bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Una revisión de literatura sobre el uso de modelación y simulación computacional para la enseñanza de la física en la educación básica y media
Authors: López Sonia , Veit Eliane Angela , Araujo Ives Solano
Published: May 2016

Este artículo presenta una revisión de la literatura que aborda los principales referentes epistemológicos, psico-pedagógicos y didácticos en las investigaciones sobre actividades de Modelación y Simulación Computacional (MSC) en la enseñanza de la física (en los niveles de educación básica y media). La búsqueda principal se llevó a cabo en las siguientes bases de datos: Science Direct, Scopus, Web of Science y Google Scholar considerando artículos publicados entre 2003-2013 y en busca de las siguientes palabras clave: “computational modeling”; “computational simulation”; physics teaching”; “research in physics teaching” (también las correspondientes palabras clave en español y portugués fueron usadas en la búsqueda). Después de la lectura de los artículos seleccionados, consideramos sólo las implementaciones de MSC que tenían como propósito contribuir al aprendizaje de conceptos físicos. Los resultados muestran que: i) las investigaciones se basan en las ideas epistemológicas contemporáneas, excepto un artículo con concepciones positivistas; ii) hay varias teorías cognitivistas siendo utilizadas (Piaget, Ausubel, Vergnaud,…), pero Vygostky es el más prominente; iii) estrategias que promueven las interacciones sociales son preponderantes en las actividades de resolución de problemas, simulaciones integradas con experimentos y modelación. De hecho, sólo dos (2) estudios entre los 21 encontrados sobre MSC en educación básica y media hacen uso de Modelación Computacional, lo que demuestra que es necesario un poco de esfuerzo para introducir e investigar este tipo de actividad en la enseñanza de la física. Sin embargo, identificamos una tendencia a aplicar un fundamento principalmente pedagógico y didáctico para la implementación de actividades de MSC en el aula de clase.
Morbidades referidas e qualidade de vida: estudo de base populacional
Authors: Maciel Nicoly Machado , Conti Marta Helena Souza De , Simeão Sandra Fiorelli Almeida Penteado , Corrente José Eduardo , Ruiz Tania , Vitta Alberto de
Published: May 2016

RESUMO O objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar o nível de qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde (QVRS) em uma amostra de base populacional de adultos de 20 anos ou mais, residentes na cidade de Bauru, São Paulo, e sua associação com a quantidade de morbidades referidas. Foi realizado um inquérito populacional, por meio de uma amostragem complexa em dois estágios, totalizando 600 participantes da zona urbana de Bauru. Para a coleta de dados foram utilizados os seguintes instrumentos: 1. caracterização dos participantes (aspectos demográficos, socioeconômicos, nível de atividade física e hábito de fumar); 2. morbidade (referida por meio da pergunta: "No último ano, o (a) sr. (a) recebeu diagnóstico médico de alguma doença?"); 3. qualidade de vida (utilizando o questionário Medical Outcomes Study 36 - Item Short-Form Health Survey - SF-36). Foram realizadas análises descritiva e bivariada, por meio do teste t de Student e ANOVA. Observou-se que 70,5% apresentaram pelo menos uma doença, e as principais referidas foram a hipertensão, as artroses, a depressão e o diabetes. Quanto à associação entre os números de doenças, as pessoas mais idosas e as que referiram três ou mais doenças apresentaram piores escores de QVRS em todos os domínios físicos e nas limitações por aspectos sociais e emocionais. O maior número de morbidades associou-se aos menores escores de qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde.
Construção da reflexão na escrita acadêmica por professores em formação inicial
Authors: Silva Wagner Rodrigues , Silva Kellen Lucy Santos , Borba Lucieny de Castro
Published: May 2016

Resumo: Investigamos os usos de complexos oracionais em que as orações primárias são identificadas como orações mentais na escrita acadêmica reflexiva realizada em relatórios escritos por professores em formação inicial. Os textos foram produzidos como avaliação final de disciplinas obrigatórias de estágio supervisionado em três licenciaturas, Língua Portuguesa, Língua Inglesa e Matemática, sendo dada ênfase a essa última. As principais categorias analíticas são os componentes experiencial e lógico, integrantes da metafunção ideacional da linguagem, proposta na abordagem gramatical da Linguística Sistêmico-Funcional. Os resultados mostraram a construção recorrente de representações dos próprios autores como experienciadores dos fenômenos atrelados aos processos mentais perceptivos e cognitivos. Esses processos são responsáveis, respectivamente, pela elaboração de sequências textuais descritivas e narrativas e pela explicitação de posicionamentos mais críticos.
Atuação fonoaudiológica em pacientes com síndrome da imunodeficiência adquirida e queixa de deglutição – análise retrospectiva de prontuários
Authors: Mangilli Laura Davison , Sassi Fernanda Chiarion , Stafocher Thalita Suelyn , Andrade Claudia Regina Furquim de
Published: May 2016

