Genrifying the school library\u27s fiction collection

Genrification, or the act of organizing a library or section of a library by genres or topics, has been a trend in recent years in both school and public libraries. Little to no research has been conducted on the effectiveness of this transition from the Dewey Decimal System in fiction and or nonfiction collections. The purpose of this research is to explore the usefulness of a genrified fiction collection in a school library by examining how students interact with the collection along with teachers’ perceptions of genrifying. This study focused on student browsing behavior in a genrified fiction collection and how frequently students browsed and borrowed books from across genre sections in the fiction collection. It also focused on how the genrification affected classroom teachers. The researcher observed one sixth grade class with sixteen students during four library visits and conducted follow-up interviews with eight students (four females and four males) to provide insight into the student\u27s’ library experiences. Collection statistics before and after genrifying the school library’s fiction collection were also used to determine changes in circulation. Based on these data sources, it was clear that students were checking out more books across genres, preferred browsing genres to find books of interest to checkout, and had at least one genre they preferred. An online survey with eight literacy teachers showed teacher support for the library genrification. All teachers felt genrification had helped students find books with ease

Protective effect of the probiotic Lactobacillus acidophilus ATCC 4356 in BALB/c mice infected with Toxocara canis

Human toxocariasis consists of chronic tissue parasitosis that is difficult to treat and control. This study aimed to evaluate the action of the probiotic Lactobacillus acidophilus ATCC 4356 on larvae of Toxocara canis and the effect of IFN-γ cytokine on parasite-host in vivo (1.109 CFU) and in vitro (1.106, 1.107, 1.108, 1.109 CFU) interactions. Four groups of six BALB/c mice were formed: G1 - L. acidophilus supplementation and T. canis infection; G2 - T. canis infection; G3 - L. acidophilus supplementation; and G4 - PBS administration. Mice were intragastrically suplemented with probiotics for 15 days before inoculation and 48 h after inoculation with 100 T. canis eggs. The inoculation of T. canis was also perfomed intragastrically. The recovery of larvae took place through digestion of liver and lung tissues; the evaluation of IFN-γ gene transcription in leukocytes was performed by qPCR. The in vitro test consisted of incubating the probiotic with T. canis larvae. The supplementation of probiotics produced a reduction of 57.7% (p = 0.025) in the intensity of infection of T. canis larvae in mice, whereas in the in vitro test, there was no larvicidal effect. In addition, a decrease in the IFN-γ gene transcription was observed in both, T. canis-infected and uninfected mice, regardless of whether or not they received supplementation. The probiotic L. acidophilus ATCC 4356 reduced T. canis infection intensity in mice, however, the probiotic did not have a direct effect on larvae, demonstrating the need of interaction with the host for the beneficial effect of the probiotic to occur. Yet, the proinflammatory cytokine IFN-γ did not apparently contributed to the observed beneficial effect of probiotics

Case Reports1. A Late Presentation of Loeys-Dietz Syndrome: Beware of TGFβ Receptor Mutations in Benign Joint Hypermobility

