bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sexual Healing in Patients with Prostate Cancer on Hormone Therapy
Authors: Schover Leslie R.
Published: May 2015

Since prostate cancer becomes more common with age, at least one-third of men have sexual problems at diagnosis. All localized treatments for prostate cancer greatly increase the prevalence of sexual dysfunction, which include loss of desire, erectile dysfunction, and changes in orgasm. Even men on active surveillance have a higher rate of problems than matched peers without prostate cancer. However, men given androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) have the worst rates of sexual dysfunction. Even after 3 to 4 months of ADT, men's desire for sex is decreased and irreversible damage may occur to the erectile tissue in the penis. Erections do not recover in about one-half of men, even if ADT is discontinued. Although intermittent ADT allows some recovery of sexual function, serum testosterone requires 9 to 12 months off ADT to recover. Again, one-half of men have permanent erectile dysfunction. If ADT causes atrophy of the erectile tissue, blood leaks out of the venous system during erection. This syndrome is difficult to treat except with surgery to implant a penile prosthesis. Despite the high rate of sexual problems in men on ADT, a small group stays sexually active and is able to have reliable erections. To improve men's sexual satisfaction on ADT, it may be important to educate them about getting extra mental and physical sexual stimulation, as well as using penile rehabilitation during hormone therapy. Information on reaching orgasm and coping with problems such as dry orgasm, pain with orgasm, and urinary incontinence during sex also should be provided.
Cancer Pain Management: Safe and Effective Use of Opioids
Authors: Bruera Eduardo , Paice Judith A.
Published: May 2015

Pain remains a serious consequence of cancer and its treatment. Although significant advances have been made in providing effective cancer pain control, barriers persist. Lack of knowledge, limited time, financial restrictions, and diminished availability of necessary medications serve as significant obstacles. Safe and effective opioid use in a patient with cancer requires skill to overcome these challenges. Understanding the mechanism of action, along with the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, of opioids will lead to appropriate selection, dosing, and titration of these agents. Rotation from one opioid or route to another is an essential proficiency for oncologists. As opioid-related adverse effects often occur, the oncology team must be expert in preventing and managing constipation, nausea, sedation, and neurotoxicities. An emerging concern is overtreatment—the excessive and prolonged use of opioids in patients when these agents may produce more harm than benefit. This can occur when opioids are used inappropriately to treat comorbid psychologic issues such as anxiety and depression. Recognizing risk factors for overuse along with key components of universal precautions will promote safe use of these medications, supporting adherence and preventing diversion, thereby protecting the patient, the prescriber, and the community. Because substance use disorders are not rare in the oncology setting, attention must be given to the balance of providing analgesia while limiting harm. Caring for patients with substance misuse requires compassionate, multidisciplinary care, with input from supportive oncology/palliative care as well as addiction specialists.
The Past, Present, and Future of Patient-Reported Outcomes in Oncology
Authors: Strong Laura E.
Published: May 2015

Patient-reported outcomes capture a unique and important perspective of oncology therapy. Surveys to properly capture patient-reported outcome measures have been under development for more than 2 decades. More recent efforts to understand the clinical significance of patient-reported outcomes, called performance measures, are underway. Patient-reported outcomes can be used in a variety of ways, including therapy decisions for an individual patient, payment for treatment, research into disease progression, or new drug development. Technology has already enabled electronic systems to capture and search patient-reported outcomes and in the future will assist in capturing everyday activities, which, in combination with improved informatics to sort the meaningful and actionable information, will reduce the time commitment for both patients and providers.
Clonal Evolution Models of Tumor Heterogeneity
Authors: Shlush Liran I. , Hershkovitz Dov
Published: May 2015

Somatic/clonal evolution is the process of sequential acquisition of vertically transmittable genetic/epigenetic elements in multicellular organisms. Cancer is the result of somatic evolution. Understanding the processes that shape the evolution of individual tumors might help us to treat cancer more efficiently. The initiating genetic/epigenetic events occur in functional cells and provide the cell of origin a selective advantage under a changing environment. The initiating genetic events tend to be enriched in specific tissues (and are sometimes specific for those tissues), as different tissues undergo different changes in the environment that will activate selective forces on different cells of origin. For the initial clonal expansion to occur premalignant clones need to have a relative fitness advantage over their competitors. It is estimated that the premalignant phase can take several years. Once the premalignant clonal expansion is established, the premalignant cells will contribute to the changing environment and will start competing among themselves. In late stages of cancer evolution the environmental changes might be similar across different tissues, including a lack of physical space, a shortage of energy, and activation of the immune system, and more and more of the hallmarks of cancer will evolve. In this review we will explore the possible clinical relevance of the heterogeneity that evolves during this long somatic evolution. Above all, it should be stressed that the earlier the clonal expansion is recognized, the less diverse and less fit for survival the cells in the population are.
The Patient-Centered Medical Home in Oncology: From Concept to Reality
Authors: Page Ray D. , Newcomer Lee N. , Sprandio John D. , McAneny Barbara L.
Published: May 2015

