bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
RELIABILITY OF THE AO CLASSIFICATION OF THORACOLUMBAR FRACTURES COMPARED TO TLICS AND MAGERL
Authors: MARQUES CARLOS AUGUSTO COSTA , GRAELLS XAVIER SOLER , KULCHESKI ALYNSON LAROCCA , MEURER GUSTAVO , BENATO MARCEL , SANTORO PEDRO GREIN
Published: April 2017

ABSTRACT Objective: To test the reliability of the new AO/2013 classification compared with AO/Magerl and TLICS. Methods: Four spine surgeons retrospectively and blindly evaluated imaging and clinical data from 98 patients with thoracolumbar fractures. Results: Using the Kappa coefficient, we obtained the best reproducibility for the AO/2013 classification compared to the other two, represented by Kappa coefficient of 0.690. We could also obtain, with good reproducibility among the evaluators (Kappa 0.690), the most common subtypes of AO/2013 classification with indication for surgery. Conclusion: We believe that the new AO/2013 classification has proven to be a good communication tool among spine surgeons with good reproducibility, but more studies should be conducted in several centers in order to be consolidated and so that the prognosis between the types of injury is better understood.
HISTOLOGICAL MARKERS OF DEGENERATION AND REGENERATION OF THE HUMAN INTERVERTEBRAL DISK
Authors: PELETTI-FIGUEIRÓ MANUELA , AGUIAR ISRAEL SILVEIRA DE , PAESI SUELEN , MACHADO DENISE CANTARELLI , ECHEVERRIGARAY SERGIO , ROESCH-ELY MARIANA , FALAVIGNA ASDRUBAL , HENRIQUES JOÃO ANTONIO PÊGAS
Published: April 2017

ABSTRACT Objective: To define histological scores for intervertebral disc degeneration that would enable the definition of morphological characteristics of disease, besides improving knowledge of the lumbar degenerative disc disease by means of immunohistochemical markers. Methods: Hematoxylin and Eosin, Alcian/PAS, Masson Trichrome and Safranin O/FCF staining was used on the intervertebral disc degeneration sections of patients with lumbar degenerative disc disease. The protein markers defined in immunohistochemistry were cell proliferation (Ki-67) and apoptosis (p53). Results: The study data enabled the determination of Safranin O/FCF stain as the most effective one for evaluating parameters such as area, diameter, and number of chondrocyte clusters. The importance of using stains in association, such as Safranin O/FCF, Masson Trichrome, Alcian/PAS and Hematoxylin and Eosin, was also determined, as they are complementary for the histopathological verification of intervertebral disc degeneration. By expressing proteins using the immunohistochemistry technique, it was possible to consider two stages of disc degeneration: cell proliferation with chondrocyte cluster formation, and induction of apoptosis. Conclusion: This study enabled the histological and immunohistochemical characterization to be determined for lumbar degenerative disc disease, and its degrees of evolution, by determining new disc degeneration scores.
A COMPARISON OF HAZE REMOVAL ALGORITHMS AND THEIR IMPACTS ON CLASSIFICATION ACCURACY FOR LANDSAT IMAGERY
Authors: Xiao Yang , Ouyang Zhiyun , Zhang Zhiming , Xian Chaofan
Published: April 2017

The quality of Landsat images in humid areas is considerably degraded by haze in terms of their spectral response pattern, which limits the possibility of their application in using visible and near-infrared bands. A variety of haze removal algorithms have been proposed to correct these unsatisfactory illumination effects caused by the haze contamination. The purpose of this study was to illustrate the difference of two major algorithms (the improved homomorphic filtering (HF) and the virtual cloud point (VCP)) for their effectiveness in solving spatially varying haze contamination, and to evaluate the impacts of haze removal on land cover classification. A case study with exploiting large quantities of Landsat TM images and climates (clear and haze) in the most humid areas in China proved that these haze removal algorithms both perform well in processing Landsat images contaminated by haze. The outcome of the application of VCP appears to be more similar to the reference images compared to HF. Moreover, the Landsat image with VCP haze removal can improve the classification accuracy effectively in comparison to that without haze removal, especially in the cloudy contaminated area
MÉTODO PARA DETERMINAÇÃO DE VALORES NA AVALIAÇÃO IMOBILIÁRIA: comparação entre o Modelo de Regressão Linear e Lógica Fuzzy
Authors: Malaman Carolina Scherrer , Amorim Amilton
Published: April 2017

A lógica fuzzy é uma ferramenta apropriada para lidar com variáveis incertas e pode contribuir consideravelmente com as técnicas utilizadas atualmente nas avaliações imobiliárias, já que devido a alguns fatores, como mudanças de compradores e vendedores de um imóvel para outro, as variáveis que definem o valor são difíceis de serem modeladas. Neste contexto, o objetivo deste trabalho foi testar a utilização da lógica fuzzy como uma alternativa para a avaliação de imóveis, propondo um novo método para modelar o mercado imobiliário. Por se tratar de uma técnica de abordagem supervisionada foi necessário um conhecimento aprofundado da área de interesse, visando a escolha das variáveis e a exploração dos dados. Foi utilizada uma amostra de dados reais do município de Álvares Machado-SP, possibilitando a comparação dos resultados obtidos utilizando lógica fuzzy, com os resultados apresentados pelo método tradicional que, na maioria dos casos, é feito por regressão linear. A comparação entre os métodos mostrou melhores resultados para o modelo de regressão. No entanto, o modelo fuzzy mostrou ter um bom potencial para a avaliação de imóveis.
ANÁLISE DAS RELAÇÕES ENTRE DINÂMICA POPULACIONAL, CLIMA E VETORES DE MUDANÇA NO SEMIÁRIDO BRASILEIRO: UMA ABORDAGEM METODOLÓGICA
Authors: Rufino Iana Alexandra Alves , Silva Simone Tavares da
Published: April 2017

