to assure product performance and eventually determine customer satisfaction. The verification and validation planning assigns a set of verification and validation activities such as computational simulations and physical tests, which are proposed to mitigate the design risks of specific failure modes, to verify and validate that the product conforms to the design objectives. This article formulates the optimal verification and validation planning using set covering, set partition, and set packing concepts. An extended optimization model based on set covering is also formulated, which can well accommodate the requirements including minimizing the overall risk of the product design, meeting pre-specified risk thresholds of specific failure modes, and covering identified critical failure modes. Additional constraints such as the implementation sequences, time gaps of various types of verification and validation activities, and the distinct effectiveness of each verification and validation activity in reducing design risks are considered in the verification and validation planning optimization models. The decay of the improvement effectiveness of a failure mode with multiple verification and validation activities over time is also considered. The application of the proposed mathematical optimization models for product verification and validation planning is illustrated through the product development of a power generation system within a diesel engine.
An Overview of the Horizons Foresight Method: Using the “Inner Game” of Foresight to Build System-Based Scenarios
Authors: Padbury Peter
Published: February 2020

Humans have an amazing capacity to imagine the future, and most foresight tools use this capacity but don’t explicitly support it. The Horizons Foresight Method puts this power to model and visualize at the center of the foresight process. This paper introduces foresight and scanning in general terms, describes how we can support the “inner game” of foresight, outlines the steps in the Horizons Foresight Method and some of the practical issues that arise when using it. There are many tools in the futurist’s toolbox and many good foresight methods. At Policy Horizons Canada, we use a variety of methods depending on the purpose of each foresight study. The Horizons Foresight Method is a strategic foresight method that was designed to help government policy analysts and decision-makers explore how complex systems could evolve and to address the kinds of policy relevant uncertainty these shifts generate. It provides a context for policy development and vision-building. All the tools integrated in the Horizons Foresight Method were developed in the field of futures studies. Teaching this method can expose students and practitioners to some of the most useful tools in doing foresight.
Differences in presentation and clinical outcomes between left or right bundle branch block and ST segment elevation in patients with acute myocardial infarction
Authors: Meyer Matthias R , Radovanovic Dragana , Pedrazzini Giovanni , Rickli Hans , Roffi Marco , Rosemann Thomas , Eberli Franz R , Kurz David J
Published: February 2020

Background:

In patients with acute myocardial infarction, the presence of a left bundle branch block or right bundle branch block may be associated with worse prognosis compared to isolated ST segment elevation. However, specificities in clinical presentation and outcomes of acute myocardial infarction patients with left bundle branch block or right bundle branch block are poorly characterized.

Methods:

We analysed acute myocardial infarction patients with left bundle branch block (n=880), right bundle branch block (n=732) or ST segment elevation without bundle branch block (n=15,852) included in the Acute Myocardial Infarction in Switzerland-Plus registry between 2008–2019.

Results:

Acute myocardial infarction patients with bundle branch block were older and had more pre-existing cardiovascular conditions compared to ST segment elevation. Pulmonary oedema and cardiogenic shock were most frequent in patients with left bundle branch block (18.8% vs 12.0% for right bundle branch block and 7.9% for ST segment elevation, p<0.001). Acute myocardial infarction patients with bundle branch block had more three-vessel (40.6% vs 25.3%, p<0.001 vs ST segment elevation) and left main disease (5.6% vs 2.0%, p<0.001 vs ST segment elevation). Major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events, a composite of reinfarction, stroke/transient ischaemic attack, and death during hospitalization, were highest in acute myocardial infarction patients with left bundle branch block (13.9% vs 9.9% for right bundle branch block and 6.7% for ST segment elevation, p<0.05), which was driven by hospital mortality. After multivariate adjustment, however, mortality was similar in patients with left bundle branch block and lower in patients with right bundle branch block, respectively, when compared to ST segment elevation. Mortality was only increased when a right bundle branch block with concomitant STE was present (odds ratio 1.77, 95% confidence interval 1.19–2.64, p<0.01 vs ST segment elevation).

