bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
El currículo educativo en el contexto de la globalización cultural actual
Authors: Cubillo Ramírez Deyanira , Ramos Cordero Ivannia
Published: March 2017

Este ensayo señala cuáles tienen que ser los perfiles curriculares más generales en el contexto de la denominada globalización cultural actual. Demuestra que todo currículo es una selección cultural y, por tanto, pone de manifiesto la relación entre el desarrollo político, socioeconómico y la educación. Con este propósito, se hace un análisis rápido de algunos de los perfiles principales de ciertos currículos para demostrar cómo estos han estado supeditados a las situaciones particulares que han debido enfrentar en unas y otras sociedades. Se concluye que, desde los inicios de la educación, cuando se empezó a gestar la estructura de los elementos de qué, cómo, a quién y cuándo enseñar, entre otros, ya se tomaban en cuenta las principales características que el currículo formal, el real y el oculto contienen hoy en día. En otras palabras, desde finales del siglo XIX y los inicios del siglo XX, se han discutido y documentado estructuras curriculares fundamentales para el logro de un proceso de enseñanzaaprendizaje satisfactorio en una cultura determinada. Estos elementos del currículo se siguen incorporando para cumplir con la tarea de educar; la diferencia radica en que todos los involucrados en el proceso educativo formal deben necesariamente de satisfacer las necesidades sociales, culturales, económicas, psicológicas, intelectuales, espirituales y tecnológicas que estas nuevas generaciones demandan. This essay points out which must be the broadest curriculum profiles in the context of the current cultural globalization. It also states that every curriculum is a cultural selection and thus, it highlights the relationship between economic socio- political development, and education. In this way, this essay reviews some of the major basis of certain curricula of the past history and achievements. The main purpose is also to show how these elements have been subject to the articulated situations they have faced in some other societies. It was concluded that since the beginning of education when the structure of the elements: what, how, who and when to teach, among others, started to take shape. After all these changes, the educational systems in different cultures started to take into consideration what we know today as formal, informal, and hidden curricula. Therefore, since the late nineteenth century and early twentieth century, it has been discussed and documented core curriculum frameworks for one main objective, to have success in the teaching-learning process of any particular culture. Up to the present time, these elements are clearly developed and included into the curriculum to meet the task of teaching; the difference is that everyone who is implicated in the formal educational process must necessarily satisfy the cultural, economic, psychological, intellectual, spiritual and social needs that the new generations demand.
What works? Evidence on the role of faith in poverty reduction
Authors: O’Neill Daniel W.
Published: March 2017

Conference report from Yale University 20 & 21 September 2016 on measuring, evaluating and reporting the role of faith-based intervetions on reducing povery and promoting well-being globaly.
A DINÂMICA DO SISTEMA FINANCEIRO GLOBAL E SUAS REPERCUSSÕES NA ECONOMIA REAL: UMA ANÁLISE DAS CONSEQUÊNCIAS PARA O BRASIL DA CRISE NORTE-AMERICANA PRONUNCIADA EM 2008
Authors: Carreras Luana Maria Lyra , Meireles Elisângela Cabral de
Published: March 2017

No campo econômico-financeiro, atuam as crises financeiras e econômicas. O trabalho enfatiza as conseqüências da crise americana de 2008 para o Brasil e quais as políticas econômicas adotadas pelo país para contornar os impactos causados em nível nacional. Nesse contexto, a pesquisa teve como objetivo geral compreender como a dinâmica do sistema financeiro pode vir a interferir na economia real dos países, dando ênfase ao cenário de mudanças instauradas no Brasil pela crise norte-americana em 2008, e, para lograr esse êxito, utilizou-se dos objetivos específicos: entendimento de como a realidade financeira de um país pode intervir na economia de outros países; correlação entre sistema financeiro e economia real; visão geral da realidade econômica global atual; exame da intervenção estatal na economia dos seus respectivos países, no intento de contornar os problemas financeiros empresariais e as conseqüências destes; discussão da importância das fusões bancárias para o Brasil no presente cenário internacional; relação entre a crise financeira com o comércio internacional e por fim, análise das políticas econômicas adotadas pelo governo brasileiro em resposta às conseqüências da crise internacional para o país. A metodologia utilizada foi, quanto aos fins, exploratória explicativa e, com relação aos meios, bibliográfica, utilizando-se autores a exemplo de KRUGMAN (2009) e WOLF (2009). Como resultados e conclusões, verifica-se que a presença de crises são comuns e corriqueiras no Sistema Capitalista, assim como as recessões e intervalos de crescimento são sintomas normais do ciclo econômico. Cabe aos países se manterem em alerta, para que as conseqüências das crises são sejam muito maléficas. Por fim, vimos que o Brasil tem se saído bem, por meio da adoção de políticas monetária, tributária, fiscal, comercial e desenvolvimentista.

