bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sublingual vs Vaginal Misoprostol for Labor Induction
Authors: Bagga Rashmi , Siwatch Sujata , Kalra Jasvinder , Jain Vanita
Published: October 2012

Background

This study is a randomized controlled trial comparing the efficacy and safety of sublingual vs vaginal misoprostol for induction of labor.

Materials and methods

A total of 160 women admitted for induction of labor at the PGIMER, Chandigarh, India were randomized to receive 25 μg of vaginal or sublingual misoprostol for labor induction. The two groups were compared for mode of delivery, induction delivery interval, misoprostol dose required, uterine contraction abnormalities and neonatal outcomes.

Results

Majority of women in both groups delivered vaginally (91 and 89% in vaginal and sublingual misoprostol groups respectively). Mean number of doses of misoprostol required for induction of labor was similar in vaginal misoprostol group and sublingual misoprostol group (1.81 ± 0.84 vs 2.05 ± 0.98). The occurrence of uterine contraction abnormalities and neonatal outcome was similar in both groups.

Conclusion

The low dose of 25 μg is equally efficacious and safe by both vaginal and sublingual routes.

How to cite this article

Siwatch S, Kalra J, Bagga R, Jain V. Sublingual vs Vaginal Misoprostol for Labor Induction. J Postgrad Med Edu Res 2012;46(3):138-143.
Scheimpflug Imaging in Unilateral Acute Pupillary Block Glaucoma in a Weill-Marchesani Syndrome in an Adult Female
Authors: Gupta Nishant , Chaudhary Manish , Ram Jagat , Verma Neelam
Published: October 2012

We report an interesting case of Weill-Marchesani syndrome presenting as unilateral acute pupillary block glaucoma after dislocation of crystalline lens into anterior chamber in a middleaged woman. Scheimpflug imaging demonstrated accurately the dimensions of spherophakic crystalline lens and its corneal lenticular touch. Glaucoma resolved completely after lensectomy and anterior vitrectomy and she achieved best corrected visual acuity of 20/30.

How to cite this article

Chaudhary M, Ram J, Gupta N, Verma N. Scheimpflug Imaging in Unilateral Acute Pupillary Block Glaucoma in a Weill-Marchesani Syndrome in an Adult Female. J Postgrad Med Edu Res 2012;46(3):152-154.
Ruptured Left Sinus of Valsalva Aneurysm
Authors: Khandelwal Niranjan , Mahajan Rajiv , Singhal Manphool , Mahajan Divyesh
Published: October 2012

The left sinus of valsalva aneurysm (SVA) is a very uncommon condition which can compress the coronary arteries leading to potential catastrophic complications. We present a case of a contained rupture of left SVA causing significant mass effect on the adjacent cardiac chambers and coronary arteries diagnosed on computed tomographic angiography (CTA).

How to cite this article

Singhal M, Mahajan D, Mahajan R, Khandelwal N. Ruptured Left Sinus of Valsalva Aneurysm. J Postgrad Med Edu Res 2012;46(3):155-156.
The fine-scale structure of the trade wind cumuli over Barbados – an introduction to the CARRIBA project
Authors: Siebert H. , Bethke J. , Bierwirth E. , Conrath T. , Dieckmann K. , Ditas F. , Ehrlich A. , Farrell D. , Hartmann S. , Izaguirre M. A. , Katzwinkel J. , Nuijens L. , Roberts G. , Schäfer M. , Shaw R. A. , Schmeissner T. , Serikov I. , Stevens B. , Stratmann F. , Wehner B. , Wendisch M. , Werner F. , Wex H.
Published: October 2012

Abstract. The CARRIBA (Cloud, Aerosol, Radiation and tuRbulence in the trade wInd regime over BArbados) project with focus on trade wind cumuli over Barbados is introduced. The project is based on two one-month field campaigns in November 2010 (climatic wet season) and April 2011 (climatic dry season). Observations are based on helicopter-borne and ground-based measurements in a square of 100 km2 off the coast of Barbados. CARRIBA is accompanied by long-term observations at the Barbados Cloud Observatory located at the East coast of Barbados since early in 2010 and which provides longer-term context for the CARRIBA measurements. Deployed instrumentation and sampling strategy are presented together with a classification of the meteorological conditions. The two campaigns were influenced by different air masses advected from the Caribbean area, the Atlantic Ocean, as well as the African continent which led to distinct aerosol conditions. Therefore, pristine conditions with low aerosol particle number concentrations of ~100 cm3 were alternating with periods influenced by Saharan dust or aerosol from biomass burning resulting in comparable high number concentrations ~500 cm3. The later was originating from both, the Caribbean area and Africa. The shallow cumulus clouds responded to the different aerosol conditions with a wide range of mean droplet sizes and number concentrations. Effective radii in the range of 7 to 18 μm have been observed. Finally, the four leading topics of CARRIBA – Clouds, Aerosol, Radiation and tuRbulence – are motivated and illustrated by selected findings and measurement examples.
Effect of CO2 enrichment on bacterial production and respiration and on bacterial carbon metabolism in Arctic waters
Authors: Motegi C. , Tanaka T. , Piontek J. , Brussaard C. P. D. , Gattuso J. P. , Weinbauer M. G.
Published: October 2012

