bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ascorbic acid for the healing of skin wounds in rats
Authors: Lima CC. , Pereira APC. , Silva JRF. , Oliveira LS. , Resck MCC. , Grechi CO. , Bernardes MTCP. , Olímpio FMP. , Santos AMM. , Incerpi EK. , Garcia JAD.
Published: December 2009

BACKGROUND: Healing is a complex process that involves cellular and biochemical events. Several medicines have been used in order to shorten healing time and avoid aesthetic damage. OBJECTIVE: to verify the topical effect of ascorbic acid for the healing of rats' skin wounds through the number of macrophages, new vessels and fibroblast verifications in the experimental period; and analyse the thickness and the collagen fibre organization in the injured tissue. METHODS: Male Rattus norvegicus weighing 270 ± 30 g were used. After thionembutal anesthesia, 15 mm transversal incisions were made in the animals' cervical backs. They were divided into two groups: Control Group (CG, n = 12) - skin wound cleaned with water and soap daily; Treated Group (TG, n = 12) - skin wound cleaned daily and treated with ascorbic acid cream (10%). Samples of skin were collected on the 3rd, 7th and 14th days. The sections were stained with hematoxylin-eosin and picrosirius red for morphologic analysis. The images were obtained and analysed by a Digital Analyser System. RESULTS: The ascorbic acid acted on every stage of the healing process. It reduced the number of macrophages, increased the proliferation of fibroblasts and new vessels, and stimulated the synthesis of thicker and more organized collagen fibres in the wounds when compared to CG. CONCLUSION: Ascorbic acid was shown to have anti-inflammatory and healing effects, guaranteeing a suiTable environment and conditions for faster skin repair.
The effect of physical exercise and caloric restriction on the components of metabolic syndrome
Authors: Torres-Leal Francisco Leonardo , Capitani Mariana Dutilh de , Tirapegui Julio
Published: December 2009

Recent studies of the effects of physical exercise and caloric restriction have found several benefits on the metabolic and cardiovascular risk factors related to metabolic syndrome (MS). This review examines the current state of knowledge of the effects of physical exercise on the main pathologies associated with MS: obesity, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2), dyslipidemias and hypertension. Although there are only a few randomized and controlled studies that evaluated the prevention and treatment of MS, strong evidence from controlled studies indicates that lifestyle changes that include regular physical exercise and caloric restriction are effective in preventing and treating DM2 in overweight individuals with reduced glucose tolerance. Likewise, epidemiologic studies suggest that regular physical exercise prevents the development of DM2 and cardiovascular disease. Based on current recommendations, it is important to increase the level of physical exercise at a moderate intensity to achieve good cardiorespiratory and muscular conditions and to promote fat mass reduction, with consequent reductions of risk of developing metabolic syndrome.
Antiophidian sera sterility control: topics in perspective
Authors: Santos Paula Gomes , Santos Dilvani Oliveira , Seródio Lilia Ribeiro , Marinho Rachel de Souza , Rodrigues Carlos Rangel , Cabral Lucio Mendes , Pádula Marcelo de , Sousa Valéria Pereira de , Castro Helena Carla
Published: December 2009

The aim of this work is to review the most important topics about the antiophidic sera sterility, including obtaining methods, sterilization procedures and clean room control using Vital Brazil Institute (VBI) as an example. Bibliographical research was performed through Medline, Lilacs, PubMed, ISI and the Fundação Oswaldo Cruz - RJ and VBI Libraries, from 1960 to 2009. The antiophidic sera for human use are immunobiologic products produced in Brazil by three national laboratories, including VBI. Due to the parenteral use, these products should be sterile and pyrogen-free, which demands the microbiological control during the whole fabrication process. The sterility and pyrogen tests are important steps to ensure the quality and safety of these immunobiological products. Thus, these tests are target for continue evaluation and improvement. The most interfering aspects in the consistency and analytical patterns include the proper method selection, sampling, culture conditions and validation criteria. As the national and international legal requirements are cautious with the assays validation and approval of sterile parenteral products; the intrinsic limitations for established assays still require more investigation aiming the continue improvement of the microorganism and contaminants detection methods and optimization of the analysis extent.
Cholesterol oxides inhibit cholesterol esterification by lecithin: cholesterol acyl transferase
Authors: Pincinato Eder de Carvalho , Moriel Patricia , Abdalla Dulcinéia Saes Parra
Published: December 2009

