bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Small voices, big impact: preparing students for learning and citizenship
Authors: Cody Jennifer L. , McGarry Lorraine S.
Published: July 2012

In this article, two teachers from a public school in the United States describe their beliefs about the importance of using student voice as a foundation for increasing student efficacy, recognizing student individuality, and addressing curriculum standards. Sharing examples from their classrooms, the authors illustrate how student voice can help teachers meet the needs of individual learners and prepare students for their role in the United States system of participatory democracy from an early age.
Doing research on student voice in Australia
Authors: Smyth John
Published: July 2012

The Australian school context has been something of a failed test case of trying to organise schooling around the tenets of the market as a regulating mechanism. The result has been an intensification of social stratification as the already ‘disadvantaged’ miss out yet again in education. This short paper argues that what is needed to interrupt and puncture this unfortunate policy trajectory, is to begin to include the desires, wishes, lives and experiences of young people − and the way to do this is through the promotion of policy approaches that are informed by and celebrate ‘student voice’.
Amplifying student voice: the missing link in school transformation
Authors: Beattie Helen
Published: July 2012

This article recounts the story of how one state in the United States is systematically amplifying student voice through school transformation efforts across a network of secondary schools (Grades 9 through 12; ages 14 to 18). The author is the creator and director of a statewide initiative entitled ‘Youth and Adults Transforming Schools Together’ (YATST). This organization provides training and support for students and educators, who work as partners to transform their schools. She explores the present state of youth voice in secondary schools in the United States through her experience as a school psychologist. The YATST action research model comes to life with examples of the efforts schools are undertaking. The key role of the institutional leader is explored. The urgency of amplifying student voice, despite its complexity, is justified by the thesis that ‘students are not the problem; they are part of the solution’.
Should My Spouse Be My Partner? Preliminary Evidence From the Panel Study of Income Dynamics
Authors: Dyer W. Gibb , Dyer W. Justin , Gardner Richard G.
Published: July 2012

This study examines how firm performance and family income are affected when an “owner-managed” firm transitions to a “copreneurial” business. Data from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics were used to track changes in firm performance and family income from 1996 to 2006 during which time an owner-manager decided to partner with his spouse. The findings suggest that (a) involvement of one’s spouse in the business had no significant impact on firm profits and (b) working with one’s spouse had a significant impact on family income. The authors hypothesize that the lack of spousal influence on firm performance is because of their inability to influence their spouses, their lack of education and skills needed by the firm, and organizational “imprinting.” Moreover, since it is hypothesized that many spouses work for little or no pay, there would not be a significant impact on family income as the result of one’s partnering with a spouse. However, this hypothesis was not confirmed.
Melting and crystallization behaviors of electrostatic spinning polycaprolactone/polyethylene glycol blends
Authors: Dong Jiang , Yuan Tian , Yu Xu Tian , Jia Liu You , Mei Zhang
Published: July 2012

Polycaprolactone/polyethylene glycol (PCL/PEG) blends were prepared by electrostatic spinning. The melting behavior and isothermal, non-isothermal crystallization kinetics were investigated using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The results showed the DSC thermograms of blend samples. With increasing PEG content, the position of the crystallization peak shifted to a higher temperature, while the position of the melting peak shifted slightlys. With increasing the heating rates, the position of the melting peak shifted to a higher temperature and the total heat of fusion also gradually increased. Both PCL and PEG could crystallize. By DSC, the PEG and PCL mutually promote to develop a thicker crystal and more perfect crystallite. This effect of promotion may result from the interaction of the molecular chain period of the two polymers. The Avrami equation described the non-isothermal crystallization kinetics of this blend very well.
Computational analysis of the effects of a boundary layer ingesting propulsion system in transonic flow
Authors: Mantič-Lugo Vladislav , Doulgeris Georgios , Singh Riti
Published: July 2012

Continuous requirements for more efficient aircrafts lead to the design and analysis of novel propulsion configurations, with an example being the boundary layer ingestion. The complexity and integration challenges in such aircraft synergistic propulsion system characterize the research in this field, driven by the potential benefits. The aim of this article is to investigate the effects of boundary layer ingestion on the aerodynamics of a transonic wing, together with the quality of the flow ingested by the propulsion system. A two-dimensional computational model of a transonic airfoil with boundary layer ingesting propulsion system is developed in order to assess boundary layer ingestion for a commercial air transport at cruise conditions and highlight the complex integration issues arising from such configuration. A parametric analysis of the effects of flight conditions, nacelle geometry and engine operating point, on lift, pressure recovery, distortion, total pressure and velocity distribution at the intake, comes to enhance understanding of the performance of this configuration. The pressure distribution around the airfoil and the boundary layer growth are both substantially affected by the engine operating condition, which is represented by the mass flow ratio, with a direct impact on pressure recovery and lift. Mach number and angle of attack influences on lift and drag ingested are also investigated. Intake size and position on the airfoil appear to have significant effects on lift and losses ingested. In general, the results of this study include several aspects related to wing aerodynamics and ingested flow quality, which may facilitate design and integration of the boundary layer ingestion propulsion system for future commercial aircraft.
Interactions Between Apparent Motion Rivalry in Vision and Touch
Authors: Conrad Verena , Vitello Marco Pino , Noppeney Uta
Published: July 2012

