bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Configuração de posições em uma comunidade epistêmica e sua relação com o sentido da aprendizagem em redes interorganizacionais: estudo de caso no campo da biotecnologia
Authors: Almeida Kenneth Nunes Tavares De , Fischer André Luiz , Takahashi Adriana Roseli Wünsch , Freitag Bárbara Beatriz , Enoque Alessandro Gomes , Brito Mozar José De
Published: January 2013

Na literatura sobre redes interorganizacionais, parte das abordagens de pesquisa afirma que tal tipo de ambiente favorece as condições para a aprendizagem por meio da combinação de capacidade de diferentes membros. Igualmente, existem correntes de estudo que apontam haver ressalvas relacionadas às próprias características dos membros. Esta aparente contradição instigou um questionamento: como a configuração de posições de membros de redes interorganizacionais afeta o sentido que a aprendizagem adquire para os próprios membros? Utilizando-se referências conceituais da área de aprendizagem em redes interorganizacionais, o estudo apresenta os resultados da análise de um caso empírico de uma comunidade epistêmica (rede de cooperação científica formalmente instituída) brasileira no campo da biotecnologia. Adotou-se como método de pesquisa a triangulação de técnicas quantitativas e qualitativas. Inicialmente, utilizou-se a análise quantitativa sociométrica evidenciando a posição do membro de acordo com a centralidade para a aprendizagem e a produção acadêmica. Após essa identificação, foram aplicadas entrevistas semiestruturadas aos membros localizados em diferentes posições, fossem elas de alto valor agregado (membros com alta centralidade) ou marginais (membros com baixa centralidade). A partir de um referencial de análise qualitativo com foco nos conceitos de práticas e gêneros discursivos, foi possível delinear diferentes sentidos sobre a aprendizagem decorrida de acordo com a posição dos membros. A partir dos resultados, evidenciou-se a relação da posição ocupada pelo membro da rede o sentido dado à aprendizagem. Apesar das limitações associadas à pesquisa sobre um caso único que dificulta a possível generalização dos resultados, o estudo abre possibilidades de aprofundar novas pesquisas sobre a relação entre as características dos membros e sua posição com a aprendizagem em redes interorganizacionais.
Por que Finanças?: Avaliando o interesse dos estudantes de graduação em Administração pela área de Finanças
Authors: Azevedo Carlos Eduardo Franco , Oliveira Leonel Gois Lima , Abdalla Márcio Moutinho , Gonzalez Rafael Kuramoto , Ribeiro Agatha Justen Gonçalves , Holperin Michelle Moretzsohn
Published: January 2013

O objetivo do presente trabalho consiste em analisar o interesse dos estudantes da graduação em Administração pela área de Finanças, bem como os principais fatores que influenciam esse interesse. Para tal, foram identificados na literatura cinco construtos que, em teoria, afetam a relação entre os estudantes e as disciplinas da área de Finanças: (i) Interesse pessoal na área de Finanças; (ii) Interesse em uma carreira na área; (iii) Relevância teórico/prática da área; (iv) Conhecimento técnico sobre finanças; (v) Relevância interdisciplinar da área; e, por fim, um construto acrescentado pelos autores, que ainda não fora considerado em estudos anteriores, nesse trabalho denominado "Qualidade docente sob a ótica discente". O instrumento de coleta dos dados foi desenvolvido com base em trabalhos anteriores e visou fornecer informações condizentes com as hipóteses realizadas. Os dados foram coletados em oito instituições de ensino superior, públicas e particulares, dos estados de Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro, Ceará e Espírito Santo, formando uma amostra com 290 observações válidas. Para tratamento e modelagem dos dados, empregou-se a técnica de modelagem de equações estruturais (SEM) por meio da técnica dos mínimos quadrados parciais (Partial Least Squares - PLS). Cabe destacar que foram testados os índices de ajuste do modelo Average Variance Extracted (AVE), Average Path Coefficient (APC), Average R-Squared (ARS) e Average Variance Inflation Factor (AVIF). Além disso, também se verificou o índice de confiabilidade psicométrica Alfa de Cronbach de cada construto, encontrando-se valores razoáveis e o índice de Confiabilidade Composta do construto. O modelo apresentou uma medida de explicação R² de 0,74. Todos os construtos apresentaram valores significativos para o coeficiente padronizado (p < 0,01). Destaca-se que os resultados obtidos não permitiram rejeitar nenhuma das hipóteses. Em busca de uma compreensão mais profunda e abrangente sobre o tema, recomenda-se que pesquisas futuras tenham como foco a avaliação do processo de ensino de competências na área de Finanças e de formas alternativas de abordagem que despertem o interesse dos alunos, possibilitando uma maior convergência da formação acadêmica com a aplicação prática contextualizada para a realidade do mercado.
Notas sobre o conceito de sucesso: sentidos e possíveis (re)significações
Authors: Ituassu Cristiana Trindade , Tonelli Maria José
Published: January 2013

