bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Study on characteristics of hydro-mechanical transmission in full power shift
Authors: Yang Shujun , Bao Yong , Fan Chengyuan
Published: July 2018

This article shall explore the characteristics of hydro-mechanical transmission in power shift. Based on the double brakes overlapping, the adjustment of the displacement ratio of variable-displacement hydraulic component is considered, and then a new full power shift method is proposed. Models respectively for speed, torque, and power in the power shift process are built. The ideal power shift timing is deduced, with the ratio between speed of fixed-displacement hydraulic component and input speed being the criterion. By combining theoretical analysis and experimental studies, it shows that in power shift process by regulating the displacement ratio of variable-displacement hydraulic component, the interchange between high- and low-pressure sides in closed hydraulic circuit can be completed, and power transition can be thus realized. A new full power shift method is put forward, in which the shift process is divided into five stages: current range, prior stable stage, power transition stage, post stable stage, and target range. Experiments on full power shift process prove that the full power shift method is not only feasible but also can remove the rotational speed fluctuation in power shift process and realize normal full power transmission of output power.
Impact of simulation training on a telestroke network
Authors: Carvalho Valério S , Picanço Miguel R , Volschan André , Bezerra Daniel C
Published: July 2018

Background

Stroke is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in Brazil, where there are significant imbalances in access to specialized stroke care. Telemedicine networks allow patients to receive neurological evaluation and intravenous thrombolysis in underserved areas, where performance measures are challenging.

Aims

To describe the impact caused by adequate stroke care training, using realistic simulation, in a developing country telestroke network.

Methods

Retrospective observational study comparing the number of all stroke diagnoses, thrombolysis rate, door-to-needle time and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage after intravenous thrombolysis, during one year providing just algorithms and orientation in stroke care to spoke facilities (phase 1), with the results achieved along one year after the beginning of ongoing live training sessions (phase 2).

Results

The mean number of patients diagnosed with stroke increased from 7.5 to 16.58 per month ( P = 0.019) rising from 90 patients during phase 1 to 199 in phase 2. There was a reduction in the mean door-to-needle time from 137.1 to 95.5 min (−41.58; 95% CI −62.77 to −20.40). The thrombolysis and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage rates had a non-significant decrease from 21.31% to 18.18% (OR 0.82; 95% CI 0.39 to 1.71) and 12.5% to 7.69% (OR 0.58; 95% CI 0.046 to 7.425), respectively.

Conclusions

Realistic simulation stroke care training provided by stroke centers to spoke facilities seems to significantly reduce door-to-needle time and enhance adherence in a telestroke network.
Digitization of the health sector in Pakistan: challenges and opportunities to online health communication: A case study of MARHAM social and mobile media
Authors: Ittefaq Muhammad , Iqbal Azhar
Published: July 2018

Objective

Social and mobile media are playing a significant role in the digitization of health sectors globally. New technology provides an opportunity for stakeholders (i.e., patients and healthcare professionals) to engage with each other in virtual environments to discuss health-related issues. This study examines the role of social and mobile media in digitizing the health sector in Pakistan through MARHAM, the platform which is the subject of this case study.

Method

A thematic content analysis of MARHAM’s social media (Facebook group, Facebook page, and Twitter account) and mobile media application (“app” and website) were chosen for sampling. Some 6083 group posts, 1724 tweets and 1123 Facebook posts populated our sample.

Results

Analysis results indicate that MARHAM’s Facebook group most often fields patient inquiries. The most discussed health issues were: women’s health issues (43.23%), children’s diseases (16.63%), psychological issues (15.45%), dental issues (9.50%), skin problems (5.93%), others (5.04%), and obesity (4.19%). MARHAM’s Facebook page and Twitter account were mainly used for health education and awareness. Their mobile application and website were used by healthcare professionals and for patient registration.

Conclusion

The study’s results suggest that MARHAM is playing a significant role in the health sector of Pakistan, addressing primarily women and children’s issues through their Facebook group. Like many who have an online presence, MARHAM faces certain challenges, including the public’s low literacy rates and scant Internet access.
“I know it when I hear it”
Authors: Larrouy-Maestri Pauline
Published: July 2018

Listeners regularly judge the accuracy of musical performances. However, as is true for several types of judgments (e.g., beauty or obscenity), estimating the correctness of melodies is not based on a precise definition of the object/performance but rather follows arguments such as “I know it when I hear it”. In order to clarify the definition of correctness in melodies, participants identified parametrically manipulated sung melodies as in-tune or out-of-tune, using the method of limits procedure (Experiment 1). Listeners’ tolerance with regard to mistuning was compared across melodies (Experiment 2). The potential roots of correctness perception were investigated by testing the effect of familiarity, the influence of formal musical training (Experiment 3), and the task repetition effect (Experiment 4). The results highlight a surprisingly small tolerance with regard to mistuning (half of a quarter tone), whatever the melodic context, large individual differences, but high consistency over time. This high sensitivity was mainly modulated by musical training as well as by previous exposure. In addition to defining the boundary between in- and out-of-tune melodies, this study supports the implicit development of the normative notion of “correctness” as a category that might drive listeners’ appreciation of artistic performances.
Servitisation of an Industry and National Competitive Advantage in International Business: The Case of Taiwan Textile Manufacturing and Sri Lankan Apparel Manufacturing Industries
Authors: Maheepala S. D. S. R.  , Warnakulasooriya B. N. F.  , Banda Y. K. Weerakoon
Published: July 2018

