bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
DATA COLLECTION AND CONSTRUCTIVE CLASSIFICATION OF SUPERADOBE BUILDINGS
Authors: Santos Deborah Macêdo , Beirão José Nuno Dinis Cabral
Published: March 2019

As construções em terra são soluções reconhecidas de baixo impacto ambiental. São construções duráveis, fortes, climaticamente eficientes, formalmente flexíveis e são compostas por recursos renováveis e reaproveitáveis favorecendo o desenvolvimento sustentável. Este artigo classifica as variações construtivas de aplicação da técnica de construção em terra superadobe. Também conhecido como “adobe ensacado”, “saco contínuo de terra estabilizada”, “earthbag building” ou “Earth-filled bags”, o superadobe consiste na técnica construtiva onde as paredes são construídas basicamente por sacos preenchidos com terra e areia empilhados, com arame farpado entre eles. A técnica foi desenvolvida como possível solução de construção na lua, depois foi aplicada pare resolver a problemática de habitação popular, atualmente é possível encontrar construções em superadobe robustas, com diferentes usos e com associações de outras técnicas construtivas. Este artigo tem por objetivo tabular as variações construtivas de aplicação da técnica de construção em terra superadobe já executadas, a fim de auxiliar pesquisas futuras no reconhecimento e superação dos limites e variações da técnica construtiva. O método é descritivo qualitativo, com investigação de cunho exploratório interdisciplinar, por meio de levantamento técnico em revistas especializadas em arquitetura, engenharia e sustentabilidade.

Palavras-Chave: Superadobe, sustentabilidade, arquitetura, construção em terra.
Aspectos da poluição atmosférica: uma reflexão sobre a qualidade do ar nas cidades brasileiras
Authors: Da Silva Alexandre Fernando , Vieira Carlos Alexandre
Published: March 2019

A humanidade vem modificando o espaço natural para atender suas demandas de sobrevivência e consumo. Nesta ação, gera resíduos que podem poluir os cursos d’água, o solo ou atmosfera. Nas últimas décadas a polução do ar tem recebido destacada atenção, devido aos elevados índices de contaminação do ar nos grandes centros. As consequências da poluição estão ligadas diretamente na saúde dos seres vivos e alterações no clima global. Nesse trabalho são apresentados um breve histórico que frente a atual preocupação com a poluição atmosférica, a descrição dos principais agentes poluentes, o panorama dos padrões de qualidade do ar e da rede monitoramento nacionais. Busca, a partir destas informações discutir os impactos na saúde e economia e ainda ressaltar a necessidade do país encarar a gestão da qualidade do ar como um problema de saúde pública, estabelecendo padrões legais de níveis aceitáveis de concentração de poluentes e a construção de uma rede nacional de monitoramento. No sentido de manter o controle sobre emissões em fontes fixas e/ou móveis, ações efetivas devem ser executadas por parte do poder público em suas várias esferas e pela sociedade civil, como agente fiscalizador e atuante para melhora constante da qualidade do ar.
ANÁLISE SWOT E TURISMO: UMA AVALIAÇÃO ESTRATÉGICA NO PROJETO GEOPARQUE SERIDÓ/RN
Authors: De Medeiros Janaina Luciana , Do Nascimento Marcos Antonio Leite , Perinotto André Riani Costa
Published: March 2019

Este artigo focaliza a relação da análise SWOT com a atividade turística através de uma avaliação estratégica no Projeto Geoparque Seridó/RN. O projeto é composto, atualmente, pelos municípios de Cerro Corá, Lagoa Nova, Currais Novos, Acari, Carnaúba dos Dantas e Parelhas. Inicialmente foi feito o trabalho de obtenção de dados destes municípios, cuja pesquisa tem natureza exploratória, com base descritiva através do método da observação individual em campo, como também informações retiradas das entrevistas aplicadas aos sujeitos, que são os representantes das secretarias de turismo e de meio ambiente de seis municípios do referido projeto (Cerro Corá, Lagoa Nova, Currais Novos, Acari, Carnaúba dos Dantas e Parelhas), como também representantes de agências de viagens e outros profissionais que conhecem a prática do turismo na região do Seridó. Em seguida foi realizada a Matriz de Avaliação Estratégica, através da Análise SWOT, dos geossítios que integram o projeto. A partir da elaboração das matrizes de avaliação estratégica dos municípios do Projeto Geoparque Seridó, em forma de SWOT, evidenciou-se que, ao recorrer à análise e caracterização dos fatores expostos nessas matrizes, foi possível obter um diagnóstico contemplando a capacidade e a necessidade de intervenção desses elementos nos locais estudados, possibilitando levantar as potencialidades turísticas das localidades sob uma ótica mais ampliada sobre o que está acontecendo e como se encontram os geossítios e sua relação com o turismo até o presente momento.
RESPONSABILIDADE AMBIENTAL NA PERCEPÇÃO DE COLABORADORES DO SETOR HOTELEIRO COM BASE NA ISO 14001
Authors: Da Silva Lima Larisa Maria , De Lira Marcelo Gomes , Gomes Ferreira Ana Beatriz , Moreira Sueli Aparecida
Published: March 2019

