bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Does the Source Matter in the Communication of Anti-Smoking Messages to Youth?
Authors: Nasim Aashir , Corona Rosalie
Published: December 2009

This study examined ethnicity as a moderator of exposure to sources of anti-smoking communication and behavioral intentions among adolescents who have never tried smoking (i.e., never smokers) and those who previously experimented with smoking but are not yet regular smokers (i.e., experimental smokers). Responses from 1700 African American, Latino, and White youth who completed the Virginia Youth Tobacco Survey from September 2007 through April 2008 were analyzed. Ethnicity and smoking status moderated the association between exposure to sources of anti-tobacco communication and adolescents' intentions to smoke. For never smokers, media exposure was related to lower behavioral intentions among African Americans. For experimental smokers, exposure to both media and to health professionals was associated with lower intentions among African Americans. Exposure to parental anti-smoking communication was associated with reduced intentions among White adolescents. These findings suggest that prevention for smoking initiation among ethnically diverse youth might be enhanced with greater attention to the source of anti-smoking messages and prior smoking experience.
The Social Network within a Management Recruiting Firm: Network Structure and Output
Authors: Gandal Neil , King Charles , Van Alstyne Marshall
Published: December 2009

To understand the relationship between information flows and white-collar output, we collected unique data on email communications to study the network connecting individuals in a management recruiting firm. We also gathered data on revenues and contracts at the individual level. Our empirical results suggest that the size of an individual's internal email network is more highly correlated with output than with the number of email messages, the time spent communicating, the external network size, and with all other measures of communication. This result suggests that a more favorable position in the network structure is associated with higher individual output.
Electrocoagulation of Textile Effluent: RSM and ANN Modeling
Authors: Murugan A. Arul , Ramamurthy Thilakavathi , Subramanian Bala , Kannan C. Srinivasa , Ganesan Madhavi
Published: December 2009

This investigation attempts to study electrocoagulation of Acid Blue 113 textile effluent in a batch electrochemical reactor covering wide range in the operating conditions. Experiments were designed using statistical tool of Response Surface Method (RSM) to analyze the combined effect of operating parameters on the efficiency of electro coagulation process. The level of importance of the experimental parameters on the percentage COD removal has been determined by using analysis of variance (ANOVA). Further, the percentage COD removal was also modeled using artificial neural network (ANN).
Globularia alypum L. Lyophilized Methanolic Extract Decreases Hyperglycemia and Improves Antioxidant Status in Various Tissues of Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats
Authors: Zennaki S. , Krouf D. , Taleb-Senouci D. , Bouchenak M.
Published: December 2009

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the antihyperglycemic and antioxidant effects of Globularia alypum (Ga) methanolic extract in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats (50 mg/kg, i.p.). Twenty diabetic rats were divided into two groups; one group was fed a casein diet supplemented with Ga extract (1 g/kg body weight), for 4 weeks, and the other group went untreated. In Ga-treated compared to untreated rats, glycemia and HbA1c values were respectively 5.2- and 3.6-fold lower. Plasma total cholesterol, triacyglycerols levels and transaminases activities were decreased significantly (P<0.05). TBARS concentrations were diminished by -39% in plasma, -42% in liver, -51% in heart, -32% in brain and -36% in kidney. Increased GSH concentrations were noted in liver (+40%), brain (+25%) and kidney (+36%). In addition, a higher superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was noted in liver (+27%), muscle (+22%) and kidney (+24%), while glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity was increased by +25% in liver, +29% in heart and +20% in kidney. Liver and kidney glutathione reductase (GSSG-Red) and catalase (CAT) activities were increased significantly (p<0.05). Globularia alypum extract reduces remarkably glycemia, plasma lipids and has beneficial effects on the redox status. This extract gives a promising perspective for the treatment of diabetes.
Macrotendencias y Macrotensiones: Las Encrucijadas de la Educación Superior en América Latina
Authors: Rama Claudio
Published: December 2009

Higher education systems in Latin America are undergoing changes of great dimension. This is a transition between the old working models of higher education that characterized the systems for decades towards a new scenery of massive, differentiated, commercial, complex and global models. These are changes in the historical trends of higher education institutions in Latin America towards the development of new university paradigms in the framework of the knowledge society. This article is focused on the central nodes where those changes occur and on the tensions that those changes generate. The prefix ‘de’ is used in the article with the intention of opening up the academic debate on polemic concepts that contribute to the discussion on the future of higher education and public policy.
CD14+ Monocytes Are Vulnerable and Functionally Impaired Under Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Komura Takuya , Sakai Yoshio , Honda Masao , Takamura Toshinari , Matsushima Kouji , Kaneko Shuichi
Published: December 2009

OBJECTIVE

Although patients with diabetes suffer from increased infections and a higher incidence of cancer due to impaired immune function, details on diabetes-induced decrease in immunity are lacking. We assessed how immune-mediating peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) are affected in diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

From 33 patients with type 2 diabetes and 28 healthy volunteers, we obtained PBMCs and investigated their susceptibility to apoptosis and functional alteration.

RESULTS

In a subpopulation of PBMCs, monocytes derived from patients with diabetes were more susceptible to apoptosis than monocytes from healthy volunteers. Monocytes from patients with diabetes had decreased phagocytotic activity and were less responsive to Toll-like receptor (TLR) ligands, although the expression of TLRs did not differ significantly between the two groups. Furthermore, monocytes from patients with diabetes had a distinctly different gene expression profile compared with monocytes from normal volunteers as assessed with DNA microarray analysis. Specifically, quantitative real-time detection PCR measurements showed an elevated expression of the markers of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in diabetic monocytes, and electron microscopic examination of monocytes revealed morphologic alterations in the ER of cells derived from patients with diabetes. Consistently, the ER stress inducer tunicamycin increased apoptosis of otherwise healthy monocytes and attenuated the proinflammatory responses to TLR ligands.

