bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A novel function of CXCL10 in mediating monocyte production of proinflammatory cytokines
Authors: Zhao Qihong , Kim Taeg , Pang Jian , Sun Wendy , Yang Xiaoxia , Wang Jinhong , Song Yunling , Zhang Hongwei , Sun Huadong , Rangan Vangipuram , Deshpande Shrikant , Tang Huaping , Cvijic Mary Ellen , Westhouse Richard , Olah Timothy , Xie Jenny , Struthers Mary , Salter-Cid Luisa
Published: September 2017

IFN-γ–inducible protein 10 (CXCL10), a chemokine that is abundantly secreted in response to inflammatory stimuli, has been implicated in the pathogenesis of multiple inflammatory diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease. Whereas CXCL10 is traditionally recognized for recruiting pathogenic T cells to inflamed sites, its nonchemotactic role during inflammation remains poorly defined. In this report, we identified a novel function of CXCL10 in the regulation of the inflammatory potential of human monocytes to produce cytokines. We found that CXCL10 was necessary and sufficient for IFN-γ–primed human monocytes to induce a robust production of proinflammatory cytokines, such as IL-12 and IL-23. CXCL10-induced monocyte production of these cytokines depended on CXCR3 receptor engagement as well as on the Iκ B kinase and p38 MAPK signaling pathways. By using an innate-mediated murine colitis model, we demonstrated that anti-CXCL10 Ab treatment robustly suppressed the local production of myeloid-derived inflammatory cytokines and intestinal tissue damage. Together, our data unravel a previously unappreciated role of CXCL10 in the amplification of myeloid cell–mediated inflammatory responses. Targeting CXCL10 is therefore an attractive approach to treating inflammatory diseases that are driven by innate and adaptive immunity.
Seismic Behavior of Slender HPFRCC Coupling Beams with Limited Transverse Bars
Authors: Han Sang Whan , Kang Jin Wook , Lee Chang Seok
Published: September 2017

The objective of this study was to investigate the seismic behavior of slender concrete diagonally-reinforced coupling beams (DRCBs) with an aspect ratio of 3.5 and to explore the possibility of alleviating the reinforcement detail for DRCBs using high-performance fiber-reinforced cement composites (HPFRCCs). For this purpose, slender HPFRCCs and conventional concrete DRCBs with transverse reinforcement spacing of 110 mm, 250 mm, and 500 mm were made and tested. One HPFRCC DRCB specimen was made without transverse reinforcement for comparison purposes. This experimental study shows that the slender HPFRRCC DRCBs with transverse reinforcement spacing of 250 mm have almost the same strength and drift capacity as those of the conventional concrete DRCB with transverse reinforcement spacing of 110 mm, satisfying the requirement of American Concrete Institute ACI 318-14 (2014) building code.
FAS-Compatible Synthetic Signals for Equivalent-Linear Site Response Analyses
Authors: Chi-Miranda Margarita , Montejo Luis A.
Published: September 2017

An alternative approach to generate the seismic input for equivalent-linear (EQL) site response analyses is proposed. The proposed approach encompasses the strengths from current time histories (THs) and random vibration theory (RVT) methods. It consists of the generation of synthetic signals in the time domain (analogous to the TH method) that are constructed to have a Fourier amplitude spectrum (FAS) compatible with the design response spectrum (analogous to the RVT method). Through this approach, the use of extreme value statistics (used in RVT and known to overestimate amplification functions) is avoided. Moreover, the need to develop an appropriate suite of realistic acceleration series, which is the most challenging and time-consuming part of the TH-based approach, is also circumvented. The methodology is evaluated through a comprehensive analysis that includes different site conditions, input spectral shapes, duration scenarios, levels of inelastic demand, and number of synthetic signals used.
Effects of Prednisolone on Serum and Tissue Fluid IGF-I Receptor Activation and Post-Receptor Signaling in Humans
Authors: Ramshanker Nilani , Aagaard Maiken , Hjortebjerg Rikke , Voss Thomas Schmidt , Møller Niels , Jørgensen Jens Otto Lunde , Jessen Niels , Bjerring Peter , Magnusson Nils Erik , Bjerre Mette , Oxvig Claus , Frystyk Jan
Published: September 2017

Context

Short-term glucocorticoid exposure increases serum insulinlike growth factor I (IGF-I) concentrations but antagonizes IGF-I tissue signaling. The underlying mechanisms remain unknown.

Objective

To identify at which levels glucocorticoid inhibits IGF-I signaling.

Design and Methods

Nineteen healthy males received prednisolone (37.5 mg/d) and placebo for 5 days in a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled crossover study. Serum was collected on days 1, 3, and 5, and abdominal skin suction blister fluid (SBF; ~interstitial fluid) was taken on day 5 (n = 9) together with muscle biopsy specimens (n = 19). The ability of serum and SBF to activate the IGF-I receptor (IGF-IR) (bioactive IGF) and its downstream signaling proteins was assessed using IGF-IR–transfected cells.

