bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A relação entre ética e direito na filosofia política de Kant
Authors: Klein Joel
Published: August 2014

Este artigo discute as relações existentes entre direito e ética na filosofia política kantiana e, ao contrário da interpretação dominante, procura mostrar que a boa vontade precisa estar presente para que a política possa alcançar plenamente seus objetivos. Nesse sentido, defende-se aqui duas teses: primeira, que não há uma ruptura das teses políticas da década de oitenta com as teses políticas da década de noventa no sentido de um abandono da necessidade de uma boa vontade no campo da política, a qual é condição necessária para a realização de uma constituição republicana; segunda, contra uma interpretação exclusivamente liberal, defende-se que isso implica que o republicanismo kantiano permite que o Estado assuma medidas institucionais para um esclarecimento moral de seus cidadãos.
Formação profissional de jovens: a que se destina?
Authors: Pessoa Manuella Castelo Branco , Alberto Maria de Fátima Pereira , Máximo Thaís Augusta Cunha de Oliveira , Souza Paulo César Zambroni de
Published: August 2014

Este estudo analisa a formação profissional oferecida por uma instituição filantrópica a partir da perspectiva de jovens aprendizes. Participaram 20 jovens aprendizes, 14 do sexo feminino e seis do sexo masculino, com idades entre 15 e 22 anos, com pelo menos seis meses de experiência no Programa. Foi utilizada uma abordagem qualitativa, com realização de entrevistas semiestruturadas. As entrevistas foram analisadas por meio de análise de conteúdo temática. A partir daí identificou-se que a experiência de aprendizagem foi percebida pelos jovens como situação privilegiada para sua formação e inserção profissional. Entretanto, os autores entendem que esta formação é limitada, por se concentrar em questões comportamentais, ensinando a reproduzir e seguir as normas das empresas.
Funções do agente comunitário de saúde no trabalho com redes sociais
Authors: Pinheiro Ricardo Lana , Guanaes-Lorenzi Carla
Published: August 2014

Esse estudo, de natureza qualitativa, objetiva discutir como agentes comunitários de saúde (ACS) utilizam as redes sociais dos usuários para desenvolverem ações de promoção de saúde na Estratégia Saúde da Família (ESF). Especificamente, busca apresentar como ACS significam sua prática com redes sociais, dando visibilidade às funções que exercem em seu trabalho cotidiano. Para tanto, foram realizados e audiogravados doze grupos de discussão com ACS de unidades de saúde da família de uma cidade do estado de São Paulo. As transcrições dos grupos foram analisadas por procedimentos de análise temática, com base na perspectiva teórico-metodológica do construcionismo social. Nossos resultados apontam que os ACS exercem as funções principais de articulador e de mediador das redes sociais. Discutimos, a partir disso, que o desenvolvimento destas funções é fundamental numa perspectiva ampliada de saúde, porém estas ainda são pouco valorizadas no contexto das demais atividades dos ACS na ESF.
Estratégias de resistência no sistema de moradias do contexto sucroalcooleiro
Authors: Hüning Simone Maria , Silva Aline Kelly da , Nascimento Paulo dos Santos , Mariano Rondineli Bezerra
Published: August 2014

Neste artigo discutimos estratégias de resistência de moradores de uma comunidade situada na propriedade de uma usina sucroalcooleira. Nesta pesquisa realizamos entrevistas não-estruturadas com moradores, roda de conversa com trabalhadores da usina, visitas à comunidade e registros em diários de campo. Utilizamos o referencial teórico de Michel Foucault para discutirmos modos de resistência e relações de poder no contexto em estudo. As principais estratégias de resistência visibilizadas relacionam-se a projetar um futuro fora da usina para as novas gerações, enfrentamentos coletivos e individuais nas situações de trabalho e constituição de redes sociais de apoio. Apesar de marcados pelas assimetrias de poder produzidas no contexto da monocultura da cana-de-açúcar, os sujeitos não se constituem como passivos diante dos modos de vida instituídos. Eles denunciam, além da violência vivida na usina, a precariedade das políticas sociais de um Estado ausente para quem vive fora dos domínios da 'segurança' oferecida nas propriedades das usinas.
Aspectos psicossociais da homofobia intrafamiliar e saúde de jovens lésbicas e gays
Authors: Perucchi Juliana , Brandão Brune Coelho , Vieira Hortênsia Isabela dos Santos
Published: August 2014

O número de pesquisas sobre diferentes aspectos da homofobia cresceu nos últimos dez anos. Entretanto, há uma carência de estudos que analisem os aspectos psicossociais que envolvem as experiências de jovens lésbicas e gays mediante situações de violência e os desdobramentos destas na sua saúde. O presente artigo busca relatar os resultados de uma pesquisa que objetivou analisar como se constituem as situações de homofobia no âmbito das relações familiares vividas por jovens lésbicas e gays, analisando os aspectos psicossociais dos processos de ruptura ou afastamento temporário ou permanente do vínculo familiar. A hipótese confirmada ao longo desses anos de pesquisa é de que o preconceito se articula no contexto familiar como dispositivo de legitimação da violência e, consequentemente, ocasiona a ruptura do vínculo, o afastamento temporário ou permanente entre jovens lésbicas e gays e seus familiares, levando, muitas vezes, à saída ou à expulsão da casa dos pais em circunstâncias complexas e, frequentemente, dolorosas.
Influence of Experimental Thermal Shifts and Overcrowding on Fecundity in Wild Females of Acartia Tonsa of the Bahía Blanca Estuary
Authors: Anahi Berasategui Anabela , Lopez-Abbate M. Celeste , Biancalana Florencia , Hoffmeyer Monica S.
Published: August 2014

