bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effectiveness of Keishibukuryogan on Chronic-Stage Lichenification Associated with Atopic Dermatitis
Authors: Mizawa Megumi , Makino Teruhiko , Hikiami Hiroaki , Shimada Yutaka , Shimizu Tadamichi
Published: November 2012

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common inflammatory skin disease with recurring episodes of itching and a chronic relapsing course. Keishibukuryogan (KBG) is a traditional herbal medicine, composed of five kinds of medical plants and has been administered to patients with blood stagnation in Japan. This study investigated the effect of KBG on the disease activity in AD () patients. AD patients were administered KBG for 4 to 6 weeks in addition to their prescribed medications. The results showed that the SCORAD index and VAS score were significantly decreased after the administration of KBG (). KBG also decreased the serum LDH level significantly (). The global assessment of the clinical response in SCORAD index showed that 88.5% of the patients with moderate improvement to excellent response () had a high lichenification score (lichenification score ≥2 in SCORAD). On the other hand, only 42.1% of the patients with no improvement to mild improvement () had a high lichenification score. Furthermore, long-term administration of KBG for 9–67 weeks showed a marked improvement in patients with a high lichenification score. Therefore, KBG was found to be effective against AD, particularly in cases presenting with lichenified lesions.
Integral Proteins in Plant Oil Bodies
Authors: Tzen Jason T. C.
Published: November 2012

Hydrophobic storage neutral lipids are stably preserved in specialized organelles termed oil bodies in the aqueous cytosolic compartment of plant cells via encapsulation with surfactant molecules including phospholipids and integral proteins. To date, three classes of integral proteins, termed oleosin, caleosin, and steroleosin, have been identified in oil bodies of angiosperm seeds. Proposed structures, targeting traffic routes, and biological functions of these three integral oil-body proteins were summarized and discussed. In the viewpoint of evolution, isoforms of oleosin and caleosin are found in oil bodies of pollens as well as those of more primitive species; moreover, caleosin- and steroleosin-like proteins are also present in other subcellular locations besides oil bodies. Technically, artificial oil bodies of structural stability similar to native ones were successfully constituted and seemed to serve as a useful tool for both basic research studies and biotechnological applications.
Nitric Oxide Synthase Gene Transfer Overcomes the Inhibition of Wound Healing by Sulfur Mustard in a Human Keratinocyte In Vitro Model
Authors: Ishida Hiroshi , Ray Radharaman , Amnuaysirikul Jack , Ishida Keiko , Ray Prabhati
Published: November 2012

Sulfur mustard (SM) is a chemical warfare agent that causes extensive skin injury. Previously we reported that SM exposure resulted in suppression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression to inhibit the healing of scratch wounds in a cultured normal human epidermal keratinocyte (NHEK) model. Based on this finding, the present study was to use adenovirus-mediated gene transfer of iNOS to restore the nitric oxide (NO) supply depleted by exposure to SM and to evaluate the effect of NO on wound healing inhibited by SM in NHEKs. The effect of the iNOS gene transfer on iNOS protein expression and NO generation were monitored by Western blot and flow cytometry, respectively. Wound healing with or without the iNOS gene transfer after SM exposure was assessed by light and confocal microscopy. The iNOS gene transfer via adenovirus resulted in overexpression of the iNOS and an increase in NO production regardless of SM exposure in the NHEK model. The gene transfer was also effective in overcoming the inhibition of wound healing due to SM exposure leading to the promotion of wound closure. The findings in this study suggest that the iNOS gene transfer is a promising therapeutic strategy for SM-induced skin injury.
Vacant Properties and Violence in Neighborhoods
Authors: Branas Charles C. , Rubin David , Guo Wensheng
Published: November 2012

Objectives. Violence remains a significant public health issue in the United States. To determine if urban vacant properties were associated with an increased risk of assaultive violence and if this association was modified by important neighborhood institutions (e.g., schools, parks/playgrounds, police stations, and alcohol outlets). Methods. Longitudinal ecologic study of all 1816 block groups in Philadelphia. Aggravated assault and vacant property data were compiled yearly from 2002 to 2006 and linked to block groups. A mixed effects negative binomial regression model examined the association of vacant properties and assaults between and within block groups. Results. Among all block groups, 84% experienced at least one vacant property, 89% at least one aggravated assault, and 64% at least one gun assault. Between block groups, the risk of aggravated assault increased 18% for every category shift of vacant properties (IRR 1.18, 95% CI: 1.12, 1.25, ). Parks/playgrounds and alcohol outlets potentially modified the association between vacant properties and aggravated assaults but only at low levels of vacancy. Conclusions. Increasing levels of vacancy were associated with increased risk of assaultive violence in urban block groups.
Shaping Resistive Bend Sensors to Enhance Readout Linearity
Authors: Saggio Giovanni , Lagati Antonino , Orengo Giancarlo
Published: November 2012

Resistive bend sensors have been increasingly used in different areas for their interesting property to change their resistance when bent. They can be employed in those systems where a joint rotation has to be measured, in particular biomedical systems, to measure human joint static and dynamic postures. In spite of their interesting properties, such as robustness, low price, and long life, the commercial bend sensors have a response which is not actually linear, as an electronic device to measure bend angles should be, to recover human posture without distortion. In this work, different interfaces for sensor device readout were analyzed and compared from the output response linearity point of view. In order to obtain a sensor characteristic as closer as possible to the ideal linear one, a way to calculate the sensor characteristic with a generalized resistive strip contour, starting from an empiric sheet resistance model, was developed, in order to find what is the more suitable nonuniform geometry.
Mixed Convection Heat Transfer for Nanofluids in a Lid-Driven Shallow Rectangular Cavity Uniformly Heated and Cooled from the Vertical Sides: The Cooperative Case
Authors: Elharfi Hassan , Naïmi Mohamed , Lamsaadi Mohamed , Raji Abdelghani , Hasnaoui Mohammed
Published: November 2012

