bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Invariom-based comparative electron density studies of iso-sildenafil and sildenafil
Authors: Dittrich Birger , Luger Peter 
Published: December 2016

Abstract
The title compounds have raised considerable medical and broad public interest in that sildenafil is used as an agent against male erectile dysfunction; iso-sildenafil is not in clinical use. A comparison of their structural and electronic properties therefore seems of interest. The electron densities of iso-sildenafil and the cationic and neutral forms of sildenafil were examined by the application of the invariom formalism relying on diffraction data reported in the literature. The electron-density distributions obtained were subjected to topological analysis using the quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM) formalism to yield bond topological and atomic properties. Moreover, molecular Hirshfeld surfaces and electrostatic potentials (ESPs) were calculated. A number of structural and electronic differences were thus identified between sildenafil and the iso-analog. In both sildenafil structures, the phenyl ring and the pyrazolopyrimidine fragment are practically coplanar (planar conformation), whereas in the iso-analog they exhibit an angle of 44° (inclined form). Related to differences in molecular structure are completely different hydrogen bonding patterns and differences in the ESPs, the latter ones being influenced by different methylation at the pyrazolopyrimidine fragment. Iso-sildenafil is present as a hydrogen-bond dimer in the crystal, and the ESP of this dimer is dominated by a surrounding positive potential.
Shorter Duration Time Trial Performance and Recovery Is Not Improved by Inclusion of Protein in a Multiple Carbohydrate Supplement
Authors: Wolfe Anthony S. , Brandt Sallee A. , Krause Isaac A. , Mavison Rachel W. , Aponte Josh A. , Ferguson-Stegall Lisa M. 
Published: December 2016

Abstract
Wolfe, AS, Brandt, SA, Krause, IA, Mavison, RW, Aponte, JA, and Ferguson-Stegall, LM. Shorter duration time trial performance and recovery is not improved by inclusion of protein in a multiple carbohydrate supplement. J Strength Cond Res 31(9): 2509–2518, 2017—Ingesting multiple carbohydrate (CHO) types during exercise can improve endurance performance compared with single CHO only. Adding protein to a multiple CHO beverage has been shown to increase cycling time to exhaustion (TTE) compared with a single CHO beverage. However, it is unclear if improvements were due to multiple CHO or protein, and TTE protocols are not representative of typical race events. This study investigated whether adding protein to a multiple CHO beverage improved performance and recovery in 2 same-day cycling time trials (TTs) compared with isocaloric multiple CHO only. Ten cyclists (37.4 ± 8.9 years; V̇o
2max 54.6 ± 6.5 ml·kg−1·min−1) performed a familiarization and 2 randomized, crossover, double-blinded experimental trials consisting of pretrial leg strength testing, 40-km TT, 30-min recovery, 10-km TT, and posttrial leg strength testing. Seven 275 ml doses of multiple CHO (MCO) or multiple CHO+protein (MCP) were ingested during the protocol. Blood glucose, lactate, heart rate (HR), and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were also measured. Continuous variables were analyzed with paired t-tests, and repeated measures with repeated-measures analysis of variance. No differences existed between MCO and MCP in 40-km TT time (81.6 ± 2.8 vs. 81.9 ± 2.9 minutes, respectively, p = 0.94), or in 10-km time (24.0 ± 0.9 vs. 23.9 ± 1.0 minutes, p = 0.97). Blood glucose was higher before 10-km TT in MCO compared with MCP (3.78 ± 0.20 vs. 3.31 ± 0.19 mmol·L−1, p = 0.002). No treatment differences were found for lactate, HR, RPE, or strength recovery. When using a protocol and performance measures that replicate realistic, shorter duration events, adding protein to a multiple CHO beverage does not improve performance compared with multiple CHO only.
Carbohydrate and Caffeine Improves High-Intensity Running of Elite Rugby League Interchange Players During Simulated Match Play
Authors: Clarke Jon S. , Highton Jamie M. , Close Graeme L. , Twist Craig 
Published: December 2016

