bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Oral mucositis caused by Candida glabrata biofilms: failure of the concomitant use of fluconazole and ascorbic acid
Authors: Rodrigues Célia F. , Henriques Mariana
Published: February 2017

Objectives:

Candida glabrata is becoming one of the most prevalent pathogenic yeasts in cases of oral diseases. Mucositis is an recurrent oral infection in immunocompromised patients, and the actual guidelines recommend the use of fluconazole (Flu) for many cases. However, the azole resistance by C. glabrata is renowned, causing a reduced therapeutic response, especially when it occurs in biofilms. In this study, we performed an in vitro evaluation of an alternative pharmacotherapy for C. glabrata biofilm infections, combining ascorbic acid (AA) with Flu. AA is recognized for degrading β-glucans, an important compound of the biofilm matrices, which prevent drug diffusion.

Materials and Methods:

Routine clinical 30 or 40 mg/l doses of Flu were applied to C. glabrata biofilms simultaneously with 200 or 300 mg/l of AA.

Results:

The results showed that this combination effectively promoted the degradation of the biofilm network, but unfortunately, also stimulated the growth of the yeasts population due to release of several glucose monomers during β-glucans hydrolysis.

Discussion:

AA lead to the hydrolysis of the β-glucans of the matrix, liberating glucose molecules which are used as carbon souce by the yeasts, thus suppressing the desired antifungal effect of the drug combination with Flu.

Conclusions:

Unlike to what happens in treatment of bacterial infection, AA should not be used together with Flu in the treating oral mucositis caused by Candida.
“Work Is Like a Therapy That Prevents Aging”
Authors: Ruggiano Nicole , O’Driscoll Janice , Lukic Andreja , Schotthoefer Linda
Published: February 2017

Diversity among the older adult population is expected to increase significantly. In addition, economic, demographic, and social trends in the United States have led to growing interest in understanding attitudes, behaviors, and plans regarding retirement among middle-aged and older adults. However, there is currently little knowledge about minorities’ interests and expectations for retirement. This community-based participatory study addressed gaps in knowledge by asking a diverse sample of adults about their experiences and expectations for retirement. Data collection involved focus groups with Hispanics, Haitians, African Americans, and immigrants living in Miami-Dade County, Florida. The findings indicate that productive activity in later life was desired by participants across racial and ethnic groups, though higher income participants reported having greater opportunities for pursuing desired productive activities later in life. Implications for policy and services are discussed.
Clinical and functional outcome of open primary repair of triangular fibrocartilage complex tears associated with distal radius fractures
Authors: Johandi Faisal , Sechachalam Sreedharan
Published: February 2017

Purpose:

We evaluate the clinical and functional outcome of open primary repair of acute TFCC tears in distal radius fracture, when there is gross intraoperative distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) instability after fixation of the distal radius, in the absence of an ulnar styloid fracture or when the ulnar fracture fragment is too small to be fixed.

Methods:

A retrospective review of our institution’s distal radius fracture database over a 4-year period (January 2010 to December 2013). A total of 12 (1.38%) out of 3379 patients had an open TFCC repair in the same setting as fixation of distal radius. Assessment of outcome involved the analysis of objective and subjective clinical and functional outcomes.

Results:

All patient regained Activities of Daily Living (ADL) independence; eleven out of 12 patients (91.7%) returned to pre-injury function and 8 out of 11 patients (72.7%) returned to their jobs. DRUJ stability was preserved in 10 patients (83.3%) with 10 patients (83.3%) having grip strength of at least 50%, compared to the uninjured hand, and 7 (58.3%) with grip strength of more than or equal to 75%. Complications of surgery identified can be classified into 4 broad categories: infection, neurological complications, persistent DRUJ instability and prolonged pain.

Conclusion:

The authors believe a primary open repair of the TFCC should be considered when patients present with instability during intra-operative DRUJ ballottement test after distal radius fixation, in the absence of an ulnar styloid fracture or when the ulnar fracture fragment is too small to be fixed.
Small- and medium-sized enterprises and public procurement: A review of the UK coalition government's policies and their impact
Authors: Loader Kim
Published: February 2017

This paper examines the public procurement policy towards small- and medium-sized enterprises adopted by the UK coalition government during its five-year term of office from May 2010 to May 2015. First, it determines the policy instruments that have been implemented; second, it tracks policy development throughout the period and, third, it considers measurement and assessment of policy outcomes. Finally, it discusses the direction and nature of the policy development and considers implications for future policy development and further research. The paper found that the coalition government had actively and consistently pursued the policy of improving small- and medium-sized enterprise access to public procurement throughout the parliament. It determined that the coalition government had advanced the UK's intervention approach by its efforts in monitoring progress against some targets and, especially, by its increased use of regulation. As the legislation was introduced at the end of the period of office, it has been too early to consider how effectively the new requirements are being implemented, but the need to consider compliance and enforcement is identified. An aspirational target to spend 25% with small- and medium-sized enterprises was ostensibly met by central government departments but there is a need to develop better ways of measuring and collecting data. Finally, the evidence has revealed a low level of awareness of the initiatives amongst the target small- and medium-sized enterprise audience.
The Roots of Chronic Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Childhood Trauma, Information Processing, and Self-protective Strategies
Authors: Crittenden Patricia McKinsey , Heller Mary Brownescombe
Published: February 2017

Background

Although childhood endangerment often precedes adult posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), the mechanism from danger to disorder is unclear. We proposed a developmental process in which unprotected and uncomforted danger in childhood would be associated with “shortcuts” in information processing that, in adulthood, could result in PTSD if the adult experienced additional exposure to danger. Information processing was defined as the basic associative, dissociative, and integrative processes used by all humans. Individual differences in parents’ (or primary caregivers’) protective and comforting behavior were expected to force unprotected children to use psychological shortcuts that linked early trauma to later vulnerability for PTSD.

