bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Interaction of metalloporphyrins with lipid bilayers, a calorimetric study
Authors: Pamin Katarzyna , Połtowicz Jan , Kiełkowicz Joanna , Hendrich Andrzej
Published: June 2012

Interaction of metalloporphyrins with lipid bilayers, a calorimetric study

The interaction of three metalloporphyrins, containing manganese, iron and cobalt atoms, with lipid bilayers composed of neutral (DPPC) or charged (DMPG) phospholipids were studied by means of scanning differential calorimetry. We found only minute effects exerted by studied compounds on DPPC, while phase transitions of charged DMPG were seriously affected by porphyrins. Analysis of experimental data revealed that due to the electrostatic interactions DMPG bilayers are perturbed not only in the polar head group region. Putative rearrangements of the polar heads packing affects also the acyl chain region of this lipid bilayer. Perturbation of DMPG polar heads induced by porphyrin in complex with manganese atoms is bigger than that induced by other porphyrins.
Antioxidant potentials of polyphenolic extracts from leaves of trees and fruit bushes
Authors: Cyboran Sylwia , Bonarska-Kujawa Dorota , Kapusta Ireneusz , Oszmiański Jan , Kleszczyńska Halina
Published: June 2012

Antioxidant potentials of polyphenolic extracts from leaves of trees and fruit bushes

The aim of the work was to determine the antioxidant potential of extracts from leaves of strawberry, blackcurrant and apple in relation to lipids contained in the erythrocyte membrane. The studies performed have shown that the substances used protect membrane lipids against oxidation, clearly reducing the level of free radicals in erythrocyte ghosts suspension. The antioxidant activity of the substances studied follows the sequence: strawberry leaves > apple leaves > blackcurrant leaves. The results of the research on the antioxidant activity when confronted with the contents of polyphenols in the extracts indicates that the antioxidant potentials of the extracts depend both on the quantity and kind of individual polyphenols; in particular, on the kind and quantity of quercetin derivatives that constitute over 60 % of all the phenolic compounds. Moreover, the high antioxidant activity of the extracts may be also due to other, nonphenolic substances that occur in leaves. The extracts exhibit very good properties as free radical scavenges, and can thus be used as cheap, easily available, natural antioxidants in the industries where natural antioxidants in the form of fruit extracts have been used for long.
The effect of aclarubicin (acl) on human erythrocytes
Authors: Witczak Piotr , Marczak Agnieszka
Published: June 2012

The effect of aclarubicin (acl) on human erythrocytes

The present study examines the influence of aclarubicin (ACL) on human red blood cells with a focus on the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). A statistically significant increase in ROS levels was observed for all the tested concentrations of aclarubicin (1-20 nM). The depletion of catalase activity and elevated metHb content were also observed. On the other hand, changes in reduced glutathione (GSH) and total glutathione concentrations were not statistically significant. The presented results confirm important role of ROS in ACL cytotoxic activity.
Peptides conformational changes of the erythrocyte membrane induced by organometallic tin compounds
Authors: Żyłka Romuald , Kupiec Justyna , Przestalski Stanislaw
Published: June 2012

Peptides conformational changes of the erythrocyte membrane induced by organometallic tin compounds

The paper presents the results of a study on the effect of selected organic chlorides of tin on peptide conformations of erythrocyte ghosts from pig blood. The following compounds were used: dibutyltin dichloride (DBT), tributyltin chloride (TBT), diphenyltin dichloride (DPhT) and triphenyltin chloride (TPhT). Peptide conformation changes were determined on the basis of measurements done with the ATR FTIR technique. This method made it possible to measure the percent share of a peptide with specified conformation in the whole amount of the peptides in the membranes studied. The investigation showed that all the tin organic compounds studied cause a several-percent decrease in the quantities of both the peptides with the α-helix and turn conformation, and about a 20% increase in ghost peptides with β-sheet conformation. It seems that the changes observed can cause disturbances in the function of proteins and, consequently, the activity of the membrane; and this may be one of the aspects of the toxic properties of organotins.
Ultraweak luminescence of the Characeae plants under the circumstances of cyclical changes in temperature
Authors: Borc Robert , Dudziak Andrzej , Jaśkowska Anna
Published: June 2012

Ultraweak luminescence of theCharaceaeplants under the circumstances of cyclical changes in temperature

The study sought to measure ultraweak chemiluminescence (UWL) ofNitellopsis Obtusaplants with regards to temperature changes within the range from 4°C to 38°C. The temperature changes were being executed in reversible cycles. The variations of UWL intensity with temperature had an exponential character. In case when temperature was changed rapidly by 5°C every 20 min or fluently with rate of 0.17 °C/min we observed a temperature hysteresis loop in the first cycles and the loop character disappeared in the second cycles. When the temperature was being changed fluently but faster (1.3 °C/min) after 3 cycles (about 2 hours) the curves no longer manifested the loop character. This phenomenon can point that the plants adapted themselves to the temperature changes. We also observed a stimulation of UWL made in successful cycles. Our spectral experiments showed that the UWL may consist mainly of emission of the singlet oxygen sigma (762 nm) and induced emission of chlorophyll.
Interaction of plant alkaloid, berberine, with zwitterionic and negatively charged phospholipid bilayers
Authors: Gąsiorowska Justyna , Wesołowska Olga , Michalak Krystyna
Published: June 2012

