bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Three Dimensional Structure Prediction of Fatty Acid Binding Site on Human Transmembrane Receptor CD36
Authors: Tarhda Zineb , Semlali Oussama , Kettani Anas , Moussa Ahmed , Abumrad Nada A. , Ibrahimi Azeddine
Published: December 2013

CD36 is an integral membrane protein which is thought to have a hairpin-like structure with alpha-helices at the C and N terminals projecting through the membrane as well as a larger extracellular loop. This receptor interacts with a number of ligands including oxidized low density lipoprotein and long chain fatty acids (LCFAs). It is also implicated in lipid metabolism and heart diseases. It is therefore important to determine the 3D structure of the CD36 site involved in lipid binding. In this study, we predict the 3D structure of the fatty acid (FA) binding site [127–279 aa] of the CD36 receptor based on homology modeling with X-ray structure of Human Muscle Fatty Acid Binding Protein (PDB code: 1HMT). Qualitative and quantitative analysis of the resulting model suggests that this model was reliable and stable, taking in consideration over 97.8% of the residues in the most favored regions as well as the significant overall quality factor. Protein analysis, which relied on the secondary structure prediction of the target sequence and the comparison of 1HMT and CD36 [127–279 aa] secondary structures, led to the determination of the amino acid sequence consensus. These results also led to the identification of the functional sites on CD36 and revealed the presence of residues which may play a major role during ligand-protein interactions.
Effect of a Growing-up Milk Containing Synbiotics on Immune Function and Growth in Children: A Cluster Randomized, Multicenter, Double-blind, Placebo Controlled Study
Authors: Xuan Ninh Nguyen , Wang Dantong , Grathwohl Dominik , Lan Phuong Nguyen Thi , Kim Hoa Vu Thi , Goyer Amélie , Benyacoub Jalil
Published: December 2013

Common infectious diseases, such as diarrhea, are still the major cause of death in children under 5-years-old, particularly in developing countries. It is known that there is a close relationship between nutrition and immune function. To evaluate the effect of a growing-up milk containing synbiotics on immune function and child growth, we conducted a cluster randomized, multicenter, double-blind, placebo controlled clinical trial in children between 18 and 36 months of age in Vietnam. Eligible children from eight and seven kindergartens were randomly assigned to receive test and isocaloric/isoproteic control milk, respectively, for 5 months. We found that the blood immunoglobulin A (IgA) level and growth parameters were increased in the test group. Compared to the control group, there was also a trend of decreased vitamin A deficiency and fewer adverse events in the test group. These data suggest that a growing-up milk containing synbiotics may be useful in supporting immune function and promoting growth in children.
Geometric Correction for Uneven Quadric Projection Surfaces Using Recursive Subdivision of Bézier Patches
Authors: Ahmed Atif , Hafiz Rehan , Khan Muhammad Murtaza , Cho Yongju , Cha Jihun
Published: December 2013

This paper presents a scheme for geometric correction of projected content for planar and quadratic projection surfaces. The scheme does not require the projection surface to be perfectly quadratic or planar and is therefore suitable for uneven low‐cost commercial and home projection surfaces. An approach based on the recursive subdivision of second‐order Bézier patches is proposed for the estimation of projection distortion owing to surface imperfections. Unlike existing schemes, the proposed scheme is completely automatic, requires no prior knowledge of the projection surface, and uses a single uncalibrated camera without requiring any physical markers on the projection surface. Furthermore, the scheme is scalable for geometric calibration of multiprojector setups. The efficacy of the proposed scheme is demonstrated using simulations and via practical experiments on various surfaces. A relative distortion error metric is also introduced that provides a quantitative measure of the suppression of geometric distortions, which occurs as the result of an imperfect projection surface.
Enhancement of Particle Swarm Optimization by Stabilizing Particle Movement
Authors: Kim Hyunseok , Chang Seongju , Kang Tae‐Gyu
Published: December 2013

We propose an improvement of particle swarm optimization (PSO) based on the stabilization of particle movement (PM). PSO uses a stochastic variable to avoid an unfortunate state in which every particle quickly settles into a unanimous, unchanging direction, which leads to overshoot around the optimum position, resulting in a slow convergence. This study shows that randomly located particles may converge at a fast speed and lower overshoot by using the proportional‐integralderivative approach, which is a widely used feedback control mechanism. A benchmark consisting of representative training datasets in the domains of function approximations and pattern recognitions is used to evaluate the performance of the proposed PSO. The final outcome confirms the improved performance of the PSO through facilitating the stabilization of PM.
A Low‐Cost Method to Evaluate Absorber Reflectivity Using an Antenna with a Small Radiating Aperture and Frequency‐Domain Instrument
Authors: Oh Soon‐Soo , Lee Young Hwan
Published: December 2013

We propose a way to measure the absorber reflectivity at a low cost. Only one simple antenna with a small radiating aperture and a frequency‐domain instrument are utilized. The previously used equation for calculating the reflectivity of an absorber is inaccurate, and, therefore, a new equation is derived based on multiple reflection analysis and three test models. Notably, the reflection coefficient of the antenna is included in the derived equation. The accuracy of the proposed method is proven through simulation and measurements. It can be easily applied to a product examination by absorber manufacturers and customers owing to its advantages of simplicity, cost effectiveness, and non‐cutting examination.
Smart WLAN Discovery for Power Saving of Dual‐Mode Terminals
Authors: Park Hyunho , Lee Hyeong Ho
Published: December 2013

