bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Moving Beyond Gleason Scoring
Authors: Miles Brian , Ittmann Michael , Wheeler Thomas , Sayeeduddin Mohammad , Cubilla Antonio , Rowley David , Bu Ping , Ding Yi , Gao Yan , Lee MinJae , Ayala Gustavo E.
Published: March 2019

Context.—

The combination of grading and staging is the basis of current standard of care for prediction for most cancers. D. F. Gleason created the current prostate cancer (PCa) grading system. This system has been modified several times. Molecular data have been added. Currently, all grading systems are cancer-cell based.

Objective.—

To review the literature available on host response measures as reactive stroma grading and stromogenic carcinoma, and their predictive ability for PCa biochemical recurrence and PCa-specific death.

Data Sources.—

Our own experience has shown that reactive stroma grading and the subsequently binarized system (stromogenic carcinoma) can independently predict biochemical recurrence and/or PCa-specific death, particularly in patients with a Gleason score of 6 or 7. Stromogenic carcinoma has been validated by 4 other independent groups in at least 3 continents.

Conclusions.—

Broders grading and Dukes staging have been combined to form the most powerful prognostic tools in standard of care. The time has come for us to incorporate measures of host response (stromogenic carcinoma) into the arsenal of elements we use to predict cancer survival, without abandoning what we know works. These data also suggest that our current definition of PCa might need some revision.
Whatever Happened to the Promise of Online Learning?
Authors: Garrett Richard
Published: March 2019

This article synthesizes the evolution of, and prospects for, online higher education around the world. Different national online higher education models and stages of development are outlined. Online learning is judged by the extent to which the delivery mode has addressed higher education’s core challenges of wider access, quality enhancement, and cost containment.
The Country Configuration of Global Private Higher Education
Authors: Levy Daniel
Published: March 2019

A twin reality captures the key country configuration of global private higher education. One reality is the dispersion of the private presence to so many countries in all regions. The other, however, is the heavy, disproportionate concentration of private higher education in the largest country systems.
Graduate Employment in Vietnam
Authors: Tong Linh
Published: March 2019

As of 2018, it is mandatory for Vietnamese higher education institutions (HEIs) to publish the employment rates of their graduates. Failure to comply with this regulation will automatically disqualify accredited HEIs from the right to recruit new students. So far, less than 5 percent of Vietnamese HEIs have published employment rates for their alumni and there is a lot of criticism and suspicion from the public toward the reliability of these statistics. The ministry of education and training should either conduct a national employability survey or establish an accreditation agency to monitor the surveying process, rather than leaving this task to voluntary cooperation from universities.
Experimental tests of fuzzy logical temperature controller of an electric resistance chamber furnace
Authors: Jevtić Milica , Đorđević Nikola , Radaković Zoran
Published: March 2019

The paper presents an innovated hardware and software platform for the implementation of the fuzzy controller fortemperature and temperature slope change in an electric resistance chamber furnace. The point of this paper is to present the modernhardware and software tools that we used to lift up the base for continuation of the research done in the laboratory for electricalheating of Faculty of electrical engineering, University of Belgrade, more than 15 years ago. In that period, also the robustness ofcontrol in respect to the amount of load in the furnace was investigated. This paper focuses to the further investigation of therobustness. More precisely, experiments were performed to study if the controller can be applied as "plug and play controller", i.e. ifthe controller can be applied without additional tuning on another furnace with the similar construction in respect to the one where thefuzzy controller is tuned. The tests on two electric chamber furnaces with different rated power and volumes confirm the "plug andplay controller" principal is realistic.
NLOS Error Mitigation in Cellular Positioning using PSO Optimization Algorithm
Authors: Lukić Stevo , Simić Mirjana
Published: March 2019

Non-Line-Of-Sight conditions pose a major challenge to cellular radio positioning. Such conditions, when the direct Line-Of-Sight path is blocked, result in additional propagation delay for the signal, additional attenuation, and an angular bias. Therefore,many researchers have proposed various algorithms to mitigate the measured error caused by this phenomenon. This paper presentsthe procedure for improving accuracy of determining the mobile station location in cellular radio networks in Non-Line-of-Sightpropagation environment, based on the Time Of Arrival oriented estimator using the Particle Swarm Optimization algorithm. Incomputer science, Particle Swarm Optimization is an evolutionary computational method that optimizes a problem by iteratively tryingto improve a candidate solution with regard to a given measure of quality. The proposed algorithm uses the repeating Time-Of-Arrivaltest measurements using the four base stations and for simulation selects the measurement combination that give the smallest regionenclosed by the overlap of four circles. In this way, the smallest intersect area of the four Time-Of-Arrival circles is obtained, andtherefore the smallest positioning error. After that, we consider the complete problem as a combinatorial optimization problem withthe corresponding object function that represents the nonlinear relationship between the intersection of the four circles and the mobilestation location. The Particle Swarm Optimization finds the optimal solution of the object function and efficiently determines themobile station location. The simulation results show that the proposed method outperforms conventional algorithms such as theWeighted Least Squares and the Levenberq-Marquardt method.
Optimization Possibilities for DC Current Transformer
Authors: Ponjavić Milan , Veinović Slavko , Đurić Radivoje , Milić Saša
Published: March 2019