Background: Thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAA) and dissections are not uncommon causes of sudden death in young adults. Loeys-Dietz syndrome (LDS) is a rare, recently described, autosomal dominant, connective tissue disease characterized by aggressive arterial aneurysms, resulting from mutations in the transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) receptor genes TGFBR1 and TGFBR2. Mean age at death is 26.1 years, most often due to aortic dissection. We report an unusually late presentation of LDS, diagnosed following elective surgery in a female with a long history of joint hypermobility. Methods: A 51-year-old Caucasian lady complained of chest pain and headache following a dural leak from spinal anaesthesia for an elective ankle arthroscopy. CT scan and echocardiography demonstrated a dilated aortic root and significant aortic regurgitation. MRA demonstrated aortic tortuosity, an infrarenal aortic aneurysm and aneurysms in the left renal and right internal mammary arteries. She underwent aortic root repair and aortic valve replacement. She had a background of long-standing joint pains secondary to hypermobility, easy bruising, unusual fracture susceptibility and mild bronchiectasis. She had one healthy child age 32, after which she suffered a uterine prolapse. Examination revealed mild Marfanoid features. Uvula, skin and ophthalmological examination was normal. Results: Fibrillin-1 testing for Marfan syndrome (MFS) was negative. Detection of a c.1270G > C (p.Gly424Arg) TGFBR2 mutation confirmed the diagnosis of LDS. Losartan was started for vascular protection. Conclusions: LDS is a severe inherited vasculopathy that usually presents in childhood. It is characterized by aortic root dilatation and ascending aneurysms. There is a higher risk of aortic dissection compared with MFS. Clinical features overlap with MFS and Ehlers Danlos syndrome Type IV, but differentiating dysmorphogenic features include ocular hypertelorism, bifid uvula and cleft palate. Echocardiography and MRA or CT scanning from head to pelvis is recommended to establish the extent of vascular involvement. Management involves early surgical intervention, including early valve-sparing aortic root replacement, genetic counselling and close monitoring in pregnancy. Despite being caused by loss of function mutations in either TGFβ receptor, paradoxical activation of TGFβ signalling is seen, suggesting that TGFβ antagonism may confer disease modifying effects similar to those observed in MFS. TGFβ antagonism can be achieved with angiotensin antagonists, such as Losartan, which is able to delay aortic aneurysm development in preclinical models and in patients with MFS. Our case emphasizes the importance of timely recognition of vasculopathy syndromes in patients with hypermobility and the need for early surgical intervention. It also highlights their heterogeneity and the potential for late presentation. Disclosures: The authors have declared no conflicts of interes

Performance evaluation of the freight road transport using the data envelopment analysis method - DEA

O transporte rodoviário de cargas no Brasil apresenta um número reduzido de estudos principalmente no que se refere às informações sobre seu desempenho. A avaliação de desempenho sempre foi um tema de grande importância para o planejamento de transportes. Atualmente, com o acirramento da competição, seu conhecimento torna-se indispensável para a sobrevivência das empresas, que devem mudar suas gestões de uma visão puramente operacional para uma visão de negócios. O objetivo do trabalho de pesquisa é explorar o potencial da aplicação do método de análise envoltória de dados (Data Envelopment Analysis - DEA) para a avaliação de desempenho de empresas prestadoras de serviços de transporte rodoviário de cargas. Esta ferramenta determina a eficiência relativa de cada unidade em análise (DMU), comparando-a com as demais e considerando a relação entre seus insumos (inputs) e produtos (outputs). No trabalho, é descrito o método acompanhado por uma aplicação prática que determina a eficiência de empresas do setor. A partir daí, foram construídas as tabelas de classificação de desempenho (rankings) destas empresas que serviram para estudos comparativos com outras tabelas divulgadas anualmente numa revista brasileira da área.The freight road transport in Brazil presents a reduced number of studies mainly in what it refers to performance information. The performance evaluation was always a theme of great importance in transport planning. Nowadays, because of the raise in competition, your knowledge becomes indispensable for the companie\'s survival, which should change your vision of management from purely operational to business. The objective of this work is to explore the application potential of the Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) method for the performance evaluation of companies which transport loads. The DEA method determines the relative efficiency of each unit in analysis (DMU) comparing it to the others units, and considering the relationship among inputs and outputs. In this work, the method is described followed by a practical example that determines the efficiency of the companies. Since then, rankings of performance of these companies were built for comparative studies with other ranking published annually in a specialized Brazilian magazine

Performance evaluation of the freight road transport using the data envelopment analysis method - DEA

