bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Causativização morfológica na língua tenetehára: análise à luz da estrutura bipartida do VP
Authors: Camargos Quesler Fagundes
Published: June 2015

O objetivo deste artigo é descrever o processo de causativização morfológica na língua Tenetehára. Veremos que a língua disponibiliza dois morfemas causativos para realizar este processo: {mu-} e {-(u)kar}. O prefixo {mu-} tem como propriedade causativizar predicados de natureza intransitiva (verbos inergativos, inacusativos, deadjetivais e denominais). O sufixo {-(u)kar}, por sua vez, se afixa a predicados transitivos. Em sentenças contendo tanto {mu-} quanto {-(u)kar}, o sujeito é movido para a posição de objeto e um novo argumento é introduzido na posição de sujeito. Além disso, o argumento movido para as posições de objeto adquire o traço semântico de [+afetado]. Já o novo sujeito tem a seguinte composição semântica: [+desencadeador] e [+/-controle]. Para dar conta deste processo, adoto, neste trabalho, a proposta de estrutura bipartida do VP, nos termos de Larson (1988) e Chomsky (1995). Acompanhando estes autores, proporei, para a língua Tenetehára, que os morfemas causativos {mu-} e {-(u)kar} são a realização morfológica do núcleo causativo vo.
Paratopia e escritura em arquitetura: uma aproximação ao discurso arquitetural de Oscar Niemeyer
Authors: Julião Raquel
Published: June 2015

Este trabalho pretende cotejar a noção de paratopia, proposta pelo teórico do discurso Dominique Maingueneau, com a ideia barthesiana de escritura. A paratopia se refere ao lugar paradoxal do autor, entre sua criação e um contexto social. Escritura é traço material que identifica uma marca do sujeito, um posicionamento particular. E num sentido mais radical, é ligada ao corpo do autor (ou artista), ao seu gesto: é expressão pulsional. Assim, a partir de uma leitura do tipo interpretação, que leva em conta o contexto sócio histórico, é possível abordar uma construção subjetiva – uma tomada de posição política e estética (numa palavra: ética). Além disso, a adoção da noção de escritura permite tomar o objeto arquitetural também na sua dimensão escritural. A escolha desses conceitos se justifica pelo caráter do corpus: trata-se de um certo discurso arquitetural, especificamente o de Oscar Niemeyer, marcado pela curva livre (discurso que inclui não só sua produção textual, mas também suas obras de arquitetura e seus desenhos). Neste trabalho, vamos pesquisar procedimentos de embreagem paratópica no discurso do arquiteto – e que desde já estão ligados ao tema da liberdade, mas também aos temas da leveza e da surpresa ou do inesperado. Enquanto o tema da liberdade dialoga, por um lado, com o pensamento comunista e, por outro lado, com o movimento modernista no campo das artes plásticas, o embreador surpresa vai sustentar a escritura. O traço de Niemeyer, identificamos na adoção da curva livre, que não só bordeja o tema da liberdade, mas se torna a assinatura desse arquiteto.
Línguas ameaçadas: o caso do francoprovençal
Authors: Gomes Simone
Published: June 2015

Discute-se o tema das línguas ameaçadas de desaparecimento e a consequente perda da diversidade linguística de nosso planeta.  Apresenta-se o caso do francoprovençal, língua românica minoritária presente na França, Itália e Suíça. Com o objetivo de contribuir para um maior conhecimento dessa língua, assim como para sua valorização, propõe-se, a partir de um levantamento bibliográfico, fornecer informaçõessobre seu percurso histórico, algumas características linguísticas, seus usos na contemporaneidade e as tentativas mais recentes de recuperação e reativação de seus falares.
Robert Frost’s poems: some light from corpus analysis
Authors: Oliveira Iasmine
Published: June 2015

Linguistics and literature seem distant fields, but they can be related. This study aims at doing a discourse analysis of Robert Frost’s poems using a corpus to investigate the most frequent semantic domain in his poetry. This analysis should also allow us to make connections with his personal life. A corpus composed by 35 poems of Frost (3,725 words) was investigated focusing on nouns. The corpus was tagged by CLAWS 7 and AntConc was the software used to generate the frequency lists and concordance lines for the analysis. Results of this research indicate that 26% of the nouns are related to nature. A connection between people and the nature elements was verified in 91% of the poems, which suggests that human experiences are portrayed through this relation. Furthermore, nature nouns may be found in different linguistic environment, affecting how they are portrayed: 31% is positive (e.g. bright flowers), 32% is negative (e.g. heavy sky) and 37% is neutral (e.g mowing field). Therefore, nature nouns can also be understood by their semantic prosody. If nature is depicted positively, negatively or neutrally, it is where “man finds himself” (LYNEN, 1962, p. 177). Frost’s poems consider all the conflicts that surround a man’s life.Key words: Robert Frost, literature, corpus linguistics, nouns, nature.
Verbos modais em textos jornalísticos: um estudo comparativo entre inglês e português
Authors: Perini Giovana
Published: June 2015

