bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Glycolipid metabolic status of overweight/obese adolescents aged 9- to 15-year-old and the BMI-SDS/BMI cut-off value of predicting dyslipidemiain boys, Shanghai, China: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Gong Chun-dan , Wu Qiao-ling , Chen Zheng , Zhang Dan , Zhao Zheng-yan , Peng Yong-mei
Published: August 2013

Background

The prevalence of adolescents’ obesity and overweight has dramatically elevated in China. Obese children were likely to insulin resistance and dyslipidemia, which are risk factors of cardiovascular diseases. However there was no cut-off point of anthropometric values to predict the risk factors in Chinese adolescents. The present study was to investigate glycolipid metabolism status of adolescents in Shanghai and to explore the correlations between body mass index standard deviation score (BMI-SDS) and metabolic indices, determine the best cut-off value of BMI-SDS to predict dyslipidemia.

Methods

Fifteen schools in Shanghai’s two districts were chosen by cluster sampling and primary screening was done in children aged 9-15 years old. After screening of bodyweight and height, overweight and obese adolescents and age-matched children with normal body weight were randomly recruited in the study. Anthropometric measurements, biochemical measurements of glycolipid profiles were done. SPSS19.0 was used to analyze the data. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were made and the best cut-off values of BMI-SDS to predict dyslipidemia were determined while the Youden indices were maximum.

Results

Five hundred and thirty-eight adolescents were enrolled in this research, among which 283 have normal bodyweight, 115 were overweight and 140 were obese. No significant differences of the ages among 3 groups were found. There were significant differences of WC-SDS (p<0.001), triacylglycerol (p<0.05), high and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (p<0.01), fasting insulin (p<0.01) and C-peptide (p<0.001) among 3 groups. Significant difference of fasting glucose was only found between normal weight and overweight group. Significant difference of total cholesterol was found between obese and normal weight group. There was no significant difference of glycated hemoglobin among 3 groups. The same tendency was found in boys but not in girls. Only HDL-C reduced and TG increased while BMI elevated in girls. The best cut-off value of BMI-SDS was 1.22 to predict dyslipidemia in boys. The BMI cut-off was 21.67 in boys.

Conclusion

Overweight and obese youths had reduced insulin sensitivity and high prevalence of dyslipidemia. When BMI-SDS elevated up to 1.22 and BMI was higher than 21.67 in boys, dyslipidemia may happen.
GRK2 blockade with βARKct is essential for cardiac β2-adrenergic receptor signaling towards increased contractility
Authors: Salazar Norma C , Vallejos Ximena , Siryk Ashley , Rengo Giuseppe , Cannavo Alessandro , Liccardo Daniela , De Lucia Claudio , Gao Erhe , Leosco Dario , Koch Walter J , Lymperopoulos Anastasios
Published: August 2013

Background

β1- and β2–adrenergic receptors (ARs) play distinct roles in the heart, e.g. β1AR is pro-contractile and pro-apoptotic but β2AR anti-apoptotic and only weakly pro-contractile. G protein coupled receptor kinase (GRK)-2 desensitizes and opposes βAR pro-contractile signaling by phosphorylating the receptor and inducing beta-arrestin (βarr) binding. We posited herein that GRK2 blockade might enhance the pro-contractile signaling of the β2AR subtype in the heart. We tested the effects of cardiac-targeted GRK2 inhibition in vivo exclusively on β2AR signaling under normal conditions and in heart failure (HF).

Results

We crossed β1AR knockout (B1KO) mice with cardiac-specific transgenic mice expressing the βARKct, a known GRK2 inhibitor, and studied the offspring under normal conditions and in post-myocardial infarction (MI). βARKct expression in vivo proved essential for β2AR-dependent contractile function, as β2AR stimulation with isoproterenol fails to increase contractility in either healthy or post-MI B1KO mice and it only does so in the presence of βARKct. The main underlying mechanism for this is blockade of the interaction of phosphodiesterase (PDE) type 4D with the cardiac β2AR, which is normally mediated by the actions of GRK2 and βarrs on the receptor. The molecular “brake” that PDE4D poses on β2AR signaling to contractility stimulation is thus “released”. Regarding the other beneficial functions of cardiac β2AR, βARKct increased overall survival of the post-MI B1KO mice progressing to HF, via a decrease in cardiac apoptosis and an increase in wound healing-associated inflammation early (at 24 hrs) post-MI. However, these effects disappear by 4 weeks post-MI, and, in their place, upregulation of the other major GRK in the heart, GRK5, is observed.

Conclusions

GRK2 inhibition in vivo with βARKct is absolutely essential for cardiac β2AR pro-contractile signaling and function. In addition, β2AR anti-apoptotic signaling in post-MI HF is augmented by βARKct, although this effect is short-lived.
Patient-derived tissue slice grafts accurately depict response of high-risk primary prostate cancer to androgen deprivation therapy
Authors: Zhao Hongjuan , Thong Alan , Nolley Rosalie , Reese Stephen W , Santos Jennifer , Ingels Alexandre , Peehl Donna M
Published: August 2013

Background

Effective eradication of high-risk primary prostate cancer (HRPCa) could significantly decrease mortality from prostate cancer. However, the discovery of curative therapies for HRPCa is hampered by the lack of authentic preclinical models.

Methods

We improved upon tumorgraft models that have been shown to predict drug response in other cancer types by implanting thin, precision-cut slices of HRPCa under the renal capsule of immunodeficient mice. Tissue slice grafts (TSGs) from 6 cases of HRPCa were established in mice. Following androgen deprivation by castration, TSGs were recovered and the presence and phenotype of cancer cells were evaluated.