In multistable perception, the brain alternates between several perceptual explanations of ambiguous sensory signals. It is unknown whether multistable processes can interact across the senses. In the study reported here, we presented subjects with unisensory (visual or tactile), spatially congruent visuotactile, and spatially incongruent visuotactile apparent motion quartets. Congruent stimulation induced pronounced visuotactile interactions, as indicated by increased dominance times for both vision and touch, and an increased percentage bias for the percept already dominant under unisensory stimulation. Thus, the joint evidence from vision and touch stabilizes the more likely perceptual interpretation and thereby decelerates the rivalry dynamics. Yet the temporal dynamics depended also on subjects’ attentional focus and was generally slower for tactile than for visual reports. Our results support Bayesian approaches to perceptual inference, in which the probability of a perceptual interpretation is determined by combining visual, tactile, or visuotactile evidence with modality-specific priors that depend on subjects’ attentional focus. Critically, the specificity of visuotactile interactions for spatially congruent stimulation indicates multisensory rather than cognitive-bias mechanisms.
The Tiger on Your Tail
Authors: Rosenbaum David A.
Published: July 2012

The time spent choosing between temporally extended behaviors cannot, in general, last as long as the behaviors themselves; otherwise, the tiger on your tail would have you for lunch. Previous reaction time studies provide little information on this topic, which was explored in the study reported here by showing participants images of scenes for which they could choose a left or right walking-and-reaching path. The paths they chose were nearly identical to ones chosen by participants who actually performed the task in a previous study. Moreover, the times participants took to choose the actions were about 5 times shorter than the times it took to perform them. The choice-time data were inconsistent with the idea that participants picked the path with a lower cost after mentally simulating the paths one after the other. Showing real-world scenes and having participants choose actions for them holds promise for future research in cognitive psychology, ecological psychology, and behavioral ecology.
Experimental study of friction damping of blade with loosely assembled dovetail attachment
Authors: Shangguan B , Xu Z
Published: July 2012

In order to study the friction damping characteristics of blade with loosely assembled dovetail attachment, an experimental method and a test rig are presented in this article. In the experiment, a axial load is imposed at the bottom of blade attachment to simulate the blade centrifugal force. A harmonic force is imposed on the blade as airflow force. The forced responses of a group of plane blades and a compressor blade are measured at different centrifugal forces. The results show that the resonant frequency increases with the centrifugal force, and gradually reaches the maximum. When the centrifugal force increases, the amplitude of resonant response decreases at the beginning and then increases. There is an optimal centrifugal force under which the resonant amplitude is minimal and the friction damping effect is the best. There is softening spring effect when the friction forces worked on blade system. From the results of compressor blade, it is found that when the centrifugal force is 1.5 kN, the resonant amplitude reaches the least value of 3.42 g, which is only 22.4% of the biggest value 39.88 g. This means that 1.5 kN is the optimal centrifugal force.
Waiting together
Authors: Tang Lijun
Published: July 2012

This paper examines how a group of seafarer-partners utilized cyberspace to collectively cope with long-term waiting and temporal disruption to couple relationships caused by seafarers’ working patterns. It shows that seafarer-partners shared information, experience, and stories, which helped them to manage the present, to keep track of the future, and to bring the past to the fore. In so doing, seafarer-partners strengthened their relationships despite the time erosion. Thus the paper reveals that peer support and a waiting space are helpful for individuals involved in long-term waiting.
Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus
Authors: Wernike Kerstin , Bonilauri Paolo , Dauber Malte , Errington Jane , LeBlanc Neil , Revilla-Fernández Sandra , Hjulsager Charlotte , Isaksson Mats , Stadejek Tomasz , Beer Martin , Hoffmann Bernd
Published: July 2012

To compare the real-time reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) assays used for the diagnosis of Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), a Europe-wide interlaboratory ring trial was conducted. A variety of PRRSV strains including North American (NA) and European (EU) genotype isolates were analyzed by the participants. Great differences regarding qualitative diagnostics as well as analytical sensitivity were observed between the individual RT-qPCR systems, especially when investigating strains from the EU genotype. None of the assays or commercial kits used in the ring trial could identify all different PRRSV strains with an optimal analytical and diagnostic sensitivity. The genetic variability of the PRRSV strains, which is supposed to hinder the diagnostic of the RT-PCR because of mutations at the primer binding sites, was also confirmed by sequencing and subsequent phylogenetic analysis. In summary, a major problem in PRRSV diagnostics by RT-qPCR is false-negative results. To achieve maximum safety in the molecular diagnosis of PRRSV, the combined usage of different assays or kits is highly recommended.
Modeling and analysis of magnetic impedance sensor with circuitry integration for damage detection
Authors: Wang Xin , Tang Jiong
Published: July 2012

