bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Risk factors for proximal disease extension and colectomy in left‐sided ulcerative colitis
Authors: Sahami S , Konté K , Buskens CJ , Tanis PJ , Löwenberg M , Ponsioen CJ , van den Brink GR , Bemelman WA , D’Haens GR
Published: November 2016

Objective

The primary objective of this study was to assess proximal disease extension of ulcerative colitis (UC) over time, with disease behaviour pattern and risk factors for proximal disease extension and colectomy as secondary aims.

Methods

All cumulative incident cases diagnosed with UC at the Academic Medical Center between January 1990 and December 2009 were studied. The cumulative risk of colectomy was calculated by Kaplan‐Meier analysis. The Cox proportional hazards regression was used to identify risk factors associated with proximal disease extension and colectomy.

Results

In total, 506 UC patients were included with a median age of 33 years (IQR 23–41) at diagnosis. Ninety‐five (18.8%) patients underwent colectomy during follow‐up. Median follow‐up was 10 years (IQR 5–15). Initial disease extent was evaluable in 416 patients, of whom 142 (34.1%) had proctitis, 155 (37.3%) left‐sided colitis and 119 (28.6%) pancolitis. Proximal disease extension was observed in 120 (28.8%) patients during follow‐up (51 proctitis to left‐sided colitis, 39 proctitis to extensive colitis and 30 left‐sided to extensive colitis). Disease behaviour was evaluable in 378 patients, of whom 244 (64.6%) had less than one relapse per year. Younger age at diagnosis (HR 0.98, 95% CI 0.96–0.99) and continuous active disease (HR 2.18, 95% CI 1.27–3.73) were independent risk factors for proximal disease extension. The cumulative risk of colectomy did not change over time between patients diagnosed before and after the year 2000 (p  = 0.341). Continuous active disease (HR 7.05, 95% CI 4.23–11.77), systemic steroids (HR 3.25, 95% CI 1.37–7.71) and cyclosporine treatment (HR 2.80, 95% CI 1.66–4.72) were independent risk factors for colectomy, whereas proctitis at diagnosis (HR 0.43, 95% CI 0.22–0.86) carried a lower risk.

Conclusion

In one‐third of UC patients, left‐sided disease at diagnosis will extend proximally during 10 years of follow‐up. Proximal disease extension was not a risk factor for colectomy, but the risk of colectomy is rather determined by continuous disease activity, and use of systemic steroids and cyclosporine.
Flow cytometry of duodenal intraepithelial lymphocytes improves diagnosis of celiac disease in difficult cases
Authors: Valle Julio , Morgado José Mario T , Ruiz‐Martín Juan , Guardiola Antonio , Lopes‐Nogueras Miriam , García‐Vela Almudena , Martín‐Sacristán Beatriz , Sánchez‐Muñoz Laura
Published: November 2016

Background

Diagnosis of celiac disease is difficult when the combined results of serology and histology are inconclusive. Studies using flow cytometry of intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs) have found that celiac patients have increased numbers of γδ IELs, along with a decrease in CD3‐CD103 + IELs.

Objective

The objective of this article is to assess the role of flow cytometric analysis of IELs in the diagnosis of celiac disease in difficult cases.

Methods

A total of 312 patients with suspicion of celiac disease were included in the study. Duodenal biopsy samples were used for histological assessment and for flow cytometric analysis of IELs.

Results

In 46 out of 312 cases (14.7%) the combination of serology and histology did not allow the confirmation or exclusion of celiac disease. HLA typing had been performed in 42 of these difficult cases. Taking into account HLA typing and the response to a gluten‐free diet, celiac disease was excluded in 30 of these cases and confirmed in the remaining 12. Flow cytometric analysis of IELs allowed a correct diagnosis in 39 out of 42 difficult cases (92.8%) and had a sensitivity of 91.7% (95% CI: 61.5% to 99.8%) and a specificity of 93.3% (95% CI: 77.9% to 99.2%) for the diagnosis of celiac disease in this setting.

Conclusion

Flow cytometric analysis of IELs is useful for the diagnosis of celiac disease in difficult cases.
Towards data justice? The ambiguity of anti-surveillance resistance in political activism
Authors: Dencik Lina , Hintz Arne , Cable Jonathan
Published: November 2016

The Snowden leaks, first published in June 2013, provided unprecedented insights into the operations of state-corporate surveillance, highlighting the extent to which everyday communication is integrated into an extensive regime of control that relies on the ‘datafication’ of social life. Whilst such data-driven forms of governance have significant implications for citizenship and society, resistance to surveillance in the wake of the Snowden leaks has predominantly centred on techno-legal responses relating to the development and use of encryption and policy advocacy around privacy and data protection. Based on in-depth interviews with a range of social justice activists, we argue that there is a significant level of ambiguity around this kind of anti-surveillance resistance in relation to broader activist practices, and critical responses to the Snowden leaks have been confined within particular expert communities. Introducing the notion of ‘data justice’, we therefore go on to make the case that resistance to surveillance needs to be (re)conceptualized on terms that can address the implications of this data-driven form of governance in relation to broader social justice agendas. Such an approach is needed, we suggest, in light of a shift to surveillance capitalism in which the collection, use and analysis of our data increasingly comes to shape the opportunities and possibilities available to us and the kind of society we live in.
‘Pushed’ self-tracking using digital technologies for chronic health condition management: a critical interpretive synthesis
Authors: Morgan Heather
Published: November 2016

Introduction

Health policies internationally advocate health services provider support for health services users’ ‘self-management’ of chronic health conditions. Digital technologies are beginning to have a role in delivering such support. ‘Pushed’ self-tracking of health-related information, including imposed measurement of biomedical and behavioural data, is one approach; however, there is little systematic or discursive research. The aim of this research was to explore factors relevant to the implementation of ‘pushed’ self-tracking technologies into support for self-management of chronic health conditions interventions.