RESUMO Objetivo Verificar e caracterizar a deglutição de pacientes internados, diagnosticados com Síndrome da Imunodeficiência Adquirida (SIDA), com queixas de deglutição. Métodos Análise retrospectiva de 17 prontuários de pacientes com SIDA, atendidos em um hospital escola, entre 2011 e 2012, submetidos a protocolos de avaliação e tratamento da deglutição em beira de leito. Os dados coletados foram referentes à avaliação da deglutição em beira de leito, por meio de protocolos específicos, no momento inicial e na alta fonoaudiológica ou hospitalar. Os pacientes foram divididos em dois grupos: Grupo de alta fonoaudiológica (GAF): pacientes que receberam alta fonoaudiológica antes da alta hospitalar; Grupo de alta hospitalar (GAH): pacientes que receberam alta hospitalar sem terem recebido alta fonoaudiológica. Resultados Os grupos não se diferenciaram em relação à idade e gênero. Quanto à classificação da disfagia: 1) ambos os grupos apresentaram escores significativamente melhores no momento da alta, em relação ao momento inicial (GAH - p=0,024; GAF - p=0,011); 2) os grupos não se diferenciaram no momento inicial (p=0,349); 3) no momento de alta, os grupos apresentaram diferença significativa (p=0,002), com melhores resultados para o GAF. A análise dos sinais clínicos sugestivos de disfagia e de penetração/aspiração apontou que, na comparação intragrupos (ambos os grupos), houve diferença significativa somente para a presença de deglutições múltiplas, com redução do número de deglutições após o tratamento. Conclusão Os grupos obtiveram melhora na escala de classificação da disfagia e na remissão de sinais clínicos sugestivos de disfagia orofaríngea e/ou penetração/aspiração, sendo que o GAF alcançou melhores resultados.
Contrast-induced nephropathy (Pharmacology of X-ray contrast agents)
Authors: Raptanova Vladislava A , Speranskaya Alexandra A , Proshin Sergei N
Published: May 2016

In the last 30 years the use of X-ray contrast media (RCM) has increased significantly during urography, angiography, computed tomography, and operating procedures. Every year the world uses about 60 million doses of PKM, but, despite the use of newer and less nephrotoxic drugs, the risk of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) is still significant, especially among patients with prior renal impairment. Contrast induced nephropathy is a major cause of acute renal injury and is a huge problema in clinical practice. So far, con-tradictions remain in the understanding of many aspects of CIN. Contrast-induced nephropathy is acute renal failure (ARF) occurs within 48-72 hours after intravenous administration of contrast sub-stances. Toxicity PKC determined their molecular structure and its ability to dissociate in aqueous solution into ions which consist of salts which dissociate into cations and anions. The contrast-induced nephropathy is manifested in the increase of serum creatinine of 44 mmol/L (0.5 mg / dl) or more and the same rise in serum creatinine of more than 25 % compared to baseline in the absence of other possible causes. ARF is a sudden and sustained reduction in glomerular filtration rate and urine volume, or both together. Thus renal dysfunction existing even more than 1 month can be regarded as acute renal dysfunction. Usually the development of acute renal failure occurs within 1-7 days. The criteria of sustainability is a dysfunction of its registration within 24 hours or more. The aim: to consider different approaches to the pathogenesis, risk factors and achievements in the prevention of contrast-induced nephropathy.
Editorial, v. 6, n. 1, 2016
Authors: Amoras Fernando Castro
Published: May 2016

EDITORIAL: o processo de avaliação dos artigos
Life Satisfaction among Aboriginal Peoples in the Canadian Prairies: Evidence from the Equality, Security and Community Survey
Authors: Barrington-Leigh Christopher P , Sloman Sabina
Published: May 2016

Subjective measures of overall quality of life are built in to numerous surveys in Canada and around the world, and are increasingly analyzed and used as indicators of human well-being and social progress. Yet, even in Canada, federal surveys exclude Aboriginal peoples on-reserve and, in general, there are very few data sources on life satisfaction among Aboriginal respondents. We report on two exceptional surveys that do solicit life satisfaction assessments from Aboriginal respondents, and compare inferences from these data to the general Canadian population. We generally find comparable effects of objective life circumstances for the two groups, and use these to explain some of the advantages and disadvantages affecting life satisfaction in each sample. On the other hand, we find an unusual coefficient on the survey income measure for on-reserve Aboriginal respondents, likely indicating that total income is not appropriately measured by the standard income question. We propose that policy interest in life satisfaction measures for gauging effective avenues for improving lives is appropriate in the case of Aboriginal groups in Canada, just as for other populations in Canada and around the world.
Evaluating broad scale patterns among related species using resource experiments in tropical hummingbirds
Authors: Weinstein Ben G. , Graham Catherine H.
Published: May 2016

A challenge in community ecology is connecting biogeographic patterns with local scale observations. In Neotropical hummingbirds, closely related species often co‐occur less frequently than expected (overdispersion) when compared to a regional species pool. While this pattern has been attributed to interspecific competition, it is important to connect these findings with local scale mechanisms of coexistence. We measured the importance of the presence of competitors and the availability of resources on selectivity at experimental feeders for Andean hummingbirds along a wide elevation gradient. Selectivity was measured as the time a bird fed at a feeder with a high sucrose concentration when presented with feeders of both low and high sucrose concentrations. Resource selection was measured using time‐lapse cameras to identity which floral resources were used by each hummingbird species. We found that the increased abundance of preferred resources surrounding the feeder best explained increased species selectivity, and that related hummingbirds with similar morphology chose similar floral resources. We did not find strong support for direct agonism based on differences in body size or phylogenetic relatedness in predicting selectivity. These results suggest closely related hummingbird species have overlapping resource niches, and that the intensity of interspecific competition is related to the abundance of those preferred resources. If these competitive interactions have negative demographic effects, our results could help explain the pattern of phylogenetic overdispersion observed at regional scales.
Thermal variability alters the impact of climate warming on consumer–resource systems
Authors: Fey Samuel B. , Vasseur David A.
Published: May 2016

