bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hemoptysis: Is it Tuberculosis?
Authors: Bhatta DR , Gokhale S
Published: January 2013

INTRODUCTION: Hemoptysis is usually considered as an indication of pulmonary tuberculosis, but may be associated with various other causes. Present study will draw attention towards various causes of hemoptysis other than pulmonary tuberculosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective study was conducted between August 2008 to May 2009 in the Department of Microbiology, Sikkim Manipal Institute of Medical Sciences, Gangtok, India. Total of 61 blood stained sputum samples were collected and examined to detect various etiological agents (bacteria, fungi and parasites) by standard techniques. Brief clinical details of patients related to their illness were recorded. RESULTS: Acid fast bacilli were demonstrated in 29.5% of cases. Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Aspergillus niger, Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis were isolated in 8.2%, 4.9%, 6.6%, 1.6%, 3.3%, 8.2% and 3.3% cases, respectively. Patients were clinically diagnosed as pneumonia in 6.5% cases and carcinoma of lung in 3.3% of cases. CONCLUSIONS: Although pulmonary tuberculosis is the major cause of hemoptysis, other causes of hemoptysis need to be excluded. Every case of hemoptysis, if not investigated properly may be misdiagnosed as pulmonary tuberculosis. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ijim.v1i2.7409 Int J Infect Microbiol 2012;1(1):63-67
Microbiological surveillance of hospital environment in a Medical College Hospital in Kathmandu, Nepal
Authors: Pradhan SB , Shrestha CD
Published: January 2013

INTRODUCTION: Hospital acquired infections (HAI) are serious problems in the patient care and management despite antimicrobial therapy and advances in supportive care in developing countries. Regular cleaning following institutionalized guidelines of infection control policies can minimize the possibility of contamination and prevent the HAI so that the morbidity and mortality related to HAI will be reduced. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Descriptive analysis of the culture growth of the samples from different sites of the Kathmandu Medical College Teaching Hospital (KMCTH) environment from 4th March, 2011 to 4th April, 2012 was done. The swabs were taken before and after fumigation and disinfection and number of colonies grown were used to monitor the effectiveness of the intervention. The cultures and Gram staining were performed as per standard microbiological procedures in Clinical Microbiology Laboratory, Department of Pathology, Kathmandu Medical College Teaching Hospital. RESULTS: Almost all the floors of the hospital wards swabbed were contaminated with the bacteria. The bacteria that grew from the environment ranged from 50 to 140 colonies in Medical Intensive Care Unit and Special High Care Unit respectively. Common contaminants were Staphylococci spp., Gram negative diplococcic, and Gram positive. The Staphylococci spp. contaminated air in most of the wards. The number of colonies after fumigation and disinfection were drastically decreased from no growth to 15 colonies. CONCLUSIONS: Environment was contaminated with microorganisms. Even after regular cleaning and disinfection, bacterial growth was seen. To prevent any contamination prior HAI develops, hospital needs to develop programmes for the implementation of good infection control practices. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ijim.v1i2.7410 Int J Infect Microbiol 2012;1(1):76-79
Acute epididymo-orchitis complicating Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteremia in an adult smoker and alcoholic with community acquired pneumonia
Authors: Ibrahim TM , Letchumanan MN
Published: January 2013

INTRODUCTION: Although hematogenous acute epididymo-orchitis complicating Gram negative bacteremia, tuberculosis and brucellosis have been reported in medical literature, there is paucity of report on acute epididymo-orchitis complicating Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteremia. CASE REPORT: We report the case of hematogenous acute epididymo-orchitis from S. pneumoniae bacteremia in an adult chronic cigarette smoker and alcoholic with community acquired pneumonia. CONCLUSION: We recommend that acute epididymo-orchitis should be remember as a sequel of S. pneumoniae bacteremia especially in adult males with immune suppression DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ijim.v1i2.7411 Int J Infect Microbiol 2012;1(1):80-83
Efficacy and Safety of Procalcitonin-Guided Antibiotic Therapy in Lower Respiratory Tract Infections
Authors: Drozdov Daniel , Dusemund Frank , Müller Beat , Albrich Werner
Published: January 2013

Background: In 14 randomized controlled studies to date, a procalcitonin (PCT)-based algorithm has been proven to markedly reduce the use of antibiotics along with an unimpaired high safety and low complication rates in patients with lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs). However, compliance with the algorithm and safety out of controlled study conditions has not yet been sufficiently investigated. Methods: We performed a prospective international multicenter observational post-study surveillance of consecutive adults with community-acquired LRTI in 14 centers (Switzerland (n = 10), France (n = 3) and the United States (n = 1)). Results: Between September 2009 and November 2010, 1,759 patients were enrolled (median age 71; female sex 44.4%). 1,520 (86.4%) patients had a final diagnosis of LRTI (community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), 53.7%; acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD), 17.1%; and acute bronchitis, 14.4%). Compliance with the PCT-guided therapy (overall 68.2%) was highest in patients with bronchitis (81.0% vs. AECOPD, 70.1%; CAP, 63.7%; p < 0.001), outpatients (86.1% vs. inpatients, 65.9%; p < 0.001) and algorithm-experienced centers (82.5% vs. algorithm-naive, 60.1%; p < 0.001) and showed significant geographical differences. The initial decision about the antibiotic therapy was based on PCT value in 72.4%. In another 8.6% of patients, antibiotics were administered despite low PCT values but according to predefined criteria. Thus, the algorithm was followed in 81.0% of patients. In a multivariable Cox hazard ratio model, longer antibiotic therapy duration was associated with algorithm-non-compliance, country, hospitalization, CAP vs. bronchitis, renal failure and algorithm-naïvety of the study center. In a multivariable logistic regression complications (death, empyema, ICU treatment, mechanical ventilation, relapse, and antibiotic-associated side effects) were significantly associated with increasing CURB65-Score, CAP vs. bronchitis, multilobar pneumonia, but not with algorithm-compliance. Discussion: Cultural and geographic differences in antibiotic prescribing affected the compliance with our PCT-guided algorithm. Efforts to reinforce compliance are needed. Antibiotic stewardship with PCT is possible, effective and safe without increasing the risk of complications in real-life conditions.
Microvolume TOC Analysis as Useful Tool in the Evaluation of Lab Scale Photocatalytic Processes
Authors: Kus Monika , Ribbens Stefan , Meynen Vera , Cool Pegie
Published: January 2013

