bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
De FHC a Lula: a militarização da Agência Brasileira de Inteligência
Authors: Zaverucha Jorge
Published: February 2009

Uma das tarefas políticas mais difíceis é controlar os serviços de inteligência; há uma inerente tensão entre democracia e tais serviços. Em uma democracia, a transparência sobre dados públicos e discussões sobre eles são valorizados; já a atividade de inteligência demanda sigilo. Se isso é árduo em democracias sólidas, é ainda mais em frágeis democracias como a brasileira. Nelas, quando decisões do poder civil porventura desagradam os militares, surgem pressões antidemocráticas que muitas vezes são negadas, mas que se insinuam. Em qualquer transição negociada espera-se que o novo governo democrático tenha de fazeralgumas concessões aos militares, no sentido da manutenção de algumas instituições autoritárias. É o preço da negociação, mas essas concessões devem ser temporárias. A Agência Brasileira de Inteligência (ABIN) é um típico exemplo de hibridismo institucional: ela apresenta tanto características de mudança democrática como de conservação autoritária. Com o passar dos anos, todavia, tem havido uma involuçãoinstitucional, de que sua militarização é a face mais evidente. É o que aqui pretendo demonstrar, acompanhando a criação da ABIN e sua trajetória institucional involuta ao longo dos governos Fernando Henrique Cardoso e Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Metodologicamente, farei uso de instrumentos baseados tanto na Teoria da Escolha Racional como na pesquisa etnográfica; subjacente está a premissa de que microdetalhes influenciam a evolução ou a involução institucional. Essa narrativa permite identificar problemas de ação coletiva, pontos de veto e a credibilidade de compromissos, assim como aspectos culturais dos indivíduos e/ou da sociedade que influenciam a formação das prioridades políticas.
Antologia: escrita compilada, discurso e capital simbólico
Authors: Serrani Silvana
Published: February 2009

Este artigo discute, a partir da perspectiva da Análise do Discurso, propriedades gerais da antologia, enquanto gênero paradigmático da escrita compilada. Distinções (como coletânea/antologia) e características gerais atribuídas ao gênero (por exemplo, a descontextualização de textos) são problematizadas, discutindo-se, também, efeitos discursivos da representação geopolítico-cultural em antologias de múltiplos autores e didáticas. A tese principal é que conceber as antologias como discurso permite avançar na compreensão da materialidade e do funcionamento do gênero. As ilustrações decorrem, principalmente, do âmbito dos Estudos Hispânicos, mas faz-se referência, também, a outros contextos. Propõe-se a análise discursiva comparativa como via para aprofundar a compreensão do funcionamento da antologia enquanto lugar de memória, veículo de crítica e capital simbólico. Apresentam-se resultados de um estudo de caso sobre antologias bilíngües de poesia argentina, no qual se examinam ressonâncias discursivas de fontes secundárias - prólogos, posfácios, etc. Nas conclusões, é salientada a relevância das antologias bilíngües em relação à noção de trans-nacionalidade cultural.
Borges e as categorias lógico-fenomenológicas de peirce
Authors: Merrell Floyd , Queiroz João
Published: February 2009

Fragmentos de J.L.Borges servem, aqui, a uma "descrição semioticamente orientada", baseada na teoria das categorias de C.S.Peirce. Não se pretende fazer, portanto, o desenvolvimento de uma "semiótica da literatura" com foco no texto Borgeano. Ele serve-nos como exemplares para um tratamento das categorias fenomenológicas de Peirce.
Mulheres, homens e matemática: uma leitura a partir dos dados do Indicador Nacional de Alfabetismo Funcional
Authors: Souza Maria Celeste Reis Fernandes de , Fonseca Maria da Conceição Ferreira Reis
Published: February 2009

Este artigo tem como propósito discutir as diferenças apresentadas por mulheres e homens em práticas matemáticas cotidianas, demandadas pelos apelos ou pelas oportunidades de uma sociedade pautada na dinâmica e nos critérios da cultura escrita. Tomaremos para análise os resultados divulgados na quarta edição da pesquisa Indicador Nacional de Alfabetismo Funcional (INAF), realizada em 2004, que avaliou as condições e a eficiência da população jovem e adulta brasileira na mobilização de habilidades matemáticas na execução de tarefas do cotidiano, e na qual os resultados apresentados pela população masculina foram considerados sensivelmente superiores aos resultados apresentados pela população feminina. Apoiando-nos numa reflexão referenciada numa perspectiva foucaultiana, buscamos compreender esses resultados como articulados a um campo discursivo, marcado pela racionalidade matemática de matriz cartesiana. Analisando, nessa perspectiva, os mecanismos que contribuem para um pior desempenho das mulheres em relação aos homens em avaliações dessa natureza - voltadas para as possibilidades de dar respostas consideradas adequadas na execução de tarefas cotidianas consideradas relevantes -, nossa preocupação se volta para a identificação de mais uma instância de produção de desigualdades entre as mulheres e os homens, representada pela maior valorização (na vida social e nas avaliações) de certos modos de conceber e reagir diante das demandas do cotidiano. Como educadoras, interessanos desvendar a produção das desigualdades, de maneira a desconstruir discursos que a favorecem e instaurar outras perspectivas de análise e de ação pedagógica.
Aplicação terapêutica da ventilação colateral com drenagem pulmonar no tratamento do enfisema pulmonar difuso: relato dos três primeiros casos
Authors: Saad Junior Roberto , Dorgan Neto Vicente , Botter Marcio , Stirbulov Roberto , Rivaben Jorge Henrique , Gonçalves Roberto
Published: February 2009

