bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
OS4ES – Open System for Energy Services
Authors: Zanner Martin , Schröder Andrea , Kahlen Christoph
Published: November 2015

Today, mass presence of distributed energy resources (DERs) connected to the grid is often seen as having adverse effects on grid
reliability and robustness. The apprehension is that it complicates or even compromises network management by distribution system
operators (DSOs).

The central aim of the Open System for Energy Services (OS4ES) project is to provide a solution that closes the current information,
communication and cooperation gap between DERs and energy market actors. To this end, the OS4ES project delivers an innovative Open
Service System that enables dynamic cooperation between these two parties. A Distributed Registry for DERs offers to involved actors
the opportunity to reserve the aggregated flexibility of DERs as a grid management service in order to improve Smart Grid robustness
and reliability. OS4ES will be based on standardized and interoperable communication interfaces, as well as generic interfaces among
components producing, consuming or storing electrical energy.

The OS4ES Open Service System includes laboratory and field tests under different service scenarios such as congestion management,
energy trading, imbalance risk reduction and Volt/VAR optimization. An OS4ES User Group has been established to allow interested
parties to gain a broader insight in the project and to actively contribute to the work packages of interest. Besides, standardization
proposals will be prepared and submitted to the respective standardization committees.
Response of lateral channel dynamics of a lowland meanderingriver to engineering-derived adjustments - an example of theMorava River (Czech Republic)
Authors: Ondruch Jakub , Mácka Zdenek
Published: November 2015

Freely meandering (quasi)natural reaches oflowland rivers represent a rare phenomenon in Central Europe.Increasing attention is currently being paid to thedynamics of quasi-natural (artificially influenced) meanderingrivers as this attention represents the basic prerequisitefor the development of appropriate restorationstrategies on regulated rivers. This study focused on a 5.5km long reach of the Morava River in the Strážnické Pomoravíregion, Czech Republic that is characterised byquasi-natural evolution after substantial engineering adjustmentswere made in the first decades of the twentiethcentury. Based on Geographic Information Systems (GIS)analysis of aerial photographs, the spatio-temporal dynamicsof bank erosion and accretion rates were quantitativelydescribed and variables that control channel migrationrates were identified. High rates of lateral shifts werelocalised in high sinuosity segments (sinuosity 1.17-2.37),whereas segments with very low rates were straight orformed into slightly curved bends (sinuosity 1.05-1.18). Asa key factor, engineering works that influenced local riverbed slope and induced a dramatic increase in bank erosionrates were identified. River engineering works induced adramatic increase in bank erosion rate (2.19 m/year for1938-53 and 1.47 m/year for 1953-63). An interval of approximately25 years was needed before the erosion ratesdropped back to values documented before river regulation(0.35-1.09 m/year for 1841-1938). Other important controllingvariables included radius of curvature, frequencyand magnitude of floods and, locally, river bank materialproperties and floodplain land cover.
Papal Infallibility – a Flat Locus. From a Thomistic Position of Ecclesial Independence Towards a Whiteheadian Interpretation as Locus Theologicus Alienus
Authors: Sander Hans-Joachim
Published: November 2015

Thomism which traditionally backed Papal Infallibility creates a special Catholic locus theologicus proprius out of this dogma which depends on a positive straight line between God and men. But in looking into the inevitable spatial aspect of the doctrine, the necessity of Papal Infallibility to teach ex cathedra, the straight line turns into a relative flat locus which depends on processes independent of it. By this topology provided by Whitehead’s Process Philosophy Papal Infallibility turns into a locus theologicus alienus coherent with the philosophical backing of the doctrine.
Modulation of Tonically Active Neurons of the Monkey Striatum by Events Carrying Different Force and Reward Information
Authors: Nougaret Simon , Ravel Sabrina
Published: November 2015

The role of basal ganglia in motivational processes has been under scrutiny in recent decades, with increasing evidence from clinical studies of cognitive and motivational deficits in patients with basal ganglia lesions. Tonically active neurons (TANs), the presumed striatal cholinergic interneurons, could be important actors in integrating and relaying motivational information arising from various modalities. Their multiphasic responses to rewards and to conditioned stimuli associated with reward conferred them a role in limbic processes. They are also modulated by a task's motor aspect. Recent studies suggest they are influenced by the context in which behavioral responses are expressed. To investigate the role of TANs in motor-limbic interaction processes, we recorded 169 TANs in the striatum of two monkeys performing a motivational task, in which they had to develop a variable force to receive different amounts of reward in response to visual stimuli. Our results reveal new features of TANs response properties. First, TANs usually responded either by a pause or an elevation of discharge rate to the visual cues and the reward, with few neurons combining both pause and rebound. Second, the elevations of discharge rate after the cues were most sensitive to the least valuable (high force or small reward) task conditions. Finally, the responses of TANs to the visual cues were time locked on the onset of the animal's movement. TANs' population and responses could thus play a role in signaling less attractive situations, those with either a high motor demand and/or small reward.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTTonically active neurons (TANs) are known for their responses to unpredictable positive or negative events. However, here we show that TANs respond by a pause or an increase in their activity to all rewarding events in a task in which combined visual cues indicate to the monkeys the levels of force to produce and the upcoming reward. Unlike the pause, the increase in activity is modulated by task parameters and is most sensitive to the least attractive task conditions (high force and/or small reward). TANs' responses triggered by cue occurrence are also modulated by movement-related information (movement onset). We therefore propose here that TANs could play a role, via their action on striatal projections neurons, in maintaining high cost/low benefit ratio behaviors.
Dopamine/Tyrosine Hydroxylase Neurons of the Hypothalamic Arcuate Nucleus Release GABA, Communicate with Dopaminergic and Other Arcuate Neurons, and Respond to Dynorphin, Met-Enkephalin, and Oxytocin
Authors: Zhang Xiaobing , van den Pol Anthony N.
Published: November 2015