PALAVRAS-CHAVE: Crise Americana de 2008, sistema financeiro, economia real, Brasil.
A LIVRE CONCORRÊNCIA E O ABUSO DE PODER ECONÔMICO NA ERA DA ECONOMIA GLOBAL
Authors: Costa Pollyana Cibele Pereira da , Dantas Eduardo Janser de Araújo
Published: March 2017

O liberalismo econômico tem fomentado a ação indiscriminada dos agentes econômicos no âmbito do mercado. As distorções advindas de tal cenário suscitaram a necessidade da atuação estatal através da instituição de normas reguladoras que viessem a limitar a atuação destes agentes, a fim de se minimizar as distorções que o poder econômico inerente a estes acabam por deflagrar. Nesta perspectiva o presente trabalho, utilizando-se da metodologia exploratório descritiva, tem por finalidade analisar o princípio constitucional da livre concorrência, suscitando os pressupostos que a encerram e faz adentrar na manifestação abusiva do poder econômico, levantando o ordenamento jurídico pátrio que tutela a concorrência, traçando ainda um paralelo entre este e o nível de regulação internacional, concluindo pela intelecção de que na legislação brasileira já se verifica grande avanço nesta seara, dada a elucidação da lei 8884/94 que traz consigo os pressupostos a serem observados no caso concreto a fim de que se identifique a manifestação abusiva do poder econômico, o que, entretanto, não se tem alcançado ainda a nível internacional.

PALAVRAS-CHAVE: Regulação, Livre concorrência, Abuso de poder econômico, Lei 8884/94.
Assessing the quality of referral letters written by general practitioners: a cross-sectional study in rural Iran
Authors: Janati Ali , Amini Abolgasem , Adham Davoud , Naseriasl Mansour
Published: March 2017

Abstract: Establishing effective communication between general practitioners (GPs) and medical specialists is a key component of the referral system. Written communication between GPs and medical specialists is the most common communication tool. This study was conducted to evaluate quality (information content) of the referral letters written by GPs and addressed to gynecologists and cardiologists. We evaluated quality of the referral letters through a cross-sectional study in the villages of Sarab city, located in East Azerbaijan Province, Northwest Iran. The study was conducted during August and September 2015 in which a total of 400 referral letters were evaluated according to specific quality criteria. Cluster sampling was implemented and data were collected using an instrument designed by the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Manitoba, Canada. A specifically designed referral form was used to refer pregnant women to gynecologists. Referrals addressed to gynecologists showed better quality in comparison to cases referred to cardiologists. Legibility of referral letters was 73%. It is recommended that agreed-upon referral letters be designed cooperatively for different groups of diseases. Furthermore, primary health care providers should be trained to write proper referral letters.
Abordagem de competências, desenvolvimento humano e educação superior
Authors: Marinho-Araujo Claisy Maria , Almeida Leandro S.
Published: March 2017

RESUMO Tendo como fundamento a psicologia do desenvolvimento humano, apresenta-se, neste artigo, uma ampliação conceitual à compreensão de competência. Esse é um termo polissêmico, com multiplicidade de concepções epistemológicas, éticas e ideológicas que imprimem complexidade aos processos formativos, especialmente em relação à formação pessoal e profissional na educação superior. Defende-se a noção de competência ancorada na mobilização intencional de diversos recursos próprios ao desenvolvimento humano: processos psicológicos, comportamentos, conhecimentos, afetos, crenças, habilidades, escolhas éticas e estéticas, que devem ser mobilizados pelo sujeito. Apresenta-se, a partir dessa ampliação, uma categorização de competências transversais e possibilidades para sua avaliação. A reflexão pode fundamentar uma atuação crítica de psicólogos e educadores para a mediação do desenvolvimento de competências dos atores do ensino superior.
Não foi bom pai, nem bom marido: Conjugalidade e parentalidade em famílias separadas de baixa renda
Authors: Juras Mariana Martins , Costa Liana Fortunato
Published: March 2017

RESUMO O objetivo deste estudo foi conhecer a diferença entre parentalidade e conjugalidade de pais e mães em situação de separação conjugal, de baixa renda e com filhos pequenos. Esta pesquisa foi realizada em uma clínica-escola universitária de Psicologia, a partir da metodologia qualitativa. Quatro mães e três pais participaram de entrevistas individuais semiestruturadas. Por meio de análise temática, os resultados evidenciaram a realidade dinâmica, paradoxal e recursiva dessas famílias, apresentando aspectos particulares e semelhantes a outros contextos socioeconômicos. Movimentos de manutenção e encerramento da conjugalidade e inclusão de terceiros no conflito conjugal contribuem para confusão entre os papéis parentais e conjugais. Tentativas de diferenciação entre esses papéis também foram observadas, oferecendo recursos que devem ser enfatizados.
Iconicidade e Complexidade na Comunicação Hipnótica
Authors: Neubern Maurício da Silva
Published: March 2017