CONCLUSIONS

These data suggest that monocytes comprise a substantially impaired subpopulation of PBMCs in patients with diabetes and that ER stress is involved in these pathologic changes mechanistically. This implies that the affected monocytes should be investigated further to better understand diabetic immunity.
Association Between Raised Inflammatory Markers and Cognitive Decline in Elderly People With Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Marioni Riccardo E. , Strachan Mark W.J. , Reynolds Rebecca M. , Lowe Gordon D.O. , Mitchell Rory J. , Fowkes F. Gerry R. , Frier Brian M. , Lee Amanda J. , Butcher Isabella , Rumley Ann , Murray Gordon D. , Deary Ian J. , Price Jackie F.
Published: December 2009

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether circulating levels of the inflammatory markers C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin (IL)-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α are associated with cognitive ability and estimated lifetime cognitive decline in an elderly population with type 2 diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

A cross-sectional study of 1,066 men and women aged 60–75 years with type 2 diabetes and living in Lothian, Scotland (the Edinburgh Type 2 Diabetes Study), was performed. Seven cognitive tests were used to measure abilities in memory, nonverbal reasoning, information processing speed, executive function, and mental flexibility. The results were used to derive a general intelligence factor (g). A vocabulary–based test was administered as an estimate of peak prior cognitive ability. Results on the cognitive tests were assessed for statistical association with inflammatory markers measured in a venous blood sample at the time of cognitive testing.

RESULTS

Higher IL-6 and TNF-α levels were associated with poorer age- and sex-adjusted scores on the majority of the individual cognitive tests. They were also associated with g using standardized regression coefficients −0.074 to −0.173 (P < 0.05). After adjusting for vocabulary, education level, cardiovascular dysfunction, duration of diabetes, and glycemic control, IL-6 remained associated with three of the cognitive tests and with g.

CONCLUSIONS

In this representative population of people with type 2 diabetes, elevated circulating levels of inflammatory markers were associated with poorer cognitive ability. IL-6 levels were also associated with estimated lifetime cognitive decline.
Leptin and Soluble Leptin Receptor Levels in Plasma and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes in U.S. Women
Authors: Sun Qi , van Dam Rob M. , Meigs James B. , Franco Oscar H. , Mantzoros Christos S. , Hu Frank B.
Published: December 2009

OBJECTIVE

We prospectively examined plasma levels of leptin and soluble leptin receptor (sOB-R), as well as their interactions with other diabetes risk factors, in relation to type 2 diabetes to elucidate the complex relation between these two biomarkers and diabetes risk.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Of 32,826 Nurses' Health Study participants who provided blood samples during 1989–1990, 1,054 incident case subjects of type 2 diabetes were identified and confirmed during 1990–2004 and 1,254 matched control subjects were selected. Plasma leptin and sOB-R levels were measured among these participants.

RESULTS

After multivariate adjustment for BMI, lifestyle practices, and dietary factors, sOB-R levels were significantly associated with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes. In comparison with women in the lowest quintile, the ORs (95% CI) of developing type 2 diabetes were 0.73 (0.55–0.96), 0.51 (0.38–0.68), 0.42 (0.31–0.57), and 0.39 (0.28–0.54; P for trend < 0.0001) for women in the second to fifth quintiles of sOB-R levels, respectively. In contrast, plasma leptin levels were not significantly associated with the risk of type 2 diabetes: The OR (95% CI) was 0.82 (0.62–1.10; P for trend = 0.46) comparing the highest with the lowest quintile of leptin levels. sOB-R levels were consistently associated with a decreased risk of type 2 diabetes at various levels of leptin or high-molecular-weight adiponectin.

CONCLUSIONS

These data suggest a strong inverse association between plasma sOB-R levels and risk of type 2 diabetes, independent of BMI, leptin, and adiponectin levels.
Some Factors Predict Successful Short-Term Outcomes in Individuals With Shoulder Pain Receiving Cervicothoracic Manipulation: A Single-Arm Trial
Authors: Mintken Paul E. , Cleland Joshua A. , Carpenter Kristin J. , Bieniek Melanie L. , Keirns Mike , Whitman Julie M.
Published: December 2009

Background

It has been reported that manipulative therapy directed at the cervical and thoracic spine may improve outcomes in patients with shoulder pain. To date, limited data are available to help physical therapists determine which patients with shoulder pain may experience changes in pain and disability following the application of these interventions.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to identify prognostic factors from the history and physical examination in individuals with shoulder pain who are likely to experience rapid improvement in pain and disability following cervical and thoracic spine manipulation.

Design

This was a prospective single-arm trial.

Setting

This study was conducted in outpatient physical therapy clinics.

Participants

The participants were individuals who were seen by physical therapists for a primary complaint of shoulder pain.

Intervention and Measurements

Participants underwent a standardized examination and then a series of thrust and nonthrust manipulations directed toward the cervicothoracic spine. Individuals were classified as having achieved a successful outcome at the second and third sessions based on their perceived recovery. Potential prognostic variables were entered into a stepwise logistic regression model to determine the most accurate set of variables for prediction of treatment success.

Results

Data for 80 individuals were included in the data analysis, of which 49 had a successful outcome. Five prognostic variables were retained in the final regression model. If 3 of the 5 variables were present, the chance of achieving a successful outcome improved from 61% to 89% (positive likelihood ratio=5.3).