In the magnetic impedance approach for damage detection, there is no direct contact between the sensor and the host structure, and the impedance sensor can be moveable above the structure surface. This has promising aspects, especially for online health monitoring of structures with complicated geometries and boundaries. In an earlier study, we have demonstrated that integrating a synthetic, tunable negative resistance and a tunable capacitor with the magnetic transducer can amplify both the measurement magnitude and the damage-induced impedance anomaly and yield much higher signal-to-noise ratio and detection sensitivity. In this research, we formulate detailed modeling and carry out comprehensive analysis to investigate the enhanced magnetic impedance sensing with circuitry integration. Specifically, aiming at providing design and implementation guidelines, we investigate systematically the magnetomechanical coupling effect in such a sensing scheme, which focuses on elucidating quantitatively the influence of various sensor parameters to the impedance measurements. The modeling and analysis are validated by experimental studies.
Integrating CAM and Biomedicine in Primary Care Settings
Authors: Shuval Judith T. , Gross Revital , Ashkenazi Yael , Schachter Leora
Published: July 2012

In this article, we present the results of a study that was conducted among 15 family physicians who had incorporated complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) into their clinical work in Israel. We aimed to explore the types of boundaries those physicians encountered, how these boundaries were contoured, and under what circumstances they were crossed. We conducted in-depth interviews with the physicians in 2008, and found that epistemological and cognitive boundaries did not pose a problem for them. However, with regard to the organizational boundary, the participants indicated that it was necessary to use a variety of strategies before they could utilize their CAM skills. Many of the participants indicated that the epistemological differences between the biomedical and CAM paradigms, such as the absence of evidence-based medicine in CAM practices, are not important. The ease with which boundaries were crossed in the complex social context described here is characteristic of postmodern societies. On the whole, the integrative physicians interviewed can be viewed as “postmodern” professionals who reject the impermeability of many long-established boundaries and hierarchies.
Primary Cutaneous Hydroa Vacciniforme–Like Lymphoma With Indolent Clinical Course
Authors: Li Yang , Chen Xiao-hong , Tian Xiao-ying , Li Bin , Li Zhi
Published: July 2012

Primary cutaneous hydroa vacciniforme (HV)–like lymphoma is a rare, Epstein–Barr virus–associated cutaneous neoplasm characterized by photosensitive papulovesicular eruption and usually associated with poor prognosis. This report presents 2 cases of primary cutaneous HV-like lymphoma with unusual indolent clinical course and favorable prognosis during the follow-up periods of 2 and 3 years, respectively. Both patients presented with erythema, papulovesicles, scars, ulcerations, and edema on the face and extremities. Skin biopsies revealed epidermal vesicle with small- to medium-sized atypical lymphoid cells infiltrating in the dermis and subcutis. The lymphoid cells were strongly immunoreactive to CD8 and CD56. The Epstein–Barr virus genomes were also found in both skin biopsies. By genetic analysis, one of patients showed T-cell receptor-γ gene clonal rearrangement. The patients underwent glucocorticoid treatment and obtained remarkable clinical improvement with regression of skin lesions. No sign of recurrence and extracutaneous manifestation was found during the period of follow-up. A long-term follow-up is suggested to be performed to inspect the progression for this tumor.
Sex Offender Risk Assessment
Authors: Larcombe Wendy
Published: July 2012

Jurisdictions in the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia now have laws that enable preventive detention of post-sentence sex offenders based on an assessment of the offender’s likely recidivism. Measures of recidivism, or risk assessments, rely on the criminal justice process to produce the “pool” of sex offenders studied. This article argues that recidivism research needs to be placed in the context of attrition studies that document the disproportionate and patterned attrition of sexual offenses and sexual offenders from the criminal justice process. Understanding the common biases that affect criminal prosecution of sex offenses would improve sexual violence prevention policies.
Improving Revenue Adequacy by Indexing the Gas Tax to Indicators of Need
Authors: O’Connell Lenahan , Yusuf Juita-Elena (Wie)
Published: July 2012

The current crisis in highway finance in the United States is mostly driven by greater vehicle fuel efficiency, substantial rises in construction costs and automobile use, and fixed per gallon fuel tax rates that do not increase with inflation. These factors give rise to questions about the adequacy of the gasoline tax (or gas tax) structure to generate sufficient revenue. We argue that the public will be more willing to increase the gas tax if it is restructured to be directly connected to measures of need and is adjusted upward in small, regular increments. We examine how state variable-rate fuel taxes, by incrementally adjusting the gas tax rate on a regular basis, would affect gas tax revenues. This is done by simulating gas tax revenues given different adjustment formulas for the gas tax rate (based on changes in construction costs, general inflation, and improvements in fuel efficiency), and comparing gas tax revenues to determine revenue-generating capacity of variable-rate approaches.
Dynamic elastic properties of aero-engine metallic isotropic materials
Authors: Rajendran R , Petley Vijay , Rehmer Birgit
Published: July 2012

Study of elastic properties of aero-engine metallic materials is of paramount importance because it forms one of the foundations of engineering design of components. Nine isotropic aero-engine metallic materials were studied for their elastic properties for a temperature range varying from ambient to operating limit. Test was carried out in vacuum to prevent oxidation of specimens. Dimensional corrections of the specimen due to thermal expansion were taken into account. Dynamic elastic modulus was evaluated as the average of the moduli that was obtained through first flat and edge flexural mode frequencies. Dynamic shear modulus was established through the first torsional mode of frequency.
Finding their place: islands as locus and focus
Authors: Ronström Owe
Published: July 2012