In recent years, the cost of providing quality cancer care has been subject to an epic escalation causing concerns on the verge of a health care crisis. Innovative patient-management models in oncology based on patient-centered medical home (PCMH) principles, coupled with alternative payments to traditional fee for service (FFS), such as bundled and episodes payment are now showing evidence of effectiveness. These efforts have the potential to bend the cost curve while also improving quality of care and patient satisfaction. However, going forward with FFS alternatives, there are several performance-based payment options with an array of financial risks and rewards. Most novel payment options convey a greater financial risk and accountability on the provider. Therefore, the oncology medical home (OMH) can be a way to mitigate some financial risks by sharing savings with the payer through better global care of the patient, proactively preventing complications, emergency department (ED) visits, and hospitalizations. However, much of the medical home infrastructure that is required to reduced total costs of cancer care comes as an added expense to the provider. As best-of-practice quality standards are being elucidated and refined, we are now at a juncture where payers, providers, policymakers, and other stakeholders should work in concert to expand and implement the OMH framework into the variety of oncology practice environments to better equip them to assimilate into the new payment reform configurations of the future.
A Strategic Plan for Integrating ICD-10 in Your Practice and Workflow
Authors: Bowman Sue , Cleland Risë Marie , Staggs Stuart
Published: May 2015

The adoption of the International Classification of Disease (ICD) 10th Revision (ICD-10) diagnosis code set in the United States has been legislatively delayed several times with the most recent date for implementation set for October 1, 2015. The transition from ICD-9 to ICD-10 will be a major undertaking that will require a substantial amount of planning. In the following article, we outline the steps to develop and implement a strategic plan for the transition to the new code set, identify training needs throughout the practice, and review the challenges and opportunities associated with the transition to ICD-10.
Improving Online Idea Generation Platforms and Customizing the Task Structure on the Basis of Consumers' Domain-Specific Knowledge
Authors: Luo Lan , Toubia Olivier
Published: May 2015

The authors explore how firms can enhance consumer performance in online idea generation platforms. Most, if not all, online idea generation platforms offer all consumers identical tasks in which (1) participants are granted access to ideas from other participants and (2) ideas are classified into categories, but consumers can navigate freely across idea categories. The former is linked to stimulus ideas, and the latter may be viewed as a first step toward problem decomposition. The authors propose that the effects of both stimulus ideas and problem decomposition are moderated by consumers' domain-specific knowledge. In particular, concrete cues such as stimulus ideas are more beneficial to low-knowledge consumers, and high-knowledge consumers are better served with abstract cues such as the ones offered by problem decomposition. The authors' hypotheses are supported by an extensive empirical investigation involving more than 6,000 participants. The findings suggest that online idea generation platforms should use problem decomposition more explicitly and that firms should not immediately show other participants' ideas to high-knowledge consumers when they access the platform. In other words, online idea generation platforms should customize the task structure on the basis of each participant's domain-specific knowledge.
Is A 70% Forecast more Accurate than a 30% Forecast? How Level of a Forecast Affects Inferences about Forecasts and Forecasters
Authors: Bagchi Rajesh , Ince Elise Chandon
Published: May 2015

Consumers routinely rely on forecasters to make predictions about uncertain events (e.g., sporting contests, stock fluctuations). The authors demonstrate that when forecasts are higher versus lower (e.g., a 70% vs. 30% chance of team A winning a game), consumers infer that the forecaster is more confident in his or her prediction, has conducted more in-depth analyses, and is more trustworthy. Consumers also judge the prediction as more accurate. This occurs because people tend to evaluate forecasts on the basis of how well they predict a target event occurring (e.g., team A winning). Higher forecasts indicate greater likelihood of the target event occurring and signal a confident analyst, while lower forecasts indicate lower likelihood and lower confidence in the target event occurring. Yet because with lower forecasts, consumers still focus on the target event (rather than its complement), lower confidence in the target event occurring is erroneously interpreted as the forecaster being less confident in his or her overall prediction (instead of more confident in the complementary event occurring, i.e., team A losing). The authors identify boundary conditions, generalize to other prediction formats, and demonstrate consequences of their findings.
Synthesis and characterization of some novel 1,2,4-triazoles, 1,3,4-thiadiazoles and Schiff bases incorporating imidazole moiety as potential antimicrobial agents
Authors: Aouad Mohamed Reda , Messali Mouslim , Rezki Nadjet , Ali Adeeb Al-Sheikh , Lesimple Alain
Published: May 2015

(1,4,5-Triphenylimidazol-2-yl-thio)butyric acid hydrazide (3) was obtained via alkylation of 1,4,5-triphenylimidazol-2- thiol (1) with ethylbromobutyrate, followed by addition of hydrazine hydrate. Treatment of acid hydrazide 3 with carbon disulfide in an ethanolic potassium hydroxide solution gave the intermediate potassium dithiocarbazinate salt, which was cyclized to 4-amino-5-[(1,4,5-triphenylimidazol- -2-yl)thiopropyl]-2H-1,2,4-triazole-3-thione (4) in the presence of hydrazine hydrate. Condensation of compound 3 with alkyl/arylisothiocyanate afforded the corresponding 1-[4-(1,4,5-triphenylimidazol-2-ylthio)butanoyl]-4-alkyl/arylthiosemicarbazides (5-7), which upon refluxing with sodium hydroxide, yielded the corresponding 1,2,4-triazole - -3-thiols 8-10. Under acidic conditions, compounds 4-6 were converted to aminothiadiazoles 11-13. Moreover, the series of Schiff bases 14-18 were synthesized from the condensation of compound 3 with different aromatic aldehydes. The newly synthesized compounds were characterized by IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR and mass spectral analyses. They were also preliminarily screened for their antimicrobial activity.
Clozapine-carboxylic acid plasticized co-amorphous dispersions: Preparation, characterization and solution stability evaluation
Authors: Ali Ahmed Mahmoud Abdelhaleem , Ali Adel Ahmed , Maghrabi Ibrahim Abdullah
Published: May 2015

