bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hydrocele in the Canal of Nuck - CT appearance of a developmental groin anomaly.
Authors: Sethi Varun , Patel Harshad
Published: November 2016

Hydrocele in the Canal of Nuck is a condition of female fetal development. The Canal of Nuck is a patent tubular peritoneal fold that travels with the round ligament to its attachment on the labia major. Failure of complete obliteration of the Canal of Nuck during fetal development predisposes females to development of a hydrocele or an inguinal hernia during post-pubertal or adult stages. We present a case of a 21 year old female with a tender reducible labial mass diagnosed as a Hydrocele in the Canal of Nuck.
Heterogeneidad lateral en las muestras de roedores del tramo T1 del Mioceno Medio de Somosaguas (Pozuelo de Alarcón, Madrid)
Authors: Blanco F. , Hernández Fernández M.
Published: November 2016

Las asociaciones de roedores son utilizadas de manera generalizada en paleontología para realizar inferencias paleoambientales. En ocasiones, asumiendo una homogeneidad lateral en el contenido fosilífero de los niveles estratigráficos, estas inferencias se llevan a cabo utilizando las abundancias relativas de las distintas especies que componen esas asociaciones. No obstante, nunca se ha comprobado experimentalmente dicha homogeneidad espacial en las proporciones específicas dentro de un mismo nivel fosilífero. Para comprobar esta homogeneidad lateral, en este trabajo se compararon dos muestras procedentes del tramo T1 (Somosaguas- Sur y Cata-3) del yacimiento paleontológico de Somosaguas (Mioceno Medio), correspondientes a dos puntos de muestreo separados unos 30 m. Aunque se mantuvo una composición faunística idéntica desde un punto de vista cualitativo, los análisis realizados por medio de aleatorizaciones de Monte Carlo, indicaron la existencia de diferencias significativas en las abundancias relativas de las distintas especies entre las dos muestras. Estos resultados podrían deberse a 1) un diferente comportamiento sedimentario de las piezas dentales de las distintas especies debido a diferencias en su tamaño; 2) el reducido tamaño de las muestras de sedimento en combinación con la elevada densidad de restos fósiles en el tramo T1 de Somosaguas; 3) una mezcla temporal diferencial relacionada con la presencia de varios abanicos aluviales sucesivos, sumado a cambios poblacionales de la comunidad local de roedores influidos por cambios ambientales durante el Aragoniense. Nuestros resultados muestran la necesidad de ser cautelosos a la hora de realizar inferencias palecológicas basadas en abundancias relativas de especies de micromamíferos.
Resolución de enigmas geológicos e históricos utilizando técnicas gemológicas avanzadas: Caso del ópalo noble de Franco Dávila (1772)
Authors: García-Guinea J. , González-Alcalde J. , Furio M. , Jorge A. , Garrido F.
Published: November 2016

Un gran ópalo noble de 33 gramos engastado en montura de plata dorada está expuesto al público en el Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (MNCN). Esta pieza histórica está documentada en su propia montura (año 1772), en el legajo 775 del Archivo del Museo y en la muestra 395 del Catálogo de muestras de Pedro Franco Dávila. Su patrón de difracción de rayos X (DRX) es muy parecido al de otros ópalos de origen volcánico y contiene cantidades variables de cristobalita, tridimita y sílice amorfa. El espectro Raman muestra una banda con picos a 242, 343 y 416 cm-1 asociados a deformaciones O-Si-O; otra con picos a 780 y 819 cm-1 de vibraciones de tensión simétricas O-Si-O de anillos de 3 y 4 eslabones y otras menores. El espectro Raman es similar a los de ópalos mexicanos de origen volcánico y muestra una banda con nodos de tensión v1 (OH) a 3233, 3393, 3511, 3628 cm-1 relacionados con grupos OH con enlaces de hidrógeno con grupos silanoles aislados. Mediante microscopía dual confocal interferométrica 3D (MCI3D), que es una técnica no destructiva de alta resolución y tecnología LED, se desvela la geometría de grabado del buril sobre la montura mientras que la tomografía computerizada de rayos X destaca la talla cuadrada de tipo carre-princesa y los rellenos de AgCl de una fisura. Bajo microscopia electrónica de barrido ambiental (MEBA) se han observado baritinas, filoncillos de sílice enriquecida en Mn y elevados contenidos de Al y K. Estos datos, junto con la información histórica sugieren que la pieza procede de los yacimientos históricos de ópalos encajados en andesitas de Eslovaquia y explican la compleja óptica del cabujón. El marco de Ag tiene Hg y AgCl que indican su extracción por amalgama; además tiene Ag2S que podría provenir de Nueva España, entonces (año 1772) en plena producción de plata. La asociación de varias técnicas analíticas no-destructivas preserva la integridad de esta pieza histórica aportando datos analíticos significativos que permiten deducir procesos genéticos de minerales, procedencias y técnicas de manufactura de materiales. Todo ello facilita la caracterización, interpretación, conservación y valorización del patrimonio cultural y arqueológico.
Pioneering STEM Education for Pre-Service Teachers
Authors: Preciado Babb Armando Paulino , Takeuchi Miwa Aoki , Alnoso Yáñez Gabriela , Francis Krista , Gereluk Dianne , Friesen Sharon
Published: November 2016

