bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cooperación para el desarrollo en tiempos de internacionalismo: los hombres nuevos de Machel
Authors: Guerra Hernández Héctor
Published: September 2012

Entre 1979 y la desaparición de la RDA, en 1990, el gobierno de Mozambique promovió la migración de miles de mozambiqueños para la Alemania del Este. Algunos autores alemanes argumentan que el principal propósito de la élite mozambiqueña, con esta migración, era amortizar los gravámenes de la deuda contraída con la RDA. Más allá de contemporizar o no con esta tesis economicista sobre las motivaciones para el envío de mano de obra mozambiqueña para las fábricas alemanas, lo que me propongo aquí es reflexionar en torno al impacto subjetivo que va a tener esta relación contractual asimétrica, en la formación de estos jóvenes mozambiqueños, conocidos hoy como "Magermane", sobre todo en miras a entender diversos aspectos de sus prácticas y representaciones políticas, en la actualidad. El propósito de esta reflexión, es esbozar un proceso de individuación - peculiar y contradictorio - en estos ex-trabajadores mozambiqueños a partir de su experiencia en Alemania. Un proceso que exaltó siempre su "racionalidad cientificista" como el camino acertado para la producción de los hombres nuevos, es decir de los sujetos sociales imprescindibles para el desarrollo de un país recién liberado de su dependencia colonial. Estos hombres nuevos, idealizados por Machel, estos "filhos de Machel", como suelen autodenominarse en la actualidad, marcan su presencia en el contexto mozambiqueño como un remanente no deseado, como una figura incómoda, sobre todo para la élite gobernante, pues actúan como un dispositivo de memoria que les recuerda una época abarrotada de discursos bien intencionados y utopías de desarrollo triunfalistas, que al final sólo beneficiaron a unos pocos. Sin embargo y al mismo tiempo, llaman la atención en la población pues se configuran como sujetos autoreferenciados, cuando de ciudadanía, derechos y justicia se trata.
Encounter and engagement: negotiating otherness in the Dutch Protestant development cooperation network in Brazil
Authors: Rickli João
Published: September 2012

This article investigates encounters occurring in the development cooperation network facilitated by two Dutch Protestant agencies - ICCO and KiA - in Brazil, focusing on the process of negotiating otherness inherent to development initiatives. The text is based on multi-sited ethnographical research conducted in Brazil and in the Netherlands. In its first section, the text introduces the two organisations, highlighting the overlap between religious and secular moralities in their discourses and practices. The second section describes a meeting they promoted with their partners in Brazil, analysing how a grammar of difference is mobilised by the actors to make sense of the world and of the "far-away" other, creating what could be called cosmologies of development cooperation. The text focuses mainly on how concrete interactions influence these cosmologies, actualising, reproducing or contesting them in practice.
Biopolítica, indústria farmacêutica e medicalização: construções de formas simbólicas sobre a influenza A (H1N1)
Authors: Corrêa Guilherme , Roso Adriane
Published: September 2012

A presente pesquisa teve como objetivo analisar como a biopolítica perpassa os discursos midiáticos de um jornal de circulação na região central do estado do Rio Grande do Sul sobre Gripe A (H1N1), buscando tornar visível como as práticas institucionais e discursivas atravessam e constituem os sujeitos. Neste estudo apresentamos a parte da pesquisa que se refere aos desdobramentos da biopolítica referentes à indústria farmacêutica e medicalização. Sob uma perspectiva cartográfica, foram analisadas um total de 291 reportagens veiculadas durante o mês de julho de 2009. Como resultado da pesquisa, pode-se observar a influência que as mídias de massa e as elites simbólicas exercem sobre os sujeitos devido às construções de material simbólico, que acabam por surtir efeito não só nos corpos dos sujeitos, mas nas dinâmicas das populações.
Nós e linhas: pesquisando a relação família-equipe
Authors: Romagnoli Roberta Carvalho , Magnani Nina Rosa
Published: September 2012

Esse texto apresenta os resultados parciais da pesquisa-intervenção financiada pela FAPEMIG, que tem como objetivo problematizar as relações no território equipe-família, evidenciando o que dificulta a participação da família no tratamento das crianças atendidas no Centro Psicopedagógico Renato de Avelar Azeredo - CPP - de Nova Lima, como demanda da equipe de profissionais. Nesse contexto, examina o percurso trilhado com a equipe de profissionais, refletindo acerca de nossas intervenções como um intercessor para a criação de outra relação com esses grupos. Para tal, utiliza um caso clínico analisado em seus movimentos e vetores, perseguindo as linhas ora estratificadas, ora inventivas, que atravessam esse plano de forças. Embora a terapia familiar seja somente uma forma de se trabalhar com famílias, concluímos que o processo promoveu efeitos potencializadores na equipe, gerando outra forma de se conectar com esses grupos.
Grupos de saúde mental na atenção primária à saúde
Authors: Minozzo Fabiane , Kammzetser Christiane Silveira , Debastiani Cinara , Fait Cláudia Sedano , Paulon Simone Mainieri
Published: September 2012