We employ transgenic mice with selective expression of tdTomato or cre recombinase together with optogenetics to investigate whether hypothalamic arcuate (ARC) dopamine/tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) neurons interact with other ARC neurons, how they respond to hypothalamic neuropeptides, and to test whether these cells constitute a single homogeneous population. Immunostaining with dopamine and TH antisera was used to corroborate targeted transgene expression. Using whole-cell recording on a large number of neurons (n= 483), two types of neurons with different electrophysiological properties were identified in the dorsomedial ARC where 94% of TH neurons contained immunoreactive dopamine: bursting and nonbursting neurons. In contrast to rat, the regular oscillations of mouse bursting neurons depend on a mechanism involving both T-type calcium and A-type potassium channel activation, but are independent of gap junction coupling. Optogenetic stimulation using cre recombinase-dependent ChIEF-AAV-DJ expressed in ARC TH neurons evoked postsynaptic GABA currents in the majority of neighboring dopamine and nondopamine neurons, suggesting for the first time substantial synaptic projections from ARC TH cells to other ARC neurons. Numerous met-enkephalin (mENK) and dynorphin-immunoreactive boutons appeared to contact ARC TH neurons. mENK inhibited both types of TH neuron through G-protein coupled inwardly rectifying potassium currents mediated by δ and μ opioid receptors. Dynorphin-A inhibited both bursting and nonbursting TH neurons by activating κ receptors. Oxytocin excited both bursting and nonbursting neurons. These results reveal a complexity of TH neurons that communicate extensively with neurons within the ARC.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTHere, we show that the great majority of mouse hypothalamic arcuate nucleus (ARC) neurons that synthesize TH in the dorsomedial ARC also contain immunoreactive dopamine, and show either bursting or nonbursting electrical activity. Unlike rats, the mechanism underlying bursting was not dependent on gap junctions but required T-type calcium and A-type potassium channel activation. Neuropeptides dynorphin and met-enkephalin inhibited dopamine neurons, whereas oxytocin excited them. Most ventrolateral ARC TH cells did not contain dopamine and did not show bursting electrical activity. TH-containing neurons appeared to release synaptic GABA within the ARC onto dopamine neurons and unidentified neurons, suggesting that the cells not only control pituitary hormones but also may modulate nearby neurons.
Potential Mechanisms Underlying Intercortical Signal Regulation via Cholinergic Neuromodulators
Authors: Lee Jung H. , Whittington Miles A. , Kopell Nancy J.
Published: November 2015

The dynamical behavior of the cortex is extremely complex, with different areas and even different layers of a cortical column displaying different temporal patterns. A major open question is how the signals from different layers and different brain regions are coordinated in a flexible manner to support function. Here, we considered interactions between primary auditory cortex and adjacent association cortex. Using a biophysically based model, we show how top-down signals in the beta and gamma regimes can interact with a bottom-up gamma rhythm to provide regulation of signals between the cortical areas and among layers. The flow of signals depends on cholinergic modulation: with only glutamatergic drive, we show that top-down gamma rhythms may block sensory signals. In the presence of cholinergic drive, top-down beta rhythms can lift this blockade and allow signals to flow reciprocally between primary sensory and parietal cortex.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTFlexible coordination of multiple cortical areas is critical for complex cognitive functions, but how this is accomplished is not understood. Using computational models, we studied the interactions between primary auditory cortex (A1) and association cortex (Par2). Our model is capable of replicating interaction patterns observedin vitroand the simulations predict that the coordination between top-down gamma and beta rhythms is central to the gating process regulating bottom-up sensory signaling projected from A1 to Par2 and that cholinergic modulation allows this coordination to occur.
Fractalkine Signaling Regulates Macrophage Recruitment into the Cochlea and Promotes the Survival of Spiral Ganglion Neurons after Selective Hair Cell Lesion
Authors: Kaur Tejbeer , Zamani Darius , Tong Ling , Rubel Edwin W. , Ohlemiller Kevin K. , Hirose Keiko , Warchol Mark E.
Published: November 2015

