bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Changes in Expression of Genes Regulating Airway Inflammation Following a High-Fat Mixed Meal in Asthmatics
Authors: Li Qian , Baines Katherine , Gibson Peter , Wood Lisa
Published: January 2016

Consumption of a high fat meal can increase neutrophilic airway inflammation in asthma subjects. This study investigates the molecular mechanisms driving airway neutrophilia following a high fat meal in asthmatics. Subjects with asthma (n = 11) and healthy controls (n = 8) consumed a high-fat/energy meal, containing total energy (TE) of 3846 kJ and 48 g of total fat (20.5 g saturated). Sputum was induced at 0 and 4 h, and gene expression was examined by microarray and quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). Following the high fat dietary challenge, 168 entities were significantly differentially expressed greater than >1.5 fold in subjects with asthma, whereas, in healthy controls, only 14 entities were differentially expressed. Of the 168 genes that were changed in asthma, several biological processes were overrepresented, with 25 genes involved in “immune system processes”. qPCR confirmed that S100P, S100A16, MAL and MUC1 were significantly increased in the asthma group post-meal. We also observed a strong correlation and a moderate correlation between the change in NLRP12 and S100A16 gene expression at 4 h compared to baseline, and the change in total and saturated non-esterified plasma fatty acid levels at 2 h compared to baseline. In summary, our data identifies differences in inflammatory gene expression that may contribute to increased airway neutrophilia following a high fat meal in subjects with asthma and may provide useful therapeutic targets for immunomodulation. This may be particularly relevant to obese asthmatics, who are habitually consuming diets with a high fat content.
Pathogens, Commensals, and Immunity: From the Perspective of the Urinary Bladder
Authors: Beutler Bruce
Published: January 2016

Why study immunity as it pertains to the urinary bladder? [...]
Prediction of Soil Moisture Content and Soil Salt Concentration from Hyperspectral Laboratory and Field Data
Authors: Xu Chi , Zeng Wenzhi , Huang Jiesheng , Wu Jingwei , Van Leeuwen Willem
Published: January 2016

This research examines the simultaneous retrieval of surface soil moisture and salt concentrations using hyperspectral reflectance data in an arid environment. We conducted laboratory and outdoor field experiments in which we examined three key soil variables: soil moisture, salt and texture (silty loam, clay and silty clay). The soil moisture content models for multiple textures (M_SMC models) were based on selected hyperspectral reflectance data located around 1460, 1900 and 2010 nm and resulted in R2 values higher than 0.933. Meanwhile, the soil salt concentrations were also accurately (R2 > 0.748) modeled (M_SSC models) based on wavebands located at 540, 1740, 2010 and 2350 nm. When the different texture samples were mixed (SL + C + SC models), soil moisture was still accurately retrieved (R2 = 0.937) but the soil salt not as well (R2 = 0.47). After stratifying the samples by retrieved soil moisture levels, the R2 of calibrated M_SSCSMC models for soil salt concentrations improved to 0.951. This two-step method also showed applicability for analyzing soil-salt samples in the field. The M_SSCSMC models resulted in R2 values equal to 0.912 when moisture is lower than 0.15, and R2 values equal to 0.481 when soil moisture is between 0.15 and 0.2.
A Statistical Algorithm for Estimating Chlorophyll Concentration in the New Caledonian Lagoon
Authors: Wattelez Guillaume , Dupouy Cécile , Mangeas Morgan , Lefèvre Jérôme , Touraivane  , Frouin Robert
Published: January 2016

Spatial and temporal dynamics of phytoplankton biomass and water turbidity can provide crucial information about the function, health and vulnerability of lagoon ecosystems (coral reefs, sea grasses, etc.). A statistical algorithm is proposed to estimate chlorophyll-a concentration ([chl-a]) in optically complex waters of the New Caledonian lagoon from MODIS-derived “remote-sensing” reflectance (Rrs). The algorithm is developed via supervised learning on match-ups gathered from 2002 to 2010. The best performance is obtained by combining two models, selected according to the ratio of Rrs in spectral bands centered on 488 and 555 nm: a log-linear model for low [chl-a] (AFLC) and a support vector machine (SVM) model or a classic model (OC3) for high [chl-a]. The log-linear model is developed based on SVM regression analysis. This approach outperforms the classical OC3 approach, especially in shallow waters, with a root mean squared error 30% lower. The proposed algorithm enables more accurate assessments of [chl-a] and its variability in this typical oligo- to meso-trophic tropical lagoon, from shallow coastal waters and nearby reefs to deeper waters and in the open ocean.
Spatially and Temporally Complete Satellite Soil Moisture Data Based on a Data Assimilation Method
Authors: Xiao Zhiqiang , Jiang Lingmei , Zhu Zhongli , Wang Jindi , Du Jinyang
Published: January 2016

