bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinical Significance of Serum Chitotriosidase Level in Anti-MDA5 Antibody–positive Dermatomyositis-associated Interstitial Lung Disease
Authors: Fujisawa Tomoyuki , Hozumi Hironao , Yasui Hideki , Suzuki Yuzo , Karayama Masato , Furuhashi Kazuki , Enomoto Noriyuki , Nakamura Yutaro , Inui Naoki , Suda Takafumi
Published: May 2019

Objective.

To assess prognostic factors of antimelanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 antibody (anti-MDA5)–positive dermatomyositis/clinically amyopathic DM–associated interstitial lung disease (DM/CADM-ILD) and evaluate the use of serum chitotriosidase, a marker for macrophage activation, as a potential biomarker in anti-MDA5-positive DM/CADM-ILD.

Methods.

This retrospective study included 30 patients with anti-MDA5–positive DM/CADM-ILD. The clinical characteristics and laboratory findings at the time of diagnosis were analyzed. Serum chitotriosidase levels were measured in the 30 patients, in 21 healthy controls, and in 25 patients with anti-aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase antibody–positive (anti-ARS)-polymyositis (PM)/DM/CADM-ILD, and the potential of serum chitotriosidase as a prognostic biomarker in anti-MDA5–positive DM/CADM-ILD was assessed.

Results.

The median serum chitotriosidase level in patients with anti-MDA5–positive DM/CADM-ILD was 17.3 ng/ml, which was higher than that in healthy controls and anti-ARS–PM/DM/CADM-ILD (2.0 and 8.9 ng/ml, respectively). Of the 30 patients, 10 died of respiratory failure associated with DM/CADM-ILD deterioration. Cox hazard analysis demonstrated that higher serum chitotriosidase level and lower PaO2 value were significant predictors of a poor outcome. Using optimal cutoff levels according to receiver-operating characteristic curve analyses, chitotriosidase ≥ 23.5 ng/ml, ferritin ≥ 800 ng/ml, and Krebs von den Lungen–6 ≥ 720 U/ml were significantly associated with a poor prognosis. Serum chitotriosidase levels were negatively correlated with PaO2 and percentage predicted forced vital capacity. The survival rate was significantly poorer in patients with high chitotriosidase levels (≥ 23.5 ng/ml) than in those with low chitotriosidase levels (< 23.5 ng/ml).

Conclusion.

Serum chitotriosidase may be a potential biomarker for predicting a poor prognosis in patients with anti-MDA5–positive DM/CADM-ILD.
Improving Scoring Precision and Internal Construct Validity of the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index Using Rasch Measurement Theory
Authors: Heaney Alice , McKenna Stephen P. , Hagell Peter , Sengupta Raj
Published: May 2019

Objective.

To test the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) according to Rasch Measurement Theory and investigate whether measurement precision can be improved.

Methods.

Secondary analysis of a BASDAI database. The data had been collected from individuals starting an Ankylosing Spondylitis Exercise Course at the Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases in Bath, UK.

Results.

Data were available for 250 participants (23.6% female) aged between 18 and 85 years (mean 52.8, SD 14.6). Initial fit of the data to the Rasch model appeared good and item thresholds were consistent, but local item dependence (LID) was identified. After addressing the LID, a unidimensional measure was achieved. The Person Separation Index (reliability) was 0.83 and the location of the items was well matched to that of the respondents. A transformation table was generated to convert total raw BASDAI scores into linearized Rasch transformed scores that form an interval scale. The Smallest Detectable Difference improved from 2 to 1.2. This finding suggests that a change score of > 1.2 points on the modified BASDAI is required to achieve meaningful change.

Conclusion.

Applying the Rasch transformed scores simplifies completion and scoring of the measure and confirms internal construct validity. It also ensures linear measurement and justifies the use of parametric statistical analyses when analyzing datasets. The transformation table can be used with existing BASDAI datasets to allow direct comparisons of disease activity scores with those generated from future studies.
Neutrophil Extracellular Traps Profiles in Patients with Incident Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Lupus Nephritis
Authors: Bruschi Maurizio , Bonanni Alice , Petretto Andrea , Vaglio Augusto , Pratesi Federico , Santucci Laura , Migliorini Paola , Bertelli Roberta , Galetti Maricla , Belletti Silvana , Cavagna Lorenzo , Moroni Gabriella , Franceschini Franco , Fredi Micaela , Pazzola Giulia , Allegri Landino , Sinico Renato Alberto , Pesce Giampaola , Bagnasco Marcello , Manfredi Angelo , Ramirez Giuseppe A. , Ramoino Paola , Bianchini Paolo , Puppo Francesco , Pupo Francesca , Negrini Simone , Mattana Federico , Emmi Giacomo , Garibotto Giacomo , Santoro Domenico , Scolari Francesco , Ravelli Angelo , Tincani Angela , Cravedi Paolo , Volpi Stefano , Candiano Giovanni , Ghiggeri Gian Marco
Published: May 2019

Objective.

Neutrophil extracellular traps (NET) expose modified antigens for autoantibodies in vasculitis. Little is known about levels and removal pathways of NET in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), especially in lupus nephritis (LN). We determined circulating levels and defined NET removal in large subsets of patients with incident SLE (iSLE), some of whom had new-onset nephritis.

Methods.

