bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Two approaches to sharing stoma care expertise with non−specialist nursing staff
Authors: Bossom Clare , Beard Jan
Published: December 2017

A previous associated article explored the process of earning Royal College of Nursing accreditation for the SecuriCare stoma care clinical nursing standards and the ways in which this accreditation supports research-based best practice and clinical nurse specialist (CNS) education (Waller et al, 2009). However, the role of the stoma care CNS does not stop at providing expert practice; a CNS must also educate ward staff and student nurses, as well-informed and empowered ward nurses are crucial to the provision of quality patient care. The impact on a patient°s life following stoma formation varies considerably, depending on the patient°s life experiences, support network, background, and reasons leading up to surgery. Finding the time to make stoma care training a priority within a busy hospital setting can often present a challenge; however, to improve on patients° pathways of care within the acute setting, staff need to be supported and appropriately trained. This article discusses the different approaches taken by two teams of specialist stoma care nurses in creating educational resources which addressed the needs of non-specialist staff within their NHS Trusts.
The therapeutic relationship between nurse and patient in the endoscopy setting: a literature review
Authors: Ware Dale
Published: December 2017

Aims:

To explore what the literature has to say on the therapeutic relationship between nurse and endoscopy patient in a changing NHS.

Methods:

A search was undertaken of 10 online literature databases. Using a screening tool, seven studies were selected as suitable for review, each of which were then critically analysed and emergent themes identified.

Results:

The common themes to emerge from the data were anxiety, pain, long waits, personal manner, technical skill, information giving, communication and nurse presence, each of which had implications for the therapeutic relationship in endoscopy. Patients valued their encounters with the nurse as therapeutic, even though time was limited. However, some patients displayed a need for less-intimate, prompter care that impacted as little as possible on their lives.

Conclusion:

The therapeutic relationship in time-limited encounters, such as endoscopy, is complex and requires the skill and awareness of the nurse in order to be effective. Better education programmes are required to equip nurses with the necessary skills, along with appropriate models of care to promote self-help, which should be incorporated into endoscopy units.
Research round-up
Authors: Sargent Suzanne
Published: December 2017

Suzanne Sargent, Lecturer in Hepatology, provides a brief overview of recently published, liver-related nursing and health articles
Nurse-led surveillance for liver cancer in stable cirrhosis
Authors: Blackwell Rebecca
Published: December 2017

Rebecca Blackwell, Liver Nurse Specialist at Royal Bolton Hospital, covers how to ensure early diagnosis of liver cancer in otherwise healthy cirrhotic patients
Early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer in a nurse-led, one-stop jaundice service
Authors: Clark Deborah
Published: December 2017

UK cancer survival rates are below the European average, owing to frequent late diagnosis. Pancreatic cancer is particularly difficult to diagnose early, due to limited initial symptoms. As the surgical window is small, this makes it particularly deadly, with a 6-month average survival. The public is less aware of the symptoms of pancreatic cancer than of other cancers. Many patients either avoid presenting at the GP for a long time or first present at an accident and emergency ward, which is expensive and has poor outcomes. As jaundice is the most reliable indicator of pancreatic cancer, a nurse-led one-stop jaundice service was set up to diagnose and refer cases as early as possible. The service provides biliary drainage via percutaneous transhepatic cholangiogram (PTC) for patients with bilirubin over 250 mumol/l. Initial outcomes measurements have been positive.
Reflecting on the achievements of the Hepatitis C Action Plan in Scotland
Authors: Tait Jan
Published: December 2017

The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is curable with antiviral therapies, but it still remains a significant public health problem. The prevalence of HCV among people who inject drugs (PWID), who can be difficult to reach and often have complex comorbidities, makes treatment more challenging. Past public health initiatives have been successful in reaching, diagnosing and treating people with HCV. These include the Hepatitis C Action Plan, which was delivered by specialist nurses and managed care networks across Scotland. It provided new referral pathways and diagnostic methods, including Fibroscans and dry blood spot testing (DBST). Crucially, it expanded access to treatment and invested in needle exchanges, drug outreach clinics and prison health services.
Connexercize: Devising a floor-based game to increase physical activity levels among young children
Authors: McDermott Fiona , Reid Bernie , Laird Elizabeth
Published: December 2017

The growing incidence of obesity among children can be linked to our increasingly sedentary lifestyles and lack of physical activity from a young age. Nurses and health visitors have an important role to play in tackling the current obesity epidemic, by adopting innovative strategies to facilitating children's physical activity and making activity-promoting changes in the environment, whether this is the home or the school. One such approach – a floor-based game called Connexercize – aims to encourage physical activity among young children. This article highlights the need for such innovative approaches and discusses the process of planning, developing and piloting this particular game.
Let's put our values on the menu
Authors: Oldman Crystal
Published: December 2017

Unlike their counterparts around the world, UK health visitors and community nurses are rarely invited to contribute to the policies that affect the communities they serve. It is time to get proactive, says Crystal Oldman, and join local policy makers at the table
What is being done in the world's top-ranking palliative care nation?
Authors: Mendes Aysha
Published: December 2017

With an extensive integration of palliative care into the NHS and comprehensive national policies in place, the UK is consistently recognised as one of the best countries in the world with regards to end-of-life care. Aysha Mendes explains how renal nurses play an important part.
Tolvaptan recommendation: the patient voice is heard
Authors: Loft Rosie
Published: December 2017