Cholesterol oxides are atherogenic and can affect the activity of diverse important enzymes for the lipidic metabolism. The effect of 7β-hydroxycholesterol, 7-ketocholesterol, 25-hydroxycholesterol, cholestan-3β,5α,6β-triol,5,6β-epoxycholesterol, 5,6α-epoxycholesterol and 7α-hydroxycholesterol on esterification of cholesterol by lecithin:cholesterol acyl transferase (LCAT, EC 2.3.1.43) and the transfer of esters of cholesterol oxides from high density lipoprotein (HDL) to low density lipoproteins (LDL) and very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) by cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) was investigated. HDL enriched with increasing concentrations of cholesterol oxides was incubated with fresh plasma as source of LCAT. Cholesterol and cholesterol oxides esterification was followed by measuring the consumption of respective free sterol and oxysterols. Measurements of cholesterol and cholesterol oxides were done by gas-chromatography. 14C-cholesterol oxides were incorporated into HDL2 and HDL3 subfractions and then incubated with fresh plasma containing LCAT and CETP. The transfer of cholesterol oxide esters was followed by measuring the 14C-cholesterol oxide-derived esters transferred to LDL and VLDL. All the cholesterol oxides studied were esterified by LCAT after incorporation into HDL particles, competing with cholesterol by LCAT. Cholesterol esterification by LCAT was inversely related to the cholesterol oxide concentration. The esterification of 14C-cholesterol oxides was higher in HDL3 and the transfer of the derived esters was greater from HDL2 to LDL and VLDL. The results suggest that cholesterol esterification by LCAT is inhibited in cholesterol oxide-enriched HDL particles. Moreover, the cholesterol oxides-derived esters are efficiently transferred to LDL and VLDL. Therefore, we suggest that cholesterol oxides may exert part of their atherogenic effect by inhibiting cholesterol esterification on the HDL surface and thereby disturbing reverse cholesterol transport.
Extract from leaf of Psidium guajava L depresses the guinea pig atrial contractility by interfering with potassium and calcium channels
Authors: Gondim Antonio Nei Santana , Oliveira Vanda Rodrigues de , Santos Sellyanna Domeny dos , Silva Bagnólia Araújo da , Vasconcelos Carla Maria Lins de , Conde-Garcia Eduardo Antonio
Published: December 2009

The negative inotropic effect of aqueous fraction (AqF) obtained from the acetic extract of Psidium guajava L leaf was investigated on the guinea pig left atrium. Myocardial force was measured isometrically (27 ± 0.1 ºC, 2 Hz). AqF (100 μg/ml) reduced contractility of about 85 ± 9.4 % (n = 4, p < 0.001, Fcalc = 51.70, F(0.01; 4; 21) = 5.09, EC50 = 14.28 ± 3 μg/mL) in a concentration-dependent fashion. This effect was reduced by 20 mM of tetraethylammonium (TEA), increasing EC50 to 50 ± 7 μg/ml (n = 4, p < 0.001, Fcalc = 282.13; F(0.01; 21; 66) = 2.36). AqF (100 μg/ml) shifted to the right the CaCl2 concentration-effect curve, increasing the EC50 from 2170 ± 112 to 2690 ± 132 μM (n = 3, p < 0.001, Fcalc = 220.80 ; F(0.01; 29; 60) = 2.19). L-NAME (100 μM) did not modify the AqF inotropic effect (n = 3, p > 0.05) sugesting that the oxide nitric pathway did not participate of the action mechanism of AqF. We can conclude that AqF depresses the atrial contractile by reducing the calcium entry in myocardial cells and also by openenig potassium channels of cardiac tissue.
Assessment of genotoxicity and cytotoxicity of "lixeira" (Curatella americanaL.) λ using the prophage induction test (SOS inductest)
Authors: Vilar Juliana Brandstetter , Andrade Laryssa Silva de , Leite Kaio Ramos , Ferreira Heleno Dias , Chen Lee Chen
Published: December 2009

Curatella americana L., commonly known as "lixeira" in Brazil, has been used in folk medicine to treat ulcers and inflammations. The purpose of the present work was to evaluate the cytotoxic and genotoxic potential of the ethanolic extract of C. americana stem bark using the prophage λ induction test (SOS inductest). To evaluate the cytotoxicity of this plant, after treatment with different concentrations of the extract, Escherichia coli WP2s(λ) cultures were diluted in M9 buffer, inoculated into LB plates, and incubated for 24 h at 37 °C. To assess genotoxicity, the lysogenic strain E. coli WP2s(λ) was treated with different concentrations of the extract. Then, the lysogenic strain was added to the indicator strain (RJF013), LB(1/2)(malt/amp), seeded into plates with the matches, and incubated for 24 h at 37 °C. After this period, the total number of colonies and the number of plaques were counted to evaluate C. americana cytotoxicity and genotoxicity, respectively. Our results showed that although the extract of "lixeira" did not modify the survival of bacteria (p > 0.05), it caused a significant increase in prophage λ induction, especially at the higher concentrations (p<0.05). Therefore, we conclude that the ethanolic extract of C. americana stem bark did not present cytotoxic effect, but some genotoxic potential was observed.
Physical and physicochemical stability evaluation of cosmetic formulations containing soybean extract fermented by Bifidobacterium animalis
Authors: Vieira Rafael Pinto , Fernandes Alessandra Ribeiro , Kaneko Telma Mary , Consiglieri Vladi Olga , Pinto Claudinéia Aparecida Sales de Oliveira , Pereira Claudia Silva Cortez , Baby André Rolim , Velasco Maria Valéria Robles
Published: December 2009

Peel off facial masks, based on polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), are formulations that, after application and drying, form an occlusive film over the face. After removing, they provide cleanness, tensor and moisturizing effects, removing dead cells, residues and other materials deposited on the stratum corneous. The soybean extract fermented by Bifidobacterium animalis has sugars, amino acids, peptides, proteins and free isoflavonoids in high concentrations, when compared to the unfermented extract, providing benefits to the cosmetic formulations like anti-aging effect, moisture, tensor action and emollience. The cosmetic bases of peel off facial masks, added with 5.0% w/w of fermented soybean extract, were submitted to Preliminary and Accelerated Stability Studies. Eight (8) preparations were evaluated in several conditions of temperature (-10.0, 5.0, 22.0 and 45.0 ºC) and time (maximum of 15 days), comparing the results with the initial condition (48 h after preparation). The variables observed were: organoleptic characteristics, pH and appearing viscosity value and film drying time. The preparation containing 17.0% w/w of PVA and 0.5% w/w of guar gum was selected between the eight preparations initially prepared, because it presented the best performance in the stability test, being recommended storage at low temperatures (5.0 ºC).
Carotene and provitamin A content of vegetables sold in Viçosa, MG, Brazil, during spring and winter
Authors: Cardoso Pollyanna Costa , Della Lucia Ceres Mattos , Stringheta Paulo César , Chaves José Benício Paes , Pinheiro-Sant'Ana Helena Maria
Published: December 2009