Serum levels of NET (ELISA), DNase1/DNase1L3 (ELISA), and DNase activity (functional assay) were determined in 216 patients with iSLE [103 had incident LN (iLN)], in 50 patients with other primary glomerulonephritis, and in healthy controls.Ex vivoNET production by neutrophils purified from a random selection of patients was quantified as elastase/DNA release and by immunofluorescence techniques.

Results.

Serum NET levels were very high in iSLE/iLN compared to all groups of controls and correlated with anti-dsDNA, C3–C4, and proteinuria; iLN had the highest levels. DNase activity was decreased in iLN compared to SLE (20% had one-half DNase activity) despite similar serum levels of DNase1/DNase1L3. In these cases, pretreatment of serum with protein A restored DNase efficiency; 1 patient was homozygous for a c.289_290delAC variant ofDNASE1L3.Ex vivoNET production by neutrophils purified from LN, SLE, and normal controls was similar in all cases.

Conclusion.

Patients with iLN have increased circulating NET and reduced DNase activity, the latter being explained by the presence of inhibitory substances in circulation and/or by rareDNase1L3mutations. Accumulation of NET derives from a multifactorial mechanism, and is associated and may contribute to disease severity in SLE, in particular to renal lesions. (Clinical trial registration: The Zeus study was registered atClinicalTrials.gov, study numberNCT02403115).
Veganomics : vers une approche économique du véganisme ?
Authors: Treich Nicolas
Published: May 2019

L’économie ne s’intéresse pas aux animaux. L’ambition de cet article est de stimuler des recherches en économie sur les animaux et le véganisme. Par véganisme, nous considérons tous les comportements visant à modifier (et pas seulement éliminer) l’utilisation ou la consommation d’animaux pour des raisons morales. Nous proposons une introduction sélective au sujet, centrée sur la consommation de viande et les conditions d’élevage des animaux. La viande se situe aujourd’hui à la croisée des chemins à cause de ses externalités sanitaires et environnementales et de la montée du végétarisme dans les pays développés. L’économie du véganisme -ou veganomics - peut aider à mieux comprendre le comportement des consommateurs (omnivores, flexitariens, végétariens) et ses implications sur les stratégies des producteurs, des activistes et des décideurs publics, et ainsi mieux cerner un monde où la relation à l’animal peut profondément évoluer.
Les politiques macroprudentielles : enjeux et défis
Authors: Garcia Revelo José David , Leroy Aurélien , Lucotte Yannick
Published: May 2019

Depuis la crise financière mondiale, les économies avancées comme les économies émergentes ont progressé dans la mise en place d’un nouveau cadre de politique macroprudentielle et la mise en œuvre de mesures macroprudentielles. Cet article présente un aperçu de ces mesures et de leur efficacité, et s’attache à fournir un éclaircissement aux débats récents entourant la politique macroprudentielle. En particulier, il se focalise sur deux défis majeurs qui restent à relever dans la mise en œuvre de la politique macroprudentielle, à savoir la coordination avec la politique monétaire et l’architecture institutionnelle qui en découle, et la coordination internationale des politiques macroprudentielles. Ces deux questions font aujourd’hui l’objet des plus vifs débats et des plus nombreuses contributions académiques, et le but de cet article est alors de réaliser un point d’étape sur l’avancée des connaissances et ce qui reste d’ignorance à leur sujet, une décennie après le déclenchement de la crise.
« N’hommer » : nomination et transmission
Authors: Koren Daniel
Published: May 2019

Ce texte interroge les conséquences de la nomination (et plus particulièrement de la « non-nomination ») sur le devenir subjectif, ancré dans la dimension de l’histoire familiale. L’auteur évoque plusieurs situations cliniques sur lesquelles il prend appui afin de faire entendre ce qu’il en est de ce point sensible.
Il, elle, vit au XVIII e siècle
Authors: Farge Arlette
Published: May 2019

Texte inédit.
Anonymat, sujet du discours et passion pour le vrai
Authors: Cantillon Alain
Published: May 2019

Les éditeurs des Pensées-de-Pascal en 1776 puis, plus encore, en 1778, ne se contentent pas de demeurer anonymes : ils développent de complexes jeux pratiques et théoriques de l’anonymat qui permettent de produire deux éditions qui critiquent profondément et renouvellent celle de 1669-1670 en l’absence même de tout travail philologique sur les autographes. L’anonymat est poussé si loin qu’il fait apparaître un sujet de l’énonciation clivé, « passionné pour le vrai », adéquat à la forme singulière d’inachèvement fragmenté de cet écrit pascalien.
Bouts de selfie
Authors: Nguyen Éva
Published: May 2019

Texte inédit.
Recombinant invasive Lactobacillus plantarum expressing fibronectin binding protein A induce specific humoral immune response by stimulating differentiation of dendritic cells
Authors: Liu J. , Yang G. , Gao X. , Zhang Z. , Liu Y. , Liu Q. , Chatel J.-M. , Jiang Y. , Wang C.
Published: May 2019

