bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A rasura da letra e a explosão do semblante
Authors: Masagão Andrea Menezes
Published: April 2011

Investiga-se a construção de um registro que representa o sujeito, a partir do ato de circulação da escrita no espaço público. Paulo 'despacha' no espaço público o que nomeia como "bombas de efeito moral". Suas bombas são feitas de imagens, letras e restos descartados no lixo como rótulos e embalagens. Trata-se de uma escrita que faz furo na representação, quebrando a unidade de sentido e revelando a materialidade da letra. Escrita que provoca um curto circuito na função mensageira da linguagem e faz borda nos discursos.
Primeira transferência: afastar a sugestão do somático
Authors: Villa François
Published: April 2011

Além da simpatia, da empatia, na origem da neurose de transferência, há um ponto central, ponto de antipatia, em que psicanalista e psicanalisando apreendem o real do corpo. Além do corpo psíquico, se entrevê o fundo das coisas: a carne em sofrimento que nunca é vista. Nesse momento do tratamento ouve-se a força de atração do recalcamento orgânico. O autor volta a um momento princeps da invenção freudiana: o sonho "da injeção de Irmã", para examinar sua hipótese de que o trabalho do sonho revela uma das funções do psíquico - afastar a sugestão do somático.
Surgical treatment of noniatrogenic trauma of the femoral arteries
Authors: Wolosker Nelson , Guadêncio Alvaro , Kuzniec Sérgio , Rosoky Ruben Aizín , Kalume Claudio , Neves Cesar Amorim Pacheco , Aun Ricardo , Langer Berilo
Published: April 2011

Trauma to the femoral arteries corresponds to 30 percent of all arterial traumas. The authors reviewed 74 patients with noniatrogenic trauma of the femoral arteries treated from January 1991 to December 1993. Ages ranged from 11 to 50 years, with a mean of 24. Seventy-one patients were male and three female. Fifty-two patients (70.2 percent) were white, 20 (27 percent) were black and two (2.8 percent) were Asian. Trauma due to firearms had the highest incidence, with 61 cases (82.4 percent). Absence of pulse was the most frequent clinical symptom (62.5 percent). Severe ischemia, with risk of loss of limb, was found in 66.2 percent of the cases. The superficial femoral artery was impaired in 77 percent of the cases. A preoperative arteriography was performed on only five patients, victims of multiple penetrating trauma or an asymptomatic penetrating wound along a vessel passage. In six cases, arterial and venous ligature was the chosen procedure. In three cases, a primary arterial anantomosis was performed. Simple arterriorraphy was feasible in one patient. In 64 of the patients, a venous graft was undertaken using a segment of the inverted great saphenous vein withdrawn from the other lower limb. Fasciotomoy was used in 32 patients (43.2 percent), all of whom exhibited pasting of the lower limb muscles at admission. One patient died during the immediate postoperative period as the result of multiple organ failure caused by polytraumatism. Preservation of the limb was attained in 72 patients (97.3 percent) Severe, previously-incurred ischemia was responsible for the only two amputations, aggravated by an exceedingly long delay between the time of injury and surgery. One of these patients, in addition to severe ischemia, had extensive injuries to the soft tissues. We conclude that trauma of the femoral arteries, attended while the limb still maintains its vitality, has a positive clinical outcome with a high rate of limb preservation. Mortality usually results from injury to other organs.
Influence of body composition on the bone mass of postmenopausal women
Authors: Marone Marília Martins Silveira , Gouveia Cecília Helena de Azevedo , Lewin Shlomo , Wehba Salim , Malvestiti Luiz Fernando , Bianco Antonio C.
Published: April 2011

AIMS:To investigate the influence of body weight (BW), fat mass (FM) and lean mass (LM) on the bone mineral density (BMD) of several areas of the skeleton. PARTICIPANTS: Sixty one white postmenopausal women (50.1±4.8 years). MEASUREMENTS: Measurement of BMD by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry. The results were analyzed by linear regression and the slopes of each curve were compared. RESULTS: The results showed that the correlations between BW, FM and LM to BMD were positive, whilst the correlations between age and years since menopause to BMD were negative. LM was the main factor that influenced BMD in almost all areas. CONCLUSIONS: FM and LM present a positive effect on BMD, although LM is the main determinant of bone mass. Moreover, higher values of LM and FM present a protective effect against the reduction of BMD combined with menopause. Therefore postmenopausal women with low BW, especially low LM, present serious risk for developing osteoporosis.
Prevalence of the use of homeopathy by the population of Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Authors: Rodrigues-Neto João Felício , Figueiredo Maria Fernanda Santos , Faria Anderson Antônio de
Published: April 2011