Analysis methods that require small volumes of aqueous samples can be of large benefit for applications when expensive chemicals are involved or available volumes are substantially small and concentrations are low. A new method is presented to allow microvolume liquid injections on TOC equipment using a special designed Shimadzu gas injection kit® in combination with a high precision syringe and Chaney adapter. Next to details on the methodology of microvolume TOC injections, the technique is shown to be beneficial to evaluate the efficiency of photocatalytic dye degradation on titania materials in terms of CO2 conversion simultaneously with classic UV-Vis analysis measurements within a lab scale photocatalytic test setup (volume <100 mL). The possibility to allow multiple microvolume samplings in short time intervals during several hours without a substantial decrease in volume/catalyst ratio is of particular value for the evaluation of photocatalysts. By combining both techniques at short time intervals, additional knowledge of the degradation process/mechanism, kinetics and the efficiency can be obtained in a direct way. Moreover, the developed μV-TOC analysis is specifically useful in those applications in which low sample volumes in combination with low concentrations are involved. For example, μV-TOC can similarly be put into service in a wide range of small volume setups, e.g., analytes from high-throughput screening, pharmaceutical applications and other advanced oxidation processes that formally could not be analyzed due to limited sample volumes and often low concentrations.
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health Best Paper Award 2013
Authors: Tchounwou Paul , Han Ophelia
Published: January 2013

With the start of 2013, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health is instituting an annual award to recognize outstanding papers related to environmental health sciences and public health that meet the aims, scope and high standards of this journal. We are pleased to announce the first “International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health Best Paper Award” for 2013. Nominations were solicited from the Editorial Board members, with all papers published in 2009 eligible for consideration. [...]
Comparative Proteomic Analysis Reveals Proteins Putatively Involved in Toxin Biosynthesis in the Marine Dinoflagellate Alexandrium catenella
Authors: Wang Da-Zhi , Gao Yue , Lin Lin , Hong Hua-Sheng
Published: January 2013

Alexandrium is a neurotoxin-producing dinoflagellate genus resulting in paralytic shellfish poisonings around the world. However, little is known about the toxin biosynthesis mechanism in Alexandrium. This study compared protein profiles of A. catenella collected at different toxin biosynthesis stages (non-toxin synthesis, initial toxin synthesis and toxin synthesizing) coupled with the cell cycle, and identified differentially expressed proteins using 2-DE and MALDI-TOF-TOF mass spectrometry. The results showed that toxin biosynthesis of A. catenella occurred within a defined time frame in the G1 phase of the cell cycle. Proteomic analysis indicated that 102 protein spots altered significantly in abundance (P < 0.05), and 53 proteins were identified using database searching. These proteins were involved in a variety of biological processes, i.e., protein modification and biosynthesis, metabolism, cell division, oxidative stress, transport, signal transduction, and translation. Among them, nine proteins with known functions in paralytic shellfish toxin-producing cyanobacteria, i.e., methionine S-adenosyltransferase, chloroplast ferredoxin-NADP+ reductase, S-adenosylhomocysteinase, adenosylhomocysteinase, ornithine carbamoyltransferase, inorganic pyrophosphatase, sulfotransferase (similar to), alcohol dehydrogenase and arginine deiminase, varied significantly at different toxin biosynthesis stages and formed an interaction network, indicating that they might be involved in toxin biosynthesis in A. catenella. This study is the first step in the dissection of the behavior of the A. catenella proteome during different toxin biosynthesis stages and provides new insights into toxin biosynthesis in dinoflagellates.
Design and Synthesis of Cross-Linked Copolymer Membranes Based on Poly(benzoxazine) and Polybenzimidazole and Their Application to an Electrolyte Membrane for a High-Temperature PEM Fuel Cell
Authors: Choi Seong-Woo , Park Jung , Pak Chanho , Choi Kyoung , Lee Jong-Chan , Chang Hyuk
Published: January 2013

