bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Herbicides selectivity in pre-budded seedlings of sugarcane
Authors: Dias José Luiz Carvalho de Souza , Silva Junior Antonio Carlos da , Queiroz Juliana Roberta Gobi , Martins Dagoberto
Published: June 2017

ABSTRACT: Herbicides are expected to show selectivity towards cultivated plants, i.e., they ought to control weeds without jeopardizing the development and productivity of crops. The objective of this project was to evaluate the selectivity of herbicides applied in pre-planting of three sugar cane cultivars which were planted according to the system of pre-budded seedlings (PBS) under climatic natural conditions, between September and November of 2013. The experiment was set according to a completely random design with four replications. The treatments were distributed according to a factorial scheme of 3 × 8, in which factor A was the cultivar (CTC14, CTC7, and RB966928), and factor B was the herbicide (in g.ha-1): S-metolachlor (2,640), clomazone (1,000), sulfentrazone (800), diclosulam (200), metribuzin (1,920), diuron + hexazione (1,170 + 330), S-metolachlor + sulfentrazone (2,640 + 800), and a no treatment. The visual symptoms of intoxication were evaluated 14, 28, 35, 42, 49, 56, and 63 days after application (DAA), the height and number of tillers 14, 35, 49, 56, and 63 DAA, the dry weight of shoot (DWS), and the dry weight of root (DWR) 63 DAA. Under the conditions of the experiment, the herbicides S-metolachlor, clomazone, metribuzin, diuron + hexazinone, and S-metolachlor + sulfentrazone were selective towards the presprouted sugar-cane plantlets. Diclosulam was the less selective herbicide, followed by sulfentrazone. Cultivar CTC14 was visually the less tolerant to the herbicides diclosulam and sulfentrazone.
Estudo das propriedades funcionais da hemoglobina de Hoplias malabaricus e Hoplerythrinus unitaeniatus
Authors: Riggs Austen , Fyhn Hans Jorgen , Fyhn Unni E. H. , Noble Robert W.
Published: June 2017

Resumo Hemolisados de Hoplias malabaricus e Hoplerythrinus unitaeniatus apresentaram padrões pouco nítidos de hemoglobina com 3 a 4 bandas, respectivamente, por eletroforesis alcalina em gel de disco. A afinidade da hemoglobina fracionada pelo oxigênio do Hoplerythrinus é cerca de um terço da do Hoplias; os valores do P50 para o Hoplias é cerca de 1,3 mm de Hg (pH 6,9 e 20ºC,. A adição de 1 mM ATP diminui a afinidade de oxigênio de cada hemoglobina 2,6 vezes. Ambas as hemoglobinas apresentam efeito Root e efeito Bohr; Δlog P50/Δ pH = -0,40 para hemoglobina fracionada no intervalo de pH 7 a 8. A velocidade de dissociação do oxigênio de cada hemoglobina é semelhante e é cineticamente homogênea com taxas de diminuição constante de 200-250 sec-1 no pH 6,2 para cerca de 25-26 no pH 7,7 com 1 mM ATP ou sem ele. A reação de combinação do CO para a hemoglobina do Hoplias é cineticamente heterogênea em todos os valores de pH e para a hemoglobina Hoplerythrinus em pH abaixo 7,5. As fases rápida e lenta explicam cerca da metade da reação observada. A heterogeneidade cinética e máxima em pH abaixo para ambas as hemoglobinas. A fase rápida para a hemoglobina do Hoplias é cerca de duas vezes mais do que para a hemoglobina do Hoplerythrinus.
A hemoglobina do Pseudodoras sp., um bagre da América do Sul: isolamento, caracterização e estudos dos ligantes
Authors: Martin Joseph P. , Fyhn Hans J. , Fyhn Unni E. H. , Garlick Robert L. , Nobie Robert W. , Powers Dennis A.
Published: June 2017

Resumo A hemoglobina do bagre da Amazônia Pseudodoras sp. foi isolada e caracterizada; ela compreende um componente único. A composição da subunidade da hemoglobina é similar à de outras hemoglobinas de teleósteos. O peso molecular nativo aparente determinado pela filtração em gel é 66.000. O peso molecular aparente da subunidade é 14,300 por eletroíorese de diodecil sulfato de sódio. A hemoglobina não polimeriza após a oxidação por ferricianeto de potássio. A hemoglobina não apresenta efeito Root. Um pequeno efeito Bohr é evidente na hemoglobina livre de fosíato: Δ log P1/2/Δ pH não é mais do que cerca de -0.1 a -0.2, e aumenta para Δ log P1/2/Δ pH= -0.4 na presença de 1 mM ATP. A cooperatividade determinada pelo n da equação de Hill é baixa, variando de 0.8 para 1.7, entre os pH 6.1 e 8.6. Os valores de P1/2 das soluções de hemoglobina fracionada são extremamente baixos, menos que 0,5mm Hg, em todos os valores de pH examinados entre 6,1 e 9,0, A alta afinidade do oxigênio é refletida principalmente na velocidade de combinação de CO, que se assemelha às encontradas nas mioglobinas e nas subunidades isoladas da hemoglobina humana. Tanto a velocidade da combinação de CO quanto a velocidade da dissociação de O2 determinada por espectrofotometria de "stopped flow", são sensíveis ao pH e ao fosfato. Entre os pH 6,2 e 8,1, a velocidade de COon aumenta cerca de 5 vezes na hemoglobina livre de fosfato. A adição de 1 mM ATP causa uma depressão na velocidade em todos os valores nos pH examinados. A velocidade de O2off diminui 7 vezes, desde pH 6,0 ao pH 8,2, nas soluções de hemoglobina fracionada. A adição de 1 mM ATP induz uma diminuição de 10 vezes através da mesma escala. Nos valores de pH abaixo de 6,0, ocorre uma depressão na velocidade de 02off na hemoblobina fracionada o que indica um efeito Bohr ácido.
Revisão das espécies brasileiras do gênero Rheedia L. (Guttiferae) ()
Authors: van den Berg Maria Elisabeth
Published: June 2017

