bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Unique Dopamine/Ecdysteroid Receptor Modulates Ethanol-Induced Sedation inDrosophila
Authors: Petruccelli Emily , Li Qi , Rao Yi , Kitamoto Toshihiro
Published: April 2016

Steroids profoundly influence behavioral responses to alcohol by activating canonical nuclear hormone receptors and exerting allosteric effects on ion channels. Accumulating evidence has demonstrated that steroids can also trigger biological effects by directly binding G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), yet physiological roles of such unconventional steroid signaling in controlling alcohol-induced behaviors remain unclear. The dopamine/ecdysteroid receptor (DopEcR) is a GPCR that mediates nongenomic actions of ecdysteroids, the major steroid hormones in insects. Here, we report thatDrosophilaDopEcR plays a critical role in ethanol-induced sedation.DopEcRmutants took longer than control flies to become sedated during exposure to ethanol, despite having normal ethanol absorption or metabolism. RNAi-mediated knockdown ofDopEcRexpression revealed that this receptor is necessary after eclosion, and is required in particular neuronal subsets, including cholinergic and peptidergic neurons, to mediate this behavior. Additionally, flies ubiquitously overexpressingDopEcRcDNA had a tendency to become sedated quickly upon ethanol exposure. These results indicate that neuronal subset-specific expression of DopEcR in adults is required for normal sedation upon exposure to ethanol. We also obtained evidence indicating that DopEcR may promote ethanol sedation by suppressing epidermal growth factor receptor/extracellular signal-regulated kinase signaling. Last, genetic and pharmacological analyses suggested that in adult flies ecdysone may serve as an inverse agonist of DopEcR and suppress the sedation-promoting activity of DopEcR in the context of ethanol exposure. Our findings provide the first evidence for the involvement of nongenomic G-protein-coupled steroid receptors in the response to alcohol, and shed new light on the potential roles of steroids in alcohol-use disorders.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTAlcohol abuse is an alarming personal and societal burden. The improvement of prevention and treatment strategies for alcohol-use disorders requires a better understanding of their biological basis. Steroid hormones profoundly affect alcohol-induced behaviors, but the contribution of their unconventional, nongenomic actions during these responses has not yet been elucidated. We found thatDrosophilaDopEcR, a unique G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) with dual specificity for dopamine and steroids, mediates noncanonical steroid actions to promote ethanol-induced sedation. Because steroid signaling and the behavioral response to alcohol are evolutionarily well conserved, our findings suggest that analogous mammalian receptors likely play important roles in alcohol-use disorders. Our work provides a foundation for further characterizing the function and mechanisms of action of nonclassical steroid GPCR signaling.
Bok Is Not Pro-Apoptotic But Suppresses Poly ADP-Ribose Polymerase-Dependent Cell Death Pathways and Protects against Excitotoxic and Seizure-Induced Neuronal Injury
Authors: D'Orsi Beatrice , Engel Tobias , Pfeiffer Shona , Nandi Saheli , Kaufmann Thomas , Henshall David C. , Prehn Jochen H. M.
Published: April 2016

Bok (Bcl-2-related ovarian killer) is a Bcl-2 family member that, because of its predicted structural homology to Bax and Bak, has been proposed to be a pro-apoptotic protein. In this study, we demonstrate that Bok is highly expressed in neurons of the mouse brain but thatbokwas not required for staurosporine-, proteasome inhibition-, or excitotoxicity-induced apoptosis of cultured cortical neurons. On the contrary, we found thatbok-deficient neurons were more sensitive to oxygen/glucose deprivation-induced injuryin vitroand seizure-induced neuronal injuryin vivo. Deletion ofbokalso increased staurosporine-, excitotoxicity-, and oxygen/glucose deprivation-induced cell death inbax-deficient neurons. Single-cell imaging demonstrated thatbok-deficient neurons failed to maintain their neuronal Ca2+homeostasis in response to an excitotoxic stimulus; this was accompanied by a prolonged deregulation of mitochondrial bioenergetics.bokdeficiency led to a specific reduction in neuronal Mcl-1 protein levels, and deregulation of both mitochondrial bioenergetics and Ca2+homeostasis was rescued by Mcl-1 overexpression. Detailed analysis of cell death pathways demonstrated the activation of poly ADP-ribose polymerase-dependent cell death inbok-deficient neurons. Collectively, our data demonstrate that Bok acts as a neuroprotective factor rather than a pro-death effector during Ca2+- and seizure-induced neuronal injuryin vitroandin vivo.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTBcl-2 proteins are essential regulators of the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway. The Bcl-2 protein Bok is highly expressed in the CNS. Because of its sequence similarity to Bax and Bak, Bok has long been considered part of the pro-apoptotic Bax-like subfamily, but no studies have yet been performed in neurons to test this hypothesis. Our study provides important new insights into the functional role of Bok during neuronal apoptosis and specifically in the setting of Ca2+- and seizure-mediated neuronal injury. We show that Bok controls neuronal Ca2+homeostasis and bioenergetics and, contrary to previous assumptions, exerts neuroprotective activitiesin vitroandin vivo. Our results demonstrate that Bok cannot be placed unambiguously into the Bax-like Bcl-2 subfamily of pro-apoptotic proteins.
Theta Rhythmic Clock-Like Activity of Single Units in the Mouse Hippocampus
Authors: Zhang Lu , Ma Xiaoyu , Chen Guifen , Barkai Edi , Lin Longnian
Published: April 2016