Tolvaptan, a drug used to treat those with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease, is now officially recommended for use in England and Scotland. In this month's Kidney Research UK column, the charity's Research Communications Cfficer Rosie Loft explains the implications of this medication for the kidney care community.
The role of the expert witness
Authors: Hampton S.
Published: December 2017

Tissue viability nurse specialists and medical staff are increasingly not only involved in litigation actions as defendants but also, more appropriately, as expert witnesses. To measure standards against practice, expert witnesses are employed and instructed by either the plaintiff or defendant and act as a mediator between medical methods and judicial responsibility according to the standard of necessary medical care.
Environmental mastitis caused by lactation origin infections: diagnosis
Authors: Breen James
Published: December 2017

Mastitis caused by intramammary infections of environmental origin has become the dominant udder health ‘pattern’ for dairy herds in the UK and many other countries, compared with the situation 40–50 years ago when contagious mastitis patterns predominated. The diagnosis of environmental mastitis in dairy herds requires epidemiological data from clinical mastitis cases and individual cow somatic cell count (SCC) data as well as information regarding likely aetiology from samples submitted for bacteriology. This article reviews the diagnosis of environmental mastitis caused by intramammary infections of lactating period origin, and examples of patterns to illustrate these herd patterns.
No pressure…
Authors: Miller Hilda
Published: December 2017

Is Ella's lack of social interaction an indication that she doesn't yet feel confident and secure in the setting or does it suggest an anxiety disorder such as selective mutism? SENCO Hilda Miller advises.
In the thick of it
Authors: Williams Kate
Published: December 2017

Give creative story telling some oomph by gathering children in a group, and encouraging them to build stories around specially chosen props. Watch for increased confidence in their self-expression.
Year of the dog
Authors: Hewson Claire
Published: December 2017

Welcome in the New Year with Christopher Corr's The Great Race – a dazzlingly illustrated story of the Chinese Zodiac. Written in gentle, child-friendly language, it's a great introduction to Chinese mythology.
Construcción de un inventario para la medición de la autoeficacia vocacional
Authors: Mata Segreda Alejandrina
Published: December 2017

El presente artículo describe el proceso de elaboración de un inventario de autoeficacia vocacional sobre la base de diversos insumos conceptuales propios de la Orientación Vocacional y otras teorías del aprendizaje, mediante la aplicación de un método de investigación cuantitativa. Se propuso la construcción del instrumento para la medición de la autoeficacia vocacional percibida de estudiantes del Ciclo Diversificado del Sistema Educativo Costarricense, con el fin de ofrecer una herramienta a la población de profesionales en Orientación para su labor orientadora en las instituciones educativas, tomando en cuenta las siguientes variables: disposición personal para la gestión del desarrollo vocacional propio, disposición personal para la exploración y satisfacción de la conducta vocacional en la etapa de desarrollo, disposición personal para la exploración y gestión de las condiciones del contexto en la etapa de desarrollo vocacional y disposición personal para trascender estereotipos de género en la elección vocacional. Para la instrumentación de estas variables fueron tomados en consideración otros estudios de carácter cuantitativo y cualitativo además de la teoría mencionada. Como resultado se obtuvo el Cuestionario de Autoeficacia Vocacional (CAEV), inicialmente sometido a un proceso de validación por juicio de expertos, y un proceso de confiabilidad en dos diferentes momentos aplicando diferentes pruebas estadísticas como Análisis de factores, Alpha de Cronbach y Prueba de hipótesis. En su versión final, el cuestionario muestra una confiabilidad de 0,919 en el Alpha de Cronbach, es una escala unidimensional y sus ítems son todos pertinentes al factor autoeficacia vocacional.
Acogida y proximidad: Algunos aportes de Emmanuel Levinas a la Educación
Authors: Jaramillo Ocampo Diego Armando , Jaramillo Echeverri Luis Guillermo , Murcia Peña Napoleón
Published: December 2017

El presente ensayo es el resultado de la incorporación de las obras de Emmanuel Levinas al campo educativo en distintos ejercicios investigativos en clave pedagógica. Emerge, como posibilidad, para reflexionar críticamente la Educación como un asunto de relación trascendente orientada hacia la fragilidad de un otro que aprende. El escrito trata de poner-en-cuestión pedagogías verticales de la enseñanza como adecuación de un conocimiento que asimila al otro a partir de una relación pensar-ser. Producto de este cuestionamiento, se propugna por una acogida y una proximidad como categorías de análisis que nos permiten considerar la educación como encuentro relacional que desborda todo acto de objetivación pensante, para ubicarla en los escenarios de una alteridad radical que lleva implícita el infinito del otro que aprende
Factores cognitivos relacionados con la capacidad de cálculo de división en estudiantes de 4º año de educación primaria en Argentina
Authors: Stelzer Florencia , Introzzi Isabel , Andrés María Laura , Richard's María Marta , Urquijo Sebastián
Published: December 2017