Abstract
Clarke, JS, Highton, J, Close, GL, and Twist, C. Carbohydrate and caffeine improves high-intensity running of elite rugby league interchange players during simulated match play. J Strength Cond Res 33(5): 1320–1327, 2019—The study examined the effects of carbohydrate and caffeine ingestion on simulated rugby league interchange performance. Eight male elite rugby league forwards completed 2 trials of a rugby league simulation protocol for interchange players 7 days apart in a randomized crossover design, ingesting either carbohydrate (CHO; 40 g·h−1) or carbohydrate and caffeine (CHO-C) (40 g·h−1 + 3 mg·kg−1) drink. Movement characteristics, heart rate, ratings of perceived exertion (RPE), and countermovement jump (CMJ) height were measured during the protocol. CHO-C resulted in likely to very likely higher mean running speeds (effect size [ES] 0.43–0.75), distance in high-intensity running (ES 0.41–0.64), and mean sprint speeds (ES 0.39–1.04) compared with CHO. Heart rate was possibly to very likely higher (ES 0.32–0.74), and RPE was likely to very likely lower (ES −0.53 to 0.86) with CHO-C. There was a likely trivial to possibly higher CMJ in CHO-C compared with CHO (ES 0.07–0.25). The coingestion of carbohydrate with caffeine has an ergogenic effect to reduce the sense of effort and increase high-intensity running capability that might be used to enhance interchange running performance in elite rugby league players.
Motion and Muscle Activity Are Affected by Instability Location During a Squat Exercise
Authors: Nairn Brian C. , Sutherland Chad A. , Drake Janessa D.M. 
Published: December 2016

Abstract
Nairn, BC, Sutherland, CA, and Drake, JDM. Motion and muscle activity are affected by instability location during a squat exercise. J Strength Cond Res 31(3): 677–685, 2017—Squat exercise training using instability devices has become increasingly popular for a multitude of reasons. Many devices generate instability at the feet and provide a bottom-up perturbation; however, the effect of a top-down instability device during a squat remains unclear. To induce instability at the upper body, a water-filled cylinder called the Attitube was used. This study analyzed the effects of instability location (top-down, bottom-up, and no instability) during a squat exercise in terms of kinematics and muscle activation. Ten male participants were instrumented with 75 reflective markers to track kinematics of the ankle, knee, hip, trunk, and the Bar/Attitube, and electromyography was recorded from 12 muscles bilaterally. Squats were performed with an Olympic bar on a stable surface, an Olympic bar on a BOSU ball (BALL, bottom-up), and the Attitube on solid ground (TUBE, top-down). The TUBE showed up to 1.5 times reduction in erector spinae activation and up to 1.5 times less trunk flexion while being performed at a slower velocity. There was also higher abdominal activation in the TUBE, with up to 2.8 times greater oblique activation compared with the stable condition. The BALL increased ankle eversion and knee flexion with higher muscle activation in gastrocnemius, biceps femoris, and quadriceps. Overall, changing the location of instability during a squat changed the motion and muscle activation patterns of the trunk and lower extremities. This provides information for future research into rehabilitation, learning proper squat technique, and for specific training scenarios.
Decision-Related Activity in Macaque V2 for Fine Disparity Discrimination Is Not Compatible with Optimal Linear Readout
Authors: Clery Stephane , Cumming Bruce G. , Nienborg Hendrikje 
Published: December 2016

