bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association of sociodemografic factors and sleep quality in brazilian university students
Authors: Araújo Márcio Flávio Moura de , Lima Adman Câmara Soares , Araújo Thiago Moura de , Veras Vivian Saraiva , Zanetti Maria Lúcia , Damasceno Marta Maria Coelho
Published: April 2014

The aim of this study was to analyze relationship between sociodemographic factors and poor sleep quality in Brazilian university students. Cross-sectional study, surveyed 701 students in Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil. We applied a questionnairre with sociodemographic questions and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. We did not identify associations and/or statistically significant linear trends between sleep quality and sociodemographic analyzed factors. However, the analysis found that the relative risk in college aged > 31 years, in those who lived alone and with relatives (other than parents) there is greater vulnerability to poor sleep quality.
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus in microbial activity and aggregation of a Cerrado Oxisol in crop sequence
Authors: Vilela Laíze Aparecida Ferreira , Saggin Júnior Orivaldo José , Paulino Helder Barbosa , Siqueira José Oswaldo , Santos Vera Lúcia da Silva , Carneiro Marco Aurélio Carbone
Published: April 2014

Soil structure has major influence on ecosystem sustainability and plant growth. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are an important functional group of soil microbiota, acting in the process of aggregation, especially in agroecosystems and related to the production and plant diversity. AMF are widely distributed in tropical agroecosystems and are extremely important for development of many agricultural crops. The present study evaluated the effect of inoculation with Glomus macrocarpum in different crop sequences on plant growth, microbial activity and aggregation of a Cerrado Oxisol. The study was conducted in a completely randomized design in a4 x 4 factorial scheme. Treatments consisted of four conditions of elimination and/or introduction of AMF (NS-NI: non-sterilized and non-inoculated; NS-I: non-sterilized and inoculated; S-NI: sterilized and non-inoculated; andS-I: sterilized and inoculated) and four crop sequences (Panicum maximum/Panicum maximum, Brachiaria ruziziensis/ soybean, sorghum/soybean and Stylosanthes spp./soybean). Inoculation favored growth of Stylosanthes spp. by increasing plant growth in up to 91% when inoculated. None of the grasses benefited from G. macrocarpum introduction. We observed that G. macrocarpum inoculation associated with indigenous AMF increased microbial biomass, phosphatase activity, mean geometric diameter and mean weighted diameter. The results indicated the beneficial effects of inoculation, which reflected in soil structure improvement and, hence, to agroecosystems sustainability.
Causas "fracas" e redes causais complexas em psiquiatria
Authors: Araújo Luís Fernando S. C. de , Banzato Cláudio E. M.
Published: April 2014

OBJETIVOS: Realizamos uma análise do conceito de causalidade aplicado em psiquiatria e propomos sua abordagem baseada nas ideias de influências causais fracas e de redes causais complexas. MÉTODO: Análise conceitual de artigos e livros selecionados. RESULTADOS: Identificamos o modelo de causalidade INUS, proposto pelo filósofo J. L. Mackie que contorna algumas das dificuldades relacionadas à presença de múltiplas causas interdependentes, como parece ocorrer no caso dos transtornos mentais e mostramos que tal modelo se aplica bem ao TEPT. CONCLUSÃO: Sugerimos que o fracasso na busca de causas "fortes" para os transtornos mentais talvez indique a necessidade de revisão de nossas expectativas, com a adoção de modelos alternativos de causalidade.
Preso por ter cão, preso por não ter cão!: notas a partir de O alienista, de Machado de Assis
Authors: Kon Noemi Moritz
Published: April 2014

A apresentação e a análise da famosa novela "O alienista" do escritor brasileiro Joaquim Maria Machado de Assis, publicada em 1882 em Papéis avulsos, serve aqui de suporte para uma breve discussão dos aspectos ideológicos e mercadológicos que orientam os atuais procedimentos diagnósticos e terapêuticos relativos às psicopatologias. Tais aspectos, corporificados nos manuais psiquiátricos, conformam e estabelecem um determinado discurso e fazer médicos, ao mesmo tempo que fabricam as drogas e as doenças mentais que supostamente combatem.
O ambiente como questão sociológica: conflitos ambientais em perspectiva
Authors: Fleury Lorena Cândido , Almeida Jalcione , Premebida Adriano
Published: April 2014

Este artigo tem por objetivo contextualizar a concepção de ambiente como domínio de análise sociológica, com vistas a situar os conflitos ambientais como um de seus importantes desdobramentos. Para tanto, será apresentada inicialmente uma revisão de autores e pesquisas em sociologia ambiental com seus distintos enfoques, acompanhada da consideração de outras áreas da sociologia que se debruçaram sobre a relação sociedade-natureza no cenário internacional. Em seguida, será discutido como no Brasil este debate vem sendo realizado e com quais particularidades, direcionando a centralidade do enfoque para o debate acadêmico em torno do conceito de conflitos ambientais.
Examining the validity of the Athlete Engagement Questionnaire (AEQ) in a Portuguese sport setting
Authors: Martins Paulo , Rosado António , Ferreira Vítor , Biscaia Rui
Published: April 2014

