bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of cariporide on ram sperm pH regulation and motility: possible role of NHE1
Authors: Muzzachi Stefania , Guerra Lorenzo , Martino Nicola Antonio , Favia Maria , Punzi Giuseppe , Silvestre Fabio , Guaricci Antonio Ciro , Roscino Maria Teresa , Pierri Ciro Leonardo , Dell’Aquila Maria Elena , Casavola Valeria , Lacalandra Giovanni Michele , Ciani Elena
Published: March 2018

Sperm motility, a feature essential forin vivofertilization, is influenced by intracellular pH (pHi) homeostasis. Several mechanisms are involved in pHiregulation, among which sodium–hydrogen exchangers (NHEs), a family of integral transmembrane proteins that catalyze the exchange of Na+for H+across lipid bilayers. A preliminary characterization of NHE activity and kinetic parameters, followed by analysis of the expression and localization of the protein in ram spermatozoa was performed. NHE activity showed an apparentKmfor external Na+of 17.61 mM. Immunoblotting revealed a molecular mass of 85 kDa. Immunolocalization pattern showed some species-specific aspects, such as positive labeling at the equatorial region of the sperm head. Cariporide, a selective NHE1 inhibitor, significantly reduced pHirecovery (85%). Similarly, exposure to cariporide significantly inhibited different motility parameters, including those related to sperm capacitation.In vitrofertilization (IVF) was not affected by cariporide, possibly due to the non-dramatic, although significant, drop in motility and velocity parameters or due to prolonged exposure during IVF, which may have caused progressive loss of its inhibitory effect. In conclusion, this is the first study documenting, in a large animal model (sheep) of well-known translational relevance, a direct functional role of NHE on sperm pHiand motility. The postulated specificity of cariporide toward isoform 1 of the Na+/H+exchanger seems to suggest that NHE1 may contribute to the observed effects on sperm cell functionality.
Plasticity of Meiotic Recombination Rates in Response to Temperature inArabidopsis
Authors: Lloyd Andrew , Morgan Chris , H. Franklin F Chris , Bomblies Kirsten
Published: March 2018

Meiosis, the specialized cell division that generates gametes, shuffles parental genomes through homologous recombination. It was reported in Drosophila a century ago, that the recombination rate is sensitive to temperature, but how...

Meiotic recombination shuffles genetic information from sexual species into gametes to create novel combinations in offspring. Thus, recombination is an important factor in inheritance, adaptation, and responses to selection. However, recombination is not a static parameter; meiotic recombination rate is sensitive to variation in the environment, especially temperature. That recombination rates change in response to both increases and decreases in temperature was reported in Drosophila a century ago, and since then in several other species. But it is still unclear what the underlying mechanism is, and whether low- and high-temperature effects are mechanistically equivalent. Here, we show that, as in Drosophila, both high and low temperatures increase meiotic crossovers in Arabidopsis thaliana. We show that, from a nadir at 18°, both lower and higher temperatures increase recombination through additional class I (interfering) crossovers. However, the increase in crossovers at high and low temperatures appears to be mechanistically at least somewhat distinct, as they differ in their association with the DNA repair protein MLH1. We also find that, in contrast to what has been reported in barley, synaptonemal complex length is negatively correlated with temperature; thus, an increase in chromosome axis length may account for increased crossovers at low temperature in A. thaliana, but cannot explain the increased crossovers observed at high temperature. The plasticity of recombination has important implications for evolution and breeding, and also for the interpretation of observations of recombination rate variation among natural populations.
Waste management as foodwork: A feminist food studies approach to household food waste
Authors: Fraser Carly , Parizeau Kate
Published: March 2018

Food waste in Canada is estimated to amount to $31 billion per year, with approximately half of this waste occurring in households (Gooch & Felfel, 2014). However, household food waste studies remain underrepresented in the literature, particularly in a Canadian context. This paper calls on feminist food scholars to contribute to this gap by incorporating food waste analyses into their food research. This study uses a photovoice methodology and feminist analytical perspectives to investigate the moment when food became “waste” in 22 households in Guelph, Ontario. Findings suggest that food waste production is representative of forms of foodwork (DeVault, 1991), and that attention to food wasting reveals embodied knowledges of food and interactions with the food system. We contend that scholars and those concerned with household waste reduction should examine and consider how the responsibility for food waste management has been constructed to fall along gendered lines. The intersection of these findings with ongoing research in feminist food scholarship reveals that feminist food scholars are well placed to contribute to food waste studies.
Voir le jour: Breastfeeding and the commons
Authors: Doonan Natalie
Published: March 2018

Watch Voir le jour from Natalie Doonan on Vimeo This research-creation project focuses on breastfeeding in public as an act of claiming space for the common good. Its audio-visual component, “Voir le jour,” is part of a larger work that includes community screenings and locative storytelling. “Voir le jour” consists of recordings of nursing mothers, breastfeeding experts, and activists sharing their stories about the joys and challenges of breastfeeding outside the home. These stories are accompanied by a slideshow of photographs depicting moms nursing in public spaces. “Voir le jour” renders the labour of mothering audible and visible in public spaces, including online. It was created in part for use by the breastfeeding support organization Nourri-Source Montréal. “Voir le jour” contests the notion that “public” and “private” are distinct spatial categories. The fact that breastfeeding is commonly relegated to the sphere of domestic activity is a testament to the tenacious grip of patriarchy in everyday life, and leads to isolation for many new mothers. The discomfort that may be felt in response to seeing intimate experiences between mothers and babies is part of transforming the myth that private and public activities and spaces are discrete and separate spheres.
Old habits die hard: The need for feminist rethinking in global food and agricultural policies
Authors: Collins Andrea M.
Published: March 2018

