bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A little help from steroids in oncology
Authors: Lossignol Dominique
Published: December 2016

Steroids are widely used in oncology and have been demonstrated to possess an anticancer effect or antiswelling effect. They are considered to improve refractory symptoms such as dyspnea or gastrointestinal (GI) obstruction. However, their roles in nonspecific indications are not well proved. Clinical practice and several studies suggest that corticosteroids may be effective in the treatment of bone and neuropathic pain, when administered along with opioids and with other adjuvant analgesics. The decrease in pain intensity is probably connected with both anti-inflammatory and antiswelling effects as well as modulation of neuroimmune interactions and an inhibition of angiogenesis.
Association of serum intact fibroblast growth factor 23 with left ventricular mass and different echocardiographic findings in patients on hemodialysis
Authors: Nassiri Amir Ahmad , Hakemi Monir Sadat , Safar-Pour Reza , Ahmadi Ali , Tohidi Maryam , Kashani Babak Sharif , Esfehani Fatemeh , Alatab Soudabeh
Published: December 2016

Objectives

To determine the association of fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) through the assessment of left ventricular (LV) mass and left ventricular mass index (LVMI) in patients on hemodialysis, this study was done.

Methods

All patients on hemodialysis who are older than 18 years and in whom hemodialysis vintage was at least 6 months were enrolled. All patients were on hemodialysis thrice a week for 4 h using low-flux dialysis filters, polysulfone membranes, reverse osmosis purified water, and bicarbonate-base hemodialysis solution. The exclusion criteria were any respiratory illness or pulmonary infection, cigarette smoking, and the presence of pericarditis or pericardial effusion. Additionally, patients with a known coronary artery disease, any form of cardiac arrhythmias, any cardiomyopathy or severe valvular heart disease diagnosed by echocardiography, acute congestive heart failure (CHF), and acute myocardial infarction were not included. Echocardiography was conducted by an experienced operator for all the enrolled patients using the ACUSON SC2000™ ultrasound system transducer (Siemens), with a frequency bandwidth of: 1.5–3.5 MHz. Patients were considered to have LVH if the LVMI was greater than 134 g/m2 for men and greater than 110 g/m2 for women.

Results

A total of 61 patients (19 female and 42 male) were enrolled to the study. Mean (± SD) age of the patients was 59.6 ± 13.1 years. The median duration of hemodialysis was 23 (range: 6–120) months. The median predialysis level of FGF23 was 1,977 pg/mL (range: 155–8,870). LVH was seen in 73.8% of the patients (n = 45) and of them 66.7% were male. There was a statistically significant direct correlation between FGF23 and left ventricle diameter in end systole (LVDs) (r = 0.29, P = 0.027). However, the association of FGF23 with LV mass, LVMI, and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was not significant.

Conclusion

This study does not show the correlation between FGF23 and LV mass in stable hemodialysis patients.
The Green Tea Polyphenol(—)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate and its beneficial roles in chronic kidney disease
Authors: Bao Hui , Peng Ai
Published: December 2016

Chronic kidney disease (CKD), a condition that affects around 10% of the population, has become a significant public health concern. Current therapeutic strategies to slow down the progression of CKD remain limited. Thus, it is urgent to develop new strategies to manage the patients with CKD. Work within the past decade has improved our understanding of the mechanisms contributing to CKD. In particular, oxidative stress as well as inflammation appears to play a pivotal role in CKD progression. (一)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), the major catechin of green tea extract, is known as a powerful antioxidant and reactive oxygen species scavenger. Various studies have shown EGCG has a potential role in chronic kidney disease models. It is suggested that EGCG modulates cellular and molecular mechanisms via inflammation-related NF-кB and Nrf2 signaling pathway, as well as apoptosis-related ER stress pathway and mitochondrial pathway. Therefore, based on these studies, this review attempts to present a recent state of our knowledge and understanding of mechanisms of its role on the process of CKD, with the aim of providing some clues for the future optimization of EGCG in renal diseases.
Prediction skill of tropical synoptic scale transients from ECMWF and NCEP Ensemble Prediction Systems
Authors: Taraphdar S. , Mukhopadhyay P. , Leung L. Ruby , Landu Kiranmayi
Published: December 2016

The prediction skill of tropical synoptic scale transients (SSTR) such as monsoon low and depression during the boreal summer of 2007–2009 are assessed using high resolution ECMWF and NCEP TIGGE forecasts data. By analyzing 246 forecasts for lead times up to 10 days, it is found that the models have good skills in forecasting the planetary scale means but the skills of SSTR remain poor, with the latter showing no skill beyond 2 days for the global tropics and Indian region. Consistent forecast skills among precipitation, velocity potential, and vorticity provide evidence that convection is the primary process responsible for precipitation. The poor skills of SSTR can be attributed to the larger random error in the models as they fail to predict the locations and timings of SSTR. Strong correlation between the random error and synoptic precipitation suggests that the former starts to develop from regions of convection. As the NCEP model has larger biases of synoptic scale precipitation, it has a tendency to generate more random error that ultimately reduces the prediction skill of synoptic systems in that model. The larger biases in NCEP may be attributed to the model moist physics and/or coarser horizontal resolution compared to ECMWF.
Archaeological Responses to 5 Decades of Metal Detecting in Austria
Authors: Karl Raimund
Published: December 2016

