bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mortalidade infantil em uma amostra de nascimentos do município do Rio de Janeiro, 1999-2001: "linkage" com o Sistema de Informação de Mortalidade
Authors: Pereira Ana Paula Esteves , Gama Silvana Granado Nogueira da , Leal Maria do Carmo
Published: October 2007

OBJETIVOS: estimar as taxas de mortalidade neonatal (TMN) e pós-neonatal (TMPN) em uma amostra de nascimentos do município do Rio de Janeiro, durante o perído de 1999-2001, compará-las segundo o tipo de maternidade e acesso ao parto hospitalar e descrever os óbitos segundo a sua causa básica. MÉTODOS: a identificação dos óbitos infantis no Sistema de Informação sobre Mortalidade (SIM) foi realizada por meio do método de relacionamento probabilístico de registros. A análise foi bivariada, sendo calculados os riscos relativos (RR) e seus respectivos intervalos de confiança 95%. RESULTADOS: as taxas de mortalidade neonatal e pós-neonatal foram sete e seis vezes maiores nas maternidades públicas que nas privadas, respectivamente. Para as puérperas não residentes no município e aquelas que tentaram "parir" em outros estabelecimentos, sem sucesso, a TMN foi duas vezes maior. Observou-se elevada TMN por afecções do período perinatal (APP), mesmo em crianças com mais de 1500 g (2,3 por mil NV). Óbitos neonatais por APP foram seis vezes mais freqüentes nos hospitais públicos que nos privados. CONCLUSÕES: a enorme diferença nas taxas de mortalidade neonatal e pós-neonatal entre os hospitais públicos e privados aponta, como fatores primordiais a sofrerem intervenção para a retomada da redução dessas taxas no município do Rio de Janeiro, a redução das desigualdades sociais e de acesso.
Diversão em movimento: um projeto lúdico para crianças hospitalizadas no Serviço de Oncologia Pediátrica do Instituto Materno Infantil Prof. Fernando Figueira, IMIP
Authors: Pedrosa Arli Melo , Monteiro Hélio , Lins Kelly , Pedrosa Francisco , Melo Carolina
Published: October 2007

O presente trabalho descreve as atividades lúdicas desenvolvidas na enfermaria de oncologia pediátrica do Instituto Materno Infantil Prof. Fernando Figueira (IMIP), com 60 pacientes portadores de neoplasias malignas, no período de janeiro de 2004 a janeiro de 2005. Descreve também as etapas do Projeto e apresenta os resultados obtidos, correlacionando as etapas do desenvolvimento da aprendizagem com os instrumentos lúdicos utilizados como recurso minimizador do processo de hospitalização, através dos itens mais solicitados, considerando, para essa análise, as idéias de Jean Piaget e Bruno Bettelheim.
Prevalência das disfunções sexuais femininas em clínica de planejamento familiar de um hospital escola no Recife, Pernambuco
Authors: Ferreira Ana Laura Carneiro Gomes , Souza Ariani Impieri de , Amorim Melania Maria Ramos de
Published: October 2007

OBJETIVOS: determinar a prevalência de disfunções sexuais femininas em mulheres atendidas no Centro de Atenção à Mulher do Instituto Materno Infantil Prof. Fernando Figueira, IMIP, utilizando os critérios de classificação da 4ª. edição do Manual Diagnóstico e Estatístico de Transtornos Mentais. MÉTODOS: estudo transversal, cujos dados foram obtidos em formulário estruturado, aplicado durante entrevista individual com 100 mulheres com idades entre 20 e 39 anos, no período de abril a maio de 2004. Determinou-se a freqüência das disfunções sexuais femininas e sua associação com as características biológicas, demográficas e reprodutivas das mulheres, assim como sua associação com o método contraceptivo usado no momento da entrevista. RESULTADOS: a prevalência de algum tipo de disfunção sexual foi de 36%. A disfunção do orgasmo foi constatada em 18% das entrevistadas e dispareunia em 13% das mulheres no último mês anterior ao estudo. A disfunção do desejo foi relatada por 11% das mulheres, 8% tiveram disfunção da excitação e apenas 1% referiram vaginismo. Observou-se uma associação positiva estatisticamente significativa das disfunções sexuais femininas com a idade da coitarca menor que 20 anos, freqüência de apenas uma relação sexual por semana ou menos e lactação. CONCLUSÕES: os achados sugerem que diversas medidas preventivas podem impedir a ocorrência de disfunções sexuais femininas em determinado grupo de pacientes: melhorar o nível educacional da população, facilitar seu acesso à informação e aconselhamento, estimular ações preventivas de saúde e por fim investir em programas de treinamento e educação médica continuada.
Fatores associados à recorrência da infecção do trato urinário em crianças
Authors: Riyuzo Márcia C. , Macedo Célia S. , Bastos Herculano D.
Published: October 2007

OBJETIVOS: verificar a freqüência de infecção urinária recorrente (ITU) e avaliar os fatores associados à recorrência da ITU em crianças. MÉTODOS: estudo retrospectivo de 95 pacientes com seguimento de um ano (68 meninas e 27 meninos, mediana de idade três anos). As variáveis estudadas foram: sexo, idade, febre, constipação, tipo de bactéria, refluxo vésico-ureteral (RVU), anormalidades na cintilografia renal com ácido dimercaptosuccínico (DMSA). RESULTADOS: infecção urinária recorrente ocorreu em 49,5% crianças (19 com trato urinário normal, 19 com RVU e 9 com estenose da junção pielocalicial). Comparando o grupo com ITU recorrente com o grupo sem ITU recorrente não se encontrou diferença significativa entre sexos, presença de febre, constipação e anormalidades na cintilografia renal com DMSA. A ITU recorrente foi significativamente maior nas crianças com um ano ou menos, naquelas menores de dois anos com RVU, nas com bactéria diferente da Escherichia coli e sem profilaxia antibacteriana. Os fatores de risco significativos para a recorrência ITU foram idade < 2 anos (OR = 3,83) e refluxo vésico-ureteral (OR = 4,95). CONCLUSÕES: por causa da elevada freqüência de ITU recorrente é importante o seguimento regular de grupo de crianças com fatores de risco para ITU recorrente.
Validade das medidas auto-referidas de peso e estatura para o diagnóstico do estado nutricional de adolescentes
Authors: Farias Júnior José Cazuza de
Published: October 2007