Methods

This paper reports a critical interpretive synthesis of studies involving ‘pushed’ self-tracking using digital technologies to support the self-management of chronic health conditions. The review systematically identified relevant literature, characterised the technologies and discursively explored their implementation and impacts, and human technology interactions.

Findings

The literature ( n = 83), including ‘simple’ ( n = 51) and ‘complex’ ( n = 32) interventions, perhaps unsurprisingly, concentrates on technical and clinical rather than sociological and behavioural perspectives, which limits understanding. Some attention is paid to experiences and views of providers and users about digital technologies implementation and impacts on the delivery of care, for example: consequences of having increased information; compatibility with current systems; implications for personnel; and human–technology negotiations.

Conclusions

This is a rapidly developing field and early technical and clinical insights are useful. There are opportunities for researchers to explore the sociological and behavioural aspects, and ethical challenges, of implementing ‘pushed’ self-tracking support programmes too. Detailed multidisciplinary research is needed to understand and guide technical and medical developments that integrate digital technologies into the delivery of care.
Electromagnetic inductance plethysmography is well suited to measure tidal breathing in infants
Authors: Bentsen Mariann H.L. , Eriksen Morten , Olsen Merete S. , Markestad Trond , Halvorsen Thomas
Published: November 2016

Reliable, accurate and noninvasive methods for measuring lung function in infants are desirable. Electromagnetic inductance plethysmography has been used to perform infant spirometry and VoluSense Pediatrics (VSP) (VoluSense, Bergen, Norway) represents an updated version of this technique. We aimed to examine its accuracy compared to a validated system measuring airflowviaa facemask using an ultrasonic flowmeter.

We tested 30 infants with postmenstrual ages between 36 to 43 weeks and weights from 2.3 to 4.8 kg, applying both methods simultaneously and applying VSP alone. Agreement between the methods was calculated using Bland–Altman analyses and we also estimated the effect of applying the mask.

Mean differences for all breathing parameters were within ±5.5% and limits of agreement between the two methods were acceptable, except perhaps for peak tidal expiratory flow (PTEF). Application of the facemask significantly increased tidal volume, minute ventilation, PTEF, the ratio of inspiratory to expiratory time and the ratio of expiratory flow at 50% of expired volume to PTEF.

VSP accurately measured tidal breathing parameters and seems well suited for tidal breathing measurements in infants under treatment with equipment that precludes the use of a facemask.
SPECtre: a spectral coherence-­based classifier of actively translated transcripts from ribosome profiling sequence data
Authors: Chun Sang Y. , Rodriguez Caitlin M. , Todd Peter K. , Mills Ryan E.
Published: November 2016

Background

Active protein translation can be assessed and measured using ribosome profiling sequencing strategies. Prevailing analytical approaches applied to this technology make use of sequence fragment length profiling or reading frame occupancy enrichment to differentiate between active translation and background noise, however they do not consider additional characteristics inherent to the technology which limits their overall accuracy.

Results

Here, we present an analytical tool that models the overall tri­nucleotide periodicity of ribosomal occupancy using a classifier based on spectral coherence. Our software, SPECtre, examines the relationship of normalized ribosome profiling read coverage over a rolling series of windows along a transcript relative to an idealized reference signal without the matched requirement of mRNA-Seq.

Conclusions

A comparison of SPECtre against previously published methods on existing data shows a marked improvement in accuracy for detecting active translation and exhibits overall high accuracy at a low false discovery rate. In addition, SPECtre performs comparably to a recently published method similarly based on spectral coherence, however with reduced runtime and memory requirements. SPECtre is available as an open source software package at https://github.com/mills-lab/spectre.
A new method of finding groups of coexpressed genes and conditions of coexpression
Authors: Anand Rajat , Ravichandran Srikanth , Chatterjee Samrat
Published: November 2016

Background

To study a biological phenomenon such as finding mechanism of disease, common methodology is to generate the microarray data in different relevant conditions and find groups of genes co-expressed across conditions from such data. These groups might enable us to find biological processes involved in a disease condition. However, more detailed understanding can be made when information of a biological process associated with a particular condition is obtained from the data. Many algorithms are available which finds groups of co-expressed genes and associated conditions of co-expression that can help finding processes associated with particular condition. However, these algorithms depend on different input parameters for generating groups. For real datasets, it is difficult to use these algorithms due to unknown values of these parameters.

Results

We present here an algorithm, clustered groups, which finds groups of co-expressed genes and conditions of co-expression with minimal input from user. We used random datasets to derive a cutoff on the basis of which we filtered the resultant groups and showed that this can improve the relevance of obtained groups. We showed that the proposed algorithm performs better than other known algorithms on both real and synthetic datasets. We have also shown its application on a temporal microarray dataset by extracting biclusters and biological information hidden in those biclusters.