Since metal detecting started in Austria in 1970, the National Heritage Agency (BDA) has focussed
too much on prohibiting metal detecting. The strategy chosen, increasingly restrictive legislation, has turned
out to be a failure. Rather than improving the protection of archaeological heritage from ‚unauthorised‘ metal
detecting, the ‚hobby‘ has grown steadily. Yet, the changes to the law have made protecting archaeology more
difficult and are restricting civil liberties, quite possibly making the law itself illegal. Five decades on, Austrian
archaeology isn‘t better off, but considerably worse, and it is mainly our attempts to prevent metal detecting
that are to blame.
Impact of scaling to the resistive switching effect in organic polymer – based structures
Authors: Kotova M.S. , Dronov M.A. , Rzhevskiy A.V. , Amitonov S.V. , Dubinina T.V. , Pushkarev V.E. , Ryabova L.I. , Khokhlov D.R.
Published: December 2016

The resistive switching effect has been studied in a set of organic polymer - based structures of a different composition and size scale from macro to micro. It is shown that scaling down reduces both the threshold switching voltage Vth and the respective effective electric field Eth. Furthermore, introduction of metal micro particles into a macro scale polymer matrix provides the same effect. Therefore the metal particle incorporation may be regarded as an alternative method of effective scaling, depending on an application. Switching speed of less than 15 ns, threshold voltage Vth ~ (2 – 25) V, 105 cycle endurance, no significant moisture dependence and high retention time 3.5 months for scaled down samples aswell as for metal doped macro samples have been demonstrated. These characteristics are suitable for constructing memory devices. The switching effect mechanisms are discussed.
Between Selfies and Colonialism:
The Effect of White Evangelical Outreach
on Multi-Ethnic Young Adults within
the Los Angeles Region
Authors: White Hodge Daniel
Published: December 2016

This article is an exploratory look into the experiences of five ethnic-minority youth from the
Los Angeles region who experienced and engaged with White Evangelical outreach organizations (WEOO)
and short term mission (STM) groups over the period of five years. This article employs their qualitative
narratives and examines the effects that race, gender, and racism had on them. Added narrative from
emerging ethnic-minority adults is also applied in this article to discuss those impacts, albeit on a specific
region of the country, of (STMs) which have become increasingly well-known over the past decade. The
purpose of this article is to examine and explore the effects of WEOOs and STMs on the populations they
are intending to serve. From the research findings, I will illustrate 1) subtle racism, microaggression,
and patriarchy from WEOOs and 2) allow the narrative of ethnic-minority experiences to chronicle their
experience in these types of organizations. Lastly, this article will briefly propose alternatives and insights
from the data gathered.
Meiotic Centromere Coupling and Pairing Function by Two Separate Mechanisms in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Kurdzo Emily L , Obeso David , Chuong Hoa , Dawson Dean S
Published: December 2016

In meiosis I, chromosomes become paired with their homologous partners and then are pulled toward opposite poles of the spindle. In the budding yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, in early meiotic prophase, centromeres are observed to associate in pairs in a homology-independent manner; a process called centromere coupling. Later, as homologous chromosomes align, their centromeres associate in a process called centromere pairing. The synaptonemal complex protein Zip1 is necessary for both types of centromere association. We aimed to test the role of centromere coupling in modulating recombination at centromeres, and to test whether the two types of centromere associations depend upon the same sets of genes. The zip1-S75E mutation, which blocks centromere coupling but no other known functions of Zip1, was used to show that in the absence of centromere coupling, centromere-proximal recombination was unchanged. Further, this mutation did not diminish centromere pairing, demonstrating that these two processes have different genetic requirements. In addition, we tested other synaptonemal complex components, Ecm11 and Zip4, for their contributions to centromere pairing. ECM11 was dispensable for centromere pairing and segregation of achiasmate partner chromosomes; while ZIP4 was not required for centromere pairing during pachytene, but was required for proper segregation of achiasmate chromosomes. These findings help differentiate the two mechanisms that allow centromeres to interact in meiotic prophase, and illustrate that centromere pairing, which was previously shown to be necessary to ensure disjunction of achiasmate chromosomes, is not sufficient for ensuring their disjunction.
The Caenorhabditis elegans NF2/Merlin Molecule NFM-1 Nonautonomously Regulates Neuroblast Migration and Interacts Genetically with the Guidance Cue SLT-1/Slit
Authors: Josephson Matthew P , Aliani Rana , Norris Megan L , Ochs Matthew E , Gujar Mahekta , Lundquist Erik A
Published: December 2016

During nervous system development, neurons and their progenitors migrate to their final destinations. In Caenorhabditis elegans, the bilateral Q neuroblasts and their descendants migrate long distances in opposite directions, despite being born in the same posterior region. QR on the right migrates anteriorly and generates the AQR neuron positioned near the head, and QL on the left migrates posteriorly, giving rise to the PQR neuron positioned near the tail. In a screen for genes required for AQR and PQR migration, we identified an allele of nfm-1, which encodes a molecule similar to vertebrate NF2/Merlin, an important tumor suppressor in humans. Mutations in NF2 lead to neurofibromatosis type II, characterized by benign tumors of glial tissues. Here we demonstrate that in C. elegans, nfm-1 is required for the ability of Q cells and their descendants to extend protrusions and to migrate, but is not required for direction of migration. Using a combination of mosaic analysis and cell-specific expression, we show that NFM-1 is required nonautonomously, possibly in muscles, to promote Q lineage migrations. We also show a genetic interaction between nfm-1 and the C. elegans Slit homolog slt-1, which encodes a conserved secreted guidance cue. Our results suggest that NFM-1 might be involved in the generation of an extracellular cue that promotes Q neuroblast protrusion and migration that acts with or in parallel to SLT-1. In vertebrates, NF2 and Slit2 interact in axon pathfinding, suggesting a conserved interaction of NF2 and Slit2 in regulating migratory events.
Evaluating Sequence-Based Genomic Prediction with an Efficient New Simulator
Authors: Pérez-Enciso Miguel , Forneris Natalia , de los Campos Gustavo , Legarra Andrés
Published: December 2016