Results

High-grade cancer in TSGs generated from HRPCa displayed characteristic Gleason patterns and biomarker expression. Response to androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) was as in humans, with some cases exhibiting complete pathologic regression and others showing resistance to castration. As in humans, ADT decreased cell proliferation and prostate-specific antigen expression in TSGs. Adverse pathological features of parent HRPCa were associated with lack of regression of cancer in corresponding TSGs after ADT. Castration-resistant cancer cells remaining in TSGs showed upregulated expression of androgen receptor target genes, as occurs in castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) in humans. Finally, a rare subset of castration-resistant cancer cells in TSGs underwent epithelial-mesenchymal transition, a process also observed in CRPC in humans.

Conclusions

Our study demonstrates the feasibility of generating TSGs from multiple patients and of generating a relatively large number of TSGs from the same HRPCa specimen with similar cell composition and histology among control and experimental samples in an in vivo setting. The authentic response of TSGs to ADT, which has been extensively characterized in humans, suggests that TSGs can serve as a surrogate model for clinical trials to achieve rapid and less expensive screening of therapeutics for HRPCa and primary CRPC.
Charge storage characteristics of Au nanocrystal memory improved by the oxygen vacancy-reduced HfO2 blocking layer
Authors: Tang Ruifan , Huang Kai , Lai Hongkai , Li Cheng , Wu Zhiming , Kang Junyong
Published: August 2013

This study characterizes the charge storage characteristics of metal/HfO2/Au nanocrystals (NCs)/SiO2/Si and significantly improves memory performance and retention time by annealing the HfO2 blocking layer in O2 ambient at 400°C. Experimental evidence shows that the underlying mechanism can be effectively applied to reduce oxygen vacancy and suppress unwanted electron trap-assisted tunneling. A memory window of 1 V at an applied sweeping voltage of ±2 V is also shown. The low program/erase voltage (±2 V) and the promising retention performances indicate the potential application of NCs in low-voltage, non-volatile memory devices.
Carrier frequency offset estimation method for 2 × 1 MISO TDS-OFDM systems
Authors: Oh Jong Gyu , Heo Jun , Kim Joon Tae
Published: August 2013

In time-domain synchronous (TDS)-orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) systems, a pseudo noise (PN) sequence is inserted instead of the cyclic prefix. The PN sequence is used not only as a guard interval but also as a training sequence for channel estimation and synchronization in the time domain. Recently, research studies on 2 × 1 multi input-single output (MISO) TDS-OFDM systems have been conducted, and different PN sequences (which are orthogonal to one another or cyclically shifted) are transmitted at each transmit antenna for channel estimation, which are modulated by binary phase shift keying in the same phase angle. However, when the absolute phase difference among the transmitted PN sequences is π, a PN sequence cancellation problem occurs, making the estimation of an accurate carrier frequency offset (CFO) difficult. In this paper, a CFO estimation method with the aid of PN sequences for 2 × 1 MISO TDS-OFDM systems is proposed. In the proposed method, the phase of the PN sequences at each antenna is rotated differently and transmitted to prevent a PN sequence-canceling problem. In addition, a CFO estimation scheme using channel state information is proposed to estimate an accurate CFO in time-varying channels. We show by computer simulations that the mean square error performance of the proposed method over an additive white Gaussian noise environment and time-varying Rayleigh channel is higher than that of the conventional method.
Chikungunya virus capsid protein contains nuclear import and export signals
Authors: Thomas Saijo , Rai Jagdish , John Lijo , Schaefer Stephan , Pützer Brigitte M , Herchenröder Ottmar
Published: August 2013

Background

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is an alphavirus of the Togaviridae family. After autoproteolytic cleavage, the CHIKV capsid protein (CP) is involved in RNA binding and assembly of the viral particle. The monomeric CP is approximately 30 kDa in size and is small enough for passive transport through nuclear pores. Some alphaviruses are found to harbor nuclear localization signals (NLS) and transport of these proteins between cellular compartments was shown to be energy dependent. The active nuclear import of cytoplasmic proteins is mediated by karyopherins and their export by exportins. As nuclear and cytoplasmic trafficking may play a role in the life cycle of CHIKV, we have sought to identify nuclear localization and nuclear export signals in CHIKV CP in a virus-free system.

Methods

EGFP-fusion proteins of CHIKV CP and mutants thereof were created and used to monitor their intracellular localization. Binding of cellular proteins was confirmed in pull-down assays with purified CP using co-immuoprecipitation. Nuclear localization was demonstrated in a virus-free system using fluorescence microscopy.

Results

Here we show that CHIKV CP is a nuclear-cytoplasmic shuttling protein with an active NLS that binds to karyopherin α (Karα) for its nuclear translocation. We also found that the Karα4 C-terminal NLS binding site is sufficient for this interaction. We further demonstrate that CHIKV CP interacts directly with the export receptor CRM1 to transport this viral protein out of the nucleus via a nuclear export signal (NES). The CHIKV CP NES was mapped between amino acids 143 and 155 of CP. Deduced from in silico analyses we found that the NES has a mode of binding similar to the snurportin-1 CRM1 complex.