A number of global initiatives designed in recent years address global food security and aim to reduce the vulnerability of small-scale and peasant farmers in the face of expanded transnational investment in large-scale agriculture and land acquisition. While there have been efforts to consider women within such initiatives, global governance institutions often overlook the complex gendered dimensions of food systems alongside agricultural land and labour markets. Although institutions emphasize the need for “women’s empowerment”, few policy recommendations have considered its practical application. Indeed, many governance initiatives that address food security or promote land security tend to depoliticize inequalities, which shows the importance of feminist food studies from the perspective of global food and land policy. Integrating a feminist food studies lens to the global governance of food and agriculture allows us to explore the complexities of gendered relations in agricultural practices. A more complete understanding of everyday material, socio-cultural and corporeal experiences within agricultural practices provides a greater understanding of the mechanisms by which gender relations structure food production, land ownership, resource access and governance processes. By using a feminist food studies lens we see a more complete picture of the realities of local resource management and the potential implications for global policymakers such as the World Bank, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the United Nations Committee for World Food Security (CFS). Through this framework, I illustrate how feminist analyses challenge conventional approaches to gender in global policymaking related to food and agricultural production.
Filling our plate: A spotlight on feminist food studies
Authors: Brady Jennifer , Parker Barbara , Belyea Susan , Power Elaine
Published: March 2018

The idea for this special issue emerged from the enthusiastic response to a day-long series of sessions on feminist food studies that were held during the joint conference of the Canadian Association of Food Studies, the Association for the Study of Food and Society, and the Agriculture, Food, and Human Values Society, in 2016, in Scarborough, Ontario. The sessions brought together feminist food scholars from across Canada and the U.S. to share their work and to collectively claim space within the conference program to address feminist perspectives in food studies. For us, and the many presenters and attendees at the sessions, the opportunity to gather together and savour more than the usual one or two conference sessions devoted to feminist perspectives was a long-awaited pleasure that did not disappoint. The presenters and audience members illuminated many of the issues, complexities, and perspectives that an explicitly feminist lens brings to food studies. The energy and excitement that infused the room as each presenter shared their work filled our plates that day.
Outcomes of Universal Perinatal Mood Screening in the Obstetric and Pediatric Setting
Authors: Keesara Sirina , Kim J. Jo
Published: March 2018

Universal mood screening for pregnant women in the perinatal period has been recommended for both obstetric and pediatric settings. This review summarizes the body of evidence that supports universal mood screening in the perinatal period. Screening has been shown to increase detection of depression, especially in the inpatient setting. When implemented with immediate referral systems or brief counseling sessions, universal screening can increase rates of referral and treatment and lower rates of depression in the postpartum period. Immediate assessment systems can be used by midlevel health-care clinicians in the home visit, obstetric, and pediatric outpatient settings.
Care Coordination for Children With Medical Complexity: Whose Care Is It, Anyway?
Authors: Kuo Dennis Z. , McAllister Jeanne W. , Rossignol Lisa , Turchi Renee M. , Stille Christopher J.
Published: March 2018

Children with medical complexity (CMC) have multiple chronic conditions and require an array of medical- and community-based providers. Dedicated care coordination is increasingly seen as key to addressing the fragmented care that CMC often encounter. Often conceptually misunderstood, care coordination is a team-driven activity that organizes and drives service integration. In this article, we examine models of care coordination and clarify related terms such as care integration and case management. The location of care coordination resources for CMC may range from direct practice provision to external organizations such as hospitals and accountable care organizations. We discuss the need for infrastructure building, design and implementation leadership, use of care coordination tools and training modules, and appropriate resource allocation under new payment models.
Pediatric Intracranial Hypertension
Authors: Aylward Shawn C. , Reem Rachel E.
Published: March 2018

Headaches are common in the clinical setting. Fortunately, intracranial hypertension (IH) is rare, but when present it can lead to significant morbidity. Early diagnosis and proper management are important to lessen the potential morbidity. Careful headache history, ophthalmologic examination, head imaging, and lumbar puncture (LP) are crucial tools in the diagnosis of this condition. Management should be coordinated with a neurologist, ophthalmologist, or neuro-ophthalmologist.
A better assessment of personality in language-learning situations
Authors: Karlin Omar , Karlin Sayaka
Published: March 2018

