bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of Visual Control Training on the Shooting Performance of Elite Female Basketball Players
Authors: Oudejans Raôul R. D.
Published: September 2012

In the current study, a method was tested to train visual control in basketball shooting. Using a sender/receiver system, Plato liquid-crystal goggles were wirelessly and manually controlled by the experimenter to manipulate vision of players while they were shooting. During the training the goggles were only open during the final instances of each shot forcing players to use optimal information. In three months, six elite female basketball players, selected on the basis of their shooting style and performance, received 9-15 shot sessions, each consisting of 50 three-point shots with the goggles. Pretest-posttest comparisons revealed that the players who had received the goggle training improved their shooting percentages significantly while two control groups did not. Gradual increases of shooting percentages over training sessions inspired additional confidence in the conclusion that pre-posttest improvements were related to the visual control training. The Plato-goggle system provides a promising tool to be used in sports practice to improve performance.
The Relationship between the Bunkie-Test and Physical Performance in Rugby Union Players
Authors: van Pletzen Danél , Venter Rachel E.
Published: September 2012

It is suggested that restrictions in the fascia along the kinetic chains could inhibit muscle function and therefore influence movement patterns, such as those required by skilled rugby players. The Bunkie-test has been proposed as a tool to identify fascia restrictions in five kinetic chains. The purpose of this study was to use the isometric Bunkie-test to determine its relationship with performance in selected physical tests (agility, speed, explosive power, and muscle endurance) in rugby union players. The participants (n = 121) were rugby union players from three academies. Results indicated significant relationships (p < 0.05) between performance in the Bunkie-test and the physical tests. Players who performed better on the Bunkie-test achieved better results in the physical tests. The Bunkie-test might be a tool for coaches, trainers and therapists to identify weaknesses and imbalances in the kinetic chains of players. Addressing these problems could lead to improvements in sport performance, as well as assessing readiness of players to return to play after injuries.
A family music project in the north of England: A study of the pedagogical methodologies employed and the outcomes achieved
Authors: Bates Christine
Published: September 2012

This article examines learning outcomes in relation to the pedagogical methodologies employed in a community music project involving families. The research was designed with three stages. In the first stage case studies of existing family music projects were undertaken. In the second
stage findings from the case studies were applied in the design of a new musical project for families, executed in two settings. The outcomes of the new project were discussed and consolidated at a symposium in the third stage. It was concluded that there was a direct relationship between
the successful methodologies and social context, and a number of affecting factors were identified, including socio-economic status, previous access to music, and the perceived role of the family members in the project.
The legacy of Choral Director Robert Shaw: Beyond technique to music in communities
Authors: Burnaford Gail
Published: September 2012

The article examines Choral Director Robert Shaw’s approach and explores whether these innovations constitute a lasting legacy for amateurs and community singers beyond the world of professional choral directors. After a brief biographical overview of Shaw’s contributions
and achievements, the author outlines four specific innovations attributed to Shaw and his work with choruses all over the world. The author sang with Shaw for ten years and introduces her own personal notes from musical scores, as well as videos and Shaw’s Dear People letters to describe
his preparation and warm up approaches, attention to the spiritual in music, use of metaphorical and imagistic language to teach choirs, and his explicit belief in the power of community in choral singing.
Identification of circulating microRNAs as biomarkers in cancers: what have we got?
Authors: Sun Yu , Zhang Kuo , Fan Gaowei , Li Jinming
Published: September 2012

During the past few years there has been great interest in the development of circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) as stable blood-based biomarkers for cancer detection. Deregulation of miRNAs in blood samples has shown considerable clinical utilities in cancers. Due to poorly characterized preanalytical and analytical variables and the lack of a standardized measurement protocol, the application of these miRNA fingerprints is hindered by conflicting results. In this review, we outline our current understanding of preanalytically and analytically confounding factors. We believe that great consideration should be taken in the development of circulating miRNA as tumor biomarkers.
Taurine Release by Astrocytes Modulates Osmosensitive Glycine Receptor Tone and Excitability in the Adult Supraoptic Nucleus
Authors: Choe Katrina Y. , Olson James E. , Bourque Charles W.
Published: September 2012

Cells can release the free amino acid taurine through volume-regulated anion channels (VRACs), and it has been hypothesized that taurine released from glial cells is capable of inhibiting action potential (AP) firing by activating neuronal glycine receptors (GlyRs) (Hussy et al., 1997). Although an inhibitory GlyR tone is widely observed in the brain, it remains unknown whether this specifically reflects gliotransmission because most neurons also express VRACs and other endogenous molecules can activate GlyRs. We found that VRACs are absent in neurons of the rat supraoptic nucleus (SON), suggesting that glial cells are the exclusive source of taurine in this nucleus. Application of strychnine to rat hypothalamic explants caused a depolarization of SON neurons associated with a decrease of chloride conductance and could excite these cells in the absence of fast synaptic transmission. This inhibitory GlyR tone was eliminated by pharmacological blockade of VRACs, by cellular taurine depletion, by metabolic inactivation of glia with fluorocitrate, and after retraction of astrocytic processes that intercalate neuronal somata and dendrites. Finally, GlyR tone varied inversely with extracellular fluid tonicity to mediate the osmotic control of AP firing by SON neurons. These findings establish taurine as a physiological gliotransmitter and show that gliotransmission is a spatially constrained process that can be modulated by the morphological rearrangement of astrocytes.
Anatomical Characterization of a Rabbit Cerebellar Eyeblink Premotor Pathway Using Pseudorabies and Identification of a Local Modulatory Network in Anterior Interpositus
Authors: Gonzalez-Joekes Jimena , Schreurs Bernard G.
Published: September 2012

