bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
TEATRO, DRAMATURGIA E MÍDIAS: LIMITES E CONFLUÊNCIAS NO TEATRO DE MARIA ADELAIDE AMARAL
Authors: Gomes André Luís , Araújo Laura Castro
Published: December 2015

RESUMO: As aproximações entre o teatro, a dramaturgia e asmídias se evidenciam no teatro brasileiro contemporâneo, principalmente, quando se constata que dramaturgos transitam entre o teatro, a televisão e o cinema. Neste sentido, discutimos como a utilização de recursos audiovisuais pode reforçar a soberania do texto teatral ou enfraquecê-la na cena contemporânea e apresentamos uma análise sobre essas aproximações a partir da peça teatral Tarsila, de maria Adelaide Amaral.

PALAVRAS-CHAVE: teatro brasileiro, maria Adelaide Amaral, Tarsila, intermidialidade.

ABSTRACT: The intersections of theatre, dramaturgy, and media can be seen in contemporary Brazilian theatre, mainly when we verify how many playwrights transit between theatre, television, and cinema. In this article, we discuss how the use of audiovisual resources can reinforce or weaken the dramatic text in the contemporary scene. We analyze t these intersections by discussing the play Tarsila, by maria Adelaide Amaral.

KEYWORDS: Brazilian theatre, maria Adelaide Amaral, Tarsila, intermidiality.
NAS TEIAS DA INTERMIDIALIDADE: O CARANDIRU DE VARELLA E O DE BABENCO
Authors: Freitas Norma De Siqueira
Published: December 2015

RESUMO: Reflexão sobre o processo de adaptação de obras da literatura, transmutadas para a linguagem cinematográfica. O objetivo é a análise do trânsito entre os textos: Estação Carandiru (EC), livro de Drauzio Varella e o filme Carandiru, de Hector Babenco. Analisaremos o deslocamento do signo verbal ao visual a partir dos pressupostos de Andrew, Bazin, Gardies, Genette e Stam. Em diálogo com as principais teorias do cinema, adaptação concebida, então, como recriação, porquanto mudança de veículos artísticos exigirá processo de transformação pertinente. PALAVRAS-CHAVE: literatura, cinema, adaptação, linguagem. ABSTRACT:Thisarticleisareflectionontheprocessoftheadaptation of literary works by their transmutation into cinematic language. It intends to analyze the transit between two texts: Drauzio Varella’s book Estação Carandiru (EC) and Hector Babenco’s film Carandiru. The displacement from the verbal to the visual sign will be analyzed by way of the theories of Andrew, Bazin, Gardies, Genette and Stam. Following the main theories on cinema, adaptation is conceived as re-creation, since a change in artistic vehicles requires a pertinent transformation process. KEYWORDS: literature, cinema, adaptation, language.
Saúde do trabalhador: desafios na efetivação do direito à saúde
Authors: Mendes Jussara Maria Rosa , Wünsch Dolores Sanches , Machado Fabiane Santos Konowaluk , Martins Juliana , Giongo Carmem Regina
Published: December 2015

Este estudo buscou investigar as necessidades na área da saúde do trabalhador no contexto da atenção básica em saúde. Com delineamento misto, a pesquisa foi desenvolvida no RS, tendo como referência 07 macrorregiões do SUS. Participaram do estudo 41 pessoas. Foram utilizadas técnicas de entrevista, análise documental e observação. Os dados foram analisados através de análise de conteúdo. Verificou-se que, na atenção básica de saúde, o trabalhador é invisível perante as equipes e, consequentemente, o processo de saúde-doença no trabalho não se constitui como objeto de ação. Conclui-se que apesar dos avanços significativos, a vigilância em saúde do trabalhador ainda necessita de articulação intra e interinstitucional, de ações interdisciplinares e intersetoriais, transversais a um sistema de vigilância com consolidação institucional.
A avaliação e a análise de políticas públicas: uma distinção necessária
Authors: Fronza Claudia Sombrio , Nogueira Vera Maria Ribeiro
Published: December 2015

Este artigo aborda as distinções entre avaliação de políticas públicas e análise de políticas públicas. Sintetiza o estado atual do debate sobre as duas perspectivas revendo os principais conceitos, os modelos e os métodos de avaliação e de análise das políticas públicas. Com esta revisão, buscou-se transpor alguns equívocos na apreensão desses conteúdos no campo teórico, antecipando suas consequências na prática profissional do assistente social e ampliando as possibilidades de inserção do Serviço Social no debate em curso no Brasil.
Políticas de educação profissional: naturalização das expressões da questão social?
Authors: Ramos Moacyr Salles , Stampa Inez Terezinha
Published: December 2015

O artigo analisa a função das políticas sociais de educação profissional no contexto do atual processo de recomposição capitalista, desencadeado pela crise estrutural do capitalismo contemporâneo. Apresentamos como as transformações técnicas e políticas no “mundo do trabalho” têm redefinido a pedagogia das políticas de formação dos trabalhadores, buscando educar a visão de mundo desses sujeitos acerca das expressões da questão social. Para tanto, a oferta de vagas em educação profissional tem sido democratizada, mas com precarização dos processos formativos. A principal função é internalizar nos trabalhadores a ideia de que todos têm as mesmas condições de estudo, logo, de acesso e permanência no mercado de trabalho, sendo o insucesso resultante de incompetência individual. Para exemplificar essa pedagogia, apresentamos o PRONATEC, que se desenvolve por mecanismos de inclusão excludente.
O Fundo Nacional de Saúde e a prioridade da Média e Alta Complexidade
Authors: Pescuma Junior Antonio , Mendes Aquilas Nogueira
Published: December 2015

