bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
O processo de cuidar da pessoa que sofreu queimaduras: significado cultural atribuído por familiares
Authors: Rossi Lídia Aparecida
Published: December 2008

Os objetivos deste estudo etnográfico foram identificar o significado cultural atribuído por familiares à participação no processo de cuidar da pessoa ultima de queimadura; identificar as estratégias de cuidado que os familiares focalizam frente à participação no cuidado. Os dados foram coletados mediante entrevistas semi-estruturadas com 25 familiares de clientes que sofreram queimaduras, admitidos em uma Unidade de Queimados e observações participantes. Os resultados mostram que o significado cultural atribuído por familiares de pessoas vítimas queimaduras ao processo de cuidar tem duas dimensões: a física e a moral e gera principalmente medo.
Influências do comportamento comunicativo não-verbal do docente em sala de aula: visão dos docentes de enfermagem
Authors: Castro Rosely Kalil de Freitas , Silva Maria Júlia Paes da
Published: December 2008

Na interação professor-aluno, o professor tem um importante papel e seu bom desempenho depende da consciência e habilidade que tenha na comunicação. Este trabalho teve como objetivo verificar junto aos docentes de Enfermagem, o conhecimento e a importância atribuída aos sinais não-verbais na sua interação em sala de aula. É um estudo exploratório, na linha qualitativa e foram entrevistados 25 docentes da EEUSP, de outubro a dezembro de 1999. Dentre os achados, pudemos verificar que são considerados facilitadores da interação: algumas características do professor, características do aluno, a regularidade de contato, o tipo de conteúdo exposto e a própria comunicação.
Acidentes de trabalho com instrumentos perfurocortantes entre os trabalhadores de enfermagem
Authors: Sarquis Leila Maria Mansano , Felli Vanda Elisa Andres
Published: December 2008

O presente estudo analisou os acidentes de trabalho ocorridos com trabalhadores de enfermagem, de um hospital público, provocados por instrumentos perfurocortantes. A instituição campo de estudo foi um hospital público do interior de São Paulo. A população foi composta por 787 trabalhadores de enfermagem. Na coleta de dados foram usados dois instrumentos: o primeiro foi o questionário que se destinou ao levantamento dos dados referentes aos acidentes de trabalho ocorridos no ano de 1996; o segundo foi a entrevista realizada com estes trabalhadores que sofreram acidentes com instrumentos perfurocortantes. Os resultados encontrados mostram a significativa freqüência desse tipo de acidente entre os auxiliares de enfermagem. A interação do trabalhadores de enfermagem com instrumentos perfurocortantes, indica a grande exposição aos riscos biológicos e às graves doenças.
Desenvolvimento de um instrumento para avaliar a movimentação e transferência de clientes: um enfoque ergonômico
Authors: Radovanovic Cremilde Aparecida Trindade , Alexandre Neusa Maria Costa
Published: December 2008

Os distúrbios osteomusculares relacionados ao trabalho, particularmente a dor e as lesões na região lombar, representam um risco para os trabalhadores de enfermagem. Esses profissionais são especialmente suscetíveis a problemas vertebrais pelo fato de terem que movimentar e transportar pacientes regularmente. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi descrever o desenvolvimento de um instrumento para avaliar os riscos ergonômicos durante os procedimentos de movimentação e transferência de clientes. Para ser desenvolvido teve como referencial teórico a ergonomia, o que abrange a interação entre os equipamentos, as atividades, o ambiente e o próprio trabalhador.
Efficiency of pneumatic and horizontal perforated disk meter mechanism in corn no-tillage seeders in soil with different mobilization reports
Authors: Mahl Denise , Furlani Carlos E. A. , Gamero Carlos A.
Published: December 2008

This work objectified to evaluate the efficiency of two meter mechanism of corn seeds when submitted to different forward speed and soil management system during the non-tillage seeding. It was used a factorial design in randomized blocks. The factors whose effects were examined were related to the seeders with pneumatic and horizontal disk meter mechanisms for the distribution of the seeds, to the set tractor-seeder forward speeds (4.4; 8.0 and 9.8 km h-1), and to the soil management system considering the corn no-tillage seeding over minimum tillage with chisel plow and the no-tillage system for the seeding of oat culture (Avena strigosa Schreb). It was verified that the forward speed didn't influence the initial and final stands of plants but it interfered in the regularity of longitudinal distribution of plants. The smallest speed provided the largest percentile of normal spacing between plants. The pneumatic meter mechanism presented better performance than the horizontal disk perforated in the longitudinal distribution of plants. About corn productivity aspect it's indifferent the recommendation of use for pneumatic and perforated horizontal disk meter mechanism of seeds.
Características físicas e mecânicas do endocarpo e da amêndoa da castanha de caju 'CCP 76' antes e após tratamento térmico
Authors: Araújo Max C. de , Ferraz Antonio C. de O.
Published: December 2008