Results

Prednisolone increased IGF-I concentrations and bioactive IGF in serum (P ≤ 0.001) but not in SBF, which, compared with serum, contained less bioactive IGF (~28%) after prednisolone (P < 0.05). This observation was unexplained by SBF concentrations of IGFs and IGF-binding proteins (IGFBPs) 1 to 4. However, following prednisolone treatment, SBF contained less IGFBP-4 fragments (P < 0.05) generated by pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A). Concomitantly, prednisolone increased SBF levels of stanniocalcin 2 (STC2) (P = 0.02) compared with serum. STC2 blocks PAPP-A from cleaving IGFBP-4. Finally, prednisolone suppressed post–IGF-IR signaling pathways at the level of insulin receptor substrate 1 (P < 0.05) but did not change skeletal muscle IGF-IR, IGF-I, or STC2 messenger RNA.

Conclusion

Prednisolone increased IGF-I concentrations and IGF bioactivity in serum but not in tissue fluid. The latter may relate to a STC2-mediated inhibition of PAPP-A in tissue fluids. Furthermore, prednisolone induced post–IGF-IR resistance. Thus, glucocorticoid may exert distinct, compartment-specific effects on IGF action.
Consensus Statement by the Congenital Cardiac Anesthesia Society: Milestones for the Pediatric Cardiac Anesthesia Fellowship
Authors: Nasr Viviane G. , Guzzetta Nina A. , Miller-Hance Wanda C. , Twite Mark , Latham Gregory J. , Zabala Luis , Nicolson Susan C. , Mossad Emad B. , DiNardo James A.
Published: September 2017

Pediatric cardiac anesthesiology has evolved as a subspecialty of both pediatric and cardiac anesthesiology and is devoted to caring for individuals with congenital heart disease ranging in age from neonates to adults. Training in pediatric cardiac anesthesia is a second-year fellowship with variability in both training duration and content and is not accredited by the Accreditation Council on Graduate Medical Education. Consequently, in this article and based on the Accreditation Council on Graduate Medical Education Milestones Model, an expert panel of the Congenital Cardiac Anesthesia Society, a section of the Society of Pediatric Anesthesiology, defines 18 milestones as competency-based developmental outcomes for training in the pediatric cardiac anesthesia fellowship.
Sex hormones and the development of sexual size dimorphism: dihydrotestosterone inhibits growth in a female-larger lizard (Sceloporus undulatus)
Authors: Pollock Nicholas B. , Feigin Stephanie , Drazenovic Marko , John-Alder Henry B.
Published: September 2017

Sexual differences in adult body size (sexual size dimorphism; SSD) and color (sexual dichromatism) are widespread, and both male- and female-biased dimorphisms are observed even among closely related species. A growing body of evidence indicates testosterone (T) can regulate growth, thus the development of SSD, and sexual dichromatism. However, the mechanism(s) underlying these effects are conjectural, including possible conversions of T to estradiol (E2) or 5 α-dihydrotestosterone (DHT). In the present study, we hypothesized that effects of T are physiological responses mediated by androgen receptors, and we tested two specific predictions: 1) that DHT would mimic effects of T by inhibiting growth and enhancing coloration, and 2) that removal of endogenous T via surgical castration would stimulate growth. We also hypothesized that females share downstream regulatory networks with males and predicted that females and males would respond similarly to DHT. We conducted experiments on eastern fence lizards (Sceloporus undulatus), a female-larger species with striking sexual dichromatism. We implanted Silastic tubules containing 150 µg DHT into intact females and intact and castrated males. We measured linear growth rates and quantified color for ventral and dorsal surfaces. We found that DHT decreased growth rate and enhanced male-typical coloration in both males and females. We also found that, given adequate time, castration alone is sufficient to stimulate growth rate in males. The results presented here suggest that (1) effects of T on growth and coloration are mediated by androgen receptors without requiring aromatization of T into E2 and (2) females possess the androgen-receptor mediated regulatory networks required for initiating male-typical inhibition of growth and enhanced coloration in response to androgens.
Free Carrier Radiative Recombination and Photon Recycling in Lead Halide Perovskite Solar Cell Materials
Authors: Yamada Yasuhiro , Yamada Takumi , Kanemitsu Yoshihiko
Published: September 2017

Organic-inorganic hybrid lead halide perovskites are currently a most attractive class of materials since they have emerged as a solar cell material that realizes both high efficiency and simple low-cost fabrication. The power conversion efficiencies of perovskite solar cells now exceed 22%, which is comparable to that of commercially available CIGS and CdTe thin film solar cells. The key to further improvement is understanding the physical origin of the high efficiency of the perovskite solar cells, and a tremendous effort to come closer to this target has been made through numerous experiments. In this review article, we discuss the optoelectronic properties of perovskite CH3NH3PbX3 (X = I and Br) solar cell materials. Special attention is given to the free carrier recombination and photon recycling (the re-absorption of photons emitted by radiative recombination of photocarriers) processes in CH3NH3PbX3 single crystals, because a deep understanding of these processes is crucial for improving the solar cell performance. Lead halide perovskites show unique optical properties, e.g., extremely high quantum efficiency of luminescence, small Urbach tail in the absorption spectra, and long lifetime of photocarriers, which all suggest a low density of defects in the crystals. Because of these features, photon recycling efficiently occurs and dominates the optical processes of thick crystals.
Treatment of Acute Carpal Bone Fractures
Authors: Hulsopple Chad , Deluca Jesse , Jonas Christopher
Published: September 2017