OBJETIVO: Relatar os resultados obtidos no pré- e pós-operatório de três pacientes portadores de enfisema pulmonar difuso grave, empregando uma nova técnica: ventilação colateral com drenagem do parênquima pulmonar. MÉTODOS: Para a avaliação da drenagem pulmonar, foram selecionados pacientes que já haviam sido submetidos à terapêutica clínica máxima, incluindo a reabilitação pulmonar, e que ainda assim sofriam de falência respiratória com dispnéia incapacitante. Os pacientes foram submetidos, no pré- e no pós operatório, à pletismografia e ao teste da caminhada de seis minutos, assim como responderam aos seguintes questionários de qualidade de vida: Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short-Form Health Survey, Saint George's Respiratory Questionnaire, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status e Medical Research Council Scale. Todos os pacientes tiveram seguimento de no mínimo 300 dias de pós-operatório. Os testes foram realizados no pré-operatório, entre 30 e 40 dias de pós-operatório e após 300 dias de pós-operatório. Os dados foram analisados pelo método de gráficos de perfis de médias. RESULTADOS: Quando comparados os resultados do pré-operatório com os do pós-operatório nos dois momentos, verificou-se que houve melhora em todos os parâmetros estudados. CONCLUSÕES: Os resultados sugerem que a técnica operatória proposta para o tratamento de doentes portadores de enfisema pulmonar difuso grave foi capaz de diminuir os sintomas debilitantes destes pacientes, tornando sua qualidade de vida muito melhor.
Does Stem Injection of Glyphosate Control Invasive Knotweeds (Polygonum spp.)? A Comparison of Four Methods
Authors: Hagen Erin N. , Dunwiddie Peter W.
Published: February 2009

Japanese knotweed, Sakhalin knotweed, and their hybrid, Bohemian knotweed, are invasive across much of the United States. Monocultures formed by these species threaten natural riparian areas, and effective methods of control are being sought. Injection of herbicide is a relatively new control technique with no known published results. Bohemian knotweed was injected with four treatment dosages: 1 ml (0.03 oz) (0.48 g ae) (0.017 oz ae), 3 ml (0.10 oz) (1.44 g ae) (0.05 oz ae), or 5 ml (0.17 oz) (2.4 g ae) (0.08 oz ae) of undiluted glyphosate (suggested application), and 5 ml (0.17 oz) of a glyphosate : water mix (1 : 1, by vol) (1.2 g ae) (0.04 oz ae). Injections were tested at two heights on the plants: low node, 0.2 m (0.66 ft) (L) or chest height node, 1.0 to 1.3 m (3.3 to 4.3 ft) (M). After 1 mo, average percent injury was greater than 90%, and analysis showed no effect of injection location on the stem and no difference between the suggested 5-ml (0.17 oz) glyphosate application and 3-ml (0.10 oz) application. Nine months after treatment there was a reduction in knotweed height and density, though vigorous regrowth was evident within plots. Although the injection method results in the short-term dieback of injected stems, drawbacks to its use in certain scenarios should be considered when developing an integrated management plan for knotweed control.
Restoration Ecology and Invasive Plants in the Semiarid West
Authors: Brown Cynthia S. , Anderson Val J. , Claassen Victor P. , Stannard Mark E. , Wilson Linda M. , Atkinson Sheryl Y. , Bromberg James E. , Grant Thomas A. , Munis Marques D.
Published: February 2009

Invasive plants are a common problem in the management and restoration of degraded lands in the semiarid western United States, but are often not the primary focus of restoration ecologists. Likewise, restoring native vegetation has not been a major concern of weed scientists. But trends in the literature demonstrate increasing overlap of these fields, and greater collaboration between them can lead to improved efficacy of restoration efforts. Succession and ecosystem development are the products of complex interactions of abiotic and biotic factors. Our greatest restoration and invasive plant management successes should result when we take advantage of these natural processes. Recent shifts in management objectives have generated approaches to directing plant community development that utilize species that are strong competitors with invasive species as a bridge to the establishment of native perennial vegetation. Soil water and nutrient characteristics and their interactions can affect desired and undesired plant species differentially and may be manipulated to favor establishment and persistence of desired perennial plant communities. Selection of appropriate plant materials is also essential. Species assemblages that suppress or exclude invaders and competitive plant materials that are well adapted to restoration site conditions are important keys to success. We provide guidelines for restoration based on the fundamental ecological principles underlying succession. Knowledge of the complex interactions among the biotic and abiotic factors that affect successional processes and ecosystem development, and increased collaboration between weed scientists and restoration ecologists hold promise for improving restoration success and invasive species management.
Russian Knapweed (Acroptilon repens) Control with Low Rates of Aminopyralid on Range and Pasture
Authors: Enloe Stephen F. , Kyser Guy B. , Dewey Steven A. , Peterson Vanelle , DiTomaso Joseph M.
Published: February 2009

