DMP online: the Digital Curation Centre’s web-based tool for creating, maintaining and exporting data management plans

Funding bodies increasingly require researchers to produce Data Management Plans (DMPs). The Digital Curation Centre (DCC) has created DMP Online, a web-based tool which draws upon an analysis of funders’ requirements to enable researchers to create and export customisable DMPs, both at the grant application stage and during the project’s lifetime

769-6 Inhibitory Effect of Lovastatin on Human Coronary Smooth Muscle Cell Proliferation

Longterm administration of lipid lowering agents has been shown to cause regression of coronary atherosclerosis. To evaluate the mechanism of such regression, we studied the effect of Lovastatin (HMG coenzyme A reductase inhibitor) on the smooth muscle cells cultured from atherosclerotic plaque obtained from 5 human coronary arteries undergoing directional coronary atherectomy for de novo lesions. Arterial smooth muscle cell lines were created by 3–5 passages. These cells were then placed at a density of 3000 cells/ml in M-199 medium with 10% fetal bovine serum. They were exposed to Lovastatin at varying concentrations between 10-9 to 10-4 M. The coronary arterial smooth muscle cells were inhibited in a dose dependent manner. The table below shows the actual cell counts at various concentrations of Lovastatin in the 5 patients.Effect of Lovastatin on smooth muscle cell proliferationPTControlMitogen10-910-810-710-610-510-4MJ.B.25755216432538753320297525751901M.P28794390412539793629309820951971I.H.23893613336831532841222120061696M.L.29005938481739093199272920721092W.C.2830372932102710209317731292934Mean27154581396935253016255920081519ConclusionHMG Coenzyme A reductase inhibitor Lovastatin has a strong antiporliferative effect on human coronary smooth muscle cells. These observations suggest that antiproliferative effect of Lovastatin may be responsible for causing regression of atherosclerotic lesions in addition to its lipid lowering effects

ОБОСНОВАНИЕ МОДЕЛИ РЫНКА В СОВРЕМЕННОМ РОССИЙСКОМ ЭКОНОМИЧЕСКОМ ДИСКУРСЕ: ДИАЛОГ-МОНОЛОГ

Modern science has at its disposal a number of philosophical and psychological theories devoted to the analysis of organization and self-organization, personal self-identification, inculturation, socialization, self-interpretation, and the identification of dominant features of the mentality of peoples. However, in cultural processes, the formation and development of the essence of the Russian mentality in sociocultural and natural dimensions are becoming most important today. Economics and linguistics are two areas of science that a person unites - acting and thinking (speaking). According to the definition of the famous English economist A. Marshall, the economy is "the doctrine of the normal functioning of humanity." The economy is fundamentally different from the exact and natural sciences in that it deals not with an individual, but with a member of society, subject to the influence of tradition, national mentality, and political institutions. The theoretical significance of the work is connected with the further development of the problem of the integration of sciences. The findings contribute to the expansion of existing ideas about the role of the economy in life and the language picture of the human world.La ciencia moderna tiene a su disposición una serie de teorías filosóficas y psicológicas dedicadas al análisis de la organización y la autoorganización, la autoidentificación personal, la inculturación, la socialización, la autointerpretación y la identificación de las características dominantes de la mentalidad de los pueblos. Sin embargo, en los procesos culturales, la formación y el desarrollo de la esencia de la mentalidad rusa en las dimensiones socioculturales y naturales son cada vez más importantes hoy en día. La economía y la lingüística son dos áreas de la ciencia que una persona une: actuar y pensar (hablar). Según la definición del famoso economista inglés A. Marshall, la economía es "la doctrina del funcionamiento normal de la humanidad". La economía es fundamentalmente diferente de las ciencias exactas y naturales en que trata no con un individuo, sino con un miembro de la sociedad, sujeto a la influencia de la tradición, la mentalidad nacional y las instituciones políticas. La importancia teórica del trabajo está relacionada con el desarrollo posterior del problema de la integración de las ciencias. Los hallazgos contribuyen a la expansión de las ideas existentes sobre el papel de la economía en la vida y la imagen lingüística del mundo humano.Современная наука располагает рядом философских и психологических теорий, посвященных анализу организации и самоорганизации, личностной самоидентификации, инкультурации, социализации, самоинтерпретации, выявлению доминирующих черт менталитета народов. Однако в культурных процессах становление и развитие сущности российского менталитета в социокультурном и природном измерениях приобретает сегодня важнейшее значение.Экономика и лингвистика-это две области науки, которые объединяет человек-действие и мышление (речь). Согласно определению известного английского экономиста А. Маршалла, экономика-это "учение о нормальной жизнедеятельности человечества". Экономика принципиально отличается от точных и естественных наук тем, что она имеет дело не с индивидом, а с членом общества, подверженным влиянию традиций, национального менталитета и политических институтов.Теоретическая значимость работы связана с дальнейшей разработкой проблемы интеграции наук. Полученные результаты способствуют расширению существующих представлений о роли экономики в жизни и языковой картины мира человека