Thermal variation through space and time are prominent features of ecosystems that influence processes at multiple levels of biological organization. Yet, it remains unclear how populations embedded within biological communities will respond to climate warming in thermally variable environments, particularly as climate change alters existing patterns of thermal spatial and temporal variability. As environmental temperatures increase above historical ranges, organisms may increasingly rely on extreme habitats to effectively thermoregulate. Such locations desirable in their thermal attributes (e.g., thermal refugia) are often suboptimal for resource acquisition (e.g., underground tunnels). Thus, via the expected increase in both mean temperatures and diel thermal variation, climate warming may heighten the trade‐off for consumers between behaviors maximizing thermal performance and those maximizing resource acquisition. Here, we integrate behavioral, physiological, and trophic ecology to provide a general framework for understanding how temporal thermal variation, mediated by access to a thermal refugium, alters the response of consumer–resource systems to warming. We use this framework to predict how temporal variation and access to thermal refugia affect the persistence of consumers and resources during climate warming, how the quality of thermal refugia impact consumer–resource systems, and how consumer–resource systems with fast vs. slow ecological dynamics respond to warming. Our results show that the spatial thermal variability provided by refugia can elevate consumer biomass at warmer temperatures despite reducing the fraction of time consumers spend foraging, that temporal variability detrimentally impacts consumers at high environmental temperatures, and that consumer–resource systems with fast ecological dynamics are most vulnerable to climate warming. Thus, incorporating both estimates of thermal variability and species interactions may be necessary to accurately predict how populations respond to warming.
Circuit resistance training improved endothelial dysfunction in obese aged women
Authors: Rosety Ignacio , Pery María Teresa , Rosety Jesús , García Natalia , Rodríguez-Pareja María Antonia , Brenes-Martín Francisco , Díaz Antonio , Rosety-Rodríguez Manuel , Ordoñez Francisco Javier , Rosety Miguel Ángel
Published: May 2016

Introducción: recientes estudios han confirmado que el entrenamiento de fuerza en circuito podría reducir la masa grasa visceral en mujeres mayores obesas. Para seguir avanzando en esta línea de trabajo, nos propusimos determinar su impacto en marcadores de disfunción endotelial.Material y método: participaron voluntariamente 48 mujeres (70-75 años) con obesidad procedentes de la comunidad. De ellas, 24 fueron asignadas aleatoriamente al grupo experimental para desarrollar un programa de entrenamiento de fuerza en circuito de 6 estaciones durante 12 semanas con 3 sesiones/semana. Los marcadores de disfunción endotelial ensayados fueron: endotelina-1, molécula de adhesión intercelular-1 (ICAM-1) y molécula de citoadhesión vascular-1 (VCAM-1). Asimismo se evaluó su influencia en un test funcional para población mayor como el de sentarse levantarse en 30 segundos. Este protocolo fue aprobado por un comité de ética institucional. Resultados: tras completar el programa de intervención se observó un descenso significativo de los niveles plasmáticos de entotelina-1 (2,28 ± 0,7 vs. 1,98 ± 1,1 pg/ml; p = 0,019; d = 0,67) e ICAM-1 (290 ± 69 vs. 255 ± 76 ng/ml; p = 0,004; d = 0,92). También mejoró significativamente la puntuación del test funcional (18,7 ± 3,1 vs. 23,0 ± 3,6 repeticiones; p = 0,019; d = 0,98). Por el contrario, no se observaron cambios en el grupo control.Conclusión: el entrenamiento de fuerza en circuito mejora la disfunción endotelial presente en mujeres mayores obesas. Futuros estudios siguen siendo necesarios para consolidar su aplicación en clínica.
Eficacia de la nutrición parenteral domiciliaria de larga evolución con catéter de acceso periférico: a propósito de un caso
Authors: Santacruz-Cerdán Elisa , Arcano Karina , Arrieta Blanco Francisco , Ortiz Flores Andrés , Mateo Lobo Raquel , Botella Carretero José Ignacio , Vázquez Martínez Clotilde , Zamarrón Cuesta Isabel
Published: May 2016

El uso de la nutrición parenteral domiciliaria (NPD) en pacientes que no pueden alcanzar sus requerimientos nutricionales por la vía enteral está aumentando en los últimos años, permitiendo la normalización del estilo de vida de los pacientes. Entre las patologías que más frecuentemente precisan de la NPD en España destacan la neoplasia y la isquemia mesentérica. Sin embargo, la NPD constituye uno de los pilares básicos del tratamiento de enfermedades mucho menos frecuentes como es el caso de la esclerosis peritoneal encapsulante. A continuación presentamos el caso de un paciente diagnosticado de esclerosis peritoneal encapsulante con soporte NPD de más de 7 años de NPD con un catéter central de inserción periférica (PICC) para la NPD sin complicaciones y pudiendo realizar su actividad laboral habitual. Dado lo excepcional del caso lo remitimos para su publicación.
RÉPLICA: “VARIABILIDAD DE LA COMPOSICIÓN CORPORAL MEDIDA POR BIOIMPEDANCIOMETRÍA ELÉCTRICA SEGÚN CONDICIONES DE REALIZACIÓN: INFLUENCIA DEL AYUNO Y EL REPOSO”
Authors: Alvero-Cruz José Ramón
Published: May 2016