Fine judgments of stereoscopic depth rely mainly on relative judgments of depth (relative binocular disparity) between objects, rather than judgments of the distance to where the eyes are fixating (absolute disparity). In macaques, visual area V2 is the earliest site in the visual processing hierarchy for which neurons selective for relative disparity have been observed (Thomas et al., 2002). Here, we found that, in macaques trained to perform a fine disparity discrimination task, disparity-selective neurons in V2 were highly selective for the task, and their activity correlated with the animals' perceptual decisions (unexplained by the stimulus). This may partially explain similar correlations reported in downstream areas. Although compatible with a perceptual role of these neurons for the task, the interpretation of such decision-related activity is complicated by the effects of interneuronal “noise” correlations between sensory neurons. Recent work has developed simple predictions to differentiate decoding schemes (Pitkow et al., 2015) without needing measures of noise correlations, and found that data from early sensory areas were compatible with optimal linear readout of populations with information-limiting correlations. In contrast, our data here deviated significantly from these predictions. We additionally tested this prediction for previously reported results of decision-related activity in V2 for a related task, coarse disparity discrimination (Nienborg and Cumming, 2006), thought to rely on absolute disparity. Although these data followed the predicted pattern, they violated the prediction quantitatively. This suggests that optimal linear decoding of sensory signals is not generally a good predictor of behavior in simple perceptual tasks.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTActivity in sensory neurons that correlates with an animal's decision is widely believed to provide insights into how the brain uses information from sensory neurons. Recent theoretical work developed simple predictions to differentiate decoding schemes, and found support for optimal linear readout of early sensory populations with information-limiting correlations. Here, we observed decision-related activity for neurons in visual area V2 of macaques performing fine disparity discrimination, as yet the earliest site for this task. These findings, and previously reported results from V2 in a different task, deviated from the predictions for optimal linear readout of a population with information-limiting correlations. Our results suggest that optimal linear decoding of early sensory information is not a general decoding strategy used by the brain.
Tuberculous Abdominal cocoon in childern– A Single Centre Study in remote area in northern India
Authors: Singal Rikki , B Satyashree , Mittal Amit , Sharma Bhanu Pratap , Singal Samita , Zaman Muzzafarr , Shardha Parteek 
Published: December 2016

Background. Amongst the numerous causes of intestinal obstruction listed in the literature, sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis also called Abdominal Cocoon (AC) is one of the rarest entities. Its characteristic feature is a thick fibrotic membrane encasing varying lengths of the small and large gut in a cocoon. In India, there is an increasing incidence of tuberculosis, especially in the rural areas.Aims and objectives. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical presentation and evaluate the operative findings of tuberculous AC. We also evaluated the outcomes and response to anti tuberculous treatment (ATT) in all the patients diagnosed with this condition.Material and methods. This study was carried out at M.M. Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Mullana, Ambala, India between April 2013 – March 2016 in the Department of Pediatric Surgery. This is a prospective study. A total of 17 patients diagnosed with abdominal cocoon secondary to tuberculosis have been included in the study.Results. A total of 17 patients presented to the emergency ward with features of acute intestinal obstruction. The average age was 15.3 years (range 9 years to 16 years). There were 14 females and 3 males. All patients presented with abdominal pain, bilious vomiting, constipation and abdominal distention. The patients were operated in our hospital and relieved of their obstruction. Based on their operative findings and after histopathological confirmation, patients were given ATT. In the follow-up, all patients did well, without recurrence of tuberculosis or intestinal obstruction. Conclusion. Tuberculosis as a cause of childhood AC is rather common in developing countries and is potentially a fatal condition. A strong clinical suspicion, sonographic and computed tomography scan findings help establish a pre-operative diagnosis. Tuberculous AC has a strong prevalence in females. Surgery is the mainstay of treatment followed by anti-tuberculous drugs.
PROPOSED SCORE FOR THE SELF-ASSESSMENT OF AN ENDOSCOPY DEPARTMENT PERFORMANCE IN COLONOSCOPY SCREENING
Authors: Sporea Ioan , Popescu Alina , Sirli Roxana , Pascu Oliviu , Cijevschi Prelipcean Cristina , Dobru Daniela , Bota Simona , Gherhardt Diana , Gradinaru Oana , Popescu Madalina 
Published: December 2016

The aim of the paper was to propose a score for performance evaluation in colonoscopy units.Method. We proposed a score (CDCD score - Cecal intubation, polyp Detection rate, Cleansing and Documentation of cecal intubation) based on the following parameters that assess the quality of colonoscopy units: total colonoscopies rate, polyp detection rate, rate of cecal intubation photo record, rate of recorded Boston bowel preparation scale (BBPS) (rated 1 to 5 stars). The mean score obtained based on the above mentioned criteria was used as a quality parameter of the endoscopy unit.We applied and calculated this score in all screening colonoscopies performed in our Endoscopy Department during the last 4 years.Results. The study group included 856 screening colonoscopies. The rate of total colonoscopies was 92.1% (789/856 cases) and the polyp detection rate was 23.9%. Regarding the quality of bowel preparation, the BBPS was recorded in 51.1% cases. The cecal intubation was photo recorded in 44% of cases.We considered that of the 4 parameters, the highest weight for an excellent quality belonged to the cecal intubation rate, followed by the polyp detection rate, because they evaluate the endoscopic technique, while the other 2 are more administrative. Thus, for the unit’s assessment we used the following equation: UNIT’S QUALITY CDCD SCORE = (3xcecal intubation rate+3xpolyp detection rate+1xphoto documentation+1xBBPS documentation)/8. Thus, the CDCD Score for our unit was ≈4 stars (3.7 stars).Conclusion. the proposed CDCD score may be an objective tool for the quality assessment in different endoscopy units.
Challenging paradigms in the continuous training of teachers from curricular area Mathematics and Science
Authors: Avram Virtop Sorin 
Published: December 2016