Carpal bone fractures are common hand fractures that can be complicated by concomitant damage to surrounding structures, chronic comorbidities, or delays in diagnosis. This article provides an overview of wrist anatomy, an expedited review of the athlete’s presenting condition, and a systematic approach to the evaluation of the wrist. Recommended treatment plans are based on a review of the literature and an evidence-based approach to imaging studies. It is imperative that sports medicine providers be aware of current literature for carpal bone fractures and collaborate with other medical subspecialties and the athlete to provide recommendations for a safe return to play.
Hospital Medicine Point of Care Ultrasound Credentialing: An Example Protocol
Authors: Mathews Benji K. , Zwank Michael
Published: September 2017

Though the use of point‐of‐care ultrasound (POCUS) has increased over the last decade, formal hospital credentialing for POCUS may still be a challenge for hospitalists. This document details the Hospital Medicine Department Ultrasound Credentialing Policy from Regions Hospital, which is part of the HealthPartners organization in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

National organizations from internal medicine and hospital medicine (HM) have not published recommended guidelines for POCUS credentialing. Revised guidelines for POCUS have been published by the American College of Emergency Physicians, though these are not likely intended to guide hospitalists when working with credentialing committees and medical boards.

This document describes the scope of ultrasound in HM and our training, credentialing, and quality assurance program. This report is intended to be used as a guide for hospitalists as they work with their own credentialing committees and will require modification for each institution. However, the overall process described here should assist in the establishment of POCUS at various institutions.
A natural development
Authors: Rainger Clive Meers
Published: September 2017

Clive Meers Rainger RSS BII, LSMC, NBBT, CNBF, CFS questions whether domesticity is contributing to weaknesses in the equine limb
Equine wounds – what the horse owner should know
Authors: Hodgson Sally
Published: September 2017

Sally Hodgson BSc (Hons) MA VetMB CertAVP MRCVS Outlines the basic knowledge horse owners should have when dealing with injuries
Keep it clean!
Authors: Green Tim
Published: September 2017

For too long, bladder cancer has been the Cinderella disease. Of the top 10 cancers in the UK, bladder cancer is the only one where survival rates have actually been shown to be getting worse…
Someone at the door?
Authors: Ainsworth Steve
Published: September 2017

Steve Ainsworth suggests you prepare for some unannounced visitors – and it's not Santa!
Hard times, best wishes
Authors: Hayward Karen
Published: September 2017

Karen Hayward explains the importance of a Lasting Power of Attorney for practices and how solicitors and care homes must support each other for the benefit of all involved
Tips from a ‘trip advisor’
Authors: Chiodini Jane
Published: September 2017

Jane Chiodini looks at delivering a travel health service in primary care
Brave new world
Authors: Foster Jamie
Published: September 2017

Election 2015: What does the outcome mean for the NHS? Jamie Foster looks ahead
Sexual healing
Authors: Halil Natika H
Published: September 2017

We all tend to ‘clam up’ when it comes to discussing sex with our GP. Here, Natika H Halil reveals how practice teams can offer a helping hand for the benefit of patients' health
The waiting game
Authors: Ainsworth Steve
Published: September 2017

Can hospital waiting lists ever be conquered? asks Steve Ainsworth
Are you word perfect?
Authors: Park Maxine
Published: September 2017

Top tips for delivering perfect dictation
The process of learning
Authors: Bromley Matt
Published: September 2017

Teaching is the input and learning is the output. But what goes on in-between? In this new 10-part series, Matt Bromley will be dissecting the process of teaching and asking what learning looks like – offering practical advice for school staff. In this first introductory piece, he defines what he means by ‘learning’
Coccydynia – could age, trauma and body mass index be independent prognostic factors for outcomes of intervention?
Authors: Kodumuri P , Raghuvanshi S , Bommireddy R , Klezl Z
Published: September 2017

Introduction

The aetiology of coccydynia can be multifactorial, with several associated factors such as obesity, female gender and low mood. The long-term results of operative interventions, such as manipulation under anaesthesia and coccygectomy are variable, ranging from 63–90%.

Materials and methods

Our aim was to identify whether age, trauma and body mass index (BMI) were independent prognostic factors in coccydynia treatment. All patients who presented to the Royal Derby Hospital with a primary diagnosis of coccydynia between January 2011 and January 2015 who had injections, manipulation under anaesthesia or coccygectomy were included. We used patient-reported satisfaction score as the primary outcome measure. We hypothesised that patients with preceding history of trauma and with high BMI (> 25) would be less satisfied. We divided patient BMI into four groups, following World Health Organization guidelines: group A (18.5–24.9), group B (25–29.9), group C (30–39.9) and group D (> 40).

Results

A total of 748 patients were diagnosed with coccydynia. Of these, 201 patients had 381 injections, 40 had 98 manipulations under anaesthesia and 9 had coccygectomy. Mean age was 46.4 years; 26% of patients had trauma to the coccyx. The mean time to follow-up was 7.3 months. We found a statistically significant difference (P = 0.03) between satisfaction scores in groups B and D. Patients who had trauma improved significantly (P = 0.04). The odds ratio calculation of coccygectomy and BMI revealed a higher risk of coccygectomy in Group A.