Conclusions:

Compared to ST segment elevation, an isolated bundle branch block reflects high-risk clinical characteristics but does not independently determine increased hospital mortality in acute myocardial infarction.
Cutaneous leishmaniasis in a 65-year-old North Texas male, treated with cryotherapy: A case report
Authors: Nguyen Daniel A , Charles Jean Elizze M , Worrell J Trace , Wilkes Dustin V
Published: February 2020

We report a case of a 65-year-old male seen in a North Texas dermatology clinic with three erythematous nodules possessing central ulceration and scaling on the left lateral shoulder, present for months. Head, ears, lips, oral mucosa, and other body surfaces did not reveal similar lesions, and review of systems was negative. Shave biopsy was performed and histopathological findings demonstrated granulomatous inflammation in the dermis and parasitized histiocytes containing peripherally located amastigotes. Leishmaniasis was diagnosed and patient was educated on the disease while communication with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was initiated. The patient declined systemic medications from infectious disease specialists and, 3 weeks later, returned for follow-up treatment with cryotherapy.
Diagnosis of ventilator-associated pneumonia using electronic nose sensor array signals: solutions to improve the application of machine learning in respiratory research
Authors: Chen Chung-Yu , Lin Wei-Chi , Yang Hsiao-Yu
Published: February 2020

Background

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a significant cause of mortality in the intensive care unit. Early diagnosis of VAP is important to provide appropriate treatment and reduce mortality. Developing a noninvasive and highly accurate diagnostic method is important. The invention of electronic sensors has been applied to analyze the volatile organic compounds in breath to detect VAP using a machine learning technique. However, the process of building an algorithm is usually unclear and prevents physicians from applying the artificial intelligence technique in clinical practice. Clear processes of model building and assessing accuracy are warranted. The objective of this study was to develop a breath test for VAP with a standardized protocol for a machine learning technique.

Methods

We conducted a case-control study. This study enrolled subjects in an intensive care unit of a hospital in southern Taiwan from February 2017 to June 2019. We recruited patients with VAP as the case group and ventilated patients without pneumonia as the control group. We collected exhaled breath and analyzed the electric resistance changes of 32 sensor arrays of an electronic nose. We split the data into a set for training algorithms and a set for testing. We applied eight machine learning algorithms to build prediction models, improving model performance and providing an estimated diagnostic accuracy.

Results

A total of 33 cases and 26 controls were used in the final analysis. Using eight machine learning algorithms, the mean accuracy in the testing set was 0.81 ± 0.04, the sensitivity was 0.79 ± 0.08, the specificity was 0.83 ± 0.00, the positive predictive value was 0.85 ± 0.02, the negative predictive value was 0.77 ± 0.06, and the area under the receiver operator characteristic curves was 0.85 ± 0.04. The mean kappa value in the testing set was 0.62 ± 0.08, which suggested good agreement.

Conclusions

There was good accuracy in detecting VAP by sensor array and machine learning techniques. Artificial intelligence has the potential to assist the physician in making a clinical diagnosis. Clear protocols for data processing and the modeling procedure needed to increase generalizability.
What is the effect of spinal manipulation on the pressure pain threshold in young, asymptomatic subjects? A randomized placebo-controlled trial, with a cross-over design
Authors: Honoré Margaux , Picchiottino Mathieu , Wedderkopp Niels , Leboeuf-Yde Charlotte , Gagey Olivier
Published: February 2020

Background

Spinal manipulation (SM) has been shown to have an effect on the pressure pain threshold (PPT) in asymptomatic subjects, but SM has never been compared in studies on this topic to a validated sham procedure. We investigated the effect of SM on the PPT when measured i) in the area of intervention and ii) in an area remote from the intervention. In addition, we measured the size and duration of the effect.

Method

In a randomized cross-over trial, 50 asymptomatic chiropractic students had their PPT measured at baseline, immediately after and every 12 min after intervention, over a period of 45 min, comparing values after SM and a previously validated sham. The trial was conducted during two sessions, separated by 48 h. PPT was measured both regionally and remotely from the ‘treated’ thoracic segment. Blinding of study subjects was tested with a post-intervention questionnaire. We used mixed linear regression with the baseline value and time as co-variates. If a significant difference were found between groups, then an effect size would be calculated using Cohen’s d or Hedge’s h coefficient. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.

Results

Study subjects had been successfully blinded. No statistically significant differences were found between SM and sham estimates, at any time or anatomical location.

Conclusion

When compared to a valid sham procedure and with successfully blinded subjects, there is no regional or remote effect of spinal manipulation of the thoracic spine on the pressure pain threshold in a young pain-free population.
Online randomized controlled experiments at scale: lessons and extensions to medicine
Authors: Kohavi Ron , Tang Diane , Xu Ya , Hemkens Lars G. , Ioannidis John P. A.
Published: February 2020

Background

Many technology companies, including Airbnb, Amazon, Booking.com, eBay, Facebook, Google, LinkedIn, Lyft, Microsoft, Netflix, Twitter, Uber, and Yahoo!/Oath, run online randomized controlled experiments at scale, namely hundreds of concurrent controlled experiments on millions of users each, commonly referred to as A/B tests. Originally derived from the same statistical roots, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in medicine are now criticized for being expensive and difficult, while in technology, the marginal cost of such experiments is approaching zero and the value for data-driven decision-making is broadly recognized.

