bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Self-Care Among Older Adults With Heart Failure
Authors: Attaallah Sumayya , Klymko Kay , Hopp Faith Pratt
Published: July 2017

Background: It is estimated that 5.7 million Americans are living with heart failure (HF) today. Despite the fact that HF is one of the most common reasons people aged 65 years and older are admitted into the hospital, few studies describe the self-care in this older adult population. Purpose: The purpose of the study was to review the current literature on self-care in this population to better understand the influence of selected factors on self-care and health outcomes. Methods: A literature search was completed and resulted in including 28 studies. Results: Multiple factors have been reported as barriers to self-care including depression and presence of peripheral arterial disease. Factors having a positive effect on self-care are male gender, number of cardiologist referrals, and self-efficacy. There were few studies that described the association between cognitive functioning and self-care. There is a lack of strong evidence to support the association between self-care and health outcomes such as readmission rate, but recent studies suggest that a 30-day readmission is not a valid predictor of health outcomes. Implications: The assessment of the psychological factors and health care resource utilization patterns that may influence self-care is recommended. More research that addresses the role of cognitive factors in influencing self-care is needed.
Transitions Between Care Settings at the End of Life Among Older Homecare Recipients
Authors: Abraham Sneha , Menec Verena
Published: July 2017

Objectives: Objectives were to (a) describe transitions between care settings in older homecare recipients at the end of life, and (b) examine what personal (e.g., age, sex) and health system factors (e.g., hospital bed supply) predict care transitions. Methods: The study involved analysis of administrative health care data and was based on a complete cohort of homecare recipients aged 65 years or older who died in Manitoba, Canada between 2003 and 2006 ( N = 7,866). Results: More than half of homecare recipients had at least one care transition in the last 30 days before death and 21% had two or more hospitalizations in the last 90 days. Both personal characteristics and health system factors were related to transitions and hospitalizations. Discussion: The findings suggest that homecare recipients are an important population to focus on in terms of reducing potentially burdensome transitions and enhancing the end-of-life experience for them and their family.
Thinking Sociologically About Image-Based Sexual Abuse
Authors: DeKeseredy Walter S. , Schwartz Martin D.
Published: July 2017

Often referred to by journalists, policy makers, and the general public as revenge porn, image-based sexual abuse is starting to garner serious legal and social scientific attention. However, theoretical developments have thus far not kept pace with the growing empirical and legal literature on this electronic variant of woman abuse. Further, this problem cannot adequately be explained by gender-blind theories, as there is a strong relationship between gender and women’s risk of being harmed by image-based sexual abuse by current and former intimate male partners. Thus, the main objective of this article is to address this concern by applying male peer support theory.
Racial and ethnic disparities in hematologic malignancies
Authors: Kirtane Kedar , Lee Stephanie J.
Published: July 2017

Racial and ethnic disparities in patients with solid malignancies have been well documented. Less is known about these disparities in patients with hematologic malignancies. With the advent of novel chemotherapeutics and targeted molecular, cellular, and immunologic therapies, it is important to identify differences in care that may lead to disparate outcomes. This review provides a critical appraisal of the empirical research on racial and ethnic disparities in incidence, survival, and outcomes in patients with hematologic malignancies. The review focuses on patients with acute myeloid leukemia, acute lymphocytic leukemia, multiple myeloma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma, myeloproliferative neoplasms, and myelodysplastic syndrome. The review discusses possible causes of racial and ethnic disparities and also considers future directions for studies to help decrease disparities.
Integrative physiology of transcellular and paracellular intestinal absorption
Authors: Karasov William H.
Published: July 2017

Glucose absorption by the small intestine has been studied for nearly a century. Despite extensive knowledge about the identity, functioning and regulation of the relevant transporters, there has been and there remains controversy about how these transporters work in concert to determine the overall epithelial absorption of key nutrients (e.g. sugars, amino acids) over a wide range of dietary and/or luminal concentrations. Our broader, integrative understanding of intestinal absorption requires more than the reductionist dissection of all the components and their elaboration at molecular and genetic levels. This Commentary emphasizes the integration of discrete molecular players and processes (including paracellular absorption) that, in combination, determine the overall epithelial absorption of key nutrients (e.g. sugars, amino acids) and putative anti-nutrients (water-soluble toxins), and the integration of that absorption with other downstream processes related to metabolic demands. It identifies historic key advances, controversies and future research ideas, as well as important perspectives that arise through comparative as well as biomedical physiological research.
Hormonal responsiveness to stress is negatively associated with vulnerability to angling capture in fish
Authors: Louison Michael J. , Adhikari Shivani , Stein Jeffrey A. , Suski Cory D.
Published: July 2017