The vast amount of sequence data generated to analyze complex traits is posing new challenges in terms of the analysis and interpretation of the results. Although simulation is a fundamental tool to investigate the reliability of genomic analyses and to optimize experimental design, existing software cannot realistically simulate complete genomes. To remedy this, we have developed a new strategy (Sequence-Based Virtual Breeding, SBVB) that uses real sequence data and simulates new offspring genomes and phenotypes in a very efficient and flexible manner. Using this tool, we studied the efficiency of full sequence in genomic prediction compared to SNP arrays. We used real porcine sequences from three breeds as founder genomes of a 2500-animal pedigree and two genetic architectures: “neutral” and “selective.” In the neutral architecture, frequencies and allele effects were sampled independently whereas, in the selective case, SNPs were sites putatively under selection after domestication and a negative correlation between effect and frequency was induced. We compared the effectiveness of different genotyping strategies for genomic selection, including the use of full sequence commercial arrays or randomly chosen SNP sets in both outbred and crossbred experimental designs. We found that accuracy increases using sequence instead of commercial chips but modestly, perhaps by ≤ 4%. This result was robust to extreme genetic architectures. We conclude that full sequence is unlikely to offset commercial arrays for predicting genetic value when the number of loci is relatively large and the prior given to each SNP is uniform. Using sequence to improve selection thus requires optimized prior information and, likely, increased population sizes. The code and manual for SBVB are available at https://github.com/mperezenciso/sbvb0.
Should School Boards Discontinue Support for High School Football?
Authors: Margolis Lewis H. , Canty Greg , Halstead Mark , Lantos John D.
Published: December 2016

A pediatrician is asked by her local school board to help them decide whether to discontinue their high school football program. She reviews the available evidence on the risks of football and finds it hopelessly contradictory. Some scholars claim that football is clearly more dangerous than other sports. Others suggest that the risks of football are comparable to other sports, such as lacrosse, ice hockey, or soccer. She finds very little data on the long-term sequelae of concussions. She sees claims that good coaching and a school culture that prioritizes the health of athletes over winning can reduce morbidity from sports injuries. In this paper, 3 experts also review the evidence about sports risks and discuss what is known and not known about the science and the ethics of high school football.
Local government finances in Hungary: From the culprit of fiscal slippages to a source of stability?
Authors: Jankovics László
Published: December 2016

While in the decade prior to 2010 Hungarian local governments had been a notorious contributor to budgetary slippages and growing public indebtedness, the sector’s balance has subsequently turned to positive in the context of a wide-ranging centralisation effort and the corresponding revamp in subnational financing arrangements. The fiscal indicators therefore, prima facie, point to a transformation of a regular sinner into a source of stability. Based on a detailed account of the recent reform steps and the preliminary assessment of their first impacts, this study argues that it is too early to conclude that the observed positive developments are the structural results of the measures taken over the last five years. The enacted institutional streamlining, the new debt authorisation rule and the increased tapping of the local tax potential should all have a lasting positive impact on public finances. Nonetheless, the intended efficiency gains due to economies of scale in service provision are not yet apparent, insofar as no reduction has been achieved in the headcount of the concerned branches. Moreover, the observed non-differentiation in the debt assumption may raise the spectre of moral hazard for the municipalities in the longer run.
Assessing calling as a predictor of entrepreneurial interest
Authors: Horvath Zsuzsanna E.
Published: December 2016

Entrepreneurship is widely accepted to be the engine of development. In the era of massive changes in the employment patterns and the emergence of self-employment, it is increasingly important to guide graduates towards self-employment. At the same time, the low intensity rates of youth in active citizenship behaviour require some intervention from higher education institutions. They are ideal settings for training and career guidance, especially if the curriculum contains elements of entrepreneurial orientation. The present article inquires into the motivation of graduates to choose the entrepreneurial path, with special emphasis on two variables, active citizenship and the concept of calling, which is novel in the career development literature.
Aptamers in the Treatment of Bacterial Infections: Problems and Prospects
Authors: Zeninskaya N. A. , Kolesnikov A. V. , Ryabko A. K. , Shemyakin I. G. , Dyatlov I. A. , Kozyr A. V.
Published: December 2016

Aptamers are short single-stranded oligonucleotides which are selected via targeted chemical evolution in vitro to bind a molecular target of interest. The aptamer selection technology is designated as SELEX (Systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment). SELEX enables isolation of oligonucleotide aptamers binding a wide range of targets of interest with little respect for their nature and molecular weight. A number of applications of aptamer selection were developed ranging from biosensor technologies to antitumor drug discovery. First aptamer-based pharmaceutical (Macugen) was approved by FDA for clinical use in 2004, and since then more than ten aptamer-based drugs undergo various phases of clinical trials. From the medicinal chemist’s point of view, aptamers represent a new class of molecules suitable for the development of new therapeutics. Due to the stability, relative synthesis simplicity, and development of advanced strategies of target specific molecular selection, aptamers attract increased attention of drug discovery community. Difficulties of the development of next-generation antibiotics basing on the conventional basis of combinatorial chemistry and high-throughput screening have also amplified the interest to aptamer-based therapeutic candidates. The present article reviews the investigations focused on the development of antibacterial aptamers and discusses the potential and current limitations of the use of this type of therapeutic molecules.
Impact of knowledge management on construction projects
Authors: Suresh Subashini , Olayinka Raymond , Chinyio Ezekiel , Renukappa Suresh
Published: December 2016