Recombinant lactic acid bacteria (LAB), especiallyLactococcus lactis, have been genetically engineered to express heterogeneous invasion proteins, such as the fibronectin binding protein A (FnBPA) fromStaphylococcus aureus, to increase the invasion ability of the host strains, indicating a promising approach for DNA vaccine delivery. The presence of FnBPA has been also shown to be an adjuvant for co-delivered antigens, however, the underlying mechanisms are still not clear. To explore the above underlying mechanisms, in this study, we constructed a novelLactobacillus plantarumstrain with surface displayed FnBPA, which could significantly improve the adhesion and invasion ratios ofL. plantarumstrain on a porcine intestinal epithelial cell line (IPEC-J2) about two-fold compared with the empty vector. At the same time, the presence of FnBPA significantly stimulated the differentiation of bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (DCs) and increased the secretion of interleukin (IL)-6 and mRNA level of IL-6 gene, which were proved by flow cytometry, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR). With regard toin vivostudy, the presence of FnBPA significantly stimulated the differentiation of DCs in the Peyer’s patch (PP) and the percentages of IL-4+and IL-17A+T helper (Th) cells of splenocytes in flow cytometry assay. In consistent with these results, the levels of IL-4 and IL-17A in serum as measured via ELISA also increased in mice treated with FnBPA+L. plantarum. Finally, the FnBPA strain increased the production of B220+B cells in mesenteric lymph node (MLN) and PP and the levels of FnBPA-specific IgG and sIgA antibodies, indicating the its possible application in vaccine field. This study demonstrated that the invasiveL. plantarumwith surface displayed FnBPA could modulate host immune response by stimulating the differentiation of DCs and Th cells which could possibly be responsive for the adjuvant effects of FnBPA.
On sort donc les tripes petit à petit
Authors: Houdart Sophie , Pavy Mélanie
Published: May 2019

Dans la petite ville de Tôwa, préfecture de Fukushima, au Japon, à une cinquantaine de kilomètres de la centrale nucléaire éponyme, les habitants sont restés vivre après qu’une catastrophe, en mars 2011, a modifié substantiellement la composition de leur environnement. Un tremblement de terre de magnitude 9 au large des côtes du Tôhoku a déclenché un tsunami qui a causé plus de 18 000 morts et disparus et engendré un accident nucléaire de niveau 7. Le panache radioactif échappé des réacteurs endommagés s’est étendu jusqu’à plus de 100 km, créant des poches de contamination aléatoires sur le territoire. Criblée de ces « taches de léopard », la vallée de Tôwa n’a pas été jugée suffisamment contaminée, toutefois, pour qu’une évacuation de la population ait été envisagée. Composé à deux voix, sur la base d’une enquête partagée, ce récit tente de restituer les bribes d’expériences de vie diffractées dans ce territoire incertain.
L’apocalypse renversée
Authors: McKenzie Isabel Yaya
Published: May 2019

Une trentaine d’années après l’invasion espagnole de l’Empire inca (1532), un culte de possession commence à se diffuser parmi certaines populations autochtones des hauts plateaux d’Amérique du Sud. Ce mouvement appelé taki unquy, littéralement la « maladie de la danse », émerge en réponse aux terribles bouleversements provoqués par la conquête : exploitations, violences, spoliations, maladies et déplacements massifs de population. Dans la région de Huamanga (Pérou) apparaît alors un phénomène de possession dont les adeptes prophétisent la destruction imminente du monde instauré par les colons. Au cours de séances collectives, ils affirment que les villes construites par les Espagnols, leurs bétails, leur culture et leurs objets usuels seront engloutis par un cataclysme. Cette montée des eaux détruira toute trace de présence étrangère sur les terres amérindiennes et entraînera le rétablissement de l’ordre social antérieur. Le dieu des chrétiens sera ainsi vaincu par les ancêtres locaux venus reconquérir leur royaume usurpé. Cet épisode nous est connu grâce à quelques rares documents espagnols qui révèlent les biais culturels et les intérêts des observateurs coloniaux face au phénomène. Nous présentons ici la traduction inédite de l’un d’eux, le récit d’un homme d’Église alors « prêcheur en chef » des Indiens de Cuzco, Cristóbal de Molina. Son rapport retranscrit le témoignage d’un prêtre de la région de Huamanga qui offre des matériaux historiques et ethnographiques précieux sur l’imaginaire sous-jacent à ce mouvement de contestation.
Understanding Gender Identities and Food Preferences to Increase the Consumption of a Plant-Based Diet With Heuristics
Authors: Seabra Estela
Published: May 2019

This chapter discerns existent food preferences and their correlation with women and men, and gender biases, in America. It then proposes a strategy to test the most efficient heuristics to nudge those more averse to a plant-based, sustainable diet. By understanding how negative biases can be reversed through the application of behavioral economics, the plant-based industry and American government can most effectively build marketing procedures to be employed in campaigns, menus, packaging, and media to portray sustainable diets as appealing for men and women, and important for environmental wellbeing. The study recognizes and navigates the irrationality of human preferences as actors in the food market. By accounting for gender norms, cultural roles, and subconscious behavior, it will effectively produce insight on the best heuristical approaches to cognitively orchestrate a wider acceptance, and consequent consumption, of plant-based foods.
A Behavioral Economics Approach to Digitalization
Authors: Beerbaum Dirk , Puaschunder Julia Margarete
Published: May 2019

Technological improvement in the age of information has increased the possibilities to control the innocent social media users or penalize private investors and reap the benefits of their existence in hidden persuasion and discrimination. This chapter takes as a case the transparency technology XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language), which should make data more accessible as well as usable for private investors. Considering theoretical literature and field research, a representation issue for principles-based accounting taxonomies exists, which intelligent machines applying artificial intelligence (AI) nudge to facilitate decision usefulness. This chapter conceptualizes ethical questions arising from the taxonomy engineering based on machine learning systems and advocates for a democratization of information, education, and transparency about nudges and coding rules.
Ethics and Standardization
Authors: Gordon John-Stewart , Fomin Vladislav V.
Published: May 2019

