bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Thymidine Phosphorylase Gene Expression in Stage III Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Lindskog Elinor B. , Wettergren Yvonne , Odin Elisabeth , Gustavsson Bengt , Derwinger Kristoffer
Published: October 2012

Background

The thymidine phosphorylase (TP) enzyme has several tumor-promoting functions. The aim of this study was to explore TP gene expression in relation to clinical and histopathological data obtained from patients with stage III colorectal cancer.

Methods and Results

TP gene expression was analyzed by real-time quantitative PCR in tumor and mucosa samples from 254 patients. TP gene expression in tumors correlated with lymph node staging, with higher expression relating to a higher number of positive nodes and a worse N-stage. Higher TP expression was also associated with a worse histological tumor grade. Patients with rectal cancer had significantly higher TP expression in mucosa and tumors compared with patients having colon cancer.

Conclusion

Higher intratumoral TP expression appears to be related to a worse N stage, and thus, with a worse prognosis. TP gene expression measured in a preoperative biopsy could be of interest in preoperative staging.
Low Educational Status, Smoking, and Multidisciplinary Team Experience Predict Hospital Length of Stay after Bariatric Surgery
Authors: Marchini Julio F.M. , Souza Fernanda L.N. , Schmidt Andre , Cunha Selma F.C. , Salgado Wilson , Marchini Julio S. , Nonino Carla B. , Ceneviva Reginaldo , Santos Jose E.D.
Published: October 2012

Objective

The objective of the present study was to identify new risk factors associated with longer hospitalization following bariatric surgery.

Methods

Patient clinical, social, and biochemical data in addition to multidisciplinary team experience were analyzed in a cohort that included all patients undergoing bariatric surgery at our hospital. The primary outcome was length of hospital stay (LOS). Mortality was recorded to validate the obesity surgery mortality risk score (OS-MRS).

Results

This study included 299 sequential patients, 41 ± 10 years of age, and BMI of 50 ± 8 kg/m2 who underwent bariatric surgery. Two thirds (196) of patients were hypertensive, a third (86) were diabetic and a third (91) were current or former smokers. Overall, LOS was 8 ± 5 days. The predictors of a longer LOS were smoking ( P < 0.05) and less multidisciplinary team experience ( P < 0.05). Looking at only the last three years of data, LOS was 6 ± 5 days, and the predictors of a longer LOS were low educational attainment ( P < 0.02) and smoking ( P < 0.01) but not team experience. The global mortality was 2.6%, with the OS-MRS identifying a high-risk group.

Conclusion

Excluding the initial learning phase, longer LOS independent predictors were patient low educational attainment and smoking. These predictors can help guide care to reduce complications.
Are you Sleeping? Pilot Comparison of Self-Reported and Objective Measures of Sleep Quality and Duration in an Inpatient Alcoholism Treatment Program
Authors: Brooks Alyssa T. , Krumlauf Michael C. , Whiting Barbara P. , Clark Rosa J. , Wallen Gwenyth R.
Published: October 2012

Sleep disturbances are common among alcohol-dependent individuals and can increase risk of relapse. The current study compares subjective and objective measures of sleep quality and duration and describes the prevalence of baseline sleep disturbances in an inpatient population of alcoholics undergoing their first week of detoxification. At baseline, the PSQI revealed that 79% of participants were above the cutoff score (≥5) for clinically meaningful sleep disturbances (mean = 12.57, SD = 4.38). Actigraphy results revealed that average sleep efficiency was 75.89%. Sleep efficiency scores were significantly correlated with self-reported sleep efficiency ( P = 0.04, r = 0.47). Sleep duration measured by the actigraphy watches was not significantly correlated with self-reported sleep duration ( P = 0.65, r = 0.10). Ongoing assessment of sleep disturbances may be a valuable tool for informing the development of customized sleep interventions in a similar inpatient alcohol treatment sample.
Radical loss in the atmosphere from Cu-Fe redox coupling in aerosols
Authors: Mao J. , Fan S. , Jacob D. J. , Travis K. R.
Published: October 2012

Abstract. The hydroperoxyl radical (HO2) is a major precursor of OH and tropospheric ozone. OH is the main atmospheric oxidant, while tropospheric ozone is an important surface pollutant and greenhouse gas. Standard gas-phase models for atmospheric chemistry tend to overestimate observed HO2 concentrations, and this has been tentatively attributed to heterogeneous uptake by aerosol particles. It is generally assumed that HO2 uptake by aerosol involve conversion to H2O2, but this is of limited efficacy as an HO2 sink because H2O2 can photolyze to regenerate OH and from there HO2. Joint atmospheric observations of HO2 and H2O2 suggest that HO2 uptake by aerosols may in fact not produce H2O2. Here we propose a catalytic mechanism involving coupling of the transition metal ions (TMI) Cu(I)/Cu(II) and Fe(II)/Fe(III) to rapidly convert HO2 to H2O in aerosols. The implied HO2 uptake significantly affects global model predictions of tropospheric OH, ozone, and other species, improving comparisons to observations, and may have a major and previously unrecognized impact on atmospheric oxidant chemistry.
The detection of nocturnal N2O5 as HNO3 by alkali- and aqueous-denuder techniques
Authors: Phillips G. J. , Makkonen U. , Schuster G. , Sobanski N. , Hakola H. , Crowley J.
Published: October 2012