OBJETIVOS: analisar a validade das medidas auto-referidas de peso e estatura para o diagnóstico do estado nutricional de adolescentes. MÉTODOS: Fizeram parte do estudo 867 adolescentes (433 rapazes e 434 moças), do município de Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, com idades entre 15 e 18 anos (16,2 1,08). Inicialmente, os adolescentes referiram o peso e a estatura; na seqüência, as respectivas medidas foram aferidas pelos pesquisadores. Determinou-se o índice de massa corporal (IMC) com base nas medidas referidas e aferidas. RESULTADOS: ao referirem suas medidas antropométricas, em média, os adolescentes subestimaram o peso em 0,5 kg, superestimaram a estatura em 0,42 cm, e o IMC baseado nessas medidas foi subestimado em 0,3 kg/m². As medidas auto-referidas apresentaram concordância elevada com as medidas aferidas (coeficiente de correlação intraclasse - CCIC = 0,91 a 0,96). Os índices de validade relativa do IMC, determinado a partir das medidas referidas, oscilaram entre 60% e 79,1% para sensibilidade, 98,4% a 99,2% para especificidade, 89,8% e 90% para o valor preditivo positivo. A prevalência de sobrepeso/obesidade foi subestimada em 2,6% quando determinada a partir das medidas referidas (p = 0,18). CONCLUSÕES: as medidas auto-referidas de peso e estatura representam medidas válidas como forma de aproximação aos valores mensurados, podendo ser utilizadas na avaliação do estado nutricional de adolescentes a partir do IMC, em estudos epidemiológicos.
Mudar tudo para não mudar nada: análise da dinâmica de redes de proprietários no Brasil como "mundos pequenos"
Authors: Lazzarini Sergio G.
Published: October 2007

Este estudo analisa redes de proprietários conectados entre si por meio de sua participação conjunta no capital de uma ou mais empresas, a fim de verificar mudanças nestes laços em função dos eventos de reestruturação ocorridos no Brasil entre 1995 e 2003 (privatizações e entrada de capitais estrangeiros). Utilizando metodologia de análise de redes se observa que as redes de proprietários no período analisado se comportam como "mundos pequenos": ao mesmo tempo em que existem grupos de proprietários extensivamente ligados uns aos outros, existem alguns poucos atores centrais que acabam por conectar diferentes grupos. Devido à sua posição estratégica na rede, tais proprietários - notadamente, fundos de pensão e o próprio governo - conseguiram explorar oportunidades de participação societária decorrentes da própria reestruturação da economia. Conseqüentemente, contrário a interpretações usuais na literatura, no período analisado parece ter ocorrido um aumento da influência de certos proprietários locais, em detrimento de firmas e investidores estrangeiros.
Investigation of dowel shear in RC beams using photogrammetry
Authors: Sonnenberg A. M. C. , Al-Mahaidi R.
Published: October 2007

Three beams were fabricated and tested to investigate the contribution of dowel action to the shear capacity of rectangular concrete beams with shear reinforcement. The tests involved the use of photogrammetry to measure accurately the movement of the concrete, and consequently the movement of the flexural reinforcing, as shear cracking developed. This information was used in a non-linear stiffness model to determine the percentage contribution of dowel action to the shear capacity of the beams. The results showed that dowel action significantly contributed to the shear capacity of the beams.
Simulation of shear-type cracking and failure with non-linear finite-element method
Authors: Broo H. , Plos M. , Lundgren K. , Engström B.
Published: October 2007

Today, the non-linear finite-element (FE) method is commonly used by practising engineers. Simulating the shear behaviour and shear failure of reinforced concrete structures, using three-dimensional non-linear finite-element methods, has shown higher load-carrying capacity due to favourable load distribution, compared to conventional analyses. However, the modelling method for reinforced and prestressed concrete members subjected to shear and torsion has not been generally verified. Therefore, the method needs to be investigated further and confirmed to be practically reliable. The aim of this project is to develop, improve and verify a method to simulate the shear response of reinforced and prestressed concrete members. The method should be applicable for large structures, for example box-girder bridges, subjected to various load actions. Experiments with panels loaded in shear and beams loaded in bending, shear and torsion are simulated by using non-linear FE analysis. The results showed that four-node curved shell elements with embedded reinforcement could simulate the shear response. It is well known that the shear sliding capacity is larger than that which can be explained by the reinforcement contribution determined from a truss model. This increase is due to dowel action and aggregate interlock, and has been accounted for in the past by modifying the concrete tension response in models—for example, according to the modified compression field theory (MCFT). Results from the analyses show that without any modification, the capacity was underestimated and the average strains—that is, the crack widths—were overestimated. On the other hand, if the concrete contribution to the shear capacity was considered with the expression from MCFT, the capacity was in many cases overestimated and the average strains underestimated.
The effect of calcium nitrite on the chloride-induced corrosion of steel in concrete
Authors: Ann K. Y. , Buenfeld N. R.
Published: October 2007