Sport psychology literature suggests that understanding engagement levels is pivotal to promote positive sporting experiences among athletes. The purpose of this study was to examine the psychometric properties of the Athlete Engagement Questionnaire among Portuguese sport athletes. Two distinct samples of Portuguese athletes from different competitive levels were collected, and the results of a confirmatory factor analysis demonstrated a good fit of the model to the data. A review of the psychometric properties indicated that all factors showed good composite reliability, convergent validity, and discriminant validity. In addition, a multi-groups analysis showed the invariance of the model in two independent samples providing evidence of cross validity. Implications of these results for scholars and coaches are discussed and guidelines for future studies are suggested.
Validation of the instrument "Body image after breast cancer" in Brazil
Authors: Gonçalves Carolina de Oliveira , Tavares Maria da Consolação Gomes Cunha Fernandes , Campana Angela Nogueira Neves Betanho , Cabello César
Published: April 2014

The body image is an important aspect to be considered during the treatment of women with breast cancer. Therefore, we understand the importance of the quality of an instrument that evaluates this condition. The instrument validated in this study can bring new possibilities of studying the effects of cancer treatments on body image. Validation of the questionnaire, translation, cultural adaptation and pre-tests were done with women with breast cancer residents of the States of Alagoas, Pernambuco and São Paulo. A Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) demonstrated that the original model of the instrument is valid, reliable and can be an important tool for identifying the impact of breast cancer on body image of women with this health condition, allowing adjustments in clinical treatment, psychological support and actions of other professionals involved in the treatment.
Transition I efficiency and victory in volleyball matches
Authors: Ugrinowitsch Herbert , Lage Guilherme Menezes , Santos-Naves Suziane P. dos , Dutra Leandro N. , Carvalho Maria Flávia S. P. , Ugrinowitsch Alessandra Aguilar Coca , Benda Rodolfo N.
Published: April 2014

The present study investigated the correlation between Transition Iwith victory in volleyball matches. The 2002 South-American Youth Men's Championship was recorded and the Transition I was analyzed and classified as negative, null or positive. Results of the efficiency in Transition I was calculated using t test for independent samples and compared to the efficiency between teams during each set and matches. Spearman correlation assessed the relationship between efficiency in each set and results of the matches with the final ranking in the championship. The results showed that the winning teams exhibited higher efficiency in Transition I, as well as a positive relationship of higher efficiency in Transition I with all of their results. The higher efficiency in Transition I is related to victory in volleyball matches.
Determination of feedback in judo by means of T-patterns
Authors: Lage Iván Prieto , Gutiérrez-Santiago Alfonso , Lage Miguel Ángel Prieto
Published: April 2014

The aim of this research was to propose methodological changes in the teaching-learning process of the judo technique Deashi-harai, pointing out the most frequent technical errors committed during its performance and also its action sequences. We carried out an observational study with the participation of fifty novice judokas at the University of Vigo. We recorded them while performing the Deashi-harai technique after a previous training of four months. Data obtained were evaluated using descriptive statistics and T-patterns analysis. Thus, we indentified: a) some typical inaccuracies during the technique execution and b) a number of chained errors affecting the imbalance of the body, the position of the right foot, the sweeping action and the action of the arms. These findings allowed us to suggest some motor tasks to correct the identified inaccuracies, the sequential actions to ensure the success of the execution and several recommendations for the proper use of the feedback.
Evaluation of the lumbar multifidus in rowers during spinal stabilization exercise
Authors: Ceccato Joseani , Geremia Jeam Marcel , Mayer Alexandre , Lupion Raquel de Oliveira , Vaz Marco Aurélio
Published: April 2014

Lumbar stabilization is important in high performance rowing due to the high incidence of low back pain. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the lumbar stabilizers muscles performance during an exercise of spinal segmental stabilization and in lumbar multifidus muscle thickness in rowing athletes trained and untrained for this exercise. Nine rowers trained with lumbar stabilization (TLS) and eight rowers without training (CON) participated in the study. Lumbar stabilization performance and multifidus muscle thickness were measured during a maximal voluntary isometric contraction. Lumbar stabilization performance was higher (p=0.015) in the TLS (mean 18.38 ± 8.00 mmHg) compared to the CON (9.31 ± 4.91 mmHg) group. Muscle thickness variation was higher (p=0.023) in the TLS (6.92% ± 3.98) compared to the CON (2.81% ± 1.40) group. Lumbar stabilization training is an efficient clinical tool to strengthen lumbar muscles and may help to prevent low back pain in rowers.
Floristic and structural comparisons between woody communities of two seasonal forest fragments in the Tocantins river basin and other remnants of this forest physiognomy in Brazil
Authors: Medeiros Marcelo Brilhante de , Walter Bruno Machado Teles , Oliveira Washington Luis
Published: April 2014

This work describes the woody layer composition and structure in two seasonal forest fragments in the Tocantins river basin and compares them to other remnants of this forest physiognomy in Brazil. The survey was carried out by using 17 plot samples (20 × 50 m) located in Palmeirópolis, state of Tocantins, and in Minaçú, state of Goiás. All woody individuals showing diameters > 5 cm, at 1.30 cm above ground level, were recorded. The higher floristic similarity of these forest remnants compared with other closer seasonal forests did not show a distinct pattern. The floristic composition was more similar to that of a deciduous seasonal forest in the Paranã valley, and more dissimilar to other forests in this same valley. This result and a higher dissimilarity related to the southern forests in Goiás suggest that the forest fragments showed a floristic composition and structure typical of lowland seasonal forests in the Tocantins river basin. The results also indicated that the forest fragments have distinct floristic compositions with a relatively similar structure and diversity.
O gênero Chaptalia (Asteraceae, Mutisieae) no Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil
Authors: Pasini Eduardo , Katinas Liliana , Ritter Mara Rejane
Published: April 2014