Esta pesquisa pretende discutir o uso padrão dos modais da língua inglesa em comparação a seus equivalentes traduzidos para a língua portuguesa. Para isso, este trabalho analisou dez crônicas retiradas da mídia impressa Americana, traduzidas e publicadas, no Brasil, pelo jornal Estadão. Com base na análise do banco de dados construído pelas crônicas, foi discutido o uso dos modais em português, de acordo com sua correspondência nos textos originais em inglês. Os resultados mostram que existe uma tendência à padronização dos verbos modais na tradução para o português, ligada ao sistema de modais em Português, que difere do sistema de modais em Inglês em alguns aspectos.
Sobre a verdade e outras mentiras: a concepção de verdade na poesia de Hesíodo
Authors: Silva Rafael Da
Published: June 2015

Partindo da constatação de que a busca por um conceito de “verdade” atravessou a história do pensamento ocidental, tentamos encontrar as primeiras críticas a esta busca. Habitualmente considerado o pioneiro nas reflexões sobre a dubiedade característica dos fenômenos humanos, Heráclito apresenta questionamentos que nos parecem guardar fortes semelhanças com a poética de Hesíodo, sua predecessora. A partir da análise dos diversos entendimentos de “verdade” apresentados por este poeta, tecemos uma série de considerações (muitas delas características ainda do pensamento contemporâneo) e mostramos que estas já se encontravam potencialmente na poesia hesiódica.
Um país tropical, um fusca e um violão: o efeito persuasivo e a construção dos sujeitos no comercial “Novo Fusca 2013”
Authors: Nardy Priscila
Published: June 2015

O Fusca é considerado o pai do carro popular no Brasil e esteve sempre presente nas expressões culturais e na vida cotidiana da população brasileira. Por isso, o comercial “Novo Fusca 2013” tenta resgatar essa ligação sentimental entre os brasileiros e um dos carros mais vendidos no país nas décadas de 1970 e 1980. Para tanto, uma encenação bem humorada e saudosista é criada, na qual um repórter volta a década de 1970 para apresentar as qualidades e novidades tecnológicas do Novo Fusca 2013 às pessoas daquela época. Com efeito, este artigo visa verificar como essa conexão emocional entre o produto e o consumidor surge por meio da relação entre os sujeitos do discurso, do efeito persuasivo do discurso e das referências textuais e imagéticas. Logo, sob o ponto de vista de três diferentes autores – Patrick Charaudeau, Michel Pêcheux e Émile Benveniste –, este trabalho objetiva fazer uma leitura de como os sujeitos são definidos, como se relacionam entre si e/ou consigo mesmos e como eles se comportam em relação à determinada ideologia assumida. Além desses, outros aspectos são discutidos como, por exemplo, a importância da identificação entre o espectador e as referências citadas no comercial, o conhecimento de determinados fatos ou pessoas, a localização temporal do discurso, entre outros.
Estudo comparativo da variação A GENTE ~ NÓS no falar baiano e no falar mineiro
Authors: Silva Maria de Lourdes Da
Published: June 2015

Analisamos separadamente a variação NÓS ~ A GENTE com sentido indeterminado e determinado na fala espontânea de sujeitos da cidade de Machacalis, Vale do Mucuri, considerada falar baiano; e da cidade de Ouro Branco, região Central, considerada falar mineiro (ZÁGARI, 1998) – dados do corpus VARFON-Minas. O objetivo é a comparação desses diferentes falares para melhor compreensão dos processos subjacentes a essa variação e melhor descrição do português do Brasil. Interessa-nos inicialmente observar o status da variação: em progressão? Estável? A pesquisa tem como base os princípios teórico-metodológicos da Sociolinguística Variacionista (LABOV, 1972). Segundo essa teoria, ao analisarmos o fator tempo aparente – a idade – podemos encontrar indícios de mudança linguística. Realizamos testes de qui-quadrado para observar a significância dos resultados. A variação NÓS ~ A GENTE, na função de sujeito com sentido indeterminado, não se apresenta da mesma maneira nos falares estudados. Em Ouro Branco, a variação se encontra estabilizada, com 96,7% (119/123) de realização da forma A GENTE, caracterizando um processo de mudança linguística. Não há diferença significativa entre as faixas etárias estudadas. Em Machacalis, os resultados mostram uma variação ainda em progressão. “Flagramos” nessa localidade um embate entre as variantes: a variante inovadora A GENTE (74/108, 68,5%) está tendendo a suplantar a forma conservadora NÓS, mas esse processo ainda está em progressão, pois há diferença significativa em relação às faixas etárias. Na função de sujeito determinado, a variação NÓS ~ A GENTE, na cidade de Ouro Branco, encontra-se estabilizada com 86% de realização da forma A GENTE. Em Machacalis, os resultados indicam uma variação em progresso da forma NÓS (58%). Comparamos os resultados da variação com sentido indeterminado com a variação com sentido determinado e verificamos que, em Ouro Branco, o uso de A GENTE encontra-se estabilizado com sentido determinado ou indeterminado. Em Machacalis, a forma A GENTE encontra-se em progressão com sentido indeterminado enquanto a tendência de uso para o sentido determinado é da variante NÓS, indício de especialização das formas.
Análise de monólogo: do texto escrito à cena -Só os babacas morrem de amor de César Brie e É só uma formalidade de Quatrolocinco -Teatro do comum
Authors: Leão Ana Carolina Rezende
Published: June 2015

