bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Speech Disorders of the Type of Aphasia after Right Hemisphere Stroke in Right — handed People — a Case Study
Authors: Zielińska Jolanta
Published: January 2017

Introduction. Aphasia is acquired disorder or loss of language skills, following various types of organic brain lesions, e.g.: a result of stroke, craniocerebral trauma, malignancies. It leads to the inability to express thoughts in words, or the inability to understand speech. Speech made in specially prepared speech centers in the brain dominant hemisphere. In right-handed people, these centers are located in the left hemisphere of the brain, with left-handersi n most cases are located in the right hemisphere. There are also cases of so-called. Aphasia hybrid, occurring I na right-handed as a result of damage to the right hemisphere of the brain. In clinical practice, neurologists, speech and aphasia are divided into: motor, sensory, sensorimotor, and amnestictotal. The issue of aphasia, and its definition, always aroused excitement and controversy.Case Report. The case study concerns the 42 year old woman with a diagnosis of ischemic stroke in the form of left-hand hemiparesis with aphasia mixed, as state after subarachnoid hemorrhage and aneurysm embolization of the middle cerebral artery on the right side.Discussion. There are many factors determining the patients return to full language skills. Among other things, proper identification of the nature of the disorders of speech and correct anamnesis, well-structured speech therapy program, the time of initiation of therapy, frequency of exercise, individual pace of recovery from aphasia. A very important factor determining the healing process of the patient is resistant to stress.Conclusions. In the treatment of people with aphasia should strive for a state in which the patient will be able to communicate with the environment. It should first of all make a diagnosis, gather intelligence, to create a treatment program tailored to the individual patient’s situation, begin treatment as soon as possible, to give the patient the opportunity to frequent office visits for speech therapy, take care of his emotional state. (JNNN 2015;4(1):30–34)
Kinesiotherapeutic Treatment in the Case of the Multiple Sclerosis — Case Report
Authors: Hudáková Zuzana , Cetlová Lada , Dvořáková Vlasta
Published: January 2017

Introduction. Multiple sclerosis is understood to be an autoimmune disorder causing progressive inflammatory damage to myelin and finally destruction of axons. It is characterized by diffused deposits of demyelination which cause trespassing of the nervous impulses transfer. These deposits can trigger numerous symptoms including paresis, nystagmus or dysarthria, whereby their character depends on the place of the lesion in the central nervous system (CNS). As a demyelinational disease, multiple sclerosis is incurable and we still do not know the exact reason for its rise. The non-pharmacological treatment of multiple sclerosis includes also rehabilitation as well as appropriate lifestyle which are really very important in case of these patients.Case Report. The paper describes the case of a 68-year-old woman diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in whom weekly therapy and rehabilitation programme have been proposed. Also, recommendations for long-term rehabilitation have been submitted.Discussion. The plan of rehabilitation always corresponds to the degree of classification of the patient’s handicap assessed by rating scales.Conclusions. Patients’ impressions after the training in case of the multiple sclerosis vary, but long-term exercising positively influences their overall health condition. We recommend to the patients doing exercise which ought to be done as long as their health condition allows to do it. The patients can obtain here a lot of relevant information which is connected with their lives. (JNNN 2015;4(2):69–75)
Vitamin D and the Selected Diseases of the Nervous System
Authors: Biercewicz Monika , Pietrzykowski Łukasz , Kędziora-Kornatowska Kornelia
Published: January 2017

Interest in the role of vitamin D in the human body has greatly increased in the last decade. Many scientific studiesprovide the evidence of vitamin D deficiency, which is considered to be one of the most serious health problems inchildren, young people as well as those middle-aged and older people. The effects of vitamin D deficiency in theprenatally period can affect the health condition at later age, and can be related to diseases of chronic and progressive nature. Nowadays, vitamin D is seen rather as a hormone and is said to have pleiotropic effect. Apart from itsclassical effect on calcium and phosphate metabolism, vitamin D is also applied in the prophylaxis and treatmentof the cardiovascular system and metabolic diseases, cancer or autoimmune diseases. Taking into account scientificreports on certain diseases of the nervous system, there is an indication regarding a relationship between their occurrence and the deficit of vitamin D. Therefore, this vitamin can be seen as a potential “candidate” to support theprevention as well as treatment of these diseases. It should be emphasized however, that not everything in thismatter is absolutely certain and clear; further studies are still required in this area. (JNNN 2015;4(2):85–90)
The Incidence Rate of Nervous System Disorders in Patients Above the Age of 65
Authors: Biercewicz Monika , Kędziora-Kornatowska Kornelia
Published: January 2017