Laboratory tests were undertaken to assess the effect of calcium nitrite-based corrosion inhibitors in raising the chloride threshold level (CTL) for the corrosion of steel embedded in concrete and hence the time to corrosion initiation. Specimens with a centrally located steel rebar were cast with 0, 1·23, 2·5 and 5·0% nitrite by weight of cement and were cured for 4 weeks. Then they were immersed in 4M sodium chloride solution and the galvanic current between the embedded steel and an external cathode was monitored. The CTL of nitrite-free specimens was typically doubled and trebled by 2·5% nitrite and 5% nitrite, respectively. With and without nitrite, the CTL was reduced with an increase in the air void content at the steel–concrete interface. The time to corrosion depended on the cement content. Use of low cement content (282 kg/m3) increased the CTL as the dosage of nitrite in concrete increased, but did not extend the time to corrosion because it accelerated chloride penetration. For a richer mix (350 kg/m3) the time to corrosion increased with the dosage of calcium nitrite. After corrosion initiation, the corrosion rate for specimens containing calcium nitrite was typically two to three times higher than for nitrite-free specimens.
Vertical Guided Bone Regeneration With Bioabsorbable Barriers
Authors: Llambés Fernando , Silvestre Francisco‐Javier , Caffesse Raúl
Published: October 2007

Background: Guided bone regeneration (GBR) is a very useful surgical technique to increase limited alveolar bone for implant placement. The use of non‐resorbable barriers is well established; however, bioabsorbable collagen membranes may simplify the surgical technique and make it more predictable.

Methods: Vertical ridge augmentation was performed on 11 patients at the time of implant placement. The part of the implant out of bone was covered with autogenous bone/graft, and a slow‐resorption collagen membrane was placed on top. Gingival tissues were closed with horizontal mattress and interrupted sutures. Second‐stage surgery was performed 4 to 6 months later, and healing abutments were placed. The length of the implant out of bone was determined at stage 1 and stage 2 surgeries on a periapical x‐ray 1 year after implant load. Histology was obtained from one of the cases at second‐stage surgery.

Results: Measurements revealed that the mean implant out of bone was 3.5 mm at stage 1 and 0.5 mm at stage 2. Mean bone gain was 3 mm, which represented 83% of the exposed implant at stage 1. One year after loading, implants showed a mean marginal bone loss of 1.4 mm. Minimal complications were detected, and only one case failed. Histology from one successful case showed new trabecular bone with large cellular marrow spaces in the regenerated area.

Conclusion: Slow‐resorption collagen membranes have the potential to promote vertical ridge augmentation when used with autogenous bone at the time of implant placement.
Esthetic Treatment of Gingival Melanin Hyperpigmentation With Er:YAG Laser: Short‐Term Clinical Observations and Patient Follow‐Up
Authors: Rosa Daniel Simões A. , Aranha Ana Cecília Corrêa , de Paula Eduardo Carlos , Aoki Akira
Published: October 2007

Background: Recently, the erbium‐doped:yttrium, aluminum, and garnet (Er:YAG) laser has been applied effectively for periodontal soft tissue management. The purpose of this study was to report removal of gingival melanin pigmentation using an Er:YAG laser in a short‐term clinical observation.

Methods: Five patients with gingival melanin pigmentation participated in this study. Irradiation was performed at 64.0 mJ/pulse (8.5 J/cm2 per pulse) and 10 Hz under water spray in contact mode. Clinical parameters, such as bleeding, swelling, redness, and healing, were evaluated immediately after the surgery and 24 hours, 1 and 4 weeks, and 3 months later. A visual analog scale was used to evaluate the pain level experienced.

Results: The Er:YAG laser effectively ablated the epithelial tissue containing melanin pigmentation. At 1 week, gingiva showed fast epithelization with a healthy appearance in all cases. At 2 weeks, gingiva showed satisfactory healing with significant improvement in color and recovery of the tissue thickness. At 1 month, complete healing was observed; after the 3‐month evaluation, no gingival deformity or recession was observed. However, there was a slight recurrence in one case.

Conclusion: Removal of gingival melanin pigmentation can be performed safely by Er:YAG laser resulting in an esthetically significant improvement of gingival discoloration.
Clinical Evaluation of Periodontal Surgical Treatment With an Er:YAG Laser: 5‐Year Results
Authors: Gaspirc Boris , Skaleric Uros
Published: October 2007

Background: The aim of the present study was to evaluate and compare the long‐term clinical outcomes of erbium‐doped:yttrium, aluminum, and garnet (Er:YAG) laser–assisted periodontal flap surgery versus conventional treatment with the modified Widman flap procedure.

Methods: A total of 146 single‐rooted periodontally involved teeth from 25 patients were included in this study. In each patient, left or right maxillary single‐rooted teeth were assigned randomly to one of two groups: group A (Er:YAG laser) and group B (modified Widman flap surgery). Er:YAG laser was used to debride the bone pockets, scale the root surface, and trim the periodontal flap. Recession, probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), and bleeding on probing (BOP) scores were recorded at baseline and at 3, 6, 12, 24, 36, 48, and 60 months.

Results: Both treatments resulted in decreases in PD, PI, GI, and BOP, increases in gingival recession, and gains in CAL. PD reduction in group A versus group B was statistically significant at 6, 12, 24, and 36 months (P <0.05). Gains in CAL were significantly greater in group A versus group B at 6, 12, 24, and 36 months. BOP scores were significantly lower in group A versus group B at 3 and 6 months (P <0.05). All other differences between treatment groups were not statistically significant.

