bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Steering Control Method for an Underactuated Unicycle Robot Based on Dynamic Model
Authors: Jin Hongzhe , Zhang Yang , Zhang Hui , Liu Zhangxing , Liu Yubin , Zhu Yanhe , Zhao Jie
Published: November 2018

This paper proposes a lateral balancing structure based on precession effect of double-gyroscopes and its associated control strategy of the steering for an underactuated unicycle robot. Double-gyroscopes are symmetrically designed on the top of the unicycle robot and utilized to adjust the lateral balance of system. Such design can inhibit the disturbance of the gyroscope system to the pitch angle and is beneficial to maintain the lateral balance in the case of large roll angle fluctuations. Based on the analysis of the dynamics model, the gyroscope precession effects will be caused by the angular velocity of the bottom wheel and the roll angular velocity, i.e., resulting in a torque in the direction of the yaw. Then, a rapid response control strategy is proposed to use the torque to control the steering. Simulation results demonstrate the rationality of the lateral balance structure and the feasibility of the steering control method.
S100B Levels in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Co-Occurring Depressive Symptoms
Authors: Katsanou Panagiota , Tentolouris Nikolaos , Perrea Despoina , Katsanos Spyridon , Ntova Vasiliki , Antrian Virginia , Konstantopoulos Panagiotis , Politis Antonios
Published: November 2018

Depression is a comorbid condition in patients with Type 2 Diabetes mellitus (T2DM). S100B, a glia derived protein, is linked to depression and has been suggested as a biomarker for depression outcomes in several populations. However, to date there is no data about S100B levels and depression in patients with T2DM. Objective. We hypothesized that S100B serum levels are increased in patients with T2DM and recently diagnosed, drug-free depressive symptoms, and could be used for the diagnosis of depression in T2DM. Methods. Overall 52 patients (62 ± 12 years, female 66, 7%) with no history of depression deriving from the Diabetes out-patient clinic of our University Hospital underwent a one-to-one interview with a psychiatrist and filled a self-assessment (Zung) questionnaire. Serum S00B levels were compared between 30 (63±12 years, female 66, 7%) diabetic patients without depressive symptoms vs 22 patients (62 ±12 years, female 68, 2%) with T2DM and depressive symptoms. Results. There was no difference in serum levels of S100B between patients with T2DM without depressive symptoms vs diabetic patients suffering from depressive symptoms (2.1 (1.9-10.9) pg/ml vs 2.4 (1.9-14.8) pg/ml, p=0. 637+). Moreover, linear regression analysis did not show any association between lnS100B levels and depressive symptoms (β = 0.084, 95% CI 0.470-0.871, and p=0.552), Zung self-assessment score (β = 0.048, 95% CI -0.024-0.033, and p=0.738), and other patients’ characteristics. Conclusions. In patients with T2DM there is no correlation between S100B serum levels and newly detected mild depressive symptoms. The brain biochemistry pathways of depression in T2DM warrant further investigation in a larger scale population.
Multibiometric Fusion Authentication in Wireless Multimedia Environment Using Dynamic Bayesian Method
Authors: Wu Zhendong , Yang Jiajia , Zhang Jianwu , Yue Hengli
Published: November 2018

Single biometric method has been widely used in the field of wireless multimedia authentication. However, it is vulnerable to spoofing and limited accuracy. To tackle this challenge, in this paper, we propose a multimodal fusion method for fingerprint and voiceprint by using a dynamic Bayesian method, which takes full advantage of the feature specificity extracted by a single biometrics project and authenticates users at the decision-making level. We demonstrate that this method can be extended to more modal biometric authentication and can achieve flexible accuracy of the authentication. The experiment of the method shows that the recognition rate and stability have been greatly improved, which achieves 4.46% and 5.94%, respectively, compared to the unimodal. Furthermore, it also increases 1.94% when compared with general multimodal methods for the biometric fusion recognition.
Deferoxamine but Not Dimethyloxalylglycine, L-Mimosine, or Cobalt Dichloride Can Interfere with the MTT Assay
Authors: Müller Anna Sonja , Janjić Klara , Oberoi Gunpreet , Pensch Manuela , Kurzmann Christoph , Moritz Andreas , Agis Hermann
Published: November 2018

