bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Another new species of Stanhopea (Orchidaceae) from Peru
Authors: Jenny Rudolf
Published: October 2015

Se describe e ilustra la nueva especie Stanhopea naurayi Jenny, de Perú. No es pariente cercana de ninguna otra especie conocida en Perú; más bien se parece a algunas formas de S. oculata (Lodd.) Lindl., de México, pero con flores un tercio menores.
Una nueva especie y un nuevo registro de Drymonia (Gesneriaceae) en Costa Rica
Authors: Kriebel Ricardo
Published: October 2015

Se describe Drymonia glandulosa Kriebel, una nueva especie que habita en las bajuras del norte de la vertiente caribe de Costa Rica, y se compara con D. conchocalyx. Drymonia mortoniana Wiehler se reconoce como especie válida y representa un nuevo registro en la flora del país.
New record and distribution map of Parmotrema rubifaciens (Parmeliaceae, Ascomycota) in the Neotropics
Authors: Michlig Silvia Andrea , Rodriguez María Pía , Ferraro Lidia Itatí
Published: October 2015

Parmotrema rubifaciens is recorded in this paper for the first time for Paraguay, expanding its known geographic distribution approximately 430 km southeast from its nearest locality. The species is characterized, illustrated, and compared with most related taxa. In addition, a map of its geographic distribution in the Neotropics is presented.
Checklist of Empididae and Hybotidae (Diptera) flies from selected sites in Slovakia (Central Europe), with new records of five species for Slovakia
Authors: Van der Weele Ruud , Baranová Beáta , Manko Peter , Obona Jozef
Published: October 2015

A checklist of Diptera families Empididae and Hybotidae from 25 selected sites in Slovakia is presented. The checklist comprises 91 taxa (51 species of family Empididae and 40 species of family Hybotidae) including the first records of Platypalpus eximius (Oldenberg, 1924) and P. optivus (Collin, 1926) from family Hybotidae, and Hilara lugubris (Zetterstedt, 1819), H. sturmii Wiedemann in Meigen, 1822 and Rhamphomyia (Holoclera) caliginosa Collin, 1926 from family Empididae.
Rodzina XXI wieku w perspektywie nauczania Jana Pawła II
Authors: Stala Józef
Published: October 2015

Sobór Watykański II przyniósł nowa dynamikę, ukierunkowując Kościół na małżeństwo i rodzinę. Jan Paweł II często przedstawiał zagadnienia związane z małżeństwem i rodziną w swoich przemówieniach, katechezach i dokumentach, wzmacniając nie tylko teologię rodziny, ale także troskę pastoralną małżeństwa i rodziny. Papież rozbudował wizję formacji przygotowującej do małżeństwa i rodziny jako szczególnej wspólnoty. Całe życie tej wspólnoty jest bowiem oparte na sakramentalnym znaczeniu rodziny, zatem otrzymuje szczególny rodzaj uświęcenia. Ludzka miłość, a zwłaszcza miłość małżeńska i rodzinna, przedłuża miłość Boga. Rodzice są przeznaczeni do udzielania swoim dzieciom nie tylko daru życia, ale także daru wiary. Jan Paweł II obiektywnie patrzył na sytuację i rolę rodziny, dlatego w swoim nauczaniu wskazywał sposoby wzmacniania rodzin niszczonych przez cywilizację śmierci.
Chrystus – Król Miłosierdzia
Authors: Szczurek Jan D.
Published: October 2015

Apostolska Grupa Miłosierdzia Bożego popularyzuje kult Chrystusa – Króla Miłosierdzia. Tytuł „Król Miłosierdzia” występuje w Dzienniczku św. Siostry Faustyny Kowalskiej (Dz. 83; 1146; por. 378). Artykuł poświęcony jest poszukiwaniu odpowiedzi na pytanie o stosunek kultu miłosierdzia Bożego do kultu Króla Miłosierdzia. Odpowiedź streszcza się w zdaniu: kult miłosierdzia Bożego jest trynitarny, kult Króla Miłosierdzia jest chrystologiczny i podkreśla godność królewską Chrystusa, a tym samym także Jego człowieczeństwo.
PORTAL AND ARTERIAL FLUSHING WITH HTK AND TACROLIMUS CAN ATTENUATE THE INCIDENCE OF EARLY LIVER ALLOGRAFT DYSFUNCTION
Authors: Shcherba A. E. , Korotkov S. V. , Efimov D. Yu. , Minou A. F. , Lebedz O. A. , Karytka A. A. , Dzyadzko A. M. , Rummo O. O.
Published: October 2015

It was shown that Tacrolimus (Tac) can suppress infl ammation and immune response involved in liver ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) (Kristo I., Transpl Int., 2011). Aim. We hypothesize that back-table arterial and portal liver perfusion with Tac can infl uence the incidence and severity of early allograft dysfunction (EAD). A prospective randomized study was conducted (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifi er: NCT01887171).

Materials and methods.Criteria of the inclusion: First liver transplantation from DBD donor with sequential portal-arterial reperfusion. At back-table portal vein and hepatic artery were perfused each by 500 ml of HTK solution containing 20 ng/ml Tac during 10–15 min followed by portal fl ushing with 200 ml 5% solution of Albumin containing 20 ng/ml Tac and by resting of liver in effl uent. No Tac was added in the control group. Primary Outcome: EAD (Olthoff KM, et al. Liver Transpl. 2010) and severe EAD (P.R.Salvalaggio, et al. Transpl. Proceedings, 2012).