Conclusions: Surgical treatment of single‐rooted teeth with chronic periodontitis using the Er:YAG laser yields greater PD reduction and gains in CAL for up to 3 years compared to conventional Widman flap surgery. The short‐term results obtained with both treatments can be maintained over 5 years.
Effects of Marrow Penetration on Bone Augmentation Within a Titanium Cap in Rabbit Calvarium
Authors: Min Seiko , Sato Shuichi , Murai Masakazu , Okuno Kenji , Fujisaki Yoshiaki , Yamada Yutaka , Ito Koichi
Published: October 2007

Background: Some studies have advocated marrow penetration in guided bone augmentation (GBA), whereas others have shown that bone can be generated without marrow penetration. This study examined the effect of marrow penetration and the optimal rate of penetration.

Methods: In 10 rabbits, the calvarium was exposed, and circular grooves were prepared bilaterally. Within the circular groove, the external cortical surface of the skull was perforated mechanically using a number 4 round bur (experimental site), whereas the bone surface on the other groove (control site) was left intact. The rate of penetration was standardized as 28% for the experimental site and 0% for the control site. Subsequently, two standardized titanium caps with an inner diameter of 8 mm and an inner height of 4 mm were anchored in the prepared grooves. Five rabbits each were euthanized at 1 and 3 months, and the percent area of newly generated tissue and mineralized bone in the newly generated tissue under the titanium cap was determined.

Results: Histomorphometric analysis showed significantly increased bone neogenesis in the experimental site at 3 months. The percent area of mineralized bone in the newly generated tissue was consistently higher in the experimental site at 3 months.

Conclusion: In the rabbit calvarium using a titanium cap GBA model, bone augmentation was significantly greater with marrow penetration than without penetration.
Gingival Crevicular Fluid Levels of Neopterin in Healthy Subjects and in Patients With Different Periodontal Diseases
Authors: Pradeep A.R. , Kumar Magesh S. , Ramachandraprasad M.V. , Shikha Chowdhry
Published: October 2007

Background: Neopterin, a metabolite of guanosine, belongs to the class of chemical compounds known as pteridines and is an early and valuable marker of cellular immunity. Recently, it was shown to be associated with the initiation and progression of periodontal disease. The aim of the present study was to assess the relationship between clinical parameters and concentrations of neopterin within gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) from inflamed gingiva and periodontitis sites before and after the treatment of periodontitis.

Methods: Sixty age (35 to 65 years)‐ and gender‐matched (30 males and 30 females) subjects were recruited and divided into the following four groups of 15 subjects each based on gingival index, Ramfjord periodontal disease index, clinical attachment loss (CAL), and radiographic parameters (bone loss): healthy (group 1), gingivitis (group 2), mild periodontitis (group 3), and moderate to severe periodontitis (group 4). A fifth group consisted of the 15 subjects from group 4, 6 to 8 weeks after treatment (scaling and root planing). GCF was collected from each patient, and the neopterin levels were determined by enzyme immunoassay. Results were analyzed statistically.

Results: The mean concentration of neopterin in GCF was the highest in group 4 (51 nmol/l) and the lowest in group 1 (1.36 nmol/l). The mean neopterin concentrations in group 2 (9.69 nmol/l) and group 3 (16.58 nmol/l) fell between the highest and lowest values. This suggested a positive correlation between CAL and GCF neopterin concentrations. Neopterin levels in group 4 decreased to 1.77 nmol/l after treatment (group 5).

Conclusions: Neopterin increased in parallel with the severity of inflammatory disease. Its levels in GCF may be potentially useful as an indicator of periodontal inflammation and the host response.
Effects of TGF‐β1, PDGF‐BB, and IGF‐1 on the Rate of Proliferation and Adhesion of a Periodontal Ligament Cell Lineage In Vitro
Authors: Sant'Ana Adriana C.P. , Marques Márcia M. , Barroso Emildre C. , Passanezi Euloir , de Rezende Maria Lúcia Rubo
Published: October 2007

Background: Considering the role of growth factors in periodontal regeneration, the aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of platelet‐derived growth factor (PDGF)‐BB, insulin‐like growth factor (IGF)‐1, and transforming growth factor‐beta 1(TGF‐β1), alone or in combination, on the rate of proliferation and adhesion of periodontal ligament (PDL) cells in vitro.

Methods: After establishment and characterization of a primary culture of PDL cells, 72 culture dishes were plated with 103 cells distributed among four test groups and a control group. Test groups had PDGF‐BB, TGF‐β1, IGF‐1, or a combination of all three added to the culture medium, whereas the control group received no growth factor. The samples were counted in triplicate 1, 3, 5, and 7 days after seeding. For the adhesion assay, 14 patients provided 30 root fragments distributed among 10 groups: scaling and root planing (SRP), SRP + growth factors, SRP + citric acid plus tetracycline (CA+T), and SRP + (CA+T) + growth factors. The data were evaluated statistically by analysis of variance complemented by Tukey, Dunnett, and Student‐Newman‐Keuels methods.

Results: Maximum rates of proliferation were observed at day 3 for all groups. TGF‐β1 induced a 344.17% ± 58.80% increased proliferation rate over control (P <0.05), followed by the combination (277.5% ± 29.38%), PDGF‐BB (238.79% ± 5.79%), and IGF‐1 (233.16% ± 19.19%). Groups treated by (CA+T) showed increased numbers of cells attached to root fragments, especially SRP + (CA+T) + combination (13.25 ± 1.79), with significant differences (P <0.05) from groups treated only by SRP.