A região semiárida do Nordeste brasileiro tem sofrido os impactos das mudanças ora causadas por ações humanas, ora causadas direta ou indiretamente pelas mudanças no clima. O zoneamento de áreas mais suscetíveis a mudanças ou historicamente sob forte pressão por causa do crescimento das cidades e outros fatores antrópicos pode auxiliar em ações de planejamento mais sustentáveis nesta região. Este trabalho apresenta uma metodologia integradora para correlacionar diferentes variáveis (demográficas, climáticas e socioeconômicas) de forma a indicar áreas submetidas a potencial “pressão” por mudanças na região. A utilização de um estimador estatístico para uniformização das informações, através de modelagem em ambiente SIG, sobrepondo as variáveis consideradas, possibilitou uma integração eficiente. Os resultados apontam áreas submetidas a “forte pressão” no entorno de cidades importantes no contexto atual do semiárido nordestino, o que se reflete em alterações marcantes na forma de uso e ocupação destas regiões. Isto se configura, principalmente, por essas regiões apresentarem alta densidade populacional, acompanhada por um crescimento do PIB agropecuário nos últimos anos.
Cross-sectional study of child malnutrition and associated risk factors among children aged under five in West Bengal, India
Authors: Sarkar Sanjit
Published: April 2017

Using a cross-sectional study of 485 sample households in 2013, the present paper examines the prevalence and risk factors of child malnutrition among children under the age of five in West Bengal, India. As a part of this investigation, children’s underweight status, wasting, and stunting were examined in order to determine child nutritional status using the WHO growth standard. We performed bivariate analyses in order to elucidate differentials in nutritional indices and fitted multinomial logistic regression models to examine the net effect of different socio-economic factors on the likelihood of child malnutri-tion. Analysis results revealed stunting (51%) as the most common form of malnutrition among children aged under five, followed by underweight status (41%), and wasting (22%).Gender discrimination among children increases with age, whereby girls are more deprived (as measured by nutritional indic-es) compared to boys later in childhood relative to younger ages. Results from multinomial analyses re-veal age, religion, caste, and birth-order of the child as significant predictors of child’s nutritional status.
Monitoring adult mortality by type of residence in the absence of death registration: a perspective from Burkina Faso
Authors: Lankoande Bruno Yempabou
Published: April 2017

In the context of the post 2015 agenda, disaggregation of mortality indicators is needed to assess health inequalities within populations. However, producing sub-national estimates of adult mortality is notably difficult in the absence of death registration. Using Burkina Faso as a case study, this paper revisits the main avenues to quantify differences in adult mortality between the ages of 15 and 60 according to urban/rural residence. Estimates are based on reports on the survival of parents and siblings collected in surveys and in the 2006 census, and compared to levels inferred from recent household deaths or inferences based on child mortality. Results indicate that in Burkina Faso, adults living in urban areas still benefit from a health advantage compared to their rural counterparts. Thus, efforts made in reducing adult mortality in rural settings should be intensified. In terms of methods, this analysis shows the value of asking additional questions about the place of residence of close relatives to avoid misclassification errors. The approach adopted here could be implemented in other countries to facilitate the measurement of spatial inequalities in health indicators for all ages when monitoring Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs).
Towards a data users’ framework to advance Sustainable Development Goal 2
Authors: Szabo Sylvia , Mowlds Sinead , Claros Joan Manuel , Kar Anuja , Knechtel William , Ciommo Mariella Di , Kashim Ima
Published: April 2017

Ensuring effective accountability mechanisms will be a pre-requisite for achieving food and nutrition security and thus, advancing the progress towards Sustainable Development Goal 2 (SDG2). Here we discuss and summarise the findings of the ONE Campaign-facilitated accountability working group for data users, which deliberated between November 2015 and February 2016, and involved expert consultations from civil society organisations, research institutions, and academia. We provide an overview of the key challenges identified by data users in relation to nutrition and food security, propose a novel conceptual framework within which these challenges should be analysed, and offer a set of con-crete policy and programmatic recommendations to address the recurrent bottlenecks. The paper con-cludes by providing a summary of key findings within the larger context of relevant global initiatives and processes, such as Nutrition for Growth Summit, the Global Open Data for Agriculture and Nutrition network, and the United Nations General Assembly.               
Latent class models for cross-national comparisons: the association between individual and national-level fertility and partnership characteristics
Authors: Lyons-Amos Mark
Published: April 2017

