bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Access to scientific information. A national survey of the Italian Society of Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine (SIBioC)
Authors: Lippi Giuseppe , Ciaccio Marcello , Giavarina Davide
Published: September 2016

Background:

Digital libraries are typically used for retrieving and accessing articles in academic journals and repositories. Previous studies have been published about the performance of various biomedical research platforms, but no information is available about access preferences.

Methods:

A six-question survey was designed by the Italian Society of Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine (SIBioC) using the platform Google Drive, and made available for 1 month to the members of the society. The information about the survey was published on the website of SIBioC and also disseminated by two sequential newsletters.

Results:

Overall, 165 replies were collected throughout the 1-month survey availability. The largest number of replies were provided by laboratory professionals working in the national healthcare system (44.2%), followed by those working in private facilities (13.9%), university professors (12.7%) and specialization training staff (12.7%). The majority of responders published zero to one articles per year (55.2%), followed by two to five articles per year (37.6%), whereas only 7.3% published more than five articles per year. A total of 34.5% of the responders consulted biomedical research platforms on weekly basis, followed by 33.9% who did so on daily basis. PubMed/Medline was the most accessed scientific database, followed by Scopus, ISI Web of Science and Google Scholar. The impact factor was the leading reason when selecting which journal to publish in. The most consulted journals in the field of laboratory medicine were Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine and Biochimica Clinica.

Conclusions:

This survey provides useful indications about the personal inclination towards access to scientific information in our country.
Avian Haemosporidian blood parasite infections at a migration hotspot in Eilat, Israel
Authors: Paperna Ilan , Rózsa Lajos , Yosef Reuven
Published: September 2016

Haemosporidian blood parasites are frequent amongst passerines. Though they often do not cause detectable consequences to host health, however, their presence or absence and also their prevalence across host populations may potentially carry meaningful information about the health, stress, body condition and viability of bird individuals or populations. The study of migratory birds captured in Eilat, Israel, allowed us to evaluate the prevalence of blood parasite infections in a wide range of both migrant and resident species in spring (N = 1,950) and autumn (N = 538) of 2004 and 2005. According to blood film microscopy, Haemoproteus spp. and Leucocytozoon spp. were more prevalent in the spring than in the autumn (0.289, 0.082 vs. 0.132, 0.033, respectively), whilst Plasmodium spp. exhibited a slight opposite trend (0.034, 0.056). All other parasites (such as trypanosomes, microfilaria and haemococcidians) were rare. During the spring seasons, prevalences were significantly higher in migrant than in resident species, whilst this difference was only marginally significant in the autumn. Given that Eilat is a migration hotspot for several Palearctic passerine species, the present descriptive study may hopefully serve to set the baseline values for future long-term epidemiological monitoring.
The Effect of Cd, Zn and Fe on Seed Germination and Early Seedling Growth of Wheat and Bean
Authors: El Rasafi Taoufik , Nouri Mohamed , Bouda Said , Haddioui Abdelmajid
Published: September 2016

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of metals on wheat and bean species. The method uses seed germination and early seedling growth of these plants in the presence of various levels (10, 50, 100, 250, 500, 750 and 1000 mg/L) of Cadmium (Cd), Iron (Fe) and Zinc (Zn). The inhibition caused by these metals was depending on the concentration used, the metal itself and the plant species. The species had reduced seed germination, root and shoot lengths, tolerance index and percentphyto-toxicity with increasing concentrations of metals. Cadmium was determined to be the most inhibitory metal on these parameters. This metal affected significantly the germination, root and shoot length of the species tested, as well as the tolerance index and percentphytotoxicity starting from 50 mg Cd/l. Under the Iron stress, in general, the inhibition of germination and root length of wheat was reduced from 500 mg Fe/l. The results showed also that the inhibitory effect of increase of Zn levels was seen in root, shoot and tolerance indices. The findings also revealed that the metal toxicity was as follow: Cd > Fe > Zn. Regarding species, the results showed that bean seemed to be more tolerant to the increase of the three metals than wheat.
Spatial Heterogeneity of Mechanical Impedance of Atypical Chernozem: The Ecological Approach
Authors: Zhukov Alexander , Gadorozhnaya Galina
Published: September 2016