Discussion

This is the first study to establish BMI and trauma as independent prognostic factors for coccydynia treatment. Our hypothesis that patients with higher BMI would have lower satisfaction levels has been proven true.
‘Downpressor man’: securitisation, safeguarding and social work
Authors: McKendrick David , Finch Jo
Published: September 2017

The Counter Terrorism and Security Act came into force in July 2015 in the UK. This places a statutory duty on many front-line organisations, for example, schools, social services and prisons, to work within the PREVENT agenda, a policy arising from Britain’s overall counterterrorism policy, CONTEST. We argue that PREVENT is representative of increasingly securitised social policies that serve to: first, view people within particular individualised neoliberal discourses and thin narratives; and, second, coerce the profession of social work into hitherto unknown areas, namely, national security and counterterrorism. We note the unapologetic linkage of traditional forms of what we term here ‘welfare safeguarding’, customarily the domain of social work, with what we term ‘security safeguarding’. If the profession of social work in the UK, and we suspect other Western regimes, wishes to avoid becoming a profession of ‘downpressor men’, the uncritical incursion into issues of national security and counterterrorism must be highlighted.
Simultaneously Monitoring Immune Response and Microbial Infections during Pregnancy through Plasma cfRNA Sequencing
Authors: Pan Wenying , Ngo Thuy T M , Camunas-Soler Joan , Song Chun-Xiao , Kowarsky Mark , Blumenfeld Yair J , Wong Ronald J , Shaw Gary M , Stevenson David K , Quake Stephen R
Published: September 2017

BACKGROUND

Plasma cell-free RNA (cfRNA) encompasses a broad spectrum of RNA species that can be derived from both human cells and microbes. Because cfRNA is fragmented and of low concentration, it has been challenging to profile its transcriptome using standard RNA-seq methods.

METHODS

We assessed several recently developed RNA-seq methods on cfRNA samples. We then analyzed the dynamic changes of both the human transcriptome and the microbiome of plasma during pregnancy from 60 women.

RESULTS

cfRNA reflects a well-orchestrated immune modulation during pregnancy: an up-regulation of antiinflammatory genes and an increased abundance of antimicrobial genes. We observed that the plasma microbiome remained relatively stable during pregnancy. The bacteria Ureaplasma shows an increased prevalence and increased abundance at postpartum, which is likely to be associated with postpartum infection. We demonstrated that cfRNA-seq can be used to monitor viral infections. We detected a number of human pathogens in our patients, including an undiagnosed patient with a high load of human parvovirus B19 virus (B19V), which is known to be a potential cause of complications in pregnancy.

CONCLUSIONS

Plasma cfRNA-seq demonstrates the potential to simultaneously monitor immune response and microbial infections during pregnancy.
Forecast errors in prices and wages: the experience with three programme countries
Authors: Veiga Francisco José
Published: September 2017

This paper evaluates the accuracy of price and wage forecasts made under the scope of the Greek, Portuguese and Irish Economic Adjustment Programmes (EAPs). Besides comparing the quality of forecasts for the three EAPs, it checks if they were less accurate than forecasts for other euro area countries, and compares the European Commission’s forecasts with those of the IMF and OECD. Programme forecasts for Greece were, overall, the least accurate, but those made under the second Greek EAP seem to have gotten closer to actual values. The results also suggest that EC forecasts were not less accurate than those produced by the IMF or the OECD.
Esforço fiscal em Portugal: uma avaliação no período 1995-2015
Authors: Pinho Manuel Correia de , Pinho Maria Manuel
Published: September 2017

O nível de fiscalidade praticada por um país tem implicações nos planos económico e social, podendo ser aferido por recurso aos conceitos de receita fiscal, de carga fiscal e de esforço fiscal. O esforço fiscal é expresso por um índice que relaciona a carga fiscal (rácio entre a receita fiscal e o PIB) com uma de três medidas alternativas: o PIB per capita, uma carga fiscal padrão e a capacidade fiscal da economia. Com base em dados para o período 1995-2015 e para os 28 Estados-membros da União Europeia, procede-se à estimação dos índices de esforço fiscal através de metodologias diferentes. Em três dos quatro índices calculados, os resultados sugerem que o esforço fiscal em Portugal seguiu uma tendência de redução entre 1996 e 2010 e de aumento no período de implementação do programa de ajustamento económico e financeiro de 2011-2014, sem que, no entanto, tenham sido atingidos os valores observados em 1996. No quarto índice calculado, os resultados apontam no sentido de uma tendência de aumento do esforço fiscal em Portugal desde 1996. A evidência empírica sugere ainda que o esforço fiscal em Portugal tem sido inferior à média dos países da União Europeia.
PRÁTICAS AMBIENTALMENTE CORRETAS EM MEIOS DE HOSPEDAGEM: um estudo sobre a percepção ambiental e perfil dos gestores hoteleiros de Santa Vitória do Palmar/RS
Authors: Guedes Siuza Monteiro , Pereira Taís Natalia Cruz
Published: September 2017

Este estudo foi realizado no município de Santa Vitória do Palmar, RS, teve por objetivo analisar a percepção das práticas ambientalmente corretas de gestão ambiental e de economia de recursos naturais entre os gestores do setor de hospedagem do Município de Santa Vitória do Palmar. Trata-se de um estudo qualiquantitavo de caráter exploratório, representativo e participante, com aplicação de instrumento de coleta de dados, realizado no período de novembro de 2016 a março de 2017 em empreendimentos do setor de hoteleiro e extra-hoteleiro, na cidade sede do Município e em três dos balneários marítimos do mesmo. Como principal resultado pode ser destacado a falta de planos de gestão ambiental dos empreendimentos pesquisados. O estudo se justifica uma vez que não foram encontrados estudos similares.
TURISMO DE NEGÓCIOS E EVENTOS EM BALNEÁRIO CAMBORIÚ-SC: perspectivas de expansão e consolidação frente a implantação do centro de eventos do município
Authors: Rocha Elisângela da Silva , Petry Tânia Regina Egert , Riciardi Luciana de Paiva
Published: September 2017