Interaction of plant alkaloid, berberine, with zwitterionic and negatively charged phospholipid bilayers

Berberine exhibits many pharmacological activities e.g. antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative and apoptosis-inducing. Interaction of berberine with model membranes was studied for the first time using differential scanning calorimetry, fluorescence spectroscopy and turbidity measurements. Influence of berberine on thermotropic properties of bilayers formed from zwitterionic DMPC was insignificant, whereas in bilayers formed from negatively charged DMPG berberine reduced the temperature and cooperativity of main phospholipid phase transition. In higher concentrations berberine induced complex double-peak transition, with the new peak appearing in temperature higher than the original one. It suggested the interaction of the alkaloid with lipid headgroup region of the bilayer. Additionally, berberine quenched fluorescence of Prodan to a higher extent than Laurdan that pointed to stronger interaction with membrane segments close to its surface. Berberine-induced fluorescence quenching of both probes was more pronounced in DPPG than in DPPC bilayers. It was concluded that electrostatic interactions governed berberine association with model membrane.
Review - Flavins as photoreceptors of blue light and their spectroscopic properties
Authors: Grajek Hanna
Published: June 2012

Review - Flavins as photoreceptors of blue light and their spectroscopic properties

This review describes 1) the development of studies on flavin photoreceptors as blue light photoreceptors in many living organisms: their kinds and functions; 2) the studies on spectroscopic properties of flavins, both their dimers and monomers; 3) nonradiative excitation energy transport in the presence of monomers and fluorescent/nonflurescent FMN dimers (excitation traps). The existence equilibrated luminescent FMN centers, energy migration and excitation sink to FMN dimers are taken into account.
Educational Action Research to Generate Ecological Wisdom of Insight for Inclusion and Sustainability
Authors: Gedžūne Inga , Gedžūne Ginta , Skrinda Astrīda , Mičule Ilona
Published: June 2012

Educational Action Research to Generate Ecological Wisdom of Insight for Inclusion and Sustainability

This study relates the experience of educational action research with pre-service teachers aimed at exploring their views on ecological identity, which is considered the basis for a person's life activity, and its orientation towards inclusion in or exclusion from the global community of life. Through gradual opening of communicative space and participation in critical discourse, research participants became involved in the cycles of reflection on their experiences of interaction with the social and natural world to reveal the features of individual and collective ecological identity that they consider most characteristic for themselves and their community. The present study describes how, through exploration of ecological identity which was found to have four dimensions (cognitive, affective, axiological and conative) as well as a clearly perceived orientation towards apprehended belonging to the community of life and its support system, the participants of educational action research engaged in the process of generating ecological wisdom of insight for sustainability (person's inclusion in the living world based on inclusive interrelations with the global community of life and its support system). We argue that it is a wisdom that pre-service teachers need so as to be able to help their pupils become responsible members of the community of life and actors of change for a sustainable future.
Informing Society About Pre-School Education and Educational Support in the Context of Sustainable Development
Authors: Kazlauskiene Ausra , Gaucaite Ramute , Juodaityte Audrone
Published: June 2012

Informing Society About Pre-School Education and Educational Support in the Context of Sustainable Development

Society qualitatively participates in the implementation of corresponding tasks only when it is informed. An analysis of the National Strategy for Sustainable Development of Lithuania expresses concern regarding shortage of information: information receivers are scantily informed, whilst information providers themselves are scantily informed about actual information needs. In Lithuania, informing of society is carried out in both centralised and decentralised ways, when the state makes certain commitments regarding informing of residents because this information enhances attention to educational institutions, including pre-school educational institutions (as a link of education, social support, support to the family and the child), and encourages the interest of interested groups in the quality of children's education. Seeking to ensure sustainable development, in the name of possibilities of more extensive participation of society in pre-school education management processes, freedom in decision-making, and in the name of the formation of society consisting of active and responsible citizens, it is necessary to analyse the experiences of informing the society. Therefore, the research is orientated towards generalisation of the experiences of informing the society in the European Union countries in the context of sustainable development.
Technological Support and Problem-Based Learning as a Means of Formation of Student's Creative Experience
Authors: Cakula Sarma
Published: June 2012

Technological Support and Problem-Based Learning as a Means of Formation of Student's Creative Experience

Problem-based learning and technology support for students in higher education investigates the new perspectives of education in connection with the change of life paradigm. The present research seeks to find out what study methods and technology support can be used for developing students' creative experience in the context of education for sustainable development. The research provides an analysis of the main concepts revealing the essence of the study process. The opportunities of using information technology in the study process to meet the needs of students' research activities in the form of cooperative learning are described. The research is based on Dewey and Brunner's theory as a basis of the educational process in the modern world of technologies. Developing creative experiences is a basic concept for sustainable development of education in today's information society.
Perspectives of Education for Sustainable Development - Understanding and Introducing the Notion in Polish Educational Documents
Authors: Czapla Małgorzata , Berlińska Agnieszka
Published: June 2012

Perspectives of Education for Sustainable Development - Understanding and Introducing the Notion in Polish Educational Documents