Conclusions

Clustered groups is an algorithm which finds groups of co-expressed genes and conditions of co-expression using only a single parameter. We have shown that it works better than other existing algorithms. It can be used to find these groups in different data types such as microarray, proteomics, metabolomics etc.
FluxFix: automatic isotopologue normalization for metabolic tracer analysis
Authors: Trefely Sophie , Ashwell Peter , Snyder Nathaniel W.
Published: November 2016

Background

Isotopic tracer analysis by mass spectrometry is a core technique for the study of metabolism. Isotopically labeled atoms from substrates, such as [13C]-labeled glucose, can be traced by their incorporation over time into specific metabolic products. Mass spectrometry is often used for the detection and differentiation of the isotopologues of each metabolite of interest. For meaningful interpretation, mass spectrometry data from metabolic tracer experiments must be corrected to account for the naturally occurring isotopologue distribution. The calculations required for this correction are time consuming and error prone and existing programs are often platform specific, non-intuitive, commercially licensed and/or limited in accuracy by using theoretical isotopologue distributions, which are prone to artifacts from noise or unresolved interfering signals.

Results

Here we present FluxFix (http://fluxfix.science), an application freely available on the internet that quickly and reliably transforms signal intensity values into percent mole enrichment for each isotopologue measured. ‘Unlabeled’ data, representing the measured natural isotopologue distribution for a chosen analyte, is entered by the user. This data is used to generate a correction matrix according to a well-established algorithm. The correction matrix is applied to labeled data, also entered by the user, thus generating the corrected output data. FluxFix is compatible with direct copy and paste from spreadsheet applications including Excel (Microsoft) and Google sheets and automatically adjusts to account for input data dimensions. The program is simple, easy to use, agnostic to the mass spectrometry platform, generalizable to known or unknown metabolites, and can take input data from either a theoretical natural isotopologue distribution or an experimentally measured one.

Conclusions

Our freely available web-based calculator, FluxFix (http://fluxfix.science), quickly and reliably corrects metabolic tracer data for natural isotopologue abundance enabling faster, more robust and easily accessible data analysis.
Modelling of thermomechanical behaviour of fibrous polymeric composite materials subject to relaxation transition in the matrix
Authors: Matveenko Valeriy Pavlovich , Trufanov Nikolay Alexandrovich , Smetannikov Oleg Yurievich , Shardakov Igor Nikolaevich , Vasserman Igor Nikolaevich
Published: November 2016

Background

Fiber–reinforced polymer composite materials are widely used in different branches of industry due to their distinctive features such as high specific strength and stiffness and due to as considerable opportunity to formulate materials with controllable variation of properties in response to the action of external factors (smart-materials). A distinguishing feature of products made of composite materials is that the processes of product and material fabrication are inseparable. Therefore the estimation of composite properties based on the composite architecture and properties of the reinforcing fibers and matrix is a very actual task.

Methods

The model of polymer behavior at glass transition recently developed by the authors was generalized to the case of fiber-reinforced polymer matrix composites using two approaches: one is base on the concept of free specific energy, the other – on the growth of matrix stiffness. For homogeneous materials these two approaches are of equal worth, whereas for composite materials they give different results under deformation in the transverse direction. The stiffness growth approach is more accurate, but is very expensive computationally and, is highly sensitive to the experimental data errors.

Results

Using the finite element method and averaging technique the thermoelastic constants of composites containing different types of fibers in the glassy and high-elastic states were calculated based on the fiber and matrix properties. Softening of the matrix has an insignificant effect on the longitudinal modulus of a composite but leads to a considerable decrease of the transverse and shear moduli. The coefficient of thermal expansion in the transverse direction is much higher than the coefficient of thermal expansion in the longitudinal direction, especially when the composite is in the high-elastic state.

Conclusion

The model of polymer behavior at glass transition recently developed by the authors can be generalized to the case of fiber-reinforced polymer matrix composites. The thermoelastic constants of composites containing different types of fibers can be calculated from the fiber and matrix properties using the finite element method and averaging technique.
Prenatal ethanol exposure phenocopies Cdon mutation by impeding Shh function in the etiology of optic nerve hypoplasia
Authors: Kahn Benjamin M. , Corman Tanya S. , Lovelace Korah , Hong Mingi , Krauss Robert S. , Epstein Douglas J.
Published: November 2016

Septo-optic dysplasia (SOD) is a congenital disorder characterized by optic nerve, pituitary and midline brain malformations. The clinical presentation of SOD is highly variable with a poorly understood etiology. The majority of SOD cases are sporadic, but in rare instances inherited mutations have been identified in a small number of transcription factors, some of which regulate the expression of Sonic hedgehog (Shh) during mouse forebrain development. SOD is also associated with young maternal age suggesting that environmental factors, including alcohol consumption at early stages of pregnancy, may increase the risk of developing this condition. Here, we address the hypothesis that SOD is a multifactorial disorder stemming from interactions between mutations in Shh pathway genes and prenatal ethanol exposure. Mouse embryos with mutations in the Shh co-receptor, Cdon, were treated in utero with ethanol or saline at embryonic day 8 (E8.0) and evaluated for optic nerve hypoplasia (ONH), a prominent feature of SOD. We show that both Cdon−/- mutation and prenatal ethanol exposure independently cause ONH through a similar pathogenic mechanism that involves selective inhibition of Shh signaling in retinal progenitor cells, resulting in their premature cell-cycle arrest, precocious differentiation and failure to properly extend axons to the optic nerve. The ONH phenotype was not exacerbated in Cdon−/- embryos treated with ethanol suggesting that an intact Shh signaling pathway is required for ethanol to exert its teratogenic effects. These results support a model whereby mutations in Cdon and prenatal ethanol exposure increase SOD risk through spatiotemporal perturbations in Shh signaling activity.
S113R mutation in Slc33a1 leads to neurodegeneration and augmented BMP signaling in a mouse model
Authors: Liu Pingting , Jiang Baichun , Ma Jian , Lin Pengfei , Zhang Yinshuai , Shao Changshun , Sun Wenjie , Gong Yaoqin
Published: November 2016