Theta rhythmic clock-like activity was observed in a small group of hippocampal CA1 neurons in freely behaving mice. These neurons were only persistently activated during theta states of waking exploration and rapid eye movement sleep, but were almost silent during the non-theta state of slow-wave sleep. Interestingly, these cells displayed a theta clock-like simple-spike firing pattern, and were capable of firing one spike per theta cycle during theta states. This is the first report of a unique class of hippocampal neurons with a clock-like firing pattern at the theta rhythm. We speculate that these cells may act as a temporal reference to participate in the theta-related temporal coding in the hippocampus.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTTheta oscillations, as the predominant rhythms in the hippocampus during waking exploration and rapid eye movement sleep, may be critical for temporal coding/decoding of neuronal information, and theta-phase precession in hippocampal place cells is one of the best demonstrations of such temporal coding. Here, we show that a unique small class of hippocampal CA1 neurons fired with a theta rhythmic clock-like firing pattern during theta states. These firing characteristics support the notion that these neurons may play a critical role in theta-related temporal coding in the hippocampus.
The Medial Orbitofrontal Cortex Regulates Sensitivity to Outcome Value
Authors: Gourley Shannon L. , Zimmermann Kelsey S. , Allen Amanda G. , Taylor Jane R.
Published: April 2016

An essential component of goal-directed decision-making is the ability to maintain flexible responding based on the value of a given reward, or “reinforcer.” The medial orbitofrontal cortex (mOFC), a subregion of the ventromedial prefrontal cortex, is uniquely positioned to regulate this process. We trained mice to nose poke for food reinforcers and then stimulated this region using CaMKII-driven Gs-coupled designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drugs (DREADDs). In other mice, we silenced the neuroplasticity-associated neurotrophin brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Activation of Gs-DREADDs increased behavioral sensitivity to reinforcer devaluation, whereasBdnfknockdown blocked sensitivity. These changes were accompanied by modifications in breakpoint ratios in a progressive ratio task, and they were recapitulated inBdnf+/−mice. Replacement of BDNF selectively in the mOFC inBdnf+/−mice rescued behavioral deficiencies, as well as phosphorylation of extracellular-signal regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2). Thus, BDNF expression in the mOFC is both necessary and sufficient for the expression of typical effort allocation relative to an anticipated reinforcer. Additional experiments indicated that expression of the immediate-early gene c-foswas aberrantly elevated in theBdnf+/−dorsal striatum, and BDNF replacement in the mOFC normalized expression. Also, systemic administration of an MAP kinase kinase inhibitor increased breakpoint ratios, whereas the addition of discrete cues bridging the response–outcome contingency rescued breakpoints inBdnf+/−mice. We argue that BDNF–ERK1/2 in the mOFC is a key regulator of “online” goal-directed action selection.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTGoal-directed response selection often involves predicting the consequences of one's actions and the value of potential payoffs. Lesions or chemogenetic inactivation of the medial orbitofrontal cortex (mOFC) in rats induces failures in retrieving outcome identity memories (Bradfield et al., 2015), suggesting that the healthy mOFC serves to access outcome value information when it is not immediately observable and thereby guide goal-directed decision-making. Our findings suggest that the mOFC also bidirectionally regulates effort allocation for a given reward and that expression of the neurotrophin BDNF in the mOFC is both necessary and sufficient for mice to sustain stable representations of reinforcer value.
Escribiendo documentos con contenido estadístico
Authors: Gutiérrez Andrés
Published: April 2016

La Facultad de Estadística de la Universidad Santo Tomás, primer claustro universitario de Colombia, ha lanzado su revista de publicación semestral llamada Comunicaciones en Estadística. En este primer artículo, el comité editorial intenta unificar la forma de presentación de los artículos sometidos a nuestra publicación. Esta es una guía que los autores deben considerar, mas no implica que los autores no puedan hacer variaciones en el contenido de los artículos.
La evolución de la distribución normal
Authors: Stahl Saul , Másmela Luis , Rincón William
Published: April 2016

La estadística es la más extensa de todas las aplicaciones de la matemática y en el centro de la estadística se encuentra la distribución normal, conocida por millones de personas como la curva en forma de campana o la curva acampanada. En este artículo se expone la evolución que la más importante distribución de probabilidad ha sufrido en varios siglos.
Dos expresiones para la esperanza de una variable aleatoria
Authors: Gutiérrez Andrés , Zhang Hanwen
Published: April 2016

La definición de esperanza de una variable aleatoria en los textos clásicos es dife-rente a la definición que se da en un curso de probabilidad basado en la teoría de la medida. En este manuscrito se muestra por qué, efectivamente, estas dos definiciones coinciden.
Un acercamiento a los datos censurados y el bootstrap
Authors: Rodriguez Yesid , Tamayo Ronne
Published: April 2016

En este articulo de carácter divulgativo, se busca mostrar algunos resultados relacionados con las curvas de sobrevida bajo el método de Kaplan-Meier (K.M.), y su aplicación a los datos censurados por métodos de remuestreo, específicamente Jackknife y Boostrap.
Cálculo y estimación de la varianza en la aplicación del estimador de rastrillo
Authors: Orjuela Luis Alfonso
Published: April 2016

