bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The relation between experiential avoidance, alexithymia and emotion regulation in inpatient adolescents
Authors: Venta Amanda , Hart John , Sharp Carla
Published: September 2012

Recently, efforts have been made to better understand constructs that are associated with difficulties in emotion regulation in hopes of identifying underlying mechanisms that may be valuable targets for intervention. Against this background, the present study had two aims. Firstly, we wanted to explore the relation between emotion regulation, experiential avoidance and alexithymia by determining whether adolescents with elevated scores on a measure of alexithymia would report deficits in emotion regulation and experiential avoidance. Secondly, we sought to evaluate the role of experiential avoidance as a mediator in the relation between alexithymia and emotion regulation. The sample ( N = 64) consisted of adolescents recruited from an inpatient facility of which approximately 30% were classified as having alexithymia. The results of this study indicate that adolescents with alexithymia report deficits in emotion regulation and elevated experiential avoidance. Experiential avoidance mediated the relation between alexithymia and emotion regulation, indicating that while the inability to effectively use language to identify and describe emotional states is strongly correlated with difficulties in regulating one’s emotions, this relation is mediated by the unwillingness to tolerate aversive private experiences. Limitations and strengths of the present study are also noted.
Positive responses to intergroup assistance: The roles of apology and trust
Authors: Halabi Samer , Nadler Arie , Dovidio John F.
Published: September 2012

Recent research on intergroup helping has shown that offers of help from a high- to a low-status group can be responded to negatively by members of the low-status group. The current research, consisting of two studies, explored factors that can influence how helping by a high-status group is responded to and how much it is sought by members of a low-status group, specifically considering the roles of intergroup trust and apologies in this process. Study 1 investigated reactions of Israeli-Arabs to help offered by Israeli-Jews. Study 2 examined willingness of Israeli-Arabs to seek help from Israeli Jews. Converging results across the two experiments showed that responses to assistance were most positive and helping was most strongly sought when there was an explicit apology by a representative of the outgroup for a recent transgression and Israeli-Arab participants had a relatively high level of intergroup trust. Theoretical and applied implications are discussed.
Are we all Keynesians now? The US press and the American Recovery Act of 2009
Authors: Schiffrin Anya , Fagan Ryan
Published: September 2012

It is widely believed that the media has an important role to play in promoting development and in shaping economic policy. This is done partly by the media’s framing of the issues for public debate and by educating consumers of news. Increasingly, economists have shown that the media has played a constructive role in promoting informed civil engagement on economic policy and even in promoting corporate governance. At the same time, the business press has been referred to as the weak link or ‘step child’ in an increasingly professional and knowledgeable news room. Among other critiques, business journalists are faulted for being ideologically captured, and so generally presenting a pro-business/market point of view. They are often accused of being not only biased, but too ill-informed to write in an analytical or critical way about economics. This article examines the US press coverage of the stimulus package over several months in 2009 to ascertain the validity of these hypotheses. We found that although there was robust discussion of the stimulus, it was mostly focused on the political process rather than the economic issues, there was little agenda setting and government and business sources – including many with a ‘vested interest’ – were overwhelmingly cited the most.
Consistency of international sentencing: ICTY and ICTR case study
Authors: Holá Barbora , Bijleveld Catrien , Smeulers Alette
Published: September 2012

The International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia and the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda are the first, post Cold War international criminal tribunals convicting perpetrators of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. Their sentencing practice has been largely criticized as inconsistent. This quantitative study addresses the criticism and empirically investigates the consistency of international sentencing. The extent to which the selected factors predict sentence length is tested in a multiple regression analysis. The analysis suggests that similar, legally relevant patterns have emerged in the sentencing practice of both tribunals. Sentencing in international criminal practice does not appear to be less consistent than sentencing under domestic jurisdictions.
Promoting Correct Car Seat Use in Parents of Young Children
Authors: Weaver Nancy L. , Brixey Suzanne N. , Williams Janice , Nansel Tonja R.
Published: September 2012

Injuries involving motor vehicles continue to be the biggest threat to the safety of children. Although child safety seats (CSS) have been established as a central countermeasure in decreasing injury risk, the majority of parents do not use the correct car seat correctly. There are many challenges in promoting correct car seat use, which itself is a complex behavior. To advance this critical protective behavior, the public health community would benefit from clarifying CSS messaging, communicating clearly, and addressing the conflicting recommendations of product use. In this article, we present current challenges in promoting CSS use and draw on health communication and other fields to offer recommendations for future work in this area.
The Effects of Natural Orifice Translumenal Endoscopic Surgery (NOTES) on Cardiorespiratory Physiology
Authors: Pucher Philip , Sodergren Mikael Hans , Alkhusheh Moutaz , Clark James , Jethwa Paras , Teare Julian , Yang Guang-Zhong , Darzi Ara
Published: September 2012