This study addressed the possibility of forming of co-amorphous systems between clozapine (CZ) and various carboxylic acid plasticizers (CAPs). The aim was to improve the solubility and oral bioavailability of clozapine. Co-amorphous dispersions were prepared using modified solvent evaporation methodology at drug/plasticizer stoichiometric ratios of 1:1, 1:1.5 and 1:2. Solid state characterization was performed using differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction and infra red spectroscopy. Highly soluble homogeneous co-amorphous dispersions were formed between clozapine and CAPs via hydrogen bonding. The co-amorphous dispersions formed with tartaric acid (1:2) showed the highest dissolution percentage (> 95 % in 20 minutes) compared to pure crystalline CZ (56 %). Highly stable solutions were obtained from co-amorphous CZ-citric and CZ-tartaric acid at 1:1.5 molar ratio. The prepared dispersions suggest the possibility of peroral or sublingual administration of highly soluble clozapine at a reduced dose with the great chance to bypass the first pass metabolism.
Virosome, a hybrid vehicle for efficient and safe drug delivery and its emerging application in cancer treatment
Authors: Liu Hanqing , Tu Zhigang , Feng Fan , Shi Haifeng , Chen Keping , Xu Ximing
Published: May 2015

A virosome is an innovative hybrid drug delivery system with advantages of both viral and non-viral vectors. Studies have shown that a virosome can carry various biologically active molecules, such as nucleic acids, peptides, proteins and small organic molecules. Targeted drug delivery using virosome-based systems can be achieved through surface modifications of virosomes. A number of virosome- -based prophylactic and therapeutic products with high safety profiles are currently available in the market. Cancer treatment is a big battlefield for virosome-based drug delivery systems. This review provides an overview of the general concept, preparation procedures, working mechanisms, preclinical studies and clinical applications of virosomes in cancer treatment.
Photosynthetic and nutrient uptake physiology of Padina species in high and low nutrient waters in Bolinao, Pangasinan, Philippines
Authors: Barrow Makoto , Ganzon-Fortes Edna T. , Diego-McGlone Maria Lourdes San
Published: May 2015

The genus Padina (Dictyotales: Dictyotaceae) are ubiquitous tropical macroalgae found in a wide range of environmental conditions, but the physiological mechanisms that allow them to thrive in different light and nutrient conditions remain unclear. This study identified Padina species found at two contrasting sites in Bolinao, Pangasinan – turbid, high-nutrient waters at Rungos, and clear, low-nutrient waters at Patar, and compared their physiological responses. The examined parameters were growth rates, photosynthetic responses to varying irradiances (P-E curves), and NO3
- and NH4
+ uptake kinetics. Different species were found at each site, i.e., Padina antillarum in Rungos and Padina minor in Patar. From the P-E curves, both species appeared to have “shade plant” characteristics with high α values, low compensation irradiances, and low saturation irradiances. Though P. antillarum had higher net productivity (Pmax=69.4 mg O2 gdw-1 h-1) than P. minor (Pmax=40.6 mg O2 gdw-1 h-1), their growth rates did not significantly differ. Their NO3
- uptake rates were similar, while the NH4
+ uptake rate of P. minor (Vmax=249.60 μmol gdw-1 h-1) was double that of P. antillarum (Vmax=104.50 μmol gdw-1 h-1) during the first 30 min of exposure to NH4
+. These results suggest that each Padina species utilizes different strategies to survive in their respective habitats.
Necrotizing enterocolitis following intensive phototherapy in full-term newborns – is there a possible association?
Authors: Riskin Arieh , Kugelman Amir , Bader David
Published: May 2015

Background: Necrotizing enterocolitis is rare in full-term infants, and is currently not considered a known complication of phototherapy.

Highlights: Three cases of necrotizing enterocolitis in full-term babies possibly associated to intensive phototherapy for treatment of early neonatal hyperbilirubinemia due to isoimmune hemolytic disease of the newborn.

Conclusions: Although rare, the association between occurrences of necrotizing enterocolitis in full-term newborn infants and intensive phototherapy merits caution and clinical awareness to such possible complication. Presumptive explanation is that intensive phototherapy causes marked vasodilataion in the skin that may result in decreased perfusion of the intestine leading to ischemia and necrotizing enterocolitis. This calls for further studies to investigate the effects of phototherapy on the vascular bed in the gut and other vital organs that could have clinical implications.
Extinct and endangered species in the vascular plant flora of Strzelce Opolskie (Southern Poland)
Authors: Folcik Łukasz , Urbisz Andrzej
Published: May 2015