In this research paper, the spatial heterogeneity of mechanical impedance of a typical chernozem was investigated. The distance between experimental points in the mechanical impedance space was explained by means of multidimensional scaling. Spearman’s rank correlation coefficients between dissimilarity indices and gradient separation with different data transformation methods revealed that the use of log-transformed data and Horn-Morisita distance was the most appropriate approach to reflect the relationship between the mechanical impedance of soil and ecological factors. A three dimensional variant of multidimensional scaling procedure was selected as the most appropriate decision. Environmental factors were estimated with the use of phytoindicator scales. Broad, medium and fine-scale components of spatial variation of mechanical impedance of soil were extracted using the principal coordinates of neighbour matrices method (PCNM). In the extracted dimensions, statistically significant phytoindicator scales were found to describe variability from 8 to 33%. Dimension 1 correlated with a thermal climate indicator value, a hygromorphs index, an abundance of steppe species and meadow species. Dimension 2 correlated with a continental climate indicator value, carbonate content in the soil and the soil trophicity index (capacity of the soil for plant nutrition). Dimension 3 correlated with acidity, humidity and cryoclimate indicator values. Variation partitioning results revealed that environmental factors and spatial variables explained 47.8% of the total variation of the dimensions. Purely environmental component explained 18.2% of total variation. The spatial component and spatially structured environmental fractions explained 43.6%. The broad-scale spatial component explained 26.4% of dimensional variation, medium-scale – 6.7% and fine-scale – 5.7%. As a result of regression analysis, the broad-scale spatially structured environmental fractions were found to be connected with variability of moisture and thermal climate indicator values. The medium-scale component was revealed to be connected with variability of moisture, thermal climate, total salt regime and aeration of soil indicator value. The fine-scale component was connected with carbonate content in the soil, acidity and humidity indicator values.
Kinetics of Evaporation of Alloying Elements under Vacuum: Application to Ti alloys in Electron Beam Melting
Authors: Choi Wonjin , Jourdan Julien , Matveichev Alexey , Jardy Alain , Bellot Jean-Pierre
Published: September 2016

Vacuum metallurgical processes such as the electron beam melting are highly conducive to volatilization. In titanium processing, it concerns the alloying elements which show a high vapor pressure with respect to titanium matrix, such as Al. Two different experimental approaches using a laboratory electron beam furnace have been developed for the estimation of volatilization rate and activity coefficient of Al in Ti64. The first innovative method is based on the deposition rate of Al on Si wafers located at different angles θ above the liquid bath. We found that a deposition according to a cos2(π/2−θ) law describes well the experimental distribution of the weight of the deposition layer. The second approach relies on the depletion of aluminum in the liquid pool at two separate times of the volatilization process. Both approaches provide values of the Al activity coefficient at T=1, 860 °C in a fairly narrow range [0.044–0.0495], in good agreement with the range reported in the literature. Furthermore numerical simulation of the Al behavior in the liquid pool reveals (in the specific case of electron beam button melting) a weak transport resistance in the surface boundary layer.
FeAl2O4 Nanopowders; Structural Analysis and Band Gap Energy
Authors: Enhessari Morteza
Published: September 2016

Nanoscale FeAl2O4 was successfully synthesized via sol–gel method. The sol constituents containing iron and aluminum cations were formed homogenously in stearic acid gel (formation of organic precursor). The pure structural analysis and the size of the spinels were confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD). It was observed that the size of the nanoscale materials obtained at around 30–40nm. The micrographs of FeAl2O4 evidenced the homogenous and nanosize formation of spinel. The semiconducting behavior of this mixed metal oxide was observed at 3.14eV based on the band gap energy (Eg). The final nanoscale materials exhibited a superparamagnetic behavior with a saturation magnetization of 9.8 emu/g at applied field of 10 kOe.
Mixed convection flow of couple stress fluid between rotating discs with chemical reaction and double diffusion effects
Authors: Kaladhar K. , Srinivasacharya D.
Published: September 2016

The chemical reaction, Soret and Dufour effects on steady flow of a couple stress fluid between two rotating disks are studied. The lower disc is rotating with angular velocity
Exploring smokers' opposition to proposed tobacco control strategies
Authors: Lund Marianne
Published: September 2016

Background

Tobacco control (TC) advocates are searching for new TC strategies to decrease smoking rates further.

Aims

The aim of this study is to explore smokers' opposition to 16 TC strategies, including the attitudes in the sample as a whole. The results are discussed in relation to the importance of public versus smoker support, and the need for legitimate TC strategies.

Methods

An Internet panel with 35,000 registered users was accessed to invite participants to join a survey on attitudes towards TC strategies. In addition, 1253 participants were recruited directly from mobile phone lists. Of the 5543 participants recruited, 5250 adults aged 20 years or older were eligible for analysis. Respondents' attitudes were measured on a five-point Likert scale, and mean values, standard deviations and percentages of those who opposed TC regulations were reported.

Results

In the total sample, there was some support for regulating smoking in specific outdoors areas. Smokers opposed all of the proposed strategies except banning smoking in cars carrying children, increasing the age limit for purchasing cigarettes and banning smoking at transportation stops. Smokers seemed to accept regulations that protected others from the health risks of smoking, but defended their right to smoke in some specific outdoor areas.

Conclusions

Smokers opposed most of the proposed TC strategies. Smokers' support may be more important in TC areas that aim to denormalise smoking and where enforcement is more complex.
Empowered communities: Science, ideology and the limits of political action
Authors: Roumeliotis Filip
Published: September 2016

Aims

Against the background of an increased interest in community participation in political processes, this article critically examines how the “community” is constituted as a political entity in the Communities That Care drug prevention programme.

Method

Through an examination of 14 publications written by the programme developers and other collaborators, I have analysed the programme's theoretical foundation.

Results

The programme seeks to constitute the community as an expert community, drawing on the principles of prevention science in its decision-making processes and thereby asserting the primacy of scientific reasoning in politics. Disagreement, otherwise regarded as the “essence” of democratic politics, is to be neutralised through the establishment of a common language based on prevention science. The programme constitutes needs as existing independently of any culturally and politically informed interpretations and promptly met by ready-tested, evidence-based interventions. By combining a consumer subject and an instrumental-rational subject, the programme establishes a specific kind of democratic subject expected to exert its choices on a market offering instant solutions to problems formulated outside of the community's decision-making processes.