Abstract. The almost total anthropogenic control of the nitrogen cycle has led to wide ranging trans-national and national efforts to quantify the effects of reactive nitrogen on the environment. A number of monitoring techniques have been developed for the measurement of nitric acid and subsequent estimation of nitrogen deposition within large networks and for process studies on shorter measurement campaigns. We discuss the likelihood that many of these techniques are sensitive to another important gas-phase component of oxidized nitrogen; dinitrogen pentoxide (N2O5). We present measurements using a MARGA wet annular denuder device alongside measurements of N2O5 with a discussion of evidence from the laboratory and the field which suggests that alkali- and aqueous-denuder measurements are sensitive to the sum of HNO3 + N2O5. Nocturnal data from these denuder devices should be treated with care before using HNO3 concentrations derived from these data. This is a systematic error which is highly dependent on ambient conditions and is likely to cause systematic misinterpretation of datasets in periods where N2O5 is significant proportion of NOy. It is also likely that deposition estimates of HNO3 via data obtained with these methods is compromised to greater or lesser extents depending on the season and environment of the sampling location.
Analysis of SMOS brightness temperature and vegetation optical depth data with coupled land surface and radiative transfer models in Southern Germany
Authors: Schlenz F. , dall'Amico J. T. , Mauser W. , Loew A.
Published: October 2012

Abstract. Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity (SMOS) L1c brightness temperature and L2 optical depth data are analysed with a coupled land surface (PROMET) and radiative transfer model (L-MEB). The coupled models are validated with ground and airborne measurements under contrasting soil moisture, vegetation and land surface temperature conditions during the SMOS Validation Campaign in May and June 2010 in the SMOS test site Upper Danube Catchment in southern Germany. The brightness temperature root-mean-squared errors are between 6 K and 9 K. The L-MEB parameterisation is considered appropriate under local conditions even though it might possibly be further optimised. SMOS L1c brightness temperature data are processed and analysed in the Upper Danube Catchment using the coupled models in 2011 and during the SMOS Validation Campaign 2010 together with airborne L-band brightness temperature data. Only low to fair correlations are found for this comparison (R between 0.1–0.41). SMOS L1c brightness temperature data do not show the expected seasonal behaviour and are positively biased. It is concluded that RFI is responsible for a considerable part of the observed problems in the SMOS data products in the Upper Danube Catchment. This is consistent with the observed dry bias in the SMOS L2 soil moisture products which can also be related to RFI. It is confirmed that the brightness temperature data from the lower SMOS look angles and the horizontal polarisation are less reliable. This information could be used to improve the brightness temperature data filtering before the soil moisture retrieval. SMOS L2 optical depth values have been compared to modelled data and are not considered a reliable source of information about vegetation due to missing seasonal behaviour and a very high mean value. A fairly strong correlation between SMOS L2 soil moisture and optical depth was found (R = 0.65) even though the two variables are considered independent in the study area. The value of coupled models as a tool for the analysis of passive microwave remote-sensing data is demonstrated by extending this SMOS data analysis from a few days during a field campaign to a longer term comparison.
Robust multi-objective calibration strategies – possibilities for improving flood forecasting
Authors: Krauße T. , Cullmann J. , Saile P. , Schmitz G. H.
Published: October 2012

Abstract. Process-oriented rainfall-runoff models are designed to approximate the complex hydrologic processes within a specific catchment and in particular to simulate the discharge at the catchment outlet. Most of these models exhibit a high degree of complexity and require the determination of various parameters by calibration. Recently, automatic calibration methods became popular in order to identify parameter vectors with high corresponding model performance. The model performance is often assessed by a purpose-oriented objective function. Practical experience suggests that in many situations one single objective function cannot adequately describe the model's ability to represent any aspect of the catchment's behaviour. This is regardless of whether the objective is aggregated of several criteria that measure different (possibly opposite) aspects of the system behaviour. One strategy to circumvent this problem is to define multiple objective functions and to apply a multi-objective optimisation algorithm to identify the set of Pareto optimal or non-dominated solutions. Nonetheless, there is a major disadvantage of automatic calibration procedures that understand the problem of model calibration just as the solution of an optimisation problem: due to the complex-shaped response surface, the estimated solution of the optimisation problem can result in different near-optimum parameter vectors that can lead to a very different performance on the validation data. Bárdossy and Singh (2008) studied this problem for single-objective calibration problems using the example of hydrological models and proposed a geometrical sampling approach called Robust Parameter Estimation (ROPE). This approach applies the concept of data depth in order to overcome the shortcomings of automatic calibration procedures and find a set of robust parameter vectors. Recent studies confirmed the effectivity of this method. However, all ROPE approaches published so far just identify robust model parameter vectors with respect to one single objective. The consideration of multiple objectives is just possible by aggregation. In this paper, we present an approach that combines the principles of multi-objective optimisation and depth-based sampling, entitled Multi-Objective Robust Parameter Estimation (MOROPE). It applies a multi-objective optimisation algorithm in order to identify non-dominated robust model parameter vectors. Subsequently, it samples parameter vectors with high data depth using a further developed sampling algorithm presented in Krauße and Cullmann (2012a). We study the effectivity of the proposed method using synthetical test functions and for the calibration of a distributed hydrologic model with focus on flood events in a small, pre-alpine, and fast responding catchment in Switzerland.
A discussion on the use of X-band SAR images in marine applications
Authors: Schiavulli D. , Sorrentino A. , Migliaccio M.
Published: October 2012

