bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effect of bone allografts combined with bone marrow stromal cells on the healing of segmental bone defects in a sheep model
Authors: Fernandes Marco Bernardo C , Guimarães João Antônio Matheus , Casado Priscila Ladeira , Cavalcanti Amanda dos Santos , Gonçalves Natalia N , Ambrósio Carlos E , Rodrigues Fernando , Pinto Ana Carolina F , Miglino Maria Angélica , Duarte Maria Eugênia L
Published: February 2014

Background

The repair of large bone defects is a major orthopedic challenge because autologous bone grafts are not available in large amounts and because harvesting is often associated with donor-site morbidity. Considering that bone marrow stromal cells (BMSC) are responsible for the maintenance of bone turnover throughout life, we investigated bone repair at a site of a critically sized segmental defect in sheep tibia treated with BMSCs loaded onto allografts. The defect was created in the mid-portion of the tibial diaphysis of eight adult sheep, and the sheep were treated with ex-vivo expanded autologous BMSCs isolated from marrow aspirates and loaded onto cortical allografts (n = 4). The treated sheep were compared with control sheep that had been treated with cell-free allografts (n = 4) obtained from donors of the same breed as the receptor sheep.

Results

The healing response was monitored by radiographs monthly and by computed tomography and histology at six, ten, fourteen, and eighteen weeks after surgery. For the cell-loaded allografts, union was established more rapidly at the interface between the host bone and the allograft, and the healing process was more conspicuous. Remodeling of the allograft was complete at 18 weeks in the cell-treated animals. Histologically, the marrow cavity was reestablished, with intertrabecular spaces being filled with adipose marrow and with evidence of focal hematopoiesis.

Conclusions

Allografts cellularized with AOCs (allografts of osteoprogenitor cells) can generate great clinical outcomes to noncellularized allografts to consolidate, reshape, structurally and morphologically reconstruct bone and bone marrow in a relatively short period of time. These features make this strategy very attractive for clinical use in orthopedic bioengineering.
Ruptured subscapular artery aneurysm and subclavian artery occlusion in a patient with type 1 neurofibromatosis: a case report
Authors: Moreau Antoine , Joskin Julien , Kreutz Julie , Nchimi Alain
Published: February 2014

Introduction

Collateral muscular artery aneurysm is exceedingly rare. We report the first case of subscapular artery aneurysm in a patient with type 1 neurofibromatosis and ipsilateral chronic subclavian artery occlusion.

Case presentation

A 74-year-old Caucasian woman with a medical history of type 1 neurofibromatosis, presented a sudden left pectoral mass, later diagnosed as a ruptured aneurysm of the left subscapular artery. It was caused by a chronic occlusion of the left subclavian artery, diagnosed on angiographies prior to embolization.

Conclusions

Collateral artery aneurysm in the event of a mainstream muscular artery chronic occlusion may occur in type 1 neurofibromatosis.
Management of intra-abdominal hypertension and abdominal compartment syndrome: a review
Authors: Hunt Leanne , Frost Steve A , Hillman Ken , Newton Phillip J , Davidson Patricia M
Published: February 2014

Patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) are at risk of developing of intra abdominal hypertension (IAH) and abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS).

Aim: This review seeks to define IAH and ACS, identify the aetiology and presentation of IAH and ACS, identify IAP measurement techniques, identify current management and discuss the implications of IAH and ACS for nursing practice. A search of the electronic databases was supervised by a health librarian. The electronic data bases Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL); Medline, EMBASE, and the World Wide Web was undertaken from 1996- January 2011 using MeSH and key words which included but not limited to: abdominal compartment syndrome, intra -abdominal hypertension, intra-abdominal pressure in adult populations met the search criteria and were reviewed by three authors using a critical appraisal tool. Data derived from the retrieved material are discussed under the following themes: (1) etiology of intra-abdominal hypertension; (2) strategies for measuring intra-abdominal pressure (3) the manifestation of abdominal compartment syndrome; and (4) the importance of nursing assessment, observation and interventions. Intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) and abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) have the potential to alter organ perfusion and compromise organ function.
Respiratory viruses within homeless shelters in Marseille, France
Authors: Thiberville Simon-djamel , Salez Nicolas , Benkouiten Samir , Badiaga Sekene , Charrel Remi , Brouqui Philippe
Published: February 2014

Background

Homeless shelters are identified as places where humans are at high risk of acquiring respiratory disease. We previously reported the prevalence of the main respiratory diseases affecting a population of homeless in Marseille, France. Here, we investigated the prevalence of 10 respiratory viruses in a similar homeless population during 2 successive winter seasons.

Findings

Following a clinical examination, we collected nasal specimens from which the RT-PCR detection of 10 respiratory viruses was performed through snapshot investigations. Among the 265 patients included, 150 (56.6%) reported at least one respiratory symptom of which 13 (8.7%) had positive swabs for at least one respiratory virus, and 115 patients reported any respiratory symptom of which 10 (8.7%) had positive swabs for respiratory virus. Overall, 23 patients had positive swabs for at least one respiratory virus. Human rhinovirus (HRV) was the predominant virus (13 isolates) followed by enteroviruses (3), human metapneumovirus (2), human coronavirus OC43 (2), 229E virus (2) and human respiratory syncytial virus subtype B (1). Among the patients infected with HRV, 10 were collected during the same snapshot.