The S113R mutation (c.339T>G) (MIM #603690.0001) in SLC33A1 (MIM #603690), an ER membrane acetyl-CoA transporter, has been previously identified in patients with hereditary spastic paraplegia type 42 (SPG42; MIM #612539). SLC33A1 has also been shown to inhibit bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling pathway in zebrafish. To better understand the function of SLC33A1, we generated and characterized Slc33a1S113R knock-in mice. Homozygous Slc33a1S113R mutant mice were embryonic lethal, while heterozygous Slc33a1 mutant mice (Slc33a1wt/mut) exhibited behavioral abnormalities and central neurodegeneration, which is consistent with HSP phenotypes. Importantly, we found an upregulation of BMP signaling in the nervous system and mouse embryonic fibroblasts of Slc33a1wt/mut mice. Using a sciatic nerve crush injury model in vivo and dorsal root ganglion (DRG) culture in vitro we showed that injury-induced axonal regeneration in Slc33a1wt/mut mice was accelerated and was mediated by upregulated BMP signaling. Exogenous addition of BMP signaling antagonist, Noggin, could efficiently alleviate the accelerated injury-induced axonal regrowth. These results indicate that SLC33A1 can negatively regulate BMP signaling in mice, further supporting the notion that upregulation of BMP signaling is a common mechanism of a subset of hereditary spastic paraplegias.
Texture analysis of medical images for radiotherapy applications
Authors: Scalco Elisa , Rizzo Giovanna
Published: November 2016

The high-throughput extraction of quantitative information from medical images, known as radiomics, has grown in interest due to the current necessity to quantitatively characterize tumour heterogeneity. In this context, texture analysis, consisting of a variety of mathematical techniques that can describe the grey-level patterns of an image, plays an important role in assessing the spatial organization of different tissues and organs. For these reasons, the potentiality of texture analysis in the context of radiotherapy has been widely investigated in several studies, especially for the prediction of the treatment response of tumour and normal tissues. Nonetheless, many different factors can affect the robustness, reproducibility and reliability of textural features, thus limiting the impact of this technique. In this review, an overview of the most recent works that have applied texture analysis in the context of radiotherapy is presented, with particular focus on the assessment of tumour and tissue response to radiations. Preliminary, the main factors that have an influence on features estimation are discussed, highlighting the need of more standardized image acquisition and reconstruction protocols and more accurate methods for region of interest identification. Despite all these limitations, texture analysis is increasingly demonstrating its ability to improve the characterization of intratumour heterogeneity and the prediction of clinical outcome, although prospective studies and clinical trials are required to draw a more complete picture of the full potential of this technique.
Evaluation of recombinant monoclonal antibody SVmab1 binding to NaV1.7 target sequences and block of human NaV1.7 currents
Authors: Liu Dong , Tseng Mandy , Epstein Linda F. , Green Lydia , Chan Brian , Soriano Brian , Lim Desiree , Pan Oscar , Murawsky Christopher M. , King Chadwick T. , Moyer Bryan D.
Published: November 2016

Identification of small and large molecule pain therapeutics that target the genetically validated voltage-gated sodium channel NaV1.7 is a challenging endeavor under vigorous pursuit. The monoclonal antibody SVmab1 was recently published to bind the NaV1.7 DII voltage sensor domain and block human NaV1.7 sodium currents in heterologous cells. We produced purified SVmab1 protein based on publically available sequence information, and evaluated its activity in a battery of binding and functional assays. Herein, we report that our recombinant SVmAb1 does not bind peptide immunogen or purified NaV1.7 DII voltage sensor domain via ELISA, and does not bind NaV1.7 in live HEK293, U-2 OS, and CHO-K1 cells via FACS. Whole cell manual patch clamp electrophysiology protocols interrogating diverse NaV1.7 gating states in HEK293 cells, revealed that recombinant SVmab1 does not block NaV1.7 currents to an extent greater than observed with an isotype matched control antibody. Collectively, our results show that recombinant SVmab1 monoclonal antibody does not bind NaV1.7 target sequences or specifically inhibit NaV1.7 current.
Cross-education: evidências, mecanismos, implicações para a reabilitação e aplicações práticas
Authors: Moraes Kelly , Pinto Ronei
Published: November 2016