O objetivo do presente artigo é explorar ambivalências e contradições do conceito de sucesso no contexto do management, com a difusão de ideias gerenciais logo após a Segunda Guerra Mundial. Neste contexto, podemos observar, entre outros fenômenos, a prerrogativa da visão de mercado, o obscurecimento das diferenças ideológicas, a não separação entre vida pública e privada. Argumentamos que a noção de sucesso contemporânea está inserida neste contexto. A partir da perspectiva construcionista, que propõe que a vida social resulta de uma construção coletiva organizada por práticas discursivas, este trabalho revisa e classifica artigos acadêmicos nacionais e internacionais sobre sucesso, com o objetivo de mostrar que o conceito de sucesso traz em si uma noção que foi sendo difundida e incorporada como modelo de conduta na sociedade contemporânea, em sintonia com os valores disseminados pelo management. A noção de sucesso tem sido explorada por um vasto número de publicações, especialmente aquelas descritas como pop management (WOOD JR.; PAULA, 2002), mas também criticada em textos acadêmicos (PAHL, 1997; TANURE; CARVALHO NETO; ANDRADE, 2007; CHUSMIR; PARKER, 2011). Tal modelo de sucesso, propagado pela mídia e visto como possibilidade de ascensão e mobilidade social, ignora questões de gênero e impõe elevados custos pessoais para que possa ser alcançado. A perspectiva crítica utilizada neste ensaio pretende desnaturalizar estruturas sociais descritas como inevitáveis, mostrar que as discussões sobre sucesso estão cheias de controvérsias, propor que o sucesso é uma instituição social construída e assimilada em diversas fronteiras e, ao fazer isso, permitir a configuração de novos sentidos para o termo.
Critérios de validade em pesquisas em estratégia: uma análise em artigos publicados no EnAnpad de 1997 a 2010
Authors: Oliveira Denise De , Walter Silvana Anita , Bach Tatiana Marceda
Published: January 2013

Os critérios de validade constituem-se em elementos fundamentais que compõem o rigor metodológico de um estudo científico. Diante disso, esta pesquisa teve por objetivo analisar os critérios de validade utilizados em estudos científicos da área de estratégia, publicados nos anais do Encontro da Associação Nacional de Pós-Graduação e Pesquisa em Administração (EnAnpad) entre 1997 e 2010. Na revisão teórica, abordam-se critérios de validade dos autores Selltiz, Wrightsman e Cook (1987), Straub e Carlson (1989), Cooper e Schindler (2003), Babbie (2005), Hair Jr., Anderson, Tatham e Black (2005), Yin (2005), Brewer e Hunter (2006) e Malhotra (2006). A partir da revisão de literatura, visando ampliar a adoção de critérios de validade, propõem-se itens que possam auxiliar os pesquisadores a verificar a adequação de seus estudos aos principais critérios. Realizou-se uma pesquisa bibliográfica e bibliométrica com 53 artigos da área de estratégia, bem como se fez análise de conteúdo do referencial teórico dos artigos e se submeteram os dados à análise descritiva de frequência e percentual da utilização de validação quanto ao tipo de pesquisa (quantitativa, qualitativa e que mesclam as duas abordagens); aos tipos de critérios de validação empregados; e às obras mais citadas ao abordar validação. Constatou-se que as validades convergente, discriminante, de conteúdo e de construto foram os critérios mais empregados nos estudos revisados e que a validade de critério (validade de critério, concorrente e preditiva), apesar de amplamente abordada na literatura, foi empregada em menos de 10% desses estudos. Entre os resultados obtidos, verificou-se ainda que, na área de estratégia, são realizadas pesquisas que denotam preocupação com a validação, mas que esse número ainda é pequeno diante da quantidade de artigos publicados na área no período analisado, havendo espaço para exploração de outros critérios de validade, como a validação de critério. Espera-se que este estudo possa contribuir, por meio da divulgação e da orientação a respeito dos principais critérios de validade, para que as pesquisas adotem procedimentos de pesquisa voltados à validação dos instrumentos de pesquisa.
New records of Muscidae (Diptera) in Campo Grande, MS, Brazil
Authors: Luiz Hera Luana , Taira Tiago Ledesma , Koller Wilson Werner
Published: January 2013

Synanthropic flies outstanding beside other flies due their relative abundance close to domestic animals and human population, to which they are able to cause myiasis or transmit pathogenic agents. As they're necrophagous they act as corpse decomposers and are useful in the forensic entomology in the post mortem interval determination. This study aimed to know flies diversity and abundance in Campo Grande, State of Mato Grosso do Sul. Captures were made weekly, utilizing three traps baited with decaying fish meat, from June of 2008 to May of 2009 in a remainder ciliary forest of the Embrapa's Cattle Beef Experimental Farm. The dipterans families that were considered and respectively number of collected specimens were: Calliphoridae (105,334); Muscidae (27,999); Sarcophagidae (21,083); Fanniidae (17,759) and Mesembrinellidae (305), totalizing 172,480 dipterous. To the local known species some Muscidae were increased as follows: Neomuscina atincticosta, Pseudoptilolepis elbida, Polietina orbitalis, Polietina flavithorax, Scutellomusca scutellaris, Graphomya analis and Morellia couriae.
Modelling of strengthened hollow brick infills
Authors: Baran Mehmet , Özçelik Ramazan , Sevil Tuğçe , Canbay Erdem
Published: January 2013

Strengthening the existing hollow brick infill walls by bonding high-strength precast concrete panels or applying steel fibre reinforced mortar was found to be an occupant-friendly seismic retrofitting technique for the buildings in use with deficient reinforced concrete structural systems. Both techniques convert the existing non-structural hollow brick infill walls into load-carrying structural members. To verify the effectiveness of the techniques, 20 reinforced concrete frames with hollow brick infill walls were tested under reversed cyclic lateral loading simulating earthquake. In the present study, hollow brick infill walls strengthened by these techniques were modelled by means of two equivalent diagonal struts in the analytical studies. Analytical results matched well with the experimental results. A performance-based rehabilitation case study of an existing building showed that both techniques offer a sound and practical solution for rehabilitation studies.
Nutrition Support among Critically Ill Children with AKI
Authors: Kyle Ursula G. , Akcan-Arikan Ayse , Orellana Renán A. , Coss-Bu Jorge A.
Published: January 2013

Background

Critically ill children are at high risk of underfeeding and AKI, which may lead to further nutritional deficiencies. This study aimed to determine the adequacy of nutrition support during the first 5 days of intensive care unit (ICU) stay.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements

A chart review of pediatric patients admitted to the pediatric ICU for >72 hours between August 2007 and March 2008 was conducted. Patients were classified as having no AKI versus AKI by modified pediatric RIFLE criteria. All nutrition was analyzed. Basal metabolic rate (BMR) was estimated by the Schofield equation and protein needs by American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition guidelines.

