bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Radiation-Induced Lung Injury Imaging
Authors: Perez Jessica Rika
Published: January 2018

Radiation-induced lung injury (RILI) occurs in up to 30% of thoracic radiotherapy (RT) cases and is a major limiting factor of dose escalation to achieve tumor control and improve survival. RILI can be separated into two phases: an early inflammatory phase and a late fibrotic phase. Imaging has the potential to provide a helpful understanding of RILI for diagnosis, monitoring and treatment. Current clinical imaging methods rely on anatomical imaging and occasionally incorporate functional imaging. With the advent of molecular imaging, specific targeted probes can be designed to image RILI at every stage of the process. Molecular imaging is still in its infancy and most new RILI imaging techniques are still under development. This chapter summarizes the different imaging methods used clinically for RILI imaging and explores new developments for the future of RILI management.
A Model for Economic Development With Telecentres and the Social Media
Authors: van der Vyver Abraham G.
Published: January 2018

In 2000 the General Assembly of the United Nations accepted their Millennium Declaration. Two of their main foci are the eradication of poverty and the economic upliftment of disadvantaged societies. In Thailand, three initiatives contributed to the eradication of poverty. The “One Tambon, One Product” (OTOP) that was launched in 2001 has as its mission to stimulate the economy by creating small economic hubs in each subdistrict (Tambon). The OTOP initiative grew exponentially and a total of 85,173 products have been registered by 2010. The growing network of telecentres helped to close the digital divide. It also anchored many of the OTOP projects. In the third instance, the social networks redefined the business environment and created new communication platforms to promote entrepreneurial hubs. The researcher combined field studies with content analysis of the social media in order to establish to what extent these drivers of poverty eradication have been integrated.
Missed Call or an Opportunity
Authors: Ananth Indira
Published: January 2018

The mobile phone has come to be recognized as one of the key instruments of ICT. Its easy acceptance as a communication device enhances its usage. India is one of the fastest growing markets for the government has been keenly promoting a digital India programme with a vision to transform India into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy. There has been much focus on mobile phones and their applications in the light of delegalisation of notes in India. It has gained attention in the scenario of moving to a cashless economy. It has brought into focus more sharply the need for mobile phone literacy. This chapter discusses the use of mobile phones among street vendors in Chennai, a capital city and the fourth largest urban agglomeration in India. The study found that most owned a basic mobile phone. The vending business continued to be practiced in old ways with no new management skills. The business was run and was highly dependent on cash payments. The respondents did not consider the mobile phone as an important tool for daily business.
Key Challenges for Sustainable E-Services in Unstable Societies
Authors: Alsaeed Abraheem , Boakes Rich
Published: January 2018

Refugees and displaced people who have been affected by disaster or political instability (uprooted from their homes in search of safety) are an interesting group of citizens when we consider e-government services since they face extra challenges of access to such government services. The chapter explores challenges faced by e-service delivery to refugee and displaced people which are often characteristic of unstable societies. This chapter reports on a study of Syrian refugees and displaced people using a survey exploring the use of e-services for citizens inside and outside of Syria. The authors apply institutional theory as a theoretical lens using the dimensions of economic, political, technical, and social to understand the context and issues of providing e-government services within this very challenging domain. The results indicate six themes influencing sustainable and effective support for e-services for such groups of people, namely importance of e-services, connectivity, awareness, e-service availability, financial constraints, and digital literacy.
Theories and Practices of Sustainable Development in Africa
Authors: Seiko Zekarias Minota
Published: January 2018

Sustainable development (SD) involves economic growth with non-declining inter-generational benefit by maintaining environmental balance overtime. However, the conceptual and practical complexity of traditional SD has challenged its implementation. Consequently, this chapter provides a modified approach to SD called Institutionalized Sustainable Development (ISD) model, which augments the institutional governance into the three pillars of sustainable development: social, economic and environmental aspects. It argues that SD can be achieved when capable institutions are established that can optimize resource use; integrate economic development, environment and social inclusion. The Sustainable development practice of Africa has been assessed and lessons are drawn for future development ends. The resource use, task, and goal prioritization are the main motivators of developing these models. Its application requires development of indigenous knowledge and local capacity, planned investment, good governance, research and innovation directed towards realization of inclusive sustainable development in Africa.
Women's Participation and Equal Opportunities for Leadership in Tanzania
Authors: Msoka Elizabeth Michael , Muya Dominick
Published: January 2018

The goal of ensuring women's full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership in political, economic, and public life is still a major challenge in Tanzania. This chapter addresses three questions: What accounts for low participation of women in leadership at all levels of decision making in political, economic, and public life? What measures have been undertaken to address gender gap in leadership? And, what are the best ways to ensure women's full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership? Findings suggest several determinants of gender gap in leadership including low level of education among women, patriarchal political norms and values reinforced with high levels of poverty, as well as the dual burden of triple roles, which women carry. Moreover, women are perceived to be lacking public speaking skills and competitiveness. All those factors make women less likely than men to aspire for leadership careers in political, economic, and public life.
Women's Representation in Selected Ethiopian Electronic Media and Its Implication for Sustainable Development
Authors: Hagos Wubalem Arefaine
Published: January 2018