Resumo Estudo taxonômico do gênero Rheedia L. no Brasil. : histórico, descrição do gênero, secções e oito espécies brasileiras, chave para separação entre as mesmas, sua sinonímia, distribuição geográfica e comentários críticos. Apresenta diagnose detalhada de R. albuquerquei van den Berg, endêmica na bacia do rio Negro, recentemente publicada em nota prévia. Inclui ilustrações de todas as espécies.
Trajectories of social participation in old age: a systematic literature review
Authors: Pinto Juliana Martins , Neri Anita Liberalesso
Published: June 2017

Abstract Objective: the present study aimed to identify patterns of social participation in old age and the theories used to explain them. Method: A systematic review was performed using the Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (MEDLINE / PUBMED), Scientific Electronic Library Online (Scielo) and Web of Science (ISI Web of Knowledge) databases. The keywords used were: social participation, social engagement, social involvement and social activities; combined with seniors, the elderly, older adults, older people and aging. Research was performed between January and February. Results: thirty-one longitudinal studies on social participation among old and healthy middle-aged adults were included for analysis. In three studies social engagement levels increased, especially at the beginning of old age (up to 75 years). Twenty-one studies presented results that described the reduction of social engagement levels in old age, and five studies found that there was no change in levels of social involvement. The most used theories were: the activity theory, the social disengagement theory, the continuity theory and the theory of socioemotional selectivity. Conclusion: the results point to the need for reflection on what is envisioned and what is practiced in terms of policies and practices aimed at achieving successful aging. Future attempts should include not only incentives to remain active, but a description of factors that influence the social disengagement associated with poor adaptation in old age.
Lack of accessibility in public transport and inadequacy of sidewalks: effects on the social participation of elderly persons with functional limitations
Authors: Santos Michelle Didone dos , Silva Marcela Fernandes , Velloza Leonardo Antunes , Pompeu José Eduardo
Published: June 2017

Abstract Objective: To analyze the association between the decline in the mobility of community dwelling elderly persons in São Paulo, Brazil and their capacity to use public transportation, and its impact on their quality of life and social participation. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted of 32 community dwelling elderly persons, of both genders (59% female), with an average age of 75.5 years (±9.2). The participants were evaluated by functional mobility, risk of falls, fear of falls and independence in activities of daily living. In addition, the perception of the elderly persons of their mobility on public transport and its impact on their social participation was evaluated. The elderly persons were divided into two groups: with mobility impairment and without mobility impairment. The groups were compared using the Fisher's Exact, Chi-Squared and Mann-Whitney tests, and the unpaired Student's t-test. An alpha level of 0.05 was adopted as a level of statistical significance. Result: Elderly persons with greater mobility impairment exhibited greater difficulty accessing public transport and a greater number of falls during their use of the same. Elderly persons who reported difficulty accessing public transport suffered greater impact on their social participation and quality of life. Conclusion: Elderly persons with greater mobility impairment had a greater number of complaints related to public transport. Additionally, they suffered a greater impact on their social participation, characterized by limitations in their capacity for independent movement around the city, limiting their social activities.
Feeding ecology of two sympatric species of large-sized groupers (Perciformes: Epinephelidae) on Southwestern Atlantic coralline reefs
Authors: Freitas Matheus O. , Abilhoa Vinicius , Spach Henry L. , Minte-Vera Carolina V. , Francini-Filho Ronaldo B. , Kaufman Les , Moura Rodrigo L.
Published: June 2017

ABSTRACT Red and black groupers are large-bodied opportunistic ambush predators commonly found in Southwestern Atlantic tropical reefs. We investigated the diet of both species in order to detail ontogenetic, spatial and temporal trends, and to assess the extent of overlap in resource use between these two sympatric predators on the Abrolhos Bank, Brazil. Decapods and fishes were the main food items of Epinephelus morio while fishes were the main prey of Mycteroperca bonaci. Both diets were significantly influenced by body size and habitat, but only smaller individuals of E. morio feed almost exclusively on crustaceans. While the two groupers rely on many of the same prey types, coexistence may be facilitated by E. morio feeding more heavily on crustaceans, particularly the blackpoint sculling crab Cronius ruber, while black grouper take comparatively few crustaceans but lots of fish prey. Predators like red and black groupers could trigger indirect effects in the community and influence a large range of ecological processes, such as linkages between top and intermediate predators, and intermediate predators and their resources.
A new genus of Neotropical rheophilic catfishes, with four new species (Teleostei: Siluriformes: Pseudopimelodidae)
Authors: Shibatta Oscar Akio , Vari Richard P.
Published: June 2017