Macrophages are recruited into the cochlea in response to injury caused by acoustic trauma or ototoxicity, but the nature of the interaction between macrophages and the sensory structures of the inner ear remains unclear. The present study examined the role of fractalkine signaling in regulating the injury-evoked behavior of macrophages following the selective ablation of cochlear hair cells. We used a novel transgenic mouse model in which the human diphtheria toxin receptor (huDTR) is selectively expressed under the control ofPou4f3, a hair cell-specific transcription factor. Administration of diphtheria toxin (DT) to these mice resulted in nearly complete ablation of cochlear hair cells, with no evident pathology among supporting cells, spiral ganglion neurons, or cells of the cochlear lateral wall. Hair cell death led to an increase in macrophages associated with the sensory epithelium of the cochlea. Their numbers peaked at 14 days after DT and then declined at later survival times. Increased macrophages were also observed within the spiral ganglion, but their numbers remained elevated for (at least) 56 d after DT. To investigate the role of fractalkine signaling in macrophage recruitment, we crossed huDTR mice to a mouse line that lacks expression of the fractalkine receptor (CX3CR1). Disruption of fractalkine signaling reduced macrophage recruitment into both the sensory epithelium and spiral ganglion and also resulted in diminished survival of spiral ganglion neurons after hair cell death. Our results suggest a fractalkine-mediated interaction between macrophages and the neurons of the cochlea.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTIt is known that damage to the inner ear leads to recruitment of inflammatory cells (macrophages), but the chemical signals that initiate this recruitment and the functions of macrophages in the damaged ear are unclear. Here we show that fractalkine signaling regulates macrophage recruitment into the cochlea and also promotes the survival of cochlear afferents after selective hair cell lesion. Because these afferent neurons carry sound information from the cochlea to the auditory brainstem, their survival is a key determinant of the success of cochlear prosthetics. Our data suggest that fractalkine signaling in the cochlea is neuroprotective, and reveal a previously uncharacterized interaction between cells of the cochlea and the innate immune system.
Beta-Band Oscillations Represent Auditory Beat and Its Metrical Hierarchy in Perception and Imagery
Authors: Fujioka Takako , Ross Bernhard , Trainor Laurel J.
Published: November 2015

Dancing to music involves synchronized movements, which can be at the basic beat level or higher hierarchical metrical levels, as in a march (groups of two basic beats, one–two–one–two …) or waltz (groups of three basic beats, one–two–three–one–two–three …). Our previous human magnetoencephalography studies revealed that the subjective sense of meter influences auditory evoked responses phase locked to the stimulus. Moreover, the timing of metronome clicks was represented in periodic modulation of induced (non-phase locked) β-band (13–30 Hz) oscillation in bilateral auditory and sensorimotor cortices. Here, we further examine whether acoustically accented and subjectively imagined metric processing in march and waltz contexts during listening to isochronous beats were reflected in neuromagnetic β-band activity recorded from young adult musicians. First, we replicated previous findings of beat-related β-power decrease at 200 ms after the beat followed by a predictive increase toward the onset of the next beat. Second, we showed that the β decrease was significantly influenced by the metrical structure, as reflected by differences across beat type for both perception and imagery conditions. Specifically, the β-power decrease associated with imagined downbeats (the count “one”) was larger than that for both the upbeat (preceding the count “one”) in the march, and for the middle beat in the waltz. Moreover, beamformer source analysis for the whole brain volume revealed that the metric contrasts involved auditory and sensorimotor cortices; frontal, parietal, and inferior temporal lobes; and cerebellum. We suggest that the observed β-band activities reflect a translation of timing information to auditory–motor coordination.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTWith magnetoencephalography, we examined β-band oscillatory activities around 20 Hz while participants listened to metronome beats and imagined musical meters such as a march and waltz. We demonstrated that β-band event-related desynchronization in the auditory cortex differentiates between beat positions, specifically between downbeats and the following beat. This is the first demonstration of β-band oscillations related to hierarchical and internalized timing information. Moreover, the meter representation in the β oscillations was widespread across the brain, including sensorimotor and premotor cortices, parietal lobe, and cerebellum. The results extend current understanding of the role of β oscillations in neural processing of predictive timing.
Live Imaging of Calcium Dynamics during Axon Degeneration Reveals Two Functionally Distinct Phases of Calcium Influx
Authors: Vargas Mauricio Enrique , Yamagishi Yuya , Tessier-Lavigne Marc , Sagasti Alvaro
Published: November 2015

Calcium is a key regulator of axon degeneration caused by trauma and disease, but its specific spatial and temporal dynamics in injured axons remain unclear. To clarify the function of calcium in axon degeneration, we observed calcium dynamics in single injured neurons in live zebrafish larvae and tested the temporal requirement for calcium in zebrafish neurons and cultured mouse DRG neurons. Using laser axotomy to induce Wallerian degeneration (WD) in zebrafish peripheral sensory axons, we monitored calcium dynamics from injury to fragmentation, revealing two stereotyped phases of axonal calcium influx. First, axotomy triggered a transient local calcium wave originating at the injury site. This initial calcium wave only disrupted mitochondria near the injury site and was not altered by expression of the protective WD slow (WldS) protein. Inducing multiple waves with additional axotomies did not change the kinetics of degeneration. In contrast, a second phase of calcium influx occurring minutes before fragmentation spread as a wave throughout the axon, entered mitochondria, and was abolished by WldS expression. In live zebrafish, chelating calcium after the first wave, but before the second wave, delayed the progress of fragmentation. In cultured DRG neurons, chelating calcium early in the process of WD did not alter degeneration, but chelating calcium late in WD delayed fragmentation. We propose that a terminal calcium wave is a key instructive component of the axon degeneration program.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTAxon degeneration resulting from trauma or neurodegenerative disease can cause devastating deficits in neural function. Understanding the molecular and cellular events that execute axon degeneration is essential for developing treatments to address these conditions. Calcium is known to contribute to axon degeneration, but its temporal requirements in this process have been unclear. Live calcium imaging in severed zebrafish neurons and temporally controlled pharmacological treatments in both zebrafish and cultured mouse sensory neurons revealed that axonal calcium influx late in the degeneration process regulates axon fragmentation. These findings suggest that temporal considerations will be crucial for developing treatments for diseases associated with axon degeneration.
The Transient Receptor Potential Melastatin 2 (TRPM2) Channel Contributes to β-Amyloid Oligomer-Related Neurotoxicity and Memory Impairment
Authors: Ostapchenko Valeriy G. , Chen Megan , Guzman Monica S. , Xie Yu-Feng , Lavine Natalie , Fan Jue , Beraldo Flavio H. , Martyn Amanda C. , Belrose Jillian C. , Mori Yasuo , MacDonald John F. , Prado Vania F. , Prado Marco A.M. , Jackson Michael F.
Published: November 2015