Results.No difference was found between groups (main vs. control) in terms of MELD (16 vs. 16), steatosis (10 vs. 10%), ballooning (45 vs. 40%) of liver grafts, recipient age (50 vs. 50 y.o.), warm ischemia time (50 vs.50 min) and total ischemia time (482.5 vs. 485.0 min). Median donor age was higher in the main group (44.5 vs. 39.0 y.o.). The overall rate of EAD was 27.9%. EAD rate was signifi cantly lower in the main group (6/43 vs. 18/43; p = 0.003). The rate of moderate-to-severe EAD was lower in the main group (1/43 vs. 10/43; p = 0.009). The median levels of AST and ALT in 24 h after reperfusion were signifi cantly lower in the intervention group (1004 vs. 1596; p = 0.03 and 449 vs. 759; p = 0.057).

Conclusion.Portal and arterial back-table liver perfusion with HTK solution with Tacrolimus may contribute to lower EAD incidence and severity.
IN VITRO INVESTIGATION OF THE TRANSPLANTATION PROSPECTS OF MULTICELLULAR SPHEROID MICROAGGREGATES OF DONOR RETINAL PIGMENT EPITHELIUM
Authors: Borzenok S. A. , Popov I. A. , Saburina I. N. , Arbukhanova P. M.
Published: October 2015

Aim. To study in experiment the criteria for transplantability of multicellular spheroid microaggregates of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), prepared by the method of 3D cell culture.

Materials and Methods. 11 donor eyes (6 of adrenaline index «A», 5 of index «B») were used as a source of RPE cell cultures (group «A» – 6 cultures, group «B» – 5 cultures), of which over 2000 RPE spheroids were obtained by the method of three-dimensional cell culture. 1760 spheroids of them were selected for transplantability investigation (960 – group «A», 800 – group «B»). Among the selected spheroids were equal numbers of spheroids of different morphology («smooth» and «rough») and of the initial cell seeding number (500, 1000, 5000, 25 000, 125 000 cells per hanging drop). We were taking out 12 spheroids of group «A» and 10 spheroids of group «B» of the 3D culture in terms of 7, 14, 21, 28 days of 3D culture to assess their viability. We were transferring the same number of spheroids in the same terms from 3D to 2D culture conditions to assess their adhesive properties. Viability of cells within spheroids was determined using the Trypan blue exclusion. The presence or absence of adhesion was determined by microscopic observation.

Results. «Smooth» spheroids of 7 and 14 days of pretransplantation cultivation and derived from hanging drops containing 500 and 1000 cells showed the highest transplantability (cell viability varied from 0.83 ± 0.38 to 0.94 ± 0.24, a 100% adhesion). «Rough» spheroids were untransplantable in all variants, despite their partial preservation of viability (in comparison to “smooth” ones p < 0.05). 21 and 28 days of pretransplantation culturing and high cell seeding numbers signifi cantly lowered transplantability of obtained spheroids (p > 0.05 for low cell numbers, p < 0.05 for the high ones). Differences in adrenaline indexes A and B of donor eyes which were the primary sources of cellular material had no effect (p > 0.05) on resulting spheroids transplantability.

Conclusion. Among RPE spheroids obtained by our method the spheroids cultivated in a 3D environment for 7 to 14 days prior to transplantation and derived from hanging drops containing 500 and 1000 RPE cells showed the highest transplantability.
TREATMENT OF HEPATITIS C WITHOUT INTERFERON IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING LIVER TRANSPLANTATION
Authors: Khubutia M. Sh. , Syutkin V. E.
Published: October 2015

This review contains analysis of current approaches to HCV treatment in liver transplant recipients. The authors explore key limitations associated with the usage of available treatment options and benefi ts related to the implementation of IFN-free regimens. The review summarizes results of published up-to-date studies on the usage of direct antiviral agents after liver transplantation.
A Prospective Multicenter Study Evaluating Secondary Adrenal Suppression After Antiemetic Dexamethasone Therapy in Cancer Patients Receiving Chemotherapy: A Korean South West Oncology Group Study
Authors: Han Hye Sook , Park Ji Chan , Park Suk Young , Lee Kyu Taek , Bae Sang Byung , Kim Han Jo , Kim Samyoung , Yun Hwan Jung , Bae Woo Kyun , Shim Hyun-Jeong , Hwang Jun-Eul , Cho Sang-Hee , Park Moo-Rim , Shim Hyeok , Kwon Jihyun , Choi Moon Ki , Kim Seung Taik , Lee Ki Hyeong
Published: October 2015

Background.

In a previous pilot study, adrenal suppression was found to be common after antiemetic dexamethasone therapy in cancer patients. The objective of this large prospective multicenter study was to confirm the incidence and factors associated with secondary adrenal suppression related to antiemetic dexamethasone therapy in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy.

Methods.

Chemotherapy-naïve patients who were scheduled to receive at least three cycles of highly or moderately emetogenic chemotherapy with dexamethasone as an antiemetic were enrolled. Patients with a suppressed adrenal response before chemotherapy or those administered corticosteroids within 6 months of enrollment in the study were excluded.

Results.

Between October 2010 and August 2014, 481 patients receiving chemotherapy underwent the rapid adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) stimulation test to assess eligibility; 350 of these patients were included in the final analysis. Fifty-six patients (16.0%) showed a suppressed adrenal response in the rapid ACTH stimulation test at 3 or 6 months after the start of the first chemotherapy. The incidence of adrenal suppression was affected by age, performance status, stage, and use of megestrol acetate in univariate analysis. Multivariate analysis revealed that secondary adrenal suppression associated with antiemetic dexamethasone therapy was significantly associated with megestrol acetate treatment (odds ratio: 3.06; 95% confidence interval: 1.60 to 5.86; p < .001).