Multilevel modelling techniques such as random models or fixed effect are increasingly used in social sciences and demography to both account for clustering within higher level aggregations and evaluate the interaction between individual and contextual information. While this is justifiable in some studies, the extension of multilevel models to national level analysis — and particularly cross-national comparative analysis — is problematic and can hamper the understanding of the interplay between individual and country level characteristics. This paper proposes an alternative approach, which allocates countries to classes based on economic, labour market and policy characteristics. Classes influence the profiles of three key demographic behaviours at a sub-national level: marriage, cohabitation and first birth timing. Woman level data are drawn from a subset of the Harmonized Histories dataset, and national level information from the GGP contextual database. In this example, three country classes are extracted reflecting two Western patterns and an Eastern pattern, divided approximately along the Hajnal line. While Western countries tend to exhibit higher levels of family allowances albeit accounting for a lower share of spending which is associated with lower marriage and later fertility, Eastern countries generally show a higher share of spending but at lower absolute levels with lower cohabitation rates and early fertility.
Utilization of institutional delivery services across successive births in India
Authors: Dixit Priyanka , Dwivedi Laxmi Kant
Published: April 2017

As institutional delivery centers usually have much better modern facilities and hygienic conditions in India, utilization of institutional delivery services could improve maternal and child health. The objective of this paper is to address the issue of whether women were consistent in delivering births in an institutional care center over successive pregnancies in India and investigate the factors associated with consistent utilization of institutional delivery. We applied multivariate multilevel models that allow for a strong dependence between successive outcomes at the same unit to the third round of the National Family Health Survey in 2005-2006. Results show that region and place of residence, woman’s education, wealth index, having experienced the loss of a child, ever having terminated a pregnancy, and birth order are significant predictors of place of delivery for all three recent births among ever-married women. Our results further show that previous utilization of institutional delivery was an important predictor of utilization for subsequent institutional deliveries. Policies aimed at improving the wide or persistent utilization of institutional delivery in India should focus on first-time mothers targeting disadvantaged women who are from rural areas, poor families, illiterate, Muslim, and scheduled castes.
Self-rated health and interviewer-rated health: differentials in predictive power for mortality among subgroups of Chinese elders
Authors: Zhu Haiyan , Feng Qiushi , Gu Danan
Published: April 2017

Interviewer-rated health (IRH) and self-rated health (SRH) have strong and independent predictive power for mortality, but their relative predictive power has not been examined among subpopulations. Because individuals from different subpopulations have distinct views, understandings, and judgments about health that influence their criteria and referents for SRH, we examine whether IRH is a valid predictor of mortality within subpopulations, which may provide added value for understanding its association with mortality. Using data from the 2005 and 2008 waves of the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey, this study modeled associations of SRH and IRH with mortality in various subgroups among 12,583 older adults in China. We found that IRH is a robust predictor of mortality, independent of SRH, across major demographic and socioeconomic subpopulations after adjusting for a wide range of covariates. The predictive power of IRH for mortality was generally more robust than that of SRH in most subpopulations. Our findings suggest that IRH could be a good complement to SRH among subgroups of the Chinese older population.
Prediction of protein thermostability from their primary structure: the current state and development factors
Authors: Grishin D.V. , Pokrovskaya M.V. , Podobed O.V. , Gladilina Ju.A. , Pokrovsky V.S. , Aleksandrova S.S. , Sokolov N.N.
Published: April 2017

The construction of proteins and peptides with desired properties, including resistance to high temperatures, as well as optimization of their amino acid composition, is an important and complex task, which attracts much attention in various branches of the basic sciences, and also in biomedicine and biotechnology. This raises the question: what method is more relevant for the at the pilot stage of research in order to estimate the influence of the planned amino acid substitutions on the thermostability of the resultant protein construct? In this brief review we have classified existing basic practical and theoretical approaches used in studies and predicting the thermal stability of native and recombinant polypeptides. Particular attention has been paid to the predictive potential of statistical methods for studying the thermodynamic parameters of the primary protein structure and prospects of their use.
Redox-dependent mechanisms of regulation of breast epithelial cell proliferation
Authors: Stepovaya E.A. , Shakhristova E.V. , Nosareva O.L. , Rudikov E.V. , Egorova M.Y. , Egorova D.Y. , Novitsky V.V.
Published: April 2017

Activation of free radical oxidation in different cell types, including breast epithelial cells, may result in damage to macromolecules, in particular, proteins taking part in regulation of cell proliferation and apoptosis. The glutathione, glutaredoxin and thioredoxin systems play an essential role in maintaining intracellular redox homeostasis. Due to this fact, modulation of cellular redox status under the effect of an SH group inhibitor and an SH group protector may be used as a model for studying the role of redox proteins and glutathione in regulating cell proliferation in different pathological processes. In this study we have evaluated the state of the thioredoxin, glutaredoxin and glutathione systems as well as their role in regulating proliferation of HBL-100 breast epithelial cells under redox status modulation with N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) and 1,4-dithioerythriol (DTE). Modulating the redox status of breast epithelial cells under the effect of NEM and DTE influences the functional activity of glutathione-dependent enzymes, glutaredoxin, thioredoxin, and thioredoxin reductase through changes in the GSH and GSSG concentrations. In HBL-100 cells under redox-status modulation, we have found an increase in the number of cells in the S-phase of the cell cycle and a decrease in the number of cells in the G0/G1 and G2/М phases, as opposed to the values in the intact culture. The proposed model of proliferative activity of cells under redox status modulation may be used for development of new therapeutic approaches for treatment of diseases accompanied by oxidative stress generation.
The effect of isatin on protein-protein interactions between cytochrome b5 and cytochromes P450
Authors: Ershov P.V. , Yablokov E.O. , Mezentsev Yu.V. , Kalushskiy L.A. , Florinskaya A.V. , Veselovsky A.V. , Gnedenko O.V. , Gilep A.A. , Usanov S.A. , Medvedev A.E. , Ivanov A.S.
Published: April 2017