Conclusions

Although one half of the patients reported respiratory symptoms, the prevalence of respiratory viruses was within the range of that previously described in adult asymptomatic patients outside the homeless community. Most HRV-positive swabs were collected during the same snapshot suggesting a local outbreak. No influenza viruses were found despite the fact that one half of the patients were investigated during the peak of the seasonal influenza epidemic in Marseille.
Coupling groundwater modeling and biological indicators for identifying river/aquifer exchanges
Authors: Graillot Didier , Paran Frédéric , Bornette Gudrun , Marmonier Pierre , Piscart Christophe , Cadilhac Laurent
Published: February 2014

Future climate changes and the resulting modifications in anthropogenic activities will alter the interactions between rivers and groundwater. The quantification of these hydraulic interactions is absolutely necessary for achieving sustainable water use and requires accurate analytical methodologies. This report proposes an interdisciplinary approach to the quantitative and qualitative characterization of hydraulic interactions between rivers and shallow aquifers, wherein it outlines the advantages of coupling groundwater modeling with biological markers. As a first step, we built independent diagnostic maps of hydrological exchanges at the sector scale on the basis of hydrogeological modeling and biological indicators. In a second step, these maps were compared to provide a quantitative and qualitative understanding of exchanges between groundwater and surface water. This comparison significantly improved the calibration of groundwater models through a better assessment of boundary zones. Our approach enabled us to identify the conditions under which it could be possible to use biological indicators instead of a large set of piezometric measures. The integration of such combined tools in a future decision support system will assist governmental authorities in proposing appropriate long-term water policies for the preservation of groundwater resources, such as for supplying potable water and/or mitigating pollution risks.
Prothrombin complex concentrates and a specific antidote to dabigatran are effective ex-vivo in reversing the effects of dabigatran in an anticoagulation/liver trauma experimental model
Authors: Grottke Oliver , van Ryn Joanne , Spronk Henri MH , Rossaint Rolf
Published: February 2014

Introduction

New oral anticoagulants are effective alternatives to warfarin. However, no specific reversal agents are available for life-threatening bleeding or emergency surgery. Using a porcine model of trauma, this study assessed the ability of prothrombin complex concentrate (PCC), activated PCC (aPCC), recombinant FVIIa (rFVIIa) and a specific antidote to dabigatran (aDabi-Fab) to reverse the anticoagulant effects of dabigatran.

Methods

Dabigatran etexilate (DE) was given orally for 3 days (30 mg/kg bid) and intravenously on day 4 to achieve consistent, supratherapeutic concentrations of dabigatran. Blood samples were collected at baseline, after oral DE, after intravenous dabigatran, and 60 minutes post-injury. PCC (30 and 60 U/kg), aPCC (30 and 60 U/kg), rFVIIa (90 and 180 μg/kg) and antidote (60 and 120 mg/kg) were added to blood samples ex-vivo. Coagulation was assessed by thromboelastometry, global coagulation assays and diluted thrombin time.

Results

Plasma concentrations of dabigatran were 380 ± 106 ng/ml and 1423 ± 432 ng/ml after oral and intravenous administration, respectively, and all coagulation parameters were affected by dabigatran. Both PCCs and aDabi-Fab, but not rFVIIa, reversed the effects of dabigatran on thromboelastometry parameters and prothrombin time. In contrast, aPTT was only normalised by aDabi-Fab. Plasma concentration (activity) of dabigatran remained elevated after PCC and rFVIIa therapy, but was not measureable after aDabi-Fab.

Conclusion

In conclusion, PCC and aPCC were effective in reducing the anticoagulant effects of dabigatran under different conditions, while aDabi-Fab fully corrected all coagulation measures and decreased the plasma concentration of dabigatran below the limit of detection. No significant effects were observed with rFVIIa.
Involvement of fibrinolytic regulators in adhesion of monocytes to vascular endothelial cells induced by glycated LDL and to aorta from diabetic mice
Authors: Zhao Ruozhi , Ren Song , Moghadasain Mohammed H , Rempel Julia D , Shen Garry X
Published: February 2014

Diabetes mellitus accelerates the development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases. Monocyte adhesion is an early cellular event of atherogenesis. Elevated levels of glyLDL were common in diabetic patients. Our previous studies indicated that HSF1 and p22-phox (a subunit of the NOX complex) were involved in glyLDL-induced up-regulation of PAI-1 in vascular EC. The present study demonstrated that glyLDL significantly increased the adhesion of monocytes to the surface of cultured human umbilical vein or PAEC. Transfection of siRNA for PAI-1, p22-phox, or HSF1 in EC prevented glyLDL-induced monocyte adhesion to EC. uPA siRNA increased monocyte adhesion to EC. Exogenous uPA reduced monocyte adhesion induced by glyLDL or uPA siRNA. Exogenous PAI-1 restored monocyte adhesion to EC inhibited by PAI-1 siRNA or uPA. GlyLDL-induced monocyte adhesion to EC was inhibited by treatment of EC with RAP, an antagonist for LRP, and enhanced by uPAR antibody. The adhesion of monocytes to aorta from leptin db/db diabetic mice was significantly greater than to that from control mice, which was associated with elevated contents of PAI-1, uPA, p22-phox, and HSF1 in hearts of db/db mice. The results suggest that oxidative stress and fibrinolytic regulators (PAI-1, uPA, and uPAR) are implicated in the modulation of glyLDL-induced monocyte adhesion to vascular endothelium, which may play a crucial role in vascular inflammation under diabetes-associated metabolic disorder.
Foundation News
Authors: Blythe Natalie
Published: February 2014