Conclusions

We were able to show that in a virus-free system that the CHIKV capsid protein contains both, a NLS and a NES, and that it is actively transported between the cytoplasma and the nucleus. We conclude that CHIKV CP has the ability to shuttle via interaction with karyopherins for its nuclear import and, vice versa, by CRM1-dependent nuclear export.
The expression of V-ATPase is associated with drug resistance and pathology of non-small-cell lung cancer
Authors: Lu Qiang , Lu Sha , Huang Lijun , Wang Ting , Wan Yi , Zhou Chang Xi , Zhang Cunhai , Zhang Zhipei , Li Xiaofei
Published: August 2013

Objective

This article aims to investigate the expression of vacuolar-H + −ATPase (V-ATPase) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and its variations with pathological type and grade. Furthermore, to evaluate the chemotherapy drug sensitivity of different cancer tissues as well as its correlation with V-ATPase expression in NSCLC.

Methods

V-ATPase expression was examined in 92 NSCLC tissue samples using the immunohistochemical Envision method and immunofluorescence assay. The location of V-ATPase expression was observed by confocal laser scanning microscopy and the difference of its expression rate was evaluated. The sensitivity of cancer tissues to chemotherapy drug was examined using MTT assay and its correlation with the V-ATPase expression was tested in NSCLC by Spearman rank correlation analysis.

Results

V-ATPase expression was mainly localized in the cell membrane and cytoplasm. The expression rate of V-ATPase was 71.43% in squamous cell lung cancer, significantly lower than that of the lung adenocarcinoma (83.72%, P = 0.000). In different pathological grades of squamous cell lung cancer, the expression rate of V-ATPase was 58.33% in grade II, significantly lower than that of the grade III (84.00%, P = 0.014). The expression rate of V-ATPase in grade II lung adenocarcinoma was 76.67%, significantly lower than that of the grade ΙΙΙ adenocarcinoma (100.0%, P = 0.012). Correlation analysis showed that the sensitivity of NSCLC tissues to cyclophosphamide, gemcitabine, doxorubicin, paclitaxel and cisplatin was significantly correlated with the V-ATPase expression rate (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

V-ATPase was overexpressed in NSCLC. The expression of V-ATPase was related to the pathological type and grade of cancer and was likely associated with chemotherapy drug resistance in NSCLC.

Virtual slides

The virtual slide(s) for this article can be found here: http://www.diagnosticpathology.diagnomx.eu/vs/7515811511020000
Use and knowledge of Cactaceae in Northeastern Brazil
Authors: de Lucena Camilla Marques , de Lucena Reinaldo Farias Paiva , Costa Gabriela Maciel , Carvalho Thamires Kelly Nunes , Costa Gyslaynne Gomes da Silva , Alves Rômulo Romeu da Nóbrega , Pereira Daniel Duarte , Ribeiro João Everthon da Silva , Alves Carlos Antônio Belarmino , Quirino Zelma Glebya Maciel , Nunes Ernane Nogueira
Published: August 2013

Background

This study aimed to record the use, and knowledge that residents from São Francisco community (Paraiba, Brazil) have regarding the Cactaceae.

Methods

Semi-structured interviews were carried out with 118 informants; 50 men and 68 women. The cacti cited in this study were organised into use categories and use values were calculated. Differences in the values applied to species and use categories by men and women were compared via a G test (Williams).

Results

The nine species identified were: Cereus jamacaru DC., Melocactus bahiensis (Brtitton & Rose) Luetzelb., Nopalea cochenillifera (L.) Salm-Dyck., Opuntia ficus indica (L.) Mill, Opuntia stricta (Haw.) Haw., Pilosocereus gounellei (F.A.C. Weber) Byles & Rowley, Pilosocereus pachycladus F. Ritter, Tacinga inamoena (K. Schum) N.P. Taylor & Stuppy, Tacinga palmadora (Britton & Rose) N.P. Taylor & Stuppy. In total, 1,129 use citations were recorded, divided into 11 categories. The use value categories with the highest scores were forage (0.42), food (0.30) and construction (building) (0.25). P. pachycladus showed the greatest use value, versatility and number of plant parts used.

Conclusion

The survey showed that the Cactaceae is extremely important for several uses and categories attributed to different species. Apart from contributing to the ethnobotanical knowledge of the Cactaceae, another important focus of this study was to reinforce the necessity for further studies that record the traditional knowledge about this plant family, which has been lost in younger generations.
MONA – Interactive manipulation of molecule collections
Authors: Hilbig Matthias , Urbaczek Sascha , Groth Inken , Heuser Stefan , Rarey Matthias
Published: August 2013

Working with small‐molecule datasets is a routine task forcheminformaticians and chemists. The analysis and comparison of vendorcatalogues and the compilation of promising candidates as starting pointsfor screening campaigns are but a few very common applications. Theworkflows applied for this purpose usually consist of multiple basiccheminformatics tasks such as checking for duplicates or filtering byphysico‐chemical properties. Pipelining tools allow to create andchange such workflows without much effort, but usually do not supportinterventions once the pipeline has been started. In many contexts, however,the best suited workflow is not known in advance, thus making it necessaryto take the results of the previous steps into consideration beforeproceeding.

To support intuition‐driven processing of compound collections, wedeveloped MONA, an interactive tool that has been designed to prepare andvisualize large small‐molecule datasets. Using an SQL database commoncheminformatics tasks such as analysis and filtering can be performedinteractively with various methods for visual support. Great care was takenin creating a simple, intuitive user interface which can be instantly usedwithout any setup steps. MONA combines the interactivity of moleculedatabase systems with the simplicity of pipelining tools, thus enabling thecase‐to‐case application of chemistry expert knowledge. Thecurrent version is available free of charge for academic use and can bedownloaded at http://www.zbh.uni-hamburg.de/mona.
In vitro growth and carbon utilization of the green-leaved orchid Dendrobium officinale are promoted by mycorrhizal associations
Authors: Wang Qiu-Xia , Yan Ning , Ji Da-Gan , Li Shu-Yun , Hu Hong
Published: August 2013

Background

Mycorrhizal associations play a key role in the life cycle and evolutionary history of orchids. All orchids grow from extremely small seeds that are lacking in reserves, and germination and growth into an underground heterotrophic, achlorophyllous stage depend upon symbiotic fungi to provide nutrient. However, the nutritional physiology between this symbiosis and green-leaved orchids is still unclear. To understand further how these associations affect growth and carbon utilization of green orchids, the green orchids were inoculated with two symbiotic fungi isolated from the roots of a wild orchid (Dendrobium officinale) in vitro and 13C stable isotope signature experiments were designed to analyze carbon nutrition acquisition.

