bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Filamin A is reduced and contributes to the CASR sensitivity in human parathyroid tumors
Authors: Mingione Alessandra , Verdelli Chiara , Ferrero Stefano , Vaira Valentina , Guarnieri Vito , Scillitani Alfredo , Vicentini Leonardo , Balza Gianni , Beretta Edoardo , Terranegra Annalisa , Vezzoli Giuseppe , Soldati Laura , Corbetta Sabrina
Published: November 2016

Parathyroid tumors display reduced sensitivity to extracellular calcium ([Ca2+]o). [Ca2+]o activates calcium-sensing receptor (CASR), which interacts with the scaffold protein filamin A (FLNA). The study aimed to investigate: (1) the FLNA expression in human parathyroid tumors, (2) its effects on the CASR mRNA and protein expression, and (3) on ERK signaling activation, (4) the effect of the carboxy-terminal CASR variants and (5) of the treatment with the CASR agonist R568 on FLNA-mediated ERK phosphorylation in HEK293 cells. Full-length FLNA immunostaining was variably reduced in parathyroid tumors. Immunofluorescence showed that FLNA localized in membrane and cytoplasm and co-localized with CASR in parathyroid adenomas (PAds)-derived cells. Cleaved C-terminus FLNA fragment could also be detected in PAds nuclear protein fractions. In HEK293 cells transfected with 990R-CASR or 990G-CASR variants, silencing of endogenous FLNA reduced CASR mRNA levels and total and membrane-associated CASR proteins. In agreement, FLNA mRNA levels positively correlated with CASR expression in a series of 74 PAds; however, any significant correlation with primary hyperparathyroidism severity could be detected and FLNA transcript levels did not differ between PAds harboring 990R or 990G CASR variants. R568 treatment was efficient in restoring 990R-CASR and 990G-CASR sensitivity to [Ca2+]o in the absence of FLNA. In conclusion, FLNA is downregulated in parathyroid tumors and parallels the CASR expression levels. Loss of FLNA reduces CASR mRNA and protein expression levels and the CASR-induced ERK phosphorylation. FLNA is involved in receptor expression, membrane localization and ERK signaling activation of both 990R and 990G CASR variants.
Plasma exosomes are enriched in Hsp70 and modulated by stress and cortisol in rainbow trout
Authors: Faught Erin , Henrickson Lynsi , Vijayan Mathilakath M
Published: November 2016

Exosomes are endosomally derived vesicles that are secreted from cells and contain a suite of molecules, including proteins and nucleic acids. Recent studies suggest the possibility that exosomes in circulation may be affecting recipient target cell function, but the modes of action are unclear. Here, we tested the hypothesis that exosomes are in circulation in fish plasma and that these vesicles are enriched with heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70). Exosomes were isolated from rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) plasma using differential centrifugation, and their presence was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy and the exosomal marker acetylcholinesterase. Plasma exosomes were enriched with Hsp70, and this stress protein was transiently elevated in trout plasma in response to a heat shockin vivo. Using trout hepatocytes in primary culture, we tested whether stress levels of cortisol, the principle corticosteroid in teleosts, regulates exosomal Hsp70 content. As expected, a 1-h heat shock (+15°C above ambient) increased Hsp70 expression in hepatocytes, and this led to higher Hsp70 enrichment in exosomes over a 24-h period. However, cortisol treatment significantly reduced the expression of Hsp70 in exosomes released from either unstressed or heat-shocked hepatocytes. This cortisol-mediated suppression was not specific to Hsp70 as beta-actin expression was also reduced in exosomes released from hepatocytes treated with the steroid. Our results suggest that circulating Hsp70 is released from target tissues via exosomes, and their release is modulated by stress and cortisol. Overall, we propose a novel role for extracellular vesicular transport of Hsp70 in the organismal stress response.
The Effects of Migration and Assortative Mating on Admixture Linkage Disequilibrium
Authors: Zaitlen Noah , Huntsman Scott , Hu Donglei , Spear Melissa , Eng Celeste , Oh Sam S , White Marquitta J , Mak Angel , Davis Adam , Meade Kelly , Brigino-Buenaventura Emerita , LeNoir Michael A , Bibbins-Domingo Kirsten , Burchard Esteban G , Halperin Eran
Published: November 2016

Statistical models in medical and population genetics typically assume that individuals assort randomly in a population. While this simplifies model complexity, it contradicts an increasing body of evidence of nonrandom mating in human populations. Specifically, it has been shown that assortative mating is significantly affected by genomic ancestry. In this work, we examine the effects of ancestry-assortative mating on the linkage disequilibrium between local ancestry tracks of individuals in an admixed population. To accomplish this, we develop an extension to the Wright–Fisher model that allows for ancestry-based assortative mating. We show that ancestry-assortment perturbs the distribution of local ancestry linkage disequilibrium (LAD) and the variance of ancestry in a population as a function of the number of generations since admixture. This assortment effect can induce errors in demographic inference of admixed populations when methods assume random mating. We derive closed form formulae for LAD under an assortative-mating model with and without migration. We observe that LAD depends on the correlation of global ancestry of couples in each generation, the migration rate of each of the ancestral populations, the initial proportions of ancestral populations, and the number of generations since admixture. We also present the first direct evidence of ancestry-assortment in African Americans and examine LAD in simulated and real admixed population data of African Americans. We find that demographic inference under the assumption of random mating significantly underestimates the number of generations since admixture, and that accounting for assortative mating using the patterns of LAD results in estimates that more closely agrees with the historical narrative.
Seizure Treatment in Children Transported to Tertiary Care: Recommendation Adherence and Outcomes
Authors: Siefkes Heather M. , Holsti Maija , Morita Denise , Cook Lawrence J. , Bratton Susan
Published: November 2016