Applicability of coloured traps for the monitoring of the invasive zigzag elm sawfly, Aproceros leucopoda (Hymenoptera: Argidae)

We describe and name Loxolenichnus stellatocinctus Breton and Wisshakigen. et isp. nov., a bioerosion trace fossil on an Upper Cenomanian oyster from Le Mans (France). This trace is attributed here to a parasitic gastropod. The characteristics of this ichnospecies are a combination of one or several, vertical or oblique, complete penetrations, and an asymmetrical attachment etching (fixichnion) with a diagnostic set of stellate grooves increasingly distinct towards the margin of the trace. By including two former Oichnus ichno species, Loxolenichnus halo comb. nov. and Loxolenichnus taddei comb. nov., Oichnus, is now constrained to pure predation traces (praedichnia). The numerous oysters collected from the Marnes à Pycnodonte biauriculate Formation show associated epibionts and encrusters as well as borers and scrapers. Encrusters comprise 24 taxa while bioerosion trace fossils comprise 17 ichnotaxa ranging from very rare (< 0.1%) to quite abundant (81%). The taphonomic history leading to an ex-situ condensation of these oysters is complex. Both the Gnathichnus and Entobiaichno facies are represented on the shellgrounds, presumably alternatingly

Transcatheter interatrial shunt device for the treatment of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (REDUCE LAP-HF I [Reduce Elevated Left Atrial Pressure in Patients With Heart Failure]): A phase 2, randomized, sham-controlled trial

Background -In non-randomized, open-label studies, a transcatheter interatrial shunt device (IASD, Corvia Medical) was associated with lower pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP), less symptoms, and greater quality of life and exercise capacity in patients with heart failure (HF) and mid-range or preserved ejection fraction (EF ≥ 40%). We conducted the first randomized, sham-controlled trial to evaluate the IASD in HF with EF ≥ 40%. Methods -REDUCE LAP-HF I was a phase 2, randomized, parallel-group, blinded multicenter trial in patients with New York Heart Association (NYHA) class III or ambulatory class IV HF, EF ≥ 40%, exercise PCWP ≥ 25 mmHg, and PCWP-right atrial pressure gradient ≥ 5 mmHg. Participants were randomized (1:1) to the IASD vs. a sham procedure (femoral venous access with intracardiac echocardiography but no IASD placement). The participants and investigators assessing the participants during follow-up were blinded to treatment assignment. The primary effectiveness endpoint was exercise PCWP at 1 month. The primary safety endpoint was major adverse cardiac, cerebrovascular, and renal events (MACCRE) at 1 month. PCWP during exercise was compared between treatment groups using a mixed effects repeated measures model analysis of covariance that included data from all available stages of exercise. Results -A total of 94 patients were enrolled, of which n=44 met inclusion/exclusion criteria and were randomized to the IASD (n=22) and control (n=22) groups. Mean age was 70±9 years and 50% were female. At 1 month, the IASD resulted in a greater reduction in PCWP compared to sham-control (P=0.028 accounting for all stages of exercise). Peak PCWP decreased by 3.5±6.4 mmHg in the treatment group vs. 0.5±5.0 mmHg in the control group (P=0.14). There were no peri-procedural or 1-month MACCRE in the IASD group and 1 event (worsening renal function) in the control group (P=1.0). Conclusions -In patients with HF and EF ≥ 40%, IASD treatment reduces PCWP during exercise. Whether this mechanistic effect will translate into sustained improvements in symptoms and outcomes requires further evaluation. Clinical Trial Registration -URL: http://clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT02600234

Global nomads, cultural chameleons, strange ones or immigrants? An exploration of Third Culture Kid terminology with reference to the United Arab Emirates

© The Author(s) 2019. The term ‘Third Culture Kid’ (TCK) is commonly used to denote children living in a host culture other than their passport culture during their developmental years. However, its meaning in relation to other terminology referring to a similar concept is a source of interest for many stakeholders. This paper opens up opportunities for further exploring and critiquing the definition of TCK, and opening this up to case studies within the context of the United Arab Emirates and more widely. It is critical to clarify the terminology in light of unprecedented levels of international migration throughout the world. This paper reviews the meaning of culture in relation to TCKs, and explores the meaning of the TCK concept as well as a number of other terms used as alternatives to TCK. A contextualization of the literature follows in relation to the researchers’ own lived experiences in the United Arab Emirates. The term TCK can be seen as part of the general stock of theoretical concepts. This paper acknowledges that it cannot catch all nuances of migrant children in the global context