Abstract. The Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) is able to generate images of the sea surface that can be exploited to extract geophysical information of environmental interest. In order to enhance the operational use of these data in the marine applications the revisit time is to be improved. This goal can be achieved by using SAR virtual or real constellations and/or exploiting new antenna technologies that allow huge swath and fine resolution. Within this framework, the presence of the Italian and German X-band SAR constellations is of special interest while the new SAR technologies are not nowadays operated. Although SAR images are considered to be independent of weather conditions, this is only partially true at higher frequencies, e.g. X-band. In fact, observations can present signature corresponding to high intensity precipitating clouds, i.e. rain cells. Further, ScanSAR images may be characterized by the presence of processing artifacts, called scalloping, that corrupt image interpretation. In this paper we review these key facts that are at the basis of an effective use of X-band SAR images for marine applications.
Investigation of the Effect of Sodium Selenate on Acetylcholinesterase Activity under Extremely Low Frequency Electromagnetic Field
Authors: Fathi Ezzatollah , Farahzadi Raheleh
Published: October 2012

Acetylcholinestrase (AChE EC 3.1.1.7) is one of the most important enzymes in nervous system, which plays a role in Alzheimer’s disease. Selenium is a vital micronutrient and many investigations have been performed about the physiological, biochemical and behavioral effects of this element, such as postponing the Alzheimer's symptoms in the elderly and delaying the initiation signs of skin aging. Recent studies have shown that this element protects various enzymes against the toxicity caused by heavy metals such as; Pb, Al, Cu and Cd. AChE activity is altered under the influence of extremely low frequency electromagnetic field (ELF-EMF). In this study, the effects of ELF-EMF, with 0.3 mT field intensity and 50, 100, 217 Hz frequencies, were investigated on the AChE, in the presence of different concentrations of sodium selenate, using UV-Visible, fluorescence and circular dichroism spectroscopic techniques. The results demonstrated that the enzyme activity declined by increasing the frequency and the amount of sodium selenate. Also, significant structural changes occurred in the secondary and tertiary structures of AChE. Our results showed that with increasing the concentration of sodium selenate transition from α-helix to β-structure was appeared in the presence of ELF-EMF. In conclusion, according to changes observed in the secondary and tertiary structure of enzyme, it is proposed that these fields are able to affect the structure and dynamics of the active site gorge of AChE.
Clinical Evaluation of a Mobile Heart Rhythm Telemonitoring System
Authors: Mateev Hristo , Simova Iana , Katova Tzvetana , Dimitrov Nikolay
Published: October 2012

Purpose. To evaluate the clinical applicability of a telemonitoring system: telemetric system for collection and distant surveillance of medical information (TEMEO). Methods. We evaluated 60 patients, applying simultaneously standard Holter ECG and telemonitoring. Two different comparisons were performed: (1) TEMEO ECG with standard 12-lead ECG; (2) TEMEO Holter with standard ECG Holter. Results. We found a very high coincidence rate (99.3%) between TEMEO derived ECGs and standard ECGs. Intraclass correlation coefficient analysis revealed high and significant correlation coefficients regarding average, maximal, and minimal heart rate, % of time in tachycardia, single supraventricular ectopic beats (SVEB), and single and couplets of ventricular ectopic beats (VEB) between Holter ECG and TEMEO derived parameters. Couplets of SVEB were recorded as different by the two monitoring systems, however, with a borderline statistical significance. Conclusions. TEMEO derived ECGs have a very high coincidence rate with standard ECGs. TEMEO patient monitoring provides results that are similar to those derived from a standard Holter ECG.
Practical Recognition System for Text Printed on Clear Reflected Material
Authors: Mohammad Khader , Agaian Sos
Published: October 2012

Text embedded in an image contains useful information for applications in the medical, industrial, commercial, and research fields. While many systems have been designed to correctly identify text in images, no work addressing the recognition of degraded text on clear plastic has been found. This paper posits novel methods and an apparatus for extracting text from an image with the practical assumption: (a) poor background contrast, (b) white, curved, and/or differing fonts or character width between sets of images, (c) dotted text printed on curved reflective material, and/or (d) touching characters. Methods were evaluated using a total of 100 unique test images containing a variety of texts captured from water bottles. These tests averaged a processing time of ~10 seconds (using MATLAB R2008A on an HP 8510 W with 4 G of RAM and 2.3 GHz of processor speed), and experimental results yielded an average recognition rate of 90 to 93% using customized systems generated by the proposed development.
Patient Use of Tablet Computers to Facilitate Emergency Department Pain Assessment and Documentation
Authors: Arthur Annette O. , Whiteside Samantha , Brown Loren , Minor Cynthia , Thomas Stephen H.
Published: October 2012