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:

Convulsive seizures account for 15% of pediatric air transports. We evaluated seizure treatment received in community hospital emergency departments among transported patients for adherence to recommended management.

METHODS:

This study was a retrospective cohort study of children transported for an acute seizure to a tertiary pediatric hospital from 2010 to 2013. Seizure treatment was evaluated for adherence to recommended management. The primary outcome was intubation.

RESULTS:

Among 126 events, 61% did not receive recommended acute treatment. The most common deviation from recommended care was administration of >2 benzodiazepine doses. Lack of adherence to recommended care was associated with a greater than twofold increased risk of intubation (relative risk 2.4; 95% confidence interval, 1.4–4.13) and 1.5-fold increased risk of admission to the ICU (relative risk 1.65; 95% confidence interval, 1.24–2.16). Duration of ventilation was commonly <24 hours (87%) for patients who did or did not receive recommended acute seizure care. Among events treated initially with a benzodiazepine, only 32% received a recommended weight-based dosage, and underdosing was most common.

CONCLUSIONS:

Adherence to evidence-based recommended acute seizure treatment during initial care of pediatric patients using medical air transportation was poor. Intubation was more common when patients did not receive recommended acute seizure care. Educational efforts with a sustained quality focus should be directed to increase adherence to appropriate pediatric seizure treatment of children in community emergency departments.
Validation of the Internet Gaming Disorder Scale – Short-Form (IGDS9-SF) in an Italian-speaking sample
Authors: Monacis Lucia , Palo Valeria de , Griffiths Mark D. , Sinatra Maria
Published: November 2016

Background and aims

The inclusion of Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) in Section III of the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders has increased the interest of researchers in the development of new standardized psychometric tools for the assessment of such a disorder. To date, the nine-item Internet Gaming Disorder Scale – Short-Form (IGDS9-SF) has only been validated in English, Portuguese, and Slovenian languages. Therefore, the aim of this investigation was to examine the psychometric properties of the IGDS9-SF in an Italian-speaking sample.

Methods

A total of 757 participants were recruited to the present study. Confirmatory factor analysis and multi-group analyses were applied to assess the construct validity. Reliability analyses comprised the average variance extracted, the standard error of measurement, and the factor determinacy coefficient. Convergent and criterion validities were established through the associations with other related constructs. The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was used to determine an empirical cut-off point.

Results

Findings confirmed the single-factor structure of the instrument, its measurement invariance at the configural level, and the convergent and criterion validities. Satisfactory levels of reliability and a cut-off point of 21 were obtained.

Discussion and conclusions

The present study provides validity evidence for the use of the Italian version of the IGDS9-SF and may foster research into gaming addiction in the Italian context.
Serpentes, Colubridae, Taeniophallus poecilopogon (Cope, 1863): rediscovery in Corrientes, Argentina, and natural history
Authors: Etchepare Eduardo Gabriel , Zaracho Víctor Hugo
Published: November 2016

None
Fish fauna from the Ajó river in Campos del Tuyú National Park, province of Buenos Aires, Argentina
Authors: Solari Agustín , García Mirta L. , Jaureguizar Andrés J.
Published: November 2016

We provide the first list of the ichthyofauna from the Ajó river, a water course situated at the southward border of the Samborombón bay (36°20'12"’ S, 56°54'17" W), a RAMSAR site in Argentina. These results were obtained bi-monthly along two years. Forty-five species belonging to 26 families and 11 orders were identified. This fish fauna is composed by freshwater, euryhaline and marine species. Richest groups were Perciformes and Characiformes, with 10 species each. A single species, Micropogonias furnieri (whitemouth croaker), represented morethan 70 % of the captured specimens, being juvenile individuals only. Remaining species were also represented by juvenile specimens, confirming the importance of this environment as nursery area, particularly for the whitemouth croaker.
Amphibia, Anura, Centrolenidae, Chimerella mariaelenae (Cisneros-Heredia and McDiarmid, 2006), Rulyrana flavopunctata (Lynch and Duellman, 1973), Teratohyla pulverata (Peters, 1873), and Teratohyla spinosa (Taylor, 1949): historical records, distribution extension and new provincial record in Ecuador
Authors: Cisneros-Heredia Diego F.
Published: November 2016

None
Reptilia, Iguania, Liolaemidae, Liolaemus goetschi Müller and Hellmich, 1938: distribution extension
Authors: Nori Javier , Abdala Cristian S. , Scrocchi Gustavo J.
Published: November 2016