Servitisation studies in extant literature contribute to the resource-based view and relational view where industrial organisation view was largely ignored due to the focus on individual manufacturing units. In international business industry, competitiveness is required to enhance the performance of individual organisations. Following post-positivism epistemology, a multi-case study approach has been employed in this study. The unit of analysis is the network consisting of manufacture, supplier and the customer. Two such units of apparel manufacturing industry in Sri Lanka and two units from textile manufacturing industry in Taiwan were selected. This study establishes the link between servitised industry and national competitive advantage. The collaboration with suppliers, indirect competitors and other partners were identified as critical factors to differentiate a business-to-business (B2B) manufacturing industry in an international business.
Status Threat, Material Interests, and the 2016 Presidential Vote
Authors: Morgan Stephen L.
Published: July 2018

The April 2018 article of Diana Mutz “Status Threat, Not Economic Hardship, Explains the 2016 Presidential Vote,” was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences and contradicts prior sociological research on the 2016 election. Mutz’s article received widespread media coverage because of the strength of its primary conclusion, declaimed in its title. The present article is a critical reanalysis of the models offered by Mutz, using the data files released along with her article. Contrary to her conclusions, this article demonstrates that (1) the relative importance of economic interests and status threat cannot be estimated effectively with her cross-sectional data, and (2) her panel data are consistent with the claim that economic interests are at least as important as status threat. The preexisting sociological literature has offered interpretations that incorporate economic interests and, as a result, provides a more credible explanation of the 2016 election.
Surviving in My World: An Assertion of Dalit Identity
Authors: Bhaumik Mahuya
Published: July 2018

The tradition of questioning Brahmanical hegemony and the endeavour amongst Dalits to construct an identity of their own has a prolonged and rich history and reminds us of the post-colonial identity politics. The search for identity makes the Dalits fight against every form of discrimination. In order to give vent to dissent and to formulate Dalit identity, autobiography plays a seminal role. The autobiographies focus on the struggle of the people inhabiting the fringes of the society and their courage to fight against all odds that come their way. This article focuses on Surviving in My World: Growing up Dalit in Bengal, the English translation of Bangla Dalit writer and activist Manohar Mouli Biswas’ autobiography, Amar Bhubane Ami Benche Thaki, where the writer-activist does not only depict a world of deprivation and discrimination, but delineates a world saturated with love, care and joy for each other. The article tries to find out how irrespective of insufferable exploitation and humiliation the Dalits retain their positivity and reclaim their identity with the dignity and glory of human beings.
A Possible Link Between HCN Channels and Depression
Authors: Kim Chung Sub , Johnston Daniel
Published: July 2018

Growing evidence suggests a possible link between hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated nonselective cation (HCN) channels and depression. In a recent study published in Molecular Psychiatry, we first demonstrate that Ih (the membrane current mediated by HCN channels) and HCN1 protein expression were increased in dorsal, but not in ventral, CA1 region following chronic, but not acute stress. This upregulation of Ih was restricted to the perisomatic region of CA1 neurons and contributed to a reduction of neuronal excitability. A reduction of HCN1 protein expression in dorsal CA1 region before the onset of chronic unpredictable stress-induced depression was sufficient to provide resilient effects to chronic unpredictable stress. Furthermore, in vivo block of the sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA) pumps, a manipulation known to increase intracellular calcium levels and upregulate Ih, produced anxiogenic-like behavior and an increase in Ih, similar to that observed in chronic unpredictable stress model of depression. Here, we share our view on (1) how the function and expression of HCN1 channels are changed in the brain in a subcellular region-specific manner during the development of depression and (2) how a reduction of HCN1 protein expression provides resilience to chronic stress.
Double-Blind Phase III Trial of Adjuvant Chemotherapy With and Without Bevacizumab in Patients With Lymph Node–Positive and High-Risk Lymph Node–Negative Breast Cancer (E5103)
Authors: Miller Kathy D. , O’Neill Anne , Gradishar William , Hobday Timothy J. , Goldstein Lori J. , Mayer Ingrid A. , Bloom Stuart , Brufsky Adam M. , Tevaarwerk Amye J. , Sparano Joseph A. , Le-Lindqwister Nguyet Anh , Hendricks Carolyn B. , Northfelt Donald W. , Dang Chau T. , Sledge George W.
Published: July 2018

Purpose

Bevacizumab improves progression-free survival but not overall survival in patients with metastatic breast cancer. E5103 tested the effect of bevacizumab in the adjuvant setting in patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2–negative disease.

Patients and Methods

Patients were assigned 1:2:2 to receive placebo with doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide (AC) followed by weekly paclitaxel (arm A), bevacizumab only during AC and paclitaxel (arm B), or bevacizumab during AC and paclitaxel followed by bevacizumab monotherapy for 10 cycles (arm C). Random assignment was stratified and bevacizumab dose adjusted for choice of AC schedule. Radiation and hormonal therapy were administered concurrently with bevacizumab in arm C. The primary end point was invasive disease–free survival (IDFS).

