bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Religiosidad femenina y reforma dominicana: el sepulcro de Beatriz de Portugal en el monasterio del Sancti Spiritus de Toro
Authors: Gómez-Chacón Diana Lucía
Published: December 2017

El presente trabajo tiene como objetivo primordial el análisis de las principales singularidades iconográficas del sepulcro de la reina Beatriz de Portugal, conservado en el coro del Monasterio del Sancti Spiritus de Toro (Zamora). La presencia tanto de fray Gil de Santarém a los pies de la imagen de la reina vestida con el hábito dominicano, como la de santa Catalina de Siena cerrando la galería de miembros ilustres de la Orden de Predicadores, pondría de manifiesto no solo la posible intervención de la reina en la elaboración del programa iconográfico de su túmulo funerario, sino también el profundo conocimiento que se tenía en la Provincia de España de la figura de la mencionada santa reformadora a principios ya del siglo XV.
Superstitiones e signa nell’immaginario Lunare altomedievale
Authors: Piazza Emanuele
Published: December 2017

[Ita] Questo articolo si propone di chiarire come gli scrittori cristiani in epoca altomedievale abbiano cercato di sradicare i culti idolatrici legati alla luna. Autori quali Massimo di Torino, Cesario d’Arles e Isidoro di Siviglia interpretarono in chiave cristiana i prodigi e la simbologia che la tradizione pagana aveva associato alle eclissi. Interventi tesi a contrastare la diffusione di pratiche superstiziose si rintracciano in diverse fonti dell’epoca, tuttavia la luna rimaneva un “oggetto” astrologico di grande interesse, poiché l’osservazione delle sue varie fasi si riteneva utile sia per predire gli avvenimenti futuri sia per la preparazione e la somministrazione di cure mediche.
Construir sem conflitos: as normas para o controlo da atividade construtiva em Valência, Sevilha e Lisboa (séculos XIII a XVI)
Authors: Pinto Sandra M.G.
Published: December 2017

[Pt] Neste artigo comparam-se três conjuntos de normas jurídicas para o controlo da atividade construtiva de três cidades medievais ibéricas: Valência, Sevilha e Lisboa. O estudo inicia-se pelo exame às estruturas administrativas e jurídicas deste âmbito normativo, focando em particular os oficiais responsáveis e o seu legado islâmico. Depois, averigua-se as similitudes e diferenças entre as normas em análise e apura-se as suas influências jurídicas. Alerta-se ainda para o potencial contributo da documentação jurídica no conhecimento das formas urbanas medievais.
Nombres de intoxicaciones con -ismo: el origen de un patrón lexicogenésico en el siglo XIX
Authors: Campos Souto Mar
Published: December 2017

En este trabajo se estudian los nombres de intoxicaciones en -ismo en español con el fin de determinar si nos hallamos ante un patrón lexicogenésico importado de otra lengua (en concreto, del francés); para ello, se analiza detenidamente la documentación de las voces seleccionadas, así como las posibles fuentes de los textos en que se registran, sin olvidar la representación de que han gozado estos vocablos en la lexicografía española. Como consecuencia de lo anterior, se formulan nuevas propuestas etimológicas para un buen número de estas voces, que a menudo se presentan, en los diccionarios, como derivados creados en español.
Success: A 9 Layered-based Model of Giftedness
Authors: Drigas Athanasios , Karyotaki Maria , Skianis Charalabos
Published: December 2017

The current hierarchical structure of human cognition proposed is indicative of the multi - factorial and multi - layered construct of giftedness and intelligence. All individuals are intellectually endowed, but giftedness is perceived as an achievement in academic and practical intelligence as well as in the manipulation of wisdom-related skills and attitudes, taking into account nonintellective personal characteristics and contextual, sociocultural variables. Therefore, any attempt to measure intelligence should include multiple and diverse assessments comprising various psychological processes taking place in a specific time and place. Metacognitive processes are at the top of the hierarchy of cognition as their significance for one’s quality of life and social progress is immense and their existence signals for a successful person. Moreover, metacognition requires handling for a confluence of knowledge, feelings and skills in a balanced way; this is the point where individuals need to pay special attention in order to be both personally and socially successful as well as psychologically healthy.
Comparative Study on Carbonated and Non-Carbonated Recycled Aggregate Concrete with Glass Powder as Partial Replacement for OPC
Authors: Patil Abhishek , Hatti Rahul , Patil Darshan , Kumar Rakesh
Published: December 2017

Recycled aggregates (RA) possess the ability to be recycled, if undesirable properties are counteracted viz, porous mortar attached to it, with high water absorption and low density, this technique, accelerated carbonation can be one such to technique to counteract undesirable properties of RA, replacement of 20% of cement by glass powder assists in reducing w/c ratio[1][6] when used in concrete[2] suppress ASR reaction[1], this paper explains a new possibility of recycling concrete, work done and findings for improvising Recycled aggregate concrete (RAC) and exploring the feasibility for use of RA in the near future.
The Effects of the CALL Model on College English Reading Teaching
Authors: Zhang Dan , Wang Xiaoying
Published: December 2017

Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL) is an important concept in English teaching method reform. College students’ English reading ability is an important indicator in the evaluation on the college students’ English proficiency. Therefore, this paper applies the CALL model in English reading teaching. Firstly, it introduces the application and development prospect of the CALL model, and analyzes its advantages and disadvantages; secondly, it analyzes the present situation of college English teaching and its influencing factors and then designs an application example to integrate the CALL model with different aspect of English reading. Finally, it analyzes the teaching results of college English reading under the CALL model. Therefore, in both theory and practice, this paper proves the effectiveness and innovativeness of the CALL model.
Multi-Interactive Teaching Model of College English in Computer Information Technology Environment
Authors: Wen Jianlan , Wu Wei
Published: December 2017

The multi-interactive teaching mode of college English takes students as the center and the task as the link, realizing the combination of classroom teaching and network-based autonomous learning in information technology environment. This teaching model is characterized by integrated teaching methods, open teaching environment and hierarchical teaching management compared with the traditional classroom teaching methods. This paper took the interactive teaching model of college English based on computer information technology as the research object and the "construction", "interaction" and "cooperation" as the core guiding ideology based on the learning theory of constructivism and communicative theory, guiding the design of listening, speaking and reading experiments in college English teaching under the multi-interactive teaching model. This paper first described the application and concept of multivariate interactive teaching mode, and then introduced the related learning theories. By selecting non-English major college students of 2015 from Hunan Normal University as the application object of multi-interactive teaching model, this paper validated the effectiveness of multi-interactive teaching model for college English teaching through detailed teaching experimental design and comparative analysis of teaching achievements. Under the background of the rapid development of information technology, the new multi-interactive teaching mode opens up the multi-dimensional and multi-form language learning process, which is of innovative and practical significance for the teaching of college English.
On Spoken English Phoneme Evaluation Method Based on Sphinx-4 Computer System
Authors: Qin Li
Published: December 2017

In oral English learning, HDPs (phonemes that are hard to be distinguished) are areas where Chinese students frequently make mistakes in pronunciation. This paper studies a speech phoneme evaluation method for HDPs, hoping to improve the ability of individualized evaluation on HDPs and help provide a personalized learning platform for English learners. First of all, this paper briefly introduces relevant phonetic recognition technologies and pronunciation evaluation algorithms and also describes the phonetic retrieving, phonetic decoding and phonetic knowledge base in the Sphinx-4 computer system, which constitute the technological foundation for phoneme evaluation. Then it proposes an HDP evaluation model, which integrates the reliability of the speech processing system and the individualization of spoken English learners into the evaluation system. After collecting HDPs of spoken English learners and sorting them into different sets, it uses the evaluation system to recognize these HDP sets and at last analyzes the experimental results of HDP evaluation, which proves the effectiveness of the HDP evaluation model.
Design Flow of English Learning System Based on Item Response Theory
Authors: Liu Yuemei , Zhao Xuetao
Published: December 2017

The popularity of computer technology in English teaching has led to the establishment of many English learning platforms, but the enhancement of students’ English proficiency is limited due to the lack of relevance, self-adaptive test questions and analytical ability. The project management theory is introduced into English learning, which can provide students with teaching content and test questions that are more suitable for their own actual situation through a more intelligent, personalized way. At the same time, the static and dynamic database model based on students’ own learning behavior is constructed to facilitate storage of students’ learning record. Combined with the advantages of hierarchical selection, SH method and improved polynomial model, this paper puts forward a new type of item section model. This paper introduces the basic theory and related technology, and then makes an in-depth study on the demand analysis of English learning system. Finally, this paper realizes the design of English learning system based on item response theory and validates the good effect of English item selection from the perspective of application. The system provides teachers and students with convenient learning strategies, item selection strategies, test strategies and academic performance strategies. The introduction of item response theory enables the system to become truly student-centered and provides a more comprehensive and self-adaptive learning model, which is of great significance for improving the learning efficiency of English learning and the learning efficiency of college students in China.
Application of Kinect Technology in Blind Aerobics Learning
Authors: Qu Hui
Published: December 2017

In order for blind people to learn aerobics more conveniently, we combined Kinect skeletal tracking technology with aerobics-assisted training to design a Kinect-based aerobics-assisted training system. Through the Kinect somatosensory camera, the feature extraction method and recognition algorithm of sign language are improved, and the sign language recognition system is realized. Sign language is translated through the sign language recognition system and expressed in understandable terms, providing a sound way of learning. The experimental results show that the system can automatically collect and recognize the aerobics movements. By comparing with the standard movements in the database, the system evaluates the posture of trainers from the perspectives of joint coordinates and joint angles, followed by the provision of movements contrast graphics and corresponding advice. Therefore, the system can effectively help the blind to learn aerobics.
Discovery and Recommendation of First-Hand Learning Resources Based on Public Opinion Cluster Analysis
Authors: Li Haiyun , Zhang Xuebo , Wang Junhui
Published: December 2017

This paper explores the personalized approach of the public opinion cluster analysis for learning resources based on the server-side predetermined analysis, in order to introduce the personalized learning resource recommender into the traditional online instruction. In allusion to further validation on its implementation, the fuzzy aggregation of learning resources is mined up based on the proposed WRTC algorithm. The personalized learning resource recommender mechanism is then described. In the end, the common evaluation parameters in the personalized recommender model are applied in the evaluation on the system performance. The experiment is carried out with learner's access data online to validate whether the algorithm and the model indicators are effective for the purpose of improving the precision and coverage of learning resources.
Music Solfeggio Learning Platform Construction and Application
Authors: Zhou Qiao , Yan Baihui
Published: December 2017

