bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quantile-Parameterized Distributions
Authors: Keelin Thomas W. , Powley Bradford W.
Published: August 2011

This paper introduces a new class of continuous probability distributions that are flexible enough to represent a wide range of uncertainties such as those that commonly arise in business, technology, and science. In many such cases, the nature of the uncertainty is more naturally characterized by quantiles than by parameters of familiar continuous probability distributions. In the practice of decision analysis, it is common to fit a hand-drawn curve to quantile outputs from probability elicitations on a continuous uncertain quantity and to then discretize the curve. The resulting discrete probability distribution is an approximation that cuts off the distribution's tails and eliminates intermediate values. Quantile-parameterized distributions address this problem by using quantiles themselves to parameterize a continuous probability distribution. We define quantile-parameterized distributions, illustrate their flexibility and range of applicability, and conclude with practical considerations when parameterizing distributions using inconsistent quantile assessments.
Simple Economics of the Price-Setting Newsvendor Problem
Authors: Salinger Michael , Ampudia Miguel
Published: August 2011

The Lerner relationship linking the profit-maximizing price to marginal cost and the elasticity of demand generalizes to the price-setting newsvendor, and the result resolves the puzzle over the different effects of additive and multiplicative uncertainty on the solution. Multiplicative uncertainty increases the optimal price because it increases the marginal cost of a unit sold and does not affect the markup factor. Additive uncertainty has no effect on the marginal cost of a unit sold and lowers the markup factor because it increases the elasticity of the average quantity sold with respect to price.

This paper was accepted by Martin Lariviere, operations management.
Durable Products, Time Inconsistency, and Lock-in
Authors: Gilbert Stephen M. , Jonnalagedda Sreelata
Published: August 2011

Many durable products cannot be used without a contingent consumable product, e.g., printers require ink, iPods require songs, razors require blades, etc. For such products, manufacturers may be able to lock in consumers by making their products incompatible with consumables that are produced by other firms. We examine the effectiveness of such a strategy in the presence of strategic consumers who anticipate the future prices of both the durable product and the contingent consumable. Under a lock-in strategy, the manufacturer has pricing power over the contingent consumable, which she can use to extract additional rents from higher valuation consumers, but such pricing power may also reduce consumers' willingness to pay for the durable because it subjects them to being held up with higher consumables prices in the future. Restricting our attention to linear pricing policies, we find that if the manufacturer can commit to shutting down production of her durable after an initial one-time sale, then competition from another consumable of an appropriately degraded level of quality can benefit the manufacturer by mitigating consumers' fears of being held up. On the other hand, when the manufacturer cannot commit to shutting down production of her durable, then her own output of additional durables gives her an incentive to keep consumables prices low, and competition in the consumables market is less beneficial.

This paper was accepted by Pradeep Chintagunta and Preyas Desai, special issue editors.

This paper was accepted by Pradeep Chintagunta and Preyas Desai, special issue editors.
Label Confusion: The Groucho Effect of Uncertain Standards
Authors: Harbaugh Rick , Maxwell John W. , Roussillon Beatrice
Published: August 2011

Labels certify that a product meets some standard for quality, but often consumers are unsure of the exact standard that the label represents. Focusing on the case of ecolabels for environmental quality, we show how even small amounts of uncertainty can create consumer confusion that reduces or eliminates the value to firms of adopting voluntary labels. First, consumers are most suspicious of a label when a product with a bad reputation has it, so labels are often unpersuasive at showing that a seemingly bad product is actually good. Second, label proliferation aggravates the effect of uncertainty, causing the informativeness of labels to decrease rather than increase. Third, uncertainty makes labeling and nonlabeling equilibria more likely to coexist as the number of labels increases, so consumers face greater strategic uncertainty over how to interpret the presence or absence of a label. Finally, a label can be legitimitized or spoiled for other products when a product with a good or bad reputation displays it, so firms may adopt labels strategically to manipulate such information spillovers, which further exacerbates label confusion. Managers can reduce label confusion by supporting mandatory labeling or by undertaking investments to make certain labels “focal.”

This paper was accepted by Pradeep Chintagunta and Preyas Desai, special issue editors.

This paper was accepted by Pradeep Chintagunta and Preyas Desai, special issue editors.
Call Centers with Delay Information: Models and Insights
Authors: Jouini Oualid , Akşin Zeynep , Dallery Yves
Published: August 2011

In this paper, we analyze a call center with impatient customers. We study how informing customers about their anticipated delays affects performance. Customers react by balking upon hearing the delay announcement and may subsequently renege, particularly if the realized waiting time exceeds the delay that has originally been announced to them. The balking and reneging from such a system are a function of the delay announcement. Modeling the call center as an M/M/s + M queue with endogenized customer reactions to announcements, we analytically characterize performance measures for this model. The analysis allows us to explore the role announcing different percentiles of the waiting time distribution, i.e., announcement coverage, plays on subsequent performance in terms of balking and reneging. Through a numerical study, we explore when informing customers about delays is beneficial and what the optimal coverage should be in these announcements. We show how managers of a call center with delay announcements can control the trade-off between balking and reneging through their choice of announcements to be made.
A Censored-Data Multiperiod Inventory Problem with Newsvendor Demand Distributions
Authors: Bisi Arnab , Dada Maqbool , Tokdar Surya
Published: August 2011