La ponderación por calibración es una metodología en la que los pesos muestrales son ajustados de tal forma que cuando se aplican a un determinado conjunto de datos auxiliares, estos reproducen los totales del universo. El presente trabajo muestra el comportamiento que tiene uno de estos estimadores para totales poblacionales: el estimador de rastrillo frente a un estimador clásico como lo es el t_y\pi en un diseño muestral como el MAS^2.
Un nuevo estimador muestral de regresión vía residuos ortogonales derivados del análisis de componentes principales
Authors: Rico Bermúdez Jimmy
Published: April 2016

Los estimadores de regresión son herramientas que emplean técnicas estadísticas propias como el análisis de regresión para aprovechar la información auxiliar disponible. En éste documento se presentan todas las herramientas teóricas necesarias para proponer un nuevo estimador de regresión ortogonal, para el cual el ajuste realizado no sea obtenido a partir de la teoría de mínimos cuadrados y en su lugar, éste se apoye en la construcción de componentes principales que por su naturaleza minimizan las distancias ortogonales de cada uno de los puntos de la nube de observaciones a la recta que recoge la mayor inercia.
Asociación de polimorfismos de nucleótido simple y de haplotipos para el gen de la Leptina con la ganancia de peso en la raza bovina blanco orejinegro usando técnicas bayesianas
Authors: Camacho Ricardo Efraín , Gutiérrez Andrés
Published: April 2016

Este artículo expone una metodología bayesiana para el análisis de asociación de polimorfismos de nucleótido simple (SNP) y de haplotipos con una característica de interés en un contexto de producción animal. En la primera etapa del análisis, se propone un modelo lineal bayesiano para clasificar los SNPs que tienen efecto sobre el promedio del valor genético de la variable respuesta. En una segunda etapa, después de la identificación de los haplotipos compatibles con los genotipos de influencia en la primera etapa, se discute la aplicación de un modelo lineal general y de un modelo de regresión logística en la identificación de los haplotipos que presentan una mayor asociación con el aumento del valor genético. En ambas etapas, se siguen metodologías bayesianas y cuando es pertinente se incluyen métodos de simulación de Monte Carlo para generar cadenas de Markov cuya distribución estacionaria corresponda a la distribución posterior condicional de los parámetros de interés. La aplicación práctica está supeditada al área de producción animal en una raza bovina criolla colombiana, denominada como raza blanco orejinegro (BON).
Uso de modelos de volatilidad estocástica para valoración de riesgo cambiario
Authors: Zea Castro José Fernando
Published: April 2016

En la literatura técnica y en las aplicaciones de finanzas es muyimportante cuantificar el riesgo de mercado. En el caso de tasas decambio que usan series de tiempo diarias es común el uso de laestrategia de RiskMetrics$^{TM}$ junto con los modelos GARCH. Variosautores en diferentes contextos han destacado las falencias del usode modelos GARCH. Este trabajo aborda el cálculo de Valor en Riesgocon el uso de modelos de volatilidad estocástica (SV). Luego demencionar las ventajas y desventajas que ofrecen estos modelosfrente a los GARCH, presenta los resultados de evaluar el riesgo deun portafolio que contiene tasas de cambio diarias de Peso/Dólar,Euro/Dólar, Yen/Dólar y Libra/Dólar. El ejercicio muestra resultadosque favorecen el uso de modelos de SV.
El modelo lineal de probabilidad y el modelo logit, un ejemplo aplicado
Authors: Moscote Orlando , Rincón William
Published: April 2016

Los modelos de regresi´on con respuesta cualitativa son modelos en los cuales la variable dependiente puede ser de naturaleza cualitativa, mientras que las variables independientes pueden ser cualitativas o cuantitativas o una mezcla de las dos, por ejemplo si se est´a estudiando la relación entre ingresos y el poseer o no una vivienda, la respuesta solo puede tomar dos valores (si posee una vivienda o no la posee), la variable independiente puede ser los ingresos familiares, el estrato social de esa familia y la cantidad de personas en el hogar, entre otras. Los modelos de respuesta cualitativa no tienen que restringirse simplemente a respuestas de sí o no; la variable respuesta puede tomar más de dos valores, ser tricotómica o politomica, también se establecen modelos en los que la variable dependiente es de carácter ordinal o de carácter nominal en donde no hay preestablecido ningún tipo de orden.

En el presente arículo se analiza el modelo lineal de probabilidad (MLP) y el modelo logit como alternativa al MLP con la idea de subsanar algunos de los problemas que presenta dicho modelo. Los modelos mencionados son ilustrados utilizando una muestra de datos seleccionados del archivo de datos ”seguimiento a usuarios de una línea base”, la cual es parte de las bases de datos del estudio que se desarrolló en el marco del convenio interadministrativo 012 en el año 2009, entre la UAES (Unidad Administrativa especial de servicios públicos) y la Universidad Distrital Francisco José de Caldas, convenio en el cual participó uno de los autores de este artículo.
Modelacion parametrica de factores de expansion en encuestas complejas
Authors: Villarraga Galeano Adriana , Alzate Cindy , Gutiérrez Rojas Hugo Andrés
Published: April 2016