A study of mixed convection, in a shallow lid-driven rectangular cavity filled with water-based nanofluids and subjected to uniform heat flux along the vertical side walls, has been performed numerically by solving the full governing equations via the finite volume method and the SIMPLER algorithm. In the limit of a shallow enclosure, these equations have been considerably reduced by using the parallel flow approximation. Solutions, for the flow and temperature fields, and the heat transfer rate, have been obtained as functions of the governing parameters, namely, the Reynolds (Re) and the Richardson (Ri) numbers and the solid volume fraction of nanoparticles (Φ). A good agreement has been obtained between the results of the two approaches for a wide range of the governing parameters. Moreover, it has been found that the addition of Cu-nanoparticles, into the pure water, leads to an enhancement or a degradation of heat transfer depending on the values of Re and Ri.
Phonon Conductance of Potassium- and Sodium-Doped Transpolyacetylene Chain
Authors: Belhadi M. , Kheffache S.
Published: November 2012

A theoretical approach for the study of phonon dynamics and scattering properties of doped transpolyacetylene chain is presented. The coherent reflection and transmission scattering cross-sections for phonons incident on the doped unit cell boundary are calculated in accordance with the Landauer-Buttiker electron scattering description, using the matching procedure with the nearest and next nearest neighbor elastic force constants. This is done for two different dopants, namely, the potassium and sodium atoms. Our numerical results yield an understanding of the transpolyacetylene chain dynamical properties and the effects on phonon conductance due to phonon incident on the doped unit cell boundary. The coherent reflection and transmission coefficients show characteristic spectral features, depending on the cutoff frequencies for the propagating phonons and on the nature of the dopants. They illustrate the occurrence of Fano resonances in the scattering spectra that result from the interactions of propagating elastic waves of the undoped transpolyacetylene chain with the localized modes due to the breakdown of the translation symmetry in the x direction.
A Review on Infrared Spectroscopy of Borate Glasses with Effects of Different Additives
Authors: Gautam Chandkiram , Yadav Avadhesh Kumar , Singh Arbind Kumar
Published: November 2012

Borate glasses are the technologically important class of glasses and play a significant role in various applications. Borate glasses contain planar BO3groups as structural units, rather than tetrahedral SiO4groups. The oxygen atoms are, as in SiO2, again connected to two network-forming atoms, in case of boron. The radial distribution analysis describes the B2O3glass structure as consisting of boroxol rings, that is, planar rings containing three boron atoms and three oxygen atoms. The network forming of the B2O3and the SiO4is affected with the addition of some metal cation additives Pb, Zn, Cd, and so forth. These additives also work as a network modifier and a nucleating agent for crystallization of glass. Therefore, the optical properties of the borate glasses have been changed significantly.
High-Gain Power-Efficient Front- and Back-End Designs for a 90 nm Transmit-Reference Receiver
Authors: Roy Apratim
Published: November 2012

A new microwave receiver configuration which transmits reference pulses embedded in data
streams for synchronization is analyzed with a 90-nm IBM CMOS standard. A two-stage cascode low-noise
amplifier (LNA) is proposed for the receiver front-end which is matched by a passive network to save on power-expensive matching techniques. The amplifier exploits a double-differential topology and achieves a below 4 dB
noise figure near the center frequency. The overall 3-dB bandwidth is 3.3 GHz with peaking up to 20.5 dB
in the -band. The back-end of the receiver is implemented through an adjustable analog window-detection
circuit. It avoids the use of control voltage generators and sample-hold (S/H) blocks to save electronic overhead
and is simulated with a 0.1~2.0 Gbps pulse stream. The achieved speed-to-power ratio for the back-end has a
maximum limit of 266 GHz/W. When compared against simulated results of published literature, the proposed
designs show improved performance in terms of small-signal gain, noise, speed, and power dissipation.
Synthesis of 3,4-Dihydropyrimidin-2(1H)-Ones and Their Corresponding 2(1H)Thiones Using Trichloroacetic Acid as a Catalyst under Solvent-Free Conditions
Authors: Karimi-Jaberi Zahed , Moaddeli Mohammad Sadegh
Published: November 2012

Trichloroacetic acid was found to be a convenient catalyst for the synthesis of 3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2-(1H)-ones and their corresponding 2(1H)-thiones through a one-pot three-component reaction of aldehydes, alkyl acetoacetate, and urea or thiourea at 70°C under solvent-free conditions.
Prediction of Repeat Visits by Victims of Intimate Partner Violence to a Level III Trauma Centre
Authors: Janssen Patricia , Mackay Kathleen
Published: November 2012