Abstract. The impact of rising carbon dioxide (pCO2) on bacterial production (BP), bacterial respiration (BR) and bacterial carbon metabolism was investigated during the mesocosm experiment in Kongsfjord (Svalbard) in 2010. The mesocosm experiment lasted 30 days and nine mesocosms with pCO2 levels ranging from ca. 180 to 1400 μatm were used. Generally, BP gradually decreased in all mesocosms in an initial phase, showed a large (3.6-fold in average) but temporary increase on day 10, and increased slightly afterwards. BP increased with increasing pCO2 at the beginning of the experiment (day 5). This trend became inversed and BP decreased with increasing pCO2 on day 14 (after nutrient addition). Interestingly, increasing pCO2 enhanced the leucine and thymidine ratio at the end of experiment, suggesting that pCO2 may alter the growth balance of bacteria. In contrast to BP, no clear trend and effect of changes of pCO2 was observed for BR, bacterial carbon demand and bacterial growth efficiency. Our results suggest that (1) the response to elevated pCO2 had a strong temporal variation, potentially linked to the nutrient status, and (2) pCO2 had an influence on biomass accumulation (i.e. BP) rather than on the conversion of dissolved organic matter into CO2 (i.e. BR).
Technical Note: Evaluation of between-sample memory effects in the analysis of δ2H and δ18O of water samples measured by laser spectroscopes
Authors: Penna D. , Stenni B. , Šanda M. , Wrede S. , Bogaard T. A. , Michelini M. , Fischer B. M. C. , Gobbi A. , Mantese N. , Zuecco G. , Borga M. , Bonazza M. , Sobotková M. , Čejková B. , Wassenaar L. I.
Published: October 2012

Abstract. This study evaluated between-sample memory in isotopic measurements of δ2H and δ18O in water samples by laser spectroscopy. Ten isotopically depleted water samples spanning a broad range of oxygen and hydrogen isotopic compositions were measured by three generations of off-axis integrated cavity output spectroscopy and cavity ring-down spectroscopy instruments. The analysis procedure encompassed small (less than 2‰ for δ2H and 1‰ for δ18O) and large (up to 201‰ for δ2H and 25‰ for δ18O) differences in isotopic compositions between adjacent sample vials. Samples were injected 18 times each, and the between-sample memory effect was quantified for each analysis run. Results showed that samples adversely affected by between-sample isotopic differences stabilised after seven–eight injections. The between-sample memory effect ranged from 14% and 9% for δ2H and δ18O measurements, respectively, but declined to negligible carryover (between 0.1% and 0.3% for both isotopes) when the first ten injections of each sample were discarded. The measurement variability (range and standard deviation) was strongly dependent on the isotopic difference between adjacent vials. Standard deviations were up to 7.5‰ for δ2H and 0.54‰ for δ18O when all injections were retained in the computation of the reportable δ-value, but a significant increase in measurement precision (standard deviation in the range 0.1‰–1.0‰ for δ2H and 0.05‰–0.17‰ for δ18O) was obtained when the first eight injections were discarded. In conclusion, this study provided a practical solution to mitigate between-sample memory effects in the isotopic analysis of water samples by laser spectroscopy.
Biofilm Formation on Composite Resins for Dental Restorations: An in Situ Study on the Effect of Chlorhexidine Mouthrinses
Authors: Brambilla Eugenio , Ionescu Andrei , Gagliani Massimo , Cochis Andrea , Arciola Carla Renata , Rimondini Lia
Published: October 2012

Purpose

Biofilm formation on the surface of dental restorative materials by oral bacteria is considered an important step in the development of secondary caries. The aim of this study was to evaluate the in situ effect of a chlorhexidine (CHX)-containing mouthrinse on the biofilm formation occurring on the surface of human enamel and of two resin-based commercially available materials: a silorane-based material (Filtek Silorane®) and a methacrylate-based material (Filtek Supreme XT®).

Methods

53 disks were obtained for each of the two composites and 37 disks for enamel. The surface was characterized by determining the surface roughness and the surface free energy of 5 samples for each of the three materials tested, then the remaining samples were mounted on splints worn by 16 volunteers. The participants were randomly divided into two groups: an experimental group that used 0.12% CHX-based mouthrinse and a control group that used a placebo mouthrinse. Biofilm formation on the different surfaces after a 24 h period was assessed using MTT assay.

Results

The two composites in the group treated with the placebo mouthrinse showed a similar biofilm formation, which was significantly higher than that occurring on enamel surfaces. The CHX-based mouthrinse significantly reduced biofilm formation on the surfaces of the two resin-based materials when compared with the placebo mouthrinse. The reduction was particularly relevant on the Filtek Silorane surfaces.

Conclusions

The new silorane-based material seems to interact with CHX in a promising way from the point of view of biofilm formation control.
From Koch's Postulates to Biofilm Theory. The Lesson of Bill Costerton
Authors: Ehrlich Garth D. , Arciola Carla Renata
Published: October 2012

The clinical diagnoses of implant infections pose insurmountable difficulties for cultural methods because of their frequent failure when bacteria are growing in biofilms. In 1978 Bill Costerton warned that chronic infections in patients with indwelling medical devices were caused by bacteria growing in well-developed glycocalyx-enclosed biofilms and that bacteria within biofilms resist antibiotic therapies and immune host defenses. Costerton's “biofilm theory” opened two lines of scientific endeavor: the study of the biochemistry and genetics of biofilm formation and function; and, on the other side, the search for new methods for medical diagnosis and treatment of biofilm-centered implant infections.