O sistema com base na norma ISO 14001 (ISO – International Standard Organization) adotado mundialmente como modelo de gestão ambiental trata-se de uma ferramenta criada para auxiliar empresas a identificar e cumprir requisitos para evitar ou mitigar os riscos ambientais através de uma série de procedimentos e iniciativas de gerenciamento. O objetivo da pesquisa é de analisar a perspectiva dos trabalhadores de um hotel em João Pessoa-PB com a certificação da ISO 14001, quanto aos aspectos de responsabilidade ambiental no trabalho cotidiano. Para isso, utilizou-se uma abordagem de caráter quantitativo, além de uma análise não paramétrica, através do teste de Kruskal-Wallis. Para analisar a percepção, foram distribuídos questionários para colaboradores, contendo questões relacionadas à ISO 14001. Com a análise dos dados concluímos que a maioria dos trabalhadores não tem muito conhecimento sobre a ISO, e que a sobreposição das variáveis renda e escolaridade interferiu significativamente na resposta. Os entrevistados pouco sabem sobre as leis ambientais aplicadas à empresa. Constatou-se que são necessários investimentos para esclarecer aspectos de educação ambiental nas práticas adotadas em estabelecimentos. Colaboradores demonstraram motivação positiva em trabalhar em meio de hospedagem com certificação ambiental. A norma promove mudanças importantes, se mostra uma grande aliada na conservação/preservação do meio ambiente. A ISO é uma referencia no ramo hoteleiro para instrumentalizar medidas mais sustentáveis. A certificação atrai hóspedes e colaboradores motivados pela ética ecologicamente correta.

 

Palavras-chave: certificação ISO; gestão ambiental; turismo sustentável; percepção ambiental
O SISTEMA DE GESTÃO AMBIENTAL COMO FERRAMENTA DIDÁTICA E DE ADEQUAÇÃO AMBIENTAL DO IFCE- CAMPUS JUAZEIRO DO NORTE
Authors: Oliveira Joelma Lima , Pereira Mailodovinci De Sousa , Barbosa Janderson Cabral , Da Silva Barbosa Uriel Pereira , Freire Letícia Lacerda , De Almeida Ana Beatriz Batista , Albuquerque Monique Da Silva
Published: March 2019

A limitação de recursos naturais e as restrições definidas pelas legislações ambientais estimulam mecanismos de gestão capazes de reduzir passivos ambientais e aumentar a lucratividade de empreendimentos, através do uso racional de insumos. Neste âmbito, as certificações da ISO 14001 têm promovido, através de metodologia que associa ações e verificações de efetividade, a garantia da adequação ambiental das instituições. Contudo, a implantação de sistemas de gestão ambiental também tem sido adotada em órgãos e instituições públicas, especialmente devido às exigências da Portaria n°61/08 do Ministério do Meio Ambiente e a Agenda Ambiental da Administração Pública (A3P). Haja vista a grande demanda por insumos ambientais e a geração de resíduos sólidos e rejeitos, as instituições de ensino superior devem direcionar esforços no sentido de mitigar seus impactos. Nesse contexto, este estudo propôs-se a divulgar as ações e resultados obtidos com a implantação de Sistema de Gestão Ambiental no Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia do Ceará (IFCE) campus Juazeiro do Norte. Verificou-se maior controle sobre a qualidade de recursos hídricos, a adoção de solução para resíduos orgânicos por meio do processo de compostagem, e encaminhamento de resíduos sólidos recicláveis para Associação de Catadores e  uma redução em cerca de 16% do consumo energético, além de verificações de inconformidades ambientais
INFLUÊNCIA DA VARIAÇÃO DOS PARÂMETROS DE COMPACTAÇÃO DE SOLOS DA REGIÃO DO CARIRI
Authors: Alves Ribeiro Antonio Júnior , Cruz Carolaine Da Silva Landim , De Souza Wana Maria
Published: March 2019

O presente estudo teve por objetivo analisar a influência da variação de parâmetros de camadas e volume de cilindro de compactação com ensaios manuais realizados em laboratório, com dois solos da região do Cariri, sendo um solo fino e outro grosso. Para tanto, tomou-se como referência o ensaio executado em cinco camadas e aplicados doze golpes por camada, em um cilindro com volume de 2095,93 cm³, realizando compactação em três e sete camadas, modificando também o volume do cilindro para 1570,80 cm³ com estrutura repartida. Com base nos resultados obtidos, pode-se concluir que: (a) estatisticamente, não há diferença entre o método normal e as variações realizadas, sendo a diferença máxima inferior a 2%, para ambos os solos; (b) houve variação capaz de conferir massa específica máxima superior ao método normal de referência com uma umidade menor, para o solo 1; e (c) para o solo 2, a compactação realizada pelo procedimento normatizado conferiu melhor massa específica em relação às variações feitas; (d) pode-se trabalhar com umidades menores, sem relevante diminuição da massa especifica máxima do solo, o que acarreta em economia de água e custo. O estudo foi de extrema importância, visto que estimulou uma pesquisa em laboratório, além de abrir percepções sobre a compactação, visto que os resultados obtidos são importantes para um futuro trabalho em aterros.
PRÁTICAS DESENVOLVIDAS PARA A EDUCAÇÃO SUSTENTÁVEL NO ENSINO SUPERIOR: CONTRIBUIÇÕES DO PROFESSOR
Authors: Rodrigues Feitosa Melo Micaele , Maria de Souza Ângela , Ligia Pinheiro Máximo Agna , Thércio Silva Coutinho Antonio
Published: March 2019