Este artigo realiza uma análise acerca da evolução financeira do Fundo Nacional de Saúde (FNS) do SUS no contexto do capitalismo contemporâneo, em geral, e do bloco de financiamento da média e alta complexidade (MAC), em particular, durante os anos 2000. O artigo está estruturado em duas partes. A primeira parte apresenta as características gerais do FNS e verifica a composição dos seus blocos de financiamento, entre 2000 a 2011, explicitando que o bloco MAC possui uma participação financeira superior perante os outros. A segunda parte apresenta uma análise da direção do gasto efetuado pela média e alta complexidade, identificando que a Terapia Renal Substitutiva (TRS) concentra a maior parte dos seus recursos financeiros.
Estado, mercado e hegemonia burguesa na política urbana brasileira
Authors: Ribeiro Isabela Ramos , Simionatto Ivete
Published: December 2015

O artigo tem como objetivo central discutir os interesses da indústria da construção civil na condução da política urbana brasileira e na consolidação da hegemonia burguesa nos governos Lula e Dilma (2003-2014). Através de pesquisa documental, identifica os mecanismos e estratégias utilizados pelo capital, e apresenta a incorporação dos interesses de suas diferentes frações junto ao Estado. Conclui-se que a construção civil foi capaz de determinar os rumos da política urbana brasileira, com prioridade para os programas desta área implementados nos governos petistas, especialmente o Programa Minha Casa Minha Vida (PMCMV), tornando-se protagonista no pacto de classes calcado na ideologia neodesenvolvimetista.
Especulação e lucros fictícios: formas parasitárias da acumulação contemporânea
Authors: Dominczak Pedro Rozales R.
Published: December 2015

O tema da presente coletânea de artigos organizada pelo economista Helder Gomes que o selo Outras Expressões da editora Expressão Popular trouxe ao público neste segundo trimestre de 2015 é, como o próprio nome já indica, a especulação (capitalista) e as presentes formas de acumulação fictícias e parasitárias de capital.
O Familismo nos Serviços de Saúde: expressões em trajetórias assistenciais
Authors: Alves Francielle Lopes , Mioto Regina Célia Tamaso
Published: December 2015

Este artigo tem como objetivo discutir a participação da família e o seu papel decisivo para o acesso aos serviços públicos de saúde no Brasil. Baseia-se na revisão de literatura acerca do familismo na proteção social e em sua expressão nas trajetórias assistenciais de usuários de serviço de saúde. Estas são tomadas como processos e identificadas como preconizadas, por combinação simples e combinação múltipla. Nessas trajetórias, através de suas diversas configurações, as famílias articulam diferentes práticas e recursos para garantir o acesso a serviços de saúde ou para suprir as próprias deficiências dos serviços. A lógica familista manifesta um nó crítico dos sistemas de proteção social e demonstra que a efetivação da atenção às necessidades ocorre somente com a disponibilidade de distintas redes.
От редакции
Authors: Панюкова Вероника Васильевна
Published: December 2015

Редакционная статья.
The Nuclear Power Plant Concept with Ball in Bowl Design
Authors: Hidayanto Eko , Khotob Ainul Ibnu , Pramusinto Khanif , Hadi Belliany Dian Asmara
Published: December 2015

The increasing of national energy consumption urged the government to settle into renewable energy immediately (EBT) in order to fulfill national energy consumption, especially electrical energy. One of the options to fulfill the national electrical energy needed is by building a nuclear power plant (NPP). But, as one of the countries that located in Seismic Zone region of Southeast Asia, Indonesia has the most seismic activity in the world. Reviewing of Indonesia's geographical conditions that are vulnerable to earthquake and tsunami, it is necessary to make special design for nuclear power plant building. Ball in Bowl is the concept of nuclear power plant builing, with the wind flow modification system, it is useful to minimize the spread of radioactive substances released when a nuclear leak and also serves as the reactor protection system to the impacts caused by the earthquake and tsunami.

Keywords: ball in bowl; earthquake; nuclear power plant; tsunami
Interações medicamentosas associadas a fitoterápicos fornecidos pelo Sistema Único de Saúde
Authors: Dutra Felten Rafaela , Magnus Karen , Santos Lidiane , Hubner de Souza Alessandra
Published: December 2015

Devido a variadas comprovações científicas relatando os benefícios de plantas medicinais, tem se observado um aumento na utilização da fitoterapia no tratamento de várias doenças. O Brasil ganha destaque nesse campo possuindo um terço da flora mundial. Os fitoterápicos possuem compostos químicos responsáveis pelos seus variados efeitos. Entretanto, muitas dessas substâncias ativas ainda não têm suas atividades farmacológicas bem descritas ou conhecidas. Os conhecimentos científicos gerados a partir de ensaios clínicos randomizados e a descrição de casos clínicos têm apontado a relação de efeitos adversos, toxicidade e contraindicações relacionadas ao uso concomitante de fitoterápicos e medicamentos alopáticos, ainda que o medicamento fitoterápico seja considerado de baixa toxicidade. Diretrizes brasileiras do Ministério da Saúde determinaram prioridades na investigação de plantas medicinais e implantaram a fitoterapia na prática de atenção básica. Portanto, o objetivo deste estudo foi realizar um levantamento na literatura científica sobre as interações decorrentes do uso de medicamentos associados aos fitoterápicos do Sistema Único de Saúde e, com isso, auxiliar na divulgação dos dados existentes, fortalecendo o conhecimento de profissionais da área da saúde sobre os efeitos medicinais e tóxicos das plantas e, consequentemente colaborar com a implementação das práticas de fitoterapia.
Concepção de coordenadores da Atenção Básica sobre educação permanente em saúde: aproximações e distanciamentos com pressupostos freireanos
Authors: Vendruscolo Carine , Anastácio Camila Alessandra , Zocche Denise Antunes de Azambuja , Trindade Letícia De Lima , Kloh Daiana
Published: December 2015