This chapter examines the important relationship between ethics and standardization. This issue has never been among the most prominent issues in the context of standardization, even though it has been extensively discussed in the context of ethics and the economy. Nonetheless, it is important to properly understand the development of standards in the first place and why standards are indeed ethically relevant. The main claim is that ethics and standardization are deeply interwoven concepts and should be seen as conjoined twins. There is no ethics without standards and there is no standardization without ethics, because the market—the exchange of goods among people—is part of the normative realm.
Archetypes of Corporativity and Hierarchy in the Internet
Authors: Lvov Denis
Published: May 2019

C.G. Jung defined the concept of a collective unconsciousness (CU). Fundamentally, Jungian archetypes of the unconscious may be understood as quantum electrodynamic (QED) patterns that exist at deep levels of human individual and collective psyche. Unlike the concepts of Sigmund Freud, comparative research demonstrates that Jungian dream therapy—which is based on archetypal dynamics—accords with the most recent research in the field of neurolinguistics. Archetypal dynamics of the collective unconsciousness have direct applicability to research on sentience in a quantum electrodynamic field according to quantum field theory (QFT). Increasingly in today's science that which has been considered unconscious must be understood as “sentient.” Before Freud and Jung, science did not contemplate the unconscious because a “nullity” cannot be measured.
Relativity and Cognitive Ethics
Authors: Sieb Richard
Published: May 2019

Ethics originate from conscious experience. All categories of ethics (meta-ethics, normative ethics, applied ethics, descriptive ethics) are knowable only through conscious experience. Hence, conscious experience might be considered a meta-ethic (the origin and basis of all ethics). Conscious experience appears to us as a unified four-dimensional space-time continuum or field. A neural correlate for conscious experience modeled by Einstein's special theory of relativity has been found in the human brain. Conscious experience can be described and understood using relativistic physics. The principles of relativistic physics therefore influence ethics. Three universals emerge from relativity which mediate conscious experience and ethics: the laws of physics, the speed of light, and space-time intervals. The presence of these universals suggests that conscious experience (observed physical reality) is determinate (predictable). We do, however, have free will (choice), and this free will appears to be governed by ethics.
Aporeticity of Privacy in New Media Environment
Authors: Barańska Marzena , Hapek Monika Ewelina
Published: May 2019

New media organizations provide their users with tools to manage access to the content and functionalities that are published in the digital space. However, such protection is only of apparent nature. For their users, corporations that operate in the new media environment create their own images as passive non-participants who hold some mythologized, auto-created competences to bring people together in the world without barriers. At the same time, focusing on the analysis of users' behavior, corporations are able to predict certain activities of their users. Considering such a context, a research question has been posed: who is more interested in new media users' privacy – users or new media organizations? In order to answer such a question and in accordance to the interpretative paradigm, an analysis of the economic policy of two new media organizations (Facebook social network, and Google corporation) is provided, including some tools they provide to their users. The study also presents the results of some previous research.
Learning to Teach English Language Learners as “a Side Note”
Authors: Li Guofang , Bian Yue , Martínez José Manuel
Published: May 2019

This chapter examines nine TESOL minor preservice teachers' (PSTs') perspectives of their preparation to teach ELLs in the US, including their perceptions regarding learning in formal teacher education courses and their experiences outside the program. Findings revealed that their formal ELL learning in the program courses was limited in scope and depth due to the program's “just good teaching ideology” that treated teaching ELLs the same as other student groups, and its knowledge-transmission model that provided few opportunities to apply the knowledge acquired in the courses. The PSTs actively sought ELL learning opportunities outside the teacher education program. Despite these efforts, the PSTs felt unprepared to teach ELLs. The findings suggest that to fully prepare PSTs for ELLs, teacher education programs must shift ELL education from “a side note” to systematic and explicit integration in the core content and spaces of teacher development.
Facilitating Cross-Cultural Communication
Authors: Li Mei , Zhu Zhiliang
Published: May 2019

The purpose of this chapter is twofold: 1) to make a brief interpretation of global dimension mainly focusing on the criterion for “international talents” and the requirements for the internationalization of higher education and 2) to address foreign affairs management in universities plays a vital role in promoting the internationalization of teaching, research, and administrative management, which can be regarded as a key diver to develop global dimension of innovation in higher education. Accordingly, this chapter proposes potential strategies for innovation of the foreign affairs management in universities, which has important significances in studies on internationalization of higher education, cross-culture communication, and foreign affairs management.
Health behaviors and health status of Korean middleaged men by marital status: Korea Community Health Study, 2015
Authors: Jee Yongho , Cho Youngtae
Published: May 2019