Two hundred and sixty-two items, using a five-point Likert scale, were created and administered to 287 Japanese university students to measure five personality factors based on the extraversion, emotional stability, openness, agreeableness, and conscientiousness factors of the Big Five model of personality (McCrae and Costa, 1987). These items were then culled to 50 items by examining their suitability through factor analysis and Rasch analysis, resulting in two 50-item versions of the Questionnaire of English Environment Personality (QuEEP). Both versions of the QuEEP included 10 items for each of the five personality factors in the Big Five. Both versions of the QuEEP outperformed an established personality instrument not specifically intended for language-learning situations, the International Personality Item Pool Big Five Factor Markers test (IPIP BFFM), on five measures of validity, including content validity, the substantive aspect of construct validity, structural validity, external validity, and generalizability. As a result, it was concluded that the QuEEP, specifically the version derived from the Rasch analysis, was more effective than the IPIP BFFM at capturing personality situated in language-learning situations.
Materials based on BIFEVOX and bismuth or iron simple oxides nanopowders
Authors: Krylov A. A. , Emelyanova Yu. V. , Buyanova E. S. , Morozova M. V. , Vylkov A. I. , Chuykin A. Yu.
Published: March 2018

Compositions of composite materials based on BIFEVOX and nanopowders of bismuth and iron oxides have been obtained. The absence of chemical interaction between the components has been proved, the total electrical conductivity of materials in the average temperature region has been determined. It has been shown that under the selected formation conditions, it has not yet been possible to achieve significant improvement of the functional characteristics of heterogeneous compositions in comparison with individual phases. However positive results on chemical and structural stability give way to further investigations.
An Intergenerational Singing Group: A Community Music Therapy Qualitative Research Project and Graduate Student Mentoring Initiative
Authors: Vaillancourt Guylaine , Da Costa Danna , Han Evie (Yi) , Lipski Gloria
Published: March 2018

This study describes the implementation and investigation of a community music therapy (CoMT) intergenerational singing group. Participants were a non-clinical group of adults aged 20 to 65 years old. Weekly sessions were held over a 10-week period at a community art studio in a lower-income neighborhood within a large Canadian urban city. Participants reported experiencing increased self-expression, a sense of accomplishment, improved respiration, and feelings of general well-being. They developed new relationships and social and community networks, however participants mentioned limitations regarding the sustainability of this community development. They also indicated challenges with the multilingual repertoire. Three professional music therapy graduate students, acting as co-researchers, were introduced to and mentored in implementing community music therapy practice and research. Potential implications and recommendations for further research are discussed.
The Social Model of Disability and Music Therapy: Practical Suggestions for the Emerging Clinical Practitioner
Authors: Gross Robert
Published: March 2018

More and more music therapists are becoming aware of the social model of disability. The social model of disability maintains that the locus of disability rests in the capacity for society to create barriers for people with physical or mental differences. Much of music therapy practice still invests in the medical model of disability, which maintains that disability is an inherent personal flaw in the individual which requires remediation. This paper argues that music therapy practice should adopt the social model of disability, and maintains that, in particular, music-centered music therapy is one theory of music therapy that resonates well with the social model of disability. The paper includes advice for the emerging music therapy clinician on how better to incorporate social model of disability perspectives in practice based on the work of previous scholars who have written extensively about the social model.
Characterisation of temperature-dependent heat conduction in heterogeneous concrete
Authors: Jin Liu , Zhang Renbo , Du Xiuli
Published: March 2018

Considering the heterogeneity, a mesoscopic simulation method was developed to analyse the heat conduction behaviour of heterogeneous concretes. In the numerical homogenisation technique, the concrete was regarded as a heterogeneous material consisting of three components (aggregate, mortar matrix and interfacial transition zones (ITZs)). Both two- and three-dimensional random aggregate structures of concrete were established. The temperature-dependent thermal properties of the mortar and aggregate were obtained based on experimental data from the literature, and those of the ITZ were determined by comparing the simulation results with measured values. The heat conduction equations were solved using the finite-element method: the three components were meshed separately and continuity of the heat fluxes at interfaces was applied. Good agreement was found between the simulation results and available test observations. The simulation results indicate that both the effective thermal conductivity (ETC) and a more accurate temperature field of concrete can be obtained using this mesoscale simulation method considering the temperature dependency of the materials' thermal properties. Aggregate shape was found to have a negligible influence on the ETC of concrete, but the type of aggregate cannot be ignored due to their different thermal conductivities. The ETC of concrete increased with increasing aggregate content and decreased with increasing temperature.
Testing of different waste analysis tools for municipal solid waste
Authors: Kaazke Julia , Sliusar Natalia , Ulanova Olga , Ilinykh Galina , Tulokhonova Alisa , Wilke Berndt-Michael
Published: March 2018

In many countries, local authorities are typically responsible for the development of a waste management plan and often have to work around difficult conditions, such as poor infrastructure, isolated locations and severe climate conditions as well as inadequate budgets. Analyses of municipal solid waste (MSW) are a crucial prerequisite to the development of sustainable waste management plans. Consequently, the selection of an appropriate tool for waste analysis is significant. To that end, three different research projects were implemented to test the viability of various waste analysis tools. The strengths and weaknesses of each tool are discussed in this paper. The overall objective of this study is to assist decision makers internationally in the planning and development of MSW management, specifically with regard to choosing tools for waste analysis. Thus, recommendations for optimal implementation of waste analysis of MSW by local authorities were developed.
Analisis Metalografi Pelat Elemen Bakar U3Si2/Al Pascairadiasi Densitas 2,96 gU/cm3
Authors: Ajiriyanto Maman Kartaman , Ginting Aslina Br. , Junaedi Junaedi
Published: March 2018

