bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The association between institution at orchiectomy and outcomes on active surveillance for clinical stage I germ cell tumours
Authors: Nayan Madhur , Jewett Michael A.S. , Anson-Cartwright Lynn , Bedard Philippe L. , Moore Malcolm , Chung Peter , Warde Padraig , Sweet Joan , O'Malley Martin , Hamilton Robert J.
Published: June 2016

Introduction: Institutional experience has been associated with improved outcomes for various malignancies, including testicular cancer. The present study evaluated whether institution at orchiectomy was associated with outcomes on active surveillance (AS) for clinical stage (CS) I germ cell tumours (GCT).Methods: 815 patients with CSI GCT managed with AS at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre were identified. Princess Margaret is a tertiary academic institution with a multidisciplinary testicular cancer clinic involving radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, and urologists, and has research experience in testicular cancer care. The association between institution of orchiectomy (Princess Margaret vs. Other) and time to progression on AS was analyzed using multivariable Cox proportional hazards models. Academic vs. non-academic institutions were compared in a sensitivity analysis.Results: Patients undergoing orchiectomy at Princess Margaret for non-seminoma GCT were significantly less likely to have pure embryonal carcinoma (EC) in orchiectomy pathology (odds ratio [OR] 0.33; p=0.008) and CSIB disease (OR 0.47; p=0.014). Seminoma characteristics did not differ significantly between institution groups. In non-seminoma GCT, median followup was 5.4 years, 27% progressed on AS, and institution of orchiectomy was not associated with time to progression in either univariate (hazard ratio [HR] 0.79; p=0.33) or multivariable analyses (HR 1.01; p=0.97). In seminoma, median followup was 4.7 years, 12% progressed on AS, and institution of orchiectomy was not associated with progression (univariate: HR 0.87; p=0.73; multivariable: HR 0.98; p=0.96). Sensitivity analyses demonstrated similar results.Conclusions: Among CSI GCT patients managed on AS at a specialized cancer centre, there appears to be no difference in oncologic outcomes based upon the institution where orchiectomy was performed.
Are Faculty Members of Paramedics Able to Designed Accurate Multiple Choice Questions?
Authors: Kalhori Reza Pourmirza , Abbasi Mohammad
Published: June 2016

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Multiple choice questions (MCQ) are one of the assessment instruments in medical sciences. The overall aim of this study was to perform qualitative and quantitative analysis of the multiple choice question MCQ provided by the professors of Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences-Faculty of Medicine in the academic year 2011-2012.MATERIALS & METHODS: In this descriptive-analytic study, 37 tests of the Faculty of Medicine were analyzed. Quantitative data included difficulty coefficient, discrimination coefficient, whole credibility test, standard deviation of the questions, and the qualitative data consisted of taxonomic percent I, II and III, percentage of questions with no structural problems. The data were analyzed using SPSS software version 20.00 while T-test and chi-square test were applied.RESULTS: The average validity coefficient of the total tests (KR-20) was measured as 0.63, the average difficulty coefficient as 0.58, the average discrimination coefficient as 0.19. The average percentage of the questions without structural problems as 37.1%; all of which were in the acceptable range. The mean Taxonomy I percentage of the questions was38.36% (±11.31), Taxonomy II percentage of the questions was 42.46% (±15.51) with no significant difference in the entire tests. Average percentage of questions with taxonomy III was 20.73% (±12.83) for which independent t-test showed significant difference in the total tests (P=0.00). Average percentage of questions without structural problems was measured as 55.23% (±13.23) for which there was a significant difference in the total tests when independent t-test was used (P=0.041).CONCLUSION: Considering the average validity of the whole test, the mean difficulty coefficient and Taxonomy indexes I, II and III, the tests designed by the professors of the Faculty of Allied Science are within an a acceptable standard range.
Metabolic, Anthropometric, and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Related Risk Factors in Normal and Pre-Diabetic Adults
Authors: Al-Thani Mohamed H. , Nasser Heba S. , Sayegh Suzan , Haddad Alexandra , Sadoun Eman
Published: June 2016

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a major global health problem. The present study examines the relationship between the metabolic, anthropometric and Finnish risk score (FINDRISC) among normal and pre-diabetic adults. Subjects (n = 1319, aged above 18 years) from the Qatari population were classified into two groups based on their hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) measurements (non-diabetic A1c<5.6% and pre-diabetic 5.6% ≤ A1c ≤ 6.4%) were examined for their anthropometric (height, weight and waist circumference), metabolic [fat, fat free mass (FFM), muscle mass (MM), total body water (TBW), bone mass, degree of obesity, basal metabolic rate (BMR), body mass index (BMI), metabolic age, visceral fat rating, systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), total cholesterol (Total-C), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), triglycerides (TG), fasting / random plasma glucose (FPG / RPG), HbA1c and vitamin D (VitD)] and FINDRISC. Means and frequencies were determined in aggregate and by subgroups for all variables and correlations between categorical variables were tested to estimate the association between the anthropometric and metabolic risk factors with the FINDRISC. A percentage of 74.8% (n = 987) of the study population aged below 45 years old and their overall BMI was 28.8±5.2kg/m2 (overweight). Pre-diabetic subgroup have shown a statistically higher FINDRISC compared to their non-diabetic counterparts (11.2±4.1 vs. 9.8±4, p<0.001). The FINDRISC was significantly and directly correlated with the BMI, HbA1c and FPG. However, HbA1c was correlated directly with BMI, SBP, DBP, FPG / RPG and indirectly with the levels of HDL. This study demonstrates an apparent relationship between the HbA1c and FINDRISC score. Pursuing further research on this association may permit using HbA1c with the FINDRISC in predicting the risk of T2DM to be a better tool rather than using the current FPG/RPG, OGTT methods.
Comparison the Life Style between Secondary Infertile and Fertile Women: Considering Potential Socio-Demographic and Reproductive Confounding Factors in a Case-Control Study
Authors: Safarzadeh Ameneh , Ansari Hossein , Arbabisarjou Anisseh , Rigi Shahindokht Navvabi , Rigi Saeedeh
Published: June 2016