Symptoms of anthropogenic changes in the vascular plant flora include the spread of some species groups and the extinction of others. Also habitat condition changes (eutrophication, pollution etc.) and biodiversity loss (at a regional, national and even continental scale) should be mentioned. Numerous papers with rare plant species localities and endangered habitats have been published but the extinction processes and scale of this phenomenon in urban areas where environmental conservation is crucial, are not often analysed. The aim of the present study is to estimate species loss in the vascular plant flora of the town Strzelce Opolskie (Chełm, Silesian Upland) on the basis of the floristic literature and botanical surveys carried out from 2011 to 2013. A comparison has been made between the list of species reported up to 1945 and those species currently occurring in the study area. As a result, a list of 99 species included in the red list of plants of Opole and Silesian voivodeships is presented. Among this group, 45 species are not confirmed after 1945. Numerous extinct and endangered species are from families: Orchidaceae (8 species), Cyperaceae (7 species), Ranunculaceae (7 species) and Lamiaceae (6 species). Strongly represented are species associated with the communities of Festuco-Brometea and Querco- Fagetea classes. From the species presented, 18 species are included in "Red List of Vascular Plants of Poland" (MIREK ET AL. 2006). It was found that the extinct species represent about 7% of Strzelce Opolskie vascular plant flora. It is a focus point for local authorities to protect botanically valuable areas. Actually, the only Miejski Park is under the conservator's protection and there are few individual trees protected due to their age or size.
Synthesis of tricyclic indolizidines from ethyl isocyanoacetate
Authors: Lamberto Massimiliano
Published: May 2015

Tricyclic indolizidines were synthesized in good yields from commercially available ethyl isocyanoacetate by a novel sequential alkylation, thiol-mediated radical cyclization, N-alkylation, and microwave-assisted Pauson-Khand reaction.
Synthesis of quinolines and acridines by the reaction of 2-(perfluoroalkyl)anilines with lithium and Grignard reagents
Authors: Strekowski Lucjan , Zhang Jianguo , Sączewski Jarosław , Wolińska Ewa
Published: May 2015

This review summarizes the synthesis of quinolines and acridines by the reactions of anionically activated 2-(perfluoroalkyl)anilines. Mechanistic studies including isolation of the intermediate aza-ortho-xylylene are discussed.
Scanning UV microspectrophotometry as a tool to study the changes of lignin in hydrothermally modified wood
Authors: Andersons Bruno , Noldt Guna , Koch Gerald , Andersone Ingeborga , Meija-Feldmane Anete , Biziks Vladimirs , Irbe Ilze , Grinins Juris
Published: May 2015

Thermal modification (TM) of wood has occupied a relatively narrow but stable niche as an alternative for chemical wood protection. There are different technological solutions for TM and not all details of their effects on wood tissue have been understood. The one-stage hydrothermal modification (HTM) at elevated vapour pressure essentially changes the wood’s composition and structure. In the present paper, the changes in three hardwood lignins (alder, aspen, and birch) were observed within the cell wall by means of cellular UV microspectrophotometry. The lignin absorbances in the compound middle lamella (CML) of unmodified wood are 1.7- to 2.0-fold higher than those in the fibre S2 layer. The woods were modified in the temperature range from 140 to 180°C, while in the lower temperature range (140°C/1 h), the UV absorbances are little affected. Essential changes occur in the range of 160–180°C and the UV data reflect these by absorbtion changes, while the absorbances at 278 nm rise with factors around 2 more in the S2 layer than in the CML. The absorbance increments are interpreted as polycondensation reactions with furfural and other degradation products of hemicelluloses with the lignin moiety of the cell wall.
First Order Chemical Reaction Effects on Exponentially Accelerated Vertical Plate with Variable Mass Diffusion in the Presence of Thermal Radiation
Authors: Muthucumaraswamy R. , Lakshmi C.S.
Published: May 2015

Effects of transfer of mass and free convection on the flow field of an incompressible viscous fluid past an exponentially accelerated vertical plate with variable surface temperature and mass diffusion are studied. Results for velocity, concentration, temperature are obtained by solving governing equations using the Laplace transform technique. It is observed that the velocity increases with decreasing values of the chemical reaction parameter or radiation parameter. But the trend is just reversed with respect to the time parameter. The skin friction is also studied.
The Fundamental Solutions for the Stress Intensity Factors of Modes I, II And III. The Axially Symmetric Problem
Authors: Rogowski B.
Published: May 2015

The subject of the paper are Green’s functions for the stress intensity factors of modes I, II and III. Green’s functions are defined as a solution to the problem of an elastic, transversely isotropic solid with a penny-shaped or an external crack under general axisymmetric loadings acting along a circumference on the plane parallel to the crack plane. Exact solutions are presented in a closed form for the stress intensity factors under each type of axisymmetric ring forces as fundamental solutions. Numerical examples are employed and conclusions which can be utilized in engineering practice are formulated.
Optimization and Investigation into the Effect of Cutting Conditions on Surface Roughness in Turning of Ti–6Al–4V Alloy under Different Machining Environments
Authors: Venkata Ramana M. , Krishna Mohan Rao G. , Hanumantha Rao D.
Published: May 2015

Cutting fluids of various types are commonly employed to control the friction and heat during machining. The continuous application of cutting fluids is being avoided to reduce overall volume of cutting fluids, machining cost, environmental and health issues. To overcome these problems, minimum quantity lubrication (MQL) machining has been chosen as an alternative approach. In the present work, experiments are conducted using Taguchi’s robust design methodology to find out the optimal cutting parameters for surface roughness under different machining environmental conditions and carbide tool materials. The results indicated that there is considerable improvement in the machining performance using MQL machining. Flooded machining, high cutting speed, low feed rate, low depth of cut and chemical vapour deposition (CVD) coated tool are found to be the optimum conditions to minimize surface roughness. From the analysis of variance (ANOVA), feed rate is the most influential factor that affects the surface roughness than cutting speed and depth of cut.
A General G-Code Algorithm for Deep Hole Drilling
Authors: Omirou Sotiris L. , Fyrillas Marios M.
Published: May 2015

