bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Use of an Intravascular Fluorescent Continuous Glucose Sensor in ICU Patients
Authors: Strasma Paul J. , Finfer Simon , Flower Oliver , Hipszer Brian , Kosiborod Mikhail , Macken Lewis , Sechterberger Marjolein , van der Voort Peter H. J. , DeVries J. Hans , Joseph Jeffrey I.
Published: May 2015

Background:

Hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia are associated with adverse clinical outcomes in intensive care patients. In product development studies at 4 ICUs, the safety and performance of an intravascular continuous glucose monitoring (IV-CGM) system was evaluated in 70 postsurgical patients.

Methods:

The GluCath System (GluMetrics, Inc) used a quenched chemical fluorescence mechanism to optically measure blood glucose when deployed via a radial artery catheter or directly into a peripheral vein. Periodic ultrasound assessed blood flow and thrombus formation. Patient glucose levels were managed according to the standard of care and existing protocols at each site. Reference blood samples were acquired hourly and compared against prospectively calibrated sensor results.

Results:

In all, 63 arterial sensors and 9 venous sensors were deployed in 70 patients. Arterial sensors did not interfere with invasive blood pressure monitoring, sampling or other aspects of patient care. A majority of venous sensors (66%) exhibited thrombus on ultrasound. In all, 89.4% (1383/1547) of arterial and 72.2% (182/252) of venous measurements met ISO15197:2003 criteria (within 20%), and 72.7% (1124/1547) of arterial and 56.3% (142/252) of venous measurements met CLSI POCT 12-A3 criteria (within 12.5%). The aggregate mean absolute relative difference (MARD) between the sensors and the reference was 9.6% for arterial and 14.2% for venous sensors.

Conclusions:

The GluCath System exhibited acceptable accuracy when deployed in a radial artery for up to 48 hours in ICU patients after elective cardiac surgery. Accuracy of venous deployment was substantially lower with significant rates of intravascular thrombus observed using ultrasound.
Pre-Osteoarthritis
Authors: Ryd Leif , Brittberg Mats , Eriksson Karl , Jurvelin Jukka S. , Lindahl Anders , Marlovits Stefan , Möller Per , Richardson James B. , Steinwachs Matthias , Zenobi-Wong Marcy
Published: May 2015

Objective

An attempt to define pre-osteoarthritis (OA) versus early OA and definitive osteoarthritis.

Methods

A group of specialists in the field of cartilage science and treatment was formed to consider the nature of OA onset and its possible diagnosis.

Results

Late-stage OA, necessitating total joint replacement, is the end stage of a biological process, with many previous earlier stages. Early-stage OA has been defined and involves structural changes identified by arthroscopy or radiography. The group argued that before the “early-stage OA” there must exist a stage where cellular processes, due to the presence of risk factors, have kicked into action but have not yet resulted in structural changes. The group suggested that this stage could be called “pre-osteoarthritis” (pre-OA).

Conclusions

The group suggests that defining points of initiation for OA in the knee could be defined, for example, by traumatic episodes or surgical meniscectomy. Such events may set in motion metabolic processes that could be diagnosed by modern MRI protocols or arthroscopy including probing techniques before structural changes of early OA have developed. Preventive measures should preferably be applied at this pre-OA stage in order to stop the projected OA “epidemic.”
Assessing knowledge, perceptions and attitudes to pain management among medical and nursing students: a review of the literature
Authors: Ung Andrew , Salamonson Yenna , Hu Wendy , Gallego Gisselle
Published: May 2015

Introduction:

Chronic pain results in significant personal, societal and economic burden. Doctors and nurses have a pivotal role in patient pain management. In order to determine the effectiveness of current pain education on knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of medical and nursing students, there needs to be a valid measure to assess and quantify these domains. We reviewed the literature to identify approaches for assessing knowledge, perceptions and attitudes to pain management among nursing and medical students.

Methods:

Databases of peer-reviewed literature including CINAHL, EMBASE, ERIC, PsycInfo, Medline and PubMed were searched for articles published between 1993 and December 2014 using the following search terms: student, graduate, intern, junior, pain, pain management, analgesia, analgesic, pharmacology, pharmacological, knowledge, competence, attitude, preparedness, practice, nursing, medical, doctor, nurse.

Results:

The search revealed over 3500 articles, and on application of the inclusion criteria, 26 articles were included in the review. A total of 14 instruments were used in these studies with the Knowledge and Attitudes Survey Regarding Pain (KASRP) as the main instrument in 9 out of the 26 articles. The various instruments used different question formats such as multiple-choice questions (MCQs), true/false statements and Likert scales that went from 3 points to 7 points. Clinical skills examinations were also used in four studies to assess pain management.

