bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intraluminal Delivery of Simvastatin Attenuates Intimal Hyperplasia After Arterial Injury
Authors: Helkin Alex , Bruch David , Wilson David R. , Gruessner Angelika C. , Bader Rebecca R. , Maier Kristopher G. , Gahtan Vivian
Published: April 2019

Introduction:

Oral statins reduce intimal hyperplasia (IH) after arterial injury by only ∼25%. Alternative drug delivery systems have gained attention as carriers for hydrophobic drugs. We studied the effects of simvastatin (free vs hyaluronic acid-tagged polysialic acid–polycaprolactone micelles) on vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) migration, VSMC proliferation and intimal hyperplasia. We hypothesized both free and micelle containing simvastatin would inhibit VSMC chemotaxis and proliferation, and local statin treatment would be more effective than oral in reducing IH in rats following carotid balloon injury.

Methods:

VSMCs pretreated with free simvastatin (20 minutes or 20 hours) or simvastatin-loaded micelles underwent chemotaxis and proliferation to platelet-derived growth factor. Next, rats that underwent balloon injury of the common carotid artery received statin therapy—intraluminal simvastatin-loaded micelles prior to injury, periadventitial pluronic gel following injury, or combinations of gel, micelle, and oral simvastatin. After 14 days, morphometric analysis determined the –intimal to medial ratio. Findings were compared to controls receiving oral simvastatin or no statin therapy. Statistical analysis was by analysis of variance for the in vitro experiments and a factorial general linear model for the in vivo experiments.

Results:

The simvastatin-loaded micelles and free simvastatin inhibited VSMC chemotaxis (54%-60%). IH was induced in all injured vessels. Simvastatin in pluronic gel or micelles reduced IH compared to untreated controls (0.208 ± 0.04 or 0.160 ± 0.03 vs 0.350 ± 0.03, respectively); however, neither gel nor simvastatin-loaded micelles were superior to oral statins (0.261 ± 0.03). Addition of oral statins or combining both local therapies did not provide additional benefit. Micelles were the single greatest contributing factor in IH attenuation.

Conclusions:

Intraluminally or topically delivered statins reduced IH. The efficacy of single-dose, locally delivered statin alone may lead to novel treatments to prevent IH. The different routes of administration may allow for treatment during endovascular procedures, without the need for systemic therapy.
Investigation of single droplet impact on canopy fabric
Authors: Cheng Han , Sun Peng , Tan Yan , Zhang Yongbo , Wang Xing
Published: April 2019

As raindrops impact on the canopy, the impact force and canopy vibration will be produced. And the impacting will seriously affect the deceleration characteristics of the parachute system. However, it is very difficult to obtain the impact force and vibration characteristics by the existing experimental methods. In order to solve the above problem, a two-way fluid structure interaction numerical method was used to investigate the process of single droplet impacting on canopy fabric. The Volume of Fluid (VOF) model was used in fluid calculation and the fabric was described by a thin porous domain. The finite element method was used to calculate the fabric dynamic response. The exchange of coupling information was achieved by a weak method. Based on the above method, a typical raindrop (2.12 mm) impacting on 66 type polyamide grid silk was studied in this article. The numerical results agreed well with the experimental results, which verified the feasibility and accuracy of the method used in this article. More importantly, the impact force and vibration characteristics were obtained. Finally, the effects of impact velocity, water permeability, and fabric pretension on impacting process were analyzed. The method and conclusions could provide a reference for aeronautical lifesaving, printing, and dyeing.
Personal Reflections on U.S. Federal Foresight Initiatives in the 1970s
Authors: Hunter Kenneth W.
Published: April 2019

During the 1970s, the planning and foresight community in the United States worked very hard to incorporate the long view—foresight perspectives and practices—into governmental functions when and where ever we could, especially in that decade’s major legislative accomplishments. Following is a brief outline of initiatives I had the pleasure of working on. While most of these activities were ended over the following generation, they show what can be accomplished with visionary leadership when the time is right.
Long-Term Exposure and Safety of a Novel Topical Rapamycin Cream for the Treatment of Facial Angiofibromas in Tuberous Sclerosis Complex: Results From a Single-Center, Open-Label Trial
Authors: Wheless Margaret C. , Takwi Apana A. , Almoazen Hassan , Wheless James W.
Published: April 2019

Facial angiofibromas, composed of fibrous tissue and blood vessels appearing on the face, are closely associated with tuberous sclerosis complex. Historically, oral rapamycin, a mammalian target of the rapamycin inhibitor of cell proliferation, has been used to treat visceral tuberous sclerosis–related tumors; however, the side effect profile of this medicine generally precludes its use in patients lacking significant internal involvement. The authors developed a novel topical formulation of rapamycin cream to treat the facial angiofibroma without exposing patients to possible systemic side effects. We followed 11 patients in a long-term, open-label, prospective study to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of rapamycin cream when used chronically. All of the patients showed an improvement in the appearance of their facial angiofibroma which was maintained in long-term follow-up without safety concerns or systemic absorption. The novel rapamycin cream was tolerated well by all patients and represents a way to address the cutaneous manifestation of tuberous sclerosis complex.
Par-4 overexpression impedes leukemogenesis in the Eµ-TCL1 leukemia model through downregulation of NF-κB signaling
Authors: Greene J. T. , Mani Rajeswaran , Ramaswamy Rahul , Frissora Frank , Yano Max , Zapolnik Kevan , Harrington Bonnie , Wasmuth Ronni , Tran Minh , Mo Xiaokui , McKenna Mary , Rangnekar Vivek M. , Byrd John C. , Bondada Subbarao , Muthusamy Natarajan
Published: April 2019

