bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Greening of higher education in the Republic of Serbia
Authors: Nikolić Vesna , Ranitović Jelena , Milutinović Slobodan
Published: January 2015

Nowadays, Serbia is not at a satisfactory level of sustainability due to the well known events that occurred within the past two decades. According to the European Commission, environmental protection is an area in whichSerbiawill have to give its maximum effort to fully meet European standards and the requirements of sustainable development in the future. Poor water quality in some parts of the country, undeveloped systems for waste collection and recycling, illegal dumps, and industrial pollution are some  of the environmental problems affecting the Republic of Serbia. These findings encouraged the authors of the paper to focus on the environmental problems as a dimension of education for sustainable development in Serbian higher education.Regulatory frameworks of higher education and education for sustainable development in theRepublicofSerbiaare presented in the first part of the paper. The second part deals with observations on current staff development within professional education centres, where their abilities to work in the field of environmental protection are discussed. In the third part, an analysis of an autonomous and integrative approach to the environmental safety education is done, and the need and importance of greening higher education curriculum, as the new paradigm in the educational system, is emphasized.In this regard, an analysis of present ecological ideas and content in the syllabus of English language, which is one of the most common courses at Serbian faculties, and which is particularly important in response to the challenges of globalization, knowledge flow, international scientific research and mobility, is performed.Finally, as part of the authors’ concluding remarks, improvements related to the period before the reform of higher education and adoption of a national strategy for sustainable development, are presented. Also, their basic weaknesses and difficulties are described. New directions of the education for environmental protection in higher education, as well as the importance of training higher education lecturers in this area, are shown.
Airway Management Evolution – In a Search for an Ideal Extraglottic Airway Device
Authors: Michálek Pavel , Miller Donald M.
Published: January 2015

Extraglottic airway devices (EADs) are commonly used equipment for airway maintenance during elective procedures under general anaesthesia. They may be used also in other indications such as conduit for tracheal intubation or rescue airway device in prehospital medicine. Current classifications of the EADs lack systematic approach and therefore classification according to the sealing sites and sealing mechanisms is suggested in this review article. Modern EADs are disposable, latex-free devices made of plastic materials – most commonly from polyvinylchloride (PVC). The bowl of uncuffed sealers is manufactured from different materials such as thermoplastic elastomers or ethylene-vinyl-acetate co-polymer. EADs create various physical forces exerted on the adjacent tissues which may contribute to different sealing characteristic of particular device or to variable incidence of postoperative complications. Desired features of an ideal EAD involve easy insertion, high insertion success rate even by inexperienced users, protection against aspiration of gastric contents and low incidence of postoperative complications such as sore throat, hoarseness, cough or swallowing difficulties.
Targeting Mitochondria for Cancer Treatment – Two Types of Mitochondrial Dysfunction
Authors: Pokorný Jiří , Pokorný Jan , Kobilková Jitka , Jandová Anna , Vrba Jan , Vrba Jan
Published: January 2015

Two basic types of cancers were identified – those with the mitochondrial dysfunction in cancer cells (the Warburg effect) or in fibroblasts supplying energy rich metabolites to a cancer cell with functional mitochondria (the reverse Warburg effect). Inner membrane potential of the functional and dysfunctional mitochondria measured by fluorescent dyes (e.g. by Rhodamine 123) displays low and high values (apparent potential), respectively, which is in contrast to the level of oxidative metabolism. Mitochondrial dysfunction (full function) results in reduced (high) oxidative metabolism, low (high) real membrane potential, a simple layer (two layers) of transported protons around mitochondria, and high (low) damping of microtubule electric polar vibrations. Crucial modifications are caused by ordered water layer (exclusion zone). For the high oxidative metabolism one proton layer is at the mitochondrial membrane and the other at the outer rim of the ordered water layer. High and low damping of electric polar vibrations results in decreased and increased electromagnetic activity in cancer cells with the normal and the reverse Warburg effect, respectively. Due to nonlinear properties the electromagnetic frequency spectra of cancer cells and transformed fibroblasts are shifted in directions corresponding to their power deviations resulting in disturbances of interactions and escape from tissue control. The cancer cells and fibroblasts of the reverse Warburg effect tumors display frequency shifts in mutually opposite directions resulting in early generalization. High oxidative metabolism conditions high aggressiveness. Mitochondrial dysfunction, a gate to malignancy along the cancer transformation pathway, forms a narrow neck which could be convenient for cancer treatment.
Common Viper Bites in the Czech Republic - Epidemiological and Clinical Aspects during 15 Year Period (1999–2013)
Authors: Valenta Jiří , Stach Zdeněk , Stříteský Martin , Michálek Pavel
Published: January 2015

The aim of this study was to analyse most important epidemiological and clinical aspects of registered snakebites caused by a native common European viper Vipera berus in the Czech Republic over a period of 15 years (1999–2013). Data have been collected retrospectively from a database of the Toxinology Centre belonging to the General University Hospital in Prague. In total, 191 cases of snakebites caused by common viper were registered during the study period. Systemic envenoming occurred in 49 (25.7%) patients, local envenoming without systemic symptoms was recorded in 91 (47.6%) and asymptomatic dry bites were seen in 51 (26.7%) cases, respectively. Twenty-four patients (12.6% of all bites) were treated with administration of antivenom. None of the victims died as a result of snakebite during the observation period. Native viper snakes usually did not cause serious harm to the patients, with the exception of children. Antivenom should be administered in all cases with systemic manifestations, in children even with serious local affection and administered as soon as possible. Envenomed patients should be admitted to the hospital and treated at least under supervision of specialists with experience in snakebite treatment, who can indicate and provide administration of the antivenom.
Student medical education with the real orthopedic case presented as interactive computer simulation
Authors: Dygut Jacek , Płonka Sylwia
Published: January 2015

Background: This article presents an example application of an e-learning tool for presenting cases with the aim of acquainting medical students with the procedures performed by a court expert in assessing causes and effects of an accident at work.

