bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Os catecismos de Lutero e o uso da Escritura
Authors: Artuso Vicente , Klein Carlos Jeremias
Published: April 2017

A terceira década do século XVI assinala a implantação da Reforma protestante na Alemanha e na Suíça. O artigo trata inicialmente do contexto político e eclesial e das transformações religiosas na Alemanha, sob a liderança de Martinho Lutero.  Para atender a premente necessidade de instrução religiosa do povo, o reformador publicou, em 1529, o Catecismo Menor e o Catecismo Maior. Em seguida, o artigo analisa a hermenêutica bíblica empregada nos catecismos. Destaca a primazia da Escritura na catequese adotando o princípio de que a Escritura se explica por si mesma tendo Cristo como centro. Lutero retoma da Igreja primitiva a insistência na Lectio Divina, porém  distancia-se do método dos quatro sentidos, literal, alegórico, moral e anagógico, da antiguidade cristã e da Idade Média. Adota métodos próprios de interpretação. Por meio dos Catecismos Lutero deu ênfase a Palavra proclamada a ser acolhida na fé, uma vez que na sua época bem poucos cristãos tinham acesso ao texto pleno das Escrituras.     
Deus existe?
Authors: Silva Elias Gomes da
Published: April 2017

A propósito do Livro 

SWINBURNE, Richard. Deus Existe? Tradução de Agnaldo Cuoco Portugal. Brasília: Academia Monergista, 2015. 192p. 
The Territories of Science and Religion.
Authors: Rocha Gustavo Rodrigues
Published: April 2017

Livro:

HARRISON, Peter. The Territories of Science and Religion. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 2015. 300 p.
As noções de Polidoxia e de diferenciais de poder no contexto da relação entre imaginários e diálogos inter-religiosos.
Authors: Ribeiro Cláudio de Oliveira
Published: April 2017

A pesquisa procurou sistematizar duas noções em torno das relações inter-religiosas que visam desconstruir imaginários de corte idealista que muitas vezes emergem de práticas e de formas de ecumenismo inter-religioso: os diferenciais de poder presentes na sociedade e nas relações inter-religiosas e a concepção de polidoxia que evitaria interpretações e ações dicotômicas e bipolares. Metodologicamente, recorremos ao processo de sínteses de perspectivas oriundas dos estudos culturais pós-coloniais realizados por diferentes autores e à crítica teológica feminista de Kwok Pui-Lan. Entre os resultados da pesquisa estão as bases teóricas para as análises que dão destaque aos diferenciais de poder presentes também nas relações inter-religiosas que uma vez identificados, assumidos e equacionados criticamente poderiam atenuar a reprodução de formas veladas de dominação, na medida em que tais formas, contraditoriamente, também estão presentes no espectro do diálogo inter-religioso. Outro é uma elucidação da concepção de polidoxia, que, por intermédio da crítica e do desmascaramento do pensamento único, visa a ultrapassar o binômio ortodoxia/heresia, que em geral inibe a efetivação de um diálogo inter-religioso e cultural autêntico. A divindade, nesta perspectiva, é compreendida em termos de multiplicidade, irrestringibilidade e relacionalidade.
Horizonte, 20 anos! Apresentação: Horizonte, v 15, n. 45, jan./mar. 2017
Authors: Souza Carlos Frederico Barboza de , Baptista Paulo Agostinho Nogueira
Published: April 2017

Horizonte, 20 anos!

Apresentação, Horizonte, v 15, n. 45, jan./mar. 2017
O imaginário entre fronteiras da educação e da religião
Authors: Ferreira Amauri Carlos , Noronha Vânia
Published: April 2017

O objetivo desse artigo é discutir as contribuições da teoria do imaginário na constituição do sujeito individual e coletivo tendo como diálogo aspectos que se referem à educação e religião. Para tal, compreende que essas áreas são fundamentais na formação do homo symbolicus, que expressa pela linguagem, sua maneira de estar no mundo. O artigo ao discutir a crise do paradigma clássico apresenta a complexidade do emergente com base nas categorias analíticas presentes nesse aporte teórico, a saber: representação, mito, imagens entre outras. Com base nessas categorias estabelece-se um diálogo transdisciplinar entre os saberes que tem como ponto crucial o campo diverso do simbólico. É o simbólico que nos permite compreender as fronteiras entre as dimensões religiosas e as práticas sociais entendidas como educativas, materializadas na cultura de diversos modos. Conclui-se que a epistheme proporcionada pela teoria do imaginário é potente para pensarmos o diálogo intercultural e a superação do paradigma disciplinar presente em algumas práticas culturais, principalmente as educacionais e religiosas.
Entre o contexto e as demandas cotidianas: o imaginário como substância terapêutica na Igreja Universal do Reino de Deus
Authors: Clementino Anna Carolina Lo Bianco , Passos Paulo
Published: April 2017

Este artigo se propõe a pensar as ofertas dos serviços religiosos da IURD a partir da incorporação das representações características do imaginário do seu tempo e contexto.  Enquanto muitos se encarregaram de fundar novos caminhos, Edir Macedo vislumbrava na pedagogia já cristalizada nas imagens mentais e representações do povo o seu grande aporte discursivo/teológico. Assim foi desde a demonização da Umbanda e o manejo de simpatias, ritos, benzimentos e exorcismos convertidos em liturgias sagradas e enfrentamento aos seus feitiços, até a transformação dos seus templos e serviços em grandes espaços terapêutico-espirituais. Do imaginário místico e religioso ao imaginário psicanalítico e racionalizante, a IURD se mantém próspera e profissional, retroalimentando o imaginário da sua clientela a partir das representações presentes em seu próprio cenário temporal. De uma forma flexível, os serviços religiosos da IURD estão sempre em consonância com as demandas de certos grupos sociais, mais precisamente, aqueles mais sensíveis ao uso do arcabouço do imaginário popular como substância complementar na plausibilidade da vida cotidiana.
SMP That Help Foster Algebraic Thinking
Authors: Billings Esther M. H.
Published: April 2017