Introduction. The goal of this project is to pilot automated pain tracker (APT) hardware/software system allowing patients to indicate their pain levels and whether they want analgesia, using tablet computers.Methods. Patients in an academic emergency department (ED) used a tablet computer (iPad, Apple Computer Company, Cupertino, CA, USA), programmed to allow them to indicate their pain level, whether pain medication was desired, and prompted the subject at regular intervals to indicate their pain level. The iPad was linked to a monitor in the ED's nursing/physician station. The pain assessment information was printed for scanning and inclusion in the ED's electronic medical records (EMR) system. A 5-point Likert scale questionnaire was used to assess the perceptions of patients and nurses about the utility of the APT.Results. The majority of 30 subjects (28 of 30; 93%) agreed or strongly agreed that the number of pain assessments was adequate. All of the subjects indicated the APT was easy to use, and 28 of 30 subjects (93%) thought the APT should be used more in the ED.Conclusions. The benefits of the iPad pain-tracking and reporting-system include patient satisfaction, improved pain care, operational efficiency, and improved pain assessment documentation.
Racial Disparities in Healthcare: Are We Prepared for the Future? Brief Report on Emergency Medical Services in a County Health Department in California
Authors: Coelho Ken Russell , Nguyen Virginia T.
Published: October 2012

Demographic trends indicate that ethnic minority populations constitute 25 percent of the current population and will be the majority of the United States population in 2050. Forty percent of the demographic in California are ethnic minorities making encounters between healthcare workers and patients from different cultural backgrounds commonplace. Research also indicates that ethnic minority patients are more likely to utilize emergency medical services as an entry point into the health system due to lack of medical insurance and access to primary care. Our qualitative study attempts to understand health disparities through focus groups with 76 patients and their feedback on the use of emergency medical services. Patients revealed challenges in both service provision and delivery of emergency medical services. Implications include the development of cultural competence training programs and the selection of diverse groups of county emergency medical first responders in California.
Using Optimal Multiple Tuned Liquid Column Dampers for Mitigating the Seismic Response of Structures
Authors: Ahadi Parviz , Mohebbi Mohtasham , Shakeri Kazem
Published: October 2012

Tuned liquid column damper (TLCD) has been used extensively to improve the seismic behavior of structures, and different methods have been proposed for optimal design of TLCDs on linear structures. For improving the effectiveness of TLCDs, multiple tuned liquid column dampers (MTLCDs) have been proposed, and each TLCD has different dynamic parameters. In this paper designing optimal MTLCDs and assessment of its effectiveness in mitigating the response of structures under earthquake excitations have been studied. The parameters of TLCDs have been determined based on minimizing the maximum displacement of structure through solving an optimization problem. Genetic algorithm (GA) has been used for solving the optimization problem. For illustration, the method has been used for designing optimal MTLCDs for a ten-storey linear shear frame subjected to a white noise excitation. According to the results of numerical simulations it could be said that the proposed method for designing optimal MTLCDs has been effective regarding the simplicity and convergence behavior of the method. Based on designing MTLCDs for different values of MTLCDs total mass ratio, it has been concluded that MTLCDs total mass affects significantly the performance of MTMDs where its increasing has led to improve MTLCDs performance. Also, testing the optimal MTLCDs structure under different testing excitations has shown that the performance of MTLCDs depends on the characteristics of earthquakes.
A Confirmed Model to Polymer Core-Shell Structured Nanofibers Deposited via Coaxial Electrospinning
Authors: Boubaker K.
Published: October 2012

A model to core-shell structured polymer nanofibers deposited via coaxial electrospinning is presented. Investigations are based on a modified Jacobi-Gauss collocation spectral method, proposed along with the Boubaker Polynomials Expansion Scheme (BPES), for providing solution to a nonlinear Lane-Emden-type equation. The spatial approximation has been based on shifted Jacobi polynomials with was n the polynomial degree. The Boubaker Polynomials Expansion Scheme (BPES) main features, concerning the embedded boundary conditions, have been outlined. The modified Jacobi-Gauss points are used as collocation nodes. Numerical examples are included to demonstrate the validity and applicability of the technique, and a comparison is made with existing results. It has been revealed that both methods are easy to implement and yield very accurate results.
Polymer Optical Fiber Intensity-Based Sensor for Liquid-Level Measurements in Volumetric Flasks for Industrial Application
Authors: Montero D. S. , Vázquez C.
Published: October 2012

A low-cost intensity-based polymer optical fiber (POF) sensor for liquid detection applied to volumetric flasks is presented. Experimental results demonstrate the viability of the POF-based sensor system in a high-accuracy liquid level measurement scenario. Moreover, a wireless mesh sensor network based on ZigBee specification protocol to address multiplexed POF-based sensor is also developed. Experimental results demonstrate the feasibility to address a high number of optical sensors in an industrial process framework by means of this low-cost wireless solution.
Synthesis and Characterization of Nanometric Pure Phase SnO2 Obtained from Pyrolysis of Diorganotin(IV) Derivatives of Macrocycles
Authors: Nath Mala , Saini P. K.
Published: October 2012