Trata-se de uma pesquisa qualitativa, do tipo pesquisa-intervenção, realizada em duas equipes de Atenção Primária à Saúde que objetivou analisar as práticas de cuidado desenvolvidas nos grupos de saúde mental e a sua correspondência com os processos de desinstitucionalização da loucura, inscritos na reforma psiquiátrica brasileira. Utilizou como métodos de investigação: intervenções nos grupos de saúde mental, entrevistas semiestruturadas, oficinas com os profissionais das equipes e diário de campo. Os resultados apontaram para uma compreensão do grupo de saúde mental como dispositivo desinstitucionalizante quando este se constitui em um espaço de cuidado psicossocial, utiliza-se da rede de saúde, dos recursos do território, da ampliação dos laços sociais e permite aos participantes perceberem-se sujeitos protagonistas de suas vidas. Também indicaram a coexistência dos modos de atenção asilar e psicossocial nas práticas dos profissionais. Como estratégias para o fortalecimento da atenção psicossocial foram indicadas a educação permanente e as trocas multiprofissionais.
Causalidade, descontínuo, dor: caminhos da bala perdida e da mega-sena
Authors: Naves José Otávio Vasconcellos , Souza Mériti de
Published: September 2012

A lógica formal configura modelos adstritos ao conhecer e ao subjetivar calcados nas concepções de substância, verdade e causalidade linear e contínua. Neste artigo a "mega sena", a "bala perdida" e a dor são entendidas como expressões do descontínuo e do "acaso", bem como, da causalidade não restrita à relação imediata estabelecida entre a intencionalidade do sujeito presentificada na causa e no efeito. O imprevisível e o descontínuo possibilitam problematizar a lógica não causal e o estatuto do denominado efeito, ampliando o trabalho na escuta da dor e na prática terapêutica.
O corpo da mulher contemporânea em revista
Authors: Nascimento Christiane Moura , Próchno Caio César Souza Camargo , Silva Luiz Carlos Avelino da
Published: September 2012

O corpo emergiu como "o mais belo objeto" na contemporaneidade, sob a regência do capitalismo. A sociedade de consumo, do espetáculo, do narcisismo são expressões da cultura contemporânea, que através da mídia influencia os hábitos de consumo e principalmente a subjetividade feminina. O corpo feminino é mostrado frequentemente na televisão e nas revistas femininas, como expressão do corpo-beleza. Para atingir os objetivos propostos neste artigo, que são investigar a influência da mídia na subjetividade feminina e investigar o lugar cultural criado à mulher e a seu corpo na contemporaneidade, foi utilizado o "método investigativo" da psicanálise. Uma revista feminina brasileira e uma propaganda (desta revista) de um produto de uso exclusivo das mulheres foram escolhidas como objeto. Na análise, encontrou-se uma forte relação entre mercado consumidor, mulher, e consumo de si, o que demonstrou que o lugar criado à mulher é realmente a mídia, a publicidade e o mercado consumidor.
Letramento: um fenômeno plural
Authors: Silva Elizabeth Maria da , Araújo Denise Lino de
Published: September 2012

Este artigo tem como principal objetivo discutir três abordagens de letramento: crítica (BARTON; HAMILTON, 2000, GEE, 2000), sociopragmática (MEY, 2001) e sociorretórica (BAZERMAN, 2007). A partir dessa discussão, é possível verificar que os defensores dessas abordagens, embora utilizem nomenclaturas distintas e enfatizem aspectos diferentes, partilham de um mesmo princípio - tanto o fator social quanto o individual parecem interferir na configuração das práticas letradas demonstradas pelos sujeitos.
Desdobramentos recentes da educação inclusiva no Brasil: discursos e práticas de letramento
Authors: Sato Denise Tamaê Borges , Magalhães Izabel , Batista Júnior José Ribamar Lopes
Published: September 2012

A oferta da educação para pessoas com deficiência sofreu modificações significativas no contexto social brasileiro. Desse contexto de transformações, surgiram os projetos integrados "Discursos, Identidades e Práticas de Letramento no Ensino Especial" e "Múltiplos Letramentos, Identidades e Interdisciplinaridades no Atendimento Educacional à Pessoa Deficiente", em que se aliou a pesquisa etnográfica à Análise de Discurso Crítica e aos Novos Estudos do Letramento para examinar discursos e identidades profissionais que emergem desse contexto.¹ Ao longo de cinco anos de investigação, os resultados sugerem que as identidades de professores e professoras são levadas à transformação como parte de um processo criado pela formação inadequada nos níveis iniciais para atuação no Ensino Especial, bem como pela tentativa de suprir lacunas por meio de seus letramentos diários e pedagógicos.
Atividades de leitura em livros didáticos de inglês: PCN, letramento crítico e o panorama atual
Authors: Tilio Rogério
Published: September 2012

No componente curricular língua estrangeira, uma das orientações mais controversas nos PCN EFII é o incentivo ao foco no ensino de leitura. Passados mais de dez anos da publicação dos PCN, este trabalho analisa um livro didático de uma das duas únicas coleções didáticas aprovadas pelo PNLD 2011 para o ensino de inglês no segundo segmento do Ensino Fundamental, buscando entender como este livro aborda o ensino de leitura. Antes da análise proposta, é preciso não apenas discutir o discurso dos PCN e das leituras que deles vêm sendo feitas, mas também o conceito de letramento crítico, e os critérios do PNLD 2011 para a abordagem de leitura. Como a análise será feita com vistas ao letramento crítico, serão consideradas como categorias os tópicos abordados pelos textos, o trabalho com gêneros discursivos e a natureza das atividades propostas. A análise buscará discutir como os textos e atividades de leitura dialogam com os pressupostos teóricos dos PCN e do PNLD 2011.
New numerical scheme in the finite-element method for evaluating the root-reinforcement effect on soil slope stability
Authors: TIWARI R.C. , BHANDARY N.P. , YATABE R. , BHAT D.R.
Published: September 2012