As características viscoelásticas da casca da castanha de caju in natura dificultam a sua decorticação por compressão. Para facilitar a abertura da casca e a liberação da amêndoa, as castanhas são submetidas à hidratação e tratamento térmico em banho de líquido da casca da castanha (LCC) a 210 ºC. Com o objetivo de conhecer o comportamento do produto, para futuros desenvolvimentos de mecanismos decorticadores, procurou-se caracterizar a castanha do clone 'CCP 76' por meio das principais dimensões, massa, volume e ensaios mecânicos do endocarpo e da amêndoa, antes e após o tratamento térmico. Os tratamentos consistiram em várias combinações de tempo de hidratação e tempo de residência em banho de LCC. Aplicou-se a metodologia de superfície de resposta para identificar o melhor tratamento. Construíram-se dispositivos de abertura manual da castanha, cisalhamento do endocarpo e penetração da amêndoa para a realização dos ensaios mecânicos. Observaram-se alterações no comprimento, na largura e na espessura, assim como na massa e no volume, antes e após os tratamentos. Os resultados do ensaio de cisalhamento do endocarpo e da rigidez da amêndoa indicam diferença entre o material in natura e o tratado termicamente. As alterações nas dimensões de massa e de volume apontam para a necessidade de uma classificação após o tratamento térmico, quando essas constituírem parâmetros relevantes no processo de decorticação. A tendência da superfície de resposta mostrou que o ensaio com 79 h de hidratação e 165 s de residência em LCC a 210 ºC foi o mais próximo da região de ótimo.
Análise retrospectiva de 287 casos de abdome agudo em ginecologia e obstetrícia
Authors: Murta Eddie Fernando Candido , Tiveron Fabiana Sucupira , Barcelos Ana Cristina Macêdo , Manfrin Alessandra
Published: December 2008

OBJETIVO: O abdome agudo em ginecologia e obstetrícia apresenta baixo risco de vida para a paciente, entretanto, o retardo no diagnóstico e tratamento influencia na morbi-mortalidade. O objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar as principais causas de abdome agudo em tocoginecologia. MÉTODOS: Foram revisados 287 casos de abdome agudo em tocoginecologia de janeiro de 1987 a dezembro de 1997 atendidos na Disciplina de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia da Faculdade de Medicina do Triângulo Mineiro. RESULTADOS: Os resultados mostraram que a prenhez ectópica foi a mais freqüente causa de abdome agudo hemorrágico com 98,5% dos casos. Nestes casos, a dor pélvica foi o sintoma mais comum (69,1%). Todas as pacientes foram submetidas à laparotomia e salpingectomia foi realizada em 92,6% dos casos. A causa mais freqüente de abdome agudo inflamatório foi a doença inflamatória pélvica com 94,8%. A dor pélvica aguda estava presente em 91,5% dos casos e a febre em 56,2% casos. A penicilina foi usada com sucesso em 92,1% dos casos. Do total de 201 casos de doença inflamatória pélvica, 13 (6,5%) foram submetidos à laparotomia. CONCLUSÕES: Os autores concluem que o abdome agudo de causa tocoginecológica apresenta quadro clínico variável, portanto, o ginecologista deve estar atento para estabelecer diagnóstico e tratamento precisos.
Comparação entre as soluções orais de manitol a 10% e bifosfato de sódio no preparo mecânico do cólon
Authors: Rossoni Marssoni Deconto , Sartor Maria Cristina , Rossoni Andrea Maciel de Oliveira , Bonardi Renato de Araujo , Souza Filho Zacarias Alves de
Published: December 2008

OBJETIVO: Comparar o uso das soluções orais de manitol a 10% e de bifosfato de sódio no preparo mecânico do cólon quanto a qualidade da limpeza, a tolerabilidade e as alterações hidroeletrolíticas e da osmolaridade plasmática. MÉTODO: Foram analisados 60 pacientes de modo randomizado, duplo-cego e prospectivo, com indicação de colonoscopia. A qualidade da limpeza intestinal foi analisada pelo examinador através da classificação de Beck. A tolerabilidade à ingestão baseou-se na pesquisa do gosto, presença ou não de desconforto, aparecimento de efeitos adversos e a quantidade da solução ingerida. Foram dosados o sódio, potássio, cálcio, magnésio, fósforo, uréia, creatinina, glicose, hematócrito, hemoglobina e calculado a osmolaridade plasmática, antes e após a ingestão da solução oral de preparo inestinal. RESULTADOS: Ambas as soluções atingiram qualidade de preparo classificado como bom ou superior em mais de 80% dos pacientes. O uso do bifosfato de sódio determinou menor desconforto e melhor tolerância, apesar de não ter sido superior ao manitol quanto à análise do gosto e presença de efeitos adversos. O bifosfato induziu ao aumento e o manitol a uma redução da osmolaridade, reflexo do que ocorreu com o sódio plasmático nos dois grupos respectivamente. O bifosfato ainda determinou alteração significativa dos níveis séricos de fósforo, cálcio, magnésio e potássio, sem repercussões clínicas. CONCLUSÃO: Ambos os tipos de preparo intestinal determinaram qualidade de limpeza adequada. O bifosfato de sódio, apesar de melhor tolerado, determina maior quantidade de alterações hidroeletrolíticas.
Comparing Mingoti and Glória's and Niverthi and Dey's multivariate capability indexes
Authors: Mingoti Sueli Aparecida , Glória Fernando Augusto Alves
Published: December 2008