Method

We compared 22 adults with chronic PTSD to (a) 22 adults with other psychiatric diagnoses and (b) 22 normative adults without any diagnosis, in terms of information processing around childhood danger. The Adult Attachment Interview was used to derive information processing variables, including self-protective strategies, childhood traumas, and depression.

Results

The two patient groups differed from the normative group on all variables. Adults with chronic PTSD differed from other psychiatric patients in having more childhood traumas and using more transformations of associative and dissociative processes. Within the PTSD group, there were three psychologically different subgroups.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that (1) prediction of risk for adult PTSD may be possible, (2) treatment might be facilitated by provision of a protective and supportive therapist, (3) who included a focus on correction of information processing errors and use of more adaptive strategies, and (4) subgroups of adults with PTSD may require different forms of treatment.
Adaptive NK cells can persist in patients with GATA2 mutation depleted of stem and progenitor cells
Authors: Schlums Heinrich , Jung Moonjung , Han Hongya , Theorell Jakob , Bigley Venetia , Chiang Samuel C. C. , Allan David S. J. , Davidson-Moncada Jan K. , Dickinson Rachel E. , Holmes Tim D. , Hsu Amy P. , Townsley Danielle , Winkler Thomas , Wang Weixin , Aukrust Pål , Nordøy Ingvild , Calvo Katherine R. , Holland Steve M. , Collin Matthew , Dunbar Cynthia E. , Bryceson Yenan T.
Published: February 2017

Key Points

GATA-2 expression is restricted to hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells, leading to NK-cell progenitor deficiency in GATA2 patients. A long-lived or self-renewing pool of adaptive NK cells can persist in patients with GATA2 mutation.
Prognostic role of circulating exosomal miRNAs in multiple myeloma
Authors: Manier Salomon , Liu Chia-Jen , Avet-Loiseau Hervé , Park Jihye , Shi Jiantao , Campigotto Federico , Salem Karma Z. , Huynh Daisy , Glavey Siobhan V. , Rivotto Bradley , Sacco Antonio , Roccaro Aldo M. , Bouyssou Juliette , Minvielle Stéphane , Moreau Philippe , Facon Thierry , Leleu Xavier , Weller Edie , Trippa Lorenzo , Ghobrial Irene M.
Published: February 2017

Key Points

Two circulating exosomal microRNAs, let-7b and miR-18a, improved survival prediction in patients with MM. Circulating exosomal miRNAs enhanced the stratification of patients with high-risk factors.
A Program Aimed toward Inclusive Excellence for Underrepresented Undergraduate Women in the Sciences
Authors: Katz Laura A. , Aloisio Kathryn M. , Horton Nicholas J. , Ly Minh , Pruss Sara , Queeney Kate , Rowen Cate , DiBartolo Patricia Marten
Published: February 2017

Created to foster inclusive excellence, Smith College’s Achieving Excellence in Mathematics, Engineering, and Science (AEMES) Scholars program provides early faculty-mentored research opportunities and other programming as a way to foster success in academic outcomes for underrepresented women in science. Using academic record data, we compared Scholars’ outcomes over time with those of underrepresented students before program launch and to relevant peer comparison groups. Since its launch, AEMES Scholars have achieved significantly higher gateway life sciences course grade point averages (GPAs), rates of persistence in life and natural sciences, and participation in natural sciences advanced research relative to baseline. Gains for Scholars in gateway course GPA eliminated the significant gap that previously existed between science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM)-underrepresented and other students, whereas gains in natural sciences persistence now has Scholars continuing in STEM at significantly higher rates than all other students. Many of the gains for AEMES Scholars were echoed in findings of improved outcomes for our STEM students overall since AEMES’ launch. Underrepresented students who were not part of the Scholars program also evidenced increased gateway course GPA over this same period. We discuss potential explanations for these outcomes and ongoing work aimed at achieving further inclusive excellence for women in the sciences.
Using the Biology Card Sorting Task to Measure Changes in Conceptual Expertise during Postsecondary Biology Education
Authors: Bissonnette Sarah A. , Combs Elijah D. , Nagami Paul H. , Byers Victor , Fernandez Juliana , Le Dinh , Realin Jared , Woodham Selina , Smith Julia I. , Tanner Kimberly D.
Published: February 2017