The copepod Acartia tonsa plays an important role in the food web of many estuaries influenced by changes due to anthropic activities, hence it is relevant to know its reproductive plasticity under stressful conditions. We examined the influence of thermal shift (6 ± 1ºC and 18 ± 1ºC) and overcrowding stress on egg production and hatching success in wild females of A. tonsa of the Bahía Blanca Estuary. Egg production rate (EP), hatching success during seven days (E7 %) and time taken to hatch 50 % of eggs (T 50) were registered. The high individual density used in the incubations caused a decrease in EP values at both temperatures. Nevertheless, all the females responded favorably to 18°C. EP and E7 % obtained at both temperatures were significantly different the values at 18ºC, being twice as high as those obtained at 6°C. T 50 values at 18ºC indicated a shorter developmental time in eggs from spring females, whereas the opposite effect was observed in eggs from winter females. Our results indicate that the reproductive performance is affected by short exposures to thermal shift. The pattern of egg production and hatching is also modified in accordance with the maternal history.
Nycthemeral and Monthly Occupation of the Fish Assemblage on a Sheltered Beach of Baía Norte, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina State, Brazil
Authors: Ribeiro Gisela Costa , Soeth Marcelo , Andrade Vinicius Krischnegg , Spach Henry Louis , Cattani André Pereira
Published: August 2014

Interpreting fish community records is challenging for several reasons, including the lack of past ichthyofauna data, the cyclical temporal variations in the community, and the methodology employed, which usually underestimates fish assemblages. The objective of this study was to describe short-scale and meso-scale (nycthemeral period and months, respectively) temporal variations in the ichthyofauna composition and structure of a sheltered beach of Baía Norte (Florianópolis, Santa Catarina state, Brazil), using a capéchade net. Samples were collected monthly for a period of 48 hours. During the period from December 2010 to November 2011, a total of 19,302 individuals belonging to 89 species and 39 families were captured. The number of individuals that were sampled during the day and/or night was dependent on the sampling month. On average, the daytime assemblage was more abundant and different in structure and composition than the nighttime assemblage. Of the eight species that had the highest Index of Relative Importance (%IRI), five had higher variations (ANOVA F) between the day and night than between the months. This finding reinforced the need for sampling during both the day and night. The capéchade net effectively captured demersal and pelagic individuals in a broad range of sizes.
Diel Variation in Abundance and Size of the South American Red Shrimp Pleoticus Muelleri (Spence Bate, 1888) (Decapoda, Solenoceridae) in the Ubatuba Region, Southeastern Brazil
Authors: Lopes Mateus , Fransozo Adilson , Castilho Antonio Leão , Costa Rogerio Caetano da
Published: August 2014

Diel variation in the abundance and size of Pleoticus muelleri in the Ubatuba region was investigated during 2000. During each season of the year, sampling was conducted during the day and at night at 8 depths, from 5 to 40 m. The estimated number of shrimp was 955 individuals, 272 collected during the day and 683 at night. There was a difference in the abundance of P. muelleri between day and night (χ², p=2.33E-40). The abundance during the day and at night differed by season with the exception of the spring (χ², p=0.06). The abundance during both periods also differed by depth, except at 15 and 30 m, where it was not significant (χ², p=0.84 and 0.06, respectively). The shrimp caught at night were generally smaller than those caught during the day (Kolmogorov-Smirnov, p<0.01). Pleoticus muelleri juveniles were found primarily at night. This tendency could have influenced the lower mean size for this period. The sediment type and the bottom temperature appear to influence the behavior of this species and consequently the catch rate during the periods analyzed.
Políticas públicas de democratização do acesso ao ensino superior e estrutura básica de formação no ensino médio regular
Authors: Carmo Erinaldo Ferreira ,   Centro de Educação da UFPE,  Brasil, Chagas José Aercio Silva , Figueiredo Filho Dalson Britto , Rocha Enivaldo Carvalho ,   Centro de Educação da UFPE,  Brasil,   Departamento de Ciência Política e Relações Internacionais da UFPE,  Brasil,   Departamento de Ciência Política e Relações Internacionais da UFPE,  Brasil
Published: August 2014

É resultado de um trabalho de pesquisa sobre os ensinos médio e superior no País. Aborda o processo de formação na educação secundária e a capacitação deste alunado para o exame de seleção do ensino superior. Descreve e analisa, ainda, as políticas públicas voltadas para a democratização do acesso ao ensino universitário, incluindo o ensino público ofertado por meio das esferas federal, estadual e municipal, com atenção aos resultados comparados com os das instituições particulares. Aqui também são observados os novos desafios enfrentados pelo ensino público, compreendendo os principais mecanismos de acesso e considerando a legislação educacional vigente. Por meio de dados oficiais, são estudados os investimentos públicos em educação, as metas educacionais estabelecidas e a diferenciação entre o ensino da rede pública e o da rede privada, avaliado por meio de exames nacionais. Aqui são identificadas algumas ações fundamentais de valorização e melhoria do ensino médio e do ensino superior, como o investimento na capacitação docente, no incentivo ao discente e no fortalecimento do ensino público.
Compatibility Studies of Mixed Thermoplastic Rubber with Road Bitumen
Authors: Makarov Dmitry , Ayupov Damir , Murafa Asia , Khozin Vadim
Published: August 2014