Introduction. Despite the increasing awareness of natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery (NOTES), there remain obstacles to its wider implementation. We aim to examine the current evidence for the effects of variable uncontrolled insufflation pressures using either air or carbon dioxide in NOTES, as well the effects of NOTES procedures themselves, on physiological parameters. Method. We undertook a systematic review of all publications relating to the effects of NOTES on physiology, in particular compared with laparoscopy. Results. Eleven reports were identified comprising comparative trials involving a total of 237 pigs. With one exception, no difference was found between the effect of NOTES and laparoscopic surgery on cardiopulmonary parameters. No difference was found also for the effect on inflammatory mediators such as interleukin-6. Two studies also assessed the effects choice of insufflation gas, with no change in inflammatory markers. Two further studies assessing the effects of variable pneumoperitoneal pressures found negative cardiorespiratory effects with higher pressures. Discussion. Existing evidence is limited to small-sample animal trials but appears to show noninferiority for NOTES compared with laparoscopy. The development of a pressure regulation device for NOTES must be considered.
Differential infection patterns of CD4+ T cells and lymphoid tissue viral burden distinguish progressive and nonprogressive lentiviral infections
Authors: Brenchley Jason M. , Vinton Carol , Tabb Brian , Hao Xing Pei , Connick Elizabeth , Paiardini Mirko , Lifson Jeffrey D. , Silvestri Guido , Estes Jacob D.
Published: September 2012

Nonhuman primate natural hosts for simian immunodeficiency viruses (SIV) develop a nonresolving chronic infection but do not develop AIDS. Mechanisms to explain the nonprogressive nature of SIV infection in natural hosts that underlie maintained high levels of plasma viremia without apparent loss of target cells remain unclear. Here we used comprehensive approaches (ie, FACS sorting, quantitative RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry, and in situ hybridization) to study viral infection within subsets of peripheral blood and lymphoid tissue (LT) CD4+ T cells in cohorts of chronically SIV-infected rhesus macaques (RMs), HIV-infected humans, and SIVsmm-infected sooty mangabeys (SMs). We find: (1) infection frequencies among CD4+ T cells in chronically SIV-infected RMs are significantly higher than those in SIVsmm-infected SMs; (2) infected cells are found in distinct anatomic LT niches and different CD4+ T-cell subsets in SIV-infected RMs and SMs, with infection patterns of RMs reflecting HIV infection in humans; (3) TFH cells are infected at higher frequencies in RMs and humans than in SMs; and (4) LT viral burden, including follicular dendritic cell deposition of virus, is increased in RMs and humans compared with SMs. These data provide insights into how natural hosts are able to maintain high levels of plasma viremia while avoiding development of immunodeficiency.
Airway protease/antiprotease imbalance in atopic asthmatics contributes to increased Influenza A virus cleavage and replication
Authors: Kesic Matthew J , Hernandez Michelle , Jaspers Ilona
Published: September 2012

Asthmatics are more susceptible to influenza infections, yet mechanisms mediating this enhanced susceptibility are unknown. Influenza virus hemagglutinin (HA) protein binds to sialic acid residues on the host cells. HA requires cleavage to allow fusion of the viral HA with host cell membrane, which is mediated by host trypsin-like serine protease. We show data here demonstrating that the protease:antiprotease ratio is increased in the nasal mucosa of asthmatics and that these changes were associated with increased proteolytic activation of influenza. These data suggest that disruption of the protease balance in asthmatics enhances activation and infection of influenza virus.
The nutritional status of children in Bhutan: results from the 2008 National nutrition survey and trends over time
Authors: Zangmo Ugyen , de Onis Mercedes , Dorji Tandin
Published: September 2012

Background

There are few reports on the nutritional status of Bhutanese children. The objective of this paper is to summarize results from the 2008 National Nutrition Survey and to describe progress achieved during the last two decades.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey of 2376 children aged 6 to 59 months was conducted during November-December 2008 to provide national and regional estimates. A multi-stage cluster sampling method was applied and 40 gewogs/thromdes were selected from each region (Western, Central, Eastern). Guidelines on how to measure length/height and weight followed WHO standardized procedures. Data were analysed for consistency and validation using the software WHO Anthro and the WHO SPSS macro. Underweight, stunting, overweight, wasting and thinness were defined based on the WHO Child Growth Standards. Data from 1986-88 and 1999 national surveys were reanalysed using the WHO standards to describe trends in nutritional status.

Results

Nationally, 34.9% Bhutanese preschool children are stunted and 10.4% are underweight. Wasting is 4.7%, with severe wasting close to 2% in rural areas, while overweight affects 4.4% of preschool children. While underweight rates are similar across regions, wasting is substantially more prevalent in the Western region and stunting in the Eastern region. Stunting shows a steep rise during the first two years of life, as high as 40%, and levels off thereafter, while wasting is greatest among children aged 6-24 months and subsequently decreases. The prevalence of stunting fell from 60.9% in 1986-88 to 34.9% in 2008, and underweight declined from 34.0% to 10.4% during same period. The percentage of wasted children dropped from 5.2% in 1986-88 to 2.5% in 1999 but then increased to 4.7% in 2008.