Rabbit eyeblink conditioning is a well characterized model of associative learning. To identify specific neurons that are part of the eyeblink premotor pathway, a retrograde transsynaptic tracer (pseudorabies virus) was injected into theorbicularis oculimuscle. Four time points (3, 4, 4.5, and 5 d) were selected to identify sequential segments of the pathway and a map of labeled structures was generated. At 3 d, labeled first-order motor neurons were found in dorsolateral facial nucleus ipsilaterally. At 4 d, second-order premotor neurons were found in reticular nuclei, and sensory trigeminal, auditory, vestibular, and motor structures, including contralateral red nucleus. At 4.5 d, labeled third-order premotor neurons were found in the pons, midbrain, and cerebellum, including dorsolateral anterior interpositus nucleus and rostral fastigial nucleus. At 5 d, labeling revealed higher-order premotor structures. Labeled fourth-order Purkinje cells were found in ipsilateral cerebellar cortex in cerebellar lobule HVI and in lobule I. The former has been implicated in eyeblink conditioning and the latter in vestibular control. Labeled neurons in anterior interpositus were studied, using neurotransmitter immunoreactivity to classify individual cell types and delineate their interconnectivity. Labeled third-order premotor neurons were immunoreactive for glutamate and corresponded to large excitatory projection neurons. Labeled fourth-order premotor interneurons were immunoreactive for GABA (30%), glycine (18%), or both GABA and glycine (52%) and form a functional network within anterior interpositus involved in modulation of motor commands. These results identify a complete eyeblink premotor pathway, deep cerebellar interconnectivity, and specific neurons responsible for the generation of eyeblink responses.
Key Electrophysiological, Molecular, and Metabolic Signatures of Sleep and Wakefulness Revealed in Primary Cortical Cultures
Authors: Hinard Valérie , Mikhail Cyril , Pradervand Sylvain , Curie Thomas , Houtkooper Riekelt H. , Auwerx Johan , Franken Paul , Tafti Mehdi
Published: September 2012

Although sleep is defined as a behavioral state, at the cortical level sleep has local and use-dependent features suggesting that it is a property of neuronal assemblies requiring sleep in function of the activation experienced during prior wakefulness. Here we show that mature cortical cultured neurons display a default state characterized by synchronized burst–pause firing activity reminiscent of sleep. This default sleep-like state can be changed to transient tonic firing reminiscent of wakefulness when cultures are stimulated with a mixture of waking neurotransmitters and spontaneously returns to sleep-like state. In addition to electrophysiological similarities, the transcriptome of stimulated cultures strikingly resembles the cortical transcriptome of sleep-deprived mice, and plastic changes as reflected by AMPA receptors phosphorylation are also similar. We used ourin vitromodel and sleep-deprived animals to map the metabolic pathways activated by waking. Only a few metabolic pathways were identified, including glycolysis, aminoacid, and lipids. Unexpectedly large increases in lysolipids were found bothin vivoafter sleep deprivation andin vitroafter stimulation, strongly suggesting that sleep might play a major role in reestablishing the neuronal membrane homeostasis. With ourin vitromodel, the cellular and molecular consequences of sleep and wakefulness can now be investigated in a dish.
Sox21 Promotes Hippocampal Adult Neurogenesis via the Transcriptional Repression of theHes5Gene
Authors: Matsuda Satoru , Kuwako Ken-ichiro , Okano Hirotaka James , Tsutsumi Shuichi , Aburatani Hiroyuki , Saga Yumiko , Matsuzaki Yumi , Akaike Akinori , Sugimoto Hachiro , Okano Hideyuki
Published: September 2012

Despite the importance of the production of new neurons in the adult hippocampus, the transcription network governing this process remains poorly understood. The High Mobility Group (HMG)-box transcription factor, Sox2, and the cell surface activated transcriptional regulator, Notch, play important roles in CNS stem cells. Here, we demonstrate that another member of the SoxB (Sox1/Sox2/Sox3) transcription factor family, Sox21, is also a critical regulator of adult neurogenesis in mouse hippocampus. Loss of Sox21 impaired transition of progenitor cells from type 2a to type 2b, thereby reducing subsequent production of new neurons in the adult dentate gyrus. Analysis of the Sox21 binding sites in neural stem/progenitor cells indicated that the Notch-responsive gene,Hes5, was a target of Sox21. Sox21 repressedHes5gene expression at the transcriptional level. Simultaneous overexpression ofHes5andSox21revealed that Hes5 was a downstream effector of Sox21 at the point where the Notch and Sox pathways intersect to control the number of neurons in the adult hippocampus. Therefore, Sox21 controls hippocampal adult neurogenesis via transcriptional repression of theHes5gene.
Theoretical Investigation of Migration Pathways for Li Diffusion in h-LiTiS
2
Authors: Islam Mazharul M. , Bredow Thomas
Published: September 2012

Lithium diffusion in highly lithiated hexagonal titanium disulphide (h-LixTiS2, x=0.88, 1.0) is investigated theoretically with periodic quantum-chemical methods. The calculated lithiation energies confirm that Li preferentially occupies the octahedral site rather than the tetrahedral site. Surprisingly, uncorrected density-functional theory (DFT) methods give better agreement with experiment for the structural parameters than the dispersion-corrected DFT-D approaches. Among the considered point defects, VLi
, VTi
, and Tii, Li point defects are thermodynamically preferred in h-LixTiS2. A moderate relaxation is observed for the atoms surrounding the Li defect or Ti defect site, whereas a pronounced relaxation of the nearest neighboring atoms of a Ti Frenkel defect occurs. Competing pathways for Li diffusion in h-LixTiS2 are investigated using the climbing-image Nudged-Elastic-Band (cNEB) approach. Li
+
ions can migrate within the crystallographic ab plane either in a direct pathway through shared edges of neighboring octahedra or via vacant tetrahedral sites. The possibility of three-dimensional Li
+
diffusion along the c direction is investigated via inclusion of Ti point defects and Ti Frenkel defects.
Kinetics of Lithium Intercalation in Titanium Disulfide Single Crystals
Authors: Schwarzburger Nele Isabell , Knobel Robert , Behrens Harald , Binnewies Michael , Horn Ingo , Pelster Andreas , Arlinghaus Heinrich F. , Dörrer Lars , Schmidt Harald
Published: September 2012