Carta al editor.
Effects of oat bran and nutrition counseling on the lipid and glucose profile and anthropometric parameters of hypercholesterolemia patients
Authors: Raimondi de Souza Simone , Moraes de Oliveira Gláucia Maria , Raggio Luiz Ronir , Rosa Glorimar
Published: May 2016

Antecedentes: con el fin de prevenir la enfermedad crónica, no transmisible, es esencial que el estilo de vida se modifique para incluir una dieta alta en fibra.Objetivo: evaluar el efecto de la harina de avena (DE) en conjunto con consejos de nutrición (NC) sobre el perfil lipídico y glucémico, los parámetros antropométricos, la calidad de la dieta, y la ingestión de alimentos ultraprocesadas (UPF) y aditivos en los enfermos de hipercolesterolemia.Método: se realizó un ensayo de 90 días, doble ciego, controlado con placebo, aleatorizado realizado en 132 hombres y mujeres con c-LDL ≥ 130 mg / dl. Los participantes fueron clasificados en dos grupos: DE Group (OBG) y el grupo placebo (PLG), y se les dio NC y 40 g de DE o de harina de arroz, respectivamente. Se evaluó el perfil lipídico y la glucemia, así como los datos antropométricos, la calidad de la dieta (Índice de Calidad de la dieta revisada para la población brasileña ICD-R) y si se consumieron UPF o aditivos.Resultados: ambos grupos mostraron una disminución significativa en los parámetros antropométricos y la presión arterial, así como una reducción significativa en el colesterol total y LDL. También hubo una mejora en la ICD-R en ambos grupos y una disminución en el consumo de la UPF. La glucemia, HOMA-IR, y QUICKI fueron significativas en inferiores sólo en el grupo que consumió salvado de avena.Conclusión: nuestros hallazgos sobre las modificaciones en el perfil lipídico y en los parámetros antropométricos significan que los consejos nutricionales tienen un efecto beneficioso, que es atribuible a la mejoría en la calidad de la dieta y al menor consumo de alimentos ultraprocesados. El consumo diario de 40 g de salvado de avena proporciona un beneficio adicional, al disminuir los parámetros de resistencia insulínica.
The Impact of Interpersonal Trust on Group Cohesion: An empirical attestation among Scientists in R&D organizations
Authors: Arakal Tessla , Rupert Mampilly Dr.Sebastian
Published: May 2016

Trust is the degree of confidence the individual partners have in the reliability and integrity of each other and lack of it can undermine almost any other developmental effort .In today’s world of uncertainty , interpersonal trust is an imperative concept which has to be probed inorder to reap its benefits. Interpersonal trust implicitly means that the probability that one party will perform an action that is beneficial or atleast not detrimental to us is high enough for us to consider engaging in some form of cooperation with the party. Trust is both the specific expectation that another’s action will be beneficial rather than detrimental and the generalized ability to take for granted, to take under trust, a vast array of features of the social order. The second concept discussed in this paper is group cohesion. Group cohesion refers to the member’s attraction to the group. It is the total field of forces which act on members to remain in the group and my research on the concept illuminate this verity. This study is based on primary data collected from 172 scientists working in a nationalized Research and Development organization in central Kerala .The survey conducted during the last quarter of 2015, is expected to enlighten the linkage between interpersonal trust as the predictor and group cohesion as the outcome. The realistic and the pragmatic findings outlined in this paper can be guidelines to harness, employee’s trust in turn strengthening the group leading to better response, energy and enterprise.
Predisposing Factors for Any and Major Hypoglycemia With Saxagliptin Versus Placebo and Overall: Analysis From the SAVOR-TIMI 53 Trial
Authors: Cahn Avivit , Raz Itamar , Mosenzon Ofri , Leibowitz Gil , Yanuv Ilan , Rozenberg Aliza , Iqbal Nayyar , Hirshberg Boaz , Sjostrand Mikaela , Stahre Christina , Im KyungAh , Kanevsky Estella , Scirica Benjamin M. , Bhatt Deepak L. , Braunwald Eugene
Published: May 2016

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the impact of adding saxagliptin versus placebo on the risk for hypoglycemia and to identify predictors of any and major hypoglycemia in patients with type 2 diabetes included in the Saxagliptin Assessment of Vascular Outcomes Recorded in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus–Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction 53 (SAVOR-TIMI 53) study.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Patients with type 2 diabetes (n = 16,492) were randomized to saxagliptin or placebo and followed for a median of 2.1 years. Associations between any hypoglycemia (symptomatic or glucose measurement <54 mg/dL) or major hypoglycemia (requiring extended assistance) and patient characteristics overall and by treatment allocation were studied.