Methods and results

This is an overview of key scaling lessons learned in the technology field. They include (1) a focus on metrics, an overall evaluation criterion and thousands of metrics for insights and debugging, automatically computed for every experiment; (2) quick release cycles with automated ramp-up and shut-down that afford agile and safe experimentation, leading to consistent incremental progress over time; and (3) a culture of ‘test everything’ because most ideas fail and tiny changes sometimes show surprising outcomes worth millions of dollars annually.

Technological advances, online interactions, and the availability of large-scale data allowed technology companies to take the science of RCTs and use them as online randomized controlled experiments at large scale with hundreds of such concurrent experiments running on any given day on a wide range of software products, be they web sites, mobile applications, or desktop applications. Rather than hindering innovation, these experiments enabled accelerated innovation with clear improvements to key metrics, including user experience and revenue. As healthcare increases interactions with patients utilizing these modern channels of web sites and digital health applications, many of the lessons apply. The most innovative technological field has recognized that systematic series of randomized trials with numerous failures of the most promising ideas leads to sustainable improvement.

Conclusion

While there are many differences between technology and medicine, it is worth considering whether and how similar designs can be applied via simple RCTs that focus on healthcare decision-making or service delivery. Changes – small and large – should undergo continuous and repeated evaluations in randomized trials and learning from their results will enable accelerated healthcare improvements.
Inequalities in pharmacologic treatment of spasticity in Sweden – health economic consequences of closing the treatment gap
Authors: Forsmark Annabelle , Rosengren Linda , Ertzgaard Per
Published: February 2020

Background

The Swedish Healthcare Act states that patients should have equal access to healthcare. This study addresses at how this translates to pharmacological treatment of adult spasticity, including injections with botulinum toxin A (BoNT-A) and pumps for intrathecal baclofen (ITB). To address potential economic incentives for treatment differences, the results are also set into a health economic perspective.

Thus, the current study provides a detailed and comprehensive overview for informed decision- and policymaking.

Methods

Botulinum toxin use was retrieved from sales data. Clinical practice regarding mean BoNT-A treatment dose and proportion used for spasticity indication were validated in five county councils, while the number of ITB pumps were mapped for all county councils. Published costs and quality of life data was used for estimating required responder rates for cost-balance or cost-effectiveness.

Results

The proportion of patients treated with BoNT-A varied between 5.8% and 13.6% across healthcare regions, with a mean of 9.2% on a national level. The reported number of ITB pumps per 100,000 inhabitants varied between 3.6 and 14.1 across healthcare regions, with a national mean of 6/100,000.

The estimated incremental cost for reaching treatment equity was EUR 1,976,773 per year for BoNT-A and EUR 3,326,692 for ITB pumps. Based on expected cost-savings, responder rates ranging between 4% and 15% cancelled out the incremental cost for BoNT-A. Assuming no cost-savings, responder rates of 14% or 36% was required for cost-effectiveness.

Conclusions

There is a marked variation in pharmacologic treatment of adult spasticity in Sweden. Overall, the results indicate an underuse of treatment and need for harmonisation of clinical practice. Furthermore, the incremental cost for reaching treatment equity is likely to be offset by spasticity-associated cost-savings.
Efficient resourceful mobile cloud architecture (mRARSA) for resource demanding applications
Authors: Islam Asharul , Kumar Anoop , Mohiuddin Khalid , Yasmin Sadaf , Khaleel Mohammed Abdul , Hussain Mohammad Rashid
Published: February 2020

For mobile clients, sufficient resources with the assurance of efficient performance and energy efficiency are the core concerns. This article mainly considers this need and proposes a resourceful architecture, called mRARSA that addresses the critical need in a mobile cloud environment. This architecture consists of cloud resources, mobile devices, and a set of functional components. The performance efficiency evaluates implementing the proposed context-aware multi-criteria decision offloading algorithm. This algorithm considers both device context (network parameters) and application content (task size) at run time when offloading an executable code to allocate the cloud resources. The appropriate resources select based on offloading decisions and via the wireless communication channels. The architecture’s remarkable component is the signal strength analyzer that determines the signal quality (e.g.-60 dBm) and contributes to performance efficiency. The proposed prototype model has implemented several times to monitor the performance efficiency, mobility, performance at communication barriers, and the outcomes of resource-demanding application’s execution. Results indicate performance improvement, such as the algorithm appropriately decides the cloud resources based on device network context, application content, mobility, and the signal strength quality and range. Moreover, the results also show significant improvement in achieving performance and energy efficiency. Sufficient resources and performance efficiency are the most significant features that distinguish this framework from the other existing frameworks.
Embryos derived from donor or patient oocytes are not different for in vitro fertilization outcomes when PGT allows euploid embryo selection: a retrospective study
Authors: Schaeffer Elizabeth , Porchia Leonardo M. , Neumann Adina , Luna Almena , Rojas Tania , López‐Bayghen Esther
Published: February 2020