O gênero Chaptalia compreende cerca de 70 espécies, distribuídas desde o norte dos Estados Unidos até o centro da Argentina, sendo que no Brasil ocorrem 17 espécies. Dentre os caracteres diagnósticos do gênero podem ser citados as flores trimórficas, o hábito herbáceo e a ausência de estaminódios nas flores. O trabalho teve como objetivo o levantamento das espécies de Chaptalia no estado do Rio Grande do Sul. Foi possível confirmar a ocorrência de 10 espécies: C. arechavaletae, C. cordifolia, C. exscapa, C. graminifolia, C. ignota, C. integerrima, C. mandonii, C. nutans, C. piloselloides e C. runcinata. Chaptalia sinuata é colocada em sinonímia de C. integerrima. O trabalho apresenta descrições das espécies, chaves de identificação, ilustrações, dados sobre conservação e informações gerais.
Croton L. (Euphorbiaceae) no Parque Estadual da Serra Dourada, Goiás, Brasil
Authors: Sodré Rodolfo Carneiro , Silva Marcos José da , Sales Margareth Ferreira de
Published: April 2014

O Parque Estadual da Serra Dourada é uma das áreas serranas mais preservadas do estado de Goiás, porém sua flora é pouco conhecida. Visando contribuir com o conhecimento da diversidade de Euphorbiaceae no bioma cerrado, efetuou-se o estudo taxonômico do gênero Croton neste Parque. Foram registradas 10 espécies: Croton antisyphiliticus, C. campestris, C. chaetocalyx, C. didrichsenii, C. glandulosus, C. gracilescens, C. heliotropiifolius, C. sclerocalyx, C. urucurana e Croton sp. Destas, a última é uma provável espécie nova, enquanto C. gracilescens e C. sclerocalyx estão sendo primeiramente ilustradas. É apresentada uma chave para identificação das espécies, bem como descrições, ilustrações e dados relativos à fenologia e distribuição geográfica.
Perfil populacional de idosos encaminhados à seleção de próteses auditivas em hospital público
Authors: Araujo Tiago de Melo , Iório Maria Cecília Martinelli
Published: April 2014

Objetivo : Identificar o perfil populacional de idosos encaminhados à seleção de próteses auditivas em um hospital público, no que diz respeito às características sociodemográficas, de saúde geral e auditiva. Métodos : Estudo com 191 idosos e coleta de dados realizada por meio de prontuários. Análise realizada por meio de estatística descritiva, distribuição de frequências e análise de variância. Resultados : Predominância de participantes do gênero feminino, nascidos no Estado de São Paulo, raça branca, residentes em domicílio próprio, escolaridade entre zero e quatro anos, não ocupados, renda salarial entre zero e três salários mínimos, situação econômica regular e ausência de plano privado de saúde. A maior parte dos encaminhamentos partiu do próprio Hospital São Paulo. Em média, os pacientes gastam mais de 60 minutos para realizar o trajeto desde sua residência até o ambulatório. Foi observada relação entre percepção de saúde regular ou ruim e presença de doenças crônicas, tontura, zumbido, progressão da perda auditiva, ocorrência de dificuldades visuais e de locomoção e tempo de privação auditiva. Tipo, grau e configuração audiométrica com predominância neurossensorial, moderado e descendente respectivamente. Quanto à seleção de próteses auditivas, houve predomínio de aparelhos retroauriculares e moldes auriculares dos tipos invisível duplo e canal. Conclusão : O perfil dos idosos foi obtido e nos levou a reflexões importantes sobre acessibilidade aos serviços de saúde e da educação em saúde.
Avaliação das ações da Fonoaudiologia no NASF da cidade do Recife
Authors: Andrade Aline Fernanda de , Lima Mirella Muzzi de , Monteiro Natália Pereira , Silva Vanessa de Lima
Published: April 2014

Objetivo : Avaliar as ações da Fonoaudiologia nos Núcleos de Apoio à Saúde da Família da cidade do Recife (PE). Métodos : Foi realizado um estudo de avaliação com abordagem normativa, considerando os aspectos relacionados à estrutura e processo. Para a avaliação, foi elaborado o modelo lógico da atuação fonoaudiológica no Núcleo de Apoio, a partir da análise dos documentos oficiais que regulamentam a atuação nos Núcleos de Apoio à Saúde da Família. Em seguida, foi construída uma matriz de avaliação e elaborado o instrumento para a coleta de dados. Foram entrevistadas dez fonoaudiólogas integrantes das equipes NASF do município pesquisado. Para definição do grau de adequação das ações fonoaudiológicas no NASF, foi utilizado um sistema de escores que permitiu classificá-las em adequadas (75-100%), parcialmente adequadas (50-74,99%), incipientes (25-49,99%) e críticas (<24,99%). Resultados : O modelo lógico resultante deste estudo apontou para uma atuação fonoaudiológica fundamentada no Apoio Matricial e com atividades de apoio à Atenção e à Gestão. Em relação à avaliação das ações, as dimensões “estrutura” e “processo” foram classificadas, respectivamente, como incipiente e adequada. Considerando as duas dimensões avaliadas, as ações da Fonoaudiologia no NASF puderam ser consideradas adequadas. Conclusão : A Fonoaudiologia tem desempenhado de forma coerente seu papel nos NASF da cidade do Recife. Embora sua atuação seja fundamentada no processo de trabalho, aponta-se a necessidade de intervir em questões relacionadas à estrutura, a fim de aprimorar o desenvolvimento das ações realizadas nesse contexto.
Intervenção fonoaudiológica na transição alimentar de sonda para peito em recém-nascidos do Método Canguru
Authors: Medeiros Andréa Monteiro Correia , Sá Thalyta Prata Leite de , Alvelos Conceição Lima , Novais Deborah Sabina Farias
Published: April 2014

