bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Carbamoylation correlates of cyanate neuropathy and cyanide poisoning: relevance to the biomarkers of cassava cyanogenesis and motor system toxicity
Authors: Kimani Samuel , Moterroso Victor , Lasarev Mike , Kipruto Sinei , Bukachi Fred , Maitai Charles , David Larry , Tshala-Katumbay Desire
Published: December 2013

We sought to elucidate the protein carbamoylation patterns associated with cyanate neuropathy relative to cyanide poisoning. We hypothesized that under a diet deficient in sulfur amino acids (SAA), the carbamoylation pattern associated with cyanide poisoning is similar to that of cyanate neuropathy. Male rats (6–8 weeks old) were fed a diet with all amino acids (AAA) or 75%-deficiency in SAA and treated with 2.5 mg/kg/body weight (bw) NaCN, or 50 mg/kg/bw NaOCN, or 1 μl/g/bw saline, for up to 6 weeks. Albumin and spinal cord proteins were analyzed using liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Only NaOCN induced motor deficits with significant levels of carbamoylation. At Day 14, we found a diet-treatment interaction effect on albumin carbamoylation (p = 0.07). At Day 28, no effect was attributed to diet (p = 0.71). Mean number of NaCN-carbamoylated sites on albumin was 47.4% higher relative to vehicle (95% CI:16.7-86.4%). Only NaOCN carbamoylated spinal cord proteins, prominently, under SAA-restricted diet. Proteins targets included myelin basic and proteolipid proteins, neurofilament light and glial fibrillary acidic proteins, and 2', 3' cyclic-nucleotide 3'-phosphodiesterase. Under SAA deficiency, chronic but not acute cyanide toxicity may share biomarkers and pathogenetic similarities with cyanate neuropathy. Prevention of carbamoylation may protect against the neuropathic effects of cyanate.
Classical cardiovascular disease risk factors associate with vascular function and morphology in rheumatoid arthritis: a six-year prospective study
Authors: Sandoo Aamer , Chanchlani Neil , Hodson James , Smith Jacqueline P , Douglas Karen M , Kitas George D
Published: December 2013

Introduction

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are at an increased risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD). An early manifestation of CVD is endothelial dysfunction which can lead to functional and morphological vascular abnormalities. Classical CVD risk factors and inflammation are both implicated in causing endothelial dysfunction in RA. The objective of the present study was to examine the effect of baseline inflammation, cumulative inflammation, and classical CVD risk factors on the vasculature following a six-year follow-up period.

Methods

A total of 201 RA patients (155 females, median age (25th to 75th percentile): 61 years (53 to 67)) were examined at baseline (2006) for presence of classical CVD risk factors and determination of inflammation using C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). At follow-up (2012) patients underwent assessments of microvascular and macrovascular endothelium-dependent and endothelium-independent function, along with assessment of carotid atherosclerosis. The CRP and ESR were recorded from the baseline study visit to the follow-up visit for each patient to calculate cumulative inflammatory burden.

Results

Classical CVD risk factors, but not RA disease-related inflammation, predicted microvascular endothelium-dependent and endothelium-independent function, macrovascular endothelium-independent function and carotid atherosclerosis. These findings were similar in a sub-group of patients free from CVD, and not receiving non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, cyclooxygenase 2 inhibitors or biologics. Cumulative inflammation was not associated with microvascular and macrovascular endothelial function, but a weak association was apparent between area under the curve for CRP and carotid atherosclerosis.

Conclusions

Classical CVD risk factors may be better long-term predictors of vascular function and morphology than systemic disease-related inflammation in patients with RA. Further studies are needed to confirm if assessments of vascular function and morphology are predictive of long-term CV outcomes in RA.
Lessons Learned from Undergraduate Students in Designing a Science-Based Course in Bioethics
Authors: Loike John D. , Rush Brittany S. , Schweber Adam , Fischbach Ruth L.
Published: December 2013

Columbia University offers two innovative undergraduate science-based bioethics courses for student majoring in biosciences and pre–health studies. The goals of these courses are to introduce future scientists and healthcare professionals to the ethical questions they will confront in their professional lives, thus enabling them to strategically address these bioethical dilemmas. These courses incorporate innovative pedagogical methods, case studies, and class discussions to stimulate the students to think creatively about bioethical issues emerging from new biotechnologies. At the end of each course, each student is required to submit a one-page strategy detailing how he or she would resolve a bioethical dilemma. Based on our experience in teaching these courses and on a qualitative analysis of the students’ reflections, we offer recommendations for creating an undergraduate science-based course in bioethics. General recommendations include: 1) integrating the science of emerging biotechnologies, their ethical ramifications, and contemporary bioethical theories into interactive class sessions; 2) structuring discussion-based classes to stimulate students to consider the impact of their moral intuitions when grappling with bioethical issues; and 3) using specific actual and futuristic case studies to highlight bioethical issues and to help develop creative problem-solving skills. Such a course sparks students’ interests in both science and ethics and helps them analyze bioethical challenges arising from emerging biotechnologies.
What Do I Want to Be with My PhD? The Roles of Personal Values and Structural Dynamics in Shaping the Career Interests of Recent Biomedical Science PhD Graduates
Authors: Gibbs Kenneth D. , Griffin Kimberly A.
Published: December 2013

