bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluating ginger extract, wild blueberry extract, and polysorbates (PS20, PS80) on Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm formation
Authors: Miari Mariam , Rasheed Sari S , Haidar-Ahmad Nathaline , Abou Fayad Antoine , Matar Ghassan M 
Published: February 2018

Introduction: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a biofilm forming pathogen that challenges clinical and industrial settings. Many natural products and surfactants have been screened and valued for their anti-biofilm capacity. In this study we assessed the inhibitory effect and molecular mechanism of action of ginger extract (Zingiber officinale Rosc.), wild blueberry extract (Vaccinium angustifolium), and polysorbates (PS20/PS80) on biofilm formation.
Methodology: Ginger and wild blueberry extractions were done using ethanol and distilled water, respectively. Hexane and methanol were used for extracts’ liquid-liquid portioning. LC-HRMS was performed to obtain extract fractions. Efficacy of the crude extracts, fractions, and polysorbates was assessed on P. aeruginosa PAN14 growth and biofilm. Transcription levels of biofilm encoding genes ndvB, pelC, algC and quorum sensing genes lasI, lasR, rhlI, rhlR were evaluated by RT-qPCR.
Results: Extracts and polysorbates concentrations did not affect P. aeruginosa growth. Biofilm assay showed a reduction in biofilm when 5% ginger, 25% wild blueberry extracts, 0.2% PS20, and 0.25% PS80 were added. LC-HRMS analysis of ginger extract showed abundant gingerol in the hexane layer. Wild blueberry chromatograms showed various constituents differing between their peel and pulp, and pulp extracts. RT-qPCR showed decreased transcription levels of exopolysaccharide and quorum sensing genes with a 363.6 folds reduction in ndvB upon treatment with 25% wild blueberry peel and pulp extract.
Conclusion: These results shed light on the mechanism of action of ginger and wild blueberry constituents as well as PS20/80 on P. aeruginosa biofilm formation. Future mouse model experiments are useful to test biofilm inhibition in-vivo.
Infected diabetic ulcers, when to amputate
Authors: Harb Mario , Greige Wafaa , Ephrem Christelle 
Published: February 2018

Introduction: In 2030 diabetes will cause one amputation every 20 seconds. Currently 10 to 20% of all diabetic patients develop infected foot ulcers that recur 40% of the time within one year, even when adequately treated by antibiotics, angioplasty or bypass. Therefore, factors other than infection and peripheral artery disease must be incriminated in wound healing in diabetic patients. The identification of those factors is the subject of our study.
Methodology: A retrospective study done at CHU-NDS (Centre Hospitalier Notre Dame De Secours) included all patients with infected diabetic ulcers between 2012 and 2017. Age was recorded as well as: gender, HbA1c (Hemoglobin A1c), coronary heart disease, antihypertension treatment, creatinine, CRP (C reactive protein), ejection fraction, total cholesterol level and previous amputations. All our patients were followed by an infectious disease specialist, an orthopedist and a vascular surgeon.
Results: 139 diabetic ulcers in total were recorded; 83were infected and 36 underwent amputation (25.9%). Amongst the amputated patients, 25 were males, 22 were > 65YO, 14 had HbA1c > 8, 31 had CAD, 23 had previous amputations, 25 had CRP > 80, 14 had an EF < 50% and 17 were treated by dihydropyridine.
Conclusions: We concluded that HbA1c > 8%, coronary heart disease, ejection fraction < 50%, CRP above 80 mg/L, as well as history of previous amputations were risk factors for amputation. Moreover, patients treated with dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers showed less ulcer prevalence and less amputation procedures.
Colistin monotherapy v/s colistin combination therapy for treatment of Acinetobacter infections, a systematic review
Authors: Salameh Myriam , Abou Daher Layal Mahmoud , Chartouny Marwan , Abi Hanna Pierre 
Published: February 2018

Introduction: Acinetobacter baumanii is currently responsible of many nosocomial life threatening infections, and growing multiple types of resistance mechanisms causing a great therapeutic challenge. Colistin has been used for the treatment of Acinetobacter infections after the emergence of resistant strains as an alternative and salvage therapy. Our study’s aim is to compare the efficacy of colistin monotherapy versus colistin in combination therapy, its safety in terms of nephrotoxicity and potential resistance emergence.
Methodology: Online electronic databases were searched for studies evaluating colistin in monotherapy compared to colistin in combination therapy. Seven studies met the inclusion criteria after eliminating duplicates according to a Prism flow chart. Endnote and Review Manager 5.3 softwares were used.
Results: we found that there is no significant difference in the mortality between the group treated with colistin alone compared to colistin in combination with other antibiotics (OR: 0. 87 95% CI= 0.62, 1.24 P=0.45), we also found no difference in terms of clinical cure or nephrotoxicity, however, microbiological eradication was found to be superior in the combination therapy group (OR: 1.88 95% CI = 1.13, 3.12 p = 0.01).
Conclusion: Colistin is a safe and effective option in monotherapy as in combination therapy for the treatment of Acinetobacter baumanii infections. Larger RCTs are needed.
Valuation of life: genetic models and the making of markets
Authors: Labatut Julie 
Published: February 2018