This paper is devoted to the study of bitumen compatibility with mixed thermoplastic rubber designed for its modification which is three polymer mixture. Unlike most popular bitumen modifiers based on butadiene and styrene copolymers having unsaturated main chain, the proposed polymer is composed of components with saturated hydrocarbon main chain. Thus, the increased weather resistance is provided for the products and designs based on modified bitumen. The solubility of mixed thermoplastic rubber and its components separately is studied.
Predicting Persistence to Degree of Male College Students
Authors: Spruill Nicklaus , Hirt Joan , Mo Yun
Published: August 2014

Men are underrepresented within the ivory tower. When the intersection of race and gender is examined, enrollment gaps widen even further. Currently, more opportunities than ever before are available for African Americans and Hispanics to attend college; however, their rates of attaining a bachelor's degree are significantly lower when compared to other ethnic/gender combinations. Select personal characteristics (i.e., race, SES) are known to play a role in men's academic achievement. Beyond those, however, are issues of efficacy. The purpose of this study was to determine what efficacy factors predict persistence to graduation of male students when personal characteristics are controlled for. A modified version of the Bandura et al. (1996) theoretical model was used that identified three factors that influence self-efficacy, hence academic success: familial, peer, and self. The findings suggest that race and select parental and peer factors can have both negative and positive effects on the persistence of male students in college.
Examining the 21st Century Classroom: Developing an Innovation Configuration Map
Authors: Donovan Loretta , Green Tim D. , Mason Candice
Published: August 2014

Despite it being the second decade of the 21st century, there still exists a range of definitions of what a 21st century learning environment is. This can be troublesome for teacher educators as we strive to prepare teachers for environments we can't clearly describe. In order to describe a 21st century learning environment, we developed an IC Map based on the Concerns-Based Adoption Model of Change (CBAM). Results indicate that 21st century skills can be manifested in the learning environment through content-based and project-based approaches, but of equal importance is having a 21st Century Ecology. Implications of this study extend to teachers, teacher educators, and school administration.
iPads at School? A Quantitative Comparison of Elementary Schoolchildren's Pen-on-Paper versus Finger-on-Screen Drawing Skills
Authors: Picard Delphine , Martin Perrine , Tsao Raphaele
Published: August 2014

A growing number of schools are embracing new mobile technologies, such as iPads, with little (or no) prior empirical proof of their usability. We investigated whether iPads, which allow children to write and draw with their fingers without the need of a pen, are relevant devices for drawing activities at elementary school. A within-participants design was used to compare routine drawings produced by 46 elementary schoolchildren with pen on paper (standard condition) and fingertip on screen (iPad condition). Results revealed a significant effect of drawing condition on graphic scores, with lower scores in the iPad condition than in the standard condition. The finding that finger drawings were slightly poorer than pen drawings can be ascribed to the shift from distal to more proximal control of the drawing movements.
Supporting Students' Knowledge Transfer in Modeling Activities
Authors: Piksööt Jaanika , Sarapuu Tago
Published: August 2014

This study investigates ways to enhance secondary school students' knowledge transfer in complex science domains by implementing question prompts. Two samples of students applied two web-based models to study molecular genetics—the model of genetic code ( n = 258) and translation ( n = 245). For each model, the samples were randomly divided into experimental and control groups and were provided with the same tasks—to construct a complex biological process by adding or changing objects in the model. The experimental group was prompted to answer a question after each modeling activity in order to facilitate their knowledge transfer from the ontological category of objects to the category of processes, whereas the control group worked without question prompts. The results of the study indicated that the students of the experimental group made significantly fewer mistakes in modeling activities than their peers in the control group. Moreover, the additional support by question prompts had a statistically significant influence on the students' knowledge transfer as indicated by their answers in the pre- and post-tests. Therefore, the study provides strong evidence that students' knowledge transfer from one ontological category to another can be improved by applying an appropriate questioning strategy that guides attention to the relevant features of the depicted processes while studying a complex subject.
Inverse Function Theorems and Jacobiansover Metric Spaces
Authors: Granieri Luca
Published: August 2014

We present inversion results for Lipschitz mapsf: Ω ⊂ ℝN→ (Y, d) and stability of inversionfor uniformly convergent sequences. These results are based on the Area Formula and on the l.s.c. of metricJacobians.
Advances in Pediatric Reference Intervals for Biochemical Markers: Establishment of the Caliper Database in Healthy Children and Adolescents/Napredak U Oblasti Pedijatrijskih Referentnih Intervala Za Biohemijske Markere: Izrada Baze Podataka Caliper Kod Zdrave Dece I Adolescenata
Authors: Karbasy Kimiya , Ariadne Petra , Gaglione Stephanie , Nieuwesteeg Michelle , Adeli Khosrow
Published: August 2014