RESULTS

At least one hypoglycemic event was reported in 16.6% of patients, and 1.9% reported at least one major event. Patients allocated to saxagliptin versus placebo experienced higher rates of any (hazard ratio [HR] 1.16 [95% CI 1.08, 1.25]; P < 0.001) or major (HR 1.26 [1.01, 1.58]; P = 0.038) hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia rates (any or major) were increased with saxagliptin in patients taking sulfonylureas (SURs) but not in those taking insulin. Rates were increased with saxagliptin in those with baseline HbA1c ≤7.0% and not in those with baseline HbA1c >7.0%. Multivariate analysis of the overall population revealed that independent predictors of any hypoglycemia were as follows: allocation to saxagliptin, long duration of diabetes, increased updated HbA1c, macroalbuminuria, moderate renal failure, SUR use, and insulin use. Predictors of major hypoglycemia were allocation to saxagliptin, advanced age, black race, reduced BMI, long duration of diabetes, declining renal function, microalbuminuria, and use of short-acting insulin. Among SURs, glibenclamide was associated with increased risk of major but not any hypoglycemia.

CONCLUSIONS

The identification of patients at risk for hypoglycemia can guide physicians to better tailor antidiabetic therapy.
The Vera Icon (Veronica) in the Verse LegendVeronica II: Medializing Salvation in the Late Middle Ages
Authors: Weitbrecht Julia
Published: May 2016

This article discusses the converged media enterprise that inextricably links St. Veronica with the vera icon. In order to employ both saint and relic as vehicles to impart concepts of salvation, medieval legendary narratives develop various media strategies, which undergo further differentiation within the contexts of religious transformations and media conversions characteristic of the late Middle Ages. This is specifically relevant with regard to a popular Middle High German adaptation of the Veronica legend generally known as Veronica II. This text presents the comfortless void created by the absence of Christ in the immediate aftermath of his crucifixion, only to suggest a number of practices and procedures designed to alleviate and counteract the effects of this loss. Veronica II deploys the vera icon’s media-reflexive potential and displays a specific late medieval form of media competence, that is, an aptitude in combining and blending strategies of medializing salvation.
Analysis of Failure to Finish a Race in a Cohort of Thoroughbred Racehorses in New Zealand
Authors: Tanner Jasmine , Rogers Chris , Bolwell Charlotte , Cogger Naomi , Gee Erica , Mcllwraith Wayne
Published: May 2016

The objective was to describe the incidence of failure to finish a race in flat-racing Thoroughbreds in New Zealand as these are summary indicators of falls, injuries and poor performance. Retrospective data on six complete flat racing seasons (n = 188,615 race starts) of all Thoroughbred flat race starts from 1 August 2005 to 31 July 2011 were obtained. The incidence of failure to finish events and binomial exact 95% confidence intervals were calculated per 1000 horse starts. The association between horse-, rider- and race-level variables with the outcomes failure to finish, pulled-up/fell and lost rider were examined with a mixed effects Poisson regression model. A total of 544 horses failed to finish in 188,615 race starts with an overall incidence of 2.88 per 1000 horse starts (95% CI 2.64–3.12). The incidence of failure to finish horses across each race year showed little variability. In the univariable analysis race distance, larger field size, season, and ratings bands showed association with failing to finish a race. The overall failure to finish outcome was associated with season, race distance and ratings bands (horse experience and success ranking criteria). In the multivariable analysis, race distance and ratings bands were associated with horses that pulled-up/fell; season, apprentice allowances and ratings bands were associated with the outcome lost rider. The failure to finish rate was lower than international figures for race day catastrophic injury. Racing and environmental variables were associated with failure to finish a race highlighting the multifactorial nature of race-day events. Further investigation of risk factors for failure to finish is required to better understand the reasons for a low failure to finish rate in Thoroughbred flat races in New Zealand.
Biological Rhythms in the Skin
Authors: Matsui Mary , Pelle Edward , Dong Kelly , Pernodet Nadine
Published: May 2016

Circadian rhythms, ≈24 h oscillations in behavior and physiology, are reflected in all cells of the body and function to optimize cellular functions and meet environmental challenges associated with the solar day. This multi-oscillatory network is entrained by the master pacemaker located in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of the hypothalamus, which directs an organism’s rhythmic expression of physiological functions and behavior via a hierarchical system. This system has been highly conserved throughout evolution and uses transcriptional–translational autoregulatory loops. This master clock, following environmental cues, regulates an organism’s sleep pattern, body temperature, cardiac activity and blood pressure, hormone secretion, oxygen consumption and metabolic rate. Mammalian peripheral clocks and clock gene expression have recently been discovered and are present in all nucleated cells in our body. Like other essential organ of the body, the skin also has cycles that are informed by this master regulator. In addition, skin cells have peripheral clocks that can function autonomously. First described in 2000 for skin, this review summarizes some important aspects of a rapidly growing body of research in circadian and ultradian (an oscillation that repeats multiple times during a 24 h period) cutaneous rhythms, including clock mechanisms, functional manifestations, and stimuli that entrain or disrupt normal cycling. Some specific relationships between disrupted clock signaling and consequences to skin health are discussed in more depth in the other invited articles in this IJMS issue on Sleep, Circadian Rhythm and Skin.
Switching between Magnetotactic and Aerotactic Displacement Controls to Enhance the Efficacy of MC-1 Magneto-Aerotactic Bacteria as Cancer-Fighting Nanorobots
Authors: Martel Sylvain , Mohammadi Mahmood
Published: May 2016