Conclusions

There have been major improvements in the nutritional status of Bhutanese children over the past two decades, however, linear growth retardation remains a significant concern. Early identification of growth faltering is essential for improving the effectiveness of public health programs to prevent stunting. Similarly, wasting rates indicate the need for a system to identify children with severe malnutrition in the isolated communities so that they can receive appropriate care.
The Viviani-Joffre Mission to the United States, April–may 1917: A Reassessment
Authors: Greenhalgh Elizabeth
Published: September 2012

The French mission to the United States in April 1917 on America’s entry into World War I is usually acclaimed as a great success. The mission’s aim was to fix the main lines of cooperation between American and Allied forces. However, in the context of the relationship during the period of American neutrality as revealed by the French propaganda effort in the United States, and in comparison to the British mission sent to Washington at the same time, the mission seems less successful and its achievements less clearcut. The promise of autonomy and of artillery supplies that Marshal Joseph Joffre, the mission’s military leader, gave to the Americans had significant consequences on the war effort, and the competitive spirit between the French and British missions undercut the alliance’s image in Washington.

Quand les Etats-Unis déclarèrent la guerre en avril 1917, la France y envoya une mission politique et militaire pour déterminer dans leurs grandes lignes les directives de la coopération des forces américaines avec les forces alliées. Cette mission est censée avoir connu un grand succès. En plaçant la mission dans deux contextes—celui des relations francoaméricaines pendant la période de neutralité révélées par l’effort de propagande française envers les Etats-Unis, et celui des relations francobritanniques révélées par l’esprit de compétitivité qui se manifesta entre la mission du maréchal Joffre et René Viviani et celle des Britanniques qui arriva à Washington à la même date— notre analyse de la mission permet d’en évaluer les résultats qui étaient moins positifs. Effectivement les promesses faites par le maréchal et la concurrence avec la mission britannique nuisirent à l’effort de guerre allié, surtout en 1918.
Being Moved (On)
Authors: Lea Tess , Young Martin , Markham Francis , Holmes Catherine , Doran Bruce
Published: September 2012

It is in the contemporary period of Indigenous cultural recognition that the biopolitical system of policing Aboriginal walkers in Australia's frontier towns has become so normalized that it takes place without public notice, using universally accepted mechanisms for shedding metropolitan areas of the unsightly and unwanted. Ironically, the hypermarginalized hunter-gatherer population can be identified by their perambulation — they walk — a form of urban nomadism that is both desired and reviled. Aboriginal pedestrians who are temporarily not in motion are forced to keep moving but are not expelled altogether, for their presence is essential to the region's wider economic interests. Since Aboriginal pedestrians are “moved on” when entrepreneurial imperatives cannot be met, and since moving is also a means of remaining invisible in the most heavily policed commercial zones, walking is thus overdetermined, a coproduced effect of racial excision and resistance in the ambivalent political economies of the Australian liberal-settler frontier.
Paediatric angiodysplasia of the jejunum: a case report and review of the literature
Authors: Kimpton J A , Bowen J C , Craigie R J
Published: September 2012

Gastrointestinal angiodysplasia (GIAD) of the jejunum is a rare cause of acute upper and lower gastrointestinal bleeding in the paediatric population. This is the case of a previously well 10-year-old girl who presented with acute rectal haemorrhage, haematemesis and syncope. Despite an exploratory laparotomy, the cause of bleeding remained unknown. A computerized tomography angiogram was performed once she was haemodynamically stable. It indicated bleeding in the jejunum. Repeat laparotomy was performed including enterotomy, copious small bowel washout and visualization of the whole small bowel. The lesion was identified at approximately 100 cm from the duodenojejunal flexure and confirmed by isolating the lesion and testing for bleeding. A 30 cm length of jejunum was resected and primary anastomosis performed. She recovered well and was discharged three days postoperatively. She remained well at six-month follow-up. This case highlights the importance of considering upper GIAD in an acute paediatric gastrointestinal bleed and the way in which surgical management can prevent a potentially fatal outcome.
Ezogabine: An Evaluation of Its Efficacy and Safety as Adjunctive Therapy for Partial-Onset Seizures in Adults
Authors: Yamada Mikiko , Welty Timothy E
Published: September 2012

Objective:

To evaluate the safety, efficacy, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamic properties, and clinical application of ezogabine (retigabine. INN), an antiepileptic drug approved in 2011.

Data Sources:

Published data from in vitro, animal, and clinical studies were obtained from PubMed and CINAHL searches, from January 1980 to March 31, 2012. Other relevant data regarding the safety and efficacy of ezogabine were obtained from the Food and Drug Administration and the European Medication Agency Web sites.

Study Selection and Data Extraction:

Selected articles were prospective in vitro, animal, and controlled clinical studies of ezogabine. Non-English-language articles were excluded.

Data Synthesis:

In vitro and animal studies show that ezogabine activates voltage-gated potassium channels, leading to reduction of seizure frequency by inhibiting hyperexcitability activity in the central nervous system. Additionally, ezogabine enhances γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) activity and de novo GABA synthesis. Eight clinical studies of ezogabine have been published, 5 being Phase 1 clinical trials in healthy subjects and 3 being Phase 3 clinical trials in patients with pharmacoresistant partial-onset seizures. Phase 3 clinical trials demonstrated the safety and efficacy of ezogabine in patients with partial-onset seizures.