A new numerical scheme in the finite-element method was used to simulate both the progressive nature of failure and the interaction of the soil–root matrix continuum under dry and fully saturated conditions. Computations suggested that a certain range of root area ratio (the effective RAR range, or ERAR range) should be identified for a given slope geometry, vegetation type and maturity period. The ERAR range represents all the RARs that impart a factor of safety (FOS) greater than or equal to a particular FOS (the benchmark FOS). The benchmark BMFOS is the anticipated FOS, depending on factors such as demographic distribution and proximity to utilities. Beyond the ERAR range, vegetation does not impart stability to the slope. Theoretically, higher ranges of RAR beyond the ERAR range (the ineffective RAR range) can cause slope failure. This new numerical scheme evaluates the root-reinforcement effect on slope stability. This information is useful for analysing, designing and implementing soil-bioengineering slopes.
Dialysis Dose Scaled to Body Surface Area and Size-Adjusted, Sex-Specific Patient Mortality
Authors: Ramirez Sylvia Paz B. , Kapke Alissa , Port Friedrich K. , Wolfe Robert A. , Saran Rajiv , Pearson Jeffrey , Hirth Richard A. , Messana Joseph M. , Daugirdas John T.
Published: September 2012

Background and objectives

When hemodialysis dose is scaled to body water (V), women typically receive a greater dose than men, but their survival is not better given a similar dose. This study sought to determine whether rescaling dose to body surface area (SA) might reveal different associations among dose, sex, and mortality.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements

Single-pool Kt/V (spKt/V), equilibrated Kt/V, and standard Kt/V (stdKt/V) were computed using urea kinetic modeling on a prevalent cohort of 7229 patients undergoing thrice-weekly hemodialysis. Data were obtained from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services 2008 ESRD Clinical Performance Measures Project. SA-normalized stdKt/V (SAN-stdKt/V) was calculated as stdKt/V × ratio of anthropometric volume to SA/17.5. Patients were grouped into sex-specific dose quintiles (reference: quintile 1 for men). Adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) for 1-year mortality were calculated using Cox regression.

Results

spKt/V was higher in women (1.7±0.3) than in men (1.5±0.2; P<0.001), but SAN-stdKt/V was lower (women: 2.3±0.2; men: 2.5±0.3; P<0.001). For both sexes, mortality decreased as spKt/V increased, until spKt/V was 1.6–1.7 (quintile 4 for men: HR, 0.62; quintile 3 for women: HR, 0.64); no benefit was observed with higher spKt/V. HR for mortality decreased further at higher SAN-stdKt/V in both sexes (quintile 5 for men: HR, 0.69; quintile 5 for women: HR, 0.60).

Conclusions

SA-based dialysis dose results in dose-mortality relationships substantially different from those with volume-based dosing. SAN-stdKt/V analyses suggest women may be relatively underdosed when treated by V-based dosing. SAN-stdKt/V as a measure for dialysis dose may warrant further study.
Association of Postoperative Proteinuria with AKI after Cardiac Surgery among Patients at High Risk
Authors: Molnar Amber O. , Parikh Chirag R. , Sint Kyaw , Coca Steven G. , Koyner Jay , Patel Uptal D. , Butrymowicz Isabel , Shlipak Michael , Garg Amit X.
Published: September 2012

Background and objectives

Preoperative proteinuria is associated with a higher incidence of postoperative AKI. Whether the same is true for postoperative proteinuria is uncertain. This study tested the hypothesis that increased proteinuria after cardiac surgery is associated with an increased risk for AKI.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements

This prospective cohort study included 1198 adults undergoing cardiac surgery at six hospitals between July 2007 and December 2009. Albuminuria, urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR), and dipstick proteinuria were measured 0–6 hours after surgery. The primary outcome was AKI, defined as a doubling in serum creatinine or receipt of acute dialysis during the hospital stay. Analyses were adjusted for patient characteristics, including preoperative albuminuria.

Results

Compared with the lowest quintile, the highest quintile of albuminuria and highest grouping of dipstick proteinuria were associated with greatest risk for AKI (adjusted relative risks [RRs], 2.97 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.20–6.91] and 2.46 [95% CI, 1.16–4.97], respectively). Higher ACR was not associated with AKI risk (highest quintile RR, 1.66 [95% CI, 0.68–3.90]). Of the three proteinuria measures, early postoperative albuminuria improved the prediction of AKI to the greatest degree (clinical model area under the curve, 0.75; 0.81 with albuminuria). Similar improvements with albuminuria were seen for net reclassification index (0.55; P<0.001) and integrated discrimination index (0.036; P<0.001).