Multiple soil moisture products have been generated from data acquired by satellite. However, these satellite soil moisture products are not spatially or temporally complete, primarily due to track changes, radio-frequency interference, dense vegetation, and frozen soil. These deficiencies limit the application of soil moisture in land surface process simulation, climatic modeling, and global change research. To fill the gaps and generate spatially and temporally complete soil moisture data, a data assimilation algorithm is proposed in this study. A soil moisture model is used to simulate soil moisture over time, and the shuffled complex evolution optimization method, developed at the University of Arizona, is used to estimate the control variables of the soil moisture model from good-quality satellite soil moisture data covering one year, so that the temporal behavior of the modeled soil moisture reaches the best agreement with the good-quality satellite soil moisture data. Soil moisture time series were then reconstructed by the soil moisture model according to the optimal values of the control variables. To analyze its performance, the data assimilation algorithm was applied to a daily soil moisture product derived from the Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer for the Earth Observing System (AMSR-E), the Microwave Radiometer Imager (MWRI), and the Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer 2 (AMSR2). Preliminary analysis using soil moisture data simulated by the Global Land Data Assimilation System (GLDAS) Noah model and soil moisture measurements at a multi-scale Soil Moisture and Temperature Monitoring Network on the central Tibetan Plateau (CTP-SMTMN) was performed to validate this method. The results show that the data assimilation algorithm can efficiently reconstruct spatially and temporally complete soil moisture time series. The reconstructed soil moisture data are consistent with the spatial precipitation distribution and have strong positive correlations with the values simulated by the GLDAS Noah model over large areas of the region. Compared to the soil moisture measurements at the medium and large networks, the reconstructed soil moisture data have almost the same accuracy as the soil moisture product derived from AMSR-E/MWRI/AMSR2 for ascending and descending orbits.
Recognition of Activities of Daily Living with Egocentric Vision: A Review
Authors: Nguyen Thi-Hoa-Cuc , Nebel Jean-Christophe , Florez-Revuelta Francisco
Published: January 2016

Video-based recognition of activities of daily living (ADLs) is being used in ambient assisted living systems in order to support the independent living of older people. However, current systems based on cameras located in the environment present a number of problems, such as occlusions and a limited field of view. Recently, wearable cameras have begun to be exploited. This paper presents a review of the state of the art of egocentric vision systems for the recognition of ADLs following a hierarchical structure: motion, action and activity levels, where each level provides higher semantic information and involves a longer time frame. The current egocentric vision literature suggests that ADLs recognition is mainly driven by the objects present in the scene, especially those associated with specific tasks. However, although object-based approaches have proven popular, object recognition remains a challenge due to the intra-class variations found in unconstrained scenarios. As a consequence, the performance of current systems is far from satisfactory.
Development of a Room Temperature SAW Methane Gas Sensor Incorporating a Supramolecular Cryptophane A Coating
Authors: Wang Wen , Hu Haoliang , Liu Xinlu , He Shitang , Pan Yong , Zhang Caihong , Dong Chuan
Published: January 2016

A new room temperature supra-molecular cryptophane A (CrypA)-coated surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensor for sensing methane gas is presented. The sensor is composed of differential resonator-oscillators, a supra-molecular CrypA coated along the acoustic propagation path, and a frequency signal acquisition module (FSAM). A two-port SAW resonator configuration with low insertion loss, single resonation mode, and high quality factor was designed on a temperature-compensated ST-X quartz substrate, and as the feedback of the differntial oscillators. Prior to development, the coupling of modes (COM) simulation was conducted to predict the device performance. The supramolecular CrypA was synthesized from vanillyl alcohol using a double trimerisation method and deposited onto the SAW propagation path of the sensing resonators via different film deposition methods. Experiential results indicate the CrypA-coated sensor made using a dropping method exhibits higher sensor response compared to the unit prepared by the spinning approach because of the obviously larger surface roughness. Fast response and excellent repeatability were observed in gas sensing experiments, and the estimated detection limit and measured sensitivity are ~0.05% and ~204 Hz/%, respectively.
Quantifying Next Generation Sequencing Sample Pre-Processing Bias in HIV-1 Complete Genome Sequencing
Authors: Vrancken Bram , Trovão Nídia , Baele Guy , Van Wijngaerden Eric , Vandamme Anne-Mieke , Van Laethem Kristel , Lemey Philippe
Published: January 2016

Genetic analyses play a central role in infectious disease research. Massively parallelized “mechanical cloning” and sequencing technologies were quickly adopted by HIV researchers in order to broaden the understanding of the clinical importance of minor drug-resistant variants. These efforts have, however, remained largely limited to small genomic regions. The growing need to monitor multiple genome regions for drug resistance testing, as well as the obvious benefit for studying evolutionary and epidemic processes makes complete genome sequencing an important goal in viral research. In addition, a major drawback for NGS applications to RNA viruses is the need for large quantities of input DNA. Here, we use a generic overlapping amplicon-based near full-genome amplification protocol to compare low-input enzymatic fragmentation (Nextera™) with conventional mechanical shearing for Roche 454 sequencing. We find that the fragmentation method has only a modest impact on the characterization of the population composition and that for reliable results, the variation introduced at all steps of the procedure—from nucleic acid extraction to sequencing—should be taken into account, a finding that is also relevant for NGS technologies that are now more commonly used. Furthermore, by applying our protocol to deep sequence a number of pre-therapy plasma and PBMC samples, we illustrate the potential benefits of a near complete genome sequencing approach in routine genotyping.
Isolation and characterization of 28 microsatellite loci for a Korean endemic, Lespedeza maritima (Fabaceae)
Authors: Jin Dong‐Pil , Cho Won‐Bum , Choi In‐Su , Choi Byoung‐Hee
Published: January 2016

Premise of the study:

We developed microsatellite primers for Lespedeza maritima (Fabaceae), a Korean endemic shrub, and conducted cross‐amplifications for closely related species.

Methods and Results:

We produced 28 polymorphic microsatellite markers through reference mapping of 300‐bp paired‐end reads obtained from Illumina MiSeq data. For 47 individual plants from two populations, the total alleles numbered two to 13, and observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.067 to 0.867 and from 0.064 to 0.848, respectively. Most of these markers were well amplified in closely related species.