Prostate apoptosis response 4 (Par-4) is a tumor suppressor that prevents proliferation and induces cell death in several solid tumors. However, its role in B-cell malignancies has not been elucidated. To describe the role of Par-4 in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) pathogenesis, we developed a B-cell–specific human Par-4–overexpressing mouse model of CLL using the TCL1 leukemia model. While Par-4 transgenic mice did not display any obvious defects in B-cell development or function, disease burden as evidenced by abundance of CD19+CD5+ B cells in the peripheral blood was significantly reduced in Par-4 × TCL1 mice compared with TCL1 littermates. This conferred a survival advantage on the Par-4–overexpressing mice. In addition, a B-cell–specific knockout model displayed the opposite effect, where lack of Par-4 expression resulted in accelerated disease progression and abbreviated survival in the TCL1 model. Histological and flow cytometry–based analysis of spleen and bone marrow upon euthanasia revealed comparable levels of malignant B-cell infiltration in Par-4 × TCL1 and TCL1 individuals, indicating delayed but pathologically normal disease progression in Par-4 × TCL1 mice. In vivo analysis of splenic B-cell proliferation by 5-ethynyl-2-deoxyuridine incorporation indicated >50% decreased expansion of CD19+CD5+ cells in Par-4 × TCL1 mice compared with TCL1 littermates. Moreover, reduced nuclear p65 levels were observed in Par-4 × TCL1 splenic B cells compared with TCL1, suggesting suppressed NF-κB signaling. These findings have identified an in vivo antileukemic role for Par-4 through an NF-κB–dependent mechanism in TCL1-mediated CLL-like disease progression.
A Principle of Neuromechanical Matching for Motor Unit Recruitment in Human Movement
Authors: Hudson Anna L. , Gandevia Simon C. , Butler Jane E.
Published: April 2019

What determines which motor units are active in a motor task? In the respiratory muscles, motor units are recruited according to their mechanical advantages. We describe a principle of motor unit recruitment by neuromechanical matching due to mechanisms in the spinal cord that sculpt descending drive to motoneurons. This principle may be applicable to movements in nonrespiratory muscles.
Quantitative pancreatic MRI: a pathology-based review
Authors: Chouhan Manil D , Firmin Louisa , Read Samantha , Amin Zahir , Taylor Stuart A
Published: April 2019

MRI plays an important role in the clinical management of pancreatic disorders and interpretation is reliant on qualitative assessment of anatomy. Conventional sequences capturing pancreatic structure can however be adapted to yield quantitative measures which provide more diagnostic information, with a view to increasing diagnostic accuracy, improving patient stratification, providing robust non-invasive outcome measures for therapeutic trials and ultimately personalizing patient care.

In this review, we evaluate the use of established techniques such as secretin-enhanced MR cholangiopancreatography, diffusion-weighted imaging, T  1, T  2* and fat fraction mapping, but also more experimental methods such as MR elastography and arterial spin labelling, and their application to the assessment of diffuse pancreatic disease (including chronic, acute and autoimmune pancreatitis/IgG4 disease, metabolic disease and iron deposition disorders) and cystic/solid focal pancreatic masses. Finally, we explore some of the broader challenges to their implementation and future directions in this promising area.
Towards understanding neural network signatures of motor skill learning in Parkinson’s disease and healthy aging
Authors: Nackaerts Evelien , D'Cruz Nicholas , Dijkstra Bauke W , Gilat Moran , Kramer Thomas , Nieuwboer Alice
Published: April 2019

In the past decade, neurorehabilitation has been shown to be an effective therapeutic supplement for patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD). However, patients still experience severe problems with the consolidation of learned motor skills. Knowledge on the neural correlates underlying this process is thus essential to optimize rehabilitation for PD. This review investigates the existing studies on neural network connectivity changes in relation to motor learning in healthy aging and PD and critically evaluates the imaging methods used from a methodological point of view. The results indicate that despite neurodegeneration there is still potential to modify connectivity within and between motor and cognitive networks in response to motor training, although these alterations largely bypass the most affected regions in PD. However, so far training-related changes are inferred and possible relationships are not substantiated by brain–behavior correlations. Furthermore, the studies included suffer from many methodological drawbacks. This review also highlights the potential for using neural network measures as predictors for the response to rehabilitation, mainly based on work in young healthy adults. We speculate that future approaches, including graph theory and multimodal neuroimaging, may be more sensitive than brain activation patterns and model-based connectivity maps to capture the effects of motor learning. Overall, this review suggests that methodological developments in neuroimaging will eventually provide more detailed knowledge on how neural networks are modified by training, thereby paving the way for optimized neurorehabilitation for patients.
Influence of the incorporation of a lead foil to intraoral digital receptors on the image quality and root fracture diagnosis
Authors: Farias Gomes Amanda , Nejaim Yuri , Fontenele Rocharles Cavalcante , Haiter-Neto Francisco , Freitas Deborah Queiroz
Published: April 2019

Objective:

To evaluate the quality of images obtained with the addition of a lead foil to intraoral digital receptors.