Dual‐mode terminals (DMTs) equipped with cellular and WLAN interfaces have become popular in recent years. Users of DMTs can enjoy high‐speed WLAN Internet access and wide area Internet access to cellular networks. However, a DMT may consume power inefficiently when discovering a WLAN with inherently limited service coverage. In this letter, we propose to use smart WLAN discovery (SWD) to minimize the power consumption required for WLAN discovery. To minimize the power consumption of a DMT, an SWD DMT activates its WLAN interface only when the DMT transfers data within the WLAN coverage area. The simulation results of SWD show an improved power‐saving performance compared to previous WLAN discovery schemes.
Stereo Video Retargeting with Representative Seams in a Group of Stereoscopic Frames
Authors: Nguyen Hai Thanh , Won Chee Sun
Published: December 2013

The important requirements for stereo video retargeting are threefold: keeping temporal coherence, preventing depth distortion, and minimizing shape distortions of the retargeted video. To meet these requirements, the left and right video sequences are divided into groups of frames (GoFs), where the GoF is a basic unit for the seam carving and we assign a set of fixed seams for all frames within the GoF. To determine the fixed seams for each GoF, we need to find the GoF boundary in the video first. Then, the representative frame for each GoF is generated by considering the spatial saliency and temporal coherence. Also, the confidence of the stereoscopic correspondence between the left and right frames is considered to prevent depth distortion.
Sensible Media Simulation in an Automobile Application and Human Responses to Sensory Effects
Authors: Kim Sang‐Kyun , Joo Yong‐Soo , Lee YoungMi
Published: December 2013

A sensible media simulation system for automobiles is introduced to open up new possibilities for an in‐car entertainment system. In this paper, the system architecture is presented, which includes a virtuality‐to‐reality adaptation scheme. Standard data schemes for context and control information from the International Standard MPEG‐V (ISO/IEC 23005) are introduced to explain the details of data formats, which are interchangeable in the system. A sensible media simulator and the implementation of a sensory device are presented to prove the effectiveness of the proposed system. Finally, a correlation between learning styles and sensory effects (that is, wind and vibration effects) is statistically analyzed using the proposed system. The experiment results show that the level of satisfaction with the sensory effects is unaffected overall by the learning styles of the test subjects. Stimulations by vibration effects, however, generate more satisfaction in people with a high tactile perception level or a low visual perception level.
Scalable Extension of HEVC for Flexible High‐Quality Digital Video Content Services
Authors: Lee Hahyun , Kang Jung Won , Lee Jinho , Choi Jin Soo , Kim Jinwoong , Sim Donggyu
Published: December 2013

This paper describes the scalable extension of High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC) to provide flexible highquality digital video content services. The proposed scalable codec is designed on multi‐loop decoding architecture to support inter‐layer sample prediction and inter‐layer motion parameter prediction. Inter‐layer sample prediction is enabled by inserting the reconstructed picture of the reference layer (RL) into the decoded picture buffer of the enhancement layer (EL). To reduce the motion parameter redundancies between layers, the motion parameter of the RL is used as one of the candidates in merge mode and motion vector prediction in the EL. The proposed scalable extension can support scalabilities with minimum changes to the HEVC and provide average Bjøntegaard delta bitrate gains of about 24% for spatial scalability and of about 21% for SNR scalability compared to simulcast coding with HEVC.
Trends in cloud top height from passive observations in the oxygen A-band
Authors: Lelli L. , Kokhanovsky A. A. , Rozanov V. V. , Vountas M. , Burrows J. P.
Published: December 2013

Abstract. Measurements by the hyperspectral spectrometers GOME, SCIAMACHY, and GOME-2 are used to determine the rate of linear change (and trends) in cloud top height (CTH) in the period between June 1996 and May 2012. The retrievals are obtained from Top-Of-Atmosphere (TOA) backscattered solar light in the oxygen A-band using the Semi-Analytical CloUd Retrieval Algorithm SACURA. The physical framework relies on the asymptotic equations of radiative transfer, valid for optically thick clouds. Using linear least-squares techniques, a global trend of −1.78 ± 2.14 m yr−1 in deseasonalised CTH has been found, in the latitude belt within ±60°, with diverging tendencies over land (+0.27 ± 3.2 m yr−1) and ocean (−2.51 ± 2.8 m yr−1). The El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO), strongly coupled to CTH, forces clouds to lower altitudes. The global ENSO-corrected trend in CTH amounts to −0.49 ± 2.22 m yr−1. At a~global scale, no explicit regional pattern of statistically significant trends (at 95 % confidence level, estimated with bootstrap technique) have been found, which would be representative of typical natural synoptical features. One exception is North Africa, which exhibits the strongest upward trend in CTH sustained by an increasing trend in water vapor.
A laboratory characterisation of inorganic iodine emissions from the sea surface: dependence on oceanic variables and parameterisation for global modelling
Authors: MacDonald S. M. , Gómez Martín J. C. , Chance R. , Warriner S. , Saiz-Lopez A. , Carpenter L. J. , Plane J. M. C.
Published: December 2013