Results

After two months, both fungi had formed mycorrhizal associations with the host roots. Moreover, the growth rate was more rapid for the mycorrhizal seedlings than for the non-mycorrhizal seedlings. The mycorrhizal seedlings not only absorbed more 13C from the substrate, but also the S3-mycorrhizal seedlings assimilated more atmospheric 13CO2 due to significantly higher effective quantum yield of photosystem II, compared with the non-mycorrhizal seedlings. These results suggested that the green orchids could receive more C nutrition from the substrate due to symbiotic fungi, and photosynthesis capacity of the green D. officinale could be enhanced by the S3 fungus, therefore carbon nutrition acquisition also increased. As a result, the S1- and S3- mycorrhizal seedlings showed markedly higher biomass and polysaccharides contents than the non-mycorrhizal seedlings.

Conclusions

These results improve our understanding of the mycorrhizal functioning in the green Dendrobium and show some potential application in the cultivation of D. officinale.
Identification of bacteria in enrichment cultures of sulfate reducers in the Cariaco Basin water column employing Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis of 16S ribosomal RNA gene fragments
Authors: Bozo-Hurtado Lorelei , García-Amado M Alexandra , Chistoserdov Andrei , Varela Ramon , Narvaez J Jesus , Colwell Rita , Suárez Paula
Published: August 2013

Background

The Cariaco Basin is characterized by pronounced and predictable vertical layering of microbial communities dominated by reduced sulfur species at and below the redox transition zone. Marine water samples were collected in May, 2005 and 2006, at the sampling stations A (10°30′ N, 64°40′ W), B (10°40′ N, 64°45′ W) and D (10°43’N, 64°32’W) from different depths, including surface, redox interface, and anoxic zones. In order to enrich for sulfate reducing bacteria (SRB), water samples were inoculated into anaerobic media amended with lactate or acetate as carbon source. To analyze the composition of enrichment cultures, we performed DNA extraction, PCR-DGGE, and sequencing of selected bands.

Results

DGGE results indicate that many bacterial genera were present that are associated with the sulfur cycle, including Desulfovibrio spp., as well as heterotrophs belonging to Vibrio, Enterobacter, Shewanella, Fusobacterium, Marinifilum, Mariniliabilia, and Spirochaeta. These bacterial populations are related to sulfur coupling and carbon cycles in an environment of variable redox conditions and oxygen availability.

Conclusions

In our studies, we found an association of SRB-like Desulfovibrio with Vibrio species and other genera that have a previously defined relevant role in sulfur transformation and coupling of carbon and sulfur cycles in an environment where there are variable redox conditions and oxygen availability. This study provides new information about microbial species that were culturable on media for SRB at anaerobic conditions at several locations and water depths in the Cariaco Basin.
Money and transmission of bacteria
Authors: Gedik Habip , Voss Timothy A , Voss Andreas
Published: August 2013

Money is one of the most frequently passed items in the world. The aim of this study was to ascertain the survival status of bacteria including Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Vancomycin- Resistant Enterococci (VRE) on banknotes from different countries and the transmission of bacteria to people who come in contact with the banknotes. The survival rate was highest for the Romanian Leu yielding all three microorganisms used after both three and six hours of drying. Furthermore, the Leu was the only banknote to yield VRE after one day of drying. Other currencies either enabled the survival of Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamases (ESBL) and VRE (e.g. Euro), but not of MRSA, or the other way round (e.g. US Dollar). While a variety of factors such as community hygiene levels, people’s behaviour, and antimicrobial resistance rates at community level obviously have influence on the transmission of resistant microorganisms, the type of banknote-paper may be an additional variable to consider.
Clinical significance of the uPA system in gastric cancer with peritoneal metastasis
Authors: Ding Youcheng , Zhang Hui , Zhong Mingan , Zhou Zhuqing , Zhuang Zhixiang , Yin Hua , Wang Xujing , Zhu Zhenggang
Published: August 2013

Background

It has been demonstrated that urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) is involved in tumor cell metastasis by degrading the extracellular matrix. However, there is little direct evidence of clinical uPA system expression in peritoneal metastatic tissues of gastric cancer. The objective of this study was to investigate uPA system expression in peritoneal tissues of peritoneal and nonperitoneal metastasis patients, and to explore the diagnostic value of the uPA system.

Methods

Expressions of uPA, uPAR, and PAI-1 were measured by semi-quantitative RT-PCR and ELISA. uPA activity was detected using a uPA activity kit.

Results

There was no significant difference in uPA, uPAR, and PAI-1 expression in two types of peritoneal tissue in seven patients with peritoneal metastasis. However, uPA, uPAR, and PAI-1 expressions in peritoneal metastatic lesions were significantly higher than those in normal peritoneal tissues of 24 nonperitoneal metastasis patients (P<0.05). Moreover, no statistical discrepancy of uPA activity was observed in various different tissues.