While there have been concerted efforts to reform undergraduate biology toward teaching students to organize their conceptual knowledge like experts, there are few tools that attempt to measure this. We previously developed the Biology Card Sorting Task (BCST), designed to probe how individuals organize their conceptual biological knowledge. Previous results showed the BCST could differentiate between different populations, namely non–biology majors (NBM) and biology faculty (BF). In this study, we administered the BCST to three additional populations, using a cross-sectional design: entering biology majors (EBM), advanced biology majors (ABM), and biology graduate students (BGS). Intriguingly, ABM did not initially sort like experts any more frequently than EBM. However, once the deep-feature framework was revealed, ABM were able to sort like experts more readily than did EBM. These results are consistent with the conclusion that biology education enables advanced biology students to use an expert-like conceptual framework. However, these results are also consistent with a process of “selection,” wherein students who persist in the major may have already had an expert-like conceptual framework to begin with. These results demonstrate the utility of the BCST in measuring differences between groups of students over the course of their undergraduate education.
Why Anesthesiologists Must Incorporate Focused Cardiac Ultrasound Into Daily Practice
Authors: Coker Bradley J. , Zimmerman Josh M.
Published: February 2017

The size, availability, cost, and quality of modern ultrasound devices have, for the first time in modern medicine, enabled point-of-care ultrasound by the noncardiologist physician. The appropriate application of focused cardiac ultrasound (FoCUS) by anesthesiologists has the potential to alter management and affect outcomes for a wide range of patients. In this article, the indications, benefits, and limitations of FoCUS are described. The training and equipment required to perform FoCUS are also discussed.
Gene expression control by Bacillus anthracis purine riboswitches
Authors: Kirchner Marion , Schneider Sabine
Published: February 2017

In all kingdoms of life, cellular replication relies on the presence of nucleosides and nucleotides, the building blocks of nucleic acids and the main source of energy. In bacteria, the availability of metabolites sometimes directly regulates the expression of enzymes and proteins involved in purine salvage, biosynthesis, and uptake through riboswitches. Riboswitches are located in bacterial mRNAs and can control gene expression by conformational changes in response to ligand binding. We have established an inverse reporter gene system in Bacillus subtilis that allows us to monitor riboswitch-controlled gene expression. We used it to investigate the activity of five potential purine riboswitches from Bacillus anthracis in response to different purines and pyrimidines. Furthermore, in vitro studies on the aptamer domains of the riboswitches reveal their variation in guanine binding affinity ranging from namomolar to micromolar. These data do not only provide insight into metabolite sensing but can also aid in engineering artificial cell regulatory systems.
High-resolution profiling of NMD targets in yeast reveals translational fidelity as a basis for substrate selection
Authors: Celik Alper , Baker Richard , He Feng , Jacobson Allan
Published: February 2017

Nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) plays an important role in eukaryotic gene expression, yet the scope and the defining features of NMD-targeted transcripts remain elusive. To address these issues, we reevaluated the genome-wide expression of annotated transcripts in yeast cells harboring deletions of the UPF1, UPF2, or UPF3 genes. Our new RNA-seq analyses confirm previous results of microarray studies, but also uncover hundreds of new NMD-regulated transcripts that had escaped previous detection, including many intron-containing pre-mRNAs and several noncoding RNAs. The vast majority of NMD-regulated transcripts are normal-looking protein-coding mRNAs. Our bioinformatics analyses reveal that this set of NMD-regulated transcripts generally have lower translational efficiency and higher ratios of out-of-frame translation. NMD-regulated transcripts also have lower average codon optimality scores and higher transition probability to nonoptimal codons. Collectively, our results generate a comprehensive catalog of yeast NMD substrates and yield new insights into the mechanisms by which these transcripts are targeted by NMD.
Bayesian Networks for Combat Equipment Diagnostics
Authors: Aebischer David , Vatterott John , Grimes Michael , Vatterott Andrew , Jordan Roderick , Reinoso Carlo , Alex Baker Bradford , Aldrich William D. , Reinoso Luis , Villalba Rodolfo , Johnson Michael , Myers Christopher , Conrady Stefan , Tatman Joseph A. , Mahoney Suzanne M. , Whaley Darrin L. , Hepler Amanda B.
Published: February 2017

The lives of U.S. soldiers in combat depend on complex weapon systems and advanced technologies. In combat conditions, the resources available to support the operation and maintenance of these systems are minimal. Following the failure of a critical system, technical support personnel may take days to arrive via helicopter or ground convoy—leaving soldiers and civilian experts exposed to battlefield risks. To address this problem, the U.S. Army Communications Electronics Command (CECOM) developed a suite of systems, Virtual Logistics Assistance Representative (VLAR), with a single purpose: to enable a combat soldier to maintain critical equipment. The CECOM VLAR team uses an operations research (OR) approach to codifying expert knowledge about Army equipment and applying that knowledge to troubleshooting equipment diagnostics in combat situations. VLAR infuses a classic knowledge-management spiral with OR techniques: from socializing advanced technical concepts and eliciting tacit knowledge, to integrating expert knowledge, to creating an intuitive and instructive interface, and finally, to making VLAR a part of a soldier’s daily life. VLAR is changing the Army’s sustainment paradigm by creating an artificial intelligence capability and applying it to equipment diagnostics. In the process, it has generated a sustainable cost-savings model and a means to mitigate combat risk. Through 2015, VLAR saved the Army $27 million in direct labor costs from an investment of $8 million by reducing the requirement for technical support personnel. We project additional direct costs savings of $222 million from an investment of $60 million by the end of 2020. Most importantly, VLAR has prevented an estimated 4,500 casualties by reducing requirements for helicopter and ground-convoy movements. This translates to short- and long-term medical cost savings of over $9 billion. In this paper, we discuss the OR methods that underpin VLAR, at the heart of which lie causal Bayesian networks, and we detail the process we use to translate scientific theory and experiential knowledge into accessible applications for equipment diagnostics.
THE MORPHOLOGICAL AND SPECIES DIVERSITY OF SPONGES ON CORAL REEF ECOSYSTEMS IN THE LEMBEH STRAIT, BITUNG
Authors: Hadi Tri Aryono , Suharsono - , Hadiyanto - , Budiyanto Agus , Wentao Niu
Published: February 2017