The number of islands in the world is overwhelming. In contrast, the representation of islands is all but different. This brings up fundamental questions about the relations between the discourses about islands and islands as physical spaces, between islands as metaphors and as lived realities. When representations of islands are the focus of study, what about island as locus? In essence, the underlying problem is a variation of the ‘hylomorphic problem’, the relationship between substance, form and matter. In this paper, I start by addressing the role of islands in my own academic branch, ethnology, and then by discussing some implications of the ‘cognitive turn’ in ethnology for what is considered as its primary object of study. After a brief discussion of a variation of the problem known among anthropologists as the ‘locus-focus debate’, I turn to a discussion of the ‘real versus metaphoric employment of islands’ in island studies. In the last section I return to the key issue of my own studies of islands: how to grapple with the homogeneity of ‘the island’ and the immense diversity of islands.
Participation as a multi-voiced process: Action research in the acute hospital environment
Authors: Hynes Geralyn , Coghlan David , McCarron Mary
Published: July 2012

Action research in the acute hospital environment is made complex by competing and unequal voices. Acute hospitals and care in this sense refer to those intended for short-term treatment of illnesses. Care is provided by specialist teams comprising members of different disciplines/professions and is overseen by a complex hospital management and administrative structure. The respective voices of different specialist fields, disciplines, managers and patients must continually interact with each expressing a different personal and professional worldview. Gaining support from managers, medical providers and medical teams usually requires an emphasis on the presentation of evidence in which objectivity and parsimony is ascribed greater value than more detailed narratives that include a patient’s personal details and biography. A cooperative inquiry project with respiratory and palliative care nurses explored how palliative care needs of patients with advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease might be better addressed and comfort provided. This inquiry brought to the fore the value-based nature of everyday speech in which voices reflecting narratives of management, medicine, nursing, illness and disease were continually shifting. We came to understand meaningful participation as an invitation to consciously engage competing voices that are inherent in everyday practice with a view to delivering better comfort care to patients.
The Shadow Staff: Japanese Animators in the Tōhō Aviation Education Materials Production Office 1939–1945
Authors: Clements Jonathan , Ip Barry
Published: July 2012

Despite the attention paid by Japanese animation historians to cartoon propaganda films made during the Second World War, twice as much animation may have been produced in the period for military instructional films. These films, now lost, were made by a group of animators seconded to the Tōhō Aviation Education Materials Production Office (Tōhō Kōkū Kyōiku Shiryō Seisaku-sho). Occasionally running for five or six reels (c. 48 minutes), and in one case consisting of a feature-length eight reels, they form the missing link between the one- and two-reel shorts of the 1930s and Japanese animation’s first feature, Momotarō Umi no Shinpei (1945, Momotarō’s Divine Sea Warriors). The films included tactical tips for the pilots who would bomb Pearl Harbor, short courses in identifying enemy ships, and an introduction to combat protocols for aircraft carrier personnel. This article reconstructs the content and achievement of the Shadow Staff from available materials, and considers its exclusion from (and restoration to) narratives of the Japanese animation industry.
Phonograph Toys and Early Sound Cartoons: Towards a History of Visualized Phonography
Authors: Smith Jacob
Published: July 2012

Between 1909 and 1925, a number of toys were patented and produced that were operated by the spinning motion of a phonograph player. In this article, the author argues that these ‘phonotoys’ complement and refine our understanding of the genealogy of the sound cartoon, and suggests that popular recordings should be considered as an important expressive resource for early sound animators just as were film, vaudeville, and newspaper comic strips. By outlining a constellation of family resemblances shared by phonotoys and sound cartoons made by the Disney, Fleischer, Warner Brothers, Van Beuren, and Iwerks studios in the late 1920s and early 1930s, the article establishes a dialogue between sound cartoons of this era and phonograph culture that provides a fresh perspective on discussions in Animation Studies having to do with the representation of race, ethnicity, and gender, as well as strategies of sound/image synchronization.
Midterm Results of a Combined Biological and Mechanical Approach for the Treatment of a Complex Knee Lesion
Authors: Filardo G. , Di Martino A. , Kon E. , Delcogliano M. , Marcacci M.
Published: July 2012

Objective:

Complex fractures of the tibial plateau are difficult to treat and present a high complication rate. The goal of this report is to describe a combined biological and mechanical approach to restore all morphological and functional knee properties.

Methods:

We treated a 50-year-old woman, who was affected by a posttraumatic osteochondral lesion and depression of the lateral tibial plateau with knee valgus deviation. The mechanical axis was corrected with a lateral tibial plateau elevation osteotomy, the damaged joint surface was replaced by a recently developed biomimetic osteochondral scaffold, and a hinged dynamic external fixator was applied to protect the graft and at the same time to allow postoperative joint mobilization.

Results:

A marked clinical improvement was documented at 12 months and further improved up to 5 years, with pain-free full range of motion and return to previous activities. The MRI evaluation at 12 and 24 months showed that the implant remained in site with a hyaline-like signal and restoration of the articular surface.