Differences in behavior and physiology amongst individuals often alter relative fitness levels in the environment. However, the ideal behavioral/physiological phenotype in a given environment may be altered by human activity, leading to an evolutionary response in the affected population. One example of this process can be found in fisheries (including recreational freshwater fisheries), where selective capture and harvest of individuals with certain phenotypes can drive evolutionary change. While some life history traits and behavioral tendencies influencing capture likelihood have been studied, the physiological mechanisms driving this vulnerability remain poorly understood. To address this, we assessed how two major physiological characteristics (hormonal responsiveness to stress and metabolic phenotype) and one behavioral characteristic (boldness) impact the likelihood of an individual being captured by anglers. Largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides, derived from a population artificially selected for differential angling vulnerability were assessed for boldness and for stress responsiveness (as indicated by plasma cortisol levels) following an air-exposure challenge. Largemouth bass were then stocked into a pond where experimental angling trials took place, and a subset of captured and uncaptured fish were afterwards assessed for metabolic phenotype. The results showed that stress responsiveness was the primary driver of angling vulnerability, with individuals that experienced lower rises in cortisol following the air-exposure challenge more likely to be captured. Neither boldness nor metabolic phenotype influenced capture probability. The results from this study indicate that fisheries-induced selective pressure may act on physiology, potentially altering stress responsiveness and its associated behaviors in populations exploited by recreational anglers.
Apparent changes in body insulation of juvenile king penguins suggest an energetic challenge during their early life at sea
Authors: Enstipp Manfred R. , Bost Charles-André , Le Bohec Céline , Bost Caroline , Le Maho Yvon , Weimerskirch Henri , Handrich Yves
Published: July 2017

Little is known about the early life at sea of marine top predators, like deep-diving king penguins (Aptenodytes patagonicus), although this dispersal phase is probably a critical phase in their life. Apart from finding favourable foraging sites, they have to develop effective prey search patterns as well as physiological capacities that enable them to capture sufficient prey to meet their energetic needs. To investigate the ontogeny of their thermoregulatory responses at sea, we implanted 30 juvenile king penguins and 8 adult breeders with a small data logger that recorded pressure and subcutaneous temperature continuously for up to 2.5 years. We found important changes in the development of peripheral temperature patterns of foraging juvenile king penguins throughout their first year at sea. Peripheral temperature during foraging bouts fell to increasingly lower levels during the first 6 months at sea, after which it stabilized. Most importantly, these changes re-occurred during their second year at sea, after birds had fasted for ∼4 weeks on land during their second moult. Furthermore, similar peripheral temperature patterns were also present in adult birds during foraging trips throughout their breeding cycle. We suggest that rather than being a simple consequence of concurrent changes in dive effort or an indication of a physiological maturation process, these seasonal temperature changes mainly reflect differences in thermal insulation. Heat loss estimates for juveniles at sea were initially high but declined to approximately half after ∼6 months at sea, suggesting that juvenile king penguins face a strong energetic challenge during their early oceanic existence.
Lipid Raft Formation Driven by Push and Pull Forces
Authors: Mukai Masaru , Regen Steven L
Published: July 2017

The lipid raft hypothesis is one of the most significant concepts that has emerged over the past two decades in cell membrane research. In essence, lipid rafts are thought to consist of tightly packed aggregates of cholesterol and sphingolipids that “float in a sea” of fluid phospholipid. Despite its popularity, many basic questions surrounding the lipid raft hypothesis remain to be answered. In particular, their size, their lifetimes and their biological functions have not yet been firmly established. At a more fundamental level, the forces that drive the formation of lipid rafts are not well understood. In this review, recent “nearest-neighbor recognition” (NNR) experiments are discussed that bear on these forces. In particular, these experiments have revealed a major and, heretofore, unrecognized role that polyunsaturated phospholipids are likely to play in the formation of lipid rafts.
Some Mushrooms are Hard to Digest: Gastrostomy Tube Exchange
Authors: Gupta Nishant , Goyal Pradeep , Bansal Itisha , Hooda Kusum , Kumar Yogesh , Bearden Gregory
Published: July 2017

Background: Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is an effective and safe mode of enteral nutrition for patients needing chronic enteric nutritional support. Exchanging PEG tubes may result in complications due to inexperience as well as due to lack of protocol.

Case Report: We encountered a 73 year-old female with unnoticed, accidently detached portion of the internal bumper of a PEG tube in the gastric lumen after a challenging gastrostomy tube exchange.

Conclusions: This case report discusses the complications associated with gastrostomy tube exchange and proposes a planned protocol for successful gastrostomy tube exchange.
Impact of Queue Configuration on Service Time: Evidence from a Supermarket
Authors: Wang Jingqi , Zhou Yong-Pin
Published: July 2017

We study how queue configuration affects human servers’ service time by comparing dedicated queues with shared queues using field data from a natural experiment in a supermarket. We hypothesize that queue configuration may affect servers’ service rate through several mechanisms: pooling may affect service rate directly as a result of social loafing effect and competition effect and indirectly via its impact on queue length. To investigate these impacts, we take advantage of the supermarket’s checkout layout and use a data set containing both checkout transaction details and queue information collected from video recordings in the supermarket. After we control for the queue length, we find that servers in dedicated queues are about 10.7% faster than those in shared queues, mainly because of the social loafing effect. We also demonstrate that pooling has an indirect negative effect on service time through its impact on queue length. In addition, the queue configuration’s direct effect and its indirect queue length effect function independently of each other. In aggregation, the social loafing effect dominates, and servers slow down (a 6.86% increase in service time) in shared queues.