OBJECTIVES: Previous studies have shown that marital status is associated with household composition and living arrangements, which partially explain observed differences in health status according to marital status. However, due to the rapid socioeconomic and demographic transformations of the last few decades, the distribution of marital status among middle-aged adults has become more diverse. Therefore, this study aimed to obtain up-to-date information on the associations between marital status and health and to investigate the implications of these findings for conventional explanations of the health effects of marriage.METHODS: The data for this study were obtained from the 2015 Korean Community Health Study. We compared 4 modifiable lifestyle behaviors—smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity, and self-rated health status—as outcome variables in association with marital status in Korean middle-aged men (age 40-44) living in Seoul and other regions.RESULTS: Married men showed the lowest cigarette smoking prevalence and the highest subjective health status both before and after adjusting for education and income. The odds of engaging in vigorous physical activity did not show a major difference before and after adjustment for income and education.CONCLUSIONS: In married men, the prevalence of cigarette smoking was lowest and subjective health status was highest, similar to previous studies. However, the prevalence of engaging in physical activity was highest in divorced/widowed/separated men. The health behaviors and health status of Korean middle-aged adults should be more closely followed, since they are representative of demographic changes in the Korean population.
Optimization of silica glass capillary and rods drawing process.
Authors: Wójcik Grzegorz Michał
Published: May 2019

Diameter fluctuations of silica glass rods and capillaries, during drawing process have been studied. We investigated an influence of drawing conditions on the quality of capillaries and rods. We fabricated two preforms made from different quality material. Fabricated preforms were used to draw microstructured fibers. Full Text: PDF ReferencesS. Habib et al., "Broadband dispersion compensation of conventional single mode fibers using microstructure optical fibers", Int. J. Lig. Opt. 124, 3851-3855 (2013) CrossRef A. Ziolowicz et al. "Overcoming the capacity crunch: ITU-T G.657.B3 compatible 7-core and 19-core hole-assisted fibers", Proc SPIE 10130, 101300C (2017) CrossRef T.M. Monro et al. "Sensing with microstructured optical fibres", Meas. Sci. Technol. 12, 854-858 (2001) CrossRef G. Statkiewicz-Barabach et al.,"Hydrostatic Pressure and Temperature Measurements Using an In-Line Mach-Zehnder Interferometer Based on a Two-Mode Highly Birefringent Microstructured Fiber", Sensors 2017, 17, 1648 (2017) CrossRef T. Yoon, M. Bajcsy, "Laser-cooled cesium atoms confined with a magic-wavelength dipole trap inside a hollow-core photonic-bandgap fiber", Phys. Rev. A 99, 023415 (2019) CrossRef A.N. Ghosh et al., "Supercontinuum generation in heavy-metal oxide glass based suspended-core photonic crystal fibers", J. Opt. Soc. Am. B 35, 2311-2316 (2018) CrossRef G. Wójcik et al. "Microbending losses in optical fibers with different cross-sections", Proc. SPIE 10830, 108300H (2018) CrossRef F. Xu, Selected topics on optical fiber technology and applications (IntechOpen 2018) CrossRef
Relationships among walking speed, selected clinical symptoms, and exercise self-efficacy in individuals with knee osteoarthritis
Authors: Ogwumike Omoyemi O. , Musa Sumayyah Bamidele
Published: May 2019

Purpose

Osteoarthritis (OA) is characterised by a combination of joint symptoms and signs stemming from defects in the articular cartilage and adjacent tissues, such as bone, synovial joint capsule, muscles, and ligaments. Knee OA is among the most common causes of pain and disability in middle-aged and older people. This study investigated the relationships among selected clinical symptoms (pain, stiffness, physical function), walking speed, and exercise self-efficacy in individuals with knee OA in Ibadan, Nigeria.

Methods

The study involved 100 individuals diagnosed with knee OA. Exercise self-efficacy was assessed with the exercise self-efficacy scale. Pain, stiffness, and physical function were evaluated with the Western Ontario and McMaster (WOMAC) Osteoarthritis Index questionnaire. Walking speed was determined during the 20-meter walk test. Data were analysed with descriptive statistics and Pearson’s correlation test, with significance level set at 0.05.

Results

Significant correlations were observed between pain intensity and walking speed (ρ = –0.38), stiffness and walking speed (ρ = –0.19), physical function and walking speed (ρ = –0.40), pain intensity and exercise self-efficacy (ρ = –0.43), stiffness and exercise self-efficacy (ρ = –0.46), physical function and exercise self-efficacy (ρ = –0.41). More than 50% of the participants with knee OA had low exercise self-efficacy and moderate walking speed. Individuals with higher levels of pain, stiffness, and functional limitations showed lower levels of exercise self-efficacy and lower walking speed.

Conclusions

Individuals with knee OA presented low exercise self-efficacy, low walking speed, and reduced physical function, probably because of the debilitating effects of the condition.
The Polish adaptation of the Five-Factor Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory – Short Form (FFOCI-SF): A preliminary study
Authors: Kłosowski Marcin , Cieciuch Jan , Strus Włodzimierz
Published: May 2019

Background

The Five-Factor Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory – Short Form (FFOCI-SF) is an instrument used to measure obsessive-compulsive personality disorder, which is one of the most widespread personality disorders. The FFOCI-SF is a shorter version of the FFOCI that was developed on the basis of the Five Factor Model of per-sonality treated as a general framework for identifying different traits useful in describing maladaptive person-ality. This paper presents the psychometric parameters of the Polish adaptation of the FFOCI-SF.

Participants and procedure

Our sample consisted of 328 respondents aged 18-75 (61% women) from Poland. The voluntary and anony-mous procedure consisted of completing inventories in a self-reported, paper-and-pencil way. The respondents received the FFOCI-SF, the Personal Inventory for DSM-5 (PID-5) and the Big Five Inventory-2 (BFI-2).