The delivery of drug molecules to tumor hypoxic areas could yield optimal therapeutic outcomes. This suggests that effective cancer-fighting micro- or nanorobots would require more integrated functionalities than just the development of directional propelling constructs which have so far been the main general emphasis in medical micro- and nanorobotic research. Development of artificial agents that would be most effective in targeting hypoxic regions may prove to be a very challenging task considering present technological constraints. Self-propelled, sensory-based and directionally-controlled agents in the form of Magnetotactic Bacteria (MTB) of the MC-1 strain have been investigated as effective therapeutic nanorobots in cancer therapy. Following computer-based magnetotactic guidance to reach the tumor area, the microaerophilic response of drug-loaded MC-1 cells could be exploited in the tumoral interstitial fluid microenvironments. Accordingly, their swimming paths would be guided by a decreasing oxygen concentration towards the hypoxic regions. However, the implementation of such a targeting strategy calls for a method to switch from a computer-assisted magnetotactic displacement control to an autonomous aerotactic displacement control. In this way, the MC-1 cells will navigate to tumoral regions and, once there, target hypoxic areas through their microaerophilic behavior. Here we show not only how the magnitude of the magnetic field can be used for this purpose but how the findings could help determine the specifications of a future compatible interventional platform within known technological and medical constraints.
New Dimensions in Microbial Ecology—Functional Genes in Studies to Unravel the Biodiversity and Role of Functional Microbial Groups in the Environment
Authors: Imhoff Johannes
Published: May 2016

During the past decades, tremendous advances have been made in the possibilities to study the diversity of microbial communities in the environment. The development of methods to study these communities on the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequences analysis was a first step into the molecular analysis of environmental communities and the study of biodiversity in natural habitats. A new dimension in this field was reached with the introduction of functional genes of ecological importance and the establishment of genetic tools to study the diversity of functional microbial groups and their responses to environmental factors. Functional gene approaches are excellent tools to study the diversity of a particular function and to demonstrate changes in the composition of prokaryote communities contributing to this function. The phylogeny of many functional genes largely correlates with that of the 16S rRNA gene, and microbial species may be identified on the basis of functional gene sequences. Functional genes are perfectly suited to link culture-based microbiological work with environmental molecular genetic studies. In this review, the development of functional gene studies in environmental microbiology is highlighted with examples of genes relevant for important ecophysiological functions. Examples are presented for bacterial photosynthesis and two types of anoxygenic phototrophic bacteria, with genes of the Fenna-Matthews-Olson-protein (fmoA) as target for the green sulfur bacteria and of two reaction center proteins (pufLM) for the phototrophic purple bacteria, with genes of adenosine-5′phosphosulfate (APS) reductase (aprA), sulfate thioesterase (soxB) and dissimilatory sulfite reductase (dsrAB) for sulfur oxidizing and sulfate reducing bacteria, with genes of ammonia monooxygenase (amoA) for nitrifying/ammonia-oxidizing bacteria, with genes of particulate nitrate reductase and nitrite reductases (narH/G, nirS, nirK) for denitrifying bacteria and with genes of methane monooxygenase (pmoA) for methane oxidizing bacteria.
New Casbane and Cembrane Diterpenoids from an Okinawan Soft Coral, Lobophytum sp.
Authors: Roy Prodip , Ashimine Runa , Miyazato Haruna , Taira Junsei , Ueda Katsuhiro
Published: May 2016

A new rare casbane-type diterpenoid 1 and two new cembrane diterpenoids 2, 3 were isolated from an Okinawan soft coral, Lobophytum sp., together with four known cembrane diterpenoids 4–7. Their structures were elucidated by extensive analysis of spectroscopic data (1D and 2D NMR, IR, and MS) and a molecular modeling study. The new isolates showed weak anti-bacterial activity, mild cytotoxicity against HCT116 cells, and anti-inflammatory effect in LPS/IFN-γ-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophage cells.
Structural Changes Induced in Grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) DNA by Femtosecond IR Laser Pulses: A Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopic Study
Authors: Dina Nicoleta , Muntean Cristina , Leopold Nicolae , Fălămaș Alexandra , Halmagyi Adela , Coste Ana
Published: May 2016

In this work, surface-enhanced Raman spectra of ten genomic DNAs extracted from leaf tissues of different grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) varieties, respectively, are analyzed in the wavenumber range 300–1800 cm−1. Furthermore, structural changes induced in grapevine genomic nucleic acids upon femtosecond (170 fs) infrared (IR) laser pulse irradiation (λ = 1100 nm) are discussed in detail for seven genomic DNAs, respectively. Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) signatures, vibrational band assignments and structural characterization of genomic DNAs are reported for each case. As a general observation, the wavenumber range between 1500 and 1660 cm−1 of the spectra seems to be modified upon laser treatment. This finding could reflect changes in the base-stacking interactions in DNA. Spectral shifts are mainly attributed to purines (dA, dG) and deoxyribose. Pyrimidine residues seem to be less affected by IR femtosecond laser pulse irradiation. Furthermore, changes in the conformational properties of nucleic acid segments are observed after laser treatment. We have found that DNA isolated from Feteasca Neagra grapevine leaf tissues is the most structurally-responsive system to the femtosecond IR laser irradiation process. In addition, using unbiased computational resources by means of principal component analysis (PCA), eight different grapevine varieties were discriminated.
Liposomes in Drug Delivery: How It All Happened
Authors: Gregoriadis Gregory
Published: May 2016

Effective delivery of drugs via liposomes in the treatment or prevention of disease is the aim of numerous researchers worldwide.[...]
Spectroscopic, Physical and Topography of Photochemical Process of PVC Films in the Presence of Schiff Base Metal Complexes
Authors: Yousif Emad , Hasan Ali , El-Hiti Gamal
Published: May 2016