Thermal decomposition of diorganotin(IV) derivatives of macrocycles of general formula, R2Sn(L1) and R2Sn(L2) (where R = n-butyl (1/4), methyl (2/5), and phenyl (3/6); H2L1 = 5,12-dioxa-7,14-dimethyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradeca-1,8-diene and H2L2 = 6,14-dioxa-8,16-dimethyl-1,5,9,13-tetraazacyclotetradeca-1,9-diene), provides a simple route to prepare nanometric SnO2 particles. X-ray line broadening shows that the particle size varies in the range of 36–57 nm. The particle size of SnO2 obtained by pyrolysis of 3 and 5 is in the range of 5–20 nm as determined by transmission electron microscope (TEM). The surface morphology of SnO2 particles was determined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Mathematical analysis of thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) data shows that the first step of decomposition of compound 4 follows first-order kinetics. The energy of activation (), preexponential factor (A), entropy of activation (), free energy of activation (), and enthalpy of activation () of the first step of decomposition have also been calculated. Me2Sn(L2) and Ph2Sn(L1) are the best precursors among the studied diorganotin(IV) derivatives of macrocycles for the production of nanometric SnO2.
Effect of Stepwise Replacement of Non-Oxide to Oxide Group on Structural Properties ofBi2O3·LiF·B2O3Glasses
Authors: Arora Susheel , Kundu Virender , Goyal D. R. , Maan A. S.
Published: October 2012

Bismuth fluoroborate glasses with compositionsxBi2O3·(40 −x)LiF·60 B2O3(x= 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20) are synthesized by melt-quench method. XRD pattern is obtained for all the samples to confirm their amorphous nature. FTIR spectroscopy is carried out for the reported samples. It reflects the effect of replacement of a non-oxide group (LiF) with an oxide group (Bi2O3) in the glass network, due to the presence of the various absorption bands and their shifting with such replacement, assigning a role of network modifier to Bi2O3. Density and molar volume show an increase in their values with increase in Bi2O3concentration. Theoretical optical basicity is calculated for the reported samples, which shows a decreasing trend with the increasing concentration of Bi2O3.
Kinetics of Pitting Dissolution of Austenitic Stainless Steel 304 in Sodium Chloride Solution
Authors: Saadawy M.
Published: October 2012

The effect of addition of chloride ion on the corrosion of stainless steel 304 in Na2SO4 solution under constant ionic strength conditions at 30°C was studied using potential-time and potentiodynamic polarization techniques and it was found that the addition of chloride ion reduces the growth of protective passive film on the surface and increase corrosion current. The kinetics of dissolution in sodium chloride solution (0.05–0.5M) at 30°C was also studied and the kinetic rate equation was derived and was found to verify the following relationship: CCl− where .
Effects of the Global Crisis on the Egyptian Textiles and Clothing Sector: A Blessing in Disguise?
Authors: El-Haddad Amirah
Published: October 2012

The textile and clothing (TC) sector has not escaped the slowdown in Egypt in response to the crisis. But it has been in decline since 2001 in response to a changing global environment. Exports, which have been surviving on account of the Qualifying Industrial Zones (QIZ) and Euro-Mediterranean Partnership agreements, have been hit hard by the crisis. Domestic sales are in decline as a result of liberalization, and non-QIZ exporter—unprotected by the agreement—have been turning to the domestic market in competition with non-exporters. If domestic sales continue to decline, without being offset by growth in exports, the industry will continue to decline. To deal with the crisis, short-run mitigation policies can be considered as ensuring banks credit, and paying social insurance for workers in distressed firms. But the sector is suffering from inherent structural problems resulting in high costs. In other words, the crisis has exacerbated the shrinkage of an already struggling industry, so a longer run strategy is needed beyond the crisis response, comprising moving up the clothing industry value chain, conditional export incentives, skills upgrading and undergoing comprehensive institutional reform.
Current Perspectives on the Neurobiology of Drug Addiction: A Focus on Genetics and Factors Regulating Gene Expression
Authors: Duncan Jhodie R.
Published: October 2012

Drug addiction is a chronic, relapsing disorder defined by cyclic patterns of compulsive drug seeking and taking interspersed with episodes of abstinence. While genetic variability may increase the risk of addictive behaviours in an individual, exposure to a drug results in neuroadaptations in interconnected brain circuits which, in susceptible individuals, are believed to underlie the transition to, and maintenance of, an addicted state. These adaptations can occur at the cellular, molecular, or (epi)genetic level and are associated with synaptic plasticity and altered gene expression, the latter being mediated via both factors affecting translation (epigenetics) and transcription (non coding microRNAs) of the DNA or RNA itself. New advances using techniques such as optogenetics have the potential to increase our understanding of the microcircuitry mediating addictive behaviours. However, the processes leading to addiction are complex and multifactorial and thus we face a major contemporary challenge to elucidate the factors implicated in the development and maintenance of an addicted state.
Os planos de igualdade na Espanha: respostas locais com perspectiva de gênero a problemas globais
Authors: Blázquez Vilaplana Belén
Published: October 2012

