bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Estimating Target Heights Based on the Earth Curvature Model and Micromultipath Effect in Skywave OTH Radar
Authors: Chengyu Hou , Yuxin Wang , Jiawei Chen
Published: July 2014

Skywave over-the-horizon (OTH) radar systems have important long-range strategic warning values. They exploit skywave propagation reflection of high frequency signals from the ionosphere, which provides the ultra-long-range surveillance capabilities to detect and track maneuvering targets. Current OTH radar systems are capable of localizing targets in range and azimuth but are unable to achieve reliable instantaneous altitude estimation. Most existing height measurement methods of skywave OTH radar systems have taken advantage of the micromultipath effect and been considered in the flat earth model. However, the flat earth model is not proper since large error is inevitable, when the detection range is over one thousand kilometers. In order to avoid the error caused by the flat earth model, in this paper, an earth curvature model is introduced into OTH radar altimetry methods. The simulation results show that application of the earth curvature model can effectively reduce the estimation error.
FBP1 Is an Interacting Partner of Menin
Authors: Zaman Shadia , Sukhodolets Karen , Wang Patricia , Qin Jun , Levens David , Agarwal Sunita K. , Marx Stephen J.
Published: July 2014

Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) is a syndrome characterized by tumors in multiple endocrine tissues such as the parathyroid glands, the pituitary gland, and the enteropancreatic neuroendocrine tissues. MEN1 is usually caused by mutations in theMEN1gene that codes for the protein menin. Menin interacts with proteins that regulate transcription, DNA repair and processing, and maintenance of cytoskeletal structure. We describe the identification of FBP1 as an interacting partner of menin in a large-scale pull-down assay that also immunoprecipitated RBBP5, ASH2, and LEDGF, which are members of complex proteins associated with SET1 (COMPASS), a protein complex that methylates histone H3. This interaction was confirmed by coimmunoprecipitation and Flag-pull-down assays. Furthermore, menin localized to the FUSE site on theMYCpromoter, a site that is transactivated by FBP1. This investigation therefore places menin in a pathway that regulatesMYCgene expression and has important implications for the biological function of menin.
Chaotic Multiobjective Evolutionary Algorithm Based on Decomposition for Test Task Scheduling Problem
Authors: Lu Hui , Yin Lijuan , Wang Xiaoteng , Zhang Mengmeng , Mao Kefei
Published: July 2014

Test task scheduling problem (TTSP) is a complex optimization problem and has many local optima. In this paper, a hybrid chaotic multiobjective evolutionary algorithm based on decomposition (CMOEA/D) is presented to avoid becoming trapped in local optima and to obtain high quality solutions. First, we propose an improving integrated encoding scheme (IES) to increase the efficiency. Then ten chaotic maps are applied into the multiobjective evolutionary algorithm based on decomposition (MOEA/D) in three phases, that is, initial population and crossover and mutation operators. To identify a good approach for hybrid MOEA/D and chaos and indicate the effectiveness of the improving IES several experiments are performed. The Pareto front and the statistical results demonstrate that different chaotic maps in different phases have different effects for solving the TTSP especially the circle map and ICMIC map. The similarity degree of distribution between chaotic maps and the problem is a very essential factor for the application of chaotic maps. In addition, the experiments of comparisons of CMOEA/D and variable neighborhood MOEA/D (VNM) indicate that our algorithm has the best performance in solving the TTSP.
A Novel Modulation Classification Approach Using Gabor Filter Network
Authors: Ghauri Sajjad Ahmed , Qureshi Ijaz Mansoor , Cheema Tanveer Ahmed , Malik Aqdas Naveed
Published: July 2014

A Gabor filter network based approach is used for feature extraction and classification of digital modulated signals by adaptively tuning the parameters of Gabor filter network. Modulation classification of digitally modulated signals is done under the influence of additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN). The modulations considered for the classification purpose are PSK 2 to 64, FSK 2 to 64, and QAM 4 to 64. The Gabor filter network uses the network structure of two layers; the first layer which is input layer constitutes the adaptive feature extraction part and the second layer constitutes the signal classification part. The Gabor atom parameters are tuned using Delta rule and updating of weights of Gabor filter using least mean square (LMS) algorithm. The simulation results show that proposed novel modulation classification algorithm has high classification accuracy at low signal to noise ratio (SNR) on AWGN channel.
Reinforcement Learning Optimization for Energy‐Efficient Cellular Networks with Coordinated Multipoint Communications
Authors: Lu Huibin , Hu Baozhu , Ma Zhiyuan , Wen Shuhuan
Published: July 2014

Recently, there is an emerging trend of addressing “energy efficiency” aspect of wireless communications. And coordinated multipoint (CoMP) communication is a promising method to improve energy efficiency. However, since the downlink performance is also important for users, we should improve the energy efficiency as well as keeping a perfect downlink performance. This paper presents a control theoretical approach to study the energy efficiency and downlink performance issues in cooperative wireless cellular networks with CoMP communications. Specifically, to make the decisions for optimal base station grouping in energy‐efficient transmissions in CoMP, we develop a Reinforcement Learning (RL) Algorithm. We apply the Q‐learning of the RL Algorithm to get the optimal policy for base station grouping with introduction of variations at the beginning of the Q‐learning to prevent Q from falling into local maximum points. Simulation results are provided to show the process and effectiveness of the proposed scheme.
A Multiclass, Multimodal Dynamic Traffic Assignment Model with Departure Time
Authors: Meng Meng , Shao Chunfu , Wong Yiik Diew , Zhang Jie
Published: July 2014