Conclusions

The expression of the uPA system positively correlates with peritoneal metastasis of gastric cancer. This expression difference in peritoneal or nonperitoneal metastasis patients may provide a reference for diagnosis of peritoneal metastasis.
Electrical activity of the diaphragm (EAdi) as a monitoring parameter in difficult weaning from respirator: a pilot study
Authors: Barwing Jürgen , Pedroni Cristina , Olgemöller Ulrike , Quintel Michael , Moerer Onnen
Published: August 2013

Introduction

A reliable prediction of successful weaning from respiratory support may be crucial for the overall outcome of the critically ill patient. The electrical activity of the diaphragm (EAdi) allows one to monitor the patients’ respiratory drive and their ability to meet the increased respiratory demand. In this pilot study, we compared the EAdi with conventional parameters of weaning failure, such as the ratio of respiratory rate to tidal volume.

Methods

We studied 18 mechanically ventilated patients considered difficult to wean. For a spontaneous breathing trial (SBT), the patients were disconnected from the ventilator and given oxygen through a T-piece. The SBT was evaluated by using standard criteria.

Results

Twelve patients completed the SBT successfully, and six failed. The EAdi was significantly different in the two groups. We found an early increase in EAdi in the failing patients that was more pronounced than in any of the patients who successfully passed the SBT. Changes in EAdi predicted an SBT failure earlier than did conventional parameters.

Conclusions

EAdi monitoring adds valuable information during weaning from the ventilator and may help to identify patients who are not ready for discontinuation of respiratory support.
Locating microseismic sources using migration-based deconvolution
Authors: Haldorsen Jakob B. U. , Brooks Nicholas J. , Milenkovic Mathieu
Published: August 2013

We have developed a method for finding microseismic hypocenters from data recorded by arrays of triaxial motion sensors. The method reconstructs the elastic time-series signatures for possible microseismic sources at any point in 3D space, using full-waveform migration of the recorded vector wavefield. The imaging condition for the migration is based on a semblance-weighted deconvolution between two or more reconstructed source signatures, requiring similarity and simultaneity of the reconstructed signatures. This imaging condition eliminates the need for an absolute timing of the data, gives optimum resolution for the location of the microseismic sources—better than correlation-based approaches—and ensures numerical stability by adapting to the signal and noise conditions of the data. Because the method eliminates time-consuming phase picking and traditional event association, it should be well suited for fully or semiautomated data processing. The method was tested by an application to field data acquired with arrays of three-component receivers in two deep wells. Nevertheless, the formulation is equally applicable to data acquired by a distribution of single three-component receivers, or local arrays of these, deployed at the surface or in one or several shallow wells.
Formation of Li2S–P2S5 Solid Electrolyte from N-Methylformamide Solution
Authors: Teragawa Shingo , Aso Keigo , Tadanaga Kiyoharu , Hayashi Akitoshi , Tatsumisago Masahiro
Published: August 2013

Li2S–P2S5 solid electrolyte (SE) powders were successfully reprecipitated from a liquid phase. Powders of 80Li2S·20P2S5 (mol %) SE originally prepared by mechanical milling were dissolved in N-methylformamide (NMF) and a homogeneous solution was obtained. The NMF solution was dried at 150 °C for 3 h under vacuum to obtain precipitates. The main structural unit in the obtained powder was PS43−. The crystalline phase of the powders was confirmed to be Li3PS4, and ionic conductivity was 2.6 × 10−6 S cm−1.
The artist as project manager: Thomas Hirschhorn’s Bataille Monument (2002)
Authors: Child Danielle
Published: August 2013

The nature of neo-liberal management theory, based on the artist as a model worker, has proven problematic for theorizing and analysing contemporary socially engaged artistic practices. In the past, these practices were considered to be hostile to capitalism but now, with the rise of project-driven work within mainstream business models, how can we understand the socially engaged artist’s relationship to capitalism? The project, the network and communication have become key attributes within neo-liberal management discourse. In this article it is argued that a certain type of artistic practice has accompanied neo-liberalism that borrows these specific tropes akin to project management. It makes connections between Luc Boltanski and Eve Chiapello’s exploration of these ideological tropes in The New Spirit of Capitalism ([1999] 2007) and neo-liberal management ideas manifest in the Creative Industries in Britain. This analysis provides the theoretical base for examining Thomas Hirschhorn’s role as a ‘project manager’ within the Bataille Monument (2002) project in the second half of the article. It is argued here that Hirschhorn retains his anti-capitalist leanings whilst also adopting neo-liberal management tropes in the articulation and execution of his project.
Note on basic features of large time behaviour of heat kernels
Authors: Keller Matthias , Lenz Daniel , Vogt Hendrik , Wojciechowski Radosław
Published: August 2013

Large time behaviour of heat semigroups (and, more generally, of positive selfadjoint semigroups) is studied. Convergence of the semigroup to the ground state and of averaged logarithms of kernels to the ground state energy is shown in the general framework of positivity improving selfadjoint semigroups. This framework encompasses all irreducible semigroups coming from Dirichlet forms as well as suitable perturbations thereof. It includes, in particular, Laplacians on connected manifolds, metric graphs and discrete graphs.
David H. Breaux: Action for Compassion
Authors: Sommariva Ami
Published: August 2013

This essay discusses the work and life of peace activist David H. Breaux, situating it within the tradition of holy foolishness.
Drastic Measures in Los Angeles
Authors: Lau David
Published: August 2013