Interest in faculty careers decreases as graduate training progresses; however, the process underlying career-interest formation remains poorly defined. To better understand this process and whether/how it differs across social identity (i.e., race/ethnicity, gender), we conducted focus groups with 38 biomedical scientists who received PhDs between 2006 and 2011, including 23 women and 18 individuals from underrepresented minority (URM) backgrounds. Objective performance and quality of advisor relationships were not significantly different between scientists with high versus low interest in faculty careers. Career interests were fluid and formed in environments that generally lacked structured career development. Vicarious learning shaped similar outcome expectations about academic careers for all scientists; however, women and URMs recounted additional, distinct experiences and expectations. Scientists pursuing faculty careers described personal values, which differed by social identity, as their primary driver. For scientists with low interest in faculty careers, a combination of values, shared across social identity, and structural dynamics of the biomedical workforce (e.g., job market, grant funding, postdoc pay, etc.) played determinative roles. These findings illuminate the complexity of career choice and suggest attracting the best, most diverse academic workforce requires institutional leaders and policy makers go beyond developing individual skill, attending to individuals’ values and promoting institutional and systemic reforms.
The Classroom Observation Protocol for Undergraduate STEM (COPUS): A New Instrument to Characterize University STEM Classroom Practices
Authors: Smith Michelle K. , Jones Francis H. M. , Gilbert Sarah L. , Wieman Carl E.
Published: December 2013

Instructors and the teaching practices they employ play a critical role in improving student learning in college science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) courses. Consequently, there is increasing interest in collecting information on the range and frequency of teaching practices at department-wide and institution-wide scales. To help facilitate this process, we present a new classroom observation protocol known as the Classroom Observation Protocol for Undergraduate STEM or COPUS. This protocol allows STEM faculty, after a short 1.5-hour training period, to reliably characterize how faculty and students are spending their time in the classroom. We present the protocol, discuss how it differs from existing classroom observation protocols, and describe the process by which it was developed and validated. We also discuss how the observation data can be used to guide individual and institutional change.
Editorial: Jack of all trades? The versatility of IL-4 in CD8+ T cell polarity
Authors: Huang Weishan , August Avery
Published: December 2013

Discussion on IL-4 pleotropic effects on CD8+ T cells and its effects on multiple types of effectors, including IL-10-producing immune suppressors.
SEAM Update
Authors: Oristaglio Michael
Published: December 2013

In September, SEAM Corporation signed a contract with Advanced Geophysical Technology to carry out simulations of 3D land-seismic data acquisition on the SEAM Unconventional Model. This model of shale reservoirs set in the stratigraphic sequence of a typical midcontinent basin was designed by members of SEAM Phase II to represent challenges in the exploration and characterization of unconventional plays with seismic methods. Previous articles in this series have described the geology of the Unconventional Model and its digital construction through work that was carried out on behalf of the consortium largely by BP, using its internal geologic modeling software, including a novel program for simulating the deposition of fine stratigraphic layers controlled by a set of geologic rules (Figure 1; see TLE March 2013, page 346). This article describes the acquisition plan for the simulations and some numerical features of the model.
The first Near-Surface Geophysics Asia Pacific Conference
Authors: Whitesell Laurie
Published: December 2013

The first Near-Surface Geophysics Asia Pacific Conference (NSGAPC), coorganized by SEG, the Chinese Geophysical Society (CGS), the Australian Society of Exploration Geophysicists (ASEG), the Korean Society of Earth and Exploration Geophysicists (KSEG), and the Society of Exploration Geophysicists of Japan (SEGJ), was held in Beijing, China, on 17–19 July 2013. The conference was a success thanks to the great support of the geophysical societies, technical cochairs (Jianghai Xia and Chih-Ping Lin), delegates, exhibitors, and generous sponsors (China Aero Geophysical Survey and Remote Sensing Center for Land and Resources—AGRS and China Oilfield Services LTD–CNOOC-COSL).
From the Editor's desk
Authors: Bhui Kamaldeep
Published: December 2013

Is psychiatry too political?