Hypoxia mimetic agents (HMAs) have been shown to have a positive influence on cellular functions in a multitude of tissue regenerative strategies. Novel experimental approaches use biomaterials as carriers for controlled delivery of these HMAs. Here, the cytotoxic aspects of biocompatibility are of key relevance. The MTT assay is widely used to evaluate cytotoxicity and proliferation. Based on the implications from the proceeding research we hypothesized that specific HMAs such as deferoxamine at high concentrations can interfere with the MTT assay. Thus, the aim of this study was to test the repercussions of the HMAs dimethyloxalylglycine, deferoxamine, L-mimosine, and CoCl2on the validity of the MTT assay. Murine MC3T3-E1 cells were cultured in serum-free alphaMEM and in alphaMEM supplemented with 10 % fetal bovine serum with the HMAs dimethyloxalylglycine, deferoxamine, L-mimosine, and CoCl2, respectively, at 3 mM-0.3 mM for 24 h (experimental groups). Cells without HMAs served as control (control groups). The same experiments were performed with medium and phosphate buffered saline (PBS) without cells. In all settings MTT solution was added to PBS-washed or unwashed culture plates for the last two hours of the incubation period. Then MTT solution was removed and dimethyl sulfoxide was added to dissolve the formazan crystals and absorption was measured. Our data show that the presence of deferoxamine can interfere with the MTT assay if not removed before the addition of MTT. This is particularly important when evaluating cell viability in setups where deferoxamine-loaded biomaterials are used.
The Critical Role of Biliary Candidiasis in Development of Surgical Site Infections after Pancreatoduodenectomy: Results of Prospective Study Using a Selective Culture Medium for Candida Species
Authors: Kato Hiroyuki , Iizawa Yusuke , Nakamura Kei , Gyoten Kazuyuki , Hayasaki Aoi , Fujii Takehiro , Murata Yasuhiro , Tanemura Akihiro , Kuriyama Naohisa , Azumi Yoshinori , Kishiwada Masashi , Mizuo Shugo , Usui Masanobu , Sakurai Hiroyuki , Isaji Shuji
Published: November 2018

In accordance with previous reports, the incidence of biliary candidiasis (BC) after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) was reported to be 0 to 5%, and the clinical significance of BC still has been elusive. In this study, we prospectively evaluated the precise incidence of BC after PD using the CHROMagar Candida plate in an attempt to elucidate whether BC has a significant impact on the clinical outcomes after PD.Patients and Method. From November 2014 to March 2016, the consecutive 51 patients who underwent PD were enrolled for this study. The bile juice was prospectively collected through the biliary stent tube on postoperative days (POD) 3, 7, and 14 and directly incubated onto the CHROMagar Candida plate for the cultivation of various Candida species. In the presence or absence of BC, we compared the incidence of SSIs.Results. The incidence of postoperative BC was 15% on POD 3, 24% on POD 7, and 39% on POD 14, respectively. Taken together, 22 patients out of 51 (43.1%) developed BC after PD. Moreover, the incidence of SSIs was significantly higher in patients with BC than in those without it (71% versus 7%, p=0.005). BC was selected as the only significant risk factor of SSIs after PD among the various risk factors. Even though a cause of BC is unknown, high level of alkaline phosphatase (cut-off line >300 IU/L) was selected as the only preoperative risk factor of the development of BC.Conclusion. We elucidated new evidence in which BC could be the independent cause of SSIs after PD and should not be recognized as just contamination artifacts. Preoperative assessment for identifying carriers of Candida species might be essential for reducing the incidence of SSIs after PD.
Uric Acid Protects against Focal Cerebral Ischemia/Reperfusion‐Induced Oxidative Stress via Activating Nrf2 and Regulating Neurotrophic Factor Expression
Authors: Ya Bai-liu , Liu Qian , Li Hong-fang , Cheng Hong-ju , Yu Ting , Chen Lin , Wang You , Yuan Li-li , Li Wen-juan , Liu Wen-yan , Bai Bo
Published: November 2018

The aim of this study was to investigate whether uric acid (UA) might exert neuroprotection via activating the nuclear factor erythroid 2‐related factor 2 (Nrf2) pathway and regulating neurotrophic factors in the cerebral cortices after transient focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (FCI/R) in rats. UA was intravenously injected through the tail vein (16 mg/kg) 30 min after the onset of reperfusion in rats subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion for 2 h. Neurological deficit score was performed to analyze neurological function at 24 h after reperfusion. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase‐mediated dNTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining and hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining were used to detect histological injury of the cerebral cortex. Malondialdehyde (MDA), the carbonyl groups, and 8‐hydroxyl‐2 ′‐deoxyguanosine (8‐OHdG) levels were employed to evaluate oxidative stress. Nrf2 and its downstream antioxidant protein, heme oxygenase‐ (HO‐) 1,were detected by western blot. Nrf2 DNA‐binding activity was observed using an ELISA‐based measurement. Expressions of BDNF and NGF were analyzed by immunohistochemistry. Our results showed that UA treatment significantly suppressed FCI/R‐induced oxidative stress, accompanied by attenuating neuronal damage, which subsequently decreased the infarct volume and neurological deficit. Further, the treatment of UA activated Nrf2 signaling pathway and upregulated BDNF and NGF expression levels. Interestingly, the aforementioned effects of UA were markedly inhibited by administration of brusatol, an inhibitor of Nrf2. Taken together, the antioxidant and neuroprotective effects afforded by UA treatment involved the modulation of Nrf2‐mediated oxidative stress and regulation of BDNF and NGF expression levels. Thus, UA treatment could be of interest to prevent FCI/R injury.
Performance Investigation of a Silicon Photovoltaic Module under the Influence of a Magnetic Field
Authors: Combari Dioari Ulrich , Ramde Emmanuel Wendsongré , Sourabie Idrissa , Zoungrana Martial , Zerbo Issa , Bathiebo Dieudonné Joseph
Published: November 2018

