bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mental health literacy among undergraduate students of a Saudi tertiary institution: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Mahfouz Mohamed S. , Aqeeli Abdulwahab , Makeen Anwar M. , Hakami Ramzi M. , Najmi Hatim H. , Mobarki Abdullkarim T. , Haroobi Mohammad H. , Almalki Saeed M. , Mahnashi Mohammad A. , Ageel Osayd A.
Published: December 2016

The issue of mental health literacy has been widely studied in developed countries, with few studies conducted in Arab countries. In this study we aimed to investigate mental health literacy and attitudes towards psychiatric patients among students of Jazan University, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. A crosssectional study was conducted among undergraduate students using a validated Arabicversion questionnaire. A total of 557 students were recruited from different Jazan university colleges. The majority of students (90.3%) have intermediate mental health literacy. Regarding the etiology of mental illness, students agreed that genetic inheritance (45.8%), poor quality of life (65%) and social relationship weakness (73.1%) are the main causes of mental illness. The majority thought that mentally ill people are not capable of true friendships (52.5%) and that anyone can suffer from a mental illness (49.4%). Students’ attitudes towards psychiatric patients were mixed, with 68.7% reporting that they could maintain a friendship with a mentally ill person and that people with mental illness should have the same rights as anyone else (82.5%). Mental health literacy among university students was intermediate. There is an urgent need for health educational programs to change the attitudes of students regarding this important health issue.
Zinc Supplementation in Children with Asthma Exacerbation
Authors: Rerksuppaphol Sanguansak , Rerksuppaphol Lakkana
Published: December 2016

Zinc deficiency has demonstrated an association with the risk of asthma. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of zinc supplementation in reducing the severity of childhood asthma exacerbation. A number of 42 children with asthma exacerbation admitted to the hospital were randomized to receive either zinc bis-glycinate (30 mg elemental zinc/day) or a placebo in adjuvant to the standard treatment. The pediatric respiratory assessment measure (PRAM) was used to measure the asthma severity. The primary outcome was a change in asthma severity from the baseline to the end of study. The study found that PRAM score in the zinc group showed a more rapid decrease compared to the control group at the 24-hour (2.2±1.3 vs. 1.2±1.3; P=0.015) and 48-hour (3.4±2.0 vs. 2.2±1.8; P=0.042) intervals. At admission, overall mean serum zinc level was 63.8 mg/dL and 57.1% of children had zinc deficiency with no difference in prevalence between groups. PRAM scores did not differ between children with low and normal zinc status. In conclusion, zinc supplementation as the adjuvant therapy to the standard treatment during asthma exacerbation resulted in rapid lessening of severity.
Ising model from intertwiners
Authors: Dittrich Bianca , Hnybida Jeff
Published: December 2016

Spin networks appear in a number of areas, for instance in lattice gauge theories and in quantum gravity. They describe the contraction of intertwiners according to the underlying network. We show how a certain generating function of intertwiner contractions for arbitrary networks, when restricted to a square lattice is exactly related to the high temperature expansion of the 2d Ising model partition function. This implies that the intertwiner model possesses a second order phase transition, thus leading to a continuum limit with propagating degrees of freedom.
Strong Marstrand theorems and dimensions of sets formed by subsets of hyperplanes
Authors: Falconer Kenneth J. , Mattila Pertti
Published: December 2016

We present strong versions of Marstrand's projection theorems and other related theorems. For example, if

E

is a plane set of positive and finite

s

-dimensional Hausdorff measure, there is a set

X

of directions of Lebesgue measure

0

, such that the projection onto any line with direction outside

X

, of any subset

F

of

E

of positive

s

-dimensional measure, has Hausdorff dimension min{1,

s

}, i.e. the set of exceptional directions is independent of

F

. Using duality this leads to results on the dimension of sets that intersect families of lines or hyperplanes in positive Lebesgue measure.
Families of Legendrian submanifolds via generating families
Authors: Sabloff Joshua M. , Sullivan Michael G.
Published: December 2016

We investigate families of Legendrian submanifolds in 1-jet spaces by developing and applying a theory of families of generating family homologies. This theory allows us to detect an infinite family of loops of Legendrian

n

-spheres embedded in the standard contact

\mathbb R^{2n+1}

(for

n > 1

) that are contractible in the smooth, but not Legendrian, category.
On the asymptotic expansion of the Kashaev invariant of the $5_2$ knot
Authors: Ohtsuki Tomotada
Published: December 2016

We give a presentation of the asymptotic expansion of the Kashaev invariant of the

5_2

knot. As the volume conjecture states, the leading term of the expansion presents the hyperbolic volume and the Chern–Simons invariant of the complement of the

5_2

knot. As coefficients of the expansion, we obtain a series of new invariants of the

5_2

knot.
Positive half of the Witt algebra acts on triply graded link homology
Authors: Khovanov Mikhail , Rozansky Lev
Published: December 2016

The positive half of the Witt algebra is the Lie algebra spanned by vector fields

x^{m+1} \frac {d}{dx}

acting as differentiations on the polynomial algebra

\mathbb Q[x]

upon which the Soergel bimodule construction of triply graded link homology is based. We show that this action of Witt algebra can be extended to the link homology.
On the Sylvester–Gallai theorem for conics
Authors: Czapliński Adam , Dumnicki Marcin , Farnik Łucja , Gwoździewicz Janusz , Lampa-Baczyńska Magdalena , Malara Grzegorz , Szemberg Tomasz , Szpond Justyna , Tutaj-Gasińska Halszka
Published: December 2016