Methods: The present publication is based on medico-legal expertise dealing with the case of a 51-year-old manual worker of a carpentry company who, due to lack of proper training in handling the machine, severely injured his hand. The main advantage of this publication is the presentation of a series of cause-effect events at every stage of the patient’s treatment that led to minor and major complications and adverse effects. Their starting point was the employer’s evident error, i.e., failure to provide the worker with proper training in handling the machine.

Results and conclusions: The discussed orthopedic case has been implemented in the CASUS base (mainly using the program “Virtual Patients” as tool for case presentation) in the form of a description of a properly carried out diagnostic procedure and equipped with the expert’s opinion and explanation of possible inappropriate decisions.
Simple high-throughput analytical method using ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry to quantify total 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol in urine
Authors: Yang Jun-Young , Ahn Hyun-Kyong , Lee Si-Won , Han You-Jung , Oh Young-Jun , Velázquez-Armenta E. Yadira , Nava-Ocampo Alejandro A.
Published: January 2015

Since the urinary concentration of 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol (NNAL) is a reliable biomarker of exposure to tobacco smoke, we developed a relatively simple high-throughput chromatographic method to quantify total urinary NNAL concentrations in the general population.

The high-throughput analytical method was developed using ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) to identify and quantify total urinary NNAL concentrations in 10 non-smokers and 15 otherwise healthy smokers.

Loss of nitric oxide at

An UPLC-MS/MS analytical method to quantify total urinary NNAL concentrations in smokers that does not require sample derivatization is presented herein. The method could be useful in clarifying the toxicities associated with human exposure to cigarette smoking. However, quantification might be adversely affected by co-eluting interfering compounds or selective ion suppression or enhancement as a result of having only one ion transition to monitor NNAL and NNAL-methyl-
Determination of dabigatran in plasma, serum, and urine samples: comparison of six methods
Authors: Du Shanshan , Weiss Christel , Christina Giese , Krämer Sandra , Wehling Martin , Krämer Roland , Harenberg Job
Published: January 2015

Assessing the anticoagulant effect of dabigatran may be useful in certain clinical settings. When plasma sampling is not available, serum or urine samples may provide another option for dabigatran determinations.

Dabigatran was assessed in patients on treatment under real-life conditions in plasma samples by four clotting time-based assays and in plasma, serum, and urine samples by two chromogenic substrate methods.

The concentrations of dabigatran in patients’ plasma samples were not different for the Hemoclot test (106.8±89.4 ng/mL) and the ecarin clotting time (ECT, 109.5±74.5 ng/mL, p=0.58). Activated partial thromboplastin time and prothrombinase-induced clotting time showed low correlations with the other assays. Chromogenic assays measured similar concentrations as Hemoclot and ECT. For both chromogenic assays, the concentrations of dabigatran were about 70% lower in serum than in plasma samples (p<0.0001). The intra-class coefficient (ICC, Bland-Altman analysis) was strong comparing ECT, Hemoclot thrombin inhibitor (HTI) assay, and the two chromogenic assays (r=0.889–0.737). The ICC was low for comparisons of the chromogenic assays of serum vs. plasma values (ICC, 0.15 and 0.66). The ICC for the determination of dabigatran in urine samples by the two chromogenic assays (5641.6±4319.7 and 4730.0±3770.2 ng/mL) was 0.737.

ECT, HTI, and chromogenic assays can be used to determine dabigatran in plasma samples from patients under real-life conditions. Chromogenic assays require further improvement to reliably measure dabigatran in serum samples. Dabigatran concentrations in urine samples can also be determined quantitatively.
Turbo Codes with Modified Code Matched Interleaver for Coded-Cooperation in Half-Duplex Wireless Relay Networks
Authors: Ejaz Saqib , Yang Feng-Fan
Published: January 2015

The parallel encoding and decoding structure of turbo codes makes them natural candidate for coded-cooperative scenarios. In this paper, we focus on one of the key components of turbo codes i.e., interleaver, and analyze its effect on the performance of coded-cooperative communication. The impact of an interleaver on the overall performance of cooperative systems depends on the type of an interleaver and its location in the cooperative encoding scheme. We consider code matched interleaver (CMI) as an optimum choice and present its role in a coded-cooperation scenario. The search and convergence of CMI for long interleaver sizes is an issue; therefore, a modification in the search conditions is included without any compromise on the performance of CMI. We also present analytical method to determine maximum S-constraint length for a CMI design. Further, we analyze the performance of two different encoding schemes of turbo codes, i.e., distributed turbo code (DTC) and distributed multiple turbo code (DMTC) after inclusion of CMI. Monte Carlo simulations show that CMI increases the diversity gain relative to other conventional interleavers such as uniform random interleaver. The channel is assumed to be Rayleigh fading among all communication nodes.
Gradient estimates for inverse curvature flows in hyperbolic space
Authors: Scheuer Julian
Published: January 2015

We prove gradient estimates for hypersurfaces in the hyperbolic space H
On almost ω1-weak p
ω·2+n
-projective abelian p-groups
Authors: Danchev Peter V.
Published: January 2015

We define the classes of almost weak p
ω·2+n
-projective
and almost ω1-weak p
ω·2+n
-projective p-primary
abelian groups and establish some of their crucial properties. Important generalizations and
extensions of classical results are also obtained in this new framework.
Exercise, bodyweight perception and related weight loss behavior among adolescents in Trinidad and Tobago
Authors: Babwah Terence
Published: January 2015

Aim: This study attempted to evaluate the real and perceived body weight, exercise habits and weight-altering dietary supplement use by adolescents attending schools in Trinidad and Tobago.