While there have been numerous initiatives to promote and recruit students into postsecondary studies in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) around the world, traditional programs of studies for both K to 12 school and teacher education still lack an integrative approach to these disciplines. Addressing this concern, the Werklund School of Education of the University of Calgary started to offer a course in STEM education for the undergraduate Bachelor of Education program. The purpose of this article is to document the first iterations of this course. We draw from narratives of four instructors, including the coordinator of the course, and administrators who were actively involved in creation and approval of the course. We describe the course and its connection to the philosophy of the program, examine the context in which this course was conceived—including both national and provincial policy—and address some challenges and possibilities experienced by administrators, instructors and students during the creation and implementation of the course.
Implementation of E-learning in an Electrical Engineering Study Program - Infrastructure, Experiences, and Lessons Learned
Authors: Feldmann Nina , Kurz Raphael , Böhmer Cornelia , Beck-Meuth Eva Maria
Published: November 2016

This paper reports on the development of

e-learning material for a blended-learning part-time study program in electrical engineering and information technology. It is focused on the entire process of creation, from the perspective of instructors and higher education professionals supporting the production. In the design of the program, the development of effective study material including e-learning content for the target group was one of the main objectives. Associated with the development of this material, various challenges had to be overcome. In the following, we describe the development and implementation process of the material using results from a survey among lecturers who were contributing e-learning to the program. Different manifestations of e-learning are discussed, and the whole process of production is reviewed. In the current efforts for digitizing higher education in Europe, the findings may be relevant for universities’ e-learning strategies.
Distributed Data Mining in Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Du Juan , Wu Fenfen
Published: November 2016

With the rapid development and wide application of sensor network technology, consequently a huge volume of data would be continuously generated and collected. In order to process the data and analyze the data more accurate and efficient, the paper proposed a distributed data mining method in wireless sensor networks. Thus Smart Octopus, an open framework for seamlessly integrating sensor network and data mining technology, so that both of the huge amounts of data resource collected in sensor networks and the powerful knowledge discovery capability of data mining could be effectively and efficiently utilized, is discussed in this paper.
Behavior Recognition Algorithm of Mobile Phone Users Based on Sensor Networks
Authors: Chen Yan
Published: November 2016

To improve the efficiency of data analysis in the process of mobile phone users’ interaction, an algorithm on behavior recognition of mobile phone users based on sensor networks is proposed in this paper. The algorithm and model uses the multidimensional receptive-field function and the support vector method to improve the accuracy and efficiency. Simulation result shows that the algorithm and the new model can improve the performance of analysis efficiency and correctness substantially.
A Wireless Sensor Networks-based Intelligent System for Library Air Quality Monitoring
Authors: Zhang Xiaoguang , Zhao Yijie , Zhao Wei , Xu Wei-wei , Ji Wen-chao
Published: November 2016

A system for monitoring library air quality by using the emerging technology of Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) was proposed. Wireless sensor networks can sense and collect data, as well as carry out a real-time monitoring of various environmental parameters, and send data to the end user. Simulation results prove that the proposed system is a power-saving, low-cost and easy-to-use monitoring system, which is efficient enough to be used as a reliable library air quality (LAQ) monitor.
Obstacle Avoidance Strategy of Mobile Robot Based on Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: An Peng
Published: November 2016

In order to improve the real time performance, accuracy and stability, an obstacle avoidance strategy of mobile robot based on wireless sensor networks is proposed in this paper. The algorithm is combined with fuzzy control and neural network control theory which can express those rules difficult to describe by using mathematical model. Simulation results show that the obstacle avoidance strategy can improve the overall system performance substantially and is suitable for mobile robot intelligent control.
Data Stream of Wireless Sensor Networks Based on Deep Learning
Authors: Li Yue-jie
Published: November 2016

The sensor data in wireless sensor networks are continuously arriving in multiple, rapid, time varying, possibly unpredictable, unbounded streams, and no record of historical information is kept. These limitations make conventional Database Management Systems and their evolution unsuitable for streams. Thereby there is a need to build a complete Data Streaming Management System (DSMS), which could process streams and perform dynamic continuous query processing. In this paper, a framework for Adaptive Distributed Data Streaming Management System (ADDSMS) is presented, which operates as streams control interface between arrays of distributed data stream sources and end-user clients who access and analyze these streams. Simulation results show that the proposed method can thus improve overall system performance substantially.
Distributed Data Storage Strategy in Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Zhang Song-juan , Yang Jian
Published: November 2016

In order to solve the problem of large scalability and low energy efficiency in distributed data storage in wireless sensor networks, the author proposed a temporal-centric storage approach method. By using this method the sensing data are stored in some storage node indexed by a hash function parameterized with detecting time. These nodes act as rendezvous among sink and source nodes. Simulation results show that the proposed approach mitigates the hot-spot problem and can thus improve overall system performance substantially.
Remote Medical Monitoring System in Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Zhang Chao
Published: November 2016

In order to solve the problem of monitoring remote medical care to identify good medical services, a medical service recommendation system based on privacy-preserved reputation scoring is designed. This system enables medical service users to get a reputation score of a Medical Service Provider before engaging in any services. The experiment results show that the proposed scheme is significantly more efficient in batch verification of digital signatures, making it a suitable practical solution to Mobile Health Care applications, while the third solution shows that the system is able to provide reputation scores as well as recommendation while preserving privacy as desired.
Política industrial brasileira recente
Authors: Ferreira Jonathan Dias , Subeldia Junior Oscar Luis Legal , Schneider Mirian Beatriz
Published: November 2016