Conclusion:

There is no gold standard instrument currently used to assess knowledge, perceptions and attitudes to pain management. The results of this review showed, despite the diversity of standardised instruments that have been used to assess knowledge, perceptions and attitude to pain management, the literature has consistently reported that knowledge about pain management among nursing and medical students was generally poor among both groups.
Intra-regional trade of ASEAN+3: Trends and issues for the economic integration of East Asia
Authors: Ra Hee-Ryang
Published: May 2015

This paper examined the structures and characteristics of ASEAN+3 intra-regional trade through an analysis of intra-regional trade share, the intra-regional trade intensity index, and the regional trade introversion index in terms of primary goods, intermediate goods, and final goods. We could see that the economic integration of ASEAN+3 would be enlarged and deepened through the progress and advancement of intra-regional trade. However, we found that although the volume and share of intra-regional trade has been growing, this may not indicate or guarantee the inherent advancement of the economic integration of the region. In particular, since the global financial economic crisis in 2008–2009 the introversion of the EU and NAFTA has grown, while that of ASEAN+3 has reduced. In this respect, it would be vital to make and practice innovative plans to develop intra-regional trade so that the foundation of the FTA among ASEAN+3 countries could be the catalyst for substantial development of intra-regional trade. Furthermore, in order for intra-regional trade to continue to develop, a more comprehensive and higher level of intra-regional economic integration is required. This can be realized through regulation, specific plans, and practical effort. Finally, to maximize the effect of intra-regional trade liberalization this needs to go beyond the boundary of intermediate goods and expand into final goods, especially consumption goods.
Fatigue behaviour of laser sintered Nylon 12 in rotating and reversed bending tests
Authors: Munguia J. , Dalgarno K.
Published: May 2015

This paper reports the results of a study into the fatigue behaviour of laser sintered Nylon 12 specimens in both reversed and rotating bending. Rotating bending tests are generally the most efficient in terms of test time, but reversed bending deformation explicitly promotes delamination, and so the main aim was to identify whether or not there was significant variation in fatigue behaviour between the two loading modes. The paper presents the first reversed bending fatigue test study on selective laser sintered Nylon parts and compares the results to fatigue behaviour from rotating bending. The results showed no significant variation in fatigue behaviour between the two loading modes and also showed an isotropic response in terms of fatigue behaviour in both test configurations.
Fabrication of Ta2O5 nanostructure films via electrochemical anodisation of tantalum
Authors: Momeni M. M. , Mirhosseini M. , Chavoshi M.
Published: May 2015

In this work, we report the electrochemical formation of Ta2O5 films with different morphology via one-step anodisation of tantalum foil in aqueous electrolytes consisting of H2SO4 and fluoride ion and small additions of ethylene glycol or glycerol. The morphology and structure were characterised by field emission scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. SEM results show that under optimised electrochemical conditions in electrolytes containing H2SO4 and fluoride ion, Ta2O5 nanotube layers can be grown up to thickness of 2 μm. The addition of ethylene glycol or glycerol to this aqueous electrolyte resulted in the formation of irregular porous or compact films on the surface of tantalum. The photocatalytic activity of films was evaluated by measuring the degradation of methylene blue under UV irradiation. Ta2O5 nanotubes exhibited higher photocatalytic activity than did the other samples. The reason of this enhanced photocatalytic property can be attributed to high specific surface areas and the nanotube structures of this sample.
Inducing iron deficiency improves erythropoiesis and photosensitivity in congenital erythropoietic porphyria
Authors: Egan Daniel N. , Yang Zhantao , Phillips John , Abkowitz Janis L.
Published: May 2015

Key Points

Iron deficiency results in symptom improvement in CEP and could be considered a novel therapeutic approach for this disease. CEP marrow cells demonstrated improved growth and erythroid differentiation in vitro under conditions of relative iron restriction.
von Willebrand factor fibers promote cancer-associated platelet aggregation in malignant melanoma of mice and humans
Authors: Bauer Alexander T. , Suckau Jan , Frank Kathrin , Desch Anna , Goertz Lukas , Wagner Andreas H. , Hecker Markus , Goerge Tobias , Umansky Ludmila , Beckhove Philipp , Utikal Jochen , Gorzelanny Christian , Diaz-Valdes Nancy , Umansky Viktor , Schneider Stefan W.
Published: May 2015

Key Points

Tumor-derived VEGF-A mediates endothelial cell activation, VWF release, and platelet aggregation provoking coagulation in tumor patients. Local ADAMTS13 inhibition promotes VWF fiber formation in tumor microvessels.
Visualizing translocation dynamics and nascent transcript errors in paused RNA polymerases in vivo
Authors: Imashimizu Masahiko , Takahashi Hiroki , Oshima Taku , McIntosh Carl , Bubunenko Mikhail , Court Donald L. , Kashlev Mikhail
Published: May 2015

Background

Transcription elongation is frequently interrupted by pausing signals in DNA, with downstream effects on gene expression. Transcription errors also induce prolonged pausing, which can lead to a destabilized genome by interfering with DNA replication. Mechanisms of pausing associated with translocation blocks and misincorporation have been characterized in vitro, but not in vivo.

Results

We investigate the pausing pattern of RNA polymerase (RNAP) in Escherichia coli by a novel approach, combining native elongating transcript sequencing (NET-seq) with RNase footprinting of the transcripts (RNET-seq). We reveal that the G-dC base pair at the 5′ end of the RNA-DNA hybrid interferes with RNAP translocation. The distance between the 5′ G-dC base pair and the 3′ end of RNA fluctuates over a three-nucleotide width. Thus, the G-dC base pair can induce pausing in post-translocated, pre-translocated, and backtracked states of RNAP. Additionally, a CpG sequence of the template DNA strand spanning the active site of RNAP inhibits elongation and induces G-to-A errors, which leads to backtracking of RNAP. Gre factors efficiently proofread the errors and rescue the backtracked complexes. We also find that pausing events are enriched in the 5′ untranslated region and antisense transcription of mRNA genes and are reduced in rRNA genes.