Objetivo : Verificar a relação entre idade gestacional e tempo de intervenção fonoaudiológica para início da alimentação via oral, quando utilizada a técnica de transição alimentar da sonda direta para o peito. Métodos : Trata-se de um estudo do prontuário médico/fonoaudiológico de 38 recém-nascidos de risco em Unidade Canguru. Foram coletados os seguintes dados: idade gestacional ao nascimento e corrigida, dias de vida, peso ao nascimento e atual, tipo e duração da intervenção fonoaudiológica, volume de dieta por sonda. Utilizou-se o tempo de uso de antibióticos e o suporte ventilatório como critérios de divisão dos recém-nascidos em dois grupos (G1 e G2). Na análise estatística, aplicou-se o teste não paramétrico de Mann-Whitney e o coeficiente de correlação de Pearson. Resultados : O tempo de intervenção para os recém-nascidos que receberem alta fonoaudiológica não apresentou resultados significativos entre os grupos (G1= 9,35 dias e G2= 10,12 dias), embora a hipótese inicial deste estudo fosse a de que os recém-nascidos do G1 necessitariam de menor período de atendimento fonoaudiológico que os do G2. Houve diferença estatisticamente significativa para o peso ao nascimento, entre G1 (1563,53 g) e G2 (1409,62 g). Conclusão : Quando utilizada a técnica de transição alimentar da sonda direta para o peito, em recém-nascidos de risco com média de idade gestacional semelhante e mesmo tempo de intervenção fonoaudiológica, os bebês demonstraram aptidão para coordenar os movimentos de sucção/respiração/deglutição, e consequentemente, a amamentação efetiva em seio materno exclusivo.
Qingkou complex: an engineering masterpiece of the Grand Canal of China
Authors: Zhang Jin , Zhao Yun , Wang Zhe , Wang Yi , Wu Ting , Cui Ming
Published: April 2014

Situated at the meeting point of the Yellow River, the Huai River and the Grand Canal of China, the Qingkou complex is a large comprehensive water conservancy project built from the sixteenth to nineteenth centuries to solve the problems for the Grand Canal to join the Huai River and cross the Yellow River. Through the World Cultural Heritage nomination of the Grand Canal, the composition, operation mechanism and evolution of Qingkou complex is comprehensively studied. This paper summarises these findings, and maps a complete view of the Qingkou complex – an engineering masterpiece along the Grand Canal of China.
Psychometric Properties of the Cyberbullying Questionnaire (CBQ) Among Mexican Adolescents
Authors: Gámez-Guadix Manuel , Villa-George Fabiola , Calvete Esther
Published: April 2014

The first objective of this study was to analyze the psychometric properties of the Cyberbullying Questionnaire (CBQ), an instrument for measuring the perpetration and victimization of bullying via new technologies for adolescents. The second objective was to analyze gender differences in the prevalence of cyberbullying. The study sample consisted of 1,491 Mexican adolescents (52.4% male and 47.6% female) with a mean age of 14.51 years (SD = 1.57, range = 12–18). A confirmatory factor analysis of the CBQ indicated a good fit of a model consisting of two factors designated as “perpetration” and “victimization.” The internal consistencies for these subscales were adequate. Furthermore, multiple-group-covariance-structure analysis with the Mexican and a Spanish sample (N = 1008; 55.7% girls; mean age = 15.23 years, SD = 1.4) indicated equivalence of the factor structure of the CBQ across samples. An analysis of the relationship between the CBQ and other variables—such as the justification of cyberbullying, impulsivity, and depression—provided additional data supporting the construct validity of the instrument. Regarding gender differences in the prevalence of CB, perpetration was significantly higher for males than for females, whereas no differences were found for victimization. Finally, we discuss the contributions of this work to the field of study.
Freezing Tolerance‐Associated Quantitative Trait Loci in the Brundage × Coda Wheat Recombinant Inbred Line Population
Authors: Case Austin J. , Skinner Daniel Z. , Garland‐Campbell Kimberly A. , Carter Arron H.
Published: April 2014

Freezing tolerance is an essential trait for winter wheat cultivars. A genetic analysis of a Brundage × Coda winter wheat recombinant inbred line (RIL) mapping population was undertaken to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with freezing tolerance. Five‐week to 6‐wk old, cold‐acclimated plants were frozen to –10.5, –11.5, or –12.5°C. The standardized mean percentage survival of all RILs within each temperature was 61, 44, and 28%, respectively. A total of 2391 polymorphic DNA markers including 1984 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), 232 Diversity Array Technology (DArT), and 175 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers were used to create a genome‐wide genetic linkage map. The QTL analysis identified six QTL that were associated with freezing tolerance at either a specific temperature or a combination of temperatures. The QTL QFrbr.wak‐5A was associated with freezing tolerance at all temperatures tested and was on chromosome 5AL. Further marker analysis indicates that this QTL is not an effect of known sequence polymorphisms at Vrn‐A1. On the basis of map homology, QFrbr.wak‐5A mapped at or near the CBF (cold binding factor) gene cluster at Fr‐A2, but not an effect of TaCBF‐A15, TaCBF‐A14, or TaCBF‐A12. Other QTL were located on chromosomes 2A, 3A, 5B, and 6D, and were significant at only specific temperatures. Identification of QTL associated with freezing tolerance may lead to useful genetic markers for marker‐assisted selection, allowing for more efficient development of freezing tolerant cultivars. Additional studies of this QTL will further enhance knowledge of cold tolerance in wheat, as this QTL is not due to known sequence variation at Vrn‐A1 or tested CBF genes.
Hydrogeological and economical simulations: emergency water supply for Muscat
Authors: Zekri Slim , Al-Maktoumi Ali Khamis , Abdalla Osman A. E. , Akil Jamila , Charabi Yassine
Published: April 2014