This Editorial and the entire 2012 issue “Focus on Implant Infections” are dedicated to the memory of Bill Costerton, recognized worldwide as the Father of Biofilms for his innovation and body of work on infections caused by sessile bacteria. Bill Costerton was a great scientist, heedful both to the biological aspects of biofilms and to the medical challenges of new diagnostic methods and modern therapeutic approaches to implant infections. But, most of all, he was a charming Maestro for the large number of colleagues and students whose enthusiasm for the science he was able to nourish. Bill passed away on May 12th, 2012 and the entire science community mourns the death of a friend and a leader.
Cytoskeleton-Associated Protein 4: Functions Beyond the Endoplasmic Reticulum in Physiology and Disease
Authors: Tuffy Kevin M. , Planey Sonia Lobo
Published: October 2012

Cytoskeleton-associated protein 4 (CKAP4; also known as p63, CLIMP-63, or ERGIC-63) is a 63 kDa, reversibly palmitoylated and phosphorylated, type II transmembrane (TM) protein, originally identified as a resident of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER)/Golgi intermediate compartment (ERGIC). When localized to the ER, a major function of CKAP4 is to anchor rough ER to microtubules, organizing the overall structure of ER with respect to the microtubule network. There is also steadily accumulating evidence for diverse roles for CKAP4 localized outside the ER, including data demonstrating functionality of cell surface forms of CKAP4 in various cell types and of CKAP4 in the nucleus. We will review the recent studies that provide evidence for the existence of CKAP4 in multiple cellular compartments (i.e., ER, plasma membrane, and the nucleus) and discuss CKAP4’s role in the regulation of various physiological and pathological processes, such as interstitial cystitis, drug-induced cytotoxicity, pericullar proteolytic activity, and lung lipid homeostasis.
Safety and Effectiveness of Endoscopic Savary-Gillaard Bougies Dilation in Moroccan Plummer-Vinson Syndrome Patients
Authors: Salihoun Mouna , Kabbaj Nawal , Raissouni Ferdaous , Chaoui Zakia , Mohamed Acharki , Naima Amrani
Published: October 2012

The authors aimed to better define the clinical, biological, radiological, endoscopic, and evolutionary characteristics of patients presenting with Plummer-Vinson syndrome after endoscopic dilation and medical treatment in this study. There were 41 cases of Plummer-Vinson syndrome listed. All these patients presented dysphagia associated to anemia, and all have benefited endoscopic dilation and iron supplementation with a good clinical and biological course in 100% of cases. The Plummer-Vinson syndrome is a rare entity. The treatment, based essentially on endoscopic dilations, is effective and safe.
Evaluation of an Isolation Program of Hepatitis C Virus Infected Hemodialysis Patients in Some Hemodialysis Centers in Egypt
Authors: Soliman Amin R. , Momtaz Abd Elaziz Mohamed , El lawindi Mona I.
Published: October 2012

Introduction. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Several studies demonstrated nosocomial transmission of HCV among HD patients. Aim. We aimed to evaluate the isolation program of HCV seropositive patients among a group of Egyptian haemodialysis patients to decrease the incidence of HCV seroconversion. Methods. One hundred and fourteen HCV seronegative patients who were receiving regular haemodialysis in different four haemodialysis units in Egypt. The first group included forty six patients on regular hemodialysis in two centers following strict isolation of the HCV seropositive patients, and the second group included sixty eight patients on regular hemodialysis in the other two centers not following this strict isolation. All these patients were followed up over a period of 36 months. Results. There was a significantly higher incidence of HCV seroconversion of patients on hemodialysis in units not following strict isolation of HCV seropositive patients (42.9%) than those on regular hemodialysis in units following strict isolation (14.8%). Conclusions. In HD units with a high prevalence of HCV+ patients, strict isolation of HCV+ patients in combination with implementation of universal prevention measures can limit the spread of HCV infection in HD patients.
Blutungsrisiko und Blutungsnotfälle unter Rivaroxaban
Authors: Koscielny J. , Beyer-Westendorf J. , von Heymann C. , Braun J. , Klamroth R. , Lindhoff-Last E. , Tiede A. , Spannagl M.
Published: October 2012

Rivaroxaban, the first direct factor-Xa inhibitor anticoagulant, has been approved for the prevention of venous thromboembolism in adult patients undergoing elective hip or knee replacement surgery, for stroke prophylaxis in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation and for the treatment of deep vein thrombosis. There is no requirement for coagulation monitoring with rivaroxaban in routine clinical practice. However, in certain clinical circumstances such as life-threatening bleeding or an emergency operation the measurement of the thromboplastin time with a sensitive reagent will deliver first information. A quantitative determination of rivaroxaban plasma concentration is possible using an anti-factor Xa assay.