Results

Of the 167 patients, 102 were male and 65 were female (median age 1.4 years). Using the RIFLE criteria, 102 (61%) patients had no AKI, whereas 44 (26%) were classified as category R (risk), 12 (7%) as category I (injury), and 9 (5%) as category F (failure). The median 5-day energy intake was lower relative to estimated BMR. Overall protein provision (19%) was lower than energy provision (55%) compared with estimated needs (P<0.001). I/F patients were more likely to be fasted versus receiving enteral/parenteral nutrition (n=813 patient days) and to receive <90% of BMR (n=832 patient days) than No AKI/R patients.

Conclusions

Underfeeding, common in critically ill children, was accentuated in AKI. Protein underfeeding was greater than energy underfeeding in the first 5 days of PICU stay. Efforts should be made to provide adequate nutrition in ICU patients with AKI.
Lessons Learned from the ASN Renal Educator Listserv and Survey
Authors: Hoenig Melanie P. , Shapiro Evelyn , Hladik Gerald A.
Published: January 2013

Nephrology ranks next to last in career choices among US medical school graduates. The American Society of Nephrology established a Workforce Committee to help address this issue. Surveys of US medical students indicate that experiences during kidney pathophysiology courses in the preclerkship years may impact their decision to consider a career in nephrology. In October of 2011, preclinical kidney physiology and pathophysiology course directors at US medical schools were surveyed about teaching methods, curricular content, resources, and institutional support for teaching to identify what worked well and what impairs their teaching efforts. A Listserv of these educators, the American Society of Nephrology Renal Educators Listserv, was used to electronically administer the survey. Course leaders from 62 of 114 (54.4%) surveyed medical schools responded. Most of these educators are nephrologists, but physiologists and other clinicians also lead courses; 60% of course directors noted that lectures are videotaped, resulting in decreased attendance. A range of resources is used: 68% use audience response systems, 16% use the simulation center, and none of the educators indicated use of social media (such as Twitter or Facebook); 50% of respondents receive no remuneration, and 68% receive no full-time equivalent for their efforts. Audience response systems, virtual microscopy, and flash animations were identified as valuable teaching tools. Course directors, during subsequent dialogue on the American Society of Nephrology Renal Educators Listserv, have cited incorporation of case scenarios and integration of clinical exposure during preclinical years as methods that inspired interest. Hopefully, adoption of such approaches will ultimately serve to stimulate interest in nephrology.
Objets sportifs et corps sensibles : entre cultures matérielles et expériences corporelles
Authors: Level Marie , Lesage Thierry
Published: January 2013

Résumé Bien que bénéficiant d’un regain d’intérêt au sein des sciences sociales, les objets sportifs demeurent en marge des grands courants d’analyse. Ils sont pourtant des éléments constitutifs de l’action du pratiquant puisqu’il n’existe pas de technique, et a fortiori pas de technique sportive qui ne soit sous-tendue par des objets. Il paraît donc pertinent de concevoir l’expérience corporelle comme intriquée à la matérialité. Dans cette perspective, nous ambitionnons ici de questionner les relations étroites, complexes et pourtant consubstantiels que les sujets tissent avec les objets de leur pratique sportive au fil de leurs expériences et apprentissages. Cette ethnographie de l’élaboration des savoirs corporels en prise avec les objets nous conduit à envisager le corps et ses rapports polymorphes à la matière au prisme du processus d’incorporation. Notre contribution prend pour cadre théorique les approches de la culture matérielle (J.-P. Warnier, 1999) et de la praxéologie motrice (P. Parlebas, 1986), et s’appuie sur une étude réalisée auprès de sportifs et entraîneurs de clubs évoluant dans des activités distinctes comme la gymnastique rythmique, le kayak et le basket-ball, et étayée d’exemples issus d’une analyse des jeux de paume et de raquette.
The B7-Independent Isoform of CTLA-4 Functions To Regulate Autoimmune Diabetes
Authors: Stumpf Melanie , Zhou Xuyu , Bluestone Jeffrey A.
Published: January 2013

The critical role of CTLA-4 in inhibiting Ag-driven T cell responses upon engagement with its ligands, B7-1 and B7-2 and its importance for peripheral T cell tolerance and T cell homeostasis has been studied intensively. The CTLA-4 splice variant ligand-independent (li)-CTLA-4 is expressed in naive and activated T cells and can actively alter T cell signaling despite its lack of a B7 binding domain. To study the effect of li-CTLA-4 in regulating T cell responses in the context of autoimmunity, we engineered a B6.CTLA-4 (floxed-Exon2)-BAC-transgene, resulting in selective expression of li-CTLA-4 upon Cre-mediated deletion of Exon 2. Introducing the B6.BAC into the NOD background, which is genetically deficient for li-CTLA-4, restores mRNA levels of li-CTLA-4 to those observed in C57BL/6 mice. Furthermore, re-expressing this ligand nonbinding isoform in NOD mice reduced IFN-γ production in T effector cells accompanied by a significant decrease in insulitis and type 1 diabetes frequency. However, selective expression of li-CTLA-4 could not fully rescue the CTLA-4 knockout disease phenotype when bred onto NOD.BDC2.5.CTLA-4 knockout background because of the requirement of the full-length, B7-binding CTLA-4 molecule on T effector cells. Thus, the li-CTLA-4 form, when expressed at physiologic levels in the CTLA-4–sufficient NOD background can suppress autoimmunity; however, the functionality of the li-CTLA-4 isoform depends on the presence of the full-length molecule to alter effector T cell signaling.
Assessment of Immune Interference, Antagonism, and Diversion following Human Immunization with Biallelic Blood-Stage Malaria Viral-Vectored Vaccines and Controlled Malaria Infection
Authors: Elias Sean C. , Collins Katharine A. , Halstead Fenella D. , Choudhary Prateek , Bliss Carly M. , Ewer Katie J. , Sheehy Susanne H. , Duncan Christopher J. A. , Biswas Sumi , Hill Adrian V. S. , Draper Simon J.
Published: January 2013

