bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fault pattern recognition of gas blower based on discrete Fourier transform interpolation algorithm
Authors: Xie Changgui , Chen Ping
Published: March 2017

The mechanical equipment fault spectrum often contains random noise, and traditional spectrum estimation methods introduce large errors in the fault diagnosis of mechanical equipment including gas blower. Accurate frequency estimation of multi-frequency signals that are contaminated is a common problem. To address the fault spectral characteristics of gas blowers, a novel discrete Fourier transform interpolation algorithm is presented based on traditional practice. The algorithm combines the zero-complement technique and the main lobe fitting technique. The accuracy of the spectrum correction was improved greatly with the new algorithm, and it could effectively promote fault pattern recognition. Application examples and simulation results showed that the new algorithm is very successful in the fault pattern recognition of gas blowers. Under noise conditions, the proposed algorithm has a smaller estimation error than conventional algorithms and could achieve high precision, strong compatibility, and robustness. Theoretically, the algorithm has attained a higher level, and its application in engineering practice is also quite impressive due to its highly expected values.
Identifying “super responders” in pulmonary arterial hypertension
Authors: Halliday Stephen J. , Hemnes Anna R.
Published: March 2017

Pharmacotherapeutic options for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) have increased dramatically in the last two decades and along with this have been substantial improvements in survival. Despite these advances, however, PAH remains a progressive and ultimately fatal disease for most patients and only epoprostenol has been shown to improve survival in a randomized control trial. Clinical observations of the heterogeneity of treatment response to different classes of medications across the phenotypically diverse PAH population has led to the identification of patients who derive significantly more benefit from certain medications than the population mean, the so‐called “super responders.” This was first recognized among PAH patients with acute vasodilator response during invasive hemodynamic testing, a subset of whom have dramatically improved survival when treated with calcium channel blocker (CCB) therapy. Retrospective studies have now suggested a sex discrepancy in response to endothelin receptor antagonists (ERA) and phosphodiesterase inhibitors, and more recently a few studies have found genomic associations with response to CCBs and ERAs. With increasing availability of “omics” technologies, recognition of these “super responders,” combined with careful clinical and molecular phenotyping, will lead to advances in pharmacogenomics, precision medicine, and continued improvements in survival among PAH patients.
Late‐onset pulmonary arterial hypertension in repaired D‐transposition of great arteries: an uncommon complication
Authors: Baskaran Janani , March Kimara S. , Thenappan Thenappan
Published: March 2017

Late‐onset pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a rare but fatal complication in patients with childhood surgical repair of dextro‐transposition of great arteries (D‐TGA), especially with the Mustard and Senning procedures. The pathogenic mechanisms of PAH in patients with repaired D‐TGA are not well understood and treatment is not standardized. In this manuscript, we present a case of late‐onset PAH in an adult D‐TGA patient after Mustard repair and discuss the pathogenic mechanisms, diagnosis, and treatment of pulmonary hypertension in repaired D‐TGA.
Student Outcomes From Participating in an International STEM Service-Learning Course
Authors: Daniel Kristy L. , Mishra Chandrani
Published: March 2017

The purpose of this study was to measure student affective, behavior, and content (ABC) and global awareness outcomes after participating in a science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM)–based international service-learning (ISL) course and impacts on long-term retention in STEM fields. We compared experiences from 12 participants (undergraduate and graduate students) enrolled in a STEM-based ISL course with experiences from four students enrolled in the same course without the service-learning component. The ISL course involved classroom discussions on environmental topics and four local and ISL projects with community partners to contribute to conservation efforts. Data came from student responses on a civics awareness questionnaire, reflective journal entries, and responses captured during individual semistructured interviews 2 years after the course. Findings indicate positive improvements in affective outcomes, significant gains in civic awareness, differences in behaviors based on class of student, specific content gains related to service-learning activities, global awareness gains for all students, and differential impacts on retention in STEM-related fields.
Tarsia: An Interactive and Engaging Activity That Promotes Consolidation of Knowledge
Authors: Stoten David William
Published: March 2017

Tarsia Formulator is a software package that enables management teachers to create innovative and engaging learning materials that test understanding. Available freely on the Internet via Hermitech Laboratory, it is widely used in the United Kingdom in the school sector. The author has used Tarsia in management classes and has received very positive comments from both undergraduate and MBA students who see it as a fun activity that really stretches their capacity to recall information and think logically. Tarsia can generate a range of puzzles that can serve as a way of consolidating knowledge for small groups of two to three students, or as a summation exercise at the end of a half-day session.
Efficacy and tolerability of nivolumab after allogeneic transplantation for relapsed Hodgkin lymphoma
Authors: Herbaux Charles , Gauthier Jordan , Brice Pauline , Drumez Elodie , Ysebaert Loic , Doyen Hélène , Fornecker Luc , Bouabdallah Krimo , Manson Guillaume , Ghesquières Hervé , Tabrizi Reza , Hermet Eric , Lazarovici Julien , Thiebaut-Bertrand Anne , Chauchet Adrien , Demarquette Hélène , Boyle Eileen , Houot Roch , Yakoub-Agha Ibrahim , Morschhauser Franck
Published: March 2017