We study the stochastic multiperiod inventory problem in which demand in excess of available inventory is lost and unobserved so that demand data are censored. A Bayesian scheme is employed to dynamically update the demand distribution for the problem with storable or perishable inventory and with exogenous or endogenous price. We show that the Weibull is the only newsvendor distribution for which the optimal solution can be expressed in scalable form. Moreover, for Weibull demand the cost function is not convex in general. Nevertheless, in all but the storable case, sufficient structure can be discerned so that the optimal solution can be easily computed. Specifically, for the perishable inventory case, the optimal policy can be found by solving simple recursions, whereas the perishable case with pricing requires solutions to more complex one-step look-ahead recursions. Interestingly, for the special case of exponential demand the cost function is convex, so that for the storable inventory case, the optimal policy can be found using simple one-step look-ahead recursions whereas for the perishable case the optimal policy can be expressed by exact closed-form formulas.
The (Exponential) Bipartitional Polynomials and Polynomial Sequences of Trinomial Type: Part II
Authors: Belbachir Hacène , Mihoubi Miloud
Published: August 2011

In a previous paper we investigated the (exponential) bipartitional polynomials involving polynomial sequences of trinomial type. Our aim is to give properties of bipartitional polynomials related to the derivatives of polynomial sequences of trinomial type. Furthermore, we deduce identities involving Bell polynomials.
The k-Periodic Fibonacci Sequence and an Extended Binet's Formula
Authors: Edson Marcia , Lewis Scott , Yayenie Omer
Published: August 2011

It is well known that a continued fraction is periodic if and only if it is the representation of a quadratic irrational
On Some Conjectures Concerning Stern's Sequence and Its Twist
Authors: Coons Michael
Published: August 2011

The

In a recent paper, Roland Bacher introduced the

Bacher conjectured three identities concerning Stern's sequence and its twist. In this paper, we prove Bacher's conjectures.
Inverse problem and null-controllability for parabolic systems
Authors: García Galina C. , Takahashi Takéo
Published: August 2011

In this paper, we present some abstract results giving a general connection between null-controllability and several inverse problems for a class of parabolic equations. We obtain some conditional stability estimates for the inverse problems consisting of determining the initial condition and the source term, from interior or boundary measurements. We apply this framework for Stokes system with interior and boundary observations, for a coupling of two Stokes system and a linear fluid-structure system.
A generalization of continuous regularized Gauss–Newton method for ill-posed problems
Authors: Nair M. Thamban , Ravishankar P.
Published: August 2011

A generalization of a simplified form of the continuous regularized Gauss–Newton method has been considered for obtaining stable approximate solutions for ill-posed operator equations of the form F(x) = y, where F is a nonlinear operator defined on a subset of a Hilbert space ℋ1 with values in another Hilbert space ℋ2. Convergence of the method for exact data is proved without assuming any specific source condition on the unknown solution. For the case of noisy data, order optimal error estimates based on an a posteriori as well as an a priori stopping rule are derived under a general source condition which includes the classical source conditions such as the Hölder-type and logarithmic type, and certain nonlinearity assumptions on the operator F.
Determination of the unknown time dependent coefficient p(t) in the parabolic equation ut
= Δu + p(t)u + φ(x, t)
Authors: Ou Yunhua , Zhao Jing , Liu Zhenhai , Tang Jiang
Published: August 2011

This paper is devoted to a class of inverse coefficient problems for parabolic differential equations. These problems play a very important role in many branches of engineering and sciences. Based on a variational iteration technique, we show the rapid convergence of the approximated solution sequence constructed to the exact solution. To show the efficiency of the present method, one example is displayed.
Nano- and microcomplexes of biopolymer carrageenans and dodecylammonium chloride
Authors: Vinceković Marko , Bujan Marija , Sikirić Maja Dutour
Published: August 2011

Polymer and surfactant complexation was investigated in systems containing anionic biopolymers and cationic surfactants by various classical and modern methods. Differently charged carrageenans (one, two or three sulfate groups per monomeric unit) and dodecylammonium chloride (DDACl) were used as model systems. Formation of various soluble and insoluble complexes (from nano- to microdimensions) and gelation strongly depends on carrageenan and DDACl concentrations, their molar ratio and linear charge density on carrageenan chains. The main factors governing complexation include electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions as well as conformation of carrageenan chains. With increasing carrageenan concentration, the intramacromolecular complexes change to intermacromolecular, which subsequently reorganize into better ordered structures, giant vesicles, and precipitated stoichiometric compounds, dodecylammonium carrageenates. Structural analysis of the new compounds revealed the formation of a lamellar structure with the polar sublayer containing carrageenan chains and the non-polar sublayer consisting of disordered dodecylammonium chains electrostatically attached to the carrageenan backbone. At gelling carrageenan concentration, progressive addition of DDACl caused gradual transitions from the structure of carrageenan gel alone to lamellar ordering of collapsed gel balanced by intermolecular forces within the gel network, i.e., by hydrogen bonding, electrostatic, hydrophobic and van der Waals forces.
Dynamic mechanical behavior of phenoxy/carbon nanotube composites: assessment through different functionalization
Authors: Disfani Mahdi Najjar , Jafari Seyed-Hassan , Khonakdar Hossin Ali
Published: August 2011