Methods:

Radiographic images of 34 single-rooted human teeth - 19 with vertical root fracture (VRF) and 15 of the control group - were obtained with and without the addition of a lead foil, using the VistaScan, Express, Digora Optime and Digora Toto systems. Images were evaluated by five observers regarding the diagnosis of VRF, using a 5-point scale. In a second moment, an observer preference analysis related to the presence of the lead foil was performed. Images of an acrylic phantom were also obtained with and without the addition of a lead foil, and the quantities of uniformity, grey value and standard deviation of grey values were obtained.

Results:

There were no significant differences in the VRF diagnostic values, considering the presence of the lead foil. Regarding the image quality preference, the observers preferred images acquired with the lead foil for all systems tested, but with greater values for Digora Optime (61.33%) and Express (61.33%). The presence of the lead foil did influence the image uniformity in all systems tested ( p < 0.05). Moreover, the lead foil increased the mean of grey values for Digora Optime and Express images ( p < 0.05), however it did not influence the SD in any of the digital systems ( p > 0.05).

Conclusion:

The addition of a lead foil to intraoral digital receptors produces a positive effect in the image quality objectively detected by means of uniformity and subjective visual preference.
Managing Eating Disorders on a General Pediatrics Unit: A Centralized Video Monitoring Pilot
Authors: Shadman Kristin A , Coller Ryan J , Smith Windy , Kelly Michelle M , Cody Paula , Taft William , Bodine Laura , Sklansky Daniel J
Published: April 2019

Adolescents with severe eating disorders require hospitalization for medical stabilization. Supervision best practices for these patients are not established. This study sought to evaluate the cost and feasibility of centralized video monitoring (CVM) supervision on a general pediatric unit of an academic quaternary care center. This was a retrospective cohort study of nursing assistant (NA) versus CVM supervision for girls 12‐18 years old admitted for medical stabilization of an eating disorder between September 2013 and March 2017. There were 37 consecutive admissions (NA = 23 and CVM = 14). NA median supervision cost was more expensive than CVM ($4,104/admission vs $1,166/admission, P < .001). Length of stay and days to weight gain were not statistically different. There were no occurances of family refusal of CVM, conversion from CVM to NA, technological failure, or unplanned discontinuation. Video monitoring was feasible and associated with lower supervision costs than one‐to‐one NA supervision. Larger samples in multiple centers are needed to confirm the safety, acceptability, and efficacy of CVM.
An Academic Research Coach: An Innovative Approach to Increasing Scholarly Productivity in Medicine
Authors: McKinney Christy M , Mookherjee Somnath , Fihn Stephan D , Gallagher Thomas H
Published: April 2019

BACKGROUND

Academic faculty who devote most of their time to clinical work often struggle to engage in meaningful scholarly work. They may be disadvantaged by limited research training and limited time. Simply providing senior mentors and biostatistical support has limited effectiveness.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to increase productivity in scholarly work of hospitalists and internal medicine physicians by integrating an Academic Research Coach into a robust faculty development program.

DESIGN

This was a pre‐post quality improvement evaluation.

SETTING

This was conducted at the University of Washington in faculty across three academic‐affiliated hospitals and 10 academic‐affiliated clinics.

PARTICIPANTS

Participants were hospitalists and internists on faculty in the Division of General Internal Medicine at the University of Washington.

INTERVENTION

The coach was a 0.50 full time equivalent health services researcher with strong research methods, project implementation, and interpersonal skills. The coach consulted on research, quality improvement, and other scholarship.

MEASUREMENTS

We assessed the number of faculty supported, types of services provided, and numbers of grants, papers, and abstracts submitted and accepted.

RESULTS

The coach consulted with 49 general internal medicine faculty including 30 hospitalists who conducted 63 projects. The coach supported 13 publications, 11 abstracts, four grant submissions, and seven manuscript reviews. Forty‐eight faculty in other departments benefited as co‐authors.

CONCLUSION

Employing a dedicated health services researcher as part of a faculty development program is an effective way to engage clinically oriented faculty in meaningful scholarship. Key aspects of the program included an accessible and knowledgeable coach and an ongoing marketing strategy.
EM ANGOLA O ENSINO BILINGUE PODE CONTRIBUIR PARA A EDUCAÇÃO E MANUTENÇÃO DA PAZ NACIONAL
Authors: Almeida Patatas Teresa , Quintas Joana
Published: April 2019

Em Angola, país pós-conflito, a manutenção da paz é uma preocupação social. Nessa nação multicultural e plurilingue a língua portuguesa sempre assumiu a hegemonia em termos de escolarização e de administração, apesar de existirem várias línguas nacionais. Essas línguas entraram tardiamente na educação formal. O seu ensino é considerado importante na promoção e manutenção da paz nacional. Acredita-se que o ensino bilingue desde a primária, pode trazer múltiplas vantagens e contribuir para uma mudança multifacetada necessária para a preservação da paz. O objetivo deste estudo é mostrar que a escola angolana como agente de socialização e de formação de personalidade infantil pode impulsionar uma educação para a paz promovendo uma educação bilingue. Para a concretização deste objetivo fez-se uma pesquisa bibliográfica. Na parte empírica usaram-se grupos focais em turmas de ensino de línguas angolanas na província do Namibe.
ESCOLHAS ESCOLARES DOS ESTUDANTES DO ENSINO SUPERIOR:PERFIS E DIFERENCIAÇÃO SOCIAL
Authors: Essuvi de Oliveira Jacob Edgar
Published: April 2019

