bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Local and global fluid effects on sonic wave modes
Authors: Dahl Elliot J. H. , Spikes Kyle T.
Published: August 2017

Most subsurface formations of value to exploration contain a heterogeneous fluid-filled pore space, where local fluid-pressure effects can significantly change the velocities of passing seismic waves. To better understand the effect of these local pressure gradients on borehole wave propagation, we combined Chapman’s squirt-flow model with Biot’s poroelastic theory. We applied the unified theory to a slow and fast formation with permeable borehole walls containing different quantities of compliant pores. These results are compared with those for a formation with no soft pores. The discrete wavenumber summation method with a monopole point source generates the wavefields consisting of the P-, S-, leaky-P, Stoneley, and pseudo-Rayleigh waves. The resulting synthetic wave modes are processed using a weighted spectral semblance (WSS) algorithm. We found that the resulting WSS dispersion curves closely matched the analytical expressions for the formation compressional velocity and solutions to the period equation for dispersion for the P-wave, Stoneley-wave, and pseudo-Rayleigh wave phase velocities in the slow and fast formations. The WSS applied to the S-wave part of the waveforms, however, did not correlate as well with its respective analytical expression for formation S-wave velocity, most likely due to interference of the pseudo-Rayleigh wave. To separate changes in formation P- and S-wave velocities versus fluid-flow effects on the Stoneley-wave mode, we computed the slow-P wave dispersion for the same formations. We found that fluid-saturated soft pores significantly affected the P- and S-wave effective formation velocities, whereas the slow-P wave velocity was rather insensitive to the compliant pores. Thus, the large phase-velocity effect on the Stoneley wave mode was mainly due to changes in effective formation P- and S-wave velocities and not to additional fluid mobility.
Thyroid Cancer Incidences From Selected South America Population-Based Cancer Registries: An Age-Period-Cohort Study
Authors: Borges Anne Karin da Mota , Miranda-Filho Adalberto , Koifman Sérgio , Koifman Rosalina Jorge
Published: August 2017

Purpose

The incidence of thyroid cancer (TC) has increased substantially worldwide. However, there is a lack of knowledge about age-period-cohort (APC) effects on incidence rates in South American countries. This study describes the TC incidence trends and analyzes APC effects in Cali, Colombia; Costa Rica; Goiânia, Brazil; and Quito, Ecuador.

Materials and Methods

Data were obtained from the Cancer Incidence in Five Continents series, and the crude and age-standardized incidence rates were calculated. Trends were assessed using the estimated annual percentage change, and APC models were estimated using Poisson regression for individuals between age 20 and 79 years.

Results

An increasing trend in age-standardized incidence rates was observed among women from Goiânia (9.2%), Costa Rica (5.7%), Quito (4.0%), and Cali (3.4%), and in men from Goiânia (10.0%) and Costa Rica (3.4%). The APC modeling showed that there was a period effect in all regions and for both sexes. Increasing rate ratios were observed among women over the periods. The best fit model was the APC model in women from all regions and in men from Quito, whereas the age-cohort model showed a better fit in men from Cali and Costa Rica, and the age-drift model showed a better fit among men from Goiânia.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that overdiagnosis is a possible explanation for the observed increasing pattern of TC incidence. However, some environmental exposures may also have contributed to the observed increase.
A Graphics Processing Unit Algorithm to Solve the Quadratic Assignment Problem Using Level-2 Reformulation-Linearization Technique
Authors: Gonçalves Alexandre Domingues , Pessoa Artur Alves , Bentes Cristiana , Farias Ricardo , Drummond Lúcia Maria de A.
Published: August 2017

The quadratic assignment problem (QAP) is a combinatorial optimization problem that arises in many real-world applications, such as equipment allocation in industry. The QAP is NP-hard and, in practice, one of the hardest combinatorial optimization problems to solve to optimality. Exact solutions of QAP are typically obtained by the branch-and-bound method. This method, however, potentially requires a high computational effort, and the use of good lower bounds is essential to prune the search tree. Branch-and-bound algorithms that use the dual-ascent procedure based on the level-2 reformulation linearization technique (RLT2) belong to the state of the art on exactly solving QAP. In this work, we propose a parallel implementation of that branch-and-bound algorithm. Our approach uses the Auction Algorithm of Bertsekas and Castañon to solve the linear assignment problems of RLT2, which allows us to take advantage of the massive parallel environment of graphics processing units to speed up the lower bound computation and implement some memory optimization techniques to address large-size problems. We report experimental results that show significant execution time reductions compared to previous works and allow us to provide, for the first time, exact solutions for two instances of QAP: tai35b and tai40b.
Get in Line: Chapter 11 Restructuring in Crowded Bankruptcy Courts
Authors: Iverson Benjamin
Published: August 2017

Bankruptcy costs depend not only on the laws that govern financial distress but also on the ability of the court to rehabilitate distressed firms. This paper tests whether Chapter 11 restructuring outcomes are affected by time constraints in busy bankruptcy courts. Using the passage of the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act as an exogenous shock to caseloads, I find that commercial banks report lower charge-offs on business lending when court caseloads decline, suggesting that the costs of financial distress are lower in less-congested courts. Further, court caseload affects how restructuring takes place. Less-busy bankruptcy judges liquidate fewer small firms, but more large firms. When caseload declines, large firms spend less time in court and firms that are dismissed from court are less likely to refile for bankruptcy. In addition, firms are less likely to sell assets or obtain debtor-in-possession financing in less-busy courts.