O objetivo do presente trabalho é apresentar uma reflexão sobre o que significou a implementação das políticas públicas de igualdade na Espanha desde a restauração democrática, especialmente em nível administrativo local e através dos conhecidos planos de igualdade. Perguntamos se todos esses avanços que dizem ter conseguido as mulheres ao serem consideradas cidadãs de pleno direito, realmente têm se transformado em ações concretas ou seguem imperando os papéis de gênero e estereótipos que as têm deixado invisíveis como coletivo e como sujeitos individualizados. Lembrar de onde viemos sempre nos ajuda a não esquecer onde estamos e quantas lágrimas, esforços e sacrifícios nos custaram para sermos ouvidas e tidas em conta. Este trabalho visa essa revisão, no âmbito do Estado espanhol.
As religiões afro-brasileiras no mercado religioso e os ataques das igrejas neopentecostais
Authors: Angelin Paulo Eduardo
Published: October 2012

O objetivo deste artigo é o de discutir acerca da perda de adeptos do conjunto das religiões afro-brasileiras, bem como sobre os ataques sofridos pelo candomblé e umbanda, efetuados principalmente pelas igrejas neopentecostais. A discussão se orientará pela seguinte problemática: quais são as principais fragilidades dasreligiões afro-brasileiras que estão possibilitando a perda de adeptos e os constantes e agressivos ataques dos neopentecostais? Para tanto, se torna necessário na introdução, historicizar e contextualizar a questão religiosa no Brasil, evidenciando o status de religião oficial do catolicismo desde o descobrimento até o advento da República, e seu declínio com a possibilidade instaurada da liberdade e do pluralismo religioso. Para atingir os propósitos deste artigo, esta análise basear-se-á em textos de autores bastante familiarizados com a presente discussão e especialistas em sociologia da religião.
Tradição x inovação: patrimônio cultural e memória através dos repertórios musicais do carnaval Zé Pereira em Florianópolis
Authors: Macedo Lisandra Barbosa
Published: October 2012

O presente artigo procura identificar as articulações e os movimentos de preservação da identidade cultural na Ilha de Santa Catarina, que ocorrem, implicitamente, na revitalização de eventos como o Carnaval Zé Pereira. Este evento acontece há mais de cem anos nas imediações do bairro Ribeirão da Ilha, em Florianópolis/SC e, nos últimos anos, tem sido destaque na programação dos eventos carnavalescos no estado, tanto na mídia, quanto pelo aumento no número de participantes. A escolha do repertório musical por parte dos dirigentes da Sociedade Musical e Recreativa Lapa, que promove o evento, e as manifestações das comunidades envolvidas e da mídia, com relação aos ritmos executados, geram discussões que podem enriquecer muito as questões envolvidas na preservação das manifestações culturais na localidade tombada pelo patrimônio histórico local.
Engels: o interlocutor fundamental de Marx
Authors: Dantas Jéferson
Published: October 2012

Esta resenha procura discutir brevemente a biografia do teórico alemão Friedrich Engels (1820-1895) e a sua parceria intelectual e afetiva com o filósofo Karl Marx (1818-1883), tendo como eixo analítico a pesquisa do historiador britânico, Tristram Hunt (1974-).
Tempo presente brasileiro: cultura política, ditaduras e historiografia na perspectiva de Rodrigo Patto Sá Motta
Authors: Campos Emerson César de , Falcão Luiz Felipe , Lohn Reinaldo Lindolfo
Published: October 2012

Entrevista com Rodrigo Patto Sá Motta.
Why Homicides are Committed in Russia: Quantitative Explanation
Authors: Skifsky Ivan S.
Published: October 2012

A paper dedicates to results of criminological research of determining factors of homicides, committed in contemporary Russia.
Structure of Electrical Double Layer at Mica/KI Solution Interface
Authors: Sakuma Hiroshi , Nakao Hironori , Yamasaki Yuichi , Kawamura Katsuyuki
Published: October 2012

Solid/liquid interfaces control many physical and chemical processes such as electrokinetic phenomena, dispersion of colloidal particles, heteroepitaxial growth of alkali halide, removal of toxic elements in water. The atomic distribution at solid/liquid interfaces is strongly correlated with these properties, and understanding these atomic structures is necessary in order to establish the fundamental physics and chemistry of solid/liquid interfaces. In this study, we investigated the structure of interfaces of mica with aqueous KI solution using surface x-ray scattering. The sub-angstrom-scale electron density profile of the interface is revealed as a function of the distance normal to the interface. The electron density of the KI solution oscillates to remain 10 Å away from the surfaces. The oscillations are interpreted in terms of the adsorbed hydrated K+ ions, adsorbed water molecules, and water molecules surrounding the hydrated ions. The adsorbed K+ ions are present as inner sphere complexes and the number is enough to compensate the negatively charged mica surface. No significant difference appeared between the surface x-ray scattering profiles of the KCl and KI solution interfaces, indicating that their interfacial structures are similar.
Assessing Relapses and Response to Relapse Treatment in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Ross Amy Perrin , Halper June , Harris Colleen J.
Published: October 2012