Diferentes estudios indicaron que el aprendizaje de la matemática se asocia con los recursos cognitivos que dispone el estudiantado para afrontar su construcción. Sin embargo, la relación específica de procesos y habilidades cognitivas con la capacidad de cálculo de operaciones de división ha sido escasamente analizada. El objetivo de este artículo empírico es analizar la relación de la capacidad de cálculo de operaciones de división con el rendimiento en memoria de trabajo, inhibición e inteligencia fluida. La muestra fue seleccionada por disponibilidad y estuvo integrada por 135 estudiantes de 4º año del sistema educativo argentino (participantes de 9 y 10 años de edad). Los mismos fueron evaluados dentro de los establecimientos educativos a lo que asistían, durante el horario habitual de clases, a través de diferentes tareas que permitían la medición de tales variables. Los resultados indicaron que los estudiantes con distinto nivel de desempeño en división diferían entre sí en todas las variables cognitivas estudiadas (a excepción de la inhibición). Este hallazgo muestra que la inteligencia fluida y memoria de trabajo se relacionan con el conocimiento de la división en estudiantes de 4º año de la escolaridad primaria. Asimismo, sugiere que el aprendizaje de esta operación podría facilitarse al considerar las diferencias individuales en estos factores cognitivos durante el diseño y selección de los materiales didácticos y estrategias pedagógicas a utilizar para su enseñanza
Cambio generacional del consumo de frutas y verduras en México a través de un análisis de edad-periodo-cohorte 1994-2014
Authors: López González Fabiola , Alarcón Osuna Moisés Alejandro
Published: December 2017

Objetivo: Cuantificar el cambio en el consumo de frutas y verduras en México entre 1994 y 2014, identificar su tendencia en el tiempo y segmentar el grupo de hogares por nivel de consumo, según la edad de la cabeza del hogar, con la intención de comprender la evolución del consumo de frutas y verduras de la población mexicana. Material y métodos: Se utilizaron datos sobre gasto en frutas y verduras, provenientes de la Encuesta Nacional de Ingreso y Gasto en Hogares de 1994 a 2014; se realizó una prueba F sobre el consumo per cápita para identificar si el incremento es significativo y se llevó a cabo la modelación edad-cohorte-periodo de esta misma variable para anticipar cambios a largo plazo. Resultados: Los hábitos de compra de frutas y verduras entre 1994 y 2014 reflejan un incremento en el consumo de estos alimentos de 60 gramos (30.3%) en el periodo de observación. Se encontraron efectos edad-cohorte-periodo y una relación positiva entre el consumo de frutas y verduras y la edad. Conclusiones: El consumo de frutas y verduras se incrementó en forma significativa durante el periodo estudiado; se espera que continúe al alza como consecuencia del envejecimiento poblacional. Es necesario aumentar el consumo de estos alimentos en los jóvenes a fin de prevenir el desarrollo de padecimientos crónicos.
Response of new groundnut entry K 1641 to Spacing and nutrients in vertisol during rainy season under rainfed farming
Authors: . .
Published: December 2017

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KARAKTERISTIK WAJAH GURU YANG DISUKAI BERDASARKAN PERSPEKTIF MURID SEKOLAH DASAR
Authors: GUMELAR GUMGUM , 'ARY MIRDAS AL-ASY
Published: December 2017

In addition to the teacher must have the quality of academic competence, quality and a good pedagogic competence also exists in non-verbal behavior components face. The characteristics of teacher's face is divided into four types: Anomalous Face, Baby Face, Emotion Face and Familiar Face. This research is descriptive research, data retrieval technique using the Likert Scale, Guttman Scale and Manipulation Cchecks for participants control never see facial characteristics of the teachers presented earlier. In data retrieval, facial characteristics of teachers compared with other teachers face characteristics. Based on the perspective of primary school students in the research sample, the result is the characteristic of the teacher's face Familiar Face menservants and characteristic facial Emotion Face female teachers have the highest value. Result shows that familiar face characteristics for male teachers and emotion face characteristics for female teachers have the highest scores.
JOB DEMANDS DAN WORKPLACE WELL-BEING PADA GURU SEKOLAH LUAR BIASA NEGERI
Authors: WULAN DWI KENCANA , PUTRI MAHARANY
Published: December 2017

This study aims to determine the effect of job demands on workplace well-being in public special school teachers. There are 126 subjects of this study who were selected by using the purposive sampling technique. This study uses quantitative method. Data collecting technique used instruments which were adapted by researcher based on The Workplace Well-Being Index and The Job Demands-Resources Questionnaire. The hypothesis was tested using the linear aggression analysis of one predictor. The result of the data analysis showed the score of F count = 32,479 > F table = 3,94 with the score of p = 0,000 (p < 0,05). This means that there is a significant effect of job demands on workplace well-being in public special school teachers and the effect is 20,8%.
THE DEVELOPMENT OF INVENTORY, MONITORING AND INFORMATION NETWORKS SYSTEM OF FAUNAL DIVERSITY IN SOUTH SUMATRA
Authors: Yustian Indra , Setiawan Arum , Setiawan Doni , Hanum Laila , Dahlan Zulkifli
Published: December 2017