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Homeopathy is a therapeutic system that uses small doses of substances to stimulate autoregulatory and self-healing processes. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of the use of homeopathy by the population of Montes Claros, Brazil, and the socioeconomic profile of users. DESIGN AND SETTING: Probabilistic cross-sectional study with cluster sampling, in the city of Montes Claros, Minas Gerais. METHODS: This study was conducted by applying semi-structured questionnaires. The sample was composed of 3,080 people. For the statistical analysis, Student's t test and the chi-square test were used. The statistical significance level used was P < 0.05. RESULTS: We interviewed 3,090 people. The prevalence of the use of homeopathy was 2.4%. The factors associated with its use were female gender, schooling and income. The main reason that led to seeking homeopathy was "Conventional treatment did not have any effect". For 70.2% of the users, the cost of the treatment was considered reasonable or cheap. About 73% were satisfied or very satisfied with the treatment received through homeopathy. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of the use of homeopathy found here was less than that reported in other countries. People with higher income and schooling levels used homeopathy more frequently. There was higher prevalence among women. Most users declared themselves satisfied with the treatment received.
Methodological adequacy of articles published in two open-access Brazilian cardiology periodicals
Authors: Macedo Cristiane Rufino , Silva Davi Leite da , Puga Maria Eduarda
Published: April 2011

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: The use of rigorous scientific methods has contributed towards developing scientific articles of excellent methodological quality. This has made it possible to promote their citation and increase the impact factor. Brazilian periodicals have had to adapt to certain quality standards demanded by these indexing organizations, such as the content and the number of original articles published in each issue. This study aimed to evaluate the methodological adequacy of two Brazilian periodicals within the field of cardiology that are indexed in several databases and freely accessible through the Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO), and which are now indexed by the Web of Science (Institute for Scientific Information, ISI). DESIGN AND SETTING: Descriptive study at Brazilian Cochrane Center. METHODS: All the published articles were evaluated according to merit assessment (content) and form assessment (performance). RESULTS: Ninety-six percent of the articles analyzed presented study designs that were adequate for answering the objectives. CONCLUSIONS: These two Brazilian periodicals within the field of cardiology published methodologically adequate articles, since they followed the quality standards. Thus, these periodicals can be considered both for consultation and as vehicles for publishing future articles. For further analyses, it is essential to apply other indicators of scientific activity such as bibliometrics, which evaluates quantitative aspects of the production, dissemination and use of information, and scientometrics, which is also concerned with the development of science policies, within which it is often superimposed on bibliometrics.
Luzes e sombras do novo Conselho de Direitos Humanos das Nações Unidas
Authors: Villan Duran Carlos
Published: April 2011

O Conselho de Direitos Humanos nasceu sob o signo da provisoriedade, pois apenas no prazo de um ano dever-se-á decidir sobre o futuro do sistema de relatores especiais, do procedimento de queixas individuais perante os mecanismos extra-convencionais de proteção, e sobre a Subcomissão para a Promoção e a Proteção de Direitos Humanos. Algumas decisões, contudo, já foram tomadas, como a criação de um "mecanismo universal de revisão periódica"que deve servir para estudar a situação dos direitos humanos em todos os países. Ainda, algumas mudanças deverão ser implementadas no que se refere ao Conselho. Para assegurar às ONGs o seu estatuto consultivo, deverão ser emendados os artigos 68 e 71 da Carta. Dever-se-á reconhecer, ademais disso, a todos os sete Comitês estabelecidos por tratados internacionais o estatuto de observadores permanentes perante o Conselho de Direitos Humanos.
Combining sensors in landscape ecology: imagery-based and farm-level analysis in the study of human-driven forest fragmentation
Authors: Cabral Diogo de Carvalho , Freitas Simone R. , Fiszon Judith Tiomny
Published: April 2011

Although remote sensed methods provide reliable basis for identifying the amount and spatial configuration of deforestation, they cannot solely explain its underlying causes. For that, we need to complement the imagery analysis with socio-economic data from household or farm-level studies, because these domestic units affect process such migration, land-use, and technology choice. Thus, by combining remote imagery sensor and social survey, we obtain a merged analytical framework, which has the potential to improve our understanding on the determinants of human-driven forest fragmentation. We present such a methodological framework for studying deforestation in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. Two empirical studies a remote sensing analysis and a farm-level survey were put together in the context of a wider project focusing on forest fragmentation process in the northeastern Guanabara region, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. We show that, rather than `patchwork quilt' methodologies, we need theoretical-oriented frameworks that give sense to the use of different landscape ecological approaches and methods (imagery analysis, mathematical modeling and social studies) in order to document and interpret land-use changes.
Redes, sistemas de transportes e as novas dinâmicas do território no período atual: notas sobre o caso brasileiro
Authors: Pereira Mirlei Fachini Vicente
Published: April 2011