In the present note we give a new proof of a result due to Wiseman and Wilson [13] which establishes an analogue of the Sylvester–Gallai theorem valid for curves of degree two. The main ingredients of the proof come from algebraic geometry. Specically, we use Cremona transformation of the projective plane and Hirzebruch inequality (1).
Hard Lefschetz theorem in $p$-adic cohomology
Authors: Caro Daniel
Published: December 2016

In this paper, we give a

p

-adic analogue of the hard Lefschetz Theorem.
On the existence of maximal $\mathcal S$-closed submodules
Authors: Albrecht Ulrich
Published: December 2016

The goal of this paper is to characterize the right non-singular rings

R

for which every non-singular right

R

-module contains a maximal

\mathcal S

-closed submodule. Several examples and related results are given.
Accomplishments and the Challenges that Lie Ahead
Authors: Zed Peter J
Published: December 2016

-
Pharmacists in a Complex Chronic Disease Management Clinic
Authors: Alim Uzma , Austin-Bishop Nyanza , Cummings Ginny
Published: December 2016

-
Collaborer (avec les patients et les familles) afin de faire évoluer la pratique des soins centrés sur le patient
Authors: Saulnier Lauza
Published: December 2016

-
О числе подмножеств кольца вычетов, в которых разность любой пары элементов необратима
Authors: Roldugin Pavel Vladimirovich
Published: December 2016

Рассматриваются подмножества $I$ группы вычетов ${Z_d}$, в которых разность любых двух элементов не взаимно проста с $d$. Совокупность таких подмножеств обозначается через $U( d )$, совокупность таких множеств мощности $r$ через $U( {d,\;r} )$. Найдены формулы для вычисления или оценивания величин $| {U( d )} |$ и $| {U( {d,\;r} )} |$.
La consolidación estructural en la restauración. Las bóvedas de Villa Poiana de Palladio
Authors: Doglioni Francesco
Published: December 2016

Los trabajos de consolidación estructural en la Villa Poiana, una obra singular de Palladio por haber sido concebida y construida únicamente con bóvedas, sin recurrir a estructuras lígneas, representa una extraordinaria lección de lectura de la evolución de la degradación estructural del edificio a lo largo del tiempo, así como una intervención ejemplar por su capacidad de acomodarse en esta historia progresiva de lesiones y deformaciones, diseñando un refuerzo añadido que cuenta de partida con la estructura histórica y sus refuerzos progresivos. Resulta igualmente interesante el análisis del daño que pueden provocar las intervenciones realizadas con hormigón armado sobre las estructuras históricas, entre otros motivos, por el gran peso añadido a la estructura.
Villa Saraceno de Palladio. Veinte años tras su restauración
Authors: Doglioni Francesco
Published: December 2016

La restauración de la Villa Saraceno de Palladio, después de décadas abandonada a su suerte y sujeta al vandalismo, cumple veinte años. Este artículo recoge una reflexión personal del arquitecto autor de la restauración a la luz de un encuentro seminario celebrado con tal motivo dentro de la villa. El texto, que se convierte en toda una declaración de principios, recoge interesantes ideas y conceptos aplicables a la restauración como la sprezzatura (contraria a la afectación), la repristinación atemperada o la restauración imperfecta. La restauración del edificio ha demostrado funcionar correctamente durante todos estos años y las decisiones e intuiciones de antaño del autor se han confirmado en gran parte con el paso de los años.
Integrated studies of a regional ozone pollution synthetically affected by subtropical high and typhoon system in the Yangtze River Delta region, China
Authors: Shu Lei , Xie Min , Wang Tijian , Gao Da , Chen Pulong , Han Yong , Li Shu , Zhuang Bingliang , Li Mengmeng
Published: December 2016

Abstract. Severe high ozone (O3) episodes usually have close relations to synoptic systems. A regional continuous O3 pollution episode was detected over the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) region in China during 7–12 August 2013, in which the O3 concentrations in more than half of the cities exceeded the national air quality standard. The maximum hourly concentration of O3 reached 167.1 ppb. By means of the observational analysis and the numerical simulation, the characteristics and the essential impact factors of the typical regional O3 pollution are comprehensively investigated. The observational analysis shows that the atmospheric subsidence dominated by the western Pacific subtropical high plays a crucial role in the formation of high-level O3. The favorable weather conditions, such as extremely high temperature, low relative humidity and weak wind speed, caused by the abnormally strong subtropical high are responsible for the trapping and the chemical production of O3 in the boundary layer. In addition, when the YRD cities are at the front of Typhoon Utor, the periphery circulation of typhoon system can enhance the downward airflows and cause worse air quality. However, when the typhoon system weakens the subtropical high, the prevailing southeasterly surface wind leads to the mitigation of the O3 pollution. The integrated process rate (IPR) analysis incorporated in the Community Multi-scale Air Quality (CMAQ) model is applied to further illustrate the combined influence of subtropical high and typhoon system in this O3 episode. The results show that the vertical diffusion (VDIF) and the gas-phase chemistry (CHEM) are two major contributors to O3 formation. During the episode, the contributions of VDIF and CHEM to O3 maintain the high values over the YRD region. On 10–12 August, the cities close to the sea are apparently affected by the typhoon system, with the contribution of VDIF increasing to 28.45 ppb h−1 in Shanghai and 19.76 ppb h−1 in Hangzhou. In contrast, the cities far away from the sea can hardly be affected by the periphery circulation of typhoon system. When the typhoon system significantly weakens the subtropical high, the contribution values of all individual processes decrease to a low level in all YRD cities. These results provide an insight for the O3 pollution synthetically impacted by the western Pacific subtropical high and the tropical cyclone system.
Southeast Atmosphere Studies: learning from model-observation syntheses
Authors: Mao Jingqiu , Carlton Annmarie , Cohen Ronald C. , Brune William H. , Jimenez Jose L. , Pye Havala O. T. , Ng Nga Lee , McDonald Brian , Warneke Carsten , de Gouw Joost , Mickley Lorretta J. , Leibensperger Eric M. , Mathur Rohit , Horowitz Larry
Published: December 2016