ABSTRACT Rhyacoglanis, a new genus of the South American freshwater catfish family Pseudopimelodidae is described from cis-Andean portions of the continent. Rhyacoglanis is distinguished from other genera of the family by three synapomorphies: presence of a light blotch on the cheek; a connection between the middle of the dark caudal-fin stripe and the dark caudal-peduncle pigmentation; and 30-35 total vertebrae. Species of Rhyacoglanis are rheophilic and strongly associated with rapids and other swift-flowing waters. A phylogenetic analysis based on 41 morphological characters yields a hypothesis of monophyly of the Pseudopimelodidae and Rhyacoglanis. Pimelodus pulcher Boulenger, 1887, from the western Amazon basin is designated as type-species of the new genus and redescribed. Four new species are described: Rhyacoglanis annulatus, from the río Orinoco basin, with a nearly ringed dark band on the caudal peduncle, and a larger distance between anus and anal-fin origin; R. epiblepsis, from the rio Madeira basin, with numerous dark spots scattered on the body, and rounded caudal-fin lobes; R. paranensis, from the upper rio Paraná basin, with three distinct dark bands on the body, and 31-33 total vertebrae; and R. seminiger, from the rio Juruena basin, with subdorsal and subadipose dark bands fused anteroposteriorly, and a separate dark band on the caudal peduncle.
A new species of Astyanax (Ostariophysi: Characidae) from the headwaters of the arheic Río Sucuma, Catamarca, Northwestern Argentina
Authors: Terán Guillermo E. , Butí Cristina I. , Mirande J. Marcos
Published: June 2017

ABSTRACT A new species of Astyanax is described from the arheic system of Río Sucuma, in Catamarca, Northwestern Argentina. The new species is distinguished from its congeners by a combination of characters including the presence of a broad vertical humeral spot, absence of maxillary teeth, and absence of circuli in posterior field of scales. Furthermore, this species is distinguished by the orbital diameter, head length, branched anal-fin rays, perforated lateral-line scales, transverse scales, dentary teeth with abrupt decrease in size. This species is, to date, the single known fish endemic of Río Sucuma basin.
Viver Através de Projetos de Saúde: práticas de educação em saúde no Brasil
Authors: Melo Lucas Pereira de , Oliveira Ana Luiza de Oliveira e
Published: June 2017

Resumo: O objetivo deste ensaio é analisar os saberes e as práticas de educação em saúde no Brasil tomando como objeto sua emergência histórica na segunda década do século XX, como educação sanitária, e seus desdobramentos mais recentes. Tais saberes e práticas são analisados por meio dos conceitos de práticas discursivas e biopolítica de Michel Foucault. A discussão se inicia com a emergência da educação sanitária no Brasil nos anos 1920 e de suas práticas até a década de 1960, quando ocorre a mudança terminológica para educação em saúde. Por fim, abordam-se alguns dos desdobramentos hodiernos das práticas de educação em saúde e seus traços biopolíticos no contexto marcado pelas estratégias de reorientação do modelo de atenção à saúde no país.
Heterogeneidade na estrutura e diversidade de árvores de cabrucas no centro-sul do Estado da Bahia, Brasil
Authors: Guimarães Rui Barbosa Alves da Silva , Silva Paulo Sávio Damásio da , Corrêa Michele Martins
Published: June 2017

RESUMO O objetivo deste trabalho foi conhecer a diversidade arbórea de cabrucas de fazendas produtoras de cacau no centro-sul da Bahia e verificar se fatores como as áreas das propriedades e das cabrucas influenciam as comunidades arbóreas remanescentes. Foram encontrados 273 indivíduos, pertencentes a 55 espécies e 20 famílias, sendo que 89% das espécies e 73% dos indivíduos são nativos da região. Em média, por hectare, foram registrados 23 a 60 espécies arbóreas e 40 a 236 indivíduos. O índice de Shannon-Wiener (H') variou de 1,3 a 2,5 e o quociente de mistura de Jenstch resultou em uma proporção de dois indivíduos para cada espécie. As cabrucas estudadas apresentaram alta heterogeneidade. Contudo, a diversidade arbórea não foi correlacionada com a área total e nem com a área de cabruca nas propriedades. Nossos resultados indicam que as cabrucas são muito variáveis em densidade e diversidade e que o sistema de manejo realizado pelos proprietários das fazendas parece ser o fator que mais influencia os atributos da comunidade arbórea nestas agroflorestas.
Loss of toxicity by Pseudanabaena galeata in culture
Authors: Garcia Angelica Nunes , Pipole Fernando , Cunha Luciana Castro da , Elias Fabiana , Górniak Silvana Lima , Sant'Anna Célia Leite , Carvalho Luciana Retz de
Published: June 2017

ABSTRACT Pseudanabaena galeata, a well-known toxin-producer, is commonly found in water supplies. In order to assess potential risks associated with oral exposure to this cyanobacterium, mouse toxicological studies were carried out with the monoespecific strain P. galeata CCIBt 3082, which has been kept in culture since 1996. In our studies, the acute oral lethal dose has been estimated to be 5,000 mg kg-1 bw and, in the oral sub-chronic assays, the animals showed a decrease in weight and presented microscopic intestinal lesions, results that did not correspond to statements by other authors. In their studies, oral administration of the extract, whose acute lethal dose has been established to be 1,000 mg kg-1 bw, led to severe intoxication and promoted hepatic and renal lesions. Toxicity loss of this strain may be the result of reductive evolution that can occur in organisms that remain in static environments for long periods.
Atividade antimicrobiana e potencial terapêutico do gênero Lippia sensu lato (Verbenaceae)
Authors: Costa Patrícia Silva , Souza Elnatan Bezerra de , Brito Erika Helena Salles de , Fontenelle Raquel Oliveira dos Santos
Published: June 2017