Conclusion: This combination of growth factors stimulated a mitogenic response and favored the adhesion of PDL cells in vitro, suggesting its possible role in periodontal regeneration.
Early Soft Tissue Healing Around One‐Stage Dental Implants: Clinical and Microbiologic Parameters
Authors: DeAngelo Samuel J. , Kumar Purnima S. , Beck Frank M. , Tatakis Dimitris N. , Leblebicioglu Binnaz
Published: October 2007

Background: Despite the potential significance of early soft tissue healing to long‐term outcomes, this aspect of one‐stage dental implants has not been investigated. The purpose of this prospective study was to characterize clinical and microbiologic parameters of early soft tissue healing around dental implants placed following a one‐stage protocol.

Methods: Twenty‐one patients (11 females and 10 males, aged 18 to 78 years; two smokers) needing a single implant were included. Clinical parameters included probing depth, buccal flap thickness, papilla height, and bleeding on probing. Subgingival plaque samples were obtained pre‐ and postoperatively and analyzed using molecular techniques.

Results: The newly formed peri‐implant sulcus probing depth remained fairly stable from 4 to 12 weeks (P >0.05). There was no statistically significant association between flap thickness or papillary height and number of implant bleeding sites at 12 weeks (P >0.05). Detection of known periodontal pathogens was rare. Fusobacterium nucleatum was present in 17 patients prior to surgery, and 71% of them became carriers of this bacterium at the implant site by the second postoperative week. The number of F. nucleatum–positive subjects around the implant was significantly lower than the number of F. nucleatum–positive subjects around teeth (P <0.05).

Conclusions: Peri‐implant soft tissue clinical maturity may be established as early as 4 weeks following implant placement by a one‐stage surgical protocol; neither preexisting flap thickness nor papillary height seemed to influence newly forming peri‐implant sulcus depth or bleeding on probing prevalence. For the most part, the newly created peri‐implant crevices were colonized by specific bacteria within 2 weeks.
Water Repellency of Aggregate Size Fractions of a Volcanic Ash Soil
Authors: Kawamoto Ken , Moldrup Per , Komatsu Toshiko , de Jonge Lis Wollesen , Oda Masanobu
Published: October 2007

Water repellency (WR) of soils can induce hydrological problems such as reduced water infiltration, enhanced surface runoff and erosion, and the forming of preferential flow patterns in soil. Although soil organic matter (SOM) may cause both soil aggregation and a hydrophobic‐material‐coating of aggregates, little is known about WR in aggregated soils. We investigated the degree of WR as functions of volumetric water content (θ) and pF [= log (‐ψ; soil‐water potential)] for sieved fractions of a volcanic ash soil samples from different depths with varying soil organic carbon (SOC) contents of between 1.1 and 12.3%. Water repellency was determined by the molarity of ethanol droplet (MED) test. Water repellency was observed in the samples with SOC ≥ 4.6%, and the effects of sample pretreatments (pressure chamber desorption, air‐drying at 20°C, and oven‐drying at 60°C) on the degree of WR were small. The degree of WR varied greatly with both SOC content, θ, and pF. Peaks of WR were observed when the water retained in intra‐aggregate pores was drained to a moderate extent with the corresponding pF values located in a relatively narrow range from 3.2 to 3.6. This indicates that the hydrophobicity of high‐SOC aggregate surfaces might be enhanced the most at a specific soil‐water potential. Examining relations between water repellency parameters, the integrated areas below the WR‐θ and WR‐pF curves were useful indexes for characterizing WR, and linear relationships between the integrated areas and both SOC and water contents at maximum repellency were found.
Salinity Effects on Soil Moisture Measurement Made with a Capacitance Sensor
Authors: Thompson R. B. , Gallardo M. , Fernández M. D. , Valdez L. C. , Martínez-Gaitán C.
Published: October 2007

Three field experiments examined the effects of soil salinity on volumetric soil water content (SWC) measured with a capacitance sensor (CS). They were conducted in field‐grown vegetable crops fertigated with complete nutrient solutions. Experiment 1 compared nutrient solutions with electrical conductivities (ECns) of 6.5 dS m−1 (+SAL) and 2.4 dS m−1 (control), applied in equal volumes, following fertigation with ECns of 2.4 dS m−1 Once +SAL commenced, SWC (0–20‐cm depth) increased rapidly and then remained approximately 30% higher than in the control. Soil matric potential (SMP, 10‐cm depth) was consistently very similar in both treatments. In Exp. 2, increasing ECns from 2.1 to 5.5 dS m−1 in irrigation treatments receiving 100% of crop evaporation (ETc) and 25% of ETc caused SWC (0–20 cm) to respectively increase appreciably and maintain relatively constant values. Experiment 3 examined the effect of increased salinity and whether normalizing sensors with higher ECns alleviated this effect. Treatments were equal volumes of: (i) ECns of 5 dS m−1 with sensor normalization at EC of 5.2 dS m−1 (SAL‐N5.2); (ii) ECns of 5 dS m−1 with normalization at EC of 1.9 dS m−1 (SAL‐N1.9); and (iii) ECns of 1.9 dS m−1 with normalization at 1.9 dS m−1 (control). Previously, the three treatments were fertigated with ECns of 1.9 dS m−1 The SWC (5–15 cm) increased by approximately 10% in both SAL‐N5.2 and SAL‐N1.9, and maintained relatively constant values in the control. The SMP (10 cm) was consistently very similar in the three treatments. Normalizing the CS at 5.2 or 1.9 dS m−1 had no effect on the response to salinity. In the three experiments, changes in SWC generally paralleled changes in EC of soil water (ECsw); relative increases were 4 to 7.5% in SWC for each 1 dS m−1 increase in ECsw
Aggregation and Aggregate Carbon in a Forested Southeastern Coastal Plain Spodosol
Authors: Sarkhot Deoyani V. , Comerford N. B. , Jokela Eric J. , Reeves James B. , Harris Willie G.
Published: October 2007