INTRODUCTION: Secondary infertility can cause some problems for the couples involved, particularly the women. It is supposed that the life style could influence the fertility status of the couples. This study was aimed to comparison the life style between secondary infertile and fertile women.MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this case-control study, 125 secondary infertile women as case group and 140 fertile women as control group were investigated in 2015. The subjects were selected from the fertility clinics and private office of the gynecologists in Zahedan, southeast of Iran. The data were collected using a structured questionnaire including reproductive history, socio-demographic variables, physical activity and Pittsburgh sleep quality. To analyze the data were used Chi-square and multiple logistic regression with Hosmer&Lemeshow method.RESULTS: By adjusting for potential confounders the secondary infertile women were more likely to have had higher BMI and be overweight (OR=2.89, 95%CI: 1.15-10.1) than fertile women. The sedentary and low sleep quality were significantly more common in infertile women than fertile women (OR=2.37, 95%CI: 1.005-9.7 and OR=2.92, 95% CI: 1.6-9.3, respectively). Also the chance of nutritional related disease among cases was more that controls (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: As life style related factors were associated with some reproductive variables in this study, thus it could be concluded that the life style and nutritional status not only influence the obstetric events, but directly effect on fertility via another paths. However, decreasing weight and increasing physical activity, improvement of sleep quality are all likely to decrease secondary infertility in women.
Indenização do dano reflexo extrapatrimonial: situação do direito brasileiro em perspectiva comparativa
Authors: Dos Santos Aline Avila Ferreira , Da Silva Rafael Peteffi
Published: June 2016

O dano reflexo ou por ricochete, na esfera extrapatrimonial, nunca contou com respaldo de um dispositivo legal específico no ordenamento brasileiro. Assim, todo o desenvolvimento do instituto deu-se por via jurisprudencial e doutrinária. O presente trabalho apresentará um estudo das hipóteses indenizatórias mais verificadas em alguns ordenamentos estrangeiros, comparando com o estágio atual da jurisprudência brasileira, concluindo por um grande avanço do sistema nacional.
O primeiro capítulo abordará a gênese do instituto em nosso país, que se confunde, como também acontece em ordenamentos estrangeiros, com o chamado “caso clássico”, isto é, a possibilidade de se conferir indenização aos parentes próximos da vítima de homicídio.
O segundo capítulo analisará o grau de abertura sistemática do ordenamento jurídico brasileiro, enfrentando inúmeros casos de reparação de dano reflexo extrapatrimonial que se afastam do caso clássico.
A desproporcionalidade da adoção do “valor da operação” como base de cálculo das multas por descumprimento de deveres instrumentais tributários
Authors: Balthazar Ubaldo Cesar , Vieira Carolina Sena
Published: June 2016

O artigo pretende verificar acerca da possibilidade que tem o legislador, por livre escolha, de eleger base de cálculo para a multa por descumprimento dos deveres instrumentais, valendo-se de critério mais ao sabor das conveniências da Fazenda pública. O objetivo do estudo é buscar identificar se a escolha do “valor da operação” como base de cálculo da multa de natureza tributária se apresenta medida razoável e proporcional à infração cometida pelo sujeito passivo. Para tanto, é feita uma análise das chamadas obrigações acessórias, conceito, características, identificando-as como deveres instrumentais, sem conteúdo patrimonial. Seu descumprimento induz à fixação de diferentes espécies de multas, que são detidamente estudadas, concluindo-se pela impossibilidade de fixação de multas tendo como base de cálculo o chamado “valor da operação”, por ser critério desarrazoado e desproporcional, indutor de verdadeira exação com efeito de confisco, vedado pela Constituição Federal.
A eficácia do "justo normativo": Longe da convicção e perto da persuasão
Authors: Lell Helga María
Published: June 2016

Este artigo quer convidar a reflexionar sobre a relação entre justiça e eficácia desde a perspectiva da Teoria General do Direto. Assim se propõe pensar a justiça e a eficácia conforme a função das normas jurídicas e como elas se vinculam com a argumentação que se destina para convencer ou persuadir. A pergunta central é se a qualidade de justa de uma ação descrita por uma norma é suficiente para motivar a seus destinatários ou se é mais importante a sanção para fazer os indivíduos comportar-se conforme à norma.
Então, a proposta é que as normas devem gerar a convicção de que estão vinculadas à justiça para ser eficazes. Porém mais importante é a utilização das sanções para persuadir.
A teoria crítica do direito e o positivismo jurídico
Authors: Alves Alexandra
Published: June 2016