Background. The purpose of this study was to describe and contrast the population of persons presenting to a Vancouver hospital emergency department two or more times with those presenting once.Methods. Subjects for this study had disclosed intimate partner violence on at least one visit to Vancouver General Hospital Emergency Department during the study period 1997–2009. We compared sociodemographic characteristics, presenting complaints and disposition on discharge among single versus repeat visitors.Results. We identified 2246 single visitors and 257 repeat visitors. In a multivariate model, repeat visitors to the ER were more likely to be of First Nations (aboriginal) status, odds ratio (OR) 2.29, 95% confidence intervals (1.30–4.01); to have had a history of previous abuse 3.38 (1.88–6.08); to have received threats of homicide 2.98 (1.74–5.08); and to present with mental illness 3.03 (1.59–5.77). Police involvement was protective against repeat visits 0.54 (0.36–0.98).Conclusion. Persons with potential for multiple visits to the emergency room can be characterized by a number of factors, the presence of which should trigger targeted assessment for violence exposure in settings where assessment is not routine.
Felid Herpesvirus Type 1 Infection in Cats: A Natural Host Model for Alphaherpesvirus Pathogenesis
Authors: Maes Roger
Published: November 2012

Feline herpesvirus 1 (FeHV-1) is an alphaherpesvirus that causes feline viral rhinotracheitis, an important viral disease of cats on a worldwide basis. Acute FeHV-1 infection is associated with both upper respiratory and ocular signs. Following the acute phase of the disease lifelong latency is established, primarily in sensory neuronal cells. As is the case with human herpes simplex viruses, latency reactivation can result in recrudescence, which can manifest itself in the form of serious ocular lesions. FeHV-1 infection in cats is a natural host model that is useful for the identification of viral virulence genes that play a role in replication at the mucosal portals of entry or are mediators of the establishment, maintenance, or reactivation of latency. It is also a model system for defining innate and adaptive immunity mechanisms and for immunization strategies that can lead to better protection against this and other alphaherpesvirus infections.
Sigma-Delta Modulation Based Digital Filter Design Techniques in FPGA
Authors: Memon Tayab , Beckett Paul , Sadik Amin Z.
Published: November 2012

In this paper efficient digital filter design techniques categorized as sigma-delta modulation based short word length (SWL) and multibit (or contemporary) techniques are reviewed in terms of hardware complexity, area, performance and power tradeoffs, synthesis issues, and algorithm versatility. More recent, general purpose DSP applications including classical LMS algorithms reported using sigma-delta modulation encoding are reviewed thoroughly. A small number of basic arithmetic circuits designed using sigma-delta modulation encoding and synthesized by using FPGAs are also described. Finally, recent FPGA based area-performance-power analysis of single-bit ternary FIR filtering is discussed and compared to its corresponding multi-bit system. This work shows that in most cases single-bit ternary FIR-like filters are able to outperform their equivalent multi-bit filters in terms of area, power, and performance.
Computerized Decision Support System for Intraoperative Analysis of Margin Status in Breast Conservation Therapy
Authors: Ruidíaz Manuel E. , Blair Sarah L. , Kummel Andrew C. , Wang-Rodriguez Jessica
Published: November 2012

Background.Breast conservation therapy (BCT) is the standard treatment for breast cancer; however, 32–63% of procedures have a positive margin leading to secondary procedures. The standard of care to evaluate surgical margins is based on permanent section. Imprint cytology (IC) has been used to evaluate surgical samples but is limited by excessive cauterization thus requiring experienced cytopathologist for interpretation. An automated image screening process has been developed to detect cancerous cells from IC on cauterized margins.Methods.IC was prospectively performed on margins during lumpectomy operations for breast cancer in addition to permanent section on 127 patients. An 8-slide training subset and 8-slide testing subset were culled. H&E IC automated analysis, based on linear discriminant analysis, was compared to manual pathologist interpretation.Results.The most important descriptors, from highest to lowest performance, are nucleus color (23%), cytoplasm color (15%), shape (12%), grey intensity (9%), and local area (5%). There was 100% agreement between automated and manual interpretation of IC slides.Conclusion.Although limited by IC sampling variability, an automated system for accurate IC cancer cell identification system is demonstrated, with high correlation to manual analysis, even in the face of cauterization effects which supplement permanent section analysis.
Rayleigh-Bénard Convection of Non-Newtonian Power-Law Fluids with Temperature-Dependent Viscosity
Authors: Kaddiri Mourad , Naïmi Mohamed , Raji Abdelghani , Hasnaoui Mohammed
Published: November 2012

Two-dimensional steady-state Rayleigh-Bénard convection of thermodependent power-law fluids confined in a square cavity, heated from the bottom and cooled on the top with uniform heat fluxes, has been conducted numerically using a finite difference technique. The effects of the governing parameters, which are the Pearson number (0≤m≤10), the flow behaviour index (0.6≤n≤1.4), and the Rayleigh number (0<Ra≤105), on the flow onset, flow structure, and heat transfer have been examined. The heatlines concept has been used to explain the heat transfer deterioration due to temperature-dependent viscosity effect that m expresses.
Polymorphic Forms of Lamivudine: Characterization, Estimation of Transition Temperature, and Stability Studies by Thermodynamic and Spectroscopic Studies
Authors: Chadha Renu , Arora Poonam , Bhandari Swati
Published: November 2012