A revolução dos sistemas técnicos e a sua função transformadora do espaço no período atual podem ser plenamente caracterizadas pela presença de diferentes tipos de redes geográficas que dinamizam os sistemas produtivos e redefinem em escala global o uso do território, conferindo novas possibilidades aos fluxos materiais (objetos, mercadorias, pessoas) e imateriais (dados, informação, comunicação) ainda que isto ocorra de forma bastante diferenciada nos lugares. Como os diferentes tipos de redes e de sistemas de transporte não ocorrem de forma homogênea no território e não atendem aos interesses de todos os agentes, as funções de articulação das ações e de otimização do trabalho desempenhadas pelas redes geográficas tornam-se restritas e limitadas, sobretudo para aqueles lugares e ações que aparecem como sendo residuais (sem importância) aos interesses do sistema político-econômico hegemônico. O texto enfatiza justamente este caráter de dualidade das redes (integração/fragmentação), considerações que são feitas a partir da natureza atual dos sistemas de transportes. As lógicas corporativas de instalação e uso das redes no sistema de transporte brasileiro exemplificam este problema e aparecem como ponto de partida para repensarmos novas estratégias políticas para o uso das redes e para a organização do território.
Aplicação do Código Florestal Brasileiro como subsídio para o planejamento ambiental: um estudo de caso na região noroeste do estado do Rio de Janeiro
Authors: Marchioro Eberval , Fernandes Nelson Ferreira , Macedo José Ronaldo de , Bhering Silvio B. , Gonçalves Alexandre Ortega
Published: April 2011

O trabalho verificou a aplicação do Código Florestal Brasileiro (CFB) na bacia do Córrego Santa Maria, na região Noroeste Fluminense (RJ), como subsídio para o planejamento ambiental. Essa bacia localiza-se inteiramente no Município de São José de Ubá e vem sendo submetida a diferentes processos de uso e ocupação do solo, culminando com problemas erosivos e hídricos. Para realização do trabalho foi elaborado o mapa de uso e ocupação do solo atual por meio de classificação automática supervisionada, utilizando-se fotos aéreas da Companhia de Energia do Rio de Janeiro (CERJ) e do Departamento de Recursos Minerais - DRM/RJ. Para elaboração do mapa de uso e ocupação do solo com o cenário estabelecido no artigo 2º do CFB foi criada uma faixa de entorno. Os resultados indicam que ocorreria conflito entre a utilização do CFB e o uso atual para ás áreas a agricultura e pecuária, solo exposto e área urbana. No caso da agricultura e pecuária, o uso conflitante poderia ser amenizado com práticas de manejo e conservação adequadas. A aplicação do CFB contribuiria significativamente para aumento das APP (floresta), promovendo aumento da infiltração de água no solo e recarga do sistema aquífero, diminuição do escoamento superficial e da erosão dos solos.
Comparative Salivary Proteomics of Cleft Palate Patients
Authors: Szabo Gyula Tamas , Tihanyi Reka , Csulak Fruzsina , Jambor Eva , Bona Agnes , Szabo Gyula , Mark Laszlo
Published: April 2011

Objectives

To investigate salivary proteins with proteomic technologies to evaluate protein composition differences between samples with cleft lip and palate and healthy controls.

Design, Participants

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization tandem time-of-flight (MALDI TOF/TOF) mass spectrometry was used as a high-throughput analytical technique for identification of nonsyndromic cleft lip and palate stimulated salivary proteins. The samples consisted of two groups: 31 cleft lip and palate patients and a control group with 20 healthy volunteers.

Results

The presence of cleft lip and palate stimulated the expression of several proteins, included adaptor-related protein complex 3, dermokine, nidogen 1 precursor, transforming growth factor-β3, and a zinc finger RAN-binding domain containing 2.

Conclusions

The salivary proteome of cleft lip and palate patients differs from the protein composition of healthy control saliva samples. Several common secreted proteins such as actins, salivary cystatins, and keratins were upregulated by cleft; increased levels of TGF-β3 and dermokine were detected in the pathologic samples. The current proteomic results suggest keratinocyte activation among patients with cleft lip and palate. The score of our preliminary results suggests the hypothesis that identified salivary proteins are of vital clinical importance in tissue regeneration and the molecular repair mechanism seen in patients with cleft lip and palate.
Characterization of Obstructive Sleep Apnea before and after Tongue-Lip Adhesion in Children with Micrognathia
Authors: Sedaghat Ahmad R. , Anderson Iee Ching W. , Mcginley Brian M. , Rossberg Mark I. , Redett Richard J. , Ishman Stacey L.
Published: April 2011

Objectives

To characterize airway obstruction before and after tongue-lip adhesion in children with micrognathia using polysomnography.

Design

Retrospective pilot case series.

Participants and Methods

Evaluation of all children with micrognathia who underwent tongue-lip adhesion and polysomnography before and after surgery from 2002 to 2007 (N = 8).

Results

Eight children met inclusion criteria; six were girls. The mean interval between polysomnography and tongue-lip adhesion was 6 days (range, 2 to 13 days) preoperatively and 17 days (range, 5 to 32 days) postoperatively. Severe obstructive sleep apnea was identified in seven of eight (88%) children, with a mean preoperative obstructive apnea hypopnea index of 52.6 events per hour (range, 7.1 to 85.7 events per hour). None had significant central sleep apneas (>5 per hour). Tongue-lip adhesion resulted in a mean decrease of 34.5 events per hour (range, −65.8 to 71.6 events per hour). After tongue-lip adhesion, seven of eight (87.5%) patients had an improved obstructive apnea hypopnea index, with resolution of obstructive sleep apnea in one child and improvement to mild (two) and moderate (two) obstructive sleep apnea in four others. Only one child had an obstructive apnea hypopnea index that increased after tongue-lip adhesion. Peak end-tidal pCO2 measurements were elevated in all eight children before surgery at a mean of 60 mm Hg (range, 52 to 76 mm Hg) that improved to 51 mm Hg (range, 45 to 59 mm Hg), with normal peak levels in four children. Oxygen saturation nadir improved from 73% (range, 58% to 81%) to 82% (range, 65% to 94%).

