bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Correlation of hormonal and cytokines regulation in case of autoimmune thyroiditis
Authors: Zdor Victoria V.
Published: October 2017

Обоснование. Исследование различных аспектов иммунопатогенеза аутоиммунного тиреоидита (АИТ), занимающего первое место среди аутоиммунной патологии человека, является актуальной проблемой современной медицины. Лечение аутоиммунного гипотиреоза сводится к заместительной терапии тиреоидными гормонами (ТГ), которые на сегодняшний день рассматриваются в качестве суперантигенов при аутоиммунном воспалении щитовидной железы (ЩЖ) и теоретически могут способствовать персистенции и прогрессированию воспалительного процесса. О взаимосвязи функциональной активности тиреоцитов и иммуноцитов через синтезируемые ими гормоны и цитокины, через рецепторы к тиреотропному гормону (ТТГ) на иммуноцитах и рецепторы к цитокинам на тиреоцитах, о возможной дисрегуляции этих взаимодействий при изменении уровней ТГ, ТТГ и/или цитокинов известно около 30 лет. Однако до сих пор не существует ясного представления о причинах нарушения этих взаимодействий, о первичном триггерном механизме АИТ, что существенным образом тормозит прогресс в лечении.
Цель. На основании комплексной оценки гормональных и иммунологических маркеров (ТТГ, ТГ и Treg, Th1-, Th2-, Th17-маркерных цитокинов) с исследованием возможных взаимосвязей их показателей у пациентов с различными клиническими вариантами течения АИТ исходно и на фоне заместительной терапии ТГ определить различия в функциональной активности различных типов иммунокомпетентных клеток в зависимости от тяжести воспалительного процесса для прогнозирования дальнейшего клинического течения АИТ, оптимизации протоколов терапии и своевременной коррекции стратегии лечения.
Методы. В проспективном исследовании у больных АИТ оценивали показатели сывороточного уровня оппозитных цитокинов и их рецепторов до начала терапии ТГ и на фоне лечения с помощью современных методов иммуноферментного анализа с иммунохемилюминесцентными и электрохемилюминесцентными способами детекции.
Результаты. Выявлена избыточная продукция Th1-, Th2-, Th17- и Tregs маркерных цитокинов при дефиците TGF-β1, тесно ассоциированная с тяжестью аутоиммунного гипотиреоза. На фоне терапии ТГ показатели большинства цитокинов снижались или нормализовались, за исключением IL-6, IL-8, IL-2, IFN-g, TNF-α. Наибольшие отличия от нормы были зафиксированы при осложненном течении гипотиреоза.
Заключение. Высокий сывороточный уровень TNF-α при АИТ является надежным маркером неблагоприятного течения и предиктором начала заместительной гормональной терапии при субклиническом течении. Показателями сохранности функционирующего тиреоидногоэпителия являются системные уровни IL-8 и IL-22, их динамическое снижение в сыворотке крови – прогностически неблагоприятный фактор, свидетельствующий о прогрессирующей потере функционально активной тиреоидной ткани и возможном нарастании гипофункции ЩЖ при АИТ. Многократно повышенные показатели IL-1α, IL-6 и IFN-γ могут рассматриваться в качестве предикторов тяжести клинического течения АИТ и аутоиммунного воспаления в ЩЖ.
Making sense while steering through the fog: Principals’ metaphors within a national reform implementation
Authors: Ganon-Shilon Sherry , Schechter Chen
Published: October 2017

Principals’ implementation of national reforms in the educational arena resembles a wild ride on a roller coaster as they face with contradicting demands, ongoing confusion and ambiguity. As critical change agents, principals interpret and translate reform demands into local practices through a process of sense-making. This current qualitative research explored 60 high school principals' sense-making processing of their leadership within a national reform through their use of metaphors. Data analysis yielded four themes: (a) reframing the principal’s role and pedagogical autonomy; (b) reframing the principal’s work; (c) reframing the school culture; and (d) reframing the principal’s relationships with teachers. This study expands the currently limited knowledge about principals' experience with and responses to reforms, and suggests implications and further research on metaphors principals use within reform implementation.
A Krasnosel’skii-type theorem for an enlarged class of orthogonal polytopes
Authors: Breen Marilyn
Published: October 2017

Let 𝓒 be a finite family of distinct boxes in ℝ
d
, let S = ⋃ {C : C in 𝓒} and let G be the intersection graph of 𝓒. For each block of G, assume that the corresponding members of 𝓒 have a staircase convex union. Then S with the rectilinear metric is a median space. Moreover, if every two points of S see a common point via staircase paths in S, then S is staircase starshaped.
Procopius’s Old English
Authors: Carlson David
Published: October 2017

By the middle of the sixth century, in Byzantine perspective, Britain had so long since ceased to be part of the empire of the Romans as to have become a kind of never-land, some part of the known world, but also the sort of place of which it was possible to credit the fabulous. Information was scarce. Nevertheless, the chief source for the sixth-century east-Roman regime in Constantinople, Procopius (c. 500 -565 CE), met a group of Anglo-Saxons c. 540, who were contemporaries of Beowulf’s king Hygelac; and Procopius may have learned from hoi Angiloi something about the Old English poetry, at a particularly important point in its formation, before the beginning of the conversion of the English to Christianity in 597 CE. Procopius’s English informants told him a tale (of the vengeful Anglo-Saxon bride of a Frisian basileos named Radigis) of a type consonant with later examples of Old English poetry; also, with an historical basis that coincides with the historical milieu to which the earliest Old English heroic poetry also refers, including Beowulf.
The Accuracy of Economic Measurement in the Health and Retirement Study
Authors: French Eric , Jones John Bailey , McCauley Jeremy
Published: October 2017