The present study is focused on estimation of transition temperature and stability of various forms of lamivudine. The forms were recrystallized from variety of solvents and preliminarily identification on the basis of SEM revealed existence of three forms (Forms I, II, III). DSC scans of Forms I and III show that these are metastable and undergo heat mediated transformation to Form IH and Form IIIH, respectively. Form II is phase pure with single sharp melting endotherm at 178.6°C. The thermal events are visually observed by hot stage microscopy. Enthalpy of solution of the forms is endothermic and magnitude varies in the order Form II > Form IL > Form IIIL suggesting Form IIIL to be least crystalline which is well correlated with XRPD data. The transition temperature of the polymorphic pairs IL/IH and IIIL/IIIH derived from enthalpy of solution and solubility data revealed monotropy whereas enantiotropy exists in IIIH/II. The slurry experiments showed Form II to be thermodynamically most stable. Forms IL and IIIL though stable in water are converted to Form II in ethanol, acetonitrile, and propanol after 1 day. Form IIIL is converted to Form IL in water after 7 days and the observation is of importance as this instability can effect the pharmaceutical preparations whereas Form IL shows a balance between stability and solubility.
Low-Temperature Synthesis of -BiTa Photocatalyst by the Flux Method
Authors: Shimada Kohei , Izawa Chihiro , Watanabe Tomoaki
Published: November 2012

Low-temperature phase BiTaO4 (α-BiTaO4) was successfully synthesized by the flux method using Bi2O3-B2O3 as the flux. According to previous reports, α-BiTaO4 has been mostly synthesized via a solid state reaction, which requires heating at 900°C for more than 48 h. In this study, α-BiTaO4 was successfully synthesized in 4 h at 750°C using the flux method. The impact of varying reaction conditions on the products was analyzed by X-ray diffraction and a scanning electron microscopy analysis. The grain size of α-BiTaO4 was dependent on reaction conditions such as the reaction temperature and solute concentration. The photocatalytic activity of the obtained α-BiTaO4 was evaluated for the degradation of phenol. It was found that flux-synthesized α-BiTaO4 exhibited a higher photocatalytic activity than α-BiTaO4 synthesized using the solid state method.
Diagnoses of Patients with Severe Subjective Health Complaints in Scandinavia: A Cross Sectional Study
Authors: Maeland Silje , Werner Erik L. , Rosendal Marianne , Jonsdottir Ingibjorg H. , Magnussen Liv H. , Ursin Holger , Eriksen Hege R.
Published: November 2012

Background. A diagnosis is the basis of medical action, the key to various social privileges and national sick leave statistics. The objectives of this study were to investigate which diagnoses general practitioners in Scandinavia give patients with severe subjective health complaints, and what kind of treatments they suggested. Methods. One hundred and twenty-six self-selected general practitioners in Scandinavia diagnosed nine patients, presented as video vignettes, in a cross-sectional study. The main outcome measures were primary, secondary, and tertiary diagnoses. Results. The nine patients got between 13 and 31 different primary diagnoses and a large variety of secondary and tertiary diagnoses. Fifty-eight percent of the general practitioners chose different primary and secondary diagnoses, indicating that they judged the patients to have multimorbid complaints. The most commonly recommended treatment was referral to a psychologist, a mix of psychological and physical treatments, or treatment by the general practitioner. Conclusion. Scandinavian general practitioners give a large variety of symptom diagnoses, mainly psychological and general and unspecified, to patients with severe subjective health complaints. Referral to a psychologist or a mix of psychological or physical treatments was most commonly suggested to treat the patients.
Parking Strategies for Vertical Axis Wind Turbines
Authors: Ottermo F. , Eriksson S. , Bernhoff H.
Published: November 2012

Strategies for parking a vertical axis wind turbine at storm load are considered. It is proposed that if a directly driven permanent magnet synchronous generator is used, an elegant choice is to short-circuit the generator at storm,
since this makes the turbine efficiently damped. Nondamped braking is found to be especially problematic for the case of two blades where torsional oscillations may imply thrust force oscillations within a range of frequencies.
Senescence-Accelerated Mice P8: A Tool to Study Brain Aging and Alzheimer's Disease in a Mouse Model
Authors: Pallàs Mercè
Published: November 2012

The causes of aging remain unknown, but they are probably intimately linked to a multifactorial process that affects cell networks to varying degrees. Although a growing number of aging and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) animal models are available, a more comprehensive and physiological mouse model is required. In this context, the senescence-accelerated mouse prone 8 (SAMP8) has a number of advantages, since its rapid physiological senescence means that it has about half the normal lifespan of a rodent. In addition, according to data gathered over the last five years, some of its behavioral traits and histopathology resemble AD human dementia. SAMP8 has remarkable pathological similarities to AD and may prove to be an excellent model for acquiring more in-depth knowledge of the age-related neurodegenerative processes behind brain senescence and AD in particular. We review these facts and particularly the data on parameters related to neurodegeneration. SAMP8 also shows signs of aging in the immune, vascular, and metabolic systems, among others.
Integrating Dense Array EEG in the Presurgical Evaluation of Temporal Lobe Epilepsy
Authors: Yamazaki Madoka , Terrill Marie , Fujimoto Ayataka , Yamamoto Takamichi , Tucker Don M.
Published: November 2012