Conclusion.

This large prospective study indicates that approximately 15% of cancer patients receiving chemotherapy with a normal adrenal response show suppressed adrenal responses after antiemetic dexamethasone therapy. This result was particularly significant for patients cotreated with megestrol acetate.
COMPLICAÇÕES PÓS-OPERATÓRIAS EM PACIENTES SUBMETIDOS À CIRURGIA CARDÍACA EM HOSPITAL DE ENSINO
Authors: Beccaria Lucia Marinilza , Cesarino Claudia Bernardi , Werneck Alexandre Lins , Góes Nadielly Codonho , Dos Santos Karla Soares , Machado Maurício De Nassau
Published: October 2015

Introdução: A taxa de mortalidade hospitalar é indicador de resultados para avaliação da qualidade da assistência em unidade coronária. Objetivos: Caracterizar os pacientes submetidos à cirurgia cardíaca, identificar os tipos de cirurgia e as principais complicações nos primeiros 30 dias pós-cirurgia. Material e Métodos: Estudo retrospectivo, longitudinal, quantitativo envolvendo pacientes submetidos a cirurgia cardíaca em um hospital de ensino, de janeiro de 2003 a abril de 2012. Resultados: Foram avaliados 2.648 pacientes, 61% do sexo masculino e 39% do feminino, com idade entre 49 a 66 anos, com média de Índice de Massa Corpórea de 26. As doenças de base mais comuns foram Diabetes Mellitus e Doença Renal Crônica. Realizaram revascularização do miocárdio 1.641 pacientes (62%) e cirurgia valvar 1.007 (38%). As principais complicações pós-operatórias foram lesão renal aguda até 7º dia pós-operatório (32%), disfunção de ventrículo esquerdo moderada/grave (20%), reintubação por complicações pulmonares (11%), fibrilação atrial (8,6%) e lesão neurológica (4,3%). O tempo médio de permanência na Unidade Coronária foi de 6,8 dias e a maioria necessitou de circulação extracorpórea. Dos 22% de pacientes com história pregressa de diabetes, 25% morreram. Conclusões: A maioria submeteu-se à revascularização do miocárdio; 65% desenvolveram lesão renal aguda e 44% foram reintubados por complicações pulmonares e associação significativa com óbito. Dos 190 pacientes que morreram nos primeiros 30 dias, as complicações de maior prevalência foram afecções cardíacas, infecção hospitalar, distúrbio de coagulação, complicações neurológicas e pulmonares.
ANÁLISE DA FUNCIONALIDADE E FLEXIBILIDADE DE MULHERES EM EXERCÍCIOS DE PILATES NO SOLO
Authors: Mendes Priscyla Maria Vieira , Santos Lucas Evangelista dos , Mesquita Laiana Sepúlveda De Andrade , De Carvalho Fabiana Teixeira
Published: October 2015

Introdução: O envelhecimento é um processo fisiológico caracterizado por sucessivos desgastes, porém, o homem encontrou na prática de atividade física resultados que retardam e/ou minimizam esses efeitos. O método Pilates propõe o trabalho global do organismo, sendo de baixa intensidade e impacto com longa duração. Objetivo: Analisar e comparar na pré e pós-intervenção a funcionalidade e a flexibilidade de grupos de mulheres adultas e idosas submetidas a exercícios de Pilates no solo. Casuística e Métodos: Tratou-se de um ensaio clínico realizado com 14 mulheres sedentárias, frequentadoras de grupos de dança em academias comunitárias em Teresina – PI e divididas em Mulheres Adultas (MA) e Mulheres Idosas (MI). Foram realizados 12 atendimentos de Pilates no solo, no período de 4 semanas, sendo divididos numa frequência de 3 vezes por semana, com duração de 50 minutos, na praça que frequentavam. No início e final, todas foram avaliadas com o protocolo do Grupo Latino-Americano de Desenvolvimento para Maturidade - GDLAM e distância mão-chão. Os dados foram analisados por meio do teste Kolmogorov-Smirnov, ANOVA para medidas repetidas e effect size, sendo considerados significantes valores de P< 0,05. Resultados: De acordo com a classificação de autonomia funcional, tanto mulheres adultas quanto mulheres idosas apresentaram melhoras; de “fraco” para “regular”. Conclusão: Concluiu-se que os exercícios de Pilates, realizados em 12 encontros, promoveram melhora na autonomia funcional e mantiveram a flexibilidade em mulheres adultas e idosas.
Unpacking Frame Resonance: Professional and Experiential Expertise in Intellectual Property Rights Contention*
Authors: Morrell Erica
Published: October 2015

In 2004, Canadian officials introduced amendments to the country's Plant Breeders' Rights Act. An intellectual property movement supported the changes and a farmers' rights movement opposed them. Though conditions seemed to favor the former, the latter was more successful. To explain this, I compare each movement's deployment of professional and experiential expertise in their framing attempts. I argue that professional expertise, acquired through formalized training, and experiential expertise, gained through lived experience, provide unique and important support in claims making; highly resonant frames are often those built and maintained with both. Indeed, the farmers' rights movement's use of professional and experiential expertise together in framing the amendments helps account for its efficacy against the intellectual property movement (which failed to do so). This analysis contributes to our understanding of frame resonance and highlights underexplored South-to-North channels of influence due to the particular role of Southerners' experiential expertise in this comparison.
Students’ perceptions of competencies by the end of a masters’ degree
Authors: Monteiro Sílvia , Almeida Leandro S. , García-Aracil Adela
Published: October 2015