In this paper a comparison between Mingoti and Glória's (2003) and Niverthi and Dey's (2000) multivariate capability indexes is presented. Monte Carlo simulation is used for the comparison and some confidence intervals were generated for the true capability index by using bootstrap methodology.
"Terrorismos": uma exploração conceitual
Authors: Seixas Eunice Castro
Published: December 2008

Partindo da constatação de que o recente interesse renovado dos cientistas sociais pelo fenômeno do terrorismo não se tem traduzido em um seu entendimento interdisciplinar maior, sugere-se que isso decorre do baixo nível de questionamento dos investigadores sobre o carácter político e ideológico dos seus estudos. Assumir que o terrorismo é uma construção social e política leva-nos a questionarmo-nos acerca das diferentes concepções de emancipação e regulação social que orientam a investigação desse fenômeno. Este artigo visa a explorar essa questão, problematizando a conceituação do terrorismo a partir da análise de quatro núcleos temáticos: as concepções políticas clássicas do terrorismo e o ponto de vista dos líderes revolucionários marxistas sobre esse fenômeno; as diversas concepções dos cientistas sociais e políticos sobre o novo terrorismo transnacional; a relação entre a democracia e o Direito na luta contra o terrorismo e a concepção do terrorismo como construção social. A análise conceitual realizada permitiu chegar a três questões que se sugere essenciais para uma Ciência Social crítica que vise a criar e a estimular alternativas de emancipação social. A primeira dessas questões diz respeito à impossibilidade de neutralidade científica e definição consensual do terrorismo; a segunda prende-se à análise do terrorismo a partir das vozes das suas vítimas; a terceira questão concerne à relação entre terrorismo, Direito e democracia.
Instituições e desenvolvimento econômico: a importância do capital social
Authors: Furlanetto Egidio Luiz
Published: December 2008

Este ensaio teórico tem como tema central as instituições e a sua importância para o desenvolvimento econômico de localidades e nações. Inicialmente, a partir da revisão da teoria que relaciona organizações e instituições - a teoria institucionalista -, analisam-se algumas de suas contribuições e discutem-se algumas das principais críticas feitas a ela, em especial à sua orientação econômica. Na seqüência, com o objetivo de encaminhar possíveis respostas a algumas das principais e mais contundentes críticas (feitas, principalmente, pelos cientistas sociais), aponta-se para o que pode ser entendido como um caminho alternativo para a construção de instituições eficientes, aqui abrigado sob a amplitude dos estudos sobre capital social e suas influências nas relações entre os diversos agentes que se envolvem em uma determinada transação. Em suas conclusões, o artigo reforça a importância das instituições para o desenvolvimento de regiões, bem como destaca a possibilidade de utilizar-se o capital social para a construção de instituições eficientes; ao fazer uma análise comparativa entre as duas perspectivas, conclui ser mais inteligente apropriar-se do que elas têm de melhor, sendo mais indicado utilizá-las, sempre que for possível, como complementares. Essas conclusões reforçam, assim, a tese da importância das instituições e de todas as relações sociais envolvidas na sua criação e na sua consolidação.
Imagem, magia e imaginação: desafios ao texto antropológico
Authors: Novaes Sylvia Caiuby
Published: December 2008

Quais as diferentes formas de engajamento que imagem e texto propiciam ao espectador/leitor? Sabemos que texto e imagem comunicam e que toda comunicação depende de uma relação entre aqueles que se comunicam; o objetivo deste texto é entender as novas possibilidades para a antropologia da expressão do conhecimento que se utiliza de imagens, como fotografias ou filmes.
Prevalência e gravidade da cárie dentária e necessidade de tratamento em crianças de 12 anos de município de pequeno porte inserido no contexto amazônico
Authors: Tobias Rodrigo , Parente Rosana Cristina Pereira , Rebelo Maria Augusta Bessa
Published: December 2008

O conhecimento da prevalência da cárie dentária em municípios inseridos no contexto amazônico é pouco observado na literatura científica. O presente estudo visa investigar a prevalência e necessidade de tratamento da população de crianças de 12 anos de Rio Preto da Eva, Amazonas no ano de 2007, segundo o sexo e o tipo de localidade (rural e urbana). O estudo transversal foi de natureza descritiva e exploratória com a coleta de dados primários da doença, cujo desenho teve como base o levantamento epidemiológico SB-Brasil 2003. A amostra foi constituída por 344 crianças nas residências e escolas na zona rural e urbana do município. O índice CPO-D geral encontrado foi de 3,73 (+0,17) com predomínio do componente cariado. O percentual de crianças livres de cárie nas zonas urbana e rural foi de 12,5 e 13,6, respectivamente. Não houve diferença estatisticamente significante entre os sexos e os tipos de localidade. Na zona rural existem cerca de duas vezes mais dentes com necessidade de tratamento do que na zona urbana. O tratamento restaurador representou a maior necessidade de tratamento desta população (86,2%). A prevalência de cárie na população de 12 anos de idade, em Rio Preto da Eva-AM, é moderada e o CPO-D médio encontrado está acima da meta estabelecida para o ano 2.000 pela FDI/OMS. Os dados evidenciam a necessidade de implementação de medidas de atenção à saúde bucal que sejam capazes de intervir nos determinantes da cárie dentária na população estudada.
The correlation between health status and quality of life in southern Brazil
Authors: Zubaran Carlos , Persch Karina , Tarso Desire , Ioppi Ana , Mezzich Juan
Published: December 2008