Conclusions

In E. coli, robust transcriptional pausing involves RNAP interaction with G-dC at the upstream end of the RNA-DNA hybrid, which interferes with translocation. CpG DNA sequences induce transcriptional pausing and G-to-A errors.
Associations of antibodies against citrullinated peptides with human leukocyte antigen-shared epitope and smoking prior to the development of rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Kokkonen Heidi , Brink Mikael , Hansson Monika , Lassen Ewa , Mathsson-Alm Linda , Holmdahl Rikard , Rönnelid Johan , Klareskog Lars , Rantapää-Dahlqvist Solbritt
Published: May 2015

Introduction

It has previously been shown that an increased number of antibodies against citrullinated peptides/proteins (ACPA) predate the onset of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Over time antibody positivity expands, involving more specific responses when approaching the onset of symptoms. We investigated the impact of human leukocyte antigen-shared epitope (HLA-SE) alleles and smoking on the development of ACPA, as well as in combination with ACPA during the state of quiescent autoimmunity (before the onset of symptoms), on the development of RA.

Methods

Blood samples donated to the Medical Biobank of Northern Sweden from individuals prior to the onset of symptoms of RA (n = 370) and after onset (n = 203) and from population-based controls (n = 585) were used. Antibodies against 10 citrullinated peptides, fibrinogen (Fibα561-583, α580-600, ß62-81a, ß62-81b, ß36-52), vimentin (Vim2-17, 60-75), filaggrin (CCP-1/Fil307-324), α-enolase (CEP-1/Eno5-21), collagen type II (citC1359-369), and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP)2 antibodies were analysed.

Results

HLA-SE-positive individuals were more frequently positive for ACPA compared with HLA-SE-negative individuals prior to the onset of symptoms of RA, particularly for antibodies against CEP-1 and Fibß62-81a (72). Smoking was associated with antibodies against Vim2-17 and citC1359-369. HLA-SE and smoking showed increasing association to the presence of the antibodies closer to disease onset. The highest odds ratio (OR) for development of RA was for the combination of HLA-SE alleles and ACPA positivity, especially for antibodies against Fibß62-81b, CCP-1/Fil307-324, and Fibβ36-52. A gene-environment additive interaction between smoking and HLA-SE alleles for the risk of disease development was found, with the highest OR for individuals positive for antibodies against Fibβ36-52, CEP-1, and Fibα580-600.

Conclusions

The relationships between antibodies against the different ACPA specificities, HLA-SE, and smoking showed a variable pattern in individuals prior to the onset of RA. The combination of smoking and HLA-SE alleles was significantly associated with the development of some of the antibody specificities closer to onset of symptoms, and these associations remained significant at diagnosis. An additive gene-environment interaction was found for several of the antibodies for the development of RA.
Vibrational spectroscopy for the study of Chilean cultural heritage
Authors: Campos Marcelo M Vallette , Aguayo Tomás Alvarado
Published: May 2015

Background

Natural and synthetic colouring products along with its associated supporting materials have been studied in several expressions of the Chilean cultural heritage using vibrational spectroscopy. These expressions include archaeological remains as well as works of art.

Results

Among the materials studied so far we can count pigments found in archaeological sites from the north of Chile, in plaster (wall paintings) and in polychrome (beams), and dyes mainly related to added components on historic silk textiles. Identification of materials resulted to be relevant to know about Chilean culture through history.

Conclusions

The vibrational knowledge obtained contributes to give solid data as a complement to the different information aspects collected by conservation professionals involved in the characterization and conservation procedures of cultural heritage and also it gives us the opportunity to share knowledge and to give value to objects that not always are of the public domain.
Irreverent Intimacy: Nella Larsen’s Revisions of Edith Wharton
Authors: Orlando Emily J.
Published: May 2015

This essay examines Harlem Renaissance novelist Nella Larsen’s career-long conversation with the fiction of Edith Wharton. Although Larsen cared little for the suggestion that she “had gone to Mrs. Wharton for her lessons in writing,” likely because the comparison cast doubt on the originality of her own oeuvre, the younger writer took Wharton’s work and made it new. One of Larsen’s most modernist gestures is the manner in which she consistently refers to, echoes, and resituates Wharton. These adaptations of Wharton’s fiction, especially of Sanctuary (1903) and Twilight Sleep (1927), which she deeply admired, involve not only subtle appropriations of turns of phrase, image, and point of view but also revisions of racial themes and subversions of narrative closure. Examining Larsen’s engagement with Wharton—particularly in Quicksand (1928), Passing (1929), “Sanctuary” (1930), and the novel that never saw print—makes clear the remarkable breadth of Larsen’s intertextual revisionary project.
The Terror of Literature in Beckett’s Texts for Nothing
Authors: Langlois Christopher
Published: May 2015