Telah dilakukan analisis metalografi pelat elemen bakar (PEB) U3Si2/Al pasca iradiasi di dalam hotcell. Tujuan analisis metalografi untuk mengetahui perubahan mikrostruktur PEB U3Si2/Al dan ketebalan kelongsong AlMg2 setelah mengalami iradiasi didalam reaktor hingga burnup 56%. PEB U3Si2/Al pasca iradiasi dipotong pada posisi top, middle dan bottom dengan ukuran masing-masing sekitar 5x5x1,37mm. Preparasi metalografi dimulai dari pemotongan PEB menggunakan cutting machine dengan low speed, mounting, grinding, dan polishing didalam hotcell 104 – 105. Proses mounting dilakukan menggunakan resin dengan waktu >10 jam, proses grinding menggunakan kertas ampas hingga ukuran grit 2400 dan proses polishing dilakukan menggunakan pasta intan dari ukuran 3 sampai 1 mikron dengan kecepatan putar 150 rpm selama 5 menit. Pengamatan mikrostruktur menggunakan mikroskop optik di hotcell 107 dengan perbesaran 200 kali. Hasil analisis mikrostruktur diperoleh partikel U3Si2 dengan bentuk dan ukuran beragam, matriks Al dan kelongsong AlMg2 yang tersebar sepanjang PEB U3Si2/Al. Pengamatan mikrostruktur PEB U3Si2/Al pasca iradiasi belum menunjukkan hasil yang baik karena hanya dapat mengamati topografi meat U3Si2/Al, matriks Al dan kelongsong AlMg2. Hal ini disebabkan karena pengamatan mikrostruktur dengan menggunakan mikroskop optik di dalam hotcell maksimal hanya dengan perbesaran 200 kali sehingga fenomena interaction layer dan small gas bubble tidak dapat diamati. Namun mikrostruktur PEB U3Si2/Al dengan burn up 56% dibandingkan dengan mikrostruktur bahan bakar U3Si2/Al pasca iradiasi dengan burn up 60% yang merupakan hasil peneliti sebelumnya, hasilnya menunjukkan adanya interaksi antara meat U3Si2 dengan matriks Al dan adanya lapisan atau layer dengan ketebalan sekitar 5 hingga 20 mikron. Sementara itu, ketebalan kelongsong AlMg2 diperoleh lebih besar dari 0,25 mm, hal ini menunjukkan bahwa pengaruh iradiasi tidak memberikan perubahan ketebalan kelongsong AlMg2 secara signifikan sehingga secara keseluruhan PEB U3Si2-Al pasca iradiasi masih memiliki integritas dan kestabilan cukup baik.Kata kunci: PEB U3Si2/Al, pasca iradiasi, mikrostruktur, ketebalan kelongsong
Engineering and the Politics of Commensuration in the Mining and Petroleum Industries
Authors: Smith Jessica M. , Smith Nicole M.
Published: March 2018

Engineers and applied scientists form the backbone of the mining and petroleum industries, yet rarely figure in social science accounts of natural resource extraction. This article begins to fill that gap by ethnographically exploring how community conflicts have prompted engineers and applied scientists working in these industries to reconsider the relationship between the surface and subsurface dimensions of their work. To make social concerns on the surface matter to how drilling and extraction would happen, they tried to make these two domains legible to one another. Using mapping and modeling, they created new techniques for making “social” concerns visible and actionable by field operators, even as they expressed reservations about unduly flattening the inherent complexity of human thought, action, and emotion in the process. While these practices opened space for other engineers and applied scientists to incorporate the concerns of nearby residents into their plans and practices, they also raised questions about the appropriateness of commensuration, or the process of translation through which things and values are made comparable.
Back to Normal – Normalised Left Ventricular Systolic Function in Dilated Cardiomyopathy after Cardiac Contractility Modulation Therapy
Authors: Bon Laurens ,   Division of Cardiology, St Josefs-Hospital, Wiesbaden, Germany, Kaess Bernhard M ,   Division of Cardiology, St Josefs-Hospital, Wiesbaden, Germany, Hochgesand Andre ,   Division of Cardiology, St Josefs-Hospital, Wiesbaden, Germany, Römer Albrecht ,   Division of Cardiology, St Josefs-Hospital, Wiesbaden, Germany, Bürkle Gerd ,   Division of Cardiology, St Josefs-Hospital, Wiesbaden, Germany, Ehrlich Joachim R ,   Division of Cardiology, St Josefs-Hospital, Wiesbaden, Germany,   Division of Cardiology, Goethe-University, Frankfurt, Germany
Published: March 2018

We present a clinical case of a patient with dilated cardiomyopathy who neither sufficiently responded to optimal medical therapy nor to cardiac resynchronisation therapy. A cardiac contractility modulation system was implanted and after ~2 years of combined therapy with medication and devices systolic left ventricular ejection fraction returned to near normal values.
Estudio piloto de la toxicidad de los sedimentos del río Pasto en el tramo La Playita-Puente La Carolina, asociada al uso de pesticidas
Authors: Jurado Eraso Mario Alberto , Bravo Melo Jenny Marcela , Guerrero Ortiz Ángela Yulieth
Published: March 2018