Conclusions:

In future research, the microsatellite markers described here will help reveal the taxonomic entity of this species.
Preservation of iridescent colours in Phorinia Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830 (Diptera: Tachinidae)
Authors: Braet Yves , Downes Stephen , Simonis Priscilla
Published: January 2016

Iridescent blue-green colours are exhibited by various organisms including several taxa in the Tachinidae (Diptera) with notable examples within the Afrotropical members of the genus Phorinia Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830. The vivid colouration observed in life quickly fades to a dull golden-yellow when a specimen is dried. Although well known, no published explanation has been given for this phenomenon.

We illustrate the mechanism associated with this colour change. We also test and propose technical alternatives to retain the living colours in dried specimens.
Attachement au père et relation d’activation en thérapie familiale
Authors: Lethiais Laurent , Har Alexandre
Published: January 2016

La clinique actuelle nous confronte régulièrement à des jeunes adultes désorientés, échouant dans leurs études, ne parvenant pas à nouer des relations durables et à se projeter dans l’avenir. Certains paraissent emprisonnés dans une relation ambivalente de dépendance et de frustration vis-à-vis de leurs parents. Des études récentes indiquent que dans la relation d’attachement à l’enfant, le rôle du père, loin d’être celui d’un simple tiers séparateur, est considérable dans l’aide au développement des capacités d’exploration et d’adaptation sociale. Après avoir passé en revue le champ théorique de l’attachement père-enfant ainsi que la relation d’activation, nous illustrerons nos propos de deux vignettes cliniques issues de séances en thérapie familiale. Nous verrons comment et dans quelles situations il peut être pertinent de se focaliser sur la dyade Père – Enfant dans la clinique du jeune adulte déprimé dans une perspective de restauration et d’activation des liens d’attachement.
Une anomalie normale de l’État de droit
Authors: Salle Grégory
Published: January 2016

Dans le cadre d’un dossier sur les « réformes de l’enfermement », cette contribution étudie la détention provisoire en République fédérale d’Allemagne depuis l’après-guerre à partir des critiques incessantes dont ce régime est chroniquement la cible. Les excès comme les lacunes de cette pratique font en effet l’objet de griefs récurrents et consensuels, pouvant aller jusqu’à mettre en cause la qualité de l’État de droit elle-même. Ils alimentent en retour d’incessants appels à la « réforme » de ce qui fait figure d’exception abusivement normalisée depuis au moins l’ordonnance d’exécution faisant autorité en la matière, dont la version initiale date de 1953, sans grand changement en pratique. Comment expliquer la persistance d’un fonctionnement quasi unanimement décrié comme anormal, voire scandaleux ? Cet article propose un début de réponse en présentant d’abord les motifs structurants des critiques adressées depuis lors à la détention avant jugement, en distinguant le vide juridique, la démesure quantitative, la discrimination judiciaire, l’aberration carcérale et l’instrumentalisation sociopolitique. Sur cette base, il s’efforce ensuite de rendre compte de la baisse sensible du nombre de détenus prévenus depuis vingt ans, qui peut apparaître comme un signe d’intégration de la critique, en replaçant cette tendance quantitative dans une recomposition plus générale des moyens de la coercition étatique.
A New EYENET Model for Diagnosis of Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Authors: Kandan Priya , Aruna P.
Published: January 2016

Age-related macular degeneration is an eye disease, that gradually degrades the macula, a part of the retina, which is responsible for central vision. It occurs in one of the two types, DRY and WET age-related macular degeneration. In this chapter, to diagnose Age-related macular degeneration, the authors have proposed a new EYENET model which was obtained by combining the modified PNN and modified RBFNN and hence it poses the advantages of both the models. The amount of the disease spread in the retina can be identified by extracting the features of the retina. A total of 250 fundus images were used, out of which 150 were used for training and 100 images were used for testing. Experimental results show that PNN has an accuracy of 87%, modified PNN has an accuracy of 90% RBFNN has an accuracy of 80%, modified RBFNN has an accuracy of 85% and the proposed EYENET Model has an accuracy of 94%. This infers that the proposed EYENET model outperforms all other models.
Online Community-Based Practices for Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) at Open Universities Australia
Authors: Axmann Mandi , Atkins Ren
Published: January 2016

Free online offerings or massive open online courses (MOOCs) have caused much controversy in the higher education sector. MOOCs are often criticized for having very low completion rates, not contributing much to the development of higher order thinking skills, and lacking academic rigor. This study aimed to investigate the learning elements which would offer students a sense of connection and deeper understanding of concepts by means of online community-based practices. This chapter reports on the findings from surveying 3,000 students that enrolled in free online offerings at Open2Study. Preliminary findings indicated that the learning elements of interaction and complexity rated highest for student motivation and learner engagement within free online offerings.
Design, Implementation and Evaluation of MOOCs to Improve Inclusion of Diverse Learners
Authors: Sanchez-Gordon Sandra , Luján-Mora Sergio
Published: January 2016

