bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association between UGT1A1 Polymorphism and Risk of Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Huangfu Hui , Pan Hong , Wang Binquan , Wen Shuxin , Han Rui , Li Li
Published: January 2016

Laryngeal cancer is one of the largest subgroups of head and neck cancers. In addition to smoking and alcohol consumption, genetic polymorphisms are also risk factors for the development of laryngeal cancer. However, the exact relation between genetic variants and pathogenesis of laryngeal cancer has remained elusive. The aim of this study was to examine UGT1A1*6 (rs4148323 A/G) polymorphisms in 103 patients with laryngeal cancer and 220 controls using the high resolution melting curve (HRM) technique and to explore the association between UGT1A1*6 (rs4148323 A/G) polymorphisms and laryngeal cancer. The results showed an association between the rs4148323 G allele and increased risk of laryngeal cancer. While there was no statistically significant difference between rs4148323 genotype frequencies and different histological grades or different clinical stages of laryngeal cancer, stratification analysis indicated smoking or alcohol consumption and rs4148323 G allele combined to increase the risk of laryngeal cancer. In conclusion, the rs4148323 G allele is associated with the high UGT1A1 enzyme activity, and might increase the risk of laryngeal cancer. Furthermore, smoking or alcohol consumption and the rs4148323 G allele act synergistically to increase the risk of laryngeal cancer.
Pinnisterols A–C, New 9,11-Secosterols from a Gorgonian Pinnigorgia sp.
Authors: Chang Yu-Chia , Kuo Liang-Mou , Hwang Tsong-Long , Yeh Jessica , Wen Zhi-Hong , Fang Lee-Shing , Wu Yang-Chang , Lin Chan-Shing , Sheu Jyh-Horng , Sung Ping-Jyun
Published: January 2016

Three new 9,11-secosterols, pinnisterols A–C (1–3), were isolated from a gorgonian coral Pinnigorgia sp., collected off the waters of Taiwan. The structures of these compounds were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic methods. The new sterols 1 and 3 displayed significant inhibitory effects on the generation of superoxide anions and the release of elastase by human neutrophils, and sterol 1 was found to show moderate cytotoxicity in hepatic stellate cells (HSCs).
Inhibition of Ultraviolet B-Induced Expression of the Proinflammatory Cytokines TNF-α and VEGF in the Cornea by Fucoxanthin Treatment in a Rat Model
Authors: Chen Shiu-Jau , Lee Ching-Ju , Lin Tzer-Bin , Liu Hsiang-Jui , Huang Shuan-Yu , Chen Jia-Zeng , Tseng Kuang-Wen
Published: January 2016

Ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiation is the most common cause of radiation damage to the eyeball and is a risk factor for human corneal damage. We determined the protective effect of fucoxanthin, which is a carotenoid found in common edible seaweed, on ocular tissues against oxidative UVB-induced corneal injury. The experimental rats were intravenously injected with fucoxanthin at doses of 0.5, 5 mg/kg body weight/day or with a vehicle before UVB irradiation. Lissamine green for corneal surface staining showed that UVB irradiation caused serious damage on the corneal surface, including severe epithelial exfoliation and deteriorated epithelial smoothness. Histopathological lesion examination revealed that levels of proinflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), significantly increased. However, pretreatment with fucoxanthin inhibited UVB radiation-induced corneal disorders including evident preservation of corneal surface smoothness, downregulation of proinflammatory cytokine expression, and decrease of infiltrated polymorphonuclear leukocytes from UVB-induced damage. Moreover, significant preservation of the epithelial integrity and inhibition of stromal swelling were also observed after UVB irradiation in fucoxanthin-treated groups. Pretreatment with fucoxanthin may protect against UVB radiation-induced corneal disorders by inhibiting expression of proinflammatory factors, TNF-α, and VEGF and by blocking polymorphonuclear leukocyte infiltration.
Tropical Forests of Réunion Island Classified from Airborne Full-Waveform LiDAR Measurements
Authors: Shang Xiaoxia , Chazette Patrick , Totems Julien , Dieudonné Elsa , Hamonou Eric , Duflot Valentin , Strasberg Dominique , Flores Olivier , Fournel Jacques , Tulet Pierre
Published: January 2016

From an unprecedented experiment using airborne measurements performed over the rich forests of Réunion Island, this paper aims to present a methodology for the classification of diverse tropical forest biomes as retrieved from vertical profiles measured using a full-waveform LiDAR. This objective is met through the retrieval of both the canopy height and the Leaf Area Index (LAI), obtained as an integral of the foliage profile. The campaign involved sites ranging from coastal to rain forest, including tropical montane cloud forest, as found on the Bélouve plateau. The mean values of estimated LAI retrieved from the apparent foliage profile are between ~5 and 8 m2/m2, and the mean canopy height values are ~15 m for both tropical montane cloud and rain forests. Good agreement is found between LiDAR- and MODIS-derived LAI for moderate LAI (~5 m2/m2), but the LAI retrieved from LiDAR is larger than MODIS on thick rain forest sites (~8 against ~6 m2/m2 from MODIS). Regarding the characterization of tropical forest biomes, we show that the rain and montane tropical forests can be well distinguished from planted forests by the use of the parameters directly retrieved from LiDAR measurements.
Pre-Launch Radiometric Characterization of JPSS-1 VIIRS Thermal Emissive Bands
Authors: McIntire Jeff , Moyer David , Oudrari Hassan , Xiong Xiaoxiong
Published: January 2016