This essay is a review of two recent books of criticism: Bill Mohr's account of the Los Angeles poetry scene and Ignacio Lopez-Calvo's account of recent film and fiction set in Latino L.A. The essay argues for a conception of L.A. rooted in understanding the political and economic history of the city, and concludes with some speculation on the future of cultural production in the southern California region.
Radical Roots, Utopian Legacies
Authors: Perrone Nickolas Mario
Published: August 2013

This is a review of two books that cover cooperative movements, communalism, and utopia in California. The review serves as a vehicle for observations on how cooperative communal movements have influenced each other and the development of radical reform and revolutionary movements from the nineteenth century to the present day. The review, much like the books, looks beyond the communes of the 1960s and fleshes out some differences and similarities between urban and rural movements. The review also charts a radical genealogy of cooperative communalism from the nineteenth century to current movements such as Occupy Oakland.
Investigations on the Real-Time Monitoring of the Crystallinity of Hydrogenated Microcrystalline Silicon Films
Authors: Ross Christoph , Finger Friedhelm , Carius Reinhard
Published: August 2013

A method for monitoring the evolution of the crystallinity during the deposition of thin hydrogenated silicon films by using in situ spectroscopic ellipsometry is presented. The crystallinity of the topmost 10-20 nm of a film is derived from the analysis of the shape of ellipsometric spectra in the UV range. The values are closely related to parameters of the deposition process and in good agreement with Raman scattering results. Examples of different kinds of microcrystalline silicon films are shown. Improvements of the time resolution and/or accuracy are discussed. The method turns out to be well suited for process control.
Acerca de cierta experiencia de lo histórico en Hegel
Authors: Cea Francisco Abalo
Published: August 2013

El siguiente artículo intenta reflexionar acerca de los límites de la Filosofía de la Historia en el pensamiento de Hegel. Con este propósito, el esfuerzo se concentra en la interpretación de una cierta experiencia de lo histórico que nos presenta Hegel en su "Introducción a la Filosofía de la Historia". La exposición que hace el autor exhibe ciertos elementos que están vinculados al tratamiento filosófico del asunto. Por otra parte, se muestra que la misma justificación de la Filosofía de la Historia aparece bosquejada en este pasaje. Por último se introduce la discusión acerca de algunos aspectos problemáticos en el planteamiento hegeliano tomando en cuenta los resultados de esta interpretación.
O homem vazio: uma crítica ao utilitarismo
Authors: Andrade Érico
Published: August 2013

O objetivo do meu artigo é criticar a compreensão utilitarista do agente moral como átomo racional que está disposto invariavelmente a agir de acordo com o não sofrimento. Minha hipótese é a de que o utilitarismo esvazia os seres humanos de suas motivações para oferecer uma imagem opaca do agente moral. Por isso, ele é incapaz de solucionar dilemas morais que envolvem, por um lado, o autossacrifício por razões afetivas e, por outro, conflitos que opõem culturas distintas. Meu ponto é que não é necessariamente imoral a ação de um agente o qual sacrifica a solução ótima (proposta pelo cálculo utilitário e que privilegia a maioria), em nome de uma motivação afetiva, que julga que uma vida pode valer mais do que outra, nem o sofrimento é necessariamente imoral em todas as culturas de modo uniforme.
Hare's preference utilitarianism: an overview and critique
Authors: Simões Mauro Cardoso
Published: August 2013

My purpose in this paper is to summarize some aspects of utilitarianism and to provide a general overview of Hare's preference utilitarianism, followed by a critique of Hare's preference theory.
Estruturas e fundamentos sociais: a leitura honnethiana de Habermas
Authors: Silva Hélio Alexandre da , Ravagnani Herbert Barucci
Published: August 2013

O presente artigo pretende sublinhar, na forma de breves apontamentos gerais, os contornos mais amplos da crítica de Honneth a alguns aspectos do pensamento habermasiano. Tal crítica é norteada especialmente por uma investigação dos critérios morais e normativos das lutas sociais que Honneth recupera, por meio de uma apropriação crítica do pensamento do jovem Hegel. O ponto central defendido por Honneth é que as possibilidades da experiência interativo-comunicativa não podem ser resumidas ou tomadas exclusivamente na interação linguística, nem mesmo esta última pode ser perseguida em seu aspecto ideal, sem a pressuposição dos contextos conflituosos nos quais ela sempre está inserida.
Influência da idade na percepção de finitude e qualidade de vida
Authors: Araujo Camila da Cruz Ramos de , Guimarães Adriana Coutinho do Azevedo , Meyer Carolina , Boing Leonessa , Ramos Manoella de Oliveira , Souza Melissa de Carvalho , Parcias Silvia Rosane
Published: August 2013

Estudo de corte transversal que analisou a influência da idade na percepção de finitude e qualidade de vida (QV) de funcionários públicos, com uma amostra não probabilística por acessibilidade composta de 471 funcionários com média de idade de 40 anos. Utilizou-se um questionário autoaplicável. Os resultados da atividade física mostram que o grupo C obteve a maior média em todos os componentes e o grupo B os menores valores com exceção da caminhada. Todos os participantes do estudo apresentaram bons escores nos quatro domínios da QV (58% - 74%). Na percepção de finitude, o grupo B obteve os melhores escores (percepção positiva) nos quatro domínios, enquanto os grupos A e C apresentaram uma percepção mais negativa, não havendo diferença significativa entre as variáveis. Evidencia-se a relação positiva da finitude na faixa etária dos 35 aos 50 anos. Foi identificado QV positiva e alto nível de atividade física.
Cuidados paliativos: uma abordagem a partir das categorias profissionais de saúde
Authors: Hermes Hélida Ribeiro , Lamarca Isabel Cristina Arruda
Published: August 2013