O presente trabalho visa estudar o surgimento e a evolução da teoria critica do Direito ao longo dos anos, assim como compará-la à metodologia do positivismo e analisar sua aplicação nos dias atuais. Faremos um breve estudo sobre os principais autores e escolas da teoria crítica e também do positivismo jurídico. Através de uma observação do atual mundo globalizado e das decisões e interpretações jurídicas, veremos se é viável a aplicação da teoria crítica nas decisões jurídicas. O estudo comparado entre a teoria crítica e o positivismo permitirá fazer uma ponderação sobre como decidir e interpretar as leis e o ordenamento jurídico na realidade atual e qual o impacto da teoria crítica do Direito na sociedade moderna. Procederemos com uma apuração do atual cenário jurídico diante de uma sociedade dinâmica e de uma comunidade global complexa e qual o impacto que a teoria jurídica do Direito causaria nos ordenamentos jurídicos eminentemente positivistas. Abordaremos sobre a aplicabilidade da teoria crítica jurídica, sua abrangência metodológica e como utilizar o melhor dela, assim como descartar aquilo que não condiz com o atual sistema jurídico. Os novos métodos de decisão e interpretação do Direito serão discutidos sob a óptica dessas teorias e verificaremos qual a melhor maneira metodológica de aplicá-las. Ao longo do trabalho visaremos a analisar de forma crítica ambas as teorias em questão e o que os filósofos e teóricos ponderam sobre elas.
Os meios autocompositivos de solução de conflitos e as comunidades de baixa renda: Um enfoque sobre a efetividade na busca pela pacificação social e a prevenção da violência
Authors: Maillart Adriana Silva , Possato Fábio Antunes
Published: June 2016

O objetivo deste trabalho é analisar, por meio de pesquisas documentais, o conflito como fato social que requer tratamento adequado para o equilíbrio das relações sociais, em especial os conflitos deflagrados em comunidades de excluídos, comunidades de baixa renda, para, sob esse mesmo enfoque, estudar os meios alternativos de solução de controvérsias mais usuais, quais sejam a negociação, a mediação e a conciliação, verificando sua adequação às características desses extratos sociais. Utilizando-se do método sistêmico de pesquisa, além da técnica da pesquisa bibliográfica, conclui-se que a mediação revela a maior eficácia e efetividade no tratamento dos conflitos nessas comunidades por favorecer o fortalecimento das relações comunitárias, promovendo o empoderamento dos sujeitos e fomentando a pacificação social e a consequente prevenção à violência.
Gerenciamento de Resíduos Sólidos e Obrigações dos Entes Estatais Frente à Política Nacional de Resíduos Sólidos
Authors: Razuk Nahima Peron Coelho
Published: June 2016

Por compreender meio essencial de efetivação da dignidade da pessoa humana, o plexo de serviços relacionados ao saneamento básico (inclusive, o gerenciamento de resíduos sólidos) possuem vínculo indissociável com os direitos fundamentais. Não obstante, no atual contexto brasileiro, remanesce um número significativo de municípios em que os serviços de saneamento básico são de extrema precariedade, quando não inexistentes. O artigo busca, inicialmente, apresentar dados do saneamento básico no Brasil, para então destacar a crescente preocupação entorno da gestão dos resíduos sólidos, matéria, até pouco tempo, desprovida de legislação específica. Na sequência e especificamente sobre gerenciamento de resíduos sólidos, será tratada da sua natureza jurídica, princípios, competência e forma de execução. Por fim, serão identificadas as principais obrigações dos entes estatais por meio da Política Nacional de Resíduos Sólidos, instituídas pelo reconhecimento da essencialidade do gerenciamento de resíduos sólidos e com o propósito de superação da situação remanescente de emergência sanitária.
A Titularidade do Direito ao Desenvolvimento e Sua Afirmação Como Direitos Humanos Fundamentais
Authors: Leal Rogerio Gesta , Ribeiro Daniela Menengoti
Published: June 2016

O artigo propõe uma análise do direito ao desenvolvimento, utilizando para tanto os ideais econômico-humanistas que consideram o conceito de forma ampla ao integrar aspectos relativos à qualidade de vida, ao bem-estar individual e social, e à felicidade, tendo como fonte de inspiração a Declaração Universal dos Direitos Humanos de 1948, permitindo maior valorização das pessoas. A partir desta reflexão, passa-se a examinar a titularidade individual e/ou coletiva dos interesses do direito ao desenvolvimento, levando ao questionamento sobre a parcela de responsabilidade dos cidadãos – também diante de suas demandas individuais – em face da garantia deste direito no plano interno.
Cultura, Identidade e Memória: Repensando o Patrimônio (Cultural)
Authors: Blank Dionis Mauri Penning
Published: June 2016

O objetivo desta pesquisa foi identificar uma forma particular de pensar o patrimônio (cultural), relacionando a cultura, a identidade e a memória. O artigo aborda a construção imaginária do que se entende por nacional, resultado de uma unidade e coerência, de fato, inexistentes em uma nação. Demais, investiga a busca memorial e a patrimonialização, apresentando o patrimônio como uma representação simbólica das inúmeras versões das identidades. Ao final, descreve a noção contemporânea de patrimônio material e imaterial, justificando que esses elementos devem coexistir, pois se vinculam à legitimação do próprio patrimônio.
A Democracia do Conhecimento; A Busca por uma Sociedade Inteligente Para Legitimar a Atuação Democrática das Agências Reguladoras.
Authors: Schneider Yuri , Da Silva Rogério Luiz Nery
Published: June 2016