The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2017.2808 .

This paper was accepted by Amit Seru, finance.
Fundamental uncertainty limit for speckle displacement measurements
Authors: Fischer Andreas
Published: August 2017

The basic metrological task in speckle photography is to quantify
displacements of speckle patterns, allowing for instance the
investigation of the mechanical load and modification of objects with
rough surfaces. However, the fundamental limit of the measurement
uncertainty due to photon shot noise is unknown. For this reason, the
Cramér–Rao bound (CRB) is derived for speckle displacement
measurements, representing the squared minimal achievable measurement
uncertainty. As result, the CRB for speckle patterns is only two times
the CRB for an ideal point light source. Hence, speckle photography is
an optimal measurement approach for contactless displacement
measurements on rough surfaces. In agreement with a derivation from
Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle, the CRB depends on the number of
detected photons and the diffraction limit of the imaging system
described by the speckle size. The theoretical results are verified
and validated, demonstrating the capability for displacement
measurements with nanometer resolution.
IMPACT OF CAPITAL STRUCTURE ON PROFITABILITY AND EARNINGS OF THE FIRM; A STUDY ON PAKISTANI COMPANIES FROM DIFFERENT SECTORS
Authors: Ali Aamir
Published: August 2017

Capital structure is the driver of profitability and earnings of any company; therefore the impact of capital structure is analyzed in companies selected from different sectors of Pakistan including public and private sector. The financial data of 22 companies have been observed from 2010-2015. Eviews 8 has been used to analyze the panel regression. The Hausman test confirms that random effect model is appropriate for both ROE and EPS. Findings reveal that DE is insignificantly negatively related to ROE but significantly positively related to EPS where DA is insignificantly positively related to ROE but significantly negatively related to EPS. The policy makers of sample companies should consider the impact of capital structure on EPS.
Central giant cell granuloma of the maxilla: a case re-port
Authors: Alchalabi Najwa , Salih Hayder , Merza Ahmed
Published: August 2017

Introduction: Central giant-cell is a benign lesion that predominantly involves the bone of the mandible and maxilla with a wide variation of its behavior. Surgery usually is the first choice in treatment of central giant cell granuloma.Case Report: In this case report we present a 29 years-old female with well define swelling on left maxilla. Diagnosis through incisional biopsy showed a central giant cell granuloma. Surgery with curettage was our treatment option with a follow up( 2 years ), No recurrence was reported.Discussion: Information on the maxillary central giant cell granuloma in published studies is insufficient. So here we present our case as unusual case presentation. Differential diagnosis of this case included osteosarcoma (parosteal type) since the tumor clinical presentation in periosteous tissue adjacent to the bone cortex and showed rapid growth. We chose the conventional surgical treatment by simple surgical curettage by mid-face degloving approach to avoid any facial scaring.
Genetics and current treatment strategy of colorectal cancer
Authors: Islam Muhammad
Published: August 2017

This review aims to sketch a current scenario of colorectal cancer (CRC). Findings say that males are the most susceptible to CRC than the females. BRAF and RAS mutations are known as common causes of CRC. Not only targeted therapy but also a combination of radio- and chemotherapy is very useful in CRC.
On limit behavior of maximum vertex degree in a conditional configuration graph near critical points
Authors: Pavlov Yuri L. , Feklistova Elena V.
Published: August 2017

We consider configuration graphs with N vertices. The degrees of vertices are independent identically distributed random variables having the power-law distribution with parameter τ > 0. There are two critical values of this parameter: τ = 1 and τ = 2. The properties of a graph change significantly when τ = τ(N) passes these points as N → ∞. Let G

N,n
be the subset of random graphs under the condition that sum of degrees of its vertices is equal to n. The limit theorem for the maximum vertex degree in G

N,n
as N,n → ∞ and τ → 1 or τ → 2 is proved.
Estimates of the number of (k, l)-sumsets in the finite Abelian group
Authors: Sargsyan Vahe G.
Published: August 2017

The subset A of the group G is called (k, l)-sumset if there exists subset B ⊆ G such that A = kB-lB, where kB - lB = {x
1 + ... + x

k
- x

k+1 ... - x

k+l
| x
1,..., x

k+l
∈ B}. Upper and lower bounds of the number of (k, l)-sumsets in the Abelian group are obtained.
Steganographic capacity for one-dimensional Markov cover
Authors: Voloshko Valeriy A.
Published: August 2017

For shift-invariant probability measures on the set of infinite two-sided binary sequences (one-dimensional covers) we introduce the notion of capacity as a maximum portion of embedded into the cover uniformly distributed (purely random) binary sequence (message) that admits special correction of the cover restoring its distribution up to distribution of n-tuples (subwords of some fixed length n). “Special correction” is carried out using the proposed new algorithm that changes some of the cover’s symbols not occupied by embedded message. The features of the introduced capacity are examined for the Markov cover. In particular, we show how capacity may be significantly increased by weakening of the standard constraint that positions for message embedding have to be chosen by independent unfair coin tosses. Experimental results are presented for correction of real steganographic covers after LSB-embedding.
Geochemical characterization of Neogene sediments from onshore West Baram Delta Province, Sarawak: paleoenvironment, source input and thermal maturity
Authors: Togunwa Olayinka S. , Abdullah Wan H.
Published: August 2017