Conclusions

Tongue-lip adhesion may be performed in micrognathic infants to alleviate airway obstruction. Polysomnographic evaluation in this pilot study before and after surgery suggests that tongue-lip adhesion usually improves obstructive sleep apnea, but only 38% had complete resolution. Future studies of tongue-lip adhesion efficacy should include Polysomnographic evaluation.
Analysis of hydration heat and autogenous shrinkage of high-strength mass concrete
Authors: Kim Gyu-Yong , Lee Eui-Bae , Nam Jeong-Soo , Koo Kyung-Mo
Published: April 2011

The early-age properties and relationships between hydration heat and autogenous shrinkage in high-strength mass concrete of different mixture proportions are investigated through analysis of the history curves of hydration heat and autogenous shrinkage. The hydration temperature and hydration heating velocity (HHV) of the concrete were found to increase with increases in specimen size and decrease when the concrete contained a retarder, fly ash (FA) and ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBS). Even in samples of the same mixture proportion, autogenous shrinkage was noted to become greater as the inner temperature increased. The autogenous shrinkage of high-strength mass concrete containing FA and GGBS was lower than that of ordinary Portland cement high-strength mass concrete. The autogenous shrinking velocity of concrete increased as the size of the specimen increased and decreased when the concrete contained a retarder, FA and GGBS. Finally, a close correlation was found between the hydration temperature and autogenous shrinkage at an early age: a higher HHV and a larger HHV–maturity factor led to greater autogenous shrinkage.
The Media Game: New Moves, Old Strategies
Authors: Iyengar Shanto
Published: April 2011

Campaigns are strategic contests between candidates and reporters. While candidates have proven to be adept at gaming news coverage of their campaign advertisements, journalists have maintained their autonomy by curtailing coverage of the candidates stump speeches. The advent of online media, however, advantages the candidates by permitting direct communication between candidates and voters.
How Political Science Can Help Journalism (and Still Let Journalists Be Journalists)
Authors: Nyhan Brendan , Sides John
Published: April 2011

Political scientists frequently lament the medias neglect of our research. Although reporters should have a basic understanding of the field, it is not reasonable to expect them to restate the conclusions of academic research on a daily basis. Moreover, it is not always clear how research findings apply within the conventions of political journalism, which is context-specific and episodic in nature. In this article, we propose an approach that would bring more political science to journalism while respecting the professional norms and organizational constraints of news organizations. Although academic research is not always conducive to the demands of the news cycle, political science provides a novel perspective that could improve reporting in five respects: putting episodic developments in a structural context; providing new angles on the news; countering spin about the effects of events by elites; better describing historical trends and comparisons; and identifying known unknowns in politics.
The Economic Records of the Presidents: Party Differences and Inherited Economic Conditions
Authors: Campbell James E.
Published: April 2011

Several studies of the post-war American political economy find that Democratic presidents have been more successful than Republicans. Most recently, Bartels (2008) found that economic growth had been greater and that unemployment and income inequality had been lower under Democratic presidents since 1948. If true, these findings combined with the frequent success of Republicans in presidential elections pose a challenge to theories of retrospective voting and responsible party government. This reexamination of these findings indicates that they are an artifact of specification error. Previous estimates did not properly take into account the lagged effects of the economy. Once lagged economic effects are taken into account, party differences in economic performance are shown to be the effects of economic conditions inherited from the previous president and not the consequence of real policy differences. Specifically, the economy was in recession when Republican presidents became responsible for the economy in each of the four post-1948 transitions from Democratic to Republican presidents. This was not the case for the transitions from Republicans to Democrats. When economic conditions leading into a year are taken into account, there are no presidential party differences with respect to growth, unemployment, or income inequality.
Economic Effects of Purity Standards in Biotech Labeling Laws
Authors: Giannakas Konstantinos , Kalaitzandonakes Nicholas , Magnier Alexander , Mattas Konstadinos
Published: April 2011

This paper develops a model of heterogeneous consumer preferences and imperfectly competitive suppliers to analyze the market and welfare effects of purity standards for non-GM food products. Analytical results show that purity standards affect the equilibrium prices and quantities of both the GM and non-GM products as well as the welfare of the groups involved. A change in purity standards is shown to create winners and losers among the consumers and the suppliers of the GM and non-GM products. Our analysis provides insights on labeling policies and the position of interest groups in countries with different adoption of, and attitudes towards genetically modified products.
Solving Share Equations in Logit Models Using the LambertW Function
Authors: Aravindakshan Ashwin , Ratchford Brian
Published: April 2011