RESUMO O presente trabalho busca promover uma aproximação teórica entre a inconicidade, capacidade dos signos de transmitirem qualidades de um objeto, e uma perspectiva complexa da comunicação hipnótica. Essa discussão é desenvolvida em torno de três tópicos principais. O primeiro é a heterogeneidade semiótica dos processos comunicacionais da hipnose; o segundo consiste numa articulação entre o individual e o coletivo; e o terceiro, nas relações entre a noção de ethos e sentimento. O trabalho é concluído destacando que, malgrado as dificuldades conceituais, as relações entre iconicidade e complexidade proporcionam grandes contribuições no que diz respeito a temas importantes da comunicação hipnótica, como a subjetividade, a experiência do terapeuta, a pesquisa e o pertencimento.
Glicerina bruta associada à ureia na terminação de bovinos: consumo, desempenho e características da carne
Authors: D'Aurea A.P. , Ezequiel J.M.B. , D'Aurea E.M.O. , Santos V.C. , Fávaro V.R. , Homem Júnior A.C. , Almeida M.T.C. , Perez H.L.
Published: March 2017

RESUMO Objetivou-se nesta pesquisa avaliar os efeitos da combinação de glicerina bruta e ureia sobre o consumo, o desempenho produtivo e as características da carne de bovinos da raça Nelore. O estudo foi conduzido no confinamento do Setor de Digestibilidade, pertencente à Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias-FCAV/Unesp, Câmpus de Jaboticabal. Para tal, 28 novilhas, da raça Nelore (n=28, com aproximadamente 20 meses de idade, 278±5,6kg), foram aleatoriamente distribuídas em quatro tratamentos utilizando-se de delineamento inteiramente ao acaso. Quatro dietas com energia metabolizável e proteína bruta semelhantes foram formuladas utilizando-se a proporção volumoso:concentrado de 30:70. O volumoso empregado foi silagem de milho, e os concentrados foram compostos por milho grão moído, casca de soja, farelo de girassol, e a utilização ou não de acordo com o tratamento de glicerina e ureia. A introdução da glicerina e da ureia na dieta foi fixada, respectivamente, em 10 e 1% de inclusão na matéria seca da dieta. Os tratamentos foram: C = controle sem glicerina e ureia; U= 1% de ureia na matéria seca; G10= 10% de glicerina na matéria seca; GU10= 10% de glicerina e 1% de ureia na matéria seca. A introdução de 10% de glicerina bruta, com ou sem a presença de ureia, não modificou o consumo, tampouco nenhuma variável do desempenho produtivo (P>0,05). As características físico-químicas da carne, bem como o perfil de ácidos graxos, também não foram modificadas. O desempenho dos animais e as características da carne foram satisfatórios e dentro dos padrões esperados encontrados na literatura. Assim, a associação de glicerina com ureia pode ser uma estratégia viável em sistemas de produção de bovinos confinados.
Cisto ósseo aneurismático em tecido mole em um cão - relato de caso
Authors: Barni B.S. , Santos E.R. , Rosa N.S. , Lopes D.J. , Hesse K.L. , Pavarini S.P. , Contesini E.A.
Published: March 2017

RESUMO Este trabalho descreve o diagnóstico e o tratamento instituído para um cão com um raro cisto ósseo aneurismático originado em tecido mole. O paciente foi apresentado para atendimento no Hospital de Clínicas Veterinárias da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul devido à dificuldade de locomoção, fraqueza nos membros pélvicos e disquesia havia 15 dias. Já estava recebendo tratamento medicamentoso sem sucesso. Ao exame clínico, notou-se aumento de volume sólido na região perineal direita, e foram solicitados exames complementares de imagem. A radiografia da região sugeriu hérnia perineal direita ou neoplasia. O cão foi encaminhado para cirurgia, na qual foi removida uma estrutura tumoral, arredondada, de aspecto ossificado. O exame histopatológico diagnosticou a estrutura como um cisto ósseo aneurismático em tecido mole, e o paciente recuperou-se totalmente após a excisão cirúrgica.
Altered indirect hemagglutination method for easy serotyping of Haemophilus parasuis
Authors: Lorenson M.S. , Miani M. , Guizzo J.A. , Barasoul B. , Martínez-Martínez S. , Rodríguez-Ferri E.F. , Gutiérrez-Martín C.B. , Kreutz L.C. , Frandoloso R.
Published: March 2017

ABSTRACT Glässer's disease is an emergent bacterial disease that affects swine husbandries worldwide causing important economic losses. The aetiological agent, Haemophilus parasuis, is currently divided in fifteen serovars but an increasing number of non-typeable serovars have been reported. Indirect hemagglutination (IHA) is indicated as a serotyping method for H. parasuis. In the present study, we describe an additional step that aims to work around a possible obstacle in the original protocol that may compromise the outcome of this assay. We observed that the choice of anticoagulant for blood collection influences and/or impairs spontaneous adsorption of H. parasuis antigens on sheep red blood cells (SRBCs). However, regardless of the anticoagulant used, chemical treatment of SRBCs with tannic acid induces a stable antigen adsorption (sensitization step). The addition of 1% BSA to SRBCs washing buffer and to antisera dilution augments IHA specificity. Tannic acid treated SRBCs combined with thermo-resistant H. parasuis antigens increases the assay resolution. Thus, our results demonstrate an improvement in the technique of H. parasuis serotyping that will prove valuable to understand Glässer's disease epidemiology and to better characterize serovars involved in outbreaks.
Taxonomic status of two morphotypes of Coryphaena hippurus (Perciformes: Coryphaenidae)
Authors: Bonner Alan , Duarte Michelle R. , Souza Rosa C. C. L. , Monteiro-Neto Cassiano , Silva Edson P.
Published: March 2017