Políticas industriais são amplamente utilizadas e contribuíram para o fortalecimento e dinamismo do setor em países desenvolvidos. Além de difundir o debate sobre as políticas industriais, este trabalho possui como objetivo principal apresentar uma discussão da política industrial brasileira, a partir dos anos 2000. Pode-se concluir que, apesar de a política industrial no Brasil ter caráter anticíclico, as medidas adotadas no curto prazo foram fundamentais para garantir a sobrevivência de industriais, emprego e renda, em um cenário adverso, como foi a crise financeira após o ano de 2008.
Estudo da correlação entre ICMS Ecológico e estrutura político-administrativa ambiental nos municípios brasileiros
Authors: Aydos Leonardo Recena , Figueiredo Neto Leonardo Francisco
Published: November 2016

O ICMS Ecológico (ICMS-E) é um instrumento de política ambiental atualmente implementado em 16 estados brasileiros. Estudos discutem sua efetividade no incentivo à criação de Unidades de Conservação, melhoria das ações voltadas à preservação ambiental e capacidade de compensação financeira para municípios que tenham limitações em usufruir economicamente da totalidade de sua área. Entretanto, um assunto pouco discutido é a capacidade de incentivar e possibilitar a existência de estrutura político-administrativa específica para o meio ambiente. Assim, este trabalho apresenta a importância dessa estruturação em âmbito municipal e o estudo da correlação entre o ICMS-E e a estrutura político-administrativa relacionada ao meio ambiente nos municípios brasileiros. Foram utilizados dados da Pesquisa de Informações Básicas Municipais (MUNIC) de 2013, feita pelo Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE), para identificar a correlação entre ICMS-E e a existência de órgãos e de instrumentos relacionados à preservação ambiental. Os resultados indicaram que o ICMS-E influenciou os municípios a integrar Comitês de Bacia Hidrográfica, ter Conselho Municipal do Meio Ambiente, Fundo Municipal do Meio Ambiente, Secretaria Municipal de Meio Ambiente e criar legislação específica para tratar da questão ambiental.
O dinamismo da indústria de transformação e o crescimento econômico no brasil no período de 1990 a 2013
Authors: Gobi José Rodrigo , Castilho Mara Lucy
Published: November 2016

Este estudo investigou a evolução da indústria de transformação no período de 1996 a 2013, verificando os problemas que envolveram sua perda de participação e dinamismo no atual cenário econômico nacional. Inicialmente, demonstrou-se a importância da indústria no desenvolvimento e crescimento das economias por meio da teoria de Kaldor, que aborda a relação estreita entre o crescimento do setor e da economia em geral. Posteriormente, analisou-se o comportamento da indústria de transformação a partir de 1990, com base em dados sobre o valor de transformação industrial, da produtividade do trabalho na indústria, da formação bruta de capital fixo e de componentes do comércio externo. Observou-se que, nas últimas décadas, ocorreram importantes modificações na estrutura produtiva brasileira, contudo os resultados apenas corroboram a primeira, a segunda e a terceira Leis de Kaldor, ou seja, o PIB brasileiro está intimamente relacionado ao crescimento do produto industrial, havendo uma relação de causalidade positiva entre ambos, assim como com as exportações.
Por que leem os jovens literatura de autoajuda? Reflexões sobre O céu existe mesmo, de T. Burpo e L. Vincent
Authors: Martins Jorge Manuel Passos , Azevedo Fernando
Published: November 2016

A obra em apreço remete para a literatura de autoajuda, cujo teor, pertencente ao imaginário religioso, a colocou no patamar dos best-sellers, suscitando uma leitura transversal a todas as faixas etárias. A particularidade de ter sido objeto de escolha por parte de jovens motivou uma análise hermenêutica que identificasse possíveis valores estéticos, éticos e simbólicos. O artigo explicita o conceito de literatura de autoajuda e as principais linhas ideológico-temáticas da obra em causa.
Uma análise espacial do emprego no setor de confecções do Rio Grande do Norte (2004 e 2014)
Authors: Lima Elaine Carvalho de , Alves Janaina Da Silva
Published: November 2016

Esse trabalho busca verificará o impacto da clusterização horizontal no crescimento do emprego das micros, pequenas e médias empresas (MPME´S) do setor  de confecções no Rio Grande do Norte, nos anos de 2004 e 2014. Nesse contexto, consideram-se os argumentos microfundamentados por Fujita e Thisse (2002) que apontam as economias externas como explicação da clusterização.  Em termos metodológicos, a pesquisa se desenvolveu por meio da análise do instrumental da Análise Exploratória de Dados Espaciais (AEDE), com destaque para as estatísticas de autocorrelação espacial I de Moran e Moran Local e utilizou-se do modelo proposto por Fingleton, Igliori e Moore (2005) com o procedimento baseado no modelo de Mínimo Quadrado Ordinário de Dois Estágios (MQO2E). Os resultados mostraram que, para o setor de confecções do Rio Grande do Norte, para o período 2004 a 2014, a clusterização horizontal gerou externalidades positivas sobre o crescimento do emprego nas MPME’s desse setor, porém estas são contrabalanceadas com impactos negativos, também conhecidos como efeito congestão.
Essential Role of mTORC1 in Self-Renewal of Murine Alveolar Macrophages
Authors: Deng Wenhai , Yang Jialong , Lin Xingguang , Shin Jinwook , Gao Jimin , Zhong Xiao-Ping
Published: November 2016