Liolaemus goetschi Müller and Hellmich, 1938 is a poorly known Patagonian lizard. Two specimens were collected in the central-western portion of Río Negro Province, Argentina, located 82 km west and 110 km south of the known distribution for the species in its type locality.
Anurans and Lizards, Rio Preto da Eva, Amazonas, Brazil
Authors: Ilha Paulo , Dixo Marianna
Published: November 2016

This study presents a list of anurans and lizards of a Central Amazonian terra-firme rainforest site at Rio Preto da Eva, Amazonas, Brazil sampled for 38 days from December 2003 to February 2004. The study area is located close to highway AM-010 (Manaus-Itacoatiara), where deforestation represents the main threat to the local biota. Using two complementary sampling methods, active search and pitfall traps with drift fence, we recorded 23 anuran species in 12 genera and six families and 20 lizard species in 16 genera and seven families. Relative to other sites in Central Amazon, our study site presented a similar number of species of lizards but fewer amphibians.
Mammalia, Chiroptera, Phyllostomidae, Vampyrodes caraccioli (Thomas, 1889): range extension and revised distribution map
Authors: Velazco Paúl M. , Aires Caroline C. , Carmignotto Ana Paula , Bezerra Alexandra M. R.
Published: November 2016

The present note reports the first record of the bat Vampyrodes caraccioli (Thomas, 1889) for the state of São Paulo, southeastern Brazil, based on the collection of one adult specimen in Núcleo São Sebastião, Parque Estadual da Serra do Mar, at the Atlantic Forest domain.
Gastropoda, Pulmonata, Helicidae, Cepaea nemoralis (Linnaeus, 1758): new records for Montreal, Canada
Authors: Örstan Aydin
Published: November 2016

The European land snail Cepaea nemoralis (Linnaeus, 1758) was introduced in North America in 1857 in Burlington, New Jersey, U.S.A. There is only one anedoctal record of C. nemoralis from Montreal, Canada, but without a date or an exact location. In this note, recent records of C. nemoralis are presented for Montreal, based on surveys from 7 to 9 August 2009 along a southwest to northeast transect parallel to the Montreal-Dorion-Rigaud commuter railroad.
Mammalia, Rodentia, Sigmodontinae, Holochilus brasiliensis (Desmarest, 1819): distribution extention
Authors: Formoso Anahí E. , Sauthier Daniel E. Udrizar , Pardiñas Ulyses F. J.
Published: November 2016

We report the southernmost record for the marsh rats Holochilus brasiliensis 20 km S of Pedro Luro on Hwy 3, province of Buenos Aires, Argentina (39°41’31.13”S, 62°40’23.5”W) extending the range of the species ca. 110 km S. This represents the first contemporaneous record of H. brasiliensis in Patagonia, and also the only species of sigmodontine rodent with amphibious habits reported in Patagonia.
Amphibia, Anura, Brachycephalidae, Ischnocnema verrucosa Reinhardt and Lütken, 1862: distribution extension to northeastern Brazil
Authors: Orrico Victor Goyannes Dill
Published: November 2016

Herein I present a new geographical record of Ischnocnema verrucosa Reinhardt and Lütken, 1862 for northeastern Brazil and briefly discuss the new record with a previous record of similar characteristics.
Holocene molluscs from Rio de Janeiro state coast, Brazil
Authors: Souza Rosa Cristina Corrêa Luz de , Lima Tania Andrade , Silva Edson Pereira
Published: November 2016

A list of marine species of bivalves and gastropods found in seventy archeological sites of the shellmound type from Rio de Janeiro state was produced, based on the archeological material deposited in the collections of Museu Nacional (Rio de Janeiro, RJ), Instituto de Arqueologia Brasileira (Belford Roxo, RJ) and Museu do Sambaqui da Tarioba (Rio das Ostras, RJ). A total of 124 taxa were identified, of which 65 bivalves and 59 gastropods. The data retrieved from the shellmounds indicate stability of the composition patterns of mollusc biodiversity on the Rio de Janeiro state coast, at least in the period between 8,000 and 2,000 years B.P. The listing presented may be useful as a reference inventory for research pertaining to biological invasions, biogeography, conservation and management.
The pragmatics of legal advice services in a community legal centre in Australia: domination or facilitation?
Authors: Dieckmann Cristy , Rojas-Lizana Isolda
Published: November 2016

There are 220 community legal centres in Australia, many of which work on a selfhelp model that entails volunteer lawyers giving advice to clients who will then under take their own legal work. This discourse analytic study explores the discursive interaction between volunteer lawyers and clients in a community legal centre in Brisbane. The analysis investigates the presence of authoritarian versus participatory strategies in order to look at the type of power relation present in their interaction. Two discursive features that characterise lawyer–client conversations were identified as being significant in this type of free advice session: register (formal-technical/informal) and interruptions. The results show that the lawyers tend to make less use of power-related strategies than has been seen in previous studies. Instead, they use a discourse of facilitation (participatory discourse) that is expressed in their register in the form of politeness strategies, use of colloquial language and expressions of support; and in their interruptions in the form of co operative overlapping speech. It is discussed that the use of these discursive features fits with the nature of these particular interactions. That is, the legal advice offered in community legal centres could be viewed as more of an ‘expert advice giving’ rather than a traditional lawyer–client interaction.
Exploring restorative justice: dialectics of theory and practice
Authors: Martin J. R. , Zappavigna Michele
Published: November 2016