Urban water in Gulf Cooperation Council countries is principally supplied from desalination plants. However, desalination could be interrupted by natural hazards such as cyclones or harmful algal blooms. Four scenarios have been considered to help public institutions in Muscat to establish a water strategy for emergency situations. The numerical simulations of groundwater pumping have shown that the aquifer can supply emergency water in a safe way without any apparent risk of seawater intrusion to the Al-Khod Aquifer. The results show that Muscat can be easily supplied by emergency groundwater for up to 10 consecutive days with volumes varying between 24 and 71 l/cap/day at a low cost of US$0.18 per m3. Covering up to 66% of the total regular demand during an emergency is technically feasible but would bring the cost up to US$1.49 per m3 for groundwater and a cost of US$38.6 per m3 for storage reservoirs made of concrete. The cost per m3 of using concrete reservoirs is close to the market price of bottled water. Finally, the Public Authority for Electricity and Water might think of decentralizing the water storage at house levels by requiring new houses to be equipped with reservoirs on the roofs.
Nitrogen balance and transformation in the nitrification process of coking wastewater and the influence on nitrification kinetics
Authors: Shan Mingjun , Zhang Yan , Kou Lihong
Published: April 2014

This paper describes the total nitrogen balance, and the direction and degree of nitrogen transformation during the nitrification process of coking wastewater. According to the actual nitrification process, the conventional nitrification kinetic equation was amended. After 48 h of nitrification, the total nitrogen content remained almost the same with error less than 0.6%. The total removal efficiency of NH4+-N was 91.1%, in which blow-off, producing cells and transforming to nitrate nitrogen accounted for 1.1, 17.8 and 72.2% respectively. Considering the influences of NH4+-N blow-off and conversion from cyanide, thiocyanide and organic nitrogen, the nitrification kinetic equation was amended as μ′=0.82·S/(0.48+S).
Validating the Colloid model to optimise the design and operation of both moving-bed biofilm reactor and integrated fixed-film activated sludge systems
Authors: Albizuri J. , Grau P. , Christensson M. , Larrea L.
Published: April 2014

The paper presents a systematic study of simulations, using a previously calibrated Colloid model, from which it was found that: (i) for pure moving-bed biofilm reactor (MBBR) processes with tertiary nitrification conditions (no influent chemical oxygen demand (COD)), dissolved oxygen = 5 mg/L and residual NH4-N > 4 mgN/L, a nitrification rate of 1.2 gN/(m2d) was obtained at 10 °C. This rate decreases sharply when residual NH4-N is lower than 2 mgN/L, (ii) for MBBR systems with predenitrification–nitrification zones and COD in the influent (soluble and particulate), the nitrification rate (0.6 gN/(m2d)) is half of that in tertiary nitrification due to the effect of influent colloidal XS (particulate slowly biodegradable COD) and (iii) for integrated fixed-film activated sludge (IFAS) processes the nitrification rate in the biofilm (0.72 gN/(m2d)) is 20% higher than for the pure MBBR due to the lower effect of influent XS since it is adsorbed onto flocs. However, it is still 40% lower than the tertiary nitrification rate. In the IFAS, the fraction of the nitrification rate in suspension ranges from 10 to 70% when the aerobic solids retention time varies from 1.4 to 6 days.
Piebaldism in a 3-month-old infant: Case report
Authors: Milankov Olgica , Savic Radojica , Radulovic Anica
Published: April 2014

Introduction. Piebaldism is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by
the congenital absence of melanocytes in the affected areas of skin and hair
due to mutations of the KIT protooncogene, which affects the differentiation
and migration of melanoblasts. Case report. A 3 ? month old male infant was
admitted to hospital due to depigmentation of skin in the area of forehead,
trunk and extremities. On admission, he had multiple, irregularly shaped
areas of leucoderma present at the forehead, abdomen, lower legs and left
forearm. Based on the characteristic skin features and family history, we
diagnosed the boy?s leucoderma as piebaldism. Conclusion. Vitiligo differs
from piebaldism by the presence of unstable hypopigmented lesions that are
acquired later in life. Albinism presents with widespread skin involvement
and lacks the characteristic hyperpigmented macules within hypopigmented
areas.
Predictable Casting for Dimensional Shrinkage of Fast-cast Post-and-cores
Authors: Hansen PA
Published: April 2014

Statement of problem

Prior investigations into dimensional shrinkage of fast-cast post-and-cores resulted in variable dimensions. There is a need for consistent shrinkage of cast post-and-cores to reduce or eliminate lateral stresses on the remaining tooth structure.

Purpose

The purpose of this research was to find a method of casting post-and-cores that would result in consistent shrinkage.