Nanocomposites of phenoxy resin with various functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were investigated to assess and compare the effect of functionalization on dynamic mechanical properties. Non-functionalized and various functionalized CNTs containing -COOH, -OH, and -NH2 groups were utilized for preparing phenoxy/CNT nanocomposites through a melt mixing process. Dynamic mechanical properties of nanocomposites, storage modulus (E′), and loss tangent (tanδ) data in temperature range of 20–120°C were collected. Transmission electron microscopy and optical microscopy were also used to gain an insight into the CNTs dispersion state within phenoxy matrix. The functionalized CNTs had no adverse effect on storage modulus of phenoxy. The morphological investigation revealed the highest degree of agglomeration and the shortest tube lengths for the CNT-COOH within phenoxy matrix.
Thermo-mechanical properties and thermal conductivity of CdS-trans-polyisoprene, polymer nanocomposite
Authors: Baboo Mahesh , Dixit Manasvi , Patidar Dinesh , Sharma Kananbala , Saxena Narendra Sahai
Published: August 2011

This paper focuses on the comparative evaluation of the glass transition temperature (Tg), storage modulus and thermal conductivity of trans-polyisoprene (TPI) and CdS-TPI nanocomposite. The CdS nanoparticles synthesized by chemical route are dispersed into TPI using ultrasonic vibrations. Particle size of nanocrystals is obtained from X-ray diffraction and found to be 1.84 nm. Thermo-mechanical properties (Tg and storage modulus) are measured by dynamic mechanical analyzer (DMA), while thermal conductivity is a measured using the transient plane source (TPS) technique. It is observed that glass transition temperature and thermal conductivity are higher while storage modulus and mechanical properties are lower for CdS-TPI nanocomposites than for pure TPI. This has been explained on the basis of structural changes occurring due to introduction of CdS as filler into the TPI.
Performance of high temperature superconducting ceramic/thermoplastic polymer composites
Authors: Bhadrakumari Sarojini , Predeep Padmanabhan
Published: August 2011

A technique for preparing flexible composites by dispersing high Tc yttrium based superconductor filler in a polyethylene matrix with transition temperature of about 90 K has been developed. Susceptibility measurements demonstrated a high degree of field exclusion, indicating that the superconducting behavior is preserved in the yttrium barium copper oxide (YBa2Cu3O7-×) filler material. It is found that all the composites showed the diamagnetic transition at around 90 K, which is the same as that of the pure YBCO sample. The single transition for both the parent YBCO material and the composite samples indicates the dominant presence of isolated superconducting grains within such samples. A large drop in resistivity with increasing filler content is observed for all the ceramic-polymer systems investigated in this study. At low percentages of the filler, the composite behaves as an insulator with very low conductivity. No dc zero resistance transition is observed. The absence of zero resistance in these composites was presumably due to the absence of appropriate contacts between the superconducting grains and the lack of a conductive path necessary for a zero resistance transition to occur.
Numerical and experimental studies on extrudate swell of branched polyethylene through axisymmetric and planar dies
Authors: Ganvir Vivek , Gautham Basavarsu , Thaokar Rochish , Lele Ashish , Pol Harshwardhan
Published: August 2011

Extrudate swell is simulated using an Arbitrary Lagrangian Eulerian (ALE) technique based finite element formulation and the same has been validated by comparing the results with reported numerical and experimental studies. In the present work we compare our ALE simulations with our own experimental data on the extrudate swell of commercial grade low density polyethylene (LDPE) resin. The resins were characterized for their rheological behavior in both shear and uniaxial extension. The polymers were extruded from a capillary under isothermal conditions and the extrudates were observed on-line using a video camera. ALE simulations were performed using molecular constitutive model like eXtended Pom–Pom (XPP) for branched (LDPE). The simulated extrudate swell was a good match with the experimental data. It was found that the swell values of LPDE through planar die are higher than the axisymmetric die.
Role of important parameters in ring opening polymerization of polylactide
Authors: Kaur Paramjit , Mehta Rajeev , Upadhyay Sidh Nath
Published: August 2011

Different parameters, namely polymerization temperature, polymerization time, monomer/initiator ratio, nature of the initiator, amount of water or other impurities etc. are very significant for polymerization reactions either in bulk or solution. Monomer to initiator ratio has a very significant role in polymerization reactions and a value ranging from 50 to 5000 that has been reported by different researchers. Recrystallization of the monomer removes the meso compounds from the monomer, which absorbs the moisture and effects polymerization reaction. So, it is necessary to recrystallize the monomer with any anhydrous solvent like dry toluene, ethyl acetate etc. Prolonged reaction time cannot increase the polymer yield; it generally causes the decrease of molecular weight and broadening of molecular weight distribution of formed polymers. This is probably due to the transesterification side reaction in polymerization, intensifying at prolonged time periods. Several groups like hydroxyl and carboxylic acid affect the polymerization rate.
Aromatic polyurethanes: the effect of hard segment and chain structure on their properties
Authors: Mishra Abhinay , Maiti Pralay
Published: August 2011