Aside from the terrestrial magnetic field that is generated from the earth core, power transmission, and distribution lines, transformers and other equipment do produce a certain amount of magnetic field that could interfere with the performance of photovoltaic modules. This study conducted an experiment and investigated the performance of a silicon photovoltaic module subjected to a magnetic field. The current-voltage and power-voltage characteristics were plotted in the same axis system and allowed us to find, as a function of the magnetic field, the electrical parameters of the photovoltaic module such as maximum electric power, fill factor, conversion efficiency, and charge resistance at the maximum power point. These electrical parameters were then used to calculate the series and shunt resistances of the equivalent circuit of the photovoltaic module. The results have shown that the efficiency of a solar module is affected by the presence of magnetic fields. However, the magnitude of ambient magnetic field generated by power transmissions lines and other equipment is extremely low (in the order of 10−2 mT or less) as compared to the values of the magnetic field used in this study. That made it difficult to conclude as to the impact of such field on solar photovoltaic installations.
Fully Automatic Segmentation and Three-Dimensional Reconstruction of the Liver in CT Images
Authors: Wang ZhenZhou , Zhang Cunshan , Jiao Ticao , Gao MingLiang , Zou Guofeng
Published: November 2018

Automatic segmentation and three-dimensional reconstruction of the liver is important for liver disease diagnosis and surgical treatment. However, the shape of the imaged 2D liver in each CT image changes dramatically across the slices. In all slices, the imaged 2D liver is connected with other organs, and the connected organs also vary across the slices. In many slices, the intensities of the connected organs are the same with that of the liver. All these facts make automatic segmentation of the liver in the CT image an extremely difficult task. In this paper, we propose a heuristic approach to segment the liver automatically based on multiple thresholds. The thresholds are computed based on the slope difference distribution that has been proposed and verified in the previous research. Different organs in the CT image are segmented with the automatically computed thresholds, respectively. Then, different segmentation results are combined to delineate the boundary of the liver robustly. After the boundaries of the 2D liver in all the slices are identified, they are combined to form the 3D shape of the liver with a global energy minimization function. Experimental results verified the effectiveness of all the proposed image processing algorithms in automatic and robust segmentation of the liver in CT images.
Development of a Rat Model of Sick Sinus Syndrome Using Pinpoint Press Permeation
Authors: Zhong Hong-bin , Wang Ting-jun , Lian Gui-li , Xu Chang-sheng , Wang Hua-jun , Xie Liang-di
Published: November 2018

Objective. Sick sinus syndrome (SSS) is one of the most common causes of cardiac impairment necessitating pacemaker implantation. However, studies of SSS pathogenesis are neither comprehensive nor conclusive due to limited success in achieving a stable rat SSS model. Here, we modified pinpoint press permeation to establish a stable rat SSS model. Methods. We randomly assigned 138 male Sprague-Dawley rats into three groups: normal control (n = 8), sham (n = 10), and SSS (n = 120). Postoperatively, the SSS group was further divided into SSSA (n = 40), SSSB (n = 40), and SSSC (n = 40), based on reduction in heart rates by 20–30%, 31–40%, and 41–50%, respectively. We also assessed histomorphological characteristics and hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated cation channel 4 (HCN4) expression in the sinoatrial node (SAN) at 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks after surgery. Results. Mortality was statistically higher in SSSC compared to SSSA and SSSB (7.5% versus 90.0% and 87.5%; P < 0.05). Heart rate in SSSA was gradually restored to preoperative levels by week 4 after surgery. In contrast, heart rate in SSSB was stable at 2–3 weeks after surgery. However, we observed that the tissues and cells in SAN were severely injured and also found a time-dependent increase in collagen content and atrium myocardium in SSSB. HCN4 expression was significantly reduced at all 4 time points in SSSB, with statistically significant differences among the groups (P < 0.01). Conclusion. We successfully developed a rat SSS model that was sustainable for up to 4 weeks.
Graphene Oxide-PES-Based Mixed Matrix Membranes for Controllable Antibacterial Activity against Salmonella typhi and Water Treatment
Authors: Bhatti Haleema Tariq , Ahmad Nasir M. , Khan Niazi Muhammad Bilal , Ur Rehman Alvi Muhammad Azeem , Ahmad Naveed , Anwar Muhammad Nabeel , Cheema Waqas , Tariq Sheraz , Batool Mehwish , Aman Zaeem , Janjua Hussnain A. , Khan Asim Laeeq , Khan Asad U.
Published: November 2018

The present work is focused on preparation, characterization, and antibacterial activity evaluation of graphene oxide/polyethersulfone mixed matrix filtration membranes. Graphene oxide (GO) was synthesized via improved Hummer’s method and characterized by XRD, FTIR, and SEM. FT-IR spectra showed the presence of carboxylic acid and hydroxyl groups on GO nanosheets. Different concentrations of the synthesized GO at 0.25, 0.5, and 1.0 wt. % were incorporated in polyethersulfone (PES) matrix via phase inversion method to fabricate GO-PES membranes. Increasing porosity and formation of wider, finger-like channels were observed with increased GO concentrations relative to pristine membranes as evident from scanning electron microscopy (SEM) micrographs of the fabricated membranes. However, membranes prepared with 1 wt. % GO appear to contain aggregation and narrowing of pore morphology. GO-incorporated membranes demonstrated enhanced flux, water-retaining capacities, and wettability as compared to pristine PES membranes. Shake flask and colony counting methods were employed to carry out antibacterial testing of synthesized GO and fabricated GO-PES membranes against Salmonella typhi (S. typhi)—a gram-negative bacteria present in water that is known as causative agent of typhoid. Synthesized GO showed significant reduction up to 70.8% in S. typhi cell count. In the case of fabricated membranes, variable concentrations of GO are observed to significantly influence the percentage viability of S. typhi, with reduction percentages observed at 41, 60, and 69% for 0.25, 0.5, and 1.0 wt. % GO-incorporated membranes relative to 17% in the case of pristine PES membranes. The results indicate a good potential for applying GO/PES composite membranes for water filtration application.
Towards Boosting Power by Encapsulating Tranexamic Acid into Emulsified Particles
Authors: Huang Ming-Hsi , Lu Yuan-Yi , Lin Yung-Sheng
Published: November 2018

