bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Construindo argumentação na sala de aula: a presença do ciclo argumentativo, os indicadores de alfabetização científica e o padrão de toulmin
Authors: Sasseron Lúcia Helena , Carvalho Anna Maria Pessoa de
Published: January 2012

O que subjaz à construção dos argumentos em sala de aula é o tema central deste trabalho. As orientações para a observação deste processo são os trabalhos sobre o papel da fala e dos diferentes discursos em sala de aula, bem como os elementos que estão em jogo quando se pretende alcançar a Alfabetização Científica. Analisamos discussões ocorridas em sala de aula e, a partir dos resultados obtidos, foi possível tecer relações entre estes dois temas de estudo da Didática das Ciências e encontrar indícios da existência de um ciclo por meio do qual as argumentações ganham coerência e completude.
O problema da linguagem e o ensino da mecânica quântica no nível médio
Authors: Paulo Iramaia Jorge Cabral de , Moreira Marco Antonio
Published: January 2012

Neste artigo, é discutida a questão básica da linguagem e da captação de significados da Mecânica Quântica (MQ) como uma questão relevante para a inserção dos seus conceitos fundamentais no Ensino Médio. Sabe-se que a linguagem é fundamental para a compreensão da ciência e a construção de conceitos científicos que, ao mesmo tempo em que são específicos, podem se generalizar no contexto da vida cotidiana. A preocupação com a linguagem configurada e utilizada pela MQ foi evidenciada pelos seus próprios autores. Diante do problema da relação entre a linguagem clássica e a quântica, este trabalho mostra a opção da manutenção da linguagem clássica modificando-se a lógica para tratar os fenômenos quânticos, buscando-se localizar essa opção do ponto de vista epistemológico e suas implicações para o ensino.
Detection of antibodies against Babesia bovis and Babesia bigemina in calves from the region of Araguaína, State of Tocantins, Brazil
Authors: Trindade Hébelys Ibiapina da , Silva Gleisom Ribeiro de Araújo , Teixeira Márcia Cristina Alves , Sousa Marlos Gonçalves , Machado Rosângela Zacarias , Freitas Fagner Luiz da Costa , Almeida Katyane de Sousa
Published: January 2012

The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of antibodies against B. bovis and B. bigemina in calves from the region of Araguaína, State of Tocantins, Brazil. In this research we used sera obtained from 506 calves, from both genders and of 8 to 24 months old, to detect antibodies by indirect Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA-test). Statistical analysis of the data was performed using the Chi-square (χ2) test with Yates correction. The seroprevalence obtained was 90.5 and 91.7% for B. bigemina and B. bovis, respectively, characterizing the region as an area of enzootic stability for the species analyzed. The seroprevalence to B. bovis showed higher positivity among calves 19-24 months old.
Real time polymerase chain reaction to diagnose Anaplasma marginale in cattle and deer (Ozotoceros bezoarticus leucogaster) of the Brazilian Pantanal
Authors: Picoloto Graziela , Lima Renileide Ferreira de , Olegário Lílian Andressa Oliveira , Carvalho Cristiano Miranda Espínola , Lacerda Ana Crystina Reis , Tomás Walfrido Moraes , Borges Paulo André Lima , Pellegrin Aiesca Oliveira , Madruga Cláudio Roberto
Published: January 2012

Epizootiological study of Anaplasma marginale in regions that contain various reservoir hosts, co-existence of rickettsia pathogens, and common vectors is a complicated task. To achieve diagnosis of this rickettsia in cattle and campeiro deer of Brazilian Pantanal, a comparison was made between a real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) with intercalating Sybr Green fluorochrome and primers based on msp5 gene of A. marginale; a conventional PCR (C-PCR); and parasitological examination using thin blood smear stained with Giemsa-MayGrunwald. Both PCRs showed good performance in the diagnosis of A. marginale in cattle, and were superior to the parasitological exam. The RT-PCR detected seven positive campeiro deer (16.3%). This rate was significantly higher compared to C-PCR, which identified one animal as positive (2.3%), and also compared to parasitological diagnosis, which did not find any positive animals. The dissociation temperature average of positive reactions in cattle (81.72 ºC ± 0.20) was identical to dissociation temperature found in the cervids (81.72 ºC ± 0.12), suggesting that both animal species were infected with A. marginale. We concluded that RT-PCR can be used for A. marginale diagnosis and in epizootiological studies of cattle and cervids; in spite of the small number of campeiro deer samples, the results indicated that this wildlife species has importance in the Anaplasma epizootiology in the Brazilian Pantanal.
Serological survey of Rickettsia sp. in horses and dogs in an non-endemic area in Brazil
Authors: Batista Fernanda Gonçalves , Silva Daniella Matos da , Green Kerriel Thandile , Tezza Louise Boulsfield de Lorenzi , Vasconcelos Sâmara Pereira de , Carvalho Suelen Graziele Soares de , Silveira Iara , Moraes-Filho Jonas , Labruna Marcelo Bahia , Fortes Fernanda Silva , Molento Marcelo Beltrão
Published: January 2012

