bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of Medication Reconciliation on Medication Error Rates in Community Hospital Cardiac Care Units
Authors: Benson John M. , Snow Greg
Published: December 2012

Background/Objective

Medication reconciliation has become a practice standard across the country. We conducted a prospective study to measure the impact of medication reconciliation on the rates of medication error in cardiac care units.

Methods

We used 2 cardiac care units of similar size and case mix index (a measure of patient acuity) at separate hospitals to measure the difference in changes in medication error rates when medication reconciliation was implemented in the study unit, but not the control unit. A total of 457 patients were enrolled. Medication histories were recorded and compared with medication orders at admission to the units and upon transfer or discharge from the units. Errors were categorized as omission, incorrect drug order details, therapeutic duplication, missing information, medication allergy, drug interaction, incorrect therapeutic substitution, or contraindication. Adjudication of errors was done by a 3-pharmacist panel that was blinded to study group. A Poisson regression model was used to determine the significance of the difference in error rate changes between the study and control units.

Results

Errors were found in 325 of 7,203 orders reviewed (4.5%). Medication error rates decreased from 7.2% to 3.4% in the study group (3.8% absolute error reduction) and from 4.3% to 3.3% in the control group (1% absolute error reduction). The difference in changes in error rates between groups was statistically significant ( P < .0001).

Conclusion

Medication reconciliation has been one of the most costly and difficult health care quality improvement initiatives in recent history. Based on our findings, it appears that significant reductions in medication errors, the primary purpose for its implementation, can be achieved.
Azithromycin-Induced Hepatotoxicity
Authors: Kim Mina , Hynicka Lauren M.
Published: December 2012

Objective

To report a case of hepatotoxicity in a patient receiving azithromycin.

Case Summary

A 38-year-old female was admitted for an acute exacerbation of her liver disease. The patient received a course of azithromycin 2 weeks prior to admission for a respiratory tract infection. On admission, the patient had elevated liver function tests (LFTs), ascites, jaundice with sclera icterus, and abdominal pain. Etiologies such as infection and worsening liver disease were ruled out, and the patient's symptoms and transaminitis were attributed to azithromycin-induced hepatotoxicity. The patient was medically managed with diuretics and discharged after the symptoms stabilized and LFTs were trending down.

Discussion

There are 6 previous case reports of patients experiencing azithromycin-induced hepatotoxicity. The patient's presentation and onset of symptoms after azithromycin initiation were similar to other patients. Although this patient had a history of steatohepatitis, progression of liver disease was ruled out and other etiologies were considered unlikely. The patient's laboratory values supported cholestatic liver injury, and the most likely cause of the transaminitis and symptoms was attributed to azithromycin. Although azithromycin is usually well-tolerated and liver injury is a rare adverse effect, there is increasing literature surrounding azithromycin-induced hepatotoxicity. The Naranjo adverse drug reaction probability scale revealed a possible interaction between azithromycin and the hepatotoxic adverse event.

Conclusions

We report a possible case of azithromycin-induced hepatotoxicity. Even though hepatotoxicity is an uncommon side effect of azithromycin, prescribers should be cognizant of this potential adverse effect in order to discontinue therapy as necessary and prevent re-exposure to the medication.
Is it Finally Time to Address Prevention and Wellness?
Authors: Felkey Bill G. , Fox Brent I.
Published: December 2012

So much of health care is focused on treating problems after they have presented. Clearly this is an important aspect of pharmacists' work. However, the United States lags behind many other countries in promoting health and wellness. In this column, we address technology-related health and wellness promotion opportunities.
Low 25-Hydroxyvitamin D and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes: A Prospective Cohort Study and Metaanalysis
Authors: Afzal Shoaib , Bojesen Stig E , Nordestgaard Børge G
Published: December 2012

BACKGROUND

Vitamin D deficiency has been implicated in decreased insulin secretion and increased insulin resistance, hallmarks of type 2 diabetes mellitus. We tested the hypothesis that low plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] is associated with increased risk of type 2 diabetes in the general population.

METHODS

We measured 25(OH)D in 9841 participants from the general population, of whom 810 developed type 2 diabetes during 29 years of follow-up. Analyses were adjusted for sex, age, smoking status, body mass index, income, physical activity, HDL cholesterol, and calendar month of blood draw.

RESULTS

Lower 25(OH)D concentrations, by clinical categories or seasonally adjusted quartiles, were associated with higher cumulative incidence of type 2 diabetes (trend, P = 2×10−7 and P = 4×10−10). Multivariable adjusted hazard ratios of type 2 diabetes were 1.22 (95% CI 0.85–1.74) for 25(OH)D <5 vs ≥20 μg/L and 1.35 (1.09–1.66) for lowest vs highest quartile. Also, the multivariable adjusted hazard ratio of type 2 diabetes for a 50% lower concentration of 25(OH)D was 1.12 (1.03–1.21); the corresponding hazard ratio for those ≤58 years old was 1.26 (1.15–1.41). Finally, in a metaanalysis of 16 studies, the odds ratio for type 2 diabetes was 1.50 (1.33–1.70) for the bottom vs top quartile of 25(OH)D.