The implementation of knowledge management strategies on construction projects can accrue benefits such as improved performance and continuous improvement. However, many projects are still not utilising knowledge management fully and are thus plagued with inefficiencies, repetition of mistakes and lack of lessons learnt. Poor skills, design changes, errors and omissions contribute to the internal failure cost element of the overall cost of poor quality on construction projects. This study aimed to investigate the extent of the impact that knowledge management has in reducing the cost of poor quality and used a mixed-methods approach. In-depth interviews were conducted with 25 construction industry experts on knowledge management across the UK, followed up by a questionnaire survey of 114 respondents. The data obtained were analysed using thematic analysis and descriptive statistics. It was found that knowledge management had a positive impact in reducing the cost of poor quality, in particular in the area of knowledge transfer through apprenticeships and mentoring. This implies the importance of managing the tacit knowledge of employees through ‘socialisation’ initiatives. This study contributes to the existing body of knowledge by providing a knowledge management framework for reducing the cost of poor quality on construction projects.
Paid in Full: A Critical Look at the Law and Economics of the Football Creditors Rule
Authors: Flanagan Christopher
Published: December 2016

The Football League has recently modified its Football Creditors Rule. Once the sport’s financial regulatory bête noire, the changes met with little fanfare. However, these amendments do not fundamentally change the essential structure of a regime that has seen criticism from the media, the judiciary, academics, and indeed has been subject to litigation by the British tax authorities. This paper examines the law and economics of insolvency in English football, framing the case of HM Revenue and Customs v. The Football League Limited & The Football Association Premier League Limited in its prevailing economic context and considering the particular legal challenge brought by HM Revenue and Customs, which was ultimately unsuccessful. Moving beyond the decision in the above cited case, a critique of the underlying cogency and validity of the Football Creditors Rule is provided, which is centred on the views espoused by Michael J. Sandel in What Money Can’t Buy: The Moral Limit of Markets. Particularly, it is posited that the nature of the rule has served to debase the norms that should govern football clubs’ financial management and has instead abetted a climate of free spending by systemically diminishing the downside risk of insolvency between football clubs.
O PET-Saúde como dispositivo de educação permanente: estudo descritivo
Authors: Rosa Malena Storani Gonçalves , De Sousa Ândrea Cardoso
Published: December 2016

Objetivo geral: avaliar se o PET-Saúde tem se constituído em uma possibilidade de educação permanente dos profissionais/preceptores dos serviços de saúde. Objetivos específicos: identificar e caracterizar as ações do Pet-Saúde que os preceptores reconhecem como Educação Permanente. Método: estudo descritivo, avaliativo, com abordagem qualitativa, a ser realizado nos serviços de saúde mental que sediam a experiência do PET no município de Niterói/RJ. Para a coleta de dados serão realizadas entrevistas semiestruturadas com os profissionais que atuam como preceptores do PET-SAÚDE na rede de saúde mental. O tratamento das informações será ancorado na análise de conteúdo. Ao término deste estudo, espera-se ter subsídios que apontem para a potência formadora do PET-Saúde no que se refere à educação permanente.
Estresse e síndrome de Burnout nos enfermeiros do hospital: estudo descritivo
Authors: Bezerra Clarissa Bandeira , De Martino Milva Figueiredo
Published: December 2016

Objetivo: verificar os níveis de estresse e a presença da síndrome de Burnout  em  uma  população  de  enfermeiros  nos  turnos  diurno  e  noturno  na  área hospitalar. Método: estudo descritivo, do tipo transversal, com abordagem quantitativa, realizado  no  hospital  da  Universidade  Federal  do  Rio  Grande  do  Norte.  Consiste  na aplicação  de  questionários  aos  enfermeiros  para  obtenção  de  dados  por meio  do formulário  dos  dados  sociodemográficos;  em  seguida  dos  instrumentos:  a  Escala  de Bianchi  para quantificar o nível de estresse, e o Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) para identificar  a  presença  da  síndrome  de  Burnout.  A  organização  dos  dados se  dará  em planilhas do Microsoft excel Windows 2010 e serão analisados pelo programa Statistical Package for the Social Sciences versão 20.0. Os dados serão organizados em tabelas e quadros, analisados de acordo com a estatística descritiva e inferencial.
Completitude e concordância dos instrumentos da vigilância do óbito infantil: estudo transversal
Authors: Marques Lays Prazeres , Oliveira Conceição Maria de , Bonfim Cristine Vieira do
Published: December 2016