Structural variation and its effect on the properties of aromatic polyurethanes (PUs) with different chain structures have been reported. Polarized optical microscopic studies of aromatic PUs demonstrate the development of micro clusters with increasing hard segment content (HSC). Higher crystallinity has also been proven from differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies. A globular pattern has been observed through atomic force microscopy (AFM) and the pattern depends on the type of diisocyanate used to prepare the PU. The difference in surface morphology is evident for two different PUs. The tensile modulus increases systematically with increasing HSC while toughness decreases, due to the presence of bigger crystallites in higher HSC polymer. Both the modulus and toughness vary on the type of diisocyanate present in PUs.
Development of integrated bioenergy devices for the improvement in the quality of life of poor people
Authors: Omer Abdeen
Published: August 2011

Sudan enjoys abundant solar, wind, hydro, and biomass resources. Like many tropical countries, Sudan has ample biomass resources that can be efficiently exploited in a manner that is both profitable and sustainable. Fuel-wood farming offers cost-effective and environmentally friendly energy solutions for Sudan, with the added benefit of providing sustainable livelihoods in rural areas. Biogas from biomass appears to have potential as an alternative energy in Sudan, which is potentially rich in biomass resources. This is an overview of some salient points and perspectives of biomass technology in Sudan. The current literature is reviewed regarding the ecological, social, cultural and economic impacts of biomass technology. This article provides an overview of biomass energy activities and highlights future plans concerning optimum technical and economical utilization of biomass energy available in Sudan.
Study of mechanical behavior of Kevlar/polypropylene hybrid yarns and their composites
Authors: Sardar Jagannath
Published: August 2011

In this paper, the mechanical characteristics of Kevlar multi-filament-polypropylene (KV M/F-PP) hybrid yarns and its composites have been studied. The hybrid yarns have been prepared by the principle of friction spun method in a DREF-3 (Dr Ernst Fehrer A.G. the name of the inventor 1973) Machine. The system uses Kevlar-29 (poly paraphenylene terephthalamide) multifilament (KV M/F) and polypropylene (PP) of 38 mm staple length fibres as core and sheath materials, respectively. The tensile properties of selected reinforcing materials and hybrid yarns are tested before preparing the composite samples. The weight percentages of KV M/F were kept as 0%, 15%, 20%, 25% and 30% corresponding to the percentages of matrix. DREF-3 hybrid yarns are characterized by very homogeneous component distributed over the yarn cross-section. The hybrid yarn is used for thermoplastic composites in compression molding, where Kevlar multifilaments take place in core as reinforcing materials and sheath or wrapped PP fibres as matrix. The prepared composite samples have been studied using specific standards to evaluate the void volume fraction and the tensile behavior in the standard conditions. The composite having 30% of Kevlar shows the highest tensile strength with a high void percentage, however, the elongation to break is a minimum due to lower weight percentage of low elastic modulus polypropylene matrix as compare to other samples.
Water transport, FTIR, and morphology characterizations of novel biodegradable blends based on poly(3-hydroxybutyrate)
Authors: Shchegolikhin Alexander N. , Iordanskii Alexey L. , Filatova Anna , Gumargalieva Klara Z. , Fomin Sergey V. , Potapov Evgeniy E.
Published: August 2011

This paper focuses on the study of novel blends based on poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) and polymers with different hydrophilicity [polyethylene (PELD) and polyamide resin (PA548)]. Polymer blends were produced from five ratios of PHB/PELD in an effort to regulate the resistance to hydrolysis or (bio)degradation through the control of water permeability. The relation between the water transport and morphology (TEM data) shows the impact of polymer component ratio on the regulating water flux in hydrophobic matrix. To elucidate the role of hydrophilicity of the second component in the PHB blends, we studied the PHB/PA blends where PA is the polyamide resin composed of statistical copolymer of hexamethyleneadipinate and ε-caprolactam in ratio 1:1. The complex of techniques including DCS and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR)-imaging (on the scale of temperature) indicates an interaction between PHB and PA in the temperature ranges of crystallization and melting. The general approach based on Flory-Huggins equation is presented as a way to choose pairs of compatible or partly compatible polymers. Blending PHB with PA could be a simple and effective method to design new matrices for drug delivery, while the same procedure applied to PHB-PELD system with better resistance again, hydrolysis and lower cost than parental PHB could be used as novel bioerodible packaging materials.
Structural investigation of conducting polythiophene composites
Authors: Shirbhate Nitin V. , Yawale Shrikrishna P. , Tambakhe Smita V. , Bobade Rajeshwar S. , Pakade (Yawale) Sangita V.
Published: August 2011

Polythiophene (PTh) – polyvinyl acetate (PVAc) composite films were prepared by chemical oxidative polymerization with ZnCl2 as oxidant, in methanol solvent at room temperature. In this study DC conductivity as a function of temperature was measured. An attempt has been made to investigate the effect of temperature and concentration of ZnCl2 oxidant on the conductivity of polythiophene and polyvinyl acetate composite films. For fixed wt% of PVAc, the DC electrical conductivity initially increases with the molar concentration of ZnCl2 which increases the rate of polymerization and then decreases with further increase in concentration of ZnCl2 due to reduced segmental motion of the polymer. The Fourier transforms infrared (FTIR) spectra reveal that the structure remains the same throughout the series. The small shift in the observed peak frequencies is due to composition change of ZnCl2, but the overall trend of the IR spectra is the same. From the finger print region it is observed that the terminal branching is completely absent. The ionic transference number is calculated from the polarization current versus time plot. Ionic contribution is found to be dominant. The thermo gravimetry (TG) curves of the samples show single step degradation.
"Life's Prizes Are by Labor Got": Risk, Reward, and White Manliness in the California Gold Rush
Authors: Herbert Christopher
Published: August 2011