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: The interconnections between quality of life and health status as assessed via questionnaires have not been thoroughly investigated. The objective of this study was to investigate a possible correlation between the constructs of general health status and quality of life as assessed by the Portuguese versions of two questionnaires recently adapted and tested in Brazil. DESIGN AND SETTING: This was a cross-sectional study in which two self-administered questionnaires were used. This investigation was conducted at healthcare services associated with the Universidade de Caxias do Sul, Brazil. METHODS: This study presents data from a sample of 120 volunteers who completed the Portuguese versions of the Personal Health Scale and the Multicultural Quality of Life Index questionnaires. Bivariate linear regression analysis and Pearson correlation coefficients were generated from the scores of the two questionnaires. RESULTS: A significant correlation between the concepts of quality of life and health status as evaluated by the Portuguese versions of both questionnaires was observed. Almost all of the health-related questions displayed strong correlations with the overall concept of quality of life. The magnitude of this correlation accounted for almost half of the observed variance. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that, within this sample, health-related issues were key factors for the overall experience of wellbeing and quality of life. The similarities observed across the different groups indicate that the interrelation between health status and quality of life was homogenous, regardless of presence and/or type of ailments.
Bioacústica e sítio de vocalização em taxocenoses de anuros de área aberta no noroeste paulista
Authors: Silva Rodrigo Augusto , Martins Itamar Alves , Rossa-Feres Denise de Cerqueira
Published: December 2008

O sítio de vocalização e os parâmetros acústicos do canto de anúncio foram determinados para 18 espécies de anuros em seis corpos d'água na região noroeste paulista. A freqüência dominante do canto de anúncio foi positivamente correlacionada com o CRC das espécies: as espécies pequenas vocalizaram em uma freqüência mais alta e as maiores vocalizaram em uma freqüência mais baixa. A similaridade nos parâmetros espectrais e temporais do canto de anúncio foi alta entre 94% das espécies registradas. A similaridade no uso do sítio de vocalização foi baixa, apenas 22% das espécies apresentaram alta sobreposição, apesar de cerca de metade das espécies terem sido generalistas no uso de sítio de vocalização. Analisando conjuntamente a similaridade no uso de sítio de vocalização, no hábitat e nos parâmetros do canto de anúncio, a proporção de espécies com alta sobreposição diminui de 94% para 11%, correspondente à sobreposição entre um único par de espécies: Dendropsophus elianeae e D. minutus. Espécies com sobreposição no sítio de vocalização apresentaram segregação nos parâmetros acústicos e, espécies com sobreposição nos parâmetros acústicos tenderam a partilhar sítio de vocalização. Esse resultado sugere a ocorrência de complementaridade de nicho, pois as espécies que ocuparam uma posição similar em uma dimensão tenderam a diferir em outra dimensão. A homogeneidade estrutural dos corpos d'água, a severidade climática da região e o elevado grau de conversão do ambiente natural em áreas de cultivo limitam a abundância das populações e a riqueza de espécies. A baixa sobreposição no sítio de vocalização está, provavelmente, associada a insaturação das comunidades amostradas.
The phytoplankton biodiversity of the coast of the state of São Paulo, Brazil
Authors: Villac Maria Célia , Cabral-Noronha Valéria Aparecida de Paula , Pinto Thatiana de Oliveira
Published: December 2008

The objective of this study is to compile the inventory of nearly 100 years of research about the phytoplankton species cited for the coast of the state of São Paulo, Brazil. A state-of-the-art study on the local biodiversity has long been needed to provide a baseline for future comparisons. This type of data is scattered in old scientific journals and in the so-called "grey literature", and are in need of nomenclature updating. Twenty-six publications are considered. The earliest sampling record is from 1913 (?) and the most recent from 2002. This checklist compiled from the literature was complemented with primary data collected between August 2004 and July 2006, recent surveys of the surf-zone of 20 beaches located along the coast and of a mariculture farm at the Cocanha Beach, Caraguatatuba. The complete species list includes 572 taxa: most are diatoms (82%), seconded by dinoflagellates (16%), with a minor contribution of silicoflagellates, coccolithophorids, ebriideans and cyanobacteria. The most investigated areas were: Ubatuba, São Sebastião, Santos and Cananéia. The recent surveys have a broader spatial coverage. The objectives of the studies have changed over the years from purely taxonomic to process-oriented investigations. Therefore, the longest species lists and most first records for the area were published before the 1980's and later publications, even those in which cell counts were performed, mention only the most abundant/frequent species. Electron microscopy was used for the first time in the present surveys, and new records include 38 diatoms, 42 dinoflagellates, 1 silicoflagellate, 1 ebriidean and 2 cyanobacteria. The use and interpretation of this species list require the perception of some constraints. It is not our role to question the identification made by other researchers. On the other hand, the ability to sample, analyze and identify species has evolved over the years and some considerations in this regard are presented.
Estudo comparativo entre um sistema de sonda genética e métodos clássicos na identificação das micobactérias
Authors: Coelho Andréa Gobetti Vieira , Zamarioli Liliana Aparecida , Reis Clemira Martins Pereira Vidal , Nascimento Ana Carolina Chiou , Rodrigues Juliana dos Santos
Published: December 2008