Current models of employability are rather broad and complex, including not only a set of skills as determinant factors in employability, but also a subjective dimension that considers individual self-beliefs and attitudes. This study presents the preliminary results of a research project focused on the factors that impact employability with 214 participants, senior students taking a masters’ degree. Results pointed to a closer interconnection between the practical competencies, employability competencies, preparedness to work transition, and expectations of success. These findings stress the importance of a stronger practical component in the curriculum, as a way to promote employability.
Ensino médio inovador: ressignificações de educação de qualidade em contextos locais
Authors: Santos Jean Mac Cole Tavares
Published: October 2015

Neste artigo, apresentamos uma pesquisa realizada com docentes de duas escolas públicas de ensino médio do estado do Ceará sobre os sentidos atribuídos à qualidade na educação a partir das ações do Programa Ensino Médio Inovador. Com base na concepção de ciclo de políticas de Ball e Bowe (1998), entendemos que as políticas educacionais são produções de significações curriculares desenvolvidas em múltiplos contextos. Rompendo com a polarização dicotômica entre política e prática, buscamos superar a compreensão da escola como local somente de resistência ou de implementação da política, já que os documentos do Ministério da Educação, mesmo que aceitos pela escola, são reelaborados, traduzidos, ressignificados na cultura escolar. Assim, as ressignificações efetivadas nas escolas se diferenciam de acordo com o grau de reconhecimento, com a credibilidade da instituição e de sua relação com a comunidade escolar, com os órgãos diretivos e com sua própria história.
Avaliação em larga escala em municípios brasileiros: o que dizem os números?
Authors: Bauer Adriana , Pimenta Claudia Oliveira , Neto João Luiz Horta , Sousa Sandra Zákia Lian
Published: October 2015

O artigo, que se organiza em quatro seções, apresenta resultados de pesquisa que teve por objetivos mapear e caracterizar iniciativas relacionadas às avaliações em larga escala em desenvolvimento nos municípios brasileiros. Inicialmente, expõe-se uma síntese de estudos já  produzidos  sobre  a  temática  e,  em  seguida,  são  explicitados os procedimentos metodológicos do estudo. Na terceira seção, discutem-se resultados obtidos na fase preliminar do survey, que abarcam manifestações obtidas de 4.309 municípios. Por fim, são apontadas conclusões acerca de concepções presentes nas avaliações propostas pelos municípios e dos usos dos resultados que as gestões desses  entes  federados  fazem  das  diversas  avaliações  existentes, que evidenciam a consolidação da avaliação em larga escala como instrumento de gestão educacional nas municipalidades.
Implicações das avaliações externas para o trabalho docente coletivo
Authors: Cunha Renata Cristina Oliveira Barrichelo , Barbosa Andreza , Fernandes Maria José da Silva
Published: October 2015

Este trabalho sistematiza parte dos resultados de uma pesquisa financiada pelo Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior, que se propõe a analisar, entre outros aspectos, como as avaliações externas, em especial o Sistema de Avaliação de Rendimento Escolar do Estado de São Paulo, estão afetando o planejamento e os encaminhamentos das aulas de trabalho pedagógico coletivo de uma escola estadual paulista no que se refere à discussão do projeto político-pedagógico. Os dados sistematizados derivam da análise de pautas e atas referentes ao trabalho docente coletivo desenvolvido em 2014, bem como de um encontro no qual se discutiram os índices obtidos pela escola nas avaliações externas. Os resultados evidenciam que a preocupação com as metas e índices se sobrepõe à discussão da proposta pedagógica, esvaziando o trabalho docente coletivo de seu sentido articulador e integrador.
Avaliação em larga escala no Brasil: tensões e desafios
Authors: Gimenes Nelson
Published: October 2015

.
A educação cooperativista na formação de catadores de resíduos sólidos em Iguatu, Ceará
Authors: Feitosa A. K. , Landim G. H. P. , Silva K. B. , Silva G. D.
Published: October 2015

A presente pesquisa teve por objetivo conhecer a percepção dos catadores de resíduos sólidos atuantes no município de Iguatu, CE, sobre a realidade de trabalho e contribuição da educação cooperativista na formação profissional. Para a coleta dos dados foi utilizada a técnica de entrevista de grupo focal, com a participação de 10 (dez) catadores de resíduos sólidos que atuam no lixão do referido município, em que foi possível a interação dos participantes, discussão e manifestação de suas opiniões. A análise de dados se deu sob a temática de Bardin (2011), por meio da análise de discurso de conteúdo. Como resultado, foi possível constatar a importância da educação cooperativista como um processo permanente de base na formação e capacitação profissional dos catadores de recicláveis. Além disso, observou-se a necessidade do fortalecimento da organização dos catadores, via a formação de uma cooperativa, possibilitando avanço, por meio de melhores condições de trabalho, vida, renda, valorização do produto e mercado, uma vez que o constante medo de o lixão ser extinto, incentiva a procura dos catadores de materiais recicláveis a buscar a transição da informalidade do trabalho autônomo para a economia solidaria, como uma alternativa viável.The Cooperative Education Collectors Training Solid Waste in Iguatu, Ceará.Abstract: This research aimed to know the perception of solid waste collectors operating in the city of Iguatu, CE, about the reality of work and contribution of cooperative education in vocational training. To collect the data we used the focus group interview technique, with the participation of ten (10) solid waste pickers working at the dump of the municipality, where it was possible the interaction of the participants, discussion and expression of their opinions . The data analysis was done under the theme of Bardin (2011), through the analysis of speech content. As a result, there has been the importance of cooperative education as an ongoing process based on education and professional training of waste pickers. In addition, there was the need to strengthen the organization of collectors, via the formation of a cooperative, allowing advancement through better working conditions, life, income, product enhancement and market, since the constant fear the dump be extinct, encourages demand for recyclable material collectors to seek the transition from informality of self-employment for the solidarity economy as a viable alternative.
Molecular Regulators of Metabolism and Cardiometabolic Disease
Authors: Sukmawati Indriyanti Rafi , Wijaya Andi
Published: October 2015