CONCLUSIONS

We observed an association of low plasma 25(OH)D with increased risk of type 2 diabetes. This finding was substantiated in a metaanalysis.
Diurnal Rhythm rather than Dietary Iron Mediates Daily Hepcidin Variations
Authors: Schaap Charlotte CM , Hendriks Jan CM , Kortman Guus AM , Klaver Siem M , Kroot Joyce JC , Laarakkers Coby MM , Wiegerinck Erwin T , Tjalsma Harold , Janssen Mirian CH , Swinkels Dorine W
Published: December 2012

BACKGROUND

The iron-regulating hormone hepcidin is a promising biomarker in the diagnosis of iron disorders. Concentrations of hepcidin have been shown to increase during the day in individuals who are following a regular diet. It is currently unknown whether these increases are determined by an innate rhythm or by other factors. We aimed to assess the effect of dietary iron on hepcidin concentrations during the day.

METHODS

Within a 7-day interval, 32 volunteers received an iron-deficient diet on 1 day and the same diet supplemented with 65 mg ferrous fumarate at 0815 and 1145 on another day. Blood was drawn to assess ferritin, hepcidin-25, and transferrin saturation (TS) throughout both days at 4 time points between 0800 (fasted) and 1600. A linear mixed model for repeated data was used to analyze the effect of iron intake on TS and hepcidin concentrations.

RESULTS

Baseline values of hepcidin at 0800 correlated significantly with ferritin (r = 0.61). During the day of an iron-deficient diet the mean TS was similar both in men and in women, whereas hepcidin increased. During the day with iron supplementation the mean TS was significantly higher both in men and in women, and the mean hepcidin was moderately but significantly higher in women (1.0 nmol/L, 95% CI, 0.2–1.8) but not in men (0.0 nmol/L, 95% CI, −0.8 to 0.8).

CONCLUSIONS

Our data demonstrate that ferritin sets the basal hepcidin concentrations and suggest that innate diurnal rhythm rather than dietary iron mediates the daily hepcidin variations. These findings will be useful for optimizing sampling protocols and will facilitate the interpretation of hepcidin as an iron biomarker.
Influence of Reward on Corticospinal Excitability during Movement Preparation
Authors: Klein Pierre-Alexandre , Olivier Etienne , Duque Julie
Published: December 2012

Current models of decision making postulate that action selection entails a competition within motor-related areas. According to this view, during action selection, motor activity should integrate cognitive information (e.g., reward) that drives our decisions. We tested this hypothesis in humans by measuring motor-evoked potentials (MEPs) in a left finger muscle during motor preparation in a hand selection task, in which subjects performed left or right key presses according to an imperative signal. This signal was either obvious or ambiguous, but subjects were always asked to react as fast as possible. When the signal was really indistinct, any key press was regarded as correct, so subjects could respond “at random” in those trials. A score based on reaction times was provided after each correct response, and subjects were told they would receive a monetary reward proportional to their final score. Importantly, the scores were either equitable for both hands or favored implicitly left responses (rewardneutraland rewardbiasedblocks, respectively). We found that subjects selected their left hand more often in the rewardbiasedthan in the rewardneutralcondition, particularly after ambiguous signals. Moreover, left MEPs were larger, as soon as the signal appeared, in the rewardbiasedthan in the rewardneutralconditions. During the course of motor preparation, this effect became strongest following ambiguous signals, a condition in which subjects' choices relied strongly on the reward. These results indicate that motor activity is shaped by a cognitive variable that drives our choices, possibly in the context of a competition taking place within motor-related areas.
A Noncanonical Postsynaptic Transport Route for a GPCR Belonging to the Serotonin Receptor Family
Authors: Liebmann Thomas , Kruusmägi Markus , Sourial-Bassillious Nermin , Bondar Alexander , Svenningsson Per , Flajolet Marc , Greengard Paul , Scott Lena , Brismar Hjalmar , Aperia Anita
Published: December 2012

Postsynaptic receptor trafficking plays an essential role in tuning neurotransmission and signal plasticity and has emerged as a potential therapeutic target in neuropsychiatric disease. Using a novel application of fluorescence recovery after photobleaching in rat hippocampal neurons, we examined transport from the soma to dendrites of seven G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) implicated in mood disorders. Most GPCRs were delivered to dendrites via lateral diffusion, but one GPCR, the serotonin 1B receptor (5-HT1B), was delivered to the dendrites in secretory vesicles. Within the dendrites, 5-HT1Bwere stored in a reservoir of accessible vesicles that were recruited to preferential sites in plasma membrane, as observed with superecliptic pHluorin labeling. After membrane recruitment, 5-HT1Btransport via lateral diffusion and temporal confinement to inhibitory and excitatory synapses was monitored by single particle tracking. These results suggest an alternative mechanism for control of neuronal activity via a GPCR that has been implicated in mood regulation.
Subthalamic Lesion or Levodopa Treatment Rescues Giant GABAergic Currents of PINK1-Deficient Striatum
Authors: Dehorter Nathalie , Lozovaya Natalia , Mdzomba B. Julius , Michel François J. , Lopez Catherine , Tsintsadze Vera , Tsintsadze Timur , Klinkenberg Michael , Gispert Suzanna , Auburger Georg , Hammond Constance
Published: December 2012