RESUMO O crescente número de doenças infecciosas somado ao aumento contínuo da resistência antimicrobiana de determinados micro-organismos justificam a busca constante por novos fármacos. Diante dessa situação, os vegetais representam uma fonte rica de recursos bioativos de interesse farmacológico, dentre os quais a família Verbenaceae, que possui representantes com potencial já confirmados contra diversos agentes patogênicos, especialmente o gênero Lippia L., cujas espécies são muito utilizadas na medicina popular por possuírem propriedades anti-inflamatória, antifúngica, antisséptica, anti-hipertensiva, ansiolítica, anti-leishmania, antiviral, digestivas, entre outras aplicações. A presente revisão reúne informações acerca do potencial antimicrobiano das principais espécies do gênero Lippia, relacionando ao tipo de extrato, seus constituintes e a importância desse gênero dentro da prospecção de produtos naturais, bem como suas características fitoquímicas e biológicas.
Post-stroke psychosis: how long should we treat?
Authors: Ferreira Maria do Céu , Machado Célia , Santos Beatriz , Machado Álvaro
Published: June 2017

Abstract Objective: To describe a rare case of a patient who developed psychotic symptoms after a right stroke that disappeared with antipsychotic treatment, but appears to need low-dose maintenance antipsychotic therapy. Case description: A 65-year-old man presented at the psychiatric emergency service with a history of persistent delusional jealousy, visual illusions and agitation with onset about 1 month after a right posterior cerebral artery ischemic stroke. These symptoms only disappeared with therapeutic dosages of an antipsychotic drug (3 mg/day of risperidone). At 2-year follow-up, he no longer had delusional activity and the antipsychotic treatment was gradually discontinued over the following year. However, 1 week after full cessation, the patient once more became agitated and suspicious and was put back on risperidone at 0.25 mg/day, resulting in rapid clinical remission. One year after the return to low-dose risperidone, the patient's psychopathology is still under control and he is free from psychotic symptoms. Comments: Psychosis is a relatively rare complication after stroke. To our knowledge, no cases of post-stroke psychosis that apparently require continuous low-dose antipsychotic treatment have been reported to date. Our case suggests that low-dose maintenance antipsychotic therapy may be needed for certain patients with post-stroke psychosis, especially for those with risk factors and non-acute onset.
Social instigation and repeated aggressive confrontations in male Swiss mice: analysis of plasma corticosterone, CRF and BDNF levels in limbic brain areas
Authors: Fortes Paula Madeira , Albrechet-Souza Lucas , Vasconcelos Mailton , Ascoli Bruna Maria , Menegolla Ana Paula , de Almeida Rosa Maria M.
Published: June 2017

Abstract Introduction: Agonistic behaviors help to ensure survival, provide advantage in competition, and communicate social status. The resident-intruder paradigm, an animal model based on male intraspecific confrontations, can be an ethologically relevant tool to investigate the neurobiology of aggressive behavior. Objectives: To examine behavioral and neurobiological mechanisms of aggressive behavior in male Swiss mice exposed to repeated confrontations in the resident intruder paradigm. Methods: Behavioral analysis was performed in association with measurements of plasma corticosterone of mice repeatedly exposed to a potential rival nearby, but inaccessible (social instigation), or to 10 sessions of social instigation followed by direct aggressive encounters. Moreover, corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BNDF) were measured in the brain of these animals. Control mice were exposed to neither social instigation nor aggressive confrontations. Results: Mice exposed to aggressive confrontations exhibited a similar pattern of species-typical aggressive and non-aggressive behaviors on the first and the last session. Moreover, in contrast to social instigation only, repeated aggressive confrontations promoted an increase in plasma corticosterone. After 10 aggressive confrontation sessions, mice presented a non-significant trend toward reducing hippocampal levels of CRF, which inversely correlated with plasma corticosterone levels. Conversely, repeated sessions of social instigation or aggressive confrontation did not alter BDNF concentrations at the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. Conclusion: Exposure to repeated episodes of aggressive encounters did not promote habituation over time. Additionally, CRF seems to be involved in physiological responses to social stressors.
Numerical and experimental evaluation of masonry prisms by finite element method
Authors: SANTOS C. F.R. , ALVARENGA R. C. S. S. , RIBEIRO J. C. L. , CASTRO L. O , SILVA R. M. , SANTOS A.A.R. , NALON G. H.
Published: June 2017