There are many dynamics for women misrepresentations in Ethiopian electronic media. This chapter contributes to exploring how Ethiopian electronic media report and present women's issues. The chapter focuses on selected broadcast media mainly on three FMs in Addis Ababa predominantly on their news pieces and women's program. Accordingly, media gave much emphasis to the categories under which women are mostly depicted as victim, dependent, involved in small-scale activity, etc. Thus, women are not portrayed in a way that shows their diverse contributions to the society and also the media portrayed the image of women in a more stereotypical way. Therefore, despite women's vital and multiple roles to play in achieving sustainable development, the fact of their issues and concerns being not properly presented and covered adequately brought a great repercussion on gender equality and this reflects the unsustainability patterns of development which intensify gender inequalities.
Design of Semi-Active Seismic Vibration Controllers Using Fuzzy Logic and Evolutionary Optimization
Authors: Patrascu Monica
Published: January 2018

In the light of recent technological advances, semi-active structural damping systems for seismic vibration mitigation are considered part of the civil engineering design process. Various actuating devices have been integrated into structures along with specifically designed control strategies. Semi-active dampers are nonlinear switching systems that require enhanced controllers. In order to minimize instability risk, a cascaded fuzzy control system that integrates the switch behaviour is designed. The inner loop uses a PI (proportional-integral) controller that is tuned with evolutionary optimization. The case study uses an electrohydraulic damper and a three-story building. To anticipate robustness to real-world disturbances and equipment failure, an uncertainty effect analysis is included in which three control systems are compared. First, structural and actuator disturbances are considered. Then, the case of switch failure brings forth the high reliability of the fuzzy control system, in what concerns using semi-active dampers in the development of civil structures.
Modeling and Dynamic Surface Control of Uncertain Strict-Feedback Nonlinear Systems Using Adaptive Fuzzy Wavelet Network
Authors: Shahriari-Kahkeshi Maryam
Published: January 2018

This chapter proposes a new modeling and control scheme for uncertain strict-feedback nonlinear systems based on adaptive fuzzy wavelet network (FWN) and dynamic surface control (DSC) approach. It designs adaptive FWN as a nonlinear-in-parameter approximator to approximate the uncertain dynamics of the system. Then, the proposed control scheme is developed by incorporating the DSC method to the adaptive FWN-based model. Stability analysis of the proposed scheme is provided and adaptive laws are designed to learn all linear and nonlinear parameters of the network. It is proven that all the signals of the closed-loop system are uniformly ultimately bounded and the tracking error can be made arbitrary small. The proposed scheme does not require any prior knowledge about dynamics of the system and offline learning. Furthermore, it eliminates the “explosion of complexity” problems and develops accurate model of the system and simple controller. Simulation results on the numerical example and permanent magnet synchronous motor are provided to show the effectiveness of the proposed scheme.
Utility and Significance of Vague Set Theory and Advanced Optimization Mechanisms for Uncertainty Management
Authors: Sowkarthika B  , Tiwari Akhilesh , Gupta R. K. , Singh Uday Pratap
Published: January 2018

In this digital world, tremendous data are generated in every field. Useful information is inferred out of this data, which is valuable for effective decision making. Data mining extracts the interesting information from huge volumes of data. Association rule (AR) mining is one of the core areas of data mining where interesting information is extracted in the form of rules. Traditional AR mining is incapable of handling uncertain situations. In order to handle uncertainty, mathematical tools like vague theory can be utilized with AR mining methodologies for the development of novel vague theory based algorithms, which will be more suitable in effectively handling vague situations that helps framing effective selling strategy. Since an organization can't analyze the huge rule set obtained from these algorithms, every resultant rule should have a certain ratio of factors customized to the interest of the organization that can be achieved through optimization algorithms. This chapter explores the significance of vague theory and optimization means for effective uncertainty management.
Cyber-Moms Facing Motherhood
Authors: Boursier Valentina , Manna Valentina , Gioia Francesca , Coppola Federica , Venosa Noemi
Published: January 2018

Mothers and mothers-to-be often become e-health users because of their need for sharing emotional and practical parental experiences. In this sense, web forums seem to positively contribute to parenting skills and transition to motherhood. This study aims at exploring how 379 Italian mothers use two Italian forums, the manifest and latent contents of their interactions, and the emotional connections between their own maternal experiences and the e-group dynamics. The qualitative analysis of 7433 comments pointed out five main themes, describing how mothers make sense of their experiences through the online dimension: the group; I am; personal experience; perspective knowhow; tech-moms. This study confirms that parenting experience represents a big challenge for rising mothers. Moreover, it shows that the e-groups can alternatively reproduce a peer group functioning and a feeding breast, a reassuring container with holding functions, or a “toilet breast”, encouraging progressive as well as regressive movements.
Insight Into Sub-Saharan African Discussions of Anxiety and Depression Online
Authors: Sekalala Seif , Maki Kristin G.
Published: January 2018