Esta pesquisa investiga a estrutura monológica tanto em texto escrito pelo autor César Brie, Solo los giles mueren de amor, como na peça livre inspirada em sua obra,É só uma formalidade, do grupo teatral Quatroloscinco –Teatro do comum, comparando a diferença entre suas estruturas. Para tanto, realizar um passeio pela forma e/ou estrutura dialógica também foi necessário, tendo em vista o tênue limite que separa uma da outra. Refletimos sobre as variadas possibilidades em relação à presença de uma dessas estruturas nessas obras lidas e/ou espectadas, tendo a devida sutileza de não enquadrá-las dentro de uma ou outra forma de modo óbvio, isto é, o monólogo não necessariamente se trata de apenas um ator em cena, nem o diálogo obriga a presença de dois ou mais atores no palco. Para tanto, atores ativos foram entrevistados e suas experiências artísticas práticas e teóricas nos foram válidas para o desenvolvimento de nosso pensamento.Abstract Over the centuries, women have avoided the construction of their own speech and submittedto the generations and generations of distorted and sexists speeches. As women conquest their space and their right of expression, they move inside of the social environment and gets out of submission passive and submissive place. Considering the female presence in the dramaturgy as a part of this process, our research proposes to analyze how the female thematic is presented inside the dramaturgy in Latin America in the 1990’s decade, from women´s point of view. For this intent, we propose to analyze six dramatics texts written by three Latin American women: an Argentinean, Griselda Gambaro; a Chilean, Inés Margarita Stranger; and one Portuguese, rooted in Brazil, Maria Adelaide Amaral.
Triste Fim de Policarpo Quaresma: uma obra quadrinística
Authors: Fernandes Carlos Antonio
Published: June 2015

A adaptação de obras literárias em outros gêneros do discurso acontece com certa frequência, tanto na literatura estrangeira, bem como na literatura brasileira. Neste artigo, iremos analisar uma adaptação da obra Triste Fim de Policarpo Quaresma, de Lima Barreto, ainda numa linguagem inovadora, que é a obra romanceada em forma de HQ. Para compor a narrativa, os quadrinistas César Lobo, responsável pelo roteiro e desenhos, e Luiz Antônio Aguiar, adaptação e roteiro, recriaram-na não só por meio da linguagem verbal, mas também pelas técnicas quadrinísticas, como enquadramentos e cores, produzindo os efeitos de sentido desejados. O suporte teórico para desenvolvermos o trabalho será o da Análise do Discurso, especificamente, a Teoria Semiolinguística.AbstractIn this paper, we analyze an adaptation of the work Sad End of Policarpo Quaresma, Lima Barreto, in graphic novel form.Whereas the graphic novel genre appropriates techniques of various genres: literary novel, film, photography and visual arts, we demonstrate that such appropriation worked as a strategy to produce the desired effects of meaning and capture the children and youth whom the work is intended. That said, our objective was to enhance the Graphic Novel genre as relevant to teaching and cultural background of the intended audience. The theoretical support that was used by the Framework Comunicacional Charaudeau (2008), analysis of images and colors, with Guimarães (2000) theory of fictionality, effects of real and gender, according to Mendes (2008) and on the comics with Costa (2013) and Vergueiro (2012).
Os nomes gerais vinculados à noção de tempo
Authors: Santos Marcos Paulo
Published: June 2015

O presente trabalho tem como objetivo a análise de itens lexicais vinculados à noção de tempo no português oral da cidade de Caeté, estado de Minas Gerais. Os dados que este trabalho busca identificar são itens nominais que conservam propriedades gramaticais de substantivos, mas que possuem uma definição composta de traços mínimos. Palavrascomo época, momentoe temposão exemplos de itens analisados. O corpusé composto por dados relativos à cidade de Caeté (Minas Gerais), formado a partir de 12 entrevistas orais com informantes de ambos os sexos e de diversas faixas etárias. As bases teóricas são Halliday e Hasan (1995), Fronek (1982), Kleiber (1987), Koch (2004), Mahlberg (2005), Hernández Muñoz (2011), Evans (2004), Amaral (2013) e Heine e Kuteva (2006). Notou-se que nomes como tempo ocorrem com grande frequência nos dados, diferentementedo nome geral período, o qual apresentou um percentual bem menor de ocorrências. O alto uso de tempo está ligado ao fato de que esse nome, além de ter em si a noção de tempo, apresenta uma capacidade referencial maior, que pode expressar medida do tempo, intervalos de tempoou até a função de orientação temporal.Abstract This paper aims at the analysis of lexical items attached to the notion of time in oral Portugueseof thestate of MinasGerais, Brazil. The data that this paper seeks to identify are nominal items that retain grammatical properties of nouns, buthave a definition composed ofminimum traits. Words such as época, momentoand tempoare examples of items analyzed in here. The corpusconsists of data relating to the city of Caeté (Minas Gerais), which is formed from oral interviews with 12 informants of both sexes and various ages. The theoretical approach are Halliday and Hasan (1995), Fronek (1982), Kleiber (1987), Koch (2004)Mahlberg (2005), Hernandez Muñoz (2011), Evans (2004), Amaral (2013), Heine and Kuteva (2006).  It was noted  that words like "tempo" occur very frequently in the data, unlike the general noun "período", which showed a much lower percentage of occurrences.The high use of "tempo" is linked to the fact that this noun, as well as having in itself the notion of time, presents a greater referential capacity that can express "measure of time", "time intervals" or even function of "temporal orientation".
A Pathophysiological Role for Selective Alteration of the Cytokine-Chemokine Network – Inflammatory Theory in Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Gambi Domenico , Reale Marcella ,   Full Professor, Neurology, and Chairman, Department of Oncology and Neuroscience,   Physician, Unit of Immunodiagnostics, Department of Oncology and Neuroscience, University G D’Annunzio Chieti-Pescara
Published: June 2015