Key Points

PD-1 blockade with nivolumab provides durable disease control after allo-HCT. PD-1 blockade with nivolumab after allo-HCT is associated with 30% acute GVHD.
Migration, entrepreneurship and development: critical questions
Authors: Naudé Wim , Siegel Melissa , Marchand Katrin
Published: March 2017

This paper poses and answers a number of critical questions about the relationship between migration and entrepreneurship in the process of economic development. In doing so, we show that the standard policy response to migrants and migrant entrepreneurs are often based on an inadequate understanding of migrant entrepreneurs. The questions we pose are the following: (i) Are immigrants really more entrepreneurial than natives? (ii) Are migrant remittances likely to fund entrepreneurship in their home countries? (iii) Are return migrants more likely to be entrepreneurial than non-migrants? And finally, based on the answers, (iv) Does migration matter for development? We conclude that one must avoid seeing migrants as super-entrepreneurs and that the (positive) developmental impact of migration is more significant through other channels. Removal of discriminatory barriers against migrants and against migrant entrepreneurs in labour, consumer and financial markets will promote development in both sending and receiving countries, not least through reducing the shares of migrants that are reluctant entrepreneurs.

JEL Classification:J60, L26, O15, F22
Mobile tablet audiometry in fluctuating autoimmune ear disease
Authors: Kohlert Scott , Bromwich Matthew
Published: March 2017

Background

Autoimmune inner ear disease (AIED) is a rare condition characterized by bilateral fluctuating sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). The labile nature of this hearing loss makes it difficult to accurately quantify with conventional methods, and therefore it is challenging to rehabilitate.

Methods

Over a 9-month period one pediatric patient with severe AIED was monitored and conducted home audiograms using a previously validated testing system (Shoebox Audiometry). During this period he also underwent several clinical audiograms. The correlation between clinical and home audiograms was analyzed with a Pearson coefficient, and the range and frequency of fluctuations was recorded.

Results

Sixty-four automated home audiograms and nine clinical audiograms were conducted. When tested at home using a calibrated system the pure tone average (PTA) fluctuated between 12 dB and 72 dB indicating large variability in hearing. Fluctuations were frequent: on 28 occasions the PTA varied by at least 5 dB when retested within 4 days. The mean PTA was 50 dB and 95% of the thresholds were within 36 dB of the mean. Clinical audiograms obtained on the same day or within 1 day of home testing were highly concordant (with a Pearson coefficient of 0.93).

Conclusion

AIED can result in significant fluctuations in hearing over short periods of time. Home testing enables a more granular look at variations over time and correlates well with clinical testing, and thus facilitates rapid action and informed rehabilitation.
Weekly taxane–anthracycline combination regimen versus tri-weekly anthracycline-based regimen for the treatment of locally advanced breast cancer: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Tan Qiu-Wen , Luo Ting , Zheng Hong , Tian Ting-Lun , He Ping , Chen Jie , Zeng He-Lin , Lv Qing
Published: March 2017

Background

Extensive studies have confirmed the efficacy of taxanes in combination with anthracycline-based chemotherapy on breast cancer. However, few studies have assessed the efficacy of weekly taxane–anthracycline regimens on locally advanced breast cancer. This study was to compare the efficacy and safety of a weekly taxane–anthracycline regimen with those of tri-weekly anthracycline-based regimen in patients with locally advanced breast cancer.

Methods

Patients with locally advanced breast cancer were randomized to receive 4–6 cycles of neoadjuvant chemotherapy with tri-weekly 5-fluorouracil–epirubicin–cyclophosphamide (FEC) regimen or weekly paclitaxel–epirubicin (PE) regimen. The primary endpoint was the pathologic complete response (pCR) rate. Other endpoints included the clinical tumor response, breast-conserving surgery rate, and adverse events.

Results

Between March 2010 and September 2013, 293 patients were randomized to the FEC (n = 151) and PE (n = 142) arms. The overall clinical response rate was significantly higher in the PE arm than in the FEC arm (76.06% vs. 59.95%, P = 0.001). Consistently, the post-chemotherapy pathologic T and N stages were significantly lower in the PE arm than in the FEC arm (P < 0.001). However, the pCR rate was similar in the two arms (10.61% vs. 12.31%, P = 0.665). Overall, 36 (27.27%) patients in the FEC arm and 6 (35.28%) in the PE arm were qualified for breast-conserving surgery. Most adverse events were comparable in both arms, with more severe neutropenia in the PE arm than in the FEC arm (11.97% vs. 5.96%, P = 0.031).

Conclusions

In patients with locally advanced breast cancer, weekly PE was not superior to FEC in terms of pCR. However, weekly PE has a higher response rate and superior down-staging effects. On this account, the PE regimen may be considered an alternative option for locally advanced breast cancer. Long-term follow-up data are needed to confirm the efficacy of this regimen on locally advanced breast cancer.

Trial registration Chinese clinical trial registry, ChiCTR-TRC-10001043, September 21, 2014
Decreasing incidence of cutaneous chemical burns in a resource limited burn centre: is this a positive effect of modernization?
Authors: Nnabuko R. E. E. , Okoye C. P. , Ogbonnaya I. S. , Isiwele Egi
Published: March 2017

Background

Burns present a devastating injury to patients. Burns caused by chemical agents, present a worse scenario. In a resource limited country like Nigeria, readily available sources of these corrosive agents are mainly from lead-acid battery vendors and to some extent local small scale soap manufacturers who use caustic soda. We hypothesized that with the reduction in small scale soap manufacturing and increasing trend towards modernization in the use of dry cell batteries, chemical burns may be on the decline, and we sought to investigate this.