Though individual demand and supply equations can readily be expressed in logit models, closed-form solutions for equilibrium shares and prices are intractable due to the presence of products of polynomial and exponential terms. This hinders the employment of logit models in theoretical studies, and also makes it difficult to develop reduced-form expressions for share and price as a function of exogenous variables for use in empirical studies. In this paper we propose that a mathematical function called the LambertW be employed in solving logit models for equilibrium shares and prices. We derive closed form solutions for price and share in both the monopoly case as well as in the presence of competition. In the competitive case, the prices of the focal firm and the competitor are dependent on each other; hence the equilibrium prices are endogenous and need to be determined simultaneously. To solve this issue, we provide a simple technique that researchers can employ to derive the optimal prices for both the focal firm and the competitor simultaneously.
Family Data and Research in the Health and Retirement Study
Authors: Bianchi Suzanne
Published: April 2011

I discuss the data in the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) that can be used to study family change and intergenerational family relationships and offer suggestions about what might be done to enhance the uses of the HRS family data going forward. A number of family demographic behaviors are altering the family context of more recent cohorts of the HRS. These family changes need to be well-captured in the data collection and and should also inform future design decisions. Changes include the higher rates of childlessness, delayed marriage and childbearing after age 30 among the Baby Boom cohorts just now being enrolled in the HRS. Cohorts coming into the study also have higher rates of (lifetime) labor force participation on the part of women and much higher rates of nonmarital childbearing, marital disruption, and informal cohabitation than the original HRS cohorts. There is also great heterogeneity in family patterns by race and class among Baby Boom cohorts. Many of these changes increase the value of collecting family data in the HRS but also complicate the collection of useful data on transfers between parents and children or among siblings. I offer four suggestions for enhancing data collection in the HRS in light of these family changes. These include the following: 1) Reevaluate decisions about the family members on whom to gather information, particularly the decisions about when to collect data on siblings. 2) Consider collecting more information directly from each spouse (and perhaps expanding the definition of “spouse” to include cohabiting partners as cohabitation is on the rise among cohorts now entering the HRS). 3) Begin to experiment with interviewing adult children of HRS respondents and consider broadening the content to include more on parent-child relationship quality and/or on everyday activities and exchanges. 4) Make the family data in the HRS easier to access and use.
Prevalence of Abnormal Glucose Tolerance and Risk Factors in Urban and Rural Malaysia
Authors: Mustafa Norlaila , Kamarudin Nor Azmi , Ismail Ab Aziz , Khir Amir Sharifuddin , Ismail Ikram Shah , Musa Kamarul Imran , Kadir Khalid Abdul , Yaacob Nor Azwany , Ali Osman , Isa Siti Harnida Md , Wan Bebakar Wan Mohamad , wan Mohamud Wan Nazaimoon
Published: April 2011

OBJECTIVE

To determine the prevalence of prediabetes and diabetes among rural and urban Malaysians.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

This cross-sectional survey was conducted among 3,879 Malaysian adults (1,335 men and 2,544 women). All subjects underwent the 75-g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT).

RESULTS

The overall prevalence of prediabetes was 22.1% (30.2% in men and 69.8% in women). Isolated impaired fasting glucose (IFG) and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) were found in 3.4 and 16.1% of the study population, respectively, whereas 2.6% of the subjects had both IFG and IGT. Based on an OGTT, the prevalence of newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes was 12.6% (31.0% in men and 69.0% in women). The prediabetic subjects also had an increased prevalence of cardiovascular disease risk factors.

CONCLUSIONS

The large proportion of undiagnosed cases of prediabetes and diabetes reflects the lack of public awareness of the disease.
Summer zooplankton in small rivers in relation to selected conditions
Authors: Czerniawski Robert , Pilecka-Rapacz Małgorzata
Published: April 2011

The abundance and the biodiversity of summer zooplankton in the waters of the Drawa drainage (NW Poland) were studied, as was their relation to selected environmental conditions. The conditions upstream, especially in the outlets of lakes, did not affect the zooplankton communities downstream. This was also true of tributaries which had no influence on the shape of the zooplankton communities in the main river. The number of zooplankton in the outlets of eutrophic lakes was greater than in those of mesotrophic lakes. Increased vegetation cover significantly affected mainly the crustacean communities of zooplankton. Larger amounts of zooplankton were observed in rivers where the riparian zone was not covered with vegetation, but this difference was not significant. The hydrological conditions of the rivers and the Secchi depth visibility strongly impacted the composition of the zooplankton. The influence of abiotic factors was most pronounced on the abundance of cladocerans, and least pronounced on the abundance of rotifers.
Editorial
Authors: Dubovický Michal
Published: April 2011

Editorial
Protection of the vascular endothelium in experimental situations
Authors: Sotníková Ružena , Nedelčevová Jana , Navarová Jana , Nosáľová Viera , Drábiková Katarína , Szöcs Katalin , Křenek Peter , Kyseľová Zuzana , Bezek Štefan , Knezl Vladimír , Dřímal Ján , Brosková Zuzana , Kristová Viera , Okruhlicová Ľudmila , Bernátová Iveta , Bauer Viktor
Published: April 2011