Russian knapweed is an invasive weed of rangeland, pasture, and natural areas throughout western North America. Aminopyralid is a new pyridine carboxylic acid herbicide that has activity on Russian knapweed at lower use rates than current standard treatments. The objectives of this study were to compare aminopyralid efficacy at the bud to early flower timing and the fall timing with commercial standards for Russian knapweed control. Studies were conducted at five locations in California, Utah, and Wyoming in heavily infested pastures or rangeland. When applied in summer at the bud to early flower timing, aminopyralid at 0.07 kg ae/ha controlled Russian knapweed effectively and was comparable to picloram + 2,4-D amine (0.56 + 1.12 kg ae/ha) at 12 and 24 months after treatment (MAT). The addition of 2,4-D with lower rates of aminopyralid did not improve control. When applied after seed set at the fall timing, control from aminopyralid at 0.05 kg ae/ha and higher was also comparable to picloram (0.56 kg ae/ha) and better than clopyralid (0.42 kg ae/ha) and imazapic (0.18 and 0.21 kg ae/ha) 12 and 21 MAT. Aminopyralid controlled Russian knapweed effectively at lower use rates than current commercial standards and good control lasted for at least 21 to 24 MAT.
Application Time of Day Influences Glyphosate Efficacy
Authors: Mohr Keith , Sellers Brent A. , Smeda Reid J.
Published: February 2009

Variability in glyphosate efficacy has been observed following late day field applications, but the influence of this “time-of-day effect” on weed control and soybean yield is unknown. Additionally, the basis for differences in weed control due to application time of day has not been fully elucidated. In field trials, broadleaf weed biomass was ≥5-fold greater when glyphosate was applied at 6:00 A.M. compared to 6:00 P.M. in three of four site–years. No consistent time-of-day effect was observed on treated grass weeds. Soybean yield was unaffected by treatments, and was similar to the weed-free control. In a greenhouse study, both barnyardgrass and velvetleaf biomass were as much as 25 to 80% greater when glyphosate was applied at 8:00 P.M. vs. 2:00 P.M. Examination of individual components of the time-of-day effect for velvetleaf indicated that leaf angle and time of application accounted for 82 and 18%, respectively, of the biomass change. This research suggests that diurnal changes in leaf movement of velvetleaf account for much of the time-of-day effect, with the remainder likely due to an unknown physiological component.
Novel action of pituitary urocortin 2 in the regulation of expression and secretion of gonadotropins
Authors: Nemoto Takahiro , Yamauchi Naoko , Shibasaki Tamotsu
Published: February 2009

Urocortins 2 (Ucn 2), one of the corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) peptide family, is thought to be an endogenous ligand for CRF type 2 receptor (CRF-R2). We previously demonstrated that Ucn 2 is expressed in the corticotrophs of rat pituitary, and the mRNA expression and secretion of Ucn 2 in corticotrophs of rat anterior pituitary are regulated by CRF and glucocorticoids. Since CRF-R2 has been reported to be expressed on gonadotrophs of the rat pituitary, we hypothesized that pituitary Ucn 2 may control the expression and secretion of gonadotropins. Monolayer culture of rat anterior pituitary cells showed that the secretion of gonadotropins was suppressed by Ucn 2. A CRF-R2 selective antagonist, adenoviral-mediated expression of short interfering RNA against CRF-R2, and anti-Ucn 2 rabbit IgG increased the secretion and mRNA expression of gonadotropins. intraperitoneal injection of anti-Ucn 2 IgG into immature male rats significantly increased the secretion and mRNA expression of gonadotropins compared with those in normal rabbit IgG-injected rats. Daily i.p. injection of anti-Ucn 2 IgG into immature female rats induced a tendency toward earlier occurrence of menarche compared with normal rabbit IgG-injected rats. These findings suggest that pituitary Ucn 2 is involved in the regulatory mechanism of the expression and secretion of gonadotropins through its tonic and inhibitory action on gonadotrophs in a paracrine manner.
Influence of particle breakage on the resilient modulus of railway ballast
Authors: INDRARATNA B. , VINOD J.S. , LACKENBY J.
Published: February 2009

Numerous research studies have been carried out in the recent past to determine the influence on the resilient modulus of railway ballast of parameters such as stress history, number of loading cycles, density, grading, fines content, maximum grain size, aggregate type, particle shape and moisture content. However, the influence of particle breakage on the resilient modulus has not been described in depth. The current study highlights the influence of particle breakage on the resilient modulus of latite ballast (commonly used in railway track in New South Wales, Australia). Aggregate degradation is represented by the ballast breakage index (BBI). Laboratory test results indicate that the BBI has a profound influence on the resilient modulus of ballast. The resilient modulus increases with BBI, irrespective of the effective confining pressure. In addition, a simple hyperbolic relationship has been proposed between the resilient modulus MR and the bulk stress φ for latite ballast.
Premigration Exposure to Political Violence and Perpetration of Intimate Partner Violence Among Immigrant Men in Boston
Authors: Gupta Jhumka , Acevedo-Garcia Dolores , Hemenway David , Decker Michele R. , Raj Anita , Silverman Jay G.
Published: February 2009

Objectives. We examined associations between premigration political violence exposure and past-year intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetration among immigrant men attending community health centers in Boston.

Methods. A convenience sample of immigrant men (N = 379; aged 18–35 years), largely from the Caribbean and Cape Verde, who attend community health centers, completed an anonymous, cross-sectional survey on risk and protective factors for male-perpetrated IPV and respondents’ exposure to political violence.

Results. One in 5 (20.1%) immigrant men reported that they were exposed to political violence before arrival in the United States. Men reporting political violence exposure were significantly more likely to report IPV perpetration than were men not reporting such exposure (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.84; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.41, 5.74). Significant associations with political violence exposure were observed for both physical (AOR = 2.69; 95% CI = 1.11, 6.54) and sexual (AOR = 2.37; 95% CI = 1.04, 5.44) IPV perpetration.