Physical protection of C by aggregates and their response to forest management are important components of soil C management. This study was conducted to examine the morphology and strength of aggregates, to quantify C held by aggregates, and to study the effects of forest management intensity on aggregation. Surface horizon soil (0–5‐ and 5–10‐cm depths) was collected from a 4‐yr‐old loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) plantation in North Florida under two contrasting management regimes (intensive vs. operational fertilization and chemical weed control, called high‐ and low‐intensity treatments, respectively). Samples were dry sieved into four size classes: 2000 to 250, 250 to 150, 150 to 53, and <53 μm. Soil aggregates of varying morphology and strength were observed in the three sand size fractions. Aggregate strength, as measured by sonication, varied with size fraction and ranged from approximately 17 J mL−1 for the least stable macroaggregates in the 2000‐ to 250‐μm fraction to 113 J mL−1 for the most stable microaggregates in the 150‐ to 53‐μm fraction. Aggregate organic matter (AOM) was an important C pool in these soils, accounting for nearly half of the total soil organic matter. The high‐intensity management treatment had lower AOM in the 2000‐ to 250‐μm fraction, probably due to lower biomass input of understory roots caused by chemical understory control. Modification of the sonication technique proved useful for studying different aspects of aggregation and gave indications of an aggregate hierarchy even in these extremely sandy soils.
Explicit Formulae for Soil Water Diffusivity Using the One‐Step Outflow Technique
Authors: Valiantzas J. D. , Londra P. , Sassalou A.
Published: October 2007

One of the most widely used methods in determining soil water diffusivity, D, as a function of the volumetric water content, θ, is the one‐step outflow method. Unfortunately, the calculation of D(θ) according to direct methods usually requires the estimation of the first and second derivative of the outflow volume, V, dV/dt and d2V/dt2 of the original measured cumulative outflow data V(t). These derivatives are usually approximated by applying a finite difference technique to two or three consecutive outflow measurements. Therefore, the accuracy of the results depends essentially on the accuracy of local outflow measurements. Inaccuracies are more intensive in the last portion of the outflow curve, where small errors of measurement may yield large inaccuracies in the first and second derivatives of the outflow curve. Furthermore, the entire calculation procedure for estimating dV/dt and d2V/dt2 is rather laborious and complicated. We developed a direct method based on a simple curve‐fitting procedure applied to the experimental outflow data for a simple power and an extended power form function, which leads to direct calculation of the soil water diffusivity function from explicit formulae. The only parameters involved in these formulae are the empirical parameters obtained by the curve‐fitting procedure. The proposed method was verified from one‐step outflow experiments performed in nine porous materials (one sand, two soils, and six substrate mixtures). Comparison with previous methods indicated a good performance of the proposed explicit algebraic formulae.
Estimating Saturated Hydraulic Conductivity Using Genetic Programming
Authors: Parasuraman Kamban , Elshorbagy Amin , Si Bing Cheng
Published: October 2007

Saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks) is one of the key parameters in modeling solute and water movement in the vadose zone. Field and laboratory measurement of Ks is time consuming, and hence is not practical for characterizing the large spatial and temporal variability of Ks As an alternative to direct measurements, pedotransfer functions (PTFs), which estimate Ks from readily available soil data, are being widely adopted. This study explores the utility of a promising data‐driven method, namely, genetic programming (GP), to develop PTFs for estimating Ks from sand, silt, and clay contents and bulk density (Db). A data set from the Unsaturated Soil Hydraulic Database (UNSODA) was considered in this study. The performance of the GP models were compared with the neural networks (NNs) model, as it is the most widely adopted method for developing PTFs. The uncertainty of the PTFs was evaluated by combining the GP and the NN models, using the nonparametric bootstrap method. Results from the study indicate that GP appears to be a promising tool for developing PTFs for estimating Ks The better performance of the GP model may be attributed to the ability of GP to optimize both the model structure and its parameters in unison. For the PTFs developed using GP, the uncertainty due to model structure is shown to be more than the uncertainty due to model parameters. Moreover, the results indicate that it is difficult, if not impossible, to achieve better prediction and less uncertainty simultaneously.
Curve Number Values for Olive Orchards under Different Soil Management
Authors: Romero P. , Castro G. , Gómez J.A. , Fereres E.
Published: October 2007

The Soil Conservation Service curve number methodology (SCS‐CN) has been used in hydrological and crop models to evaluate the effects of soil management in olive (Olea europaea L. subsp. europaea) orchards on runoff, erosion, and water balance. To our knowledge, it has never been calibrated or validated for olive orchards. A physically based runoff model for olive orchards at a hillslope scale was used to generate rainfall–runoff relationships for different scenarios of soil type (four), tree size (two), tree spacing (two), antecedent soil moisture (three), and soil management (11) for a 140‐m‐long and 5% steep hillslope. The resulting relationships were used to derive the values of the curve number parameter, CNd, for the SCS‐CN methodology. The resulting CNd values were validated using rainfall–runoff data for three different locations and different soil management. Predictions of daily runoff using CNd were compared with those made using CN values extracted from the standard SCS‐CN tables, CNSCS The derived CNd values presented a root mean square error in runoff predictions between 0.5 and 7.3 mm, and a model efficiency between 82 and 97%. The extracted CNSCS values presented a root mean square error in runoff predictions between 1.4 and 10.4 mm, and a model efficiency between −81 and 89%. Our analysis identified some issues in the hydrology of olive orchards where our understanding remains limited. Among them are the need for further validation of the derived CN values given the limited rainfall–runoff data, and the effect of soil management on soil properties and their temporal evolution.
Regional Assessment of Soil Compaction and Structural Properties under No‐tillage Farming
Authors: Blanco-Canqui Humberto , Lal R.
Published: October 2007