A new year brings new changes for the SEG Foundation as its Board of Directors appointed Michael C. Forrest to the position of 2014 Board Chairman during its December meeting. “It was unexpected, but like every project I have, I will give 110% effort,” he said. Mike takes the reins from Tom Smith, who served as the Foundation's Chairman from 2011 to 2013.
Risk Decision Making and Seismic Risk Preparedness at North American Seaports: Analysis of a System-Wide Survey
Authors: Scharks Tim , Bostrom Ann , Reimann-Garretson Lori , Rix Glenn
Published: February 2014

Seaports are important drivers of regional economies, and many face seismic risks. This study examines whether and how North American seaports consider, have engaged in, or have the capacity to effectively plan, manage, and mitigate seismic risks. Of particular interest is the way in which the evolving public–private governance arrangements in ports influence risk decision making. Results from a survey of North American seaports ( N = 61) show that—contrary to expectations—port privatization influences seismic planning only indirectly through stakeholder influences on decisions, if at all, and ports identify optimizing economic development prospects as their primary strategic goal, rather than return on investment. Although seismic hazard is predictive of seismic planning, some higher-hazard ports report no plans to assess seismic vulnerability and report informal or no seismic mitigation plans. Further, higher-hazard ports are no more likely than lower-hazard ports to prioritize safety enhancements.
Sept7bis essential for pronephric function and development of left-right asymmetry in zebrafish embryogenesis
Authors: Dash Surjya Narayan , Lehtonen Eero , Wasik Anita A. , Schepis Antonino , Paavola Jere , Panula Pertti , Nelson W. James , Lehtonen Sanna
Published: February 2014

The conserved septin family of filamentous small GTPases plays important roles in mitosis, cell migration, and cell morphogenesis by forming scaffolds and diffusion barriers. Recent studies in tissue culture cells indicate that a septin complex of septin 2, 7 and 9 is required for ciliogenesis and cilia function, but septin function in ciliogenesis in vertebrate organs in vivo is not understood. We show that sept7b is expressed in ciliated cells in different tissues in early zebrafish development. Knockdown of sept7b by morpholino antisense oligonucleotides caused misorientation of basal bodies and cilia, reduction of apical actin, and shortening of motile cilia in Kupffer's vesicle and pronephric tubules. This resulted in pericardial and yolk sac edema, body axis curvature, and hydrocephaly. Significantly, in sept7b morphants we detected strong left-right asymmetry defects in the heart and lateral plate mesoderm (situs inversus), reduced fluid flow in the kidney, the formation of kidney cysts, and loss of glomerular filtration barrier function. Thus, sept7b is essential in zebrafish development for pronephric function and ciliogenesis, and loss of sept7b expression results in defects that resemble human ciliopathies.
From Sick Man of Europe to Economic Superstar: Germany's Resurgent Economy
Authors: Dustmann Christian , Fitzenberger Bernd , Schönberg Uta , Spitz-Oener Alexandra
Published: February 2014

In the late 1990s and into the early 2000s, Germany was often called “the sick man of Europe.” Indeed, Germany's economic growth averaged only about 1.2 percent per year from 1998 to 2005, including a recession in 2003, and unemployment rates rose from 9.2 percent in 1998 to 11.1 percent in 2005. Today, after the Great Recession, Germany is described as an “economic superstar.” In contrast to most of its European neighbors and the United States, Germany experienced almost no increase in unemployment during the Great Recession, despite a sharp decline in GDP in 2008 and 2009. Germany's exports reached an all-time record of $1.738 trillion in 2011, which is roughly equal to half of Germany's GDP, or 7.7 percent of world exports. Even the euro crisis seems not to have been able to stop Germany's strengthening economy and employment. How did Germany, with the fourth-largest GDP in the world transform itself from “the sick man of Europe” to an “economic superstar” in less than a decade? We present evidence that the specific governance structure of the German labor market institutions allowed them to react flexibly in a time of extraordinary economic circumstances, and that this distinctive characteristic of its labor market institutions has been the main reason for Germany's economic success over the last decade.
Agricultural Biotechnology: The Promise and Prospects of Genetically Modified Crops
Authors: Barrows Geoffrey , Sexton Steven , Zilberman David
Published: February 2014

For millennia, humans have modified plant genes in order to develop crops best suited for food, fiber, feed, and energy production. Conventional plant breeding remains inherently random and slow, constrained by the availability of desirable traits in closely related plant species. In contrast, agricultural biotechnology employs the modern tools of genetic engineering to reduce uncertainty and breeding time and to transfer traits from more distantly related plants. Critics express concerns that the technology imposes negative environmental effects and jeopardizes the health of those who consume the “frankenfoods.” Supporters emphasize potential gains from boosting output and lowering food prices for consumers. They argue that such gains are achieved contemporaneous with the adoption of farming practices that lower agrochemical use and lessen soil. The extensive experience with agricultural biotechnology since 1996 provides ample evidence with which to test the claims of supporters and opponents and to evaluate the prospects of genetic crop engineering. In this paper, we begin with an overview of the adoption of the first generation of agricultural biotechnology crops. We then look at the evidence on the effects of these crops: on output and prices, on the environment, and on consumer health. Finally, we consider intellectual property issues surrounding this new technology.
The second touch hypothesis: T cell activation, homing and polarization
Authors: Ley Klaus
Published: February 2014