Single crystals of titanium disulfide TiS2 were synthesized by chemical vapor synthesis and subsequently intercalated with n-butyl lithium (BuLi) in n-hexane. Experiments were carried out using a butyl lithium concentration between 0.8 and 10 mol L-1 and the temperature range was from 248 K to 328 K. The duration of the intercalation was varied from 2 h to 30 d. After the intercalation experiments concentration profiles of lithium, titanium and sulfur were measured parallel to the ab-plane of the crystal by LA-ICP-OES (LASER Ablation — Inductively Coupled Plasma - Optical Emission Spectroscopy). Chemical diffusion coefficients (D) were determined by fitting of the profiles to the specific solution of Fick's 2
nd
law for the given boundary conditions.

The measured diffusivity in the ab-plane (D|| a/b
) varies between 10-13 and 10-15 m2 s-1 at room temperature. These variations of D cannot be correlated to the reaction time. On the other hand a systematic increase of D|| a/b
with the concentration of butyl lithium (cBuLi
) was observed, with a corresponding decrease in activation energy from 59.6 ± 7.6 kJ mol-1 (cBuLi=1.6 mol L-1
) to 42.6 ± 11.7 kJ mol-1 (cBuLi=10 mol L-1
). Furthermore, profiles measured on the same crystals reveal D|| a/b
values differing by up to a factor of 3. ToF-SIMS (Time-of-Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectromety) images gave evidence of inhomogenous insertion of lithium along crystal edges.

These findings indicate that stress induced by widening of the crystal layers plays a crucial role in the intercalation kinetics. SIMS profiling perpendicular to the ab-plane gives evidence that D⊥ a/b is at least four orders of magnitude lower than D|| a/b
.
Probability Densities of a Forced Probe Particle in Glass: Results from Mode Coupling Theory and Simulations of Active Microrheology
Authors: Harrer Christian J. , Puertas A. M. , Voigtmann Th. , Fuchs M.
Published: September 2012

We investigate the displacements of a probe particle inside a glass, when a strong external force is applied to the probe (active nonlinear microrheology). Calculations within mode coupling theory are presented for glasses of hard spheres and compared to Langevin and Brownian dynamics simulations. Under not too strong forces where the probe remains trapped, the probe density distribution becomes anisotropic. It is shifted towards the direction of the force, develops an enhanced tail in that direction (signalled by a positive skewness), and exhibits different variances along and perpendicular to the force direction. A simple model of an harmonically trapped probe rationalizes the low force limit, with strong strain softening setting in at forces of the order of a few thermal energies per particle radius.
Repulsive Forces between Spherical Polyelectrolyte Brushes in Salt-Free Solution
Authors: Zhulina Ekaterina B. , Boulakh Andrey B. , Borisov Oleg V.
Published: September 2012

Interaction forces between two colloidal spherical polyelectrolyte brushes in salt-free solution are calculated within Derjaguin approximation on the basis of self-consistent field Poisson–Boltzmann theory of a planar polyelectrolyte brush (E. B. Zhulina, O. V. Borisov, J. Chem. Phys. 107 (1997) 5952). It is demonstrated that at large separations the force-distance curve has a universal form which is independent of the charge density of the brush. At small separations the repulsive force is controlled by osmotic pressure of the counterions confined inside compressed brush. The crossover between these two regimes corresponds to the distance between the surfaces comparable to (double) thickness of a brush and occurs either continuously or with abrupt variation in the magnitude of the repulsive force. The latter is the case if the interacting brushes are found in the osmotic regime, that is, most of the counterions are retained in the intra-brush volume.
A remoção dos perfilhos não aumenta o rendimento de grãos do milho, independentemente da época de semeadura
Authors: Sangoi Luís , Schmitt Amauri , Vieira Jefferson , Vargas Vitor Paulo , Girardi Daniélle , Zoldan Sérgio Roberto
Published: September 2012

Historicamente, os perfilhos têm sido considerados indesejáveis na cultura do milho, porque não produzem espigas e podem drenar fotoassimilados do colmo principal. Este trabalho foi desenvolvido objetivando avaliar o efeito do estádio de remoção dos perfilhos sobre o rendimento de grãos do milho, em duas épocas de semeadura. O experimento foi conduzido em Lages, SC, durante os anos agrícolas de 2006/07 e 2008/09. Utilizou-se o delineamento experimental em blocos casualizados, dispostos em parcelas subdivididas. Na parcela principal, foram testadas duas épocas de semeadura: segunda quinzena de outubro (recomendada) e segunda quinzena de dezembro (tardia). Nas subparcelas, foram avaliados quatro estádios de remoção dos perfilhos: colmo principal com seis (V6), nove (V9) e quinze folhas expandidas (V15) e testemunha com perfilhos mantidos até a colheita. Testou-se o híbrido P30F53, na densidade de 55.000 plantas ha-1 e espaçamento entrelinhas de 0,7m. A percentagem de plantas perfilhadas e o número de perfilhos por planta foram maiores nas semeaduras de outubro do que nas de dezembro. Não houve diferenças no rendimento de grãos do tratamento em que os perfilhos foram mantidos, em relação àqueles em que eles foram removidos em V6, V9 ou V15, independentemente da época de semeadura. Isso demonstra que os perfilhos não são drenos que comprometam o desempenho agronômico do milho. Além disso, eles podem contribuir para o rendimento de grãos nas semeaduras feitas em outubro.
Germinação e desenvolvimento inicial de plântulas de soja convencional e sua derivada transgênica RR em condições de estresse salino
Authors: Carvalho Tereza Cristina de , Silva Sibelle Santanna da , Silva Rosemeire Carvalho da , Panobianco Maristela
Published: September 2012