There is growing evidence that an altered metabolism of the amyloid β (Aβ) precursor protein (APP) with progressive deposition of its Aβ fragment is a crucial event in the pathogenesis of AD. Increasing evidence suggests that inflammation and alteration of the cytokine–chemokine network contributes to the pathophysiology of AD. Activated microglia produce multiple pro-inflammatory cytokines, chemokines and reactive oxygen species (ROS); additionally, Aβ itself can stimulate microglia, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes to secrete pro-inflammatory cytokines, chemokines and ROS, which can lead to neuronal damage. The concomitant release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which influence neurodegenerative pathways, and anti-inflammatory cytokines may contribute to the chronicity of the disease. It is the balance of pro-inflammatory products and anti-inflammatory products that may be essential in the degenerative process. Influencing this balance may help in slowing the disease. Promising results for neurological disease treatment may be achieved by targeting cytokines and chemokines in the development of antagonists and synthesis inhibitors.
Prevalence and Phenotypic Spectrum of PINK1 Mutations in Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Ferraris Alessandro , Valente Enza Maria , Bentivoglio Anna Rita ,   IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, CSS-Mendel Institute,   Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome ‘La Sapienza’,   IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, CSS-Mendel Institute,   Department of Medical and Surgical Paediatric Sciences, University of Messina,   Department of Neurology, Catholic University, Rome
Published: June 2015

Several genes have been identified as causative of autosomal dominant or recessive forms of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Bi-allelic mutations in the phosphatase and tensin homologue (PTEN)-induced putative kinase 1 (PINK1) gene represent the second most frequent cause of autosomal recessive parkinsonism (ARP) after PARK2/Parkin. The typicalPINK1-associated phenotype is characterised by early age at onset, slow disease progression and excellent and sustained response to levodopa, but in rare cases the clinical presentation can be indistinguishable from that of sporadic PD. Single heterozygous rare variants in thePINK1gene, as well as in other ARP genes, have been frequently detected both in parkinsonian patients and in healthy controls. Although their pathogenetic role is still debated, these variants have been suggested to act as minor risk factors for developing PD.
Enrollment by Surrogate Authorization into Stroke Genetic Research
Authors: Chen Donna T , Meschia James F , Worrall Bradford B ,   Center for Biomedical Ethics and Humanities, University of Virginia,   Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Virginia,   Department of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences, University of Virginia,   Cerebrovascular Division, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville; 5. Department of Neurology, University of Virginia,   Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Virginia,   Department of Neurology, University of Virginia
Published: June 2015

Continued clinical and translational research is necessary to address unmet clinical needs in stroke and cerebrovascular disease. Ethical and scientific challenges confront these research efforts. Genetic stroke research faces a number of specific challenges related to the legacy of genetic exceptionalism and the reality that stroke frequently impairs decision-making capacity. Maximising scientific rigour and protecting human subjects have frequently and often erroneously been cast as opposing efforts. In this article, we review the challenges facing stroke genetic research and propose potential approaches given the current state of guidance and regulations. We consider the rationale behind including those with decisional impairment and several options to allow participation of these individuals. Appropriate infrastructure and processes should be established to ensure that genetic information poses minimal risk to individuals, just as has been done to minimise physical risk in non-therapeutic research.
Progressive Supranuclear Palsy and Diffusion Tensor Imaging
Authors: Ito Shoichi ,   Associate Professor, The Office of Medical Education, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, and Department of Neurology, Chiba University Hospital
Published: June 2015

Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) is a neurodegenerative disease affecting multiple neural systems, particularly the extrapyramidal system. Early differentiation of PSP from other diseases mainly featuring parkinsonism, such as Parkinson's disease and multiple system atrophy, is necessary because the therapeutic strategy and outcome are substantially different. Diffusion tensor imaging is a recently developed magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequence that is able to non-invasively evaluate neural tracts. Two approaches may be used to measure diffusion properties. One approach is to measure diffusion properties by setting the regions of interest on circular/square regions or along the tractography. The other approach is to perform voxel-by-voxel analysis of the diffusion properties. There are several reports evaluating diffusion tensor abnormalities in PSP, and regions with diffusion tensor abnormlities are distributed through frontal projection fibres, the anterior part of the corpus callosum, superior longitudinal fasciculus, arcuate fasciculus, posterior thalamic radiations, internal capsule and superior cerebellar peduncles. Here, diffusion tensor studies in PSP are reviewed and clinical applications, limitations and future perspectives of diffusion tensor analysis in PSP are discussed.
Reduction of Surgical-site Infections in Neurosurgery – The Advantage of Antiseptics Combined with a Sterile Surface
Authors: Parks Patrick J , Nohra Georges K ,   Adjunct Associate Professor of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, and Advanced Division Scientist, Skin and Wound Care Division, 3M,   Associate Professor of Neurosurgery, Saint Joseph University, and Head, Neurosurgery Department, Notre Dame Des Secours Hospital, Byblos
Published: June 2015