No‐tillage (NT) farming is a proven technology for soil and water conservation, but its impacts on soil compaction and structure development are soil‐ and site‐specific. We conducted a regional assessment of long‐term (>5‐yr) NT farming impacts on soil compaction, structure, and aggregate‐associated soil organic carbon (SOC) concentration across 13 contrasting but representative soils in the eastern USA, each within a Major Land Resource Area (MLRA: 111C, 98, 114B, and 122 in Indiana; 111A, 111B, 111B2, 99, 111D, 124, and 126 in Ohio; and 147 and 127 in Pennsylvania). Each MLRA comprised NT, chisel plow (CP), and woodlot (WL) land uses. Impacts of NT management were moderate on soil compaction, small on soil structural properties, and nonsignificant on aggregate‐associated SOC concentration. No‐tillage soils had higher cone index (CI) and shear strength than CP in nine out of the 13 MLRAs, and they had the highest CI (∼2 MPa) and shear strength (>180 kPa) within MLRAs 122 and 124. Bulk density (ρb) in NT was higher than in CP soils only in 111B (1.31 vs. 1.18 Mg m−3) and 127 (1.37 vs. 1.17 Mg m−3). No‐tillage farming increased the mean weight diameter (MWD) of aggregates by a factor of 1.6 in MLRA 99, by 3.0 in 124, and by 5.3 in 111A, and reduced their tensile strength (TS) in 114B, 126, and 111B by a factor of ∼2.5. Macroaggregates (>1 mm) contained 15 to 100% more SOC than microaggregates. Woodlot soils had the lowest ρb and TS and the highest MWD and aggregate‐associated SOC concentration. The MWD increased with increasing SOC concentration. Overall, the impacts of no‐tillage farming on soil compaction and structure were small compared with plow tillage.
Applying a Quantitative Pedogenic Energy Model across a Range of Environmental Gradients
Authors: Rasmussen Craig , Tabor Neil J.
Published: October 2007

Conceptual energy‐based pedogenic models present a framework for quantitatively linking pedon energy throughflow to soil development. In this study, we utilized a quantitative pedogenic energy model (QPEM) based on rates of effective energy and mass transfer (EEMT, kJ m−2 yr−1) to the soil system to predict pedogenesis across a wide range of pedogenic environments. Our objectives were to: (i) derive a global equation for estimating EEMT; (ii) test the QPEM framework at the pedon scale across a series of environmental gradients on igneous rock residuum; and (iii) develop quantitative transfer functions between pedogenic indices and EEMT. We derived a simplified two‐dimensional Gaussian expression for estimating EEMT from mean annual temperature (MAT) and mean annual precipitation (MAP) (R2 = 0.96, significant at P ≤ 0.001) using a global climate data set. Environmental gradient data indicated significant differences in EEMT between soil orders (i.e., Entisol = 14,586 vs. Ultisol = 36,521 kJ m−2 yr−1), whereas neither MAT nor MAP demonstrated significant differences among soil orders. Pedon data from the gradients were used to derive quantitative transfer functions between EEMT and pedogenic indices, including pedon depth, clay content, subsurface chemical index of alteration minus potassium (CIA−K), and the ratio of free Fe oxides to total Fe (Fed/FeT). Significant linear and nonlinear functions were derived between EEMT and all of the pedogenic indices, whereas no significant functions could be fit between pedogenic indices, MAT, or MAP. The favorable results from this study suggest that the QPEM framework and EEMT may provide a basis for quantitative pedogenic modeling and prediction of soil properties.
Denervation and High-Fat Diet Reduce Insulin Signaling in T-Tubules in Skeletal Muscle of Living Mice
Authors: Lauritzen Hans P.M. Mortensen , Ploug Thorkil , Ai Hua , Donsmark Morten , Prats Clara , Galbo Henrik
Published: October 2007

OBJECTIVE—Insulin stimulates muscle glucose transport by translocation of GLUT4 to sarcolemma and T-tubules. Despite muscle glucose uptake playing a major role in insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes, the temporal and spatial changes in insulin signaling and GLUT4 translocation during these conditions are not well described.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—We used time-lapse confocal imaging of green fluorescent protein (GFP) ADP-ribosylation factor nucleotide-binding site opener (ARNO) (evaluation of phosphatidylinositide 3-kinase activation) and GLUT4-GFP–transfected quadriceps muscle in living, anesthetized mice either muscle denervated or high-fat fed. T-tubules were visualized with sulforhodamine B dye. In incubated muscle, glucose transport was measured by 2-deoxy-d-[3H]-glucose uptake, and functional detubulation was carried out by osmotic shock. Muscle fibers were immunostained for insulin receptors.

RESULTS—Denervation and high-fat diet reduced insulin-mediated glucose transport. In denervated muscle, insulin-stimulated phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5 P3 (PIP3) production was abolished in T-tubules, while PIP3 production at sarcolemma was increased 2.6-fold. Correspondingly, GLUT4-GFP translocation to T-tubules was abolished, while translocation to sarcolemma was increased 2.3-fold. In high fat–fed mice, a ∼65% reduction in both insulin-induced T-tubular PIP3 production and GLUT4-GFP translocation was seen. Sarcolemma was less affected, with reductions of ∼40% in PIP3 production and ∼15% in GLUT4-GFP translocation. Access to T-tubules was not compromised, and insulin receptor distribution in sarcolemma and T-tubules was unaffected by denervation or high-fat feeding. Detubulation of normal muscle reduced basal and abolished insulin-induced glucose transport.