BACKGROUND: The mechanisms that are responsible for energy management in cells in an organism require a complex network of transcription of factors and cofactors.CONTENT: All living system must maintain a tight equilibrium between energy intake, storage and expenditure for optimal performance. This  tight equilibrium must be both robust and flexible to allow for adaptation to every situation such as exercise or rest and famine or feast. Organisms rely on finely tuned and complex signaling network to confront with all possibilities. Metabolic imbalance can cause dysfunction and pertubation of these networks, which if uncorrected will induce disease such as obesity and diabetes mellitus.SUMMARY: During the last decades the understanding of the transcriptional regulation of diverse metabolic pathways has contributed to the elucidation of mechanisms of metabolic control and to a better knowledge of the pathogenesis of metabolic diseases. KEYWORDS: AMPK, SIRT1, PGC-1α, FGF21, mTORC1
The Role of Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 (STAT3) in Tumor Immunity
Authors: Adhika Oeij Anindita , Shahib M Nurhalim
Published: October 2015

BACKGROUND: Inflammation is a key component of the tumor microenvironment. Cancer-associated inflammation is marked by the presence of specific inflammatory cells and inflammatory mediators. Moreover, immune cells in the tumor microenvironment not only fail to mount an effective antitumor immune response, but also interact intimately with the tumor cells to actively promote oncogenesis.CONTENT: Their roles in regulating cytokine-dependent inflammation and immunity make the signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) proteins critical players in determining whether immune responses in tumor microenvironment promote or inhibit cancer. Recent evidence suggests a crucial role for STAT family proteins, especially STAT3 (signal transducer and activator of transcription 3), which is a point of convergence for numerous oncogenic signaling pathways, in selectively inducing and maintaining a procarcinogenic inflammatory microenvironment, both at the initiation of malignant transformation and during cancer progression. The persistent activation of STAT3 increases tumor cell proliferation, survival, and invasion while supressing antitumor immunity. SUMMARY: STAT3 signaling pathway constitutes a potential preventive and therapeutic target for cancer immunotherapy.  KEYWORDS: STAT3, inflammation, tumor microenvironment, cancer immunotherapy
C-Reactive Protein and Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 are Associated with Outcome of Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Surjawan Yenny , As'ad Suryani , Ranakusuma Teguh A S , Wijaya Andi
Published: October 2015

BACKGROUND: C-Reactive protein (CRP) and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 are inflammatory mediators that are often associated with the evolution of stroke. In this study, we aimed to find out whether concentration of these biomarkers were associated with the severity of discharge National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) in ischemic stroke patient.METHODS: In prospective stody, we involved 143 ischemic stroke patient who were admitted to hospital not more than 72 hours after the onset and who met the criteria. The concentration of CRP was assessed by High Sensitivity CRP reagent from Siemens and the concentration of MMP-9 was measure with Quantikine Human MMP-9 (total) Immunoassay from R&D. The outcome of stroke was determined by NIHSS score at discharge.RESULTS: There was a significant correlation between the CRP level and the severity of NIHSS at discharge (r = 0.288, p = 0.000). Subjects with intermediate/high level of CRP had a higher probability to have a moderate or even severe NIHSS (OR = 1.7, p = 0.004). Subjects with high MMP level showed a higher probability to have a severe NIHSS. CONCLUSION: The measurement of CRP and MMP-9 at 48-72 hours after stroke onset were associated with the severity of ischemic stroke based on NIHSS score at discharge.  KEYWORDS: inflammation, CRP, MMP-9, discharged NIHSS
Correlation of Progranulin, Granulin, Adiponectin and Vaspin with Metaflammation (hs-CRP) in Indonesian Obese Men
Authors: Napitupulu Rosalia E , Meiliana Anna , Wijaya Andi
Published: October 2015

BACKGROUND: Obesity is closely related to chronic, low grade systemic inflammation (metaflammation) and it leads to further metabolic complications such as hypertension, atherosclerosis, and type 2 diabetes due to the adipocytokine imbalance. This study was carried out to assess the correlation between progranulin, granulin, adiponectin and visceral adipose tissue-derived serine protease inhibitor (Vaspin) with metaflammation (high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP)) in centrally obese men.METHODS: This study was observational with a cross sectional design involving 60 men aged 30-60 years, consisted of 43 obese men (waist circumference (WC) ≥90 cm) and 13 non obese men (WC <90 cm), with no hypertension, and no renal dysfunction. Anthropometric parameters, creatinine, serum glutamic oxaloacetic transferase (SGOT), serum glutamic piruvic transferase (SGPT) and hs-CRP levels were measured. Serum concentrations of progranulin, granulin, adiponectin and Vaspin were measured by ELISA.RESULTS: This study showed in obese men a significant correlation between hs-CRP and Vaspin (r=0.305; p=0.046), non-significant correlation between hs-CRP and progranulin (r=0.048; p=0.758), between hs-CRP and granulin (r=-0.223; p=0.150), also between hs-CRP and adiponectin (r=-0.121; p=0.439). Similar patterns were observed between adipokines level and WC. There were 3 patterns showing increase or decrease of adipokines value with WC between 80-86 cm; subsequently the pattern tended to become flat with WC between 86-105 cm, then showing increase or decrease of adipokines value with WC >105 cm.CONCLUSION: We found metaflammation (hs-CRP) was significantly correlated with Vaspin, but not with progranulin, granulin and adiponectin, in obese men. We suggest the possibility of a dynamic expression of adipokines related to WC that are subjected to adipocytes hypertrophy-hyperplasia phenomenon.KEYWORDS: progranulin, granulin, adiponectin, Vaspin, hs-CRP, metaflammation, central obesity
Correlation between Homeostatic Model Assessment-estimated Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) with Asymmetric Dimethylarginine (ADMA) in Prehypertension
Authors: Novianti Maria Evi , Bakri Syakib , Arif Mansyur , Sandra Ferry
Published: October 2015