Brazilian Spotted Fever (BSF) is a lethal rickettsiosis in humans caused by the bacteria Rickettsia rickettsii, and is endemic in some areas of Brazil. Horses and dogs are part of the disease's life cycle and they may also serve as sentinel animals in epidemiological studies. The first human BSF case in the State of Paraná was reported in 2005. The present study was conducted in the municipality of Almirante Tamandaré, where no previous case of BSF was reported. Serum samples were collected from 71 horses and 20 dogs from nine properties in the area. Ticks were also collected from these animals. All farmers completed a questionnaire about their knowledge of BSF and animal health management. Serum samples were analyzed by indirect immunofluorescent-antibody assay (IFA) using R. rickettsii and R. parkeri as antigens. Ticks were analyzed by PCR for Rickettsia sp., and all of them were PCR-negative. Six horses (8.45%) and 4 dogs (20%) were identified as seropositive. Farmers were not aware of the correlation between the presence of ticks and risk of BSF. Although a non-endemic area, Almirante Tamandaré is a vulnerable environment for BSF and effective tick control measures are required.
Ticks on birds in a forest fragment of Brazilian cerrado (savanna) in the municipality of Uberlândia, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil
Authors: Tolesano-Pascoli Graziela Virginia , Torga Khelma , Franchin Alexandre Gabriel , Ogrzewalska Maria , Gerardi Monize , Olegário Maria Marlene Martins , Labruna Marcelo Bahia , Szabó Matias Pablo Juan , Marçal Júnior Oswaldo
Published: January 2012

This is a report of ticks species, parasite prevalence and infestation intensity of birds in a forest fragment (18º 56' 57" S and 48º 12' 14" W) within the Brazilian cerrado (savanna), in the municipality of Uberlândia, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil. A total of 162 birds from 26 species were captured. One adult tick, 296 larvae and 67 nymphs were found on passerine birds. Of these, it was identified 31 larvae and 27 nymphs of Amblyomma longirostre, 17 nymphs of A. nodosum, one A. cajennense larvae and one male of Rhipicephalus sanguineus. All other ticks were identified as Amblyomma sp. larvae (n = 264) or nymphs (n = 26). Overall tick infestation intensity and prevalence were 4.32 ticks/infested bird and 52%, respectively. Sampling of host-seeking ticks on the ground within the forest during a two-year period showed only five Amblyomma sp. nymphs and one adult male of A. nodosum whereas a search for ticks on domestic animals (cattle, horses and dogs) found Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus ticks. Although identification was possible in only 27% of bird ticks there seemed to be no correlation between environmental and domestic animal and bird infestation. It can be assumed that bird infestation may occur above the ground or at specific sites not sampled.
Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in swine matrices in Nova Mutum and Diamantino, Mato Grosso, Brazil
Authors: Muraro Lívia Saab , Caramori Júnior João Garcia , Amendoeira Maria Regina Reis , Pereira Joyce Alves , Oliveira Filho João Xavier de , Vicente Regiane Trigueiro , Neves Leandro Batista , Nicolau José Leonardo , Igarashi Michelle , Moura Saulo Teixeira
Published: January 2012

This report aimed to assess the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in 708 swine matrices in Nova Mutum and Diamantino in the state of Mato Grosso, Central-West Brazil. Serum samples were examined by indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT). It was found a seroprevalence of 12.8%, considering titers >64. Therefore, the data reinforce the need for appropriate management of swine raising to minimize the risk of infection of pigs with T. gondii.
First report of coenurosis in sheep in the State of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
Authors: Batista Fernando Arévalo , Pizzigatti Dietrich , Martins Charles Ferreira , Nunes Marcelo Monteiro , Megda Tábata Torres , Ribeiro Olímpio Crisóstomo , Paiva Fernando
Published: January 2012

This paper reports the first case of coenurosis in the State of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. This disease is caused by the larval stage of the tapeworm Taenia multiceps (Leske, 1780). The animal in which the disease was diagnosed was an 18-month-old ewe from an endemic area of Southern Brazil as an imported animal among a group of 30 sheep. The clinic-pathological condition was that commonly found in herbivores affected by the disease, especially sheep. Apathy, nystagmus, intermittent blindness, circling and pressing head against obstacles were the neurological signs reported. The necropsy showed that a brain lesion in the subcortex of the right hemisphere was a bladder-like cyst measuring 4 cm in diameter filled with a translucent fluid with a large number of white spherules (protoscolices) floating. In addition to the identification of the Coenurus cerebralis protoscolices, the brain tissue lesion was histopathologically described.
Ehrlichia canis (Jaboticabal strain) induces the expression of TNF-α in leukocytes and splenocytes of experimentally infected dogs
Authors: Faria Joice Lara Maia , Munhoz Thiago Demarchi , João Carolina Franchi , Vargas-Hernández Giovanny , André Marcos Rogério , Pereira Wanderson Adriano Biscola , Machado Rosângela Zacarias , Tinucci-Costa Mirela
Published: January 2012