O treinamento de força gera adaptações no sistema neuromuscular.  Nesta perspectiva, o “cross-education” surge como um fenômeno caracterizado por adaptações neurais e pelo aumento da capacidade de geração de força voluntária do membro oposto ao não treinado, que ocorre como resultado do treinamento de força unilateral. Sendo assim, o presente estudo tem como objetivo fornecer informações sobre o fenômeno cross-education, apresentando suas evidências, mecanismos, implicações para a reabilitação e aplicações práticas. Neste trabalho, foi realizado um levantamento bibliográfico sobre o cross-education nas bases de dados disponíveis na Internet. As fontes de informações eletrônicas foram acessadas nas bases de dados do Pubmed, periódicos da CAPES e Lilacs. Para a busca de informações foram utilizadas as seguintes expressões: muscle strength, unilateral exercise, cross-education.  A pesquisa inclui trabalhos publicados entre os anos de 1997 a 2015. Os estudos mostraram que o cross-education é caracterizado por adaptações neurais assim como por alterações no SNC que possibilitam a transferência de força para o membro contralateral, imobilizado ou não imobilizado. Conforme os resultados, este fenômeno parece ser importante para a reabilitação, à medida que ao realizarmos o treinamento de um membro isolado, podemos obter repercussões no membro contralateral. No entanto, mais pesquisas são necessárias para investigar as evidências e os mecanismos relacionados ao cross-education, assim como seus efeitos crônicos. Consequentemente, estudos complementares sobre esse fenômeno serão importantes para analisar a reabilitação de indivíduos com alguma lesão dos membros e as suas diversas aplicações práticas.
Supporting women with toileting in palliative care: use of the female urinal for bladder management
Authors: Farrington Naomi , Hill Tamsin , Fader Mandy , Richardson Alison
Published: November 2016

Aims and objectives:

This study explored whether a female urinal is an acceptable, safe and effective product to meet the toileting requirements of women receiving palliative care on oncology wards in hospitals.

Background:

There is minimal evidence on how urinary incontinence should be managed in women receiving palliative care. Female urinals may present an option. There have been two general reviews of products, but no formal evaluation since 1999.

Methods:

This qualitative interview study used semi-structured interviews. Eleven healthy volunteers, 9 patients and 7 staff members used (or assisted with) a VernaFem (Vernacare) female urinal and were subsequently interviewed. Directed content analysis was used to analyse the interviews.

Results:

User testing confirmed that the VernaFem is an acceptable, safe and effective product. Design improvements were suggested.

Conclusions:

While unlikely to be suitable for all patients, hospitals should consider offering a female urinal to patients in receipt of palliative care.
The challenges of implementing a multi-centre audit of end-of-life care in care homes
Authors: Levy Jean , Kinley Julie , Conway Frances
Published: November 2016

Aims:

This article aims to share the experience of a hospice in facilitating a multi-centre audit of end-of-life care in care homes, particularly noting the challenges and enablers of carrying out the audit.

Methods:

The audit was a retrospective multi-centre survey of bereaved relatives/next of kin of residents who died in the care home, using an anonymous, validated questionnaire: the Family Perception of Care Scale. Questionnaires were sent 3-months after bereavement. Returned questionnaires were analysed using SPSS and Excel. The care homes were in areas encompassing outer and inner city populations.

Findings:

The team identified eight challenges to the audit process, in particular, embedding procedures within the care homes, non-responses and developing action plans for improvement.

Conclusion:

Overall, the audit provided an indication of where improvements could be made and where care was already excellent, built confidence and increased expertise in the care-home staff.
Politics and palliative care: Mauritania
Authors: Smyth Dion
Published: November 2016

Dion Smyth's review of palliative nursing on the internet
Analysis lays bare challenges facing new Opportunity Areas
Authors: Henshaw Pete
Published: November 2016

Study identifies progress gaps for both poor and rich pupils in new Opportunity Areas, with a lack of leadership support a key problem
Supporting SEN pupils
Authors: Surr Michael
Published: November 2016

Supporting SEN in the mainstream classroom is a key duty for all teachers, but one that can feel like a huge challenge for NQTs. Expert Michael Surr offers his advice and reassurance
Strategies for effective student feedback
Authors: Riches Adam , Watson-Davis Roy
Published: November 2016

Effective feedback is key to effective learning and therefore effective teaching. Adam Riches and Roy Watson-Davis offer some advice
Pornography and young people: A reality check
Authors: Hallgarten Lisa
Published: November 2016

A pragmatic approach to pornography can help to prepare children and young people for better relationships, says the Sex Education Forum's Lisa Hallgarten. She reassures PSHE teachers and signposts us to some useful resources
Leading effective CPD across your department
Authors: Clay Bridget
Published: November 2016

Middle leaders now have a key role in securing effective CPD for their teams, but what are the best ways to achieve this? Bridget Clay advises
Five essentials for the NQT
Authors: Hobbs Giselle
Published: November 2016

With so many experienced teachers around you, the one thing that every NQT should do is ask for advice whenever they get the chance. Senior leader Giselle Hobbs offers five essential pieces of advice to new teachers everywhere
Flora da Bahia: Asteraceae – Tribo Heliantheae
Authors: Alves Maria , Roque Nádia
Published: November 2016

The taxonomic treatment of the Heliantheae (Asteraceae) from the state of Bahia, Brazil, is presented here. The study is based on 22 field trips and material from the most important Brazilian herbaria. The tribe is represented by 28 genera and 65 species in Bahia and Aspilia (15 species), Aldama (9) and Verbesina (5) are the most representative genera in the state. Identification keys for the genera and species, descriptions, illustrations and comments are presented to the taxa as well as maps of species distribution in the state.
Ex ante research explored: numbers, types and use of ex ante policy studies by the Dutch government
Authors: Haarhuis Carolien Maria Klein , Smit Monika
Published: November 2016