The California Gold Rush reshaped both Anglo American attitudes toward risk and notions of white manliness. The Gold Rush upset many of the social structures that regulated individual behaviors in the East while challenging received wisdom about the relationship between work, reward, and an individual's worth. Mining itself was a "gamble" that seemed to reward men of dubious character as much as, if not more than, men of obvious moral character. Yet the risks involved in such labor dif?fered from those in games of chance, for the former could still be portrayed as at once daring and respectable; the latter could not. Anglo American men used the physical risk of mining to differentiate themselves from non-white men, but they understood the social risk of gambling as having the potential to collapse the boundaries between white men and "others."
Neighbors by Nature: Relationships, Border Crossings, and Transnational Communities in the Chinese Exclusion Era
Authors: Delgado Grace Peña
Published: August 2011

At the turn of the twentieth century, everyday relationships between Chinese and Mexican fronterizos mobility at the Arizona-Sonora borderlands. In the near absence of generational ties on which to draw, Chinese newcomers created vibrant communities from social, economic, and familial-based networks; similar situations occurred in northern Sonora. As Chinese merchants sought to cross legally into the United States, they relied heavily on Mexican neighbors and Mexican and U.S. officials to attest to long-term residential histories, their Mexican citizenship, and their merchant status. On both sides of the border, discreet arrangements and daily interactions, among families and friends and within networks of commerce and community, militated against Sinophobia and harsh exclusion laws. Out of this contested social landscape grew interethnic, transnational communities even as attendant apprehensions weighed heavily on Chinese borderlanders.
Assessments by HR and %HRR of Occupational Work Exertion for Alternating Periods of Rest and Manual Labor
Authors: Eguchi Yasumasa , Kawanami Shoko , Horie Seichi , Yamato Hiroshi
Published: August 2011

Assessments by HR and %HRR of Occupational Work Exertion for Alternating Periods of Rest and Manual Labor: Yasumasa Eguchi, et al. Department of Health Development, Institute of Industrial Ecological Sciences, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan—

Objectives

Metabolic equivalents (METs) and relative metabolic rate (RMR) as calculated by oxygen uptake () are often used to assess physical exertion. In practice, accurate measurements of are dificult; heart rate (HR) values represent an alternate index of physical exertion. We investigated whether one can assess physical exertion based on HR in the workplace, even if the physical task in question involves alternating periods of strenuous anaerobic activity and rest. We also examined the potential usefulness of assessments based on percentage of heart rate reserve (%HRR) and percentage of oxygen uptake reserve (% ).

Methods

Six healthy men were asked to perform several physical movements. HR and were recorded in real time.

Results

HR and are significantly correlated even under conditions of various repeated intermittent movements including anaerobic exertion. Cumulative fatigue results in inadequate recovery in various parameters indicating suficient rest times, whereas values recover immediately. One movement may generate large differences in HR among individuals, but not in . We found no significant differences between dispersion for %HRR and . However, as with HR, %HRR values indicated insuficient recovery after strenuous exertion.

Conclusions

alone does not adequately reflect the exertion entailed by certain physical activities. HR is more useful than in evaluating the exertion required by physical labor in individual workers. While we can use %HRR and % to compare physical exertion from individual to individual, %HRR is more valuable, since % can underestimate physical exertion in recovery periods for the same reasons as .
Safety and Health in the Petrochemical Industry in Map Ta Phut, Thailand
Authors: Langkulsen Uma , Vichit‐Vadakan Nuntavarn , Taptagaporn Sasitorn
Published: August 2011

Safety and Health in the Petrochemical Industry in Map Ta Phut, Thailand: Uma Langkulsen, et al. Faculty of Public Health, Thammasat University, Rangsit Campus, Thailand—

Background

Petrochemical industries are known as sources of many toxic chemicals. Safety and health risks of the petrochemical workers employed at Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate, located in Rayong, Thailand, are potentially high.

Methods

The research materials consisted of documents emanating from statutory reports on safety in working with toxic chemicals and the results of interviews by questionnaire among 457 petrochemical workers regarding occupational health and safety issues.

Results

Most of workers who were working with toxic chemicals had knowledge and awareness of health risks and chemical hazards at work. We found that safe behavior at work through read the safety information among operational workers less than non‐operational workers around 10%. Most of workers had perceived occupational health and safety management in their companies. Some companies revealed that they had not been performing biological monitoring of blood or urine for their health examination reports and that workplace exposure monitoring had not correlated well with health examination of workers.