To better develop the music learning, this paper completes the design and realization of a music solfeggio teaching system by combining with practical teaching conditions of the music academy. Firstly, it elaborates the main functions needing to be possessed by solfeggio teaching system by starting from actual demands of the users, puts forward overall design scheme of the system, and gives detailed design to main function module and database of the system. Secondly, it analyzes and researches theoretical basis of the solfeggio teaching system design, and proposes the construction scheme of teaching knowledge point repository and question bank system, including solfeggio repository information setting and system paper constructing strategy. It is indicated by the system analysis results that: this platform design provides an effective learning and inspection means to the implementation of solfeggio teaching. Thus, it draws the conclusions that: learning system of this paper can directly serve for course learning of the students majoring in music, and it has important practical significance and application value in promoting development of the music education informationization.
Croissance, inégalités et pauvreté au sein des pays émergents : le cas des BRICS
Authors: Porras Laila
Published: December 2017

Les cinq pays qui forment les BRICS (Brésil, Russie, Inde, Chine et Afrique du Sud) se singularisent, dans les années 2000, à la fois par une forte croissance économique – liée au processus de transformation économique et plus précisément d’ouverture commerciale et financière – ainsi que par une diminution de la pauvreté. Mais malgré ces évolutions communes, nous relevons une diversité des chemins concernant la dynamique croissance-inégalités au sein de ce groupe. Pour tous les pays à l’exception du Brésil, la croissance s’est accompagnée d’une hausse des inégalités de revenus. De surcroît, cette montée des inégalités s’est produite dans des situations variées et selon des mécanismes très différents. Nous pouvons observer que l’évolution des inégalités de revenus est influencée par une multitude de facteurs – le cadre économique global dans lequel un pays conduit son intégration dans l’économie mondiale peut, en effet, emprunter différentes voies. En fonction du sentier emprunté, les évolutions des inégalités peuvent s’opposer et apparaissent largement dépendantes des politiques nationales de transformation et des politiques sociales adoptées. Les effets liés à la mondialisation ne peuvent donc pas expliquer à eux seuls la montée ou la diminution des inégalités. Après avoir décrit, dans une perspective d’étude comparative, la dynamique croissance-inégalités-pauvreté propre à chaque pays au sein des BRICS, cette étude analysera l’évolution des différentes trajectoires nationales empruntées. Elle proposera également des facteurs explicatifs du changement des inégalités pour chaque pays.
FORMAÇÃO DE GESTORAS ESCOLARES: CONTRIBUIÇÕES TEÓRICO-PRÁTICAS DA PSICOLOGIA HISTÓRICO-CULTURAL
Authors: Bulhões Larissa Figueiredo Salmen Seixlack , Asbahr Flávia
Published: December 2017

Relata-se neste estudo a experiência de formação de gestoras escolares pautada nos pressupostos teóricos da psicologia histórico-cultural. A intervenção ocorreu como uma das ações do Projeto Educação Sem Fronteiras (PESF) – parceria entre a Secretaria Municipal da Educação e o departamento de psicologia de uma universidade estadual paulista no atendimento às escolas da rede que apresentam baixos índices de IDEB (Índice de Desenvolvimento da Educação Básica). Realizaram-se reuniões mensais de estudo com as gestoras das seis escolas participantes e com representantes do departamento pedagógico da Secretaria Municipal de Educação. As temáticas dos encontros foram estabelecidas a partir da demanda do grupo, o qual elegeu como objetivos dos estudos: 1. compreender a produção de motivos e interesses para a aprendizagem dos/as alunos/as e 2. compreender como se forma e se desenvolve a atividade de estudo como atividade principal na idade escolar. Adotou-se como estratégia de articulação teórico-prática a proposição de tarefas de estudo sobre os temas discutidos em cada encontro, tendo como referência o conceito de tarefa de estudo de Davydov e Markova (1987). Os resultados apontam que a aplicação dos pressupostos teóricos da psicologia histórico-cultural às demandas concretas de organização do ensino no cotidiano escolar possibilita a superação da tradicional dicotomia entre teoria e prática na formação docente e promove a construção de novas diretrizes para o fazer pedagógico.
IMPLANTE COCLEAR E TRANSTORNO DO ESPECTRO AUTISTA: VIVÊNCIA DE MÃES
Authors: Longato-Morais Carolina Ruiz , Ribas do Prado Mariani Da Costa , Yamada Midori Otake
Published: December 2017

Para pessoas com deficiência auditiva (DA) severa ou profunda pode ser indicado o implante coclear (IC), dispositivo implantado na orelha cirurgicamente. Há um número significativo de crianças com DA e outras comorbidades, entre elas o Transtorno do Espectro Autista (TEA). O objetivo desse estudo foi compreender a vivência de mães de crianças com IC e diagnóstico de TEA. O estudo foi de natureza qualitativa e o método utilizado foi a investigação fenomenológica, que consiste na apreensão do fenômeno tal como ele se manifesta para a pessoa que vivencia. Foram entrevistadas seis mães de crianças usuárias do IC e com diagnóstico de TEA. Os depoimentos foram submetidos ao processo de análise fenomenológica e se desvelou em sete categorias temáticas: O impacto das múltiplas deficiências; Dedicação exclusiva aos filhos; “Vinte e quatro horas correndo atrás”; “Só está faltando ele falar”; “O implante coclear foi uma bênção na minha vida e na dele”; Necessidade de apoio psicossocial; Como se sentem atualmente. As mães revelaram como são afetadas subjetivamente na sua relação com o filho com IC e diagnóstico de TEA, indicando impacto negativo na qualidade de sua vida. O IC significou a possibilidade de seu filho participar do mundo sonoro e elas poderem ter mais acesso ao mundo deles. A esperança no desenvolvimento da fala de seu filho passa a ser o sentido para continuarem a trajetória. Destaca-se a necessidade de serviços de suporte aos pais, a importância do trabalho em equipe interdisciplinar e o estímulo à rede de apoio.
A LINGUAGEM NO AUTISMO
Authors: BIALER MARINA MARTINS
Published: December 2017

