bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Beyond Race and Gender
Authors: Baker Tamara A. , Roker Rosalyn , Collins Heather R. , Johnson-Lawrence Vicki , Thorpe Roland J. , Mingo Chivon A. , Vasquez Elizabeth
Published: January 2016

There are a number of factors that influence compliance with prescribed plans of care. However, there remains a need to identify the collective source health, behavioral, and social constructs have on treatment satisfaction. This study aimed to identify indicators of pain treatment satisfaction among older adults receiving outpatient treatment from a comprehensive cancer center in the southeast region of the United States. Data included a sample of 149 Black and White patients diagnosed with cancer, with the majority being White (85%) and female (57%). Patients were surveyed on questions assessing pain treatment satisfaction, pain severity, and additional social characteristics. A series of multivariate models were specified, whereby patients reporting multiple chronic conditions, poor communication, and perceived discrimination were less satisfied with treatment. Positive communication, higher self-efficacy, and fewer perceived discriminatory acts were significant among the female patients only. These findings suggest the need to develop clinical models that assess how these factors influence the degree of treatment satisfaction, while providing a comprehensive mechanism by which to service the long-term needs of older adults.
HIF-1α regulates the interaction of chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells with the tumor microenvironment
Authors: Valsecchi Roberta , Coltella Nadia , Belloni Daniela , Ponente Manfredi , ten Hacken Elisa , Scielzo Cristina , Scarfò Lydia , Bertilaccio Maria Teresa Sabrina , Brambilla Paola , Lenti Elisa , Martinelli Boneschi Filippo , Brendolan Andrea , Ferrero Elisabetta , Ferrarini Marina , Ghia Paolo , Tonon Giovanni , Ponzoni Maurilio , Caligaris-Cappio Federico , Bernardi Rosa
Published: January 2016

Key Points

HIF-1α critically regulates the interaction of neoplastic CLL cells with the leukemic microenvironment. HIF-1α is regulated at the transcriptional level in CLL patients and correlates with CXCR4 expression.
The ubiquitin ligase HERC4 mediates c-Maf ubiquitination and delays the growth of multiple myeloma xenografts in nude mice
Authors: Zhang Zubin , Tong Jiefei , Tang Xiaowen , Juan Jiaxiang , Cao Biyin , Hurren Rose , Chen Guodong , Taylor Paul , Xu Xin , Shi Chang-xin , Du Juan , Hou Jian , Wang Guanghui , Wu Depei , Stewart A. Keith , Schimmer Aaron D. , Moran Michael F. , Mao Xinliang
Published: January 2016

Key Points

HERC4 is the first identified ubiquitin ligase that mediates c-Maf ubiquitination and degradation. HERC4 suppresses MM cell proliferation and delays MM tumor growth.
A subset of high-titer anti–factor VIII A2 domain antibodies is responsive to treatment with factor VIII
Authors: Eubanks Joshua , Baldwin W. Hunter , Markovitz Rebecca , Parker Ernest T. , Cox Courtney , Kempton Christine L. , Meeks Shannon L.
Published: January 2016

Key Points

Discrepancies exist between inhibitor titer and bleeding phenotype in anti-fVIII antibodies. A subset of high-titer type 2 anti-A2 inhibitors can be treated with fVIII.
Inhibition of the PI3K–Akt and mTORC1 signaling pathways promotes the elongation of vascular endothelial cells
Authors: Tsuji-Tamura Kiyomi , Ogawa Minetaro
Published: January 2016

Endothelial cell morphology needs to be properly regulated during angiogenesis. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) induces endothelial cell elongation, which promotes sprouting of pre-existing vessels. However, therapeutic angiogenesis using VEGF has been hampered by side effects such as elevated vascular permeability. Here, we attempted to induce endothelial cell elongation without an overdose of VEGF. By screening a library of chemical inhibitors, we identified phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)–Akt pathway inhibitors and mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) inhibitors as potent inducers of endothelial cell elongation. The elongation required VEGF at a low concentration, which was insufficient to elicit the same effect by itself. The elongation also depended on Foxo1, a transcription factor indispensable for angiogenesis. Interestingly, the Foxo1 dependency of the elongation was overridden by inhibition of mTORC1, but not by PI3K–Akt, under stimulation by a high concentration of VEGF. Dual inhibition of mTORC1 and mTORC2 failed to induce cell elongation, revealing mTORC2 as a positive regulator of elongation. Our findings suggest that the PI3K–Akt–Foxo1 and mTORC1–mTORC2 pathways differentially regulate endothelial cell elongation, depending on the microenvironmental levels of VEGF.
SHIP2 controls plasma membrane PI(4,5)P2 thereby participating in the control of cell migration in 1321 N1 glioblastoma cells
Authors: Elong Edimo William's , Ghosh Somadri , Derua Rita , Janssens Veerle , Waelkens Etienne , Vanderwinden Jean-Marie , Robe Pierre , Erneux Christophe
Published: January 2016