Overcoming antigenic variation is one of the major challenges in the development of an effective vaccine against Plasmodium falciparum, a causative agent of human malaria. Inclusion of multiple Ag variants in subunit vaccine candidates is one strategy that has aimed to overcome this problem for the leading blood-stage malaria vaccine targets, that is, merozoite surface protein 1 (MSP1) and apical membrane Ag 1 (AMA1). However, previous studies, utilizing malaria Ags, have concluded that inclusion of multiple allelic variants, encoding altered peptide ligands, in such a vaccine may be detrimental to both the priming and in vivo restimulation of Ag-experienced T cells. In this study, we analyze the T cell responses to two alleles of MSP1 and AMA1 induced by vaccination of malaria-naive adult volunteers with bivalent viral-vectored vaccine candidates. We show a significant bias to the 3D7/MAD20 allele compared with the Wellcome allele for the 33 kDa region of MSP1, but not for the 19 kDa fragment or the AMA1 Ag. Although this bias could be caused by “immune interference” at priming, the data do not support a significant role for “immune antagonism” during memory T cell restimulation, despite observation of the latter at a minimal epitope level in vitro. A lack of class I HLA epitopes in the Wellcome allele that are recognized by vaccinated volunteers may in fact contribute to the observed bias. We also show that controlled infection with 3D7 strain P. falciparum parasites neither boosts existing 3D7-specific T cell responses nor appears to “immune divert” cellular responses toward the Wellcome allele.
Transcription Factors GATA-3 and RORγt Are Important for Determining the Phenotype of Allergic Airway Inflammation in a Murine Model of Asthma
Authors: Ano Satoshi , Morishima Yuko , Ishii Yukio , Yoh Keigyou , Yageta Yuichi , Ohtsuka Shigeo , Matsuyama Masashi , Kawaguchi Mio , Takahashi Satoru , Hizawa Nobuyuki
Published: January 2013

In refractory asthma, neutrophils, rather than eosinophils, often predominate in the airways. Neutrophilic airway inflammation appears to be resistant to steroids and may be related to the Th17, rather than the Th2, cytokine milieu. However, the role of GATA-3 and RORγt, transcription factors for Th2 and Th17 cell differentiation, respectively, in the pathogenesis of steroid-insensitive asthma remains unclear. To examine the effect of GATA-3– and RORγt-overexpression backgrounds on airway inflammation and steroid sensitivity, we generated two strains of transgenic mice overexpressing GATA-3 or RORγt. Mice were sensitized and challenged with OVA. Some OVA-sensitized/challenged mice were treated with dexamethasone, anti–IL-17 Ab, CXCR2 antagonist, or anti–IL-6R Ab to demonstrate their therapeutic effects on airway inflammation. Although Ag-specific airway inflammation and hyperresponsiveness were induced in each mouse, the phenotype of inflammation showed a distinct difference that was dependent upon the genotype. GATA-3–overexpressing mice exhibited steroid-sensitive eosinophilic inflammation with goblet cell hyperplasia and mucus hyperproduction under Th2-biased conditions, and RORγt-overexpressing mice developed steroid-insensitive neutrophilic inflammation under Th17-biased conditions. The levels of keratinocyte-derived chemokine, MIP-2, IL-6, and other neutrophil chemotaxis-related mediators were significantly elevated in OVA-exposed RORγt-overexpressing mice compared with wild-type mice. Interestingly, airway hyperresponsiveness accompanied by neutrophilic airway inflammation in RORγt-overexpressing mice was effectively suppressed by anti–IL-17 Ab, CXCR2 antagonist, or anti–IL-6R Ab administration. In conclusion, our results suggest that the expression levels of GATA-3 and RORγt may be important for determining the phenotype of asthmatic airway inflammation. Furthermore, blockade of the Th17-signaling pathway may be a treatment option for steroid-insensitive asthma.
Hyponatremia after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: Implications and outcomes
Authors: Saramma P P , Girish Menon P , Srivastava Adesh , Sankara Sarma P
Published: January 2013