There are currently no assessment tools that focus on evaluating patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) who are experiencing a relapse or that evaluate patients' response to acute relapse treatment. In practice, assessments are often subjective, potentially resulting in overlooked symptoms, unaddressed patient concerns, unnoticed or underrecognized side effects of therapies (both disease modifying and symptomatic), and suboptimal therapeutic response. Systematic evaluation of specific symptoms and potential side effects can minimize the likelihood of overlooking important information. However, given the number of potential symptoms and adverse events that patients may experience, an exhaustive evaluation can be time-consuming. Clinicians are thus challenged to balance thoroughness with brevity. A need exists for a brief but comprehensive objective assessment tool that can be used in practice to 1) help clinicians assess patients when they present with symptoms of a relapse, and 2) evaluate outcomes of acute management. A working group of expert nurses convened to discuss recognition and management of relapses. In this article, we review data related to recognition and management of relapses, discuss practical challenges, and describe the development of an assessment questionnaire that evaluates relapse symptoms, the impact of symptoms on the patient, and the effectiveness and tolerability of acute treatment. The questionnaire is designed to be appropriate for use in MS specialty clinics, general neurology practices, or other practice settings and can be administered by nurses, physicians, other clinicians, or patients (self-evaluation). The relapse assessment questionnaire is currently being piloted in a number of practice settings.
Influence of Occupational Therapy on Resilience in Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Falk-Kessler Janet , Kalina J. Tamar , Miller Pamela
Published: October 2012

This quasi-experimental pilot study examined the impact of multidisciplinary care, with a particular focus on occupational therapy (OT), on resilience in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS). Individuals with a diagnosis of MS who were receiving multidisciplinary care including outpatient OT at an MS center were invited to participate. A total of 36 individuals agreed to enroll and were asked to complete a demographic questionnaire and the Resilience Scale (RS). After an 8-week period of multidisciplinary treatment, the 35 individuals who completed treatment were again asked to complete the RS. As a group they demonstrated statistically significant improvement in resilience. A cohort of participants unexpectedly did not follow through with OT but did follow through with their other referrals. These individuals completed the RS before and after the 8-week time period and became an ad hoc control group. The group receiving OT showed significant improvement in resilience, while the control group did not. This study shows that a multidisciplinary approach to care, especially when it includes OT, is effective in treating individuals with MS. Occupational therapy focuses on treating symptoms that specifically limit daily functioning and participation, and may be uniquely positioned to affect resilience. Because resilience plays an important role in functional recovery and maintenance, this study suggests that OT may be a critical component of MS care in developing characteristics that enhance resilience.
Herbivory-induced volatiles function as defenses increasing fitness of the native plant Nicotiana attenuata in nature
Authors: Schuman Meredith C , Barthel Kathleen , Baldwin Ian T
Published: October 2012

From an herbivore's first bite, plants release herbivory-induced plant volatiles (HIPVs) which can attract enemies of herbivores. However, other animals and competing plants can intercept HIPVs for their own use, and it remains unclear whether HIPVs serve as an indirect defense by increasing fitness for the emitting plant. In a 2-year field study, HIPV-emitting N. attenuata plants produced twice as many buds and flowers as HIPV-silenced plants, but only when native Geocoris spp. predators reduced herbivore loads (by 50%) on HIPV-emitters. In concert with HIPVs, plants also employ antidigestive trypsin protease inhibitors (TPIs), but TPI-producing plants were not fitter than TPI-silenced plants. TPIs weakened a specialist herbivore's behavioral evasive responses to simulated Geocoris spp. attack, indicating that TPIs function against specialists by enhancing indirect defense.
Molecular clue links bacteria to the origin of animals
Authors: Hadfield Michael G
Published: October 2012

Bacteria have a role in the formation of colonies by a species of single-celled organisms whose ancestors gave rise to the animals, which suggests that bacteria might also have influenced the origin of multicellularity in animals.
Two‐stage Kalman filter‐based actuator/surface fault identification and reconfigurable control applied to F‐16 fighter dynamics
Authors: Hajiyev Chingiz
Published: October 2012

In this study, an active fault‐tolerant control technique with reconfiguration against actuator/surface failures is presented. A two‐stage Kalman filter is designed in order to identify the control distribution matrix elements that correspond to the faulty actuator/surface; thus, the control reconfiguration is carried out using this identified control distribution matrix. The actuator/surface fault identification problem is solved through two jointly operating Kalman filters: the first one is for the estimation of the control distribution matrix elements that correspond to the faulty actuator/surface, and the second one is for the estimation of the state variables of the aircraft model.

A structure for the active fault‐tolerant aircraft flight control system with reconfiguration against actuator/surface failures is presented. A control reconfiguration action is taken in order to keep the performance of the impaired aircraft the same as that of the unimpaired aircraft.

In simulations, the nonlinear flight dynamics of an AFTI/F‐16 fighter model is considered, and the performance of the proposed actuator/surface failure identification and reconfigurable control schemes are examined for this model. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Biomimetic Membrane System Composed of a Composite Interpenetrating Hydrogel Film and a Lipid Bilayer
Authors: Stidder Barry , Alcaraz Jean‐Pierre , Liguori Lavinia , Khalef Nawel , Bakri Aziz , Watkins Erik B. , Cinquin Philippe , Martin Donald K.
Published: October 2012