In the case of a patient under long-term anticoagulation with rivaroxaban requiring an elective surgery, a discontinuation of rivaroxaban 20 to 30 hours before the operation is sufficient to normalize the associated bleeding risk, as long as the renal and liver function is normal. A longer interval should be taken into consideration, when the patient presents a renal and liver impairment or is of a higher age. In the event of an emergency operation effective rivaroxaban concentrations might be present. Nevertheless, we advise against using a prophylactic dose of factor concentrates. Recommendations: From a clinical perspective, in the event of a minor bleeding we recommend a temporary discontinuation of rivaroxaban, whereas for clinically relevant major or severe bleeding events a mechanical compression or a limited surgical i. e. interventional treatment is required. Supportive measures such as the administration of blood products or tranexamic acid might be beneficial. In addition to haemodynamic supportive measures life threatening bleeding events demand a comprehensive haemostasis management, as well as the application of PCC.
Developing a Robotic Service System by Applying a User Model-Based Application for Supporting Daily Life
Authors: Ho Yihsin , Sato-Shimokawara Eri , Yamaguchi Toru
Published: October 2012

We developed a robotic service system by applying a user model-based application for supporting daily life. Our robotic service system is designed to provide appropriate services to users depending on their needs; thus, we applied a user model-based application, which can help to select and filter user information for our system in order to provide appropriate services to users.
Planar Task Space Control of a Biarticular Manipulator Driven by Spiral Motors
Authors: Shukor Ahmad Zaki bin Hj , Fujimoto Yasutaka
Published: October 2012

This paper elaborates upon a musculoskeletal-inspired robot manipulator using a prototype of the spiral motor developed in our laboratory. The spiral motors represent the antagonistic muscles due to the high forward/backward drivability without any gears or mechanisms. Modelling of the biarticular structure with spiral motor dynamics was presented and simulations were carried out to compare two control methods, Inverse Kinematics (IK) and direct-Cartesian control, between monoarticular only structures and biarticular structures using the spiral motor. The results show the feasibility of the control, especially in maintaining air gaps within the spiral motor.
Target Tracking for Visual Servoing Systems Based on an Adaptive Kalman Filter
Authors: Liu Chang , Huang Xinhan , Wang Min
Published: October 2012

Visual servoing has been around for decades, but time delay is still one of the most troublesome problems to achieve target tracking. To circumvent the problem, in this paper, the Kalman filter is employed to estimate the future position of the object. In order to introduce the Kalman filter, accurate time delays, which include the processing lag and the motion lag, need to be obtained. Thus, the delays of the visual control servoing systems are discussed and a generic timing model for the system is provided. Then, we present a current statistical model for a moving target. A fuzzy adaptive Kalman filter, which is evolved from the Kalman filter, is introduced based on the current statistical model. Finally, a two DOF visual controller based variable structure control law for micro-manipulation is presented. The results show that the proposed adaptive Kalman filter can improve the ability to track moving targets.
Comparison of Alternative Gaits for Multiped Robots with Severed Legs
Authors: Shih Tse-Shuen , Tsai Chong-Shuen , Her Innchyn
Published: October 2012

Multiped robots have become the focus of heated discussion lately, especially in applications involving rescue or military missions and underwater or extra-terrestrial explorations. The surroundings concerned are harsh and hazardous terrains, and predictably the malfunction rate is high. What if a leg is irreparably damaged? The original gait can no longer be used and an alternative gait must be taken for the robot to continue its mission. This paper studies and enumerates preferred alternative gaits for six- and eight-legged robots under a proposed severed leg scheme. A leg is assumed to be completely detachable when a failure occurs. Based on a new criterion called the progressive efficiency (PE), defined via the enhanced gait charts, along with other criteria like the stride length and the longitudinal stability, alternative gaits are evaluated. The tables of recommended gaits in this paper are useful for robots when a leg failure is foreseen. These tables not only provide a guideline as to what alternative gait to use, they also give insight into how important a certain leg is. A comparison between the severed leg scheme and the existing locked-joint strategy is also included.
A Two Step Face Alignment Approach Using Statistical Models
Authors: Cui Ying , Jin Zhong , Yang Wankou
Published: October 2012

Although face alignment using the Active Appearance Model (AAM) is relatively stable, it is known to be sensitive to initial values and not robust under inconstant circumstances. In order to strengthen the ability of AAM performance for face alignment, a two step approach for face alignment combining AAM and Active Shape Model (ASM) is proposed. In the first step, AAM is used to locate the inner landmarks of the face. In the second step, the extended ASM is used to locate the outer landmarks of the face under the constraint of the estimated inner landmarks by AAM. The two kinds of landmarks are then combined together to form the whole facial landmarks. The proposed approach is compared with the basic AAM and the progressive AAM methods. Experimental results show that the proposed approach gives a much more effective performance.
Video-based Chinese Input System via Fingertip Tracking
Authors: Yu Chih-Chang , Cheng Hsu-Yung , Lin Chih-Lung , Lee Chien-Cheng , Hong Wei-Tyng , Chuang Thomas C.
Published: October 2012

In this paper, we propose a system to detect and track fingertips online and recognize Mandarin Phonetic Symbol (MPS) for user-friendly Chinese input purposes. Using fingertips and cameras to replace pens and touch panels as input devices could reduce the cost and improve the ease-of-use and comfort of computer-human interface. In the proposed framework, particle filters with enhanced appearance models are applied for robust fingertip tracking. Afterwards, MPS combination recognition is performed on the tracked fingertip trajectories using Hidden Markov Models. In the proposed system, the fingertips of the users could be robustly tracked. Also, the challenges of entering, leaving and virtual strokes caused by video-based fingertip input can be overcome. Experimental results have shown the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed work.
An Indoor Localization Strategy for a Mini-UAV in the Presence of Obstacles
Authors: Cheng Long , Wu Cheng-Dong , Zhang Yun-Zhou , Wang Yan
Published: October 2012