O Estado Regulador se apresentou como uma nova roupagem de modelo de intervenção do estado na economia apresentada pelos neoliberais onde visavam alcançar objetivos de sustentar a tese de um Estado mínimo, todavia, com participação do mesmo Estado na regulação de serviços públicos etc. No Brasil não foi diferente. Em meados da década de noventa, a globalização econômica de plataforma neoliberal propiciou o ingresso na nossa estrutura de Administração Pública o modelo das Agências Reguladoras. Todavia, este Estado Regulador, é sustentado por uma democracia típica do liberalismo, representativa, com falhas estruturais para aqueles que dominam o mercado. A democracia participativa ainda não apresenta sentido de participação efetiva, a qual, só se poderia alcançar com a aplicação da democracia cooperativa reflexiva do conhecimento, onde todos possuem direito a correta compreensão das questões que influenciam na vida da sociedade para, somente após isso, o cidadão possa efetivar a sua participação democrática.
Neutralidade e imparcialidade: análise frente à função judicante no constitucionalismo contemporâneo
Authors: Duarte Hugo Garcez , Barbosa Jadson De Oliveira
Published: June 2016

Busca-se, por meio deste artigo, analisar os conceitos de neutralidade e de imparcialidade frente à função judicante no constitucionalismo contemporâneo. Para tal, discorre-se sobre as distinções entre esses conceitos, estabelecendo-se uma visão crítica acerca de como foram vistos no passado e devem ser encarados no presente, bem como numa visão constitucional e progressista. Por derradeiro, conclui-se que o cenário jurídico contemporâneo já não admite a confusão entre a neutralidade e a imparcialidade, pois como o mundo é extremamente plural, as pessoas têm diferentes visões de mundo, podendo essas visões ser contempladas e protegidas pelo ordenamento jurídico, que abarca normas de conteúdo abstrato e indeterminado como dignidade da pessoa humana, cidadania, igualdade, liberdade, entre inúmeros outros. Nesse contexto, o direito deve ser aplicado de modo a ajustar-se aos direitos fundamentais e às reivindicações sociais, políticas e econômicas do sujeito de direito e obrigações, segmento no qual a neutralidade do julgador é impossível, mas isso, não necessariamente, ultraja sua imparcialidade.
Ação Penal 470, o Direito ao contraditório e a Corte Interamericana de Direitos Humanos
Authors: Gomes Eduardo Biacchi , Carta Winter Luis Alexandre , Montenegro Aline Ferreira
Published: June 2016

O Caso do “mensalão” deu azo a uma repercussão e a uma publicidade inobserváveis outrora no ordenamento jurídico brasileiro. Esses fatores corroboraram para a formação de um clamor social sui generis, por uma punição rápida e exemplar, todavia é imperioso salientar que o julgamento está inserido no ambiente de um Estado Democrático de Direito, e, portanto, as garantias processuais, das quais todo acusado tem direito, devem ser observadas.
Novo Código Comercial no Brasil e a unificação das obrigações no Código Civil de 2002
Authors: Pompeu Gina Vidal Marcilio , Andrade Thiago Pinho de
Published: June 2016

A iminência da promulgação do novo Código Comercial no Brasil, torna necessário analisar a evolução histórica do direito comercial e regulações que permearam o contexto evolutivo deste ramo. O problema a ser averiguado é a necessidade de implementar codificação em detrimento de aprimoramento de técnicas de execução e compreensão das legislações já existentes. Analisa-se como se deu reflexão e criação de tais diplomas tendo como pano de fundo as necessidades e anseios à época, para após isso, observar as discussões acerca da “unificação” do direito privado e autonomia do direito comercial, tendo como parâmetro as legislações civilistas e comerciais, sobretudo, o projeto do novo Código Comercial. A metodologia aplicada foi bibliográfica e documental. Livros e artigos, e legislações que permearam desde o período da mercancia aos dias de hoje, mercado. Por fim, investiga acomodação de tal matéria, sobretudo, na atualidade, para assim, observar influências e eventuais necessidades sobre a temática.
A dominialidade privada dos recursos hídricos em face do desenvolvimento sustentável
Authors: Armando Nicanor Henrique , Oliveira Valadão Maristela Aparecida
Published: June 2016

O presente artigo apresenta uma breve reflexão acerca da trajetória do domínio dos recursos hídricos no Brasil. A evolução da tutela jurídica dos recursos hídricos demonstra que, na vigência do Código de Águas, a proteção jurídica das águas limitava-se a conflitos de vizinhança e geração de energia, sem preocupação com sua preservação. Todavia, o acelerado processo de industrialização passou a exigir um maior aporte de recursos hídricos e, para promover o uso racional e garantir os múltiplos usos, era necessária uma proteção jurídica mais eficaz e condizente com o novo panorama, papel absorvido pela Constituição da República de 1988. Posteriormente, a Lei das Águas, em 1997, que instituiu a Politica Nacional de Recursos Hídricos, implementou os ditames constitucionais, destacando a água como um bem público, dotado de valor econômico, cujo planejamento e gestão do uso devem ocorrer de forma sustentável. Ao se atribuir um valor econômico à água, indaga-se se o uso racional vem sendo realmente alcançado ou, se através de um discurso da escassez, estaria sendo privatizado, ou mesmo, se os instrumentos da outorga e cobrança de uso asseguram o uso sustentável dos recursos hídricos. Salienta-se que a água é um direito fundamental de todos e é nesse sentido que seu domínio deve ser orientado.
A realização de brigas de galo no Nordeste Brasileiro: um conflito social
Authors: Escobar Marco Lunardi , Aguiar José Otávio , Zagui Paula Apolinário
Published: June 2016