O turismo no município de Balneário Camboriú-SC ainda é voltado principalmente para o binômio “Sol e Mar”. Entretanto, o segmento de negócios e eventos tem se mostrado estratégico, devido especialmente à capacidade de minimizar os efeitos da sazonalidade e ocorrer independentemente da existência de atrativos naturais ou culturais. Diante disso, o presente estudo se propôs a investigar as perspectivas de representantes do setor turístico, de construção civil e imobiliário sobre a expansão e consolidação desse segmento em Balneário Camboriú tendo em vista a construção do Centro de Eventos no município. A pesquisa foi do tipo exploratório- descritiva, com abordagem qualitativa. A coleta de dados realizou-se através de um questionário com perguntas fechadas em quatro rodadas de entrevista no mês de outubro/2015. Os resultados evidenciaram que o empreendimento poderá trazer uma nova dinâmica para a cidade com um dos mais modernos e bem equipados espaços para receber eventos de grande porte no Brasil.
Molecular genetic aspects of gestational diabetes
Authors: Pakin Vladimir Stepanovich
Published: September 2017

The incidence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is currently dramatically increasing throughout the world. The relevant studies of origin and pathogenesis of GDM are of great clinical and scientific value taking into account the intimate association of GDM with serious perinatal complications, including preeclampsia, preterm labor, fetal macrosomia, as well as long-term effects such as the high risk of metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The pathogenic mechanisms of GDM are rather similar to those of other diabetes, especially T2DM, thus suggesting that GDM is a common multifactorial disorder involving numerous genetic and provocative exogenous factors. The data in favor of inherited predisposition to GDM are briefly discussed and a short overview of the known GDM candidate genes is given. According to present knowledge, the gene network of GDM includes dozens of genes and is rather similar to that in GDM. The features of gene network associated with GDM and the ones known for other types of DM are outlined. Special attention is given to the known GDM biomarkers, which are especially important for understanding of the molecular genetic and epigenetic mechanisms of GDM development, its early predictive diagnosis, efficient prevention and personalized treatment.
Conforto ambiental em sala de aula: análise da percepção térmica dos estudantes de duas regiões e estimação de zonas de conforto
Authors: Lucas Ruan Eduardo Carneiro , Da Silva Luiz Bueno
Published: September 2017

Entender a relação térmica que existe entre um indivíduo e um ambiente é importante quando se almeja analisar como as condições existentes influenciam nas atividades. No ambiente escolar não é diferente, e entender o comportamento dos estudantes diante dessas condições torna-se fundamental no âmbito educacional. Sendo assim, esse artigo tem como objetivo avaliar o conforto ambiental em dois ambientes de regiões distintas a partir da percepção térmica dos estudantes, e estimar zonas de conforto. Para tal, foi realizado um experimento em um ambiente de ensino na cidade de João Pessoa-PB e outro em São Carlos-SP. A pesquisa foi realizada em três dias, e a temperatura do ar foi manipulada em 20,24 e 28°C. Em cada dia foram aplicados questionários sobre condições térmicas, visando uma análise comparativa das percepções das amostras das duas cidades. Diante disso, concluiu-se que a amostra de estudantes da região nordeste apresentou uma percepção favorável a temperaturas mais elevadas, diferente da amostra da região sudeste, que apontou uma preferência por temperaturas mais baixas. Por fim, contatou-se que a zona de conforto estimada para a amostra da região nordeste variou entre 22°e 24°C; enquanto que a zona de conforto da região sudeste foi para uma temperatura próxima de 23°C.
Programa socioambiental e os princípios de relacionamento com os stakeholders
Authors: Bogo Adelaide , Henning Elisa
Published: September 2017

Atualmente é comum as organizações demonstrarem um comportamento socialmente responsável e pautado nas relações com os stakeholders. Essa relação, por sua vez, baseia-se em dois princípios de relacionamento, a Legitimidade Corporativa e Stakeholder Fiduciário. Esses dois princípios trazem em sua essência o dever dos gestores de gerir a empresa de forma a atender aos stakeholders. A partir dessa percepção, a Termotécnica, uma empresa que usa poliestireno expandido (EPS) em seu processo produtivo, desenvolveu o Programa Reciclar EPS. Portanto, com base nessas informações este estudo teve como objetivo demonstrar como um programa socioambiental de reciclagem contribui para atender aqueles dois princípios. Este é um estudo de caso único, apoiado na proposição teórica de que programas socioambientais atendem aos princípios de relacionamento com os stakeholders e adota a técnica da Análise de Conteúdo e sistema Nvivo para auxiliar na organização e análise dos dados. Os resultados indicam que o Programa Reciclar EPS proporciona aos gestores legitimidade corporativa e assegura a confiança nas relações fiduciárias, portanto, a licença social para operar.
Análise da contribuição da integração de sistemas de informação nas organizações: um estudo exploratório com gestores de TIC em Pernambuco
Authors: Silva Anderson Lucas Carneiro de Lima da , Daher Suzana de França Dantas , Silva Lúcio Camara e
Published: September 2017