CONCLUSIONS—Our findings demonstrate, for the first time, that impaired insulin signaling and GLUT4 translocation is compartmentalized in muscle and primarily localized to T-tubules and not sarcolemma during insulin resistance.
Multiple Superoxide Dismutase 1/Splicing Factor Serine Alanine 15 Variants Are Associated With the Development and Progression of Diabetic Nephropathy
Authors: Al-Kateb Hussam , Boright Andrew P. , Mirea Lucia , Xie Xinlei , Sutradhar Rinku , Mowjoodi Alireza , Bharaj Bhupinder , Liu Michelle , Bucksa Jean M. , Arends Valerie L. , Steffes Michael W. , Cleary Patricia A. , Sun Wanjie , Lachin John M. , Thorner Paul S. , Ho Michael , McKnight Amy Jayne , Maxwell A. Peter , Savage David A. , Kidd Kenneth K. , Kidd Judith R. , Speed William C. , Orchard Trevor J. , Miller Rachel G. , Sun Lei , Bull Shelley B. , Paterson Andrew D. ,   the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial/Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications Research Group
Published: October 2007

BACKGROUND— Despite familial clustering of nephropathy and retinopathy severity in type 1 diabetes, few gene variants have been consistently associated with these outcomes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS— We performed an individual-based genetic association study with time to renal and retinal outcomes in 1,362 white probands with type 1 diabetes from the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial/Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications (DCCT/EDIC) study. Specifically, we genotyped 1,411 SNPs that capture common variations in 212 candidate genes for long-term complications and analyzed them for association with the time from DCCT baseline to event for renal and retinal outcomes using multivariate Cox proportion hazards models. To address multiple testing and assist interpretation of the results, false discovery rate q values were calculated separately for each outcome.

RESULTS— We observed association between rs17880135 in the 3′ region of superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) and the incidence of both severe nephropathy (hazard ratio [HR] 2.62 [95% CI 1.64–4.18], P = 5.6 × 10−5, q = 0.06) and persistent microalbuminuria (1.82 [1.29–2.57], P = 6.4 × 10−4, q = 0.46). Sequencing and fine-mapping identified additional SOD1 variants, including rs202446, rs9974610, and rs204732, which were also associated (P < 10−3) with persistent microalbuminuria, whereas rs17880135 and rs17881180 were similarly associated with the development of severe nephropathy. Attempts to replicate the findings in three cross-sectional case-control studies produced equivocal results. We observed no striking differences between risk genotypes in serum SOD activity, serum SOD1 mass, or SOD1 mRNA expression in lymphoblastoid cell lines.

CONCLUSIONS— Multiple variations in SOD1 are significantly associated with persistent microalbuminuria and severe nephropathy in the DCCT/EDIC study.
Fatty Acids and Insulin Modulate Myocardial Substrate Metabolism in Humans With Type 1 Diabetes
Authors: Peterson Linda R. , Herrero Pilar , McGill Janet , Schechtman Kenneth B. , Kisrieva-Ware Zulfia , Lesniak Donna , Gropler Robert J.
Published: October 2007

OBJECTIVE—Normal human myocardium switches substrate metabolism preference, adapting to the prevailing plasma substrate levels and hormonal milieu, but in type 1 diabetes, the myocardium relies heavily on fatty acid metabolism for energy. Whether conditions that affect myocardial glucose use and fatty acid utilization, oxidation, and storage in nondiabetic subjects alter them in type 1 diabetes is not well known.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—To test the hypotheses that in humans with type 1 diabetes, myocardial glucose and fatty acid metabolism can be manipulated by altering plasma free fatty acid (FFA) and insulin levels, we quantified myocardial oxygen consumption (MVo2), glucose, and fatty acid metabolism in nondiabetic subjects and three groups of type 1 diabetic subjects (those studied during euglycemia, hyperlipidemia, and a hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp) using positron emission tomography.

RESULTS—Type 1 diabetic subjects had higher MVo2 and lower myocardial glucose utilization rate/insulin than control subjects. In type 1 diabetes, glucose utilization increased with increasing plasma insulin and decreasing FFA levels. Myocardial fatty acid utilization, oxidation, and esterification rates increased with increasing plasma FFA. Increasing plasma insulin levels decreased myocardial fatty acid esterification rates but increased the percentage of fatty acids going into esterification.

CONCLUSIONS—Type 1 diabetes myocardium has increased MVo2 and is insulin resistant during euglycemia. However, its myocardial glucose and fatty acid metabolism still responds to changes in plasma insulin and plasma FFA levels. Moreover, insulin and plasma FFA levels can regulate the intramyocardial fate of fatty acids in humans with type 1 diabetes.
Anatomic Site of Origin of Nasal Polyps: Endoscopic Nasal and Paranasal Sinus Surgery as a Screening Method for Nasal Polyps in an Autopsy Material
Authors: Larsen P. L. , Tos M.
Published: October 2007

Systematic examination of the paranasal sinuses and nasal cavity followed by endoscopic endonasal surgery was performed in 31 cadavers, polyps being found in 13. In all, a total of 27 polyps was found. Only four patients had a case history of allergy or sinusitis. The polyps and their place of origin were documented photographically. A total of 70% of the polyps originated in the ostia, clefts, or recesses. In three patients, polyps originated on the middle turbinate, and in one the agger nasi area, indicating that polyp formation in the ethmoidal sinuses and other paranasal sinuses is secondary to the formation of polyps in the sinus ostia, clefts, and recesses.