Despite high attention and commitment of Indonesia in biodiversity conservation and its habitat, however, loss of biodiversity and habitat deforestation is also still high. Deforestation rate in Indonesia between period of 2000-2012 reach up 6.02 million ha, and approximately onethird of which is in Sumatra Island. As the fulfillment of CBD and Aichi targets, and in line with the mandate of the Law on the Conservation of Natural Resources and Ecosystems and IBSAP (Indonesian Biodiversity Strategy & Action Plan 2015-2020), we try to support the requires data as well as information on the current state of biodiversity. The aims are to develop an inventory system of biodiversity needed to establish baseline data on biodiversity including its conservation status in South Sumatra, develop a biodiversity monitoring system with qualitative parameters that can be used in the determination and monitoring of degradation rates of biodiversity, and the establishment of data management system and information network of fauna biodiversity in South Sumatera so that it can be utilized in monitoring and reporting of biodiversity at regional, national and international level at the international level. We conduct a comprehensive review of methods and techniques of inventory and monitoring of fauna biodiversity, especially those that have been done in the area of South Sumatra Province. We also analysis of data needs and information network of fauna biodiversity in South Sumatra. The results is shows in the web-application database, called the South Sumatran Biodiversity Information Networks, or SSBIN, and could preview at http://ssbin.unsri.ac.id/.Keywords: south sumatra, biodiversity, information, networks, SSBIN.
FOOD HABITS AND LENGHT-WEIGHT RELATIONSHIP OF LUKAS FISH (Labiobarbus leptocheilus Valenciennes) IN GAJAH MUNGKUR RESERVOIR CENTRAL JAVA
Authors: Ridho Moh Rasyid , Patrino Enggar , Utomo Agus Djoko , Aida Siti Nurul
Published: December 2017

The Research about the food habits and length-weight relationship of Labiobarbus leptocheilus Valenciennes was conducted from May to September 2010. The aims of this research were to find out the food habits and to analyze the growth pattern of Labiobarbus leptocheilus Valenciennes. The sampling of fishes was conducted on May 2010 in the Gajah Mungkur Reservoir, Central Java. The sampling of fishes was conducted by using survey on the landing place of fishes (TPI Mina Tirta). The methods of analysis of food habits by using the Index of preponderance. The results of this research obtained were 19 samples of Labiobarbus leptocheilus Valenciennes, the length between 15-20 cm, with the weight between 40-90 grams. Labiobarbus leptocheilus Valenciennes had the negative allometric growth pattern (b <3). The laboratory analysis of food habits showed that the food habits of Labiobarbus leptocheilus Valenciennes were detritus with Index of Preponderance (IP) 82.95% and plankton with IP 17.05%.Keywords: food, habits, length-weight, relationship, Labiobarbus leptocheilus
A New Record of the Pseudolaguvia nubila (Siluriformes: Erethistidae) from Baandhkhola (Stream) in Central Nepal
Authors: Rayamajhi Asha , Arunachalam M.
Published: December 2017

In this study, we describe a miniature sisorid catfish of the family Erethistidae, as a new distributional record of Pseudolaguvia nubila from the Baandhkhola (stream), a tributary of Narayani River inCentral Nepal. Pseudolaguvia nubila shows its distribution to Nepal is distinguished from its congeners by combination of characters, such as- two broad and distinct yellowish vertical bands at the origin of dorsal fin and anal fin, smooth outer edge of the dorsal fin spine, dorsal fin spine length 13.23-17.60 % SL, pectoral fin length 24.89-26.27 % SL, pectoral fin spine length 18.39-19.48 % SL and body depth at anus 17.22-18.69 % SL.Int. J. Appl. Sci. Biotechnol. Vol 5(4): 434-441
Use of Crispr/Cas9 for Development of Disease Resistant Cultivars in Plant Breeding
Authors: Ghimire Bikal
Published: December 2017

Crop protection against pests and diseases is a major challenge in agriculture. Plant breeding is a key solution for the development of disease resistant cultivars. Gene editing is an indispensable part of plant breeding to obtain desirable traits in crops. CRISPR (Clustered Regular Interspaced Palindromic Repeats)/Cas9 (CRISPR- associated protein) is a recent breakthrough in gene editing technology. It can be utilized to exploit defensive mechanism in plants against pathogen attack with recognition and degradation of the invading pathogenic genes by bacterial immune system. Advances in plant breeding with integration of CRISPR/Cas9 have facilitated the production of cultivars with heritable resistance to viral and bacterial disease. CRISPR/Cas9 mediated genetically engineered resistance can be inherited to further generation of crops after segregation of Cas9/sgRNA transgene in F1 generation. The segregation of Cas9/sgRNA transgene prevents undesirable genome modification in successive generation and makes use of CRISPR/Cas9 safe in plant breeding. CRISPR/Cas9 proves itself as a fascinating tool to revolutionize plant breeding for the development of various disease resistant cultivars however, effects of CRISPR/Cas9 system on different physiological process of plants still needs to be studied.Int. J. Appl. Sci. Biotechnol. Vol 5(4): 403-409
Asian School of Nuclear Medicine – An Emerging Platform of Nuclear Medicine Education
Authors: Hasan Mizanul
Published: December 2017

Abstract not available
Early Cardiac Changes in Radioiodine Treated Young Athyrotic Patients Receiving Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) Suppressive Levothyroxine (LT4) Replacement
Authors: Begum Fatima , Ahmed Chaudhury Meshkat , Kabir Enamul , Nahar Nurun , Sultana Sadia , Banerjee Sajal , Afroz Shahana , Zaman Nazma
Published: December 2017