O Brasil destaca-se como um dos maiores produtores mundiais de soja transgênica, sendo sua produção estendida principalmente a regiões com solos salinos, onde há acúmulo de sais que interferem na germinação da semente e no desenvolvimento das plântulas. O objetivo da pesquisa foi avaliar o efeito do estresse salino sobre a germinação e o desenvolvimento inicial de plântulas de soja convencional e sua derivada transgênica Roundup Ready (RR), submetidas a diferentes condições de salinidade. Para tanto, utilizaram-se dois lotes de sementes de soja (CD 206 e CD 206 RR), sendo que os tratamentos constaram dos seguintes níveis de NaCl: zero; 5; 15; 30; 60 e 120mmol L-1. A avaliação da qualidade fisiológica das sementes foi obtida pelos testes de germinação, comprimento de raiz e plântulas, massa seca de plântulas e volume radicular. O estresse salino reduz a germinação das sementes de ambos os genótipos, sendo que o desenvolvimento de plântulas do genótipo transgênico RR é menos sensível em condições de maior salinidade (60 a 120mmol L-1 de NaCl).
Faixas de suficiência para a cultura do algodão no centro-oeste do Brasil: I. macronutrientes
Authors: Camacho Marcos Antonio , Natale William , Barbosa José Carlos
Published: September 2012

A cultura do algodoeiro possui informações para a diagnose foliar estabelecidas para o Brasil, entretanto, esses valores de referência foram obtidos em sistemas produtivos distintos dos atualmente praticados no país, necessitando atualização destas referências. O trabalho objetivou estabelecer faixas de suficiência para macronutrientes na cultura do algodoeiro por meio do método da chance matemática. O trabalho foi realizado no período de 2000 a 2003 nos municípios de Costa Rica (MS), Diamantino e Sapezal (MT), totalizando 152 amostras de tecido vegetal (folha completa na quinta posição da haste principal, coletada no início do florescimento) e produtividade (em kg ha-1 de algodão em caroço) de lavouras comerciais de algodão. Foram determinados os teores de macronutrientes (N, P, K, Ca, Mg e S) e os dados foram submetidos ao método da chance matemática, utilizando-se de produtividades diferentes (4.000 e 4.500kg ha-1) para o cálculo das faixas de suficiência na população estudada. A utilização de produtividades diferentes para o cálculo da chance matemática (4.000 e 4.500kg ha-1), na população estudada, não apresenta diferença entre as faixas de suficiência para os macronutrientes. As faixas encontradas para os macronutrientes com o método da chance matemática foram, em g kg-1, de 33-45; 3,8-5,3; 15-21; 20-36; 4,0-7,2 e 2,8-8,6 para N, P, K, Ca, Mg e S, respectivamente. Os resultados obtidos não diferem de outros trabalhos, mas podem ser utilizados para uma região em específico.
Caracterização da região espaçadora 16-23S rDNA para diferenciação de estirpes de rizóbios utilizadas na produção de inoculantes comerciais no Brasil
Authors: Oliveira Andréia Mara Rotta , Bangel Eliane Villamil , Hungria Mariangela , Silveira José Ricardo Pfeifer , Vargas Luciano Kayser , Lisboa Bruno Brito
Published: September 2012

A identificação de estirpes de rizóbio tem sido feita pela especificidade por hospedeiros e ensaios microbiológicos tradicionais. Por constituírem um grupo filogeneticamente heterogêneo, diferentes técnicas moleculares têm sido empregadas para auxiliar na caracterização genética e na identificação de estirpes eficientes e competitivas para a produção de inoculantes. Este trabalho teve por objetivos caracterizar a região espaçadora 16S-23S rDNA das estirpes de rizóbios utilizadas nos inoculantes comercializados no Brasil para espécies leguminosas, utilizando a técnica da PCR em combinação com a de RFLP, e avaliar a possibilidade do uso desse marcador molecular como método auxiliar para identificação das estipes. A amplificação da região espaçadora 16-23 S rDNA das estirpes de rizóbios gerou fragmentos com tamanhos que variaram entre 700pb e 1350pb. Os produtos resultantes da amplificação foram submetidos à digestão com as endonucleases. Mps I, Dde I e Hae III. Os resultados obtidos neste estudo indicam a possibilidade do uso da técnica de PCR-RFLP da região espaçadora 16S-23S rDNA como marcador molecular para a diferenciar as estirpes de rizóbios, em complemento às técnicas microbiológicas tradicionais. Contudo, este marcador não é suficientemente discriminatório para ser usado na identificação das estirpes recomendadas para a produção de inoculantes comerciais.
Telemetria na transmissão de dados de desempenho de máquinas agrícolas utilizando tecnologias GSM/GPRS e ZigBee
Authors: Sichonany Oni Reasilvia de Almeida Oliveira , Schlosser José Fernando , Medina Roseclea Duarte , Roggia Iria Brucker , Lôbo Jaziel Souza , Santos Fernado Beux dos
Published: September 2012