Neste artigo, analisaremos as escolhas escolares dos estudantes que ingressam no ensino superior. Para tal convocam‑se um conjunto de dados recolhidos a partir de uma amostra de 973 questionários aplicados a estudantes de licenciatura do 1º ano distribuídos por 4 instituições de ensino superior localizadas nas províncias da Huíla e Luanda.Os dados analisados indicam que a escolha da área de formação é marcada por processos de elitização em função das origens sociais e das trajetórias escolares. Quanto mais elevado for o capital económico e escolar da família de origem, maior é a percentagem de estudantes que opta por áreas mais prestigiadas, como ciências, engenharias e tecnologias. A opção por ciências da educação é mais frequente entre os estudantes detentores de um percurso escolar marcado por múltiplas interrupções e reprovações.
Disproportionality in NHS Disciplinary Proceedings
Authors: Archibong Uduak , Kline Roger , Eshareturi Cyril , McIntosh Bryan
Published: April 2019

Background/Aims

This article investigates the representation of black, Asian and minority ethnic staff in NHS disciplinary proceedings.

Methods

The study involved an in-depth knowledge review and analysis of literature on the representation of black, Asian and minority ethnic staff in NHS disciplinary proceedings from 2008 to 2017, as well as semi-structured interviews with 15 key stakeholders. Participants were stakeholders from both primary and secondary care and included equality and diversity leads, human resource professionals, NHS service managers, representatives of trade unions and health professional regulatory council representatives.

Findings

The knowledge review indicates that to date, black, Asian and minority ethnic staff are disproportionately represented in NHS disciplinary proceedings. Evidence gathered demonstrates the continuation of inappropriate individual disciplinary action and failure to address organisational shortcomings against black, Asian and minority ethnic members of staff.

Conclusions

Overall, six factors were identified as underpinning the disproportionate representation of black minority ethnic staff in disciplinaries: closed culture and climate; subjective attitudes and behaviour; inconclusive disciplinary data; unfair decision making; poor disciplinary support; and disciplinary policy misapplication.
Navigating the Maze of Data: Promoting Quality and Effectiveness in Allied Health
Authors: Bishop Amanda , Brott Tamzin
Published: April 2019

Background/Aims

The allied health service is department based rather than dedicated to a particular ward or specialty and use different data collection modalities to nursing colleagues. This results in allied health data sitting in isolation in multiple systems with no way to integrate data sets. This study aims to support quality improvement initiatives, population health management and innovation in the clinical space, create a transparent environment that seeks to engage staff, challenge assumptions and add value service delivery for patients.

Methods

The dashboard content was developed through discussions with key stakeholders to identify key performance indicators and appropriate measures before being developed. The dashboard was then presented in a test environment and modified to meet the end user requirements.

Findings

The dashboard is a highly visual way of displaying information for allied health professionals.

Conclusion

The dashboard provides knowledge on service development opportunities, supports strategic and clinical decision making, allocates staff and raises the profile of allied health. The dashboard will also meet staff requests with demonstrating what happens to their daily statistical data in an easily viewable method.
Promoting Oral Health to Non-Dental Professionals, Teachers, Parents and Their Children
Authors: Richards Wayne , Coll Anne-Marie , Filipponi Teresa
Published: April 2019

This article identifies the outcomes from a research platform of three research projects based on the delivery of oral health promotion in Wales, UK. This research attempts to provide an explanation as to why there is continued social division in the distribution of caries in the child population. Current policies from the Welsh Government have the potential to address such a social division. This research platform adds to the literature by identifying weak links in the effective delivery of oral health promotion services. This article helps facilitate changing policy to practice, while observing the inequalities in Welsh communities.
The impact of bowel cancer: a partner's perspective
Authors: Wymer Sarah
Published: April 2019

Sarah Wymer describes her feelings over the 20 months since her husband Patrick was diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer
Topical vitamin A: types and applications in aesthetic medicine
Authors: BOWES LORNA
Published: April 2019

Vitamin A is a class of substances frequently referred to as retinoids. Retinoids describe all forms of Vitamin A and both naturally and synthetically produced derivatives. Topical retinoids have been in regular use in dermatology for half a century, and have been used to treat a variety of cutaneous disorders, such as photoageing, hyperpigmentation, fine lines and wrinkles. This article explores the different forms of topical retinoids and their functions relating to treatment and prevention of photoaging and the treatment of acne vulgaris.
Treating the effects of bruxism with botulinum toxin type A: an overview
Authors: HALL BETH
Published: April 2019

This article aims to establish the effectiveness of Botulinum Toxin Type A (BoNTA) in treating the effects of bruxism in adults. It will also establish the necessity for treating patients holistically and the requirements for practitioners who do offer, or are thinking of offering, this treatment to have a thorough and sound understanding of several key considerations.