O Cuidado Paliativo surge como uma filosofia humanitária de cuidar de pacientes em estado terminal, aliviando a sua dor e o sofrimento. Estes cuidados prevêem a ação de uma equipe interdisciplinar, onde cada profissional reconhecendo o limite da sua atuação contribuirá para que o paciente, em estado terminal, tenha dignidade na sua morte. Este artigo trata a questão da morte e do morrer, tanto na visão tradicional como na contemporaneidade, e como o cuidado paliativo tem sido tratado nas categorias de trabalho de medicina, serviço social, psicologia e enfermagem. A metodologia deste trabalho consiste na revisão bibliográfica de artigos localizados na base de dados Scielo, revistas eletrônicas e livros técnicos relacionados com o tema. A análise dos artigos apontou para uma carência de disciplinas que tratem da temática da morte nos currículos profissionais, para poucos serviços de cuidados paliativos na sociedade brasileira e para barreiras que se colocam a esse novo olhar ao paciente terminal. Esta pesquisa visa ampliar a discussão dos cuidados paliativos na saúde pública, e fornecer subsídios a futuros estudos que tratarão da temática.
Percepção dos enfermeiros sobre o significado dos cuidados paliativos em pacientes com câncer terminal
Authors: Fernandes Maria Andréa , Evangelista Carla Braz , Platel Indiara Carvalho dos Santos , Agra Glenda , Lopes Marineide de Souza , Rodrigues Francileide de Araújo
Published: August 2013

Este estudo teve como objetivo conhecer a percepção do enfermeiro diante do paciente com câncer sob cuidados paliativos. Trata-se de um estudo exploratório com abordagem qualitativa, realizado com enfermeiros assistenciais de um hospital que atende pacientes oncológicos em regime de cuidados paliativos, situado no município de João Pessoa (PB). Participaram do estudo nove enfermeiros, que atuavam no referido hospital. O material empírico foi coletado utilizando-se a técnica de entrevista semiestruturada e analisado mediante a técnica de análise de conteúdo. A análise interpretativa das entrevistas possibilitou a construção de três categorias: Promoção da qualidade de vida através do alivio da dor e sofrimento; Cuidados Paliativos: um olhar multiprofissional para o paciente terminal e família no processo de luto; Comunicação: fonte de dignidade no processo de terminalidade. Conclui-se que o estudo possibilitou evidenciar que os enfermeiros envolvidos reconhecem a importância da equipe multiprofissional, propiciando ao enfermeiro reflexões acerca do uso da comunicação como elemento essencial do cuidar para paciente e família sob cuidados paliativos. Espera-se que os dados obtidos possam subsidiar novas investigações sobre a temática.
Concepções da equipe multiprofissional sobre a implementação dos cuidados paliativos na unidade de terapia intensiva
Authors: Silva Ceci Figueredo da , Souza Dalila Melo , Pedreira Larissa Chaves , Santos Manuela Ribeiro dos , Faustino Tássia Nery
Published: August 2013

Este estudo objetivou analisar as concepções da equipe multiprofissional sobre a implementação de cuidados paliativos em uma unidade de terapia intensiva adulto. Trata-se de uma pesquisa exploratório-descritiva, com abordagem qualitativa, realizada com 14 profissionais de saúde de um hospital público de ensino. Os dados foram coletados entre fevereiro e abril de 2012, através de entrevista semiestruturada e observação não participante e interpretados pela análise de conteúdo. Foram identificadas três categorias temáticas: Assistir o paciente terminal em UTI promovendo o conforto físico; Despreparo da equipe em lidar com o paciente terminal; e Desafios na prática dos cuidados paliativos no ambiente da terapia intensiva. Os entrevistados referiram conhecer parcialmente a proposta dos cuidados paliativos e na prática assistencial observam-se divergências nas condutas terapêuticas da equipe, demonstrando falta de interação e de comunicação entre os profissionais. Faz-se necessário a elaboração de uma política nacional que respalde o cuidado ao paciente crítico terminal, a educação permanente/continuada dos profissionais e a criação de protocolos assistenciais para promoção do conforto do paciente durante a fase final da vida e de sua família.
Percepção de familiares e profissionais de saúde sobre os cuidados no final da vida no âmbito da atenção primária à saúde
Authors: Queiroz Ana Helena Araújo Bomfim , Pontes Ricardo José Soares , Souza Ângela Maria Alves e , Rodrigues Thamy Braga
Published: August 2013

O objetivo deste estudo é refletir sobre os cuidados às pessoas com doenças em fase terminal na atenção primária à saúde (APS). Esta pesquisa torna-se relevante no contexto atual de transição demográfica e epidemiológica, na qual há um crescente envelhecimento populacional e um aumento da prevalência de doenças crônico-degenerativas. Por meio de pesquisa qualitativa sob o enfoque hermenêutico-crítico, foram realizadas entrevistas individuais com sete familiares, três profissionais da Estratégia Saúde da Família (ESF) e dois profissionais do Programa de Assistência Domiciliar. A análise ressaltou duas categorias empíricas: cuidados no final da vida na percepção dos familiares; e na dos profissionais de saúde. Os resultados evidenciaram que, apesar do discurso de humanização, refletida na prerrogativa de viver os últimos momentos de vida com a família, esconde-se um grave problema de descontinuidade dos cuidados. Concluiu-se que, apesar dos esforços, pouco se logra de melhoria na qualidade de vida de quem morre por uma doença em fase terminal no domicílio, sob os cuidados do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) em municípios distantes dos grandes centros.
Experiência em cuidados paliativos à criança portadora de leucemia: a visão dos profissionais
Authors: Nascimento Danielle Moreira , Rodrigues Thaisa Gino , Soares Mayara Rosário , Rosa Marina Lira Santos , Viegas Selma Maria da Fonseca , Salgado Patrícia de Oliveira
Published: August 2013