Cytochromes P450 (CYP) are involved in numerous biochemical processes including metabolism of xenobiotics, biosynthesis of cholesterol, steroid hormones etc. Since some CYP catalyze indol oxidation to isatin, we have hypothesized that isatin can regulate protein-protein interactions (PPI) between components of the CYP system thus representing a (negative?) feedback mechanism. The aim of this study was to investigate a possible effect of isatin on interaction of human CYP with cytochrome b5 (CYB5A). Using the optical biosensor test system employing surface plasmon resonance (SPR) we have investigated interaction of immobilized CYB5A with various CYP in the absence and in the presence of isatin. The SPR-based experiments have shown that a high concentration of isatin (270 mM) increases Kd values for complexes CYB5A/CYP3А5 and CYB5A/CYP3A4 (twofold and threefold, respectively), but has no influence on complex formation between CYB5A and other CYP (including indol-metabolizing CYP2C19 and CYP2E1). Isatin injection to the optical biosensor chip with the preformed molecular complex CYB5A/CYP3A4 caused a 30%-increase in its dissociation rate. Molecular docking manipulations have shown that isatin can influence interaction of CYP3А5 or CYP3A4 with CYB5A acting at the contact region of CYB5A/CYP.
A study on dermatological manifestations among chronic kidney disease patients undergoing hemodialysis in a tertiary care centre
Authors: R. V. Mookambika , Murugan S.
Published: April 2017

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a progressive loss of kidney function over a period of months or years through five stages. The prevalence of  end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in India is increasing with an estimated annual incidence of about 100 per million populations. About 50-100% of patients with ESRD have at least one associated cutaneous change. These cutaneous disorders can precede or follow the initiation of hemodialysis treatment, and there are more chances to develop newer skin changes during the course of hemodialysis therapy, which may affect the quality of life. Objectives of the study was to find out the  prevalence of various dermatological manifestations in patients undergoing hemodialysis in a tertiary care centre.Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out in the general medicine department of a tertiary care Centre. All cases of chronic kidney disease were diagnosed according to the criteria of KDQQI CKD guidelines, age group between 30-60 years are included. Pediatric patients with chronic kidney disease, patients who had renal transplantations, patients on peritoneal dialysis and renal injury patients are excluded.Results: Out of the 100 study participants majority are males (60%). Majority of the patients belongs to lower socioeconomic status family (59%). Atleast one dermatological manifestation was present in all patients. 23% of the patients presented with two dermatological manifestations and 22% of the participants had three or more dermatological manifestations. Xerosis was the most common dermatological manifestation present among the patients.Conclusions: This study reflects that quality of life in dialysis patients is mainly depend on timely recognition and prompt management of these dermatological conditions.
Cytomorphological study of palpable benign breast lesions
Authors: Naik Preeta
Published: April 2017

Background: Benign breast disease is one of the most common lesions of breast in the reproductive age group. Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is one of the preliminary tests done to detect breast lesions which help in early detection and management. Studying the cytology and histopathology features of various benign breast diseases was the aim of this study.Methods: This study is a cross sectional retrospective study conducted in Department of Pathology during September 2016 to February 2017. Clinical details, cytology and histopathology features were collected from the Department records.Results: A total of 82 cases were collected during the study period. Age groups ranged from 16-40 years. Majority of cases were females and two cases were males. Spectrum of lesions was composed of fibroadenoma, fibrocystic change, breast abscess, benign phyllodes tumor and gynecomastia. Histopathology was done in 41 cases. There was good correlation between cytology and histopathology in this study.Conclusions: Breast lumps are a common cause of anxiety and apprehension among patients. FNAC helps in rapid diagnosis and early management of lesions. It also helps in preventing unnecessary invasive surgeries in non-neoplastic and benign breast diseases.
Bipedicle flap for reconstruction of post-electric scalp burn defect
Authors: Paul Kaushik , Sharma Saurabh , Paul Deepashree
Published: April 2017

High-tension electric calvarial burns are extremely rare and difficult to reconstruct. Invariably, these are third- or fourth-degree-deep burns involving the full thickness of the bone. Historically, these wounds have been treated conservatively, adding to morbidity and prolonged treatment. The patient with high-tension electric calvarial burns presented to us two days after the injury with subsequent loss of full thickness of parietal bone. The defect was covered with a local bipedicled scalp flap. The bipedicle flap provides a simple and reliable method of reconstruction of full thickness scalp defect.
A study on clinical profile, complications and outcome of scrub typhus in south Indian children
Authors: Balaji J. , Punitha P. , Ramesh Babu B. , Kumaravel K. S.
Published: April 2017