Este trabalho apresenta os testes de um sistema de telemetria (T-SADA) que foi adaptado ao gerenciamento da mecanização agrícola utilizando uma colhedora automotriz autopropelida na colheita de soja e arroz irrigado. O sistema consiste na coleta e envio de dados de um ponto móvel (a máquina agrícola) para uma base fixa (um computador servidor) e faz a integração de dois meios de transmissão e a validação dos dados (propiciando tolerância a falhas). Os meios de transmissão de dados usados foram a tecnologia da telefonia móvel, GSM/GPRS, e rádio-frequência, através do Zigbee. O T-SADA é redundante, pois possui mais de uma forma de transmissão, o que garante o envio das informações mesmo se um dos meios não tiver condições de operar corretamente num determinado momento. É dada prioridade para a transmissão GSM/GPRS e deixando o ZigBee como meio alternativo, controlado por um mecanismo de detecção de falhas. Os resultados alcançados foram satisfatórios, garantindo a transmissão dos dados com tolerância a falhas e de forma redundante em locais remotos e em diferentes relevos.
Impacto de la bacteriemia en una cohorte de pacientes con neumonía neumocócica
Authors: Palma Ileana , Mosquera Ricardo , Demier Carmen , Vay Carlos , Famiglietti Angela , Luna Carlos M
Published: September 2012

OBJETIVO: Bacteriemia es la forma invasiva más común de neumonía adquirida en la comunidad (NAC) por Streptococcus pneumoniae. Investigamos si la bacteriemia en NAC neumocócica empeora los resultados y si ella guarda relación con la vacunación antineumocócica (VAN). MÉTODOS: Análisis secundario de una cohorte de pacientes con NAC neumocócica confirmada por cultivo de sangre o esputo o antígeno urinario. Se registraron datos demográficos, clínicos, radiográficos y de laboratorio, escores Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) y pneumonia severity index (PSI), comorbilidades y antecedente de VAN. Se compararon pacientes con NAC neumocócica bacteriémica (NNB) vs. no bacteriémica (NNNB). RESULTADOS: Cuarenta y siete pacientes tenían NNB y 71 NNNB (45 por cultivo de esputo y 26 por antígeno urinario); 107 tenían alguna indicación de VAN. Ningún paciente con NNB, pero 9 con NNNB, habían recibido VAN (p = 0,043). Los pacientes con NNB eran mayores (76,4 ± 11,5 vs. 67,5 ± 20,9 años), tenían mayor APACHE II (16,4 ± 4,6 vs. 14,1 ± 6,5) y PSI (129,5 ± 36 vs. 105,2 ± 45), más frecuentemente cardiopatía e insuficiencia renal crónica e internación en UTI (42,5% vs. 22,5%) y menor hematocrito (35,7 ± 5,8 vs. 38,6 ± 6,7%) y sodio plasmático (133,9 ± 6,0 vs. 137,1 ± 5,5 mEq/L). La mortalidad fue similar (29,8% vs. 28,2%). CONCLUSIONES: Los niveles de VAN (8,4%) en esta población con alto riesgo de NAC por S. pneumoniae fueron extremadamente bajos. Los pacientes con NNB estaban más graves, pero la mortalidad fue similar entre los dos grupos. La VAN reduce la incidencia de NNB y es razonable incrementar el nivel de vacunación de la población en riesgo.
Avaliação da eficácia e segurança da associação de budesonida e formoterol em dose fixa e cápsula única no tratamento de asma não controlada: ensaio clínico randomizado, duplo-cego, multicêntrico e controlado
Authors: Stirbulov Roberto , Fritscher Carlos Cezar , Pizzichini Emilio , Pizzichini Márcia Margaret Menezes
Published: September 2012

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a eficácia e a segurança da associação de budesonida e formoterol em dose fixa e cápsula única, em comparação ao uso de budesonida isolada em pacientes com asma não controlada. MÉTODOS: Ensaio clínico randomizado, duplo-cego, multicêntrico, de fase III, com grupos paralelos, comparando a eficácia de curto prazo e a segurança da formulação em pó de budesonida (400 µg) e formoterol (12 µg) com a formulação em pó de budesonida (400 µg) em 181 participantes com asma não totalmente controlada. A idade dos participantes variou de 18-77 anos. Após um período de run-in de 4 semanas, durante o qual todos os participantes receberam budesonida duas vezes por dia, houve a randomização para um dos tratamentos do estudo. O tratamento foi administrado duas vezes ao dia por 12 semanas. Os principais desfechos foram VEF1, CVF e PFE matinal. Os dados foram analisados por intenção de tratar. RESULTADOS: O grupo tratado com a associação, quando comparado ao grupo budesonida isolado, teve uma melhora significativa no VEF1 (0,12 L vs. 0,02 L; p = 0.0129) e no PFE matinal (30,2 L/min vs. 6,3 L/min; p = 0,0004). Esses efeitos foram acompanhados por boa tolerabilidade e segurança, como demonstrado pela baixa frequência de eventos adversos menores. CONCLUSÕES: A associação em cápsula única de budesonida e formoterol mostrou ser eficaz e segura. Os resultados demonstram que essa formulação é uma opção terapêutica válida para a obtenção e manutenção do controle da asma.
Achados de fibrobroncoscopia em pacientes com diagnóstico de neoplasia pulmonar
Authors: Rabahi Marcelo Fouad , Ferreira Andréia Alves , Reciputti Bruno Pereira , Matos Thalita de Oliveira , Pinto Sebastião Alves
Published: September 2012