Clinical laboratory reference intervals provide valuable information to medical practitioners in their interpretation of quantitative laboratory test results, and therefore are critical in the assessment of patient health and in clinical decisionmaking. The reference interval serves as a health-associated benchmark with which to compare an individual test result. Unfortunately, critical gaps currently exist in accurate and upto-date pediatric reference intervals for accurate interpretation of laboratory tests performed in children and adolescents. These critical gaps in the available laboratory reference intervals have the clear potential of contributing to erroneous diagnosis or misdiagnosis of many diseases. To address these important gaps, several initiatives have begun internationally by a number of bodies including the KiGGS initiative in Germany, the Aussie Normals in Australia, the AACC-National Children Study in USA, the NORICHILD Initiative in Scandinavia, and the CALIPER study in Canada. In the present article, we will review the gaps in pediatric reference intervals, challenges in establishing pediatric norms in healthy children and adolescents, and the major contributions of the CALIPER program to closing the gaps in this crucial area of pediatric laboratory medicine. We will also discuss the recently published CALIPER reference interval database (www.caliperdatabase.com) developed to provide comprehensive age and gender specific pediatric reference intervals for a larger number of biochemical markers, based on a large and diverse healthy children cohort. The CALIPER database is based on a multiethnic population examining the influence of ethnicity on laboratory reference intervals. Thus the database has proved to be of global benefit and is being adopted by hospital laboratories worldwide.
Distributive Justice: From Steinhaus, Knaster, and Banach to Elster and Rawls — The Perspective of Sociological Game Theory
Authors: Burns Tom , Roszkowska Ewa , des Johansson Nora Machado
Published: August 2014

This article presents a relatively straightforward theoretical framework about distributive justice with applications. It draws on a few key concepts of Sociological Game Theory (SGT). SGT is presented briefly in section 2. Section 3 provides a spectrum of distributive cases concerning principles of equality, differentiation among recipients according to performance or contribution, status or authority, or need. Two general types of social organization of distributive judgment are distinguished and judgment procedures or algorithms are modeled in each type of social organization. Section 4 discusses briefly the larger moral landscapes of human judgment – how distribution may typically be combined with other value into consideration. The article suggests that Rawls, Elster, and Machado point in this direction. Finally, it is suggested that the SGT framework presented provides a useful point of departure to systematically link it and compare the Warsaw School of Fair Division, Rawls, and Elster, among others.
How Firms Can Hedge Against Market Risk
Authors: Echaust Krzysztof
Published: August 2014

The article presents a problem of proper hedging strategy in expected utility model when forward contracts and options strategies are available. We consider a case of hedging when an investor formulates his own expectation on future price of underlying asset. In this paper we propose the way to measure effectiveness of hedging strategy, based on optimal forward hedge ratio. All results are derived assuming a constant absolute risk aversion utility function and a Black-Scholes framework.
Market Basket Analysis as a Support Tool for The Management of Public Transport
Authors: Sokołowska Dorota
Published: August 2014

The aim of this paper is to characterize a non-standard use of the method of market basket analysis in one of the areas of economy, i.e. public transport. Generally, one of the aims of the market basket analysis method is associating the consumer's market basket – in the case of public transport this being the choice of bus stops in the city area made by passengers. Owing to a new, practical use of this method, it was possible to build an efficient model characterizing the movement of flows of public transport passengers, and assess the degree of transferring (changing lines), thus making it possible to adapt the routes of buses to the needs of people using this particular means of transport, as well as to plot new communication lines.

The data analysis was performed using the Statistica statistical package and its SAL application, i.e. the algorithms used in Data Mining.
Spectral signatures of fluorescence and light absorption to identify crude oils found in the marine environment
Authors: Baszanowska E. , Otremba Z.
Published: August 2014

To protect the natural marine ecosystem, it is necessary to continuously enhance knowledge of environmental contamination, including oil pollution. Therefore, to properly track the qualitative and quantitative changes in the natural components of seawater, a description of the essential spectral features describing petroleum products is necessary.

This study characterises two optically-different types of crude oils (Petrobaltic and Romashkino) – substances belonging to multi-fluorophoric systems. To obtain the spectral features of crude oils, the excitation-emission spectroscopy technique was applied. The fluorescence and light absorption properties for various concentrations of oils at a stabilised temperature are described. Both excitation-emission spectra (EEMs) and absorption spectra of crude oils are discussed. Based on the EEM spectra, both excitation end emission peaks for the wavelength-independent fluorescence maximum (Exmax/Emmax) – characteristic points for each type of oil – were identified and compared with the literature data concerning typical marine chemical structures.
Magnetic resonance imaging in lumbar gunshot wounds: an absolute contraindication?
Authors: Martinez-del-Campo Eduardo , Rangel-Castilla Leonardo , Soriano-Baron Hector , Theodore Nicholas
Published: August 2014

Object

Performance of MR imaging in patients with gunshot wounds at or near the lumbar spinal canal is controversial. The authors reviewed the literature on the use of MR imaging in gunshot wounds to the spine. They discuss the results from in vitro and clinical studies, analyze the physical properties of common projectiles, and evaluate the safety and indications for MR imaging when metallic fragments are located near the spinal canal.