Conclusion

The analysis points to a range of limitations and issues on how community empowerment and democratic participation are conceptualised in the programme. By asserting the primacy of scientific reasoning in drug-policy processes, the programme sets limits to what counts as a political problem and which responses are deemed legitimate. This risks exerting significant closure on the ability of communities to speak in properly political terms.
Risky drinking among Norwegian students: Associations with participation in the introductory week, academic performance and alcohol-related attitudes
Authors: Myrtveit Solbjørg Makalani , Askeland Kristin Gärtner , Knudsen Ann Kristin , Knapstad Marit , Olsen Rune , Nedregård Truls , Skogen Jens Christoffer
Published: September 2016

Aims

Substantial increase in heavy drinking upon transition from high school to college is common. Norwegian universities and university colleges arrange yearly introductory weeks to welcome new students. It has been questioned whether these events are too centered on alcohol. We aimed to investigate whether participation in the introductory week is associated with risky drinking (RD). We further aimed to investigate whether RD is associated with academic performance. Finally, we investigated whether alcohol-related attitudes are associated with both RD and introductory week participation.

Design

Data from the Norwegian study of students' health and well-being (SHoT, 2014, n=13,663) were used. The odds ratio (OR) of RD was calculated for individuals having participated in the introductory week compared to others. Different measures of academic performance (having failed exams, study progression and study-related self-efficacy (SRSE)) were compared between individuals reporting RD compared to others. The association between attitudes and participation in the event and RD was investigated.

Results

Individuals having participated in the introductory week are more likely to report RD (OR (95%CI) = 2.41 (2.12-2.74)). Individuals reporting RD report lower SRSE and are more likely to have failed exams more than once. Study progression is unassociated with RD. Liberal alcohol-related attitudes are associated with participation in the event and RD.

Conclusions

RD among students is associated with participation in the introductory week and with poorer academic performance. The university introductory week might be in danger of excluding individuals who do not drink much, or of promoting an unhealthy drinking culture among students.
Assessment of personality problems among patients with substance use disorders
Authors: Lien Ingebjørg Aspeland , Arnevik Espen Ajo
Published: September 2016

Aim

Several studies have shown that personality disorders (PDs) are frequently occurring among patients with substance use disorders (SUDs). A development from research of co-occurrence estimates in this patient group investigates personality problems as dimensional constructs, which seek to capture the core of personality pathology. The aim of our study was to explore whether personality problems might be assessed among SUD patients in early stages of treatment. We also sought to investigate personality problem severity among Norwegian adult SUD patients.

Design

Personality problems were assessed using the self-report questionnaire Severity Indices of Personality Problems (SIPP-118). The study sample consisted of 155 SUD patients currently in treatment at detoxification sections at Oslo University Hospital.

Results

Though psychometric evaluation of the SIPP-118, we found that personality problems could be assessed with high levels of internal consistency and convergent validity in SUD patients during detoxification. This is an important contribution to the discussion concerning time and context of personality pathology assessment in the SUD treatment field. The results indicated that SUD patients have personality problems at a level of severity comparable to previously investigated PD patient samples, and significantly more severe than personality problems found in normal population samples. This indicates that personality problems are a common, as well as a detrimental, feature among SUD patients, which further points towards considering these in all aspects of SUD treatment.

Conclusions

Assessing personality problems early in treatment may enable a more integrated approach to SUD treatment targeting personality problems and substance-related problems.
Binge drinking and internalised sexual stigma among Italian lesbian, gay and bisexual young adults
Authors: Verrastro Valera , Fontanesi Lilybeth , Petruccelli Irene , Santamaria Federica , Laghi Fiorenzo , Ioverno Salvatore , Baiocco Roberto
Published: September 2016

Background

Literature has studied the relation between youth alcohol consumption and sexual orientation, showing that lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) young people are at increased risk to develop alcohol-related problems compared to heterosexuals.

Aim

Our study aims to describe alcohol use patterns in relation to alcohol expectancies, internalised sexual stigma and sensation seeking and to highlight the specific risk factors that sexual minority subgroups face.

Design

A survey was administered in order to examine drinking habits, background information and levels of internalised sexual stigma and of sensation seeking in 468 LGB youths. According to the alcohol consumption, the sample was divided into three groups: social, binge and heavy drinkers.

Results

Data showed that bisexual youths were at most risk of heavy drinking compared to lesbian and gay participants. Moreover, LGB heavy drinkers reported higher levels of sensation seeking, earlier age of first alcohol consumption and more positive drinking expectancies compared to binge and social drinkers. Bisexual male heavy drinkers also showed more social confidence alcohol expectancies while bisexual female heavy drinkers showed more sensation seeking.