Methods

The records of all acute burn patients seen at the Burns and Plastic Department of the National Orthopaedic Hospital Enugu Nigeria between January 2011 and December 2014 were retrospectively reviewed. The results were compared to similar studies carried out at the same centre. A questionnaire was administered to corrosive chemical (sulphuric and caustic soda) vendors to assess the trends in product sales and use in recent times.

Results

A total of 624 acute burn cases were treated during the period; among which, 12 cases (1.9%) were chemical burns. When compared with previous studies at the centre, Chemical burn cases were  recorded as the lowest rate. The median age of patients was 24 years. There were eight males and four females. Interpersonal assault was the commonest mechanism of injury with sulphuric acid suspected to be the commonest agent in 83.3% of the cases, while 16.7% of the cases were from accidental use of caustic soda. The head and neck as well as the upper limbs were the most affected (30%).

Twenty-six questionnaires to lead-acid vendors were analyzed and revealed that all respondents noticed a marked downward trend in the sale of either sulphuric acid or caustic soda, and they attributed this to the ready availability of imported alternatives to locally manufactured soap or wet lead-acid batteries. Ease of use, durability and convenience of the dry cell batteries were cited as principal reasons.

Conclusion

There appears to be a downward trend in the prevalence of chemical burns in our study compared to previous studies in the centre which may be due to reduced availability and access of corrosive chemicals to the general public. Further prospective multicentre studies to confirm this are recommended.
A systems-level approach reveals new gene regulatory modules in the developing ear
Authors: Chen Jingchen , Tambalo Monica , Barembaum Meyer , Ranganathan Ramya , Simões-Costa Marcos , Bronner Marianne E. , Streit Andrea
Published: March 2017

The inner ear is a complex vertebrate sense organ, yet it arises from a simple epithelium, the otic placode. Specification towards otic fate requires diverse signals and transcriptional inputs that act sequentially and/or in parallel. Using the chick embryo, we uncover novel genes in the gene regulatory network underlying otic commitment and reveal dynamic changes in gene expression. Functional analysis of selected transcription factors reveals the genetic hierarchy underlying the transition from progenitor to committed precursor, integrating known and novel molecular players. Our results not only characterize the otic transcriptome in unprecedented detail, but also identify new gene interactions responsible for inner ear development and for the segregation of the otic lineage from epibranchial progenitors. By recapitulating the embryonic programme, the genes and genetic sub-circuits discovered here might be useful for reprogramming naïve cells towards otic identity to restore hearing loss.
The plant i-AAA protease controls the turnover of an essential mitochondrial protein import component
Authors: Opalińska Magdalena , Parys Katarzyna , Murcha Monika W. , Jańska Hanna
Published: March 2017

Mitochondria are multifunctional organelles that play a central role in energy metabolism. Owing to the life-essential functions of these organelles, mitochondrial content, quality and dynamics are tightly controlled. Across the species, highly conserved ATP-dependent proteases prevent malfunction of mitochondria through versatile activities. This study focuses on a molecular function of the plant mitochondrial inner membrane-embedded AAA protease (denoted i-AAA) FTSH4, providing its first bona fide substrate. Here, we report that the abundance of the Tim17-2 protein, an essential component of the TIM17:23 translocase (Tim17-2 together with Tim50 and Tim23), is directly controlled by the proteolytic activity of FTSH4. Plants that are lacking functional FTSH4 protease are characterized by significantly enhanced capacity of preprotein import through the TIM17:23-dependent pathway. Taken together, with the observation that FTSH4 prevents accumulation of Tim17-2, our data point towards the role of this i-AAA protease in the regulation of mitochondrial biogenesis in plants.
Longitudinal quasi-static stability predicts changes in dog gait on rough terrain
Authors: Wilshin Simon , Reeve Michelle A. , Haynes G. Clark , Revzen Shai , Koditschek Daniel E. , Spence Andrew J.
Published: March 2017

Legged animals utilize gait selection to move effectively and must re-cover from environmental perturbations. We show that on rough terrain domestic dogs, Canis lupus familiaris, spend more time in longitudinal quasi-statically stable patterns of movement. Here longitudinal refers to the rostro-caudal, axis. We used an existing model in the literature to quantify the longitudinal quasi-static stability of gaits neighbouring the walk, and found that trot-like gaits are more stable. We thus hypothesized that when perturbed, the rate of return to a stable gait would depend on the direction of perturbation, such that perturbations towards less quasi-statically stable patterns of movement would be more rapid than those towards more stable patterns of movement. The net result of this would be greater time spent in longitudinally quasi-statically stable patterns of movement. Limb movement patterns in which diagonal limbs were more synchronised (those more like a trot) have higher longitudinal quasi-static stability. We therefore predicted that as dogs explored possible limb configurations on rough terrain at walking speeds, the walk would shift towards trot. We gathered experimental data quantifying dog gait when perturbed by rough terrain and confirmed this prediction using GPS and inertial sensors (n=6, p<0.05). By formulating gaits as trajectories on the N -torus we are able to make tractable analysis of gait similarity. These methods can be applied in a comparative study of gait control which will inform the ultimate role of the constraints and costs impacting locomotion, and have applications in diagnostic procedures for gait abnormalities, and in the development of agile legged robots.
Feed contamination: How can we reduce the risk?
Authors: Williams Claire
Published: March 2017