BACKGROUND: Not only hypertension, prehypertension has been reported to be linked with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality risks as well. Prehypertension has three-fold hypertension and two-fold cardiovascular risks. Pathomechanism that links hypertension with cardiovascular is related with endothelial dysfunction and insulin resistance. Endothelial dysfunction occurs when nitric oxide (NO) biological function was impaired, whereas shown by asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA). Subjects with prehypertension had higher insulin resistance events than normotension, whereas shown by homeostatic model assessment-estimated insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). This research was conducted to investigate the correlation of HOMA-IR with ADMA in prehyper- and normo-tension.METHODS: A cross-sectional comparative research was designed. Subjects were recruited and divided into prehyper- and normo-tensive groups. ADMA was measured using ELISA method, while HOMA-IR was calculated by the ratio of fasting insulin and glucose. Spearman 1-tail and Mann Whitney statistical analyses were performed.RESULTS: Comparing to normotensive group, elevated levels of HOMA-IR and ADMA in prehypertensive group were shown, but not significant. In prehypertensive group, we found significant correlation between HOMA-IR and ADMA.CONCLUSION: Insulin resistance and endothelial dysfunction was elevated in prehyper-compared to normotension.KEYWORDS: prehypertension, insulin resistance, endothelial dysfunction, HOMA-IR, ADMA
Compreensão após leitura dialógica: efeitos de dicas, sondas e reforçamento diferencial baseados em funções narrativas
Authors: Rogoski Bianca Da Nóbrega , Flores Eileen Pfeiffer , Gauche Gilberto , Coêlho Raquel Freire , De Souza Carlos Barbosa Alves
Published: October 2015

A leitura compartilhada é considerada uma importante estratégia de desenvolvimento da linguagem. A leitura dialógica é um tipo de leitura compartilhada em que um adulto lê em voz alta, intercalando a história com diálogos e feedbacks sobre o texto e/ou as ilustrações. Este estudo investigou os efeitos da leitura dialógica sobre a compreensão de um romance infanto-juvenil em dois meninos de 9 e 10 anos. Dados de um estudo anterior com os mesmos participantes demonstraram pouco efeito das intervenções e serviram como linha de base para adaptações no presente estudo, que consistiu em formular perguntas a partir de funções importantes da narrativa e fornecer consequências de acordo com o desempenho da criança. Ambos apresentaram ganhos na compreensão da narrativa quando comparados à linha de base. Os resultados são discutidos em termos da importância, para a compreensão, do planejamento de dicas, sondas e consequências baseadas em dimensões temáticas relevantes da narrativa, aspecto raramente enfatizado em estudos sobre os efeitos da leitura dialógica.
IRISH FARMERS' USE OF ICTS AND THEIR PREFERENCES FOR ENGAGEMENT WITH EXTENSION
Authors: WIMS Pádraig , BYRNE Colman
Published: October 2015

This research investigated the potential for extension organisations to use information and communications technologies (ICTs) in the provision of advice to farmers. Aquestionnaire was administered to 286 extension clients (farmers) in Ireland. It was found that 94% of respondents used computers, all used mobile phones and one third of these had Smartphones. Despite having access to ICTs, the majority did not use these to their potential. In relation to maintaining extension contact, farmers still prefer to use the traditional interpersonal communication methods when looking for specific and detailed advice on farming issues but they are content to use ICTs for more routine contact with extension.
Triangulating Measures of Teacher Quality in Teaching Students With Behavioral Problems
Authors: Buttner Svenja , Pijl Sip Jan , Bijstra Jan , van den Bosch Els van;
Published: October 2015

Teaching students with behavioral problems is a challenge for many teachers in inclusive education. To assess a teacher’s quality in teaching students with behavioral problems and to explore what differentiates them from less effective teachers, this study aimed to validate a method for measuring this type of teacher quality. Based on classroom observations, special needs support teachers (n = 12) rated the extent to which teachers met the need for competence, autonomy, and relatedness of students with behavioral problems. Primary school teachers (n = 137) completed a self-efficacy questionnaire related to teaching students with behavioral problems. Head teachers (n = 12) and the same teachers participated in a nomination procedure. Factor, reliability, descriptive, correlation, and cluster analyses were performed. Significant positive not fully overlapping correlations were found between the instruments. A group of 10–15 expert teachers of students with behavioral problems were selected. Future directions for research are discussed.
Assessing Special Educational Needs in Austria: Description of Labeling Practices and Their Evolution From 1996 to 2013
Authors: Schwab Susanne , Hessels Marco G. P. , Obendrauf Tanja , Polanig Mona C. , Wölflingseder Lisa
Published: October 2015