This chapter presents accessibility requirements that need to be considered in the design, implementation and evaluation of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) to ensure they are inclusive. Accessibility requirements take in account particular needs, preferences, skills and situations of diverse learners, e.g. people with disabilities, elderly people and foreign students. The accessibility needs have to be considered in the design and implementation of MOOCs' interfaces, contents and learning/assessment activities. Due to its open and massive nature, with an adequate implementation, MOOCs can overcome inclusion barriers for the benefit of potential learners worldwide, both able and disabled. For evaluation, there are accessibility evaluation tools that identify accessibility problems in the content, semantic and structural elements of a website that can be used to evaluate the level of accessibility of MOOCs. Additional expert-based and user-based evaluations are always recommended in order to achieve valid results.
A Cross-Cultural Comparison of Generation Y Attitudes to Nature, Wellbeing and Rural Tourism
Authors: Smith Melanie , Slusariuc Gabriela Corina
Published: January 2016

This study focuses on questionnaire research which explores the attitudes and perceptions of Generation Y to nature-based activities. Case studies are given of Hungary and Romania, which are largely rural countries, but which have relatively low levels of health, wellbeing and happiness compared to the EU and OECD average. It is argued that new ways need to be found of developing a healthier, happier society, especially amongst the younger generations, such as increasing time spent in nature. More than 350 questionnaires were collected in a number of countries but the majority were from Hungary and Romania from students aged approximately 21-30. There were asked about their reasons for going to the countryside regularly (or not); their preferred activities and types of landscape, their perceptions of the health benefits of nature; and their intentions to spend more time in nature in the future, either as a resident or a tourist.
Enhancing the Quality of Educational Website Design through Assessment for Learning Strategies
Authors: Ng Wing Shui
Published: January 2016

To improve the quality of a website, many principles or guidelines have been suggested in the literature. However, the application of related principles is not a straightforward issue. It requires the web developer with high level of self-awareness to continuously review his own works and to justify the design based on related web design principles. The web developer should behave as a reflective practitioner for creating a high-quality website which fulfilled web design principles in various aspects. However, reflection cannot be implicitly assumed as an inborn ability. Certain experiences or training must be provided so as to enable the web designer to develop high level of self-reflection. In this connection, this chapter introduces a series of assessment for learning strategies with self- and peer-assessment components for transforming a web developer into a reflective practitioner. Detailed implementation, its effectiveness and participants' opinions of the self- and peer-assessment strategy of a case study will be reported.
On the Dynamic Shifting of the MapReduce Timeout
Authors: Memishi Bunjamin , Ibrahim Shadi , Perez Maria S. , Antoniu Gabriel
Published: January 2016

MapReduce has become a relevant framework for Big Data processing in the cloud. At large-scale clouds, failures do occur and may incur unwanted performance degradation to Big Data applications. As the reliability of MapReduce depends on how well they detect and handle failures, this book chapter investigates the problem of failure detection in the MapReduce framework. The case studies of this contribution reveal that the current static timeout value is not adequate and demonstrate significant variations in the application's response time with different timeout values. While arguing that comparatively little attention has been devoted to the failure detection in the framework, the chapter presents design ideas for a new adaptive timeout.
Genetically-based resistance of balsam fir (Pinaceae) to damage from the balsam twig aphid (Hemiptera: Aphididae)
Authors: Edwards Sara , Jesson Linley K. , Quiring Dan , Weng Yuhui , Johns Rob , Park Yill Sung
Published: January 2016

We evaluated the effect of tree genotype on the resistance of balsam fir,Abies balsamea(Linnaeus) Miller (Pinaceae), to damage from the balsam twig aphid,Mindarus abietinusKoch (Hemiptera: Aphididae), by visually assessing aphid damage in clonal seed orchards located in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, Canada, during four consecutive years. Estimates of clone mean heritability were moderate, suggesting that heritability of resistance is influenced by genetic factors. In New Brunswick, positive phenotypic and genetic correlations of clone-mean damage among years indicate that clones rank similarly each year. Our results suggest that selectively breeding for increased resistance could result in genetic gains.
Distinctions among Circulating Antibody-Secreting Cell Populations, Including B-1 Cells, in Human Adult Peripheral Blood
Authors: Quách Tâm D. , Rodríguez-Zhurbenko Nely , Hopkins Thomas J. , Guo Xiaoti , Hernández Ana María , Li Wentian , Rothstein Thomas L.
Published: January 2016

Human Ab-secreting cell (ASC) populations in circulation are not well studied. In addition to B-1 (CD20+CD27+CD38lo/intCD43+) cell and conventional plasmablast (PB) (CD20-CD27hiCD38hi) cell populations, in this study, we identified a novel B cell population termed 20+38hi B cells (CD20+CD27hiCD38hi) that spontaneously secretes Ab. At steady-state, 20+38hi B cells are distinct from PBs on the basis of CD20 expression, amount of Ab production, frequency of mutation, and diversity of BCR repertoire. However, cytokine treatment of 20+38hi B cells induces loss of CD20 and acquisition of CD138, suggesting that 20+38hi B cells are precursors to PBs or pre-PBs. We then evaluated similarities and differences among CD20+CD27+CD38lo/intCD43+ B-1 cells, CD20+CD27hiCD38hi 20+38hi B cells, CD20−CD27hiCD38hi PBs, and CD20+CD27+CD38lo/intCD43− memory B cells. We found that B-1 cells differ from 20+38hi B cells and PBs in a number of ways, including Ag expression, morphological appearance, transcriptional profiling, Ab skewing, Ab repertoire, and secretory response to stimulation. In terms of gene expression, B-1 cells align more closely with memory B cells than with 20+38hi B cells or PBs, but differ in that memory B cells do not express Ab secretion-related genes. We found that B-1 cell Abs use Vh4-34, which is often associated with autoreactivity, 3- to 6-fold more often than other B cell populations. Along with selective production of IgM anti–phosphoryl choline, these data suggest that human B-1 cells might be preferentially selected for autoreactivity/natural specificity. In summary, our results indicate that human healthy adult peripheral blood at steady-state consists of three distinct ASC populations.
Invariant NKT Cell Activation Induces Late Preterm Birth That Is Attenuated by Rosiglitazone
Authors: St. Louis Derek , Romero Roberto , Plazyo Olesya , Arenas-Hernandez Marcia , Panaitescu Bogdan , Xu Yi , Milovic Tatjana , Xu Zhonghui , Bhatti Gaurav , Mi Qing-Sheng , Drewlo Sascha , Tarca Adi L. , Hassan Sonia S. , Gomez-Lopez Nardhy
Published: January 2016

