bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Entspannung nicht auf Kosten des Sozialismus. Das Treffen Andrei Gromyko - Erich Honecker am 11./12. Mai 1978
Authors: Altrichter Helmut
Published: January 2011

Vorspann

In Moskau machte man sich keine Illusionen: Die DDR steckte in der Schulden¬falle und mußte ständig neues Geld im Westen aufnehmen. Die Folge davon war eine beängstigende Abhängigkeit von der Bundesrepublik, die für ihr finanzielles Ent-gegenkommen natürlich einen politischen Preis forderte. Moskau war diese systemwidrige deutsch¬ deutsche Sonderbeziehung ein Dorn im Auge und ließ die SED Führung darüber auch nicht im unklaren, wie der renommierte Osteuropa Historiker Helmut Altrichter anhand einer Dokumentation des Treffens von Außenminister Gromyko mit dem Generalsekretär der SED Erich Honecker zu zeigen vermag. Eine Wende bewirkte Gromyko damit aber nicht, die kam später, wenn auch unter ganz anderen Vorzeichen.
Androgens activate mitogen-activated protein kinase via epidermal growth factor receptor/insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor in the mouse PC-1 cell line
Authors: Hamzeh Mahsa , Robaire Bernard
Published: January 2011

Androgens are the primary regulators of epididymal structure and functions. In the classical view of androgen action, binding of androgen to the intracellular androgen receptor (AR) produces the receptor-steroid complex that has high affinity for DNA response elements and regulates the transcription of target genes. In this study, we demonstrate that in epididymal cells, 5α-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) can cause an alternative and rapid response that is independent of AR–DNA interactions and is mediated by activation of signaling pathways through the AR. We examined changes in AKT and extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases (ERK1/2) activation at early time points after DHT supplementation in the mouse proximal caput epididymis-1 cell line. DHT had no significant effect on AKT activation at any time point. However, DHT activated the ERK pathway as early as at 1 min, the pathway remained activated at 10 min, but activation was not sustained at later time points. Interestingly, ERK activation was blocked by hydroxyflutamide (HF), indicating that early ERK activation was an AR-mediated response. DHT phosphorylates steroid receptor co-activator (SRC) kinase, and this activation was required for the ERK response. EGFR and IGF1R were downstream of SRC, and these two receptors together contributed to enhance ERK and cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) phosphorylation. We postulate that this rapid action of androgen may ultimately act to modulate the transcription of genes regulated by AR in the nucleus. These results support the hypothesis that DHT can activate a pathway involving the sequential activation of MEK, ERK1/2, and CREB through the EGFR/IGF1R in an epididymal cell line.
Differential effects of leptin on ovarian metalloproteinases and their tissue inhibitors between in vivo and in vitro studies
Authors: Bilbao M G , Di Yorio M P , Faletti A G
Published: January 2011

In this study, we investigated the effect of leptin on the ovarian metalloproteinase system in the rat during the ovulatory process. Ovulation was induced in immature rats primed with gonadotropins. In both in vitro and in vivo experiments, we measured i) the protein expression of the ovarian metalloproteinases (matrix metalloproteinases, MMPs) and their tissue inhibitors (TIMPs) by western blot; ii) the gelatinase activity of the ovarian MMPs by zymography; and iii) the inhibitory action of TIMPs by reverse zymography. Using cultures of ovarian explants, leptin increased the activity but not the protein expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in both culture medium and ovarian tissue, and the protein expression of TIMPs, without a higher inhibitory action of the gelatinase activity. These results suggest either that the increase in TIMP proteins was not sufficient or that the inhibitory actions of TIMPs were impaired to suppress the MMP activity when the ovaries were directly exposed to leptin. To study the in vivo effect, rats received an acute treatment with high doses of leptin to inhibit ovulation. This treatment increased the expression of both the latent and the active forms of MMP-2 but did not result in a greater activity of MMP-2. In addition, the inhibitory action of TIMP-2 was also increased by this treatment. These results suggest that the administration of high doses of leptin could be regulating the follicle wall degradation, at least in part, by increasing the action of the ovarian TIMP-2 as a result of an extraovarian mechanism or signaling pathway.
Constant Splice-Isoform Ratios in Human Lymphoblastoid Cells Support the Concept of a Splico-Stat
Authors: Kramer Marcel , Huse Klaus , Menzel Uwe , Backhaus Oliver , Rosenstiel Philip , Schreiber Stefan , Hampe Jochen , Platzer Matthias
Published: January 2011

Splicing generates mature transcripts from genes in pieces in eukaryotic cells. Overwhelming evidence has accumulated that alternative routes in splicing are possible for most human and mammalian genes, thereby allowing formation of different transcripts from one gene. No function has been assigned to the majority of identified alternative splice forms, and it has been assumed that they compose inert or tolerated waste from aberrant or noisy splicing. Here we demonstrate that five human transcription units (WT1, NOD2, GNAS, RABL2A, RABL2B) have constant splice-isoform ratios in genetically diverse lymphoblastoid cell lines independent of the type of alternative splicing (exon skipping, alternative donor/acceptor, tandem splice sites) and gene expression level. Even splice events that create premature stop codons and potentially trigger nonsense-mediated mRNA decay are found at constant fractions. The analyzed alternative splicing events were qualitatively but not quantitatively conserved in corresponding chimpanzee cell lines. Additionally, subtle splicing at tandem acceptor splice sites (GNAS, RABL2A/B) was highly constrained and strongly depends on the upstream donor sequence content. These results also demonstrate that unusual and unproductive splice variants are produced in a regulated manner.
Evaluation of Acute Oxidative Stress Induced by NiO Nanoparticles In Vivo and In Vitro
Authors: Horie Masanori , Fukui Hiroko , Nishio Keiko , Endoh Shigehisa , Kato Haruhisa , Fujita Katsuhide , Miyauchi Arisa , Nakamura Ayako , Shichiri Mototada , Ishida Noriko , Kinugasa Shinichi , Morimoto Yasuo , Niki Etsuo , Yoshida Yasukazu , Iwahashi Hitoshi
Published: January 2011