Introduction. The most frequent diseases of people aged 60 or over are the diseases of cardiovascular system, musculoskeletal disorders and metabolic diseases. In the case of long-lived people the biggest risk is posed by acuteinflammation and infections (e.g. pneumonia, flu) as well as the consequences of falls and broken bones. Among many factors, that significantly affect psychophysical capacity of these people, there should be mentioned health factors (e.g. diseases, some systems and organ disorders). This group also comprises nervous system disorders such as: vascular diseases, dementia and extrapyramidal disorders.Aim. The aim of this work was to assess the incidence rate of the nervous system disorders and their influence on the psychophysical condition of people aged 65 or over.Material and Methods. We conducted the study in the Clinic of Geriatrics Bydgoszcz, Poland. Participants included 127 patients hospitalized due to disease process. The criterion used for the selection of research participants was their age. They were divided into three subgroups in accordance with the subperiods distinguished by UNO (United Nations Organization): 65-74 (early old age), 75-89 (advanced old age), 90 and more (longevity). The scale used in the research is the standard scale that is most frequently used in nursing and clinic practice both in Poland and worldwide. We used the Activities of Daily Living (ADL) scale to assess everyday activities, Timed Up&Go Test (Up&Go) was used to assess the risk of falls, Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) was used to point the risk of worsening of depression symptoms and Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) to assess the nutritional condition of the participants. The data that refers to sociodemographic and clinic variables was collected with the use of structured form used for data collection.Results. The statistical analysis of the influence of the clinical diagnosis on psychophysical assessment of people aged over 65 showed that this factor is statistically significant (p=0.031) only with reference to functional condition assessed with the use of ADL scale. The results of the Up&Go scale (p=0.214), MNA (p=0.324) and GDS (p=0.071) were not statistically significant.Conclusions. The nervous system disorders were classified for the second place in the context of polipathology which is characteristic for elderly people. In the research group the main disease, due to which the patient is hospitalized, didnot significantly influence the psychophysical condition of people over the age of 65. (JNNN 2015;4(3):96–101)
Selected Aspects of Life Quality of Nurses Working at Neurological Wards
Authors: Fidecki Wiesław , Wysokiński Mariusz , Ochap Marzena , Wrońska Irena , Przylepa Katarzyna , Kulina Dorota , Sienkiewicz Zofia , Chruściel Paweł
Published: January 2017

Introduction. The term “quality of life” (QL) initially defined “good life” determined by the resource of owned material goods. Later, it was extended to the term “to be” instead of just “to have”. Nurses perform a responsible job, often requiring sacrifices. They work with seriously ill patients at the neurology ward. Working with an ill patient is very difficult. A nurse carrying out her professional tasks is subject to numerous challenges, both mental and physical, which may affect the quality of life of this professional group.Aim. The aim of the study was to assess the quality of life of nurses working at neurological departments.Material and Methods. The study was conducted in a group of 109 nurses working at the neurological departments of hospitals in Lublin and Chelm. The study used a standardized research tool: WHOQOL-Bref scale.Results. The surveyed nurses evaluated the overall quality of life and health status on the same level, respectively: 3.70±0.70 and 3.60±0.80. The field of social relations was the highest rated (71.70±16.10), while the lowest assessed field of psychological (61.00±13.30).Conclusions. The quality of life of nurses working at neurological wards was at the average level. The surveyed nurses assessed highest the quality of life as the highest in terms of social relations. The level of professional education significantly differentiated the quality of life of the surveyed nurses. The higher the education, the better the quality of life. (JNNN 2016;5(4):151–155)
Paired Stimulation for Spike-Timing-Dependent Plasticity in Primate Sensorimotor Cortex
Authors: Seeman Stephanie C. , Mogen Brian J. , Fetz Eberhard E. , Perlmutter Steve I.
Published: January 2017

Classicin vitrostudies have described spike-timing-dependent plasticity (STDP) at a synapse: the connection from neuron A to neuron B is strengthened (or weakened) when A fires before (or after) B within an optimal time window. Accordingly, more recentin vivoworks have demonstrated behavioral effects consistent with an STDP mechanism; however, many relied on single-unit recordings. The ability to modify cortical connections becomes useful in the context of injury, when connectivity and associated behavior are compromised. To avoid the need for long-term, stable isolation of single units, one could control timed activation of two cortical sites with paired electrical stimulation. We tested the hypothesis that STDP could be induced via prolonged paired stimulation as quantified by cortical evoked potentials (EPs) in the sensorimotor cortex of awake, behaving monkeys. Paired simulation between two interconnected sites produced robust effects in EPs consistent with STDP, but only at 2/15 tested pairs. The stimulation protocol often produced increases in global network excitability or depression of the conditioned pair. Together, these results suggest that paired stimulationin vivois a viable method to induce STDP between cortical populations, but that factors beyond activation timing must be considered to produce conditioning effects.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTPlasticity of neural connections is important for development, learning, memory, and recovery from injury. Cellular mechanisms underlying spike-timing-dependent plasticity have been studied extensivelyin vitro. Recentin vivowork has demonstrated results consistent with the previously defined cellular mechanisms; however, the output measure in these studies was typically an indirect assessment of plasticity at the neural level. Here, we show direct plasticity in recordings of neuronal populations in awake, behaving nonhuman primates induced by paired electrical stimulation. In contrast toin vitrostudies, we found that plastic effects were only produced between specific cortical areas. These findings suggest that similar mechanisms drive plasticityin vitroandin vivo, but that cortical architecture may contribute significantly to site-dependent effects.
Muscarinic Acetylcholine Receptors and M-Currents Underlie Efferent-Mediated Slow Excitation in Calyx-Bearing Vestibular Afferents
Authors: Holt J. Chris , Jordan Paivi M. , Lysakowski Anna , Shah Amit , Barsz Kathy , Contini Donatella
Published: January 2017