Explore how this teacher incorporates the Standards for Mathematical Practice (SMP) into her instruction to help young learners use representations, look for patterns, notice underlying mathematical structure, and begin to generalize relationships.
Screencasting to Support Effective Teaching Practices
Authors: Thomas Amanda
Published: April 2017

Vignettes from three classrooms—with access ranging from a single teacher tablet to one-for-one student devices—show how technology can aid learning.
Influence of Parity on Opting Optimal Season for Breeding in Murrah Buffaloes
Authors: Selvam Ramu Muthu , Archunan Govindaraju
Published: April 2017

Environmental factors place a crucial role in reproductive management of buffaloes by regulating their estrous cycle. Conception occurs if breeding takes place in favorable season where availability of sufficient herbage and water. Influence of parity on selection of breeding seasonal, leads to conception, was not yet reported in murrah buffaloes. Therefore, the present investigation was carried out to analyse the influence of parity on selecting an optimal season for breeding among murrah buffaloes in south India. Sixty reproductively active murrah buffaloes belonged to southern part of Indian subcontinent were recruited in the study and grouped based on their parity. Estrus behaviour, date of mating and consequent pregnancy was recorded for every individual buffalo. A conception rate of 81.67% was achieved with natural mating. Among the 49 pregnant animals, 12 were nulliparous (n=19), 15 were primiparous (n=16) and 22 were multiparous (n=25). Conception rate was high during winter (32.65%), followed by autumn (26.53%), monsoon (20.41%) and pre-winter (20.41%). Major factors such as age, low reproductive efficiency during late winter and early autumn, delayed resumption after calving appears to affect the conception rate. Prolonged summer, extended from March to July, noticed in recent years decreases the duration of other seasons like spring and autumn. Effective breeding of nulliparous was witnessed on winter, primiparous during autumn and multiparous was scheduled from monsoon to pre-winter. The present study concludes that selection of optimal season for breeding was rather influenced by the parity of individual buffaloes.
Fostering EFL Learners’ Reading Comprehension: Animation Film Technique
Authors: Torabian Asefeh , Tajadini Massoud
Published: April 2017

The current study investigated the effect of implementing animation films on developing reading comprehension texts among EFL learners of a language institute in Kerman. For this purpose, two groups of pre-intermediate EFL learners were chosen (30 participants in each group). After three months of instruction, twice a week, 2story books named the "Good Dinosaur" and "Little Prince" including totally 20 chapters in both groups and animation films including 60 minutes divided into 6 to 7 minutes in each session in experimental group were presented. To estimate the primary knowledge of the subjects, a pretest was taken from both groups and after the experiment came to an end, a posttest was followed. The result revealed that a meaningful relationship could be identified between the procedures incorporated for both groups. However, the experimental group achieved higher degree of achievement using animation films presented to them by scoring higher in the total mean and also, interview participants were satisfied with the use of animation films in the reading class.
Variegated tropical landscapes conserve diverse dung beetle communities
Authors: Costa Cristiane , Oliveira Victor Hugo F. , Maciel Rafaella , Beiroz Wallace , Korasaki Vanesca , Louzada Julio
Published: April 2017

Background

Conserving biodiversity in tropical landscapes is a major challenge to scientists and conservationists. Current rates of deforestation, fragmentation, and land use intensification are producing variegated landscapes with undetermined values for the conservation of biological communities and ecosystem functioning. Here, we investigate the importance of tropical variegated landscapes to biodiversity conservation, using dung beetle as focal taxa.

Methods

The study was carried out in 12 variegated landscapes where dung beetles were sampled using six pitfall traps, 30 m apart from each other, along a transect in each studied landscape use and cover classes—LUCC (forest fragment and corridor, coffee plantation, and pasture). We baited each pitfall trap with 30 g of human feces and left open for a 48 h period. We also measured three environmental variables reflecting structural differences among the studied classes: canopy cover, local vegetation heterogeneity and soil sand content.

Results

We collected 52 species and 2,695 individuals of dung beetles. We observed significant differences in the mean species richness, abundance and biomass among classes, with forest fragments presenting the highest values, forest corridors and coffee plantations presenting intermediate values, and pastures the lowest values. Regarding community structure, we also found significant differences among classes. Canopy cover was the only variable explaining variation in dung beetle species richness, abundance, biomass, and community structure. The relative importance of spatial turnover was greater than nestedness-resultant component in all studied landscapes.