The second touch hypothesis states that T cell activation, proliferation, induction of homing receptors and polarization are distinguishable and, at least in part, sequential. The second touch hypothesis maintains that full T cell polarization requires T cell interaction with antigen-presenting cells (DCs, macrophages, B cells and certain activated stromal cells) in the non-lymphoid tissue where the antigen resides. Upon initial antigen encounter in peripheral lymph nodes (PLN), T cells become activated, proliferate and express homing receptors that enable them to recirculate to the (inflamed) tissue that contains the antigen. Differentiation into the T helper lineages Th1, Th2, Th17 and induced regulatory T cells (iTreg) requires additional antigen presentation by tissue macrophages and other antigen presenting cells (APCs) in the inflamed tissue. Here, I present a conceptual framework for the importance of peripheral (non-lymphoid) antigen presentation to antigen-experienced T cells.
Industrial Enterprises Competitiveness in the Context оf World Economic Relations
Authors: Развязнев  , Razvyaznev I.
Published: February 2014

The paper concerns the following issues: features of economic development

in the last quarter of XXth century; dynamics of competitive environment;

factors of competitiveness and directions for strategic development of enterprises

in the priority industries. Ways to boost competitiveness, tailored specifically

for this country, are outlined and relevant legislation is analyzed. Urgency of

the presented research is conditioned by the fact that after Russia has acceded

to the WTO, competition at the national and foreign markets has become even

more aggravated.
Low Cost-Effectiveness of the Russian Economy. Dynamic Models of Development
Authors: Худяков  , Khudyakov S. , Кулаго  , Kulago A. , Мерзликин  , Merzlikin V. , Красс  , Krass Maksim
Published: February 2014

The following national income dynamics models are considered: Keynes model

and modified Keynes model, which takes into account expenditure factor of

the Russian economy. It is shown, that high public expenditures and low

cost-effectiveness of economy can move the economy towards the degradation

stage (bifurcation point of the differential equation solution), that can cause

the need for significant external borrowings. Major causes of high costs in

the Russian economy are indicated. The key economic strategy provisions

that can enable the Russian economy to make transition to the sustainable

development path are considered.
Major Foreign Approaches and Conceptions of Place Marketing Accelerated Development
Authors: Данько  , Danko Tamara , Лазарев  , Lazarev M.
Published: February 2014

The paper considers the rise and development of place marketing by foreign researches. The most prominent approaches, conceptions and classifications for place marketing and place branding, elaborated by foreign authors, are represented. The typology of place consumers is also presented.
APRENDER A INVESTIGAR: UMA PROPOSTA DE TRABALHO NA FORMAÇÃO INICIAL DE PROFESSORES
Authors: Linhares Elisabete Fernandes , Cavadas Bento
Published: February 2014

Este estudo centra-se no trabalho investigativo desenvolvido pelos estudantes da unidade curricular de Investigação em Estudo do Meio (IEM) do curso de Licenciatura em Educação Básica da Escola Superior de Educação de Santarém. Os principais objetivos deste trabalho são apresentar as metodologias de ensino usadas em IEM, compreender como o trabalho desenvolvido em IEM foi percebido pelos estudantes e conhecer as competências investigativas que desenvolveram. A metodologia de ensino seguida em IEM contempla um percurso tutorial organizado em três etapas: Fase I. Contextualização; Fase II. Desenvolvimento da Investigação e Fase III. Divulgação. Os dados obtidos através de um questionário online e notas de campo permitiram aferir, globalmente, que o trabalho realizado em IEM teve um papel fundamental no desenvolvimento das competências investigativas dos estudantes em diversos domínios, tendo sido fundamental para a formação global dos futuros profissionais de educação.http://dx.doi.org/10.14572/nuances.v24i3.2607
MÉTODOS MISTOS DE PESQUISA EM EDUCAÇÃO: PRESSUPOSTOS TEÓRICOS
Authors: Dal-Farra Rossano André , Lopes Paulo Tadeu Campos
Published: February 2014

A utilização de métodos mistos em pesquisa tem sido crescente em inúmeros campos do conhecimento. A conjugação de elementos qualitativos e quantitativos possibilita ampliar a obtenção de resultados em abordagens investigativas, proporcionando ganhos relevantes para as pesquisas complexas realizadas no campo da Educação. Minimizando possíveis dificuldades na conjugação de práticas investigativas quantitativas e qualitativas, tais pesquisas podem produzir resultados relevantes, assim como podem orientar caminhos promissores a serem explorados por pesquisadores e educadores. Diante da riqueza oriunda de práticas de cunho qualitativo, e das possibilidades de quantificação de inúmeras variáveis que podem ser analisadas na esfera da Educação, há um amplo leque de caminhos investigativos a serem explorados na realização de pesquisas que envolvam os processos de ensino e aprendizagem. Por esta razão, este artigo tem como objetivo apresentar os pressupostos básicos dos métodos mistos, bem como as possíveis implicações de sua utilização em práticas investigativas neste âmbito do saber, incluindo os aspectos subjacentes aos domínios teóricos e aos campos de coleta de informações para os quais se dedicam. Longe de buscar uma receita prática a ser utilizada, pretende-se, no presente texto, preponderantemente, a problematização das práticas de pesquisa, assim como as possibilidades de aplicação destas no campo da Educação.http://dx.doi.org/10.14572/nuances.v24i3.2698
AS CONTRIBUIÇÕES DO PENSAMENTO BAKHTINIANO PARA O CAMPO DAS PESQUISAS EM EDUCAÇÃO
Authors: Da Silva Livia Sousa , Alves Laura Maria Silva Araújo
Published: February 2014