Cellular electrophysiological signatures of Parkinson's disease described in the pharmacological 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) animal models of Parkinson's disease include spontaneous repetitive giant GABAergic currents in a subpopulation of striatal medium spiny neurons (MSNs), and spontaneous rhythmic bursts of spikes generated by subthalamic nucleus (STN) neurons. We investigated whether similar signatures are present in Pink1−/−mice, a genetic rodent model of the PARK6 variant of Parkinson's disease. Although 9- to 24-month-old Pink1−/−mice show reduced striatal dopamine content and release, and impaired spontaneous locomotion, the relevance of this model to Parkinson's disease has been questioned because mesencephalic dopaminergic neurons do not degenerate during the mouse lifespan. We show that 75% of the MSNs of 5- to 7-month-old Pink1−/−mice exhibit giant GABAergic currents, occurring either singly or in bursts (at 40 Hz), rather than the low-frequency (2 Hz), low-amplitude, tonic GABAergic drive common to wild-type MSNs of the same age. STN neurons from 5- to 7-month-old Pink1−/−mice spontaneously generated bursts of spikes instead of the control tonic drive. Chronic kainic acid lesion of the STN or chronic levodopa treatment reliably suppressed the giant GABAergic currents of MSNs after 1 month and replaced them with the control tonic activity. The similarity between thein vitroresting states of Pink1 MSNs and those of fully dopamine (DA)-depleted MSNs of 6-OHDA-treated mice, together with the beneficial effect of levodopa treatment, strongly suggest that dysfunction of mesencephalic dopaminergic neurons in Pink1−/−mice is more severe than expected. The beneficial effect of the STN lesion also suggests that pathological STN activity strongly influences striatal networks in Pink1−/−mice.
Individual Differences in Amygdala-Medial Prefrontal Anatomy Link Negative Affect, Impaired Social Functioning, and Polygenic Depression Risk
Authors: Holmes Avram J. , Lee Phil H. , Hollinshead Marisa O. , Bakst Leah , Roffman Joshua L. , Smoller Jordan W. , Buckner Randy L.
Published: December 2012

Individual differences in affective and social processes may arise from variability in amygdala-medial prefrontal (mPFC) circuitry and related genetic heterogeneity. To explore this possibility in humans, we examined the structural correlates of trait negative affect in a sample of 1050 healthy young adults with no history of psychiatric illness. Analyses revealed that heightened negative affect was associated with increased amygdala volume and reduced thickness in a left mPFC region encompassing the subgenual and rostral anterior cingulate cortex. The most extreme individuals displayed an inverse correlation between amygdala volume and mPFC thickness, suggesting that imbalance between these structures is linked to negative affect in the general population. Subgroups of participants were further evaluated on social (n= 206) and emotional (n= 533) functions. Individuals with decreased mPFC thickness exhibited the poorest social cognition and were least able to correctly identify facial emotion. Given prior links between disrupted amygdala–mPFC circuitry and the presence of major depressive disorder (MDD), we explored whether the individual differences in anatomy observed here in healthy young adults were associated with polygenic risk for MDD (n= 438) using risk scores derived from a large genome-wide association analysis (n= 18,759). Analyses revealed associations between increasing polygenic burden for MDD and reduced cortical thickness in the left mPFC. These collective findings suggest that, within the healthy population, there is significant variability in amygdala–mPFC circuitry that is associated with poor functioning across affective and social domains. Individual differences in this circuitry may arise, in part, from common genetic variability that contributes to risk for MDD.
Abnormal Synaptic Vesicle Biogenesis inDrosophila SynaptogyrinMutants
Authors: Stevens Robin J. , Akbergenova Yulia , Jorquera Ramon A. , Littleton J. Troy
Published: December 2012

Sustained neuronal communication relies on the coordinated activity of multiple proteins that regulate synaptic vesicle biogenesis and cycling within the presynaptic terminal. Synaptogyrin and synaptophysin are conserved MARVEL domain-containing transmembrane proteins that are among the most abundant synaptic vesicle constituents, although their role in the synaptic vesicle cycle has remained elusive. To further investigate the function of these proteins, we generated and characterized asynaptogyrin(gyr)-null mutant inDrosophila, whose genome encodes a single synaptogyrin isoform and lacks a synaptophysin homolog. We demonstrate thatDrosophilasynaptogyrin plays a modulatory role in synaptic vesicle biogenesis at larval neuromuscular junctions.Drosophilalacking synaptogyrin are viable and fertile and have no overt deficits in motor function. However, ultrastructural analysis ofgyrlarvae revealed increased synaptic vesicle diameter and enhanced variability in the size of synaptic vesicles. In addition, the resolution of endocytic cisternae into synaptic vesicles in response to strong stimulation is defective ingyrmutants. Electrophysiological analysis demonstrated an increase in quantal size and a concomitant decrease in quantal content, suggesting functional consequences for transmission caused by the loss of synaptogyrin. Furthermore, high-frequency stimulation resulted in increased facilitation and a delay in recovery from synaptic depression, indicating that synaptic vesicle exo-endocytosis is abnormally regulated during intense stimulation conditions. These results suggest that synaptogyrin modulates the synaptic vesicle exo-endocytic cycle and is required for the proper biogenesis of synaptic vesicles at nerve terminals.
Dissecting the Determinants of Light Sensitivity in Amphioxus Microvillar Photoreceptors: Possible Evolutionary Implications for Melanopsin Signaling
Authors: Ferrer Camilo , Malagón Gerardo , Gomez María del Pilar , Nasi Enrico
Published: December 2012

