bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evolução nutricional de pacientes com transtornos alimentares: experiência de 30 anos de um Hospital Universitário
Authors: Palma Raphaela Fernanda Muniz , Santos José Ernesto dos , Ribeiro Rosane Pilot Pessa
Published: February 2014

OBJETIVO: Descrever a evolução do estado nutricional e dos parâmetros bioquímicos de pacientes com anorexia nervosa e bulimia nervosa internados para tratamento durante seguimento em serviço especializado. MÉTODOS: Foram revisados todos os prontuários dos pacientes em seguimento pelo serviço de 1982 a 2011, que foram internados para tratamento. Dados sociodemográficos, peso, altura e exames bioquímicos foram coletados no início e final da internação. RESULTADOS: No período referido, 83 pacientes com diagnóstico de anorexia ou bulimia nervosa foram internados para tratamento. A maioria era do sexo feminino (95,2%) raça branca (94,0%), solteira (76,0%) e sem filhos (78,3%). O diagnóstico predominante foi de anorexia nervosa (85,5%), sobretudo em seu tipo restritivo (54,2%). O índice de massa corporal médio dos pacientes adultos (n=41) evoluiu de 16,53±4,9 para 17,47±4,3kg/m² (p<0,05). Para as crianças e adolescentes (n=38), passou de 13,78±2,57 para 15,11±2,99kg/m² (p<0,05). Os valores médios da maioria dos parâmetros bioquímicos estavam dentro do limite da normalidade e, apenas o betacaroteno, manteve-se em níveis médios acima da normalidade no início e final da internação. Os valores de albumina, hematócrito, lipoproteína de alta densidade e potássio melhoraram ao final da internação (p<0,05). CONCLUSÃO: A hospitalização integral, apesar das dificuldades e da complexidade inerentes ao tratamento dos transtornos alimentares, considerando-se principalmente a resistência frente à recuperação do peso, pode proporcionar melhoria no estado nutricional e normalização de diversos parâmetros bioquímicos.
Food insecurity among the elderly: cross-sectional study with soup kitchen users
Authors: Souza Bruna Fernanda do Nascimento Jacinto de , Marín-León Letícia
Published: February 2014

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether food insecurity is associated with the demographic, socioeconomic, lifestyle, and health conditions of the elderly. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 427 elderly (³60 years) from Campinas, São Paulo; half were users of a government-run soup kitchen and the others, their neighbors of the same sex. Food insecurity was measured by the Brazilian Food Insecurity Scale. Univariate multinomial logistic regression was used for calculating the odds ratio and 95% confidence interval to measure the association between the independent variables and food insecurity. Variables with p<0.20 were included in a multinomial model, and only those with p<0.05 remained. RESULTS: Most respondents (63.2%) were males; 15.2% and 6.6% were experiencing mild and moderate/severe food insecurity, respectively. The final model, adjusted for sex and age, showed that elderly with a total family income ≤2 minimum salaries (OR=3.41, 95%CI=1.27-9.14), who did not have a job (OR=2.95, 95%CI=1.23-7.06), and who were obese (OR=2.01, 95%CI=1.04-3.87) were more likely to be mildly food insecure. Elderly with cancer (OR=4.13, 95%CI=1.21-14.0) and those hospitalized in the past year (OR=3.16, 95%CI=1.23-8.11) were more likely to be moderately/severely food insecure. Finally, elderly living in unfinished houses (OR=2.71; and OR=2.92) and who did not consume fruits (OR=2.95 and OR=4.11) or meats daily (OR=2.04 and OR=3.83) were more likely to be mildly and moderately/severely food insecure. CONCLUSION: Food insecure elderly are more likely to have chronic diseases, poor nutritional status, and poor socioeconomic condition. Therefore, the welfare programs should expand the number of soup kitchens and develop other strategies to assure adequate nutrition to these elderly.
Alimentos orgânicos da agricultura familiar no Programa Nacional de alimentação Escolar do Estado de Santa Catarina, Brasil
Authors: Silva Ana Paula Ferreira da , Sousa Anete Araújo de
Published: February 2014

OBJETIVO: Analisar a demanda e a oferta de alimentos orgânicos para a alimentação escolar no estado de Santa Catarina de acordo com a regulamentação do Programa Nacional de Alimentação Escolar. MÉTODOS: Estudo descritivo e exploratório. No ano de 2010 foi realizado um censo nos 293 municípios do estado por meio de questionário eletrônico para conhecer o percentual de compras de alimentos da agricultura familiar e de alimentos orgânicos. Posteriormente, foram entrevistados in loco alguns atores sociais da alimentação escolar de 52 municípios que compravam alimentos orgânicos da agricultura familiar. Os dados foram apresentados em números absolutos e relativos, com detalhamento por municípios. RESULTADOS: O destino da produção, em sua maioria, foi local e 17,7% dos municípios compraram alimentos orgânicos da agricultura familiar no ano de 2010. Foram relatadas dificuldades tanto do nutricionista quanto dos agricultores familiares e das cooperativas. A maioria dos agricultores e cooperativas não tinha certificação de seus produtos e enfrentava problemas de produção, revelando a necessidade de apoio técnico. Os nutricionistas ressaltaram a falta de certificação de agricultores e a baixa oferta de alimentos orgânicos. Para agricultores e cooperativas, as limitações na comercialização para a alimentação escolar foram a baixa procura por parte dos municípios, as dificuldades no transporte e a sazonalidade da produção. Apesar das dificuldades relatadas, os municípios catarinenses já adquirem frutas, verduras, legumes e outros alimentos. CONCLUSÃO: Os alimentos da agricultura familiar orgânica produzidos localmente, já estão sendo incluídos na alimentação escolar. No entanto, ainda há necessidade de diálogo entre nutricionistas e agricultores familiares.
Responsabilidade Social Corporativa: um duplo olhar sobre a Reduc
Authors: Irigaray Hélio Arthur Reis , Vergara Sylvia Constant , Santos Marcio Cesar Franco
Published: February 2014