RESUMO

A presente pesquisa visa identificar de que forma os professores contribuem para a educação sustentável no ensino superior analisando as práticas desenvolvidas por estes profissionais no ambiente de trabalho. Para atender ao objetivo proposto desenvolveu-se um estudo descritivo e exploratório de abordagem quali-quantitativa cuja realização se deu através de entrevista semi-estruturada realizada a partir da aplicação de questionários direcionados aos professores de uma Instituição de Ensino Superior da esfera privada da cidade de Juazeiro do Norte. Os resultados da pesquisa indicam que a maioria dos professores entrevistados são jovens, porém experientes. Grande parte gosta e conhece o tema sustentabilidade e saberiam dirimir dúvidas relacionadas sobre o tema. Contudo, observou-se que, apesar da experiência e do conhecimento acerca da sustentabilidade, as atitudes praticadas ainda precisam ser modificadas, pois para que seja possível desenvolver uma educação sustentável é necessário, preliminarmente, a colaboração de cada indivíduo, em especial dos professores que são as pessoas nas quais os alunos se inspiram. Com este estudo foi possível obter sugestões para o desenvolvimento de uma educação sustentável mais efetiva as quais servirão de subsídios não apenas para a IES onde este estudo foi realizado, mas para outras instituições que buscam o contínuo melhoramento da educação sustentável.

Palavras-chave: Educação Sustentável. Professores. Ensino Superior.
TECHNOPHOBIA AS A CULTURAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL PHENOMENON
Authors: Nestik Timofey , Zhuravlev Anatoly , Patrakov Eduard , Marianna Szabó Csilla , Lioudmila Batourina , Piurcosky Fabricio Pelloso , Ferreira Jeferson Vinhas
Published: March 2019

Today we can talk about a sufficient formation of both negative and positive attitudes towards the introduction of new technologies. This is the technophobia that continued to be fueled by such objective factors as job slashing caused byevents and new inventions. Technophobia includes cognitive, emotional and behavioral components. Along with individual factors (self-efficacy, open-mindedness, anxiety level, user’s experience, emotional state, etc.), the formation of technophobia is influenced by interpersonal factors (communication with colleagues, friends and relatives on the subject of technologies), group and ntergroup factors (clash of interests of different relevant groups in connection with the appearance of new technologies, group stereotypes –representations of typical users of the given technology, its developers, etc.), as well as societal factors (mass culture and mass media, the level of technological and economic development of a country, cross-cultural features).In this way, this is an increasingly important phenomenon, since the speed of innovation is very high. Thus, the purpose of this study is to present a theoretical analysis on this subject and to highlight the importance of conducting other research on this subject.
Comparison of Pregnancy Outcome in Non-Risk and High-Risk Antenatal Mothers
Authors: Metgud Chandra
Published: March 2019

Objectives:

1. To know the incidence of high risk pregnancy.

2. To study the pregnancy outcome in Non-risk and High-risk antenatal mothers.

Study Design: Longitudinal study.

Setting: Shindolli Village of Belgaum District.

Participants: All women in this village who were pregnant at the start of the study and who became pregnant during the study period. Sample Size: 125.

Statistical Analysis: Percentages and Chi-square Test.

Results: The incidence of High risk pregnancy was noted in 51(40.80%) pregnant women. The various risk factors noted were: primigravida 18 years, grand multipara, pre-eclampsia, bad obstetric history, severe anaemia etc. Among 125 pregnancy outcome, 69(93.24%) pregnant women in the non-risk group had good outcome compared to 34(66.67%) in the high risk group. The outcome of the pregnancy was significantly associated with presence of risk factors.

Conclusion: The high-risk pregnancies are due to early marriages and child bearing at an early age. In rural areas early marriages are perpetuated by tradition, belief and family needs to reduce expenditures. A high percentage of anaemia in the pregnant women was due to the fact that, majority of them belonged to low social classes which affect their dietary intake and purchasing power adversely. Another common factor noted in rural area was grand multiparity, due to the need for male child. JMS 2014;17(1):16-19
Krukenberg Tumor with Diffuse Skeletal Metastasis. A Case Report With Review of Literature
Authors: Rather Tanveer Ahmed , Khan Shoukat H , Manohar Ram
Published: March 2019

Tumors that commonly metastasize to the bone are carcinomas arising in the prostate, breast, lung and neuroblastoma. Rarely epithelial tumours of the ovary metastasize to the bone and bone marrow. There are only few case reports in the literature describing bone and bone marrow metastasis from primary as well as secondary Krukenberg tumours of the ovary. We present a case of an adenocarcinoma of stomach and bilateral metachronous ovarian Krukenberg tumour (secondary) who was referred to our department with complaints of generalised bone pains. Technetium 99m (Tc 99m) MDP whole body bone scan was done which revealed metastasis throughout skeletal system (super scan). JMS 2014;17(2):64-68
Detection of AmpC-β lactamase Enzymes by AmpC DiscTest
Authors: Roohi Shugufta , Fomda Bashir Ahmad
Published: March 2019

Microbes have many mechanisms of unresponsiveness to antimicrobial agents that may arise in them over months or years.  Among them degradation of antibiotics by enzymes is one of the common methods of bacterial resistance particularly in Enterobacteriacea.1,2 At least 400 different types of β-lactamases from clinical isolates have been discovered. Broadly they are of three types: extended spectrum beta lactamases (ESBLs), Amp C β-lactamases and carbapenemases. AmpC type beta lactamases are cephalosporinases and hydrolyze penicillins, cephalosporins, except the fourth-generation compounds and monobactams.3,4,5 JMS 2014;17(2):74-75
Radiological Follow-up of Pulmonary Tuberculosis
Authors: Gojwari Tariq A
Published: March 2019