Conclusion

Bisexual youths are at most risk of alcohol abuse. It is conceivable that these findings are related to the peculiar discrimination to which bisexual people are subject. Practical implications for the present study are discussed.
Nutritional upgrading of various feed ingredients through co-culture solid state fermentation / Çeşitli yem içerikleri besin değerlerinin birlikte kültür katı hal fermentasyonu kullanılarak artırılması
Authors: Nadeem Muhammad , Ali Muhammad Ahmar , Syed Quratulain , Nelofer Rubina , Sahar Uzma
Published: September 2016

Objective: The purpose of the present study was to enhance nutritional qualities of various agricultural byproducts such as wheat bran, rice bran and rice polish through co-culture solid state fermentation (SSF) using Candida utilis and Rhizopus oligosporus for their better exploitation as feed ingredients.

Methods: Co-culture solid state fermentation (SSF) was carried at 30oC for 48 h by employing Candida utilis and Rhizopus oligosporus on various agricultural byproducts like wheat bran, rice bran and rice polish. After that the fermented agricultural byproducts were dried in hot air oven at 80oC and analyzed to compare with unfermented byproducts.

Results: The results of the proximate analysis showed that crude protein contents increased significantly (p≤0.05) in all the fermented substrates with concurrent decrease in nitrogen free extract (NFE) contents. A significant reduction in anti nutritional content (phytic acid) was also observed in fermented products whereas values of mineral contents [calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P)] were found high. Resultantly, high mineral contents improved Ca: P ratio in the fermented products. Shelf life study showed that the fermented substrates were nutritionally stable and no significant changes in nutritional values were observed up to 90 days.

Conclusion: All these results showed that the fermented substrates are nutritionally better and can be successfully exploited as animal feed for better growth of livestock.
The effects of fetal hemoglobin levels on sickle cell anemia patients bone biochemistry / Fetal hemoglobin seviyesinin orak hücre anemisi hastalarının kemik biyokimyası üzerine etkisi
Authors: Kökbaş Umut , Yenilmez Ebru Dündar , Tuli Abdullah , Alparslan Zeliha Nazan , Kayrın Levent
Published: September 2016

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible roles of fetal hemoglobin levels on bone parameters in sickle cell anemia (SCA) patients.

Methods: Blood samples taken from 56 SS and 47 control totally 103 subjects were included in this research work according to their fetal hemoglobin levels. Fetal hemoglobin, bone mineral density, bone specific alkaline phosphatase, calcium, osteocalcin, 25-OH vitamin D and hematological parameters were measured and analyzed in the study.

Results: Statistical analysis showed that, lower bone mineral density and biochemical bone parameters significantly correlated with low fetal hemoglobin levels at SCA patients.

Conclusion: It was concluded that fetal hemoglobin level is a good index for bone status in sickle cell anemia patients.
A Slowing Down of Circadian Rhythms by Lithium Ions
Authors: Engelmann Wolfgang
Published: September 2016

Unter the permanent influence of lithium ions the circadian rhythm of movement of Kalanchoe petals is effectively lengthened but a pulse administered up to 12 hours has no influence. Lithium ions could also be demonstrated to similarly slow down the circadian activity rhythm of a small mammal (Meriones crassus).

It is hypothesized that the therapeutic effect of lithium salts in endogenous depressions in human beings may result also from its acting on the human circadian system
Simultaneous Measurements of DNA Synthesis and DNA Methylation in Higher Organisms
Authors: Ieter Lutz D , Engel Klaus , Kröger Hans
Published: September 2016

Different ways for studying DNA synthesis and DNA methylation were investigated. On the one hand the reactions were measured by incorporation of several specific precursors, taking into ac­ count that pool alterations might influence the results. The best way to avoid this is the direct conversion of DNA cytosine to DNA 5-methyl-cytosine by using [14C]-cytidine. According to our results we propose to calculate the correct DNA methylation rate in term of the specific radio­ activity of the separated DNA bases
Indol-3-essigsäure induzierte Calciumionen- abgabe bei Maiskoleoptilzylindern / 3-Indol Acetic Acid Induced Efflux of Calciumions by Maize Coleoptile Sections
Authors: Janistyn Boris
Published: September 2016

3-Indol acetic acid, calcium, adenosin-3':5'-monophosphat (c-AMP), maize coleoptile sections
Immature Neurons and Radial Glia, But Not Astrocytes or Microglia, Are Altered in Adult Cntnap2 and Shank3 Mice, Models of Autism
Authors: Cope Elise C. , Briones Brandy A. , Brockett Adam T. , Martinez Susana , Vigneron Pierre-Antoine , Opendak Maya , Wang Samuel S.-H. , Gould Elizabeth
Published: September 2016

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is often associated with cognitive deficits and excessive anxiety. Neuroimaging studies have shown atypical structure and neural connectivity in the hippocampus, medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), and striatum, regions associated with cognitive function and anxiety regulation. Adult hippocampal neurogenesis is involved in many behaviors that are disrupted in ASD, including cognition, anxiety, and social behaviors. Additionally, glial cells, such as astrocytes and microglia, are important for modulating neural connectivity during development, and glial dysfunction has been hypothesized to be a key contributor to the development of ASD. Cells with astroglial characteristics are known to serve as progenitor cells in the developing and adult brain. Here, we examined adult neurogenesis in the hippocampus, as well as astroglia and microglia in the hippocampus, mPFC, and striatum of two models that display autism-like phenotypes, Cntnap2−/−and Shank3+/ΔCtransgenic mice. We found a substantial decrease in the number of immature neurons and radial glial progenitor cells in the ventral hippocampus of both transgenic models compared with wild-type controls. No consistent differences were detected in the number or size of astrocytes or microglia in any other brain region examined. Future work is needed to explore the functional contribution of adult neurogenesis to autism-related behaviors as well as to temporally characterize glial plasticity as it is associated with ASD.
The endocrine influence on the bone microenvironment in early breast cancer
Authors: Wilson Caroline , Brown Hannah , Holen Ingunn
Published: September 2016