Buscou-se identificar as concepções teórico-filosóficas que permeiam o ideário dos coordenadores da Atenção Básica (AB) sobre processos de Educação Permanente em Saúde (EPS), desenvolvidos em um município do Oeste de Santa Catarina, estabelecendo a sua aproximação com o referencial proposto por Paulo Freire. Trata-se de uma pesquisa qualitativa, descritiva e exploratória. As informações foram obtidas mediante entrevistas com coordenadores da AB, em 2013. A análise ancorou-se na análise de conteúdo de Bardin. As concepções sugerem forte predominância da abordagem bancária nos processos de EPS, baseada em capacitações e palestras. A EPS, por vezes, é confundida com Educação Continuada, focada em conhecimentos técnico-científicos de cada área. Parte dos sujeitos percebe as ações como inerentes ao processo de trabalho da equipe, tangenciando a proposta freireana, base da Política de EPS. Para que esta se consolide como operadora de mudanças nas práticas da AB, será preciso maior compreensão e envolvimento dos coordenadores.
Estresse em pacientes com diabetes tipo 2
Authors: Ferreira Natália Colombo , Bavaresco Daniela Vicente , Ceretta Luciane Bisognin , Tuon Lisiane , Gomes Karin Martins , Amboni Graziela
Published: December 2015

Este artigo objetiva apresentar uma revisão sobre a relação entre o Estresse e Diabetes do tipo 2. Foi realizada uma revisão de literatura narrativa na base de dados da biblioteca Virtual em Saúde por artigos publicados entre os anos de 2003 e 2013, utilizando os descritores “estresse e diabetes tipo 2” e suas combinações. Os achados desta revisão reforçam que há relação entre estresse e diabetes Os sintomas do estresse mais citados foram os psicológicos, sendo que a predominância do estresse foi maior nas mulheres que nos homens. Foi possível inferir que as mulheres com estresse elevado apresentaram controle glicêmico alterado. A maioria relatou sofrimento decorrente de problemas nas relações interpessoais, óbito, doença de familiares e solidão. Os resultados ainda sugerem que outros fatores, além dos emocionais, devem ser considerados na análise da adesão ao tratamento do diabetes. Houve maior proporção de trabalhadores diabéticos com sobrepeso, hipertensão arterial e glicemia capilar alterada, quando comparados aos que não tinham essa doença, ficando evidente que pacientes com doenças crônicas têm maior probabilidade de desenvolver formas patológicas de estresse, ansiedade e depressão, podendo apresentar ainda dificuldades no manejo da doença comprometendo a adesão ao tratamento e consequentemente sua qualidade de vida. Nossos resultados mostram a relação do estresse como fator associado à portadora de DM e a necessidade de medidas que incluam o controle de estresse ao tratamento preconizado para esta doença, com a finalidade de melhorar os níveis glicêmicos e prevenir o aparecimento de complicações.
The relationship between students’ ecocentric, anthropocentric and antipathic attitudes towards the environment and their academic achievement
Authors: Uzuni Naim , Atli Kurtuluş , Saraç Cem , Sağlam Necdet , Sağlam Semran
Published: December 2015

The purpose of the current study is to determine the relationship between secondary and high school students’ ecocentric, anthropocentric and antiphatic attitudes towards the environment and their academic achievement. The study was conducted with the participation of totally 854 students attending secondary and high schools in the city of Aksaray in the spring term of 2013-2014 school year. In the collection of the data, “Ecocentric, Anthropocentric and Antipathic Environmental Attitude Scale” developed by Thompson and Barton (1994) and adapted to Turkish by Erten (2007) was used. In the analysis of the data, one-way variance analysis and Pearson Correlation analysis were conducted. At the end of the study, a significant difference was found in the ecocentric attitude mean scores of the secondary school students in favor of the students having higher academic achievement (F=3.161; p<.05) and a significant difference was found in the antipathic attitude scores of the students in favor of those having lower academic achievement (F=14.700; p<.001). No significant difference based on the students’ academic achievement was found in the students’ anthropocentric attitude scores (F=.755; p>.05). The high school students’ ecocentric, anthropocentric and anthipatic attitude scores were found to be not significantly varying depending on their academic achievement (F=.749, .287 and 2.113; p>.05, respectively). On the other hand, a low and positive correlation was found between the secondary school students’ academic achievements in Science and Social Studies courses and their ecocentric attitude scores (r=.139, .144; p<.01, respectively) and a negative correlation was found with their achievements and antipathic attitude scores (r=-.242, -.284; p<.001, respectively). No significant correlation was found between their achievements in these courses and anthropocentric attitude scores. A low and positive correlation was found between the high school students’ ecocentric attitude scores and their academic achievement in Geography course (r=.126; p<.05). A low and negative correlation was found between the students’ antipathic attitude scores and their achievements in Biology course (r=-.237; p<.01), in Chemistry course (r=-.145; p<.05) and in Geography course (r=-.128; p<.05). No significant correlation was found between the students’ anthropocentric attitude scores and their achievements in these courses. No significant correlation was found between the students’ anthropocentric and antipathic environmental attitudes and their academic achievements in Physics and Health Knowledge courses. In light of the findings of the study, some suggestions were made.