This study investigated the α- and β-carotene content and provitamin A value of four leafy vegetables sold at local and street markets in Viçosa, MG, Brazil, in the spring and winter of 2002. Carotenoids were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography. α-Carotene was detected in all samples sold during spring, but was only present in a few samples of smooth and curly lettuce and kale in winter. β-Carotene was found in marked quantities in all leafy vegetables analyzed. Duncan's test (α = 5%) showed significantly higher α-carotene content in curly lettuce and vitamin A value in large-leaved watercress in the spring. Mean β-carotene content and vitamin A value were 7544, 8751, 2584, 2792, 8193, and 5338 μg/100 g and 666, 760, 227, 238, 698, and 460 μg RAE/100 g in large-leaved and hydroponic watercress, smooth and curly lettuce, kale and spinach, respectively. All leafy vegetables analyzed represent important sources of provitamin A and supply an important part of the daily requirements of children and adults.
Action of mouthwashes on Staphylococcus spp: isolated in the saliva of community and hospitalized individuals
Authors: Andrade Denise de , Souza Paula Regina de , Beraldo Carolina Contador , Watanabe Evandro , Lima Mery Elen , Haas Vanderlei José
Published: December 2009

The use of mouthwashes in critical patients has been a source of concern for health professionals due to the diverse range of products, causing uncertainty about which is the most indicated. This study aimed to assess the susceptibility of Staphylococcus spp. isolated in the saliva of individuals from the community and patients in Intensive Care Units (ICU) as to antiseptic mouthwashes. The following oral antiseptics were assessed: cetylpyridinium chloride solution, Listerine® and Neen®. Calcium alginate swab was used for saliva collection to isolate Staphylococcus spp. Microbiological processing involved growth, isolation, strain identification and determination of MID (maximum inhibitory dilution). MID was considered the greatest dilution that completely inhibited the strains. The products efficacy was analyzed by a two-factor ANOVA repeated measures and by Bonferroni adjustments in multiple comparisons, considering a significance level of α=0.05. In total, 80 strains of Staphylococcus spp. were isolated, 40 from ICU patients and 40 from community individuals. MID results revealed that cetylpyridinium chloride solution presented better results in comparison to other products, that is, 39 (97.5%) strains from hospital patients with MID 1:128, and 37 (92.5%) of individuals from the community had MID 1:64. Neen® inhibited all strains in both groups at a dilution from 1:2 to 1:4. Listerine® presented the worst MID results, 65% of the strains from individuals from the community and 10% of hospital strains were not inhibited at a dilution of 1:2.
Implementation of a penicillin allergy skin test
Authors: Nagao-Dias Aparecida Tiemi , Pereira Ana Carla , Silva Michelly Freitas e , Néri Eugenie Desiree Rabelo , Accioly José Wilson , Lima Janete Elisa Soares
Published: December 2009

The penicillin allergy skin testing is the only accurate and reliable test for penicillin hypersensitivity mediated by IgE. It is useful for identifying patients with doubtful history of allergy. Positive test for major and minor determinants presents a positive predictive value of 50% and negative predictive value of 99%. In Brazil, the Ministry of Health suggests a protocol for in house made reagents, since they are not commercially available. As the referred protocol does not mention some important details about the test procedures, we propose in the present work to implement them, critically evaluating each step in order to allow the protocol establishment at any health service, with quality and safety.
Development and in vitro evaluation of Letrozole loaded biodegradable nanoparticles for breast cancer therapy
Authors: Dey Sanjoy Kumar , Mandal Bivash , Bhowmik Manas , Ghosh Lakshmi Kanta
Published: December 2009

The objectives of our study were to prepare and evaluate a biodegradable nanoparticulate system of Letrozole (LTZ) intended for breast cancer therapy. LTZ loaded poly(lactide-co-glycolide) nanoparticles (LTZ-PLGA-NPs) were prepared by emulsion-solvent evaporation method using methylene chloride and polyvinyl alcohol. Percentage of drug (with respect to polymer) was selected as formulation variable. LTZ-PLGA-NPs were characterized by particle size, zeta potential, infrared spectra, drug entrapment efficiency and in vitro release. Sonication was done with an ultrasound pulse sonicator at 70 W, 30 kHz for 90 sec to produce stable NPs of mean size range from 64 nm to 255 nm with high entrapment efficiency (68% to 82%). Percentage of drug significantly influenced particle size, entrapment efficiency and release (p <0.05). The system sustained release of LTZ significantly and further investigation could exhibit its potential usefulness in breast cancer therapy.
Rosiglitazone impairs proliferation of human adrenocortical cancer: preclinical study in a xenograft mouse model
Authors: Luconi Michaela , Mangoni Monica , Gelmini Stefania , Poli Giada , Nesi Gabriella , Francalanci Michela , Pratesi Nicola , Cantini Giulia , Lombardi Adriana , Pepi Monica , Ercolino Tonino , Serio Mario , Orlando Claudio , Mannelli Massimo
Published: December 2009

Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare aggressive tumor with a poor prognosis. The lack of a specific and effective medical treatment is due to the poor knowledge of the mechanisms underlying tumor growth. Research on potential drugs able to specifically interfere with tumor proliferation is essential to develop more efficacious therapies. We evaluated for the first time the in vivo effect of rosiglitazone (RGZ), an anti-diabetic drug with in vitro anti-tumor properties, on ACC proliferation in a xenograft model obtained by s.c. injection of human ACC H295R cells in athymic mice. When the tumor size reached 5 mm, animals were allocated to 5 mg/kg RGZ- or water-treated groups. Tumor volume was measured twice a week. A significant reduction of tumor growth in RGZ versus control (control) group was observed and was already maximal following 17 day treatment (1−T/C=75.4% (43.7–93.8%)). After 31 days of treatment, mice were killed and tumor analyzed. Tumor histological evaluation revealed characteristics of invasiveness, richness in small vessels and mitotic figures in control group, while RGZ group tumors presented non infiltrating borders, few vessels, and many apoptotic bodies. Tumor immunohistochemistry showed that Ki-67 was reduced in RGZ versus control group. Quantitative real-time RT-PCR demonstrated a significant reduction in the expression of angiogenic (VEGF), vascular (CD31), proliferation (BMI-1), and anti-apoptotic (Bcl-2) genes in RGZ versus control group tumors. The same inhibitory effects were confirmed in in vitro RGZ-treated H295R. Our findings support and expand the role of RGZ in controlling ACC proliferation and angiogenesis in vivo and in vitro.
Recommendations on the environmental risk assessment of pharmaceuticals: Effect characterization
Authors: Schmitt Heike , Boucard Tatiana , Garric Jeanne , Jensen John , Parrott Joanne , Péry Alexandre , Römbke Jörg , Straub Jürg Oliver , Hutchinson Thomas H , Sánchez-Argüello Paloma , Wennmalm Åke , Duis Karen
Published: December 2009

The effects testing of pharmaceuticals consists of a tiered investigation of ecotoxicological endpoints. However, effects testing has to be performed only when the predicted environmental concentrations (PECs) of pharmaceuticals are above certain action limits. To study the appropriateness of these action limits, a literature search was performed for pharmaceuticals with predicted no-effect concentrations (PNECs) close to or below the action limits. Some human pharmaceuticals showed effects at concentrations ≤100 ng/L, mostly in nonstandard fish or invertebrate tests. In addition, antibiotics and parasiticides sometimes had effects at concentrations <10 mg/kg soil. To help in identifying pharmaceuticals that should undergo effects testing although their PECs are below the action limits, “however clauses” are postulated for pharmaceuticals that are potentially persistent, bioaccumulative, carcinogenic, mutagenic, or reproductively toxic. Effects testing should also be performed for pharmaceuticals that 1) affect target structures that are conserved across species, 2) have a high potency or a small therapeutic margin, 3) are from a new therapeutic class, and 4) are structurally similar to compounds with known effects. Furthermore, suggestions for improving the effects testing of pharmaceuticals are made. These include inter alia chronic effects testing as a general approach, the use of invertebrate tests including sexual reproduction, the application of endpoints reflecting the mode of action of the drug or known side effects, and the simulation of more realistic exposure conditions in terrestrial laboratory tests. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2010;6:588–602. © 2009 SETAC
Use of Reduced-Order Modeling Procedures for Production Optimization
Authors: cardoso M.A.. A. , Durlofsky L.J.. J.
Published: December 2009

The determination of optimal well settings is very demanding computationally because the simulation model must be run many times during the course of the optimization. For this reason, reduced-order modeling procedures, which are a family of techniques that enable highly efficient simulations, may be very useful for optimization problems. In this paper, we describe a recently developed reduced-order modeling (ROM) technique that has been used in other application areas, the trajectory piecewise linearization (TPWL) procedure, and incorporate it in production-optimization computations. The TPWL methodology represents solutions encountered during the optimization runs in terms of Taylor-series expansions around previously simulated states. This requires a small number of preprocessing (training) simulations using the full (high-fidelity) model, during which pressure and saturation states and Jacobian matrices are saved. These states and matrices are then projected into a low-dimensional space using proper orthogonal decomposition (POD). Simulations in this reduced space can be performed very efficiently; in this work, we observe runtime speedups of a factor of 450. Overall speedups are, however, less because of the preprocessing overhead.

We assess the TPWL representation for simulations of waterflood in a heterogeneous 3D model containing more than 20,000 gridblocks and six wells. The high degree of accuracy of the TPWL model is first demonstrated for several testing simulations in which producer- and injector-well settings differ from those used in the training runs. The TPWL representations are then used in optimizations involving the determination of optimal bottomhole pressures (BHPs) for a reservoir model with four production wells and two injection wells. A gradient-based algorithm is applied for the optimizations. In the first case, the BHPs of the producers and injectors are optimized at six different times (36 control variables) and in the second case at 15 different times (90 control variables). Results for optimized net present value (NPV) using TPWL are shown to be in consistently close agreement with those computed using high-fidelity simulations. Most significantly, when the optimal well settings obtained using the TPWL procedure are applied in high-fidelity models, the resulting NPVs are within approximately 0.5% of the values determined using the high-fidelity simulations. Our overall conclusion is that the TPWL representation may be quite useful in production-optimization problems.
Race, Gender, and Teacher Testing: How Informative a Tool Is Teacher Licensure Testing?
Authors: Goldhaber Dan , Hansen Michael
Published: December 2009