Surgical-site infections remain a significant contributor to hospital-acquired infections despite continued efforts to reduce their occurrence. Infection at the operative site is associated with high morbidity, mortality and prolonged hospitalisation. Typically, in neurosurgical cases the infection rate varies between 1 and 4%. The rise in antimicrobial resistance makes pre-operative methods to reduce surgical-site infection even more important. This is essential since hospitalised patients tend to have a higher frequency of resistant organisms, and the rise in methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus(MRSA) infections has made antibiotic prophylaxis of this highly virulent organism more difficult. In this article we consider the role of pre-operative antisepsis, which aims to reduce bacterial density in the operative site, and the development of a sterile surface concept as part of an approach to reduce surgical-site infection in a neurosurgical setting. The risk of surgical-site infection is proportional to residual bacteria at the wound site, so a reduction in skin bacterial density will be associated with a concomitant reduction in surgical-site infection. The cumulativein vitroandin vivoevidence related to wound contamination and extensive clinical experience with implanted neurosurgical devices illustrate the utility of using 3M™Ioban™2 as part of an infection prevention regimen within neurosurgery.
The Effect of Non-motor Symptoms on Quality of Life in Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Hinnell Claire , Chaudhuri K Ray ,   Department of Neurology, King’s College Hospital,   Department of Neurology, King’s College Hospital; University Hospital Lewisham, Institute of Psychiatry, London, and National Parkinson Foundation Centre of Excellence, King’s College Hospital
Published: June 2015

Non-motor symptoms (NMS) are common in Parkinson’s disease (PD), affecting up to 90% of patients during their illness, and include neuropsychiatric complications, autonomic disorders, sleep disturbances and sensory symptoms. Although NMS correlate strongly with advancing disease, they may precede the onset of motor symptoms by a number of years. It is increasingly recognised that NMS result in a significant burden for people with PD and affect quality of life (QoL) to a greater extent than motor features. However, NMS often remain undiagnosed and untreated. Herein we review the impact of common NMS on QoL for patients with PD.
Immunoregulatory Neuroprotection of Cerebral Ischaemia by Haematopoietic Stem and Precursor Cells
Authors: Schwarting Sönke , Neumann Harald ,   Medical Resident, Department of Neurology, University of Heidelberg,   Professor, Neural Regeneration, Institute of Reconstructive Neurobiology, University of Bonn
Published: June 2015

Cerebral ischaemia leads to early immune system activation followed by delayed immunosuppression. Post-ischaemic inflammation contributes to neurodegeneration. Although experimental approaches using adult stem or precursor cells have repeatedly demonstrated neuroprotective effects in cerebral ischaemia, the underlying mechanism of cell-mediated neuroprotection is still debated. It was suggested that stem or precursor cells invade ischaemic brain regions and act locally. However, recent data demonstrate that systemically transplanted stem or precursor cells have strong immunoregulatory effects leading to reduced post-ischaemic brain tissue inflammation. This article argues that the systemic balance of the immune system might explain the reduced neurodegeneration observed after stem cell treatment in cerebral ischaemia. Consequently, systemic immunoregulatory neuroprotection using stem and precursor cells should be considered an important therapeutic option to prevent post-ischaemic neurodegeneration in cerebral ischaemia.
Conventional and Quantitative Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Cognitive Impairment in Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Tench Christopher R , Constantinescu Cris S ,   Research Fellow,   Professor of Neurology, Division of Clinical Neurology, School of Clinical Sciences, University of Nottingham
Published: June 2015

An estimated 30–70% of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) have some cognitive impairment. Cognitive function depends on a spectrum of faculties including information processing speed, sustained attention, recent memory and executive function. The broad definition of cognition has resulted in different assessments of function, and repeatable batteries of tests have been devised to gain an overall and repeatable view of cognition in MS. Many studies have attempted to find an association between cognitive function and MS pathology using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Conventional MRI has been used to show the relationship between cognitive impairment and MS lesion volume and/or brain volume (reflecting atrophy). Studies using quantitative MRI to estimate the degree of abnormality in tissue that is normal-appearing on conventional MRI have also found correlations with cognitive function. Longitudinally, cognitive decline has been found to correlate with changing MRI-detectable pathology in some studies. However, consistency between studies has been lacking, and the large number of cognitive tests available makes direct comparison of different studies difficult. Focus on specific cognitive domains may alleviate this issue in future studies.
Maternal deaths in Papua New Guinea
Authors: Kirby Barry , Gawin Gunzee
Published: June 2015

Papua New Guinea (PNG) has some of the worst maternal mortality (MM) statistics in the world and the lifetime risk of dying in pregnancy for a PNG mother is one in 20. That’s hard to imagine when you consider the same risk if you’re a mother in Australia is one in 10 000. In a province that has 12 300 births a year, only one in six mothers will have a supervised delivery at a rural health facility. 
A smoother pathway to birth
Authors: Williams Desley , Jackson Christine
Published: June 2015