Discussion

This study evaluated the ecological patterns of dung beetle communities in variegated tropical landscapes highlighting the importance of these landscapes for conservation of tropical biodiversity. However, we encourage variegation for the management of landscapes that have already been fragmented or as a complementary initiative of current conservation practices (e.g., protection of natural habitats and establishment of reserves).
Variation and modeling of ultraviolet auroral oval boundaries associated with interplanetary and geomagnetic parameters
Authors: Hu Ze‐Jun , Yang Qiu‐Ju , Liang Ji‐Min , Hu Hong‐Qiao , Zhang Bei‐Chen , Yang Hui‐Gen
Published: April 2017

A large data set of auroral poleward/equatorward boundary, which are automatically identified from more than 60,000 images acquired by Polar ultraviolet imager, is used to study the variation of auroral boundaries associated with the interplanetary/geomagnetic environments and dynamic parameters of the magnetosphere. A total number of 3,805,000/1,215,000 points for poleward/equatorward boundary were identified from the data set. It is found that the poleward/equatorward boundaries show an equatorward movement with the increase of Kan‐Lee electric field. The poleward/equatorward boundaries in the nightside sector (1800–0600 magnetic local time (MLT)) show an equatorward motion with the increase of the value of IMF By and the north‐south electric field. The equatorward boundary (1800–0300 MLT) shows a quasi‐linear equatorward displacement with the increase of solar wind dynamic pressure and speed. The poleward boundary (excluding midday sector) and equatorward boundary expand equatorward with the increase of AE index. The auroral oval boundary model with input parameters of the three components of IMF, solar wind speed and density, and AE is developed by using multivariate regression method. Evaluation of the model shows that the mean absolute deviation of the model in every MLT sector is 1.3–2.1° magnetic latitude (MLAT) for the poleward boundary and 1.3–2.5° MLAT for the equatorward boundary, respectively, when input parameters are within valid value coverage (three components of IMF are each from −8 to +8 nT, and the values of solar wind speed and density, and AE are not more than 550 km/s, 20/cm−3, and 520 nT, respectively).
Predictors of Perceived Educational Value in Emergency Medicine Residency Simulation Cases
Authors: Spencer Taylor R.
Published: April 2017

Objectives

This study was designed to identify characteristics associated with the perceived educational value of simulation cases in an emergency medicine residency curriculum.

Methods

Following 17 individual emergency medicine simulation cases, a standard feedback questionnaire was completed by emergency medicine residents. Multiple linear regression was performed to identify significant variables that predict perceived educational value.

Results

A total of 374 feedback responses were analyzed from 60 residents over a 2‐year period. Complete data for inclusion in a regression analysis were available for 288 responses. The linear regression has an R2 value of 0.979, indicating that the model explains nearly 98% of the variation. The perceived usefulness of the simulation cases, PGY, and the reported the stressfulness of the exercise were all positively associated with perceived benefit. Familiarity with the clinical scenario, role of team leader, and perceived difficulty of the scenario did not influence the residents’ perception of benefit.

Conclusions

Multiple variables related to the scenario and the participants contribute to the perceived educational value of simulation cases in an emergency medicine residency curriculum. Specific predictors of educational value were PGY, stressfulness, and perceived utility. Being team leader, the familiarity of the scenario, or the perceived difficulty of the case did not influence the reported educational value. Recognition of these variables should help educators involved in the creation of educationally valuable simulation cases in the future.
Auditory spatial attention to speech and complex non‐speech sounds in children with autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Soskey Laura N. , Allen Paul D. , Bennetto Loisa
Published: April 2017

One of the earliest observable impairments in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a failure to orient to speech and other social stimuli. Auditory spatial attention, a key component of orienting to sounds in the environment, has been shown to be impaired in adults with ASD. Additionally, specific deficits in orienting to social sounds could be related to increased acoustic complexity of speech. We aimed to characterize auditory spatial attention in children with ASD and neurotypical controls, and to determine the effect of auditory stimulus complexity on spatial attention. In a spatial attention task, target and distractor sounds were played randomly in rapid succession from speakers in a free‐field array. Participants attended to a central or peripheral location, and were instructed to respond to target sounds at the attended location while ignoring nearby sounds. Stimulus‐specific blocks evaluated spatial attention for simple non‐speech tones, speech sounds (vowels), and complex non‐speech sounds matched to vowels on key acoustic properties. Children with ASD had significantly more diffuse auditory spatial attention than neurotypical children when attending front, indicated by increased responding to sounds at adjacent non‐target locations. No significant differences in spatial attention emerged based on stimulus complexity. Additionally, in the ASD group, more diffuse spatial attention was associated with more severe ASD symptoms but not with general inattention symptoms. Spatial attention deficits have important implications for understanding social orienting deficits and atypical attentional processes that contribute to core deficits of ASD. Autism Res 2017, 10: 1405–1416. © 2017 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Development of rapid bioconversion with integrated recycle technology for ethanol production from extractive ammonia pretreated corn stover
Authors: Jin Mingjie , Liu Yanping , da Costa Sousa Leonardo , Dale Bruce E. , Balan Venkatesh
Published: April 2017

High enzyme loading and low productivity are two major issues impeding low cost ethanol production from lignocellulosic biomass. This work applied rapid bioconversion with integrated recycle technology (RaBIT) and extractive ammonia (EA) pretreatment for conversion of corn stover (CS) to ethanol at high solids loading. Enzymes were recycled via recycling unhydrolyzed solids. Enzymatic hydrolysis with recycled enzymes and fermentation with recycled yeast cells were studied. Both enzymatic hydrolysis time and fermentation time were shortened to 24 h. Ethanol productivity was enhanced by two times and enzyme loading was reduced by 30%. Glucan and xylan conversions reached as high as 98% with an enzyme loading of as low as 8.4 mg protein per g glucan. The overall ethanol yield was 227 g ethanol/kg EA‐CS (191 g ethanol/kg untreated CS). Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2017;114: 1713–1720. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Effects of plant density on recombinant hemagglutinin yields in an Agrobacterium‐mediated transient gene expression system using Nicotiana benthamiana plants
Authors: Fujiuchi Naomichi , Matsuda Ryo , Matoba Nobuyuki , Fujiwara Kazuhiro
Published: April 2017