Uma vez que os investimentos em Tecnologia da Informação e Comunicação (TIC) têm crescido dentro das organizações, e a estes estão associados desafios quanto a identificação e quantificação dos retornos, estudos neste sentido se tornam de grande importância. Uma tendência de investimentos nos últimos anos é a adoção de Sistemas de Informação (SIs) integrados ou a integração dos já existentes nas empresas. As razões que levam os gestores a adotarem tais formas de investimentos em TIC são, de maneira geral, a busca por melhorias de desempenho e vantagem competitiva, tendo em vista, os ambientes de negócio cada vez mais dinâmicos. Diante disto, o presente trabalho teve como objetivo investigar o impacto da integração de SIs na competitividade das empresas pernambucanas de diversos setores. Para tanto, uma coleta de dados foi realizada por meio um questionário elaborado nos formatos físico e online e enviado às empresas, além de testes de hipótese com os dados obtidos. Os resultados identificados demonstraram a influência da integração sobre a compreensão do negócio, aprendizado dos funcionários e inovação, enquanto que, nenhuma relação pôde ser constatada no que se refere a custos e controle de atividades.
Análise multicritério em dados sobre empreendedorismo: um estudo bibliométrico
Authors: Barros Marta Duarte de , Costa Helder Gomes , Silva Glauco Barbosa da , Barcelos Mara Regina dos Santos , Oliveira Altina Silva
Published: September 2017

Devido à sua importância no estabelecimento de empresas e na formação de pessoas com características empreendedoras, o empreendedorismo é um tema acadêmico amplamente discutido, contribuindo para o crescimento econômico em termos nacionais e internacionais. O presente artigo tem como objetivo apresentar uma compilação de informações sobre a utilização da análise multicritério para tratamento de dados relacionados ao empreendedorismo. Uma pesquisa bibliométrica foi realizada nas bases Scopus e ISI Web of Science, acessadas a partir do Portal de Periódicos da Capes, em março de 2016. Um total de 37 artigos foram retornados/ revelados, excluídos os duplicados e os que não estavam de acordo com objetivo da pesquisa, 13 foram selecionados para análise, resultando nos seguintes aspectos de interesse da amostra: ciclo de produção; palavras-chave; país de origem; principais autores e periódicos; áreas do conhecimento relacionadas. Como contribuição, espera-se a construção de uma visão global da literatura existente sobre multicritério na análise de dados de empreendedorismo.
Labor income share and imperfectly competitive product market
Authors: Shim Hyein , Chung Chune Young , Ryu Doojin
Published: September 2017

This study examines the long-run determinants of the income distribution between capital and labor in the Korean market, a leading emerging market. We develop a model of a special type of oligopolistic market, controlled by a group of dominant firms, and a general oligopolistic market, with heterogeneously sized firms. This model provides empirically testable implications related to the long-run determinants of the income distribution. Using two measures of the degree of market concentration, the k-firm concentration ratio (CR
k
) and the Hirschman–Herfindahl index (HHI), we find a negative association between these concentration measures (CR
k
and HHI) and the labor income share. In addition, analyzing a unique dataset of manufacturing firms based on five- and three-digit Korean Standard Industry Classifications from 2000 to 2011, we find a significantly negative relationship between the labor income share and the market concentration, which is consistent with the implications of the model. Overall, our results suggest that building a more competitive product market environment could alleviate national income inequality.
MEF2C loss-of-function mutation associated with familial dilated cardiomyopathy
Authors: Yuan Fang , Qiu Zhao-Hui , Wang Xing-Hua , Sun Yu-Min , Wang Jun , Li Ruo-Gu , Liu Hua , Zhang Min , Shi Hong-Yu , Zhao Liang , Jiang Wei-Feng , Liu Xu , Qiu Xing-Biao , Qu Xin-Kai , Yang Yi-Qing
Published: September 2017

Background:

The MADS-box transcription factor myocyte enhancer factor 2C (MEF2C) is required for the cardiac development and postnatal adaptation and in mice-targeted disruption of theMEF2Cgene results in dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). However, in humans, the association ofMEF2Cvariation with DCM remains to be investigated.

Methods:

The coding regions and splicing boundaries of theMEF2Cgene were sequenced in 172 unrelated patients with idiopathic DCM. The available close relatives of the index patient harboring an identifiedMEF2Cmutation and 300 unrelated, ethnically matched healthy individuals used as controls were genotyped forMEF2C. The functional effect of the mutant MEF2C protein was characterized in contrast to its wild-type counterpart by using a dual-luciferase reporter assay system.

Results:

A novel heterozygous MEF2C mutation, p.Y157X, was detected in an index patient with adult-onset DCM. Genetic screen of the mutation carrier’s family members revealed that the mutation co-segregated with DCM, which was transmitted as an autosomal dominant trait with complete penetrance. The non-sense mutation was absent in 300 control individuals. Functional analyses unveiled that the mutant MEF2C protein had no transcriptional activity. Furthermore, the mutation abolished the synergistic transactivation between MEF2C and GATA4 as well as HAND1, two other transcription factors that have been associated with DCM.