O presente artigo ancora-se no estudo dos escritos autobiográficos da autista Lucy Blackman com o objetivo de elucidar a aquisição e o desenvolvimento da sua linguagem. A partir dessa análise, realçamos a distinção que a escritora realiza entre sua linguagem oral e sua linguagem escrita, descritas como uma forma de bilinguismo. Privilegiamos uma leitura psicanalítica lacaniana acerca da linguagem, enfocando a aquisição da linguagem como um processo de subjetivação, em torno do qual procuramos delimitar as especificidades desta no autismo. A opção de utilização do material autobiográfico como substrato da pesquisa, embora pouco usual no campo dos estudos em psicologia no tema do autismo, viabilizou uma quantidade significativa de dados clínicos ao abarcar 40 anos da vida de Lucy, articulando autores no interior da psicanálise que se dedicaram a pensar o autismo com os relatos autobiográficos, o que nos permitiu cumprir o objetivo proposto de aprofundar o conhecimento científico acerca do autismo.
CULTURA DE AVALIAÇÃO E EFEITOS DE SUBJETIVAÇÃO NA SAÚDE
Authors: Ferreira Neto João Leite
Published: December 2017

O objetivo deste artigo é discutir a relação entre cultura da avaliação e processos de subjetivação, no campo da saúde. Trata-se de um estudo teórico sobre o tema, que trabalha aspectos históricos e conceituais da ascensão da cultura de avaliação nas sociedades contemporâneas, particularmente no setor saúde; e faz uma revisão analítica dos argumentos que circunscrevem as controvérsias que os temas da avaliação e subjetividade têm suscitado na saúde pública e fora dela, em diálogo com as contribuições de Foucault. A literatura nacional do setor da saúde é mais receptiva do que a literatura internacional nas ciências humanas. A interpretação mais corrente, em geral, é que a avaliação é um dos instrumentos de governo ou de gestão. A maior crítica é que levaria os trabalhadores a se preocuparem apenas com o que está colocado pelos indicadores, abdicando de uma interpretação mais ampliada da própria atividade. Há uma compreensão comum de que as práticas avaliativas têm por objetivo produzir mudanças subjetivas, mas também produzem efeitos subjetivos não previstos. Quanto ao desenho desses efeitos de subjetivação, há largo espectro de pontos de vista, que vão desde o fomento a subjetivações comprometidas com a mudança permanente, ao constrangimento da subjetividade e à produção dos “eus calculáveis”. Acompanhando o pensamento de Foucault, podemos reconhecer tanto efeitos de submetimento, quanto efeitos de protagonismo no uso da avaliação. O segundo caso pode levar ao aperfeiçoamento autogerido dos processos de trabalho ou à criação de espaços estratégicos nas relações de poder.
The pattern of drug use among term neonates and cost implications: results from a study in a Sri Lankan neonatal care unit
Authors: Gunawardane D. A. , Dharmaratne S. D. , Rowel D. S.
Published: December 2017

Background Newborns in neonatal care units are exposed to a considerable number of medications. Although patterns of drug utilization in neonatal care units are changing rapidly, current data on drug utilization patterns in neonatal care units are limited, especially with regard to term neonates. Objectives The aim of the study was to describe the drug utilization pattern, its associated factors and total drug cost on term neonates admitted to the Neonatal Care Unit (NCU) at Teaching Hospital Kandy (THK). Methods and materials This study was a secondary analysis of data based on a follow-up study conducted among term neonates delivered at Teaching Hospital Kandy. A total of 175 neonates were studied over a period of 4 months, from February to May 2015. Results Benzylpenicillin was the most frequently used drug and on average 6.16 (+2.99) drugs were prescribed per neonate. Only length of stay and sex was associated with average drug use per neonate. Nearly seventy percent of total drug cost to treat term neonates was spent on 2 drugs; gentamicin and surfactant. All the other individual drugs account for a proportion of ten percent or less. Conclusions Being the drug which is responsible for the heights share of total drug cost, gentamicin should be monitored closely to ensure rational use. Similar studies done in large scale at regular intervals can reflect the changing patterns of drug prescribing, which helps the healthcare planners to develop necessary guidelines and take action to make necessary drugs available.
Pharmacy dispensing patterns and out of pocket expenditure to the patient for generic prescriptions of psychotropic medicines: a survey from 5 locations in Sri Lanka
Authors: Ellepola Arjuna , Dharmawardene Vajira , Ellepola Anuradha
Published: December 2017