Results

Four thousand nine hundred ninety-four patients were enrolled. Median age was 52 years; 64% of patients were estrogen receptor positive, 27% were lymph node negative, and 78% received dose-dense AC. Chemotherapy-associated adverse events including myelosuppression and neuropathy were similar across all arms. Grade ≥ 3 hypertension was more common in bevacizumab-treated patients, but thrombosis, proteinuria, and hemorrhage were not. The cumulative incidence of clinical congestive heart failure at 15 months was 1.0%, 1.9%, and 3.0% in arms A, B, and C, respectively. Bevacizumab exposure was less than anticipated, with approximately 24% of patients in arm B and approximately 55% of patients in arm C discontinuing bevacizumab before completing planned therapy. Five-year IDFS was 77% (95% CI, 71% to 81%) in arm A, 76% (95% CI, 72% to 80%) in arm B, and 80% (95% CI, 77% to 83%) in arm C.

Conclusion

Incorporation of bevacizumab into sequential anthracycline- and taxane-containing adjuvant therapy does not improve IDFS or overall survival in patients with high-risk human epidermal growth factor receptor 2–negative breast cancer. Longer duration bevacizumab therapy is unlikely to be feasible given the high rate of early discontinuation.
Dynamic regulation of Notch1 activation and Notch ligand expression in human thymus development
Authors: García-León María J. , Fuentes Patricia , de la Pompa José Luis , Toribio María L.
Published: July 2018

T-cell development is a complex dynamic process that relies on ordered stromal signals delivered to thymus-seeding progenitors that migrate throughout different thymus microenvironments (TMEs). Particularly, Notch signaling provided by thymic epithelial cells (TECs) is crucial for T-cell fate specification and generation of mature T cells. Four canonical Notch ligands (Dll1, Dll4, Jag1 and Jag2) are expressed in the thymus, but their spatial distribution in functional TMEs is largely unknown, especially in humans, and their impact on Notch1 activation during thymopoiesis remains undefined. Based on immunohistochemistry and quantitative confocal microscopy on fetal, postnatal and adult human and mouse thymus samples, we show that spatial regulation of Notch ligand expression defines discrete Notch signaling niches and dynamic species-specific TMEs in human thymopoiesis. We further show that Notch ligand expression, particularly Dll4, is tightly regulated in cortical TECs during human thymus ontogeny and involution. Also, we provide the first evidence that Notch1 activation is induced in vivo in CD34+ progenitors and developing thymocytes at particular cortical niches of the human fetal and postnatal thymus. Collectively, our results show that human thymopoiesis involves complex spatiotemporal regulation of Notch ligand expression, which ensures the coordinated delivery of niche-specific Notch1 signals required for dynamic T-cell development.
Immunomodulation with minocycline rescues retinal degeneration in juvenile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis mice highly susceptible to light damage
Authors: Dannhausen Katharina , Möhle Christoph , Langmann Thomas
Published: July 2018

Juvenile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (jNCL) is a rare but fatal inherited lysosomal storage disorder mainly affecting children. The disease is caused by mutations in the CLN3 gene that lead to the accumulation of storage material in many tissues, prominent immune responses and neuronal degeneration. One of the first symptoms is vision loss followed by motor dysfunction and mental decline. The established Cln3Δex7/8 mouse model mimics many pathological features of the human disease except the retinal phenotype, which is very mild and occurs only very late in these mice. Here, we first carefully analyzed the retinal structure and microglia responses in these animals. While prominent autofluorescent spots were present in the fundus, only a moderate reduction of retinal thickness and no prominent microgliosis was seen in young CLN3-deficient mice. We next genetically introduced a light-sensitive RPE65 variant and established a light-damage paradigm that showed a high susceptibility of young Cln3Δex7/8 mice after exposure to 10,000 lux bright light for 30 min. Under these ‘low light’ conditions, CLN3-deficient mice showed a strong retinal degeneration, microglial activation, deposition of autofluorescent material and transcriptomic changes compared to wild-type animals. Finally, we treated the light-exposed Cln3Δex7/8 animals with the immunomodulatory compound minocycline, and thereby rescued the retinal phenotype and diminished microgliosis. Our findings indicate that exposure to specific light conditions accelerates CLN3-dependent retinal degeneration, and that immunomodulation by minocycline could be a possible treatment option to delay vision loss in jNCL patients.

This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
Re-highlighting the action of PPARγ in treating metabolic diseases
Authors: Choi Sung Hee , Chung Sung Soo , Park Kyong Soo
Published: July 2018

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) is a member of the nuclear receptor family and plays an important role in adipocyte differentiation, glucose homeostasis, and insulin sensitivity. Thiazolidinediones (TZDs), synthetic ligands of PPARγ, have been used for the treatment of diabetes mellitus for two decades. TZDs were expected to be amazing drugs not only for type 2 diabetes but also for metabolic syndrome and atherosclerotic vascular disease because they can reduce both insulin resistance and inflammation in experimental studies. However, serious unwanted effects pushed TZDs back to an optional second-tier drug for type 2 diabetes. Nevertheless, PPARγ is still one of the most important targets for the treatment of insulin resistance and diabetes mellitus, and novel strategies to modulate PPARγ activity to enhance its beneficial effects and reduce unwanted adverse effects are anticipated. Recent studies showed that post-translational modification (PTM) of PPARγ regulates PPARγ activity or stability and may be a novel way to optimize PPARγ activity with reduced adverse effects. In this review, we will focus on recent advances in PTM of PPARγ and the mechanisms regulating PPARγ function as well as in the development of PPARγ modulators or agonists.
Recent advances in our understanding of brown and beige adipose tissue: the good fat that keeps you healthy
Authors: Symonds Michael E. , Aldiss Peter , Pope Mark , Budge Helen
Published: July 2018