Protection of the vascular endothelium in experimental situations

One of the factors proposed as mediators of vascular dysfunction observed in diabetes is the increased generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). This provides support for the use of antioxidants as early and appropriate pharmacological intervention in the development of late diabetic complications. In streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes in rats we observed endothelial dysfuction manifested by reduced endothelium-dependent response to acetylcholine of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) and aorta, as well as by increased endothelaemia. Changes in endothelium-dependent relaxation of SMA were induced by injury of the nitric oxide radical (·NO)-signalling pathway since the endothelium-derived hyperpolarising factor (EDHF)-component of relaxation was not impaired by diabetes. The endothelial dysfunction was accompanied by decreased ·NO bioavailabity as a consequence of reduced activity of eNOS rather than its reduced expression. The results obtained using the chemiluminiscence method (CL) argue for increased oxidative stress and increased ROS production. The enzyme NAD(P)H-oxidase problably participates in ROS production in the later phases of diabetes. Oxidative stress was also connected with decreased levels of reduced glutathione (GSH) in the early phase of diabetes. After 10 weeks of diabetes, adaptational mechanisms probably took place because GSH levels were not changed compared to controls. Antioxidant properties of SMe1EC2 foundin vitrowere partly confirmedin vivo.Administration of SMe1EC2 protected endothelial function. It significantly decreased endothelaemia of diabetic rats and improved endothelium-dependent relaxation of arteries, slightly decreased ROS-production and increased bioavailability of ·NO in the aorta. Further studies with higher doses of SMe1EC2 may clarify the mechanism of its endothelium-protective effectin vivo.
Trends in vascular pharmacology research in the Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Bratislava
Authors: Kristová Viera , Kriška Milan , Vojtko Róbert , Petrová Miriam , Líšková Silvia , Villáris Radoslav , Varga Zoltán , Wawruch Martin
Published: April 2011

Trends in vascular pharmacology research in the Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Bratislava

Research in the Department of Pharmacology started to focus intensively on fetal circulation in the 60s. Results of experiments contributed to clarification of the conversion of fetal circulation type to the adult type: the mechanism of the ductus arteriosus closure, examination of fetal and neonatal pulmonary vessel responses. In the early 80s, increased attention was dedicated to fetal vascular endothelium, later on to vascular reactivity in relation to the endothelium in adult animals. We developed original models of vascular endothelial damage using the perfusion method (repeated vasoconstrictive stimuli, deendothelization by air bubbles). We developed a new technique forin vitroendothelial loss quantification on Millipore filters. Underin vitroconditions, the protective effects of sulodexide and pentoxifylline on vascular endothelium were evaluated. In recent years were studied protective effects of selected substancesin vivoin models of endothelial damage (e.g.stress, toxic tissue damage, diabetes mellitus, hypertension). The role of potassium channels in the hypertension model was studied in cooperation with the Czech Academy of Sciences. Assessment of vascular reactivity in the diabetic model was significantly improved by computer. In addition to experimental work, the department is solving problems of clinical pharmacology - especially drug risk evaluation (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). Recently, we have dealt with pharmacoepidemiological studies in geriatric patients and with cardiovascular risk of NSAIDs in relation to pharmacotherapy. The results of these studies may be an impulse for targeted problem solving in our experiments.
Towards tuning of thermal sensitivity of the long period fiber gratings using a liquid crystal layer
Authors: Czapla A. , Bock W. , Mikulic P. , Woliński T.
Published: April 2011

Towards tuning of thermal sensitivity of the long period fiber gratings using a liquid crystal layer

A high-efficiency thermal tuning filter based on a long-period fiber grating (LPFG) combined with a low-birefringence liquid crystal (LB LC) cladding layer is presented. Two types of LPFGs were studied and compared: the LPFGs based on a standard telecommunication fiber produced by an electric arc technique, and the LPFGs based on a boron co-doped fiber written by a UV technique. Both types of LPFGs when enhanced with an external LB LC layer exhibit two different temperature sensitivities, which depend on the temperature range of operation. For the LPFGs based on standard telecommunication fiber we can conclude that the presence of the LB LC cladding increases the thermal tuning efficiency by more than one order of magnitude over the value for the LPFGs in air. In the case of the LPFGs based on the boron co-doped fiber we discovered it is possible to obtain either a temperature-independent attenuation band or the attenuation bands with high temperature sensitivities, just by careful choice of the order of the cladding mode and the operating wavelength.
Reflectometric measurements of thermally expanded core area
Authors: Ratuszek M. , Zakrzewski Z. , Majewski J.
Published: April 2011