El objetivo del presente estudio piloto fue analizar la toxicidad de los sedimentos del río Pasto en el tramo La Playita-Puente La Carolina en la cuenca alta, una zona con importante actividad agrope­cuaria donde el agua tiene múltiples usos, utilizando bacterias bioluminiscentes Vibrio fischeri como bioindicadores de toxicidad. El estudio se basó en la hipótesis de que ciertos microcontaminantes derivados del uso pesticidas en la zona, son transportados entre las matrices aguas/sedimentos y son los responsables de los niveles de toxicidad hallados. Los resultados señalan niveles variables de toxicidad y posiblemente el fenómeno predominante sea el transporte de pesticidas o sus me­tabolitos en la masa de agua. Además, se infiere que posiblemente la concentración de plaguicidas no sea la principal causa de los niveles de toxicidad hallados y probablemente podrían asociarse a otras sustancias derivadas del vertimiento de aguas residuales y lixiviados.
A Qualitative Investigation Exploring Feelings of Incompetence Among Counselling Interns
Authors: Daly Brad , Gazzola Nick
Published: March 2018

The aim of this study was to develop an understanding of how three Masters level counselling students completing their internship manage their feelings of incompetence (FOI). In this study, FOI refers to occasions when a counselling intern believes that “his or her ability, judgment, and/or effectiveness as a therapist is absent, reduced, or challenged internally” (Theriault & Gazzzola, 2008, p.20). The two theoretical approaches used in this study were the Imposter Phenomenon and the Self- Efficacy theory. Drawing on Thematic Analysis, inspired by Grounded Theory, the results of this study demonstrate that FOI can have negative emotional and physical effects, but if managed appropriately can also have benefits.
Reflections on gender disparity in STEM higher education programs: Perspectives and strategies
Authors: Norgbey Enyonam Brigitte
Published: March 2018

STEM has been broadly perceived as a vital driver of sustainable development worldwide. However, women remain underrepresented in STEM fields despite decades of effort to bridge the gender gap. The purpose of this article is to understand of the underlying factors that contribute to gender disparity in STEM and suggest effective interventions. Specifically, I seek to address the following questions: what factors contribute to gender disparity in graduate STEM program? What strategies can be adopted to address the issue?This paper examines fifty articles published from 2006-2016 that had women or gender and/or science as a central part of their studies to identify institutional and socio-cultural perspectives used to explain the situation and identify strategies that have been used to overcome the problem. Findings suggest that the factors that contribute to women underrepresentation in STEM are complex and numerous, calling for multi-faceted strategies to move the field forward.
Prevalence of hypertension amongst spouses in urban area of Nagpur city, Maharashtra, India
Authors: Deshpande Amit V. , Chaudhary Sanjeev M.
Published: March 2018

Background: Students of human biology share an interest in studies of family clusters of heart disease and its antecedents. The recent inclusion of husband and wife pairs (spouse pairs) has added a new dimension to earlier studies of first degree relatives. Blood pressure is influenced by environmental factors operating within genetic limits. Since married couples share a similar environment, the study can identify environmental factors. This study was done to find out prevalence and control of hypertension among spouses in urban area of Nagpur.Methods: This was a community based cross sectional study conducted in urban area of Nagpur city. 260 couples in whom both husband and wife were of age 30 or more were included. Blood pressure was measured and classified as per WHO guidelines.Results: Prevalence of hypertension was found to be 51.9% among husbands and 40.8% among wives. 57.8% husbands and 50.9% wives were unaware of their hypertensive status. Among those who were aware, 35.1% husbands and 15.4% wives had their blood pressure.Conclusions: The observation suggests need for targeting married couples as a unit of intervention for hypertension awareness and control. This study also emphasizes the need to increase the knowledge of current guidelines for detection and treatment of hypertension among physicians.
A study on non-malignant lesion of larynx
Authors: Mathan M. Bharathi Mohan , D. K. Selvam , V. J. Vikram
Published: March 2018

Background: Benign laryngeal lesions are a spectrum of laryngeal diseases where symptoms vary from discomfort in throat, pain in throat, change of voice to stridor. Prompt diagnosis and intervention will reverse the conditions in certain laryngeal lesions.

Methods: A prospective study was carried out in department of ENT, Madras Medical College/Institute of Child Health, Chennai between August 2013-November 2015 of non-malignant lesions of larynx. All these cases underwent a thorough ENT examination, examined under direct laryngoscope or micro laryngeal examination as the situation warrants. Benign non –neoplastic lesions are usually treated by excision biopsy and the biopsy results were confirmed.  

Results: This study included 50 cases of non-malignant lesions of larynx. In our study 34% of the cases fall in the age group of 20-30 years, followed by 22% in age group of 0-10 years. The mean age group was 26 years. Males were 72% and female constituted 28%. The hoarseness is the common symptom in 36 patients, while stridor was the predominant symptom in 14 patients. The treatment modality followed were micro laryngeal excision in 40 cases, tracheostomy in 6 cases.