Conclusions

Our study suggested that occupational health and safety for petrochemical industries requires standards and guidelines for workers' health surveillance aimed at protection of workers.
A new species of Elasmopus (Amphipoda: Hadzioidea: Maeridae) from Suape Harbor, Northeastern Brazilian coast
Authors: Senna André R.
Published: August 2011

A new amphipod species of the genus Elasmopus Costa, 1853 is described based on material collected from intertidal rocky shore, near the Suape Harbor, coast of the Brazilian state of Pernambuco. The new species may be recognized by the propodus of gnathopod 2 suboval, slightly tapering distally, palmar margin not defined by a stout seta, spine, or palmar corner, with a subdistal blunt tubercle, posterior margin covered by a dense fringe of plumose setae, and posterior margin of basis of pereopod 7 castelloserrate. This is the ninety-fifth species of the genus Elasmopus described worldwide, the most diverse genus in the family Maeridae Krapp-Schickel, 2008, and the eighth species recorded from Brazilian waters. An identification key to Brazilian species of Elasmopusis also provided.
Radiocarbon geochronology of the sediments of the São Paulo Bight (southern Brazilian upper margin)
Authors: Mahiques Michel M. , Sousa Silvia H.M. , Burone Leticia , Nagai Renata H. , Silveira Ilson C.A. , Figueira Rubens C.L. , Soutelino Rafael G. , Ponsoni Leandro , Klein Daniel A.
Published: August 2011

The aim of this work was to generate an inventory of the data on radiocarbon datings obtained from sediments of the São Paulo Bight (southern Brazilian upper margin) and to analyze the data in terms of Late Quaternary sedimentary processes and sedimentation rates. A total of 238 radiocarbon datings from materials collected using differents ampling procedures was considered for this work. The sedimentation rates varied from less than 2 to 68 cm.kyr-1. The highest sedimentation rate values were found in a low-energy (ría type) coastal system as well as in the upwelling zones of Santa Catarina and Cabo Frio. The lowest rates were found on the outer shelf and upper slopes. Our results confirm the strong dependency of the shelf currents, with an emphasis to the terrigenous input from the Río de La Plata outflow which is transported via the Brazilian Coastal Current, as well as of the coupled Brazil Current - Intermediate Western Boundary Current (BC-IWBC) dynamics on the sedimentary processes. At least three indicators ofthe paleo sea level were found at 12200 yr BP (conventional radiocarbon age) (103 meters below sea level - mbsl),8300-8800 cal yr BP (13 mbsl) and 7700-8100 cal yr BP (6 mbsl).
Palynological evidence of the replacement of the hygrophilous forest by field vegetation during the last 7,000 years B.P. in the northern coast of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Authors: Luz Cynthia F.P. da , Barth Ortrud M. , Martin Louis , Silva Cleverson G. , Turcq Bruno J.
Published: August 2011

Historians claim that European colonizers of the northern coast of Rio de Janeiro State found vast herbaceous fields when arrived in this region. Hypotheses about the origin of these fields include forest burning by the Goitacás indians and periodical floods by the Paraíba do Sul River and the lagoon system. The palynologycal analysis of two lake cores obtained in the municipality of Campos dos Goytacazes revealed opening episodes of hygrophilous forest and the establishment of field vegetation, recorded at ca. 6,500 and ca. 4,000 14C yr BP. The partial replacement of forest by field vegetation in the first episode was probably caused by floods of the lower areas during the development of the Holocene lagoon phase. During the second episode, successions of vegetational patterns occurred due to lowering of the sea level. Drying and enlarging of the coastal plain have allowed its colonization by herbs and heliophyte plants. The palynological analysis does not provide any evidence that sustains the theories of use of fire and agricultural activities by indigenous groups during these periods.
Famílias cuidadoras de pessoa idosa: relação com instituições sociais e de saúde
Authors: Creutzberg Marion , Santos Beatriz Regina Lara dos
Published: August 2011

Trata-se de pesquisa de cunho qualitativo que teve como objetivo compreender a relação de famílias de classe popular cuidadoras de idoso fragilizado com as instituições sociais e de saúde. A metodologia utilizada é o Estudo de Caso do Tipo Etnográfico. A coleta de dados foi realizada com Observação Participante e Entrevista com quatro famílias. Através da análise de conteúdo foram identificados três temas: o suporte social, a relação com os serviços de saúde, a relação com a unidade sanitária local. As famílias destacam que o acesso aos serviços de saúde é sofrível e ressaltam a urgência em solidificar o Sistema Único de Saúde, em busca da concretização dos seus princípios.
A medicação prescrita na internação hospitalar: o conhecimento do cliente
Authors: Zanetti Ana Carolina Guidorizzi , Cassiani Sílvia Helena De Bortoli , Afonso Izabela Ramos Moreira , Freire Claudia Câmara , Teles Filho Paulo Celso Prado
Published: August 2011

Erros no processo de administração de medicamentos são preocupações de enfermeiros e a sua ocorrência pode ser minimizada com a orientação do cliente quanto à terapia medicamentosa. Este estudo descritivo, teve como objetivo identificar o grau de informação de clientes hospitalizados, acerca dos medicamentos que lhes são prescritos. A metodologia utilizada foi a exploratória-descritiva. Foram entrevistados 76 clientes adultos, hospitalizados, entre 18 a 60 anos, sendo 69,7% do sexo feminino. Destacou-se dentre outros, que 28% não apresentavam conhecimento acerca do nome do primeiro medicamento prescrito e 55% não souberam referir a dosagem. Detectou-se um número razoável de clientes que desconheciam a medicação prescrita ou tinham conhecimento incorreto. Faz-se necessário a conscientização dos profissionais de enfermagem quanto à importância da orientação ao cliente acerca dos medicamentos durante a internação.
Teoria humanística: análise semântica do conceito de community
Authors: Pagliuca Lorita Marlena Freitag , Campos Antônia do Carmo Soares Campos
Published: August 2011