The paper develops a multiclass, multimodal dynamic traffic equilibrium model with consideration of the departure time choice problem. Travelers choose the departure time and the route simultaneously with a Logit‐based structure. The route travel cost is a summation of travel time and schedule delay which is associated with arrival time at destination. In addition, the travelers are classified into three groups according to their value of time. A variational inequality (VI) formulation is proposed based on the equilibrium conditions. Two examples are given to testify the effectiveness of the model and the solution algorithm. The model can give the optimal travel route as well as the best departure time, which would contribute to traffic control and dynamic route guidance.
ProBLM Web Server: Protein and Membrane Placement and Orientation Package
Authors: Kimmett Taylor , Smith Nicholas , Witham Shawn , Petukh Marharyta , Sarkar Subhra , Alexov Emil
Published: July 2014

The 3D structures of membrane proteins are typically determined without the presence of a lipid bilayer. For the purpose of studying the role of membranes on the wild type characteristics of the corresponding protein, determining the position and orientation of transmembrane proteins within a membrane environment is highly desirable. Here we report a geometry-based approach to automatically insert a membrane protein with a known 3D structure into pregenerated lipid bilayer membranes with various dimensions and lipid compositions or into a pseudomembrane. The pseudomembrane is built using the Protein Nano-Object Integrator which generates a parallelepiped of user-specified dimensions made up of pseudoatoms. The pseudomembrane allows for modeling the desolvation effects while avoiding plausible errors associated with wrongly assigned protein-lipid contacts. The method is implemented into a web server, the ProBLM server, which is freely available to the biophysical community. The web server allows the user to upload a protein coordinate file and any missing residues or heavy atoms are regenerated. ProBLM then creates a combined protein-membrane complex from the given membrane protein and bilayer lipid membrane or pseudomembrane. The user is given an option to manually refine the model by manipulating the position and orientation of the protein with respect to the membrane.
Pathogenesis of Primary Biliary Cirrhosis and Its Fatigue
Authors: Griffiths Laura , Jones David E.
Published: July 2014

Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is an autoimmune cholestatic liver disease characterised by a breakdown of immune tolerance to mitochondrial and nuclear antigens, causing injury to the biliary epithelial cells (BEC) lining the small intrahepatic bile ducts. This leads to bile duct injury and the retention of hydrophobic bile acids which cause further BEC injury leading to a self-sustaining cycle of bile duct injury. Initially the BEC respond to injury via a homeostatic response including through proliferation. Ultimately they become senescent; an active process with accompanying release of inflammatory cytokines (‘the senescent secretome') which contributes to the process of interface hepatitis which is a feature of high-risk and treatment-unresponsive disease. This model for pathogenesis of PBC has implications for potential therapy approaches in targeting both the ‘upstream' immune injury and ‘downstream' BEC response to the immune injury. Fatigue is the commonest reported symptom in PBC and has a negative impact on patients' perceived quality of life, often through social isolation. It is unrelated to the severity of liver disease and appears unresponsive to current therapies, including ursodeoxycholic acid and transplantation. Fatigue in PBC is complex, with numerous associated peripheral and CNS features. Initially, cholestasis causes degenerative CNS change affecting areas of the brain regulating autonomic dysfunction and sleep, and these changes lead directly to some manifestations of fatigue and the associated cognitive impairment. In addition to this, the anti-mitochondrial antibody has direct muscle level metabolic effects leading to over-utilisation of anaerobic metabolism. Autonomic dysfunction contributes to the impact of this metabolic change by limiting the capacity of the muscle to respond through increased proton/lactate efflux from cells and outflow from tissues. The model has a number of implications for potential therapy approaches.
Inhibitors of Hepatitis B Virus Attachment and Entry
Authors: Lempp Florian A. , Urban Stephan
Published: July 2014

Inhibition of virus entry has become a major concept in the development of new antiviral drugs. Entry inhibitors can either neutralize activities of viral surface proteins or target essential host factors such as (co)receptors. Due to its distinct tissue tropism and the highly specific viral and cellular factors involved in its entry, hepatitis B virus (HBV) is an ideal candidate for entry inhibition. Hepatitis B immunoglobulins neutralize infection by binding to the S-domain of HBV surface proteins and are used to prevent reinfection of the graft after liver transplantation. Novel S or preS-specific monoclonal antibodies are currently in development. The identification of sodium-taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP) as a bona fide receptor has revealed a suitable target for HBV entry inhibition. NTCP receptor function is blocked by a variety of different agents including Myrcludex B, a synthetic N-acylated preS1-derived lipopeptide that inhibits HBV entry in vitro and in vivo with high efficacy. Current antiviral treatment for chronic HBV-infected patients focuses on the inhibition of the viral polymerase via nucleos(t)ide analogues (NA). Entry inhibitors in combination with NAs could block reinfection and shield naive hepatocytes that emerge from natural liver turnover, opening up new therapeutic options.
AAV Vectors Expressing LDLR Gain-of-Function Variants Demonstrate Increased Efficacy in Mouse Models of Familial Hypercholesterolemia
Authors: Somanathan Suryanarayan , Jacobs Frank , Wang Qiang , Hanlon Alexandra L. , Wilson James M. , Rader Daniel J.
Published: July 2014

Rationale:

Familial hypercholesterolemia is a genetic disorder that arises because of loss-of-function mutations in the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) and homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia is a candidate for gene therapy using adeno-associated viral vectors. Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) and inducible degrader of LDLR (IDOL) negatively regulate LDLR protein and could dampen adeno-associated viral vector encoded LDLR expression.