Conclusions

Higher levels of proteinuria after cardiac surgery identify patients at increased risk for AKI during their hospital stay.
Investigation of Wear Resistant of Low-Alloyed and Chromium Cast Steel
Authors: Studnicki A. , Szajnar J.
Published: September 2012

Investigation of Wear Resistant of Low-Alloyed and Chromium Cast Steel

Results of investigations of wear resistant of two species of cast steel were introduced in the article (low-alloyed and chromium cast steel) on the background of the standard material which was low alloy wear resistant steel about the trade name CREUSABRO ®8000. The investigations were executed with two methods: abrasive wears in the stream of loose particles (the stream of quartz sand) and abrasive wears particles fixed (abrasive paper with the silicon carbide). Comparing the results of investigations in the experiments was based about the counted wear index which characterizes the wears of the studied material in the relation to the standard material.
The Influence of Small Amounts of Aluminium on the Spheroidization of Cast Iron with Cerium Mischmetal
Authors: Soiński M.
Published: September 2012

The Influence of Small Amounts of Aluminium on the Spheroidization of Cast Iron with Cerium Mischmetal

The influence of aluminium (added in quantity from about 0.6% to about 2.8%) on both the alloy matrix and the shape of graphite precipitates in cast iron treated with a fixed amounts of cerium mischmetal (0.11%) and ferrosilicon (1.29%) is discussed in the paper. The metallographic examinations were carried out for specimens cut out of the separately cast rods of 20 mm diameter. It was found that the addition of aluminium in the amounts from about 0.6% to about 1.1% to the cast iron containing about 3% of carbon, about 3.7% of silicon (after graphitizing modification), and 0.1% of manganese leads to the occurrence of the ferrite-pearlite matrix containing cementite precipitates in the case of the treatment of the alloy with cerium mischmetal. The increase in the quantity of aluminium up to about 1.9% or up to about 2.8% results either in purely ferrite matrix in this first case or in ferrite matrix containing small amounts of pearlite in the latter one. Nodular graphite precipitates occurred only in cast iron containing 1.9% or 2.8% of aluminium, and the greater aluminium content resulted in the higher degree of graphite spheroidization. The noticeable amount of vermicular graphite precipitates accompanied the nodular graphite.
The Quality of Welded Connections Elements from the Steel 30HGS and Titanium Alloy Ti6Al4V
Authors: Łapiński Z. , Dziedzic A. , Bochnowski W. , Adamiak S. , Sandomierski S.
Published: September 2012

The Quality of Welded Connections Elements from the Steel 30HGS and Titanium Alloy Ti6Al4V

The aim of that work was the evaluation of the quality of welded connections elements (welds) from the 30HGS steel and titanium alloy Ti6Al4V. The metallographic, factographic tests were used, and measurements of microhardness with the Vickers method. In the head weld of the 30HGS steel there were non-metallic partial division and bubbles observed. The average microhardness in the head connection was 320 HV0.1. There was no significant increase/decrease observed of microhardness in the head influence zone of the weld. There was a good condition of head connections observed, in accordance with the standard EN12517 and EN25817. In the head weld of Ti6Al4V titanium alloy there were single, occasional non-metallic interjections and bubbles observed. There were no cracks both on the weld, and on the border of the heat influence zone. The value of microhardness in head connection was in the range 300÷445 HV0.1. Reveal a very good condition of the head connections in accordance with the standard EN12517 and EN25817. The factographic tests prove the correctness of welded connections done and then heat treatment in case of steel and titanium alloy.
The Effect of Nodular Cast Iron Metal Matrix on the Wear Resistance
Authors: Gumienny G.
Published: September 2012

The Effect of Nodular Cast Iron Metal Matrix on the Wear Resistance

The paper presents results of studies on the effect of the nodular cast iron metal matrix composition on the abrasive and adhesive wear resistance. Nodular cast iron with different metal matrix obtained in the rough state and ADI were tested. To research of abrasive and adhesive wear the pearlitic and bainitic cast iron with carbides and without this component were chosen. The influence of the carbides amount for cast iron wear resistance was examined. It was found, that the highest abrasive and adhesive wear resistance under conditions of dry friction has a nodular cast iron with carbides with upper and lower bainite. Carbides in bainitic and pearlitic cast iron significantly increase the wear resistance in these conditions. In terms of fluid friction the largest wear resistance had cast iron group with the highest hardness.
Assessment of the Low Alloy Cast Steel Inoculation Effects with Chosen Additives
Authors: Bartocha D. , Baron C. , Suchoń J. , Kilarski J. , Szajnar J. , Sebzda W.
Published: September 2012

Assessment of the Low Alloy Cast Steel Inoculation Effects with Chosen Additives

Structure, and thus the mechanical properties of steel are primarily a function of chemical composition and the solidification process which can be influenced by the application of the inoculation treatment. This effect depends on the modifier used. The article presents the results of studies designed to assess the effects of structural low alloy steel inoculation by selected modifying additives. The study was performed on nine casts modeled with different inoculants, assessment of the procedure impact was based on the macrostructure of made castings. The ratio of surface area equivalent to the axial zone of the crystals and columnar crystals zone was adopted as a measure of the inoculation effect.
Wearing Quality of Austenitic, Duplex Cast Steel, Gray and Spheroidal Graphite Iron
Authors: Pietrowski S.
Published: September 2012

Wearing Quality of Austenitic, Duplex Cast Steel, Gray and Spheroidal Graphite Iron