Alveolar macrophages (AMϕ) have the capacity of local self-renewal through adult life; however, mechanisms that regulate AMϕ self-renewal remain poorly understood. We found that myeloid-specific deletion of Raptor, an essential component of the mammalian/mechanistic target of rapamycin complex (mTORC)1, resulted in a marked decrease of this population of cells accompanying altered phenotypic features and impaired phagocytosis activity. We demonstrated further that Raptor/mTORC1 deficiency did not affect AMϕ development, but compromised its proliferative activity at cell cycle entry in the steady-state as well as in the context of repopulation in irradiation chimeras. Mechanically, mTORC1 confers AMϕ optimal responsiveness to GM-CSF–induced proliferation. Thus, our results demonstrate an essential role of mTORC1 for AMϕ homeostasis by regulating proliferative renewal.
Generation of a Novel HLA Class I Transgenic Mouse Model Carrying a Knock-in Mutation at the β2-Microglobulin Locus
Authors: Harada Naomoto , Fukaya Satoshi , Wada Hiroshi , Goto Risa , Osada Toshihiro , Gomori Akira , Ikizawa Koichi , Sakuragi Motomu , Oda Nobuyuki
Published: November 2016

We generated a series of monochain HLA class I knock-in (KI) mouse strains, in which a chimeric HLA class I molecule (α1/α2 domain of HLA-A*0201, HLA-A*0301, HLA-A*2402, or HLA-A*3101 and α3 domain of H-2Db) was covalently linked with 15 aa to human β2-microglobulin (β2m) and introduced into the endogenous mouse β2m locus. In homozygous KI mice, mouse β2m gene disruption resulted in loss of the endogenous H-2 class I molecules and reduction in the peripheral CD8+ T cell population that was partially restored by monochain HLA class I expression. A gene dosage-dependent expression of HLA, similar to that in human PBMCs, was detected in heterozygous and homozygous HLA KI mice. Upon vaccination with various virus epitopes, HLA-restricted, epitope-specific CTLs were induced in HLA KI mice, similar to the response in the commonly used HLA transgenic mice. Importantly, the CTL responses induced in heterozygous KI mice were similar to those in homozygous KI mice. These results suggest that coexpression of H-2 class I does not affect HLA-restricted CTL responses in HLA KI mice, which differs from the situation reported for monochain HLA Tg × β2m−/− mice. Furthermore, we generated double KI mice harboring two different HLA (HLA-A*2402 and HLA-A*0301) KI alleles, which showed a CTL response against both HLA-A24 and HLA-A3 epitopes when immunized with a mixture of both peptides. These results indicated that this HLA class I KI mouse model provides powerful research tools not only for the study of HLA class I–restricted CTL responses, but also for preclinical vaccine evaluation.
Roles of Aluminum Hydroxide and Monophosphoryl Lipid A Adjuvants in Overcoming CD4+ T Cell Deficiency To Induce Isotype-Switched IgG Antibody Responses and Protection by T-Dependent Influenza Vaccine
Authors: Ko Eun-Ju , Lee Young-Tae , Kim Ki-Hye , Lee Youri , Jung Yu-Jin , Kim Min-Chul , Lee Yu-Na , Kang Taeuk , Kang Sang-Moo
Published: November 2016

Vaccine adjuvant effects in the CD4-deficient condition largely remain unknown. We investigated the roles of combined monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL) and aluminum hydroxide (Alum) adjuvant (MPL+Alum) in inducing immunity after immunization of CD4 knockout (CD4KO) and wild-type (WT) mice with T-dependent influenza vaccine. MPL+Alum adjuvant mediated IgG isotype-switched Abs, IgG-secreting cell responses, and protection in CD4KO mice, which were comparable to those in WT mice. In contrast, Alum adjuvant effects were dependent on CD4+ T cells. MPL+Alum adjuvant was effective in recruiting monocytes and neutrophils as well as in protecting macrophages from Alum-mediated cell loss at the injection site in CD4KO mice. MPL+Alum appeared to attenuate MPL-induced inflammatory responses in WT mice, likely improving the safety. Additional studies in CD4-depleted WT mice and MHC class II KO mice suggest that MHC class II+ APCs contribute to providing alternative B cell help in the CD4-deficient condition in the context of MPL+Alum–adjuvanted vaccination.
IL-35 Suppresses Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Airway Eosinophilia in EBI3-Deficient Mice
Authors: Kanai Kyosuke , Park Ah-Mee , Yoshida Hiroki , Tsunoda Ikuo , Yoshie Osamu
Published: November 2016