Brown adipose tissue (BAT) possesses a unique uncoupling protein (UCP1) which, when activated, enables the rapid generation of heat and the oxidation of lipids or glucose or both. It is present in small amounts (~15–350 mL) in adult humans. UCP1 is rapidly activated at birth and is essential in preventing hypothermia in newborns, who rapidly generate large amounts of heat through non-shivering thermogenesis. Since the “re-discovery” of BAT in adult humans about 10 years ago, there has been an exceptional amount of research interest. This has been accompanied by the establishment of beige fat, characterised as discrete areas of UCP1-containing cells dispersed within white adipocytes. Typically, the amount of UCP1 in these depots is around 10% of the amount found in classic BAT. The abundance of brown/beige fat is reduced with obesity, and the challenge is to prevent its loss with ageing or to reactivate existing depots or both. This is difficult, as the current gold standard for assessing BAT function in humans measures radio-labelled glucose uptake in the fasted state and is usually dependent on cold exposure and the same subject can be found to exhibit both positive and negative scans with repeated scanning. Rodent studies have identified multiple pathways that may modulate brown/beige fat function, but their direct relevance to humans is constrained, as these studies typically are undertaken in cool-adapted animals. BAT remains a challenging organ to study in humans and is able to swiftly adapt to changes in the thermal environment and thus enable rapid changes in heat production and glucose oxidation.
Recent advances in pulmonary arterial hypertension
Authors: Wilkins Martin R. , Aman Jurjan , Harbaum Lars , Ulrich Anna , Wharton John , Rhodes Christopher J.
Published: July 2018

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a rare disorder with a high mortality rate. Treatment options have improved in the last 20 years, but patients still die prematurely of right heart failure. Though rare, it is heterogeneous at the genetic and molecular level, and understanding and exploiting this is key to the development of more effective treatments. BMPR2, encoding bone morphogenetic receptor type 2, is the most commonly affected gene in both familial and non-familial PAH, but rare mutations have been identified in other genes. Transcriptomic, proteomic, and metabolomic studies looking for endophenotypes are under way. There is no shortage of candidate new drug targets for PAH, but the selection and prioritisation of these are challenges for the research community.
Renal functional reserve
Authors: Ratanasrimetha Praveen , Quirich Miguel , Phisitkul Sorot
Published: July 2018

Serum creatinine and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) are the current standard tests tomeasure kidney function. The baseline GFR does not reflect full function of the kidney sincehuman kidneys do not always work at full capacity. Similarly, serum creatinine is not a sensitivemeasure for kidney function or injury. In healthy individuals the GFR physiologically increasesin response to certain stresses or stimuli, such as protein loading.Renal functional reserve (RFR) is defined as the difference between the maximalglomerular filtration rate (generally determined after oral or intravenous protein loading) and thebaseline glomerular filtration rate. The absence of a normal RFR can help identify patients whoare more susceptible to kidney injury. The RFR is also important in patients who develop acutekidney injury and chronic kidney disease. Even though the GFR might return to a baselinelevel, there may be some loss of RFR which can make the patient more susceptible to anotherepisode of kidney injury.Acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease are considered interconnected syndromes;each is a risk factor for the other. There are no current recommendations regarding theperformance of routine determinations of RFR. Physicians should focus on clinical history andphysical examination in patients with a history of prior episodes of acute kidney injury, monitorrenal function, and avoid nephrotoxic insults.
Directional Distance Functions in DEA with Optimal Endogenous Directions
Authors: Petersen Niels Christian
Published: July 2018

This paper is concerned with optimal directions in the directional distance function in data envelopment analysis. It is shown that the vector pointing in the direction that minimizes the Euclidean distance between the input–output vector (Xo, Yo) and the efficient frontier, the input isoquant reflecting output Yo, or the output isoquant reflecting input Xois optimal, because the corresponding vector of virtual multipliers defines the relative prices that maximize profit, cost, or revenue efficiency. The associated efficiency indicator is a value measure of technical efficiency in difference form with the Euclidean distance between (Xo, Yo) and the efficient frontier, the Yoinput isoquant, or the Xooutput isoquant as an equivalent directional distance quantity indicator. A linear combinatorial optimization program for computing the relevant value indicators of technical efficiency in multiplier space or the equivalent quantity indicators in terms of the relevant Euclidean distances is developed. A nonlinear and nonconvex optimization model for an estimation of the relevant value indicator of efficiency in multiplier space is also developed. Preliminary computational results are reported.
Finding Extremists in Online Social Networks
Authors: Klausen Jytte , Marks Christopher E. , Zaman Tauhid
Published: July 2018

Online extremists’ use of social media poses a new form of threat to the general public. These extremists range from cyberbullies to terrorist organizations. Social media providers often suspend the extremists’ accounts in response to user complaints. However, extremist users can simply create new accounts and continue their activities. In this work we present a new set of operational capabilities to address the threat posed by online extremists in social networks. We use thousands of Twitter accounts related to the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) to develop behavioral models for these users—in particular, what their accounts look like and with whom they connect. We use these models to track existing extremist users by identifying pairs of accounts belonging to the same user. We then present a model for efficiently searching the social network to find suspended users’ new accounts based on a variant of the classic Pólya’s urn setup. We find a simple characterization of the optimal search policy for this model under fairly general conditions. Our urn model and main theoretical results generalize easily to search problems in other fields.