Background

At our facilities, patients that received embryos using donor oocyte during in vitro fertilization (IVF), usually have had at least one failed attempt to produce at least one euploid embryo with their own oocytes; however, the current debate between using donor over patient oocytes remains inconclusive. We examined the aneuploidy rate and IVF clinical outcomes from embryos derived from either donor or patient oocytes.

Methods

Retrospectively, 973 cycles were examined of patients who underwent a standard IVF protocol. Chromosomal content was determined using Pre‐implantation Genetic Testing (PGT) by either microarray‐comparative genomic hybridization or Next‐generation sequencing from either Day 3 (blastocysts) or Day 5 (trophectoderm) embryo biopsies, respectively. Embryo implantation was confirmed by serum β‐hCG (> 10 m IU/mL/Day 14), whereas clinical pregnancy by a fetal heartbeat (Week 6.5–8).

Results

Embryos derived from donor oocytes presented with more monosomies than embryos derived from patient oocytes (41.2% vs. 25.4%, p < 0.05, respectively); however, only Trisomy 7 (0.4% vs. 2.3%, p < 0.05) and Trisomy in X (0.7% vs. 2.3%, p < 0.05) were significantly less present when compared to patient oocyte derived embryos. Interestingly, rates for embryo implantation (46.7% vs. 50.8%, p = 0.35), clinical pregnancy (38.5% vs. 43.1%, p = 0.30), and live birth (30.5% vs. 30.5%, p = 0.99) were similar for embryos derived from donor and patient oocytes. These results did not change when adjusted for the number of embryos implanted.

Conclusion

Here, we show no significant differences in achieving pregnancy when using donor oocytes. Taking into consideration that aneuploidy rates are > 30% in embryos, independent of the oocyte origin, PGT should be recommended with donor oocytes as well.
The clinical potential of gene editing as a tool to engineer cell‐based therapeutics
Authors: Ashmore‐Harris Candice , Fruhwirth Gilbert O.
Published: February 2020

The clinical application of ex vivo gene edited cell therapies first began a decade ago with zinc finger nuclease editing of autologous CD4+ T‐cells. Editing aimed to disrupt expression of the human immunodeficiency virus co‐receptor gene CCR5, with the goal of yielding cells resistant to viral entry, prior to re‐infusion into the patient. Since then the field has substantially evolved with the arrival of the new editing technologies transcription activator‐like effector nucleases (TALENs) and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR), and the potential benefits of gene editing in the arenas of immuno‐oncology and blood disorders were quickly recognised. As the breadth of cell therapies available clinically continues to rise there is growing interest in allogeneic and off‐the‐shelf approaches and multiplex editing strategies are increasingly employed. We review here the latest clinical trials utilising these editing technologies and consider the applications on the horizon.
Stopover departure decisions in songbirds: do long-distance migrants depart earlier and more independently of weather conditions than medium-distance migrants?
Authors: Packmor Florian , Klinner Thomas , Woodworth Bradley K. , Eikenaar Cas , Schmaljohann Heiko
Published: February 2020

Background

Songbirds following distinct migration strategies (e.g. long- vs. short- to medium-distance migrants) often differ in their speed of migration during autumn and, thus, are assumed to face different time constraints. During migration, most songbird species alternate migratory flights with stopover periods. Many of them restrict these migratory flights to the night, i.e., they are nocturnal migrants. At stopover, nocturnal migrants need to select a specific night (night-to-night decision) and time of night (within-night decision) to resume migration. These departure decisions, which largely determine the speed of migration, are jointly affected by a set of intrinsic and extrinsic factors, i.e., departure cues. Here we aim to assess whether the set of intrinsic and extrinsic factors and the magnitude of their respective effects on stopover departure decisions differs between nocturnally migrating songbird species, depending on their migration strategy and associated time constraints.

Methods

We radio-tracked migrating Northern Wheatears (Oenanthe oenanthe; long-distance migrant), European robins (Erithacus rubecula) and Common Blackbirds (Turdus merula; both medium-distance migrants) during autumn stopover and analysed their night-to-night and within-night departure timing in relation to intrinsic and extrinsic factors.