The current work presents the research results of abrasion wear and adhesive wear at rubbing and liquid friction of new austenitic, austenitic-ferritic ("duplex") cast steel and gray cast iron EN-GJL-250, spheroidal graphite iron EN-GJS-600-3, pearlitic with ledeburitic carbides and spheroidal graphite iron with ledeburitic carbides with a microstructure of the metal matrix: pearlitic, upper bainite, mixture of upper and lower bainite, martensitic with austenite, pearlitic-martensitic-bainitic-ausferritic obtained in the raw state. The wearing quality test was carried out on a specially designed and made bench. Resistance to abrasion wear was tested using sand paper P40. Resistance to adhesive wear was tested in interaction with steel C55 normalized, hardened and sulfonitrided. The liquid friction was obtained using CASTROL oil. It was stated that austenitic cast steel and "duplex" are characterized by a similar value of abrasion wear and adhesive wear at rubbing friction. The smallest decrease in mass was shown by the cast steel in interaction with the sulfonitrided steel C55. Austenitic cast steel and "duplex" in different combinations of friction pairs have a higher wear quality than gray cast iron EN-GJL-250 and spheroidal graphite iron EN-GJS-600-3. Austenitic cast steel and "duplex" are characterized by a lower wearing quality than the spheroidal graphite iron with bainitic-martensitic microstructure. In the adhesive wear test using CASTROL oil the tested cast steels and cast irons showed a small mass decrease within the range of 1÷2 mg.
Structure of Water Mist Stream and its Impact on Cooling Efficiency of Casting Die
Authors: Władysiak R. , Budzyński P.
Published: September 2012

Structure of Water Mist Stream and its Impact on Cooling Efficiency of Casting Die

The work is a continuation of research on the use water mist cooling in order to increase efficiency of die-casting aluminum alloys. The paper presents results of research and analysis process, spraying water and generated a stream of water mist, the effect of the type of nozzle, the nozzle size and shape of the emitting of the water mist on the wall surface of casting die on the microstructure and geometry of water mist stream and cooling efficiency. Tests were used to perform high-speed camera to record video in the visible and infrared camera. Results were used to develop a computerized image analysis and statistical analysis. The study showed that there are statistical relationships between water and air flow and geometry of the nozzle and nozzle emitting a stream of microstructure parameters of water mist and heat the incoming stream. These relationships are described mathematical models that allow you to control the generating of adequate stream of water mist and a further consequence, the cooling efficiency of casting die.
Changes of selected biochemical indicators and electrocardiography indicators in nutritional muscular dystrophy in calves
Authors: Żarczyńska Katarzyna , Sobiech Przemysław , Pomianowski Andrzej , Waclawska-Matyjasik Agata , Stopyra Artur , Illek Josef
Published: September 2012

The aim of this study was to estimate changes in selected biochemical indicators during nutritional muscular dystrophy of calves and to use electrocardiography technique in early diagnosis of this disease. The study was performed on 24 Holstein-Friesian calves of both sexes, divided into two groups. The first one was experimental group of 12 calves with symptoms of nutritional muscular dystrophy and the second one was control group of 12 clinically healthy calves administered a single i.m. injection of vitamin E + selenium preparation on the second day after birth. Blood samples were collected from all animals 3 × at 7-day intervals, starting on day 5. Blood serum was subjected to biochemical analyses to determine Se and vitamin E concentrations, aspartate aminotransferase, creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase activity levels. The activity of glutathione peroxidase was determined in whole blood samples. Electrocardiographic assessment was performed on day 19 in all calves. In the group of calves with symptoms of nutritional muscular dystrophy, serum Se and vitamin E concentrations were significantly (P ≤ 0.01) lower than in control, the same was true for the activity of glutathione peroxidase (P ≤ 0.01). The changes were accompanied by an increase (P ≤ 0.01) in the activity of aspartate aminotransferase, creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase. The electrocardiograms of experimental animals revealed elevated heart rate, accelerated sinus rhythm, increased P wave amplitude, shorter PR, QT and ST interval, narrower QRS complex, shorter T wave duration and insignificantly increased T wave amplitude; these results were indicative of arrhythmia which is observed at early stages of cardiomyopathy. This study is the first one in which electrocardiography technique was used to diagnose nutritional muscular dystrophy in calves.
Diagnostic importance of the concentration of milk amyloid A in quarter milk samples from dairy cows with mastitis
Authors: Vasiľ Milan , Elečko Juraj , Farkašová Zuzana , Zigo František
Published: September 2012

Acute phase proteins have been used as biomarkers of inflammation. Their concentrations increase in milk from cows with latent and subclinical mastitis. The aim of our study was to evaluate milk amyloid A (MAA) as indicator of udder inflammation. We used 24 dairy cows from a herd with 120 Slovak Pied cattle. In addition to bacteriological examination, the following indicators were determined in all quarter milk samples. On the basis of results of clinical examination, Californian mastitis test (CMT), and number of Somatic cell count (SCC), four groups of quarter milk samples were formed. The levels of MAA in both subgroups of Group 1 (healthy cows), divided by the number of SCC - IA (n = 10), IB (n = 15), determined at repeated samplings, differed significantly from the initial levels (P < 0.01). Highly significant correlation (R2 = 0.272), was detected between SCC, and MAA in Group 2 (n = 27) at individual collections (P < 0.01), while in the Group 3 (n = 25) the level of both indicators decreased by the end of the experiment despite higher initial concentrations (P < 0.01). No significant differences in MAA were observed between individual collections in Group 4 (n = 6). No positive correlation (R2 = 0.525) was detected between SCC and MAA in this group. The obtained results allowed us to conclude that MAA in milk can act as a marker of inflammation of the udder only in the initial, asymptomatic stages of dairy cow mastitis. The experiment was one of first studies with MAA in Slovak Pied cattle.
Decarboxylase activity test of the genus Enterococcus isolated from goat milk and cheese
Authors: Kalhotka Libor , Manga Ivan , Přichystalová Jitka , Hůlová Michaela , Vyletělová Marcela , Šustová Květoslava
Published: September 2012