Keywords: ecocentric, anthropocentric and antipathetic attitude, environmental attitude, secondary school, high school, academic achievement
Education In early republican period: Legitimacy of the new regime and “nation manners”
Authors: Çokoğullar Emel , Bozaslan B. Mehmet
Published: December 2015

In 1923 with the proclamation of the Republic began a new era. One of the main issues of this period has been to provide the legitimacy of the new regime. Corresponds to the specified purpose education has tried to take advantage of the functional direction. The secular nature of the winning educational institutions, described the principles of the new regime and the real salvation were stated to be realized by obedience to political power and these principles.  In this way, both have tried to create a Turkish nation and commitment to the political power of the shaped by a "manners" the emphasis is prominent.Keywords: Education, Early Republican Period, National Education, The New Regime.
Serotonin Inhibits Osteoblast Differentiation and Bone Regeneration in Rats
Authors: Nam Soon‐Shin , Lee Jeong Cheol , Kim Hyo Jeong , Park Jin‐Woo , Lee Jae‐Mok , Suh Jo‐Young , Um Heung‐Sik , Kim Jae‐Young , Lee Youngkyun , Kim Yong‐Gun
Published: December 2015

Background: Although increasing evidence indicates that serotonin (SER; 5‐hydroxytrypamine [5‐HT]) is involved in the regulation of bone metabolism, conflicting data exist regarding whether SER promotes or inhibits osteoblast differentiation and bone formation. Regeneration of functional bone is required for proper osseointegration of dental implants. Noticeably, the use of selective SER reuptake inhibitors was recently associated with the failure of osseointegrated dental implants. The present study examines the direct role of peripheral SER on the regulation of bone regeneration.

Methods: The effect of SER on osteoblast differentiation and bone regeneration was examined using rat calvarial cell cultures in vitro and a rat critical‐sized calvarial defect model in vivo.

Results: Rat calvarial cells expressed SER receptors Htr1 (5‐HT1) and Htr2 (5‐HT2), which are known to transmit signals in bone cells. In vitro, SER significantly reduced osteogenic differentiation and mineralization of rat calvarial cells with concomitant reduction of osteoblast marker genes including alkaline phosphatase (Alpl), osterix (Sp7), and osteocalcin (Bglap). Histologic and radiologic analyses using the rat critical‐sized calvarial defect model revealed that the existence of SER significantly inhibited β‐phase tricalcium phosphate–induced bone regeneration.

Conclusion: Results suggest that SER in the local bone microenvironment might play a negative role in osteoblast differentiation and bone formation in rats.
Effect of Chronic Periodontitis on Oxidative Status in Patients With Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis
Authors: Sezer Ufuk , Şenyurt Süleyman Ziya , Gündoğar Hasan , Erciyas Kamile , Üstün Kemal , Kimyon Gezmiş , Kırtak Necmettin , Taysı Seyithan , Onat Ahmet Mesut
Published: December 2015

Background: Psoriasis (PS), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), and chronic periodontitis (CP) are the most common chronic inflammatory diseases and have remarkable pathologic similarities. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of periodontal inflammation on oxidative stress in patients with PS and PsA by evaluating serum total antioxidant status, total oxidant status, oxidative stress index, levels of lipid hydroperoxides, and the activities of paraoxonase, arylesterase, and ceruloplasmin. Also measured were the levels of prolidase and total sulfhydryl groups.

Methods: A total of 120 participants were divided into six groups of 20 participants: 1) PS with CP (PS‐CP); 2) PS‐periodontally healthy (PS‐C); 3) PsA with CP (PsA‐CP); 4) PsA‐periodontally healthy (PsA‐C); 5) systemically healthy with CP (CP); and 6) both systemically and periodontally healthy (C). Demographic, periodontal, and serum oxidative parameters were evaluated.

Results: Oxidative stress index values of PS‐C, PS‐CP, PsA‐C, and PsA‐CP groups were approximately twice as high as those of C and CP groups, and there were no differences between any of the PS (PS‐C and PS‐CP), and PsA (PsA‐C and PsA‐CP) groups. Total antioxidant status levels of the C group were higher by 27% compared with those of the PS‐C and the PsA‐CP groups (P <0.05). Total oxidant status levels of both PsA‐C and PsA‐CP groups were approximately twice as high as those of the C (P <0.05) and CP (P <0.05, P <0.001 respectively) groups.

Conclusions: The contribution of CP on systemic oxidative levels in patients with PS and PsA or systemically healthy individuals seems limited. PS and PsA did not show any additional detrimental effect on clinical parameters in patients with CP.
Effects on Bone Repair of Osteotomy With Drills or With Erbium, Chromium: Yttrium‐Scandium‐Gallium‐Garnet Laser: Histomorphometric and Immunohistochemical Study
Authors: Esteves Jônatas Caldeira , de Souza Faloni Ana Paula , Macedo Paula Delello , Nakata Patrícia Borges , Chierici Marcantonio Rosemary Adriana , Intini Giuseppe , Marcantonio Elcio
Published: December 2015

Background: The erbium, chromium:yttrium‐scandium‐gallium‐garnet (Er,Cr:YSGG) laser has been widely used in the dental clinic; however, few studies have demonstrated the advantages of the use of this laser for bone osteotomies. The purpose of this study is to evaluate and compare the bone repair process of defects generated by the Er,Cr:YSGG laser or conventional drills.