Tuberculosis is a global health problem and is the second leading infectious cause of death, after human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). In 2014, there were an estimated 9.6 million incident cases of TB (range, 9.1 million–10.0 million) globally, equivalent to 133 cases per 100 000 population 1 . Most of the estimated number of cases in 2014 occurred in Asia (58%) and the African Region (28%). The six countries that stood out as having the largest number of incident cases in 2014 were India, Indonesia, China, Nigeria, Pakistan and South Africa. There were an estimated 1.5 million TB deaths in 2014 , 1.1 million among HIV-negative people and 390 000 among HIV- positive people 1 . These numbers show the importance of tuberculosis as a community health problem especially in our part of the world despite the leaps and bounds with which medicine has progressed our the past century. Furthermore, this issue itself has two articles related to tuberculosis by Koul et al and Rangrez et al highlighting the fact that there still is a lot that we have to learn about TB. JMS 2016; 19(1):2-4
Pulmonary Tuberculosis Presenting As Total Lung Consolidation and Acute Respiratory Failure An Unusual Presentation
Authors: Imran Rangreze , Al Bshabshe Ali A , Khan Shehla Shafi
Published: March 2019

Tuberculosis has varied clinical and radiological presentations, ranging from constitutional symptoms with segmental involvement to severe forms with multiple lobar consolidation and high mortality. Though uncommon, respiratory failure can be a presenting feature of tuberculous consolidation of lungs, rarely requiring mechanical ventilation. We report a 27 year female diagnosed as having total left lung consolidation and respiratory failure who showed marked clinical and radiological improvement after taking anti-tubercular drugs. Knowledge of radiological presentations of the pulmonary tuberculosis such as patchy, poorly defined consolidation with/without cavitation, fibrosis, calcification, lung destruction, pleural effusion or miliary lesions can help in timely diagnosis and proper management of these cases. JMS 2016; 19(1):29-31
Twin Peak Sign
Authors: Shera Faiz Altaf , Khan Azhar Maqbool
Published: March 2019

A 55 yr old female was admitted as a case of MRI documented Pituitary Macroadenoma for trans-sphenoid surgery. Patient had past history of surgery on cervical spine for dural AV fistula. After the surgery patient developed CSF rhiorrhoea for which conservative management was attempted. On 4th POD patient developed weakness in both lower limbs with headache and irritability.JMS 2016; 19(1):36
Mejora de la calidad de vida en la perimenopausia mediante un programa basado en mindfulness
Authors: Espejo Zamora Juan Francisco , Conde Pastor Montserrat
Published: March 2019

Resumen

El objetivo prioritario que se pretende con esta investigación es comprobar si la aplicación del programa Mindfulness based Stress Reduction (MBSR) modificado, resulta  efectivo en la reducción de muchos de los síntomas psicológicos que se presentan durante la perimenopausia. Para ello hemos realizado un estudio con dos grupos de 40 mujeres perimenopáusicas sanas, un grupo experimental cuya edad media era de 46,7 y la desviación típica (DT) de 4,2 y un grupo control cuya media fue de 46,9 y una DT de  4,9.

Para la obtención de los datos hemos utilizado la Escala Cervantes de calidad de vida en la menopausia (α de Cronbach= 0,9092) y con objeto de determinar objetivamente el nivel de activación emocional de todas las participantes de cada grupo procedimos, a la medición de diversas variables psicofisiológicas como la frecuencia cardíaca, la respiratoria, la presión arterial sistólica y la presión arterial diastólica. Se utilizó para ello el equipo con registro gráfico Marquette Hellige Solar 8000. Los resultados obtenidos mostraron la existencia de significación estadística para todas las variables dependientes analizadas en el grupo experimental, lo cual nos permitió  afirmar que el tratamiento aplicado, en nuestro caso el MBSR, mejora de forma significativa el bienestar psicológico de la mujer durante el periodo de la perimenopausia, y en consecuencia, también su calidad de vida, en términos generales.

Palabras clave: perimenopausia, MBSR, Escala Cervantes, medidas psicofisiológicas, síntomas psicólogicos.
Particularidades del Diálogo Clínico en las Intervenciones Centradas en el Vínculo
Authors: Pitillas Salvá Carlos
Published: March 2019

Las terapias padres-hijos y las intervenciones centradas en el vínculo constituyen una tradición clínica orientada a frenar la transmisión intergeneracional del trauma, así como a promover el desarrollo de vinculaciones seguras entre cuidadores primarios y sus hijos, durante los primeros años de vida. En el presente artículo, se exploran algunas particularidades de la intervención con díadas niño-cuidador en el marco de dichas terapias, con un foco especial sobre el contenido de las intervenciones verbales, es decir, de aquello que dice el terapeuta. Las intervenciones verbales del terapeuta en este marco se orientan a: promover las capacidades de observación de la interacción; promover la mentalización parental; funcionar como sostén y validación de la parentalidad; y promover la auto-comprensión a través de la interpretación. Estas direcciones de la conversación clínica contribuyen a definir y diferenciar las terapias diádicas centradas en el vínculo. El artículo desarrolla la fundamentación, describe el uso y aporta ejemplos de cada una de ellas.
La Ecología Narrativa del Trauma Relacional
Authors: Aznar Alarcón Francisco Javier , Varela Feal Nuria
Published: March 2019