Pre-launch characterization and calibration of the thermal emissive spectral bands on the Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS-1) Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) is critical to ensure high quality data products for environmental and climate data records post-launch. A comprehensive test program was conducted at the Raytheon El Segundo facility in 2013–2014, including extensive environmental testing. This work is focused on the thermal band radiometric performance and stability, including evaluation of a number of sensor performance metrics and estimation of uncertainties. Analysis has shown that JPSS-1 VIIRS thermal bands perform very well in relation to their design specifications, and comparisons to the Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership (SNPP) VIIRS instrument have shown their performance to be comparable.
Optimization and Experimentation of Dual-Mass MEMS Gyroscope Quadrature Error Correction Methods
Authors: Cao Huiliang , Li Hongsheng , Kou Zhiwei , Shi Yunbo , Tang Jun , Ma Zongmin , Shen Chong , Liu Jun
Published: January 2016

This paper focuses on an optimal quadrature error correction method for the dual-mass MEMS gyroscope, in order to reduce the long term bias drift. It is known that the coupling stiffness and demodulation error are important elements causing bias drift. The coupling stiffness in dual-mass structures is analyzed. The experiment proves that the left and right masses’ quadrature errors are different, and the quadrature correction system should be arranged independently. The process leading to quadrature error is proposed, and the Charge Injecting Correction (CIC), Quadrature Force Correction (QFC) and Coupling Stiffness Correction (CSC) methods are introduced. The correction objects of these three methods are the quadrature error signal, force and the coupling stiffness, respectively. The three methods are investigated through control theory analysis, model simulation and circuit experiments, and the results support the theoretical analysis. The bias stability results based on CIC, QFC and CSC are 48 °/h, 9.9 °/h and 3.7 °/h, respectively, and this value is 38 °/h before quadrature error correction. The CSC method is proved to be the better method for quadrature correction, and it improves the Angle Random Walking (ARW) value, increasing it from 0.66 °/√h to 0.21 °/√h. The CSC system general test results show that it works well across the full temperature range, and the bias stabilities of the six groups’ output data are 3.8 °/h, 3.6 °/h, 3.4 °/h, 3.1 °/h, 3.0 °/h and 4.2 °/h, respectively, which proves the system has excellent repeatability.
Ways of Facing the Dead in Ancient China
Authors: Erickson Susan
Published: January 2016

Coverings made of precious materials and placed over the face or head of the deceased in Western Han/ early Eastern Han dynasty tombs are the focus of this article. Earlier masks constructed from pieces of jade and dating to the Western Zhou period excavated in Shanxi and Shaanxi and to the Eastern Zhou in Henan, Hubei, and Jiangsu, are considered as predecessors of the Western Han versions that appear in tombs in Xuzhou, Jiangsu. The Han dynasty face coverings of jade tend to cover the entire face of the deceased and are related to the suits of jade that encased corpses in burials of Han royalty. Another type of covering, a mianzhao— a wooden box with one open face and often decorated with lacquer and other materials, is related to the jade masks because it is also positioned over the face of the corpse. Mianzhao only have been excavated in Jiangsu and Anhui, but the form and decor of the box link it to an object noted in the Hanshu called wenming that was granted by Xuandi to Huo Guang (d. 68 BCE). Both the face covering of jade and the mianzhao wooden box call attention to the face of the deceased, but most likely they were fashioned to protect the face, and at the same time to create a boundary between the living and the dead.
Qu’est-ce qu’un père ?
Authors: Neuburger Robert
Published: January 2016

L’objet de cet article est de dédramatiser le débat sur la question du père en montrant que cette notion est double : d’une part, un père organisateur, social, détenant une autorité déléguée par la société, et qui peut être un homme ou une femme, et d’autre part un père relationnel, un papa familier dont le rôle aujourd’hui se rapproche de plus en plus d’un rôle maternel. La conclusion que l’on peut en tirer est que toute famille peut aujourd’hui concevoir et élever des enfants qu’elle soit hétéro, homo, monoparentale, à condition que ces deux fonctions coexistent, qu’elles soient assumées par un parent seul ou par un couple.
Le travail métaphorique en hypnothérapie dans un cadre de thérapie familiale : éléments cliniques
Authors: Bioy Antoine
Published: January 2016

Il existe peu d’écrits portant sur l’intérêt de l’hypnose dans les thérapies familiales. Pourtant, il s’agit d’une approche cliniquement intéressante. Elle offre une façon de jouer avec les images métaphoriques et avec des récits thérapeutiques en situation d’état de conscience modifiée. Cela facilite le travail des suggestions, jusqu’à stimuler le changement. Cet article fait le point sur cette démarche et propose au final de voir l’hypnose comme une forme de rituel lors des consultations.
State-Owned Banks and Development
Authors: Marois Thomas
Published: January 2016

Thirty years of neoliberal restructuring have side-lined alternative financing practices, and propagated mainstream myths about state-owned banks. This chapter examines these neoliberal claims, arguing instead that state-owned banks can remain a crucial part of progressive, sustainable and democratic strategies for investments in long-term development and infrastructure. Drawing on past and present case studies, as well as the theoretical literature on finance, the chapter points to the potential to revive – and improve – state-owned banking as a viable option for financing public services and development. To this end the chapter dispels nine popular neoliberal claims about state-owned banks while discussing how state-owned banks have undergone neoliberal restructuring processes such as marketization and corporatization in ways that nonetheless challenge their status as ‘public' banks. To illustrate, the chapter looks at imperfect, but telling or inspiring, examples from Brazil, China, Costa Rica, India, South Africa, Turkey and Venezuela, among others.
R&D Competition, Cooperation, and Microeconomic Policies
Authors: Moner-Colonques Rafael , Sempere-Monerris Jose J.
Published: January 2016