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate early changes of heart due to thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) suppressive levothyroxine (LT4) replacement in young athyrotic patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC).   Materials andMethods: Thirty young athyrotic patients with DTC, age ranged 20-39 years after radioactive iodine ablation therapy (RAIT), were selected prospectively. These patients had been receiving 200µg/day LT4 replacement therapy starting from the third day of RAIT. Age, sex, body mass index (BMI), body surface area (BSA) and life style matched 23 healthy volunteers were recruited in the study. Clinical, thyroid hormones levels and Doppler Echocardiographic and Tissue Doppler Imaging (TDI) data were taken at baseline at two months of initiation of LT4 replacement in patients with DTC and in healthy volunteers. Echocardiographic data of patients with DTC were repeated at second visit after 6-12 months of RAIT and both data compared with control.Results: Diastolic parameters evaluated by Doppler Echocardiography and TDI were significantly different in patients with DTC compared to control. Early diastolic tissue velocity (Em) in patients with DTC showed higher value at second visit compared to control (Em, control subjects, 19±6 cm /sec, patients at second visit, 23 ± 4 cm /sec, p<0.03). Late diastolic flow (Am) of patients was higher at two visits (Am, at first visit, 15±5 cm/sec; at second visit, 19 ± 6 cm/sec) (p<0.004) compared to control (Am, 9 ± 1.6 cm/sec). Modified Tei index was significantly increased (mean 0.48 ± 0.06) in second visit in patients with DTC compared to control (mean 0.33 ± 0.04) and at first visit (mean 0.31 ± 0.05, p<0.001) respectively.Conclusion: It is concluded that supraphysiologic dose of LT4 has side effects on heart even within short period of replacement. TDI is an important tool to evaluate the early changes in myocardium.Bangladesh J. Nuclear Med. 18(1): 9-15, January 2015
Radionuclide Lymphoscintigraphy in the Evaluation of Lower Extremity Lymphedema – Single Hospital Experience
Authors: Parveen Rahima , Begum Shamim MF , Jabin Zeenat , Nath Khokon Kumar
Published: December 2017

Objective: To find out the type of pattern of obstruction in patient with lymphedema of lower extremities by Lymphoscintigraphy to evaluate.Method: This retrospective study was carried out at the National Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences (NINMAS) from January 2014 to June 2014. The study included 51 patients. Lymphoscintigraphy performed by Tc-99m nano-colloid and were interpreted by expert of Nuclear Medicine Physician.Result: Lymphoscintigraphy was done total 51patients with clinically diagnosed lymphedema (29 males and 22 females; age range 10–80 years). Seventeen patients (33.3%) revealed normal flow in both limbs, whereas only one patients (1.9%) consistent with primary lymphedema.Thirty-three patients (64.7%) consistent with secondary lymphedema, where thirty patients (58.8%) revealed unilateral partial obstruction and three patient (5.9%) had bilateral partial obstruction.Conclusion: Lymphoscintigraphy is safe and effectiveBangladesh J. Nuclear Med. 18(1): 43-46, January 2015
Article Commentary: Computer-Aided Detection of Breast Cancer — Have All Bases Been Covered?
Authors: Muralidhar Gautam S. , Haygood Tamara Miner , Stephens Tanya W. , Whitman Gary J. , Bovik Alan C. , Markey Mia K.
Published: December 2017

The use of computer-aided detection (CAD) systems in mammography has been the subject of intense research for many years. These systems have been developed with the aim of helping radiologists to detect signs of breast cancer. However, the effectiveness of CAD systems in practice has sparked recent debate. In this commentary, we argue that computer-aided detection will become an increasingly important tool for radiologists in the early detection of breast cancer, but there are some important issues that need to be given greater focus in designing CAD systems if they are to reach their full potential.
The Effect of Density Gradient Centrifugation and Magnetic-Activated Cell Sorting with the Combination of Both on Bovine Spermatozoa Kinematics, Viability and Acrosome Status
Authors: Osman Khairul , Mohd Bakri Noraina , Jaffar Farah Hanan Fathihah , Osman Nurul Atikah , Ibrahim Siti Fatimah
Published: December 2017

Conventional and novel spermatozoa separation techniques have their own strength and weaknesses. Both are widely used in assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs). In this study, combinations of two separation methods against single separation methods were evaluated. Freshly ejaculated semen was collected and divided into five groups; control, density gradient centrifugation (DGC), magnetic activated cell sorting (MACS), DGC-MACS and MACS-DGC; based on the sequence of separation. Evaluation of spermatozoa kinematics, viability and acrosome status for each group were done by computer assisted semen analysis (CASA), hypo-osmotic swelling test (HOST) and chlorotetracycline (CTC) staining respectively. Results show that DGC yield the fastest spermatozoa velocity and highest percentage of viable spermatozoa fraction compared to other groups. However, they also produced a high percentage of acrosome-reacted spermatozoa. Spermatozoa isolated through DGC-MACS shows the highest percentage of non-capacitated spermatozoa. However, spermatozoa isolated through DGC-MACS yields slower spermatozoa velocity population and lower percentage of viable sperm compared to spermatozoa isolated through DGC. Isolation of spermatozoa through MACS-DGC yields slower population of spermatozoa velocity with a lower percentage of non-capacitated spermatozoa compared to spermatozoa isolated through DGC-MACS. DGC separation and its combination with MACS had yield different spermatozoa quality. This distinct characteristic is likely suitable for in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) procedure respectively.
An MPCC Formulation and Its Smooth Solution Algorithm for Continuous Network Design Problem
Authors: Wang Guangmin , Yu Junwei , Li Shubin
Published: December 2017