La recuperación del trauma relacional complejo se apoya en dos esfuerzos principalmente, el de conferirle un sentido a la experiencia traumática en el conjunto de la biografía de las víctimas y el de restaurar en las víctimas la competencia como narradores y protagonistas de su propia experiencia, de manera que le permita volver a vincularse de manera adecuada con otras personas. El ingente desarrollo de técnicas y modelos de intervención de la última década, especialmente con el avance de las neurociencias, corre el riesgo de focalizar la técnica por encima del marco de la reconstrucción personal. En este artículo proponemos que la intervención terapéutica debe encuadrarse entre la vivencia subjetiva y la legitimación social del daño sufrido y que la narrativa es la principal herramienta para llevar adelante esta tarea.
Múltiples Sistemas Motivacionales: Intervención en un Caso Complejo desde el Enfoque Modular Transformacional
Authors: Habif Carlos , Scarafia Carolina
Published: March 2019

El presente trabajo tiene como objetivo introducirnos en la complejidad de los múltiples sistemas motivacionales que plantea el Enfoque Modular Transformacional (EMT), así como también al modo en que el mismo concibe a la psicopatología. Muestra, a la luz de un caso clínico de trastorno de personalidad, la compleja representación teórico-clínica que realiza el EMT de la psicopatología. Esta lectura persigue un análisis profundo y específico, que va más allá de la presentación nosográfica de estructuras rígidas y homogéneas. Nos brinda, entonces, un análisis diferencial y de especificidad, ofreciendo como propuesta un modelo integrador con diferentes aportes epistemológicos y praxiológicos. Los mismos señalan la complejidad del aparato psíquico y de las posibles intervenciones en la clínica, dando cuenta de subtipos de cuadros psicopatológicos de acuerdo a las dimensiones que entran en juego y a la estructura de personalidad.
Intestinal Morphometry, Enzymatic and Microbial Activity in Laying Hens Fed Different Levels of a Hermetia illucens Larvae Meal and Toxic Elements Content of the Insect Meal and Diets
Authors: Moniello Giuseppe , Ariano Andrea , Panettieri Valentina , Tulli Francesca , Olivotto Ike , Messina Maria , Randazzo Basilio , Severino Lorella , Piccolo Giovanni , Musco Nadia , Addeo Nicola Francesco , Hassoun Georges , Bovera Fulvia
Published: March 2019

To evaluate the effects of feeding a Hermetia illucens (HI) larvae meal on the different intestinal traits of hens, and to determine the toxic elements’ concentration in the insect meal and diets, 162 hens were randomly allotted to three groups. The control received a corn-soybean meal-based diet (SBM); the HI25 and HI50 groups received two diets in which the 25% and 50% of the dietary protein were replaced by the HI protein, respectively. The duodenal and jejunal villi height and villi/crypt were higher (p < 0.01) in the SBM than in the HI groups. The ileal villi height was higher (p < 0.05) in the SBM and HI25 groups than the HI50. The HI50 group exhibited a lower duodenal maltase activity. The intestinal alkaline phosphatase (IAP) activity linearly decreased in the duodenum and jejunum as the dietary insect meal inclusion increased. The HI50 group had a higher acetate and butyrate level than the SBM. The levels of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), and arsenic (As) in the diets and insect meal were lower than the maximum values established by the EU Commission. The 25% soybean protein replacement with Hermetia illucens larvae meal in the diet of laying hens was more suitable and closer to the optimal level than 50%.
Therapeutic Targeting Strategies of Cancer Stem Cells in Gastrointestinal Malignancies
Authors: Sonbol Mohamad B. , Ahn Daniel H. , Bekaii-Saab Tanios
Published: March 2019

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are thought to be a distinct population of cells within a tumor mass that are capable of asymmetric division and known to have chemoresistant characteristics. The description and identification of CSC models in cancer growth and recurrence has inspired the design of novel treatment strategies to overcome treatment resistance by targeting both CSCs and non-CSC tumor cells. Several cellular signaling pathways have been described as playing a role in the induction and maintenance of stemness in CSCs, such as the Wnt/β-catenin, Notch, STAT3, and Hedgehog pathways. In this review, we aim to review some of the ongoing CSC therapeutic targeting strategies in gastrointestinal malignancies.
Reasoning on Figurative Language: A Preliminary Study on Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Klinefelter Syndrome
Authors: Melogno Sergio , Pinto Maria Antonietta , Scalisi Teresa Gloria , Orsolini Margherita , Tarani Luigi , Di Filippo Gloria
Published: March 2019

In this study we explored metaphor and idiom competencies in two clinical populations, children with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) and children with Klinefelter syndrome (KS), (age range: 9–12), compared to typically developing (TD) children of the same age. These three groups were tested with two multiple-choice tests assessing idiom comprehension through iconic and verbal alternatives and a metaphor comprehension test composed of novel, physical-psychological metaphors, requesting verbal explanations. To these instruments, another test was added, assessing basic sentence comprehension. Performances on the different linguistic tasks were examined by means of discriminant analysis which showed that idiom comprehension had a very small weight in distinguishing children with ASD from TD controls, whereas metaphor explanation did distinguish them. This study suggests that figurative language comprehension is not a “core deficit” per se in individuals with ASD. Only when the task requires to explicitly construct and explain a semantic mapping between the two terms of a metaphor does the performance of children with ASD significantly deviate from the typical population. These results are interpreted in terms of a difficulty in children with ASD and KS with complex cognitive and linguistic processes and also in relation with clinical assessment.
Modelling Protein Synthesis as A Biomarker in Fragile X Syndrome Patient-Derived Cells
Authors: Pal Rakhi , Bhattacharya Aditi
Published: March 2019