El principio de representatividad afirma que el vector de probabilidades de inclusión debe tener un comportamiento estructural similar al del vector de observacionesde la característica de interés. En encuestas complejas, en donde se utilizanprocesos de conglomeración y estratificación, generalmente no se cumple tal principio.Por lo anterior, y dado el carácter multiprop´osito de las encuestas que brindanestadísticas oficiales, se hace necesario profundizar acerca de la forma como se ponderanlas observaciones para cumplir con los requisitos de mínima variación en laestimación de totales poblaciones. En este artículo se explora una metodología quepermite modelar los factores de expansión, inducidos por el diseño de muestreo,para cumplir con el principio de representatividad y mejorar los coeficientes devariación para unos nuevos estimadores de totales de las variables que conformanuna encuesta compleja.
Como hacer un reporte estadístico con Sweave. R y LaTeX via Sweave.
Authors: Lesmes Carlos Arturo
Published: April 2016

El artículo es un ejemplo de un documento Sweave. Es un documento LaTeX en el cual se corren  comandos de R. Muestra como diseñar un reporte Estadístico.
Cuantificación de variantes genéticas utilizando modelos jerárquicos bayesianos
Authors: Velez Jorge Ivan , Angel Jairo Arturo , Correa Juan Carlos
Published: April 2016

En biología molecular, los estudios funcionales son útiles para la caracterización de variantes o mutaciones en el genoma humano vía experimentación con modelos animales (embriones de peces, por ejemplo). Estos experimentos consisten en modificar genéticamente dichos embriones inyect\'andolos con mol\'eculas de ácido ribonucleico mensajero (mRNA, en inglés) y se caracterizan por ser destructivos, tomar mucho tiempo y generar poca información.  En este trabajo se propone e ilustra, con datos reales, una metodología para el análisis estadístico de este tipo de experimentos utilizando un enfoque Bayesiano.
Relación entre los procesos de reservas que se generan con dos reclamaciones relacionadas en el tiempo
Authors: Másmela Caita Luis Alejandro , Castillo Carreño Edwin Javier
Published: April 2016

El proceso de reservas es para las compañías aseguradoras base fundamental para el control de las carteras que se tienen contratadas, para facilitar la manipulación del modelo matemático y probabilístico en ocasiones se discretiza el modelo de manera que los resultados  aproximen a la solución real en el continuo, en este caso se utiliza el modelo binomial compuesto para dicho propósito.    
En la mayoría de contextos se parte del supuesto de independencia, el caso que aquí se considera se supone dependencia entre dos tipos de reclamaciones denominadas la reclamación principal y la sobre-reclamación o reclamación subsecuente, esta última estará asociada siempre que exista una reclamación principal. El tipo de modelo con reclamaciones relacionadas en el tiempo genera dos procesos de reservas, uno para cuando la reclamación subsecuente no es retrasada a un siguiente periodo de tiempo y otro donde se cubre el total reclamado tanto por la reclamación principal como por la subsecuente. Ya que manipular dichos procesos por separado es innecesario y poco práctico, se genera a partir de las probabilidades de supervivencia de ambos procesos y la manipulación de funciones generadoras de probabilidad, una ecuación que recopila la información de los dos procesos de reservas.
Estudio de simulación para comparar varios estimadores de varianza en el marco de la regresión no paramétrica
Authors: Flórez Alvaro José , Olaya Javier
Published: April 2016

En este trabajo se prueban varios estimadores de varianza basados en diferencias en el marco de la regresión no paramétrica. Estos estimadores tiene la principal ventaja de no depender de los parámetros de suavización, además de que son poco exigente en términos  computacionales. Se usan principalmente estimadores basados en diferencias ordinarias y basados en las diferencias óptimas de Hall. Se crean escenarios utilizando diferentes funciones de regresión, tamaños de muestra y distribuciones de los errores y se introduce el uso de la distribución semi-normal para probar los estimadores de varianza en casos de distribuciones asimétricas de los errores. Los resultados parecen apoyar la idea de que los estimadores basados en diferencias óptimas de Hall no son mejores en todos los escenarios planteados.
Preguntas abiertas en encuestas ¿cómo realizar su análisis?
Authors: Gómez William Arley Rincón
Published: April 2016

El presente artículo, muestra algunas de las ventajas que tiene en una encuesta la utilización de preguntas abiertas, preguntas que debido a la complejidad de su análisis, son utilizadas con poca frecuencia, o cuando se utilizan, simplemente se dejan como parte en el cuestionario pero no se analizan las respuestas a este tipo de preguntas. Técnicas estadísticas como el análisis de datos textuales, desarrolladas inicialmente por Ludovic Lebart, son presentadas en este artículo como una alternativa a los métodos tradicionales de análisis de grandes masas de datos de tipo textual como la poscodificación y como una motivación al estudio de técnicas y software que permitan analizar datos de tipo textual. 
New digital demodulator with matched filters and curve segmentation techniques for BFSK demodulation: FPGA implementation and results
Authors: Torres Gómez Jorge , Hernández Fidel , Habermann Joachim
Published: April 2016

The current article addresses digital implementation of new demodulation schemes for Binary Frequency Shift Keying (BFSK), and has two main objectives: of the description of the performance of the new processing method and its implementation on FPGA technology. Performance is analyzed by means of the total number of demodulated bits free of errors without noise, and by means of the BER parameter. The proposed method exhibits to have better performance than the solutions reported. Additionally, the solution obtained shows lower complexity than reported methods in regard to the total number of adders and multipliers. The implementation is described for FPGA systems, and the System Generator software is used for testing and simulating the results.
Optimization of the linear quadratic regulator (LQR) control quarter car suspension system using genetic algorithm
Authors: Nagarkar Mahesh , Vikhe Patil G. J.
Published: April 2016