We assess the quality of the HRS’s measures of out-of-pocket medical spending and health insurance premia, both in the “core interviews” and in the “exit interview” data. We provide detailed evidence on the quality of the HRS insurance premia data, and we compare the HRS exit data to exit data in the MCBS. We document how changes in survey questions, including the introduction of “unfolding brackets,” affect the HRS measures. We document what we believe are errors in the HRS imputations and provide some suggestions for improving the accuracy of some imputed variables. Overall, we find the HRS data to be of high quality. However, we believe that many interesting variables in the HRS are under-utilized because users must perform imputations themselves.
“Urban geosites” as an alternative geotourism destination - evidence from Belgrade
Authors: Petrović Marko D. , Lukić Dobrila M. , Radovanović Milan , Vujko Aleksandra , Gajić Tamara , Vuković Darko
Published: October 2017

The research aimed at testing the combination of GAM/M-GAM models (Geosite Assessment Model/Modified Geosite Assessment Model) on selected geoheritage sites (geosites) of great scientific significance and geotourism potential. Testing was done on eight sites in the City of Belgrade (Serbian capital), an area which has significant potential for geotourism development in typical urban conditions. For this purpose, an assessment scale was used to highlight differences and similarities between main and additional values of the observed geosites. The modification of the original GAM model is based on the inclusion of visitors’ opinions regarding the importance of indicators in the assessment process. The assessment was done by using both GAM/M-GAM and its results were analyzed and compared afterwards. The analysis has successfully identified locations and features of geosites that require action for maintaining or increasing their overall value and function. Moreover, the principal aim of the paper was to analyze the relevance of each sub-indicator for the assessment process by introducing the importance factor in the modified model. The authors were able to point out those values of principal importance for geosite visitors, as well as to attach a different relevance to sub-indicators, which can influence the position of the geosites in the GAM/M-GAM matrices.
Reflection of climatic changes during interpleniglacial in the geoecosystems of South-Eastern Poland
Authors: Starkel Leszek , Michczyńska Danuta J. , Gębica Piotr
Published: October 2017

About 70% of the last cold stage was taken by transitional phases of continuous fluctuations of climate and permafrost extension. All this is reflected especially well in slope types and the thickness of slope, fluvial and aeolian deposits. Very distinct and relatively fast changes took place around 33–30 ka BP: the aridification of climate with an ice sheet transgression, expansion of continuous permafrost and the onset of loess deposition. The greatest transformations of slopes and river valleys in the Carpathians and Subcarpathian Basins took place not in the coolest phases but during the Interpleniglacial. The authors exemplified a number of sites in Southern Poland documenting frequent fluctuations of climate and permafrost from that 25–30 ka long period. Calibrated dates of dated episodes correlate well with the δ18O curve from Greenland with frequent warmings. These rapid warmings are reflected in the higher rate of aggradation in valley floors and thick colluvial material deposited over slopes, both combined with a retreat of permafrost. The comparison with the Greenland 18O curve is valuable to establish a comparable chronology of events, even for such a distant area like Central-Eastern Europe.
Cocos nucifera water improves metabolic functions in offspring of high fat diet fed Wistar rats
Authors: Kunle-Alabi Olufadekemi T. , Akindele Opeyemi O. , Raji Yinusa
Published: October 2017

Background:

Maternal high fat diet has been implicated in the aetiology of metabolic diseases in their offspring. The hypolipidaemic actions of Cocos nucifera water improve metabolic indices of dams consuming a high fat diet during gestation. This study investigated the effects of C. nucifera water on metabolism of offspring of dams exposed to high fat diet during gestation.

Methods:

Four groups of pregnant Wistar rat dams (n=6) were treated orally from Gestation Day (GD) 1 to GD 21 as follows: standard rodent feed+10 mL/kg distilled water (Control), standard rodent feed+10 mL/kg C. nucifera water, high fat feed+10 mL/kg distilled water (high fat diet), and high fat feed+10 mL/kg C. nucifera water (high fat diet+C. nucifera water). The feeds were given ad libitum and all dams received standard rodent feed after parturition. Fasting blood glucose was measured in offspring before being euthanized on Postnatal Day (PND) 120. Serum insulin, leptin, lipid profile and liver enzymes were measured.

Results:

Serum total cholesterol (TC), insulin, alanine transaminase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase levels were significantly increased (p<0.05) in high fat diet offspring compared with controls. Similar changes were not observed in high fat diet+C. nucifera water offspring.