OBJETIVO: Catalogar alterações encontradas em imagens obtidas por fibrobroncoscopia em pacientes com diagnóstico de neoplasia pulmonar e correlacionar esses achados com achados histopatológicos. MÉTODOS: Estudo retrospectivo envolvendo 212 pacientes com diagnóstico de câncer de pulmão confirmado por citologia obtida por lavado broncoalveolar e/ou histopatologia de biópsia endobrônquica ou transbrônquica. Os dados foram obtidos no Serviço de Endoscopia Respiratória do Hospital São Salvador (Goiânia-GO), entre 2005 e 2010. Os achados endoscópicos foram classificados como tumor endoscopicamente visível, tumor endoscopicamente não visível e lesão na mucosa, assim com quanto à pr sença/tipo de secreção. Os tumores visíveis também foram classificados de acordo com sua localização na árvore traqueobrônquica. RESULTADOS: O principal achado endoscópico foi a presença de massa endobrônquica (64%), seguido por infiltração da mucosa (35%). Quanto aos tipos histológicos (n = 199), os mais prevalentes foram carcinoma escamoso (39%), adenocarcinoma (21%), carcinoma de pequenas células (12%) e carcinoma de grandes células (1%). Mais de 45% dos tumores visíveis estavam localizados nos brônquios superiores. O carcinoma escamoso (n = 78) apresentou-se mais frequentemente como massa tumoral endobrônquica (74%), infiltração da mucosa (36%), estreitamento do lúmen (10%) e compressão extrínseca (6%). CONCLUSÕES: Nossos resultados indicam que a massa tumoral endobrônquica é o achado endoscópico que mais sugere malignidade. Proporcionalmente, infiltração da mucosa é mais comumente achada em carcinoma de pequenas células. Estreitamento do lúmen, compressão extrínseca, lesão na mucosa e secreção endobrônquica prevalecem no adenocarcinoma.
Indicadores antropométricos e de ingestão alimentar como preditores da função pulmonar em pacientes com fibrose cística
Authors: Forte Gabriele Carra , Pereira Juliane Silva , Drehmer Michele , Simon Miriam Isabel Souza dos Santos
Published: September 2012

OBJETIVO: Avaliar se indicadores antropométricos e de ingestão alimentar são preditores da função pulmonar em pacientes com fibrose cística (FC). MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal com 69 pacientes (variação, 5,4-16,5 anos de idade) diagnosticados com FC e em acompanhamento no Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, em Porto Alegre (RS). A avaliação antropométrica consistiu nas medidas do índice de massa corpórea (IMC), da circunferência muscular do braço (CMB) e da dobra cutânea tricipital (DCT). A ingestão alimentar foi avaliada pelo recordatório de ingestão habitual e comparada com recommended dietary allowances. A avaliação da função pulmonar foi realizada através da capacidade ventilatória, representada pelo VEF1. Razões de prevalência foram calculadas entre os preditores e o desfecho estudado (VEF1 < 80% do previsto). RESULTADOS: Os pacientes com CMB e DCT abaixo do percentil 25 apresentaram significativamente maior prevalência de VEF1 < 80% do previsto (p < 0,001 e p = 0,011, respectivamente). Os pacientes com IMC menor que o percentil 50 apresentaram 4,43 vezes (IC95%: 1,58-12,41) a prevalência de VEF1 < 80% do previsto. Os pacientes colonizados por Staphylococcus aureus resistente a meticilina apresentaram 2,54 vezes (IC95%: 1,43-4,53) a prevalência do desfecho do que os não colonizados. A associação entre consumo calórico e o desfecho estudado apresentou significância limítrofe (IC95%: 0,95-3,45). CONCLUSÕES: O IMC superior ao percentil 50 e a ausência de colonização por S. aureus resistente a meticilina apresentaram uma associação direta com função pulmonar preservada em pacientes com FC.
Efetividade do tratamento da tuberculose
Authors: Paz Letícia Nazareth Fernandes da , Ohnishi Maria Deise de Oliveira , Barbagelata Camila Melo , Bastos Fabiana de Arruda , Oliveira III João Augusto Figueiredo de , Parente Igor Costa
Published: September 2012

OBJETIVO: Analisar as estratégias que influenciam a efetividade do tratamento da tuberculose em Unidades Básicas de Saúde (UBS). MÉTODOS: Levantamento epidemiológico, descritivo, retrospectivo, envolvendo os prontuários médicos de 588 pacientes com tuberculose cadastrados no programa de controle da tuberculose, entre janeiro de 2004 e dezembro de 2008, em duas UBS - Centro de Saúde Escola do Marco (CSEM) e UBS da Pedreira (UBSP) - localizadas na cidade de Belém (PA). Os critérios de exclusão foram ter idade < 18 anos ou > 59 anos e ter alta por transferência ou mudança de diagnóstico. Os dados coletados foram idade, sexo, tipo de tratamento (autoadministrado ou supervisionado), coinfecção por HIV e desfecho do tratamento. Os profissionais de saúde envolvidos no programa da tuberculose das duas UBS foram entrevistados quanto às estratégias utilizadas no controle da doença e à rotina de atendimento. RESULTADOS: Não houve diferenças significativas quanto a idade, sexo e coinfecção com HIV nas duas UBS. A utilização de tratamento supervisionado foi significativamente maior no CSEM que na UBSP, assim como a taxa de cura, enquanto a taxa de abandono foi maior na UBSP que no CSEM. CONCLUSÕES: Para pacientes cadastrados em programas de controle da tuberculose em UBS no Brasil, o tratamento supervisionado provavelmente é uma estratégia de extrema importância para se alcançar uma menor taxa de abandono.
Tuberculose, HIV e pobreza: tendência temporal no Brasil, Américas e mundo
Authors: Guimarães Raphael Mendonça , Lobo Andréa de Paula , Siqueira Eduardo Aguiar , Borges Tuane Franco Farinazzo , Melo Suzane Cristina Costa
Published: September 2012