Virtually all states require teachers to undergo licensure testing before participation in the public school labor market. This article analyzes the information these tests provide about teacher effectiveness. The authors find that licensure tests have different predicative validity for student achievement by teacher race. They also find that student achievement is impacted by the race/ethnicity match between teachers and their students, with Black students significantly benefitting from being matched with a Black teacher. As a consequence of these matching effects, the uniform application of licensure standards is likely to have differential impacts on the achievement of White and minority students.
Single-Sex Schooling and Academic Attainment at School and Through the Lifecourse
Authors: Sullivan Alice , Joshi Heather , Leonard Diana
Published: December 2009

This article examines the impact of single-sex schooling on a range of academic outcomes for a sample of British people born in 1958. In terms of the overall level of qualifications achieved, single-sex schooling is positive for girls at age 16 but neutral for boys, while at later ages, single-sex schooling is neutral for both sexes. However, single-sex schooling is linked to the attainment of qualifications in gender-atypical subject areas for both sexes, not just during the school years, but also later in life.
Korean lexical bundles in conversation and academic texts
Authors: Kim YouJin
Published: December 2009

Over the past few decades, there has been growing interest in phraseology and the extent to which natural language use consists of prefabricated linguistic chunks ( Biber et al., 2004 ; Ellis, 1996 ; Howarth, 1998 ; Moon, 1997 ; and Wray, 2002 ). One approach to this issue has involved the analytical construct of ‘lexical bundles’, which are defined simply as the most common recurrent sequences of words in a register. This study explores the use of multi-word sequences in Korean based on Biber et al.'s (1999) frequency-driven approach to the identification of lexical bundles. Building on previous lexical bundle studies in English and Spanish ( Biber et al., 2004 ; Cortes, 2004 ; and Tracy-Ventura et al., 2007 ), the study examines lexical bundles in a large corpus of Korean texts consisting of academic prose and conversation. The analysis focusses on three major characteristics: the overall distribution of bundles, their typical structures, and their typical functions in discourse. More lexical bundles were identified in academic prose than in conversation. The findings support the notion that lexical bundles should be regarded as a basic linguistic construct with important functions for the construction of discourse for different languages.
The making of a BNC customised spoken corpus for comparative purposes
Authors: Lam Phoenix
Published: December 2009

Although the British National Corpus (BNC) is one of the most popular resources for linguistic research, only a small number of studies generate results from user-selected texts of the corpus, despite the fact that the BNC is designed with the intention of letting researchers choose specific texts to build their own sub-corpora ( Burnage and Dunlop, 1993 ). This paper reports on the process of building a tailor-made spoken corpus out of the BNC for comparative purposes and attempts to address the practical issues involved in selecting specific texts from the BNC spoken sub-section for one's individual needs. It would, thus, be of particular interest and relevance to those who wish to use (parts of) existing corpora for contrastive research. It is hoped that the issues raised in this paper could serve as a note of caution for future sub-corpus compilation from existing corpora, especially with regard to the BNC.
The development of a semantic annotation scheme for Chinese kinship
Authors: Qian Yufang , Piao Scott
Published: December 2009

In this paper, we propose a corpus annotation scheme and lexicon for Chinese kinship terms. We modify existing traditional Chinese kinship schemes into a comprehensive semantic field framework that covers kinship semantic categories in contemporary Chinese. The scheme is inspired by the Lancaster USAS (UCREL Semantic Analysis System) taxonomy, which contains categories for English kinship terms. We show how our scheme works with a Chinese kinship semantic lexicon which covers parents, siblings, marital relations, off-spring and same-sex partnerships. The kinship lexicon was created through a pilot study involving the Lancaster University Mandarin Corpus. We foresee that our annotation scheme and lexicon will provide a framework and resource for the kinship annotation of Chinese corpora and corpus-based kinship studies.
Maximum Entropy Production as an Inference Algorithm that Translates Physical Assumptions into Macroscopic Predictions: Don’t Shoot the Messenger
Authors: Dewar Roderick C.
Published: December 2009

Is Maximum Entropy Production (MEP) a physical principle? In this paper I tentatively suggest it is not, on the basis that MEP is equivalent to Jaynes’ Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt) inference algorithm that passively translates physical assumptions into macroscopic predictions, as applied to non-equilibrium systems. MaxEnt itself has no physical content; disagreement between MaxEnt predictions and experiment falsifies the physical assumptions, not MaxEnt. While it remains to be shown rigorously that MEP is indeed equivalent to MaxEnt for systems arbitrarily far from equilibrium, work in progress tentatively supports this conclusion. In terms of its role within non-equilibrium statistical mechanics, MEP might then be better understood as Messenger of Essential Physics.
Fisher Information and Semiclassical Treatments
Authors: Pennini Flavia , Ferri Gustavo , Plastino Angelo
Published: December 2009

We review here the difference between quantum statistical treatments and semiclassical ones, using as the main concomitant tool a semiclassical, shift-invariant Fisher information measure built up with Husimi distributions. Its semiclassical character notwithstanding, this measure also contains abundant information of a purely quantal nature. Such a tool allows us to refine the celebrated Lieb bound for Wehrl entropies and to discover thermodynamic-like relations that involve the degree of delocalization. Fisher-related thermal uncertainty relations are developed and the degree of purity of canonical distributions, regarded as mixed states, is connected to this Fisher measure as well.
Dispersal (Entropy) and Recognition (Information) as Foundations of Emergence and Dissolvence
Authors: Testa Bernard
Published: December 2009

