bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Irrigação no cultivo orgânico de alface utilizando Irrigás, tanque Classe A e um sistema automático de baixo custo
Authors: Gonçalves Fabíola Vieira , Medici Leonardo Oliveira , Almeida Wilk Sampaio de , Carvalho Daniel Fonseca de , Santos Hugo Thaner dos , Gomes Daniela Pinto
Published: November 2014

O presente estudo teve como objetivo comparar um sistema automático de baixo custo a outras duas técnicas de manejo (sistema Irrigás e tanque classe A) na cultura da alface (Lactuca sativa L.) com relação à operacionalidade dos sistemas, custo dos equipamentos, lâminas aplicadas e dados de produção da cultura. O cultivo foi desenvolvido num delineamento experimental de blocos ao acaso, com quatro tratamentos casualizados em seis blocos. Os tratamentos foram caracterizados pelo sistema Irrigás, tanque Classe A (TCA) e pelo uso de um acionador automático de baixo custo para irrigação (AAI), em duas tensões de água no solo (9,0kPa e 12,0kPa). Foram avaliados dados de lâmina aplicada, eficiência no uso da água e as variáveis de produção, área foliar, massa fresca e seca da parte aérea, diâmetro e altura da cabeça. Não houve diferença significativa entre os tratamentos para nenhuma das variáveis de produção avaliadas(P>0,05) e as lâminas totais referentes aos diferentes métodos de manejo foram próximas à evapotranspiração de referência (ETo) acumulada no período. A eficiência no uso da água nos tratamentos TCA, AAI/9kPa, Irrigás, AAI/12kPa foi, respectivamente, 241,4; 217,9; 205,5 e 267,1kg ha-1 mm-1, enquanto as produtividades foram respectivamente, 32,80; 28,86; 28,80 e 35,45Mg ha-1. Os resultados obtidos são próximos de valores reportados na literatura, permitindo concluir que as metodologias de manejo avaliadas foram eficientes para o cultivo de alface, e que, dessa forma, a escolha do método dependerá da disponibilidade de mão-de-obra e também do nível de treinamento do agricultor.
Escarificação e adubação orgânica: efeito na recuperação estrutural de solo produzindo Tifton 85
Authors: Colussi Giseli , Silva Leandro Souza da , Minato Evandro Antonio
Published: November 2014

A produção intensiva de forrageiras para fenação aumenta os riscos de degradação física do solo e a escarificação, associada ou não com a adubação orgânica, pode ser alternativa para a recuperação estrutural desses solos. Assim, objetivou-se avaliar os efeitos da escarificação do solo, da adubação orgânica e adubação mineral, na densidade e porosidade do solo e na produtividade da Tifton 85. O experimento foi conduzido em uma área cultivada por dez anos para feno com Tifton 85. Apenas a escarificação promoveu alterações significativas nos atributos físicos do solo, principalmente na profundidade de 0,03-0,08m, mantendo-se por pelo menos nove meses. O curto período entre a escarificação e o primeiro corte para fenação prejudicou a produtividade da Tifton 85, porém não houve diferença na produtividade acumulada entre os manejos do solo ao fim de uma estação de crescimento da pastagem. A produtividade foi maior para os tratamentos com reaplicação de nitrogênio mineral em relação à testemunha, sendo que a produtividade com o uso de cama de aves foi inferior à adubação mineral no somatório dos quatro cortes da gramínea
Seletividade de agrotóxicos utilizados em pessegueiro sobre ovos e pupas do predador Chrysoperla externa
Authors: Castilhos Rodolfo Vargas , Grützmacher Anderson Dionei , Siqueira Paulo Ricardo Baier , Moraes Ítalo Lucas de , Gauer Cleiton Jair
Published: November 2014

Objetivou-se com este trabalho avaliar a seletividade de dezenove agrotóxicos utilizados na cultura do pessegueiro sobre ovos e pupas do predador Chrysoperla externa em condições laboratoriais (temperatura 25±1ºC, umidade relativa 70±10% e fotofase 14 horas). Os agrotóxicos foram pulverizados diretamente sobre ovos e pupas por meio de uma torre de Potter, utilizando a máxima dosagem recomendada para a cultura do pessegueiro. Foi avaliada a viabilidade de ovos e pupas, além da fecundidade e fertilidade de adultos emergidos de pupas tratadas. Os agrotóxicos foram classificados para ovos em função da redução na eclosão e, para pupas, em função do efeito total, conforme a escala de toxicidade proposta pela IOBC. A maioria dos agrotóxicos avaliados (8 inseticidas, 8 fungicidas e 2 herbicidas) se mostrou inócua (classe 1) a ovos e pupas, com redução na eclosão de larvas e efeito total em pupas inferiores a 30%. A exceção se deu para o inseticida óleo mineral, que reduziu a eclosão de larvas em 69,55% quando pulverizado em ovos e proporcionou efeito total em pupas de 36,22%, sendo classificado como levemente nocivo (classe 2) a ovos e pupas de C. externa
Deforming mandibular osteomyelitis in a cow caused by Trueperella pyogenes
Authors: Caffaro Karen Antas , Hussni Carlos Alberto , Risseti Rafaela Mastrangelo , França Daniel Queiroz , Franco Marília Masello Junqueira , Machado Vânia Maria de Vasconcelos , Belotta Alexandra Frey , Paes Antonio Carlos , Lara Gustavo Henrique Batista , Morais Amanda Bonalume Cordeiro de , Listoni Fernando José Paganini , Ribeiro Marcio Garcia
Published: November 2014