Methods: Ninety‐six rats were divided into two groups of 48 animals (drill group and laser group). After surgical exposure of the right tibia, the animals were subjected to a 2‐mm‐diameter osteotomy created by conventional drills (drill group) or by the Er,Cr:YSGG laser (laser group). The animals were sacrificed 0, 3, 7, 14, 30, and 60 days after the creation of the defect, and histologic sections were obtained and used for histomorphometric and immunohistochemical analyses for the detection of osteocalcin, osteoprotegerin, receptor activator of nuclear factor κ‐B ligand, vascular endothelial growth factor, and caspase‐3.

Results: The osteotomy with the drill produced well‐delimited and smooth walls, whereas the osteotomies in the laser group were irregular and presented an amorphous basophilic line and bone necrosis that was slowly resorbed during the repair process. Despite these characteristics, bone repair was similar between groups at various time points, and, at 60 days, the defects in both groups were completely repaired by newly formed bone.

Conclusion: The repair process of osteotomies created by the Er,Cr:YSGG laser, despite producing thermal damage to bone tissue, is comparable to that with conventional drills.
Lipopolysaccharide Activates the Unfolded Protein Response in Human Periodontal Ligament Fibroblasts
Authors: Wang Ying , Gong Jiuyu , Zeng Hanyu , Liu Rongrong , Jin Boquan , Chen Lihua , Wang Qintao
Published: December 2015

Background: The activation of the unfolded protein response (UPR) has been demonstrated in periodontal diseases. However, the cellular and molecular mechanisms by which the UPR is induced in periodontitis remain unclear. In this study, the effects of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on the induction of the UPR in human periodontal ligament fibroblasts (HPDLFs) in vitro are investigated.

Methods: HPDLFs isolated from human PDLs were stimulated with various concentrations of Escherichia coli LPS (0.1, 1, and 10 μg/mL) for the indicated time points (0, 3, 6, 9, 12, and 18 hours). The messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein levels of molecular markers associated with UPR activation, such as glucose‐regulated protein 78 (GRP78), X‐box binding protein 1 (XBP1), and C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP), were measured at different time points of LPS treatment. Apoptosis of HPDLFs was assessed by Annexin V‐FITC and propidium iodide staining, followed by flow cytometry.

Results: LPS treatment of HPDLFs increased GRP78 mRNA and protein levels in a concentration‐dependent manner. Additionally, LPS also induced the expression, splicing, and activation of XBP1 mRNA. Moreover, LPS‐induced CHOP expression was concentration dependent: a lower concentration of LPS (0.1 μg/mL) had no effect on CHOP mRNA levels, but higher concentrations of LPS (1 and 10 μg/mL) markedly increased CHOP mRNA and protein expression without inducing apoptosis.

Conclusion: The findings demonstrate that activating the Toll‐like receptor‐4 signaling pathway in HPDLFs using LPS triggers the UPR in vitro, warranting additional investigation into the precise mechanisms by which pathways promote this response under inflammatory conditions.
The World Health Organization STEPwise Approach to Noncommunicable Disease Risk-Factor Surveillance: Methods, Challenges, and Opportunities
Authors: Riley Leanne , Guthold Regina , Cowan Melanie , Savin Stefan , Bhatti Lubna , Armstrong Timothy , Bonita Ruth
Published: December 2015

Objectives. We sought to outline the framework and methods used by the World Health Organization (WHO) STEPwise approach to noncommunicable disease (NCD) surveillance (STEPS), describe the development and current status, and discuss strengths, limitations, and future directions of STEPS surveillance.

Methods. STEPS is a WHO-developed, standardized but flexible framework for countries to monitor the main NCD risk factors through questionnaire assessment and physical and biochemical measurements. It is coordinated by national authorities of the implementing country. The STEPS surveys are generally household-based and interviewer-administered, with scientifically selected samples of around 5000 participants.

Results. To date, 122 countries across all 6 WHO regions have completed data collection for STEPS or STEPS-aligned surveys.

Conclusions. STEPS data are being used to inform NCD policies and track risk-factor trends. Future priorities include strengthening these linkages from data to action on NCDs at the country level, and continuing to develop STEPS’ capacities to enable a regular and continuous cycle of risk-factor surveillance worldwide.
RiGOR: a prospective observational study comparing the effectiveness of treatment strategies for open-angle glaucoma
Authors: Coleman Anne L , Lum Flora C , Velentgas Priscilla , Campion Daniel , Su Zhaohui , Gliklich Richard E ,   for the RiGOR Study Group
Published: December 2015

Aims:
The RigOR study was designed to assess comparative effectiveness of medications, laser trabeculoplasty and incisional surgery in patients with open-angle glaucoma (OAG) in the community initiating a new or additional course of therapy as judged necessary by their ophthalmologist. This paper focuses specifically on demographic and clinical characteristics of OAG patients at enrollment.
Patients & methods:
A total of 2597 with OAG already on medical therapy were enrolled from 45 community and academic practices throughout the USA.
Results:
Overall, 784 (30%) patients were treated with laser surgery, 436 with other surgical procedures (17%), and 1377 with additional medication (53%). Patients had mild (35%) or moderate (31%) glaucoma, with 28% with severe glaucoma.
Conclusion:
The RiGOR study enrolled a diverse population and will provide valuable information regarding visual function and treatment patterns among different racial/ethnic populations. African–American and Hispanic patients entered the study with poorer visual acuity and more severe glaucoma.
Practice patterns and treatment changes for open-angle glaucoma: the RiGOR study
Authors: Coleman Anne L , Lum Flora C , Velentgas Priscilla , Su Zhaohui , Gliklich Richard E ,   for the RiGOR Study Group
Published: December 2015