Este ensaio ocupa-se da reflexão acerca do pensamento do filósofo russo Mikhail Bakhtin e sua interlocução com o campo de estudos sobre Educação no Brasil, a partir da apreciação das teses e dissertações oriundas de programas strictu senso em Educação, da base de dados da Biblioteca Digital de Teses e Dissertações (BDTD). Parte-se desse substrato para ressaltar em que medida a teoria bakhtiniana tem sido utilizada enquanto arcabouço teórico-metodológico nesse campo de pesquisa: as categorias mais usuais, os objetos abordados, as fontes analisadas, os resultados e subsídios que se tem construído para a compreensão das questões educacionais, assim como as possibilidades de construção de conhecimento que despontam do enfrentamento da realidade a partir desse olhar, dessa abordagem epistemológica. Muito embora saibamos que Bakhtin não se tenha expressado especialmente sobre Educação, acreditamos que seus contributos de compreensão do mundo através das relações dialógicas que se materializam pelas linguagens, sejam de grande pertinência aos que se ocupam das problemáticas e cenários educacionais. Desta forma suscitamos a apropriação dos estudos bakhtinianos no campo da Educação, como possível experiência epistemológica, destacando um crescente interesse da Educação sobre esse arcabouço teórico-metodológico, embora ainda demonstre desproporcionalidade em virtude de outras correntes de pensamento e abordagens metodológicas.http://dx.doi.org/10.14572/nuances.v24i3.2701
APRENDER COM A DIVERSIDADE: AS METODOLOGIAS DE APRENDIZAGEM COOPERATIVA NA SALA DE AULA
Authors: Pereira Marta , Sanches Isabel Rodrigues
Published: February 2014

Muitos são os autores que se referem às metodologias de aprendizagem cooperativa, diferenciação pedagógica inclusiva e às estruturas de cooperação aplicadas pelo Movimento da Escola Moderna como recursos fundamentais na resposta às especificidades da diversidade humana, eficazes na criação de ambientes de aprendizagem ricos e estimulantes e potenciadores de uma educação de qualidade para todos os alunos. Neste âmbito, e numa tentativa de responder eficazmente às necessidades de uma turma do ensino regular (2º ano de escolaridade ), numa escola portuguesa dos arredores de Lisboa, apresenta-se o presente estudo enquanto análise e reflexão dos contributos, benefícios/inconvenientes da aplicação das metodologias/estratégias de ensino e aprendizagem enunciadas, no que concerne à aquisição de competências académicas, melhoria da dinâmica das relações estabelecidas no grupo e alterações comportamentais. Para tal, e tendo a metodologia de investigação-ação como base deste trabalho de projeto, definiram-se as linhas orientadoras da intervenção, planificou-se e aplicou-se um plano de ação assente numa intervenção e avaliação contínua e sistemática, que recolheu como campos de intervenção semanal a turma, a família e a comunidade educativa. Após concluída a intervenção, registaram-se melhorias significativas ao nível académico e comportamental e um acréscimo das estruturas relacionais, ao nível da turma, e uma maior participação dos pais/encarregados de educação no processo educativo dos seus educandos.http://dx.doi.org/10.14572/nuances.v24i3.2702
OS DIRETORES DA DIRETORIA DE ENSINO DE PRESIDENTE PRUDENTE/SP: PERFIL E CONCEPÇÕES
Authors: Leite Yoshie Ussami Ferrari , Militão Andréia Nunes , Di Giorgi Cristiano Amaral Garboggini , Perboni Fabio , Zechi Juliana Aparecida Matias , Menin Maria Suzana De Stefano , De Oliveira Patrícia Cralcev , Militão Silvio Cesar Nunes , Machado Vanda Moreira
Published: February 2014

Este artigo apresenta e discute resultados parciais da pesquisa intitulada “Desenvolvimento Profissional do Gestor Escolar na Perspectiva da Pesquisa-Ação: das representações à reorganização escolar” cujo objetivo geral é aprimorar a formação dos gestores escolares da Diretoria de Ensino de Presidente Prudente (DE/PP). O objetivo deste trabalho é apresentar o perfil dos diretores da DE/PP e identificar/analisar pela voz dos próprios profissionais o que pensam sobre diferentes aspectos que perpassam sua atuação profissional, suas concepções sobre seu papel, suas dificuldades e o que pensam sobre a gestão democrática na escola pública estadual. Problematiza, ainda, aspectos relacionados à formação destes sujeitos, a partir dos documentos gestados pela Secretaria Estadual de Educação (SEE/SP) recuperando, dessa forma, a trajetória de formação dos diretores. A pesquisa se insere na abordagem qualitativa e utiliza-se como procedimento de coleta de dados, a pesquisa documental e a aplicação de questionário junto a 35 diretores escolares. Para categorização e análise das questões abertas recorremos à técnica de análise de conteúdo e para as questões fechadas utilizamos o software Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). Como resultados parciais, verificou-se que a maioria dos diretores valoriza a gestão democrática e compreende o enorme desafio que isso representa em sua atuação profissional no cotidiano da escola pública. Por outro lado, os diretores têm uma percepção de sua atuação que mescla elementos com ênfase numa liderança política de incentivar a participação e a gestão democrática com uma concepção mais técnica de sua atuação. Com relação à formação continuada, constatamos que existe uma acentuada preocupação com a formação dos gestores por parte da SEE/SP, intensificada na última década.http://dx.doi.org/10.14572/nuances.v24i3.2703
Replication and Returns to Scale in Production
Authors: Jensen Christian
Published: February 2014

