bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Shore Protection for a Placer Deposit Rich Beach of the Southwest Coast of India
Authors: Nair L. Sheela , Sundar V. , Kurian N.P.
Published: March 2013

The placer deposits dominated Neendakara-Kayamkulam sector along the Kerala coast on the southwest coast of India may be characterized as a dynamic, unstable beach based on shoreline oscillations observed over the past years. Both long-term and short-term shoreline variations can be easily linked directly to a number of factors – both natural and anthropogenic. Of these, activities such as large scale mining for heavy minerals; dredging and construction of hard structures such as breakwaters and groins; have contributed significantly to the changes in shoreline. The coastal hydrodynamics of the area is highly complex because of the variation in shoreline orientation and near shore slope. The present work is an attempt to understand the coastal processes and to identify the factors responsible for the shoreline oscillations by conducting numerical model studies. The studies on the shoreline changes are also carried out as a part of this study in order to identify the critical areas of the shore that need immediate protection. The study shows that the northern part of the study area (barring the 2km stretch lying to the immediate south of the Kayamkulam inlet) has been eroding significantly which requires immediate protection. The proposed shoreline protection measure is to provide detached offshore submerged breakwaters.
Recent Studies on Wind Seas and Swells in the Indian Ocean: A Review
Authors: Ethamony P. V. , Rashmi R. , Samiksha S.V. , Aboobacker V. M.
Published: March 2013

Winds and waves data measured at a few locations along the west coast of India as well as wave model results were analysed to study the wave characteristics in the deep as well as nearshore regions during different seasons. During fair weather season, we can observe distinct and systematic diurnal variation in wave height and wave period, especially, simultaneous increase in wave height and decrease in wave period with increase in local wind speed. This is due to superimposition of wind seas generated by the sea breeze system with the pre-existing swells. The swells observed in the Arabian Sea are from SW direction during SW monsoon season and from SW/SSW and NW directions during both pre-monsoon and post-monsoon seasons. The NW swells which occur during Shamal events show distinct characteristics such as an increase in wave height, decrease in swell period and a common propagation direction (northwest) for wind seas and swells. Also the swells generated at 400 S, propagate in the north Indian Ocean, and enter the Bay of Bengal without affecting the Arabian Sea. Fine resolution winds (say, MM5 or WRF) are necessary to understand the effect of land-sea breeze system on wind-sea generation in the coastal regions. Here, we review the recent work on wind seas and swells in the Indian Ocean and coastal regions that we have carried out using measured wave data and model results.
Analysis on the Perforation of Ductile Metallic Plates by APM2 Bullets
Authors: Chen Xiaowei , Gao Yubo , He Liling
Published: March 2013

By employing the theoretical model of a rigid sharp-nosed projectile perforating the ductile metallic target plate, the present paper reanalyzes the previously published experimental data of APM2 bullet and its hard steel core perforating aluminum armor plates and high-strength steel plates, respectively. Although the bullet deforms during the perforation, the tests confirmed that the perforation is dominated by the hard steel core whereas the brass jacket, lead cap and end cap have limited influence on the perforation. Therein the perforation model of a rigid sharp-nosed projectile may be conducted to analyze the perforation of APM2 bullet. With increasing the thickness of ductile metallic target plate, the inertia effect of target will arise and obviously affect the terminal ballistics. The inertia effect of target must be considered in the scenario of thick target plate. The experimental analysis further confirms that, the ballistic limit is proportional to the square root of target strength and target thickness.
Mutation detection in cholestatic patients using microarray resequencing of ATP8B1 and ABCB11
Authors: McKay Kirsten E , Bruce Christopher K , Hartley Jane L , Knisely A S , Baumann Ulrich , Bockisch Sonja-Stephanie , Sturm Ekkehard , Hendriksz Christian J , Kelly Deidre A , Macdonald Fiona , Gissen Paul
Published: March 2013

Background: Neonatal cholestasis is a common presentation of childhood liver diseases and can be a feature of various conditions including disorders of bile acid biogenesis and transport, various inborn errors of metabolism and perinatal infections. Some inherited metabolic diseases can be easily screened using biochemical assays, however many can only be accurately diagnosed by DNA sequencing. Fluorescent capillary Sanger sequencing (FS) is the gold standard method used by clinical laboratories for genetic diagnosis of many inherited conditions; however, it does have limitations. Recently microarray resequencing (MR) has been introduced into research and clinical practice as an alternative method for genetic diagnosis of heterogeneous conditions. In this report we compared the accuracy of mutation detection for MR with FS in a group of patients with ‘low-normal’ gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (gGT) cholestasis without known molecular diagnoses.

Methods: 29 patient DNA samples were tested for mutations in the ATP8B1 and ABCB11 genes using both FS and MR. Other known causes of “low gGT cholestasis” such as ARC syndrome and bile acid biosynthesis disorders were excluded.

Results: Mutations were identified in 13/29 samples. In 3/29 samples FS and MR gave discordant results: MR had a false positive rate of 3.4% and a false negative rate of 7%.