BETA executive director Claire Williams looks at the changes to the BETA NOPS Code and explains how it can help to reduce the risk of feed contamination
Seasonal changes and the risk of laminitis
Authors: Buchan Jane
Published: March 2017

Jane Buchan Marketing manager at Baileys Horse Feeds, discusses the impact of winter weather conditions on equine health as spring approaches
Historical development, sound aesthetics and production techniques of the distorted electric guitar in metal music
Authors: Herbst Jan-Peter
Published: March 2017

The sound of the distorted electric guitar is particularly important for many metal music genres. It contributes to the music’s perception of heaviness, serves as a distinguishing marker, and is crucial for the power of productions. This article aims at extending the research on the distorted metal guitar and on metal music production by combining both fields of interest. By the means of isolated guitar tracks of original metal recordings, ten tracks in each of the last five decades served as sample for a historical analysis of metal guitar aesthetics including the aspects tuning, loudness, layering and spectral composition. Building upon this insight, an experimental analysis of 287 guitar recordings explored the effectiveness and effect of metal guitar production techniques. The article attempts to provide an empirical ground of the acoustics of metal guitar production in order to extend the still rare practice-based research and metal-oriented production manuals.
Rime of a metal mariner
Authors: Roberts Justin J.
Published: March 2017

Heavy metal has drawn inspiration from literature almost from the genre’s ­inception. Iron Maiden has fully embraced literary allusion and adaptation in its songwriting approach. This article examines one of the band’s most ambitious adaptations, ‘Rime of the Ancient Mariner’ (1984) and the unique ways the band adapts Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s poem. Lyrically, songwriter Steve Harris conflates both Coleridge’s poem and subsequent glossing, joining the two elements to present the tale. Additionally, the members of Iron Maiden compose a lengthy song with numerous movements, the different musical themes working with the tale’s textual themes to deepen and complicate the adaptation, interpreting not just the words but also the underlying moods and philosophical and narrative themes of Coleridge’s texts in the song.
El poder de lo inútil: Las tecnologías blandas y las bellas artes
Authors: Vegas Moreno Natalia
Published: March 2017

Acercamos el concepto de artesanía como conjunto de conocimientos propios del especialista a diferencia de un arte actual sin utilidad en sí mismo, para distinguir lo tecnológico de lo técnico en arte. La posición de superioridad de lo tecnológico frente a lo técnico se revela en su búsqueda de fines, ya sean éstos materiales, ejemplificados en las tecnologías duras, o inmateriales, asumidos en el concepto de tecnologías blandas. La deriva hacia la tecnologización de los dispositivos, ayuda a acercar el peligro de la defensa del producto inmaterial del arte como alineación con el discurso de la sociedad del capitalismo cognitivo.
El funcionamiento de las tecnologías de la imagen en la creación de imaginarios normativos
Authors: Erdaide Cervigón Garazi
Published: March 2017

En el presente artículo se analizan las tecnologías de la imagen como transmisoras de subjetividades sociales, poniendo el énfasis en la no neutralidad de los dispositivos fotográficos. Se ha examinado la tecnología fotográfica y su actual desarrollo tecnológico, a través del proyecto Colour Balance de Lorna Roth y de diferentes aplicaciones móviles relacionadas con la imagen, con el objetivo de estudiar su influencia en la creación de imaginarios colectivos dominantes. La observación de diferentes estudios que vinculan las tecnologías de la imagen con la construcción racializada nos lleva a afirmar que las diversas tecnologías de la imagen no solo generan lo normativo, sino que lo naturalizan. De esta manera, los nuevos dispositivos tecnológicos de creación, edición, visualización y distribución de imágenes contribuyen a la continuidad de miradas normativas del mundo. Se ha explorado el proyecto Humanae de Angélica Dass, considerando que la reflexión desde el ámbito artístico en torno a las relaciones de los dispositivos y las dinámicas sociales posibilita la toma de decisiones conscientes en la práctica artística así como la creación de nuevos imaginarios.
Tecnologías relacionales en las prácticas artísticas participativas: Casos, mecánicas y estrategias
Authors: Olmo Alonso Saioa
Published: March 2017

Hoy en día el concepto de “tecnología” se identifica de manera naturalizada con las tecnologías duras (aquellas que desde las ciencias físicas y naturales se ocupan de aspectos tangibles de la realidad) dejando de lado las tecnologías blandas (entroncadas con las ciencias humanas y sociales, y que atienden a aspectos más intangibles). Dentro de las segundas estarían las tecnologías relacionales que son mecánicas que estructuran nuestras relaciones sociales. Conseguir entenderlas y utilizarlas de manera empoderada desde las artes, facilitaría que las creaciones artísticas generaran interacciones más relevantes en la sociedad y que los artistas aportaran visiones y maneras de proceder alternativas dentro del magma social de poderes intangibles en el que nos movemos. Este artículo define qué son las tecnologías blandas, sitúa en ellas las tecnologías relacionales (en su tres vertientes comportamental, comunicacional y organizacional) y extrae las mecánicas y estrategias que operan en cinco proyectos artísticos participativos concretos, mecánicas con las que ir construyendo una caja de herramientas relacionales que poder utilizar en proyectos artísticos de manera sofisticada y en un equilibrio de fuerzas más acorde a cómo operan estas tecnologías sobre nosotras.
Tics
Authors: Black Kevin
Published: March 2017

Welcome to Tics. The goal is to have a single, easily accessible portal for all scientific and medical information on tic disoders. For starters, here are a few resources that may be of interest. Enjoy the reading!