In this paper, a genetic algorithm (GA) based in an optimization approach is presented in order to search the optimum weighting matrix parameters of a linear quadratic regulator (LQR). A Macpherson strut quarter car suspension system is implemented for ride control application. Initially, the GA is implemented with the objective of minimizing root mean square (RMS) controller force. For single objective optimization, RMS controller force is reduced by 20.42% with slight increase in RMS sprung mass acceleration. Trade-off is observed between controller force and sprung mass acceleration. Further, an analysis is extended to multi-objective optimization with objectives such as minimization of RMS controller force and RMS sprung mass acceleration and minimization of RMS controller force, RMS sprung mass acceleration and suspension space deflection. For multi-objective optimization, Pareto-front gives flexibility in order to choose the optimum solution as per designer’s need.
Management of injected nitrogen into a gas condensate reservoir
Authors: Belhaj Hadi
Published: April 2016

This study investigates the means of deferring the breakthrough of injected N2 and alleviating the impact of such on production rates and specifications as well as minimizing the required changes to the gas processing facilities. This aimed at assisting the ongoing efforts to transfer the Cantarell experience to Abu Dhabi, where large amounts of N2 gas will be generated and injected into a large gas condensate reservoir to partially substitute the recycling of lean gas. This will bring forward the opportunity to exploit lean gas by securing base load supplies before the start of reservoir blowdown, compared to the peak shaving approach currently practiced. Managing N2 breakthrough starts by better understanding the pattern at which N2 injection spreads into the gas accumulation. Based on the findings of initial subsurface and plant simulations carried out in 2008, N2 breakthrough in Abu Dhabi might be possibly deferred by segmenting the reservoir into a rich N2 region and lean N2 region. The approach assumes no thief zones will be faced and no channeling of N2 injected between the two regions is taking place. N2 is injected in the north region of the reservoir. The production of that region will be segregated and fed to a gas processing plant of lower NGL (natural gas liquid) recovery, which essentially takes longer time to start suffering the deterioration of residue gas (gas mixture resulted after separating NGL) quality. The residue gas use can be limited to re-injection where the effect of below specification LHV (Low Heat Value) would not be an issue. The rest of the reservoir feeds another gas processing plant of higher NGL recovery level from which an amount of residue gas equivalent to that of the injected N2 will be rerouted to the sales network. This scenario will significantly delay as well as downsize the requirement of a N2 rejection plant. There is technical and certainly economical advantage of deferring the installation of costly N2 rejection units. Such a requirement can be entirely eliminated if the sales gas specification can be relaxed considering blending with other gas streams of higher LHV, and in collaboration with gas customers, i.e. assessing their capability to tolerate feedstock of lower specifications. It must be noted that such school of thinking may not necessarily be eventually embraced. The chosen scenario will also depend on the final configuration, i.e., wells grouping and gas gathering, of the ongoing project.
Effects of water inlet configuration in a service reservoir applying CFD modelling
Authors: Montoya Pachongo Carolina , Laín Beatove Santiago , Torres Lozada Patricia , Cruz-Vélez Camilo Hernán , Escobar Rivera Juan Carlos
Published: April 2016

This study investigated the state of a service reservoir of a drinking water distribution network. Numerical simulation was applied to establish its flow pattern, mixing conditions, and free residual chlorine decay. The influence of the change in the water inlet configuration on these characteristics was evaluated. Four scenarios were established with different water level and flow rate as the differences between the first three scenarios. The fourth scenario was evaluated to assess the influence of the inlet configuration, momentum flow and water level on hydrodynamic conditions within the service reservoir. The distribution of four nozzles of 152.4mm diameter was identified as a viable measure to preserve the water quality in this type of hydraulic structures.
Time-frequency analysis of DC bias vibration of transformer core on the basis of Hilbert–Huang transform
Authors: Liu Xingmou , Yang Yongming , Yang Fan , Shi Qingyan
Published: April 2016

This paper presents a time–frequency analysis of the vibration of transformer under direct current (DC) bias through Hilbert–Huang transform (HHT). First, the theory of DC bias for the transformer was analyzed. Next, the empirical mode decomposition (EMD) process, which is the key in HHT, was introduced. The results of EMD, namely, intrinsic mode functions (IMFs), were calculated and summed by Hilbert transform(HT) to obtain time-dependent series in a 2D time–frequency domain. Lastly, a test system of vibration measurement for the transformer was set up. Three direction (x, y, and z axes) components of core vibration were measured. Decomposition of EMD and HHT spectra showed that vibration strength increased, and odd harmonics were produced with DC bias. Results indicated that HHT is a viable signal processing tool for transformer health monitoring.
Improvements in the synthesis of zeolites with low Si/Al ratio from Venezuelan sodium silicate for an environmentally friendly process
Authors: García Adriana Lucía , López Carmen Milena , García Luis Vicente , Rincon de Goldwasser Mireya , Casanova Johliny Del Carmen
Published: April 2016