Evaluation of Acute Oxidative Stress Induced by NiO Nanoparticles In Vivo and In Vitro: Masanori Horie, et al. Health Research Institute —

Objectives

Nickel oxide (NiO) is an important industrial material, and it is also a harmful agent. The toxicity of NiO is size‐related: nanoparticles are more toxic than ine‐particles. The toxic mechanism induced by NiO nanoparticles remains unexplained, and the relationship between in vitro and in vivo NiO toxicity results is unclear. In the present study, we focused on the oxidative stress caused by NiO nanoparticles by examining and comparing in vitro and in vivo acute responses induced by NiO nanoparticles.

Methods

Cellular responses induced by black NiO nanoparticles with a primary particle size of 20 nm, were examined in human lung carcinoma A549 cells. In vivo responses were examined by instillation of NiO nanoparticles into rat trachea. Bronchoalveolar lavage luid (BALF) was collected after intratracheal instillation at different time points, and concentrations of lipid peroxide heme oxygenase‐1 (HO‐1), surfactant protein‐D (SP‐D) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in BALF were measured.

Results

The levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species and lipid peroxidation in A549 cells increased with increasing exposure to NiO nanoparticles, and increases in gene expressions of HO‐1 and SP‐D were observed in A549 cells. The lipid peroxide level in BALF significantly increased after 24 h instillation but decreased three days later. LDH leakage was also observed three days later.

Conclusions

NiO nanoparticles induce oxidative stress‐related lung injury. In vivo and in vitro oxidative stress was induced resulting in activation of antioxidant systems. Based on these responses, we conclude that the results of the in vivo and in vitro studies tend to correspond.
Serum Concentrations of DDT and DDE among Malaria Control Workers in the Amazon Region
Authors: Ferreira Celso P. , De‐Oliveira Ana Cecilia A.X. , Paumgartten Francisco J.R.
Published: January 2011

Serum Concentrations of DDT and DDE among Malaria Control Workers in the Amazon Region: Celso P. Ferreira, et al. Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology, Department of Biological Sciences, National School of Public Health, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Brazil—

Background

In Brazil, DDT was used to control malaria‐transmitting mosquitoes from 1945 to 1997. Owing to concerns about the potential adverse health consequences of long‐term exposures to DDT, workers of the National Foundation of Health (FNS) who had taken part in malaria control operations in the Amazon region were monitored for blood levels of DDT as well as for their health status between 1997 and 2001.

Objectives

To evaluate blood levels of DDT/DDE and elimination half‐life (t1/2) of pp’‐DDE in malaria control personnel.

Methods

Levels of DDT and pp’‐DDE were measured in the blood serum of 119 public health workers (32–67 yr old, 117 males) from Pará state–Brazil. Serum levels of DDT/ DDE were determined by gas chromatography with electron capture detection.

Results

Blood serum levels of S‐DDT and pp’‐DDE (mean ± SD) were as follows (µg/l): February 1997 (N=110), 231.5 ± 366.4 (156.9 ± 236.8 as pp’‐DDE); February 1998 (N=116), 126.4 ± 86.6 (83.0 ± 54.6 as pp’‐DDE); May 2001 (N=117), 50.4 ± 53.3 (39.4 ± 37.6 as pp’‐DDE). The half‐life (mean ± SD) of pp’‐DDE was 29.5 ± 22.7 mo.

Conclusions

Concentrations of S‐DDT/ pp’‐DDE in the blood serum of malaria control workers were much higher than levels found in the general population in Brazil and elsewhere. The half‐life of pp’‐DDE (29.5 mo) estimated for this group of occupationally exposed male adults was shorter than t1/2values previously reported for environmentally exposed subjects.
Infants Perceived as “Fussy” Are More Likely to Receive Complementary Foods Before 4 Months
Authors: Wasser Heather , Bentley Margaret , Borja Judith , Davis Goldman Barbara , Thompson Amanda , Slining Meghan , Adair Linda
Published: January 2011

OBJECTIVE:

Our purpose was to assess early infant-feeding patterns in a cohort of low-income black mothers and to examine associations between maternal perception of infant temperament and complementary feeding (CF) before 4 months.

METHODS:

We used cross-sectional data from the 3-month visit (n = 217) of the Infant Care, Feeding and Risk of Obesity Study to assess relationships between early feeding of solids or juice and 6 dimensions of perceived infant temperament. Descriptive statistics were used to assess infant-feeding patterns, and logistic regression models were fit for each diet-temperament relationship found significant in the bivariate analyses.