Material and Methods

A total of 45 methyl methacrylate post-and-core patterns, 10 mm long, were fabricated from a standardized steel block. Three methods were used to cast the post-and-core. Investment materials used were Fast Fire 15 (Whip Mix Corp, Louisville, KY, USA) and Beauty Cast gypsum (Whip Mix Corp). Three groups of sample post and core patterns were cast, varying the investment material used and the burnout time.

Results

Results show a statistical significance between the investment materials (p<0.05). The accelerated technique produced the most consistent results, and all samples had shrinkage of the casting.

Conclusions

The use of a phosphate investment with an accelerated technique can produce consistent and predictable shrinkage of cast post-and-cores.
Optical scattering in electrospun poly(ε-caprolactone) tissue scaffolds
Authors: Park ChangKyoo , Woon Choi Hae , Lee Carol H. , Lannutti John J. , Farson Dave F.
Published: April 2014

Optical scattering in electrospun poly(ε-caprolactone) (ES-PCL) nanofibers was studied. Femtosecond laser beams with wavelengths of 775 and 387.5 nm were directed onto PCL nanofiber meshes of different thicknesses, and the reflection and transmission were measured by using an integrating sphere. Meshes were prepared by electrospinning PCL in acetone and dichloromethane (DCM). The absorption and scattering coefficients of the samples were calculated using a three-flux scattering approximation. The PCL/acetone meshes had finer fibers, smaller pore size, and 50% larger scattering coefficients than the PCL/DCM meshes. In addition, somewhat higher scattering coefficients were measured at shorter wavelength in both PCL/Ace and PCL/DCM nanofibers. However, in all cases, scattering coefficients were 15 to 30 times the absorption coefficients; thus, scattering was the dominant factor in optical attenuation in both types of meshes and at both wavelengths.
Results of surveillance for infections with Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) of serotype O104:H4 after the large outbreak in Germany, July to December 2011
Authors: Frank C , Milde-Busch A , Werber D
Published: April 2014

Binary file ES_Abstracts_Final_ECDC.txt matches
Introduction
Authors: Sousa Jorge , Toye Michael
Published: April 2014

The social economy has largely developed from partnerships between actors and agencies within modern society. In this editorial we describe the social economy as a framework comprised of features that reflect aspects of the different sectors in Canadian society. The articles in this special issue are evidence of the wide variety of innovative policy research that emerged from the six-year national initiative known as the Canadian Social Economy Research Partnerships. The contributors relate a broad variety of policy-relevant issues, including analyses, developments, and case studies. We believe that the social economy exists in many shapes and sizes, and this special issue is intended to show just that.
Ptychographic Fresnel coherent diffraction tomography at the nanoscale
Authors: Phillips Nicholas W. , Putkunz Corey T. , Van Riessen Grant , Coughlan Hannah D. , Jones Michael W. M. , Abbey Brian
Published: April 2014

The spatial resolution of diffractive imaging techniques depends upon the numerical aperture of the detected scatter rather than any image forming optics. Fresnel coherent diffractive imaging has been developed over the past decade as a means for examining regions of interest within continuous samples and for overcoming many of the stagnation issues traditionally associated with coherent diffractive imaging. Ptychography meanwhile has been developed independently as a method of reconstructing the transmission function of extended objects from diffraction data recorded using a sequence of multiple overlapping probes on the sample. The relatively recent combination of these two methods has been found to provide substantial benefits over either of the two techniques when applied separately. The experimental requirements and basic principles of ptychographic Fresnel diffraction tomography are reviewed in this paper.
Study of Clinical and Biochemical Parameters of Type 2 Diabetic Subjects with Pulmonary Tuberculosis
Authors: Afsana F , Jamil SNAA , Latif ZA
Published: April 2014

Aims: Type 2 DM is a global epidemic and recognized as a threat to pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) control worldwide especially in developing countries. When tuberculosis is diagnosed in diabetic subjects both can be affected in term of clinical presentation and course of disease. The aim of the study was to evaluate the demographic, clinical and biochemical parameters of newly detected PTB patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods: Seventy two diabetic subjects with newly detected PTB attending outpatient department, BIRDEM were studied. Patients with fever, cough, hemoptysis and/or weight loss were interviewed by a structured questionnaire. After thorough clinical examination, blood sugar, complete blood count (CBC), ESR, sputum for bacteriological culture and acid fast bacilli (AFB) (3 samples), X-ray chest were done. The diagnosis of PTB was based on a positive sputum AFB test, a suggestive CBC report or typical radiographic findings with high clinical probability. Diagnosed PTB cases were included in the study. All patients were followed up at least at1st, 3rd and 6th month of antitubercular therapy. Result: Mean age of study subjects was 46(19-75) years. The study subjects do not have past history of tuberculosis. Most of the study subjects (98.6%) were on insulin for treatment of diabetes. Mean body mass index (BMI) was 19.9kg/m². Mean ESR (mm in 1st hour) was 94.5 with 60% subjects having ESR >100. Sputum for bacteriological culture revealed no growth in 77.3% patients. Chest X-ray revealed cavity in 47.2%, opacity in 40.3%, both opacity and cavity in 5.6 %, pleural effusion in 5.6% and 5.5% had no detectable lesion. All patients were sputum AFB positive and among them 73.6% (n=53) had AFB positive in all 3 samples. Most of the patients (n=62, 86.6%) become sputum AFB negative after one month of treatment initiation. Rest 10 subjects (13.4%) become sputum negative in 2 months follow up and all of these patients had cavitary lesions in chest X-rays. A good number of the patients (98%) with positive x-ray finding showed radiological improvement after 2 months of antitubercular treatment. All the patients completed their therapy without any interruption for 6 months. Conclusion: Pulmonary cavity and opacity is the commonest radiological finding among study subjects. Sputum positivity for AFB is a good diagnostic tool for PTB in diabetic subjects. Subjects with cavitary lesion in chest X-ray become sputum negative than others. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/birdem.v4i1.18545 Birdem Med J 2014; 4(1): 5-8
Laparoscopic Evaluation of the Tuboperitoneal Factors in Infertility
Authors: Khan MI , Jerin J , Jesmin S , Chowdhury TA
Published: April 2014