Background: Hyponatremia is the most common electrolyte abnormality seen in patients with aneurysmal SAH. Clinically significant hyponatremia (Serum Sodium <131 mEq/L) which needs treatment, has been redefined recently and there is a paucity of outcome studies based on this. This study aims to identify the mean Serum Sodium (S.Na+) level and its duration among inpatients with SAH and to identify the relationship between hyponatremia and the outcome status of patients undergoing surgery for SAH. Materials and Methods: This outcome study is undertaken in the department of neurosurgery, The Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, Trivandrum, Kerala. Medical records of all patients with SAH from 1st January to 31st July 2010 were reviewed. Preoperative status was assessed using World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies (WFNS) grading system. Discharge status was calculated using the Glasgow outcome score scale. Results: Fifty nine patients were included in the study and 53 (89.8%) of them have undergone surgical treatment. Hyponatremia was observed in 22 of 59 patients (37%). The mean Sodium level of hyponatremic patients was 126.97 mEq/L for a median duration of two days. Glasgow outcome score was good in 89.8% of patients. We lost two patients, one of whom had hyponatremia and vasospasm. Conclusion: Hyponatremia is significantly associated with poor outcome in patients with SAH. Anticipate hyponatremia in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage, timely detect and appropriately treat it to improve outcome. It is more common in patients who are more than 50 years old and whose aneurysm is in the anterior communicating artery. Our comprehensive monitoring ensured early detection and efficient surgical and nursing management reduced morbidity and mortality.
Elderly pedestrian neurotrauma: A descriptive study from a premier neurotrauma center in India
Authors: Munivenkatappa Ashok , Pruthi Nupur , Philip Mariamma , Devi Bhagavatula I , Somanna Sampath
Published: January 2013

Context: Experience with elderly pedestrian neurotrauma at a major neurotrauma tertiary center. Aims: To highlight the specific injuries and outcome of the elderly pedestrian neurotrauma patients within the city of Bangalore and its surrounding districts. Settings and Design: A retrospective study consisting of demographic data, clinical findings, radiological details, and outcomes. Materials and Methods: A study was conducted at the casualty services, in which 143 consecutive elderly pedestrian (age >60 years) head injury victims were studied from June to September 2009. The records from the hospital mortuary were analyzed from 2007 to 2009. An analysis of 77 elderly patients who died as a pedestrian in accidents during this period was performed. Statistical Analysis Used: SPSS 15. Results: The elderly pedestrians constituted 27% (143/529) of all pedestrian traumas. Two wheelers were the most common accident vehicle (56.6%, 81/143). Most of the injuries (38.5%, 55/143) occurred during peak traffic hours, that is, 4 pm to 9 pm. Majority sustained moderate to severe head injury (61%, 87/143). More than three‑fourths of patients required a computed tomography (CT) scan (77%, 110/143), in which there was a higher frequency of contusion (31.5%, 45/143), and subdural hemorrhage (23.1%, 33/143). Most of the injured (43.3%, 13/30) underwent surgery for intracranial hematoma. The mortality rate was 22.8% (8/35). Nearly one‑fourth of conducted postmortems among pedestrians belonged to the elderly age group (77/326, 23.6%). Conclusions: Elderly pedestrian neurotrauma patients sustain a more severe injury as evident by poorer Glasgow Coma Score (GCS) scores and CT scan findings, and hence have a higher mortality rate.
Transient electromyographic findings in serotonergic toxicity due to combination of essitalopram and isoniazid
Authors: Erdoğan Çağdas , Değirmenci Eylem , Bir Levent Sinan
Published: January 2013

Here, we report a case of serotonergic toxicity due to combination of essitalopram and isoniazid, which was rarely reported before. Moreover, we observed transient neurogenic denervation potentials in needle electromyography, which disappeared with the treatment of serotonergic toxicity. As to our best knowledge, this is the first case, reporting transient electromyographic changes probably due to serotonergic toxicity.
Charles bonnet syndrome, management with simple behavioral technique
Authors: Issa Baba Awoye , Yussuf Abdullahi Dasliva
Published: January 2013

Charles Bonnet syndrome occurs in visually impaired but cognitively normal individuals. This report describes a condition of vivid visual hallucination (phantom images) in an 85‑year‑old conscious man, who had been blind by bilateral progressively worsening glaucoma. This common, but rarely reported, condition was managed by behavioral approach of repeated blinking, intermittent eyes closure, and reassurance. While emotional, mood and cognitive disorders need to be ruled out, the condition, though frightening to the afflicted, is benign and remediable with simple, inexpensive approach. Health workers managing people with terminal blindness should always ask for the presence of hallucinations from their patients to forestall a preventable distress resulting from wrong perception without visual stimulus.
Is neurocysticercosis a risk factor for glioblastoma multiforme or a mere coincidence: A case report with review of literature
Authors: Kumar Narendra , Bhattacharya Tapesh , Kumar Ritesh , Radotra Bishan Das , Mukherjee Kanchan Kumar , Kapoor Rakesh , Ghoshal Sushmita
Published: January 2013

Simultaneous occurrence of Neurocysticercosis (NC) along with Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) is a very rare presentation. We herein describe a case report of treated case of NC2 years back who presented with secondary GBM. The brief report highlights that there may be some associated factors which may lead to development of secondary GBM in preexisting helminthic infection.
Restlessness in right upper limb as sole presentation of restless legs syndrome
Authors: Gupta Ravi , Lahan Vivekananda , Goel Deepak
Published: January 2013

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) rarely affects the upper limb during the initial course of disease. We present a patient who complained of symptoms suggesting RLS in the right upper limb as the sole manifestation of illness. Bilateral cervical ribs and depression were co‑incidental findings. Patient responded well to dopaminergic therapy.
Jacob Mathew v. State of Punjab, the judgment stipulates the guidelines to be followed before launching a prosecution against a doctor for negligence
Authors: Subrahmanyam Bhattaram Visweswara
Published: January 2013

In a landmark judgment, the supreme court of India laid down guidelines in cases of alleged negligence against medical practitioners in India. It clearly stated that there is a need for protecting doctors from frivolous or unjust prosecution.
Occupational stress and addiction: Possible neurobiological elucidation of medical waste related individuals
Authors: Patwary Masum A , Uddin Lucina Q. , Miah M. Abdul Jalil , Sarker Mosharraf H.
Published: January 2013