Objetivo: avaliar a completitude e a concordância dos instrumentosde  investigação  da  Vigilância  do  Óbito  Infantil  e  Fetal.  Método:  trata-se  de  um  estudo transversal  e  censitário  no  qual  serão  analisadas  todas  as  183  Fichas  Confidenciais  e Fichas Sínteses de Investigação da Vigilância do Óbito Infantil e Fetal de menores de um ano  residentes  no  Recife  (PE)  no  ano  de  2014.  Será  avaliada  a completitude  das variáveis  da  Ficha  Confidencial  de  Investigação  a  partir  da proporção  de  campos ignorados  e/ou  em  branco.  A  Ficha  Síntese  de  Investigação  terá  a  concordância verificada  por  meio  do  Índice  Kappa  e  do  Coeficiente  de  Correlação  Intraclasse. Resultados esperados: pretende-se contribuir com o aprimoramento da vigilância, com a melhoria na  qualidade  da  assistência  à  saúde materno-infantil,  com  o  aperfeiçoamento das estatísticas vitais e com a prevenção de mortes evitáveis.
Assessment of Phytoremediating Potential of Aglaonema commutatum Schott for Indoor Pollutants
Authors: Ghate Seemaa
Published: December 2016

Indoor pollution is a major threat in today's world. Potential of Aglaonema commutatum Schott (Chinese evergreen) as a Phytoremediator, was tested against the gaseous pollutants released from household products like mosquito coil, joss (incense) sticks and naphthalene balls. The indoor pollutants released from these products are very dangerous to our health. These gases may affect our respiratory system, nervous system etc. Potted indoor plants were exposed to the pollutants. After exposing these plants to selected indoor pollutants, they were monitored with respect to visible symptoms, Pollution Indication Index (PII) and Gas Liquid Chromatography (GLC). The experiments were repeated thrice. Amongst all products tested, Aglaonema was found more tolerant to pollutants released from mosquito coil than other two products studied. It showed no visible injury after exposure, Pollution Indication Index was 0. After exposure, when plant extracts were analysed on Gas Liquid Chromatography (GLC) it showed many peaks of new compounds absorbed by the plant as compared to control. However, phytoremediation of Indoor pollutants using Aglaonema commutatum is still under research phase where understanding of which exact compounds are absorbed by the plant, how it translocates, and metabolizes is required.
La adquisición de la negación en tres idiomas mayas
Authors: Pye Clifton , Pfeiler Barbara , Mateo Pedro Pedro
Published: December 2016

Presentamos los datos de las formas tempranas de negación en tres lenguas mayas (k’iche’, yucateco y q’anjob’al). Estas lenguas marcan diferentes contrastes entre los contextos de negación discursiva, oracional y existencial. La negación en estas lenguas también interactúa con el aspecto y la modalidad. Los niños que adquieren la lengua k’iche’ usan una forma interna de la negación a nivel oracional mientras que los niños que adquieren el yucateco y q’anjob’al emplean una forma externa de la negación a nivel oracional. Los niños que adquieren el k’iche’ y el yucateco marcan satisfactoriamente el contraste entre las formas de negación discursiva y oracional. Los datos muestran que los niños en cada lengua crean sus propias formas de negación.
Cancuén: una ciudad portuaria en el río de La Pasión
Authors: Martínez Paiz Horacio , Demarest Arthur , Andrieu Cholé , Torres Paola , Forné Melanie
Published: December 2016

Cancuén fue una ciudad trascendental para el intercambio comercial a larga distancia durante el Clásico Tardío. Parece que fue el puerto más significativo de las Tierras Bajas mayas del sur. Múltiples hallazgos han documentado la importancia y la naturaleza internacional de este asentamiento, que constituyó la cabeza de navegación del río de La Pasión y, a la vez, el centro fronterizo sureño entre los ricos recursos del Altiplano y las ciudades de las Tierras Bajas mayas de Petén.  Es más, entre el 760 a 800 d.C. Cancuén tenía un amplio acceso a la ruta de la Transversal del Norte, que corría a lo largo de la base del Altiplano guatemalteco y luego al noroeste, hasta llegar a la Costa del Golfo de México. En Cancuén, este cambio y el énfasis en la Transversal después de 750 d.C. está demostrado por cantidades significativas de cerámica de los tipos Chablekal Gris Fino y Campamento Naranja Fino procedentes de Veracruz y por la obsidiana de la fuente de Zaragoza, Puebla. Esta información ha proporcionado una clara percepción de cuáles fueron las posibles rutas de comercio y el papel de la sociedad en esta importante actividad.
Think Global, Act Local: How underground hip-hop gets down down Under
Authors: Gooding Frederick W. , Brandel Matthew , Jountti Corbin , Shadwick Andrew , Williams-Bailey Bryantee
Published: December 2016

This article explicitly focuses upon the relationship Aboriginal Australia has with hip-hop culture. Hip-hop has become not only a tool for larger identity formation for Aboriginal Australians, but also a way to preserve traditional styles that historically wilt from outside mainstream influences. After conducting a brief analysis of historical, political, and cultural similarities and differences between the African American and Aboriginal Australian experience, four mini-profiles of Aboriginal Australian hip-hop artists help explore what American and Canadian cultural critic and scholar Henry Giroux (1999) terms “public pedagogy” for direct political action and influence among those marginalized from mainstream culture. The article concludes after teasing out the tension of how hip-hop asserts itself as a liberating force when created and communicated within constrained political environs that potentially dictate its true force and impact.
Where Wounded Knee Meets Wounded Knees: Skate parks and Native American youth
Authors: Weaver Hilary N.
Published: December 2016

As contemporary peoples, Native Americans exist within multifaceted realities and participate in many everyday popular pleasures. One pleasure prominent in the lives of many young Native Americans is the activities that take place at skate parks. Skate parks have been linked to wellness promotion for both young people and communities and can function as a venue to nurture and mentor Native American youth in ways that parallel traditional methods. Some proponents of skate parks use the popularity of skateboards and skating to link past and present in ways that teach history and expand ideas about contemporary Indigenous aesthetics. This phenomenon can also be a visible means to challenge stereotypes and rigid definitions of us and them. This article draws on scholarly literature, the popular press, and personal experience to examine the growth of skate parks in Native American communities and their implications for Indigenous identity and wellbeing.
Modeling and Simulation of Passenger Flow Distribution in Urban Rail Transit Hub Platform
Authors: Gao Long , Jia Limin
Published: December 2016