Abstract. Reactive iodine compounds play a~significant role in the atmospheric chemistry of the oceanic boundary layer by influencing the oxidising capacity through catalytically removing O3 and altering the HOx and NOx balance. The sea-to-air flux of iodine over the open ocean is therefore an important quantity in assessing these impacts on a global scale. This paper examines the effect of a number of relevant environmental parameters, including water temperature, salinity and organic compounds, on the magnitude of the HOI and I2 fluxes produced from the uptake of O3 and its reaction with iodide ions in aqueous solution. The results of these laboratory experiments and those reported previously (Carpenter et al., 2013), along with sea surface iodide concentrations measured or inferred from measurements of dissolved total iodine and iodate reported in the literature, were then used to produce parameterised expressions for the HOI and I2 fluxes as a function of wind speed, sea-surface temperature and O3. These expressions were used in the Tropospheric HAlogen chemistry MOdel (THAMO) to compare with MAX-DOAS measurements of iodine monoxide (IO) performed during the HaloCAST-P cruise in the Eastern Pacific ocean (Mahajan et al., 2012). The modelled IO agrees reasonably with the field observations, although significant discrepancies are found during a period of low wind speeds (<3 m s−1), when the model overpredicts IO by up to a factor of three. The inorganic iodine flux contributions to IO are found to be comparable to, or even greater than, the contribution of organo-iodine compounds and therefore its inclusion in atmospheric models is important to improve predictions of the influence of halogen chemistry in the marine boundary layer.
Ocean acidification from 1997 to 2011 in the subarctic western North Pacific Ocean
Authors: Wakita M. , Watanabe S. , Honda M. , Nagano A. , Kimoto K. , Matsumoto K. , Kitamura M. , Sasaki K. , Kawakami H. , Fujiki T. , Sasaoka K. , Nakano Y. , Murata A.
Published: December 2013

Abstract. Rising atmospheric CO2 contents have led to greater CO2 uptake by the oceans, lowering both pH due to increasing hydrogen ions and CaCO3 saturation states due to declining carbonate ion (CO32−). Here we used previously compiled data sets and new data collected in 2010 and 2011 to investigate ocean acidification of the North Pacific western subarctic gyre. In winter, the western subarctic gyre is a source of CO2 to the atmosphere because of convective mixing of deep waters rich in dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC). We calculated pH in winter mixed layer from DIC and total alkalinity (TA), and found that it decreased at the rate of −0.0011 ± 0.0004 yr−1 from 1997 to 2011. This decrease rate is slower than that expected under the condition of seawater/atmosphere equilibration, and it is also slower than the rate in the subtropical regions (−0.002 yr−1). The slow rate is caused by a reduction of CO2 emission in winter due to an increase in TA. Below the mixed layer, the calcite saturation horizon (~ 185 m depth) shoaled at the rate of 2.9 ± 0.9 m yr−1 as the result of the declining CO32− concentration (−0.03 ± 0.01 μmol kg−1 yr−1). Between 200 m and 300 m depth, pH decline during the study period (−0.0051 ± 0.0010 yr−1) was larger than ever reported in the open North Pacific. This enhanced acidification rate below the calcite saturation horizon reflected not only the uptake of anthropogenic CO2 but also the increase in the decomposition of organic matter evaluated from the increase in AOU, which suggests that the dissolution of CaCO3 particles increased.
High resolution atmospheric reconstruction for Europe 1948–2012: coastDat2
Authors: Geyer B.
Published: December 2013

Abstract. The coastDat data sets were produced to give a consistent and homogeneous database mainly for assessing weather statistics and long-term changes for Europe, especially in data sparse regions. A sequence of numerical models was employed to reconstruct all aspects of marine climate (such as storms, waves, surges etc.) over many decades. Here, we describe the atmospheric part of coastDat2 (Geyer and Rockel, 2013, doi:10.1594/WDCC/coastDat-2_COSMO-CLM). It consists of a regional climate reconstruction for entire Europe, including Baltic and North Sea and parts of the Atlantic. The simulation was done for 1948 to 2012 with a regional climate model and a horizontal grid size of 0.22° in rotated coordinates. Global reanalysis data were used as forcing and spectral nudging was applied. To meet the demands on the coastDat data set about 70 variables are stored hourly.
Time and space variability of freshwater content, heat content and seasonal ice melt in the Arctic Ocean from 1991 to 2011
Authors: Korhonen M. , Rudels B. , Marnela M. , Wisotzki A. , Zhao J.
Published: December 2013

Abstract. Changes in the hydrography of the Arctic Ocean have recently been reported. The upper ocean has been freshening and pulses of warm Atlantic Water have been observed to spread into the Arctic Ocean. Although these changes have been intensively studied, salinity and temperature variations have less frequently been considered together. Here hydrographic observations, obtained by icebreaker expeditions conducted between 1991 and 2011, are analyzed and discussed. Five different water masses in the upper 1000 m of the water column are examined in five sub-basins of the Arctic Ocean. This allows for studying the variations of the distributions of the freshwater and heat contents in the Arctic Ocean not only in time but also laterally and vertically. In addition, the seasonal ice melt contribution is separated from the permanent, winter, freshwater content of the Polar Mixed Layer. Because the positions of the icebreaker stations vary between the years, the icebreaker observations are at each specific point in space and time compared with the Polar Science Center Hydrographic Climatology to separate the effects of space and time variability on the observations. The hydrographic melt water estimate is discussed and compared with the potential ice melt induced by atmospheric heat input estimated from the ERA–Interim and NCEP/NCAR reanalyses. After a period of increased salinity in the upper ocean during the 1990s, both the Polar Mixed Layer and the upper halocline have been freshening. The increase in freshwater content in the Polar Mixed Layer is primarily driven by a decrease in salinity, not by changes in Polar Mixed Layer depth, whereas the freshwater is accumulating in the upper halocline mainly through the increasing thickness of the halocline. This is especially evident in the Northern Canada Basin, where the most substantial freshening is observed. The warming, and to some extent also the increase in salinity, of the Atlantic Water during the early 1990s extended from the Nansen Basin into the Amundsen and Makarov basins, while the warm and saline inflows occurring during the 2000s appear to be confined to the Nansen Basin, suggesting that the warm and saline inflow through Fram Strait largely recirculates in the Nansen Basin.
Modeling the response of Lambert Glacier–Amery Ice Shelf system, East Antarctic, to uncertain climate forcing over the 21st and 22nd centuries
Authors: Gong Y. , Cornford S. L. , Payne A. J.
Published: December 2013