In Alzheimer's disease, accumulation of soluble oligomers of β-amyloid peptide is known to be highly toxic, causing disturbances in synaptic activity and neuronal death. Multiple studies relate these effects to increased oxidative stress and aberrant activity of calcium-permeable cation channels leading to calcium imbalance. The transient receptor potential melastatin 2 (TRPM2) channel, a Ca2+-permeable nonselective cation channel activated by oxidative stress, has been implicated in neurodegenerative diseases, and more recently in amyloid-induced toxicity. Here we show that the function of TRPM2 is augmented by treatment of cultured neurons with β-amyloid oligomers. Aged APP/PS1 Alzheimer's mouse model showed increased levels of endoplasmic reticulum stress markers, protein disulfide isomerase and phosphorylated eukaryotic initiation factor 2α, as well as decreased levels of the presynaptic marker synaptophysin. Elimination of TRPM2 in APP/PS1 mice corrected these abnormal responses without affecting plaque burden. These effects of TRPM2 seem to be selective for β-amyloid toxicity, as ER stress responses to thapsigargin or tunicamycin inTRPM2−/−neurons was identical to that of wild-type neurons. Moreover, reduced microglial activation was observed inTRPM2−/−/APP/PS1 hippocampus compared with APP/PS1 mice. In addition, age-dependent spatial memory deficits in APP/PS1 mice were reversed inTRPM2−/−/APP/PS1 mice. These results reveal the importance of TRPM2 for β-amyloid neuronal toxicity, suggesting that TRPM2 activity could be potentially targeted to improve outcomes in Alzheimer's disease.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTTransient receptor potential melastatin 2 (TRPM2) is an oxidative stress sensing calcium-permeable channel that is thought to contribute to calcium dysregulation associated with neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease. Here we show that oligomeric β-amyloid, the toxic peptide in Alzheimer's disease, facilitates TRPM2 channel activation. In mice designed to model Alzheimer's disease, genetic elimination of TRPM2 normalized deficits in synaptic markers in aged mice. Moreover, the absence of TRPM2 improved age-dependent spatial memory deficits observed in Alzheimer's mice. Our results reveal the importance of TRPM2 for neuronal toxicity and memory impairments in an Alzheimer's mouse model and suggest that TRPM2 could be targeted for the development of therapeutic agents effective in the treatment of dementia.
Prenatal and lactation nicotine exposure affects Sertoli cell and gonadotropin levels in rats
Authors: Paccola C C , Miraglia S M
Published: November 2015

Nicotine is largely consumed in the world as a component of cigarettes. It can cross the placenta and reach the milk of smoking mothers. This drug induces apoptosis, affects sex hormone secretion, and leads to male infertility. To investigate the exposure to nicotine during the whole intrauterine and lactation phases in Sertoli cells, pregnant rats received nicotine (2 mg/kg per day) through osmotic minipumps. Male offsprings (30, 60, and 90 days old) had blood collected for hormonal analysis (FSH and LH) and their testes submitted for histophatological study, analysis of the frequency of the stages of seminiferous epithelium cycle, immunolabeling of apoptotic epithelial cells (TUNEL and Fas/FasL), analysis of the function and structure of Sertoli cells (respectively using transferrin and vimentin immunolabeling), and analysis of Sertoli-germ cell junctional molecule (β-catenin immunolabeling). The exposure to nicotine increased the FSH and LH plasmatic levels in adult rats. Although nicotine had not changed the number of apoptotic cells, neither in Fas nor FasL expression, it provoked an intense sloughing of epithelial cells and also altered the frequency of some stages of the seminiferous epithelium cycle. Transferrin and β-catenin expressions were not changed, but vimentin was significantly reduced in the early stages of the seminiferous cycle of the nicotine-exposed adult rats. Thus, we concluded that nicotine exposure during all gestational and lactation periods affects the structure of Sertoli cells by events causing intense germ cell sloughing observed in the tubular lumen and can compromise the fertility of the offspring.
Networks for Problem Solving at Schools: Participants’ Perception of Changes in their Professional Practice
Authors: Lapėnienė Asta , Lukšytė Dangira
Published: November 2015