Methods

A review of the English-language literature was performed. Data from 25 articles were analyzed, including 5 in vitro studies of the interaction between 95 projectiles and the MR system's magnetic fields, and the clinical outcomes in 22 patients with metallic fragments at or near the spinal canal who underwent MR imaging.

Results

Properties of 95 civilian and military projectiles were analyzed at a magnet strength of 1, 1.5, 3, and 7 T. The most common projectiles were bullets with a core of lead, either with a copper jacket or unjacketed (73 [76.8%] of 95). Steel-containing (core or jacket) projectiles comprised 14.7%. No field interaction was evident in 78 (96.3%) of the 81 nonsteel projectiles. All steel projectiles showed at least positive deflection forces, longitudinal migration, or rotation. Heating of the projectiles was clinically insignificant. Image artifact was significant in all 9 steel bullets tested, but was not significant in 39 (88.6%) of the 44 nonsteel bullets tested. Overall, 22 patients with complete (82%) and incomplete (14%) spinal cord injury secondary to a projectile lodged inside the spinal canal underwent MR imaging. Discomfort and further physical or neurological deficits were not reported by any patient. Two patients with spinal cord injuries underwent MR imaging studies before surgical decompression and had subsequent, significant neurological improvement.

Conclusions

Metallic implants near or at the spinal canal are a relative contraindication for MR imaging. However, safe MR imaging might be feasible when a projectile's properties and a patient's individualized clinical presentation are considered.
Airborne Vertical Profiling of Mercury Speciation near Tullahoma, TN, USA
Authors: Brooks Steve , Ren Xinrong , Cohen Mark , Luke Winston , Kelley Paul , Artz Richard , Hynes Anthony , Landing William , Martos Borja
Published: August 2014

Atmospheric transport and in situ oxidation are important factors influencing mercury concentrations at the surface and wet and dry deposition rates. Contributions of both natural and anthropogenic processes can significantly impact burdens of mercury on local, regional and global scales. To address these key issues in atmospheric mercury research, airborne measurements of mercury speciation and ancillary parameters were conducted over a region near Tullahoma, Tennessee, USA, from August 2012 to June 2013. Here, for the first time, we present vertical profiles of Hg speciation from aircraft for an annual cycle over the same location. These airborne measurements included gaseous elemental mercury (GEM), gaseous oxidized mercury (GOM) and particulate bound mercury (PBM), as well as ozone (O3), sulfur dioxide (SO2), condensation nuclei (CN) and meteorological parameters. The flights, each lasting ~3 h, were conducted typically one week out of each month to characterize seasonality in mercury concentrations. Data obtained from 0 to 6 km altitudes show that GEM exhibited a relatively constant vertical profile for all seasons with an average concentration of 1.38 ± 0.17 ng∙m−3. A pronounced seasonality of GOM was observed, with the highest GOM concentrations up to 120 pg∙m−3 in the summer flights and lowest (0–20 pg∙m−3) in the winter flights. Vertical profiles of GOM show the maximum levels at altitudes between 2 and 4 km. Limited PBM measurements exhibit similar levels to GOM at all altitudes. HYSPLIT back trajectories showed that the trajectories for elevated GOM (>70 pg∙m−3) or PBM concentrations (>30 pg∙m−3) were largely associated with air masses coming from west/northwest, while events with low GOM (<20 pg∙m−3) or PBM concentrations (<5 pg∙m−3) were generally associated with winds from a wider range of wind directions. This is the first set of speciated mercury vertical profiles collected in a single location over the course of a year. Even though there are current concerns that the KCl denuders used in this study may under-collect GOM, especially in the presence of elevated ozone, the collected data in this region shows the strong seasonality of oxidized mercury concentrations throughout the low to middle free troposphere.
Tumor-Associated Macrophages as Major Players in the Tumor Microenvironment
Authors: Chanmee Theerawut , Ontong Pawared , Konno Kenjiro , Itano Naoki
Published: August 2014

During tumor progression, circulating monocytes and macrophages are actively recruited into tumors where they alter the tumor microenvironment to accelerate tumor progression. Macrophages shift their functional phenotypes in response to various microenvironmental signals generated from tumor and stromal cells. Based on their function, macrophages are divided broadly into two categories: classical M1 and alternative M2 macrophages. The M1 macrophage is involved in the inflammatory response, pathogen clearance, and antitumor immunity. In contrast, the M2 macrophage influences an anti-inflammatory response, wound healing, and pro-tumorigenic properties. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) closely resemble the M2-polarized macrophages and are critical modulators of the tumor microenvironment. Clinicopathological studies have suggested that TAM accumulation in tumors correlates with a poor clinical outcome. Consistent with that evidence, experimental and animal studies have supported the notion that TAMs can provide a favorable microenvironment to promote tumor development and progression. In this review article, we present an overview of mechanisms responsible for TAM recruitment and highlight the roles of TAMs in the regulation of tumor angiogenesis, invasion, metastasis, immunosuppression, and chemotherapeutic resistance. Finally, we discuss TAM-targeting therapy as a promising novel strategy for an indirect cancer therapy.
Chaos Synchronization Error Technique-Based Defect Pattern Recognition for GIS through Partial Discharge Signal Analysis
Authors: Chen Hung-Cheng , Yau Her-Terng , Chen Po-Yan
Published: August 2014