Abstract This work developed experimental tests and numerical models able to represent the mechanical behavior of prisms made of ordinary and high strength concrete blocks. Experimental tests of prisms were performed and a detailed micro-modeling strategy was adopted for numerical analysis. In this modeling technique, each material (block and mortar) was represented by its own mechanical properties. The validation of numerical models was based on experimental results. It was found that the obtained numerical values of compressive strength and modulus of elasticity differ by 5% from the experimentally observed values. Moreover, mechanisms responsible for the rupture of the prisms were evaluated and compared to the behaviors observed in the tests and those described in the literature. Through experimental results it is possible to conclude that the numerical models have been able to represent both the mechanical properties and the mechanisms responsible for failure.
Strength evaluation of concrete corbels cast in a different stage from the column
Authors: ARAÚJO D. L. , AZEVEDO S. A. , MUNIZ E. D. , SILVA E. M O. , OLIVEIRA JÚNIOR L. A.
Published: June 2017

Abstract The design of a precast structural system requires joints between the structural elements, and concrete corbels are commonly used in the connection between beams and columns. Concrete corbels create an obstacle in the optimization of precast production, mainly of columns that have two or more concrete corbels in different faces. In these cases, the concrete corbels need to be manufactures in a different stage from the column, which requires attention to the interface between column and corbel, and some solution to ensure the continuity of the main tie reinforcement. For this paper, tests were conducted along with analytical and computational modeling of five concrete corbels models: one monolithic model and four where the corbels are manufactured in a different stage from the column. Results show the failure mode, the interface gap opening and the accuracy of the analytical and computational predictions. It was observed that the concrete corbels with bent main tie reinforcement displayed the largest gap-opening at the interface and that the computational modeling represented the strength of the monolithic concrete corbel better than the design code models.
Structure and properties of silver phosphate glasses doped with copper oxide nanoparticles
Authors: Choudhary Bhasker P , Rai Sarita , Singh Nakshatra B
Published: June 2017

Copper oxide nanoparticle-doped silver phosphate glasses were prepared by the melt quench technique. X-ray powder diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy techniques were used to study the structural and morphological changes. Electrical conductivity, dielectric constant and dielectric loss were measured at different temperatures and frequencies. Additions of copper oxide nanoparticles in silver phosphate glass network reduced the activation energy for conduction. Differential scanning calorimetry studies showed an improvement in the stability of the silver phosphate glass network by the incorporation of copper oxide nanoparticles.
Effect of PLLA coating on corrosion and biocompatibility of zinc in vascular environment
Authors: Shomali Avishan Arab , Guillory Roger J , Seguin Daniel , Goldman Jeremy , Drelich Jaroslaw W
Published: June 2017

Zinc (Zn) has recently been introduced as a promising new metal candidate for biodegradable vascular stent applications with a favorable degradation rate and biocompatibility. Corrosion-resistant metal stents are often coated with drug-eluting polymer layers to inhibit harmful biological responses. Here, the authors aimed to investigate the interaction between biodegradable zinc metal and a conventional biodegradable polymer coating. Zinc wires with a diameter of 0·25 mm were surface-modified using 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate (MPS) and then coated with a 1–12 μm film of poly(l-lactic acid) (PLLA). The corrosion behavior of PLLA/MPS-coated zinc wires was studied in simulated body fluid using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. An increase in the impedance from <1000 to >15 000 Ω cm2 was recorded for the zinc wires after being coated with PLLA. The PLLA/MPS-coated zinc specimens were implanted into the abdominal rat aorta to assess their biodegradation and biocompatibility compared to uncoated zinc wires. PLLA/MPS-coated wires corroded at approximately half the rate of unmodified zinc during the first 4·5 months. A histological analysis of the biological tissue surrounding the zinc implants revealed a reduction in the biocompatibility of the polymer-coated samples, as indicated by increasing cell toxicity and neointimal hyperplasia.
A Price-Differentiation Model of the Interbank Market and Its Application to a Financial Crisis
Authors: Kim Kyungmin
Published: June 2017

Rate curves for overnight loans between bank pairs, as functions of loan values, can be used to infer valuation of reserves by banks. The inferred valuation can be used to interpret shifts in rate curves between bank pairs, for example, in response to a financial crisis. This paper proposes a model of lending by a small bank to a large monopolistic bank to generate a tractable rate curve. An explicit calibration procedure for model parameters is developed and applied to a dataset from Mexico around the 2008 financial crisis. During the crisis, relatively small banks were lending to large banks at lower rates than usual, and the calibration suggests that a broad decline in valuation of reserves is responsible for this outcome, rather than a general increase in the supply of lending or compositional effects.
Ponteando opostos e especulando ideia: Riobaldo e a angústia da falta de sentido
Authors: Soares Claudia Campos
Published: June 2017

Riobaldo, o narrador-protagonista de Grande sertão: veredas, é um homem perturbado por lembranças de um passado que não compreende. Tendo vivido na juventude experiências cujo sentido não consegue alcançar, dedica-se agora, na velhice, a procurar, para elas, explicações tranquilizadoras. Riobaldo busca verdades e certezas, entretanto o seu “gosto de especular ideia”, para usar suas próprias palavras, cria muitas dificuldades ao cumprimento desse objetivo. Acompanhando o curso das reflexões do ex-jagunço, pode-se perceber que uma das coisas que “especular ideia” significa é problematizar, uma por uma, todas as proposições alcançadas em cada momento da reflexão no instante mesmo em que se propõem, instaurando um processo de mudança incessante que impede a fixação de qualquer sentido último. Contribui, também, na construção desse efeito de indeterminação de sentidos a intensa utilização de paradoxos no livro. Para o desenvolvimento dessa questão, discutiu-se alguns aspectos da complexa relação entre liberdade, destino e acaso que se dá em Grande sertão: veredas.
The Rearticulation of Formal Sediments in Guimarães Rosas’s Literary Discourse
Authors: Schaefer Sérgio
Published: June 2017