Purpose. To evaluate the clinical utility of dense array electroencephalography (dEEG) for detecting and localizing interictal spikes in temporal lobe epilepsy. Methods. Simultaneous invasive and noninvasive recordings were performed across two different groups. (1) The first group underwent both noninvasive recording with 128 channels of (scalp) dEEG and invasive sphenoidal electrode recording. (2) The second group underwent both noninvasive recording with 256 channels of (scalp) dEEG and invasive intracranial EEG (icEEG) involving coverage with grids and strips over the lateral and mesial temporal lobe. A noninvasive to noninvasive comparison was made comparing the overall spike detection rate of the dEEG to that of conventional 10/20 EEG. A noninvasive to invasive comparison was made comparing the spike detection rate of dEEG to that of conventional 10/20 EEG plus sphenoidal electrodes. And finally, a noninvasive to invasive evaluation measuring the source localization ability of the dEEG using the icEEG as validation. Results. In the 128-channel dEEG study (1), 90.4% of the interictal spikes detected by the dEEG were not detected in the 10/20 montage. 91% of the dEEG-detected spikes were accurately localized to the medial temporal lobe. In the 256-channel dEEG study (2), 218 of 519 interictal spikes (42%) were detected by dEEG. 85% of these spikes were accurately localized to the medial temporal lobe, close to the position confirmed by subdural electrodes. Conclusion. Dense array EEG may provide more precise information than conventional EEG and has a potential for providing an alternative to sphenoidal electrode monitoring in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy.
Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase C677T and A1298C Mutations in Women with Recurrent Spontaneous Abortions in the Northwest of Iran
Authors: Poursadegh Zonouzi Ahmad , Chaparzadeh Nader , Asghari Estiar Mehrdad , Mehrzad Sadaghiani Mahzad , Farzadi Laya , Ghasemzadeh Alieh , Sakhinia Masoud , Sakhinia Ebrahim
Published: November 2012

Introduction. Recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) is a significant obstetrical complication that may occur during pregnancy. Various studies in recent years have indicated that two common mutations (C677T and A1298C) of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene are risk factor for RSA. This study was carried out to determine the influence of (C677T and A1298C) of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene mutations with RSA. Materials and Methods. A total of 139 women were included in this study: 89 women with two or more consecutive miscarriages and 50 healthy controls. Total genomic DNA was isolated from blood leukocytes. To determine the frequency of the two common C677T and A1298C MTHFR gene mutations in the patients and controls, we used two methods, amplification refractory mutation system-PCR and PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism. Results. There is no significant difference in the prevalence of 677T/T genotype among women with RSA and healthy controls (). Also no statistically significant difference in the frequency of A1298C MTHFR gene mutation was detected between the two groups (
). Conclusion. In conclusion, the results indicate that the Amplification Refractory Mutation System-PCR method was in complete concordance with the results obtained by standard PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism method. The results also show no significant difference in MTHFR C677T/A1298C genotype distribution among the two groups; therefore, further studies on larger population and other genetic variants to better understand the pathobiology of RSA are needed.
Análise teórica de itens de uma escala americana para avaliação do atendimento em creches inclusivas brasileiras
Authors: Gennaro Lisandrea Rodrigues Menegasso , Gil Maria Stella Coutinho de Alcântara
Published: November 2012

http://dx.doi.org/10.5902/1984686X3155Com a proposta de uma educação infantil inclusiva, são necessários mecanismos para avaliar a qualidade da educação infantil para crianças com necessidades educacionais especiais. A escala Infant/Toddler EnvironmentRating Scale Revised avalia a qualidade de ambientes coletivos de educação infantil sob diferentes aspectos como ambiente físico, interação, atividadese atendimento às crianças com necessidades especiais. Estudos vêm investigando a viabilidade da ITERS-R para o contexto brasileiro. Na direção destes estudos, a pesquisa teve como objetivo verificar a compreensão dostermos e a pertinência do conteúdo dos itens da Infant/Toddler EnvironmentRating Scale – Revised Edition, relacionados a pessoas com deficiência. Foram identificados e traduzidos 12 itens da escala que se referem às necessidades educacionais especiais por especialista bilingue. Os itens foram submetidos à análise de conteúdo por sete especialistas em educação infantil e educação especial, para que avaliassem a pertinência dos itens, e à análise semântica por sete alunos do curso de psicologia, por meio de registro em protocolos de respostas. Os dados foram transcritos e analisadosde maneira qualitativa. Os resultados indicaram que os itens são pertinentes e apontam caminhos para torná-los mais acurados para avaliação de creches brasileiras. Conclui-se que os itens analisados podem contribuir para a promoção e avaliação da qualidade em creches, em relação às pessoascom deficiência, ainda que haja a necessidade de aprimorar a acurácia doconteúdo dos itens.Palavras-chave: Creche; Avaliação de qualidade; Escala ITERS-R.
A detecção precoce dos fatores de risco relacionados a prematuridade e suas implicações para a Educação Especial
Authors: Pizzani Luciana , Lopes Juliana , Manzini Mariana Gurian , Martinez Claudia Maria Simões
Published: November 2012

http://dx.doi.org/10.5902/1984686X5358Diversos fatores podem comprometer o crescimento e o desenvolvimento dos indivíduos, dentre eles encontra-se a prematuridade e o baixo peso ao nascimento. Sendo assim, este artigo tem como objetivo descrever a evolução dos conceitos relacionados à prematuridade e aos fatores de riscos que levam a sua ocorrência. Nesse contexto, são enfatizadas também as medidas de prevenção e intervenção precoce nas áreas da Educação, Educação Especial e Saúde que podem contribuir sobremaneira para o completo desenvolvimento dos indivíduos nascidos prematuramente.Palavras-chave: Prematuridade; Prevenção; Educação Especial.
Diagnóstico e escolarização: gestos de leitura em Educação Especial
Authors: Vasques Carla Karnoppi , Moschen Simone
Published: November 2012