LTA and FAU zeolites were successfully synthesized from a Venezuelan sodium silicate solution, by hydrothermal crystallization under autogenous pressure at 100°C, with 2–24h crystallization times. The synthesized materials were characterized by XRD, BET specific surface area and SEM. A series of synthesis tests were performed to study the influence of the molar composition of the starting mixture over zeolites crystallization. The effect of crystallization time for a particular synthesis mixture composition was studied for both zeolites types. The reuse as alkaline medium of the mother liquor separated during filtration, and the effect of the aging before crystallization were additionally studied. The experimental result  are in agreement with the crystallization mechanism proposed for zeolites synthesis in liquid phase. The use of a 2SiO2:Al2O3:6.Na2O:240H2O synthesis mixture composition allows obtaining LTA zeolite within 2h of crystallization. For FAU zeolite, no aging period was needed when starting with a 4SiO2:Al2O3:6.6Na2O:264H2O composition. It was possible to synthesize both zeolites with high purity and crystallinity and with adequate water adsorption properties.
Response to Seth D. Clippard, ‘Zhu Xi and the Instrumental Value of Nature’
Authors: Adler Joseph A.
Published: April 2016

Joseph A. Adler responds to Seth D. Clippard's article.
DEVELOPMENT OF EMBEDDED SYSTEM FOR REMOTE MEASURING OF DYNAMIC MAGNETIC FIELDS USING ZIGBEE
Authors: Da Silva Thiago Dantas , Da Silva Borges Jacques Cousteau , André Freire Soares Allan Aminadab
Published: April 2016

This paper aims to describe the development and implementation of an embedded system applied to remote measurement of dynamic artificial magnetic fields using Zigbee, which is a set of specifications for wireless data communication (based on IEEE standard 802.15.4). In the implementation of this system, Arduino microcontrolled platforms were used integrated to a Hall effect sensor intended for measuring the strength of these dynamic magnetic fields. The Zigbee technology aims to enable the execution of real-time and in remote character of these measurements of magnetic field intensity, presenting them in a graphical view.
O ENSINO DA TRANSITIVIDADE VERBAL NO NÍVEL MÉDIO: UMA PROPOSTA CENTRADA NO USO
Authors: Costa Sheyla Patricia Trindade da Silva , Furtado da Cunha Maria Angélica
Published: April 2016

Este artigo apresenta uma proposta de trabalho voltada para o nível médio, com o objetivo geral de promover o ensino-aprendizagem da transitividade verbal sob uma perspectiva da Linguística Centrada no Uso. Para desenvolver esta proposta, faz-se necessário o suporte teórico da Linguística Funcional Centrada no Uso – LFCU, um novo modelo teórico-metodológico, que absorve princípios, processos e categorias integrantes da linguística funcional norte-americana e da linguística cognitiva. Para a LFCU, a transitividade não implica uma dicotomia (transitivo x intransitivo), pois é um fenômeno gradiente, que diz respeito à gramática da oração como um todo e não apenas ao verbo. Quanto à metodologia, o tema será apresentado aos alunos pelo professor, em aula expositiva dialogada que utilizará exemplos extraídos de textos reais, escritos e/ou falados. Em seguida, os alunos realizarão, com a assistência do professor, a partir de texto(s) por este proposto(s), atividade individual em sala, com o intuito de identificar e analisar as orações transitivas presentes nesse(s) texto(s). Depois os alunos realizarão, a título de avaliação, uma segunda atividade, semelhante à primeira, desta vez em duplas, sem o auxílio do professor e sem consulta a qualquer material. Para fechar o estudo do tema, professor e alunos sistematizarão as descobertas feitas a partir das atividades, atentando para cada um dos objetivos específicos apresentados inicialmente.
Drimys brasiliensis essential oil as a source of drimenol
Authors: Zem Luciele Milani , Zuffellato-Ribas Katia Christina , Koehler Henrique Soares , Radomski Maria Izabel , Deschamps Cicero
Published: April 2016

Drimys brasiliensis Miers is a native plant species to the Atlantic Forest, commonly known as cataia, and used as a stimulant, anti-diahrreal, antipyretic, among other properties. Dried and fresh leaves of cataia were collected in autumn/2012, submitted to hydrodistillation in a Clevenger graduated apparatus over a period of 4 hours after reaching the boiling point, then essential oil was collected. In oil from green leaves, 49 compounds were identified, being 65.0% sesquiterpenes, 12.0% monoterpenes and 23.0% other substances. In oil from dry leaves, 40 compounds were identified, being 76.1% sesquiterpenes, 2.0% monoterpenes and 21.9% other compounds. The main constituents in green leaves were germacrene D (8.9%), bicyclegermacrene (5.3%), epi-alpha-cadinol (5.1%), alpha-cadinol (6.0%), and drimenol (9.3%). In dry leaves the main constituents were germacrene D (6.3%), (E)-nerodidol (5.4%), spathulenol (9.5%), epi-alpha-cadinol (5.5%), alpha-cadinol (6.7%), and drimenol (11.6%) Due to its composition, antibacterial, antimycotic, insectifuge and molluscicide activities are proven, together with the pharmacological properties that this species may present.
O PROGRAMA DE TRATAMENTO FORA DE DOMICÍLIO NO SISTEMA ÚNICO DE SAÚDE NO PIAUÍ
Authors: Azevêdo Sandro Roberto
Published: April 2016