O artigo analisa as normas ambientais que historicamente e atualmente permitem a realização de rinhas de galo ainda frequentes no nordeste brasileiro. O estudo, inserido nos trabalhos do grupo de pesquisas em História, Meio Ambiente e Questões Étnicas da Universidade Federal de Campina Grande, apresenta a necessidade de se evitar controvérsias que possam permitir que a justiça conceda decisões favoráveis à manutenção das brigas de galos. Utilizam-se como procedimentos metodológicos a pesquisa bibliográfica e documental análise da legislação aplicável. A partir destes procedimentos, conclui-se que existem no Brasil garantias legais para coibir as práticas que podem representar crueldade contra os galos, além da presença do movimento ambientalista que preocupa-se com a preservação da fauna
O Greenwashing e os Direitos Fundamentais na sociedade da informação: desafios para uma regulação eficiente
Authors: Machado Raimar , Schneider Paulo Henrique
Published: June 2016

O presente artigo tem por objetivo analisar o direito individual a informação e o direito coletivo ao meio ambiente equilibrado na sociedade da informação. Para tanto, tendo por norte o meio ambiente como um direito fundamental, e as premissas que envolvem sua constitucionalização, propõe-se verificar o fenômeno do greenwashing e os desafios para uma regulação eficiente do direito/dever de informar o consumidor sobre o benefícios ecológicos de determinados produtos e serviços.
Deliberação e racionalidade prática: uma reflexão a partir da teoria da Lei Natural de Santo Tomás de Aquino
Authors: Oliveira Júlio Aguiar de , Lessa Bárbara Alencar Ferreira
Published: June 2016

No ensaio Intractable Moral Disagreements, Alasdair MacIntyre, refletindo sobre a questão dos direitos humanos naturais, sustenta que somente será possível investigar, no contexto de uma comunidade ampliada de investigadores, os princípios morais válidos para toda a humanidade, se houver, de saída, uma vinculação das partes em desacordo teorético radical a um conjunto de regras de racionalidade prática. Para MacIntyre, essas regras morais, que são condição para a existência do debate, são idênticas aos preceitos da lei natural descritos por Tomás de Aquino. Nesse contexto, o trabalho objetiva analisar o sentido que MacIntyre confere à deliberação, num diálogo com Tomás de Aquino, enquanto elemento fundamental da racionalidade prática. Assim, o trabalho partirá da tese proposta por MacIntyre para analisar, no âmbito mais amplo da teoria da ação humana de Santo Tomás de Aquino, o conceito de deliberação (consilium) e sua relação com a racionalidade prática. Dessa forma, por meio da elaboração de Tomás de Aquino da racionalidade prática e deliberação, MacIntyre acredita ser possível minimizar os conflitos que geram os desacordos morais que vivenciamos na busca pelos bens humanos que constituem a base para os direitos humanos naturais.
Path following of an Underactuated AUV Based on Fuzzy Backstepping Sliding Mode Control
Authors: Liang Xiao , Wan Lei , Blake James I.R. , Shenoi R. Ajit , Townsend Nicholas
Published: June 2016

This paper addresses the path following problem of an underactuated autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) with the aim of dealing with parameter uncertainties and current disturbances. An adaptive robust control system was proposed by employing fuzzy logic, backstepping and sliding mode control theory. Fuzzy logic theory is adopted to approximate unknown system function, and the controller was designed by combining sliding mode control with backstepping thought. Firstly, the longitudinal speed was controlled, then the yaw angle was made as input of path following error to design the calm function and the change rate of path parameters. The controller stability was proved by Lyapunov stable theory. Simulation and outfield tests were conducted and the results showed that the controller is of excellent adaptability and robustness in the presence of parameter uncertainties and external disturbances. It is also shown to be able to avoid the chattering of AUV actuators.
A Multi-Objective Optimization Model for Planning Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Cruise Route
Authors: Liu Xiaofeng , Gao Limei , Guan Zhiwei , Song Yuqing , Zhang Rui
Published: June 2016

The use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) was introduced to monitor a traffic situation and the respective cruise route optimization problem was given. Firstly, a multi-objective optimization model was proposed, which considered two scenarios: the first scenario was that there were enough UAVs to monitor all the targets, while the second scenario was that only some targets could be monitored due to a lack of UAVs. A multi-objective evolutionary algorithm was subsequently proposed to plan the UAV cruise route. Next, a route planning experiment, using the Microdrones md4-1000 UAV, was conducted and a UAV route planning case was studied.