This study reports an unusual case of deforming mandibular osteomyelitis in a cow caused by Trueperella (Arcanobacterium) pyogenes, on the face of the ventrolateral caudal portion of the right branch of the mandible. Fragment aspired of lesion by fine needle allowed cytological characterization, isolation and identification of T. pyogenes. Radiographic examination showed marked periosteal reaction in the right mandible, numerous lytic areas and cortical bone destruction. Despite of treatment based on in vitro antimicrobial sensitivity test, it was recommended the euthanasia due to progressive worsening of the cow's condition. Multiple abscesses were observed in the mandibular region at necropsy. Pyogranuloma was characterized in histological exam. Sampled material collected from the lesion after necropsy resulted in microbiological reisolation of T. pyogenes
Influência do nível hidrológico sobre a dieta de Leporinus reinhardtii (Characiformes, Anostomidae) em um reservatório do semiárido brasileiro
Authors: Medeiros Tatiane N. , Rocha Aline A. F. , Santos Natália C. L. , Severi William
Published: November 2014

A Região Neotropical possui um elevado número de espécies de peixes de água doce, cujas adaptações para explorar diferentes tipos de alimento é particularmente evidente em reservatórios, refletindo numa considerável plasticidade alimentar. Characiformes é a mais diversificada ordem de peixes da região, tendo Anostomidae como uma das famílias mais especiosas, com destaque para Leporinus, com cerca de 80 espécies válidas. Embora suas espécies sejam consideradas primordialmente onívoras, algumas apresentam dieta herbívora, e a plasticidade alimentar do gênero é uma característica comum em ambientes sujeitos a variação sazonal de nível da água. No presente trabalho, são analisadas a composição da dieta de Leporinus reinhardtii Lütken, 1875 no reservatório de Sobradinho e a influência da variação sazonal de seu nível sobre a mesma ao longo de três ciclos anuais (2006-2009). Dentre os 876 indivíduos analisados, 302 foram coletados no período de seca e 574 no de cheia. A dieta foi composta por 47 itens, agrupados em nove categorias: Moluscos, Microcrustáceos, Insetos, Insetos (partes), Chironomidae, Vegetais, Sementes, Sedimento e Outros. Chironomidae representou em média 60% do peso total das categorias alimentares, seguido de Sementes com 25% e as demais categorias com menos de 10%. No período de cheia, nos trechos lêntico e de transição, predominaram Sementes na dieta, tendo Chironomidae sido mais representativa no trecho lótico, e as demais categorias não ultrapassando 20% de participação nos três trechos neste período. No período de seca, houve diferença nos itens predominantes, com predominância de Insetos no trecho lêntico, principalmente Coleoptera, e de Vegetais no lótico, com maior participação de macrófitas aquáticas, algas filamentosas, clorofíceas e da diatomácea Oscillatoria. Já no trecho de transição, Microcrustáceos dominaram na dieta, diferindo dos demais trechos. A dieta de L. reinhardtii se caracterizou por baixos valores de frequência de ocorrência de todas as categorias alimentares (predominantemente inferiores a 50%) e elevada abundância relativa (>80%) de diferentes categorias. A amplitude de nicho foi restrita nos diferentes trechos nos dois períodos, sendo ligeiramente mais elevada na cheia, devido à maior diversidade de itens, em particular no trecho lêntico. Leporinus reinhardtii possui hábito onívoro com comportamento especialista no reservatório de Sobradinho, cujas categorias predominantes da dieta dependem do regime hidrológico do reservatório e das características ambientais de cada trecho, refletindo numa amplitude restrita de nicho trófico para a espécie.
Cerambycidae (Coleoptera) dos estados do Piauí e Ceará, Brasil: espécies conhecidas, nova tribo, nova espécie e novos registros
Authors: Martins Ubirajara R. , Santos-Silva Antonio , Galileo Maria Helena M. , Limeira-de-Oliveira Francisco
Published: November 2014

Uma nova espécie de Compsibidion Thomson, 1864 é descrita do Piauí. Sydacini, nova tribo de Cerambycinae, é validada. As espécies de Cerambycidae atualmente registradas para o Piauí (118) e para o Ceará (126) são apresentadas. São acrescentados vinte e dois novos registros para o Piauí e onze para o Ceará. Duas espécies são excluídas da fauna do Ceará: Hippopsis lemniscata lemniscata (Fabricius, 1801) e Oncideres saga (Dalman, 1823).
Oligopsônio dos Frigoríficos: Uma Análise Empírica de Poder de Mercado
Authors: Moita Rodrigo Menon , Golon Lucille Assad
Published: November 2014

Este estudo tem por objetivo analisar a cadeia de carne bovina de corte no Brasil e determinar, empiricamente, se há poder de mercado na relação comercial entre produtores rurais e frigoríficos. Com esse fim, procedeu-se em duas etapas. Primeiro, fez-se uma caracterização da estrutura da indústria. Concluiu-se que, de fato, a estrutura se aproxima de um oligopsônio, com potencial para exercício de poder de mercado. Na linha da Nova Organização Industrial Empírica (NOIE), o artigo desenvolve um novo método econométrico para auferir poder de mercado em indústrias oligopsônicas. Esse modelo procura superar uma limitação tradicional da literatura, na qual os resultados são sensíveis à hipótese feita sobre a tecnologia de produção. Usando a condição de maximização de lucro dos frigoríficos e dados mensais por um período de 14 anos para o estado de São Paulo, encontrou-se evidência de poder de mercado fraco no setor, o que permite descartar a hipótese de comportamento de cartel. Estimativas alternativas apenas reforçam a robustez desse resultado. Além disso, o poder de mercado não aumentou em anos recentes, quando a concentração no setor aumentou substancialmente.
Institucionalização do Conhecimento em Sustentabilidade Ambiental pelos Programas de Pós-gradução Stricto Sensu em Administração
Authors: Machado Junior Celso , Souza Maria Tereza Saraiva de , Parisotto Iara Regina dos Santos
Published: November 2014