Conclusions: The major advantage of MR over FS is that multiple genes can be screened in one experiment, allowing rapid and cost-effective diagnoses.  However, we have demonstrated that MR technology is limited in sensitivity. We therefore recommend that MR be used as an initial evaluation, with FS deployed when genetic and clinical or histopathological findings are discordant.
Community, Credit, and the Prodigal Husband on the Early Modern Stage
Authors: Panek Jennifer
Published: March 2013

Three early seventeenth-century “prodigal husband” comedies-- The Wise-woman of Hogsdon (Thomas Heywood, c.1604), How a Man May Choose a Good Wife from a Bad (anonymous, c. 1600–1602), and The London Prodigal (anonymous, c. 1603–1604)--reveal how the gendered nature of credit relations in early modern England and the concomitant community surveillance of the household head could cause a newly-married young man to experience his new position of patriarchal authority as loss of autonomy, and to desire nothing so much as escape.
Hume's Two Definitions: The Procedural Interpretation
Authors: Beebee Helen
Published: March 2013

Hume scholars have long disputed how we should understand his famous "two definitions" of causation. A serious problem with existing accounts is that they fit uneasily with Hume's claim in the Treatise that the two definitions correspond to causation considered separately as a "natural" and as a "philosophical" relation. This paper advances a new interpretation of the two definitions, according to which they represent an account of two different psychological mechanisms that generate causal judgments. This interpretation is fully consistent with Hume's claim that the two definitions map onto his distinction between natural and philosophical relations, once that distinction is itself properly understood.
Documenting Change in Late Antique Emerita through the Ceramic Evidence
Authors: Osland Daniel
Published: March 2013

Ceramic materials from a large cross-section of Emerita’s late antique sites offer new details to augment the portrait of the city gleaned from late Roman and Visigothic written sources and architectural remains. The pottery market in late fifth- through seventh-century Emerita did not operate according to the same values that had driven the large-scale importation of goods from abroad in the late Roman period. The evidence shows a substantial decline in fineware imports in the course of the fifth century, but at no point does it indicate a complete loss of trade ties between Emerita and the Mediterranean world. Imported forms manufactured after the end of the fifth century still found their way to the city, though in much lower numbers than in the fourth and fifth centuries. Changing preferences among Hispano-Roman residents, or the arrival of new inhabitants, may have affected demand and production levels, in effect reducing the profitability of large-scale pottery operations. Emerita’s coarseware ceramics also underwent significant changes beginning in the late fifth century, possibly reflecting changing food preparation and consumption practices. All of these changes may be related to the destruction and abandonment of several sections of the city in the middle decades of the fifth century, when barbarian activities severed Hispania from the Roman Empire.
The Presence of Phenomenology: Hegel and the Return to Metaphysics
Authors: McGowan Todd
Published: March 2013

By recognizing the connection between deconstruction and phenomenology, this essay argues that we can see how deconstruction has improperly targeted metaphysics, thereby creating the possibility for a return to metaphysical questions and metaphysical thinkers, especially Hegel.
Synthetic Genomics and the Construction of a Synthetic Bacterial Cell
Authors: Glass John I.
Published: March 2013

The first synthetic cellular organism was created in 2010 and based on a very small, very simple bacterium called Mycoplasma mycoides . The bacterium was called synthetic because its DNA genome was chemically synthesized rather than replicated from an existing template DNA, as occurs in all other known cellular life on Earth. The experiment was undertaken in order to develop a system that would allow creation of a minimal bacterial cell that could lead to a better understand of the first principles of cellular life. The effort resulted in new synthetic genomics techniques called genome assembly and genome transplantation. The ability of scientists to design and build bacteria opens new possibilities for creating microbes to solve human problems.
Ethical and Regulatory Challenges Posed by Synthetic Biology
Authors: Rager-Zisman Bracha
Published: March 2013

Synthetic biology is a relatively new science with tremendous potential to change how we view and know the life sciences, but like many developing technologies, it has provoked ethical concerns from the scientific community and the public and confronts demands for new regulatory measures. The concerns raised involve the danger of "dual use," in which results for improving human well-being and the environment may be misappropriated for bioterror. To counteract these dangers, many governments, but the United States and Israel in particular, have introduced new laws and redoubled measures for biosafety and biosecurity. In the United States, the recent H5N1 results achieved by two groups of NIH-funded investigators highlighted the dilemma of balancing the risk of dual-use research and the freedom of science. In Israel, concern for unconventional terrorism is long-standing, and the country is constantly engaged in improving biosecurity and biodefense measures. In 2008, the Israeli parliament passed the Regulation of Research into Biological Disease Agents Law, a legislative framework for safeguarding research into biological disease agents. This article summarizes and analyzes the current state of affairs in the United States and Israel, ethical attitudes, and regulatory responses to synthetic biology.
The Fusion of Biology, Computer Science, and Engineering: Towards Efficient and Successful Synthetic Biology
Authors: Linshiz Gregory , Goldberg Alex , Konry Tania , Hillson Nathan J.
Published: March 2013

Synthetic biology is a nascent field that emerged in earnest only around the turn of the millennium. It aims to engineer new biological systems and impart new biological functionality, often through genetic modifications. The design and construction of new biological systems is a complex, multistep process, requiring multidisciplinary collaborative efforts from "fusion" scientists who have formal training in computer science or engineering, as well as hands-on biological expertise. The public has high expectations for synthetic biology and eagerly anticipates the development of solutions to the major challenges facing humanity. This article discusses laboratory practices and the conduct of research in synthetic biology. It argues that the fusion science approach, which integrates biology with computer science and engineering best practices, including standardization, process optimization, computer-aided design and laboratory automation, miniaturization, and systematic management, will increase the predictability and reproducibility of experiments and lead to breakthroughs in the construction of new biological systems. The article also discusses several successful fusion projects, including the development of software tools for DNA construction design automation, recursive DNA construction, and the development of integrated microfluidics systems.
Crystals, Colloids, or Molecules?: Early Controversies about the Origin of Life and Synthetic Life
Authors: Deichmann Ute
Published: March 2013