Conclusions. To our knowledge, our findings document for the first time the significant association between premigration political violence exposure and recent IPV perpetration among immigrant men. Additional work is needed to examine underlying mechanisms to inform culturally appropriate programs.
Benefits of Vetch and Rye Cover Crops to Sweet Corn under No‐Tillage
Authors: Zotarelli L. , Avila L. , Scholberg J. M. S. , Alves B. J. R.
Published: February 2009

Leguminous cover crops (CCs) may reduce N fertilizer requirements by fixing N biologically and storing leftover N‐fertilizer applied in the previous year. The objective of this study was to determine the contribution of CCs [rye (Secale cereal L.) and hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth)] on plant N nutrition and weed suppression to the following sweet corn (Zea mays L.). The CCs were planted in the fall of 2003 and 2005, and sweet corn was planted in spring of 2004 and 2006. The experiment contained N rates and CC treatments. In 2004, two CC treatments were tested: none and a CC mixture consisting of 67% rye and 33% hairy vetch. In 2006 the experiment contained five CC treatments (100% rye; 100% vetch; 67% rye and 33% vetch; 33% rye and 67% vetch; and none). Nitrogen rates of 0, 67, and 133 kg ha−1 were split‐applied at emergence, V3–4, and V9–10 growth stages. Two additional plots under non‐CC treatment received N rates of 200 or 267 kg ha−1 to develop a N response curve. Sweet corn growth, N‐accumulation, and yield were increased when CCs were presented for low‐fertilizer inputs. The N contribution of CC to the sweet corn ranged between 35 and 75 kg ha−1. Yield response to N‐fertilizer application was fitted in a cubic model with optimum yield of 22 Mg ha−1 attained with 230 kg N ha−1. Rye reduced weed biomass by 25% and 36% compared with non‐CC and vetch. In conclusion, the potential CC yield benefits to sweet corn were greatest at lowest supplemental N rates.
Experimental and Modeling Investigation of Unsaturated Solute Transport with Water‐Table Fluctuation
Authors: Legout C. , Molenat J. , Hamon Y.
Published: February 2009

We studied the transport of a nonreactive tracer in an unconsolidated weathered granite column under steady‐state flow and transient flow induced by water‐table fluctuation in the bottom half of the column. Experiments reproducing one‐dimensional vertical flow and tracer transport were performed at two infiltration rates, 12 and 22 mm h−1. Breakthrough data were used (i) to compare tracer dispersion under steady‐state and transient flow, (ii) to analyze the mechanisms responsible for tracer transport under both flow conditions, and (iii) to test the ability of existing transport models to reproduce observed breakthrough curves (BTCs). The BTCs under steady‐state flow are typical of physical nonequilibrium transport in a dual‐porosity medium. The shapes of BTCs under transient flow are less common, showing multiple peaks. The spreading of the tracer was one order of magnitude greater under transient flow than under steady‐state flow. We attribute the multiple‐peak shape of BTCs and the greater spreading under transient flow to rapid convection in a rapid mobile domain. Diffusion and advection could account for tracer exchanges between the slow mobile domain, which is active during unsaturated water flow, and the rapid mobile domain, which becomes active as soon as the pore space is fully saturated. Water flow was simulated with the Richards equation using HYDRUS‐1D. A mobile–immobile transport model coupled to the Richards equation reproduced the BTCs satisfactorily under steady‐state flow at both infiltration rates; however, it was unable to reproduce the multiple peaks of tracer concentrationse under a fluctuating water‐table regime.
Fate and Transport of Sulfadimethoxine and Ormetoprim in Two Southeastern United States Soils
Authors: Srivastava P. , Sanders S. M. , Dane J. H. , Feng Y. , Basile J. , Barnett M. O.
Published: February 2009

There have been increasing concerns regarding antimicrobial contaminants in the environment. To date, limited research exists regarding the fate and transport of these compounds in the environment once they have been discharged in human and animal wastes. The fate and transport of two antimicrobials, sulfadimethoxine (SDM) and ormetoprim (OMP), were investigated in two soils and a sand using miscible pulse and step displacement column studies. Because OMP and SDM are often administered in combination, their fate and transport were investigated individually as single solutes as well as in combination as cosolutes. The transport of SDM and OMP was modeled by the chemical nonequilibrium model of the convection–dispersion equation. Sorption of SDM in soils and sand was found to be weak (i.e., it readily desorbed); OMP was sorbed more strongly and required more time for desorption. Results for the pulse input columns yielded mass recoveries >0.90 for the sand and two soils with SDM and for the sand with OMP. Mass recoveries of OMP in the two soils were 0.56 and 0.55, respectively, indicating irreversible sorption or chemical transformation. Comparisons of single‐solute and cosolute column studies of OMP and SDM indicate that sorption and transport of these compounds in mixtures were not considerably different from their individual sorption and transport. Overall, the results from this study indicate that both compounds have the potential to move through soils, contaminating nearby surface waters and groundwater.
Temporal and Spatial Variations of Copper, Cadmium, Lead, and Zinc in Ten Mile Creek in South Florida, USA
Authors: Yang Yuangen , He Zhenli , Lin Youjian , Phlips Edward J. , Stoffella Peter J. , Powell Charles A.
Published: February 2009

Lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), and cadmium (Cd) often seriously deteriorate water quality. Spatial and temporal fluctuations of the metal concentrations in the Ten Mile Creek (Florida) (TMC) were monitored on a weekly basis at 7 sampling sites, from June 2005 to September 2007. River sediment samples were also collected from these sites in April, June, and October 2006 and January 2007, and analyzed for water, Mehlich 1 (M1), and Mehlich 3 (M3)‐extractable metals (Mehlich, 1953, 1984), to examine the role of sediments as sources or sinks of the metals. The concentrations of lead, zinc, copper, and cadmium in the water samples were <detection limit (DL)‐309, < DL‐102, < DL‐106, and < DL‐15.7 μg/L, respectively. Even though median concentrations of lead (<DL), zinc (6.45 μg/L), copper (2.53 μg/L), and cadmium (<DL) were lower than their respective U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (Washington, D.C.) limits for freshwater (2.5 μg/L for lead, 120 μg/L for zinc, 9.0 μg/L for copper, and 0.25 μg/L for cadmium), pulse concentrations of the metals significantly exceeded these limits. Correlations of lead, zinc, copper, and cadmium concentrations in the TMC to other environmental factors, including the results of principal component analysis, suggest that there are different sources of metals. These sources include surface runoff from agricultural lands or urban wastewater, geological backgrounds, and tidal flow. Water‐, M1‐, and M3‐extractable lead, zinc, copper, and cadmium concentrations in river sediments indicate the possibility that river sediment serves as an internal source of the metals for the TMC. This hypothesis was supported by positive correlations between concentrations of copper, lead, and zinc in the river water and their respective water‐extractable concentrations in the sediments.
Modeling Ozone Mass Transfer in Reclaimed Wastewater
Authors: Jiang Pan , Chen Hsiao‐Ting , Babcock Roger W. , Stenstrom Michael K.
Published: February 2009

Ozone mass transfer in reclaimed water was evaluated at pilot scale to determine mass‐transfer characteristics and reaction kinetics and to assess the use of oxygen as a surrogate to measure this process. Tests were conducted in a 40‐L/min pilot plant over a 3‐year period. Nonsteady‐state mass‐transfer analyses for both oxygen and ozone were performed for superficial gas flow rates ranging from 0.13m/min to 0.40m/min. The psi factor, which is the ratio of volumetric mass‐transfer coefficients of ozone to oxygen, was determined. The decrease in oxygen transfer rate caused by contaminants in reclaimed water was only 10 to 15% compared to tap water. A simple mathematical model was developed to describe transfer rate and steady state ozone concentration. Ozone decay was modeled accurately as a pseudo first‐order reaction between ozone and ozone‐demanding materials.
No Substitute for the "P" Word in Financial Rescue
Authors: Ausubel Lawrence M , Cramton Peter
Published: February 2009

Fears of pricing troubled assets have needlessly stalled the rescue effort, according to Lawrence Ausubel and Peter Cramton, two market-design economists whose work on TARP has received the attention of the Treasury and policy makers.
Increased Risk of Acute Pancreatitis and Biliary Disease Observed in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Noel Rebecca A. , Braun Daniel K. , Patterson Ruth E. , Bloomgren Gary L.
Published: February 2009

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to assess the risk of acute pancreatitis in patients with type 2 diabetes compared with that in patients without diabetes. We also examined the risk of biliary disease (defined as occurrence of cholelithiasis, acute cholecystitis, or cholecystectomy), which is a major cause of pancreatitis.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

We conducted a retrospective cohort study using a large, geographically diverse U.S. health care claims database. Eligible patients (≥18 years) were enrolled for at least 12 continuous months (1999–2005), with no incident events of pancreatitis or biliary disease during that 1 year baseline period. ICD-9 codes and prescription data were used to identify patients with type 2 diabetes; ICD-9 codes were also used to identify cases of pancreatitis and biliary disease. Overall, 337,067 patients with type 2 diabetes were matched on age and sex with 337,067 patients without diabetes. Incidence rates of disease and 95% CI were calculated per 100,000 person-years of exposure.

RESULTS

The type 2 diabetic cohort had a 2.83-fold (95% CI 2.61–3.06) greater risk of pancreatitis and 1.91-fold (1.84–1.99) greater risk of biliary disease compared with the nondiabetic cohort. Relative to patients of corresponding age without diabetes, younger type 2 diabetic patients had the highest risk of pancreatitis (<45 years: incidence rate ratio [IRR] 5.26 [95% CI 4.31–6.42]; ≥45 years: 2.44 [2.23–2.66]).

CONCLUSIONS

These data suggest that patients with type 2 diabetes may have an increased risk of acute pancreatitis and biliary disease.
Teat tablet with sodium ibuprofen: the effect of sorbitol on therapeutic agent pharmaceutical availability and on physicochemical parameters of a drug form
Authors: Berner-Strzelczyk Aneta , Kołodziejska Justyna , Piechota-Urbañska Magdalena , Piechota Mariusz , Zgoda Marian
Published: February 2009

Dosing pediatric drugs available on pharmaceutical markets of analgesic, antifebrile and anti-inflammatory activity to children up to 3 years of age is not precise and frequently causes problems. The aim of the study was to work out a pediatric teat form of a drug with sodium ibuprofen and to determine the effect of sorbitol content on pharmaceutical availability of the therapeutic agent. Three variants of tablets containing 50 mg of sodium ibuprofen differing in the percentage content of sorbitol (from 37% - batch I to 79% - batch III) were produced. Quality tests of the produced forms of drugs (PPVI) were performed and the tests of therapeutic agent pharmaceutical availability by spatula method and by a method with a teat. Tablets of all batches had a smooth surface and same shape. The content of the therapeutic agent was within the limit of 95-105% of the declared value. The highest value of Q coefficient in the release test by pharmacopeal method and the shortest disintegration time (12 minutes) were obtained for tablets with 79% content of sorbitol. In conclusion, teat tablets with sodium ibuprofen of the highest sorbitol content (79%) demonstrated the expected physicochemical parameters and high pharmaceutical availability.
Inguinal lymphadenopathy secondary to adenocarcinoma of caecum: A case report
Authors: Hakeem Abdul , Khan Mansoor , Dugar Neelam , Muzaffar Mahariz , Robinson Joy
Published: February 2009