Phosphoinositides, particularly phosphatidylinositol (3,4,5)-trisphosphate [PI(3,4,5)P3] and phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate [PI(4,5)P2], are recognized by SHIP2 (also known as INPPL1) a member of the inositol polyphosphate 5-phosphatase family. SHIP2 dephosphorylates PI(3,4,5)P3 to form PI(3,4)P2; the latter interacts with specific target proteins (e.g. lamellipodin). Although the preferred SHIP2 substrate is PI(3,4,5)P3, PI(4,5)P2 can also be dephosphorylated by this enzyme to phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate (PI4P). Through depletion of SHIP2 in the glioblastoma cell line 1321 N1, we show that SHIP2 inhibits cell migration. In different glioblastoma cell lines and primary cultures, SHIP2 staining at the plasma membrane partly overlaps with PI(4,5)P2 immunoreactivity. PI(4,5)P2 was upregulated in SHIP2-deficient N1 cells as compared to control cells; in contrast, PI4P was very much decreased in SHIP2-deficient cells. Therefore, SHIP2 controls both PI(3,4,5)P3 and PI(4,5)P2 levels in intact cells. In 1321 N1 cells, the PI(4,5)P2-binding protein myosin-1c was identified as a new interactor of SHIP2. Regulation of PI(4,5)P2 and PI4P content by SHIP2 controls 1321 N1 cell migration through the organization of focal adhesions. Thus, our results reveal a new role of SHIP2 in the control of PI(4,5)P2, PI4P and cell migration in PTEN-deficient glioblastoma 1321 N1 cells.
Activator of G-protein signaling 8 is involved in VEGF-mediated signal processing during angiogenesis
Authors: Hayashi Hisaki , Al Mamun Abdullah , Sakima Miho , Sato Motohiko
Published: January 2016

Activator of G-protein signaling 8 (AGS8, also known as FNDC1) is a receptor-independent accessory protein for the Gβγ subunit, which was isolated from rat heart subjected to repetitive transient ischemia with the substantial development of collaterals. Here, we report the role of AGS8 in vessel formation by endothelial cells. Knockdown of AGS8 by small interfering RNA (siRNA) inhibited vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-induced tube formation, as well as VEGF-stimulated cell growth and migration. VEGF stimulated the phosphorylation of the VEGF receptor-2 (VEGFR-2, also known as KDR), ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK; however, knockdown of AGS8 inhibited these signaling events. Signal alterations by AGS8 siRNA were associated with a decrease of cell surface VEGFR-2 and an increase of VEGFR-2 in the cytosol. Endocytosis blockers did not influence the decrease of VEGFR-2 by AGS8 siRNA, suggesting the involvement of AGS8 in VEGFR-2 trafficking to the plasma membrane. VEGFR-2 formed a complex with AGS8 in cells, and a peptide designed to disrupt AGS8–Gβγ interaction inhibited VEGF-induced tube formation. These data suggest a potential role for AGS8–Gβγ in VEGF signal processing. AGS8 might play a key role in tissue adaptation by regulating angiogenic events.
Insights into the mechanisms of RNA secondary structure destabilization by the HIV-1 nucleocapsid protein
Authors: Belfetmi Anissa , Zargarian Loussiné , Tisné Carine , Sleiman Dona , Morellet Nelly , Lescop Ewen , Maskri Ouerdia , René Brigitte , Mély Yves , Fossé Philippe , Mauffret Olivier
Published: January 2016

The mature HIV-1 nucleocapsid protein NCp7 (NC) plays a key role in reverse transcription facilitating the two obligatory strand transfers. Several properties contribute to its efficient chaperon activity: preferential binding to single-stranded regions, nucleic acid aggregation, helix destabilization, and rapid dissociation from nucleic acids. However, little is known about the relationships between these different properties, which are complicated by the ability of the protein to recognize particular HIV-1 stem–loops, such as SL1, SL2, and SL3, with high affinity and without destabilizing them. These latter properties are important in the context of genome packaging, during which NC is part of the Gag precursor. We used NMR to investigate destabilization of the full-length TAR (trans activating response element) RNA by NC, which is involved in the first strand transfer step of reverse transcription. NC was used at a low protein:nucleotide (nt) ratio of 1:59 in these experiments. NMR data for the imino protons of TAR identified most of the base pairs destabilized by NC. These base pairs were adjacent to the loops in the upper part of the TAR hairpin rather than randomly distributed. Gel retardation assays showed that conversion from the initial TAR–cTAR complex to the fully annealed form occurred much more slowly at the 1:59 ratio than at the higher ratios classically used. Nevertheless, NC significantly accelerated the formation of the initial complex at a ratio of 1:59.
The World Hip Trauma Evaluation Study 3
Authors: Sims A. L. , Parsons N. , Achten J. , Griffin X. L. , Costa M. L. , Reed M. R.
Published: January 2016

Background

Approximately half of all hip fractures are displaced intracapsular fractures. The standard treatment for these fractures is either hemiarthroplasty or total hip arthroplasty. The recent National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance on hip fracture management recommends the use of ‘proven’ cemented stem arthroplasty with an Orthopaedic Device Evaluation Panel (ODEP) rating of at least 3B (97% survival at three years). The Thompsons prosthesis is currently lacking an ODEP rating despite over 50 years of clinical use, likely due to the paucity of implant survival data. Nationally, adherence to these guidelines is varied as there is debate as to which prosthesis optimises patient outcomes.

Design

This study design is a multi-centre, multi-surgeon, parallel, two arm, standard-of-care pragmatic randomised controlled trial. It will be embedded within the WHiTE Comprehensive Cohort Study (ISRCTN63982700). The main analysis is a two-way equivalence comparison between Hemi-Thompson and Hemi-Exeter polished taper with Unitrax head. Secondary outcomes will include radiological leg length discrepancy measured as per Bidwai and Willett, mortality, re-operation rate and indication for re-operation, length of index hospital stay and revision at four months. This study will be supplemented by the NHFD (National Hip Fracture Database) dataset.