EBI3 functions as the subunit of immune-regulatory cytokines, such as IL-27 and IL-35, by pairing with p28 and p35, respectively. We treated wild-type and EBI3-deficient mice with intratracheal administration of LPS and obtained bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) 24 h later. Although neutrophils were the predominant cells in BALF from both groups of mice, eosinophils were highly enriched and there was increased production of eosinophil-attracting chemokines CCL11 and CCL24 in BALF of EBI3-deficient mice. The bronchial epithelial cells and alveolar macrophages were the major producers of CCL11 and CCL24. Because no such increases in eosinophils were seen in BALF of p28/IL-27–deficient mice or WSX-1/IL-27Rα subunit-deficient mice upon intratracheal stimulation with LPS, we considered that the lack of IL-35 was responsible for the enhanced airway eosinophilia in EBI3-deficient mice. In vitro, IL-35 potently suppressed production of CCL11 and CCL24 by human lung epithelial cell lines treated with TNF-α and IL-1β. IL-35 also suppressed phosphorylation of STAT1 and STAT3 and induced suppressor of cytokine signaling 3. In vivo, rIL-35 dramatically reduced LPS-induced airway eosinophilia in EBI3-deficient mice, with concomitant reduction of CCL11 and CCL24, whereas neutralization of IL-35 significantly increased airway eosinophils in LPS-treated wild-type mice. Collectively, our results suggest that IL-35 negatively regulates airway eosinophilia, at least in part by reducing the production of CCL11 and CCL24.
A CD80-Biased CTLA4-Ig Fusion Protein with Superior In Vivo Efficacy by Simultaneous Engineering of Affinity, Selectivity, Stability, and FcRn Binding
Authors: Douthwaite Julie , Moisan Jacques , Privezentzev Cyril , Soskic Blagoje , Sabbah Shereen , Cohen Suzanne , Collinson Andie , England Elizabeth , Huntington Catherine , Kemp Ben , Zhuang Li , Hudak Suzanne , Rees D. Gareth , Goldberg Debbie , Barton Chris , Chang Linda , Vainshtein Inna , Liang Meina , Iciek Laurie , Ambery Philip , Peakman Mark , Vaughan Tristan J. , Tree Tim I. M. , Sansom David M. , Bowen Michael A. , Minter Ralph R. , Jermutus Lutz
Published: November 2016

Affinity- and stability-engineered variants of CTLA4-Ig fusion molecules with enhanced pharmacokinetic profiles could yield improved therapies with the potential of higher efficacy and greater convenience to patients. In this study, to our knowledge, we have, for the first time, used in vitro evolution to simultaneously optimize CTLA4 affinity and stability. We selected for improved binding to both ligands, CD80 and CD86, and screened as dimeric Fc fusions directly in functional assays to identify variants with stronger suppression of in vitro T cell activation. The majority of CTLA4 molecules showing the largest potency gains in primary in vitro and ex vivo human cell assays, using PBMCs from type 1 diabetes patients, had significant improvements in CD80, but only modest gains in CD86 binding. We furthermore observed different potency rankings between our lead molecule MEDI5265, abatacept, and belatacept, depending on which type of APC was used, with MEDI5265 consistently being the most potent. We then created fusions of both stability- and potency-optimized CTLA4 moieties with human Fc variants conferring extended plasma t1/2. In a cynomolgus model of T cell–dependent Ab response, the CTLA4-Ig variant MEDI5265 could be formulated at >100 mg/ml for s.c. administration and showed superior efficacy and significantly prolonged serum t1/2. The combination of higher stability and potency with prolonged pharmacokinetics could be compatible with very infrequent, s.c. dosing while maintaining a similar level of immune suppression to more frequently and i.v. administered licensed therapies.
Semaphorin 4C Protects against Allergic Inflammation: Requirement of Regulatory CD138+ Plasma Cells
Authors: Xue Di , Kaufman Gabriel N. , Dembele Marieme , Beland Marianne , Massoud Amir H. , Mindt Barbara C. , Fiter Ryan , Fixman Elizabeth D. , Martin James G. , Friedel Roland H. , Divangahi Maziar , Fritz Jörg H. , Mazer Bruce D.
Published: November 2016

The regulatory properties of B cells have been studied in autoimmune diseases; however, their role in allergic diseases is poorly understood. We demonstrate that Semaphorin 4C (Sema4C), an axonal guidance molecule, plays a crucial role in B cell regulatory function. Mice deficient in Sema4C exhibited increased airway inflammation after allergen exposure, with massive eosinophilic lung infiltrates and increased Th2 cytokines. This phenotype was reproduced by mixed bone marrow chimeric mice with Sema4C deficient only in B cells, indicating that B lymphocytes were the key cells affected by the absence of Sema4C expression in allergic inflammation. We determined that Sema4C-deficient CD19+CD138+ cells exhibited decreased IL-10 and increased IL-4 expression in vivo and in vitro. Adoptive transfer of Sema4c−/− CD19+CD138+ cells induced marked pulmonary inflammation, eosinophilia, and increased bronchoalveolar lavage fluid IL-4 and IL-5, whereas adoptive transfer of wild-type CD19+CD138+IL-10+ cells dramatically decreased allergic airway inflammation in wild-type and Sema4c−/− mice. This study identifies a novel pathway by which Th2-mediated immune responses are regulated. It highlights the importance of plasma cells as regulatory cells in allergic inflammation and suggests that CD138+ B cells contribute to cytokine balance and are important for maintenance of immune homeostasis in allergic airways disease. Furthermore, we demonstrate that Sema4C is critical for optimal regulatory cytokine production in CD138+ B cells.
New Treatment Strategy for Apogeotropic Horizontal Canal Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo
Authors: Zuma e Maia Francisco
Published: November 2016