The most conserved molecular phenotype of Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) is aberrant protein synthesis. This has been validated in a variety of experimental model systems from zebrafish to rats, patient-derived lymphoblasts and fibroblasts. With the advent of personalized medicine paradigms, patient-derived cells and their derivatives are gaining more translational importance, not only to model disease in a dish, but also for biomarker discovery. Here we review past and current practices of measuring protein synthesis in FXS, studies in patient derived cells and the inherent challenges in measuring protein synthesis in them to offer usable avenues of modeling this important metabolic metric for further biomarker development.
The Presence of Concomitant Mutations Affects the Activity of EGFR Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors in EGFR-Mutant Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) Patients
Authors: Rachiglio Anna , Fenizia Francesca , Piccirillo Maria , Galetta Domenico , Crinò Lucio , Vincenzi Bruno , Barletta Emiddio , Pinto Carmine , Ferraù Francesco , Lambiase Matilde , Montanino Agnese , Roma Cristin , Ludovini Vienna , Montagna Elisabetta , De Luca Antonella , Rocco Gaetano , Botti Gerardo , Perrone Francesco , Morabito Alessandro , Normanno Nicola
Published: March 2019

Recent findings suggest that a fraction of EGFR-mutant non-small-cell lung cancers (NSCLC) carry additional driver mutations that could potentially affect the activity of EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). We investigated the role of concomitant KRAS, NRAS, BRAF, PIK3CA, MET and ERBB2 mutations (other mutations) on the outcome of 133 EGFR mutant patients, who received first-line therapy with EGFR TKIs between June 2008 and December 2014. Analysis of genomic DNA by Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) revealed the presence of hotspot mutations in genes other than the EGFR, including KRAS, NRAS, BRAF, ERBB2, PIK3CA, or MET, in 29/133 cases (21.8%). A p.T790M mutation was found in 9/133 tumour samples (6.8%). The progression free survival (PFS) of patients without other mutations was 11.3 months vs. 7 months in patients with other mutations (log-rank test univariate: p = 0.047). In a multivariate Cox regression model including the presence of other mutations, age, performance status, smoking status, and the presence of p.T790M mutations, the presence of other mutations was the only factor significantly associated with PFS (Hazard Ratio 1.63, 95% CI 1.04–2.58; p = 0.035). In contrast, no correlation was found between TP53 mutations and patients’ outcome. These data suggest that a subgroup of EGFR mutant tumours have concomitant driver mutations that might affect the activity of first-line EGFR TKIs.
Molecular Subtype Conversion between Primary and Metastatic Breast Cancer Corresponding to the Dynamics of Apoptotic and Intact Circulating Tumor Cells
Authors: Stefanovic Stefan , Deutsch Thomas M. , Wirtz Ralph , Hartkopf Andreas , Sinn Peter , Schuetz Florian , Sohn Christof , Bohlmann Michael K. , Sütterlin Marc , Schneeweiss Andreas , Wallwiener Markus
Published: March 2019

The presence of circulating tumor cells (CTCs), detected as a form of liquid biopsy is associated with poor survival in both early and metastatic breast cancer. Monitoring tumor biology based on intrinsic subtypes delivers treatment-relevant information on the heterogeneity or biomarker conversion between primary and metastatic tumors. This study aimed to correlate the change of the apoptotic and intact CTC counts with mRNA-assessed intrinsic subtype change. Thirty-four breast cancer patients with available triplets of primary tumors, distant metastasis biopsies and data on intact and apoptotic CTC dynamics were included in the analysis. The intrinsic subtype was determined per RT-qPCR quantification of the gene expression ESR1, PGR, ERBB2 and MKI67. Both luminal (p = 0.038) and triple negative (p = 0.035) patients showed a significant downregulation of apoptotic CTCs. Repeated biopsies of distant metastatic sites, as well as determining a potential shift of the intrinsic subtype, combined with data on intact and apoptotic CTC dynamics from liquid biopsies might help personalize systemic therapy and generate additional surrogate markers for successful systemic therapy.
Conversion of Stem Cells to Cancer Stem Cells: Undercurrent of Cancer Initiation
Authors: Afify Said M. , Seno Masaharu
Published: March 2019

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) also known as cancer-initiating cells (CIC), are responsible for the sustained and uncontrolled growth of malignant tumors and are proposed to play significant roles in metastasis and recurrence. Several hypotheses have proposed that the events in either stem and/or differentiated cells, such as genomic instability, inflammatory microenvironment, cell fusion, and lateral gene transfer, should be considered as the possible origin of CSCs. However, until now, the exact origin of CSC has been obscure. The development of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) in 2007, by Yamanaka’s group, has been met with much fervency and hailed as a breakthrough discovery by the scientific and research communities, especially in regeneration therapy. The studies on the development of CSC from iPSCs should also open a new page of cancer research, which will help in designing new therapies applicable to CSCs. Currently most reviews have focused on CSCs and CSC niches. However, the insight into the niche before the CSC niche should also be of keen interest. This review introduces the novel concept of cancer initiation introducing the conversion of iPSCs to CSCs and proposes a relationship between the inflammatory microenvironment and cancer initiation as the key concept of the cancer-inducing niche responsible for the development of CSC.
Cellular Proteostasis During Influenza A Virus Infection—Friend or Foe?
Authors: Marques Mariana , Ramos Bruno , Soares Ana Raquel , Ribeiro Daniela
Published: March 2019