In aesthetic medicine, during a course of skin whitening treatment, injections must be frequently administered to achieve a strong curative effect. To develop a method to prevent long-term harm due to injections, this study applied a novel technology for the delivery of whitening agents that achieved long-term slow release of agents, thereby reducing the danger of frequent injections. We utilized biodegradable poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(lactide-co-ε-caprolactone) and Span 85 as surfactants and squalene as the core oil to encapsulate and adsorb tranexamic acid in emulsified particles, respectively. The conductivity test determined that the continuous phase of the obtained emulsified particles was aqueous; tranexamic acid did not play a critical role because of its low content. The controlled release experiment demonstrated that the release rate of tranexamic acid from the emulsified matrix was in the sequence of (1) adsorption, (2) encapsulation plus adsorption, and (3) encapsulation. Encapsulating tranexamic acid can efficiently halt the behavior of sudden release and potentially boost the efficacy of whitening.
Infections Caused by Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase Producing Escherichia Coli in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients: Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Predictive Model
Authors: Yu Yuetian , Shen Hui , Zhu Cheng , Guo Ruru , Gao Yuan , Lu Liangjing
Published: November 2018

Objective. To investigate the prevalence and risk factors of infections caused by Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase (ESBL) producing Escherichia coli (E. coli) in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients and develop a predictive model. Methods. Three hundred and eighty-four consecutive SLE patients with E. coli infection were enrolled in this retrospective case control study from January 2012 to December 2017. Prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of ESBL producing E. coli were analyzed. Multivariate analysis was performed to determine the risk factors. Sensitivity and specificity were obtained at various point cutoffs and area under the receiver operator characteristic curve (AuROC) was determined to confirm the prediction power of the model. Results. Of the total 384 E. coli strains tested, 212 (55.2%) produced ESBL. The majority of these isolates were from urine (44.3%). Carbapenems (>80%) and amikacin (89.6%) had good activity against ESBL producing E. coli. Eleven variables were identified as independent risk factors for ESBL producing E. coli infection including Enterobacteriaceae colonization or infection in preceding year (OR=8.15, 95%CI 5.12–21.71), daily prednisone dose > 30mg (OR=5.48, 95%CI 3.12–13.72), low C3 levels (OR=2.17, 95%CI 1.62–6.71), nosocomial acquired infection (OR=4.12, 95%CI 1.98–8.85), etc. The model developed to predict ESBL producing E. coli infection was effective, with the AuROC of 0.840 (95% CI 0.799-0.876). Conclusions. The prevalence of ESBL producing E. coli was increasing with high antibiotics resistance in patients with SLE. The model revealed excellent predictive performance and exhibited a good discrimination.
Extra-Intestinal Fluoroquinolone-Resistant Escherichia coli Strains Isolated from Meat
Authors: Caruso Giorgia , Giammanco Anna , Cardamone Cinzia , Oliveri Giuseppa , Mascarella Chiara , Capra Giuseppina , Fasciana Teresa
Published: November 2018

Extra-intestinal E. coli are emerging as a global threat due to their diffusion as opportunistic pathogens and, above all, to their wide set of antibiotic resistance determinants. There are still many gaps in our knowledge of their origin and spread pathways, although food animals have been adjudicated vehicles for passing mult-drug resistant bacteria to humans. This study analyzed 46 samples of meat purchased from retail stores in Palermo in order to obtain quinolone-resistant E. coli isolates. Strains were screened for their phylogenetic groups, ST131-associated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), and then typed by ERIC-PCR. Their set of virulence factors, namely, kpsMII, papA, sfaS, focG, iutA, papC, hlyD, and afa genes, were investigated and their fluoroquinolone-resistance determinants evaluated. The data obtained show a dramatically high prevalence of multidrug resistance patterns in the Palermo area, with 28% of the isolates having virulence factor genes typical of ExPEC strains. No B2 group or ST131 strains were detected. Moreover, 20% of our isolates showed positivity to all the plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR) determinants, showing a potential to transfer these genes among other bacteria. Therefore, these data underline the possibility that food animals and, specifically, poultry in particular may be a significant source of resistant bacterial strains, posing a potential zoonotic risk.
Mobile Aid to Assist with Care Decisions in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Authors: Khan Arshia , Li Kun , Madden Janna
Published: November 2018

