bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Alternative methodology for calculating the modulus of elasticity of wooden beams of structural dimensions
Authors: Christoforo André L. , Panzera Tulio H. , Neto Junior Carlito Calil , Demarzo Mauro A. , Ribeiro Filho Sérgio L. M. , Toniolo Luiz E. , Amstalden Rogério A. S. , Lahr Francisco A. R.
Published: March 2014

This study aims to present an alternative calculation methodology based on the Least Squares Method for determining the modulus of elasticity in bending wooden beams of structural dimensions. The equations developed require knowledge of three or five points measured in displacements along the piece, allowing greater reliability on the response variable, using the statistical bending test at three points and non-destructively, resulting from imposition of measures from small displacements L/300 and L/200, the largest being stipulated by the Brazilian norm NBR 7190:1997. The woods tested were Angico, Cumaru, Garapa and Jatoba. Besides obtaining the modulus of elasticity through the alternative methodology proposed, these were also obtained employing the Brazilian norm NBR 7190:1997, adapted to the condition of non-destructive testing (small displacements) and for pieces of structural dimensions. The results of the modulus of elasticity of the four species of wood according to both calculation approaches used proved to be equivalent, implying the good approximation provided by the methodology of calculation adapted from the Brazilian norm.
Validação de um modelo de cálculo por elementos finitos do chassi de uma semeadora de quatro linhas
Authors: Niemczewski Bóris K. , Reis Ângelo V. dos , Machado Roberto L. T. , Machado Antônio L. T.
Published: March 2014

O comportamento estrutural estático de um chassi experimental de semeadora de quatro linhas para agricultura familiar foi testado, utilizando-se da técnica numérica de Análise de Elementos Finitos, onde se levou em consideração os esforços a que a máquina em questão estaria sujeita, quando suspensa do chão, pelos três pontos de engate do trator. Para a validação do modelo usado pelo software SolidWorks Simulation, submeteu-se um protótipo em escala real do chassi a carregamentos de forças verticais, a fim de comparar os deslocamentos reais da estrutura com os deslocamentos calculados pelo software. Dois estudos foram feitos do modelo para o cálculo dos deslocamentos da estrutura: no primeiro, não foram incluídos os suportes dos engates dos três pontos no cálculo, e os deslocamentos medidos não foram comparáveis com os calculados. No segundo estudo, quando foram incluídos os engates no cálculo, verificou-se que os resultados foram comparáveis com os obtidos na prática. Concluiu-se, portanto, que o segundo estudo é válido e que os cálculos da estrutura do chassi que foram realizados pelo software são confiáveis.
Rational use of water in a poultry slaughterhouse in the state of Paraná, Brazil: a case study
Authors: Barana Ana C. , Botelho Viviani M. B. , Wiecheteck Giovana K. , Doll Maria M. R. , Simões Deise R. S.
Published: March 2014

Agroindustries are major consumers of water. However, to adapt to environmental trends and be competitive in the market, they have sought rational use of water through water management in their activities. Cleaner Production can result in economic, environmental and social benefits, and in actions that promote reduction in water consumption. This case study was conducted in a slaughterhouse and poultry cold storage processing plant and aimed to identify points of excessive water consumption, and to propose alternatives for managing water resources by reducing consumption. Consumption data are presented in relation to the processing stages with alternatives proposed for the rational use of water, such as closure of mains water during shift changes. Following the implementation of recommendations, a reduction in water consumption of approximately 11,137 m³ per month was obtained, which equates to a savings of US$ 99,672 per year. From this study, it was concluded that the company under review could develop various improvement actions and make an important contribution to the preservation of water resources in the region where it operates.
Use of penetrometers in agriculture: a review
Authors: Moraes Moacir T. de , Silva Vanderlei R. da , Zwirtes Anderson L. , Carlesso Reimar
Published: March 2014

Soil physical quality can be easily and quickly evaluated by using simple equipment to identify levels of soil compaction. Hence, it is necessary to know the variables responsible for changes in the soil penetration resistance (SPR). The aim of this review is to identify the main factors related to the various equipment used for assessing SPR as a soil physical quality indicator in agriculture. This literature review describes the different types of equipment used and its relationship with SPR. A wide range of procedures, devices, and equipments are available. Much of variability in SPR results is related to the equipment model, cone angle and diameter, and penetration rate. Usually, restrictions to root growth are correlated with SPR values above 2-3 MPa. However, comparisons of SPR values obtained under different soil moisture regimes in the same soil type have provided conflicting results of difficult interpretation. In order to minimize these problems, there is a need for standardization of measurement procedures and interpretation, and/or correction of SPR values according to a soil water content of reference.
The training of neonatologists and the paradigms implied in their relationship with the parents of babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
Authors: Battikha Ethel Cukierkorn , Carvalho Maria Teresa de M. , Kopelman Benjamin Israel
Published: March 2014

