bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Assessment of dynamic thiol/disulfide homeostasis in patients with asthma
Authors: Nar Rukiye , Çalış Aliye Gamze 
Published: May 2018

AbstractBackground:Asthma is a chronic inflammatory lung disease and oxidative stress is an important component in airway inflammation. This study aims to investigate dynamic thiol/disulfide homeostasis in patients with asthma.Methods:A total of 103 subjects, including 56 patients with asthma and 47 healthy controls, of similar age and gender were included in the study. The native thiol, total thiol and disulfide levels and the disulfide-native thiol, disulfide-total thiol and native thiol-total thiol ratios were analyzed and compared between the asthma and control groups using a novel automatized spectrophotometric assay.Results:The levels of native thiol (p<0.001), total thiol (p<0.001) and disulfide (p<0.001) were significantly lower and the C-reactive protein (CRP) levels (p<0.001) were significantly higher in patients with asthma when compared with those in the control group. A negative correlation was detected between CRP levels and native thiol, total thiol and disulfide levels (p<0.05). A significant positive correlation was detected between forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) levels and native thiol and total thiol levels (p<0.01).Conclusions:The thiol/disulfide homeostasis parameters may be used as novel oxidative stress markers in asthma but further studies are needed to investigate the role of thiol/disulfide homeostasis in asthma.
Reconciling the Right to Learn with Copyright Protection in the Digital Age: Limitations of Contemporary Copyright Treaties
Authors: Ugwu Uchenna Felicia 
Published: May 2018

Abstract
This article examines whether the current exceptions to copyright granted in contemporary intellectual property agreements give effect to the user rights to learn. It looks into the nature of the user rights to learn and how it is affected by copyright, technological protection measures, and digital rights management. Critical analysis is made of the effectiveness of exceptions to copyrights in international law, for advancing the users’ right to learn in the digital age. The article proposes the right to learn as an independent user right and examines how it can be incorporated in the copyright regulations by maximizing the differentiation principle, so as to advance the overall development in society.
Impact of Post-Transplant Dysglycemia on Renal Allogrfat Function in Kidney Transplant Recipients on Cyclosporine-Based Immunosuppression
Authors: Petkovska Lidija , Dimitrov Goran , Kavrakova Julijana Brezovska , Petronijevic Zvezdana , Selim Djulshen , Antova Emilija 
Published: May 2018

Abstract
Introduction. Post-transplant diabetes (PTDM), impaired fasting glucose (IFG) and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) are common complications of immunosuppressive therapy (IT) and are associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and impaired graft function (GF).
Methods. Fifty-nine living donor kidney transplant recipients (KTR) were included in a combined cross-sectional and 8-month-observational prospective study about the impact of impaired glucose homeostasis (IGH) on GF. All patients were on standard IT including cyclosporine A (CsA), steroids and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF). In all patients a standard oral glucose tolerans test (OGTT) was performed. Results were classified according to the criteria of the American Diabetes Association: normal-with fasting blood glucose level (FGL) <5.6, IFG with FGL of 5.6-6.9, IGT with FGL of 7.8-11.1 and DM between > 6.9 FGL and >11 mmol/l. According to the results, all patients were divaded into two groups: Group 1 with impaired and Group 2 with normal GH. GF was estimated by GFR-Cockroft Gault (CG) and by degree of proteinuria in the beginning and end of the study.
Results. Twenty of 59(33.9%) patients showed overt IGH after transplantation while the remaining 39(66.1) were normal. The principal dysglycemia in KTR were PTDM (2 patients-3.3%), IGT (18 patients-30.5%) and IFG (7 patients-11.8%). In Group 1, postprandial glucose was higher (8.1±2.3 vs 5.8±0.7), more KTR were male (70% vs 33.3%), higher CsA levels were observed (160.9±81.2 vs 115.1±59.9) and time after the surgery was shorter (24.5±21.3 vs 41.4±28.). After a follow-up period of approximately 18 months in Group 1 a significant decline in GFR (62.6-52.7 ml/min) was noted, with no significant change in proteinuria. The correlation analysis was positive between CsA level and IGH and the time after transplantation and IFG.
Conclusion. Post-transplant dysglycemia and associated metabolic abnormalities are a significant factor for the deterioration of GF. CsA higher levels are associated with the occurrence of IGH and they affect the GF.
Thermal stability of the krypton Hall effect thruster
Authors: Szelecka Agnieszka , Kurzyna Jacek , Bourdain Loic 
Published: May 2018