The Tourette Association of America

Tourettes Action (UK)

The Tics collection on F1000Research

Rough draft of "Tourette syndrome research highlights from 2016" on Authorea

A PubMed collection of publications on Tourette syndrome and related topics from 2016, for that article

The 1st World Congress on Tourette Syndrome & Tic Disorders (2015)
Occupational health and safety provision awareness among construction workers on the construction industry of Windhoek, Namibia
Authors: Nghitanwa Emma Maano , Zungu Lindiwe I
Published: March 2017

The purpose of this study is to discuss the awareness on the provision of occupational health and safety (OHS) among construction workers in the construction industry of Windhoek, Namibia. A quantitative, descriptive, cross sectional design was applied. Interviewer- led questionnaires were used to collect the data among 549 participants. The study results showed that most construction workers express poor awareness on construction industry OHS provision. The interventions such as OHS training enforcement is needed in order to increase construction workers OHS awareness through training. The employees need to establish OHS programs on the construction sites which include the development of the OHS policies which shows organisation commitment towards occupational health and safety of its workers.
Elements of satisfactory online asynchronous teacher behaviour in higher education
Authors: Smits Anneke , Voogt Joke
Published: March 2017

In this study, differences were analysed between two groups of online teachers in a Master of Special Educational Needs program. One group scored high on student satisfaction and the second group received low student satisfaction ratings. Findings indicate that high satisfaction is associated with relatively long and pedagogically complex messages that are most often addressed to the whole group. These messages are characterised by careful listening to the students, elaborate on content knowledge, and show online personality and social behaviour. The research resulted in preliminary guidelines for crafting asynchronous teacher messages that positively affect student satisfaction and a scoring guideline that can be used to score the quality of online teaching as expressed in online asynchronous messages.
What if learning analytics were based on learning science?
Authors: Marzouk Zahia , Rakovic Mladen , Liaqat Amna , Vytasek Jovita , Samadi Donya , Stewart-Alonso Jason , Ram Ilana , Woloshen Sonya , Winne Philip H , Nesbit John C
Published: March 2017

Learning analytics are often formatted as visualisations developed from traced data collected as students study in online learning environments. Optimal analytics inform and motivate students’ decisions about adaptations that improve their learning. We observe that designs for learning often neglect theories and empirical findings in learning science that explain how students learn. We present six learning analytics that reflect what is known in six areas (we call them cases) of theory and research findings in the learning sciences: setting goals and monitoring progress, distributed practice, retrieval practice, prior knowledge for reading, comparative evaluation of writing, and collaborative learning. Our designs demonstrate learning analytics can be grounded in research on self-regulated learning and self-determination. We propose designs for learning analytics in general should guide students toward more effective self-regulated learning and promote motivation through perceptions of autonomy, competence, and relatedness.
Lecture-recording technology in higher education: Exploring lecturer and student views across the disciplines
Authors: Lokuge Dona Kulari , Gregory Janet , Pechenkina Ekaterina
Published: March 2017

This paper presents findings of an institutional case study investigating how students and lecturers experienced a new opt-out, fully integrated lecture-recording system which enabled audio and presentation screen capture. The study’s focus is on how ‘traditional’ students (generally characterised as young, enrolled full-time and attending classes on campus) engaged with lecture-recording and how lecturers’ experiences with, and attitudes towards, lecture-recording differed depending on their discipline. Students were generally positive about the affordances of the lecture-recording system, whilst lecturers remained undecided on its value. Discipline-based differences in lecturer engagement with the system were noted between lecturers teaching engineering and sciences subjects and those teaching business and social sciences, the latter being more positive towards the system. The paper raises questions about the efficacy of a one-size-fits-all lecture-recording system given differences in disciplinary activities, lecturer styles and approaches to teaching.
TPACK in action: A study of a teacher educator’s thoughts when planning to use ICT
Authors: Bibi Shaista , Khan Shahadat Hossain
Published: March 2017

In this paper, we discuss how a university lecturer (pseudonym: James) drew on his technological pedagogical and content knowledge (TPACK) when planning to integrate technology in teaching. The main purpose of the study was to use real-life planning observations to understand James’s TPACK. The data were obtained through think-aloud sessions in which James planned a course that is offered to undergraduate initial teacher education (ITE) students in a research-intensive Australian university. Chi’s (1997) verbal analysis method was used to analyse verbal qualitative data. The results indicate that a different set of knowledge domains underpinned James’s decisions in each different episode of his planning sessions giving his TPACK a dynamic and context-sensitive nature. We suggest observations of teachers when making actual planning decisions as one of the preferred methods to understand the nature of their TPACK. The study introduces a new approach in understanding how this teacher’s TPACK looks when he drew on various domains of knowledge, by visually presenting the combinations made among knowledge domains.
Measuring cognitive load in the presence of educational video: Towards a multimodal methodology
Authors: Kruger Jan-Louis , Doherty Stephen
Published: March 2017