Sponges are one of the most diverse benthos in the coral reef ecosystem. They have many morphological characters that are specific to species, and their existence is influenced by environmental conditions. The aims of this study are to observe the relationship between morphological and species diversity of sponges in coral reef ecosystem in the Lembeh Strait and investigate the most influential environmental factor on sponge diversity. The study was carried out between April and May 2013 at nine study sites. The methods used were belt transect and line intersect transect (LIT) installed parallel to the coastline at approximately 5-meter depth. Our study supports a positive correlation between the morphological diversity and species diversity of sponges. Many of the morphological growth types were specific to sites that have particular characteristics. The percentage of the live coral cover is not a critical factor for sponge diversity in the strait. Instead, dead coral with algae as a benthic category has a significant positive correlation with the morphological and species diversity of sponges. Conversely, rubble as a substrate type has a strong tendency to affect sponge diversity negatively. To conclude, it is important to maintain healthy reefs in order to sustain benthic communities that are valuable to ecological functions and societies. Keywords:sponges, diversity, coral reefs, Lembeh Strait
POLICY MODELONMARINE TOURISM DEVELOPMENT IN WAKATOBI REGENCY (SE SULAWESI,INDONESIA)
Authors: Yulius - , Heriati Aida , Salim Hadiwiijaya Lesmana , Purbani Dini , Ramdhan Muhammad
Published: February 2017

Wakatobi Regency has a huge capacity in natural resources with it's beautiful and pristine coastal ecosystems that host 25 coral reefs species in diverse forms. The regency is considered as the world’s best biosphere and frequently visited by local and international tourists for diving/snorkeling. The objectives of this study are to determine the role of marine tourism in Wakatobi’seconomy and formulate an appropriate and strategic policy for its marine tourism development plan. Methods used in this research are theLocation Quotient (LQ) analysis to determine the relative ability of a sub-area to a wider area in the specific sector, and theProspective Participatory Analysis for preparing the marine tourism development plan. The LQ analysis for the marine tourism (trade, hotels, and restaurants) sector based on GDP data from 2004-2007 shows values ranging from 0.808-0.881, which indicate poor potential and low contribution of this sector toWakatobi’s economy. TheProspective Participatory Analysis involving 18 variables related to marine tourism development indicates that Wakatobi Regency has four key variables. These are:community behavior towards environmental protection, community character, human resources andmotivation. These variables would play an important role in preparing and implementing marine tourism development plan in Wakatobi Regency.
Heroism’s Contexts: Robbie Rogers and the Ghost of Justin Fashanu
Authors: Sloop John M. , West Isaac
Published: February 2017

In 2013, Robbie Rogers, an American professional soccer player living out his dream as a member of a British team, came out as gay to his family and fans. The subsequent coverage varied across outlets, especially between those based inside and outside of the United States. In general, media reports outside of the United States articulated Rogers to Justin Fashanu, a British soccer player who had been outed in 1990 and subsequently completed a suicide in 1998 after years of torment. American-based reporting tied Rogers to narratives about the gradual cultural acceptance of LGBT personalities. We engage this reporting as an opportunity to revisit the importance of context as a consideration in the conditions of possibility for queer worldmaking.
The Institution of Free School Meals in Times of Crisis in Greece (1924-1964): A Historical and Social Pedagogical Dimension
Authors: Skoura Labrini Th.
Published: February 2017

The outbreak of cases of famine among pupils at school during the previous two years, preoccupied seriously the members of the educational community as well as the appropriate state agencies, and raised the awareness of the Greek society to a large extent. Motivated by the recent actions of the Ministry of Education to face these problems, memories and discussions concerning various social pedagogical actions developed in Greece during periods of crisis have emerged. One of them was the free school meals which functioned for decades in Greece, aiming at the management of malnutrition among students.