Este estudo analisou o processo de institucionalização e legitimação do conhecimento em programas stricto sensu em administração, no campo de sustentabilidade ambiental, por meio da proposição e aplicação de um modelo teórico segundo a abordagem de Berger e Luckmann. A sociologia do conhecimento, abordada por Berger e Luckmann, é empregada como base para a construção de um modelo de investigação aos processos de institucionalização e legitimação. A pesquisa apresenta diferentes abordagens metodológicas intrinsecamente complementares, com predomínio de técnicas quantitativas, com a análise de redes, assim, caracterizando-se como uma abordagem de métodos mistos. Foi possível concluir que as redes de colaboração formadas pelos programas stricto sensu em administração contribuem para a institucionalização e legitimação do conhecimento em sustentabilidade ambiental. As técnicas de bibliometria e data mining identificaram os autores que estão com obras institucionalizadas e legitimadas. Os resultados mostram que o modelo desenvolvido, por meio da abordagem Berger e Luckmann, permitiu identificar os autores e instituições que possuem a produção do conhecimento institucionalizada ou legitimada em sustentabilidade ambiental, bem como que sua aplicação é possível em outros campos científicos.
Crescimento e produtividade de cana-de-açúcar em função da disponibilidade hídrica dos Tabuleiros Costeiros de Alagoas
Authors: Abreu Magno Luiz de , Silva Marcelo de Almeida , Teodoro Iêdo , Holanda Lucas Almeida de , Sampaio Neto Givaldo Dantas
Published: November 2014

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar as interações entre variáveis meteorológicas e os componentes de produção e produtividade de seis variedades de cana-de-açúcar nos Tabuleiros Costeiros de Alagoas visando o manejo varietal adequado. O plantio da cana-de-açúcar foi realizado em setembro de 2005 na região de Rio Largo (AL) e as três colheitas foram feitas em novembro de 2006, novembro de 2007 e novembro de 2008. O delineamento estatístico utilizado foi o de blocos casualizados com o tratamento constituído pelas variedades RB863129, RB867515, RB92579, RB93509, RB931003 e RB951541, com quatro repetições. As variáveis de crescimento avaliadas foram número, comprimento e produtividade dos colmos, índice de área foliar e produtividade de açúcar. O balanço hídrico da cultura em média apresentou déficit hídrico de 869 mm nos meses de setembro a março e excesso hídrico de 837 mm nos meses de abril a agosto. A irregularidade das precipitações nos Tabuleiros Costeiros de Alagoas promove respostas diferenciais no desenvolvimento e na produtividade das variedades de cana-de-açúcar nos diferentes ciclos de cultivo. As variedades RB93509 e RB931003 são consideradas as melhores opções para o manejo varietal nessa região.
Resistência do algodoeiro à ferrugem tropical potencializada pelo silício
Authors: Guerra Antonia Mirian Nogueira de Moura , Rodrigues Fabrício Ávila , Berger Paulo Geraldo , Barros Angélica Fátima , Rodrigues Yasmim Cristina , Lima Tricia Costa
Published: November 2014

Este trabalho teve como objetivo estudar o efeito do silício (Si) sobre componentes de resistência do algodoeiro à ferrugem tropical causada por Phakopsora gossypii. Plantas das cultivares BRS Buriti e FM 993 cresceram em solução nutritiva contendo zero (-Si) ou 2 mmol Si L- 1 (+Si). A maior concentração foliar de Si aumentou o período de incubação e o período latente em 9% e 14,3%, respectivamente, reduziu a área pustular, a área abaixo da curva de progresso da ferrugem e a área abaixo da curva de progresso da área da pústula em 27,5%, 36% e 22%, respectivamente. Nas plantas das cultivares BRS Buriti e FM 993 supridas com Si houve redução no número de pústulas em 70% e 30% e no número de urédias em 40,3% e 19,5%, respectivamente. A concentração de compostos fenólicos nas plantas da cultivar BRS Buriti supridas com Si aumentou até os 10 dai e, para a cultivar FM993, até os 30 dai. A concentração de derivados da lignina-ácido tioglicólico aumentou depois dos 20 dai para as duas cultivares supridas com Si. Atividade da peroxidas e aumentou até os 25 dai e os 10 dai para as plantas das cultivares BRS Buriti e FM 993 supridas com Si, respectivamente. A atividade da quitinase aumentou até 10 dai para as plantas da cultivar BRS Buriti e aos 10 e 20 dai para as plantas da cultivar supridas com Si. A atividade da glucanase aumentou até os 10 dai para as plantas da cultivar BRS Buriti supridas com Si e até os 20 dai para as plantas da cultivar FM 993 supridas com Si. Em conclusão, o suprimento de Si contribuiu para aumentar a resistência do algodoeiro à ferrugem devido à maior atividade das enzimas de defesa.
Integração de dados quantitativos e multicategóricos na determinação da divergência genética entre acessos de cafeeiro
Authors: Silva Felipe Lopes da , Baffa David Carlos Ferreira , Oliveira Antonio Carlos Baião de , Pereira Antonio Alves , Bonomo Vitor Santos
Published: November 2014