Quel prix attribuer au vivant et aux biens immatériels ? Le développement de marchés de la génétique animale (spermes, embryons, etc.) visant l’amélioration de la production mondiale constitue un des principaux exemples de l’économisation de la nature. Différentes innovations scientifiques et techniques (insémination artificielle, évaluation de la valeur génétique animale via des modèles scientifiques et des index génétiques, plus récemment la génomique) ont contribué à ce processus. Mais si l’expression « marchandisation du vivant » est récente, l’amélioration et le commerce de la génétique des animaux d’élevage sont l’un des piliers historiques de la modernisation de l’agriculture. Comment la génétique des animaux est-elle devenue un bien marchand ? Comment a-t-elle été évaluée ? Quel est le rôle des outils scientifiques dans ce processus ? Cet article vise à mettre en avant quelques aspects clés de celui-ci, du xviii e au xx e siècle.
Relationship between competitiveness and operational and financial performance of firms: An exploratory study on the European brewing industry
Authors: Zanotti Claudio , Reyes Fabiola , Fernandez Brian 
Published: February 2018

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to provide the underlying constructs that connect the operational and financial performance of firms with the competitive environment surrounding the brewing industry in Europe.Design/methodology/approach: The selected method of study is exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, and subsequently applying structural equations modelling. We have sampled 214 brewing companies distributed in over 12 European economies.Findings: The study provides a comparison between different antecent studies, including contextual contrast in both an industry and a methodologic perspective. The study shoes that the competitive construct of the industry is significantly related with the financial performance of firms, however not necesarilly to the operational results. Additionally, the operational structure of the firm does not necesarilly provide significant relationship to the firms' financial results.Research limitations/implications: The research is segmented within the European brewing industry, hence we find potentian geographic delimiations in terms of the conclusions of this paper.Originality/value: Significant relationships between competitive variables and financial performance in the brewing industry remains evasive in research thus far. Additionally, sustained in the potential the brewing industry represents within Europe, it is significant to identify these relationships for readers on both an academic and industrial background.
Genetic variations in the Dravidian population of South West coast of India
Authors: D’Cunha Anitha , Pandit Lekha , Malli Chaithra 
Published: February 2018

Background & objectives:
Indian data have been largely missing from genome-wide databases that provide information on genetic variations in different populations. This hinders association studies for complex disorders in India. This study was aimed to determine whether the complex genetic structure and endogamy among Indians could potentially influence the design of case-control studies for autoimmune disorders in the south Indian population.

Methods:
A total of 12 single nucleotide variations (SNVs) related to genes associated with autoimmune disorders were genotyped in 370 healthy individuals belonging to six different caste groups in southern India. Allele frequencies were estimated; genetic divergence and phylogenetic relationship within the various caste groups and other HapMap populations were ascertained.

Results:
Allele frequencies for all genotyped SNVs did not vary significantly among the different groups studied. Wright's FST was 0.001 per cent among study population and 0.38 per cent when compared with Gujarati in Houston (GIH) population on HapMap data. The analysis of molecular variance results showed a 97 per cent variation attributable to differences within the study population and <1 per cent variation due to differences between castes. Phylogenetic analysis showed a separation of Dravidian population from other HapMap populations and particularly from GIH population.

Interpretation & conclusions:
Despite the complex genetic origins of the Indian population, our study indicated a low level of genetic differentiation among Dravidian language-speaking people of south India. Case-control studies of association among Dravidians of south India may not require stratification based on language and caste.
Association between intimate partner violence & HIV/AIDS
Authors: Patrikar Seema , Basannar Dashrath , Bhatti Vijay , Chatterjee Kunal , Mahen Ajoy 
Published: February 2018

Background & objectives:
Violence against women cutting across diverse socio-economic classes is an under-recognized human rights violation in the world. This analysis was undertaken to examine the prevalence along with predictors of intimate partner violence (IPV) and its association with HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in Indian ever-married women.

Methods:
The data obtained from 2005 to 2006 third round of National Family Health Survey-3 (NFHS-3) were used in this study. Analyses were conducted on ever-married women by linking individual women data including violence information and HIV test results.