Results

The findings suggest that there is acceptable internal consistency for most of the scales and some problems with the differentiation between some scales in factor analysis. Additionally, we present the hierarchical struc-ture of the facets included in the instrument with two factors analogous to the metatraits of personality (Alpha and Beta). The criterion validity of the inventory was established by correlations on the one hand with Big Five traits (BFI-2) and on the other hand with another measure of the obsessive-compulsive personality disorder traits, namely appropriate scales from the Personality Inventory for DSM-5 (PID-5).

Conclusions

This study confirms that the FFOCI-SF is a valid measure for scientific purposes. In order to use it for diagnostic purposes, further research is suggested on clinical samples. The findings also suggest that the FFOCI-SF can be useful in exploring new solutions in structure of the obsessive-compulsive personality disorder facets.
Over ‘caritas’ en de belofte van de ‘juiste intentie’
Authors: Verweij Désirée
Published: May 2019

On ‘caritas’ and the promise of ‘right intent’

Back to the roots of justice in war

In classical Just War texts, the criterion of ‘right intent’ is considered a key concept with regard to the justice of a war as such, since it refers to the basiciustusdisposition from which the other criteria (ad bellumas well asin belloandpost bellum) should be applied. However, in current JW debates, determined to a large extent by Traditionalists and Revisionists, the importance of this key concept threatens to disappear from view. This article aims to show the relevance of further reflection on the role and meaning of the criterion of ‘right intent’ using classical JW insights and in particular Hannah Arendt’s analysis of Augustine’s concept of ‘caritas’, given the political relevance of this concept as pointed out by Arendt. The criterion of ‘right intent’ is closely connected to Arendt’s distinction between power and violence and her principle of the right to have rights. Right intent, as a virtue, based on and inspired by caritas, in more contemporary discourse, a humanitarian ethos, implies the promise of theiustusapplication of the JW criteria that were originally formulated precisely for that reason.
Measurement of the absolute spectral responsivity in the mid-infrared based on the cryogenic electrical substitution radiometer and an optimized thermopile detector
Authors: Pohl Tobias , Meindl Peter , Johannsen Uwe , Taubert Dieter , Werner Lutz
Published: May 2019

Abstract. The Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB) expanded its capabilities of the absolute measurement of radiant power to the spectral range of the mid-infrared (MIR) by implementing additional MIR laser radiation sources at one of the PTB's cryogenic electrical substitution radiometer facilities. This extension enables absolute calibrations of the spectral responsivity of detectors in the MIR traceable to the International System of Units (SI). The thermopile detector TS-76 was characterized and calibrated in view of its spectral responsivity s(λ) in the wavelength range between 1.5 and 10.6 µm at the expanded cryogenic electrical substitution radiometer facility. The relative standard measurement uncertainty was significantly reduced to 1.4 % by developing an optimized and thermally stabilized detector housing design. The TS-76 was established as a mid-infrared transfer detector for the SI traceable measurement of radiant power and the dissemination of the spectral responsivity s(λ) in the MIR.
Biogenic amines in smear ripened cheeses
Authors: Cwiková Olga , Franke Gabriela
Published: May 2019

Cheeses belong to high protein foods in which enzymatic and microbial activities form amino acids, which are then converted into biogenic amines (BAs) by the activity of bacterial decarboxylases. The most important conditions for BA formation include the presence of microorganisms, the availability of substrate, temperature and storage period, water activity, salt concentration, and the hygiene of the manufacturing process. Tyramine, histamine, 2-phenylethylamine, tryptamine, cadaverine, putrescine, spermidine and spermine were detected in smear ripened cheeses stored in different temperature regimes. The highest (p < 0.05) total BA content was found when storing the cheeses at the end of BBD (best before date) after 35 days in storage regime (A) or (C). During storage in regime (B), the total BA content (p < 0.05) after 49 days of storage was higher than on the production date (B/0). During storage, the tyramine content in regime (B) did not change (p > 0.05), while in the temperature regimes (A) and (C), the highest levels of tyramine and putrescine content were recorded in cheeses at the end of BBD after 35 days ripening. The content of polyamines in cheeses was higher (p < 0.05) at the end of storage than at the beginning, in all temperature regimes.
Caracterización de sistemas ganaderos en seis municipios de Rivas y Carazo, Nicaragua
Authors: Gutiérrez Camilo , Mendieta Bryan
Published: May 2019

Nicaragua es un país con características agropecuarias, destacando la producción ganadera. Se estudiaron 153 sistemas ganaderos de doble propósito en los departamentos de Rivas (Belén, Rivas y Tola) y Carazo (Santa Teresa, Diriamba y La Conquista). Se evaluó las características del sistema (áreas y distribución del sistema, tenencia de la propiedad y disponibilidad de agua), características del hato (raza, número de animales, mortalidad entre otros), características alimenticias (tipo de alimentación), manejo sanitario e infraestructura productiva. El objetivo de este estudio fue caracterizar sistemas ganaderos en los departamentos de Carazo y Rivas, Nicaragua. Se encontró que predominaron los propietarios, mayores a 50 años, el nivel de educación que prevalece es primaria, seguido de secundaria. Tamaño de fincas en un rango entre las 20 y 50 hectáreas. Durante el año hay momentos con alta producción de pasturas principalmente en la época lluviosa accesible al ganado, sin embargo, en la época seca existe escasez por lo que se debe suministrar minerales para solventar las demandas nutricionales. Las razas predominantes en el hato son: Pardo suizo y Brahman. La mortalidad anual en las crías y adultas fue baja inferior al 10%. Las especies de pasto dominantes corresponden a Hyparrhenia rufa Nees (38.11%), Andropogon gayanus kunth (23.42%). La presencia de corrales y galeras constituyen las principales infraestructuras productivas. El manejo epizootiológico se desparasita, vitamina y vacuna el ganado contra las principales enfermedades presentes en los departamentos bajo estudio, siendo las afectaciones por arañas las más comunes, seguido de la presencia de parásitos internos y externo. Se identificaron la existencia de productores (28 de 153) que disponen de áreas con bancos forrajeros establecidos y algunas prácticas agroecológicas que favorecen la productividad.
Adopción de tecnologías y prácticas agropecuarias en sistemas de producción en Jinotega, Nicaragua
Authors: Pérez Medal Eddin David , Larios-González Roberto Carlos
Published: May 2019