Crystals, colloids, and (macro-)molecules have played major roles in theoretical concepts and experimental approaches concerning the generation of life from the mid-19th century on. The notion of the crystallization of life out of a nonliving fluid, a special case of the doctrine of spontaneous generation, was most prominently incorporated into Schleiden's and Schwann's version of cell theory. Refutation at the end of the 19th century of spontaneous generation of life and cells, in particular by Pasteur, Remak, and Virchow, not only gave rise to the flourishing fields of microbiology and cytology, but it also opened up research on synthetic life. These approaches focused on growth and form and colloidal chemistry on the one hand, and on the specificity of organisms' macromolecules and chemical reactions on the other. This article analyzes the contribution of these approaches to synthetic life research and argues that researchers' philosophical predilections and basic beliefs have played important roles in the choice of experimental and theoretical approaches towards synthetic life.
The Role of Emotional Competencies in Faculty-Doctoral Student Relationships
Authors: O’Meara KerryAnn , Knudsen Katrina , Jones Jill
Published: March 2013

The relationships between faculty and students in graduate school have been found to have a significant effect on most aspects of the doctoral experience. Yet we know little about the emotional landscape of these relationships and what makes them work. This study, which conducted qualitative interviews in one academic department, looks inside faculty-doctoral student relationships by examining the emotional competencies that both faculty and students display within them. Emotional competencies displayed by both students and faculty were influenced by the program structure and culture of the department, and facilitated positive student and faculty outcomes
Free and Rational: Suárez on the Will
Authors: Penner Sydney
Published: March 2013

Abstract: Despite the importance of Suárez’s defense of the freedom of the will at the threshold of early modern philosophy, his account has received scant recent attention. This paper aims partially to redress that neglect. Suárez’s position can be understood as a balancing act between desiring to attribute libertarian freedom to agents and desiring to maintain the will’s status as a rational appetite. Hence, he rejects an intellectualism that says that choices are necessitated by the intellect’s judgements (since he does not think that the judgements themselves can be directly free), but affirms that only what is judged good can be chosen.
Does Status Matter? The Contradictions in Locke’s Account of the State of Nature
Authors: Eggers Daniel
Published: March 2013

Abstract: The aim of this paper is to analyse the status of Locke’s state of nature and to examine whether the distinction between different theoretical perspectives can help to resolve the apparent contradictions between Locke’s ‘peaceful’ and his ‘warlike’ description of the natural state, a claim that has been made by commentators such as R. Ashcraft, J. Dunn and H. Aarsleff. Though, it is argued, distinguishing different state of nature accounts in Locke is essential for an appropriate understanding of Locke’s argument, the attempt to thereby free Locke of the charge of inconsistency fails. The reason is that the ‘peaceful’ and the ‘warlike’ description are equally part of Locke’s anthropological analysis. They can, therefore, not be reconciled by distinguishing between a ‘moral’ account of the state of nature on the one hand and an empirical account on the other.
Die äußere Schaale der Natur Eine Fußnote zum Versuch über die Krankheiten des Kopfes (1764)
Authors: Teruel Pedro Jesús
Published: March 2013

Abstract: In this paper we examine the issues of the 1764 published essay – specially of its third section – which help us to reconstruct Kant’s position in the mind-body problem. The philosopher explores here the roots of pathological diseases and refers to a theory, exposed by Johann August Unzer in the weekly Der Arzt, which relates the Kantian point of view with the contemporary Functionalism in Philosophy of Mind. In this way we are pursuing a train of thought previously not taken into account in the Kantian research.
Non-isothermal crystallization kinetics of poly (lactic acid)/graphene nanocomposites
Authors: Chen Yanhua , Yao Xiayin , Gu Qun , Pan Zhijuan
Published: March 2013

Poly(lactic acid) (PLA)/graphene nanocomposites were prepared by solution blending and the dispersibility of graphene in the PLA matrix was examined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The non-isothermal crystallization behaviors of pure PLA and PLA/graphene nanocomposites from the melt were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The results showed that the graphene could play a role as a heterogeneous nucleating agent during the non-isothermal crystallizing process of PLA, and accelerate the crystallization rate. The non-isothermal crystallizing data were analyzed with the Avrami, Ozawa and Mo et al. models and the crystallization parameters of the samples were obtained. It is demonstrated that the combination of the Avrami and Ozawa models developed by Mo et al. was successful in describing the non-isothermal crystallization process for pure PLA and its nanocomposite. According to the Kissinger equation, the activation energies were found to be -154.3 and -179.5 kJ/mol for pure PLA and PLA/0.1 wt% graphene nanocomposite, respectively. Furthermore, the spherulite growth behavior was investigated by polarized optical microscopy (POM) and the results also supported the DSC data.
Transition to Persistent Orofacial Pain after Nerve Injury Involves Supraspinal Serotonin Mechanisms
Authors: Okubo Masamichi , Castro Alberto , Guo Wei , Zou Shiping , Ren Ke , Wei Feng , Keller Asaf , Dubner Ronald
Published: March 2013