Limitations

A prospective single-arm trial lacking a control group does not allow for inferences to be made regarding cause and effect. The statistical procedures used may result in “overfitting” of the model, which can result in low precision of the prediction accuracy, and the bivariate analysis may have resulted in the rejection of some important variables.

Conclusions

The identified prognostic variables will allow clinicians to make an a priori identification of individuals with shoulder pain who are likely to experience short-term improvement with cervical and thoracic spine manipulation. Future studies are necessary to validate these findings.
Pattern of ABO and Rhesus(Rh) Blood Group Among Blood Donors
Authors: Ahad MA , Bakar MA
Published: December 2009

This study was carried out among the blood donors attending the Blood TransfusionDepartment of Khulna Medical College Hospital. Both ABO and Rhesus (Rh) blood grouping wasdone to see the pattern of ABO and Rh blood group among them. Maximum blood donors werebetween age group 18-37 years. Among the donors maximum were male 12105 (94.73%). Male:female ratio was 18:1. Among them B+ve was found 4286 (33.54%), B-ve was 127 (5.0%), O+vewas 4091 (32.02%), O-ve was 131 (1.03%), A+ve was 3014 (23.59%), A-ve was 74 (0.58%), AB+vewas 1019 (7.98%), AB-ve was 37 (0.29%). Overall total Rh positive blood group were 12410(97.11%) and total negative blood group were 369 (2.89%).doi: 10.3329/taj.v15i2.3910TAJ December 2002; Vol.15(2): 68-70
Effects of Supplementation of Vitamin A on some Aspects of Lung Fuctions in Elderly Women of a Rural Area of Bangladesh
Authors: Wakil Md Abdul , Begum Noorjahan , Akhtar Nasima , Mostafa Chowdhury GM
Published: December 2009

The study was carried out to observe the changes in lung functions in the elderly women bothbefore and two months after supplementation of vitamin A. For this purpose, a total number of30 apparently healthy elderly female subjects with age ranging from 40-60 years were selectedfrom a rural area of Bangladesh. They were studied both before and two months aftersupplementation of vitamin A at a dose of 10,000 IU daily. Sex matched 30 apparently healthyadult subjects with age ranging from 25-40 years were taken as control. Pulmonary functionswere assessed by measuring FVC, FEVi, FEVi/FVC% and PEFR by VM1 ventilometer onstanding position.The mean measured pulmonary variables such as FVC, FEVi, FEV,/FVC% and PEFR were lowerthan those of their predicted values both in the experimental and control groups. The meanmeasured values of all the pulmonary variables were significantly lower in the elderly subjectscompared with those of the younger age group. Again, the FVC, FEVi, FEVi/FVC% and PEFRwere significantly increased in the same group of subjects after supplementation of vitamin A.But not up to the level of those of younger subjects.The result of the study reveals that pulmonary functions become lower in the elderly subject'simprovement of which occurs after supplementation of vitamin A. These lower pulmonaryfunctions in the elderly subjects of the present study group is likely to be due to low dietaryintake of vitamin A as pulmonary functions were improved after supplementation of vitamin A.doi: 10.3329/taj.v16i2.3886TAJ December 2003; Vol.16(2): 68-72
Crossed fused Ectopic Kidney - A Case Report
Authors: Debnath JC , Sarker KP , Uddin Md Nasir , Sarker Sushanta K , Rahman K Mahboobur , Rahman AM Asif
Published: December 2009

We present a case of crossed-fused ectopic left kidney in a young man who came with rightsidedabdominal pain for about 5 months. Crossed-fused ectopic kidney is often associated withother congenital anomalies, especially in the urinary tract. Our patient had two anomalies-ananomalous placement of renal pelvis (laterally in the orthotopic kidney), and a high up caecum,which was an asymptomatic associated gastrointestinal tract anomaly.doi: 10.3329/taj.v16i2.3889TAJ December 2003; Vol.16(2): 79-81
Assessment of Japanese Stimulant Control Law Offenders Using the Addiction Severity Index—Japanese Version: Comparison with Patients in Treatment Settings
Authors: Watanabe Takashi , Ogai Yasukazu , Koga Takehiro , Senoo Eiichi , Nakamura Kazuhiko , Mori Norio , Ikeda Kazutaka
Published: December 2009

The present study assessed problems in Japanese prisoners (inmates) who abused methamphetamine. Fifty-two male inmates were assessed in 2005–2007 using the Addiction Severity Index-Japanese version and compared with 55 male methamphetamine abusers in hospitals and recovery centers. The χ2 and Mann-Whitney-Wilcoxon tests showed that the inmates had a significantly lower education level, more frequently had full-time jobs, had more experience living with a sexual partner, and more frequently had a history of juvenile delinquency and criminal records than patients. Although psychiatric symptoms, such as depression, anxiety, and hallucinations, were not common among inmates, suicidal behavior and trouble controlling violence were common in both groups.
Sudden Unexpected Death in Alcohol Misuse—An Unrecognized Public Health Issue?
Authors: Templeton Alexa H. , Carter Karen L. T. , Sheron Nick , Gallagher Patrick J. , Verrill Clare
Published: December 2009