Melanopsin, a photopigment related to the rhodopsin of microvillar photoreceptors of invertebrates, evolved in vertebrates to subserve nonvisual light-sensing functions, such as the pupillary reflex and entrainment of circadian rhythms. However, vertebrate circadian receptors display no hint of a microvillar specialization and show an extremely low light sensitivity and sluggish kinetics. Recently in amphioxus, the most basal chordate, melanopsin-expressing photoreceptors were characterized; these cells share salient properties with both rhabdomeric photoreceptors of invertebrates and circadian receptors of vertebrates. We used electrophysiology to dissect the gain of the light-transduction process in amphioxus and examine key features that help outline the evolutionary transition toward a sensor optimized to report mean ambient illumination rather than mediating spatial vision. By comparing the size of current fluctuations attributable to single photon melanopsin isomerizations with the size of single-channels activated by light, we concluded that the gain of the transduction cascade is lower than in rhabdomeric receptors. In contrast, the expression level of melanopsin (gauged by measuring charge displacements during photo-induced melanopsin isomerization) is comparable with that of canonical visual receptors. A modest amplification in melanopsin-using receptors is therefore apparent in early chordates; the decrease in photopigment expression—and loss of the anatomical correlates—observed in vertebrates subsequently enabled them to attain the low photosensitivity tailored to the role of circadian receptors.
Apolipoprotein E, Not Fibrillar β-Amyloid, Reduces Cerebral Glucose Metabolism in Normal Aging
Authors: Jagust William J. , Landau Susan M. ,   For the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative
Published: December 2012

The ε4 allele of the polymorphic apolipoprotein E gene is associated with increased risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD), deposition of β-amyloid (Aβ), and reduction in cerebral glucose metabolism in asymptomatic people. Although ApoE4 may exert an effect on AD risk through amyloidogenic pathways, whether its effect on glucose metabolism is related to Aβ is unknown. To answer this question, we examined data from 175 cognitively normal older people (mean age, 77; 87 men, 88 women) in the Alzheimer's disease neuroimaging initiative studied concurrently with [18F]flurodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography measures of glucose metabolism and the radiotracer [18F]florbetapir, an imaging agent which labels fibrillar Aβin vivo. Based on a threshold value of florbetapir uptake determined in separate samples, subjects were categorized as florbetapir+ or florbetapir−. Glucose metabolism was measured as a continuous variable in a group of regions of interest (ROIs) selecteda prioribased on their involvement in AD, and also by using a whole-brain voxelwise approach. Among this sample, 29% of subjects were florbetapir+ and 23% were ApoE4 carriers. As expected, there was a significant association between ApoE4 genotype and florbetapir positivity. Florbetapir status, however, was not significantly associated with glucose metabolism, but the ApoE4 genotype was associated with lower metabolism in both voxelwise and ROI approaches. These results show that ApoE genotype, and not aggregated fibrillar forms of Aβ, contributes to reduced glucose metabolism in aging and adds to a growing list of neural consequences of ApoE that do not appear to be related to Aβ.
The Number and Organization of Ca2+Channels in the Active Zone Shapes Neurotransmitter Release from Schaffer Collateral Synapses
Authors: Scimemi Annalisa , Diamond Jeffrey S.
Published: December 2012

Fast synaptic transmission requires tight colocalization of Ca2+channels and neurotransmitter vesicles. It is generally thought that Ca2+channels are expressed abundantly in presynaptic active zones, that vesicles within the same active zone have similar release properties, and that significant vesicle depletion only occurs at synapses with high release probability. Here we show, at excitatory CA3→CA1 synapses in mouse hippocampus, that release from individual vesicles is generally triggered by only one Ca2+channel and that only few functional Ca2+channels may be spread in the active zone at variable distances to neighboring neurotransmitter vesicles. Using morphologically realistic Monte Carlo simulations, we show that this arrangement leads to a widely heterogeneous distribution of release probability across the vesicles docked at the active zone, and that depletion of the vesicles closest to Ca2+channels can account for the Ca2+dependence of short-term plasticity at these synapses. These findings challenge the prevailing view that efficient synaptic transmission requires numerous presynaptic Ca2+channels in the active zone, and indicate that the relative arrangement of Ca2+channels and vesicles contributes to the heterogeneity of release probability within and across synapses and to vesicle depletion at small central synapses with low average release probability.
Moderne Unternehmen in der vorindustriellen Zeit: Das Beispiel der Porzellanmanufaktur Meißen
Authors: Monti Alessandro
Published: December 2012

Analysis covering the early development of modern companies and the rise of strategies like marketing, pricing and product management has traditionally dated the beginning of modern business activity to the industrial revolution and the second half of the 19th century. Although this research on modern business history has recently received increasing attention, it remains rather unclear what makes a company truly “modern” and what the defining characteristics of such companies are. In addition, there is limited insight into whether the rise of modern companies might have started before the prevailing historical period of the 19th century. The following work tries to close this gap by providing a framework for identifying modern business operations and presenting a set of key elements that can be used as criteria for modern companies. It will be shown that modern companies can be traced back to as early as the beginning of the 18th century. This is achieved by presenting the case of the Meissen porcelain factory, which has been manufacturing porcelain since 1710, adopting a unique blend of modern market strategies.
Handlung, Firma, Unternehmen. Zur Institutionalisierung der modernen Unternehmung im 19. Jahrhundert
Authors: Banken Ralf
Published: December 2012

The article focusses on the development of companies’ legal forms and the institutionalisation of modern enterprises in the early 19th century German economic system. It demonstrates that the development of multiple modern enterprises in Germany after 1800 preceded the evolvement of statutory company legal forms, as modern company law was not introduced until the Allgemeines Deutsches Handelsgesetzbuch of 1861. By this time, the economic systems surrounding modern enterprises were already widespread and had become generally accepted institutions in economic life. The article concludes by analysing the institutionalisation of a company as a case in hand. The case study demonstrates – by taking Werner Sombart’s consideration of businesses “gaining independence” from their owners into account – that even the institutionalisation of one of the early large-scale enterprises –the Gutehoffnungshütte concern – involved a lengthy process, and was not achieved by the enterprises’ foundation or its choice of company legal form alone.
Experientia lucrativa? Erfahrungswissen und Wissenserfahrung im europäischen Mittelalter
Authors: Kintzinger Martin
Published: December 2012