This article will also aim to establish best practice guidance for those undertaking the procedure, as well as identify who a suitable candidate for this procedure may be. Side effects and/or contraindications associated with this procedure will also be considered, as well as typical duration for results and the optimal time to retreat.
Comparing and contrasting body-dysmorphic disorder and eating disorders
Authors: GORBIS EDA , JAMERO JUSTINE
Published: April 2019

The medical aesthetics sector is very often associated with ideas of body image and self-perception. It is important that aesthetic practitioners have a sound knowledge of mental health disorders that may affect their patients or drive individuals to seek aesthetic treatment. In this article, Eda Gorbis and Justine Jamero compare some of these disorders and consider the implications for aesthetic practitoners

Body-dysmorphic disorder (BDD) and eating disorders (EDs) are psychiatric disorders concerned with negative body image and similar repetitive behaviours, such as checking and reassurance-seeking, that impair cognitive, social and occupational functioning. Though BDD and EDs share common core characteristics, they are unique disorders that must be differentiated, as they require different treatment plans. BDD, anorexia nervosa, binge-eating disorder and bulimia nervosa will be reviewed in this article to address diagnostic criteria, prevalence rates, onset and common characteristics. Similarities, differences and comorbidities of BDD and EDs will be explored and discussed in terms of treatment implications. Treatment recommendations include medical treatment, psychoeducation, nutritional management, cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) and psychopharmacology.
Wage deductions: what employers can and cannot do
Authors: STEVENS MARK
Published: April 2019

Employers who blithely take monies for employee pay packets without the right authorisations are heading for an expensive loss in the Employment Tribunal, says Mark Stevens
ANÁLISE DE METAIS-TRAÇOS EM SEDIMENTOS DA APA DO PRATIGI, BAHIA
Authors: Mascarenhas Renata Barreto , Aragão Iara Rocha , Reis Plínio , Bomfim Taíse de Jesus
Published: April 2019

Na APA do Pratigi, Sul da Bahia, pontua-se como uso do solo, atividades agrícolas, pequenas hidrelétricas e piscicultura. Este trabalho analisou as concentrações de Cu, Pb, Cr, Zn e Ni nos sedimentos da Bacia do Rio Juliana. Revelou-se que existe uma grande variação entre as concentrações de metais-traços encontradas ao longo da bacia analisada e que esta variação pode ser explicada pelo uso do solo ao entorno dos pontos de amostragem, além da geomorfologia da região. Porém, apenas as concentrações de Cr apontaram uma possível contaminação do sedimento, que pode ser proveniente do uso de defensivos agrícolas, à base de Cr, em grande escala. Assim, os gestores da APA podem propor medidas mitigadoras para áreas com concentrações significativas de Cr, e no ambiente, livres de atividade antrópicas, que apresentou melhor qualidade ambiental, em relação às concentrações de metais-traços, pode ser útil como um ambiente referencial para sedimentos da Mata Atlântica.
The market for scientific lemons, and the marketization of science
Authors: Zamora Bonilla Jesús
Published: April 2019

Scientific research is based on the division of cognitive labour: every scientist has to trust that other colleagues have checked whether the items that are taken as knowledge, and she cannot check by herself, are reliable enough. I apply ideas from the field known as ‘information economics’ (the study of economic interactions where some agents are better informed than others) to analyse the scientists’ incentives to produce items of knowledge of an ‘adequate’ quality, under the assumption that a big part of what one observes in her empirical research is not available for the readers of the paper. I also discuss some criticisms to this ‘marketization’ of science studies.
O ESTÁGIO EM EMPRESAS FLEXÍVEIS: PERSPECTIVAS PARA ALÉM DA PEDAGOGIA FABRIL
Authors: Pontes Ana Paula Furtado Soares
Published: April 2019

O artigo analisa a pedagogia fabril desenvolvida pelas empresas flexíveis no âmbito do estágio de estudantes de uma instituição federal de Educação Profissional. A pesquisa, de cunho qualitativo, foi desenvolvida a partir de entrevistas e envolveu, na instituição, estagiários, supervisores e a coordenadora de relação escola-empresa; e nas empresas, supervisores de estágio. Os resultados apontaram que a pedagogia fabril prioriza o comportamento compatível com o processo industrial implementado, em meio a situações reais e ritmos próprios da produção. Os estagiários são envolvidos em um processo de (con)formação mais precocemente do que os funcionários, muitas vezes expostos à exploração e ao assédio. Em nossas conclusões, destacamos a necessidade de a instituição educativa propiciar situações que ponham em xeque a pedagogia fabril e de assumir o estágio como instância de formação sob sua responsabilidade, comprometida com a humanização.
Ethnobotanical Study of the Mexican Laurel in El Chico National Park, Mexico: A Quantitative Perspective
Authors: Ortega-Meza Daniela , Pulido-Silva María Teresa , Costa de Arruda Joari , Da Silva Carolina Joana
Published: April 2019

This study was conducted in two villages of El Chico National Park (ECNP), Mexico, to document the uses of Litsea glaucescens (Mexican laurel) by the local population and to identify actors with knowledge about the species using quantitative ethnobotanical techniques. Fifty-five semi-structured interviews were conducted to obtain a free-list about the specific uses of the laurel, to analyze its importance among the social group under study, and to use social networking to identify individuals within the community who had particular knowledge about the plant. We found a total of 25 specific uses for the plant, which have different levels of importance for the people of the ECNP. The most common use was seasoning, while medicinal and cultural uses had a lesser importance. Use of the seed of the laurel as a material for handcrafts is recorded for the first time in this study. The social network showed that there was a relationship between the actors interviewed from the two communities. They are identified as having some relationship to the plant or knowledge about it, but the actors who produce it are the most prominent. An analysis of the specific uses of the laurel and those with knowledge about it is considered indispensable for generating specific management and harvesting strategies for the species, which will be able to contribute a local perspective to its conservation.
Biomorfometrik Kepiting Bakau (Scylla sp.) Hasil Tangkapan di Perairan Semarang Guna Menunjang Konservasi Sumberdaya Hayati
Authors: Hardiyanti Anggun Sri , Sunaryo Sunaryo , Riniatsih Ita , Santoso Adi
Published: April 2019