Ex ante research can contribute to evidence-informed policies. In this article, we explore numbers and types of ex ante studies as well as their use. First, we took stock of a potentially wide range of ex ante studies published by the Dutch government between 2005 and 2011, applying a systematic approach. Though unevenly distributed across ministries, quite a number and variety of studies were found covering among others: feasibility, intended effects and side effects. Subsequently, we looked into five cases to explore how ex ante studies were used and why. We tentatively conclude that the political decision-making context is key.
Causal thinking for embedded, integrated implementation research
Authors: Kainz Kirsten , Metz Allison
Published: November 2016

Despite increasing use of implementation frameworks, research evidence indicates that the uptake of evidence-based practice is minimally realised. Reasons for the lack of up-take may be: 1) lack of fit between evidence-based interventions and local contexts; 2) lack of knowledge of how and when to adapt an evidence-based intervention to promote effective practice in local contexts; and 3) a frequently used implementation research agenda that limits new insights to achieve effective practice. In response to these concerns we propose an embedded, integrated research agenda motivated with causal thinking for knowledge of when and how to adapt interventions and implementation to achieve effective practice.
Riscos naturais na Alcobaça Cisterciense
Authors: Tavares J. Pedro
Published: November 2016

Alcobaça torna-se num exemplo interessante de constatação histórica de efeitos de Riscos Naturais. Trata-se não só de um dos mais importantes c bem conservados Conjuntos Monásticos Cistercienses, com a sua memória, mas também de um dos mais sensíveis aos efeitos das cheias seculares. O Conjunto Monumental edificado, nascido há 850 anos e sempre em mutação, encerra registos e marcas desses efeitos, por vezes assinalando catástrofes de monta. Os legados dos "Historiógrafos de Alcobaça", os escritos deixados por vultos notáveis da Alcobaça secular sucedânea dos Monges, bem como estudos da epopeia universal cisterciense, quando analisados em espírito de observação técnica e de cruzamento pluridisciplinar, ajudam à interpretação deste modelo quase que milenar, mas sempre evolutivo.
O litoral brasileiro: a valorização do espaço e os riscos socioambientais
Authors: Vitte Antonio Carlos
Published: November 2016

O litoral brasileiro está definido na Constituição Federal de 1988 como património natural. A sua extensão é de 7637 km de linha de costa, podendo alcançar 8500 se se considerarem as baías. A sua história morfogenética começa no período Cretácico, mas as diversidades e complexidades da linha de costa brasileira estão associadas também às mudanças climáticas do Quaternário. Os riscos socioambientais no litoral brasileiro estão associados ao processo de valorização capitalista do espaço, principalmente a partir de 1950 com a construção de instalações industriais e actualmente com a expansão de segundas residências, hotéis e complexos hoteleiros, além da exclusão social que obriga as famílias a construir as suas residências em áreas de risco, como os esteiros e os mangais.
Análise de riscos e gestão de crises. O exemplo dos incêndios florestais
Authors: Lourenço Luciano
Published: November 2016

A análise dos riscos e a gestão das crises tem ganho importância crescente, sobretudo a partir do final do último quartel do século passado, com o objectivo de dar uma resposta imediata e eficaz aos desastres, sejam acidentes graves, catástrofes ou calamidades, que, entretanto, passaram a ocorrer com maior frequência ou, talvez melhor, passaram a ser objecto de muito maior divulgação mediática. Deste modo, depois duma breve análise aos elementos intervenientes no risco de eclosão de fogo florestal, proceder-se-á à avaliação de alguns dos elementos que mais contribuem para o perigo de incêndio. Segue-se uma parte dedicada à gestão das crises, começando por indicar os pilares de sustentação, ou seja, os principais elementos a ter em consideração na gestão de crises, dando-se maior enfâse aos aspectos relacionados com os incêndios florestais, por serem o exemplo de aplicação prática.
Para uma cultura dos riscos
Authors: Amaro António
Published: November 2016

Num mundo em transformação acelerada, aos níveis económico, tecnológico e sócio-cultural, donde emergem novos riscos e novas prioridades de abordagem, é fundamental criar mecanismos que motivem e reforcem a cultura de segurança como direito e dever de cidadania. A mobilização dos cidadãos para a problemática da prevenção dos riscos, de qualquer natureza, é condição fundamental para a promoção do bem-estar e qualidade de vida em sociedade. Porque o risco está hoje na centralidade da vida moderna, a sociedade do risco não é uma opção, mas é possível, com esforço de todos, promover uma sociedade com mais prevenção, segurança, saúde e qualidade de vida.
Producción y defensa contra incendios en Andalucía (Espana)
Authors: M. Doctor Alfonso
Published: November 2016

El objetivo dei presente trabajo es exponer la relación existente entre la distribución espacial de los incendios forestales y las características geográficas dei territorio en que se producen, así como ciertos aspectos metodológicos conexos. Para ello, nos centraremos en el extenso conjunto subregional que constituye la porción andaluza de Sierra Morena, que, en realidad, se corresponde con la c as i totalidade de la misma.
Do ordenamento do território à gestão dos riscos naturais. A importância da geografia física salientada através de casos de estudo seleccionados em Portugal
Authors: Rebelo Fernando
Published: November 2016

A Geografia Física aparece como fundamental nos primeiros momentos dum plano de ordenamento estudando os suportes físicos do território, tanto no respeitante às formas do relevo, como no respeitante aos processos erosivos que as criaram e aos que sobre elas actuam. Deste modo, pode prever-se o desenvolvimento das formas, o que permite passar à consideração dos riscos naturais, hoje mais ou menos afectados pela actuação do homem. Neste sentido, apresentando múltiplos casos de estudo seleccionados em Portugal, pretendemos sensibilizar cientistas, técnicos e políticos para a importância que a Geografia Física tem para o ordenamento do território.
As actividades humanas e os processos morfogenéticos. O exemplo da serra do Marão
Authors: Pedrosa Antómio de Sousa
Published: November 2016