Writing on the morning of 10 November I am aware of all the Remembrance Sunday ceremonies taking place to commemorate the tragic loss of life associated with wars. A series of ceremonies reach even children's football matches played on village greens, schools, universities and hospitals. Psychiatric research investigates the impact of war and conflict on civilians and on soldiers, but rarely what causes war and conflict and how to prevent these. Such an aspiration might be considered too political and outside the scope of medicine, until we have to deal with the consequences of war. Fears about politicisation of medicine abound because of the historical abuses by nations at war. There is less understanding of what local politics and psychiatry share as common endeavours in today's world of population health and publically funded services. Local politics, local governments and public preferences are important components of preventive psychiatry. Earlier this week, a senior highly renowned and brilliant medical (non-psychiatric) colleague of mine queried that much psychiatric research seemed political, and dismissed it as being outside the realms of medicine and medical sciences – not least my own areas of research on health inequalities. I deliberated with some alacrity why political engagement was something to be celebrated not stigmatised, as psychiatric research informs decisions of importance to local people and is of great societal and health benefit. And there are devastating effects on health if public policy or laws are not evidence-based.
Neurology in the German training system for psychiatrists – a personal view
Authors: Thiels Cornelia
Published: December 2013

In mid-19th-century Germany the conviction that ‘mental disease is brain disease’ was accompanied by a call for social reform in psychiatry. During neurology training, future psychiatrists often encounter patients with mental disorders rarely seen in psychiatric departments and learn how to avoid misdiagnosing brain diseases as mental disorders.
Varieties of decisional incapacity: Theory and practice
Authors: Kim Scott Y. H.
Published: December 2013

Evaluation of decision-making capacity (DMC) for treatment is challenging. Owenet al, in this issue of theJournal, compare the abilities (understanding, appreciation and reasoning) relevant to DMC in medical and psychiatric patients. Here I discuss three key issues their article raises and that are relevant to the direction of future research.
Community treatment orders: Current evidence and the implications
Authors: Rugkåsa Jorun , Dawson John
Published: December 2013

Community treatment orders (CTOs) have been widely introduced to address the problems faced by ‘revolving door’ patients. A number of case–control studies have been conducted but show conflicting results concerning the effectiveness of CTOs. The Oxford Community Treatment Order Evaluation Trial (OCTET) is the third randomised controlled trial (RCT) to show that CTOs do not reduce rates of readmission over 12 months, despite restricting patients' autonomy. This evidence gives pause for thought about current CTO practice. Further high-quality RCTs may settle the contentious debate about effectiveness.
Screening for psychiatric morbidity in police custody: results
from the HELP-PC project
Authors: McKinnon Iain , Srivastava Samir , Kaler Gurpreet , Grubin Don
Published: December 2013

Aims and method

To ascertain the efficacy of custody health screening for mental
disorders. We assessed a sample of detainees for the presence of mental
disorders and the need for an appropriate adult. The assessments were
carried out using pragmatic interviews and examinations supported by
structured tools. Where possible, we attributed a probable clinical
diagnosis based on the information available to us. The need for an
appropriate adult was judged based on this information and capacity
assessments.

Results

Existing screening procedures missed a quarter of cases of severe mental
illness and moderate depression; they also failed to detect about a half
of those at risk of alcohol withdrawal and 70% of those at risk of
withdrawal from crack cocaine. The need for an appropriate adult was not
recognised in more than half of cases.

Clinical implications

Consideration should be given to modifying police screening procedures
for mental and associated disorders so that detainees receive the
appropriate attention.
The long case: the case against its revival
Authors: Burn Wendy , Brittlebank Andrew
Published: December 2013

In their editorial, Michael et al focus on what they see as
shortcomings in one important area of clinical assessment of psychiatrists
in training and they suggest that methods of workplace-based assessment have
failed. However, current thinking in assessment of doctors is to consider
assessment systems as a whole and we contend that both forms of assessment –
clinical examinations and workplace-based assessments – are needed because
they fulfil different needs. This is not to argue that more should not be
done to ensure that all who are involved in the assessment of doctors are
better prepared for the task or that the current portfolio of assessment
methods is complete.
Research Skills As A Basis For School Students Research Activities In The Ad-Hoc Designed Educational Environment
Authors: Мамыкина  , Mamykina Lyudmila
Published: December 2013

The concept of scientific research skills

is defined as a foundation for competence-based

research activities of higher school students, taking

place in the ad-hoc designed educational

environment. Structure and content elements of

the educational environment designed especially

for the task of upbringing professionals are

discussed. The musts for fostering scientific research

competence are outlined.
Acoustic Efficiency of Shredded Nonporous Polymeric Materials as a Part of Bulk Noise-Attenuating Modules
Authors: Фесина  , Fesina M. , Краснов  , Krasnov A. , Горина  , Gorina L.
Published: December 2013

The results of researches related to acoustic efficiency of shredded nonporous polymeric structures from the solid waste used as a

part of bulk noise-attenuating modules are presented in this work. The air-tight structures of materials subjected to corresponding

technological procedures of crushing with formation of semi-finished products, in particular, in the form of rubber crumb, film

chips and polymeric granules are considered. The reached improvements of sound-absorbing efficiency of bulk noise-attenuating

modules’ model samples are analyzed. Ecological and cost advantages of use of the noise-attenuating devices containing shredded

porous sound-absorbing structures have been noted.
System of Ecological Supervision at Engineering Researches
Authors: Приваленко  , Privalenko V. , Дьяченко  , Dyachenko Vladimir
Published: December 2013