The article focuses on teachers’ perception of changes resulting from their participation in school networks aimed at professional development of teaching professionals. Networks as an alternative form of professional development bring together the knowledge and skills of teachers across schools in order to promote shared learning through closer cooperation between schools. A total of 643 teachers from 119 Lithuanian schools of general education participating in the nationwide project “Networks of Learning Schools” responded to a qualitative online survey. For the purpose of the research presented in this article a secondary analysis was performed using self-collected datasets from the primary research. Three datasets of qualitative data were combined for the purposes of amplified analysis. The following conclusions can be drawn from the study. Teachers perceive their participation in professional networks as resulting in: 1) more active involvement in sharing professional knowledge both in networks inside the schools and in networks between the schools; 2) changes in learning culture, planning of teaching, achievement evaluation, collaboration between school community members, problem solving in school settings and educational research activities in school; 3) changes in student learning motivation and achievements, improved student skills in communication, problem solving, self-evaluation and learning to learn.
Cinética e morfologia de espermatozoides de carpa comum criopreservados em água de coco em pó ACP-104
Authors: Linhares F. R. A. , Salmito-Vanderley C. S. B. , Carvalho M. A. M. , Pinheiro R. R. R. , Oliveira F. C. E. , Nunes J. F.
Published: November 2015

RESUMOO objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o efeito de diferentes taxas de diluição seminal sobre a motilidade, velocidade e presença de anormalidades espermáticas no sêmen descongelado de carpa comum (Cyprinus carpio). Utilizaram-se 20 machos sexualmente maduros, pertencentes ao Departamento Nacional de Obras Contra as Secas (DNOCS). A partir do sêmen coletado, foi formado um total de nove pools. O sêmen de cada pool foi avaliado quanto à motilidade, velocidade e morfologia espermática antes e depois da criopreservação. A criopreservação seminal foi realizada em meio ACP-104 + DMSO 10% diluído em 1:1 ou 1:3 (sêmen:diluidor). As amostras foram envasadas em palhetas de 0,25mL, congeladas em vapor de nitrogênio líquido (caixa de poliestireno) e estocadas em nitrogênio líquido (-196 °C). Não houve diferença significativa (P>0,05) entre as taxas de diluições sobre os parâmetros cinéticos e morfológicos de sêmen descongelado de carpa comum. Entretanto, esses parâmetros apresentaram diferença significativa (P<0,05) em relação ao sêmen fresco (controle). Baixos valores de velocidade foram registrados no sêmen descongelado (VCL 42,6-46,5μm/s; VSL 33,2-37,1μm/s; VAP 38,9-43,2μm/s); contudo, observaram-se motilidades acima de 59% (59,8-67,8%) e baixos índices de anormalidades espermáticas (19,3-19,5%), sugerindo que o ACP pode ser usado como um meio favorável à criopreservação do sêmen de carpa comum em qualquer uma das taxas de diluição testadas.
Aspectos qualitativos e produção de biomassa em pastos de aveia e azevém cultivados puros ou consorciados e submetidos a pastejo leniente
Authors: Guzatti G. C. , Duchini P. G. , Sbrissia A. F. , Ribeiro-Filho H. M. N.
Published: November 2015

RESUMOPastos consorciados de aveia e azevém anual têm sido recomendados para uso no inverno/primavera em ambientes subtropicais. No entanto, o impacto do pastejo leniente sobre parâmetros qualitativos e produtivos destes, comparativamente aos seus monocultivos, é pouco conhecido. Objetivou-se avaliar possíveis variações nas composições morfológica e bromatológica, além da produção de biomassa em pastos de aveia-preta (Avena strigosa cv. IAPAR 61) e azevém anual (Lolium multiflorum Lam. cv. comum) quando cultivados puros ou em consórcio ao longo de toda estação de crescimento e submetidos a pastejo leniente. Os três tratamentos (aveia pura, azevém puro e aveia + azevém em consórcio) foram distribuídos em um delineamento em blocos completos ao acaso, com quatro repetições. Novilhas da raça Holandesa foram utilizadas como agentes de desfolhação, e os pastos foram rebaixados em 40% da altura inicial quando as alturas atingiam 17, 20 e 23cm para o azevém, o consórcio e a aveia, respectivamente. A relação lâmina:colmo diminuiu com o avanço da estação de crescimento em todos os tratamentos, mas a proporção de colmos no estrato pastejável se manteve abaixo de 20% da matéria seca até o início do estádio de desenvolvimento reprodutivo, independentemente do tipo de pasto. Os teores de proteína bruta e fibra em detergente neutro no estrato pastejável foram, respectivamente, superiores a 16% e inferiores a 50% nos quatro primeiros ciclos de pastejo. O consórcio e o azevém puro apresentaram as maiores taxas de acúmulo médio de forragem (32,6kg MS ha-1 dia-1), porém o maior período de utilização do consórcio resultou em maior produção total de matéria seca (4809kg MS ha-1). O pastejo leniente não prejudica a qualidade da forragem no estrato pastejável durante todo o estádio de desenvolvimento vegetativo de pastos anuais de inverno. A associação entre aveia-preta e azevém anual aumenta a produção de matéria seca total de forragem em comparação aos mesmos pastos cultivados puros.
Avaliação morfométrica de equinos do Esquadrão de Polícia Montada dos municípios de Lages, Joinville e Florianópolis-SC
Authors: Schade M. F.S . , Menegatti J. , Schade J. , Souza Júnior V. A. , Fonteque J.H.
Published: November 2015