Methods: A de novo questionnaire was administered prospectively to 15–19-year-old to determine their exercise habits, their perceived body weights, and their use of any weight gain or weight loss supplements. A subset of students had their actual height and weights recorded and BMI calculated.

Results: Five hundred and eighty-three students did the questionnaire (88% response rate), and 363 students had BMI calculated. Some 14.9% (54/363) of the students were overweight, and 15.4% (56/363) were obese, and more than 75% of the obese students had attempted weight loss in the past. These measures included exercise in the majority of the students and use of dietary supplements in the minority. Only 6% of the obese students exercised five or more times per week. About 28% of the students misclassified their body weights, and perception of body weight influenced weight loss behaviors more than actual body weights.

Conclusion: Almost one third of the students were overweight or obese. Overweight students were motivated to lose weight, and these students need to have some structured health promotion program, which educates them on correct exercise habits, safe measures to lose weight, and which informs them of their actual body weight.
Prevalence and determinants of cigarette smoking among adolescents in secondary schools in Port Harcourt, Southern Nigeria
Authors: Okagua Joyce , Opara Peace , Alex-Hart Balafama A.
Published: January 2015

Background:Cigarette smoking remains a major preventable public health problem associated with premature deaths worldwide. Adolescence is a unique developmental stage between childhood and adulthood. Smoking is a lifestyle habit acquired during adolescence and into adulthood, with its associated morbidity and mortality. It is therefore important to determine the factors associated with cigarette smoking in these adolescents in order to institute preventive measures and health policies to protect these adolescents early.

Objective:This study aims to determine the prevalence of smoking, factors associated with smoking, and knowledge of the harmful effects of smoking in these adolescents.

Methods:A cross-sectional study of 1120 adolescents aged 10–19 years selected from 10 secondary schools in Port Harcourt was conducted using a multistage sampling technique. The Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) core questionnaire was used to collect data from the subjects. A smoker was defined as one who had ever smoked a cigarette or who had one or two puffs, while a current smoker was defined as one who had taken a puff or smoked cigarettes in the last 30 days preceding the day of the questionnaire’s completion.

Results:Eighty subjects (7.1%) were smokers. This was significantly (p=<0.001) higher in males (9.7%) than in females (4%). Thirty seven (3.3%) subjects were current smokers. The mean age at which smoking was initiated was 12.47±3.0 years. Twenty six (32.5%) of the smokers reported that they were initiated into cigarette smoking by their friends, 36 (45%) just wanted to experiment, 7 (8.8%) were influenced by media advertisements while 5 (6.3%) were due to parental exposure. Parental history of smoking and poor knowledge of cancer of the lungs as a harmful effect of smoking, was significantly (p=<0.05) associated with cigarette smoking.

Conclusion:The prevalence of smoking in adolescents in Port Harcourt is high and is associated with parental smoking and poor knowledge of cancer of the lungs as a harmful effect. We recommend that adolescent health education with an emphasis on the harmful effects of smoking be included in the curriculum of all secondary schools.
Tailoring optical complex fields with nano-metallic surfaces
Authors: Rui Guanghao , Zhan Qiwen
Published: January 2015

Recently there is an increasing interest in complex optical fields with spatially
inhomogeneous state of polarizations and optical singularities. Novel effects
and phenomena have been predicted and observed for light beams with these
unconventional states. Nanostructured metallic thin film offers unique
opportunities to generate, manipulate and detect these novel fields. Strong
interactions between nano-metallic surfaces and complex optical fields enable
the development of highly compact and versatile functional devices and systems.
In this review, we first briefly summarize the recent developments in complex
optical fields. Various nano-metallic surface designs that can produce and
manipulate complex optical fields with tailored characteristics in the optical
far field will be presented. Nano-metallic surfaces are also proven to be very
effective for receiving and detection of complex optical fields in the near
field. Advances made in this nascent field may enable the design of novel
photonic devices and systems for a variety of applications such as quantum
optical information processing and integrated photonic circuits.
The effect of the preparation process on the swelling behavior of silk fibroin-polyurethane composite hydrogels using a full factorial experimental design
Authors: Cai Ling , Han Feilong , Hu Jingen , Xu Gewen , Huang Yiping , Lin Xiangjin
Published: January 2015