This paper was accepted by Serguei Netessine, operations management.
Closed-Form Approximations for Optimal (r, q) and (S, T) Policies in a Parallel Processing Environment
Authors: Ang Marcus , Sigman Karl , Song Jing-Sheng , Zhang Hanqin
Published: July 2017

We consider a single-item continuous-review (r, q) inventory system with a renewal demand process and independent, identically distributed stochastic lead times. Using a stationary marked-point process technique and a heavy-traffic limit, we prove a previous conjecture that inventory position and inventory on-order are asymptotically independent. We also establish closed-form expressions for the optimal policy parameters and system cost in heavy-traffic limit, the first of their kind, to our knowledge. These expressions sharpen our understanding of the key determinants of the optimal policy and their quantitative and qualitative impacts. For example, the results demonstrate that the well-known square-root relationship between the optimal order quantity and demand rate under a sequential processing environment is replaced by the cube root under a stochastic parallel processing environment. We further extend the study to periodic-review (S, T) systems with constant lead times.

The electronic companion is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/opre.2017.1623 .
Assessing Customer Service Reliability in Route Planning with Self-Imposed Time Windows and Stochastic Travel Times
Authors: Vareias Anastasios D. , Repoussis Panagiotis P. , Tarantilis Christos D.
Published: July 2017

This paper presents mathematical models and solution methods for assigning time windows to customers in vehicle routing problems with stochastic travel times. The goal is to design minimum-cost routes in terms of traveling distance and to simultaneously minimize the expected penalty costs associated with the assignment of time windows. Focus is given on how to evaluate the flexibility of time windows and to incorporate service reliability into the routing plans. Two mathematical models are proposed for the stochastic time window assignment problem that treat the travel times as continuous and discrete random variables, and take into account lateness and earliness penalties, penalties for the time window widths, and chance constraints to model the probability of serving each customer within the assigned time window so as to meet service reliability requirements. A hierarchical solution approach is proposed. At the first level, the master vehicle routing problem is solved via an adaptive large neighborhood search metaheuristic to optimize the routing cost, while at the second level the subordinate time window assignment subproblems are solved optimally. Various computational experiments are conducted to assess the performance of the proposed algorithmic framework, to understand time window flexibility, to study the trade-off between service reliability and routing costs, and to demonstrate the effectiveness and applicability of optimal time window assignment policies in an urban transportation environment with uncertain travel times.
Assessing and Improving the Operational Resilience of a Large Highway Infrastructure System to Worst-Case Losses
Authors: Alderson David L. , Brown Gerald G. , Carlyle W. Matthew , Wood R. Kevin
Published: July 2017

This paper studies the resilience of the regional highway transportation system of the San Francisco Bay Area. Focusing on peak periods for commuter traffic, traffic patterns are computed from a model that includes nonlinear increases in travel times due to congestion and reflects actual travel demands as captured by U.S. Census demographic data. We consider the consequences associated with loss of one or more road, bridge, and/or tunnel segments, where travelers are allowed to reroute to avoid congestion or potentially not travel at all if traffic is bad. We use a sequential game to identify sets of road, bridge, or tunnel segments whose loss results in worst-case travel times. We also demonstrate how the model can be used to quantify the operational resilience of the system, as well as to characterize trade-offs in resilience for different defensive investments, thus providing concise information to guide planners and decision makers.
AAC Assessment in a Speech-Language Clinical Setting: A Case Report of a Young Child with Cerebral Palsy
Authors: Yeon SeokJeong ,   Korean Society of Augmentative and Alternative Communication
Published: July 2017

Background and Objectives: Children with complex communication needs often require a comprehensive augmentative and alternative communication assessment to optimize their communication. This study provides an overview of the AAC assessment process in a speech-language clinical setting and analyzes a case report of a young child with cerebral palsy. Method: This study first presents the AAC assessment process, including the following: case history; language and communication assessment; symbol assessment; device trial; alternative access; multi-modality approach; and AAC instruction. This study then presents a case report on a young child with cerebral palsy. Results: The young child with cerebral palsy spontaneously initiated her communicative intensions after AAC intervention. Conclusion: For developing the appropriate AAC system, the overall AAC assessment process is required.
Spectral laser damage testing of optical materials
Authors: Schröder Sven , Garrick Méabh , Munser Anne-Sophie , Trost Marcus
Published: July 2017

The spectral laser-induced damage of optical components was measured using a new instrument based on combining a laser-induced damage threshold (LIDT) testing procedure with angle-resolved light scattering and using a tunable optical parametric oscillator laser source. Tests on aluminum mirrors revealed a significant drop of the LIDT around 800 nm, which is not predicted by simple scaling laws. For near-infrared edge filters, remarkable changes in the LIDT around the band edge were observed, which are linked to the spectral variation of the field distribution in the interference coating.
Der Einfluss von Fahrermerkmalen auf den erlebten Fahrkomfort im
hochautomatisierten Fahren
Authors: Beggiato Matthias , Hartwich Franziska , Krems Josef
Published: July 2017