Kepiting bakau (Scylla sp.) merupakan komoditas perikanan yang memiliki nilai ekonomi tinggi. Permintaan terhadap komoditas kepiting dari tahun ke tahun cenderung meningkat, sehingga dalam memenuhi semua permintaan ini seluruhnya berasal dari hasil tangkapan di alam, yaitu sebesar 70% dan banyaknya penangkapan kepiting bakau tanpa memperhatikan ukuran yang layak tangkap. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengkaji biomorfometrik kepiting bakau, meliputi jumlah, distribusi, nisbah kelamin, hubungan lebar karapas dan berat, faktor kondisi dan tingkat kematangan gonad. Penelitian menggunakan metode deskriptif eksploratif. Penelitian dilaksanakan pada bulan  Mei – Juni 2017 di kawasan perairan Semarang, yaitu di Mangkang Wetan, Tapak, Tanah Mas dan Tambak Lorok. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan, bahwa jumlah kepiting bakau yang diamati sebanyak 616 ekor, terdiri atas 362 betina (58,77%) dan 254 jantan (41,23%), perbandingan betina dan jantan 1,43 : 1. Ukuran lebar karapas berkisar antara 47,05 - 132,56 mm dengan berat berkisar antara 33,02 - 513,09 g. Hubungan lebar karapas dengan berat bersifat allometrik negatif dan positif. Nilai faktor kondisi yang didapatkan berkisar 1,368 – 9,752. Tingkat kematangan gonad kepiting betina maupun jantan didominasi oleh TKG II dan III, dengan demikian diduga pada bulan Mei – Juni di perairan Semarang sedang terjadi masa pemijahan. Biomorphometry of Mangrove Crab (Scylla sp.) Catched in SemarangMangrove crab (Scylla sp.) is one of the fishery commodities that have high economic value. The demand for crab commodity from year to year tends to increase, in order to fulfilling all these demands almost all of them come from the catch in nature that is equal to 70%, and this led to the occurrence of a lot of mangrove crab catching regardless of the size of the catch. This study aimed to examine the biomorphometric of mangrove crab, which includes the composition, sex ratio distribution, widht and weight relation, condition factors and gonad maturity level. The descriptive explorative methods was used in this research. This research was conducted from May - June 2017 in the Semarang waters included Mangkang Wetan, Tapak, Tanah Mas and Tambak Lorok. The results showed that the composition of mangrove crab were 616, consist of 362 females (58,77%) and 254 males (41,23%), with the comparison of female and male ratio of 1,43 : 1. The size of the obtained carapace width ranged from 47,05 - 132,56 mm with the size of the weight ranged from 33,02 – 512,09 g. The relations between width and weight of caparace indicated allometric. The value of the obtained condition factor ranged from 1,368 – 9,752. Gonad maturity level of male and female mangrove crab was dominated by TKG II and III, because the research location was in the spawning period.
Logam Berat Anthropogenik Pb dan Cu pada Lapisan Sedimen Permukaan dan Dasar Muara Sungai di Kota Semarang, Jawa Tengah Indonesia
Authors: Suryono Chrisna Adhi , Pratikto Ibnu , Rusmaharani Ajeng
Published: April 2019

Semarang coastal areas as specially on river down stream have been develop to industrial, dumpping areas and human settlement.  Its will be caused increasing sedimentation and anthropogenic heavy metals accumulation in sediments.  In order to assess Pb, and Cu on diferent layers of sediments on three down stream rivers on Semarang, samples of surface and bed sediment were collected for analyzed by ICPMS.  The result showed that the heavy metal of Pb on bed layer was higher than Pb on surface sediment, on the other hand Cu on surface sediment was higher than Cu on bed sediments.  Unfraternally the heavy metal concentration on surface and beds sediments they do not correlation with totals organic carbon and combination silt and clay in sediment on three down stream rivers on Semarang. Wilayah pesisir Semarang terutama di daerah muara sungai telah berkembang menjadi kawasan industri, penimbunan dan hunian.  Hal tersebut menyebabkan peningkatan sedimentasi dan akumulasi antropogenik logam berat dalam sedimen.  Untuk mengetahui logam berat Pb dan Cu dalam permukaan dan dasar sedimen di tiga muara sungai Semarang.  Maka sampel pada permukaan dan dasar sedimen diambil dan dianalisa dengan ICPMS.  Hasil pengukuran menunjukan bahwa konsentrasi logam Pb pada lapisan dasar lebih tinggi dari pada lapisan permukaan sedimen, sebaliknya konsentrasi logam Cu pada lapisan permukaan lebih tinggi dari pada lapisan dasar sedimen.  Namun keseluruhan antropogenik logam berat Pb dan Cu pada lapisan permukaan maupun bawah sedimen tidak ada korelasinya dengan kandungan total bahan organik karbon dan kombinasi antara silt dan clay dalam sedimen di ketiga mura sungai di Semarang.
Aktivitas Cesium (137Cs) Di Perairan Hutan Mangrove Karangsong, Kabupaten Indramayu
Authors: Muslim Muslim , Prihatiningsih Wahyu Retno , Prasojo Adhi , Marwoto Jarot , Purwanto Purwanto
Published: April 2019