Discussion

Evidence on the optimum choice of prosthesis for hemiarthroplasty of the hip is lacking. National guidance is currently based on expert opinion rather than empirical evidence. The incidence of hip fracture is likely to continue to increase and providing high quality evidence on the optimum treatment will improve patient outcomes and have important health economic implications. Cite this article: A. L. Sims. The World Hip Trauma Evaluation Study 3: Hemiarthroplasty Evaluation by Multicentre Investigation – WHITE 3: HEMI – An Abridged Protocol. Bone Joint Res 2016;5:18–25. doi: 10.1302/2046-3758.51.2000473
Media evolution and ‘epi-technic’ digital media: Media as cultural selection mechanisms
Authors: Olesen Mogens
Published: January 2016

The explosive development of new digital media technologies is often described as a media evolution but hardly ever is the concept of ‘media evolution’ taken at face value. This article takes up that challenge by combining cultural evolution theories with medium theory. The article argues that biological selection mechanisms can provide an inroad into a new kind of historical and structural understanding of the relation between human culture and our technologies. In specific, human history is seen as a cultural evolution in which media technologies are the selection mechanisms.
Terrorism as spectacle: It’s all for the audience
Authors: Matusitz Jonathan
Published: January 2016

This paper analyses terrorism from the framework of ‘spectacle’ (Debord, 1995). In this context, ‘spectacle’ is a historical event that looks like a political drama, theatre, or even a play. The September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks were played out as a script, mise en scène, and choreography. Terrorism can be a disaster or horror movie. This is made possible thanks to around-the-clock news and media images. Of particular importance is the ability of terrorism to command the audience’s gaze. As a spectacle, a terrorist act becomes a type of theatre; it is a performance to be seen. Electronic communications (television in particular) allow the immediate worldwide exposure of the terrorist spectacle. The purpose is to plant images – usually gory and frightening – in the audience’s collective memory. These images are seen, recorded, and usually unforgettable. The spectacle, then, becomes a ‘Culture of Terror’ (media images of horror and destruction).
Lucretius’ De Rerum Natura: A media ecological template
Authors: Macdougall Robert C.
Published: January 2016

Titus Lucretius Carus, or simply Lucretius (~94–55 bce), wrote the epic philosophical poem De Rerum Natura (common translation: On the Nature of Things, On the Nature of the Universe or The Way Things Are). The poem is an early scientific treatise, a classic example of grammar-as-interpretation that added some needed nuance to the rigid determinism of Democritus’ atomistic ontology and, more generally, promised to enlighten popular understanding of Epicurean philosophical doctrine. Key passages in Lucretius’ poem pre-empt several core precepts of media ecology, including the indeterminacy of causal explanation that amounts to a ‘soft’ form of determinism (i.e. ‘medium theory’) in both the natural and human-built worlds, whereby the formal properties of things offer clues to their causal potency, or capacity to effect change. It can be argued, by extension, that the media ecological emphasis on formal cause as the primary mechanism governing change also has roots in Lucretius’ epic poem.
Furthur!: Timothy Leary’s media ecology
Authors: Berdayes Vicente
Published: January 2016

This article outlines Timothy Leary’s relationship with the field of media ecology. Leary’s well-known promotion of psychedelics is shown to relate to his broader interest in using technologies to enhance human abilities. Explicitly influenced by Marshall McLuhan, Leary’s ideas were framed in reference to an informationbased evolutionary cosmology in which new media facilitate freedom by augmenting cognition and breaking down oppressive institutions. Leary’s efforts to give these ideas practical expression also led to innovative experiments with media, including contributions to 1960s-era sound and light shows, spoken word performances and software programs still in use today. As a media theorist and practitioner as well as unequivocal champion of cognitive and social freedom, Leary deserves to be recognized as an iconic member of the media ecological tradition.
Yuri Lotman’s cultural semiotics as a contribution to media ecology
Authors: Novikova Anna A. , Chumakova Varvara P.
Published: January 2016

The article is devoted to the scientific legacy of a famous Soviet literary and culture scholar and semiotician, Yuri Lotman. Authors consider that many of Lotman’s ideas bring him together with the field of media ecology. Lotman’s cultural semiotics approach could in general be reduced to the formula ‘the medium is the text’. According to his studies the whole culture could be seen as a text that has interdependent ideas and structures. Lotman’s concept of the semiosphere, or dynamic inhomogeneous semiotic space, the cause and the result of culture, is analysed in the final part of the article. The main semiosphere features, which include two types of the text structure (binary and ternary) and two types of the cultural dynamics (progress and explosion), are depicted. We consider that the concept of the semiosphere is fruitful for further research of complicated and multilevel media environment.
Megamachines: From Mumford to Guattari
Authors: Genosko Gary
Published: January 2016

This article builds a resource base for an understanding of philosopher and analyst Félix Guattari’s urbanism. By reviewing his deployments of Lewis Mumford’s concept of megamachines, and detailing his rejection of humanism and positive assessments of human–machine entanglements, I show that Guattari’s sense of the urban is defined as a machine that produces different kinds of subjectivities within an animistic assemblage of built structures. Further cross-references are pursued between Mumford’s criticisms of Marshall McLuhan and Teilhard de Chardin, and the fertile technological overlap between McLuhan and Gilles Deleuze’s views of the screen in film and television. Guattari’s brand of post-humanism includes a recoded Mumfordian megamachine as a form of machinic enslavement that integrates humans–machines while downplaying the social dimension of subjugation.
Lights! Camera! Author! Authorship as Hollywood performance
Authors: Leitch Thomas
Published: January 2016