Sudden arrhythmic cardiac death can occur in chronic misusers of alcohol. The only findings at post mortem are fatty liver and a negative or low blood alcohol. This is an under-recognized entity. Coroner‘s post mortems in a typical UK city were studied. Seven out of 1,292 (0.5%) post mortems were deemed to have died of alcohol associated arrhythmic death. Applying this study to the UK as a whole, alcohol related arrhythmic death or as we have termed it SUDAM (Sudden Unexpected Death in Alcohol Misuse) probably accounts for around 1,000 deaths, many of which are misattributed to other causes
A Tool for Sheep Product Quality: Custom Microarrays from Public Databases
Authors: Bongiorni Silvia , Chillemi Giovanni , Prosperini Gianluca , Bueno Susana , Valentini Alessio , Pariset Lorraine
Published: December 2009

Milk and dairy products are an essential food and an economic resource in many countries. Milk component synthesis and secretion by the mammary gland involve expression of a large number of genes whose nutritional regulation remains poorly defined. The purpose of this study was to gain an understanding of the genomic influence on milk quality and synthesis by comparing two sheep breeds with different milking attitude (Sarda and Gentile di Puglia) using sheep-specific microarray technology. From sheep ESTs deposited at NCBI, we have generated the first annotated microarray developed for sheep with a coverage of most of the genome.
Photoreactions and Structural Changes of Anabaena Sensory Rhodopsin
Authors: Kawanabe Akira , Kandori Hideki
Published: December 2009

Anabaena sensory rhodopsin (ASR) is an archaeal-type rhodopsin found in eubacteria. The gene encoding ASR forms a single operon with ASRT (ASR transducer) which is a 14 kDa soluble protein, suggesting that ASR functions as a photochromic sensor by activating the soluble transducer. This article reviews the detailed photoreaction processes of ASR, which were studied by low-temperature Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) and UV-visible spectroscopy. The former research reveals that the retinal isomerization is similar to bacteriorhodopsin (BR), but the hydrogen-bonding network around the Schiff base and cytoplasmic region is different. The latter study shows the stable photoproduct of the all-trans form is 100% 13-cis, and that of the 13-cis form is 100% all-trans. These results suggest that the structural changes of ASR in the cytoplasmic domain play important roles in the activation of the transducer protein, and photochromic reaction is optimized for its sensor function.
Molecular Sensing by Nanoporous Crystalline Polymers
Authors: Pilla Pierluigi , Cusano Andrea , Cutolo Antonello , Giordano Michele , Mensitieri Giuseppe , Rizzo Paola , Sanguigno Luigi , Venditto Vincenzo , Guerra Gaetano
Published: December 2009

Chemical sensors are generally based on the integration of suitable sensitive layers and transducing mechanisms. Although inorganic porous materials can be effective, there is significant interest in the use of polymeric materials because of their easy fabrication process, lower costs and mechanical flexibility. However, porous polymeric absorbents are generally amorphous and hence present poor molecular selectivity and undesired changes of mechanical properties as a consequence of large analyte uptake. In this contribution the structure, properties and some possible applications of sensing polymeric films based on nanoporous crystalline phases, which exhibit all identical nanopores, will be reviewed. The main advantages of crystalline nanoporous polymeric materials with respect to their amorphous counterparts are, besides a higher selectivity, the ability to maintain their physical state as well as geometry, even after large guest uptake (up to 10–15 wt%), and the possibility to control guest diffusivity by controlling the orientation of the host polymeric crystalline phase. The final section of the review also describes the ability of suitable polymeric films to act as chirality sensors, i.e., to sense and memorize the presence of non-racemic volatile organic compounds.
Comparison of Sea Snake (Hydrophiidae) Neurotoxin to Cobra (Naja) Neurotoxin
Authors: Komori Yumiko , Nagamizu Masaya , Uchiya Kei-ichi , Nikai Toshiaki , Tu Anthony T.
Published: December 2009

Both sea snakes and cobras have venoms containing postsynaptic neurotoxins. Comparison of the primary structures indicates many similarities, especially the positions of the four disulfide bonds. However, detailed examination reveals differences in several amino acid residues. Amino acid sequences of sea snake neurotoxins were determined, and then compared to cobra neurotoxins by computer modeling. This allowed for easy comparison of the similarities and differences between the two types of postsynaptic neurotoxins. Comparison of computer models for the toxins of sea snakes and cobra will reveal the three dimensional difference of the toxins much clearer than the amino acid sequence alone.
MULTISKILLING IN CONSTRUCTION ‐ A STRATEGY FOR STABLE EMPLOYMENT
Authors: Lill Irene
Published: December 2009

After years of prosperity the construction industry is facing the current recession. This severely affects both construction companies and the workforce employed by them. The lack of skilled labour has always influenced construction outcomes, but, in the current economic environment, the problem is becoming more acute. The growth of unemployment among construction workers will cause additional social problems and does not alleviate the shortage of skilled craftsmen. A simulation model reflecting the performance of a construction firm is introduced. It enables the evaluation of different management strategies with consideration of the contradictory interests of owners, contractors and craftsmen in order to analyse the compromise and choose an appropriate solution for all parties.