Stimulation of vestibular efferent neurons excites calyx and dimorphic (CD) afferents. This excitation consists of fast and slow components that differ >100-fold in activation kinetics and response duration. In the turtle, efferent-mediated fast excitation arises in CD afferents when the predominant efferent neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh) activates calyceal nicotinic ACh receptors (nAChRs); however, it is unclear whether the accompanying efferent-mediated slow excitation is also attributed to cholinergic mechanisms. To identify synaptic processes underlying efferent-mediated slow excitation, we recorded from CD afferents innervating the turtle posterior crista during electrical stimulation of efferent neurons, in combination with pharmacological probes and mechanical stimulation. Efferent-mediated slow excitation was unaffected by nAChR compounds that block efferent-mediated fast excitation, but were mimicked by muscarine and antagonized by atropine, indicating that it requires ACh and muscarinic ACh receptor (mAChR) activation. Efferent-mediated slow excitation or muscarine application enhanced the sensitivity of CD afferents to mechanical stimulation, suggesting that mAChR activation increases afferent input impedance by closing calyceal potassium channels. These observations were consistent with suppression of a muscarinic-sensitive K+-current, or M-current. Immunohistochemistry for putative M-current candidates suggested that turtle CD afferents express KCNQ3, KCNQ4, and ERG1–3 potassium channel subunits. KCNQ channels were favored as application of the selective antagonist XE991 mimicked and occluded efferent-mediated slow excitation in CD afferents. These data highlight an efferent-mediated mechanism for enhancing afferent sensitivity. They further suggest that the clinical effectiveness of mAChR antagonists in treating balance disorders may also target synaptic mechanisms in the vestibular periphery, and that KCNQ channel modulators might offer similar therapeutic value.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTTargeting the efferent vestibular system (EVS) pharmacologically might prove useful in ameliorating some forms of vestibular dysfunction by modifying ongoing primary vestibular input. EVS activation engages several kinetically distinct synaptic processes that profoundly alter the discharge rate and sensitivity of first-order vestibular neurons. Efferent-mediated slow excitation of vestibular afferents is of considerable interest given its ability to elevate afferent activity over an extended time course. We demonstrate for the first time that efferent-mediated slow excitation of vestibular afferents is mediated by muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAChR) activation and the subsequent closure of KCNQ potassium channels. The clinical effectiveness of some anti-mAChR drugs in treating motion sickness suggest that we may, in fact, already be targeting the peripheral EVS.
Hippocampal Contribution to Context Encoding across Development Is Disrupted following Early-Life Adversity
Authors: Lambert Hilary K. , Sheridan Margaret A. , Sambrook Kelly A. , Rosen Maya L. , Askren Mary K. , McLaughlin Katie A.
Published: January 2017

Context can drastically influence responses to environmental stimuli. For example, a gunshot should provoke a different response at a public park than a shooting range. Little is known about how contextual processing and neural correlates change across human development or about individual differences related to early environmental experiences. Children (N= 60; 8–19 years, 24 exposed to interpersonal violence) completed a context encoding task during fMRI scanning using a delayed match-to-sample design with neutral, happy, and angry facial cues embedded in realistic background scenes. Outside the scanner, participants completed a memory test for context-face pairings. Context memory and neural correlates of context encoding did not vary with age. Larger hippocampal volume was associated with better context memory. Posterior hippocampus was recruited during context encoding, and greater activation in this region predicted better memory for contexts paired with angry faces. Children exposed to violence had poor memory of contexts paired with angry faces, reduced hippocampal volume, and atypical neural recruitment on encoding trials with angry faces, including reduced hippocampal activation and greater functional connectivity between hippocampus and ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (vlPFC). Greater hippocampus-vlPFC connectivity was associated with worse memory for contexts paired with angry faces. Posterior hippocampus appears to support context encoding, a process that does not exhibit age-related variation from middle childhood to late adolescence. Exposure to dangerous environments in childhood is associated with poor context encoding in the presence of threat, likely due to greater vlPFC-dependent attentional narrowing on threat cues at the expense of hippocampus-dependent processing of the broader context.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTThe ability to use context to guide reactions to environmental stimuli promotes flexible behavior. Remarkably little research has examined how contextual processing changes across development or about influences of the early environment. We provide evidence for posterior hippocampus involvement in context encoding in youth and lack of age-related variation from middle childhood to late adolescence. Children exposed to interpersonal violence exhibited poor memory of contexts paired with angry faces and atypical neural recruitment during context encoding in the presence of threatening facial cues. Heightened attention to threat following violence exposure may come at the expense of encoding contextual information, which may ultimately contribute to pathological fear expressed in safe contexts.
Differential Regulation of NMDA Receptor-Mediated Transmission by SK Channels Underlies Dorsal-Ventral Differences in Dynamics of Schaffer Collateral Synaptic Function
Authors: Babiec Walter E. , Jami Shekib A. , Guglietta Ryan , Chen Patrick B. , O'Dell Thomas J.
Published: January 2017