Objective: To analyze and to interpret the psychological repercussions generated by the presence of parents in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit for residents in Neonatology. Methods: Study based on the psychoanalytic theory, involving a methodological interface with qualitative surveys in Health Sciences. Twenty resident physicians in Neonatology, from five public institutions of São Paulo state, responded to a single semi-structured interview. Based on several readings of the material, achieving the core of emergent meanings that would be significant to the object of the survey, six categories were elected for analysis and interpretation: parents' staying at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and its effects on the neonatologists' professional practice; communication of the diagnosis and what parents should know; impasses between parents and doctors when the diagnosis is being communicated; doctor's identification with parents; communication of the child's death and their participation in the interview. Results: The interpretation of the categories provided an understanding of the psychic mechanisms mobilized in doctors in their relationships with the children's parents, showing that the residents experience anguish and suffering when they provide medical care and during their training process, and also that they lack psychological support to handle these feelings. Conclusions: There is a need of intervention in neonatologists training and education, which may favor the elaboration of daily experiences in the Unit, providing a less anguishing and defensive way out for young doctors, especially in their relationship with patients and parents.
Maternal and perinatal aspects of birth defects: a case-control study
Authors: Nhoncanse Geiza Cesar , Germano Carla Maria R. , Avo Lucimar Retto da S. de , Melo Debora Gusmao
Published: March 2014

Objective: To assess the prevalence of congenital defects and to investigate their maternal and perinatal associated aspects by reviewing Birth Certificates. Methods: Among all born alive infants from January 2003 to December 2007 in Maternidade da Santa Casa de Misericórdia of São Carlos, Southeast Brazil (12,199 infants), cases were identified as the newborns whose Birth Certificates registered any congenital defect. The same sex neonate born immediately after the case was chosen as a control. In total, 13 variables were analyzed: six were maternal related, three represented labor and delivery conditions and four were linked to fetal status. The chi-square and Fisher's exact tests were used to compare the variables, being significant p<0.05. Results: The prevalence of congenital defects was 0.38% and the association of two or more defects represented 32% of all cases. The number of mothers whose education level was equal or less than eight years was significantly higher among the group with birth defects (p=0.047). A higher frequency of prematurity (p<0.001) and cesarean delivery (p=0.004) was observed among children with birth defects. This group also showed lower birth weight and Apgar scores in the 1st and the 5th minute (p<0.001). Conclusions: The prevalence of congenital defect of 0.38% is possibly due to underreporting. The defects notified in the Birth Certificates were only the most visible ones, regardless of their severity. There is a need of adequate epidemiological monitoring of birth defects in order to create and expand prevention and treatment programs.
Primary immunodeficiency investigation in patients during and after hospitalization in a pediatric Intensive Care Unit
Authors: Suavinho Erica , Napolis Ana Carolina R. de , Segundo Gesmar Rodrigues S.
Published: March 2014

Objective: To analyze whether the patients with severe infections, admitted in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit of the Hospital de Clínicas of the Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, underwent the active screening for primary immunodeficiencies (PID). Methods: Retrospective study that assessed the data records of patients with any severe infections admitted in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, covering a period from January 2011 to January 2012, in order to confirm if they performed an initial investigation for PID with blood count and immunoglobulin dosage. Results: In the studied period, 53 children were hospitalized with severe infections in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, and only in seven (13.2%) the initial investigation of PID was performed. Among these patients, 3/7 (42.8%) showed quantitative alterations in immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels, 1/7 (14.3%) had the diagnosis of cyclic neutropenia, and 1/7 (14.3%) presented thrombocytopenia and a final diagnosis of Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome. Therefore, the PID diagnosis was confirmed in 5/7 (71.4%) of the patients. Conclusions: The investigation of PID in patients with severe infections has not been routinely performed in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. Our findings suggest the necessity of performing PID investigation in this group of patients.
Consumption of industrialized food by infants attending child day care centers
Authors: Toloni Maysa Helena de A. , Longo-Silva Giovana , Konstantyner Tulio , Taddei Jose Augusto de A. C.
Published: March 2014

Objective: To identify the age of introduction of petit suisse cheese and instant noodles in the diet of infants attending nurseries of public day care centers and to compare the nutritional composition of these foods with the healthy recommended diet (breast milk and salt meal) for this age, in order to estimate nutritional errors. Methods: Cross-sectional study of 366 children (from nine to 36 months old) who attended day care centers, whose mothers were interviewed about the age of introduction of those foods. The means of the nutrients indicated on the labels of the most consumed brands were considered. For the calculation of the percent composition of breast milk and salt meal, Tables of Food Composition were used. To assess the nutritional adequacy, we used the Dietary Reference Intakes by age group. The percentage of adequacy evaluation of the petit suisse cheese and the instant noodles nutritional compositions was made by comparing them with those of the human milk and the salt meal, respectively. Results: The petit suisse cheese and the instant noodles were consumed by 89.6 and 65.3% of the children in the first year of life. The percentages of adequacy for carbohydrates were more than twice and the percentages for sodium were 20 times higher than those found in the recommended foods. Conclusions: Both industrialized products are inappropriate for infants, emphasizing the need for adoption of norms that can inform health professionals, educators and parents about the risks of consumption.
Metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance in obese adolescents
Authors: Gobato Amanda Oliva , Vasques Ana Carolina J. , Zambon Mariana Porto , Barros Filho Antonio de Azevedo , Hessel Gabriel
Published: March 2014