Reflectometric measurements of thermally expanded core area

In this work an analysis method of one-way optical time domain reflectometer (OTDR) measurements has been presented. This method uniquely confirms mode field radii matching in diffusion transit area of the thermally expanded core (TEC) of thermally connected single mode telecommunication fibers. A comparison of reflectometric measurements with theoretical calculations of losses in TEC areas has been demonstrated.
Fractional dynamics in liquid manipulation
Authors: Lima M. , Machado J.
Published: April 2011

Fractional dynamics in liquid manipulation

This paper presents a fractional calculus perspective in the study of signals captured during the movement of a mechanical manipulator carrying a liquid container. In order to study the signals an experimental setup is implemented. The system acquires data from the sensors, in real time, and, in a second phase, processes them through an analysis package. The analysis package runs off-line and handles the recorded data. The results show that the Fourier spectrum of several signals presents a fractional behavior. The experimental study provides useful information that can assist in the design of a control system and the trajectory planning to be used in reducing or eliminating the effect of vibrations.
Robust stability of positive discrete-time linear systems of fractional order
Authors: Busłowicz M.
Published: April 2011

Robust stability of positive discrete-time linear systems of fractional order

The paper is devoted to the problem of robust stability of linear positive discrete-time systems of fractional order with structured perturbations of state matrices. Simple necessary and sufficient conditions for robust stability in the general case and in the case of linear uncertainty structure with unity rank uncertainty structure and with non-negative perturbation matrices, are established. It is shown that robust stability of the positive discrete-time fractional system is equivalent to: 1) robust stability of the corresponding positive discrete-time system of natural order - in the general case, 2) robust stability of the corresponding finite family of positive discrete-time systems of natural order - in the case of linear unity rank uncertainty structure, 3) asymptotic stability of only one corresponding positive discrete-time system of natural order - in the case of linear uncertainty structure with non-negative perturbation matrices. Moreover, simple necessary and sufficient condition for robust stability of the positive interval discrete-time linear systems of fractional order is given. The considerations are illustrated by numerical examples.
Analysis of the stress state in the harmonic drive generator-flexspline system in relation to selected structural parameters and manufacturing deviations
Authors: Ostapski W.
Published: April 2011

Analysis of the stress state in the harmonic drive generator-flexspline system in relation to selected structural parameters and manufacturing deviations

In the paper, the problem of failure of the elastic bearing supporting the generator in a harmonic drive is presented. To analyse the cause of the failure, material investigations as well as simulations of the stress state in the bearing versus manufacturing deviations and fits between the bearing and the generator cam have been carried out. Studies on the stress state in the flexpline have also been conducted in dependence of such technological deviations and generator bearing-flexspline fits for the classical, short, and ultra-short version of the harmonic drive with different heights of the bottom. The simulations have been realised on a mathematical model based on analytical relationships and a 3D model with the aid of FEM.
The research behavior/attitude support model in open learning systems
Authors: Kusztina E. , Zaikin O. , Tadeusiewicz R.
Published: April 2011

The research behavior/attitude support model in open learning systems

The article contains the concept of developing a motivation model aimed at supporting activity of both students and teachers in the process of implementing and using an open and distance learning system. Proposed motivation model is focused on the task of filling the knowledge repository with high quality didactic material. Open and distance learning system assures a computer space for the teaching/learning process in open environment. The structure of the motivation model and formal assumptions regarding the task of solving the model were described. The proposed approach to solving the task bases on the games theory.
EGFR-Targeting as a Biological Therapy: Understanding Nimotuzumab’s Clinical Effects
Authors: Perez Rolando , Moreno Ernesto , Garrido Greta , Crombet Tania
Published: April 2011

Current clinical trials of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-targeted therapies are mostly guided by a classical approach coming from the cytotoxic paradigm. The predominant view is that the efficacy of EGFR antagonists correlates with skin rash toxicity and induction of objective clinical response. Clinical benefit from EGFR-targeted therapies is well documented; however, chronic use in advanced cancer patients has been limited due to cumulative and chemotherapy-enhanced toxicity. Here we analyze different pieces of data from mechanistic and clinical studies with the anti-EGFR monoclonal antibody Nimotuzumab, which provides several clues to understand how this antibody may induce a biological control of tumor growth while keeping a low toxicity profile. Based on these results and the current state of the art on EGFR-targeted therapies, we discuss the need to evaluate new therapeutic approaches using anti-EGFR agents, which would have the potential of transforming advanced cancer into a long-term controlled chronic disease.
Glioma Specific Extracellular Missense Mutations in the First Cysteine Rich Region of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) Initiate Ligand Independent Activation
Authors: Ymer Susie I. , Greenall Sameer A. , Cvrljevic Anna , Cao Diana X. , Donoghue Jacqui F. , Epa V. Chandana , Scott Andrew M. , Adams Timothy E. , Johns Terrance G.
Published: April 2011