Objective:

We sought to create vectors expressing gain-of-function human LDLR variants that are resistant to degradation by human PCSK9 (hPCSK9) and IDOL and thereby enhance hepatic LDLR protein abundance and plasma LDL cholesterol reduction.

Methods and Results:

Amino acid substitutions were introduced into the coding sequence of human LDLR cDNA to reduce interaction with hPCSK9 and human IDOL. A panel of mutant human LDLRs was initially screened in vitro for escape from PCSK9. The variant human LDLR-L318D was further evaluated using a mouse model of homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia lacking endogenous LDLR and apolipoprotein B mRNA editing enzyme catalytic, APOBEC-1 (double knockout). Administration of wild-type human LDLR to double knockout mice, expressing hPCSK9, led to diminished LDLR activity. However, LDLR-L318D was resistant to hPCSK9-mediated degradation and effectively reduced cholesterol levels. Similarly, the LDLR-K809R\C818A construct avoided human IDOL regulation and achieved stable reductions in serum cholesterol. An adeno-associated viral vector serotype 8.LDLR-L318D\K809R\C818A vector that carried all 3 amino acid substitutions conferred partial resistance to both hPCSK9- and human IDOL–mediated degradation.

Conclusions:

Amino acid substitutions in the human LDLR confer partial resistance to PCSK9 and IDOL regulatory pathways with improved reduction in cholesterol levels and improve on a potential gene therapeutic approach to treat homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia subjects.
Preventing Autoimmunity Protects Against the Development of Hypertension and Renal Injury
Authors: Mathis Keisa W. , Wallace Kedra , Flynn Elizabeth R. , Maric-Bilkan Christine , LaMarca Babbette , Ryan Michael J.
Published: July 2014

Several studies suggest a link between autoimmunity and essential hypertension in humans. However, whether autoimmunity can drive the development of hypertension remains unclear. The autoimmune disease systemic lupus erythematosus is characterized by autoantibody production, and the prevalence of hypertension is increased markedly in this patient population compared with normal healthy women. We hypothesized that preventing the development of autoimmunity would prevent the development of hypertension in a mouse model of lupus. Female lupus (
NZBWF1
) and control mice (
NZW
) were treated weekly with anti-CD20 or immunoglobulin G antibodies (both 10 mg/kg, IV) starting at 20 weeks of age for 14 weeks. Anti-CD20 therapy markedly attenuated lupus disease progression as evidenced by reduced CD45R+ B cells and lower double-stranded DNA autoantibody activity. In addition, renal injury in the form of urinary albumin, glomerulosclerosis, and tubulointerstitial fibrosis, as well as tubular injury (indicated by renal cortical expression of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin) was prevented by anti-CD20 therapy in lupus mice. Finally, lupus mice treated with anti-CD20 antibody did not develop hypertension. The protection against the development of hypertension was associated with lower renal cortical tumor necrosis factor-α expression, a cytokine that has been previously reported by us to contribute to the hypertension in this model, as well as renal cortical monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 expression and circulating T cells. These data suggest that the development of autoimmunity and the resultant increase in renal inflammation are an important underlying factor in the prevalent hypertension that occurs during systemic lupus erythematosus.
Improvement of impact toughness of simulated heat affected zone by addition of aluminium
Authors: Yu L. , Wang H. H. , Wang X. L. , Huang G. , Hou T. P. , Wu K. M.
Published: July 2014

The effect of aluminium content (0·023, 0·038 and 0·070 wt-%) on microstructure and impact toughness of simulated coarse grained heat affected zone (CGHAZ) of high strength low alloy steels with different heat inputs (20, 100 and 200 kJ cm−1) was investigated. The microstructure of simulated CGHAZ consisted of predominantly granular bainite. The martensite–austenite constituents became finer and its volume fraction decreased with increasing aluminium content, irrespective of heat input level. The impact toughness of the simulated CGHAZ improved remarkably with increasing aluminium content even at high heat input of 200 kJ cm−1. It was attributed to the reduction in volume fraction of martensite–austenite constituents and the refined martensite–austenite constituents by addition of appropriate aluminium.
Multiplex PCR assay for identification of commonly used disarmed Agrobacterium tumefaciens strains
Authors: Deeba Farah , Hyder Muhammad Zeeshan , Shah Shahzad Hussain , Naqvi Syed Muhammad Saqlan
Published: July 2014