This chapter presents a brief review of past studies on the topics of stigma towards clinical anxiety and depression among populations of African descent in the US and Sub-Saharan Africa, as well as the efficacy of online searches for assistance and moral support. It also reports the findings of a study of nine African patients or survivors of clinical anxiety and depression who share their stories two online platforms, i.e., the website of the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG), and the www.depression-understood.org forum. Relevant themes are presented using Owen's (1984) and Mitchell's (2016) analytical frameworks.
Sharing Your Personal Medical Experience Online
Authors: Moeller Claudia Lisa
Published: January 2018

What happened between Mrs. Kardashian West and the FDA in 2015 is very interesting to all of us. She praised and suggested a prescribed drug against morning sickness. The FDA claimed it was a commercial and sent a warning letter to the company, which produced the drug. Kim Kardashian West changed her post and admitted it was a commercial. Was it true? Mrs. Kardashian West just expressed her personal opinion and wanted to share with her followers a piece of advice. She share her personal story, like many other Internet users, and her patient experience should have been respected. Her story shows what patient empowerment is and how the Net is a precious resource for patients to share their stories that might help other patients. For this reason, doctors should not be afraid of the Net and its potentiality.
Risk Taxonomy and Strategic Rationality in Enterprise Decision-Making Process
Authors: dall'Acqua Luisa
Published: January 2018

Over the last decade, risk management has become increasingly important both in financial and non-financial businesses. This is due to the increase in uncertainty caused by a number of internal and external factors. Genesis of business risk can be related to the divergence between external factors and components of organizational and operational structures of companies. In this chapter, a baseline risk taxonomy was proposed, and the cognitive, regulatory, and social components of risk inherent in a decision-making process were analyzed. A synthesis model was then elaborated, which exposes the relationships between decision-maker, decision-making, and environment for risk management, including through decision-making information technology.
The Benchmarking Practices as a Strategic Option to Improve the Performance of Economic Companies
Authors: Ainous Redouan
Published: January 2018

This chapter analyses the development of benchmarking research from 1989 to 2017. Drawing upon diary and database seeks, all articles were recovered and afterward dissected in the light of the substance investigation strategy. The chapter demonstrates that benchmarking has caught expanding research consideration, as proven by the developing number of articles distributed. Conduct change hypotheses primary benchmarking ponders were not announced, prompting troubles in recognising fundamental factors in viable medications. Benchmarking research has been overwhelmed by subjective techniques, albeit both quantitative and blended strategies are picking up outstanding quality.
Impact of E-Commerce on Agricultural Business Success
Authors: Negrão Carla Sofia Vicente
Published: January 2018

In an increasingly digital and competitive environment, it is important to understand the agricultural business' success in a digital economy. E-commerce appears as a potential strategic tool. The purpose of this chapter is to analyze the impact of e-commerce on agricultural business success in Portugal. Through a quantitative approach, data were collected by survey and a sample of 372 agricultural enterprises is obtained. The empirical results suggest a negative and significant impact of e-commerce on productivity. However, there is a simultaneous relationship between the e-commerce adoption and performance, both individually and globally. This study contributes to the addition of theory on e-commerce adoption, the impact of e-commerce on performance, and other determinants of the agricultural business' success.
Managed Healthcare
Authors: Czarnecka Karolina H. , Pawliczak Filip
Published: January 2018

This chapter describes how managed healthcare is a systemic and institutional approach for cost management. It might be the remedy for increasing demand for limited human and material resources. In most of the developed countries the number of elderly patients with multimorbidity is increasing every year. This situation creates the necessity for implementing new policies based on cost-effective methods of diagnosis and treatment. Keeping quality high is crucial for patient safety, although cost reduction must occur to ensure the proper care for all. However, several ethical concerns are raised with these changes. The main is that although the physicians are focused on cost-effective procedures, they will take the patient's opinions into consideration. The outcome of an undermined relationship between doctors and their patients may be contrary to the reduction of the compliance and adherence may in fact increase the cost of services for specific patients. The proper communication patterns and post-discharge care is mandatory for limiting unwanted additional costs and benefits policy makers keeping patient satisfaction high.
The Impact of the Attitude of Medical Staff From Burnout on the Level of Ongoing Medical Services
Authors: Wójcik Anita
Published: January 2018

This chapter describes how contemporary, dynamic development in all available human areas is unavoidable and necessary. However, along with the benefits and progress made by civilization, there is also a growing margin of vulnerability and unfavorable price developments. Professional burnout is becoming a global problem. It identifies the limits of current human capabilities to the serious phenomenon. In particular, nurses and medical rescuers, who are in direct contact with the patient, experience unpleasant symptoms of burnout.
Action Research Approaches
Authors: Watkins Karen E. , Nicolaides Aliki , Marsick Victoria J.
Published: January 2018