Background: Rickettsial diseases including Scrub Typhus are emerging as an important cause of acute undifferentiated febrile illness throughout the Asia-Pacific region. The objectives of the study are to study the clinical profile, complications and outcome of Scrub Typhus cases admitted in rural medical college.Methods: This prospective descriptive study was done at Government Dharmapuri Medical College Hospital, Tamilnadu, between Jul’2015 and Jan’2016. The children who were positive for Scrub Typhus by IgM Elisa were analyzed.Results: During the study period, 151 children (40% of fever cases) were positive for Scrub Typhus. All the children were presented with fever. High-grade fever, chills, vomiting, cough, head ache, were seen in 83%, 41%, 57%, 56% and 32% respectively. 54% of children had lethargy and 10% children brought with convulsions to hospital. Eschar was seen in 68% of children. Lymphadenopathy (70%) and hepatosplenomegaly (more than 56%) were common findings. Shock, respiratory distress, pleural effusion and ascites were seen in 46%, 36%, 40% and 37% respectively. Anemia (74%) and thrombocytopenia (81%) were common lab findings. Shock (46%), ARDS (12%), Meningoencephalitis (10%) and MODS (1.3%) were complications reported. Doxycycline (53%), Azithromycin (11%) and both drugs (36%) were used. Along with fluids, Dopamine (38%), nor-adrenaline (12%), Oxygen through Jackson-Rees Circuit (28%), Non-invasive ventilation (9%) was needed to treat the complications.Conclusions: When a child presents with acute febrile illness, hepatospleenomegaly, lymphadenopathy, anemia with thrombocytopenia and features suggestive of capilary leak diagnosis of Scrub Typhus must be considered. Doxycycline or Azithromycin, proper fluid boluses, Inotropes and O2 through Jackson-Rees Circuit are life saving for scrub typhus and its complications.
Responsabilidade socioambiental empresarial: a experiência da Precious Wood Amazon com as comunidades adjacentes às suas áreas de manejo florestal
Authors: Ramos Santiago Débora , Madeira Nogueira Jorge
Published: April 2017

A responsabilidade socioambiental das empresas costuma referir-se a práticas que vão além de ações filantrópicas ou exigências governamentais, podendo abranger uma série de ações em todas as operações de negócio. No caso daempresa Precious Wood Amazon (PWA), suas atividades produtivas buscam seguir princípios e critérios da certificação Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), preocupando-se em encontrar alternativas socioambientais para mitigar e compensar os impactos causados por suas atividades florestais. O objetivo deste estudo é analisar a relação da responsabilidade socioambiental empresarial da PWA, com as comunidades tradicionais que a cercam. Busca-se verificar se essa responsabilidade corresponde a um mero discurso ou representa caminho promissor rumo à manutenção da sustentabilidade na Amazônia.
Ego Development in Juvenile Delinquency among Bahraini Youths
Authors: Faisal Abdullatif Alnasir2 Abdulrahman Ali Alfulaij1 (Ph.D).,
Published: April 2017

The rapid modernization in the Kingdom of Bahrain has brought wealth and prosperity but also manystresses in its traditional social roles and relations. The advent of juvenile delinquency is regarded as asymptom of such social changes.In this study, certain measures were administered to a group of 30 juvenile offenders which werecompared with those of 30 high school pupils who had no prior record of delinquency. Interrelationswith delinquency versus non-delinquency statuses were hypothesized among the following studyvariables; family conditions, measured by the Parental Acceptance/Rejection Questionnaire and the egodevelopment, measured by the Washington University Sentence Completion Test. Both theseinstruments were tested before by translation into Arabic and application on Arabic populations. Theresults showed that certain social and economic status criteria were significantly related to thedelinquency status. Discriminant analysis revealed that level of ego development contributedenormously more to the prediction than any single another variable. Significant contributions were alsomade by the level of mother’s education, of father’s occupation and other family conditions such as thefather being married to more than one wife and mothers being strictly housewives only.These findings reveal social psychological changes due to rapid modernization that affect the core of thefamily system.
Physicochemical and sensory properties of popcorn grain stored at different temperatures
Authors: Paraginski Ricardo Tadeu , Ziegler Valmor , Peter Márcio , Rockenbach Bruno Artur , Vanier Nathan Levien , Elias Moacir Cardoso
Published: April 2017

Popcorn is produced and consumed worldwide, requiring storage to address the demands of consumers throughout the year because production is generally seasonal. Several factors can affect the quality of stored grains, including storage temperature. This study aims to evaluate the effects of different storage temperatures (5, 15, 25 and 35 °C) on the physicochemical, technological, pasting and sensory properties of popcorn grains stored for 6 months. The storage at 35 °C for 6 months promoted an increase in the expansion time and a decrease in the weight of the expanded popcorn as well as a decrease in electrical conductivity, pH and protein solubility of popcorn. Moreover, the greater residue content after the expansion was found for grains stored at 35 °C. These characteristics were reflected in the purchase intent test and in the sensory evaluation. Expanded popcorn prepared with grains stored at 15 °C exhibited larger flower and higher purchase intent characteristics than expanded popcorn prepared from other treatments when evaluated by the sensory panel. Considering these benefits, storage at lower temperatures of approximately 15 °C is preferable to preserve the physical, sensory and technological properties of popcorn.
Impacto de la histerectomía abdominal total y de la histerectomía vaginal sin prolapso en la calidad de vida y la satisfacción sexual. Estudio de cohortes, Medellín, 2015
Authors: Correa-Ochoa José Luis , Pandales-Pérez Heleodora , Román-Vásquez Vivian Lorena , Palacio-Arango Berta Luz , Zuleta-Tobón John Jairo
Published: April 2017