Conclusions:

This study indicatesMEF2Cas a new gene responsible for human DCM, which provides novel insight into the mechanism underpinning DCM, suggesting potential implications for development of innovative prophylactic and therapeutic strategies for DCM, the most prevalent form of primary myocardial disease.
Saving life in the middle of the highway: an experience from rural Nepal
Authors: Pantha Sandesh
Published: September 2017

Among the three delays that play a pivotal role in increasing maternal mortality, delay in transportation is a major challenge for the uptake of services for pregnant women in remote areas of Nepal. Due to difficult terrain and the lack of adequate public transportation, women face difficulties in reaching health facilities and end up giving birth on the way unsafely. Here, I describe the struggle of a pregnant woman who started her journey to deliver at health facility, but never reached it. She remained helpless in the middle of the highway, where our team intervened and conducted her delivery right over there.
Modal Analysis of a Steel Radial Gate Exposed to Different Water Levels
Authors: Brusewicz Krzysztof , Sterpejkowicz-Wersocki Witold , Jankowski Robert
Published: September 2017

With the increase in water retention needs and planned river regulation, it might be important to investigate the dynamic resistance of vulnerable elements of hydroelectric power plants, including steelwater locks. The most frequent dynamic loads affecting hydroengineering structures in Poland include vibrations caused by heavy road and railway traffic, piling works and mining tremors. More destructive dynamic loads, including earthquakes, may also occur in our country, although their incidence is relatively low. However, given the unpredictable nature of such events, as well as serious consequences they might cause, the study of the seismic resistance of the steel water gate, as one of the most vulnerable elements of a hydroelectric power plant, seems to be important. In this study, a steel radial gate has been analyzed. As far as water gates are concerned, it is among the most popular solutions because of its relatively small weight, compared to plain gates. A modal analysis of the steel radial gate was conducted with the use of the FEM in the ABAQUS software. All structural members were modelled using shell elements with detailed geometry representing a real structure.Water was modelled as an added mass affecting the structure. Different water levels were used to determine the most vulnerable state of the working steel water gate. The results of the modal analysis allowed us to compare the frequencies and their eigenmodes in response to different loads, which is one of the first steps in researching the dynamic properties of steel water gates and their behaviour during extreme dynamic loads, including earthquakes.
Diet quality of adolescents with eating disorders
Authors: Santiago Alexis , Zimmerman Jacqueline , Feinstein Ronald , Fisher Martin
Published: September 2017

Purpose

To compare the nutritional intake of adolescents with eating disorders (EDs) to recommended Daily Values of macronutrients and micronutrients, using the Nutrition Data Systems for Research (NDSR); to determine if nutritional content varied among the different sub-types of EDs; and to use the Healthy Eating Index 2010 (HEI-2010) as a measurement of diet quality in this population.

Methods

Forty-six adolescents referred to an ED Program were recruited for inclusion in this study. A detailed 24-h dietary recall from each participant was obtained and a detailed nutritional analysis was generated, allowing for calculation of the HEI-2010. Descriptive statistics were calculated to determine baseline characteristics of the study population and to determine associations and differences between ED subtypes.

Results

Average daily caloric intake was below recommended values in the study population. Despite this, the distribution of macronutrients was within the ranges recommended for older children and adolescents by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2010. Micronutrient content varied considerably. The study population had a mean HEI-2010 score of 60.1, falling within the “needs improvement” category. A majority of the participants had insufficient caloric intake for the HEI to be applicable.

Conclusion

Results suggest that adolescents with EDs have a surprisingly normal distribution of macronutrient intake. Although using a diet quality assessment tool such as the HEI-2010 has been helpful in analyzing overall diet quality in the general population, the restrictive caloric intake which characterizes the ED population prevents the utility of such a guide for most patients with EDs.
L1 English speaker participation in ELF interaction: a single case analysis of dyadic institutional talk
Authors: Kimura Daisuke
Published: September 2017

This conversation analytic study explores the nexus of goal orientation and linguistic identity (particularly of L1 English speakers) in ELF interaction. While goal orientation constitutes a hallmark of ELF scholarship, the latter notion has received limited scholarly attention. To address this gap, this study examines a dyadic, institutional interaction between two students in the United States (L1 British English and L1 Arabic) who met for an intercultural conversation assigned by their instructors. In the interest of accomplishing the goal of obtaining intercultural information, the participants did not bring their differences in linguistic identity to the fore of the interaction, while it was also found that the pursuit of an institutional goal can at times manifest itself as orientations to linguistic norms. The examination of these overt orientations to the institutional goal is followed by a study of deviant cases in which the L1 speaking participant appeared to make relevant his superior linguistic identity at first glance. While they could be interpreted as claims of linguistic superiority, a closer look revealed that these instances also reflected the participants’ cooperative orientations to the emergent communicative needs so as to jointly accomplish the shared goal. Highlighting the problem of presuming a correlation between interactional behavior and linguistic identity, the study suggests the need for the analyst to withhold his/her preconceptions about interactants’ identities. Further research involving diverse groups of interactants, including L1 speakers of English, is needed to contribute to the recent theoretical developments that characterize ELF interaction as situated within diverse linguacultural ecologies and power dynamics.
Cytogenetic analysis in fetuses with late onset abnormal sonographic findings
Authors: Bardin Ron , Hadar Eran , Haizler-Cohen Lylach , Gabbay-Benziv Rinat , Meizner Israel , Kahana Sarit , Yeshaya Josepha , Yacobson Shiri , Cohen-Vig Lital , Agmon-Fishman Ifaat , Basel-Vanagaite Lina , Maya Idit
Published: September 2017

Objective:

To determine the rate of chromosomal cytogenetic abnormalities in fetuses with late onset abnormal sonographic findings.