The aim of the present study is to highlight a) the paramount importance function of free school meals in times of crises, during which the population’s malnutrition and especially that of pupils was taking life-threatening dimensions b) the efforts made for free school meals to function on a social pedagogical basis both by the state which took the necessary measures (the adoption of the necessary institutional framework, providing the relevant economic recourses, etc.) by the Church, charitable, private and other entities c) the social pedagogical awareness of Greek society and of educators themselves, aiming at the support and the expansion of school free meals and d) the strong social pedagogical reflexes displayed by Greek society on this issue and including the initiatives of students in Teacher Training Schools, who would be later called upon to teach and educate the future citizens of the country.
Minimally Invasive LVAD Deactivation in a 65-Year-Old Man with Recurrent Pump Thrombosis and Left Ventricular Recovery
Authors: Pendyal Akshay , Chien Christopher V. , Mudd James O. , Gelow Jill M.
Published: February 2017

Pump thrombosis is a dire sequela after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation. Treatment comprises antiplatelet agents, anticoagulants, thrombolytic agents, and pump exchange. Although pump exchange is the definitive therapy, it is also the most invasive, often exposing patients to the risks of repeat sternotomy and cardiopulmonary bypass. In some cases, patients experience left ventricular recovery after LVAD implantation. The optimal strategy surrounding the management of LVADs in patients who have experienced ventricular recovery is unknown; techniques range from total system explantation to partial pump resection. Here, we describe a novel means of LVAD deactivation in a 65-year-old man with recurrent pump thrombosis, via percutaneous outflow graft closure in the cardiac catheterization laboratory. We also review the existing literature on surgical and percutaneous LVAD deactivation techniques.
Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement: Comprehensive Review and Present Status
Authors: Arora Sameer , Misenheimer Jacob A. , Ramaraj Radhakrishnan
Published: February 2017

Aortic stenosis is the most common valvular heart disease in the developed world. About 7% of the population over age 65 years suffers from degenerative aortic stenosis. The prognosis of patients with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis is dismal without valve replacement. Even though the American College of Cardiology recommends aortic valve replacement to treat this condition as a class I recommendation, approximately one third of these patients over the age of 75 years are not referred for surgery. Typically, this is from concern about prohibitive surgical risk associated with patient frailty, comorbidities, age, and severe left ventricular dysfunction.

The advent in France of transcatheter aortic valve replacement has raised the hope in the United States for an alternative, less invasive treatment for aortic stenosis. Two recent trials—the Placement of AoRTic TraNscathetER Valve Trial Edwards SAPIEN Transcatheter Heart Valve (Partner) and the CoreValve US Pivotal—have established transcatheter aortic valve replacement as the preferred approach in patients who are at high or prohibitive surgical risk. The more recently published Partner 2 trial has shown the feasibility of transcatheter aortic valve replacement in intermediate-surgical-risk patients as well. With a profile that promises easier use and better valve performance and delivery, newer-generation valves have shown their potential for further improvement in safety profile and overall outcomes. We review the history and status of this topic.
A study of the difficulties that preschool teachers’ experience in performance of musical activities in terms of various variables
Authors: Kılıç Ilgım , İzgi Topalak Şefika , Yazıcı Tarkan
Published: February 2017

Music education in preschool period is of capital importance to allow individual to use basic education and develop positive attitude to music. The reason is that preschool education provides rich-stimulant environments that are suitable for development level and personal characteristics of early-aged individuals, and helps them to develop themselves in mental, physical, emotional and social terms, and also braces them for primary education. For this reason, the quality of musical activities by preschool teachers and the difficulties become crucial. This study, as a qualitative research, has focused on 20 teachers, commissioned in official preschool institutions in Trabzon-City Centrum during 2013-2014 education period, and it's been determined that teachers experience the difficulties due to musical activity applications, characteristics of teachers and in-service education needs.
Getting Girls to Schools! – Assessing the Impacts of a Targeted Program on Enrollment and Academic Performance
Authors: Chatterjee Somdeep
Published: February 2017

This is a short paper assessing the impacts of a targeted policy aimed to improve the quality of education for girls in India, i.e., the Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya (KGBV) program. Under this program residential schools were built for girls in grades 6–8 (often known as middle school) and were unique because it is one of the few programs that exclusively focuses on improving school infrastructure for girls. The program was restricted to individuals belonging to backward castes in India which provides exogenous identifying variation. I use this eligibility criteria along with cohort variation in exposure to the program introduced in 2004 to estimate the impact of KGBV on enrollment and academic performance. I find that potentially affected cohorts are more likely to have attended school and perform better on reading tests. I run placebo regressions with data from a pre-policy year and do not find any effects along these dimensions providing confidence in the identification strategy.
Morphogenesis of Ulva mutabilis (Chlorophyta) induced by Maribacter species (Bacteroidetes, Flavobacteriaceae)
Authors: Weiss Anne , Costa Rodrigo , Wichard Thomas
Published: February 2017

Growth and morphogenesis of the sea lettuce
Design of a Balun Bandpass Filter with Asymmetrical Coupled Microstrip Lines
Authors: Wang Xuedao , Wang Jianpeng , Zhang Gang , Huang Feng
Published: February 2017

A new microstrip coupled-line balun topology and its application to the balun bandpass filter (BPF) with a triple mode response are proposed in this paper. The involved balun structure is composed of two back-to-back quarter-wavelength (
Sustainable exposure prevention through innovative detection and remediation technologies from the NIEHS Superfund Research Program
Authors: Henry Heather F. , Suk William A.
Published: February 2017