This article reads Samuel Beckett’s Texts for Nothing through a conceptual register it derives from the work of Maurice Blanchot and Alain Badiou: the terror of literature. Through its close reading of Texts for Nothing, it demonstrates that terror is what emerges in consciousness and in language when permanent suffering—the historical and metaphysical injustices of twentieth-century modernity—is made to overdetermine what happens to living, thinking, and speaking in the space of literature and narrative. For Beckett’s protagonist, words, ideas, and images are instruments of torture, and in its reliance solely on words, ideas, and images to escape its affliction, it becomes the agent of its own victimization. This is a situation of terror par excellence.
Assembly and maintenance of the flagellum attachment zone filament in Trypanosoma brucei
Authors: Zhou Qing , Hu Huiqing , He Cynthia Y. , Li Ziyin
Published: May 2015

Adhesion of motile flagella to the cell body in Trypanosoma brucei requires a filamentous cytoskeletal structure termed the flagellum attachment zone (FAZ). Despite its essentiality, the complete molecular composition of the FAZ filament and its roles in FAZ filament assembly remain poorly understood. By localization-based screening, we here identified a new FAZ protein, which we called FAZ2. Knockdown of FAZ2 disrupted the FAZ filament, destabilized multiple FAZ filament proteins and caused a cytokinesis defect. We also showed that FAZ2 depletion destabilized another new FAZ filament protein and several flagellum and cytoskeleton proteins. Furthermore, we identified CC2D and KMP11 as FAZ2 partners through affinity purification, and showed that they are each required for maintaining a stable complex. Finally, we demonstrated that FAZ filament proteins are incorporated into the FAZ filament from the proximal region, in contrast to the flagellum components, which are incorporated from the distal tip. In summary, we identified three new FAZ filament proteins and a FAZ filament protein complex, and our results suggest that assembly of the FAZ filament occurs at the proximal region and is essential to maintain the stability of FAZ filament proteins.
Application of Multivariate Curve Resolution Approaches to Improve Analytical Separation of Iranian Rice Volatiles by GC-MS
Authors: Malekzadeh Hanieh , Fatemi Mohammad H
Published: May 2015

Multivariate curve resolution (MCR) methods are proposed to improve the analysis of volatile components of an Iranian rice sample (Domsiah) by headspace sampling coupled to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. A total of 31 components was identified using similarity searches between mass spectra and mass spectrometry database. Then extended multivariate curve resolution-alternating least squares (MCR-ALS) by applying proper constraints is used to obtain pure elution and mass spectral profiles for the components present in each peak cluster. The resolved components were identified by similarity searches using the NIST mass database and their percentage were calculated for qualitative and quantitative analysis, respectively. The number of identified components was extended to 82 by applying the MCR-ALS techniques. The main identified volatile chemicals that were found in an Iranian rice sample (Domsiah) were; nonanal (18.22%), hexanal (14.33%), 2-benzoyl-6,7-dimethoxy-4-methylidene-2H-1,3-benzothiazine (7.81%), epilophodione (7.023%), and 1-methyl-4-(1-methylethenyl)cyclohexene (6.61%).
Technological Literacy of Students As a Result of General Education
Authors: Махотин  , Makhotin Dmitriy
Published: May 2015

With introduction and implementation of competency approach in education researchers have been giving insufficient attention to other categories

of evaluation of education, «literacy» in particular. The author in the article analyzes the domestic and foreign research on this issue and offers a new

understanding of literacy — technological literacy, which corresponds to the results of general education in accordance with the requirements of the

modern post-industrial society.
New ICT-competency of Teachers at Schools of Information Society
Authors: Кузнецова  , Kuznetsova M. , Цветкова  , Tsvetkova Marina , Абатурова  , Abaturova Valentina
Published: May 2015

New economic and social traits of global society of knowledge dictate the necessity of forming new key competencies of knowledge society: professional,

social and informational, among which the last one (informational or ICT-competency) allows effective forming and developing not only professional,

but social competency as well, to which sufficient attention has not been paid, though it is directly connected to human factor, crucial for knowledge

society.
Child Movement in Russia As an Instrument of Modern Human Capital Development
Authors: Ермолин  , Ermolin A.
Published: May 2015

In his article Child movement in Russia as an instrument of modern human capital development the author puts forward the problem of underestimating

and even complete ignoring children community unions while handling the task of preparing effective human potential for Russian regions. According

to author the State as the customer of human capital and the children movement as a potential contract accepter at key stages of forming required

values, competencies and traits, have not yet built regular “business” relationship: they have not defined exact goals of educational process according

to current labour market demands, and have not drawn ”game rules” for educators market. Fineness of the publication is due to the fact that many

advocates of pushing global human and Russian traditional spiritual values into education do not see themselves as professionals responsible for

forming competencies for success at modern labour markets as well. Even the terms human capital, educators market, personal development program

are strongly confronted by many teachers. But it is impossible not to talk about that. Especially after publishing State strategy of pedagogy in Russian

Federation up to 2025 and its stating the task of forming national pedagogical ideal.
Nation State, Marketisation of Social Services and Uncertainty of Livelihood in India
Authors: Balwinder Singh Tiwana  , Paramjit Singh
Published: May 2015