A Responsabilidade Social Corporativa (RSC) tem sido objeto de discussão tanto nos meios empresariais quanto nos acadêmicos, já tendo sido retratada como estratégia que pode contribuir para o desempenho financeiro das empresas, uma resposta estratégica a pressões institucionais sofridas pelas empresas, um mero discurso de marketing, ou ainda, uma atividade pós-lucro. A discussão sobre o tema permanece centrada nas organizações e os outros agentes (stakeholders) são, geralmente, tratados como satélites coadjuvantes. A proposta deste estudo é deslocar o eixo da discussão sobre Responsabilidade Social Corporativa (RSC), da empresa para a sociedade civil e responder à seguinte questão investigativa: em que medida o discurso e as práticas da Petrobras são congruentes, sob a ótica da comunidade que vive ao redor da Refinaria Duque de Caxias (Reduc)? Fundamenta-se na crença de que algo essencial se perdeu na busca por soluções meramente técnico-instrumentais, as quais resultaram na geração de uma sociedade mercadocêntrica, utilitarista e calculista. Ao contrário de outros estudos que objetivaram analisar a correlação entre RSC e retorno financeiro, políticas públicas ou investimento social, neste busca-se analisar o discurso da Petrobras sobre RSC e confrontá-lo com o olhar dos habitantes da comunidade de Campos Elísios, localizada em Duque de Caxias, a qual é vizinha da refinaria, sobre o impacto das operações desta. Entendeu-se a necessidade de se dar voz aos que são marginalizados e esquecidos nos discursos oficiais, no caso, a comunidade de Campos Elíseos. Para tal, foi realizada na comunidade uma pesquisa inspirada na etnografia e suas variantes, como a autoetnografia e a fotoetnografia, e foi constatado que a imagem que a Petrobras comunica externamente em suas políticas de segurança, saúde e meio ambiente (ter uma grande virtude cívica, pautando suas atividades por práticas ecológica e politicamente corretas) não é compartilhada pela comunidade. Entende-se que as organizações devam prestar contas não só aos seus acionistas, mas também aos empregados, mídia, governo e às comunidades nas quais operam e com as quais interagem. Advoga-se a democratização do processo decisório organizacional, o qual deveria se dar sobre as bases de um diálogo mais participativo com todos os parceiros sociais.
Aprendizagem organizacional baseada no conceito de prática: contribuições de Silvia Gherardi
Authors: Bispo Marcelo de Souza
Published: February 2014

A aprendizagem organizacional é um tema que já possui muitos estudos, com diversas abordagens ontológicas e epistemológicas que se refletem em um campo multiparadigmático (ANTONELLO; GODOY, 2010). Uma dessas abordagens refere-se à visão sociológica da aprendizagem nas organizações (GHERARDI; NICOLINI; ODELLA, 1998; GHERARDI; NICOLINI, 2001; BISPO; MELLO, 2012; HAGER, 2012) na qual o ambiente social é o espaço onde ocorrem os processos de aprendizagem e a geração do conhecimento. O principal objetivo deste trabalho é apresentar e discutir as contribuições de Silvia Gherardi, uma das principais pesquisadoras internacionais na área de aprendizagem nas organizações, que possui um grande número de produção científica sobre o tema, destacando-se a perspectiva sociológica da aprendizagem a partir das práticas. Tal objetivo se dá em razão de que, apesar de haver uma vasta literatura sobre aprendizagem organizacional, no contexto brasileiro são muito poucas as pesquisas que adotam alguma das perspectivas sociológicas da aprendizagem, esta lacuna é apontada no trabalho de Bispo e Mello (2012). Como contribuições, este artigo pretende: 1. apresentar em um único texto as principais ideias e conceitos de Silvia Gherardi; e 2. trazer para o debate dos acadêmicos brasileiros da área de aprendizagem uma perspectiva sociológica que possibilite melhor compreensão de como ocorre a aprendizagem nos níveis de grupo e organizacional. A pesquisa é qualitativa baseada essencialmente em uma revisão de literatura das obras de Gherardi complementada com as conversas informais com ela durante minha estada na Universidade de Trento em 2010 e 2013, além da troca de alguns e-mails após retorno para o Brasil. Como contribuição, o artigo traz a reflexão sobre a adoção das práticas como elemento gerador da aprendizagem coletiva, assim como formador das organizações, candidatando-se como um novo paradigma que carrega nos seus pressupostos de ordem ontológica e epistemológica uma alternativa para contribuir no avanço dos estudos sobre aprendizagem organizacional.
A cristalização de uma microrrevolução francesa: o caso das cooperativas de Salinas-MG
Authors: Quaresma Júnior Edson Antunes , Peixoto Daniel Lanna , Carrieri Alexandre de Pádua
Published: February 2014