Behavioral, physiological, and anatomical evidence indicates that the dorsal and ventral zones of the hippocampus have distinct roles in cognition. How the unique functions of these zones might depend on differences in synaptic and neuronal function arising from the strikingly different gene expression profiles exhibited by dorsal and ventral CA1 pyramidal cells is unclear. To begin to address this question, we investigated the mechanisms underlying differences in synaptic transmission and plasticity at dorsal and ventral Schaffer collateral (SC) synapses in the mouse hippocampus. We find that, although basal synaptic transmission is similar, SC synapses in the dorsal and ventral hippocampus exhibit markedly different responses to θ frequency patterns of stimulation. In contrast to dorsal hippocampus, θ frequency stimulation fails to elicit postsynaptic complex-spike bursting and does not induce LTP at ventral SC synapses. Moreover, EPSP-spike coupling, a process that strongly influences information transfer at synapses, is weaker in ventral pyramidal cells. Our results indicate that all these differences in postsynaptic function are due to an enhanced activation of SK-type K+channels that suppresses NMDAR-dependent EPSP amplification at ventral SC synapses. Consistent with this, mRNA levels for the SK3 subunit of SK channels are significantly higher in ventral CA1 pyramidal cells. Together, our findings indicate that a dorsal-ventral difference in SK channel regulation of NMDAR activation has a profound effect on the transmission, processing, and storage of information at SC synapses and thus likely contributes to the distinct roles of the dorsal and ventral hippocampus in different behaviors.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTDifferences in short- and long-term plasticity at Schaffer collateral (SC) synapses in the dorsal and ventral hippocampus likely contribute importantly to the distinct roles of these regions in cognition and behavior. Although dorsal and ventral CA1 pyramidal cells exhibit markedly different gene expression profiles, how these differences influence plasticity at SC synapses is unclear. Here we report that increased mRNA levels for the SK3 subunit of SK-type K+channels in ventral pyramidal cells is associated with an enhanced activation of SK channels that strongly suppresses NMDAR activation at ventral SC synapses. This leads to striking differences in multiple aspects of synaptic transmission at dorsal and ventral SC synapses and underlies the reduced ability of ventral SC synapses to undergo LTP.
RACE TO THE EUROZONE: WHY LATVIA JOINED BEFORE LITHUANIA
Authors: Markevičiūtė Anastazija , Kuokštis Vytautas
Published: January 2017

Why did Latvia join the Eurozone in 2014, while Lithuania only acceded a year later? The two countries’ diverging experiences are surprising. Latvia suffered a more pronounced economic crisis from 2008 to 2010, which created greater euro adoption challenges in terms of meeting fiscal criteria. This article argues that, while the willingness to adopt the euro increased in both countries during and after the crisis, the will to seek euro adoption was stronger, clearer and more consistent in Latvia than in Lithuania. In examining this divergence, we argue that relying on aggregate economic costs and benefits, identity considerations, geopolitical considerations, societal support, and interest group preferences does not produce a satisfactory explanation of fluctuations in these countries’ willingness to adopt the euro. Instead, we propose that changes in this willingness can be traced to domestic political processes, such as the timing and results of elections and the magnitude of the economic crisis’s impact.
INCREASING EUPOPULISM AS A MEGATREND IN EAST CENTRAL EUROPE: FROM FACADE DEMOCRACIES TO VELVET DICTATORSHIPS
Authors: Ágh Attila
Published: January 2017

Brexit and Donald Trump’s victory in the 2016 US presidential election has launched a wave of discussions in the international media and political science literature on “authoritarian populism” and a “populist explosion.” Although this paper also reflects on this new wave of populism in the West, it concentrates on the connections between democracy’s decline and the so-called populist explosion in eastern central Europe (ECE) and closely investigates the Hungarian case within the context of ECE. This paper describes populism in ECE as a product of the transition from fading facade democracies to emerging velvet dictatorships. These velvet dictatorships rely on the soft power of media and communication rather on the hard power of state violence. Paradoxically, the ruling anti-elite populist parties have developed a system of populism from above, managed by the new politico-business elite. Populism (social and national) and Euroscepticism are the two most basic, and twin, terms used to describe these new (semi)authoritarian regimes. Populism and Euroscepticism are convertible; they are two sides of the same coin as they express the same divergence from the EU mainstream. Therefore, this paper introduces the term: Eupopulism.
ANTIDIPLOMACY IN RUSSIA’S POLICIES REGARDING RUSSIAN-SPEAKERS IN THE BALTIC STATES
Authors: Kuczyńska-Zonik Aleksandra
Published: January 2017

Though Russia is a classic realist power, Russia, as its recent actions in Ukraine reveal, frequently prefers hard power to powers of attraction. In addition to traditional economic pressure and military policy, Russia also employs antidiplomatic tools to influence the Baltic states. Though Russia officially proclaims itself a democratic state, it has been developing a broad spectrum of antidiplomatic methods to legitimise Russia’s interests in post-Soviet spaces inhabited by large numbers of Russian-speakers. The clearest example of these methods appears in Russia’s use of international and regional organizations’ conferences to express and articulate its interests in protecting Russian diasporas—a phenomenon that first appeared in the Vladimir Putin’s foreign policy as part of his efforts to construct a negative image of the Baltic states, affect the Baltic states’ domestic policies, and subtly discredit their governments. Russia is positioning itself as the protector of a Russian diaspora wounded by the Baltic states’ anti-Russian policies.
KLAUDIJUS MANIOKAS, ED., LITHUANIA'S FIRST DECADE IN THE EUROPEAN UNION: TRANSFORMATION OR IMITATION?
Authors: Lašas Ainius
Published: January 2017