Foi realizada estratégia de integração dos dados quantitativos e multicategóricos para avaliação da divergência genética entre 88 acessos de Coffea arabica. Avaliaram-se 12 características quantitativas (nota total da qualidade sensorial da bebida; peso de três litros de "café da roça"; peso de três litros de "café da roça" com 11% de umidade; porcentagem de café beneficiado a partir de três litros de "café da roça" com 11% de umidade; peso de três litros de café beneficiado com 11% de umidade; total de frutos de "café da roça" em um litro; porcentagem de frutos secos, passas, cereja, verde-cana e verdes em um litro de "café da roça"; e porcentagem de frutos com lojas vazias em um litro de "café da roça") e seis características multicategóricas relacionadas à qualidade sensorial da bebida (doçura, acidez, corpo, sabor, retrogosto e aspecto geral). Baixa divergência genética foi encontrada entre os acessos considerando as características quantitativas e multicategóricas isoladamente. No entanto, com a conversão dos dados quantitativos em multicategóricos, a integração de características de diferentes naturezas favoreceu a melhor visualização da divergência genética entre os acessos avaliados, devido ao maior número de grupos formados em comparação ao agrupamento para cada conjunto de características.
Phillips curve in Brazil: an unobserved components approach
Authors: Machado Vicente da Gama , Portugal Marcelo Savino
Published: November 2014

This paper estimates reduced-form Phillips curves for Brazil with a framework of time series with unobserved components, in the spirit of Harvey (2011). However, we allow for expectations to play a key role using data from the Central Bank of Brazil's Focus survey. Besides GDP, we also use industrial capacity utilization rate and IBC-Br index, as measures of economic activity. Our findings support the view that Brazilian inflation targeting has been successful in reducing the variance of both the seasonality and level of the inflation rate, at least until the beginning of the subprime crisis. Furthermore, inflation in Brazil seems to have responded gradually less to measures of economic activity in recent years. This provides some evidence of a flattening of the Phillips curve in Brazil, a trend previously shown by recent studies for other countries.
Endoscopic plasma argon coagulation in treatment of weight regain after bariatric surgery: what does the patient think about this?
Authors: MARCHESINI Simone Dallegrave , BARETTA Giorgio Alfredo Pedroso , CAMBI Maria Paula Carlini , MARCHESINI João Batista
Published: November 2014

BACKGROUND: Bariatric surgery, especially Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is an effective treatment for refractory morbid obesity, causing the loss of 75% of initial excess weight. After the surgery, however, weight regain can occur in 10-20% of cases. To help, endoscopic argon plasma coagulation (APC) is used to reduce the anastomotic diameter. Many patients who undergo this treatment, are not always familiar with this procedure and its respective precautions. AIM: The aim of this study was to determine how well the candidate for APC understands the procedure and absorbs the information provided by the multidisciplinary team. METHOD: We prepared a questionnaire with 12 true/false questions to evaluate the knowledge of the patients about the procedure they were to undergo. The questionnaire was administered by the surgeon during consultation in the preoperative period. The patients were invited to fill out the questionnaire. RESULTS: We found out that the majority learned about the procedure through the internet. They knew it was an outpatient treatment, where the anesthesia was similar to that for endoscopy, and that they would have to follow a liquid diet. But none of them knew that the purpose of this diet was to improve local wound healing. CONCLUSION: Bariatric patients who have a second chance to resume weight loss, need continuous guidance. The internet should be used by the multidisciplinary team to promote awareness that APC will not be sufficient for weight loss and weight-loss maintenance in the long term. Furthermore, there is a need to clarify again the harm of drinking alcohol in the process of weight loss, making its curse widely known.
Psychological assessment for bariatric surgery: current practices
Authors: FLORES Carolina Aita
Published: November 2014

INTRODUCTION: The prevalence of obesity on a global scale has alarmed health institutions, the general population and professionals involved in its treatment. Bariatric surgery has emerged as an effective and lasting alternative for weight reduction and improved general health. In this context and as part of a multidisciplinary team, psychologists are responsible for the preoperative psychological assessment of bariatric candidates. AIM: To investigate how psychological assessments are occurring, including the identification of utilized resources; factors that are addressed; the duration of the process; existing protocols; and to evaluate the importance of this practice. METHOD: A systematic review of national and international literature, through PubMed and Scielo's databases, using "psychological assessment", "obesity" and "surgery", as keywords. CONCLUSION: There is an agreement about the main factors that should be investigated during the preoperative assessment, as well as the main contraindications for the surgical procedure. The importance of the psychological assessment is well established in the field of bariatric surgery. However, this area needs a standard protocol to guide the mental health professionals that deal with bariatric patients.
Utility of the combination of serum highly-sensitive C-reactive protein level at discharge and a risk index in predicting readmission for acute exacerbation of COPD,
Authors: Chang Chun , Zhu Hong , Shen Ning , Han Xiang , Chen Yahong , He Bei
Published: November 2014