Santrauka

Po klestėjimo metų statybos pramonė susiduria su nūdienos recesija. Ji smarkiai veikia tiek statybos įmones, tiek jų darbo jėgą. Kvalifikuotų darbuotojų stoka visada darė poveikį statybos įmonių veiklos rezultatams, o dabartinėje ekonominėje situacijoje, problema vis labiau aštrėja. Augantis statybininkų nedarbas sukelia papildomų socialinių problemų, tačiau neišprendžia kvalifikuotos darbo jėgos stokos problemos. Sukurtas modelis, kuriuo galima imituoti įmonės veiklą. Juo galima vertinti įvairias valdymo strategijas įvertinant prieštaringus savininkų, rangovų ir darbininkų interesus ieškant kompromiso bei renkantis visoms šalims priimtiniausią variantą.
MULTI‐ATTRIBUTE ANALYSIS FOR THE ECO‐ENERGETIC ASSESSMENT OF THE BUILDING LIFE CYCLE
Authors: Sobotka Anna , Rolak Zbigniew
Published: December 2009

In the recent years, attention has been attracted to the development of activities (developing and implementation of standards, directives, regulations, policies etc.) related to the environmental protection and implementation of the principles of sustainable development. Also in Poland, principles ofthat concept are put into practice. There is, however, a shortage of elaborations which the future investor or designer could, in an easy way, utilise for the selection of environment‐friendly materials, technologies, building utilities and so forth, i.e. to design a facility which causes the least harm possible to the environment, maintaining at the same time low energy demand during its life cycle. According to the philosophy of environmental protection, a building design should take into consideration its entire life cycle, and its structure and utilities should allow the supplies of energy needed for heating to be eliminated while using the building. The present paper aims to give multi‐attribute analysis for assessment of building variants, which utilises the Life Cycle Assessment method (LCA). The method defines a number of so‐called environmental impact categories, which include criteria to be considered while selecting a solution, which minimises such impacts. The most important of them and costs are taken into account in the multi‐criteria analysis for optimum solution selection. The results of eco‐energetic assessment of variants house are grounds to supporting decisions in programming, designing and performing houses, taking into consideration numerous others aspects (usable, technical, social etc.). Santrauka Pastaraisiais metais pasaulyje vis daugiau dėmesio skiriama aplinkosaugai ir darnaus vystymosi principų įgyvendinimui (politikos formavimui, standartų, direktyvų kūrimui ir įgyvendinimui). Lenkijoje taip pat bandoma įgyvendinti šiuos principus. Tačiau iki šiol stigo tipinių sprendimų, kuriuos investuotojas ar projektuotojas galėtų pritaikyti nekenksmingų aplinkai medžiagų, technologijų ir inžinerinių sistemų pasirinkimui, t. y. suprojektuoti pastatą, darantį mažiausiai žalos aplinkai, tuo pat metu sunaudojantį mažai energijos per visą savo gyvavimo ciklą. Pagal aplinkosaugos koncepciją pastatas turi būti suprojektuotas atsižvelgiant į visą jo gyvavimo ciklą, o jo konstrukcija ir inžinerinės sistemos turėtų užtikrinti minimalų poreikį šildyti eksploatuojamą pastatą. Straipsnyje pateikiama daugiakriterinė pastato variantų analizė atsižvelgiant į jo gyvavimo ciklą. Metodas įvertina rodikliais apibūdinamas poveikio aplinkai kategorijas, paskui priimamas sprendimas, užtikrinantis mažiausią poveikį aplinkai. Atliekant daugiakriterinę analizę ir priimant optimalų sprendimą vertinami svarbiausieji poveikiai ir kaina. Ekoenerginio pastato variantų vertinimo rezultatai yra pagrindas sprendimams priimti projektuojant ir eksploatuojant pastatus, taip pat vertinant kitus aspektus (eksploatacinius, socialinius).
SERVICE QUALITY GAPS AND THEIR ROLE IN SERVICE ENTERPRISES DEVELOPMENT
Authors: Urban Wiesław
Published: December 2009

The study takes into consideration the problem of organizational quality gaps where the quality losses occur. Many service quality gaps are reviewed in this paper. But the four out of five quality gaps by Parasuraman et al.(1985) are examined. The main management problem, according to research achievements, is the gap between managers’ perception of customers’ expectation and service specifications existing in organizations. In a service organization usually more quality gaps might be identified. Identification of specific quality gaps is advantageous from a management point of view. Santrauka Straipsnyje nagrinėjamos organizacinės kokybės problemos. Čia apžvelgiama daugelis paslaugų kokybės problemų, bet tiriamos tik keturios iš penkių (pagal Parasuraman et al. 1985). Tyrimų duomenys rodo, jog pagrindinė problema yra skirtumas tarp to, kaip klientų lūkesčius supranta vadybininkai ir kaip organizacijoje yra apibūdinamos paslaugos. Taigi daugiausia kokybės problemų kyla planuojant paslaugas. Vadybiniu požiūriu yra labai naudinga nustatyti kokybės problemas.
FUZZY REAL OPTIONS VALUATION FOR OIL INVESTMENTS
Authors: Uçal İrem , Kahraman Cengiz
Published: December 2009

Traditional valuation methods are less viable under uncertainty. Hence, other methods such as real options valuation models, which can minimize uncertainty, have become more important. In this study, the hybrid approach suggested by Carlsson and Fuller is examined for the case of discrete compounding as this approach better models risky cash flows. A new real options valuation model that will evaluate the investment in a more realistic way is suggested by postponing the defuzzification of parameters in early stages. The suggested model has been applied to the data of an oil field investment and in conclusion the loss of information caused by early‐defuzzification has been determined. Santrauka Tradiciniai vertinimo metodai yra mažiau patikimi esant neapibrėžtumams. Vadinasi, kiti metodai, tokie kaip realių pasirinkčių vertinimo modeliai, kurie gali minimizuoti neapibrėžtumus, tampa svarbesni. Šiame straipsnyje nagrinėjamas hibridinis Carlsson ir Fuller metodas, kuris buvo panaudotas diskrečiajam rizikingų pinigų srautų modeliavimui. Pasiūlytas naujas realių pasirinkčių vertinimo modelis, kuris realistiškiau įvertins investicijas, rodiklius apibūdinančią neapibrėžtą informaciją apdorojant ankstyvojoje stadijoje. Pasiūlytas modelis buvo pritaikytas investicijoms į naftos verslą modeliuoti, nustatytas informacijos nuostolis, kuris atsiranda dėl ankstyvo neapibrėžtų duomenų apdorojimo.
In memoriam Santiago Castroviejo Bolivar (1946-2009)
Authors: Nieto Feliner Gonzalo
Published: December 2009