MyHeifer is an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) intervention application aimed at better understanding patients’ behavioral patterns and informing healthcare decisions, easing caregiver burden, and providing an emotional outlet for patients. Children with ASD often struggle with the complexity of human communication because of the array of verbal and nonverbal communication methods at play. Because of this, technological interventions can be a valuable tool for communicating with children with ASD because of their simplicity. Hence the MyHeifer application seeks to provide an uncomplicated environment for children with ASD to express and explore their emotions. Children perform “actions” or “interactions” which are classified as either positive or negative behaviors. Through these interactions, children learn various ways to react to situations. The choices children make are collected and serve as a basis for future healthcare decisions. Because communication is often difficult for children with ASD, utilizing data from past actions or interactions helps caregivers anticipate and understand the challenges to make better emotional and behavioral connections in individual patients in order to address personalized care needs.
Theorizing mobility through concepts and figures
Authors: Salazar Noel
Published: November 2018

As a concept, mobility captures the common impression that one’s lifeworld is in flux, with not only people, but also cultures, objects, capital, businesses, services, diseases, media, images, information, and ideas circulating across (and even beyond) the planet. The scholarly literature is replete with metaphors trying to describe (perceived) altered spatial and temporal movements: deterritorialization, reterritorialization, and scapes; time-space compression, distantiation, or punctuation; the network society and its space of flows; the death of distance and the acceleration of modern life; and nomadology. Scholars have used figures of mobile people, too, from nomads to pilgrims, to describe both self and other in the social sciences and humanities for a long time. Taking the societal implications of various forms of mobility seriously and not as a given, the critical discussion of mobility concepts and figures presented here helps us to assess the analytical purchase of the conceptual perspective of mobility studies to normalize movement within the single category of “mobility.”
Peripheral mobilities: looking at dormant, delegitimized and forgotten transport regimes
Authors: Moraglio Massimo
Published: November 2018

In the transport debate, policy makers seem to be under the spell of a technological determinism, in which innovation Tand novelty are the key concepts. Obsessed with westernised regimes and systems, the current debate misses the relevance of forgotten, peripheral and silent mobilities. In this regard, looking to those peripheral mobilities is not only important for reconstructing our memory, but can also offer tools to build socially and environmentally sustainable transport regimes. I suggest using Walter Benjamin’s Angelus Novus to address the past and future of infrastructural systems and the role of “old” regimes. This paper relies on David Edgerton’s work, but I push the argument further, claiming that an innovation-prone debate today creates the (social and environmental) failures of tomorrow. While electric cars and driver-less vehicles can be useful tools, we should consider that peripheral mobilities could better address the issue of socially and environmentally sustainable transports systems. Long-term vision can bridge the past and future of transport policies and offer hints to social science, humanity and governance.
Interdependência, cuidado e gênero: estratégias de mobilidade na cidade de Santiago
Authors: Jirón Paola , Gómez Javiera
Published: November 2018

A mobilidade permite analisar como, com quem, onde e por que pessoas, objetos, ideias, entre outros, se movem. Não há mobilidade, mas uma multiplicidade de mobilidades, com diferentes características e implicações para as pessoas. Isto é particularmente evidente quando observamos a experiência espaço-tempo diferenciada entre homens e mulheres, que muitas vezes resulta em situações de desigualdade e exclusão. No entanto, ainda é necessário aprofundar a análise dessasexperiências diferenciadas. Ao observar as práticas de mobilidade e as decisões de homens e mulheres desde uma perspectiva etnográfica, o papel da interdependência nas estratégias de mobilidade em cidades metropolitanas como Santiago pode ser revelado, particularmente em termos das implicações da mobilidade sobre os cuidados.
Por uma teoria social on the move
Authors: Freire-Medeiros Bianca , Telles Vera da Silva , Allis Thiago
Published: November 2018

Apresentação ao dossiê "Mobilidades"
LÍVIA NATÁLIA: ABÉBÉ OMIN - POESIA E RELIGIOSIDADE AFRO- BRASILEIRA BANHADA NAS ÁGUAS DE OXUM
Authors: Sales Cristian
Published: November 2018

A partir da análise de poesias selecionadas em duas coletâneas, Água Negra (2011) e Correntezas e outros estudos marinhos (2015), da escritora baiana Lívia Natália, o objetivo do nosso estudo é evidenciar como a produção literária afro-brasileira de autoria feminina incorpora elementos e crenças ligados às religiões afro-brasileiras. Nos versos de Lívia Natália, percebemos a devoção da voz poética à deusa das águas doces, o orixá feminino Oxum, entidade yorubá que representa a beleza, a feminilidade, a fertilidade, o amor e a maternidade. Além disso, é através do abébé omin, um leque dourado em forma circular, usado por Oxum, que o discurso poético encontra na religiosidade afro-brasileira uma ferramenta de preservação das tradições, dos saberes e dos valores trazidos/herdados de África. São poesias que expressam a força criativa da literatura afro-brasileira de autoria feminina ancorada na religiosidade, forjando modos de resistências contemporâneas para uma coletividade. Para tanto, recorremos às seguintes referências teóricas: Carneiro e Cury (1993), Oliveira (2003), Gomes (2004), Souza (2013), entre outros.
“TURILA KOTA NDUNJE JA KOTA JAVULA”
Authors: Hasselmann Janaína Gonçalves , Meira Roberta Barros , Schwarz Maria Luiza
Published: November 2018