The electronic companion is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/opre.2018.1719 .
Monotonicity of Optimal Contracts Without the First-Order Approach
Authors: Ke Rongzhu , Ryan Christopher Thomas
Published: July 2018

We develop a simple sufficient condition for an optimal contract of a moral hazard problem to be monotone in the output signal. Existing results on monotonicity require conditions on the output distribution (namely, the monotone likelihood ratio property (MLRP)) and additional conditions to guarantee that agent’s decision is approachable via the first-order approach of replacing that problem with its first-order conditions. We know of no positive monotonicity results in the setting where the first-order approach does not apply. Indeed, it is well documented that when there are finitely many possible outputs, and the first-order approach does not apply, the MLRP alone is insufficient to guarantee monotonicity. However, we show that when there is an interval of possible output signals, the MLRP does suffice to establish monotonicity under additional technical assumptions that do not guarantee the validity of the first-order approach. To establish this result we examine necessary optimality conditions for moral hazard problems using a novel penalty function approach. We then manipulate these conditions and provide sufficient conditions for when they coincide with a simple version of the moral hazard problem with only two constraints. In this two-constraint problem, monotonicity is established directly via a strong characterization of its optimal solutions.

The e-companion is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/opre.2018.1720 .
GEOGRAFIAS DA IMIGRAÇÃO HAITIANA PARA O BRASIL
Authors: Marques Martins Isis Do Mar
Published: July 2018

O presente artigo visa refletir sobre o recente fluxo de haitianos no Brasil e suas implicações práticas, isto é, quanto aos atravessamentos sociais e políticos imbricados no espaço e no tempo da permanência de haitianos aqui. Bem como suas implicações de ordem conceitual, sobretudo à luz de conceitos contemporâneos da geografia que promovem a ideia de movimento e mobilidade. Entendendo a singularidade da imigração haitiana para o Brasil e seus reflexos, dentre elas o poder de capilaridade expressivo dos haitianos no território brasileiro, a proposta é analisar a ideia de território-rede, caracterizada pela promoção de diversas relações de poder no espaço, atraída por diversos agentes, no qual tal capilaridade aponta certamente a importância das redes múltiplas que grupos haitianos aportam em suas estratégias de permanência.Palavras-chave: imigrantes haitianos, capilaridade, território-rede, agentes espaciais
LEITURA DE MUNDO E ENSINO DE GEOGRAFIA: SENTIDOS E DESAFIOS
Authors: Barroso Douglas Moraes
Published: July 2018

Em um cenário de avanço do conservadorismo, fragilização da democracia     e reformas no sistema nacional de educação que reduzem sua potência crítica, assevera-se a importância do debate da função social da escola e suas disciplinas.  A escola pode ter papel fundamental para a transformação da sociedade a partir de um modelo orientado para subsidiar efetivamente a construção de leituras de mundo mais profundas e críticas. Nesse sentido destaca-se a importância de (re)pensar os sentidos da Geografia escolar, e de que maneira ela qualifica a leitura de mundo. Advoga-se a Geografia pode ter papel fundamental ao subsidiar a construção de uma leitura geográfica da realidade concreta, mas que isso demanda a superação do caráter instrumental, descritivo, e ainda que quando de teor crítico, não se transfigure como operacional para inteligir a realidade concreta em suas multiplas escalas.
CULTURA, EDUCAÇÃO E GEOGRAFIA: INTERFACES ENTRE O ENSINO DE GEOGRAFIA E O USO DOS DITOS POPULARES NA SALA DE AULA
Authors: Santos Beatriz Magalhães , Souza José Vitor Rossi
Published: July 2018

O presente artigo se propõe a discutir a intersecção entre temas relacionados à cultura, educação e Geografia, pensando os ditos populares como dispositivos didáticos a serem utilizados nas aulas de Geografia. A cultura, a qual abarca múltiplos conhecimentos, inclusive a sabedoria popular, possui inúmeras definições, constituindo-se através da relação entre homem e natureza. Ao adquirir esse repertório cultural, os seres humanos se utilizam das formas de comunicação, como a oralidade, para transmiti-lo, o que inclui os ditos populares como meio de aquisição de saberes necessários à sobrevivência e também como instrumento de resistência frente ao mundo globalizado. Nesse contexto, ao pensar as formas e as razões do fazer educativo, encontram-se diversos espaços em que a educação pode se efetivar, mas levando em consideração a centralidade da instituição escolar como responsável por esse processo, constata-se a exclusão da sabedoria popular do conjunto de conhecimentos que são transmitidos através das disciplinas que compõe o currículo escolar. Por isso defendemos o uso do saber popular em sala de aula, principalmente nas aulas de Geografia, pensando o ensino de forma plural, interdisciplinar e multilinguístico, porém sem advogar em favor da supremacia de um tipo de conhecimento em detrimento de outros.
Electronic Inventory Systems and Barcode Technology: Impact on Pharmacy Technical Accuracy and Error Liability
Authors: Oldland Alan R. , Golightly Larry K. , May Sondra K. , Barber Gerard R. , Stolpman Nancy M.
Published: July 2018

Purpose

To measure the effects associated with sequential implementation of electronic medication storage and inventory systems and product verification devices on pharmacy technical accuracy and rates of potential medication dispensing errors in an academic medical center.