Preterm birth (PTB) is the leading cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality worldwide. Although intra-amniotic infection is a recognized cause of spontaneous preterm labor, the noninfection-related etiologies are poorly understood. In this article, we demonstrated that the expansion of activated CD1d-restricted invariant NKT (iNKT) cells in the third trimester by administration of α-galactosylceramide (α-GalCer) induced late PTB and neonatal mortality. In vivo imaging revealed that fetuses from mice that underwent α-GalCer–induced late PTB had bradycardia and died shortly after delivery. Yet, administration of α-GalCer in the second trimester did not cause pregnancy loss. Peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor (PPAR)γ activation, through rosiglitazone treatment, reduced the rate of α-GalCer–induced late PTB and improved neonatal survival. Administration of α-GalCer in the third trimester suppressed PPARγ activation, as shown by the downregulation of Fabp4 and Fatp4 in myometrial and decidual tissues, respectively; this suppression was rescued by rosiglitazone treatment. Administration of α-GalCer in the third trimester induced an increase in the activation of conventional CD4+ T cells in myometrial tissues and the infiltration of activated macrophages, neutrophils, and mature dendritic cells to myometrial and/or decidual tissues. All of these effects were blunted after rosiglitazone treatment. Administration of α-GalCer also upregulated the expression of inflammatory genes at the maternal–fetal interface and systemically, and rosiglitazone treatment partially attenuated these responses. Finally, an increased infiltration of activated iNKT-like cells in human decidual tissues is associated with noninfection-related preterm labor/birth. Collectively, these results demonstrate that iNKT cell activation in vivo leads to late PTB by initiating innate and adaptive immune responses and suggest that the PPARγ pathway has potential as a target for prevention of this syndrome.
Madinat Al-Zahra. La Ciudad Brillante La investigación como difusión
Authors: Montilla Torres Irene , Vallejo Triano Antonio
Published: January 2016

As Madinat al-Zahra grows with the opening of its new Museum, it required a huge increase within the diffusion resources used until that precise moment in order to explain the caliphal city. One of the chosen options was to create an audiovisual presentation which, on the base of computer graphics and compiling the results of the research developed on the last decades in the Archaeological Site, shall offer a scientifically rigorous explanation and, at the same time, easy to understand for a diverse audience. This tool so becomes in a powerful instrument in order to transfer scientific knowledge to society.
El impacto del Big-data en la Sociedad de la Información. Significado y utilidad”
Authors: Monleon-Getino Antonio
Published: January 2016

Inmersos en la revolución digital, generamos constantemente datos y la mayoría son almacenados. Es lo que se ha denominado los “datos grandes” o Big-data. Junto con el capital y la fuerza de trabajo, los datos se han convertido en un valor añadido para la economía que refleja un futuro con un paradigma revolucionario en el que la sociedad será dirigida por los datos. El futuro está en la investigación, tratamiento y aplicación de los datos que aportarán prosperidad a nuestra sociedad. En el presente artículo se recogen las normas y leyes que existen hoy en día en el Big-data y la regulación existente. Para analizar Big-data la solución pasa por el aprendizaje automático (Machine-Learning) que se ocupa de la construcción y el estudio de los algoritmos que pueden aprender a partir de datos. Existen muchas técnicas, como estadística descriptiva, clasificación o agrupamiento. En este artículo se recoge las tecnologías que se utilizan para almacenar y analizar los “Big-data”.
El papel de las tecnologías cívicas en la redefinición de la esfera pública
Authors: Sánchez Duarte José Manuel , Bolaños Huertas María Victoria , Magallón Rosa Raúl , Caffarena Victoria Anderica
Published: January 2016

Las deficiencias de la democracia representativa, expresadas en términos de desafección y distancia con los actores políticos tradicionales, repercuten en la demanda de estructuras más accesibles a la ciudadanía que promuevan iniciativas de transparencia y favorezcan la rendición de cuentas en el ejercicio del poder. Las tecnologías cívicas, herramientas impulsadas principalmente por organizaciones de la sociedad civil, pretenden implicar a la ciudadanía en la toma de decisiones públicas. En el siguiente artículo reflexionamos sobre las potencialidades y límites de estas tecnologías en el contexto de una esfera pública dinámica profundizando en los nuevos patrones de relación entre los medios de comunicación, las redes sociales y este tipo de iniciativas.
Estrategias y prácticas comunicativas del activismo político en las redes sociales en España
Authors: Casero-Ripollés Andreu
Published: January 2016