Multiple factors influence the survival of disseminated breast tumour cells (DTCs) in bone. Whereas gene signature studies have identified genes that predict a propensity of tumours to metastasise to bone, the bone environment is key in determining the fate of these tumour cells. Breast cancer cells locate to specific niches within the bone that support their survival, regulated by host factors within the bone microenvironment including bone cells, cells of the bone micro vasculature, immune cells and the extracellular matrix. Reproductive endocrine hormones that affect bone and clinical studies across the menopausal transition have provided comprehensive understanding of the changes in the bone microenvironment during this time. Menopause is characterized by a decrease in ovarian oestradiol and inhibins, with an increase in pituitary follicle-stimulating hormone and this review will focus on the role of these three hormones in determining the fate of DTCs in bone. Bothin vivoand clinical data suggest that premenopausal bone is a conducive environment for growth of breast cancer cells in bone. Adjuvant cancer treatment aims to reduce the risk of tumour recurrence by affecting DTCs. Drugs targeting the bone resorbing osteoclasts, such as bisphosphonates, have therefore been evaluated in this setting. Both preclinical and adjuvant clinical studies have shown that bisphosphonates’ ability to decrease tumour growth in bone is influenced by the levels of endocrine hormones, with enhanced effects in a postmenopausal bone microenvironment. The challenge is to understand the molecular mechanisms behind this phenomenon and to evaluate if alternative adjuvant bone-targeted therapies may be effective in premenopausal women.
Impact of Stewardship on Inhaled Nitric Oxide Utilization in a Neonatal ICU
Authors: Elmekkawi Amir , More Kiran , Shea Jennifer , Sperling Christina , Da Silva Zelia , Finelli Michael , Rolnitsky Asaph , Jankov Robert P.
Published: September 2016

OBJECTIVES:

Inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) remains the “gold standard” therapy for hypoxemic respiratory failure in newborns. Despite good quality evidence to guide iNO use in this population, we observed considerable practice variation, particularly in timing and rate of weaning. To promote evidence-based practice, we launched an iNO stewardship program in April 2013. Our objective was to determine whether iNO stewardship led to changes in iNO utilization and weaning.

METHODS:

We conducted a quality improvement project in an outborn quaternary NICU, targeting improved iNO guideline compliance. We compared patterns of iNO utilization between 2 cohorts: prestewardship (April 2011–March 2013; retrospective data collection) and poststewardship (April 2013–March 2015; prospective data collection).

RESULTS:

Eighty-seven neonates received 88 courses of iNO in the 2 years prestewardship, and 64 neonates received 64 courses of iNO in the 2 years poststewardship. There were no significant differences (P > .05) in patient demographics, in the proportion of patients receiving iNO “off-label,” in proportion initiated at the referring hospital, or in outcomes (death or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation). There were significant (P < .05) reductions in median total hours on iNO per patient (47 vs 20; P < .001), in iNO hours per patient from maximum dose to initial wean (28 vs 9; P < .01), and in hours from initial wean to discontinuation (14 vs 8; P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS:

The introduction of iNO stewardship was associated with improved adherence to evidence-based guidelines and an overall reduction in total and per-patient iNO use.
A Qualitative Study of Family Experience With Hospitalization for Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome
Authors: Atwood Emily C. , Sollender Grace , Hsu Erica , Arsnow Christine , Flanagan Victoria , Celenza Joanna , Whalen Bonny , Holmes Alison V.
Published: September 2016

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:

Although the incidence of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) in the United States quintupled between 2000 and 2012, little is known about the family perspective of the hospital stay. We interviewed families to understand their experiences during the newborn hospitalization for NAS and to improve family-centered care.

METHODS:

A multidisciplinary team from 3 hospital units composed open-ended interview questions based on a literature review, clinical experience, and an internal iterative process. Trained investigators conducted semi-structured interviews with 20 families of newborns with NAS at hospital discharge. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Two investigators independently analyzed each transcript, identified themes via an inductive qualitative approach, and reached a consensus on each code. The research team sorted the themes into broader domains through an iterative process that required consensus of 4 team members.

RESULTS:

Five domains of family experience were identified: parents’ desire for education about the course and treatment of NAS; parents valuing their role in the care team; quality of interactions with staff (supportive versus judgmental) and communication regarding clinical course; transfers between units and inconsistencies among providers; and external factors such as addiction recovery and economic limitations.