Conclusion:

This case report describes a combined surgical approach for complex knee lesions that could represent a treatment option to avoid or at least delay posttraumatic osteoarthritis and more invasive procedures.
Use of complementary and alternative medicine by mid-age women with back pain: a national cross-sectional survey
Authors: Broom Alex F , Kirby Emma R , Sibbritt David W , Adams Jon , Refshauge Kathryn M
Published: July 2012

Background

The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has increased significantly in Australia over the past decade. Back pain represents a common context for CAM use, with increasing utilisation of a wide range of therapies provided within and outside conventional medical facilities. We examine the relationship between back pain and use of CAM and conventional medicine in a national cohort of mid-aged Australian women.

Methods

Data is taken from a cross-sectional survey (n = 10492) of the mid-aged cohort of the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health, surveyed in 2007. The main outcome measures were: incidence of back pain the previous 12 months, and frequency of use of conventional or CAM treatments in the previous 12 months.

Results

Back pain was experienced by 77% (n = 8063) of the cohort in the previous twelve month period. The majority of women with back pain only consulted with a conventional care provider (51.3%), 44.2% of women with back pain consulted with both a conventional care provider and a CAM practitioner. Women with more frequent back pain were more likely to consult a CAM practitioner, as well as seek conventional care. The most commonly utilised CAM practitioners were massage therapy (26.5% of those with back pain) and chiropractic (16.1% of those with back pain). Only 1.7% of women with back pain consulted with a CAM practitioner exclusively.

Conclusions

Mid-aged women with back pain utilise a range of conventional and CAM treatments. Consultation with CAM practitioners or self-prescribed CAM was predominantly in addition to, rather than a replacement for, conventional care. It is important that health professionals are aware of potential multiple practitioner usage in the context of back pain and are prepared to discuss such behaviours and practices with their patients.
Social and psychological factors affecting eating habits among university students in a Malaysian medical school: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Ganasegeran Kurubaran , Al-Dubai Sami AR , Qureshi Ahmad M , Al-abed Al-abed AA , AM Rizal , Aljunid Syed M
Published: July 2012

Background

Eating habits have been a major concern among university students as a determinant of health status. The aim of this study was to assess the pattern of eating habits and its associated social and psychological factors among medical students.

Methods

A cross sectional study was conducted among 132 medical students of pre-clinical phase at a Malaysian university. A self-administered questionnaire was used which included questions on socio-demography, anthropometry, eating habits and psychosocial factors.

Results

Mean (±SD) age of the respondents was 22.7 (±2.4) years and (the age) ranged from 18 to 30 years. More than half had regular meals and breakfast (57.6% &, 56.1% respectively). Majority (73.5%) consumed fruits less than three times per week, 51.5% had fried food twice or more a week and 59.8% drank water less than 2 liters daily. Eating habits score was significantly low among younger students (18–22 years), smokers, alcohol drinkers and those who did not exercise. (p<0.05). Four psychological factors out of six, were significantly associated with eating habits (p<0.05). In multivariate analysis, age and ‘eating because of feeling happy’ were significantly associated with eating habits score (p<0.05).

Conclusion

Most of the students in this study had healthy eating habits. Social and psychological factors were important determinants of eating habits among medical students.
RETRACTED ARTICLE: Luciferase-transfected colon adenocarcinoma cell line (DLD-1) for use in Orthotopic Xenotransplantation studies
Authors: Siddique Muhammad Rashid , Shynder Steve , Ashraf Muhammad Aqeel , Yusoff Ismail , Wajid Abdul
Published: July 2012

Background

Renilla Luciferase reporter gene (rLuc) GL4.82 and GL4.13 promoter are key player in transfection, but precise knowledge of its targets in colon cancer remains limited. The aim of this study was to characterize the best transfection technique to produce a stable transfected colon DLD1 (colorectal adenocarcinoma cell line), therefore imaging based approaches were employed.

Results

DLD1 cells were transfected with a Plasmid (SV40-RLuc) carrying Renilla luciferase under the control of the SV-40 promoter, by using two different transfection techniques. Cells expressing the required DNA were isolated after antibiotic (Puramycin) selection. Clones of DLD-1/SV40-RLuc were produced using two different techniques (96 well plates and Petri dish) and their florescence intensity was recorded using IVIS machine (Calliper Life Sciences, Hopkinton, USA). Both techniques were characterized with the help of serial dilution technique. Results from this study substantiated that electroporation is the best. As expected, clones varied in their specific luciferase activity along with the dilutions. With the increase in cell concentration increase in intensity of florescence was recorded.

Conclusions

Based on the results we are confident that this transfected cell line DLD-1/SV40-RLuc (colorectal adenocarcinoma cell line) is the best for further Orthotopic Xenotransplantation Studies and in-vivo experiments as well. Investigation shows that DLD1/SV-rLuc cells have gained little bit resistance against both drugs therefore further study is suggested to know the reasons.
Strategies for Transitioning Therapy to Aripiprazole from Other Antipsychotics in Schizophrenia
Authors: Wisniewski Christopher S , Robert Sophie
Published: July 2012

OBJECTIVE:

To determine the optimal approach for transitioning therapy to aripiprazole from other antipsychotics in schizophrenia and to describe these strategies.