Las redes sociales están introduciendo importantes novedades en los movimientos sociales. El objetivo de este artículo es analizar las estrategias y prácticas comunicativas desplegadas por los activistas políticos en las redes sociales en el contexto español. Para ello, se analizan tres procesos: la automediación, la monitorización de los centros de poder y el establecimiento inverso de la agenda. La metodología se basa en el estudio de caso y la entrevista en profundidad. Los resultados revelan que la web 2.0 ofrece numerosas potencialidades para el activismo político pero también plantea límites a su acción.
“AVALIAÇÃO DA QUALIDADE DE CÁPSULAS DE GUARANÁ (Paullinia cupana Kunth), MANIPULADAS E COMERCIALIZADAS POR FARMÁCIAS MAGISTRAIS”
Authors: Alves Vanessa Gomide , Leonel Alexandre Henrique , Berretta Andresa Aparecida
Published: January 2016

A qualidade de insumos farmacêuticos e medicamentos é uma questão imprescindível para o sucesso da terapêutica. Nesse sentido, a Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária (ANVISA) têm, ao longo dos anos, estabelecido normas para regular os fornecedores de insumos, indústrias farmacêuticas e farmácias de manipulação e drogarias. Nesse sentido, o presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a qualidade de cápsulas de guaraná (Paullinia cupana) manipuladas em farmácias de manipulação da cidade de Franca, São Paulo. A qualidade do produto foi avaliada seguindo métodos farmacopéicos como referência. As cápsulas foram avaliadas quanto à padrões mínimos de qualidade e envolveram a determinação do peso médio, umidade, material estranho, teor de cafeína, desintegração e cinzas. Os resultados demonstraram que o insumo foi adequadamente identificado, estando dentro dos padrões farmacopéicos de qualidade, no entanto, os resultados obtidos com o produto final demonstraram que 2% das amostras apresentaram avarias, como cápsulas amassadas, 30% demonstraram variação no peso acima da margem aceita. Desse modo, os resultados do trabalho sugerem que embora diversas medidas estejam sendo adotadas para a qualidade, há espaço para a implementação de melhoria contínua.
MECANISMO DE AÇÃO, EFEITOS FARMACOLÓGICOS E REAÇÕES ADVERSAS DA CEFTRIAXONA: UMA REVISÃO DE LITERATURA
Authors: Freitas Rivelilson M
Published: January 2016

A ceftriaxona é uma cefalosporina de terceira geração muito usada atualmente. É uma droga que age inibindo a síntese da parede microbiana, possuindo amplo espectro de ação contra bactérias gram-negativas. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi conduzir uma revisão de literatura sobre os aspectos farmacológicos da ceftriaxona, incluindo o mecanismo de ação que possa explicar os efeitos tóxicos e a toxicidade aguda e em longo prazo. Métodos: Para tanto foi realizada uma revisão da literatura usando as palavras-chaves ceftriaxona, reações adversas, farmacocinética e cefalosporinas, por intermédio do MEDLINE e LILACS. A busca inclui todos os artigos publicados no período entre 1985 a 2008. Resultados: Ainda existem muitas questões sem respostas sobre a farmacologia da ceftriaxona e a fisiologia dos efeitos tóxicos dessa substância. A simples descrição do mecanismo de ação é insuficiente para explicar todos os efeitos induzidos por este antibiótico. Conclusão: Existem poucas informações na literatura sobre a farmacologia e o mecanismo de ação da ceftriaxona que possam explicar seus efeitos adversos. São necessários mais estudos para que o profissional de saúde possa obter informações e conhecimento, a fim de combater os efeitos adveros decorrentes do tratamento com a ceftriaxona.
ANTIPSICÓTICOS ATÍPICOS VERSUS EFEITO OBESOGÊNICO SOB A ÓPTICA DA QUÍMICA MEDICINAL
Authors: Schmitz Ana Paula , Kreutz Olyr Celestino , Suyenaga Edna Sayuri
Published: January 2016

Os fármacos antipsicóticos são os principais agentes utilizados no tratamento da esquizofrenia e atuam principalmente como antagonistas do receptor dopaminérgico D2. Entre eles, destacam-se os antipsicóticos atípicos, os quais apresentam um perfil farmacológico peculiar por induzirem menos efeitos extrapiramidais. Geralmente são indicados aos pacientes com sintomas negativos da esquizofrenia, ou em casos refratários ao tratamento com medicamentos de primeira geração, porém são relatados . Desta forma, foi realizada uma revisão bibliográfica sobre estes fármacos correlacionando a estrutura química versus atividade farmacológica. Sugere-se que o grupamento piperazina seja responsável pelos efeitos obesogênicos, ao se ligar aos receptores histaminérgicos H1. A observação dos grupamentos farmacofóricos e as modificações químicas permitem a compreensão do seu perfil farmacodinâmico e farmacocinético, cujo entendimento da sua química medicinal é de suma importância ao tratamento satisfatório ao paciente esquizofrênico.
Bivalirudin as an Alternative to Heparin for Anticoagulation in Infants and Children
Authors: Buck Marcia L.
Published: January 2016