Die Veränderung der
Fahrerrolle im hochautomatisierten Fahren vom Akteur zum „Passagier am Fahrersitz“ wirft neue Fragen auf nach dem erlebten
Fahrkomfort in dieser veränderten Situation. In
einer kombinierten Fahrsimulator- und Realfahrstudie
wurde der Einfluss von Fahrermerkmalen auf den wahrgenommenen
Fahrkomfort, die Akzeptanz und den Fahrspaß im
hochautomatisierten Fahren untersucht.
Failure analysis of eleven Gates Glidden drills that fractured intraorally during post space preparation. A retrieval analysis study
Authors: Al Jabbari Youssef S. , Fournelle Raymond , Al Taweel Sara M. , Zinelis Spiros
Published: July 2017

The purpose of this study was to determine the failure mechanism of clinically failed Gates Glidden (GG) drills. Eleven retrieved GG drills (sizes #1 to #3) which fractured during root canal preparation were collected and the fracture location was recorded based on macroscopic observation. All fracture surfaces were investigated by a SEM. Then the fractured parts were embedded in acrylic resin and after metallographic preparation, the microstructure and elemental composition was evaluated by SEM and EDS. The Vickers hardness (HV) of all specimens was also determined. Macroscopic examination and SEM analysis showed that the drills failed near the hand piece end by torsional fatigue with fatigue cracks initiating at several locations around the circumference and propagating toward the center. Final fracture followed by a tensile overloading at the central region of cross section. Microstructural analysis, hardness measurements and EDS show that the drills are made of a martensitic stainless steel like AISI 440C. Based on the findings of this study, clinicians should expect fatigue fracture of GG drills that have small size during root canal preparation. Selection of a more fatigue resistant stainless steel alloy and enhancing the instrument design might reduce the incidence of quasi-cleavage fracture on GG drills.
Defining the critical role of nurses in diagnostic error prevention: a conceptual framework and a call to action
Authors: Gleason Kelly T. , Davidson Patricia M. , Tanner Elizabeth K. , Baptiste Diana , Rushton Cynda , Day Jennifer , Sawyer Melinda , Baker Deborah , Paine Lori , Himmelfarb Cheryl R. Dennison , Newman-Toker David E.
Published: July 2017

Nurses have always been involved in the diagnostic process, but there remains a pervasive view across physicians, nurses, and allied health professionals that medical diagnosis is solely a physician responsibility. There is an urgent need to adjust this view and for nurses to take part in leading efforts addressing diagnostic errors. The purpose of this article is to define a framework for nursing engagement in the diagnostic process that can serve as a catalyst for nurses to engage in eliminating preventable harms from diagnostic error. We offer a conceptual model to formalize and expand nurses’ engagement in the diagnostic process through education, maximize effectiveness of interprofessional teamwork and communication through culture change, and leverage the nursing mission to empower patients to become active members of the diagnostic team. We describe the primary barriers, including culture, education, operations, and regulations, to nurses participating as full, equal members of the diagnostic team, and illustrate our approach to addressing these barriers. Nurses already play a major role in diagnosis and increasingly take ownership of this role, removing barriers will strengthen nurses’ ability to be equal, integral diagnostic team members. This model should serve as a foundation for increasing the role of the nurse in the diagnostic process, and calling nurses to take action in leading efforts to reduce diagnostic error.
A Generalized ARFIMA Model with Smooth Transition Fractional Integration Parameter
Authors: Boubaker Heni
Published: July 2017

This paper proposes a model of time-varying fractional integration where the long-memory parameter,d$d$, in an ARFIMA model is allowed to depend ont$t$and evolve according to a Smooth Transition Regressive (STR) model advanced by Teräsvirta (1994, 1998) . To estimate the time-varying fractional integration parameter, we suggest a new multi-step estimation method based on the wavelet approach using the instantaneous least squares estimator (ILSE). We conduct some simulation experiments and we find that our estimation iterative procedure performs better than that proposed by Boutahar, Dufrénot, and Péguin-Feissolle (2008). An empirical application of this methodology to the volatility of some financial time series is used for illustration purposes. Finally, it is shown that the model proposed offers an interesting framework to describe long-range dependence in the volatility with heterogeneous persistence.
Nationalization through Internationalization. Writing, Remembering, and Commemorating the Holocaust in Macedonia and Bulgaria after 1989
Authors: Ragaru Nadège
Published: July 2017

The author analyses the scholarship, remembrance, and commemoration of the Holocaust in Macedonia and Bulgaria after 1989. She re-examines interpretive schisms between former communists and anticommunists, explores changes in one of the major lieux de mémoire in Bulgaria, the ‘rescue’ of its Jews, and juxtaposes it to the killing of those Jews who lived in Bulgarian-occupied territories. She contextualizes the Bulgarian-Macedonian controversies within European and global frameworks, looking at the process of the institutionalization of Holocaust remembrance in the two countries. She then considers the role of international Jewish communities and the effects of a European Union that since the enlargement of 2007 has been moulding a ‘European’ commemorative landscape from fear of yet another East-West divide. In her conclusion the author outlines an agenda for a transnational social history of anti-Jewish policies and persecutions, and looks at who might be its major actors in Bulgaria and Macedonia.
The Greek Historiography of the 1940s. A Reassessment
Authors: Voglis Polymeris , Nioutsikos Ioannis
Published: July 2017