Replication alone does not yield a smooth constant-returns-to-scale production function as those usually assumed in the literature. However, such a function arises endogenously with replication, driven by profit-maximization, if the efficiency of the underlying production process varies with the intensity it is operated at, and reaches a maximum at a stationary point. The result applies when the number of production processes must be discrete, thus overcoming the so-called integer problem. When inputs are non-rival, public goods or generated by externalities, replication can lead to increasing or decreasing returns to scale.
Perceptions of communication, family adaptability and cohesion: a comparison of adolescents newly diagnosed with cancer and their parents
Authors: Phillips-Salimi Celeste R. , Robb Sheri L. , Monahan Patrick O. , Dossey Amy , Haase Joan E.
Published: February 2014

Purpose: To describe and compare adolescent and parent perspectives on communication, family adaptability and cohesion, as well as relationships among these variables, during the first month of an adolescent’s cancer diagnosis.

Methods: Seventy adolescent-parent dyads were enrolled as part of a larger multi-site study. The adolescents ranged in age from 11 to 19, and 61% were males. Parents were predominately mothers (83%). Dyads were predominately non-Hispanic Caucasian (63%). Measures included the Parent-Adolescent Communication Scale and the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scale (FACES II). Paired t-tests, Pearson correlations, intra-class correlation coefficients and multiple linear regression analyses were completed.

Results: Adolescent scores on communication, family adaptability and cohesion were significantly lower than parent scores. The inter-dyadic agreement between adolescents and parents was low. Communication, family adaptability and cohesion were examined separately for adolescents and for parents, and significant relationships were found. Both adolescent- and parent-perceived communication was significantly associated with family adaptability and cohesion outcomes.

Conclusions: Differences were found in adolescent and parent perceptions of communication, family adaptability and cohesion. When both adolescents and parents had better perceived communication, this was associated with better perceived family adaptability and cohesion. Results suggest that the development of interventions to enhance adolescent-parent communication could help foster better family adaptability and cohesion, which may ultimately impact their psychological adjustment. In addition, understanding the degree to which adolescents and parents disagree on their perceptions, including the results that parents generally have more favorable perceptions, may be a useful starting point when developing interventions.
Predictors of suicide ideation and risk for HIV among juvenile offenders in Georgia
Authors: Stephens Torrance , Holliday Rhonda C.
Published: February 2014

The purpose of this study was to examine self-reported thoughts of suicide, HIV risk behaviors and history of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in a sample of adolescent juvenile offenders in Georgia. Participants were 2260 juvenile offenders housed at selected youth development campuses (YDCs) in the state of Georgia. Self-reported measures of suicide ideation, HIV risk, and past occurrence of STIs were collected. Significance tests were conducted using univariate logistic regressions to examine the independent associations of lifetime self-reported thoughts of suicide and dichotomized HIV risk behaviour correlates prior to incarceration. Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were presented. Significant differences were observed between juveniles in several factors for increased risk, including having been previously incarcerated (p<0.04), having had more than five alcoholic drinks in the same day (p<0.007), and having performed oral sex (p<0.028). We suggest that interventions for juvenile offenders that report thoughts of suicide, and that focus on HIV risk reduction should be developed based on the consideration of targeting factors that increase risk to specific STIs.
Prevalence of menstrual disorders among adolescent girls in Osogbo, South Western Nigeria
Authors: Amu Eyitope O. , Bamidele James O.
Published: February 2014

Background: Menstrual disorders are common sources of morbidity among adolescent girls and often cause anxiety for these girls and their families.

Objective: This paper aims to determine the patterns of menstruation as well as the prevalence of menstrual disorders and their consequences among adolescent girls in Osogbo, South Western Nigeria.

Subjects: Adolescent school girls aged 10–19 years comprised the sample.

Methods: The study employed a descriptive cross-sectional design. A pre-tested, self administered, semi-structured questionnaire was used to elicit information from 402 adolescents selected from private secondary schools in the Osogbo Local Government Area (LGA) of Osun State, using a multistage sampling technique. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 15.

Results: A total of 391 (97.8%) respondents had heard about menstruation before, with the three most important sources of information being their mothers (81.8%), teachers (7.4%), and peer groups (6.1%). The mean age at menarche was 12.5±1.0 years. Menstrual bleeding lasted between 2–7 days in 81.1% and cycle length lasted for 21–35 days in 81.6% of the respondents. The three most important menstrual disorders they experienced were dysmenorrhea (77.8%), menorrhagia (57.4%) and metrorrhagia (18.6%), among others. Menstrual disorders, especially dysmenorrhea, interfered with the daily activities of the respondents.