The aim of this article is to present an analysis of formal educational documents in the context of the sustainable development notion. This goal was realised by an analysis of the National Curriculum Framework documents from 2002 in comparison with the newest document from 2008. In addition, seven teaching programmes were analysed. On the grounds of the sustainable development definition and in the context of UNECE Strategy of Education for Sustainable Development, a list of direct and indirect linguistic indicators was created. To count the key words, the text editor Adobe Reader 9.0 was used. In the oldest version of the National Curriculum Framework, the key words defining sustainable development or their components occurred 119 times, in the newest - 165 times. The new version covers the scope of sustainable development in a wider range.
Environment for Meaningful Development of Reading Literacy in Pre-School
Authors: Zariņa Sandra , Belousa Inga
Published: June 2012

Environment for Meaningful Development of Reading Literacy in Pre-School

At a time when the scope and influence of information technologies are rapidly increasing, the development of reading literacy becomes a challenge for teachers. Pre-school teachers have a special role in the development of reading literacy, because children display interest in the written text and the information it holds already in pre-school. It is thus important that the child's first encounter with text be pleasant and exciting, personally significant and applicable for reaching one's goals and satisfying one's needs in everyday life. Hence, the development of reading literacy in pre-school ought to be meaningful, which cannot be ensured in a traditional, teacher-focused learning environment. That is why the paper summarises the best practical experience in a meaningful development of reading literacy. The conclusion is reached that a meaningful development of reading literacy occurs in an environment specially designed by teachers with constructivism as its theoretical basis.
Stable dynamics in a Greenland tidewater glacier over 26 years despite reported thinning
Authors: Bevan Suzanne L. , Murray Tavi , Luckman Adrian J. , Hanna Edward , Huybrechts Philippe
Published: June 2012

Daugaard Jensen Gletscher, Greenland, is a large tidewater glacier terminating in the northwest corner of the Scoresby Sund fjords. We present a time series of surface flow speeds spanning 1985–2010 based on feature tracking of satellite images. The time series confirms that flow speeds remained stable and reveals a persistent summer acceleration of up to 10% over the lower 10 km of the glacier. The front of the 6 km floating tongue fluctuates by little more than the average size of calved icebergs, ~1 km. While we are unable to detect any imbalance between ice discharge and surface mass balance within our error estimates, observations suggest that the region is losing mass and experiencing decreases in surface elevation. We conclude that as flow speeds and surface mass balance have remained steady since 1985, the shift from balance to imbalance, leading to elevation decrease, must have occurred prior to this date. As for other stable Greenland tidewater glaciers, the seasonal melt cycle is the dominant influence on flow velocity variation but, if the apparent current thinning rates continue, there is potential for the grounding line to retreat, for calving rates to increase and for the glacier to accelerate.
Genotoxicity of Euphorbia hirta: An Allium cepa Assay
Authors: Yuet Ping Kwan , Darah Ibrahim , Yusuf Umi Kalsom , Yeng Chen , Sasidharan Sreenivasan
Published: June 2012

The potential genotoxic effects of methanolic extracts of Euphorbia hirta which is commonly used in traditional medicine to treat a variety of diseased conditions including asthma, coughs, diarrhea and dysentery was investigated using Allium cepa assay. The extracts of 125, 250, 500 and 1,000 µg/mL were tested on root meristems of A. cepa. Ethylmethanesulfonate was used as positive control and distilled water was used as negative control. The result showed that mitotic index decreased as the concentrations of E. hirta extract increased. A dose-dependent increase of chromosome aberrations was also observed. Abnormalities scored were stickiness, c-mitosis, bridges and vagrant chromosomes. Micronucleated cells were also observed at interphase. Result of this study confirmed that the methanol extracts of E. hirta exerted significant genotoxic and mitodepressive effects at 1,000 µg/mL.
Pneumococcal disease: emergence of serotypes 19A and 7F following conjugate pneumococcal vaccination in a Mexican hospital
Authors: Chacon-Cruz Enrique , Velazco-Mendez Yazbeck , Navarro-Alvarez Samuel , Rivas-Landeros Rosa Maria , Volker Maria Luisa , Lopez-Espinoza Graciano
Published: June 2012

Introduction: Mexico  was  the  first  country  to  initiate  massive  vaccination  with   heptavalent  pneumococcal  conjugate  vaccine  (PCV-7)  in  children.  There  is  no  information  regarding  pneumococcal  invasive  disease  (PID)  in  children  before  and  after  implementation  of  PCV-7  in  Mexico  or elsewhere  in  Latin America. Methodology: During  October  2005 to September  2010, active  surveillance  for  pediatric  PID  was  initiated  at  Tijuana  General  Hospital. Only culture-confirmed cases from sterile  fluids  were  included in the study.  Serotype identification was also performed.  Results: Twenty-eight pediatric PID cases were confirmed. Streptococcus pneumoniae was the main  cause  of  pleural  empyema  (n = 13). It was also the  second most common cause  of  confirmed  bacterial  meningitis  (n = 10),  followed  by  Neisseria  meningitidis (n = ?),  and  the  only  cause  of  otomastoiditis  with  bacterial  isolation  (n = 5).  Vaccine-associated  serotypes  decreased  from  54%  before  PCV-7  introduction  to  the  vaccination  schedule,  to  only  5.6%  after  PCV-7  implementation. Serotypes  19A  and  7F  (47%  and  33%  respectively)  were  predominant  following  PCV-7  vaccination. Conclusions: Serotype  substitution  in  PID  is  present  in the  northern  border  of  Mexico  following  PCV-7  vaccination  in  children.
Invasive Fungal Infections in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Authors: MARTÍNEZ-MARTÍNEZ MARCO ULISES , HERRERA-VAN OOSTDAM DAVID , ROMÁN-ACOSTA SUSANA , MAGAÑA-AQUINO MARTÍN , BARANDA-CÁNDIDO LOURDES , ABUD-MENDOZA CARLOS
Published: June 2012

Objective.