The modern principles related to carrying out of engineering-ecological researches, as well as regulatory basis and passing order of documentation for environmental assessment at various stages of economic activity have been considered in this paper. On the example of natural and technogenic systems related to Nizhny Don region the principles of regional environmental monitoring organization and integration into it the systems of local environmental monitoring related to dangerous objects have been offered.
Why Do Simple Heuristics Perform Well in Choices with Binary Attributes?
Authors: Katsikopoulos Konstantinos V.
Published: December 2013

Simple heuristics, such as deterministic elimination by aspects (DEBA) and equal weighting of attributes with DEBA as a tiebreaker (EW/DEBA), have been found to perform curiously well in choosing one out of many alternatives based on a few binary attributes. DEBA and EW/DEBA sometimes achieve near-perfect performance and complement each other (if one is wrong or does not apply, the other is correct). Here, these findings are confirmed and extended; most importantly, a theory is presented that explains them. The theory allows calculating the performance of any model, for any number of binary attributes, for any preferences of the decision maker, for all sizes of the consideration set, and for sampling alternatives with as well as without replacement. Calculations based on the theory organize previous empirical findings and provide new surprising results. For example, the performance of both DEBA and EW/DEBA is a U-shaped function of the size of the consideration set and converges relatively quickly to perfection as the size of the consideration set increases (this result holds even when the preferences of the decision maker are worst-case scenarios for the performance of the heuristics). An explanation for why DEBA and EW/DEBA complement each other is also provided. Finally, the need for a unified theory of multiattribute choice and cue-based judgment is discussed.
Sarcoma genomics
Authors: Jones R. , Wood D.
Published: December 2013

This article provides an overview of the role of genomics in sarcomas and describes how new methods of analysis and comparative screening have provided the potential to progress understanding and treatment of sarcoma. This article reviews genomic techniques, the evolution of the use of genomics in cancer, the current state of genomic analysis, and also provides an overview of the medical, social and economic implications of recent genomic advances.
Talking about the personal: a pregnant researcher’s experience of studying working parents in the UK
Authors: Yarwood Gemma Anne
Published: November 2013

The relationship between the researcher and researched is an important yet often under-scrutinised topic in family research. This article presents my account of negotiating this complex research relationship. I draw on qualitative interviews with 11 working parents in the United Kingdom. I also consider field notes of my feelings about my research relationships with the participants. In this article I discuss the challenges I faced in developing and managing these relationships. I describe how, as a white woman researcher in my mid-thirties, I became pregnant with my first child during the research process. This influenced the often taken-for-granted assumptions of developing and establishing relationships in research practice. My findings demonstrate the ways in which I was positioned by the participants within and outside mothering discourses based on cultural norms of femininity and heterosexuality. I conclude that it is important to acknowledge the importance of the embodied researcher and the potential impacts on the research process.
The decline of the male breadwinner family model versus the persistence of gendered unpaid work in Spain
Authors: Mínguez Almudena Moreno
Published: November 2013

Based on a careful review of the theoretical and empirical literature on comparative gender studies, this article aims to contribute to the ongoing debate about the relationship between women’s labour market participation and the gender-specific division of household work. Its main finding is that there is a persistence of the gendered division of unpaid work despite the erosion of the male breadwinner family model in Spain. The empirical analysis is based on a comparison of family models in Europe as well as trends in the gendered division of family labour. Comparative data from different European statistical sources are analysed descriptively. A more complex statistical analysis is carried out for Spain on the basis of a survey carried out by the Sociological Research Centre (CIS) in 2010. The article provides some interesting empirical evidence that could contribute to a better understanding of the dynamics of gender and family change in Spain.
Examining the Link: Climate Change
Authors: Okeowo Demola
Published: December 2013

At present, international law offers protection only to those who move involuntarily because of a well-founded fear of persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion. This is the only class of refugee that is currently recognised in international law. However, people move for all sorts of reasons: political, economic, educational and professional, family unification and marriage; still more move for reasons of environmental degradation, conflict and disaster. At law, however, these categories of people are at best ‘migrants' and not ‘refugees’. Recent trends in legal and other social discourse include the clamour to include those who move for reasons of environmental degradation within the refugee paradigm. Is it true that people move involuntarily solely because of environmental degradation or are there other considerations? What is the link between climate change, environmental degradation and migration? This article will provide answers to these questions and will also attempt to critically review the protection options available to those moving because of environmental impact occasioned by climate change.
Opting in and Opting Out: Doing the Hokey Cokey with EU Policing and Judicial Cooperation
Authors: McCartney Carole
Published: December 2013