OBJETIVO: O aparecimento da co-infecção tuberculose/HIV e o aumento de casos de doenças provocadas por micobactérias não-tuberculosas (MNT) exigem repostas laboratoriais rápidas tanto no isolamento como na identificação das micobactérias. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a identificação das micobactérias através de sonda genética em comparação com os métodos bioquímicos clássicos. MÉTODOS: Entre 2002 e 2004, foram analisadas 178 culturas de micobactérias, confirmadas como bacilos álcool-ácido resistentes e obtidas de isolados clínicos de pacientes sintomáticos respiratórios ou com suspeita clínica de tuberculose pulmonar e/ou micobacterioses, atendidos nas Unidades de Saúde da Baixada Santista. RESULTADOS: A sonda genética identificou 137 amostras (77%) como complexo Mycobacterium tuberculosis e 41 (23%) como MNT. A discordância observada de 3% entre os métodos ocorreu apenas no ano de implantação (2002). Ao comparar os métodos, a sensibilidade, especificidade, valor preditivo positivo e valor preditivo negativo da sonda genética foram 98%, 93%, 98% e 93%, respectivamente. CONCLUSÕES: Apesar do custo elevado, a identificação de micobactérias pela técnica molecular é mais rápida: máximo de 3 h vs. 28-30 dias para os métodos clássicos. A utilização de sondas genéticas é uma técnica molecular validada, simples e disponível no mercado, com elevada especificidade, sensibilidade e rapidez, o que justifica sua implantação e uso rotineiro em laboratórios de referência, facilitando o diagnóstico e permitindo uma intervenção clínica ágil.
A Public Health Approach to Winning the War Against Cancer
Authors: Frieden Thomas R. , Myers Julie E. , Krauskopf Marian S. , Farley Thomas A.
Published: December 2008

This article describes a prevention strategy for the United States to help win the war on cancer. Prevention can be achieved by reducing exposure to cancer-promoting agents, particularly tobacco but also alcohol and caloric imbalance; vaccination against specific virus-associated cancers; and early detection and treatment. These require more funding and a greater emphasis on public health programs and public policy.

The “war on cancer” in the United States has been viewed primarily as an effort to develop and disseminate cancer cures, but cancer is far more easily prevented than cured. There are three major approaches to cancer prevention: Primary prevention, through reduction in risk factors and changes to the environment that reduce human exposure to widely-consumed cancer-promoting agents. The most important actions for primary prevention of cancer are those that reduce tobacco use through taxation, smoke-free environment policies, advertising restrictions, counteradvertising, and cessation programs. The World Health Organization's MPOWER package outlines these actions, each of which covered less than 5% of people in the world in 2007. Similarly, cancer can be prevented by reducing alcohol consumption through policies such as alcohol taxes and limits on alcohol sales, and restoring caloric balance through policies such as creating healthier food environments and engineering the built environment to increase opportunities for physical activity. Vaccination is an effective approach to preventing specific virus-associated cancers, such as using human papillomavirus vaccine to prevent cervical cancer and hepatitis B virus vaccine to prevent hepatocellular cancer. Secondary prevention reduces cancer mortality through screening and early treatment; this approach has been used successfully for breast and cervical cancer but is still underused against colon cancer. Progress can be made in all three approaches to cancer prevention, but will require a greater emphasis on public health programs and public policy. Winning the war on cancer will require a much larger investment in prevention to complement efforts to improve treatment.
The Stokoe resonant column apparatus: effects of stiffness, mass and specimen fixity
Authors: Clayton C. R. I. , Priest J. A. , Bui M. , Zervos A. , Kim S. G.
Published: December 2008

This paper reports the results of a series of analyses, and physical and numerical experiments, carried out in order to investigate the effects of apparatus stiffness and mass, and specimen fixity, on the results obtained from fixed–free resonant column testing. It is shown that the stiffness of the drive head and the mass of the apparatus base can both have a significant effect on the results obtained from tests on stiffer geomaterials. Connectivity between the specimen, the apparatus base and the top cap is also an issue. Methods of recognising and determining the magnitudes of these effects are described, and recommendations are made for their evaluation and control.
A method of estimating the form of fine particulates
Authors: ABBIREDDY C.O.R. , CLAYTON C.R.I. , HUVENNE V.A.I.
Published: December 2008

In the companion paper we noted that a significant body of literature exists to suggest that form can have an important influence on the behaviour of an assembly of particles during shear, and that at present there are no practical methods of measuring form. A simple definition of form was adopted, and a method of measuring form was proposed for coarse particulates, and applied to a range of materials. This paper considers the form of fine particulate materials. It reviews the evolution of the size and shape of clastic and crushed rock particles, and examines the applicability of methods that have been developed in other fields for determining the form of fine particles. A new method of determining form, based on turbidity measurement and laser diffraction particle sizing, is proposed and applied to seven different materials with widely varying form.
Bacterial contamination of raw vegetables, vegetable-related water and river water in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Authors: Thi Van Ha Nguyen , Kitajima Masaaki , Vo Minh Hang Nguyen , Matsubara Koichi , Takizawa Satoshi , Katayama Hiroyuki , Oguma Kumiko , Ohgaki Shinichiro
Published: December 2008