Innovative devices and tools for exposure assessment and remediation play an integral role in preventing exposure to hazardous substances. New solutions for detecting and remediating organic, inorganic, and mixtures of contaminants can improve public health as a means of primary prevention. Using a public health prevention model, detection and remediation technologies contribute to primary prevention as tools to identify areas of high risk (e.g. contamination hotspots), to recognize hazards (bioassay tests), and to prevent exposure through contaminant cleanups. Primary prevention success is ultimately governed by the widespread acceptance of the prevention tool. And, in like fashion, detection and remediation technologies must convey technical and sustainability advantages to be adopted for use. Hence, sustainability – economic, environmental, and societal – drives innovation in detection and remediation technology. The National Institute of Health (NIH) National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) Superfund Research Program (SRP) is mandated to advance innovative detection, remediation, and toxicity screening technology development through grants to universities and small businesses. SRP recognizes the importance of fast, accurate, robust, and advanced detection technologies that allow for portable real-time, on-site characterization, monitoring, and assessment of contaminant concentration and/or toxicity. Advances in non-targeted screening, biological-based assays, passive sampling devices (PSDs), sophisticated modeling approaches, and precision-based analytical tools are making it easier to quickly identify hazardous “hotspots” and, therefore, prevent exposures. Innovation in sustainable remediation uses a variety of approaches: in situ remediation; harnessing the natural catalytic properties of biological processes (such as bioremediation and phytotechnologies); and application of novel materials science (such as nanotechnology, advanced membranes, new carbon materials, and materials reuse). Collectively, the investment in new technologies shows promise to reduce the amount and toxicity of hazardous substances in the environment. This manuscript highlights SRP funded innovative devices and tools for exposure assessment and remediation of organic, inorganic, and mixtures of contaminants with a particular focus on sustainable technologies.
Associations, Christ groups, and their place in the Polis
Authors: Kloppenborg John S.
Published: February 2017

Early Christ groups, like Greek and Roman associations, engaged in mimicry of various civic institutions, and for similar reasons: to facilitate the integration of sub-altern groups into civic structures; to create “communities of honour” in which virtue was recognized and rewarded; and to produce small social structures in which the democratic values of autonomy could be performed. While mimicking civic structures, early Christ groups also displayed in varying ways ambivalence toward the city, either declaring themselves to be “resident aliens” or claiming to belong to a different polity.
Ἰουδαϊσμός – ἰουδαΐζειν – ἰουδαϊκῶς Sprachliche und semantische Überlegungen im Blick auf Gal 1,13 f. und 2,14
Authors: Sänger Dieter
Published: February 2017

Since late antiquity there has been diversity in the particulars of the interpretation of the Greek term Ἰουδαϊσμός in Galatians 1,13–14, but the prevailing notion in most cases is that Ἰουδαϊσμός signifies “Judaism”, the religion of the Jewish people. On the contrary, in a provocative article Steve Mason proposed a radical revision of this reading of Ἰουδαϊσμός and its cognates (cf. Gal 2,13–15; 3,28). According to him (and other scholars) there was no category of “Judaism” in the Graeco-Roman World, no “religion” too, and that the Ἰουδαῖοι were understood as an ethnic group comparable to other ethnic groups. Consequently Mason claims that the substantive adjective Ἰουδαῖος has always the ethnic-regional sense “Judean”, never the religious sense “Jew”. To my opinion this view is partly right and partly wrong. Starting from the grammatical and semantic data provided by 2 and 4 Maccabees and attested in the epigraphic record this essay aims at two points: It is argued, first, that due to the fact that Ἰουδαϊσμός and its cognates obviously denote also a religious dimension it seems very unlikely to hold the view of a purely ethnic centered conception of Jewish identity. Further, that the Galatian controversy and the incident at Antioch, described in Gal 2,11–14, reflect a quarrel within the early church about the crucial question concerning the constitutive requirements in regard to the construction, formation, and performance of Christian identity.
Revisiting Suppression of Interspecies Hybrid Male Lethality in Caenorhabditis Nematodes
Authors: Ryan Lauren E , Haag Eric S
Published: February 2017

Within the nematode genus Caenorhabditis, Caenorhabditis briggsae and C. nigoni are among the most closely related species known. They differ in sexual mode, with C. nigoni retaining the ancestral XO male–XX female outcrossing system, while C. briggsae recently evolved self-fertility and an XX-biased sex ratio. Wild-type C. briggsae and C. nigoni can produce fertile hybrid XX female progeny, but XO progeny are either 100% inviable (when C. briggsae is the mother) or viable but sterile (when C. nigoni is the mother). A recent study provided evidence suggesting that loss of the Cbr-him-8 meiotic regulator in C. briggsae hermaphrodites allowed them to produce viable and fertile hybrid XO male progeny when mated to C. nigoni. Because such males would be useful for a variety of genetic experiments, we sought to verify this result. Preliminary crosses with wild-type C. briggsae hermaphrodites occasionally produced fertile males, but they could not be confirmed to be interspecies hybrids. Using an RNA interference (RNAi) protocol that eliminates any possibility of self-progeny in Cbr-him-8 hermaphrodites, we found sterile males bearing the C. nigoni X chromosome, but no fertile males bearing the C. briggsae X, as in wild-type crosses. Our results suggest that the apparent rescue of XO hybrid viability and fertility is due to incomplete purging of self-sperm prior to mating.
Bathysolen nubilus (Fallen, 1807) (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Coreidae): first record from the Republic of Buryatia (Eastern Siberia, Russian Federation) and extension of distribution
Authors: Sofronova Elena V.
Published: February 2017