Abstract. Concentrations of atmospheric trace species in the United States have changed dramatically over the past several decades in response to pollution control strategies, shifts in domestic energy policy and economics, and economic development (and resulting emission changes) elsewhere in the world. Reliable projections of the future atmosphere require models to not only accurately describe current atmospheric concentrations; but to do so by representing chemical, physical and biological processes with conceptual and quantitative fidelity. Only through incorporation of the processes controlling emissions and chemical mechanisms that represent the key transformations among reactive molecules can models reliably project the impacts of future policy, energy, and climate scenarios. Efforts to properly identify and implement the fundamental and controlling mechanisms in atmospheric models benefit from intensive observation periods (IOPs), during which co-located measurements of diverse, speciated chemicals in both the gas and condensed phases are obtained. The Southeast Atmosphere Studies (SAS, including SENEX, SOAS, NOMADSS and SEAC4RS) conducted during the summer of 2013, provided an unprecedented opportunity for the atmospheric modeling community to come together to evaluate, diagnose, and improve the representation of fundamental climate and air quality processes in models of varying temporal and spatial scales. In the summer of 2015 a group of experimentalists and modelers convened at the NOAA Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory (GFDL), to discuss use of SAS observations to evaluate, diagnose, and improve air quality and climate modeling over the Southeast US. The effort focused primarily on model representation of fundamental atmospheric processes that are essential to the formation of ozone, secondary organic aerosols (SOA) and other trace species in the troposphere over the Southeastern US, with the ultimate goal of understanding the radiative impacts of these species in the Southeast and elsewhere. The workshop addressed questions surrounding four key themes: gas phase chemistry, aerosol chemistry, regional climate and chemistry interactions, and natural and anthropogenic emissions. This paper serves as a summary from this meeting and more importantly, as guidance for future modeling efforts.
Does denitrification occur within porous carbonate sand grains?
Authors: Cook Perran L. M. , Kessler Adam J. , Eyre Bradley D.
Published: December 2016

Abstract. Carbonate sands form a major sediment type in coral reef environments and play a major role in organic matter recycling. It has previously been postulated that porosity of carbonate sand grains may lead to the formation of anoxic microniches that promote denitrification within these sediments. Under this conceptual model, we expect diffusion to exert an influence on process rates, which can be tested by determining their dependence to reactant concentrations. Here, we use two experiments in flow-through reactors to test this hypothesis in carbonate sediments collected from Heron Island, Australia. Denitrification was only observed to commence at substantial rates below 10 μM O2, suggesting anoxic microniches do not exist. Furthermore, denitrification rates were constant above 18 μM nitrate, suggesting no diffusion limitation, as would be expected if significant rates of reaction were occurring within porous grains. Potential rates of denitrification rates relative to respiration were broadly consistent with those previously reported in silicate sands.
High resolution global grids of revised Priestley-Taylor and Hargreaves-Samani coefficients for assessing ASCE-standardized reference crop evapotranspiration and solar radiation
Authors: Aschonitis Vassilis G. , Papamichail Dimitris , Demertzi Kleoniki , Colombani Nicolo , Mastrocicco Micol , Ghirardini Andrea , Castaldelli Giuseppe , Fano Elisa Anna
Published: December 2016