The study attempts to identify the potential routes of bacterial infection via consumption of raw vegetables, drinking water and vegetable-related water in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC). Vegetables in the markets and restaurants had higher total coliforms and E. coli counts than the vegetables at the vegetable cultivation fields. In search of the potential contamination sources, it was found that vegetables are washed in nearby canals after harvesting. Those canals are contaminated with human and animal excreta, which in turn may contaminate the vegetables. At the markets, although the tap water was found to be free of microbes, contaminated and non-contaminated vegetables are mixed and washed in the same bowl, which may bring about further spreading of infectious bacteria. The results of this study suggested that an integrated countermeasure that incorporates reducing microbial contamination of canals, raising the awareness of microbial infection among the local farmers and wholesalers, and providing enough clean water to the food markets should be implemented to reduce the incidence of food-borne illness in HCMC.
Effects of electric polarization of indium tin oxide (ITO) and polypyrrole on biofilm formation
Authors: Schaule Gabriela , Rumpf A. , Weidlich C. , Mangold K.-M. , Flemming H.-C.
Published: December 2008

The influence of electric polarization on primary adhesion and on biofilm formation was investigated. As substrata, indium tin oxide (ITO) and polypyrrole coatings were used because of their electric conductivity. The materials were polarized from −600 mV to +600 mV, switching every 60 seconds. Control was non-polarized substrata. Primary adhesion under this regime was not strongly influenced, however, the morphology of the primary biofilm was obviously different from that of the control. Biofilm formation of the natural population of non-chlorinated drinking water, supplemented with nutrient in low concentration, was determined over 164 hours. While the biofilm on the control surface developed to a thickness of about 100 μm, on the pulsed polarized surface it reproducibly developed only to a very thin biofilm. Faster switching of the polarization (10 second) had no further influence. If the polarization routine was reduced to only twice a day (one hour), no influence on biofilm development was observed. These results indicate that fluctuating polarization at a rate of once per minute inhibits the physiological processes during biofilm formation during one week. Investigations are in process to determine further details of this effect in order to employ it for inhibition of biofouling.
Natural cadmium loading and balance in a non-polluted rice paddy field in Japan
Authors: Yada Saeko , Arao Tomohito , Kawasaki Akira , Saito Takayuki , Nagai Hideyuki , Mano Masayoshi , Hamada Yohei
Published: December 2008

We determined the natural Cd balance in a cultivated rice paddy field in Japan. The main sources of Cd in the non-polluted paddy field were phosphorus fertilizer and precipitation (annual input of Cd, 2,000 mg ha−1 and 1,020 mg ha−1, respectively). These sources account for 95% of the total input of Cd (3,192 mg ha−1). The actual increase of Cd in the soil was 0.0016 mg kg−1, we thus consider Cd in soil increases only slightly as a result of rice culture. This study indicates that it is difficult to reduce Cd loading by irrigation water treatment in a non-polluted paddy field. This further indicates that once a field is polluted by Cd it is difficult to decrease the accumulated Cd by the ordinary cultivation of rice plants.
Municipal wastewater treatment by a periodic biofilter with granular biomass
Authors: Di Iaconi C. , Del Moro G. , Lopez A. , De Sanctis M. , Ramadori R.
Published: December 2008

The paper reports the results obtained during an experimental campaign aimed at transferring aerobic granulation to a demonstrative SBBGR system (i.e., a submerged biofilter that operates in a “fill and draw” mode) for the treatment of municipal wastewater by financial support of the European Commission, within the framework of Life-Environment Programme (PERBIOF Project; www.perbiof-europe.com). The results show that following the generation of granular biomass during the start-up period, the SBBGR was able to remove 80-90% of COD, total suspended solids and ammonia occurring in primary effluent from a municipal wastewater treatment plant even when the minimum hydraulic residence time (i.e., 4 h) was investigated. The process was characterised by a sludge production almost one magnitude order lower than commonly reported for conventional treatment plants. The granular biomass was characterised by a high density (i.e., 150 gTSS/Lbiomass) that allowed a biomass concentration as high as 35 kgTSS/m3bed to be achieved. Proteobacteria were found as main microbial components of the granular biomass by applying Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization (FISH). No significant changes in microbial composition were observed during reactor operation.
Effects of salinity on the morphological characteristics of aerobic granules
Authors: Li Z. H. , Wang X. C.
Published: December 2008

Saline wastewater is ubiquitous in industries. The present study reports the effects of salinity on the morphological properties of aerobic granules. Within a wide range of salinity from 1% to 5%, good aerobic granules were successively cultured in sequencing batch reactors (SBRs). It was found by scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis that the granular surface turned to be smoother and more regular with increase of salinity, and under lower salinity (1%) the microbe was cocci-dominated, while under higher salinity (5%) the microbe was filaments-dominated. As a result of size distribution analysis, the granules were found to grow faster, larger and with a wider size spectrum under higher salinity. However, the porosities of the granules under the salinity of 1%, 2.5% and 5% were 0.90, 0.89 and 0.82, respectively, indicating that higher salinity may result in more compact granules. It can be concluded from this study that formation of large and compact granules is possible under salinity as high as 5% and filamentous microorganisms did not necessary lead to sludge bulking and granule breakage.
Integration of aquatic ecology and biological oceanographic knowledge for development of area-based eutrophication assessment criteria leading to water resource remediation and utilization management: a case study in Tha Chin, the most eutrophic river of Thailand
Authors: Meksumpun Charumas , Meksumpun Shettapong
Published: December 2008