This article is a presentation and assessment of Greek historiography and public memory regarding the period of occupation, resistance, and civil war during the 1940s. It examines historical production and culture from the first postwar years until 1989 and explains the relation between the changing visions of the past and political developments in Greece. In addition, the article evaluates works published after 2000, in order to discuss new questions that were raised and the ensuing debates. The article concludes by addressing themes that can revitalize the study of the 1940s, regarding the analytical framework, the territorial and social dimension, the notion of state and governmentality, and the issue of memory and public history.
From Heroisation to Competing Victimhoods. History Writing on the Second World War in Moldova
Authors: Suveica Svetlana
Published: July 2017

The author outlines the way identity perspectives determine the understanding of World War Two in Moldovan society, and the role of historians in this conception. She discusses how historians have adjusted their writing to fit a certain political discourse and have influenced how and what should people ‘remember’. Further questions at stake touch on the standing of Moldovan history writing in comparison with World War Two research published outside the country; the new tendencies in history writing; and whether these emerging currents might lead in the near future to the transcendence of the politicised approaches that are currently dominant.
Academic Freedom in Danger. Fact Files on the ‘CEU Affair’
Authors: Trencsényi Balázs , Rieber Alfred J. , Iordachi Constantin , Hîncu Adela
Published: July 2017

In the beginning of April this year, the Hungarian Parliament passed two amendments to the existing educational law, which in their particular formulation targeted specifically the renowned Central European University in Budapest and sought to undermine the legal basis of its existence in Hungary. In four contributions leading academics and a PhD student of the History Department of the Central European University place the latest events in context, provide insights into the institutional set-up and the development of the History Department, and explain why this institution is special and worth fighting for.
Motricidad comunitaria: representaciones sociales en actores de la práctica pedagogíca Instituto de educación física
Authors: Ochoa Patiño Verónica , Arias Henao Martha Nancy
Published: July 2017

Preguntar por la Representación Social de la Motricidad Comunitaria es ir tras
la comprensión, interpretación y actuación que comparten las personas que fueron indagadas. El estudio interrogó a dieciocho actores de la Práctica Pedagógica del Énfasis en Motricidad Comunitaria del nivel X del semestre 2013-I: tres profesores, diez estudiantes, tres cooperadores y dos integrantes de comités. Se encontró que en los participantes, se halla anclada una Representación Social de la Motricidad como dimensión humana. Existe un entendimiento de Comunidad desde el enfoque de la relación-interacción. Por último, para los participantes, la Motricidad Comunitaria se mueve entre Actividad Física para la Salud y énfasis de formación del que hacen parte prácticas que se hallan por fuera de las prácticas escolares, administrativas y del entrenamiento deportivo.
Application of Response Surface Methods To Determine Conditions for Optimal Genomic Prediction
Authors: Howard Réka , Carriquiry Alicia L , Beavis William D
Published: July 2017

An epistatic genetic architecture can have a significant impact on prediction accuracies of genomic prediction (GP) methods. Machine learning methods predict traits comprised of epistatic genetic architectures more accurately than statistical methods based on additive mixed linear models. The differences between these types of GP methods suggest a diagnostic for revealing genetic architectures underlying traits of interest. In addition to genetic architecture, the performance of GP methods may be influenced by the sample size of the training population, the number of QTL, and the proportion of phenotypic variability due to genotypic variability (heritability). Possible values for these factors and the number of combinations of the factor levels that influence the performance of GP methods can be large. Thus, efficient methods for identifying combinations of factor levels that produce most accurate GPs is needed. Herein, we employ response surface methods (RSMs) to find the experimental conditions that produce the most accurate GPs. We illustrate RSM with an example of simulated doubled haploid populations and identify the combination of factors that maximize the difference between prediction accuracies of best linear unbiased prediction (BLUP) and support vector machine (SVM) GP methods. The greatest impact on the response is due to the genetic architecture of the population, heritability of the trait, and the sample size. When epistasis is responsible for all of the genotypic variance and heritability is equal to one and the sample size of the training population is large, the advantage of using the SVM method vs. the BLUP method is greatest. However, except for values close to the maximum, most of the response surface shows little difference between the methods. We also determined that the conditions resulting in the greatest prediction accuracy for BLUP occurred when genetic architecture consists solely of additive effects, and heritability is equal to one.
Association Between the FCYRIIIA-158V-F Polymorphism and Periodontitis
Authors: González Quesada DDS, MSc Jorge , Vidal Soto Phd Rodrigo , Fuentes Zuleta DDS, MSc Patricio
Published: July 2017