OBJECTIVE: Frequent readmissions for acute exacerbations of COPD (AECOPD) are an independent risk factor for increased mortality and use of health-care resources. Disease severity and C-reactive protein (CRP) level are validated predictors of long-term prognosis in such patients. This study investigated the utility of combining serum CRP level with the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) exacerbation risk classification for predicting readmission for AECOPD. METHODS: This was a prospective observational study of consecutive patients hospitalized for AECOPD at Peking University Third Hospital, in Beijing, China. We assessed patient age; gender; smoking status and history (pack-years); lung function; AECOPD frequency during the last year; quality of life; GOLD risk category (A-D; D indicating the greatest risk); and serum level of high-sensitivity CRP at discharge (hsCRP-D). RESULTS: The final sample comprised 135 patients. Of those, 71 (52.6%) were readmitted at least once during the 12-month follow-up period. The median (interquartile) time to readmission was 78 days (42-178 days). Multivariate analysis revealed that serum hsCRP-D ≥ 3 mg/L and GOLD category D were independent predictors of readmission (hazard ratio = 3.486; 95% CI: 1.968-6.175; p < 0.001 and hazard ratio = 2.201; 95% CI: 1.342-3.610; p = 0.002, respectively). The ordering of the factor combinations by cumulative readmission risk, from highest to lowest, was as follows: hsCRP-D ≥ 3 mg/L and GOLD category D; hsCRP-D ≥ 3 mg/L and GOLD categories A-C; hsCRP-D < 3 mg/L and GOLD category D; hsCRP-D < 3 mg/L and GOLD categories A-C. CONCLUSIONS: Serum hsCRP-D and GOLD classification are independent predictors of readmission for AECOPD, and their predictive value increases when they are used in combination.
Air stacking: effects on pulmonary function in patients with spinal muscular atrophy and in patients with congenital muscular dystrophy,
Authors: Marques Tanyse Bahia Carvalho , Neves Juliana de Carvalho , Portes Leslie Andrews , Salge João Marcos , Zanoteli Edmar , Reed Umbertina Conti
Published: November 2014

OBJECTIVE: Respiratory complications are the main causes of morbidity and mortality in patients with neuromuscular disease (NMD). The objectives of this study were to determine the effects that routine daily home air-stacking maneuvers have on pulmonary function in patients with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and in patients with congenital muscular dystrophy (CMD), as well as to identify associations between spinal deformities and the effects of the maneuvers. METHODS: Eighteen NMD patients (ten with CMD and eight with SMA) were submitted to routine daily air-stacking maneuvers at home with manual resuscitators for four to six months, undergoing pulmonary function tests before and after that period. The pulmonary function tests included measurements of FVC; PEF; maximum insufflation capacity (MIC); and assisted and unassisted peak cough flow (APCF and UPCF, respectively) with insufflations. RESULTS: After the use of home air-stacking maneuvers, there were improvements in the APCF and UPCF. In the patients without scoliosis, there was also a significant increase in FVC. When comparing patients with and without scoliosis, the increases in APCF and UPCF were more pronounced in those without scoliosis. CONCLUSIONS: Routine daily air-stacking maneuvers with a manual resuscitator appear to increase UPCF and APCF in patients with NMD, especially in those without scoliosis.
Thoracic textilomas: CT findings
Authors: Machado Dianne Melo , Zanetti Gláucia , Araujo Neto Cesar Augusto , Nobre Luiz Felipe , Meirelles Gustavo de Souza Portes , Pereira e Silva Jorge Luiz , Guimarães Marcos Duarte , Escuissato Dante Luiz , Souza Jr Arthur Soares , Hochhegger Bruno , Marchiori Edson
Published: November 2014

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to analyze chest CT scans of patients with thoracic textiloma. METHODS: This was a retrospective study of 16 patients (11 men and 5 women) with surgically confirmed thoracic textiloma. The chest CT scans of those patients were evaluated by two independent observers, and discordant results were resolved by consensus. RESULTS: The majority (62.5%) of the textilomas were caused by previous heart surgery. The most common symptoms were chest pain (in 68.75%) and cough (in 56.25%). In all cases, the main tomographic finding was a mass with regular contours and borders that were well-defined or partially defined. Half of the textilomas occurred in the right hemithorax and half occurred in the left. The majority (56.25%) were located in the lower third of the lung. The diameter of the mass was ≤ 10 cm in 10 cases (62.5%) and > 10 cm in the remaining 6 cases (37.5%). Most (81.25%) of the textilomas were heterogeneous in density, with signs of calcification, gas, radiopaque marker, or sponge-like material. Peripheral expansion of the mass was observed in 12 (92.3%) of the 13 patients in whom a contrast agent was used. Intraoperatively, pleural involvement was observed in 14 cases (87.5%) and pericardial involvement was observed in 2 (12.5%). CONCLUSIONS: It is important to recognize the main tomographic aspects of thoracic textilomas in order to include this possibility in the differential diagnosis of chest pain and cough in patients with a history of heart or thoracic surgery, thus promoting the early identification and treatment of this postoperative complication.
Byproducts of orange extraction: influence of different treatments in fiber composition and physical and chemical parameters
Authors: Andrade Juliana Maria de Mello , Jong Erna Vogt de , Henriques Amélia Teresinha
Published: November 2014

In this work we evaluated the variability in fiber content and physical and chemical parameters of byproducts from orange juice extraction. Five different treatments and two drying methods were evaluated. The results indicate that drying by lyophilization was better than that drying in an oven. The pH ranged from approximately 3.47 to 3.96. The variation in moisture values was 9.22% ± 0.02 to 18.48 ± 0.52%. The total dietary fiber content in the resulting flours ranged from 42.44% to 62.74%. The soluble and insoluble dietary fiber contents differed among the samples, ranging from 5.04% to 19.95% for the first fiber type, and 23.96% to 57.70% for the second. In conclusion, three treatments, associated with freeze-drying, showed promising results in the development of fiber-rich product. However, some modifications are needed, as well as further analysis, to guarantee the benefits of these products for human health. This study contributes to the possible application of industrial byproducts.
Protective effect of guabiju (Myrcianthes pungens (O. Berg) D. Legrand) and red guava (Psidium cattleyanum Sabine) against cisplatin-induced hypercholesterolemia in rats
Authors: Nora Cleice Dalla , Danelli Daiane , Souza Lucéia Fátima , Rios Alessandro de Oliveira , Jong Erna Vogt de , Flôres Simone Hickmann
Published: November 2014