Neste trabalho procuramos contribuir para o estudo dos processos morfogenéticos responsáveis pela evolução geomorfológica actual da Serra do Marão e da influência que o homem exerce sobre a sua actuação. Apesar da importância que todos os factores de ordem física apresentam nas morfodinãmicas actuais, estas não podem ser compreendidas se não tivermos em atenção a actuação do homem sobre o ambiente. O homem, com a capacidade de intervenção que possui, pode modificar completamente a dinâmica morfogenética de qualquer área. Deste modo, toma-se cada vez mais premente estudar a maneira como se processa a sua acção, naturalmente sem esquecer o passado, para se determinar, por um lado, os riscos a que o ambiente está sujeito e, por outro, os riscos que ele próprio corre. Os riscos não podem ser desconhecidos, têm de ser totalmente assumidos.
Man's action and slope erosion. A case study in Tâmega basin (1981)
Authors: Pedrosa António de Sousa , Marques Bernardo de Serpa
Published: November 2016

When a catastrophic landslide occurred in a small river basin on the left bank of the Tamega valley, in the Northeast of Portugal, which involved the sudden sliding of several tons of arable land and rocks and caused the destruction of a house and the death of fifteen people, the authors decided to carry out a careful investigation of this geomorphological phenomenon. After having formulated a number of hypotheses, they did a lot of field workin the area and carried out measurements to determine, as accurately as possible, both the real extension and the causes of the occurrence of such a phenomenon in that particular place and at that particular time of the year. A series of studies enabled the authors to come the conclusion that the natural and human-induced causes had been responsible for the disaster. Disasters like this don't unfortunately constitute isolated incidents. Therefore, the authors think it is very important to study the local geomorphology carefully before any houses or the setting up of any human activity within the territory it is responsible for.
Homem e erosão no central e norte de Portugal. O caso da bacia hidrográfica do mondego. Os impactos da agricultura, ambiente e turismo
Authors: Rebelo Fernando
Published: November 2016

Depois duma curta apresentação do quadro geográfico em que se integra a bacia do Mondego, relaciona-se a falta de vegetação no seu interior com a importância das inundações na planície aluvial a jusante de Coimbra, referem- se trabalhos de regularização dos leitos e dos caudais do rio e chama-se a atenção para a necessidade de proteger as vertentes.
Covelo do Gerês: contributo para o estudo dos movimentos de massa no norte de Portugal
Authors: Sousa Pedrosa A. , Bateira C. Meneses , Soares L. Pinheiro
Published: November 2016

Quase 30 anos depois, ainda hoje se podem observar importantes vestígios do grande movimento de terras verificado em Covelo do Gerês. No presente artigo, descreve-se o processo e discutem-se as condições que se revelaram favoráveis à sua ocorrência
A ilha de calor de Coimbra sob diferentes condições de tempo de verão
Authors: Ganho Nuno
Published: November 2016

Neste artigo apresentam-se os resultados preliminares da intensidade e fisionomia da ilha de calor de uma aglomeração urbana (Coimbra) da região centro de Portugal, de pequenas dimensões (I 00000 hab.) e de topografia acidentada, com diferentes condições de tempo de Verão, a partir de observações térmicas itinerantes, feitas de automóvel, em diferentes pontos da cidade.
Perceptibilidade, risco e vulnerabilidade em climatologia - um estudo de caso no Porto
Authors: Monteiro Ana
Published: November 2016

A forma como as alterações climáticas são percebidas pela população, não directamente ligada a este ramo da investigação, é muito complexa. A reacção das pessoas à variabilidade climática depende, por exemplo, muito mais da magnitude dos efeitos imediatos ou da semelhança com experiências vividas e memorizadas anteriormente, do que propriamente da natureza e relevância dos processos envolvidos. A percepção do risco, associado ao comportamento dos elementos climáticos, depende extraordinariamente da informação disponível, da capacidade de imaginar o cenário e, especialmente, do tipo de recordações que deixam na memória. E fundamental que seja clara a relação causa-efeito, bem como totalmente compreensível o desenrolar de todo o processo.
La contaminacion atmosferica como factor de riesgo: El caso de Madrid
Authors: Fernández García Felipe
Published: November 2016

En estas notas analizamos los tres aspectos más importantes de la contaminación atmosférica en Madrid. Que podemos resumir en:- las variaciones entre el in viemo y e! verano, entre e! comienzo y fin de la semana y a lo largo dei día;-las diferencias espaciales con zonas de alta contaminación en e! centro y otras con niveles medi os y bajos en Ia periferia y cerca de espacios arbolados;- laexistencia de días con valores críticos, especialmente en inverno y asociados a situaciones de gran estabilidad.
Urban environmental sustainability: implementing Local Agenda 21 in Manchester
Authors: Douglas Ian
Published: November 2016

This paper examines how Local Agenda 21 is being developed in the United Kingdom and how it envolves many aspects of Physical Geography. The Local Agenda 21 process in the City of Manchester is used as a special case study.
O eucalipto e a cindínica ecológica: "culpado" ou "inocente"?
Authors: Ferreira Carmen Gonçalves
Published: November 2016