ABSTRACT Two Coryphaena hippurus morphotypes (dourado and palombeta) are found along the Brazilian coast and are considered by Rio de Janeiro’s fisherman and fishmongers as two different species. Furthermore, these morphotypes are commercialized under different values and suffer different fishing pressure. Therefore, a definition of their taxonomic status is an important economic and biological matter. In order to investigate this problem, allozyme electrophoresis method was undertaken for seventeen loci on 117 individuals of C. hippurus sampled at Cabo Frio/RJ (Brazil). The data indicate homogeneity between the morphotypes gene pools. Nevertheless, differences were found for genetic variation among dourado and palombeta, especially due to alcohol dehydrogenase locus. Natural selection hypothesis is discussed in explaining these findings.
The mental health care model in Brazil: analyses of the funding, governance processes, and mechanisms of assessment
Authors: Trapé Thiago Lavras , Campos Rosana Onocko
Published: March 2017

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE This study aims to analyze the current status of the mental health care model of the Brazilian Unified Health System, according to its funding, governance processes, and mechanisms of assessment. METHODS We have carried out a documentary analysis of the ordinances, technical reports, conference reports, normative resolutions, and decrees from 2009 to 2014. RESULTS This is a time of consolidation of the psychosocial model, with expansion of the health care network and inversion of the funding for community services with a strong emphasis on the area of crack cocaine and other drugs. Mental health is an underfunded area within the chronically underfunded Brazilian Unified Health System. The governance model constrains the progress of essential services, which creates the need for the incorporation of a process of regionalization of the management. The mechanisms of assessment are not incorporated into the health policy in the bureaucratic field. CONCLUSIONS There is a need to expand the global funding of the area of health, specifically mental health, which has been shown to be a successful policy. The current focus of the policy seems to be archaic in relation to the precepts of the psychosocial model. Mechanisms of assessment need to be expanded.
Translation, cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the Diabetes Empowerment Scale – Short Form
Authors: Chaves Fernanda Figueredo , Reis Ilka Afonso , Pagano Adriana Silvina , Torres Heloísa de Carvalho
Published: March 2017

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To translate, cross-culturally adapt and validate the Diabetes Empowerment Scale – Short Form for assessment of psychosocial self-efficacy in diabetes care within the Brazilian cultural context. METHODS Assessment of the instrument’s conceptual equivalence, as well as its translation and cross-cultural adaptation were performed following international standards. The Expert Committee’s assessment of the translated version was conducted through a web questionnaire developed and applied via the web tool e-Surv. The cross-culturally adapted version was used for the pre-test, which was carried out via phone call in a group of eleven health care service users diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The pre-test results were examined by a group of experts, composed by health care consultants, applied linguists and statisticians, aiming at an adequate version of the instrument, which was subsequently used for test and retest in a sample of 100 users diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus via phone call, their answers being recorded by the web tool e-Surv. Internal consistency and reproducibility of analysis were carried out within the statistical programming environment R. RESULTS Face and content validity were attained and the Brazilian Portuguese version, entitled Escala de Autoeficácia em Diabetes – Versão Curta, was established. The scale had acceptable internal consistency with Cronbach’s alpha of 0.634 (95%CI 0.494– 0.737), while the correlation of the total score in the two periods was considered moderate (0.47). The intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.50. CONCLUSIONS The translated and cross-culturally adapted version of the instrument to spoken Brazilian Portuguese was considered valid and reliable to be used for assessment within the Brazilian population diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The use of a web tool (e-Surv) for recording the Expert Committee responses as well as the responses in the validation tests proved to be a reliable, safe and innovative method.
Social and behavior change communication in the fight against malaria in Mozambique
Authors: Arroz Jorge Alexandre Harrison
Published: March 2017

ABSTRACT Long-lasting insecticide-treated nets and/or indoor residual spraying, associated with case management, are key interventions in the control of malaria in Africa. The objective of this study is to comment on the role of social and behavior change communication as a potential key intervention in the control of malaria in Mozambique.
Curo'n Hyderus ar y Drws Tri Enw
Authors: Hopwood Mererid
Published: March 2017

In the Monmouthshire and District National Eisteddfod, August 2016, a new consultation document was launched outlining the Welsh Government's priorities as it aims to reach the target of doubling the number of Welsh speakers to a million by 2050. In the document, education is listed
as one of the key vehicles on the journey, with changing attitudes towards the Welsh language (through 'normalisation') also listed as an important engine. In a previous edition of this journal, Gwyn Lewis expressed his disappointment to find the Welsh language in Successful Futures
nothing more than a 'subject in the curriculum – rather than a teaching and learning medium across the curriculum'. Contemplating the goal of a 'million Welsh speakers', this article considers what kind of positive changes could be initiated by adopting a more all-encompassing approach
to languages, one that frees language from the constraints of a skill-centered mentality. It revisits Successful Futures, and examines the potential for the Welsh language as a key player beyond the 'Area of Learning and Experience: Languages, Literacy and Communication' described by
Donaldson. It finds an opportunity to embrace the nation's bilingualism as an agent that can go a significant way towards attaining the core 'four purposes' of the new curriculum.
Reflections on an Action Research Project: Improving Understanding of Art Terminology with a Low-ability Year 8 Class
Authors: Thomas Hannah
Published: March 2017