The orofacial region is a major focus of chronic neuropathic pain conditions characterized by primary hyperalgesia at the site of injury and secondary hyperalgesia outside the injured zone. We have used a rat model of injury to the maxillary branch (V2) of the trigeminal nerve to produce constant and long-lasting primary hyperalgesia in the V2 territory and secondary hyperalgesia in territories innervated by the mandibular branch (V3). Our findings indicate that the induction of primary and secondary hyperalgesia depended on peripheral input from the injured nerve. In contrast, the maintenance of secondary hyperalgesia depended on central mechanisms. The centralization of the secondary hyperalgesia involved descending 5-HT drive from the rostral ventromedial medulla and the contribution of 5-HT3 receptors in the trigeminal nucleus caudalis (Vc), the homolog of the spinal dorsal horn. Electrophysiological studies further indicate that after nerve injury spontaneous responses and enhanced poststimulus discharges in Vc nociresponsive neurons were time-dependent on descending 5-HT drive and peripheral input. The induction phase of secondary hyperalgesia involved central sensitization mechanisms in Vc neurons that were dependent on peripheral input, whereas the maintenance phase of secondary hyperalgesia involved central sensitization in Vc neurons conducted by a delayed descending 5-HT drive and a persistence of peripheral inputs. Our results are the first to show that the maintenance of secondary hyperalgesia and underlying central sensitization associated with persistent pain depend on a transition to supraspinal mechanisms involving the serotonin system in rostral ventromedial medulla-dorsal horn circuits.
Experience-Enabled Enhancement of Adult Visual Cortex Function
Authors: Tschetter Wayne W. , Alam Nazia M. , Yee Christopher W. , Gorz Mario , Douglas Robert M. , Sagdullaev Botir , Prusky Glen T.
Published: March 2013

We previously reported in adult mice that visuomotor experience during monocular deprivation (MD) augmented enhancement of visual-cortex-dependent behavior through the non-deprived eye (NDE) during deprivation, and enabled enhanced function to persist after MD. We investigated the physiological substrates of this experience-enabled form of adult cortical plasticity by measuring visual behavior and visually evoked potentials (VEPs) in binocular visual cortex of the same mice before, during, and after MD. MD on its own potentiated VEPs contralateral to the NDE during MD and shifted ocular dominance (OD) in favor of the NDE in both hemispheres. Whereas we expected visuomotor experience during MD to augment these effects, instead enhanced responses contralateral to the NDE, and the OD shift ipsilateral to the NDE were attenuated. However, in the same animals, we measured NMDA receptor-dependent VEP potentiation ipsilateral to the NDE during MD, which persisted after MD. The results indicate that visuomotor experience during adult MD leads to enduring enhancement of behavioral function, not simply by amplifying MD-induced changes in cortical OD, but through an independent process of increasing NDE drive in ipsilateral visual cortex. Because the plasticity is resident in the mature visual cortex and selectively effects gain of visual behavior through experiential means, it may have the therapeutic potential to target and non-invasively treat eye- or visual-field-specific cortical impairment.
Secretory Leukocyte Protease Inhibitor Reverses Inhibition by CNS Myelin, Promotes Regeneration in the Optic Nerve, and Suppresses Expression of the Transforming Growth Factor-β Signaling Protein Smad2
Authors: Hannila Sari S. , Siddiq Mustafa M. , Carmel Jason B. , Hou Jianwei , Chaudhry Nagarathnamma , Bradley Peter M. J. , Hilaire Melissa , Richman Erica L. , Hart Ronald P. , Filbin Marie T.
Published: March 2013

After CNS injury, axonal regeneration is limited by myelin-associated inhibitors; however, this can be overcome through elevation of intracellular cyclic AMP (cAMP), as occurs with conditioning lesions of the sciatic nerve. This study reports that expression of secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI) is strongly upregulated in response to elevation of cAMP. We also show that SLPI can overcome inhibition by CNS myelin and significantly enhance regeneration of transected retinal ganglion cell axons in rats. Furthermore, regeneration of dorsal column axons does not occur after a conditioning lesion in SLPI null mutant mice, indicating that expression of SLPI is required for the conditioning lesion effect. Mechanistically, we demonstrate that SLPI localizes to the nuclei of neurons, binds to the Smad2 promoter, and reduces levels of Smad2 protein. Adenoviral overexpression of Smad2 also blocked SLPI-induced axonal regeneration. SLPI and Smad2 may therefore represent new targets for therapeutic intervention in CNS injury.
Signal transduction via TRPM3 channels in pancreatic β-cells
Authors: Thiel Gerald , Müller Isabelle , Rössler Oliver G
Published: March 2013