Agrobacterium‐mediated transient expression systems enable plants to rapidly produce a wide range of recombinant proteins. To achieve economically feasible upstream production and downstream processing, it is beneficial to obtain high levels of two yield‐related quantities of upstream production: recombinant protein content per fresh mass of harvested biomass (g gFM−1) and recombinant protein productivity per unit area‐time (g m−2/month). Here, we report that the density of Nicotiana benthamiana plants during upstream production had significant impacts on the yield‐related quantities of recombinant hemagglutinin (HA). The two quantities were smaller at a high plant density of 400 plants m−2 than at a low plant density of 100 plants m−2. The smaller quantities at the high plant density were attributed to: (i) a lower HA content in young leaves, which usually have high HA accumulation potentials; (ii) a lower biomass allocation to the young leaves; and (iii) a high area‐time requirement for plants. Thus, plant density is a key factor for improving upstream production in Agrobacterium‐mediated transient expression systems. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2017;114: 1762–1770. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Anterior spinal artery syndrome after double valve replacement and coronary artery bypass surgery
Authors: Subramaniam Ashwin , Pick Adrian , Tiruvoipati Ravi
Published: April 2017

Key Clinical Message

Spinal infarction is a rare and devastating complication of open‐heart surgery, especially in the context of perioperative hemodynamic instability in patients requiring high dose of inotropes and vasoconstrictors. Our report highlights that spinal infarction can occur in such circumstances following a valve replacement surgery.
Upregulation of matrix metalloproteinase triggers transdifferentiation of retinal pigmented epithelial cells inXenopus laevis: A Link between inflammatory response and regeneration
Authors: Naitoh Hanako , Suganuma Yukari , Ueda Yoko , Sato Takahiko , Hiramuki Yosuke , Fujisawa‐Sehara Atsuko , Taketani Shigeru , Araki Masasuke
Published: April 2017

In adultXenopuseyes, when the whole retina is removed, retinal pigmented epithelial (RPE) cells become activated to be retinal stem cells and regenerate the whole retina. In the present study, using a tissue culture model, it was examined whether upregulation of matrix metalloproteinases (Mmps) triggers retinal regeneration. Soon after retinal removal,Xmmp9andXmmp18were strongly upregulated in the tissues of the RPE and the choroid. In the culture,Mmpexpression in the RPE cells corresponded with their migration from the choroid. A potent MMP inhibitor, 1,10‐PNTL, suppressed RPE cell migration, proliferation, and formation of an epithelial structure in vitro. The mechanism involved in upregulation ofMmpswas further investigated. After retinal removal, inflammatory cytokine genes,IL‐1βandTNF‐α, were upregulated both in vivo and in vitro. When the inflammation inhibitors dexamethasone or Withaferin A were applied in vitro, RPE cell migration was severely affected, suppressing transdifferentiation. These results demonstrate thatMmpsplay a pivotal role in retinal regeneration, and suggest that inflammatory cytokines triggerMmpupregulation, indicating a direct link between the inflammatory reaction and retinal regeneration. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 77: 1086–1100, 2017
Zebrafish Mecp2 is required for proper axonal elongation of motor neurons and synapse formation
Authors: Nozawa Keisuke , Lin Yanbin , Kubodera Ryota , Shimizu Yuki , Tanaka Hideomi , Ohshima Toshio
Published: April 2017

Rett syndrome is a severe neurodevelopmental disorder. It is caused by a mutation in methyl‐CpG binding protein 2 (MecP2), a transcriptional regulator that recruits protein complexes involved in histone modification and chromatin remodeling. However, the role of Mecp2 in Rett syndrome remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the function of Mecp2 in neuronal development using zebrafish embryos. Mecp2 expression was detected ubiquitously in the central nervous system and muscles at 28 h postfertilization (hpf). We injected an antisense morpholino oligonucleotide (AMO) to induce Mecp2 knockdown phenotype. In mecp2 morphants (embryos with Mecp2 knockdown by AMO) at 28 and 72 hpf, we found an increase in abnormal axonal branches of caudal primary motor neurons and a decrease in motor activity. In mecp2 morphants at 24 hpf, we observed an increase in the expression of an mecp2 downstream candidate gene, brain derived neurotrophic factor (bdnf). In mecp2 morphants at 72 hpf, the presynaptic area stained by an anti‐SV2 antibody was increased at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ). Interestingly, the size of SV2‐positive presynaptic area at the NMJ was also increased following bdnf mRNA injection, while it was normalized in a double knockdown of mecp2 and bdnf. These results imply that Mecp2 is an important functional regulator of bdnf gene expression during neural circuit formation in zebrafish embryo. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 77: 1101–1113, 2017
Implications of guppy (Poecilia reticulata) life‐history phenotype for mosquito control
Authors: Warbanski Misha L. , Marques Piata , Frauendorf Therese C. , Phillip Dawn A. T. , El‐Sabaawi Rana W.
Published: April 2017