The objective of this essay is to reflect on a possible relation between entropy and emergence. A qualitative, relational approach is followed. We begin by highlighting that entropy includes the concept of dispersal, relevant to our enquiry. Emergence in complex systems arises from the coordinated behavior of their parts. Coordination in turn necessitates recognition between parts, i.e., information exchange. What will be argued here is that the scope of recognition processes between parts is increased when preceded by their dispersal, which multiplies the number of encounters and creates a richer potential for recognition. A process intrinsic to emergence is dissolvence (aka submergence or top-down constraints), which participates in the information-entropy interplay underlying the creation, evolution and breakdown of higher-level entities.
SAW RFID-Tags for Mass-Sensitive Detection of Humidity and Vapors
Authors: Lieberzeit Peter  A. , Palfinger Christian , Dickert Franz  L. , Fischerauer Gerhard
Published: December 2009

One-port surface acoustic wave (SAW) devices with defined reflector patterns give characteristic signal patterns in the time domain making them identifiable and leading to so-called RFID-Tags. Each sensor responds with a burst of signals, their timed positions giving the identification code, while the amplitudes can be related to the analyte concentration. This paper presents the first combination of such a transducer with chemically sensitive layer materials. These include crosslinked polyvinyl alcohol for determining relative humidity and tert-butylcalix[4]arene for detecting solvent vapors coated on the free space between the reflectors. In going from the time domain to the frequency domain by Fourier transformation, changes in frequency and phase lead to sensor responses. Hence, it is possible to measure the concentration of tetrachloroethene in air down to 50 ppm, as well as 1% changes in relative humidity.
Application of Poincare-Mapping of Voiced-Speech Segments for Emotion Sensing
Authors: Ślot Krzysztof , Bronakowski Łukasz , Cichosz Jaroslaw , Kim Hyongsuk
Published: December 2009

The following paper introduces a group of novel speech-signal descriptors that reflect phoneme-pronunciation variability and that can be considered as potentially useful features for emotion sensing. The proposed group includes a set of statistical parameters of Poincare maps, derived for formant-frequency evolution and energy evolution of voiced-speech segments. Two groups of Poincare-map characteristics were considered in the research: descriptors of sample-scatter, which reflect magnitudes of phone-uttering variations and descriptors of cross-correlations that exist among samples and that evaluate consistency of variations. It has been shown that inclusion of the proposed characteristics into the pool of commonly used speech descriptors, results in a noticeable increase—at the level of 10%—in emotion sensing performance. Standard pattern recognition methodology has been adopted for evaluation of the proposed descriptors, with the assumption that three- or four-dimensional feature spaces can provide sufficient emotion sensing. Binary decision trees have been selected for data classification, as they provide with detailed information on emotion-specific discriminative power of various speech descriptors.
Pandemic Influenza Vaccines – The Challenges
Authors: Haaheim Lars  R. , Madhun Abdullah  S. , Cox Rebecca
Published: December 2009

Recent years’ enzootic spread of highly pathogenic H5N1 virus among poultry and the many lethal zoonoses in its wake has stimulated basic and applied pandemic vaccine research. The quest for an efficacious, affordable and timely accessible pandemic vaccine has been high on the agenda. When a variant H1N1 strain of swine origin emerged as a pandemic virus, it surprised many, as this subtype is well-known to man as a seasonal virus. This review will cover some difficult vaccine questions, such as the immunological challenges, the new production platforms, and the limited supply and global equity issues.
THE TIME‐COST TRADE‐OFF ANALYSIS IN CONSTRUCTION PROJECT USING COMPUTER SIMULATION AND INTERACTIVE PROCEDURE
Authors: Błaszczyk Tomasz , Nowak Maciej
Published: December 2009

Several criteria must be considered while preparing the schedule of a construction project. The completion time and project cost are analyzed in most cases. Additionally, the risk related to the criteria has to be taken into account as well. Thus, project planning problem can be denned as a multicriteria decision problem under risk. In this paper, a project scheduling problem including time‐cost trade‐offs is analyzed. We assume that various resource allocations can be considered. A new technique based on computer simulation and interactive approach is proposed. In the first step, simulation experiments are performed to evaluate decision alternatives with respect to the criteria. An interactive technique INSDECM is employed for generating the final solution of the problem. The procedure uses stochastic dominance rules for comparing decision alternatives with respect to the criteria. A numerical example is presented to illustrate the applicability of the technique.

Santrauka

Rengiant statybos projekto įvykdymo grafiką reikia įvertinti keletą kriterijų. Daugeliu atvejų analizuojamas projekto baigimo laikas ir sąmatinė kaina. Taip pat gali būti įvertinama rizika. Taigi projekto planavimo problema gali būti apibūdinama kaip daugiakriterinė sprendimo problema įvertinant riziką. Straipsnyje analizuojama projekto planavimo problema, suderinant projekto įvykdymo laiką ir kainą. Remiamasi prielaida, kad galimi įvairūs išteklių paskirstymai. Pasiūlyta nauja metodologija, pagrįsta kompiuteriniu modeliavimu ir interaktyvaus metodo taikymu. Pirmuoju etapu imitaciniais modeliais įvertinamos sprendimo alternatyvos. Antruoju etapu galutiniam problemos sprendimui taikoma interaktyvi INSDECM metodologija. Šioje procedūroje, siekiant palyginti sprendimo alternatyvas pagal kriterijus, taikomos stochastinės dominavimo taisyklės. Naujos metodologijos taikymą iliustruoja skaitmeninis pavyzdys.
THE ANALYSIS OF THE QUALITY OF THE RESULTS OBTAINED WITH THE METHODS OF MULTI‐CRITERIA DECISIONS
Authors: Peldschus Friedel
Published: December 2009