The apogeotropic variant of horizontal semicircular canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (HC-BPPV) is attributed to canalithiasis of the anterior arm or cupulolithiasis. Despite some therapeutic maneuvers, I propose a new treatment strategy for apogeotropic HCBPPV that is designed to detach both the otoconial debris from the anterior arm of the semicircular canal and the debris that is attached to the utricular side of the cupula using inertia and gravity and based on simulations with a 3D biomechanical model.
Imvuselelo: Embers of liberation in South Africa post-1994
Authors: Vellem Vuyani
Published: November 2016

The unprecedented cultural consciousness after decades of black cultural suppression in the South African public life since the 1990s summons us to the need to harness African ecclesiopolitical symbols in public life. This task is executed at a time when the notions of inter alia, spirituality and Imvuselelo are at the heart of the combustion chambers of our public and political life. Imvuselelo is a thermometer of decolonialist rebellion – the militant spirituality linked with Tiyo Soga – and is a self-combustion escape route in instances of black African epistemicide and violence. The heuristic device of iziko (fireplace) is employed to illuminate and locate the reestablishment and anamnestic praxis of protological life-giving foundations of spirituality in the African universe in our interpretation of Imvuselelo. The notion of imvuselelo is illuminated through iziko to debunk the incompatibilities, disharmonies, incongruences and conflagrations of virtual spirituality in its capture and domestication of the resources of the downtrodden.
When faith does violence: Reimagining engagement between churches and LGBTI groups on homophobia in Africa
Authors: West Gerald , Van der Walt Charlene , Kaoma Kapya John
Published: November 2016

‘Homophobia’ is shorthand for stigmatising attitudes and practices towards people who demonstrate sexual diversity. In this article, we reflect on how African Christian faith may become redemptive rather than violent in the context of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex forms of sexuality.
Becoming a missional church: The struggle of the Lesotho Evangelical Church in Southern Africa or Paris Evangelical Missionary Society in Meadowlands, Soweto
Authors: Kganyapa Leonard Tsdiso , Kgatla Thias Selaelo
Published: November 2016

The existence of the Lesotho Evangelical Church in Southern Africa (LECSA) and Paris Evangelical Missionary Society (PEMS) in the western areas of Johannesburg, South Western Township (Soweto) and, more poignantly, Meadowlands and their forced removal experience are succinctly captured. The struggle of the LECSA and PEMS Meadowlands Parish in becoming a missional ecclesia in a sea of missional challenges in her context is vividly spelt out. They, inter alia, include constitutional matters, language policy, finances, ministerial preparation, lay-ministry development, institutionalisation of ministry, unity issues, prophetic ministry, mission and evangelism. The researcher, then, proposes an intervention – of course not a perfect one – that perhaps will galvanise the LECSA and PEMS Meadowlands Parish members to improve on what they have been doing and become a missional ecclesia in her context, Meadowlands.
Now and then: Revisiting early childhood teachers’ reactions to curriculum change
Authors: Clasquin-Johnson Mary G.
Published: November 2016

This article reports on the findings of a study consisting of two phases. Both phases aimed at investigating how professional development, physical resources and instructional support influenced teachers’ responses to curriculum change. Despite more than 90% of Grade R teachers being under-qualified, they have had to implement two radically different curricula over the past decade. The initial study (‘Phase 1’), conducted in 2007–2010, investigated teachers’ responses to the National Curriculum Statement. The 2015 follow-up study (‘Phase 2’) focused on the same teachers, but the focus fell on the Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statements. The latter occurred in a drastically different context because of the improved monitoring and support systems. A qualitative case study design was employed within an interpretive paradigm. The findings of Phase 1 suggested that the teachers ignored, resisted, adopted and adapted curriculum change. Their highly individualised responses could be attributed to their professional isolation. In contrast, the findings of Phase 2 reveal policy fidelity because of their enhanced capacity to adopt curriculum change. Notably, curriculum implementation is presently occurring within a community of practice. This has the potential to be a catalyst for effecting curriculum change.
Quality in South African early learning centres: Mothers’ and teachers’ views and understanding
Authors: Van Heerden Judy
Published: November 2016

This study investigated how quality in early learning centres (preschools) in South Africa was experienced and perceived by mothers and teachers. A theoretical framework, based on a model of quality development by Woodhead (1996), informed the study. This framework that consists of input (structural), process and outcome quality indicators is a well-established model for quality development, which has been used in developing countries. The findings generated from a thematical analysis of interview data showed that aspects perceived by mothers and teachers as quality indicators in early learning centres were predominantly process indicators and hard to ‘measure’ in a quantitative way. For mothers and teachers, children’s social-emotional well-being, holistic development, a normative foundation for values and respect, effective infrastructure and accountable learning indicated quality. A quality school climate enhances emotional and social well-being, and the findings suggest that for mothers and teachers quality concerns were not about that which the early learning centres have provided in terms of facilities (input indicators), but rather about the process indicators where centres promote children’s holistic well-being. The only outcome indicator that was regarded as extremely important by mothers and important, but not to the same extent, by teachers, is whether children are happy and content and enjoying school.
The suitability of potworms (Enchytraeidae) and plants to test the toxicity of oil refinery sludge
Authors: Reinecke Adriaan J. , Reinecke Sophia A. , Van Wyk Mia
Published: November 2016