The contemporary use of action research draws on the exploratory, inductive nature of many qualitative research approaches because the type of research problems studied are complex, dynamic, and located in rapidly changing contexts. When action research is undertaken to support social and organizational change, support from stakeholders affected by the research problem is essential, creating further complexity. Action research may serve as an alternative to more traditional views of social science. In this chapter, the authors describe action research as envisioned by Kurt Lewin, its originator. Using the example of an innovative action research approach to doctoral research, they illustrate the context-rich, exploratory nature of action research that both generates knowledge for change and engages collaborating researchers and participants. The authors conclude with reflections on criteria for rigor and relevance in action research in today's post-modern, complex world.
Research as Resistance
Authors: Jones Denisha
Published: January 2018

This chapter provides an overview of activist research and how it is used in various fields including anthropology, social movements, and education. It discusses the impetus for incorporating activism into theoretical frameworks and research methodologies and the distinct aspects of activist research. Youth participatory action research (YPAR) is examined to identify how activist research can be situated into the methods and outcomes. Finally, a YPAR study is examined to illustrate how activist research can serve as a guided framework.
An Adaptive Leadership Approach to Adult Learning and Organizational Research
Authors: Norris Sharon E.
Published: January 2018

Adaptive leadership is presented as an effective approach to adult learning and organizational research, which encourages flexible thinking, double-loop learning, and transformative changes. The most comprehensive adult studies programs and applied research studies in the future will be those where researchers become immersed in the research process and engage with participants in the process of learning and knowledge creation. Through this process, researchers help unleash the creative potential of the organization and gain valuable learning experiences.
Qualitative Case Study Research
Authors: McWhorter Rochell R. , Ellinger Andrea D.
Published: January 2018

This chapter introduces the concept of qualitative case study research as a prevalent form of empirical inquiry. It begins by defining what a case study is, and articulates the purposes, intentions, and types of case studies. It then describes how to determine if a qualitative case study is an appropriate approach for conducting research. The essential steps associated with designing qualitative case study research are presented and the role of literature and theory are discussed. Approaches for collecting and analyzing case study data are presented along with a focus on contemporary techniques including digital platforms. Writing up and presenting case study findings are discussed. The chapter then articulates how to avoid common pitfalls when engaging in qualitative case study research and concludes with the strengths and limitations associated with this form of empirical inquiry.
Conducting Survey Research Using MTurk
Authors: Chambers Silvana , Nimon Kim
Published: January 2018

This chapter presents an introduction to crowdsourcing for survey participant recruitment. It also discusses best practices and ethical considerations for conducting survey research using Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk). Readers will learn the benefits, limitations, and trade-offs of using MTurk as compared to other recruitment services, including SurveyMonkey and Qualtrics. A synthesis of survey design guidelines along with a sample survey are presented to help researchers collect the best quality data. Techniques, including SPSS and R syntax, are provided that demonstrate how users can clean resulting data and identify valid responses for which workers could be paid. An overview and syntax for conducting longitudinal studies is provided as well.
Conducting All-Possible-Subsets for MANOVA and Factorial MANOVA
Authors: Nimon Kim , Zientek Linda Reichwein , Kraha Amanda
Published: January 2018

Multivariate techniques are increasingly popular as researchers attempt to accurately model a complex world. MANOVA is a multivariate technique used to investigate the dimensions along which groups differ, and how these dimensions may be used to predict group membership. A concern in a MANOVA analysis is to determine if a smaller subset of variables may be used in the classification functions without any loss of explanatory power when precision of parameter estimates or parsimony needs to be addressed. One way to address these concerns is with all possible subsets. However, not all common statistical packages easily facilitate this analysis and the analysis can be a weekend project. As such, the purpose of this chapter is to examine and demonstrate R and SPSS solutions to conduct an all-possible-subsets MANOVA, including all-possible-subsets factorial MANOVA.
Addressing Survey Research
Authors: Brewer Ernest W. , Torrisi-Steele Geraldine , Wang Victor
Published: January 2018

Survey research is a mainstay of social research. Both cost effective and time efficient, this method of research is commonly used for the purposes of gaining insight into the attitudes, thoughts, and opinions of populations. There are several types of survey research designs and data collection instruments giving the researchers the flexibility to determine which methods will work best for their own particular study. Regardless of the method, the researcher must carefully select an excising instrument or construct the data collection instrument, as this is the key to a successful survey research study. Despite some criticisms, survey research remains a highly used research method but with the advent of the digital age, the face of survey research is beginning to change. This chapter defines survey research, outlines the basic structure for conducting such research, identifies some of the major challenges surrounding survey research, and provides some recommendations. In discussing the future of survey research, the authors place emphasis on big data and social media as two strong digital forces influencing survey research.
Creating Support for Graduate Students' Writing and Publication Endeavors
Authors: Rocco Tonette S. , Gionti Lori Ann , Plakhotnik Maria S. , Munn Sunny L. , Collins Joshua C.
Published: January 2018