This chapter aims to contribute to the better understanding of R&D by scholars and practitioners. It includes a first section where the concept of innovation is defined and its public good nature and cumulative dimension are analysed. Next, the incentives that firms have to undertake R&D to attain a competitive edge upon rivals are considered. This entails the consideration of both ex ante and ex post incentives to undertake R&D. Since innovation is costly and derives important external effects, cooperation in R&D activities is prominent in several industries where firms enter into research joint ventures, or form research networks. The effect of cooperation is that, under some circumstances, the industry performance is better as compared to full competition. The final section addresses the complementarities and conflicts among the different microeconomic policies (trade, industrial and competition policy) faced by governments when considering the support of R&D activities.
Building R&D Capabilities Abroad and the Role of Reverse Knowledge Transfer in Explaining MNCs' Productivity
Authors: Ben Hamida Lamia
Published: January 2016

Although MNCs are increasingly globalizing their R&D, we have an incomplete and inconsistent understanding of whether, and under what conditions, the knowledge accumulated from foreign R&D centers can improve the productivity of the parent firm. We address this issue by examining the factors that influence the extent to which reverse knowledge transfer (RKT) enhances the productivity of the MNC at home. Our contribution lies in showing that the productivity benefits of RKT depend on the idiosyncratic characteristics of MNCs' parent and R&D affiliates. We show that RKT has a stronger effect on the productivity of the parent MNC when foreign R&D units are charged with a knowledge seeking role. These effects further increase when R&D affiliates are well embedded in host countries. Surprisingly, the productivity enhancing effects of RKT do not differ across acquired and greenfield affiliates.
Diffusion of Technology via FDI and Convergence of Per Capita Incomes
Authors: Oz Sumru
Published: January 2016

This chapter analyzes the convergence of incomes towards the FDI home country in Europe and in the MENA region, separately; and the prerequisites to derive benefit from FDI in a comparative manner. The per capita income convergence towards the major FDI home country, US, is estimated higher for Europe compared to the MENA region. However, the differences in the convergence values are not so wide between some sub-groups of these two regions. The absorptive capacity hypothesis, together with the investment capacity explains the discrepancies between not only the two regions as a whole, but also sub-groups within each region. The strong complementary effects between FDI and both absorptive and investment capacity suggest that economic policy aimed at fostering growth should try to benefit more from FDI by increasing the absorptive capacity-enhancing own R&D activities and promoting human capital- as well as by improving investment environment to attract more of it.
Firm-Level Determinants of Foreign Investment and M&A Activity
Authors: Uğurlu Mine
Published: January 2016

The last decade is marked with acceleration of mergers, corporate restructuring and governance activities. M&A activity has been driven by factors such as technological change, globalization, free trade, deregulation, attempts to attain economies of scale, rise in entrepreneurship, and economic growth. Corporations need to adjust to the change in the environment and expand their markets to achieve growth and protection against volatile economic conditions. Firms can achieve international expansion through foreign direct investments (FDIs) which can take the form of cross-border acquisitions (brownfield investments) and Greenfield investments. This chapter covers an overview of the literature on the determinants of FDI forms of entry, and M&A activity followed with an empirical investigation of the firm-level determinants of foreign investment in Turkey with emphasis on cross-border acquisitions and Greenfield investments. Summary of the findings is followed with the economic implications of forms of FDI entry. The concluding remarks cover the implications of the results for policy makers.
The Virtual Leader
Authors: Seely Andrew
Published: January 2016

This chapter offers a working definition of the concepts of virtual, management, leadership, and team, and proposes pragmatic tools and solutions to management and leadership challenges in virtual, distributed team situations. Practical experiences are surveyed, including scenarios of remote team, remote team member, distributed learning, and traveling manager. Descriptions of tools and techniques are offered, along with a set of guiding concepts and principles to apply to any virtual leadership situation.
Virtual Shipping Entrepreneurial Leadership Styles in Maritime and Shipping Industry
Authors: Kandil Tarek Taha Mohamed , Nassar Shereen Hassan
Published: January 2016

The concept of entrepreneurial leadership in any challenging industry involves fusing the concepts of a strategic approach of the management change, enhancing capabilities for continuously, creating and appropriating support, and development of value and competitive advantages in the company and technological growth. The challenge for shipping and transportation industry is to build a compatibility to continuously explore and reduce the threats of secure and safety and enhance new successful and competitive opportunities. Shipping Entrepreneurial Leadership style that scanned The twenty one attributes of outstanding leadership dimensions in the GLOBE project scales to identify nineteen attributes of their extraordinary performance, The chapter categorizes ten shipping behavior likely to be expected in loading on the two roles that impede the shipping entrepreneurial leaders' performance enactment scenario and Eight leadership behavior likely to be facilitated in their roles towered encouraging the team performance.
Collaboration of Rehabilitation Robot with Virtual Reality Development Engine
Authors: Patil Yogendra , Siqueira Guilherme Galdino , Brandao Iara , Hu Fei
Published: January 2016