Como as forças dos indivíduos se voltam contra si mesmos? Aonde o próximo passo pisará a ponto de levar uma organização a uma mudança radical? Até que ponto a estratégia pode ser vista enquanto um processo separado da prática? Este paper traz algumas pistas de como esses processos podem acontecer. Ao acompanhar o cotidiano de duas cooperativas, com o objetivo de conviver com suas estratégias de controle, bem como as interações dos cooperados, verificou-se que as diretorias foram deslegitimadas do poder por meio de processos não planejados, mas subscritos em uma ordem visível pelas traduções de lógicas de outros sistemas e de outros episódios do mesmo sistema, inscritos em espaços habitados, desnudados pelo cotidiano dos cooperados. Por esta via de análise, contribui-se para a inserção de dois autores nos estudos organizacionais, no campo da estratégia como prática: Niklas Luhmann (com os episódios, a comunicação, tradução para dentro dos sistemas) e Michel de Certeau (com as táticas e a concepção de um espaço habitado). Acredita-se que ambos podem ser ainda mais elucidadores de sentidos quando trabalhados juntos. Com eles, foi possível perceber como as táticas contribuíram para que as diretorias fossem percebidas como "culpadas" de práticas que consideraram como certas, e que eram oriundas de sistemas de referências externas. Com as novas diretorias, o poder emana da fluidez: ao mesmo tempo que cristalizado em novas pessoas, é filtrado pelo conjunto, que controla as decisões através das reuniões em que são deliberadas as questões mais relevantes. Mas as táticas continuam. E assim, abrem cotidianamente os novos episódios para algum futuro.
Dilemas e desafios vividos por mulheres que migraram em função do trabalho do cônjuge
Authors: Bezerra Sirlene Aparecida Carvalho , Vieira Adriane
Published: February 2014

A intensificação da movimentação das empresas e de pessoas ao redor do mundo tornou-se cada vez mais constante e valorizada, fazendo surgir uma espécie de nomadismo organizacional e profissional. Nesse cenário não é apenas a vida profissional dos trabalhadores que é afetada, mas também a de toda a sua família, em especial das esposas, uma vez que a adaptação do funcionário ao novo ambiente organizacional e da própria família depende, em grande parte, da dela. Este trabalho teve por objetivo analisar os dilemas e desafios vividos por mulheres que migraram de cidade e em alguns casos de estado em função do trabalho do cônjuge. O arcabouço teórico contemplou os temas: gênero, trabalho, família e mobilidade. Com esta pesquisa pretende-se preencher parte da lacuna nos estudos acadêmicos relacionados à interculturalidade, no que diz respeito à mobilidade nacional e às questões de gênero, uma vez que pouco se tem discutido a respeito dos problemas de adaptação regional, principalmente em países com grande extensão geográfica e diversidade cultural como as do Brasil. Trata-se de uma pesquisa qualitativa cujos dados foram coletados por meio de entrevistas e analisados por meio da técnica de análise de conteúdo. Foram identificadas seis mulheres nessa condição na empresa em foco e quatro delas consentiram em participar da pesquisa. No que diz respeito à renúncia da carreira, o principal motivo foi dar aos cônjuges a oportunidade de realizarem o sonho de trabalhar numa grande empresa multinacional que é referência no ramo de atividade. Nos primeiros meses, as mulheres se dedicaram às questões do lar e da família e só depois tentaram retomar suas vidas profissionais. Nenhuma delas conseguiu retomar a carreira interrompida. Dentre os dilemas vivenciados pelas mulheres, destacam-se dificuldades de adaptação à cultura local, à construção de nova rede de relacionamento e amizades, e a retomada da vida profissional. Os sentimentos e comportamentos associados à atual condição são de frustração e isolamento, mas também de resiliência e superação.
Compensatory orthodontic treatment of Angle Class II malocclusion with posterior open bite
Authors: Torres José Newton
Published: February 2014

The present case report addresses the treatment of an Angle Class II malocclusion in an adult female patient, long face pattern, with posterior open bite and dental arches extremely expanded, due to previous treatment. The patient and parents rejection to a treatment with orthognathic surgery led to orthodontic camouflage of the skeletal discrepancies. This clinical case was presented to the Brazilian Board of Orthodontics and Facial Orthopedics (BBO) as one of the requirements to become a BBO Diplomate.
Assessment of pain experience in adults and children after bracket bonding and initial archwire insertion
Authors: Campos Marcio José da Silva , Fraga Marcelo Reis , Raposo Nádia Rezende Barbosa , Ferreira Ana Paula , Vitral Robert Willer Farinazzo
Published: February 2014