The paper analyzes the consumption performance of DC current transformers based on linear class B, and half bridge classD compensation amplifiers, as well as self-oscillating flux gate current transformers based on push-pull and source–sink output stages.Compensation amplifiers, push-pull and source-sink output stages are used to generate feedback current in order to compensatemagnetic flux in the magnetic concentrator core, produced by electrical current flowing through a conductor under measurement. Thefocus of the analysis is the investigation of conditions for appearance of the bus-pumping effect to which all switching versions of DCcurrent transformers are prone. All sufficient conditions for bus pumping effect appearance are explained for the most critical case ofDC current measurement; the main issues are analyzed, giving better insight to power consumption, and possible hazards to DCcurrent transformer circuitry. It is highlighted the existence of particular exploitation conditions that lead to the state where the class Dbased DC transformers are inferior to conventional class B based counterparts. Finally, when a linear compensating amplifier isreplaced with a switching counterpart, it has been demonstrated that it is possible to expect a feasible improvement in energyconsumption in the middle of the ideal half-class D class and classical B class realisations.
Towards Digital Transformation with 5G Technology
Authors: Banović–Ćurguz Nataša , Ilišević Dijana , Budimir Djuradj
Published: March 2019

This paper presents a short review of recent research activities on 5G as the next generation of wireless technology, the requirements they are facing, user scenarios, functionalities, and KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) as a measure of assessing the performances of these systems. 5G technology also known as International Mobile Telecommunications 2020, (IMT-2020) will dramatically increase the capabilities of the Internet of Things, Vehicle-to-everything and will pave the way for massive machine-type communications. While it is not yet define how the ultimate 5G design will be, it is possible to identify the most important services, functionality and KPIs that will provide satisfactory solutions to innovative digital business models after 2020. It is expected that 5G standards be in focus of Regulation Agencies, mainly through socio-economic analysis. In emerging markets, socio-economic dimensions of wireless connectivity must be considered carefully since data will be basic asset in digital age. This paper also highlights the importance of changes in mindset of regulation framework in telecommunications sector. Strong understanding of digital transformation is crucial in order to stay competitive in dynamic changes in the future.
Co-expression network analysis identifies specific hub genes in association with developmental neuronal remodeling in Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Liu Yunze , Sun Xiaojie , Qu Aijun
Published: March 2019

As an evolutionarily conserved mechanism, developmental neuronal remodeling is needed for the proper wiring of the nervous system and is critical for understanding the neurodevelopment mechanisms. Previous studies have shown that during metamorphosis lots of Drosophila melanogaster mushroom body neurons experience stereotypic remodeling. However, the related regulators and downstream executors of pathways are yet unclear, especially studies of transcriptional gene co-expression analysis of nervous systems remain insufficient. In this study, we develop a weighted gene co-expression network (WGCNA) to classify gene modules associated with neuronal remodeling. Moreover, functional and pathway enrichment analysis with protein-protein network construction is applied to detect high informative hub genes in the targeted gene module. Thus, we select a total of five hub genes that play critical roles in neuronal remodeling and identify them with functional enrichment analysis and protein-protein interaction network. Overall, this study provides insight into the underlying molecular mechanism of developmental neuronal remodeling in Drosophila melanogaster.
Neurocalcin regulates nighttime sleep and arousal in Drosophila
Authors: Chen Ko-Fan , Lowe Simon , Lamaze Angélique , Krätschmer Patrick , Jepson James
Published: March 2019

Sleep-like states in diverse organisms can be separated into distinct stages, each with a characteristic arousal threshold. However, the molecular pathways underlying different sleep stages remain unclear. The fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, exhibits consolidated sleep during both day and night, with night sleep associated with higher arousal thresholds compared to day sleep. Here we identify a role for the neuronal calcium sensor protein Neurocalcin (NCA) in promoting sleep during the night but not the day by suppressing nocturnal arousal and hyperactivity. We show that both circadian and light-sensing pathways define the temporal window in which NCA promotes sleep. Furthermore, we find that NCA promotes sleep by suppressing synaptic release from a dispersed wake-promoting neural network and demonstrate that the mushroom bodies, a sleep-regulatory center, are a module within this network. Our results advance the understanding of how sleep stages are genetically defined.
Intramolecular domain dynamics regulate synaptic MAGUK protein interactions
Authors: Rademacher Nils , Kuropka Benno , Kunde Stella-Amrei , Wahl Markus C , Freund Christian , Shoichet Sarah A
Published: March 2019