Canine ehrlichiosis is caused by the bacterium Ehrlichia canis and is characterized by a systemic febrile disease of unknown pathogenesis. This study evaluated the expression of cytokines TNF-α, IL-10, IFN-γ, in splenic cells and blood leukocytes during the acute phase of ehrlichiosis and after treatment with doxycycline hyclate in dogs experimentally infected with the E. canis Jaboticabal strain. The study results showed a significant expression of TNF-α 18 days post-inoculation, reducing by approximately 70% after treatment. There was a unique peak of expression of IL-10 and IFN-γ 18 and 30 days post-inoculation, respectively. This study suggests that TNF-α plays a role in the pathogenesis of the acute phase of canine ehrlichiosis and that treatment with doxycycline hyclate reduces the systemic effects of this cytokine, possibly by reducing or eliminating parasitemia.
Use of a Mycoplasma suis-PCR protocol for screening a population of captive peccaries (Tayassu tajacu and Tayassu pecari)
Authors: Vieira Rafael Felipe da Costa , Molento Marcelo Beltrão , Guimarães Ana Marcia Sá , Santos Andrea Pires dos , Bonat Marcelo , Javorouski Manoel Lucas , Popp Luciene , Santos Leonilda Correia dos , Moraes Wanderlei , Cubas Zalmir Silvino , Vieira Thállitha Samih Wischral Jayme , Vidotto Odilon , Barros Filho Ivan Roque , Biondo Alexander Welker , Messick Joanne Belle
Published: January 2012

Mycoplasma suis is a hemotropic bacteria of red blood cells and the causative agent of swine eperythrozoonosis. Diagnosis of infection may be reached by direct examination of blood smears; however, the use of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of the 16S RNA gene of M. suis improves the sensitivity and specificity of detection. The aim of this study was to screen peccaries (Tayassu tajacu and T. pecari) for M. suis infection using a specific conventional PCR. A total of 28 blood samples from captive collared and white-lipped peccaries were collected, DNA extracted and a specific M. suis PCR assay performed. All samples were negatives by both blood smear examination and PCR testing. To verify the presence of amplifiable DNA, PCR for beta-actin gene was performed in all samples. This study was part of an active surveillance program, which is crucial for monitoring animal health status, particularly in wildlife species.
First record of Trypanosoma sp. (Protozoa: Kinetoplastida) in tuvira (Gymnotus aff. inaequilabiatus) in the Pantanal wetland, Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil
Authors: Pádua Santiago Benites de , Ishikawa Márcia Mayumi , Satake Fabiana , Jerônimo Gabriela Tomas , Pilarski Fabiana
Published: January 2012

The blood infection by Trypanosoma sp. in tuvira (Gymnotus aff. inaequilabiatus) from the Pantanal wetland was reported in this study. Ten fish from the Paraguay River in the Pantanal were evaluated for the presence of hemoflagellates. Trypomastigotes of Trypanosoma sp. were observed in blood smears from three fish (30% prevalence) and some forms were seen to be undergoing division. Using the diagnostic methods of fresh examination and blood centrifugation in hematocrit capillary tubes, the prevalence rate was 80%. This is the first report of Trypanosoma sp. in tuvira in Brazil.
Presence of antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii, Neospora caninum and Leishmania infantum in dogs from Piauí
Authors: Lopes Marcos Gomes , Mendonça Ivete Lopes , Fortes Kleber Portela , Amaku Marcos , Pena Hilda de Fátima Jesus , Gennari Solange Maria
Published: January 2012

This study aimed to evaluate the presence of antibodies against Neospora caninum, Toxoplasma gondii and Leishmania infantum in dogs attended at the Veterinary Hospital of the Federal University of Piauí, Northeastern Brazil, where there are no reports of the occurrence of N. caninum and T. gondii in dogs. Serum samples from 530 dogs of genders, different ages and breeds from the municipality of Teresina and nearby towns were analyzed using three indirect fluorescent antibody tests, each one targeting one of the three agents. The associations between the parasites and gender, breed and age of the dogs were assessed by the chi-square test (p > 0.05). The occurrence of antibodies to N. caninum, T. gondii and L. infantum was 3.2, 18.0 and 78.1%, respectively. Toxoplasma gondii was more frequently found in older dogs (p < 0.05) whereas L. infantum was more common in animals aged between 1 to 3 years (p < 0.05). In order to evaluate potential associations between the presence of anti-N. caninum and anti-T. gondii antibodies and Leishmania infection, 240 dogs were selected (120 positive and 120 negative for Leishmania spp.), based on serological and parasitological diagnoses. No association was found between Leishmania spp. and the coccidian parasites (p > 0.05). The results confirm the exposure of dogs to these parasites in the State of Piauí.
Reinfestation of Streblidae ectoparasites (Diptera) in Carollia perspicillata (Linnaeus, 1758) (Chiroptera)
Authors: Lourenço Elizabete Captivo , Esbérard Carlos Eduardo Lustosa
Published: January 2012

The mark-recapture method allows analysis on the variation in the abundance of bat ectoparasites at consecutive captures. The objectives of this study were to compare the pattern of Streblidae parasitism between capture and recapture of C. perspicillata; ascertain whether the abundance of Streblidae varied with time after removal of ectoparasites at capture and analyze whether the intensity of parasitism remained the same in each individual at capture and recapture. Using bats netted in the State of Rio de Janeiro, 42 individuals of C. perspicillata parasitized by two Streblidae species, Trichobius joblingi Wenzel, 1966 and Strebla guajiro (Garcia & Casal, 1965), were selected. The pattern of parasitism observed at capture was similar at recapture. No relationship was observed between the capture-recapture time interval and the abundance of ectoparasites. There was no relationship between the abundances of ectoparasites at capture and recapture of each individual
Scanning electron microscopy on Gotocotyla acanthura (Monogenea, Gotocotylidae) from Pomatomus saltatrix (Ostheichthyes, Pomatomidae) in Brazil
Authors: Pamplona-Basilio Maria Clara , Barbosa Helene Santos , Cohen Simone Chinicz
Published: January 2012