In order to efficiently replicate, viruses require precise interactions with host components and often hijack the host cellular machinery for their own benefit. Several mechanisms involved in protein synthesis and processing are strongly affected and manipulated by viral infections. A better understanding of the interplay between viruses and their host-cell machinery will likely contribute to the development of novel antiviral strategies. Here, we discuss the current knowledge on the interactions between influenza A virus (IAV), the causative agent for most of the annual respiratory epidemics in humans, and the host cellular proteostasis machinery during infection. We focus on the manipulative capacity of this virus to usurp the cellular protein processing mechanisms and further review the protein quality control mechanisms in the cytosol and in the endoplasmic reticulum that are affected by this virus.
Microglial Progranulin: Involvement in Alzheimer’s Disease and Neurodegenerative Diseases
Authors: Mendsaikhan Anarmaa , Tooyama Ikuo , Walker Douglas G.
Published: March 2019

Neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease have proven resistant to new treatments. The complexity of neurodegenerative disease mechanisms can be highlighted by accumulating evidence for a role for a growth factor, progranulin (PGRN). PGRN is a glycoprotein encoded by the GRN/Grn gene with multiple cellular functions, including neurotrophic, anti-inflammatory and lysosome regulatory properties. Mutations in the GRN gene can lead to frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD), a cause of dementia, and neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (NCL), a lysosomal storage disease. Both diseases are associated with loss of PGRN function resulting, amongst other features, in enhanced microglial neuroinflammation and lysosomal dysfunction. PGRN has also been implicated in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Unlike FTLD, increased expression of PGRN occurs in brains of human AD cases and AD model mice, particularly in activated microglia. How microglial PGRN might be involved in AD and other neurodegenerative diseases will be discussed. A unifying feature of PGRN in diseases might be its modulation of lysosomal function in neurons and microglia. Many experimental models have focused on consequences of PGRN gene deletion: however, possible outcomes of increasing PGRN on microglial inflammation and neurodegeneration will be discussed. We will also suggest directions for future studies on PGRN and microglia in relation to neurodegenerative diseases.
A Parametric Factor Model of the Term Structure of Mortality
Authors: Haldrup Niels , Rosenskjold Carsten P. T.
Published: March 2019

The prototypical Lee–Carter mortality model is characterized by a single common time factor that loads differently across age groups. In this paper, we propose a parametric factor model for the term structure of mortality where multiple factors are designed to influence the age groups differently via parametric loading functions. We identify four different factors: a factor common for all age groups, factors for infant and adult mortality, and a factor for the “accident hump” that primarily affects mortality of relatively young adults and late teenagers. Since the factors are identified via restrictions on the loading functions, the factors are not designed to be orthogonal but can be dependent and can possibly cointegrate when the factors have unit roots. We suggest two estimation procedures similar to the estimation of the dynamic Nelson–Siegel term structure model. First, a two-step nonlinear least squares procedure based on cross-section regressions together with a separate model to estimate the dynamics of the factors. Second, we suggest a fully specified model estimated by maximum likelihood via the Kalman filter recursions after the model is put on state space form. We demonstrate the methodology for US and French mortality data. We find that the model provides a good fit of the relevant factors and, in a forecast comparison with a range of benchmark models, it is found that, especially for longer horizons, variants of the parametric factor model have excellent forecast performance.
Dynamic Response of a Permanent Magnet Synchronous Generator to a Wind Gust
Authors: Herisanu Nicolae , Marinca Vasile , Madescu Gheorghe , Dragan Florin
Published: March 2019

In this paper, a new analytical approach is proposed to investigate the electrical and mechanical behavior of a low-power permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG) in the presence of a wind gust. The proposed model for the wind gust and wind power system was analytically investigated using the optimal auxiliary functions method (OAFM), which has proven to be a reliable tool. The reaction of the system to a wind gust was explicitly obtained, which is useful for stability analysis, protection issues, and risk assessment concerning the PMSG. A substantial reduction of computations in analytically analysing a complicated dynamical system is ensured by this new approach, through some auxiliary functions and convergence-control parameters.
Extended Magnetohydrodynamic Simulations of Decaying, Homogeneous, Approximately-Isotropic and Incompressible Turbulence
Authors: Miura Hideaki
Published: March 2019

Incompressible magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) turbulence under influences of the Hall and the gyro-viscous terms was studied by means of direct numerical simulations of freely decaying, homogeneous and approximately isotropic turbulence. Numerical results were compared among MHD, Hall MHD, and extended MHD models focusing on differences of Hall and extended MHD turbulence from MHD turbulence at a fully relaxed state. Magnetic and kinetic energies, energy spectra, energy transfer, vorticity and current structures were studied. The Hall and gyro-viscous terms change the energy transfer in the equations of motions to be forward-transfer-dominant while the magnetic energy transfer remains backward-transfer-dominant. The gyro-viscosity works as a kind of hyper-diffusivity, attenuating the kinetic energy spectrum sharply at a high wave-number region. However, this term also induces high-vorticity events more frequently than MHD turbulence, making the turbulent field more intermittent. Vortices and currents were found to be transformed from sheet to tubular structures under the influences of the Hall and/or the gyro-viscous terms. These observations highlight features of fluid-dynamic aspect of turbulence in sub-ion-scales where turbulence is governed by the ion skin depth and ion Larmor radius.
High Resolution Satellite Images for Instantaneous Shoreline Extraction Using New Enhancement Algorithms
Authors: Dominici Donatella , Zollini Sara , Alicandro Maria , Della Torre Francesca , Buscema Paolo Massimo , Baiocchi Valerio
Published: March 2019