Invasive fungal infections (IFI) are catastrophic diseases associated with a high mortality. Relatively few cases of IFI have been described in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and their related factors have not been completely explored. We evaluated factors associated with IFI in patients with SLE.

Methods.

All patients with both IFI and SLE admitted to our hospital in the last 7 years were evaluated and each was compared with 5 hospitalized patients with SLE (controls). Demographic factors, duration of SLE, and treatment in the previous month were compared.

Results.

Sixty patients with SLE were evaluated (10 with IFI and 50 controls). Median age was 29 years. High C-reactive protein levels were associated with IFI, along with other factors such as high disease activity, mechanical ventilation, treatment with antibiotics, hemodialysis, high doses of glucocorticoids (GC), and treatment with mycophenolate mofetil. Mortality was 4 times more frequent in patients with IFI than in SLE patients without the deep fungal infection.

Conclusion.

IFI is a rare infection observed in patients with rheumatic diseases. We describe factors associated with IFI in patients with SLE. IFI is associated with elevated morbidity and mortality. Early diagnosis and treatment are desirable.
Proof of the Completeness of Darboux Wronskian Formulae for Order Two
Authors: Shemyakova E.
Published: June 2012

Darboux Wronskian formulas allow us to construct Darboux transformations, but Laplace transformations, which are Darboux transformations of order one, cannot be represented this way. It has been a long-standing problem to discover what other exceptions exist. In our previous work we proved that among transformations of total order one there are no other exceptions. Here we prove that for transformations of total order two there are no exceptions at all. We also obtain a simple explicit invariant description of all possible Darboux transformations of total order two.
Bifurcation Diversity in an Annular Pool Heated from Below: Prandtl and Biot Numbers Effects
Authors: Torregrosa A. J. , Hoyas S. , Pérez-Quiles M. J. , Mompó-Laborda J. M.
Published: June 2012

In this article the instabilities appearing in a liquid layer are studied numerically by means of the linear stability method. The fluid is confined in an annular pool and is heated from below with a linear decreasing temperature profile from the inner to the outer wall. The top surface is open to the atmosphere and both lateral walls are adiabatic. Using the Rayleigh number as the only control parameter, many kind of bifurcations appear at moderately low Prandtl numbers and depending on the Biot number. Several regions on the Prandtl-Biot plane are identified, their boundaries being formed from competing solutions at codimension-two bifurcation points.
Are We Overlooking Our ‘Gold Mine’? Use of Symphysial Autograft for Treatment of Periodontal Osseous Defect
Authors: Bhardwaj Amit , Grover Harpreet Singh , Luthra Shailly
Published: June 2012

This case report presents a technique for utilizing autogenous corticocancellous graft from the mandibular symphysial area to fill a three-walled infrabony defect in a patient diagnosed with generalized aggressive periodontitis. After debridement, a 9 mm defect was present distal to the mandibular first molar. Autogenous bone graft harvested from the mandibular symphysial region was placed in the defect. There was a significant fill at the site 9 months postoperative and a reduction in probing depth was recorded at 4 mm.

How to cite this article

Bhardwaj A, Grover HS, Luthra S. Are We Overlooking Our ‘Gold Mine’? Use of Symphysial Autograft for Treatment of Periodontal Osseous Defect. Int J Exper Dent Sci, 2012;1(1):40-44.
Autoria, autonomia e ética na educação a distância
Authors: Pinto Anamelea de Campos , Bastos Filho Jenner Barretto
Published: June 2012

Este artigo objetiva argumentar que a autoria, quer seja para uma educação presencial, a distância ou no modelo bimodal, requer de seus atores uma postura autônoma e ética para a produção dos materiais didáticos e paradidáticos, disponibilizados nos diferentes suportes midiáticos. Nesse sentido, procede-se uma reflexão teórica acerca das categorias de análise autoria e autonomia, dentro de uma perspectiva ética para a produção intelectual em diálogo com os autores Orlandi (1996), Freire (1999), Serres (1999), Belloni (2002), Belintane (2002, 2003), Fortunato (2003), Christofoletti (2010) e Moraes (2010), concluindo com a ideia central de que o respeito ao tributo à tradição científico-cultural faz parte do exercício da crítica e do livre pensar, ambos visando a constituição de um autor genuinamente autônomo.
O gasto aluno-ano no Paraná (Brasil) e a situação de financiamento da educação nas regiões metropolitanas do Estado
Authors: Gouveia Andréa Barbosa , Silva Isabelle Fiorelli
Published: June 2012