Gotocotyla acanthura (Parona & Perugia, 1896) Meserve, 1938 collected from the gills of Pomatomus saltatrix from the coast of the state of Rio de Janeiro state was analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The study demonstrated the presence of a buccal cavity, a genital atrium on the ventral surface and a muscular structure on the dorsal surface at the level of the body constriction. An elongated haptor with 80 to 120 pedunculated clamps symmetrically distributed in two rows, with rib-like thickenings and a curved lappet bearing a pair of hooks at the posterior extremity of the body were also observed. The cirrus could be seen protruding from the genital atrium, armed with pectinate spines along its length and presenting up to eight pointed spines around the genital atrium.
Bituminous mix characterisation: evolving intelligent systems
Authors: Gopalakrishnan Kasthurirangan
Published: January 2012

This paper describes a novel implementation of evolving connectionist systems (Ecos) based predictive modelling of the dynamic modulus (|E*|) of hot-mix asphalt, a construction material used in preparing the surface layer of roads. Ecos are open-architecture artificial neural networks with a dynamically evolving structure that is automatically adjusted by the training algorithm thereby overcoming the limitations associated with conventional and constructive artificial neural networks. Two Ecos methods are investigated – the dynamic evolving neuro-fuzzy inference system (Denfis) and the evolving fuzzy neural network (EFuNN). Preliminary investigations show that Ecos-based hot-mix asphalt |E*| predictive modelling is a promising alternative to regression-based methods, although not as powerful as traditional multi-layered perceptron back-propagation artificial neural networks.
Takeback systems for mobile phones: review and recommendations
Authors: Beigl Peter , Schneider Felicitas , Salhofer Stefan
Published: January 2012

As a result of the large quantity of both valuable materials and hazardous substances, end-of-life mobile phones attract interest for improved recycling and reuse. Therefore, numerous takeback schemes have been set up in recent years. The aim of this paper is to evaluate and compare the different collection schemes in terms of motivation for the setting up of the scheme, the organisation and operation, the funding and the collection performance. The four schemes analysed include regular collection systems for waste electrical and electronic equipment, branch systems and commercial as well as charitable refurbishing schemes. Comparing the schemes in terms of the collection rate, the results suggest that easy accessibility and broad information for users are the most relevant factors of success. Finally, attention is paid to the orientation of the schemes on recycling or reuse and the related environmental impacts.
Array nonrecursiveness and relative recursive enumerability
Authors: Cai Mingzhong
Published: January 2012

In this paper we prove that a degreeais array nonrecursive (ANR) if and only if every degreeb ≥ ais r.e. in and strictly above another degree (RRE). This result will answer some questions in [ASDWY]. We also deduce an interesting corollary that everyn-REAdegree has a strong minimal cover if and only if it is array recursive.
Thorn-forking in continuous logic
Authors: Ealy Clifton , Goldbring Isaac
Published: January 2012

We study thorn forking and rosiness in the context of continuous logic. We prove that the Urysohn sphere is rosy (with respect to finitary imaginaries), providing the first example of an essentially continuous unstable theory with a nice notion of independence. In the process, we show that a real rosy theory which has weak elimination of finitary imaginaries is rosy with respect to finitary imaginaries, a fact which is new even for discrete first-order real rosy theories.
The tree property at ℵω+1
Authors: Sinapova Dima
Published: January 2012

We show that givenωmany supercompact cardinals, there is a generic extension in which there are no Aronszajn trees at ℵω+1·This is an improvement of the large cardinal assumptions. The previous hypothesis was a huge cardinal andωmany supercompact cardinals above it, in Magidor–Shelah [7].
An incomplete set of shortest descriptions
Authors: Stephan Frank , Teutsch Jason
Published: January 2012

The truth-table degree of the set of shortest programs remains an outstanding problem in recursion theory. We examine two related sets, the set of shortest descriptions and the set of domain-random strings, and show that the truth-table degrees of these sets depend on the underlying acceptable numbering. We achieve some additional properties for the truth-table incomplete versions of these sets, namely retraceability and approximability. We give priority-free constructions of bounded truth-table chains and bounded truth-table antichains inside the truth-table complete degree by identifying an acceptable set of domain-random strings within each degree.
The complexity of squares in the group of isometries of the Baire space
Authors: Hill Aaron
Published: January 2012

We prove that in the Polish group of isometries of the Baire space the collection of n-th powers is non-Borel. We also prove that in the Polish space of trees on ℕ the collection of trees that have an automorphism under which every node has order exactly n is non-Borel.
Electrochemical preparation of solid ferrates(VI)
Authors: Nikolic-Bujanovic Ljiljana , Simicic Milos , Cekerevac Milan
Published: January 2012