RESULTS:

Seventy-seven percent of the infants were fed solid foods at 3 months, 25% were fed juice, and 6% were exclusively breastfed. In multivariable analyses, 2 dimensions of perceived infant temperament were associated with early feeding of solid foods (distress-to-limitations odds ratio [OR]: 1.97 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.12–3.44]; activity-level OR: 1.75 [95% CI: 1.07–2.85]), whereas 1 dimension, low-intensity pleasure, was associated with early feeding of juice (OR: 0.51 [95% CI: 0.34–0.78]). Maternal characteristics significantly associated with early CF included breastfeeding, obesity, and depressive symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS:

Low-income black mothers may represent a priority population for interventions aimed at improving adherence to optimal infant feeding recommendations. That maternal perceptions of several domains of perceived infant temperament are related to early CF suggests that this is an important factor to include in future observational research and in the design of interventions.
Distribution of and Mortality From Serious Congenital Heart Disease in Very Low Birth Weight Infants
Authors: Archer Jeremy M. , Yeager Scott B. , Kenny Michael J. , Soll Roger F. , Horbar Jeffrey D.
Published: January 2011

OBJECTIVE:

To characterize serious congenital heart disease in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants (born at <1500 g or a gestational age of 22–29 weeks) in a large, international database.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

We analyzed a database of 99 786 VLBW infants born or treated at 703 NICUs between calendar years 2006 and 2007. We defined serious congenital heart disease as 1 of 14 specific lesions or any other structural congenital heart disease that required surgical or medical treatment by initial hospital discharge or by the age of 1 year. We reviewed records for all infants with cardiac diagnoses and other genetic syndromes and associations to determine which had serious congenital heart disease. We excluded nonstructural disease as well as isolated and untreated atrial or ventricular septal defects. We determined the frequency of serious congenital heart disease, compared overall mortality rates of those with and without serious congenital heart disease, and determined the distribution of specific lesions and mortality for each diagnosis.

RESULTS:

Of 99 786 VLBW infants studied, 893 had serious congenital heart disease (8.9 per 1000). The most common lesions were tetralogy of Fallot (n = 166 [18.6% of those with serious congenital heart disease]), aortic coarctation (n = 103 [11.5%]), complete atrioventricular canal (n = 81 [9.1%]), pulmonary atresia (n = 73 [8.2%]), and double-outlet right ventricle (n = 68 [7.6%]). The mortality rate of those with serious congenital heart disease was 44%, compared with 12.7% in those without serious congenital heart disease (P < .0001).

CONCLUSIONS:

Serious congenital heart disease is probably more frequent in VLBW infants treated in NICUs than in the general live-born population, and the distribution reflects lesions associated with extracardiac malformations. VLBW infants with serious congenital heart disease have higher a mortality rate than those without, independent of other risk factors.
A Prospective Study of the Effects of Optimism on Adolescent Health Risks
Authors: Patton George C. , Tollit Michelle M. , Romaniuk Helena , Spence Susan H. , Sheffield Jeannie , Sawyer Michael G.
Published: January 2011

CONTEXT:

The promotion of optimism has been widely advocated for children and adolescents, but epidemiologic data to support this approach are scant.

METHODS:

This was a 3-wave longitudinal study of health and social development in younger adolescents from 3 Australian states. The 5634 student participants, initially aged 12 to 14 years, were assessed for optimistic thinking style, emotional problems, substance use, and antisocial behaviors.

RESULTS:

Cross-sectional associations between optimism and each of the study outcomes were strongly protective but tended to differ according to gender in extent. In prospective analyses of the onset of new cases of each study outcome, protective associations were weaker. Those in the highest optimism quartile had risks for depressive symptoms that were reduced by almost half (odds ratio: 0.54 [95% confidence interval: 0.42–0.70]) compared with those in the lowest category. No effect was seen in prevention of anxiety symptoms after adjustment for other aspects of psychological style. In predicting the onset of heavy substance use and antisocial behavior, high optimism had modest protective effects.

CONCLUSIONS:

Optimistic thinking style is somewhat protective against adolescent health risks; the clearest effects are seen against depressive symptoms. Promoting optimism along with other aspects of psychological and emotional style has a role in mental health promotion that is likely to be enhanced if an intervention also addresses risk and protective factors in an adolescent's social context.
Secure Web Messaging in a Pediatric Chronic Care Clinic: A Slow Takeoff of “Kids' Airmail”
Authors: Hsiao Allen L. , Bazzy-Asaad Alia , Tolomeo Concettina , Edmonds Diana , Belton Beverly , Benin Andrea L.
Published: January 2011

BACKGROUND:

Although e-mail may be an efficient clinician-patient communication tool, standard e-mail is not adequately secure to meet Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) guidelines. For this reason, firewall-secured electronic messaging systems have been developed for use in health care. Impact and usability of these secure systems have not been broadly assessed.

OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate the impact of a secure electronic messaging system implemented for a pediatric subspecialty clinic.

METHODS:

This study was performed in an outpatient, academic pediatric respiratory clinic in spring 2009 in New Haven, Connecticut. Patients were surveyed prior to implementation regarding internet usage. The Kryptiq messaging system was implemented and messages were monitored continuously and tracked. Open-ended qualitative interviews with 28 users and nonusers were conducted, and we described the process of implementation.

RESULTS:

All of the 127 patients/families surveyed expressed interest in using the Internet to contact their clinic providers, and they all reported having the ability to access the Internet. In the 8 months after implementation, only 5 messages were initiated by patients in contrast to 2363 phone calls. Themes emerged from the open-ended interviews that indicated promoters, barriers, and potential uses. Prominent barriers included the lack of convenience and personal touch and being technically difficult to use.