Conclusions:

Clinical trials have shown that ezogabine is efficacious as an adjunctive agent in patients with pharmacoresistant partial seizures. Careful monitoring of drug interactions and adverse reactions is necessary. While ezogabine is efficacious (or partial seizures, its precise role in the management of patients with epilepsy is yet to be determined.
Systematic Reviews of Studies Quantifying the Accuracy of Diagnostic Tests and Markers
Authors: Reitsma Johannes B , Moons Karel GM , Bossuyt Patrick MM , Linnet Kristian
Published: September 2012

Systematic reviews of diagnostic accuracy studies allow calculation of pooled estimates of accuracy with increased precision and examination of differences in accuracy between tests or subgroups of studies. Recently, several advances have been made in the methods used in performing systematic reviews of diagnostic test accuracy studies, most notably in how to assess the methodological quality of primary diagnostic test accuracy studies by use of QUADAS-2 (Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies 2) instrument and how to develop sound statistical models for metaanalysis of the paired measures of test accuracy (bivariate metaregression model of sensitivity and specificity). This article provides an overview of the different steps within a diagnostic systematic review and highlights these advances, illustrated with empirical data. The potential benefits of some recent developments in the areas of network metaanalysis and individual patient data metaanalysis for diagnostic tests are also discussed.
Examensklausur StR Von ungedeckten Konten, unbestellten Waren und unbesetzten Kassen
Authors: Bülte Jens , Becker Raymond
Published: September 2012

Der Fall wurde im WS 2010/2011 im Examensklausurenkurs der Juristischen Fakultät der Universität Heidelberg gestellt. Bei einer Durchfallquote von 32,8% erreichten 6,3% der Bearbeiter die Notenstufe »vollbefriedigend«. Der Durchschnitt lag bei 4,8 Punkten.
Gerichtsstände der ZPO
Authors: Schreiber Klaus
Published: September 2012

Die ZPO enthält in den §§ 12–40 allgemeine Regelungen über Gerichtsstände. Hierbei geht es um die örtliche Zuständigkeit der Gerichte. Ob die Amtsgerichte oder die Landgerichte für einen Rechtsstreit zuständig sind, ist demgegenüber den Regelungen der sachlichen Zuständigkeit zu entnehmen; sie finden sich in den §§ 23, 71 ff. GVG i. V. m. § 1 ZPO.
Nanoscale materials for organohalide degradation via reduction pathways
Authors: Bolandi Ali , Nick Setare Tahmasebi , Obare Sherine O.
Published: September 2012

The unique chemical and physical properties of nanoscale materials have led to important roles in several scientific and technological fields. Environmental chemistry processes have benefited from the enhanced reactivity of nanoscale particles relative to their bulk counterparts with contaminants. Here, we describe recent advances in the synthesis and characterization of metallic and bimetallic nanoparticles that have been effective toward degrading toxic organohalide contaminants. We then review the degradation mechanisms involved in the reactions of nanoscale particles with organohalides via reduction pathways. We also discuss an emerging area – the degradation of organohalides via multi-electron transfer pathways.
The Balance between Receptor Recycling and Trafficking toward Lysosomes Determines Synaptic Strength during Long-Term Depression
Authors: Fernández-Monreal Mónica , Brown Tyler C. , Royo María , Esteban José A.
Published: September 2012

The strength of excitatory synaptic transmission depends partly on the number of AMPA receptors (AMPARs) at the postsynaptic surface and, thus, can be modulated by membrane trafficking events. These processes are critical for some forms of synaptic plasticity, such as long-term potentiation and long-term depression (LTD). In the case of LTD, AMPARs are internalized and dephosphorylated in response to NMDA receptor activation. However, the fate of the internalized receptors upon LTD induction and its relevance for synaptic function is still a matter of debate. Here we examined the functional contribution of receptor recycling versus degradation for LTD in rat hippocampal slices, and their correlation with receptor dephosphorylation. We observed that GluA1 undergoes sequential dephosphorylation and degradation in lysosomes after LTD induction. However, this degradation does not have functional consequences for the regulation of synaptic strength, and therefore, for the expression of LTD. In contrast, the partition of internalized AMPARs between Rab7-dependent trafficking (toward lysosomes) or Rab11-dependent endosomes (recycling back toward synapses) is the key factor determining the extent of synaptic depression upon LTD induction. This sorting decision is related to the phosphorylation status of GluA1 Ser845, the dephosphorylated receptors being those preferentially targeted for lysosomal degradation. Altogether, these new data contribute to clarify the fate of AMPARs during LTD and emphasize the importance of membrane sorting decisions to determine the outcome of synaptic plasticity.
Reaching the Limit of the Oculomotor Plant: 3D Kinematics after Abducens Nerve Stimulation during the Torsional Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex
Authors: Klier Eliana M. , Meng Hui , Angelaki Dora E.
Published: September 2012