This article aims at analysing both the esthetical form and the rearticulation of its internal sediments as proposed by João Guimarães Rosa in his literary works. The analysis’ theoretical support is based on Theodor W. Adorno’s Teoria Estética. The broad objective of this study is to show that Rosa’s esthetical formalization is a call for changing. At the end of the article, a brief comparative study is made between Guimarães Rosa’s and Dostoievski’s calls for changing. Accordingly, some of the main issues of Bakthin’s theories about the works of the Russian writer will be reminded of and some of the main differences and similarities between Rosa’s and Dostoievski’s formal rearticulations will be pointed out.
EXPLORING SPATIAL PATTERNS OF URBAN BROWNFIELDS: THE CASE OF DAUGAVPILS CITY
Authors: Smoļakova Anastasija
Published: June 2017

Deindustrialization has been an important process in transforming the urban regions in Central and Eastern Europe. In Daugavpils, there is a long history of industry dated back to the 19th century. The massive deindustrialization of the 1990s caused increased concentrations of brownfield localities within the city. Previous studies have demonstrated that the geographic location of urban brownfields is an important factor affecting brownfields regeneration. The aim of the current study is to explore the characteristics of the brownfield sites and their spatial patterns in the city of Daugavpils. The analysis is based on a data obtained during the fieldwork. The results presented in this paper depends on survey of 61 brownfield sites in Daugavpils. Majority of local brownfields are abandoned buildings previously used for industrial and commercial activities and unevenly distributed within the city. Higher number of brownfield regeneration have been detected in densely built-up areas close to the inner-city areas, while lower rates were found for areas with low population density at the periphery of the city. The findings also suggest that urban brownfield regeneration increases the attractiveness and livability of a particular locality.
COMPARISON OF DIFFERENT FUZZY AHP METHODOLOGIES IN RISK ASSESSMENT
Authors: Radionovs Andrejs , Uzhga-Rebrov Oleg
Published: June 2017

Being able to evaluate risks is an important task in many areas of human activity: economics, ecology, etc. Usually, environmental risk assessment is carried out on the basis of multiple and sometimes conflicting factors. Using multiple criteria decision-making (MCDM) methodology is one of the possible ways to solve the problem. Methodologies of analytic hierarchy process (AHP) are the most commonly used MCDM methods, which combine subjective and personal preferences in risk assessment process. However, AHP involves human subjectivity, which introduces vagueness type of uncertainty and requires the usage of decision making under those uncertainties. In this paper it was considered to deal with uncertainty by using the fuzzy-based techniques. However, nowadays there exist multiple Fuzzy AHP methodologies developed by different authors. In this paper, these Fuzzy AHP methodologies will be compared, and the most appropriate Fuzzy AHP methodology for the application in case of environmental risks assessment will be offered on the basis of this comparison.
VARIOUS ASPECTS OF INTELLIGENT COLLABORATIVE EDUCATIONAL SYSTEMS
Authors: Katalnikova Sabina , Novickis Leonids
Published: June 2017

In connection with the transition to a knowledge-based economy, at a time when a key factor in the development of society is the accumulated human knowledge and skills, as well as the availability of a wide range of users, intelligent systems are becoming very popular. Accordingly, the demand of the ergonomic and effective means of designing this class system is growing as well. The most time-consuming and most important stage of intelligent system development is the formation of the system knowledge base which ultimately determines the efficiency and quality of the entire intelligent system. Knowledge representation and processing models and methods as well as the intelligent system development techniques operating on the basis of these methods and models have a crucial role in relation to this.

The article explores the different aspects of intelligent collaborative educational systems, describes the overall structure of an intelligent collaborative educational system and reflects the different steps of development the system.
ONTOLOGY-BASED SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT FOR MEDICAL DATABASE ACCESS
Authors: Gorskis Henrihs , Aleksejeva Ludmila , Polaka Inese
Published: June 2017

Medical research is a complex multi-disciplinary task involving specialists from different fields and professions, not only medical professionals. Medical databases are structured by information technology experts, but the contents must be tailored to the medical field. When the medical staff defines the information they use, terminology from their particular field of expertise is employed. This leads to misunderstandings between the maintainers and developers of information technology solutions, and the users of those solutions. When the time comes that a user, who is a medical professional, requires very specific data from the database, the chance of obtaining the data incorrectly is very high. By defining specific concepts and relationships between the data, in an explicit shared specification, some of the above problems can be avoided. The developed ontology-based data access system, described in this paper, provides a tool to store, manage and use definitions of common terminology and their mappings to the database. It is also capable of reasoning about the relationships between terms and indicates inconsistencies of term definitions, if any are present. By defining these interconnected terms in the ontology and by working through the system, all experts and software tools, who use the data, are able to use and reuse these terms to obtain data in a reliable and predefined way. This paper discusses the development and implementation of the ontology-based data access system, the ontology describing the medical data and the data mapping system, linking data from the database to concepts and virtual ontology individuals.
SPURIOUS ACTIVATION ASSESSMENT OF THERMAL POWER PLANT’S SAFETY-INSTRUMENTED SYSTEMS
Authors: Trashchenkov Sergei , Astapov Victor
Published: June 2017