The success of Agrobacterium mediated plant transformation depends to a certain extent on appropriate selection of the A. tumefaciens strain for a particular plant species. Many stages in a plant transformation procedure are prone to bacterial contamination with similar antibiotic resistance that may compromise the identity of the A. tumefaciens strain used, in turn adversely affecting success of a transformation experiment. Different primer sets were designed to exploit genetic differences among different strains of A. tumefaciens which are commonly used for plant genetic transformation, to identity confirmation as well as to distinguish them from one another. The primer sets Ach5FtsZ-F/R specific for Ach5 and C58GlyA-F/R specific for C58 were designed on chromosomal DNA while primer sets pTiBo542-F/R and nptI-F/R specific for plasmid pTiBo542 are capable to identify and distinguish these strains from one another. These primer sets when used simultaneously in multiplex PCR, produce a pattern which uniquely identifies all these strains and distinguishes them except for GV3101 and C58C1, which can further be distinguished from each other by rifampicin screening. The multiplex PCR assay and primers being reported here serve as a valuable tool in determining the identity of A. tumefaciens strains at any stage of plant transformation procedure.
Gene regulatory network inference and validation using relative change ratio analysis and time-delayed dynamic Bayesian network
Authors: Li Peng , Gong Ping , Li Haoni , Perkins Edward J , Wang Nan , Zhang Chaoyang
Published: July 2014

The Dialogue for Reverse Engineering Assessments and Methods (DREAM) project was initiated in 2006 as a community-wide effort for the development of network inference challenges for rigorous assessment of reverse engineering methods for biological networks. We participated in thein siliconetwork inference challenge of DREAM3 in 2008. Here we report the details of our approach and its performance on the synthetic challenge datasets. In our methodology, we first developed a model called relative change ratio (RCR), which took advantage of the heterozygous knockdown data and null-mutant knockout data provided by the challenge, in order to identify the potential regulators for the genes. With this information, a time-delayed dynamic Bayesian network (TDBN) approach was then used to infer gene regulatory networks from time series trajectory datasets. Our approach considerably reduced the searching space of TDBN; hence, it gained a much higher efficiency and accuracy. The networks predicted using our approach were evaluated comparatively along with 29 other submissions by two metrics (area under the ROC curve and area under the precision-recall curve). The overall performance of our approach ranked the second among all participating teams.
Secure semantic expansion based search over encrypted cloud data supporting similarity ranking
Authors: Xia Zhihua , Zhu Yanling , Sun Xingming , Chen Lihong
Published: July 2014

With the advent of cloud computing, more and more information data are outsourced to the public cloud for economic savings and ease of access. However, the privacy information has to be encrypted to guarantee the security. To implement efficient data utilization, search over encrypted cloud data has been a great challenge. The existing solutions depended entirely on the submitted query keyword and didn’t consider the semantics of keyword. Thus the search schemes are not intelligent and also omit some semantically related documents. In view of the deficiency, as an attempt, we propose a semantic expansion based similar search solution over encrypted cloud data. Our solution could return not only the exactly matched files, but also the files including the terms semantically related to the query keyword. In the proposed scheme, a corresponding file metadata is constructed for each file. Then both the encrypted metadata set and file collection are uploaded to the cloud server. With the metadata set, the cloud server builds the inverted index and constructs semantic relationship library (SRL) for the keywords set. After receiving a query request, the cloud server first finds out the keywords that are semantically related to the query keyword according to SRL. Then both the query keyword and the extensional words are used to retrieve the files. The result files are returned in order according to the total relevance score. Eventually, detailed security analysis shows that our solution is privacy-preserving and secure under the previous searchable symmetric encryption (SSE) security definition. Experimental evaluation demonstrates the efficiency and effectives of the scheme.
Photoinduced Hydrogen Atom Transfer in 2-(2′-Hydroxyphenyl)benzimidazole Substituted with Anthracene
Authors: Inatsu Yuji , Arai Tatsuo
Published: July 2014

Photoinduced intramolecular hydrogen atom transfer was observed in anthracene-substituted 2-(2′-hydroxyphenyl)benzimidazole (HBI) derivatives, depending on substitution position.
Effect of Adding a Thiol Stabilizer on Synthesis of Au Nanoparticles by Sputter Deposition onto Poly(ethylene glycol)
Authors: Hatakeyama Yoshikiyo , Kato Jun-ichi , Mukai Tomohiro , Judai Ken , Nishikawa Keiko
Published: July 2014

We previously developed a new method that combines sputter deposition of Au and the use of a capture medium of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) for preparing Au nanoparticles (AuNPs). To further control the size and shape of AuNPs, we improved the method in the present study by adding a low-molecular-weight α-methoxy-ω-thiopoly(oxyethylene) (mPEG-SH) as a nonvolatile stabilizing agent to PEG. The synthesized AuNPs were structurally characterized by transmission electron microscopy, small-angle X-ray scattering, and UV–vis absorption spectroscopy, and the results were compared with our earlier findings of AuNPs prepared in neat PEG. The AuNPs prepared with the addition of mPEG-SH were spherical. The concentration of mPEG-SH played an important role in controlling the size and size distribution of AuNPs, whereas the temperature of the capture medium had a small effect on these characteristics. In addition, heat treatment stability of AuNPs and the effect of elapsed time on AuNP formation were investigated; AuNPs synthesized in PEG solution containing mPEG-SH were much more resistant to the variables than AuNPs synthesized in neat PEG.
Reaction Layer Depth Depending on the Degree of the Steady-State Coupling in an Acid Phosphatase-Immobilized Enzyme Membrane
Authors: Nomura Kazuo , Miyawaki Heita
Published: July 2014