Aims:
The RiGOR study provides a current picture of the types of glaucoma treatment over 12 months.
Methods:
Patients were identified and enrolled at the time of decision to proceed with laser surgery procedure or other procedure such as incisional surgery or drainage device implantation, or initiation of a new or additional course of therapy with medication for glaucoma treatment.
Results:
The most frequent type of treatments were prostaglandin analogues (60%) among patients with additional medication, selective laser trabeculoplasty (87%) among patients with laser surgery and trabeculectomy (57%) among patients with incisional surgery.
Conclusion:
For 36% of patients, a treatment cascade involves two or more therapies over a year. This demonstrates the complex nature of open-angle glaucoma treatment.
Capsella rubella TGA4, a bZIP transcription factor, causes delayed flowering in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Li Maofu , Wang Hua , Yang Yuan , Jin Wanmei
Published: December 2015

Flowering time is usually regulated by many environmental factors and
endogenous signals. TGA family members are bZIP transcription factors that
bind to the octopine synthase element, which has been closely linked to
defense/stress responses. Most TGA factors interact with non-expressor of PR1
(NPR1) and plant defense responses are strengthened by this interaction.
TGA1and TGA4factors bind to NPR1 only in salicylic acid (SA)-induced leaves,
suggesting that TGA4 has another function during plant development. Here, we
isolated a bZIP transcription factor gene, TGA4, from Capsella rubella.
TGA4transcripts were detected in most tissues, with high expression in
leaves, low expression in stems and flowering buds, and undetectable in
siliques. CruTGA4was over expressed in Arabidopsis thaliana wild typeCol-0
plants. Flowering time and total leaf number in the transgenic plants showed
that overexpression of CruTGA4could delay flowering in A. thaliana. Our
findings suggest that TGA4 may act as flowering regulator that controls plant
flowering.
Aspects of the semantic structure of the text: Conjunctions and particles as predicates
Authors: Topolińska Zuzanna
Published: December 2015

The author argues in favor of the thesis that on the semantic level
conjunctions and particles function as predicates, in other words, as
constitutive members of propositions; they imply propositional, and only
propositional, arguments and - in case of conjunctions - reflect the train of
our thought, respectively provide information about relations between the
events as perceived by the author of the text, and - in case of particles -
reflect the speaker?s evaluation of corresponding events.
The Effect of Niobium on the Microstructure and Phase Transformation Kinetics in Low-Carbon Medium Manganese Steels*
Authors: Peissl P. , Schneider R. , Rahofer M. , Samek L. , Arenholz E.
Published: December 2015

Medium-Mn steels are a promising candidate to fulfil the requirements of the 3rd generation of AHSS (Advanced High Strength Steels) which combine high strength and high ductility. A new approach is to add micro alloying elements, like niobium, to affect microstructural development during recrystallization and phase transformations. Using a quenching dilatometer, the kinetics of the phase transformations from austenite (810 °C and 840 °C) to its transformation-products by varying different cooling rates (100 K/s to 0.03 K/s) were investigated for two low carbon medium-manganese steels with different contents of niobium. Based on the dilatometric curves, the results of light optical microscopy (LOM) and quantitative metallography, measurements of the retained austenite (RA) content by X-ray diffractometry (XRD) and hardness measurements, continuous-cooling-transformation (CCT) diagrams were constructed. Furthermore, the influence of the element niobium on the microstructure after intercritical annealing was investigated by similar methods. Different etching-methods (Nital, Klemm-I) were applied to reveal different microstructural aspects. Besides considerable grain-refinement effects with increased niobium content, the phase-transformations were accelerated in the CCT-diagrams. The microstructure varies from 100 % martensite to certain amounts of bainite, but also ferrite at lower cooling rates. Intercritical annealing results in different amounts of retained austenite.
Acceleration Characteristics at Metered On-Ramps
Authors: Yang Guangchuan , Xu Hao , Tian Zong , Wang Zhongren , Zhao Yue
Published: December 2015

Vehicle acceleration capability is an important parameter for traffic operation analysis, traffic simulation, and transportation facilities design. Most of the existing studies on acceleration characteristics, however, do not fully represent the realistic traffic conditions or are based on outdated data; these deficiencies may result in errors in modeling vehicle acceleration capability. In this paper, actual acceleration characteristics at metered on-ramps were investigated according to field data collection and analysis. With the assumption that vehicles make uniformly accelerated motion in each short space or time interval, the entire acceleration length was partitioned into several short segments. Then, video cameras, magnetic counters, or both were used to document the spot speed at predetermined locations; accordingly, distance–acceleration profiles of various ramp configurations were determined. Results showed that the acceleration rate at metered on-ramps was not constant; vehicles usually accelerated at a higher acceleration rate when the speed was lower and vice versa, and the maximum acceleration rate usually occurred at about 50 to 100 ft downstream from the stop bar. Also, a ramp with taper merging configuration usually produced higher acceleration rates than did a parallel merging ramp. This study also pointed out that acceleration rates documented in the AASHTO Green Book, widely used by most state departments of transportation in the United States as the acceleration length design guidance for metered on-ramps, were much lower than the values measured at existing metered on-ramps.
Coordinated Ramp Metering Based on On-Ramp Saturation Time Synchronization
Authors: Landman R. L. , Hegyi A. , Hoogendoorn S. P.
Published: December 2015