Policing and judicial cooperation across international borders is now an expectation, and within the EU, is often mandated, but the desirability of criminal justice cooperation between EU Member States and the UK is now debated. This article examines recent UK political interventions in the field of EU criminal law. This has focused upon the so-called ‘block opt-out’ decision whereupon the UK government has to choose whether to ‘opt out’ en masse of all unamended policing and criminal law instruments entered into prior to the 2009 Lisbon Treaty (under Article 10(1) of Protocol 36). The article will look in particular at two EU instruments central to the ongoing and future development of EU policing and judicial cooperation: the European Arrest Warrant and the exchange of forensic DNA profiles, fingerprints and vehicle registration details under the Prüm Treaty. While the UK government is asserting (at the time of writing) that it is to opt back ‘in’ to the European Arrest Warrant, it is refraining from opting back in (so remaining ‘out’) of the Prüm Treaty. Examining the rationales for the use of the opt-out, and the decisions in respect of each of these instruments, the article will ask whether the choice to ‘opt out’ can be reconciled with the aspiration of securing an EU Area of Freedom, Security and Justice, and whether it is appropriate that the UK should be doing the ‘hokey cokey’ with EU policing and judicial cooperation.
Plasmid linearization changes shape and efficiency of transfection complexes
Authors: Lehner Roman , Wang Xueya , Hunziker Patrick
Published: December 2013

The ability to efficiently transfect plasmid DNA (pDNA) into eukaryotic cells has exerted major impact on scientific research in recent years, and translation to clinical application is ongoing, but challenging. In addition to the choice of the delivery vector, the topology of the DNA seems to be a key factor for efficient transfection. The nanostructured DNA/Vector complexes may differ in size, charge, and shape, for example. This study therefore investigated the transfection efficiency of circular versus linearized plasmid DNA using a GFP expressing vector with Lipofectamine2000 and linear 25 kDA polyethylenimine (PEI). Transfection efficiency and cytotoxicity were measured by flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy. Shape was determined by transmission electron microscopy. Transfection agent concentrations were chosen below the toxicity level. We determined the optimal N/P ratio over 48 h by using two different concentrations of plasmid DNA. With the increase of DNA concentration and increasing N/P ratio, transfection efficiency also increased. Our results showed a better transfection efficiency with the circular compared to the linearized DNA, under the same experimental conditions for both Lipofectamine and PEI. In electron microscopy, there was a notable difference in the shape of the complexes: circular DNA had random coil appearance in well compacted, roughly spherical shape, while linearized DNA appeared as worm-like strands, both, when complexed with Lipofectamine or with polyethyleneimine. This generates the hypothesis that the shape of the transfection particle may be an important factor for successful gene transfer.
Anti-Müllerian hormone: determination of ovarian reserve in early breast cancer patients
Authors: Bozza Claudia , Puglisi Fabio , Lambertini Matteo , Osa Etin-Osa , Manno Massimo , Del Mastro Lucia
Published: November 2013

Breast cancer is the most common invasive cancer in women of reproductive age. In young women, chemotherapy may induce amenorrhea: it is still uncertain how to assess menopausal status in these patients despite the importance of its definition for choosing appropriate endocrine treatment. In the development of sensitive biomarkers for fertility and ovarian reserve, anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) is considered a promising marker of ovarian reserve. The clearest data regarding a clinical use of AMH are related to the measurement of the ovarian pool in women who undergo IVF: the available data, also in breast cancer patients, seem to suggest that AMH measurement, before gonadotropin administration, can be a useful marker for the prediction of women at risk for poor-response or no response to ovarian stimulation. The utility of AMH as a potential marker of chemotherapy-induced ovarian follicular depletion and an early plasma marker of chemotherapy-induced gonadal damage has been evaluated both in young women after treatment for cancer in childhood and in young survivors of hematological malignancies and solid tumors. Several studies have demonstrated a potential utility of AMH, inhibin, or follicle-stimulating factor as biomarkers predicting infertility risk in breast cancer patients, but the studies conducted so far are not conclusive. Further studies are needed in order to define the regimen-specific action of chemotherapy on AMH levels, the percentage of post-treatment recovery of plasma levels of the hormone, and the relationship between menopausal status and AMH.
Genetic Literacy and Competency
Authors: Kaye Celia , Korf Bruce
Published: December 2013

Since the sequencing of the human genome was completed, progress toward understanding the genetic contributions to both rare and common disorders has accelerated dramatically. That understanding will lead to new approaches to diagnosis and management, which will be incorporated into day-to-day medical practice. Moreover, the mindset with regard to genetic contributions to health and disease has shifted from 1 gene at a time to genome wide. However, most practicing pediatricians, and even many still in training, are likely to be unfamiliar with the concepts of genetics and genomics and their applications in medical practice. This article addresses the issues of genetic and genomic literacy and competencies for pediatricians and other primary care providers, as they prepare to work with their patients in the emerging world of genomic medicine.
Modeling of membrane separation and applying combined operations at biosystems
Authors: Hodúr C. , Kertész Sz. , Szép A. , Keszthelyi-Szabó G. , László Zs.
Published: November 2013