Results

Species generally differed in their departure timing on both temporal scales, with shortest stopovers and earliest nocturnal departures in the long-distance migrant. Some factors, such as day of year, fuel load, cloud cover and crosswind, had consistent effects on stopover departure decisions in all three species. However, species differed in the effects of tailwind assistance, change in atmospheric pressure and air temperature on their stopover departure decisions. Whereas night-to-night decisions were affected by these extrinsic factors in either both or one of the medium-distance migrants, such effects were not found in the long-distance migrant.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that the general timing of departures in songbirds is affected by the species-specific migration strategy and associated time constraints. Further, they imply that the assessment and usage of specific extrinsic factors, i.e., weather conditions, as departure cues is adjusted based on this migration strategy, with the long-distance migrants being least selective at departure. Other intrinsic and extrinsic factors, however, seem to be used as departure cues independent of migration strategy.
Adsorbent media for the sustainable removal of organic air pollutants from museum display cases
Authors: Schieweck Alexandra
Published: February 2020

The application of adsorbents in museum display cases appears auspicious, as the selection of low-emitting building and decoration materials does not necessarily ensure low pollution levels. Furthermore, historical furnishings may form an integral part of a museum and consequently cannot be substituted. Therefore, comprehensive experiments regarding the filtration efficiency of 37 different adsorbent media, both under active and passive conditions, have been conducted in order to simulate conditions in display cases with/without forced air exchange. The adsorbent media comprised pure and impregnated activated charcoal, charcoal foams and cloths, zeolites, molecular sieves and materials specially designed for museum purposes, such as archival cardboard, textiles and silica gels. Formaldehyde, formic acid, acetic acid, toluene and alpha-pinene were chosen as ubiquitous airborne pollutants in the museum environment. Tests were performed in environmental test chambers. The air exchange rate during active-mode tests was 0.5 h−1. The concentrations of single substances in the chamber air ranged between 0.3 mg m−3 and 6 mg m−3. For the passive-mode experiments, the chamber air was doped with 432 µg m−3 to 1371 µg m−3 of the target compounds. Under active conditions, most of the pure and impregnated charcoals were able to reduce pollutant levels quickly. The lowest adsorption efficiency was found for charcoal foam and cloths, zeolites, molecular sieves and special products designed for museum purposes. However, these materials also removed pollutants very efficiently within a short time under passive conditions with no forced air circulation. As pure activated charcoals performed best in both experiments, there is no need to use impregnated or cost-intensive sorbents in museum display cases. However, regular monitoring during application is recommended, as it was found that some adsorbent media might act as emission sources themselves by releasing volatile organics both before and after exposure to pollutants. It was also shown that emissions might be generated due to fragmentation reactions or pollutant-adsorber interactions; the selection and application of sorbents should therefore be performed with caution.
A comparison of the metabolic effects of treadmill and wheel running exercise in mouse model
Authors: Kim Youn Ju , Kim Hye Jin , Lee Won Jun , Seong Je Kyung
Published: February 2020

Aerobic exercise is well known to have a positive impact on body composition, muscle strength, and oxidative capacity. In animal model, both treadmill and wheel running exercise modalities have become more popular, in order to study physiological adaptation associated with aerobic exercise. However, few studies have compared physiological adaptations in response to either treadmill exercise (TE), or voluntary wheel running exercise (WE). We therefore compared each exercise intervention on body composition and oxidative markers in male C57BL/6 N mice. The total distance run was remarkably higher in the WE group than in the TE group. Both forms of exercise resulted in the reduction of body weight, fat mass, and adipocyte size. However, the average for grip strength of WE was higher than for control and TE. Interestingly, PGC-1α expression was increased in the gastrocnemius (glycolytic-oxidative) and soleus (oxidative) muscle of TE group, whereas WE showed a significant effect on PGC-1α expression only in the soleus muscle. However, muscle fiber type composition was not shifted remarkably in either type of exercise. These results suggest that TE and WE may exert beneficial effects in suppressing metabolic risks in mouse model through attenuating body weight, fat mass, size, and increase in mitochondria biogenesis marker, PGC-1α.
Highlighting the classical MRI findings in transient global amnesia
Authors: Vella Stephanie , Grech Reuben
Published: February 2020

Transient global amnesia (TGA) is a disorder characterised by a temporary, reversible disruption of short-term memory. While the diagnosis of TGA is based on its clinical features, neuroimaging is important to exclude other sinister causes of global amnesia. Furthermore, classical MRI changes in TGA have been well described in the literature. These consist of unilateral or bilateral punctuate areas of hyperintensity in the hippocampal cornu ammonis 1 (CA1) region on diffusion-weighted imaging.