Elevated-temperature (100~200 °C) polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells have many features, such as their high efficiency and simple system design, that make them ideal for residential micro-combined heat and power systems and as a power source for fuel cell electric vehicles. A proton-conducting solid-electrolyte membrane having high conductivity and durability at elevated temperatures is essential, and phosphoric-acid-containing polymeric material synthesized from cross-linked polybenzoxazine has demonstrated feasible characteristics. This paper reviews the design rules, synthesis schemes, and characteristics of this unique polymeric material. Additionally, a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) utilizing this polymer membrane is evaluated in terms of its power density and lifecycle by an in situ accelerated lifetime test. This paper also covers an in-depth discussion ranging from the polymer material design to the cell performance in consideration of commercialization requirements.
Enabling Eco-Friendly Choices by Relying on the Proportional-Thinking Heuristic
Authors: Dutt Varun , Gonzalez Cleotilde
Published: January 2013

Ecological (eco) taxes are promising mechanisms to enable eco-friendly decisions, but few people prefer them. In this study, we present a way in which eco-tax options may be communicated to general public to encourage their payment. Our implementation (called “information presentation”) takes advantage of the non-linear relationship between eco-tax payments and CO2 emissions and the human reliance on the proportional-thinking heuristic. According to the proportional-thinking heuristic, people are likely to prefer a small eco-tax increase and judge larger eco-tax increases to cause proportionally greater CO2 emissions reductions. In an online study, participants were asked to choose between eco-tax increases in two problems: In one, a smaller eco-tax increase resulted in greater CO2 emissions reduction, while in the other, a smaller tax increase resulted in lesser CO2 emissions reduction. Although the larger eco-tax increase did not reduce CO2 emissions the most, across both problems, people judged larger eco-tax increases to cause proportionally greater reductions in CO2 emissions and preferred smaller tax increases. Thus, eco-tax policies would benefit by presenting information in terms of eco-tax increases, such that smaller eco-tax increases (which are more attractive and are likely to be chosen by people) cause greater CO2 emissions reductions.
Engineering and Sustainability: Attitudes and Actions
Authors: Rosen Marc
Published: January 2013

The results of an extensive survey of engineers and engineering students suggest there is a strong focus on the implementation of sustainability concepts, actions and measures in engineering. The main sustainable technology priorities are using less energy and natural resources, reducing emissions and material wastes, and utilizing renewable, recyclable and recycled materials. Sustainable engineering within organizations is mainly driven by regulatory requirements, rising energy costs and client demand, but challenges to sustainable engineering like economics need to be addressed to increase the incorporation of sustainability in engineering. Nonetheless, about two-thirds of practicing engineers have worked on sustainable products and processes, and over half of engineering students are involved with sustainable design in their studies.
Cellular Aspects of Prion Replication In Vitro
Authors: Grassmann Andrea , Wolf Hanna , Hofmann Julia , Graham James , Vorberg Ina
Published: January 2013

Prion diseases or transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) are fatal neurodegenerative disorders in mammals that are caused by unconventional agents predominantly composed of aggregated misfolded prion protein (PrP). Prions self-propagate by recruitment of host-encoded PrP into highly ordered b-sheet rich aggregates. Prion strains differ in their clinical, pathological and biochemical characteristics and are likely to be the consequence of distinct abnormal prion protein conformers that stably replicate their alternate states in the host cell. Understanding prion cell biology is fundamental for identifying potential drug targets for disease intervention. The development of permissive cell culture models has greatly enhanced our knowledge on entry, propagation and dissemination of TSE agents. However, despite extensive research, the precise mechanism of prion infection and potential strain effects remain enigmatic. This review summarizes our current knowledge of the cell biology and propagation of prions derived from cell culture experiments. We discuss recent findings on the trafficking of cellular and pathologic PrP, the potential sites of abnormal prion protein synthesis and potential co-factors involved in prion entry and propagation.
Sustainable Drainage Practices in Spain, Specially Focused on Pervious Pavements
Authors: Castro-Fresno Daniel , Andrés-Valeri Valerio , Sañudo-Fontaneda Luis , Rodriguez-Hernandez Jorge
Published: January 2013

The Spanish climate is full of contrasts, with torrential rains and long droughts; under these conditions, appropriate water management is essential. In Spain, until the end of the twentieth century, water management and legislative development lagged behind other more developed countries. Nowadays, great efforts are being made to reverse this situation and improve both water management and legislation in order to control the two main problems related to stormwater management in cities: floods and diffuse pollution. In this context, Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) were developed as the main solution to these problems. The study of these techniques started in the 1970s in the USA, but they were not studied in Spain until 1993 when the University of Cantabria and CLABSA started to look into solutions for stormwater management. After 20 years of research and application, sustainable drainage in Spain is still behind other countries in spite of the efforts to change this situation, notably by the University of Cantabria with 10 years of experience in these techniques, mainly regarding pervious pavements, where more than 13 related research projects have been carried out. The future challenges focus on the application of pervious pavements for Urban Hydrological Rehabilitation.
Hypertrophied Facial Fat in An HIV-1-Infected Patient after Autologous Transplantation from ‘Buffalo Hump’ Retains a Partial Brown-Fat-Like Molecular Signature
Authors: Gallego-Escuredo José M , Domingo Pere , Fontdevila Joan , Villarroya Joan , Domingo Joan C , Martinez Esteban , Giralt Marta , Villarroya Francesc
Published: January 2013

Background

Facial lipoatrophy, a common alteration among HIV-1-infected, antiretroviral-treated patients, is often corrected using autologous transplantation. In some cases, especially when enlarged adipose tissue from the dorso-cervical area (that is, a ‘buffalo hump') is used as a source of fat for transplantation, the transplanted fat develops progressive hypertrophy. To gain insight into the molecular basis of this phenomenon, we evaluated the cell morphology and gene expression in this hypertrophied facial fat.