Objective: To verify the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance in obese adolescents and its relationship with different body composition indicators. Methods: A cross-sectional study comprising 79 adolescents aged ten to 18 years old. The assessed body composition indicators were: body mass index (BMI), body fat percentage, abdominal circumference, and subcutaneous fat. The metabolic syndrome was diagnosed according to the criteria proposed by Cook et al. The insulin resistance was determined by the Homeostasis Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) index for values above 3.16. The analysis of ROC curves was used to assess the BMI and the abdominal circumference, aiming to identify the subjects with metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance. The cutoff point corresponded to the percentage above the reference value used to diagnose obesity. Results: The metabolic syndrome was diagnosed in 45.5% of the patients and insulin resistance, in 29.1%. Insulin resistance showed association with HDL-cholesterol (p=0.032) and with metabolic syndrome (p=0.006). All body composition indicators were correlated with insulin resistance (p<0.01). In relation to the cutoff point evaluation, the values of 23.5 and 36.3% above the BMI reference point allowed the identification of insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome. The best cutoff point for abdominal circumference to identify insulin resistance was 40%. Conclusions: All body composition indicators, HDL-cholesterol and metabolic syndrome showed correlation with insulin resistance. The BMI was the most effective anthropometric indicator to identify insulin resistance.
Somatic maturation and body composition in female healthy adolescents with or without adjustment for body fat
Authors: Miranda Valter Paulo N. , Faria Franciane Rocha de , Faria Eliane Rodrigues de , Priore Silvia Eloiza
Published: March 2014

Objective: To evaluate the relationship between the stages of somatic maturation and body composition in eutrophic female adolescents with or without excessive body fat. Methods: Cross-sectional study of 118 female adolescents, from 14 to 19 years-old, in Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Southeast Brazil. The adolescents were divided in two groups: Group 1 (G1), eutrophic with adequate body fat percentage, and Group 2 (G2), eutrophic with high body fat percentage. The somatic maturation was assessed by the formula for estimating the Peak Height Velocity (PHV). Results: The PHV had higher average score in G1 adolescents compared to G2 (0.26 versus 0.05; p=0.032). There was an association between G1, G2 and the somatic maturation (p=0.049). The female adolescents before and during PHV presented higher values of fat body BMI (p=0.034) and percentage of central fat (p=0.039) compared to the adolescents after PHV. There was a correspondence between before PHV stage and the excess of body fat (α=0.751). Conclusions: There was an association between somatic maturation and body composition in eutrophic female adolescents. Length, BMI and fat percentage were different among the somatic maturation stages. It is relevant to evaluate the somatic maturation and the changes occurring in the body composition during adolescence in order to better evaluate and manage the nutritional status and the body fat excess.
Assistance to children in palliative care in the Brazilian scientific literature
Authors: Garcia-Schinzari Nathalia Rodrigues , Santos Franklin Santana
Published: March 2014

Objective: To describe what has been published in Brazilian scientific literature regarding pediatric palliative care. Data sources: Bibliographic review with a descriptive approach. In LILACS and SciELO databases, the descriptors "palliative care", "child", "pediatrics", "terminal illness" and "death" were sought, from January 2002 to December 2011. The eight selected articles were analyzed according to year of publication, type of study, data collected, target population, pathology, professionals involved, types of care and main findings. Data synthesis: Regarding the year of publication, there was an increase in the number of publications related to pediatric palliative care. Regarding the type of study, four articles were literature reviews and four were qualitative researches. Data was collected mainly by semi-structured interviews. The participants of the majority of the studies were children's relatives and health professionals. The main pathology addressed was cancer and the nurses were the most frequently cited professionals. The types of care provided were related to physical aspects, general care and psychological, social and spiritual aspects (less emphasis). The main findings were: little emphasis on the children's needs, the importance of including the family in the care provided and the lack of preparation of the health team. Conclusions: Despite the difficulties and the challenges in establishing pediatric palliative care, many articles brought important considerations for the development of this practice in the country.
Asthma in children and adolescents in Brazil: contribution of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC)
Authors: Sole Dirceu , Camelo-Nunes Ines Cristina , Wandalsen Gustavo Falbo , Mallozi Marcia Carvalho
Published: March 2014