Hole drilling is the most common machining operation performed on computer numerical control (CNC) machine tools or machining workshops. Drilling appears to be a relatively simple process however; when it involves drilling deep holes, it becomes one of the most complicated metal cutting processes. Although modern machine tool controllers are equipped with special drilling canned cycles, these cycles have significant constraints mainly due to their limited framework of application. The present work proposes a general G-code algorithm intended to accommodate effective deep hole drilling. The algorithm is characterized by flexibility in the pecking strategy and adaptability to the needs of each individual drilling case. The development of the proposed algorithm is based on parametric programming which is a powerful CNC programming technique.
Efficient forward second-harmonic generation from planar archimedean nanospirals
Authors: Davidson II Roderick B. , Ziegler Jed I. , Vargas Guillermo , Avanesyan Sergey M. , Gong Yu , Hess Wayne , Haglund Jr. Richard F.
Published: May 2015

The enhanced electric field at plasmonic resonances in nanoscale antennas can
lead to efficient harmonic generation, especially when the plasmonic geometry is
asymmetric on either inter-particle or intra-particle levels. The planar
Archimedean nanospiral offers a unique geometrical asymmetry for second-harmonic
generation (SHG) because the SHG results neither from arranging centrosymmetric
nanoparticles in asymmetric groupings, nor from non-centrosymmetric
nanoparticles that retain a local axis of symmetry. Here, we report forward SHG
from planar arrays of Archimedean nanospirals using 15 fs pulses from a
Ti:sapphire oscillator tuned to 800 nm wavelength. The measured
harmonic-generation efficiencies are 2.6·10−9, 8·10−9 and
1.3·10−8 for left-handed circular, linear, and right-handed
circular polarizations, respectively. The uncoated nanospirals are stable under
average power loading of as much as 300 μWper nanoparticle. The nanospirals also
exhibit selective conversion between polarization states. These experiments show
that the intrinsic asymmetry of the nanospirals results in a highly efficient,
two-dimensional harmonic generator that can be incorporated into metasurface
optics.
Obstructive urination problems after high-dose-rate brachytherapy boost treatment for prostate cancer are avoidable
Authors: Kragelj Borut
Published: May 2015

Background

Aiming at improving treatment individualization in patients with prostate cancer treated with combination of external beam radiotherapy and high-dose-rate brachytherapy to boost the dose to prostate (HDRB-B), the objective was to evaluate factors that have potential impact on obstructive urination problems (OUP) after HDRB-B.

Patients and methods

In the follow-up study 88 patients consecutively treated with HDRB-B at the Institute of Oncology Ljubljana in the period 2006-2011 were included. The observed outcome was deterioration of OUP (DOUP) during the follow-up period longer than 1 year. Univariate and multivariate relationship analysis between DOUP and potential risk factors (treatment factors, patients’ characteristics) was carried out by using binary logistic regression. ROC curve was constructed on predicted values and the area under the curve (AUC) calculated to assess the performance of the multivariate model.

Results

Analysis was carried out on 71 patients who completed 3 years of follow-up. DOUP was noted in 13/71 (18.3%) of them. The results of multivariate analysis showed statistically significant relationship between DOUP and anti-coagulation treatment (OR 4.86, 95% C.I. limits: 1.21-19.61, p = 0.026). Also minimal dose received by 90% of the urethra volume was close to statistical significance (OR = 1.23; 95% C.I. limits: 0.98-1.07, p = 0.099). The value of AUC was 0.755.

Conclusions

The study emphasized the relationship between DOUP and anticoagulation treatment, and suggested the multivariate model with fair predictive performance. This model potentially enables a reduction of DOUP after HDRB-B. It supports the belief that further research should be focused on urethral sphincter as a critical structure for OUP.
Advances in biosorption of microelements – the starting point for the production of new agrochemicals
Authors: Michalak Izabela , Witek-Krowiak Anna , Chojnacka Katarzyna , Bhatnagar Amit
Published: May 2015

This paper reports the advances in biosorption of trace elements to produce value-added products for agriculture. Innovative fertilizers and dietary feed supplements can be produced by biosorption, where micronutrients are bonded with biological material. The process is controlled by the equilibrium between functional groups and micronutrient ions (e.g., Cu(II), Mn(II), Fe(II), Zn(II)), yielding the products with controlled release properties. The latter assumes high bioavailability and low toxicity to plants and animals. This makes it possible to biofortify food of plant and animal (meat, milk, eggs) origin with microelements and produce a new generation of functional food, rich in microelements. Regulatory issues related with micronutrient dietary feed supplements and fertilizers were discussed. Special attention has been paid to micronutrient deficiencies in plant cultivation and animal nutrition and to the methods of overcoming this problem. The applicability of biosorption to supplement bioavailable form of nutritionally significant elements was discussed. Current developments of biosorption-based technologies for agriculture were presented.
Tangent Curve Function Description of Mechanical Behaviour of Bulk Oilseeds: A Review
Authors: Sigalingging R. , Herák D. , Kabutey A. , Čestmír M. , Divišová M.
Published: May 2015