Abstract
The Krypton Large IMpulse Thruster (KLIMT) ESA/PECS project, which has been implemented in the Institute of Plasma Physics and Laser Microfusion (IPPLM) and now is approaching its final phase, was aimed at incremental development of a ~500 W class Hall effect thruster (HET). Xenon, predominantly used as a propellant in the state-of-the-art HETs, is extremely expensive. Krypton has been considered as a cheaper alternative since more than fifteen years; however, to the best knowledge of the authors, there has not been a HET model especially designed for this noble gas. To address this issue, KLIMT has been geared towards operation primarily with krypton. During the project, three subsequent prototype versions of the thruster were designed, manufactured and tested, aimed at gradual improvement of each next exemplar. In the current paper, the heat loads in new engine have been discussed. It has been shown that thermal equilibrium of the thruster is gained within the safety limits of the materials used. Extensive testing with both gases was performed to compare KLIMT’s thermal behaviour when supplied with krypton and xenon propellants.
An Experimental Study for Reinforcing the Ground Underneath a Footing Using Micropiles
Authors: Lee Tae-Hyung , Im Jong-Chul , Kim Changyoung , Seo Minsu 
Published: May 2018

Abstract
The in situ application of micropiles has gradually increased in confined spaces of complex cities because the micropile has many advantages, such as low noise and vibration and compact machine size. Using the results of experimental analyses, this study purposes to improve the reinforcement efficiency of micropiles by recommending the most effective pattern and design method for installing them. In this study, model tests were carried out to understand the ground reinforcement effect induced by the mechanical interaction between the micropile and soil. The micropiles were installed in the soil underneath footings. Factors such as micropile diameter (D), micropile length (L), and number (n) of micropiles were considered as variables in the model tests. The positive effect of grouping micropiles and the confining effect of the ground increased the bearing capacity of a single micropile by about 2.27–2.60 times and 1.10–1.33 times, respectively.
Improved Threat Identification Using Tonemapping of High-Dynamic-Range X-ray Images
Authors: Glover Jack L. , Hudson Lawrence T. , Paulter Nicholas G. 
Published: May 2018

Abstract
Transmission X-ray systems are used to image the contents of suspicious packages, luggage, and cargo. The images can have a dynamic range of 1,000:1 or greater, but are typically displayed on consumer-grade displays with a low-dynamic range of less than 255:1. We show that modern tonemapping algorithms can greatly improve the process of displaying X-ray images on low-dynamic-range displays and compare the performance of some popular algorithms for this purpose.
Nature-Inspired Bridge Scour Countermeasures: Streamlining and Biocementation
Authors: Tao Junliang , Li Junhong , Wang Xiangrong , Bao Ruotian 
Published: May 2018

Abstract
Bridge scour has long been identified as the major cause of bridge failures. Bridge scour refers to the loss of sediment around bridge foundations, and it occurs when the erosive force from the flow exceeds the resistance from the soil. This article presents an experimental study on the effectiveness of two nature-inspired countermeasures for scour control and prevention, namely, streamlining and biocementation. On one hand, inspired by the streamlined form of the boxfish and the blue shark, this study introduced streamlining features (i.e., sloped nose and concaved sidewalls) for bridge piers in order to reduce the erosive forces in the vicinity of the piers. On the other hand, inspired by the natural process of microbial-induced carbonate precipitation (MICP) in soil, a polymer-modified MICP method is developed to “cement” the coarse-grained sand in order to increase the erosion resistance. Accordingly, two series of experimental tests were conducted to evaluate the performance of these two countermeasures: (1) based on the numerical results of a pier streamlining optimization study, four small-scale pier models with different streamlining levels were constructed using 3D printing techniques, and flume tests were conducted to characterize the scour process around these models; (2) Ottawa graded sand treated via the polymer-modified MCIP method was tested in the flume to investigate its effectiveness on bridge scour control. The experimental results revealed that both streamlining and biocementation could significantly reduce or even fully prevent the scour around the model bridge piers under the laboratory testing conditions.
Multiscale Measurements of Residual Stress in a Low-Alloy Carbon Steel Weld Clad with IN625 Superalloy
Authors: Benghalia G. , Rahimi S. , Wood J. , Coules H. , Paddea S. 
Published: May 2018