Conclusions: Management of the non-malignant lesions of larynx, by early diagnosis with effective conservative management in the initial stages, will reduce the necessity of the surgery. Counselling, voice rehabilitation, micro laryngeal surgery is the best modality.
Answering Damarin’s Call: How iOS Apps Approach Diversity, Equity, and Multiculturalism
Authors: Cherner Todd , Fegely Alex
Published: March 2018

In 1998, Suzanne Damarin put forward a call for technologists and multicultural educators to work together to create technologies that promote inclusiveness and equity for students. As significant technological advancements have happened along with major changes in educational policy over the past 20 years, this study set out to examine if Damarin’s call has been answered. In this article, the researchers first explain how they systematically identified a group of iOS applications designed for iPads and analyzed them for their design quality and content through a lens of diversity, equity, and multiculturalism. They then share their findings and offer implications before concluding with a response regarding the status of Damarin’s call.
Associação entre bruxismo e a qualidade do sono em policiais militares
Authors: Reche Regis , Dick Nidea Rita Michels , Pinto Joséli Do Nascimento , Gomes Maximiliano Schunke
Published: March 2018

O bruxismo é uma parafunção do sistema estomatognático, de etiologia multifatorial e alta prevalência, com consequências negativas para a saúde bucal. Objetivo: avaliar a associação do bruxismo  com a qualidade do sono bem como a associação entre covariáveis odontológicas (desgastes dentários excessivos, maloclusões e perda dentária) com a qualidade do sono entre um grupo de policiais militares da Brigada Militar (BM).Metodologia: estudo clinico com delineamento observacional transicional. Resultados: As prevalências de bruxismo clínico e qualidade do sono ruim foram de 47,8% e 52,2%, respectivamente. Os modelos de regressão bivariados demonstraram que a presença de desgastes dentários excessivos (p=0,83), maloclusões (p=0,54), perda dentária (p=0,45), bruxismo autorrelatado (p=0,09) e bruxismo clínico (p=0,83) não estiveram associados com a qualidade do sono entre os participantes. Entre todas as covariáveis odontológicas analisadas, apenas a frequência de escovação <2x/dia (RP=2,00; IC 95%=1,32-3,04) esteve associada à pior qualidade do sono (p=0,001). Foi observada uma correlação significativa entre bruxismo clínico e bruxismo autorrelatado (r=0,58; p=0,004). Conclusão: que o bruxismo clínico não esteve associado com a qualidade do sono, e os indivíduos que apresentaram bruxismo autorrelatado demonstraram uma tendência - ainda que estatisticamente não-significativa - de apresentar uma pior qualidade do sono.
Farmacêutico bioquímico: uma abordagem voltada para o TSH e doenças da tireoide
Authors: Barros Ana Carla Santana , Xavier Érica Menezes , Reis Isamara Silva , Carvalho Paula Ravena Borges , Oliveira Raquel Santos , Pacheco Fábio Kovacevic , Queissada Daniel Delgado
Published: March 2018

Hormônios atuam como mensageiros químicos, sintetizados e armazenados nas glândulas endócrinas e agindo na corrente sanguínea. Possuem funções especificas no crescimento celular, tissular e na regulação metabólica. Entre os mais importantes estão os produzidos pela tireoide, pois controlam o consumo energético do organismo. Nesse contexto o hormônio TSH é de suma importância, pois sua produção estimula a funcionalidade da tireoide. Funcionalidade essa que, quando desregulada, pode causar patologias sérias como o hiper ou hipotireoidismo. Assim, conhecer o processo de síntese e regulação desses hormônios, como os sintomas e tratamentos das patologias relacionadas aos mesmos é de extrema importância para profissionais da saúde como os farmacêuticos. Além disso, para esses profissionais é necessário também a relação dos problemas apresentados com seus diagnósticos e os medicamentos utilizados, conhecendo seus princípios ativos e seus modos de ação, tornando-se dessa forma, um profissional multidisciplinar, tão necessário e requisitado no mercado de trabalho atual. Dessa forma, o presente trabalho tem como objetivo principal destacar o papel do farmacêutico bioquímico, relacionando o TSH com a atuação da glândula tireoide, descrevendo os principais sintomas e diagnósticos de doenças relacionadas aos hormônios produzidos pela mesma, assim como os medicamentos utilizados, seus princípios ativos e modos de ação.
Japanese quince (Chaenomeles japonica L.) fruit polyphenolic extract modulates carbohydrate metabolism in HepG2 cells via AMP-activated protein kinase
Authors: Zakłos-Szyda Małgorzata , Pawlik Nina
Published: March 2018

Scope: Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a chronic diet-related disease which has become a prominent health problem of the world and there is a need of research of natural agents with preventive activities against that metabolic disorder and present in food matrixes. Thus the aim of the study was to explore the in vitro activity of Japanese quince fruit polyphenolic extract as modulator of carbohydrates metabolism.
Methods and results: The study was designed to investigate the effect of Japanese quince polyphenolic extract on glucose metabolism in human hepatoma HepG2 cell line. Pretreatment of the cells with JQ preparation caused decrease of intracellular ROS generation and influenced mitochondrial membrane polarization which seems to lead to AMPK activation. Further effects observed in HepG2 cells were associated with activation of the enzyme: elevation of glucose uptake and glycogen content, and alleviation of gluconeogenesis through modulation of PEPCK, PTP1B, FOXO1 and GLUT4 mRNA expression.
Conclusion: These findings suggest that JQ polyphenols exhibit hypoglycemic effects via modulation of AMPK signaling.
Sketching Possibilities: Poetry and Politically-engaged Academic Practice
Authors: Burford James
Published: March 2018