The present study was the first to examine the protective effect and antioxidant potential of two fruits native to the south of Brazil, namely guabiju (Myrcianthes pungens (O. Berg) D. Legrand) and red guava (Psidium cattleyanumSabine), with respect to reducing the effects of cisplatin-induced hypercholesterolemia in male Wistarrats. The cisplatin-treated animals showed high glucose, LDL cholesterol, oxidized LDL cholesterol and total cholesterol levels. These native fruits reversed the increase in these parameters. The fat levels in the liver improved with supplementation with the fruits, and there were no differences in the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), creatinine, urea or HDL cholesterol levels, nor in the weight of the organs analyzed, indicating that the dose used did not affect these markers.
Development of a multiparticulate system containing enteric-release mini-tablets of omeprazole
Authors: Tondo Filho Volnei Jose , Andreazza Itamar Francisco , Sato Mayumi Elisa Otsuka , Murakami Fábio Seigi
Published: November 2014

The main aim of this study was to develop a multiparticulate system containing mini-tablets of omeprazole formulated with an enteric polymer with pH-dependent solubility. Pre-formulation studies showed good flow and compaction capacity, leading to the production ofhigh quality mini-tablets. The mini-tablets were coated in a fluidized bed with hydroxypropylmethylcellulose /Eudragit(r) L30D55 and packed into hard gelatin capsules. The dissolution profile showed gastro-resistance and zero-order kinetics. The dissolution profile for the formulation containing lactose as the diluent and coated with 12% (tablet weight gain) of polymer was similar to that ofthe reference drug.
The effect of dissolution medium, rotation speed and compaction pressure on the intrinsic dissolution rate of amlodipine besylate, using the rotating disk method
Authors: Giorgetti Leandro , Issa Michele Georges , Ferraz Humberto Gomes
Published: November 2014

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of dissolution medium, rotation speed and compaction pressure on the intrinsic dissolution rate (IDR) of the antihypertensive drug amlodipine besylate, using the rotating disk method. Accordingly, a fractional factorial design (33-1) was used, employing dissolution media (water, phosphate buffer pH 6.8 and HCl 0.1 M), rotation speed (50, 75 and 100 rpm), and compaction pressure (1000, 1500 and 2000 psi) as independent variables. The assays were randomized and statistically compared using the Statistica(r) 11 software program. Significance testing (ANOVA) indicated that the dissolution medium had a considerable impact on the IDR of amlodipine besylate. Analysis of the linear and quadratic components of the variables led to the proposition of a mathematical model that describes the IDR as a function of the parameters studied. Conversely, the levels of compaction pressure and rotation speed employed during experimental planning were less relevant, especially when the assay was conducted in the HCl 0.1 M medium.
Quick and simple LC-MS/MS method for the determination of simvastatin in human plasma: application to pharmacokinetics and bioequivalence studies
Authors: Silva Suéllen Cristina Rennó , Rezende Gustavo Rodrigues de , Boralli Vanessa Bergamin
Published: November 2014

A simple, rapid, and sensitive method based on liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry for the quantitative determination of simvastatin in human plasma was developed and validated. After a simple extraction with methyl tert-butyl ether, the analyte and internal standard (lovastatin) were analyzed using reverse-phase liquid chromatography, on a Kinetex C18column (100 × 4.6 mm, 2.6 μm) using acetonitrile: ammonium acetate (2 mM + 0.025 % formic acid) (70: 30, v/v) as a mobile phase in a run time of 3.5 min. Detection was carried out using electrospray positive ionization mass spectrometry in the multiple-reaction monitoring mode. The method was linear over 0.04-40.0 ng/mL concentration range. The mean extraction recovery of simvastatin was 82% (RSD within 15%). Intraday and interday precisions (as relative standard deviation) were all ≤8,7% with accuracy (as relative error) of ±8%. This rapid and reliable method was successfully applied for a bioequivalence study of 40 mg of simvastatin orally disintegrating tablets in 44 healthy volunteers, showing that this method is suitable for the quantification of simvastatin in human plasma samples for pharmacokinetics and bioequivalence studies.
Analysis of chlorpheniramine in human urine samples using dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction combined with high-performance liquid chromatography
Authors: Maham Mehdi , Kiarostami Vahid , Waqif-Husain Syed , Sharifabadi Malihe Khoeini
Published: November 2014

A simple and environmentally friendly microextraction technique was used for determination of chlorpheniramine (CPM), an antihistamine drug, in human urine samples using dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME) followed by high performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection (HPLC-DAD). In this extraction technique, an appropriate mixture of acetonitrile (disperser solvent) and carbon tetrachloride (extraction solvent) was rapidly injected into the urine sample containing the target analyte. Tiny droplets of extractant were formed and dispersed into the sample solution and then sedimented at the bottom of the conical test tube by centrifugation. Under optimal conditions, the calibration curve was linear in the range of 0.055-5.5 µg mL-1, with a detection limit of 16.5 ng mL-1. This proposed method was successfully applied to the analysis of real urine samples. Low consumption of toxic organic solvents, simplicity of operation, low cost and acceptable figures of merit are the main advantages of the proposed technique.
Use of solid dispersions to increase stability of dithranol in topical formulations
Authors: Estanqueiro Marilene , Conceição Jaime , Amaral Maria Helena , Lobo José Manuel Sousa
Published: November 2014