O transporte rodoviário de cargas no Brasil apresenta um número reduzido de estudos principalmente no que se refere às informações sobre seu desempenho. A avaliação de desempenho sempre foi um tema de grande importância para o planejamento de transportes. Atualmente, com o acirramento da competição, seu conhecimento torna-se indispensável para a sobrevivência das empresas, que devem mudar suas gestões de uma visão puramente operacional para uma visão de negócios. O objetivo do trabalho de pesquisa é explorar o potencial da aplicação do método de análise envoltória de dados (Data Envelopment Analysis - DEA) para a avaliação de desempenho de empresas prestadoras de serviços de transporte rodoviário de cargas. Esta ferramenta determina a eficiência relativa de cada unidade em análise (DMU), comparando-a com as demais e considerando a relação entre seus insumos (inputs) e produtos (outputs). No trabalho, é descrito o método acompanhado por uma aplicação prática que determina a eficiência de empresas do setor. A partir daí, foram construídas as tabelas de classificação de desempenho (rankings) destas empresas que serviram para estudos comparativos com outras tabelas divulgadas anualmente numa revista brasileira da área.The freight road transport in Brazil presents a reduced number of studies mainly in what it refers to performance information. The performance evaluation was always a theme of great importance in transport planning. Nowadays, because of the raise in competition, your knowledge becomes indispensable for the companie\'s survival, which should change your vision of management from purely operational to business. The objective of this work is to explore the application potential of the Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) method for the performance evaluation of companies which transport loads. The DEA method determines the relative efficiency of each unit in analysis (DMU) comparing it to the others units, and considering the relationship among inputs and outputs. In this work, the method is described followed by a practical example that determines the efficiency of the companies. Since then, rankings of performance of these companies were built for comparative studies with other ranking published annually in a specialized Brazilian magazine

Knowledge of adolescents regarding sexually transmitted infections and pregnancy

ABSTRACT Objective: To investigate the knowledge of adolescents related to sexually transmitted infections (STIs), AIDS, and pregnancy, and understand the role of school in sex education. Method: A qualitative descriptive study, developed through a semi-structured interview and a form for participant characterization, with 22 high school students from a public school aged 16 to 19 years. Data were submitted to content analysis. Results: After analysis, four thematic categories were developed: sexuality and sex education; understanding of risk behaviors; knowledge of STI/AIDS; and knowledge of and practices for prevention. Final considerations: This study showed the need for preventive educational actions for adolescents, because the lack of information contributes to their vulnerability. The adolescents recognize the importance of sex education; therefore it is important to implement strategies to promote and protect health in the school environment to encourage and strengthen self-care in health

Prospective study of canine leptospirosis in shelter and stray dog populations: Identification of chronic carriers and different Leptospira species infecting dogs.

Dogs are highly susceptible to the leptospiral infection, notably stray and sheltered dogs. Unsanitary conditions often observed in dog shelters may predispose the introduction and spread of leptospires among sheltered populations, potentially increasing the chances for the inadvertent adoption of asymptomatically infected animals. The present work describes a longitudinal study using a multidisciplinary approach for the identification of chronically infected dogs and the characterization of potentially pathogenic strains circulating among stray and sheltered dog populations in São Paulo, Brazil. A total of 123 dogs from three populations were included. The initial evaluation consisted of blood and urine quantitative PCR testing (qPCR), the detection of specific antibodies by microscopic agglutination test (MAT), physical examination and hematological and serum biochemistry analyses. The qPCR-positive dogs were prospectively examined, and reevaluations also included culture from urine samples. Positive qPCR samples were subjected to 16S rRNA and secY gene phylogenetic analysis. The recovered strains were characterized by Multilocus Sequence Typing, polyclonal serogroup identification and virulence determination. Leptospiruria was detected in all populations studied (13/123), and phylogenetic analysis revealed that 10 dogs had L. interrogans infection. Three dogs (3/13) had L. santarosai infection. The secY phylogenetic analysis revealed that the L. santarosai sequences clustered separately from those obtained from other hosts. Ten leptospiruric dogs were reevaluated, and three dogs presented persistent leptospiruria, allowing culturing from two dogs. The strains were characterized as L. interrogans serogroup Canicola (virulent) and L. santarosai serogroup Sejroe (not virulent). Serum samples were retested by MAT using the DU92 and DU114 strains as antigens, and no increased seroreactivity was detected. Asymptomatic L. santarosai infection was observed in all populations studied, suggesting a possible role of dogs in the chain of transmission of this leptospiral species. The results suggest a genetic distinction between lineages of Brazilian L. santarosai maintained by dogs and other animal hosts. Our findings revealed that dogs could act as maintenance hosts for distinct pathogenic Leptospira, highlighting also that asymptomatically infected dogs can be inadvertently admitted and adopted in dog shelters, potentially increasing the risks of zoonotic transmission

A management information system for the purchasing activity at the Naval Postgraduate School.