http://dx.doi.org/10.5902/1984686X6530O presente trabalho propõe tomar o diagnóstico como um gesto de leitura que deve incluir suas condições de produção. Para tanto, retoma a concepção de linguagem operada pela psicanálise – cujo modelo se inaugura com a obrade Freud A Interpretação dos Sonhos (1900). A colocação em cena da leitura objetiva abrir espaço para que na atribuição de sentido que todo diagnóstico encerra esteja inscrita a possibilidade de que um não-previsto possa surgirna trajetória escolar dos ditos sujeitos da educação especial.Palavras-chave: Educação Especial; Psicanálise; Diagnóstico; Leitura.
Avaliação em larga escala de alunos com necessidades educacionais especiais no município de Londrina (PR)
Authors: Silva Mariana Cesar Verçosa , Maletti Silvia Márcia Ferreira
Published: November 2012

http://dx.doi.org/10.5902/1984686X6531A presente pesquisa tem como objetivo analisar os índices de rendimento escolar e frequência nas avaliações em larga escala dos alunos necessidades educacionais especiais incluídos no sistema regular de ensino no município de Londrina-PR, no ano de 2007. Para tanto, foram utilizados os microdados da Prova Brasil (2007) e Enem (2007) disponibilizados pelo Instituto Nacionalde Estudos e Pesquisas Educacionais Anísio Teixeira- INEP. Tal proposta tevecomo foco a análise dos dados, a partir das variáveis: tipo de necessidade educacional especial, sexo, raça, idade, frequência na prova e desempenho. Os resultados apontam que apesar da implementação das políticas inclusivas, a participação dos alunos com necessidades educacionais especiais nas avaliações em larga escala é mínima, o que denota a ideia de ambiguidade entre discurso e prática inclusiva.Palavras-chave: Avaliação em larga escala; Inclusão escolar; Necessidades educacionais especiais.
O calcanhar de aquiles: do mito grego ao desafio cotidiano da avaliação inicial nas salas de recursos multifuncionais
Authors: Jesus Denise Meyrelles de , Aguiar Ana Marta Bianchi de
Published: November 2012

http://dx.doi.org/10.5902/1984686X6532Este artigo objetiva discutir os processos de avaliação que acontecem na sala de recursos multifuncionais, partindo da pesquisa intitulada: Observatório Nacional de Educação Especial: Estudo em rede sobre as Salas de Recursos Multifuncionais (MENDES, 2010). Justificando o título dado a este trabalho, utilizamos a metáfora do “Calcanhar de Aquiles”, configurando, como na mitologia grega, a avaliação como uma grande vulnerabilidade do processo inclusivo. A estratégia principal de coleta de dados da pesquisa foi a utilização de grupos focais conduzidos pelos pesquisadores. Queremos entender como os professores envolvidos na pesquisa estão significando aavaliação inicial em seu cotidiano. A partir da análise dos dados, pudemos constatar que os procedimentos avaliativos iniciais estão fortemente remetidos à ideia de laudos de profissionais da área clínica, cabendo ao professor especialista, junto com o professor de sala regular, somente a identificação inicial de condições "da não aprendizagem". Os professores especializados desconhecem o indicativo de eles serem responsáveis por esta avaliação, inclusive para finalidade de preenchimento de censo escolar. Os dados apontam para uma visão de avaliação pouco clara, observando-se uma desarticulação entre esses processos de identificação e os modos de intervenção. Podemos constatar, ainda, a partir dos dados que há uma desarticulação entre os serviços públicos envolvidos, fazendo com que a participação da família seja de responsabilização pela consecução do laudo. Os resultados apontam a necessidade de que se faça um investimento bastante significativo na reestruturação das escolas, garantindo espaçoscoletivos de discussões e encaminhamentos para questões tão sérias, possibilitando-nos, assim, construir práticas pedagógicas mais inclusivas noque tange à avaliação dos alunos.Palavras-chave: Avaliação; Educação especial; Inclusão escolar.
Avaliar para intervir: um modelo educacional para alunos com necessidades especiais
Authors: Correia Luís De Miranda , Tonini Andréa
Published: November 2012

http://dx.doi.org/10.5902/1984686X6534Como é sabido, a educação prende-se com a alteração dos comportamentos de um indivíduo no sentido de se lhe provocar aprendizagem. Contudo ,muitos educadores têm dificuldade em considerar estratégias que facilitem essa mudança e, por conseguinte, correm o risco de assistir ao insucesso de alguns dos seus alunos. No caso dos alunos com necessidades especiais(NE) é imperativo que se considere um processo que permita que eles possam ser expostos a uma educação apropriada que tenha em conta as suas características, capacidades e necessidades. Com este fim em mente, neste artigo pretende-se explanar um modelo que possibilite chegar a intervenções eficazes através de uma observação/avaliação criteriosa do aluno e dos seus ambientes de aprendizagem. Este modelo, designado de Modelo de Atendimento à Diversidade (MAD) tem como objetivo fundamental a promoção de práticas educativas de qualidade, monitorizando o progresso de um aluno e, consequentemente, ajustando o ensino às suas respostas com base nas suas capacidades e necessidades.Palavras-chave: Modelo de atendimento à diversidade; Necessidades especiais; Necessidades educativas especiais.
Educação Especial e avaliações em larga escala no município de Sobral (CE)
Authors: Cardoso Ana Paula Lima Barbosa , Magalhães Rita de Cássia Barbosa Paiva
Published: November 2012