A distribuição dos recursos para a educação no Brasil, atualmente operada principalmente pela “política de fundos”, recebe influência, dentre outros determinantes, das condições político-econômicas regionais do país. O trabalho apresenta uma avaliação do gasto aluno-ano no Estado do Paraná considerando o tamanho dos municípios e o pertencimento ou não a regiões metropolitanas do Estado. Para isso, utilizaram-se os dados  financeiros disponíveis na Secretaria do Tesouro Nacional (Finbra) e dados de balanços municipais. Problematizam-se os limites da redistribuição de recursos decorrentes das políticas de fundos – Fundo de Manutenção e Desenvolvimento do Ensino Fundamental e de Valorização do Magistério (Fundef) e Fundo de Manutenção e Desenvolvimento da Educação Básica e de Valorização dos Profissionais da Educação (Fundeb) – no contexto paranaense e a manutenção das desigualdades de oferta educacional em contextos de metropolização.
Predicting the residual aluminum level in water treatment process
Authors: Tomperi J. , Pelo M. , Leiviskä K.
Published: June 2012

Abstract. In water treatment processes, aluminum salts are widely used as coagulation chemical. High dose of aluminum has been proved to be at least a minor health risk and some evidence points out that aluminum could increase the risk of Alzheimer's disease thus it is important to minimize the amount of residual aluminum in drinking water and water used at food industry. In this study, the data of a water treatment plant (WTP) was analyzed and the residual aluminum in drinking water was predicted using Multiple Linear Regression (MLR) and Artificial Neural Network (ANN) models. The purpose was to find out which variables affect the amount of residual aluminum and create simple and reliable prediction models which can be used in an early warning system (EWS). Accuracy of ANN and MLR models were compared. The new nonlinear scaling method based on generalized norms and skewness was used to scale all measurement variables to range [−2...+2] before data-analysis and modeling. The effect of data pre-processing was studied by comparing prediction results to ones achieved in an earlier study. Results showed that it is possible to predict the baseline level of residual aluminum in drinking water with a simple model. Variables that affected the most the amount of residual aluminum were among others: raw water temperature, raw water KMnO4 and PAC / KMnO4-ratio. The accuracies of MLR and ANN models were found to be almost equal. Study also showed that data pre-processing affects to the final prediction result.
Presentación Vol.7 2011
Authors: Suazo Martha Lorena
Published: June 2012

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5377/pdac.v7i0.686 Revista Población y Desarrollo: Argonautas y Caminantes, Vol. 7, No. 7, 2011 pp.5-6
El bono demográfico en riesgo: una mirada desde las tendencias de pobreza, desigualdad e informalidad laboral
Authors: Saravia Fabio Francisco
Published: June 2012

Este artículo pretende reavivar el debate sobre los riesgos que enfrentaría el país de no aprovechar la ventana de oportunidad que se presenta con la transición demográfica en el lapso 2015-2040. En ese período, Honduras tiene la posibilidad de detonar su desarrollo, pues contará, por primera vez en su historia, con una mayor proporción de población en edad productiva, mientras se reducirá la población dependiente (niños y adultos mayores), esto es, el bono demográfico. Pero el camino está lleno de amenazas. El principal riesgo procede de las tendencias de los indicadores de pobreza, desigualdad e informalidad laboral, cuya regresividad se acentuó a partir de la crisis político-institucional del 2009, que anuló los tibios avances logrados en años precedentes. Con tal antecedente, y el análisis de las experiencias exitosas de aquellos países que supieron aprovechar esta oportunidad, se advierte que el bono puede no ser una bendición sino una pesada carga social para el futuro. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5377/pdac.v7i0.687 Revista Población y Desarrollo: Argonautas y Caminantes, Vol. 7, No. 7, 2011 pp.8-15
Evolución de la actividad económica del municipio de El Porvenir, Atlántida
Authors: Pineda Kelly Johana Alemán
Published: June 2012

El Porvenir es un municipio ubicado en el departamento de Atlántida, Honduras. Desde su origen sus actividades económicas han estado ligadas a la agricultura sobre todo de pequeñas fincas bananeras; con el tiempo se ha desarrollado un crecimiento económico y social que ha permitido diversificar sus actividades económicas y productivas. Actualmente el principal rubro económico del municipio sigue siendo la agricultura en especial la relacionada con cultivos de exportación (piña, banano, cítricos, palma africana).Se identifican otras actividades como la ganadería, la apicultura, silvicultura y pesca cuya producción está orientada en su mayoría al consumo interno. Otra de las actividades económicas con mucho potencial en la zona es el turismo sobre todo porque el municipio cuenta con extensas zonas de playa y áreas protegidas como el Parque Nacional Pico Bonito y el refugio de Vida Silvestre Cuero y Salado. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5377/pdac.v7i0.688 Revista Población y Desarrollo: Argonautas y Caminantes, Vol. 7, No. 7, 2011 pp.17-23
La violencia en el Distrito Central desde la óptica del enfoque estructural y criminal
Authors: Ochoa Marysabel Zelaya
Published: June 2012