In this article I draw together and reflect upon my own experiences of writing poetry as a part of a politically-engaged academic life. My aim is to trace the political possibilities I have found in poetic practices, with the hope that describing and reflecting on my own experiences may illuminate pathways for others to integrate poetry into their academic practice. As I will detail, I have published research poetry and have been a leader of workshops that encourage academics to incorporate poetic and other forms evocative writing into their researcher toolkits. Often participants in these workshops have remarked how unusual it seems to think of poetry as a resource for academic work. I hope that this article might demonstrate some previously unimagined possibilities for new poetic enquirers, and provide stimulus for further thought for experienced practitioners to connect poetry and academic practice.
Determinantes de la Innovación en el Sector Productivo de Panamá
Authors: Pérez Víctor M. Guillén , Pinzón Yamileth Pittí
Published: March 2018

There is consensus on the positive relationship between research and development, innovation and productivity, however there are other variables related to the topic that are important to identify. At the national level, studies on innovation are scarce, so it is necessary to go deeper into it. This research focused on identifying the factors that determine innovation in the productive sectors of Panama. An extensive bibliography on innovation in the productive sectors was reviewed at global and national levels. The food industry database of the Agro-industrial Production and Research Center was analyzed and case studies were carried out in national companies. The study found that the main factors that drive innovation in companies are: workforce skills, investment in R & D, market orientation, use of ICTs, links between public and private players, company size, networking, university-government-business interaction, and innovation subsidies. In the case studies conducted in Panama, the key factors that explain innovation in agro-industries are the following: investment in machinery and equipment links with supplier companies, customers and competitors, and demand or market orientation.Keywords: Innovation, research and development, productive sector
Extracción de aceite a partir de microalgas obtenidas de la laguna El Estanco, en San Andrés de sotavento - Colombia
Authors: Escobar Karol Fuentes , Bonilla Julián Olivera , Chaparro Adela Rodríguez
Published: March 2018

The objective of this research is to extract oil from the microalgae obtained in the lagoon El Estanco, located in San Andrés de Sotavento, Colombia, using the modified Bligh & Dyer method, with two types of solvents For chloroform + methanol and hexane. The results obtained with solvent extraction chloroform + methanol provided the largest volume of extracted oil, a comparison with hexane.Keywords: Oil, Extraction, Microalgae.
A potencialidade da produção de mangabeiras (Hancornia speciosa Gomes) para o desenvolvimento do Amapá: caracterizações físicas, físico-químicas e químicas
Authors: Tomazi Rosana , Yokomizo Gilberto Ken Iti , De Almeid Sheylla Susan Moreira Da Silva
Published: March 2018

O presente trabalho visa analisar a viabilidade do plantio e produção desta frutífera, como parte integrante de ações para o desenvolvimento rural amapaense, com base na qualificação e quantificação de dados físicos, físico-químicos e químicos, através do estudo da biometria dos frutos e sementes, propriedades físico-químicas como teor de umidade, cinzas, açúcares redutores e não-redutores, pH, sólidos solúveis totais (Brix), acidez total titulável (ATT), lipídios e determinação de presença de alguns minerais; indicativos de seu potencial nutricional, econômico e sustentável. De acordo com os resultados deste estudo, o plantio das mangabeiras do Amapá mostrou-se vantajoso e significativo, pois os frutos apresentam maior tamanho e rendimento em polpa, além de serem mais ácidos, propiciando assim a fabricação de doces, sorvetes e geleias em relação a materiais já selecionados da Paraíba; podendo ainda ser explorado como alternativa de fomento para uma economia baseada na utilização e conservação dos recursos naturais. Confirma-se também a possibilidade de promover o estímulo de plantação e produção, tornando-a coadjuvante de conservação do meio ambiente e resgate do solo, sendo uma alternativa de renda para as famílias que utilizam os meios de agricultura como forma de subsistência.Palavras-chave: Mangaba; Frutos; Amapá; Viabilidade econômica; Conservação.
Sistema Nefelometrico Auto-referenciado Inmune a Fuentes de Luz Externas
Authors: Vargas Salvador , Calvo Jossue
Published: March 2018

This paper describes the concepts and procedures for the design and implementation of a water turbidity sensor.  It is designed with the purpose of offering us water turbidity readings.  The sensor is designed according to the standard ISO 7027 "The water quality, determination of turbidity", which specifies four methods for the determination of the turbidity of the water.  The light source is an infrared led to 850 nm which is modulated in frequency to prevent external light interference, so that the sensor receiver is immune to external sources of light.  The calibration of this sensor gets a sensitivity of 0.0014 V/NTU and a non-linear error less than 10%, for a range between 0.1 NTU to 600 NTU.Keywords: Turbidity, Nephelometer, Turbidimeter, Sensor, Calibration Curve
Modelo para la Inserción de Estudiantes Universitarios de la Universidad Tecnológica de Panamá en Proyectos de Desarrollo de Software
Authors: Rodríguez Kexy , Sánchez Nichol , Miguelena Ramfis
Published: March 2018