CONCLUSIONS:

Although these patients/families expressed strong interest in e-mailing, secure Web messaging was less convenient than using the phone, too technically cumbersome, lacked a personal touch, and was used only by a handful of patients.
Parental Understanding of Newborn Screening for Cystic Fibrosis After a Negative Sweat-Test
Authors: Lang Colleen Walsh , McColley Susanna A. , Lester Lucille A. , Ross Lainie Friedman
Published: January 2011

BACKGROUND:

Newborn screening for cystic fibrosis (CF) in Illinois uses an immunoreactive trypsinogen/DNA methodology; most false-positive results identify unaffected carriers.

METHODS:

Parents whose child received a negative result from the sweat test after a positive newborn screening for CF were surveyed ≥6 weeks later by telephone. All parents received genetic counseling while waiting for the sweat-test results.

RESULTS:

A total of 90 parents participated. Overall knowledge of CF was high (78%), but the ability to understand the CF screening results was mixed. Although 94% of the parents understood that their child did not have CF, only 79% (62 of 78) of participants whose child had a mutation knew their child was definitely a carrier, and only 1 of 12 parents whose child had no mutation understood that the child may be a carrier. Respondents stated that most relatives were not interested in genetic testing. Both parents had been tested in only 13 couples. Fewer than half (36 of 77 [47%]) of the untested couples expressed interest in genetic testing. Although most participants were satisfied with the process, parents expressed frustration because of the lack of prospective newborn screening discussions by prenatal and pediatric providers and lack of knowledge and sensitivity by those who initially notified them of the abnormal newborn screening results. Speaking to a genetic counselor when scheduling the sweat test decreased anxiety for many parents (53 of 73 [73%] were “very worried” at notification versus 18 of 73 [25%] after scheduling; P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS:

Parental knowledge about CF is high, but confusion about the child's carrier status and the concept of residual risk persist despite genetic counseling. Relatives express low interest in carrier testing.
Inhaled Nitric Oxide in Preterm Infants: A Systematic Review
Authors: Donohue Pamela K. , Gilmore Maureen M. , Cristofalo Elizabeth , Wilson Renee F. , Weiner Jonathan Z. , Lau Brandyn D. , Robinson Karen A. , Allen Marilee C.
Published: January 2011

CONTEXT:

Studies of the efficacy of inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) to prevent or treat respiratory failure in preterm infants have had variable and contradictory findings.

OBJECTIVES:

To systematically review the evidence on the use of iNO in infants born at ≤34 weeks' gestation who receive respiratory support.

METHODS:

Medline, Embase, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Studies, PsycInfo, ClinicalTrials.gov, and proceedings of the 2009 and 2010 Pediatric Academic Societies meetings were searched in June 2010. Additional studies from reference lists of eligible articles, relevant reviews, and technical experts were considered. Two investigators independently screened search results and abstracted data from eligible articles. We focus here on mortality, bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), the composite outcome of death or BPD, and neurodevelopmental impairment.

RESULTS:

Fourteen randomized controlled trials, 7 follow-up studies, and 1 observational study were eligible for inclusion. Mortality rates in the NICU did not differ for infants treated with iNO compared with controls (risk ratio [RR]: 0.97 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.82–1.15]). BPD at 36 weeks for iNO and control groups also did not differ for survivors (RR: 0.93 [95% CI: 0.86–1.003]). A small difference was found in favor of iNO in the composite outcome of death or BPD (RR: 0.93 [95% CI: 0.87–0.99]). There was no evidence to suggest a difference in the incidence of cerebral palsy (RR: 1.36 [95% CI: 0.88–2.10]), neurodevelopmental impairment (RR: 0.91 [95% CI: 0.77–1.12]), or cognitive impairment (RR: 0.72 [95% CI: 0.35–1.45]).

CONCLUSIONS:

There was a 7% reduction in the risk of the composite outcome of death or BPD at 36 weeks for infants treated with iNO compared with controls but no reduction in death alone or BPD. There is currently no evidence to support the use of iNO in preterm infants with respiratory failure outside the context of rigorously conducted randomized clinical trials.
NIH Consensus Development Conference Statement: Inhaled Nitric-Oxide Therapy for Premature Infants
Authors: Cole F. Sessions , Alleyne Claudia , Barks John D. E. , Boyle Robert J. , Carroll John L. , Dokken Deborah , Edwards William H. , Georgieff Michael , Gregory Katherine , Johnston Michael V. , Kramer Michael , Mitchell Christine , Neu Josef , Pursley DeWayne M. , Robinson Walter M. , Rowitch David H.
Published: January 2011

Premature birth is a major public health problem in the United States and internationally. Infants born at or before 32 weeks' gestation (2% of all births in the United States in 2007) are at extremely high risk for death in the neonatal period or for pulmonary, visual, and neurodevelopmental morbidities with lifelong consequences including bronchopulmonary dysplasia, retinopathy of prematurity, and brain injury. Risks for adverse outcomes increase with decreasing gestational age. The economic costs to care for these infants are also substantial (estimated at $26 billion in 2005 in the United States). It is clear that the need for strategies to improve outcomes for this high-risk population is great, and this need has prompted testing of new therapies with the potential to decrease pulmonary and other complications of prematurity. Inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) emerged as one such therapy. To provide health care professionals, families, and the general public with a responsible assessment of currently available data regarding the benefits and risks of iNO in premature infants, the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, and the Office of Medical Applications of Research of the National Institutes of Health convened a consensus-development conference. Findings from a substantial body of experimental work in developing animals and other model systems suggest that nitric oxide may enhance lung growth and reduce lung inflammation independently of its effects on blood vessel resistance. Although this work demonstrates biological plausibility and the results of randomized controlled trials in term and near-term infants were positive, combined evidence from the 14 randomized controlled trials of iNO treatment in premature infants of ≤34 weeks' gestation shows equivocal effects on pulmonary outcomes, survival, and neurodevelopmental outcomes.
Walk Like an Egyptian: Egypt as Authority in Aleister Crowley’s Reception of The Book of the Law
Authors: Tully Caroline
Published: January 2011