Objetivo: identificar diferencias en calidad de vida y sexualidad en mujeres sin prolapso genital intervenidas con histerectomía vaginal o abdominal.Materiales y métodos: estudio de cohortes prospectivo. Se incluyeron mujeres sin prolapso vaginal con condiciones benignas, sin adherencias, con útero menor de 1000 cc, que fueran susceptibles de ser intervenidas tanto por vía abdominal como vaginal en una clínica privada de Medellín, Colombia. Evaluación de calidad de vida con la escala SF-12 antes, a los 2 y 4 meses posquirúrgico y de la sexualidad con la escala Índice de Función Sexual Femenina, antes y a los 4 meses posoperatorio. Comparaciones con ANCOVA ajustadas por los valores basales y por otras características. Se contó con aprobación de comité de ética y se tomó consentimiento informado.Resultados: se incluyeron 24 mujeres en el grupo de histerectomía vaginal y 22 en el grupo de histerectomía abdominal, con características similares antes de la cirugía. Ambos grupos mejoraron en calidad de vida y en satisfacción sexual después del procedimiento. Los puntajes para histerectomía vaginal e histerectomía abdominal fueron, respectivamente: salud física posoperatoria: puntaje ajustado en histerectomía vaginal 49,5 (DS 1,6) e histerectomía abdominal 43,8 (DS 1,7), diferencia 5,6 puntos (IC 95%: 0,87-10,4). Salud mental: 51,0 (DS 1,7) y 59,3 (DS 1,6) puntos, respectivamente, diferencia ajustada 8,4 (IC 95%: 3,6-13,3). Sexualidad: 22,7 (DS 1,8) y 26,5 (DS 1,7), respectivamente, diferencia 3,8 puntos (IC 95%: -1,2-8,7).Conclusión:aunque se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas en la calidad de vida, el puntaje alcanzado no es clínicamente significativo.
Personal learning environments: A Big Data perspective
Authors: Bagriyanik Selami , Karahoca Adem
Published: April 2017

Problem Statement: Traditional instructional learning based platforms (e.g., Learning Management Systems) and master â€“ apprentice model is not sufficient for the companies and their human capital anymore. Employees should lead their vocational competence in a connected, fast changing world. It is a great challenge for enterprises and people to find relevant learning resources in an unstructured, scattered, distributed,  and overwhelmingly large amount of information ocean and un-learn / learn continuously in this environment.Purpose of Study: Personal Learning Environments enhanced with Big Data analysis opportunities and emerging technologies seem a solution for the aforementioned problem. This study aims to propose a preliminary Personal Learning Environment Architecture leveraging Big Data possibilities.Methods: Systematic literature review method is used to review the literature reviews  including the research of Big Data in education and personal learning environments.Findings and Results: Based on the literature knowledge captured, a preliminary personal learning environment architecture is synthesized and proposed.Conclusions and Recommendations: Proposed preliminary architecture seems to address basic usecases in the literature. However a detailed data gathering should be conducted in a large enterprise using more sophisticated technics such as field surveys, descriptive analytics and case studies. Although the architecture is promising for the personal learning environments, it needs systematic validation with more data both technologically and andragogically.

 Keywords: big data in education, personal learning environment, personal learning assistant, learning mentor, learning analytics.
Conflict analysis for Turkish debates using text mining and text segmentation techniques
Authors: Karahoca Adem , Karahoca Dilek , Buyuk Efe
Published: April 2017

Conflict Analysis is one of the most challenging issues in the world that many organizations and governments try to carry out perfectly. It is crucial to have a correct analysis to prepare a resolution for a problem. Thus, this study paper focuses on the ways that a software program can detect the reasons of arguments in a debate. The examples of debate dialogs are chosen from Turkish language because there is not much research in this area with this language. Moreover, the techniques which are applied in this work can also be applied to other languages, because a sentiment word dictionary is used and sentiments are almost the same in every language. This is a prepared dictionary from SentiWordNet with all the sentiment points for English words. It is translated and extended for the Turkish language. Furthermore, both machine learning and lexicon-based approaches are implemented in order to increase the diversity of results. This paper aims to show that languages can be processed in a technical manner and meanings can be extracted from sentences to understand the reasons of arguments. Likewise, the main contribution of this study is that conflict analysis for Turkish debates can be applied with the techniques which are examined here and they are also suitable for other languages.Conflict Analysis is one of the most challenging issues in the world that many organizations and governments try to carry out perfectly. It is crucial to have a correct analysis to prepare a resolution for a problem. Thus, this study paper focuses on the ways that a software program can detect the reasons of arguments in a debate. The examples of debate dialogs are chosen from Turkish language because there is not much research in this area with this language. Moreover, the techniques which are applied in this work can also be applied to other languages, because a sentiment word dictionary is used and sentiments are almost the same in every language. This is a prepared dictionary from SentiWordNet with all the sentiment points for English words. It is translated and extended for the Turkish language. Furthermore, both machine learning and lexicon-based approaches are implemented in order to increase the diversity of results. This paper aims to show that languages can be processed in a technical manner and meanings can be extracted from sentences to understand the reasons of arguments. Likewise, the main contribution of this study is that conflict analysis for Turkish debates can be applied with the techniques which are examined here and they are also suitable for other languages.
Usage of Big Data in decision making process in companies
Authors: Koman Gabriel
Published: April 2017