Methods

During four 28-day periods of observation, pharmacists recorded all technical errors identified at the final visual check of pharmaceuticals prior to dispensing. Technical filling errors involving deviations from order-specific selection of product, dosage form, strength, or quantity were documented when dispensing medications using (a) a conventional unit dose (UD) drug distribution system, (b) an electronic storage and inventory system utilizing automated dispensing cabinets (ADCs) within the pharmacy, (c) ADCs combined with barcode (BC) verification, and (d) ADCs and BC verification utilized with changes in product labeling and individualized personnel training in systems application.

Results

Using a conventional UD system, the overall incidence of technical error was 0.157% (24/15,271). Following implementation of ADCs, the comparative overall incidence of technical error was 0.135% (10/7,379; P = .841). Following implementation of BC scanning, the comparative overall incidence of technical error was 0.137% (27/19,708; P = .729). Subsequent changes in product labeling and intensified staff training in the use of BC systems was associated with a decrease in the rate of technical error to 0.050% (13/26,200; P = .002).

Conclusions

Pharmacy ADCs and BC systems provide complementary effects that improve technical accuracy and reduce the incidence of potential medication dispensing errors if this technology is used with comprehensive personnel training.
Evaluating of significance of thyroglobulin (Tg) level in blood as a biomarker of iodine deficiency disorders severity in Uzbekistan
Authors: Ismailov Saydiganikhodja I. , Rashitov Murod M. , Alimdjanov Nusrat A. , Uzbekov Kamil K. , Vakkasov Muhammadjon Kh. , Muratov Timur F. , Omildjonov Murodjon N.
Published: July 2018

Iodine deficiency has serious adverse effects on growth and development of humans, such as mental impairment. It is known, that thyroglobulin level in blood is promising biomarker that can determine iodine deficiency disorders severity in a given region.
The Aim of study: Evaluating of significance of thyroglobulin level in blood as a biomarker of iodine deficiency disorders severity in Uzbekistan..
Materials and Methods: We evaluated thyroglobulin level in blood in schoolchildren of Uzbekistan. In this purpose we studied 366 schoolchildren in 8-12 age group, of that 163 boys and 203 girls living in Tashkent city, Fergana, Samarkand, Bukhara, Kashkadarya, Khoresm and Republic of Karakalpakistan. Such parameters as urinary iodine concentration, diffuse goiter plasma TSH, fT4 were analyzed too.
Results: Diffuse goiter prevalence was 27 % among children, the overall mean thyroglobulin concentration was 12,8 ± 10.4 ng/ml, the overall median urinary iodine concentration (UIC) was 120.27 μg/L indicating iodine sufficiency. Plasma TSH was 2.75 ± 1.69 mIU/l and plasma fТ4 14.48 ± 3,96 pmol/l.  Thyroglobulin level depended on goiter size, so that in children without goiter (grade 0) mean thyroglobulin concentration was 11,9 ± 7.9 ng/ml, in children with goiter grade 1 mean thyroglobulin concentration was 14,24 ± 13.5 ng/ml and in children with goiter grade 2 mean thyroglobulin concentration was 18,82±18,3 ng/ml. Overall mean thyroglobulin concentration of goitrous children (grade 1 and 2) was 16,4±10,5 ng/ml.
Conclusions: Though international studies in school-aged children showed that iodine-sufficient children typically had a median Tg <13 ng/ml, our investigation showed that while study group’s  UIC was 120.27 μg/L and overall mean thyroglobulin concentration was 12,8 ± 10.4 ng/ml, that is equal to median thyroglobulin concentration – 11,73 ng/ml, 39% of children in this group still have UIC below 100 μg/L.
Inpatient- versus Outpatient-Onset Acute Coronary Syndrome: Comparison of Clinical Features and Outcomes
Authors: Zafar Kamran , Patil Nirav
Published: July 2018

The clinical characteristics and outcomes among patients with inpatient-onset non-ST-segment-elevation acute coronary syndrome have not been fully investigated. Therefore, we conducted a retrospective single-center analysis of patients who were ≥18 years old and diagnosed with acute coronary syndrome at our hospital during 2014. We performed logistic regression analysis to evaluate outcomes and made adjustments for age, race, family history of premature coronary artery disease, and comorbidities.