The mangrove forest in Karangsong-Indramayu has been selected as a central mangrove forest for western Indonesia, in addition to a marine ecotourism destination. This condition with more visitors stimulates increase in organic carbon content in this water, which has the ability to bind to polluting elements, such as heavy metals and radionuclides. The purpose of this study is to understand the factors that effect 137Cs levels activities in Karangsong waters of Indramayu. To understand which factors effect 137Cs levels, we collected water quality which has the ability to bind to polluting elements data including temperature, salinity, DO, pH, depth and current speed.  The result showed that the 137Cs activities ranged 0.07-1.01 mBq/L with an average of 0.589 mBq/L. This value is higher than 137Cs activities in ITF (Indonesian Through Flow) which had value 0.274 mBq/L.  The higher 137Cs activities in Karangsong waters were caused by the presence of mangrove forest that effect the high levels of organic carbon rather than water quality that show relative homogeny in all stations.Perairan pantai Karangsong, Kabupaten Indramayu telah dijadikan sebagai pusat mangrove di bagian barat Indonesia, disamping sebagai eko wisata bahari. Kondisi tersebut tentunya akan meningkatkan kandungan karbon organik di perairan tersebut yang mempunyai kemampuan kuat untuk mengikat unsur-unsur pencemar seperti logam berat dan radionuklida. Tujuan penelitian ini ingin mengetahui tingkat aktivitas 137Cs di perairan Karangsong, Indramayu. Untuk mengetahui faktor-faktor yang mempengaruhi tingkat aktivitas 137Cs  di  perairan Karangsong, maka dianalisa beberapa parameter kualitas air seperti suhu, salinitas, DO, pH, kedalaman dan kecepatan arus. Hasil analisa menunjukkan aktivitas 137Cs adalah 0,07-1,01 mBq/L, dengan nilai rata-rata 0,589 mBq/L. Nilai tersebut lebih tinggi dari nilai 137Cs di ARLINDO (Arus Lintas Indonesia) yang nilai rata-ratanya 0,274 mBq/L. Tingginya aktivitas 137Cs tersebut lebih dipengaruhi dari adanya hutan mangrove yang menyebabkan tingginya bahan karbon organik dari pada pengaruh kualitas perairan yang relatif seragam.
Distributian of Depth and Clay-Silt to Sand Ratio of Land Subsidence in Coastal Semarang City by Resistivity Methods
Authors: Widada Sugeng , Zainuri Muhammad , Yulianto Gatot , Saputra Sidhi , Rochaddi Baskoro
Published: April 2019

Semarang City is the capital of Central Java province, located in the northern coast of Java island, Indonesia which is geologically composed of alluvial deposits. The natural consolidation of young alluvial deposits has caused a land subsidence. On the other hand, load of buildings and constructions causes an increase in the pressure of land surface, and finally, leads to an increase in the rate of land subsidence. The drilling data indicated that not all layers of lithology are soft layers supporting the land subsidence. A research  on the depth of soft litology and its percentage of hard lithology has not been conducted ever before. On the other side, an analysis regarding this kind of  research can be conducted based on resistivity method. Sounding system method with Schlumberger electrode configuration was selected for field data collection. The goals of this research were to  determine  the  resitivity of  lithology so that it can be used to interpretate distribution of depth  and clay-silt  to sand ratio of land subsidence area. The results showed that the area with  the depth of the upper layer of clay-silt   less than  3  m and clay-silt  to sand ratio less than  4   were the high land subsidence area.
Pengaruh Masukan Kendali Terhadap Hasil Identifikasi Parameter Pesawat Udara Konfigurasi Konvensional Matra Terbang Longitudinal
Authors: Jayanti Eries Bagita , Atmasari Novita , Mardikasari Hidayati , Rizaldi Ardian , Pranoto Fuad Surastyo , Wibowo Singgih Satrio
Published: April 2019

Parameter identification is a process to get real characteristics of the motion dynamics of an object which can then be used to build the dynamics model of the object, which has a very high level of validity and accuracy. The modeling process is usually carried out using aircraft input data and the results of existing navigation data recording. From the data, the model parameters are estimated using the simple least square method. In this study, the simulation was carried out by varying the deflection input in the control field and simulation time. The input given to the longitudinal dimension is the deflection of the elevator control field. The results of parameter identification in the Corsair A-7A plane in the longitudinal dimension indicate that the input form 3-2-1 has a smaller error value than using doublet and pulse inputs. This shows that the input form 3-2-1 is most suitable for the longitudinal dimension among the given inputs.
Prediction of Call Drops in GSM Network using Artificial Neural Network
Authors: Erunkulu Olaonipekun Oluwafemi , Onwuka Elizabeth Nnonye , Ugweje Okechukwu , Ajao Lukman Adewale
Published: April 2019

Global System for Mobile communication is a digital mobile system that is widely used in the world. Over the years, the number of subscribers has tremendously increased, the quality of service (Call Drop Rate) became an issue to consider as many subscribers were not satisfied with the services rendered. In this paper, we present the Artificial Neural Network approach to predict call drop during an initiated call. GSM parameters data for the prediction were acquired using TEMS Investigations software. The measurements were carried out over a period of three months. Post analysis and training of the parameters was done using the Artificial Neural Network to have an output of “0” for no-drop calls and “1” for drop calls. The developed model has an accuracy of 87.5% prediction of drop call. The developed model is both useful to operators and end users for optimizing the network.
Maternal Immune Activation during Pregnancy Alters the Behavior Profile of Female Offspring of Sprague Dawley Rats
Authors: Lins Brittney R. , Marks Wendie N. , Zabder Nadine K. , Greba Quentin , Howland John G.
Published: April 2019