No disponible
A pintura de história no Brasil do século XIX: Panorama introdutório
Authors: De Castro Vieira Christo Maraliz
Published: December 2009

Acompanhando a cronologia política do Brasil no século XIX, quando passa de Colônia e Reino Unido, a Império e República, construiu-se um rápido panorama da pintura de história brasileira. Não apenas destacou-se a relação estabelecida com o poder, que pertence à gênese desse gênero de pintura, mas, principalmente, apontou-se a atuação de artistas que muitas vezes impuseram visões próprias do passado, ante um meio intelectual ainda incipiente. Buscou-se verificar o processo de construção da memória e do esquecimento, peculiar à pintura de história. O medo à fragmentação, ocorrido na América Latina, com o esfacelamento do domínio espanhol, levou o Brasil a produzir uma iconografia que salientasse a continuidade entre passado e presente, como também a unidade, construída na defesa de seu território face ao inimigo externo; silenciando-se sobre a escravidão e as revoltas internas, que somente serão representadas na República, quando da construção de iconografias locais, necessárias ao espírito federativo.
El reconocimiento de la nación en la historia. El uso espacio-temporal de pinturas y monumentos en España
Authors: Reyero Hermosilla Carlos
Published: December 2009

Las identidades históricas suelen entenderse como un repertorio permanente del que siempre es posible extraer personajes, con un significado parecido, con objeto de dar forma a la nación. Sin embargo, tiempo y espacio son elementos esenciales en el discurso histórico. Como se sabe, la pintura de historia y los monumentos representaron un gran papel en España durante el siglo XIX. Este artículo se centra en las circunstancias de estas actividades artísticas. La historia se usó de diferentes maneras según la ideología conservadora o liberal o el momento político. Incluso el lugar y el momento pueden cambiar o fijar su significado. Siempre es necesario recordar que la pintura y la escultura, aunque se convierten en imágenes, son, ante todo, objetos que subrayan la importancia del arte público.
“Monumento al roto... piojento”: La construcción oligárquica de la identidad nacional en Chile
Authors: Cortés Aliaga Gloria
Published: December 2009

El siglo XIX es, quizás, uno de los períodos más complejos de la historia chilena en cuanto a constructor de una identidad nacional. Una imagen que se desarrolla a lo largo de la centuria, y que enfrentará a intelectuales y a la oligarquía tradicional, será la del roto Chileno, en un intento de establecer un repertorio iconográfico de construcción de una República Moderna y una imagen-país. Pero orientada, fundamentalmente, a la afirmación de una clase social, que se sustentaba con fuerza en un imaginario construido a favor de sus propios intereses.
Del sombrero al árbol. Relatos icónicos de la nación colombiana
Authors: González Aranda Beatriz
Published: December 2009

En cuatro episodios se narra el modo cómo cuatro objetos del patrimonio mueble se convirtieron en relatos icónicos de la nación colombiana: el primer episodio se refiere a la pintura de Pedro José Figueroa, Post Nubila Faebus. SIMÓN BOLIVAR, LIBERTADOR y Padre de la Patria que hace el tránsito de los conceptos de Libertad →Patria →Colombia →Alegoría de América. El segundo episodio trata de la difusión de “el Árbol de la Libertad” en el Nuevo Reino de Granada durante la Ilustración y el cambio que sufrió debido a la declaración de Independencia. Una obra de autor anónimo puede considerarse como la representación de la ceremonia de la siembra del árbol. Se analiza el tránsito tan arraigado del concepto de patria, a su desprestigio y en la actualidad, a su reivindicación. El tercer episodio narra de cómo llegó a convertirse en icono el Poporo quimbaya, entre las cerca de 33.600 piezas del Museo del Oro del Banco de la República. Su forma geométrica, el material y mito de El Dorado, contribuyeron a su iconización. El cuarto episodio trata de la Virgen de Chiquinquirá (La Chinca) (1556) vinculada al milagro de la renovación en la sociedad colonia. Se conecta la colonia con la independencia, la devoción con la nacionalidad. Se concluye con una pregunta sobre ¿Quién crea las representaciones de la nacionalidad, el artista, el pueblo, los museos? y sobre la validez de las representaciones iconográficas.
La exploración naturalista de Madeira en el siglo XIX: Los viajeros alemanes y su interés por esta isla
Authors: Rebok Sandra
Published: December 2009

Este estudio tiene como objetivo dar a conocer a diferentes viajeros científicos de origen alemán que visitaron Madeira a partir de mediados del siglo XIX, los estudios realizados por ellos así como las publicaciones que resultaron de ello. Se trata principalmente de documentar los inicios de la investigación científica sistemática en la isla, analizar este interés y la forma en que se desarrolló en las décadas siguientes. Tras una introducción general sobre el género de la literatura de viajes, el enfoque se centra en el significado de esta isla para los visitantes, naturalistas y médicos alemanes del siglo XIX, las propias impresiones de las regiones recorridas, así como la variada información ofrecida sobre su geografía, botánica, los distintos paisajes, el comercio, la agricultura, las costumbres de la población y su vida cotidiana. Se analizará especialmente la mirada de estos viajeros sobre Madeira y por otro lado se realizará una comparativa que permita conocer las diferencias que se percibieron entre Madeira y las Islas Canarias.
Juan G[onzález-Blanco]. de Luaces: el traductor desconocido de la posguerra española
Authors: Ortega Sáez Marta
Published: December 2009