Multiple factors contribute to the tendency to develop drug addictions, including social or psychological stressors. Most studies examining causes of and treatments for drug addiction have been conducted in Western developed nations. Here we used phenomenological research approach to explore the neurobiological explanation of drug addiction and to investigate attitudes towards drug use amongst individuals working with medical waste. Data were collected in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, using a variety of techniques based on formal representative sampling for fixed populations and adaptive sampling for roaming populations. We found that over half of participants interviewed reported using illicit substances to cope with occupational stress. Self-reported disease symptoms related to stress were reported by most of the respondents. Working with horrifying waste contributes to increased stress among the participants. These results indicate that in the case of these workers, workplace stressors along with cultural and socio-economic context uniquely contribute to, and exacerbate, tendencies toward drug addiction.
Efficient Fabrication of Polymer Nanocomposites with Effective Exfoliation and Dispersion by Solid‐State / Melt Extrusion
Authors: Whittington Alyssa M. , Brouse Stephen M. , Malusis Michael A. , Wakabayashi Katsuyuki
Published: January 2013

In this communication, solid‐state/melt extrusion (SSME) is introduced as a novel technique that combines solid‐state shear pulverization (SSSP) and conventional twin screw extrusion (TSE) in a single extrusion system. The morphology and property enhancements in a model linear low‐density polyethylene/organically modified clay nanocomposite sample fabricated via SSME were compared to those fabricated via SSSP and TSE. The results show that SSME is capable of exfoliating and dispersing the nanofillers similarly to SSSP, while achieving a desirable output rate and producing extrudate similar in form to that from TSE. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Adv Polym Techn 2013, 32, 21334; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/adv.21334
Ischemic heart disease mortality and PM3.5 in a cohort of autoworkers
Authors: Costello Sadie , Garcia Erika , Hammond S. Katharine , Eisen Ellen A.
Published: January 2013

Background

Increased risk of ischemic heart disease (IHD) has been associated with particulate matter (PM) from air pollution. Yet evidence of increased risk associated with higher workplace exposures is scant.

Methods

We examined the exposure–response relationship between IHD mortality and PM3.5 (<3.5 µm diameter) from current and cumulative exposure to straight metalworking fluid in a cohort of 39,412 autoworkers followed from 1941 to 1995. Age, calendar year of follow up, sex, race, and plant were included in each model.

Results

To address the decrease in polycyclic‐aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) content in the straight metalworking fluid over time, analyses were stratified by calendar time. Increased risk of IHD mortality was associated with current exposure to PM3.5 before 1971 and with cumulative exposure to PM3.5 after 1971.

Conclusions

Results provide modest evidence that occupational exposure to fine PM from straight fluids, especially fluid with higher PAH, may increase the risk of IHD mortality. Am. J. Ind. Med. 56:317–325, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Homozygosity mapping of depressive disorder in a large family from Pakistan: Significant linkage on chromosome 6 and 9
Authors: Ayub Muhammad , Irfan Muhammad , Maclean Alan , Naeem Farooq , Blackwood Douglas
Published: January 2013

A large family with a high prevalence of recurrent major depression and high average inbreeding coefficient was ascertained from rural Pakistan. Subjects were interviewed and diagnosed by a trained psychiatrist, 370 microsatellite markers were genotyped and the program FEstim was used for homozygosity mapping. Significant linkage was found on Chromosome 9 and Chromosome 6 after fine mapping. These regions on Chromosome 6 and 9 may harbor genes which predispose to depression. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Refinement of chromosome 3p22.3 region and identification of a susceptibility gene for bipolar affective disorder
Authors: Secolin Rodrigo , Banzato Claudio E.M. , Mella Lucas F.B. , Santos Marilza L. , Dalgalarrondo Paulo , Lopes‐Cendes Iscia
Published: January 2013

Genome‐wide association studies and meta‐analysis, as well as our own previous family‐based association results, have pointed to chromosome (ch) 3p22.3 and 3p21.1 as candidate regions to contain a susceptibility gene for bipolar affective disorder (BPAD). In the present study, we further refined the region of interest on ch 3p22.3. We genotyped 94 SNPs within the candidate region in 74 families and performed family‐based association analysis using a transmission disequilibrium test. One single SNP (rs166508) was associated with the BPAD phenotype (P = 0.0187). This SNP is located within intron 15 of the integrin alpha 9 (ITGA9) gene. ITGA9 encodes the α9 subunit of the α9β1 integrin, a membrane glycoprotein receptor for neurotrophins, such as nerve growth factor (NGF) and brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Quantification of ITGA9 transcripts in the peripheral blood of patients with BPAD and controls showed an upregulation of ITGA9 (Kruskal–Wallis P = 0.0339) in patients with the disease‐associated genotype (rs166508*A/A), compared to those with rs166508*G/G and rs166508*G/A genotypes. Sequencing of the ITGA9 cDNA revealed a sequence variant (r.1689_1839del) in rs166508*A carriers, which leads to loss of the entire exon 16. In silico analysis revealed that the deleted region contains three putative microRNA binding sites, which may be involved in the negative regulation of ITGA9. In conclusion, our results confirm previous evidence pointing to a candidate region for BPAD on ch 3p.22.3. In addition, we suggest a molecular substrate that could explain the increase of ITGA9 mRNA levels in probands with BPAD, proposing a new mechanism that could be involved in the genetic susceptibility to the disease. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Recent trauma and acute infection as risk factors for childhood arterial ischemic stroke
Authors: Hills Nancy K. , Johnston S. Claiborne , Sidney Stephen , Zielinski Brandon A. , Fullerton Heather J.
Published: January 2013

Objective:

Trauma and acute infection have been associated with stroke in adults, and are prevalent exposures in children. We hypothesized that these environmental factors are independently associated with childhood arterial ischemic stroke (AIS).