Safety-instrumented systems (also called technological protections) play the significant role in prevention and mitigating of major accidents that can occur on thermal power plant. Activations of safety-instrumented system turn the power unit into safe state by shutting it down or reducing it productivity. The power generation process operates continuously. Any unplanned outage of generation equipment leads to undersupply of energy and big commercial losses to generation company. In Russia the values of allowed spurious trip rate for safety-instrumented systems are set by regulatory agency. These values are strict to all technological protections and do not take into account the differences in amounts of losses. This paper presents more flexible approach based on the Farmer’s risk criterion. Also risk reduction factor for spurious activation is proposed.
FORMING AND OVERLAPPING MICRORELIEFS IN SLIDING CONTACT SIMULATION MODEL
Authors: Ilyin Alexander , Plokhov Igor , Savraev Igor , Kozyreva Oksana , Kotkov Nikita
Published: June 2017

Sliding contacts are widely used in electrical machines despite the trend towards non-contact methods of the electrical current transfer. In some cases, using of brush-contact devices is indispensable due to low cost and continuity of operations. One of methods to improve reliability of sliding contact is simulation modeling. This approach can significantly reduce the amount of expensive practical experiments in the study of different contact pairs characteristics.

The paper introduces and describes a few new algorithms for simulation model of sliding contact which allow to improve precision and take into account more physical processes occurring in contact transient layer.
THE IMPACT OF HARVESTER CALIBRATION ON THE ACCURACY OF BIRCH VENEER LOGS MEASUREMENTS BY MEASURING DIAMETER IN SHORT INTERVALS USING ELECTRONIC 3D SYSTEMS
Authors: Miklašēvičs Ziedonis
Published: June 2017

Accurate calibration of the harvester head relies on accurate manual log measurements. According to the recommended calibration procedures as proposed by the harvester manufacturer the differences between the volume measurements from harvester measurement system and the caliper-and-tape system must be within ± 3% and harvester diameter measurements within ± 6mm of manual measurements in 80% cases.

Requirements in Latvia stipulate that total volume measurement accuracy levels must be within ± 5% of actual volume if veneer or birch logs are being harvested, ± 3% if saw logs are being harvested and ± 10% if pulp wood or fire wood are being harvested.

The purpose of this study is to assess the impact of harvester calibration on the accuracy of birch veneer logs measurements by Measuring Diameter in Short Intervals using electronic 3D systems when different double bark volume determination algorithm are used in harvester and stacionar measurement system. The research was carried out in December 2016 in the region Latgale in Latvia. The wood felling area was chosen - Mercurialiosa mel. For volume estimation the sequent measurement equipment were applied: harvester Ponsse ERGO 8W, harvester information system Opti 4G and electronic 3D scanner system Elmes 3600.

The research is a continuation to the work done in the project „Harmonisation of piece-by-piece measurement methods of roundwood approved by Standard LVS 82:2003 „Apaļo kokmateriālu uzmērīšana” [6], the project “Harmonization of piece-by-piece measurement methods in all stages of roundwood manufacturing processes” [7] and the project "Investigation and evaluation of the methodology of determination of solid volume according to the stacked volume on roadside and in forwarder loads for logistics purposes in LATVIA" [8].
STEAM EXPLOSION AS A PRE-TREATMENT METHOD FOR BIO-REFINED HYBRID ASPEN LIGNOCELLULOSE
Authors: Reinerte Sanita , Andzs Martins , Tupciauskas Ramunas , Veveris Andris , Gravitis Janis
Published: June 2017

Steam explosion (SE) is a well renowned pre-treatment method used for bio-refined material synthesis due to its simplicity in machinery and efficiency in resource and energy use in creation of high-value products. Used for separation of lignocellulose originated from wood and other sources, current research in wood-based lignocellulose has mainly focused in separation of wood fractions from commonly grown tree species. Scientific studies are needed for better understanding of common tree species to generate new possible products, e.g., bio-based composite materials. Commercially grown hybrid aspen (Populus tremuloides x Populus tremula) was pre-treated by SE to obtain a nano-level structured cellulose and lignin for bio-based composite materials. The results present a yield of extracted cellulose and lignin depending on SE conditions (severity factor) and subsequent water/alkaline extraction. Extractions have been executed with and without heat treatment. The research reveals a positive correlation between the yield of extracted lignin and SE severity factor, and a negative correlation for SE cellulose. The study concludes that SE hybrid aspen is proving to be a promising source for extraction of cellulose and lignin for bio-based composite materials.
GENU RECURVATUM as a late complication of femoral fracture in children
Authors: Kuzmin Vadim P. , Tarasov Sergei O.
Published: June 2017

Genu recurvatum is an uncommon condition in children. Occasionally, it may occur as a late complication of femoral shaft fracture. There are studies that describe the possibility of genu recurvatum occurrence due to the tibial pin traction and without tibial tuberosity pinning. The primary traumatic reasons are Salter – Harris V-type fractures of the tibial tuberosity and tuberosity avulsion. Our case of genu recurvatum occurrence in an 8-year-old girl with femoral shaft fracture 3 years after trauma confirms the importance of this complication. We believe that the etiology of tibial physeal closure and genu recurvatum after femoral fracture in children is unclear. It seems that identifying one cause for this serious complication in all cases is not possible. However, for complete elimination of iatrogenic factors, we recommend not to put the wire through tibial tuberosity in cases where traction is necessary.
Poland’s syndrome
Authors: Agranovich Olga E. , Komolkin Igor A. , Dimitrieva Alyona Ju.
Published: June 2017