Guppies (Poecilia reticulata) are frequently introduced to both natural and artificial water bodies as a mosquito control. Laboratory studies have demonstrated that guppies can consume large numbers of larval mosquitoes. Our study investigates how intraspecific variability in guppy phenotype affects their importance as a mosquito biocontrol and how habitat conditions (natural ponds vs. water storage containers) may influence insect biomass and guppy feeding. Using a blocked experimental design, we established stream‐side mesocosm ponds with half receiving gravel substrate to simulate pond‐bottom habitat. To provide realistic diet choices and insect abundances, we allowed the mesocosms to colonize naturally with aquatic insect larvae for 1 month before introducing guppies. We tested two distinct guppy phenotypes (from high‐ and low‐predation streams) alongside fish‐free controls. After 1 month, we measured insect biomass in the mesocosms and examined guppy gut contents to document direct predation. While overall insect biomass was not significantly different across the three fish treatments, we observed a significant reduction in mosquito biomass in fish treatments compared to fish‐free controls, as well as intraspecific differences in feeding. Overall insect biomass was significantly higher in mesocosms without gravel, while habitat condition had no effect on mosquito biomass. As guppy phenotype responds to changes in their environments, it is an important consideration for biocontrol policy to anticipate potential ecosystem effects. We close by relating our findings to other studies and by discussing the implications and potential risks of using guppies to control mosquitoes.
Postglacial recolonization shaped the genetic diversity of the winter moth (Operophtera brumata) in Europe
Authors: Andersen Jeremy C. , Havill Nathan P. , Caccone Adalgisa , Elkinton Joseph S.
Published: April 2017

Changes in climate conditions, particularly during the Quaternary climatic oscillations, have long been recognized to be important for shaping patterns of species diversity. For species residing in the western Palearctic, two commonly observed genetic patterns resulting from these cycles are as follows: (1) that the numbers and distributions of genetic lineages correspond with the use of geographically distinct glacial refugia and (2) that southern populations are generally more diverse than northern populations (the “southern richness, northern purity” paradigm). To determine whether these patterns hold true for the widespread pest species the winter moth (Operophtera brumata), we genotyped 699 individual winter moths collected from 15 Eurasian countries with 24 polymorphic microsatellite loci. We find strong evidence for the presence of two major genetic clusters that diverged ~18 to ~22 ka, with evidence that secondary contact (i.e., hybridization) resumed ~ 5 ka along a well‐established hybrid zone in Central Europe. This pattern supports the hypothesis that contemporary populations descend from populations that resided in distinct glacial refugia. However, unlike many previous studies of postglacial recolonization, we found no evidence for the “southern richness, northern purity” paradigm. We also find evidence for ongoing gene flow between populations in adjacent Eurasian countries, suggesting that long‐distance dispersal plays an important part in shaping winter moth genetic diversity. In addition, we find that this gene flow is predominantly in a west‐to‐east direction, suggesting that recently debated reports of cyclical outbreaks of winter moth spreading from east to west across Europe are not the result of dispersal.
The generation of power from a cement kiln waste gases: a case study of a plant in Kenya
Authors: Irungu Stanley Ngari , Muchiri Peter , Byiringiro Jean Bosco
Published: April 2017

The cement production process is energy intensive both in terms of the thermal energy (firing the kiln, drying and De carbonation) and electrical energy for driving the numerous drives within the process line. The average specific power consumption of the case study plant was 111 kWh/ton of cement with an average peak demand of 9.7 MW. The high cost of electric power at 0.14 USD/kWh results in very high cost of production that significantly lowers the company's profit margin and limits its competitive advantage. The generation of electrical power from waste heat recovery would reduce the electricity power bill through partially substituting the power procured from the national grid. This research evaluated the potential that the plant has for generating electrical power from the hot waste gases vented into the atmosphere and it was found that the plant has the potential to generate 3.4 MWh of electrical power. This results to a net potential to generate 2.89 MWh of electrical power after factoring in the auxiliary power consumption by Waste heat recovery plant system at 15%. This ultimately gave a reduction of 33% in the electricity power bill of the case study plant. The paper recommends the installation of a steam rankine cycle for the power generating plant. In this work the authors designed the steam boilers for the waste heat recovery plant for conversion of thermal energy to electrical energy, selected a commercial steam turbine and evaluated its economic feasibility and established that the designed plant would have a simple payback period of 2.7 years.
Sequestration of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin by activated carbon eliminates bioavailability and the suppression of immune function in mice
Authors: Boyd Stephen A. , Sallach J. Brett , Zhang Yingjie , Crawford Robert , Li Hui , Johnston Cliff T. , Teppen Brian J. , Kaminski Norbert E.
Published: April 2017

The effectiveness of activated carbon in reducing the bioavailability of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) was examined from the context of using in situ sorbent amendments to remediate soils/sediments contaminated with polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs). This technology has gained rapid acceptance based on observations that activated carbon amendments predictably lower PCDD/F concentrations in water and bioaccumulation by simple aquatic organisms and earthworms; it has been assumed that bioavailability to mammals is similarly reduced, although this has been disproven for other sorbent materials. In the present study TCDD was absorbed to a microporous activated carbon (TCDD-AC) using the incipient wetness method. An aqueous suspension of TCDD-AC and an equivalent dosage of TCDD in corn oil were administered by oral gavage to B6C3F1 mice. The relative bioavailability of TCDD-AC was determined by quantifying and comparing the hepatic induction of cyp1A1 (messenger ribonucleic acid) and suppression of the immunoglobulin M antibody-forming cell immune response by the 2 forms of TCDD. A concentration-dependent response was observed for both assays when TCDD in corn oil was administered to mice. However, when equivalent masses of TCDD were administered as TCDD-AC, no induction of cyp1A1 or suppression of the immunoglobulin M antibody-forming cell response was observed. The absence of these 2 sensitive aryl hydrocarbon receptor–mediated responses in mice provides the first direct evidence that activated carbon can sequester TCDD in a form that eliminates its bioavailability to mammals. These results support the premise that activated carbon can be used to reduce the bioeffective dose of TCDD delivered to mammals and that activated carbon amendments may provide a low-cost alternative to traditional remediation technologies. Environ Toxicol Chem 2017;36:2671–2678. © 2017 SETAC
An immersed smoothed point interpolation method (IS‐PIM) for fluid‐structure interaction problems
Authors: Wang Shuangqiang , Zhang Guiyong , Zhang Zhiqian , Hui Da , Zong Zhi
Published: April 2017