We describe a case of a 61-year-old gentleman, presenting with symptoms of transient memory loss and confusion. A stroke was initially suspected in view of his multiple risk factors. Timely MRI demonstrated the typical findings associated with TGA. Recognition of these imaging features is of the utmost importance for radiologists in order to allow for an accurate diagnosis and differentiation from ischaemic pathology.
Radiation Effects On Mammalian DNA - PAC Method And Theory
Authors: Tsoulou E. P. , Kalfas C. A.
Published: February 2020

The flexibility of DNA and its molecular dynamics have been the subject of various studies. One of the techniques that have been employed is the PAC method, which is considered as a valuable tool for such studies. In PAC experiments we can detect the angular correlation of two γ rays emitted in succession by a radioactive probe. Using the hyperfine interaction of the probe with it's surrounding electric field gradient we can obtain information about the dynamics of the molecules to which the probe is attached. In this work, for the PAC measurements, we use m I n which is added in a buffered solution of calf thymus DNA, exposed to various doses (0- 80 Gy) of 7-rays.
Enhancing radiostrontium uptake by a pillared montmorillonite, modified by organic acids
Authors: Papachristodoulou C. A. , Assimakopoulos P. A. , Gangas N.-H. J.
Published: February 2020

The possibility to increase strontium uptake by an aluminum pillared montmorillonite has been studied by introducing organic acids in the interlayer space of the PILC. The effect of the acid was found to depend on its acid strength and the pH of the exchange solution. Oxalic acid proved the most successful agent, leading to an increase in Sr2+ uptake ranging from 0.3 to 0.4 meq g"1 at pH«8, compared to the rest of the acids used. Furthermore, the amount of Sr2* ions retained by the PILC-oxalic acid sample, after decreasing the pH from 8 to 3, was measured to be higher by a factor of 9 compared to the unmodified material
Systematic study of the muon-nucleus overlap integrals for various processes in muonic atoms
Authors: Panagiotides Nick , Kosmas T. S.
Published: February 2020

As it is known, the bound muon of a muonic atom can participate in many electroweak processes as the allowed channels of the ordinary ^""-capture by the atomic nucleus, μ~ •+- (A, Z) -» (A,Z — l) + νβ, and the muon decay in orbit, μ~ -» e~ + υμ ·+- ve, as well as the exotic channels of the muon-to-electron, μ~ + (A, Z) —> (.A, Z)* + e~, and muon-to-positron, μ~ + (A, Ζ) -» (A, Ζ — 2) + e+, conversions. The latter reactions have not been seen by experiments up to now, but they are predicted by various extensions of the standard model (they violate the flavor and/or lepton quantum numbers). For all the above muonic processes, the muon-nucleus overlap integrals are necessary in order to calculate the relevant rates. These integrals can be evaluated if, in addition to the nuclear states, the wave function of the bound muon (also that of the outgoinglepton) are known. In the present work, we perform precise calculations of the muon (and electron/positron) wave functions for both the Schrödinger and Dirac equations. We use modern neural network techniques to overcome the difficulties arising from the finite size of the nucléon and nuclear Coulomb potential. As some applications, the obtained muonnucleus integrals for various muonic atoms are going to be used for evaluating exclusive muon-capture rates and muon to electron/positron conversion branching ratios.
A Detailed Study of the 12C(d,p0)13C Reaction at Detector Angles between 135 ° and 170 °, for the Energy Range Ed,lab = 900-2000 keV
Authors: Kokkoris M. , Misaelides P. , Kossionides S. , Zarkadas Ch. , Lagoyannis A. , Vlastou R. , Papadopoulos C. T. , Kontos A.
Published: February 2020

The differential cross sections of the 12C(d,po)13C reaction applied to the determination of the depth distribution of carbon in near-surface layers of materials were determined in the projectile energy region F,dtiab — 900-2000 keV (in steps of 25 keV) and for detector angles between 135 ° and 170 ° (in steps of 5 ° ) using as targets 99.9% purity self-supported natural carbon (98.9% 12C - 1.1% 13C) foils of nominal thickness ca. lxlO18 at/cm2. The overall error in the absolute differential cross section measurements varied between ~6-22%. The results were compared with already published data and the explanation of the occurring differences was attempted.
On hidden symmetries of the Skyrme model
Authors: Herrera-Aguilar A. , Kanakoglou K. , Paschalis J. E.
Published: February 2020