This article presents an overview and extension of research into one form of diversionary justice, the Youth Justice Conferencing programme in New South Wales, Australia. Conferences are formal procedures organised by a Convenor and typically involving a young offender, their victim or victim's representative, support persons, the arresting police officer, a police liaison officer and additional community members. After a recount of the offence, its ramifications are discussed and an appropriate community service outcome plan agreed upon. The research explored this restorative justice programme from the perspectives of functional linguistics and performance studies, combining close textual analysis with ethnographic research methodologies. We focus on the dialectic of theory and practice enacted in this research, highlighting some of the results of our enquiries and reflecting on the ways it stimulated development of our theory, descriptions and representations. This work is then extended in relation to the negotiation of an apology by the young offender to their victim in conference interaction.
The role of syllable intensity in between-speaker rhythmic variability
Authors: He Lei , Dellwo Volker
Published: November 2016

Speech rhythm in terms of durational variability of different levels of phonetic inter vals can vary between speakers. The present article examines the role of syllabic intensity characteristics in rhythmic variability. Mean and peak intensity vari ability across syllables (stdevM, varcoM, stdevP, varcoP, rPVIm, nPVIm, rPVIp, nPVIp; henceforth: intensity measures) were investigated as a function of speaker in a database where within-speaker variability was strong (BonnTempo) and another database designed to examine between-speaker rhythmic variability (TEVOID). It was found that the intensity measures varied significantly between speakers in both databases. Semiautomatic speaker recognition based on duration measures (%V, ?V(ln), ?C(ln), ?Peak(ln), ?Syll(ln) and nPVISyll) and intensity measures using multinomial logistic regression and feedforward neural networks was carried out for the two databases. Results showed that intensity measures contained stronger speaker specific information compared to measures based on durational variability of phonetic intervals. In addition, effects of the recognition algorithms (speaker recognition using multinomial logistic regression was significantly better than neural networks for BonnTempo) and data normalisation procedures (z-score normalised data was significantly better than non-normalised data in TEVOID) were discovered. This means that syllable intensity characteristics play an important role in between-speaker rhythmic differences and possibly in speech rhythm variability in general.
Students design their own curriculum: An experiment to maintain students' enthusiasm
Authors: Zaimis Tilemachos , Efstathiadou Anthoula , Karakitsiou Despina-Elvira , Dimoliatis Ioannis DK
Published: November 2016

This article was migrated. The article was not marked as recommended. Believing that the most important factor for learning is learner's enthusiasm, we suppose that designing their own curriculum will keep students' enthusiasm alive. Thus, enthusiastic students will be better learners.We were curious about what would have happened if students had the opportunity to design their own curriculum. An online questionnaire, consisting of a main board with all courses and open questions, asked medical students and recent graduates to place all core and option courses in the semester they would like to be taught.79 (8%) of all 993 Ioannina University Medical students participated; 46 (58%) were positive on deciding their own curriculum from the first year; 7%-85% (mean 49.4%) would like to study core courses, and 24%-95% (67.5%) electives, in a different semester.Studying with a personalized curriculum was welcomed. Half of core courses and two thirds of optional were desired to be studied in a different semester than the current curriculum predicts. If all students had participated, the same, if not greater, dispersion would be expected.It's important to give students the opportunity to carve their own course curriculum, in order to keep and increase their enthusiasm, responsibility and accountability, and in order to match with their teachers' enthusiasm.
Possibilities of the Application of Digital Games in the Implementation of the Curriculum of Arts Subject
Authors: Vitytė Birutė
Published: November 2016

Digital games that involve entertainment, relaxation and technology are very attractive to modern students, while the traditional learning/teaching methods are inefficient and unattractive to them due to the change in learning habits. Surveys testify the successful incorporation of digital games into the curricula of Nature, Mathematics, Foreign Languages and other subjects and allow assuming that they might also be incorporated into the curriculum of the subject of Arts; therefore, this article investigates and reveals the possibilities of the application of digital games in the implementation of the curriculum of Arts subject.

Many different interpretations of the concept of a digital game show that it is a manifold and multifaceted phenomenon. In addition to the concept of a “digital game” which can be understood in its broadest sense as the integration of technology and entertainment, the concepts of serious games, game-based learning / digital game-based learning, edutainment, and lecture games can also be encountered in the education contexts.

Digital games can be incorporated into the subject of Arts first of all as a phenomenon of modern art. In certain aspects, digital games can be attributed to pop art and they have certain connections with installation art and, no doubt, with video and optic art and other art branches. The idea of digital games as a form of art is still questioned but some researchers suggest that their artistic value should be grounded on the analogy with art cinema. Cinema is undoubtedly considered a form of art although it is understood that not all films are works of art but, instead, an expression of the popular culture.