Methods

Quantitative real-time PCR was used to examine the expression of various marker genes in a sample of facial fat that underwent hypertrophy after autologous transplantation. The results were compared with gene expression data from ‘buffalo hump’ fat and subcutaneous fat from healthy controls. Optical and electron microscopic analyses were used to determine cell morphology.

Results

The enlarged facial adipose tissue did not exhibit the overt microscopic morphology of brown adipose tissue but (similar to ‘buffalo hump’ fat) it contained adipocytes heterogeneous in size. The enlarged facial fat retained the partial molecular signature of a distorted brown-to-white adipocyte phenotype, including expression of uncoupling protein-1 (UCP1) transcript, and showed unaltered adipogenesis and inflammation that are characteristic of ‘buffalo hump’ fat.

Conclusions

Despite being implanted in a former lipoatrophic area, facially grafted ‘buffalo hump’ tissue appears to retain the altered phenotype of dorso-cervical adipose cells, thus accounting for its progressive enlargement. These results argue that caution should be exercised when considering ‘buffalo hump’ fat depots as a fat source for autologous transplantation.
A Statistical Method without Training Step for the Classification of Coding Frame in Transcriptome Sequences
Authors: Carels Nicolas , Frías Diego
Published: January 2013

In this study, we investigated the modalities of coding open reading frame (cORF) classification of expressed sequence tags (EST) by using the universal feature method (UFM). The UFM algorithm is based on the scoring of purine bias (Rrr) and stop codon frequencies. UFM classifies ORFs as coding or non-coding through a score based on 5 factors: (i) stop codon frequency; (ii) the product of the probabilities of purines occurring in the three positions of nucleotide triplets; (iii) the product of the probabilities of Cytosine (C), Guanine (G), and Adenine (A) occurring in the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd positions of triplets, respectively; (iv) the probabilities of a G occurring in the 1st and 2nd positions of triplets; and (v) the probabilities of a T occurring in the 1st and an A in the 2nd position of triplets. Because UFM is based on primary determinants of coding sequences that are conserved throughout the biosphere, it is suitable for cORF classification of any sequence in eukaryote transcriptomes without prior knowledge. Considering the protein sequences of the Protein Data Bank (RCSB PDB or more simply PDB) as a reference, we found that UFM classifies cORFs of ≥200 bp (if the coding strand is known) and cORFs of ≥300 bp (if the coding strand is unknown), and releases them in their coding strand and coding frame, which allows their automatic translation into protein sequences with a success rate equal to or higher than 95%. We first established the statistical parameters of UFM using ESTs from Plasmodium falciparum, Arabidopsis thaliana, Oryza sativa, Zea mays, Drosophila melanogaster, Homo sapiens and Chlamydomonas reinhardtii in reference to the protein sequences of PDB. Second, we showed that the success rate of cORF classification using UFM is expected to apply to approximately 95% of higher eukaryote genes that encode for proteins. Third, we used UFM in combination with CAP3 to assemble large EST samples into cORFs that we used to analyze transcriptome phenotypes in rice, maize, and humans. We discuss the error rate and the interference of noisy sequences such as pseudogenes, transposons, and retrotransposons. This method is suitable for rapid cORF extraction from transcriptome data and allows correct description of the genome phenotypes of plant genomes without prior knowledge. Additional care is necessary when addressing the human transcriptome due to the interference caused by large amounts of noisy sequences. UFM can be regarded as a low complexity tool for prior knowledge extraction concerning the coding fraction of the transcriptome of any eukaryote. Due to its low level of complexity, UFM is also very robust to variations of codon usage.
Evaluation of Activities of Daily Living Ability and Awareness among Clients in a Forensic Psychiatry Evaluation Unit in Sweden
Authors: Kottorp Anders , Heuchemer Birgit , Lie Ingela Petersson , Gumpert Clara Hellner
Published: January 2013

Introduction:

The aim of this exploratory study was to investigate activities of daily living (ADL) functioning for clients in a forensic psychiatry evaluation unit and also to investigate the relationship between ADL functioning and awareness of their ability to perform ADL.

Method:

The sample consisted of 35 participants at a forensic psychiatry evaluation unit in Sweden. ADL was investigated using the Assessment of Motor and Process Skills (AMPS) and awareness of ability was investigated using the Assessment of Awareness of Ability (A3).

Results:

The ADL mean motor ability for the participants was 1.68 logits and the process ability showed an ADL mean value of 0.83 logit. The mean value of awareness was 0.60 logit. A majority of the participants demonstrated ability measures below the cut-off criteria in the AMPS, which indicates that they might need support to function in the community. There was also a significant relationship between awareness of ability and ADL motor ability (rho = 0.49, p<0.01) and ADL process ability (rho = 0.77, p<0.01).

Conclusion:

Clients in forensic psychiatry demonstrate limited ability in ADL, associated with a limited awareness. Clients in forensic psychiatry may also need assistance to live in the community, which suggests that occupational therapy may be offered to these clients in order to prepare them to manage in the community.
An Occupation-Based Group for Children with Anxiety
Authors: Tokolahi Ema , Em-Chhour Cheryl , Barkwill Laura , Stanley Sarah
Published: January 2013

Introduction:

Anxiety significantly affects children in middle childhood, impacting on functioning and predicting future mental health problems. Despite this, there is little literature describing occupational therapy for this population. This preliminary study evaluated the acceptability and outcomes of an occupation-based group for children with anxiety aged 10–14 years.