Urban rail transit hub platform is the most important area for passenger flow distribution. In order to calculate passenger flow volume in platform and evaluate platform service level during rush hours, this paper presents a method for modeling and simulation of passenger flow distribution in platform. Passenger flow distribution model (PFDM) is proposed based on the basic analysis and the superposition principle of passenger flow. Simulation design for PFDM is proposed by Anylogic, which contains simulation process and simulation model. Experiment results show that PFDM and simulation design are effective and accordant with the reality scenario, and the simulation precision is comparatively ideal. This research could provide a beneficial reference for train scheduling and operation management under the viewpoint of traffic safety and service level.
Dark Matter and Its Relationship with Gravity, Electromagnetism and the Two Nuclear Forces
Authors: Roza Engel
Published: December 2016

In a search for a solution of the galaxy rotation problem, a novel view on cosmological gravity is developed. In this view, the origin of gravity is traced back to the basic nuclear field of energy, spread by quarks as elementary pointlike sources. This gives a common basis for gravity, electromagnetism, the strong nuclear force and the weak nuclear force. After a review on gravimagnetism and the causality problem of gravity, a hypothetical concept for the gravity field is proposed, which solves the rotation problem without the need to accept dark matter as the deus ex machina.
Some Inequalities Bounding Certain Ratios of the (p,k)-Gamma Function
Authors: Nantomah Kwara
Published: December 2016

In this paper, we establish some inequalities bounding the ratio Гp,k(x)/Гp,k(y), where Гp,k(.) is the (p,k)-analogue of the Gamma function. Consequently, some previous results are recovered from the obtained results.
The Modified Kudryashov Method for the Conformal Time Fractional (3+1)-dimensional Kadomtsev-Petviashvili  and the Modified Kawahara Equations
Authors: Korkmaz Alper
Published: December 2016

The three dimensional conformal time fractional Kadomtsev-Petviashvili and the conformal time fractional modified Kawahara equations are solved by implementing the Kudryashov's procedure. The corresponding wave transformation reduces both equations to some ODEs. Balancing the nonlinear and the highest order derivative terms gives the structure of the solutions in the finite series form. The useful symbolic tools are used to solve the resultant algebraic systems. The solutions are expressed in explicit forms.
Evaluation of Soil-Structure Interaction on the Seismic Response of Liquid Storage Tanks under Earthquake Ground Motions
Authors: Farajian Mostafa , Khodakarami Mohammad Iman , Kontoni Denise-Penelope N.
Published: December 2016

Soil-structure interaction (SSI) could affect the seismic response of structures. Since liquid storage tanks are vital structures and must continue their operation under severe earthquakes, their seismic behavior should be studied. Accordingly, the seismic response of liquid storage tanks founded on half space soil is scrutinized under different earthquake ground motions. To better comparison, the six considered ground motions are classified based on their pulse like characteristics, into two groups, named far and near fault ground motions. To model the liquid storage tanks, the simplified mass-spring model is used and the liquid is modeled as two lumped masses known as sloshing and impulsive, and the interaction of fluid and structure is considered using two coupled springs and dashpots. The SSI effect, also, is considered using a coupled spring and dashpot. Besides, four types of soils are used to consider wide variety of soil properties. To this end, after deriving the equations of motion, the MATLAB programming is employed to obtain the time history responses. Results show that although the SSI effect leads to decrease the impulsive displacement, overturning moment and normalized base shear, the sloshing (or convective) displacement is not affected by such effects due to its long period.
A Basin-Scale Estimation of Carbon Stocks of a Forest Ecosystem Characterized by Spatial Distribution and Contributive Features in the Liuxihe River Basin of Pearl River Delta
Authors: Zhang Chao , Xia Beicheng , Lin Junyu
Published: December 2016

Forest ecosystems make a greater contribution to carbon (C) stocks than any other terrestrial ecosystem. To understand the role of regional forest ecosystems in global climate change and carbon exchange, forest C stock and its spatial distribution within the small (2,300 km2) Liuxihe River basin were analyzed to determine the different contributors to the C stock. Forest C stocks were quantified by measuring the biomass of trees, understory vegetation, litter and roots, as well as soil organic C, using data from field samples and laboratory experiments. The results showed that forests stored 38.04 Tg C in the entire basin, with secondary and planted forests accounting for 89.82% and 10.18%, respectively, of the stored C. Five types of forests, a subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forest, a subtropical coniferous and broad-leaved mixed forest, a subtropical coniferous forest, a timber forest, and a non-wood forest, stored 257.55 ± 15.01, 218.92 ± 9.59, 195.24 ± 18.29, 177.42 ± 17.55, and 117.86 ± 6.04 Mg C ha−1, respectively. In the forest ecosystem C stocks of the basin, soils averagely contribute about 73.78%, not including root underground biomass. It provides a comprehensive method for forest ecosystem carbon investigation and forest management in small basin scale.
INTEGRATED DESEASE MANAGEMENT FOR CHILI FARMING IN BREBES AND MAGELANG - CENTRAL JAVA: SOCIAL ECONOMIC IMPACTS
Authors: Mariyono Joko
Published: December 2016