Formative assessment is known to have an impact on pupil attainment (Hattie, 2012; Black et al., 2004; Wiliam, 2011). As such it is frequently written about, and its importance was reiterated throughout my Initial Teacher Training (including a module on formative assessment) and subsequent
professional development programmes. This article reports on an action research project working with my low-ability Year 8 class, many of whom have Additional Learning Needs (ALN). I developed, implemented and evaluated formative assessment strategies aimed at improving motivation, confidence
and the quality of the work made by these pupils. As Bell (2010: 6) states, action research is 'carried out by practitioners who have themselves identified a need for change or improvement'. My particular concern was the gap in understanding, motivation and progress between the pupils in my
low-ability Year 8 class and mainstream classes. In this article I will, first, briefly discuss my methodological approach and the key literature that informed the decisions I made. I will then discuss the findings, and give more detail on the process of the development of the intervention.
In conclusion I consider the importance of practitioner research for teachers and teaching.
Preliminary Detection of New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) in Synthetic Drugs Seizures in the Northeast Brazil in a Period of Two Years (2014–2016)
Authors: Ricardo Leal Cunha  , Márcia Maria Portela de Santana  , Celinalva da Silva Lima Oliveira
Published: March 2017

In the period from 2014 to 2016 a growing number of seizures of synthetic drugs, such as blotter papers, tablets, powders and crystals has occurred in the states of Bahia and Sergipe in the northeast region of Brazil following a worldwide trend. Thus 345 seizures of these materials were performed by local police, leading to the detection of 27 Novel Psychoactive Substances (NPS) classified as phenethylamines, cathinones, synthetic cannabinoids, tryptamines and opioids. Among the previously detected compounds, three cathinones (dimethylone, dibutylone and N-ethylpentylone) and one synthetic opioid (U-47700) are not included in the banned substances scheduled at Ordinance No. 344/98 SVS/ANVISA (an acronym in Portuguese for National Health Surveillance Agency) and updates, making their consumption not prohibited in Brazil. The aim of this work is to report the detection and the emergence of NPS in this region of Brazil, using gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS) with updated spectral libraries. This technique has been shown to be an important tool in the preliminary detection of these substances, considering there are no chemical tests available for screening as a preliminary technique. Otherwise, results obtained with GC-MS have been confirmed in an initial study using others analytical tools such as nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) as the definitive identification techniques with results that will be published in the near future.
Melatonin: Possibilities for use in the treatment of asthma
Authors: Tsvetikova L N , Budnevsky A V , Ovsyannikov E S , Kudashova E A
Published: March 2017

Asthma is a serious health problem affecting all age groups. Melatonin or its agonists are commonly used to treat many diseases, but there are conflicting data on asthma therapy. This paper analyzes researches on the possible use of melatonin in the therapy of asthma. Melatonin is a potent antioxidant and a vasodilator, but in some experiments, it can act as a pro-oxidant and a vasoconstrictor, which may depend on the duration of use. It has been suggested that circadian rhythms should be corrected in asthmatics to optimize the desired effects of drugs and to reduce the severity of their adverse reactions. Disordered diurnal variations in the salivary levels of melatonin and cortisol are detectable in patients with asthma and may be implicated in its pathogenesis. In addition, the conflicting data on the effect of melatonin on the development of asthma are associated with an incomplete view of the factors influencing the level of melatonin. Thus, to study the effects of melatonin, it is necessary to take into account the greatest possible factors that may influence the level of melatonin and the course of asthma: a daily diet in terms of the use of caffeine, alcohol, sleep-wakefulness pattern, sleep quality proper, and drowsiness during the daytime, social burden, the level of anxiety and stress resistance, and to investigate the levels of endogenous melatonin or its derivatives, immune status, oxidative stress intensity, etc. Obviously, the use of melatonin in the therapy of asthma can be considered, by applying a personalized approach.
Asthma and obesity
Authors: Soloveva I A , Sobko E A , Demko I V , Kraposhina A Yu , Gordeeva N V , Loktionova M M
Published: March 2017

The problem of modern medicine is to optimize the treatment of patients with comorbidity, whose number has been growing steadily in recent years. The concurrence of asthma and obesity determines the severity of disease, low-level control, and resistance to basic therapy in conjunction with more frequent use of β-agonists for relief of symptoms, and frequent hospitalizations for a disease exacerbation. Currently, there are only a few known pathogenetic components that are responsible for the negative impact of visceral obesity on the course of asthma.
Impact of vaccination on the course of bronchial and systemic inflammation in patients with COPD and CHD
Authors: Ignatova G L , Antonov V N
Published: March 2017