Poco se ha escrito hasta el momento sobre quien podría ser denominado el traductor más prolífico de la posguerra española: Juan G[onzález-Blanco]. de Luaces. En la década de los cuarenta publicó más de cien traducciones al español. Biógrafo, novelista y poeta, Luaces fue uno de tantos intelectuales españoles cuya trayectoria profesional se vio truncada por el estallido de la Guerra Civil española y la victoria del bando “nacional”. La imposición de la dictadura franquista y la subsiguiente censura le obligó a dejar de lado su labor de escritor para dedicarse en cuerpo y alma al oficio de la traducción y poder, así, mantener a su familia. El objeto del siguiente artículo es relatar la vida de este personaje abandonado en el olvido con el afán de contribuir a completar, de forma modesta, la memoria histórica de un período de nuestra historia en el que aún quedan muchas ausencias por suplir.
Soldabilidad de aleaciones dúctiles de grafito esferoidal utilizando electrodos de Ni y Ni-Fe
Authors: Pascual M. , Ferrer C. , Rayón E.
Published: December 2009

Se establece la soldabilidad de funciones dúctiles de grafito según las características mecánicas alcanzadas, utilizando un electrodo puro de Ni mientras se compara con uno más económico de Ni-Fe. Diferentes tratamientos térmicos son propuestos y analizados. El electrodo de Ni puro mostró difusión de grafito desde el material original al cordón de soldadura, dando como resultado una fase homogénea que mejoró la soldabilidad y redujo la fragilidad. Un pre tratamiento a 350 °C y un recocido a 850 °C incrementaron la ductilidad y mejoró la soldabilidad.
Caracterización mediante la técnica EBSD de la deformación de chapa de acero inoxidable AISI 304 DDQ bajo tensiones multiaxiales típicas de la embutición
Authors: Coello J. , Miguel V. , Calatayud A. , Ferrer C. , Martínez A.
Published: December 2009

El objetivo de este trabajo es evaluar el comportamiento del acero inoxidable AISI 304 DDQ durante un proceso de deformación típico del conformado de chapa por embutición, tracción-compresión biaxial (T-CC), determinando la evolución microestructural mediante microscopía óptica y EBSD. Se ha establecido la validez del análisis efectuado por EBSD para las condiciones de deformación consideradas en este trabajo. Se ha analizado la influencia de la dirección de laminación y de la deformación equivalente sobre los mapas de orientación cristalina, diagramas de desorientación y figuras de polos inversa, determinando que las desorientaciones de ángulo bajo obtenidas en muestras deformadas a 0°, 45°, y 90° respecto a la dirección de laminación del material presentan una correlación inversa con la anisotropía normal del material. También se ha estudiado la influencia del preestirado en condiciones de tensión uniaxial sobre las características microestructurales del material deformado en condiciones de tracción-compresión biaxial. Este estudio revela que el gradiente de desorientaciones intragranulares producidas en la deformación depende en gran medida de las condiciones iniciales del material; siendo dicho gradiente menor en las muestras con acritud inicial. El análisis de desorientaciones de ángulo alto (>15°) revela la existencia de la variación de la distribución del carácter del límite de grano con la deformación.
Remoción de partículas adsorbentes de iones cobre por flotación Jet
Authors: Santander M. , Tapia P. , Pávez O. , Valderrama L. , Guzmán D.
Published: December 2009

Los resultados que se presentan en este artículo corresponden a los estudios realizados para la remoción de iones cobre desde efluentes sintéticos, utilizando la técnica de flotación por partículas adsorbentes (FPA) en una celda de flotación Jet (tipo Jameson). En los estudios de adsorción y flotación se utilizó, como partículas adsorbentes, mineral con alto contenido de cuarzo, para determinar condiciones óptimas de pH, concentración de partículas adsorbentes, dosis óptimas de reactivos de flotación, razón flujo de aire/flujo de efluente necesaria de aplicar en la celda Jet, para maximizar la eficiencia de adsorción de iones cobre y remoción de partículas adsorbentes de iones cobre. Los resultados indican que, a pH > 7 y concentraciones de partículas adsorbentes de 2 kg.m–3, se adsorbe el 99 % de los iones cobre y cuando la razón flujo de aire/flujo de efluente, aplicada en la celda Jet, es 0,2, se remueve un 98 % de las partículas adsorbentes de iones cobre.
Ablation of Tumor Progression Locus 2 Promotes a Type 2 Th Cell Response in Ovalbumin-Immunized Mice
Authors: Watford Wendy T. , Wang Chun-Chi , Tsatsanis Christos , Mielke Lisa A. , Eliopoulos Aristides G. , Daskalakis Constantine , Charles Nicolas , Odom Sandra , Rivera Juan , O’Shea John , Tsichlis Philip N.
Published: December 2009