In this paper, a coordinated ramp-metering approach is proposed; the approach is based on the synchronization of the time it takes for an on-ramp to run out of space. The time that congestion and the associated capacity drop can be prevented at a freeway bottleneck by means of ramp metering depends on the available ramp space for temporarily storing the vehicles. For a single on-ramp, the available space and thus the metering time at the bottleneck are often limited. By means of coordination, upstream storage space can be used to prevent a breakdown for a longer period of time. To accomplish that aim, upstream ramps need to reduce their inflow into the mainstream with respect to their own metering task. The extent to which upstream inflow reductions are effectively used to extend the metering time at the bottleneck is determined by the order and timing at which the coordinated ramps run out of space. The proposed approach aims at always saturating the more upstream-located ramps before more downstream-located ones; that is, the ramps run out of space in the downstream direction to make sure that all realized assistance is used by the ramp that is metering at the bottleneck. By means of a simulation test case, the functioning of the algorithm is demonstrated and compared with a no-control scenario, local ramp metering, and an alternative coordination algorithm that aims at filling the ramps equally. Both coordination approaches strongly improve the network performance with respect to local ramp metering, but the proposed coordination approach is able to postpone the breakdown for a longer period of time.
Absolute SPECT/CT quantification of cerebral uptake of 99mTc-HMPAO for patients with neurocognitive disorders
Authors: Welz Friedrich , Sanders James , Kuwert Torsten , Maler Juan , Kornhuber Johannes , Ritt Philipp
Published: December 2015

It was reported from planar imaging studies that the cerebral uptake of injected 99mTc-HMPAO activity is about 4–7% in humans. Recent work has shown that modern SPECT/ CT devices are able to quantify the tissue concentration of radioactivity in vivo in absolute units (Bq/ml), while avoiding the limitations of planar techniques. The aims of this study were (a) to determine the cerebral uptake of 99mTc-HMPAO in absolute units in SPECT/CT, (b) to investigate potential differences in absolute tracer uptake for patients suspected of dementia. Patients, methods: We performed 99mTc-HMPAO SPECT/CT in 65 patients with suspected dementia. 99mTc-HMPAO uptake was determined using a previously published quantitative SPECT/CT protocol. The absolute HMPAO uptake and the results of a regionalized analysis were compared for MMSE and NINCDS-ADRDA based patient groups. Results: The mean absolute uptake of 99mTc-HMPAO for our patient population was 4.3 ± 0.8% of the injected dose. The uptake, as well as the regionalized analysis yielded significantly different results for low ( 23) and high (>23) MMSE groups and also for some of the NINCDS-ADRDA groups. Conclusion: Our results show that the absolute cerebral uptake of 99mTc-HMPAO is in the range of previously reported results, obtained by planar techniques. Absolute uptake is significantly different between the patient groups.
Impact of Country-Specific EQ-5D-3L Tariffs on the Economic Value of Systemic Therapies Used in the Treatment of Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Lien K. , Tam V.C. , Ko Y.J. , Mittmann N. , Cheung M.C. , Chan K.K.W.
Published: December 2015

Background: Previous Canadian cost-effectiveness analyses in cancer based on the EQ-5D-3L (EuroQoL, Rotterdam, Netherlands) have commonly used U.K. or U.S. tariffs because the Canadian equivalent only just recently became available. The implications of using non-Canadian tariffs to inform decision-making are unclear. We aimed to reevaluate an earlier cost-effectiveness analysis of therapies for metastatic pancreatic cancer (originally performed using U.S. tariffs) with tariffs from Canada and various other countries to determine the impact of using non-country-specific tariffs. Methods: We used tariffs from Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Denmark, France, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, and Spain to derive EQ-5D-3L utilities for the 10 health states in the pancreatic cancer model. Quality-adjusted life years (qalys) and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (icers) were generated, and probabilistic sensitivity analyses (psas) were performed. Results: Canadian utilities are generally lower than the corresponding U.S. utilities and higher than those for the United Kingdom. Compared with the Canadian-valued scenarios, U.S. and U.K. estimates were statistically different for 3 and 9 scenarios respectively. Overall, 35% of the non-Canadian utilities (28 of 80) were significantly different, clinically, from the Canadian values. Canadian qalys were 6% lower than those for the United States and 6% higher than those for the United Kingdom. When comparing the qalys of each treatment with those of gemcitabine alone, the average percent change was +6.8% for a U.S. scenario and −7.5% for a U.K. scenario compared with a Canadian scenario. Consequently, Canadian icers were approximately 5.4% greater than those for the United States and 8.6% lower than those for the United Kingdom. Based on the psas and compared with the Canadian threshold value, the minimum willingness-to-pay threshold at which the combination chemotherapy regimen of gemcitabine–capecitabine is the most cost-effective is $5,239 less than in the United States and $11,986 more than in the United Kingdom. Conclusions: The use of non-country-specific tariffs leads to significant differences in the derived utilities, icers, and psa results. Past Canadian EQ-5D-3L–based cost-effectiveness analyses and related funding decisions might need to be re-visited using Canadian tariffs.
Pilot of Three Objective Markers of Physical Health and Chemotherapy Toxicity in Older Adults
Authors: Hsu T. , Chen R. , Lin S.C.X. , Djalalov S. , Horgan A. , Le L.W. , Leighl N.
Published: December 2015