Aim. To investigate the effect of 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV-13) on the clinical and functional manifestations of systemic inflammation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and coronary heart disease (CHD). Subjects and methods. The protocol included 36 patients with COPD and 36 patients with COPD concurrent with CHD. The number of COPD exacerbations, hospital admissions, pneumonia cases, degree of dyspnea, and functional indicators were analyzed. The levels of markers for inflammation, such as C-reactive protein (CRP), fibrinogen, and procalcitonin (PCT), were investigated. Results. A year after vaccination, the COPD group showed decreases in the level of CRP, fibrinogen, and PCT by 11, 6, and 2%, respectively; the COPD + CHD group did by 12, 24, and 19%. PCT levels demonstrated the closest correlation with clinical and functional parameters; the other indicators showed moderate (CRP) and low (fibrinogen) correlations. Conclusion. PCV-13 vaccination can reduce systemic inflammation just a year later.
Bronchiectasis
Authors: Chuchalin A G
Published: March 2017

The paper presents information on possible approaches to the classification, pathogenesis, and determination of the etiological causes of bronchiectasis. It discusses a group of bronchiectasis-associated diseases. It gives a detailed diagnostic algorithm aimed to establish the etiology of bronchiectasis and the markers of the efficiency of different treatment options. Much attention is paid to genetically predetermined bronchiectasis. Universal approaches to treating patients with bronchiectasis as a whole, as well as treatments for certain entities of bronchiectasis are discussed.
Pharmacoeconomic aspects of macitentan in the therapy of pulmonary arterial hypertension
Authors: Moisseeva O M , Rudakova A V
Published: March 2017

Aim. To provide a pharmacoeconomic estimate of macitentan versus bosentan in therapy for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Subject and methods. An analysis was carried out on the basis of a social perspective for patients, whose mean age was 50 years. A budget impact analysis was performed without discounting; with the time horizon of the study being 5 years. Assessing the cost- effectiveness of endothelin receptor antagonists used a Markov model based on the meta-analysis of clinical trials. The cost of bosentan was calculated from the 2016 registered prices with VAT. That of macitentan was estimated from the expected price of 170,000 rubles per 10-mg dose pack №28 if the drug is included in the List of Essential Medicines with VAT. The cost of sildenafil and iloprost was consistent with the January-to-November 2016 auction results. At cost-effectiveness assessment costs and outcomes were both discounted at an annual rate of 3,5%. Results. After 5 years of therapy with macitentan in patients with baseline Functional Class (FC) II PAH, the proportion of patients with FC I-II was shown to be 2.6% more than that during therapy with bosentan (20.1 and 17.5%, respectively), and that of the died patients was 1.5% lower (69.5 and 71%, respectively). In baseline FC III PAH following 5 years, the proportion of patients with FC III PAH on initial macitentan treatment was 1% more than that on bosentan therapy (8.1 and 7.1%, respectively), and that of the died patients was 0.5% lower (87.2, and 87.7%, respectively). The cost-effectiveness analysis shows that therapy with macitentan versus bosentan not only causes some increase in life expectancy in terms of quality of life (by 0.414 and 0.230 QALYs in FC II and III PAH, respectively), but also results in a small cost decrease in FC II and III PAH (by 11,000 and 16,000 rubles per patient, respectively). Thus, macitentan is a dominant alternative versus bosentan. The budget impact analysis indicates that when bosentan is replaced with macitentan, the reduction in health care costs in the Russian Federation will amount to 1.9 million rubles over 5 years, and in all budgetary costs will be 14.7 million rubles. Conclusion. Treatment with macitentan in patients with FC II-III PAH is more cost-effective than that with bosentan and does not require an increase in budget costs.
Public participation in technological innovation: The case of the Tshulu stove development programme
Authors: Makonese Tafadzwa , Bradnum Christopher M. S.
Published: March 2017

AbstractThe design of products for developing communities often excludes the end-users in the decision making process. The study aims to investigate public participation and engagement in the design and development of the Tshulu woodstove. Results of this research point to the need for improved communication between citizens and technical experts, as well as for narrowing the gap between the designer and the user by encouraging meaningful engagement and inclusion. Bottom-up approaches ensure sustained participation of the public, in turn increasing a sense of ownership in the product. These results have implications for energy policy and improved cookstove programmes for developing communities. Keywords: co-design; energy efficiency; energy policy; improved cookstove
The success of multi-sector participation in the management of revenue for beneficiary communities of South African renewable energy companies – sub-model A
Authors: Amansure Ric , Adendorff Chris
Published: March 2017