In this paper, we propose a novel approach to mini-UAV localization in a wireless sensor network. We firstly employ the environment adaptive RSS parameters' estimation method to estimate the parameters of range estimation model. However, the direct path from the target to a beacon is blocked by obstacles in a complicated indoor environment. So the proposed method, which employs a sequential probability ratio test to identify whether the measurement contains non-line of sight (NLOS) errors, is tolerant to parameter fluctuations. Finally, a particle swarm optimization-based method is proposed to solve the established objective function. Simulation results show that the proposed method achieved relatively higher localization accuracy. In addition, the performance analyses, carried out for a realistic indoor environment, shows that the proposed method still preserves the same localization accuracy.
Image Quality Enhancement Using the Direction and Thickness of Vein Lines for Finger-Vein Recognition
Authors: Park Young Ho , Park Kang Ryoung
Published: October 2012

On the basis of the increased emphasis placed on the protection of privacy, biometric recognition systems using physical or behavioural characteristics such as fingerprints, facial characteristics, iris and finger-vein patterns or the voice have been introduced in applications including door access control, personal certification, Internet banking and ATM machines. Among these, finger-vein recognition is advantageous in that it involves the use of inexpensive and small devices that are difficult to counterfeit. In general, finger-vein recognition systems capture images by using near infrared (NIR) illumination in conjunction with a camera. However, such systems can face operational difficulties, since the scattering of light from the skin can make capturing a clear image difficult. To solve this problem, we proposed new image quality enhancement method that measures the direction and thickness of vein lines.

This effort represents novel research in four respects. First, since vein lines are detected in input images based on eight directional profiles of a grey image instead of binarized images, the detection error owing to the non-uniform illumination of the finger area can be reduced. Second, our method adaptively determines a Gabor filter for the optimal direction and width on the basis of the estimated direction and thickness of a detected vein line. Third, by applying this optimized Gabor filter, a clear vein image can be obtained. Finally, the further processing of the morphological operation is applied in the Gabor filtered image and the resulting image is combined with the original one, through which finger-vein image of a higher quality is obtained.

Experimental results from application of our proposed image enhancement method show that the equal error rate (EER) of finger-vein recognition decreases to approximately 0.4% in the case of a local binary pattern-based recognition and to approximately 0.3% in the case of a wavelet transform-based recognition.
Dermoscopic findings in a patient with multiple piloleiomyomas
Authors: Macedo Paschoal Francisco , Gargantini Rezze Giselle
Published: October 2012

Piloleiomyoma can manifest itself as a pigmented lesion and part of the differential diagnosis with other pigmented skin lesions. However, we are not aware of previous descriptions in the literature of the dermoscopic features of piloleiomyoma. This article describes the dermoscopic findings observed in a patient with multiple piloleiomyomas. On dermoscopic evaluation, piloleiomyoma has characteristics similar to dermatofibroma with a thin peripheral pigmented network and central scar-like area. Some of the piloleiomyomas analyzed in this patient also presented with hyperpigmented circular and/or elongated structures within the central hypopigmented area.
A new species of Hortipes (Araneae, Corinnidae), the first spider with an insertable retrolateral tibial apophysis on the male palp
Authors: Jocqué Rudy , Bosselaers Jan , Henrard Arnaud
Published: October 2012

Hortipes gigapophysalis (Araneae, Corinnidae) is a new species described from both sexes from montane forest on Mt Nimba, eastern Guinea. The species is remarkable for its long, whip-shaped retrolateral tibial apophysis (RTA) on the male palp. The structure apparently has an insertable function as the epigyne of the female contains a separate set of ducts starting from a central concavity that is unique in the genus. This duct system is apparently meant to receive the supple RTA. This type of structural arrangement has never previously been found in spiders.
Assédio moral no trabalho: um estudo exploratório no município de Fortaleza – Ceará
Authors: Benevides Samira Daiha , Matos Fátima Regina Ney , Figueiredo Nemias Cardoso , Lopes Kátia Lene De Araújo
Published: October 2012

http://dx.doi.org/10.5902/198346592455The objective of this article is to present the incidence of the cases of moral harassment in Fortaleza city using the data base of complaints registered for the victims in the Delegacia Regional do Trabalho in the period of January of 2008 the December of 2009. The literature review is based on the moral harassment, its legal manifestations, as well as the psychic structures of defense of the worker. A exploratory research with the use of secondary data was made in the Nucleus of Combat was become fullfilled the Discrimination through the monthly report of the denunciations of moral harassment elaborated by the Regional Commission of Equality of Chances of Gender, Race and ethnic group, of People with Deficiency and Combat to the Discrimination. The results had been demonstrated through graphs that had evaluated the type of discrimination for moral harassment, for professional profile, for sex and age of the plaintiff. The workers had more passed not to accept offences and behaviors that offend its dignity, demanding to be respected It can be concluded that still it has discrimination in some areas, generating many times behaviors undesirable and abusive behaviors, degrading the work climate and reducing the productivity.
Diagnóstico do uso da inteligência competitiva empreendedora em pequenas empresas da indústria de confecções da cidade de Vila Velha – ES
Authors: Pelissari Anderson Soncini , Gonzalez Inayara Valéria Defreitas Pedroso , Vanalle Rosângela Maria , Soares Marison Luiz
Published: October 2012