This study provides the first record of Bathysolen nubilus (Fallen, 1807) for the Republic of Buryatia (Russian Federation) and extends the known distribution of this species eastward in the Palaearctic region. Bathysolen nubilus is the only species of its genus that occurs in Eurasia. Specimens of B. nubilus were captured in dry grass meadows and forest edges located along the lower reach of the Selenga River. Data and figures of B. nubilus for the recognition of the species, as well as a map of collecting localities, are presented.
Translocation and new geographical distribution of the invasive Redbelly Tilapia, Coptodon zillii (Gervais, 1848) (Teleostei: Cichlidae) in southern Iran
Authors: Teimori Azad , Motamedi Mina , Askari Hesni Majid
Published: February 2017

A new geographical distribution record of the invasive species of Redbelly Tilapia, Coptodon zillii, is reported here from a drainage in southern Iran, based on the discovery of a population at Howba spring. The locality of the new record is now completely dominated by this exotic fish; this location was previously inhabited by native fishes. As tilapia species have a high resilience to harsh environmental conditions, they can easily be translocated to, and establish in, new habitats. Thus, ecological monitoring of this exotic fish species is highly recommended.
Stylistic changes in contemporary sacred architecture against the background of the ideological and artistic trends prevailing at the time (1971–2000)
Authors: Gil-Mastalerczyk Joanna
Published: February 2017

The phenomenon of transformation in shaping the architecture of churches, observed in Poland
after 1970, remains as fascinating as it is unusual. Despite the great crisis in the field of religious
architecture, the latter presents a wealth of original and innovative architectural and functional
solutions. A radical change in the conditions in which ecclesial investors had to operate when
undertaking the construction of temples, coupled with the political, economic and social trans�formations taking place on a large scale, significantly contributed to the feasibility and function�ing of this architecture and the evolution of its forms. Regardless of the solutions applied, it
represents a wealth of content, both ideological and material.
Classification of communes of the Małopolskie Voivodeship as regards selected factors of local development
Authors: Dedio Kamila
Published: February 2017

The study is an attempt at classification of 182 communes (gminy) of the Małopolskie voivodeship from the point of view of chosen factors influencing their local development. The adopted
set of variables included 5 thematic categories: demography, economy, infrastructure, environmental management and land management. The scope of the variables is related to availability
of statistical material. The data were acquired form public statistical sources – CSO (GUS) Local
Data Bank for 2013–2014. The classification was carried out by Ward’s hierarchical clustering
method. The analysis led to isolation of factors shaping local development of a group of communes. It was demonstrated that in prevailing part of the studied area one main factor determines local development of these communes, namely environmental management.
Cooperation of agricultural producers in Poland
Authors: Guzdek Sylwia , Petryk Agnieszka
Published: February 2017

Agrarian fragmentation remains a key problem of Polish agriculture. An individual farm, re�gardless of its size, has no market power. Its market position among other producers and its bar�gaining power among consumers of agricultural products is negligible. One way to improve this
situation is to support the formation of groups of agricultural producers. Horizontal integration
of farmers leads to strengthening their bargaining power and thus to increasing their income.
The article is descriptive and based on an analysis derived form scientific literature devoted to
the topic. It presents the essential idea of cooperation between farmers in the form of produc�ers’ groups and attempts to characterise activity of these groups in Poland in years 2001–2015.
GAPs (groups of agricultural producers) undoubtedly have their advantages and disadvantages,
but large number of small producers, increasing demands of the market, strong European com�petition and financial aid will undoubtedly stimulate further the process of forming producers’
groups in Poland.
Determinants of the Medical Speciality Choice of Residents at University Hospital
Authors: Batista Costa Melo Dalila Chrystiana , Lemos de Melo Lobo Jofili Lopes Janine , Lima Monteiro Ítalo Luciann , Chada Baracat Edmund , Vieira da Motta Eduardo , Cruz Vaz da Costa Damásio Lia
Published: February 2017

This article was migrated. The article was not marked as recommended. Choosing a medical specialty involves multifactorial components and is personally and socially important, determining professional performance and satisfaction. This cross-sectional study aimed to analyze the factors related to the choice of medical specialty of residents at University Hospital of the Federal University of Piauí (HU-UFPI) from 2014 to 2016. We used electronic questionnaire to evaluate the residents. Residents who either refused to participate of the survey or dropped out of medical residency were excluded. 86 questionnaires were sent. The response rate was 73.2%. According to the survey 74.6% were single at admission to medical residency; 87.1% were childless; 55.6% were 25-30 years old when started their residency. 60.3% of the residents chose HU-UFPI medical residency program due to the quality of education offered by the institution. Such factors may explain differences in medical specialty distribution and how those choices affect healthcare dynamics. The main domain of reasons that influenced the choice of medical specialty was "preference and personal identification". The least influential domain in the choice of medical residency was "educational system. Thus, multiple factors affect medical residents' choice of specialty. Such factors may be used to understand differences in medical specialty distribution and how those choices affect healthcare dynamics.
ANATOMICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF TENSION WOOD IN Hevea brasiliensis (Willd. ex A. Juss.) Mull. Arg.
Authors: Ramos Letícia Maria Alves , Latorraca João Vicente de Figueiredo , Castor Neto Thayanne Caroline , Martins Letícia Souza , Severo Elias Taylor Durgante
Published: February 2017