This research was carried out in Tha Chin Watershed in the central part of Thailand with attempts to apply multidisciplinary knowledge for understanding ecosystem structure and response to anthropogenic pollution and natural impacts leading to a proposal for an appropriate zonation management approach for sustainable utilization of the area. Water quality status of the Tha Chin River and Estuary had been determined by analyzing ecological, hydrological, and coastal oceanographic information from recent field surveys (during March 2006 to November 2007) together with secondary data on irrigation, land utilization, and socio-economic status.Results indicated that the Tha Chin River and Estuary was eutrophic all year round. Almost 100% of the brackish to marine areas reflected strongly hypertrophic water condition during both dry and high-loading periods. High NH4+ and PO43− loads from surrounding agricultural land use, agro-industry, and community continuously flew into the aquatic environment. Deteriorated ecosystem was clearly observed by dramatically low DO levels (ca 1 mg/l) in riverine to coastal areas and Noctiluca and Ceratium red tide outbreaks occurred around tidal front closed to the estuary. Accordingly, fishery resources were significantly decreased. Some riverine benthic habitats became dominated by deposit-feeding worms e.g. Lumbriculus, Branchiura, and Tubifex, while estuarine benthic habitats reflected succession of polychaetes and small bivalves. Results on analysis on integrated ecosystem responses indicated that changing functions were significantly influenced by particulates and nutrients dynamics in the system.Based on the overall results, the Tha Chin River and Estuary should be divided into 4 zones (I: Upper freshwater zone; II: Middle freshwater zone; III Lower freshwater zone; and IV: Lowest brackish to marine zone) for further management schemes on water remediation. In this study, the importance of habitat morphology and water flow regimes was recognized. Moreover, nearshore extensive shrimp culture ponds, irrigation canals, and surrounding mangrove habitats belonging to local households seemed to act as effective natural water treatment system that can yet provide food resources in turns. These remediation-production integrated functions should be deserved depth considerations for water quality development of the Tha Chin areas.
Real and Reactive Power Transfer Allocation Utilizing Modified Nodal Equations
Authors: Shareef Hussain , Mustafa Mohd. Wazir , Abd Khalid Saifulnizam , Khairuddin Azhar , Kalam Akhtar , Maung Than Oo Amanullah
Published: December 2008

This paper proposes a new method to identify the real and reactive power transfer between generators and load using modified nodal equations. Based on available load flow results, the method partitions the Y-bus matrix to decompose the current of the load buses as a function of the generators' current and load voltages. Then, it uses the modified admittance matrix to decompose the load voltage-dependent term into components of generator dependent terms. By using these two decompositions of current and voltage terms, the real and reactive power transfer between loads and generators are obtained. The effectiveness of the proposed method is demonstrated by using a simple 5-bus system and the modified IEEE 30-bus system. The proposed methodology provides reasonable and acceptable results to real and reactive power transfer allocation.
Informality Traps
Authors: Masatlioglu Yusufcan , Rigolini Jamele
Published: December 2008

Despite large deregulation efforts, informal economic activity still represents a large share of GDP in many developing countries. In this paper we look at incentives to reduce informal activity when capitalists in the formal sector regulate entry. We consider a dual economy with a formal sector employing educated workers and an informal sector with unskilled workers. We show that high costs of education make labor migration and profits in the formal sector an increasing function of its size. Therefore, incentives to allow capital to be reallocated to the formal sector increase with the size of the formal economy, and unless the formal sector has reached a "critical mass" countries remain in a highly informal equilibrium. We conclude by reviewing policies that can push countries with large informal economies towards formalization.
On the Balance Sheet-Based Model of Financial Reporting
Authors: Dichev Ilia D.
Published: December 2008

SYNOPSIS: FASB adopted a balance sheet-based model of financial reporting about 30 years ago, and this model has been gradually expanded and solidified to become the required norm around the world. This article argues that the balance sheet orientation of accounting standard-setting is flawed for the following reasons. First, accounting is supposed to reflect business reality, and thus the essential features of the financial reporting model need to reflect the essential features of the underlying business model. However, the balance sheet orientation of financial reporting is at odds with the economic process of advancing expenses to earn revenues, which governs how most businesses create value, and which represents how managers and investors view most firms. Second, the adoption of the balance sheet approach was driven by conceptual considerations; standard-setters argued that the concept of assets is more fundamental and logically prior to the concept of income. However, this article argues that the concept of income is clearer and practically more useful than the concept of assets, especially with the recent proliferation of intangible assets. Third, earnings is the single most important output of the accounting system. Thus, intuitively, improved financial reporting should lead to improved usefulness of earnings. However, the continual expansion of the balance sheet approach is gradually destroying the forward-looking usefulness of earnings, mainly through the effect of various asset revaluations, which manifest as noise in the process of generating normal operating earnings. During the last 40 years, the volatility of reported earnings has doubled and the persistence of earnings is down by a third, while little has changed in the properties of the underlying business fundamentals.
Estimating Audit Fees Post-SOX
Authors: Dickins Denise E. , Higgs Julia L. , Skantz Terrance R.
Published: December 2008