Objective: To assess asthma among Brazilian pediatric population applying the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC), an internationally standardized and validated protocol. Data sources: ISAAC was conceived to maximize the value of epidemiologic studies on asthma and allergic diseases, establishing a standardized method (self-applicable written questionnaire and/or video questionnaire) capable to facilitate the international collaboration. Designed to be carried out in three successive and dependent phases, the ISAAC gathered a casuistic hitherto unimaginable in the world and in Brazil. This review included data gathered from ISAAC official Brazilian centers and others who used this method. Data synthesis: At the end of the first phase, it has been documented that the prevalence of asthma among Brazilian schoolchildren was the eighth among all centers participating all over the world. Few centers participated in the second phase and investigated possible etiological factors, especially those suggested by the first phase, and brought forth many conjectures. The third phase, repeated seven years later, assessed the evolutionary trend of asthma and allergic diseases prevalence in centers that participated simultaneously in phases I and III and in other centers not involved in phase I. Conclusions: In Brazil, the ISAAC study showed that asthma is a disease of high prevalence and impact in children and adolescents and should be seen as a Public Health problem. Important regional variations, not well understood yet, and several risk factors were found, which makes us wonder: is there only one or many asthmas in Brazil?
Práticas e contradições: um estudo de caso sobre camponeses assentados no Médio São Francisco
Authors: Cardel Lidia Maria Pires Soares , Oliveira Rejane Alves de
Published: March 2014

Este trabalho tem a proposta de apresentar o modo de vida de um grupo social camponês e sua história de constantes intervenções governamentais. Esta comunidade, denominada Canudos, é um assentamento localizado no interior do estado da Bahia, na região do Médio São Francisco. Os sujeitos sociais abordados no artigo oscilam entre atividades pluriativas, das quais as principais são o trabalho com a terra e com a pesca artesanal, e apresentam sociabilidades, relações familísticas e identitárias singulares. Constatamos que esta distintividade, baseada principalmente na precedência de alguns grupos familiares, gera conflitos internos que se potencializam e dificultam a implementação de projetos intervencionistas por parte do Estado. O artigo busca analisar esta prática e as contradições deste processo social. Os dados analisados foram coletados por meio de uma fusão metodológica entre a técnica de estudo de caso aprofundado e a análise de diagnóstico dos sistemas agrários.
Fracionamento físico da matéria orgânica e índice de manejo de carbono de um Argissolo submetido a sistemas conservacionistas de manejo
Authors: Conceição Paulo Cesar , Bayer Cimélio , Dieckow Jeferson , Santos Daiane Carvalho dos
Published: March 2014

O fracionamento físico da matéria orgânica (MO) do solo é uma alternativa para a obtenção de frações lábeis utilizadas no cálculo do índice de manejo de carbono (IMC). O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a eficiência do fracionamento físico granulométrico (53µm) e densimétrico, com soluções de iodeto de sódio 1,8Mg m-3 (NaI) ou politungstato de sódio 2,0Mg m-3 (PTS), na separação das frações lábeis (particulada e leve, respectivamente) da MO e o seu uso na estimativa do IMC. Amostras da camada de 0-20cm de um Argissolo Vermelho sob preparo convencional (PC) e plantio direto (PD), combinados com dois sistemas de culturas (aveia/milho e aveia+ervilhaca/milho+caupi), foram avaliadas quanto ao estoque de carbono orgânico total (COT), e nas frações particulada (COP) e leve (C-FL) da MO. No fracionamento físico densimétrico, com a utilização de NaI, foi recuperado menos C-FL em relação ao uso de PTS. A recuperação de COP no fracionamento granulométrico foi intermediária entre a recuperação de FL-NaI e de FL-PTS. O IMC com os dados do fracionamento granulométrico apresentou elevada correlação com o IMC dos dados de fracionamento densimétrico (NaI e PTS), havendo porém uma subestimação dos resultados com o uso de NaI. Os sistemas de manejo sem revolvimento do solo e com maior aporte de resíduos vegetais resultaram em maior IMC, tanto pelo aumento do índice de labilidade quanto do índice de estoque de carbono. O IMC a partir de frações físicas densimétricas da MO demonstra ser um índice eficiente na discriminação de sistemas de manejo, podendo ser utilizado na avaliação das práticas de manejo do solo.
Polygyny Increases Survival of Minor Workers and Mortality of Major Workers in OverwinteringCamponotus yamaokai(Hymenoptera: Formicidae)
Authors: Shiroto Akiyoshi , Satoh Toshiyuki , Hirota Tadao
Published: March 2014