Even if the label special educational needs (SEN) is similarly used in various countries for indicating students with disabilities, the practices and diagnostic criteria leading to this label vary widely. This study aims to clarify the diagnostic process in Austria that leads to labeling. A sample of 169 special needs teachers who regularly write SEN reports participated in the online survey. The survey questions were based on those of a study by Ansperger (1998), who questioned special education teachers writing such reports in 1995–1996. Results show that, although more and more standardized instruments are used, still quite several unstandardized assessments are reported. Little time is available for the assessments, and only few reports include information on future pedagogical/educational intervention. It is concluded that in inclusive education, assessment should be more oriented toward educational intervention to address the diversity in learning needs among students than at diagnosing disabilities.
Gender Differences in Dating Aggression and Victimization Among Low-Income, Urban Middle School Students
Authors: Cascardi Michele , Avery-Leaf Sarah
Published: October 2015

Emerging research on dating aggression in early adolescence suggests that it occurs as early as 6th grade. However, our understanding of dating aggression during this developmental phase remains limited. The primary purpose of the current study was to examine gender differences in various potentially harmful dating behaviors, including physical and psychological dating aggression and victimization as well as jealous, controlling, and monitoring behaviors in a low-income, urban sample of middle school students (N = 3,174). Approximately 40% of youth reported physical dating aggression as a perpetrator or victim. Girls endorsed all forms of physical aggression at a higher rate than boys with one exception: physical restraint. Regarding physical dating victimization, boys reported higher rates of having been slapped; scratched; or kicked, bit, or hit than did girls. There were no statistically significant gender differences in the frequency of injury to self (6% of boys, 2% of girls) or partner (4% of boys and 5% of girls injured a partner). Although the overall injury rate was low, it was not inconsequential. Regarding other potentially harmful behaviors, girls and boys reported jealous accusations, monitoring and spiteful verbal and nonverbal retaliation with the highest frequency. Although, the vast majority of dating aggression was characterized as “just playing around,” many youth demanded apologies and a substantial minority broke up as a result of dating aggression. Of note, boys were significantly more likely to “do nothing” in response to dating aggression compared to girls. Results highlight the complex, variable meaning of aggression, jealousy, and control in early adolescent dating relationships.
Pulmonary Azygous Lobe-An Anatomical Variant
Authors: Seiber W , Karcara N , Pant P
Published: October 2015

Pulmonary azygous lobe is one of the common lung malformations. There is only few article about azygous lobe. Its a small accessory lobe sometimes found on the upper part of the right lung, separated from the rest of the upper lobe by a deep groove lodging the ayzygous vein. This reports describes the presence of azygous lobe, a rare anatomical variant, encountered during chest x-ray discussion. We describe here the anatomical basis and the clinical significance of azygous lobe.Kathmandu University Medical Journal Vol.12(2) 2014: 151-152
A Post Publication Review of "Improving professional IT doctorate completion rates"
Authors: Lim Weng Marc , Burmeister Oliver Kisalay
Published: October 2015

A short post publication review of a recent AJIS paper.
Impacts of Environmental Access Restrictions on Freight Delivery Activities
Authors: Dablanc Laetitia , Montenon Antoine
Published: October 2015

This study identified the position of goods vehicles in European low emissions zones (LEZs) and analyzed the impact of the access restrictions on transport and logistics firms and on their logistics activities. LEZs are delimited areas of a city or metropolitan area from which the vehicles that pollute the most are banned. Targeted vehicles are often freight vehicles as a result of the high levels of pollution emitted by today's urban delivery fleets. Through a literature review, interviews, and two specific surveys in London and Berlin, analysis of LEZ impacts on the urban freight industry was conducted. The creation of an LEZ was shown to reduce the number of firms making urban deliveries, and this reduction has probably benefited the urban freight market by compelling both public and private stakeholders to finds ways to promote more efficient activities. Such modernization is necessary because the urban freight market is dysfunctional: environmentally because of the old vehicles used until now and socially because of the many small firms that find it difficult to maintain a sufficient level of business activity without breaking the freight sector's labor laws and safety standards.
Evaluation of Urban Distribution Centers Using Multiagent Modeling with Geographic Information Systems
Authors: Teo Joel S.-E. , Taniguchi Eiichi , Qureshi Ali G.
Published: October 2015

Current barriers to maintaining economies of scale for delivery include far distances of the depots from customers, road usage restrictions, customers' delivery requests, and social, environmental, and economic costs. In many developed and developing countries, the effects of urbanization have increased city population. Such migration to cities is also attracting more movement of commodities into the city center. This research aimed to study the effectiveness and viability of urban distribution centers from a tactical viewpoint of planning for city logistics. A multiagent modeling approach with geographical information system support was used to test an urban distribution center (UDC) in Osaka City, Japan. The key findings from this research concluded that the UDC has potential for emissions reduction, but sustainability of the UDC is reliant on the UDC charges and carriers' sensitivity to the rate of charges.
The Shortwave Infrared Bands’ Response to Stomatal Conductance in “Conference” Pear Trees (Pyrus communis L.)
Authors: Struthers Raymond , Ivanova Anna , Tits Laurent , Swennen Rony , Coppin Pol
Published: October 2015