The photostability of poly(vinyl chloride), PVC, containing various Schiff base metal complexes (0.5% by weight) was investigated. Various indices corresponding to a number of functional groups were monitored with irradiation of polymeric films to determine their photostabilization activities. The quantum yield of the chain scission (Φcs) of modified polymeric films was found to be (1.15–4.65) × 106. The surface morphology of a PVC sample was investigated by the use of atomic force microscope (AFM). The photostability of PVC films in the presence of Schiff base additives was found to follow the following order: PVC < PVC + CuL2 < PVC + CdL2 < PVC + ZnL2 < PVC + SnL2 < PVC + NiL2. Various mechanisms for PVC films photostability containing the Schiff base additives have been suggested.
Roles of Dietary Phytoestrogens on the Regulation of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Diverse Cancer Metastasis
Authors: Lee Geum-A. , Hwang Kyung-A. , Choi Kyung-Chul
Published: May 2016

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays a key role in tumor progression. The cells undergoing EMT upregulate the expression of cell motility-related proteins and show enhanced migration and invasion. The hallmarks of EMT in cancer cells include changed cell morphology and increased metastatic capabilities in cell migration and invasion. Therefore, prevention of EMT is an important tool for the inhibition of tumor metastasis. A novel preventive therapy is needed, such as treatment of natural dietary substances that are nontoxic to normal human cells, but effective in inhibiting cancer cells. Phytoestrogens, such as genistein, resveratrol, kaempferol and 3,3′-diindolylmethane (DIM), can be raised as possible candidates. They are plant-derived dietary estrogens, which are found in tea, vegetables and fruits, and are known to have various biological efficacies, including chemopreventive activity against cancers. Specifically, these phytoestrogens may induce not only anti-proliferation, apoptosis and cell cycle arrest, but also anti-metastasis by inhibiting the EMT process in various cancer cells. There have been several signaling pathways found to be associated with the induction of the EMT process in cancer cells. Phytoestrogens were demonstrated to have chemopreventive effects on cancer metastasis by inhibiting EMT-associated pathways, such as Notch-1 and TGF-beta signaling. As a result, phytoestrogens can inhibit or reverse the EMT process by upregulating the expression of epithelial phenotypes, including E-cadherin, and downregulating the expression of mesenchymal phenotypes, including N-cadherin, Snail, Slug, and vimentin. In this review, we focused on the important roles of phytoestrogens in inhibiting EMT in many types of cancer and suggested phytoestrogens as prominent alternative compounds to chemotherapy.
Evaluation of the logistics center locations using a multi-criteria spatial approach
Authors: Önden İsmail , Acar Avni Zafer , Eldemir Fahrettin
Published: May 2016

The private sector assumes that logistics centers create cost benefits for their operations. On the other hand, the public sector also assumes that logistics sectors maintain harmony with an aim to improve the logistics network structure and efficiency. In Turkey, nineteen logistics centers are on-going to develop a system approach and integrate different transportation modes to increase logistics performance. In this study, we focused on a multi-stage methodology that combines the fuzzy analytic hierarchy process, spatial statistics and analysis approaches to evaluate the suitability degrees of the logistics centers in the study area. To reach the suitability levels, seven decision criteria were considered alongside their priority levels. These criteria were proximities to highway, railway, airports, and seaports; volume of international trade; total population; and handling capabilities of the ports. The reached suitability degrees were tested using a sensitivity analysis. Different scenarios were discussed to understand how the decision environment might illustrate differences in spatial aspect.
AN X-RAY AND RADIO STUDY OF THE VARYING EXPANSION VELOCITIES IN TYCHO’S SUPERNOVA REMNANT
Authors: Williams Brian J. , Chomiuk Laura , Hewitt John W. , Blondin John M. , Borkowski Kazimierz J. , Ghavamian Parviz , Petre Robert , Reynolds Stephen P.
Published: May 2016

We present newly obtained X-ray and radio observations of Tycho’s supernova remnant using Chandra and the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array in 2015 and 2013/14, respectively. When combined with earlier epoch observations by these instruments, we now have time baselines for expansion measurements of the remnant of 12–15 years in the X-rays and 30 years in the radio. The remnant’s large angular size allows for proper motion measurements at many locations around the periphery of the blast wave. Consistent with earlier measurements, we find a clear gradient in the expansion velocity of the remnant, despite its round shape. The proper motions on the western and southwestern sides of the remnant are about a factor of two higher than those in the east and northeast. We showed in an earlier work that this is related to an offset of the explosion site from the geometric center of the remnant due to a density gradient in the ISM, and using our refined measurements reported here, we find that this offset is ∼23″ toward the northeast. An explosion center offset in such a circular remnant has implications for searches for progenitor companions in other remnants.
Optimizing the Reflective Observer Role in High-Fidelity Patient Simulation
Authors: Bonnel Wanda , Hober Christine
Published: May 2016

Background:

The purpose of this descriptive secondary analysis of qualitative data was to gain insights into the role and opportunities of the reflective observer in high-fidelity patient simulation (HFPS). Although the value of HFPS in nursing education has been documented, the reflective observer role in HFPS may not be used to its potential.