Transient receptor potential melastatin 3 (TRPM3) channels are non-selective cation channels that are expressed in insulinoma cells and pancreatic β-cells. Stimulation of TRPM3 with the neurosteroid pregnenolone sulfate induces an intracellular signaling cascade, involving a rise in intracellular Ca2+concentration, activation of the protein kinases Raf and ERK, and a change in the gene expression pattern of the cells. In particular, biosynthesis of insulin is altered following activation of TRPM3 by pregnenolone sulfate. Moreover, a direct effect of TRPM3 stimulation on insulin secretion has been reported. The fact that stimulation of TRPM3 induces a signaling cascade that is very similar to the signaling cascade induced by glucose in β-cells suggests that TRPM3 may influence main functions of pancreatic β-cells. The view that TRPM3 represents an ionotropic steroid receptor of pancreatic β-cells linking insulin release with steroid hormone signaling is discussed.
Predictors for long-term outcome and quality of life of patients after cardiac surgery with prolonged intensive care unit stay
Authors: Grothusen Christina , Attmann Tim , Friedrich Christine , Freitag-Wolf Sandra , Haake Nils , Cremer Jochen , Schöttler Jan
Published: March 2013

Objectives

This study investigated factors determining the long-term outcome and quality of life of patients with a prolonged intensive care unit (ICU) stay after cardiac surgery.

Design

A retrospective analysis was performed in 230 patients that had undergone cardiac surgery and suffered from a post-operative ICU stay of 7 or more days at our institution. Among 11 pre-, 13 intra-, and 14 post-operative variables, factors influencing 5-year outcome were identified by logistic regression analysis. Quality of life was determined using the Short Form-36 questionnaire.

Results

In-hospital mortality was 12%. One hundred and eleven of 187 patients (59%) were alive after 5 years. Non-survivors were older (70 vs. 65 years, p=0.005) and had a higher additive EuroSCORE (7 vs. 5, p=0.034). Logistic regression identified pre-operative atrial fibrillation (AF), (28 vs. 10%, p=0.003) as the strongest predictor for a 5-year outcome, followed by myocardial infarction (62 vs. 41%, p=0.005), and prolonged mechanical ventilation (8 vs. 5 days, p=0.036). Survivors did not show an impaired physical component summary SF-36 score (39 vs. 46, p=0.737) or mental component summary score (55 vs. 55, p=0.947) compared to an age-matched German Normative Sample.

Conclusions

Pre-operative AF proved to be the most important factor determining the 5-year outcome of patients with a prolonged ICU stay after cardiac surgery. Neither physical nor mental health appeared to be impaired in these patients.
Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and CEUS-guided biopsy in the diagnosis of lung abscess in a patient with achalasia: Case report
Authors: Di Vece Francesca , Tombesi Paola , Ermili Francesca , Sartori Sergio
Published: March 2013

Primary achalasia is a rare disorder of unknown aetiology characterized by dysfunction of esophageal motility secondary to degeneration of esophageal neurons. Some diseases, in particular neoplastic diseases, can cause symptoms similar to achalasia, and this condition is called pseudoachalasia. Pseudoachalasia can be indistinguishable from primary achalasia, and many investigations are often necessary to detect or exclude an underlying neoplasia. We report a case in which thoracic contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and percutaneous CEUS-guided lung biopsy played a central role in differentiating aspiration pneumonia secondary to achalasia and complicated by lung abscess from pseudoachalasia secondary to lung carcinoma, after computed tomography (CT) yielded inconclusive findings. US contrast agent SonoVue® has an exclusively intravascular distribution, and its ability to discriminate between contrast vascular signal and tissue signal is greater than that of CT, making CEUS superior to CT in distinguishing perfused, viable tissues from avascular necrotic tissues. Although its use in pleuropulmonary pathology is still off-label, CEUS can play a useful role in characterizing peripheral pulmonary masses in selected cases.
Hyperhomocysteinemia in a young woman presenting with acute myocardial infarction: Case report
Authors: Gokay Seher , Çiçek Davran , Müderrisoğlu Haldun
Published: March 2013

Homocysteine (Hcy), a sulfur-containing amino acid that is formed by demethylation of dietary methionine to cystein. Elevated homocysteine level is known to be associated with coronary artery disease. We present a case of acute myocardial infarction in a 25-year-old woman, associated with hyperhomocysteinaemia. Her other risk factors for coronary artery disease were smoking, a moderately high LDL level, and a family history of sudden cardiac death. This case illustrates the need to include plasma homocysteine measurement in the setting of acute coronary syndromes in women with premature atherosclerosis, even in the presence of traditional risk factors for coronary artery disease.
Evaluation Of The Capacity Of Granulation In Surgical Wounds with Condensed Tannins in Matrices Tio2.
Authors: Rodrìguez José Albino M. , López José Rutilio M. , Gutiérrez Genaro C. , Coronel Marco-Antonio G , Mora Enrique S. , Rodríguez Lilián-Aurora M , Rodríguez Fernando M.
Published: March 2013

The nanoencapsulation in biocompatible inorganic materials with human cell activity is a leading technology to control the process of releasing the drug in the right place. At present, the sol-gel process has emerged as a promising platform for the immobilization, stabilization and encapsulation of biological molecules such as enzymes, antibodies, microorganisms, and a variety of drugs. The matrices obtained are chemically inert, hydrophilic and easy synthesis. They have high mechanical strength, thermal stability in wide temperature ranges and absorb organic solvents so insignificant compared with other organic polymers. They are resistant to microbial attack and exhibit high biocompatibility with the body, as provided for implantation in situ in the treatment of various diseases. An additional advantage is that it provides viability encapsulated molecules, since these matrices act as reservoirs of water thus helping to maintain the biological activity of enzymes, antibodies, cells, and drugs for the moisture level required for the molecule. We used the action of the active ingredients of tepezcohuite (condensed tannins) to assess the capacity aseptic surgical wound healing than 1 cm in diameter in New Zealand white rabbits. Experimentally and statistically demonstrating the effectiveness of healing nanoreservoirs Tan/TiO2-150 the weight of tannins by 60% compared to condensed tannins as such, TiO2and isotonic saline.
Cyclotriveratrylene Dendrimers
Authors: Sanchez-Montes Karla E. , Klimova Tatiana , Martínez-Klimov Mark E. , Martínez-García Marcos.
Published: March 2013