Abstract. The interaction between the climate system and the large polar ice sheets regions is a key process in global environmental change. We carried out ice dynamic simulations of one of the largest drainage systems in East Antarctica: the Lambert Glacier–Amery Ice Shelf system, with an adaptive mesh ice sheet model. The ice sheet model is driven by surface accumulation and basal melt rates computed by two ocean and two atmosphere models. The change of the ice thickness and velocity in the ice shelf is mainly influenced by the basal melting distribution, but, although the ice shelf thins in the most of the simulations, there is little grounding line retreat. We find that the Lambert Glacier grounding line can retreat as much as 30 km if there is sufficient thinning of the ice shelf south of Clemence Massif, but none of the ocean models provide sufficiently high melt rates in that region. Overall, the increased accumulation computed by the atmosphere models outweighs ice stream acceleration so that the net contribution to sea level rise is negative.
Risk Factors for Fracture in Diabetes: The Canadian Multicentre Osteoporosis Study
Authors: Fraser Lisa-Ann , Papaioannou Alexandra , Adachi Jonathan D. , Ma Jinhui , Thabane Lehana
Published: December 2013

Objective. Individuals with diabetes have been found to be at increased risk of nontraumatic fracture. However, within the diabetic population, how to distinguish who is at the highest risk and warranting therapy has remained elusive.Design. Cross-sectional analysis of a national population-based cohort study.Patients. Men and women over the age of 50 with diabetes from across Canada.Measurements. Logistic regression analysis to identify diabetes specific factors associated with a history of one or more non-traumatic fractures.Results. Six hundred and six individuals with diabetes with a mean age of 69 years were examined. Thirty percent had a history of non-traumatic fracture. Macrovascular diseases in the form of stroke or TIA, as well as hypertension, were found to be independently associated with fragility fracture. Other, more traditional, clinical risk factors were also associated with fracture, including increased age, female gender, rheumatoid arthritis, family history of osteoporosis, and decreased bone mineral density.Conclusions. In this cohort of Canadians with diabetes, those with rheumatoid arthritis, a family history of osteoporosis, female gender, increased age, decreased BMD, cerebrovascular disease, or hypertension were more likely to have had a non-traumatic fracture. These risk factors may be important to clinicians when identifying which of their diabetic patients are at highest risk of fracture and in need of preventative therapies.
A Fraternidade em Debate: Reflexos no Ordenamento Jurídico Brasileiro
Authors: Horita Fernando Henrique da Silva
Published: December 2013

A questão central que dá eixo ao presente artigo refere-se ao princípio que permaneceu esquecido, a fraternidade. Numa perspectiva crítica, rumo ao debate fraternal, opera-se sobre os contrates do direito fraterno, percorrendo sua origem e seus reflexos no ordenamento jurídico brasileiro. Com a finalidade de cumprir o objetivo proposto, o percurso teórico nesta investigação foi elaborado sob a base lógica do método dialético, com uma coleta de dados bibliográficos e documentais.
A Função Social da Posse Como Elemento de Efetivação dos Direitos Humanos no Contexto do Direito de Moradia Digna.
Authors: Ferreira Gilson
Published: December 2013

A partir das noções de Direitos Fundamentais e de Direitos Humanos, busca-se promover uma análise crítica da posse como categoria de direito privado contrastando-a com seu perfil promocional que se radica a partir do reconhecimento dos direitos sociais, como fruto de lutas sociais e como mecanismo de superação da crise mundial da segunda metade do século XIX. O problema é analisado pela dimensão retórica e argumentativa dos Direitos Humanos que método que aponta para a necessidade de uma prática judicial inovadora como via alternativa de concretização do direito de moradia pelo reconhecimento da função social da posse, na medida em que somente assim é possível superar o paradoxo da ineficácia social dos Direitos Humanos e do direito a moradia digna com sua concretude judicial o que demonstra que os Direitos Humanos são o resultado de luta constante de sua afirmação.
A Crise do Judiciário e a Eficácia da Conciliação nos Juizados Especiais Cíveis Estaduais de São Luís-Ma
Authors: Guimarães Allisson
Published: December 2013

A conciliação constitui um meio alternativo para complementar a prestação da tutela jurisdicional do Estado e buscar a resolução dos litígios dos cidadãos. A evolução da justiça privada para a justiça estatal e o fortalecimento do poder do Estado, somados a adoção de mecanismos que promovem a função quase exclusiva de ente pacificador de conflitos, trouxeram à tona a percepção de que o Estado tem falhado em sua missão pacificadora diante de novas realidades que encarecem e custeiam os processos judiciais, ocasionando uma verdadeira Crise no Judiciário. Desse modo, a pesquisa analisou criticamente a eficácia da conciliação como um meio de resolução de conflitos nos Juizados Especiais Cíveis Estaduais de São Luís - MA, utilizando como amostra de estudo os acordos provenientes da Semana Nacional de Conciliação 2012.
Perspectiva Habermasiana de Dignidade da Pessoa Humana
Authors: Bacha e Silva Diogo
Published: December 2013