INTRODUCTION: Ninety five percent of orthodontic patients routinely report pain, due to alterations in the periodontal ligament and surrounding soft tissues, with intensity and prevalence varying according to age. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess toothache and buccal mucosal pain in adults and children during two initial phases of the orthodontic treatment. METHODS: The intensity of toothache and buccal mucosal pain reported by 20 patients, 10 children (11-13 years) and 10 adults (18-37 years) was recorded with the aid of a Visual Analog Scale (VAS), during 14 days - 7 days with bonded brackets only and 7 days with the initial archwire inserted. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in pain intensity among adults and children. After bracket bonding, 50% of the children and 70% of the adults reported pain. 70% of both groups reported pain after initial archwire insertion. While adults reported constant, low intensity, buccal mucosal pain, the children showed great variation of pain intensity, but with a trend towards decreasing pain during the assessment period. After initial archwire insertion the peaks of toothache intensity and prevalence occurred 24 hours in children and 48 hours in adults. CONCLUSIONS: In general, children reported pain less frequently than adults did, though with greater intensity.
Class II malocclusion treatment with the Herbst appliance in patients after the growth peak
Authors: Alvares José Carlos de Castro , Cançado Rodrigo Hermont , Valarelli Fabrício Pinelli , Freitas Karina Maria Salvatore de , Angheben Christian Zamberlan
Published: February 2014

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate dentoskeletal effects in the treatment of Class II malocclusion performed with the Herbst appliance in patients at post-peak stage of growth. METHODS: The sample consisted of 16 patients with Class II malocclusion and average initial and final ages of 14.04 (ranging from 11.50 to 35.66) and 17.14 (ranging from 13.68 to 38.64) years, respectively, who were treated for an mean time of 2.52 years. Lateral cephalograms were obtained at treatment onset (T1) and completion (T2) to evaluate the effects of therapy. Initial dental casts were also used to evaluate the overjet and the anteroposterior severity of molar relationship at treatment onset. The cephalometric changes between initial and final stages were compared by means of the non-parametric Wilcoxon test. RESULTS: The results showed that the Herbst appliance did not promote significant changes in the maxillary component and the effective length of the mandible significantly increased without improving the maxillomandibular relationship. Changes in the maxillary and mandibular dentoalveolar components revealed that the maxillary incisors exhibited retrusion and lingual tipping, while the mandibular incisors presented increased protrusion and buccal tipping. The dental relationships exhibited significant improvements with the treatment. CONCLUSION: Based on the present results, it was concluded that the effects of treatment performed with the Herbst appliance in patients at post-peak stage of growth are predominantly of dentoalveolar nature.
Effects of chin advancement surgery in hyoid bone and tongue positions and in the dimension of the oropharynx
Authors: Cabral Milena Barreto de Arruda , Freitas André Carlos de , Araújo Telma Martins de , Pena Nilson , Brandão Filho Rivail Almeida
Published: February 2014

INTRODUCTION: Advancement genioplasty has been increasingly indicated for the correction of anterior mandibular deficiency as it balances the patient's profile and generates functional changes. OBJECTIVE: Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the effects of advancement genioplasty in the oropharyngeal size and in the position of the hyoid bone and tongue. METHODS: The sample comprised 22 lateral cephalometric radiographs of 11 individuals who had undergone advancement genioplasty alone. Eleven of these radiographs depicted the immediate preoperative period (T0) and the other 11 the postoperative period after at least four months (T1). The radiographs were scanned and exported to the Radiocef Studio 2.0® software (Radio Memory Ltda., Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil). The landmarks were then identified and automatically measured by the program. RESULTS: The results showed statistically significant differences between the horizontal position of the hyoid bone and tongue and in the oropharyngeal size. The hyoid bone and tongue were repositioned anteriorly after surgery (p = 0.01), thereby increasing the dimension of the oropharyngeal airspace (p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The oropharyngeal dimension increased as the tongue base and hyoid bone were repositioned more anteriorly
Is there correlation between alveolar and systemic bone density?
Authors: Scheibel Paula Cabrini , Ramos Adilson Luiz , Iwaki Lilian Cristina Vessoni
Published: February 2014

OBJECTIVE: The present study assessed the correlation between maxillomandibular alveolar bone density and systemic bone mineral density (BMD). METHODS: Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry of the anterior and posterior maxillomandibular alveolar bone, of the standard sites for the measurement of BMD (lumbar spine and femur) and the third cervical vertebra was performed on 23 middle-aged women. Periapical radiographs were also obtained, with an aluminum step-wedge as reference for the digital reading of apical bone density of the upper incisors. RESULTS: Spearman's correlations coefficients revealed that density in the apical region was correlated with that of the femoral neck (r = 0.433; p < 0.05); BMDs of the posterior regions of the mandible and maxilla were significantly correlated with that of the cervical vertebra (r = 0.554, p < 0.01 and r = 0.423, p < 0.05, respectively); and the anterior maxilla was correlated with the posterior mandible (r = 0.488, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Bone density of the maxillary alveolar bone was significantly correlated with that of the femoral neck. Among the bone densities of the alveolar regions, only the anterior maxilla and the posterior mandible were significantly correlated. The findings suggested that bone densitometry might be individually and locally evaluated.
Horizontal and vertical maxillary osteotomy stability, in cleft lip and palate patients, using allogeneic bone graft
Authors: Gomes Kelston Ulbricht , Martins Wilson Denis Benato , Ribas Marina de Oliveira
Published: February 2014