Method:

The group employed developmentally appropriate occupations to teach and participate in cognitive, behavioural and functional skills for managing anxiety. The five outcome measures used were the Beck Youth Inventories, Occupational Questionnaire, Child Behaviour Checklist, Health of the Nation Outcome Scales for Children and Adolescents, and Children's Global Assessment Scale. Acceptability was measured by attendance and outcome measures were taken at pre-group and post-group (n = 34). Data were examined using repeated measures t-tests.

Results:

All 34 participants completed the intervention, with 87.9% attendance. Parent-rated child anxiety decreased, as did clinician-rated factors inhibiting optimal functional performance, and clinician-rated overall child functioning increased. No significant changes in child-rated measures were reported.

Conclusion:

Preliminary findings were that the occupation-based group for children with anxiety aged 10–14 years was an acceptable and beneficial intervention for reducing parent-rated and clinician-rated symptoms of anxiety while increasing functioning.
Sequential Management of Keratoconus Treatment
Authors: Salgado-Borges José M , Rodrigues Filipa Daniela , Santos Gil Calvão , Gonçalves Serafim , Ferreira Cláudia Costa
Published: January 2013

The authors describe three cases of patients with bilateral keratoconus. The clinical evolution, tomographic features and the different therapeutic options selected in accordance with the evolution of the disease over the course of 10 years of follow-up are discussed. A periodic follow-up of patients with keratoconus allows planning the most appropriate therapy according to the evolutionary stage of the disease.

How to cite this article

Rodrigues FD, Santos GC, Gonçalves S, Ferreira CC, Salgado-Borges JM. Sequential Management of Keratoconus Treatment. Int J Kerat Ect Cor Dis 2012;1(3):201-204.
Clubes recreativos: identidades e conflitos entre os trabalhadores paulistanos (1900-1920)
Authors: Siqueira Uassyr
Published: January 2013

Este artigo analisa alguns dos clubes recreativos fundados e freqüentados pelos trabalhadores da cidade de São Paulo no início do século XX. Além do lazer, os referidos clubes ofereciam acesso à cultura letrada, à informação e auxílios para os associados. Dessa maneira, são espaços privilegiados para a análise do processo de formação da classe trabalhadora da cidade.
Os trabalhadores e a cidade
Authors: Maciel Osvaldo Batista Acioly
Published: January 2013

Resenha
O trabalho intelectual: entre ação política e projetos de transformação social
Authors: Roiz Diogo da Silva
Published: January 2013

Resenha
De ruas estreitas e outros espaços: as domésticas de Recife e Salvador (1870-1910)
Authors: Silva Maciel Henrique Carneiro da
Published: January 2013

O artigo discute as experiências de trabalhadoras domésticas de Recife e Salvador em torno de 1900. Entendo tais experiências a partir da relação campo/cidade e do processo de construção de redes sociais em contextos espaciais novos. Muitas dessas trabalhadoras eram procedentes de outras regiões e compunham o diversificado e complexo mundo do trabalho com outras categorias profissionais. Por fim, apresento conflitos e solidariedades possíveis em becos, ruas estreitas, e o significado de tais situações em um processo inacabado de formação de classe.
Experimentally determined temperature thresholds for Arctic plankton community metabolism
Authors: Holding J. M. , Duarte C. M. , Arrieta J. M. , Vaquer-Sunyer R. , Coello-Camba A. , Wassmann P. , Agustí S.
Published: January 2013

Abstract. Climate warming is especially severe in the Arctic, where the average temperature is increasing 0.4 °C per decade, two to three times higher than the global average rate. Furthermore, the Arctic has lost more than half of its summer ice extent since 1980 and predictions suggest that the Arctic will be ice free in the summer as early as 2050, which could increase the rate of warming. Predictions based on the metabolic theory of ecology assume that temperature increase will enhance metabolic rates and thus both the rate of primary production and respiration will increase. However, these predictions do not consider the specific metabolic balance of the communities. We tested, experimentally, the response of Arctic plankton communities to seawater temperature spanning from 1 °C to 10 °C. Two types of communities were tested, open-ocean Arctic communities from water collected in the Barents Sea and Atlantic influenced fjord communities from water collected in the Svalbard fjord system. Metabolic rates did indeed increase as suggested by metabolic theory, however these results suggest an experimental temperature threshold of 5 °C, beyond which the metabolism of plankton communities shifts from autotrophic to heterotrophic. This threshold is also validated by field measurements across a range of temperatures which suggested a temperature 5.4 °C beyond which Arctic plankton communities switch to heterotrophy. Barents Sea communities showed a much clearer threshold response to temperature manipulations than fjord communities.
Empreendimentos Imobiliários com Permuta: Avaliação pela Abordagem da Teoria das Opções Reais (TOR)
Authors: Serra Ricardo Goulart , Martelanc Roy , De Sousa Almir Ferreira
Published: January 2013