DATA SOURCES:

MEDLINE (January 2000-March 2012) and PubMed (January 2000-March 2012) searches were conducted using the search terms aripiprazole, switch, and switching. Citations from references were reviewed to identify additional primary literature.

STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION:

Articles identified as primary literature were considered for inclusion. Case series, opinion papers, and review articles were also examined. Literature was required to be in English. For evaluation purposes, included articles were randomized trials specifically comparing different switching strategies from an alternative antipsychotic to aripiprazole. Randomized trials and single-arm studies that evaluated the effect of a change to aripiprazole and reported switching methods were also reviewed but not evaluated.

DATA SYNTHESIS:

Aripiprazole, an atypical antipsychotic agent with a unique mechanism of action, causes fewer adverse effects when compared with other atypical antipsychotics. Patients unable to tolerate or unresponsive to their current regimens might benefit from a change to aripiprazole, but the best method for switching is unknown. Four randomized trials were identified that compared the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of at least 2 different switching strategies. The 5 strategies used a combination of immediate or titrated initiation of aripiprazole with immediate or tapered discontinuation of the current antipsychotic. A significant worsening of symptoms in the abrupt discontinuation group when compared with the combined tapered discontinuation groups was seen in 1 trial at week 2; however, all other comparisons yielded no significant differences among switching strategies.

CONCLUSIONS:

Strategies for transitioning therapy to aripiprazole from alternative antipsychotics in schizophrenia have been investigated in randomized trials, but studies have failed to establish a preferred method. Despite the lack of evidence, experts recommend an overlap strategy that includes maintaining the current antipsychotic dosage while titrating to a therapeutic dose of aripiprazole.
Alcaftadine for the Prevention of Itching Associated with Allergic Conjunctivitis
Authors: Mahvan Tracy D , Buckley Whitney A , Hornecker Jaime R
Published: July 2012

OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of alcaftadine for the prevention of itching associated with allergic conjunctivitis.

DATA SOURCES:

A medical literature search was conducted in MEDLINE/PubMed (2006-February 2012) and EMBASE (2006-February 2012) using the search terms alcaftadine and Lastacaft. References from these publications were reviewed for additional resources. Additional information was collected from Web sites of the US government ( http://www.clinicaltrials.gov , http://www.fda.gov ) and of Allergan Inc., the manufacturer of Lastacaft ( http://www.lastacaft.com ).

STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION:

All identified articles and publications in English were reviewed for pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, efficacy, and safety data. Priority was placed on clinical trials.

DATA SYNTHESIS:

Two published clinical trials evaluated the efficacy of alcaftadine in the prevention of ocular itching and conjunctival redness associated with allergic conjunctivitis. One trial compared alcaftadine to placebo, and another trial compared alcaftadine to placebo and olopatadine HCl to placebo. Both studies showed superior efficacy, both clinically and statistically, in the prevention of ocular itching associated with allergic conjunctivitis compared to placebo. Although conjunctival redness was evaluated in the 2 trials, neither trial demonstrated both clinical and statistical significance. Both trials demonstrated a rapid onset of action of less than 15 minutes, as well as a duration of action greater than 16 hours, which supports the use of once-daily administration. Overall, alcaftadine was well tolerated, and common adverse effects, reported in less than 4% of patients, included ocular irritation, pruritus, erythema, and stinging or burning upon instillation. Ocular adverse effects were typically mild in severity and self-limiting.

CONCLUSIONS:

Alcaftadine is a safe and effective option for the prevention of ocular itching associated with allergic conjunctivitis, is dosed once daily, and is competitively priced among prescription medications for allergic conjunctivitis. Additional studies are needed to further evaluate the comparative efficacy among ocular antihistamine/mast cell stabilizing medications.
Oral Modified-Release Tranexamic Acid for Heavy Menstrual Bleeding
Authors: Hrometz Sandra L
Published: July 2012

OBJECTIVE:

To review the pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, efficacy, and safety profile of an oral modified-release (MR) formulation of tranexamic acid.

DATA SOURCES:

Literature was accessed through MEDLINE (1966-July 2012), Iowa Drug Information Service (1997-July 2012), and bibliographies of pertinent articles. Search terms included tranexamic acid, Lysteda, menorrhagia, menstrual blood loss, and heavy menstrual bleeding.

STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION:

All available English-language abstracts and human studies were identified for review. Data provided by the manufacturer and the Food and Drug Administration were also evaluated. Efficacy was evaluated in 2 clinical trials, change in quality of life was evaluated in 3 clinical trials, and safety was evaluated in 4 clinical trials.

DATA SYNTHESIS:

Tranexamic acid is a synthetic lysine analogue with antifibrinolytic activity. It interferes with the binding of plasminogen to fibrin, resulting in enhanced fibrin clot integrity. A novel MR formulation of oral tranexamic acid is approved for treatment of cyclic heavy menstrual bleeding. MR tranexamic acid is initiated at the beginning of heavy menstrual bleeding and can be taken for up to 5 days per cycle. Clinical trials show it to be safe and effective. Dosage adjustments are needed for women with renal insufficiency. Adverse effects are considered mild to moderate, with the most common being menstrual discomfort, headache, and back pain. The most significant safety concerns relate to the risk of thromboembolism.