The rapid development in the field of information-communication technologies, which has been recorded in recent years, it has caused an increase in the volume of data in companies last year about 40 to 50% [1]. By analysing large amounts of data, it is possible to get information that is important for the enterprise and on the basis of which it is possible to improve the decision-making process for managers. The main problems in the management and decision-making of enterprises is constantly growing amount of data generated within the undertaking and its surroundings. These data reach the volumes and structures, which is not possible from the time and cost to manage through the current management information systems. The fastest increasing volumes of data are unstructured data, which may contain data with significant information value, for the purposes of decision making in the enterprise. In the light of the principle of the processing of data in the existing MIS, i.e. the processing of structured data, such as data capture, utility companies have to transform and analyse. The question of how to process and integrate data of different types of technology, solves the Big Data. This technology allows to handle different kinds of data, from a variety of data sources, in a very short amount of time (in milliseconds).Â
Análise da Revisão Cochrane: Tratamentos Tópicos para a Psoríase do Couro-Cabeludo. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016;2:CD009687.
Authors: Queirós Catarina Soares , Duarte Gonçalo Silva , Costa João , Vaz-Carneiro António
Published: April 2017

Independentemente do tipo de psoríase, até 79% dos doentes com esta patologia apresentam atingimento do couro cabeludo, sendo este frequentemente o primeiro local a mostrar sintomas da doença. Para além do prurido, as lesões avermelhadas e escamosas são visíveis e muitas vezes embaraçosas. A terapêutica tópica é geralmente a primeira opção para estes doentes, no entanto a ampla gama de tratamentos disponíveis pode muitas vezes dificultar a escolha e levar a um tratamento potencialmente desadequado. O objetivo desta revisão foi avaliar a eficácia e a segurança dos tratamentos tópicos para a psoríase do couro cabeludo. Foi efetuada uma revisão sistemática de acordo com a metodologia preconizada pela Cochrane, com vista à avaliação da redução da gravidade clínica da psoríase, melhoria da qualidade de vida e efeitos adversos que motivassem a suspensão do tratamento. Para tal, foram incluídos 59 estudos, com um total de 11 561 participantes, tendo sido efetuadas 15 comparações entre os vários fármacos e veículos de aplicação testados. Os resultados obtidos sugerem que os corticosteroides de potência elevada ou muito elevada são mais eficazes que a vitamina D. A combinação de um corticosteroide com a vitamina D tem apenas um benefício marginal em relação à monoterapia com corticosteroide, mas é superior à vitamina D isolada. Dado o perfil de segurança semelhante e o benefício apenas marginal da combinação corticosteroide com vitamina D sobre o corticosteroide isolado, a monoterapia com corticosteroide tópico parece ser aceitável para a terapia a curto prazo da psoríase do couro cabeludo.
Los Yurí / Juri-Tikuna, en el complejo socio-lingüistico del noroeste amazónico
Authors: Goulard Jean Pierre , Rodríguez Montes María Emilia
Published: April 2017

La etnicidad es un cuadro conceptual contemporáneo que se apoya en la conciencia de pertenencia étnica de los actores. Se puede entonces preguntar en qué medida este esquema era válido en los siglos pasados para hablar de las poblaciones encontradas en la Amazonía cuando se les atribuían, muchas veces, definiciones identitarias que refieren de manera explícita a atributos corporales. La región del Noroeste ha sido el centro de recomposiciones y de interacciones permanentes con conflictos sociales exacerbados por el encuentro de dos mundos, el local y el europeo. Para ejemplificar esta problemática, los autores centran su trabajo alrededor de un grupo emblemático, conocido en los siglos XVIII y XIX, como 'yuri' o 'juri'. El método usado es retomar lo que se sabe a propósito y cruzar las informaciones con lo que se conoce hoy de los Tikuna que presentan características que permiten comparaciones con base en material tanto lingüístico como etnográfico. Se subraya que tal acercamiento se hace en un contexto temporal y espacial, que supera los estrictos límites de una población, para finalmente proponer una reconsideración de aquello que recubre el exónimo yurí/juri.
El secoya del Putumayo
Authors: Vallejos Rosa
Published: April 2017

El presente estudio tiene dos propósitos fundamentales: (i) ofrecer la primera descripción fonológica de la lengua secoya (Tucano Occidental) hablada en comunidades ubicadas en los afluentes del río Putumayo, Perú; y, (ii) contribuir al avance de estudios comparativos de la rama occidental de la familia tucano. Actualmente existen algunos estudios de la variedad secoya hablada en el río Aguarico, Ecuador, pero no existe ninguno de la variedad hablada en el Putumayo. También hay avances significativos en la descripción de las lenguas tucano de la rama oriental, pero los vacíos en nuestro conocimiento de la rama occidental son todavía importantes. Este estudio pretende cubrir algunos de esos vacíos. Algunos rasgos fonológicos relevantes del secoya del Putumayo incluyen la presencia de un segmento glotal en posición de coda allí donde otras lenguas de la familia poseen núcleos vocálicos con tono bajo; es decir, en esta variedad no existe tono contrastivo. Otro rasgo importante es la inserción de consonantes nasales en posición de coda allí donde la nasalización progresiva encuentra una consonante que la bloquea; así, en esta variedad el alcance de la nasalización es relativamente transparente. El secoya del Putumayo, difiere en aspectos importantes del secoya del Aguarico. Por ejemplo, mientras en la variedad del Putumayo existen procesos de lenición a partir de los fonemas africados /ʦ, ʤ/, en la variedad del Aguarico los fonemas correspondientes serían /s, z, y/. Asimismo, en la variedad del Putumayo no existen glotales en posición de ataque, tampoco procesos de aspiración de consonantes oclusivas, ambos rasgos asociados con el secoya del Aguarico.
ROMERO-FIGUEROA, Andrés (ed.) (2011). Lenguas indígenas de América-morfología y sintaxis. 1a ed. Caracas: Universidad Católica Andrés Bello; Mercantil. Pp. 142.
Authors: Gonçalves Solange Aparecida
Published: April 2017