An attempt has been made to highlight some important issues in order to examine the inclusiveness of growth during the era of neoliberalism in India. The article is an attempt to examine the changing role of State within the capitalistic economic structure: how Indian State, which as an inseparable part of international capitalism, has shifted its path from welfare or Interventionist State to laissez-faire neoliberal State. The retreat of the State causes the marketisation of health and educational facilities, which has brought these two significant social services to the market as attractive profit earning commodities. The process of commodification of these services does lead to the deterioration and inaccessibility of these facilities to the masses. The article also scrutinises the question of livelihood through the study of changing structure of employment. The distribution of population employed in various activities and change in the status of employment after the introduction of neoliberal policies are also examined. The process of casualisation and informalisation of livelihood opportunities is also studied in order to grasp the extent of relative surplus population in India. The question of absolute reserve army of labour (wholly unemployed population) examined through the study of workers who are eligible for work but unable to get any work due to jobless growth process in India. The development of an imported industrialisation process has resulted in the increase in proportion of constant capital (machines and related equipments) relative to variable (human labour) capital in manufacturing sectors. In the whole discussion on employment and unemployment, an attempt has been made to apply the Marxian conception of reserve army of labour on Indian working population in order to examine the emerging working-class structure.
Superstructure Determined by Base
Authors: Hiroshi Onishi
Published: May 2015

Marxian economics recognizes productive activities as the nature of the human being, but human beings create other dimensions of activities through ideology, religion, culture, and politics. All these activities comprise a sort of superstructure. It is very important for us to discuss how the superstructure is determined by social base directly and indirectly. The discussion will be on state, ideologies, and human characteristics itself.
Effect of the qualifying autoclitic “is” in conditional discrimination training and equivalence tests.
Authors: Lovo Martins Luis Antonio , Costa Hübner Maria Martha , Pereira Gomes Felipe , Pinto Portugal Maira , Treu Katie Elizabeth
Published: May 2015

Reinforcement contingencies have been identified as an important variable for the establishment of conditional discriminations and stimuli equivalence. Studies in this area suggest that verbal behavior can facilitate the formation of discriminative responses and equivalence classes. Nevertheless, researchers have concentrated on studying the effect of the autoclitic behavior on those behavioral processes. The purpose of the present study was to analyze if an instruction that guides the participants to emit a verbal vocal response with a qualifying autoclitic and the assertion “is” between the presentation of the sample stimuli and the choice of the comparison stimuli in a matching to sample task, produces effects in the formation of new equivalence classes and has an influence on the number of trials necessary for the acquisition of conditional discrimination responses. The participants were divided into a Control Group and a Experimental Group where both of them went through three Training Phases and three Quiz Phases. The instruction was given only to the participants in the Experimental Group. The results obtained didn’t show differences between the groups for the average of correct responses in the Training Phases nor in the average of correct responses during all of the Equivalence Quizzes. It can be concluded that the initial effect of the autoclitic was to increase the accuracy of the response, making easier the acquisition of the conditional discrimination as well as the formation of the stimuli equivalence.
Efectos de diferentes tipos de entrenamiento en el aprendizaje de una discriminación condicional.
Authors: Rodríguez Pérez María Elena , Silva Castillo Luis Hernando , Bautista Castro Luis René , Peña Correal Telmo Eduardo
Published: May 2015

Se diseñó un experimento para analizar el papel funcional de la retroalimentación, las instrucciones y la observación de un modelo aprendiz empleando una tarea de igualación a la muestra de segundo orden. Treinta y nueve estudiantes se asignaron aleatoriamente a uno de los tres grupos experimentales que difirieron en el entrenamiento: exposición directa a la tarea, observación de un modelo aprendiz (confederado), o uso de instrucciones precisas sobre los criterios de igualación. A algunos participantes se les ofreció un incentivo económico por su participación. Se encontró que las instrucciones precisas promovieron un aprendizaje más acelerado en comparación con los otros tipos de entrenamiento. El empleo del incentivo económico tuvo un efecto diferencial según el tipo de entrenamiento; hizo que los participantes tuvieran un mejor desempeño en la condición de observación del modelo aprendiz, pero no influyó en los otros tipos de entrenamiento. Estos resultados sugieren que el incentivo puede operar como un factor motivacional o disposicional, dado que afecta la probabilidad del establecimiento del control abstracto del estímulo.
Escala de miedo a la evaluación negativa versión breve (BFNE) : propiedades psicométricas en muestras clínicas y de universitarios en méxico.
Authors: Archibaldo Bravo Marcelo , González Betanzos Fabiola , Castillo Navarro Álvaro , Padrós Blázquez Ferran
Published: May 2015