Biogenic amines are aliphatic, aromatic or heterocyclic alkalic substances with a biological impact on live organisms. They may cause serious problems to sensitive persons in combination with some medicaments or in case of higher intake. They are present in non-fermented food, usually coming from contaminating microflora, and especially in fermented food where biogenic amines might be produced by microbiota used for procedure. The genus Enterococcus spp. can occur in cheese because their resistance to pasteurizing temperatures is much higher compared to other mesophilic microorganisms. Previous studies have targeted the occurrence and problems of enterococci isolated from cow and sheep milk. The aim of this study was to detect decarboxylase activity of enterococci isolated from goat milk and cheese and to see how the particular temperatures involve decarboxylase activity using a rapid and inexpensive screening method. In this study, bacteria Enterococcus faecium, E. mundtii, E. durans were isolated from 9 samples of goat milk and cheeses. Colonies of bacteria were inoculated on diagnostic medium fortified with amino acids (lysine, arginine, phenylalanine, histidine, tyrosine and tryptophan) and acidity indicator. Changes in colour detected decarboxylase activity of enterococci. The only positive reactions were determined in samples containing arginine and tyrosine. Cultivation of bacteria was confirmed by PCR. All of the tested microorganisms showed significant activity of tyrosindecarboxylase and arginindecarboxylase which was regulated by temperature and influenced by duration of cultivation. The test of decarboxylase activity using colour changes is suitable for a relatively rapid and inexpensive detection of microorganisms that are able to produce biogenic amines.
A modified high performance liquid chromatographic method for simultaneous quantification of skatole and indole in porcine plasma
Authors: Brunius Carl , Zamaratskaia Galia
Published: September 2012

A simplified high-performance liquid chromatography method to measure skatole and indole in porcine plasma without the use of acetonitrile was developed and validated in this study. The mobile phase consisted of water and methanol used in a gradient programme. Fluorescence detection was performed on the supernatant obtained from plasma after protein precipitation with 100% acetone. Limits of quantification were 0.5 ng∙ml-1 for skatole and 1.0 ng∙ml-1 for indole. Accuracy and precision had less than 12% deviation in the linear ranges (0.5–256 ng∙ml-1 and R2 = 0.9999 for skatole, 1.0–256 ng∙ml-1 and R2 = 0.9999 for indole). The correlation between plasma and serum concentrations was strong for skatole (slope = 1.01, R2 = 0.999) and moderate for indole (slope = 0.65, R2 = 0.95). Analysis of skatole in plasma was in good accordance with our previous acetonitrile-based method (slope = 0.91, R2 = 0.988). The proposed method is suited for rapid routine analysis because of its high selectivity, accuracy and precision. Furthermore, it needs only simple sample preparation and the use of methanol instead of acetonitrile in the mobile phase. This method is of practical use to researchers in the field of boar taint.
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and risk elements in honey from the South Moravian region (Czech Republic)
Authors: Batelková Petra , Borkovcová Ivana , Čelechovská Olga , Vorlová Lenka , Bartáková Klára
Published: September 2012

The aim of this study was to determine the actual content of some exogenous contaminants in the honey from the South Moravian region of the Czech Republic. The content of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and risk elements (Mercury - Hg, Cadmium - Cd, Lead - Pb, and Arsenic - As) in multifloral blossom and honey dew samples of honey were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography and atomic absorption spectroscopy methods. The samples were collected form beekeepers and from retail stores located in South Moravia in the Czech Republic. Concentrations of individual PAHs in honey samples ranged between 0.02 μg·kg-1–1.93 μg·kg-1. The limit of benzo[a]pyrene for infant formula (1.0 μg·kg-1) was not exceeded and fluoranthene was not quantified in any of the samples. Concentrations of Hg, Cd, and Pb were in the range of 3.24 μg·kg-1–11.31 μg·kg-1, 0.95 μg·kg-1–32.35 μg·kg-1, and 22.80 μg·kg-1–177.85 μg·kg-1, respectively. Concentration of As exceeded the detection limit only in three samples, ranging from 3.51 μg·kg-1 to 4.35 μg·kg-1. Acceptable limits for trace elements in infant formula were met. Results of this study complete present knowledge of the contaminant content in Czech honey and confirmed high quality and safety of honey from the South Moravian region.
Closed system for bovine oocyte vitrification
Authors: Ševelová Helena , Lopatářová Miloslava
Published: September 2012

The aim of our study was to develop a vitrification carrier for bovine oocyte cryopreservation. The carrier was to be cheap enough, elementary in its construction and meet contemporary requirements for a safe closed system. In a closed system, a cell is prevented from direct exposure to liquid nitrogen, thus minimizing the risk of cross-contamination. Furthermore, two questions regarding the proper vitrification technique were resolved: if it is necessary to partially denude the oocytes before the vitrification process or whether intact cumulus oocyte complexes should be frozen; and if it is more advantageous to preheat the vitrification solutions to female body temperature (39 °C) or to keep them at room temperature. Our results show that it is better to partially denude the oocytes prior to vitrification because cryopreserved intact cumulus oocyte complexes often proved dark, non-homogeneous or fragmented cytoplasm after warming, with many of them having visibly widened perivitelline spaces or fractured zonae pellucidae as a result of extensive damage during vitrification. Consequently, intact cumulus oocyte complexes showed significantly lower numbers of cleavage stage embryos on Day 3 compared to partially denuded oocytes (7.4% and 26%, respectively). On the other hand, the survival rate and following development of fertilized oocytes in preheated vitrification solution were equal to results reached at room temperature conditions. In conclusion, results achieved with the newly developed carrier were comparable to previously published studies and therefore they could be recommended for common use.
Culture in Miniature: Toy Dogs and Object Life
Authors: Yang Chi-ming
Published: September 2012