The Darwin Midwifery Group Practice (MGP) is a continuity model of care that has been developed in an attempt to overcome these well-recognised barriers to optimal care for pregnant women from remote communities. Before setting up the Darwin MGP, an extensive consultation process was undertaken, including assessments and discussion with providers of other continuity- of-care models.
Opening Editorial
Authors: Ekeroma Alec Joseph
Published: June 2015

It has been exciting journey getting the Journal thus far and I am optimistic that reproductive health researchers and clinicians in the Pacific Islands and Pacific-rim countries will share in the excitement and the journey that lies ahead as we take the Journal forward.
The Pacific Journal of Reproductive Health
Authors: Stone Peter , Ekeroma Alec
Published: June 2015

Why a new journal and why in the Pacific? Are there not already many journals concerning reproductive science and the clinical aspects of human reproduction, its outcomes and a broad women’s health context? The answer to the second question, in part answers the first. Yes there are excellent journals with very high impact factors in reproductive health and the information presented in these journals is informed by research outputs from established researchers.
Hospital practices and concerns about infant satiety are barriers to exclusive breastfeeding in American Samoa
Authors: Hawley Nicola L , Holmdahl Inga , Strait E Ashton , Freeman Joshua R , Muasau-Howard Bethel T , To'oto'o-Solaita Aileen E , McGarvey Stephen T
Published: June 2015

Introduction: Initiation of breastfeeding is almost universal in American Samoa, but duration of exclusive breastfeeding is short. Increasing the duration of exclusive breastfeeding may be an efficacious strategy for childhood obesity prevention in American Samoa.

Aim: To understand influences on infant feeding in American Samoa and to identify potential barriers to exclusive breastfeeding

Methods: A mixed-methods, prospective study following Samoan women (n=44), their partners, and their infants from late pregnancy (average 37 weeks gestation) until eight weeks post-partum was completed in 2013. Participants reported intentions for infant feeding before birth, and practices were self-reported in questionnaires completed at 3- and 8-weeks postpartum.

Results: While 79.5% of women intended to exclusively breastfeed for the first few weeks postpartum, less than 40% were exclusively breastfeeding at 3-weeks postpartum. Many women of the women who introduced formula before 3-weeks did so before hospital discharge. Barriers to exclusive breastfeeding included lack of skin-to-skin contact after delivery, delays in the initiation of breastfeeding, pain during breastfeeding, and a lack of education about infant satiety cues.

Discussion: Structural rather than individual level barriers to breastfeeding were identified by American Samoan women. Existing evidence-based interventions to promote exclusive breastfeeding could be adapted for use in this setting and should begin before hospital discharge. 
Testing the mechanisms of diversity‐dependent overyielding in a grass species
Authors: Atwater Daniel Z. , Callaway Ragan M.
Published: June 2015

Plant diversity enhances many ecosystem processes, including productivity, but these effects have been studied almost exclusively at the taxonomic scale of species. We explore the effect of intraspecific diversity on the productivity of a widespread and dominant grassland species using accessions collected from populations throughout its range. We found that increasing population/ecotype diversity of Pseudoroegneria spicata increased productivity to a similar degree as that reported for species diversity. However, we did not find evidence that overyielding was related to either resource depletion or to pathogenic soil fungi, two causes of overyielding in species‐diverse communities. Instead, larger accessions overyielded at low diversity at the expense of smaller accessions, and small accessions overyielded through complementarity at all levels of diversity. Furthermore, overyielding was stronger for accessions from mesic environments, suggesting that local adaptation might predictably influence how plants respond to increases in diversity. This suggests that mass‐based competition or other cryptic accession‐specific processes had complex but important effects on overyielding. Our results indicate that the effects of diversity within a species can be substantial but that overyielding by intraspecifically diverse populations may not be through the same processes thought to cause overyielding in species diverse communities.
Postural Control Mechanisms in Healthy Adults in Sitting and Standing Positions
Authors: Serra-AÑó Pilar , López-Bueno Laura , García-Massó Xavier , Pellicer-Chenoll María Teresa , González Luis-Millán
Published: June 2015

This study explored differences in the center of pressure in healthy people in a sitting and standing position and with eyes open and closed. With this purpose, 32 healthy participants (16 men, 16 women; M age = 25.2 yr., SD = 10.0, range = 18–55) were measured with an extensiometric force plate. Using a two–way repeated-measures multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA), the root mean square, velocity, range, and sway, in both visual conditions, had higher values in the standing task than in the sitting task. In the frequency domain, the low-frequency band had higher values during the standing task. For control mechanism variables, mean distance and time were greater when standing while mean peaks were greater when sitting. Thus, stability is worse in the standing position and more neuromuscular activity is required to maintain balance.
External and internal factors influencing self-directed online learning of physiotherapy undergraduate students in Sweden: a qualitative study
Authors: Hammarlund Catharina Sjodahl , Nilsson Maria H. , Gummesson Christina
Published: June 2015