Abstract
Fatigue fracture is one of the major degradation mechanisms in the low-alloy 4330 carbon steel pumps that are utilized in the hydraulic fracturing process operating under cyclic loading conditions. A weld cladding technology has been developed to improve the ability of these components to resist fatigue crack initiation by cladding them with a secondary material. This process introduces a residual stress profile into the component that can be potentially detrimental for fatigue performance. The cladding technology under examination is a low-alloy 4330 carbon steel substrate weld that is clad with the nickel-chromium–based superalloy IN625 and is investigated herein using several experimental residual stress measurement techniques. Understanding the magnitude and distribution of residual stress in weld clad components is of the utmost importance to accurately assess the performance of the component in service. This study summarizes the results of residual stress measurements that were determined using X-ray diffraction, i.e., hole drilling based on electronic speckle pattern interferometry, deep-hole drilling, and the contour method, to obtain the residual stress distributions from the surface of the weld clad, through the clad layer, and into the substrate material. The results of deep-hole drilling and the contour method show large-scale tensile residual stress in the clad layer and compressive residual stress in the majority of the substrate. However, the X-ray diffraction and hole drilling methods indicate the presence of short-scale compressive residual stress on the surface and near the surface of the clad layer. It was shown that these measurement techniques are complementary in assessing the residual stress profile throughout the entire component.
Programa emocional en alumnado de segundo de e.s.o. con déficit en sus logros académicos
Authors: Morales-Sánchez Lucía , Ruíz-González Paula , Merchán-Clavellino Ana , Guil Rocío 
Published: May 2018

La gestión emocional se plantea como uno de los retos emergentes en la sociedad actual. Eneste sentido, el ámbito educativo se presenta como uno de los pioneros en el diseño e implementación de programas que promueven su desarrollo, favoreciendo en el alumnado sus competencias sociales y personales (Guil y Gil-Olarte, 2007). De acuerdo con la normativa educativa vigente, las administraciones educativas promoverán el máximo desarrollo personal, intelectual, social y emocional del alumnado (Ley Orgánica 2/2006, de 3 de mayo, de Educación modificada por la Ley Orgánica 9/2013, de 9 de diciembre, para la Mejora de la Calidad Educativa). Sin embargo, en la Educación Secundaria Obligatoria (E.S.O.) encontramos escasos programas que atiendan a este desarrollo integral. Asimismo, este alumnado presenta necesidades específicas de apoyo educativo para alcanzar el logro académico debido, entre otras razones, a su déficit en diversas competencias emocionales y habilidades sociales (Santamaría y Valdés, 2017). Concretamente, en Andalucía, el alumnado de Formación Profesional Básica presenta altas tasas de absentismo, así como escasa motivación, autoconcepto, autoestima y habilidades sociales, entre otras características (Junta de Andalucía, 2018). Para dar respuesta a esta situación, planteamos un proyecto piloto cuya finalidad será incrementar el logro académico y la adaptación socioescolar a través de las competencias emocionales. Dicho proyecto se ha llevado a cabo con cinco alumnos/as de segundo curso de E.S.O. que cumplen las características necesarias para iniciar las enseñanzas de Formación Profesional Básica en el próximo curso escolar. De este modo, se desarrollarán las competencias emocionales del alumnado con el refuerzo de las materias instrumentales y fundamentales del currículum de manera complementaria a la enseñanza formal.
Conductas de aprendizaje en niños con trastorno del espectro autista con y sin comorbilidad con déficit de atención e hiperactividad
Authors: Berenguer Carmen , Roselló Belén , Baixauli Inmaculada 
Published: May 2018