La violencia urbana ha existido desde que existe la ciudad, sin embargo, en los últimos años se ha convertido en tema de gran relevancia debido a las nuevas formas que ha asumido y al incremento alarmante de su magnitud, expresión clara de la crisis urbana en la ciudades, de las cuales el Distrito Central no es la excepción. Este articulo analiza la violencia en el Distrito Central desde dos enfoques: violencia estructural y violencia criminal; el primero considera que la violencia tiene origen en la pobreza, las desigualdades económicas, la exclusión, segregación social y la falta de oportunidades sociales, políticas y económicas generadas por el sistema. El segundo enfoque pone de relieve que la violencia criminal en el DC se manifiesta en el crecimiento de los niveles de victimización, que adopta formas como robo, asaltos, homicidios, sicariato y secuestro, entre los delitos de mayor trascendencia. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5377/pdac.v7i0.689 Revista Población y Desarrollo: Argonautas y Caminantes, Vol. 7, No. 7, 2011 pp.25-35
Calidad de la atención a personas sobrevivientes de violencia sexual en el sistema de salud pública en el municipio de La Ceiba
Authors: Rodríguez Adriana Belinda , Nufio María Antonia
Published: June 2012

La Calidad de la atención a personas sobrevivientes de Violencia Sexual en el sistema de Salud Público municipio de La Ceiba, releva la importancia que tiene el abordaje integral de esta problemática por parte de las instancias involucradas. Siendo la violencia contra las mujeres un problema social y de salud, visibiliza la forma como el sistema desarrolla acciones para la prevención así como para la sanción y el tratamiento cuando se ha producido el hecho. En cuanto a la detección del problema los(as) trabajadores/as de salud, pueden jugar un papel importante, y a su vez, proporcionar, además del tratamiento médico, el apoyo emocional-psicológico, la asistencia social, el acompañamiento y seguimiento a la denuncia. A partir de las capacidades de respuesta del personal de salud ante casos de violencia sexual se revisa las falencias del sistema y se proponen algunas medidas que pueden contribuir a humanizar e implementar un abordaje integral por parte de las instancias de salud y de seguridad. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5377/pdac.v7i0.690 Revista Población y Desarrollo: Argonautas y Caminantes, Vol. 7, No. 7, 2011 pp.35-45
Factores socioculturales que condicionan el embarazo adolescente en los municipios de Intibucá y Jesús de Otoro, departamento de Intibucá
Authors: Zelaya Edith Yolany , García José Ramón Coto
Published: June 2012

En los últimos años se han presentado estadísticas alarmantes de embarazos adolescentes, en Honduras se estima que el 30% de los partos ocurren entre jóvenes de 13 a 19 años. En el departamento de Intibucá, de enero a junio del 2010, se han atendido en promedio mensual 77 adolescentes embarazadas entre edades de 10 a 19 años. El embarazo en la adolescencia no sólo representa un problema de salud, también tiene una repercusión en el área social, afectiva y económica. En el caso de los municipios de Intibucá se identifican factores socioculturales que condicionan el embarazo entre las adolescentes entre ellas el machismo, los tabúes alrededor de la educación sexual, el hacinamiento, la falta de espacios de recreación y redes de jóvenes que permitan socializar sus inquietudes y fortalecer la educación sexual. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5377/pdac.v7i0.691 Revista Población y Desarrollo: Argonautas y Caminantes, Vol. 7, No. 7, 2011 pp.47-55
Incidencia de embarazos de alto riesgo en el municipio de Langue, departamento de Valle
Authors: Gallardo Janine
Published: June 2012

La Mancomunidad de Municipios Fronterizos “MAFRON” por convenio establecido con la Secretaría de Salud ha implementado en el municipio de Langue un proyecto piloto de descentralización de los servicios de salud, este permite en forma inmediata resolver problemas de abastecimiento de medicamentos, logística e insumos, así como recursos humanos en las diferentes unidades de salud, que integran la red de servicios en el municipio. A la vez este modelo permite a la comunidad participar de forma activa y social respecto al desempeño de los empleados y el uso de los recursos económicos utilizados en la unidad de salud, así como una mayor organización para contribuir en la gestión y administración de los servicios y en la conservación de la salud mediante la práctica de hábitos y estilos de vidas apropiados para los pobladores del municipio. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5377/pdac.v7i0.692 Revista Población y Desarrollo: Argonautas y Caminantes, Vol. 7, No. 7, 2011 pp.57-65
Efecto psicosocial de la migración en los alumnos del instituto Ángel G. Hernández y su incidencia en el rendimiento educativo
Authors: Cardozo Lesli María , Gonzáles José Adán
Published: June 2012

La migración es uno de los fenómenos demográficos que afecta la integración de las familias hondureñas. Aramecina, Valle es un pueblo pequeño cerca de la frontera con El Salvador, en donde uno de los mayores problemas es la falta de fuentes de trabajo situación que ha generado una fuerte migración de gran parte de la población como alternativa de solución a sus problemas económicos. El impacto de la emigración, afecta a los jóvenes sobre todo cuando uno o ambos padres emigran, y quedan a cargo de uno de ellos, por lo general de la mamá, o en su defecto un familiar cercano, quien asume el papel de madre y padre en su educación, y además de la formación del carácter. A través de este estudio se puede apreciar como el fenómeno de la migración influye en el rendimiento académico de los y las estudian-tes, aunque después de pasar un largo tiempo algunos logran nivelarse académicamente, también se puede apreciar que su ausencia incide considerablemente en su salud tanto física como mental afectando su conducta presentando niveles de agresividad, inseguridad y falta de afecto. Hoy en día la tecnología juega un papel muy importante ya que la comunicación con sus padres es más fácil permitiendo relaciones más estrechas, lo que les ayuda a sobrellevar su ausencia. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5377/pdac.v7i0.693 Revista Población y Desarrollo: Argonautas y Caminantes, Vol. 7, No. 7, 2011 pp.67-76
El reto del envejecimiento de la población. Algunas reflexiones
Authors: Castellón Raúl Hernández
Published: June 2012