Dendrons with dodecyl ended groups joined benzyloxy moieties were attached to a cyclotriveratrylene core. The dendrimers were used in Diederich cyclopropanation reaction with the fullerene C60. The structure of the synthesized dendrimers was confirmed by 1H- and 13C-NMR, MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry and elemental analysis.
The Effect of Anodization Time on the Properties of TiO2 Nanotube Humidity Sensors
Authors: Raman Reshmi , Jaramillo Oscar A. , Rincón Marina E.
Published: March 2013

In this paper, the effect of anodization time on the properties of TiO2 nanotube humidity sensors is reported. TiO2 nanotube arrays were grown by anodization of Ti foil using diethylene glycol and ammonium fluoride. Highly ordered TiO2 nanotube arrays were obtained, with the length of tube increasing from 4 to 20 μm as the time of anodization increases, at the expense of nanotube integrity. Humidity sensors based on TiO2 nanotube arrays were fabricated in impedance mode with ITO as top contact. The results revealed that sensor performance does not correlate with anodization time, regardless of enhanced area, showing an optimum morphology at 4h and 10h. The increase resistivity of the sensors upon water exposure, a donor molecule, is explained by the lack of TiO2 stoichiometry and the fluctuations in the concentration of oxygen vacancies.
Adhesive Energy of Zinc Oxide and Graphite, Molecular Dynamics and Atomic Force Microscopy Study
Authors: Galan Ulises , Sodano Henry A.
Published: March 2013

Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations are performed to calculate the interfacial energy between zinc oxide (ZnO) and graphitic carbon for the study of solid–solid adhesion. The MD model consists of a ZnO slab and a single layer of graphitic carbon. The calculation was validated experimentally by atomic force microscopy (AFM) liftoff. A polishing process was applied to create a tip with a flat surface that was subsequently coated with a ZnO film allowing force displacement measurement on Highly Oriented Pyrolitic Graphite to validate the simulations. The MD simulation and AFM lift-off show good agreement with adhesive energies of 0.303 J/m2 and 0.261 ± 0.054 J/m2, respectively.
Conductance Properties of Multilayered Silver-Mean and Period-Doubling Graphene Structures
Authors: Rodríguez-Arellano G. , Juárez-López D. P. , Madrigal-Melchor J. , Martínez-Orozco J. C. , Rodríguez-Vargas I.
Published: March 2013

In this work we alternate breaking-symmetry-substrates (BSS) and non-breaking-symmetry-substrates (NBSS) such as SiC and SiO2,following the Silver-Mean (MSMGS) and Period-Doubling (MPDGS) sequences. We implement the Transfer Matrix technique to calculate the transmittance and the linear-regime conductance as a function of the most relevant parameters of the multilayered graphene structures: energy and angle of incidence, widths of BSS and NBSS regions and the generation of the quasi-regular sequence. We analyze the main difference of the transmission and conductance properties between MSMGS and MPDGS.
Hydrostatic pressure effects onto the electronic structure and differential capacitance profile for a metal/δ-doped-GaAs.
Authors: Puga A. , Martínez-Orozco J. C.
Published: March 2013

A metal-semiconductor contact with a n-type δ-doped quantum well of impurities (metal/δ-doped GaAs) was studied numerically to extract electronic properties such as energy levels and the corresponding wave functions of each level as well as the differential capacitance for the structure. In this work we reported these properties as a function of the hydrostatic pressure (p). We used the effective mass approximation for the calculation of the electronic structure and consider the hydrostatic pressure effects on the basic semiconductor parameters as is the effective mass for the conduction electrons and the static dielectric constant, finally we also take into account an experimental expression that dependency of the Schottky barrier height as a function of this external factor, at least for values between 0 and 6 kar. We showed that the linear behavior for C−2, obtained by pervious works, is switched over a parabolic-like curve due to the δ-doped two-dimensional impurities density.
Effect of Ball Milling on Magnetic Properties of Nb Substituted R2Fe16Nb1 (R: Gd and Er) Alloys
Authors: Rai B. K. , Mishra S. R. , Khanra S. , Ghosh K.
Published: March 2013

In this work, we report the effect of high energy ball milling (HEBM) on Nb doped R2Fe16Nb1 (R= Gd, Er) compounds. The focus of the work is to bring enhancement in magnetic properties of R2Fe17 (2:17) compounds with the ball milling. Specifically, we find that the ball milling increases saturation magnetization, coercivity, and Curie temperature. The increase in the magnetization and Curie temperature upon ball milling is related to the lattice expansion and microstrains while the increase in coercivity is related to the grain refinement.
Avaliação de projetos sociais em ONGs da Grande Florianópolis: um estudo sobre modelos relacionados ao foco de atuação
Authors: Assumpção Jairo José , Campos Lucila Maria de Souza
Published: March 2013