SYNOPSIS: This article discusses the findings of structured interviews with audit practitioners with a goal of increasing our understanding of the audit fee estimation process and how that process has changed following the passage of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (SOX). The data provide practicing auditors with information that may be helpful in the development or revision of their own audit fee pricing practices. The data are also relevant to audit committee members as they seek to better understand the audit fee pricing process and how potential risk areas or other matters may impact audit fees. Researchers may also find the results of the interviews useful for the enhancement of audit fee pricing models, whether to more-closely align estimation models with the reported fee estimation process, or to revise models to reflect post-SOX economic and regulatory changes.
The Value of Faculty Internships in Auditing
Authors: Herron Terri L. , Morozzo Marc M.
Published: December 2008

SYNOPSIS: Professions such as law, medicine, and engineering have long used faculty internships as a means for educators in these professions to remain current on developments and practices in their respective areas of expertise. Changes in the auditing profession in the last decade have been significant. It is imperative that auditing faculty personally engage in the profession to whatever extent possible to understand how these changes have impacted practice. The purpose of this paper is to describe a faculty internship in auditing and to discuss the benefits of the internship for the academy and the firm.
Protection From Clinical Peripheral Sensory Neuropathy in Alström Syndrome in Contrast to Early-Onset Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Paisey Richard B. , Paisey Rosamund M. , Thomson Mary P. , Bower Lynne , Maffei Pietro , Shield Julian P.H. , Barnett Sue , Marshall Jan D.
Published: December 2008

OBJECTIVE—Alström syndrome, with type 2 diabetes, and blindness could confer a high risk of foot ulceration. Clinical testing for neuropathy in Alström syndrome and matched young-onset type 2 diabetic subjects was therefore undertaken.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—Fifty-eight subjects with Alström syndrome (18 insulin-resistant nondiabetic and 40 diabetic; aged 8–43 years) and 30 young-onset diabetic subjects (aged 13–35 years) were studied. Neuropathy symptom questionnaires were administered. Graded monofilament and 128-MHz tuning fork vibration perception were assessed in both feet.

RESULTS—Neuropathic symptoms, loss of monofilament, and/or vibration perception were reported by 12 of the 30 young-onset type 2 diabetic subjects (6 had neuropathic ulceration) but none of the subjects with Alström syndrome.

CONCLUSIONS—The striking preservation of protective foot sensation in Alström syndrome may provide a clue to the causes of differential susceptibility to neuropathy in the wider diabetic population.
Characterization and filtration performance of coating-modified polymeric membranes used in membrane bioreactors
Authors: Kochan Jozef , Wintgens Thomas , Melin Thomas , Wong John
Published: December 2008

One of the critical issues for membrane application in wastewater treatment is membrane fouling majorly caused by dissolved organic matters. The aim of the present study was to lower membrane fouling by adsorption of polyelectrolytes. In the paper, the feasibility of coating for diverse ultrafiltration membrane materials was investigated and their filtration performance was compared to that of the unmodified ones. Different ultrafiltration flat-sheet membranes, polyvinylidene fluoride, polyethersulfone, polysulfone and cellulose acetate were coated by branched poly(ethyleneimine) (PEI), poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDADMAC) and poly(allylamine chloride) (PAH) and filtrated with sludge supernatant. Short term experiments showed a substantial drop of permeability: almost 40 % for PEI, 23 % for PDADMAC, and about 19 % for PAH coating. This deterioration resulted from the additional resistance of the deposited layers. On the other hand, coating led to lower fouling rates during filtration. In the stable state of filtration, coated membranes showed higher permeabilities compared to the uncoated ones. For the polyethersulfone membrane, the average permeability enhancement was 11 %. For polysulfone and cellulose acetate membranes, the permeability improved by 28 % and 15 % respectively. For polyvinylidene fluoride membranes only coating with PDADMAC enhanced the permeability, by 13 %. PEI and PAH modified membranes featured lower permeabilities than the uncoated ones.
Preparation and properties of a new composite photocatalyst based on nanosized titanium dioxide
Authors: Ševčík Peter , Čík Gabriel , Vlna Tomáš , Mackul’ak Tomáš
Published: December 2008

The use of photocatalysts supported on adsorbents is receiving substantial attention. Supporting TiO2 with zeolites is found to be one of the best solutions to increase the efficiency of TiO2-based photocatalysts. This work was focused on simple preparation of a TiO2/Na-ZSM-5 composite catalyst by the solid state dispersion (SSD) method and its modification with an organic photosensitizer — polythiophene (PT). Using the XRD diffractometry, structure of the new composite catalyst was proved. Beside this composite catalyst, mechanical mixtures of TiO2-based catalysts with Na-ZSM-5 zeolite were prepared. The efficiency of all five available photocatalysts (TiO2, TiO2-PT, mechanical mixture of TiO2 + Na-ZSM-5, mechanical mixture of TiO2-PT + Na-ZSM-5, and the modified SSD-PT composite) on photodegradation of 4-chlorophenol was compared. By measuring the formation of chloride ions and decreasing the 4-chlorophenol concentration at two different initial concentrations of 4-chlorophenol in the basic aqueous solution, the photoefficiency and adsorption properties of our photocatalysts were determined.