An immersed smoothed point interpolation method using 3‐node triangular background cells is proposed to solve 2D fluid‐structure interaction problems for solids with large deformation/displacement placed in incompressible viscous fluid. In the framework of immersed‐type method, the governing equations can be decomposed into 3 parts on the basis of the fictitious fluid assumption. The incompressible Navier‐Stokes equations are solved using the semi‐implicit characteristic‐based split scheme, and solids are simulated using the newly developed edge‐based smoothed point interpolation method. The fictitious fluid domain can be used to calculate the coupling force. The numerical results show that immersed smoothed point interpolation method can avoid remeshing for moving solid based on immersed operation and simulate the contact phenomenon without an additional treatment between the solid and the fluid boundary. The influence from information transfer between solid domain and fluid domain on fluid‐structure interaction problems has been investigated. The numerical results show that the proposed interpolation schemes will generally improve the accuracy for simulating both fluid flows and solid structures.
Allogeneic bone marrow–derived mesenchymal stromal cells for hepatitis B virus–related acute‐on‐chronic liver failure: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Lin Bing‐liang , Chen Jun‐feng , Qiu Wei‐hong , Wang Ke‐wei , Xie Dong‐ying , Chen Xiao‐yong , Liu Qiu‐li , Peng Liang , Li Jian‐guo , Mei Yong‐yu , Weng Wei‐zhen , Peng Yan‐wen , Cao Hui‐juan , Xie Jun‐qiang , Xie Shi‐bin , Xiang Andy Peng , Gao Zhi‐liang
Published: April 2017

Mortality from hepatitis B virus (HBV)–related acute‐on‐chronic liver failure (ACLF) is high due to limited treatment options. Preclinical and clinical investigations have proved that treatment with mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) is beneficial for recovery from liver injury. We hypothesized that the outcome of HBV‐related ACLF would be improved by MSC treatment. From 2010 to 2013, 110 patients with HBV‐related ACLF were enrolled in this open‐label, nonblinded randomized controlled study. The control group (n = 54) was treated with standard medical therapy (SMT) only. The experimental group (n = 56) was infused weekly for 4 weeks with 1.0 to 10 × 105 cells/kg allogeneic bone marrow–derived MSCs and then followed for 24 weeks. The cumulated survival rate of the MSC group was 73.2% (95% confidence interval 61.6%‐84.8%) versus 55.6% (95% confidence interval 42.3%‐68.9%) for the SMT group (P = 0.03). There were no infusion‐related side effects, but fever was more frequent in MSC compared to SMT patients during weeks 5‐24 of follow‐up. No carcinoma occurred in any trial patient in either group. Compared with the control group, allogeneic bone marrow–derived MSC treatment markedly improved clinical laboratory measurements, including serum total bilirubin and Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease scores. The incidence of severe infection in the MSC group was much lower than that in the SMT group (16.1% versus 33.3%, P = 0.04). Mortality from multiple organ failure and severe infection was higher in the SMT group than in the MSC group (37.0% versus 17.9%, P = 0.02). Conclusion: Peripheral infusion of allogeneic bone marrow–derived MSCs is safe and convenient for patients with HBV‐related ACLF and significantly increases the 24‐week survival rate by improving liver function and decreasing the incidence of severe infections. (Hepatology 2017;66:209–219).
Changes in Bone Mineral Density, Body Composition, Vitamin D Status, and Mineral Metabolism in Urban HIV-Positive South African Women Over 12 Months
Authors: Hamill Matthew M , Pettifor John M , Ward Kate A , Norris Shane A , Prentice Ann
Published: April 2017

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and antiretroviral therapy (ART) are associated with bone loss and poor vitamin D status in white populations, though their relative roles are not known. No previous studies have examined longitudinal changes in areal bone mineral density (aBMD), measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), or in vitamin D status in HIV-positive African women. Of 247 premenopausal, urban, black African women from Soweto, South Africa, initially recruited, 187 underwent anthropometry, DXA scanning and blood and urine collections at both baseline and 12 months. Of these, 67 were HIV-negative throughout (Nref), 60 were HIV-positive with preserved CD4 counts at baseline (Ppres), and 60 were HIV-positive with low CD4 counts at baseline, eligible for ART by South African standards of care at the time (Plow). No participant had been exposed to ART at baseline. By 12 months, 51 Plow women had initiated ART, >85% of whom took combined tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF), lamivudine, and efavirenz. By 12 months, Plow and Nref, but not Ppres, increased in body weight and fat mass (group-by-timepoint p ≤ 0.001, p = 0.002, respectively). Plow had significant decreases in aBMD of 2% to 3%, before and after size adjustment, at the femoral neck (p ≤ 0.002) and lumbar spine (p ≤ 0.001), despite significant weight gain. These decreases were associated with increased bone turnover but there were no significant differences or changes over time in vitamin D status, serum phosphate concentrations, or renal phosphate handling. Excluding data from nine Plow women unexposed to ART and 11 Ppres women who had initiated ART accentuated these findings, suggesting the bone loss in Plow was related to ART exposure. This is the first study describing DXA-defined bone loss in HIV-positive Sub-Saharan African women in association with ART. Further work is required to establish if bone loss continues with ongoing ART and, if so, whether this results in increased fracture rates. © 2017 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Flexible fitting to cryo‐EM density map using ensemble molecular dynamics simulations
Authors: Miyashita Osamu , Kobayashi Chigusa , Mori Takaharu , Sugita Yuji , Tama Florence
Published: April 2017