Digital games can be incorporated into art classes as a means of artistic expression in several different ways. The first method is the creation of a digital game as an art object during art classes. The second method involves playing already created digital games as the tool/means of development of certain artistic expression abilities. Surveys show that children under 10 years of age are already capable of designing games: their script, graphics and other elements. Teenagers and older students are often capable of controlling programs intended for professionals. The process of creation of a digital game is analogous to the process of creation of any other art work but, according to the researchers, the nature of such creative work offers more education possibilities in certain aspects in comparison to traditional creative activities. The playing of digital games during art classes could be applied instead of traditional methods aiming to train the composing, designing and modelling abilities of the students or to deepen their knowledge on art history. Learning through digital gaming is an attractive and engaging experience to modern students who cannot learn and read consistently but are rather inclined to act and learn through experimenting; therefore, digital games can also be incorporated into art classes as a motivating element.
ETHYLENE APPLICATION AFTER COLD STORAGE IMPROVES SKIN COLOR OF ‘VALENCIA’ ORANGES
Authors: JOMORI MARIA LUIZA LYE , BERNO NATALIA DALLOCCA , KLUGE RICARDO ALFREDO
Published: November 2016

ABSTRACT Degreening is a postharvest technique that consists of applying ethylene to oranges fresh fruits to improve skin color. In Brazil, this technique is still not widely applied due to a lack of specific research, resulting in poor fruit coloration, which limits the oranges’ exportation. The objective of this study was to investigate the de-greening effect of ethylene application after cold storage in ‘Valencia’ oranges. The ethylene treatments (0; 5 and 10 µL L-1 for 96 h at 22°C) were applied after storage for 30 days at 5°C. After ethylene application, the fruit were stored for three days at 22°C to simulate a shelf life. The skin color rate enhanced after ethylene treatment due to increased chlorophyllase activity. The content of carotenoids did not change, nor did the soluble solids, titratable acidity, ratio, percentage of juice and ascorbic acid content. The levels of acetaldehyde and ethanol in the juice were also assessed, and unpleasant odors or flavors did not occur despite a small increase in the acetaldehyde content. Therefore, the ethylene application after cold storage is efficient to improve the skin color of ‘Valencia’ orange without changing the internal quality.
STIGMATIC RECEPTIVITY AND POLLEN VIABILITY OF Theobroma subincanum Mart.:FRUIT SPECIES FROM THE AMAZON REGION
Authors: ARENAS-DE-SOUZA MAICON DOUGLAS , ROSSI ANA APARECIDA BANDINI , VARELLA TATIANE LEMOS , SILVEIRA GREICIELE FARIAS DA , SOUZA SÉRGIO ALESSANDRO MACHADO
Published: November 2016

ABSTRACT Theobroma subincanum (cupuí) is a fruit species native to the Amazon region. Fruits are enjoyed by local people and consumed both as fresh fruit such as juice, nectar or soft drinks. Reproductive biology studies provide contributions to conservation strategies and plant improvement. The present study aimed to analyze the stigmatic receptivity and pollen viability of T. subincanum. This study was developed in a forest fragment located in the urban perimeter of the municipality of Alta Floresta, MT. In the flowering period, flower buds or flowers were collected in seven different times, as follows: 10 pm, 02 am, 06 am, 10 am, 2 pm, 6 pm, and 10 pm. Pollen viability was estimated by reactive Alexander (1969) and stigmatic receptivity using 3% hydrogen peroxide. Pollen viability averages were submitted to analysis of variance, while stigmatic receptivity was analyzed by average percentage in each interval. Four floral stages were characterized based on flower opening, and from 6 am, fully opened flowers have already been found (stage IV). The percentage of pollen viability was not affected by collection times. In the stigmatic receptivity analysis, it was observed that in all floral stages, stigma was receptive; however, the highest percentages of stigmatic receptivity were found from 2 am to 10 am of the same day, which is the most propitious time for fertilization. Pollen collection of T. subincanum may be performed in any of schedules evaluated in this study, since it is held with high viability percentage.
Patrones de Circulación Atmosféricos-Oceánicos a Meso-Escala Vinculados a las Sequías Severas y Extensas en Venezuela
Authors: Trejo Franklin J. Paredes , Barbosa Humberto Alves , Ruiz Ivis Quiroz , Peñaloza-Murillo Marcos A.
Published: November 2016