CONCLUSIONS:

Families face many challenges during newborn hospitalization for NAS. Addressing parental needs through improved perinatal education, increased involvement in the care team, consistent care and communication, and minimized transitions in care could improve the NAS hospital experience. The results of this qualitative study may allow for improvements in family-centered care of infants with NAS.
Current Practice in Neonatal Interventional Cardiology
Authors: Breinholt John P.
Published: September 2016

Interventional cardiology is a growing specialty, with new technologies developing. In addition to development of new interventions that can reduce the invasiveness of congenital heart procedures, there is growing interest in applying existing procedures to our smallest patients. From the first use of catheterization for neonatal intervention with the balloon atrial septostomy, there are many new and evolving therapies that can treat neonates born with congenital heart disease.
Evaluation of the Cyanotic Newborn: Part 2—A Cardiologist’s Perspective
Authors: Dasgupta Soham , Bhargava Vidit , Huff Monica , Jiwani Amyn K. , Aly Ashraf M.
Published: September 2016

Congenital heart disease is a major cause of cyanosis in the newborn, which should be considered and recognized promptly. Careful history and meticulous physical examination along with appropriate investigations are essential for the diagnosis of cyanotic congenital heart diseases. Although cardiac echocardiography is the diagnostic choice for congenital cardiac lesions, many centers may not have it readily available. In such cases, use of pulse oximetry, the hyperoxia test, chest radiography, and electrocardiograpy will usually differentiate heart disease from other causes of cyanosis. If a ductal-dependent lesion is suspected, the immediate initiation of prostaglandin E1 infusion may be life-saving. Understanding the pathophysiology of cyanotic congenital heart diseases is crucial in the initial management in such settings. A high index of suspicion must be maintained for the appropriate management and institution after birth-saving measures.
BIOTECHNOLOGY OF OBTAINING A HYDROLYTIC ENZYMATIC AGENT WITH α-D- GALACTOSIDASE ACTIVITY
Authors: Petrosyants А.
Published: September 2016

The studies referred to in this article showed the principle possibility of use of hydrolytic enzymatic agentwith α-D-galactosidase activity for the enzymatic hydrolysis of soy oligosaccharides. Optimal parameters of the enzyme activitywere determined (pH, temperature). It was shown that the use of various techniques of purification and concentrating of theenzyme preparation allows increasing of the activity of the agent 5.5 times. Enzyme activity was determined.
ВЛИЯНИЕ ПРИРОДНЫХ ПОЛИСАХАРИДОВ НА КАЧЕСТВЕННЫЕ ПОКАЗАТЕЛИ ЗАМОРОЖЕННЫХ ПОЛУФАБРИКАТОВ ПРИ ХРАНЕНИИ
Authors: Глушков О.А.
Published: September 2016

Быстрозамороженные полуфабрикаты пользуются спросом у населения из-за удобства использования, отсутствия консервантов и возможности длительного хранения в домашних условиях. Основной проблемой в сфере их производства и реализации является снижение качества полуфабрикатов в процессе хранения в замороженном состоянии. Физико-химические процессы, которые происходят в мышечной ткани, под воздействием низких температур ухудшают потребительские свойства и пищевую ценность готовых изделий. Снижение этих негативных явлений путем введения в качестве криопротекторов натуральных полисахаридов может быть одним из путей решения данной проблемы.
ЩОДО ЕКОЛОГІЧНОЇ БЕЗПЕЧНОСТІ РИБНИХ РЕСУРСІВ КРЕМЕНЧУЦЬКОГО ВОДОСХОВИЩА
Authors: Головко М.П. , Головко Т.М. , Крикуненко Л.О.
Published: September 2016

У статті наведені дані щодо актуальності проведення наукових досліджень рибних ресурсів Кременчуцького водосховища. Проведений аналіз споживання та вилову рибної продукції в Україні. Встановлено, що підвищення рівня забезпечення населення України рибою  та рибною продукцією можливе за рахунок раціонального використання потенціалу всіх внутрішніх прісноводних водосховищ, зокрема Кременчуцького. Проаналізовано зростання рівня вилову судака, сома, товстолоба, окуня. Це вимагає розробки заходів з формування якості продукції з цієї риби. Протягом останніх років є стабільним рівень вилову коропу, ляща, судака та інших видів прісноводних риб. Це дає підставу підприємствам харчової промисловості, торгівлі та науковим колам акцентувати увагу на ці види риб саме з метою розширення асортименту рибної продукції. Наведено дані щодо екологічної ситуації водосховища в межах міста Черкаси та Черкаської області, як одного із чинників впливу на якість та безпечність рибних ресурсів. Встановлена відсутність явищ техногенного забруднення водосховища, що дозволяє без обмежень використовувати рибу з цього водоймища на харчові цілі. Ключові слова: продовольча безпека, водосховище, рибні ресурси, динаміка вилову та споживання.
Теоретичне обґрунтування процесу переробки плодів кісточкових культур
Authors: Кепін М.І. , Кирилов В.Х.
Published: September 2016