OBJETIVO: Analisar a tendência temporal das taxas de prevalência, incidência e mortalidade por tuberculose, associada ou não com HIV, no Brasil, nas Américas e no mundo. MÉTODOS: Foram coletados os dados relacionados à tuberculose, com e sem coinfecção por HIV, entre 1990 e 2010, no Brasil, nas Américas e no mundo. As tendências foram estimadas por regressão linear. RESULTADOS: Foi identificada uma tendência de redução nas taxas de prevalência e mortalidade de tuberculose, que foi maior no Brasil e nas Américas que no mundo. Houve uma tendência crescente na incidência da coinfecção tuberculose/HIV e nas taxas de detecção de casos de tuberculose ativa e latente. Houve uma tendência de redução da incidência de tuberculose no Brasil, mas de aumento dessa no mundo. Houve uma correlação direta das taxas de incidência de tuberculose com as taxas de pobreza e as taxas de incidência de HIV. CONCLUSÕES: Desigualdades sociais e o advento da AIDS são os principais fatores que agravam a atual situação da tuberculose. Nesse contexto, abordagens metodológicas para a avaliação das ações de vigilância da tuberculose são bem-vindas, pois essas indicarão situações de dados de notificação da tuberculose que não reflitam a verdadeira incidência dessa doença.
Effects of net cages on the vertical distribution of zooplankton in a semi-arid reservoir, northeastern Brazil
Authors: Freitas Glécia Trinta de Paula , Crispim Maria Cristina , Melo Júnior Hênio do Nascimento de
Published: September 2012

AIM: Carneiro reservoir is an aquatic environment used for net cage aquaculture activities, located in the semi-arid region of northeastern Brazil. Vertical distribution was evaluated in order to determine the effects of organic enrichment induced by aquaculture on zooplankton movements. METHODS: three replicate samples were collected during midday and midnight at each of three depths along the water column (i.e. surface: 0 m; middle: 2 m and bottom: 4 m) at two sites (near and far from the net cages). Samples were collected using a 3 L volume capacity Van Dorn bottle. The collected individuals were preserved in a 4% formaldehyde solution saturated with sugar and, later, identified and counted on a Sedgwick-Rafter chamber under a microscope, considering a minimum of 100 individuals per subsample. RESULTS: higher species richness and density were observed at the N station (nearby the net cages) compared to the F station (distant from the net cages). With few exceptions, Rotifer species did not exhibit typical vertical migration patterns, concentrating at bottom depths during daytime and at intermediate depths during nighttime. Brachionus dolabratus and Hexarthra mira were the only species to show reverse vertical migration at the N station, in opposition to patterns of the cyclopoid copepod Termocyclops crassus. Furthermore, vertical migration patterns were not clear for Cladocera and Copepoda species nearby the net cages, but were rather clear at the F station. CONCLUSIONS: the presence of fish net cages increased zooplankton species richness (mostly rotifers) and density. Vertical movements were more pronounced at sites distant from net cages, suggesting that the increased food availability reduced the need for the typical vertical movements during daytime at sites nearby the net cages.
Foraminiferal biostratigraphy of the Visean–Serpukhovian (Mississippian) boundary interval at slope and platform sections in southern Guizhou (South China)
Authors: Groves John R. , Yue Wang , Yuping Qi , Richards Barry C. , Ueno Katsumi , Xiangdong Wang
Published: September 2012

The Visean–Serpukhovian boundary is not yet defined by a Global Stratotype Section and Point (GSSP) but it is recognizable operationally by the appearance of the conodont Lochriea ziegleri in the L. nodosa–L. ziegleri chronocline. Foraminiferal successions across this boundary in the type area of the Serpukhovian Stage (Moscow Basin, Russia), elsewhere in Russia and in the central United States suggest that the appearances of Asteroarchaediscus postrugosus, Janischewskina delicata, Eolasiodiscus donbassicus, and specimens controversially referred to “Millerella tortula” are reliable, auxiliary indices to the base of the Serpukhovian. In southern Guizhou Province, China, Visean–Serpukhovian rock sequences from slope and platform settings have yielded rich associations of conodonts and foraminifers, respectively. The Nashui section is a leading candidate for the Serpukhovian GSSP because its slope deposits contain an uninterrupted record of conodont occurrences including the L. nodosa–L. ziegleri transition. Foraminifers recovered from the Nashui section are comparatively rare and include none of the basal Serpukhovian indices. In contrast, the nearby Yashui section represents a platform interior setting in which foraminifers flourished and conodonts were nearly absent. The base of the Serpukhovian at Yashui is marked approximately by the appearance of “tortula-like” specimens. Although it is not possible to correlate biostratigraphically between the Nashui and Yashui sections, the occurrence of “tortula-like” specimens at the Yashui section allows correlation with the mid-Venevian Substage of the Moscow Basin at a level coinciding with the appearance of L. ziegleri. Together, the slope and platform sections comprise an informative biostratigraphic reference area for micropaleontologic characterization of the Visean–Serpukhovian boundary in southern Guizhou.
Morphometric investigation of the Pentremites fauna from the Glen Dean Formation, Kentucky
Authors: Atwood James W. , Sumrall Colin D.
Published: September 2012

New techniques involving three-dimensional (3D) data collection and landmark analysis provide an opportunity to make considerable advances in understanding blastoid morphology. This pilot study examines four species (Pentremites pyriformis, P. tulipaformis, P. fredericki n. sp. and P. meganae n. sp.) using 3D morphological variation and geometric morphometrics to discriminate between species. All specimens were collected from a single shale unit within the Upper Mississippian Glen Dean Formation near Hopkinsville, Kentucky. A 3D laser scanner was used to acquire 3D images for all specimens. Conservative blastoid thecal plating allowed the collection of 3D coordinates for a series of homologous landmarks from these laser images that fully describe specimen morphology. Data were analyzed using the R (language and environment for statistical computing and graphics) packages SHAPES and MCLUST. Mixture modeling identified and separated all four species based on shape alone. In addition, three new species were discovered during this study, including: Pentremites fredericki, P. meganae and Diploblastus fadigai.
Distinct but rare archisargid flies from Jurassic of China (Diptera, Brachycera, Archisargidae) with discussion of the systematic position of Origoasilus pingquanensis Zhang et al., 2011
Authors: Zhang Junfeng
Published: September 2012