Accumulating evidence shows that the oculomotor plant is capable of implementing aspects of three-dimensional kinematics such as Listing's law and the half-angle rule. But these studies have only examined the eye under static conditions or with movements that normally obey these rules (e.g., saccades and pursuit). Here we test the capability of the oculomotor plant to rearrange itself as necessary for non-half-angle behavior. Three monkeys (Macaca mulatta) fixated five vertically displaced targets along the midsagittal plane while sitting on a motion platform that rotated sinusoidally about the naso-occipital axis. This activated the torsional, rotational vestibulo-ocular reflex, which exhibits a zero-angle or negative-angle rule (depending on the visual stimulus). On random sinusoidal cycles, we stimulated the abducens nerve and observed the resultant eye movements. If the plant has rearranged itself to implement this non-half-angle behavior, then stimulation should reveal this behavior. On the other hand, if the plant is only capable of half-angle behavior, then stimulation should reveal a half-angle rule. We find the latter to be true and therefore additional neural signals are likely necessary to implement non-half-angle behavior.
Two Seizure-Onset Types Reveal Specific Patterns of High-Frequency Oscillations in a Model of Temporal Lobe Epilepsy
Authors: Lévesque Maxime , Salami Pariya , Gotman Jean , Avoli Massimo
Published: September 2012

High-frequency oscillations (HFOs; 80–500 Hz) are thought to mirror the pathophysiological changes occurring in epileptic brains. However, the distribution of HFOs during seizures remains undefined. Here, we recorded from the hippocampal CA3 subfield, subiculum, entorhinal cortex, and dentate gyrus to quantify the occurrence of ripples (80–200 Hz) and fast ripples (250–500 Hz) during low-voltage fast-onset (LVF) and hypersynchronous-onset (HYP) seizures in the rat pilocarpine model of temporal lobe epilepsy. We discovered in LVF seizures that (1) progression from preictal to ictal activity was characterized in seizure-onset zones by an increase of ripple rates that were higher when compared with fast ripple rates and (2) ripple rates during the ictal period were higher compared with fast ripple rates in seizure-onset zones and later in regions of secondary spread. In contrast, we found in HYP seizures that (1) fast ripple rates increased during the preictal period and were higher compared with ripple rates in both seizure-onset zones and in regions of secondary spread and (2) they were still higher compared with ripple rates in both seizure-onset zones and regions of secondary spread during the ictal period. Our findings demonstrate that ripples and fast ripples show distinct time- and region-specific patterns during LVF and HYP seizures, thus suggesting that they play specific roles in ictogenesis.
Crystal structure of (E)-3-(N-oxide-benzylimino)indolin-2-one, C15H12N2O2
Authors: Meng Mei , Fang Huang , Chen Gang
Published: September 2012

C15H12N2O2 monoclinic, P21/n (no. 14), a = 12.343(4) Å, b = 8.172(3) Å, c = 13.375(5) Å, β = 114.466(4)°, V = 1228.0 Å3, Z = 4, Rgt(F) = 0.048, wRref(F2) = 0.127, T = 296 K.
Parenteral administration of vitamins A, D and E on the oxidative metabolism and function of polymorphonuclear leukocytes in swine
Authors: Lima Alessandra S. , Weigel Rebeca A. , Morgado Aline A. , Nunes Giovanna R. , Souza Fernando N. , Moreno Andrea M. , Della Libera Alice Maria M.P. , Sucupira Maria Claudia A.
Published: September 2012

The weaning period of piglets is characterized by physiological alterations, such as decreased weight gain, increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) and increased serum cortisol levels with possible effects on the immune response. The effect of parenteral administration of vitamins A, D and E on production performance, oxidative metabolism, and the function of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNLs) was assessed in piglets during the weaning period. The sample was comprised of 20 male piglets that were given an injectable ADE vitamin combination (135,000 IU vitamin A, 40,000 IU vitamin D and 40mg vitamin E/ animal) at 20 and 40 days of age. Weight gain, concentration of reduced glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and the microbicidal and phagocytic activity of PMNLs were assessed. No difference was observed in the average piglet weight during the study; however, a greater percentage of weight gain was observed after weaning in the treated group. The concentrations of GSH and SOD did not differ between groups, although lipid peroxidation was greater in the control group at 60 days of age. The investigated variables of oxidative metabolism were correlated as follows: -0.41 for GSH and MDA, -0.54 for GSH and SOD and 0.34 for MDA and SOD. The intensity of intracellular ROS production, the percentage of ROS-producing PMNLs and the intensity of phagocytosis by PMNLs did not differ between treatment groups. Administration of the injectable ADE combination improved the percentage of weight gain between 20 and 40 days of age, decreased oxidative stress at 60 days of age and did not influence the function of PMNLs in piglets.
Ethological activities, ruminal parameters and weight gain of calves supplemented with different amounts of sodium chloride
Authors: Malafaia Pedro , Lizieire Rosane Scatamburlo , Cruz Paula Barroso , Peixoto Paulo Vargas
Published: September 2012

The daily weight gain, behavioral activities (grazing, ruminating and water consumption) and the number of rumen protozoa, pH, NH3, and the osmolarity of rumen fluid was evaluated for four groups of six calves HPB/Zebu submitted to daily intake of 15, 30, 60 and 90g of NaCl during 135 days (9th Jan. to 24th May 2008).Throughout the experimental period the calves were in perfect health condition and did not show any signs suggestive of chronic sodium poisoning. There was no significant difference in average daily gain of the calves as the intake of NaCl increased. No significant behavioral changes were observed in the activities of grazing and rumination. However, there was a noticeable change in the frequency of water consumption in the calves that ingested 90g/d of NaCl; they went more often to the trough and drank more water than the group that ingested only 15g sodium chloride/d. The osmolarity of ruminal liquid was higher in the group of calves fed 90g of NaCl/d. The pH, NH3 concentration and number of rumen protozoa was within the normal range.
Food service compliance with ISO 14001 and ISO 22000
Authors: Santos Laura Lyra , Akutsu Rita de Cássia Coelho de Almeida , Botelho Raquel Braz Assunção , Zandonadi Renata Puppin
Published: September 2012