A higher proportion of polygynous ant species in northern areas suggests that cold climates select for increased queen number per colony. However, the types of social conditions within nests that allow polygynous species to inhabit cold climates are unclear. The Japanese twig-dwelling ant, Camponotus yamaokaiTerayama & Satoh, 1990, which has on average two queens per colony, also inhabit colder areas than monogynous related species. C. yamaokai alates remain in natal colonies and always overwinter with workers. A previous study demonstrated that cohabitation by workers facilitates overwintering success of C. yamaokai queens. However, how queen number influences the survival of queens cohabitating with workers and the survival of other castes was not investigated. Here, we compared overwintering survival of queens and workers among experimental groups with different social structures. Wintering experiments revealed that queen survival did not differ between monogynous (one queen) and polygynous (two queens) groups but was correlated positively with worker number. Meanwhile both queen and worker number influenced worker survival, and these factors interacted with worker type (minor or major). Worker survival increased with increasing worker number, but the effect was more pronounced for major workers than for minor workers. With respect to queen number, minor workers survived longer in polygynous groups than in monogynous groups, whereas the opposite pattern was found in major workers. In other words, major worker mortality increased with increasing queen number. These results suggest that cohabitation with workers but not other queens facilitates queen survival, and that queen number increases survival in minor workers but increases mortality in major workers. Possible explanations for this latter pattern are discussed.
Incidence of Mucositis in Patients Treated With Temsirolimus-Based Regimens and Correlation to Treatment Response
Authors: Liu Xiaochun , LoRusso Patricia , Mita Monica , Piha-Paul Sarina , Hong David S. , Fu Siqing , McQuinn Lacey , Asatiani Ekaterine , Doyle Lawrence A. , Chen Helen X. , Hess Kenneth R. , Kurzrock Razelle , Naing Aung
Published: March 2014

Mucositis may limit the therapeutic window for mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor-based combination therapy, necessitating treatment interruptions and/or dose reductions. Optimizing treatment or prophylactic interventions for mucositis will enable patients to continue effective treatment while maintaining good quality of life.
Cervical Cancer-Related Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Health Professionals Working in Brazil's Network of Primary Care Units
Authors: Stormo Analía Romina , Moura Lenildo , Saraiya Mona
Published: March 2014

Introduction.

Brazil's national strategy for cervical cancer screening includes using the Papanicolaou (Pap) test every 3 years among women aged 25–64 years. Comprehensive primary care services are provided through a network of primary health units, but little is known about cervical cancer-related knowledge, attitudes, and practices among health professionals and coordinators working in these facilities.

Methods.

In 2011, we conducted a cross-sectional nationally representative phone survey of 1,600 primary health care units to interview one unit coordinator and one health care professional per unit (either nurse, physician, or community health worker). Responses were obtained from 1,251 coordinators, 182 physicians, 347 nurses, and 273 community health workers. Questionnaires were administered to assess health units’ characteristics and capacity for cervical cancer-related services as well as health professionals’ perceived effectiveness of the Pap test, preparedness to talk to women about cervical cancer, adherence with screening guidelines, and willingness to recommend human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination to females.

Results.

Most units conducted screening (91.9%), used home visits to conduct recruitment and outreach (83.4%), and provided follow-up to women who did not return to discuss Pap test results (88.1%). Approximately 93% of health professionals stated that Pap testing was effective in decreasing death rates from cervical cancer and 65% stated that national guidelines for cervical cancer screening are very influential; 93% of nurses and physicians reported screening women annually and 75% reported beginning to screen women younger than 25 years old. Regarding HPV vaccination, almost 90% of nurses and physicians would recommend the HPV vaccine to their females patients if it were available. A larger proportion of physicians and nurses recommended the HPV vaccine to older girls (13–18 years) and women (19–26 years and even older than 26 years) than to younger girls (12 years or younger).

Conclusion.

Although Brazil's network of primary care units has significantly increased access to cervical cancer screening, effective strategies are needed to ensure that women get screened at the appropriate ages and intervals. Additionally, this study's baseline data on HPV vaccination may be useful as Brazil embarks on a national HPV vaccination program in 2014.
Current Cervical Cancer Screening Knowledge, Awareness, and Practices Among U.S. Affiliated Pacific Island Providers: Opportunities and Challenges
Authors: Townsend Julie S. , Stormo Analía Romina , Roland Katherine B. , Buenconsejo-Lum Lee , White Susan , Saraiya Mona
Published: March 2014

Background.

Cervical cancer is a leading cause of cancer mortality in nearly all U.S. Affiliated Pacific Island Jurisdictions (USAPIJ); however, most jurisdictions are financially and geographically limited in their capacity to deliver routine screening.

Methods.

We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 72 health care providers from five of the six USAPIJ in 2011 to assess knowledge, beliefs, practices, and perceived barriers regarding routine cervical cancer screening. We compared the responses of providers from jurisdictions that were funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP) with those that were not funded.

Results.

Most providers reported cervical cancer prevention as a priority in their clinical practices (90.3%) and use the Papanicolaou test for screening (86.1%). Many providers reported knowledge of screening guidelines (76.4%); however, more than half reported that annual screening is most effective (56.9%). Providers in non-NBCCEDP-funded jurisdictions reported greater acceptance of visual inspection with acetic acid (93.9%) and self-sampling for human papillomavirus testing (48.5%) compared with NBCCEDP-funded jurisdictions (15.4% and 30.8% respectively). Providers from non-NBCCEDP-funded jurisdictions reported inadequate technological resources for screening women (42.4%), and approximately 25% of providers in both groups believed that screening was cost-prohibitive.

Conclusion.