Poland’s syndrome is a rare congenital condition classically characterized by partial or complete absence of chest muscles on one side of the body and usually webbing of the fingers of the hand on the same side. There may also be rib (aplasia or hypoplasia) and chest bone abnormalities, which may be noticeable due to less fat under the skin. Breast and nipple abnormalities may also occur, and underarm hair is sometimes sparse or abnormally placed. In most cases, the abnormalities in the chest area do not cause health problems or affect movement. Poland’s syndrome most often affects the right side of the body and occurs more frequently in males than in females. The etiology is unknown; however, interruption of the embryonic blood supply to the arteries that lie under the collarbone (subclavian arteries) is the prevailing theory. There are many methods of operative correction because of the polymorphic clinical features of this syndrome. We gathered data on the etiology, pathogenesis, and clinical presentation of Poland’s syndrome and reviewed the existing surgical treatment options.
Numerical Solution of Nonlinear Volterra-Fredholm Integral Equations Using Haar Wavelet Collocation Method
Authors: Shiralashetti S.C. , Mundewadi R.A.
Published: June 2017

In this paper, we present a numerical solution of nonlinear Volterra-Fredholm integral equations using Haar wavelet collocation method. Properties of Haar wavelet and its operational matrices are utilized to convert the integral equation into a system of algebraic equations, solving these equations using MATLAB to compute the Haar coefficients. The numerical results are compared with exact and existing method through error analysis, which shows the efficiency of the technique.
The deviant body in neo-Victorian literature: a somatechnical reading of the freak in Rosie Garland’s "The palace of curiosities" (2013)
Authors: Pettersson Lin Elinor
Published: June 2017

The contemporary fascination with historical, social and literary representations of the deviant body calls for new understandings of corporeality that question the body as a purely biological entity, and invites readings of corporeality as culturally inflected. The present article explores neo-Victorian enfreakment through the lens of “somatechnics” reading “[e]mbodiment as the incarnation or materialisation of historically and culturally specific discourses and practises” (Sullivan and Murray 2014: 3). I will apply the concept of somatechnics to (neo-)Victorian enfreakment practises drawing on scholars as Bordo (1993), Grosz (1994), Sullivan and Murray (2014) who, among others, have challenged the binary split between the mind and body, and argued for the social construction of embodied subjectivities. Although the body’s physical materiality is irreducible, the body is always invested, shaped and transformed by external forces, or “technologies of power” as denominated by Foucault (2003a). I seek to address the human exhibit in Rosie Garland’s The Palace of Curiosities (2013) to examine neo-Victorian reinventions of the divergent body. With this objective in mind, I will analyse how the neo-Victorian mode interlocks the Victorian freak-show discourse with the reader perspective to bring subjective responses to corporeality, humanity and normativity to the forefront, and in doing so, turns an exploitative space as the freak show into a site of self-reliance, self-expression and even fulfilment.
The poetics of the river in Indian literature in English
Authors: Escobedo de Tapia Carmen , Mena González Ángela
Published: June 2017

Water is a natural element that has been universally and religiously recognized as a purifying natural symbol. In India this element acquires special significance from a literary perspective, from poetry to narrative. In a current world that appears to be devoid of spiritual values, where technological modernity is an integral part of our daily experience, it seems necessary to rediscover and recover old sacred values that acquire significant meaning as explained under the eye of an eco-spiritual approach to several examples taken from the corpus of Indian writing in English. In the midst of a world that has turned into a globalised village with hardly any cultural differences, proud as we are of our age of information and communication, it seems necessary to bring forward forgotten values essential to human beings. In Indian writing they can be identified by the symbol of water and the image of the river.
Introduction to 2017-2
Authors: Hvid Helge
Published: June 2017

This issue contains six articles and two commentaries. The scientific content and perspectives of the articles are presented in the abstracts of each article. Here, on the basis of my own subjective assessment, I will present some broader societal perspectives presented in the eight contributions. (...)
Paid Sick Leave as a Means to Reduce Sickness Presenteeism Among Physicians
Authors: Rostad Ingrid Steen , Fridner Ann , Sendén Marie Gustafsson , Løvseth Lise Tevik
Published: June 2017

Recurrent international data show that physicians often attend work while ill, termed sickness presenteeism. The current study investigated if sickness presenteeism scores among European physicians varied according to national paid sick leave legislation. We hypothesized that prevalence of presenteeism was higher in countries with lower levels of paid sick leave. We used repeated cross-sectional survey data, phase I (2004/2005, N = 1326) and phase II (2012/2013, N = 1403), among senior consultants at university hospitals in Sweden, Norway, and Italy. Analyses of variances assessed cross-country differences in presenteeism. To assess the impact of country on presenteeism, we used multiple regression analyses controlled for sex, age, family status, work hours, and work content. The results from phase I supported the initial hypothesis. At phase II, presenteeism scores had decreased among the Italian and Swedish sample. The results are discussed with regard to changes in legislation on workhours and medical liability in Italy and Sweden between phase I and II.