The Neogene strata of the onshore West Baram Province of NW Borneo contain organic rich rock formations particularly within the Sarawak basin. This basin is a proven prolific oil and gas province, thus has been a subject of great interest to characterise the nature of the organic source input and depositional environment conditions as well as thermal maturation. This study is performed on outcrop samples of Lambir, Miri and Tukau formations, which are of stratigraphic equivalence to the petroleum bearing cycles of the offshore West Baram delta province in Sarawak. The investigated mudstone samples are organic rich with a total organic carbon (TOC) content of more than 1.0 wt.%. The integration of elemental and molecular analyses indicates that there is no significant variation in the source input between these formations. The investigated biomarkers parameters achieved from acyclic isoprenoids, terpanes and steranes biomarkers of a saturated hydrocarbon biomarkers revealed that these sediments contain high contribution of land plants with minor marine organic matter input that was deposited and preserved under relatively oxic to suboxic conditions. This is further supported by low total sulphur (TS), high TOC/TN ratios, source and redox sensitive trace elements (V, Ni, Cr, Co and Mo) concentrations and their ratios, which suggest terrigenous source input deposited under oxic to suboxic conditions. Based on the analysed biomarker thermal maturity indicators, it may be deduced that the studied sediments are yet to enter the maturity stage for hydrocarbon generation, which is also supported by measured vitrinite reflectance values of 0.39-0.48% R
Surface modification of Norway spruce wood by octadecyltrichlorosilane (OTS) nanosol by dipping and water vapour diffusion properties of the OTS-modified wood
Authors: Kumar Anuj , Richter Jan , Tywoniak Jan , Hajek Petr , Adamopoulos Stergios , Šegedin Urban , Petrič Marko
Published: August 2017

The present research deals with a simple dipping method to insert octadecyltrichlorosilane (OTS) into cell walls of spruce wood and to deposit OTS layers on its inner and outer surfaces. Distribution and chemical interactions of OTS with wood polymers has been investigated by scanning electron microscopy-energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The OTS/n-hexane solution penetrated into wood via capillary forces through ray tracheids and bordered pits and was deposited as OTS organic-inorganic layers on wood cell walls. The hypothesis is supported by the results, according to which the OTS molecules are hydrolysed by the wood moisture and by free OH groups of the cell wall components. The hydrolysed OTS molecules react with the OH groups and elevate the hydrophobicity of wood.
Health policy making for street children: challenges and strategies
Authors: Abdi Fatemeh , Saeieh Sara Esmaelzadeh , Roozbeh Nasibeh , Yazdkhasti Mansoureh
Published: August 2017

Background

The phenomenon of street children is a bio-psychological and social issue that not only harms children, but also endangers the health of a society. In line with the national programs for the development and promotion of street children’s health in Iran, health policy making and essential strategies for this group of children will be presented in this paper. This paper will discuss the main issues and challenges of street children’s health and, also, health policy and guidelines for this population.

Methods

In this review study, the keywords; street children, health, challenges, policy, and health policy making were searched through PubMed, SID, Iranmedex, World Health Organization (WHO), Emro, the Cochran Library, Medline and Google scholar to collect data. The search resulted in 84 related resources from which 48 cases that were more relevant to this research and covered the issue more comprehensively, were used. All data published during 2002–2015 have been included in this paper.

Results

Key concepts including street children and their health, health policy, strategies to improve the health of street children, health policy approaches for street children, the WHO’s strategies, and social support program for street children must be considered in the health policy making processes for street children, as precise identification of the relevant information makes planning more effective in health policy making for this group of children.

Conclusion

The phenomenon of street children is a growing problem in the world and it has turned into a serious concern in many countries including Iran. The findings of this study can be used for identifying necessary measures in order to use research outcomes more effectively in policy making processes and reforming street children’s health policies in Iran.
What is in a language: Essentialism in macro-sociolinguistic research on Afrikaans
Authors: Kirsten Johanita
Published: August 2017

Essentialist conceptions about language, and the relationship between language and other things, are still fairly common in society, and to some extent in linguistics. It is of particular relevance when working with specific (named or unnamed) languages in multilingual environments, or with one specific (named or unnamed) variety of a language among many. This article investigates how essentialism manifests in a collection of macro-sociolinguistic research articles on Afrikaans in contemporary, multilingual South Africa through critical discourse analysis. The findings indicate that subtle and covert indications of an extent of essentialism are quite common in the data, and even explicitly essentialist statements and claims are not completely absent. Some counter-examples of and challenges to essentialism in the data are also explored, although they are found to be less common than covert instances of essentialism. Suggestions regarding a few essentialism-related problems that arise from the data are discussed briefly.
Transnationalism in the Pacific Region as a Concept of State Identity
Authors: Tökölyová Tatiana
Published: August 2017