PSD-95 MAGUK family scaffold proteins are multi-domain organisers of synaptic transmission that contain three PDZ domains followed by an SH3-GK domain tandem. This domain architecture allows coordinated assembly of protein complexes composed of neurotransmitter receptors, synaptic adhesion molecules and downstream signalling effectors. Here we show that binding of monomeric CRIPT-derived PDZ3 ligands to the third PDZ domain of PSD-95 induces functional changes in the intramolecular SH3-GK domain assembly that influence subsequent homotypic and heterotypic complex formation. We identify PSD-95 interactors that differentially bind to the SH3-GK domain tandem depending on its conformational state. Among these interactors, we further establish the heterotrimeric G protein subunit Gnb5 as a PSD-95 complex partner at dendritic spines of rat hippocampal neurons. The PSD-95 GK domain binds to Gnb5, and this interaction is triggered by CRIPT-derived PDZ3 ligands binding to the third PDZ domain of PSD-95, unraveling a hierarchical binding mechanism of PSD-95 complex formation.
The proteasome biogenesis regulator Rpn4 cooperates with the unfolded protein response to promote ER stress resistance
Authors: Schmidt Rolf M , Schessner Julia P , Borner Georg HH , Schuck Sebastian
Published: March 2019

Misfolded proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) activate the unfolded protein response (UPR), which enhances protein folding to restore homeostasis. Additional pathways respond to ER stress, but how they help counteract protein misfolding is incompletely understood. Here, we develop a titratable system for the induction of ER stress in yeast to enable a genetic screen for factors that augment stress resistance independently of the UPR. We identify the proteasome biogenesis regulator Rpn4 and show that it cooperates with the UPR. Rpn4 abundance increases during ER stress, first by a post-transcriptional, then by a transcriptional mechanism. Induction of RPN4 transcription is triggered by cytosolic mislocalization of secretory proteins, is mediated by multiple signaling pathways and accelerates clearance of misfolded proteins from the cytosol. Thus, Rpn4 and the UPR are complementary elements of a modular cross-compartment response to ER stress.
Empirical examination of the replicability of associations between brain structure and psychological variables
Authors: Kharabian Masouleh Shahrzad , Eickhoff Simon B , Hoffstaedter Felix , Genon Sarah ,   Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative
Published: March 2019

Linking interindividual differences in psychological phenotype to variations in brain structure is an old dream for psychology and a crucial question for cognitive neurosciences. Yet, replicability of the previously-reported ‘structural brain behavior’ (SBB)-associations has been questioned, recently. Here, we conducted an empirical investigation, assessing replicability of SBB among heathy adults. For a wide range of psychological measures, the replicability of associations with gray matter volume was assessed. Our results revealed that among healthy individuals 1) finding an association between performance at standard psychological tests and brain morphology is relatively unlikely 2) significant associations, found using an exploratory approach, have overestimated effect sizes and 3) can hardly be replicated in an independent sample. After considering factors such as sample size and comparing our findings with more replicable SBB-associations in a clinical cohort and replicable associations between brain structure and non-psychological phenotype, we discuss the potential causes and consequences of these findings.
Philosophical bias is the one bias that science cannot avoid
Authors: Andersen Fredrik , Anjum Rani Lill , Rocca Elena
Published: March 2019

Scientists seek to eliminate all forms of bias from their research. However, all scientists also make assumptions of a non-empirical nature about topics such as causality, determinism and reductionism when conducting research. Here, we argue that since these 'philosophical biases' cannot be avoided, they need to be debated critically by scientists and philosophers of science.
Impaired ABCA1/ABCG1-mediated lipid efflux in the mouse retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) leads to retinal degeneration
Authors: Storti Federica , Klee Katrin , Todorova Vyara , Steiner Regula , Othman Alaa , van der Velde-Visser Saskia , Samardzija Marijana , Meneau Isabelle , Barben Maya , Karademir Duygu , Pauzuolyte Valda , Boye Sanford L , Blaser Frank , Ullmer Christoph , Dunaief Joshua L , Hornemann Thorsten , Rohrer Lucia , den Hollander Anneke , von Eckardstein Arnold , Fingerle Jürgen , Maugeais Cyrille , Grimm Christian
Published: March 2019

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a progressive disease of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and the retina leading to loss of central vision. Polymorphisms in genes involved in lipid metabolism, including the ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1), have been associated with AMD risk. However, the significance of retinal lipid handling for AMD pathogenesis remains elusive. Here, we study the contribution of lipid efflux in the RPE by generating a mouse model lacking ABCA1 and its partner ABCG1 specifically in this layer. Mutant mice show lipid accumulation in the RPE, reduced RPE and retinal function, retinal inflammation and RPE/photoreceptor degeneration. Data from human cell lines indicate that the ABCA1 AMD risk-conferring allele decreases ABCA1 expression, identifying the potential molecular cause that underlies the genetic risk for AMD. Our results highlight the essential homeostatic role for lipid efflux in the RPE and suggest a pathogenic contribution of reduced ABCA1 function to AMD.
The choice of tree prior and molecular clock does not substantially affect phylogenetic inferences of diversification rates
Authors: Sarver Brice A.J. , Pennell Matthew W. , Brown Joseph W. , Keeble Sara , Hardwick Kayla M. , Sullivan Jack , Harmon Luke J.
Published: March 2019