Conclusions:

Results suggest that the adverse effects of maternal high fat diet on offspring’s metabolism can be ameliorated by C. nucifera water.
Determinants of home range size and spatial overlap of Gracilinanus agilis (Mammalia: Didelphidae) in central-western Brazil
Authors: Shibuya Patrícia Sayuri , Melo Geruza Leal , Cáceres Nilton Carlos
Published: October 2017

The use of space in mammals may vary according to sexual dimorphism, mating system and territorial behavior in order to ensure optimization of the reproductive success of each sex and the interactions with other species. In the present study, the determinants of home range (HR) size of males and females ofGracilinanus agilis(Burmeister 1854) were evaluated in a savanna remnant in central-western Brazil. We used live traps and capture-mark-recapture to estimate HR size. Using the method of minimum convex polygon, we estimated the HR of 24 individuals. The species showed sexual dimorphism, with males showing larger body size. The HR estimated was 0.38±0.41 ha and the highest estimated HR was for a male, with 2.08 ha. Females’ HR sizes varied according to body mass, food availability and number of captures. The more important predictor for males was the number of females found within their HRs. The overlapping areas between pairs of males were larger than those between pairs of females, suggesting that females have territorial behavior as they had mostly exclusive HRs. Considering that food availability was an important predictor for female HR size, we hypothesize that the territorial behavior in females is related to food resource.
Dynamical behavior for a stochastic two-species competitive model
Authors: Xu Changjin , Liao Maoxin
Published: October 2017

This paper deals with a stochastic two-species competitive model. Some very verifiable criteria on the global stability of the positive equilibrium of the deterministic system are established. An example with its computer simulations is given to illustrate our main theoretical findings.
Clinical efficacy of alprostadil combined with α-lipoic acid in the treatment of elderly patients with diabetic nephropathy
Authors: Hong Yan , Peng Jianyun , Cai Xiaoping , Zhang Xiaoru , Liao Yifei , Lan Lejian
Published: October 2017

Objective

To evaluate the effect and toxicity of alprostadil combined with thioctic acid injection in the treatment of patients with diabetic nephropathy (DN).

Methods

Sixty two patients with DN were included in this study and randomly divided into control group (n=32) and experiment group (n=30). Patients in the control group were given alprostadil 20ug+NS 100ml ivgtt, qd and patients in the experiment group were given alprostadil 20ug+NS 100ml ivgtt combined with thioctic acid injection of 0.45g+100ml ivgtt, qd for 14 days. After treatment, the renal function and serum level of CRP, IL-6 and TNF-α were compared between the two groups.

Results

After two weeks of treatment, the serum level of CysC and UAER significant decreased for both control and experiment group with statistical difference of p<0.05. After treatment, the serum level of CysC were 1.40 ±0.46 mg/L and 1.02±0.33 for control and experiment group respectively (p<0.05). The post-treatment UAER in experiment group was significantly lower than those of control group with statistical difference (81.02±0.33 vs112.45±20.32, p<0.05) ug/min. The serum level of CRP, IL-6 and TNF-α were significantly decreased after treatment for both control and experiment group (p<0.05). And the post-treatment serum CRP, IL-6 and TNF-α in experiment group were significantly lower than those of control group with statistical difference (p<0.05). No significant side effects were found for the two groupsin the course of treatment.

Conclusion

Alprostadil combined with α-lipoic acid may improve renal function in patients with diabetic nephropathy by decreasing the levels of serum inflammatory factors.
On Complete Control and Synchronization of Zhang Chaotic System with Uncertain Parameters using Adaptive Control Method
Authors: Tirandaz Hamed
Published: October 2017

Chaos control and synchronization of chaotic systems is seemingly a challenging problem and has got a lot of attention in recent years due to its numerous applications in science and industry. This paper concentrates on the control and synchronization problem of the three-dimensional (3D) Zhang chaotic system. At first, an adaptive control law and a parameter estimation law are achieved for controlling the behavior of the Zhang chaotic system. Then, non-identical synchronization of Zhang chaotic system is provided with considering the Lü chaotic system as the follower system. The synchronization problem and parameters identification are achieved by introducing an adaptive control law and a parameters estimation law. Stability analysis of the proposed method is proved by the Lyapanov stability theorem. In addition, the convergence of the estimated parameters to their truly unknown values are evaluated. Finally, some numerical simulations are carried out to illustrate and to validate the effectiveness of the suggested method.
Merchant Acceptance of Payment Cards: “Must Take” or “Wanna Take”?
Authors: Bounie David , François Abel , Van Hove Leo
Published: October 2017

In recent years, regulators in various parts of the world have capped interchange fees on debit and credit cards. The justification for the caps rests to a large extent on the argument that these cards have, for certain merchants, become must-take cards rather than “wanna-take cards.” That is, there are merchants who accept payment cards not because they bring net convenience benefits but out of fear of losing profitable business to card-accepting competitors. This paper presents an original approach that allows to quantify, for the first time, the relative importance of the two motivations. We find, for the case of France in 2008, that the must-take phenomenon effectively exists, but that it applies to only 5.8–19.8 percent of the card-accepting merchants and to a mere 3.9–13.5 percent of all retailers.
Radical scavenging potency of 2-(benzofuran-2-yl)-2-oxoethyl 3-(methyl/amino)benzoate: synthesis, crystal structure and Hirshfeld surface analysis
Authors: Then Li Yee , Kumar C.S. Chidan , Kwong Huey Chong , Mah Siau Hui , Loh Wan-Sin , Quah Ching Kheng , Win Yip-Foo , Chandraju Siddegowda
Published: October 2017