This article investigates the story of Aleister Crowley’s reception of The Book of the Law in Cairo, Egypt, in 1904, focusing on the question of why it occurred in Egypt. The article contends that Crowley created this foundation narrative, which involved specifically incorporating an Egyptian antiquity from a museum, the “Stèle of Revealing,’” in Egypt because he was working within a conceptual structure that privileged Egypt as a source of Hermetic authority. The article explores Crowley’s synthesis of the romantic and scholarly constructions of Egypt, inherited from the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, as well as the uses that two prominent members of the Order made of Egyptological collections within museums. The article concludes that these provided Crowley with both a conceptual structure within which to legitimise his reformation of Golden Dawn ritual and cosmology, and a model of how to do so.
On the Pagan Parallax: A Sociocultural Exploration of the Tension between Eclecticism and Traditionalism as Observed among Dutch Wiccans
Authors: Van Gulik Léon
Published: January 2011

Post-modern nature religions face the challenge of justifying their practices and theology since there is no unbroken line between the classic and contemporary Paganisms of the Western world. Against the background of progressing historical knowledge, these religions constantly have to reinvent or reconstruct their traditions. At the same time, the present context is entirely different to that of when the classic Paganisms emerged. By discussing their roots in romanticism and expressivism, both the relevancy of the revived nature religions and the challenges they face, are explained. These issues are illustrated by drawing on initial results of content analyses of on-line discussions between Dutch Pagans, yielding imaginative narratives of self-justification and self-identification amidst a continuous tension between traditionalism and eclecticism. Contemporary Paganism as a movement is argued to counterbalance sociohistorical developments by its changing acts of sanctioning, its aim to remain the maverick, and its constant strive for experiential receptivity.
Reconhecer Flexner: inquérito sobre produção de mitos na educação médica no Brasil contemporâneo
Authors: Almeida Filho Naomar de
Published: January 2011

No Brasil, não parece haver dúvidas sobre os males causados por Abraham Flexner, seu Relatório e o Modelo Biomédico Flexneriano (MBF), concebido e promovido por fundações privadas, vinculadas ao complexo médico-industrial norte-americano. Neste artigo, proponho submeter essa formulação a um rigoroso inquérito crítico. Primeiro, apresento uma súmula de vida e obra de Flexner. Segundo, reviso as formas de representação de seu pensamento na literatura brasileira sobre educação em saúde. Com base no próprio Relatório, verifico inconsistências, contradições e omissões nos fragmentos referenciadores do MBF. Finalmente, contrastando fonte historiográfica e representação imaginária, analiso possibilidades de interpretação do MBF como intrigante e peculiar mitologia política.
Desenvolvimento de um Questionário Quantitativo de Freqüência Alimentar (QQFA) para gestantes usuárias de Unidades Básicas de Saúde de Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brasil
Authors: Oliveira Thaís de , Marquitti Fabíola Darcie , Carvalhaes Maria Antonieta de Barros Leite , Sartorelli Daniela Saes
Published: January 2011

O objetivo do presente estudo foi desenvolver um questionário quantitativo de freqüência alimentar para gestantes adultas usuárias do Sistema Único de Saúde de Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brasil. Um inquérito recordatório de 24 horas (IR24h) foi obtido de 150 gestantes, 50 em cada trimestre gestacional, com idade entre 18 e 35 anos. Um segundo IR24h foi obtido de 90 gestantes, 30 em cada trimestre gestacional, entre 7 e 15 dias após o primeiro inquérito. Uma lista de 85 alimentos foi estabelecida por regressão linear múltipla stepwise, estimando-se a contribuição percentual para a variabilidade interindividual da estimativa de energia e 28 nutrientes de interesse, com contribuição de 74,2 a 98,8% para os nutrientes de interesse selecionados. As porções alimentares foram determinadas de acordo com a distribuição percentual dos pesos relatados e descritas nos percentis 25, 50, 75 e 100. Desconhecemos a existência de questionário quantitativo de freqüência alimentar desenvolvido para gestantes no Brasil.
Análise dos gastos individuais com tabagismo a partir da Pesquisa de Orçamentos Familiares de 2002-2003
Authors: Kroeff Locimara Ramos , Mengue Sotero Serrate
Published: January 2011

A fim de discutir novos parâmetros para avaliar o gasto com tabagismo no Brasil, objetivou-se descrever as características sócio-demográficas da população e as proporções de gastos com tabagismo. A amostra considerada foi a população que gasta com tabagismo investigada pela Pesquisa de Orçamentos Familiares (POF 2002-2003) do Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística. Na faixa de salário mais baixo, a razão do gasto com tabagismo e as despesas maior que a mediana do gasto com tabagismo, apresentou uma variação negativa até menos 10% em relação à razão do gasto com tabagismo e a renda maior que a mediana deste gasto. Para as faixas de salário intermediárias aproximaram-se, e para as faixas salariais mais altas houve uma inversão com uma diferença positiva em até 15%. O percentual de gasto com tabagismo dobrou para todos os grupos com baixa escolaridade. Na medida em que renda e escolaridade aumentaram houve uma redução proporcional de gasto com o tabagismo.
Fatores associados ao aleitamento materno exclusivo: o papel do cuidado na atenção básica
Authors: Pereira Rosane Siqueira Vasconcellos , Oliveira Maria Inês Couto de , Andrade Carla Lourenço Tavares de , Brito Alexandre dos Santos
Published: January 2011