Results:
The analyses indicated all forms of violence to be prevalent in India. The prevalence of lifetime IPV reported was 35.3 per cent. Multivariate analysis using logistic regression identified younger age of women, higher number of children, low level of education of women as well as her partner, working status of women, higher spousal age, rural residence, alcohol consumption by husband, childhood witness of violence among parents, nuclear household and lower standard of living to be positively associated with the experience of IPV by the women (P<0.05). HIV-positive status of women, as well as women from high HIV prevalent State, were at increased odds of IPV (P<0.05).

Interpretation & conclusions:
Significantly higher reporting of HIV/STIs by women experiencing IPV hints at new pathways that link violence and HIV. Further, our analysis showed a high prevalence of IPV in India.
A desirability functions-based approach for simultaneous optimization of quantitative and ordinal response variables in industrial processes
Authors: Pal Surajit , Gauri Susanta Kumar 
Published: February 2018

The most important step for producing high quality products is the optimum utilization of the manufacturing processes and its resources, which can be accomplished by using optimal process settings. Extensive research works are reported in literature for optimization of process settings with respect to single as well as multiple quantitative response variables. However, in real world, often some aspects of product quality (e.g. dimensions, yield etc.) are measured quantitatively and some other aspects of product quality (e.g. color, finish etc.) are assessed qualitatively like 'poor', 'average', 'good' etc., which can be treated as ordered categorical or ordinal variables. Only a few researchers have attempted to tackle the problem of simultaneous optimization of quantitative and ordinal response variables. But none of these approaches results in an efficient optimal solution with respect to the desirability values of all the individual response variables. It motivated us to develop a more useful approach for simultaneously optimizing industrial processes with respect to quantitative as well as ordinal response variables. In the proposed method, the concept of desirability functions for continuous quantitative variables is extended for ordinal response variables, and then process settings is optimized considering geometric mean of the individual desirability functions of continuous as well as ordinal response variables. A set of experimental data, which have been analyzed by the past researchers, are analyzed using the proposed method and the related results are compared. The comparison of results reveals that the proposed method leads to better optimal solution than the other methods.Keywords: Quantitative responses, Ordinal responses, Multiple regression, Ordinal logistic regression, Desirability function, Optimization
Burgerschapsvorming en nationale identiteit
Authors: Levering Bas 
Published: February 2018

Abstract

Citizenship Education and National Identity

On February 7, 2107, the Dutch minister and the state secretary of education sent a letter to the parliament about their proposed measures to improve citizenship education in primary and secondary schools. A new element in their plans was the concern for ‘national identity’. The main question this article raises is ‘Is it possible to promote national identity without promoting chauvinism? To answer the question the author first goes back to the three essays he wrote in the nineties when he noticed a new rise of nationalism in Europe. The central question of those essays was if people can do without a nation, in the words of Jean Améry: ‘How much “Heimat” does a human being need?’ Secondly the author summarizes a recent analysis of nationalism and xenophobia the 2017 parliamentary election campaign of six political parties to illustrate that the call for an emphasis on ‘national identity’ is quite common nowadays. His conclusion is however that ‘national identity’ should not be considered as a basic element of citizenship education. (Dutch) national identity does not exist, as de Wetenschappelijke Raad voor het Regerngsbeleid (Scientific Council for Governmental Policy) concluded in a report in 2007, and all available elaborations of the concept exclude groups of people on beforehand.
Verschillende extreme idealen, dezelfde radicale zoektocht?
Authors: Sikkens Elga , van San Marion , de Winter Micha , Sieckelinck Stijn 
Published: February 2018

Abstract

Different extreme ideals, the same radical quest?

Several scholars have researched push- and pull factors that may lead to radicalization. However, most of these studies focused on radicalization towards a single extreme ideology; it has hardly been investigated if radicalization factors toward different ideologies are comparable. This article focuses on the question whether push- and pull factors are similar for radicalization toward different extreme ideologies. This was done by means of 87 interviews with young people who have extreme leftwing, extreme rightwing and extreme Islamic ideals and their family members. The research shows that there are push- and pull factors that are specific for certain ideologies, but that parallels between radicalization processes exist as well.
Identiteitsontwikkeling in de Twilight saga
Authors: Curganov Marika 
Published: February 2018

Abstract

Identity development in The Twilight Saga

This article interrogates the popular teen-targeted series The Twilight Saga, written by Stephenie Meyer, in light of theories on identity development. In adolescence, a transition period from childhood to adulthood, identity development dominates. Being an adolescent herself, main character Bella Swan can set an example to her adolescent readers on how to cope with fear of exploration and commitment in the development of their identities. An exploration of existing research on the saga shows that identity development as an analytical framework remains absent thus far. Using discourse analysis, the author examines the way Bella uses vampirism in the development of her identity, and comes to the conclusion the saga offers a main character that runs away from fear, instead of overcoming it. The possible consequences of such imaging are considered, after which an incentive to media educational intervention is given.
Determinanten van het zelfstandig en gezamenlijk gebruik van print- en beeldschermmedia door kinderen van nul tot en met zes jaar
Authors: Nikken Peter 
Published: February 2018