This paper is devoted to the fulfillment of the concept of transnational citizenship achieved by New Zealand toward the Pacific Island countries, mainly through their constitutional relations, and the paper analyzes the fundamental question of what aspects comprise the core of the transnational aspect of this community. The aim here is to put forward the key aspects and steps in the building and development of a functioning model of transnational communities, with emphasis on the legal instrument of regional identity building, namely, the introduction and development of dual citizenship as the adaptation of the historical heritage of the colonial past (British citizenship) to the conditions of a globalized world while taking all the problems that the region faces now into account. We see transnational communities to be an important expression of contemporary globalization, as they have also been historically, as proved by New Zealand and the Pacific Island countries.
The Arab College in Jerusalem 1918-1948: Influence of the Curriculum on the Cultural Awakening
Authors: Hajj Samir
Published: August 2017

This article seeks to shed light on the curriculum of the Arab College in Jerusalem established by the British Mandate Government in 1918. The curriculum of the college was similar to the educational program of an English public school and was overwhelmingly geared toward English language and literature, with special emphasis on British history, in addition to Arabic, Latin, geography, science, and mathematics. The curriculum was also geared toward teachers’ training, in order to create a class of professionals to occupy managerial positions in the Mandate government and help in the administration of the country by working in schools, banks, and the Postal Service. This article examines and analyzes the curriculum of the Arab College, including textbooks and final examinations. It will also look at the role of the British Mandate Government in the improvement of the education system and the personal interviews with present graduates from the Arab College. It also examines the influence of the educational program on the writings of one of its graduates, Jabra Ibrahim Jabra (1920–1994). The literary works of Jabra, mainly in novel, poetry, and translation, represent an example on how the Arab College promoted the British culture among the Palestinian graduates of the college.
Between Diplomacy and Paradiplomacy: Taiwan's Foreign Relations in Current Practice
Authors: Pajtinka Erik
Published: August 2017

The study deals with Taiwan’s engagement in international relations from the viewpoint of practical performance of its foreign activities. It is stressed that Taiwan’s foreign activities may be divided by their nature into two basic groups: the official diplomatic activities that Taiwan carries out in relation to those foreign states with which it has established diplomatic relations, and unofficial quasidiplomatic or paradiplomatic activities that Taiwan carries out in relation to the states with which it does not have diplomatic relations. In the study, the diplomatic and quasidiplomatic or paradiplomatic activities of Taiwan are compared, especially with emphasis on their institutional backgrounds, legal regulations, and other conditions for their practical performance. It is concluded that the differences between the diplomatic and paradiplomatic dimensions of Taiwan’s foreign activities are rooted mainly in their formal and protocolar aspects, whereas from the viewpoint of their organization and practical performance, these differences are minimal.
Divided National Identity in Moldova
Authors: Baar Vladimír , Jakubek Daniel
Published: August 2017

This paper discusses the competing processes between Moldovan and Romanian identities for the creation of a national identity in the Republic of Moldova. The issue of a common national identity for the people of the Republic of Moldova has been a problem since the beginning of this state’s independence. Throughout the 25 years of independence, different concepts of a Moldovan nation have competed in public, scientific, and political discourse. As a result of the historical context, the region has a linguistic specificity, which is based on the example of the Romanians, Moldovans, and Russians living in this region. Through archival research, field research, and interviews with Moldovan intellectuals and officials, this study recognizes the need for a national identity in the creation of unity and a sense of nationalism for Moldovan citizens.
Loss-Less Elliptical Channel Drop Filter for WDM Applications
Authors: Naghizade S. , Sattari-Esfahlan S. M.
Published: August 2017

In this paper, we proposed optical filter based on two-dimensional photonic crystal elliptical channel for wavelength division multiplexing. We employed ring resonator with ellipse shaped core in proposed structure. The resonance wavelength of the ring resonators depends on two parameters: refractive index and radius of dielectric rods. We investigate the physical parameters governing the filter performance. Our results show that the transmission efficiency is 100 % due to nearly zero reflection and loss in channel. Band width of 4 nm and quality factor of 389 is obtained for filter. Also, the total footprint of proposed structure is 230.4 µm2 which makes it suitable for all optical integrated circuits.
Research on the Evaluation of Enterprises’ Green Growth Efficiency Based on DEMATEL-DEA
Authors: Chen Xinghong , Wu Chunyou , Kuang Haibo
Published: August 2017

With the transformation of economic growth modes, green growth is becoming the main source of global economic growth for the future. Enterprises are the main carriers of the economic growth in a country or a region, and enterprises’ green growth efficiency determines the regional sustainable growth ability. On this basis, this paper investigates the problem of enterprises’ green growth efficiency in China and identifies the input and output indexes of the green growth using the DEMATEL method. Then, through the super efficiency DEA model, this paper measures the enterprise green growth efficiency of 31 regions in China in the years 2003, 2007 and 2012. In accordance with the four parts, including the East, the Central, the West and the Northeast, this paper completes a spatial and temporal variation analysis. The results show that there is an obvious regional difference in enterprise green growth efficiency in China during the above 3 years. Ranking the average efficiency from high to low, the order is as follows: the West, Central region, the Northeast and the East. Enterprise green growth efficiency shows a rising trend in the Northeast, and other regions show a downward trend. The enterprise green growth efficiency in the East is higher than the national average, and the efficiency in the other regions is less than the national average.
Robust wavebuoys for the marginal ice zone: Experiences from a large persistent array in the Beaufort Sea
Authors: Doble Martin J. , Wilkinson Jeremy P. , Valcic Lovro , Robst Jeremy , Tait Andrew , Preston Mark , Bidlot Jean-Raymond , Hwang Byongjun , Maksym Ted , Wadhams Peter
Published: August 2017