RESUMOO objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar as características morfométricas de equinos utilizados no patrulhamento ostensivo pertencentes aos Esquadrões de Polícia Montada localizados nos municípios de Lages, Joinville e Florianópolis - SC. Foram utilizados 101 animais (78 machos castrados, um garanhão e 22 fêmeas), com idade média de 11,9 anos e massa corpórea de 490,82±53,51kg. Foram tomadas 20 medidas lineares individuais, por meio das quais foram determinados 13 índices zootécnicos. Os dados foram avaliados segundo análise descritiva, e a comparação simples entre médias pelo teste t de Student (P<0,05). Houve diferença significativa entre machos e fêmeas com relação ao comprimento de garupa, largura da anca, perímetro da canela e IDT nos animais pertencentes ao Esquadrão de Florianópolis. Conclui-se que os equinos dos três Esquadrões avaliados são, em geral, animais baixos de frente, "longe de terra", eumétricos e longilíneos, e classificados entre animais de tração ligeira e de tração pesada.
Mundo Real e Mundo Ideal em Rousseau: da Necessidade da Ficção para Pensar o Político
Authors: Leone Maria
Published: November 2015

RESUMO:A hipótese desenvolvida nos leva a confrontar três textos do corpusrousseauísta: o Segundo Discurso, Júlia ou A Nova Heloísa e o extrato do Primeiro Diálogo, em que há a ficção do mundo ideal, textos que, apesar do seu estatuto genérico diferente, estão em coerência e convergência teórica. Desejamos evidenciar um aspecto da unidade problemática do pensamento de Rousseau concernente à abordagem crítica da sociedade de seus contemporâneos e sua concepção do papel das Letras e dos Espetáculos. A preocupação do filósofo é de refundar a natureza humana, a fim de lançar as bases de uma nova organização social. Nessa empreitada, a ficção desempenha um papel crucial, o prefácio do Segundo Discurso o comprova: para bem conhecer o homem atual, deve-se supor o que ele não é mais. O homem do estado de natureza, ser de ficção, cujas paixões são retas e naturais, é o modelo teórico que reativa a sociedade dos seres ideais de Júlia. Dessa forma, a ficção é chamada a desempenhar um papel referencial fundamental para o pensamento social e político de Rousseau, aparecendo como um poderoso meio de ação sobre o público. O romance pode reeducar os povos corrompidos, pois, assim como o teatro, como denuncia a Carta a d’Alembert, possui os meios para perverter uma sociedade tida como virtuosa.
Docentes investigadores de programas de Pós-graduação em educação no Brasil: estudo sobre o uso de recursos informáticos no processo de pesquisa
Authors: Teixeira Ricardo Antonio Gonçalves , Souza Francislê Neri de , Vieira Rui Marques
Published: November 2015

Resumo Este estudo propõe compreender o perfil dos docentes brasileiros em relação ao uso de recursos tecnológicos, mais especificamente os computacionais, no âmbito de suas investigações. Para eleger os sujeitos da pesquisa, optou-se por inquirir, a partir da aplicação de questionários, um grupo representativo de investigadores da área de Educação ligados a programas de Pós-Graduação em nível de mestrado e doutorado de diferentes Instituições de Ensino Superior, referenciadas pelo Ministério da Educação do Brasil como programas de excelência. A base de análise partiu da abordagem quantitativa em um estudo de caráter exploratório a partir de multiplicidades de dimensões de conteúdos presentes nos posicionamentos e ideias dos sujeitos pesquisados. Como orientação dos procedimentos metodológicos buscou-se na literatura as bases e fundamentos epistemológicos acerca de princípios e processos tecnológicos, a partir de um contexto histórico, bem como documentos oficiais para fundamentação política. Como principais resultados, foi possível identificar concentração dos programas de mestrados e doutorados em Educação, de excelência, na Região Sudeste do Brasil; presença de novos docentes, em tempo no programa e em idade; forte correlação entre a idade dos docentes inqueridos com o período de formação em nível de graduação, com correlação reduzida em nível de mestrado e não confirmada em nível de doutorado; utilização de bases eletrônicas de dados pela maioria absoluta dos docentes pesquisados, e de softwares no âmbito de suas pesquisas, valendo-se de pesquisas mistas (quali-quantitativa), com apoio de recursos informatizados.
Lung function and left ventricular hypertrophy in morbidly obese candidates for bariatric surgery
Authors: Müller Paulo de Tarso , Domingos Hamilton , Patusco Luiz Armando Pereira , Rapello Gabriel Victor Guimarães
Published: November 2015

Objective: To look for correlations between lung function and cardiac dimension variables in morbidly obese patients, in order to test the hypothesis that the relative size of the small airways is independently correlated with left ventricular hypertrophy. Methods: This was a retrospective study involving 192 medical records containing a clinical protocol employed in candidates for bariatric surgery between January of 2006 and December of 2010. Results: Of the 192 patients evaluated, 39 (10 males and 29 females) met the inclusion criteria. The mean BMI of the patients was 49.2 ± 7.6 kg/m2, and the mean age was 35.5 ± 7.7 years. The FEF25-75/FVC, % correlated significantly with left ventricular posterior wall thickness and relative left ventricular posterior wall thickness, those correlations remaining statistically significant (r = −0.355 and r = −0.349, respectively) after adjustment for weight, gender, and history of systemic arterial hypertension. Stepwise multivariate linear regression analysis showed that FVC and FEV1 were the major determinants of left ventricular mass (in grams or indexed to body surface area). Conclusions: A reduction in the relative size of the small airways appears to be independently correlated with obesity-related cardiac hypertrophy, regardless of factors affecting respiratory mechanics (BMI and weight), gender, or history of systemic arterial hypertension. However, FEV1 and FVC might be important predictors of left ventricular mass in morbidly obese individuals.
The National Institute on Aging Health Disparities Research Framework
Authors: Hill, PhD, MPH Carl V. , Pérez-Stable, MD Eliseo J. , Anderson, PhD Norman A. , Bernard, MD Marie A.
Published: November 2015

Objective: Development of a new framework for the National Institute on Aging (NIA) to assess progress and opportunities toward stimulating and supporting rigorous research to address health disparities.