Abstract. The objective of the study is to provide high resolution global grids of revised annual coefficients for the Priestley-Taylor (P-T) and Hargreaves-Samani (H-S) evapotranspiration methods after calibration based on ASCE-standardized Penman-Monteith method (ASCE method includes two reference crops: short clipped grass and tall alfalfa). The analysis also includes the derivation of global grids of revised annual coefficients for solar radiation Rs estimations using the respective Rs formula of H-S. The analysis was based on global gridded climatic data of the period 1950–2000. The method for deriving annual coefficients of P-T and H-S methods was based on partial weighted averages (p.w.a.) of their mean monthly values, which eliminate the effect of monthly coefficients that occur during periods where ETo and Rs fall below a specific threshold. Five resolution global grids (30 arc-sec, 2.5, 5, 10 arc-min and 0.5 deg) of annual coefficients for each method were developed. The new coefficients were validated based on data from 140 stations located at various climatic zones of USA and Australia with expanded observations up to 2016. Nine statistical criteria including Taylor diagrams were used in the validation procedure. The validation procedure for ETo estimations of short reference crop showed that the P-T and H-S methods with the new revised coefficients outperformed in comparison to the typical methods reducing the ETo RMSE of estimated values by 39 % and 36 %, respectively. The estimations of Rs using the H-S formula with revised coefficients reduced the RMSE by 30% in comparison to the typical H-S radiation formula (the given results are based on the finer resolution grid). All the statistical criteria indicated better performance of the revised coefficients of all resolutions versus the typical coefficients used in the original methods. Finally, a raster database was built consisting of: a) global maps of revised annual coefficients for the ETo methods of P-T and H-S for both reference crops and the Rs H-S formula, b) global maps which indicate the optimum locations for using the original P-T and H-S methods and their expected error based on reference values. The provision of the database aims to improve ETo and Rs estimations which are used in hydrologic/climatic applications when climatic data are limited. The datasets produced in this study are archived in PANGAEA database (doi:10.1594/PANGAEA.868808, doi:10.1594/PANGAEA.868808) and in ESRN-database (http://www.esrn-database.org or http://esrn-database.weebly.com/).
Seasonal thermal regime and climatic trends in lakes of Tibetan
Highlands
Authors: Kirillin Georgiy , Wen Lijuan , Shatwell Tom
Published: December 2016

Abstract. The hydrology of the lake-rich Tibetan Plateau is important for the global climate yet little is known about the thermal regime of Tibetan lakes due to scant data. We (i) investigated the characteristic seasonal temperature patterns and recent trends in thermal and stratification regime of lakes on the Tibetan Plateau and (ii) tested theperformance of the one-dimensional lake parameterization scheme FLake for the Tibetan lake system. For this purpose we combined three years of in situ lake temperature measurements, several decadesof satellite observations and the global reanalysis data. We chose the two largest freshwater Tibetan lakes – Ngoring and Gyaring – as study sites. The lake model FLake faithfully reproduced the specific features of the high-altitude lakes and was subsequently applied to reconstruct the vertically resolved heat transport in both lakes during the last four decades. The modelsuggested Ngoring and Gyaring were ice-covered forabout 6 months and stratified in summer for about 4 months per year with a short spring overturn and longer autumn overturn. In summer the surface mixed boundary layer extended to 6–8 m depth and was about 20 % shallower in the more turbid Gyaring. The thermal regime of transparent Ngoring responded more strongly to atmospheric forcing than Gyaring, where the higher turbidity dampened the response. According to reanalysis data, air temperatures and humidity increased, whereas solar radiation decreased since the 1970s. Surprisingly, mean lake temperatures did not change, nor did the phenology of ice cover or stratification. Lake surface temperatures in summerincreased only marginally. The reason is that the increase in air temperature was offset by the decrease in radiation, probably due to increasing humidity. This study demonstrates that air temperature trends are not directly coupled to lake temperatures and underscores the importance of short-wave radiation for the thermal regime of high-altitude lakes.
Simulations of Moving Effect of Coastal Vegetation on Tsunami Damping
Authors: Tsai Ching-Piao , Chen Ying-Chi , Sihombing Tri Octaviani , Lin Chang
Published: December 2016

Abstract. A coupled wave-vegetation simulation is presented for the moving effect of the coastal vegetation on tsunami wave height damping. The problem is idealized by solitary wave propagating on a group of emergent cylinders. The numerical model is based on general Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations associated with renormalization group turbulent closure model by using volume of fluid technique. The general moving object (GMO) model developed in CFD code Flow-3D is applied to simulate the coupled motion of vegetation with wave dynamically. The damping of wave height and the turbulent kinetic energy dissipation as waves passed over both moving and stationary cylinders are discussed. As comparing with the stationary cylinders, it obtains markedly less wave height damping and turbulent kinetic energy dissipation by the moving cylinders. The result implies that the wave decay by the coastal vegetation might be overestimated if the mangrove vegetation was represented as stationary state.
Aeroelastic Stability of Idling Wind Turbines
Authors: Wang Kai , Riziotis Vasilis A. , Voutsinas Spyros G.
Published: December 2016

Abstract. Wind turbine rotors in idling operation mode can experience high angles of attack, within the post stall region that are capable of triggering stall-induced vibrations. In the present paper, rotor stability in slow idling operation is assessed on the basis of non-linear time domain and linear eigenvalue analyses. Analysis is performed for a 10 MW conceptual wind turbine designed by DTU. First, the flow conditions that are likely to favour stall induced instabilities are identified through non-linear time domain aeroelastic simulations. Next, for the above specified conditions, eigenvalue stability simulations are performed aiming at identifying the low damped modes of the turbine. The eigenvalue stability results are evaluated through computations of the work of the aerodynamic forces under imposed harmonic motion following the shape and frequency of the various modes. Eigenvalue analysis indicates that the asymmetric and symmetric out-of-plane modes have the lowest damping. The results of the eigenvalue analysis agree well with those of the non-linear work analysis and the time domain analysis.
Mind Mapping on Development of Human Resource of Education
Authors: Fauzi Anis
Published: December 2016

Human resources in the field of education consists of students, teachers, administrative staff, university students, lecturers, structural employees, educational bureaucrats, stakeholders, parents, the society around the school, and the society around the campus. The existence of human resources need to be cultivated and developed towards the better of the situation that exists today. Which elements of human resources in education are preferred to be fostered and developed further depends on the designer's idea of development in the field of education. The development of human resources on education should include all elements. Elements of the students and the university students need to be developed simultaneously, the element of administrative staff and employees need to be developed optimally, elements of teachers and lecturers need to be developed professionally, elements of the stakeholders, the community around schools and colleges need to be developed further to be more productive, more innovative, and more creative. Of course by emphasizing on performance, motivation, reward, and certain punishment.
Reviewer Acknowledgements for Journal of Educational Issues, Vol. 2, No. 2
Authors: Ann Priscilla
Published: December 2016

Reviewer acknowledgements for Journal of Educational Issues, Vol. 2, No. 2, 2016.
Corneal Collagen Crosslinking for Corneal Ectasias: A Review
Authors: O’Brart David P.S.
Published: December 2016

Purpose

To review the published literature on corneal collagen crosslinking (CXL).