The electrochemical methodologies for synthesis of BaFeO4 and Ag2FeO4 are
presented in this article. The first step was to prepare a solution of the
K2FeO4 as starting reagent by anodic dissolution in the transpassive
potential region of the electrical steel in 10M KOH. The current density
applied was fixed at 20 mA/cm2 at 55?C. Solid BaFeO4 and Ag2FeO4 were
precipitated from K2FeO4 solution by the addition of Ba(OH)2 8H2O and AgNO3
solutions, respectively. The yield of solid salt synthesized was calculated
by the hromitne titration, while their phase composition was determined by
XRD analysis. Significant decomposition for BaFeO4 stored in dry conditions
was not observed. Solid phase synthesized Ag2FeO4 is less stable than BaFeO4
due to its high sensitivity to light and susceptibility in such conditions to
degradation to Ag2O, and AgO.
Lack of causal association between spontaneous intracranial hypotension and cranial cerebrospinal fluid leaks
Authors: Schievink Wouter I. , Schwartz Marc S. , Maya M. Marcel , Moser Franklin G. , Rozen Todd D.
Published: January 2012

Object

Spontaneous intracranial hypotension is an important cause of headaches and an underlying spinal CSF leak can be demonstrated in most patients. Whether CSF leaks at the level of the skull base can cause spontaneous intracranial hypotension remains a matter of controversy. The authors' aim was to examine the frequency of skull base CSF leaks as the cause of spontaneous intracranial hypotension.

Methods

Demographic, clinical, and radiological data were collected from a consecutive group of patients evaluated for spontaneous intracranial hypotension during a 9-year period.

Results

Among 273 patients who met the diagnostic criteria for spontaneous intracranial hypotension and 42 who did not, not a single instance of CSF leak at the skull base was encountered. Clear nasal drainage was reported by 41 patients, but a diagnosis of CSF rhinorrhea could not be established. Four patients underwent exploratory surgery for presumed CSF rhinorrhea. In addition, the authors treated 3 patients who had a postoperative CSF leak at the skull base following the resection of a cerebellopontine angle tumor and developed orthostatic headaches; spinal imaging, however, demonstrated the presence of a spinal source of CSF leakage in all 3 patients.

Conclusions

There is no evidence for an association between spontaneous intracranial hypotension and CSF leaks at the level of the skull base. Moreover, the authors' study suggests that a spinal source for CSF leakage should even be suspected in patients with orthostatic headaches who have a documented skull base CSF leak.
Surgical treatment of patients with vestibular schwannomas after failed previous radiosurgery
Authors: Gerganov Venelin M. , Giordano Mario , Samii Amir , Samii Madjid
Published: January 2012

Object

An increasing number of patients with vestibular schwannomas (VSs) are being treated with radiosurgery. Treatment failure or secondary regrowth after radiosurgery, however, has been observed in 2%–9% of patients. In large tumors that compress the brainstem and in patients who experience rapid neurological deterioration, surgical removal is the only reasonable management option.

Methods

The authors evaluated the relevance of previous radiosurgery for the outcome of surgery in a series of 28 patients with VS. The cohort was further subdivided into Group A (radiosurgery prior to surgery) and Group B (partial tumor removal followed by radiosurgery prior to current surgery). The functional and general outcomes in these 2 groups were compared with those in a control group (no previous treatment, matched characteristics).

Results

There were 15 patients in Group A, 13 in Group B, and 30 in the control group. The indications for surgery were sustained tumor enlargement and progression of neurological symptoms in 12 patients, sustained tumor enlargement in 15 patients, and worsening of neurological symptoms without evidence of tumor growth in 1 patient. Total tumor removal was achieved in all patients in Groups A and B and in 96.7% of those in the control group. There were no deaths in any group. Although no significant differences in the neurological morbidity or complication rates after surgery were noted, the risk of new cranial nerve deficits and CSF leakage was highest in patients in Group B. Patients who underwent previous radiosurgical treatment (Groups A and B) tended to be at higher risk of developing postoperative hematomas in the tumor bed or cerebellum. The rate of facial nerve anatomical preservation was highest in those patients who were not treated previously (93.3%) and decreased to 86.7% in the patients in Group A and to 61.5% in those in Group B. Facial nerve function at follow-up was found to correlate to the previous treatment; excellent or good function was seen in 87% of the patients from the control group, 78% of those in Group A, and 68% of those in Group B.

Conclusions

Complete microsurgical removal of VSs after failed radiosurgery is possible with an acceptable morbidity rate. The functional outcome, however, tends to be worse than in nontreated patients. Surgery after previous partial tumor removal and radiosurgery is most challenging and related to worse outcome.
Tumor-Promoting Circuits That Regulate a Cancer-Related Chemokine Cluster: Dominance of Inflammatory Mediators Over Oncogenic Alterations
Authors: Leibovich-Rivkin Tal , Buganim Yosef , Solomon Hilla , Meshel Tsipi , Rotter Varda , Ben-Baruch Adit
Published: January 2012