Backgroun: Patient function is a key part of the clinical decision to offer chemotherapy and has, in earlier studies, been associated with chemotherapy toxicity. Objective testing might be more accurate than patient-reported or physician-assessed physical function, and thus might be a stronger predictor of chemotherapy toxicity in older adults. Methods: Patients, 70 years of age and older, with thoracic or colorectal cancer were recruited. Three physical tests were performed before commencement of a new line of chemotherapy: grip strength, 4-m walk test, and the Timed Up and Go (tug). Our pilot study explored the association between those tests and chemotherapy toxicity. Results: The 24 patients recruited had a median age of 74.5 years (range: 70–84 years), and 54.2% had an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0 or 1. Median score on the Charlson comorbidity index was 1 (range: 0–4). Almost two thirds had metastatic disease, 70% were chemonaïve, and 83.3% were about to receive polychemotherapy. Patients had a mean tug of 13.2 ± 5.7 s and a mean gait speed of 0.74 ± 0.24 m/s; 50% had a grip strength test in the lowest 20th percentile. Grades 3–5 chemotherapy toxicities occurred in 34.7% of the patients; two thirds required a dose reduction or delay; and one third discontinued chemotherapy because of toxicity. Hospitalization attributable to chemotherapy was uncommon (12.5%). A trend toward increased severe chemotherapy toxicity with slower gait speed was observed (p = 0.049). Conclusions: Abnormalities in objective markers of physical function are common in older adults with cancer, even in those deemed fit for chemotherapy. However, those abnormalities were not associated with an increased likelihood of chemotherapy toxicity in the population included in this small pilot study.
Risk Perception and Psychological Morbidity in Men at Elevated Risk for Prostate Cancer
Authors: Matthew A.G. , Davidson T. , Ochs S. , Currie K.L. , Petrella A. , Finelli A.
Published: December 2015

Objective: As prostate-specific antigen (psa) makes prostate cancer (pca) screening more accessible, more men are being identified with conditions that indicate high risk for developing pca, such as elevated psa and high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia (hgpin). In the present study, we assessed psychological well-being and risk perception in individuals with those high-risk conditions. Methods: A questionnaire consisting of a psychological symptom survey, a trait risk-aversion survey, and a cancer-specific risk perception survey was administered to 168 patients with early-stage localized pca and 69 patients at high risk for pca (n = 16 hgpin, n = 53 psa > 4 ng/mL). Analysis of variance was used to examine differences in psychological well-being and appraisal of risk between the groups. Results: Compared with the pca group, the high-risk group perceived their risk of dying from something other than pca to be significantly lower (p = 0.007). However, pca patients reported significantly more clinically important psychological symptoms. Conclusions: The identification of prostate conditions that predict progression to cancer might not result in the psychological symptoms commonly experienced by pca patients, but does appear to be related to a distorted perception of the disease’s mortal risk. Patients with pca experience reduced psychological well-being, but better understand the risks of pca recurrence and death. Education on the risks and outcomes of pca can help at-risk men to view health assessments with reduced worry.
Quantifying Treatment Delays in Adolescents and Young Adults with Cancer at McGill University
Authors: Xu Y. , Stavrides-Eid M. , Baig A. , Cardoso M. , Rho Y.S. , Shams W.M. , Mamo A. , Kavan P.
Published: December 2015

Background: Since the end of the 1980s, the magnitude of survival prolongation or mortality reduction has not been the same for adolescents and young adults (ayas) with cancer as for their older and younger counterparts. Precise reasons for those observations are unknown, but the differences have been attributed in part to delays in diagnosis and treatment. In 2003 at the Jewish General Hospital, we developed the first Canadian multidisciplinary aya oncology clinic to better serve this unique patient population. The aim of the present study was to develop an approach to quantify diagnosis delays in our aya patients and to study survival in relation to the observed delay. Methods: In a retrospective chart review, we collected information about delays, treatment efficacy, and obstacles to treatment for patients seen at our aya clinic. Results: From symptom onset, median time to first health care contact was longer for girls and young women (62 days) than for boys and young men (6 days). Median time from symptom onset to treatment was 173 days; time from first health care contact to diagnosis was the largest contributor to that duration. Delays in diagnosis were shorter for patients who initially presented to the emergency room, but compared with patients whose first health contact was of another type, patients presenting to the emergency room were 3 times more likely to die from their disease. Conclusions: Delays in diagnosis are frequently reported in ayas with cancer, but the duration of the delay was unrelated to survival in our sample. Application of this approach to larger prospective samples is warranted to better understand the relation between treatment delay and survival in ayas—and in other cancer patient groups.
Effects of spin–orbit coupling and many-body correlations in STM transport through copper phthalocyanine
Authors: Siegert Benjamin , Donarini Andrea , Grifoni Milena
Published: December 2015

The interplay of exchange correlations and spin–orbit interaction (SOI) on the many-body spectrum of a copper phtalocyanine (CuPc) molecule and their signatures in transport are investigated. We first derive a minimal model Hamiltonian in a basis of frontier orbitals that is able to reproduce experimentally observed singlet–triplet splittings. In a second step SOI effects are included perturbatively. Major consequences of the SOI are the splitting of former degenerate levels and a magnetic anisotropy, which can be captured by an effective low-energy spin Hamiltonian. We show that scanning tunneling microscopy-based magnetoconductance measurements can yield clear signatures of both these SOI-induced effects.