The work is aimed at using the chaos synchronization error dynamics (CSED) technique for defect pattern recognition in gas insulated switchgear (GIS). The radiated electromagnetic waves generated due to internal defects were measured by the self-made ultrahigh frequency (UHF) micro-strip antenna, so as to determine whether partial discharge will occur. Firstly, a data pretreatment is performed on the measured raw data for the purpose of computational burden reduction. A characteristic matrix is then constructed according to dynamic error trajectories in a chaos synchronization system, subsequent to which characteristics are extracted. A comparison with the existing Hilbert-Huang Transform (HHT) method reveals that the two characteristics extracted from the CSED results presented herein using the fractal theory were recognized at a higher rate pattern.
Mammalian Cytochrome P450-Dependent Metabolism of Polychlorinated Dibenzo-p-dioxins and Coplanar Polychlorinated Biphenyls
Authors: Inui Hideyuki , Itoh Toshimasa , Yamamoto Keiko , Ikushiro Shin-Ichi , Sakaki Toshiyuki
Published: August 2014

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and coplanar polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) contribute to dioxin toxicity in humans and wildlife after bioaccumulation through the food chain from the environment. The authors examined human and rat cytochrome P450 (CYP)-dependent metabolism of PCDDs and PCBs. A number of human CYP isoforms belonging to the CYP1 and CYP2 families showed remarkable activities toward low-chlorinated PCDDs. In particular, human CYP1A1, CYP1A2, and CYP1B1 showed high activities toward monoCDDs, diCDDs, and triCDDs but no detectable activity toward 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (2,3,7,8-tetraCDD). Large amino acids located at putative substrate-recognition sites and the F-G loop in rat CYP1A1 contributed to the successful metabolism of 2,3,7,8-tetraCDD. Rat, but not human, CYP1A1 metabolized 3,3',4,4',5-pentachlorobiphenyl (CB126) to two hydroxylated metabolites. These metabolites are probably less toxic than is CB126, due to their higher solubility. Homology models of human and rat CYP1A1s and CB126 docking studies indicated that two amino acid differences in the CB126-binding cavity were important for CB126 metabolism. In this review, the importance of CYPs in the metabolism of dioxins and PCBs in mammals and the species-based differences between humans and rats are described. In addition, the authors reveal the molecular mechanism behind the binding modes of dioxins and PCBs in the heme pocket of CYPs.
Association between Phosphatase Related Gene Variants and Coronary Artery Disease: Case-Control Study and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Han Xia , Zhang Lijun , Zhang Zhiqiang , Zhang Zengtang , Wang Jianchun , Yang Jun , Niu Jiamin
Published: August 2014

Recent studies showed that the serum alkaline phosphatase is an independent predictor of the coronary artery disease (CAD). In this work, we aimed to summarize the association between three phosphatase related single nucleotide polymorphisms (rs12526453, rs11066301 and rs3828329) and the risk of CAD in Han Chinese. Our results showed that the rs3828329 of the ACP1 gene was closely related to the risk of CAD in Han Chinese (OR = 1.45, p = 0.0006). This significant association of rs3828329 with CAD was only found in the females (Additive model: OR = 1.80, p = 0.001; dominant model: OR = 1.69, p = 0.03; recessive model: OR = 1.96, p = 0.0008). Moreover, rs3828329 was likely to exert its effect in females aged 65 years and older (OR = 2.27, p = 0.001). Further meta-analyses showed that the rs12526453 of PHACTR11 gene (OR = 1.14, p < 0.0001, random-effect method) and the rs11066301 of PTPN11 gene (OR = 1.15, p < 0.0001, fixed-effects method) were associated with CAD risk in multiple populations. Our results showed that the polymorphisms rs12526453 and rs11066301 are significantly associated with the CAD risk in multiple populations. The rs3828329 of ACP1 gene is also a risk factor of CAD in Han Chinese females aged 65 years and older.
Driving Forces in Archetypical Land-Use Changes in a Mountainous Watershed in East Asia
Authors: Kim Ilkwon , Le Quang , Park Soo , Tenhunen John , Koellner Thomas
Published: August 2014

Identifying patterns and drivers of regional land use changes is crucial for supporting land management and planning. Doing so for mountain ecosystems in East Asia, such as the So-yang River Basin in South Korea, has until now been a challenge because of extreme social and ecological complexities. Applying the techniques of geographic information systems (GIS) and statistical modeling via multinomial logistic regression (MNL), we attempted to examine various hypothesized drivers of land use changes, over the period 1980 to 2000. The hypothesized drivers included variables of topography, accessibility, spatial zoning policies and neighboring land use. Before the inferential statistic analyses, we identified the optimal neighborhood extents for each land use type. The two archetypical sub-periods, i.e., 1980–1990 with agricultural expansions and 1990–2000 with reforestation, have similar causal drivers, such as topographic factors, which are related to characteristics of mountainous areas, neighborhood land use, and spatial zoning policies, of land use changes. Since the statistical models robustly capture the mutual effects of biophysical heterogeneity, neighborhood characteristics and spatial zoning regulation on long-term land use changes, they are valuable for developing coupled models of social-ecological systems to simulate land use and dependent ecosystem services, and to support sustainable land management.
One-Dimensional Organic-Inorganic Nanocomposite Synthesized with Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube Templates
Authors: Li Wei , Wei Aili , Zhang Huaiping , Kim Dojin
Published: August 2014