The application of tangent curve mathematical model for description of mechanical behaviour of selected bulk oilseeds, namely jatropha, sunflower, rape, garden pea, and common bean in linear compression was reviewed. Based on the review analysis, the tangent curve function has been developed using MathCAD 14 software which employs the Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm for data fitting optimal for tangent curve approximation. Linear compression parameters including force (N), deformation (mm), energy (J), and/or volume energy (J-m-3) can equally be determined by the tangent model. Additionally, the theoretical dependency between force and deformation characteristic curves can be defined by the force coefficient of mechanical behaviour (N) and deformation coefficient of mechanical behaviour (mm-1) of the tangent model. In conclusion, the review results, however, shows that the tangent curve mathematical model which is dependent on experimental boundary conditions is potentialy useful for theoretical description of mechanical properties and deformation characteristics of bulk oilseeds in axial compression.
Determinants of Innovation Potential at Universities of the Czech Republic
Authors: Pilař L. , Pokorná J.
Published: May 2015

Scientific research in the sphere of education confirms the fact that the key elements of success are innovation and education. Through the influence of continuous changes, it is necessary to define innovation within the scope of the organization culture and education, which have a significant share on the efficient expression of thoughts leading to the overall development of the organization. The article builds on the research of social network, trust, and innovation and validates the relationship between the 'Trust at the workplace' and 'Innovation climate' in the environment of Czech universities. In connection with the research of determinants of Innovation climate, the article further examines the moderating effect of 'Seniority' on the relationship between the factors of 'Trust' and 'Innovation climate'. Primary data was collected using an electronic survey. An exploratory factor analysis was used for the extraction of factors. Based on the extracted factors the moderation effect was calculated. Conjoint effect of the 'Trust at the workplace' and 'Seniority' has greater impact on the level of Innovation climate than the simple sum of separate effects of individual constructs which can be interpreted as a synergistic effect.
Back In Time: Fish Oocyte As A Superior Model For Human Reproduction? A Review
*
Authors: Weingartová I. , Dvořáková M. , Nevoral J. , Vyskočilová A. , Sedmíková M. , Rylková K. , Kalous L. , Jílek F.
Published: May 2015

The progress of reproductive biotechnology is dependent on the amount, quality, and availability of female gametes – oocytes. The proper selection of a suitable model organism is vital to ensure effective research of the signal pathways that regulate oogenesis and meiotic maturation. Many factors are involved in meiosis regulation and some of them are evolutionarily conserved. Xenopus laevis is a traditional model for cell cycle research, which has become a background for a more detailed study of models that are similar to humans. In contrast to mammalian models, water-living vertebrates are appropriate models for studying effects of environmentally occurring pollutants such as endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs). The triploid gynogenetic Prussian carp is a unique biological model for reproduction studies. The ability of clone production in combination with alternative sexual mode of reproduction brings advantages for the testing of sensitiveness to the effects of EDCs in terms of studying the alternative molecular pathways in meiosis regulations. The aim of this review is to compare meiosis regulating pathways among various animal models, and to suggest the possible utilization of these models in researching EDCs. A comparison of the currently recognized oocyte signalization and the endocrine disruptor effect points out the need for their molecular target identification and introduces some in water living vertebrates as suitable study models.
Catalytic activity of the nanoporous MCM-41 surface for the Paal–Knorr pyrrole cyclocondensation
Authors: Aghapoor Kioumars , Amini Mostafa M. , Jadidi Khosrow , Mohsenzadeh Farshid , Darabi Hossein Reza
Published: May 2015

The investigation of different oxide surfaces revealed that nanoporous silica (MCM-41) had the best catalytic activity for Paal–Knorr pyrrole synthesis. Despite the same composition, MCM-41 proved to be more effective than SiO2 itself, probably due to a significantly higher surface area of the SiO2 nanopores. The important features of this “clean” solvent-free protocol are the ease of recovery and the reuse of the catalyst for several cycles, operational simplicity, and easy product isolation and purification.
Synthesis and crystal structure of a 3D copper(II)–silver(I) coordination polymer assembled through hydrogen bonding, π–π stacking and metal–π interactions, {[Cu(phen)2(CN)][Ag(CN)2] · 3H2O}
n
(phen = 1,10-phenanthroline)
Authors: Nawaz Sidra , Rüffer Tobias , Lang Heinrich , Shaheen Muhammad Ashraf , Ahmad Saeed , Shah Javed Hussain
Published: May 2015

A copper(II) polymeric complex {[Cu(phen)2(CN)][Ag(CN)2] · 3H2O}
n
, 1 (phen = 1,10-phenanthroline), has been prepared and structurally characterized. The compound crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P21/c with [Cu(phen)2(CN)]+ and [Ag(CN)2]− units and three water molecules. The cationic and anionic units are linked to each other through M-π and π–π interactions. The array is extended further by hydrogen bonding and π–π interactions to form a 3D network.
A Pediatrician’s Practical Guide to Diagnosing and Treating Hereditary Spherocytosis in Neonates
Authors: Christensen Robert D. , Yaish Hassan M. , Gallagher Patrick G.
Published: May 2015