In situ measurements consisting of stomatal conductance, air temperature, vapor pressure deficit and the spectral reflectance in the shortwave infrared (SWIR) regions of thirty “Conference” pear trees (Pyrus communis L.) were repeatedly measured for eighty-six days. The SWIR was segmented into eight regions between 1550 and 2365 nm, where distances ranged from 40–200 nm. Each of the regions was used to describe the change in canopy water status over a period of approximately three months. Stomatal conductance of the water stress treatment was first determined to be significantly different from the control group nine days after stress initiation. The most suitable SWIR region for this study had wavelengths between 1550 and 1750 nm, where the first significant difference was also measured nine days after stress was initiated. After the period of water stress ended, forty-seven days after stress was initiated, all of the trees received full irrigation, where the SWIR region between 1550 and 1750 nm determined that stomatal conductance of the stress treatment lagged behind the control group for thirty days. Using a temporal sequence of SWIR measurements, we were able to successfully measure the beginning and the recovery of water stress in pear trees.
Trends and Potentials of the Smart Grid Infrastructure: From ICT Sub-System to SDN-Enabled Smart Grid Architecture
Authors: Kim Jaebeom , Filali Fethi , Ko Young-Bae
Published: October 2015

Context and situational awareness are key features and trends of the smart grid and enable adaptable, flexible and extendable smart grid services. However, the traditional hardware-dependent communication infrastructure is not designed to identify the flow and context of data, and it focuses only on packet forwarding using a pre-defined network configuration profile. Thus, the current network infrastructure may not dynamically adapt the various business models and services of the smart grid system. To solve this problem, software-defined networking (SDN) is being considered in the smart grid, but the design, architecture and system model need to be optimized for the smart grid environment. In this paper, we investigate the state-of-the-art smart grid information subsystem, communication infrastructure and its emerging trends and potentials, called an SDN-enabled smart grid. We present an abstract business model, candidate SDN applications and common architecture of the SDN-enabled smart grid. Further, we compare recent studies into the SDN-enabled smart grid depending on its service functionalities, and we describe further challenges of the SDN-enabled smart grid network infrastructure.
MHz Repetion Rate Yb:YAG and Yb:CaF2 Regenerative Picosecond Laser Amplifiers with a BBO Pockels Cell
Authors: Bergmann Fedor , Siebold Mathias , Loeser Markus , Röser Fabian , Albach Daniel , Schramm Ulrich
Published: October 2015

We present picosecond Yb:YAG and Yb:CaF2 regenerative laser amplifiers with ultra-high repetition rates in the MHz range. A maximum pulse energy of 40 μJ was obtained at 20 kHz while we achieved around 1 μJ at 1 MHz. We demonstrated a pulse duration of 2.1 ps for Yb:YAG and 4.8 ps for Yb:CaF2 when seeded by a mode-locked Yb:KGW fs-oscillator without pulse stretching or phase compensation.
Locally Quasi-Convex Compatible Topologies on a Topological Group
Authors: Außenhofer Lydia , Dikranjan Dikran , Martín-Peinador Elena
Published: October 2015

For a locally quasi-convex topological abelian group (G,τ), we study the poset \(\mathscr{C}(G,τ)\) of all locally quasi-convex topologies on (G) that are compatible with (τ) (i.e., have the same dual as (G,τ) ordered by inclusion. Obviously, this poset has always a bottom element, namely the weak topology σ(G,\(\widehat{G})\) . Whether it has also a top element is an open question. We study both quantitative aspects of this poset (its size) and its qualitative aspects, e.g., its chains and anti-chains. Since we are mostly interested in estimates ``from below'', our strategy consists of finding appropriate subgroups (H) of (G) that are easier to handle and show that \(\mathscr{C} (H)\) and \(\mathscr{C} (G/H)\) are large and embed, as a poset, in \(\mathscr{C}(G,τ)\). Important special results are: (i) if \(K\) is a compact subgroup of a locally quasi-convex group \(G\), then \(\mathscr{C}(G)\) and \(\mathscr{C}(G/K)\) are quasi-isomorphic (3.15); (ii) if (D) is a discrete abelian group of infinite rank, then \(\mathscr{C}(D)\) is quasi-isomorphic to the poset \(\mathfrak{F}_D\) of filters on D (4.5). Combining both results, we prove that for an LCA (locally compact abelian) group \(G \) with an open subgroup of infinite co-rank (this class includes, among others, all non-σ-compact LCA groups), the poset \( \mathscr{C} (G) \) is as big as the underlying topological structure of (G,τ) (and set theory) allows. For a metrizable connected compact group \(X\), the group of null sequences \(G=c_0(X)\) with the topology of uniform convergence is studied. We prove that \(\mathscr{C}(G)\) is quasi-isomorphic to \(\mathscr{P}(\mathbb{R})\) (6.9).
The Molecular Circadian Clock and Alcohol-Induced Liver Injury
Authors: Udoh Uduak , Valcin Jennifer , Gamble Karen , Bailey Shannon
Published: October 2015

Emerging evidence from both experimental animal studies and clinical human investigations demonstrates strong connections among circadian processes, alcohol use, and alcohol-induced tissue injury. Components of the circadian clock have been shown to influence the pathophysiological effects of alcohol. Conversely, alcohol may alter the expression of circadian clock genes and the rhythmic behavioral and metabolic processes they regulate. Therefore, we propose that alcohol-mediated disruption in circadian rhythms likely underpins many adverse health effects of alcohol that cut across multiple organ systems. In this review, we provide an overview of the circadian clock mechanism and showcase results from new studies in the alcohol field implicating the circadian clock as a key target of alcohol action and toxicity in the liver. We discuss various molecular events through which alcohol may work to negatively impact circadian clock-mediated processes in the liver, and contribute to tissue pathology. Illuminating the mechanistic connections between the circadian clock and alcohol will be critical to the development of new preventative and pharmacological treatments for alcohol use disorders and alcohol-mediated organ diseases.