Escrever a história dos saberes e das memórias que envolvem o candomblé angola é condensar o patrimônio, reunindo o natural e o cultural em uma narrativa ímpar que investe, acima de tudo, na transmissão e na recepção de conhecimentos produzidos por uma experiência de séculos. Assim, o trabalho compõe-se principalmente da análise de sentidos, que, por sua vez, são possíveis de acionamento por meio de saberes tradicionais. Uma parte da discussão está centrada no reconhecimento dos saberes como técnicas que envolvem processos de ensino-aprendizagem. Igualmente, busca-se trazer para o centro da discussão a formação de uma identidade. Nesse sentido, considera-se que os saberes são dotados de referências culturais e se situam em uma cosmovisão. Procura-se trazer a lume um pouco dessa pedagogia dos saberes tradicionais, constituintes da identidade religiosa do candomblé angola, detalhando um estudo de caso realizado em uma comunidade de terreiro, o Nzo Nkise Nzazi, situado no município de Araquari (SC). Mediante as narrativas orais dos agentes que mobilizam determinados saberes para a manutenção de seu sistema de crenças, tenta-se apontar uma reflexão a despeito dos diferentes saberes e seus modos de percepção dos mundos físico e espiritual.
A EXPERIÊNCIA URBANA PÓS-COLONIAL NO CINEMA DE SOULEYMANE CISSÉ
Authors: Castanha Cesar De Siqueira
Published: November 2018

Este artigo procura analisar os primeiros filmes do cineasta maliano Souleymane Cissé — A garota (1975), Baara (1978), O vento (1982) — a partir de como este apresenta a experiência urbana pós-colonial em Mali. O texto procura se contrapor à classificação de um Terceiro Cinema e suas implicações categóricas sem deixar de reconhecer a influência de mediações com o cinema ocidental e do contexto pós-colonial na forma fílmica. Busca-se entender como o cinema de Cissé traduz formalmente a coletividade urbana de Mali sem recorrer ao nacionalismo sugerido pelos teóricos de um Terceiro Cinema.
Perspectivas futuras sobre participação social na ótica de adolescentes com paralisia cerebral e suas mães
Authors: Lopes Priscila Bianchi , Matsukura Thelma Simões
Published: November 2018

Objetivo: Conhecer as perspectivas futuras em relação a participação social de adolescentes com Paralisia Cerebral, sob a ótica dos próprios adolescentes e de seus familiares. Método: Trata-se de um estudo exploratório de abordagem qualitativa. Participaram 7 adolescentes com PC, com idade entre 11 e 17 anos, e suas mães. Foram utilizados, para a coleta de dados, dois roteiros de entrevista semiestruturada, um formulário de identificação e o GMFCS Sistema de Classificação da Função Motora Grossa – Questionário do Relato Familiar. Os dados gerados a partir das entrevistas foram analisados através da metodologia do Discurso do Sujeito Coletivo. Resultados: Os principais resultados indicaram que os adolescentes desejam seguirem uma carreira profissional, continuarem estudando e estarem perto da família e de amigos. Em relação às mães, estas demonstraram preocupações com o surgimento de questões da adolescência, como o envolvimento com pares, namoros, questionamento das práticas parentais e autoafirmação e suas expectativas em relação ao futuro dos filhos como a independência financeira e autonomia. Conclusão: Compreende-se que a presente pesquisa fornece elementos para intervenções terapêuticas ocupacionais que visam a ampliação e o fortalecimento da participação social de adolescentes com PC.
Effect of braiding angle on dynamic mechanical properties of 3-D braided rectangular composites under multiple impact compressions
Authors: Gao Xingzhong , Siddique Amna , Sun Baozhong , Gu Bohong
Published: November 2018

This paper reports dynamic mechanical behaviors of 3-D rectangular braided composite with different braiding angles under multi-pulse impact load. The composite materials were prepared with braided preforms which have braiding angles of 15 °, 26° and 37 °, respectively. Impact compression tests were conducted in split Hopkinson pressure bar. High-speed camera system was used to capture damage growth process and a meso-scale finite element model was established to investigate failure mechanisms. We found that the braiding angle has significant effects on damage development, failure mechanisms and ultimate damage morphogenesis. The braided composite with 15° braiding angle shows a linear elastic response at the initial stage of stress–strain curves until the peak load. After the peak load, the composite has brittle failure behaviors, while the composites with 26° and 37° braiding angles exhibit non-linear elastic response at the beginning stage of stress–strain curves and ductile failure mode after yielding points. The composites with different braiding angles demonstrated both distinguished damage development and final fracture morphology. In addition, load-bearing ratio of yarns in composite was also affected by braiding angles.
Characteristics and outcomes of traumatic spinal cord injury in a low-resource setting
Authors: Eaton Jessica , Mukuzunga Cornelius , Grudziak Joanna , Charles Anthony
Published: November 2018