A teoria Humanística de Enfermagem apresenta a palavra community que pode ser interpretada como comunidade e comunhão. Este estudo objetivou refletir criticamente acerca da clareza semântica do conceito de community. Pesquisa bibliográfica realizada em dicionários, na literatura de lingüística, fenomenologia com a utilização do modelo de análise de teorias de Meleis. Após leitura compreensiva da Teoria Humanística recortamos trechos onde aparece a palavra community a qual foi substituída por comunhão e comunidade. Inferimos que community é usada de forma indistinta pelas autoras podendo significar comunidade e comunhão. Concluímos que embora as teóricas utilizem o termo comunidade para designar fenômenos que estariam mais bem representados pelo termo comunhão, este pode ser apreendido em sua plenitude como a perfeita união das palavras princípio EU-TU originando o NÓS.
Projeto pedagógico do curso de graduação em enfermagem/UFAL: adequações às diretrizes curriculares
Authors: Santos Regina Maria dos , Brandão Francisco da Silva , Valverde Rosimar Camilo , Trezza Maria Cristina Soares Figueiredo
Published: August 2011

Analisa a adequação do Projeto Político Pedagógico do Curso de Graduação em Enfermagem da Universidade Federal de Alagoas às novas Diretrizes Curriculares Nacionais para o Curso de Graduação em Enfermagem, evidenciando as convergências e as necessidades de aproximação, considerando que o primeiro foi anterior às Diretrizes atuais. A análise mostra que as principais dificuldades do currículo implantado residem nas inerentes ao processo de mudança de concepções sobre processo educativo de enfermagem e nas condições de trabalho impostas pela atual situação da Universidade Pública Brasileira. Sugere revisão de estratégias e conteúdos relativos aos fundamentos da pesquisa, da extensão e das ciências da Enfermagem, além da busca de outras alternativas de integração com as áreas de domínio das ciências humanas e de saúde.
Assistência de enfermagem em serviço pré-hospitalar e remoção aeromédica
Authors: Rocha Patrícia Kuerten , Prado Marta Lenise do , Radünz Vera , Wosny Antônio de Miranda
Published: August 2011

Trata o presente artigo de um relato de experiência desenvolvida durante a realização do Trabalho de Conclusão de Curso de Enfermagem da Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, no segundo semestre de 2000. Discute a importância do Serviço de Atendimento Pré-hospitalar e Remoção Aeromédica e a necessidade de preparação da Enfermagem para atender as demandas crescentes desses serviços. Apresenta uma revisão histórica destas formas de atenção á saúde no Brasil e no mundo. Discute alguns aspectos relacionados a administração dos recursos humanos e materiais, no tocante a sua especificidade em serviços dessa natureza. Por fim, aponta para a importância do papel do Enfermeiro, bem como da necessária ampliação de suas competências para atuação na área de atendimento pré-hospitalar e remoção aeromédica.
Preservativo feminino: uma possibilidade de autonomia para as mulheres HIV positivas
Authors: Preussler Gisele Maria Inchauspe , Micheletti Vania Celina Dezoti , Pedro Eva Neri Rubim
Published: August 2011

Neste texto as autoras relatam uma experiência desenvolvida no Serviço de Assistência Especializada em DST/AIDS de Porto Alegre, onde uma delas atua. Aborda a mulher na fase adulta enfocando sexualidade, reprodução e vulnerabilidade em relação às DST´s, principalmente a infecção pelo HIV. A metodologia empregada consta de um levantamento de dados a partir do retorno ao serviço, para o recebimento do preservativo feminino no período de um ano. Os sujeitos são mulheres soropositivas vinculadas ao serviço. Os resultados apontam que a adesão ao preservativo é incipiente e a adoção do método exige uma mudança de comportamento das mulheres em fase de desenvolvimento anterior a fase adulta, assim como a importância da conscientização dos profissionais sejam eles da Educação ou da Saúde.
A prática do ensino na Escola de Enfermagem Alfredo Pinto: um registro da mídia impressa (1946)
Authors: Porto Fernando , Moreira Almerinda , Silva Júnior Osnir Claudiano da , Oliveira Dieckson Baptista
Published: August 2011

Estudo histórico social tem por objetivo analisar o conteúdo de reportagem sobre o ensino na Escola de Enfermagem Alfredo Pinto (1946). O referencial teórico tem por base a linguagem da palavra e da imagem. Metodologia - A organização dos dados da reportagem foi analisada com base em 13 subtítulos e 14 imagens fotográficas, das quais recortamos quatro com critério metodologico. Resultados: o estudo apontou para: 1) o cumprimento dos requisitos básicos, preconizados pelo Ministério da Educação e Saúde para o ensino de enfermagem e; 2) a contribuição da EEAP para o ensino da enfermagem, que além da formação profissional, remunerava seus alunos e a garantia de inclusão no mercado de trabalho.
Propagação in vitro de orquídea: iodeto de potássio e cloreto de cobalto em meio de cultura Knudson C
Authors: Soares Joyce Dória Rodrigues , Pasqual Moacir , Rodrigues Filipe Almendagna , Villa Fabiola , Carvalho Janice Guedes de , Araujo Aparecida Gomes de
Published: August 2011