For those who want to better grasp the political and socio-economic trajectory of Lithuania since its accession to the EU, this edited volume provides a wealth of information and insights. It touches upon a variety of themes ranging from the politicization of LGBT rights to Lithuania’s bumpy road to the eurozone. While this constitutes an interesting and informative read, the book sometimes struggles to maintain theoretical and conceptual cohesion throughout all chapters.[...]
Tonsillectomy Versus Watchful Waiting for Recurrent Throat Infection: A Systematic Review
Authors: Morad Anna , Sathe Nila A. , Francis David O. , McPheeters Melissa L. , Chinnadurai Sivakumar
Published: January 2017

CONTEXT:

The effectiveness of tonsillectomy or adenotonsillectomy (“tonsillectomy”) for recurrent throat infection compared with watchful waiting is uncertain.

OBJECTIVE:

To compare sleep, cognitive, behavioral, and health outcomes of tonsillectomy versus watchful waiting in children with recurrent throat infections.

DATA SOURCES:

MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Library.

STUDY SELECTION:

Two investigators independently screened studies against predetermined criteria.

DATA EXTRACTION:

One investigator extracted data with review by a second. Investigators independently assessed risk of bias and strength of evidence (SOE) and confidence in the estimate of effects.

RESULTS:

Seven studies including children with ≥3 infections in the previous 1 to 3 years addressed this question. In studies reporting baseline data, number of infections/sore throats decreased from baseline in both groups, with greater decreases in sore throat days, clinician contacts, diagnosed group A streptococcal infections, and school absences in tonsillectomized children in the short term (<12 months). Quality of life was not markedly different between groups at any time point.

LIMITATIONS:

Few studies fully categorized infection/sore throat severity; attrition was high.

CONCLUSIONS:

Throat infections, utilization, and school absences improved in the first postsurgical year in tonsillectomized children versus children not receiving surgery. Benefits did not persist over time; longer-term outcomes are limited. SOE is moderate for reduction in short-term throat infections and insufficient for longer-term reduction. SOE is low for no difference in longer-term streptococcal infection reduction. SOE is low for utilization and missed school reduction in the short term, low for no difference in longer-term missed school, and low for no differences in quality of life.
Argentina 1982, primer ensayo para la construcción de un cuerpo cíborg. A propósito de “Primera línea” de Carlos Gardini
Authors: Martinez Luciana
Published: January 2017

El presente trabajo propone una reflexión en torno a la emergencia de la estética cyberpunk en Argentina durante la década del ochenta, a partir del análisis del cuento “Primera línea” de Carlos Gardini. Este texto es el primer exponente de la estética cyberpunk en el país y asimismo el que inaugura en el escenario cultural local la representación de la guerra de Malvinas. El trabajo propone un acercamiento a la pregunta sobre la emergencia del cuerpo cíborg (simbiosis entre humano y máquina) en un escenario sociohistórico y cultural nacional que, en las postrimerías de la última dictadura cívico-militar argentina, se encuentra impregnado por los interrogantes sobre el cuerpo: el cuerpo ausente, el cuerpo torturado, el cuerpo mutilado en la guerra.
Robust mixture regression based on the skew t distribution
Authors: Doğru Fatma Zehra , Arslan Olcay
Published: January 2017

In this study, we propose a robust mixture regression procedure based on the skew t distribution to model heavy-tailed and/or skewed errors in a mixture regression setting. Using the scale mixture representation of the skew  t distribution, we give an Expectation Maximization (EM) algorithm to compute the maximum likelihood (ML) estimates for the paramaters of interest. The performance of proposed estimators is demonstrated by a simulation study and a real data example.
Double Generalized Beta-Binomial and Negative Binomial Regression Models
Authors: Cepeda-Cuervo Edilberto , Cifuentes-Amado María Victoria
Published: January 2017

Overdispersion is a common phenomenon  in count datasets, that can greatly affect inferences about the model. In this paper develop three joint mean and dispersion regression models in order to fit overdispersed data. These models are based on  reparameterizations of the beta-binomial and negative binomial distributions. Finally, we propose a Bayesian approach to estimate the parameters of the overdispersion regression models and use it to fit a school absenteeism dataset.
Devenir en padres: un análisis de las prácticas de resistencia de la organización H.I.J.O.S., Bogotá
Authors: Vásquez Zárate Gladys Angélica
Published: January 2017