Resumen Un grupo de variables oceánicas y atmosféricas en los océanos Pacifico y Atlántico fueron analizadas durante las sequías de gran cobertura (SGC) sobre el territorio venezolano en el periodo 1950-2000. El índice de precipitación estandarizado con agrupación trimestral, se usó como índice de sequías. Las series de precipitación fueron provistas por el Instituto Nacional de Meteorología e Hidrología. Las variables atmosféricas y oceánicas se derivaron de las bases de datos: re-análisis NCEP/NCAR I y ERSSTV3B, respectivamente. Los resultados más relevantes son: (1) las SGC de 4 meses de duración son frecuentes en la temporada de lluvia (junio-septiembre), fuera de ella las SGC persisten hasta 7 meses. Las SPGC < 4 meses (pulsos seco) suceden en cualquier momento del año; ii) las SGC en la temporada de lluvias coinciden con cambios relevantes en la baja, media y alta tropósfera, en particular con una fuerte actividad convectiva sobre Colombia, La Niña y aguas persistentes frías en el Atlántico Norte; iii) las SGC fuera de la temporada de lluvias coinciden con fuertes y/o persistentes El Niño y aguas persistentemente cálidas en el Atlántico Norte; iv) los pulsos secos son frecuentes durante El Niño y la persistencia de aguas frías en el Atlántico Norte.
Transcranial direct current stimulation for treatment-resistant obsessive-compulsive disorder: report on two cases and proposal for a randomized, sham-controlled trial
Authors: Silva Renata de Melo Felipe da , Brunoni André Russowsky , Miguel Eurípedes Constantino , Shavitt Roseli Gedanke
Published: November 2016

ABSTRACT CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Neuromodulation techniques for treating obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) have expanded through greater understanding of the brain circuits involved in this disorder. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), a non-invasive technique, has been studied as an alternative for treatment-resistant OCD. We describe the design of a clinical trial using tDCS for OCD and report on the outcomes from two patients with primary OCD who were resistant to cognitive-behavioral therapy and to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, and who received tDCS in an open manner during the training phase for the study procedures. DESIGN AND SETTING: Methodological description of a clinical trial using tDCS for treatment-resistant OCD at a university hospital; and a report on two cases. METHODS: The proposed study is randomized, sham-controlled and double-blind. Forty-four patients will be randomized to either active or sham intervention. The active intervention consists of applying an electric current of 2 mA, with the cathode positioned in the region corresponding to the supplementary motor cortex (bilaterally) and the anode positioned in the deltoid. The primary outcome will be the reduction in baseline YBOCS (Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale) score at the end of week 4. The secondary outcomes will be depression and anxiety symptoms. Genetic markers, cortical excitability and neurocognitive performance will be investigated. RESULTS: The first patient showed significant improvement, whereas the second remained symptomatic after four weeks and after six months. tDCS was well tolerated. CONCLUSION: tDCS for treatment-resistant OCD merits randomized controlled trials that test its effectiveness.
Propagule success of an invasive Poaceae depends on size of parental plants
Authors: Bando Fabielle Mucio , Michelan Thaisa Sala , Thomaz Sidinei Magela
Published: November 2016

Abstract: Aim Viability and successful colonization of propagules by an invasive species may depend on several factors, such as parental plant size and propagules’ fresh mass. Here, we tested (i) the effects of propagules’ origin (from large and small parental plants); (ii) the position in the parental stem (apical, intermediate and basal) on the early development of the new sprouts of Urochloa arrecta; and (iii) if the regeneration success of U. arrecta was related with propagule fresh mass that comes from large or small parental plants. Methods We selected 16 individuals of U. arrecta and separated them in two groups: (i) eight “large” (stem ± 1.5 m) and (ii) eight “small” (stem ± 0.6 m). For each individual, we cut three fragments with two nodes (considered as the “propagule”) from the apical, intermediate and basal portions of the stem and we measured the fresh mass (g), length (cm) and distance between the two nodes (cm) of all propagules of U. arrecta. In addition, after the experimentation, we measured the dry mass (g) and length (cm) of each new sprout of U. arrecta generated from each propagule. Results We found that large parental individuals produced sprouts with longer length and greater dry mass. In contrast, the position in the parental stem did not significant influence the development of sprouts in U. arrecta. In addition, the propagule fresh mass played a role in the development of sprouts just for propagules from small parental plants. Conclusions We found that the size of the parental individual is an important determinant of the development of new sprouts of this invasive species and the propagule fresh mass has a positive and significant influence in the success of U. arrecta only for propagules from smaller parental plants. We highlight that all propagules were viable, which could explain the reasons for this plant to be a successful invader.
Design of steel fibre reinforced concrete tunnel linings
Authors: Johnson Roger Paul , Psomas Sotiris , Eddie Colin Michael
Published: November 2016

The analysis and design for tunnel linings of steel fibre reinforced concrete (SFRC) lack a widely agreed set of design rules. The published documents only provide partial coverage and are inconsistent. The method of analysis presented in this paper is based on design principles established by two European standards (Eurocodes EN 1990 and EN 1992-1-1), a standard test to EN 14651 and the methodology for SFRC characterisation from the 2010 fib Model Code. Charts are given that relate the mean crack width, curvature and tensile strain to the circumferential hoop force and bending moment, for serviceability and ultimate limit states. The development of post-cracking inelastic behaviour is described and shown to be stable, and its use for prediction of redistribution of moments prior to plastic hinge formation is discussed. The effects of creep and of using stronger concrete are examined. The closed-form methods of analysis used are derived in Appendices to the paper. These design methods are potential, rather than fully validated. The work exposes the areas where stronger evidence from tests and site measurements is needed to enable SFRC tunnel linings to become more economic by reducing embedded ‘factors of ignorance’. This is illustrated by an outline of current design calculations for a tunnel and a large shaft.
The Effects of Foreign Shocks When Interest Rates are at Zero
Authors: Bodenstein Martin , Erceg Christopher J. , Guerrieri Luca
Published: November 2016