The experiment showed that the UAV actual flight route was almost consistent with the planned route. The case study showed that, compared with the initial optimal solutions, the optimal total UAV cruise distance and the number of UAVs used in scenario 1 decreased by 41.65% and 40.00%, respectively. Meanwhile, the total UAV cruise distance and the number of targets monitored in scenario 2 reduced by 15.75% and increased by 27.27%, respectively. In addition, a comparison study with other algorithms was conducted, while the optimization results were also improved. This demonstrated that the proposed UAV cruise route planning model was effective.
In-Vitro Antileishmanial Activity of Raphanus sativus L. var. caudatus
Authors: Ishrat Younus  , Afshan Siddiq
Published: June 2016

Leishmaniasis is a major public health problem causing significant morbidity and mortality around the world specially Asia, Africa and Latin America. The present preliminary in-vitro study reports antileishmanial potential of Raphanus sativus L. var. caudatus. Various concentrations of ethanolic extract of plant were used. The tested extract showed noteworthy inhibition (concentration – dependant) of Leishmania promastigotes. The IC50 of extract was found to be 39 μg/ml. The results of present study could be helpful in future for antileishmanial therapy.
Hydrogeological and geochemical overview of the karst aquifers in the Apuan Alps (Northwestern Tuscany, Italy)
Authors: Menichini Matia , Doveri Marco , Piccini Leonardo
Published: June 2016

Apuan Alps, in north-western Tuscany (Italy), have a very complex geological structure. For this reason karst springs show very different behaviours according to the geological setting of aquifer systems. More than 80 springs are fed by carbonate aquifers; flow rates (Q) range from 10 to 1600 L/s, in average, temperatures range from 8 to 15 °C. Deep and very slow groundwater flow feed some low-thermal springs (20-30 °C). Major karst springs (Q > 100 L/s) are concentrated in two altimetry ranges, one from 200 to 300 m a.s.l. in the seaward side (SW-NW) and a second one from 500 to 600 m a.s.l. on the inner (NE-SE) side of the mountain range. Most of the springs are the final destination of large karst systems developed in meta-dolomite and marbles characterized by a very rapid flow. Some springs have a regular regime and are fed by bathyphreatic systems in metamorphic rocks or by carbonate aquifers with a major contribution of fissured drainage in non-metamorphic rocks. Large physical-chemical variations, both in space and time, are observed as a consequence of lithological heterogeneity, mixing processes and hydrodynamic conditions. Most waters are of the Ca-HCO3 type, but Ca-SO4 and Na-Cl facies are also present. A wide range of electrical conductivity is recorded, with values between 0.1 μS/cm and 10 μS/cm. Significant differences in the average isotopic signature (e.g. δ18O from -5.5 to -8.5‰) of the “base-flow” are registered due to the variability of hydrogeological basins dimension and their distribution in terms of altitude range and side. In some cases, springs with similar chemical features and located close to each other, point out very different isotopes signature, thus highlighting complicated flow path of groundwater. Furthermore, different seasonal evolutions of isotopic signatures are registered.
Climate change may threaten habitat suitability of threatened plant species within Chinese nature reserves
Authors: Wang Chunjing , Liu Chengzhu , Wan Jizhong , Zhang Zhixiang
Published: June 2016

Climate change has the potential to alter the distributions of threatened plant species, and may therefore diminish the capacity of nature reserves to protect threatened plant species. Chinese nature reserves contain a rich diversity of plant species that are at risk of becoming more threatened by climate change. Hence, it is urgent to identify the extent to which future climate change may compromise the suitability of threatened plant species habitats within Chinese nature reserves. Here, we modelled the climate suitability of 82 threatened plant species within 168 nature reserves across climate change scenarios. We used Maxent modelling based on species occurrence localities and evaluated climate change impacts using the magnitude of change in climate suitability and the degree of overlap between current and future climatically suitable habitats. There was a significant relationship between overlap with current and future climate suitability of all threatened plant species habitats and the magnitude of changes in climate suitability. Our projections estimate that the climate suitability of more than 60 threatened plant species will decrease and that climate change threatens the habitat suitability of plant species in more than 130 nature reserves under the low, medium, and high greenhouse gas concentration scenarios by both 2050s and 2080s. Furthermore, future climate change may substantially threaten tree plant species through changes in annual mean temperature. These results indicate that climate change may threaten plant species that occur within Chinese nature reserves. Therefore, we suggest that climate change projections should be integrated into the conservation and management of threatened plant species within nature reserves.
Characterizing the adult and larval transcriptome of the multicolored Asian lady beetle,Harmonia axyridis
Authors: Havens Lindsay A. , MacManes Matthew D.
Published: June 2016

The reasons for the evolution and maintenance of striking visual phenotypes are as widespread as the species that display these phenotypes. While study systems such asHeliconiusandDendrobatidaehave been well characterized and provide critical information about the evolution of these traits, a breadth of new study systems, in which the phenotype of interest can be easily manipulated and quantified, are essential for gaining a more general understanding of these specific evolutionary processes. One such model is the multicolored Asian lady beetle,Harmonia axyridis, which displays significant elytral spot and color polymorphism. Using transcriptome data from two life stages, adult and larva, we characterize the transcriptome, thereby laying a foundation for further analysis and identification of the genes responsible for the continual maintenance of spot variation inH. axyridis.
A time-lapse photography method for monitoring salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.) passage and abundance in streams
Authors: Deacy William W. , Leacock William B. , Eby Lisa A. , Stanford Jack A.
Published: June 2016