Steady-state coupling between the diffusion and the chemical reaction in an artificial enzyme membrane was investigated on the basis of nonequilibrium thermodynamics. The relaxation length for the chemical affinity of the reaction, which can be considered the reaction layer thickness for the enzyme membrane, was found to be expressed in terms of the maximum velocity and the Michaelis constant for the enzymatic reaction and the diffusion coefficients of the reaction participants. The theoretical expression was applied to the acid phosphatase-immobilized membrane–two aqueous buffered solution system, one of which contains 4-nitrophenyl phosphate as the substrate for the enzymatic reaction. Using the obtained relaxation length, the asymmetric distribution of the chemical affinity of the hydrolysis reaction within the enzyme membrane has been developed in some cases.
The need for antibiotic stewardship and treatment standardization in the care of cirrhotic patients with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis – a retrospective cohort study examining the effect of ceftriaxone dosing
Authors: Mazer Laura , Tapper Elliot B. , Piatkowski Gail , Lai Michelle
Published: July 2014

Background: Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is a common, often fatal affliction for cirrhotic patients. Despite all clinical trials of ceftriaxone for SBP using 2g daily, it is often given at 1g daily.

Aim: We evaluated survival after SBP as a function of ceftriaxone dosage.

Methods:  A retrospective cohort of all patients who received ceftriaxone for SBP (greater than 250 neutrophils in the ascites).

Results: As opposed to 1 gram, median survival is longer for patients receiving 2 grams (228 days vs. 102 days (p = 0.26) and one year survival is significantly higher (p = 0.0034).  After adjusting for baseline Model for End Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score, however, this difference was no longer significant.  Similarly, there was a significantly shorter length of intensive care for patients receiving 2 g (0.59 ± 1.78 days vs. 3.26 ± 6.9, p = 0.034), odds ratio 0.11 (95% CI 0.02 - 0.65). This difference, too, was no longer significant after controlling for the MELD score - odds ratio 0.21 (95% CI 0.04 - 1.07). Additionally, 70% of patients received at least one additional antibiotic; over 25 different medications were used in various combinations.

Conclusions:  Patients receiving 2 g of ceftriaxone may require fewer intensive care days and may enjoy an improved survival compared to those receiving 1 g daily. The complexity of antibiotic regimens to which cirrhotic patients are exposed must be studied further and rationalized.  We recommend fastidious antibiotic stewardship for patients with cirrhosis. Efforts should be made to craft local standards for the treatment of SBP that include appropriate antibiotic selection and dose.
Organized Economic Interests and European Integration: the Question of (neo)corporatism
Authors: Ząbkowicz Anna
Published: July 2014

When economic development is considered, political economy is at stake; in this perspective growth or counter-growth forces operate within the institutional framework. The analysis focuses on corporatist forms of social dialogue in the international environment of the EU and within the European structures. First, the notion of corporatism as opposed to other institutionalized channels of access is explained. Then, the paper presents corporatist forms at the national level under change. Next, it deals with interest coordination at the European Commission level. The paper concludes that an erosion of corporatist forms is visible; no embracing pattern in the EU should be expected instead; on the contrary, increasing fragmentation of lobbying is observed.
M&A Cooperative Games
Authors: Nastych Maria A.
Published: July 2014

Cooperative game theory instruments application to the corporate finance M&A research issues provide an ability to extend the field considered and conclusions obtained. The paper presents the M&A cooperative games modeling and its empirical implementation to analyze the airline strategic alliance as M&A deal.
Developing a flexible sigmoidoscopy bowel screening programme in Jersey
Authors: George Susan De , Irving Wendy
Published: July 2014

Jersey is a self-governing British Crown dependency with a non-NHS health service that benchmarks its policies alongside UK standards. Colorectal cancer is the third-highest cause of cancer-related death in the island, and in the absence of a bowel cancer screening programme, a steering group was established to review current screening models and create a programme for the island. A robust service has been developed offering a one-off flexible sigmoidoscopy to all islanders in their 60th year, with high adenoma detection rates and excellent client feedback. This article gives an overview of the considerations taken when setting up the service and the lessons learnt in the first year.
Caring for an ostomist with necrotizing fasciitis
Authors: Fulham Juliette
Published: July 2014

Necrotizing fasciitis is a rapidly advancing bacterial infection of the subcutaneous tissue that requires radical debridement as the primary treatment. Necrotizing fasciitis has a high morbidity and mortality rate and survivors often have disfiguring wounds, facing months of reconstructive surgery, a prolonged hospital admission, and lengthy period of rehabilitation. This article focuses on the care of a patient who underwent emergency surgery after developing Fournier's gangrene of the perineal region. He also required emergency stoma formation and underwent hyperbaric oxygen therapy as part of his treatment. This article explores the challenges of this patient's treatment, the long-term consequences of his surgery, and his recovery.
When talking feels good
Authors: Wright Jonathan
Published: July 2014

I CAN's Talk Boost programme is proving to be highly effective when it comes to improving children's communication skills and building their self-esteem.
Climbing the walls?
Authors: Donohoe Tom
Published: July 2014

Wall bars tend to be under-used in schools but there is no doubt that children love them. Tom Donohoe continues his series with a look at their potential.
Getting into the rhythm of learning about maths
Authors: McKeown Sal
Published: July 2014

Sal McKeown describes how one school has used WizeFloor's giant, interactive floor mat to revolutionise its teaching of maths for children in year 4.
How to become a confident NQT
Authors: Adams Margaret
Published: July 2014