O cuidado paliativo desenvolve-se por meio de assistência multiprofissional com ações de suporte e conforto para a criança e sua família. O suporte se constitui do alívio do sofrimento pelo controle da dor e dos sintomas, bem como pelo apoio psicossocial e espiritual. Trata-se de um estudo de caso qualitativo que objetivou compreender a visão da equipe multidisciplinar perante a criança portadora de leucemia em cuidado paliativo, em uma instituição hospitalar de Belo Horizonte. Os sujeitos da pesquisa foram 17 profissionais de saúde da equipe de assistência direta à criança nesses cuidados. Os dados foram submetidos à técnica de análise de conteúdo. A experiência profissional em cuidado paliativo é intrínseca ao sucesso e à continuidade do tratamento do paciente. Verificou-se que os profissionais possuem pouca experiência nessa área e têm dificuldade em lidar com os sentimentos, se sentindo, às vezes, impossibilitados de agir mediante as angústias dos envolvidos e com a morte. Contudo, apesar de a área de atuação gerar sofrimento e angústia ao profissional, percebe-se que a equipe multiprofissional identifica-se e gosta da área o que é importante para a criança e sua família se sentirem seguros, respeitados e acolhidos pelos profissionais.
Atitude frente à morte em profissionais e estudantes de enfermagem: revisão da produção científica da última década
Authors: Santos Manoel Antônio dos , Hormanez Marília
Published: August 2013

Profissionais de enfermagem são os integrantes da equipe de saúde que mais mantêm contato direto e prolongado com pacientes que vivenciam a terminalidade. Este estudo de revisão integrativa da literatura teve por objetivo investigar a atitude frente à morte em profissionais e estudantes de enfermagem. Os dados foram coletados por meio de buscas nas bases Lilacs, MedLine, PsycINFO e CINAHL, utilizando os descritores "nurses" e "attitude to death", no período de 2000 a 2011. Das 1376 referências levantadas, 262 foram selecionadas para extração dos dados e 35 foram recuperadas na íntegra, constituindo o corpus da pesquisa. Os resultados evidenciaram predomínio de artigos publicados em periódicos brasileiros. Os estudos indicam que o assunto morte e morrer têm sido negligenciados pelas instituições de formação, o que gera sofrimento entre profissionais e estudantes quando enfrentam a questão na prática, além de condutas inapropriadas diante dos pacientes que vivenciam o processo de morte. Como conclusão ressalta-se a necessidade de futuras pesquisas, que possam fornecer esclarecimentos mais pormenorizados a respeito do tema e busquem estratégias para suprirem a falta de preparo e respaldo dos profissionais de enfermagem ao vivenciarem a morte e o morrer.
A influência do luto no comportamento alimentar e suas implicações nas condutas nutricionais
Authors: Campos Maria Teresa Fialho de Sousa
Published: August 2013

O despreparo para lidar com a morte e com a ausência do ente querido pode implicar em reações orgânicas e psicológicas que, em decorrência da capacidade adaptativa do indivíduo ao período de luto, acaba por interferir na condição de alimentação e, consequentemente, no estado nutricional. Este artigo aborda os efeitos do luto recente no comportamento alimentar, seguindo-se da análise de alguns pontos de vista da entrevista dietética; da condição de nutrição e de alimentação pós-morte do ente querido; e das implicações desse processo na fome, na sede e na culinária familiar, com enfoque nas condutas nutricionais e nas decisões que os norteiam. Trata-se de um estudo de revisão de literatura na temática morte e luto, o qual objetiva contextualizar o tema em reflexões pautadas nessa vivência, enfatizando a interação da nutrição com a ciência da tanatologia, área ainda pouco explorada e carente de estudos. A identificação dessa influência e de suas implicações permite melhor planejamento das estratégias alimentares, contribuindo sobremaneira para ações de enfrentamento e de apoio ao luto.
Infância e educação: novos estudos e velhos dilemas da pesquisa educacional
Authors: Rocha Eloísa Acires Candal , Buss-Simão Márcia
Published: August 2013

Este artigo toma como objeto de análise a produção acadêmica relacionada ao tema educação e infância, no âmbito dos programas de pós-graduação em Educação da região sul do Brasil, nos últimos cinco anos (2007-2011). Tem o objetivo de buscar indicativos das interlocuções dessa produção com a educação nas creches, pré-escolas e escolas. Para o desenvolvimento da análise, retomaram-se alguns velhos dilemas da pesquisa educacional, em especial aqueles que envolvem a relação entre teoria e prática, uma vez que uma perspectiva avaliativa da contribuição da pós-graduação para a educação básica brasileira exige um olhar sobre as relações da pesquisa com as práticas pedagógicas nos sistemas educativos. Sem a pretensão de realizar um estado da arte do referido período, buscou-se identificar as perspectivas e bases analíticas desse conjunto de investigações, o qual revela um fortalecimento dos diálogos possíveis entre pós-graduação e educação básica, a partir da abertura científica para colaborações disciplinares e teóricas na direção de consolidar uma ciência da educação cujo foco são os processos educativos que envolvem as crianças pequenas, considerando sua concretude social e cultural. As análises indicam a necessidade de estar alerta para os riscos de superficializações e generalizações em que o interesse em conhecer as crianças e sua infância coloca para a pesquisa educacional realizada contemporaneamente: a reavaliação de sua especificidade.