Comparative methods allow researchers to make inferences about evolutionary processes and patterns from phylogenetic trees. In Bayesian phylogenetics, estimating a phylogeny requires specifying priors on parameters characterizing the branching process and rates of substitution among lineages, in addition to others. Accordingly, characterizing the effect of prior selection on phylogenies is an active area of research. The choice of priors may systematically bias phylogenetic reconstruction and, subsequently, affect conclusions drawn from the resulting phylogeny. Here, we focus on the impact of priors in Bayesian phylogenetic inference and evaluate how they affect the estimation of parameters in macroevolutionary models of lineage diversification. Specifically, we simulate trees under combinations of tree priors and molecular clocks, simulate sequence data, estimate trees, and estimate diversification parameters (e.g., speciation and extinction rates) from these trees. When substitution rate heterogeneity is large, diversification rate estimates deviate substantially from those estimated under the simulation conditions when not captured by an appropriate choice of relaxed molecular clock. However, in general, we find that the choice of tree prior and molecular clock has relatively little impact on the estimation of diversification rates insofar as the sequence data are sufficiently informative and substitution rate heterogeneity among lineages is low-to-moderate.
Coral-algal interactions at Weizhou Island in the northern South China Sea: variations by taxa and the exacerbating impact of sediments trapped in turf algae
Authors: Liao Zhiheng , Yu Kefu , Wang Yinghui , Huang Xueyong , Xu Lijia
Published: March 2019

Competitive interactions between corals and benthic algae are increasingly frequent on degrading coral reefs, but the processes and mechanisms surrounding the interactions, as well as the exacerbating effects of sediments trapped in turf algae, are poorly described. We surveyed the frequency, proportion, and outcomes of interactions between benthic algae (turf algae and macroalgae) and 631 corals (genera: Porites, Favites, Favia, Platygyra, and Pavona) on a degenerating reef in the northern South China Sea, with a specific focus on the negative effects of algal contact on corals. Our data indicated that turf algae were the main algal competitors for each surveyed coral genus and the proportion of algal contact along the coral edges varied significantly among the coral genera and the algal types. The proportions of algal wins between corals and turf algae or macroalgae differed significantly among coral genera. Compared to macroalgae, turf algae consistently yielded more algal wins and fewer coral wins on all coral genera. Amongst the coral genera, Porites was the most easily damaged by algal competition. The proportions of turf algal wins on the coral genera increased 1.1–1.9 times in the presence of sediments. Furthermore, the proportions of algal wins on massive and encrusting corals significantly increased with the combination of sediments and turf algae as the algal type. However, the variation in proportions of algal wins between massive and encrusting corals disappeared as sediments became trapped in turf algae. Sediments bound within turf algae further induced damage to corals and reduced the competitive advantage of the different coral growth forms in their competitive interactions with adjacent turf algae.
Assessing alignment-based taxonomic classification of ancient microbial DNA
Authors: Eisenhofer Raphael , Weyrich Laura Susan
Published: March 2019

The field of palaeomicrobiology—the study of ancient microorganisms—is rapidly growing due to recent methodological and technological advancements. It is now possible to obtain vast quantities of DNA data from ancient specimens in a high-throughput manner and use this information to investigate the dynamics and evolution of past microbial communities. However, we still know very little about how the characteristics of ancient DNA influence our ability to accurately assign microbial taxonomies (i.e. identify species) within ancient metagenomic samples. Here, we use both simulated and published metagenomic data sets to investigate how ancient DNA characteristics affect alignment-based taxonomic classification. We find that nucleotide-to-nucleotide, rather than nucleotide-to-protein, alignments are preferable when assigning taxonomies to short DNA fragment lengths routinely identified within ancient specimens (<60 bp). We determine that deamination (a form of ancient DNA damage) and random sequence substitutions corresponding to ∼100,000 years of genomic divergence minimally impact alignment-based classification. We also test four different reference databases and find that database choice can significantly bias the results of alignment-based taxonomic classification in ancient metagenomic studies. Finally, we perform a reanalysis of previously published ancient dental calculus data, increasing the number of microbial DNA sequences assigned taxonomically by an average of 64.2-fold and identifying microbial species previously unidentified in the original study. Overall, this study enhances our understanding of how ancient DNA characteristics influence alignment-based taxonomic classification of ancient microorganisms and provides recommendations for future palaeomicrobiological studies.
Domestic Violence and Women Autonomy: The Darkest Truth of Our Society
Authors: Bosak Liza , Das Tithi , Aminul Haque K. M.
Published: March 2019

The present study was conducted to find out the current situation of domestic violence and women autonomy in northern Bangladesh. In this study we found socio-economic and demographic condition, abusive status and women autonomy of employed women in northern Bangladesh. A total of 160 employed women from different district of northern Bangladesh were selected through cluster sampling as a sample of this research. The results found that only 45.6% women maintain non abusive relationship with their husband. Whereas about 53.1% women were moderately abuse and 1.3% women was seriously abuse. This was a critical situation in terms of women violence. Result obtained that about 83.1% women take permission to go outside the residence, 76.9% women take permission to visit their relatives or friends, 38.8% women take permission to go the local health center and 45.0% women take permission to go the local market. That means their freedom of movement depends on their husband or family members. About in 11.9% families others decided about to do when a child falls sick. Only in 10.6% families women decided and 85.6% families both husband and wife decided about how much schooling to give to your children. Only in 46.6% family’s wife decided about what food to buy for family meals. The variable respondent's monthly income was found positively correlated with domestic violence scores. That means if women’s income increases, there violence status was decreases.
Unilateral Foot Drop by Bilateral Ganglion Cysts: An Imaging Approach to Diagnosis
Authors: Agarwal Aakanksha , Chandra Abhishek , Mangalhara Naresh , Assat Rajendra Prasad , Meena Ramesh Chandra
Published: March 2019