http://dx.doi.org/10.5902/198346593761The organizations, whose structures, processes and technologies are not aligned with the businesses, they will have difficulties in surviving. In order to maintain, management strategists have relied on practices such as Competitive Intelligence (CI) - which is based on the information and the speed of its use to better align business strategies, facilitating the process of decision making. That said, the aim with this research, analyzing the practice of competitive intelligence for small businesses in the City of Vila Velha/ES, and the importance of applicability of Competitive Intelligence Entrepreneurship - assuming that, the IC contributes to the alignment of environmental information the strategies of organizations. For data collection, we used the survey (survey), which was applied a questionnaire with closed questions to a non-probabilistic intentional sample applied directly by the researcher by e-mail and fax. The survey results indicated that, although the administrators surveyed show interest in structuring your information with the objective to make quick decisions and assertive, they do not develop a global process of Competitive Intelligence Entrepreneurship, since no systematic way to manage market information.
Os estilos de aprendizagem influenciam o desempenho acadêmico dos estudantes de finanças?
Authors: Cordeiro Rebeca Albuquerque , Da Silva Anielson Barbosa
Published: October 2012

http://dx.doi.org/10.5902/198346594544This article aims to determine whether exists a relationship between the learning styles of students of Business from Higher Education Institutions of Joao Pessoa city and academic performance in Finance disciplines. The sample consisted of 114 students and data collection was conducted through a questionnaire of closed questions. For data analysis, we used descriptive statistics, chi-square tests of independence and ANOVA. According to the results, it was found that academic performance in Finance disciplines is independent of the learning styles of students surveyed. In contrast, we found that student performance differs with the type of educational institution. On the other hand, as predicted by the literature, we found that the professional experience interferes in the learning styles of students. Therefore, although we have not revealed a dependence relation between learning styles and academic performance of students of Finance, one can conclude that the results of this study are consistent with the assumptions of Kolb (1984), whose focus on Experiential Learning.
Da adversidade à reflexão: o comportamento resiliente de multiprofissionais da saúde.
Authors: Minello Italo Fernando , Birrer Jucelaine Arend
Published: October 2012

http://dx.doi.org/10.5902/198346595654This article is based on exploratory type qualitative research, which has as objective to analyze the resilient behavior of multidisciplinary health professionals facing professional activities adversities. Eight interviews were profoundly conducted and analyzed by the technique of content analysis. Four categories of analysis were brought up (defined as non-priori): alliance or external support, professional identity, occupational stress and resilient behavior. The results showed the existence of stress in relation to the managing of activities, the motivation to continue in the program (which is its belief in the pedagogical proposal), and the external support (representing support to professional performance).
The Associational Critique of Quaternary Overkill and why it is Largely Irrelevant to the Extinction Debate
Authors: Surovell Todd A. , Grund Brigid S.
Published: October 2012

The overkill hypothesis has been criticized using a simple observation–with the exception of New Zealand, there is little evidence for human hunting of extinct Quaternary faunas. We explore the legitimacy of this argument, or what we call the “Associational Critique,” the idea that the paucity of evidence for the subsistence exploitation of extinct taxa weakens or falsifies overkill. Using quantitative and probabilistic models, based on the temporal depth of extinction events, human demography, and taphonomic bias, we ask how many associations with extinct fauna should have been found by this point in time in Australia, North America, and New Zealand. We conclude that such evidence should be rare in Australia, of intermediate abundance in North America, and common in New Zealand, a conclusion very much in accord with the current state of the archaeological record. We reach a similar conclusion using an analysis of the relative frequency of radiocarbon dates from each region dating to the time of coexistence of humans and extinct fauna. We argue that a scarcity of evidence for the exploitation of extinct fauna is not only consistent with overkill but also nearly every other extinction hypothesis that has been proposed, thus rendering the Associational Critique irrelevant.
An Archaeology of Eurocentrism
Authors: Orser Charles E.
Published: October 2012

The role of Europe and Europeans in the archaeology of post-1500 history has recently been critiqued. Some research has been pejoratively labeled Eurocentrism. This paper addresses the problems with adopting an emotional understanding of Eurocentrism and argues instead for its archaeological examination within the framework of an explicit multiscalar modern-world (historical) archaeology. An example comes from seventeenth-century Dutch settlements located in and around present-day Albany, New York.
Altitude Adjustments: More on Didima Gorge and New Directions in Rock Art Research
Authors: McCall Grant S.
Published: October 2012

In their comment, Challis et al. (this issue) find fault with several aspects of my earlier paper on rock paintings in the Didima Gorge, South Africa (McCall 2010). In this reply, I acknowledge that they may be correct in certain assertions concerning rock shelter altitudes. I argue, however, that the significance of these “altitude adjustments” for my broader arguments concerning variability in San rock art site use patterns is minor. I close by considering more substantive challenges for the use of quantitative analytical methods in the examination rock art assemblage composition and landscape-scale variation.
Plan Nord
Authors: Asselin Hugo
Published: October 2012

En mai 2011, le Québec était l’une des dernières provinces canadiennes à se doter d’un plan stratégique de développement nordique. Le « Plan Nord », présenté comme un « modèle de développement durable », vise un territoire représentant 72 % de la superficie totale de la province et où plus du quart de la population est autochtone. Cet article propose un survol du Plan Nord et des impacts qu’il pourrait avoir sur les autochtones.
Le « Plan Nord » pour les Premières Nations et les Inuits
Authors: Vincent Sylvie
Published: October 2012