Design: Portfolio review of NIA’s health disparities research portfolio to evaluate NIA’s progress in addressing priority health
disparities areas.

Results: The NIA Health DisparitiesResearch Framework highlights important factors for health disparities research related to aging, provides an organizing structure for tracking progress, stimulates opportunities to better delineate causal pathways and broadens the scope for malleable targets for intervention, aiding in our efforts to address health disparities in the aging population.

Conclusions: The promise of health disparitiesresearch depends largely on scientific rigor that builds on past findings and aggressively pursues new approaches. The NIA Health Disparities Framework provides a landscape for stimulating interdisciplinary
approaches, evaluating research productivity and identifying opportunities for innovative health disparities research related to
aging. Ethn Dis. 2015;25(3):245-254.
“I AM a Man”: Manhood, Minority Men’s Health and Health Equity
Authors: Griffith, PhD Derek M.
Published: November 2015

Objective: To consider how manhood is a key social determinant of minority men’s health.

Design: This commentary explicates how manhood intersects with other determinants of health to shape minority men’s stress responses, health behaviors and health outcomes across the life course.

Results: Manhood, which perpetu­ally needs to be proven, is an aspirational identity that is defined by the intersection of age, race/ethnicity and other identities. Mi­nority men seek to and successfully embody US-cultural and ethnic-specific aspects of manhood in their daily lives by engaging in behaviors that constantly reaffirm their gen­der identity through a complex internal and social calculus that varies by intra-personal characteristics and context. Manhood and health are relational constructs that highlight how the salience of masculinities are shaped by perceived and actual social norms and expectations. A life course perspective adds a framework for considering how some gendered beliefs, goals and behaviors change over time while others remain static. Three life course frameworks highlight dif­ferent mechanisms through which minority men’s life experiences and physiological and behavioral responses to gendered social norms, beliefs and expectations become embodied as premature mortality and other health outcomes over the life course.

Conclusion: Manhood represents an impor­tant lens to understand how minority men’s identities, goals and priorities affect their health, yet the role of manhood in minority men’s health is understudied and under­developed. To achieve health equity, it is critical to consider how manhood shapes minority men’s lives and health across the life course, and to address how man­hood affects gendered and non-gendered mechanisms and pathways that explain minority men’s health over time. Ethn Dis. 2015;25(3):287-293.
Weight Status and Blood Pressure among Adolescent African American Males: The Jackson Heart KIDS Pilot Study
Authors: Bruce, PhD Marino A. , Beech, DrPH Bettina M. , Griffith, PhD Derek M. , Thorpe, Jr., PhD Roland J.
Published: November 2015

Background: Obesity had not been con­sidered a significant factor contributing to high levels of hypertension among African American males until recently. Epidemio­logic research on heart disease among males has primarily focused on adults; however, the significant rise in obesity and hyperten­sion prevalence among African American boys indicates that studies examining the relationship between excess body weight and elevated blood pressure among this high-risk population are critically needed. The purpose of our study was to examine the degree to which weight status has impli­cations for elevated blood pressure among young African American males.

Method: The data for this cross-sectional study were drawn from adolescent males (N=105), aged 12-19 years and who participated in the Jackson Heart KIDS Pilot Study – an offspring cohort study examining cardiovascular disease risks among adoles­cent descendants of Jackson Heart Study participants. Blood pressure was the primary outcome of interest and weight status was a key independent variable. Other covari­ates were fruit and vegetable consumption, physical activity, sleep, and stress.

Results: Approximately 49% of adolescent males in the study were overweight or obese. Bivariate and multiple variable analy­ses suggest that obesity may be correlated with elevated diastolic blood pressure (DBP) levels among African American boys. Results from ordinary least squared regression analysis indicate that the DBP for boys car­rying excess weight was 4.2 mm Hg (P<.01) higher than the corresponding DBP for their normal weight counterparts, after control­ling for age, fruit and vegetable consump­tion, physical activity, and sleep.

Conclusions: Additional studies are needed to specify the manner through which excess weight and weight gain can accelerate the development and progression of CVD-related diseases among African Ameri­can males over the life course, thereby providing evidenced-based information for tailored interventions that can reduce risks for premature morbidity, disability, and mortality among this group. Ethn Dis. 2015;25(3):305-312.
Perceived Barriers to and Facilitators of Hypertension Management among Underserved African American Older Adults
Authors: Rimando, PhD Marylen
Published: November 2015

Objective: To understand the perceived barriers to and facilitators of hypertension self-management among underserved Afri­can American older adults in a southeastern clinic.

Design: Qualitative descriptive.

Setting: Urban cardiovascular health clinic in a southeastern state.