Ganglion cysts are pseudocysts with no epithelial lining of their own. These are non- neoplastic lesions filled with gelatinous material and originate from tendon sheath, ligament, bursa, joint capsule or subchondral bone. Rarely, they may present in an intramuscular location, away from the joint with no synovial communication. Upper limb involvement is more common and such lesions are usually found on the hand, wrist and ankle. Despite their common occurrence, peripheral nerve compression due to these cysts is rare with cases of ulnar and median nerve compressions infrequently reported in the literature. In lower limb, dorsal surface of the foot is reported to be the most common site. Occurrence of ganglion cysts in lower limb causing compressive neuropathy is an even rarer combination. We report a case with unilateral common peroneal nerve palsy with incidentally detected bilateral intramuscular ganglion cysts. Even an extensive literature search did not reveal any such case report. The patient underwent high resolution ultrasound imaging for the possible cause of compression of common peroneal nerve. Incidentally, cystic lesions were identified in the intramuscular plane causing nerve compression in the right leg with similar lesions at the same location in the left leg. On the left side, patient was free of neuropathic symptoms as the nerve was seen passing between the cystic lesions, not getting compressed. The patient then underwent MR imaging with contrast and intramuscular ganglion was kept as the provisional diagnosis of the cystic lesion. Operative management was planned to relieve the compressive neuropathy and excision biopsy of the lesion proved it to be a ganglion cyst.
EFL Teachers’ Use of Learners’ L1 in Cycle Two Schools in Oman
Authors: Al-Ghafri Bader , Mirza Chahrazed , Gabarre Serge
Published: March 2019

The current study aims to examine Omani English language teachers’ use of their learners’ L1 in L2 classrooms. The study takes as to design a mix of qualitative case study and grounded theory research. The participant sample consists of three Omani English male teachers from Cycle Two Schools in Al Dahira Governorate in Oman. Data is collected through interviews and classroom observations. Qualitative content analysis is employed to analyze observations; while Charmaz's constructivist grounded theory is used to analyze the interview data.

The findings of the study reveal that the teachers’ use of learners’ L1 in the observed classes is significantly high as it is found that the teachers’ average use of L1 is 28% of their classroom discourse. However, at the same time, it is found that the teachers have demonstrated a high degree of understanding of the disadvantages of overusing L1; of the optimal amount of L1; and of the different avoidance strategies that minimize the use of L1 in L2 classrooms. Hence, the study concludes that the teachers’ shift to L1 is shaped by the challenges they face in their classrooms rather than by their understanding. These challenges are found to be a lack of teaching materials, time constraints, a lack of teaching experience, class size, the learners’ low level of proficiency in English, the teachers’ lack of training, the types of activities used, and the heavy syllabus.
Phylogenetic Framework and Metabolic Genes Expression Analysis of Bacteria Isolated from Contaminated Marine Environments of Niger Delta
Authors: Uba Bright Obidinma
Published: March 2019

Aims: To explore the phylogenetic framework of bacteria isolated from contaminated marine environments of Niger Delta and the expression of the metabolic genes coding for aromatic hydrocarbon degradation and surfactant production.

Study Design: Nine treatments designs were set up in triplicates containing 25 mL of sterile modified mineral basal medium supplemented with nine marine hydrocarbon degraders incubated at 24°C for 5 days. Three of the set ups were supplemented each with 1 mg /L of xylene, anthracene and pyrene.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Environmental Sciences, University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa between September, 2015 to December, 2017.

Methodology: A laboratory scale study was carried on six composite samples of the sediment and water samples from the three studied areas using enrichment, screening, selection, characterization, and PCR assays to explore the phylogenetic framework and metabolic genes expression of the marine bacteria for aromatic hydrocarbon degradation and surfactant production.

Results: The findings revealed that there was significant abundance of THB (P = .05) more than TCHUB and more xylene degraders than anthracene and pyrene degraders in the sediment and water samples respectively. The phylogenetic correlational analysis revealed that all the nine selected best degraders out of 48 isolates from the studied area were evolutionary related belonging to the genera: Providencia, Alcaligenes, Brevundimonas, Myroides, Serratia, and Bacillus; able to significantly (P = .05) utilize the all the aromatic hydrocarbons. The existence of catabolic and surfactant genes namely catechol dioxygenase (C23O), rhamnolipid enzyme (rhlB) and surfactin /lichenysin enzyme (SrfA3 /LicA3) genes were detected in only four (4) out of the nine (9) marine aromatic degrading bacteria  with 881 base pairs sizes.