Although research and writing for publication are seen as important responsibilities for most graduate students and faculty, many struggle to understand the process and to succeed. Unfortunately, writing centers at most universities do not cater to these kinds of needs, but rather to course-specific needs of undergraduate students. This chapter describes a writing center, The Office of Academic Writing and Publication Support, at Florida International University, USA that was specifically designed to aid the scholarly writing endeavors of graduate students. First, the authors review literature on how individual instructors and programs assist graduate students in improving their writing skills. Then they provide a history of university writing centers and examine the evolution of their purpose. In the second half of the chapter, the authors share their experiences envisioning and building this writing center and creating, implementing, and improving its services. In doing so, they also reflect on successes and missteps along the way. The authors hope this chapter may be especially helpful to educators who seek to create similar centers or services at their own institutions.
Who Would Like to Develop ICT Standards?
Authors: Riillo Cesare A. F.
Published: January 2018

Policy makers are promoting standardization activities because standardization can stimulate productivity and growth. To support these policies, a dedicated module of the community survey on ICT usage was designed to investigate the perception of Luxembourgish firms towards ICT standardization. Behaviours and intention of ICT standardization is investigated in two stages. A contingency analysis describes ICT standardization behaviours across industries and size classes. Second, a multivariate analysis identifies the features of firms interested in any area of ICT standardization. The econometric analysis shows that the typical firm that would like to develop ICT standards is active in the service industry, uses standards, is a government supplier, experiences moderate competition, and it is not a leader in its market. Interestingly, large and small firms are equally interested in ICT standardization. Specific policies aiming to provide resources to SMEs that would like but are not active in standardization are particularly advisable.
Complex Network Perspective on Collaboration in ICT Standardization
Authors: Ali-Vehmas Timo
Published: January 2018

Standardization is a crucial enabler of global business of information and communications technologies. Convergence of the underlying networking paradigms of licensed mobile communication and license-exempted internet has made progress, but full integration is still far from being complete. For standardization professionals, the unpredictable convergence makes decision making and participation in standardization complicated. This chapter examines collaboration in five closely related standardization organizations working in this field during the years from 2003 to 2008. The results show similarities and differences in collaboration structures and behaviours reflecting the specific scope and context of each standardization organization. Furthermore, this chapter extends the use of social network analysis as a tool to the field of empirical standardization research. The results pave the way towards better collaboration in standardization communities of converging mobile internet and beyond by providing better visibility and new insights to standardization leaders, policy makers, and users.
From Patent Hold-Up to Patent Hold-Out?
Authors: Barani Marie
Published: January 2018

Patents are an efficient tool for companies contributing to the standardization process to recover investments made in the process and continue participating in future standardization efforts. However, to avoid abusive use of standard-essential patents (SEPs) incorporated in de jure standards, standardization contributors are required to make their SEPs available on fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory terms and conditions (the [F]RAND commitment). This commitment has been created to fairly and adequately reward innovators while at the same time allow access to the standardized technology at (F)RAND terms and conditions; the latter preventing patent hold-up. With the changes in the cellphone market in the last ten years, the content of this (F)RAND commitment has been challenged in courts and in front of antitrust authorities. The question is whether this duty, set up to avoid hold-up, is not used by some implementers to engage in hold-out.
ICT Standards Management
Authors: Spring Michael B.
Published: January 2018

This chapter explores opportunities to manage standards and standardization with a particular focus on the information and communication technologies (ICT) sector. It looks at the historical “management” of standards primarily in the United States, highlighting government and industrial approaches and the forces that have shaped the management process. It then turns to the current pressures and forces facing the management of ICT standards and standardization and makes some suggestions for activities that might enhance the management of standards.
EXPANSÃO TERRITORIAL URBANA NOS POLOS EDUCACIONAIS DO SEMIÁRIDO PARAIBANO
Authors: Lima Francilaine Nóbrega de , Silva Janaína Barbosa da , Pereira Thaís Mara Souza
Published: January 2018

Baseada nas funções centrais exercidas pelos espaços urbanos, o setor educacional configura-se como um dos principais, potencializando atração de pessoas que necessitam dessa localidade central para exercer suas atividades cotidianas. Dessa forma, os municípios de Campina Grande, Patos, Sousa e Cajazeiras, localizados no estado da Paraíba e compreendidos pelo semiárido paraibano, foram selecionados como área de estudo. Assim, o presente estudo objetivou analisar espaço-temporalmente a expansão territorial urbana dos municípios supracitados. De modo que, a hipótese do estudo é relacionar a expansão territorial urbana com a consolidação de instituições públicas de ensino superior e/ou técnico localizadas nestes municípios. Buscou-se relacionar a presença dos Campi com a expansão urbana verificada nesses municípios, tendo como problemática, a influência dessas instituições sobre a dinâmica de crescimento urbano percebido nesses municípios. Para tanto, mapeou-se as áreas urbanas centrais e quantificou-se a extensão dessas para cada município através das imagens de satélite tratadas e analisadas. Por fim, conclui-se que os municípios analisados exercem papel polarizador em relação aos municípios adjacentes. Vale a ressalva que cada núcleo urbano existe uma dinâmica diferenciada, influenciada por diversos fatores, entre eles o número de instituições, sua localização, bem como a instalação no Município. Portanto, a presente pesquisa corrobora a ideia de aceleração e direcionamento da expansão territorial urbana a partir da instalação das instituições públicas de ensino (superior/técnica).
DRENAGEM E RESÍDUOS EM ÁREA URBANA: PROPOSTAS PARA A PROTEÇÃO DE DUAS NASCENTES EM SÃO CARLOS - SP
Authors: Tão Nícolas Guerra Rodrigues , Soares Raimunda Gomes Silva , Faustino Alexandre Da Silva , Moschini Luiz Eduardo
Published: January 2018