A tradicional abordagem do fluxo de caixa descontado (FCD) não é apropriada para capturar o valor de eventual flexibilidade de um empreendimento, tendendo a subavaliá-lo. A abordagem pela teoria das opções reais (TOR) supre essa deficiência. Este artigo avalia um empreendimento imobiliário com permuta com flexibilidade de adiamento e constata que o valor obtido através da abordagem da TOR foi 22,6% superior ao obtido pela tradicional abordagem do FCD. Portanto, recomenda-se que a teoria das opções reais seja incorporada às análises de projetos e empresas do setor imobiliário.DOI:10.5585/gep.v3i2.107
Information Technology Project Portfolio and Strategy Alignment Assessment Based on Data Envelopment Analysis
Authors: Sánchez Marisa Analía , Toscana Lidia Susana
Published: January 2013

Recent researches have shown that companies face considerable difficulties in assessing the strategy value contribution of Information Technology (IT) investments. One of the major obstacles to achieving strategy alignment is that organizations find extremely difficult to link and quantify the IT investments benefits with strategic goals. The aim of this paper is to define an approach to assess portfolio-strategy alignment. To this end a formal specification of Kaplan and Norton Strategy Map is developed utilizing Unified Modeling Language (UML). The approach uses the Strategy Map as a framework for defining the portfolio value contribution and Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) is used as the methodology for measuring efficiency of project portfolios.DOI:10.5585/gep.v3i2.66
Maturidade no Gerenciamento de Projetos: Um Estudo das Práticas Existentes nos Órgãos do Governo de Pernambuco
Authors: Feitosa Marcos Gilson Gomes
Published: January 2013

As metas capazes de atender à estratégia dos negócios da organização dão origem aos projetos que a organização executará. E, o sucesso na gestão destes projetos está relacionado com a sua gestão. Com isso, as organizações, especialmente as públicas, por serem vistas como ineficientes, necessitam amadurecer na ciência e na arte da gerência de projetos. Este artigo é um estudo de caso em que se busca identificar o nível de maturidade no gerenciamento de projetos dos órgãos públicos do Estado de Pernambuco, e as práticas de gestão destes projetos. Para tanto foi realizada uma pesquisa quantitativa, a fim de avaliar o nível 2 do modelo do PMMM proposto por Kerzner (2006), e uma pesquisa qualitativa, a fim de identificar as práticas de gestão dos projetos no Estado. Após este estudo, pode-se concluir que os órgãos públicos do Estado de Pernambuco ainda possuem o nível 2 (processo comum) de maturidade em gestão de projetos, visto que a fase de maturidade propriamente ainda não foi alcançada. Sendo assim, para este nível de maturidade, os órgãos públicos do Estado de Pernambuco estão situados entre as fases de crescimento e maturidade da gestão de projetos.DOI:10.5585/gep.v3i2.85
Métodos de Gestão de Projetos e Sucesso dos Projetos: Um Estudo Quantitativo do Relacionamento entre estes Conceitos
Authors: Patah Leandro Alves , Carvalho Marly Monteiro de
Published: January 2013

Investigar o relacionamento entre a adoção de metodologias de gestão de projetos e o sucesso em projetos é o principal objetivo desse trabalho. Para isso a abordagem metodológica consistiu em um levantamento de campo longitudinal, conduzido em 3 países, Argentina, Brasil e Chile, por um período de 3 anos. Foram obtidos dados de 1387 projetos. Os resultados permitiram evidenciar influência positiva e significativa do grau de implementação de métodos de gestão de projetos no sucesso dos mesmos, do ponto de vista de prazo.DOI:10.5585/gep.v3i2.94
Práticas e Ferramentas de Gestão do Conhecimento no Âmbito da Administração Tributária de Minas Gerais: Oportunidade para uma Política Institucional
Authors: Vasconcelos Maria Celeste Reis Lobo , Carvalho Rodrigo Baroni , Neves Jorge Tadeu Ramos
Published: January 2013

O objetivo principal deste artigo é apresentar os resultados de uma pesquisa realizada na Administração Tributária de Minas Gerais (ATMG) para identificar as práticas e as ferramentas de gestão do conhecimento utilizadas no âmbito da instituição, na percepção dos auditores fiscais. A pesquisa teve caráter descritivo adotando abordagem quantitativa e qualitativa e tomou por base teórica principalmente o modelo de Probst, Raub e Romhardt. A amostra analisada foi de 296 (duzentos e noventa e seis) auditores lotados nas superintendências regionais da Secretaria da Fazenda - SEF/MG que deram retorno integral à consulta realizada. Os resultados obtidos apontam no sentido de que as práticas e ferramentas encontradas na instituição têm origem em ações gerenciais não focadas na gestão do conhecimento. Ressaltam-se dentre as práticas identificadas a educação corporativa, o mapeamento de competências, a comunicação institucional e as ferramentas de colaboração (portais). O trabalho pretendeu ser o ponto de partida para a implementação da gestão do conhecimento como política institucional.DOI:10.5585/gep.v3i2.96
Investimento em Projetos com Base no Planejamento Estratégico: Um Estudo de Caso em uma Fábrica de Carrinhos para Supermercado
Authors: Hoss Osni , Zenci Shirley Denise , Lezana Alvaro Guillermo Rojas
Published: January 2013