Conclusion: Thus, the study revealed that these bacterial strains especially Serratia marcescens XYL7 might possess metabolic genes for in situ aromatic hydrocarbon degradation and surfactant production.
Relative Toxicity of Arsenite and Arsenate on Early Seedling Growth and Photosynthetic Pigments of Rice
Authors: Begum Minsura , Mondal S.
Published: March 2019

Arsenic is a potential contaminant of groundwater as well as soil in many regions of the world. Elevated soil arsenic levels resulting from long-term use of arsenic contaminated ground water for irrigation may inhibit seed germination and seedling establishment of rice, the country’s main food crop. An experiment was conducted to study the effect of different forms of arsenic on growth and photosynthetic pigments of rice plants. For this purpose rice seedlings were grown hydroponically with half strength of modified Hoagland nutrient solution toxified with different doses of arsenate and arsenite namely 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 ppm. Germination percent of rice seeds and photosynthetic pigment content of rice seedling decreased significantly with increase in concentration of arsenic of both the forms. Growth parameters affected more seriously in arsenite treated plants than arsenate treated plants.
Prophylactic Effects of Some Nigerian Higher Fungi on Malaria Parasite, Plasmodium berghei berghei in BALB/c Strain Albino Mice
Authors: Oluranti Olayinka Oluyemi , Jonathan Segun Gbolagade , Olawuyi Odunayo Joseph
Published: March 2019

The preventive abilities of some Nigerian higher fungi; Pleurotus pulmonarius, Fomes lignosus, Lentinus subnudus, Termitomyces robustus, Pleurotus tuber-regium collected from wood substrates, and the combined extracts (40 mg/mL) were studied against malaria parasite, Plasmodium berghei berghei to exploit them as medicinal agents. The fruit bodies were extracted with ethanol using soxhlet apparatus. Six hundred and twelve 4- 5 weeks old BALB/c mice (average weight 21 g) were assigned into 30 groups of twelve mice each. They were orally treated with 0.1 mL extracts of 4, 0.4, 0.04, 0.004, 0.0004 mg/mL before infecting with 0.2 mL of 5x106 parasitized erythrocytes. Chloroquine,CQ (20 mg/kg) served as controls. Liver and kidney were examined for histological changes. Parasitemic level, packed cell volume (PCV) and weights of animals were checked using standard methods. Descriptive statistics and ANOVA (at p= 0.05) were used for data analysis. Lentinus subnudus produced the highest decrease of parasitemia (30%), and recorded the least loss of PCV (27%), while Pleurotus tuber-regium produced the least weight loss of 26.5%. All the mushroom extracts produced same effect as CQ at concentrations 0.4 and 0.04 mg/mL. The tissues of infected animals without extracts had abnormalities. There were no histological damage in tissues of uninfected animals. Pre-infection treatment produced mild abnormal conditions from severe periportal infiltration and marked sinusoidal congestion. The extracts could be formulated into drugs against malaria however, appropriate dosage must be known.
Biodeterioration of Classroom Wall Surfaces in the University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Authors: Anele B. C. , Okerentugba P. O. , Stanley H. O. , Ugboma C. J.
Published: March 2019

Aim: This study investigated the biodeterioration of classroom wall surfaces in the University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

Study Design: Scrapings from selected classroom wall surfaces were analyzed for their microbiological and physicochemical parameters. Isolated bacteria were screened for their antibiotics susceptibility.

Place and Duration of Study: This study was carried out at the University of Port Harcourt between March - June 2018.

Methods: The population of culturable bacterial and fungal biodeteriogens was determined by plating. Physicochemical parameters were determined using standard methods. Antibiotic susceptibility pattern of the bacterial isolates was determined using the disc diffusion method.

Results: The total culturable heterotrophic bacterial counts ranged from 6.48 to 8.23 log CFU/g while the total fungal counts ranged from 5.00 to 7.28 log CFU/g. The bacterial isolates identified by biochemical characterization and their frequency of occurrence are Micrococcus spp. (7.3%), Citrobacter spp. (3.2%), Bacillus spp. (39.1%), Serratia spp. (3.2%), Corynebacterium spp. (10.9%), Staphylococcus aureus (20.1%), Proteus spp. (9.2%) and Shigella spp (7.0%). The fungal isolates and their frequency of occurrence are Aspergillus flavus (39.1%), Penicillium spp. (20.1%), Microsporium canis (14.3%), Coccidioides spp. (10.9%), Aspergillus fumigates (3.2%) and Tricophyton spp (3.2%). All antibiotics used showed activity against all bacterial isolates except Proteus spp. From the results of the physicochemical parameters, pH values ranged from 6.15 to 9.01, nitrate ranged from 5.30 to 14.83 mg/kg, phosphate ranged 2.19 to 5.94 mg/kg, sulphate ranged from 12.97 to 19.07 mg/kg and Total Organic Carbon ranged from 74.89 to 119.43 mg/kg.

Conclusions: This study has shown the potential public health risk associated with classroom building deterioration owing to the presence of pathogenic microorganisms. Therefore, measures towards prevention and mitigation of classroom building biodeterioration should be in place.
Accuracy of Demirjian’s Method to Estimate Chronological Age in 5‒17-Year-Old Iranian Population
Authors: Sheikhi Mahnaz , Dakhilalian Ali , Jalalian Faranak
Published: March 2019

Introduction: To detect physiological maturity of a child, use of dental and skeletal development can be helpful. The Demirjian’s Method is one of the commonly used methods to estimate dental age. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the validity of Demirjian method in Iranian population with different races.