OBJECTIVE: This study was carried out to evaluate maxillary stability after orthodontic-surgical treatment of patients with cleft lip and palate. Cephalometric analysis was applied to two different groups, with and without allogeneic bone graft. METHODS: The sample comprised 48 patients with cleft lip and palate. The test group comprised 25 patients who, after correction of maxillary position, received allogeneic bone graft at the gap created by Le Fort I osteotomy. The control group comprised 23 patients and its surgical procedures were similar to those applied to the test group, except for the use of bone graft. Manual cephalometric analysis and comparison between lateral teleradiographs, obtained at the preoperative phase, immediate postoperative phase and after a minimum period of six months, were carried out. RESULTS: An higher horizontal relapse was observed in the control group (p<0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in vertical relapses between test and control groups (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: The use of allogeneic bone graft in cleft lip and palate patients submitted to Le Fort I osteotomy contributed to increase postoperative stability when compared to surgeries without bone graft.
Comparison of the changes of alveolar bone thickness in maxillary incisor area in extraction and non-extraction cases: computerized tomography evaluation
Authors: Picanço Paulo Roberto Barroso , Valarelli Fabricio Pinelli , Cançado Rodrigo Hermont , Freitas Karina Maria Salvatore de , Picanço Gracemia Vasconcelos
Published: February 2014

OBJECTIVE: To compare, through computed tomography, alveolar bone thickness changes at the maxillary incisors area during orthodontic treatment with and without tooth extraction. METHODS: Twelve patients were evaluated. They were divided into 2 groups: G1 - 6 patients treated with extraction of right and left maxillary first premolars, with mean initial age of 15.83 years and mean treatment length of 2.53 years; G2 - 6 patients treated without extraction, with mean initial age of 18.26 years and mean treatment length of 2.39 years. Computed tomographies, lateral cephalograms and periapical radiographs were used at the beginning of the treatment (T1) and 18 months after the treatment had started (T2). Extraction space closure occurred in the extraction cases. Intragroup and intergroup comparisons were performed by dependent and independent t test, respectively. RESULTS: In G1, the central incisor was retracted and uprighted, while in G2 this tooth showed vestibularization. Additionally, G1 presented a higher increase of labial alveolar bone thickness at the cervical third in comparison with G2. The incidence of root resorption did not present significant differences between groups. CONCLUSION: There were no changes in alveolar bone thickness when extraction and nonextraction cases were compared, except for the labial alveolar bone thickness at the cervical third of maxillary incisors.
Evaluation of life quality of patients submitted to orthognathic surgery
Authors: Silva Ana Catarina Alves e , Carvalho Roberta Almeida Silveira , Santos Thiago de Santana , Rocha Nelson Studart , Gomes Ana Cláudia Amorim , Silva Emanuel Dias de Oliveira e
Published: February 2014

OBJECTIVE: To compare changes related to self-esteem and appearance satisfaction between pre and postsurgical phases in patients undergoing orthognathic surgery and to assess the quality of life and psychosocial changes of these patients six months after surgery. METHODS: A longitudinal observational qualitative study was performed. The sample comprised 15 patients with dentofacial deformities who underwent orthognathic surgery. One questionnaire and two forms were answered during pre and postoperative phases. RESULTS: The results showed that 13.3% of patients demonstrated self-esteem improvement, especially in relation to appearance satisfaction. Improvements were also noted in social, occupational and family relationships. With regard to the assessment of quality of life, according to the World Health Organization questionnaire, the lowest improvement averages corresponded to environmental control. CONCLUSION: Orthognathic surgery brings along many emotional changes that should be considered before and after surgery, since the patients' psychological state may be favorable and/or unfavorable during recovery, influencing their quality of life, self-esteem and appearance satisfaction.
Influence of treatment including second molars on final and postretention molar angulation
Authors: Canuto Luiz Filiphe Gonçalves , Freitas Karina Maria Salvatores de , Freitas Marcos Roberto de , Cançado Rodrigo Hermont
Published: February 2014

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate axial mesiodistal inclinations of the mandibular molars in orthodontically treated cases, analyzing whether inclusion of second mandibular molars in treatment mechanics has any influence on final and postretention molars angulations. METHODS: The sample comprised 150 panoramic radiographs of 50 patients. Patients were treated with extraction of four first premolars and divided into 2 groups: Group 1 comprised 25 subjects without inclusion of mandibular second molars during orthodontic treatment, whereas Group 2 comprised 25 subjects with inclusion of mandibular second molars. Panoramic radiographs at three observation times were evaluated: pretreatment, posttreatment and postretention. The statistical analysis included one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) for intragroup evaluation and independent t-tests for intergroup comparisons. RESULTS: Intragroup analysis demonstrated significant uprighting of mandibular first and second molars during treatment in Group 2, which remained stable during the postretention stage. Intergroup comparison demonstrated that Group 2 presented first and second molars significantly more uprighted in relation to Group 1 in both post-treatment and postretention stages. CONCLUSIONS: It was concluded that inclusion of mandibular second molars in the orthodontic mechanics is relevant not only to correct the angulation of these teeth, but also to aid mandibular first molars uprighting.
The impact of accent identification errors on speech recognition of South African English
Authors: Niesler Thomas R. , Kamper Herman
Published: February 2014