Cet article examine la façon dont les médias écrits ont rapporté les réactions des Premières Nations et des Inuits depuis l’annonce du Plan Nord (28 septembre 2008) jusqu’en décembre 2011. Après une première section portant sur les commentaires de Ghislain Picard, porte-parole de l’Assemblée des Premières Nations du Québec et du Labrador, les informations sont regroupées par nation. On verra que, tout en présentant des points communs, les diverses réactions sont influencées par la situation politique des nations concernées et particulièrement par le fait qu’elles ont, ou non, signé des ententes territoriales avec le gouvernement du Québec. Cependant, il faut se méfier de certains biais de la presse écrite : influencés par la définition que donne le gouvernement du Québec de ses relations avec les Premières Nations et les Inuits, beaucoup de journalistes ne se rendent que très rarement dans les communautés et attendent que les leaders autochtones se mettent en scène eux-mêmes avant de s’intéresser à leurs espoirs et à leurs inquiétudes.
L’avenir de la guerre dans le monde du commerce
Authors: Brice Benjamin
Published: October 2012

Le monde occidental, et plus particulièrement l’Europe, comprend souvent la mondialisation libérale comme un processus inédit qui saura, à terme, mettre fin au règne de la politique traditionnelle. Ce texte interrogera l’idée d’une progressive disparition de la guerre, à l’aide des réflexions de Raymond Aron sur le sujet. Dans une première partie, nous verrons comment les concepts de « procès » et de « drame » offrent une méthode d’analyse des développements historiques. Puis, dans une seconde partie, nous appliquerons cette grille de lecture à trois grandes causes de conflit (à savoir les passions, l’intérêt économique et les principes) pour montrer que les espérances iréniques doivent se montrer prudentes. La pacification européenne elle-même ne permet pas d’anticiper une fin de la guerre.
Location of Urban Logistic Terminals as Hub Location Problem
Authors: Pašagić Škrinjar Jasmina , Rogić Kristijan , Stanković Ratko
Published: October 2012

In this paper the problems of locating urban logistic terminals are studied as hub location problems that due to a large number of potential nodes in big cities belong to hard non-polynomial problems, the so-called NP-problems. The hub location problems have found wide application in physical planning of transport and telecommunication systems, especially systems of fast delivery, networks of logistic and distribution centres and cargo traffic terminals of the big cities, etc. The paper defines single and multiple allocations and studies the numerical examples. The capacitated single allocation hub location problems have been studied, with the provision of a mathematical model of selecting the location for the hubs on the network. The paper also presents the differences in the possibilities of implementing the exact and heuristic methods to solve the actual location problems of big dimensions i.e. hub problems of the big cities.
Mesenteric Histiocytosis or Only an Inflammatory Infiltration of Histiocytes? A Case Report From a Surgical Point of View
Authors: Höhler Florian , Dietl Karl-Heinz , Novak Karel , Giedl Joachim , Paetzel Christian
Published: October 2012

The mesenteric sclerosing processes are very rare tumors. There are only a few cases of mesenteric fibromatosis described in literature. A case of mesenteric histiocytosis or a mesenteric infiltration by histocytes as a reactive inflammatory process is not described in the surgical literature. Because of its clinical and macroscopic similarity to a fibromatosis or a reactive inflammatory process and a lack of articles in the literature on mesenteric histiocytosis we concentrated our research in literature on the mesenteric fibromatosis and its differential diagnosis.
Prognosis of Patients With Gastric Cancer Who Underwent Proximal Gastrectomy
Authors: Ikeguchi Masahide , Kader Abdul , Takaya Seigo , Fukumoto Youji , Osaki Tomohiro , Saito Hiroaki , Tatebe Shigeru , Wakatsuki Toshiro
Published: October 2012

Proximal gastrectomy (PG) has been introduced for patients who are preoperatively diagnosed with early gastric cancer located in the upper third of the stomach. In the present study, we compared the prognosis of patients who underwent PG with that of patients who underwent total gastrectomy (TG). Between 1997 and 2006, 51 patients were diagnosed with early gastric cancer located in the upper third of the stomach and underwent PG. In the same period, 35 patients were diagnosed with early gastric cancer and underwent TG. Of these, in 24 patients, the cancer was localized in the middle to upper part of the stomach, and 11 patients had multiple cancers. We compared the clinicopathologic differences and prognoses between the two groups. Significantly fewer lymph nodes were dissected in the PG group (mean, 18.2) than in the TG group (mean, 36.6;P < 0.001). Complications were detected in 17.6% of patients in the PG group and in 14.3% of patients in the TG group, which was not significant (P = 0.678). The overall and disease-specific 5-year survival rates in the 51 patients who underwent PG (88.7% and 97.1%, respectively) were not different from those in the 35 patients who underwent TG (87.6% and 93.4%; P = 0.971 and P = 0.553; respectively). These findings indicate that PG can be performed safely and may have various advantages compared with TG in terms of patients' daily lives.
Spontaneous Intraperitoneal Rupture of a Hepatic Hydatid Cyst
Authors: Arikanoglu Zulfu , Taskesen Fatih , Aliosmanoğlu İbrahim , Gul Mesut , Cetincakmak Mehmet Guli , Onder Akin , Kapan Murat
Published: October 2012