El objetivo del presente trabajo es analizar en muestras clínicas y de universitarios mexicanos, las propiedades psicométricas de la Escala de Miedo a la Evaluación Negativa versión breve (BFNE), así como estudiar su utilidad diagnóstica al establecer un punto de corte que discrimine entre fobia social y trastorno de ansiedad generalizada. Los participantes fueron estudiantes universitarios, sujetos con fobia social y personas con trastorno de ansiedad generalizada. Se llevaron a cabo las siguientes actividades: 1) Proporcionar la media y desviación estándar del BFNE, para cada una de las muestras. 2) Confirmar la estructura interna de la escala. 3) Evaluar la consistencia interna. 4) Analizar la confiabilidad test-retest. 5) Estudiar la validez convergente y divergente. 6) Realizar un análisis de curvas ROC, en donde se establezca un punto de corte que sea capaz de discriminar entre sujetos con fobia social de aquellos que padecen trastorno de ansiedad generalizada. Se concluye que la Escala de Miedo a la Evaluación Negativa versión breve (BFNE) es una medida válida y confiable, capaz de detectar con gran eficacia la presencia de fobia social en las muestras estudiadas.
Estructura factorial de la escala de soporte social subjetivo : validación en una muestra de estudiantes universitarios Chilenos.
Authors: Cárdenas Castro Manuel , Barrientos Delgado Jaime , Ricci Alvarado Emilio
Published: May 2015

El objetivo de este artículo es adaptar y validar la Escala de Apoyo Social Subjetivo (EASS, de Vaux et al., 1986), a la vez que describir su estructura factorial. Esta escala está compuesta por 10 ítems distribuidos en dos dimensiones: apoyo familiar y apoyo de los amigos. Se examinan las propiedades psicométricas de la escala y la dimensionalidad de la misma en una muestra de estudiantes universitarios chilenos (N = 681). Los resultados indican que el EASS constituye un instrumento fiable (α = .86) y válido para la medición del apoyo social subjetivo. Las dimensiones de la EASS obtienen entre sí una correlación significativa y moderada (r = .41; p < .001). Las cargas factoriales para los ítems en el análisis factorial confirmatorio fluctuaron entre .40 y .93, mostrando buenos índices de ajuste para el modelo de dos factores de primer orden correlacionados (CFI = .97, TLI = .93, RFI = .97, IFI = .97, NFI = .96 y RSMEA = .08).
From “Where” to “What”: Distributed Representations of Brand Associations in the Human Brain
Authors: Chen Yu-Ping , Nelson Leif D. , Hsu Ming
Published: May 2015

Considerable attention has been given to the notion of a set of humanlike characteristics associated with brands, referred to as “brand personality.” The authors combine newly available machine learning techniques with functional neuroimaging data to characterize the set of processes that give rise to these associations. The authors show that brand personality traits can be captured by the weighted activity across a widely distributed set of brain regions previously implicated in reasoning, imagery, and affective processing. That is, as opposed to being constructed through reflective processes, brand personality traits seem to exist a priori inside consumers’ minds, such that the authors are able to predict what brand a person is thinking about solely on the basis of the relationship between brand personality associations and brain activity. These findings represent an important advance in the application of neuroscientific methods to consumer research, moving from work focused on cataloging brain regions associated with marketing stimuli to testing and refining constructs central to theories of consumer behavior.
Multiple aberrant hormone receptors in Cushing's syndrome
Authors: Ghorayeb Nada El , Bourdeau Isabelle , Lacroix André
Published: May 2015

The mechanisms regulating cortisol production when ACTH of pituitary origin is suppressed in primary adrenal causes of Cushing's syndrome (CS) include diverse genetic and molecular mechanisms. These can lead either to constitutive activation of the cAMP system and steroidogenesis or to its regulation exerted by the aberrant adrenal expression of several hormone receptors, particularly G-protein coupled hormone receptors (GPCR) and their ligands. Screening for aberrant expression of GPCR in bilateral macronodular adrenal hyperplasia (BMAH) and unilateral adrenal tumors of patients with overt or subclinical CS demonstrates the frequent co-expression of several receptors. Aberrant hormone receptors can also exert their activity by regulating the paracrine secretion of ACTH or other ligands for those receptors in BMAH or unilateral tumors. The aberrant expression of hormone receptors is not limited to adrenal CS but can be implicated in other endocrine tumors including primary aldosteronism and Cushing's disease. Targeted therapies to block the aberrant receptors or their ligands could become useful in the future.
Histone Sprocket Arginine Residues Are Important for Gene Expression, DNA Repair, and Cell Viability inSaccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Hodges Amelia J , Gallegos Isaura J , Laughery Marian F , Meas Rithy , Tran Linh , Wyrick John J
Published: May 2015

A critical feature of the intermolecular contacts that bind DNA to the histone octamer is the series of histone arginine residues that insert into the DNA minor groove at each superhelical location where the minor groove faces the histone octamer. One of these “sprocket” arginine residues, histone H4 R45, significantly affects chromatin structure in vivo and is lethal when mutated to alanine or cysteine in Saccharomyces cerevisiae (budding yeast). However, the roles of the remaining sprocket arginine residues (H3 R63, H3 R83, H2A R43, H2B R36, H2A R78, H3 R49) in chromatin structure and other cellular processes have not been well characterized. We have genetically characterized mutations in each of these histone residues when introduced either singly or in combination to yeast cells. We find that pairs of arginine residues that bind DNA adjacent to the DNA exit/entry sites in the nucleosome are lethal in yeast when mutated in combination and cause a defect in histone occupancy. Furthermore, mutations in individual residues compromise repair of UV-induced DNA lesions and affect gene expression and cryptic transcription. This study reveals simple rules for how the location and structural mode of DNA binding influence the biological function of each histone sprocket arginine residue.
Multi-scale characterization and modelling of damage evolution in nuclear Gilsocarbon graphite
Authors: Liu Dong , Heard Peter , Šavija Branko , Smith Gillian , Schlangen Erik , Flewitt Peter
Published: May 2015