Stroke rehabilitation techniques have gathered an immense attention due to the addition of virtual reality environment for rehabilitation purposes. Current techniques involve ideas such as imitating various stroke rehabilitation exercises in virtual world. This makes rehabilitation process more attractive as compared to conventional methods and motivates the patient to continue the therapy. However, most of the virtual reality based stroke rehabilitation studies focus on patient performing sedentary rehabilitation exercises. In this chapter, we introduce our virtual reality based post stroke rehabilitation system that allows a post stroke patient to perform dynamic exercises. With the introduction of our system, we hope to increase post stroke patient's ability to perform their daily routine exercises independently. Our discussion in this chapter is mainly centered around collaboration of rehabilitation system with virtual reality software. We also detail the design process of our modern user interface for collecting useful data during rehabilitation. A simple experiment is carried out to validate the visibility of our system.
Design and Control of a Hand-Assist Robot with Multiple Degrees of Freedom for Rehabilitation Therapy
Authors: Kawasaki Haruhisa , Ueki Satoshi , Ito Satoshi , Mouri Tetsuya
Published: January 2016

This chapter focuses on a patient self-controlled rehabilitation system using our developed exoskeleton-type hand-motion-assist robot and tele-rehabilitation. The virtual reality-enhanced new hand rehabilitation support system, which we have developed for stroke patients in the acute stage, is aiming to allow such patients to conduct every day exercises by themselves without supervisors. This system features a multi-DOF motion assistance device, a virtual reality interface for patients, and a symmetrical master-slave motion assistance training strategy called ”self-motion control”, in which the stroke patients' healthy hand on the master side creates the assistance motion for the impaired hand on the slave side. Moreover, a tele-rehabilitation system consisting of a hand rehabilitation support system for the patients, an anthropomorphic robot hand for the therapist, and a remote monitoring system for diagnosing the degree of recovery is explained.
Finding the Design Basic for MOOCs
Authors: Jiménez-González Sandra G. , Luna-García Huizilopoztli , Mendoza-González Ricardo
Published: January 2016

The platforms edX, Coursera, and Udacity are pioneers in MOOCs distribution and access providing and their popularity among people grows daily. Prestigious universities, such as Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Harvard, Stanford, Princeton, among others, support their courses, which are conducted by the best Professors and academic staff. On the other hand, these platforms provide adequate interactions for users, focusing in encourage the appropriation of knowledge and competences related to specific topics. User Interfaces include video-lectures display; quizzes; forums; slides, code and many other resources. However, there are certain interaction features that are not common among these platforms and undoubtedly could improve the user experience. The objective of this chapter is to highlight those interactive elements and provide an alternative for well-designed user interfaces for MOOCs including generic interactions which able users to properly perform their activities and achieve their learning goals. The findings will be discussed and then reflected in a prototype.
Delivering Hospitality through Franchising
Authors: Fernandes Christo F. V. , George Babu , Mishra Ajit
Published: January 2016

Every one celebrates their birthday to cherish new dreams, and yet Monginis crawled in 1970 at Chembur, Mumbai with just one store. Mr. Albert Desouza, Marketing Head recalls the cascading journey that has carved a strategic path for Monginis, selling over 30 million pastries and 4 million cakes. It all grew from one store in 1970 to over 75 stores in 1986! However 1990's saw a new surge of energy with the Franchise model and hence this business travelled outside Mumbai. The Franchise model embraced some real time practices of Human Development that were carefully captured through the recruitment strategy, job engagement, training, positive work environment along with strategic practice of embracing local taste in product that has summoned success. Mr. Albert appears pensive at the CST railway station noticing the roaring volume of people and wonders: How will Monginis reach out to every Indian? While the Franchisee model has led to expansion and growth he seems restless; we still have a long journey…but now…how should we travel?
Web Content Management in Institutions of Higher Learning in Emerging Economies
Authors: Wanyembi Gregory Wabuke
Published: January 2016

This chapter aims at examining the concept of content management (CM) and the need to identify it as a global best practice in light of its emergence in modern organizations, and specifically so in the context of institutions of higher learning in developing economies. The chapter also examines a number of models and approaches used in the adaptation of web content management systems (CMS), which provide a guide to the separation of digital content that is relevant to an institution of higher learning and also point out relevant management issues. The merits and demerits of these approaches are discussed. The stages in Content Life Cycle (CLC), information architecture and infostructure, quality of good online content, types of content suitable for a website, and are discussed. Content management tools and system have also been covered in some detail, which offers an institution part of the solution that they require to effectively manage and maintain their content. The chapter concludes with a set of recommendations and points at possible areas for further research.
Centralized to Decentralized Social Networks
Authors: Qamar Maryam , Malik Mehwish , Batool Saadia , Mehmood Sidra , Malik Asad W. , Rahman Anis
Published: January 2016

This work covers the research work on decentralization of Online Social Networks (OSNs), issues with centralized design are studied with possible decentralized solutions. Centralized architecture is prone to privacy breach, p2p architecture for data and thus authority decentralization with encryption seems a possible solution. OSNs' users grow exponentially causing scalability issue, a natural solution is decentralization where users bring resources with them via personal machines or paid services. Also centralized services are not available unremittingly, to this end decentralization proposes replication. Decentralized solutions are also proposed for reliability issues arising in centralized systems and the potential threat of a central authority. Yet key to all problems isn't found, metadata may be enough for inferences about data and network traffic flow can lead to information on users' relationships. First issue can be mitigated by data padding or splitting in uniform blocks. Caching, dummy traffic or routing through a mix of nodes can be some possible solutions to the second.
Performance Evaluation of Routing Metrics in Wireless Multi-Hop Networks
Authors: Ashraf Usman , Rizvi Syed Salman Haider , Azeem Mohammad Faisal
Published: January 2016