For successful deployment, a South African English speech recognition system must be capable of

processing the prevalent accents in this variety of English. Previous work dealing with the different accents

of South African English has considered the case in which the accent of the input speech is known. Here we

focus on the practical scenario in which the accent of the input speech is unknown and accent identification

must occur at recognition time. By means of a set of contrastive experiments, we determine the effect

which errors in the identification of the accent have on speech recognition performance. We focus on the

specific configuration in which a set of accent-specific speech recognisers operate in parallel, thereby

delivering both a recognition hypothesis as well as an identified accent in a single step. We find that, despite

their considerable number, the accent identification errors do not lead to degraded speech recognition

performance. We conclude that, for our South African English data, there is no benefit of including a more

complex explicit accent identification component in the overall speech recognition system.
A late Holocene sea-level curve for the east coast of South Africa
Authors: Strachan Kate L. , Finch Jemma M. , Hill Trevor , Barnett Robert L.
Published: February 2014

South Africa’s extensive and topographically diverse coastline lends itself to interpreting and understanding

sea-level fluctuations through a range of geomorphological and biological proxies. In this paper, we present

a high-resolution record of sea-level change for the past ~1200 years derived from foraminiferal analysis of

a salt-marsh peat sequence at Kariega Estuary, South Africa. A 0.94-m salt-marsh peat core was extracted

using a gouge auger, and chronologically constrained using five radiocarbon age determinations

by

accelerator mass spectrometry, which places the record within the late Holocene period. Fossil foraminifera

were analysed at a high downcore resolution, and a transfer function was applied to produce a relative sea-

level reconstruction. The reconstructed sea-level curve depicts a transgression prior to 1100 cal years BP

which correlates with existing palaeoenvironmental literature from southern Africa. From ~1100 to ~300

cal years BP, sea levels oscillated (~0.5-m amplitudes) but remained consistently lower than present-day

mean sea level. The lowest recorded sea level of −1±0.2 m was reached between 800 and 600 cal years

BP. After 300 cal years BP, relative sea level has remained relatively stable. Based on the outcomes of this

research, we suggest that intertidal salt-marsh foraminifera demonstrate potential for the high-resolution

reconstruction of relative sea-level change along the southern African coastline.
Deep excavations: monitoring mechanisms of ground displacement
Authors: Fearnhead Nick , Maniscalco Kleaven , Standing Jamie R. , Wan Michael S. P.
Published: February 2014

As construction methods become more advanced and design more refined, better control and smaller magnitudes of ground displacements resulting from deep excavation can be achieved. Mechanisms of ground movements expected from deep excavation and methods for their prediction are briefly reviewed. Such predictions, whether empirical or numerical, are critical when the observational method is implemented during the construction process. Their accuracy can only be verified by correspondingly accurate monitoring of actual vertical and horizontal surface and subsurface ground displacements throughout construction. It is therefore relevant to investigate whether instruments routinely used to determine such displacements are sufficiently accurate. Monitoring techniques involving precise levelling, rod extensometers and torpedo inclinometers were examined in detail over a 3-week investigation period at a greenfield site to quantify the short-term precision and accuracy of the measured displacements obtained from them. Where possible, the influence of external factors (e.g. temperature and weather) on measurements is quantified and recommendations for best practice are made. Providing that the monitoring techniques discussed are performed to a high standard, the data indicate that ground displacements around deep excavations can be monitored to a sufficient accuracy for calibration and validation of numerical analyses and ultimately safe engineering design and construction.
Short-term behaviour of propped walls at Doha airport station, Qatar
Authors: Yap Tze Yee , Yesugey Mert , Sharp Peter , Rutty Peter
Published: February 2014

The New Doha international airport terminal station box in Qatar was constructed within the weathered Simsima Limestone where geotechnical properties relating to retaining wall design were not well understood. In order to reduce the construction programme to meet the scheduled airport opening, conservative geotechnical parameters, derived from available site investigation data within the region, were adopted for the preliminary design and subsequently revised as more comprehensive site investigation data became available. Accordingly, the structural instrumentation and monitoring programme was implemented to facilitate the design and construction verification process. This paper describes the performance of the instrumented diaphragm walls and props in the central section of the box. Permanent large-diameter reinforced concrete props were adopted at roof and mezzanine levels. An additional level of temporary strutting was required between mezzanine and base levels owing to the significant vertical span between these levels. Design predictions are compared with field measurements. Back-analyses have also been undertaken to permit a better understanding of the geotechnical properties and assist future design in similar ground conditions. These analyses demonstrated that wall deflections are sensitive to the assumed pore-water pressure conditions. Moreover, a Mohr–Coulomb model, with small strain stiffness for limestone/mudstone, is sufficient to capture the wall behaviour.
Numerical Comparison of Iterative Ensemble Kalman Filters for Unsaturated Flow Inverse Modeling
Authors: Song Xuehang , Shi Liangsheng , Ye Ming , Yang Jinzhong , Navon I. Michael
Published: February 2014