Polyurethane prepolymer (PUP) was synthesized by polyethylene glycol (PEG) and polypropylene glycol (PPG) as the soft segments, isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI) as the hard segment and dimethylol propionic acid (DMPA) and diethylene glycol (DEG) as chain extenders. Silk fibroin (SF)-PU composite hydrogels were prepared by SF and PUP through chemical crosslinking and physical crosslinking interactions. A full factorial experimental design with four factors and four levels was applied to optimize the craft of preparing SF-PU composite hydrogels. The molecular weight of PEG, IPDI/(PEG+PPG) (molar ratio), PEG/(PEG+PPG) (molar ratio) and SF/(SF+PU) (mass ratio) were the factors. The swelling behavior of hydrogels was tested in deionized water at 30°C. The results showed that the equilibrium swelling ratio (ESR) was the largest by tuning the molecular weight of PEG to 4000, IPDI/(PEG+PPG)(molar ratio) to 3, PEG/(PEG+PPG) (molar ratio) to 40% and SF/(SF+PU) (mass ratio) to 2%. Fickian diffusion played a dominant role in the initial stage of swelling. For the whole process, the results fitted well into the Schott second-order kinetic equation.
Muscle Cell Fate Choice Requires the T-Box Transcription Factor Midline in Drosophila
Authors: Kumar Ram P , Dobi Krista C , Baylies Mary K , Abmayr Susan M
Published: January 2015

Drosophila Midline (Mid) is an ortholog of vertebrate Tbx20, which plays roles in the developing heart, migrating cranial motor neurons, and endothelial cells. Mid functions in cell-fate specification and differentiation of tissues that include the ectoderm, cardioblasts, neuroblasts, and egg chambers; however, a role in the somatic musculature has not been described. We identified mid in genetic and molecular screens for factors contributing to somatic muscle morphogenesis. Mid is expressed in founder cells (FCs) for several muscle fibers, and functions cooperatively with the T-box protein H15 in lateral oblique muscle 1 and the segment border muscle. Mid is particularly important for the specification and development of the lateral transverse (LT) muscles LT3 and LT4, which arise by asymmetric division of a single muscle progenitor. Mid is expressed in this progenitor and its two sibling FCs, but is maintained only in the LT4 FC. Both muscles were frequently missing in mid mutant embryos, and LT4-associated expression of the transcription factor Krüppel (Kr) was lost. When present, LT4 adopted an LT3-like morphology. Coordinately, mid misexpression caused LT3 to adopt an LT4-like morphology and was associated with ectopic Kr expression. From these data, we concluded that mid functions first in the progenitor to direct development of LT3 and LT4, and later in the FCs to influence whichever of these differentiation profiles is selected. Mid is the first T-box factor shown to influence LT3 and LT4 muscle identity and, along with the T-box protein Optomotor-blind-related-gene 1 (Org-1), is representative of a new class of transcription factors in muscle specification.
Pro- and Assortative-sociality in the Formation and Maintenance of Religious Groups
Authors: Martin Luther H. , Wiebe Donald
Published: January 2015

Studies of evolved mechanisms and strategies supporting religious prosociality dominate the experimental agendas of cognitive scientists of religion while neglecting religion's antisocial, assortative consequences. We question, first of all, the assumed correlation between religion and prosociality; second the hypothesis that religious prosociality plays a role in the formation of large-scale societies, as advanced by some; the neglect of the historical record in experimental design and in the assessment of experimental results; and finally, suggest that funding sources more friendly to a positive view of religions explains the research bias supporting religious prosociality.
Ritualizing the Disposal of the Deceased: From Corpse to Concept, by Wil-liam W. McCorkle, Jr. Toronto Studies in Religion 30. Peter Lang, 2010. xvi + 182 pages. £29.00/ US$46.95/€29.20. ISBN-13: 9781433110108; hb., £55.00/US$88.95/€68.40. ISBN-13: 97814
Authors: Uro Risto
Published: January 2015

Book review.
Defining Magic: A Reader, by Bernd-Christian Otto and Michael Stausberg. Equinox, 2012. 281pp., pb. £16.99, ISBN-13: 9781908049797; hb. £59.50, ISBN-13: 9781908049803.
Authors: Harviainen J. Tuomas
Published: January 2015

Book review.
Anthropology and the Cognitive Challenge by Maurice Bloch. Cambridge Uni-versity Press, 2012. New Departures in Anthropology. 234pp., hb., $89.99. ISBN-13: 9780521803557; pb., $34.99. ISBN-13: 9780521006156.
Authors: Apud Ismael , Czachesz Istvan
Published: January 2015

Book review.
MODELAGEM MATEMÁTICA PARA OTIMIZAÇÃO DA PRODUÇÃO E RENDA DE MELÃO E MELANCIA EM FUNÇÃO DE LÂMINAS DE ÁGUA E DOSES DE NITROGÊNIO
Authors: Delgado Angel Ramon Sanchez , Duarte Wilson Souza , Lima Valdomiro Neves , Carvalho Daniel Fonseca de
Published: January 2015

Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o desempenho do Método de Pontos Interiores (MPI), tipo trajetória central, na maximização de funções-objetivos associadas à produção e receita agrícola com limitações de água e nitrogênio. Para isso, foi desenvolvido um procedimento iterativo buscando maximizar a produção e renda separadamente, em função da água e do nitrogênio aplicado numa caixa bidimensional de restrições, a partir de funções de produtividade para as culturas do melão e melancia. Após caracterização e implementação do modelo matemático, foram gerados resultados numéricos para diferentes cenários agrícolas. Concluiu-se que a metodologia de pontos interiores (MPI), utilizada neste estudo, foi capaz de maximizar a produtividade e receita, resultando na obtenção de valores confiáveis quando comparada com a metodologia Simplex.   UNITERMOS: Metodologia de Pontos Interiores, programação não linear, otimização     DELGADO, A. R. S.; DUARTE, W. S.; LIMA, V. N.; CARVALHO, D. F. de. MATHEMATICAL MODELLING FOR OPTIMATIZATION OF IN COME OF MELON AND WATERMELON IN WATER DEPTHS AND NITROGEN RATES DOSES FUNCTIONS     2 ABSTRACT          The objective of this work was to evaluate the Interior Point Method (central path) in the maximization of objective functions associated to production and agricultural income with water and nitrogen constraints. Thus, a computational procedure to maximize the production in relation to water and nitrogen applied to the melon and watermelon cultivation was developed in a bi-dimensional box of constraints. The model was characterized and numerical results were presented for different agricultural scenes. It was concluded that the interior point method (IPM) used in this study was capable to maximize the productivity and revenue, obtaining reliable values when compared with Simplex method.   KEYWORDS: Interior Point Method, nonlinear programming, optimization
DISTRIBUIÇÃO ESPACIAL DA ÁGUA APLICADA POR EQUIPAMENTOS AUTOPROPELIDOS DE IRRIGAÇÃO - PARTE I: MODELAGEM COM O SIMULASOFT
Authors: Prado Giuliani Do , Colombo Alberto
Published: January 2015