We present a preliminary attempt to establish the existence of hidden nonlinear symmetries of the Skyrme model which could lead to the further integration of the system. An explicit illustration is given for the SU(2) symmetry group.
Understanding the "CENTAURO" cosmic ray events in terms of a transition to quark matter
Authors: Panagiotou Apostolos D.
Published: February 2020

We have developed a phenomenological model, based on the \Iavailable\i and accepted information for the Centauro events. Our model attempts to explain the observed features of the average event and to estimate characteristic thermodynamic quantities, such as ε, μ, Τ, whose knowledge is necessary for an educated suggestion of a possible phase transition to quark matter in a highly dense nuclear system. The model we presented makes certain plausible assumptions and arguments, which do not conflict with any known theory nor contradict any existing experimental data. The important assumptions are: the collision of a medium-14 mass cosmic ray nucleus with an Ν nucleus and the small changes cf the fireball entropy, volume and temperature during the phase transition. The justification of these assumptions is given by the self- consistency of the model and the estimated auantities and the reasonable and plausible values of these quantities, which are also within the range considered to be necessary for the phase transition. Our "Centauro" model is (to our knowledge) the only one capable of being tested at RHIC and the LHC. In view of the highly interesting and still puzzling Centauro events, we believe that every effort should be made to implement appropriate measurements of particle multiplicity, ID, energy content and
 Τ in the fragmentation rapidity region. It may give a direct and undoubted indication of quark matter formation in a highly dense nuclear system and solve the mystery of the Centauro and other exotic cosmic ray events. At the same time, the possibility of observing "strangelets" adds a new dimension of excitement to these measurements.
Determination of Dipole Polarization Effects in 7Li and 11Li
Authors: Skouras L. D. , Muther H. , Nagarajan M. A.
Published: February 2020

The structure of 6Li, 7Li and 11Li nuclei is investigated in a model space which includes all configurations with oscillator energy up to 3hω above the ground state configuration. The energy spectra and electromagnetic properties of the low-lying states are determined with various two-body interactions, which are derived from the Bonn potential. In addition the calculation determines the dipole polarizability of7 Li and 11Li caused from virtual E1 excitations to the positive parity states of these nuclei.
A Compton Backscattering Polarimeter for Electron Beams below 1 GeV
Authors: Vodinas N. P. , Higinbotham D. W. , De Jager C. W. , Papadakis N. H. , Passchier I.
Published: February 2020

A recently installed polarized electron source will allow internal target experiments to be performed with polarized electrons at the NIKHEF Internal Target Hall, lb measure the longitudinal component of the polarization vector of the stored electron beam, a Polarimeter based on spin-dependent Compton scattering has been developed and successfully commissioned
Vertical distribution of 137Cs and natural radioactivity in core sediments of Thermaikos Gulf, northwestern Aegean Sea
Authors: Eleftheriou G. , Tsabaris C. , Philis-Tsirakis E. , Kamberi E. , Vlastou R.
Published: February 2020

Sub-superficial sediments have been collected from the Thermaikos Gulf, located in the NW Aegean Sea, in order to determine sedimentation rates using vertical distributions of 137Cs and 210Pb. In addition measurements of the characteristic radionuclides of the 238U and 232Th natural series has also been performed to better understand the transport and the sedimentation process in a marine environment, which is strongly influenced by the main North Greece rivers. The sedimentation rates of the five selected cores using the two methods were consistent and varied from 0.20 ± 0.01 till 0.30 ± 0.02 cm y-1. The mean sedimentation rates derived with both methods are enhanced during the last ten years compared to previous values at the studied region by one order of magnitude, due to human implications. The activity concentration of the 238U decay products does not exhibit variation along the depth. The activities of 226Ra are enhanced (~30 %) compared to the activities of radon daughters (214Pb, 214Bi) especially at the surface layer. The results of the correlation between 232Th decay products and 40K indicate that there is positive correlation between their averaged activities. The good proportionality between 232Th and 40K concentrations may be attributed to the fact that thorium is a particularly insoluble element in water.
Multidrug-resistant Campylobacter jejuni, Campylobacter coli and Campylobacter lari isolated from asymptomatic school-going children in Kibera slum, Kenya
Authors: Gitahi Nduhiu , Gathura Peter B. , Gicheru Michael M. , Wandia Beautice M. , Nordin Annika
Published: February 2020

Background:The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of thermophilicCampylobacterspp. in asymptomatic school-going children and establish the antibiotic resistant patterns of the isolates towards the drugs used to treat campylobacteriosis, including macrolides, quinolones and tetracycline.Campylobacterspp. are a leading cause of enteric illness and have only recently shown resistant to antibiotics.