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is relatively rare and affects an estimated 15–40 per 1 million people globally. All patients admitted from October 2016 to June 2017 at Kamuzu Central Hospital, Malawi with a spinal column injury were retrospectively studied. Out of 1442 patients, 46 had vertebral column injury, and half of these had neurological deficit. The most common mechanism of injury was road traffic crash (45.7%), and cervical SCIs were the most common (41.3%). The overall mortality was 15.2%, thus demonstrating devastating morbidity and mortality. Owing to the latter, and the relative lack of operative facilities, primary prevention remains the most effective way to attenuate the tragedy of SCIs.
Mediated Intersections of Environmental and Decolonial Politics in the No Dakota Access Pipeline Movement
Authors: Deem Alexandra
Published: November 2018

This article explores the politics of digital protest and emergent forms of sociality in the #NoDAPL (No Dakota Access Pipeline) movement using Elizabeth Povinelli’s concept of geontopower. I begin by situating the concept of geontopower in relation to a range of biopolitical, decolonial, and ecocritical theory in order to show its importance in conceptualizing the interconnectedness of decolonial and environmental interests. I use this theoretical framework to analyze several instances of what I call ‘digital decoloniality’ in the #NoDAPL movement, cases where the particular affordances of social media technologies and the efforts of Indigenous activists and non-Indigenous allies disrupted normative assumptions regarding the boundaries of the digital and ‘analog’ worlds and resisted the geontopolitical structuring of life and nonlife. I argue that the #NoDAPL hashtag works to enact the prerogatives of Western science-based environmentalism and Indigenous epistemological tenets in common, performatively generating new possibilities for conceptualizing social struggle and shared history.
Policy mobilities and the sociomateriality of U.S. offshore aquaculture governance
Authors: Fairbanks Luke
Published: November 2018

This article examines the development of U.S. offshore aquaculture policy and governance through the lens of assemblage and mobility. It first characterizes the offshore aquaculture policy assemblage and identifies three “strands” of policy reform that have taken hold and influenced policy, regulatory, and governance development over time: (1) federal legislation, (2) regional management, and (3) administrative cooperation. The article then draws on two specific cases of policy mobility, based in California and the Gulf of Mexico, to show how policy models and ideas moved not only across U.S. geographies, but also across time and institutional scales. Together, the analysis demonstrates the sociomateriality of policy; it shows how policy ideas and practices travel and transform, emphasizing where policies come from, how they are reshaped by local geographies and practices, and, in turn, how they reshape the broader policy landscape in the process. Among other outcomes, these mobilities led to an infusion of precautionary policy ideas at the national scale, a critical reinterpretation of policy authority by a federal agency, and greater interest in shellfish aquaculture and administrative cooperation across all institutional scales. By exploring subnational processes in a novel policy context (oceans), this article contributes to emerging work on policy assemblage and mobility, advances research on oceans geography and governance practices, and argues for greater engagement with the oceans among critical geographers and policy scholars.
Outcome after prostatic artery embolization in patients with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia
Authors: Kløw Nils E , Grøtta Ole J , Bay Dag , Sandbæk Gunnar , Johansen Truls E Bjerklund , Hagen Thijs , Baco Eduard
Published: November 2018

Background

Prostatic artery embolization (PAE) has recently been described as a promising alternative treatment for lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) due to an enlarged, benign prostate.

Purpose

To evaluate the safety, morbidity, and functional outcomes after PAE.

Material and Methods

Twenty-nine consecutive patients were included. All patients had computed tomography angiography before the procedure. Microcatheters were used for selective embolization of the PAs. Large side branches to non-target organs were embolized with coils. The PAs were embolized with calibrated 300–500 µm tris-acryl gelatin microspheres. Complications were recorded before discharge. Clinical visit was performed after three months, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) after 6–12 months, and any further intervention recorded in the chart. Mean follow-up was 23 months. Clinical success was defined as no longer needing urinary catheter, no long-term complications, and no need of further interventions.

Results

Sixteen patients (55%) had permanent or intermittent catheter before the procedure. Bilateral embolization was performed in 26 patients (90%). Five patients underwent two procedures. Twelve of 16 patients (75%) with permanent or intermittent catheter were able to remove the catheter. Five patients were operated with transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). Except for one patient, all patients without catheter at baseline improved in the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and had no further treatment. Twelve patients experienced complications; all were grade 1 according to the Clavien–Dindo classification.

Conclusion

PAE reduced LUTS symptoms in most patients without severe complications. The treatment did not exclude additional surgical treatment when needed.
DPSCs seeded in acellular nerve grafts processed by Myroilysin improve nerve regeneration
Authors: Qiao Wenlan , Lu Lu , Wu Guangxue , An Xianglian , Li Dong , Guo Jing
Published: November 2018