The multifactorial etiology of periodontitis is recognized, where genetic and environmental factors interact to produce the disease and modify its clinical expression The aim of this study is to determine the association between the presence of the polymorphism for IgG subclass III A receptor (FCYRIIIA-158V-F) and severe periodontitis. Materials and Methods: The study sample was composed of 150 patients: 32 patients with aggressive periodontitis, 71 patients with chronic periodontitis, and 47 clinically healthy volunteers without periodontitis. Peripheral blood samples, approximately 20μl, were obtained. DNA extraction was carried out from the FTAelute micro-cards. The selected polymorphisms were amplified by PCR. Results: The genotypic frequencies of the three groups evaluated met the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (Chi-square test, p-value> 0.05, 95% CI). The difference between the periodontitis (chronic and aggressive peridontitis) group and the group of healthy individuals was statistically significant for the presence of the T allele (p≤0.004), with an OR of 4.03 (95% CI), the sensitivity to 93% and specificity to 23%, with a positive predictive value of 72% and a negative predictive value of 61%. Conclusions: A statistically significant association was found between the presence of the T allele in the polymorphism of FCYRIIIA-158V-F and the diseased condition (periodontitis group), suggesting that the T allele possesses a higher probability of developing severe periodontitis. Due to the importance of identifying subjects susceptible to periodontitis we recommend further studies.
Cerebrospinal fluid drainage options for posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus in premature neonates
Authors: Melo José Roberto Tude , Passos Rosane Klein , Carvalho Marcelo Liberato Coelho Mendes de
Published: July 2017

ABSTRACT Objective The literature describes various cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) drainage techniques to alleviate posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus in preterm newborns; however, consensus has not been reached. The scope of this study was describing a case series of premature neonates with posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus and assessing the outcomes of different approaches used for CSF diversion. Methods A consecutive review of the medical records of neonates with posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus treated with CSF drainage was conducted. Results Forty premature neonates were included. Serial lumbar puncture, ventriculosubgaleal shunt, and ventriculoperitoneal shunt were the treatments of choice in 25%, 37.5% and 37.5% of the cases, respectively. Conclusion Cerebrospinal fluid diversion should be tailored to each case with preference given to temporary CSF drainage in neonates with lower age and lower birth-weight, while the permanent ventriculoperitoneal shunt should be considered in healthier, higher birth-weight neonates born closer to term.
Critical analysis on the present methods for brain volume measurements in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Fragoso Yara Dadalti , Willie Paulo Roberto , Goncalves Marcus Vinicius Magno , Brooks Joseph Bruno Bidin
Published: July 2017

ABSTRACT Objective The treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS) has quickly evolved from a time when controlling clinical relapses would suffice, to the present day, when complete disease control is expected. Measurement of brain volume is still at an early stage to be indicative of therapeutic decisions in MS. Methods This paper provides a critical review of potential biases and artifacts in brain measurement in the follow-up of patients with MS. Results Clinical conditions (such as hydration or ovulation), time of the day, type of magnetic resonance machine (manufacturer and potency), brain volume artifacts and different platforms for volumetric assessment of the brain can induce variations that exceed the acceptable physiological rate of annual loss of brain volume. Conclusion Although potentially extremely valuable, brain volume measurement still has to be regarded with caution in MS.
Effect of intra-hippocampal injection of human recombinant growth hormone on synaptic plasticity in the nucleus basalis magnocellularis-lesioned aged rats
Authors: Malek Maryam , Sarkaki Alireza , Zahedi-Asl Saleh , Farbood Yaghoob , Rajaei Ziba
Published: July 2017

ABSTRACT In this study, we proposed that administration of hippocampal growth hormone in ageing animals with growth hormone deficiency can compensate long-term potentiation and synaptic plasticity in nucleus basalis magnocellularis (NBM)-lesioned rats. Aged male Wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups (seven in each) of sham-operated healthy rats (Cont); NBM-lesioned rats (L); NBM-lesioned rats and intrahippocampal injection of growth hormone vehicle (L + Veh); NBM-lesioned and intrahippocampal injection of growth hormone (10, 20 and 40 µg.2 µl-1) (L + GH). In vivo electrophysiological recording techniques were used to characterize maintenance of long-term potentiation at distinct times (1, 2, 3, 24 and 48 hours) after high-frequency stimulation. The population spike was enhanced significantly for about 48 hours following tetanic stimulation in rats treated with a dose-dependent growth hormone compared to the vehicle group (p < 0.05), possibly through neuronal plasticity and neurogenesis in affected areas.
Cerebral hemodynamic and metabolic changes in fulminant hepatic failure
Authors: Paschoal Junior Fernando Mendes , Nogueira Ricardo de Carvalho , Oliveira Marcelo de Lima , Paschoal Eric Homero Albuquerque , Teixeira Manoel Jacobsen , D’Albuquerque Luiz Augusto Carneiro , Bor-Seng-Shu Edson
Published: July 2017