Methods:

In a case–control study nested within a cohort of 2.5 million children (≤19 years old) enrolled in an integrated health care plan (1993–2007), childhood AIS cases (n = 126) were identified from electronic records and confirmed through chart review. Age‐ and facility‐matched controls (n = 378) were randomly selected from the cohort. Exposures were determined from review of medical records prior to the stroke diagnosis, or the same date for the paired controls; time windows were defined a priori.

Results:

A medical encounter for head or neck trauma within the prior 12 weeks was an independent risk factor for childhood AIS (odds ratio [OR], 7.5; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.9–19.3), present in 12% of cases (1.6% of controls). Median time from trauma to stroke was 0.5 days (interquartile range, 0–2 days); post hoc redefinition of trauma exposure (prior 1 week) was more strongly associated with AIS: OR, 39; 95% CI, 5.1–298. A medical encounter for a minor acute infection (prior 4 weeks) was also an independent risk factor (OR, 4.6; 95% CI, 2.6–8.2), present in 33% of cases (13% of controls). No single infection type predominated. Only 2 cases had exposure to trauma and infection.

Interpretation:

Trauma and acute infection are common independent risk factors for childhood AIS, and may be targets for stroke prevention strategies. ANN NEUROL 2012;72:850–858
ECG changes in factory workers exposed to 27.2 MHz radiofrequency radiation
Authors: Chen Qingsong , Xu Guoyong , Lang Li , Yang Aichu , Li Shilin , Yang Liwen , Li Chaolin , Huang Hanlin , Li Tao
Published: January 2013

To research the effect of 27.2 MHz radiofrequency radiation on electrocardiograms (ECG), 225 female workers operating radiofrequency machines at a shoe factory were chosen as the exposure group and 100 female workers without exposure from the same factory were selected as the control group. The 6 min electric field strength that the female workers were exposed to was 64.0 ± 25.2 V/m (mean ± SD), which exceeded 61 V/m, the International Commission on Non‐Ionizing Radiation Protection reference root mean square levels for occupational exposure. A statistical difference was observed between the exposed group and the control group in terms of the rate of sinus bradycardia (χ2 = 11.48, P = 0.003). When several known risk factors for cardiovascular disease were considered, including smoking, age, alcohol ingestion habit, and so on, the exposure duration was not an effective factor for ECG changes, sinus arrhythmia, or sinus bradycardia according to α = 0.05, while P = 0.052 for sinus arrhythmia was very close to 0.05. We did not find any statistical difference in heart rate, duration of the QRS wave (ventricular depolarization), or corrected QT intervals (between the start of the Q wave and end of the T wave) between the exposed and control groups. Occupational exposure to radiofrequency radiation was not found to be a cause of ECG changes after consideration of the confounding factors. Bioelectromagnetics 34:285–290, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Effect of microwave radiation on human EEG at two different levels of exposure
Authors: Suhhova Anna , Bachmann Maie , Karai Deniss , Lass Jaanus , Hinrikus Hiie
Published: January 2013

This study is aimed at evaluating the effect of microwave radiation on human brain bioelectric activity at different levels of exposure. For this purpose, 450 MHz microwave exposure modulated at 40 Hz frequency was applied to a group of 15 healthy volunteers at two different specific absorption rate (SAR) levels: a higher level of 0.303 W/kg (field strength 24.5 V/m) and a lower level of 0.003 W/kg (field strength 2.45 V/m). Ten exposure cycles (1 min off and 1 min on) at fixed SAR values were applied. A resting eyes‐closed electroencephalogram (EEG) was continuously recorded. Results showed a statistically significant increase in the EEG power in the EEG beta2 (157%), beta1 (61%) and alpha (68%) frequency bands at the higher SAR level, and in the beta2 (39%) frequency band at the lower SAR level. Statistically significant changes were detected for six individual subjects in the EEG alpha band and four subjects in the beta1 and beta2 bands at the higher SAR level; three subjects were affected in the alpha, beta1 and beta2 bands at the lower SAR level. The study showed that decreasing the SAR 100 times reduced the related changes in the EEG three to six times and the number of affected subjects, but did not exclude the effect. Bioelectromagnetics 34:264–274, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Experimentelle Umsetzung von Symmetrielagerungen
Authors: Winkler Karsten , Mark Peter
Published: January 2013

Grundidee des Beitrags ist es, Symmetrien von Stahlbetonbalken oder ‐platten in Last und Bauteilgeometrie im Experiment zur Systemreduktion zu nutzen. Bei einfacher bzw. doppelter Achsensymmetrie bedeutet das die Halbierung bzw. Viertelung der Prüfkörper. Gleiches gilt für die Bauteileigengewichte und die Prüflasten. Dazu sind biegesteife Widerlager zu entwickeln, die gleichzeitig vertikal ideal verschieblich sind. Der Beitrag zeigt Entwicklung, Umsetzung und Verifikation der Symmetrielagerungen mit den Anschlüssen zu den Betonkörpern. Sie bestehen aus präzise zu fertigenden Profilstahlkonstruktionen der Widerlager, Gleitebenen aus gefettetem Teflon und vorgespannten Rückspannungen der Biegezugbewehrungen. Vergleichsuntersuchungen an reduzierten “Halbbalken” und Vollsystemen als Referenz zeigen nahezu übereinstimmende Ergebnisse.