An array of novel directional wavebuoys was designed and deployed into the Beaufort Sea ice cover in March 2014, as part of the Office of Naval Research Marginal Ice Zone experiment. The buoys were designed to drift with the ice throughout the year and monitor the expected breakup and retreat of the ice cover, forced by waves travelling into the ice from open water. Buoys were deployed from fast-and-light air-supported ice camps, based out of Sachs Harbour on Canada’s Banks Island, and drifted westwards with the sea ice over the course of spring, summer and autumn, as the ice melted, broke up and finally re-froze. The buoys transmitted heave, roll and pitch timeseries at 1 Hz sample frequency over the course of up to eight months, surviving both convergent ice dynamics and significant waves-in-ice events. Twelve of the 19 buoys survived until their batteries were finally exhausted during freeze-up in late October/November. Ice impact was found to have contaminated a significant proportion of the Kalman-filter-derived heave records, and these bad records were removed with reference to raw x/y/z accelerations. The quality of magnetometer-derived buoy headings at the very high magnetic field inclinations close to the magnetic pole was found to be generally acceptable, except in the case of four buoys which had probably suffered rough handling during transport to the ice. In general, these new buoys performed as expected, though vigilance as to the veracity of the output is required.
Trauma From the Past
Authors: Ford Carrie , Rossiter Kate
Published: August 2017

Carrie Anne Ford lived most of her childhood in the Huronia Regional Centre. Even though she grew up in a place that was very unkind, she is an expert in caring for animals and children. She is also great singer who won a trophy. Carrie Anne can see and name the truth in hard cases, and speaks frankly about weakness and pain at Huronia. Now that her partner has died, Carrie Anne is still proud of her 26-year marriage. For the past four years, Carrie Anne has been a co- researcher working with Recounting Huronia: a collective of researchers, artists, and survivors using arts-based and storytelling methods to return to and preserve lived memories of the HRC. The research team often operated in pairs, in monthly workshops that used scrapbooking, poetry, cabaret performance, and other arts-based methods to articulate traumatic memories. Carrie Anne worked closely with Kate Rossiter during this time, and began to articulate her experience of living at Huronia through writing and art. Carrie Anne wrote this history on her own, then worked with Kate Rossiter who compiled and transcribed this work.
Unheard Voices: Sisters Share about Institutionalization
Authors: Burghardt Madeline , Freeman Victoria , Dolmage Marilyn , Orick Colleen
Published: August 2017

The recent emergence of institutional survivors’ accounts of mistreatment and abuse in Ontario’s institutions for the “feebleminded” offers a window into Canada’s long history of segregation, mistreatment, and neglect of people labelled intellectually disabled. The breaking of this silence has also allowed the stories of others who were deeply affected by institutionalization to come forward. Narratives from siblings of institutionalized individuals, although not first-hand accounts of the life inside institutional walls, offer much needed perspective on the extensive and ongoing effect of institutionalization in the lives of thousands of families, and offer additional insight from another marginalized group that until now has not held a place in Canada’s visible and spoken history. This paper is a weaving together of three sibling narratives that were part of a panel at the Canadian Disability Studies Association (CDSA) conference in Ottawa, Ontario in June 2015. All sisters of institutionalized persons, the three contributors remark in particular on their profound experiences of loss after their brother or sister was sent away from the family home. The contributors believe that it is through the sharing of such experiences that society can better come to understand the devastation wreaked upon both individuals and families through misinformed and prejudicial policies over a period of more than 150 years.
Age Limit of Pediatrics
Authors: Hardin Amy Peykoff , Hackell Jesse M. ,   COMMITTEE ON PRACTICE AND AMBULATORY MEDICINE, Simon Geoffrey R. , Boudreau Alexy Darlyn Arauz , Baker Cynthia N. , Barden Graham Arthur , Meade Kelley E. , Moore Scot Benton , Richerson Julia
Published: August 2017

This Policy Statement was reaffirmed April 2023.

Pediatrics is a multifaceted specialty that encompasses children’s physical, psychosocial, developmental, and mental health. Pediatric care may begin periconceptionally and continues through gestation, infancy, childhood, adolescence, and young adulthood. Although adolescence and young adulthood are recognizable phases of life, an upper age limit is not easily demarcated and varies depending on the individual patient. The establishment of arbitrary age limits on pediatric care by health care providers should be discouraged. The decision to continue care with a pediatrician or pediatric medical or surgical subspecialist should be made solely by the patient (and family, when appropriate) and the physician and must take into account the physical and psychosocial needs of the patient and the abilities of the pediatric provider to meet these needs.
Can neck circumference predict insulin resistance in older people? A cross-sectional study at primary care in Brazil
Authors: Saad Maria Auxiliadora Nogueira , Rosa Maria Luiza Garcia , Lima Giovanna Balarini , Antunes da Cruz Filho Rubens
Published: August 2017