Este estudo teve o objetivo de analisar a associação entre ações de promoção, proteção e apoio à amamentação realizadas em unidades básicas de saúde (UBS) e a prevalência de aleitamento materno exclusivo nos primeiros seis meses de vida. Estudo transversal realizado em amostra representativa de 1.029 mães de crianças menores de seis meses assistidas em unidades básicas de saúde do Município do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. As razões de prevalência (RP) foram obtidas por regressão de Poisson. A prevalência de aleitamento materno exclusivo foi de 58,1%. Estiveram associadas à maior prevalência de aleitamento materno exclusivo: a cor branca (RP = 1,20; IC95%: 1,05-1,36) e a escolaridade alta (RP = 1,19; IC95%: 1,05-1,35); ter companheiro (RP = 1,72; IC95%: 1,02-2,90); experiência prévia com amamentação (RP = 1,27; IC95%: 1,08-1,49); alta hospitalar em aleitamento materno exclusivo (RP = 2,01; IC95%: 1,20-3,36; ter recebido orientação em grupo (RP = 1,14; IC95%: 1,01-1,28); e ter sido mostrado como amamentar (RP = 1,20; IC95%: 1,08-1,33). A prevalência de aleitamento materno exclusivo diminuiu 17% a cada mês de vida do bebê. Os grupos de apoio à amamentação e a orientação sobre seu manejo contribuíram para o aleitamento materno exclusivo na atenção básica.
Validação de indicadores do consumo de alimentos e bebidas obtidos por inquérito telefônico em Belém, Pará, Brasil
Authors: Neves Alice Cristina Medeiros das , Gonzaga Lidyane Andrea Amaral , Martens Irland Barroncas Gonzaga , Moura Erly Catarina
Published: January 2011

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a validade relativa dos indicadores de consumo de alimentos e bebidas obtidos pelo sistema de vigilância por entrevista telefônica (VIGITEL). Foi avaliada uma amostra aleatória (n = 100) da amostra total de aproximadamente dois mil adultos, estudada pelo sistema, em 2009, em Belém, Pará, Brasil. Os indicadores avaliados foram fatores de proteção (consumo adequado de frutas, legumes e verduras) e de risco (consumo de gordura saturada, refrigerante e bebidas alcoólicas) para doenças crônicas não transmissíveis. Compararam-se os resultados obtidos a partir de entrevista telefônica e de três recordatórios de 24 horas (padrão de referência). O padrão de referência evidenciou subestimação na frequência dos indicadores, à exceção de refrigerantes e bebidas alcoólicas. As médias das frequências do consumo foram, em geral, maiores no grupo exposto (entrevistados pelo VIGITEL). Não se pode concluir que o VIGITEL não seja um bom indicador de consumo, pois o padrão de referência também apresenta limitações, portanto o uso daquele como instrumento de monitoramento é justificável.
Análise molecular da infecção natural de Lutzomyia longipalpis em área endêmica de leishmaniose visceral no Brasil
Authors: Soares Maria Regiane Araujo , Carvalho Cristiane Costa , Silva Lucileine Amorim , Lima Mauro Sérgio Cruz Souza , Barral Aldina Maria Prado , Rebêlo José Manuel Macário , Pereira Silma Regina Ferreira
Published: January 2011

O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar a infecção natural por Leishmania chagasi em flebotomíneos capturados em focos de leishmanioses visceral (LV) na ilha de São Luís, Maranhão, Brasil. Análise molecular por reação em cadeia da polimerase (PCR) foi aplicada para determinar a taxa de infecção natural de Lutzomyia longipalpis por L. chagasi em áreas de ocupação humana antiga e recente, na ilha de São Luís. Valendo-se de uma amostra de 800 fêmeas coletadas no período de março a agosto de 2005, foi possível determinar taxas de infecção natural equivalentes a 1,25% em uma localidade de colonização antiga e 0,25% em duas localidades de colonização recente. A infecção foi detectada nas duas localidades independentemente do número de casos humanos de LV notificados, o que demonstra que outros elementos que modulam a infecção no meio natural precisam ser investigados. Os resultados obtidos confirmam a PCR como técnica específica e importante ferramenta para as ações em vigilância epidemiológica.
The 2010 Elections: Party Pursuits, Voter Perceptions, and the Chancy Game of Politics
Authors: Stonecash Jeffrey M
Published: January 2011

Forming party strategy is never easy because of the uncertainty of how the electorate will react. In 2009 and 2010, Democrats sought to address two major problems  the economy and health insurance  and hoped they would get credit for responding effectively. Quite the opposite occurred. Forming party strategy remains an art.
Synthesis of selected 5-thio-substituted tetrazole derivatives and evaluation of their antibacterial and antifungal activities
Authors: Dhayanithi V. , Shafi Syed , Kumaran K. , Jai Sankar , Ragavan Venkat , Goud Kumar , Kumari Suchetha , Pati Hari
Published: January 2011