Continuous training of teachers has proved a cornerstone for changing teaching from a mere activity to a profession. The teaching career is regulated by a special methodology which implies the three stages: definitive, second grade and first grade. These are supported by continuous training of teachers educational policy and activities. The various levels of change that emerged from the educational reform processes after 1989 did not leave the continuous training of teachers untouched. This paper refers to the continuous training of Mathematics and Science teachers through the project “Continuous training network for teachers to use multimedia, virtual instruments web 2.0 in the curricular area of Mathematics and natural sciences (Proweb)”. This paper discusses the activities and results of the counties (Gorj, Dolj, Olt, Caraş-Severin and Mehedinţi) for which the “Constantin Brâncuşi” University of Târgu Jiu, România had the responsibility for continuous training. ( project POSDRU/157/1.3/S/141587).
Professional Education vs. General Education: In what sense is the value of knowledge intrinsic?
Authors: Nevo Isaac 
Published: December 2016

Various forms of academic elitism exclude "professional" education, including medicine, engineering, and law, from the academic curriculum on grounds of the intrinsic, i.e., non-instrumental value of university education and scholarship.In this paper, I shall explore arguments from J.S. Mill, Cardinal John Newman, and I. Kant to this effect, attempting to clarify what non-instrumental value they find in university education and scholarship, and why it should serve to exclude the professional, and sometimes the scientific and the technological. [1] In Kant’s case, I shall point out more integrative options implicit in his approach. I shall than look at some contemporary resolutions of these issues, namely, the relation of knowledge and university education to economic usefulness, on the one hand, and to a free and democratic society, on the other, in the writings of Philip Kitcher (2011), Jacques Derrida (1983) and Jürgen Habermas (1992).[1] An earlier version of this paper was presented at a conference entitled: "curricula and Humanistic Scholarship: Between Tacit Knowledge and Public Discourse," sponsored by The Van Leer Jerusalem Institute, The Sidney M. Edelstein Center at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, The Cohn Institute for the History and Philosophy of Science and Ideas and The Minerva Humanities Center at Tel-Aviv University, and the Volkswagen Stiftung. The author wishes to thank the organizers of the conference, and particularly Prof. Rivka Feldhai and Prof. Gabi Motzkin.
Latvian primary school teachers’ views: Contemporary learner and future society
Authors: Drelinga Elga , Ilisko Dzintra , ZariÅ†a Sandra 
Published: December 2016

The paper presents a study of focus groups conducted in schools of Latvia involving teachers of grades 1 â€“ 6 (n=76). The first stage of research presents the analyses of teachersâ€™ discussion what a contemporary learner is like, while at the second stage of the study focuses on finding of what the future society will be like when the present-day primary school learners have left the school, what teachers must change in their work in the process of learning to meet the needs of the future.The data and outcomes of this study are based on the outcomes of focus group discussions and the analysis of the experience in other papers. According to the acquired outcomes of the study, contemporary learners on the one hand are braver, ready for an active action, they use various opportunities, they are aware of their worth, on the other hand, they accept diversity, spend much time watching TV, using the global network, that does not facilitate social communication. Conclusion: For the process of learning to meet the needs of the future, learners must be given an opportunity to construct such knowledge, skills, and attitudes that make it possible to view processes holistically, grasping the mutual interaction of different aspects.
Contemporary English – a challenge for non-native speakers
Authors: Beresova Jana 
Published: December 2016