Knowledge of a territory is an essential element in any future planning action and in appropriate territorial and environmental requalification action planning. The current large-scale availability of satellite data, thanks to very high resolution images, provides professional users in the environmental, urban planning, engineering, and territorial government sectors, in general, with large amounts of useful data with which to monitor the territory and cultural heritage. Italy is experiencing environmental emergencies, and coastal erosion is one of the greatest threats, not only to the Italian heritage and economy, but also to human life. The aim of this paper is to find a rapid way of identifying the instantaneous shoreline. This possibility could help government institutions such as regions, civil protection, etc., to analyze large areas of land quickly. The focus is on instantaneous shoreline extraction in Ortona (CH, Italy), without considering tides, using WorldView-2 satellite images (50-cm resolution in panchromatic and 2 m in multispectral). In particular, the main purpose of this paper is to compare commercial software and ACM filters to test their effectiveness.
Health Insurance Coverage Better Protects Blacks than Whites against Incident Chronic Disease
Authors: Assari Shervin , Helmi Hamid , Bazargan Mohsen
Published: March 2019

Although the protective effect of health insurance on population health is well established, this effect may vary based on race/ethnicity. This study had two aims: (1) to test whether having health insurance at baseline protects individuals over a 10-year period against incident chronic medical conditions (CMC) and (2) to explore the race/ethnic variation in this effect. Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) is a national longitudinal study among 25–75 year-old American adults. The current study included 3572 Whites and 133 Blacks who were followed for 10 years from 1995 to 2004. Race, demographic characteristics (age and gender), socioeconomic status (educational attainment and personal income), and health insurance status were measured at baseline. Number of CMC was measured in 1995 and 2005. Linear regression models were used for data analysis. In the overall sample, having health insurance at baseline was inversely associated with an increase in CMC over the follow up period, net of covariates. Blacks and Whites differed in the magnitude of the effect of health insurance on CMC incidence, with a stronger protective effect for Blacks than Whites. In the U.S., health insurance protects individuals against incident CMC; however, the health return of health insurance may depend on race/ethnicity. This finding suggests that health insurance may better protect Blacks than Whites against developing more chronic diseases. Increasing Blacks’ access to health insurance may be a solution to eliminate health disparities, given they are at a relative advantage for gaining health from insurance. These findings are discussed in the context of Blacks’ diminished returns of socioeconomic resources. Future attempts should test replicability of these findings.
From Tangible to Intangible Heritage inside Italian Historical Opera Houses
Authors: Prodi Nicola
Published: March 2019

Historical opera houses in Italy have been the place for the development of a relevant part of the National musical tradition and their design is paired with a peculiar acoustical fingerprint. Due to its relevance this can be regarded as an intangible heritage embedded in the tangible heritage constituted by the theatre building itself. In particular the presence of fairly deep lateral enclosures opened to the main hall volume, called the “boxes,” is of paramount importance for the implications it had on the listening experience perceived by the public. For instance, the positions in the box recess had a much less favourable sound field compared to the frontal ones located at the box opening towards the hall. In this work the need for the box design is briefly recalled from an historical perspective and then the sound field in the boxes is described as the combination of several sound reflections from specific interior surfaces. It is seen how the related listening experience can vary in a remarkable manner while moving from boxes at different tiers. This characteristic greatly differentiates historical opera houses from modern ones, where one of the most valuable attribute is a limited change in acoustics over large audiences. The acoustical environment of historical halls and inside boxes in particular was important in building up the ear of the Italian opera goers, thus a close consideration of the peculiarities of the intangible heritage is necessary in case of restorations and cannot be overlooked.
Associations between Obesity, Obesogenic Environments, and Structural Racism Vary by County-Level Racial Composition
Authors: Bell Caryn N. , Kerr Jordan , Young Jessica L.
Published: March 2019

Obesity rates in the U.S. are associated with area-level, food-related characteristics. Studies have previously examined the role of structural racism (policies/practices that advantaged White Americans and deprived other racial/ethnic minority groups), but racial inequalities in socioeconomic status (SES) is a novel indicator. The aim of this study is to determine the associations between racial inequalities in SES with obesity and obesogenic environments. Data from 2007–2014 County Health Rankings and 2012–2016 County Business Patterns were combined to assess the associations between relative SES comparing Blacks to Whites with obesity, and number of grocery stores and fast food restaurants in U.S. counties. Random effects linear and Poisson regressions were used and stratified by county racial composition. Racial inequality in poverty, unemployment, and homeownership were associated with higher obesity rates. Racial inequality in median income, college graduates, and unemployment were associated with fewer grocery stores and more fast food restaurants. Associations varied by county racial composition. The results demonstrate that a novel indicator of structural racism on the county-level is associated with obesity and obesogenic environments. Associations vary by SES measure and county racial composition, suggesting the ability for targeted interventions to improve obesogenic environments and policies to eliminate racial inequalities in SES.