In this essay Martin Kintzinger takes as his starting point observations on the current debate regarding knowledge and asserts a lack of reflection on the status of knowledge in pre-modern societies. In Sebastian Brant’s work ‘Narrenschiff’ and other contemporary critical writings, Kintzinger finds evidence that the medieval critique of experts was not by necessity a critique of expertise per se. Rather, it often was a critique of an expertise based on purely theoretical book learning, deemed unpractical and inapplicable. Significantly, there existed a counter-conception of an expert who possessed both theoretical knowledge and practical experience and who was deemed practically able to cure disease, or give valuable legal advice etc. Of course, the term experientia was first used in this context only around 1600. But Kintzinger argues that experience-based knowledge, which is associated with inductive inference and the modern natural sciences, was not a product of the early modern period. Rather, the notion of experience as a warrant of true knowledge was heavily rooted in medieval thought. This essay subsequently traces the emergence of the notion of experience to Scholasticism, to the thought of Thomas Aquinas and Albert the Great and to the medieval debate on the dualism between the arts and science, and between empiricus and theoricus respectively.
Surface Modified Boehmite Aluminas: A Versatile Approach to Nano-scale Particle Dispersion and Nanocomposites
Authors: Baxter Steven L.
Published: December 2012

Certain forms of monohydrate aluminum oxide, commonly known as boehmite or pseudoboehmite alumina, are known to disperse in water at low pH to nano-scale dimensions. The upsurge of interest in nano-scale structures has prompted our study of the surface modification of nano-scale boehmite aluminas with organic acids in order to achieve dispersion of these materials in non-aqueous systems and alkaline aqueous systems.

This paper discusses the variety of modifiers used to achieve compatibilization and dispersion of nano-sized particles of these boehmite aluminas in aqueous and organic matrices. Organic modification of a variety of crystallite sizes (5-60 nm) and shapes (plates, needles, blocks) has been achieved, including materials of high aspect ratio. We describe the properties of these dispersions, including primary particle size, dispersed particle size, and surface charge. Finally, we present physical property data of polymer nanocomposites prepared from these materials. These materials are based on a commercial process which has been in operation for over 40 years and which has global production capacities of 70,000 tons per annum.
Fighting climate change in the air: lessons from the EU directive on global aviation
Authors: Domingos Nicole de Paula
Published: December 2012

The European Union's (EU) decision to include aviation into the Emissions Trade Scheme was heatedly contested. Countries around the world, but mainly the Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa group (BRICS) and the US, denounced the EU's initiate as illegal and unilateral. Following a decade of frustrated negotiations at the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), this paper interrogates why such measure, in principle climate-friendly, inspired so much global resentment. I argue that concerns with competitiveness and risks of legal inconsistency are important, but insufficient elements to explain the core of the conflict. The paper suggests that the EU was strongly criticized because third countries perceived this action as an imposed solution, which fostered an environment of distrust. Therefore, I claim that the problem has more to do with a normative divide than with a substantive divergence on what should be done regarding aviation emissions. My analysis is informed by the present literature on the links between trade and climate change, but gives particular weight to first-hand information through interviews with key stakeholders. The paper is divided in three parts. First, it presents the scope of the EU directive in historical perspective. Second, it explores the EU's measure through three different angles: legal, economical and political. The final part explores some possible solutions to overcome these divergences.
The contribution of the European Union to global climate change governance: explaining the conditions for EU actorness
Authors: Pavese Carolina B. , Torney Diarmuid
Published: December 2012

Como organização regional, o papel da União Europeia na governança global do clima enfrenta obstáculos que não se aplicam a nenhuma outra parte da Convenção-Quadro das Nações Unidas sobre a Mudança do Clima (CQNUMC) e do Protocolo de Quioto. Avaliando essa singularidade, este artigo fornece uma analise teórica e empírica de como os elementos de actorness (reconhecimento, capacidade, oportunidade e coesão) definem a participação da UE no regime internacional de mudanças climáticas.
The Brazilian position on forests and climate change from 1997 to 2012: from veto to proposition
Authors: Carvalho Fernanda Viana de
Published: December 2012

This article describes the Brazilian position on forests and climate change from 1997 to 2012. It argues that it has evolved from a veto, which excluded from the climate change regime emissions from the conversion of native forests, to a proposition, as Brazil offered its approach to the international community. It explains the change with domestic developments: governance over deforestation, the emergence of new and relevant actors, and presidential diplomacy.
Propagação vegetativa do pau-jacaré (piptadenia gonoacantha (MART.) MACBR.) por estaquia
Authors: Hernández William , Xavier Aloisio , Paiva Haroldo Nogueira de , Wendling Ivar
Published: December 2012