Various tumours have been reported to metastasise to inguinal lymph nodes. To our knowledge, caecal cancer has never been reported to metastasise to inguinal nodes. We present a case of a woman who had caecal cancer with large contralateral inguinal lymphadenopathy. She underwent right hemicolectomy with excision of the inguinal lymph node. Histology confirmed adenocarcinoma of caecum metastasising to contralateral inguinal lymph nodes.
Complications during pregnancy, labor and puerperium in women with increased BMI at pregnancy term
Authors: Mamula Ozren , Severinski Neda , Mamula Mihaela , Severinski Srećko
Published: February 2009

The aim of this study was to analyse perinatal complications in woman with increased BMI at pregnancy term. Study included 23190 women who gave singleton birth during a 10-year period in our institution. Maternal databases were reviewed for pregnancy, labor and delivery complications and early maternal postpartum morbidity. Women with increased BMI at pregnancy term had a significantly higer incidence of postterm pregnancy, gestational diabetes, pregnancy-induced hypertension and third trimester hemorrhage, compared to normal weight women (p 0.000). Women with increased BMI had significantly more labor induction with prostaglandins (p 0.001 and 0.000) and elective caesarean (p 0.025 and 0.000). Also, overweight and obese women had higher incidence of operative delivery: caesarean section (p 0.000) and vacuum extraction (p 0.000). The incidences of postpartum febrility (p 0.057, 0.000, 0.002) and trombophlebits (p 0.013) were also significantly higher. We can conclude that prepregnancy normal weight women with increased BMI during pregnancy need special follow-up and counseling in pregnancy and delivery.
Pressor responses to hyperventilation in elderly subjects differentiate essential from secondary hypertension
Authors: Fontana Fiorella , Bernardi Pasquale , Pizzi Carmine , Pich Emilio
Published: February 2009

We evaluated pressor responses to the hyperventilation test in elderly normotensive (n=43, mean age 82 ± 5 years) and elderly hypertensive subjects (n=45 with essential hypertension, mean age 82 ± 2 years, and n=49 with secondary hypertension, mean age 82 ± 3 years). Hyperventilation did not change blood pressure (BP) in normotensive and secondary hypertensive subjects, whereas it decreased BP in essential hypertensives. Hierarchical cluster analysis based on BP responses to hyperventilation disclosed three groups of subjects in each population: group 1 exhibited a reduction in BP (essential hypertensives: 76%), group 2 no change (normotensives: 70%, secondary hypertensives: 76%), and group 3 an increase (normotensives: 19%, essential hypertensives: 13%, secondary hypertensives: 14%). Ambulatory BP monitoring found significant differences in pressor daytime profiles of hypertensive patients according to pressor responses to hyperventilation showing wide fluctuations in group 1 and 3 patients. Interestingly, the peak ambulatory SBP values correlated to the pre-hyperventilation SBP values in group 1, and to the hyperventilation peak SBP values in group 3. In conclusion: 1) Aging decreases reactivity to respiratory alkalosis in elderly normotensives; 2) hyperventilation induces significant pressor changes frequently in essential hypertension, but rarely in secondary hypertension; 3) the significant pressor responses to hyperventilation reflect the daytime pressor profiles predicting the highest daily fluctuations of BP values.
Midnight salivary cortisol, measured by highly sensitive electrochemiluminescence immunoassay, for the diagnosis of Cushing’s syndrome
Authors: Yaneva Maria , Kirilov Georgi , Zacharieva Sabina
Published: February 2009

The aim of the present study is to evaluate the measurement of midnight salivary cortisol as a method of screening for Cushing’s syndrome (CS). Here we tested the performance of a highly sensitive electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA) for midnight salivary cortisol measurement in an extensive clinical study (n=104). Three groups were investigated: 30 patients with CS, 34 with obesity and 40 healthy normal weight controls. All of them collected saliva samples at 24:00 h and urine samples over the same day (24 hour period). An electrochemiluminescence immunoassay was used to measure salivary cortisol. Mean midnight salivary cortisol in healthy volunteers, obese patients and patients with CS was 8.33 ± 3.62, 8.13 ± 4.47 and 33.11 ± 21.68 nmol/l, respectively. No significant difference was found between midnight salivary cortisol in healthy and obese subjects (P>0.05). In contrast, salivary cortisol at midnight was significantly higher in patients with CS (P<0.001) as compared to both other groups. The cut-off point of 14.2 nmol/l yielded a sensitivity of 93.3% and a specificity of 94.2% (AUCROC=0.984 ± 0.01(0.965-1.000). A strong positive correlation between midnight salivary cortisol and urinary free cortisol has been found in the CS group (r=0.686, P<0.0001). Our results demonstrate that measurement of midnight salivary cortisol could be successfully used as a first-line screening method for CS. Our data approve ECLIA as a simple, reliable and timesaving method for the assessment of salivary cortisol. Automated measurement of midnight salivary cortisol by ECLIA would facilitate the routine practice in the screening for CS.
Microarray technology in the study of genetic determinants of cardiovascular diseases
Authors: Gluba Anna , Rysz Jacek , Pietrucha Tadeusz
Published: February 2009