Desde el punto de vista demográfico el mundo ha transitado por importantes cambios durante el siglo XX. La reducción de los niveles de mortalidad y de fecundidad. En el caso de la primera ésta determinó uno de los hechos más importantes de la segunda mitad del siglo XX: el envejecimiento de la población. La evolución de las citadas variables demo-gráficas varió según el nivel de desarrollo económico y social de los países. En el caso cubano, la mortalidad y la fecundidad se redujeron a un ritmo mayor que en el resto de los países subdesarrollados, determinando así una mayor incidencia en el envejecimiento de su población. Los cambios determinados por el triunfo de la Revolución en 1959, aceleraron la reducción de los niveles de ambas variables, provocando también un rápido envejecimiento de su población, a tal punto que en el año 2025 estará muy cerca de los países con mayor nivel de envejecimiento del mundo, y para el 2050, estará entre los primeros. El aumento de las personas de 60 años y más a un ritmo muy rápido, impone la necesidad de atender dicho reto, en particular el de la atención de esas personas desde todos los puntos de vista. En el presente trabajo se abordan estas y otras importantes cuestiones. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5377/pdac.v7i0.694 Revista Población y Desarrollo: Argonautas y Caminantes, Vol. 7, No. 7, 2011 pp.79-92
3D IMAGING OF INDIVIDUAL PARTICLES: A REVIEW
Authors: Pirard Eric
Published: June 2012

In recent years, impressive progress has been made in digital imaging and in particular in three dimensional visualisation and analysis of objects. This paper reviews the most recent literature on three dimensional imaging with a special attention to particulate systems analysis. After an introduction recalling some important concepts in spatial sampling and digital imaging, the paper reviews a series of techniques with a clear distinction between the surfometric and volumetric principles. The literature review is as broad as possible covering materials science as well as biology while keeping an eye on emerging technologies in optics and physics. The paper should be of interest to any scientist trying to picture particles in 3D with the best possible resolution for accurate size and shape estimation. Though techniques are adequate for nanoscopic and microscopic particles, no special size limit has been considered while compiling the review.
LOCAL STEREOLOGY OF EXTREMES
Authors: Pawlas Zbynek
Published: June 2012

Local stereology uses information obtained from central sections passing through a reference point of the particle.The aim of this paper is to investigate the prediction of extremes of shape and size parameters based on the central sections. We consider the particle population formed by spheroids (either prolate or oblate) and assume that the reference point is the centre of the spheroid. A relation between shape and size parameters of the particles and their planar sections is derived and consequently stability properties of the domain of attractions are proved.
Antioxidant activity, total phenolic content and flavonoid concentrations of different plant parts of Teucrium polium L. subsp. polium
Authors: Stankovic Milan S. , Niciforovic Neda , Mihailovic Vladimir , Topuzovic Marina , Solujic Slavica
Published: June 2012

Total phenolic content, concentration of flavonoids and in vitro antioxidant activity of twenty different extracts from the whole plant and plant parts (leaves, flowers and stems) of Teucrium polium were determined. The total phenolic contents ranged between 14.57 to 157.84 mg of GaA/g of extract. The concentrations of flavonoids varied from 6.48 to 139.87 mg of Ru/g of extract. Antioxidant activity was determined in vitro using DPPH reagent and expressed as concentration of each extract required to inhibit radical by 50% (IC50) values that ranged from 26.30 to 2190.75 µg/ml. The methanolic leaves extract contain the greatest concentration of phenolic compounds (157.84 mg of GaA/g) and showed strong antioxidant activity (IC50 = 26.30 µg/ml). Ginkgo and Green tea extracts were analyzed for comparison, and the results indicated that some extracts of T. polium were equal in activity with Ginkgo or Green tea and some appeared to have greater activity. The obtained results suggest strong antioxidant activity and large contribution of separate analysis for the maximum exploitation of active phenolic compounds from T. polium. Based on this information, plant parts of this plant are natural sources of antioxidant substances of high importance.
Synthetic Aspects and Selected Properties of Graphene
Authors: Matte H.S.S. Ramakrishna , Subrahmanyam K. S. , Rao C. N. R.
Published: June 2012

Graphene has generated great sensation owing to its fascinating properties with possible potential applications. This two-dimensional material exhibits half-integer quantum Hall effect and an ambipolar electric field effect, along with ballistic conduction of charge carriers. In this article, we provide a overview on some aspects of graphene devoting the special attention to synthesis, functionalization, self-assembly, surface properties, gas adsorption and fluorescence quenching ability of graphene. Graphenes with varying number of layers can be synthesized by using different strategies. Graphene can be functionalized by different means in order to disperse it in various solvents. We also present the self-assembly of graphene at the liquid-liquid interface besides its surface properties including adsorption of hydrogen, carbon dioxide and methane. The remarkable property of graphene of quenching fluorescence of aromatic molecules is shown to be associated with photo-induced electron transfer.
Probabilistic evaluation of ensemble discharge nowcasts in two nested Alpine basins prone to flash floods
Authors: Liechti Katharina , Zappa Massimiliano , Fundel Felix , Germann Urs
Published: June 2012

The quality of hydrological discharge simulations depends to a great extent on the uncertainties in the meteorological input and the model parameterization. To quantify these uncertainties, we adopt ensemble techniques in a 4‐year nowcast experiment for two nested flash‐flood–prone basins in the southern Swiss Alps.