O objetivo deste trabalho foi desenvolver uma metodologia para a propagação vegetativa do pau-jacaré (Piptadenia gonoacantha) por meio da técnica de estaquia, avaliando-se a sobrevivência e capacidade produtiva das cepas em coletas sucessivas de estacas em jardim clonal e a sobrevivência, enraizamento, altura, vigor e biomassa radicular e foliar das estacas, em função da aplicação de diferentes dosagens (0, 2.000 e 6.000 mg L-1) do regulador de crescimento ácido indolbutírico (AIB), do tipo de substrato (vermiculita e composto orgânico Mecplant®) e da posição das estacas (apical, intermediária e basal). Os melhores resultados foram evidenciados com as estacas apicais, utilizando o composto orgânico como substrato; no entanto, nas intermediárias e basais, a aplicação de AIB, na concentração de 6.000 mg L-1, foi a que mostrou valores médios mais elevados nas características avaliadas, em casa de vegetação, casa de sombra e pleno sol. A sobrevivência das cepas foi de 100%, tendo a produção de brotações com tendência crescente nas sucessivas coletas. Conclui-se que a propagação vegetativa do pau-jacaré, pela técnica de estaquia com propágulos oriundos de mudas produzidas por sementes, foi tecnicamente viável, principalmente quando se utilizaram estacas apicais ou intermediárias e basais, aplicando 6.000 mg L-1 de AIB e composto orgânico como substrato.
Florística e fitossociologia de espécies arbóreas e arbustivas em uma área de Caatinga em Arcoverde, PE, Brasil
Authors: Barbosa Mozart Duarte , Marangon Luiz Carlos , Feliciano Ana Lícia Patriota , Freire Fernando José , Duarte Gildete Maria Tenório
Published: December 2012

Os estudos de florística e fitossociologia contribuem significativamente para o conhecimento das formações florestais, visto que evidenciam a riqueza e heterogeneidade dos ambientes avaliados. O trabalho foi realizado em um fragmento de Caatinga hipoxerófila no Município de Arcoverde, PE, e teve como objetivo verificar a composição florística e parâmetros fitossociológicos das espécies arbóreas e arbustivas que compõem o fragmento. O estudo foi realizado em 40 parcelas de 10 x 25 m, sendo o nível de inclusão a circunferência a 1,3 m do solo com CAP > 10 cm. Foram estimados a densidade absoluta e relativa, a frequência absoluta e relativa, a dominância absoluta e relativa e o valor de importância; a diversidade específica foi dada pelo índice de diversidade de Shannon - Weaver (H') e equabilidade de Pielou, sendo determinada a distribuição hipsométrica em intervalos de 1 m e distribuição diamétrica em intervalos com amplitude de 3 cm. No levantamento florístico das adultas, foram encontrados 1.491 indivíduos vivos, distribuídos em 36 espécies arbóreo-arbustivas, 19 famílias e 31 gêneros. As famílias que mais se destacaram foram Mimosaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Anacardiaceae, Caesalpiniaceae e Rhamnaceae. O índice de diversidade de Shannon-Weaver foi de 2,05 nats/ind. e a equabilidade de Pielou, de 0,57. Nos sete parâmetros fitossociólogicos avaliados, as espécies que mais se destacaram foram Mimosa ophthalmocentra, Poincianella pyramidalis, Senegalia bahiensis, Senegalia paniculata, Croton blanchetianus e Mimosa tenuiflora, indicando ser essas espécies as mais bem adaptadas ao ambiente avaliado, tanto nas condições edafoclimáticas quanto na competição com as demais espécies presentes no fragmento de Caatinga em Arcoverde, PE.
Florística e estrutura do estrato arbustivo-arbóreo de uma floresta restaurada com 40 anos, Viçosa, MG
Authors: Miranda Neto Aurino , Martins Sebastião Venâncio , Silva Kelly de Almeida , Gleriani José Marinaldo
Published: December 2012

Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar o estrato arbustivo-arbóreo de uma floresta restaurada por meio de plantio, após 40 anos de sua implantação, no Município de Viçosa, MG. Foram alocadas na área total de 1 ha 16 parcelas contíguas de 25 x 25 m para avaliação do estrato arbustivo-arbóreo, registrando todos os indivíduos com CAP >15 cm. Também se realizou a classificação quanto à classe sucessional e à síndrome de dispersão, bem como a análise física e química do solo da floresta restaurada. Registraram-se 1.432 indivíduos, 112 espécies e 36 famílias, sendo 95 espécies nativas e 16 exóticas, com maior VI para espécie Guarea guidonia e família Fabaceae, alta diversidade (H'=3,51) e baixa dominância ecológica (J'=0,743), maior porcentagem da classe sucessional secundária inicial, em nível de espécie (34,82%), e de secundária tardia, em nível de indivíduos (34,29%), e predomínio de síndrome de dispersão zoocórica. A área basal foi de 47,8 m²/ha e a altura média de 10,6 m, variando de 2,2 m a 27,2 m. A camada de 0-20 cm do solo apresentou média saturação de bases (V = 43,40%) e a camada de 20-40 cm baixa saturação de bases (V = 34,70%), com densidades do solo (1,08 e 1,07 kg/m³) dentro da faixa ideal para solos com textura argilosa. A floresta restaurada, após 40 anos, alcançou patamar semelhante às Florestas Estacionais Semideciduais, em estádio avançado de sucessão, da região de Viçosa, MG, em termos dos parâmetros fitossociológicos no estrato arbustivo-arbóreo.
Caracterização das condições de microssítio de áreas em restauração com diferentes idades
Authors: Bertacchi Maria Isabel Ferreira , Brancalion Pedro Henrique Santin , Brondani GilvanoEbling , Medeiros João Carlos , Rodrigues Ricardo Ribeiro
Published: December 2012