In the present work, the microstructure and mechanical properties of Gilsocarbon graphite have been characterized over a range of length-scales. Optical imaging, combined with 3D X-ray computed tomography and 3D high-resolution tomography based on focus ion beam milling has been adopted for microstructural characterization. A range of small-scale mechanical testing approaches are applied including an in situ micro-cantilever technique based in a Dualbeam workstation. It was found that pores ranging in size from nanometers to tens of micrometers in diameter are present which modify the deformation and fracture characteristics of the material. This multi-scale mechanical testing approach revealed the significant change of mechanical properties, for example flexural strength, of this graphite over the length-scale from a micrometer to tens of centimeters. Such differences emphasize why input parameters to numerical models have to be undertaken at the appropriate length-scale to allow predictions of the deformation, fracture and the stochastic features of the strength of the graphite with the required confidence. Finally, the results from a multi-scale model demonstrated that these data derived from the micro-scale tests can be extrapolated, with high confidence, to large components with realistic dimensions.
Space Environments and Effects on CIGS Solar Cells and Modules
Authors: Kawakita Shirou , Imaizumi Mitsuru , Kusawake Hiroaki
Published: May 2015

Cu (In, Ga) Se2 (CIGS) thin-film solar cells are optimal solar cells for spacecraft, since they have high efficiency, lightweight, flexible and high radiation tolerance. The CIGS solar module without a coverglass to prevent degradation in space has been demonstrated with a small satellite and its electrical performance indicates no degradation as predicted from ground tests. However, the cells need to prevent the damages from other effects in space. The paper introduces some space environment tests and how to improve performance in CIGS cells for spacecraft.
Optical Studies on VO2 Thin Films
Authors: Wang Lei , Beebe Melissa , Madaras Scott E. , Klopf John M. , Radue Elizabeth , Li Zhaozhu , Wincheski Russell A. , Lu Jiwei , Wolf Stuart A. , Novikova Irina , Lukaszew Rosa A.
Published: May 2015

We have been interested in the plasmonic properties of alternative conducting materials to metals, such as conducting oxides, and we have recently expanded our studies to include highly correlated oxides, such as vanadium dioxide (VO2) thin films. VO2 exhibits a metal-insulator transition (MIT) just above ambient temperature at ∼ 340K. Interestingly, this transition can be induced thermally, optically or applying electric fields. Across the MIT, the optical properties are completely modified over a broad frequency range. We will present our recent optical investigations on the photon induced transition studies on such films, as well as the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) modulation in nanopatterned Au gratings by the thermally induced MIT in VO2 thin films, addressing possibilities of ultrafast SPR modulation with VO2.
Molecular Imprinted Hydrogels in Drug Delivery Applications
Authors: Bates Jeffrey S. , Whitson Luke R. , Albertson Kelan M. , Hickerson Nathan S. , Nichols Patrick E. , Larson Bethany E. , Sparks Taylor D.
Published: May 2015

Molecular imprinting is the process by which molecules are imprinted into the matrix of a material through non-covalent bonding, including hydrogen bonding and van der Waals interactions. In this study hydrogels were imprinted with glaucoma medication with the purpose of creating a reusable ocular drug delivery device with reversible binding sites. The material was synthesized and tested with UV-Vis spectroscopy to determine the concentration of the released drug after twelve hours in distilled water. Modifications were made to the polymer to explore methods required for the proper delivery of the drug over an adequate period of time.
Novel Nanoscroll Structures from Carbon Nitride Layers
Authors: Perim Eric , Galvao Douglas S.
Published: May 2015

Nanoscrolls consist of sheets rolled up into a papyrus-like form. Their open ends produce great radial flexibility, which can be exploited for a large variety of applications, from actuators to hydrogen storage. They have been successfully synthesized from different materials, including carbon and boron nitride. In this work we have investigated, through fully atomistic molecular dynamics simulations, the dynamics of scroll formation for a series of graphene-like carbon nitride (CN) two-dimensional systems: g-CN, triazine-based (g-C3N4), and heptazine-based (g-C3N4). Carbon nitride (CN) structures have been attracting great attention since their prediction as super hard materials. Recently, graphene-like carbon nitride (g-CN) structures have been synthesized with distinct stoichiometry and morphologies. By combining these unique CN characteristics with the structural properties inherent to nanoscrolls new nanostructures with very attractive mechanical and electronic properties could be formed. Our results show that stable nanoscrolls can be formed for all of CN structures we have investigated here. As the CN sheets have been already synthesized, these new scrolled structures are perfectly feasible and within our present-day technology.
Plasma nitric oxide, endothelin-1, arginase and superoxide dismutase in the plasma and placentae from preeclamptic patients
Authors: Bernardi Fabiana C. , Vuolo Francieli , Petronilho Fabricia , Michels Monique , Ritter Cristiane , Dal-Pizzol Felipe
Published: May 2015