Um aplicativo computacional, escrito em Visual Basic 6, que simula, na condição de ausência de ventos, a distribuição espacial de água de equipamentos autopropelidos de irrigação é apresentado. A aplicação de água, no centro e ao longo do comprimento de toda a faixa molhada, é simulada em função do (i) modelo do aspersor utilizado (canhão PLONA® RL300), (ii) das condições operacionais do aspersor (diâmetro de bocal, pressão de serviço e ângulo de giro), (iii) da geometria da área (espaçamento entre carreadores, comprimento dos carreadores e comprimento da faixa efetivamente irrigada) e dos (iv) tempos de parada nas extremidades dos carreadores. As simulações executadas pelo aplicativo permitem identificar as condições operacionais dos sistemas autopropelidos de irrigação que proporcionam uma melhor uniformidade de aplicação de água.   UNITERMOS: aplicativo computacional, carretel enrolador, uniformidade da irrigação     PRADO, G. do; COLOMBO, A. SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION OF WATER APPLIED BY TRAVELER iRRIGATIOn MACHINES - Part I: MODELLING WITH SIMULASOFT     2 ABSTRACT   A computer program in Visual Basic 6 that simulates, for low wind conditions, the spatial distribution of water applied by traveling irrigation machines is presented. Irrigation water application in the central part and along all the length of the wetted path is simulated considering the following: (i) gun sprinkler model (PLONA® model RL300), (ii) sprinkler operational condition (nozzle size, working pressure and wetted sector), (iii) field geometry (travel path length and length of the effectively irrigated strip), and (iv) standing times at the end of the travel path. Water distribution simulations allow identifying operational conditions of traveling irrigation machines that result in better water application uniformity.   KEYWORDS: software, water reel machine, irrigation uniformity
RELAÇÕES INTENSIDADE-DURAÇÃO-FREQÜÊNCIA DE CHUVAS INTENSAS DE URUSSANGA, SC.
Authors: Back Álvaro José
Published: January 2015

Este artigo apresenta as relações Intensidade-Duração-Freqüência de chuvas com duração de 5  até 1440 minutos para  a cidade de Urussanga, SC.  A distribuição de extremos tipo I forneceu melhor estimativa dos valores de chuvas intensas para durações de até 1 hora, e a distribuição Log Pearson tipo III forneceu melhor estimativa para durações superiores a 1 hora. Foram ajustados os parâmetros da equação de chuvas intensas, obtendo-se  K =  6828,8; m =  0,178; b =33,85 e n = 1,143 para chuvas com duração de até 120 minutos; K =  284,3; m =  0,220; b = 0,0  e n = 0,578  para chuvas com duração de 120 a 480 minutos;  K =  423,23; m =  0,297; b = 0,0  e n = 0,678 para chuvas com duração de 480 a 1440 minutos. Também foram analisadas as relações entre chuvas de diferentes durações. A relação entre a chuva máxima em 24 horas e a chuva de um dia depende do horário da coleta da chuva diária e do período de retorno, tendo em média o valor 1,14.   UNITERMOS: Precipitação,  chuva de projeto, estatística.     BACK, Á. J. INTENSITY-DURATION-FREQUENCY RELATION OF INTENSE RAINFALL  FOR URUSSANGA-SC.     2 ABSTRACT   This paper presents the Intensity-Duration-Frequency relationship of rainfall with duration varying from 5 to 1440 minutes for Urussanga, SC, Brazil. The distribution of extreme type I provided best estimation of rainfall for durations up to 1 hour, and Log Pearson Type III distribution provided the best estimation for durations over 1 hour. Heavy rain equations were adjusted, resulting in K = 6828.8, m = 0.178, b = 33.85, n = 1.143 for rainfall with up to 120 minutes; K = 284.3, m = 0.220, b = 0.0, and n = 0.578 for rainfall  from  120 to 480 minutes; K = 423.23,  m = 0.297, b = 0.0 and n = 0.678 for  rainfall  from 480 to 1440 minutes.  The relationship between rainfall of different durations was also analyzed. The relationship between the maximum rainfall during 24 hours and the rain of a day depends on the time of the collection of daily rainfall and return period and the average value of 1.14.   KEYWORDS: Rainfall, design rainfall, statistics.
VARIABILIDADE TEMPORAL E MAPEAMENTO DOS DADOS CLIMÁTICOS DE BOTUCATU–SP
Authors: Sartori Anderson Antonio da Conceição , Silva Alessandra Fagioli da , Ramos Clovis Manoel Carvalho , Zimback Célia Regina Lopes
Published: January 2015