The use of video has become well established in education, from traditional courses to blended and online courses. It has grown both in its diversity of applications as well as its content. Such educational video however is not fully accessible to all students, particularly those who require additional visual support or students studying in a foreign language. Subtitles (also known as captions) represent a unique solution to these language and accessibility barriers, however, the impact of subtitles on cognitive load in such a rich and complex multimodal environment has yet to be determined. Cognitive load is a complex construct and its measurement by means of single indirect and unidimensional methods is a severe methodological limitation. Building upon previous work from several disciplines, this paper moves to establish a multimodal methodology for the measurement of cognitive load in the presence of educational video. We show how this methodology, with refinement, can allow us to determine the effectiveness of subtitles as a learning support in educational contexts. This methodology will also make it possible to analyse the impact of other multimedia learning technology on cognitive load.
Avaliação da qualidade de plantas medicinais comercializadas no Município de Imperatriz – MA
Authors: Silva Francisca Célia , Ribeiro Alan Bezerra , Ribeiro Paulo Roberto Silva
Published: March 2017

O uso de produtos fitoterápicos e a comercialização indiscriminada de espécies vegetais inadequadas para o uso medicinal associada às frequentes adulterações, contaminações e falsificações interferem na saúde e segurança do consumidor. Visando o controle de matérias-primas amplamente consumidas no Município de Imperatriz – MA e as suas importantes atividades biológicas avaliou-se a qualidade dos fitoterápicos Carqueja (Baccharis trimerae herbae), a Calêndula (Calendula officinalis), Sene (Senna alexandrina P.Miller) e a Cáscara sagrada (Rhamnus purshiana). As amostras de carqueja apresentaram valores médios de teor de umidade de 9,8% e impureza de 24,6% superiores ao permitido pela legislação e teor de óleo essencial apenas em 0,25%. A Calêndula apresentou 0,4% de teor de óleo essencial e índice de saponinas de 142,9. A Cáscara sagrada apresentou índices satisfatórios de antraquinonas, O-heterosídeos hidroxiantracênicos e os C-heterosídeos hidroxiantracênicos. Constatou-se a presença de senosídeo C, senosídeo B e 11,43% de cinzas totais e 1,7% de cinzas insolúveis, não ultrapassando o valor máximo de 12% (para cinzas totais) e 3% (para cinzas insolúveis) nas amostras de Sene.
Stock Lagoa de Dentro, Domínio Macururé, Sistema Orogênico Sergipano: Geologia, Petrografia e Geoquímica
Authors: Pereira Fábio Santos , Conceição Joane Almeida , Rosa Maria de Lourdes Silva , Conceição Herbet
Published: March 2017

O Domínio Macururé aloja uma importante granitogênese neoproterozoica, que registra os principais eventos ocorridos durante a evolução do Sistema Orogênico Sergipano. O Stock Lagoa de Dentro (SLD) é um dos representantes do magmatismo granítico leucocrático identificado no Domínio Macururé, cuja gênese é, em parte, atribuída à fusão dos seus metassedimentos. O SLD possui 13 km2 de área e encontra-se intrusivo nos metassedimentos psamo-pelíticos dos municípios de Gracho Cardoso e Cumbe. Suas rochas têm cor cinza a rosa, granulação média, são hololeucocráticas e equigranulares. Os tipos petrográficos que compõem o stock são Muscovita Álcali-Feldspato Granito, Muscovita Monzogranito e Monzogranito. Os dados geoquímicos revelam que as rochas do SLD são fortemente fracionadas (SiO2>67%), peraluminosas (1,1<A/CNK<1,5), potássicas e apresentam afinidade com as suítes Cálcio-Alcalinas de Alto K e Shoshonítica. Os conteúdos de elementos traços posicionam as rochas estudadas no campo dos granitos sin-colisionais, com uma assinatura de magmas gerados em ambiente de arco vulcânico.
Aplicação da microextração líquido-líquido dispersiva com solidificação da gota orgânica flutuante para determinação de 11-nor-9-carboxi-Δ9-tetraidrocanabinol em urina humana com derivação on-line no sistema de injeção cromatográfico
Authors: Dórea Haroldo Silveira , Gomes Isla Alcantara , Prata Vanessa Menezes , Moreira Cybelle Oliveira , Souza Michel Rubens dos Reis
Published: March 2017