For many decades we have been dealing with problems of multi‐criteria decisions. Numerous methods have been developed in this field and new methods are continuously being created. In the light of a great number of methods currently proposed, it is difficult to gain a profound overview. Comparisons on the performance of various methods are done to a small extent only. When applying the methods, in some cases many mathematical operations are performed, which renders it impossible to sufficiently assess their effect with such a complexity. It is therefore aimed at analysing the peculiarities of several methods in a critical review and to give hints for possible consequences. The analysis is primarily concentrated on the normalisation of indices in the mapping to the interval [1; 0] or [1; ∼ 0]. This includes linear functions (the relative difference and the calculation with interval boundaries) and non‐linear functions (the hyperbolic function, the quadratic and cubic function, the square root and the logarithmic function). With the critical review, the possibility is offered to the decision maker to better assess the quality of his solution. Santrauka Jau daugelį dešimtmečių susiduriame su daugiakriterinių sprendimų problemomis. Daug metodų iki šiol jau yra sukurta, bet tebekuriami nauji. Dėl metodų įvairovės sudėtinga atlikti išsamią jų apžvalgą. Įvairių metodų palyginimų nėra daug. Kai kuriais atvejais, taikant daugiakriterinius metodus, atliekama daug matematinių operacijų, todėl sunku įvertinti skaičiavimo rezultatus. Dėl šios priežasties galimiems sprendiniams prognozuoti nagrinėjami metodų ypatumai. Atliekama metodų analizė normalizuojant rodiklius intervale [1; 0] arba [1; ~ 0]. Tai linijinė funkcija ir netiesinės (hiperbolinė, kvadratinė ir kubinė, kvadratinės šaknies, logaritminė) funkcijos. Straipsnyje pasiūlyta, kaip sprendimo priėmėjui įvertinti jo sprendimo kokybę.
MULTICRITERIAL SUSTAINABILITY ASSESSMENT OF RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS
Authors: Zavrl Marjana Šijanec , Žarnić Roko , Šelih Jana
Published: December 2009

A simple method for the assessment of sustainability of a residential building is proposed. The method consists of two steps. First, areas that influence sustainability level of the building (e.g. building architecture, design, in‐built materials) are identified. For each area, several elements and corresponding indicators are determined. Depending on their nature, the indicators are expressed either in quantitative or qualitative terms. The impact areas and their corresponding elements influence all three aspects of sustainability. In the second step, the indicators are aggregated according to their influence on individual sustainability aspects. Special attention is placed to the determination of weights assigned to the indicators in order to make the assessment method relevant in the local context. Initially, the consensus‐based method within the research team was used as a technique for aggregated indicators’ weighting. Later, the open discourses among the developers and stakeholders, as well as surveys, were employed to determine the aggregated indicators’ weights. The proposed method is applied to a selected sample building, and the analysis of the results is carried out. The results obtained show that the completeness and reliability of the input data is crucial for the reliability of the proposed assessment method. Subjectivity in evaluators’ judgments required to score some indicators needs to be reduced by introducing adequate training of the assessors. The feedback from the potential users shows that the method has a potential for wider future implementation in practice. Santrauka Straipsnyje siūlomas paprastas gyvenamųjų namų darnos vertinimo metodas. Šiuo metodu skaičiuojama dviem etapais. Pirmuoju etapu nustatomi kriterijai, darantys įtaką pastato darnos lygiui (pavyzdžiui, pastato architektūra, konstrukcija, medžiagos). Nustatomi keli kiekvieną kriterijų apibūdinantys rodikliai. Priklausomai nuo pobūdžio jie gali būti kiekybiniai arba kokybiniai ir gali apibūdinti visus tris darnos aspektus. Antruoju etapu rodikliai sugrupuojami pagal jų įtaką atskiriems darnos aspektams. Ypatingas dėmesys skiriamas rodiklių reikšmingumų nustatymui. Tai vertinimo metodą daro tinkamą konkrečioms sąlygoms. Rodiklių reikšmingumai nustatomi grupės ekspertų nuomonių sutarimo metodu. Vėliau reikšmingumai tikslinami diskusijoje tarp susinteresuotų grupių narių. Pasiūlytas metodas pritaikytas pasirinktam tipiniam pastatui, atlikta gautų rezultatų analizė. Rezultatai atskleidė, jog pradinių duomenų išsamumas ir tikrumas daro lemiamą įtaką pasiūlyto vertinimo metodo patikimumui. Tinkamai apmokant vertintojus galima sumažinti kai kurių rodiklių vertinimo subjektyvumą. Potencialių vartotojų reakcija rodo, kad ateityje šis metodas gali būti plačiai taikomas.
Effectiveness and Safety of Antiretrovirals with Rifampicin: Crucial Issues for High-Burden Countries
Authors: Maartens Gary , Decloedt Eric , Cohen Karen
Published: December 2009