O objeto do presente trabalho abarca a perspectiva da filosofia da linguagem em substituição da filosofia da consciência em prol do alcance da interpretação da dignidade humana que alcance o reconhecimento recíproco e igualitário deste princípio-valor. A filosofia da linguagem, atuando como um instrumento de libertação dos postulados cerrados e superados da filosofia da consciência, permite a inclusão das minorias nesta mesma dignidade, conferida a todos de maneira universal e igualitária.
Da Suspensão de Mandato do Parlamentar Para Investidura Como Ministro de Estado: Incompatibilidade Relativa Sob o Regime do Afastamento à Luz do Direito Luso-Brasileiro (Sob a Perspectiva do Processo de Cassação de Deputado Brasileiro)
Authors: Araujo Firmo Osvaldo Oliveira , De Oliveira Sonia Maria Queiroz
Published: December 2013

Primeiramente convém pôr sentido na evolução histórica do Parlamento. Na sua afirmação no panorama político do Estado, já numa perspectiva nitidamente democrática, muito o resultado do confronto com o poder do rei (deveras real), fez advir conquistas institucionais e legalmente postas para garantia de uma existência efetiva (aspecto físico) e funcionamento permanente do Parlamento. Nesse quadro encontra-se o estatuto do parlamentar com o objetivo de blindagem do exercício da atividade parlamentar contra os desmandos do sempre hipertrófico Poder Executivo (a Coroa). Há se ter em mente, pois, em termos de mandato parlamentar, que o trato constitucional é um status no quadro das instituições públicas de grande seriedade, e todo regramento (constitucional ou não) gravitando ao derredor do princípio da continuidade do exercício da função, em prestígio e garantia das conquistas institucionais. A persecução do tema do afastamento de parlamentar para exercício de cargo no Poder Executivo, especialmente de Ministro de Estado, contemplando a exceção constitucional às incompatibilidades parlamentares, com vista ao seu reflexo no respectivo mandato, à luz das constituições do Brasil e Portugal consubstancia o presente artigo. Nosso estudo aqui tem recorte bem definido quanto ao objeto de reflexão, assim como seu campo de incidência, um contributo de reflexão acerca de um tema do Direito Constitucional voltado para o âmbito do estatuto jurídico dos titulares de cargos políticos, em especial o caso da incompatibilidade parlamentar de exercício de função de ministro. Buscar-se-á compreender a extensão e as conseqüências da incompatibilidade do Art. 154o, 1, da CRP, cuja dicção equivale à do art. 56, I, da CRFB.
A Crise do Poder Judiciário Como Fator Determinante Para a Ocorrência da Relativização da Coisa Julgada
Authors: Thamay Rennan Faria Kruger
Published: December 2013

RESUMO: crise do Poder Judiciário é uma ocorrência muito relevante e hodierna que afeta a todos e merece ser combatida visando a solvência das problemáticas que ela causa.
Para solver algumas das conseqüências prejudiciais nasceu a noção de relativização da coisa julgada que poderia tornar a decisão “mutável”, tendo papel relevante e pontuado na discussão, visto que com esse instituto flexibilizador muitas injustiças que possam ter sido praticas podem ser superadas e inclusive alteradas.
Solucionar a celeuma da crise do Judiciário não é algo fácil, mas também não resta impossível. Algumas das possíveis soluções seria uma aplicação mais efetiva da fundamentação das decisões judiciais, um aumento de responsabilidades para os magistrados frente às suas decisões e, por fim, propiciar a aplicação da celeridade, não fugindo da idéia da duração razoável do processo que deve ser observado com toda a cautela, adequando-se essas à adimplência do contraditório e da ampla defesa.
Direitos Humanos: Como Tudo Começou
Authors: Souza Lucas
Published: December 2013

A presente pesquisa tem como objetivo principal analisar pela ótica de uma práxis empírica a dignidade humana como fundamento ao atual modelo de Estado apresentado pela Carta Magna, a saber, “Estado Social”. Dentro dessa perspectiva, procuraremos examinar quais são os valores inseridos no texto da norma constitucional e, sobretudo, procuraremos analisar o quanto da prestação da efetividade dessa norma está em vigor, ou seja, analisaremos o discurso do legislador constitucional e proporemos um juízo de análise com fito de saber se de fato trata-se de um discurso prático ou de um discurso retórico falacioso formal.
A Liberdade no Planejamento Familiar e a Vedação de Acesso à Reprodução Assistida em Mulheres Com Mais de 50 Anos Pelo Conselho Federal de Medicina
Authors: Almeida Patricia Martinez , Amaral Daniela Gomes Pereira do
Published: December 2013

O presente artigo visa analisar os critérios da vedação à reprodução assistida em mulheres com mais de 50 anos e sua repercussão no livre planejamento familiar como garantia da dignidade da pessoa humana e a vedação do retrocesso dos direitos fundamentais.
História do Ensino Jurídico Brasileiro: O Seminário de Olinda Como Precursor dos Cursos Jurídicos no Brasil Império
Authors: Santos Daniella Miranda , Santos Casimiro Ana Palmira Bittencourt
Published: December 2013