Hijos e Hijas por la identidad y la justicia contra el olvido y el silencio (h.i.j.o.s., Bogotá) es una organización generacional resiliente, integrada por hijos/as que perdieron a sus padres a causa de la violencia sociopolítica que se libró en Colombia al finalizar los años ochenta del siglo xx, luego de haber firmado el respectivo acuerdo de paz entre el Gobierno nacional, y la Unión Patriótica y el Movimiento 19 de abril. Estos hechos de violencia, no reconocidos por el Estado, son la base de una subjetividad política que los moviliza a mantener vigente el legado de sus padres, en el marco de las negociaciones con la guerrilla de las Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia (farc), para mostrar, con su presencia y con sus prácticas de resistencia, los aprendizajes del pasado, para que no se repitan.En sus prácticas de resistencia la organización h.i.j.o.s. usa su cuerpo de manera performativa para la configuración de un contexto de sentido que active la memoria individual y la memoria colectiva de la sociedad colombiana. Mediante esta práctica la memoria se hace “viva”, al traer con su presencia a los ausentes y, con ello, los hechos de la historia reciente del país de forma alegórica. Los integrantes de h.i.j.o.s. pretenden devenir en padres, con el propósito de mantener su legado vigente, exigir el esclarecimiento de la verdad e intervenir en la transformación de las estructuras de exclusión que dieron origen al conflicto armado en el país.Para exigir el esclarecimiento de la verdad, h.i.j.o.s. interpela al Estado, a los partidos políticos, a las empresas nacionales y multinacionales y a la iglesia, con el fin de evidenciar las responsabilidades compartidas en el conflicto y las diferentes formas de victimización, no visibilizadas en la Ley de Víctimas —entre ellas los crímenes de Estado—, que requieren ser tenidas en cuenta dentro de las negociaciones del Acuerdo de Paz, para lograr la reconciliación en Colombia.
Reenmarcando la producción social de memoria: la experiencia de docentes y estudiantes en dos colegios de Bogotá
Authors: Bermeo Osorio Julián David
Published: January 2017

En el artículo se cuestiona la memoria como una práctica colectiva, cuando la violencia permanece activa en el presente, tomando como referente la experiencia de docentes de secundaria de dos colegios públicos de la ciudad de Bogotá, quienes, con la colaboración de sus estudiantes desarrollaron iniciativas de memoria sobre el conflicto armado en Colombia. Esto, precisamente, cuando en el país se adelantan negociaciones de paz y a la vez se implementan medidas de justicia transicional.Más específicamente, se identifican e interpretan los marcos desde los que se configuran las narrativas con las que estos actores educativos dan cuenta de su participación en tales iniciativas. En principio, se observa cómo el postulado del filósofo George Santayana “Aquellos que no recuerdan el pasado están condenados a repetirlo” es utilizado recurrentemente para insertar sus experiencias en la producción colaborativa de memoria.Sin embargo, en el transcurso de la narración, el pasado, el presente violento y el futuro incierto convergen, conduciendo a los participantes a cuestionar si hay lugar para la no- repetición, cuando problemáticas actuales, ligadas a formas históricas de violencia, y las expectativas de construcción de paz a futuro emergen y se ubican en el centro de la discusión. En consecuencia, se ven abocados a reenmarcar sus planteamientos iniciales, al punto de aceptar que el conocimiento del pasado cobra sentido, siempre que en el presente se lleven a cabo acciones que contribuyan a la transformación de las contradicciones subyacentes del conflicto, y así evitar su reproducción cíclica.En síntesis, a partir de un análisis de marcos interpretativos, este artículo arroja luz sobre las prácticas discursivas y sobre las luchas que actores específicos libran en espacios concretos, como la escuela, ante las contradicciones impuestas por un contexto en el que la producción de memoria debe coexistir con diferentes formas de violencia.
Towards 3D-Electrical Capacitance Tomography for Interface Detection
Authors: Clark Peter J. , Forte Giuseppe , Simmons Mark J. H. , Stitt E. Hugh
Published: January 2017

The application of three-dimensional electrical capacitance tomography (3D-ECT) for the in situ monitoring of a hard boundary or interface has been investigated using imaged phantoms that simulate real-life processes. A cylinder-in-tube phantom manufactured from polyethylene (PE), a low di-electric and non-conductive material, was imaged using the linear back projection (LBP) algorithm with the larger tube immersed at varying intervals to test the ability of the technique to image interfaces axially through the sensor. The interface between PE and air is clearly imaged and correlates to the known tube penetration within the sensor. The cylinder phantom is imaged in the centre of the sensor; however, the reduction in measurement density towards the centre of the ECT sensor results in reduced accuracy. A thresholding method, previously applied to binary systems to improve the imaged accuracy of a hard boundary between two separate phases, has been applied to the 3D-ECT tomograms that represent the PE phantom. This approach has been shown to improve the accuracy of the acquired image of a cylinder of air within a non-conductive PE tube.
Methane Emission Control
Authors: Raj By Agnes
Published: January 2017

Natural gas is of increasing interest as an alternative fuel for vehicles and stationary engines that traditionally use gasoline and diesel fuels. Drivers for the adoption of natural gas include high abundance, lower price and reduced greenhouse gas emissions compared to other fossil fuels. Biogas is an option which could reduce such emissions further. The regulations which cap emissions from these engines currently include Euro VI and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) greenhouse gas legislation. The regulated emissions limits for methane, nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter (PM) for both stoichiometric and lean burn compressed natural gas engines can be met by the application of either palladium-rhodium three-way catalyst (TWC) or platinum-palladium oxidation catalyst respectively. The drivers, policy and growth of this Pd based catalyst technology and its remaining challenges to be overcome in terms of cost and catalyst deactivation due to sulfur, water and thermal ageing are described in this short review.
Palladium Impurity Removal from Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient Process Streams
Authors: Phillips Stephanie , Holdsworth Duncan , Kauppinen Pasi , Mac Namara Carl
Published: January 2017