In the world of wireless communication technologies, the new standard IEEE 802.11n (MIMO) has revolutionized the available wireless bandwidth. Significant industrial and academic research has been initiated on this new technology around the world. Moreover, international as well as local manufacturers are highly interested in commercialization and performance improvement of this new technology. This is a research project in which we will perform comprehensive benchmarking of IEEE 802.11n in wireless multi-hop environments. In this project we evaluate the performance of routing metrics: Hop Count (HC) and Expected Transmission Count (ETX) on a test bed at A-Block Air University.
Documentación 3D de pinturas rupestres con Photomodeler Scanner: los motivos esquemáticos de la Cueva del Barranc del Migdia (Xàbia, Alicante)
Authors: Tejerina Antón Daniel , Bolufer i Marqués Joaquín , Esquembre Bebia Marco Aurelio , Ortega Pérez José Ramón
Published: January 2016

During the recent campaign of excavation at the Cova del Barranc del Migdia (Javea, Alicante)we have carried out the 3D documentation of the wall painting motifs, which corresponds to the schematic rock art style. To produce the 3D models, we have used Photomodeler Scanner, a commercial digital photogrammetry software with increased use in the cultural heritage sector. The results have been exported to a format compatible with 3D printers, creating a 1/1 scale replica of the original panel. In this paper we describe the typical workflow in a project with Photomodeler Scanner and the results obtained from the x-3 panel.
PERFIL EPIDEMIOLÓGICO DA HEPATITE C E COINFECÇÃO COM HIV NOS ÚLTIMOS 10 ANOS
Authors: Silva Ravena Cibelle Nunes , Valadas Marques Lidia Audrey Rocha , Rodrigues Neto Edilson Martins , Thé Mayra Furtado Dias Filgueira , Dias Ponte Emerson , Alves Renata De Sousa
Published: January 2016

A hepatite C representa um desafio para a saúde pública mundial, sendo considerada por muitos autores uma pandemia silenciosa, já que a infecção pelo HCV tem inicio assintomático. Associada a isto, surgiram crescentes casos de indivíduos co-infectados com os vírus HCV e HIV. Diante dessa nova realidade, a hepatite C passou a representar uma nova comorbidade para os pacientes soropositivos. Com essa finalidade, foi realizada a presente revisão de literatura que estudou as doenças envolvidas e o perfil dos indivíduos acometidos. A coinfecção entre os dois vírus acomete principalmente a população formada por politransfundidos, hemofílicos e usuários de drogas injetáveis, uma vez que a transmissão pela via parenteral é a forma mais efetiva de infecção pelo vírus da hepatite C. A transmissão pelas vias vertical e sexual são também observadas nesta situação, principalmente quando existe uma elevada viremia. Nesse contexto, há a necessidade de se conhecer melhor a hepatite C, o HIV e a co-infecção entre ambos os vírus, estudando-as isoladamente e em associação, bem como verificar o perfil dos principais grupos de risco envolvidos. Há uma maior freqüência para a co-infecção HIV/HCV em indivíduos do sexo masculino, com baixos recursos financeiros e educativos.
ESTABILIDADE DE MEDICAMENTOS: ESTADO DA ARTE
Authors: Meirelles Lyghia Maria Araújo
Published: January 2016

A estabilidade de medicamentos é a extensão na qual um produto mantém suas características dentro de critérios de aceitação ao longo do tempo. Para determinação da estabilidade de um medicamento são avaliados fatores interferentes de caráter extrínseco, como temperatura, umidade ou luz, ou intrínsecos, como as propriedades físico-químicas do fármaco e excipientes, o processo de obtenção e a forma farmacêutica. Embora diversos países tenham sua própria norma para realização dos estudos de estabilidade, a Conferência Internacional de Harmonização e a Organização Mundial de Saúde têm direcionado esforços no sentido de uniformizar a condução dos estudos de estabilidade, pois é crescente a transferência de tecnologias e produtos entre países. Esta padronização se faz necessária, pois o prazo de validade e as condições de armazenagem do medicamento são determinados conforme a zona climática da região na qual será comercializado. Para contornar potenciais interferentes, podem ser adotadas estratégias, como formulações extemporâneas, uso de excipientes funcionais, e condições de armazenamento e acondicionamento diferenciadas. Portanto, a execução de estudos de estabilidade previamente à disposição do produto no mercado pode evitar descobertas tardias de ineficácia terapêutica e toxicidade.
SECRETAGOGOS DE INSULINA: RISCOS CARDIOVASCULARES E HIPOGLICÊMICOS
Authors: Baldoni André De Oliveira , Guilarducci Nathália Vital , Soares Adriana Cristina , Freitas Araújo Marcelo Gonzaga
Published: January 2016