This study reports on single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) as templates for the preparation of 1D porous organic-inorganic hybrid composites. The in situ deposited SWCNT were sputter coated with Sn metal and thermally oxidized in air to form a SnO2/SWCNT nanowire framework on SiO2/Si substrate. Poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) was coated onto this scaffold through UV light-induced radical polymerization, which resulted in the final formation of hybrid composites. The structures of hybrid composites were investigated by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, infrared spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy. The results show that PAA was successfully coated and the structural advantage of nanowire was fairly maintained, which indicates that this framework is very stable for organic functionalization in solution. The simplicity of this method for the formation of porous organic-inorganic hybrid composites provides a potential application for nanoelectronic devices.
A Significant Inhibitory Effect on Advanced Glycation End Product Formation by Catechin as the Major Metabolite of Lotus Seedpod Oligomeric Procyanidins
Authors: Wu Qian , Li Shuyi , Li Xiaopeng , Fu Xiaoyan , Sui Yong , Guo Tingting , Xie Bijun , Sun Zhida
Published: August 2014

Several lines of evidence suggested that B-type procyanidin oligomers from lotus seedpod (LSOPC) may effectively modulate the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs). In vivo, LSOPC is metabolized by intestinal flora to become various kinds of phenolic compounds that possess potent antioxidant activities. However, few reports of the absorption and metabolism of LSOPC have been revealed. In the present study, rats were orally administered with LSOPC at a dose of 300 mg/kg body weight. The metabolites of LSOPC in urine were elucidated by HPLC-MS/MS analysis 24 h post-administration. Eight major metabolites were significantly increased by the administration of 300 mg/kg of LSOPC (p < 0.01). The anti-glycative activity of LSOPC and its metabolites were investigated. The results showed that LSOPC and catechin had greater anti-glycative activities than other metabolites, which were positively correlated to their carbonyl scavenging activities and antioxidant capacities.
IPA Analysis of Cervicovaginal Fluid from Precancerous Women Points to the Presence of Biomarkers for the Precancerous State of Cervical Carcinoma
Authors: Van Ostade Xaveer , Dom Martin , Van Raemdonck Geert
Published: August 2014

Despite large gaps in our knowledge on the intracellular mechanism leading to cervical cancer, the pathways induced by oncogenic high-risk Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) and those finally causing cervical cancer are increasingly being unraveled. Assuming that precancerous tissue is recognized and lysed by the immune system—which is in many cases incomplete because of the counteraction by the HPV virus—we hypothesize that several intracellular factors, involved in induction and development of precancerous lesions and/or cervical cancer are being released into the cervicovaginal fluid (CVF). These factors can then be seen as markers for the precancerous state, and when they persist they are indicative for an increased risk for cervical carcinoma. In a previous study, we analyzed the proteomic profiles of six CVF samples from women with different stages of precancerous lesions and compared these with the CVF proteomes from healthy women. Here, we extend these observations by investigating these proteomes by Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA). We show that proteins in CVF from precancerous women are clearly more involved in pathways that make up the ‘hallmarks of cancer’, as compared to CVF proteins from healthy persons. Moreover, after literature search, proteins classified by IPA in the ‘cancer’ category, were more correlated with cervical cancer when they originated from CVF from precancerous women. Many of these proteins formed a network with angiotensin II as central mediator. The search for ‘network biomarkers’, rather than single biomarkers, could drastically increase specificity, sensitivity and prognostic value of cervical cancer diagnosis, making use of an easy to handle fluid, the CVF.
The Liturgical Use of the Organ in the Sixteenth Century: the Judgments of Cajetan and the Dominican Order
Authors: O'Connor Michael
Published: August 2014

This paper explores the liturgical use of the organ in the sixteenth century according to the judgments of Tommaso de Vio, Cajetan (1469–1534) and the Dominicans. In particular, it asks the question: In worship, is solo organ music capable of conveying a specific meaning or a particular text (as seemed to be expected in alternatim practice)? The Dominican sources show an increasingly skeptical attitude, with a consequent tendency to limit the organ’s role in worship. The implication of this study is that organ alternatim did not fall out of favor (with the Dominicans at least) because it failed to carry out the job it was given in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, but because it could not do the new job is was given in the sixteenth century. Organ alternatim made sense in a gothic worldview, but less so under the influence of renaissance humanism. While these Dominicans accepted the use of the organ, they did so with great concern at the potential influx of secular music into worship, since secular melodies and rhythms, even without their original words, bring multiple inappropriate associations. To remedy this, various strategies were used to harness instrumental music to text.
Estimation of Reservoir Discharges from Lake Nasser and Roseires Reservoir in the Nile Basin Using Satellite Altimetry and Imagery Data
Authors: Muala Eric , Mohamed Yasir , Duan Zheng , Van der Zaag Pieter
Published: August 2014