Experimental realization of symmetry bearings

Taking advantage of symmetries of reinforced concrete beams and slabs in experimental setups characterizes the fundamental idea in this paper. This leads to significant reductions of test loads and dimensions of test members, i.e. bisection for single and quartering for double axis symmetry, respectively. For this purpose, an almost frictionless sliding as well as a flexurally rigid performance at the symmetry bearing have to be realized. The contribution focuses on development, realization and verification of symmetry bearings and their interface connections to test members. The bearing modules consist of precisely manufactured steel elements, combined with prestressed anchorages of the bending reinforcement. Almost frictionless sliding is ensured by thin greased PTFE‐sheets. Comparative investigations show almost identical test behaviours of symmetrically reduced test specimens and corresponding full‐size members.
Revisiting the concepts of competition between reaction and diffusion in poisoned catalysts
Authors: Madeira Luis M. , Rodrigues Alírio E.
Published: January 2013

The competition between diffusion and first‐order irreversible reaction in poisoned catalysts is revisited. Two cases are considered for isothermal slab catalysts: uniform and shell‐progressive (or pore‐mouth) poisoning. Analytical concentration profiles are derived, and the implications on catalyst performance are evaluated in different regimes (chemical‐ or diffusion‐controlled) for different levels of poisoning.

It was found that depending on the poisoning mechanism, the activity decay can be more or less pronounced. Being of particular concern is the pore‐mouth poisoning at high Thiele modulus, conditions under which catalyst performance is drastically affected. The reagent concentration profiles allowed the explanation of the phenomena occurring at the particle scale, in particular the effectiveness factors, observed reaction rates, and poisoning factors' dependence on the Thiele modulus and fraction of the poisoned catalyst; it was found that such relationships are dependent on the mechanism of deactivation. © 2012 Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering
Composite planning and scheduling algorithm addressing intra‐period infeasibilities of gasoline blend planning models
Authors: Mahalec V. , Thakral A.
Published: January 2013

Multi‐period planning models result in solutions which are feasible at the boundaries of the periods but may be infeasible within the periods. The composite algorithm presented here (i) solves coarse multi‐period MILP model structure for production planning; (ii) sequences operations via a genetic algorithm to minimise switching; (iii) verifies schedule feasibility via agent‐based simulation and local logical decision making; and (iv) if infeasible, re‐partitions the time horizon into multi‐periods and resolves from (i) until feasible. Application of the algorithm to gasoline blending illustrates its effectiveness in computing feasible plans and schedules for such systems. © 2012 Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering
Effects of sweating temperature on the purification of phosphoric acid hemihydrate crystal in dry‐sweating process
Authors: Wang Baoming , Li Jun , Luo Jianhong , Zhou Kun , Jin Yang , Qi Yabing , Ma Chunlei
Published: January 2013

In order to purify phosphoric acid hemihydrate (H3PO4·0.5H2O) crystal further, the effects of sweating time and sweating temperature on purification are investigated in a dry‐sweating process. Experimental results indicate the content of Mg, As, Sb and Pb in the H3PO4·0.5H2O crystal decreases with increasing sweating time and sweating temperature during sweating process and show the same tendency to decrease with time at different sweating temperatures. The purification rate coefficients of H3PO4·0.5H2O crystals for Mg, As, Sb and Pb are determined. They increase with an increase in sweating temperature. The Arrhenius equation can be successfully used to describe the relationship between the purification rate coefficient and the absolute sweating temperature. The activation energy of sweating for Mg, As, Sb and Pb in the H3PO4·0.5H2O crystal are calculated using these experimental data. These values for Mg, As, Sb and Pb are 130.13, 193.59, 98.51 and 102.29 kJ mol−1, respectively.
Nanoparticle‐stabilised invert emulsion drilling fluids for deep‐hole drilling of oil and gas
Authors: Agarwal Sushant , Phuoc Tran X. , Soong Yee , Martello Donald , Gupta Rakesh K.
Published: January 2013

Invert emulsions are used to drill for oil and gas when good wellbore stability and high temperature tolerance are required. These drilling fluids contain a solid phase and two immiscible liquid phases stabilised with a polymeric surfactant. In ultra deep drilling, due to high temperature, the surfactant degrades causing phase separation. However, fine particles can be used as stabilisers, and the result is a Pickering emulsion. Here, we demonstrate that the use of a combination of hydrophobic nanoparticles and organically modified nanoclay results in stable water‐in‐oil invert emulsions model drilling fluids. These gel‐like model fluids have the desired plastic viscosity and yield stress suitable for drilling fluid applications that can be modified by adjusting the nanoparticle‐content. Aging experiments at 225°C showed that they also have high‐temperature stability for demanding drilling operations.
Equal consistency spraying and flow field characteristics of spraying water pipe
Authors: Zeng Jin‐Song , Chen Ke‐Fu , Feng Yu‐Cheng , Wei Wang , Liu De‐Tao
Published: January 2013

As one of the key parts of discharging system in the diluted zone at the bottom of high consistency bleaching tower, the spraying water pipe would be used to dilute the pulp uniformly while it was rotating, with a range from 0 to 90 rpm. Fluid dynamics of the three kinds of spraying water pipes such as straight‐shaped, spindle‐shaped and waist‐shaped were studied by performing computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations and particle image velocimetry (PIV) measurements. Simulated velocity fields were compared with experiment PIV data. The results from the simulations and experiments are in good agreement. The works show that CFD simulations using the Realisable κ–ϵ model combined with the MRF technique can predict the hydrodynamic characteristics in industrial scales spraying water pipes. Spindle‐shaped spraying water pipe would be better finished equal consistency spraying water.