Microarray, a miniaturized glass slide or membrane with immobilized DNA probes, is a powerful tool for the analysis of mutations, gene expression and sequencing. This technique requires chip (glass slide or membrane) fabrication, preparation of probes and labelled targets, hybridization and data analysis. Microarrays give the possibility to evaluate a wide spectrum of candidate genes, to simultaneously observe interaction of genes, to detect polymorphisms within genes and identify therapeutic targets. Coronary artery disease being a major cause of death, is a disorder influenced by either genetic or environmental factors. Microarray analysis of gene expression can be used to identify genes involved in disease progression and in disease reduction. Chips also allow for the throughput and simultaneous analysis of a great variety of cell types such as cardiomyocytes, monocytes, macrophages, smooth muscle, endothelial, and fibroblasts and chemical mediators involved in cardiovascular disease pathology, their interactions and cumulative effects.
The maintenance and utilisation of government fitted hearing aids
Authors: Sooful Prasha , Dijk Catherine , Avenant Carina
Published: February 2009

This study is aimed to examine the maintenance and utilisation of hearing aids given to clients attending government hospitals in Tshwane and to probe factors that impacted on the hearing aid fitting process, in order to contribute to the formation of service delivery guidelines. As most participants were embarrassed to wear their devices, results showed that there was a general consensus about the self-image and wearing of hearing aids. Furthermore, it was found that most government fitted hearing aids and accessories were poorly cared for and maintained. One of the factors which negatively influenced the utilisation and maintenance of hearing aids was finance. Participants could not afford to properly maintain and service their hearing instruments. Multilingualism also presented an obstacle in terms of utilising hearing aids correctly and to their full benefit, as most participants were not instructed on hearing aid care and use in their first language. Furthermore, distance to and from the provincial hospitals also posed a problem for clients living in rural and outlying areas.
Markers of oxidative stress in acute myocardial infarction treated by percutaneous coronary intervention
Authors: Sedláková Eva , Rácz Oliver , Lovásová Eva , Beòaèka Roman , Kurpas Martin , Chmelárová Anna , Sedlák Ján , Studenèan Martin
Published: February 2009

In the current study, we evaluated the dynamics of oxidative stress markers in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) treated by primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Thirty consecutive patients with AMI with ST elevation were included. Plasma lipid peroxidation end product malondialdehyde (MDA) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in blood plasma were evaluated. Peripheral venous blood samples were obtained prior to reperfusion and at five time points after reperfusion. The control group consisted of 20 ischemic patients without acute coronary syndrome. TAC in the AMI group at admission was lower than in control patients (1.26 + 0.32 vs. 1.52 + 0.24 mmol/l). Within 1 h after reperfusion, in most cases, values significantly declined (1 min, 1.10 + 0.33 mmol/l; 1 h, 1.06 + 0.21 mmol/l [p= 0.03]). After 3 h, values began to increase (1.14 + 0.29 mmol/l) and returned to basal values after 3 d (1.29 + 0.24 mmol/l). MDA levels in AMI patients at admission were higher than in control patients (1.66 + 0.55 vs. 1.44 + 0.55 mmol/l) but showed a sustained decrease over the 3 h after reperfusion of the occluded artery (1 min, 1.57 + 0.37 mmol/l; 1 h, 1.50 + 0.35 μmol/l; 3 h, 1.35 + 0.59 μmol/l [p = 0.03]). Reperfusion of the occluded coronary artery by PCI in AMI lead to an immediate decrease in TAC, suggesting formation of reactive oxygen species. However, the MDA level significantly decreased after reperfusion. This may suggests less reperfusion injury after PCI.
Formation of hydrated titanium dioxide from seeded titanyl sulphate solution
Authors: Grzmil Barbara , Grela Daniel , Kic Bogumił
Published: February 2009

The paper analyses the influence of various kinds and amounts of titanium dioxide nuclei addition to a solution of titanyl sulphate on the conversion degree of TiOSO4 to hydrated titanium dioxide and sulphuric acid. An industrial solution of titanyl sulphate used to produce titanium white was used in the present investigations. It was found that the course of hydrolysis clearly depended on the investigated parameters. The anatase nuclei calcined at 373 K and 333 K and rutile nuclei increased the degree of titanyl sulphate hydrolysis as compared to non-nucleation hydrolysis. The final degree of hydrolysis was by 1–2 % higher than that achieved without any nuclei addition. The constant rates of both colloidal intermediate and final crystalline products formation were higher in the hydrolysis process with both anatase nuclei after heat treatment at lower temperature and rutile nuclei in comparison to the same processes conducted in the absence of these nuclei.
Savings Incentives and OAS/GIS Costs
Authors: Horner Keith
Published: February 2009

An aging population will raise the cost of Canada's Old Age Security/Guaranteed Income Supplement (OAS/GIS) programs. If the benefit levels under OAS and GIS were increased in line with wages to maintain their antipoverty effectiveness, the program cost would double by 2030 as a percentage of the gross domestic product. With this scenario as a base, we employ a life-cycle model to explore the effect of program design changes on the cost of benefits, taking into account the interaction between OAS/GIS benefits and private retirement saving. One finding is that, despite savings responses, raising—not lowering—the 50 percent benefit-reduction rate under the GIS would reduce program costs.
Pension Provision and Retirement Saving: Lessons from the United Kingdom
Authors: Disney Richard , Emmerson Carl , Wakefield Matthew
Published: February 2009