This study evaluated three algorithms of the iterative ensemble Kalman filter (EnKF). They are Confirming EnKF, Restart EnKF, and modified Restart EnKF developed to resolve the inconsistency problem (i.e., updated model parameters and state variables do not follow the Richards equation) in vadose zone data assimilation due to model nonlinearity. While Confirming and Restart EnKF were adapted from literature, modified Restart EnKF was developed in this study to reduce computational costs by calculating only the mean simulation, not all the ensemble realizations, from time t = 0. A total of 11 cases were designed to investigate the performance of EnKF, Confirming EnKF, Restart EnKF, and modified Restart EnKF with different types and spatial configurations of observations (pressure head and water content) and different values of observation error variance, initial guess of ensemble mean and variance, ensemble size, and damping factor. The numerical study showed that Confirming EnKF produced considerable inconsistency for the nonlinear unsaturated flow problem, which differs from the apparent consensus opinion that Confirming EnKF can resolve the inconsistency problem. In contrast, Restart EnKF and its modification can resolve the inconsistency problem. Restart EnKF and its modification outperformed EnKF and Confirming EnKF in the various cases considered in this study. It ws also found that combining different types of observations can achieve better assimilation results, which is useful for monitoring network design.
Performance of reverse osmosis and manganese greensand plants in removing naturally occurring substances in drinking water
Authors: Thirunavukkarasu O. S. , Phommavong T. , Jin Y. C. , Ferris S. A.
Published: February 2014

The Water Security Agency has a legislative authority to regulate water treatment systems and enforce standards with respect to drinking water quality in the Province of Saskatchewan. A number of communities in Saskatchewan which depend on groundwater as a source for drinking water have reported high levels of naturally occurring substances, such as arsenic, uranium and selenium, in their raw water. These communities continue to upgrade their systems by installing new or retrofitting with treatment units, such as reverse osmosis (RO) and manganese greensand (MGS) filters to reduce the levels of naturally occurring substances in finished water. In order to assess the treatment performance of these systems, a study was initiated to collect samples from 20 communities across Saskatchewan and analyse naturally occurring substances in raw and finished water. The study focused on the removal efficiency and the effect of parameters such as sulfate, total dissolved solids, and hardness on the removal efficiency. The paper includes discussion on the results and analysis of sampling/research studies conducted to assess the performance of treatment systems. Results showed that RO plants are effective in removing uranium and MGS are effective in removing arsenic from drinking water.
Urban snow deposits versus snow cooling plants in northern Sweden: a quantitative analysis of snow melt pollutant releases
Authors: Lundberg Angela , Feiccabrino James , Westerlund Camilla , Al-Ansari Nadhir
Published: February 2014

High-velocity runoff from snow deposit transports suspended grain-attached contaminants while underground snow storages trapped these contaminants within the storage. The aim here is to quantify pollutant masses from an urban snow deposit and to investigate the conditions when pollutant control was increased by turning a snow deposit into a snow cooling plant with permeable underground snow storage. Pollutant masses in an urban snow deposit in northern Sweden were: Cu = 67, Pb = 17, Zn = 160, P = 170, SS = 620,000, Cl = 1,200, N = 380 kg. A theoretical analysis showed that the fraction of surface runoff from a surface deposit largely depends on the hydraulic conductivity (K, m s−1) of the soil. For a melt rate of 30 mm, day−1, surface runoff would be about 97% for a soil with K = 10−8, while nonexistent for K > 10−6. Similar soil conductivities are needed to ensure that all snow melt could be transported as groundwater from an underground storage. The largest pollution-control advantage with underground snow storage compared to a surface deposit would thus be that piping and filters for operation of the plant could be used to filter surface snow melt runoff before rejection.
Ecological benefit of the road salt code of practice
Authors: Kilgour Bruce W. , Gharabaghi Bahram , Perera Nandana
Published: February 2014

Despite an overall increase in total road salt used over the past 14 years (the data record in this manuscript), there has been a 26% reduction in the rate (normalized as tonnes of salt per cm of snow per km of road) of road salt application by the City of Toronto since that city implemented mitigations from the Road Salt Code of Practice. The ecological benefit of the reduced use of road salt was approximated by comparing the estimated 26% salt reduction to the distribution of chloride tolerances that has been recently published by the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (i.e., CCME). Species sensitivity distributions predict that between 1 and 14% of taxa would benefit from a 26% reduction in chloride concentrations in surface waters. Assuming that a typical ‘healthy’ Canadian watercourse might support between 100 and 200 species of fish, invertebrates and plants, the Code of Practice might provide benefit to between 14 and 28 species. However, the net ecological benefit of implementing the Code may be undermined in rapidly urbanizing watersheds where road networks continue to expand at a rate of 3–5% per year and chloride loads to urban streams are steadily increasing.
Estimating nitrate loading from an intensively managed agricultural field to a shallow unconfined aquifer
Authors: Kuipers P. J. , Ryan M. C. , Zebarth B. J.
Published: February 2014

Nitrate loading from an intensively managed commercial red raspberry field to groundwater in the Abbotsford-Sumas Aquifer, British Columbia was estimated over a 1 yr period and compared with the nitrogen surplus calculated using a simple nitrogen budget. Nitrate loading was estimated as the product of recharge (estimated from climate data as total precipitation minus potential evapotranspiration (PET)) and monthly nitrate concentration measured at the water table. Most nitrate loading occurred when nitrate, accumulated in the root zone over the growing season, was leached following heavy autumn rainfall events. Elevated groundwater nitrate concentrations at the water table during the growing season when recharge was assumed to be negligible suggested that the nitrate loading was underestimated. The estimate of annual nitrate loading to the water table was high (174 kg N ha−1) suggesting that the tools currently available to growers to manage N in raspberry production are not adequate to protect groundwater quality. The calculated nitrogen surplus from the nitrogen budget (180 kg N ha−1) was similar to the measured nitrate loading suggesting that simple nitrogen budgets may be relatively effective indices of the risk of nitrate loading to groundwater.
Science Education Impacts on Labor Market and University Expectations of Students by Citizenship Status in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: A Comparative Analysis Using TIMSS 2007 Data
Authors: Wiseman Alexander W. , Alromi Naif H. , Alshumrani Saleh
Published: February 2014