Landfarming is used in southern Africa as a tool to dispose of contaminants in the petrochemical industry. A historically landfarmed site was identified at a petroleum refinery where the sludge deposited on the site consisted of a mixture of oil and water-soluble contaminants which included several hazardous chemicals. The aim of this study was to assess the toxicity of the sludge, as well as of soil from the landfarming site, and to determine if potworms and plants could be used in bioassays since there is a need to identify a variety of test species, representing different ecological niches. We exposed a soil-dwelling potworm (Enchytraeus doerjesi) to the sludge and the landfarming soil to study their survival, growth, reproduction success and avoidance behaviour. Five plant species and their seeds were exposed to different concentrations of sludge in potting soil, and consequently germination success, growth rate and biomass were monitored. The various soils from the landfarming site were not acutely toxic to the potworms and they even showed an increase in reproduction, compared to uncontaminated control soil. They avoided heavily contaminated soil from the landfarming site. We conclude that the potworms were not as sensitive as the earthworms and springtails previously tested. They may nevertheless still be utilised for testing the toxicity and recovery status of such soils, since they represent a different ecological niche and showed an avoidance response to refinery waste. The plants were not very sensitive to refinery sludge and presented mixed results. Lettuce and grass were affected most by the sludge, while beans were the most resistant. With the addition of low concentrations of sludge to the substrate, the growth rate of beans was even stimulated.
Healthcare, uncertainty, and fuzzy logic
Authors: Gürsel Güney
Published: November 2016

ABSTRACT

Fuzzy nature of decision-making process in healthcare enforces technology producers and researchers to employ creative and smooth solutions. Conversion from fuzzy concepts and ideas to crisp values causes loss of precision and weakens the output decisions. A promising bundle of techniques, soft computing, is a fast developing and popular area that helps meet this creative and smooth need in healthcare. In this study, fuzzy logic (FL) application in healthcare decision-making is examined. The number of publications is rising each year related to FL application in healthcare. FL can be used as a classifier, or in a selection process of a certain type of disease, or diseased patients, or determining the risk ratio of a disease, or in a data mining algorithm, or in constructing a decision support system. This study is a descriptive study aiming to examine and explain FL applications in healthcare.
Chest radiographs and the elusive lung cancer
Authors: Walker Andrew E. , Murchison John T. , Beek Edwin Van , Ritchie Gillian , Sharkey Joanne
Published: November 2016

ABSTRACT

Background and Objectives:

Lung cancer is the commonest cancer killer in the western world. Many patients have lung cancers first identified on chest radiograph (CXR). Potentially curable cancers are often missed on CXR. This study quantified the incidence of cases of lung cancer which were initially overlooked and studied the causes of delayed diagnosis.

Materials and Methods:

All consecutive patients discussed during a 3-month period at the local lung cancer multidisciplinary meeting (MDM) were identified. All imaging within two years prior to diagnosis of lung cancer were reviewed with its report. Any CXR examination which failed to raise the potential for lung cancer was blindly reviewed by four consultant chest radiologists.

Results:

189 patients were identified from the MDM over three months. 38,049 CXRs were carried out in the trust over the same period. Of the 189 patients, 58 had previous CXRs within 2 years reported as normal. On review 27 (47%) showed an abnormality in the region of the lung subsequently shown to have cancer. 70% of lesions were central, obscured by the heart, diaphragm, clavicles or mediastinum.

Conclusions:

This study shows that 1 in 1,409 CXRs reported as normal harbours a visible lung cancer on retrospective review. In this group 14% of patients with lung cancer could potentially have been diagnosed earlier. Of those that had previous CXRs, 47% had abnormal CXRs reported as normal. This study qualifies the rate of missed lung cancer on CXR in clinical practice and highlights where on CXR cancers are missed.
Left Atrial Myxomectomy with Intraoperative Severe Mitral Regurgitation and Complicated Postoperative Course – Case Report
Authors: Minaskeian Nareg , Hu Patrick P.
Published: November 2016

Primary cardiac tumors are a rare occurrence with myxomas accounting for about half of the benign tumors. Once diagnosed, surgical resection is the standard of care. Our case describes a female in her 50s who underwent a myxoma resection under cardiopulmonary bypass via biatrial approach. Intraoperatively, the thin septal crux between the wall of the aorta and mitral valve was damaged during resection, requiring stem cell tissue matrix for repair. The patient also developed severe mitral regurgitation suggesting infarct to the left coronary system during resection, subsequently receiving a mechanical mitral valve and a saphenous vein bypass graft. Postoperatively, she developed atrial fibrillation with a left atrial appendage thrombus, heart failure with an ejection fraction of 30%–35%, and a transient ischemic attack. In conclusion, it is important for the clinician to appreciate the possible complications of resection peri and postoperatively.
Knife-bladed vortices in non-Newtonian fluids
Authors: Freyssingeas Eric , Frelat Damien , Dossmann Yvan , Géminard Jean-Christophe
Published: November 2016