This article uses an intransitive model of adaptation, whereby texts adapt (themselves) rather than get adapted by others, to set adaptation, the tendency of texts to change to attract new audiences, against authorship, the tendency of other hands to constrain these changes through moral and legal sanctions. Although the conflict between adaptation and authorship may seem absolute, the Hollywood film-making industry, especially in its highly ambivalent treatment of writers, offers numerous possibilities for complicating the relationship between adaptation and authorship. The article considers the cases of Charles Dickens, William Faulkner and Charlie Chan to raise questions about authorship, and proposes a model of authorship as a collaborative, adaptive performance created, ratified and policed by the authorship industry rather than an existential fact.
Adaptation studies through screenwriting studies: Transitionality and the adapted screenplay
Authors: Sherry Jamie
Published: January 2016

This article explores the reasons why screenwriting and the adapted screenplay have been marginalized or ignored in adaptation studies, and, conversely, foregrounds processes of remediation that have been neglected by scholars of screenplay studies. It aims to question why both academia and audiences choose to compartmentalize the act of screenwriting, the screenplay text and the screenwriters themselves as existing on the periphery of film generally, and adaptation specifically. It also demonstrates the many ways that the fields of study of adaptation theory and screenplay theory can mutually benefit from sharing and overlapping ideas in a knowledge exchange concerning the liminality of the adapted screenplay. This is made possible thanks to notable progress made in recent years in both fields of study, particularly concerning authorship, intertextuality and industrial process of remediation. This approach will consider how the relationship between the adapted screenplay and film questions received notions of authorship in adaptation, and refocuses the reader on the many film practitioners involved in adaptation, of which the screenwriter is just one. In doing so, it will highlight the importance of this ‘liminal’ phase in order to transcend compare-contrast discourses. By analysing each of these elements of the adapted screenplay it will also become possible to consider aspects of adaptation that progress beyond preoccupations with source literature and/or the faithfulness of the adapted film text.
Jonathan Myerson’s The Canterbury Tales: The screenwriting sovereignty of animation
Authors: Wells Paul
Published: January 2016

This discussion explores the ways in which screenwriter, Jonathan Myerson, adapts the Prologue and six of Geoffrey Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales, for two 30-minute animated episodes, commissioned by the BBC in the United Kingdom, principally for educational broadcast. The analysis demonstrates how the distinctive characteristics of the animation vocabulary – metamorphosis, condensation, anthropomorphism, choreography, fabrication, performance, sound, etc. – are used as screenwriting tools, essentially distilling and translating Chaucer’s text into a concentrated visual dramaturgy. Myerson’s interpretation of the text fully exploits animation as a transubstantiation language in 2D and 3D, and enables animation to reveal and exemplify Chaucer’s wit, themes and outlook.
IVF affects embryonic development in a sex-biased manner in mice
Authors: Tan Kun , Wang Zhuqing , Zhang Zhenni , An Lei , Tian Jianhui
Published: January 2016

Increasing evidence indicates that IVF (IVF includes in vitro fertilization and culture) embryos and babies are associated with a series of health complications, and some of them show sex-dimorphic patterns. Therefore, we hypothesized that IVF procedures have sex-biased or even sex-specific effects on embryonic and fetal development. Here, we demonstrate that IVF-induced side effects show significant sexual dimorphic patterns from the pre-implantation to the prenatal stage. During the pre-implantation stage, female IVF embryos appear to be more vulnerable to IVF-induced effects, including an increased percentage of apoptosis (7.22±1.94 vs 0.71±0.76, P<0.01), and dysregulated expression of representative sex-dimorphic genes (Xist, Hprt, Pgk1 and Hsp70). During the mid-gestation stage, IVF males had a higher survival rate than IVF females at E13.5 (male:female=1.33:1), accompanied with a female-biased pregnancy loss. In addition, while both IVF males and females had reduced placental vasculogenesis/angiogenesis, the compensatory placental overgrowth was more evident in IVF males. During the late-gestation period, IVF fetuses had a higher sex ratio (male:female=1.48:1) at E19.5, and both male and female IVF placentas showed overgrowth. After birth, IVF males grew faster than their in vivo (IVO) counterparts, while IVF females showed a similar growth pattern with IVO females. The present study provides a new insight into understanding IVF-induced health complications during embryonic and fetal development. By understanding and minimizing these sex-biased effects of the IVF process, the health of IVF-conceived babies may be improved in the future.
The Association of Maternal Obesity and Diabetes With Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities
Authors: Li Mengying , Fallin M. Daniele , Riley Anne , Landa Rebecca , Walker Sheila O. , Silverstein Michael , Caruso Deanna , Pearson Colleen , Kiang Shannon , Dahm Jamie Lyn , Hong Xiumei , Wang Guoying , Wang Mei-Cheng , Zuckerman Barry , Wang Xiaobin
Published: January 2016

BACKGROUND:

Obesity and diabetes are highly prevalent among pregnant women in the United States. No study has examined the independent and combined effects of maternal prepregnancy obesity and maternal diabetes on the risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in parallel with other developmental disorders (DDs).

METHODS:

This study is based on 2734 children (including 102 ASD cases), a subset of the Boston Birth Cohort who completed at least 1 postnatal study visit at Boston Medical Center between 1998 and 2014. Child ASD and other DDs were based on physician diagnoses as documented in electronic medical records. Risks of ASD and other DDs were compared among 6 groups defined by maternal prepregnancy obesity and diabetes status by using Cox proportional hazard regression controlling for potential confounders.