Objetivou-se determinar modificações ao meio de cultura Knudson C, acrescendo-o de iodeto de potássio e cloreto de cobalto, para que proporcione maior crescimento em plântulas de Cattleya loddigesii. Plântulas de orquídea, oriundas de sementes germinadas in vitro, com, aproximadamente, 1,0 cm de comprimento, foram inoculadas em tubos de ensaio contendo 15 mL de meio de cultura Knudson C modificado, acrescido de iodeto de potássio (0; 0,45; 0,9 e 1,35 mg.L-1) e cloreto de cobalto (0; 0,015; 0,030 e 0,045 mg.L-1), em todas as combinações possíveis. O meio de cultura teve seu pH ajustado para 5,8 ± 0,1 e foi solidificado com 5 g.L-1 de ágar antes da autoclavagem a 121ºC e 1 atm por 20 minutos. Após a inoculação os tratamentos foram mantidos em sala de crescimento com irradiância de 35 µmol.m-2.s-1, temperatura de 25 ± 1ºC e fotoperíodo de 16 horas. Ao final de 120 dias, foram avaliados número de raízes, comprimento médio de raízes e da parte aérea e massa de matéria fresca de plântulas. O cloreto de cobalto, em sua maior concentração (0,045 mg L-1), adicionado ao meio Knudson C modificado, sem a suplementação de iodeto de potássio, proporciona melhores resultados quanto ao crescimento in vitro das plântulas de Cattleya loddigesii.
Avaliação físico-química e aplicação de modelos matemáticos na predição do comportamento de polpas de manga desidratadas em pó
Authors: Bezerra Tânya Sulamytha , Costa José Maria Correia da , Afonso Marcos Rodrigues Amorim , Maia Geraldo Arraes , Clemente Edmar
Published: August 2011

A manga é uma fruta tropical muito popular em virtude das suas características exóticas e do seu valor nutritivo, sendo bastante apreciada na culinária e na alimentação da população brasileira. Este trabalho teve como objetivo analisar o comportamento higroscópico dos pós de manga das variedades Rosa e Tommy Atkins através de isotermas de adsorção, e as características físico-químicas e minerais tanto destes pós quanto das frutas na sua forma in natura. A partir dos resultados obtidos das análises físico-químicas e minerais para as amostras in natura e em pó, observa-se que as variedades Rosa e Tommy Atkins são estatisticamente semelhantes entre si na maioria dos parâmetros analisados. No entanto, observa-se que a variedade Rosa apresentou uma melhor qualidade nutricional que a variedade Tommy Atkins, notadamente no que se refere ao teor de vitamina C e carotenóides. Para o ajuste das isotermas de adsorção, os modelos de GAB e de Oswin se ajustaram satisfatoriamente aos dados experimentais dos pós de manga, exceto para a variedade Rosa. Também foi detectado que em ambientes com atividade de água elevada (a partir de 0,70) os pós das variedades Rosa e Tommy Atkins apresentam um comportamento mais higroscópico.
Cortisol sérico de equinos com compactação experimental no cólon maior tratados com hidratações enteral e parenteral
Authors: Ribeiro Filho José Dantas , Dantas Waleska de Melo Ferreira , Alves Geraldo Eleno Silveira
Published: August 2011

O cortisol sérico foi estudado em equinos com compactação experimental do cólon maior tratados com fluidoterapias enteral (EN) e intravenosa (IV). Utilizaram-se 10 animais separados em dois grupos de cinco cada. Os animais eram portadores de compactação induzida no cólon maior. O grupo EN foi tratado com solução isotônica poliônica enteral (8 mL/kg/h/48 h), enquanto o grupo IV recebeu Ringer lactato (16 mL/kg/h/12 h, durante dois dias). A compactação do cólon maior ocasionou aumento (P < 0,05) nos valores do cortisol nos animais de ambos os grupos. As soluções utilizadas no tratamento da compactação, fluidoterapia enteral com solução isotônica poliônica (EN) e fluidoterapia intravenosa com solução de Ringer lactato (IV), foram eficientes na redução dos valores do cortisol sérico em equinos com compactação induzida no cólon maior.
Componentes do rendimento de grãos em trigo e seus efeitos diretos e indiretos na produtividade
Authors: Vesohoski Fernando , Marchioro Volmir Sergio , Franco Francisco de Assis , Cantelle Alexandro
Published: August 2011

Com o uso da análise de trilha, é possível avaliar as associações entre caracteres e desdobrar a correlação existente em efeitos diretos e indiretos. O objetivo deste estudo foi estimar correlações genotípicas e desdobrar os efeitos diretos e indiretos dos componentes do rendimento de grãos sobre a produtividade de cultivares de trigo. O experimento foi conduzido no ano de 2008, no campo experimental da Cooperativa Central de Pesquisa Agrícola (Coodetec) no município de Palotina/PR. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi de blocos casualizados com três repetições. As características avaliadas foram: tamanho da espiga, número de espiguetas por espiga, número de grãos por espiga, número de espigas por metro, massa de mil grãos e rendimento de grãos. Os resultados obtidos foram submetidos à análise de variância e à análise de trilha. A análise de variância mostrou diferença entre os genótipos avaliados, indicando a presença de variabilidade genética para os caracteres avaliados. A seleção indireta, por meio do número de grãos por espiga, levando em consideração a massa de mil grãos, é a melhor estratégia para a obtenção de genótipos superiores em rendimento de grãos.