Os microssítios de regeneração são caracterizados por diversas combinações de atributos que representam condições que influenciam a germinação de sementes e o estabelecimento de plântulas. O conhecimento desses atributos pode contribuir para a determinação de metodologias adequadas de manejo, visando ao restabelecimento dos processos ecológicos nas áreas em processo de restauração. Dessa forma, o objetivo deste trabalho foi caracterizar e diferenciar as condições físico-químicas de microssítios de regeneração de áreas em processo de restauração florestal, visando identificar possíveis limitações físicas e químicas ao estabelecimento de espécies arbóreas nativas no sub-bosque. O estudo foi desenvolvido em reflorestamentos de espécies nativas com diferentes idades (10, 22 e 55 anos). Foi realizada a avaliação do grau de compactação, porosidade, umidade, conteúdo de matéria orgânica e nutrientes e granulometria do solo, bem como a massa de matéria seca de serapilheira e a cobertura do dossel de cada área de estudo. Houve aumento da cobertura do dossel, da porosidade, da umidade, do conteúdo de argila, da matéria orgânica e de outros nutrientes, e uma diminuição da compactação do solo, com o aumento da idade da restauração. Assim, conclui-se que, com a evolução da restauração, as condições de microssítio de regeneração estão se assemelhando gradativamente às presentes nos ecossistemas de referência, sendo este um aspecto positivo para que o recrutamento de espécies nativas seja favorecido ao longo do tempo.
Modelagem da distribuição diamétrica em povoamentos de eucalipto submetidos a desbaste utilizando autômatos celulares
Authors: Binoti Daniel Henrique Breda , Binoti Mayra Luiza Marques da Silva , Leite Hélio Garcia , Silva Antonilmar , Santos Ana Carolina de Albuquerque
Published: December 2012

Este estudo apresenta um modelo de distribuição diamétrica baseado em um modelo de Autômatos celulares (AC) unidimensionais e redes neurais artificiais (RNA) para a simulação de desbaste. Cada célula do AC proposto representa uma classe de dap, sendo o estado futuro previsto em função do estado atual dessa célula, do estado de suas quatro células vizinhas e de sua idade atual e futura. Como regra de evolução, utilizou-se uma RNA. A exatidão foi avaliada empregando-se o procedimento estatístico L relação entre frequências observada e estimada e realismo biológico do modelo construído. Entre as redes treinadas, foram selecionadas as 10 que representavam a evolução da distribuição diamétrica com maior exatidão. Entre essas 10 RNA, sete apresentaram valores estimados estatisticamente iguais aos observados (p>0,01). O enfoque de modelagem proposto permite estimar distribuições diamétricas futuras com exatidão.
Propriedades da madeira e estimativas de massa, carbono e energia de clones de Eucalyptus plantados em diferentes locais
Authors: Santos Larissa Carvalho , Carvalho Ana Márcia Macedo Ladeira , Pereira Bárbara Luísa Corradi , Oliveira Aylson Costa , Carneiro Angélica de Cássia Oliveira , Trugilho Paulo Fernando
Published: December 2012

As diferentes espécies de Eucalyptus são aptas para os mais diversos usos, sendo sua madeira amplamente empregada na geração de energia a partir da sua queima direta na forma de lenha ou da sua conversão em carvão vegetal. Além das propriedades da madeira, informações a respeito da estimativa de massa, carbono fixado e quantidade de energia disponível por área de plantio são importantes para a previsão da quantidade de produtos a ser gerada por material genético em dado local. Diante da importância que a matéria-prima, no caso a madeira, tem na produção de energia, este estudo objetivou, principalmente, estimar a massa, carbono e energia da madeira de três clones de Eucalyptus em diferentes locais, com o intuito de direcionar os clones que melhor se adaptam aos locais avaliados. Observou-se relação positiva entre incremento médio anual e acúmulo de massa de matéria seca de madeira, massa de carbono e energia. Não se verificou relação entre o local e a densidade, e não houve diferença significativa para poder calorífico superior entre os diferentes materiais. Os clones 1 e 3 apresentaram melhor desenvolvimento em Turmalina. Em Itacambira, os melhores resultados foram obtidos com o clone 2.
A inovação tecnológica na perspectiva dos gestores da indústria madeireira da região de Lages, SC
Authors: Simioni Flávio José , Binotto Erlaine , Hoff Debora Nayar
Published: December 2012

As inovações tecnológicas assumem papel importante na competitividade da indústria madeireira. Assim, o objetivo deste artigo foi descrever como se dá a inovação tecnológica em empresas madeireiras localizadas na Serra catarinense, considerando-se as fontes de inovação tecnológica e as formas de aprendizado que levam à incorporação de tecnologias. Trata-se de uma pesquisa exploratória, utilizando um questionário como instrumento de coleta de dados aplicado a uma amostra de 36 gestores de empresas madeireiras. As categorias de análise foram: as fontes de inovação tecnológias e as formas de aprendizado; os tipos de inovações e o local de aplicação; e as estratégias adotadas para a inovação tecnológica. Os resultados identificaram que a interação com fornecedores a partir de suas próprias potencialidades é a principal forma de buscar a inovação tecnológica nos processos produtivos. As empresas buscam o aprendizado por meio do fazer (learning by doing). Reuniões e capacitações são as formas utilizadas para o estímulo às inovações, que por sua vez são avaliadas no curto prazo. Conclui-se que as inovações tecnológicas são desenvolvidas, sobretudo, por P próprios, introdução de máquinas e equipamentos e pelo aprendizado via interação com fornecedores, as quais podem ser classificadas como incrementais, fundamentalmente inseridas no processo produtivo, via estratégias defensivas e imitativas.
Allelopathic effect of black mustard tissues and root exudates on some crops and weeds
Authors: Al-Sherif E , Hegazy A.K. , Gomaa N.H. , Hassan M.O.
Published: December 2012

Laboratory and greenhouse experiments were conducted to evaluate the phytotoxic effect of black mustard extracts and root exudates on two crops: Trifolium alexandrinum and Triticum aestivum, and two weeds: Phalaris paradoxa and Sisymbrium irio. The seeds were treated with aqueous and ethanolic extracts and chloroform for eight days, or subjected to root exudates of just harvested mustard in a greenhouse for five weeks. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to quantify phytotoxins from plant tissues. Seed germination of P. paradoxa was reduced with the lowest concentration of the different extracts. However, the aqueous extract at 4% completely curtailed the germination of all the target species. In general, plant extracts had a concentration-dependent reduction of seedling growth of the target species. However, the ethanolic extract, at the lowest concentration, has stimulated the shoot length of both T. alexandrinum and T. aestivum, and the root length of the former. Mustard root exudates inhibited emergence and growth of the target species throughout the experiment. Ferulic and syringic acids were the dominant allelochemicals found when HPLC was used.
Sourgrass densities affecting the initial growth and macronutrient content of coffee plants
Authors: Carvalho L.B , Alves P.L.C.A , Bianco S
Published: December 2012

The objective of this work was to evaluate the coexistence effects of coffee (Coffea arabica) with densities of sourgrass (Digitaria insularis) on crop macronutrient content and plant growth. The experiment was conducted in plots where one coffee plant was maintained in coexistence with 0 (weed-free check), 1, 2, 4, 8, and 16 sourgrass plants, using a completely randomized design with three replicates. Reduction of coffee growth and macronutrient content, except P that increased, started when the coexistence occurred with sourgrass plants in a density of 1 plant per plot. In general, macronutrient content was reduced by 18-50%, while growth characteristics were reduced by 9-41%, when coffee plants coexisted with 16 plants of sourgrass. Thus, sourgrass competition for nutrients was a strong factor limiting coffee plant growth.
Variação do tamanho de sementes de plantas daninhas e sua influência nos padrões de emergência das plântulas
Authors: Araldi R , Velini E.D , Gomes G.L.G.C , Carbonari C.A , Alves E , Trindade M.L.B
Published: December 2012

Estudos relacionados ao tamanho de sementes e sua influência no processo germinativo de plantas daninhas são necessários devido à grande importância das espécies e à escassez de informações relacionadas à produção de sementes dessas plantas. Dessa forma, este trabalho objetivou estudar a variação do tamanho de sementes de 12 espécies de plantas daninhas e a emergência de duas dessas espécies semeadas em diferentes profundidades. Foi mensurado o peso unitário de 200 sementes por espécie de planta daninha selecionada e estabelecidas curvas de distribuição das frequências não acumuladas para o peso das sementes das espécies, utilizando-se o modelo de Gompertz. Após a classificação por tamanho (pequenas, médias e grandes), sementes de Ipomoea purpurea e Brachiaria decumbens foram semeadas em campo, em canteiros de 1,2 m², em diferentes profundidades no solo (2, 4, 6, 8 e 10 cm) de cada tratamento (profundidade); efetuaram-se quatro repetições. De maneira geral, no primeiro estudo, os resultados indicaram que não há como se referir ao peso de sementes das espécies de plantas daninhas estudadas considerando-se apenas a média dessa característica, devido à variação que pode ser encontrada. Essa grande variação no tamanho das sementes pode estar associada, também, a variações nos padrões de emergência, o que foi verificado no segundo estudo para a espécie I. purpurea. O índice de velocidade de emergência para I. purpurea foi maior para 4 cm de profundidade nas sementes pequenas, 8 cm nas sementes médias e de 6 a 10 cm de profundidade nas sementes grandes.
Upland rice yield as affected by previous summer crop rotation (soybean or upland rice) and glyphosate management on cover crops
Authors: Nascente A.S , Crusciol C.A.C , Stone L.F , Cobucci T
Published: December 2012

The appropriate chemical management of cover crops in no-tillage aims to obtain greater benefits with its employment in agricultural systems. The objective of this study was to assess upland rice yield as affected by the previous summer crop, species and desiccation timing of cover crops by glyphosate. Sown cover crops were sown (November 2007), followed by rice in half of the experimental area and soybean in the other half (November 2008). After the harvesting of these crops, the same cover crops were sown again (March 2009) and followed by upland rice in the total area (November 2009). The experiment consisted of the combination of five cover crops (fallow, Panicum maximum, Brachiaria ruziziensis, B. brizantha and Pennisetum glaucum), four desiccation timings (30, 20, 10 and 0 days before rice sowing), and two antecedents of the summer crop (rice or soybean) under no-tillage system (NTS), plus two control treatments at conventional tillage system (CTS). Cover crops significantly affect rice grain yield and its components. There is a significant tendency to highest yield when cover crop desiccation is conducted farther from the rice sowing date (from 2,577.1 kg ha-1 - desiccation at rice sowing to 3,115.30 kg ha-1 - desiccation 30 days before rice sowing). Soybean as an antecedent of summer crop allows better upland rice yield (3,754 kg ha-1) than rice as an antecedent of summer crop (2,635 kg ha-1); fallow/soybean/fallow (4,507 kg ha-1) and millet/soybean/millet (4,765 kg ha-1) rotation at no-tillage system, and incorporated fallow /soybean/ incorporated fallow (4,427 kg ha-1) at conventional tillage system allow the highest rice yield; upland rice yield is similar at no-till (3,194 kg ha-1) and till system (2,878 kg ha-1).