We describe the trajectory of pension reform in the United Kingdom, which focuses on restraining the cost of the public program as the population ages while maintaining adequate income security for low-income households in retirement. Methods for achieving these aims have been to target public benefits to low- income households, to permit individuals to opt out of the second tier of the public program into private retirement accounts, and to offer tax incentives to encourage additional private retirement saving. Frequent program reforms raise concerns as to whether households can make reasonable private saving provision in light of the growing complexity and potential shortcomings of individual decision-making. This paper sheds some light on these issues.
The Impact of Gender and Immigration on Pension Outcomes in Canada
Authors: Marier Patrik , Skinner Suzanne
Published: February 2009

This paper analyzes Canadian retirement incomes by focusing on the dynamics of gender and immigration. We demonstrate that elderly women living alone and post-1970 immigrants are more likely to rely on the means-tested component of Canada's pension system, the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS), which is an indication of their restricted capacity to maintain an autonomous household. The strong reliance of the Canadian pension system on both public and private earnings-related pensions accentuates the disparities within the labour market, causing both women and immigrants to have lower earnings in retirement. In addition, immigrants suffer from the residency requirements attached to basic pension programs.
The Adequacy of Retirement Savings: Subjective Survey Reports by Retired Canadians
Authors: Alan Sule , Atalay Kadir , Crossley Thomas F.
Published: February 2009

We examine retired Canadians’ subjective survey reports of satisfaction with finances, and with life, relative to the period before retirement. Many more retired Canadians report enjoying life more than before retirement than the converse, and in 2002 three-quarters of retired Canadians reported being either as satisfied or more satisfied with their finances than they were in the year prior to retirement. The most significant correlate of financial dissatisfaction that our analysis uncovers is involuntary retirement and, in particular, involuntary retirement associated with poor health.
Performance of rigidly interconnected multiple floating pontoons
Authors: Syed Shafiuddin Amer , Mani JS
Published: February 2009

A floating system consisting of three pontoons equispaced, rigidly interconnected and taut moored to act as a single unit is analyzed. The theoretical formulation of the problem is based on the assumptions of irrotational fluid flow, an inviscid fluid, and small incident waves. The breakwater is assumed to be long and uniform in the direction parallel to the incident wave crests. The diffracted and the scattered potentials are obtained from the solution of boundary value problem using Green's identity method. The potentials and hence the free surface oscillations in between the spacing are also determined. The results of parametric study of varying space and drafts of the pontoons have been presented as a function of relative width of breakwater (Ratio of width of the breakwater to the wavelength) .It is evident from the results that the spaces between the pontoons have a definite effect on transmission and reflection characteristics of a floating breakwater system. As the draft of the floating breakwater increases the bandwidth of incident wave frequencies for which Kt (Ratio of transmitted wave height to incident wave height) is less than 0.2, also increases, thus ensuring a wider spectrum of operation. In addition the paper discusses on forces, oscillations in the interspaces and reflection coefficient. Keywords: breakwater, pontoon, taut moored, free surface oscillations. doi: 10.3329/jname.v1i1.2031 Journal of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering 1(2004) 3-17
Random polar sampling technique for the reliability analysis of submarine pressure hull
Authors: Radha P , Rajagopalan K
Published: February 2009

Reliability analysis is essential to reduce the structural system failures to an acceptance level. In this paper, a quasi-Monte Carlo Simulation method called âRandom Polar Sampling Technique' (RPST) has been described for the reliability analysis of ring stiffened shell structure, in which the combinations of variates are obtained using a polar sampling of Latin hypercube sampled values. An efficient computer program coded in C++ has been developed for use with the RPST. Reliability analysis of internally ring stiffened submarine pressure hull has been described as an illustration and the results are compared with those given by First Order Second Moment method (FOSM), Advanced First Order Second Moment method (AFOSM) and Monte-Carlo Simulation methods. Keywords: Random Polar Sampling Technique, Reliability, Ring stiffened shells, Submarine pressure hull, Latin Hypercube Samples. Â  doi: 10.3329/jname.v1i1.2036 Journal of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering 1(2004) 26-34
Computation of ship responses in waves using panel method
Authors: Islam MN , Islam MR , Baree MS
Published: February 2009

Hydrodynamic coefficients, Forces / Moments and Motions of a ship moving with a mean forward speed in six degrees of freedom are computed using Panel Method. In this study, an existing numerical model without speed consideration was modified by incorporating the speed parameters. Appropriate Green function was used to calculate the concern velocity potential. The accuracy of the developed numerical code employing the Panel Method has been validated by comparing the result with known/published results of a series 60 ship available in the literature. Based on the results presented in the paper, it can be concluded that the developed model is able to predict the responses of the ship with forward speed effect. Keywords: Motions, Green function, 3D Source distribution. Â  doi: 10.3329/jname.v1i1.2037 Journal of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering 1(2004) 35-46
THE ENLIGHTENMENT AND ITS PERVERSION IN THE WEST
Authors: Roudinesco Elisabeth
Published: February 2009

The concept of ‘perversion’ is introduced, with all its resonances from the vocabulary of psychopathology and more generally in critical philosophy, in juxtaposition to the philosophy and values of the Enlightenment, following Adorno and Horkheimer's evaluation in the light of the monstrosities of twentieth-century history. The author considers recent perverse developments in the culture of late twentieth-century science, in particular cognitivism, in their relation to the psychoanalytic tradition and the vision of humanity found in these competing traditions. The paper finally considers three modern test-domains: contradictory responses to prostitution; pornographic therapy; the borderlands between the animal, the robot and the human.