Methods

Importance has been placed on seminal publications, systemic reviews, meta-analyses, and randomized controlled clinical trials. Where such evidence was not available, cohort studies, case-controlled studies, and case series with follow-up greater than 12 months were examined.

Results

Corneal collagen crosslinking with riboflavin and ultraviolet A (UVA) 370 nm radiation appears to be capable of arresting the progression of ectatic corneal disorders, with most studies reporting significant improvements in visual, keratometric, and topographic measurements. Its mode of action at the molecular level is undetermined. Follow-up is limited to 5-10 years but suggests sustained stability and enhancement in corneal shape with time. Nearly all published long-term data and comparative studies are with epithelium-off techniques. Epithelium-on investigations suggest some efficacy but less than with epithelium-off treatments and long-term data are unavailable. Accelerated techniques with higher UVA fluencies and shorter treatments times, delivering the same UVA energy dosage, are the subject of recent investigation, with some laboratory and clinical studies suggesting reduced efficacy compared to the standard 3 mW/cm2 for 30 minutes irradiation procedure. Combined methodologies of CXL with techniques such as photorefractive keratectomy and intrastromal rings show promise but long-term follow-up is indicated. Sight-threatening complications of CXL are rare.

Conclusions

Studies of epithelium-off CXL with irradiation at 3 mW/cm2 for 30 minutes support its efficacy. Refinement in techniques may allow for safer and more rapid procedures with less patient discomfort but require further investigation.
Fulminant Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension and Venous Stasis Retinopathy Resulting in Severe Bilateral Visual Impairment
Authors: Voldman Alexander , Durbin Breanna , Nguyen John , Ellis Brian , Leys Monique
Published: December 2016

Purpose

To report a complicated case of fulminant idiopathic intracranial hypertension and concomitant venous stasis retinopathy leading to postpapilledema optic atrophy.

Methods

Case report.

Results

A 34-year-old morbidly obese woman with a history of idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) presented with a 1-month history of bilateral vision loss, diplopia, and left eye pain after being lost to follow-up for 6 years. Fundus examination revealed florid papilledema with venous tortuosity bilaterally. Brain and orbit magnetic resonance imaging showed bilateral globe flattening, intraocular optic nerve swelling in both eyes, and no abnormality on magnetic resonance venography. After additional workup including lumbar puncture with an opening pressure of 55 cm H2O, a diagnosis of IIH was confirmed. Medical treatment with oral carbonic anhydrase inhibitors was initiated, followed by same-day bilateral optic nerve sheath decompression and ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement the following week. Fundus examination 2 months later revealed a persistent blood and thunder fundus suggestive of bilateral central retinal vein occlusions. Over the course of 6 months, both eyes displayed postpapilledema optic atrophy with light perception and hand motion vision in the right and left eyes, respectively. On Goldmann perimetry, the patient had vague limited isolated responses in both eyes to the largest target.

Conclusions

Fulminant IIH can present with profoundly blinding complications recalcitrant to aggressive medical and surgical intervention. Central retinal vein occlusion is an uncommon blinding complication of IIH.
Dexamethasone Intravitreal Implant at the Time of Cataract Surgery in Eyes with Diabetic Macular Edema
Authors: Panozzo Giacomo A. , Gusson Elena , Panozzo Giorgio , Dalla Mura Giulia
Published: December 2016

Purpose

To determine the potential role of intraoperative dexamethasone intravitreal implant (DEX-I) in reducing diabetic macular edema (DME) worsening after phacoemulsification.

Methods

This was a prospective study on 19 eyes of 19 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus with DME and cataract. Mean preoperative Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study visual acuity (VA) was 16.7 letters. Mean foveal thickness (FT) was 451 μm. The DME was naive in 11 eyes and refractory in 8 eyes. All eyes underwent a standard phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation; DEX-I was injected at the end of surgery. Follow-up was performed at 1 week and then monthly until DME recurrence (up to 8 months).

Results

At 1 week, mean VA improved by 15 letters (range 0-29 letters) and mean FT decreased by 147 μm (range 69-236 μm). Improvement consolidated at month 1, with a mean VA improvement of 18 letters (range 3-32 letters) and a mean improvement in FT of 193 μm (range 76-304 μm), remaining stable at month 2 after surgery in all eyes. The DME recurred in 1 eye at month 3, in 14 eyes (73.8%) between months 4 and 5, and after month 6 in 4 eyes (21%). Refractory DMEs demonstrated the same benefit but recurred earlier than naive ones (4 months versus 5.8 months, p<0.01).