Conclusion: The prevalence of menstrual disorders among adolescents in the Osogbo LGA is high. Measures should be undertaken to educate the adolescents and their mothers about menstrual disorders and to mitigate their effects on the social and academic lives of these adolescents.
A framework for autonomic workload management in DBMSs
Authors: Zhang Mingyi , Martin Patrick , Powley Wendy , Bird Paul , Kalmuk David
Published: February 2014

In today's database server environments, multiple types of workloads
can be present in a system simultaneously. Workload types may include on-line
transaction processing and business intelligence. Workloads may also have
different levels of business importance and distinct performance objectives,
which are typically derived from service level agreements. An autonomic
workload management system for database management systems (DBMSs) dynamically
monitors and controls the flow of the workloads to help DBMSs achieve the
desired performance objectives. In this paper, we present a framework and
a prototype implementation for autonomic workload management in DBMSs. The
framework and the prototype provide the ability to achieve performance
objectives of workloads with diverse characteristics, different levels of
business importance and varying resource demands while protecting DBMSs
against performance failure. The prototype system is implemented on top of
IBM® DB2® Workload
Manager. Initial experiments using the prototype system are presented to
demonstrate the effectiveness of the framework.
Saffron in metabolic syndrome: its effects on antibody titers to heat-shock proteins 27, 60, 65 and 70
Authors: Shemshian Maryam , Mousavi Seyed Hadi , Norouzy Abdolreza , Kermani Tayebe , Moghiman Toktam , Sadeghi Akram , Ghayour-Mobarhan Majid , Ferns Gordon A.
Published: February 2014

Background: The metabolic syndrome is the most important risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The heat shock proteins (HSPs) are highly conserved families of proteins expressed by a number of cell types following exposure to stressful environmental conditions include several known risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Recent studies have shown the potential of constituents of saffron in the treatment of atherosclerosis. We aimed on investigating the effect of saffron on antibody titers to HSP in patients with metabolic syndrome.

Methods: This was a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial. One-hundred and five subjects with metabolic syndrome were randomly allocated to one of the three groups: the case group received 100 mg/day saffron, the placebo control group received a capsule of placebo and a non-placebo control group received no capsule, for 12 weeks.

Results: Antibodies against heat shock proteins 27, 60, 65 and 70 were determined in all patients before (week 0) and after (week 6 and 12) intervention. At 12 weeks, saffron produced a significantly decrease in AntiHSP27, 70 levels. Saffron can decrease AntiHSP27, 70 levels in patients with metabolic syndrome.

Conclusions: The results of this study indicate the efficacy of saffron in the improvement of some markers of autoimmunity HSPs in patients with metabolic syndrome.
Entropy production in simple special relativistic fluids
Authors: Brun-Battistini Dominique , Sandoval-Villalbazo Alfredo , García-Perciante Ana L.
Published: February 2014

It is well known that, in the absence of external forces, simple non-relativistic
fluids involve entropy production only through heat conduction and
shear viscosity [De Groot, S. R. and Mazur, P.,
Non-Equilibrium Thermodynamics, Dover, Mineola, 1984]. In this work, it is shown that a number
density gradient contributes to the local entropy production of a
simple relativistic fluid using special relativistic kinetic theory.
Also, the presence of an external field may cause strictly relativistic
contributions to the entropy production, a fact not widely recognized.
The implications of these effects are thoroughly discussed.
Respiratory Viral Infection in Neonatal Piglets Causes Marked Microglia Activation in the Hippocampus and Deficits in Spatial Learning
Authors: Elmore Monica R. P. , Burton Michael D. , Conrad Matthew S. , Rytych Jennifer L. , Van Alstine William G. , Johnson Rodney W.
Published: February 2014

Environmental insults during sensitive periods can affect hippocampal development and function, but little is known about peripheral infection, especially in humans and other animals whose brain is gyrencephalic and experiences major perinatal growth. Using a piglet model, the present study showed that inoculation on postnatal day 7 with the porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) caused microglial activation within the hippocampus with 82% and 43% of isolated microglia being MHC II+13 and 20 d after inoculation, respectively. In control piglets, <5% of microglia isolated from the hippocampus were MHC II+. PRRSV piglets were febrile (p< 0.0001), anorectic (p< 0.0001), and weighed less at the end of the study (p= 0.002) compared with control piglets. Increased inflammatory gene expression (e.g., IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and IFN-γ) was seen across multiple brain regions, including the hippocampus, whereas reductions in CD200, NGF, and MBP were evident. In a test of spatial learning, PRRSV piglets took longer to acquire the task, had a longer latency to choice, and had a higher total distance moved. Overall, these data demonstrate that viral respiratory infection is associated with a marked increase in activated microglia in the hippocampus, neuroinflammation, and impaired performance in a spatial cognitive task. As respiratory infections are common in human neonates and infants, approaches to regulate microglial cell activity are likely to be important.
Structural Differences in Hippocampal and Prefrontal Gray Matter Volume Support Flexible Context-Dependent Navigation Ability
Authors: Brown Thackery I. , Whiteman Andrew S. , Aselcioglu Irem , Stern Chantal E.
Published: February 2014