Here, we investigated the relative contribution of genetic/signaling components versus microenvironmental factors to the malignancy phenotype. In this system, we took advantage of non-transformed fibroblasts that carried defined oncogenic modifications in Ras and/or p53. These cells were exposed to microenvironmental pressures, and the expression of a cancer-related chemokine cluster was used as readout for the malignancy potential (CCL2, CCL5, CXCL8, CXCL10). In cells kept in-culture, synergism between Ras hyper-activation and p53 dysfunction was required to up-regulate the expression of the chemokine cluster. The in vivo passage of RasHigh/p53Low-modified cells has led to tumor formation, accompanied by potentiation of chemokine release, implicating a powerful role for the tumor microenvironment in up-regulating the chemokine cluster. Indeed, we found that inflammatory mediators which are prevalent in tumor sites, such as TNFa and IL-1β, had a predominant impact on the release of the chemokines, which was substantially higher than that obtained by the oncogenic modifications alone, possibly acting through the transcription factors AP-1 and NF-kB. Together, our results propose that in the unbiased model system that we were using, inflammatory mediators of the tumor milieu have dominating roles over oncogenic modifications in dictating the expression of a pro-malignancy chemokine readout.
The Newly Isolated Endophytic Fungus Paraconiothyrium sp. LK1 Produces Ascotoxin
Authors: Khan Abdul Latif , Hamayun Muhammad , Hussain Javid , Kang Sang-Mo , Lee In-Jung
Published: January 2012

We have isolated five endophytic fungi from the roots of Capsicum annuum, Cucumis sativus and Glycine max. The culture filtrates (CF) of these endophytes were screened on dwarf mutant rice (Waito-C) and normal rice (Dongjin-byeo). Endophyte CAC-1A significantly inhibited the growth of Waito-C and Dongjin-byeo. Endophyte CAC-1A was identified as Paraconiothyrium sp. by sequencing the ITS rDNA region and phylogenetic analysis. The ethyl acetate fraction of Paraconiothyrium sp. suppressed the germination of Lactuca sativa and Echinochloa crus-galli seeds. The ethyl acetate fraction of the endophyte was subjected to bioassay-guided isolation and we obtained the phytotoxic compound ascotoxin (1) which was characterized through NMR and GC/MS techniques. Ascotoxin revealed 100% inhibitory effects on seed germination of Echinochloa crus-galli. Compound (1) was isolated for the first time from Paraconiothyrium sp.
Educational innovation, learning technologies and Virtual culture potential'
Authors: Riley David
Published: January 2012

Learning technologies are regularly associated with innovative teaching but will they contribute to profound innovations in education itself? This paper addresses the question by building upon Merlin.Donald's co-evolutionary theory of mind, cognition and culture. He claimed that the invention of technologies for storing and sharing external symbol systems, such as writing, gave rise to a 'theoretic culture' with rich symbolic representations and a resultant need for formal education. More recently, Shaffer and Kaput have claimed that the development of external and shared symbol-processing technologies is giving rise to an emerging 'virtual culture'. They argue that mathematics curricula are grounded in theoretic culture and should change to meet the novel demands of 'virtual culture' for symbol-processing and representational fluency. The generic character of their cultural claim is noted in this paper and it is suggested that equivalent pedagogic arguments are applicable across the educational spectrum. Hence, four general characteristics of virtual culture are proposed, against which applications of learning technologies can be evaluated for their innovative potential. Two illustrative uses of learning technologies are evaluated in terms of their 'virtual culture potential' and some anticipated questions about this approach are discussed towards the end of the paper.DOI:10.1080/0968776020100107
Gender issues in computer-supported learning: what we can learn from the gender; science and technology literature
Authors: Hughes Gwyneth
Published: January 2012

This paper is a response to the article, 'Gender issues in computer-supported learning', in ALT-J 10 (1). I argue that the studies presented in the original paper could be enhanced by a more rigorous approach to gender that avoids universalizing identity, recognizes gender as a construction and which builds on previous research from gender, science and technology studies.DOI:10.1080/0968776020100208
Reviews
Authors: Barker Philip , Ingraham Bruce , Cornelius Sarah , Woolley Norman , Smith Kelly , Jones Chris
Published: January 2012

Teaching and Learning Online is a collection of seventeen papers divided into six sections. The papers have their origins in an 'expert' seminar held at the International Centre for Learner Managed Learning at Middlesex University, London. The seminar brought together a group of practitioners (academic, training and media) from around the world to consider progress to date and the future of learning and teaching online. For the purposes of the book 'online' is understood to include 'electronic means of distributing and engaging with learning' (ix) and only includes broadcast media to the degree that they overlap with 'the overall internet scenario' (ix). According to the book details of the original seminar are available from http:llwww.iclml.mdx.acuk/TLonline. Readers are invited to contribute to online discussion. However, at the time this review was written the Website was unavailable.DOI:10.1080/0968776020100309
Editorial
Authors: Oliver Martin
Published: January 2012

This year's ALT-C saw the start of a new initiative: the introduction of a dedicated strand for research papers, to complement the shorter presentations and posters that have formed the heart of the conference thus far. As part of this initiative, a separate publication containing the full research papers was produced alongside the book of abstracts. This was produced by John Cook (London Metropolitan University, UK) and David McConnell (Sheffield University, UK) and is available to order from the ALT website.DOI: 10.1080/0968776030110101
Closing the communications loop on the computerized peer-assessment of essays
Authors: Davies Phil
Published: January 2012