The present study was planned to improve the stability of dithranol using solid dispersions (SD). Two different SD at a 1:9 ratio of dithranol/excipient were prepared: one of them using glyceryl behenate as excipient and the other using a mixture of argan oil with stearic acid (1:8 ratio) as excipient. Pure dithranol and SD of dithranol were incorporated in an oil-in-water cream and in a hydrophobic ointment in a drug/dermatological base ratio of 1:10. The physical and mechanical properties of semisolid formulations incorporating the pure drug and the developed SD were evaluated through rheological and textural analysis. To evaluate the stability, L*a*b* color space parameters of SD and semisolid formulations, and pH of hydrophilic formulations were determined at defined times, during one month. Each sample was stored at different conditions namely, light exposure (room temperature), high temperature exposition (37 °C) (protected from light) and protected from light (room temperature). Despite higher values of firmness and adhesiveness, hydrophobic ointment exhibited the best rheological features compared to the oil-in-water cream, namely a shear-thinning behavior and high thixotropy. These formulations have also presented more stability, with minor changes in L*a*b* color space parameters. The results of this study indicate that is possible to conclude that the developed SD contributed to the increased stability of dithranol.
Optimization of a spectrofluorimetric method based on a central composite design for the determination of potassium losartan in pharmaceutical products
Authors: Demirkaya-Miloglu Fatma , Yaman Mehmet Emrah , Kadioglu Yucel
Published: November 2014

Here, a spectrofluorimetric method for the determination of potassium losartan (PL) in pharmaceutical products is described. The effects of critical parameters, pH, acid molarity, and temperature, on the fluorescence intensity of PL were analyzed, and these parameters were optimized using a central composite design (CCD). The highest fluorescent intensity at excitation (λex) and emission (λem) wavelengths of 248 nm and 410 nm, respectively, was achieved using 0.01 M sulfurous acid (pH 2) at 21.6 °C. Under optimum conditions, the method was linear from 0.025-0.5 µg/mL, with a reasonably high correlation coefficient (0.9993). Furthermore, the method was very sensitive (LOQ, 0.006), accurate (RE, ≤7.06), and precise (%RSD, ≤6.51). After development and validation of the method, samples containing PL were analyzed with this method, and the obtained data were statistically compared with those obtained with a previously published reference method using a two one-sided equivalence test (TOST). According to the data, the results from the proposed and reference assays were equivalent.
Vocal acoustic and auditory-perceptual measures, vocal complaints and professional characteristics of teachers from the city of Santa Maria (Rio Grande do Sul), Brazil
Authors: Ribeiro Vanessa Veis , Cielo Carla Aparecida
Published: November 2014

Purpose Describe and correlate acoustic and auditory-perceptual vocal measures, vocal complaints and professional characteristics of a group of teachers. Methods Ninety-nine female primary school teachers, aged 20 to 66 years, underwent auditory-perceptual (CAPE-V) and acoustic (Multi-Dimensional Voice Program Advanced) vocal assessments, and answered a questionnaire with questions about personal identification, overall health, occupational activities and vocal complaints. The ANOVA and Pearson’s correlation statistical tests have been applied. Results The teachers worked 6.98 hours a day, on average, and had been working as teachers for 12.91 years, approximately. Most of them reported vocal complaints and were employed in private schools. Auditory perceptual parameters were normal. All measures of jitter, shimmer, voiceless or unvoiced and subharmonic segments were above the normal range, as well as the standard deviation for fundamental frequency and soft phonation index. Perturbation frequency and age, roughness, breathiness and overall degree of voice were positively correlated with age and length of professional practice. There was also a negative correlation between amplitude perturbation and daily use of voice. Conclusion The teachers’ voices were considered as normal by the auditory-perceptual assessment, but noise and instability were detected in the acoustic analysis; there were, particularly, vocal complaints, and alteration of vocal acoustic and auditory-perceptual measures with increasing age and length of professional practice.
SREBP-1 Mediates Angiotensin II-Induced TGF-β1 Upregulation and Glomerular Fibrosis
Authors: Wang Tony N. , Chen Xing , Li Renzhong , Gao Bo , Mohammed-Ali Zahraa , Lu Chao , Yum Victoria , Dickhout Jeffrey G. , Krepinsky Joan C.
Published: November 2014

Angiotensin II is an important mediator of CKD of diverse etiology. A common pathologic feature of CKD is glomerular fibrosis, a central mediator of which is the profibrotic cytokine TGF-β. The mechanisms underlying the induction of TGF-β and matrix by angiotensin II are not completely understood. Recent studies showed that overexpression of the transcription factor SREBP-1 induces glomerular sclerosis and that angiotensin II can activate SREBP-1 in tubular cells. We thus studied whether SREBP-1 is activated by angiotensin II and mediates angiotensin II–induced profibrogenic responses in primary rat mesangial cells. Treatment of cells with angiotensin II induced the upregulation and activation of SREBP-1. Angiotensin II–induced activation of SREBP-1 required signaling through the angiotensin II type I receptor and activation of PI3K/Akt in addition to the chaperone SCAP and protease S1P. Notably, angiotensin II-induced endoplasmic reticulum stress was identified as a key mediator of Akt-SREBP-1 activation, and inhibition of endoplasmic reticulum stress or SREBP-1 prevented angiotensin II–induced SREBP-1 binding to the TGF-β promoter, TGF-β upregulation, and downstream fibronectin upregulation. Endoplasmic reticulum stress alone, however, did not induce TGF-β upregulation despite activating SREBP-1. Although not required for SREBP-1 activation by angiotensin II, EGF receptor signaling was necessary for activation of the SREBP-1 cotranscription factor Sp1, which provided a required second signal for TGF-β upregulation. In vivo, endoplasmic reticulum stress and SREBP-1-dependent effects were induced in glomeruli of angiotensin II-infused mice, and administration of the SREBP inhibitor fatostatin prevented angiotensin II–induced TGF-β upregulation and matrix accumulation. SREBP-1 and endoplasmic reticulum stress thus provide potential novel therapeutic targets for the treatment of CKD.
Reducing bias and improving precision in species extinction forecasts
Authors: See Kevin E. , Holmes Elizabeth E.
Published: November 2014