La literatura ha explorado los problemas en el aprendizaje que presentan los niños con trastorno del espectro autista (TEA), pero apenas se ha analizado el impacto de la comorbilidad con déficit de atención e hiperactividad (TDAH) sobre el aprendizaje en niños con TEA. Objetivos. 1) Analizar las diferencias en la conducta de aprendizaje de niños con TEA con y sin comorbilidad con TDAH y niños con desarrollo típico (TD); 2) Investigar la asociación entre diferentes dominios de conductas de aprendizaje y problemas conductuales y emocionales, en niños con TEA y niños con TEA+TDAH. Método. Participaron 87 niños (30 con diagnóstico de TEA de alto funcionamiento, 22 con TEA+TDAH y 36 con TD entre 7 y 11 años igualados en edad, capacidad cognitiva y vocabulario. Los profesores informaron sobre la escala de conductas de aprendizaje (LBS), y los padres cumplimentaron el cuestionario de Fortalezas y Dificultades (SDQ). Resultados. Los resultados mostraron diferencias significativas entre los niños con TEA con y sin comorbilidad en todos los dominios del LBS. A su vez las correlaciones revelaron que a menor flexibilidad en la búsqueda de estrategias mayores problemas emocionales en el TEA y mayores problemas conductuales en el TEA+TDAH. Conclusiones. Los hallazgos ponen de manifiesto el impacto negativo de los síntomas de TDAH en todos los prerrequisitos de aprendizaje analizados. Así mismo los datos mostraron la implicación de los problemas emocionales y comportamentales en la capacidad de cambio a la hora de planificar estrategias de aprendizaje en niños con autismo de alto funcionamiento.
A consistência interna do questionário de Goldberg nos agricultores
Authors: Chaves Cláudia , Nelas Paula , Coutinho Emília , Amaral Maria , Cruz Carla 
Published: May 2018

O Questionário de Saúde Geral é utilizado para detetar a existência de provável perturbação psiquiátrica na população em geral, de entre a população da comunidade ou em contextos não psiquiátricos, tais como na saúde pública ou nos cuidados primários (Pais Ribeiro, et al. 2015). É sensível a perturbações psiquiátricas recentes mas não a estados estáveis com existência prolongada (Goldberg & Williams, 1988). Neste estudo, procedemos apenas à avaliação da consistência interna do Questionário de Goldberg em 150 agricultores com idades compreendidas entre os 19 e os 88 anos, com uma média de 55.3 anos, apresentando maior percentagem de participantes do sexo masculino que vivem na região centro de Portugal e têm companheiro, a maioria com grau de escolaridade até ao 9ºano e face à situação profissional encontram-se no ativo. Efetuamos, uma matriz de correlação de Pearson entre as subescalas e o índice global. Dos resultados notamos que as correlações são positivas e significativamente correlacionadas oscilando entre (r=0,267) sintomas somáticos vs disfunção social e (r=0,623) nos sintomas somáticos vs ansiedade e insónia. No que se refere às correlações existentes entre as diferentes subescalas com o valor global, observa-se que estas são razoáveis e positivas, oscilando entre (r=0,553) com disfunção social e (r=0,871) com ansiedade e insónia (tabela 6) explicando respetivamente 30.5% e 75.8%. Os resultados evidenciam que a grande maioria dos itens são significativos, consubstanciando valores correlacionais mais elevados nas subescalas a que pertencem, e que esse valor é superior aos restantes, sendo na maioria dos casos superior a 0,30.
Functionalized Caprolactone-Polyethylene Glycol Based Thermo-Responsive Hydrogels of Silibinin for the Treatment of Malignant Melanoma
Authors: Makhmalzadeh Behzad Sharif , Molavi Ommoleila , Vakili Mohammad Reza , Zhang Hai-Feng , Solimani Amir , Abyaneh Hoda Soleymani , Loebenberg Raimar , Lai Raymond , Lavasanifar Afsaneh 
Published: May 2018