Design:

Retrospective cohort of women who underwent amniocentesis at or beyond 23 weeks of gestation, for fetal karyotype and chromosomal microarray analysis, indicated due to late onset abnormal sonographic findings.

Results:

All 103 fetuses had a normal karyotype. Ninety-five women also had chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) performed. The detection rate of abnormal CMA (5/95, 5.3%) was similar to that of women who underwent amniocentesis due to abnormal early onset ultrasound findings detected at routine prenatal screening tests during the first or early second trimester (7.3%, P=0.46) and significantly higher than that for women who underwent amniocentesis and CMA upon request, without a medical indication for CMA (0.99%, P<0.0001).

Conclusions:

Late onset sonographic findings are an indication for amniocentesis, and if performed, CMA should be applied to evaluate fetuses with late onset abnormal sonographic findings.
Trace Elemental Characterization of Maltese Pottery from the Late Neolithic to Middle Bronze Age
Authors: Pirone Frederick S. , Tykot Robert H.
Published: September 2017

The aim of this research was to determine the provenance of Maltese ceramics and to determine the role pottery played in Maltese prehistoric trade and interaction networks. This study involved 236 Maltese ceramic samples, 19 geological clay samples from Ġnejna Bay & Selmun along with 18 ceramic samples from Ognina, Sicily, and four Sicilian clay samples from the outskirts of Siracusa that were nondestructively analyzed using a portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) spectrometer in order to determine their trace elemental compositions (Th, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr and Nb). The results of this analysis were statistically analyzed using principal component analysis in order to ascertain relationships in the chemical compositions among the samples. The results of this analysis indicate that the majority of all the Maltese ceramic samples have a local Maltese provenance and that pottery played a more significant role in defining the nature of Malta’s trade relationships during the Bronze Age. The following study has provided new insights into Malta’s role in trade and interaction networks from the late Neolithic to the Bronze Age and has allowed for new ideas in explaining the cultural change observed from the Temple Period to the Bronze Age.
Geophysical Prediction Technology Based on Organic Carbon Content in Source Rocks of the Huizhou Sag, the South China Sea
Authors: Yang Wei , Gong Xiao-xing , Peng Fei-fei
Published: September 2017

Due to the high exploration cost, limited number of wells for source rocks drilling and scarce test samples for the Total Organic Carbon Content (TOC) in the Huizhou sag, the TOC prediction of source rocks in this area and the assessment of resource potentials of the basin are faced with great challenges. In the study of TOC prediction, predecessors usually adopted the logging assessment method, since the data is only confined to a “point” and the regional prediction of the source bed in the seismic profile largely depends on the recognition of seismic facies, making it difficult to quantify TOC. In this study, we combined source rock geological characteristics, logging and seismic response and built the mathematical relation between quasi TOC curve and seismic data based on the TOC logging date of a single well and its internal seismic attribute. The result suggested that it was not purely a linear relationship that was adhered to by predecessors, but was shown as a complicated non-linear relationship. Therefore, the neural network algorithm and SVMs were introduced to obtain the optimum relationship between the quasi TOC curve and the seismic attribute. Then the goal of TOC prediction can be realized with the method of seismic inversion.
Optimized Design and Analysis of Offshore Beidou Maritime Foundation Reinforcement System Pseudolite Ranging-Codes
Authors: Su Deliang , Zhou Anan , Zhou Zilin , Chen Wei
Published: September 2017

Under the bad sea conditions and weak Beidou navigation signal environment, it is difficult to locate the ship on the sea, and the Beidou navigation system can’t work well. Beidou pseudolite system can improve the performance of Beidou navigation system as a navigation signal transmitter fixed on the ground, the signal of which can improve satellite positioning constellation structure, and improve the system availability reliability and precision. In order to ensure the interoperability and non-correlation of the Beidou pseudolite and the Beidou navigation system, the pseudolite ranging-codes should be selected in the same code space of the satellite ranging-codes and the residual pseudo random code generated by the 2 taps design scheme does not satisfy the performance requirements of the ranging-codes. To solve this issue, a combined design scheme with 3 taps is proposed, and 12 kinds of pseudolite ranging-codes are optimally selected according to the optimum design parameters of ranging-codes. The waveform and correlation of the selected pseudolite ranging-codes are analyzed by MATLAB, the acquisition simulation is carried out by using the new pseudolite ranging-codes. The experimental results show that the new 3-taps based ranging codes design scheme behaves a good balance, correlation and spectral characteristics.
Analysis of the Relevant Parameters on Small Scale of Navigable Abnormal Ship Model
Authors: Chuang Cai , Penghua Lei , Xinyong Cai
Published: September 2017

At present, ship model tests are based on the normal mode at home and abroad. With the development and application of abnormal hydraulic model, it is necessary to study abnormal ship model. The similarity criterion of abnormal ship model is deduced from the similarity theory of normal hydraulic model in this paper. Some factors that affect the maneuverability of the abnormal ship model are discussed by theoretical analysis of ship maneuvering. The influence of the K and T index of different variable rate on the abnormal ship model maneuvering and the dimensional effect of the abnormal ship model are obtained, which can be used as a reference for the study of the abnormal ship model.