This paper presents the feasibility of estimating discharges from Roseires Reservoir (Sudan) for the period from 2002 to 2010 and Aswan High Dam/Lake Nasser (Egypt) for the periods 1999–2002 and 2005–2009 using satellite altimetry and imagery with limited in situ data. Discharges were computed using the water balance of the reservoirs. Rainfall and evaporation data were obtained from public domain data sources. In situ measurements of inflow and outflow (for validation) were obtained, as well. The other water balance components, such as the water level and surface area, for derivation of the change of storage volume were derived from satellite measurements. Water levels were obtained from Hydroweb for Roseires Reservoir and Hydroweb and Global Reservoir and Lake Monitor (GRLM) for Lake Nasser. Water surface areas were derived from Landsat TM/ETM+ images using the Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI). The water volume variations were estimated by integrating the area-level relationship of each reservoir. For Roseires Reservoir, the water levels from Hydroweb agreed well with in situ water levels (RMSE = 0.92 m; R2 = 0.96). Good agreement with in situ measurements were also obtained for estimated water volume (RMSE = 23%; R2 = 0.94) and computed discharge (RMSE = 18%; R2 = 0.98). The accuracy of the computed discharge was considered acceptable for typical reservoir operation applications. For Lake Nasser, the altimetry water levels also agreed well with in situ levels, both for Hydroweb (RMSE = 0.72 m; R2 = 0.81) and GRLM (RMSE = 0.62 m; R2 = 0.96) data. Similar agreements were also observed for the estimated water volumes (RMSE = 10%–15%). However, the estimated discharge from satellite data agreed poorly with observed discharge, Hydroweb (RMSE = 70%; R2 = 0.09) and GRLM (RMSE = 139%; R2 = 0.36). The error could be attributed to the high sensitivity of discharge to errors in storage volume because of the immense reservoir compared to inflow/outflow series. It may also be related to unaccounted spills into the Toshka Depression, overestimation of water inflow and errors in open water evaporation. Therefore, altimetry water levels and satellite imagery data can be used as a source of information for monitoring the operation of Roseires Reservoir with a fairly low uncertainty, while the errors of Lake Nasser are too large to allow for the monitoring of its operation.
Design and Implementation of a RF Powering Circuit for RFID Tags or Other Batteryless Embedded Devices
Authors: Liu Dongsheng , Wang Rencai , Yao Ke , Zou Xuecheng , Guo Liang
Published: August 2014

A RF powering circuit used in radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags and other batteryless embedded devices is presented in this paper. The RF powering circuit harvests energy from electromagnetic waves and converts the RF energy to a stable voltage source. Analysis of a NMOS gate-cross connected bridge rectifier is conducted to demonstrate relationship between device sizes and power conversion efficiency (PCE) of the rectifier. A rectifier with 38.54% PCE under normal working conditions is designed. Moreover, a stable voltage regulator with a temperature and voltage optimizing strategy including adoption of a combination resistor is developed, which is able to accommodate a large input range of 4 V to 12 V and be immune to temperature variations. Latch-up prevention and noise isolation methods in layout design are also presented. Designed with the HJTC 0.25 μm process, this regulator achieves 0.04 mV/°C temperature rejection ratio (TRR) and 2.5 mV/V voltage rejection ratio (VRR). The RF powering circuit is also fabricated in the HJTC 0.25 μm process. The area of the RF powering circuit is 0.23 × 0.24 mm2. The RF powering circuit is successfully integrated with ISO/IEC 15693-compatible and ISO/IEC 14443-compatible RFID tag chips.
Implantable Impedance Plethysmography
Authors: Theodor Michael , Ruh Dominic , Ocker Martin , Spether Dominik , Förster Katharina , Heilmann Claudia , Beyersdorf Friedhelm , Manoli Yiannos , Zappe Hans , Seifert Andreas
Published: August 2014

We demonstrate by theory, as well as by ex vivo and in vivo measurements that impedance plethysmography, applied extravascularly directly on large arteries, is a viable method for monitoring various cardiovascular parameters, such as blood pressure, with high accuracy. The sensor is designed as an implant to monitor cardiac events and arteriosclerotic progression over the long term.
Liquid Seal for Temperature Sensing with Fiber-Optic Refractometers
Authors: Xu Ben , Li Jianqing , Li Yi , Xie Jianglei , Dong Xinyong
Published: August 2014

Liquid sealing is an effective method to convert a fiber-optic refractometer into a simple and highly sensitive temperature sensor. A refractometer based on the thin-core fiber modal interferometer is sealed in a capillary tube filled with Cargille oil. Due to the thermo-optic effect of the sealing liquid, the high refractive-index sensitivity refractometer is subsequently sensitive to the ambient temperature. It is found that the liquid-sealed sensor produces a highest sensitivity of −2.30 nm/°C, which is over 250 times higher than its intrinsic sensitivity before sealing and significantly higher than that of a grating-based fiber sensors. The sensing mechanisms, including the incidental temperature-induced strain effect, are analyzed in detail both theoretically and experimentally. The liquid sealing technique is easy and low cost, and makes the sensor robust and insensitive to the surrounding refractive index. It can be applied to other fiber-optic refractometers for temperature sensing.