Three new archisargid species referred to one new genus, Flagellisargus sinicus, F. venustus and F. robustus, are described based on three impressions from the Callovian–Oxfordian of the “Daohugou Formation” in Daohugou, Chifeng, Inner Mongolia, China. The presence of an elongated flagellum and large male genitalia places these new findings with the distinct but rare archisargid flies. The systematic position of Origoasilus pingquanensis Zhang et al., 2011 is reassessed, placing it with Archisargidae within Archisargoidea rather than Asiloidea. The Origoasilidae is a junior synonym for Archisargidae.
An effective stress framework for the variation in penetration resistance due to episodes of remoulding and reconsolidation
Authors: HODDER M.S. , WHITE D.J. , CASSIDY M.J.
Published: September 2012

Steel catenary risers (SCRs) are used to transport hydrocarbon products between offshore floating platforms and the seabed. Like many offshore structures, SCRs are subjected to gross cyclic movements during operation, which remould the seabed soil. The fatigue life of these structures is highly sensitive to the stiffness and strength of the seabed response. Accurate modelling of this behaviour requires a framework that can capture the changes in soil strength and stiffness that occur throughout the design life, accounting for remoulding during extreme events, and reconsolidation during the intervening periods. This paper describes such a framework, which is couched in effective stress terms. Soil softening during remoulding is predominantly associated with excess pore pressure generation, and the subsequent regain in strength is linked to the dissipation of excess pore pressure. The framework can describe the variation of resistance on a cylinder (i.e. a pipe) during any sequence of vertical cyclic motion, interspersed with pause periods. The framework is based on a critical state approach, with the current strength being linked to the current moisture content. The framework is shown to capture well the load–penetration response during an episodic T-bar penetrometer test. The operative soil strength is shown to vary dramatically throughout this event, with the softening effect of remoulding being almost entirely negated by a regain in strength associated with periods of partial or complete reconsolidation. The framework provides a basis for capturing these dramatic effects to aid pipeline and riser design (and other processes that involve gross remoulding and reconsolidation), without recourse to a full numerical simulation of the entire soil domain.
Enumeration of viable Escherichia coli by real-time PCR with propidium monoazide
Authors: Yokomachi N. , Yaguchi J.
Published: September 2012

A photo-inducible DNA-binding dye, propidium monoazide (PMA), was used to distinguish viable and dead Escherichia coli cells. Microscopic observations using a combination of the dyes 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole and PMA indicated that PMA stained only dead cells, with membrane damage, red. Mixtures of viable and heat-treated E. coli cells were subjected to real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with PMA treatment. Viable cell counts were linearly related to real-time PCR threshold cycle values for PMA-treated cells in the mixtures of viable and heat-treated cells, as long as the ratio of dead cells to viable cells was no greater than 10. In the wastewater treatment plants, total, viable and culturable E. coli were enumerated by real-time PCR, real-time PCR coupled with PMA treatment and the most probable number method using EC-MUG medium, respectively. The concentrations of viable E. coli in the wastewater treatment plants were much higher than those of culturable cells. In addition, viable cells were even more chlorine resistant than culturable ones.
Impact assessment of odours emitted by a wastewater treatment plant
Authors: Beghi Sandra P. , Santos Jane Méri , Reis Neyval Costa , de Sá Leandro Melo , Goulart Elisa Valentim , de Abreu Costa Elza
Published: September 2012

Complaints from the Domingos Martins population about sewage odours in the city made the district attorney order an impact assessment of the odours emitted by the city wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). This study comprised various techniques, models and population surveys. In 2007, an odour emission model proved that the main hydrogen sulphide emitter was the aeration tank of the WWTP (13.5 g h–1) and such emissions, according to CALPUFF model, should be perceived in the whole Domingos Martins city centre area. In this area, 58% of those interviewed were annoyed by the WWTP odours. However, in 2009, the odour monitoring panel recorded few odour occurrences. A second population survey showed that hereafter only 20% of those interviewed were annoyed by the WWTP emissions. Odour emission and dispersion models run with 2010 data proved a drastic reduction of the WWTP aeration tank emissions and consequently the city centre was not bothered by WWTP emissions anymore. The odour emission reduction was due to the modification of the WWTP aeration tank system. Despite the odour emission reduction, houses located southeast of the WWTP were still annoyed by sewage odours. However, in this part of the town, other sources of sewage odours have been found.
A fuzzy inference method based on association rule analysis with application to river flood forecasting
Authors: Zhang Chi , Wang Yilun , Zhang Lili , Zhou Huicheng
Published: September 2012

In this paper, a computationally efficient version of the widely used Takagi-Sugeno (T-S) fuzzy reasoning method is proposed, and applied to river flood forecasting. It is well known that the number of fuzzy rules of traditional fuzzy reasoning methods exponentially increases as the number of input parameters increases, often causing prohibitive computational burden. The proposed method greatly reduces the number of fuzzy rules by making use of the association rule analysis on historical data, and therefore achieves computational efficiency for the cases of a large number of input parameters. In the end, we apply this new method to a case study of river flood forecasting, which demonstrates that the proposed fuzzy reasoning engine can achieve better prediction accuracy than the widely used Muskingum–Cunge scheme.