The paper focuses on contemporary American English and its challenge for those who are exposed to it as non-native users. Due to globalisation, the two main varieties of English (British and American) are becoming closer than they used to be as native speakers of both communicate directly and influence their varieties significantly. The traditional differences between British English and American English are less meaningful, however, English nowadays develops rapidly. The focus of research is based on current trends in both grammar and vocabulary, analysing contemporary American literary prose as many new words and new ways of using grammar in British English come from American English due to the influence of American popular culture and media. Contemporary literary prose is a valuable material of natural written and spoken language. In the paper, both speeches (that of the narrator and characters) are analysed, focusing on expressions and grammatical structures which are likely to attract a non-native reader. The selected samples of the language are discussed and systemised with an aim to generalise some trends typical for contemporary English. Keywords: contemporary English; vocabulary; grammar; informal language;
Próba adaptacji kwestionariusza Self-Complete of Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs dla polskiej populacji
Authors: Cnotliwy Miłosław , Jurewicz Alina , Gołąb-Janowska Monika , Kazimierczak Arkadiusz , Głazek Wojciech 
Published: December 2016

Wstęp: Kwestionariusz Self-Complete of Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs (S -LANSS) jest testem przesiewowym służącym rozpoznaniu bólu neuropatycznego. Test ten może wykonać chory bez pomocy lekarza. Celem pracy było przetłumaczenie oryginalnej anglojęzycznej wersji skali S -LANSS na język polski oraz jej walidacja dla polskiej populacji.Materiały i metody: Do badania włączono 101 chorych: 51 z rozpoznanym przewlekłym bólem neuropatycznym w przebiegu różnych schorzeń neurologicznych i 50 z przewlekłym bólem receptorowym w przebiegu choroby zwyrodnieniowej stawów. Wszyscy samodzielnie wypełnili przetłumaczony na język polski kwestionariusz S-LANSS. W analizie statystycznej zwrócono szczególną uwagę na określenie czułości i swoistości polskojęzycznej wersji kwestionariusza.Wyniki: Czułość kwestionariusza S -LANSS przy punkcie odcięcia ≥11 wyniosła 62%, a swoistość 77%. Pole pod krzywą ROC, AUC (95% CI) = 0,729 (0,63–0,809).Wnioski: Opracowana polskojęzyczna wersja S-LANSS może być użyta do wstępnej diagnozy bólu neuropatycznego. Rozpoznanie musi opierać się na badaniu neurologicznym, uzupeł-nionym testami neurofizjologicznymi i niezbędnymi badaniami dodatkowymi.
Gender Representation in Faculty and Leadership at Land Grant and Research Institutions
Authors: Cho Alyssa , Chakraborty Debolina , Rowland Diane 
Published: December 2016

Core Ideas
Female faculty in agricultural sciences has increased from 12 to 23% in the last 10 yr.
Higher leadership positions within academia, industry, and government research positions are primarily held by men.
The proportion of women with Ph.D. degrees in agricultural sciences is still higher than those with careers and leadership positions.
Representation of women in agricultural science was 5% in 1979, increasing to 12% by 2005. The near equal numbers of women and men receiving Ph.D. degrees in agricultural science in 2012 (44 to 56%, respectively) would suggest an upward trend of women scientists above 12% should be occurring over time. To monitor possible trends in the representation of women in agricultural science, we quantified the numbers of women at land grant institutions at the faculty and higher administration level and in leadership positions within scientific societies, industry boards, and government research positions. The survey results showed that female faculty in the agricultural sciences increased from 12% in 2005 to 23% in 2014; however, female representation in leadership positions in academia were low, with department chairs (18%), society leadership (18–36% ranging across societies), and deans of colleges of agriculture (9 out of 50) lagging behind men. Similarly, the number of women on the executive boards of agricultural industries (11%) and at the USDA‐ARS (26%) are still lower than the proportion of women with Ph.D.'s in agricultural sciences. These results suggest progress toward gender representation that reflects the number of qualified women at the faculty level, but it seems that representation is limited after the graduate training level, at the faculty level and beyond. We must be diligent in crop and soil sciences in mentoring female students and young faculty to ensure progress of female scientists to all levels of leadership in academia and the private and public sector.