http://dx.doi.org/10.5902/1984686X6535Este artigo objetiva discutir e analisar a participação dos alunos com deficiência da rede pública de ensino do município de Sobral-CE nos processos de avaliação em larga escala desenvolvidos naquele contexto. Decorre de um estudo de caso, de abordagem qualitativa, realizado no âmbito da Secretaria de Educação municipal e em duas escolas, de maior e menor resultados no IDEB (2009). Os instrumentos de coleta de dados: análise de documentos, entrevista e observação; e como procedimento de tratamento, a análise de conteúdo. O referencial teórico discute a avaliação em larga escala no contexto brasileiro em articulação com a literatura sobre a avaliação dos processos de ensino destinados aos alunos com deficiência. São descritos o panorama da educação sobralense em geral e, ainda, dados sobre a educação especial. Os resultados da investigação discutem dois processos de avaliação em larga escala ocorridos naquela municipalidade: avaliação municipal e a Prova Brasil. No tocante ao primeiro, os sujeitos da pesquisa afirmam a participação dos alunos com deficiência mediante um mecanismo que impede que os resultados desses alunos prejudiquemos demais; são as denominadas “crianças da margem”. Na Prova Brasil, os sujeitos informaram novamente a participação desses alunos no teste nacional. Criticaram a adequação daquele instrumento para avaliar esse alunado específico, sugerindo a necessidade de desenvolvimento de instrumentos mais “pertinentes”. Por fim, infere-se que a avaliação em larga escala coloca em xeque o processo de escolarização vivenciado pelo alunado com deficiência de Sobral-CE, mostrando os desafios e as dificuldades das ações de inclusão escolar propostas naquela rede.Palavras-chave: Educação especial; Avaliação em larga escala; Educação inclusiva.
Matizes do discurso sobre avaliação na formação de professores da Educação Especial
Authors: Possa Leandra Boer , Naujorks Maria Inês , Rios Grasiela Maria Silva
Published: November 2012

http://dx.doi.org/10.5902/1984686X6848Neste texto, discutimos os efeitos de sentido que diagnóstico e avaliação operam nos processos que subjetivam a atuação do professor da Educação Especial, considerando a naturalização destas práticas. Para problematizar, tomamos como materialidade de análise fragmentos dos relatórios de estágio produzidos por acadêmicas do Curso de Educação Especial da Universidade Federal de Santa Maria. Na análise, utilizamo-nos de conceitos metodológicos ancorados nos estudos foucaultianos. Consideramos que não existem polos distintos e dialéticos de uma avaliação diagnóstica e clínica ou uma avaliação pedagógica em Educação Especial, pois o que há é uma tensão de forças que coexistem e marcam a atuação do professor deste campo: a anormalidade, o sujeito deficiente, sua identificação e a mediação de processos de ensino-aprendizagem que potencializem a chegada do deficiente o mais próximo da normalidade.Palavras-chave: Avaliação; Diagnóstico; Professores da Educação Especial.
A “Normalidade”: conceito de quantas faces?
Authors: Freitas Cláudia Rodrigues de
Published: November 2012

http://dx.doi.org/10.5902/1984686X6874O presente trabalho tem a intenção de analisar como o conceito de “normalidade”, desdobrado em normal e anormal vem se organizando em nosso tempo, tendo como base o pensamento de Canguilhem e Foucault. A partir da perspectiva teórica de análise, reconheço evidências de um processo de biologização do viver que se reatualiza e toma novos contornos nos últimos anos através do processo de medicalização. A medicalização é o dispositivo de controle atual e não se reduz ao ato de prescrever medicação, mas podemos pensá-la também como engrenagem, como máquina que transforma a vida em objeto. Como evidência de análise é descrita uma cena escolar com a intenção de operar com os conceitos trabalhados. A Cena em questão foi colhida no contexto da Rede Municipal de Ensino de Porto Alegre. O discurso escolar produz modos de agir e de viver na escola, mas tomaação intencional sobre eles?Palavras-chave: Normalidade; Educação especial; Medicalização.
Avaliação inicial no atendimento educacional especializado: dilemas e consequências
Authors: Bridi Fabiane Romano de Souza
Published: November 2012

http://dx.doi.org/10.5902/1984686X6951O presente artigo enfoca os processos avaliativos do grupo de sujeitos nomeados como “alunos com deficiência mental” no contexto escolar. A partir das contribuições teóricas do pensamento sistêmico aborda os dilemas vividos por um grupo de professoras ao realizarem a avaliação inicial dos alunos no contexto do Atendimento Educacional Especializado. Como resultado da avaliação pedagógica, temos a decisão sobre a frequência (ounão) do aluno no Atendimento Educacional Especializado e a inserção (ou não) desse aluno em uma das categorias do Censo Escolar MEC/INEP. Neste processo, surgem os contornos tênues entre dificuldades de aprendizagem e deficiência mental. Ressalta-se, a opção de algumas professoras por atenderalunos com dificuldades de aprendizagem. No âmbito dessa opção podem-se perceber diferentes movimentos que posicionam o sujeito atribuindo-lhe um lugar: alunos com dificuldades de aprendizagem que não frequentam o atendimento; alunos com dificuldades de aprendizagem que frequentam o atendimento, mas não são inseridos no Censo Escolar MEC/INEP; alunos com dificuldades de aprendizagem que frequentam o serviço e são inseridos no Censo Escolar MEC/INEP na categoria de deficiência mental. E ainda, ganh aimportante relevância, o peso angustiante da responsabilidade em vincular um aluno à categoria de deficiência mental a partir da ação pedagógica.Palavras-chave: Avaliação; Atendimento educacional especializado; Deficiência mental.
Reflexões sobre a avaliação da aprendizagem de alunos da modalidade Educação Especial na Educação Básica
Authors: Carneiro Maria Sylvia Cardoso
Published: November 2012