Purpose: Online courses have become common in health sciences education. This learning environment can be designed using different approaches to support student learning. To further develop online environment, it is important to understand how students perceive working and learning online. The aim of this study is to identify aspects influencing students’ learning processes and their adaptation to self-directed learning online. Methods: Thirty-four physiotherapy students with a mean age of 25 years (range, 21 to 34 years) participated. Qualitative content analysis and triangulation was used when investigating the students’ self-reflections, written during a five week self-directed, problem-oriented online course. Results: Two categories emerged: ‘the influence of the structured framework’ and ‘communication and interaction with teachers and peers.’ The learning processes were influenced by external factors, e.g., a clear structure including a transparent alignment of assignments and assessment. Important challenges to over-come were primarily internal factors, e.g., low self-efficacy, difficulties to plan the work effectively and adapting to a new environment. Conclusion: The analyses reflected important perspectives targeting areas which enable further course development. The influences of external and internal factors on learning strategies and self-efficacy are important aspects to consider when designing online courses. Factors such as pedagogical design, clarity of purpose, goals, and guidelines were important as well as continuous opportunities for communication and collaboration. Further studies are needed to understand and scaffold the motivational factors among students with low self-efficacy.
A comparison of the effectiveness of the team-based learning readiness assessments completed at home to those completed in class
Authors: Carbrey Jennifer M. , Grochowski Colleen O’Connor , Cawley Joseph , Engle Deborah L.
Published: June 2015

Purpose: The readiness assurance process (RAP) of team-based learning (TBL) is an important element that ensures that students come prepared to learn. However, the RAP can use a significant amount of class time which could otherwise be used for application exercises. The authors administered the TBL-associated RAP in class or individual readiness assurance tests (iRATs) at home to compare medical student performance and learning preference for physiology content. Methods: Using cross-over study design, the first year medical student TBL teams were divided into two groups. One group was administered iRATs and group readiness assurance tests (gRATs) consisting of physiology questions during scheduled class time. The other group was administered the same iRAT questions at home, and did not complete a gRAT. To compare effectiveness of the two administration methods, both groups completed the same 12-question physiology assessment during dedicated class time. Four weeks later, the entire process was repeated, with each group administered the RAP using the opposite method. Results: The performance on the physiology assessment after at-home administration of the iRAT was equivalent to performance after traditional in-class administration of the RAP. In addition, a majority of students preferred the at-home method of administration and reported that the at-home method was more effective in helping them learn course content. Conclusion: The at-home administration of the iRAT proved effective. The at-home administration method is a promising alternative to conventional iRATs and gRATs with the goal of preserving valuable in-class time for TBL application exercises.
Proposal of a linear rather than hierarchical evaluation of educational initiatives: the 7Is framework
Authors: Roland Damian
Published: June 2015

Extensive resources are expended attempting to change clinical practice; however, determining the effects of these interventions can be challenging. Traditionally, frameworks to examine the impact of educational interventions have been hierarchical in their approach. In this article, existing frameworks to examine medical education initiatives are reviewed and a novel ‘7Is framework’ discussed. This framework contains seven linearly sequenced domains: interaction, interface, instruction, ideation, integration, implementation, and improvement. The 7Is framework enables the conceptualization of the various effects of an intervention, promoting the development of a set of valid and specific outcome measures, ultimately leading to more robust evaluation.
Teamwork education improves trauma team performance in undergraduate health professional students
Authors: Baker Valerie O’Toole , Cuzzola Ronald , Knox Carolyn , Liotta Cynthia , Cornfield Charles S. , Tarkowski Robert D. , Masters Carolynn , McCarthy Michael , Sturdivant Suzanne , Carlson Jestin N.
Published: June 2015

Purpose: Effective trauma resuscitation requires efficient and coordinated care from a team of providers; however, providers are rarely instructed on how to be effective members of trauma teams. Team-based learning using Team Strategies and Tools to Enhance Performance and Patient Safety (TeamSTEPPS) has been shown to improve team dynamics among practicing professionals, including physicians and nurses. The impact of TeamSTEPPS on students being trained in trauma management in an undergraduate health professional program is currently unknown. We sought to determine the impact of TeamSTEPPS on team dynamics among undergraduate students being trained in trauma resuscitation. Methods: We enrolled teams of undergraduate health professional students from four programs: nursing, physician assistant, radiologic science, and respiratory care. After completing an online training on trauma resuscitation principles, the participants completed a trauma resuscitation scenario. The participants then received teamwork training using TeamSTEPPS and completed a second trauma resuscitation scenario identical to the first. All resuscitations were recorded and scored offline by two blinded research assistants using both the Team Emergency Assessment Measure (TEAM) and Trauma Team Performance Observation Tool (TPOT) scoring systems. Pre-test and post-test TEAM and TPOT scores were compared. Results: We enrolled a total of 48 students in 12 teams. Team leadership, situational monitoring, and overall communication improved with TeamSTEPPS training (P= 0.04, P=0.02, and P=0.03, respectively), as assessed by the TPOT scoring system. TeamSTEPPS also improved the team’s ability to prioritize tasks and work together to complete tasks in a rapid manner (P<0.01 and P=0.02, respectively) as measured by TEAM. Conclusions: Incorporating TeamSTEPPS into trauma team education leads to improved TEAM and TPOT scores among undergraduate health professionals.
Identification of Dual-Rate Sampled Hammerstein Systems with a Piecewise-Linear Nonlinearity Using the Key Variable Separation Technique
Authors: Wang Ying-Ying , Wang Xiang-Dong , Wang Dong-Qing
Published: June 2015