The protein kinase encoded by the Tpl2 proto-oncogene regulates ERK activation and cytokine gene expression in macrophages in response to LPS and TNF-α. In this study we show that OVA-immunized Tpl2−/− mice express high levels of IgE and develop more severe bronchoalveolar eosinophilic inflammation than Tpl2+/+ controls, when challenged with OVA intranasally. Bronchoalveolar exudates and supernatants of OVA-stimulated splenocytes from immunized Tpl2−/− mice express elevated levels of IL-4 and IL-5, suggesting that Tpl2 ablation promotes the Th2 polarization of the T cell response. Anti-CD3 stimulation of CD4+ T cells of wild-type and Tpl2 knockout mice revealed that Tpl2 ablation gives rise to a cell autonomous T cell defect that is primarily responsible for the Th2 polarization of the T cell response to Ag. This observation was further supported by experiments addressing the expression of Th1 and Th2 cytokines in OVA-stimulated mixed cultures of CD4+ T cells from Tpl2+/+/OT2 or Tpl2−/−/OT2 mice and dendritic cells from Tpl2+/+ or Tpl2−/− mice. Further studies revealed that Th1 cells express significantly higher levels of Tpl2 than Th2 cells. As a result, Tpl2−/− Th1 cells exhibit a stronger defect in ERK activation by anti-CD3 than Th2 cells and express low levels of T-bet. Given that the development of Th1 and Th2 cells depends on positive feedback signals from the T cells, themselves, the functional defect of the Tpl2−/− Th1 cells provides a mechanistic explanation for the T cell autonomous Th2 polarization in Tpl2−/− mice.
A High-Affinity Inhibitor of Human CD59 Enhances Complement-Mediated Virolysis of HIV-1: Implications for Treatment of HIV-1/AIDS
Authors: Hu Weiguo , Yu Qigui , Hu Ningjie , Byrd Daniel , Amet Tohti , Shikuma Cecilia , Shiramizu Bruce , Halperin Jose A. , Qin Xuebin
Published: December 2009

Many pathogenic enveloped viruses, including HIV-1, escape complement-mediated virolysis by incorporating host cell regulators of complement activation into their own viral envelope. The presence of complement regulators including CD59 on the external surface of the viral envelope confers resistance to complement-mediated virolysis, which may explain why human pathogenic viruses such as HIV-1 are not neutralized by complement in human fluids, even in the presence of high Ab titers against the viral surface proteins. In this study, we report the development of a recombinant form of the fourth domain of the bacterial toxin intermedilysin (the recombinant domain 4 of intermedilysin [rILYd4]), a 114 aa protein that inhibits human CD59 function with high affinity and specificity. In the presence of rILYd4, HIV-1 virions derived from either cell lines or peripheral blood mononuclear cells of HIV-1–infected patients became highly sensitive to complement-mediated lysis activated by either anti–HIV-1 gp120 Abs or by viral infection-induced Abs present in the plasma of HIV-1–infected individuals. We also demonstrated that rILYd4 together with serum or plasma from HIV-1–infected patients as a source of anti–HIV-1 Abs and complement did not mediate complement-mediated lysis of either erythrocytes or peripheral blood mononuclear cells. These results indicate that rILYd4 may represent a novel therapeutic agent against HIV-1/AIDS
Overview of Mouse Models of Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Their Use in Drug Discovery
Authors: Maxwell Joseph R. , Viney Joanne L.
Published: December 2009

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), a condition that affects millions of individuals, encompasses two distinct conditions: Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). CD is an inflammatory condition affecting any part of the digestive tract between the mouth and anus, but, most commonly, the ileum and colon. It is distinguished by the presence of granulomas in the mucosal tissue and patchy areas of transmural inflammation. UC is restricted to the colon and is manifest as continuous inflammation starting from the rectum and extending back towards the cecum. Inflammation in UC is primarily restricted to mucosal layers. Research is ongoing to understand the causality of these two diseases, and advances in understanding of their pathology have resulted from the variety of mouse models of IBD that have emerged since the early 1990s. Described in this unit are contemporary mouse models of these conditions and examples of their use in drug discovery.Curr. Protoc. Pharmacol. 47:5.57.1‐5.57.19. © 2009 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Methods of Inducing Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Mice
Authors: Maxwell Joseph R. , Brown William A. , Smith Carole L. , Byrne Fergus R. , Viney Joanne L.
Published: December 2009

Animal models of experimentally induced inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are useful for understanding more about the mechanistic basis of disease, identifying new targets for therapeutic intervention, and testing novel therapeutic agents. This unit provides detailed protocols for four of the most commonly used mouse models of experimentally induced intestinal inflammation: chemical induction of colitis by dextran sodium sulfate (DSS), hapten‐induced colitis via 2,4,6‐trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS), Helicobacter–induced colitis in mdr1a−/− mice, and the CD4+ CD45RBhi SCID transfer colitis model. Curr. Protoc. Pharmacol. 47:5.58.1‐5.58.37. © 2009 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Macromolecular Synthesis and Membrane Perturbation Assays for Mechanisms of Action Studies of Antimicrobial Agents
Authors: Cotsonas King Amy , Wu Liping
Published: December 2009

The definition and confirmation of the mechanism of action of an NCE is central to antimicrobial drug discovery. Most antibiotics currently in clinical use selectively target and block one or more bacterial macromolecular synthesis processes, e.g., DNA replication, RNA synthesis (transcription), protein synthesis (translation), cell wall (peptidoglycan) synthesis, and fatty acid (lipid) biosynthesis. This unit includes two protocols for determining the effect of test compounds on macromolecular synthesis, one in test tube format and the other in 96‐well plate format. A membrane potential depolarization protocol is also provided. Disruption of cell membrane integrity may be a legitimate mechanism of action for antibacterials, but it also may be the result of nonspecific cell membrane activity, an effect that must be ruled out for mammalian cells. These assays provide useful means for verifying inhibition of an intended target pathway with investigational antimicrobial compounds. They can also be used as valuable secondary assays for lead optimization to eliminate inhibitors that display nonselective toxicity. Curr. Protoc. Pharmacol. 47:13A.7.1‐13A.7.23. © 2009 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.