Bivalirudin, a direct thrombin inhibitor, is a useful alternative to heparin for anticoagulation in infants and children. It has been found to be effective in patients requiring treatment of thrombosis, as well as those needing anticoagulation during cardiopulmonary bypass, extracorporeal life support, or with a ventricular assist device. While it has traditionally been used in patients who were unresponsive to heparin or who developed heparin-induced thrombocytopenia, it has recently been studied as a first-line agent. Bivalirudin, unlike heparin, does not require antithrombin to be effective, and as a result, has the potential to provide a more consistent anticoagulation. The case reports and clinical studies currently available suggest that bivalirudin is as effective as heparin at reaching target activated clotting times or activated partial thromboplastin times, with equivalent or the lower rates of bleeding or thromboembolic complications. It is more expensive than heparin, but the cost may be offset by reductions in the costs associated with heparin use, including anti-factor Xa testing and the need for administration of antithrombin. The most significant disadvantage of bivalirudin remains the lack of larger prospective studies demonstrating its efficacy and safety in the pediatric population.
Inhibitory Effects of Leaves of Guava (Psidium guajava) on TPA-Induced Inflammation and Tumor Promotion in Two-Stage Carcinogenesis in Mouse Skin
Authors: Ken Yasukawa  , Tomohito Kakegawa
Published: January 2016

Cancer prevention offers the most cost-effective long-term health strategy. The methanol extract of the leaves of guava(Psidium guajava) exhibits marked antitumor activity in an in vivo two-stage carcinogenesis test in mice using 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) as an initiator and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13- acetate (TPA) as a promoter. From the active fraction of the methanol extract, five triterpene acids, uvaol (1), ursolic acid (2), corosolic acid (3), asiatic aci (4), and oleanolic acid d (5), were isolated and identified. These compounds were evaluated for their inhibitory effects on TPA-induced inflammation (1 µg/ear) in mice, and showed marked anti-inflammatory effects, with a 50% inhibitory dose of 117–657 nmol/ear. The leaves of guava may therefore be effective for cancer prevention.
A 0.123% Stevia/Aspartame 91/9 Aqueous Solution Balances the Effects of the Two Substances, and may thus be a Safer and Tastier Sweetener to be Used
Authors: Marie-Claire Cammaerts  , Roger Cammaerts  , Axel Dero
Published: January 2016

Sweeteners are presently largely consumed all over the world, essentially aspartame (North America, Europe) and stevia (South America, Asia). Aspartame has a pleasant taste but present some adverse effects; stevia has very few adverse effects but has not the sweetest taste. Using ants as biological models, we here examined if a 0.123% solution of stevia/aspartame 91/9 might have both a pleasant taste and nearly no adverse effects. We found that it did not change the ants’ food consumption while aspartame increased it and stevia slightly decreased it. It did not affect their locomotion, precision of reaction and response to pheromones as aspartame did. It did not increase their audacity as aspartame largely and stevia somewhat did. It did not affect the ants’ brood caring behavior and cognition as aspartame did, and it did not impact the conditioning ability and memory as aspartame drastically and stevia slightly did. Confronted to sugar water and a stevia/aspartame 91/9 solution, the ants equally drunk the two solutions, while having the choice between aspartame and sugar, they soon nearly exclusively chose the sugar, and while in presence of stevia and sugar, the ants progressively chose the sugar. Very probably aspartame enhanced the taste of stevia, and as the latter contains a true glycoside, a stevia/aspartame 91/9 solution did not affect the ants’ physiology and ethology as pure aspartame did. In front of sugar and a stevia/aspartame ca 96/4 solution, the ants chose the sugar. Thus, a 0.123% solution in which 9% aspartame (and no less) is mixed to 91% stevia (and no more) appears to constitute a safe and tasty sweetener which could be used instead of solutions containing only aspartame or stevia.
Utility and Validity of Authentic Assessments and Conventional Tests for International Early Childhood Intervention Purposes: Evidence from U.S. National Social Validity Research
Authors: Lee Deborah D. , Bagnato Stephen J. , Frontczak Kristie Pretti
Published: January 2016

The reported U.S. incidence of delay/disability in young children, and thus need for services, is far higher than those currently receiving early intervention supports and services [1]. Government representatives and policymakers in the U.S. have concluded that traditional tests fail to capture sufficient numbers of young children who must access early intervention supports at a critical life moment [2], even though state regulations often mandate their use. The early intervention field regards authentic assessments as a more effective alternative. However, few U.S. studies have been conducted to compare and validate the use of either conventional tests or authentic assessments for early intervention purposes. National social validity research in the United States by Bagnato et al. [3,4] revealed that authentic assessments fulfill the qualities/needs of the early childhood intervention field better than conventional tests. However, no national studies had been conducted to examine the qualities and patterns of use for authentic and conventional measures among interdisciplinary professionals. Based on an expanded national internet survey in the current follow-up research, we compared the qualities/patterns of use among professionals for both types of measures in the early childhood intervention field. Overall, median ratings indicate that the top authentic assessments are more valid/useful than the most popular conventional tests to accomplish most early intervention purposes. Based on the results, we share the implications as “practice-based research evidence” to guide international policymakers, professionals, and parents to advocate, choose, and use “best measures for best practices.”
Recursos e capacidades de inovação como fonte de vantagem competitiva no mercado brasileiro de alimentos industrializados
Authors: Silva Carlos Vinnícius
Published: January 2016

Este estudo objetivou identificar do ponto de vista da VBR, os recursos e capacidades da organização que a área de inovação entende serem fontes de vantagem competitiva sustentável no mercado de alimentos industrializados brasileiro. Fundamentado em pesquisa qualitativa exploratória, um roteiro de entrevista semiestruturado foi aplicado a gestores da área de inovação de três empresas distintas. Os resultados mostram através do modelo VRIO, que reputação, marca, cultura organizacional e processo de inovação, são os únicos recursos considerados pelos entrevistados como valiosos, raros, difíceis de imitar e exploráveis pela organização. Conclui-se que os recursos classificados como organizacionais são os mais importantes para promover a vantagem competitiva sustentável.
La formación docente en Didáctica de las Ciencias Sociales a través de los proyectos socioeducativos en contextos de exclusión social
Authors: Jiménez Martínez María Dolores , López Martínez Manuel José , Baró Concepción Moreno
Published: January 2016