Although cervical cancer screening is a priority in clinical practice, beliefs about annual screening, costs associated with screening, and varying levels of support for alternative screening tests pose barriers to providers throughout the USAPIJ. Further exploration of using evidence-based, lower cost, and sustainable screening technologies is warranted in addition to emphasizing timely follow-up of all positive cases.
Geotechnical properties of centrifuged oil sand fine tailings
Authors: Owolagba John , Azam Shahid
Published: March 2014

The main objective of this study was to determine the geotechnical properties of centrifuged oil sand fine tailings for surface deposition. A material with 60% solids (e = 1·5) was obtained using a bench-scale centrifuge. The fine-grained material (52% clay fraction) with a moderate water adsorption capacity (w l = 40% and w p = 20%) indicated an air entry value of 1000 kPa and a residual suction of 30 000 kPa. The correct way of representing the soil water characteristic curve for tailings was found to be the one based on degree of saturation along with simultaneous volume change measurements. The tailings mainly dewatered during normal shrinkage while remaining saturated whereas volume reduction was negligible beyond the shrinkage limit. Likewise, dewatering under an effective stress of 160 kPa was found to be 67% along with a compression index of 0·36. The saturated hydraulic conductivity measured 3 × 10−10 m/s that decreased marginally during consolidation and rapidly (10−10 to 10−18 m/s) due to suction application.
Reflections on the evolution of geoenvironmental engineering
Authors: Rowe R. Kerry
Published: March 2014

The development of geoenvironmental engineering from Love Canal in 1978 to the future is considered from a personal perspective.
Modelling Escherichia coli dynamics in the river Zenne (Belgium) using an OpenMI based integrated model
Authors: Shrestha Narayan Kumar , Leta Olkeba Tolessa , De Fraine Bruno , Garcia-Armisen Tamara , Ouattara Nouho Koffi , Servais Pierre , van Griensven Ann , Bauwens Willy
Published: March 2014

In 2000, the European Union (EU) launched the Water Framework Directive (WFD), calling for a good ecological status for water bodies by 2015 through integrated river basin management. Despite huge investments, the river Zenne (Belgium) still acquires high loads of pollutants. A multidisciplinary research project was therefore launched to evaluate the effects of river basin wastewater management plans on the river's ecological functioning. Different water quantity and quality processes were considered, and different models were used for each process. For the integration of these models – in view of a holistic analysis – we opted for the Open Modelling Interface (OpenMI). This paper discusses early results of integrated faecal bacteria modelling considering five models. The integrated model is shown to reproduce concentrations of Escherichia coli (used as indicator faecal bacteria) with ‘Very Good’, and ‘Satisfactory’ accuracy for dry weather, and long-term simulations respectively. For both cases, it is found that the E. coli concentrations in the river are well above EU level for bathing water, with occasional combined sewer overflows (CSOs) from the Brussels' sewer systems making the ecological status even worse. We also found OpenMI-based integration to be very useful. However, the calculation time overhead for such OpenMI integrated models remains significant.
WaterML2.0: development of an open standard for hydrological time-series data exchange
Authors: Taylor P. , Cox S. , Walker G. , Valentine D. , Sheahan P.
Published: March 2014

The increasing global demand on freshwater is resulting in nations improving their terrestrial water monitoring and reporting systems to better understand the availability, and quality, of this valuable resource. A barrier to this is the inability for stakeholders to share information relating to water observations data: traditional hydrological information systems have relied on internal custom data formats to exchange data, leading to issues in data integration and exchange. Organisations are looking to information standards to assist in data exchange, integration and interpretation to lower costs in use, and re-use, of monitoring data. The WaterML2.0 Standards Working Group (SWG), working within the Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) and in cooperation with the joint OGC-World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) Hydrology Domain Working Group (HDWG), has developed an open standard for the exchange of water observation data. The focus of the standard is time-series data, commonly used for hydrological applications such as flood forecasting, environmental reporting and hydrological infrastructure, where a lack of standards inhibits efficient re-use and automation. This paper describes the development methodology and principles of WaterML2.0, key parts of its information model, implementation scenarios, evaluation and future work. WaterML2.0 was adopted by the OGC as an official standard in September 2012.
Towards a hydroinformatics praxis in the service of social justice
Authors: Abbott M. B. , Vojinovic Z.
Published: March 2014

This paper introduces a new role for hydroinformatics in its sociotechnical environment. It introduces a novel and modern approach for dealing with flooding and other such destructive phenomena which have been increasing ever more rapidly throughout the world. By far the greatest toll from floods and flood-related disasters, however, is in the so-called 'developing' world where the resources for dealing with such problems are either inadequate or non-existent, even as these are often subject to the interventions of corrupt behaviour and practices and their related dubious legal systems. The necessity of promoting the nature of the force that is required to overcome these negativities are identified as those provided by active stakeholder participation and this paper indicates how this force can be informed and motivated largely through projecting ultra-realistic dynamic and coloured illustrations within a collective social environment.
Comparative analysis of different probability distributions of random parameters in the assessment of water distribution system reliability
Authors: Darvini Giovanna
Published: March 2014