Azeredo Coutinho (1742-1821), através do seu Seminário de Olinda, colégio-seminário criado no início do século XIX, e que constituiu um arrojado plano educacional e político para a época, representou um avanço educacional que contribuiu enormemente para a criação do primeiro Curso Jurídico brasileiro, fundado em Olinda, em 1827. O presente trabalho tem por escopo analisar como Igreja, Estado e Educação estiveram imbricados na configuração do espaço jurídico brasileiro e na consolidação do Estado Nacional. Esse estudo buscou uma compreensão histórica real desse importante período da educação no Brasil, de como o Seminário de Olinda seria o precursor dos Cursos Jurídicos no Brasil, que consolidaria a estruturação da nação no início do século XIX.
A Natureza Jurídica da Imunidade Tributária de Imprensa e a Possibilidade de Extensão da Norma Exoneratória Sobre os Insumos Indispensáveis à Impressão: Uma Exegese Constitucional
Authors: Yamasaki Fabíola
Published: December 2013

O presente artigo versa sobre a imunidade de imprensa, repousando a problemática na possibilidade de extensão da regra exoneratória aos insumos indispensáveis ao respectivo processo produtivo, ante a atecnia das proposições normativo-constitucionais, que por seu turno, fazem exsurgir equívocos quanto a sua natureza jurídica e alcance. Assim, partindo-se de um referencial neoconstitucionalista, para repelir os enganos e encontrar um itinerário exegético adequado à proteção dos direitos fundamentais, adotou-se método de abordagem indutivo, de onde se verificou que a teleologia do tipo é elemento indissociável de sua amplitude. Doravante, conclui-se ser imperiosa a interpretação compreensiva do instituto, verificada não só mediante os princípios interpretativos, mas numa associação aos elementos clássicos.

Palavras-chave: Imunidade de Imprensa. Insumo. Interpretação Constitucional.
Editorial
Authors: Ribeiro Mariana Santiago
Published: December 2013

A Revista Thesis Juris é um periódico científico semestral da comunidade jurídica, com chamada permanente, apoiado pela Universidade Nove de Julho - UNINOVE, que tem por escopo a difusão de estudos, pesquisas e documentos sobre temas livres e atuais da área do direito e afins, priorizando as contribuições acadêmicas direcionadas para a análise crítica dos novos fenômenos jurídicos.
Retos Constitucionales Sobre Derechos Humanos: Los Derechos de Los Niños Desde Perspectivas Axiológico Normativas.
Authors: Rocasolano María Méndez
Published: December 2013

Reflexión sobre el significado de la regulación constitucional de la infancia. Estudio sobre el contenido de los derechos fundamentales de los niños, aplicación de la teoría de la dinamogénesis para justificar y fundamentar desde una perspectiva axiológica normativa la dignidad de la infancia como derecho.
Investigation on the Thermal Stability of Refined Palm Oil Produced from Membrane-Based Refining Technique
Authors: Lau W. j. , Ismail A.F. , Razis M. , Ng B.C. , Goh P.S. , Latip R.A. , Othman N.H.
Published: December 2013

The main objective of this work is to study the heat stability of refined palm oil produced from membrane-based refining process. Two novel routes of refining process have been proposed in which the first one was to integrate conventional refining process with ultrafiltration (UF) membrane technology while the second route was based on the integration between conventional refining process and UF membrane-solvent extraction process. The results revealed that the two novel refining routes showed improvement on free fatty acid (FFA) stability compared with the conventional technique throughout 5-day studied period. With respect to peroxide value (PV), it is found that only the first proposed route showed very similar increasing trend with the conventional refining process. In addition to this, it is also found that the two refining routes which were operated at 260oC showed slightly better colour stability in comparison to conventionally-produced oil.
Neural Network Model Identification and Advanced Control of a Membrane Biological Reactor
Authors: Alnaizy Raafat , Aidan Ahmad , Abachi Noor , Jabbar Nabil Abdel
Published: December 2013

System identification with different input-output structures, for a membrane biological reactor (MBR), was performed using artificial neural networks (ANN) black-box modeling. The ANN models were able to capture the dynamic flux experimental literature data. Sensitivity analyses were applied on the ANN models to quantify the effects of variation in the process inputs (backwash pressure, vacuum pressure, backwash and vacuum time) on the process output (flux rate. Sensitivity analysis was applied on the developed NN in order to find the optimum backwash scheduling. The maximum flux was attained at around 165 (L/m2·day) that corresponded to an optimum vacuum-to-backwash time ratio of 10 minutes vacuum to 2 minutes backwash. Advanced control strategy using neuro-model predictive control (NN-MPC) methodology was applied to control the MBR system. The NN-MPC parameters were tuned to attain an optimum performance. The NN-MPC was efficient in tracking the flux set-point changes by adjusting vacuum-to-backwash time ratio within the operation constraints.
De l’exotisme à l’effet miroir : la représentation de l’histoire latino-américaine au Canada français
Authors: Demers Maurice
Published: December 2013

L’histoire de l’Amérique latine a constitué une source d’inspiration pour plusieurs auteurs canadiens-français. La représentation de son histoire sociopolitique et culturelle ainsi que la vaillante résistance de certains gouvernements latino-américains contre l’impérialisme étatsunien et britannique ont trouvé un écho favorable au Canada français. Cette représentation, qui propose une sorte d’histoire connectée des peuples latins d’Amérique, a favorisé l’émergence d’un sentiment de solidarité pour les luttes anti-impérialistes latino-américaines bien avant la Révolution tranquille. Cet article retrace comment des auteurs comme Henri Bourassa, Antonio Dragon, Dostaler O’Leary et Lionel Groulx ont représenté l’histoire de l’Amérique latine, incitant leurs lecteurs à se familiariser avec les luttes de la région contre la domination économique des grands centres financiers.
L’Inde et la décolonisation au Canada français
Authors: Granger Serge
Published: December 2013