Our search through 31,274 hospital discharge records identified 683 cases of acute coronary syndrome: 32 were inpatient-onset and 651 were outpatient-onset. The inpatient-onset group was older (74.6 ± 9.6 vs 64 ± 12.8 yr; P <0.001), and patients were more likely to be black (28.1% vs 12.9%). Diagnoses at admission in the inpatient-onset group varied widely, including 4 cases of pneumonia and 3 of intestinal obstruction. The inpatient-onset group was less likely than the outpatient-onset group to undergo cardiac catheterization (34.4% vs 90.2%; adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 0.11; 95% CI, 0.05–0.28; P <0.001) or percutaneous coronary intervention (12.5% vs 61.6%; AOR, 0.16; 95% CI, 0.05–0.48; P=0.001), or to be discharged from the hospital (53.1% vs 88.9%; AOR, 0.26; 95% CI, 0.11–0.6; P=0.002). The inpatient-onset ACS group had longer hospital stays than did the outpatient-onset group (9.9 ± 8.9 vs 6.4 ± 5.2 d; P=0.03).

We found that inpatient-onset acute coronary syndrome was associated with less interventional management, a longer hospital stay, and a lower likelihood of discharge to home.
Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency is Associated with Cardiovascular Disease in U.S. Military Centers
Authors: Thomas John E. , Kang Seungho , Wyatt Charles J. , Kim Forest S. , Mangelsdorff A. David , Weigel Fred K.
Published: July 2018

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) protects erythrocytes from oxidative stress and hemolysis; G6PD deficiency is the most prevalent enzymopathy. The United States military routinely performs tests to prevent exposing G6PD-deficient personnel to antimalarial drugs that might cause life-threatening hemolytic reactions. In addition, G6PD is a key determinant of vascular function, and its deficiency can lead to impaired nitric oxide production and greater vascular oxidant stress—precursors to atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. Using military medical records, we performed a retrospective, cross-sectional study to investigate whether deficient G6PD levels are associated with a higher prevalence of cardiovascular disease than are normal levels, and, if so, whether the relationship is independent of accepted cardiovascular risk factors.

We analyzed the medical records of 737 individuals who had deficient G6PD levels and 16,601 who had normal levels. Everyone had been screened at U.S. military medical centers from August 2004 through December 2007. We evaluated our dependent variable (composite cardiovascular disease) at the individual level, and performed binary logistic regression of our independent variable (G6PD status) and control variables (modifiable cardiovascular risk factors). The adjusted odds ratio of 1.396 (95% CI, 1.044–1.867; P <0.05) indicated that G6PD-deficient individuals have 39.6% greater odds of developing cardiovascular disease than do those with normal levels.

Early intervention may reduce the incidence of cardiovascular disease in military personnel and civilians who have deficient G6DP levels.
Impella RP Support and Catheter-Directed Thrombolysis to Treat Right Ventricular Failure Caused by Pulmonary Embolism in 2 Patients
Authors: Shokr Mohamed , Rashed Ahmed , Mostafa Ashraf , Mohamad Tamam , Schreiber Theodore , Elder Mahir , Kaki Amir
Published: July 2018

Right ventricular failure secondary to pulmonary embolism is associated with morbidity and death. The Impella RP System has often been used for percutaneous mechanical circulatory support in patients with right ventricular failure from other causes, including myocardial infarction, cardiac surgery, and left ventricular assist device implantation. We report 2 cases of massive pulmonary embolism in which combined Impella RP use and ultrasound-assisted catheter-directed thrombolysis effectively treated shock caused by right ventricular failure and contributed to successful outcomes. To our knowledge, only one other patient with this indication had been treated with the Impella RP device.
Expression changes and roles of Sema3A and Nrp1 in cultured rat cortical neurons after oxygen glucose deprivation
Authors: He Ya , Yang Ying , Wang Ruili , Wang Hui , Ma Qiaoya , Chen Songsheng , Shi Daiying
Published: July 2018

To investigate the expression changes and roles of Semaphorin3A (Sema3A) and Neuropilin-1 (Nrp1) in cultured rat cortical neurons after oxygen glucose deprivation (OGD). Cultured cortical neurons of newborn SD rats were divided randomly into control group and OGD treatment group. Western blot was performed to detect the expression of Sema3A and Nrp-1 protein and TUNEL was used to detect apoptosis. With the increase of OGD treatment time, the cells become swollen, the axon disintegrated and death cells increased. After 2 hours of OGD treatment, the expression levels of Sema3A and Nrp1 were increased by 6.86 and 5.92 times of normal control, respectively. After transfection of Sema3A, apoptosis was significantly reduced with OGD treatment for 2 hours. OGD treatment could induce the up-regulation of Sema3A and Nrp1 expression and transfection of Sema3A could reduce apoptosis after OGD treatment. The results suggest that Sema3A plays a protective role for the neuron cell in OGD treatment.
Technology acceptance model in technology-enhanced OCLL contexts: A self-determination theory approach
Authors: Fathali Somayeh , Okada Takeshi
Published: July 2018

One of the crucial issues for successful technology-enhanced out-of-class language learning (OCLL) is the learners’ continuance intention to use technology. Considering the strong mutual relationship between learners’ intention and motivation, the present study extended the technology acceptance model (TAM) with the self-determination theory (SDT) to investigate Japanese EFL learners’ intention to use learning technologies for OCLL. The study was conducted in a technology-enhanced OCLL environment using a web-based e-portfolio system. The hypothesised model included two principal antecedents of behavioural intention introduced by TAM – perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use – in addition to the three psychological needs for competence, autonomy, and relatedness introduced by SDT. Path analysis was conducted to find the multivariate relationships between the constructs in the model based on the collected data from 162 Japanese EFL learners. The results indicated that SDT determinants could significantly predict perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use, among which perceived competence was the most influential factor. Furthermore, perceived usefulness highly influenced the learners’ intention to continue technology-enhanced OCLL, which in turn influenced their actual usage of the system.
A remark on the mixed scalar curvature of a manifold with two orthogonal totally umbilical distributions
Authors: Stepanov Sergey , Tsyganok Irina
Published: July 2018