Method:

This secondary data analysis of a broader study included qualitative interviews of those in observer roles (
N
= 23). This secondary analysis used content analysis to address research questions related to the reflective observer role.

Results:

Three themes emerged related to using the reflective observer role for self-assessment, peer review and debriefing, and team-focused learning.

Conclusion:

Implications for nursing education, including orienting all HFPS participants to reflective observer roles and opportunities, are addressed. Further study of this important role for both individual and team learning is indicated. [
J Nurs Educ.
2016;55(6):353–356.]
Genetic-Algorithm-Based Optimization of Fragile Watermarking in Discrete Hartley Transform Domain
Authors: Ghosal Sudipta Kr , Mandal Jyotsna Kumar
Published: May 2016

In this chapter, a fragile watermarking scheme based on One-Dimensional Discrete Hartley Transform (1D-DHT) has been proposed to verify the authenticity of color images. One-Dimensional Discrete Hartley Transform (1D-DHT) converts each 1 x 2 sub-matrix of pixel components into transform domain. Watermark (along with a message digest MD) bits are embedded into the transformed components in varying proportion. To minimize the quality distortion, genetic algorithm (GA) based optimization is applied which yields the optimized component corresponding to each embedded component. Applying One-Dimensional Inverse Discrete Hartley Transform (1D-IDHT) on 1 x 2 sub-matrices of embedded components re-generates the pixel components in spatial domain. The reverse approach is followed by the recipient to retrieve back the watermark (along with the message digest MD) which in turn is compared against the re-computed Message Digest (MD') for authentication. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed technique offers variable payload and less distortion as compared to existing schemes.
DNA Cryptography
Authors: Roy Pradipta , Dey Debarati , De Debashis , Sinha Swati
Published: May 2016

In today's world, sensitive information like secret message, financial transaction, medical report, personal information is transferred over public communication channel. Since the advancement of communication begins, data security becomes a massive problem. The increasing rate of eavesdropping over communication channel leads the introduction of cryptography algorithm for data transmission. Different traditional cryptographic technique is adopted worldwide for protected data transmission. The recent advancement on this field is DNA based cryptography. This chapter describes the application of DNA as computational tool after the exposure of its capability was discovered by Leonard M. Adleman in 1994. Its random nature also helps the cryptography algorithm to become unbreakable. Conventional cryptography methods are sometimes susceptible to attack by the intruder. Therefore the idea of using codon based DNA as a computational tool is used in this cryptography method as an alternative method that fetches new hope in communication technology.
Application of Fuzzy Logic and Fuzzy Optimization Techniques in Medical Image Processing
Authors: Datta Niladri Sekhar , Dutta Himadri Sekhar , Majumder Koushik
Published: May 2016

Fuzzy logic deals with approximate rather than fixed and exact reasoning. Fuzzy variables may have a truth value that ranges in degree between 0 and 1; extended to handle the concept of partial truth where the truth value may range between completely true or completely false. This computational logic uses truth degrees as a mathematical model of the vagueness phenomenon while probability is a mathematical model of ignorance. A huge number of complex problems may be solve using Fuzzy logic specifically Fuzzy modeling and optimization method. Fuzzy modeling is the understanding of the problem and analysis of the Fuzzy information where the Fuzzy optimization solves Fuzzy model optimally using optimization techniques via membership functions. In this research article authors describe the Fuzzy rules and its application and the different types of well known problems solved by the Fuzzy optimization technique.
Using Fuzzy Goal Programming with Penalty Functions for Solving EEPGD Problem via Genetic Algorithm
Authors: Kumar Mousumi , Balas Valentina E. , Pal Bijay Baran
Published: May 2016

This chapter presents how the concept of penalty functions is incorporated within the framework of Fuzzy Goal Programming (FGP) for modelling and solving Economic-Environmental Power Generation and Dispatch (EEPGD) problems by employing genetic algorithms. In model formulation, first penalty functions to measuring membership values of defined fuzzy goals are presented. Then, minsum FGP method is used to obtain rank based solution in imprecise environment. In the process of solving the problem, a GA scheme is implemented at two different stages. At the first stage, optimal solutions of objective functions are determined for fuzzy representation of each of them. At the second stage, evaluation of achievement function to arrive at the highest membership value of fuzzily described objective goals is taken into account. The standard IEEE 6-Generator 30-Bus test system is considered to illustrate the approach. A comparison of model solution with the solutions of conventional approaches is also made to highlight the potential use of the approach.
Genetic Algorithm for FGP Model of a Multiobjective Bilevel Programming Problem in Uncertain Environment
Authors: Chakraborti Debjani , Balas Valentina E. , Pal Bijay Baran
Published: May 2016

This chapter describes a Genetic Algorithm (GA) based Fuzzy Goal Programming (FGP) model to solve a Multiobjective Bilevel Programming Problem (MOBLPP) with a set of chance constraints within a structure of decentralized decision problems. To formulate the model, the chance constraints are converted first to their crisp equivalents to employ FGP methodology. Then, the tolerance membership functions associated with fuzzily described goals of the objective functions are defined to measure the degree of satisfaction of Decision Makers (DMs) with achievement of objective function values and also to obtain the degree of optimality of vector of decision variables controlled by upper-level DM in the decision system. In decision-making process, a GA scheme is adopted to solve the problem and thereby to obtain a proper solution for balancing execution powers of DMs in uncertain environment. A numerical example is provided to illustrate the method.