Two novel 2-(benzofuran-2-yl)-2-oxoethyl 3-(methyl/amino)benzoates 2(a–b), were synthesized under mild conditions and characterized by spectroscopic analysis. The three-dimensional (3D) crystal structures of these compounds were further determined using single crystal X-ray diffraction technique and revealed that both compounds tend to twist away with respect to their attached carbonyl groups at the C(=O)–C–O–C(=O) connecting bridge, exhibiting a nearly perpendicular conformation with torsion angle in a range of 75–94°. In both compounds, each of the benzofuran and substituted phenyl rings are individually planar while almost perpendicular to each other. Their molecular conformation are comparable with related structures from the Cambridge Structural Database (CSD). Furthermore, the intermolecular interactions in these crystal structures were quantified and analyzed using Hirshfeld surfaces computational method. The quantitative data on the percentage contributions of overall interactions on the molecules 2a and 2b (A & B) is calculated by the 2-D fingerprint plots from the HS analysis. These structures were evaluated for their antioxidant properties by diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging, ferrous ion chelating (FIC) and hydrogen peroxide radical scavenging assays (H2O2). Noteworthy, compound 2b with an amino substituent attached to the phenyl ring exhibited an IC50 value of 45.37 μg/mL in H2O2 scavenging assay, which showed better scavenging effect than the standard drug, ascorbic acid (IC50=81.02 μg/mL).
Two superstructures of Ce3Rh4Ge4
Authors: Voßwinkel Daniel , Hoffmann Rolf-Dieter , Svitlyk Volodymyr , Hermes Wilfried , Greiwe Magnus , Niehaus Oliver , Chevalier Bernard , Matar Samir F. , Alam Adel F. Al , Nakhl Michel , Ouaini Naïm , Pöttgen Rainer
Published: October 2017

Two different samples of Ce3Rh4Ge4 were synthesized from different starting compositions by melting of the elements in an arc-melting furnace followed by annealing sequences in a sealed tantalum ampoule in a muffle furnace. The structures of two different stacking variants were refined on the basis of temperature dependent single-crystal X-ray diffractometer data. At high temperature Ce3Rh4Ge4 adopts the U3Ni4Si4 type structure with strongly enhanced anisotropic displacement parameters for the Rh1 atoms. For the two different crystals, additional reflections start to appear at different temperatures. The first crystal showed additional reflections already at room temperature (stacking variant I) and the second one showed additional reflections emerging below 270 K (stacking variant II). Stacking variant I could be described with the (3+1)D superspace group I2/m(α0γ)00; α=1/2a*, γ=1/2c*; (Z=2), 1252 F
2 values, 48 variables, wR=0.0306 for the main and wR=0.0527 for 440 1st order satellite reflections, similar to Pr3Rh4Ge4. For stacking variant II the (3+1)D superspace group is Immm(α00)00s; α=1/2a*; (Z=2). The structure could be refined with 1261 F
2 values, 53 variables and residuals of wR=0.0331 for the main reflections and wR=0.1755 (R1obs=0.0788) for the 1st order satellite reflections, [a=406.2(1), b=423.7(1) and c=2497.1(1) pm]. The commensurate description could be transformed to a three-dimensional (3D) supercell with space group Pnma and Z=4: a=812.5(1), b=423.7(1), c=2497.1(2) pm, 1261 F
2 values, 69 variables and wR=0.0525. The relation of the U3Ni4Si4 type structure, the (3+1)D modulated and the 3D supercells are discussed on the basis of group-subgroup schemes. Ab initio electronic structure calculations are in line with the diffraction experiments, revealing the lowest total energy for the Pnma phase.
Moving Towards Sustainable Outcomes in Student Partnerships: Partnership Values in the Pilot Year
Authors: Marie Jenny , McGowan Susannah
Published: October 2017

The UCL ChangeMakers scheme supports students and staff to work in partnership to enhance the University College London (UCL) learning experience. In 2014/15 we piloted the scheme with 10 projects run by 24 students in collaboration with 11 staff members. This paper will focus on our evaluation efforts of the pilot year through 4 illustrative case studies highlighting the successes and challenges of 4 projects. We focused our discussion on how projects were defined, what role students and staff should have had in defining the projects, and the sustainability of the projects once the student moves on or graduates. From our case study analysis, our findings revealed that a series of partnership values—collective responsibility, honesty, plurality, and trust—need to be considered in order to have an impact on the sustainability of the project and, more importantly, on the learning experience for students.
The Opening Conference: A Case Study in Undergraduate Co-design and Inquiry-based Learning
Authors: Rakrouki Zak , Gatenby Mark , Cantore Stefan , Rowledge Thomas , Davidson Tom
Published: October 2017

The separation between “research” and “teaching” in universities has been under increasing challenge from scholars who want to place inquiry-based learning at the centre of higher education. An important approach to challenging established paradigms and structures is to question, and thereby destabilise, role distinctions, relationships, language, and learning spaces. In this article we present a case study of a conference organized in collaboration between staff and students for first-year undergraduates. Reinventing the academic conference space is our aim in challenging assumptions about undergraduate education. As co-designers of the conference, we reflect on the activities and institutional context leading to the creation of the event, its design and implementation, and its impact on the undergraduate learning community.
Five Propositions for Genuine Students as Partners Practice
Authors: Matthews Kelly E
Published: October 2017

This editorial proposes five interrelated principles for good practice in partnership. Because it is a key force in partnership, power connects the five propositions. My intention is to draw together various threads of research and practice into overarching principles that can guide meaningful, power-sharing, and influential partnership approaches across a diverse range of institutional contexts and Students as Partners approaches.
Heart Rate Variability and Training Load Among National Collegiate Athletic Association Division 1 College Football Players Throughout Spring Camp
Authors: Flatt Andrew A. , Esco Michael R. , Allen Jeff R. , Robinson James B. , Earley Ryan L. , Fedewa Michael V. , Bragg Amy , Keith Clay M. , Wingo Jonathan E.
Published: October 2017