Este libro compilado por Andrés Romero-Figueroa (UCAB, Venezuela) representa una importante contribución para nuestro conocimiento de las lenguas indígenas habladas en las Américas. La obra incluye cinco artículos. En la presentación de la temática del libro (p. 5-8), Romero-Figueroa traza un breve panorama de los procesos específicos tratados por los autores, destacando que “los fenómenos morfológicos y sintácticos presentados por Alexander-Bakkerus, Estrada, Messineo, Fernández y Romero-Figueroa, en mayor o menor grado, incorporan nuevos elementos a los parámetros ya establecidos por los tipólogos con relación a algunos procesos de derivación de palabras, la semántica y la pragmática de la negación, la predicación verbal y no verbal, y la ergatividad motivada sintáctica y discursivamente”...
Introducción
Authors: González Hebe Alicia
Published: April 2017

El objetivo de este volumen temático es reunir trabajos que abordan distintos aspectos relacionados con la fonología de las lenguas del Chaco. El volumen presenta cinco artículos que analizan diferentes aspectos de la fonología de cuatro lenguas chaqueñas (chorote, nivaclé y wichí (mataguayo) y vilela (lule-vilela) y un artículo de carácter tipológico-areal.
¿Lengua o hablante? – Investigando las alternancias coronal-velares en vilela
Authors: Grawunder Sven , Golluscio Lucía
Published: April 2017

La elicitación de campo sobre el vilela, una lengua del Gran Chaco en severo peligro, reveló la existencia de una alternancia entre /t/ y /k/. Este fenómeno se ve, por ejemplo, en un conjunto de sufijos, pero ocurren alternancias incluso dentro de una misma palabra. Para el análisis, necesitamos separar las alternancias documentadas en dos grupos: aquellas conectadas con una tendencia general a la asibilización involucrando la coronalización y la palatalización, y aquellas  que son fluctuaciones entre oclusivas. Primero, investigamos sobre la naturaleza del contexto, la frecuencia y el orden de ocurrencia de la alternancia que han sido observadas en casi diez años de recolección de datos. Los resultados muestran que existen contextos preferidos de vocales altas y un orden velar-coronal presumiblemente típico. Luego, a través del análisis acústico de los datos de campo, demostramos que esta alternancia es significativa. Mientras la fluctuación de oclusivas se podría adscribir a especificidades de un hablante terminal, las alternancias asignadas a asibilación y palatalización (adelantamiento) reflejan los mecanismos de cambio de sonido en el área.
Esbozo fonológico del chorote (mataguayo)
Authors: Carol Javier Jerónimo
Published: April 2017

Este artículo describe lo esencial de la fonología de la lengua chorote (familia ma­taguaya), hablada en el oeste del Chaco argentino y paraguayo y en torno a la ciudad de Tar­tagal (Salta, Argentina), más concretamente de la variedad “ribereña” o iyojwa’(a)ja’, hablada sólo en la Argentina. La fonología de esta lengua, y muy espe­cialmente de la variedad estudiada, presenta una complejidad importante. De acuerdo con el análisis propuesto aquí, existen al menos 36 fonemas consonánticos, de los cuales 25 son consonantes complejas (prin­ciplamente glotalizadas, “aspiradas” y/o palatalizadas); esto permite postular una estructura silábica CV(C). En cuanto a las vocales, se proponen seis fonemas subyacentes /a α e i o u/, aun­que en realidad no ocurre una oposición superficial [a ~ α] y sí, en cambio, oposiciones [i ~ I], [u ~ U] que aquí se consideran derivadas. Se documenta asimismo un proceso –con para­lelos en otras lenguas de la familia– por el cual se glotaliza una sonante ante pausa; las excep­ciones se atribuyen a /h/ subyacente que forma parte de la entrada léxica y bloquea el proceso.
Procesos fonológicos en el dominio de la palabra wichí (mataguaya)
Authors: Nercesian Veronica
Published: April 2017

El propósito de este trabajo es presentar el análisis de distintos procesos fonológicos que ocurren dentro de la palabra en wichí (mataguaya). La derivación, la flexión y la composición implican la combinación de morfemas y, por lo tanto, la formación de una secuencia de sonidos diferente, lo que motiva reajustes fonológicos para satisfacer restricciones o condicionamientos de distintos tipos: (i) articulatorio, (ii) fonotáctico (de estructura silábica), (iii) sandhi interno, (iv) transparencia semántica y (v) rítmico. Los procesos fonológicos más frecuentes dentro de la palabra en wichí pueden agruparse según esos condicionamientos. En relación con (i), la palatalización; en relación con (ii), la epéntesis vocálica y consonántica; con (iii) la aspiración de obstruyentes, el ensordecimiento de sonorantes y el ocultamiento de la glotal fricativa sorda. La transparencia semántica o morfotáctica, (iv), motiva el fortalecimiento de consonantes en límites morfológicos. Por último, en relación con el condicionamiento rítmico-discursivo, (v),la reducción silábica o síncopa. La palabra fonológica es el domino en el que tienen lugar los procesos fonológicos, pero al mismo tiempo estos contribuyen a la formación de la palabra como unidad fonológica y morfológica cumpliendo los requisitos de la integridad léxica de la lengua.