Antiinflammatory Therapy with Canakinumab for Atherosclerotic Disease

Background: Experimental and clinical data suggest that reducing inflammation without affecting lipid levels may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Yet, the inflammatory hypothesis of atherothrombosis has remained unproved. Methods: We conducted a randomized, double-blind trial of canakinumab, a therapeutic monoclonal antibody targeting interleukin-1β, involving 10,061 patients with previous myocardial infarction and a high-sensitivity C-reactive protein level of 2 mg or more per liter. The trial compared three doses of canakinumab (50 mg, 150 mg, and 300 mg, administered subcutaneously every 3 months) with placebo. The primary efficacy end point was nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke, or cardiovascular death. RESULTS: At 48 months, the median reduction from baseline in the high-sensitivity C-reactive protein level was 26 percentage points greater in the group that received the 50-mg dose of canakinumab, 37 percentage points greater in the 150-mg group, and 41 percentage points greater in the 300-mg group than in the placebo group. Canakinumab did not reduce lipid levels from baseline. At a median follow-up of 3.7 years, the incidence rate for the primary end point was 4.50 events per 100 person-years in the placebo group, 4.11 events per 100 person-years in the 50-mg group, 3.86 events per 100 person-years in the 150-mg group, and 3.90 events per 100 person-years in the 300-mg group. The hazard ratios as compared with placebo were as follows: in the 50-mg group, 0.93 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.80 to 1.07; P = 0.30); in the 150-mg group, 0.85 (95% CI, 0.74 to 0.98; P = 0.021); and in the 300-mg group, 0.86 (95% CI, 0.75 to 0.99; P = 0.031). The 150-mg dose, but not the other doses, met the prespecified multiplicity-adjusted threshold for statistical significance for the primary end point and the secondary end point that additionally included hospitalization for unstable angina that led to urgent revascularization (hazard ratio vs. placebo, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.73 to 0.95; P = 0.005). Canakinumab was associated with a higher incidence of fatal infection than was placebo. There was no significant difference in all-cause mortality (hazard ratio for all canakinumab doses vs. placebo, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.83 to 1.06; P = 0.31). Conclusions: Antiinflammatory therapy targeting the interleukin-1β innate immunity pathway with canakinumab at a dose of 150 mg every 3 months led to a significantly lower rate of recurrent cardiovascular events than placebo, independent of lipid-level lowering. (Funded by Novartis; CANTOS ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01327846.

Opportunities and challenges in the use of coal fly ash for soil improvements – a review

Coal fly ash (CFA), a by-product of coal combustion has been regarded as a problematic solid waste, mainly due to its potentially toxic trace elements, PTEs (e.g. Cd, Cr, Ni, Pb) and organic compounds (e.g. PCBs, PAHs) content. However, CFA is a useful source of essential plant nutrients (e.g. Ca, Mg, K, P, S, B, Fe, Cu and Zn). Uncontrolled land disposal of CFA is likely to cause undesirable changes in soil conditions, including contamination with PTEs, PAHs and PCBs. Prudent CFA land application offers considerable opportunities, particularly for nutrient supplementation, pH correction and ameliorating soil physical conditions (soil compaction, water retention and drainage). Since CFA contains little or no N and organic carbon, and CFA-borne P is not readily plant available, a mixture of CFA and manure or sewage sludge (SS) is better suited than CFA alone. Additionally, land application of such a mixture can mitigate the mobility of SS-borne PTEs, which is known to increase following cessation of SS application. Research analysis further shows that application of alkaline CFA with or without other amendments can help remediate at least marginally metal contaminated soils by immobilisation of mobile metal forms. CFA land application with SS or other source of organic carbon, N and P can help effectively reclaim/restore mining-affected lands. Given the variability in the nature and composition of CFA (pH, macro- and micro-nutrients) and that of soil (pH, texture and fertility), the choice of CFA (acidic or alkaline and its application rate) needs to consider the properties and problems of the soil. CFA can also be used as a low cost sorbent for the removal of organic and inorganic contaminants from wastewater streams; the disposal of spent CFA however can pose further challenges. Problems in CFA use as a soil amendment occur when it results in undesirable change in soil pH, imbalance in nutrient supply, boron toxicity in plants, excess supply of sulphate and PTEs. These problems, however, are usually associated with excess or inappropriate CFA applications. The levels of PAHs and PCBs in CFA are generally low; their effects on soil biota, uptake by plants and soil persistence, however, need to be assessed. In spite of this, co-application of CFA with manure or SS to land enhances its effectiveness in soil improvements