The use of self- and peer-assessment is not new to higher education. Traditionally its use has required the complex and time-consuming management of coursework submissions by the tutor, in an attempt to maintain validity and anonymity of the assessment process. In the last few years a number of computerized systems have been developed that are capable of automatically supporting, managing and performing the assessment process. The requirement for student anonymity and the release of the tutor from the process of marking have reduced the ability to develop the iterative process of feedback. This feedback is considered essential in supporting student learning and developing reflective practice. This paper describes the enhancement of a computerized assessment system to support anonymous computer-mediated discussion between marker and marked having previously performed peer-assessment. A detailed description is provided of the integrated assessment process, and an analysis of the use of this anonymous discussion is presented. Anonymous student feedback is presented and analyzed with respect to the perceived benefits of using the system with respect to enhancing the student learning process.DOI:10.1080/0968776030110105
Examining the five-stage e-moderating model: designed and emergent practice in the learning technology profession
Authors: Lisewski Bernard , Joyce Paul
Published: January 2012

This paper highlights the need for learning technologists to establish their 'academic legitimacy' within the complexities of online learning and teaching practice. Frameworks such as the 'five stage e-moderating model' can be useful in developing the knowledge base but there are dangers in them becoming too reified within an increasingly commodified higher education (HE) environment. The paper calls for greater professional reflexivity and contestation within learning technology practice and concludes by inviting the ALT-J readership to engage in a critical debate with regard to these issues.DOI:10.1080/0968776030110106
Analysing tutor feedback to students: first steps towards constructing an electronic monitoring system
Authors: Whitelock Denise , Watt Stuart , Raw Yvonne , Moreale Emanuela
Published: January 2012

Virtual Learning Environments provide the possibility of offering additional support to tutors, monitors and students in writing and grading essays and reports. They enable monitors to focus on the assignments that need most attention. This paper reports the findings from phase one of a feasibility study to assist the monitoring of student essays. It analyses tutor comments from electronically marked assignments and investigates how they match the mark awarded to each essay by the tutor. This involved carrying out a category analysis of the tutors' feedback to the students using Bales's 'interactional categories' as a theoretical basis. The advantage of this category system is that it distinguishes between task-orientated contributions, and the 'socio-emotive' element used by tutors to maintain student motivation. This reveals both how the tutor makes recommendations to improve the assignment content, and how they provide emotional support to students. Bales's analysis was presented to a group of tutors who felt an electronic feedback system based on this model would help them to get the right balance of responses to their students. These findings provide a modest start to designing a model of feedback for tutors of distance education students. Future work will entail refining these categories and testing this model with a larger sample from a different subject domain.DOI:10.1080/0968776030110304
Creating virtual communities of practice for learning technology in higher education: issues, challenges and experiences
Authors: Dempster Jacqueline A. , Beetham Helen , Jackson Peter , Richardson Steven
Published: January 2012

The need for a Web portal to support the rapidly growing field of learning technology has been well established through a number of national surveys and scoping studies over recent years. The overarching vision has been the provision of a virtual environment to assist in informing and developing professional practice in the use of learning technologies. This paper outlines the issues and challenges in creating such a portal through the experiences of developing the RESULTs Network. In the paper, design and participation issues are considered within the wider context of online and networked approaches to supporting practice and professional development. User participation methodologies and technical developments for RESULTs are described in relation to a review of existing representations of practice and a comprehensive survey amongst the learning technology users' community. An outline of key achievements and experiences is presented, followed by some conclusions regarding the cultural and political issues in creating a viable and sustainable facility and suggestions for possible future direction in national provision.DOI:10.1080/0968776030110309
The importance of cost-benefit analysis: a response
Authors: Nicol David , Coen Michael
Published: January 2012

The critique by Draper raises some interesting points that we did not have space to discuss in our published paper. As he points out, taking a purely quantitative approach to the evaluation of ICT investments in teaching and learning is wholly inappropriate. However, in this transitional period, where ICT applications are new and the effects on operational processes within higher education institutions are unknown, it is not only qualitative issues that need to be investigated but also the potential changes to the scope and nature of the costs incurred by institutions. While the small-scale, and localized, introduction of ICT in teaching might only affect the time and effort of a few individual academics, large-scale deployment of the same methodology may require substantial institutional investment (for example, in network infrastructure, hardware, licenses, support staff). The CBA model encourages institutions to consider and record all the cost implications of their strategies, not in an attempt to quantify the outputs (benefits) of these new learning processes but to identify and quantify the inputs to these processes. These quantitative inputs can then be evaluated in the context of qualitative outputs.DOI:10.1080/0968776030110311
Reviews
Authors: Barker Philip , Lewis Roger , Ingraham Bruce , Pearson Elaine , Sweet John , Frank Andrea I.
Published: January 2012

three sets of capacities are needed by the learner: strong motivation, self-management and reflection. Of the three, most educators readily understand the need for motivation (though how to help learners with this remains problematic) and many resources, approaches and techniques exist to help learners develop self-management. The third requirement, capacity to reflect, is much less understood. So a book with the title 'reflective learning in practice' seems welcome.DOI:10.1080/0968776030110312
EDITORIAL
Authors: Oliver Martin , Conole Grainne , Seale Jane
Published: January 2012