Purpose: Silibinin, is a natural compound, which has shown anticancer activity in various malignancies. In this study, we evaluated the anticancer effects of silibinin in B16-F10 melanoma cells and developed a novel thermoresponsive hydrogel for local delivery of this compound. Method: A thermoresponsive hydrogel loaded with silibinin was prepared using triblock copolymers of poly[(α-benzyl carboxylate-e-caprolactone)-co-(α-carboxyl-e-caprolactone)]ran-b-PEG-b-[(α-benzyl carboxylate-e-caprolactone) -co-(α-carboxyl-e-caprolactone)]ran (PCBCL-b-PEG-b-PCBCL), namely PolyGelTM, and compared with a Pluronic F-127 formulation of silibinin. Sol-gel transition temperature of hydrogels was measured by inverse flow method and modulated differential scanning calorimetry (MDSC). Silibinin loading efficiency was measured by HPLC. The MTT and clonogenic assays were used to assess the cytotoxicity and anti-proliferative effects of silibinin on B16-F10 melanoma cells. Flow cytotmetry was used to quantify the induced level of apoptosis and measure the intracellular level of activated STAT3 (pSTAT3) following silibinin treatment in B16.F10 cells. The effects of silibinin on the activation of oncogenic proteins were also evaluated by western blot. Results: Silibinin inhibited cell proliferation (IC50 = 67 µM), provoked cell cycle arrest, induced apoptosis, suppressed key oncogenic pathways (i.e STAT3 and MEK/ERK), and enhanced the cytotoxic effects of doxorubicin in B16-F10 cells. Both PolyGelTM and Pluronic F-127 hydrogels were effective in loading silibinin. A lower drug release pattern within 24h, fitting first- order release kinetics, was observed for the release of silibinin from both gels compared to free drug. PolyGelTM demonstrated enhanced percutaneous absorption of silibinin through increasing mouse skin intracellular lipid fluidity as documented by DSC of skin following PolyGelTM use. Silibinin loaded in PolyGel TM inhibited the growth of B16-F10 cells (IC50 = 30 µM) and effectively suppressed pSTAT3 activity in B16-F10 cells at 10 µM. Conclusion: Our results imply a great potential for PolyGel TM formulations of silibinin for local treatment of malignant melanoma. This article is open to POST-PUBLICATION REVIEW. Registered readers (see “For Readers”) may comment by clicking on ABSTRACT on the issue’s content page.__________________________________________________________
Application examples and student views on active learning approach integrated with branches of art
Authors: Orak Seval , Demirci Cavide 
Published: May 2018

This study aims to analyse the views of elementary school students on active learning integrated with art branches in core courses (Turkish, mathematics, science and social studies). The research was conducted in the province of Bursa during the academic year 2015–2016, and the study sample comprised of 22 students, including 15 male and 7 female students. The core courses of elementary school were taught using active learning techniques, and the subjects taught during the lessons were evaluated through art branches. The research data obtained through observation and by means of an interview form were analysed and interpreted by descriptive analysis method. The frequencies and percentages of the data obtained using qualitative analysis were calculated. Through active learning approaches, the students learnt better and in a more enjoyable way, their self-esteem also increased. Thus, the elementary school students had positive views on active learning integrated with art branches in core courses.
Keywords: Active learning approach, arts branches, student views, interdisciplinary teaching
Social relationship network and communication at old age
Authors: Boz Hayat 
Published: May 2018

Old age is a period when the social environment of the elderly person shrinks due to reasons such as loss of social role,health, decline of income and empty nest situation. This research was carried out in order to determine, how elderly people use the social relationship networks and communication with their environment, to satisfy the needs for establishing relationships with other people, acceptance and belonging. In this study, interview technique was used as qualitative data collection method and four female and six male participants aged 65 and over were interviewed. Questions about socioeconomic and demographic characteristics, daily life activities and obstacles, social acquaintances, what kind of people they wanted to socialise with or not, their preferences in communication content,who they had been in conflict with in and why,were asked to participants. Among the daily activities, worshiping, listening to radio and watching television were donewithout gender difference, and it was found that not being able to 􀍚visit neighbours􀍛 was in the first place among the activities that could not be done, but this was also prevented by their spouse, the daughter-in-law or the children. Their children and grandchildren were their main social acquaintances, and these were followed by relatives. They were mainly talking about the current events and politics. They preferred to talk to people with similar personality traits and people whom were generally acceptable to society. They, mainly, had conflicts with their daughters, spouse, daughter in-laws and siblings about not doing what they wanted or being obstructed about the things they wanted to do and have financial issues.Participants who had lost their spouse and participants who lost their peers felt loneliness and felt sad for being lonely. The participants felt health was the bad aspect of being old; and being able to worship as they wanted to and getting respect were good aspects of being old. The worry about the future was determined to be individual in some participants andgeneral in others.
Keywords: Social relations in old age, communication conflicts in old age, communication content in old age.