Flexible fitting is a computational algorithm to derive a new conformational model that conforms to low‐resolution experimental data by transforming a known structure. A common application is against data from cryo‐electron microscopy to obtain conformational models in new functional states. The conventional flexible fitting algorithms cannot derive correct structures in some cases due to the complexity of conformational transitions. In this study, we show the importance of conformational ensemble in the refinement process by performing multiple fittings trials using a variety of different force constants. Application to simulated maps of Ca2+ ATPase and diphtheria toxin as well as experimental data of release factor 2 revealed that for these systems, multiple conformations with similar agreement with the density map exist and a large number of fitting trials are necessary to generate good models. Clustering analysis can be an effective approach to avoid over‐fitting models. In addition, we show that an automatic adjustment of the biasing force constants during the fitting process, implemented as replica‐exchange scheme, can improve the success rate. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Design of pH‐sensitive peptides from natural antimicrobial peptides for enhancing polyethylenimine‐mediated gene transfection
Authors: Zhang Shi‐Kun , Song Jin‐Wen , Li Su‐Bo , Gao Hong‐Wei , Chang Hong‐Yu , Jia Li‐li , Gong Feng , Tan Ying‐Xia , Ji Shou‐Ping
Published: April 2017

Background

Poor endosomal release is a major barrier of polyplex‐mediated gene transfection. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are commonly used to improve polyethylenimine (PEI)‐mediated gene transfection by increasing endosomal release. In the present study, we designed novel pH‐sensitive peptides that highly enhance transfection efficiency compared to their parent peptides.

Methods

Two analogues of melittin (Mel) and RV‐23 (RV) were synthesized by replacing the positively‐charged residues in their sequences with glutamic acid residues. The pH‐sensitive lysis ability of the peptides, the effect of the peptides on physicochemical characteristics, the intracellular trafficking, the transfection efficiency, and the cytotoxicity of the polyplexes were determined.

Results

The acidic peptides showed pH‐sensitive lytic activity. The hemolytic activity of acidic peptides at pH 5.0 was higher than that at pH 7.4. The incorporation of acidic peptides did not affect the DNA binding ability of PEI but affected the physicochemical characteristics of the PEI/DNA polyplexes, which may be beneficial for endosomal release and gene transfection. The incorporation of acidic peptides into PEI/DNA polyplexes enhanced the PEI‐mediated transfection efficiency corresponding to up to 42‐fold higher luciferase activity compared to that of PEI alone.

Conclusions

The results of the present study indicate that replacement of positively‐charged residues with glutamic acid residues in the AMP sequence yields pH‐sensitive peptides, which enhance the transfection efficiency of PEI/DNA polyplexes in various cell lines.
Infectious complications in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia treated with the Taiwan Pediatric Oncology Group protocol: A 16‐year tertiary single‐institution experience
Authors: Li Meng‐Ju , Chang Hsiu‐Hao , Yang Yung‐Li , Lu Meng‐Yao , Shao Pei‐Lan , Fu Chun‐Min , Chou An‐Kuo , Liu Yen‐Lin , Lin Kai‐Hsin , Huang Li‐Min , Lin Dong‐Tsamn , Jou Shiann‐Tarng
Published: April 2017

Background

Infection is a major complication in pediatric patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia during chemotherapy. In this study, the infection characteristics were determined and risk factors analyzed based on the Taiwan Pediatric Oncology Group (TPOG) acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) protocol.

Procedure

We retrospectively reviewed fever events during chemotherapy in 252 patients treated during two consecutive clinical trials at a single institution between 1997 and 2012. Patients were classified as standard, high, and very high risk by treatment regimen according to the TPOG definitions. We analyzed the characteristics and risk factors for infection.

Results

Fever occurred in 219 patients (86.9%) with a mean of 2.74 episodes per person. The fever events comprised 64% febrile neutropenia, 39% clinically documented infections, and 44% microbiologically documented infections. The microbiologically documented infections were mostly noted during the induction phase and increased in very high risk patients (89 vs. 24% and 46% in standard‐risk and high‐risk patients, respectively). Younger age and higher risk (high‐risk and very high risk groups) were risk factors for fever and microbiologic and bloodstream infections. Female gender and obesity were additive risk factors for urinary tract infection (odds ratios = 3.52 and 3.24, P < 0.001 and P = 0.004, respectively).