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess food service environmental and food safety management systems according to two checklists based on ABNT ISO 22000 and 14001. METHODS: This exploratory and descriptive study investigated a-la-carte food services of the Federal District, Brazil. Two checklists were developed to investigate ISO 14001 and 22000 compliance. A total of 37 food services were selected from the list of the Brazilian Association of Bars and Restaurants by simple random sampling. Checklist results were analyzed according to ANVISA resolution nº 275/2002. RESULTS: Only five food services employed dietitians to supervise meal production. These establishments achieved the highest ISO compliance. However, no establishment had more than 50% ISO 14001 or 22000 compliance. Restaurants showed little concern for the environment and disobeyed waste disposal laws by not separating recyclables from non-recyclables. CONCLUSION: The study food services do not have safe meal production systems, evidenced by non-conformity with the reference standards. Additionally, they do not attempt to reduce the environmental impact of their wastes. Food services supervised by dietitians are better prepared to produce safe foods.
Representação discursiva de pessoas em situação de rua no "Caderno Brasília": naturalização e expurgo do outro
Authors: Resende Viviane de Melo
Published: September 2012

Neste artigo, utilizo o referencial da Análise de Discurso Crítica para analisar o texto "Abandono no Lago Norte - Casa que pertence ao Ibama virou ponto de drogas e abrigo para moradores de rua", publicado em janeiro de 2011 no "Caderno Brasília", semanário ligado ao jornal Hoje em Dia distribuído gratuitamente em centenas de pontos de Brasília. O texto discute o abandono de um imóvel público e suas consequências para a vizinhança, fazendo referência, inclusive no subtítulo, a "moradores de rua". Tomando esse objeto analítico, procedo à análise da representação de atores sociais, especificamente do grupo classificado como "moradores de rua". Também analiso, do ponto de vista da oração como representação, como esse grupo aparece no Sistema de Transitividade, com base nas orações em que o grupo é representado. A análise aponta que a situação de rua, grave problema social contemporâneo, é naturalizada na representação do evento em foco no texto.
A Coated Helical Transmission Line Time Domain Transmission Sensor for Measuring Water Content in Saline Soils
Authors: Zheng Rumei , Li Zizhong , Gong Yuanshi
Published: September 2012

Soil salinity is a major challenge for soil moisture measurement using time domain reflectometry (TDR) and time domain transmission (TDT) technologies. Both technologies measure the travel time of an electromagnetic pulse propagating in soil, which is highly related to soil wetness. A TDT soil moisture sensor with coated helical transmission line has been developed and tested in nonsaline mineral soils and saline soils to evaluate its performance. For nonsaline mineral soils, a linear calibration equation between volumetric soil water content (θv) and output voltage (V) from the TDT soil moisture sensor was established, and soil texture showed minor influences on the linear relationship. The RMSE of the measured θv was smaller than <0.022 m3 m−3 Under saline conditions, the slope of the θv–V linear relationship decreased exponentially as soil solution electrical conductivity (EC) increased. When the EC is <6.6 dS m−1, however, the linear relationship for nonsaline mineral soils can be directly applied to saline soils if the required accuracy of moisture measurement is no less than 0.030 m3 m−3 For soil solution EC in the range of 6.6 to 20.6 dS m−1, the linearity of the relationship still holds, but the slope needs to be adjusted according to the EC values. The θv–V linear relationship held for soil solution EC up to 198.2 dS m−1 The calibration equation for nonsaline mineral soils was also applicable to several natural saline mineral soils, and the RMSE was <0.026 m3 m−3 Therefore it is possible to develop TDT sensors to measure soil moisture with similar accuracy to that of TDR on nonsaline soils but better performance under saline soil conditions.
Speciation of Copper in Enriched Agricultural Lime
Authors: Kersten Michael , Reich Tatiana Y. , Lui Ka H. , Schmidt Gerald T. , Göttlicher Jörg
Published: September 2012