Accurately estimating population sizes is often a critical component of fisheries research and management. Although there is a growing appreciation of the importance of small-scale salmon population dynamics to the stability of salmon stock-complexes, our understanding of these populations is constrained by a lack of efficient and cost-effective monitoring tools for streams. Weirs are expensive, labor intensive, and can disrupt natural fish movements. While conventional video systems avoid some of these shortcomings, they are expensive and require excessive amounts of labor to review footage for data collection. Here, we present a novel method for quantifying salmon in small streams (<15 m wide, <1 m deep) that uses both time-lapse photography and video in a model-based double sampling scheme. This method produces an escapement estimate nearly as accurate as a video-only approach, but with substantially less labor, money, and effort. It requires servicing only every 14 days, detects salmon 24 h/day, is inexpensive, and produces escapement estimates with confidence intervals. In addition to escapement estimation, we present a method for estimating in-stream salmon abundance across time, data needed by researchers interested in predator--prey interactions or nutrient subsidies. We combined daily salmon passage estimates with stream specific estimates of daily mortality developed using previously published data. To demonstrate proof of concept for these methods, we present results from two streams in southwest Kodiak Island, Alaska in which high densities of sockeye salmon spawn.
Transcriptional similarity in couples reveals the impact of shared environment and lifestyle on gene regulation through modified cytosines
Authors: Tang Ke , Zhang Wei
Published: June 2016

Gene expression is a complex and quantitative trait that is influenced by both genetic and non-genetic regulators including environmental factors. Evaluating the contribution of environment to gene expression regulation and identifying which genes are more likely to be influenced by environmental factors are important for understanding human complex traits. We hypothesize that by living together as couples, there can be commonly co-regulated genes that may reflect the shared living environment (e.g., diet, indoor air pollutants, behavioral lifestyle). The lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs) derived from unrelated couples of African ancestry (YRI, Yoruba people from Ibadan, Nigeria) from the International HapMap Project provided a unique model for us to characterize gene expression pattern in couples by comparing gene expression levels between husbands and wives. Strikingly, 778 genes were found to show much smaller variances in couples than random pairs of individuals at a false discovery rate (FDR) of 5%. Since genetic variation between unrelated family members in a general population is expected to be the same assuming a random-mating society, non-genetic factors (e.g., epigenetic systems) are more likely to be the mediators for the observed transcriptional similarity in couples. We thus evaluated the contribution of modified cytosines to those genes showing transcriptional similarity in couples as well as the relationships these CpG sites with other gene regulatory elements, such as transcription factor binding sites (TFBS). Our findings suggested that transcriptional similarity in couples likely reflected shared common environment partially mediated through cytosine modifications.
Associating Teaching Competence and Grades in Method Subjects among Student Teachers as Basis for Curricular Revision
Authors: Cuadra Lijueraj J. , Barredo Bayron
Published: June 2016

Competence, ability, and knowledge of student teachers could affect their performance as teachers. Thus, teacher education institutions should focus on preparing student teachers to be competent and efficient in managing today's classrooms. The study examined the correlates of teaching competencies among student teachers of the College of Education at the Visayas State University (VSU), Philippines. Branching Diagram Analytical Technique (BRANDT) was used to describe the relationship between the student teaching performance and performance of the method subjects. A bivariate correlation was also applied to find the relationship among student performance, hobbies, skills, organizations, and grades in methods subject. Additionally, Analysis of Variance (One-way ANOVA) was utilized to interpret further and analyze the data. The results showed that there's a significant relationship among student teaching performance, some personal attributes, and grades in the method subjects. Therefore, the number of organizations the students were involved in was highly related to their ratings in the method subjects. The student teachers' knowledge and application of educational principles and methods were relevant in their teaching competence. However, it is recommended that the relationship between teaching performance and competence should be further evaluated.
Online Alumni Information System Satisfies Alumni in an Educational Institution in Cebu City, Philippines
Authors: Alegado Laila M.
Published: June 2016

The internet is a powerful tool for connectivity. It has become the avenue for most people to exchange information, knowledge, and apparently, almost everyone is present on the web. The Online Alumni Information System aimed to evaluate the status of the existing alumni information system in the aspect of accessibility, reliability and timeliness. It also identified the problems encountered in the current alumni information system, determine the features of good online alumni information system, and design a prototype of online alumni information system. The study used the descriptive method of research using the researcher-made questionnaire to gather data. There were 116 respondents in the study using purposive sampling technique. To obtain the relevant data, the alumni provide their answers to the researcher-made questionnaire. The results revealed that the respondents were able to acquire accurate documents or alumni information from the school after graduation, and they were satisfied with those obtained documents. The common problems encountered include the absence of the programs/ activities organized by the alumni, no communication with the graduates, and outdated profiles of the graduates. The study concludes that an Online Alumni Information System should be designed and developed to provide easy access to information to all stakeholders.
Properties of relatively long streamers initiated from an isolated hydrometeor
Authors: Shi Feng , Liu Ningyu , Rassoul Hamid K.
Published: June 2016

This paper reports a modeling study on the dynamics of relatively long streamers initiated from an isolated hydrometeor in subbreakdown (0.5Ek) and overbreakdown (1.5Ek) electric fields, respectively, where Ek is the conventional breakdown threshold field. The modeling results indicate that at 0.5Ek field, the streamer shows a generally exponential growth feature, but its channel characteristics such as radius, electron density, and current density exhibit colocated fluctuations. On the other hand, at 1.5Ek field, the streamer shows faster exponential growth, and no fluctuations of those parameters are observed. The exponential growth property allows one to use the modeling results to predict the characteristics of longer streamers, as well as to quantify the thunderstorm electrical conditions including the high‐field region size and potential difference in order to accelerate the streamer to the high speed of fast positive breakdown that was observed recently in lightning initiation. At 0.5Ek, a potential difference of ∼0.3–1.8 MV is required to accelerate the streamer to the high speed of 1–5 × 107 m/s, while at 1.5Ek, ∼0.07–0.4 MV is required. The exponentially growing streamer current produces an exponentially increasing magnetic field, leading to electromagnetic (EM) field radiation. It is found that the growth rate of the magnetic field (
) radiated by a streamer can be obtained by a simple relation
, where 1/τ is the growth rate of the streamer. Combining our modeling results with the Fourier analysis reported by Qin et al. (2012), we find that streamers at thundercloud altitudes radiate in the high frequency and very high frequency range of the EM spectrum.
The forced precession of the Moon's inner core
Authors: Dumberry Mathieu , Wieczorek Mark A.
Published: June 2016