AbstractMulti-sector participation is one of three sub-models that resulted from the splitting of the original model that resulted from the data analysis as part of a thesis entitled ‘A theoretical for successful management of revenue for beneficiary communities of renewable energy companies in South Africa.’ The sub-model provides specific guidance for the multi-sector participation of enterprises, stakeholders, industry experts and community development practitioners in the renewable energy sector to create a pro-active, effective, and relevant decision-making process for achieving success in the management of revenue for beneficiary communities. To address the primary objective, a number of secondary objectives were formulated through the development of a conceptual model consisting of identified variables based on a comprehensive survey of the related literature. By constructing a path diagram between the independent variable and subsequent intervening and dependent variables, appropriate hypotheses were developed. Primary data sourced from an identified national and international population of community management practitioners were collected using an electronic measuring instrument. These data were analysed and tested empirically using structural equation modelling. The determinants that were identified through a review of the literature as elements of multi-sector participation that influences the success of revenue management for beneficiary communities for South African renewable energy companies included the use of outside advice, financial management, support services, and good governance. Keywords: renewable energy, green energy, beneficiary communities, community development, revenue management, socio-economic development, economic development, multi-sector participation
Policy perspectives on expanding cogeneration from bagasse in Malawi
Authors: To Long Seng , Kwapata Kingdom , Masala Leonard , Alonso Navarro Virginia , Batchelor Simon , Mulugetta Yacob , Barnett Andrew , Karekezi Stephen
Published: March 2017

Agro-industries have the potential to make a substantial contribution to sustainable energy supply in Africa, including energy access in rural areas. This paper focuses on the drivers and barriers to wider use of cogeneration from sugarcane bagasse in Malawi as there is a potential for the technology to enable access to electricity in rural areas. The paper gives an overview of the policy landscape for the energy sector and the sugar industry in Malawi. The research involved site visits, focus group discussions, and individual semi-structured interviews with participants from key government departments, businesses, research institutes and international agencies. It was found that energy sector reform, the proposed feed-in tariff for renewable energy, and risk are the key issues for investment in this area.Keywords: biomass, renewable energy, electricity
Quantifying South Africa’s sulphur dioxide emission efficiency in coal-powered electricity generation by fitting the three-parameter log-logistic distribution
Authors: Girmay Maseapei Elizabeth , Chikobvu Delson
Published: March 2017

This paper fits the three-parameter log-logistic (3LL) distribution to sulphur dioxide (SO2) monthly emissions in kilograms per gigawatt hour (kg/GWh) and in milligrams per cubic nano metre (mg/Nm3), at 13 of Eskom’s coal fired power-generating stations in South Africa. The aim is to quantify and describe the emission of sulphur dioxide at these stations using a statistical distribution, and to also estimate the probabilities of extreme emissions and exceedances (emissions above a certain threshold). Using the 3LL distribution is proposed as such a distribution. The log-logistic distribution is a special form of a Burr-type distribution. Various goodness-of-fit measures, including the Kolmogorov Smirnov, the Anderson Darling and some graphical tests, are employed to test if the 3LL distribution is a good fit to the data. The maximum likelihood method is used to estimate the parameters. The distribution fit is important as it then becomes possible to quantify and manage the SO2 emissions effectively. The 3LL distribution, which is compared with three other distributions, gave the best overall fit to most of the power stations.  Keywords: emission, Eskom, log logistic distribution, goodness of fit, sulphur dioxide, Burr-type distributionHighlightsQuantification of SO2 emissions in terms of a statistical distributionCalculating the probability of SO2 emissions exceeding certain specified limitsRanking power stations in terms of SO2 emissions efficiency
Learning from the literature on community development for the implementation of community renewables in South Africa
Authors: Wlokas Holle L. , Westoby Peter , Soal Sue
Published: March 2017

Implementation of large-scale wind, solar and hydro projects in South African communities is intended to contribute to local economic development. Government policy, through the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Prog-ramme (REIPPPP), obliges energy companies to share revenue and ownership with local communities, thus providing renewable energy companies with a significant opportunity to position the industry as a significant contributor to community development and thus to the country’s transformation and development agenda. This investigation draws on policy documents and interview data to establish that the policy’s lack of appreciation for existing community development tradition and frameworks, commonly applied in South African development policy and programmes, has weakened its potential. Furthermore, it theoretically positions the emerging practice employed by the renewables industry in the implementation of the REIPPPP requirements, and outlines how existing academic and practical knowledge about community development and company-community relations can provide guidance and support in building an impactful practice.Keywords: community relations and development, REIPPPP, community benefit, project implementation, social performanceHighlights•    South Africa is implementing a unique version of pro-poor renewable energy policy. •    Industry and local communities and government need to build quality relationships to successfully implement the policy requirements.•    The policy and practice ignores established community development traditions and frameworks.•    Existing knowledge grounded in South African practice and policy experience can guide the sector’s understanding of and vision for development.
The impact of petrol price movements on South African inflation
Authors: Rangasamy Logan
Published: March 2017

This paper analyses the impact of petrol price movements on inflation outcomes in South Africa since the mid-1970s. The results show that, over time, the direct contribution of petrol inflation to headline inflation has not only increased, but has also exceeded its weight in the consumer price index. In addition, Granger causality tests and the autoregressive distributed lag approach to co-integration testing reveal that petrol prices have an important bearing on the prices of other (non-petrol) commodities in the economy. The results essentially show that petrol price increases had an important bearing on inflation outcomes in South Africa. This implies that petrol price movements warrant special attention in policy formulation and implementation in South Africa if inflation outcomes were to be kept in check. Keywords: commodity prices, energy prices, inflation, core inflation
historical assessment of sources and uses of wheat varietal innovations in South Africa
Authors: Nhemachena Charity R. , Kirsten Johann
Published: March 2017