A simple way to form an interpenetrating hydrogel (IPH) by combining a layer‐by‐layer polyelectrolyte membrane with agarose is reported. The formed IPH membrane is more robust and easily manipulated compared to a polyelectrolyte membrane with the same number of layers. The IPH has good diffusion characteristics and retains the advantageous surface charge from the polyectrolyte composition that facilitates the adsorption of a stable lipid bilayer. The stable adsorption of a lipid bilayer on the IPH creates a biomimetic membrane system that is optimized for utilization in a diffusion chamber.
Development of the Fibrillar and Microfibrillar Structure During Biomimetic Mineralization of Wood
Authors: Fritz‐Popovski Gerhard , Van Opdenbosch Daniel , Zollfrank Cordt , Aichmayer Barbara , Paris Oskar
Published: October 2012

Wood is a hierarchical composite, consisting at its lowest hierarchy level of crystalline cellulose elementary fibrils with diameters of 2–4 nm embedded in a matrix of hemicelluloses and lignin. At the micrometer scale, it has a cellular architecture resembling a honeycomb structure. The transformation of the hierarchical wood structure into a silica replica has been reported recently. Its formation process and structural details are studied in this contribution. First, a silica/biopolymer composite is prepared by wood delignification and cell‐wall modification, followed by silica precursor infiltration and condensation. The calcination process is monitored to gain insight into the structure development upon decomposition of the biopolymers. The material changes its architecture gradually from fibrillar structures of 10–20 nm in diameter with homogeneous electron density, into fibrils of 8–10 nm in diameter with inhomogeneous electron density, exhibiting internal sub‐fibrillar structures of about 2 nm in diameter. The steps of the successful replication of the cellulose elementary fibrils into nanopores of similar diameter and orientation in a fibrillar silica matrix are demonstrated. These nanopore replicas of the original cellulose are wound in a steep helix within the macropore walls. These advanced materials may have lightweight structural applications and the nanopores may be advantageous for molecular separation.
Bubble columns for condensation at high concentrations of noncondensable gas: Heat‐transfer model and experiments
Authors: Narayan G. Prakash , Sharqawy Mostafa H. , Lam Steven , Das Sarit K. , Lienhard John H.
Published: October 2012

Carrier gas based thermodynamic cycles are common in water desalination applications. These cycles often require condensation of water vapor out of the carrier gas stream. As the carrier gas is most likely a noncondensable gas present in very high concentrations (60–95%), a large additional resistance to heat transfer is present. It is proposed to reduce the aforementioned thermal resistance by condensing the vapor–gas mixture in a column of cold liquid rather than on a cold surface using a bubble column heat exchanger. A theoretical predictive model for estimating the heat‐transfer rates and new experimental data to validate this model are described. The model is purely physics based without the need for any adjustable parameters, and it is shown to predict heat rates within 0 to −20% of the experimental values. The experiments demonstrate that heat‐transfer rates in the proposed device are up to an order magnitude higher than those achieved in existing state‐of‐the‐art dehumidifiers. © 2012 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 59: 1780–1790, 2013
2‐Alkynylbenzaldehyde: A Versatile Building Block for the Generation of Cyclic Compounds
Authors: Wang Huanhuan , Kuang Yunyan , Wu Jie
Published: October 2012

The extensive use of cyclic compounds in many fields encourages the efficient construction of this class of compounds. Tandem reactions provide easy access to cyclic compounds because of their simple procedures, high efficiency, and superior atom economy. 2‐Alkynylbenzaldehyde is a versatile and powerful building block for generating functionalized polycyclic compounds, especially heterocycles, by tandem reactions. This Focus Review discusses recent advances in using 2‐alkynylbenzaldehydes as starting materials in the preparation of diverse and complex cyclic compounds. The progress that has been made provides important protocols for the design of more complex compounds and total syntheses of natural products.
Straightforward and Versatile Synthesis of Fullerooxazoles from C60 and Carboxamides through Radical Reactions under Mild Conditions
Authors: Takeda Youhei , Enokijima Satoru , Nagamachi Toshiki , Nakayama Kazuhisa , Minakata Satoshi
Published: October 2012

A direct synthetic method for producing oxazoline‐fused fullerenes, that is, fullerooxazoles, from [60] fullerene and readily available carboxamides by radical pathways has been developed. The method presented allows efficient access to a variety of fullerooxazoles with high functional compatibility under mild reaction conditions. Furthermore, systematic investigation of their properties, such as solubility, thermostability, and electrochemical behavior, was conducted.
Natural selection and the origin and maintenance of standard genetic marker systems
Authors: Livingstone Frank B.
Published: October 2012

Natural selection has always been assumed to be the major force of evolution, but its presence has been difficult to demonstrate. A review of the evidence for selective differences among genotypes for most human genetic polymorphisms indicates there is little of a direct nature. Indirect theoretical evidence, however, seems to support a major role for natural selection, and it does not seem to support the hypothesis that most amino acid substitutions within the human species are neutral. Among small isolates, most of the gene frequency differences are most likely due to genetic drift or the founder effect, and the principal counterbalancing force is gene flow or migration. But genetic differences among the major human subdivisions do not seem to be due to the same interacting forces. One reason for the inability to detect selection has been an oversimplified view of its operation, which assigns genotypes a constant fitness in every generation. Many recent theoretical developments of more complicated kinds of selection may lead to a resolution of the problem and suggest better interpretations of the enormous amount of data on human genetic variation that is rapidly accumulating.