O Tratamento Fora de Domicílio (TFD) é o instrumento legal que visa tornar possível o tratamento, pelo Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS), aos cidadãos portadores de enfermidades não tratáveis em seu município de origem, mediante o custeio de passagens e diárias. Este artigo tem como objetivo geral analisar o processo de implementação do TFD no Piauí e como objetivos específicos: Trazer ao conhecimento a legislação aplicável ao TFD nas esferas federal e estadual bem como promover uma análise acerca da produção de TFD no Piauí. Para tanto se fez a análise da produção de TFD nos anos de 2009 a 2013 em termos de quantidade de procedimentos e dos valores orçamentários e financeiros envolvidos. A abordagem metodológica utilizada tem caráter quanti-qualitativo. A pesquisa apontou para a importância do TFD na busca da universalização do acesso aos serviços de saúde e no processo de regulação. Constatou-se que o TFD foi implementado no Piauí no modelo previsto pela Política Nacional de Regulação.  Percebeu-se que no Piauí a maior parte dos pacientes foi tratada no próprio Estado. Os dados da execução orçamentária e financeira revelaram que, no período pesquisado, a fixação dos recursos orçamentários para o TFD ficou aquém dos valores médios da produção aprovada e que a execução financeira representou pouco mais da metade dos recursos orçamentários fixados. Neste sentido, os dados apontaram para um desempenho considerado ineficiente.
DESEMPENHO DE COLETORES E ESPUMANTES NA FLOTAÇÃO DIRETA DE MINÉRIOS AURÍFEROS SULFETADOS
Authors: Nascimento Marcelo Rodrigues
Published: April 2016

As mineralizações auríferas na área do estudo (Princesa Isabel – PB) são do tipo veio de quartzo-ouro-sulfeto (lode gold) principalmente, porém neste garimpo e em outros próximos da região, os garimpeiros estão beneficiando as curimãs (rejeito) através de processos rudimentares. O ouro primário está disseminado nas rochas, onde também se encontram (secundariamente) os veios e filões de quartzos, na maioria das vezes mineralizados. O ouro encontrado nas micro-fraturas dos filões provavelmente está associado a processos de cisalhamento intensamente sulfetados por alterações hidrotermais que ocorreram na área. Neste trabalho são apresentados alguns resultados da flotação de um minério aurífero sulfetado. Os melhores resultados de concentração de ouro foram obtidos com uma composição dos coletores etil xantato de potássio (C2XK), na concentração de 30g/t, ditiocarbamato de sódio (C4H6N2S4Na2) 20g/t, em pH@10. Utilizou-se a flotação direta, em que minerais de interesse flotados e separados nas espumas são acompanhados de minerais de ganga, como demonstra os resultados experimentais. Nos ensaios de flotação com o efeito sinérgico dos coletores C2XK e Na(CH3)2NCS2 foram obtidos concentrados com teor de 169 ppm (enriquecimento de 38 vezes).
PROPOSTA DE EXPERIMENTO SUBSTITUINDO METAL PESADO NAS AULAS DE QUÍMICA NO ENSINO SUPERIOR
Authors: Silva Márcia Gorette Lima da , Silva Livia Cristina dos Santos , Mazzé Fernanda Marur , Ataíde Márcia Cristiane Eloi Silva
Published: April 2016

A preocupação ambiental permeia os diferentes âmbitos de ensino e pesquisa tanto nacional como internacional. Não obstante, ainda é possível observar a presença de experimentos, em instituições de ensino superior, que provoque impacto visual como, por exemplo, a precipitação do iodeto de chumbo, um produto químico que contém metal pesado. Evitar a geração de rejeitos químicos perpassa a formação do profissional como parte do seu dia-a-dia. Este artigo relata uma proposta de substituição de um experimento nas aulas de química geral experimental do ensino superior que tem como produto o metal pesado chumbo (Pb) envolvendo uma reação de oxidação-redução com a formação de precipitado sem a presença de um metal pesado.
MUNICIPAL ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT: A PROPOSAL OF INSTRUMENTS FOR DIAGNOSIS OF PUBLIC ENVIRONMENTAL POLICIES IN THE METROPOLITAN AREA OF SALVADOR (MAS)
Authors: Azevedo Tânia Cristina , Portella André Alves , Sanchez Isabel Maria Garcia
Published: April 2016

The aim in this paper is to propose a model for mapping strategies of municipal environmental management for local environmental public policies. To do so, the study adopted a theoretical approach. More specifically, there is discussion on the concepts of public policies and the scenario of the Brazilian municipal environmental management, a brief history of the aspects that involve current national environmental policies. Methodologically, a bibliographical study was carried out through a literature review, which enabled the proposal of instruments for mapping actions and strategies of environmental management in the municipalities of the Metropolitan Area of Salvador (MAS). This theoretical study resulted in the creation of a model form that will be used by empirical researches for mapping the environmental public policies in the MAS City Halls.
A DEFICIÊNCIA EM FOCO NOS CURRÍCULOS DE GRADUAÇÃO DA UFRN: UMA ABORDAGEM HISTÓRICA (1960-2015)
Authors: Amorim Érico Gurgel , Medeiros Neta Olivia Morais de , Guimarães Jacileide
Published: April 2016