RESULTS:

When examined individually, maternal prepregnancy obesity and pregestational diabetes (PGDM) were each associated with risk of ASD. When examined in combination, only mothers with obesity and PGDM (hazard ratio 3.91, 95% confidence interval 1.76–8.68) and those with obesity and gestational diabetes (hazard ratio 3.04, 95% confidence interval 1.21–7.63) had a significantly increased risk of offspring ASD. Intellectual disabilities (IDs), but not other DDs, showed a similar pattern of increased risk associated with combined obesity and PGDM. This pattern of risk was mostly accounted for by cases with co-occurring ASD and ID.

CONCLUSIONS:

Maternal prepregnancy obesity and maternal diabetes in combination were associated with increased risk for ASD and ID. ASD with ID may be etiologically distinct from ASD without ID.
A kórházi és az ambuláns kemoterápiában részesülő onkológiai betegek vénásthromboembolia-profilaxisának aktuális kérdései
Authors: Losonczy Hajna , Nagy Ágnes , Tar Attila
Published: January 2016

Cancer patients have a 2–7 fold increased risk of venous thromboembolism compared with the general population and, since 1990, this is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. This review summarizes the current knowledge on venous thromboembolism and cancer. Notably, the risk of venous thromboembolism varies depending on the type and stage of cancer. For instance, pancreatic and brain cancer patients have a higher risk of venous thromboembolism than breast and prostate cancer patients. Moreover, patients with metastatic disease have a higher risk than those with localized tumors. Tumor-derived procoagulant factors, cytokines and growth factors may directly and indirectly enhance venous thromboembolism. Chemotherapy produces ~6,5 fold increase in venous thromboembolism incidence in cancer patients compared to the general population. Prevention of this complication is challenging. The authors review the development of guidelines concerning venous thromboembolism prevention in hospitalized and also in ambulatory cancer patients treated with chemotherapy. Current guidelines recommend the use of low-molecular-weight heparin. Understanding the underlying mechanisms may allow the development of new therapies to safely prevent venous thromboembolism in cancer patients. Orv. Hetil., 2016, 157(6), 203–211.
Extreme Data Mining: Inference from Small Datasets
Authors: Andonie Răzvan
Published: January 2016

Neural networks have been applied successfully in many fields. However, satisfactory results can only be found under large sample conditions. When it comes to small training sets, the performance may not be so good, or the learning task can even not be accomplished. This deficiency limits the applications of neural network severely. The main reason why small datasets cannot provide enough information is that there exist gaps between samples, even the domain of samples cannot be ensured. Several computational intelligence techniques have been proposed to overcome the limits of learning from small datasets.
 We have the following goals: i. To discuss the meaning of "small" in the context of inferring from small datasets. ii. To overview computational intelligence solutions for this problem. iii. To illustrate the introduced concepts with a real-life application.
Improving a SVM Meta-classifier for Text Documents by using Naive Bayes
Authors: Morariu Daniel , Crețulescu Radu , Vințan Lucian
Published: January 2016

Text categorization is the problem of classifying text documents into a set of predefined classes. In this paper, we investigated two approaches: a) to develop a classifier for text document based on Naive Bayes Theory and b) to integrate this classifier into a meta-classifier in order to increase the classification accuracy. The basic idea is to learn a meta-classifier to optimally select the best component classifier for each data point. The experimental results show that combining classifiers can significantly improve the classification accuracy and that our improved meta-classification strategy gives better results than each individual classifier. For Reuters2000 text documents we obtained classification accuracies up to 93.87%
A Swarm Intelligence Approach to the Power Dispatch Problem
Authors: Secui Dinu Călin , Felea Ioan , Dzitac Simona , Popper Laurențiu
Published: January 2016

This paper examines how two techniques of the Particle Swarm Optimization method (PSO) can be used to solve the Economic Power Dispatch (EPD) problem. The mathematical model of the EPD is a nonlinear one, PSO algorithms being considered efficient in solving this kind of models. Also, PSO has been successfully applied in many complex optimization problems in power systems. The PSO techniques presented here are applied to three case studies, which analyze power systems having four, six, respectively twenty generating units.
Evaluation of genotoxic and cytotoxic effects of hydroalcoholic extract of Euphorbia tirucalli (Euphorbiaceae) in cell cultures of human leukocytes
Authors: Machado Michel M. , Oliveira Luis F.S. de , Zuravski Luisa , Souza Raul O. de , Fischer Paula , Duarte Jonathaline A. , Rocha Manoelly O. , Güez Camila M. , Boligon Aline A. , Athayde Margareth L.
Published: January 2016

ABSTRACT Euphorbia tirucalli (L.), commonly known as aveloz, has been indiscriminately used in popular medicine to treat various illnesses. However, some components can have devastating consequences. Injury to a cell's genetic material can cause mutations, cancer, and cell death. Our main goal in this work was to evaluate the genotoxic and cytotoxic effects of E. tirucalli extract on human leukocytes. For this purpose, we performed a phytochemical analysis to evaluate the plant's components. In the second step, we treated cultured human leukocytes with different concentrations of the dry extract of the plant and then evaluated the oxidative and genotoxic profiles of these leukocytes. We found that at 1% and 10% concentrations, the aveloz extract acted as a genotoxic agent that could damage DNA and increase oxidative damage. We conclude that despite its popular use, aveloz can act as a genotoxic agent, especially when it contains phorbol ester. Aveloz's indiscriminate use might actually promote tumors and therefore carry a considerable genetic risk for its users.
Integrated evaluation of the geology, aerogammaspectrometry and aeromagnetometry of the Sul-Riograndense Shield, southernmost Brazil
Authors: HARTMANN LÉO A. , LOPES WILLIAM R. , SAVIAN JAIRO F.
Published: January 2016