O crescimento da cidade em direção às áreas de nascentes tem ampliado a importância da proteção dos recursos hídricos na gestão de resíduos sólidos, uma vez que o transporte de detritos trazidos pelo escoamento de águas pluviais é um dos impactos mais notáveis sobre os corpos d’água. Considerando tal problemática, pretende-se diagnosticá-la nos bairros Douradinho, São Rafael e Jardim Tangará, utilizando de ferramentas de geoprocessamento e análise visual. Foram feitas visitas técnicas a região para construir uma ampla leitura do território, realizando registros fotográficos de objetos de interesse. As informações obtidas foram georreferenciadas e associadas a bases físicas, obtidas através de cartas topográficas e de dos loteamentos. Os dados associados deram origem aos mapas temáticos resultados desse estudo. Com base nessas informações, são propostas práticas de gestão dos resíduos sólidos do bairro no sentido de proteger o recurso hídrico ali presente. Como resultado, de modo geral, foram mapeados diversos pontos de saídas de drenagem irregular em toda a região, onde os resíduos são carreados diretamente para os córregos ou para dentro da mata. Verificou-se que medidas estruturais são necessárias para a área, como gradeamento dos dispositivos para evitar que resíduos cheguem aos córregos, assim como a fiscalização do atendimento de políticas públicas que exigem a manutenção lotes privados e áreas públicas sem uso. Por fim, é necessário que os moradores destes bairros estejam cientes da importância ambiental desta área e assim reconsiderem seus hábitos de descarte. Somente através da informação e do desenvolvimento de uma relação de respeito com ambiente será possível progredir rumo a sustentabilidade socioambiental.
USO DO MÉTODO DELPHI PARA MENSURAR A DEGRADAÇÃO AMBIENTAL EM BACIAS HIDROGRÁFICAS URBANAS: O CASO DO CÓRREGO CHAFARIZ, ALFENAS - MG, BRASIL
Authors: Lopes Gustavo José De Melo , Dos Santos Clibson Alves
Published: January 2018

O processo de urbanização observado no Brasil é marcado pela falta de planejamento, causando alterações nos ambientes, principalmente nos canais fluviais, que funcionam basicamente para o lançamento de águas pluviais. As alterações interferem na dinâmica fluviais e pluvial, além de causar ou intensificar eventos hidrológicos extremos, com as enchentes. O presente estudo visa analisar os processos de degradação da bacia hidrográfica do córrego do Chafariz na área urbana de Alfenas – MG, localizado no sul de Minas Gerais, através da identificação do índice de degradação (ID), utilizando 17 parâmetros classificados quantitativamente através do método Delphi. A área de estudo foi dividida em três subáreas: área urbana consolidada (A), área urbana em expansão (B) e área rural (C). Os resultados apontaram que a área urbana consolidada apresentou o ID mais elevado. Porém, nos demais trechos foram observados problemas decorrentes das alterações antrópicas. Identificou-se ainda, a intensidade dos tipos de degradação que ocorrem em cada subárea. Os dados obtidos e as propostas indicadas no presente estudo, podem auxiliar o poder pública na definição de prioridades de recuperação, nas discussões sobre o uso e ocupação do solo urbano, bem como na definição de diretrizes políticas que estruturam o ordenamento territorial no município.
MAPEAMENTO PARTICIPATIVO: CONCEITOS, MÉTODOS E APLICAÇÕES
Authors: Araújo Franciele Eunice , Anjos Rafael Silva , Rocha-Filho Gilson Brandão
Published: January 2018

O mapeamento participativo é definido como um tipo de mapeamento auxiliado pelas comunidades que estão inseridas na área de estudo com o objetivo facilitar a interpretação dos mapas para essas comunidades e consequentemente as particularidades de um território. Desse modo, os documentos cartográficos gerados através desse mapeamento terão suas características cartográficas próprias, de acordo com a metodologia adotada pela comunidade. Esses mapas podem ser feitos de forma mais simples ou até mesmo com a utilização de programas de produção. Isso torna-se um excelente instrumento de gestão do ramo das ciências geográficas, pois auxilia na tomada de decisões e no planejamento territorial levando em consideração as necessidades da comunidade. Para sua realização é necessária a capacitação dos membros das comunidades para a troca de conhecimentos. A comunidade aponta os problemas e as possíveis soluções. Os geógrafos e cartógrafos, por sua vez, abordam como deverão ser as etapas na produção dos mapas, de forma imparcial, com o objetivo de aproximar os beneficiados aos conhecimentos cartográficos e à inserção de novas tecnologias usadas na cartografia como o uso do GPS, imagens de satélites e ortofotocartas. Esse artigo foi elaborado pelos alunos do mestrado da disciplina de Cartografia do curso de Pós Graduação em Ciências Geodésicas e Tecnologias da Geoinformação, com foco de estudos em que a Cartografia serve como instrumento social. Portanto, a importância desse artigo é compreender como as comunidades entendem as particularidades de seus territórios, as dinâmicas, características físicas e ambientais e como as representam no mapa. Para isso fez-se um resgate de trabalhos, com mais variados públicos, para apresentar a definição, métodos, peculiaridades e como o mapeamento participativo pode ser usado realizando revisão bibliográfica sobre o tema.
Editorial v.35, n.2 (2017)
Authors: Geografia - UEM Boletim De
Published: January 2018