Do you feel well prepared for the autumn term? Confidence is all about understanding what your new school will expect of you and planning accordingly.
Justification or Excuse? The Collision of Positive Duties in German Criminal Law
Authors: Zimmermann Till
Published: July 2014

Legal systems operating on the idea that not only positive acts, but also omissions can be criminally relevant may create ‘legal traps' by demanding impossible behaviour where there is a collision of duties. This, however, cannot be the law. There must be a definite instruction to those confronted with conflicting duties. In German law, the solution of the collision of a positive with a negative duty is solved by applying the lesser-evil clause of s. 34 of the Criminal Code, granting a defence of necessity. The same idea is also applicable if two positive duties with different values collide. However, German law does not offer a solution if the positive duties are of equal value. While some argue that in such a case the person fulfilling one duty and thereby violating the other is merely excused, the analysis of the situation on the basis of the Rawlsian Theory of Justice leads to the conclusion that a justificatory defence should be offered to that person—even in cases of murder.
Erectile dysfunction as a manifestation of urogenital autonomic neuropathy in patients with type 1 diabetes: epidemiology, classification, pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment options
Authors: Galstyan Gagik Radikovich , Shwarts Yana Grigor'evna , Dubsky Sergey Anatol'evich , Lepetukhin Alexander Evgen'evich , Rozhivanov Roman Viktorovich , Kurbatov Dmitry Gennadievich
Published: July 2014

Sexual dysfunction characterized by a significant decline in the quality of life of patients and leading to infertility and problems in social life is diagnosed in more than 40% of patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). Erectile dysfunction is the most common sexual disorder in DM patients. The article describes epidemiology, classification, pathophysiology, diagnostic and treatment of erectile dysfunction in T1DM patients.
Psicologia Cultural e Desenvolvimento Humano Um encontro com Barbara Rogoff
Authors: Fidalgo Zilda
Published: July 2014

SR
Firsthand learning through intent participation
Authors: Rogoff Barbara , Paradise Ruth , Mejía Arauz Rebeca , Correa-Chávez Maricela , Angelillo Cathy
Published: July 2014

This article examines how people learn by actively observing and “listening-in” on ongoing activities as they participate in shared endeavors. Keen observationand listening-in are especially valued and used in some cultural communities in which children are part of mature community activities. This intent participation also occurs in some settings (such as early language learning in the family) in communities that routinely segregate children from the full range of adult activities. However, in the past century some industrial societies have relied on a specialized form of instruction that seems to accompany segregation of children from adult settings, in which adults “transmit” information to children. We contrast these two traditions of organizing learning in terms of their participation structure, the roles of more-and less-experienced people, distinctions in motivation and purpose, sources of learning (observation in ongoing activity versus lessons), forms of communication, and the role of assessment.
Existential psychotherapy: An introductory Overview
Authors: Spinelli Ernesto
Published: July 2014

This paper provides an introductory overview of the key ideas that underpin existential psychotherapy from the primary focus of inter-relation. Further, it introduces various applications regarding the investigation of the inter-relational variables that accentuate the client’s experience of being-in-the world and considers these in relation to the analysis of the client’s presenting problems and issues. Finally, the paper argues that in the existential psychotherapeutic relationship the therapist can be likened to a particular and unique “other” in the client’s world relations.
Ser pai: Transformações intergeracionais na paternidade
Authors: Sugurado Falé Balancho Leonor
Published: July 2014

O estudo psicológico da paternidade e dos seus impactos em pais e filhos ganhou uma incidência internacional crescente desde os anos setenta. A concepção de mudança associada à forma de concretizar a paternidade nas últimas gerações tem sido polémica, com estudos demonstrando mudanças nalgumas das dimensões da relação pai-filhos, e outros indiciando que os novos formatos de família, muito em particular a separação e divórcio, e o excesso de horas laborais, vieram afastar o pai – mais do que aproximar – da educação dos filhos.Perante a ausência, em Portugal, de investigações neste domínio, o estudo aqui apresentado, realizado com uma amostra de pais, avós e filhos, foi avaliar a eventual transformação das percepções subjectivas relativas ao papel do pai no decurso de três gerações. As conclusões vão no sentido de estarmos perante um conjunto de percepções que apontam para a concepção de um pai renovado, indiciando uma base estrutural cognitiva que venha a poder ser suporte de novas expectativas e práticas na relação do pai com a prole.
A construção do Eu adolescente na relação com o(s) Outro(s): O igual, o diferente e o complementar através do Rorschach
Authors: Cunha Isabel Duarte da , Marques Maria Emília
Published: July 2014

No presente trabalho as autoras procuram constituir o Outro como um organizador do processo de desenvolvimento adolescente. Através da articulação entre as concepções sobre a adolescência e as noções de sujeito e de objecto, Eu-Outro, foi possível constituir três dimensões do Outro durante o processo de desenvolvimento adolescente: o igual, o diferente e o complementar. Como método de acesso ao sujeito psicológico foi utilizado o Rorschach, inscrito por um lado na escola Francesa, com os parâmetros Representação de Si e Representação das Relações e, por outro lado, no modelo transformacional que privilegia a relação de comunicação, de simbolização, de criação e de expansão. Foram analisados protocolos de adolescentes com 13 e 17 anos, de ambos os sexos, de modo a ser possível observar de que modo é que decorre a relação entre o Eu e o(s) Outro(s) neste período do desenvolvimento.
O Rorschach e a função materna no sujeito transexual
Authors: Tröger Nadja , Pinheiro Catarina Bray
Published: July 2014