Conclusions

Infections developed primarily during the induction phase, for which younger age and higher risk by treatment regimen were risk factors. Female gender and obesity were additive risk factors for urinary tract infection.
Molecular characterization of acute lymphoblastic leukemia with high CRLF2 gene expression in childhood
Authors: Schmäh Juliane , Fedders Birthe , Panzer‐Grümayer Renate , Fischer Susanna , Zimmermann Martin , Dagdan Elif , Bens Susanne , Schewe Denis , Moericke Anja , Alten Julia , Bleckmann Kirsten , Siebert Reiner , Schrappe Martin , Stanulla Martin , Cario Gunnar
Published: April 2017

Background

A high‐level expression of the CRLF2 gene is frequent in precursor B‐cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (pB‐ALL) and can be caused by different genetic aberrations. The presence of the most frequent alteration, the P2RY8/CRLF2 fusion, was shown to be associated with a high relapse incidence in children treated according to ALL‐Berlin–Frankfurt–Münster (BFM) protocols, which is poorly understood. Moreover, the frequency of other alterations has not been systematically analyzed yet.

Procedure

CRLF2 mRNA expression and potential genetic aberrations causing a CRLF2 high expression were prospectively assessed in 1,105 patients treated according to the Associazione Italiana Ematologia Oncologia Pediatrica (AIEOP)–BFM ALL 2009 protocol. Additionally, we determined copy number alterations in selected B‐cell differentiation genes for all CRLF2 high‐expressing pB‐ALL cases, as well as JAK2 and CRLF2 mutations.

Results

A CRLF2 high expression was detected in 26/178 (15%) T‐cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T‐ALL) cases, 21 of them (81%) had been stratified as high‐risk patients by treatment response. In pB‐ALL, a CRLF2 high expression was determined in 91/927 (10%) cases; the P2RY8/CRLF2 rearrangement in 44/91 (48%) of them, supernumerary copies of CRLF2 in 18/91 (20%), and, notably, the IGH/CRLF2 translocation was detected in 16/91 (18%). Remarkably, 7 of 16 (44%) patients with IGH/CRLF2 translocation had already relapsed. P2RY8/CRLF2‐ and IGH/CRLF2‐positive samples (70 and 94%, respectively) were characterized by a high frequency of additional deletions in B‐cell differentiation genes such as IKZF1 or PAX5.

Conclusion

Our data suggest that this high frequency of genetic aberrations in the context of a high CRLF2 expression could contribute to the high risk of relapse in P2RY8/CRLF2‐ and IGH/CRLF2‐positive ALL.
Verantwortungszurechnung im EU-Mehrebenensystem während der Eurokrise: Wer kontrollierte die Troika-Institutionen?
Authors: da Conceição-Heldt Eugénia
Published: April 2017

Mit der Einrichtung der Troika-Institutionen hat die Frage der Kontrollmöglichkeiten und Verschränkung von Macht im EU-Mehrebenensystem an Bedeutung gewonnen. Vor diesem Hintergrund untersucht dieser Beitrag die Verantwortungszurechnung (accountability) der Troika-Institutionen während der Eurokrise. Dabei argumentiere ich, dass Delegations- und Treuhandmodi unterschiedlichen Logiken der Verantwortungszurechnung entsprechen, in denen die Kontrolle der Agenten oder Treuhänder durch die Prinzipale oder Begünstigten auf verschiedenen Ebenen stattfindet. Während im Delegationsmodus formale Kontrollmechanismen überwiegen, sind diese im Treuhandmodus informeller Art. Zur Illustration des Arguments vergleicht der Beitrag diese zwei Modi im Hinblick auf die darin verankerten Kontrollmechanismen: die Delegationsbeziehung zwischen der Kommission und dem Rat der Europäischen Union einerseits sowie die Treuhandbeziehung zwischen der Europäischen Zentralbank und den Eurostaaten andererseits.
Poor nutrition and bullying behaviors: A comparison of deviant and non‐deviant youth
Authors: Jackson Dylan B. , Vaughn Michael G. , Salas‐Wright Christopher P.
Published: April 2017

Research on the topic of bullying has revealed that a substantial number of youth are bullied each year. Even so, a complete understanding of the origins of bullying behaviors remains elusive. In the current study, we propose that poor nutrition may constitute an important modifiable risk factor for bullying behaviors during adolescence, and that behavioral sensitivity to nutrition may vary across deviant and non‐deviant youth. We employ data from the US sample of youth (52% male) ages 10–17 from the 2009–2010 Health Behaviour in School‐Aged Children (HBSC) study to examine our hypothesis (N = 8753). The results reveal that poor nutrition significantly increases the odds of persistent bullying among youth, and that this relationship is particularly pronounced for non‐deviant youth. The findings suggest that efforts to improve the nutrition of non‐deviant youth may have the added benefit of reducing their likelihood of engaging in persistent bullying behaviors.
trinidad perversa de la que huyen las fugitivas centroamericanas: violencia feminicida, violencia de estado y violencia de mercado
Authors: Varela Huerta Amarela
Published: April 2017

Cada año atraviesan el territorio mexicano entre 200,000 y 400,000 migrantes centroamericanos, y su destino es Estados Unidos. Aproximadamente el 25% de estas personas son mujeres. Este trabajo aborda por qué su éxodo debe tratarse y entenderse como “migración forzada”. En el transcurso del trabajo se expone el contexto en el cual se desarrollan los mecanismos que las expulsan de sus países de origen. Se vierten argumentos que explican que su huida de Centroamérica es una “fuga” estratégica de resistencia contra una triple violencia: de Estado, de mercado y patriarcal. Esta fuga en femenino, proponemos, representa resistencias como luchas antipatriarcales y anticapitalistas en el mundo contemporáneo. El trabajo de reflexión se basa en un acompañamiento etnográfico a la Caravana de Madres Centroamericanas donde se tejen los testimonios de sus protagonistas con trabajos de investigación de feministas centroamericanas.