Agricultural liming materials are used to lower soil acidity and to improve microbial functionality and plant growth. A brownish colored agricultural lime was found to contain up to 180 mg kg−1 Cu, an amount well above any fertilizing materials code threshold. The dark color of the milled material was due to ample black and brown dendrites consisting of the tectomanganate mineral romanechite (ideally (Ba,H2O)2(Mn4+,Mn3+)5O10) and a mixture of the two nanocrystalline Fe oxides ferrihydrite and goethite. A four‐step sequential extraction analysis of the lime powder was not sufficient to argue whether the Cu load was contained in the carbonate matrix or in the oxide dendrites, or, in the latter case, in which of the three oxide phases identified. Electron microprobe analysis confirmed that the manganate dendrites were responsible for elevated Cu concentrations in the limestone. Focused micro‐x‐ray absorption spectroscopy (μ‐XAS) revealed the bonding environment of Cu in the romanechite dendrites to be octahedrally coordinated as the Jahn–Teller cation Cu2+ bound into lattice sites of the tectomanganate phase. The Mn–Cu, Cu–Mn, and Cu–Cu shell distances indicated a substitution of the Mn3+ tectomanganate tunnel edge sites by the Cu2+ cations. This structural intercalation of Cu is clearly more stable than Cu cations bound as surface adsorbate complexes. The Cu contained in the liming material is therefore not likely to be mobilized and bioavailable, and therefore the lime poses little threat to agricultural soils.
Farm‐Scale Variation of Soil Quality Indices and Association with Edaphic Properties
Authors: Collins Douglas P. , Cogger Craig G. , Kennedy Ann C. , Forge Thomas , Collins Harold P. , Bary Andrew I. , Rossi Richard
Published: September 2012

Farm‐scale variation of soil quality indices and association with edaphic properties. Soil organisms can be used as indicators of dynamic soil quality because their community structure and population density are sensitive to management changes. However, edaphic properties can also affect soil organisms and spatial variability can confound their utility for soil evaluation. We evaluate the relationship between two important agronomic functions, N‐mineralization potential and aggregate stability, and biological, chemical, and physical edaphic properties. Decomposers, nematodes, collembolans, total C, total N, pH, bulk density (Db), and texture were evaluated at 81 sites across 25‐ha of an organic farm in western Washington. We built regression trees with biological, chemical, physical, and management parameters to explain the farm‐scale variation in microbial biomass (r2= 0.74), nematode density (r2= 0.61), collembolan density (r2= 0.36), nematode structure index (SI,r2= 0.41), nematode enrichment index (EI,r2= 0.54), proportion of soil as aggregates > 0.25 mm (r2= 0.60) and N‐mineralization potential (r2= 0.58). Soils with microbial biomass > 597 μg Cmicg−1formed a homogeneous group with the greatest N‐mineralization potential, and soils with >13.5% clay formed a homogeneous group with the greatest proportion of soil aggregates > 0.25 mm. Increased soil aggregation was associated with larger nematode SI, though much of the variability in SI remained unexplained by the data. Tillage had a strong effect on both decomposer and nematode populations; soils not tilled for 5 yr had the largest microbial biomass and soils not tilled 2 wk before sampling had the largest nematode populations. Comparisons of soil quality indicators across farms should be sensitive to the association of indicators with soil texture and recent management practices.
Organic Matter in Clay Density Fractions from Sandy Cropland Soils with Differing Land‐Use History
Authors: Sleutel S. , Leinweber P. , Van Ranst E. , Kader M. A. , Jegajeevagan K.
Published: September 2012

Land‐use history is often overlooked when assessing soil fertility of intensive cropland production systems. The unusually high organic carbon (OC) content of many sandy cropland soils in Northwestern Europe is unexpected given their general low clay content (3–8%) and organic matter (OM) input typical of cropland, but appears to be related to historical heathland land‐use. Clay fraction OM composition was compared between two groups of sandy cropland soils with (HC) or without (CC) a history of heathland/forest land‐use. Light (1.6–2.2 g cm−3) and heavy (>2.2 g cm−3) clay fractions in HC soils were nearly twice as rich in OC (on average 199 g kg−1) compared with those of CC soils (on average 109 g kg−1). The hypothesized preferential presence of stable heathland derived OM in light soil fractions, was not supported by our data. Pyrolysis‐field ionization mass spectrometry of the clay fractions revealed a more decomposed character of OM in the CC soils and lasting long‐term influence of land‐use history on SOM composition. This could be concluded from higher proportions of lipids and sterols, a lower thermostability in the HC compared with the CC soils, and enrichment of alkylaromatics and heterocyclic N‐containing compounds in the latter. The density fractionation methodology separated organic‐mineral particles with similar OM loadings but lower proportions of sterols and medium to long‐chained lipids in the heavy compared with the light clay fraction. Given the very high clay OC loadings (6–16 mg C m−2) and low binding capacity of the quartz/kaolinite/mica dominated clays, we hypothesize that OM–OM interactions are involved as an OM stabilization mechanism. However, contrary to our hypothesis high clay OC loading (and hence thick OM layering) were found in all sandy croplands regardless of land‐use history or density fraction.
Effect of Density‐Driven Advection on Trichloroethylene Vapor Diffusion in a Porous Medium
Authors: Cotel Solenn , Schäfer Gerhard , Barthes Véronique , Baussand Patrick
Published: September 2012