Participants: 28 African Americans diag­nosed with hypertension.

Methods: Interview questions were focused on knowledge of hypertension management and barriers and facilitators to hypertension self-management. Thematic content analysis was applied.

Results: Patients reported increased hyper­tension knowledge after attending the clinic. All patients reported knowledge of the severe consequences of uncontrolled hyper­tension. Perceived barriers to hypertension management included lack of money, lack of motivation to exercise, and fear of injury from exercising. Perceived facilitators of hypertension management included weight loss, unexpected diagnosis of hypertension, family members with hypertension and diabetes, and social support.

Conclusions: Findings suggest that per­ceived barriers and facilitators influence a patient’s decision to manage hypertension. Findings suggest the importance of health literacy and patient-provider communica­tion at this particular clinic. Possible factors in the social environment may influence hypertension management. This study adds to the literature by understanding the perceived barriers to and facilitators of hy­pertension management of an underserved sample in a southeastern clinic. The results suggest a need for the redesign and trans­formation of future hypertension education strategies aimed at this clinic sample. Ethn Dis. 2015;25(3):329-336.
Screening of Peroxisome Proliferator-activated Receptors (PPARs) α, γ and δ Gene Polymorphisms for Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome Association in the Multi-ethnic Malaysian Population
Authors: Chia Phee-Phee , Fan Sook-Ha , Say Yee-How
Published: November 2015

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the association of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) genes PPARα L162V, PPARγ2 C161T and PPARδ T294C single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with obesity and metabolic syndrome (Met- S) in a multi-ethnic population in Kampar, Malaysia.

Methods: Socio-demographic data, anthropometric and biochemical measure­ments (plasma lipid profile, adiponectin and interleukin-6 [IL-6] levels) were taken from 307 participants (124 males; 180 obese; 249 Met-S; 97 Malays, 85 ethnic Chinese, 55 ethnic Indians).

Results: The overall minor allele frequen­cies were .08, .22 and .30 for PPAR α L162V, γ C161T, δ T294C, respectively. All SNPs were not associated with obesity, Met-S and obesity with/without Met-S by χ2 analysis, ethnicity-stratified and logistic re­gression analyses. Nevertheless, participants with V162 allele of PPARα had significantly higher IL-6, while those with T161 allele of PPARγ2 had significantly lower HOMA-IR.

Conclusions: All PPAR SNPs were not associated with obesity and Met-S in the suburban population of Kampar, Malay­sia, where only PPARα V162 and PPARγ2 T161 alleles were associated with plasma IL-6 and HOMA-IR, respectively. Ethn Dis. 2015;25(4):383-390; doi:10.18865/ ed.25.4.383
Residential Segregation and Diabetes Risk among Latinos
Authors: Grigsby-Toussaint Diana S. , Jones Antwan , Kubo Jessica , Bradford Natalie
Published: November 2015

Objective: To examine whether residence in ethnically segregated metropolitan areas is associated with increased diabetes risk for Latinos in the United States.

Methods: Population data from the 2005 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System and the 2005 American Community Survey were used to determine whether higher levels of Latino-White segregation across metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) in the United States is associated with increased diabetes risk among Latinos (N=7462).

Results: No significant relationship (P<.05) between levels of segregation and diabetes risk was observed.

Conclusion: The research literature examin­ing the impact of residential segregation on health outcomes remains equivocal for Latinos. Ethn Dis. 2015;25(4):451-458; doi:10.18865/ed.25.4.451
Improving Health Care for the Future Uninsured in Los Angeles County: A Community Partnered Dialogue
Authors: Iyer Sharat Parameswaran , Jones Andrea , Talamantes Efrain , Barnert Elizabeth S. , Kanzaria Hemal K. , Detz Alissa , Daskivich Timothy J. , Jones Loretta , Ryan Gery W. , Mahajan Anish P.
Published: November 2015

Objectives: To understand the health care access issues faced by Los Angeles (LA) County’s uninsured and residually unin­sured after implementation of the Afford­able Care Act (ACA) and to identify poten­tial solutions using a community-partnered dialogue.

Design: Qualitative study using a com­munity-partnered participatory research framework.

Setting: Community forum breakout discus­sion.

Discussants: Representatives from LA County health care agencies, community health care provider organizations, local community advocacy and service organiza­tions including uninsured individuals, and the county school district.

Main Outcome Measures: Key structural and overarching value themes identified through community-partnered pile sort, c-coefficients measuring overlap between themes.

Results: Five overarching value themes were identified – knowledge, trust, quality, partnership, and solutions. Lack of knowl­edge and misinformation were identified as barriers to successful enrollment of the eligible uninsured and providing health care to undocumented individuals. Discussants noted dissatisfaction with the quality of tra­ditional sources of health care and a broken cycle of trust and disengagement. They also described inherent trust by the uninsured in “outsider” community-based providers not related to quality.

Conclusions: Improving health care for the residually uninsured after ACA implementa­tion will require addressing dissatisfaction in safety-net providers, disseminating knowl­edge and providing health care through trusted nontraditional sources, and using effective and trusted partnerships between community and health care agencies with mutual respect. Community-academic part­nerships can be a trusted conduit to discuss issues related to the health care of vulner­able populations. Ethn Dis. 2015; 25(4)487- 494; doi:10.18865/ed.25.4.487