Objective: The aim of the study is to describe the tuboperitoneal findings in selected infertile patients by laparoscopy. Methods and Materials: This cross-sectional study was carried out at the infertility center in BIRDEM during the period of September 2002 to February 2003. A total of 50 patients were selected for laparoscopy and dye test. Those patients who had medical disorder and contraindications for laparoscopy were excluded from the study. Patients with infertility due to male factors were also excluded from this study. Laparoscopy was scheduled in secretory phase of menstruation. Results: Among the study population, 35 (70%) patients were primary infertile group while 15 (30%) patients were secondary infertile group. According to age distribution, 20 (57%) patients of primary infertility and 8 (53%) patients of secondary infertility belonged to age group 25-30 years. Duration of infertility was between 2 yrs to 5 yrs in 45% of patient where 30% cases had been infertile for 5 yrs to 10 yrs. Laparoscopy revealed normal findings in 14 (28%) patients and ovarian cause like chocolate cyst and polycystic ovary in 21 (42%). Peritoneal pathology like adhesion or endometriosis was detected in 19 (38%) cases. Bilateral tubal occlusion was found in 4 (8%) cases and unilateral tubal occlusion in 7 (14%) cases. Conclusion: Laparoscopy is a necessary diagnostic tool for evaluation of tubo-peritoneal pathology in infertile women. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/birdem.v4i1.18546 Birdem Med J 2014; 4(1): 9-12
Prevalence of Depression Among Post-Graduate Medical Trainees: A Multi-Centre Survey
Authors: Zaman S , Rahim MA , Khan AH , Habib SH , Rahman MM , Ahsan MS , Afroz F , Afroze SR , Haque HF , Ahmed JU , Ahmed AKMS , Hossain MD , Rahman MR , Musa AKM , Uddin KN
Published: April 2014

Objectives: To describe the prevalence of depression among post-graduate medical students and to evaluate some related risk factors. Methodology: This cross-sectional survey was done in three post-graduate medical teaching institutes in Dhaka, Bangladesh in February 2013. A preformed questionnaire including some demographic, socio-economic and work related variables was used for the purpose and depression was diagnosed and severity assessed by using Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D). Results: A total of 100 post-graduate medical trainees were given a preformed questionnaire. Among them 53 students filled it up properly and sent back in given time (response rate was 53%). Mean age of the respondents was 31.6 years, male and females were almost equally distributed. Depression was present in 21 (39.6%) respondents. Among them 17 (80.9%) had mild depression and 4 (19.1%) had moderate depression. None of the respondents had severe or very severe depression. Increased age, low income, marital status, living away from family, smoking, long working hours and inadequate time for study appeared as important risk factors. Conclusion: Two-fifth of post-graduate medical trainees suffered from mild to moderate depression. This issue should be properly addressed because of its possible impact on training outcome. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/birdem.v4i1.18548 Birdem Med J 2014; 4(1): 18-21
Managing Epilepsy in Women of Reproductive Age: A Review
Authors: Habib R , Islam R , Rahman A , Bhowmik NB , Haque A
Published: April 2014

Despite all of our advances, women with epilepsy face obstacles when it comes to pregnancy and childbearing. Many of these obstacles are social, based on incorrect and inappropriate attitudes of the public towards persons with epilepsy. Most women with epilepsy can conceive and bear healthy children. They have higher probabilities of infertility but this is often amenable to treatment. Complications of pregnancy are higher and revolve primarily around the increased risk of maternal seizures. Careful monitoring of the clinical condition of the patient and the free anticonvulsant levels will obviate much of this difficulty. Maternal seizures themselves can pose hazards for women with epilepsy and their offspring and generalized convulsive seizures are clearly to be avoided. Adverse pregnancy outcomes tend to be seen more often in particular: congenital malformations, dysmorphic features, neonatal hemorrhage and fetal death. Neonatal and infant mortality is increased to two to threefold over the general population; and an uncertain risk of developmental delay particularly in the area of language acquisition. Risks can be reduced by ensuring good seizure control, monotherapy, preconceptual use of multivitamins with folate. The plethora of new anticonvulsants offers us new opportunities for improving the function and control of persons with epilepsy. All of the risks aside, the majority of women with epilepsy can and will have healthy children. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/birdem.v4i1.18552 Birdem Med J 2014; 4(1): 38-42
Concurrent Onset of Pulmonary and Articular Symptoms - Rare Manifestation of Rheumatoid Arthritis Associated Interstitial Lung Disease: A Case Report
Authors: Rahim MA , Parvin S , Zaman S , Haque HF , Rahman MM , Afroz SR , Afroze F , Ahmed JU , Ahmed AKMS , Hossain MD , Rahman MR , Musa AKM , Uddin KN
Published: April 2014