During recent years, several methods based on the probabilistic approach have been proposed for the analysis of the performance of water distribution systems (WDSs). Uncertain elements are described by probabilistic laws chosen and parameterised on the basis of the network characteristics. However, the choice of the most suitable probabilistic distribution and of the statistical parameters can be difficult because of the lack of information about the WDSs. Among the stochastic parameters that affect the network performance, a fundamental role is played by the times to failure and repair of the system components. The impact of the chosen probability distributions of these fundamental variables on the evaluation of water distribution network reliability is analysed. The study is performed by using a technique capable of considering the mechanical failure of the network components, the spatial and temporal variations of the water demand and the uncertain distribution of the pipe roughness. This analysis allows quantification of the effect of any inaccuracy that may occur in the probabilistic characterisation of the random parameters.
Impact analysis of stochastic inflow prediction with reliability and discrimination indices on long-term reservoir operation
Authors: Nohara Daisuke , Hori Tomoharu
Published: March 2014

Long-term stochastic inflow predictions can potentially improve decision making for reservoir operations. However, they are still not widely incorporated into actual reservoir management. One of the reasons may be that impacts of various types of uncertainty contained in stochastic inflow predictions have not been sufficiently clarified, thus enabling reservoir managers to recognize the advantages of their use. Impacts of uncertainties of stochastic inflow prediction on long-term reservoir operation for drought management are therefore investigated in order to analyze the kind of uncertainty that most affects improvements in the performance of reservoir operations. Two indices, namely reliability and discrimination, are introduced here to represent two major attributes of a stochastic prediction's uncertainty. Monte Carlo simulations of reservoir operations for water supply are conducted, coupling with optimization process of reservoir operations by stochastic dynamic programming (SDP) considering long-term stochastic inflow predictions, which are artificially generated with arbitrary uncertainties controlled by changing the two uncertainty indices. A case study was conducted using a simplified reservoir basin of which data were derived from the Sameura Reservoir basin in Japan with finer discretization settings for SDP. The results demonstrated the additional implication of the effect of stochastic inflow prediction's uncertainty on the authors’ previous work.
Sensitivity analysis for comparison, validation and physical legitimacy of neural network-based hydrological models
Authors: Dawson C. W. , Mount N. J. , Abrahart R. J. , Louis J.
Published: March 2014

This paper addresses the difficult question of how to perform meaningful comparisons between neural network-based hydrological models and alternative modelling approaches. Standard, goodness-of-fit metric approaches are limited since they only assess numerical performance and not physical legitimacy of the means by which output is achieved. Consequently, the potential for general application or catchment transfer of such models is seldom understood. This paper presents a partial derivative, relative sensitivity analysis method as a consistent means by which the physical legitimacy of models can be evaluated. It is used to compare the behaviour and physical rationality of a generalised linear model and two neural network models for predicting median flood magnitude in rural catchments. The different models perform similarly in terms of goodness-of-fit statistics, but behave quite distinctly when the relative sensitivities of their inputs are evaluated. The neural solutions are seen to offer an encouraging degree of physical legitimacy in their behaviour, over that of a generalised linear modelling counterpart, particularly when overfitting is constrained. This indicates that neural models offer preferable solutions for transfer into ungauged catchments. Thus, the importance of understanding both model performance and physical legitimacy when comparing neural models with alternative modelling approaches is demonstrated.
Performance improvement with parallel numerical model simulations in the field of urban water management
Authors: Mair Michael , Sitzenfrei Robert , Kleidorfer Manfred , Rauch Wolfgang
Published: March 2014

Numerical models are used to enhance the understanding of the behavior of real world systems. With increasing complexity of numerical models and their applications, there is a need of more computational power. State of the art processors contain many cores on one single chip. As such, new programming techniques are required if all these cores are to be utilized during model simulation runs. This manuscript reviews the runtime and speedup behavior of parallel model analysis software (e.g. Calimero and Achilles) applied to simulation tools for urban water management (e.g. CityDrain3, EPANET2, SWMM5, par-SWMM). The potential of using a parallel programming environment for ‘coordinating’ tasks of multiple runs of commonly used modeling software is analyzed. This is especially interesting as the modeling software itself can be implanted sequentially or parallel. Performance tests are performed on a set of real-world case studies. Additionally, a benchmark set of 2,280 virtual case studies is used to investigate performance improvement in relation to the size of the system. It was found that speedup depends on the system size and the time spent in critical code sections with increasing number of used cores. Applying parallelism only at the level of the model analysis software performs best.
Spatial and short-term temporal distribution of fugitive methane and nitrous oxide emission from a decentralised sewage mining plant: a pilot study
Authors: Schouten Peter W. , Sharma Ashok , Burn Stewart , Goodman Nigel
Published: March 2014