The spatiotemporal uncertainties in the weather radar quantitative precipitation estimates (QPE) were accounted for by applying an ensemble of 25 radar fields. To account for uncertainties in model parameterization, a Monte Carlo experiment was run to find 26 equifinal model realizations. The resulting parameter ensemble, consisting of 26 members, was run with precipitation input obtained from interpolated pluviometer data and with the deterministic operational weather radar QPE.

To produce the discharge nowcast, the PREcipitation‐Runoff‐EVApotranspiration HRU Model (PREVAH) was used. PREVAH was calibrated for the main catchment Verzasca. The results for the sub‐catchment Pincascia are an independent internal verification of the nowcasting system.

The three ensemble nowcasts and the two deterministic nowcasts are evaluated for a 4‐year time series and for two events included in that period. The event analysis shows no clear superiority for either pluviometer‐based or radar‐based nowcasts. The performance for single events depends heavily on the storm characteristics. However, the evaluation of the 4‐year nowcast shows that pluviometer‐based nowcasts outperform radar‐based nowcasts in the gauged and calibrated catchment and that there is added value in the application of parameter ensembles.

For the small, ungauged catchment, the results achieved by the radar‐based nowcasts are superior to the pluviometer‐based nowcasts. Especially the radar ensemble proves to be of significant advantage for flash flood nowcasts in such catchments. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Degradation of the resin–dentin bonds after simulated and inhibited cariogenic challenge in an in situ model
Authors: Reinke Stella Maria Glaci , de Campos Lawder Juliana Aparecida , Divardin Sindianara , Raggio Daniela , Reis Alessandra , Loguercio Alessandro Dourado
Published: June 2012

The aim of this study was to evaluate the resin–dentin bonds of two simplified etch‐and‐rinse adhesive after simulated cariogenic and inhibited cariogenic challenge in situ. Dental cavities (4 mm wide, 4 mm long, and 1.5 mm deep) were prepared in 60 bovine teeth with enamel margins. Restorations were bonded with either adhesive Adper Single Bond 2 (3MESPE) or Optibond Solo Plus (Kerr). Forty restorations were included in an intra‐oral palatal appliance that was used for 10 adult volunteers while the remaining 20 dental blocks were not submitted to any cariogenic challenge [NC group] and tested immediately. For the simulated cariogenic challenge [C+DA], each volunteer dropped 20% sucrose solution onto all blocks four times a day during 14 days and distilled water twice a day. In the inhibited cariogenic challenge group [C + FA], the same procedure was done, but slurry of fluoride dentifrice (1.100 ppm) was applied instead of water. The restored bovine blocks were sectioned to obtain a slice for cross‐sectional Vickers microhardness evaluation and resin–dentin bonded sticks (0.8 mm2) for resin–dentin microtensile evaluation. Data were evaluated by two‐way ANOVA and Tukey's tests (α = 0.05). Statistically lower microhardness values and degradation of the resin–dentin bonds were only found in the C + DW group for both adhesives. The in situ model seems to be a suitable short‐term methodology to investigate the degradation of the resin–dentin bonds under a more realistic condition. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 100B: 1466–1471, 2012.
Surface characteristics and biocompatibility of sandblasted and acid‐etched titanium surface modified by ultraviolet irradiation: An in vitro study
Authors: Li Shaobing , Ni Jia , Liu Xiangning , Zhang Xueyang , Yin Shiheng , Rong Mingdeng , Guo Zehong , Zhou Lei
Published: June 2012

Sandblasting with large grit and acid‐etching (SLA) treatment is considered to be a reliable modification to achieve excellent titanium surface. However, contamination of hydrocarbons would make SLA surface hydrophobic and influence its bioactivity. Thus, appropriate methods of preservation or further treatments could be used for improvement. In present study, preservation in deionized water (dH2O) and ultraviolet (UV) irradiation were, respectively, applied to achieve modSLA and UV‐SLA surfaces. Surface characteristics were assessed by scanning electron microscopy, optical profilometer and x‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy as well as wettability by optical contact angle analyzer. Additionally, biocompatibility was evaluated by the response to osteoblast‐like MG63 cells. Prevented from further contamination, modSLA surface with fewer hydrocarbons (25.31%) remained hydrophilic and showed better affinity to mineralization of MG63 cells than hydrophobic polluted SLA surface (p < 0.01). Furthermore, with the lowest content of hydrocarbons (14.26%) and super‐hydrophilicity, UV‐SLA surface, which had the hydrocarbons effectively decomposed by photocatalysis and meanwhile acquired abundant hydroxyl groups, had most greatly promoted the attachment, proliferation, differentiation, and mineralization of MG63 cells (p < 0.05). Therefore, hydrocarbons were found to be an important influencing factor to compatibility of biomaterials. In addition, UV irradiation was recognized as a trustworthy method for surface cleaning without change of topography and roughness and could ever lead to greater biocompatibility of sandblasted and acid‐etched titanium surface. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 100B: 1587–1598, 2012.