La adopción de prácticas y tecnologías agropecuarias está determinada por las condiciones socio-económicos del productor y por las características de los sistemas de producción. El objetivo principal fue identifi car factores y actividades de extensión que favorecen la adopción de prácticas y tecnologías agropecuarias. Esta investigación se realizó en siete municipios del departamento de Jinotega, ubicado en el norte de Nicaragua, Centro América. El tamaño de la muestra se determinó a través del cálculo de poblaciones finitas de un universo de 1 470 pequeños productores, quienes han trabajado en colaboración con el Instituto Nicaragüense de Tecnología Agropecuaria, universidades y otras instituciones dedicadas al desarrollo de sector agrario y que han sido parte de procesos de extensión e investigación participativa. Las variables evaluadas fueron nivel de escolaridad y edad del productor, número de hijos, tenencia de la tierra, capacitaciones agropecuarias recibidas y métodos de difusión de tecnologías; todas ellas en relación al nivel de aplicación y adopción de prácticas y tecnologías. Para el registro de la información se utilizaron encuestas semiestructuradas, observación in situ y grupo focal. Los factores socioeconómicos, así como el acompañamiento técnico y los mecanismos de difusión de las tecnologías, son elementos determinantes en la aplicación y adopción de prácticas y tecnologías agropecuarias.
A Viable Option for Dictionary Pronunciation Guides
Authors: Buck-Gengler Carolyn J. , Healy Alice F.
Published: May 2019

English words do not always follow simple letter-to-sound pronunciation rules, and thus readers sometimes need to look up a pronunciation of an unfamiliar word, especially in the case of children and foreign learners of English. Pronunciation guides in dictionaries take many forms. The most common guides in American dictionaries use diacritics over many of the vowels to indicate different pronunciations. We compared a commonly used diacritic system with an alternative system that uses only the 26 letters used in English. We found that the alternative system was easier for participants to learn and use to respond with the correct English spelling of a target word given the spelling from the pronunciation guide. We conclude that when dictionary makers want to find a simpler system than one with diacritics, a system such as the one tested here should be considered.
“As Much Right to Live in a House as Anybody”: Black Women and the Fight for Housing Integration in the 1940s
Authors: Gonda Jeffrey D.
Published: May 2019

This article examines Black women’s roles within the legal campaign against racial restrictive covenants in private housing during the 1940s with a particular focus on local litigation in the years before Shelley v. Kraemer (1948). Through a critical reading of case records, private correspondence, oral histories, and press accounts, this article argues that women played an essential and largely unacknowledged role in the development of the anticovenant campaign by serving as pioneering homebuyers, litigants, and community mobilizers in support of legal cases. Further, it analyzes how gender, as much as race, shaped the substance of Black women’s experiences and contributions in the processes of litigation and gave unique contours to a resurgent rights consciousness in the wartime and immediate postwar period. By moving beyond a biographical approach to the study of women’s roles in the movement’s legal sphere and concentrating on the impact of gender at a critical inflection point in the 1940s, the article addresses an important gap in legal histories of the civil rights movement.1
Factors Influencing the Level of Oxygen Free Radicals in Female Nursing Students
Authors: Kim Eun-Kyung , Song Mi Ryeong
Published: May 2019

This study was conducted to investigate the levels of oxygen free radicals and related health factors in 201 female nursing students. The questionnaire was completed by the participants and their oxygen free radical levels were measured by urine test. In this study, an oxygen free radical analyzer was used to measure oxygen free radical levels. The oxygen free radical analyzer analyzes the amount of oxygen free radicals in the body by measuring urinary malondialdehyde (MDA). To determine factors associated with oxygen free radical levels, multiple regression tests were conducted. Of the participants, 89.6% exhibited normal levels of oxygen free radicals and 10.4% had elevated levels. In this study, the factors that affected oxygen free radical levels were eating habit (β = .20, p =. 003), fatigue (β = .20, p = .004), and detox necessity (β = .18, p = .006). In order to lower oxygen free radical levels of female nursing students, the areas of eating habit, fatigue, and detox must receive increased focus.
Assessment of the Risk of Microbial Contamination of an Urban Crop in the City of Daloa (Côte d'Ivoire): Case of Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.)
Authors: Kouassi Clément Kouassi , Kouassi Athanase Kra , Yao Mathurin Konan , Kouassi Gustave Adingra , Koffi-Nevry Rose
Published: May 2019