The decentralisation of wastewater treatment operations exposes several environmental consequences. This includes the fugitive emission of two greenhouse gases, nitrous oxide (N2O) and methane (CH4). The magnitude of these emissions is presently unclear. Therefore, it is necessary to measure the extent of the release of N2O and CH4 gas from decentralised wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in order to quantify the impact these emissions will have on the environment and to determine strategies to reduce them. Specifically, this pilot study employed an online non-dispersive infrared (NDIR) gas analyser and flux hood to evaluate the spatial and short-term temporal distribution of N2O and CH4 flux over half a day, from an aeration tank system within a decentralised sewage mining plant. The aeration tank system was able to emit N2O fluxes of up to 11.6 g N2O m−2 day−1 and CH4 fluxes of up to 1.1 g CH4 m−2 day−1. The N2O and CH4 fluxes varied rapidly over short time intervals in the same position (as high as 45% for N2O and 36% for CH4) and could almost triple in magnitude between two different positions across the surface of the aeration tank (within a distance no greater than 1.5 to 2 m).
A critical comparison of using a probabilistic weather generator versus a change factor approach; irrigation reservoir planning under climate change
Authors: Green Michael , Weatherhead Edward Keith
Published: March 2014

In the UK, there is a growing interest in constructing on-farm irrigation reservoirs, however deciding the optimum reservoir capacity is not simple. There are two distinct approaches to generating the future daily weather datasets needed to calculate future irrigation need. The change factor approach perturbs the observed record using monthly change factors derived from downscaled climate models. This assumes that whilst the climate changes, the day-to-day climate variability itself is stationary. Problems may arise where the instrumental record is insufficient or particularly suspect. Alternatively, probabilistic weather generators can be used to identify options which are considered more robust to climate change uncertainty because they consider non-stationary climate variability. This paper explores the difference between using the change factor approach and a probabilistic weather generator for informing farm reservoir design at three sites in the UK. Decision outcomes obtained using the current normal practice of 80% probability of non-exceedance rule and simple economic optimisations are also compared. Decision outcomes obtained using the change factor approach and probabilistic weather generators are significantly different; whether these differences translate to real-world differences is discussed. This study also found that using the 80% probability of non-exceedance rule could potentially result in maladaptation.
Potential ecological impact of climate change on the water quality of an intensively managed agricultural watershed in Quebec, Canada
Authors: Novotná Beáta , van Bochove Eric , Thériault Georges
Published: March 2014

This study investigated the effects of climate change (CC) on water redistribution in a micro-watershed of a lowland agricultural area of the Bras d'Henri River in the temperate cold climate of Quebec, Canada. A Water Flow and Balance Simulation Model (WaSiM-ETH) was used to simulate the hydrology using current climatic conditions and land use characteristics, applying Richards’ equation. A one-day temporal resolution was used with a spatial resolution of 2 × 2 m. The CC scenarios Coupled Global Climate Model, version 1 (CGCM1) and Hadley Centre Coupled Model, version 3.1 (HadCM3.1) were downscaled to the regional level and integrated into WaSiM-ETH and evaluated for both current and modified climatic conditions. Mean annual precipitation values (P) increased from 15–33%, evapotranspiration from 7–26%, and discharge (Q) from 16–45%. The identification of the signiﬁcant water quality problem represented by average value of total suspended solids (TSS) 265.29 (kg ha−1), nutrients: nitrogen (NO3-N) 16.83 (kg ha−1) and total phosphorus (TP) 0.59 (kg ha−1) for the whole evaluated period; and (TSS) 148.09 (kg ha−1), (NO3-N) 5.65 (kg ha−1) and (TP) 0.31 (kg ha−1) during the days with surface runoff, in relation to water quantity and CC creates the basis for erosion risk assessment.
Proposing a new semi-parametric weather generator algorithm and comparison of six algorithms for non-precipitation climatic variables
Authors: Ababaei Behnam , Sohrabi Teymour , Mirzaei Farhad
Published: March 2014

Six different weather generator models were compared. The first two models (M1 and M2) use a first-order autoregressive daily model and the third model (M3) uses a newly proposed semi-parametric method to reproduce the correlation and autocorrelation of the variables. Three other models (M1-2, M2-2 and M3-2) are the combinations of these models with an adjustment algorithm for the low-frequency variances (SL). The comparison revealed that M1-2 model (daily weather generator with the SL adjustment algorithm) and the M2-2 model (daily weather generator in combination with a monthly weather generator and the SL adjustment algorithm) are the best models in the study area. All the studied models have acceptable performance in relation to the shape of the probability distribution functions. Three first models have deficiencies in relation to the inter-annual standard deviations. The M2 and M3 models, in which the high-frequency standard deviation (SH) is used instead of the total standard deviation values (ST), slightly underestimated these inter-annual variations. But, the performance of the M1 model is considerably poorer than the other two models. The results revealed that the adjustment of the inter-annual standard deviations improves model performance. Moreover, the newly proposed algorithm has the potential for multi-station simulations.