Editorial do volume 35, número 2, do ano de 2017.
Mesenchymal Stem Cells Recruit CCR2+ Monocytes To Suppress Allergic Airway Inflammation
Authors: Takeda Katsuyuki , Webb Tracy L. , Ning Fangkun , Shiraishi Yoshiki , Regan Daniel P. , Chow Lyndah , Smith Mia J. , Ashino Shigeru , Guth Amanda M. , Hopkins Sophie , Gelfand Erwin W. , Dow Steven
Published: January 2018

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) exert immune modulatory properties and previous studies demonstrated suppressive effects of MSC treatment in animal models of allergic airway inflammation. However, the underlying mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. We studied the role of MSC in immune activation and subsequent recruitment of monocytes in suppressing airway hyperresponsiveness and airway inflammation using a mouse model of allergic airway inflammation. MSC administration prior to or after allergen challenge inhibited the development of airway inflammation in allergen-sensitized mice. This was accompanied by an influx of CCR2-positive monocytes, which were localized around injected MSC in the lungs. Notably, IL-10–producing monocytes and/or macrophages were also increased in the lungs. Systemic administration of liposomal clodronate or a CCR2 antagonist significantly prevented the suppressive effects of MSC. Activation of MSC by IFN-γ leading to the upregulation of CCL2 expression was essential for the suppressive effects, as administration of wild-type MSC into IFN-γ−deficient recipients, or IFN-γ receptor–deficient or CCL2-deficient MSC into wild-type mice failed to suppress airway inflammation. These results suggest that MSC activation by IFN-γ, followed by increased expression of CCL2 and recruitment of monocytes to the lungs, is essential for suppression by MSC in allergen-induced airway hyperresponsiveness and airway inflammation.
KEAP1 Editing Using CRISPR/Cas9 for Therapeutic NRF2 Activation in Primary Human T Lymphocytes
Authors: Noel Sanjeev , Lee Sul A. , Sadasivam Mohanraj , Hamad Abdel R. A. , Rabb Hamid
Published: January 2018

Oxidant stress modifies T lymphocyte activation and function. Previous work demonstrated that murine T cell–specific kelch like-ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1) deletion enhances antioxidant capacity and protects from experimental acute kidney injury. In this study, we used CRISPR technology to develop clinically translatable human T cell–specific KEAP1 deletion. Delivery of KEAP1 exon 2 specific Cas9:guide RNA in Jurkat T cells led to significant (∼70%) editing and upregulation of NRF2-regulated antioxidant genes NADPH dehydrogenase quinone 1 (NQO1) (up to 11-fold), heme oxygenase 1 (HO1) (up to 11-fold), and GCLM (up to 2-fold). In primary human T cells, delivery of KEAP1 exon 2 target site 2-specific ATTO 550–labeled Cas9:guide RNA edited KEAP1 in ∼40% cells and significantly (p ≤ 0.04) increased NQO1 (16-fold), HO1 (9-fold), and GCLM (2-fold) expression. To further enrich KEAP1-edited cells, ATTO 550–positive cells were sorted 24 h after electroporation. Assessment of ATTO 550–positive cells showed KEAP1 editing in ∼55% cells. There was no detectable off-target cleavage in the top three predicted genes in the ATTO 550–positive cells. Gene expression analysis found significantly (p ≤ 0.01) higher expression of NQO1 mRNA in ATTO 550–positive cells compared with control cells. Flow cytometric assessment showed increased (p ≤ 0.01) frequency of CD4-, CD25-, and CD69-expressing KEAP1 edited cells whereas frequency of CD8- (p ≤ 0.01) and IL-17– (p ≤ 0.05) expressing cells was reduced compared with control cells. Similar experimental conditions resulted in significant KEAP1 editing, increased antioxidant gene expression, and frequency of CD69 and IL-10 positive cells in highly enriched KEAP1-edited regulatory T cells. KEAP1-edited T cells could potentially be used for treating multiple human diseases.
Therapeutic Application of an Extract of Helicobacter pylori Ameliorates the Development of Allergic Airway Disease
Authors: van Wijck Yolanda , de Kleijn Stan , John-Schuster Gerrit , Mertens Tinne C. J. , Hiemstra Pieter S. , Müller Anne , Smits Hermelijn H. , Taube Christian
Published: January 2018