Frente ao aumento progressivo da prevalência de Diabetes Mellitus tipo 2 na população brasileira e da elevada prevalência de pacientes que utilizam a glibenclamida para tratamento dessa morbidade, esta comunicação breve possui como objetivo principal apresentar os riscos cardiovasculares e hipoglicêmicos associados ao uso da glibenclamida e chamar a atenção das Comissões de Farmácia e Terapêutica (CFT) dos municípios brasileiros para que avaliem a relação risco/benefício para padronização de outra sulfoniluréia, visto que a grande parte das Relações Municipais de Medicamentos Essenciais (REMUME) possuem apenas a glibenclamida como opção terapêutica de secretagogos de insulina.
INTERAÇÕES MEDICAMENTOSAS VERIFICADAS EM UM GRUPO DE PACIENTES COM TRANSTORNO BIPOLAR
Authors: Burque Renan Kubiachi , Francesconi Lenise Petter , Victorino André Tavares , Mascarenhas Marcello Ávila , Ceresér Keila Maria
Published: January 2016

A farmacoterapia no Transtorno Bipolar (TB) visa diminuir a frequência e gravidade dos episódios. Nosso objetivo foi identificar interações medicamentosas em pacientes bipolares, através de um estudo transversal, em um hospital terciário, onde por um protocolo geral identificamos 150 pacientes e destes selecionamos 84 que eram polimedicados e/ou com comorbidades clínicas e/ou má-adesão, mas houve contato com apenas 51 e destes, 36 aceitaram participar. A coleta dos dados foi realizada pela análise de prontuário e entrevista. A classificação das interações considerou somente aquelas encontradas em pelo menos duas bibliografias idôneas, sendo estas classificadas conforme gravidade, e consideradas apenas as moderadas e graves. Identificamos 36 interações, sendo: entre não-psicofármacos (9), entre psicofármacos e não-psicofármacos (12), entre fármacos e álcool (5) e entre psicofármacos (10). A maior parte foi de gravidade moderada (31), porém 5 consideradas graves e destas, 3 desencadeiam cardiotoxicidade. Também identificamos que os pacientes utilizavam principalmente: estabilizadores de humor (32), antipsicóticos (26) e diuréticos (16). Nossos achados sugerem que as interações medicamentosas graves para os pacientes bipolares polimedicados podem desencadear outras complicações, como toxicidade cardíaca, associada à taquicardia. A identificação e monitoramento dos pacientes com TB poderá contribuir para uma melhora na conduta terapêutica e bem estar do paciente.
FÁRMACOS PARA TURBINAR O CÉREBRO, USO POR QUEM PRETENDE ENTRAR NA UNIVERSIDADE
Authors: Pasquini Nilton César
Published: January 2016

O estudo tem o intuito de verificar o grau de utilização de fármacos para turbinar o cérebro entre pretendentes a prestar vestibular. Dos 3553 alunos entrevistados, 1236 (34,8%) afirmaram ter usado ou fazer uso de algum estimulante cerebral, no entanto só foram considerados 710 (19,9%), pois estes souberam dizer o nome do fármaco, 255 (7, 2%) relataram ter usado e 455 (12,8%) que usa atualmente, 1209 (34,0%) afirmaram conhecer alguém que faz uso. Os fármacos utilizado para “turbinar” o cérebro foram: memantina ( 2,96%) , benzedrina (4,93%), donepezil (9,01%), metilfenidato amissulprida (19,87%) e modafinil (49%).
MONITORAMENTO DA QUALIDADE DE COMPRIMIDOS DE CLONAZEPAM DISTRIBUÍDOS NA REDE PÚBLICA ESTADUAL DE SÃO PAULO E SUA CONTRIBUIÇÃO PARA O SUCESSO TERAPÊUTICO
Authors: Eserian Jaqueline Kalleian , Lombardo Márcia
Published: January 2016

Os benzodiazepínicos são medicamentos tipicamente utilizados para o tratamento de ansiedade e distúrbios do sono, sendo um dos psicotrópicos mais utilizados mundialmente. O clonazepam figura como o medicamento mais vendido no Brasil entre os anos de 2007 e 2010, estando inserido no Programa de Monitoramento da Qualidade de Medicamentos de Saúde Mental do estado de São Paulo. O objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar a qualidade de 10 amostras de diferentes lotes de comprimidos de clonazepam 2mg a serem distribuídos em unidades públicas de saúde do estado de São Paulo no período de 2013-2014. Foram realizados ensaios físico-químicos de aspecto; variação de peso; identificação, teor e uniformidade de doses unitárias por cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência. As amostras foram analisadas em um sistema de separação composto de coluna de fase reversa e mistura isocrática ternária, com detecção no ultra-violeta. Os resultados demonstraram que as amostras analisadas estavam satisfatórias quanto aos ensaios realizados. A homogeneidade entre as amostras, conforme observado neste estudo, contribuem, em conjunto com outros fatores, para um tratamento eficaz. Ações de vigilância sanitária que visem o controle da qualidade de medicamentos distribuídos na rede pública de saúde são imprescindíveis para a garantia de um tratamento farmacológico adequado.
Does Ownership Structure Affect Jordanian Companies’ Tendency to Practice Earnings Management?
Authors: Ramadan Imad Zeyad
Published: January 2016

The aim of this paper is to examine the effect of ownership structure on a firm’s ability to practice earnings management. To achieve this goal all 77th Jordanian industrial companies listed at Amman Stock Exchange (ASE) for the period 2000-2014 were selected resulting in 1089 firm-year observations. The empirical results suggest that the earnings management practices of Jordanian industrial companies listed at ASE are influenced by the ownership structure.  Precisely, the result shows that equity concentration, management ownership and institutional investor equity are associated inversely with the practices of earnings management. Our results are consistent with the Alignment of Interest Hypothesis and the Efficient Monitoring Hypothesis which suggest that large shareholders have less motivation to manipulate earnings, and can reduce the scope of managerial opportunism.
A Conceptual Framework for Managing Risks in Public Private Partnership Projects in Housing Estate Development in Nigeria
Authors: Yakubu Sanda Nehemiah , A. Anigbogu Natalia
Published: January 2016