Background: A crucial element that restricts access to medicines is price. Generic drugs provide the opportunity for major savings in out of pocket healthcare expenditure since they may be substantially lower in price. However when a generic drug is prescribed, pharmacist decides which brand of the drug to be dispensed. This results in patients paying for single drug at markedly different prices. Aims: To compare costs patient has to bear for psychotropic drugs fluoxetine and risperidone when a generic prescription is presented to a pharmacy. Methods: Pharmacies in 5 urban locations (Kurunegala, Kandy, Anuradhapura, Puttalam, Mahiyangana) in Sri Lanka were evaluated. A generic prescription for Fluoxetine 20 mg and Risperidone 2mg was presented to retail pharmacies and received medications were analyzed for the specific brands dispensed and costs incurred. Results: Price of a fluoxetine 20mg capsule ranged from Rs. 1.72 to Rs. 30.00 and price of risperidone 2mg tablet was from Rs 1.15 to Rs. 23.00. Combined monthly cost for the medications ranged from Rs 86.10 to Rs 1803.00. Approximately 80% prescriptions received brand preparations expensive than the cheapest brand among them. Lowest cost risperidone was dispensed only in 18% of instances. Lowest cost fluoxetine was dispensed only in 24% of instances. Conclusions: 80% of the time patients who get generic psychotropic prescriptions pay more than the cost of the lowest cost product. Knowledge about the price ranges of brands available in market could help in reducing the out of pocket expenditure for pharmaceuticals.
Severe hypernatremic dehydration leading to bilateral lower limb ischemia in a neonate
Authors: Liyanage P. N. , Hettiarachchi R. M.
Published: December 2017

No abstract available
Migrating intrauterine contraceptive device (IUD) causing hydronephrosis – a case report
Authors: Bandara K. G. M. W. , Meegahawatta A. R. , Rajapakse D. C.
Published: December 2017

No abstract available
Both HIV-Infected and Uninfected Cells Express TRAILshort, Which Confers TRAIL Resistance upon Bystander Cells within the Microenvironment
Authors: Nie Zilin , Aboulnasr Fatma , Natesampillai Sekar , Burke Stephen P. , Krogman Ashton , Bren Gary D. , Chung Thomas D. Y. , Anderson Jeff R. , Smart Michele K. , Katzmann David J. , Rajagopalan Govindarajan , Cummins Nathan W. , Badley Andrew D.
Published: December 2017

TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) was initially described to induce apoptosis of tumor cells and/or virally infected cells, although sparing normal cells, and has been implicated in the pathogenesis of HIV disease. We previously identified TRAILshort, a TRAIL splice variant, in HIV-infected patients and characterized it as being a dominant negative ligand to subvert TRAIL-mediated killing. Herein, using single-cell genomics we demonstrate that TRAILshort is produced by HIV-infected cells, as well as by uninfected bystander cells, and that the dominant stimulus which induces TRAILshort production are type I IFNs and TLR7, TLR8, and TLR9 agonists. TRAILshort has a short t1/2 by virtue of containing a PEST domain, which targets the protein toward the ubiquitin proteasome pathway for degradation. Further we show that TRAILshort binds preferentially to TRAIL receptors 1 and 2 with significantly reduced interaction with the decoy TRAIL receptors 3 and 4. Recombinant TRAILshort is sufficient to protect cells against TRAIL-induced killing, whereas immunodepletion of TRAILshort with a specific Ab restores TRAIL sensitivity. Importantly we show that TRAILshort is shed in microvesicles into the cellular microenvironment and therefore confers TRAIL resistance not only on the cell which produces it, but also upon neighboring bystander cells. These results establish a novel paradigm for understanding and overcoming TRAIL resistance, in particular how HIV-infected cells escape immune elimination by the TRAIL:TRAILshort receptor axis.
Memory T Cell Proliferation before Hepatitis C Virus Therapy Predicts Antiviral Immune Responses and Treatment Success
Authors: Méndez-Lagares Gema , Lu Ding , Chen Connie , Terrault Norah , Segal Mark R. , Khalili Mandana , Monto Alexander , Shen Hui , Manos M. Michele , Lanier Lewis L. , Ryan James C. , McCune Joseph M. , Hartigan-O’Connor Dennis J.
Published: December 2017

The contribution of the host immune system to the efficacy of new anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) drugs is unclear. We undertook a longitudinal prospective study of 33 individuals with chronic HCV treated with combination pegylated IFN-α, ribavirin, and telaprevir/boceprevir. We characterized innate and adaptive immune cells to determine whether kinetics of the host response could predict sustained virologic response (SVR). We show that characteristics of the host immune system present before treatment were correlated with successful therapy. Augmentation of adaptive immune responses during therapy was more impressive among those achieving SVR. Most importantly, active memory T cell proliferation before therapy predicted SVR and was associated with the magnitude of the HCV-specific responses at week 12 after treatment start. After therapy initiation, the most important correlate of success was minimal monocyte activation, as predicted by previous in vitro work. In addition, subjects achieving SVR had increasing expression of the transcription factor T-bet, a driver of Th1 differentiation and cytotoxic effector cell maturation. These results show that host immune features present before treatment initiation predict SVR and eventual development of a higher frequency of functional virus-specific cells in blood. Such host characteristics may also be required for successful vaccine-mediated protection.
A Comparison Between Solders & Transient Liquid Phase Sintered Interconnects in High Temperature Multilayer Ceramic Capacitors
Authors: Bultitude John , McConnell John , Jones Lonnie , Miller Galen , Magee Jim , Templeton Allen , Gurav Abhijit , Phillips Reggie
Published: December 2017