Epidemiological and experimental studies have shown that exposure to the gastric bacterium Helicobacter pylori, especially in early life, prevents the development of asthma. Recent mouse studies have shown that this protective effect does not require live bacteria and that treatment with an extract of H. pylori in neonates prevents the development of airway inflammation and goblet cell metaplasia. In the current study, the effect of administration of an extract of H. pylori was assessed in a therapeutic study design with application of the extract just prior to allergen challenge. C57BL/6 mice were sensitized and challenged with OVA or house dust mite. Treatment with H. pylori extract just prior to the challenge significantly reduced airway inflammation, as assessed in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and lung tissue, and reduced airway remodeling, as assessed by goblet cell quantification. These effects were apparent in the OVA model and in the house dust mite model. Injection of H. pylori extract reduced the processing of allergen by dendritic cells in the lungs and mediastinal lymph node. Bone marrow–derived dendritic cells exposed to H. pylori extract were affected with regard to their ability to process Ag. These data show that application of H. pylori extract after sensitization effectively inhibits allergic airway disease.
MLL1 Promotes IL-7 Responsiveness and Survival during B Cell Differentiation
Authors: Gan Tao , Li Bin E. , Mishra Bibhu P. , Jones Kenneth L. , Ernst Patricia
Published: January 2018

B lymphocyte differentiation is an exquisitely regulated homeostatic process resulting in continuous production of appropriately selected B cells. Relatively small changes in gene expression can result in deregulation of this process, leading to acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), immune deficiency, or autoimmunity. Translocation of MLL1 (KMT2A) often results in a pro-B cell ALL, but little is known about its role in normal B cell differentiation. Using a Rag1-cre mouse knock-in to selectively delete Mll1 in developing lymphocytes, we show that B cell, but not T cell, homeostasis depends on MLL1. Mll1−/− B progenitors fail to differentiate efficiently through the pro- to pre-B cell transition, resulting in a persistent reduction in B cell populations. Cells inefficiently transit the pre-BCR checkpoint, despite normal to higher levels of pre-BCR components, and rearranged IgH expression fails to rescue this differentiation block. Instead of IgH-rearrangement defects, we find that Mll1−/− pre-B cells exhibit attenuated RAS/MAPK signaling downstream of the pre-BCR, which results in reduced survival in physiologic levels of IL-7. Genome-wide expression data illustrate that MLL1 is connected to B cell differentiation and IL-7–dependent survival through a complex transcriptional network. Overall, our data demonstrate that wild-type MLL1 is a regulator of pre-BCR signaling and B cell differentiation and further suggest that targeting its function in pro-B cell ALL may be more broadly effective than previously anticipated.
Novel Complication of an Emerging Disease: Invasive Klebsiella pneumoniae Liver Abscess Syndrome as a Cause of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome
Authors: Gupta Anupam , Bhatti Saad , Leytin Anatoly , Epelbaum Oleg
Published: January 2018

Klebsiella pneumoniae is an increasingly recognized cause of a unique invasive syndrome manifesting as pyogenic liver abscess and hematogenous extrahepatic dissemination to a variety of sites, including the lung. Originally described only in Asia, this entity has now been reported across continents and ethnicities. Intrathoracic complications of invasive Klebsiella pneumoniae liver abscess syndrome (IKPLAS) have been characterized sporadically but have not been the subject of an all-encompassing investigation. Review of the English-language literature yields no reports of the acute respiratory distress syndrome as a consequence of IKPLAS. Herein we report what, to our knowledge, is the first such description.
Role Strain, Part 1: Experiences of Athletic Trainers Employed in the Professional Sports Setting
Authors: Romero Manuel G. , Pitney William A. , Brumels Kirk , Mazerolle Stephanie M.
Published: January 2018

Context: 

The demands and expectations of athletic trainers employed in professional sports settings (ATPSSs) have increased over the years. Meeting these demands and expectations may predispose the athletic trainer to workplace stress and ultimately role strain.

Objective: 

To investigate the concept of role strain among ATPSSs.

Design: 

Sequential, explanatory mixed-methods study consisting of 2 phases: (1) population role-strain survey and (2) personal interviews.

Patients or Other Participants: 

From a purposeful sampling of 389 athletic trainers employed in the 5 major sports leagues (Major League Baseball, Major League Soccer, National Basketball Association, National Football League, and National Hockey League), 152 individuals provided usable data (39% response rate).

Main Outcome Measure(s): 

A previously validated and reliable role-strain survey using a 5-point Likert scale (1 = never, 5 = nearly all the time) was administered. Measures of central tendency were used to identify the presence and degree of role strain; inferential statistics were calculated using analysis of variance to determine group differences in overall role strain and its subcomponents.

Results: 

More than half of the participants (53.9%) experienced a moderate to high degree of role strain. Interrole conflict (2.99 ± 0.77) and role overload (2.91 ± 0.75) represented the most prominent components of role strain. Differences existed by sport leagues and employment.

Conclusions: 

Role strain existed at moderate to high levels (mean Role Strain Score > 2.70) among ATPSSs. Interrole conflict and role overload contributed the most to overall role strain. The ATPSSs experienced role strain to a higher degree than reported in other settings.