The Software Factory of the ICT Research Center is currently implementing a research model that consists in the incorporation of undergraduate students of the Technological University of Panama in software development projects. This model aims to promote the participation of university students on real software development projects, and to build a research culture. The model consists of five phases: Project planning, selection of students, provide a 45-hour training to selected students on ICT Research Center development guidelines, assign and insert students in software projects (they will also be assigned to a mentor), and give the opportunity to high performance students to be recruited by an ICT Research group. It should be noted that student participation is voluntary, so they do not receive final compensation.Keywords: Student's insertion, volunteering, software development
Propuesta de Estrategia Metodológica Para el Desarrollo de Competencias en la Elaboración y Solución de Problemas de Química Para Estudiantes de Primer Semestre de Ingeniería
Authors: Marín Pedronel Araque
Published: March 2018

En la búsqueda de un trabajo colaborativo que impacte el quehacer educativo en el aula de clase, en especial la implementación de herramientas metodológicas no convencionales que promuevan el proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje por medio del desarrollo y adquisición de las competencias: comunicativa y de trabajo en equipo, pensamiento sistémico y creativa. Se presenta una estrategia metodológica de sinergia e integridad con el proposito de desarrollar competencias en elaboración y solución de problemas en el curso de Química General e Inorgánica de primer semestre de ingeniería de la Universidad EIA. Partiendo de los argumentos presentados por los estudiantes sobre la dificultad en comprensión lectora e interpretación a la hora de resolver un ejercicio, se encontró que la escritura de la situación problema presentaba deficiencias estructurales de forma, manejo conceptual en Química e información inconexa, debido a la no contextualización de la situación problema. Al momento de replantear los problemas se observaron fallas en manejo de sinonimia y proformas. En la construcción de una nueva situación problema se presentaron dificultades en la estructura formal, aunque la contextualización y manejo conceptual mejoraron. También se identificó y llamó profundamente la atención fue la dificultad al momento de aplicar conceptos básicos de Aritmética y Álgebra.Palabras claves: competencias; aprendizaje significativo; química; icosaedro; roles.
Realidad Virtual Como Apoyo al Desarrollo de Habilidades No Técnicas en Profesionales de la Salud
Authors: Benavides Christian O. , Peña Samuel Antonio
Published: March 2018

In recent years research has been done on how to gain non-technical skills, as one of the most influential factors in the daily work activities of the human being; This deficiency manifests itself more frequently in people of small age and with little professional experience, causing different negative effects on the psychological behaviors (cognitive, emotional, etc.), damaging their personal, familiar and work well-being. However, this factor is often developed with repetition in high workload scenarios, such as medical or hospital settings, and especially in areas of high labor demand and with a higher stress index such as the intensive care unit (ICU) and the emergency department Hospitals, which are places where the medical staff is exposed to provide a high quality personalized attention, under the pressure of the patient, relatives, directors and administrative of the hospitals, often provoking the alteration of their capacities or psychological factors At the time of providing the service and maintaining patient safety. Thus the proposal of the following research is to support the health professionals to gain non-technical skills through virtual reality to control adverse situations of the environment without harming the safety of the patient.Keywords: Virtual Reality, Human Machine Interaction, Medical Organizational Environment, Non-technical Skills
Caracterización de Diluyentes Usados en Extracción por Solventes
Authors: Navarro Patricio , Espinoza Daniel , Vargas Cristian
Published: March 2018

Se cuantificaron, analizaron y compararon propiedades físicas de tres diluyentes (Shellsol, Orfom y Escaid) utilizados en extracción por solvente de cobre y  una solución sintética de lixiviación de minerales de cobre (PLS) con una concentración representativa de hierro y cobre. Las propiedades analizadas fueron densidad, viscosidad y tensión Interfacial, además se evaluó el efecto del porcentaje de extractante (porcentaje de extractante presente en la fase organica expresada en volumen/volumen) (% v/v) en la fase organica sobre la densidad y la viscosidad. Las concentraciones de cobre y hierro en el PLS fueron de 4,5 [g/L] y 5,0 [g/L] respecivamente. Las temperaturas utilizadas fueron 25, 35 y 45 °C. Los resultados obtenidos muestran que la temperatura produce un efecto similar sobre la densidad de los diluyentes y PLS, obteniéndose una tendencia semejante en las curvas con leves variaciones; por su parte el efecto de la temperatura sobre la viscosidad presenta las mayores diferencias entre los diluyentes y PLS. La variación del porcentaje de extractante (%v/v) en la fase orgánica a temperatura constante, produce una leve variación de la densidad presentando tendencias similares para los tres diluyentes; mientras que los mayores efectos se ven reflejados en la viscosidad, mostrando tendencias semejantes en las tres curvas.Palabras claves: Extracción por solvente, diluyente, porcentaje de extractante, densidad, viscosidad.