Flatt, AA, Esco, MR, Allen, JR, Robinson, JB, Earley, RL, Fedewa, MV, Bragg, A, Keith, CM, and Wingo, JE. Heart rate variability and training load among National Collegiate Athletic Association Division 1 college football players throughout spring camp. J Strength Cond Res 32(11): 3127–3134, 2018—The purpose of this study was to determine whether recovery of cardiac-autonomic activity to baseline occurs between consecutive-day training sessions among positional groups of a collegiate football team during Spring camp. A secondary aim was to evaluate relationships between chronic (i.e., 4-week) heart rate variability (HRV) and training load parameters. Baseline HRV (lnRMSSD_BL) was compared with HRV after ∼20 hours of recovery before next-day training (lnRMSSDpost20) among positional groups composed of SKILL (n = 11), MID-SKILL (n = 9), and LINEMEN (n = 5) with a linear mixed model and effect sizes (ES). Pearson and partial correlations were used to quantify relationships between chronic mean and coefficient of variation (CV) of lnRMSSD (lnRMSSD_chronic and lnRMSSDcv, respectively) with the mean and CV of PlayerLoad (PL_chronic and PL_cv, respectively). A position × time interaction was observed for lnRMSSD (p = 0.01). lnRMSSD_BL was higher than lnRMSSDpost20 for LINEMEN (p < 0.01; ES = large), whereas differences for SKILL and MID-SKILL were not statistically different (p > 0.05). Players with greater body mass experienced larger reductions in lnRMSSD (r = −0.62, p < 0.01). Longitudinally, lnRMSSDcv was significantly related to body mass (r = 0.48) and PL_chronic (r = −0.60). After adjusting for body mass, lnRMSSDcv and PL_chronic remained significantly related (r = −0.43). The ∼20-hour recovery time between training sessions on consecutive days may not be adequate for restoration of cardiac-parasympathetic activity to baseline among LINEMEN. Players with a lower chronic training load throughout camp experienced greater fluctuation in lnRMSSD (i.e., lnRMSSDcv) and vice versa. Thus, a capacity for greater chronic workloads may be protective against perturbations in cardiac-autonomic homeostasis among American college football players.
Evaluating Drinking Water Treatment Waste as a Low-Cost Cement Replacement Possessing Internal Curing Properties
Authors: Nowasell Qiwei C. , Kevern John T.
Published: October 2017

With increasing attention to carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, the cement and construction industry have been exploring every opportunity to reduce embodied energy and carbon footprint. Concrete currently incorporates many recycled industrial byproducts such as fly ash and blast furnace slag, which helps reduce the quantity of landfilled materials while reducing CO2. The large volume of drinking water treatment waste (DWTW) generated by all metropolitan cities has motivated many to investigate possible beneficial utilization. Despite the high purity of DWTW, high moisture content and the associated high energy required to dry the material into a readily usable form have prevented beneficial usage from moving forward in any significant capacity. This research evaluates the use of landfilled material in the as-received, moist condition as a cement replacement powder with internal curing properties. The results show that for a high cementitious mix, where internal curing would be recommended to achieve maximum hydration, up to 10 % replacement with DWTW provides equivalent strength and heat of hydration without negatively impacting setting time.
Piloted Quality Control Techniques Using the Plastic Mold Compaction Device for Cement Stabilized Materials
Authors: Sullivan W. Griffin , Howard Isaac L.
Published: October 2017

Some highway agencies make heavy use of cement-stabilized materials (i.e., soil-cement) for subbase and base pavement layers. Recently, several soil-cement studies have been funded by highway agencies. Through one of these studies, the plastic mold compaction device (PM Device) was developed, which is designed to compact 2:1 height/diameter specimens inside plastic molds. The most novel aspect of the PM Device is the potential to interface mechanistic-empirical pavement design, laboratory mixture design, and construction quality control/quality assurance (QC/QA) activities. To date, the PM Device has been evaluated with respect to design activities, but little work has been performed to evaluate the PM Device’s effectiveness as a tool during construction. This paper focuses on three pilot projects in which the PM Device was evaluated as a potential QC/QA tool. The PM Device demonstrated merit as a QC/QA tool for A-2-4 classified materials, but the current PM Device does have particle size limitations. The PM Device produced consistent specimen densities with a predetermined compactive effort, provided an indication of cement content of field-mixed material via unconfined compressive strength testing, and correlated favorably with field cores in a limited assessment. The investigations presented need to be supplemented by additional projects to develop a framework for the PM Device to be implemented into an agency QC/QA program.
Effect of Atrazine Contamination on Compressibility and Permeability Characteristics of Clay
Authors: Keramatikerman Mahdi , Chegenizadeh Amin , Pu Hefu
Published: October 2017