There is a long-established market for high temperature multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCCs) that operate at 150°C and higher in downhole oil and gas exploration, and military and aerospace applications. To maximize the capacitance density and achieve a high degree of mechanical robustness, stacks and leaded form factors have been used with high melting point–Pb-containing solders as the preferred interconnects. However, Pb-containing solders are limited to temperatures below 300°C and are banned from many commercial and automotive applications with further legislation limiting their use planned in the future. Common Pb-free solders such as SAC 305 or SnSb alloys are in widespread use, but their performance at prolonged exposures at 200°C is limited. Exposures to high reflow temperatures during assembly, especially successive reflow operations, can also compromise interconnect integrity. Higher temperature gold-containing solders are widely available, but these are cost-prohibitive and so are not viable for emerging high temperature electronics including higher volume, price-sensitive automotive and power markets. The development of more energy-efficient power converters and inverters based on wide bandgap semiconductors is driving the adoption of higher temperature electronics in these markets because these operate at higher junction temperatures than traditional silicon. This has led to the development of nonsolder interconnects based on sintered silver, nanometal sintering, and transient liquid phase sintering (TLPS) technologies capable of higher temperature performance than common solder-based interconnects. The availability of discrete components, such as capacitors, that can operate under these conditions is a key barrier to the development and adoption of high temperature electronics. In this article, the key property differences between solders and TLPS interconnect technologies are compared in detail for MLCC interconnects. The development of a new range of nickel base metal electrode C0G MLCC stacks rated for 200°C is described and performance compared with traditional precious metal electrode stacks. Thermal cycling performance to 200°C of BME X7R stacks made with 10Sn/88Pb/2Ag solders are compared with similar stacks made with TLPS interconnects of CuSn and InAg. The development of leadless stacks, a new bulk capacitance form factor enabled by TLPS technology, is described and their properties compared with traditional stacks.
25 anni di formazione in bioetica per le professioni di cura
Authors: Spagnolo Antonio G.
Published: December 2017

Non disponibile / Not available
Perché i medici dovrebbero (ri)leggere i classici / Why doctors should (ri)read classics
Authors: Giardina Simona , Spagnolo Antonio G.
Published: December 2017

Prendendo spunto dal saggio dello scrittore Italo Calvino, Perché leggere i classici, e delle riflessioni della scrittrice iraniana Azar Nafisi nel saggio La repubblica dell’immaginazione, gli Autori conducono una riflessione sull’importanza dei libri classici in particolare per la formazione di un medico, sottolineando come questi contribuiscano alla sua formazione personale e arricchiscano anche il training clinico. ---------- Inspired by Italo Calvino’s essay, Why Read the Classics, and by the reflections of the Iranian writer Azar Nafisi in her essay The Republic of the Imagination, the Authors present their thoughts on the importance of the classics, in particular for the formation of a physician. They underline how the classics contribute to the physician’s personal formation and his or her clinical training.
La leadership in medicina: soft skills e valori morali / Leadership in medicine: linking soft skills to moral values
Authors: Marturano Antonio
Published: December 2017

La leadership medica è, in Italia, ancora un campo poco esplorato. Benché questo argomento rivesta una importanza sempre maggiore negli studi medici in tutto il mondo, il suo impatto negli studi accademici italiani è limitato al settore della assistenza infermieristica e solo pochi corsi universitari sono disponibili per coloro che volessero specializzarsi sull’argomento. Nella vastissima letteratura mondiale emerge che la leadership in medicina è equivalente al possesso di abilità legate alle soft skill; in Italia, invece, si tende ancora a favorire un punto di vista che lega la leadership a abilità tecniche. In questo lavoro proporremo di indirizzare il problema della leadership medica in modo più generale; infatti, la crescente complessità del lavoro direzionale in medicina pone nuove sfide alla professione medica, la quale richiede non solo il possesso di soft skill ma anche abilità nella implementazione di valori organizzativi, sociali e professionali che necessitano una maggiore consapevolezza morale basata sulla cosiddetta leadership trasformativa. ---------- Leadership in medicine is still an underexplored field in Italy; while this topic is of increasing global importance in healthcare, its impact in Italian academia is still limited to nursing and only few courses are available. Worldwide, leadership in healthcare is equate to possessing soft skills abilities; on the contrary, in Italy healthcare scholars still link leadership to technical abilities. In this paper, we will propose to address the problem of leadership in medicine more generally: the increasing complexity of management activites in healthcare poses new challenges to the medical profession, which actually requires not only possession of soft skills but also abilities in the implementation of organizational, societal and professional values which need a moral awareness based on transforming leadership.
Neuroprotective effect of Cubebin
Authors: Somani Gauresh S. , Nahire Mruniya S. , Parikh Aakash D. , Mulik Mandar B. , Ghumatkar Priya J. , Laddha Kirti S. , Sathaye Sadhana
Published: December 2017

Background & objectives:

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors represent a major class of drugs which provide symptomatic relief and improvement in cognitive function in Alzheimer's disease (AD). In this study, cubebin, a dibenzylbutyrolactone lignan, was isolated from Piper cubeba and investigated for its AChE inhibitory activity in an attempt to explore its potential for memory-enhancing activities in mice.