Este artigo tem como objetivo compreender como os modelos de avaliação de projetos sociais em cinco ONGs da Grande Florianópolis são influenciados em decorrência de sua matriz ideológica e natureza do foco de sua atuação. Com experiência e aplicabilidade no campo educacional, tais modelos estão sendo adaptados e utilizados em avaliações de projetos sociais. Assim, para se atingir este objetivo, buscou-se inicialmente identificar o campo reconhecido como terceiro setor e sua realidade formal, para depois apresentar os conceitos de ONGs e a evolução das avaliações em projetos sociais. Os diversos modelos de avaliações foram agrupados em abordagens similares em decorrência de sua atribuição de valor, fontes filosóficas e ideológicas, bem como predileções metodológicas. A presente pesquisa caracteriza-se como qualitativa, utilizando como estratégia de campo o estudo de caso, do tipo interpretativo que utilizou categorias conceituais, do tipo fechadas, e a análise de conteúdo como técnica de análise dos dados. Os resultados apontam para a constatação de que os modelos avaliativos são influenciados pela natureza de atuação das ONGs estudadas, por crenças filosóficas e ideológicas e predileções metodológicas.
The quality of life of disease-free Brazilian breast cancer survivors
Authors: Soares Priscila Bernardina Miranda , Carneiro Jair Almeida , Rocha Leandro Augusto , Gonçalves Renata Cristina Ribeiro , Martelli Daniella Reis Barbosa , Silveira Marise Fagundes , Martelli Júnior Hercílio
Published: March 2013

The objective of this study was to compare the quality of life of women who survived breast cancer and women who have not had the disease, and to identify associated factors. It is cross-sectional study in which the comparison group includes survivors of breast cancer aged between 40 and 69 years. One hundred and fifty-four women were included, 70 with breast cancer and 84 without the disease. The SF-36 was used to evaluate quality of life. The chi-square test and multivariate linear models were used to compare the groups. The estimated mean physical and mental components were significantly better for the group who survived the disease (51.10 and 52.25, respectively) compared to the group without cancer (47.26 and 47.93, respectively). The study indicates that survivors of breast cancer had a better quality of life compared to women without the disease.
Exame da cavidade bucal de pacientes com câncer: avaliação clínica e dosagem indireta de óxido nítrico
Authors: Carvalho Emilia Campos de , Cárnio Evelin Capellari , Khouri Vivian Youssef , Guilherme Caroline , Santos Claudia Benedita dos , Pace Mariangela Aparecida
Published: March 2013

Neste estudo buscou-se verificar associação entre avaliação clínica da cavidade oral (pelos Índices de dentes Cariados,Perdidos e Obturados e Índice de Higiene Oral - Simplificado) e a determinação indireta de óxido nítrico em pacientes com patologias onco-hematológicas. Trata-se de estudo observacional, no qual foram incluídos vinte sujeitos internados, diagnosticados com Leucemia (35%), Linfoma (50%), Mieloma (15%), em avaliação para início de quimioterapia, sendo que 50% apresentaram normalidade da condição bucal (sem lesões ou traumas); a maioria apresentou higiene satisfatória (35%) ou regular (35%), porém, 30% tiveram higiene deficiente ou péssima. A expressão indireta do óxido nítrico variou de 13,34 a 257. O óxido nítrico não apresentou associação com os outros parâmetros; houve grande variabilidade de seus valores. Novos estudos são necessários, em especial pela potencialidade deste indicador na detecção precoce de alterações bucais.
Sobrecarga dos cuidadores de idosos com acidente vascular cerebral
Authors: Pereira Roberta Amorim , Santos Emanuella Barros dos , Fhon Jack Roberto Silva , Marques Sueli , Rodrigues Rosalina Aparecida Partezani
Published: March 2013

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a sobrecarga dos cuidadores de idosos com acidente vascular cerebral (AVC), assim como correlacioná-la com as horas de cuidado, a idade e a independência funcional dos idosos. Trata-se de estudo transversal feito com 62 idosos com AVC e seus cuidadores. O instrumento continha variáveis sociodemográficas e econômicas, Mini-Exame do Estado Mental, Medida da Independência Funcional (MIF) e a Escala de Zarit. A possível correlação entre os escores da escala de Zarit e as outras variáveis foi avaliada por meio do Coeficiente de Correlação de Pearson. A maioria dos cuidadores era adultos, filhos, casados e do sexo feminino. A média do escore de Zarit foi 34,92 (15,8). A MIF apresentou correlação negativa com a sobrecarga do cuidador, porém, não houve correlação com a idade e as horas de cuidado. A sobrecarga da maioria dos cuidadores variou de moderada a severa e parece estar relacionada ao nível de independência funcional dos idosos.
Confirmação de presença de usuário à cirurgia eletiva por telefone como estratégia para reduzir absenteísmo
Authors: Avila Marla Andréia Garcia de , Bocchi Silvia Cristina Mangini
Published: March 2013