Atrazine (ATZ) is one of the most heavily used herbicides in the world, particularly in the United States and Australia. This study evaluated the compressibility and permeability characteristics of two Western Australia natural clays contaminated with varying ATZ contents. A series of one-dimensional consolidation tests using fixed-ring oedometer device were conducted, and the final hydraulic conductivity was calculated at the end of each loading stage. At the first stage, the strain–time graphs at 1,280 kPa effective overburden pressure (σ′n) were evaluated, and the results indicated that the specimens with a greater ATZ content have higher values of final vertical strain (ϵv). Then, the compression index (Cc) values were computed from the void ratio–effective overburden pressure curves (e−σ′n), and the results showed that the compression index (Cc) increased as the ATZ content of the tested clays increased. At the next stage, the coefficient of consolidation (cv) was calculated using the Casagrande method and the Taylor method. The results showed that the computed coefficient of consolidation (cv) using the Taylor method was slightly greater than those calculated using the Casagrande method in both tested clays. Also, the hydraulic conductivity (k) values of the tested clays increased as the contamination content increased (i.e., 3.1 × 10-7 ≤ k ≤ 129 × 10-7 cm/s and 4.49 × 10-9 ≤ k ≤ 95.3 × 10-9 cm/s). This behavior, which was attributed to promotion of the agglomeration and aggregation between clay particles, promoted formation of the tiny voids in the soil. Finally, the secondary compression ratio (Rα) and secondary compression index (Cα) were computed, and the results showed that the specimens containing higher ATZ content had greater values of Rα and Cα.
Mechanical and Microstructural Characterization of Forged Inconel 625 Ring Gaskets for Oil and Gas Application
Authors: Rivolta B. , Gerosa R. , Tavasci F. , Ori Belometti L.
Published: October 2017

The need for mechanical components that perform well in critical service conditions pushed industrial research to develop materials with an excellent combination of mechanical and corrosion resistance. Among these new materials are nickel alloys and duplex stainless steels, which play primary roles in many engineering fields, especially in the oil and gas industries, in which the use of pipes, flanges, and gaskets is very common. In the international standards, much attention is paid to the first two components, but less information is available about gaskets and their behavior during the tightening operation. Standards generally require a maximum hardness for the gasket, even if this parameter is not sufficient to describe the whole plastic behavior of the material. In this experimental work, two forged Inconel 625 rings were investigated: one was delivered in the as-forged condition, whereas the second was solubilized at 1,150°C. The soaking time at such a temperature must be carefully studied in order to get a homogeneous temperature field in the whole component and to obtain a decrease of the as-forged hardness as required by the standards. For such a reason, tests will be performed to study the grain growth and the hardness evolution varying the soaking time at 1,150°C. Finally, the tensile and compression properties will be studied to determine the stress-strain behavior of the alloy in the elastic and plastic fields.
Clinical characteristics of 138 Chinese female patients with idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism
Authors: Tang Rui-yi , Chen Rong , Ma Miao , Lin Shou-qing , Zhang Yi-wen , Wang Ya-ping
Published: October 2017

Objective

To evaluate the clinical features of Chinese women with idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (IHH).

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the clinical characteristics, laboratory and imaging findings, therapeutic management and fertility outcomes of 138 women with IHH. All patients had been treated and followed up at an academic medical centre during 1990–2016.

Results

Among the 138 patients, 82 patients (59.4%) were diagnosed with normosmic IHH and 56 patients (40.6%) were diagnosed with Kallmann syndrome (KS). The patients with IHH experienced occasional menses (4.3%), spontaneous thelarche (45.7%) or spontaneous pubarche (50.7%). Women with thelarche had a higher percentage of pubarche (P < 0.001) and higher gonadotropin concentrations (P < 0.01). Olfactory bulb/sulci abnormalities were found during the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of all patients with KS. Most patients with IHH had osteopenia and low bone age. Among the 16 women who received gonadotropin-releasing hormone treatment, ovulation induction or assisted reproductive technology, the clinical pregnancy rate was 81.3% and the live birth rate was 68.8%.

Conclusions

The present study revealed that the phenotypic spectrum of women with IHH is broader than typical primary amenorrhoea with no secondary sexual development, including occasional menses, spontaneous thelarche or pubarche. MRI of the olfactory system can facilitate the diagnosis of KS. Pregnancy can be achieved after receiving appropriate treatment.
The induction of myeloma cell death and DNA damage by tetrac, a thyroid hormone derivative
Authors: Cohen Keren , Abadi Uri , Hercbergs Aleck , Davis Paul J , Ellis Martin , Ashur-Fabian Osnat
Published: October 2017

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a plasma cell malignancy in which involvement of the thyroid hormone-integrin αvβ3 pathway was shown, and pharmacologic inhibition of this pathway is a rational approach to disease management. A thyroid hormone derivative, tetraiodothyroacetic acid (tetrac), which inhibitsl-thyroxine (T4) and 3,5,3′-triiodo-l-thyronine (T3) binding to αvβ3 integrin, was studied in five MM cell lines and primary bone marrow (BM) MM cells. Tetrac inhibited MM cell proliferation (absolute cell number/viability) and induced caspase-dependent apoptosis (annexin-V/PI and cell cycle). Activation of caspase-9 and caspase-3 was further demonstrated. Moreover, DNA damage markers, ataxia-telangiectasia-mutated (ATM) kinase, poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP-1) and histone γH2AX were induced by tetrac. The various tetrac-initiated effects were attenuated by Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) peptide, suggesting integrin involvement. Primary BM mononuclear cells were harvested from MM patients (n = 39) at various disease stages. Tetrac-induced apoptosis (12/17 samples) and sensitized the cytotoxic action of bortezomib (6/9 samples). Lastly, expression of plasma membrane integrin αvβ3 was shown not only in the malignant plasma clone, but also in other cell populations within the BM samples (n = 25). Tetrac is anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic in MM and cells may offer a therapeutic approach for this disease.
Involvement of leptin in the molecular physiology of the placenta
Authors: Schanton Malena , Maymó Julieta L , Pérez-Pérez Antonio , Sánchez-Margalet Víctor , Varone Cecilia L
Published: October 2017