ABSTRACT Intracranial hypertension and brain swelling are a major cause of morbidity and mortality of patients suffering from fulminant hepatic failure (FHF). The pathogenesis of these complications has been investigated in man, in experimental models and in isolated cell systems. Currently, the mechanism underlying cerebral edema and intracranial hypertension in the presence of FHF is multi-factorial in etiology and only partially understood. The aim of this paper is to review the pathophysiology of cerebral hemodynamic and metabolism changes in FHF in order to improve understanding of intracranial dynamics complication in FHF.
Elaboration, sensorial acceptance and characterization of fermented flavored drink based on water-soluble extract of baru almond
Authors: Fioravante Marceli Borges , Hiane Priscila Aiko , Braga Neto José Antônio
Published: July 2017

ABSTRACT: The impact of alimentation on life’s quality have encouraged the search for alternative foods with better quality and use of native fruits with technological and nutritional potentials contributes to the development of new products. Thus, the aim of this study was to develop a fermented flavored drink, potentially probiotic, based on the water-soluble extract of baru almond, perform sensory evaluation, determine its chemical composition and monitor the shelf life. The extract was fermented by a culture containing Streptococcus thermophilus, Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium. After fermentation, thickeners, sucrose and plum pulp were added, these latter two in accordance to the proposed factorial design that resulted seven assays. These formulations were subjected to sensorial analysis, which included the acceptance test and purchase intention. The optimized formulation had its physical-chemical and nutritional characteristics evaluated trough the determination of chemical and mineral composition, viability of the probiotic bacteria and the acidity and pH parameters were evaluated during the twenty-eight storage days. Formulations obtained high rates of acceptability and purchase intention and the optimized formulation achieved good nutritional characteristics, being a food with high manganese content and a source of magnesium and phosphorus. During the storage, the pH and acidity values varied and probiotic microorganism count increased. Probiotic potential of fermented drink can be justified by presence of both microorganisms and by the verified counting obtained since the seventh storage day of the product.
Effectiveness of selection, parent-offspring correlation and regression in bacterial blight resistance genes introgressed rice segregating population
Authors: Govintharaj Ponnaiah , Tannidi Shalini , Swaminathan Manonmani , Sabariappan Robin
Published: July 2017

ABSTRACT: The effectiveness of early generation selection was practiced in bacterial blight resistance genes introgressed F2 and F2:3 population of the cross CB 174 R × IRBB 60 in rice. F2 Selection have been proved to be robust and effective tool in crop improvement program. Selection differential was positive for all studied traits. Selection response was high for number of grains, thus indicating the effectiveness of selection for these character. Realized heritability was found high for number of grains and thousand grain weight, suggested that direct selection was effective. Expected selection response and predicted genetic gain was high for number of grains. Parent-offspring correlation showed low but significance association for number of productive tillers (r=0.47**, P<0.01), single plant yield (r=0.35**, P<0.01) and (r=0.30*, P<0.05) panicle length in F2 and F2:3 generation indicates that selection was fruitful in early generation. Statistically regression coefficient was not significant linear dependence of the mean of F2 and F2:3 generation.
O discurso político sobre a qualificação profissional de mulheres desfavorecidas: emancipação ou hegemonia?
Authors: Corcetti Elisabete , Loreto Maria das Dores Saraiva de
Published: July 2017

Resumo O objetivo do artigo é analisar as lógicas, os pressupostos e as crenças presentes no contexto do Programa Mulheres Mil, verificando sua contribuição para a construção social dos papéis profissionais atribuídos às mulheres desfavorecidas. Para tanto, foi analisado o projeto do Programa Mulheres Mil, desenvolvido pelos idealizadores do programa, em 2006. A pesquisa, de natureza qualitativa, baseou-se na proposta transdisciplinar, que dialoga com os princípios epistemológicos dos estudos discursivos críticos de Fairclough, Chouliaraki e Fairclough, conjugados com a teoria da construção social de populações-alvo e com referenciais dos estudos feministas. Os resultados evidenciaram que o discurso político e os elementos do policy design do Programa Mulheres Mil, pautados em construções sociais e culturas institucionais, promovem qualificações em áreas tradicionalmente femininas, com limitada emancipação das mulheres. Conclui-se que há uma contradição entre o discurso do programa e sua prática concreta, pois se reitera a lógica que mantém a hegemonia e a polarização de gênero.
Construction of an instrument for the prognostic evaluation of elderly persons in intensive care units
Authors: Pedrosa Ivanilda Lacerda , Freire Djacyr Magna Cabral , Schneider Rodolfo Herberto
Published: July 2017

Abstract Objective: To create an instrument for the prognostic evaluation of elderly patients hospitalized in an intensive care unit. Methods: A cohort study, with prospective data collection, which included elderly persons aged 60 years or older, was carried out in the city of João Pessoa, in the state of Paraíba, Brazil. Data collection was performed using an instrument created from a pilot study and the Katz Index. Poisson’s regression was used for data analysis. This technique estimates relative risk, retaining variables with p≤0.10 in the instrument, and ensures biological plausibility. The classification of risk of death was performed using quartile analysis, confirmed by the Receiver Operator Characteristic (ROC) curve. Results: 205 elderly patients with an average age of 74.6 years and a 59% risk of mortality, were included. Of the total sample and based on the scores, 16.6% of elderly persons had a low risk of developing death, 23.9% were at moderate risk, 40% had a high risk, and 19.5% exhibited a very high risk of death. The positive predictive value of the instrument was 77% and the negative value was 67.5%, with a concordance index of 0.78. The cutoff score of the instrument was 9 points or over. The sensitivity was 77.7% and the specificity was 66.7%. Conclusions: The instrument developed may be useful in the identification of elderly people with risk factors who require increased care. The instrument described can therefore be applied in Brazilian intensive care units.
Application of persistent scatterers interferometry for surface displacements monitoring in N5E open pit iron mine using TerraSAR-X data, in Carajás Province, Amazon region
Authors: Temporim Filipe Altoé , Gama Fábio Furlan , Mura José Cláudio , Paradella Waldir Renato , Silva Guilherme Gregório
Published: July 2017