Abstract: This study focused on the correlation between neck circumference and other anthropometric measurements and cardiovascular risk factors and insulin resistance in the elderly in Niterói, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. This was a cross-sectional study in 411 patients seen in primary care. Anthropometric measurements including neck circumference, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and waist-hip ratio (WHR) were recorded. Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) estimated the percentage of total body fat (%TBF). Insulin resistance was estimated by HOMA-IR (homeostasis model assessment IR index). The data were analyzed by the Mann-Whitney test and the correlation between numerical variables by Spearman’s test. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) was used to assess the anthropometric measurements’ predictive capacity to diagnosis insulin resistance. Neck circumference was positively correlated with WC, BMI, WHR, %TBF, and HOMA-IR in both sexes. In women, neck circumference showed higher AUC (area under the curve) for insulin resistance. In men, WC showed higher AUC, followed by BMI and neck circumference. The current study in Southeast Brazil suggests that neck circumference can predict insulin resistance, an important marker of cardiovascular risk in the elderly population treated in primary care.
Quanto custa o atraso na concessão de patentes de medicamentos para a saúde no Brasil?
Authors: Jannuzzi Anna Haydée Lanzillotti , Vasconcellos Alexandre Guimarães
Published: August 2017

Resumo: O backlog na análise de pedidos de patentes é um problema que persiste desde a promulgação da Lei nº 9.279/1996, quando o Brasil passou a conceder patentes para medicamentos novamente. Os órgãos responsáveis pela concessão dessas patentes, Instituto Nacional da Propriedade Industrial (INPI) e Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária (Anvisa), alegam motivos técnico-administrativos para justificar o atraso. No entanto, os impactos econômicos para a saúde devido à ineficiência do sistema de patentes brasileiro ainda foram pouco investigados. Assim sendo, este trabalho propõe uma metodologia para estimar o quanto as compras públicas de medicamentos são oneradas em função da morosidade na análise dos pedidos de patentes no país. Os resultados mostram que mais de R$ 14 milhões são gastos desnecessariamente anualmente pelo Governo Federal com apenas um medicamento antirretroviral por causa da extensão da vigência das patentes. Conclui-se que medidas governamentais de controle dessa situação são prementes no âmbito dos Três Poderes. Dentre elas, destacam-se a contratação de servidores para o INPI, análise dos projetos de lei que tramitam na Câmara dos Deputados e Senado Federal para a alteração da Lei da Propriedade Industrial, e julgamento das Ações Diretas de Inconstitucionalidade para a supressão do dispositivo legal que possibilita a extensão da vigência das patentes.
PRÁTICAS DAS EQUIPAS NA PREVENÇÃO DE QUEDA NOS IDOSOS INSTITUCIONALIZADOS: CONSTRUÇÃO E VALIDAÇÃO DE ESCALA
Authors: Baixinho Cristina Lavareda , Dixe Maria dos Anjos
Published: August 2017

RESUMO Objetivo: construir e determinar as características psicométricas da escala de práticas e comportamentos das equipes na gestão do risco de queda dos idosos institucionalizados. Método: a escala foi desenhada com base na revisão da literatura e na observação do trabalho das equipes numa instituição de longa permanência para idosos. Foi realizada a análise de conteúdo e a verificação do índice de concordância dos 14 itens iniciais por nove juízes. A escala foi aplicada a uma amostra de 152 cuidadores de seis instituições de longa permanência para idosos. A investigação respeitou os princípios éticos. Garantiu-se o anonimato e a confidencialidade dos dados. Resultados: após a determinação das caraterísticas psicométricas, verificámos que a escala, unidimensional, ficou constituída por seis itens, com um Alfa de Cronbach de 0,918, pontua entre 6 e 30 pontos. A análise dos resultados permite constatar que a informação sobre os fatores de risco e a discussão em equipe sobre as medidas preventivas nem sempre são mantidas, possibilitando que elementos diferentes da equipe possam valorizar medidas diferentes, o que não garante a continuidade de cuidados e a individualização das medidas face ao risco avaliado. Conclusão: a escala tem boas características psicométricas, podendo ser usada na investigação e na prática clínica para avaliar as práticas e os comportamentos das equipes na gestão do risco de queda em idosos institucionalizados.
EFEITO DO GEL DE PLASMA RICO EM PLAQUETAS NA CICATRIZAÇÃO DE ENXERTOS CUTÂNEOS EM EQUINOS
Authors: Bonfá Aline Fabrine , Nomura Roberto Harutomi Corrêa , Prado Antonia Maria Binder do , Silveira Andressa Batista da , Dornbusch Lilian Pamela Tapia Carreno , Dornbusch Peterson Triches
Published: August 2017

Resumo O gel de plasma rico em plaquetas (PRP) é uma concentração autóloga de plaquetas em um pequeno volume de plasma com potencial de melhorar a integração dos enxertos. Foram utilizados oito equinos adultos, realizando-se enxertos de pele com largura de 2,5 x 2,5 centímetros em cada lado do pescoço, sendo um lado o tratamento, com o uso do gel de PRP e do outro lado o controle. Os animais foram avaliados nos dias 0, 7, 14, 21 e 28 após a cirurgia por meio de avaliação clínica, histológica, morfométrica e cultura bacteriana dos enxertos. As avaliações clínicas, morfométricas e bacteriológicas dos tecidos enxertados não revelaram diferenças significativas entre o grupo controle e o grupo tratamento com PRP. A avaliação histológica revelou um aumento da inflamação aguda no momento 7 e de concentração de colágeno no momento 14 no grupo tratamento, decorrente da liberação de fatores de crescimento pelas plaquetas presentes no gel, que não diferiu nos demais momentos. De acordo com as condições experimentais utilizadas neste estudo, pode-se concluir que não houve diferenças significativas entre o lado tratado com PRP e o lado controle em enxertos cutâneos em equinos.
ISOLAMENTO E CULTIVO DE CÉLULAS TRONCO MESENQUIMAIS EXTRAÍDAS DO TECIDO ADIPOSO E DA MEDULA ÓSSEA DE CÃES
Authors: Alves Endrigo Gabellini Leonel , Serakides Rogéria , Rosado Isabel Rodrigues , Boeloni Jankerle Neves , Ocarino Natalia Melo , Rezende Cleuza Maria de Faria
Published: August 2017