O trabalho teve objetivo estudar a variabilidade temporal da temperatura do ar, precipitação pluviométrica e umidade relativa do ar na cidade de Botucatu-SP, Brasil, utilizando técnicas geoestatísticas. Os dados de precipitação pluviométrica, temperatura do ar e umidade relativa do ar utilizados no presente estudo são provenientes da Estação Meteorológica da Fazenda Lageado, da Faculdade de Ciências Agronômicas-UNESP. As observações foram realizadas no período de 1988 a 2007, referem-se ao total mensal de precipitação pluvial expressa em altura de lâmina d'água (mm), médias mensais de temperatura em ºC e umidade relativa em %. Os dados foram avaliados por meio da estatística clássica e geoestatística. As variáveis climáticas tiveram sua dependência verificada por variogramas, apresentando dependência temporal maior que 76%. A série temporal de umidade relativa do ar foi a que apresentou maior alcance (8,67 meses) e, conseqüentemente, maior estabilidade climática. O conhecimento da distribuição temporal das variáveis climáticas é importante para o estudo e realização do zoneamento agroclimático, bem como para o dimensionamento do sistema de irrigação das culturas.   UNITERMOS: geoestatística, mapeamento e krigagem     SARTORI, A. A. C.; SILVA, A. F.; RAMOS, C. M. C; ZIMBACK, C. R. L. TEMPORAL VARIABILITY AND CLIMATE DATA MAPS OF BOTUCATU-SP     2 ABSTRACT    The objective of this research to study the temporal variability of air temperature, rainfall and relative humidity at Botucatu-SP, Brazil, using geostatistics techniques. The data of rainfall, air temperature and relative humidity used in this study were obtamed from the Meteorological Station of the Agricultural Sciences College. The observations were made in the period from 1988 to 2007 and refer to the total monthly rainfall expressed in water depth (mm), average monthly of temperature in °C and relative humidity in %. The data were evaluated by means of classical statistics and geostatistics. The climatic variables were their dependence verified by variogramas, presenting temporal dependence greater than 76%. The temporal series of relative humidity presented the greatest value (8.67 months) and, consequently, more stability climate. Knowledge of the temporal distribution of climate variables is important for the study and realization of agroclimatic zoning and for design measurement of rrigation systems.   KEYWORDS: geostatistics, mapping and kriging
CRESCIMENTO E ACÚMULO DE NITROGÊNIO E POTÁSSIO PELO MELÃO PELE DE SAPO FERTIRRIGADO
Authors: Temóteo Amansleone Da Silva , Medeiros José Franscismar de , Dutra Indalécio , Oliveira Francisco De Assis de
Published: January 2015

Com o objetivo de obter curvas de massa seca e de acúmulo de nitrogênio e potássio pelo melão Pele-de-Sapo (Cucumis melo L.) híbrido Sancho, sob fertirrigação e diferentes lâminas de irrigação, conduziu-se um experimento em Mossoró-RN, num delineamento experimental em blocos casualizados com três repetições. Os tratamentos consistiram de doses, em kg ha-1, de nitrogênio: 0, 91, 140 e 184 e de potássio: 0, 174, 260 e 346 aplicadas via fertirrigação sob três lâminas de irrigação: 281, 349 e 423 mm. Realizou-se cinco coletas da parte aérea das plantas (caule, folha e fruto) a partir dos 28 até 70 dias após transplantio, em intervalos de 10 dias, para determinações da massa seca da parte aérea e acúmulo de N e K. Doses superiores a 140 e 260 kg ha-1 de N e K (utilizadas pelos produtores da região) respectivamente não promoveram aumento no acúmulo de fitomassa seca total. As doses crescentes de nitrogênio garantiram os maiores acúmulos deste nutriente ao longo do ciclo da planta e as doses de N de 91 e de 140 kg ha-1, e de K de 174 e de 260 kg ha-1 e a lâmina de 349 mm proporcionaram maior acúmulo de potássio na planta.   UNITERMOS: Cucumis melo L., nutrição mineral, lâminas de irrigação.     TEMÓTEO, A. da S.; MEDEIROS, J. F. de; DUTRA, I. OLIVEIRA, F. A. de; GROWTH AND ABSORPTION OF N AND K BY FERTIGATED FROG SKIN MELON     2 ABSTRACT   With the objective of obtaining dry matter curves, and nitrogen and potassium accumulation in Piel de Sapo melon (Cucumis melo L.) hybrid Sancho, an experiment was conducted in Mossoró – RN in a randomized blocks design with three repetitions. Treatments consisted of doses in kg ha-1 of nitrogen: 0, 91, 140 and 184 and potassium: 0, 174, 260 and 346; which were applied by fertigation in depths of 281, 349 and 423mm. Stems, leaves and fruits were harvested 5 times at 28 to 70 days after transplantation, in intervals of 10 days for analyses of aerial dry matter, nitrogen, and potassium accumulation. Doses higher than 140 and 260 kg ha-1 of N and K respectively, did not induce greater accumulation of these nutrients increasing levels throughout the plant cycle. Nitrogen doses of 91 and 140 kg ha-1, potassium doses of 174 and 260 kg ha-1 as well as depth of 348mm provided higher accumulation of potassium in the plant.   KEY WORDS: Cucumis melo L., mineral nutrition, irrigation depths.
TOLERÂNCIA DO PEPINO À SALINIDADE EM AMBIENTE PROTEGIDO: EFEITOS SOBRE PROPRIEDADES FÍSICO-QUÍMICAS DOS FRUTOS
Authors: Medeiros Pedro R.F. de , Duarte Sergio N. , Dias Carlos T. S. , Silva Márcio F. D.
Published: January 2015