Conclusions

Intraoperative DEX-I prevents DME worsening after phacoemulsification. Its positive effects last for at least 3 months.
Sleep Quality and Risk Factors of Atherosclerosis in Predialysis Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Guney Ibrahim , Akgul Yavuz S. S. , Gencer Vedat , Aydemir Harun , Asian Uysaler , Ecirli Samil
Published: December 2016

Introduction

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients have more frequent sleep disorders and cardiovascular disease than normals. Since arterial stiffness as a risk factor of atherosclerosis can be evaluated with pulse wave velocity (PWV), we aimed to investigate the prevalance of sleep quality (SQ) and the relationship between SQ and risk factors of atherosclerosis and whether there is a relationship between SQ and PWV (the indicator of arterial stiffness) in predialysis CKD patients.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was carried out in CKD patients followed at the Nephrology Department in Konya, Turkey, between November 2014 and March 2015. A total of 484 CKD patients were screened. Of the 484 patients, 285 patients were excluded. The remaining 199 CKD patients without cardiovascular disease at stage 3, 4, and 5 (predialysis) were included in the final study. The SQ of the patients was evaluated by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). PWV was measured by using a single-cuff arteriography device (Mobil-O-Graph PWA, a model pulse wave analysis device; IEM).

Results

A total of 199 predialysis CKD patients were included in the study, 73 of whom (36.7%) were ‘poor sleepers’ (global PSQI >5). Patients with poor SQ were older than those with good SQ (p = 0.077). SQ was worse in female patients compered to male patients (p = 0.001). SQ was worse in obese patients. As laboratory parameters, serum phosphorus, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides levels correlated positively with SQ (respectively; r = 0.245, p<0.001; r = 0.142, p = 0.049; r = 0.142, p = 0.048). The indicator of arterial stiffness, PWV, was higher in patients with poor SQ (p = 0.033). Hyperphosphatemia and female gender are determined as risk factors for poor SQ in multivariate analysis (p = 0.049, ExpB = 1.477; p = 0.009, ExpB = 0,429, respectively).

Conclusions

Our study showed for the first time that there is a relationship between SQ and risk factors of atherosclerosis in predialysis CKD patients.
Development of Polymeric Functionally Graded Scaffolds: A Brief Review
Authors: Scaffaro Roberto , Lopresti Francesco , Maio Andrea , Sutera Fiorenza , Botta Luigi
Published: December 2016

Over recent years, there has been a growing interest in multilayer scaffolds fabrication approaches. In fact, functionally graded scaffolds (FGSs) provide biological and mechanical functions potentially similar to those of native tissues. Based on the final application of the scaffold, there are different properties (physical, mechanical, biochemical, etc.) which need to gradually change in space. Therefore, a number of different technologies have been investigated, and often combined, to customize each region of the scaffolds as much as possible, aiming at achieving the best regenerative performance.

In general, FGSs can be categorized as bilayered or multilayered, depending on the number of layers in the whole structure. In other cases, scaffolds are characterized by a continuous gradient of 1 or more specific properties that cannot be related to the presence of clearly distinguished layers. Since each traditional approach presents peculiar advantages and disadvantages, FGSs are good candidates to overcome the limitations of current treatment options. In contrast to the reviews reported in the literature, which usually focus on the application of FGS, this brief review provides an overview of the most common strategies adopted to prepare FGS.
Up-Regulation of Long Noncoding RNA CCAL Predicts Poor Patient Prognosis and Promotes Tumor Metastasis in Osteosarcoma
Authors: Zhou Da-Kai , Yang Xi-Wang , Li Huining , Yang Yongbo , Zhu Zhen-Jun , Wu Na
Published: December 2016

Background

Long noncoding RNAs (IncRNAs) play essential roles in tumor progression. Aberrant colorectal cancer-associated IncRNA (CCAL) has been found in colorectal cancer. However, the function of IncRNA CCAL in osteosarcoma (OS) remains unclear.

Methods

Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was performed to measure CCAL expression in OS tissues and adjacent nontumor tissues. The correlation betweent CCAL expression and clinicopathological features and prognosis was also analyzed. In addition, the function of CCAL was further evaluated by cell proliferation, migration and invasion assays.

Results

We showed that CCAL was significantly up-regulated in OS tissues compared with adjacent nontumor tissues. Increased expression of CCAL was correlated with advanced TNM stage and metastasis. Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated that patients with high CCAL expression had lower overall survival than those with low CCAL expression. Multivariate Cox regression analysis indicated that CCAL expression might be an independent prognostic factor for OS patients. In addition, functional assays showed that decreased CCAL expression could inhibit OS cell proliferation, migration and invasion ability.

Conclusions

Our findings suggested that CCAL plays critical roles in OS progression and could act as a therapeutic target in the treatment of OS.
Increased Level of Annexin A1 in Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid as a Potential Diagnostic Indicator for Lung Cancer
Authors: Biaoxue Rong , Xiguang Cai , Hua Liu , Tian Fu , Wenlong Gao
Published: December 2016

Background

Annexin A1 has been implicated in various tumor types, but few studies have investigated its involvement in lung cancer. The purpose of this investigation was to quantify the annexin A1 level in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and analyze its usefulness in lung cancer diagnosis.

Methods

Annexin A1 expression was measured by immunohistochemistry and enzyme immunoassay. The sensitivity and specificity of annexin A1 for distinguishing lung cancer were determined by receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves.