ABSTRACT An integrated evaluation of geology, aerogammaspectrometry and aeromagnetometry of the Sul-Riograndense Shield is permitted by the advanced stage of understanding of the geology and geochronology of the southern Brazilian Shield and a 2010 airborne geophysical survey. Gamma rays are registered from the rocks near the surface and thus describe the distribution of major units in the shield, such as the Pelotas batholith, the juvenile São Gabriel terrane, the granulite-amphibolite facies Taquarembó terrane and the numerous granite intrusions in the foreland. Major structures are also observed, e.g., the Dorsal de Canguçu shear. Magnetic signals register near surface crustal compositions (analytic signal) and total crust composition (total magnetic signal), so their variation as measured indicates either shallow or whole crustal structures. The Caçapava shear is outstanding on the images as is the magnetic low along the N-S central portion of the shield. These integrated observations lead to the deepening of the understanding of the largest and even detailed structures of the Sul-Riograndense Shield, some to be correlated to field geology in future studies. Most significant is the presence of different provinces and their limits depending on the method used for data acquisition - geology, aerogammaspectrometry or aeromagnetometry.
PRESERVATION OF PRIMARY FOREST CHARACTERISTICS DESPITE FRAGMENTATION AND ISOLATION IN A FOREST REMNANT FROM VIÇOSA, MG, BRAZIL1
Authors: Gastauer Markus , Sobral Marcos Eduardo Guerra , Meira-Neto João Augusto Alves
Published: January 2016

According to its owners, the Forest of Seu Nico (FSN) from the Viçosa municipality, Minas Gerais, Brazil, never has been logged and is therefore considered a primary forest. Nevertheless, the forest patch suffered impacts due to selective wood and non-timber extraction, fragmentation and isolation. Aim of this study was to test if the FSN, despite impacts, preserved characteristics of primary forests, which are elevated percentages of non-pioneer (>90%), animal-dispersed (>80 %), understory (>50%) and endemic species (~40%). For that, all trees with diameter at breast height equal or major than 3.2 cm within a plot of 100 x 100 m were identified. With 218 tree species found within this hectare, the FSN's species richness is outstanding for the region. The percentages of non-pioneer (92 %), animal-dispersed (85 %), understory (55 %) and endemic species (39.2 %) from the FSN fulfill the criteria proposed for primary forest. Therefore, we conclude that the FSN maintained its characteristics as a primary forest which highlights its importance for the conservation of biotic resources in the region, where similar fragments are lacking or not described yet.
VARIABILIDADE GENÉTICA EM PROGÊNIES DE MEIOS-IRMÃOS DE EUCALIPTOS PARA TOLERÂNCIA AO FRIO1
Authors: Moraes Cristiano Bueno de , Carvalho Edmar Vinícius de , Zimback Léo , Luz Otávio dos Santos Limeira , Pieroni Gustavo Bloise , Mori Edson Seizo , Leal Tarcísio Castro Alves de Barros
Published: January 2016

O objetivo deste estudo foi estimar os parâmetros genéticos quantitativos das progênies sob o efeito de geada, bem como determinar a interação genótipos x ambientes das progênies de Eucalyptus dunnii em dois locais de estudo. Os testes de progênies foram implantados em 2010, utilizando 20 progênies de polinização aberta de E. dunnii. Foram avaliados: altura de planta (ALT), diâmetro à altura do peito (DAP) e volume de madeira em metros cúbicos (VOL). Foram realizadas as análises estatísticas e descritivas, correlação fenotípica/genotípica por local e análise de variância conjunta, sendo estimados os parâmetros genéticos. Foram detectadas diferenças significativas (p≤0,05) entre progênies para as características silviculturais, o que sugere a possibilidade de melhoramento pela seleção. Pela análise conjunta, a interação progênies x ambientes (G x E) não apresentou diferença significativa, confirmando que as progênies superiores identificadas nos testes podem ser indicadas para ambos os locais. Os resultados de correlações genéticas e fenotípicas variaram de baixos a altos (0,23 a 1,0) para as características estudadas, sendo as correlações, em sua grande maioria, significativas (p≤0,05), em que o DAP foi altamente correlacionado com o VOL. A população, por apresentar alta variação genética e controle genético das características, permite a obtenção de ganhos com a seleção entre as progênies.
FOREST LITTER DECOMPOSITION AS AFFECTED BY EUCALYPTUS STAND AGE AND TOPOGRAPHY IN SOUTH-EASTERN BRAZIL1
Authors: Skorupa Alba Lucia Araujo , Barros Nairam Félix de , Neves Júlio César Lima
Published: January 2016

Forest litter decomposition is a major process in returning nutrients to soils and thus promoting wood productivity in the humid tropic. This study aimed to assess decomposition of eucalypt litter in the Rio Doce region, Brazil. Leaf litter was sampled under clonal eucalypt stands aged 2, 4 and 6 years on hillslopes and footslopes. Soil and soil+litter samples were incubated at two levels of soil moisture, temperature and fertilization. C-CO2 emissions from soil measured during 106 days were higher at 32 °C than at 23°C, mainly for the 2-yr-old stand on footslope. When leaf litter was added on soils, C-CO2 emissions were eight times higher, mainly on footslopes, with no effect of stand age. Leaf decomposition in situ, assessed with a litterbag experiment showed a mean weight loss of at least 50% during 365 days, reaching 74% for 2 yr-old stands on footslopes. In comparison with data from the native forest and the literature, no apparent restrictions were found in eucalypt litter decomposition. Differences between in vitro and in situ results, and between eucalypt and native forest, were most likely related to the response of diverse decomposer communities and to substrate quality.
ANÁLISE DO EFEITO DA SAZONALIDADE SOBRE O RENDIMENTO DO ÓLEO ESSENCIAL DAS FOLHAS DE Nectandra grandiflora Nees1
Authors: Silva Daniela Thomas da , Bianchini Nadia Helena , Amaral Lúcio de Paula , Longhi Solon Jonas , Heinzmann Berta Maria
Published: January 2016