A tank is filled with a non-Newtonian fluid. We report on the deformation of the free surface resulting from the presence of an underlying vortex.  In a tiny range of the experimental parameters, the flow spontaneously loses its initial axi-symmetry, leading to the formation of a stationary knife-bladed vortex. We report on the series of patterns observed experimentally and summarize the conditions of existence of the latter by establishing a state diagram.Received: 1 July  2016,  Accepted: 24 October  2016; Edited by: J. P. Hulin; Reviewed by: C. Nouar, LEMTA, Université de Lorraine, Nancy, France; DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4279/PIP.080007Cite as: E Freyssingeas, D Frelat, Y Dossmann,  J-C Géminard, Papers in Physics 8, 080007 (2016)This paper, by E Freyssingeas, D Frelat, Y Dossmann,  J-C Géminard, is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution License 3.0.
Effect of vehicular traffic, remote sources and new particle formation on the activation properties of cloud condensation nuclei in the megacity of São Paulo, Brazil
Authors: Souto-Oliveira Carlos Eduardo , Andrade Maria de Fátima , Kumar Prashant , Lopes Fábio Juliano da Silva , Babinski Marly , Landulfo Eduardo
Published: November 2016

Abstract. Atmospheric aerosol is the primary source of cloud condensation nuclei (CCN). The microphysics and chemical composition of aerosols can affect cloud development and the precipitation process. Among studies conducted in Latin America, only a handful have reported the impact of urban aerosol on CCN activation parameters such as activation ratio (AR) and activation diameter (Dact). With over 20 million inhabitants, the Metropolitan Area of São Paulo (MASP) is the largest megacity in South America. To our knowledge, this is the first study to assess the impact that remote sources and new particle formation (NPF) events have on CCN activation properties in a South American megacity. The measurements were conducted in the MASP between August and September 2014. We measured the CCN within the 0.2–1.0 % range of supersaturation, together with particle number concentration (PNC) and particle number distribution (PND), as well as trace-element concentrations and black carbon (BC). NPF events were identified on 35 % of the sampling days. Combining multivariate analysis in the form of positive matrix factorization (PMF) with an aerosol profile from lidar and HYSPLIT model analyses allowed us to identify the main contribution of vehicular traffic on all days and sea salt and biomass burning from remote regions on 28 and 21 % of the sampling days, respectively. The AR and Dact parameters showed distinct patterns for daytime with intense vehicular traffic and nighttime periods. For example, CCN activation was lower during the daytime than during the nighttime periods, a pattern that was found to be associated mainly with local road-traffic emissions. A decrease in CCN activation was observed on the NPF event days, mainly due to high concentrations of particles with smaller diameters. We also found that aerosols from sea salt, industrial emissions, and biomass burning had minor effects on Dact. For example, nights with biomass burning and vehicular emissions showed slightly lower CCN activation properties than sea-salt, industrial and non-event nights. Our results show that particulate matter from local vehicular emissions during the daytime has a greater effect on CCN activation parameters than that from remote sources.
Evaluation of biomass burning aerosols in the HadGEM3 climate model with observations from the SAMBBA field campaign
Authors: Johnson Ben T. , Haywood James M. , Langridge Justin M. , Darbyshire Eoghan , Morgan William T. , Szpek Kate , Brooke Jennifer K. , Marenco Franco , Coe Hugh , Artaxo Paulo , Longo Karla M. , Mulcahy Jane P. , Mann Graham W. , Dalvi Mohit , Bellouin Nicolas
Published: November 2016

Abstract. We present observations of biomass burning aerosol from the South American Biomass Burning Analysis (SAMBBA) and other measurement campaigns, and use these to evaluate the representation of biomass burning aerosol properties and processes in a state-of-the-art climate model. The evaluation includes detailed comparisons with aircraft and ground data, along with remote sensing observations from MODIS and AERONET. We demonstrate several improvements to aerosol properties following the implementation of the Global Model for Aerosol Processes (GLOMAP-mode) modal aerosol scheme in the HadGEM3 climate model. This predicts the particle size distribution, composition, and optical properties, giving increased accuracy in the representation of aerosol properties and physical–chemical processes over the Coupled Large-scale Aerosol Scheme for Simulations in Climate Models (CLASSIC) bulk aerosol scheme previously used in HadGEM2. Although both models give similar regional distributions of carbonaceous aerosol mass and aerosol optical depth (AOD), GLOMAP-mode is better able to capture the observed size distribution, single scattering albedo, and Ångström exponent across different tropical biomass burning source regions. Both aerosol schemes overestimate the uptake of water compared to recent observations, CLASSIC more so than GLOMAP-mode, leading to a likely overestimation of aerosol scattering, AOD, and single scattering albedo at high relative humidity. Observed aerosol vertical distributions were well captured when biomass burning aerosol emissions were injected uniformly from the surface to 3 km. Finally, good agreement between observed and modelled AOD was gained only after scaling up GFED3 emissions by a factor of 1.6 for CLASSIC and 2.0 for GLOMAP-mode. We attribute this difference in scaling factor mainly to different assumptions for the water uptake and growth of aerosol mass during ageing via oxidation and condensation of organics. We also note that similar agreement with observed AOD could have been achieved with lower scaling factors if the ratio of organic carbon to primary organic matter was increased in the models toward the upper range of observed values. Improved knowledge from measurements is required to reduce uncertainties in emission ratios for black carbon and organic carbon, and the ratio of organic carbon to primary organic matter for primary emissions from biomass burning.