A deficiência é um conceito histórico-social e, como tal, requer a sua discussão nos diversos segmentos da sociedade, os quais inclui o sistema educacional. Deste modo, o artigo objetiva mapear, no período de 1960 a 2015, os componentes curriculares dos currículos de graduação da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), que versam sobre a deficiência em seus diversos contextos, e também, discorrer sobre de que modo o tema da deficiência e suas concepções foram retratados nestes currículos. Utilizou-se de pesquisa exploratória e documental em base de dados eletrônica do SIGAA/UFRN, realizada no período de janeiro a março de 2015. Os resultados expressam um crescente aumento na oferta de componentes curriculares com foco na deficiência no período em estudo, notavelmente nas áreas de educação e libras. Também indicam mudanças nas denominações atribuídas ao sujeito com deficiência, bem como nas concepções e paradigmas correlatos presentes nos componentes curriculares.
Teachers Creativity and its Specific Expression in Educational Process
Authors: Grakauskaitė - Karkockienė Daiva
Published: April 2016

The article discusses different aspects of teachers’ creativity and its specific expression in educational process. In Lithuania it is the first research focused on relationship between different aspects of teachers’ creativity and their views about its nature. The aim of this research – to explore relationship between specific aspects of teachers’ creativity (divergent thinking, nonconformity, persistence and intrinsic motivation) and teachers’ qualification as well as pedagogical experience. The questionnaire for evaluation of creativity was made for this study (Cronbach alpha – 0,848). The research involved 102 teachers from Vilnius and Marijampole districts, including 78 females and 24 males having university education. Teachers have different qualification categories and different pedagogical experience. The results of the research have shown that a higher qualification category as well as a longer pedagogical experience are related to higher estimates of divergent thinking, nonconformity, intrinsic motivation, but are not related to the persistence. The teachers were asked also if creativity is a gift or if it could be developed. It’s important to study this topic because on it depends the education of students’ creativity at schools. It has been revealed that teachers with a higher qualification category as well as a longer pedagogical experience more often believe that creativity could be developed.
Relationships at School: External Evaluation Angle
Authors: Martišauskienė Elvyda , Vaičekauskienė Snieguolė
Published: April 2016

A humane relationships at school develop favourable micro-climate for learning, promote good student behaviour, learning motivation and provides the right conditions for becoming a mature personality. For this research external evaluation data from schools of general education collected by the National Agency for School Evaluation in 2012 was used. This paper analyses students’, parents’ and external evaluators’ approaches and discusses the relationships in the modern school – situation and expression; highlights the most important trends in the relationships, relevant to all members of the school community; raises actual educational problems.

Sociologists and educationists recognize that the nature of the relationships depends on a person’s self-determination, which is based on their perceived motives, beliefs, values and attitudes. Study data also shows that good relationships are influenced by the teacher’s personality and competencies: strictness, properly organized educational process with emotional basis and respect for the student; the school context: social, economic, cultural, educational school environment and prevailing micro-climate. The study also highlights the fact that students and their parents differently rate relationships at school: prevailing relationships at school usually satisfies parents and are evaluated positively, however, students believe that the school can achieve better (especially at 5–8 grades lessons).

Schools focus on moral community relations, but still occur simulation, activities and behaviour that encourage alienation. External evaluation data shows that high student performance, achievements, knowledge is often considered to be the most important, however education of moral values, humane relationships – less significant thing. In schools of general education dominate business like and interpersonal relationships. Transcendental school community relations (the ability to go deep into yourself and others, rely on the phenomenon of conscience, overstep yourself) are aspirational so far.
Ukrainian Higher Education Law: Key Highlights and Relationships with Lithuanian Science and Study Policy
Authors: Shapoval Roman Volodymyrovych , Matulienė Snieguolė , Juodkaitė-Granskienė Gabrielė
Published: April 2016

The article provides an overview of the Ukrainian Law on Higher Education – defined innovations, establishing a higher education organization, financing and quality assurance principles for the development of competitive human capital guidelines. The article compares these aspects between two countries, Lithuania and Ukraine, emphasizing research and studies in the sphere, giving some insight on these systems. Also authors discusses possible improvements, according to the two states existing best practices in higher education in different areas of Strategy.
THE PANC 3 SCORE PREDICTING SEVERITY OF ACUTE PANCREATITIS
Authors: BEDUSCHI Murilo Gamba , MELLO André Luiz Parizi , VON-MÜHLEN Bruno , FRANZON Orli
Published: April 2016

Background: About 20% of cases of acute pancreatitis progress to a severe form, leading to high mortality rates. Several studies suggested methods to identify patients that will progress more severely. However, most studies present problems when used on daily practice. Objective: To assess the efficacy of the PANC 3 score to predict acute pancreatitis severity and its relation to clinical outcome. Methods: Acute pancreatitis patients were assessed as to sex, age, body mass index (BMI), etiology of pancreatitis, intensive care need, length of stay, length of stay in intensive care unit and mortality. The PANC 3 score was determined within the first 24 hours after diagnosis and compared to acute pancreatitis grade of the Revised Atlanta classification. Results: Out of 64 patients diagnosed with acute pancreatitis, 58 met the inclusion criteria. The PANC 3 score was positive in five cases (8.6%), pancreatitis progressed to a severe form in 10 cases (17.2%) and five patients (8.6%) died. Patients with a positive score and severe pancreatitis required intensive care more often, and stayed for a longer period in intensive care units. The PANC 3 score showed sensitivity of 50%, specificity of 100%, accuracy of 91.4%, positive predictive value of 100% and negative predictive value of 90.6% in prediction of severe acute pancreatitis. Conclusion: The PANC 3 score is useful to assess acute pancreatitis because it is easy and quick to use, has high specificity, high accuracy and high predictive value in prediction of severe acute pancreatitis.