O presente artigo tem por objetivo apresentar um estudo sobre a importância do planejamento e a busca de informações úteis e precisas na hora de investir em projetos, demonstrando a necessidade de alinhar as decisões aos objetivos estratégicos da empresa. Inicialmente, através de uma revisão da literatura acerca do tema abordado, foram apresentados os principais conceitos e definições sobre os critérios de análise de investimentos considerados mais relevantes e sobre planejamento estratégico. A partir disso, através da aplicação dos critérios, buscou-se demonstrar a viabilidade de um investimento para a ampliação das atividades na empresa Zincar Indústria e Comercio de Carrinhos para Supermercado Ltda, localizada na região sudoeste do Paraná, visando oferecer subsídios para a tomada de decisões por parte dos gestores, através do alinhamento das decisões com a estratégia corporativa da empresa.DOI:10.5585/gep.v3i3.113
Gerenciamento de Projetos em Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento
Authors: Laruccia Mauro Maia , Ignez Plínio Célio , Deghi Gilmar Jonas , Garcia Mamerto Granja
Published: January 2013

Este trabalho tem por objetivo estudar o gerenciamento de projetos na área de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento, em um cenário onde os avanços da tecnologia têm influenciado nas mais diversas áreas do conhecimento humano e passaram a exigir abordagens diferenciadas na forma de planejar, executar e controlar os projetos, para assegurar os resultados almejados pelas organizações. Avaliar as formas de conhecimento aplicadas ao gerenciamento de projetos e as interações de suas disciplinas apresenta-se como uma condição oportuna para compreensão e melhoria do processo de gerenciamento de projetos. Considerando que a interdisciplinaridade destaca-se na crítica e na busca de respostas aos limites do conhecimento e que rompe com o paradigma disciplinar de produção do conhecimento particionado, a análise da forma de conhecimento do gerenciamento de projetos pode contribuir para desvelar oportunidades e engendrar melhorias neste processo. Verifica-se que o gerenciamento de projeto tem evoluído continuamente e congrega diversas disciplinas do conhecimento nos modelos praticados. Atualmente, um dos modelos mais consagrados de gerenciamento de projetos é o Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK), publicado pelo Project Management Institute (PMI), que é utilizado em mais de 185 países. Vale ressaltar, que a simples comunicação entre as disciplinas do gerenciamento de projetos não significa que estejamos aplicando necessariamente uma abordagem interdisciplinar. Analisar o gerenciamento de projetos na ótica da interdisciplinaridade pode contribuir para o aperfeiçoamento dos modelos de gerenciamento de projetos e consequentemente para a geração de melhores resultados para as organizações.DOI:10.5585/gep.v3i3.82
Intellectual Engagement and Other Principles of Mathematics Instruction
Authors: Peterson Blake E. , Corey Douglas L. , Lewis Benjamin M. , Bukarau Jared
Published: January 2013

What can American teachers learn about high-quality mathematics instruction from the Japanese teacher education process?
Comparative Analysis of Targeted Differentiation of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (hiPSCs) and Human Embryonic Stem Cells Reveals Variability Associated With Incomplete Transgene Silencing in Retrovirally Derived hiPSC Lines
Authors: Toivonen Sanna , Ojala Marisa , Hyysalo Anu , Ilmarinen Tanja , Rajala Kristiina , Pekkanen-Mattila Mari , Äänismaa Riikka , Lundin Karolina , Palgi Jaan , Weltner Jere , Trokovic Ras , Silvennoinen Olli , Skottman Heli , Narkilahti Susanna , Aalto-Setälä Katriina , Otonkoski Timo
Published: January 2013

Functional hepatocytes, cardiomyocytes, neurons, and retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells derived from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) or human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) could provide a defined and renewable source of human cells relevant for cell replacement therapies, drug discovery, toxicology testing, and disease modeling. In this study, we investigated the differences between the differentiation potentials of three hESC lines, four retrovirally derived hiPSC lines, and one hiPSC line derived with the nonintegrating Sendai virus technology. Four independent protocols were used for hepatocyte, cardiomyocyte, neuronal, and RPE cell differentiation. Overall, cells differentiated from hESCs and hiPSCs showed functional similarities and similar expression of genes characteristic of specific cell types, and differences between individual cell lines were also detected. Reactivation of transgenic OCT4 was detected specifically during RPE differentiation in the retrovirally derived lines, which may have affected the outcome of differentiation with these hiPSCs. One of the hiPSC lines was inferior in all directions, and it failed to produce hepatocytes. Exogenous KLF4 was incompletely silenced in this cell line. No transgene expression was detected in the Sendai virus-derived hiPSC line. These findings highlight the problems related to transgene expression in retrovirally derived hiPSC lines.
Differentiation of CD133+ Stem Cells From Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Patients Into Preneuron Cells
Authors: González-Garza Maria Teresa , Martínez Héctor R. , Caro-Osorio Enrique , Cruz-Vega Delia E. , Hernández-Torre Martin , Moreno-Cuevas Jorge E.
Published: January 2013

Improvements in quality of life and life expectancy have been observed in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients transplanted with CD133+ stem cells into their frontal motor cortices. However, questions have emerged about the capacity of cells from these patients to engraft and differentiate into neurons. The objective of this work was to evaluate the in vitro capacity of CD133+ stem cells from 13 ALS patients to differentiate into neuron lineage. Stem cells were obtained through leukapheresis and cultured in a control medium or a neuroinduction medium for 2–48 hours. Expression of neuronal genes was analyzed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemical techniques. Fluorescence microscopy demonstrated that CD133+ stem cells from ALS patients incubated for 48 hours in a neuroinduction medium increased the detection of neuronal proteins such as nestin, β-tubulin III, neuronal-specific enolase, and glial fibrillary acidic protein. RT-PCR assays demonstrated an increase in the expression of β-tubulin III, nestin, Olig2, Islet-1, Hb9, and Nkx6.1. No correlation was found between age, sex, or ALS functional scale and the CD133+ stem cell response to the neuroinduction medium. We conclude that CD133+ stem cells from ALS patients, like the stem cells of healthy subjects, are capable of differentiating into preneuron cells.
Reprogramming of Fibroblasts From Older Women With Pelvic Floor Disorders Alters Cellular Behavior Associated With Donor Age
Authors: Wen Yan , Wani Prachi , Zhou Lu , Baer Tom , Phadnis Smruti Madan , Reijo Pera Renee A. , Chen Bertha
Published: January 2013