We prove a Liouville-type theorem for two orthogonal complementary totally umbilical distributions on a complete Riemannian manifold with non-positive mixed scalar curvature. This is applied to some special types of complete doubly twisted and warped products of Riemannian manifolds.
Blocking sets of certain line sets related to a hyperbolic quadric in PG(3, q)
Authors: Sahoo Binod Kumar , Sahu Bikramaditya
Published: July 2018

For a fixed hyperbolic quadric 𝓗 in PG(3, q), let 𝔼 (respectively 𝕋, 𝕊) denote the set of all lines of PG(3, q) which are external (respectively tangent, secant) with respect to 𝓗. We characterize the minimum size blocking sets of PG(3, q) with respect to each of the line sets 𝕊, 𝕋 ∪ 𝕊 and 𝔼 ∪ 𝕊.
Rational curves on Del Pezzo manifolds
Authors: Zahariuc Adrian
Published: July 2018

We exploit an elementary specialization technique to study rational curves on Fano varieties of index one less than their dimension, known as del Pezzo manifolds. First, we study the splitting type of the normal bundles of the rational curves. Second, we prove a simple formula relating the number of rational curves passing through a suitable number of points in the case of threefolds and the analogous invariants for del Pezzo surfaces.
Commuting matrices and the Hilbert scheme of points on affine spaces
Authors: Henni Abdelmoubine A. , Jardim Marcos
Published: July 2018

We give linear algebraic and monadic descriptions of the Hilbert scheme of points on the affine space of dimension n which naturally extends Nakajima’s representation of the Hilbert scheme of points on the plane. As an application of our ideas and recent results from the literature on commuting matrices, we show that the Hilbert scheme of c points on ℂ3 is irreducible for c ≤ 10.
On the principal Ricci curvatures of a Riemannian 3-manifold
Authors: Aazami Amir Babak , Melby-Thompson Charles M.
Published: July 2018

We study global obstructions to the eigenvalues of the Ricci tensor on a Riemannian 3-manifold. As a topological obstruction, we first show that if the 3-manifold is closed, then certain choices of the eigenvalues are prohibited: in particular, there is no Riemannian metric whose corresponding Ricci eigenvalues take the form (−μ, f, f), where μ is a positive constant and f is a smooth positive function. We then concentrate on the case when one of the eigenvalues is zero. Here we show that if the manifold is complete and its Ricci eigenvalues take the form (0, λ, λ), where λ is a positive constant, then its universal cover must split isometrically. If the manifold is closed, scalar-flat, and its zero eigenspace contains a unit length vector field that is geodesic and divergence-free, then the manifold must be flat. Our techniques also apply to the study of Ricci solitons in dimension three.
Weierstrass points on Kummer extensions
Authors: Abdón Miriam , Borges Herivelto , Quoos Luciane
Published: July 2018

For Kummer extensions given byym=f(x), we discuss conditions for an integer to be a Weierstrass gap at a placeP. In the case of fully ramified places, the conditions are necessary and sufficient. As a consequence, we extend independent results of several authors. Moreover, we show that if the Kummer extension is 𝔽q2-maximal andf(x) ∈ 𝔽q2[x] has at least two roots with the same multiplicityλcoprime tom, thenmdivides 2(q+ 1). Under the extra condition that eithermor the multiplicity of a third root off(x) is odd, we conclude thatmdividesq+ 1.
Teacher Turnover, Composition and Qualifications in the Year-Round School Setting
Authors: Graves Jennifer , McMullen Steven , Rouse Kathryn
Published: July 2018

We estimate the effects of year-round school (YRS) calendars on teacher turnover and teacher qualifications for the state of California, finding that YRS results in diminished teacher education and experience. This result is notable as previous research finds negative academic impacts of YRS in California. As context for our findings, we use comparisons with North Carolina, where research has found neutral academic impacts for the same calendar. While we find that schools in both locations hire more teachers to accommodate the calendar, teacher qualifications do not decrease for North Carolina. Our results are therefore consistent with, and can partly explain, evidence on the impact of YRS on student achievement. Additionally, as YRS is implemented in more affluent areas in North Carolina and in disadvantaged populations in California, we use matched samples to show that student demographics do not explain our teacher impacts found for California.
Approximate Solution of Linear Systems with Laplace-like Operators via Cross Approximation in the Frequency Domain
Authors: Muravleva Ekaterina A. , Oseledets Ivan V.
Published: July 2018

In this paper we propose an efficient algorithm to
compute low-rank approximation to the solution of so-called “Laplace-like” linear systems. The idea is to transform the problem into the frequency domain, and then use cross approximation. In this case, we do not need to form explicit approximation to the inverse operator, and can approximate the solution directly, which leads to reduced complexity. We demonstrate that our method is fast and robust by using it as a solver inside Uzawa iterative method for solving the Stokes problem.