The importance of the treatment of water and wastewater has been steadily increasing because of the ever greater demands to eliminate environmental pollution. Pressure-driven membrane separation processes, including ultrafiltration (UF), nanofiltration (NF) and reverse osmosis (RO), have been widely used in water and wastewater treatment and are applied on an industrial scale worldwide. The aim of our paper is to introduce the results of our research team on this field. The main research area within the membrane separation was the reduction of resistances. The effect of ozonation, vibration and application of dolly particles were examined in our scientific works.
Cognitive Science of Religion
Authors: Pyysiäinen Ilkka
Published: December 2013

This article presents an introduction to the cognitive science of religion. It shows that CSR began with original theoretical approaches within the human sciences and has subsequently developed into a more empirical, interdisciplinary field of study. The field is growing rapidly with the appearance of several centers and projects. The most important theories, findings, and criticisms are presented. Also the various cenyers of study and recent projects are described.
Toward a Cognitive Ecology of Religious Concepts
Authors: PurzyckI Benjamin Grant
Published: December 2013

Using data collected in the Tyva Republic, the present work sheds light on the dynamic nature of religious cognition. In doing so, it reveals important patterns in the representation and distribution of religious concepts in this remote corner of the globe. This paper first introduces a cognitive ecological account of religion by examining human representational structures and how they interact with features of the environment. It then discusses this interaction in light of some Tyvan folktales followed by a report of how Tyvan spirit-masters’ forms correspond to type of landmark; anthropomorphic spirit-masters are associated with regions whereas zoomorphic spirits are associated with discrete resources. It concludes by highlighting a number of important questions which emerge from a cognitive ecological view of religious concepts.
You can make me whole again
Authors: Gregory Georgina
Published: December 2013

Within hierarchies of taste and value, popular music tributes tend to be dismissed as lowbrow. When they are discussed by the media, they are often depicted as humorous, opportunistic or of little serious value. Nevertheless, regardless of this lack of acclaim this article argues that they fulfil a useful role within the live entertainment industry where their presence is particularly valuable in the event of original band breakup or fission. The article demonstrates how their auspices go beyond the narrow function of filling in during the absence of the original artist. This involves a discussion of the ways in which popular music tributes can help to maintain interest in their archetype during periods of hiatus when a career is disrupted for whatever reason. Furthermore, in certain cases the tribute may even offer new and original music in the style of the original musicians.
Screening of breast lesions: a comparative study between mammography, B-mode ultrasonography, sonoelastography and histological results
Authors: Pardal Raquel Constantino , Abrantes António Fernando Lagem , Ribeiro Luís Pedro Vieira , Almeida Rui Pedro Pereira , Azevedo Kevin Barros , Figueiredo Teresa Leonor , Rodrigues Sónia Isabel
Published: December 2013

Objective To compare the capacity of mammography, sonoelastography, B-mode ultrasonography and histological analysis to differentiate benign from malignant breast lesions. Materials and Methods A total of 12 histopathologically confirmed breast lesions were documented. The lesions were assessed by means of mammography, B-mode ultrasonography and sonoelastography, and histopathological analysis was utilized as a gold standard. Sensitivity and specificity were calculated. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was constructed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of the mentioned techniques. Results Sensitivity and specificity in the differentiation between benign and malignant lesions were respectively 100% and 50% for mammography, 100% and 71% for B-mode ultrasonography, and 67% and 83% for sonoelastography. The area under the ROC curve was calculated for the three imaging modalities and corresponded to 0.792 for mammography, 0.847 for B-mode ultrasonography, and 0.806 for sonoelastography. Conclusion Sonoelastography demonstrated higher specificity and lower sensitivity as compared with mammography and B-mode ultrasonography. On the other hand, B-mode ultrasonography had the largest area under the ROC curve. Sonoelastography has demonstrated to be a promising technique to detect and evaluate breast lesions, and could potentially reduce the number of unnecessary biopsies.
Gênero e livro didático de língua estrangeira
Authors: Almeida Fernando Afonso de
Published: November 2013

A partir do exame de material didático recente destinado ao ensino do francês língua estrangeira, este artigo procura observar e discutir a incorporação da imagem por esse tipo de texto. Busca, por um lado, entender de que forma e em que medida o uso da imagem se torna produtivo dentro do processo de aprendizagem da língua estrangeira e, por outro lado, distinguir o(s) tipo(s) de relação que as linguagens icônica e verbal estabelecem entre si. Para tanto, propõe inicialmente uma definição da noção de competência inspirada na vertente interacionista e focaliza em seguida especificidades da aprendizagem em ambiente institucional.
Shakespeare no subúrbio: o carnaval na literatura e na aula de leitura
Authors: Oliveira Míria Gomes de
Published: November 2013