Presentamos una experiencia formativa innovadora con los estudiantes de la titulación deMaestro/a de Educación Primaria de la Facultad de Ciencias de la Educación de la Universidad de Almería.Se ha realizado en el marco de un Programa Socioeducativo en colegios públicos de un barrio marginal dela ciudad de Almería mediante la metodología de Aprendizaje-Servicio (ApS). Desde la Didáctica de lasCiencias Sociales queremos contribuir a una educación democrática mediante la participación ciudadana.Mostramos algunas valoraciones de nuestros estudiantes en este proceso de investigación-acción. Elbalance positivo de esta evaluación inicial nos motiva para seguir implicados en el desarrollo de proyectoscomo éste donde se vincula universidad, escuela y comunidad.
Aprendizaje Basado en Proyectos para el desarrollo de las competencias profesionales del maestro: una propuesta de innovación docente desde la Didáctica de las Ciencias Sociales
Authors: López Torres Esther
Published: January 2016

En este trabajo presentamos una propuesta de innovación docente desde la Didáctica de las Ciencias Sociales que se imparte en las aulas universitarias del Grado de Primaria basada en la aplicación de la metodología de Aprendizaje Basado en Problemas (ABP). Después de comentar brevemente el contexto teórico en el que se enmarca y, condicionados por éste, los objetivos que nos planteamos alcanzar, se detallan los elementos que definen nuestra propuesta explicando el planteamiento del proyecto que pedimos a los alumnos, los criterios de calidad y el seguimiento del mismo, para pasar después al análisis y valoración de los resultados preliminares de su desarrollo, en los que apoyaremos nuestras primeras conclusiones.
Conocimiento pedagógico del contenido para la enseñanza del tema mitosis: un estudio de casos con docentes universitarios de Argentina
Authors: González Norma Viviana , Rossi Alejandra María
Published: January 2016

El contenido didáctico del contenido (CDC) para la enseñanza de la mitosis en la universidad es un campo poco explorado. Presentamos la caracterización el CDC de docentes universitarios sobre la mitosis empleando el cuestionario Representación del Contenido (ReCo) y los repertorios de experiencia profesional y pedagógica (Re-PyP). Las diferencias encontradas en el CDC de los docentes resultan coincidentes con las características de este constructo: es específico para un tema, un docente y un contexto. El desarrollo del CDC de los docentes universitarios en un contexto de enseñanza centrada en la transmisión de conocimientos se perfila como una estrategia posible para reorientar la enseñanza del tema mitosis hacia modalidades basadas en la construcción de andamiajes que faciliten el aprendizaje de los estudiantes.
«Todo tosco y sin labrar»: el model conventual de santa Teresa i el seu reflex en la normativa arquitectònica de l’orde carmelità descalç
Authors: Narváez Carme
Published: January 2016

Resum: El concepte de vida de clausura plantejat per santa Teresa va determinar la naturalesa de les edificacions escomeses en el si de la congregació de carmelites descalços. La senzillesa i l’estretor requerits per la fundadora en l’establiment dels nous convents esdevingueren preceptes d’obligat compliment per part de les autoritats de l’orde, i quedaren recollits en les diverses constitucions internes generades al llarg dels segles XVI, XVII i XVIII. Aquest article analitza els models constructius establerts des dels inicis de l’existència de la congregació i la manera en què van ser aplicats amb posterioritat. Paraules clau: santa Teresa, carmelites descalços, normativa, convent, traçaAbstract: The concept of life in enclosed monastery set out by Saint Teresa determined the nature of the buildings tackled in the breast of the congregation of Discalced Carmelites. The simplicity and the narrowness required by the founder in the establishment of the new convents, turned into precepts of forced fulfillment by part of the authorities of the religious order, and they remained collected in the diverse internal constitutions generated along the 17th and 18th centuries. This article analyses the constructive models established since the beginning of the congregation and the way in which they were applied subsequently. Keywords: Saint Teresa, Discalced Carmelites, precepts, monastery, architectural design
The soundscape of the ceremonies for the beatification of St Teresa of Ávila in the Crown of Aragon, 1614
Authors: Knighton Tess , Mazuela-Anguita Ascensión
Published: January 2016

Abstract: The beatification of Saint Teresa of Ávila in October 1614 gave rise to widespread celebrations in many of the cities and towns of the Iberian Peninsula. Printed relaciones describing these celebrations, despite their limitations ?in terms of political agenda, propaganda, rivalry and literary style— can nevertheless provide information about musical experience and can help to recreate the ephemeral soundscapes of these events. This article will focus on the ceremonies held in the Crown of Aragon, especially Saragossa and Barcelona, taking into consideration the typology of different musics?heraldic, divine and festive?and factors such as the moment in time, function, dynamic, urban spaces and blurring of boundaries, public (listeners), musical resources and performance practice, repertories and genres, signifiers and associations for listeners, and impact. Keywords: urban musicology; Teresa of Jesus; beatification festivities; musical experience; Crown of Aragon Resum:  Paraules clau: