bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Análise climática da Bacia Hidrográfica do Rio Mamanguape
Authors: Santos Elydeise C. A. dos , Araújo Lincoln E. de , Marcelino Aliny dos S.
Published: January 2015

A precipitação no Nordeste brasileiro apresenta grande variabilidade, motivo pelo qual o monitoramento dos períodos secos e chuvosos se faz necessário, haja vista ser imprescindível para garantir o gerenciamento adequado dos recursos hídricos. Neste sentido foi utilizado o Índice de Anomalia de Chuva a fim de monitorar os períodos secos e chuvosos e suas intensidades. Utilizaram-se dados de 31 postos distribuídos ao longo da Bacia Hidrográfica do Rio Mamanguape com série histórica de 18 anos (de 1994 a 2011). Dentro de cada ano foram observados dois períodos distintos, um período úmido, que vai de março a agosto e um período seco, que se estende de setembro a fevereiro. Esta pesquisa apresenta a climatologia espacial da bacia, a qual evidenciou três regiões distintas, sendo a primeira a região leste, a segunda é a região central e a terceira é a região oeste. Por fim, foram efetuadas projeções de redução e aumento da precipitação em 20% sobre o valor atual obtido a partir da série histórica, como recomendado pelo IPCC (2001); foi possível, desta forma, projetar futuras variações climáticas na região da bacia as quais são passíveis de alterar, de maneira significativa, seu aporte hídrico.
Reliability of adenoid hypertrophy diagnosis by cephalometric radiography
Authors: RETCHESKI Alexandre Jose , SILVA Nelson Padilha da , LEITE Fernanda , NOUER Paulo Roberto Aranha
Published: January 2015

OBJECTIVE: To verify the reliability of adenoid hypertrophy diagnosis by cephalometric radiography. METHOD: Thirty male subjects, aged between 12 and 15 years, either mouth-breathers, or not, were selected. Diagnostic tests for adenoid hypertrophy were performed by radiological cephalometry based on lateral cephalometric radiographs and nasal endoscopy (gold standard). The CefX Cephalometric software program, version 2000 was used and the rhinoscopy was performed with a flexible endoscope. Blockage of 47% and 75% of the nasopharynx were taken as the cutoff points for cephalometric radiography and endoscopy, respectively. RESULTS: The correlation between the two examinations was considered moderately positive (0.5). Tests of validity and reliability reported a sensitivity of 100%; specificity 65.5%; positive predictive value of 9.1%; negative predictive value 100%, and exactness of 66.60%. CONCLUSION: Lateral cephalometric radiography was considered practical and comfortable for the patient; relatively efficient for detecting adenoid hypertrophy and obtaining the diagnosis of nasopharyngeal airway obstruction.
Information available on the internet about pain after orthognathic surgery: A careful review
Authors: Pithon Matheus Melo , Santos Elinailton Silva dos
Published: January 2015

OBJECTIVE: Investigate the quality of data available on the internet with respect to pain after orthognathic surgery.METHODS: A careful search was conducted on the Internet in December, 2012. The most accessed websites browsers were employed for research using the terms: "pain" and "orthognathic surgery" together. The first 30 results of each portal were examined, and after applying the exclusion criteria, 29 sites remained. All remaining websites went through an evaluation process with online tools that investigated the quality, level of reading, accessibility, usability and reliability.RESULTS: Assessment criteria outcomes were considered unfavorable. Texts were considered difficult to read with inappropriate language for the general public. The mean global validation for the 29 websites of the LIDA instrument was 65.10, thereby indicating a structure of medium quality.CONCLUSION: Information about post-orthognathic surgery pain available on the internet is poorly written and unreliable. Therefore, candidates for orthognathic surgery must seek information from specialists who, in turn, should indicate reliable sources.
A crise da psiquiatria centrada no diagnóstico e o futuro da clínica psiquiátrica: psicopatologia, antropologia médica e o sujeito da psicanálise
Authors: Pereira Mario Eduardo Costa
Published: January 2015

O avanço da psiquiatria contemporânea pelas vias da biomedicina conduziu à impressão de que a psicopatologia, enquanto ciência do padecimento humano em suas diferentes dimensões, teria se tornado obsoleta. Uma nosologia psiquiátrica construída em bases exclusivamente biológicas e experimentais tomaria seu lugar, fundando definitivamente a psiquiatria como especialidade médica de pleno direito. O presente artigo examina os impasses desse projeto de redução do psicopatológico ao nosológico e aponta algumas pistas pelas quais a teorização psicanalítica do sujeito e de seu pathos poderia fornecer as bases antropológicas para a fundação de uma psicopatologia apta a sustentar a clínica psiquiátrica.
Experiência, narrativa e conhecimento: a perspectiva do psiquiatra e a do usuário
Authors: Serpa Junior Octavio , Campos Rosana Onocko , Malajovich Nuria , Pitta Ana Maria , Diaz Alberto Giovanello , Dahl Catarina , Leal Erotildes
Published: January 2015

O presente estudo, realizado em parceria entre UFRJ, UNICAMP e UFBA, pretendeu conhecer a experiência das pessoas com o diagnóstico de transtorno do espectro esquizofrênico, em tratamento nos CAPS, e a experiência dos psiquiatras inseridos na rede pública de atenção à saúde mental. Narrativas relacionadas ao processo saúde-doença, no caso de pessoas com diagnóstico de esquizofrenia, e narrativas sobre o processo de formulação do diagnóstico de esquizofrenia, prognóstico e tratamento, no caso dos psiquiatras, foram estudadas. Este é um estudo qualitativo, multicêntrico, informado pelas abordagens teóricas da Análise Interpretativa Fenomenológica e da Antropologia médica, realizado nas cidades de Campinas, Rio de Janeiro e Salvador. A principal ferramenta metodológica empregada para produção das narrativas foram os grupos focais. Técnicas da entrevista de explicitação foram incorporadas. As categorias identificadas no estudo - Experiência de Adoecimento, Diagnóstico de Esquizofrenia, Estigma Social, Experiência de Restabelecimento e Tratamento e o Contexto Dinâmico dos CAPS - e as narrativas que as compuseram foram apresentadas e discutidas com o propósito de dar visibilidade aos elementos que caracterizam as narrativas-experiências dos parcipantes e indicar o modo como se configura sua complexidade.
Psiquiatria no século XXI: transformações a partir da integração com a Atenção Primária pelo matriciamento
Authors: Fortes Sandra , Menezes Alice , Athié Karen , Chazan Luiz Fernando , Rocha Helio , Thiesen Joana , Ragoni Celina , Pithon Thiago , Machado Angela
Published: January 2015

A lacuna de cuidados em Saúde Mental (SM) é um problema mundial. A Atenção Primária à Saúde (APS) é a base para estruturação da rede assistencial integral que o solucione. Sua integração com a Psiquiatria é parte deste desafio. Partindo da pergunta norteadora "Como vem sendo desenvolvida a inserção da APS no cuidado em Saúde Mental através da integração com a Psiquiatria pelo Matriciamento?", este artigo analisa a participação da Psiquiatria na organização da assistência em saúde mental centrada na APS, dentro de um modelo integral de cuidado em saúde. Foi utilizada metodologia qualitativa baseada na problematização da integração do Psiquiatra com as equipes da Estratégia de Saúde da Família no processo de matriciamento, sistematizam-se as experiências e conhecimento desenvolvidos pelos autores nos projetos do Laboratório Interdisciplinar de Pesquisa em APS da Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro. A partir dos referenciais conceituais dos Cuidados Colaborativos, Apoio Matricial, Matriciamento e Cuidado Integral, e da caracterização das demandas clínicas de SM mais frequentes na APS, discutem-se as repercussões destes na estruturação do cuidado em SM, na formação médica e na transformação da Psiquiatria. Conclui-se que a APS é um novo campo de atuação da Psiquiatria trazendo desafios importantes para a formação e a assistência em SM.
Undulatory physical resistance training program increases maximal strength in elderly type 2 diabetics
Authors: Santos Gilberto Monteiro dos , Montrezol Fábio Tanil , Pauli Luciana Santos Souza , Sartori-Cintra Angélica Rossi , Colantonio Emilson , Gomes Ricardo José , Marinho Rodolfo , Moura Leandro Pereira de , Pauli José Rodrigo
Published: January 2015

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of a specific protocol of undulatory physical resistance training on maximal strength gains in elderly type 2 diabetics.Methods The study included 48 subjects, aged between 60 and 85 years, of both genders. They were divided into two groups: Untrained Diabetic Elderly (n=19) with those who were not subjected to physical training and Trained Diabetic Elderly (n=29), with those who were subjected to undulatory physical resistance training. The participants were evaluated with several types of resistance training’s equipment before and after training protocol, by test of one maximal repetition. The subjects were trained on undulatory resistance three times per week for a period of 16 weeks. The overload used in undulatory resistance training was equivalent to 50% of one maximal repetition and 70% of one maximal repetition, alternating weekly. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences (p<0.05) between pre-test and post-test over a period of 16 weeks.Results The average gains in strength were 43.20% (knee extension), 65.00% (knee flexion), 27.80% (supine sitting machine), 31.00% (rowing sitting), 43.90% (biceps pulley), and 21.10% (triceps pulley).Conclusion Undulatory resistance training used with weekly different overloads was effective to provide significant gains in maximum strength in elderly type 2 diabetic individuals.
Perioperative hypothermia and incidence of surgical wound infection: a bibliographic study
Authors: Silva Aline Batista da , Peniche Aparecida de Cassia Giani
Published: January 2015

The purpose of this review article was to understand and analyze the scientific production related to the occurrence of perioperative hypothermia and the incidence of infection on the surgical site. For this purpose, a search was conducted in the databases LILACS, MEDLINE, PubMed, CINAHL and Cochrane, using the health science descriptors DECS, from 2004 to 2009. A total of 91 articles were found. After eliminating duplicate items and using selection criteria for inclusion, six manuscripts remained for analysis. The studies were classified as retrospective, prospective, case studies, and clinical trials. After analysis, the majority of studies showed that hypothermia must be prevented during the perioperative period to reduce complications in the healing process of the surgical incision. Therefore, unadverted hypothermia directly influences in surgical site healing, increasing the incidence of infection in the surgical wound.
Efficacy and safety of the single-capsule combination of fluticasone/formoterol in patients with persistent asthma: a non-inferiority trial
Authors: Antilla Marti , Castro Fábio , Cruz Álvaro , Rubin Adalberto , Rosário Nelson , Stelmach Rafael
Published: January 2015

OBJECTIVE: Fluticasone and formoterol are effective in the treatment of asthma. When a corticosteroid alone fails to control asthma, combination therapy is the treatment of choice. The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of formulations containing budesonide/formoterol (BUD/FOR), fluticasone alone (FLU), and the single-capsule combination of fluticasone/formoterol (FLU/FOR) on lung function in patients with mild-to-moderate persistent asthma. METHODS: This was a randomized, multicenter, open phase III trial conducted in Brazil. The primary efficacy analysis was the assessment of non-inferiority between FLU/FOR and BUD/FOR combinations regarding FEV1 (in L) at the final visit. The secondary analyses were PEF, level of asthma control, serum cortisol levels, frequency of adverse events, adherence to treatment, and appropriate inhaler use. RESULTS: We randomized 243 patients to three groups: FLU/FOR (n = 79), BUD/FOR (n = 83), and FLU (n = 81). In terms of the mean FEV1 after 12 weeks of treatment, the difference between the FLU/FOR and BUD/FOR groups was 0.22 L (95% CI: −0.06 to 0.49), whereas the difference between the FLU/FOR and FLU groups was 0.26 L (95% CI: −0.002 to 0.52). Non-inferiority was demonstrated by the difference between the lower limits of the two 95% CIs (−0.06 vs. −0.002). The level of asthma control and PEF were significantly greater in the FLU/FOR and BUD/FOR groups than in the FLU group. There were no significant differences among the groups regarding patient adherence, patient inhaler use, or safety profile of the formulations. CONCLUSIONS: The single-capsule combination of FLU/FOR showed non-inferiority to the BUD/FOR and FLU formulations regarding efficacy and safety, making it a new treatment option for persistent asthma.
Correlates of experimentation with smoking and current cigarette consumption among adolescents
Authors: Bonilha Amanda Gimenes , Ruffino-Netto Antonio , Sicchieri Mayara Piani , Achcar Jorge Alberto , Rodrigues-Júnior Antonio Luiz , Baddini-Martinez José
Published: January 2015

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to analyze social characteristics and stress as correlates of cigarette smoking in adolescence. The main intent was to identify elements that distinguish adolescents who had experimented with smoking and did not progress to regular smoking from those who became current smokers. METHODS: Students at 10 high schools in the city of Ribeirão Preto, Brazil, completed a questionnaire based on an instrument employed in a similar large-scale study. The students were classified as never-smokers or experimenters. The experimenters were subcategorized as having become current smokers or nonprogressors. Analyses were performed using adjusted logistic models. RESULTS: A total of 2,014 students (mean age, 16.2 ± 1.1 years; females, 53%) completed the questionnaire. We categorized 1,283 students (63.7%) as never-smokers, 244 (12.1%) as current smokers, and 487 (24.2%) as nonprogressors. We found that experimentation with smoking was associated with being held back a grade in school (OR = 1.80), alcohol intake (low/occasional, OR = 8.92; high/regular, OR = 2.64), illicit drug use (OR = 9.32), having a sibling or cousin who smokes (OR = 1.39), having a friend who smokes (OR = 2.08), and high levels of stress (in females only, OR = 1.32). Factors associated with an increased risk of transitioning from experimenter to current smoker were alcohol intake (low/occasional, OR = 3.28; high/regular, OR = 2.16), illicit drug use (OR = 3.61), and having a friend who smokes (OR = 7.20). CONCLUSIONS: Current smoking was associated with a profile of socioeconomic correlates different from that associated with experimentation only. Our data (showing that current smoking was associated with having a friend who smokes, alcohol intake, and illicit drug use) suggest the need for comprehensive approaches to discourage substance use during adolescence.
Facial pressure zones of an oronasal interface for noninvasive ventilation: a computer model analysis
Authors: Barros Luana Souto , Talaia Pedro , Drummond Marta , Natal-Jorge Renato
Published: January 2015

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of an oronasal interface (OI) for noninvasive ventilation, using a three-dimensional (3D) computational model with the ability to simulate and evaluate the main pressure zones (PZs) of the OI on the human face. METHODS: We used a 3D digital model of the human face, based on a pre-established geometric model. The model simulated soft tissues, skull, and nasal cartilage. The geometric model was obtained by 3D laser scanning and post-processed for use in the model created, with the objective of separating the cushion from the frame. A computer simulation was performed to determine the pressure required in order to create the facial PZs. We obtained descriptive graphical images of the PZs and their intensity. RESULTS: For the graphical analyses of each face-OI model pair and their respective evaluations, we ran 21 simulations. The computer model identified several high-impact PZs in the nasal bridge and paranasal regions. The variation in soft tissue depth had a direct impact on the amount of pressure applied (438-724 cmH2O). CONCLUSIONS: The computer simulation results indicate that, in patients submitted to noninvasive ventilation with an OI, the probability of skin lesion is higher in the nasal bridge and paranasal regions. This methodology could increase the applicability of biomechanical research on noninvasive ventilation interfaces, providing the information needed in order to choose the interface that best minimizes the risk of skin lesion.
Quantifying ecosystem quality by modeling multi‐attribute expert opinion
Authors: Sinclair Steve J. , Griffioen Peter , Duncan David H. , Millett-Riley Jessica E. , White Matthew D.
Published: January 2015

The evaluation of ecosystem quality is inherently subjective, requiring decisions about which variables to notice or measure, and how these variables are integrated into a coherent evaluation. Despite the central role of human judgment, few evaluation methods address the subjectivity that is inherent in their design. There are, however, advantages to directly using opinion to create an expert system where the metric is constructed around opinion data. These advantages include stakeholder inclusion and the encouragement of a dialogue of data‐driven criticism rather than subjective counter‐opinion.

We create an expert system to express the quality of a grassland ecosystem in Australia. We use an ensemble of bagged regression trees trained on calibrated expert preference data, to model the perceived quality of this grassland using a set of eight site variables as inputs. The model provides useful predictions of grassland quality, producing predictions similar to real expert evaluations of independent synthetic test sites not used to train the model. We apply the model to real grassland sites ranging from pristine to highly degraded, and confirm that our model orders the sites according to their degree of modification. We demonstrate that the use of too few experts produces relatively poor results, and show that for our problem the use of data from over twenty experts is appropriate. The scaling approach we used to calibrate between‐expert data is shown to be an appropriate mechanism for aggregating the opinions of multiple experts.

The resultant model will be useful in many contexts, and can be used by managers as a tool to evaluate real sites. It can also be integrated into ecological models of change as a means of evaluating predicted changes, for example, as a measure of utility when combined with cost estimates. The basic approach demonstrated here is applicable to any ecosystem, and we discuss the opportunities and limitations of its wider use.
Dynamics of river bed processes of the Ural River in Western Kazakhstan
Authors: Sergaliev N. Kh. , Akhmedenov K. M.
Published: January 2015

A retrospective analysis of river bed deformation over a 34-year period has been carried out for the first time for the Ural River in West Kazakhstan, in different environmental conditions. Horizontal shifts of the Ural riverbed have been defined according to space shots made in 2012. Erosion risk, as a result of horizontal displacement of the river bed has been determined in West Kazakhstan. A geomorphologic description of the Ural River bed and floodplain, and the dynamics of channel processes in the river within West Kazakhstan are given. The probable pattern of channel realignments for the Ural River has been determined. The paper describes the results of map compilation and related data consolidation with respect to the horizontal river bed shifts in West Kazakhstan, and includes a review of characteristics of the hydrologic and hydrochemical regimes of the river. The main river bed types, which are typical of flat terrain, are also discussed. West Kazakhstan is a region where there is medium-level ecologic stress on the river beds and floodplains.
Discfiltration and ozonation for reduction of nutrients and organic micro-pollutants from wastewater – a pilot study
Authors: Väänänen J. , Nilsson F. , la Cour Jansen J. , Hörsing M. , Hagman M. , Jönsson K.
Published: January 2015

The combination of coagulation/flocculation and discfiltration with ozonation to reduce nutrients and organic micro-pollutants in secondary effluent was studied in pilot scale at Lundåkraverket wastewater treatment plant in Landskrona, Sweden. With a chemical dose of 4 gAl3+/m3 and 1.5 g/m3 cationic polymer as active material effluent water quality with regards to total phosphorous (Tot-P), suspended solids and turbidity were 0.03, 2 mg/l and 0.5 Nephelometric Turbidity Units (NTU) in average. The effluent water quality was similar whether ozonation with an applied ozone dose of 2–9 gO3/m3 was performed prior to or after coagulation/flocculation/discfiltration. The results were corresponding to removal efficiencies for the coagulation/flocculation/discfiltration process of 94, 74 and 85% for Tot-P, suspended solids and turbidity, respectively. For organic micro-pollutants removal, it was found to be beneficial to perform coagulation/flocculation/discfiltration prior to ozonation as the ozone requirements were lowered for the dosing intervals applied. The removal was in the range of 38–98% depending on process configuration and ozone dose.
Establishing minimum free chlorine residual concentration for microbial control in a municipal drinking water distribution system
Authors: Rand Jennie L. , Gagnon Graham A. , Knowles Alisha
Published: January 2015

Distribution system data from a Nova Scotia municipal drinking water supply was collected over four years, including free chlorine residual concentration, heterotrophic plate count (HPC) bacteria, and temperature. These data were analyzed for occurrences of HPC bacteria greater than 500 colony forming units (CFU)/mL. The municipality was interested in determining if secondary chlorination practices were sufficient in maintaining microbial health in their distribution system. Coliform data were non-detect (total coliforms and Escherichia coli) in the distribution system over this period and thus heterotrophic bacteria were used to assess microbial health. Results were compared to similar data collected from pilot-scale studies that had been carried out using the same municipal water as the source. Analysis showed that a similar trend was observed between pilot- and full-scale samples. Full-scale data analysis revealed that the minimum disinfection requirement of 0.2 mg/L did not consistently control occurrences of heterotrophic bacteria from being greater than 500 CFU/mL. By comparison, maintaining a concentration of 0.3 mg/L or above, particularly in warm-weather systems, maintained the number of heterotrophic bacteria at below 500 CFU/mL. Fortunately the majority of samples collected in the full-scale distribution system (>89%) had a free chlorine residual concentration of greater than 0.30 mg/L. While it is recognized that this system had 100% compliance for E. coli, the goal of this work will help utilities understand how to utilize microbial data to inform operational disinfection targets for their distribution system.
Counting the lost drops: South Africa's study into non-revenue water
Authors: Bhagwan J. , Wegelin W. , Mckenzie R. , Wensley A.
Published: January 2015

The Draft Second National Water Resources Strategy of South Africa, which has been published for comment, has identified the implementation of water use efficiency, conservation and water demand management as a core strategy to ensure sufficient water to meet South Africa's needs going into the future. This, ‘non-negotiable performance area’, it says, must be implemented immediately in all water use sectors, specifically municipalities. ‘In view of water scarcity, it is essential that such water losses must be curtailed, especially in terms of the need to provide for the growing water demands of new socioeconomic development’, the strategy points out.

While South Africa's non-revenue water levels compare well internationally, as a water scarce country it needs to do all it can to prevent the unnecessary loss of water. This is one of the main recommendations of a recent study into the state of non-revenue water in South Africa commissioned by the Water Research Commission (WRC).

To improve the current situation, the water sector must have a clear indication of the current status of non-revenue water in South African municipalities, more specifically what the actual water losses are and how they are split between physical leakage (real losses) and commercial losses (apparent losses). It is for this reason that the WRC, in collaboration with the Department of Water Affairs, launched the latest investigation into the state of non-revenue water in South Africa, which has now been published.

In the most comprehensive and detailed study of its kind, to date, data were gathered from 132 municipalities throughout South Africa representing over 75% of the total volume of municipal water supply. The study follows on from similar WRC assessments undertaken in 2001, 2005 and 2007. This is the first time the country has a single, representative estimate of non-revenue water as opposed to various estimates in previous years.

The paper shares in more detail findings from this study which have highlighted on average 38% non-revenue water and provide a deeper insight into the problems and challenges faced in tackling water losses in South Africa.
The study of capacitive deionization behavior of a carbon nanotube electrode from the perspective of charge efficiency
Authors: Li Haibo , Liang Sen , Gao Mangmang , Li Guolong , Li Jin , He Lijun
Published: January 2015

In this work, the capacitive deionization (CDI) performance of a single-walled carbon nanotube (CNT) electrode has been studied from the point view of charge efficiency theory. It is revealed here that the charge efficiency of a CNT electrode is strongly dependent upon the cell voltage and solution concentration. Either the high cell voltage or the low ionic strength results in a high charge efficiency, implying that CDI is expected to be a promising technique for an aqueous solution with low ionic strength. Additionally, it is found that the high decay constant and high electrical double-layer capacity are beneficial to enhance electrosorption performance.
Can we model the implementation of water sensitive urban design in evolving cities?
Authors: Bach Peter Marcus , Mccarthy David T. , Deletic Ana
Published: January 2015

This study showcases the dynamic simulation capabilities of the Urban Biophysical Environments And Technologies Simulator (UrbanBEATS) on a Melbourne catchment. UrbanBEATS simulates the planning, design and implementation of water sensitive urban design (WSUD) infrastructure in urban environments. It considers explicitly the interaction between urban and water infrastructure planning through time. The model generates a large number of realizations of different WSUD interventions and their evolution through time based on a user-defined scenario. UrbanBEATS' dynamics was tested for the first time on a historical case study of Scotchman's Creek catchment and was trained using historical data (e.g. planning documents, narratives, urban development and societal information) to adequately reproduce patterns of uptake of specific WSUD technologies. The trained model was also used to explore the implications of more stringent future water management objectives. Results highlighted the challenges of meeting this legislation and the opportunities that can be created through the mix of multiple spatial scales.
Alkaline treatment of high-solids sludge and its application to anaerobic digestion
Authors: Li Chenchen , Li Huan , Zhang Yuyao
Published: January 2015

High-solids anaerobic digestion is a promising new process for sludge reduction and bioenergy recovery, requiring smaller digestion tanks and less energy for heating, but a longer digestion time, than traditional low-solids anaerobic digestion. To accelerate this process, alkaline sludge disintegration was tested as a pretreatment method for anaerobic digestion of high-solids sludge. The results showed that alkaline treatment effectively disintegrated both low-solids sludge and high-solids sludge, and treatment duration of 30 min was the most efficient. The relation between sludge disintegration degree and NaOH dose can be described by a transmutative power function model. At NaOH dose lower than 0.2 mol/L, sludge disintegration degree remained virtually unchanged when sludge total solids (TS) content increased from 2.0 to 11.0%, and decreased only slightly when sludge TS increased to 14.2%. Although high-solids sludge required a slightly higher molarity of NaOH to reach the same disintegration level of low-solids sludge, the required mass of NaOH actually decreased due to sludge thickening. From the view of NaOH consumption, sludge TS of 8–12% and a NaOH dose of 0.05 mol/L were optimum conditions for alkaline pretreatment, which resulted in a slight increase in accumulative biogas yield, but a decrease by 24–29% in digestion time during the subsequent anaerobic digestion.
Board Risk Committees and Audit Pricing
Authors: Hines Christopher S. , Masli Adi , Mauldin Elaine G. , Peters Gary F.
Published: January 2015

Conditions leading up to and surrounding the global financial crisis prompted an increasing number of firms to create board-level risk oversight committees (RCs). The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (U.S. House of Representatives 2010) even legislates RCs for certain large banks. Distinct from audit committees, RCs present a unique setting to extend our understanding of the relation between emerging governance mechanisms and auditing. Using a sample of 3,980 U.S.-listed banks from 2003–2011, we find that on average, the presence of RCs is associated with higher audit fees. Our results are robust to multiple specifications, including self-selection and propensity score matched samples. For a reduced sample of 458 firms that employ an RC we also examine RC characteristics. We find RC independence and audit committee overlaps are associated with lower audit fees and RC size, relative to board size, is associated with higher audit fees. Supplemental analysis provides discussion of the potential audit environment implications of mandatory versus voluntary risk management controls.

Data Availability: The data used are publicly available from the sources cited in the text.
A Novel Role for Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue in Exercise-Induced Improvements in Glucose Homeostasis
Authors: Stanford Kristin I. , Middelbeek Roeland J.W. , Townsend Kristy L. , Lee Min-Young , Takahashi Hirokazu , So Kawai , Hitchcox Kristen M. , Markan Kathleen R. , Hellbach Katharina , Hirshman Michael F. , Tseng Yu-Hua , Goodyear Laurie J.
Published: January 2015

Exercise training improves whole-body glucose homeostasis through effects largely attributed to adaptations in skeletal muscle; however, training also affects other tissues, including adipose tissue. To determine whether exercise-induced adaptations to adipose tissue contribute to training-induced improvements in glucose homeostasis, subcutaneous white adipose tissue (scWAT) from exercise-trained or sedentary donor mice was transplanted into the visceral cavity of sedentary recipients. Remarkably, 9 days post-transplantation, mice receiving scWAT from exercise-trained mice had improved glucose tolerance and enhanced insulin sensitivity compared with mice transplanted with scWAT from sedentary or sham-treated mice. Mice transplanted with scWAT from exercise-trained mice had increased insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in tibialis anterior and soleus muscles and brown adipose tissue, suggesting that the transplanted scWAT exerted endocrine effects. Furthermore, the deleterious effects of high-fat feeding on glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity were completely reversed if high-fat–fed recipient mice were transplanted with scWAT from exercise-trained mice. In additional experiments, voluntary exercise training by wheel running for only 11 days resulted in profound changes in scWAT, including the increased expression of ∼1,550 genes involved in numerous cellular functions including metabolism. Exercise training causes adaptations to scWAT that elicit metabolic improvements in other tissues, demonstrating a previously unrecognized role for adipose tissue in the beneficial effects of exercise on systemic glucose homeostasis.
Association Analysis of 29,956 Individuals Confirms That a Low-Frequency Variant at CCND2 Halves the Risk of Type 2 Diabetes by Enhancing Insulin Secretion
Authors: Yaghootkar Hanieh , Stancáková Alena , Freathy Rachel M. , Vangipurapu Jagadish , Weedon Michael N. , Xie Weijia , Wood Andrew R. , Ferrannini Ele , Mari Andrea , Ring Susan M. , Lawlor Debbie A. , Davey Smith George , Jørgensen Torben , Hansen Torben , Pedersen Oluf , Steinthorsdottir Valgerdur , Guðbjartsson Daniel F. , Thorleifsson Gudmar , Thorsteinsdottir Unnur , Stefansson Kari , Hattersley Andrew T. , Walker Mark , Morris Andrew D. , McCarthy Mark I. , Palmer Colin N.A. , Laakso Markku , Frayling Timothy M.
Published: January 2015

A recent study identified a low-frequency variant at CCND2 associated with lower risk of type 2 diabetes, enhanced insulin response to a glucose challenge, higher height, and, paradoxically, higher BMI. We aimed to replicate the strength and effect size of these associations in independent samples and to assess the underlying mechanism. We genotyped the variant in 29,956 individuals and tested its association with type 2 diabetes and related traits. The low-frequency allele was associated with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes (OR 0.53; P = 2 × 10−13; 6,647 case vs. 12,645 control subjects), higher disposition index (β = 0.07 log10; P = 2 × 10−11; n = 13,028), and higher Matsuda index of insulin sensitivity (β = 0.02 log10; P = 5 × 10−3; n = 13,118) but not fasting proinsulin (β = 0.01 log10; P = 0.5; n = 6,985). The low frequency allele was associated with higher adult height (β = 1.38 cm; P = 6 × 10−9; n = 13,927), but the association of the variant with BMI (β = 0.36 kg/m2; P = 0.02; n = 24,807), estimated in four population-based samples, was less than in the original publication where the effect estimate was biased by analyzing case subjects with type 2 diabetes and control subjects without diabetes separately. Our study establishes that a low-frequency allele in CCND2 halves the risk of type 2 diabetes primarily through enhanced insulin secretion.
Enhancing the Quality of Blended Learning through Six Sigma Methodologies
Authors: Rinu Vasanth C.R. , Vignesh P. , Kuamri R. Swapna
Published: January 2015

In the current scenario quality control became mandatory for all the sectors .This study is intended to examine the impact of internet facilities on students’ performance through a Blended Learning as a medium in an academic institution. It was examined, how the Blended Learning encompasses a variety of tools to create flexible, rich learning environments that stimulate learners and maximizes the potential for learning? Another objective is Application of Six Sigma methodology in this study is to improve the medium of learning i.e. internet connectivity through a set of procedures in an effective way. Six Sigma can be again viewed as a discipline or an approach driven by data and methodology for eliminating defects in any process- from manufacturing to transactional and from product to service.Keeping the aforesaid two objectives in mind, data was collected from a sample of 119 students residing in various hostel blocks using stratified random sampling technique. Questionnaire was developed after an extensive literature review to measure the impact of internet connectivity in Blended Learning of the students. The questionnaire to measure was based on the model developed by Shawn M. Glynn (2011).The scale was developed by referring to previous models developed by various authors to measure the impact of internet connectivity in the Blended Learning of the students. The statistical analysis used was reliability statistics, KMO, Bartlett’s test and Factor Analysis. The data was analyzed by SPSS version 20). We observed that application of Six Sigma methodology is useful to improve the medium of learning.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ijssm.v2i1.11520     Int. J. Soc. Sci. Manage. Vol-2, issue-1: 36-39
Intellectual Capital Disclosures in IPO Prospectuses of Indian Companies
Authors: Bhatia Meena , Agarwal Bhawna
Published: January 2015

The study is based on companies that went through IPO on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and/or National Stock Exchange in the period 2011-2012. The paper applied a disclosure index comprising of 78 items to quantify the amount of information regarding intellectual capital included in the IPO prospectuses of Indian companies. The sum of disclosed score is divided by 78 to arrive at the index. For disclosure index content analysis is used. Multiple regression model and Correlation is used to examine the significance and association between disclosure index with independent variables. The main objective of this paper is to study the extent of intellectual capital disclosures in Initial Public offering (IPO) prospectus of Indian companies and also to examine the factors that influence the intellectual capital disclosure. The regression results reveal that of all the independent variables studied i.e. Board size Board independence Size Age Leverage Managerial ownership and Industry differences; Intellectual capital disclosure is influenced by industry differences. India is considered as knowledge economy and has highest contribution in gross domestic product from services sector wherein intellectual capital plays the most important role. As regards intellectual capital the studies have been insufficient. To our knowledge this is the first research on intellectual capital disclosures in IPO prospectuses of Indian companies.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ijssm.v2i1.11685     Int. J. Soc. Sci. Manage. Vol-2, issue-1: 40-51
The Effects of Brand Image on Customer Satisfaction and Loyalty Intention in Retail Super Market Chain UK
Authors: Neupane Ramesh
Published: January 2015

The main purpose of this research is to examine the effects of brand image on customer satisfaction and loyalty intention. It also examines the relationships between the brand image and customer satisfaction, brand image and loyalty intention as well as customer satisfaction and loyalty intention on the context of retail supermarket chain in UK. The hypotheses were formed on the basis of existing literatures and data was collected to test the hypotheses so it is deductive research. The survey strategy is used to collect information from the customers of the main six retailers based on London through structured closed ended questionnaires at a point of time and so it is cross-sectional research. A sample of 120 customers was selected through convenience sampling technique. The statistical and mathematical tools such as percentage analysis, correlation and regression analysis are used for data analysis through SPSS 20.This study asserts that the overall brand image has significant effects (P = 0.000 and β = 0.880) on customer satisfaction. Similarly, the overall brand image has significant effects (p = 0.000 and β = 0.780) on overall customer loyalty intention; and also customer satisfaction has significant positive effects (p = 0.000 and β = 0.859) on customer loyalty intention in an organisation.However, this study considered just five variables of brand image and five variables of customer satisfaction. There may have other important factors which may influence the findings. A small sample size of just 120 customers from just six stores of the main retailers may not represent the vision of all retail customers. Thus, it is recommended that a large scale research with more variables, large sample size with more stores from different parts of the UK to validate these findings.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ijssm.v2i1.11814 Int. J. Soc. Sci. Manage. Vol-2, issue-1: 9-26
Study Habits of Secondary School Students in Relation to their Socio-Economic Status and Gender
Authors: Razia B.
Published: January 2015

The study aims to explore the relationship of study habits with socio-economic status and gender. The research was carried out on a sample of 224 students studying in class IX of Aligarh district. Standardized scales were used to collect the data which in turn was analyzed by applying Mean (M), Standard Deviation (SD), Product moment correlation (r), t-test and ANOVA. Findings revealed that significant difference exists in the study habits of students in relation to gender. Significant and positive relationship exists between study habits and Socio-economic status but interaction effect of gender and SES was not found on study habits. Finally the study puts forth some suggestions to enhance the study habits of secondary school students.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ijssm.v2i1.11815      Int. J. Soc. Sci. Manage. Vol-2, issue-1: 68-73
Debate on Public and Private Schools in Nepal
Authors: Koirala Amit
Published: January 2015

There are various types of opinion on disparities between private and public school in Nepal lead a debate on whether school education should privatize or not. There are opinions in for and against the privatization in school education. Some people argue that the privatization in school education should not be promoted. It creates two classes citizens. Similarly some people argue that the school education is entirely responsible of the government. On the other hand, some gives logic that the government is failure to offer quality education to all children due shortage of funds so, this paper tries to explore the existing debate on public and private schools in Nepal.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ijssm.v2i1.11882 Int. J. Soc. Sci. Manage. Vol-2, issue-1: 3-8
Knowledge on prevention of complications related to immobility among caregivers of orthopedic patients at selected hospitals of Chitwan district
Authors: Poudyal S , Neupane M , Lopchan M
Published: January 2015

Immobility is a condition in which a person is unable to move freely or is restricted for therapeutic reasons. Immobility affects all systems of the body leading to complications. The objective of the study is to find out the knowledge on prevention of complications related to immobility among caregivers of orthopedic patients admitted on orthopedic ward of Chitwan Medical College Teaching Hospital (CMCTH), College of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital (CMSTH) and Bharatpur Hospital, Chitwan. The study design was descriptive, cross sectional and 133 caregivers were interviewed by using semistructured interview schedule. Data was analyzed by using SPSS and various tests such as frequency distribution, chisquare and odds ratio. The study findings revealed that 45.9% of respondents were from adjacent districts of Chitwan, 45.9% were between age group 16-30 years, 56.4% were female, 84.2% were married and 70.7% were literate. The highest mean knowledge score of caregivers was in the area of joint contracture (44.4%) followed by bedsore (39.3%), hypostatic pneumonia (37.6%), urinary tract infection (32.1%) and least mean knowledge score was in the area of deep vein thrombosis(25.2%) and constipation (25.1%) respectively. The level of knowledge is statistically significant with area of residence (p=0.038), marital status (p=0.020) and educational status (p=0.001) of respondents. The study concluded that caregivers had poor knowledge regarding preventive measures. Awareness programme need to be planned and implemented. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jcmc.v4i3.11932Journal of Chitwan Medical College 2014; 4(3): 9-12
Role of coagulation profile in the management of patient with epistaxis
Authors: Parajuli R , Ghimire A , Limbu T R , Bhandari R , Thapa S , Tulachan B
Published: January 2015

Epistaxis is a common emergency in otorhinolaryngology. Most patients with epistaxis don’t have an identifiable cause. The role of routine coagulation screening in the management of patients with epistaxis is unclear. The aim of this study was to observe the significance of routine coagulation screening tests in patients suffering from epistaxis. There are various treatment modalities for epistaxis. The study concludes that there is no role for routine coagulation profile in all the patients with epistaxis, which should only be performed when clinically indicated and most of the patients with epistaxis are managed with simple measures. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jcmc.v4i3.11937Journal of Chitwan Medical College 2014; 4(3):32-33
Contributing factors of utero-vaginal prolapse among women attending in Bharatpur Hospital
Authors: Thapa B , Rana G , Gurung S
Published: January 2015

Uterine prolapse is a major public health problem in rural Nepal. It is a medical and social problem, deeply rooted with poor health services and socio-cultural beliefs. The objective of this study was to find out the contributing factors of utero-vaginal prolapse among women attending in Bharatpur hospital. Descriptive study design was used. A total of 100 women diagnosed with utero-vaginal prolapse were selected by using purposive sampling technique. Data processing and analysis was done using SPSS. The study reveals that 88% of women were involved in agriculture and 82% of them were illiterate. Ninety two percent of the women got marriage before the age of 20, 42% women became pregnant 3-5 times, 96.33% of babies were born at home and 100% of them were born vaginally. Sixty six percent of the women gave birth to first child between the ages of 16-20, 92% had done heavy work during pregnancy and postnatal period and none of the women did kegal exercise. Based on the findings of the study it is concluded that the most important contributing factors found by our study were heavy work, illiteracy, early marriage and child birth, inadequate food during pregnancy and postpartum period, multi parity, home delivery, vaginal delivery, less rest period in post partum, no kegal exercise. The relationship between age of uterine prolapse and age of first child birth was 0.306 which was positive relationship between them. Which shows that there was statistically significant (P- value=0.002). DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jcmc.v4i3.11939Journal of Chitwan Medical College 2014; 4(3):38-42
Isolated myeloid sarcoma
Authors: Rauniyar B P , Liu X , Shrestha J , Devkota K R , Poudel S , Thapa S
Published: January 2015

Myeloid Sarcoma (MS) is a tumour mass of myeloblasts or immature myeloid cells in an extra-medullary site. Isolated MS is a red disease found only seen in case reports. Here, we present the case of a 25years old man with bilateral cervical lymphadenopathy who was diagnosed as MS on the basis of lymph node biopsy and immunohistochemistry. There is no definite consensus on management of MS and needs prospective trials. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jcmc.v4i3.11941Journal of Chitwan Medical College 2014; 4(3):46-48
Microstructure and mechanical properties of deformed Mg–Mn–Sn alloys
Authors: Fang Daqing , Liang Chao , Cai Kangle , Gao Zhigang , Peng Qiuming , Chai Yuesheng
Published: January 2015

The microstructure and age hardening response of deformed Mg-1.5Mn-xSn (x = 1 and 5, wt.%) alloys under three different aging temperatures (100°C, 150°C, 200°C) have been investigated. The aging behavior and the mechanical properties are improved by increasing Sn content. On ther other hand, the pre-rolling process is an effective method to improve the age hardening response, and therefore the mechanical properties of ERA (extruded + rolled + aging treatment) state alloys are improved compared with those of EA (extrusion + aging treatment) state samples. The improved mechanical properties of ERA alloys are mainly related to the extensive twins and dislocations formed during the extrusion/rolling processes and Mg2Sn precipitates formed in the aging treatment.