The growing population of the city of Daloa, together with its growing urbanization, has a diversified need for food resources. Urban and periurban production of lettuce is a food resource for its people. This study was designed to assess the risk of microbial contamination. For the conduct of the study, first a survey was carried out on different sites of urban production to know the technical process of production. Then, mature lettuce, ready for sale and then consumed from a site, was subjected to microbiological characterization according to the standards in force. Microbiological analyzes revealed a high contamination. For mesophilic aerobic germs, the charges in CFU/g ranged between 1.7x107 and 6.7x107. The loads in CFU/g for yeasts and molds ranged from 3.4x105 to 9.3x105. As for fecal coliforms and enterobacteria, their loads ranged between 1.2x105 to 2.8x105 CFU/g for the first and 7.2x105 to 106 CFU/g for the second. These samples were contaminated with both Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus c + and Salmonella sp. The loads in E. coli and S. aureus c+ ranged between 9.4x104 and 1.8x105 for the first and 4x103 to 1.1x104 CFU/g for the second. Salmonella sp. was found with loads ranging from 6.1x104 to 8.2x104 CFU/g. Empirical production process would increase the risk of microbial contamination. It is necessary to produce healthy lettuce for Daloa’s consumers.
Comparison of Serum Biochemical and Haematological Analyses in Patients with Age-Related Macular Degeneration and Diabetic Retinopathy
Authors: Akdogan Muberra , Ustundag Yasemin , Sabaner M. Cem , Dogan Mustafa
Published: May 2019

We evaluated biochemical analysis results with the aim of discovering serum levels that have possible effects and differences on age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic retinopathy (DRP).

A retrospective case-control study was conducted between January 2017 and January 2018 on a total of 114 patients (84 DRP, 30 AMD) and 24 age and sex-matched control individuals. Four groups were created; 52 patients with proliferative DRP (PDR), 32 patients with nonproliferative PDR (non-PDR), 30 patients with wet AMD and 24 control individuals. Serum biochemical (HbA1C, fasting glucose, AST, ALT, C-reactive protein, albumin, total protein, uric acid, triglyceride, HDL, LDL, total cholesterol, Na, K, urine albumin) and complete blood count (CBC) analyses were performed at the time of diagnosis. Descriptive statistics, one-way ANOVA and Kruskal-Wallis tests were performed using SPSS to analyse data (Version 22.0).

The mean age of patients was 63.3 years ± 6.4 (49-91year), and that of control individuals was 65.3 years ± 9.3 (50-88 year). Post hoc analysis showed statistically significant differences in HbA1c and fasting glucose levels among PDR-AMD, PDR-control, non-PDR-AMD, and non-PDR-control groups (whole, P
Impact of AMF Claroideoglomus etunicatum on the structure of fungal communities in the tomato rhizosphere
Authors: Jamiołkowska Agnieszka , Thanoon Ali Hamood , Patkowska Elżbieta , Grządziel Jarosław
Published: May 2019

Mycorrhizal fungi influence the development and activity of communities of soil microorganisms. The purpose of this study was to estimate the effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Claroideoglomus etunicatum (W. N. Becker & Gerd.) C. Walker & Schüβler on the population structure of fungal colonies in the rhizosphere of tomatoes grown in a plastic tunnel. The field experiment was conducted from 2015 to 2017 at an ecological farm in Grądy, central eastern Poland. The object of study were the three tomato cultivars: ‘Antalya F1’, ‘Esmira F1’, and ‘Pelikan F1’. Tomato seedlings were inoculated with C. etunicatum; spores were introduced about 5 cm deep in the rhizosphere of the studied plants (25–30 spores of C. etunicatum for each plant). Each year, mycological analysis of the tomato rhizosphere was conducted using Warcup’s method; structure of fungal communities of the tomato rhizosphere varied depending on the AMF applied. Saprotrophic fungi such as Trichoderma ssp., Mucor spp., and Penicillium spp. were often more isolated from the rhizosphere of plants inoculated with C. etunicatum than that of the control samples. It can be concluded that AMF directly impacted the development of fungal biodiversity in the tomato rhizosphere, particularly regarding the number of saprotrophs in the soil.
The first report of Pleuroflammula ragazziana in Poland
Authors: Gierczyk Błażej , Kubiński Radosław
Published: May 2019

The first locality of Pleuroflammula ragazziana (Bres.) E. Horak in Poland, found in 2017 in Debrza Nature Reserve (Tarnów District), is reported herein. The global distribution of this species was mapped. The morphology of this species, based on the specimens from Poland, is presented.
Bedrock and soil geochemistry influence the content of chemical elements in wild edible mushrooms (Morchella group) from South Italy (Sicily)
Authors: Alaimo Maria Grazia , Saitta Alessandro , Ambrosio Elia
Published: May 2019

Chemical elements in the samples of wild edible mushrooms of the Morchella group collected from different unpolluted Sicilian sites was analyzed by the ICP-MS (method) to detect the content of their minerals and determine whether soil geology and geochemistry can influence the chemical composition in fungi. Results showed that the mushroom samples mainly contained a high concentration of K and P and a wide variety of minor and trace elements (V, Mo, Pb, Ce, Cs, Zr), including heavy metals. Statistical analysis showed that the mushrooms differed in their content of minor and trace elements based on the geological/geographic site of origin. Comparison with other studies showed differences in the content detected in the Sicilian morels with those collected from other geographical sites. Conversely, different fungal species collected from similar geological sites in Sicily showed different patterns of accumulation of the elements confirming that bioconcentration in fungi is species- and site-dependent.