Newborn infants who have hereditary spherocytosis (HS) can develop anemia and hyperbilirubinemia. Bilirubin-induced neurologic dysfunction is less likely in these neonates if the diagnosis of HS is recognized and appropriate treatment provided. Among neonates listed in the USA Kernicterus Registry, HS was the third most common underlying hemolytic condition after glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency and ABO hemolytic disease. HS is the leading cause of direct antiglobulin test (direct Coombs) negative hemolytic anemia requiring erythrocyte transfusion in the first months of life. We anticipate that as physicians become more familiar with diagnosing HS in the newborn period, fewer neonates with HS will develop hazardous hyperbilirubinemia or present to emergency departments with unanticipated symptomatic anemia. We predict that early suspicion, prompt diagnosis and treatment, and anticipatory guidance will prevent adverse outcomes in neonates with HS. The purpose of this article was to review the neonatal presentation of HS and to provide practical and up-to-date means of diagnosing and treating HS in neonates.
Diagnostic Accuracy of the Urinalysis for Urinary Tract Infection in Infants <3 Months of Age
Authors: Schroeder Alan R. , Chang Pearl W. , Shen Mark W. , Biondi Eric A. , Greenhow Tara L.
Published: May 2015

BACKGROUND:

The 2011 American Academy of Pediatrics urinary tract infection (UTI) guideline suggests incorporation of a positive urinalysis (UA) into the definition of UTI. However, concerns linger over UA sensitivity in young infants. Infants with the same pathogenic organism in the blood and urine (bacteremic UTI) have true infections and represent a desirable population for examination of UA sensitivity.

METHODS:

We collected UA results on a cross-sectional sample of 276 infants <3 months of age with bacteremic UTI from 11 hospital systems. Sensitivity was calculated on infants who had at least a partial UA performed and had ≥50 000 colony-forming units per milliliter from the urine culture. Specificity was determined by using a random sample of infants from the central study site with negative urine cultures.

RESULTS:

The final sample included 245 infants with bacteremic UTI and 115 infants with negative urine cultures. The sensitivity of leukocyte esterase was 97.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 94.5%–99.2%) and of pyuria (>3 white blood cells/high-power field) was 96% (95% CI 92.5%–98.1%). Only 1 infant with bacteremic UTI (Group B Streptococcus) and a complete UA had an entirely negative UA. In infants with negative urine cultures, leukocyte esterase specificity was 93.9% (95% CI 87.9 – 97.5) and of pyuria was 91.3% (84.6%–95.6%).

CONCLUSIONS:

In young infants with bacteremic UTI, UA sensitivity is higher than previous reports in infants with UTI in general. This finding can be explained by spectrum bias or by inclusion of faulty gold standards (contaminants or asymptomatic bacteriuria) in previous studies.
Echocardiographic Evaluation of Aortic Stenosis – Normal Flow and Low Flow Scenarios
Authors: Burwash Ian G ,   Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa Heart Institute, 40 Ruskin Street, Ottawa, Ontario, K1Y 4W7, Canada. E: iburwash@ottawaheart.ca
Published: May 2015

The echocardiographic evaluation of the patient with aortic stenosis (AS) has evolved in recent years, beyond confirming the diagnosis and measuring the resting mean pressure gradient or valve area. New echocardiographic approaches have developed to address the clinical dilemmas related to discordant haemodynamic data, asymptomatic haemodynamically severe AS and low-flow, low-gradient AS in order to better evaluate the disease severity, enhance the risk stratification of patients and provide important prognostic information. This article reviews the echocardiographic evaluation of the AS patient and focuses on the echocardiographic assessment of the haemodynamic severity, the prediction of clinical outcome and the use of echocardiography to guide patient management in the presence of normal flow and low flow scenarios.
Effect of Weed Management Strategy and Row Width on Nitrous Oxide Emissions in Soybean
Authors: Bailey Rebecca R. , Butts Thomas R. , Lauer Joseph G. , Laboski Carrie A. M. , Kucharik Christopher J. , Davis Vince M.
Published: May 2015

Nitrous oxide (N2O) is a potent greenhouse gas with implication for climate change. Agriculture accounts for 10% of all greenhouse gas emissions in the United States, but 75% of the country's N2O emissions. In the absence of PRE herbicides, weeds compete with soybean for available soil moisture and inorganic N, and may reduce N2O emissions relative to a weed-free environment. However, after weeds are killed with a POST herbicide, the dead weed residues may stimulate N2O emissions by increasing soil moisture and supplying carbon and nitrogen to microbial denitrifiers. Wider soybean rows often have more weed biomass, and as a result, row width may further impact how weeds influence N2O emissions. To determine this relationship, field studies were conducted in 2013 and 2014 in Arlington, WI. A two-by-two factorial treatment structure of weed management (PRE + POST vs. POST-only) and row width (38 or 76 cm) was arranged in a randomized complete block design with four replications. N2O fluxes were measured from static gas sampling chambers at least weekly starting 2 wk after planting until mid-September, and were compared for the periods before and after weed termination using a repeated measures analysis. N2O fluxes were not influenced by theweedbywidthinteraction orwidthbefore termination, after termination, or for the full duration of the study at P ≤ 0.05. Interestingly, we observed that POST-only treatments had lower fluxes on the sampling day immediately prior to POST application (P = 0.0002), but this was the only incidence whereweedinfluenced N2O fluxes, and overall, average fluxes from PRE + POST and POST-only treatments were not different for any period of the study. Soybean yield was not influenced bywidth(P = 0.6018) orweedbywidth(P = 0.5825), but yield was 650 kg ha−1higher in the PRE + POST than POST-only treatments (P = 0.0007). These results indicate that herbicide management strategy does not influence N2O emissions from soybean, and the use of a PRE herbicide prevents soybean yield loss.
Late Holocene evolution of the lower Tagus alluvial plain and heavy metals content : preliminary results
Authors: Ramos C. , Reis E. , Ramos Pereira A. , Azevedo T. M. , Nunes E. , Freitas M. C. , Andrade M. C.
Published: May 2015