Continuous network design problem (CNDP) is searching for a transportation network configuration to minimize the sum of the total system travel time and the investment cost of link capacity expansions by considering that the travellers follow a traditional Wardrop user equilibrium (UE) to choose their routes. In this paper, the CNDP model can be formulated as mathematical programs with complementarity constraints (MPCC) by describing UE as a non-linear complementarity problem (NCP). To address the difficulty resulting from complementarity constraints in MPCC, they are substituted by the Fischer-Burmeister (FB) function, which can be smoothed by the introduction of the smoothing parameter. Therefore, the MPCC can be transformed into a well-behaved non-linear program (NLP) by replacing the complementarity constraints with a smooth equation. Consequently, the solver such as LINDOGLOBAL in GAMS can be used to solve the smooth approximate NLP to obtain the solution to MPCC for modelling CNDP. The numerical experiments on the example from the literature demonstrate that the proposed algorithm is feasible.
The Effect of Drivers' Demographic Characteristics on Road Accidents in Different Seasons Using Data Mining
Authors: Shokohyar Sajjad , Taati Ehsan , Zolfaghari Sara
Published: December 2017

According to World Health Organization, each year, over 1.2 million people die on roads, and between 20 and 50 million suffer non-fatal injuries. Based on international reports, Iran has a high death rate caused by road accidents. The objective of this study was to extract implicit knowledge from road accident data sets on roads of Iran through data mining. In this regard, three useful data mining techniques were combined: clustering, classification and rule extraction. Following the preparation stage, data were segmented via three clustering algorithms; Kohonen, K-Means and Twostep. Two-step cluster analysis is a one-pass-through data approach which generates a fairly large number of pre-clusters. Next, the optimized algorithm and cluster were identified, after which, in the classification level and by adding the drivers' demographic features through C5.0, a classification algorithm was employed so as to make the decision tree. Ultimately, the effects of these demographic features were investigated on road accidents. The characteristics such as age, job, driving license duration and gender proved to be more important factors in accident analysis. Certain rules of accidents were then extracted in each season of the year.
Multiple Photoluminescence from Pyrene‐Fused Hexaarylbenzenes with Aggregation‐Enhanced Emission Features
Authors: Wang Chuan‐Zeng , Noda Yuki , Wu Chong , Feng Xing , Venkatesan Perumal , Cong Hang , Elsegood Mark R. J. , Warwick Thomas G. , Teat Simon J. , Redshaw Carl , Yamato Takehiko
Published: December 2017

Multiple photoluminescence, which included monomer emission, excimer emission, and charge‐transfer emission processes, has been observed from new pyrene‐fused hexaarylbenzene (HAB) compounds, which were synthesized in high yields through a Diels–Alder reaction between bis(2‐tert‐butylpyren‐6‐yl)acetylene and tetraphenylcyclopentadienone. Although the differentiation between the two molecules only arose from the geometrical position of one of the pyrenes, the NMR spectra, crystal packing, and physicochemical properties of these pyrene‐based HAB hybrids were distinctly different in both the solution and aggregate states. X‐ray diffraction analysis clearly indicated that the pyrene moieties adopted different crystal packing arrangements in the crystalline state that could induce a multiple‐photoluminescence phenomenon.
Quasi‐Relativistic Heat Equation via Lévy Stable Distributions: Exact Solutions
Authors: Penson Karol A. , Górska Katarzyna , Horzela Andrzej , Dattoli Giuseppe
Published: December 2017

We introduce and study an extension of the heat equation relevant to relativistic energy formula involving square root of differential operators. We furnish exact solutions of corresponding Cauchy (initial) problem using the operator formalism invoking one‐sided Lévy stable distributions. We note a natural appearance of Bessel polynomials which allow one to obtain closed form solutions for a number of initial conditions. The resulting diffusion is slower than the non‐relativistic one, although it still can be termed a normal one. Its detailed statistical characterization is presented in terms of exact evaluation of arbitrary moments and kurtosis and is compared with the non‐relativistic case.
Improving Biomaterials Imaging for Nanotechnology: Rapid Methods for Protein Localization at Ultrastructural Level
Authors: Cano‐Garrido Olivia , Garcia‐Fruitós Elena , Villaverde Antonio , Sánchez‐Chardi Alejandro
Published: December 2017