Since synthetic nerve conduits do not exhibit ideal regeneration characteristics, they are generally inadequate substitutes for autologous nerve grafts in the repair of long peripheral nerve defects. To resolve this problem, in this study, a nerve regeneration acellular nerve graft (ANG) with homologous dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) was constructed. Xenogeneic ANG was processed by Myroilysin to completely remove cells and myelin sheath, while preserving extracellular matrix (ECM) microstructure of the natural nerve. The study revealed that ANG could support cell attachment and proliferation and did not stimulate a vigorous host rejection response. After inoculation of rabbit DPSCs (r-DPSCs) onto ANG, cells were observed to align along the longitudinal axis of the acellular nerve matrix (ANM) and persistently express NGF and BDNF. Undifferentiated r-DPSCs also presented glial cell characteristics and promoted nerve regeneration after transplantation in vivo. We repaired 1 cm purebred New Zealand White Rabbits sciatic nerve defects using this nerve graft construction, and nerve gap regeneration was indicated by electrophysiological and histological analysis. Therefore, we conclude that the combination of an ANG processed by Myroilysin with DPSCs providing a microenvironment that increases nerve regeneration for repairing peripheral nerve defects.
A space–time pseudospectral discretization method for solving diffusion optimal control problems with two-sided fractional derivatives
Authors: Ali Mushtaq Salh , Shamsi Mostafa , Khosravian-Arab Hassan , Torres Delfim F. M. , Bozorgnia Farid
Published: November 2018

We propose a direct numerical method for the solution of an optimal control problem governed by a two-side space-fractional diffusion equation. The presented method contains two main steps. In the first step, the space variable is discretized by using the Jacobi–Gauss pseudospectral discretization and, in this way, the original problem is transformed into a classical integer–order optimal control problem. The main challenge, which we faced in this step, is to derive the left and right fractional differentiation matrices. In this respect, novel techniques for derivation of these matrices are presented. In the second step, the Legendre–Gauss–Radau pseudospectral method is employed. With these two steps, the original problem is converted into a convex quadratic optimization problem, which can be solved efficiently by available methods. Our approach can be easily implemented and extended to cover fractional optimal control problems with state constraints. Five test examples are provided to demonstrate the efficiency and validity of the presented method. The results show that our method reaches the solutions with good accuracy and a low central processing unit time.
How a view of language underpins approaches to supporting higher education students that facilitate neo-liberalism, and how to resist this
Authors: Richards Kendall , Pilcher Nick
Published: November 2018

In this article, the authors argue that a particular view of language underpins approaches to supporting students in higher education, and that this view facilitates neo-liberalism. Universities worldwide have glossaries of terms such as ‘describe’ or ‘discuss’, and centralized units to help students understand what an ‘essay’ or ‘report’ is, and to ‘critically evaluate’. This approach to support is underpinned by seeing language as a concrete abstract objectivist entity, separable from any context for analysis and teaching. Such a view is ideal for facilitating neo-liberalism and giving it persuasive power, as it underpins arguments to create support that is low-cost, applicable to all subjects and students, deliverable by almost anyone and replicable. Here, drawing on theory and data, the authors challenge this view of language and present and discuss examples to show how language is instead an individual subjectivist entity, unique to context and subject. They further show how support for students is undertaken by lecturers through dialogue in the subject context. The authors argue that current approaches to support should be changed to reflect this individual subjectivist nature of language. They therefore resist neo-liberalism by questioning the validity of the arguments used to give it persuasive power in its approach to support.
The story of first-person: Recovering autobiographical memory through the animated documentary Ketchup
Authors: Guo Chunning , Yan Baishen
Published: November 2018

This is practice-based research, aiming to explore the experimental form of animated documentary, which is a unique form that can explore the mysteries and complexity of memories. Animated documentary is a medium through which one can reveal an individual’s memories within the context of a narrative that is historically situated and influenced. The marriage of animation and documentary gave birth to a new form of film. How should academic critics and practitioners categorize this new form? Is it an animated short or documentary short? This raises issues that question the very nature of animation and documentary. Following Shuibo Wang’s works, more young Chinese artists began to experiment with symbols (related to the Political Pop Trend) in visual narration, which could also be seen as a reflection of an advance in structuralism and semiology in the contemporary Chinese art field. As a case study, this article demonstrates how animated short ‘Ketchup’ revealed the problems of youth and social turmoil through the memories of a six-year-old boy. At Festivals and conferences, the public have been shocked to know that ‘Ketchup’ was based on true memories, and they became more curious about why such crucial things have almost been forgotten. Actually ‘forgetfulness’ is one of the layers of memory and animated documentary offers new ways to explore how our memories are shaped.
Animation as mindful practice
Authors: Barton Graham , Hosea Birgitta
Published: November 2018

This article reports on a joint research project at Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London and the Royal College of Art that investigates whether the making of drawn animation can be demonstrated as a mindful practice. The original intention of the project was to explore the potential application of Buddhist principles and practices such as mindfulness within a practical, secular context to benefit art and design students who experience stress in the learning environment and who wish to examine their learning processes more closely. This research project is situated within wider developments in UK higher education that seek to enable students to engage meaningfully with the affective and extra-rational dimensions of learning. Faced with a complex and uncertain future, and curricula that encourage engagement in uncertainty and ambiguity, art and design graduates need to be able to take responsibility for their personal development and respond to stress and change in generative and constructive ways. During the research process, a series of experiential activities and workshops were devised to explore the development of a group of capacities identified in a number of published sustainability literacy frameworks, in particular the attributes of personal resilience, self-awareness and interconnectedness through systemic and relational thinking and making. The project looks at the potential of the processes of drawn animation in combination with short-form mindfulness meditation techniques for developing these and associated attributes.