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is overexpressed or mutated in glioma. Recently, a series of missense mutations in the extracellular domain (ECD) of EGFR were reported in glioma patients. Some of these mutations clustered within a cysteine-rich region of the EGFR targeted by the therapeutic antibody mAb806. This region is only exposed when EGFR activates and appears to locally misfold during activation. We expressed two of these mutations (R324L and E330K) in NR6 mouse fibroblasts, as they do not express any EGFR-related receptors. Both mutants were autophosphorylated in the absence of ligand and enhanced cell survival and anchorage-independent and xenograft growth. The ECD truncation that produces the de2-7EGFR (or EGFRvIII), the most common EGFR mutation in glioma, generates a free cysteine in this same region. Using a technique optimized for detecting disulfide-bonded dimers, we definitively demonstrated that the de2-7EGFR is robustly dimerized and that ablation of the free cysteine prevents dimerization and activation. Modeling of the R324L mutation suggests it may cause transient breaking of disulfide bonds, leading to similar disulfide-bonded dimers as seen for the de2-7EGFR. These ECD mutations confirm that the cysteine-rich region of EGFR around the mAb806 epitope has a significant role in receptor activation.
Cancer Stem Cells and Side Population Cells in Breast Cancer and Metastasis
Authors: Britton Kelly M. , Kirby John A. , Lennard Thomas W.J. , Meeson Annette P.
Published: April 2011

In breast cancer it is never the primary tumour that is fatal; instead it is the development of metastatic disease which is the major cause of cancer related mortality. There is accumulating evidence that suggests that Cancer Stem Cells (CSC) may play a role in breast cancer development and progression. Breast cancer stem cell populations, including side population cells (SP), have been shown to be primitive stem cell-like populations, being long-lived, self-renewing and highly proliferative. SP cells are identified using dual wavelength flow cytometry combined with Hoechst 33342 dye efflux, this ability is due to expression of one or more members of the ABC transporter family. They have increased resistance to chemotherapeutic agents and apoptotic stimuli and have increased migratory potential above that of the bulk tumour cells making them strong candidates for the metastatic spread of breast cancer. Treatment of nearly all cancers usually involves one first-line agent known to be a substrate of an ABC transporter thereby increasing the risk of developing drug resistant tumours. At present there is no marker available to identify SP cells using immunohistochemistry on breast cancer patient samples. If SP cells do play a role in breast cancer progression/Metastatic Breast Cancer (MBC), combining chemotherapy with ABC inhibitors may be able to destroy both the cells making up the bulk tumour and the cancer stem cell population thus preventing the risk of drug resistant disease, recurrence or metastasis.
A Feature Subset Selection Method Based On High-Dimensional Mutual Information
Authors: Zheng Yun , Kwoh Chee Keong
Published: April 2011

Feature selection is an important step in building accurate classifiers and provides better understanding of the data sets. In this paper, we propose a feature subset selection method based on high-dimensional mutual information. We also propose to use the entropy of the class attribute as a criterion to determine the appropriate subset of features when building classifiers. We prove that if the mutual information between a feature set X and the class attribute Y equals to the entropy of Y , then X is a Markov Blanket of Y . We show that in some cases, it is infeasible to approximate the high-dimensional mutual information with algebraic combinations of pairwise mutual information in any forms. In addition, the exhaustive searches of all combinations of features are prerequisite for finding the optimal feature subsets for classifying these kinds of data sets. We show that our approach outperforms existing filter feature subset selection methods for most of the 24 selected benchmark data sets.
A Smart Online Over-Voltage Monitoring and Identification System
Authors: Wang Jing , Yang Qing , Sima Wenxia , Yuan Tao , Zahn Markus
Published: April 2011

This paper proposes a complete and effective smart over-voltage monitoring and identification system. In recent years, smart grids are of the greatest interest in power system research. One of the main features of smart grid is their self-healing, which can continuously carry out online self-evaluation, discover existing faults, and correct them immediately. The over-voltage smart monitoring-identification-suppression systems play a key role in the construction of self-healing grids. In this paper, eight kinds of common over-voltage are discussed and analyzed. The S-transform algorithm is used to extract features of over-voltage. Aiming at the main features of each kind of over-voltage, six different characteristic quantities are proposed. A well designed fuzzy expert system and a support vector machine are employed as the classifiers to build a two-step identification model. The accuracy of the identification system is verified by field records. Results show that this system is feasible and promising for real applications.
Evaluation of Various Solid Biomass Fuels Using Thermal Analysis and Gas Emission Tests
Authors: Koseki Hiroshi
Published: April 2011

Various recently proposed biomass fuels are reviewed from the point of view of their safety. Many biomass materials are proposed for use as fuels, such as refuse derived fuel (RDF), wood chips, coal-wood mixtures, etc. However, these fuels have high energy potentials and can cause fires and explosions. We have experienced many such incidents. It is very difficult to extinguish fires in huge piles of biomass fuel or storage facilities. Here current studies on heat generation for these materials and proposed evaluation methods for these new developing materials in Japan are introduced, which are consistent with measurements using highly sensitive calorimeters such as C80, or TAM, and gas emission tests. The highly sensitive calorimeters can detect small heat generation between room temperature and 80 °C, due to fermentation or other causes. This heat generation sometimes initiates real fires, and also produces combustible gases which can explode if fuel is stored in silos or indoor storage facilities.