The preparation of biological samples for electron microscopy is material‐ and time‐consuming because it is often based on long protocols that also may produce artifacts. Protein labeling for transmission electron microscopy (TEM) is such an example, taking several days. However, for protein‐based nanotechnology, high resolution imaging techniques are unique and crucial tools for studying the spatial distribution of these molecules, either alone or as components of biomaterials. In this paper, we tested two new short methods of immunolocalization for TEM, and compared them with a standard protocol in qualitative and quantitative approaches by using four protein‐based nanoparticles. We reported a significant increase of labeling per area of nanoparticle in both new methodologies (H = 19.811; p < 0.001) with all the model antigens tested: GFP (H = 22.115; p < 0.001), MMP‐2 (H = 19.579; p < 0.001), MMP‐9 (H = 7.567; p < 0.023), and IFN‐γ (H = 62.110; p < 0.001). We also found that the most suitable protocol for labeling depends on the nanoparticle's tendency to aggregate. Moreover, the shorter methods reduce artifacts, time (by 30%), residues, and reagents hindering, losing, or altering antigens, and obtaining a significant increase of protein localization (of about 200%). Overall, this study makes a step forward in the development of optimized protocols for the nanoscale localization of peptides and proteins within new biomaterials.
Optimizing the identification of risk‐relevant mutations by multigene panel testing in selected hereditary breast/ovarian cancer families
Authors: Coppa Anna , Nicolussi Arianna , D'Inzeo Sonia , Capalbo Carlo , Belardinilli Francesca , Colicchia Valeria , Petroni Marialaura , Zani Massimo , Ferraro Sergio , Rinaldi Christian , Buffone Amelia , Bartolazzi Armando , Screpanti Isabella , Ottini Laura , Giannini Giuseppe
Published: December 2017

The introduction of multigene panel testing for hereditary breast/ovarian cancer screening has greatly improved efficiency, speed, and costs. However, its clinical utility is still debated, mostly due to the lack of conclusive evidences on the impact of newly discovered genetic variants on cancer risk and lack of evidence‐based guidelines for the clinical management of their carriers. In this pilot study, we aimed to test whether a systematic and multiparametric characterization of newly discovered mutations could enhance the clinical utility of multigene panel sequencing. Out of a pool of 367 breast/ovarian cancer families Sanger‐sequenced for BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations, we selected a cohort of 20 BRCA1/2‐negative families to be subjected to the BROCA‐Cancer Risk Panel massive parallel sequencing. As a strategy for the systematic characterization of newly discovered genetic variants, we collected blood and cancer tissue samples and established lymphoblastoid cell lines from all available individuals in these families, to perform segregation analysis, loss‐of‐heterozygosity and further molecular studies. We identified loss‐of‐function mutations in 6 out 20 high‐risk families, 5 of which occurred on BRCA1, CHEK2 and ATM and are esteemed to be risk‐relevant. In contrast, a novel RAD50 truncating mutation is most likely unrelated to breast cancer. Our data suggest that integrating multigene panel testing with a pre‐organized, multiparametric characterization of newly discovered genetic variants improves the identification of risk‐relevant alleles impacting on the clinical management of their carriers.
Smoking, alcohol, and diet in relation to risk of pancreatic cancer in China: a prospective study of 0.5 million people
Authors: Pang Yuanjie , Holmes Michael V. , Guo Yu , Yang Ling , Bian Zheng , Chen Yiping , Iona Andri , Millwood Iona Y. , Bragg Fiona , Chen Junshi , Li Liming , Kartsonaki Christiana , Chen Zhengming
Published: December 2017

In China, the incidence of pancreatic cancer (PC) has increased in recent decades. However, little is known about the relevance to PC risk of lifestyle and behavioral factors such as smoking, alcohol drinking, and diet. The China Kadoorie Biobank prospective study recruited 512,891 adults (210,222 men, 302,669 women) aged 30–79 (mean 52) years from 10 diverse areas during 2004–08. During ~9 years of follow‐up, 688 incident cases of PC were recorded among those who had no prior history of cancer at baseline. Cox regression yielded adjusted hazard ratios (HR) for PC associated with smoking, alcohol and selected dietary factors. Overall, 74% of men were ever‐regular smokers and 33% of men drank at least weekly, compared with only 3% and 2% of women, respectively. Among men, current regular smoking was associated with an adjusted HR of 1.25 (95% CI 1.08–1.44) for PC, with greater excess risk in urban than rural areas (1.46 [1.19–1.79] vs 1.04 [0.86–1.26]). Heavy, but not light to moderate, alcohol drinking (i.e. ≥420 g/week) was associated with significant excess risk (1.69 [1.21–2.37]), again more extreme in urban than rural areas (1.93 [1.29–2.87] vs 1.35 [0.74–2.48]). Overall, regular consumption of certain foodstuffs was associated with PC risk, with adjusted daily vs never/rare consumption HRs of 0.66 (0.56–0.79) for fresh fruit and 1.16 (1.01–1.33) for red meat. In China, smoking and heavy alcohol drinking were independent risk factors for PC in men. Lower fresh fruit and higher red meat consumption were also associated with higher risk of PC.
Differentiation of female Oct4‐GFP embryonic stem cells into germ lineage cells
Authors: Ma Xin , Li Peng , Sun Xiang , Sun Yifeng , Hu Rong , Yuan Ping
Published: December 2017

Due to high infertility ratio nowadays, it is essential to explore efficient ways of enhancing mammalian reproductivity, in particular female reproductivity. Using female Oct4‐GFP embryonic stem cells, we mimic the in vivo development procedure to induce ES cells into epiblast cell‐like cells (EpiLCs) and then primordial germ cell‐like cells (PGCLCs). GFP positive PGCLCs that showed typical PGC markers and epigenetic modification were efficiently obtained. Further transplantation of the GFP positive PGCLC and native ovary cell mixture into ovary of infertile mice revealed that both MVH and GFP positive cells could be developed in ovary, but no later developmental stage germ cells were observed. This study suggested that Oct4‐GFP ES cells may be only suitable for tracing early germ cell development.
Rapid Formation of a Disordered Layer on Monoclinic BiVO4: Co‐Catalyst‐Free Photoelectrochemical Solar Water Splitting
Authors: Kim Jung Kyu , Cho Yoonjun , Jeong Myung Jin , Levy‐Wendt Ben , Shin Dongguen , Yi Yeonjin , Wang Dong Hwan , Zheng Xiaolin , Park Jong Hyeok
Published: December 2017