Este estudo teve por objetivos avaliar o efeito da sazonalidade sobre o teor de óleo essencial (OE) presente nas folhas de Nectandra grandiflora Nees e determinar se a secagem do material vegetal à temperatura ambiente influencia o rendimento do OE. Para tanto, foi coletado material vegetal de 12 indivíduos ao longo de um ano, e o OE foi extraído separadamente de folhas frescas e folhas secas, pelo método de hidrodestilação. Paralelamente, 20 g de folhas frescas foram levados à estufa a 40 °C até peso constante, para determinação do teor de umidade, procedimento esse realizado para cada coleta, individualmente. O rendimento de OE das folhas (% m/m) foi calculado para o material vegetal fresco com base em massa de matéria seca, determinado considerando o teor de umidade, bem como para o material seco à temperatura ambiente. Os dados de rendimento foram analisados através do teste de Tukey (P<0,05). Os resultados mostraram que o teor de OE das folhas da espécie apresentou variabilidade sazonal, com a maior produção detectada na primavera (0,75 ± 0,06%). Esse valor foi estatisticamente diferente dos rendimentos encontrados nas outras estações do ano, sendo o menor rendimento obtido no inverno (0,39 ± 0,02%). Desse modo, indica-se que a coleta de folhas de N. grandiflora seja realizada durante a primavera, visando obter maior teor de OE. Adicionalmente, verificou-se que não há perda de teor OE durante o processo de secagem à temperatura ambiente e, dessa forma, esse procedimento pós-colheita poderá vir a ser adotado sem comprometer o rendimento do extrativo.
SENSIBILIDADE À DESSECAÇÃO DE EMBRIÕES DE Inga vera Willd. FORMADOS SOB DIFERENTES CONDIÇÕES AMBIENTAIS1
Authors: Lamarca Edmir Vicente , Barbedo Claudio Jose
Published: January 2016

Ingá, espécie nativa do Brasil utilizada na arborização urbana e em sistemas agroflorestais, tem sementes altamente sensíveis à dessecação. Essa sensibilidade pode ser condicionada pelas condições ambientais em que as sementes são formadas. Neste estudo, analisou-se o grau de sensibilidade à dessecação de embriões de ingá de origens distintas e formados sob diferentes condições ambientais. Os embriões foram obtidos de frutos maduros de matrizes em São Paulo e Minas Gerais e analisados quanto ao teor de água e conteúdo de massa de matéria seca no momento da dispersão e quanto ao grau de sensibilidade à dessecação. Os resultados confirmaram a hipótese de que a sensibilidade à dessecação não é totalmente predeterminada para as sementes de uma espécie e pode apresentar variações conforme a região de procedência. Verificou-se, ainda, que as condições do ambiente, principalmente temperatura do ar e disponibilidade hídrica, podem condicionar o ciclo de maturação, o grau de maturidade dos embriões após a dispersão dos frutos, a aquisição da tolerância à dessecação e a qualidade final dos embriões.
PARÂMETROS GENÉTICOS PARA A CAPACIDADE DE PROPAGAÇÃO DE Pinus taeda POR EMBRIOGÊNESE SOMÁTICA1
Authors: Dias Poliana Coqueiro , Xavier Aloisio , Resende Marcos Deon Vilela de , Biernaski Fabrício Antonio , Estopa Regiane Abjaud
Published: January 2016

Objetivou-se com este trabalho avaliar a capacidade de propagação de famílias dePinus taeda por embriogênese somática utilizando estimativas de parâmetros genéticos. Para a embriogênese somática, foram selecionados cones imaturos de 65 famílias-elite de Pinus taeda. O germoplasma utilizado para a implantação dos testes de campo foi composto por 238 clones de 31 famílias. O estudo foi realizado por meio de análise genetíoco-estatística pelo procedimento de estimação de componentes de variância via máxima verossimilhança residual (Reml) e de predição de valores genéticos via melhor predição linear não viesada (Blup), usando-se o software Selegen-Reml/Blup. De acordo com os resultados, a variabilidade genética possibilita ganhos genéticos altos pela seleção entre famílias, para os caracteres presença de embriões somáticos e número de clones por famílias dePinus taeda. Há baixa ou nenhuma correlação genética entre o número de clones propagados viaembriogênese somática e as características altura, diâmetro, sobrevivência e volume avaliados aos 4 anos de idade em testes clonais. Conclui-se que há maior ganho genético para a capacidade de propagação por embriogênese somática com a seleção de famílias de Pinus taeda.
CURSO DIÁRIO E SAZONAL DO POTENCIAL HÍDRICO FOLIAR DE MOGNO EM SISTEMAAGROFLORESTAL1
Authors: Morais Ronaldo Ribeiro de , Gonçalves José Francisco de Carvalho , Costa Joanne Régis , Ribeiro Glaudecy de Oliveira
Published: January 2016