Materials and Methods: The present cross-sectional study was performed on a randomly selected sample of panoramic radiographs of 3073 patients aged 5‒17 years. The chronological age (CA) was calculated by subtracting the date of birth from the date on which the radiographs were taken. Estimated age (EA) was performed by Demirjian method using seven left mandibular teeth. Paired t-test was used to compare differences between chronological and estimated age.

Results: The mean of CA was 11.14±2.61 years whereas the mean EA was 11.35±2.62; therefore, EA was calculated 2.5 months more than CA. According to paired t-test the difference between CA & EA was significant (P≤ 0.001). Pearson’s correlation coefficient showed a strong linear correlation between CA and EA in total (r=0.891, P≤0.001), in girls (r=0.895, P≤ 0.001) and in boys (r=0.876, P≤ 0.001). The new regression line equation based on Iranian standards would be CA=1.08±0.89EA in total, CA=1.09±0.89EA in girls and CA=1.12+0.88EA in boys.

Conclusion: Using Demirjian’s Method overestimated dental age in the Iranian population. A new regression line equation based on Iranian standards was obtained according to the results of the present study.
Technological Applications in Skin Cancer Prevention
Authors: Hernandez Jennings , Kumar Anjali
Published: March 2019

In the United States, skin cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed. The three types of skin cancer are basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. Of those, basal and squamous cell carcinomas are the most diagnosed skin cancer types. Both of which are curable, however they can mar skin in addition to being expensive to fight. Melanoma places in third for being diagnosed. All three types of skin cancer are linked to ultraviolet light rays which come from the sun, tanning beds and sunlamps. The checklist for early detection includes being aware of changes to your skin, visiting a licensed dermatologist or primary care physician to receive a body scan and assess for any skin concerns. By the same token, phone apps, recognition technologies, and devices for early detection have become a few of the forward-thinking prevention techniques for the future because of the knowledge that early detection leads to a better survival outcome. These phone apps analyzing digital images of moles and lesions for instance and determining the risk of cancer. This paper will delve into several apps that are on the market for smartphones that can be used for prevention of skin cancer. For example, Nevisense is a device used in office that's FDA-approved, painless and there's no downtime. In minutes, a doctor can use it on sunspots and moles that look suspicious or concerning. The device sends an electrical frequency into the skin and depending on the way the current travels, the device will notify the doctor whether a biopsy is recommended.
Challenges of the Teaching Profession: Student Teacher Wiev of the Status of Teachers in the Society and Their Own Engagement with Their Future Profession
Authors: Lazzarich Marinko
Published: March 2019

Some people view teaching as a mission, many others consider it as just another job. Teaching profession is publicly perceived as socially valuable and important, a job essential for the development of fundamental societal and human values. However, in 2019 Croatia, one still cannot speak of teaching as a profession. The public perceives teacher's expected high level of enthusiasm as a basic quality of an educator, rather than expecting a high degree of professionalism. Consequently, unlike education policies in some European countries, the historical development of the upgrade to the teaching profession in Croatia is somewhat lagging behind.

The text analyses the status of teachers and the acceptance of the educational profession in Croatia as well as the working conditions in the Croatian education. We present research results of attitudes towards the teaching profession and the social status of teachers expressed by students enrolled in the Faculty of Teacher Education, University of Rijeka. The main objective of the research was to determine the attitudes of students on the current status of teachers in Croatia, concurrently examining the level of their readiness to actively engage in achieving better social and material status of teachers. The research was conducted in 2018 using the survey method. The results confirmed that the respondents possess developed awareness of the deficiencies in the Croatian school system and the underpaid teaching staff. Aware of the basic weaknesses in the education policy, respondents expressed their willingness to engage in solving these problems. The results also clearly pointed to the need for an essential educational reform to improve the status of the teaching staff.
Comparison and Evaluation of Seven Animal Models of Ischemic Skin Wound: A Review Article
Authors: Bayat Mohammad , Chien Sufan
Published: March 2019

Focusing on pathophysiology, prevention, and treatment of ischemic wounds is apriority for medical and basic scientists in order to develop new clinical approaches. However it is not always easy for researchers to choose optimal animal models for their particular assessments. This review provides concise information on all currently available ischemic animal models, including rabbits’ ear ischemic models, axial skin flaps (axial pattern flaps), burns, ischemic limbs, localized ischemic wounds, pressure ulcers, and skin flaps, along with their citations as a measure of their acceptance among other researchers. We searched the numerous databases consisting of PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, and Google Scholar. Key words included ischemic wound, skin, and animals alone or in combination. Some important features of the seven types of ischemia as well as their results are presented in Tables 1 -7. Table eight presents the results of entire groups of ischemic animal models, with their number of papers, number of wounds, and total and average Google Scholar citations, and web of science citations. We found that rabbits’ ear ischemic models, localized ischemic wounds, and pressure ulcers have the highest total and average citations amongst the studied groups. It was concluded that the rabbits’ ear ischemic model, rat pressure ulcer models, and localized ischemic wound models, have made the greatest contribution to our understanding of the pathophysiology of the ischemic wounds and increased production of new therapeutic protocols based on the citations reported by Google scholar and the web of science databases between 1977 and 2017.
Salivary Alpha-amylase Activity Level in ST-segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction Patients
Authors: Kakhki Behrang Rezvani , Salarirad Mohsen , Shamsian Seyed Ali Akbar , Ramezani Javad , Moradi Elnaz Vafadar , Mousavi Seyed Mohammad , Hashemian Amir Masoud
Published: March 2019