O presente trabalho trata-se de pesquisa quase experimental para avaliar o impacto na redução do absenteísmo de usuários agendados para cirurgia eletiva, quando submetidos à confirmação de presença por telefone. O estudo foi conduzido no Centro Cirúrgico do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu, durante trinta dias, perfazendo 89 usuários. Os resultados indicaram a efetividade da intervenção, que reduziu o absenteísmo em 30%. Recomenda-se sua implementação na antevéspera da cirurgia, possibilitando novas tentativas para encontrar o usuário no domicílio e convocação de outro. A criação de um núcleo de atendimento poderia constituir um canal de comunicação entre instituição e usuário, permitindo a confirmação da presença da pessoa e a oportunidade de sanar dúvidas sobre o tratamento e comunicar eventuais impedimentos à cirurgia. O núcleo demandaria um profissional com habilidade e conhecimento do serviço, uma vez que os usuários requerem orientações sobre o tratamento durante o contato telefônico.
Atendimento e seguimento clínico especializado de profissionais de enfermagem acidentados com material biológico
Authors: Pimenta Flaviana Regina , Ferreira Milene Dias , Gir Elucir , Hayashida Miyeko , Canini Silvia Rita Marin da Silva
Published: March 2013

O presente trabalho trata-se de estudo de corte transversal, com objetivo de avaliar a conduta dos profissionais de enfermagem vítimas de acidentes com material biológico, do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto da Universidade de São Paulo, no estado de São Paulo, referente ao atendimento e ao seguimento clínico especializado. A população foi composta por 1.215 profissionais de enfermagem, entrevistados entre os anos de 2010 e 2011, dos quais 636 (52,3%) sofreram acidentes com material biológico e 182 (28,6%) não procuraram atendimento no serviço especializado. O motivo mais frequentemente relatado foi atribuir pouco risco ao acidente. Assim, acredita-se que os motivos alegados pelos profissionais para não procurarem o atendimento, para não completarem a terapêutica e nem o seguimento clínico podem contribuir para a proposição de estratégias capazes de aumentar a adesão às medidas profiláticas após exposição ocupacional a material biológico.
Avaliação de tecnologia educativa na modalidade literatura de cordel sobre amamentação
Authors: Oliveira Paula Marciana Pinheiro de , Pagliuca Lorita Marlena Freitag
Published: March 2013

Este trabalho objetivou descrever o processo de avaliação de tecnologia educativa, com relação aos aspectos de conteúdo e literatura de cordel sobre amamentação. Foi realizado de março a setembro de 2009, com juízes especialistas em conteúdo e literatura de cordel, e como referencial teórico-metodológico adotou-se o Modelo da Psicometria concretizando o polo teórico. Na coleta de dados utilizou-se instrumento para avaliar conteúdo e regras da literatura de cordel. A análise foi feita mediante comparações das anotações dos juízes e reflexão crítica. Respeitaram-se os aspectos éticos. A tecnologia educativa recebeu ajustes após pareceres até sua aprovação pelos juízes, e as contribuições foram válidas por colaborar com o processo de avaliação da tecnologia. Avaliar tecnologias educativas para disponibilização é uma forma de favorecer a redução dos possíveis fatores encontrados como obstáculos e, com isso, melhorar a qualidade de vida.
Métodos de controle de plantas daninhas e seus impactos na qualidade microbiana de solo sob cafeeiro
Authors: Melloni Rogério , Belleze Gabriela , Pinto Arthur Manuel Silva , Dias Luiza Barbosa de Paula , Silve Emilienne Margueritte , Melloni Eliane Guimarães Pereira , Alvarenga Maria Inês Nogueira , Alcântara Elifas Nunes de
Published: March 2013

Minas Gerais destaca-se como o Estado que mais produz café no Brasil. Essa cultura é extremamente suscetível à presença de plantas daninhas, que podem ser manejadas por meio de métodos manuais, mecanizados e, ou, químicos, com impacto nos custos da produção e qualidade do solo. Objetivou-se com este trabalho avaliar o efeito exercido por diferentes métodos de controle de plantas daninhas na linha e entrelinha de cafeeiro, sobre a microbiota do solo e seus processos, que destacadamente têm sido utilizados em virtude de sua extrema sensibilidade e baixo custo. Para isto, amostras de solo foram retiradas em abril de 2010, em Latossolo Roxo distrófico da fazenda experimental da Empresa de Pesquisa Agropecuária de Minas Gerais (EPAMIG), em São Sebastião do Paraíso, MG, na profundidade de 0-10 cm, no centro da rua (entrelinha) do café, e a 20 cm do caule da planta do café (linha), para determinar os atributos: densidade de bactérias e fungos totais, solubilizadores de fosfato, celulolíticos, amonificantes, bactérias diazotróficas não simbióticas, carbono da biomassa e atividade microbianas, quociente metabólico (qCO2) e atividade enzimática pela hidrólise de diacetato de fluoresceína. O cafeeiro foi submetido a sete métodos de controle de plantas daninhas: roçadora, grade, enxada rotativa, herbicida pós-emergência, herbicida pré-emergência, capina manual e sem capina. Os resultados evidenciaram a complexidade dos efeitos desses diferentes métodos na microbiota do solo e seus processos, com menores impactos para capina manual e enxada rotativa. Os impactos dos métodos roçadora, grade, sem capina e aplicação de herbicidas de pré-emergência foram considerados intermediários, enquanto a aplicação de herbicidas de pós-emergência, na entrelinha do cafeeiro, promoveu os maiores impactos negativos nos atributos avaliados. Esses impactos devem ser considerados quando houver avaliação e escolha do método a ser empregado para o controle de plantas daninhas em cafeeiro.