Este trabalho objetivou avaliar o curso diário e sazonal do potencial hídrico foliar de mogno (Swietenia macrophylla King) (Meliaceae) em sistema agroflorestal (SAF). O experimento foi realizado em árvores de S. macrophylla plantadas num sistema agroflorestal instalado no Campo Experimental da Embrapa Amazônia Ocidental, Manaus, AM. Avaliou-se o potencial hídrico foliar (Ψf) dos cursos diário e sazonal nos anos 2004 e 2005, por meio da utilização de bomba de pressão tipo Scholander. Os resultados indicaram que os valores do Ψf de S. macrophylla, de modo geral, foram superiores no início da manhã e no final da tarde, com redução acentuada ao meio-dia, e que, em relação à sazonalidade de precipitação, as menores taxas foram reportadas para a época menos chuvosa, variando de -26 bar em 2004 para -31bar em 2005. Verificou-se que o potencial hídrico de Swietenia macrophylla em sistema agroflorestal sofreu reduções significativas em razão dos baixos índices pluviométricos entre junho e outubro de 2005.
MÉTODOS DE SUPERAÇÃO DE DORMÊNCIA DA SEMENTE DE NOGUEIRA-PECÃ Carya illinoinensis (Wangenh.) K. Koch1
Authors: Poletto Tales , Muniz Marlove Fátima Brião , Poletto Igor , Baggiotto Carine
Published: January 2016

A cultura da nogueira-pecã tem grande importância para a economia de vários municípios do Sul do Brasil. Entretanto, problemas como baixa porcentagem de germinação das sementes e irregularidade na emergência das plântulas trazem dificuldades no processo de propagação, decorrentes da influência do fenômeno da dormência. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar diferentes técnicas de superação da dormência de sementes de nogueira-pecã e o posterior desenvolvimento das plântulas. Para tanto, foram testados quatro diferentes métodos de superação de dormência, em que, nos tratamentos testemunhas, as sementes permaneceram em ambiente protegido sem qualquer tratamento; no método com escarificação, as sementes foram lixadas na parte apical no momento da semeadura e na estratificação, acomodadas em caixas com areia úmida e mantidas na temperatura de 4 ºC. Também foi testada a combinação escarificação e estratificação, simultaneamente. Os tratamentos foram compostos por 10 repetições de três sementes cada. Após cada período (30, 60 e 90 dias), as sementes foram semeadas em bandeja contendo substrato Mecplant® e mantidas a 25 ºC ± 2 ºC, sob fotoperíodo de 12 h. Avaliaram-se a altura da parte aérea, o diâmetro do colo, o número de folhas, a emergência total, o índice de velocidade de emergência, a biomassa seca, a área foliar e o comprimento da raiz pivotante. O melhor desenvolvimento de plântulas de nogueira-pecã, bem como sua emergência, foi observado no tratamento com estratificação por 90 dias e, quando combinadas escarificação mais estratificação, por 90 dias.
GRANULOMETRIC INFLUENCE ON THE COMBUSTION OF CHARCOAL FOR BARBECUE1
Authors: Dias Júnior Ananias Francisco , Brito José Otávio , Andrade Carlos Rogério
Published: January 2016

The present work analyzed characteristics of charcoal used for barbecue and mainly took interest in the influence of the granulometry in the combustion process. The material have been tested for four different grain size (8, 16, 32 and 50 mm) following a combustion test called combustion index (ICOMcv), which takes in consideration time processing, temperature generated and the mass consumed. The characterization of charcoal was done according to the following parameters, moisture, apparent density, grain density, volatile materials content, ash content, fixed carbon content and calorific value. The proofed charcoal presented standard indicators for use in barbecue and was noticed the relationship between granulometric analysis and the ICOMcv. The 16 mm grain size charcoal sample showed the best results for combustion. By contrast, the largest grain size sample presented lower results compared to the other samples. Thus, establishing unprecedented quantitative indicators in relation to those observed in practice, regarding the influence of grain size on the efficiency of combustion of the charcoal when used for barbecue.
INFLUENTIAL FACTORS IN SURFACE WATER QUALITY IN CATCHMENTS WITHIN THE PAMPA BIOME WITH DIFFERENT LAND USE1
Authors: Valente Mirian Lago , Cruz Jussara Cabral , Baggiotto Carine , Consensa Catarine Barcellos
Published: January 2016

The aim of this study was to identify, by multivariate statistical technique, the physic, chemical and biological variables that best characterize the quality of surface waters in two small rural catchments with different land uses (eucalyptus silviculture (SC) vs. pasture and extensive livestock (LC)) located in Rosário do Sul, RS - Brazil. Monitoring was conducted during the months of August 2011 to August 2012 and the following parameters were analyzed: Ca2+, Mg2+, K+, SO42-, Cl-, pH, electrical conductivity, turbidity, alkalinity, suspended and dissolved solids, biochemical oxygen demand , total coliforms, Escherichia coli and temperature, flow and rainfall. Through the use of FA/PCA, it was found that the model best fit to express water quality of in LC that was composed of five factors which account for 83.5% of the total variance, while for SC, four factors accounted for 85.12% of the variance. In LC, the five main factors were, respectively, soluble salts, diffuse pollution, solid, and both anthropogenic and organic factors. In SC, the four factors were namely: soluble salts, mineral, nutritional and diffuse pollution factors. The results of this study showed that by replacing the traditional soil usage (pasture and livestock) with planted forest, diffuse pollution was attenuated but, however, it did not result in major changes in the physical-chemical and biological characteristics of the water. Another point to note is that factorial analysis did not result in a large reduction in the number of variables, once the best model fit occurred with the addition of 15 of 18 analyzed variables (LC) and 17 of 18 analyzed variables (SC).