In a two-country DSGE model, the effects of foreign demand shocks on the home country are greatly amplified if the home economy is constrained by the zero lower bound on policy interest rates. This result applies even to countries that are relatively closed to trade such as the United States. Departing from many of the existing closed-economy models, the duration of the liquidity trap is determined endogenously. Adverse foreign shocks can extend the duration of the trap, implying more contractionary effects for the home country. The home economy is more vulnerable to adverse foreign shocks if the neutral rate is low – consistent with &amp;quot;secular stagnation&amp;quot; – and trade openness is high.
Radiopacity of alloplastic bone grafts measured with cone beam computed tomography: An analysis in rabbit calvaria
Authors: Bucchi Cristina , Borie Eduardo , Arias Alain , Dias Fernando José , Fuentes Ramón
Published: November 2016

Availability of adequate bone structure for dental implants is still a problem in dentistry. Alloplastic grafts, which promote bone regeneration, are used as bone substitutes in orthopedic and oral surgical procedures. The aim of this study was to evaluate the radiopacity of three different synthetic bone grafts in rabbit calvaria, over 3 months, using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). Four critical-size defects were made on the calvaria of 11 rabbits. The lesions were classified into three groups according to the alloplastic grafts they received: Osteon® 70/30, Osteon collagen®, and Osteon II® groups. The fourth group received blood clot, and served as a control. The bone samples were collected and analyzed with CBCT after the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd month. One month after surgery, the lesions that received Osteon® 70/30 and Osteon collagen® grafts showed the highest radiopacity compared to the lesions with Osteon II® and blood clot. After the 2nd month, the radiopacity values between the three groups that received the grafts were more similar compared to the group with blood clot. After the 3rd month, the lesions with Osteon® 70/30 graft showed the highest radiopacity values, followed by Osteon collagen® and Osteon II® groups. The group that received blood clot showed the lowest radiopacity values. In conclusion, the grafts used in this study had higher radiopacity values compared to blood clot. Among the grafts used, the Osteon® 70/30 graft showed the highest radiopacity values in the 3-month period.
Specification and Application of Learning Outcomes in Basic Medical Education
Authors: Rhee Byoung Doo
Published: November 2016

The Korea Association of Medical Colleges (KAMC) has been developing learning outcomes for basic medical education (BME) since 2012. This initiative is designed to help medical schools implement competency-based medical education. KAMC divided the BME competencies into three domains (clinical practice, scientific concepts and principles, and human beings and society) with learning outcomes for each domain. KAMC plans to revise the learning outcomes to reflect feedback from medical schools, changes in social health needs, and changes in the healthcare environment and healthcare system in the near future. KAMC also plans to specify learning outcomes that integrate the three domains.
An Exploratory Study of Factors Affecting Satisfaction of Medical School Life
Authors: Jun Soo Koung , Park Kwi Hwa , Song Phil Hyun , Bae Young Kyung , Kim Seong Yong
Published: November 2016

The purpose of this study is to examine the factors that influence school life satisfaction based on personal variables, self-esteem, interpersonal relationships, and perception of the educational environment at a medical school in Korea. The data were collected from 228 medical students who agreed to participate in the study at a medical school. The Dundee Ready Medical Environment Measure (DREEM) and the self-esteem scale by Rosenberg were used. Questions measuring satisfaction of medical school life and interpersonal relationships (with professors, with senior/junior students, and with friends) were asked using a 5 point Likert scale. The data were analyzed by t-test, analysis of variance, and multiple regression analysis. The satisfaction of medical school life of male students was significantly higher than female students and increased with years of schooling. In DREEM, the students’ perception of teachers decreased by school years. The relationship with senior and junior students of third year students was higher than other school years. The result of the regression analysis to determine the variables that affect satisfaction of medical school life showed that interpersonal relationships with senior and junior students, the students’ social self-perception, and the students’ perception of learning were significant. The results of this study will help medical schools in their plans to improve the level of satisfaction for the happiness and successful academic achievements of their students.
Cultural Continuity as a Determinant of Indigenous Peoples’ Health: A Metasynthesis of Qualitative Research in Canada and the United States
Authors: Auger Monique D
Published: November 2016

As a strengths-based alternative to Western notions of enculturation and acculturation theory, cultural continuity describes the integration of people within their culture and the methods through which traditional knowledge is maintained and transmitted. Through reviewing relevant, original research with Indigenous Peoples in Canada and the United States, the purpose of this metasynthesis is to describe and interpret qualitative research relating to cultural continuity for Indigenous Peoples in North America. This metasynthesis was conducted through the selection, appraisal, and synthesis of 11 qualitative studies. Across the selected studies, five key themes arose: the connection between cultural continuity and health and well-being, conceptualizations of cultural continuity and connectedness, the role of knowledge transmission, journeys of cultural (dis)continuity, and barriers to cultural continuity.
KLASIFIKASI DAN IDENTIFIKASI JUMLAH KOLONI PADA CITRA BAKTERI DENGAN METODE K-NEAREST NEIGHBOR
Authors: Ihsan Ihsan
Published: November 2016