Питання стосується процесу переробки дрібноплідних плодів кісточкових культур (вишні, дрібноплідна алича, кизил, черешні) в свіжому стані на перфорованій поверхні в полі відцентрових сил в режимі безперервної дії з метою їх розділення на складові: напівфабрикат (м’якоть) та відходи (кісточки).Розділення відбувається внаслідок поступового відокремлення м’якоті від кісточки способом різання робочою ділянкою кромки отвору. Інтенсивність відокремлення (кількість відокремленої м’якоті в одиницю часу) залежить від співвідношення діаметрів отворів та плодів в залежності від відцентрової сили, яка діє на плід під час його обертового руху завдяки лопатевому ротору.Методом кінетостатики визначена реакція ріжучої кромки отвору, яка залежить від діаметрів отворів, плодів, їх маси, відцентрової сили та радіусу перфорованої оболонки.
Client Evaluations of WIN and CETA Programs in Arkansas
Authors: Gates Jane McBride
Published: September 2016

Public policy analysis has become a major area of interest to political scientists. The government's attempt to create jobs has become an important activity. The purpose of this study is to examine two public service employment programs, the Work Incentive Program (WIN) and the Comprehensive Employment Training Act Program (CETA), as they are administered on the local level. The CETA program was designed to provide training, employment, and other services leading to unsubsidized employment for economically and educationally disadvantaged persons. The WIN program was established with the objective of training employable recipients of AFDC for jobs.
Arkansas' New Court and Its Effect on the Arkansas Appellate System
Authors: Gingerich James D.
Published: September 2016

On November 7, 1978, the voters of the State of Arkansas approved Amendment 58 to the Arkansas Constitution, creating the Arkansas Court of Appeals. The impetus for the new court had come from members of the Arkansas Supreme Court and others in the legal profession who argued that the state's judicial system, and specifically the Supreme Court, would suffer without it. Proponents argued that the new court would reduce the Supreme Court's workload, allow judges more time to consider cases and write opinions, and make the appellate process quicker and more efficient. The purpose of this paper is to attempt to determine whether these projected benefits have accrued and what effects, if any, the court has had on the Supreme Court.
The Electoral Vulnerability of Congressional Incumbents: Another Perspective
Authors: Vermeer Jan P.
Published: September 2016

The invulnerability of congressional incumbents to electoral defeat has been overstated. Ever since the first studies provided evidence for what congressmen and political observers long knew, that incumbents are difficult to unseat, researchers have repeatedly demonstrated the electoral advantages of congressmen over their opponents (Erikson, 1971; Cover, 1977; Hinckley, 1981). Erikson estimated an incumbent's advantage to be about five percent in the post- 1966 era (Erikson, 1972), and Cover reported values for the "sophomore surge" in the same range from the 1960 through the 1974 congressional elections (Cover, 1977). The electoral edge may be growing: separately, Mayhew and Born argued that incumbents are safer now than in the past (Mayhew, 1974a; Born, 1979).
Theaters of Pain: Violence and Photography
Authors: Nouzeilles Gabriela
Published: September 2016

The Photograph is violent.

—Roland Barthes, Camera Lucida

Who are you, who will look at these photographs, and by what right, and what will you do about it?

—James Agee, Let Us Now Praise Famous Men

In His Entry for Eye in Le Dictionnaire Critique (1929-30), Georges Bataille Refers to the Human Compulsion to Look as a response to a “blind thirst for blood,” triggered by the spectacle of extreme violence, including torture. But why, Bataille wonders, would someone's “absurd eyes be attracted, like a cloud of flies, to something so repugnant?” (19). He attributes to the human eye the cannibalistic disposition that comes from our “inexplicable acuity of horrors” and from the disturbing fascination that the eye itself exerts over our sensibility. The extreme seductiveness of the eye, Bataille hints, is probably “at the very edge of horror” (17). He connects the unstable edge that separates such contradictory responses with the idea of the eye as a critical tool, in which “critical” refers to the act of discerning and the act of cutting—as shown in the infamous opening of Tuis Buñuel and Salvador Dalí's film Un chien andalou (“An Andalusian Dog” [1929]), when the eye of a young woman is sliced open by a razor in front of the camera. This violence against embodied (and sexualized) vision points not only to the notion of the eye as a misleading mimetic apparatus but also to the image of the eye as a hole or gap. The split eye is resignified as ocular replication, which, unexpectedly, triggers the proliferation of images and the loss of sight that come from seeing too much. Indeed, the swarm of eyes that populates Bataille's visual imagery grimly alludes to the compulsion to watch violent acts to the point of blindness.
Unsettlers and Speculators
Authors: Gruesz Kirsten Silva
Published: September 2016

Considering that it was summertime, the weather in New England was puzzlingly cold. Nonetheless, the men in the seabeaten wooden ship offered thanks, in the Protestant fashion, for the bounty of fresh provisions: oysters and seals; vast herds of deer, tule elk, and pronghorn. Mutual curiosity informed their encounters with the people they met. The English admired their extraordinary basketwork, their shell ornaments, their headpieces of brilliant black condor feathers.