L’indépendance de l’Inde a contribué à diffuser un discours sur la décolonisation dans le monde entier, notamment au Canada français. Exemple d’une colonie qui se libère de l’Empire britannique – symbole de l’aliénation coloniale –, l’Inde incarne une idée de la décolonisation qui sera adoptée par les Canadiens français dans la mesure où elle leur fournit les outils conceptuels pour comprendre leur condition historique et la situer à l’échelle mondiale. À l’aide de périodiques québécois, dont Le Devoir et L’Action nationale, cet article retrace les références à l’indépendance de l’Inde et examine comment elle nourrit le discours sur la décolonisation au Canada français avant la Révolution tranquille.
“They are human beings, they are Swazi”: intersecting stigmas and the positive health, dignity and prevention needs of HIV‐positive men who have sex with men in Swaziland
Authors: Kennedy Caitlin E , Baral Stefan D , Fielding‐Miller Rebecca , Adams Darrin , Dludlu Phumlile , Sithole Bheki , Fonner Virginia A , Mnisi Zandile , Kerrigan Deanna
Published: December 2013

Introduction

Despite the knowledge that men who have sex with men (MSM) are more likely to be infected with HIV across settings, there has been little investigation of the experiences of MSM who are living with HIV in sub‐Saharan Africa. Using the framework of positive health, dignity and prevention, we explored the experiences and HIV prevention, care and treatment needs of MSM who are living with HIV in Swaziland.

Methods

We conducted 40 in‐depth interviews with 20 HIV‐positive MSM, 16 interviews with key informants and three focus groups with MSM community members. Qualitative analysis was iterative and included debriefing sessions with a study staff, a stakeholders’ workshop and coding for key themes using Atlas.ti.

Results

The predominant theme was the significant and multiple forms of stigma and discrimination faced by MSM living with HIV in this setting due to both their sexual identity and HIV status. Dual stigma led to selective disclosure or lack of disclosure of both identities, and consequently a lack of social support for care‐seeking and medication adherence. Perceived and experienced stigma from healthcare settings, particularly around sexual identity, also led to delayed care‐seeking, travel to more distant clinics and missed opportunities for appropriate services. Participants described experiences of violence and lack of police protection as well as mental health challenges. Key informants, however, reflected on their duty to provide non‐discriminatory services to all Swazis regardless of personal beliefs.

Conclusions

Intersectionality provides a framework for understanding the experiences of dual stigma and discrimination faced by MSM living with HIV in Swaziland and highlights how programmes and policies should consider the specific needs of this population when designing HIV prevention, care and treatment services. In Swaziland, the health sector should consider providing specialized training for healthcare providers, distributing condoms and lubricants and engaging MSM as peer outreach workers or expert clients. Interventions to reduce stigma, discrimination and violence against MSM and people living with HIV are also needed for both healthcare workers and the general population. Finally, research on experiences and needs of MSM living with HIV globally can help inform comprehensive HIV services for this population.
Building the evidence base for urgent action: HIV epidemiology and innovative programming for men who have sex with men in sub‐Saharan Africa
Authors: Wolf R Cameron , Cheng Alison Surdo , Kapesa Laurent , Castor Delivette
Published: December 2013

While still an understudied area, there is a growing body of studies highlighting epidemiologic data on men who have sex with men (MSM) in sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA) which challenge the attitudes of complacency and irrelevancy among donors and country governments that are uncomfortable in addressing key populations (KPs). While some of the past inaction may be explained by ignorance, new data document highly elevated and sustained HIV prevalence that is seemingly isolated from recent overall declines in prevalence. The articles in this series highlight new studies which focus on the stark epidemiologic burden in countries from concentrated, mixed and generalized epidemic settings. The issue includes research from West, Central, East and Southern Africa and explores the pervasive impact of stigma and discrimination as critical barriers to confronting the HIV epidemic among MSM and the intersecting stigma and marginalization found between living with HIV and sexual minority status. Interventions to remove barriers to service access, including those aimed at training providers and mobilizing communities even within stigmatized peri‐urban settings, are featured in this issue, which further demonstrates the immediate need for comprehensive action to address HIV among MSM in all countries in the region, regardless of epidemic classification.
Time-Resolved Optical Mammography and Its Preliminary Clinical Results
Authors: Ueda Y. , Yoshimoto K. , Ohmae E. , Suzuki T. , Yamanaka T. , Yamashita D. , Ogura H. , Teruya C. , Nasu H. , Imi E. , Sakahara H. , Oda M. , Yamashita Y.
Published: December 2013