In the commodity culture of eighteenth-century England, miniature dogs and porcelain shared the classification of imported “toys” and “curios.” The pug and the King Charles spaniel were both East Asian breeds of dog brought to England and domesticated, becoming favoured symbols of national culture; they were then rendered into porcelain miniatures that were regularly commissioned and reproduced in China and sent back to England. Techniques of miniaturization in the plastic as well as the biological arts were developed in tandem, and the interrelated identities of these “Oriental” animals and objects reveal the miniature to be a cross-cultural phenomenon tied to new technologies of modelling life. Dog breeding, as porcelain sculpture, was an exercise in importing, shaping, and innovating the commodity form. The toy dog, a small but far from trivial commodity, mediated relations of racial, sexual, and species difference and helped establish a luxury market for the pet as a racialized fetish object that continues to this day.
The Solitary Animal: Professional Authorship and Persona in Goldsmith’s The Citizen of the World
Authors: Kitching Megan
Published: September 2012

Employing the persona of a Chinese philosopher, Oliver Goldsmith in The Citizen of the World (1762) examines the changing roles of the professional author and critic in the literary marketplace. Through other, various outsider personae, Goldsmith questions whether popular literature can establish cultural and moral authority over an expanding readership. In adapting the genre of oriental correspondence to periodical journalism, particularly the commercial newspaper the Public Ledger where the “Chinese letters” originally appeared, Goldsmith ironically critiques the utility and authenticity of such fictions. Although the Chinese philosopher represents cosmopolitan and enlightened tradition, he fails as a potential arbiter of polite taste. He also fails to reconcile the writer’s obligations to instruct and amuse. The professional author in The Citizen of the World is increasingly marginalized, facing a widening gulf between his material and his desired audience, a forerunner of the sentimentalized persona that would establish Goldsmith’s posthumous reputation.
Cosmopolitanism and the Radical Politics of Exile in Charlotte Smith’s Desmond
Authors: Wang Fuson
Published: September 2012

Considering Charlotte Smith’s novel Desmond (1792) within the framework of Immanuel Kant’s concept of cosmopolitanism proves to be distinctly productive. For most readers, the novel clearly dramatizes radical sentiment in the Jacobin tradition. The character of Bethel, however, represents an unlikely cosmopolitan foil for Desmond’s more conventional brand of radicalism. Specifically, Bethel’s slow conversion to French Revolutionary principles serves to expand and even challenge the insular, congealed ideology of Desmond’s Francophile circle of young reformers. Instead of locating an embodied cosmopolitanism in the novel’s concluding marriages, Bethel’s exclusion from the novel’s happy ending signals Smith’s endorsement of a more mature cosmopolitanism that extends a narrowly nationalistic sense of community into a properly inclusive system of what Kant called “cosmopolitan right.” By subtly drawing attention away from her novel’s central couples—the radical pairing of Desmond and Geraldine and the mixed union of Montfleuri and Fanny—and towards old Bethel, Smith emerges less naively partisan and more politically nuanced than most critics have allowed in this early novel.
Hybrid peripheral nerve sheath tumor
Authors: Lang Shih-Shan , Zager Eric L. , Coyne Thomas M. , Nangunoori Raj , Kneeland J. Bruce , Nathanson Katherine L.
Published: September 2012

In recent literature, there have been case reports of an extremely rare entity characterized by hybrid peripheral nerve tumors consisting of elements of neurofibroma, schwannoma, and/or perineurioma. The authors present a unique case of a patient with multiple painful hybrid tumors with negative genetic testing for neurofibromatosis Type 1 and no clinical evidence of neurofibromatosis Type 2 or schwannomatosis.

A 28-year-old woman presented with tentatively diagnosed schwannomatosis. She had painful bilateral retromastoid scalp tumors as well as multiple other painful tumors in the distribution of the saphenous, femoral, and sciatic nerves. Her family history was significant for a paternal grandfather with a solitary schwannoma. The patient underwent multiple surgical procedures for tumor resection, including tumors in the regions of the retromastoid scalp, bilateral sciatic nerves, left femoral nerve, and left axilla. These tumors were examined and evaluated histologically. Within the tumors, components of both neurofibromas and schwannomas were found, even though these 2 peripheral nerve sheath tumors have been long considered to be distinct entities. This case report suggests a distinct syndrome that has not previously been appreciated.
Correlation between shunt series and scoliosis radiographs in children with myelomeningoceles
Authors: Thomas Jonathan G. , Hwang Steven W. , Blumberg Todd J. , Whitehead William E. , Curry Daniel J. , Luerssen Thomas G. , Jea Andrew
Published: September 2012

Object

Over 85% of patients with myelomeningoceles require placement of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt for hydrocephalus, and between 25% and 85% of these patients develop scoliosis. Although most patients undergo repeated shunt series radiography to evaluate for device malfunction, scoliosis radiographs are less consistently obtained. The authors sought to determine if a correlation exists between these 2 radiographic techniques for a given patient, as shunt series are obtained with the patient supine, whereas scoliosis radiographs are acquired with the patient standing upright. The authors also endeavored to study if shunt series radiographs can reliably detect significant scoliosis.