CONCLUSIONS:

MR tranexamic acid offers a new first-line therapy for patients with cyclic heavy menstrual bleeding. It is reported to be safe and effective. There are no labeled equivalents to MR tranexamic acid for cyclic heavy menstrual bleeding.
Avaliação de genótipos de soja em relação ao nematoide de cisto
Authors: Matsuo Éder , Sediyama Tuneo , Oliveira Rosângela D'Arc de Lima , Cruz Cosme Damião , Oliveira Rita de Cássia Teixeira
Published: July 2012

Heterodera glycines é um fitonematoide de importância econômica para a cultura da soja. Por isso, objetivou-se comparar metodologias para a avaliação de genótipos de soja em relação a este nematoide. Foram desenvolvidos dois experimentos (Ensaios A e B), em casa de vegetação, em delineamento inteiramente casualizado com seis repetições. No ensaio A, utilizaram-se vasos de cerâmica de 0,8 dm³ e métodos-padrão de inoculação e avaliação. No ensaio B, utilizaram-se vasos de polietileno de 0,5 dm³ preenchidos com solo infestado e análise visual. Foram avaliados genótipos promissores de diferentes programas de melhoramento genético de soja. Dos genótipos analisados, em 74% havia número de fêmeas semelhantes em ambos os ensaios. O coeficiente de correlação entre o número de fêmeas do Ensaio A e o número de fêmeas do Ensaio B foi de 0,85 (p<0,01) e entre o número de fêmeas do Ensaio A e a nota visual do número de fêmeas Ensaio B foi 0,90 (p<0,01). Os métodos-padrão de inoculação e avaliação utilizando solo infestado e análise visual foram, de maneira geral, coerentes entre si. Foram identificados genótipos resistentes (UFVS 2010 e BCR1070G229) e moderadamente resistentes (BCR132390, BCR945G114 e BCR1057G163) ao nematoide de cisto raça 3, pelos dois métodos de avaliação.
Crescimento radicular e aéreo de cultivares de arroz de terras altas em função da calagem
Authors: Crusciol Carlos Alexandre Costa , Mancuso Mauricio Antonio Cuzato , Garcia Rodrigo Arroyo , Castro Gustavo Spadotti Amaral
Published: July 2012

O presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o crescimento radicular e da parte aérea, além da eficiência de absorção de nutrientes pelas cultivares de arroz Caiapó e Maravilha, em função da calagem. O experimento foi desenvolvido em casa de vegetação, sendo os tratamentos constituídos pelas cultivares Caiapó e Maravilha combinadas com os índices de saturação por bases (V%) de 10, 40 e 70. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi inteiramente casualizado, com quatro repetições. Foram avaliados o número de perfilhos, comprimento radicular, matéria seca de raízes, folhas e colmos, o teor foliar e a eficiência de absorção dos macronutrientes. De forma geral, observou-se que a cultivar moderna superou a tradicional em matéria seca de raízes, comprimento radicular, número de colmos, matéria seca de colmos e da parte aérea, além de acumular mais nutrientes a cultivar tradicional, mesmo nas condições de maior acidez. No entanto, os teores de nutrientes foram maiores na cultivar Caiapó. A cultivar Maravilha possui maior crescimento radicular e da parte aérea, nos diversos níveis de acidez, enquanto a Caiapó tem maior eficiência de absorção dos nutrientes do solo. A V% de 40 é a mais efetiva para ambas as cultivares.
Produtividade e acúmulo de nitrato nos frutos de abobrinha em função da adubação nitrogenada
Authors: Pôrto Mônica Lima Alves , Puiatti Mário , Fontes Paulo Cezar Rezende , Cecon Paulo Roberto , Alves Jailson do Carmo , Arruda Jandeilson Alves de
Published: July 2012

Apesar da importância da abobrinha em termos comerciais e alimentícios, poucos estudos têm sido realizados em relação à adubação nitrogenada da cultura. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a produtividade e o acúmulo de nitrato nos frutos da abobrinha (cv. Caserta) em função da adubação nitrogenada. O experimento foi desenvolvido no delineamento de blocos casualizados, com cinco doses de (0; 50; 100; 200 e 400 kg ha-1), com quatro repetições. Foram avaliados: número de frutos por planta, massa média de frutos, produtividade da cultura e acúmulo de nitrato nos frutos. Todas as características avaliadas foram significativamente influenciadas (p<0,01) pelas doses de N. Os valores máximos do número de frutos por planta (7,7 unidades), massa média de frutos (240 g fruto-1) e produtividade de frutos (29,88 t ha-1) foram obtidos com 323, 265 e 331 kg ha-1 de N, respectivamente. A dose de máxima eficiência econômica de N para a cultura da abobrinha foi de 322 kg ha-1, resultando em uma produtividade de frutos de 29,86 t ha-1. O teor de nitrato nos frutos proporcionou incremento linear em função das doses de N verificando-se, com a dose máxima, o teor na matéria fresca de fruto de 162 mg kg-1 de nitrato, valor que não representa risco para saúde humana.
Procedimento fuzzy aplicado à avaliação da insalubridade em atividades agrícolas
Authors: Yanagi Junior Tadayuki , Schiassi Leonardo , Abreu Lucas H. P. , Barbosa Jackson A. , Campos Alessandro T.
Published: July 2012