Leptin is a homeostatic regulator in the placenta where it promotes proliferation, protein synthesis and the expression of tolerogenic maternal response molecules such as HLA-G. Leptin also exerts an anti-apoptotic action in placenta controlling the expression of p53 master cell cycle regulator under different stress conditions. On the other hand, leptin is an integrative target of different placental stimuli. The expression of leptin in placenta is regulated by hCG, insulin, steroids, hypoxia and many other growth hormones, suggesting that it might have an important endocrine function in the trophoblastic cells. The leptin expression is induced involving the cAMP/PKA or cAMP/Epac pathways which have profound actions upon human trophoblast function. The activation of PI3K and MAPK pathways also participates in the leptin expression. Estrogens play a central role during pregnancy, particularly 17β-estradiol upregulates the leptin expression in placental cells through genomic and non-genomic actions. The leptin promoter analysis reveals specific elements that are active in placental cells. The transcription factors CREB, AP1, Sp1, NFκB and the coactivator CBP are involved in the placental leptin expression. Moreover, placental leptin promoter is a target of epigenetic marks such as DNA methylation and histone acetylation that regulates not only the leptin expression in placenta during pregnancy but also determines the predisposition of acquiring adult metabolism diseases. Taken together, all these results allow a better understanding of leptin function and regulatory mechanisms of leptin expression in human placental trophoblasts, and support the importance of leptin during pregnancy and in programming adult health.
Peace economics in a changing world
Authors: Gilpin Raymond
Published: October 2017

Even though the global economy continues to grow and technological advancements expand horizons, over half of the world’s population experiences profound want and fear on a daily basis. The global poor are predominantly found in countries that are underdeveloped and/or conflict-affected. Traditional economics has failed to provide an analytical framework that is both appropriate and transferrable, particularly in contexts where Westphalian assumptions of statehood do not hold true. Globalization, the rise of nonstate actors, and the existence of persistent low-intensity conflict have reconfigured the geostrategic landscape. By emphasizing the use of economic principles to promote peace through the design and implementation of strategies that foster efficiency and inclusion, peace economics could provide a viable framework for the development and security of fragile states and regions. This article examines the evolution of the discipline, analyzes potential challenges posed by fragile states, and proposes six recommendations for contemporary peace economists.
IMPORTANCIA DEL ENFOQUE TRANSFORMADOR DE LA EVALUACIÓN COMO EJERCICIO PARA ORIENTAR LA CONSTRUCCIÓN DE POLÍTICAS PÚBLICAS
Authors: Quesada García David
Published: October 2017

El propósito de este artículo es reflexionar sobre el papel de la evaluación en los procesos de construcciónde políticas públicas en la sociedad contemporánea, ya que elabora una discusión teórica sobreelementos que se deben considerar de forma integral e interdependiente. Denotando desde la revisiónrealizada la importancia del papel transformador y de aprendizaje continuo de la acción que plantea losejercicios evaluativos, de esta forma, se expone una propuesta de principios para canalizar y orientarla evaluación. En sus conclusiones se destaca el rol de la ciudadanía, la inclusión de la perspectiva degénero, la transparencia y la ética, para la promoción de dicho proceso de forma situada, permanentey transformadora.
CONFIGURANDO NUEVOS MOVIMIENTOS SOCIALES LATINOAMERICANOS EN EL ESPACIO DEL RESQUEBRAJAMIENTO EPISTÉMICO-COLONIAL NEOLIBERAL
Authors: Mejías Sandia Carlos , Suárez Manrique Pablo
Published: October 2017

Los nuevos movimientos sociales en Latinoamérica están exhibiendo procesos de búsqueda de igualdady diferencia social, étnica, epistémica, sexual y de género, en contextos construidos por formas dedominación múltiple que caracterizan las dinámicas del capitalismo global contemporáneo. El escritopropone que las nuevas otras epistemologías que despliegan algunos movimientos sociales contemporáneos constituyen una pista de relación densa entre la producción de conocimiento sobre el fenómeno y las recientes experiencias colectivas de liberación social, o dicho de otra manera, variadas praxis cotidianas forjan unas otras formas de epistemología política liberadora.
Avaliação de Estados de Humor nos Exames da Royal Academy of Dance
Authors: Trevisan Priscila Raquel Tedesco da Costa , Schwartz Gisele Maria , Auriemo Danielle Ferreira , Palhares Marcelo Fadori Soares , Catib Norma Ornelas Montebugnoli , Ribeiro Ivana de Campos
Published: October 2017

RESUMO Este estudo qualitativo investigou os estados de humor de alunos participantes dos Exames da Royal Academy of Dance. A pesquisa exploratória utilizou o POMS (Profile of Mood States), aplicado antes e após o exame, a uma amostra intencional composta por 12 estudantes de dança, faixa etária de 18 a 40 anos. A análise descritiva, ao se comparar os dados obtidos no pré e pós-teste, evidenciou um aumento da fadiga e uma diminuição do vigor e índices mínimos dos estados de tensão, depressão, raiva e confusão mental. Novos estudos se fazem necessários, visando ao aprimoramento das abordagens acerca dos estados subjetivos envolvendo as práticas, a formação em dança e as avaliações das performances, aspectos ainda pouco explorados em âmbito acadêmico.
Trajetórias Escolares de Surdos: Entre Práticas Pedagógicas e Processos de Desenvolvimento Bicultural
Authors: Ribeiro Camila Brito , Silva Daniele Nunes Henrique
Published: October 2017