Resumo Objetivou-se estabelecer um protocolo para extração, cultivo e expansão de células tronco mesenquimais (CTM), utilizando-se 3,0 mL da medula óssea e 3,0 cm3 de tecido adiposo do subcutâneo de três cães machos com seis meses de idade. As amostras foram processadas e as células extraídas e cultivadas em DMEM. Para comprovação do isolamento de CTM, procedeu-se a caracterização fenotípica e a diferenciação osteogênica, adipogênica e condrogênica. As células isoladas apresentaram morfologia alongada e fusiforme e capacidade de se diferenciar em osteoblastos, adipócitos e condrócitos. A caracterização fenotípica revelou alta expressão de marcadores de CTM CD90 (80,04%) e CD29 (96%) nas células de origem medular e CD90 (60,94%) e CD29 (77,08%) nas de origem adiposa. A expressão de marcadores hematopoiéticos foi baixa tanto nas células de origem medular CD45 (1,45%) e CD34 (1,53%), quanto nas de origem adiposa CD45 (1,45%) e CD34 (1,53%). As modificações e adaptações realizadas nos protocolos clássicos simplificaram o processo e foram eficientes, permitindo o isolamento e cultivo de CTM da medula óssea e do tecido adiposo de cães.
Escherichia coli O157:H7 SURVIVAL IN TRADITIONAL AND LOW LACTOSE YOGURT DURING FERMENTATION AND COOLING PERIODS
Authors: Cutrim Camila Sampaio , Barros Raphael Ferreira de , Franco Robson Maia , Cortez Marco Antonio Sloboda
Published: August 2017

Abstract The purpose of this study was to evaluate the behavior of E. coli O157:H7 during lactose hydrolysis and fermentation of traditional and low lactose yogurt. It also aimed to verify E. coli O157:H7 survival after 12 h of storage at 4 ºC ±1 ºC. Two different types of yogurts were prepared, two with whole milk and two with pre-hydrolyzed whole milk; in both groups one yogurt was inoculated with E. coli O157:H7 and the other one was not inoculated. The survival of E. coli and pH of yogurt were determined during fermentation and after 12-h refrigeration. The results showed that E. coli O157:H7 was able to grow during the fermentation period (from 4.34 log CFU.mL-1 to 6.13 log CFU.mL-1 in traditional yogurt and 4.34 log CFU.mL-1 to 6.16 log CFU.mL-1 in low lactose yogurt). The samples with E. coli O157:H7 showed gas formation and syneresis. Thus, E. coli O157:H7 was able to survive and grow during fermentation of traditional and low lactose yogurts affecting the manufacture technology. Moreover, milk contamination by E. coli before LAB addition reduces the growth of L. bulgaricus and S. thermophilus especially when associated with reduction of lactose content.
COMPARISON BETWEEN TWO TYPES OF ABDUCTION ORTHOTICS IN TREATING CONGENITAL CLUBFOOT
Authors: Lara Luiz Carlos Ribeiro , Gil Bruno Leite , Torres Filho Lucio Carlos de Azevedo , Santos Tarsila Pagnan Silva dos
Published: August 2017

ABSTRACT Objective: The objective of this study was to analyze and compare the effectiveness of two types of abduction orthotics used for the feet, the Denis-Browne type (traditional) and the Dobbs type (dynamic), with regard to maintenance of deformity correction and prevention of recurrence . Method: In this comparative retrospective case study, information was collected from the medical records of children with idiopathic congenital clubfoot (CCF). We evaluated a total of 43 feet in 28 patients, which were divided into two groups. Group 1 was comprised of 16 patients with a total of 24 CCFs treated with the traditional orthotic device. Group 2 consisted of 12 patients with a total of 19 CCFs treated with the dynamic orthotic device. The statistical analysis used the ANOVA test to compare the categorical variables between the groups. A significance level of 5% was adopted (p-value≤0.05) . Results: In Group 1, recurrence was observed in 2 feet (8.33%), and in 1 foot in Group 2 (5.26%). No significant difference in effectiveness was seen between the two types of orthotic devices . Conclusion: Both abduction devices were seen to be effective in maintaining correction of congenital clubfoot deformities. There was no statistical significance between type of orthotic device and recurrence. Level of Evidence III, Retrospective Comparative Study.
ANALYSIS OF FUNCTIONAL CAPACITY IN INDIVIDUALS WITH AND WITHOUT CHRONIC LOWER BACK PAIN
Authors: Rodrigues Claudiane Pedro , Silva Rubens Alexandre da , Nasrala Neto Elias , Andraus Rodrigo Antonio Carvalho , Fernandes Marcos Tadeu Parron , Fernandes Karen Barros Parron
Published: August 2017