Several 5-thio-substituted tetrazole derivatives were efficiently
synthesized by a three-step process. The substituted tetrazol-5-thiol,
namely, 1-benzyl-1H-tetrazol-5-thiol (2) was prepared by refluxing
commercially available benzyl isothiocyanate (1) with sodium azide in water.
The second step was the synthesis of 1-benzyl-5-[(3-bromopropyl)
thio]tetrazole (3) by thio alkylation of tetrazol-5-thiol (2) with 1,3-
dibromopropane in tetrahydrofuran. Finally, the 5-thio-substituted tetrazole
derivatives 4a-i were prepared by condensation of (3) with the corresponding
amine or thiol. The structures of the newly synthesized compounds were
characterized by NMR, LC/MS/MS, IR spectral data and elemental analysis. All
the synthesized compounds were screened for their antibacterial and
antifungal activities.
A volumetric and viscometric study of 4-aminobutyric acid in aqueous solutions of metformin hydrochloride at 308.15, 313.15 and 318.15k
Authors: Rajagopal K. , Jayabalakrishnan S.S.
Published: January 2011

Density(?) and viscosity (?) measurements were performed for 4-aminobutyric
acid in 0.05, 0.10 and 0.15 M aqueous metformin hydrochloride at 308.15,
313.15 and 318.15 K. The measured values of density and viscosity were used
to estimate some important parameters, such as the partial molal volume, V?,
the standard partial molal volume V0? , the standard partial molal volume of
transfer, ?V0?, the hydration number, nH, the second derivative of the
infinite dilution of the standard partial molal volume with temperature
?2V0?/?T2, the viscosity Bcoefficients, variation of B with temperature,
dB/dT , the free energy of activation per mole of solvent ??01
Synthesis and antimicrobial activity of a new series 1,4-dihydropyridine derivatives
Authors: Kumar Surendra , Idhayadhulla A. , Nasser Abdul , Selvin J.
Published: January 2011

A series of 1,4-dihydropyridine derivatives (1a-g) were prepared from
Hantzsch syntheses. The compounds (1a-g) were reacted with thiosemicarbazide
to give the new series of compounds (2a-g). IR, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, mass
spectral and elemental analysis confirmed the synthesized compounds. The
synthesized compounds were also screened for their antimicrobial activity.
Tetradentate schiff base ligands of 3,4- diaminobenzophenone: Synthesis, characterization and thermodynamics of complex formation with Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) metal ions
Authors: Asadi Mozaffar , Sepehrpour Hajar , Mohammadi Khosro
Published: January 2011

Some new symmetrical diimino tetradentate Schiff base ligands were
synthesized by the reaction of 3,4-diaminobenzophenone with salicylaldehyde
derivatives, such as [N,N?-bis(4-methoxysalicylaldehyde)-
3,4-diaminobenzophenone] (L1), [N,N?-bis(5-methoxysalicylaldehyde)-
3,4-diaminobenzophenone] (L2), [N,N?-bis(5-bromosalicylaldehyde)-3,4-
diaminobenzophenone] (L3), [N,N?-bis(5-nitrosalicylaldehyde)-3,4-
diaminobenzophenone] (L4). Additionally, a tetradentate Schiff base ligand
[N,N?-bis(3-methoxysalicylaldehyde)-3,4-diaminobenzophenone] (L5), was
synthesized. All the Schiff bases and their Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II)
complexes were characterized using elemental analysis and infrared,
electronic, mass and 1H-NMR spectroscopy. The formation constants of the
complexes were measured using UV-Vis spectroscopic titration at constant
ionic strength 0.1 M (NaClO4), at 25?C in dimethylformamide (DMF) as solvent.
Sorption of Cu2+ and Co2+ ions from aqueous solutions onto sepiolite: An equilibrium, kinetic and thermodynamic study
Authors: Lazarevic Slavica , Jankovic-Castvan Ivona , Radovanovic Zeljko , Potkonjak Branislav , Janackovic Djordje , Petrovic Rada
Published: January 2011

The efficiency of natural sepiolite for the removal of Cu2+ and Co2+ ions
from aqueous solution was determined using the batch method. The sorption
experiments were performed as a function of the initial metal concentration,
the equilibration time and temperature. Thermodynamic parameters, such as
enthalpy, free energy and entropy, were calculated from the temperature
dependent sorption isotherms and these values showed that the sorption of the
investigated metals onto sepiolite was endothermic. The pseudo-second order
kinetic model provides the best correlation of the experimental kinetic data.
Friedel-Crafts acylation of arenes with carboxylic acids using polystyrene-supported aluminum triflate
Authors: Parvanak-Boroujeni Kaveh , Parvanak Kamran
Published: January 2011

Cross-linked polystyrene-supported aluminum triflate (Ps- Al(OTf)3) has been
shown to be a mild, efficient, and chemoselective heterogeneous Lewis acid
catalyst for the acylation of aromatic compounds. The catalyst can be easily
prepared from cheap starting materials, is stable (as a bench top catalyst)
and is reusable.
A selective laser melted Co-Cr alloy used for the rapid manufacture of removable partial denture frameworks: Initial screening of biocompatibility
Authors: Jevremovic Danimir , Kojic Vesna , Bogdanovic Gordana , Puskar Tatjana , Eggbeer Dominic , Thomas Daniel , Williams Robert
Published: January 2011