Methods

The authors retrospectively reviewed a single institution's series of 593 patients with myelomeningoceles and identified all patients in whom a shunt series and scoliosis radiographs were obtained within a 6-month period. They reviewed the medical records and radiographs of these patients for demographic and radiographic parameters. They then applied a linear regression model and determined shunt series curve cutoffs to detect scoliotic curves greater than 20° and 50°.

Results

Of the 593 patients identified, 116 did not have radiographs available for interpretation. Of the remaining 477 patients, 201 had radiographic evidence of scoliosis (42%), and 66 had both a shunt series and a scoliosis radiographs acquired within a 6-month interval. In 4 patients, both end vertebrae of the scoliotic curve could not be visualized on a single radiograph. The mean age of the remaining cohort was 10.6 ± 5.2 years and the mean curve magnitude was 58° ± 37°. Using identical end vertebrae, the mean shunt series curve magnitude was 49° ± 35°. The mean interval between both radiographs was 2.3 ± 3.3 months. The regression model showed a strong linear association between shunt series and scoliosis series curves. A curve greater than 19° on shunt series radiographs would detect significant curves of greater than 20° on scoliosis series with 91% sensitivity and 78% specificity. A shunt series curve greater than 37° had 100% sensitivity and 93% specificity in identifying significant scoliotic curves greater than 50°.

Conclusions

Although shunt series radiographs may not precisely depict scoliotic curve magnitude because the impact of gravity is negated, they may be useful in helping to confirm clinical suspicion of scoliosis. The authors' results suggest a strong correlation between both types of radiographs.
Dépôts atmosphériques azotés et leurs effets en forêt: un bilan des sites d'observation à long terme
Authors: Thimonier Anne , Pannatier Elisabeth Graf , Schmitt Maria , Waldner Peter , Schleppi Patrick , Braun Sabine
Published: September 2012

Nitrogen deposition and its effects in forests: results from long-term observation sites?

Emissions of nitrogenous pollutants reached a peak in the mid-1980s and have decreased since then, but they remain at a high level. Long-term observation sites were established between 1984 and 1995 within three networks in Switzerland (IAP, LWF and NITREX), following growing concern that the vitality of forests might be affected by air pollution. Here we assess the nitrogen status of selected sites and its changes over the last 15 to 25 years. Nitrogen deposition at the sites was either obtained from models (IAP) or from throughfall measurements (LWF and NITREX). Indicators of the nitrogen status of a site included nitrate leaching from the rooting zone (43 sites), tree foliar concentrations of nitrogen and other nutrients (>100 sites), and the species composition of ground vegetation (59 sites). Nitrogen deposition has significantly decreased on eight out of twelve sites during the last 15 years. However, except in the Alps, deposition remains within or above the range of empirical critical loads, which correspond to the deposition levels above which the ecosystem might be negatively affected. Nitrate leaching can be locally high, depending on deposition rates, but also on other factors such as soil properties. Tree foliar concentrations in nitrogen and phosphorus have tended to decrease during the last 15 to 25 years. The comparison of vegetation surveys, first carried out in 1984, then repeated in 2003/2004, indicated an increase in nitrophilous species (IAP), but on a more recent and shorter period (1994/1998–2011), on a smaller number of sites (LWF), we found no significant changes.
Impacts des dépôts atmosphériques acides sur l'eau des sols forestiers
Authors: Pannatier Elisabeth Graf , Thimonier Anne , Schmitt Maria , Waldner Peter , Walthert Lorenz
Published: September 2012

Impacts of atmospheric acid deposition on soil solutions in forests

After a massive input of acidifying components on the environment in the middle of the 20th century, atmospheric acid deposition has decreased as a result of sulphur emission reduction. The continuous acid input might affect the chemistry of soils and drainage waters and accelerate soil acidification. In the framework of the Swiss Long-Term Forest Ecosystem Research (LWF), we examined whether acid deposition has continued to decline in the last ten years in different forest ecosystems and how the chemistry of soil water reacted to the improvement in air quality. Acid deposition decreased significantly at only three out of the nine study sites. Sulphur deposition declined at all sites, but due to the relatively low sulphur load compared to nitrogen deposition, it did not contribute to decrease acid deposition. Chemistry of soil solution remained quite constant since the beginning of the measurements about ten years ago. We did not observe any acidification of soil solution in six out of eight sites. In contrast, changes in soil solution chemistry at two sites showed a rapid acidification. At three sites, the deeper soil layer released large amount of sulphate coupled with base cations, which likely contributed to deplete the soil in nutrients. The analysis of the base saturation in 1039 soil profiles across Switzerland shows a high risk of relatively fast acidification of soil solution in almost 20% of sites.
MARKET SEGMENT EVALUATION AND SELECTION BASED ON APPLICATION OF FUZZY AHP AND COPRAS-G METHODS
Authors: Aghdaie Mohammad Hasan , Zolfani Sarfaraz Hashemkhani , Zavadskas Edmundas Kazimieras
Published: September 2012

Market segment evaluation and selection is one of the critical marketing problems of all companies. This paper presents a novel approach which integrates fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (FAHP) and COPRAS-G method for market segment evaluation and selection. Fuzzy AHP is used to calculate the weight of each criterion, and COPRAS-G method is proposed to prioritize market segments from the best to the worst ones. The application of fuzzy set theory allows incorporating the vague and imprecise linguistic terms into the decision process. This study can be used as a pattern for market segment selection and future researches. A case study on a chair manufacturing company is put forward to illustrate the performance of the proposed methodology.