In this article, we will look at palladium impurity removal from active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) process streams using metal scavengers and the drivers for the implementation of such processes. The article will review some of the available scavengers and detail how Johnson Matthey approaches the trial work and the methods used for screening, optimisation and scale-up of the scavenger process. It will outline the steps taken to ensure smooth transfer of the metal impurity removal process from lab to plant. This will include Johnson Matthey data from batch isotherm, kinetic and fixed bed trials and the application of mathematical models for performance characterisation and scale-up, which all feed into the final system design. Performance data for a number of the Johnson Matthey range of scavengers will be referenced both in batch and cartridge systems and the benefits of using the scavengers in a cartridge system will be presented.
Dental Arch Relationships and Reverse Headgear Effects in Southern Chinese Patients with Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate
Authors: Hassan Yang Rafidah , Tse Kwan Lok , Khambay Balvinder , Wong Ricky Wing Kit , Gu Min , Yang Yanqi
Published: January 2017

Objective:

To evaluate the severity of the dental arch relationships and the treatment outcomes of reverse headgear (RHG) in southern Chinese patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP).

Design:

A retrospective study.

Setting:

Faculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong Kong.

Patients:

Thirty-eight UCLP patients with complete records. Among them, 14 were later treated with RHG (RHG group) and 24 were under review (non-RHG group) before definitive orthodontic or in conjunction with orthognathic surgery.

Interventions:

Study models at T1 (aged 9.4 ± 0.4 years old), prebone grafting and before any orthodontic treatment started; T2 (aged 11.3 ± 0.6 years old), after bone grafting, and RHG treatment (RHG group) or under review (non-RHG group); and T3 (aged 15.3 ± 3.2 years old), pretreatment of definitive orthodontic or in conjunction with orthognathic surgery.

Main Outcome Measures:

With satisfactory intra- and interexaminer agreement proven by the kappa value, the dental arch relationships of the study models at T1, T2, and T3 were assessed by a solo calibrated examiner using the GOSLON Yardstick.

Results:

The median GOSLON score for southern Chinese patients with UCLP at T1 was 4.0. Sixty percent of the patients were categorized as “poor” at T1. RHG significantly improved dental arch relationships from T1 to T2, and the improvement was maintained until T3 assessed by the GOSLON Yardstick.

Conclusions:

The dental arch relationships in southern Chinese UCLP patients at 8 to 10 years old are unfavorable. RHG treatment shows positive effects in improving the dental arch relationships in UCLP patients, as assessed by the GOSLON Yardstick.
Secondary Cleft Nasolabial Deformities
Authors: Sittah Ghassan Abu , Ghanem Odette Abou , Hamdan Usama , Ramia Paul , Zgheib Elias
Published: January 2017

Introduction:

Secondary or residual cleft lip and nasal deformities following primary unilateral or bilateral cleft lip repair are common. Many classification systems have been proposed to describe congenital cleft lip and palate deformities before repair. This article proposes a one-of-a-kind classification system for residual cleft deformities and describes its application to 136 cleft lip revision cases from cleft outreach missions worldwide.

Methods:

Patients’ demographics and deformities were classified preoperatively, and a database of the classification was created. Postoperatively, the type of surgery performed was added to the database and comparison was done using an independent t test.

Results:

Kappa coefficient was 0.92 and showed excellent agreement between the type assigned preoperatively to the patient and the type of procedure done.

Conclusions:

This system proves to provide good descriptions of the deformities, is user friendly, facilitates the planning of the corrective surgical procedure, and enhances the communicative lingo between surgeons and members of cleft multidisciplinary care teams. It is broadly applicable in outreach missions with limited resources and cleft referral centers with considerable load.
Regulation of Steroid Hormone Receptors and Coregulators during the Cell Cycle Highlights Potential Novel Function in Addition to Roles as Transcription Factors
Authors: Zheng Yingfeng , Murphy Leigh C.
Published: January 2017

Cell cycle progression is tightly controlled by several kinase families including Cyclin-Dependent Kinases, Polo-Like Kinases, and Aurora Kinases. A large amount of data show that steroid hormone receptors and various components of the cell cycle, including cell cycle regulated kinases, interact, and this often results in altered transcriptional activity of the receptor. Furthermore, steroid hormones, through their receptors, can also regulate the transcriptional expression of genes that are required for cell cycle regulation. However, emerging data suggest that steroid hormone receptors may have roles in cell cycle progression independent of their transcriptional activity. The following is a review of how steroid receptors and their coregulators can regulate or be regulated by the cell cycle machinery, with a particular focus on roles independent of transcription in G2/M.
Engineer’s approach to conservation
Authors: Fernandez Stephen
Published: January 2017