RESUMO Caracterizada por uma variedade de estratégias de ensino, a experiência dos surdos na escola tem sido marcada por fracasso e evasão escolar. Assim, propomos refletir sobre os processos de escolarização desses sujeitos. Os dados foram coletados em sessões clínicas, estruturadas por equipe profissional multidisciplinar (pedagogo, psicóloga e intérprete), com um grupo de quatro surdos. As narrativas analisadas detiveram-se nas práticas pedagógicas, apontando três eixos de análise: (a) o papel da língua no processo de ensino-aprendizagem, (b) a atuação do intérprete de língua de sinais em sala de aula e (c) dificuldades decorrentes da aprendizagem baseada exclusivamente na escrita e na oralidade. Conclui-se pela importância de pensar o processo de inclusão do surdo a partir do respeito à sua condição bilíngue.
Do catador ao doutor: um retrato da informalidade do trabalhador por conta própria no Brasil
Authors: Santiago Carlos Eduardo Pinto , Vasconcelos Ana Maria Nogales
Published: October 2017

Resumo: O presente artigo tem por intuito avaliar o grau de formalização dos trabalhadores por conta própria no Brasil. Inicialmente, é feita uma revisão bibliográfica sobre os estudos que originaram o conceito “setor informal”. Ao explorar a operacionalização do conceito, o autor argumenta que o termo “emprego informal” ratifica a ideia de que existem casos em que o trabalhador por conta própria pode ser considerado como formal. A partir da análise da evolução dos dados da Pesquisa Nacional por Amostra de Domicílios (PNAD 2009-2014), é traçado um panorama do trabalho por conta própria no Brasil, com destaque para o fato de que entre os indivíduos adultos e residentes em áreas urbanas, apenas 16,1% são formais. Conclui-se que a taxa de formalização do trabalho por conta própria pode ser ampliada, e para que isso ocorra é fundamental um conhecimento mais apurado sobre essa heterogênea categoria ocupacional, que engloba do catador ao doutor.
Desindustrialização regional no Brasil
Authors: Monteiro Fagner Diego Spíndola Correia , Lima João Policarpo Rodrigues
Published: October 2017

Resumo: Este trabalho tem como objetivo analisar, por uma perspectiva inédita, possíveis indícios de desindustrialização na economia brasileira. Para tanto, analisamos dados regionais e estaduais referentes ao período de 1985 a 2010, utilizando indicadores de desindustrialização já consagrados. Adicionalmente, são analisadas diferenças regionais da relação VTI/VBPI e discute-se sobre ganhadores e perdedores do ponto de vista setorial e regional, ponderando-se razões para o comportamento divergente do processo por região. Por fim, estima-se um modelo paramétrico regredindo participação da indústria de transformação regional no PIB da região e renda per capita regional. Conclui-se que, em nível regional, as regiões Sudeste, Sul e Nordeste acumulam indícios de desindustrialização, enquanto as demais regiões seguem padrão inverso, levando a crer que a desindustrialização brasileira é, em parte, também uma descentralização espacial (regional) da produção industrial e que o processo de desindustrialização brasileiro difere entre as regiões acometidas pelo processo.
As primeiras preocupações com a periferia do sistema capitalista nas teses do imperialismo de Kautsky e Bukharin
Authors: Pereira Vinícius Vieira
Published: October 2017

Resumo: A partir das contribuições de Karl Kautsky e Nikolai Bukharin, datadas das primeiras décadas do século XX, bem como de toda herança que guardam das ideias originárias de Marx, o artigo analisa como esses dois teóricos interpretaram os efeitos do processo histórico de expansão mundial das relações burguesas de produção sobre as regiões ainda não capitalistas do globo, as mesmas que, posteriormente, passariam a ser tratadas sob o amplo conceito de periferia. Diante de um cenário de autêntico imperialismo capitalista, buscar-se-á resgatar as impressões e preocupações que levaram ambos os autores à percepção ideal de um processo real de polarização da economia mundial em um centro, desenvolvido e rico, e em uma periferia, pobre e retardatária, argumento que dominaria as discussões desenvolvimentistas algumas décadas depois.
As barreiras da prática docente no uso das tecnologias de informação e comunicação
Authors: Schuhmacher Vera Rejane Niedersberg , Alves Filho José de Pinho , Schuhmacher Elcio
Published: October 2017

Resumo: O uso das Tecnologias de Informação e Comunicação (TIC) em situações de Ensino tem sido contraditório no círculo docente. Muitos professores, ao reconhecerem seu valor na Educação, em situações de integração, experimentam dificuldades na construção e na mediação do conhecimento. Este artigo apresenta os resultados da investigação sobre as barreiras enfrentadas pelo docente na inserção das TIC em sua prática no sistema escolar. A proposta metodológica envolveu a análise dos Projetos Político Pedagógicos de cursos de Licenciatura; entrevista a coordenadores e questionários com professores do Ensino Médio e das Licenciaturas. Aponta-se para um professor interessado em usar as TIC, mas desprovido do conhecimento necessário para empregá-las em situações de ensino-aprendizagem. Algumas situações que, em princípio, haviam sido consideradas como "barreiras" se configuraram efetivamente como "obstáculos" à prática docente. Identificaram-se três grupos de obstáculo: estrutural, epistemológico e didático. Apresentam-se proposições que oportunizam a identificação da gênese dos obstáculos e estratégias para sua superação.