Methods:

Molecular docking of cubebin was carried out followed by in vitro AChE activity. Mice were treated with cubebin (25 & 50 mg/kg; i.p.), for three days and memory impairment was induced by scopolamine (3 mg/kg; i.p.). Memory function was evaluated by Morris water maze (MWM) test. Biochemical parameters of oxidative stress and cholinergic function were estimated in brain.

Results:

Molecular docking study revealed that cubebin was well bound within the binding site of the AChE enzyme showing interactions such as π-π stacking and hydrogen bonding with residues present therein. Cubebin inhibited AChE enzyme in an in vitro assay with IC50 value of 992 μM. Scopolamine administration caused a significant impairment of learning and memory in mice, as indicated by a marked decrease in MWM performance. Scopolamine administration also produced a significant enhancement of brain AChE activity and oxidative stress in mice brain. Pre-treatment of cubebin (25 and 50 mg/kg; i.p.) significantly prevented scopolamine-induced learning and memory deficits along with attenuation of scopolamine-induced rise in brain AChE activity and oxidative stress level.

Interpretation & conclusions:

Cubebin showed promising protective activity in scopolamine-induced spatial memory impairment in mice. This could be attributed to its brain AChE inhibition and antioxidant activity.
Incidence & prevalence of stroke in India
Authors: Kamalakannan Sureshkumar , Gudlavalleti Aashrai S. V. , Gudlavalleti Venkata S. Murthy , Goenka Shifalika , Kuper Hannah
Published: December 2017

Background & objectives:

There has been more than 100 per cent increase in incidence of stroke in low- and middle-income countries including India from 1970-1979 to 2000-2008. Lack of reliable reporting mechanisms, heterogeneity in methodology, study population, and small sample size in existing epidemiological studies, make an accurate estimation of stroke burden in India challenging. We conducted a systematic review of epidemiologic studies on stroke conducted in India to document the magnitude of stroke.

Methods:

All population-based, cross-sectional studies and cohort studies from India which reported the stroke incidence rate or cumulative stroke incidence and/or the prevalence of stroke in participants from any age group were included. Electronic databases (Ovid, PubMed, Medline, Embase and IndMED) were searched and studies published during 1960 to 2015 were included. A total of 3079 independent titles were identified for screening, of which 10 population-based cross-sectional studies were considered eligible for inclusion. Given the heterogeneity of the studies, meta-analysis was not carried out.

Results:

The cumulative incidence of stroke ranged from 105 to 152/100,000 persons per year, and the crude prevalence of stroke ranged from 44.29 to 559/100,000 persons in different parts of the country during the past decade. These values were higher than those of high-income countries.

Interpretation & conclusions:

A paucity of good-quality epidemiological studies on stroke in India emphasizes the need for a coordinated effort at both the State and national level to study the burden of stroke in India. Future investment in the population-based epidemiological studies on stroke would lead to better preventive measures against stroke and better rehabilitation measures for stroke-related disabilities in the country.
p-adic Uniformization and the Action of Galois on Certain Affine Correspondences
Authors: Ingram Patrick
Published: December 2017

Given two monic polynomials ƒ and g with coefficients in a number field K, and some ∞ ∈ K, we examine the action of the absolute Galois group Gal(/K) on the directed graph of iterated preimages of ∞ under the correspondence g(y) = ƒ(x), assuming that deg(ƒ) > deg(g) and that gcd (deg(ƒ), deg(g)) = 1. If a prime of K exists at which ƒ and g have integral coefficients and at which ∞ is not integral, we show that this directed graph of preimages consists of finitely many Gal(/K)-orbits. We obtain this result by establishing a p-adic uniformization of such correspondences, tenuously related to Böttcher’s uniformization of polynomial dynamical systems over , although the construction of a Böttcher coordinate for complex holomorphic correspondences remains unresolved.
El movimiento de las sombras en el Convento do Carmo (Lisboa) y en el Convento dos Capuchos (Setúbal)
Authors: Mestre Victor , Aleixo Sofia
Published: December 2017

La intervención en el Convento dos Capuchos de Alferrara (Portugal) es el resultado de la interpretación del tiempo y del lugar, instalación y desactivación de la unidad paisajística donde se integra este conjunto edificado. Tras el abandono de las estructuras arquitectónicas, sus ruinas sugieren la inversión temporal en el sentido de que, aunque permanezcan como elementos de fuerte expresión identitaria, se encuentran en plena transición de sentido de su uso, por más que éste, subliminalmente, permanezca. Nuestra propuesta no es reconstruir el Convento, sino introducir en su interior la idea de la obra. De este modo, se introduce la idea de que el Convento se encuentra estacionado en el período de su edificación y no en proceso de ruina. Se intenta sustentar un proceso de mediación sociocultural de la presencia continuada del Hombre en la construcción del paisaje para continuar a disfrutar de éste, sin que se plantee la necesidad de (re)construir.
La restauración en comunidad de la iglesia de San Pedro de Atacama
Authors: Yuste Miguel Beatriz , Pereira Magdalena
Published: December 2017