Lung is the most common extra-articular site of involvement in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). It can involve pleura, lung parenchyma and pulmonary vasculature. Among many diseases, most debilitating one is RA associated interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD). Here, we describe a middle aged Bangladeshi lady who presented because of progressively deteriorating non-productive cough, exertional dyspnea and polyarthritis of 5 month duration. Diagnostic workup confirmed RA-ILD and she responded well with prednisolone, hydroxychloroquine and azathioprine.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/birdem.v4i1.18554 Birdem Med J 2014; 4(1): 47-49
Letter to the Editor Vol.4(1)
Authors: Nargis Waheeda
Published: April 2014

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/birdem.v4i1.18562 Birdem Med J 2014; 4(1): 59
Answer to Medical Quiz Vol.4(1): Images
Authors: Editor The
Published: April 2014

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/birdem.v4i1.18565 Birdem Med J 2014; 4(1): 63
Medical Quiz Vol.4(1): SBA  Answers
Authors: Editor The
Published: April 2014

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/birdem.v4i1.18566 Birdem Med J 2014; 4(1): 64
Silk Purses and Sow's Ears: Can Structured Data Deal with Historical Sources?
Authors: Bradley John
Published: April 2014

A highly structured representation of materials have been largely neglected by historians as a way to explore historical sources in part because the textual nature of the sources often seems to preclude a structured representation. This paper proposes a place for them in the historian's toolkit and explores through a few examples how, as a way to formally express an historical interpretation of a body of material, they provide a mechanism to potentially enrich the exploration and development of an historian's interpretation of that material. Highly structured data exhibits a kind of classical clarity of approach that does not fit well with current postmodern and post-Enlightenment trends in the humanities, and this article touches on these issues, and suggests a few approaches to them.
Continuous Stieltjes-Wigert Limiting Behaviour of a Family of Confluent q-Chu-Vandermonde Distributions
Authors: Kyriakoussis Andreas , Vamvakari Malvina
Published: April 2014

From Kemp [1], we have a family of confluent q-Chu- Vandermonde distributions, consisted by three members I, II and III, interpreted as a family of q-steady-state distributions from Markov chains. In this article, we provide the moments of the distributions of this family and we establish a continuous limiting behavior for the members I and II, in the sense of pointwise convergence, by applying a q-analogue of the usual Stirling asymptotic formula for the factorial number of order n. Specifically, we initially give the q-factorial moments and the usual moments for the family of confluent q-Chu- Vandermonde distributions and then we designate as a main theorem the conditions under which the confluent q-Chu-Vandermonde distributions I and II converge to a continuous Stieltjes-Wigert distribution. For the member III we give a continuous analogue. Moreover, as applications of this study we present a modified q-Bessel distribution, a generalized q-negative Binomial distribution and a generalized over/underdispersed (O/U) distribution. Note that in this article we prove the convergence of a family of discrete distributions to a continuous distribution which is not of a Gaussian type.
PSMA, EpCAM, VEGF and GRPR as Imaging Targets in Locally Recurrent Prostate Cancer after Radiotherapy
Authors: Rybalov Maxim , Ananias Hildo , Hoving Hilde , Van der Poel Henk , Rosati Stefano , De Jong Igle
Published: April 2014

In this retrospective pilot study, the expression of the prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA), the epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM), the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and the gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRPR) in locally recurrent prostate cancer after brachytherapy or external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) was investigated, and their adequacy for targeted imaging was analyzed. Prostate cancer specimens were collected of 17 patients who underwent salvage prostatectomy because of locally recurrent prostate cancer after brachytherapy or EBRT. Immunohistochemistry was performed. A pathologist scored the immunoreactivity in prostate cancer and stroma. Staining for PSMA was seen in 100% (17/17), EpCAM in 82.3% (14/17), VEGF in 82.3% (14/17) and GRPR in 100% (17/17) of prostate cancer specimens. Staining for PSMA, EpCAM and VEGF was seen in 0% (0/17) and for GRPR in 100% (17/17) of the specimens’ stromal compartments. In 11.8% (2/17) of cases, the GRPR staining intensity of prostate cancer was higher than stroma, while in 88.2% (15/17), the staining was equal. Based on the absence of stromal staining, PSMA, EpCAM and VEGF show high tumor distinctiveness. Therefore, PSMA, EpCAM and VEGF can be used as targets for the bioimaging of recurrent prostate cancer after EBRT to exclude metastatic disease and/or to plan local salvage therapy.
The Effect of Chitin Size, Shape, Source and Purification Method on Immune Recognition
Authors: Alvarez Francisco
Published: April 2014

The animal immune response to chitin is not well understood and needs to be investigated further. However, this is a challenging topic to study because of the technical difficulties in purifying chitin, and because this material usually comes associated with contaminating components that can activate the immune system. In this study, improvements to previously described purification protocols were investigated for chitin obtained from different sources, including commercial shellfish, Candida albicans yeast and hyphal cell walls, as well as cell walls of the filamentous fungi Aspergillus fumigatus and Mucor circinelloides. The immune response to these different chitin preparations was tested using human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. In agreement with previous literature, small chitin particles of an average size of 0.2 µm were not immunogenic. On the other hand, bigger chitin particles induced in some cases a pro-inflammatory response. The results of this work suggest that not only the purity and size of the chitin particles, but also their shape can influence immune recognition.