Abstract

Determinants of self-reliant and shared use of print- and screen-media in zero-to-six-year-olds

An online survey among 1.085 parents investigated (a) how young children (0-6 years) use media, (b) to what extent they share media with parents and siblings, and (c) which family, parent and child characteristics explain differences in shared or solitary use. Depending on age, parent’s education and siblings at home, children’s print- and screen-media use varied from 49 minutes/day (low users) to 280 minutes/day (very high users). Among high users there are more media devices in the bedroom and parents see mediation as somewhat more difficult. Educational and creativity applications are used the most alone. Television programs or YouTube-clips, and books are mostly used with parents. Older and more media-literate children mostly use media alone, whereas with more siblings at home media are shared with peers and less with parents. The data may assist in campaigns that empower specific groups of parents in the mediation of their children’s media use.
NOTE ON GENT'S HYPERELASTIC MODEL
Authors: Yang Lixiang , Yang Libin 
Published: February 2018

ABSTRACTGent's model is explained by using non-Gaussian behavior of an individual freely-joint chain. The physical meanings of two parameters in Gent's model are shown to be a function of temperature and the number of bonds. Under certain assumptions, the Gent's model and Arruda–Boyce model will become identical.
Un Modelo Aixológico para la gobernanza mundial
Authors: Parra Francisco 
Published: February 2018

La materia prima fundamental de este modelo son los VALORES UNIVERSALES los cuales sirven para presentar o elaborar cuatro instrumentos técnicos concretos (“Patrón Referencial de Valores Universales”; “Perfiles Axiológicos”; “Abanico Equilibrador” e “Indice Internacional de Desarrollo Humano”). Instrumentos que se utilizan como medios para replantear y/o intentar resolver algunos de los grandes problemas mundiales (inmigraciones masivas, paro, hambre infantil…) pero tomando como potentes catalizadores” hacia la solución de dichos problemas mundiales, dos de los problemas considerados además altamente negativos como las guerras y los terrorismos.
A simple method of equine limb force vector analysis and its potential applications
Authors: Hobbs Sarah Jane , Robinson Mark A. , Clayton Hilary M. 
Published: February 2018

BackgroundGround reaction forces (GRF) measured during equine gait analysis are typically evaluated by analyzing discrete values obtained from continuous force-time data for the vertical, longitudinal and transverse GRF components. This paper describes a simple, temporo-spatial method of displaying and analyzing sagittal plane GRF vectors. In addition, the application of statistical parametric mapping (SPM) is introduced to analyse differences between contra-lateral fore and hindlimb force-time curves throughout the stance phase. The overall aim of the study was to demonstrate alternative methods of evaluating functional (a)symmetry within horses.MethodsGRF and kinematic data were collected from 10 horses trotting over a series of four force plates (120 Hz). The kinematic data were used to determine clean hoof contacts. The stance phase of each hoof was determined using a 50 N threshold. Vertical and longitudinal GRF for each stance phase were plotted both as force-time curves and as force vector diagrams in which vectors originating at the centre of pressure on the force plate were drawn at intervals of 8.3 ms for the duration of stance. Visual evaluation was facilitated by overlay of the vector diagrams for different limbs. Summary vectors representing the magnitude (VecMag) and direction (VecAng) of the mean force over the entire stance phase were superimposed on the force vector diagram. Typical measurements extracted from the force-time curves (peak forces, impulses) were compared with VecMag and VecAng using partial correlation (controlling for speed). Paired samplest-tests (left v. right diagonal pair comparison and high v. low vertical force diagonal pair comparison) were performed on discrete and vector variables using traditional methods and Hotelling’sT2tests on normalized stance phase data using SPM.ResultsEvidence from traditional statistical tests suggested that VecMag is more influenced by the vertical force and impulse, whereas VecAng is more influenced by the longitudinal force and impulse. When used to evaluate mean data from the group of ten sound horses, SPM did not identify differences between the left and right contralateral limb pairs or between limb pairs classified according to directional asymmetry. When evaluating a single horse, three periods were identified during which differences in the forces between the left and right forelimbs exceeded the critical threshold (p < .01).DiscussionTraditional statistical analysis of 2D GRF peak values, summary vector variables and visual evaluation of force vector diagrams gave harmonious results and both methods identified the same inter-limb asymmetries. As alpha was more tightly controlled using SPM, significance was only found in the individual horse althoughT2plots followed the same trends as discrete analysis for the group.ConclusionsThe techniques of force vector analysis and SPM hold promise for investigations of sidedness and asymmetry in horses.