Spatial navigation is a fundamental part of daily life. Humans differ in their individual abilities to flexibly navigate their world, and a critical question is how this variability relates to differences in underlying brain structure. Our experiment examined individual differences in the ability to flexibly navigate routes that overlap with, and must be distinguished from, previously learned trajectories. We related differences in flexible navigation performance to differences in brain morphology in healthy young adults using voxel-based morphometry. Our findings provide novel evidence that individual differences in gray matter volume in the hippocampus and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex correlate with our ability rapidly to learn and flexibly navigate routes through our world.
NG2-Glia from Pallial Progenitors Produce the Largest Clonal Clusters of the Brain: Time Frame of Clonal Generation in Cortex and Olfactory Bulb
Authors: García-Marqués Jorge , Núñez-Llaves Raúl , López-Mascaraque Laura
Published: February 2014

NG2-glia are the most unknown population originating in the CNS. Despite their relative abundance in the brain, fundamental questions about their function, heterogeneity, and origin remain in debate. Particularly, it is still intriguing how these cells escaped from classicalin vivoclonal analyses describing other neural types. Using StarTrack labeling in mouse brains, we found that NG2-glia are produced as immense clonal clusters whose number of cells is about one order of magnitude higher than in other neural types. Unexpectedly, this number remained low during embryonic and early postnatal stages, increasing during adulthood. In addition, we also demonstrated a pallial origin of a telencephalic NG2 population, which in the olfactory bulb is derived from local progenitors. Together, our results reveal an original ontogenic process that gives rise to the NG2-glia population and expands the previously established limits of development.
Hilar Mossy Cells Provide the First Glutamatergic Synapses to Adult-Born Dentate Granule Cells
Authors: Chancey Jessica H. , Poulsen David J. , Wadiche Jacques I. , Overstreet-Wadiche Linda
Published: February 2014

Adult-generated granule cells (GCs) in the dentate gyrus must establish synapses with preexisting neurons to participate in network activity. To determine the source of early glutamatergic synapses on newborn GCs in adult mice, we examined synaptic currents at the developmental stage when NMDA receptor-mediated silent synapses are first established. We show that hilar mossy cells provide initial glutamatergic synapses as well as disynaptic GABAergic input to adult-generated dentate GCs.
Hippocampal Binding of Novel Information with Dominant Memory Traces Can Support Both Memory Stability and Change
Authors: Bridge Donna J. , Voss Joel L.
Published: February 2014

Memory stability and change are considered opposite outcomes. We tested the counterintuitive notion that both depend on one process: hippocampal binding of memory features to associatively novel information, or associative novelty binding (ANB). Building on the idea that dominant memory features, or “traces,” are most susceptible to modification, we hypothesized that ANB would selectively involve dominant traces. Therefore, memory stability versus change should depend on whether the currently dominant trace is old versus updated; in either case, novel information will be bound with it, causing either maintenance (when old) or change (when updated). People in our experiment studied objects at locations within scenes (contexts). During reactivation in a new context, subjects moved studied objects to new locations either via active location recall or by passively dragging objects to predetermined locations. After active reactivation, the new object location became dominant in memory, whereas after passive reactivation, the old object location maintained dominance. In both cases, hippocampal ANB bound the currently dominant object-location memory with a context with which it was not paired previously (i.e., associatively novel). Stability occurred in the passive condition when ANB united the dominant original location trace with an associatively novel newer context. Change occurred in the active condition when ANB united the dominant updated object location with an associatively novel and older context. Hippocampal ANB of the currently dominant trace with associatively novel contextual information thus provides a single mechanism to support memory stability and change, with shifts in trace dominance during reactivation dictating the outcome.
Innervation by a GABAergic Neuron Depresses Spontaneous Release in Glutamatergic Neurons and Unveils the Clamping Phenotype of Synaptotagmin-1
Authors: Wierda Keimpe D. B. , Sørensen Jakob B.
Published: February 2014

The role of spontaneously occurring release events in glutamatergic and GABAergic neurons and their regulation is intensely debated. To study the interdependence of glutamatergic and GABAergic spontaneous release, we compared reciprocally connected “mixed” glutamatergic/GABAergic neuronal pairs from mice cultured on astrocyte islands with “homotypic” glutamatergic or GABAergic pairs and autaptic neurons. We measured mEPSC and mIPSC frequencies simultaneously from both neurons. Neuronal pairs formed both interneuronal synaptic and autaptic connections indiscriminately. We find that whereas mEPSC and mIPSC frequencies did not deviate between autaptic and synaptic connections, the frequency of mEPSCs in mixed pairs was strongly depressed compared with either autaptic neurons or glutamatergic pairs. Simultaneous imaging of synapses, or comparison to evoked release amplitudes, showed that this decrease was not caused by fewer active synapses. The mEPSC frequency was negatively correlated with the mIPSC frequency, indicating interdependence. Moreover, the reduction in mEPSC frequency was abolished when established pairs were exposed to bicuculline for 3 d, but not by long-term incubation with tetrodotoxin, indicating that spontaneous GABA release downregulates mEPSC frequency. Further investigations showed that knockout of synaptotagmin-1 did not affect mEPSC frequencies in either glutamatergic autaptic neurons or in glutamatergic pairs. However, in mixed glutamatergic/GABAergic pairs, mEPSC frequencies were increased by a factor of four in thesynaptotagmin-1-null neurons, which is in line with data obtained from mixed cultures. The effect persisted after incubation with BAPTA-AM. We conclude that spontaneous GABA release exerts control over mEPSC release, and GABAergic innervation of glutamatergic neurons unveils the unclamping phenotype of thesynaptotagmin-1-null neurons.