We aimed to derive induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines from vaginal fibroblasts from older women with pelvic organ prolapse. We examined the effect of donor age on iPSCs and on the cells redifferentiated from these iPSCs. Vaginal fibroblasts were isolated from younger and older subjects for reprogramming. iPSCs were generated simultaneously using an excisable polycistronic lentiviral vector expressing Oct4, Klf4, Sox2, and cMyc. The pluripotent markers of iPSCs were confirmed by immunocytochemistry and quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Spectral karyotyping was performed. The ability of the iPSCs to differentiate into three germ layers was confirmed by embryoid body and teratoma formation. Senescence marker (p21, p53, and Bax) expressions were determined by qRT-PCR and Western blot. The iPSCs were redifferentiated to fibroblasts and were evaluated with senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA) activity and mitotic index using time-lapse dark-field microscopy. iPSCs derived from both the younger and older subjects expressed pluripotency markers and showed normal karyotype and positive teratoma assays. There was no significant difference in expression of senescence and apoptosis markers (p21, p53, and Bax) in iPSCs derived from the younger subject compared with the older subject. Furthermore, fibroblasts redifferentiated from these iPSCs did not differ in SA activity or mitotic index. We report successful derivation of iPSCs from women with pelvic organ prolapse. Older age did not interfere with successful reprogramming. Donor age differences were not observed in these iPSCs using standard senescence markers, and donor age did not appear to affect cell mitotic activity in fibroblasts redifferentiated from iPSCs.
Customize Biological Testing for Best Results
Authors: Duderstadt Eric
Published: January 2013

Although numerous tests are available for analyzing bacteria, they vary greatly in price and time involved. The best approach is one that accounts for the greatest number of bacteria in an acceptable time frame at a reasonable cost. This article discusses quantification and identification methods that meet those requirements.
Behavioural responses of Argentine coastal dusky dolphins(Lagenorhynchus obscurus)to a biopsy pole system
Authors: de Castro R Loizaga , Hoelzel AR , Crespo EA
Published: January 2013

In recent years, analysis of tissue samples has become a powerful tool in cetacean ecology since it provides information for effective conservation and management policies. Biopsy samples taken for such studies have been obtained by various means including crossbows, rifles, and pole systems. We investigated sampling success and the reaction of dusky dolphins(Lagenorhynchus obscurus)off the coast of Argentina to a biopsy pole system from 2008 to 2009. Usingad libitumbehavioural sampling, we documented individual behavioural reactions to biopsy sampling immediately after a biopsy was taken. Log-linear models were used to determine whether there were significant differences in behavioural response for different group size, composition or behavioural context. In total, 109 sampling attempts were made and 58 biopsy samples were obtained (53.21% success rate). The intensity of individual response was influenced by group size and composition. Small groups (typically mother/calf) reacted more frequently than larger groups (generally mixed-age adults and juveniles). The behaviour of the animals prior to our approach for biopsy sampling also affected their response. Milling dolphins appeared to respond more intensively than dolphins socialising or travelling. In conclusion, biopsy sampling with the biopsy pole system presented here show generally mild and short-term reactions, though behaviour, group size and group composition affected the response. This information can be used to minimise the impact of biopsy sampling, and facilitate the collection of data critical to effective conservation strategies.
Potential directions for the IWC to address the conservation and welfare challenges faced by cetacean species
Authors: Harrop SR
Published: January 2013

The gulf between ethical propositions of animal welfare and the scientific basis of wildlife conservation has, at times, impeded a practical working relationship between the two (Harrop 2003). Indeed, quite often the two disciplines are capable of looking in different directions. The conservationist fixes on the species and its population status whilst the welfarist focuses on any animal, regardless of its conservation status, that is phylogenetically sophisticated enough to be capable of suffering. In consequence, welfare components are rare in international wildlife management law and are restricted to being subordinate to conservation objects (Harrop 1997, 2010). Nevertheless, the two disciplines are moving closer in many ways with the development of scientific indicators of welfare and also the need to refine the principal drivers of conservation strategies which must ultimately derive from an ethical objective. In this connection, the recent review of the CBD's strategy at Nagoya founded its new targets on a vision of ‘Living in Harmony With Nature’ (Harrop 2011c). Such an achievement would probably be a first for humanity and an utterly impractical aspiration. However, I would like to construe this vision, with the freedom of poetic licence, as conceiving both a materially and ethically harmonious future for humans and animals.
Wild animal welfare
Authors: Kirkwood JK
Published: January 2013

In recent decades there have been great shifts in attitudes to animals and regarding the extent of our responsibilities for wildlife welfare. The world is changing rapidly and we are feeling our way with some of these issues (for a recent review, see Fraser 2010).