This paper discusses some of the considerations that engineers may need to take when assessing and working on historic buildings or assets. It outlines the philosophy of conservation and draws on experience gained using case studies of projects that the author has worked on for illustration. It highlights not only that an engineer needs to develop a wide array of skills and knowledge in order to carry out any works on historic structures, but also that an engineer can have a pivotal role in helping to protect and prolong the life of cultural heritage.
The Mauritian construction industry: assessing sector capacity
Authors: Appasamy Komadee , Paul Parneet
Published: January 2017

Mauritius has experienced an economic recession that has negatively impacted infrastructural project development. There is a presumed skill gap between local and foreign entities. This study explored the level of local capacity, their abilities to undertake projects and the capacity building measures in place in this sector. It was found that there is an adequate availability of professional skills and expertise but a lack of skilled labour. Projects allocated to foreign firms were either unique, large in size or lower tender bids were offered. The industry was poorly structured and managed. Although local companies and workforce were found to be skilled and experienced, it was industry institutions and the sector set up that limited workforce development. There were too many inefficient procurement processes that inhibited fruitful growth of the industry. It is deemed important for all local stakeholders to collaborate together to adopt transparent tender strategies and capacity building measures to ensure growth of local entities and development of a proficient local workforce.
Temas tributarios y de NIIF que debemos tomar en cuenta para proyectar el año 2011
Authors: Zapata Lara Jorge
Published: January 2017

El presente compendio de normas financieras nos da las pautas para el establecimiento de estrategias para guiar el eficiente desempeño de las organizaciones frente a las diferentes reformas tributarias y la dinámica que impone el proceso de implementación de las Normas Internacionales de Información Financiera en las que está inmerso el Ecuador, además permite realizar un análisis de los principales eventos relacionados en este ámbito con el objeto de facilitar la proyección de los diferentes procesos contables y financieros para el año 2011.
La trampa del bienestar: consumir más produciendo menos
Authors: Chicaiza Villalba Tania
Published: January 2017

Las grandes empresas trans y multinacionales dedican importantes sumas de dinero para crear y transmitir mensajes con el fin de alinear a las personas como potenciales consumidores de las marcas que representan sus productos, siendo las responsables de la generación de una cultura de consumo, en su mayoría poco racional, pero que simplemente no se detiene. Esta práctica consumista, en ocasiones muestra una máscara que oculta la verdadera situación económica de un país, y lo que es peor, los auténticos niveles de prosperidad de una sociedad, generando fuertes distorsiones económicas, en donde el bienestar de las futuras generaciones se ve sacrificado por un consumo mediáticoy no planificado que tiene fuertes externalidades y un gran riesgo de insostenibilidad
Valoración de empresas
Authors: Montero Tamayo Pedro
Published: January 2017

Este artículo nos ofrece una visión general de la valoración empresarial, es una guía objetiva que ayuda a despejar las interrogantes sobre la aplicación de las técnicas para estimar el costo de una empresa, ofrece una orientación para la toma de decisiones sobre la metodología a aplicar en las diferentes circunstancias en que es necesario saber el valor de una empresa.
Cloud Computing / Computación en nube
Authors: Maya Proaño Isabel
Published: January 2017

El Cloud computing o computación en Nube, en la actualidad, constituye una excelente alternativa tecnológica para numerosas empresas; su radio de acción potencialmente alcanza a todo usuario informático del planeta. Este sistema está basado en la externalización de los recursos informáticos y puede ofrecer diversas aplicaciones y provisión de servicios a través de la Internet, eliminando dispositivos físicos.
Determinación del mercado objetivo y la demanda insatisfecha, cuando no se dispone de estadísticas
Authors: Izquierdo Maldonado Carlos
Published: January 2017

El plan de negocios y/o proyecto de factibilidad representa la mejor alternativa de inversión con un nivel de rentabilidad mayor al costo de oportunidad del capital. Para que el retorno del proyecto sea mayor al costo de oportunidad, esto significa sustentar los flujos de beneficios que ofrece el proyecto, con la determinación de la demanda insatisfecha y un desempeño eficiente del negocio; consecuentemente, determinar la demanda insatisfecha es un elemento clave para demostrar la factibilidad del proyecto. No siempre se dispone de estadísticas para el estudio de mercado de nuevas oportunidades de negocios; en tal sentido, se ha preparado esta metodología, con base en un estudio de caso para la determinación del mercado objetivo y demanda insatisfecha cuando no se dispone de estadísticas.
La industria lechera en Ecuador: un modelo de desarrollo
Authors: Grijalva Cobo Juan Pablo
Published: January 2017

La industria lechera en Ecuador:un modelo de desarrollo
Aproximación al Desarrollo Económico Local en el Municipio de Santa María Ostuma, Deparamento de La Paz, El Salvador. Propuestas y acciones
Authors: Gutiérrez Montoya Guillermo Antonio
Published: January 2017

This study presents the findings of research conducted in the Municipality of Santa Maria Ostuma, Department of La Paz, El Salvador. Its aim was to analyze local development and municipal management in Santa Maria Ostuma, with emphasis on the panela sector in the region, which is a sector with great potential in the area, both productive and touristic attraction, and that would bring the people income, employment and community development. For the development of research in situ, panela producers were visited and interviews with key stakeholders were performed.