Construction projects are subject to various uncertainties that impact on achieving the project objectives. This is most apparent in the case of PPP projects due to the number of contracting parties with conflicting interests. Effective risk management in such projects becomes crucial. This paper presents a conceptual framework for managing risks in PPP projects for housing development in Nigeria. The purpose of the conceptual framework is to use it for further studies. The conceptual framework is based on extensive review of related literature in the area of PPP and risk management.  It identifies the essential variables for the study. The paper described some major characteristics of PPPs as well as the processes involved in their risk management. The study concludes that, PPPs are most effective when there are adequate legal and regulatory frameworks for smooth operation of PPPs, and the risks sharing structure is spelt out clearly in the contract with adequate measures for enforcing the provisions should any of the contracting party default.
Research Commentary: Educational Technology: An Equity Challenge to the Common Core
Authors: Kitchen Richard , Berk Sarabeth
Published: January 2016

The implementation of the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics (National Governors Association Center for Best Practices & Council of Chief State School Officers, 2010) has the potential to move forward key features of standards-based reforms in mathematics that have been promoted in the United States for more than 2 decades (e.g., National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, 1989, 2000; National Science Foundation, 1996). We believe that this is an especially opportune time to purposely focus on improving the mathematics education of students who have historically been denied access to a high-quality and rigorous mathematics education in the United States, specifically low-income students and students of color (e.g., Kitchen, DePree, Celedón-Pattichis, & Brinkerhoff, 2007; Leonard & Martin, 2013). We discuss a challenge to realizing standards-based reforms in mathematics in the United States: computer-based interventions in mathematics classrooms.
Development of Probabilistic Understanding in Fourth Grade
Authors: English Lyn D. , Watson Jane M.
Published: January 2016

We analyzed the development of 4th-grade students' understanding of the transition from experimental relative frequencies of outcomes to theoretical probabilities with a focus on the foundational statistical concepts of variation and expectation. We report students' initial and changing expectations of the outcomes of tossing one and two coins, how they related the relative frequency from their physical and computersimulated trials to the theoretical probability, and how they created and interpreted theoretical probability models. Findings include students' progression from an initial apparent equiprobability bias in predicting outcomes of tossing two coins through to representing the outcomes of increasing the number of trials. After observing the decreasing variation from the theoretical probability as the sample size increased, students developed a deeper understanding of the relationship between relative frequency of outcomes and theoretical probability as well as their respective associations with variation and expectation. Students' final models indicated increasing levels of probabilistic understanding.
Participatory and Anticipatory Stages of Mathematical Concept Learning: Further Empirical and Theoretical Development
Authors: Simon Martin A. , Placa Nicora , Avitzur Arnon
Published: January 2016

Tzur and Simon (2004) postulated 2 stages of development in learning a mathematical concept: participatory and anticipatory. In this article, we discuss the affordances for research of this stage distinction related to data analysis, task design, and assessment as demonstrated in a 2-year teaching experiment. We describe our modifications to and further explicate and exemplify the theoretical underpinnings of these stage constructs. We introduce a representation scheme and use it to trace the development of a concept from initial activity, through the participatory stage, and to the anticipatory stage.
Possibilidades de efetivação de práticas de governança em fundações privadas
Authors: Canito Filho Fernando de Oliveira , Tassigny Mônica Mota , Bizarria Fabiana Pinto de Almeida
Published: January 2016

O aumento crescente da quantidade e diversidade de organizações sem fins lucrativos, além do expressivo volume de recursos financeiros governamentais e privados carreados para o terceiro setor, tem demandado um maior nível de profissionalização dessas instituições, oportunizando a adoção dos conceitos e das práticas de governança corporativa inicialmente desenvolvida no contexto das empresas privadas com fins lucrativos. Ao utilizar estudo de caso abordando uma fundação privada brasileira, esta pesquisa procurou investigar as possibilidades de efetivação dos princípios e mecanismos de governança corporativa no contexto das fundações privadas, através do exame dos instrumentos e práticas de governança e gestão aplicáveis à realidade organizacional da instituição pesquisada. A análise dos dados coletados a partir da sondagem efetuada permitiu identificar possibilidades de utilização e aprimoramento de importantes instrumentos de governança e gestão na fundação pesquisada, a exemplo da atuação mais efetiva dos conselhos (curador, executivo e fiscal), provimento de equipe técnica de apoio à gestão, uso de metodologia de projetos sociais, atividades de captação de recursos e a existência de um sistema de controles internos.
Las prácticas de evaluación en las materias de Ciencias Sociales de ESO en la Región de Murcia según la opinión de los inspectores de Educación
Authors: Monteagudo Fernández José , Villa Arocena José Luis , Miralles Martínez Pedro
Published: January 2016