O presente artigo visa analisar, à luz do método Rorschach e numa perspectiva psicodinâmica, a função materna no sujeito transexual e, implicitamente, a bissexualidade psíquica, ambas mediatizadas na relação entre a mente e o corpo. A função materna é concebida no seio do modelo bioniano ♀♂, que permite explorar a dialéctica operante entre o interno e o externo, o Eu e o Outro, o masculino e o feminino. O método Rorschach é perspectivado na sua dimensão intersubjectiva e dinâmica, de acordo com os argumentos teóricos formulados por M. E. Marques, dimensão essa que viabiliza a análise da actividade simbólica. A elaboração dos procedimentos procura, assim, integrar as dialécticas supramencionadas na relação ♀♂. É neste contexto que se inscreve a aplicação do Rorschach a dois sujeitos transexuais (MF e F-M, respectivamente). Os protocolos revelam uma busca contínua de um continente coeso na realidade externa e a dificuldade de articular o duplo no espaço mental. Verificam-se, por conseguinte, movimentos disruptivos nos eixos analisados, bem como dificuldades acrescidas de diferenciação entre o feminino e o materno. A articulação ♀♂ dá conta da não-consolidação da identidade, representando a transformação corporal a solução identitária numa realidade externa.
Psicologia, saúde e nutrição: Contributo para o estudo do comportamento alimentar
Authors: Viana Victor
Published: July 2014

O comportamento alimentar constitui um importante aspecto dos hábitos e estilo de vida que importa abordar do ponto de vista da Psicologia. Tradicionalmente o processo alimentar tem sido estudado no caso das perturbações do comportamento alimentar. A abordagem que apresentamos é a do comportamento alimentar do sujeito normal no contexto teórico e metodológico da Psicologia da Saúde. A Nutrição está intrinsecamente associada à saúde e à doença. Algumas das mais assustadoras doenças do nosso tempo são em grande parte atribuíveis a hábitos alimentares não saudáveis adquiridos na infância e na adolescência.

A compreensão do comportamento e do estilo alimentar, incluindo os aspectos psicológicos que lhe estão subjacentes, parece ser determinante na possibilidade de se definirem estratégias visando implementar mudanças de índole terapêutica ou educacional com vista à promoção de hábitos alimentares saudáveis. Neste trabalho procuramos demonstrar o papel da Psicologia na investigação no domínio da Nutrição, sobre as relações entre o comportamento alimentar e a saúde. É realçado o contributo da Psicologia para a compreensão do ser saudável e para a adopção de estratégias de prevenção primária e educação para a saúde, nomeadamente no caso dos jovens.
Stresse ocupacional em forças de segurança: Um estudo comparativo
Authors: Gonçalo Helena , Gomes A. Rui , Barbosa Fernando , Afonso Jorge
Published: July 2014

Este trabalho compara a experiência de stresse ocupacional em dois grupos de segurança portugueses, um a exercer em contexto público (n=95) e outro em contexto prisional (n=237). Para tal, utilizámos um protocolo de avaliação com medidas do stresse global, “burnout”, comprometimento organizacional, satisfação com a vida, satisfação profissional e desejo de abandonar a profissão. Os indicadores de fidelidade e validade dos instrumentos foram muito aceitáveis. Os resultados de “burnout” por dimensão apontaram níveis apreciáveis de exaustão emocional (valores a oscilar entre os 12% e os 26%), seguidos do cinismo (valores entre 8% e 21%) e do baixo sentimento de eficácia profissional (valores entre 3% e 8%) (apenas um participante registou valores de “burnout” nas três dimensões, em simultâneo). A análise comparativa entre os grupos demonstrou que os profissionais de segurança prisional evidenciaram experiências profissionais mais negativas (e.g., maiores níveis de “burnout” e desejo de abandonar a profissão e menores níveis de comprometimento organizacional, satisfação com a vida e satisfação profissional). No final, os autores discutem os factores que podem ajudar a perceber estas diferenças e possíveis implicações para a investigação futura.
A bi-estabilidade nas representações de movimento humano a partir de estímulos visuais e auditivos
Authors: Mendonça Catarina , Santos Jorge
Published: July 2014

Pouco se sabe acerca das interacções entre estímulos visuais e auditivos na percepção do movimento biológico. Dados recentes indicam que poderá haver uma área cerebral (STSp), que responde a estimulação de movimento biológico, tanto visual quanto auditiva. É provável que os processos intermodais em movimento biológico tendam para uma maior interacção e integração de pistas que em movimento rígido. Neste trabalho, procurou-se observar a natureza dessas interacções. Para tal, utilizaram-se estímulos visuais bi-estáveis, com um forte viés frontal. Compararam-se condições visuais, auditivas e audiovisuais. Os dados revelam efeitos de interacção entre estímulos. A condição audiovisual apresenta resultados globalmente melhores na redução do viés perceptivo e nas taxas de acerto.
A justiça em laboratório
Authors: Costa Susana
Published: July 2014