The identification difficulties for a dual-rate Hammerstein system lie in two aspects. First, the identification model of the system contains the products of the parameters of the nonlinear block and the linear block, and a standard least squares method cannot be directly applied to the model; second, the traditional single-rate discrete-time Hammerstein model cannot be used as the identification model for the dual-rate sampled system. In order to solve these problems, by combining the polynomial transformation technique with the key variable separation technique, this paper converts the Hammerstein system into a dual-rate linear regression model about all parameters (linear-in-parameter model) and proposes a recursive least squares algorithm to estimate the parameters of the dual-rate system. The simulation results verify the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.
The Political Contingency of Sex Discrimination Legislation: The Case of Australia
Authors: Thornton Margaret
Published: June 2015

There has been a marked shift away from social liberalism in many parts of the world which has profound ramifications for women, whose status remains contingent on the good graces of public institutions that remain resolutely masculinist. Neoliberalism, with its focus on the privatisation of public goods and promotion of the self within the market has become the dominant political ideology everywhere and is further undermining the interests of the majority of women. This essay will address the changing fortunes of sex discrimination legislation as a specific example of an initiative designed to improve the status of women. Australia will be used as a case study because of its passionate embrace of, first, social liberalism, and then, neoliberalism. Issues pertaining to affirmative action (positive action), intersection with human rights instruments, reporting requirements and incentives will also be addressed. Although Australia is a multi-jurisdictional federation, the essay will focus primarily on the federal arena in terms of legislative initiatives, policy and jurisprudence.
Antibacterial Activity and Mechanism of Action of Sulfone Derivatives Containing 1,3,4-Oxadiazole Moieties on Rice Bacterial Leaf Blight
Authors: Shi Li , Li Pei , Wang Wenli , Gao Manni , Wu Zengxue , Song Xianpeng , Hu Deyu
Published: June 2015

In this study, sulfone derivatives containing 1,3,4-oxadiazole moieties indicated good antibacterial activities against rice bacterial leaf blight caused by the pathogen Xanthomonas oryzaepv. pv. oryzae (Xoo). In particular, 2-(methylsulfonyl)-5-(4-fluorobenzyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole revealed the best antibacterial activity against Xoo, with a half-maximal effective concentration (EC50) of 9.89 μg/mL, which was better than those of the commercial agents of bismerthiazole (92.61 μg/mL) and thiodiazole copper (121.82 μg/mL). In vivo antibacterial activity tests under greenhouse conditions and field trials demonstrated that 2-(methylsulfonyl)-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole was effective in reducing rice bacterial leaf blight. Meanwhile, 2-(methylsulfonyl)-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole stimulate the increase in superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) activities in rice, causing marked enhancement of plant resistance against rice bacterial leaf blight. It could also improve the chlorophyll content and restrain the increase in the malondialdehyde (MDA) content in rice to considerably reduce the amount of damage caused by Xoo. Moreover, 2-(methylsulfonyl)-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole, at a concentration of 20 μg/mL, could inhibit the production of extracellular polysaccharide (EPS) with an inhibition ratio of 94.52%, and reduce the gene expression levels of gumB, gumG, gumM, and xanA, with inhibition ratios of 94.88%, 68.14%, 86.76%, and 79.21%, respectively.
Augustine’s Confessions: Interiority at the Core of the Core Curriculum
Authors: Chiariello Michael
Published: June 2015

When St. Bonaventure University decided to redesign its core curriculum, we turned to Bonaventure’s account of the mind’s journey to God in the Itinerarium Mentis in Deum as a paradigm by which to give coherence to the undergraduate experience consistent with our mission and tradition. Bonaventure was himself an Augustinian philosopher and thus Augustine’s Confessions holds a place of great significance in our first year seminar where it is studied in conjunction with Bonaventure’s inward turn to find God imprinted on his soul. This paper is an account of the original rationale for including Augustine’s Confessions in our curriculum and a report of continuing faculty and student attitudes towards that text nearly two decades later.
Non-Invasive Optical Sensor Based Approaches for Monitoring Virus Culture to Minimize BSL3 Laboratory Entry
Authors: Ragupathy Viswanath , Setty Mohan , Kostov Yordan , Ge Xudong , Uplekar Shaunak , Hewlett Indira , Rao Govind
Published: June 2015

High titers of infectious viruses for vaccine and diagnostic reference panel development are made by infecting susceptible mammalian cells. Laboratory procedures are strictly performed in a Bio-Safety Level-3 (BSL3) laboratory and each entry and exit involves the use of disposable Personnel Protective Equipment (PPE) to observe cell culture conditions. Routine PPE use involves significant recurring costs. Alternative non-invasive optical sensor based approaches to remotely monitor cell culture may provide a promising and cost effective approach to monitor infectious virus cultures resulting in lower disruption and costs. We report here the monitoring of high titer cultures of Human Immunodeficiency Virus-1 (HIV-1) and Herpes Simplex Virus-2 (HSV-2) remotely with the use of optical oxygen sensors aseptically placed inside the cell culture vessel. The replacement of culture media for cell and virus propagation and virus load monitoring was effectively performed using this fluorescent sensor and resulted in half the number of visits to the BSL3 lab (five versus ten).