The aim of this study was to determine parameters of NO metabolism in plasma and placenta of preeclamptic (PE) patients. It was conducted a case-control study at São José Hospital, Brazil. Thirty-three PE and 33 normotensive pregnant were included in the study. The diagnosis of PE was established in accordance with the definitions of American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Peripheral venous blood and placenta samples were obtained at postpartum period. Plasma NO levels and SOD activity were significantly lower and endothelin-1 levels and arginase activity were significantly higher in PE women when compared to controls. None of the analyzed parameters were different in the placenta between groups. Our findings suggest that parameters associated with NO metabolism are altered only at the systemic level, but not in placenta of PE patients.
Bone turnover markers for early detection of fracture healing disturbances: A review of the scientific literature
Authors: Sousa Cristina P. , Dias Isabel R. , Lopez-peña Mónica , Camassa José A. , Lourenço Paulo J. , Judas Fernando M. , Gomes Manuela E. , Reis Rui L.
Published: May 2015

Imaging techniques are the standard method for assessment of fracture healing processes. However, these methods are perhaps not entirely reliable for early detection of complications, the most frequent of these being delayed union and non-union. A prompt diagnosis of such disorders could prevent prolonged patient distress and disability. Efforts should be directed towards the development of new technologies for improving accuracy in diagnosing complications following bone fractures. The variation in the levels of bone turnover markers (BTMs) have been assessed with regard to there ability to predict impaired fracture healing at an early stage, nevertheless the conclusions of some studies are not consensual. In this article the authors have revised the potential of BTMs as early predictors of prognosis in adult patients presenting traumatic bone fractures but who did not suffer from osteopenia or postmenopausal osteoporosis. The available information from the different studies performed in this field was systematized in order to highlight the most promising BTMs for the assessment of fracture healing outcome.
Renda, Relações Sociais e Felicidade no Brasil
Authors: Ribeiro Carlos Antonio Costa
Published: May 2015

O objetivo deste artigo é descrever a distribuição de "bem-estar subjetivo" ou "felicidade" na população brasileira. Após uma breve revisão da literatura em psicologia, economia e sociologia sobre o tema, o texto apresenta dados comparando o Brasil com outros 134 países. O ponto central do artigo consiste na elaboração de um modelo estatístico para descrever os principais fatores correlacionados à "felicidade" da população. Em contraste com trabalhos anteriores sobre o Brasil, nossa análise revela que, além das condições materiais (principalmente a renda), diversas formas de relações sociais e de percepções são fundamentais para explicar a variação na distribuição de "felicidade". Os dados analisados são provenientes da pesquisa "Dimensões Sociais das Desigualdades", composta por uma amostra probabilística da população brasileira coletada junto a 8.048 domicílios em 2008.
Classe Social e Deslocamentos de Renda no BrasilClasse Social e Deslocamentos de Renda no Brasil
Authors: Santos José Alcides Figueiredo
Published: May 2015

O presente artigo identifica e examina os principais deslocamentos de renda entre as posições de classe que se deram no Brasil entre 1992 e 2011. Foram conjugadas medidas de diferenças observadas e de diferenças ajustadas por regressão quantílica. A subordinação da distribuição da renda ao ordenamento de classe da sociedade brasileira manteve-se claramente definida. No período pós-2002 diminui a diferença de renda entre o topo privilegiado e a base destituída tanto em termos absolutos quanto relativos. As perdas de renda mais pronunciadas estiveram vinculadas às credenciais das posições de especialistas. As vantagens de classe das dimensões de propriedade e autoridade da estrutura social mostraram-se mais persistentes. Outrossim, a composição e as vantagens dos grupos privilegiados tornaram-se mais dependentes do controle e do emprego de insumos educacionais que perderam valor.
Avaliação da equivalência semântica e consistência interna da Game Addiction Scale (GAS): versão em português
Authors: Lemos Igor Lins , Conti Maria Aparecida , Sougey Everton Botelho
Published: May 2015

Objetivo Avaliar a equivalência semântica e a consistência interna da Game Addiction Scale (GAS): versão em português. Métodos O procedimento constituiu-se das seguintes etapas: a) revisão da literatura; b) tradução do instrumento original; c) retrotradução; d) revisão técnica e avaliação da compreensão verbal, realizada por profissionais da área da saúde; e) avaliação da compreensão verbal do instrumento, por uma amostra de estudantes; f) análise da consistência interna (alfa de Cronbach). Os participantes, com exceção dos especialistas, foram selecionados por conveniência. A participação dos sujeitos foi diferente em cada fase: tradutores (n = 2), retrotradução (n = 1), revisão técnica (n = 2), especialistas (n = 12), pré-teste com estudantes universitários (n = 40) e mensuração com estudantes universitários (n = 100). Resultados Poucas alterações semânticas de expressões e termos foram realizadas para adaptar-se à cultura-alvo. O nível de compreensão verbal dos participantes (especialistas e estudantes) foi superior a 90% e a análise do alfa de Cronbach correspondeu a 0,92 para todo o instrumento. Conclusão A Escala de Dependência de Jogos Eletrônicos (ESDEJE) foi submetida a tradução e adaptação para o idioma português (do Brasil), apresentando consistência interna adequada. Ademais, sugere-se a realização do processo de validação referente à equivalência de mensuração e reprodutibilidade do instrumento.