This issue marks a new beginning for ALT-J ; it is the first with our new publishers, Taylor & Francis, under their Carfax imprint. Re-launching a journal is, we have found, an interesting process. Like moving house or changing jobs, it manages to blend logistical complications with a rare opportunity to pause, reflect and take stock. It isn’t often that we have the chance to re-assess what is important to us, so as editors we grasped this particular challenge with glee.DOI: 10.1080/0968776042000211485
The development of accessibility practices in e-learning: an exploration of communities of practice
Authors: Seale Jane
Published: January 2012

The UK’s 2001 Special Educational Needs and Disability Act has charged learning technologists with the responsibility of ensuring that electronic teaching materials can be accessed by disabled students. In an attempt to explore how learning technologists are developing practices to produce accessible electronic materials this paper will present a review of the accessibility literature and identify key issues that may influence the ‘accessibility’ practices of learning technologists. These emerging issues are interpreted using Wenger’s theory of communities of practice, with a particular emphasis on the development of accessibility practices that may be shared by a number of related communities of practices and on how the focus of accessibility practices may soon shift from the product to the process of accessibility.DOI: 10.1080/0968776042000211539
Course developers as students: a designer perspective of the experience of learning online
Authors: McAlpine Iain , Koppi Tony , Pearson Elaine , McLean Jan
Published: January 2012

Academic developers of online courses may not have experienced this mode of learning and teaching from the learner perspective. This article makes a comparison between suggestions for online course design from research literature and user perspectives from a focus group, responses to questions on the most and least effective aspects of online study and lasting impressions, and from reflective diaries kept by two of the authors while they were engaged in study from online courses. This direct evidence is used to highlight key issues in the literature from the viewpoint of the learner.DOI: 10.1080/0968776042000216200
Easing the transition from paper to screen: an evaluatory framework for CAA migration
Authors: McAlpine Mhairi
Published: January 2012

Computer assisted assessment is becoming more and more common through further and higher education. There is some debate about how easy it will be to migrate current assessment practice to a computer enhanced format and how items which are currently re-used for formative purposes may be adapted to be presented online. This paper proposes an evaluatory framework to assess and enhance the practicability of large-scale CAA migration for existing items and assessments. The framework can also be used as a tool for exposing compromises between delivery mechanism and validity—exposing the limits of validity of modified paper based assessments and highlighting the crucial areas for transformative assessments.DOI: 10.1080/0968776042000259555
Understanding and using technological affordances: a response to Boyle and Cook
Authors: Conole Gráinne , Dyke Martin
Published: January 2012

Our use of affordance draws on Salomon (Salomon, 1993) who takes the definition back to Gibson and Norman (Gibson, 1977; Norman, 1988). Perhaps a key difference between the use of the term affordance in design is the emphasis on intended use, whereas our approach reflects Salomon’s focus on ‘possible’ use. Like Gibson the approach taken in our paper is focused on the relationship between the infrastructure of information and communication technologies and people’s use of those technologies. We are interested in asking questions about what uses ICT invites and facilitates, what it lends itself to and what it can do well. A potential difficulty with using a term so popular in the field of design is that ‘use’ tends to be focused on how something ‘should’ be used, what it is designed for. Discussion about affordance can be limited to the intended, prescribed or designed function of technology. We are also interested in exploring the creative and innovative way people respond to technologies and perhaps adapt them for use in unforeseen circumstances. An affordance of the technology does not simply refer to the intended use but also to the unintended consequences. Google’s use of hyper text links to drive the indexing of web searches might be an example of an affordance that is a consequence of creative engagement with technology, the adaptation rather than a feature of the original design related to hypertext. Another example of this adaptive use of hypertext might include its use by teachers to provide a digital framework for formative assessment and support for student learning. Class room teachers were quick to adapt presentation software and hyper text to present more interactive activity lessons. Software affording transmission modes of delivery was thereby adapted to users needs and a more interactive affordance created.DOI: 10.1080/0968776042000259609
Exploring behaviour in the online environment: student perceptions of information literacy
Authors: Smith Janice , Oliver Martin
Published: January 2012

The aim of this paper is to show how information literacy can be conceptualised as a key learning process related to discipline and academic maturity, rather than as a generic skill. Results of a smallscale study including questionnaires and observation of student behaviour are reported and analysed in relation to Bruce’s ‘seven faces of information literacy’ framework. The findings illustrate that information literacy is a highly situated practice that remains undeveloped through mandatory schooling. Some methodological issues are considered in relation to researching information literacy, including the limits of the Bruce model as a framework for analysis. We also show how decontextualised courses can foreground and privilege certain behaviours that are beneficial but that developing higher-level information literate attitudes is likely to be an iterative and contextualised process.DOI: 10.1080/0968776042000339790
Issues in the relationship between technology and practice
Authors: Porter Sarah
Published: January 2012

The paper explores some of the key themes and discussion points that were aired at the Association of Learning Technology conference in 2004. It discusses the findings of several of the keynote speakers and presenters within the context of the relationship between technology, practice and innovation. It references the papers presented in the technology infrastructure and new technology strands of the conference to examine whether educational technology currently has an appropriate balance between innovation and good practice. It then presents a case study of application in practice through some of the development activities that a national funding body, the JISC, has put into place. Finally, it draws conclusions about how well the learning technology community is achieving appropriate balance between innovation and technology.DOI: 10.1080/09687760500376496