This paper aims to contribute to the fluvial dynamic knowledge of the Lower Tagus during the late Holocene. Two cores were done in selected geomorphological positions at the alluvial plain. Each ten centimeters of sediments were submitted to sedimentological and geochemical analyses in order to identify human contamination by heavy metals, sedimentation rates and environmental changes in the main channel position The main conclusions are: (1) The witness of the lateral migration of the fluvial channel; (2) The very irregular sedimentation rate, from 3mm per year to 0.1mm per year; (3) The diversified contamination of fluvial sediments and fluvial channels by heavy metals, namely Cu due to cooper sulphate vineyards and Pb due to petrol and Cr from the tanning industries.
Alteración hidrológica del barranco de Lerma (Zaragoza) por la transformación en regadío
Authors: Causapé J. , Merchán D. , Abrahão R. , García-Garizábal I.
Published: May 2015

El regadio se expande sin un verdadero conocimiento del impacto que genera ni de su evolucion en el tiempo. Este trabajo pretende analizar la alteracion que supone una transformacion en regadio sobre la hidrologia del cauce natural receptor de sus retornos de riego. Para ello, se han cuantificado tendencias e identificado variaciones estacionales del caudal, conductividad electrica y concentracion de nitrato del barranco de Lerma (Zaragoza) desde su condicion de secano (2004) hasta que el nuevo regadio estuvo consolidado (2011). La transformacion en regadio supuso un aumento de caudal (4.2 L/s ano) y concentracion de nitrato (5.6 mg/L ano). La conductividad electrica disminuyo (-0.4 mS/cm ano), aunque la masa de sales exportada tambien se incremento (232 kg/ano) a causa del ascenso de caudal. La gestion del regadio unido a las caracteristicas hidrogeologicas genero ciclos anuales, semanales y diarios en los parametros analizados. Los resultados ponen de manifiesto la alteracion hidrologica y su evolucion en el tiempo por la puesta en regadio que deberia ser tenida en cuenta para la adecuada planificacion de los recursos hidricos.
Líneas maestras de la economía riojana
Authors: Franco Aliaga Tomás
Published: May 2015

Los aspectos más destacables de la industria riojana podrían resumirse en los siguientes puntos: 1.- Una agricultura rica y variada alimenta las industrias con más futuro de La Rioja, la vinícola y la conservera. 2.- No existen grandes industrias, pues ninguna alcanza los 1.000 empleados. 3.- Predominan, en cambio, los pequeños talleres con carácter más artesano que industrial. 4.- Durante los años 60 y 70, yen varios sectores por partir casi de cero, la industria riojana ha alcanzado un índice de desarrollo superior al del conjunto del país. 5.- Las inversiones industriales, al llegar la crisis, se contrajeron al mínimo. 6.- A partir de 1982 se ha relanzado la inversión hacia los sectores con más futuro de cara a la integración en la C. E. E. 7.- La Rioja, que se ha beneficiado del efecto de rebose de la industria vasca, ocupa. un lugar de privilegio entre la costa cantábrica y la mediterránea. 8.- Logroño, la capital, concentra más del 50% de la actividad industrial, ejerciendo un efecto negativo en el resto de la provincia. 9.- Las comarcas de Alfaro-Calahorra (Conservas), Arnedo (Calzado y Conservas), Haro (Industrias Vinícolas), Nájera (Muebles de Madera), junto con Logroño, aparecen como los focos de concentración industrial sobre el Eje del valle. 10.- Las comarcas de Cervera del río Alhama, Santo Domingo de la Calzada y Torrecilla en Cameros, ubicadas entre los relieves ibéricos del Sur riojano, presentan un aspecto deprimido tanto en el plano demográfico como en el económico.
Oxygen reduction by plasma cleaning in low-energy ion implantation of silver ions in titanium
Authors: Souza Andreia Valim de , Soares Tatiana Pacheco , Figueroa Carlos Alejandro , Aguzzoli Cesar
Published: May 2015

In this study silver ions were implanted on titanium surface through the technique of ion implantation at low energy in a device called Ion Plating Diversified. The titanium reacts easily at room temperature forming a thin oxide layer on its surface. Which may reduce the efficiency of the process, damaging it not only by forming a barrier to implementation but also by the reaction of oxygen with silver, nullifying its bactericidal effect. To reduce the oxygen effect, a strategy was elaborated for surface cleaning to remove of this oxide prior to ion implantation. To verify the effectiveness of implantation and qualitative reduction of oxygen to physical-chemical characterization samples were evaluated. The results show that silver is actually implanted on the surface of titanium, a few nanometers in depth, as well as a qualitative reduction of oxygen on the surface. Comparing the different types of treatment it was found that the plasma cleaning can be applied prior to the implantation process, proving effective in reducing the oxygen, and also because it is a non-polluting technique. http://dx.doi.org/10.18226/23185279.v3iss1p12