This study aims to analyze the impact of an integrated disease management (IDM) on chilli. Chili disease control technologies that include crop barrier with corn and Crotalaria, and compost tea have been introduced to farmers in Magelang and Brebes. A qualitative approach was used to assess and estimate the socio-economic impact of agricultural research. The study was conducted in 2011. The results showed that based on land use chili, the net economic benefits generated was relatively low. There were only a few farmers who have adopted the technology on chili peppers. Furthermore, the survey also illustrates that three years after its introduction in 2007 the technology status at farm level was just at consciousness phase. Learning of this fact, a thorough evaluation of the technology on chili pepper should be done immediately. Research institutions which have developed the technology should encourage bottom-up initiatives and build a shared commitment to complete the implementation of a clear strategic plan. The adoption of the strategic plan should include the integration of research activities with promotional activities for example by revitalizing participatory approaches to awareness of farmers.
Wpływ ekstraktów z pokrzywy zwyczajnej (Urtica dioica L.) na aktywność katalazy w monocytach/makrofagach THP1
Authors: Wolska Jolanta , Janda Katarzyna , Szkyrpan Sylwia , Gutowska Izabela
Published: December 2016

Wstęp: Pokrzywa zwyczajna (Urtica dioica L.) jest jedną z naj‑ cenniejszych roślin stosowanych w fitoterapii. Surowcem zielarskim są: ziele (Urticae herba), liście (Urticae folium), korzenie (Urticae radix) oraz nasiona (Urticae semina). Roślina ta jest cennym źródłem witamin, minerałów, błonnika, białka oraz związków biologicznie czynnych o właściwościach przeciwutleniających. W dostępnej literaturze nieliczne są informacje na temat składu chemicznego i właściwości owocostanów. Nie znaleziono prac dotyczących wpływu ekstraktów tej rośliny na aktywność katalazy w komórkach ludzkich. Celem pracy było zbadanie wpływu ekstraktów alkoholowych i wodnych z owocostanów pokrzywy zwyczajnej (Urtica dioica L.) na właściwości przeciwutleniające katalazy w komórkach THP1 (ludzka linia monocytarna nowotworowa – białaczka).Materiał i metody: Owocostany zebrane na przełomie września i października 2012 r. zamrożono i zliofilizowano. Z wysuszonego materiału roślinnego przygotowano ekstrakty (wodny i alkoholowy), które dodawano do hodowli komórkowych w różnym stężeniu. Do oznaczenia aktywności katalazy w komórkach wykorzystano metodę spektrofotometryczną.Wyniki i wnioski: Wykazano, że oba ekstrakty (wodny i alkoholowy) z owocostanów pokrzywy zwyczajnej powodują zwiększenie aktywności przeciwutleniającej katalazy w komórkach THP1. Wzrost aktywności katalazy w komórkach był wprost proporcjonalny do stężenia dodanego ekstraktu alkoholowego.
Satysfakcja pacjentów podstawowej opieki zdrowotnej z opieki medycznej i psychospołecznej
Authors: Plentara Radosław , Knyszyńska Anna , Bażydło Marta , Zabielska Paulina , Klim Andrzej , Kotwas Artur , Rotter Iwona , Kamola Jolanta , Karakiewicz Beata
Published: December 2016

Wstęp: Satysfakcję pacjenta coraz częściej rozpatruje się jako ważny element w pomiarze jakości świadczeń oferowanych przez podstawową opiekę zdrowotną (POZ). Celem pracy było określenie poziomu satysfakcji pacjentów z usług POZ.Materiał i metody: Przebadano 124 osoby, korzystając ze standaryzowanego kwestionariusza EUROPEP, opracowanego przez Europejską Grupę Roboczą ds. Jakości w Medycynie Rodzinnej.Wyniki: Doświadczenia 68% badanych wskazują na życzliwość i pomoc pielęgniarek POZ, a ponad połowa respondentów (52%) przypisała te cechy również recepcjonistkom. Większość badanych miała pozytywne zdanie na temat zachowania lekarzy POZ, podkreślając ich delikatność podczas badania (83%), szacunek dla intymności (82%), a także życzliwy stosunek wobec pacjentów (77%). Jednak mimo pozytywnej oceny zachowania, lekarze 52% respondentów nie zaproponowali żadnych badań profilaktycznych, a także w wielu przypadkach (43%) nie przekazali informacji dotyczących zasad zdrowego trybu życia. Co trzeci pacjent (32%) nie otrzymał od lekarza informacji o skutkach ubocznych stosowanych leków. Według wyników badań znacznie mniej niż połowa lekarzy POZ interesuje się sferą psychospołeczną swoich pacjentów. Zaledwie 27% badanych otrzymało ze strony lekarza pomoc w zakresie radzenia sobie z lękami dotyczącymi stanu zdrowia. Jeszcze mniej respondentów doświadczyło zainteresowania lekarza w zakresie ich sytuacji osobistej (23%) bądź materialnej (23%), natomiast pytania dotyczące członków rodziny padły ze strony lekarzy w stosunku do 35% pacjentów.Wnioski: 1. Ogólny poziom satysfakcji pacjentów z usług POZ jest wysoki. Pozytywnie oceniana jest dostępność do lekarza, życzliwość, zainteresowanie problemami zdrowotnymi podopiecznych. 2. Pacjenci POZ odczuwają deficyt działań profilaktycznych i promujących zdrowie, a także uważają za niewystarczające zainteresowanie lekarza problemami psychospołecznymi. 3. Konieczne jest większe zaangażowanie personelu POZ w promocję zdrowia i edukację prozdrowotną. Wskazane są szkolenia z zakresu komunikacji interpersonalnej personelu POZ. 4. Rosnąca świadomość zdrowotna społeczeństwa powoduje większe oczekiwania pacjentów odnośnie informacji o stanie zdrowia i planowanym leczeniu
Evaluation of therapy with cabergoline in men with macroprolactinoma
Authors: Andrysiak‑Mamos Elżbieta , Kaźmierczyk‑Puchalska Agnieszka , Żochowska Ewa , Sowińska-Przepiera Elżbieta , Sagan Leszek , Kojder Ireneusz , Syrenicz Anhelli
Published: December 2016