To quantify the vertical diffusive mass transfer of trichloroethylene (TCE) in a low water‐saturated porous medium, diffusion experiments were conducted in soil columns using a medium‐size quartz sand at two different water saturations; namely, completely dry and at irreducible water saturation. Advective transport of TCE vapors was mainly generated by density gradients in the soil gas during diffusion of TCE vapors in the vertical direction. The maximum stationary TCE vapor concentrations measured at the column outlet attained only 70 to 75% of the prescribed inlet vapor concentration, indicating a strong influence of density‐driven advective mass transport on vertical diffusion of TCE. Without taking into account the density of the vapors, the measured apparent TCE diffusion coefficient was about seven and five times smaller than the coefficients predicted by the model for dry sand and sand at irreducible water saturation, respectively. A numerical transport model was used to interpret the experimental results. The numerical results fit the experimentally measured TCE breakthrough curves well. A sensitivity study demonstrated that the simulated vapor breakthrough curves were not very sensitive to variations in the dimensionless Henry's constant, the gas–solid or water–solid phase partitioning coefficients but were sensitive to modification of the intrinsic permeability and the gas tortuosity–connectivity parameter. Two series of numerical simulations were also conducted to analyze the steady‐state conditions of vertical vapor transport. The results highlighted how both the relative density of TCE vapors and the height of the soil column, expressed as a dimensionless Rayleigh number, might reduce the vertical diffusive mass flux.
Predicting Soil Water Content Using the “Drained to Equilibrium” Concept
Authors: Barquin-Valle Luis P. , Migliaccio Kati W. , Schaffer Bruce , Muñoz-Carpena Rafael , Crane Jonathan H. , Li Yuncong
Published: September 2012

This study was conducted to evaluate the accuracy of a simple model, based on the “drained to equilibrium” concept, for predicting soil water dynamics in the presence of a fluctuating, shallow, transient water table. This concept assumes that soil water is primarily due to capillary rise from the water table. Water table depth varied between 1.8 and 2.3 m (with a mean of 2.0 m) during this study. The model was evaluated under four field conditions: (i) deep soil created by trenching, with tree roots, (ii) deep soil created by trenching, without tree roots, (iii) shallow soil with tree roots, and (iv) shallow soil without tree roots. Collocated water table and soil water content data at the 10‐, 20‐, 40‐, and 60‐cm depths were collected in a lychee (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) orchard in Homestead, FL. Hydrostatic conditions were identified and van Genuchten parameters were determined using the filtered data set and the van Genuchten equation; accuracy of the predictions was assessed with the Nash–Sutcliffe coefficient of efficiency (Ceff). The greatest variability in soil water content was measured at the 10‐cm depth, while at other depths the soil water content was more consistent. In general, for the highly permeable soils and predominantly dry conditions tested, the drained‐to‐equilibrium model evaluated in this study proved to be a simple one‐dimensional physical expression that predicted soil water content well (median Ceff = 0.85) based on a shallow water table level. This information can be used to improve irrigation scheduling and flood management in shallow groundwater systems.
Numerical Solution of the Continuity Equation for Soil Water Flow Using Precomputed Steady‐State Fluxes
Authors: Ross P.J.
Published: September 2012

Numerical methods of calculating water flow in soils usually rely on solving Richards' equation, which is obtained by combining the equation of continuity with Darcy's law for water fluxes. In this study, the one‐dimensional equation of continuity was solved using tables of precomputed steady‐state fluxes read from disk. This results in simpler and faster code for applications such as field water balance models, which may use relatively large depth spacings and many repeated calculations. There is no speed penalty for the use of more complex property descriptions. Steady‐state flux tables were computed by integration of Darcy's law, which results in the same solution as Richards' equation, but in principle they could be obtained in some other way. The method is much faster and more stable than conventional iterative methods both because it is noniterative and because good estimates of steady‐state fluxes allow accurate solutions with larger vertical grid spacings, which in turn allow larger time steps. It is also both faster and simpler than other noniterative methods that provide good flux estimates because the fluxes are already available without the extra code and the time needed to compute them.
Joint Measurement Setup for Determining Spectral Induced Polarization and Soil Hydraulic Properties
Authors: Breede K. , Kemna A. , Esser O. , Zimmermann E. , Vereecken H. , Huisman J.A.
Published: September 2012

The prediction capabilities of unsaturated flow and transport models are often limited by insufficient knowledge about the structural and textural heterogeneity of the soil. To obtain more information about soil structure, texture, and heterogeneity, as well as hydraulic properties, noninvasive spectral induced polarization (SIP) measurements have shown promise. However, there clearly is a need for more detailed investigations on the relation between SIP and hydraulic properties, in particular for unsaturated soil. To address this need, we developed a novel experimental setup that allows simultaneous determination of hydraulic and electrical properties. Our setup consists of multistep outflow equipment for hydraulic measurements and an electrical impedance spectrometer for measurements of the complex electrical conductivity. Two different measurement cells were constructed. The first measurement cell can only be used for nonshrinking soil, while the other one also allows measurements on mildly shrinking soil. Test measurements showed that the measurement accuracy is very high for the complex electrical conductivity. Nonpolarizable point electrodes are used for voltage measurements, ensuring a good contact to the sample for a wide range of water saturations. An experiment performed on unconsolidated sand investigated the dependence of the complex electrical conductivity and fitted Cole–Cole parameters on water saturation. The phase values and chargeability increased with decreasing saturation. The relaxation time associated with a phase peak was independent of saturation and corresponded reasonably to the average grain size of the sand. Therefore, no relationship between relaxation time and unsaturated hydraulic conductivity was found for this well‐sorted sand.