Forecasting the risk of population decline is crucial in the realm of biological conservation and figures prominently in population viability analyses (PVA). A common form of available data for a PVA is population counts through time. Previous research has suggested that improving estimates of population trends and risk from count data depends on longer observation periods, but that is often impractical or undesirable. Making multiple observations within a single time step is an alternative way to gather more data without extending the observation period. In this paper, we examine the trade‐off between the length of the time period over which observations of the population have been taken and the total number of observations or samples that have been recorded through an analysis of simulated data. We found that when the ratio of process error to measurement error variance is high, more precise estimates of quasi‐extinction risks can be obtained if replicated observations are taken at each time step, but when the ratio is low, replicated observations add little benefit in improving precision. These results can be used to efficiently design effective monitoring schemes for species of conservation concern.
Un licenciement
Authors: Quintreau Laurent
Published: November 2014

Quel est le rôle du conseiller dans un entretien préalable de licenciement ? Comment s’effectue le passage du statut de salarié à celui de chômeur ?
Salut la viande !
Authors: Jenni Alexis
Published: November 2014

Êtes-vous prêt à tout pour avoir un emploi ?
Le « moment 1914 » en philosophie : France-Allemagne
Authors: Agard Olivier , Worms Frédéric , Béja Alice , Padis Marc-Olivier
Published: November 2014

Que se passe-t-il en philosophie au tournant de 1914, en France et en Allemagne ? Il existe des questions communes, des influences, des inspirations – importance de l’ œuvre de Bergson en Allemagne – qui seront brisées par la guerre. Les philosophes, loin d’être capables d’adopter une distance critique, ont bien souvent reproduit dans la pensée les nationalismes de la politique.
Role of scintimammography in assessing the response of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in locally advanced breast cancer
Authors: Trehan Romeeta , Seam Rajeev , Gupta Manoj , Sood Ashwani , Dimri Kislay , Mahajan Rohit
Published: November 2014

Locally advanced breast cancer (LABC) is a common cancer in the developing countries. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) is a very important step in the treatment of such tumors and hence that the disease can be down staged and made amenable for surgery. All the tumors do not respond to the therapy equally. Hence, it becomes very important to predict the response of chemotherapy in such cases. This study evaluated the role of scintimammography in assessing the response to NACT in 23 patients with LABC. Histologically proven 23 patients of LABC were recruited in this study. Prechemotherapy tumor size was measured clinically in all patients and technitium (Tc)-99m sestamibi test was performed before NACT for each patient. Early (10 min) and delayed (2 h) image of the breast were acquired in anterior and lateral views after Tc-99m sestamibi intravenous injections and wash out rate (WOR) was computed. After 3-4 cycles of chemotherapy, surgery in the form of modified radical mastectomy was performed in 20 out of 23 patients (3 patients lost to follow-up) with pathologic evaluation of the residual tumor size. The pretherapy Tc-99m sestamibi WOR ranged from 8.3% to 68% with mean ± SD of 34.5% ±16.5%. The prechemotherapy Tc-99m sestamibi study predicted chemoresistance (WOR >45%) in 6 out of 20 patients and no chemoresistance (WOR <45%) in 14 out of 20 patients. When the WOR cut-off was set at >45%, the predictivity of the test was indicated by sensitivity of 91.7%, specificity of 62.5%, positive predictive value of 78.6%, and negative predictive value of 82.3% with a likelihood ratio of 0.1. Tc-99m sestamibi WOR is a reliable test for predicting tumor response to NACT. WOR >45% is highly predictive of chemoresistance with likelihood ratio of 0.1 than WOR <45% being predictive of chemoresponsiveness.
Looking outside the "Cardiac" box: Incidental detection of a metastatic lung tumor on cardiac position emission tomography/computed tomography
Authors: Shawgi Mohamed , Arumugam P
Published: November 2014

Incidental extracardiac findings are not uncommon in patients undergoing cardiac positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) and some of these findings can have significant clinical impact. We report a case of a 74-year-old man who presented with dyspnea and left sided chest pain. 82-rubidium PET/CT imaging showed normal myocardial perfusion. Review of the low dose CT scan performed for attenuation correction purposes (CTAC) incidentally revealed a 4 cm mass in the left lung, which was histologically shown to be a squamous cell carcinoma. A subsequent staging CT showed chest wall metastases and rib destruction in the upper left thorax, which were outside the image reconstruction field of view of the CTAC. This report illustrates the importance of vigilant review of all acquired images by the PET/CT reader to look for extracardiac abnormalities that may explain symptoms in the absence of coronary artery disease. It also raises the question as to whether a larger field of CT image acquisition should be routinely performed to scan the entire chest during cardiac PET/CT imaging. However, the latter needs to be weighed against the increase in patient dose, which we estimated to be an additional 15%.
A Right to Offend
Authors: Winston Brian
Published: November 2014

Over the past two decades, there have been a series of events that have brought into question the concept and practice of free expression.

In this new book, Winston provides an account of the current state of freedom of expression in the western world. He analyses all the most pertinent cases of conflict during the last two decades – including the fatwa against Salman Rushdie, the incident of the Danish cartoons and offended celebrities – examining cultural, legal and journalistic aspects of each case.

A Right to Offend offers us a deeper understanding of the increasingly threatening environment in which free speech operates and is defended, as well as how it informs and is central to journalism practice and media freedom more generally. It is important reading for all those interested in freedom of expression in the twenty-first century.