A surface disordered layer is a plausible approach to improve the photoelectrochemical performance of TiO2. However, the formation of a crystalline disordered layer in BiVO4 and its effectiveness towards photoelectrochemical water splitting has remained a big challenge. Here, we report a rapid solution process (within 5 s) that is able to form a disordered layer of a few nanometers thick on the surface of BiVO4 nanoparticles using a specific solution with a controllable reducing power. The disordered layer on BiVO4 alleviates charge recombination at the electrode–electrolyte interface and reduces the onset potential greatly, which in turn results in a photocurrent density of approximately 2.3 mA cm−2 at 1.23 V versus the reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE). This value is 2.1 times higher than that of bare BiVO4. The enhanced photoactivity is attributed to the increased charge separation and transfer efficiencies, which resolve the intrinsic drawbacks of bare BiVO4 such as the short hole diffusion length of around 100 nm and poor surface oxygen evolution reactivity.
Enhancing the Bioaccessibility of Phytosterols Using Nanoporous Corn and Wheat Starch Bioaerogels
Authors: Ubeyitogullari Ali , Moreau Régis , Rose Devin J. , Zhang Jian , Ciftci Ozan N.
Published: December 2017

Bioavailability of phytosterols is very low due to their crystalline structure and poor water solubility, limiting their potential health benefits. In this study, a novel approach to forming low crystallinity phytosterol nanoparticles is developed using nanoporous starch aerogels, namely wheat starch aerogels (WSAs) and corn starch aerogels (CSA), in combination with supercritical carbon dioxide (SC‐CO2) to improve the bioaccessibility and in turn bioavailability of phytosterols. Starch aerogels with outstanding properties (WSA with a surface area of 62 m2 g−1 and pore size of 19 nm; CSA with a surface area of 221 m2 g−1 and pore size of 7 nm) were used as a mold to form phytosterol nanoparticles. The highest phytosterol impregnation capacity is obtained with CSA monolith (195 mg phytosterols/g CSA). Impregnation into powder or monolithic forms of the aerogels resulted in different phytosterol morphology where the monolithic form prevented formation of large plate‐like phytosterol crystals. Impregnation into WSA monolith (WSA‐M) generated low crystallinity phytosterol nanoparticles (70 nm). Bioaccessibility of the phytosterols increased by 20‐fold when impregnated into WSA‐M. The hydrolysis of CSA (30–39%) was lower than that of WSA (55–59%) during simulated digestion, which negatively affected the release of phytosterols.

Practical applications: Practical applications include: i) a novel process that can decrease the size and crystallinity of phytosterols and thus improve their bioavailability; ii) a blueprint to apply to other water insoluble food bioactives; and iii) the transfer of green technology to food manufacturers. Longer‐term, this novel approach will (i) improve the health benefits of water‐insoluble bioactives; ii) enable food manufacturers to add water‐insoluble bioactives into low‐ and high‐fat foods to produce health‐promoting foods; iii) improve public health through diet; iv) enhance the cost‐benefit ratio of water insoluble bioactives; v) avert toxic chemicals and environmental pollution; and vi) lower the costs of handling, storage, and transportation of bioactives.

Bioavailability of phytosterols is very low due to their crystalline structure and poor water solubility, limiting their potential health benefits. Our novel approach to forming first‐of‐its‐kind low‐crystallinity phytosterol nanoparticles are developed using nanoporous starch aerogels in combination with supercritical carbon dioxide to improve the bioaccessibility and in turn bioavailability of phytosterols. The novel low‐crystallinity phytosterol nanoparticles are 20‐folds more bioaccessible compared to the crude phytosterols after simulated digestion.
Large‐scale patterns of biofilm‐dwelling ciliate communities in a river network: Only small effects of stream order
Authors: Ritz Stephanie , Eßer Markus , Arndt Hartmut , Weitere Markus
Published: December 2017

Although biofilm‐dwelling microfauna (i.e., small metazoans and protzoans) can play an important role in the flux of matter in running waters, their dynamics, and control within stream networks are as yet poorly understood. Here, we analyzed the longitudinal (from first order stream to large river) dynamics of ciliates associated to hard substrate within a river network. Both ciliate abundance and their taxonomical community structure showed no correlations to stream order, although the community structure of the largest river, the Rhine, differed from those of the other rivers. The abundances of biofilm‐dwelling bacteria, algae, rotifers, and nematodes also showed no correlation with stream order. The above results contrast to the abundances of planktonic algae and bacteria that were significantly and positively correlated with the stream order. The results showed that stream size and the corresponding planktonic resource concentration are not reliable parameters in predicting the abundances and community structures of biofilm‐dwelling ciliates. In fact, local parameters seemed to have stronger effects on benthic microfauna communities. Thus, the impact of small‐scale habitat patterns needs further attention in explaining the community structure of biofilm‐dwelling ciliates.