Methods:This study isolatedCampylobacterspp., includingCampylobacter coli,Campylobacter jejuniandCampylobacter lari, in stool samples from asymptomatic school-going children in one of the biggest urban slums in Kenya. The disc diffusion method using EUCAST breakpoints was used to identify antibiotic-resistant isolates, which were further tested for genes encoding for tetracycline resistances using primer-specific polymerase chain reaction.

Results:In total, 580 stool samples were collected from 11 primary schools considering both gender and age. Subjecting 294 biochemically characterizedCampylobacterspp. isolates to genus-specific PCR, 106 (18.27% of stool samples) isolates were confirmedCampylobacterspp. Out of the 106 isolates, 28 (4.83%) wereCampylobactercoli, 44 (7.58%) wereCampylobacter jejuniwhile 11 (1.89%) wereCampylobacterlari.Campylobacter jejunihad the highest number of isolates that were multi-drug resistant, with 26 out of the 28 tested isolates being resistant to ciprofloxacin (5 mg), nalidixic acid (30 mg), tetracycline (30 mg) and erythromycin (15 mg).

Conclusions:In conclusion, a one-health approach, which considers overlaps in environment, animals and human ecosystems, is recommended in addressing campylobacteriosis in humans, since animals are the main reservoirs and environmental contamination is evident.
УРОВЕНЬ СФОРМИРОВАННОСТИ КОГНИТИВНОЙ СОСТАВЛЯЮЩЕЙ ПОЛИТИЧЕСКОЙ КУЛЬТУРЫ НАСЕЛЕНИЯ В КОНТЕКСТЕ ИЗУЧЕНИЯ РЕПУТАЦИИ РЕГИОНАЛЬНОЙ ВЛАСТИ (НА ПРИМЕРЕ СМОЛЕНСКОЙ ОБЛАСТИ)
Authors: Rozanova Nina Nikolaevna
Published: February 2020

Резюме. Представлены результаты исследования уровня знаний населения о деятельности региональной власти как важнейшего элемента когнитивной составляющей политической культуры.Цель – определение уровня сформированности когнитивной составляющей политической культуры населения Смоленской области, в динамике 2016–2018 гг., в контексте изучения репутации региональной власти, что позволяет судить о том, формируется ли она на объективной основе или носит преимущественно поверхностный характер.Метод или методология проведения работы: основу исследования составляет социологический метод – представлены результаты анкетных опросов населения Смоленской области 2016 и 2018 гг.Результаты: в целом уровень когнитивной составляющей политической культуры населения в части знаний и информированности о деятельности региональной исполнительной власти недостаточно высок, преобладает обобщенное восприятие власти. В результате степень сформированности объективной основы репутации является недостаточной, что предопределяет потенциал формирования неадекватной репутации региональной власти вместо реальной.Область применения результатов: могут быть полезны органам власти для проведения целенаправленной государственной политики с учетом особенностей политической культуры населения, в первую очередь, в части объективного всестороннего информирования власти о своей деятельности.
СОСТОЯНИЕ КОНЕВОДСТВА В ЗАУРАЛЬЕ В 1914–1922 ГОДЫ: ДИНАМИКА ИЗМЕНЕНИЙ
Authors: Ivanenko Valentina Evgenevna , Podkovyrova Marina Anatolevna
Published: February 2020

Цель статьи – охарактеризовать состояние коневодства в Зауралье в 1914–1922 гг. и выявить причины его упадка.Метод и методология проведения работы. Основу исследования составил модернизационный подход, были использованы методы: системный, компаративный, проблемно-хронологический, статистический, исторический, логический, контент-анализ и др.Результаты. В статье показано состояние коневодства в Зауралье в годы Первой мировой, Гражданской войн и иностранной интервенции, в ходе которых произошло существенное сокращение конского поголовья. Оно было вызвано рядом причин: после 1916 г. у крестьян исчез материальный стимул для выращивания лошадей на поставки в армию; мобилизацией лошадей в Красную и Белую армии; при выполнении гужевых повинностей лошади часто погибали от плохого кормления и непосильной работы; конфискацией лошадей в ходе выполнения продразверстки; недостатком кормов, вызванных засухой 1920 и 1921 гг., а также изъятием кормов в счёт продразверстки; наибольшие потери были вызваны гибелью лошадей во время Ишимско-Тобольского крестьянского восстания 1921 г., которое было спровоцировано применением жестких мер к населению в ходе сбора продразверстки.Область применения: результаты исследования можно использовать для изучения краеведения, как дополнительный материал на семинарских занятиях и спецкурсах.