A ciência forense pretende auxiliar o direito tornando a justiça mais científica e, portanto, em princípio, mais rigorosa. Uma manifestação recente dessa pretensão é o uso da identificação por perfis genéticos. A adopção desta técnica veio abrir novas possibilidades no domínio da identificação individual, mas também tornar visíveis problemas de ordem técnica e prática que podem tornar o seu uso controverso e estar na origem de abusos e de erros judiciais, podendo pôr em causa princípios fundamentais da cidadania e da vida democrática.Os obstáculos ao cumprimento das promessasde uma técnica que, à primeira vista, poderia vir resolver muitos dos problemas que se colocam ao meio judicial, nomeadamente o da adequação da sentença ao crime, são numerosos. Um tema que assume no quadro desta problemática uma importância central é o da padronização das técnicas, geralmente encarada como uma garantia de rigor, de estabilidade e de possibilidade de utilização flexível dessas técnicas. Mas a padronização das técnicas suscita, por sua vez, o problema da possibilidade de padronização do direito. Este estudo procura identificar as forças e fragilidades desta técnica, tentando perceber, em simultâneo, como se joga a tensão entre uma ciência forense que se globaliza e um direito que permanece localizado.
Treino de modelagem e visualização mental: Avaliação dos efeitos nas expectativas de auto-eficácia e desempenho de atletas de patinagem
Authors: Ramires Ana , Carapeta Carolina , Felgueiras Filipa , Faro e Viana Miguel
Published: July 2014

Este trabalho procurou avaliar de que modo um programa de duas semanas de treino de modelagem e de visualização mental poderia afectar as expectativas de eficácia pessoal e o rendimento de um grupo de atletas de patinagem artística. Os sujeitos (19), todosdo sexo feminino, foram afectos a uma de três condições experimentais: grupo de controlo, sem tratamento (n=7), grupo experimental, apenas com um tratamento de modelagem (n=6) e grupo experimental com um tratamento de modelagem e visualização mental (n=6).Os resultados do estudo revelaram que não foi possível potencializar as expectativas de eficácia pessoal e o desempenho das atletas através dos tratamentos experimentais, num período de duas semanas. No entanto, apesar das limitações impostas pela dimensão da amostra e pelo curto período de tempo deduração do programa, foi possível constatar que: a) as expectativas de auto-eficácia demonstraram ser melhores preditoras do desempenho do que as expectativas de resultado; b) o desempenho passado joga um papel crucial na formação das expectativas de auto-eficácia;c) os programas experimentais permitiram incrementar a percepção das atletas relativamente ao nível de desempenho que poderiam vir a alcançar face às competências técnicas e motoras que detinham no início do programa.
Estilo de procesamiento de la información y toma de decisiones en competiciones deportivas: Las dimensiones rapidez y exactitud cognitivas
Authors: Ezquerro Milagros , Buceta Jose María
Published: July 2014

El objetivo del presente estudio fue analizar la posible influencia de ciertas características de personalidad relacionadas con la forma de procesar la información, sobre la conducta de toma de decisiones en competiciones deportivas. En concreto, se han analizado las dimensiones velocidad y precisión, implicadas en el procesamiento de la información y su posible influencia sobre la toma de decisiones de riesgo durante la participación activa en partidos de tenis y ensus posibles consecuencias. Para este estudio, fueron seleccionados 47 jugadores de tenis, varones, con alto dominio en este deporte, y con edades comprendidas ente 15 y 20 años, y una experiencia deportiva de 5 ±1años.Para evaluar las dimensiones velocidad y precisión del estilo cognitivo de los deportistas se ha utilizado el test Matching Familar Figures, asignando a los sujetos a cuatro grupos: Rápidos-Exactos; Rápidos-Inexacto; Lentos-Exactos, y Lentos-Inexactos, en funcion de las puntuaciones obtenidas en dicho test. Como Variable Dependiente se seleccionó la decisión de subir a la red en tenis y su posible éxito o fracaso, observándose las conductas de decisión en situaciones naturales de competición oficial de tenis. Los resultados mostraron que los sujetos con putuaciones más altas en rapidez cognitiva, tanto exactos como inexactos, tomaban la decisión de subir a la red con mayor frecuencia que los sujetos más lentos en elprocesamiento de la información. No se encontraron diferencias significativas entre los grupos en el éxito o en el fracaso, derivados de la decisión.
El cuestionario «Características Psicológicas Relacionadas con el Rendimiento Deportivo» (CPRD): Características psicométricas
Authors: Gimeno Fernando , Buceta Jose María , Pérez-Llanta María Del Carmen
Published: July 2014

Este trabajo tiene como objetivo describir las características psicométricas del cuestionario «Características Psicológicas relacionadas con el RendimientoDeportivo» (CPRD). La estructura factorial de este instrumento está definida por cinco escalas que aglutina nun total de 55 items: control del estrés, influencia de la evaluación del rendimiento, motivación, habilidad mental y cohesión de equipo.El proceso seguido para la elaboración del cuestionario CPRD y la consistencia interna de conjunto total de items (coeficiente alfa de Cronbach = 0,85) permiten considerar este instrumento útil, interactuando con la información procedente de otros procedimientos de evaluación, para ayudar al psicólogo deportivo en la detección de necesidades y recursos, el planteamiento de hipótesis explicativas, la realización de análisis funcionales, la toma de decisión sobre los objetivos de la intervención y la observación del progreso de los deportistas.