ABSTRACT Objective: The objective of this study was to analyze the functional status of adult and older adult individuals with lower back pain . Methods: Eighty-three individuals were recruited, 42 older adults (20 with lower back pain and 22 control group) and 41 younger adults (21 with lower back pain and 20 control group). Functional capacity was assessed using the following tests: Timed Up and Go (TUG), Five Times Sit-to-Stand (FTSTS), six-minute walking test (SMWT), and sitting-rising test (SRT) . Results: In the younger adults, there was no difference in functional capacity between the groups (p>0.05). On the other hand, when statistical analysis was adjusted using body mass index (BMI) as a covariate, the lower back pain group performed more poorly on the SRT (p<0.004). Furthermore, poorer physical capacity was seen in the older adults with back pain via the SRT test (p=0.001), and when the BMI was adjusted, a statistical difference was seen in the SRT as well as the SMWT (p<0.05) . Conclusion: Older individuals with lower back pain have poorer physical performance, and the sitting-rising test is the most discerning for assessment of functional status in individuals with lower back pain. Level of Evidence III, Retrospective Comparative Study.
SURVIVAL OF NONAGENARIAN PATIENTS WITH HIP FRACTURES: A COHORT STUDY
Authors: Ovidiu Alexa , Stefan Gheorghevici Teodor , Dragos Popescu , Bogdan Veliceasa , Dana Alexa Ioana
Published: August 2017

ABSTRACT Objective: The objective of this study was to assess survival and factors that may influence survival in nonagenarians with hip fracture. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 134 nonagenarian patients admitted for hip fractures over a period of 9 years, and reviewed medical records and survival data from the National Population Register. The analysis included demographic data, ASA score, surgical delay, type of treatment, and mortality. Results: Mean patient age was 92.53 years (range 90-103 years). Of the total, 35.8% of the fractures involved the femoral neck and 64.2% were in the trochanteric region. Overall mortality was 18.7% at 30 days, and 9% at one year. Mean survival for the entire sample was 683±78.1 days, with a median of 339 days; survival in men and women was 595±136.8 days and 734±94.6 days, respectively. We found that type of fracture (p=0.026) and ASA score (p=0.004) were the main factors influencing survival. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis indicated that patients with extracapsular fractures treated by internal fixation had a better survival rate (p=0.047). There was no significant differences between sexes (p = 0.102) or diagnosis (p = 0.537) Conclusion: Although nonagenarian patients have numerous comorbidities, surgical treatment using internal fixation seems superior to a conservative approach. Level of Evidence III, Retrospective Comparative Study.
STRUTHERS’ LIGAMENT AND SUPRACONDYLAR HUMERAL PROCESS: AN ANATOMICAL STUDY AND CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS
Authors: Caetano Edie Benedito , Sabongi Neto João José , Vieira Luiz Angelo , Caetano Maurício Ferreira , Bona José Eduardo de , Simonatto Thais Mayor
Published: August 2017

ABSTRACT Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the frequency and anatomical characteristics of Struthers’ ligament and the supracondylar humeral process and evaluate the clinical implications in compressive neuropathy of the median nerve . Method: We dissected 60 arms from 30 cadavers (26 males and 4 females): 15 were previously preserved in formalin and glycerin and 15 were dissected fresh in the Anatomy Laboratory for this paper. The relationships between Struthers’ ligament and the median nerve and brachial artery and veins were documented with drawings and photos . Results: The supracondylar humeral process was not found in any of the 60 dissected arms. Struthers’ ligament was identified in six arms (two bilateral); in all cases high insertion of the pronator teres muscle was observed . Conclusion: Struthers’ ligament is an aponeurotic structure that may or may not be associated with the supracondylar humeral process, and is an important potential site of median nerve compression in the lower third of the arm. Level of Evidence IV, Case Series.
EPIDEMIOLOGY OF FEMUR FRACTURES IN THE ELDERLY AND COST TO THE STATE OF PARANÁ, BRAZIL
Authors: Oliveira Camila Cristine , Borba Victoria Zeghbi Cochenski
Published: August 2017

ABSTRACT Objectives: To evaluate the incidence and economic impact of femur fractures in the state of Paraná, Brazil . Methods: This descriptive study included men and women ≥ 60 years of age with hip fractures which were treated by the Public Health System in emergency care from January 2010 to December 2014. Data were collected from the DATASUS public health database using filters to select patients; results were presented descriptively and as proportions. The standardized incidence of femur fracture was calculated by sex and age for 10,000 inhabitants in Paraná state and in Brazil for the year 2012 . Results: During the study period, 11,226 fractures were registered, 66.8% in women and 33.2% in men. There was a preponderance of fractures in Caucasians and in older age groups. Mortality during hospitalization was 5.9%, higher in males, in patients aged ≥80 years, and in Blacks and Asians. The total cost was R$ 29,393,442.78 and the average cost per hospitalization was R$ 2,618.34. The eastern region of the state had the highest rate of fractures, predominantly in the capital, Curitiba. The standardized incidence rate was higher in females and in the population of Paraná . Conclusion: Femur fractures have a high incidence rate in the elderly population of Paraná and a large economic impact. Level of Evidence II, Prognostic Studies Investigating the effect of a Patient Characterisctic on the Outcome of Disease.