Wstęp: Gruczolaki przysadki produkujące prolaktynę należą do najczęściej występujących hormonalnie czynnych guzów przysadki. Leczeniem z wyboru w przypadkach prolaktinoma jest leczenie farmakologiczne przy użyciu agonistów receptorów dopaminowych. Najczęściej stosowanym lekiem jest bromokryptyna charakteryzująca się jednak licznymi działaniami ubocznymi. Od kilku lat dobre efekty leczenia uzyskuje się, stosując kabergolinę – selektywnego agonistę receptora dopaminowego o przedłużonym działaniu. Celem pracy była ocena skuteczności leczenia kabergoliną mężczyzn z makroprolaktinoma na podstawie badań klinicznych, hormonalnych i radiologicznych.  Materiał i metody: Badaną grupę stanowiło 10 mężczyzn w wieku 18–65 lat (średnia 41,9 ±15,01) z obecnością patologicznej masy w przysadce o wymiarach 16,7–40,5 mm (średnia 29,8 ±9,38 mm) oraz podwyższonym stężeniem prolaktyny (PRL) 37,3–4700 ng/mL (średnia 1608,2 ±1771,6 ng/mL). Stężenia PRL oraz pozostałych hormonów tropowych były oceniane po 1, 3, 6 oraz 12 miesiącach, a ocena wielkości guza była oceniana za pomocą rezonansu magnetycznego po 12 miesiącach leczenia kabergoliną.Wyniki: Leczenie kabergoliną doprowadziło u wszystkich pacjentów do ustąpienia bólów głowy, poprawy ostrości wzroku oraz wyraźnej poprawy w zakresie libido i erekcji. U 90% pacjentów uzyskano normalizację stężenia PRL już po pierwszych miesiącach leczenia. Średnie stężenia PRL wynosiły przed oraz po 1, 3, 6 i 12 miesiącach leczenia odpowiednio 1608,2 ±1771,6 ng/mL oraz 263,4 ±223,4, 136,1 ±244,7, 91,31 ±105,5 i 27,5 ±57,7 ng/mL. Stwierdzono istotne średnie zmniejszenie średnicy guza z 29,8 ±9,4 mm do 23,2 ±9,4 mm, średnio o ok. 6 mm, co stanowi 25,1% (4–48,5%). Nie stwierdzono istotnej korelacji między średnią wielkością guza o stężeniem PRL przed oraz w trakcie leczenia. Wykazano obniżone stężenie testosteronu przed leczeniem, bserwując jego stopniowy wzrost w trakcie leczenia, jednak po upływie 12 miesięcy nie uzyskano prawidłowych średnich stężeń testosteronu.Wnioski: 1. Stosowanie kabergoliny u pacjentów z makroprolaktinomą jest skuteczne w uzyskaniu normalizacji stężenia prolaktyny, jak również częściowej redukcji wielkości guza. 2. Terapia kabergoliną istotnie zmniejsza kliniczne objawy hiperprolaktynemii oraz wpływa na zmiany neurologiczne i okulistyczne związane z obecnością patologicznej zmiany w przysadce mózgowej. 3. Wielkość guza nie jest czynnikiem predykcyjnym dla efektywności leczenia kabergoliną.
Faecal microbiota transplant – prospects and safety
Authors: Bartnicka Anna , Szachta Patrycja , Gałęcka Mirosława
Published: December 2016

Mikrobiota przewodu pokarmowego, zarówno bezpośrednio, jak i pośrednio, wpływa na zachowanie homeostazy w organizmie człowieka. Mikroorganizmy jelitowe są szczególnie istotne ze względu na ich udział w rozwoju układu immunologicznego, ochronę przed patogenami, jak również funkcje metaboliczne i troficzne. Pomimo że skuteczność probiotyków oraz prebiotyków w łagodzeniu objawów szeregu chorób gastroenterologicznych została wielokrotnie potwierdzona, to w dalszym ciągu rośnie zainteresowanie metodą transplantacji kału. Skuteczność tej terapii potwierdzono przede wszystkim w leczeniu rzekomobłoniastego zapalenia jelita grubego. Coraz częściej dyskutuje się o możliwości zastosowania tej metody w leczeniu innych chorób przebiegających z dysbiozą jelitową. Transplantacja mikroflory kałowej, z uwagi na szybki efekt terapeutyczny, minimalne ryzyko działań niepożądanych, stosunkowo niski koszt i zdolność do modulowania składu mikroflory jelitowej wydaje się wartościową, alternatywną metodę leczenia w przypadku wybranych chorób przewodu pokarmowego. Celem pracy było przedstawienie tematu transplantacji kału, w tym jego zastosowanie w leczeniu innych chorób gastroenterologicznych.