Results

Tumor tissues, BALF and serum of patients with lung cancer contained higher levels of annexin A1 than those of the control group of patients with benign lung diseases. Moreover, an increased level of BALF annexin A1 was closely correlated with lymphatic invasion and malignant progression of lung cancer. The sensitivity and specificity of BALF annexin A1 for distinguishing lung cancer were 94.2% and 90.2%, respectively.

Conclusions

Increased annexin A1 in BALF was correlated with lymphatic invasion and malignant progression of lung cancer, suggesting that it could be an indicator for discerning lung cancer and predicting outcome.
Genetic Polymorphisms of Vitamin D Receptor (VDR), CYP27B1 and CYP24A1 Genes and the Risk of Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Vidigal Verônica Marques , Silva Tiago Donizetti , de Oliveira Juliana , Pimenta Célia Aparecida Marques , Felipe Aledson Vitor , Forones Nora Manoukian
Published: December 2016

Introduction

Vitamin D receptor (VDR) and proteins encoded by the genes CYP27B2 and CYP24A1 involved in the production and inactivation of vitamin D can influence vitamin D and the susceptibility to colorectal cancer (CRC). The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between the risk of CRC and polymorphisms in VDR, CYP27B1 and CYP24A1, lifestyle and dietary habits.

Methods

The study included 152 patients with CRC and 321 controls. All participants answered a questionnaire on their dietary habits, alcohol consumption and smoking habits. DNA was extracted from peripheral blood. Polymorphisms of BsmI and ApaI were identified by performing PCR-RFLP. Identification of CYP24A1 (rs6013897, rs158552 and rs17217119) and CYP27B1 (rs10877012) polymorphisms was performed by gene sequencing.

Results

Smoking, alcohol use, and low or no consumption of fruit, cereals and dairy products were associated with an increased risk of CRC. A heterozygous genotype Aa or an association genotype aa + Aa of the VDR ApaI polymorphism increased the risk of CRC. The VDR BsmI polymorphism was not significantly associated with the risk of CRC. Multivariate analysis showed that heterozygous and association genotype AT + AA of the rs6013897 polymorphism, genotype CT of the rs158552 polymorphism, association genotype CT + CC and genotypes AA and GG of the rs17217119 polymorphism of CYP24A1, and heterozygous genotype GT and association genotype GT + TT of the rs10877012 polymorphism in CYP27B1 were associated with a higher risk of CRC.

Conclusions

Dietary habits, lifestyle, and polymorphisms in VDR (ApaI), CYP24A1 (rs6013897, rs158552, rs17217119) and CYP27B1 (rs10877012) were associated with a higher risk of CRC.
Synchronous Pancreatic and Pulmonary Metastases from Solitary Fibrous Tumor of the Pleura: Report of a Case
Authors: Tamburini Nicola , Fabbri Nicolò , Anania Gabriele , Maniscalco Pio , Quarantotto Francesco , Rinaldi Rosa , Cavallesco Giorgio
Published: December 2016

Introduction

Solitary fibrous tumor of the pleura is an uncommon tumor with an indolent course and a good prognosis after surgical resection. However, the tumor occasionally follows an unpredictable clinical course and malignant transformation has been reported to increase the rate of local recurrence. Solitary extrathoracic metastasis from solitary fibrous tumor of the pleura is an uncommon finding.

Case Presentation

In this case report we present the first case of a synchronous single pulmonary and pancreatic metastasis treated with minimally invasive surgery.

Conclusions

Pancreatic recurrence should be considered in the postoperative follow-up in patients with solitary fibrous tumor of the pleura.
“Christmas Balls”: A Christmas Carol by the Adolescent Cancer Patients of the Milan Youth Project
Authors: Ferrari Andrea , Signoroni Stefano , Silva Matteo , Gaggiotti Paola , Veneroni Laura , Magni Chiara , Casanova Michela , Chiaravalli Stefano , Capelletti Mirko , Lapidari Pietro , Clerici Carlo Alfredo , Massimino Maura
Published: December 2016

The Youth Project is a program developed at the Pediatric Oncology Unit at the Istituto Nazionale Tumori in Milan, dedicated to adolescents and young adults with cancer. Among its various goals, the Youth Project organizes structured creative activities with the support of professionals, with the objective of offering young people a new way to express their hopes and fears. This article describes a project centered around music: patients created a Christmas carol with the help of musicians and authors. The adolescents explained with their own words the meaning of the lyrics, telling the story of a Christmas spent in a cancer hospital ward.
Multiple Chromophobe and Clear Cell Renal Cancer in A Patient Affected by Birt-Hogg-Dubè Syndrome: A Case Report
Authors: Castellucci Roberto , Marchioni Michele , Valenti Sergio , Sortino Giuseppe , Borgonovo Giulio , Pesenti Nicola , Vismara Alberto C.A. , Circo Maria C. , Sessa Barbara , Micheli Emanuele , Lembo Antonino
Published: December 2016

Objectives

Birt-Hogg-Dubé syndrome (BHDS) is a rare autosomal dominant characterized by the presence of fibrofolliculomas and/or trichodiscomas, pulmonary cysts, spontaneous pneumothorax, and renal tumors. The syndrome is linked to mutations in the FLCN gene, which is preferentially expressed in the skin, kidney, and lung. The aim of our paper is to describe a case of multiple bilateral renal cancer in a patient affected by BHDS.