We undertook a historical review of wheat varietal improvements in South Africa from 1891 to 2013, thus extending the period of previous analyses. We identified popular wheat varieties, particularly those that form the basis for varietal improvements, and attempted to understand how policy changes in the wheat sector have affected wheat varietal improvements in the country over time. The empirical analysis is based on the critical review of information from policies, the varieties bred and their breeders, the years in which those varieties were bred, and pedigree information gathered from the journal Farming in South Africa, sourced mainly from the National Library of South Africa and the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) database. A database of the sources and uses of wheat varietal innovations in South Africa was developed using information from the above sources. The data, analysed using trend and graphical analysis, indicate that, from the 1800s, wheat varietal improvements in the country focused on adaptability to the production area, yield potential and stability and agronomic characteristics (e.g. tolerance to diseases, pests and aluminium toxicity). An analysis of the sources of wheat varietal improvements during the different periods indicates that wheat breeding was driven initially by individual breeders and agricultural colleges. The current main sources of wheat varietal improvements in South Africa are Sensako, the Agricultural Research Council’s Small Grain Institute (ARC–SGI) and Pannar. The structural changes in the agricultural sector, particularly the establishment of the ARC–SGI and the deregulation of the wheat sector, have helped to harness the previously fragmented efforts in terms of wheat breeding. The most popular varieties identified for further analysis of cost attribution and the benefits of wheat varietal improvements were Gariep, Elands and Duzi.

Significance: 

These findings form the basis for the next analysis focusing on the attribution of the benefits and costs in terms of investment in wheat breeding in South Africa.
Radioactive Northern Blot v1
Authors: Behle Anna
Published: March 2017

Protocol for Northern Blot using radioactive RNA probes.
Capillary Blotting of total RNA from agarose gels v1
Authors: Behle Anna
Published: March 2017

This protocol can be used to transfer total RNA from thick formaldehyde/agarose gels to Nylon membranes for downstream Northern Blot Analysis. This is useful for analyzing larger RNA molecules such as mRNA.
Denaturing formaldehyde agarose gel-electrophoresis v1
Authors: Behle Anna
Published: March 2017

Protocol for separating total RNA using denaturing formaldehyde agarose gel electrophoresis. This method can be used to separate larger RNAs in a range of 400-6000 nt, either for quality control or downstream Northern Blot Analysis.
Electrophoretic transfer of RNA to nylon membrane (Semi-dry blotting) v1
Authors: Behle Anna
Published: March 2017

Protocol for transfer of RNA to nylon membrane for subsequent Northern Blot analysis.
Sowing the Seeds of Social Justice through Service-Learning with American Indian Tribal Partners
Authors: Gonzales Angela A.
Published: March 2017

As a form of community engagement pedagogy, service-learning aims to bridge theory with practice by combining learning goals and community service in ways that are mutually beneficial to students and community partners. However, if not done well, service-learning can have the opposite effect of reinforcing stereotypes, perpetuating social inequalities, and placing more of a burden on communities and organizations than providing a service. Based on the author's service-learning experience with community partners on the Hopi Reservation, this article considers some of the challenges and opportunities for developing meaningful and mutually beneficial service-learning projects with American Indian tribal partners.
A University, Corporate, City Triad in Engaging Latino Entrepreneurs
Authors: McDonald James H.
Published: March 2017

Utah's Latino population is the state's boom demographic. Latino small business arguably led the state out of the 2008 recession. Between 2000 and 2010, Latino entrepreneurs grew by 71.5 percent, while the remainder of the state's entrepreneurial ranks shrank. Southern Utah University seeks to invert the common notion of the engaged university (student-centered service learning, community as lab) by placing community first in support of Latino entrepreneurs—a sector little understood by traditional business that is dynamic but often highly underfunded with all the challenges therein. Lack of understanding ties directly to the entrepreneur's status as cultural outsider. This paper explores the challenges facing Latino small-business entrepreneurs and outlines a plan of action.
Mentoring Reflected through the Eyes of Ph.D. Students: Motivations and the Features of Mentoring
Authors: Grigsby Mary
Published: March 2017

This article presents the results of a grounded theory study of mentoring experiences of domestic Ph.D. students in programs recognized by the National Research Council (2010) as being among the top Ph.D. programs at the public comprehensive doctoral-granting land grant research university where the research was conducted. A typology of Ph.D. student motivations for pursuing higher education that is connected in patterned ways to those features of mentoring students emphasized as important is described. The four ideal types that emerged from the data are: academic, careerist, creative, and credentialist. The research provides a view of what is important for differently motivated Ph.D. students in mentoring, from their perspectives, and concludes that one important way to support students in developing as engaged mentees is to provide early career professional development that fosters self-reflection designed to empower them to negotiate mentoring relationships that support their progressive development.