Abstract – This study proposes a system for classification and counting the number of bacterial colonies using a photo image of bacteria. The system uses several image pretreatment process. Including Contrast Stretching, Extended-Maxima Transform, and Regionprops. The main purpose of this system is to determine the category of colonies of bacteria in large quantities can not be done manually. To build the algorithms necessary features must be determined such as diameter, perimeter and roundness method of determining the categories using KNN (K-Nearest Neighbor). As a results of this research is classify three types of bacteria such as Lactobacillus Bulgaricus, Streptococcus thermophiles, and bifidobakterium Precision with a percentage of 97,97% and 87,09% F-Measure

Keywords: Contrast Stretching, Lactobacillus, Regionprops, K-Nearest Neighbor
Analisa Penempatan Kamera CCTV Menggunakan Metode Simple Additive Weighting (SAW) Untuk Smart Monitoring
Authors: Widodo Gianto , . Rahmadwati , Santoso Purnomo Budi , Kurniawan Fachrul
Published: November 2016

Abstract-monitoring technology is an area or region now is
growing rapidly, this refers to the interest to be used.
Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) is a type of camera that
was used for the supervisor of the building or room, but it
can also be used to monitor the condition of congestion and
road conditions. The problems are the installation of
CCTV is not always right on target because it is only
installed for trend following, without looking at the
conditions that will be installed, so it becomes less than
optimal. Many of the problems in need of supervision by
the Government. Problems such as road density, accidentprone area, business area, area schools, parking area and
population density at the location of the road is a problem
that requires supervision. In order for the supervision can
be done with the optimal technological devices are used
then the information and communication technology, the
utilization for surveillance of a region commonly referred
to with the Smart Monitoring, the device that can be used
is CCTV. In order to target the right CCTV installation
requires a calculation and analysis of the right against the
conditions of the point to be fitted, to allow the installation
of CCTV can be right on target and not just follow the
trend of development of the technology. Many of the
problems that have to be analyzed before the installation
of CCTV, to find the solution of many problems, this
research using methods MCDM method Simple Additive
Weighting (SAW). Based on the results of the calculation
of 40 data points of observation in the city of XYZ with 10
categories, problems and preferences 3 weights used
produce a value Vi maximum 4 point, and that point is
recommended for CCTV installed.
Keywords: SAW, CCTV
Acupuncture and Chronic Pain Management
Authors: Eshkevari Ladan
Published: November 2016

According to National Institute of Health Pathways to Prevention Workshop (2014), chronic pain affects an estimated 100 million Americans, with approximately 25 million people experiencing moderate to severe chronic pain, which negatively impacts their ability to function leading to a diminished quality of life. Pain is the primary reason Americans are on disability, which adds to the economic and social burden of suffering for the nation. Chronic pain costs are estimated to be between $560 and $630 billion per year. An estimated 5 to 8 million Americans use opioids for long-term management of chronic pain, which can have deleterious effects on their lives including addiction. Recent evidence suggests that acupuncture, a treatment modality that has been used worldwide for over 2,000 years, may provide a useful pain management option for those who suffer from chronic pain. The investigation into its mechanism of action and efficacy remains elusive, but promising.
A Node Localization Algorithm Based on Multi-Granularity Regional Division and the Lagrange Multiplier Method in Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Shang Fengjun , Jiang Yi , Xiong Anping , Su Wen , He Li
Published: November 2016

With the integrated development of the Internet, wireless sensor technology, cloud computing, and mobile Internet, there has been a lot of attention given to research about and applications of the Internet of Things. A Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) is one of the important information technologies in the Internet of Things; it integrates multi-technology to detect and gather information in a network environment by mutual cooperation, using a variety of methods to process and analyze data, implement awareness, and perform tests. This paper mainly researches the localization algorithm of sensor nodes in a wireless sensor network. Firstly, a multi-granularity region partition is proposed to divide the location region. In the range-based method, the RSSI (Received Signal Strength indicator, RSSI) is used to estimate distance. The optimal RSSI value is computed by the Gaussian fitting method. Furthermore, a Voronoi diagram is characterized by the use of dividing region. Rach anchor node is regarded as the center of each region; the whole position region is divided into several regions and the sub-region of neighboring nodes is combined into triangles while the unknown node is locked in the ultimate area. Secondly, the multi-granularity regional division and Lagrange multiplier method are used to calculate the final coordinates. Because nodes are influenced by many factors in the practical application, two kinds of positioning methods are designed: the unknown node is in the positioning unit or not. When the unknown node is on the side of the positioning unit, we use the method of vector similarity. Moreover, we use the centroid algorithm to calculate the ultimate coordinates of unknown node. When the unknown node is not on the side of the positioning unit, we establish a Lagrange equation containing the constraint condition to calculate the first coordinates. Furthermore, we use the Taylor expansion formula to correct the coordinates of the unknown node. In addition, this localization method has been validated by establishing the real environment.