The thesis addresses the initial development stages of an automated Management Information System (MIS) for use by the purchasing activity at the Naval Postgraduate School. It initially examines the policies, practices, procedures and processing techniques employed in the non-automated environment, and identifies key elements of interest which can be captured through automated techniques to improve the level of management information available. A system to capture, edit, input and store this information is discussed and an extensive analysis of the necessary output reports is offered. The thesis concludes by sizing the physical Requirements of the system and making specific recommendations regarding generic hardware requirements.http://archive.org/details/managementinform00cunnApproved for public release; distribution is unlimited

A clinical score to predict mortality in septic acute kidney injury patients requiring continuous renal replacement therapy: the HELENICC score

Abstract Background This study aimed to identify predictors of early (7-day) mortality in patients with septic acute kidney injury (AKI) who required continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT). Methods Prospective cohort of 186 septic AKI patients undergoing CRRT at a tertiary hospital, from October 2005 to November 2010. Results After multivariate adjustment, five variables were associated to early mortality: norepinephrine utilization, liver failure, medical condition, lactate level, and pre-dialysis creatinine level. These variables were combined in a score, which demonstrated good discrimination, with a C-statistic of 0.82 (95% CI = 0.76–0.88), and good calibration (χ 2 = 4.3; p = 0.83). SAPS 3, APACHE II and SOFA scores demonstrated poor performance in this population. Conclusions The HEpatic failure, LactatE, NorepInephrine, medical Condition, and Creatinine (HELENICC) score outperformed tested generic models. Future studies should further validate this score in different cohorts

The Ca2+-dependent Phosphatase Calcineurin Controls the Formation of the Carma1-Bcl10-Malt1 Complex during T Cell Receptor-induced NF-κB Activation*

T cell receptor (TCR) ligation induces increased diacylglycerol and Ca2+ levels in T cells, and both secondary messengers are crucial for TCR-induced nuclear factor of activated T cells (NF-AT) and NF-κB signaling pathways. One prominent calcium-dependent enzyme involved in the regulation of NF-AT and NF-κB signaling pathways is the protein phosphatase calcineurin. However, in contrast to NF-AT, which is directly dephosphorylated by calcineurin, the molecular basis of the calcium-calcineurin dependence of the TCR-induced NF-κB activity remains largely unknown. Here, we demonstrate that calcineurin regulates TCR-induced NF-κB activity by controlling the formation of a protein complex composed of Carma1, Bcl10, and Malt1 (CBM complex). For instance, increased calcium levels induced by ionomycin or thapsigargin augmented the phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate-induced formation of the CBM complex and activation of NF-κB, whereas removal of calcium by the calcium chelator EGTA-acetoxymethyl ester (AM) attenuated both processes. Furthermore, inhibition of the calcium-dependent phosphatase calcineurin with the immunosuppressive agent cyclosporin A (CsA) or FK506 as well as siRNA-mediated knockdown of calcineurin A strongly affected the PMA + ionomycin- or anti-CD3 + CD28-induced CBM complex assembly. Mechanistically, the positive effect of calcineurin on the CBM complex formation seems to be linked to a dephosphorylation of Bcl10. For instance, Bcl10 was found to be hyperphosphorylated in Jurkat T cells upon treatment with CsA or EGTA-AM, and calcineurin dephosphorylated Bcl10 in vivo and in vitro. Furthermore, we show here that calcineurin A interacts with the CBM complex. In summary, the evidence provided here argues for a previously unanticipated role of calcineurin in CBM complex formation as a molecular basis of the inhibitory function of CsA or FK506 on TCR-induced NF-κB activity