En medio del gran desierto de Atacama caracterizado por una gran aridez y amplitud térmica, se ubica en un fértil oasis, la iglesia de San Pedro de Atacama. Su construcción original dataría del siglo XVI, la actual, del siglo XVIII, conserva el estilo arquitectónico barroco del ámbito sur andino. La obra está sorprendentemente adecuada a la ecología, sismicidad y materialidad del desierto. Destacan sus muros de adobe, techumbre de par y nudillo de chañar y entablado de cactus. La iglesia ha sufrido sucesivos incendios, sismos, inundaciones y sobrecargas en el techo que han ido provocando daños acumulativos graves en su estructura. El proyecto de restauración ejecutado por Fundación Altiplano buscó ajustarse a los criterios y técnicas vigentes para la conservación patrimonial de construcciones en tierra, como también a los de preservación del patrimonio y desarrollo sostenible, a través del fortalecimiento de la comunidad de San Pedro de Atacama.
La importancia cultural como guía: el plan de restauración y gestión del Arts Building and Cloister
Authors: Bargues Ballester César , Whitaker William , Matero Frank G.
Published: December 2017

El Arts Building and Cloister (1963-1967) as una arquitectura poco común que aúna tradiciones constructivas de influencia japonesa y pensilvana con una ingeniería innovadora en forma de una cubierta en paraboloide hiperbólico. El edificio diseñado por el arquitecto y ebanista japonés-americano George Nakashima es uno entre una docena de residencias, talleres y almacenes construidos en su propiedad de New Hope, Pensilvania. La compleja y cambiante relación entre la importancia histórica del lugar y la actividad ebanista motivó la elaboración de un plan de conservación y gestión que pueda velar por su protección y mantenimiento a largo plazo. Este artículo resume el diseño del edificio, su evolución, y los principales desafíos de la conservación de un lugar que está conformado tanto por sus edificios como por su importancia inmaterial como centro de paz y conocimiento a través del arte y la artesanía.
Changes in body composition and bone mineral density n postmenopausal women with psoriatic arthritis
Authors: Krajewska-Włodarczyk Magdalena , Owczarczyk-Saczonek Agnieszka , Placek Waldemar
Published: December 2017

Objective: Prolonged inflammation status due to psoriatic arthritis (PsA) may contribute to the loss of muscle mass, extending from muscle weakness, and increased risk of falls and fractures. The risk of fractures and their complications increases with concomitant osteoporosis.

Material and methods: The study included 95 women aged 50–75 years. The presence of sarcopenia was evaluated in a group of 51 women with PsA, and 44 controls (without inflammatory joint disease). Measurements of muscle mass and lean body mass were made using the method of bioimpedance assessing ALM (Appendicular Lean Mass) index and SMI (Skeletal Muscle Index). The diagnosis of sarcopenia was made in women with low muscle mass and concomitant reduction of the efficiency of the assessed functional test Timed Up and Go (TUG). Bone density measurement was done by densitometry in the femoral neck and lumbar spine. (Ethics statement OIL 625/16/Bioet).

Results: Sarcopenia, using ALM index and SMI, was diagnosed in 13.7% and 43.1% of PsA women, and in healthy women in 9% and 20.4%, respectively. In the group of PsA, sarcopenia was associated with a significant increase in the occurrence of disorders of bone mineralisation (72.7% vs. 41.3% in patients without a decrease in muscle mass). There was no correlation between the loss of muscle mass, bone density, and activity of PsA.

Conclusions: The prevalence of sarcopenia in postmenopausal women suffering from PsA is associated with the occurrence of osteoporosis.
The usefulness of histopathological examinations of non-renal biopsies in the diagnosis of granulomatosis with polyangiitis
Authors: Masiak Anna , Zdrojewski Zbigniew , Pęksa Rafał , Smoleńska Żaneta , Czuszyńska Zenobia , Siemińska Alicja , Kowalska Bożena , Stankiewicz Czesław , Rutkowski Bolesław , Bułło-Piontecka Barbara
Published: December 2017

Introduction: Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) is a rare, ANCA-associated, systemic disease characterized by necrotizing small and medium vessel vasculitis of unknown etiology associated with granulomatous inflammation affecting the renal, pulmonary, upper airways, ocular systems and other tissues. Histological proof of the granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) can be obtained by biopsy of clinically involved sites. The main purpose of this study was to examine histopathological changes in non-renal biopsies from patients with established diagnosis of GPA and evaluated the histological confirmation at diagnosis of this disease.

Material and methods: A retrospective analysis was performed in patients with GPA diagnosed and treated in clinics of the University Clinical Center (UCK) in Gdansk in 1988–2009.

Results: In the analyzed group of GPA patients the histopathological examination of biopsies taken from involved tissues (except kidney) was performed in 60% of patients. Thirty-six out of 93 biopsies (39%) were diagnosed as typical of GPA, 10 (10.7%) were suggestive and 51 (54.8%) were non-specific. Considering all biopsies, the diagnosis was confirmed in 24 patients (57% of patients in whom biopsies were taken). Epitheloid cell granulomas were present in 33 biopsies (43%), characteristic necrosis in 27 biopsies (35%), small vessel vasculitis in 18 biopsies (23%), while multinucleated giant cells were identified only in 9 biopsies (12%).

Conclusions: Histopathological examination of the affected tissues remains the gold standard of the diagnosis of GPA. Its usefulness increases, particularly in ANCA-negative patients, in the initial phase of the disease, or in patients with atypical clinical presentation. In many cases, it is necessary to repeat biopsy to establish the diagnosis. The role of the histopathological examination seems to be particularly important when ANCA is negative or clinical symptoms are atypical of GPA.