Diante do alto grau de mecanização a que as atividades agrícolas estão sendo submetidas, objetivou-se, com esta pesquisa, desenvolver um modelo fuzzy capaz de avaliar e classificar o nível de insalubridade em diversos ambientes de trabalho. O modelo desenvolvido tem como variáveis de entrada: o índice de bulbo úmido e temperatura de globo (IBUTG, °C), o nível de ruído (dBA), a taxa de metabolismo (W m-2) e o tempo de descanso (%) e, como variável de saída, o índice de bem-estar humano (IBEH). O método de inferência utilizado foi o de Mandani e, na defuzificacão, utilizou-se o método do centro de gravidade. O sistema de regras foi desenvolvido com base nas combinações das variáveis de entrada. Foram definidas 400 regras com pesos iguais a 1, sendo que, na elaboração das regras, um especialista da área foi consultado. Foram utilizados dados de campo visando a testar o sistema desenvolvido, e os resultados mostraram que a modelagem proposta é uma ferramenta promissora na determinação do IBEH, apresentando tempo de descanso ideal variando de 64,2% (motosserra, próximo ao ouvido do operador) até 25% (derriçadora, 20 m de distância do operador), sendo que, diante de um cenário predefinido do ambiente térmico e acústico, foi possível determinar o grau de bem-estar humano e o tempo de descanso ideal para cada equipamento avaliado.
Estimation of transpiration of the 'Valencia' orange young plant using thermal dissipation probe method
Authors: Coelho Rubens D. , Vellame Lucas M. , Fraga Júnior Eusímio F.
Published: July 2012

Most studies on measures of transpiration of plants, especially woody fruit, relies on methods of heat supply in the trunk. This study aimed to calibrate the Thermal Dissipation Probe Method (TDP) to estimate the transpiration, study the effects of natural thermal gradients and determine the relation between outside diameter and area of xylem in 'Valencia' orange young plants. TDP were installed in 40 orange plants of 15 months old, planted in boxes of 500 L, in a greenhouse. It was tested the correction of the natural thermal differences (DTN) for the estimation based on two unheated probes. The area of the conductive section was related to the outside diameter of the stem by means of polynomial regression. The equation for estimation of sap flow was calibrated having as standard lysimeter measures of a representative plant. The angular coefficient of the equation for estimating sap flow was adjusted by minimizing the absolute deviation between the sap flow and daily transpiration measured by lysimeter. Based on these results, it was concluded that the method of TDP, adjusting the original calibration and correction of the DTN, was effective in transpiration assessment.
Characterization of water availability in a hydrographic basin
Authors: Arai Fabiane K. , Pereira Silvio B. , Gonçalves Geula G. G.
Published: July 2012

The quantitative knowledge of hydrological parameters (rainfall and flow) and their spatial and temporal variability on the regions or basins should be understood as essential to the efficient planning and management of water resources. Because the Ivinhema Basin, located in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, represents an important inductor on the region agricultural development, characterized as a major producer of grains and meat, it was used to characterize the hydrological study. Knowing the rainfall, flow and drainage area of each of the studied affluent, it was calculated the proportion of contribution of the affluent. To that end, it was proposed the concepts of potential and real contributions, aiming to identify the proportion of contribution of each of the affluent to the formation of the flow in the Ivinhema Basin. The results revealed that: the highest rainfall in the Ivinhema Basin occurred in the headwater regions; the mean specific flow of long duration reduces from the headwater to the mouth of Ivinhema Basin; the Sub-basin of Dorado's River has the highest potential and real contribution for the formation of the Ivinhema Basin flow; and the drainage areas of the affluent Dourados and Vacaria contribute with 53% flow of the basin.
Software para estimativa do custo operacional de máquinas agrícolas - MAQCONTROL
Authors: Piacentini Liane , Souza Eduardo G. de , Uribe-Opazo Miguel A. , Nóbrega Lúcia H. P. , Milan Marcos
Published: July 2012

A seleção e a otimização de sistemas mecanizados são os principais objetivos da mecanização racional. Não é suficiente uma compra adequada do maquinário agrícola se sua utilização não for controlada em aspectos operacionais e financeiros. Neste trabalho, é descrito o desenvolvimento de software para estimativa do custo operacional de máquinas agrícolas (MAQCONTROL), utilizando o ambiente de desenvolvimento Borland Delphi e o banco de dados Firebird. Os custos operacionais foram divididos em fixos e variáveis. Nos custos fixos, foram estimadas as despesas com depreciação, juros, alojamento e seguros. Nos custos variáveis, foi dada ênfase aos custos de manutenção como: óleos lubrificantes, filtros, pneus, graxa, combustível, pequenos reparos e troca de peças. Os resultados demonstraram a eficiência do software para os objetivos propostos. Assim, o MAQCONTROL pode ser uma importante ferramenta no processo de administração rural, pois reduz os custos da informação e agiliza a determinação precisa dos custos operacionais de máquinas agrícolas.