A Cannabis sativa é a droga de abuso mais consumidas no mundo. Devido à baixa concentração dos metabólitos em amostras complexas, novas técnicas de extração estão sendo estudadas. O objetivo desse trabalho foi aplicar a Microextração Líquido-Líquido Dispersiva com Solidificação da Gota Orgânica Flutuante (DLLME-SFO) para determinar o 11-nor-9-carboxi-Δ9-tetraidrocanabinol (THC-COOH) em urina humana. Além disso, foi estabelecer um procedimento on line para a derivação do metabólito no injetor cromatográfico. O analito foi extraído da urina depois da hidrólise alcalina do glicuronídeo, usando o solvente de extração 1-dodecanol (30 µL) e o metanol (200 µL) como dispersor. NaCl 1% foi adicionado e o tempo de extração foi de 5 min. A melhor proporção entre BSTFA:extrato para derivação on line do THC-COOH foi 2:2, o split no injetor foi 1:20 e a temperatura de 240 °C. O extrato foi analisado por cromatografia gasosa acoplada a espectrometria de massas no modo tandem (GC-MS/MS), depois da definição dos ions pais (m/z), da energia de excitação (modo ressonante) e dos ions filho para a quantificação e confirmação (m/z) do canabinóide e do padrão interno deuterado. Os limites de quantificação (LQ) e de detecção (LD) foram 10 e 1 ng mL-1, respectivamente. O método analítico proposto apresentou vantagens com relação à sensibilidade, especificidade, linearidade, custo, assim como é adequado à química verde e seus limites são apropriados para analisar THC-COOH em urina humana.
As percepções sociais frente a implantação de uma Instituição de Longa Permanência para Idosos em um município do Vale do Taquari/RS, Brasil
Authors: Zagonel Aline Dorneles , Costa Arlete Eli Kunz da , Pissaia Luis Felipe , Moreschi Claudete
Published: March 2017

O principal objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar as percepções sociais diante da implantação de uma Instituição de Longa Permanência para Idosos em um município do Vale do Taquari/RS, Brasil. Caracteriza-se como um estudo descritivo e exploratório com abordagem qualitativa. A coleta de dados foi realizada por meio de entrevistas individuais com três pessoas residentes no bairro ao qual a Instituição de Longa Permanência para Idosos está em processo de implantação. Os resultados demonstraram que a implantação de uma instituição para idosos exige uma conscientização social quanto a sua necessidade local. Verificou-se que a qualificação da assistência prestada ao idoso oferece subsidios para as familias aderirem a este novo modelo de cuidados. A apresentação da estrutura para a sociedade e realização de atividades multidisciplinares apresentam-se como principios qualificadores para sua aceitação enquanto espaço comunitário. Conforme observado, o aumento da população idosa fomenta a implantação de instituições de longa permanência. Para tanto, compreende-se que ainda existe preconceito com este tipo de instituição para idosos, no entanto busca-se assimilar sua existência a partir das necessidades locais.
Some properties of graded comultiplication modules
Authors: Al-Zoubi Khaldoun , Al-Qderat Amani
Published: March 2017

Let G be a group with identity e. Let R be a G-graded commutative ring and M a graded R-module. In this paper we will obtain some results concerning the graded comultiplication modules over a commutative graded ring.
Overexpression of Parkinson’s Disease-Associated Mutation LRRK2 G2019S in Mouse Forebrain Induces Behavioral Deficits and α-Synuclein Pathology
Authors: Xiong Yulan , Neifert Stewart , Karuppagounder Senthilkumar S. , Stankowski Jeannette N. , Lee Byoung Dae , Grima Jonathan C. , Chen Guanxing , Ko Han Seok , Lee Yunjong , Swing Debbie , Tessarollo Lino , Dawson Ted M. , Dawson Valina L.
Published: March 2017

Mutations in the leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) gene have been identified as an unambiguous cause of late-onset, autosomal-dominant familial Parkinson’s disease (PD) and LRRK2 mutations are the strongest genetic risk factor for sporadic PD known to date. A number of transgenic mice expressing wild-type or mutant LRRK2 have been described with varying degrees of LRRK2-related abnormalities and modest pathologies. None of these studies directly addressed the role of the kinase domain in the changes observed and none of the mice present with robust features of the human disease. In an attempt to address these issues, we created a conditional LRRK2 G2019S (LRRK2 GS) mutant and a functionally negative control, LRRK2 G2019S/D1994A (LRRK2 GS/DA). Expression of LRRK2 GS or LRRK2 GS/DA was conditionally controlled using the tet-off system in which the presence of tetracycline-transactivator protein (tTA) with a CAMKIIαpromoter (CAMKIIα-tTA) induced expression of TetP-LRRK2 GS or TetP-LRRK2 GS/DA in the mouse forebrain. Overexpression of LRRK2 GS in mouse forebrain induced behavioral deficits and α-synuclein pathology in a kinase-dependent manner. Similar to other genetically engineered LRRK2 GS mice, there was no significant loss of dopaminergic neurons. These mice provide an important new tool to study neurobiological changes associated with the increased kinase activity from the LRRK2 G2019S mutation, which may ultimately lead to a better understanding of not only the physiologic actions of LRRK2, but also potential pathologic actions that underlie LRRK2 GS-associated PD.
Locomotion Enhances Neural Encoding of Visual Stimuli in Mouse V1
Authors: Dadarlat Maria C. , Stryker Michael P.
Published: March 2017