Este artigo discute a teoria da carnavalização de Mikhail Bakhtin com o objetivo de apontar alguns de seus elementos em peças shakespeareanas e em processos interativos de aulas de leitura dessas mesmas peças em escolas públicas de ensino fundamental na periferia de Belo Horizonte, Brasil. Notamos a relevância do debate ideológico e formas de poder na literatura como uma oportunidade de ampliar a consciência crítica dos alunos e para criar uma "sala de aula subversiva". Salientamos também a relevância da perspectiva carnavalesca não como válvula de escape mas como um ponto de vista que pode ajudar a entender e que corporifica nosso sistema social.
Número ótimo de ensaios de competição de trigo em diferentes regiões de adaptação
Authors: Benin Giovani , Storck Lindolfo , Marchioro Volmir Sérgio , Franco Francisco de Assis , Trevizan Diego Maciel
Published: November 2013

Este estudo teve por objetivo determinar o número ótimo de ensaios necessários à predição da produtividade de grãos de genótipos de trigo, em diferentes regiões de Valor de Cultivo e Uso (VCU), com vistas à seleção e recomendação de cultivares. Foram usados os dados de produtividade de grãos de 285 ensaios de competição, avaliados em 31 locais, nas safras agrícolas de 2007 a 2011, nas regiões de VCU 1, 2, 3 e 4. Existem diferenças entre as regiões de VCU quanto ao coeficiente de repetibilidade e ao número de ensaios necessários para uma precisão pré-estabelecida. Constatou-se a necessidade de aumentar o número de ensaios nas regiões de VCU 2 e 4 e reduzir o número de ensaios nas regiões de VCU 1 e 3. Nas regiões de VCU 1, 2, 3 e 4, para um nível de precisão de 80%, são necessários 8, 14, 10 e 12 ensaios, respectivamente.
Princípio da precaução no Brasil após a Rio-92: impacto ambiental e saúde humana
Authors: Cunha Guilherme Farias , Pinto Catia Regina Carvalho , Martins Sergio Roberto , Castilhos Jr Armando Borges de
Published: November 2013

A preservação da qualidade ambiental, apesar de ser um princípio de reconhecimento universal, a agressão ao ambiente é uma realidade que provoca danos de difícil reparação ao próprio e à saúde humana. Na Declaração do Rio, fruto da Conferência Rio-92, apresenta-se a proposta de utilização do Princípio da Precaução - que é aplicado em muitos estudos atuais, - como instrumento antecipatório da prevenção na avaliação do impacto ambiental. Este artigo discorre sobre o uso do Princípio da Precaução para os estudos de impacto à saúde, na incerteza da licitude da atividade desenvolvida, e da necessária dose, tempo de exposição, da causa única ou da multicausalidade das doenças que podem ocorrer devido à alteração ambiental.
Conservation polices and control of habitat fragmentation in the Brazilian Cerrado biome
Authors: Ganem Roseli Senna , Drummond José Augusto , Franco José Luiz de Aandrade
Published: November 2013

The Brazilian Cerrado is the most bio-diverse and threatened savannah on the planet. This biome has already lost 48.2 percent of its original floral cover and is being affected by an intense process of habitat fragmentation. The purpose of this article is to verify if and how governmental and non-governmental conservation measures are protecting the remaining native Cerrado vegetation and whether these measures are encouraging connectivity. Results show that the effects of conservation units are limited, since only 3.1 percent of the biome is within fully protected areas. It was also found that public agencies are much more involved in conservation planning than actions in the field. Conservation projects are often implemented in the same territories, leading to the squandering of resources and ineffective results. Another problem is that many projects are dependent on international organizations and resources. Conservation initiatives in areas under private ownership are rare and economic or fiscal incentives that support such initiatives are sporadic and inadequate. The article concludes by suggesting that the Cerrado should become the focus of specific conservation policies, integrating governments, civil society and economic sectors and actors, especially farmers.
Parenting a Child with a Cleft: The Father's Perspective
Authors: Stock Nicola Marie , Rumsey Nichola
Published: December 2013

Objective

To explore the impact of having a child born with a cleft lip and/or palate from the father's perspective.

Design

Individual qualitative telephone interviews.

Participants

A total of 15 fathers of children born with cleft lip and/or palate were recruited throughout the U.K. via advertisements.

Results

Supported by a number of subthemes, four overarching themes were identified: variations in care and support; appraisals of the cleft; perceptions of treatment; and looking back and moving forward.