A salinidade provocada pelo mau uso da fertirrigação pode causar muitos danos às plantas e consequentemente à produção. Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar os frutos da cultura do pepino, em relação aos parâmetros pH, sólidos solúveis totais (%), acidez total titulável (g 100g-1 de amostra) e firmeza de polpa (kgf), cultivada em meio salino. Os tratamentos foram compostos pelos seguintes fatores: dois tipos de manejo de fertirrigação (M1 e M2) e seis níveis iniciais de salinidade do solo (S1=1,5; S2=2,5; S3=3,5; S4=4,5; S5=5,5 e S6=6,5 dS m-1). O experimento foi conduzido na área experimental do Departamento de Engenharia Rural da ESALQ/USP, Piracicaba/SP. O plantio foi realizado em vasos, utilizando solo arenoso e irrigação por gotejamento. A salinização foi obtida com soluções oriundas dos próprios fertilizantes. Como principais resultados, tem-se que o tipo de manejo da fertirrigação adotado interfere menos que os níveis de salinidade do solo em relação às características físico-químicas dos frutos, porém houve diferença significativa para o parâmetro acidez total titulável em seus valores médios tanto no tipo de manejo de fertirrigação adotado, como nos níveis de salinidade do solo.   UNITERMOS: fertilizantes químicos, condutividade elétrica, Cucumis sativus L.     MEDEIROS, P. R. F. DE, DUARTE, S. N,. DIAS, C. T. S.,SILVA, M. F. D., CUCUMBER SALINITY TOLERANCE UNDER PROTECTED ENVIRONMENT: EFFECT ON THE FRUITS PHYSICOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES     2 Abstract   The salinity caused by inappropriate fertigation use, can cause much damage to plants and consequently to its production. The objective of this study was to evaluate the cucumber fruits in relation to parameter Ph, total soluble solids (%), total acidity (g 100g-1 sample), and pulp firmness (kgf) cultivated in saline environment. The treatments were: two fertigation management types (M1 and M2) and six initial levels of soil salinity (S1=1.5; S2=2.5; S3=3.5; S4=4.5; S5=5.5 and S6=6.5 dS m-1). The experiment was conducted at the Rural Engineering Department of ESALQ/USP in Piracicaba/SP, Brazil experimental area. The grove was planted in pots using sandy soil and drip irrigation. The salinity was obtained with solutions derived from the actual fertilizer. The main results showed that the type of fertigation management adopted interfered less than the soil salinity levels regarding the fruits physicochemical characteristics; however, there was a significant difference for the parameter total acidity mean values in the fertigation type adopted as well as in the soil salinity levels.   KEYWORDS: chemical fertilizers, electric conductivity, Cucumis sativus L.
VARIABILIDADE ESPACIAL DO POTENCIAL EROSIVO DAS CHUVAS PARA O ESTADO DO ESPÍRITO SANTO, BRASIL
Authors: Silva Samuel De Assis , Lima Julião Soares de Souza , Souza Gustavo Soares de , Oliveira Rone Batista de
Published: January 2015

Este trabalho teve como objetivo  determinar a variabilidade espacial da erosividade das chuvas a     partir de dados de pluviômetro e construir mapas de isolinhas para o Estado do Espírito Santo, Brasil. A erosividade da chuva foi estimada para 55 postos pluviométricos no Estado com base nos dados da ANA, através da equação EI = 67,355 (r2/P)0,85. Os dados foram submetidos, incialmente, a uma estatística descritiva e exploratória. A dependência espacial foi calculada através do semivariograma para a precipitação média acumulada e as erosividades nos períodos de seca (abril a setembro) e de chuvas (outubro a março). As variáveis apresentaram dependência espacial, sendo que os semivariogramas da erosividade no período das chuvas e do total anual mostraram o mesmo padrão de distribuição espacial. Os mapas de isolinhas indicam maiores erosividades no período da seca na região litorânea.   UNITERMOS: erosividade, krigagem, conservação do solo, geoestatística.     SILVA, S. A.; LIMA, J. S. S.; SOUZA, G. S. S.; OLIVEIRA, R. B. SPATIAL VARIABILITY OF RAINFALL EROSIVE POTENTIAL FOR ESPIRITO SANTO STATE, BRAZIL     2 ABSTRACT   This study aimed to determine the spatial variability of rainfall erosivity from rain gauge data and to construct isoline maps for Espírito Santo State, Brazil. The rainfall erosivity was estimated for 55 rain gauge stations in the Sate based on ANA’s data, using the equation EI = 67.355 (r2/P)0.85. Data were initially submitted to a descriptive and explanatory statistics. Spatial dependence was calculated through the semivariogram for the cumulative average precipitation and erosivity during dry (April to September) and rainfall (October to March) periods. The variables presented spatial dependence and the erosivity semivariograms during the rainfall and total annual periods showed the same spatial pattern distribution. The isoline maps indicated larger erosivity during dry season in the coastal region.   KEYWORDS: erosivity, kriging, soil conservation, geoestatistics.
Effect of expanded slate aggregate on fresh properties and shear behaviour of lightweight SCC beams
Authors: Abouhussien Ahmed A. , Hassan Assem A. A. , Hussein Amgad A.
Published: January 2015