Background and Objective: Sudden death is the main cause of mortality and disability in patients with coronary artery disease or myocardial infarction. The aim of this study was to evaluate the activity level of salivary alpha-amylase to predict malignant ventricular arrhythmias in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients.

Materials and Methods: In this analytical cross-sectional study, 42 patients with STEMI who referred to Imam Reza Hospital participated. First, salivary amylase was taken from all STEMI patients and then these patients were divided into two groups of patients with malignant ventricular arrhythmia or without malignant ventricular arrhythmia during 72 hours.

Results: A total of 42 patients were included in the study out of which 30 (71.4%) were females and 12 (28.6%) males. The average salivary amylase in patients was 118/41 ± 96/87. There was no significant difference in the frequency of diabetes, blood pressure, blood lipids, ischemic heart disease, and involvement severity in both groups with arrhythmia and lack of arrhythmias (P> 0.05). Also there was no significant difference in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, respiratory rate, heart rate, oxygen saturation, blood glucose, temperature and severity of infarction (P> 0.05). However, the two groups were different in terms of salivary amylase levels. Salivary amylase levels were significantly higher in arrhythmic group than in the non-arrhythmic group (P< 0.001).

Conclusions: Our result shows that there is a difference in the concentrations of salivary Alpha-amylase activity level in with and without ventricular arrhythmias groups.
Tuning Thermal Transport Through Atomically Thin Ti3C2Tz MXene by Current Annealing in Vacuum
Authors: Hemmat Zahra , Yasaei Poya , Schultz Jeremy F. , Hong Liang , Majidi Leily , Behranginia Amirhossein , Verger Louisiane , Jiang Nan , Barsoum Michel W. , Klie Robert F. , Salehi‐Khojin Amin
Published: March 2019

Heat transport across vertical interfaces of heterogeneous 2D materials is usually governed by the weak Van der Waals interactions of the surface‐terminating atoms. Such interactions play a significant role in thermal transport across transition metal carbide and nitride (MXene) atomic layers due to their hydrophilic nature and variations in surface terminations. Here, the metallicity of atomically thin Ti3C2Tz MXene, which is also verified by scanning tunneling spectroscopy for the first time, is exploited to develop a self‐heating/self‐sensing platform to carry out direct‐current annealing experiments in high (<10−8 bar) vacuum, while simultaneously evaluating the interfacial heat transport across a Ti3C2Tz/SiO2 interface. At room temperature, the thermal boundary conductance (TBC) of this interface is found, on average, to increase from 10 to 27 MW m−2 K−1 upon current annealing up to the breakdown limit. In situ heating X‐ray diffraction and X‐ray photo‐electron spectroscopy reveal that the TBC values are mainly affected by interlayer and interface spacing due to the removal of absorbents, while the effect of surface termination is negligible. This study provides key insights into understanding energy transport in MXene nanostructures and other 2D material systems.
Droplet Microfluidics XRD Identifies Effective Nucleating Agents for Calcium Carbonate
Authors: Levenstein Mark A. , Anduix‐Canto Clara , Kim Yi‐Yeoun , Holden Mark A. , González Niño Carlos , Green David C. , Foster Stephanie E. , Kulak Alexander N. , Govada Lata , Chayen Naomi E. , Day Sarah J. , Tang Chiu C. , Weinhausen Britta , Burghammer Manfred , Kapur Nikil , Meldrum Fiona C.
Published: March 2019

The ability to control crystallization reactions is required in a vast range of processes including the production of functional inorganic materials and pharmaceuticals and the prevention of scale. However, it is currently limited by a lack of understanding of the mechanisms underlying crystal nucleation and growth. To address this challenge, it is necessary to carry out crystallization reactions in well‐defined environments, and ideally to perform in situ measurements. Here, a versatile microfluidic synchrotron‐based technique is presented to meet these demands. Droplet microfluidic‐coupled X‐ray diffraction (DMC‐XRD) enables the collection of time‐resolved, serial diffraction patterns from a stream of flowing droplets containing growing crystals. The droplets offer reproducible reaction environments, and radiation damage is effectively eliminated by the short residence time of each droplet in the beam. DMC‐XRD is then used to identify effective particulate nucleating agents for calcium carbonate and to study their influence on the crystallization pathway. Bioactive glasses and a model material for mineral dust are shown to significantly lower the induction time, highlighting the importance of both surface chemistry and topography on the nucleating efficiency of a surface. This technology is also extremely versatile, and could be used to study dynamic reactions with a wide range of synchrotron‐based techniques.