Coadministration of antitubercular and antiretroviral therapy is common in high-burden countries where tuberculosis is the commonest opportunistic infection. Concomitant use of rifampicin and many antiretroviral drugs is complicated by drug–drug interactions caused by the potent induction by rifampicin of genes involved in drug metabolism and transport, which could result in sub-therapeutic antiretroviral drug concentrations. This review focuses on drug–drug interactions involving antiretrovirals used in resource-limited settings: the non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) efavirenz or nevirapine, and ritonavir-boosted protease inhibitors. The reduction of nevirapine concentrations with concomitant rifampicin is greater than with efavirenz, particularly during the lead-in dose period when subtherapeutic concentrations occur in the majority of patients. There is reassuring data on the effectiveness of standard doses of efavirenz with concomitant rifampicin, but the largest cohort study found a higher risk of virological failure with nevirapine. The drug–drug interaction between rifampicin and ritonavir-boosted protease inhibitors is more marked than with the NNRTIs, and therapeutic concentrations have only been achieved with adjusted doses of lopinavir/ ritonavir or with saquinavir/ritonavir (400/400 mg every 12 h). The major barrier to using adjusted dose protease inhibitors with rifampicin is the high rates of hepatotoxicity seen in healthy volunteers. The alternative strategy followed in resource-rich settings is to replace rifampicin with rifabutin, but even if the price of rifabutin were to be dramatically reduced it would be difficult to implement in high-burden countries where standardized antitubercular regimens with fixed-dose combinations are used.
Adipocyte Differentiation, Mitochondrial Gene Expression and Fat Distribution: Differences between Zidovudine and Tenofovir after 6 Months
Authors: Boothby Meg , McGee Kirsty C , Tomlinson Jeremy W , Gathercole Laura L , McTernan Philip G , Shojaee-Moradie Fariba , Umpleby A Margot , Nightingale Peter , Shahmanesh Mohsen
Published: December 2009

Background

Abnormal lipid metabolism and cell oxidative mechanisms are reported in patients on antiretroviral treatment. We compared the expression of several key adipocyte genes in HIV-infected patients randomized to antiretroviral regimens containing zidovudine (AZT) or tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF).

Methods

Subcutaneous fat was sampled from 32 HIV-positive treatment-naive patients before and 6 months after randomization to AZT/lamivudine/efavirenz ( n=15) or TDF/emtricitabine/efavirenz ( n=17) plus 15 HIV-negative matched controls. Expression of genes involved in adipocyte differentiation, lipid metabolism, mitochondrial function and glucocorticoid generation were pro-filed using real-time PCR. Lipoprotein lipase and hepatic lipase activity were assessed.

Results

Before treatment, 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase expression was down-regulated compared with controls. Following 6 months treatment with AZT, there was a significant increase in visceral adipose tissue (VAT; P=0.02) and the ratio of VAT to subcutaneous adipose tissue ( P=0.008), down-regulation of cytochrome B ( P=0.003) and cytochrome oxidase (COX)-3 gene expression ( P=0.03), up-regulation of NADH dehydrogenase ( P=0.008) and nuclear-encoded COX-4 (complex IV) gene expression ( P=0.012). Genes involved with adipocyte cortisol generation, fatty acid metabolism and the tricarboxylic acid cycle were up-regulated. In the TDF-treated patients, there was no significant change in regional body fat or mitochondrial genes compared with pretreatment values. Changes in the expression of genes involved with cortisol and fatty acid metabolism were less marked with TDF.

Conclusions

Interference with the mitochondrial electron transport chain appears to occur early in an AZT- containing regimen and occurs at a time when there is increased visceral fat and up-regulation of genes involved with adipocyte differentiation and fatty acid flux.
Representaciones icónicas de la nación en Iberoamérica y España
Authors: Pérez Vejo Tomás , Gutiérrez Viñuales Rodrigo
Published: December 2009

El presente proyecto se enmarca en la actual línea revisionista vinculada al período de las «independencias». Como ya es habitual, las conmemoraciones y efemérides marcan en un alto porcentaje el calendario científico y la producción historiográfica, y ahora estamos inmersos tanto en el proceso de los Bicentenarios (Guerra hispano-francesa de 1808, emancipaciones americanas en torno al simbólico año de 1810, y Cortes de Cádiz en 1812), como en el de rescatar las celebraciones de los «Centenarios» de hace un siglo. Este número monográfico intenta sumar un aporte que pudiera servir de basamento para quienes pretendan una aproximación a temas vinculados con el citado proceso historiográfico. En la construcción iconográfica de las naciones americanas (y no solamente «nacionales» sino también regionales) las temáticas y las tipologías resultan de lo más variadas y cada una cumple un papel de mayor o menor relevancia, pero siempre plausible de un análisis particularizado y global. El paisaje, las costumbres, el retrato, las alegorías, la pintura de historia y la de temática social en el caso de las primeras, y la arquitectura, escultura, pintura, gráfica, dibujo, fotografía, artes decorativas y un variadísimo cúmulo de objetos dentro de la segunda, determinan un amplio panorama analítico que ha hecho aumentar el interés y la atención de los especialistas, sobre todo del XIX, con una avidez sin parangón respecto de décadas anteriores.
Cinco interpretaciones de la identidad nacional en la plástica mexicana del siglo XIX (1859-1887)
Authors: Ramírez Fausto
Published: December 2009

En este artículo se estudian cuatro pinturas y un monumento escultórico, ejecutados entre 1859 y 1887, que representan modelos alternativos para plasmar una idea de México como nación. Se analizan dos ejemplos de representación alegórica en que quedaron plasmadas las nociones complementarias de “nación cultural” y “nación política”. Luego, dos celebraciones plásticas de Hidalgo y Cuauhtémoc, figuras centrales del imaginario épico mexicano. Y, por último, una interpretación del territorio patrio convertido en paisaje para dar cuerpo al mito de la unidad nacional mediante el recurso retórico del pars pro toto. Se subraya así la contribución de las artes visuales al proceso de definición, articulación y difusión de un imaginario nacional.