Case Presentation

Patient subjected to enucleoresection seven kidney tumors discovered right after ultrasound performed for other reasons. Definitive histologic examination were as follows: multifocal type chromophobe renal cell carcinoma and clear cell. After 1 month, the patient was readmitted for spontaneous pneumothorax. After about a year, the patient was again subjected to resection of multiple renal tumors left. Histological examination proved that it was multifocal renal cell carcinoma, clear cell varieties. The genome analysis highlighted positive for mutation c. 1379_1380 of FLCN gene, BHDS gene. Currently, the patient is under close follow-up. After 1 year, the chest computed tomography (CT) confirmed the presence of minute air bubbles scattered on both sides. Instead, the abdominal CT was positive for a small round lesion 6 mm exophytic.

Conclusions

The BHDS is a rare syndrome whose management is extremely complex both in terms of oncological and functional. Kidney tumors associated with BHDS usually have a favorable clinical course. Present evidence suggests a close follow-up of the carriers of the genetic mutation patients whether or not they have expressed the lesions of disease given the high rate of recurrence of renal lesions.
New records and a review of the Chironomidae (Diptera) of Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates
Authors: Reeves Will Karlisle , Epler John H
Published: December 2016

We provide new collection records for six species of chironomids from Kuwait and four from the United Arab Emirates. In addition we review the literature and present a checklist of the previously reported species.
Scaffolding Reading Comprehension Skills
Authors: Salem Ashraf Atta Mohamed Safein
Published: December 2016

The current study investigates whether English language teachers use scaffolding strategies for developing their students’ reading comprehension skills or just for assessing their comprehension. It also tries to demonstrate whether teachers are aware of these strategies or they use them as a matter of habit. A questionnaire as well as structured interviews were basically designed for the purpose of the study. The descriptive qualitative research design was adopted due to suitability for the nature of the study. Results of the study revealed that Non-native English language teachers are not aware of the nature of scaffolding strategies they use; they use such strategies for the purpose of assessing their students’ comprehension rather than scaffolding their comprehension. It is recommended that English language teachers have an adequate orientation of the nature of scaffolding strategies, to what extent to be used (when to begin using these strategies and when to stop using them) and the significance in developing comprehension skills of students in the mainstream schools.
Role of Stock Exchanges in Economic Development of Uzbekistan
Authors: Khalikov Ulugbek
Published: December 2016

The paper is devoted to study the contemporary role of investments to economic development in the context of Uzbek stock exchange. The comparative analysis of economic development and stock market trends in Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Russia for the period of 2000-2015 are conducted using documentary analysis, quantitative and qualitative analysis, and other statistical methods of research.The results reveal that Uzbekistan has made notable change in regulation and improvement of investment climate and has stable economic development trends for the studied period. However, Stock market development in Uzbekistan remains weak and recent government effort to accelerate privatization is expected to boost the market and support foreign investments attraction.
The Impact of Transformational Leadership on Organizational Performance via the Mediating Role of Corporate Social Responsibility: A Structural Equation Modeling Approach
Authors: Alrowwad Ala'aldin , Obeidat Bader Yousef , Tarhini Ali , Aqqad Noor
Published: December 2016

This study aims to examine the associated relationships between transformational leadership, corporate social responsibility, and organizational performance. A total of 217 questionnaires were gathered from employees operating the various pharmaceutical companies in Jordan and then were analysed using structural equation modelling (SEM). The results of the data were threefold. First, transformational leadership did not have a positive influence on organizational performance. Second, transformational leadership did have a positive influence on corporate social responsibility. Third, corporate social responsibility did have a positive influence on organizational performance. These findings may aid future researchers in their quest in understanding the inherent relationships that lie between the variables in question and may provide a platform for managers in their efforts to improve organizational performance.
Developing Perceived Greenwash Index and Its Effect on Green Brand Equity: A Research on Gas Station Companies in Turkey
Authors: Avcilar Mutlu Yüksel , Demirgünes Banu Külter
Published: December 2016

Today, companies are searching for the ways to be perceived as more sensitive to the environment in order to enhance their green brand equity, because of consumers’ increasing environmental concern. Companies have reacted to increasing environmental consciousness of consumers by introducing and developing eco-friendly products. However, there are still consumers being suspicious about the environmental performance of companies and their products. Greenwash or disclosure of deceptive green claims decreases the popularity of the real green product and decreases the effectiveness of green marketing.This study proposed four constructs -greenwashing, green perceived risk, green confusion and green trust- as the predictors of the green brand equity of gas station companies. The study offers a negative relationship between greenwash perception and green brand equity. Besides, the effects of green confusion, green perceived risk and green trust on green brand equity are tested. The study also develops perceived greenwash index, so that it reveals a direct effect of greenwash on green brand equity. The empirical analysis was carried out based on the data obtained from 400 customers of the gas station companies, which are located in Ankara, the capital city of Turkey. The survey result was analyzed by using Partial Least Squares (PLS-PM) analysis method. The results reveal that consumer’s greenwash perception has a positive effect on green confusion and green perceived risk, whereas green confusion and green perceived risk have negative effects on green trust. Expectedly, green trust has a positive effect on green brand equity. The result also indicates that consumer’s greenwash perception negatively and directly affects green brand equity.