Hydatid cysts, which are endemic to certain areas, typically are found in the liver. Spontaneous intraperitoneal rupture, which can be life threatening, is rare. This article presents a case of spontaneous rupture of a hydatid cyst in a 69-year-old woman who was admitted to the emergency department. The patient had no history of trauma. Abdominal ultrasonography and computed tomography suggested rupture of a hydatid cyst. The patient underwent a partial cystectomy, and the cystic area was washed with hypertonic saline and the peritoneal cavity was washed with isotonic saline and drained. Postoperatively, the patient was treated with albendazole for 3 months. No additional pathology was observed at the 3-, 6-, and 9-month follow-ups. Although rare, a ruptured hydatid cyst should be considered in the differential diagnosis of the acute abdomen in a patient residing in an endemic area.
Rotating zigzag bed as trayed HIGEE and its power consumption
Authors: Li Yumin , YuLi Yunliang , XuLi Zhichao , LiLi Xiaohua , Liu Xuejun , Ji Jianbing
Published: October 2012

High gravity (HIGEE) technology, which uses centrifugal force to intensify mass transfer, has been applied to chemical processing industries. A rotating packed bed is a conventional HIGEE with a rotor filled with packings. A rotating zigzag bed (RZB) is a novel HIGEE with a rotor containing coupled rotational–stationary baffles as discrete steps, which are called HIGEE trays, to provide gas–liquid contact. RZB power consumption is mainly the power requirement for liquid flow. With the ideal liquid flow in an RZB rotor, this study develops a model that can predict the power requirement for ideal liquid flow at zero gas flow. The power requirement for liquid flow is equal to the model‐predicted power requirement multiplied by two departure coefficients of real liquid and gas. Experiments were performed in two RZBs by using air–water system, and the consumption with gas rate, liquid rate, and rotational speed was measured. The departure coefficient of real liquid increased with increasing liquid rate and rotational speed, and its value at the greatest liquid rate ranged from 1.14 to 1.28 at various rotational speeds. The departure coefficient of gas increased with increasing gas rate and decreased with increasing liquid rate and rotational speed. The value of the departure coefficient of gas at the greater gas rate ranged from 1.36 to 2.80 at various liquid rates and rotational speeds. The power requirement for liquid flow in RZB was approximately 2.5 times as that of rotating packed bed, so the RZB power consumption should be given more attention. © 2012 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Plasma modification of man‐made cellulose fibers (Lyocell) for improved fiber/matrix adhesion in poly(lactic acid) composites
Authors: Graupner Nina , Albrecht Katharina , Hegemann Dirk , Müssig Jörg
Published: October 2012

The present study investigates the influence of different plasma treatments on the tensile characteristics of lyocell fibers and the interfacial interactions of lyocell fibers in a poly(lactic acid) matrix. For the investigations, the fibers were coated by an amine‐functional, nanoporous layer (a‐C:H:N) using a gaseous mixture of NH3:C2H4 of 1:1 and 5:3, respectively, an oxygen‐functional layer (a‐C:H:O) with CO2:C2H4 and CO2 posttreatment, or an oxygen‐functional layer (a‐C:H:O) comprising hydroxyl groups with H2O:C2H4 and H2O posttreatment. As reference, uncoated fibers and fibers coated with a crosslinked, amorphous hydrocarbon layer (a‐C:H) without functional group incorporation were investigated. While the different treatments maintained the tensile strength of the lyocell fibers, which were all in the range between 295 and 338 N/mm2, the interfacial shear strength, measured by the pull‐out test, was clearly influenced. The best improvement of the fiber/matrix adhesion was obtained by a plasma treatment with a mixture of water vapor and ethylene resulting in an interfacial shear strength of 17.8 N/mm2 in comparison to the untreated lyocell fiber with 10.3 N/mm2. Amine‐functional plasma polymers (a‐C:H:N) were also found to be suitable for adhesion‐promoting interlayers on lyocell fibers in poly(lactic acid). © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Preparation of thermally stable, low dielectric constant, pyridine‐based polyimide and related nanofoams
Authors: Aram Elham , Mehdipour‐Ataei Shahram
Published: October 2012

Reaction of 6‐chloronicotinoyl chloride with p‐phenylene diamine resulted in preparation of a dichloro diamide compound. Subsequently, chloro displacement of this compound with 4‐amino phenoxy groups led to production of a new pyridine‐based ether diamine named as N,N′‐(1,4‐phenylene)bis(6‐(4‐aminophenoxy) nicotinamide). Novel polyimide was prepared through polycondensation reaction of the diamine with hexafluoroisopropylidene diphthalic anhydride (6‐FDA) via two‐step imidization method. In addition, new nanoporous polyimide films were produced through graft copolymerization of polyimide as the continuous phase with a thermally labile poly (propylene glycol) oligomer as the labile phase. The grafted copolymers were synthesized using reaction of the diamine and 6‐FDA in the presence of poly (propylene glycol) 2‐bromoacetate as thermally labile constituent via a poly(amic acid) precursor process. The labile block was decomposed via thermal treatment to release inert molecules that diffused out of the matrix to leave pores with diameters between 30 and 60 nm. The structures and properties of polyimide and polyimide nanofoams were characterized by different techniques including 1H‐NMR, FTIR, TGA, DMTA, SEM, TEM, dielectric constant, and tensile strength measurement. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013