Com este artigo, pretende-se que o eucalipto, ao assumir um verdadeiro protagonismo, sirva de base a uma discussão, desapaixonada, sobre os potenciais impactes que esta espécie florestal exerce no solo em termos de produção de escoamento superficial e erosão hídrica.
Escoamento torrencial e processos geomorfológicos na bacia da Povoação (S. Miguel, Açores). As cheias de 14 de dezembro de 1996
Authors: Bateira Carlos , Resendes João , Rebelo Fernando
Published: November 2016

Depois de uma introdução sobre as cheias no conjunto da bacia da Povoação (S. Miguel, Açores), analisam-se os factores físicos e humanos que as condicionam e os processos erosivos que lhes estão associados, particularmente os que se verificam nos canais de escoamento. O estudo das cheias de 14 de Dezembro de 1996 levou ainda a algumas reflexões sobre os problemas da previsão e da prevenção das cheias rápidas.
As inundações do outono de 1997 no sul de Portugal
Authors: Rebelo Fernando , Ganho Nuno
Published: November 2016

Três casos são apresentados neste artigo- as maiores inundações de Lisboa desde há 30 anos (sábado, 18 de Outubro, ao fim da tarde), as inundações de Monchique, no Algarve (domingo, 26 de Outubro, entre as duas e as duas e meia da madrugada) e as inundações mortíferas do Alentejo (quarta-feira, 5 de Novembro, ao fim da tarde). Em todos se verificaram grandes quantidades de precipitação, mas em todos também o homem pode ser mais ou menos responsabilizado pelo excesso de prejuízos.
Condições teóricas de dispersão atmosférica de poluentes na área de Coimbra - Souselas - a perspectiva topoclimática da implantação de uma co-incineradora de resíduos tóxicos em Souselas
Authors: Ganho Nuno
Published: November 2016

Neste artigo analisam-se as condições teóricas de dispersão de poluentes na área urbana de Coimbra-Souselas, na perspectiva topoclimática, relacionadas com a potencial implantação de uma co-incineradora de resíduos tóxicos em Souselas.
Contaminación atmosférica en Madrid y su área metropolitana
Authors: Femandez Garcia Felipe
Published: November 2016

A poluição atmosférica como risco ambiental é apresentada neste artigo particularmente no respeitante a Madrid e sua área metropolitana. Estuda-se a evolução das emissões gasosas dando-se maior destaque à presença do ozono e salientando-se os períodos críticos.
Variações climáticas do passado: chave para o entendimento do presente? Exemplo referente a Portugal (1675-1715)
Authors: Maria JoãoAlcoforado Maria João
Published: November 2016

Refere-se a importância dos estudos dos climas do passado, que resultaram unicamente de causas naturais, enquanto, nos períodos recentes, a acção antrópica pode intensificar ou mascarar as variações naturais. E brevemente apresentado um projecto de climatologia histórica da Europa, sobre o fim do Mínimo de Maunder (1675- 1715), período particularmente frio da Pequena Idade do Gelo. Embora não se tenham verificado nítidas tendências, observou-se que os meses de Inverno e de Primavera foram particularmente frios, também em Portugal. A irregularidade inter-anual da precipitação assemelha-se à da situação presente. Foram detectados meses de severa seca, assim como anos muito chuvosos. São passadas em revista as causas naturais que podem ter contribuído para as variações climáticas observadas no passado.
As cheias do rio Tâmega. O caso da área urbana de Amarante
Authors: Sousa Pedrosa António de , Silva Costa Francisco da
Published: November 2016

As cheias do Rio Tâmega (Norte de Portugal) são relacionadas com as características climáticas regionais e definidas através de algumas variáveis hidrométricas. Mostram-se, também, as áreas de inundação na cidade de Amarante.
Riscos vulcânicos. O caso do vulcão do fogo de Cabo Verde
Authors: Gomes Alberto Mota
Published: November 2016

Após a apresentação do enquadramento geográfico do Arquipélago de Cabo Verde, mostram-se os aspectos geomorfológicos e a estrutura vulcânica e tectónica da Ilha do Fogo. Com base na erupção de Abril de 1995, faz-se em seguida a descrição dos riscos vulcânicos salientando-se os riscos de contaminação da água para o consumo público, os riscos provocados pela libertação de gases vulcânicos, os riscos de ocupação de áreas por lavas e os riscos sísmicos associados ao vulcanismo.
A cultura do trigo e a degradação dos solos na margem esquerda do Guadiana
Authors: Roxo Maria José
Published: November 2016

A cultura de cereais de Inverno, em particular a do trigo, foi e continua a ser uma das actividades agrícolas que mais contribuem para a degradação dos solos na margem esquerda do rio Guadiana. Desde há vários séculos que esta área tem sido utilizada para a cultura cerealífera ao longo de um processo de intensificação e incremento agrícola. O trigo é aí uma cultura degradante dos recursos naturais, pois contribui para o aumento da degradação dos solos e dos ecossistemas, assim como para o processo de desertificação. E fundamental incentivar a implementação das actuais medidas agro-ambientais com objectivos de conservação do solo, da vegetação arbustiva e da floresta de quercíneas, assim como dar maiores incentivos para novos usos agrícolas e não agrícolas que contribuam para a protecção do solo e da água como recursos naturais essenciais e para a qualidade do ambiente e da paisagem.