This study comparatively examines the impact of students' citizenship status on science education relative to labor market and university expectations in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Specifically, the 2007 Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) provides science education teaching, learning and achievement data from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and each of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, including Bahrain, Dubai (United Arab Emirates), Kuwait, Oman and Qatar. Evidence suggests that the science knowledge and skills taught and learned in Saudi and other GCC schools contribute to the human capital of the students as future labor market participants and impact their future opportunity expectations relative to science. However, the results show that expectations and understanding of the labor market and university needs differ by students' national and non-national citizenship status in Saudi Arabia, in particular.
Effects of Leptin Replacement Therapy on Pancreatic β-Cell Function in Patients With Lipodystrophy
Authors: Muniyappa Ranganath , Brown Rebecca J. , Mari Andrea , Joseph Jalaja , Warren Mary A. , Cochran Elaine K. , Skarulis Monica C. , Gorden Phillip
Published: February 2014

OBJECTIVE

Leptin administration is known to directly modulate pancreatic β-cell function in leptin-deficient rodent models. However, human studies examining the effects of leptin administration on β-cell function are lacking. In this study, we examined the effects (16–20 weeks) of leptin replacement on β-cell function in patients with lipodystrophy.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

In a prospective, open-label, currently ongoing study, we studied the effects of leptin replacement on β-cell function in 13 patients with congenital or acquired lipodystrophy. Insulin secretory rate (ISR) was calculated by C-peptide deconvolution from plasma glucose and C-peptide levels measured during oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTTs) performed at baseline and after 16–20 weeks of leptin replacement. β-Cell glucose sensitivity and rate sensitivity were assessed by mathematical modeling of OGTT.

RESULTS

There was a significant decrease in triglycerides, free fatty acids, and glycosylated hemoglobin levels (A1C) after leptin therapy. Patients with lipodystrophy have high fasting and glucose-stimulated ISR. However, leptin therapy had no significant effect on fasting ISR, total insulin secretion during OGTT, β-cell glucose sensitivity, rate sensitivity, or insulin clearance.

CONCLUSIONS

In contrast to the suppressive effects of leptin on β-cell function in rodents, 16–20-week treatment with leptin in lipodystrophy patients did not significantly affect insulin secretion or β-cell function in leptin-deficient individuals with lipodystrophy.
Results of the Northern Manhattan Diabetes Community Outreach Project: A Randomized Trial Studying a Community Health Worker Intervention to Improve Diabetes Care in Hispanic Adults
Authors: Palmas Walter , Findley Sally E. , Mejia Miriam , Batista Milagros , Teresi Jeanne , Kong Jian , Silver Stephanie , Fleck Elaine M. , Luchsinger Jose A. , Carrasquillo Olveen
Published: February 2014

OBJECTIVE

The Northern Manhattan Diabetes Community Outreach Project evaluated whether a community health worker (CHW) intervention improved clinically relevant markers of diabetes care in adult Hispanics.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Participants were adult Hispanics, ages 35–70 years, with recent hemoglobin A1c (A1C) ≥8% (≥64 mmol/mol), from a university-affiliated network of primary care practices in northern Manhattan (New York City, NY). They were randomized to a 12-month CHW intervention (n = 181), or enhanced usual care (educational materials mailed at 4-month intervals, preceded by phone calls, n = 179). The primary outcome was A1C at 12 months; the secondary outcomes were systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure, and LDL-cholesterol levels.

RESULTS

There was a nonsignificant trend toward improvement in A1C levels in the intervention group (from unadjusted mean A1C of 8.77 to 8.40%), as compared with usual care (from 8.58 to 8.53%) (P = 0.131). There was also a nonsignificant trend toward an increase in SBP and LDL cholesterol in the intervention arm. Intervention fidelity, measured as the number of contacts in the intervention arm (visits, phone contacts, group support, and nutritional education), showed a borderline association with greater A1C reduction (P = 0.054). When assessed separately, phone contacts were associated with greater A1C reduction (P = 0.04).

CONCLUSIONS

The trend toward A1C reduction with the CHW intervention failed to achieve statistical significance. Greater intervention fidelity may achieve better glycemic control, and more accessible treatment models, such as phone-based interventions, may be more efficacious in socioeconomically disadvantaged populations.
Dependence of Stock Returns in Bull and Bear
Markets
Authors: Dobric Jadran , Frahm Gabriel , Schmid Friedrich
Published: February 2014

Despite of its many shortcomings, Pearson’s rho is often used
as an association measure for stock returns. A conditional
version of Spearman’s rho is suggested as an alternative
measure of association. This approach is purely nonparametric
and avoids any kind of model misspecification. We derive
hypothesis tests for the conditional rank-correlation coefficients
particularly arising in bull and bear markets and study
their finite-sample performance by Monte Carlo simulation.
Further, the daily returns on stocks contained in the German
stock index DAX 30 are analyzed. The empirical study reveals
significant differences in the dependence of stock returns in
bull and bear markets.