We have been developing an optical mammography prototype consisting of a multi-channel time-resolved spectroscopy system for breast cancer screening. The system utilizes the time-correlated single photon counting method, and the detector modules and the signal processing circuits were custom-made to obtain a high signal to noise ratio and high temperature stability with a high temporal resolution. Pulsed light generated by a Ti: Sapphire laser was irradiated to the breast, and the transmitted light was collected by optical fibers placed on the surface of a hemispherical gantry filled with an optical matching fluid. To reconstruct a 3D image of the breast, we employed a method using a time-resolved photon path distribution based on the assumption that scattering and absorption are independent of each other. We verified the possibility of human breast imaging by using a three-dimensional phantom model, which provides a simulation of human breast cancer, in the gantry. The clinical study was also started in January 2007. In a comparative study with conventional modalities, the breast cancers were detected as regions of optically higher absorption. Moreover, the results suggest that optical mammography is useful in monitoring the effects of chemotherapy.
Pre-Clinical Evaluation of Fluorescent Deoxyglucose as a Topical Contrast Agent for the Detection of Barrett's-Associated Neoplasia during Confocal Imaging
Authors: Thekkek N. , Maru D. M. , Polydorides A. D. , Bhutani M. S. , Anandasabapathy S. , Richards-Kortum R.
Published: December 2013

The availability of confocal endomicroscopy motivates the development of optical contrast agents that can delineate the morphologic and metabolic features of gastrointestinal neoplasia. This study evaluates 2-NBDG, a fluorescent deoxyglucose, the uptake of which is associated with increased metabolic activity, in the identification of Barrett's-associated neoplasia. Surveillance biopsies from patients with varying pathologic grades of Barrett's esophagus were incubated ex vivo at 37°C with 2-NBDG and imaged with a fluorescence confocal microscope. Images were categorized as neoplastic (high grade dysplasia, esophageal adenocarcinoma) or metaplastic (intestinal metaplasia, low grade dysplasia) based on the degree of glandular 2-NBDG uptake. Classification accuracy was assessed using histopathology as the gold standard. Forty-four biopsies were obtained from twenty-six patients; 206 sites were imaged. The glandular mean fluorescence intensity of neoplastic sites was significantly higher than that of metaplastic sites (p < 0.001). Chronic inflammation was associated with increased 2-NBDG uptake in the lamina propria but not in glandular epithelium. Sites could be classified as neoplastic or not with 96% sensitivity and 90% specificity based on glandular mean fluorescence intensity. Classification accuracy was not affected by the presence of inflammation. By delineating the metabolic and morphologic features of neoplasia, 2-NBDG shows promise as a topical contrast agent for confocal imaging. Further in vivo testing is needed to determine its performance in identifying neoplasia during confocal endomicroscopic imaging.
Automated Diagnosis of Oral Cancer Using Higher Order Spectra Features and Local Binary Pattern: A Comparative Study
Authors: Krishnan M. M. R. , Acharya U. R. , Chakraborty C. , Ray A. K.
Published: December 2013

In the field of quantitative microscopy, textural information plays a significant role very often in tissue characterization and diagnosis, in addition to morphology and intensity. The objective of this work is to improve the classification accuracy based on textural features for the development of a computer assisted screening of oral sub-mucous fibrosis (OSF). In fact, the approach introduced is used to grade the histopathological tissue sections into normal, OSF without dysplasia (OSFWD) and OSF with dysplasia (OSFD), which would help the oral onco-pathologists to screen the subjects rapidly. The main objective of this work is to evaluate the use of Higher Order Spectra (HOS) features and Local Binary Pattern (LBP) features extracted from the epithelial layer in classifying normal, OSFWD and OSFD. For this purpose, we extracted twenty three HOS features and nine LBP features and fed them to a Support Vector Machine (SVM) for automated diagnosis. One hundred and fifty eight images (90 normal, 42 OSFWD and 26 OSFD images) were used for analysis. LBP features provide a good sensitivity of 82.85% and specificity of 87.84%, and the HOS features provide higher values of sensitivity (94.07%) and specificity (93.33%) using SVM classifier. The proposed system, can be used as an adjunct tool by the onco-pathologists to cross-check their diagnosis.
Electrochemotherapy: A New Technological Approach in Treatment of Metastases in the Liver
Authors: Edhemovic I. , Gadzijev E. M. , Brecelj E. , Miklavcic D. , Kos B. , Zupanic A. , Mali B. , Jarm T. , Pavliha D. , Marcan M. , Gasljevic G. , Gorjup V. , Music M. , Vavpotic T. Pecnik , Cemazar M. , Snoj M. , Sersa G.
Published: December 2013

Electrochemotherapy is now in development for treatment of deep-seated tumors, like in bones and internal organs, such as liver. The technology is available with a newly developed electric pulse generator and long needle electrodes; however the procedures for the treatment are not standardized yet. In order to describe the treatment procedure, including treatment planning, within the ongoing clinical study, a case of successful treatment of a solitary metastasis in the liver of colorectal cancer is presented. The procedure was performed intraoperatively by inserting long needle electrodes, two in the center of the tumor and four around the tumor into the normal tissue. The insertion of electrodes proved to be feasible and was done according to the treatment plan, prepared by numerical modeling. After intravenous bolus injection of bleomycin the tumor was exposed to electric pulses. The delivery of the electric pulses did not interfere with functioning of the heart, since the pulses were synchronized with electrocardiogram in order to be delivered outside the vulnerable period of the ventricles. Also the post treatment period was uneventful without side effects. Re-operation of the treated metastasis demonstrated feasibility of the reoperation, without secondary effects of electrochemotherapy on normal tissue. Good antitumor effectiveness with complete tumor destruction was confirmed with histological analysis. The patient is disease-free 16 months after the procedure. In conclusion, treatment procedure for electrochemotherapy proved to be a feasible technological approach for treatment of liver metastasis. Due to the absence of the side effects and the first complete destruction of the treated tumor, treatment procedure for electrochemotherapy seems to be a safe method for treatment of liver metastases with good treatment effectiveness even in difficult-to-reach locations.