ABSTRACT Tension wood is an important anatomical structure for its participation in the orientation of the trunk and the architecture of the branches as a function of structural reinforcement. However, its presence in large amounts significantly affects the technological properties of wood, just as in the rubber tree. Nevertheless, there is still demand for information about the origin, distribution and structural features in this species. Thus, this study aims to characterize the cellular structures in tension and opposite wood in Hevea brasiliensis (rubber tree), as well as its radial and longitudinal distribution. Discs at the base and the middle of the commercial logs were collected from three trees in a commercial plantation located in Tabapoã - SP. Tangential diameter of vessels, fiber length (gelatinous and non-gelatinous fibers), microfibril angle and proportionality of cellular elements (vessels, axial parenchyma, ray, gelatinous fibers and non-gelatinous fibers) were measured, and influence of gelatinous fiber presence in vessel diameter was observed. Gelatinous fibers were observed in the two types of wood and in the two trunk heights. Both types of wood were distinguished by gelatinous fiber length and the proportion of axial parenchyma. The tension wood in mid-trunk was the most different, with long gelatinous fibers and less abundant, larger vessel diameter and vessel proportion. Moreover, smaller vessel diameter was observed in the regions with a high proportion of gelatinous fibers, suggesting that the plant invests more support than in liquid transport.
80 anos do Serviço Social no Brasil: a certeza na frente, a história na mão
Authors: Iamamoto Marilda Villela ,   Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro,  Brazil
Published: February 2017

Resumo: O texto versa sobre o tema central do XV Congresso Brasileiro de Assistentes Sociais, realizado em setembro de 2016, em Pernambuco. Contextualiza o Serviço Social em tempos de crise econômica e política no país, com ampla investida contra o legado de direitos dos trabalhadores e avanço na privatização da coisa pública, salientando distintas formas de resistência de segmentos organizados de trabalhadores contra as desigualdades e disparidades sociais. Apresenta um quadro da situação atual do trabalho e formação acadêmica no Serviço Social brasileiro e efetua uma retrospectiva dessas oito décadas de seu desenvolvimento e renovação crítica. Registra alguns desafios ao Serviço Social em tempos de crise e conclui afirmando a necessidade de qualificar o exercício profissional, de retomar o trabalho de educação de base no apoio à organização e aos movimentos dos trabalhadores na defesa dos direitos conquistados e da democracia.
Criminalização das classes subalternas no espaço urbano e ações profissionais do Serviço Social
Authors: Duriguetto Maria Lúcia ,   Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora,  Brazil
Published: February 2017

Resumo: O artigo trata dos processos sócio-históricos da penalização e da criminalização das classes subalternas e de suas formas político-organizativas no contexto das ofensivas do capital à sua crise. Em particular, trataremos das expressões desses processos nas cidades sob as ações do planejamento estratégico e seus enfrentamentos pelas organizações das classes subalternas. Nesse contexto das resistências, evidenciaremos os desafios para o projeto profissional do Serviço Social no espaço das cidades.
Chlamydia trachomatis infection in young pregnant women in Southern Brazil: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Silveira Mariângela Freitas da ,   Universidade Federal de Pelotas,  Brazil, Sclowitz Iândora Krolow Timm , Entiauspe Ludmila Gonçalves , Mesenburg Marilia Arndt , Stauffert Dulce , Bicca Guilherme Lucas de Oliveira , Pieniz Carine , Manta Adriane Brod ,   Universidade Federal de Pelotas,  Brazil
Published: February 2017

Abstract: This study estimated the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis infection during pregnancy in a sample of women up to 29 years of age in the city of Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil, and investigated socio-demographic risk factors such as maternal age, marital status, maternal schooling, and family income. C. trachomatis infection was diagnosed with PCR using BD ProbeTecTM CT/GC Amplified DNA Assay. Socio-demographic, behavioral, and reproductive data were collected using structured questionnaires. All collections were performed by previously trained medical students. The study included a stratified probabilistic sample from four maternity hospitals in the city. The sample included 562 pregnant women, and prevalence of C. trachomatis infection was 12.3% (95%CI: 9.6-15.0). No significant association was identified between C. trachomatis infection and any of the target variables, including obstetric outcomes such as history of preterm delivery. Our findings in terms of low treatment adherence, only 43% of the women and 9.7% of partners, associated with high C. trachomatis prevalence, reinforce the need to implement routine screening for C. trachomatis during prenatal care. The attempt to diagnose and treat this infection after delivery, as in this study, limits the possibility of success.