Este artículo muestra las opiniones de los inspectores educativos respecto a las prácticas de evaluación de los profesores de Geografía e Historia de Educación Secundaria Obligatoria (ESO) en la Región de Murcia, concretamente lo relativo a instrumentos y fases de evaluación, las concepciones sobre la calificación y la evaluación por competencias básicas. Los datos han sido extraídos mediante cuestionarios. Los resultados indican que las prácticas de evaluación de los profesores de Geografía e Historia no han variado en el tiempo a pesar de la introducción de novedades legislativas. El examen basado en contenidos conceptuales sigue siendo el instrumento de evaluación más importante. Todo ello dificulta la innovación en el aula para un correcto desarrollo de las competencias básicas.
La enseñanza de la historia en la educación superior a través de las fuentes orales
Authors: Fuertes Muñoz Carlos
Published: January 2016

El objetivo de este artículo es promover el debate sobre la didáctica de la historiaen la educación superior, planteando la necesidad de realizar una mayor reflexión e innovacióndocente en este nivel. Particularmente, a partir de una revisión bibliográfica, reflexionaremossobre las aportaciones, la difusión y las pautas metodológicas para la utilizacióndidáctica de las fuentes orales.
Evaluación de Programas Educativos que abordan los procesos de patrimonialización
Authors: Fontal Merillas Olaia , Gómez Redondo Carmen
Published: January 2016

Partimos de una conceptualización de los procesos de patrimonialización a partirde las tres agencias diferentes que participan de los mismos: institucional, individual y comunitaria.Esto nos permite abordar los procesos de legitimación, identización y creación cultural,hasta determinar una secuencia procedimental que desvela las fases de los procesos de patrimonializaciónque, posteriormente, serán empleados desde el Observatorio de Educación Patrimonialen España (OEPE), para el inventario, análisis y evaluación de distintos programaseducativos. Finalmente, proponemos el análisis de tres ejemplos referentes que nos permitirándetectar e inferir características de los modelos de educación patrimonial atendiendo a lasagencias que los proponen.
Imágenes sobre dinosaurios en libros de texto de Enseñanza Secundaria Obligatoria
Authors: Mampel Laboira Luis , Cortés Gracia Ángel Luis , Alcalá Martínez Luis
Published: January 2016

El concepto “dinosaurio” no forma parte explícita del saber a enseñar en los curriculaoficiales de ESO dentro del periodo LOGSE-LOE español (1990-2010). A pesar de ello,algunos autores y editoriales decidieron incluirlo como objeto de enseñanza en los libros detexto. El análisis de estos libros revela una abundante presencia de información gráfica, conun predominio de imágenes desprovistas de rasgos que identifiquen los elementos representadosasí como la presencia ocasional de modelos alternativos y un déficit en la concurrenciaentre textos e imágenes que reduce su potencial didáctico.
Evaluación de la enseñanza de la Astrobiología en Secundaria: análisis de libros de texto y opiniones de profesores en formación
Authors: Oreiro Rey Raquel , Solbes Jordi
Published: January 2016

En este trabajo se presenta una evaluación diagnóstica de la enseñanza de la Astrobiología mediante el análisis de libros de texto de las asignaturas de Biología y Geología de 4º de la ESO y Ciencias para el Mundo Contemporáneo de 1º de Bachillerato. El objetivo principal es comprobar si la Astrobiología se ha incorporado adecuadamente en la enseñanza secundaria. Se muestran, además, las opiniones de un grupo de profesores en formación sobre la enseñanza de la Astrobiología.
La rete mediterranea della devozione. Le teresiane della provincia di Napoli
Authors: Fiorelli Vittoria
Published: January 2016

Riassunto: Filo conduttore del saggio è la vita di madre Serafina di Dio, carismatica caprese fondatrice, nel secolo XVII, di sette congregazioni femminili ispirate alla spiritualità teresiana. L’affiliazione alla santa di Avila e l’adesione alla matrice della sua riforma hanno consentito alle nuove comunità devote nate da un’iniziativa periferica di collocarsi nell’alveo della Chiesa nella prospettiva istituzionale della trasformazione in monasteri di clausura.Due i focus della ricerca. Da un lato ci si è soffermati sull’omogeneità organizzativa e spirituale dei conservatori garantita da reti devozionali saldamente dipendenti dal carisma della fondatrice secondo un meccanismo nel quale resta assai difficile determinare i confini tra una vita modellizzata dalla santità e il progetto di santificazione della propria vita. Dall’altro si è evidenziata l’importanza della tradizione religiosa e devozionale nel processo di costante contaminazione dell’identità culturale delle due principali penisole del Mediterraneo mai trasformata in fusione, nonostante gli intensi rapporti e la subalternità politica di Napoli a Madrid. Parole chiave: reti devozionali e religiose, spiritualità femminile, Mediterraneo Abstract: The underlying theme of the essay is the life of Mother Serafina di Dio from Capri, the charismatic founder, in the seventeenth century, of seven women’s congregations inspired by the Teresian spirituality. The affiliation to the saint of Avila and the connection to the matrix of her reform allowed these peripheral and devoted communities to position themselves within the fold of the Church, from the perspective of institutional transformation in cloistered monasteries.The first research focus is about the uniformity of organization and spirituality within the retreats guaranteed by devotional networks firmly dependent on the charisma of the founder. A mechanism in which is very difficult to determine the boundaries between a life modeled on the holiness and a project of sanctification of her own life.The other one, is about the importance of religious and devotional traditions in the process of constant contamination of the cultural identity of the two main peninsulas in Mediterranean, never turned into fusion, despite the penetrating contacts and the political subordination of Naples in Madrid. Keywords: religious and devotional networks, women’s spirituality, Mediterranean