If the bio- and ethnoscapes of this New England sketch seem a little off, it is because I have moved its longitudal coordinates west by fifty degrees and spun the time setting of an originary North American encounter back by several decades. The English sailors and supplicants were not Puritan separatists but the remainder of Sir Francis Drake's circumnavigation expedition, which made landfall along the Pacific coast—by most estimates, in northern California—in 1579. The story of their several weeks' stay there is speculative in many senses. The fortuitously named Golden Hind returned loaded with treasure; the marker that Drake supposedly placed near his landfall buttressed unfulfilled English territorial claims for many years after; and in our own day historians, anthropologists, and geographers both trained and untrained continue to debate the precise location of Nova Albion. This is the very stuff of which counterfactual histories and speculative historical fictions are made: what if other Englishmen had later returned with settlers and supplies? If the English colonial project along the North American Pacific had rooted itself earlier, and farther south than Vancouver, would its later pattern of settlement have pulsed west to east across the continent instead of east to west?
Mesencephalic Astrocyte–Derived Neurotrophic Factor as a Urine Biomarker for Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress–Related Kidney Diseases
Authors: Kim Yeawon , Lee Heedoo , Manson Scott R. , Lindahl Maria , Evans Bradley , Miner Jeffrey H. , Urano Fumihiko , Chen Ying Maggie
Published: September 2016

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and disrupted proteostasis contribute to the pathogenesis of a variety of glomerular and tubular diseases. Thus, it is imperative to develop noninvasive biomarkers for detecting ER stress in podocytes or tubular cells in the incipient stage of disease, when a kidney biopsy is not yet clinically indicated. Mesencephalic astrocyte–derived neurotrophic factor (MANF) localizes to the ER lumen and is secreted in response to ER stress in several cell types. Here, using mouse models of human nephrotic syndrome caused by mutant laminin β2 protein–induced podocyte ER stress and AKI triggered by tunicamycin– or ischemia-reperfusion–induced tubular ER stress, we examined MANF as a potential urine biomarker for detecting ER stress in podocytes or renal tubular cells. ER stress upregulated MANF expression in podocytes and tubular cells. Notably, urinary MANF excretion concurrent with podocyte or tubular cell ER stress preceded clinical or histologic manifestations of the corresponding disease. Thus, MANF can potentially serve as a urine diagnostic or prognostic biomarker in ER stress–related kidney diseases to help stratify disease risk, predict disease progression, monitor treatment response, and identify subgroups of patients who can be treated with ER stress modulators in a highly targeted manner.
Developmental Origins for Kidney Disease Due to Shroom3 Deficiency
Authors: Khalili Hadiseh , Sull Alexandra , Sarin Sanjay , Boivin Felix J. , Halabi Rami , Svajger Bruno , Li Aihua , Cui Valerie Wenche , Drysdale Thomas , Bridgewater Darren
Published: September 2016

CKD is a significant health concern with an underlying genetic component. Multiple genome–wide association studies (GWASs) strongly associated CKD with the shroom family member 3 (SHROOM3) gene, which encodes an actin-associated protein important in epithelial morphogenesis. However, the role of SHROOM3 in kidney development and function is virtually unknown. Studies in zebrafish and rat showed that alterations in Shroom3 can result in glomerular dysfunction. Furthermore, human SHROOM3 variants can induce impaired kidney function in animal models. Here, we examined the temporal and spatial expression of Shroom3 in the mammalian kidney. We detected Shroom3 expression in the condensing mesenchyme, Bowman’s capsule, and developing and mature podocytes in mice. Shroom3 null (Shroom3Gt/Gt
) mice showed marked glomerular abnormalities, including cystic and collapsing/degenerating glomeruli, and marked disruptions in podocyte arrangement and morphology. These podocyte-specific abnormalities are associated with altered Rho–kinase/myosin II signaling and loss of apically distributed actin. Additionally, Shroom3 heterozygous (Shroom3Gt/+
) mice showed developmental irregularities that manifested as adult-onset glomerulosclerosis and proteinuria. Taken together, our results establish the significance of Shroom3 in mammalian kidney development and progression of kidney disease. Specifically, Shroom3 maintains normal podocyte architecture in mice via modulation of the actomyosin network, which is essential for podocyte function. Furthermore, our findings strongly support the GWASs that suggest a role for SHROOM3 in human kidney disease.
Estimating the Risk of Radiocontrast-Associated Nephropathy
Authors: Wilhelm-Leen Emilee , Montez-Rath Maria E. , Chertow Glenn
Published: September 2016

Estimates of the incidence of radiocontrast-associated nephropathy vary widely and suffer from misclassification of the cause of AKI and confounding. Using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample, we created multiple estimates of the risk of radiocontrast-associated nephropathy among adult patients hospitalized in the United States in 2009. First, we stratified patients according to the presence or absence of 12 relatively common diagnoses associated with AKI and evaluated the rate of AKI between strata. Next, we created a logistic regression model, controlling for comorbidity and acuity of illness, to estimate the risk of AKI associated with radiocontrast administration within each stratum. Finally, we performed an analysis stratified by the degree of preexisting comorbidity. In general, patients who received radiocontrast did not develop AKI at a clinically significant higher rate. Adjusted only for the complex survey design, patients to whom radiocontrast was and was not administered developed AKI at rates of 5.5% and 5.6%, respectively. After controlling for comorbidity and acuity of illness, radiocontrast administration associated with an odds ratio for AKI of 0.93 (95% confidence interval, 0.88 to 0.97). In conclusion, the risk of radiocontrast-associated nephropathy may be overstated in the literature and overestimated by clinicians. More accurate AKI risk estimates may improve clinical decision-making when attempting to balance the potential benefits of radiocontrast-enhanced imaging and the risk of AKI.