ABSTRACT: Carajás Mineral Province, Amazon region, is the most important one in Brazil. Vale S.A. Company has the right to operate in the area of the N5E mine. The work is conducted on rock alteration products of low geomechanical quality related to sandstones, siltstones, and a lateritic cover. In order to monitor ground deformation, 33 TerraSAR-X images covering the period of March 2012-April 2013 were used in the investigation. An interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) approach based on permanent scatterer interferometry (PSI) using an interferometric point target analysis algorithm was applied. Results demonstrated that most of the area was considered stable during the time span of the image acquisition. However, persistent scatterers (PSs) with high deformation rates were mapped over a landfill probably related to settlements. To validate the PSI data, graphs were generated with the displaced information based on topographic measurements in the field. The graphs showed that the surface deformations during TSX-1 runway coverage are within the miner’s safety threshold and do not present a risk of major problems. The PSI data provided a synoptic and detailed view of the deformation process that affects the mining complex without the need of field campaign or instrumentation.
The Permian Tiaraju bivalve assemblage, Passa Dois Group, southern Brazil: biostratigraphic and paleobiogeographic significance
Authors: Simões Marcello Guimarães , David Juliana Machado , Anelli Luiz Eduardo , Klein Carla , Matos Suzana Aparecida , Guerrini Vitor Bonatto , Warren Lucas Veríssimo
Published: July 2017

ABSTRACT: Permian bivalves of the Paraná Basin evolved in a large inland sea, under conditions of extreme isolation and environmental stress. Although known since 1918, its evolutionary history is still obscure due to the incomplete and biased information on faunal composition and stratigraphic distribution of various assemblages. Hence, the description of the Tiaraju assemblage, the only known bivalve occurrence in the Passa Dois Group from the southernmost Brazil, adds new key information on the composition, biocorrelation and age of this unique molluscan fauna. Terraia falconeri, Cowperesia emerita, Holdhausiella elongata, and Terraia altissima were recorded and described. T. falconeri is the commonest species, followed by C. emerita, H. elongata and T. altissima. The faunule is mainly composed by Terrainae, lacking Pinzonellinae. Assemblage is, thus, poorly diversified, both regarding the faunal composition and guild structure (only infaunal, facultatively motile, unattached, suspension feeders present). Cowperesia emerita and T. altissima strongly indicate biocorrelation with assemblages of the Rio do Rasto and Gai-As formations, Brazil and Namibia, providing an age no younger than the mid-Permian (Wordian-Captianian). On the light of this information, the current geological map of the Tiaraju region, São Gabriel, and the local boundary between the Teresina and Rio do Rasto formations requires reevaluation.
Geochemistry and sedimentary provenance of the Upper Cretaceous Uberaba Formation (Southeastern Triângulo Mineiro, MG, Brazil)
Authors: Quintão Dennis Arthuso , Caxito Fabrício de Andrade , Karfunkel Joachim , Vieira Florence Rodrigues , Seer Hildor José , Moraes Lúcia Castanheira de , Ribeiro Luiz Carlos Borges , Pedrosa-Soares Antônio Carlos
Published: July 2017

ABSTRACT: The campanian Uberaba Formation, which crops out around the homonymous town, is composed of greenish lithic sandstones and conglomerates with possible volcanoclastic contribution. In this unit, heavy minerals such as ilmenite, garnet, perovskite and magnetite, besides clinopyroxene, plagioclase, quartz, calcite and apatite, are found. The Uberaba Formation geochemistry is marked by high grades of Ba, Ta, La, Nb and Th, with flat (no Eu anomaly) and highly fractionated (LaN/YbN = ca. 128) chondrite-normalized rare earth elements. Mineral chemistry analyses of detrital garnets from the Uberaba Formation indicate the predominance of chorlomite with an affinity to crustal garnets (G3). The sedimentary provenance of the Uberaba Formation corresponds to a mixing of materials from the alkaline districts of the Alto Paranaíba and from the erosion of the Serra Geral Formation and the Canastra and Araxá groups. Diamond-producing conglomerates which crop out nearby, in Romaria, were considered by some authors as correlated to the Uberaba Formation. However, the composition of garnets recovered from those conglomerates is different, plotting in the field of mantle garnets (G9/G10). We consider, then, that those units are not correlated, and that the Uberaba Formation is not a possible source for the alluvial diamonds found in the homonymous river.