Conclusions

Fathers reported experiences comparable to those previously reported by mothers, in addition to a number of further support and information needs. Participants played a key role in supporting their families through the treatment process, yet fathers are underrepresented in the research literature. Recommendations are made for the adequate inclusion of fathers in future research and in relation to methods of support for fathers through their children's diagnosis and treatment.
Early Lexical Characteristics of Toddlers with Cleft Lip and Palate
Authors: Hardin-Jones Mary , Chapman Kathy L.
Published: December 2013

Objective

To examine development of early expressive lexicons in toddlers with cleft palate to determine whether they differ from those of noncleft toddlers in terms of size and lexical selectivity.

Design

Retrospective.

Patients

A total of 37 toddlers with cleft palate and 22 noncleft toddlers.

Main Outcome Measures

The groups were compared for size of expressive lexicon reported on the MacArthur Communicative Development Inventory and the percentage of words beginning with obstruents and sonorants produced in a language sample. Differences between groups in the percentage of word initial consonants correct on the language sample were also examined.

Results

Although expressive vocabulary was comparable at 13 months of age for both groups, size of the lexicon for the cleft group was significantly smaller than that for the noncleft group at 21 and 27 months of age. Toddlers with cleft palate produced significantly more words beginning with sonorants and fewer words beginning with obstruents in their spontaneous speech samples. They were also less accurate when producing word initial obstruents compared with the noncleft group.

Conclusions

Toddlers with cleft palate demonstrate a slower rate of lexical development compared with their noncleft peers. The preference that toddlers with cleft palate demonstrate for words beginning with sonorants could suggest they are selecting words that begin with consonants that are easier for them to produce. An alternative explanation might be that because these children are less accurate in the production of obstruent consonants, listeners may not always identify obstruents when they occur.
Modelling helical screw piles in soft clay and design implications
Authors: Stanier Samuel A. , Black Jonathan A. , Hird Charles C.
Published: November 2013

Helical screw piles are a popular solution for relatively low-capacity, removable or recyclable foundations supporting road and rail signage or similar light structures. When specifying a helical screw pile, a designer must choose the active length and the helical plate spacing ratio, which are governed by the number, spacing and size of the individual helices. This paper presents an investigation using transparent synthetic soil and particle image velocimetry to observe the failure of helical screw piles with helical plate spacing ratios of 1·5–3 and active lengths up to three times the diameter. For the geometries and properties examined, capacity is shown to be a function of active length and the dominant failure mechanism is characterised by the formation of a cylindrical failure surface. A simple analytical model is developed and used to assess the impact of different design methodologies on immediate displacements under loading. A traditional ‘permissible stress' method is shown to be conservative, whereas modern ‘partial factor' methods are more economical and lead to greater immediate displacements for a given design load. Designers using modern ‘partial factor' approaches, such as Eurocode 7, might benefit from specifying a helical plate spacing ratio of less than 1·5 to maximise the stiffness of the response to axial loading and minimise the immediate displacements experienced upon application of working loads.
Parameterization and Testing of AquaCrop for a South African Bambara Groundnut Landrace
Authors: Mabhaudhi Tafadzwanashe , Modi Albert T. , Beletse Yacob G.
Published: December 2013

The aim of this study was to parameterize and test the generic crop model AquaCrop for a local bambara groundnut [Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc] landrace. Such a model should be water driven and assist in the promotion of neglected and underutilized species as possible future crops under water‐limited conditions. AquaCrop was parameterized for a South African bambara groundnut landrace using data from controlled field and rain shelter experiments conducted during two seasons (2010/2011 and 2011/2012) at Pretoria, South Africa. Observed weather, soil physical, and measured crop parameters from optimum experiments conducted during 2010/2011 were used to develop respective climate, soil, and crop files in AquaCrop and to parameterize the model. Model parameterization for bambara groundnut showed a very good fit for canopy cover (R2 = 0.94, Willmott’s d index of agreement = 0.99, RMSE = 3.37%) and biomass (R2 = 0.96, d index = 0.99, RMSE = 1.29 Mg ha–1). The model also predicted final biomass (RMSE = 1.70 Mg ha–1) and yield (RMSE = 0.29 Mg ha–1) reasonably well. Model testing showed good fit for canopy cover under irrigated (R2 = 0.86, d index = 0.96, RMSE = 9.72%) and rainfed field conditions (R2 = 0.95, d index = 0.97, RMSE = 6.18%) compared with simulation of results from rain shelter experiments. The model simulated final biomass and yield of bambara groundnut very well under field conditions. The model’s performance under rainfed conditions make it particularly suited for extrapolation to marginal areas of agricultural production in South Africa and the region.
Prediction of thermal conductivity of aqueous solution at high pressures by using artificial neural network
Authors: Amooey Ali , Ahangarian Maryam , Rezazadeh Farshad
Published: December 2013

The objective of this study is to predict thermal conductivity of aqueous
solution with artificial neural network (ANN) model with three inputs
(pressure, temperature and concentration). A feed forward artificial neural
network with three neurons in its hidden layer is recommended to predict
thermal conductivity and the accuracy of this method evaluated by regression
analysis between the predicted and experimental value and it shows desired
result.