Sex differences are documented in psychiatric and neurological disorders, yet most preclinical animal research has been conducted in males only. There is a need to better understand of the nature of sex differences in brain disease in order to meet the needs of psychiatric patients. We present the behavior profile of adult female offspring produced using a maternal immune activation (MIA) model where pregnant rats receive an immune stimulant and the offspring typically show various abnormalities consistent with psychiatric illnesses such as schizophrenia and autism. The results in female offspring were compared to a previously published cohort of their male siblings (Lins et al., 2018). We examined prepulse inhibition (PPI), sociability, MK-801-induced locomotor activity, crossmodal object recognition (CMOR), and oddity discrimination; behaviors relevant to the positive, negative, and cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia. No between-treatment differences in PPI or locomotor activity were noted. Tactile memory was observed in the control and treated female offspring, visual recognition memory was deficient in the polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (polyI:C) offspring only, and both groups lacked crossmodal recognition. PolyI:C offspring were impaired in oddity preference and had reduced preference for a stranger conspecific in a sociability assay. Systemic maternal CXCL1, IL-6, and TNF-a levels 3 h after polyI:C treatment were determined, but no relationship was found between these cytokines and the behavior seen in the adult female offspring. Overall, female offspring of polyI:C-treated dams display an array of behavior abnormalities relevant to psychiatric illnesses such as schizophrenia similar to those previously reported in male rats.
Aldose reductase regulates hyperglycemia-induced HUVEC death via SIRT1/AMPK-α1/mTOR pathway
Authors: Pal Pabitra B , Sonowal Himangshu , Shukla Kirtikar , Srivastava Satish K , Ramana Kota V
Published: April 2019

Although hyperglycemia-mediated death and dysfunction of endothelial cells have been reported to be a major cause of diabetes associated vascular complications, the mechanisms through which hyperglycemia cause endothelial dysfunction is not well understood. We have recently demonstrated that aldose reductase (AR, AKR1B1) is an obligatory mediator of oxidative and inflammatory signals induced by growth factors, cytokines and hyperglycemia. However, the molecular mechanisms by which AR regulates hyperglycemia-induced endothelial dysfunction is not well known. In this study, we have investigated the mechanism(s) by which AR regulates hyperglycemia-induced endothelial dysfunction. Incubation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) with high glucose (HG) decreased the cell viability and inhibition of AR prevented it. Further, AR inhibition prevented the HG-induced ROS generation and expression of BCL-2, BAX and activation of Caspase-3 in HUVECs. AR inhibition also prevented the adhesion of THP-1 monocytes on HUVECs, expression of iNOS and eNOS and adhesion molecules ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 in HG-treated HUVECs. Further, AR inhibition restored the HG-induced depletion of SIRT1 in HUVECs and increased the phosphorylation of AMPKα1 along-with a decrease in phosphorylation of mTOR in HG-treated HUVECs. Fidarestat decreased SIRT1 expression in HUVECs pre-treated with specific SIRT1 inhibitor but not with the AMPKα1 inhibitor. Similarly, knockdown of AR in HUVECs by siRNA prevented the HG-induced HUVECs cell death, THP-1 monocyte adhesion and SIRT1 depletion. Furthermore, fidarestat regulated the phosphorylation of AMPKα1 and mTOR, and expression of SIRT1 in STZ-induced diabetic mice heart and aorta tissues. Collectively, our data suggest that AR regulates hyperglycemia-induced endothelial death and dysfunction by altering the ROS/SIRT1/AMPKα1/mTOR pathway.
Heroin Smuggling in Serbia
Authors: Radović Nenad
Published: April 2019

[full article, abstract in English; abstract in Lithuanian]

Drug trafficking is a very lucrative criminal activity, with a growing number of organized criminal groups from the Balkans. According to Europol’s report, about 5000 organized criminal groups are active in the European Union.2 According to the results of the National survey on the lifestyles of the citizens in the Republic of Serbia in 2014, the use of psychoactive substances and games of chance and illegal drug use at least once during a lifetime was recorded at 8.0% of the total population aged 18 to 64 (10.8% of males and 5.2% of females), with greater prevalence (12.8%) in the younger adult population aged 18 to 34. The number of heroin users who inject drugs in Serbia is between 10 000 and 25 000. The main estimated number is 20 000 heroin users who inject drugs, i.e., 0.4% of the population aged 15 to 64. Based on the analysis of data on drug-related deaths, it can be noted that there has been a decline in the number of deaths in the past five years, and most of these cases are related to opiates.

In the territory of the Republic of Serbia, the production of heroin has not been recorded, and that gives trafficking a greater primacy, which is supported by the fact that high quality heroin is further trafficked in the form of a base that is mixed with other substances (paracetamol, caffeine, sugar etc.). In this way, such a high degree of purity of heroin allows the members of criminal groups to increase the quantity of narcotics by mixing substances suitable for this and, in that way, achieve greater profits.

The most commonly used illegal drug among the adult population is cannabis (marijuana and hashish), and the use of the mentioned drugs has been recorded at least once during a lifetime in 7.7% of subjects aged 18 to 64 (10.4% of men and 4.9% of women). The use of other illegal drugs is very rare; 1.6% of questioned individuals (2.5% of the population aged 18 to 34) have used other illegal drugs.