Neurons in mouse primary visual cortex (V1) are selective for particular properties of visual stimuli. Locomotion causes a change in cortical state that leaves their selectivity unchanged but strengthens their responses. Both locomotion and the change in cortical state are thought to be initiated by projections from the mesencephalic locomotor region, the latter through a disinhibitory circuit in V1. By recording simultaneously from a large number of single neurons in alert mice viewing moving gratings, we investigated the relationship between locomotion and the information contained within the neural population. We found that locomotion improved encoding of visual stimuli in V1 by two mechanisms. First, locomotion-induced increases in firing rates enhanced the mutual information between visual stimuli and single neuron responses over a fixed window of time. Second, stimulus discriminability was improved, even for fixed population firing rates, because of a decrease in noise correlations across the population. These two mechanisms contributed differently to improvements in discriminability across cortical layers, with changes in firing rates most important in the upper layers and changes in noise correlations most important in layer V. Together, these changes resulted in a threefold to fivefold reduction in the time needed to precisely encode grating direction and orientation. These results support the hypothesis that cortical state shifts during locomotion to accommodate an increased load on the visual system when mice are moving.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTThis paper contains three novel findings about the representation of information in neurons within the primary visual cortex of the mouse. First, we show that locomotion reduces by at least a factor of 3 the time needed for information to accumulate in the visual cortex that allows the distinction of different visual stimuli. Second, we show that the effect of locomotion is to increase information in cells of all layers of the visual cortex. Third, we show that the means by which information is enhanced by locomotion differs between the upper layers, where the major effect is the increasing of firing rates, and in layer V, where the major effect is the reduction in noise correlations.
Constant Light Desynchronizes Olfactory versus Object and Visuospatial Recognition Memory Performance
Authors: Tam Shu K.E. , Hasan Sibah , Choi Harry M.C. , Brown Laurence A. , Jagannath Aarti , Hughes Steven , Hankins Mark W. , Foster Russell G. , Vyazovskiy Vladyslav V. , Bannerman David M. , Peirson Stuart N.
Published: March 2017

Circadian rhythms optimize physiology and behavior to the varying demands of the 24 h day. The master circadian clock is located in the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) of the hypothalamus and it regulates circadian oscillators in tissues throughout the body to prevent internal desynchrony. Here, we demonstrate for the first time that, under standard 12 h:12 h light/dark (LD) cycles, object, visuospatial, and olfactory recognition performance in C57BL/6J mice is consistently better at midday relative to midnight. However, under repeated exposure to constant light (rLL), recognition performance becomes desynchronized, with object and visuospatial performance better at subjective midday and olfactory performance better at subjective midnight. This desynchrony in behavioral performance is mirrored by changes in expression of the canonical clock genesPeriod1andPeriod2(Per1andPer2), as well as the immediate-early geneFosin the SCN, dorsal hippocampus, and olfactory bulb. UnderrLL, rhythmicPer1andFosexpression is attenuated in the SCN. In contrast, hippocampal gene expression remains rhythmic, mirroring object and visuospatial performance. Strikingly,Per1andFosexpression in the olfactory bulb is reversed, mirroring the inverted olfactory performance. Temporal desynchrony among these regions does not result in arrhythmicity because core body temperature and exploratory activity rhythms persist underrLL. Our data provide the first demonstration that abnormal lighting conditions can give rise to temporal desynchrony between autonomous circadian oscillators in different regions, with different consequences for performance across different sensory domains. Such a dispersed network of dissociable circadian oscillators may provide greater flexibility when faced with conflicting environmental signals.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTA master circadian clock in the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) of the hypothalamus regulates physiology and behavior across the 24 h day by synchronizing peripheral clocks throughout the brain and body. Without the SCN, these peripheral clocks rapidly become desynchronized. Here, we provide a unique demonstration that, under lighting conditions in which the central clock in the SCN is dampened, peripheral oscillators in the hippocampus and olfactory bulb become desynchronized, along with the behavioral processes mediated by these clocks. Multiple clocks that adopt different phase relationships may enable processes occurring in different brain regions to be optimized to specific phases of the 24 h day. Moreover, such a dispersed network of dissociable circadian clocks may provide greater flexibility when faced with conflicting environmental signals (e.g., seasonal changes in photoperiod).
The Lateral Occipital Cortex Is Selective for Object Shape, Not Texture/Color, at Six Months
Authors: Emberson Lauren L. , Crosswhite Stephen L. , Richards John E. , Aslin Richard N.
Published: March 2017

Understanding how the human visual system develops is crucial to understanding the nature and organization of our complex and varied visual representations. However, previous investigations of the development of the visual system using fMRI are primarily confined to a subset of the visual system (high-level vision: faces, scenes) and relatively late in visual development (starting at 4–5 years of age). The current study extends our understanding of human visual development by presenting the first systematic investigation of a mid-level visual region [the lateral occipital cortex (LOC)] in a population much younger than has been investigated in the past: 6 month olds. We use functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), an emerging optical method for recording cortical hemodynamics, to perform neuroimaging with this very young population. Whereas previous fNIRS studies have suffered from imprecise neuroanatomical localization, we rely on the most rigorous MR coregistration of fNIRS data to date to image the infant LOC. We find surprising evidence that at 6 months the LOC has functional specialization that is highly similar to adults. Following Cant and Goodale (2007), we investigate whether the LOC tracks shape information and not other cues to object identity (e.g., texture/material). This finding extends evidence of LOC specialization from early childhood into infancy and earlier than developmental trajectories of high-level visual regions.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTUnderstanding visual development is crucial to understanding the nature of visual representations in the human brain. Previous studies of visual development have investigated children (4 years and older) and high-level visual areas. This study expands our knowledge of visual development by investigating the functional development of mid-level vision [lateral occipital cortex (LOC)] early in infancy. We find surprisingly adult-like functional specialization of the LOC by 6 months of age: infants exhibit shape selectivity, but not object selectivity, in this region.