http://dx.doi.org/10.5902/1984686X7190O presente texto faz algumas reflexões sobre a escolarização de alunos da modalidade educação especial na educação básica, focalizando questões sobre a avaliação da aprendizagem. As políticas educacionais em uma perspectiva inclusiva têm orientado os sistemas de ensino a desenvolver estratégias para o acolhimento de tais alunos no cotidiano escolar. Isso significa reconhecê-los como sujeitos de aprendizagem, levando em contasuas limitações, mas também suas possibilidades e principalmente suas especificidades e consequentes diferentes modos de aprender e de ensinar. Para que a educação especial se efetive como uma perspectiva inclusiva, as práticas pedagógicas escolares no âmbito da educação básica devem ser organizadas coletivamente na escola, preservando sempre o protagonismodo professor regente na condução dos processos de escolarização de todosos alunos. Porém, não é essa a dinâmica encontrada na maioria das escolas. A presença de estudantes com deficiência na escola do ensino regular tensiona ainda mais as discussões sobre a avaliação da aprendizagem, que será sempre tarefa do professor regente, daquele que planejou o processo de ensino/aprendizagem. Sem desconsiderar a importância derecursos específicos de acessibilidade ao espaço físico e à comunicação, além da adaptação de materiais pedagógicos às necessidades de cada aluno, é importante considerar que o processo de escolarização de tais sujeitos não pode se limitar à eliminação de barreiras, sejam elas físicas ,comunicacionais, informacionais ou mesmo atitudinais. É fundamental que esteja nas prioridades das práticas pedagógicas escolares a apropriação, por todos os alunos, dos conhecimentos historicamente produzidos. Para que tal apropriação ocorra, é necessário um trabalho pedagógico articulado entre os diferentes profissionais da escola.Palavras-chave: Modalidade Educação Especial; Avaliação da aprendizagem; Educação Básica.
Editorial – Revista Educação Especial
Authors: Naujorks Maria Inês , Bridi Fabiane Romano de Souza
Published: November 2012

http://dx.doi.org/10.5902/1984686X7191
Validating methods to determine walking rates of elephants within a zoological institution
Authors: Miller LJ , Andrews J , Anderson M
Published: November 2012

Much controversy surrounds the welfare of elephants within zoological institutions. Among the many concerns are lack of exercise and the prevention of sedentary health and welfare issues due to smaller exhibits in comparison to the home-range sizes for elephants in Africa and Asia. While many scientists have used GPS to examine distances travelled by wild elephants, there is currently little information on distance travelled by elephants within zoological institutions. In the wild, it is necessary to chemically immobilise elephants using a dart gun in order to put on or take off collars which are used to acquire GPS data. Within a zoological institution, elephants can be trained to wear a collar with a GPS device but this training can be time consuming and also dangerous depending on the level of expertise of animal care staff. However, training an elephant within a zoological institution to wear an anklet outfitted with a GPS device can be much safer and less time consuming. The purpose of the current research was to validate methods for examining the walking rates of elephants in a zoological facility. This included testing GPS units, examining walking rates of eight elephants at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park using collars and conducting trials on a subset of elephants wearing both a collar and anklet outfitted with GPS devices to determine reliability. The average distance travelled by eight African elephants(Loxodonta africana)within a 24-h period was 8.65 (± 0.64) km which corresponds to a rate of 0.360 (± 0.033) kph. Trials comparing anklets to collars were found to be highly reliable except on days when weather conditions were overcast or there was rainfall at the park. The methods used for the current study can be utilised in future studies to examine walking rates as a component of animal welfare for elephants or other large mammals within zoological institutions.
Review of life expectancy in people with HIV in settings with optimal ART access: what we know and what we don't
Authors: Sabin C
Published: November 2012

Life expectancy (LE) is an important indicator of health used widely by government and healthcare agencies to monitor trends over time and to determine resource allocation, as well as by insurance companies and pension providers. LE of the HIV‐positive population has increased dramatically since the introduction of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART); indeed, it is now believed that LE may be similar to that of the general population in some subgroups. There are, however, specific subgroups in which LE remains substantially impaired. The impact of HIV and of cART on mortality may be expressed in several ways. LE itself provides an estimate of the average additional number of years that an individual would be expected to live beyond a particular age. However, the detrimental impact of HIV may also be described in terms of the number of years of life lost or the gains in LE if HIV were to be eliminated as a cause of morbidity in the population. My presentation will start with a description of the different methods that researchers have used to describe the mortality outcomes of those with HIV, and the impact of cART on these. I will then consider how LE in the HIV‐positive population has changed over time and will describe the impact of demographic factors (e.g. gender, age, ethnic group) on LE. To investigate the circumstances under which LE may return to normal levels, I will also consider the potential impact of timely diagnosis and linkage into care, continued engagement with care, optimal initiation of cART and maintenance of viral suppression on LE. Finally, I will discuss some of the limitations of the approaches used to estimate LE, with particular emphasis on the confounding effects of lifestyle and behavioural factors when making any comparison with LE in the general population.
Clinical pharmacokinetics of antiretroviral drugs in Ugandan patients
Authors: Lamorde M
Published: November 2012

Clinical pharmacokinetic data on antiretroviral drugs are scarce in African HIV‐1‐positive patients. Most available pharmacokinetic data are derived from ethnically distinct Caucasian research volunteers. This presentation will focus on the clinical pharmacokinetics training and research outputs of an HIV Research Trust scholarship recipient in Uganda. The work highlights the need for post‐marketing pharmacokinetic studies in the target populations in order to optimize therapy for patients in resource‐limited settings.