The aim of this study was to determine the cytotoxicity of a Co-Cr alloy used
for the rapid manufacture of removable partial denture frameworks using
murine fibroblasts L929 cell lines and three test methods: the MTT assay, the
agar diffusion test (ADT) and the dye exclusion test (DET). Two groups of
disc specimens (5 mm diameter, 1 mm thick) were fabricated. The first group
was cast using a conventional method (CM) in a Nautilus CC casting. The
second group was fabricated using selective laser melting (SLM) in SLM
Realiser The total cell number and viability of cells pre-incubated with CM
and SLM alloys were comparable to the control sample. Differences between the
growth inhibitory effects of the CM and SLM alloys in the MTT assay were
below 30 %. Results of two independent agar diffusion tests with CM and SLM
alloys showed neither detectable discoloration around or under the discs nor
a detectable difference in staining intensity. As the cell response for both
CM and SLM alloys was 0/0, the discs can be rated as noncytotoxic. The
results suggested that the F75 Co-Cr alloy used for the SLM process did not
release harmful material that could cause acute effects against L929 cells
under the given experimental conditions.
The Role of Text Analytics and Information Retrieval in the Accounting Domain
Authors: Fisher Ingrid E. , Garnsey Margaret R. , Goel Sunita , Tam Kinsun
Published: January 2011

ABSTRACT: Textual documents proliferate throughout accounting practice, and a wide variety of groups make financial decisions based on written guidance. The Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), along with annual corporate financial statements and other reporting narratives, are important sources of such guidance and information. This paper examines the literature in two major areas relevant to text analytics and information retrieval in the accounting domain: (1) the manual and computational content analysis of accounting narratives, accounting readability studies, and related text-mining work, and (2) the information retrieval literature stream that addresses the extraction of both text elements as well as quantities imbedded in text from accounting documents, and includes the impact of understanding the accounting lexicon upon retrieval from digital accounting documents. We use the goals in developing the GAAP Codification, as expressed by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) in their Notice to Constituents (FASB 2009), as a starting point for reviewing the literature. The paper concludes with a map for suggested future research in accounting text analytics and information retrieval.
Measuring the Impact of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Systems on Earnings Management
Authors: Morris John J. , Laksmana Indrarini
Published: January 2011

ABSTRACT: This study examines the impact of ERP systems on earnings management. We use the absolute value of discretionary accruals as a proxy for earnings management, comparing levels for 143 firms in 32 industry groups that implemented ERP systems between 1994 and 2003 to levels for a control group. We find that over a ten-year period surrounding the implementation date, ERP implementers show a significant decrease in the absolute value of total discretionary accruals, while the control group does not. We further find that short-term discretionary accruals are driving the results, while long-term discretionary accruals show no significant change for either group.
On the Number of ISI Citations toJETA, JIS, IJAIS,andISAFM
Authors: O’Leary Daniel E.
Published: January 2011

ABSTRACT: This paper investigates the current number of ISI citations, and change in the number of those citations over the last two years, for four leading accounting information systems (AIS) journals. The results are surprising. A priori, it generally would have been expected that the Journal of Information Systems would have had the most citations in total and over the last two years, since it is by far the oldest, and it is the flagship journal of the American Accounting Association’s (AAA) Information Systems Section. However, two other AIS journals had substantially more total citations and incremental citations over the last two years. Further, even though it is younger, the newest AAA journal, the Journal of Emerging Technologies in Accounting, has what seem to be fewer citations than it should have. Reasons for this apparent “citation disadvantage” for the two AAA AIS journals are investigated.
Epitaxial graphene perfection vs. SiC substrate quality
Authors: Teklinska Dominika , Kosciewicz Kinga , Grodecki Kacper , Tokarczyk Mateusz , Kowalski Grzegorz , Strupinski Wlodzimierz , Olszyna Andrzej , Baranowski Jacek
Published: January 2011

Polytype instability of SiC epitaxial films was the main focus of attention in the experiment performed since this factor has a decisive influence on graphene growth, which was the second stage of the experiment. Layers deposited in various initial C/Si ratios were analyzed.

Our observations indicate that the initial C/Si ratio in epitaxial growth is a crucial parameter determining which polytype will be grown, in particular for cubic (3C) or hexagonal (4H) polytypes. If the initial C/Si ratio was close to its final value, the dominant polytype was 4H. On the other hand, when the initial C/Si ratio was close to zero, 3C became the major polytype in spite of a non favourable growth temperature.

The results for graphene growth on an epi-SiC layer and a bulk substrate, in which case the dominant polytype was 4H, are also presented. These results indicate that layers on epitaxial 4H-SiC are thicker, more relaxed and have better quality in comparison with samples on 4H-SiC substrates.

Morphology and defects in SiC epilayers were analyzed using Nomarsky optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and high resolution X-ray diffraction (XRD). Graphene quality was characterized by Raman spectroscopy.
What Forty Years of Research Says About the Impact of Technology on Learning
Authors: Tamim Rana M. , Bernard Robert M. , Borokhovski Eugene , Abrami Philip C. , Schmid Richard F.
Published: January 2011

This research study employs a second-order meta-analysis procedure to summarize 40 years of research activity addressing the question, does computer technology use affect student achievement in formal face-to-face classrooms as compared to classrooms that do not use technology? A study-level meta-analytic validation was also conducted for purposes of comparison. An extensive literature search and a systematic review process resulted in the inclusion of 25 meta-analyses with minimal overlap in primary literature, encompassing 1,055 primary studies. The random effects mean effect size of 0.35 was significantly different from zero. The distribution was heterogeneous under the fixed effects model. To validate the second-order meta-analysis, 574 individual independent effect sizes were extracted from 13 out of the 25 meta-analyses. The mean effect size was 0.33 under the random effects model, and the distribution was heterogeneous. Insights about the state of the field, implications for technology use, and prospects for future research are discussed.