The tilt angle of the 18.6 year precession of the Moon's solid inner core is unknown, but it is set by a balance between gravitational and pressure torques acting on its elliptical figure. We show here that to first order, the angle of precession of the inner core of a planetary body is determined by the frequency of the free inner core nutation, ωficn, relative to the precession frequency, Ωp. If |ωficn|≪|Ωp|, the inner core is blind to the gravitational influence of the mantle. If |ωficn|≫|Ωp|, the inner core is gravitationally locked to the mantle and is nearly aligned with it. If ωficn≈Ωp, large inner core tilt angles can result from resonant excitation. Viscous inner core relaxation and electromagnetic coupling can attenuate large tilt angles. For the specific case of the Moon, we show that ωficn is to within a factor of 2 of Ωp = 2π/18.6 yr−1. For a rigid inner core, this implies a tilt of 2 to 5° with respect to the mantle, and larger if ωficn is very close to Ωp. More modest tilt angles between 0 and 0.5° result if viscous relaxation within the inner core occurs on a timescale of one lunar day. Predictions from our model may be used in an attempt to detect the gravity signal resulting from a tilted inner core, to determine the past history of the inner core tilt angle, and to assess models of dynamo generation powered by differential rotation at the core‐mantle and inner core boundaries.
Spontaneous rupture on natural fractures and seismic radiation during hydraulic fracturing treatments
Authors: Duan Benchun
Published: June 2016

We extend spontaneous rupture models in earthquake source studies to analyze fluid injection problems. We perform these analyses on a 2‐D fracture network model with a propagating hydraulic fracture (HF) and three sets of natural fractures (NFs). We find that it is difficult for NFs that are either parallel or perpendicular to the HF to slip because of little resolved shear stress on them in the prestress field. Shear failure of optimally oriented NFs depends on frictional parameters, such as the critical slip distance in slip‐weakening laws. Slip of NFs near the tips of the HF may affect HF opening. Nonsmooth fracture opening generates isolated spiky seismic signals, while unstable frictional slip radiates strong and continuous seismic signals with long‐duration coda waves. These results suggest microseismicity may be primarily generated by unstable frictional slip on NFs with some contribution from nonsmooth opening motions on HFs and/or NFs.
Finite gyroradius effects in the electron outflow of asymmetric magnetic reconnection
Authors: Norgren C. , Graham D. B. , Khotyaintsev Yu. V. , André M. , Vaivads A. , Chen L.‐J. , Lindqvist P.‐A. , Marklund G. T. , Ergun R. E. , Magnes W. , Strangeway R. J. , Russell C. T. , Torbert R. B. , Paterson W. R. , Gershman D. J. , Dorelli J. C. , Avanov L. A. , Lavraud B. , Saito Y. , Giles B. L. , Pollock C. J. , Burch J. L.
Published: June 2016

We present observations of asymmetric magnetic reconnection showing evidence of electron demagnetization in the electron outflow. The observations were made at the magnetopause by the four Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) spacecraft, separated by ∼15 km. The reconnecting current sheet has negligible guide field, and all four spacecraft likely pass close to the electron diffusion region just south of the X line. In the electron outflow near the X line, all four spacecraft observe highly structured electron distributions in a region comparable to a few electron gyroradii. The distributions consist of a core with T∥>T⊥ and a nongyrotropic crescent perpendicular to the magnetic field. The crescents are associated with finite gyroradius effects of partly demagnetized electrons. These observations clearly demonstrate the manifestation of finite gyroradius effects in an electron‐scale reconnection current sheet.
Microinjections observed by MMS FEEPS in the dusk to midnight region
Authors: Fennell J. F. , Turner D. L. , Lemon C. L. , Blake J. B. , Clemmons J. H. , Mauk B. H. , Jaynes A. N. , Cohen I. J. , Westlake J. H. , Baker D. N. , Craft J. V. , Spence H. E. , Reeves G. D. , Torbert R. B. , Burch J. L. , Giles B. L. , Paterson W. R. , Strangeway R. J.
Published: June 2016

Energetic electron injections are commonly observed in the premidnight to dawn regions in association with substorms. However, successive electron injections are generally separated in time by hours and are rarer in the dusk region of the inner magnetosphere. Early MMS energetic electron data taken in the dusk to premidnight regions above ~9 RE show many clusters of electron injections. These injections of 50–400 keV electrons have energy dispersion signatures indicating that they gradient and curvature drifted from earlier local times. We focus on burst rate data starting near 21:00 UT on 6 August 2015. A cluster of ~40 electron injections occurred in the following 4 h interval. The highest‐resolution data showed that the electrons in the injections were trapped and had bidirectional field‐aligned angular distributions. These injection clusters are a new phenomenon in this region of the magnetosphere.