Lightweight normal concrete (NC) and self-consolidating concrete (SCC) mixtures were developed using lightweight expanded slate coarse aggregate. The developed mixtures incorporated natural sand, metakaolin (MK) and fly ash (FA), and had a density in the range 1817–1984 kg/m3. All the mixtures were developed with variable compressive strengths (20–61 MPa), lightweight expanded slate to fine aggregate (ES/F) ratios (0·7–2·0), water to binder (W/B) ratios (0·35 and 0·40) and variable total binder contents (500 kg/m3 and 600 kg/m3). Tests of the fresh properties of the developed lightweight SCC mixtures included flow/passing ability, viscosity and segregation resistance tests. The developed lightweight NC and SCC mixtures were also used to cast 12 identical beams without shear reinforcement to examine their shear strength and cracking behaviour in full-scale concrete structures. The results of the trial mixtures performed on a wide range of ES/F ratios showed that a maximum ES/F ratio of 1·5 could produce lightweight SCC mixtures with acceptable fresh properties and compressive strength, while a maximum ES/F ratio of 2 was able to produce NC mixtures. Although an increase in ES/F ratio decreased the density of the SCC mixtures, it decreased the 28 d compressive strength, reduced the mixture flow ability and passing ability, and increased the segregation risk. However, increasing the ES/F ratio increased the normalised shear loads and post diagonal cracking resistance of all the tested beams. This is because the tested expanded slate aggregate proved to be relatively strong as it did not entirely break along the diagonal crack surface, even in mixtures of 61 MPa strength.
Modifying CFRP–concrete bond characteristics from pull-out testing
Authors: Haddad Rami Haythem , Al-Rousan Rajai , Ghanma Lina , Nimri Zaid
Published: January 2015

Most available models for the prediction of bond characteristics between carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites and concrete are based on data from tests on pull-out specimens, but the use of such characteristics in the analysis and design of reinforced concrete and CFRP strengthened or repaired beams could yield inaccurate estimations. The present work aimed to develop empirical models to generate modification factors for bond characteristics as obtained on small-size pull-out specimens. For this, an experimental programme was designed and conducted to relate bond characteristics from pull-out tests to those from concrete beam bond specimens. CFRP plates or sheets were bonded to both types of specimens at length and width ratios of 1/3, 2/3 and 1. The beams were tested under four-point loading with load measurements acquired against CFRP elongation and its free-end slippage, whereas pull-out specimens were tested for bond stress against free-end slippage. Using statistical modelling, the bond characteristics from both types of specimens were correlated to obtain modification factors in terms of the geometric properties of CFRP composites. The findings indicate that bond length and width ratios have respectively significant and insignificant impact on bond characteristics, regardless of the bond type specimen employed. The modification factors reveal that pull-out specimens tend to overestimate bond strength yet underestimate bond slippage at failure.
Three-dimensional modelling of precast concrete pavement repair joints
Authors: Priddy Lucy P. , Doyle Jesse D. , Flintsch Gerardo W. , Pittman David W. , Anderton Gary L.
Published: January 2015

This paper examines the mechanical response of precast panel pavement repair joints under static aircraft loadings using the finite-element method. Three-dimensional finite-element models were developed using the Abaqus software code, and their results were compared to and validated against results of full-scale field tests and theoretical calculations. Unlike previous pavement repair modelling efforts for precast panels and dowel retrofitting studies, all parts of the repair joint were modelled, including the dowels, dowel slot material, parent concrete, precast panel and pavement sublayers. Results show that high stress concentrations occur in the dowel slot material and that the current panel design is likely to be improved by modifying the dowel diameter.
Plastic hinge length of reinforced concrete slender shear walls
Authors: Mun Ju-Hyun , Yang Keun-Hyeok
Published: January 2015

This paper proposes a simple model that can reasonably determine the potential plastic hinge region for seismic design of shear walls. To idealise the plastic hinge region, a parametric study is conducted on the curvature distribution over the member length using a non-linear, two-dimensional, finite-element analysis procedure. To solve the plastic hinge length equation derived from the idealised curvature distribution, the equations for yielding and ultimate moment capacities of shear walls are generalised on the basis of Bernoulli's principle, strain compatibility condition and equilibrium condition of forces. The generalised equations promise that the yielding and ultimate moment capacities of shear walls can be straightforwardly evaluated with relatively high accuracy. Ultimately, the plastic hinge length of the shear wall is then simply formulated as a function of longitudinal tensile reinforcement index in the boundary element, vertical shear reinforcement index in the web, and axial force index. The predicted plastic hinge lengths obtained from the current simple model are in better agreement with test results than the previous equations; the mean, standard deviation and coefficient of variation of the ratios between experiments and predictions are 1·019, 0·102 and 0·100, respectively.
Refocusing urban design as an integrative art of place
Authors: Marshall Stephen
Published: January 2015

Urban design finds itself in an existential struggle between its parent disciplines of architecture and planning. This paper advances the case for refocusing on the art of urban design, and the potential for this artistic aspect to play a more definitive role in urban design. The scope of urban design is first briefly outlined and the core role of the art of urban design is suggested. Then, the paper identifies interpretations of urban design as an art, reports critiques of the artistic dimension of urban design, and offers rebuttals of those critiques. Using an analogy with architecture, the paper then suggests an interpretation of urban design as an integrative art and, more specifically, as the articulation of place. The paper advances an agenda for urban design as an integrative art of place, and concludes with reflections on its relation to architecture and planning.